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| This Week's Titles: |
| You
Could Drink Too Much Water |
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Studying Small Creatures
That Get Dirty |
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| Some
Women Have Trouble Managing Money |
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| Guarding
Chickens From A Deadly Disease |
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| Small
Beneficial Insects Becoming Pests |
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| You
Could Drink Too Much Water |
1:22 |
It may be possible for healthy
people to drink too much water. |
For years we've been told
to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. But a recent
study released in February stated most healthy people drink
an adequate amount of water and other fluids based on their
thirst. Janine Freeman, a nutrition specialist with the University
of Georgia Extension Service says certain people may drink too
much water, which could cause other serious health problems.
"Occasionally you have an overzealous athlete that will drink
too many fluids so that the kidneys can't excrete all of that
fluid quickly enough and it causes the bodies sodium level to
become diluted. This can actually be quite dangerous." Janine
Freeman with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who
adds those who have been instructed to limit their fluid intake
should get specific details from their physician, or local health
provider. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Studying
Small Creatures That Get Dirty |
1:44 |
College scientists are studying
small critters that like to get dirty. |
When you dig up dirt with
a shovel, you also dig up billions of tiny creatures called
microorganisms. They live in soils on farms and in big cities
like Atlanta. Mark Williams, a scientist with the University
of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
says microorganisms in the soil include bacteria and fungi.
He adds conducting research on creatures you can't see can be
a challenge, and requires some high-tech assistance. "Different
types of organisms and so it's really difficult to get a handle
on who's doing what at anytime in the soil. So what I use are
molecules called biomolecules or biomarkers that give us an
indication of which microorganisms are functioning at a particular
time." Mark Williams with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. The university scientist has also been focusing on
how soil microbial communities respond to wet and dry soils.
This is very important to agriculture in the state, since a
growing season can have extended periods of either wet or dry
conditions. Data from this research can help scientists and
farmers get the most out of the chemicals and fertilizers they
put on crops. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Some
Women Have Trouble Managing Money |
1:37 |
Women on their own that manage
money have a tougher time financially. |
A recent survey found women
on their own face a tougher time managing money. Patrice Dollar,
a family financial management specialist with the University
of Georgia Extension Service says this includes women of all
ages that are widowed, divorced, or never married, and those
with successful careers. She adds there are some basic reasons
these women face more pressure financially. "What the survey
showed is that they'll have a more challenge meeting their financial
obligations, because they have lower income and lower wealth,
so they face severe financial challenges, more financial challenges
then other American households." Patrice Dollar with the College
of Family and Consumer Sciences. The survey also found women
on their own are less likely to save. Only thirty-two percent
of these women save regularly. And, thirty percent of these
women do not save at all, compared to twenty-one percent of
all households. John Harrell, University of Georgia College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Guarding
Chickens From A Deadly Disease |
1:34 |
Georgia's poultry industry
is hard at work to keep a deadly disease from infecting Georgia
chickens. |
Avian flu has already hit
several states hard. In Delaware and Maryland around 500,000
chickens had to be slaughtered because they were infected with
avian flu. Dan Cunningham, a poultry scientist with the University
of Georgia Extension Service says there has never been a case
of avian flu in Georgia poultry. He adds there's a lot that's
still unknown about the disease, including where it started.
"Well we don't know where its originated, this disease has shown
up in a number of different countries, and it certainly seems
to be prevalent in different varieties of the world, different
places in the world, but we don't know exactly where it started."
Dan Cunningham with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, who adds there have been only a few isolated cases
of the avian flu infecting humans in Asia, when they came in
close contact with infected birds. The university scientist
urges poultry producers in Georgia to keep their guard up, and
maintain an aggressive monitoring program, to protect their
birds from the deadly avian flu. John Harrell, University of
Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Small
Beneficial Insects Becoming Pests |
1:43 |
Some small beneficial insects
are wearing out their welcome. |
Lady beetles are classified
beneficial insects, because they like to eat aphids, which cause
a lot of damage to pecan trees, roses, and many other plants.
But each winter more and more Asian lady beetles move into homes
to get out of the cold. In many homes these uninvited guests
are becoming pests, and ruining their good reputation. Nancy
Hinkle, an entomologist with the University of Georgia Extension
Service says lady beetles can sneak in through small holes.
She adds you can take some action that will make it harder for
these insects to move in. "To prevent lady beetles entering
the home, the house should be sealed to exclude the beetles
using silicone caulk to seal holes around windows, doors, utility
chases, places where power and phone lines enter the structure
and so on." Nancy Hinkle with the College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences. Since lady beetles are still considered
beneficial, resist the urge to kill the unwelcome guests. Use
a vacuum cleaner to remove them, then put them outside. Use
caution if you have to remove them physically, since they can
release a chemical that causes an orange stain on walls and
furniture. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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