Intermittent Fasting vs Cutting Calories

By: Juquetta Reynolds

A peer-reviewed study conducted by the Journal of the American Heart Association found that increasing meals may be more effective for weight loss than intermittent fasting.

The study used a mobile app called Daily24 to observe 547 participants over 6 years. The participants were all over the age of eighteen. They were chosen from three health systems based in Maryland and Pennsylvania. A health system is an organization of people, resources, and institutions that delivers healthcare services to meet the healthcare needs of the system’s target population. 

80% of the participants self-identified as white, 12% self-identified as black, and 3% self-identified as Asian.

The app was developed specifically for this study. The participants used it to record the timing of their meals and sleep. Time was recorded using a 24-hour wheel. The participants did not have to record exactly what they ate, only the size of the meal selected from a drop-down menu. 

A small meal is considered less than 500 calories. A medium meal is considered 500 to 1,000 calories. A large meal is considered over 1,000 calories.

During the first four weeks, the participants were sent emails, texts, and in-app notifications to encourage them to use the app as much as possible.

 “When I think about intermittent fasting I feel like you only get a couple of meals in,” said Nicholas Joyner, a Georgia Southern University student. 

Joyner does not consider himself an intermittent faster, although he only eats from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. He chooses to fast from 11pm-8am to reach his body weight goals. Joyner wants to drop fat and add muscle.

Kyra Dorsey, a Georgia Southern University student, used intermittent fasting as part of her healthcare plan when diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. 

“I would eat breakfast in the morning and then most of the time it would be twelve hours in between and I’d eat dinner,” Dorsey said.

Dorsey lost 40 pounds and stopped intermittent fasting when her body regulated itself. 

Benjamin Horne, the director of cardiovascular and genetic epidemiology at Intermountain Heart Institute, has been studying intermittent fasting since 2002. He believes intermittent fasting is effective, but the effectiveness depends on what you are studying. 

Horne’s research has found that time-restricted eating does not produce quick weight loss results. He has found that the effects fasting has on the body such as lowering glucose and insulin levels, could eventually lead to weight loss with proper nutrition. 

In conclusion, the study implicated that the number of daily meals was positively associated with weight change over the 6 years. The time interval between their first and last meal was not associated with weight change.

Adderall Shortage: Here's what to know

By: Isabella Kicklighter, Nerd Crew Journalist

The shortage that is impacting Americans from all walks of life is that of Adderall in 2023. Adderall is a stimulant indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD and narcolepsy. The Amphetamines in the medicine interact with the central nervous system (CNS) stimulating it in a way that increases motor activity and mental alertness along with a decrease in fatigue. Adderall has been around longer than other stimulants like Vyvance and Concerta, making it the more popular option for many patients in the United States. Over the years the popularity of adderall has grown and it has become one of the most popular prescribed stimulants, creating a large demand for the drug. 

 Manufacturers are unable to meet the recent demands for the drug especially following the increase of prescriptions for the drug during 2020’s COVID breakout and because of that doctors are having to consider alternatives for their patients, pharmacists are losing business having to turn patients away due to lack of supply and patients are worried about how they will function without their prescription. Many of these patients are worried about how they will be able to function in their daily lives, “I am worried I am not going to be able to feel awake and get through my days without it,” said Georgia Southern University student, Miranda Dunagan. Miranda was prescribed the medication back in 2021 and relies on it daily to focus as well as stay motivated throughout the day. Thousands of other patients prescribed adderall like Dunagan suffer from the same worries about the impact the shortage will have on their ability to function daily.

Patients express these concerns to pharmacists daily while they try to get their prescriptions filled. Pharmacists have lost numerous customers, having to send them to other pharmacies that may have the medication in stock, which then makes them lose money. Medical professionals are having to consult patients daily on the impact of the shortage and those who prescribe the medicine such as doctors and psychiatrists are considering alternatives for their patients. “Patients can likely switch to another stimulant and have success, but there will be some cases where the patient cannot tolerate the new compound,” said Madison Clayton, a North Florida Pharmacist. Clayton added that patients switching to another stimulant could lead to shortage of other stimulants if manufacturers do not keep up with the demand. 

One of the leading manufacturers involved in this shortage is Teva, which experienced difficulty hiring workers in the last year. A spokeswoman for Teva told the New York Times that they expect to soon resolve the delays caused by worker shortages. She added that they are now focusing on catching up on manufacturing following the “surge in demand” for the drug. This surge could potentially be explained by numerous causes, one being “an increase in prescribing due to recent increases in access to stimulant-prescribing physicians online, as one might have seen advertised on social media,” said Pharmacist Clayton. There have been no reports proving that online physicians are the cause of the shortage but the reports do point to increase in demand being a major issue. Where that demand stems from is largely speculated. 

Although people are still looking for answers as to why this is happening, there are a few things they can do in the meantime to help decrease the chances of experiencing withdrawals when patients are unable to receive the drug in their area. As stated before there are other drug stimulants used for the same diagnosis that could work for some patients. The best course of action is to immediately speak to your doctor and discuss alternative options. Some patients can even discuss spreading out doses with their doctor, to help prolong their current stash of adderall. “Patients can experience some benefit from high caffeinated drinks such as coffee or sodas,” said Pharmacy Technician Terri Bortz. Bortz explained, for those who may experience negative reactions to new prescriptions, they may be able to find non-prescription alternatives to help, home remedies in a way. The most common is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating nutritious foods, exercising and staying hydrated.  “Don’t panic and try alternative treatments, even if they don’t work completely they can help some,” said Bortz. 

Sources:

Miranda Dunagan, Georgia Southern Student, (404)834-9389

Terri Bortz, Pharmacy Technician, (912)409-7603

Madison Clayton, Pharmacist, (904)521-0828

Blum, D. (2022, November 16). Amid the adderall shortage, people with A.D.H.D. face withdrawal and despair. The New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/16/well/mind/adderall-shortage-withdrawal-symptoms-adhd.html 

The Pulp and Paper Industry: Will the Savannah River ever be saved?

By: Nakya Harris

The Pulp and Paper Industry

“The Savannah River can never be saved,” Tonya Bonitatibus, a Savannah Riverkeeper, paraphrased from the novel “The Water Lords.”  The Savannah River is just one waterway that has been affected by the pulp and paper industry. This not only affects the river itself but the well-being of the locals that reside there. It is a river that residents of the community use for drinking water and other everyday occurrences such as bathing and washing clothes. 

When it comes to the pulp and paper industry, there are an array of chemicals that are released into the environment. At times, locals may even smell the chemicals that are being released into the air. Some chemicals that are involved in this process are as follows: Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. When hearing about these chemicals that are being released into the air, there may be confusion about how they may affect the environment.

“It all depends on how much of these chemicals are being released into the atmosphere,” Marina Eremeeva, an environmental health sciences professor at Georgia Southern University, said.

Constantly inhaling chemicals that are released regularly or at an alarming rate can break down a human body over time. Residents who are living in an area that has a pulp and paper mill may experience diseases such as cancer, lung disease and even develop asthma.

Eremeeva mentions that these chemicals can have an impact on the mental conditions and behavior of particularly children and teens. The nervous systems of these age groups are still being developed, so living in proximity to the mill plant will impact them psychologically. Some may develop a more aggressive personality.

Not only are chemicals being released into the atmosphere, but wastewater pollutants are another major concern. The contaminated water that is being dumped into a waterway, such as a river, impacts a community that uses it as a source of everyday life. Furthermore, contaminated water affects aquatic life. 

Eremeeva explains that the levels that are being released into the environment may never be deemed environmentally friendly because it is too expensive to do so. 

Even though the amount of wastewater and chemicals that are being released into the atmosphere are being monitored by decision-makers, are communities still being affected by their definition of being environmentally friendly? 

A look into Coastal Georgia: The Savannah River

“The Savannah River is a drinking source for 1.4 million people,” Tonya Bonitatibus director and Riverkeeper at Savannah Riverkeeper, said. 

The Savannah Riverkeeper’s job is to make sure that decision-makers are aware of and take into consideration the impact the decisions have on the river and the people that rely on it. Also, they are constantly working with the mills to let them know if their process becomes an issue for the river. For example, a spill beyond the normal discharge.

“Our job is to be rabid dogs to make sure decision-makers are doing something,” Bonitatisbus said. 

Savannah, Georgia is home to several paper mills. Many of them are owned by International Paper Company. 

“The paper mills are going to want to do what they want to do,” Bonitatisbus said. “The more they pollute, the less they have to clean up and the more money they make. Bottom line.”

International Paper Company was contacted to get their take on how they are dealing with being environmentally friendly, considering the condition of the river today. However, there was no response. According to their website, they are using the best science to enhance climate impact and improve water stewardship.

Even though this is stated on their website, Bonitatisbus mentions that fishermen are often expressing their concerns about the river. Savannah Riverkeepers receive calls about once a month about the condition of the river. Also, she mentions the pulp and paper process visibly changes the color of the river.

Is it true that the Savannah River can never be saved?

Electric Vehicles and Megasites: What is the environmental cost of sustainable development? By: Ainslie Smith

Construction for Hyundai Motor Group’s (HMG) first fully dedicated electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility has now begun on the nearly 3,000 acre megasite in Bryan county, starting with the clear cutting and burning of this forested area that has sparked concern about the ecological footprint of the project. 

Multiple individuals and organizations are calling upon local representatives to give serious consideration to the imminent demands on the local environment and infrastructure that will accompany the new facility that will sit adjacent to interstate 16.

Lissa Leege of Georgia Southern’s biology department recently spoke at a Bulloch County Commission meeting about zoning and how to deal with the tens of thousands of people that will be moving here in the next few years with the creation of 8,000 new jobs at the Hyundai plant.

“Yes, we are making electric vehicles in that space, but that is not a green decision unless all the development around it is sustainable,” said Leege.

Kris Howard, the Science and Policy Manager for Ogeechee Riverkeepers, described how the group is working closely with commissioners across multiple counties to ensure the sustainable development of not only the facility, but the neighboring communities that will see an influx of residents soon.

“We are very adamant about not being opposed to growth because growth is needed, but we are focused on sustainability,” said Howard.

The HMG facility's water use and the increased demands on public sewage systems are a top priority, and Howard says that the Riverkeepers are working towards ordinances that will require annual maintenance on septic systems in order to prevent malfunctioning and harmful impacts to our waters.

Beyond policy and infrastructure, some individuals are also concerned with the loss of habitat and how the permanent alteration of this much land will impact the surrounding environment. C. Ray Chandler of the Georgia Southern biology department described the importance of the forest and the effects of removing the vegetation from this land.

The forests and wetlands native to this part of Southeastern Georgia provide many essential ecosystem services including air and water filtration. As a carbon sink, the forest collects more CO2 than it produces but, with the clearing of this land, that carbon returns to the atmosphere. Additionally, because this land that was previously shaded by trees is now receiving direct sunlight and is now drier, topsoil erosion will occur. 

“Your physically altering temperature, humidity, wind, and over time, you're going to have biological effects,” said Chandler

According to Chandler many species of amphibians, including those such as the endangered Flatwood Salamander, rely on both the forests as their primary habitats, and also the wetlands for their short breeding seasons. 

Even with precautions such as creating boundaries around wetlands during construction, many species are threatened by deforestation because their life cycles and breeding patterns rely on different aspects of the environment. 

Chandler also detailed his concerns about the potential for misuse of water resources including overdraft of the rivers and effluent (treated wastewater) pollution.

His concerns are far from hypothetical, as just over a decade ago a textile treatment facility in Screven county seeped toxins into a 77-mile stretch of the Ogeechee river, resulting in the loss of nearly 40,000 fish, along with alligators, birds and turtles.

Chandler believes it is a difficult balance to strike between conserving the natural ecosystems and developing infrastructure that can support sustainability amongst a growing population.

“At the end of the day, we need to reduce our CO2 production. Electric vehicles are probably going to be part of the answer,” said Chandler.

However, because we will not be dismantling any warehouses or pulling up asphalt anytime in the foreseeable future, Chandler says serious forethought needs to be put into these permanent developments because ultimately, residents of South Georgia will pay the cost for mishandled resources.

According to Leege and Kris Howard, the most compelling action a citizen can take is to make their voice heard. By attending commision meetings and organizing as groups with a united cause, representatives are more likely to consider these opinions and make decisions that are truly in the interest of the community. 

The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month, at which community members can make their opinions heard.

“There's potential to do it the right way, so speak up,” said Leege.

Humanoid Robots: Closer than what we think?

By: Jacob Zari

A humanoid robot has been seen jogging, jumping, and tossing a toolbag on video recently, which poses the question, can they be regularly seen sooner than many have envisioned?

Boston Dynamics, a robotics company that designs and manufactures robots themselves, released the demo video in the middle of January, showing off their research and development robot, called Atlas. 

Atlas has 28 hydraulic joints all across the body, each positioned in the likeness of where a human’s joints are. Instead of electricity in the joints, there is pressurized hydraulic oil threaded in that provides the robot human-like mobility. 

For Atlas to be able to “see” and react to its surroundings, it uses a time-of-flight depth camera. Pocket-Lint explains that the camera “uses infrared light (lasers invisible to human eyes) to determine depth information - a bit like how a bat senses its surroundings.” 

Boston Dynamics says that their depth camera is able to collect data at 15 frames per second. As a comparison, the human eye can see and interpret data anywhere from 30 to 60 frames per second. This is where the questions of efficiency and reliability come in. 

Kody Pierce, a student worker at the engineering lab at Georgia Southern spoke on the reliability of robots. Pierce says, “it’s more about how the data is collected that can lead to malfunctions.

“For instance, Tesla has been having a lot of issues with their autopilot because it’s mainly camera-based,” Pierce adds, “Cameras can only spit out a one dimensional image which can be difficult to get accurate distance measurements from, doable but extremely difficult. If the measurements aren’t accurate then the whole system is theoretically blind which can lead to some pretty serious issues.”

Issues are the very last thing that Construction Managers want on the job site. There is a lot riding on getting a job done not only in time, but meeting the budget for that job as well. Construction Managers have to be very aware of not only the risks of humanoid robots, but also the current limitations as well.

Matthew Ricks, an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Construction at Georgia Southern, put it this way, “ Take a look at those robots in Japan that can shoot three-pointers. They are making the shots, but they are ridiculously slow. So we know that it can get a task done, but how efficient is it? On the job site, that is what we have to worry about.”

So the question to ask is how long is it going to take until humanoid robots, like Atlas, are ready to be extensively used in the workforce? 

“I’d say robots can already act as quickly as humans.” Pierce says. “It is more about can they understand the environment and different situations the same as humans. I feel like it’ll be awhile before we get to that point.”

Avian flu: What's that got to do with the price of eggs?

 

By: Erin Ware

New data published from the Consumer Price Index shows that egg prices have soared 60% in 2022. 

While inflation and price-gouging could play a factor in high egg prices, the avian flu epidemic is the heart of the problem. 

The U.S. is currently facing the deadliest avian flu outbreak in its history with nearly 58 million birds having been infected, according to the USDA. 

The avian flu, much like the human influenza virus, mutates readily causing some strains to be more deadly than others. This is a year with a highly virulent strain circulating among birds, unlike less harmful strains in the past. 

This is not the first time the U.S. has seen a highly pathogenic strain of avian flu. In 2015, more than 50 million chickens and turkeys were infected, causing economic losses of $3.3 billion, according to the USDA. 

Ray Chandler, an ecology and bird conservation researcher at Georgia Southern University, notes that reducing an avian flu outbreak among domestic birds, such as chickens, is much more challenging compared to wild bird populations. 

"Similar to how the human flu spreads more readily during the winter because we are cooped up indoors," Chandler explains, "avian flu spreads readily among domestic birds because they are housed together in dense groups."

Wild bird populations naturally decrease the spread of the virus amongst themselves when they migrate to remote areas and spread-out during the breeding season. Domestic birds, however, require human intervention to contain the spread. One form of human intervention requires the euthanization of entire hen houses that have been exposed to the virus. 

Chicken farms also use extensive preventative measures to remain sterile. These measures require all trucks entering or leaving a farm to undergo a disinfection process and any person on the farm must wear a sterile suit and boots. 

Brad Sutton, the operations manager at Highridge Poultry, says that transmission prevention measure taken during an outbreak are not only tedious, but can end up being very costly. 

"Buying the disinfectant to spray the trucks can be a costly expense that a lot of people don't consider," said Sutton, "but it's better safe than sorry."

While poultry businesses seem to take the biggest hit from avian flu outbreaks, small businesses such as bakeries or restaurants can also take a costly blow. 

Jordan Gunter, the general manager of Sugar Magnolia Bistro in Statesboro, has not ran into any problems acquiring enough eggs for his day to day operations. However, Gunter says the higher egg prices have not been ideal. 

While it is hard to predict when egg prices will go back down, experts encourage consumers to remain hopeful.

Laser designed to redirect lightning strikes

 

By: Justin Hall

Scientists in Switzerland have been creating lasers to harness lightning in order to protect people from lightning strikes. Traditionally, lightning rods have been the safest technique to channel the lightning straight back into the ground. This new laser was tested on the top of the Santis mountains right at a telecommunications tower. They also attached a lightning rod that gets struck at least 100 times a year. The laser was transmitted at the sky between July and September2021.

Physicist Aurelien Houard of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris in Palaiseau, France believes that in order for a framework or configuration to be protected from a severe lightning strike, a rod would need to be hundreds of meters.

WSAV meteorologist Kris Allred believes that updated technology is necessary in order to track lightning strikes especially in the Savannah area.

“Our WSAV building on Victory Drive gets struck by lightning sometimes several times a year,” said Allred.

While Houard believes that the laser needs to be hundreds of meters, Allred contemplates the size in order to track the lightning.

“My question is if they’re able to make it smaller and more practical,” said Allred.

WTOC meteorologist Andrew Gorton is very much intrigued by the prospects of a new laser that is able to detect lightning strikes and their technology to avert enormous crises from happening.

"I think the possibility of using lasers and other technology to protect structures is interesting and innovative," said Gorton.  

The results showed that quick, fierce blasts of infrared light at the sky for about 1000 times persecond. The results also demonstrated that this was the equivalent of eliminating trees in the woods in order to make room for buildings. Houard and his team designed the laser this way tostop a bolt before it reached the equipment.

The skies themselves varied at different points during the testing. One sky was transparent which allowed cameras to film the event. The other skies were not so clear to capture. In place of them, the scientists looked at broadcasting frequencies peeled by the strikes. The results showed that followed the path of the laser a lot closer than other strikes. The main difference was that the laser was on instead of off.

The purpose of a lightning rod is to protect a home or other buildings from a strike. Systems such as a lightning rod can't prevent the structure, but it can and will provide interception to follow an electrical discharge and place the energy from the lightning safely into the ground. A complete lightning system is required in order to ensure that dangerous electrical floods and possible fires caused by lightning entering a home or building through wires or pipes. This would also include protection for power, data and communication lines. However surge protection devices are at-risk devices. Lightning protection would also be needed to petrol conduits.