Autism is a baffling disease that affects 500,000 children in the United States alone. Strangely enough, the incidence of autism has skyrocketed since the 1980s when only 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with the disorder, compared to 1 in 175 today. Scientists have yet to discover for certain what causes the disease, although there are several theories being discussed. The most controversial theory contends that mercury present in childhood vaccines may be one of the leading factors contributing to the development of the condition.
It is known that people exposed to methyl mercury, which is found in thermometers and polluted environments, have incurred damage due to contact. A mercury spill in Japan, for example, tainted fish in the area and caused those who ate the poisoned fish to develop Minimata disease. Another clue pointing to the dangerous effects of mercury exposure comes from an incident that occurred 100 years ago in the United States. Pink Disease (Acrodynia) was a mysterious illness that seemed to appear out of nowhere. The symptoms included social withdrawal and a deficiency of language skills. At the time, a particular type of teething powder that contained mercury was on the market - once it was taken off the market, this strange disease suddenly disappeared.
Those who believe in a link between mercury and autism cite the above as a few cases that may lend credence to the theory. Those studying the connection say that a combination of genetic susceptibility and exposure to mercury are most likely the two main factors that result in a child developing autistic disorder. For instance, it is not mercury exposure alone that causes problems, but rather, a minimum amount of exposure coupled with the child's decreased ability to excrete mercury properly.
Of course, this theory is a contentious one because childhood vaccines are being targeted as the main source of mercury exposure. A few years ago, most infant vaccines contained a preservative called thimerasol, which included ethyl mercury, although it is now being phased out of use. Although ethyl mercury is different than methyl mercury, in large amounts it can damage the nervous system. The hypothesis is, as children began receiving more and more vaccines over the years, they also received more mercury.
As with every controversial idea, not everyone agrees with this conjecture. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created two reports on the issue, both of which dismissed thimerasol as one of the causes of autism. And of course, many scientists and pediatricians are concerned fear will cause parents to avoid vaccinating their children.
In the end, no one really understands the root causes of autism, leaving many parents frustrated and without a valid explanation for the behavioral problems their autistic children experience every day. Hopefully, as more research is conducted, scientists will come closer to solving one of the world's most puzzling medical mysteries.
It may not pass scientific muster, but a leading private investigator has developed a theory linking financial hardship such as that experienced during a recessive economy, with an increase in marital infidelity. Likening it to other actual, proven science, the recipe for Mark McAlpin's Adultero Solatium (combining the Latin words for unfaithful marriage partner and compensation, or solace) theory combines raw numbers from his own investigative practice with a bit of arm-chair psychology and an unmeasured pour of biochemistry. Admittedly a scientific lay person, the PI says he has been rolling this theory around in his head for years, and the numbers have consistently evinced his hypothesis. The theory basically adds another act to the well-known reliance of stressed or distressed people on the relief found in their indulgence in "comfort food." "People just want to feel good. When they face any of a variety of troubles, it is normal to want to counter negative feelings with positive ones; with something that feels good. Think about how stressed, achy people always announce that they need a massage or vacation. Whether they settle on chocolate, a glass (or six) of wine, a hot bath, a couple of pain pills, whatever. This is the same concept as 'comfort food,' as so is my theory." Diluted to it's simplest explanation, it's all about brain chemistry. Endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. People who are stressed or upset actively seek out pleasure to dull the pain. This theory is only different from the accepted psychological responses in that it includes sexual and/or emotional pleasure." McApin's theory is based on self-collected data he's culled from his skip tracing website Cellulartrace.com. The site, which offers reverse lookup , has always counted infidelity investigations among its customers top reasons for ordering services. But the investigator says search requests based on suspicions of a cheating spouse have greatly increased during periods of economic stress. He has also mapped increased search requests from geographical areas particularly effected by negative economic factors. "After 9-11, we were buried us with orders. It was crazy, and that's what really got me paying attention the the numbers," McAlpin recalls. Although few customers disclose the reason the want to reverse a phone number, McAlpin says infidelity is the winning reason, and that the trends are really easy to spot. "When 85-90 percent of searches are females wanting to identify phone numbers belonging to other females, and the same for the male clients, it is pretty clear what's going on. The searches involving people asking for information on people of the same sex jumped from 50 to 90 percent in the weeks after the 9-11 attacks. Also, a ton of new orders from the Palo Alto area spring up after the first round of HP lay offs a few years ago. We're seeing the same thing right now in places facing big layoffs, and the orders coming in from the Detroit metro area show a clear trend, as well. It's, pretty hard to dismiss all of this." The seasoned PI says he has seen similar spikes in phone number search orders from clients in other areas hit with economic trouble, or natural disasters. "There are obviously smaller examples of the same thing, but I can't look into every increase from every part of the country. There are obviously layoffs, plant closings, fires floods, etc. I'm sure the theory is would hold up in those places, as well." It has been statistically shown that in the vast majority of suspected infidelities, the suspected parties were in fact cheating. It stands to reason then, that the more suspicion of infidelity, as evinced by such requests for information for that stated purpose, the more actual cheating in that area. And with a spike in cheating following an economic or emotional blast, the benefit of whatever doubt is sure to come from professionals in the field of the human psyche should certainly be given to the Adultero Solatium theory. The lack of definitive detail and corroborating outside evidence supporting the theory will surely lead some to dismiss the merits of the hypothesis. But McAlpin says this doesn't bother him in the least. "I'm not going to write a dissertation on this," he says. "If my theory helps someone out, that's great. If someone sees something to this, maybe they'll do some real testing. For me it is just an interesting subplot to tracking my business trends. Who knows, maybe I'll be telling my story to Oprah's audience some day." The investigator's popular website, Cellulartrace.com has helped thousands with infidelity advice including the signs of a cheating spouse, how to catch them, and the phone number tracing investigations he specializes in.
Both Katerina Mitrou & Mark Mcalpin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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