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Australian family on the run after vaccination refused (NSW): Parents on the run with baby after refusing vaccination

Kate Benson Medical Reporter

August 23, 2008

Advertisement

A SYDNEY couple was on the run with their two-day-old baby last night after the Department of Community Services took out a Supreme Court order to have the boy vaccinated against hepatitis B.

The parents, from Croydon Park, fled their home on Thursday to avoid police and DOCS officers after they refused to have their son vaccinated at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. They told the Herald yesterday that they believed aluminium in the vaccine could cause him more damage than contracting hepatitis B.

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I am following this story with interest. In Australia, vaccination is not complulsory and this couple refused the Hep B vaccine for newborns. They were told that if they refused to vaccinate they would not be allowed to leave the hospital, they could/would be arrested and the baby taken away from them. Apparently the mother was diagnosed with Hep B some years ago and of course not all personal details are available. I would assume she has recovered from the disease or she is making an informed decision and would not be taking risks with her baby. Her husband is a financial advisor and the mother is originally from China. The case is due back in court on Monday but in the meantime the couple is hiding out. Our constitutional rights are at risk here. In the end no one should be forced to have any medical procedures done without informed consent. Let's see what happens next in this case as it may set precedents in Australia for other people to be bullied into accepting vaccinations without consent.

For more details, contact the Australian Vaccination Network who are trying to organise a fighting fund and legal aid for this couple.

The reason I copied and pasted this, is because it follows on from my previous blog about the govt forcing people to be vaccinated at airports, and because I need to say another bit of info. Every second child in a regional area of Australia, died from a vaccination and the whole thing was covered up, more details if requested. Use the mailbox to contact me and If that is disabled too, then by all means send an email.

Tags: yahoo, comments, australianfamily, ontherun, vaccination, refusingvaccination, supremecourtorder, informedconsent, australianvaccinationnetwork, airportvaccinations, coverup Saturday 23 August 2008 - 01:40PM (EST) Permanent Link | 1 Comment

LOL only in OZ!

Drunk threatened city with TV remote Thursday Feb 7 17:29 AEDT A drunken man's threat to blow up half a city with his television remote control forced police to declare a state of emergency at a luxury golf resort, a court has heard. Geoffrey Martin Fryatt, 57, a resident of the Fairways Golf and Lifestyle Retreat in Brisbane, was arrested by elite paramilitary police after terrifying neighbours with a knife and threatening to detonate a store of chemicals with the TV remote. "One push of the button will blow up half of Brisbane," Fryatt shouted in the standoff last May before police opened fire with rubber bullets. Fryatt's lawyer told the Brisbane District Court that his client lost control after losing much of his life savings in a fraud carried out by his finance broker, local media said. advertisement "People are genuinely scared of sudden explosions," the judge said, sentencing Fryatt to a year's probation. "Frightening members of the public with threats of bombs and bomb hoaxes has a much greater impact than it once did." Fryatt accepted probation, but said he was concerned it could interrupt plans to travel overseas to do humanitarian aid work, the Brisbane Times newspaper reported. "Let's get you right before we send you off to a third world country," the judge said. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.spx?id=377127

Thursday 7 February 2008 - 07:53PM (EST) Permanent Link | 2 Comments

Love Heals Life and Country

Jesus said to love one another

Put a Little Love in Your Heart
by Annie Lennox

Think of your fellow man
Lend him a helping hand
Put a little love in your heart

You see it's getting late
Oh please don't hesitate
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
You just wait and see

Another day goes by
And still the children cry
Put a little love in you heart
If you want the world to know
We won't let hatred grow
Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
You just wait and see
Wait and see

Take a good look around
And if you're lookin' down
Put a little love in your heart
I hope when you decide
Kindness will be your guide
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
You just wait and see
Put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in your
Love in your heart

(thanks Ranny.)

Wednesday 12 September 2007 - 09:57PM (EST) Permanent Link | 1 Comment

CIAO LUCIANO

Luciano Pavarotti
From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia

Luciano Pavarotti, in a 2001 performance in the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille Luciano Pavarotti (October 12, 1935 – September 6, 2007) was an Italian tenor and one of the most popular contemporary vocal performers in the world of opera and across multiple musical genres. Known for his televised concerts, media appearances, and as one of The Three Tenors, Pavarotti was also noted for his award-winning charity work for raising money on behalf of refugees and the Red Cross. Pavarotti began his career uneventfully by performing in opera houses throughout Europe, but broke out after a performance with soprano Joan Sutherland, who invited the young tenor to join her in touring internationally. By the 1970s, Pavarotti had become known worldwide, famed for the brilliance and beauty of his tone especially into the upper register.[1] His "high C" would be a trademark throughout his career. Pavarotti was launched into popular culture after a performance of Nessun Dorma for the opening ceremony of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. The first of the famed The Three Tenors concerts was held on the eve of the final match of the tournament in which Pavarotti performed together with fellow star tenors Plácido Domingo and José Carreras. Through these performances, Pavarotti brought hits previously confined to the opera world to a much wider audience; Pavarotti further spread his influence with appearances in advertisements and concerts with pop stars. Unlike many crossovers, Pavarotti always maintained his reputation in the opera world as supreme in his field. Contents * 1 Early life * 2 Career o 2.1 1960s–1970s o 2.2 1980s–1990s o 2.3 2000s * 3 Film and television * 4 Decline and death * 5 Family * 6 Humanitarian work * 7 See also * 8 Notes and references * 9 External links Early life Luciano Pavarotti was born on the outskirts of Modena in north-central Italy, the son of Fernando Pavarotti, a baker and singer, and Adele Venturi, a cigar factory worker.[2] Although he spoke fondly of his childhood, the family had little money; its four members were crowded into a two-room apartment. According to Pavarotti, his father had a fine tenor voice but rejected the possibility of a singing career because of nervousness. World War II forced the family out of the city in 1943. For the following year they rented a single room from a farmer in the neighboring countryside, where young Pavarotti developed an interest in farming. Pavarotti's earliest musical influences were his father's recordings, most of them featuring the popular tenors of the day — Beniamino Gigli, Giovanni Martinelli, Tito Schipa and Enrico Caruso. At around the age of nine he began singing with his father in a small local church choir. Also in his youth he had a few voice lessons with a Professor Dondi and his wife, but he ascribed little significance to them. After what appears to have been a normal childhood with a typical interest in sports — in Pavarotti's case football above all — he graduated from the Schola Magistrale and faced the dilemma of a career choice. He was interested in pursuing a career as a professional football goalkeeper, but his mother convinced him to train as a teacher. He subsequently taught in an elementary school for two years but finally allowed his interest in music to win out. Recognizing the risk involved, his father gave his consent only reluctantly, the agreement being that Pavarotti would have free room and board until age 30, after which time, if he had not succeeded, he would earn a living by any means that he could. Pavarotti began the serious study of music in 1954 at the age of 19 with Arrigo Pola, a respected teacher and professional tenor in Modena who, aware of the family's indigence, offered to teach him without remuneration. Not until he began these studies was Pavarotti aware that he had perfect pitch. In 1955 he experienced his first singing success when he was a member of the Choral Rossini, a male choir from Modena which also included his father, which won first prize at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales; he later said that this was the most important experience of his life, which had inspired him to turn professional.[3] At about this time Pavarotti first met Adua Veroni, an opera singer, whom he married in 1961. When his teacher Arrigo Pola moved to Japan, Pavarotti became a student of Ettore Campogalliani who at that time was also teaching Pavarotti's childhood friend, Mirella Freni whose mother worked with Luciano's in the cigar factory. Like Pavarotti, Freni was destined to operatic greatness. (They were to share the stage many times and make memorable recordings together.) During his years of musical study Pavarotti held part-time jobs in order to sustain himself — first as an elementary school teacher and then, when he failed at that, as an insurance salesman. The first six years of study resulted in only a few recitals, all in small towns and without pay. When a nodule developed on his vocal cords causing a "disastrous" concert in Ferrara, he decided to give up singing. Pavarotti attributed his immediate improvement to the psychological release connected with this decision. Whatever the reason, the nodule not only disappeared but, as he related in his autobiography, "Everything I had learned came together with my natural voice to make the sound I had been struggling so hard to achieve." Career 1960s–1970s Pavarotti made his opera début in the role of Rodolfo in La bohème on April 29, 1961 in the town of Reggio Emilia. Very early in his career, on February 23 1963, he debuted at the Vienna State Opera with the same role. In March and April 1963 Vienna saw Pavarotti again as Rodolfo and as Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto. The same year saw his Covent Garden debut, where he replaced an indisposed Giuseppe di Stefano as Rodolfo. While generally succesful, Pavarotti's early roles did not immediately propel him into the stardom that he would later enjoy. An early coup involved his connection with Joan Sutherland, who in 1963 had sought a young tenor taller than herself to take along on her international touring. At well over 6 feet tall and with his commanding physical presence, Pavarotti proved ideal.[4] The two sang some forty performances over two months, and Pavarotti later credited Sutherland for the breathing technique that would sustain him over his career.[5] Pavarotti made his American début with the Greater Miami Opera in February, 1965 singing in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor opposite Joan Sutherland on the stage of the Miami-Dade County Auditorium in Miami. The tenor scheduled to perform that night was ill and had no understudy. As Sutherland was traveling with him on tour, she recommended the young Pavarotti as he was well acquainted with the role. Shortly after, on April 28, Pavarotti made his La Scala debut in the revival of the famous Franco Zeffirelli production of La bohème, with Mirella Freni singing Mimi and Herbert von Karajan conducting. Karajan had requested the singer's engagement. After an extended Australian tour he returned to La Scala where he added Tebaldo from I Capuleti e i Montecchi to his repertoire on March 26, 1966, with Giacomo Aragall as Romeo. His first appearance as Tonio in Donizetti's La fille du régiment took place at Covent Garden on June 2 of that year. It was his performances of this role that would earn him the title of "King of the High Cs". He scored another major triumph in Rome on November 20, 1969 when he sang I Lombardi opposite Renata Scotto. This was recorded on a private label and widely distributed, as were various takes of his I Capuleti e i Montecchi, usually with Aragall. Early commercial recordings included a recital of Donizetti and Verdi arias (the aria from Don Sebastiano was particularly highly regarded), as well as a complete L'elisir d'amore with Sutherland. His major breakthrough in the United States came on February 17, 1972, in a production of La fille du régiment at New York's Metropolitan Opera, in which he drove the crowd into a frenzy with his nine effortless high Cs in the signature aria. He achieved a record 17 curtain calls. He began to make frequent television performances, starting with in his role as Rodolfo (La bohème) in the first Live From The Met telecast in March of 1977, which attracted one of the largest audiences ever for a televised opera. He won many Grammy awards and platinum and gold discs for his performances. In addition to the previously listed titles, his La favorita with Fiorenza Cossotto and his I puritani with Sutherland stand out. In 1976 Pavarotti debuted at the Salzburg Festival appearing in a solo recital on July 31 accompanied by pianist Leone Magiera. Pavarotti returned to the festival in 1978 with a recital and as the Italian singer in Der Rosenkavalier, in 1983 with Idomeneo, and both in 1985 and 1988 with solo recitals. In 1977, he was profiled in a cover story in Time Magazine. That same year saw Pavarotti's return to the Vienna State Opera after an absence of 14 years. With Herbert von Karajan conducting Pavarotti sang Manrico in Il trovatore. In 1978, he appeared in a solo recital on Live from Lincoln Center. He made his international recital début at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri in 1973 as part of the college’s Fine Arts Program, now known as the Harriman-Jewell Series. Perspiring due to nerves and a lingering cold, the tenor clutched a handkerchief throughout the début. The prop became a signature part of his solo performances. 1980s–1990s Luciano Pavarotti in the role of Rodolfo from La Boheme (1988) Bronze sculpture of Luciano Pavarotti, made by Serge Mangin in 1987 [6] Luciano Pavarotti (right), singing in the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille in 2001 At the beginning of the 1980s, he set up The Pavarotti International Voice Competition for young singers, performing with the winners in 1982 in excerpts of La bohème and L'elisir d'amore. The second competition in 1986 staged excerpts of La bohème and Un ballo in maschera. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of his career he brought the winners of the competition to Italy for gala performances of La bohème in Modena and Genoa and then to China where they staged performances of La bohème in Beijing. To conclude the visit, Pavarotti performed the first ever concert in the Great Hall of the People before 10,000 people, receiving a standing ovation for nine effortless high Cs. The third competition in 1989 again staged performances of L'elisir d'amore and Un ballo in maschera. The winners of the fifth competition accompanied Pavarotti in performances in Philadelphia in 1997. In the mid 1980s Pavarotti returned to two opera houses that had provided him with important breakthroughs, the Vienna State Opera and La Scala. Vienna saw Pavarotti as Rodolfo in La bohème with Carlos Kleiber conducting and again Mirella Freni as Mimi, as Nemorino in L'elisir d'amore, Radames in Aida conducted by Lorin Maazel, Rodolfo in Luisa Miller, and Gustavo in Un ballo in maschera conducted by Claudio Abbado. In 1996 Pavarotti appeared for the last time at the Staatsoper in Andrea Chenier. In 1985 Pavarotti sang Radames at La Scala opposite Maria Chiara in a Luca Ronconi production conducted by Maazel, recorded on video. His performance of the aria "Celeste Aida" received a two-minute ovation on the opening night. He was reunited with Mirella Freni for the San Francisco Opera production of La bohème in 1988, also recorded on video. In 1992 La Scala saw Pavarotti in a new Zeffirelli production of Don Carlo conducted by Riccardo Muti. Pavarotti's performance was heavily criticized by some observers and booed by parts of the audience. The singer never returned to La Scala again. Pavarotti became even more well-known throughout the world in 1990 when his rendition of Giacomo Puccini's aria, "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot, became the theme song of the BBC TV coverage of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. The aria achieved pop status and remained his trademark song. This was followed by the hugely successful Three Tenors concert held on the eve of the World Cup final at the ancient Baths of Caracalla in Rome with fellow tenors Plácido Domingo and José Carreras and conductor Zubin Mehta, which became the biggest selling classical record of all time. Throughout the 1990s, Pavarotti appeared in many well-attended outdoor concerts, including his televised concert in London's Hyde Park which drew a record attendance of 150,000. In June 1993, more than 500,000 listeners gathered for his performance on the Great Lawn of New York's Central Park, while millions more around the world watched on television. The following September, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, he sang for an estimated crowd of 300,000. Following on from the original 1990 concert, The Three Tenors concerts were held during the Football World Cups; in Los Angeles in 1994, in Paris in 1998, and in Yokohama in 2002. Pavarotti's rise to stardom was not without occasional difficulties, however. He earned a reputation as "The King of Cancellations" by frequently backing out of performances, and his unreliable nature led to poor relationships with some opera houses. This was brought into focus in 1989 when Ardis Krainik of the Lyric Opera of Chicago severed the house's 15-year relationship with the tenor.[7], [8] Over an eight-year period, Pavarotti had cancelled 26 out of 41 scheduled appearances at the Lyric and the decisive move by Krainik to ban him for life was well-noted throughout the opera world, after the performer walked away from a season premiere less than two weeks before rehearsals began, saying pain from a sciatic nerve required two months of treatment. On December 12, 1998 he became the first (and, so far, only) opera singer to perform on Saturday Night Live, singing alongside Vanessa L. Williams. He also sang with U2, in the band's 1995 song Miss Sarajevo. In 1998, Pavarotti was presented with the Grammy Legend Award. Given only on special occasions, it has only been awarded 15 times since its first presentation in 1990 (as of 2007). 2000s In 2002 Pavarotti split with his manager of 36 years Herbert Breslin. The breakup, which was acrimonious, was followed in 2004 with the publication of a book by Breslin entitled The King & I, seen by many as sensationalist and largely critical of the singer's acting (in opera), his ability to read music and learn parts, and of his personal conduct, although acknowledging their mutual success. In an interview in 2005 with Jeremy Paxman on the BBC, Pavarotti rejected the allegation that he could not read music, although acknowledging he sometimes had difficulty following orchestral parts. He received Kennedy Center Honors in 2001 and holds two Guinness World Records: for receiving the most curtain calls — at 165 — and for the best selling classical album (this album is In Concert by The Three Tenors and is thus shared by fellow tenors, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras). In 2003 he released his final compilation, Ti Adoro, which has Pavarotti singing in more of a "popera" style. On 13 December 2003 he married his former personal assistant, Nicoletta Mantovani, with whom he already had a daughter, Alice.[9] He started his farewell tour in 2004, at the age of 69, performing one last time in old and new locations, after over four decades on the stage. Pavarotti gave his last performance in an opera at the New York Metropolitan Opera on March 13, 2004 for which he received a 12-minute standing ovation for his role as the painter Mario Cavaradossi in Giacomo Puccini's Tosca. On December 1, 2004, he announced a 40-city farewell tour to be produced by Harvey Goldsmith. In March 2005, Pavarotti underwent neck surgery to repair two vertebrae. In June of the same year, he had to cancel a Three Tenors concert in Mexico due to laryngitis. In early 2006, he had back surgery and contracted an infection while in the hospital, forcing cancellation of concerts in the U.S., Canada and the UK.[10] On February 10, 2006, Pavarotti sang "Nessun Dorma" at the 2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Turin, Italy. The final act of the opening ceremony, his performance received the longest and loudest ovation of the night from the international crowd. Film and television Pavarotti's one venture into film, a romantic comedy called Yes, Giorgio (1982), was roundly panned by the critics. He can be seen to better advantage in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's adaptation of Rigoletto for television, released that same year, or in his more than 20 live opera performances taped for television between 1978 and 1994, most of them with the Metropolitan Opera, and most available on DVD. Decline and death Wikinews has related news: Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti dead at 71 Pavarotti was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2006 and required emergency surgery to remove the tumor. Shortly after surgery he was reported to be "recovering well." His remaining appearances for 2006 were canceled because of his ongoing cancer treatment; however, his management stated that it was anticipated that his farewell tour would resume in early 2007.[11] On Thursday, August 9, 2007, he was hospitalized for observation in his hometown of Modena, in Northern Italy, hospital officials there said. Hospital spokesman Alberto Greco declined to give the reason the 71-year-old tenor was hospitalized, but local daily Il Resto del Carlino reported that it was pneumonia. Announcement of his "imminent release" was made on August 15, 2007, but with no date cited. The report stated that he planned to return to recording his "sacred songs" and teaching his young pupils. [12] On August 21, it was announced that he was being treated in the cancer ward, given tests related to his pancreatic cancer, and would not be released for another few days.[13] On September 5, 2007, Italy's AGI news agency reported that Luciano Pavarotti's health had deteriorated and the 71-year-old singer was in a "very serious condition".[14] He was reported to be in and out of consciousness multiple times, suffering kidney failure.[15] Luciano Pavarotti died the morning of September 6, 2007 at home in Modena, Italy where he was surrounded by his wife, sister, and four older daughters. In an email statement, his manager, Terri Robson, wrote, "The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness."[16] In a text message to Reuters, Robson confirmed: "Luciano Pavarotti died one hour ago".[17] The Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival Hall flew black flags in mourning.[18] Tributes were published by many opera houses, such as London's Royal Opera House.[19] Family Pavarotti's mother, Adele Venturi Pavarotti, died in 2002, aged 86. His father, Fernando, died less than five months later, aged 89. Pavarotti is survived by four daughters: three with first wife Adua, to whom he was married for 34 years - Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana; one with second wife Nicoletta Mantovani, who gave birth to Alice in January 2003. He had one granddaughter. Humanitarian work Pavarotti annually hosted the "Pavarotti and Friends" charity concerts in his home town of Modena in Italy, joining with singers from all parts of the music industry to raise money for several UN causes. Concerts were held for War Child, and victims of war and civil unrest in Bosnia, Guatemala, Kosovo and Iraq. After the war in Bosnia, he financed and established the Pavarotti Music Center in the southern city of Mostar to offer Bosnia's artists the opportunity to develop their skills. For these contributions, the city of Sarajevo named him an honorary citizen in 2006.[20] He performed at benefit concerts to raise money for victims of tragedies such as an earthquake in December 1988 that killed 25,000 people in northern Armenia.[21] He was a close friend of Diana, Princess of Wales. They raised money for the elimination of land mines worldwide. He was invited to sing at her funeral service, but declined, as he felt he could not sing well "with his grief in his throat". He nonetheless attended the service. In 1998, he was appointed the United Nation's Messenger of Peace, using his fame to raise awareness of UN issues, including the Millennium Development Goals, HIV/AIDS, child rights, urban slums and poverty.[22] In 2001, Pavarotti received the Nansen Medal from the UN High Commission for Refugees for his efforts raising money on behalf of refugees worldwide. Through benefit concerts and volunteer work, he has raised more than US$1.5 million, more than any other individual.[23] Other awards he received for charity work include the Freedom of London Award and The Red Cross Award for Services to Humanity, for his work in raising money for that organization, and the 1998 MusiCares Person Of The Year, given to humanitarian heroes by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.[24][25] See also * Best selling music artists — World's top-selling music artists chart. Notes and references 1. ^ Warrack, John and Ewan West (1996). "Luciano Pavarotti." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera. (3rd Ed.), Oxford University. ("...a ringing, high lyric tenor of great beauty, an excellent technique, and a conquering personality.") 2. ^ Luciano Pavarotti Biography (1935-2007) 3. ^ Pavarotti eisteddfod career start. BBC Online (6 September 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 4. ^ http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2007/09/06/opera_star_luciano_pavarotti_dies?mode=PF 5. ^ http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=105&sid=1240287 6. ^ Zwischen Reden und Tun liegt das Meer. Retrieved 2007-09-07. 7. ^ Giacomini to Open Chicago Opera Season. New York Times (September 14, 1989). Retrieved on 2007-09-05. 8. ^ Making Opera Pay, the Chicago Way. Time (February 7, 1994). Retrieved on 2007-09-05. 9. ^ A second child did not survive, due to complications at the time of birth. 10. ^ Pavarotti 'will return to stage'. BBC News Online (July 25, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-09-05. 11. ^ Singer Luciano Pavarotti recovering from pancreatic cancer surgery. Fox News (July 7, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-09-05. 12. ^ Pavarotti 'extends hospital stay'. BBC News Online (August 15, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-05. 13. ^ Pavarotti has more cancer tests. BBC News Online (21 August 2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-21. 14. ^ "Opera legend Pavarotti 'worsens' ". BBC News Online (September 5, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-05. 15. ^ ""Opera star Pavarotti unconscious: reports"", ABC News (Australia), 2007-09-06. Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 16. ^ "Tenor Luciano Pavarotti dead at 71" on cnn.com, 6 September 2007; retrieved on 2007-09-06 17. ^ Pavarotti dead at 71: manager; retrieved on 2007-09-06 18. ^ "Black flag flies over Vienna Opera house for Pavarotti", Agence France-Presse, 2007-09-06. Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 19. ^ Castonguay, Gilles. "Luciano Pavarotti dead at 71", Reuters, 2007-09-06. Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 20. ^ "Sarajevo authorities name Pavarotti honorary citizen", Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 22 February 2006; retrieved on 2007-09-06 21. ^ Alessandra Rizzo, "Italian tenor Pavarotti dies at age 71" on yahoo.com; retrieved on 2007-09-06 22. ^ "Luciano Pavarotti to Promote UN Causes During Series of Concerts, 2005 - 2006", U.N. Press release, 5/4/2005, retrieved on 06 Sept 2007 23. ^ Crossette, Barbara. "United Nations: Honor For Tenor With Midas Touch", World Briefing, The New York Times, 2001-05-31. Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 24. ^ "Freedom of London for Pavarotti", Entertainment, BBC News, 2005-09-13. Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 25. ^ Parker, Lyndsey. "Pavarotti Is The Person", Yahoo! Music News, Yahoo!, 1997-02-31. Retrieved on 2007-09-06.

Thanks Lorenzo for the video.

Saturday 8 September 2007 - 02:23PM (EST) Permanent Link | 1 Comment

This Mirrors My Research Practice

Adult Brain Can Still Change

Jeanna Bryner
LiveScience Staff Writer
LiveScience.com Thu Sep 6, 4:55 PM ET

A new case study of a stroke patient suggests that adults' brains might be just as "plastic," or capable of creating new neural pathways, as those of children.

Past research has established the remarkable capacity of young brains to change or adapt to deficits by creating new signaling routes, a phenomenon called plasticity. However, whether adult brains have that same capacity has remained controversial.

Results from a new study, published in the Sept. 5 online edition of the Journal of Neuroscience, suggest at least in one patient, the visual center of an adult brain can reorganize itself neurally to overcome damaged pathways and result in changes (and possibly improvements) in visual perception.

Stroke patient

Daniel Dilks, now a postdoctoral associate at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, and his colleagues studied the brain of a stroke patient, referred to as BL. Dilks completed the work while a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University.

BL's stroke had damaged the fibers that transmit information from the eyes to the primary visual cortex, which is a region in the grey matter in the back of the brain. The cortex itself remained intact.

The damage cut off communication between the upper left visual field and the corresponding region in the visual cortex, creating a blind area in that upper left visual field. (A visual field refers to the area that can be seen when that eye is directed forward and includes the peripheral vision.)

Distorted images

BL had reported that things "looked distorted" in the area just below the blind spot. The researchers hypothesized the distortions resulted from reorganization in the deprived cortex.

To test their idea, the neuroscientists had BL focus on a center dot while images of objects, such as square shapes, appeared in various parts of the visual field. When the square popped up in the blind area, BL saw nothing.

When the square appeared just below the blind area, BL perceived the square as a rectangle stretching upward into the blind area. Likewise, the patient saw triangles as "pencil-like," and circles as "cigar-like."

Brain scans using fMRI showed the visually deprived cortex (upper left visual field) was responding to information coming from the lower left visual field—something that would not occur in a "normal" adult brain. That ability to "redirect" sight signals is a hallmark of plasticity, the authors say, and could explain the visual distortions.

"We discovered that it took on new functional properties, and BL sees differently as a consequence of that cortical reorganization," Dilks said.

Plastic proof

The new finding adds weight to suggestions made by other research about the ability of adult brains to morph.

This year, neuroscientists reported the adult mice could grow new neurons, a finding they said could have implications for the treatment of human neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. A similar finding was reported a couple of years ago in mice. In 2005, a brain-scan study of human adults with macular degeneration showed evidence of plasticity in the visual regions of their brains.

However, similar studies have somewhat tempered these positive results, one in which brain scans failed to find evidence for brain changes in patients with macular degeneration.

Original Story: Adult Brain Can Still Change

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Saturday 8 September 2007 - 12:37PM (EST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments

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