News that Affects You: February 2010 in Review

[Mel]

Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 9 (March 2010).

News that Affects You: February 2010 in Review
By Jessie (Asylum)

From entertainment to new health studies, our world is a rapidly changing one. But the news can be so boring! When you find yourself thinking "what a drag, the news is on again," never fear! If you don’t like the news, can’t be bothered with the paper, and would rather not spend your time on CNN's website, check out this section for synopses of news events from the past month that your peers are talking about!

Entertainment

On February 12, 2010 the XXI Olympic Winter Games begin in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A shadow of grief loomed over the opening ceremony, as the world grieved the tragic loss of twenty-one year old Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.

Human Rights and Military

On February 2, 2010 a hearing is held in the United States to discuss the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. A repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy would allow openly gay Americans to serve in their country’s armed forces.

On February 9, 2010 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that Iran could be making nuclear warheads. Iran responds with reports of “peaceful nuclear activities”, saying they do not plan to make nuclear weapons but to rein nuclear power for energy.

Mental Health

It was announced in February that the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders is being revised. Proposed changes include the addition of non-suicidal self harm and binge eating disorder, among others, as well as the revision of numerous disorders currently included. For more information check out www.dsm5.org.

Health

Results of a University of California at Berkeley study suggest that napping during the day may improve the brain’s ability to learn and retain information. Some cynics suggest that those with improved memory after sleep cannot be distinguished from those individuals that are less tired, while others argue sleep enables the brain to store short term memories, thus creating room for new ones.

On February 2, 2010 the The Lancet medical journal issued a retraction of a 1998 report linking autism and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The study was already widely accepted as inaccurate by the general population and the scientific and communities.

For more news check out the Associated Press (www.ap.org), BBC (ww.bbc.co.uk), CNN (www.cnn.com), or other trusted sources.