The Litvak Legacy

Below are ten names of the most educated, respected UFologists alive today. By studying their theories and published works, you will be on the forefront of UFology research.

Jerome Clark: Researcher and writer. He attended South Dakota State University and Minnesota State University, becoming interested in the UFO phenomenon in the 1960s. He initially embraced the interdimensional hypothesis to explain UFOs, but then turned to Extraterrestrial Hypothesis as the best explanation. His focus is on UFO cases with multiple witnesses, or those which leave physical evidence. He is an active board member of CUFOS, and has served as the editor of the CUFOS journal, as well as The Journal for UFO Studies. In the 1990s he published a massive three volume UFO Encyclopedia, which earned him the 1998 Benjamin Franklin Award in the Science category. He has written and co-written several books on UFOs.

Stanton T. Friedman: Nuclear Physicist. He received his BS and MS from University of Chicago, and worked for 14 years on advanced, classified projects such as nuclear aircraft, fission and fusion rockets, and nuclear power plants for space. He is possibly the best-known UFO lecturer in North America, having been the first promoter of the Roswell incident, and the most significant voice of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis. His written testimony has been used in Congressional hearings, and he has appeared before the UN twice. He has published two books covering his work with the MJ-12 documents and the Roswell incident.

Richard F. Haines, Ph.D.: Research Scientist for NASA from 1967-1988. He received his MA and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Michigan State University. He investigated aviation accidents and incidents for FAA, NTSB, and attorneys. For 37 years he has specialized in pilot sightings, amassing more than 3,000 reports. Other special interests include analysis of photographic evidence and data on Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind. He has written two books and numerous UFO articles.

Bernard Haisch, Ph.D.: Astrophysicist and President of Digital Universe Foundation; Chief Science Officer for ManyOne Networks, Inc; Director of California Institute for Physics and Astrophysics; and editor of numerous scientific journals. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Self-described as a “UFO skeptic, standing somewhere between the majority rejectionist view of mainstream scientific community and the majority accepting view of the general public,” Haisch advocates personal research of phenomenon while suspending judgment.

James A. Harder, Ph.D.: Professor of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering and Professor Emeritus at University of California at Berkeley. Harder received his BS at Caltech, and his MS and Ph.D. at University of California in Berkeley. From 1969-1982 he was the director of research for Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, one of the first civilian organizations to study UFOs. He was the primary investigator on a number of classical UFO cases, mainly related to alien abductions. He is a strong advocate of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis and the government cover-up theories.

John Keel: Parapsychologist and Journalist. Keel is best-known for his ideas that there is a direct relationship between UFOs and psychic phenomena and demonology. He is one of the most widely read and influential UFologists since the early 1970s. His 1967 book, The Mothman Prophesies—about a strange winged creature reportedly seen in West Virginia by numerous witnesses—was loosely adapted into a 2002 blockbuster.

Bruce Maccabbee, Ph.D.: Optical Physicist. He received his BS in physics from Worcester Polytechnical Institute, and his MA and Ph.D. at American University in Washington DC. He has been active in UFO research since the 1960s, when he joined NICAP. After its demise he joined MUFON and is now state director for Maryland. He was instrumental in establishing the Fund for UFO Research. He is the author and co-author of numerous technical articles and books.

John E. Mack, Ph.D.: Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Pulitzer-prize winning biographer. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School after his undergraduate years at Oberlin. He graduated from the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and was Board certified in child and adult psychoanalysis. He was a professor of psychology at Harvard until his untimely death in a car accident in 2004. (We include him in this article of contemporary UFologists, since his work is relevant today.) Mack’s clinical work focused on the exploration of dreams, nightmares, and teen suicide. In 1990 he published his research on alien abduction encounters, concluding, “There is compelling powerful phenomenon here that I can’t account for any other way, that’s mysterious…it seems to me that it invites deeper, further inquiry.”

Peter A Sturrock, Ph.D.: British Scientist. He studied mathematics at Cambridge University where he earned his Ph.D. Much of his career has been devoted to electron physics, particle accelerators, plasma physics, solar physics, astrophysics, and scientific interference. He was appointed professor of applied physics at Stanford University, where he is now professor emeritus. Gaining interest in UFology, and curious about the general attitudes toward the field, Sturrock conducted two major surveys involving more than 2,500 scientists. Upon learning that a majority of scientists favored better research of UFOs, Sturrock helped establish the Society of Scientific Exploration to provide a forum for the subject. His studies have since been published.

Jacques Vallee, Ph.D.: French-born Computer Scientist and Astronomer. After receiving his BS in Mathematics and his MS in Physics, he came to the US 1962 and began working in astronomy at the University of Texas. He worked at MacDonald Observatory on NASA’s first project making a detailed informational map of Mars. He then received his Ph.D. in Computer Science at Northwestern University, where he was a student of renowned UFologist, J. Allen Hynek. Initially he promoted the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis, but later modified it, introducing the Multidimensional Visitation Hypothesis. His exploration of the commonalities between UFOs, cults, religious movements, angels, ghosts, cryptid sightings, and psychic phenomena contributed to his change in ideas. He was the model for the UFO researcher in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and served as a consultant on the set. He has authored numerous books and articles on various subjects, including UFOs.

The growth of mold in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems is a main contributor to poor indoor air quality. Mold spores are a prevalent part of bacteria and dust in the home. Ignoring a problem or potentially harmful situation involving poor indoor air quality can render an even more serious issue, so it should be taken care of immediately.

Mold allergies are a serious problem for many people. Those that are often exposed to poor indoor air quality are at a higher risk for developing some sort of respiratory complication. These people are often those that don’t even know that they could be vulnerable to such hazardous allergens.

The cause of inadequate atmosphere quality can stem from faulty HVAC equipment, poor air circulation, inappropriately operated or preserved HVAC systems, and not having a sufficient amount of external air. All of these things can cause the growth of the allergen, mold. Mold spores can lead to congestion, asthma, and other breathing difficulties for those that become exposed. During the time that HVAC systems operate they are able to transport considerable amounts of recirculated and outside air through the home or occupied space. The system becomes the channel through which toxic entities are spread.

It has been found that ultraviolet radiation is the most effective way to combat mold and other airborne bacteria in the home. UV rays can be used individually or can be combined with an EAC (Electronic Air Cleaner) to prevent or diminish the health risks that mold presents. UV light is able to restrict the reproduction process and growth of germs, allergens, and bacteria, such as mold.

To successfully kill microorganisms, found in an indoor atmosphere, ultraviolet energy waves are used. The UV radiation must make direct contact with the harmful bacteria to make sure that it is exterminated. The ultraviolet rays then infiltrate the organism, causing the molecular bonds to stop functioning properly and inducing mutilation of the cells. This remedy of doing away with mold spores in the HVAC system kills or sterilizes germs, rendering them unable to reproduce. The germs are either killed or sterilized, leaving them unable to reproduce. This is a guaranteed solution to reducing the allergens in the atmosphere in your home and improving your family’s overall quality of life.

Indoor air quality is an issue that is quickly becoming a priority problem in homes across the nation. Making sure that you and your loved ones are protected from harmful toxins is very important and should not be taken lightly. Having your HVAC system inspected and keeping up with its maintenance can mean the difference between breathing poor quality or high quality indoor air. Why not make the place that you spend a majority of your time a safer place to live and breath.

If you’re like most people, then you’ll no doubt be surprised to hear that controlling your gout, uric acid levels and symptoms can be as simple as drinking orange juice!

A Spanish study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in September of 2003 showed that uric acid levels are lowered by the vitamin C in orange juice.

In the study, six women and six men were required to drink two glasses of orange juice every day for two weeks. They needed to drink a 250ml glass in the morning, and another one in the afternoon, for a total of 500ml per day. This typically meant that they were taking in an additional 250mg of vitamin C each day.

The rest of the diet throughout the two-week period, provided each of the participants with about 136mg of vitamin C a day for the men, and 112mg for the women. This made the daily intake of vitamin C for the male participants 386mg and for the female participants it was 362mg.

After the two-week period had passed, the level of vitamin C in the blood stream of the men had risen by 52 percent, while it had risen in women by 22 percent. However, it should be pointed out that the women had higher levels of vitamin C in their bloodstream to begin with.

But even better was the fact that after two weeks, the male participants had reduced their levels of uric acid by approximately 12.5 percent, while the women had reduced their levels by 6.5 percent. By the end of the vitamin C study every participant had reduced his or her gout uric acid levels.

Researchers consider this to be very important news; especially considering that it was only an increase of 250mg daily (compared to a typical vitamin C supplement, which is 500 to 1000mg) and the study only lasted only two weeks. They believe that drinking twice as much juice over a longer time period, for example a month or six months, or even a lifetime, could help to permanently reduce uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks because even greater reductions in uric acid level could be achieved.

However, keep in mind that this study was performed on healthy individuals’ aged 20 to 32. Also most medications prescribed to reduce uric acid will lower levels more substantially and quickly than relying on vitamin C therapy alone. The upside of the Vitamin C approach is that it’s a lot more pleasant than taking drugs and also cheaper. Plus there are none of the nasty side effects that many of the gout drugs have. But if you’re thinking of using vitamin C to lower your uric acid levels, you should first speak to your doctor.

A substantially larger study performed in 2005 tested vitamin C’s efficacy for reducing uric acid levels. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland and published their study results in the June Arthritis and Rheumatism journal of the same year which used dietary supplements of 500 mg instead of orange juice. The researchers saw similar reductions in uric acid levels.

This is important news, as it is vital for sufferers to reduce gout uric acid levels before permanent damage is done to the various affected joints.

Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) involving the hip and knee is one of the most common orthopedic procedures performed in the United States.

The technology has improved so that a good to excellent outcome is the usual result. Complications and side effects such as postoperative infection, thrombophlebitis (blood clots), loosening of the joint replacement, and persistent pain still occur but fortunately aren’t common.

Patients younger than 50 still are operated on with some reluctance because the chances are quite good that they will require a revision arthroplasty- meaning they will need to have the joint replacement replaced. And the more active a young patient remains, particularly if they abuse the joint replacement, the shorter the life span of the joint prosthesis. Revision of an old joint replacement is a technically difficult procedure.

At the other end of the spectrum, orthopedic surgeons have been reluctant to replace joints in older people, particularly ones that are older than 100 years.

While hip and knee arthroplasty are rarely performed in patients older than 100 years, according to a recently published article, these patients should not be denied the option of this surgery. (Krishnan E, et al. Arthritis Rheum 2007;57:1038-1042).

The authors point out that osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis) and hip fracture due to osteoporosis are “two major causes of disability among the older age group.”

The researchers examined epidemiologic and mortality data in regards to arthroplasty among people older than 100 years. The comparison group were people in their 90′s.

Adjustments were made for the presence of concurrent illnesses such as congestive heart failure, neurologic diseases, including dementia and stroke, kidney and liver diseases, obesity and other risk factors.

A total of 679 hip arthroplasties were identified among those older than 100 years, compared with 33,975 among people in their 90′s. There were only 7 knee arthroplasties among centenarians, and 2,050 in the nonagenarian (older than 90 but less than 100 year old) group.

Eighty-three percent of 100 year old + patients who underwent arthroplasties were women. Hip fractures were responsible for 94% of hip replacements among nonagenarians and centenarians.

Statistical measurements showed that the 100+ year group had a higher mortality risk than the 90+ year group who underwent a similar procedure.

Hospitalization for hip replacement surgery among those over the age of 100 was associated with a lower risk of death when analyses were performed using the records of all patients older than 100 years. Adjusted mortality rate was less for hip arthroplasty hospitalizations compared with all other causes of hospitalizations combined.

The authors stated that the patients who get joint replacement die less frequently in the post-operative period than comparable patients admitted to the hospital for other reasons. The chief explanation is that the patients are highly selected for joint replacements.

They went on to say that joint replacements for older people will likely to be more frequent in the future, since these operations can improve functional status of elderly patients.

Their conclusion: Joint replacements should not be denied to centenarians because of short-term post-operative life expectancy estimates.

Author’s note: Since demographic data shows that life expectancy is increasing and that people are staying active longer, these findings make a lot of sense. Age itself should not be the determining factor when it comes to joint replacement. Physiological status and overall health is much more important.

Obviously though, the presence of co-morbid conditions (concurrent medical problems) weigh heavily in the mix when it comes to making a decision about this. However, as patients stay healthier, quality of life becomes just as important as longevity in years.

Have you been to a practitioner besides your family physician? Whether chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga or homeopathy, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has become increasingly common in the United States, and 72% of adults use some form of CAM therapies according to the US National Centers for Disease Control and US National Center for Health Statistics.

A recent cover story in The New York Times Magazine highlighted how chronic pain tends to be under treated because doctors worry about over prescribing medications, and being liable for malpractice or even criminal penalties. Many doctors fear entering the field of pain management at all. Many patients are also concerned about becoming dependant on medication or about the invasiveness and dangers of surgery and anesthesia. CAM therapies, which are able to treat pain and help manage diseases without medication or surgery, are rapidly growing services as people search out better, safer approaches.

So how effective are Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies?

One recent study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics tracked data from a unique organization, the Independent Physicians Association (IPA) where chiropractors serve as first-contact, primary care physicians.

This study found patients treated by these practitioners reported lower costs and higher satisfaction rates than those treated by conventional medical doctors. One of the co-authors of the study James Winterstein DC, said that they found that, “patients visiting CAM-orientated primary care physicians (PCP) – primarily chiropractors – experienced fewer hospitalizations, underwent fewer surgeries and used considerably fewer pharmaceuticals than HMO patients who received traditional medical care.”

A large national survey of all studies on treatments for back pain, the most common cause of disability in working Americans, lead by William Meeker, DC, PhD, and Marc Micozzi, MD, PhD, found that chiropractic was more effective at reducing pain and restoring function, and was less costly and dangerous than medical and surgical management.

Another study, in the Journal of Rehabilitation, Research & Development examined the effectiveness of a wide range of complementary and alternative medicines in the treatment of chronic pain. This encompassing study examined clinical trials and previous studies done on the therapies.

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for chemotherapy related pain, dental pain, low back pain, and probably premenstrual syndrome pain. They found massage therapy effective for lower back pain and shoulder pain, but found less evidence for its treating fibromyalgia, neck pain, headache, and carpel tunnel syndrome. Yoga in turn has been found to very effective for carpal tunnel syndrome and many forms of arthritis. For some therapies like reiki, homeopathy, and therapeutic touch (“laying on hands”), there are few clinical trials done, making it difficult to prove effectiveness.

Still, for the many who routinely seek out alternative and complementary treatments, it has less to do with clinical trials than with their own positive experience.

A recent study by Kaiser Permanente Researchers has found that the effects of alcohol on breast cancer are the same, regardless of whether a woman drinks wine, beer, or liquor. The ethyl alcohol found in those drinks and the quantity consumed are the factors that weigh heavily on breast cancer risk. Researchers believe the increased risk from three or more drinks a day is similar to the increased breast cancer risk from smoking a pack of cigarettes a day or more. They claim that “Population studies have consistently linked drinking alcohol to an increased risk of female breast cancer, but until now there has been little data, most of it conflicting, about an independant role played by the choice of beverage type.”

The team of Kaiser Permanente researchers studied the drinking habits of over 70,000 women of varying ethnicities who had supplied information during health exams between 1978 and 1985. By the year 2004, 2,800 of these women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers analyzed three aspects of the records; they compared alcohol intake among women who favored specific beverages, the frequency of drinking each beverage type, and the role of total alcoholic intake compared with women who drank less than one drink a day.

The results found no difference among the varying types of alcoholic beverages, even when wine was divided into red and white. Researchers found the risk of breast cancer rose by 30 percent in women who drank more than three drinks a day. They claim that “We think that the heart protection benefit from alcohol is real, and is probably derived largely from alcohol-induced higher HDL or “good” cholesterol, reduced blood clotting and reduced diabetes.” However, they warn “Our findings provide more evidence for why heavy drinkers should quit or cut down.”

Just picking up some ordinary vitamins at the drugstore is not enough for a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain important nutrients in stronger dosages than regular multivitamin supplements (even those formulated for women). Here is a look at what prenatal vitamins should contain and the benefit of each ingredient for new mother.

Prenatal Vitamin Ingredients

Folic Acid

Folic acid is the most commonly prescribed prenatal supplement for the months prior to becoming pregnant and, once pregnant, it is essential for the health and growth of the baby, especially for brain functions.

The March of Dimes reports that birth defects of the spine, skull, and brain, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are more likely to occur if the mother does not get sufficient folic acid during the first few weeks of her pregnancy – even before she knows she is pregnant.

Calcium

Calcium supplementation is so important during pregnancy. A good prenatal vitamin should include calcium, which is necessary for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Low dietary intake of calcium is associated with increased risk of preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension, urine protein loss and swelling around the ankles).

In the last trimester of pregnancy, skeletal growth is highest and the fetus draws calcium directly from the mother’s stores. In addition, clinical trials have shown that adequate calcium during pregnancy lowers blood pressure and may reduce the incidence of premature births.

Magnesium

Magnesium promotes the health of bones and may help maintain normal blood pressure and muscle comfort during pregnancy. Magnesium promotes the health of bones (64% of the body’s magnesium is concentrated in the bones). It supports normal bone structure and plays an essential role in more than 300 cellular reactions.

Iron

Iron is recommended to prevent the mother suffering from anemia due to the demands that the baby puts on her iron consumption. Iron is an important mineral and is responsible for helping the mother and the baby’s blood to carry oxygen. Iron deficiencies can lead to severe birth defects for the baby.

Vitamin A

Adequate amounts of vitamin A help to promote the health of the baby by promoting normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus, and supporting genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. Beta-carotene is a nutrient from plants that the body converts into vitamin A.

Vitamin C

The female body’s requirement for vitamin C increases during pregnancy as this vitamin promotes the normal growth of the baby and supports building strong bones and teeth. Vitamin C promotes normal tissue repair and healing. It also supports the absorption of another key nutrient during pregnancy: iron.

Vitamin D

New research from the Boston University School of Medicine is recommending higher intakes of vitamin D as so many are deficient. The women’s levels of vitamin D were related to the frequency of milk consumption and prenatal vitamin use.

B-Vitamins

Increased vitamin B6 levels can boost immunities needed after pregnancy and sufficient B6 has been shown to provide infant growth advantages. This B- vitamin can prevent neural tube defects when taken early in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.

B1 and B2 are water-soluble vitamins that support the body’s ability to process carbohydrates, fat, and protein. This helps with the energy requirements and production increase in pregnancy.

Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to regulate your body’s adrenal activity and antibody production. If you are pregnant and don’t get enough B5, your baby’s growth may be slowed.

Vitamin B6 is the master vitamin for processing amino acids – the building blocks of all proteins and some hormones, which is vital to your fetus’s developing brain and nervous system.

Vitamin B12 (consumed during pregnancy) promotes the health and normal nerve function of the baby.

Biotin

Women have an increased requirement for biotin during pregnancy, and a biotin deficiency may occur in as many as 50 percent of pregnant women. This deficiency may increase the risk of birth defects. The fetus pulls so much of the nutrients from the mother’s diet; therefore, it is important that she consumes enough biotin.

Zinc

Increased zinc levels can boost immunities needed after pregnancy. Zinc supports normal growth and development during pregnancy. Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of more than 300 enzymes that support normal healing, fertility in adults and growth in children, protein synthesis, cell reproduction, vision, immune function, and protection against free radicals, among other functions.

Prenatal vitamins can be taken after pregnancy to provide a well-balanced supplementation program. With a mother’s hectic schedule and lack of time, prenatal vitamins are a perfect choice for an after pregnancy supplement regimen.

The correct prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Doing your research on prenatal vitamins can be very rewarding and time well spent to ensure an easy and successful pregnancy. Researchers at the University of Maryland have noticed that many commonly prescribed prenatal vitamins do not dissolve well resulting in insufficient absorption of the nutrients.