April 2024 Edition

ENGLISH SPECIAL EDITION - ONLINE DIGITAL - APRIL 2024

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Seniors

ncidents of elder fraud and Isenior identity theft are on

Contact: Phone: (347) 600-5347

the rise. The number of adults over 65 who experienced at least one incident of fraud increased to 78% in 2022 from 69% in 2021, according to AARP.

cartasaoeditor@aol.com www.omensageiro7.com ©2023 by: O Mensageiro7Inc. All Rights Reserved

Although some types of scams target seniors by definition (those involving Social Security or Medicare, for example), the reality is that older adults can fall victim to any type of fraud. What makes seniors truly more vulnerable to elder fraud is that they have so much to lose: Years of savings, retirement funds, home equity, pensions, and more.

The Newspaper O Mensageiro7 is a monthly publication via ONLINE in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

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KEY POINTS •Incidents of elder fraud are on the rise, but being familiar with scams makes you less likely to fall for them.

•Many scams follow a pattern: Scammers rile up your emotions and then pressure you to share personal data or send money.

•To avoid losses: Stay calm, get help, and take your time before you act.

What makes seniors truly more vulnerable to elder fraud is that they have so much to lose CONTINUES ON PAGE 3

Articles, messages, interviews, and studies published in this Newspaper, by each author, do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor.

Each writer is responsible for their own content.

Therefore, each author is available to answer the reader's questions.

Seniors

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When you factor in all types of scams (including estimates of crimes that go unreported), older adults lost about $28.3 billion in 2022, according to data analyzed by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago and AARP. Luckily, one of the most effective ways older adults—or anyone—can protect themselves from fraud is to become familiar with common scam scenarios. It sounds simple, but research shows that if you’ve heard about a particular scam, you are 80% less likely to engage with it— and even if you do engage, you’re 40% less likely to become a victim.

THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF SCAMS AND WHERE THEY OVERLAP It’s impossible to detail every type of scam, fraud, con, hack, and cybercrime out there. Scams evolve.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents of fraud involving stimulus checks increased.

As bitcoin and other forms of cryptocurrency became popular, crypto scams took off.

Over the holidays, gift card scams and package delivery crimes escalate.

Details vary from one con to the next, but most scams fall into two broad categories: •Emotional manipulation. The scammer presents a fake scenario that provokes extreme fear or excitement (e.g., losing money or winning money). Next, the victim is coaxed to share personal data or send money to “solve” the problem or “win” a prize.

When you factor in all types of scams (including estimates of crimes that go unreported), ol der adults lost about $28.3 billion in 2022, •Deception. These crimes are harder to detect because they involve deeper levels of deceit and disinformation. They include fraudulent emails, phone calls, websites, and social media posts that seem to come from a legitimate source, such as your real estate agent, boss, or bank. Ultimately, there’s a request for personal data or some kind of payment.

could tip you off to potential among the most common and the most costly in 2022, acfraud. cording to the Federal Bureau Learn more about keyways to of Investigation (FBI) Internet protect yourself from scams, Crime Complaint Center. Infraud, cybercrime, and iden- vestment fraud complaints tity theft. increased to $3.31 billion in 2022 from $1.45 billion in 5 COMMON SCAM 2021, a 127% increase.

CATEGORIES WITH

EXAMPLES

So many scams go unreported that it’s difficult to tally the number and the cost of each type of fraud, but the data that is available shows just how varied and vast such crimes are.

The best protection is to remain calm and cultivate a high degree of skepticism and caution. Always take the time to double-check phone num- 1. INVESTMENT bers, email addresses, the SCAMS spelling of an app or website, and any other identifiers that Investment scams

were

•Crypto scams. These ploys may involve paying for real estate, gaining access to your crypto wallet, using hacked social media accounts to perpetrate fraudulent crypto investments, and even romance.

•Investment scams. These solicitations may come via standard mail, email, or CONTINUES ON PAGE 4

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Seniors

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hacker” scams in the first six months of 2023 were over 60 years old—and accounted for 66% of total losses reported, about $357.7 million, according to the FBI.

5. SWEEPSTAKES AND LOTTERY SCAMS These scams begin with an unsolicited call, text, or email that announces you’ve won a prize, but you need to take a few steps to collect it. Next, you’ll be prompted to divulge personal data or bank account information.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, some 70,000 people reported romance scams in 2022 even a door-to-door salesperson. The hallmark of these scams is a complex, fast-talking pitch that promises some kind of jackpot.

cial Committee on Aging.

These imposters claim to be contacting you from Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, the IRS, or another government agency and get you to share personal data.

Any account—such as a pension, 401(k), or Roth IRA— where you keep money for •Family members. These retirement or investment is scammers claim to be in a potential target for scams. trouble, or they imperBad actors may impersonsonate a police officer ate administrators or set up claiming your loved one is fraudulent websites to trick in a crisis. Then they ask you into divulging informayou to send money. tion or routing payments to 3. ROMANCE SCAMS them.

2. IMPOSTER SCAMS According to the Federal Trade Commission, some The range of imposter scams 70,000 people reported roknows no limit and includes: mance scams in 2022; losses hit $1.3 billion, with a median •Government employees. reported loss of $4,400.

Fraudsters posing as federal workers was the most Here a new love interest— reported scam by older often someone you met on adults from 2015–20, aca dating app—asks you for cording to the Senate Spe- money. They may claim they

are sick or in jail and need help, or say they have an investment opportunity for you.

4. TECH SUPPORT HACKS These hackers also rely on impersonation, but this type of crime deserves to be called out separately because it’s so insidious.

Typically, cybercriminals claim to be troubleshooting a tech problem and ask for remote access to your computer.

In other cases, there might be a pop-up alert on your phone or computer that urges you to click to prevent a security breach. Once the hacker accesses your device, they can steal your data, install malware, and more.

Fifty percent of those targeted by these “phantom

Scammers may impersonate well-known organizations, like Publishers Clearing House, or try to convince you that you recently entered a contest and forgot about it.

THE BOTTOM LINE Although a growing number of older adults are targeted by scammers, younger adults fall for scams more often, according to the FBI. But seniors are more vulnerable to elder fraud because their life savings can be wiped out and there is no recourse or restitution once that money is gone.

For that reason, sharing information about fraud is key because talking about such incidents can benefit others.

Simply becoming familiar with common tactics can prevent older adults—or anyone—from becoming victims of these crimes. ◙ SOURCE: WWW.SENIORCARELIFESTYLES.COM

Wellbeing

vidence suggests there are E5 steps you can take to im-

to be with your family, for example, try arranging a fixed time to eat dinner together.

prove your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

• arrange a day out with friends you have not seen for a while • try switching off the TV to talk or play a game with your children, friends or family.

1. CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can:

•have lunch with a colleague

•help you to build a sense of belonging and selfworth

•visit a friend or family member who needs support or company

•give you an opportunity to share positive experiences •provide emotional support and allow you to support others There are lots of things you could try to help build stronger and closer relationships:

DO if possible, take time each day

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There are lots of things you could try to help build stronger and closer relationships

•volunteer at a local school, hospital or community group. Find out how to volunteer on the GOV.UK website •make the most of technology to stay in touch with friends and family. Video-chat apps like Skype and FaceTime are useful, especially if you live far apart.

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Wellbeing

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Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing.

This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

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DON’T

duce joint pain

•if you're a wheelchair do not rely on technology or user, read fitness advice social media alone to build for wheelchair users relationships. It's easy to get into the habit of only ever texting, messaging or email- DON’T ing people •do not feel you have to spend hours in a gym. It's 2. BE PHYSICALLY best to find activities you ACTIVE enjoy and make them a part of your life Being active is not only great for your physical health and 3. LEARN fitness. Evidence also shows NEW SKILLS it can also improve your mental wellbeing by: Research shows that learning new skills can •raising your self-esteem also improve your mental wellbeing by: •helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve •boosting self-confidence them and raising self-esteem •causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood

•helping you to build a sense of purpose •helping you to connect with others

balanced diet •try taking on a new responsibility at work, such as mentoring a junior staff member or improving your presentation skills •work on a DIY project, such as fixing a broken bike, garden gate or something bigger. There are lots of free video tutorials online •consider signing up for a course at a local college.

You could try learning a new language or a practical skill such as plumbing •try new hobbies that challenge you, such as writing a blog, taking up a new sport or learning to paint

DON’T

Read about exercise guide•do not feel you have to lines and workouts to help Even if you feel like you do learn new qualifications improve your fitness and not have enough time, or you or sit exams if this does wellbeing may not need to learn new not interest you. It's best things, there are lots of difto find activities you enjoy DO ferent ways to bring learning and make them a part of your life •read about running and into your life. aerobic exercises to help Some of the things you could 4. GIVE TO OTHERS get you moving and imtry include: prove your fitness Research suggests that acts of DO giving and kindness can help •read about strength and improve your mental wellbeflexibility exercises to •try learning to cook ing by: increase muscle strength, something new. Find out improve balance and reabout eating a healthy, •creating positive feelings

and a sense of reward •giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth •helping you connect with other people It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community.

Some examples of the things you could try include: •saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you • asking friends, family or colleagues how they are and really listening to their answer •spending time with friends or relatives who need support or company •offering to help someone you know with DIY or a work project •volunteering in your community, such as helping at a school, hospital or care home

5. PAY ATTENTION TO THE PRESENT MOMENT (MINDFULNESS) Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

Read more about mindfulness, including steps you can take to be more mindful in your everyday life. ◙ SOURCE: NHS/UK

Nature

Plants don’t enjoy losing

and South America.

Its leaves and fruits resemble those of an apple, and it is sometimes known innocuously as “beach apple.” However, its Spanish name, manzanilla de la muerte (”little apple of death”), better reflects its dangerous properties.

their leaves to herbivores and have evolved a number of ingenious strategies to deter leaf predators.

Unfortunately for humans, several of these chemical defenses can cause painful skin reactions. Read on to discover some plants that could burn, blister, or otherwise irritate you!

MANCHINEEL Manchineel (Hippomane mancinella) is an evergreen tree native to Florida, the Caribbean, and parts of Central

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The plant contains a number of toxins, and eating its fruits could possibly kill you and will most definitely blister your mouth and esophagus.

Plants don’t enjoy losing their leaves to herbivores and have evolved a number of ingenious strategies to deter leaf predators

The milky sap of the leaves and bark contains an irritating chemical called phorbol, which generates a strong allergic skin reaction.

Raindrops falling through the tree can collect phorbol and burn a person standing underneath. Even touching the tree can cause the skin to blister.

Native peoples have long used the sap to poison arrows, and it is thought that the explorer Juan Ponce de CONTINUES ON PAGE 8

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Nature

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common hogweed (H. sphon- Definitely not a plant to step dylium), are native to Europe on with bare feet! and have naturalized in parts of the U.S.

León possibly died from such a weapon during his second trip to Florida.

The leaves and sap of these weedy wildflowers contain chemicals called furocoumarins and should be avoided.

Contact can cause phytophotodermatitis, in which the skin erupts in severe blisters if exposed to sunlight.

STINGING NETTLE

POISON IVY If you live in eastern North America, you likely know to watch out for poison ivy’s infamous “leaves of three.” Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and its close relatives poison sumac (T. vernix) and poison oak (T. diversilobum) all contain a chemical known as urushiol.

When touched, nearly all parts of these plants can trigger a severe, itchy, and painful inflammation of the skin known as contact dermatitis.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is found throughout Eurasia, North America, and northern Africa, and has been introduced to parts of South America.

The leaves and young stems of this herbaceous plant are fitted with stinging hairs tipped with formic acid and other irritants.

Blindness can occur if the sap enters the eyes. Given that hogweeds are also similar in appearance to the deadly poisonous water hemlocks (Cicuta species), it’s probably a good rule of thumb to mostly avoid tall carrot-looking plants with white flower clusters.

If touched, these needlelike hairs inject the stinging acid into the skin, triggering a burning, tingling sensation and an itchy rash.

Thankfully the symptoms usually do not persist longer than 24 hours. Interestingly, the cooked plant is safe to eat and is popular is some places TREAD-SOFTLY Even more frighteningly, uru- as a vegetable. shiol can persist on clothing, Tread-softly, also known as shoes, tools, soil, or animals noseburn or finger-rot (Cnithat have made contact with doscolus stimulosus), is an the plants, thus later poisonattractive little herb native ing an unsuspecting victim. to the southeastern United States.

If you’ve been hiking through underbrush areas with these The plant and its flowers and plants, be careful to remove fruits are covered in fierce your clothing in such a way stinging hairs that break off in that the outside does not the skin, releasing various irtouch your skin and to wash ritant compounds. your clothing immediately.

Although contact causes inThe rash can last anywhere HOGWEED tense stinging and itching, from less than one week to symptoms usually last less more than three weeks but The two species of hogweed, than an hour; some people does not usually require med- the giant hogweed (Heracle- may have skin discoloration ical treatment. um mantegazzianum) and the for several days.

GYMPIE GYMPIE The nettle family is full of stinging plants, but none is quite as aggressive as the gympie gympie (Dendrocnide moroides).

One of six stinging trees native to Australia (because of course) and also found in Indonesia, the gympie gympie is one of the most dangerous plants in the world.

The stinging leaves trigger an intense allergic reaction in its victims, sometimes even causing anaphylactic shock.

The sting can cause excruciating, debilitating pain for months; people have variously described it as feeling like they are being burned by acid, electrocuted, or squashed by giant hands.

Many people have reported flare-ups of the pain for many years afterward, and there are several accounts of horses, mad with pain, jumping off cliffs to their deaths after being stung.

Foresters and scientists working around the tree must wear respirators and thick protective clothing and are armed with antihistamine pills, just in case. ◙ SOURCE: ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA

Science

eople have swallowed elixP irs, inhaled vapors, and ap-

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Sir Frederick G. Banting and Charles H. Best, along with their colleagues, often are credited with the hormone’s discovery and isolation, Romanian physiologist Nicolas C. Paulescu appears to have beaten them to it.

plied ointments in the name of healing for millennia.

But only a small number of substances can be said to have fundamentally revolutionized medicine.

Paulescu isolated a substance called “pancrein,” presumably insulin, in 1916, but he was soon after recruited to serve in World War I.

Seven of those drugs are listed here, along with some facts that may surprise you.

He finally published his findings in 1921, though they were overshadowed by the release of the Canadians’ report early the following year.

PAULESCU’S PANCREIN? The discovery of insulin was no doubt a major breakthrough in medicine—prior to its discovery, diabetes sufferers often died at a young age.

Nicolas C. Paulescu isolated a substance called “pancrein,” presumably insulin, in 1916

BAYER: TAKE TWO AND CALL US IN THE MORNING In 1899 Farbenfabriken vor-

But while Canadian scientists CONTINUES ON PAGE 10

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Science

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ceptors provided insight into how impulses are passed from one neuron to the next in the brain, leading to major advances in scientists’ understanding of mental illness and cognition.

mals Friedrich Bayer & Co. (later Bayer AG) introduced aspirin, a pain-reliever that would come to rank high among the world’s most commonly used drugs.

The company credits the synthesis of pure acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin’s active ingredient, to Bayer chemist Felix Hoffmann.

However, decades after its introduction, former Bayer chemist Arthur Eichengrün cried foul, claiming to have invented the process of the compound’s synthesis himself, with Hoffmann merely carrying out the procedure.

FROM CHEMICAL WARFARE TO CANCER Nitrogen mustards were developed in the 1920s and ’30s as agents of chemical warfare.

Bayer holds by its claim that Hoffmann was the inventor.

By the 1940s, however, it had become clear that at least one of these compounds, HN2, also known as mechlorethamine, was better suited for use in the fight against cancer, specifically against human lymphomas, than it was in the fight between Axis and Allied powers. In 1949 mechlorethamine became the first drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cancer.

EVERYBODY STAY CALM The introduction of the tranquilizer chlorpromazine (also known as thorazine) in the 1950s represented a turning point in psychiatry, one that gave rise to the “psychopharmacological revolution.”

Indeed, not only was chlorpromazine successful—by 1964 some 50 million people had taken the drug—but its development also laid the groundwork for the later generation of agents used in the treatment of anxiety and depression.

Furthermore, the characterization of its effects on neurotransmitters and their re-

The company credits the synthesis of pure acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin’s active ingredient, to Bayer chemist Felix Hoffmann.

SO RETRO—THAT IS, ANTIRETROVIRAL The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval in 1987 of zidovudine, more widely known as AZT, was a CONTINUES ON PAGE 11

Science

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval in 1987 of zidovudine, more widely known as AZT, was a breakthrough in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

breakthrough in the treat- POPULATION ment of HIV/AIDS. CONTROL While not able to cure the disease, the drug was found to prolong the lives of AIDS patients.

It also was the first of the so-called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, a group of antiretroviral drugs that became a cornerstone of HIV/AIDS therapy.

Owing to these drugs—and perhaps most significantly to increased access to these drugs in countries worldwide—the annual number of deaths from AIDS declined in the early 21st century.

approved in 1960, in the Unit- later successfully isolated ed States. and purified to produce what became arguably the world’s In the early 1920s, Austrian most effective live-saving anscientist Ludwig Haberlandt tibiotic. published a paper suggesting that hormones could be used Incidentally, Fleming seemed as an effective means of conto thrive on contamination— traception in animals. his other major discovery, of While it is unclear, he may the antiseptic enzyme lysohave soon after tested a horzyme in 1921, was made after mone preparation in clinical he had accidentally contamitrials, despite heavy criticism A LIFE-SAVING nated a culture plate with his from colleagues who consid- CONTAMINANT own cold germs. ◙ ered contraception to be taIn 1928 Scottish bacterioloboo.

SOURCE: HTTPS:// gist Alexander Fleming was in STUDENTVIP.COM.AU Haberlandt’s work, however, the process of sterilizing baccame to an abrupt end with terial culture plates that had his suicide in 1932. become contaminated with Two decades passed before mold when he noticed clear further clinical trials of hor- zones circling mold colonies. monal contraception were conducted in humans, and then largely at the urging of social activist Margaret Sanger.

The mold toxin responsible for killing the bacteria turned out to be penicillin, which Australian pathologist Howard Walter Florey and British The first birth control pill was biochemist Ernst Boris Chain

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Arts & Culture

etymology of words can Tbehecomplicated.

ets influences human health.

He later revised his theory and called it “animal magnetism,” suggesting that invisible fluid in the body reacts to the laws of magnetism.

In English many words derive from ancient languages such as Latin (candle) and Greek (biology) or are borrowed from other languages (guru, cigar, karaoke).

He developed a number of treatments to improve health by instilling a more harmonious fluid flow, some of which involved putting his patients into a trance.

Some common words, however, actually derive their names from people, though that source is often lost to history. Here are just a few examples.

MESMERIZE Franz Mesmer was an 18thcentury German physician who believed that the gravitational attraction of the plan-

Physicians and other experts of the day labeled Mesmer a fraud, but from his name came the word mesmerize, meaning to captivate or hypnotize.

In English many words derive from ancient languages such as Latin and Greek or are borrowed from other languages

DECIBEL A decibel is, among other things, a unit for measuring the intensity of sound; the CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

Arts & Culture

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This popular musical instrument was patented in France in 1846

by Adolphe Sax, who left no formal account of its development

higher a decibel rating, the tle. Today it more commonly there to other countries. louder something is. means a person who acts individually rather than with a The bel in decibel comes from group.

Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.

MACADAMIA NUTS MAVERICK Samuel A. Maverick was a 19th-century Texas lawyer who acquired a ranch with several hundred head of cattle.

Uninterested in being a rancher, Maverick left his cattle unbranded and pretty much let them roam free.

Over time maverick became a word for unbranded cat-

SHRAPNEL

Though commonly associated Fe a re d by wa r f i g hte rs with Hawaii, the nut-bearing throughout modern history, This popular musical instru- macadamia tree is actually inshrapnel is the collective proment was patented in France digenous to Australia. jectiles, typically small shot in 1846 by Adolphe Sax, who but also fragments of shell left no formal account of its In 1858 Dr. Ferdinand von Mueller, director of the Royal casing, that are scattered by development.

Botanical Gardens and Na- an explosive charge.

Sax created the saxophone tional Herbarium of Victoria, It is named after British artilfor use by military bands and named the genus of the tree lery officer Henry Shrapnel, orchestras. after his good friend and colwho invented the devastating league, John Macadam, a It was quickly adopted by the regarded chemist, medical antipersonnel weapon in the late 18th century.

French army and spread from teacher, and politician.

SAXOPHONE

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Home demonstration parties—a marketing device created by housewife Brownie Wise—changed that, and soon Tupperware could be found in kitchens throughout the country

what was still available in the with Viscoid, a subsidiary of kitchen.

DuPont, in 1937.

GRAHAM CRACKER

Sylvester Graham was a 19thcentury clergyman better known for promoting coarsely ground wheat flour to improve health.

He cut up and fried some tortillas, covered them with shredded cheese and jalapeño peppers, and put it all in the oven for a few minutes.

He left a year later to start his own business as a DuPont subcontractor, and eventually he developed a flexible, unbreakable plastic called polyethylene, which he used He named the tasty snack af- to manufacture lightweight ter his nickname—and so the containers with airtight lids nacho was born. similar to those found on paint cans.

NACHOS

In 1943 a group of military wives visiting Piedras Negras, a small Mexican city just across the border from Fort In 1829 he invented the crack- Duncan, in Eagle Pass, Texas, er that now bears his name, dropped by a local restaurant and which became a kitchen looking for a bite to eat. staple around the world.

The restaurant was closed, Graham’s health regimen but maître d’ (or possibly also included cold showers, chef, details vary) Ignacio hard mattresses, homemade Anaya García felt sorry for the TUPPERWARE bread, and absolutely no al- group and decided to whip up Earl Tupper held numerous a little something based on jobs before taking a position cohol.

In 1946 he formed the Tupperware Company to sell his containers, but sales were slow at first because customers didn’t understand how the containers worked.

Home demonstration parties—a marketing device created by housewife Brownie Wise—changed that, and soon Tupperware could be found in kitchens throughout the country. ◙ SOURCE: ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA

Nature

It’s a widespread belief: If

But some shark species don’t have the luxury of buccal pumping.

sharks stop swimming, they die. But is that actually true?

For example, the great white shark, the whale shark, and the mako shark don’t have buccal muscles at all. Instead, these sharks rely on obligate ram ventilation, a way of breathing that requires sharks to swim with their mouths open.

LET’S FIND OUT. If you look at the nurse shark and the tiger shark, this belief is already proven false: these, and a few other shark species, can stop swimming whenever they want.

They breathe by way of buccal pumping, actively “inhaling” water by using cheek muscles to draw it into the mouth and over the gills.

This allows sharks to stop moving but continue breathing.

They can rest on the ocean floor without worry and can even partially bury themselves in the sand, using respiratory openings behind the eyes, called spiracles, to pull water through their gills when their mouths are covered.

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Tiger Sharks can rest on the ocean floor without worry and can even partially bury themselves in the sand

The faster they swim, the more water is pushed through their gills. If they stop swimming, they stop receiving oxygen. They move or die.

Other shark species, such as the reef shark, breathe using a combination of buccal pumping and obligate ram ventilation.

When swimming slowly, they can use buccal pumping to supplement the amount of oxygen received from ventilation.

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And if they choose to stop moving for a few minutes, they won’t risk their life, though they generally aren’t as adept at stillness as sharks that breathe by buccal pumping alone.

Of these three ways that sharks breathe, the combination of buccal pumping and obligate ram ventilation is by far the most common.

The faster they swim, the more water is pushed through their gills. If they stop swimming, they stop receiving oxygen.

They move or die.

Most kinds of sharks, then, stop swimming. won’t die if they stop swimming.

In reality, breathing in nonshark fish species is just as SO WHY DO MANY varied as it is in shark species.

PEOPLE THINK

THEY WILL?

Some fish sleep on the ocean Sharks are often compared floor just as some sharks do. to bony fish, a class of fishes Maybe people who think oththat breathe through obligate erwise simply haven’t visited ram ventilation. those fish at bedtime.

Since all bony fish are constant swimmers, many peo- FUN FACTS ple assume that all sharks are •Sharks live all over the too. world, from warm, tropical lagoons to polar seas.

Even people who don’t make Some even inhabit freshthat connection may ask, water lakes and rivers!

“Have you ever seen a sleeping fish?”

•Sharks are fishes. Like other fishes, sharks are Before we go, here’s another cold-blooded, have fins, myth to be busted: all fish other than sharks die if they live in the water, and

breathe with gills.

A shark's skeleton is made of cartilage.

•A shark's fusiform (rounded and tapering at both ends) body shape reduces drag and requires minimum energy to swim.

•Sharks eat far less than most people imagine.

Cold-blooded animals have a much lower metabolism than warmblooded animals. In fact, in a zoological environment, a shark eats about 1-10% of its total body weight each week. Studies on sharks in the wild show similar food intake.

•Only 32 (of roughly 350)

shark species have ever been known to attack people. Like other wild animals, most sharks would rather avoid you.

Sharks that have attacked probably mistook people for food or may have attacked to protect their territory.

•Unlike bony fish, sharks teeth are not anchored in their jaw and sharks often lose teeth, especially when feeding. Sharks are equipped with three or more rows of teeth, so when a tooth is lost another tooth quickly replaces it. A single shark may have as many as 30,000 teeth throughout the course of its life. ◙ SOURCE: BRITTANIA.COM

Facts

very morning, millions of Epeople around the world en-

ing areas because the best beans produced are those grown at high altitudes, in a moist, tropical climate, with rich soils and temperatures around 70°F (21°C) -- all of which the tropics have to offer.

joy a cup of coffee to get a jump start on their day.

In doing so, they may not be aware of the specific locations that produced the beans used in their latte or "black" coffee.

Similar to fine wine growing regions, however, there are variations on each of the three different coffee growing regions as well, which affects the overall flavor of the coffee.

TOP COFFEE GROWING AND EXPORTING REGIONS OF THE WORLD Generally, there are three primary coffee growing and exporting areas throughout the world and all are in the equatorial region.

The specific areas are Central and South America, Africa and the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

National Geographic calls this area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn the "Bean Belt" as nearly all of the commercially grown coffee in the world comes out of these regions.

These are the supreme grow-

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Generally, there are three primary coffee growing and exporting areas throughout the world and all are in the equatorial region

This makes each type of coffee distinct to its particular region and explains why Starbucks says, "Geography is a flavor," when describing the different growing regions around the world.

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA Central and South America produce the most coffee out of the three growing locations, with Brazil and Colombia leading the way. Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama also play a role here.

In terms of flavor, these cofCONTINUES ON PAGE 18

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Facts

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fees are considered mild, medium bodied, and aromatic.

Colombia is the most wellknown coffee producing country and is unique because of its exceptionally rugged landscape.

However, this allows small family farms to produce the coffee and, as a result, it is consistently ranked well.

Colombian Supremo is the highest grade.

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

After being grown and harvested in each of these different locations, the coffee beans are then shipped to countries around the world where they are roasted and then distributed to consumers and cafes.

The most famous coffees from Africa and the Middle Even today, though, coffee is East originate in Kenya and harvested there off of wild the Arabian Peninsula. coffee trees. It mainly comes from Sidamo, Harer, or Kaffa Kenyan coffee is generally grown in the foothills of -- the three growing regions Mount Kenya and is full bod- within the country. ied and very fragrant, while the Arabian version tends to have a fruity flavor.

Ethiopia is also a famous place for coffee in this region and is where coffee originated around 800 C.E.

The Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi are famous around the world for their rich, full-bodied coffees with "earthy flavors," whereas Vietnamese coffee is known for its medium bodied Ethiopian coffee is both full light flavor. flavored and full bodied.

Additionally, Indonesia is SOUTHEAST ASIA known for its warehouse aged Southeast Asia is particularly coffees that originated when popular for coffees from In- farmers wanted to store the donesia and Vietnam. coffee and sell it at a later

date for a higher profit. It has since become highly valued for its unique flavor.

After being grown and harvested in each of these different locations, the coffee beans are then shipped to countries around the world where they are roasted and then distributed to consumers and cafes.

Some of the top coffee importing countries are the United States, Germany, Japan, France, and Italy.

Each of the aforementioned coffee exporting areas produce coffee that is distinctive of its climate, topography and even its growing practices.

All of them, however, grow coffees that are famous around the world for their individual tastes and millions of people enjoy them every day. ◙ SOURCE: GEOGRAPHYREALM.COM

Tourism

Some destinations are on

Toronto on the Canadian side is the closest city to the falls, it takes about two hours to drive from Toronto to the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls.

everyone’s travel bucket list.

The Niagara Falls are such a destination, every traveler dreams to see them at least once.

HOW FAR IS NIAGARA FALLS FROM NYC?

For me, that was certainly the case. I had traveled the western parts of Canada before, but because of the Niagara Falls, I also really wanted to explore and travel to the eastern parts of Canada.

From NYC to the Niagara Falls take almost 7 hours. You can easily rent a car and drive up if you are up for a road trip.

The Niagara Falls are connected to many East Coast destinations, such as New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC via Amtrak train.

ARE THE NIAGARA FALLS IN CANADA OR THE USA? The Niagara Falls are a special place, as their location is spread across two countries: Canada and the USA. The Niagara Falls actually form the border between the USA and Canada, so they are located in both countries.

From both countries, the Niagara Falls are very easily accessible.

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The Niagara Falls are a special place, as their location is spread across two countries: Canada and the USA

Be aware that the drive from these cities takes a bit longer on the American side than on the Canada side.

You can also fly from NYC to Buffalo which only takes 1,5 hours and then drive from Buffalo to the American side of the Niagara Falls in less than 30 minutes.

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Tourism

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If you want that famous view of the Niagara Falls, that classic photo view, you have to be at the Canadian side, this is where you’ll get the best view of the Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS USA VS. NIAGARA FALLS CANADA They share one thing, these amazing falls and the rather similar activities they both offer to experience these falls.

But other than that, these two destinations are completely different.

I visited both the Canadian side and the Niagara Falls USA side to check out which one I prefer the most.

If you want that famous view of the Niagara Falls, that postcard and classic photo view, you have to be at the Canadian side, this is where you’ll get the best view of the Niagara Falls.

Straight after crossing the bridge, and the border, you’ll see that the Canadian side is all about (souvenir) shops, restaurants, bars and attractions.

Clifton Hill is the world famous street of fun by the falls. It’s full of attractions and entertainment, like Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

of the falls, I immediately no- save some dollars at the same ticed how much more peace- time. ful and quiet this side was.

Some of the Niagara Falls atTheir Niagara Falls State Park tractions included are the fais the center place of most of mous Maid of the Mist and the Niagara Falls NY attrac- the Cave of the Winds. tions.

But you can also visit the NiIt’s a large nature park where agara Adventure Theater and you can enjoy the falls and the Aquarium of Niagara, plus have a lovely walk around. unlimited rides on the Scenic Focused on nature’s beauty, Trolley. that’s the way I like it.

The Discovery Pass becomes Summed up, if you’re looking valid each year when both for entertainment and attrac- famous Niagara Falls attractions, more dining options tions Cave of the Winds and and shops, the Canadian side the Maid of the Mist are back is your place to be. open and operating, mostly from June to October.

It’s also the busiest side of the falls, so be prepared for With the Niagara Falls USA the crowds.

Discovery Pass you’ll have one admission to each attracNIAGARA FALLS USA tion, which doesn’t need to DISCOVERY PASS be used the day of purchase.

You’re probably not leav- You can use this pass throughing the falls without doing at out your stay. Be aware howleast one of the amazing and ever that all passes will expire thrilling attractions Niagara at the end of the season.

Falls USA has to offer.

sengers right into the falls.

If time is limited, or for whatever reason you can only do one excursion while visiting Niagara Falls, it has to be this one!

Like they say on their website, ‘It’s the only way to experience one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders right here in the USA’.

The Maid of the Mist tours go every 15 minutes, and you’ll be on the boat for about 20 minutes.

Before entering the Maid of the Mist you’ll be provided with a poncho. And believe me, you absolutely need it!

Even though you’re provided with a poncho, you’re most likely to get wet or even soaked!

If you want to take photos or video, make sure to take MAID OF THE MIST a waterproof camera (GoPro If you do so, and also want to save some money, consider When visiting the Niagara is a great recommendation) the Niagara Falls USA Discov- Falls, this thing to do is proba- with you, as it will get wet. ◙ ery Pass. bly the first to come to mind.

SOURCE: HTTPS:// It is your perfect companion These are the boats that are WWW.TRAVELTOMTOM. NET/DESTINATIONS Exploring the American side if you want to do it all, and on every photo, cruising pas-