No parent should ever have to bury their own child, but Will and Natalie Decker have endured that painful experience twice already and within 18 months apart.

From the time the Deckers expanded their family in 2014, life had been wonderful chaos, Natalie, 39, tells PEOPLE. That year, she and husband Will, 44, welcomed identical twin boys, Seth and Joel, who joined big brother Nathaniel, almost 5.

It was very busy and hectic, Natalie says of their life over the next two years. We enjoyed every minute of having three boys in the house, and the laughter and the noise, and how much they loved each other, and we just had fun together.

Joel was outgoing and a little bit mischievous and Seth was a little bit more quiet and sensitive, she adds. They were always together and they had a very strong and close bond.

But life as they knew it was quickly flipped upside down in December 2016, when Seth was diagnosed with a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia. Three months later, doctors delivered even more devastating news: Joel also had AML.

It was pretty traumatic. I had a hard time just processing that Joel had cancer also, Natalie recalls. It was a terrible time it took several days to fully sink in that it had really happened.

The boys had just turned 2 when Natalie noticed small purple dots all over Seths torso. The pediatrician told the mother of three that it was petechiae, which could be a sign of low platelets.

Blood work confirmed the pediatricians suspicions, so Seth started seeing a hematologist. Not long after, she and Will realized that Joel also had petechiae on his body, leading to him joining his brother at the hematologist.

In the months following that day, Natalie says Seths health was noticeably declining with no clear answers, much to her and Wills concern.

Seth just wasnt feeling well. I could tell something was wrong throughout that fall He couldnt walk. He was having so much pain, Natalie recalls, adding that it wasnt until November 2016 that their pediatrician became almost certain that Seth had a cancer tumor.

Doctors later confirmed that Seth had AML, a type of cancer where the bone marrow makes an abnormally large number of blood cells, according to the National Cancer Institute. Research by the NCI has shown that having a brother or sister with leukemia, especially a twin, increases the chance of being diagnosed with the disease.

With this in mind, Seth started to undergo treatment with his mother by his side, while the Deckers had genetic testing done to see if Joel was also likely to be diagnosed.

We had already known that it was very likely that Joel was going to get sick, Will explains to PEOPLE. For us, it was kind of a matter of not if, but when.

At the time of Seths diagnosis, Joel appeared to be behaving normally and was showing no signs of illness, aside from his low platelets. But all of that changed in March 2017, when Joel started feeling unwell.

Seth and I had been in the hospital for months and Joel was going up to Texas Childrens Hospital once a week to get platelets, so it was hard to tell if he was upset from the stress of everything, Natalie explains. But finally I was like, Hes in pain. I dont think hes feeling well.'

A bone marrow biopsy soon confirmed the worst: Joel also had leukemia cells in his bone marrow a diagnosis Will says they tried to prevent by getting him a bone marrow transplant before he got sick, but we couldnt get things lined up in time for it to work out that way.

RELATED: 9-Year-Old Instagram Stars Ask Fans to Help Find Bone Marrow Transplant to Save Their Dads Life

The Deckers | Courtesy of The Decker Family

The heartbreaking news also came as his twin brother was receiving high-dose chemotherapy and preparing to get a bone marrow transplant, Natalie explains. Doctors told her that if things went well, Seth would finally be able to go home.

We had kind of been working towards this [that] we might all be home together, she explains. And then when Joel was diagnosed, we had to start all over Having a second child diagnosed with cancer was really devastating and I felt bad that I couldnt be there with both of them.

With no other choice, the parents put on a brave face and split up in the hospital, each staying with a twin Natalie with Seth and Will with Joel. Meanwhile, Nathaniel was back at their Webster home being cared for by Natalies mom, who moved in with the Deckers following Seths diagnosis.

To make things more difficult, Will and Natalie rarely ever switched caretaker roles and often spent weeks at a time away from each other, separated by just one hospital floor. (Seth was on the bone marrow floor, Joel was on the cancer floor.)

We switched back and forth a little bit for breaks, but its too hard to do it, Natalie says. We couldnt split 50/50 because you miss too much of whats going on with either Seths care or Joels care. Theres not enough continuity if were just bouncing back and forth.

Despite the severity of the disease they were battling, Natalie says the boys remained positive and tended to view their situations as normal.

They were just so strong and brave during everything, she says. No matter how much pain they were in or how bad they felt, they just had such great attitudes about it. They smiled every day.

I dont think they understood the extent of what was happening, she adds. To them, it just became kind of their normal life. Like they just knew, I have to.'

In April 2017, Seth finally returned home, a month after his transplant. Joel, who had just finished his first chemo round, also came home that month. He stayed until May, where he began his second round of chemo and then underwent a bone marrow transplant in June 2017.

By August, however, Joels health started to severely decline and he was readmitted for a relapse.

It was just a struggle to try and get him comfortable and do what we could to try and stop the leukemia, Natalie explains. We just didnt have a lot of options at that point.

He started to put on water weight and get heavier and less mobile, recalls Will. Basically he got too much fluid in his system that he had to go to ICU.

Joel and Seth Decker | Courtesy of The Decker Family

Joel spent the last two weeks of his life in the ICU before his parents spoke to doctors and felt comfortable enough to pull him off the respirator.

On that heartbreaking day, the extended family was called to the hospital and Joel was moved to a private room so he was comfortable in his final moments. A child life specialist was also there and broke the news to Nathaniel that Joel was about to die.

He started crying, but after that Nathaniel was amazing, Natalie says. He sat in the bed and he stroked Joels hand and head and talked to him he just loved on Joel, the little bit [of time] that we had with him.

Joel was very peaceful, she adds. We were able to hold him and talk to him. He, at least, looked very comfortable. So I think that made it easier.

Seth, meanwhile, refused to go into the ICU terrified of the ventilator and noise and even had trouble being in the private room, according to his mother.

He was there, but he did not want to come in the room, Natalie explains. I think he sensed something was happening but was not able to understand all of it.

About an hour and a half after taking Joel off the respirators, he died at age 3 on Nov. 1, 2017.

Seth and Joel Decker with big brother Nathaniel | Courtesy of The Decker Family

Devastated, the Deckers say they were also terrified of the uncertainty of Seths future. Still, they had to move forward and stay strong for their two sons.

Honestly, I dont know [how we did it], Natalie says. I guess God just kept us moving because we just kept going forward. We knew that we had to and you just put one foot in front of the other and do the best that you can.

You really dont have a choice because you cant just fall apart and not take care of your family, adds Will.

After Joels death, Will says Seths blood count numbers were improving and he appeared to be getting better.

He was getting more and more active and returning to closer to what a normal child would be, he explains. Natalie adds that he was able to go for walks, visit the zoo, and play with Nathaniel.

But just as quickly as it went upwards, Seths health started declining. After multiple tests and biopsies, doctors determined that he needed a second transplant in November 2018, given to him by his perfect match, big brother Nathaniel.

However, the second transplant brought multiple complications for Seth, including graft versus host disease, when the new bone marrow attacks the host. By April 2019, Will and Natalie learned that their sons cancer had relapsed.

At that point, the Deckers opted to take Seth home, with Natalie noting that we knew as fast as everything had happened with Joel, we wanted to spend as much time at home together.

Like his twin brother, Seths condition also quickly worsened and the Deckers were forced to bring him back to the hospital. This time, they stayed in a regular room by the 4-year-old boys side until he died peacefully on May 10, 2019.

Natalie Decker with her sons | Courtesy of The Decker Family

The death of their second child hit even harder for the Deckers, who said they had more time together to think about the shocking loss.

After Joel, we had to put a lot of effort into taking care of Seth, Will explains. But after Seth died, all that extra work went away. We had, what felt like, a lot more time on our hands, so that made it probably even more difficult.

With Will and Nathaniel and I all grieving together and being around each other, it was just hard, Natalie adds, noting that Nathaniel, now 10, even felt a sense of guilt because the bone marrow he donated to his brother didnt work.

We just try to take it a day at a time, she says. Some days we do okay and sometimes we have bad days.

Today, the Deckers focus their efforts on St. Baldricks Foundation, where they have been helping raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer an area Will believes is highly underserved, especially ahead of International Childhood Cancer Day on Feb. 15.

A number you hear a lot is 4% of the NIH, National Institutes of Health Funding, goes to childhood cancer. The rest of it goes to adult cancer funding, Will says. We wanted to do something to help make things better for other kids.

Joel and Seths Hero Fund, established by their parents in their memory, has raised over $35,000, and the twins have also been honored by the foundation as their 2020 posthumous ambassadors.

RELATED VIDEO: One Mans Mission to Stop Childrens Cancer

Its bittersweet, Natalie says of the roles. I think it makes us feel good to see them acknowledged Were so proud of them and to help keep their memory alive, it makes us so happy.

I just feel like they were such loving, wonderful little boys, she continues. I mean, even feeling horrible and all they had to endure, they just wanted a hug from us and kisses, and they smiled even when they didnt feel well. They were just amazing.

Adds Will: We think about them all the time anyway And this gives us a chance to share their personalities and things they like, in addition to raising awareness for research.

As difficult as this experience has been for the Deckers, Natalie says theyve found a principle to live by amid the unimaginable losses.

Seth and Joel didnt focus on their limitations. They just found joy in the little things around them that made them happy, Natalie explains. Will, Nathaniel, and I want to try and live our lives that way.

So many people get stuck on things that, to us, seem insignificant, she continues. Sometimes we laugh if we hear someone complaining about something because Seth and Joel went through so much more and they had such a better attitude. We think about things a lot differently than most other families do I feel like its really changed our perspective.

Those interested in helping the Deckers with their mission to fund childhood cancer research can donate to their hero fund, Double Deckers Destroy AML, here or on the St. Baldricks Foundation website.

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Parents Lose Their 'Loving' Twin Toddlers to Cancer 18 Months Apart: 'They Were Just Amazing' - Yahoo Entertainment

Characterized by inflammation and joint pain as a result of a collapse of the cartilage problem, arthritis of all kinds affects more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States alone. Of the more than 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases, two of the most common are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While the former causes pain, swelling and stiffness by wearing down the cushioning between the joints, the latter produces uncontrolled inflammation when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints and other parts of the body. Any type of arthritis can cause pain and persistence. Joint damage Fortunately, there are effective home remedies that can slow the progression of the disease and ultimately treat arthritis and its symptoms. Symptoms of arthritis Home remedies Water exercises Since ground exercises such as running or jogging exert tremendous pressure on joints, water exercises such as swimming are excellent. Alternatives for those who suffer from arthritis. This is because the water serves as a natural source of resistance for the intensity of the exercise, in addition to providing buoyancy that supports the body weight for the relief of the necessary joint pressure.In fact, it was found in a 2015 scientific review that adults with osteoarthritis who participated in a water exercise program not only lost weight, but also improved their coordination, range of motion, mood and quality of life, apart from (often short term) pain reduction. The current recommendation of 40 to 60 minutes of water exercise three times a week was supported by researchers for continuous pain relief.Weight loss Weight loss relieves pressure on joints, reducing pain and stiffness. This is because, according to the Arthritis Foundation, there are three pounds of additional knee stress and six pounds of additional pressure on the hip joint for every pound of body weight, which causes cartilage between joints to break down. quickly and exacerbates osteoarthritis. Tai Chi Tai chi is a low impact exercise (and therefore joint friendly) that promotes flexibility, muscle strength and balance through slow and smooth movements. A 2013 review of seven studies that focused on the effectiveness of tai chi in improving arthritis symptoms concluded that a 12-week tai chi course was beneficial in reducing pain and stiffness while increasing the physical function of People suffering from osteoarthritis. Yoga specifically, Iyengar yoga, which focuses on the correct alignment of the body, using accessories to support the body and relieve the inflammation and tension that characterize arthritis. A 2013 study that investigated the effectiveness of a 6-week Iyengar yoga program for young women with RA found that those who practiced Iyengar yoga reported significant improvements in health, mood, quality of life, along with the ability of dealing with chronic pain. Cold treatments Although they differ in methods, both heat and cold therapy offer a reduction in arthritis pain, each with remedies available in the market. Heat therapy helps circulation and relieves joints and muscles. It includes a warm bath / shower and relaxing joints through warm paraffin wax, heating pads or a hot water bottle. On the other hand, cold therapy restricts blood vessels, slows circulation, reduces swelling and numbs pain. The cold treatment includes the use of a cold compress, soaking an affected joint in ice water and relieving pain with an ice pack wrapped in a towel. It should be noted that its effectiveness, which can alternate between cold and heat, depends on the condition of the skin. If it results in damage or injury to the skin, it is better to suspend the use of any of them. One caveat when applying cold treatments is that their use should be limited to 20 minutes at a time. Mindfulness Meditation Mindfulness is a form of medication that helps people try to focus their attention on their feelings, as well as on what their bodies are experiencing right now. Related to mindfulness is a program called stress reduction based on mindfulness (MBSR), which uses mindfulness in the management of stress and pain, boosting immune function in the process. In a 2014 study that lasted six months, it was discovered that those who practice MBSR showed a reduction in the symptoms of RA, including pain, stiffness early in the morning and numerous sensitive and inflamed joints. Massage caused by arthritis can be relieved with a regular massage. Muscles and joints, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Experts believe that massage reduces the production of stress hormone cortisol and neurotransmitter substance P, which is associated with pain, and also increases serotonin levels to improve mood. Two studies on the effects of arthritis massage, one for people with RA in the upper extremities and another for people with knee arthritis, found that moderate pressure massage produces less pain, greater grip strength and greater range. of movement. in the affected limbs. TENS Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a form of pain relief that involves the use of electrodes through adhesive pads attached to the surface of the skin to supply small electrical currents to the body, canceling pain signals while causing The body releases endorphins for natural pain relief. One study concluded that, although more trials and studies are needed to determine the best doses and outcome measures, the administration of TENS at tolerable intensities could help reduce the pain of osteoarthritis. Take nutrients to fight arthritis The following nutrients are proven to overcome arthritis and its symptoms: Vitamin D: not only builds strong bones, but also helps maintain the body's immune system. One study found that those who suffer from RA have lower levels of vitamin D compared to those without the condition, and also tend to experience the highest levels of disease activity. Solutions to vitamin D deficiency include exposure to sunlight and the consumption of nutrient-rich foods, in addition to the vitamin D supplements available in the market. Omega-3 fatty acids: found in nuts, seeds and cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines, studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation in the body, in addition to playing a role in the regulation of the immune system. One review concluded that although more studies are needed to support the claim, omega-3 seems to improve the symptoms of RA. Chondroitin and glucosamine Both crondroitin and glucosamine help maintain bones, cartilage and joints. While chondroitin sulfate (CS) blocks cartilage-destroying enzymes and helps improve the absorption of joint impacts, glucosamine hydrochloride (GH) focuses on the maintenance of cartilage, as well as its growth and repair . A 2016 study found that a combination of CS and GH was as effective as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) celecoxib to reduce joint pain, stiffness and inflammation after 6 months. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, which commonly affects the hands, hips and knees. Pixabay (TagsToTranslate) arthritis (t) symptoms (t) home remedies (t) (t) arthritis symptoms (t) home remedies (t) home remedies for arthritis

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Thwaites Glacier is not stable. In fact, it is one of the most rapidly changing glaciers in Antarctica, melting at roughly twice the rate it did in the mid-1990s. And in January, scientists confirmed a dire prediction: The water underneath the glacier is currently two degrees above the freezing point.

Using data collected through the collaboration, hundreds of researchers will look at Thwaites from numerous angles, studying the ice, the surrounding ocean and atmosphere, and the bedrock beneath the glacier.Thwaites is a tongue of frozen water that flows from West Antarctica through a passage about 120 kilometers wide into the Amundsen Sea. Covering about 190,000 square kilometers, larger than the state of Florida, Thwaites is one of the most expansive glaciers on the continent and holds enough water to raise global sea level by more than half a meter. As with other glaciers and ice sheets worldwide, the increased melting at Thwaites is largely a response to rising air and water temperatures. But the details of why Thwaites is losing ice so fast, and what this loss might portend for West Antarcticaand for communities around the world forced to confront rising seasare unclear.

Answering these questions is a core motivation for scientists participating in a multiyear AngloAmerican research initiative called the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), which got under way in late 2018 and is now completing its second of four austral summer field seasons. The goal of the ITGC, funded with roughly $50 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation and the United Kingdoms Natural Environment Research Council, is to diagnose the glaciers health and learn more about its history. Using data collected through the collaboration, hundreds of researchers will look at Thwaites from numerous angles, studying the ice, the surrounding ocean and atmosphere, and the bedrock beneath the glacier.

This information will allow scientists to build improved models of Thwaitess future evolution and its likely impact on sea level rise, key tools for future mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Thwaites is remote. Situated at the center of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), a gigantic ice mass slightly larger than the state of Alaska, the glacier stretches from hundreds of kilometers inland to the seaward edge of the ice sheet, where it discharges icebergs and meltwater. Research sites on Thwaites are more than 1,600 kilometers from the United States Antarctic Programs McMurdo Station and the British Rothera Research Station. Getting to these sites requires a 4-day trip by boat or several hours of flight and refueling stops from either of these outposts.

Both nations felt like they had to team up in order to be able to put [forward] the kinds of resourcesand the amount of equipment and gear and fuel that are needed to really explore this very large but very remote glacier in Antarctica, said Ted Scambos, a senior research scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences in Boulder, Colo., and lead American scientific coordinator for the ITGC.

As important as Thwaites is individually, it may also be a linchpin for accelerated ice sheet collapse and melting on a much broader scale.Despite its remoteness, researchers have flagged Thwaites as a scientific priority. It already contributes roughly 4% to the global sea level rise rate, currently 3.4 millimeters per year, and recent simulations suggest that it could start collapsing very quickly, within as little as 200 years, potentially adding at least 1 additional millimeter every year. Moreover, airborne and satellite observations have revealed that a huge cavitytwo thirds the size of Manhattan Island and roughly 300 meters tallis forming beneath the glacier, vacating a volume within the past 3 years that would have held 14 billion tons of ice.

Given its position amid the WAIS, were Thwaites to disappear, it could also hasten the demise of surrounding parts of the ice sheet that it helps buttress. In short, as important as Thwaites is individually, it may also be a linchpin for accelerated ice sheet collapse and melting on a much broader scale. But without a better understanding of the glaciers past, present, and potential futures, its difficult to tell how the entire WAIS might respond to changes in Thwaites.

One of the reasons why Thwaites Glacier is potentially unstable is the great depth of the underlying bedrock below sea level. Glaciers flow under their own weight, slowed by floating ice shelves, which act like dams for the grounded ice sheets behind, and by friction between grounded ice and the rock beneath. As Thwaites loses massfrom above and belowits ice shelf faces a greater risk of failing. In addition, the weight holding the ice sheet against bedrock lightens and ocean water can get below the ice more easily, reducing the friction and allowing the glacier to flow more freely into the ocean.

Typically, glaciers behave like pancake batter on a frying pan, Scambos said. If you put a big blob of it on the surface it settles from the top toward the edge. But what you get in West Antarctica is a situation where the pancake batter is on an oiled frying pan, so [the whole blob] slides over the frying pan rather than just deforming under its own weight.

If Thwaites starts thinning and flowing faster, it may begin calvingor losing large pieces of iceat a faster rate, potentially getting into a runaway situation called marine ice sheet instability. In this scenario, the glaciers grounding line, the edge where the bottom of the ice is in contact with bedrock, retreats due to warming and the loss of ice mass. While the current grounding line is 600 meters below sea level, the bedrock farther inland is even deeper, so as the grounding line retreats, a thicker portion of the glacier will be afloatand flow even faster under its own weight.

A waning Thwaites could also suffer from another disruptive process known as marine ice cliff instability. Previous research has suggested that ice cliffs more than about 100 meters tall are inherently unstable and can collapse under their own weight, calving off as large icebergs (although other work has questioned the potential significance of this process for Antarctic glaciers). This process could accelerate as the edge of a glacier retreats inland into thicker parts of the ice, allowing taller cliffs to form.

We are in for sea level rise anyway because the Earth is getting warmer, Scambos said. But if we add this wild card on top of it, we could see [sea level rise] become much more problematic, and the rate of sea level rise would become more difficult to manage.

The ITGC is divided into eight individual research projects, each devoted to studying specific scientific aspects of Thwaites Glacier and its environment. Four of the projects are looking at the natural processes that drive the glaciers retreat and its response to warming temperatures. Two are focused on unraveling Thwaitess past evolution. And two more will use what the others learn to refine numerical models that predict the glaciers future behavior.

Warmer water reaching the Antarctic coast is a major factor in the accelerated melting of Thwaites and neighboring glaciers. Changes in ocean circulation driven by shifting wind patternswhich are in turn thought to be driven by changes in distant tropical circulationare pushing relatively warm, salty water known as Circumpolar Deep Water toward the continent from its usual location beyond the continental shelf. This warm water circulates beneath and melts the Thwaites ice shelf, the floating portion of the glacier seaward of the grounding line. For this reason, the work of many of the ITGC scientists in the field involves drilling through the ice to reach the ocean water below the ice shelf.

We are interested in learning the temperature of the ocean water at the grounding line of the glacier, said David Holland last fall as his team prepared to head south for the season. Holland is a physical climate scientist at New York University and a principal investigator on the Melting at Thwaites grounding zone and its control on seal level (MELT) project. We will be looking at the amount of turbulence present in the water and how vigorously it causes melting of the base of the glacier.

During the 20192020 field season, Holland and his team used a hot-water drill to bore 40-centimeter-wide hole through 600 meters of ice at the Thwaites grounding zone to reach the water below. Its hazardous work. The access hole, once drilled through, is continually freezing back in and from time to time needs to be reamed, Holland explained. We have to be very careful around it not to slip and fall.

Holland and his team used these holes to introduce sensors through the ice, including a state-of-the-art underwater robot known as Icefin that can explore the subsurface for several hours on each dive. Icefin can measure conductivity, temperature, depth, and dissolved oxygen, and it packs, among other instruments, a camera and an echo sounder for imaging its environment. They also deployed ocean moorings off the coast, submerged sensors that will monitor ocean conditions for over a year.

Icefins measurements have now reported that the water at the grounding line is two degrees above the freezing point. That is really, really bad, Holland told the Washington Post on 30 January when the team announced the findings. Thats not a sustainable situation for that glacier.

Scientists on the ThwaitesAmundsen Regional Survey and Network Integrating AtmosphereIceOcean Processes (TARSAN) project also drilled through the ice. They installed sensors at three locations in the water below the ice shelf, connected to surface stations by wires left to freeze in place as the holes close. These stations relay sensor measurements remotely to the researchers, who will monitor water temperature and circulation below the ice shelf to determine how currents change throughout the year. They are particularly interested in studying so-called polar water, a cool, low-salinity water layer that forms in direct contact with the bottom of the glacial ice. This layer could be disturbed by warm water coming from the ocean. If we dont see a polar water layer there, then it means the ice is melting very fast, said Scambos, who is also a member of the TARSAN project.

Understanding how Thwaites Glacier has responded to past climate variation could tell researchers what to expect in the future.

The goal of the Thwaites Offshore Research (THOR) project is to uncover Thwaitess past from tracks that the glacier has scoured into the seafloor. Working from the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer, an icebreaker operated by the United States Antarctic Program, THOR scientists are mapping and recovering sediment cores from the seafloor in front of Thwaites. They embarked on a first cruise in early 2019, and the 2020 expedition is scheduled to end on 25 March.

We had great success last year because a lot of the landfast ice in front of Thwaites broke out from areas that have never been accessible before by ship, and we were able to extend the survey into areas we didnt expect to be able to go, said Robert Larter, a marine geophysicist with the British Antarctic Survey and a principal investigator on the THOR project.

If researchers find that the glacier has regrown from a partially retreated state, it might indicate that it could recover again in the future.In these survey data, you can see features that record where the grounding line of the glacier would stabilize during periods in the past, Larter said. So you can see these points, and you can see how [the glacier] stepped back, and see things that tell you about how the glacier was interacting with the bed and what the flow processes were.

The sediment cores allow scientists to date these events. One thing we can look at [in the sediments] is when the contemporary retreat really started, Larter said.

Another important question regarding Thwaitess past is whether the glacier has ever retreated beyond its current grounding zone. Its been widely believed by scientists that Antarctic glaciers have slowly receded since the Last Glacial Maximum, about 20,000 years ago, although recent evidence suggests that they might have regained some ground in the past 5,000 or so years.

Finding that out is the goal of the Geological History Constraints on the Magnitude of Grounding-Line Retreat in the Thwaites Glacier System (GHC) project. If researchers find that the glacier has regrown from a partially retreated state, it might indicate that it could recover again in the future. Essentially, the question is, If it retreats, is it always going to be in a retreated state until the next ice age, whenever that may be? said Brent Goehring, a geologist at Tulane University in New Orleans, La., and a coprincipal investigator on GHC.

Goehring and his team spent the 20192020 field season drilling through the ice near the margins of Thwaites glacier at its grounding zone with a portable drill used for mining exploration. Their goal was to reach shallow, volcanically formed subglacial ridges that might have been exposed to the atmosphere if the glacier retreated from its current position at some point in the past 20,000 years.

To determine whether these rocks have been above the ice level during that period, they are looking for the effects of cosmic rays, high-energy particles that constantly bombard Earths surface from space. Cosmic rays can alter surface rocks, loading them with radioactive isotopes such as carbon-14 that scientists can measure to date when the rocks were previously exposed to the atmosphere.

If the researchers find that the ridges were above the ice at some point since the last glaciation, they can link the timing of this exposure to the sea level and climatic conditions of that time. This information will be crucial to understanding how Thwaites and other Antarctic glaciers have responded to past environmental variations.

Joanne Johnson, a geologist with the British Antarctic Survey, is the other coprincipal investigator for GHC. In December 2019, she led a four-person party through the Hudson Mountains, near Pine Island Glacier just east of Thwaites, using ground-penetrating radar and sampling rocks to look for suitable drilling sites for the 20202021 season.

The GHC researchers must drill through 1080 meters of ice before reaching bedrock. Drilling into bedrock under ice is challenging, Johnson said. In the worst-case scenario, we might not be able to recover any core! Then we might hit rock that is not what we thought it would be.

If they can recover viable rock samples, exposure dating them is no easy task either, because measuring carbon-14 in the sort of volcanic rocks that form the ridges below Thwaites is complex and not routinely done, Johnson explained. It will also be hard working with the very small amounts of rock core that we will recoverthe core diameter is about 5 centimeters, so there is not a lot of rock to work with for the people in the lab, she said.

The ITGC is one of the largest Antarctic research collaborations between the United States and the United Kingdom ever attempted, and its full of challenges for researchers and their equipment.

The whole [of the] glaciology and oceanographic communities [is] clearly challengedby understanding [Thwaites], and challenged by the environment, Scambos said. We are talking about drilling through the ice and then setting instruments in the ocean below the ice and having them operate for 2 or 3 years on their own. Thats also a huge engineering challenge.

We were spending whole weeks in areas where no ship had ever been before, collecting brand-new surveys of the seafloor and sediment cores.Researchers hope that all the effort will yield improved knowledge of Thwaites Glacier. Hopefully the ITGC will help us fill in pieces of the puzzle so that we can more accurately describe what could happen in the future to this glacier and to global sea level, Holland said.

In addition to the personally demanding and risky frontier scientific work they are doing, ITGC researchers also worry about what the outcomes of their work could indicate about Earths future. There is still a lot we dont know, but this program will undoubtedly change that, Johnson said. I went to the same sites back in 2006, so I am very excited to see the area again and see how it has changed, she said. Probably I should not be excited about this, though, because the changes are likely to be bad news for the ice sheets future.

In a recent review article, Ted Scambos and colleagues articulated the overarching questions very clearly, Larter noted: How much and how fast is Thwaites going to contribute to sea level rise? During the 20182019 field season, we were spending whole weeks in areas where no ship had ever been before, collecting brand-new surveys of the seafloor and sediment cores, Larter said. Its all new science, but its also sobering to think about why youre able to be therethe very fact that its a sign of the changes that are going on.

Javier Barbuzano ([emailprotected]; @javibarbuzano), Science Writer

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Diagnosing Thwaites - Eos

Does this feel like the right time to end?

DANES Alex just couldnt stand the weight of it anymore. I think it ended for him. The way this show is structured, it can be reimagined over and over again. Its flexible in that way. Every year it was a reboot.

Would you have done more if more had been offered?

DANES Ive been claimed by it. I had two kids over the course of the show, too. So I really didnt have many hiatuses. I think its important for me as an actor to stretch myself in different ways. So in that sense, its good for it to end, and this is as good a point as any. But I dont think that it needed to end now.

How were the last days on set?

DANES We had a final scene together and I lost it at the end. After that, I didnt have scenes that were all that complex or critical. I was in a mild fugue state, strangely calm, a little dissociated. But when I had my final scene with Mandy, thats when I was able to feel the loss and the pride and gratitude for everything that we have shared. When we wrapped, for two consecutive weeks, I dreamed that we were filming. Im still kind of struggling with this idea of it being truly concluded. But Im cooking again. Im de-Mathisoning by baking chickens and stuff.

PATINKIN I didnt have the balls to not have something to do so immediately after, so I set up a concert tour of which Im halfway through. [Patinkin, a musical theater veteran, sings selections from his recent Diaries albums.] Over the Christmas vacation, I started walking around with my wife going, What am I going to do? I want to be free. But its like, what am I good at? And who am I, and what am I going to be? I have never had an experience like this. I dont have a reference point.

DANES No, me neither. Who does? I mean, Ive never done anything as long. Ive barely been married as long. Im not going to find that again.

PATINKIN Wait a minute, young lady: You dont know what youre going to find. Ive been through a lot of things, and I never imagined that Id have this opportunity. The blessed grace of our existence is we dont know what happens one second from now.

But youll be in each others lives?

DANES Yes, theres not a choice.

PATINKIN Were family.

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The Stars of Homeland Get Their Final Debriefing - The New York Times

Staying healthy while travelling means you can spend more time enjoying yourself so take precautions.Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash

With the news of the coronavirus, a flu-like illness that started in Wuhan, China, making headlines, falling ill abroad is top of mind for many. And while this and other past viruses, like SARS and swine flu, can cause serious outbreaks and cause for concern, there other more common illnesses that you can still easily catch while travelling.

Read on to discover five of the most common illnesses you can get abroad, plus some advice on how to avoid them in the first place.

Where: Anywhere, though places with poor food handling and sanitation are higher risk

Theres no mistaking that rumbling feeling that strikes your lower guts before a bout of travellers diarrhea. Its the most common sickness people face when travelling. Generally, you wind up with travellers diarrhea by eating or drinking something thats been contaminated with a variety of bacteria, including E. coli or salmonella. Symptoms include sudden diarrhea, painful stomach cramps, fever and vomiting. Usually, it will clear up on its own within two days to a week.

How to avoid it: Always choose a safe water source (avoid tap water in certain places) and ensure that the spots youre dining at are preparing food safely. Wash your hands with soap and water often to avoid the spread of gems. Opting for hot/cooked foods and skipping undercooked meats can also help.

Where: the Caribbean, Central and South America, Southeast Asia and even parts of the United States, like Hawaii

Mosquitoes arent just worth avoiding because of the relentless itching caused by their bites. Dengue fever is the number one mosquito-borne virus, despite zika getting more media play as of late. Dengue symptoms, which include headache, body pain (and specifically eye pain), nausea and vomiting come on rapidly once youve been bitten by an infected mosquito. Following infection, a rash will also present itself.

How to avoid it: Use bug spray when in mosquito-dense areas and cover up at dusk and dawn when theyre most active. In some cases, sleeping beneath a bug net can also keep the pests at bay while you rest.

Where: Parts of the Caribbean, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Africa and parts of the Middle East

Malaria is another sickness that you can get from mosquito bites. It causes unpleasant flu-like symptoms including chills, sweating, headache, nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain.

How to avoid it: Like dengue, malaria can be avoided by using mosquito repellent and covering your skin. Some people might choose to use prescription medication that provides protection from the disease, which can be taken orally two days before you arrive in an at-risk area and for four weeks after you get home.

Where: Worldwide

Tetanus, also known as lock-jaw syndrome, is a bacterial infection that you get from cutting yourself on a dirty metal or stepping on an old, rusty nail and puncturing your skin. It will cause severe stiffness of the jaw and neck muscles, tremors and difficulty swallowing and in many cases, death.

How to avoid it: Stay vaccinated. If youre unsure when you had your last tetanus shot, visit your medical practitioner to determine whether you need a booster or fresh round of vaccinations.

Where: Most common in South and Central America, Asia and parts of AfricaTuberculous, also known as TB, is a bacteria that can be spread by coughing, sneezing or even speaking, which makes it incredibly contagious. It causes a persistent cough that result in coughing up blood, as well as chest pain, weight loss and chills. Many people die from TB.

How to avoid it: The Bacillus CalmetteGurin (BCG) vaccine, which is most commonly administered during childhood here in Canada, is the best form of protection against TB.

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The 5 most common travel-related illnesses and how to avoid them - Regina Leader-Post

GALVESTON, Texas, Jan. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Dr. Mary Claire Haver, board certified OBGYN and founder of The Galveston Diet, announced today that over 20,000 students have enrolled in the online Signature Program. By offering an anti-inflammatory approach to nutrition for women in menopause, The Galveston Diet has helped women lose weight, burn fat, and feel comfortable in their skin.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver is the founder and creator of The Galveston Diet, the first and only nutrition program in the world created by a Female OBGYN, designed for women in menopause.

"When we crossed the 20,000-student mark, I was astonished," Dr. Mary Claire notes, "The Galveston Diet is more than just a diet; it is a new way of life for many women. I created the program for women who are frustrated with menopausal and mid-life weight gain because I went through it and understood from experience how difficult it is to lose the weight. Going through menopause and perimenopause brings changes that can be a real struggle to adapt to. It is exciting to hear successful testimonials from our students. They are in control of their bodies and are seeing the results."

What makes The Galveston Diet different from other anti-inflammatory diets? Dr. Mary Claire has done the research and not only explains the science behind the method but takes the time to break down the medical terminology into applicable layman's terms. She believes in the power of nutrition to combat inflammation and highly recommends the unlimited benefits of Intermittent Fasting. To learn as much as she could about food and medical nutrition, she became certified in Culinary Medicine in 2019.

Enrollment for the online Signature Program has a one-time fee of $59 and includes 24/7 access to the curriculum, all led by Dr. Mary Claire. Including informational videos, comprehensive resources, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. The program is self-paced and has over five weeks of meal plans, shopping guides, and includes a mindfulness component. To learn more about The Galveston Diet, visit YouTube/TheGalvestonDietIntro or http://www.galvestondiet.com.

About Dr. Mary Claire Haver is the founder and creator of The Galveston Diet, the first and only nutrition program in the world created by a Female OBGYN, designed for women in menopause. The Galveston Diet is dedicated to helping women reach their health and wellness goals through an anti-inflammatory approach to nutrition.

Pinterest: @thegalvestondietFacebook: @TheGalvestonDietInstagram: @thegalvestondietYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaryClaireHaverMDTheGalvestonDiet

ContactJennifer Pearson917.593.8898Jen@jenpearson.com

Dr. Mary Claire Haver is the founder and creator of The Galveston Diet, the first and only nutrition program in the world created by a Female OBGYN, designed for women in menopause.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-mary-claire-haver-has-cracked-the-menopause-weight-loss-code-20-000-students-and-its-just-the-beginning-300995702.html

SOURCE The Galveston Diet

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Dr. Mary Claire Haver Has Cracked The Menopause Weight Loss Code: 20,000 Students And It's Just The Beginning - Yahoo Finance