Germany's Red Cross sends aid to quake-hit Myanmar
The German Red Cross plans to send its first aid shipment to Myanmar on Wednesday following a deadly earthquake that struck the country in late March.
Initially, 42 tons of relief supplies — including tents, hygiene kits, blankets, and tools — will be loaded onto trucks near Berlin and transported to Liège airport in Belgium, a spokeswoman said.
From there the aid will be flown to Yangon in Myanmar, where it will be distributed locally by the Myanmar Red Cross.
The 7.7-magnitude quake hit the south-east Asian country in late March and claimed thousands of lives, according to the military government.
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USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Are cucumbers healthy? Experts explain.
Are cucumbers healthy? Experts explain. Show Caption Hide Caption How to add more Vitamin C to your diet and everyday routine Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that can do everything from strengthening cells to improving your hair health. Cucumbers have been cultivated and enjoyed for thousands of years and remain a staple in many cuisines around the world today. You'll find them used in everything from sandwiches, soups, wraps and charcuterie boards to Asian dishes and a wide variety of salads. 'People love that cucumbers are a refreshing snack on their own and are as versatile as they are satisfying,' says Jen Messer, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant at Jen Messer Nutrition. Here's why cucumbers' continued popularity is a good thing, plus why some groups of people may benefit from eating them in moderation. Are cucumbers fruits or vegetables? Botanically speaking, cucumbers are fruits because they develop from the flower of the cucumber plant and contain seeds. But in culinary contexts, 'cucumbers are most commonly treated as vegetables,' explains Alex Larson, a registered dietitian, endurance athlete nutritionist and founder of Alex Larson Nutrition. This is due to their savory flavor, typical grocery story categorization and the way they're most commonly used in snacks and meals. Cucumbers belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, also known as the gourd family, which includes more than 750 species worldwide "such as pumpkins, melons, squash and zucchini," says Messer. There are several types of cucumbers, generally categorized as slicing cucumbers, pickling cucumbers or seedless (also known as burpless) cucumbers. Slicing cucumbers are larger with thicker skins and are usually eaten fresh, often atop salads or as part of charcuterie boards. Pickling cucumbers are smaller with bumpy skins and a firmer texture, ideal for preserving in vinegar or brine. These are the types of cucumbers used to make pickles. Burpless cucumbers have thinner skins and fewer seeds, and are bred to be gentler on the digestive system. How long does it take to digest food? Plus, which foods are easy on the stomach Are cucumbers healthy? What are cucumbers good for? Regardless of which variety you enjoy, cucumbers offer several health benefits. A single medium cucumber, for instance, contains a host of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin K, about 1.3 grams of protein and over 1 gram of dietary fiber, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Their vitamin K content 'is important for blood clotting and bone health,' says Messer, while vitamin C 'boosts immune function and supports skin health.' A medium cucumber also provides nearly 400 milligrams of potassium, 'which helps improve blood pressure and supports muscle and nerve function,' she adds. Cucumbers are also 'rich in antioxidants that may offer anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties,' says Larson. Their high water content also "supports hydration and may promote gentle detoxification," she adds. Messer notes that cucumbers may also have antidiabetic properties by helping to regulate blood sugar and reduce lipid levels. Thanks to their fiber content, high water concentration and low calorie count (around 30 calories per cucumber), cucumbers can also support weight loss and improve digestive regularity, making them a proven natural remedy for constipation. Their benefits extend beyond internal health. 'Cucumber extracts are known for their soothing effects on the skin, helping reduce swelling, irritation and sunburn,' adds Messer. How to test your blood sugar levels – and why it's critical for some people. Can you eat cucumbers every day? While cucumbers are generally safe and healthy, they do have some potential drawbacks. 'Cucumbers contain cucurbitacins, which can be toxic in large quantities and may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea and diarrhea,' explains Messer. This may be especially relevant for individuals with sensitive digestive systems or gastrointestinal conditions. Other groups of people that should exercise caution include those with allergies to other members of the Cucurbitaceae family, individuals with blood-clotting disorders or anyone with kidney issues. 'Cucumbers have antiplatelet properties, which may interact with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications and potentially increase the risk of bleeding,' Messer warns. As long as such considerations are kept in mind, though, Larson says cucumbers remain a healthy, hydrating addition to any diet by "offering a satisfying crunch with a side of health benefits."
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Stinging and 'wicked' Asian needle ants are spreading across the US
Stinging and 'wicked' Asian needle ants are spreading across the US Asian needle ants have been linked to multiple cases of life-threatening reactions and the mysterious ants keep spreading. Show Caption Hide Caption See Nat Geo's photo challenge winners National Geographic wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory announced the winners of a photo challenge celebrating the Earth's beauty. An invasive species of stinging, carnivorous ants have been slowly spreading in about 20 states. Last year at least three cases of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions were reported in Georgia, making this little (and little-known) insect a growing problem. "Asian needle ants" will reach their yearly peak numbers in July and August, but it will still be tough to spot them, even if you get stung by one. They are so small and blend in so well that stings often occur when someone — perhaps while gardening or moving wood – unknowingly disturbs them. "Imagine somebody inserting a needle directly into your flesh," said Benoit Guénard, a professor of ecology and entomology at the University of Hong Kong who studied the ants in North Carolina. "It's a very sharp, acute pain but it's quite local." Tracking them has long been a challenge, but researchers now say the spread of the Asian needle ant shouldn't be ignored. "They're pretty widespread on the East coast," said. Daniel Suiter, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia. "If you live in an area which is dominated by hardwood trees, there's a good chance there are Asian needle ants underfoot." For some, the stings can be life-threatening. For others, it's an unusual pain that can come and go for hours. That's just one of the mysteries of Brachyponera chinensis — roughly translated as "short, wicked ant from China" - though they're actually native to China, Japan and the Koreas. Hard to track, hard to kill The invasive insect was first discovered in the United states in 1932 in Decatur, Georgia, but was only recognized as a serious pest in the past two decades as it began to spread significantly throughout the southeast. Now it's found as far north as Connecticut and as far south as Florida, as well as in Wisconsin and Washington state, according to the site There are reports they have also appeared in Texas. These ants are carnivorous, seeking out prey such as flies, beetles, grasshoppers and their favorites: termites. Given their hunting habits, they don't lay down scent trails as some ants do, making it difficult to track them back to their colonies and eradicate. "Most ants are in-your-face invasive, they lay a pheromone trail to get to food. You can't miss an ant trail that's half an inch wide," said Suiter. "These remain hidden." The dark brown ants live in colonies in leaf litter, rotted logs, firewood and mulch. They often occur in residential settings, including parks, and urban areas, finding homes and under railroad ties, logs, bricks, and pavers. They can also nest in potted plants, under wood piles, and in lawns. "People are most often stung when they're working in their garden," said Theresa Dellinger, a diagnostician at the insect identification lab at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. "Nobody likes to be putting in their bedding plants and then suddenly have unexpected pain." The worker ants' bodies are about 0.2 inches long, small, dark and shiny but with lighter orange legs and antennae. "They have a long jaw and a big stinger on the business end," Dellinger said. Although they're relatively long and thin, the "needle" in their name actually comes from their Japanese name, Oo-hari-ari, which means "giant needle ant' and refers to size of their stinger, she said. It's very possible to learn to live with Asian needle ants, just as we've learned to live with bees, said Andrew Johnston, an insect diagnostician at Purdue University's Department of Entomology. "They're not aggressive, they don't swarm the way fire ants do," he said. "Wear gloves and pay attention to what you're grabbing." Because the ants like to live in moist areas and around wood, keeping loose logs and firewood up off the ground so they stay dry is one way to avoid infestations, said Suiter. And if you're sensitive to insect stings, suggests Dellinger, "carry an EpiPen." A painful, long-lasting sting Guénard has been stung by many different ant and insect species but said Asian needle ants are the only ones he knows of where the pain is very acute at first, then disappears and then can come back over and over again. "The first, initial pain lasted a few seconds. Then about five minutes later, when the pain had eased, I felt 'ouch!' as if somebody had stung me again in the same place. The pain continues to reoccur in the same place, it disappears and then comes back," said Guénard. "For me, it goes on for about two hours," he said. "But I know in some people it lasts for as much as 24 to 48 hours." In a small number of cases it can also be deadly. The sting can cause allergic reactions and in 1% of victims, the venom can result in deadly anaphylactic shock. Decades of mystery There's a lot researchers don't yet understand about why these invasive ants only began to significantly spread in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s. Native to China, Japan and Korea, the Asian needle ant was first identified in Georgia in 1932 but probably arrived here well before that. "It's very likely the ants were introduced in the early 20th century because by 1934 they were already found in three states, so clearly they hadn't just arrived," Guénard said. Because they live in dirt and mulch, Guénard speculates that they might have come into the United States in the root balls of trees being imported from Asia. What puzzles researchers is the timing of their spread. The ants remained relatively localized well into the 1970s, research shows. In 1962 a very thorough inventory of the ants of North Carolina was conducted by entomologist W. G. Carter. "He never found them," said Guénard. Then between 1991 and 2017, Asian needle ants spread across North Carolina and are now found across the state. "Something happened," Guénard said. "I could not tell you exactly what." The spread of this invasive species is causing ecological damage as they spread, research shows. Because they are predators, Asian needle ants hunt native insects that have evolved to have important roles in local ecosystems. For example, while no one wants termites in their home, in the forest they are critical part in the health of the woods. "They're very important because they help with the decomposition of dead wood and other organic matter," Guénard said. Research has also shown that local native ants are an important part of seed dispersal for some plant and tree species. If the Asian needle ants take over their territory, the seeds don't get spread. "The seeds just die rather than being dispersed," he said. As the climate warms and becomes wetter in some areas, the extent of where these ants can thrive is growing and they're expected to invade new regions. The amount of North America that could become suitable is expected to increase as much as 75% over the next 50 or so years, according to Guénard's previous research. How dangerous are Asian needle ants? Asian needle ants aren't as aggressive as fire ants and will mostly just run away when they encounter humans. However, they will defensively sting if they feel pressure, for example from someone reaching into a pile of wood, mulch or soil near their nest. The ants can pose a health risk because their venom can produce allergic reactions in some individuals. Virginia Tech encourages anyone who is allergic to bee stings to seek immediate medical attention if they begin to experience breathing problems or other allergic reactions after being stung by an Asian needle ant. A survey of people who live in an ant-habitat area of Korea found that 2.1% of those bitten experienced systemic allergic reactions, including 1.2% who went into anaphylaxis. The danger appeared to be highest in people who had experienced repeated stings over time. There is no national repository of Asian needle ant health problems, but when Guénard maintained a website about the insects while he was conducting research in North Carolina, he received reports of 21 cases of health problems, in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington. D. C. Of those case, at least 12 individuals reported having severe allergic reactions including anaphylactic shock. The cases involved people moving logs, gardening and even while swimming, when young female ants flying to establish new colonies fell into swimming pools. The stinging events were especially frequent during the summer swarming period from April to September, with a peak in May to July. In Georgia, Suiter got three calls about cases of anaphylactic shock after Asian needle ant stings last year. "I fully expect that some people who end up in the emergency room were stung by them but didn't realize it," he said. There is concern that people who are hypersensitive to other stinging insects may be at an increased risk of anaphylaxis from Asian needle ants. Symptoms reported by the USDA can include: Skin reactions include hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin. Low blood pressure (hypotension). Constriction of the airway, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Swollen tongue or throat. Weak and rapid pulse. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Dizziness or fainting. Psychological symptoms, such as a feeling of impending doom. Unlike stings from invasive fire ants, the sting of an Asian needle ant does not produce a blister. What can you do about Asian needle ants This particular variety of ant is more difficult to eradicate than other ant species because they don't lay pheromone trails that can be disrupted or easily used to get the ants to take poison back to their nests. Instead they use a process known as tandem carrying. "One worker ant will pick up another worker ant and drag it over to the food source to show it where it is," Dellinger said. That makes baiting them difficult, especially because their colonies – typically fairly small and flat – are hard to spot. "We suggest a protein-based bait for this species, and it can take some time for these ants to take the poison back to the colony," she said. So far there is no formalized management recommendation for the species. One study published found good luck with using bait that included extracts from termite skin. Dellinger said broad spraying isn't helpful and will actually harm other important garden species. "Try to treat the nest," she said. Management, rather than eradication, is the goal. That can include removing mulch in areas where the ants might pose a problem, elevating woodpiles so they're not damp underneath, carefully watching for colonies (which can take time) and only baiting areas where there are definitely ants. It's also not easy to identify the Asian needle ants as they look similar to other ant species. "There are a lot of ants out there," Dellinger said. "We get out the microscope." She recommended contacting the local agricultural extension if identification isn't certain. "It's a free service and they can help identify what's on your property."
CNBC
2 days ago
- CNBC
I'm a nutritionist and longevity expert from Japan—these 5 desserts are actually healthy when you're craving sugar
Growing up in Nara, Japan, I always loved eating "wagashi," or traditional Japanese sweets. My favorite was pudding and cakes made with "anko," which is sweet red bean paste. But when I moved to the U.S. and became a nutritionist, I couldn't believe the dessert selections at the grocery stores. They were too rich and sugary for me. So I started making recipes inspired by my childhood. Now when people ask me how they can get rid of their sweet tooth, I tell them they don't need to. By being more mindful and making small adjustments, sweet treats can actually be a healthy and even medicinal part of your diet. Here are some my go-to desserts when I need a sweet fix: There are two types of Japanese sweet potatoes that I like: "satsumaimo," which has a purple skin and a pale yellow flesh, and "murasaki imo," which has purple skin and flesh. You can typically find both at American supermarkets. Japanese people are crazy about baked sweet potatoes, called "yaki imo." I bake a medium-sized sweet potato in the oven for about 60 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. You can adjust the cooking time depending on the size. These sweet potatoes are so concentrated in flavor that they don't need much else to be delicious. I also make sweet potato wagashi from steamed or baked sweet potatoes, dried fruits, chestnuts, cinnamon, matcha and a bit of sea salt. These ingredients are packed with nutrients! I'm a huge fan of adzuki paste, or "anko." You can typically find it at an Asian supermarket or online. Typically, anko is made with a lot of sugar, so when I make my own, I use alternative natural sweeteners like dates, goji berries, cinnamon or persimmons. To prepare anko, I soak red beans overnight, drain them, then combine all my ingredients — beans, a 2-inch piece of konbu seaweed, dried fruits, chestnuts, cinnamon and sea salt — in a rice cooker and set it on the brown rice setting. It can be used in a variety of desserts, including "an-pan," a soft bread with anko filling, "ohagi," a rice cake covered with anko, "zenzai," a sweet adzuki bean soup, and "dorayaki," an anko-filled pancake. Adzuki beans are also frequently used medicinally and ritually in Japan. We like adding them in recipes meant to promote health, peace and wealth. They are high in fiber, protein, magnesium, potassium and vitamin B. The dried fruit aids digestion and overall gut health, and the cinnamon can help boost metabolic and immune function. When it comes to beans as surprising desserts, I'm also a big fan of edamame paste, called "zunda." It pairs perfectly with tofu mochi, which is made with tofu and rice flour. Dates are naturally sweet and high in vitamins, nutrients, fiber and magnesium. Dark chocolate provides us with antioxidants that are great for heart health and fighting inflammation. The way I prepare it is simple: Just cut down the middle of a dry Medjool date and stuff it with a small piece of dark chocolate and a walnut. That's it! You can try different combinations of fruits and nuts, too. Berries are filled with polyphenols, which are antioxidants found in plants that can help defend against inflammation and boost cell health. I don't add any sugar to my jam. Depending on the season, I use a handful of frozen or fresh organic berries (usually a combination of raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries) mixed with apple sauce, a slice of organic orange with the peel still on, a little bit of dried goji berries, flaxseed and cinnamon powder. Sometimes I will add a dash of rum for a little kick. I start with medium heat. After the mixture starts to boil, I immediately reduce it to low heat, then let it simmer for about 40 minutes with the lid on. I'll occasionally stir it to keep it from burning. Then I turn off the heat and let it sit for about an hour with the lid on. You can keep it in the fridge for about a week or two. I like serving it with dark chocolate, vegan matcha cake or chia seed pudding. This jam tastes heavenly when spread on a slice of whole wheat bread, too. I call this my "Que Sera, Sera" pudding. Just like the song, "whatever will be, will be," so add whatever you want to personalize it. I enjoy this dessert because it is packed with protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. My go-to recipe: Put everything ingredients into a mason jar, combine well and place into the refrigerator overnight.
