U.S. activists have worked tirelessly to ensure that the endangered sea turtles have places to live, eat and breed, and now there’s good news – all of that effort has indeed helped the turtles. A new study shows that green sea turtles are using and thriving in ocean habitats that have been specifically protected for their use.
Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey attached satellite tags to sea turtles while they nested in Dry Tortugas National Park in order to monitor their activity in the ocean. By mapping their subsequent locations, the experts were able to confirm that the green turtles were spending significant amounts of time in preserved areas.
Since sea turtles migrate in the open ocean, there has always been concern over whether the turtles even utilize the protected areas environmental groups have fought to maintain. Considering the amount of time and resources devoted to these projects, it is important to know that the sea turtles are actually benefiting from these preserved areas. The new study finally confirms that the efforts of wildlife groups have not been in vain.
“We are thrilled to find that these turtles used some areas already under ‘protected’ status,” said Kristen Hart, lead researcher. “Given that worldwide declines in seagrass – one of the most important habitats they rely on for food – has already been documented, this type of data is critical.”
In addition to protected sea grass areas, the monitoring devices show that sea turtles also spend time around eroding coral reefs. This knowledge will help organizations to know which types of areas to protect on behalf of the green sea turtle in the future.
Some of these areas earned their protected status in court. In 2011, the National Wildlife Federation and Florida Wildlife Federation fought against new development in areas that sea turtles frequent. As a result, an environmental assessment must be performed before permitting a business starts construction on the Florida coast.
It’s not only the ocean habitats that have been crucial to the sea turtle’s survival. Two years ago, research also demonstrated that protecting endangered sea turtles’ nesting areas was also responsible for population growth.
With 90 percent of the country’s sea turtle population residing around Florida, the efforts to protect these turtles will be concentrated in this region. Hopefully, with the positive findings from this latest study, additional areas will be protected to bring back green sea turtles from their endangered status.

Tá gníomhaithe sna Stáit Aontaithe ag obair gan staonadh chun a chinntiú go bhfuil áiteanna ag na turtar farraigeacha chun maireachtáil, ithe agus breeding, agus anois tá dea-scéal ann - tá an iarracht sin go léir tar éis cabhrú leis na turtar. Léiríonn staidéar nua go bhfuil turtar glas na farraige ag úsáid agus ag rathú i gnáthóga farraige a bhí cosanta go sonrach dá n-úsáid.
Chuir taighdeoirí ag Suirbhéireacht Geolaíochta na Stát Aontaithe lipéid satailíte ar thorthaí farraige agus iad ag neadaíocht i bPáirc Náisiúnta Dry Tortugas chun faireachán a dhéanamh ar a ngníomhaíocht san aigéan. Trí léarscáileanna a dhéanamh ar a n-áitritheoirí ina dhiaidh sin, bhí na saineolaithe in ann a dhearbhú go raibh na turtar glas ag caitheamh cuid mhaith ama i limistéir chaomhnaithe.
Ós rud é go n-imíonn turtar farraige san aigéan oscailte, bhí imní ann i gcónaí an úsáideann na turtar fiú na limistéir chosanta a throid grúpaí comhshaoil chun a choimeád. Ag féachaint don mhéid ama agus acmhainní a chuirtear ar fáil do na tionscadail seo, tá sé tábhachtach a fhios a bheith agat go bhfuil na turtar farraige ag baint tairbhe i ndáiríre as na limistéir chaomhnaithe seo. Deimhníonn an staidéar nua go deireanach nach raibh iarrachtaí grúpaí fiadhúlra ar neamh.
"Táimid thar a bheith sásta go ndearna na clóis seo úsáid as roinnt limistéir atá faoi stádas caomhnaithe cheana féin", a dúirt Kristen Hart, an taighdeoir ceannaire. De réir mar a dhéantar laghdú ar fud an domhain ar an nglasra ar cheann de na háitritheoirí is tábhachtaí a mbraitheann siad orthu mar bhia  a dhoiciméadú cheana féin, tá an cineál sonraí seo ríthábhachtach.
Chomh maith le limistéir ghrása farraige cosanta, léiríonn na feistí faireacháin go gcaitheann na cnámha farraige am freisin timpeall ar chraobhanna corail atá ag creimeadh. Cabhróidh an t-eolas seo le heagraíochtaí a fháil amach cén cineál limistéar atá le cosaint thar ceann na turtar farraige glas sa todhchaí.
Fuair cuid de na ceantair seo a stádas cosanta sa chúirt. Sa bhliain 2011, throid an Chónaidhm Náisiúnta Fiadhúlra agus Chónaidhm Fiadhúlra Florida i gcoinne forbairt nua i gceantair a mbíonn turtar farraige go minic. Mar thoradh air sin, ní mór measúnú comhshaoil a dhéanamh sula gceadaítear gnó a thosú ar thósta Florida.
Ní hamháin na háitritheoirí aigéin a bhí ríthábhachtach d'fhanas na turtar farraige. D'fhiafraigh an tAire de go raibh an t-ionsaí seo ag cur leis an ngéarchéim a bhaineann le héisc agus le heacnamaíocht na tíre.
Le 90 faoin gcéad de phobal turtar farraige na tíre ina gcónaí timpeall Florida, beidh na hiarrachtaí chun na turtar seo a chosaint dírithe ar an réigiún seo. Tá súil againn, leis na torthaí dearfacha ón staidéar is déanaí seo, go ndéanfar limistéir bhreise a chosaint chun na turtaí mara glas a thabhairt ar ais óna stádas i mbaol.


The regional capital and Sicily's largest city
On the north coast of Sicily, Palermo is set in the fertile valley of Conca d’Oro and surrounded by the surrounded by steep limestone mountain of Monte Pellegrino, with houses climbing up the hillsides.
The old city retains its medieval street plan with narrow streets and alley ways with gently mouldering Palazzi. The city was badly bombed in the Second World War and was a hot bed of organised crime (the Mafia) in the C20th. It is slow to recover from lack of investment.
The area has been settled for 3000 years and the different waves of settlers have all left their mark. It started as a Phoenician port coming under the control of Carthage and then the Romans. It was taken by the Arabs in 831AD. The city flourished, becoming a centre for Islamic culture with the Christian basilicas becoming mosques. The red domes now seen on many churches are typical of Arab architecture.
The Normans invaded in 1072 and Palermo became the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily and their seat of power. The Norman rulers encouraged the Arabs and other residents to remain and Sicily rapidly became one of the wealthiest states in Europe. It was famed for the wealth of its court and also its learning. The Palazzo dei Normanni, the Cappella Palatina and the Cathedral date from these times. Norman rule came to an end after the death of William II in 1189 and there was a long period of political struggles with the island passing through a series of different hands, eventually coming under Spanish control. Most of the buildings in the city date from a major rebuilding in the C16th and C17th. It has traditionally been a city of rich churches, endowed by the island’s ruling families and wealthy monastic orders.
The population declined during the C19th and Palermo lost its importance. it eventually became part of Italy in 1861 under Garibaldi. Palermo flourished for a while with the building of Art Nouveau villas round the old city.
Much of the harbour and surrounding area was heavily bombed by the Allies in 1943. Over 70 churches were destroyed and much of the medieval town was left in ruins. Money to rebuild has been slow to arrive and much was siphoned off by the Mafia or dubious business men. After a series of high profile assassinations in the 1990s the city authorities have taken action to ‘clean up’ the city. Many leading members of the Mafia have been arrested and contracts are no longer given to companies with links to organised crime. The city is slowly recovering and old buildings being renovated. Some of the old facades have been kept with modern buildings behind.
Palermo is a city to be explored on foot. Quattro Canti dates from the C17th reconstruction of the city and is the major road junction in the centre of the old city and surrounded by once splendid Baroque buildings. The statues on the buildings were commissioned in 1611 and depict the seasons, patron saints of the old town and Spanish Kings
The four main streets running off divide the city into quarters. Originally there was little contact between the quarters and the inhabitants had their own dialects, trades, and markets. A maze of narrow streets and alleyways run off these to make up the old town.
Close to Quattro Canti is the Piazza Pretoria with its Pretoria fountain. Dating from the C16th, this was originally made for the garden of a Florentine villa before being sold to the city of Palermo. It was reassembled in front of the City Hall. With its sixteen nude statues of nymphs, tritons and river gods, mermaids and satyrs, it has been nicknamed the Fountain of Shame.
We spent a morning in Palermo on an eight day trip to Sicily with Riveira Travel, which hardly gave me time to scratch the surface. Knowing that the Palazzo dei Normanni (now the seat of the Regional Government) and the Cappella Palatina with its beautiful gold mosaics tend to be busy with very long queues, I decided to give these a miss and concentrate of the cathedral
and some of the many churches scattered round the old city.
The CHURCH of LA MARTORANA (Santa Maria dell’ Ammiraglio), on Piazza Bellini is a stunning church and well worth the €3 entry. It was built as a Greek Orthodox church in the early C12th. It is one of the finest surviving medieval buildings in the city with the inside covered with stunning mosaics of the highest quality which glow golden in the light. In the C15th the church passed to an order of Benedictine Nuns who were responsible for adding the C16th Baroque frontage and removed many of the mosaics, replacing them with frescoes. The chancel area is pure Baroque with walls covered with white sculpted plaster. The tabernacle is resplendent with deep blue lapis luzuli inlay.
The CHURCH OF ST MARY OF GESU is one of the most important Baroque churches in Palermo. Tucked away in the network of narrow streets and alleyways between Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda, it is well worth finding. It was the first church to be built in Sicily by the Jesuits and dates from the late C16th. The glorious C17th Baroque interior has been magnificently restored after bomb damage in the Second World War, which destroyed the dome, surrounding walls and the paintings in the chancel and transepts. Every surface of the inside is covered with marble, stucco reliefs and paintings.
The ORATORIO DEL ROSARIO DI SAN DOMINICO tucked away behind the larger (and rather uninspiring church of St Domenico) was founded at the end of the C16th by the Knights of Malta and is still maintained by them. The outside is very uninspiring but the inside contains some of the best Baroque work in Palermo. The white and gold painted walls are covered with stucco, paintings and statues of the Christian virtues modelled on fashionable society ladies. Don’t miss the van Dyke painting above the altar.
There are lots more pictures here.
This review is solely based on the opinion of a Silver Travel Advisor member and not of Silver Travel Advisor Ltd.

An príomhchathair réigiúnach agus an chathair is mó sa tSicil
Ar chósta thuaidh na Sicíle, tá Palermo suite i ghleann torthúil Conca d'Oro agus timpeallaithe ag sliabh carraigí cnámh ar Monte Pellegrino, le tithe ag dul suas ar na cnoic.
Coinníonn an sean-chathair a phlean sráide meánaoiseach le sráideanna caol agus bealaí alley le Palazzi a bhfuil moulding éadrom orthu. Bhí an chathair buamáilte go dona sa Dara Cogadh Domhanda agus bhí sé ina leaba te d'fhéile eagraithe (an Mafia) sa 20ú haois. Tá sé mall a ghnóthú ó easpa infheistíochta.
Tá an limistéar socraithe le 3000 bliain agus tá a gcuid marc fágtha ag na tonnta éagsúla socraitheoirí. Thosaigh sé mar chalafort Phoenician ag teacht faoi rialú Carthage agus ansin na Rómhánaigh. Thóg na hÁrabaigh é i 831AD. Bhí rath ar an gcathair, agus tháinig sí ina lárionad don chultúr Ioslamach agus na basilicas Críostaí ina moscaí. Tá na doms dearga a fheictear anois ar go leor eaglaisí tipiciúil d'ailtireacht Arabach.
Tháinig na Normannach isteach i 1072 agus tháinig Palermo ina phríomhchathair ar Ríocht na Sicile agus ina suíochán cumhachta. Spreag na ceannairí Normannach na hArábánaigh agus cónaitheoirí eile chun fanacht agus tháinig an tSicil go tapa ar cheann de na stáit is saibhre san Eoraip. Bhí cáil air mar gheall ar shaibhreas a chúirte agus ar a chuid eolais freisin. Is as na hamanna seo a thagann Palazzo dei Normanni, an Cappella Palatina agus an Ardeaglais. Tháinig deireadh le rialú Normannach tar éis bháis Uilleam II i 1189 agus bhí tréimhse fhada de streachailtí polaitiúla ann leis an oileán ag dul trí shraith lámha éagsúla, ag teacht faoi smacht na Spáinne sa deireadh. Tá an chuid is mó de na foirgnimh sa chathair ó atógáil mhór sa 16ú agus sa 17ú haois. Go traidisiúnta, is cathair é seo de eaglaisí saibhre, a thug teaghlaigh rialaithe an oileáin agus orduithe monacha saibhre dó.
Thit an daonra le linn an 19ú haois agus chaill Palermo a thábhacht. Tháinig sé mar chuid d'Iodáil sa deireadh i 1861 faoi Garibaldi. Bhí rath ar Palermo ar feadh tamaill le foirgneamh na Villas Art Nouveau timpeall an chathracha.
Bhí an chuid is mó den chalafort agus an limistéar timpeall air buamáil go mór ag na Comhghuaillithe i 1943. D'fhulaing níos mó ná 70 eaglais agus d'fhág cuid mhór den bhaile meánaoiseach ina bhróga. Bhí sé mall an t-airgead a chur ar fáil chun an teach a atógáil agus bhí an chuid is mó de na hairgead sin curtha ar ceal ag an Mafia nó ag lucht gnó amhrasach. Tar éis sraith dúnmharaithe ardphróifíle sna 1990idí, rinne údaráis na cathrach gníomh chun an chathair a "glanadh". Tá go leor de na príomh-airí an Mafia gabhadh agus ní thugtar conarthaí a thuilleadh do chuideachtaí a bhfuil naisc acu le coireacht eagraithe. Tá an chathair ag teacht ar ais go mall agus tá sean-fhoirgnimh á n-athchóiriú. Tá cuid de na sean-chomhchomhchomhartha á gcur i gcéin le foirgnimh nua-aimseartha ina dhiaidh.
Is cathair í Palermo a bhfuil sé le iniúchadh ar shiúl. Tá Quattro Canti ó athchóiriú an 17ú haois an bhaile agus is é an príomh-chruinniú bóthair i lár na cathrach d'aois agus timpeallaithe ag foirgnimh barócacha a bhí iontach uair amháin. Coimisiúnaíodh na deilbh ar na foirgnimh i 1611 agus léiríonn siad na séasúir, na naoimh chaomhnóra an chathracha d'aois agus Rí na Spáinne
Roinneann na ceithre phríomhshráid a ritheann amach an chathair ina gceathrú. Ar dtús ní raibh mórán teagmhála idir na ceathracha agus bhí a gcuid diailéic féin, ceirdeanna agus margaí ag na háitritheoirí. Tá labyrinth de shráideanna caol agus sráideanna ag rith amach as seo chun an seanbhaile a dhéanamh suas.
In aice le Quattro Canti tá an Piazza Pretoria lena bhuntáiste Pretoria. Ag dul siar ón 16ú haois, rinneadh é seo ar dtús le haghaidh gairdín villa Florentine sula ndíoladh é chuig cathair Palermo. Bhí sé athchruinnithe os comhair Halla na Cathrach. Le sé de naoi gcúig deilbh nude de nymphs, tritons agus déithe abhainn, mermaids agus satyrs, tá sé ar a dtugtar an Fountain of Shame.
Chaith muid maidin i Palermo ar thuras ocht lá go Sicilia le Riveira Travel, rud a thug go leor ama dom an dromchla a scratchadh. Agus a fhios agam go mbíonn Palazzo dei Normanni (an t-áit ina bhfuil an Rialtas Réigiúnach anois) agus an Cappella Palatina lena mósaicí órga álainn gnách go mbíonn siad gnóthach le línte an-fhada, shocraigh mé na cinn seo a chailleadh agus díriú ar an gcathedral
agus roinnt de na heaglaisí go leor scaipthe timpeall an chathair d'aois.
IS IS Eaglais iontach í Eaglais La Martorana (Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio), ar Piazza Bellini agus is fiú an €3 a gheobhaidh tú isteach ann. Tógadh é mar eaglais Cheartach Gréagach go luath sa 12ú haois. Tá sé ar cheann de na foirgnimh mheánaoise is fearr a maireann sa chathair agus tá an taobh istigh clúdaithe le mósaicí iontach den chaighdeán is airde a bhfuil gleo óir sa solas. Sa 15ú haois, chuaigh an séipéal ar aghaidh chuig ordú de Nunna Benediktineacha a bhí freagrach as an bhfrontacht Baróca C16 a chur leis agus a chuir cuid mhaith de na mósaicí as, ag maisiú frescaí ina n-áit. Tá an limistéar chancel barócach íon le ballaí clúdaithe le pláta sculpted bán. Tá an tabernacle gleoite le inlaid lapis luzuli gorm dorcha.
Tá Eaglais Naomh Muire de GESU ar cheann de na heaglaisí Barócacha is tábhachtaí i Palermo. Tá sé i bhfolach i líonra na sráideanna caol agus na gcosáin idir Via Vittorio Emanuele agus Via Maqueda, agus is fiú é a aimsiú. Ba é an chéad eaglais a thóg na hIasaigh sa tSicil agus tá sé ó dheireadh an 16ú haois. Tá an taobh istigh Barócach glorious C17th athchóirithe go hiontach tar éis damáiste buama sa Dara Cogadh Domhanda, a scrios an dom, ballaí timpeall agus na pictiúir sa chancel agus na trasna. Tá gach dromchla an taobh istigh clúdaithe le marmair, le hairíonna stuca agus le péinteálacha.
Bunaíodh an ORATORIO DEL ROSARIO DI SAN DOMINICO atá i gcúl eaglais St Domenico níos mó (agus rud nach bhfuil spreagúil go leor) ag deireadh an 16ú haois ag Cairde na Málta agus tá siad á chothabháil fós. Tá an taobh amuigh an-inspioráideach ach tá cuid de na saothair Bairócacha is fearr i Palermo sa taobh istigh. Tá na ballaí péinteáilte bán agus ór clúdaithe le stucco, péinteálacha agus deilbh na ngnéithe Críostaí arna mhodhnú ar mhná sóisialaíochta faiseanta. Ná caill an pictiúr van Dyke os cionn an altóra.
Tá go leor pictiúir eile anseo.
Tá an t-athbhreithniú seo bunaithe go heisiach ar thuairim chomhalta Silver Travel Advisor agus ní ar thuairim Silver Travel Advisor Ltd.


By Roxanne J Carini,
Marine Mammal Commission
In graduate school, I would quip that I studied everything about the ocean, except what lived there! So, imagine my surprise when I wound up at the Marine Mammal Commission for my year-long Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship.
Falling in love with the world of marine mammals didn’t take long! But, not for the reasons you may think. Even though I can’t deny that whales are the ultimate charismatic megafauna, sea otters are irresistible when they float on their backs holding hands, and polar bears are awe-inspiring Arctic hunters, what I am most excited about is breaking out of my academic science silo and approaching my work like any marine mammal would—with the understanding that everything is connected.
The use of waves by killer whales for (A) reducing ice floe size, (B) clearing the ice around the floe, (C) moving the target floe into open water, and (D) wave washing the prey into the ocean. Figure credit: Visser et al. 2007 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2007.00163.x)
For instance, did you know that Antarctic killer whales will use their bodies to generate waves strong enough to knock a seal off a chunk of ice and right into their mouths? I spent seven years studying the physics of breaking waves for my Masters and PhD and never had a killer whale for a professor... until now! Marine mammals (and marine wildlife, in general) are natural physical oceanographers, and I am learning more about my own area of expertise by diving into their world at the Marine Mammal Commission.
Me (third from left) with my classmates
at our PhD graduation ceremony from
the University of Washington.
What is the Marine Mammal Commission…and how does a physical oceanographer fit in?
Marine Mammal Commission logo
The Marine Mammal Commission was created by Congress, as part of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, to provide independent, science-based oversight of domestic and international policies and actions of federal agencies addressing human impacts on marine mammals and their ecosystems.
Though it is a mouthful, this mission statement motivates a wide range of work integral to the protection of marine mammals. I’ll give just a few examples.
The Marine Mammal Commission is small, but mighty. It consists of thirteen staff, nine scientific advisors, and three Commissioners. Much of the staff and all of the scientific advisors and Commissioners have expertise in marine ecology and resource management, with specialties ranging from veterinary medicine, statistics, marine acoustics, and biology, to international affairs and co-management.
To fulfill the Commission’s oversight duty, staff consult with the Committee of Scientific Advisors and the Commissioners to write letters to the federal agencies tasked with permitting activities and making new rules that impact marine mammals (e.g., research permits, wind farm siting, oil and gas exploration, and Navy sonar testing). Importantly, these letters become part of the public record.
Reading my first Commission Letter felt like my first Shakespeare play. Photo: modified from original by Robin Miller
Reading my first Commission letter was like attending my first Shakespeare play-- I knew the actors were speaking English, but the vocabulary and cadence were so foreign to me that I couldn’t understand the players or the plot. Over time and with some added background from the playbill, my ear adjusted and the story became clear.
With regards to a letter about Navy sonar exercises, I was able to apply my physical oceanography training, which taught me how the frequency band of sonar determines how its sound travels through water, to understand how certain frequency bands of sonar can interfere with the hearing and vocalization of different whales and dolphins and therefore negatively impact their ability to feed and communicate.
The Marine Mammal Commission also serves a resource for Congress. I often trade in my jeans and Chacos for a full suit and accompany our Executive Director, Peter Thomas, and our Communications Officer, Brady O’Donnell, on trips to the Hill.
Sometimes our goal is to share science about marine mammals and ocean health as they relate to a given state or district. Other times we consult about what types of legislation would be beneficial for a vulnerable marine mammal population.
Me (far right) and other Knauss Fellows outside the Longworth House Office Building
after attending a hearing of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee.
During my first several briefings, I listened, observed, learned, and did not speak… because I’m still rather new to this marine mammal world. But recently, I’ve been able to contribute to the conversation!
And while Hill meetings are efficient and focused, they aren’t as intimidating as you might think. Congress-people and their staffers appreciate when we take the time to translate science and provide real-world examples.
For instance, after the Marine Mammal Commission’s annual meeting (held in Kona, Hawaii this year— lucky me!), we scheduled briefings with Representatives and Senators from Hawaii.
In those meetings, I told my story about visiting three rehabilitated monk seals that were about to be released to the sandy shores of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. This is one of many successes of the Ke Kai Ola monk seal hospital, since its opening in 2014.
However, I was also responsible for putting on my physical oceanographer hat and explaining how sea level rise is swallowing critical habitat for monk seals and how ocean warming and changing ocean circulation patterns are impacting their prey species.
In the end, we celebrated conservation victories while motivating dedication to sustaining conservation efforts.
Me and Executive Director, Peter Thomas, being goofy
at Ke Kai Ola, the monk seal hospital, in Kona, HI.
Advancing Marine Mammal Science
The Commission maintains a modest research grants program, and its staff, Commissioners, and Scientific Advisors help organize marine mammal science conferences, participate in working groups, and serve on steering committees.
GOOS Biology and Ecosystems Panel logo
As a Knauss Fellow, I help the Commission’s Scientific Program Director, Sam Simmons, with her role and responsibilities on the Biology and Ecosystem Panel of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). GOOS has a well-established, standardized observation network for ocean physical properties and climate metrics, but the same does not yet exist for marine mammals.
Why not? Well, you can stick a thermometer anywhere in the water and measure its temperature continuously-- temperature can’t swim away from you! But marine mammals can, and that makes taking measurements much trickier. For a given species, you’d want to know how many there, how they are distributed over a given region, what range of ages exist in each population group, and you’d want to know how all of this changes over time.
All of these observations require a lot of time, energy, and money. And there are incredible observation efforts taking place all around the world. However, those data are stored in a million different places (some publicly available online, some kept private) and a million different formats (self-made surveys, imagery, biological samples, etc.).
The goal of the marine mammals working group is to help unify these efforts to build a data network and a human network that can answer the big questions: What is the current status of life in the ocean? How is it changing? And how do those changes affect ecosystem function, health, and services?
After my year at the Marine Mammal Commission, I will proudly tell anyone who asks that I studied the physics of the ocean and helped protect what lived there!
This year has given me a taste for working in the in-betweens: in between physical oceanography and ecology and biology, in between science and policy, and in between the federal government and a suite of diverse stakeholders. It has changed the way I imagine my future and I am incredibly grateful for my Knauss Fellowship with the Marine Mammal Commission.
The Marine Mammal Commission at its 2019 Annual Meeting in Kona, Hawaii.

Le Roxanne J Carini,
Coiste na Mamálaigh Mhuirí
Sa scoil iarchéime, déarfainn go raibh mé ag staidéar gach rud faoin aigéan, ach ní raibh aon rud ann! Mar sin, samhlaigh mo iontas nuair a bhí mé ag an gCoimisiún Mamálaigh Mara le haghaidh mo Choláiste um Bheartas Mara Knauss ar feadh bliana.
Ní thóg sé fada orm titim i ngrá le saol na n-imdhíonairí mara! Ach, ní ar na cúiseanna a cheapann tú. Cé nach féidir liom a shéanadh go bhfuil na baillín ar an megafauna carismach is fearr, go bhfuil otters farraige irresistible nuair a bhíonn siad ag snámh ar a gcúl ag gabháil lámha, agus go bhfuil bears polacha ina sealgairí Artach a spreagann ama, is é an rud is mó a bhfuil mé ag gabháil ná mo shilo eolaíochta acadúil a bhriseadh amach agus dul i ngleic le mo chuid oibre mar a dhéanfadh aon mamaílach mara leis an tuiscint go bhfuil gach rud nasctha.
Úsáid tonnta ag whales killer le haghaidh (A) méid an fhléigh oighir a laghdú, (B) an oighir a ghlanadh timpeall an fhléigh, (C) an fhléigh sprioc a bhogadh isteach in uisce oscailte, agus (D) tonn a bhacann an dílse isteach san aigéan. Creidmheas figiúirí: Visser et al. 2007 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2007.00163.x)
Mar shampla, an raibh a fhios agat go n-úsáidfidh na baillín killer Antartach a gcorp chun tonnta a ghiniúint atá láidir go leor chun síol a bhualadh as píosa oighir agus go díreach ina mbéal? Chaith mé seacht mbliana ag staidéar ar fhisice na tonnta a bhriseadh do mo Máistreacht agus PhD agus ní raibh riamh baile killer do ollamh ... go dtí anois! Is oceanógrafaithe fisiceacha nádúrtha iad mamaigh mhuirí (agus fiadhúlra muirí, go ginearálta), agus tá mé ag foghlaim níos mó faoi mo réimse saineolais féin trí thús a chur ina saol ag an gCoimisiún Mamaigh Mhuirí.
Mise (an tríú duine ó chlé) agus mo chomhghleacaithe
ag ár searmanas céim PhD ó
Ollscoil Washington.
Cad é an Coimisiún Mamálaigh Mhuirí...agus conas a oireann océanagrafaí fisiceach isteach?
Logo an Choimisiúin um Mamálaigh Mhuirí
Chruthaigh an Comhdháil an Coimisiún Mamálaigh Mhuirí, mar chuid den Acht um Chosaint Mamálaigh Mhuirí 1972, chun maoirseacht neamhspleách, eolaíoch a sholáthar ar bheartais agus gníomhaíochtaí intíre agus idirnáisiúnta gníomhaireachtaí cónaidhme a bhaineann le tionchair an duine ar mhamaill mhuirí agus a n-éiceachórais.
Cé go bhfuil sé beag, spreagann an ráiteas misean seo réimse leathan oibre atá mar chuid lárnach de chosaint na mamaigh mhuirí. Tabharfaidh mé cúpla sampla.
Tá an Coimisiún Mamálaigh Mhuirí beag, ach cumhachtach. Tá trí fhoireann déag, naoi gcomhairleoir eolaíochta agus triúr Coimisinéirí ann. Tá saineolas ag cuid mhór den fhoireann agus ag na comhairleoirí eolaíocha agus na Coimisinéirí go léir i néiceolaíocht mhuirí agus bainistíocht acmhainní, le speisialtóireachtaí a théann ó leigheas tréidliachta, staitisticí, fuaime mhuirí agus bitheolaíocht, go gnóthaí idirnáisiúnta agus comhbhainistíocht.
Chun dualgas maoirseachta an Choimisiúin a chomhlíonadh, déanann foireann comhairliúcháin le Coiste na gCeannairí Eolaíocha agus leis na Coimisinéirí chun litreacha a scríobh chuig na gníomhaireachtaí cónaidhme a bhfuil sé de chúram orthu gníomhaíochtaí ceadúnaithe a cheadú agus rialacha nua a dhéanamh a théann i bhfeidhm ar mhamaigh mhuirí (m.sh., ceadanna taighde, suíomh feirme gaoithe, taiscéalaíocht ola agus gáis, agus tástáil sonáraigh an Navy). Tá sé tábhachtach go dtógfar na litreacha seo mar chuid den taifead poiblí.
Léitheoireacht mo chéad litir Choimisiún bhraith mé mar mo chéad Shakespeare dráma. Grianghraf: arna mhodhnú ó bhunús ag Robin Miller
Bhí an chéad litir ón gCoimisiún a léigh mé cosúil le bheith i láthair ar mo chéad dráma Shakespeare - bhí a fhios agam go raibh na haisteoirí ag labhairt Béarla, ach bhí an foclóir agus an cadans chomh coigríche dom nach raibh mé in ann na haisteoirí ná an plota a thuiscint. Le himeacht ama agus le roinnt cúlra breise ón bpíolla, choigeartaigh mo chluas agus tháinig an scéal soiléir.
Maidir le litir faoi chleachtaí sonar an Navy, bhí mé in ann mo oiliúint ocsaeanaigréime fhisiceach a chur i bhfeidhm, a mhúin dom conas a chinneann banda minicíochta sonar an chaoi a dtéann a fuaim tríd an uisce, chun tuiscint a fháil ar conas a d'fhéadfadh bannaí minicíochta sonar áirithe cur isteach ar éisteacht agus guthú na n-imithe agus na ndalfíní éagsúla agus dá bhrí sin tionchar diúltach a bheith acu ar a gcumas ithe agus cumarsáid a dhéanamh.
Tá an Coimisiún um Mamálaigh Mhuirí ina acmhainn don Choimisiún freisin. Is minic a dhéanaim mo bhéans agus Chacos a mhalartú le haghaidh cód iomlán agus gabhaim lenár Stiúrthóir Feidhmiúcháin, Peter Thomas, agus lenár n-Oifigeach Cumarsáide, Brady O'Donnell, ar thurais go dtí an Chnoc.
Uaireanta is é ár gcuspóir eolaíocht a roinnt faoi mhamaigh mara agus sláinte na farraige mar a bhaineann siad le stát nó ceantar áirithe. Uaireanta eile déanaimid comhairliúchán faoi na cineálacha reachtaíochta a bheadh tairbheach do phobal mamaigh mhuirí leochaileacha.
Mise (an taobh dheis) agus Comhaltaí eile Knauss taobh amuigh de Thogadh Oifigí Tithe Longworth
tar éis éisteacht a bheith aige leis an bhfo-choiste Uisce, Aigéin agus Fiadhúlra.
Le linn mo chéad roinnt breifílí, d'éist mé, breathnaigh mé, d'fhoghlaim mé, agus níor labhair mé... toisc go bhfuil mé fós go leor nua don domhan mamaigh mhuirí seo. Ach le déanaí, bhí mé in ann cur leis an gcomhrá!
Agus cé go bhfuil cruinnithe Hill éifeachtach agus dírithe, níl siad chomh scanrúil agus a cheapfá. Cuireann daoine den Choinidigh agus a bhfoireann luach ar an am a chaithimid chun an eolaíocht a aistriú agus samplaí fíor-domhanda a sholáthar.
Mar shampla, tar éis chruinniú bliantúil Choimisiún na Mamálaigh Mara (a tionóladh i Kona, Hawaii i mbliana) ), shocraíomar breifílí le Ionadaithe agus Seanadóirí ó Haváí.
Sna cruinnithe sin, d'inis mé mo scéal faoi chuairte a dhéanamh ar thrí shéile monk athshlánú a bhí ar tí a scaoileadh chuig cóstaí gaineamh na hOileáin Haváí Thuaisceart. Tá sé seo ar cheann de na rathanna go leor atá ag ospidéal an phoill mhonc Ke Kai Ola, ó osclaíodh é in 2014.
Mar sin féin, bhí mé freagrach freisin as mo hata aigéin-eagraí fisiceach a chur ar mo cheann agus a mhíniú conas a bhfuil ardú leibhéal na farraige ag dul i ngleic le háit chónaithe ríthábhachtach do shéile moncaí agus conas a bhíonn an téamh farraige agus patrúin imshruthaithe farraige ag athrú a n-earraí dílse.
Sa deireadh, cheiliúradh linn buaiteacha caomhnaithe agus muid ag spreagadh tiomantas chun iarrachtaí caomhnaithe a choimeád ar bun.
Mise agus an Stiúrthóir Feidhmiúcháin, Peter Thomas, ag a bheith goofy
ag Ke Kai Ola, an t-ospidéal seal monk, i Kona, HI.
An Eolaíocht ar Mhamáltaí Mara a Chur Chun Cinn
Tá clár measartha deontais taighde á chothabháil ag an gCoimisiún, agus cuireann a fhoireann, Coimisinéirí, agus Comhairleoirí Eolaíochta le comhdhálacha eolaíochta mamaigh mhuirí a eagrú, páirt a ghlacadh i ngrúpaí oibre, agus freastal ar choistí stiúrtha.
Logo Painéal Bithéolaíochta agus Éiceachórais GOOS
Mar Chomhalta Knauss, cuirim le Stiúrthóir Clár Eolaíochta an Choimisiúin, Sam Simmons, lena ról agus a fhreagrachtaí ar Phainéal Bithéolaíochta agus Éiceachórais an Chórais Oireachtais Domhanda (GOOS). Tá líonra breathnóireachta caighdeánaithe dea-bhunaithe ag GOOS maidir le hairíonna fisiciúla na farraige agus tomhais aeráide, ach níl an rud céanna ann fós maidir le mamaigh mhuirí.
Cén fáth nach bhfuil? Bhuel, is féidir leat a stick teochomhaire áit ar bith san uisce agus a thomhas a teocht go leanúnach - Teochta ní féidir swim away ó tú! Ach is féidir le mamaigh mhuirí, agus déanann sé sin tomhas a dhéanamh i bhfad níos tricky. Maidir le speiceas áirithe, ba mhaith leat a fháil amach cé mhéad atá ann, conas a dháileadh iad thar réigiún áirithe, cén raon aois atá ann i ngach grúpa daonra, agus ba mhaith leat a fháil amach conas a athraíonn sé seo go léir le himeacht ama.
Éilíonn na breathnithe seo go léir go leor ama, fuinnimh agus airgid. Agus tá iarrachtaí breathnóireachta dochreidte á ndéanamh ar fud an domhain. Mar sin féin, stóráiltear na sonraí sin in milliún áit éagsúla (tá cuid acu ar fáil go poiblí ar líne, cuid acu faoi phríobháideacht) agus i milliún formáid éagsúla (suirbhéanna féin-dhéanta, íomhánna, samplaí bitheolaíocha, srl. )
Is é sprioc an ghrúpa oibre le haghaidh mamaigh mhuirí cabhrú leis na hiarrachtaí seo a chomhthiomsú chun líonra sonraí agus líonra daonna a thógáil a d'fhéadfadh freagraí a thabhairt ar na ceisteanna móra: Cad é stádas reatha na beatha san aigéan? Conas atá sé ag athrú? Agus conas a théann na hathruithe sin i bhfeidhm ar fheidhm, ar shláinte agus ar sheirbhísí éiceachórais?
Tar éis mo bhliain ag an gCoimisiún Mammal Mara, beidh mé bródúil a insint do dhuine ar bith a iarrann go ndearna mé staidéar ar an fisice an aigéin agus chabhraigh sé a chosaint ar a bhí ina gcónaí ann!
Thug an bhliain seo dom an blas a bheith ag obair sa lár: idir aigéan-eolaíocht fhisiceach agus éiceolaíocht agus bitheolaíocht, idir eolaíocht agus beartas, agus idir an rialtas cónaidhme agus sraith de pháirtithe leasmhara éagsúla. D'athraigh sé an bealach a shamhlaím mo thodhchaí agus táim thar a bheith buíoch as mo Choláiste Knauss leis an gCoimisiún Mamálaigh Mara.
An Coimisiún Mamálaigh Mhuirí ag a Cruinniú Bhliantúil 2019 i Kona, Hawaii.


The use of digital devices is a normal part of our daily life, and most people don’t think twice about it. In fact, you are likely reading this on a screen right now. But, unfortunately, our reliance on screens has a downside.
Studies have shown that people who use screens more often are at risk of developing age-related eye conditions. The concern has to do with increased exposure to a potentially damaging type of light emitted from your device — blue light.
Fortunately, certain nutrients that you can get from your diet and supplements may help reduce the impact of this exposure. Since screens don’t seem to be going away anytime soon, taking steps to protect your eyes now is a wise choice.
Blue light is a type of light generated by computer screens, smartphones, and other digital devices. It’s high-energy light that is part of the visible light spectrum. The sun is also a significant source of blue light, but because of the increased reliance on screens, our exposure to blue light has risen dramatically in the last few decades.
Some blue light exposure, primarily from the sun, is good for us. It helps regulate our circadian rhythms (sleep and wake cycle), keeps us alert, and supports a healthy cognitive function. But, when you spend too much time in front of a screen, the blue light adds up quickly and can be harmful to your eyes.
Blue light can also interrupt our sleep cycle as it suppresses melatonin production. While this is desirable first thing in the morning when you greet the sun, late-night screen use can also increase alertness, leaving you wide awake when you should be sleeping.
Eye strain and fatigue are increasingly common complaints as more time is spent looking at screens or digital devices that emit blue light. Long-term exposure to blue light has also been found to significantly impair vision. Over time, blue light is associated with retinal cell damage and vision issues.
Excess screen use, especially on phones, has exponentially increased our exposure. Blue light can penetrate deeper into your eye, and nearly all visible blue light reaches the retina.1 This can cause eye strain, dryness, and even retinal damage.
Research has found that excessive use of screens nearly doubles the risk of certain conditions affecting eyesight in teenagers. Blue light exposure can also lead to increases in inflammation that exacerbate oxidative damage to your eyes.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids that may help protect your eyes from oxidative stress because they are powerful antioxidants. These nutrients are found in food, but they also accumulate in the eye.
One measurement of eye health is macular pigment optical density (MPOD). This measures the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin in your eyes. Macular pigment can act as a filter for damaging light and an antioxidant to protect eyes against free radical byproducts.
People with lower MPODs have an increased risk for eye conditions, especially as they age. Oppositely, those with increased optical density have a much lower incidence of eye-related disease and improved vision.7 Further, studies show that those who consume higher amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin maintain better levels of macular pigments and, therefore, have healthier eyes.
Supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with many eye health benefits related specifically to blue light exposure. As these carotenoids are potent antioxidants, they may help reduce oxidative damage in the eye caused by blue light exposure.
Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation can also help support eye health by reducing blue light oxidative damage on the outer layer of the eye. They also support increases in MPOD and may interrupt the inflammatory process triggered by blue light damage, reducing the risk of associated eye conditions.
It also appears that the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin you have in your diet is correlated with increased amounts of carotenoids in your eyes. Research suggests that when found in the eye, carotenoids can help absorb and filter blue light and therefore add even more protection against potential damage from digital device exposure.
Studies have also found that lutein and zeaxanthin intake can support reductions in side effects like headaches, strained and tired eyes, or other symptoms related to screen time.
The body can’t make these carotenoids, so you have to obtain them through diet. However, most people don’t eat enough carotenoid-rich foods, so supplements are often needed for benefits.
Foods considered good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin include9:
Vitamin A is a group of nutrients known as either preformed vitamin A (found in animal products) or provitamin A (found in fruits or vegetables). While rare in many developed countries, vitamin A deficiency is one of the leading causes of impaired vision. It’s an essential nutrient responsible for maintaining healthy eye tissue and fluid. It also helps preserve night vision, increases visual acuity, and plays a vital role in the prevention of age-related declines in vision.
As mentioned, blue light is a high-energy type of radiation. As a result, it can pass through the cornea to the retina and cause damage. While more studies specifically on blue light and vitamin A are needed, as an antioxidant vitamin A may add protection by supporting the reduction of oxidative damage to the retina.
The screens we use every day emit blue light that can damage our eyes and cause age-related vision impairment. Given how prevalent screens are in our everyday lives, it’s essential to take steps to protect your vision in the future.
Boosting your intake of lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin A-rich foods or supplements can be an important way to help reduce the impact of screen-use and support healthy eyes.
Disclaimer: The information is for general education purposes only. These therapies are not substitutions for standard medical care and are not meant to be used by a patient alone. The Company assumes no liability for the author’s information, whether conveyed verbally or in these materials. All presentations represent the opinions of the author and do not represent the position or the opinion of the Company. Reference by the author to any specific product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, or manufacturer does not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation by the Company.
 Sheppard AL, Wolffsohn JSDigital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and ameliorationBMJ Open Ophthalmology
2018;3:e000146. doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2018-000146.
 Zhao, Zhi-Chun, Ying Zhou, Gang Tan, and Juan Li. “Research Progress about the Effect and Prevention of Blue Light on Eyes.” International Journal of Ophthalmology 11, no. 12 (December 18, 2018): 1999–2003. https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2018.12.20.
 Chang, Anne-Marie, Daniel Aeschbach, Jeanne F. Duffy, and Charles A. Czeisler. “Evening Use of Light-Emitting EReaders Negatively Affects Sleep, Circadian Timing, and next-Morning Alertness.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 112, no. 4 (January 27, 2015): 1232–37. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1418490112.
 Vicente-Tejedor, Javier, Miguel Marchena, Laura Ramírez, Diego García-Ayuso, Violeta Gómez-Vicente, Celia Sánchez-Ramos, Pedro de la Villa, and Francisco Germain. “Removal of the Blue Component of Light Significantly Decreases Retinal Damage after High Intensity Exposure.” PLoS ONE 13, no. 3 (March 15, 2018). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194218.
 Hansen, Mathias Hvidtfelt, Poul Pedersen Laigaard, Else Marie Olsen, Anne Mette Skovgaard, Michael Larsen, Line Kessel, and Inger Christine Munch. Acta Ophthalmologica 98, no. 3 (May 2020): 315–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.14242.
 Bian, Qingning, Shasha Gao, Jilin Zhou, Jian Qin, Allen Taylor, Elizabeth J. Johnson, Guangwen Tang, Janet R. Sparrow, Dennis Gierhart, and Fu Shang. “Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Reduces Photooxidative Damage and Modulates the Expression of Inflammation-Related Genes in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.” Free Radical Biology & Medicine 53, no. 6 (September 15, 2012): 1298–1307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.06.024.
 Bernstein, Paul S., Binxing Li, Preejith P. Vachali, Aruna Gorusupudi, Rajalekshmy Shyam, Bradley S. Henriksen, and John M. Nolan. “Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Meso-Zeaxanthin: The Basic and Clinical Science Underlying Carotenoid-Based Nutritional Interventions against Ocular Disease.” Progress in Retinal and Eye Research 50 (January 2016): 34–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.10.003.
 Christaras, Dimitrios, Harilaos Ginis, Alexandros Pennos, Juan Mompean, and Pablo Artal. “Objective Method for Measuring the Macular Pigment Optical Density in the Eye.” Biomedical Optics Express 10, no. 7 (June 24, 2019): 3572–83. https://doi.org/10.1364/BOE.10.003572.
 Abdel-Aal, El-Sayed M., Humayoun Akhtar, Khalid Zaheer, and Rashida Ali. “Dietary Sources of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Carotenoids and Their Role in Eye Health.” Nutrients 5, no. 4 (April 9, 2013): 1169–85. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5041169.
 Wenzel, Adam J., Catherine Gerweck, Damian Barbato, Robert J. Nicolosi, Garry J. Handelman, and Joanne Curran-Celentano. “A 12-Wk Egg Intervention Increases Serum Zeaxanthin and Macular Pigment Optical Density in Women.” The Journal of Nutrition 136, no. 10 (October 2006): 2568–73. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/136.10.2568.
 Junghans, A., H. Sies, and W. Stahl. “Macular Pigments Lutein and Zeaxanthin as Blue Light Filters Studied in Liposomes.” Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 391, no. 2 (July 15, 2001): 160–64. https://doi.org/10.1006/abbi.2001.2411.
 Stringham, James M., Nicole T. Stringham, and Kevin J. O’Brien. “Macular Carotenoid Supplementation Improves Visual Performance, Sleep Quality, and Adverse Physical Symptoms in Those with High Screen Time Exposure.” Foods 6, no. 7 (July 2017): 47. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6070047.

Tá úsáid gléasanna digiteacha mar chuid gnáth dár saol laethúil, agus ní smaoiníonn an chuid is mó daoine air dhá uair. Go deimhin, is dócha go bhfuil tú ag léamh seo ar scáileán anois. Ach, ar an drochuair, tá drochthionchar ag ár n-iontaobhas ar scáileáin.
Léirigh staidéir go bhfuil daoine a úsáideann scáileáin níos minice i mbaol galair súl a fhorbairt a bhaineann le haois. Tá an imní a bhaineann le nochtadh méadaithe do chineál solas a d'fhéadfadh a bheith díobhálach a scaoiltear ó do ghléas  solas gorm.
Ar an dea-uair, d'fhéadfadh cothaithigh áirithe a fhaigheann tú ó do aiste bia agus forlíontaí cabhrú le tionchar an nochta seo a laghdú. Ós rud é nach bhfuil an chuma ar bith go bhfuil scáileáin ag dul ar shiúl go luath, is rogha ciallmhar é céimeanna a ghlacadh anois chun do shúile a chosaint.
Is cineál solais é solas gorm a ghineann scáileáin ríomhaire, fón cliste, agus feistí digiteacha eile. Is é solas ardfhuinnimh atá mar chuid den speictream solais infheicthe. Is foinse suntasach é an ghrian freisin de sholas gorm, ach mar gheall ar an nglacadh níos mó le scáileáin, tá ár nochtadh do sholas gorm tar éis méadú go suntasach le cúpla bliain anuas.
Tá roinnt solas gorm, go príomha ón ngrian, go maith dúinn. Cabhraíonn sé lenár rithimí circadáin (timthriall codlata agus dúisithe), cuireann sé ar ár gcroí, agus tacaíonn sé le feidhm chognaíoch sláintiúil. Ach, nuair a chaitheann tú an iomarca ama os comhair scáileáin, cuirtear an solas gorm le chéile go tapa agus d'fhéadfadh sé a bheith díobhálach do do shúile.
Is féidir le solas gorm ár timthriall codlata a bhriseadh freisin toisc go gcuireann sé cosc ar tháirgeadh melatonin. Cé gur rud inmhianaithe é seo ar maidin nuair a thugann tú fáilte roimh an ghrian, is féidir le húsáid scáileáin go déanach san oíche feabhas a chur ar do chuid faireachais freisin, rud a fhágann go bhfuil tú ag fanacht ar an airdeall nuair ba cheart duit a bheith ag codladh.
Tá an t-uimhir agus an tuirse súl ina ghearán níos coitianta de réir mar a chaitear níos mó ama ag breathnú ar scáileáin nó ar ghléasanna digiteacha a thugann solas gorm. Tá sé le feiceáil freisin go ndéanann nochtadh fadtéarmach do sholas gorm dochar suntasach do fís. Le himeacht ama, tá solas gorm bainteach le damáiste do chealla retinal agus le fadhbanna fís.
Tá an iomarca úsáid scáileáin, go háirithe ar fhóin, tar éis ár nochtadh a mhéadú go heisceachtúil. Is féidir leis an solas gorm dul isteach níos doimhne i do shúil, agus go dtiocfaidh beagnach gach solas gorm le feiceáil go dtí an retina.1 Is féidir leis seo a bheith ina chúis le straen súl, triomú, agus damáiste fiú do retina.
Fuair taighde amach go bhfuil an riosca go mbeidh galair áirithe ag baint le radharc i measc déagóirí beagnach dúbailte ag baint úsáide iomarcach as scáileáin. Is féidir le nochtadh solas gorm a bheith ina chúis le méadú ar athlasadh a chuireann dochar ocsaídiúcháin ar do shúile.
Is é an luitéin agus an seaxanthin dhá carotenoid a d'fhéadfadh cabhrú le do shúile a chosaint ar strus ocsaídiúcháin toisc go bhfuil siad ina n-ionsaídáirí cumhachtach. Tá na cothaithigh seo le fáil i mbia, ach tiocfaidh siad le chéile san tsúil freisin.
Is é tiús optúil píogam macular (MPOD) tomhas amháin de shláinte na súl. Déanann sé seo méid lutein agus zeaxanthin i do shúile a thomhas. Is féidir le pigment macúil feidhmiú mar scagaire ar sholas díobhálach agus mar antioxidant chun na súile a chosaint ar fho-tháirgí radacail saor in aisce.
Tá riosca méadaithe ann do dhálaí súl ag daoine a bhfuil MPODanna níos ísle acu, go háirithe de réir mar a théann siad in aois. Ar a mhalairt, is lú a tharlaíonn galair a bhaineann leis an tsúil agus is feabhas a fheictear ar dhaoine a bhfuil dlús optúil níos mó acu.7 Ina theannta sin, léiríonn staidéir go gcoinníonn daoine a itheann méideanna níos airde lutein agus zeaxanthin leibhéil níos fearr de phigmeanna macúla agus, dá bhrí sin, go bhfuil súile níos sláintiúla acu.
Tá baint ag forlíonadh le lutein agus zeaxanthin le go leor buntáistí sláinte súl a bhaineann go sonrach le nochtadh solas gorm. Toisc go bhfuil na carotenoids seo ina n-ionsaídeoirí cumhachtach, d'fhéadfadh siad cabhrú le damáiste ocsaídiúcháin a laghdú san tsúil a tharlaíonn de bharr nochtadh do sholas gorm.
Is féidir le forlíonadh lutein agus zeaxanthin cabhrú le sláinte na súl a chothú trí damáiste ocsaídiúcháin solais gorm a laghdú ar shraith sheachtrach na súl. Tacaíonn siad freisin le méaduithe ar MPOD agus d'fhéadfadh siad cur isteach ar an bpróiseas athlastacha a spreagann damáiste solas gorm, ag laghdú an riosca do dhálaí súl a bhaineann leis.
Is cosúil freisin go bhfuil an méid lutein agus zeaxanthin atá agat i do réim bia córeáilte le méaduithe carotenoids i do shúile. Tugann taighde le fios go bhféadfadh carotenoids, nuair a fhaightear iad san tsúil, cabhrú le solas gorm a ionsú agus a scagadh agus dá bhrí sin cosaint níos mó a chur leis i gcoinne damáiste féideartha ó nochtadh gléas digiteach.
Fuair staidéir freisin gur féidir le hiontráil lutein agus zeaxanthin tacú le laghdú ar fo-iarsmaí cosúil le tinneas cinn, súile strus agus tuirseach, nó comharthaí eile a bhaineann le ham scáileáin.
Ní féidir leis an gcomhlacht na carotenoids seo a dhéanamh, mar sin ní mór duit iad a fháil trí aiste bia. Mar sin féin, ní itheann an chuid is mó daoine bianna saibhre carotenoid go leor, agus mar sin is minic a theastaíonn forlíontaí chun sochair a fháil.
I measc na mbia a mheastar a bheith ina bhfoinsí maithe lutein agus zeaxanthin tá 9:
Is grúpa cothaithigh é vitimín A ar a dtugtar vitimín A réamhchruthaithe (a fhaightear i dtáirgí ainmhithe) nó pró-vitimín A (a fhaightear i dtorthaí nó i nglasraí). Cé nach bhfuil sé annamh i go leor tíortha forbartha, tá easnamh vitimín A ar cheann de na príomhchúiseanna le doill ar radharc. Tá sé ina chothaitheach riachtanach atá freagrach as fíochán agus leacht súl sláintiúil a chothabháil. Cuidíonn sé freisin le radharc oíche a chaomhnú, le géarchéim amhairc a mhéadú, agus tá ról ríthábhachtach aige i gcúlra a sheachaint le titim amhairc a bhaineann le dul in aois.
Mar a luadh, is cineál radaíochta ard-fhuinnimh é solas gorm. Mar thoradh air sin, is féidir leis dul tríd an gcórnán go dtí an retina agus damáiste a dhéanamh. Cé go bhfuil gá le tuilleadh staidéir go sonrach ar an solas gorm agus vitimín A, mar antioxidant, d'fhéadfadh vitimín A cosaint a chur leis trí thacú le laghdú ar damáiste ocsaídiúcháin don retina.
Tá solas gorm ag na scáileáin a úsáideann muid gach lá a d'fhéadfadh damáiste a dhéanamh dár súile agus lagú fís a bhaineann le dul in aois a chur ar bun. Ós rud é go bhfuil scáileáin chomh forleathan inár saol laethúil, tá sé riachtanach céimeanna a ghlacadh chun do radharc a chosaint sa todhchaí.
Is bealach tábhachtach é do chuid bia nó forlíonta saibhir i lutein, zeaxanthin agus vitimín A a mhéadú chun cabhrú le tionchar an scáileáin a úsáid a laghdú agus chun súil shláintiúil a chothú.
Díreach chun críocha oideachais ghinearálta amháin. Ní ionann na teiripeanna seo agus malartuithe ar chúram leighis chaighdeánach agus ní i gceist iad a úsáid ag othar ina n-aonar. Ní ghlacann an Chuideachta aon dliteanas as faisnéis an údair, cibé acu a chuirtear in iúl go béil nó sna hábhair seo. Léiríonn gach cur i láthair tuairimí an údair agus ní léiríonn siad seasamh nó tuairim na Cuideachta. Ní chiallaíonn tagairt an údair do tháirge, do phróiseas nó do sheirbhís ar bith ar ainm trádála, trádmharc nó monaróir é a fhormheas nó a mholadh ag an gCuideachta.
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