Sunday, September 21, 2014

The GMO-allergy connection

 by Teresa Mitchell-Paterson, ND

Need another reason to dodge Frankenfoods? Genetically modified foods are significantly more likely to trigger an allergic response, says Teresa Mitchell-Paterson.
The overarching concern about genetically modified (GM) crops is that the imported genes produce a protein that has never previously been part of the human food supply – and we don’t know what the long-term impacts may be. One possible effect may be to trigger an immune (allergic) response, which is exactly what occurred during the mid-90s – as evidenced in blood tests –

Saturday, September 20, 2014

The power of knowledge sharing

Systems to manage the wealth of knowledge inside companies can help junior staff get a leg up in career advancement.

Knowledge management systems help connect workers to knowledge and other people regardless of physical distance. They are wide-ranging and can vary from custom-designed knowledge repositories to web-based systems which comprise discussion forums, file sharing and organization charts, to name but a few features.

How can ‘pesantren’ contribute to national education

History shows that pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) have made a great contribution to the independence of this country; most have also played a significant role in making Indonesian Muslims moderate and tolerant. However, the condition of pesantren, especially in rural areas, is deplorable. Most have been left behind in comparison to other educational institutions in urban areas. One reason is the lack of attention from the government on the development of pesantren.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Exam time, how to help your child through this testing time

by Tania Wells, BHSc Nat, DH, DRM
Healthy Life Erina

Through first-hand experience with the pressures of the HSC and University exams with my own children and friends, as well as seeing numerous students and parents at my clinic, I know all too well how students may struggle with stress, anxiety or depression at this time of year.
If it’s exam time for someone in your household, increased empathy and support from you and the rest of the family can help protect your hard-working student from being overwhelmed by stress.
Know the signs
Girls tend to be more open and talk about issues or have outbursts whereas boys may simply withdraw. Try to be  there to listen when they’re in the mood to talk, or occasionally nudge them to open up.

Student Flow Management in Higher Education

There is a technology that colleges and universities have been using successfully for years called Student Flow Management or SFM. A SFM system is the interface between students waiting in the lobby and a skills-based routing solutions. When a new student arrives, the SFM system evaluates the Estimated Wait Time (EWT) for a specialist. If there is no specialist available for a few minutes, the system quotes the EWT and allows the student do other things while the system saves their place in line. While waiting in the virtual queue, the caller is free to go about his business. When it is the student’s turn, they will receive a notification within the time quoted. This notification can be in the form of a number being displayed or announced, a text message, or in person.