my timesThe Korea Times
Lifestyle

Others

Environment-Related Diseases on the Rise

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter The number of people suffering from so-called environment-related diseases has increased by a million in four years. The National Health Insurance Corporation reported Sunday that in 2008, over 7.1 million people were treated for asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic eczema, among others, a drastic jump from 6.1 million in 2004. The results were most alarming for those under 19 years old, who represented 42 percent of asthma patients, 37 percent of rhinitis sufferers and 71.6 percent of those with eczema. Moreover, about one out of every four newly born babies (23.8 percent) suffered from asthma while 19.6 percent were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and 17 percent suffered from atopic eczema. Dr. Dhong Hun-jong at Samsung Medical Center told The Korea Times that more people are being exposed to pollutants, an unbalanced diet and other factors, which result in such diseases. "More people are living in a too hygienic environment, which weakens the immune system, making the body fragile to allergens," he added. Rep. Choi Young-hee

Oct 11, 2009

Samsung Cancer Research Institute Opens

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Samsung Medical Center opened the Samsung Cancer Research Institute, Monday, in a bid to fight cancer in a more "Korean" way. Dr. Paik Soon-myoung, one of the pioneers of molecule target treatment for cancer, will head the institute. Paik has worked as a director for the U.S. National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Bowel Project of the National Cancer Institute and contributed to developing target treatment for breast cancer. The drug Herceptin has halved the relapse rate of the disease. He also developed an "Oncotype Dx" test to sort out patients who do not need anticancer treatment. "His appointment will help the institute reach out to the world with the Samsung Cancer Center," the hospital spokesman said. Samsung has reportedly invested 25 billion won into the establishment of the center, which has a staff of 430 people. Paik said the institute will focus on clinical testing, a field that Korea needs to improve. "We will work on providing specific treatment to individuals," he said. bjs@koreatimes.co.kr

Oct 11, 2009

(63) Branch Interaction: Saju of Actress Moon Bloodgood

By Janet Shin The fact that saju helps understand people's fate using their birth year, month, day and time, means its basis comes from the universe. Oriental studies are based on heaven, earth and human philosophy. When it comes to saju, heaven is studied through celestial stems, earth through terrestrial branches and humans through the stem inclusions of branches. The four pillars (saju) that are made up of one's birth year, month, day and time, explain a person's past, present and future, as well as what the person pursues in life, how dynamic or stable the person's life path is, and so on. The stems and branches are combined to generate a 60-year cycle that represents each pillar. The 10 stems are intangible forces from heaven. They are pure with five elements, and yin and yang properties. On the other hand, the 12 terrestrial branches are the complicated energies' mixture of 10 stems. The 10 stems from heaven come down to Earth after a certain period of time and mix together to create the 12 branches. Although we describe each branch as one of five elements and yin

Oct 9, 2009

Sudeok Temple Offers Soul-Searching Experience

This is the third in a 10-part series on templestays. ― ED. By Roger Shepherd Contributing Writer In the small pocket of beauty that is Deoksan Provincial Park, crimson azaleas blossom on the awkward-shaped rock mounds in the spring and a ghost-like sea mist creeps through the mountain top where Sudeok Temple stands. The park itself, which is in South Chungcheong Province on the west coast, is divided into Mt. Deoksung that enshrouds Sudeok temple and Mt. Gaya its highest peak is 678 meters. The greater area, known as Yesan-gun, is steeped in Baekje (18 B.C. - A.D. 660) history, supporting numerous cultural relics from that period. This sets forth for the visitor, a unique temple stay at Sudeok Temple ― the head temple of the Jogye Order's 7th district and headquarters of monastic training for Zen Buddhism in Korea. Sudeok Temple was founded during the late Baekje Kingdom period in the 7th century. There are two separate claims on who was responsible. The first, being Master Chim Yong in 599, and then Master Sung Je under the reign of King Uija in 647. There is even a

Oct 8, 2009

Bhikkhunis Hold Unique Place in Buddhism

By Ines Min Contributing Writer Imagine having to live your life strictly adhering to 348 precepts ― think you're up to the challenge? In daily life, bhikkhunis, or Buddhist nuns, abide by nearly 100 more regulations than monks, who follow roughly 250 laws. Women who practice the religion are subjected to different laws at times, but Korea may be one of the more accepting countries for Buddhist females to live. Bhikkhunis have been around since the time of Buddha, but the number of ordained Buddist nuns has been growing over the past few decades, sparking an ever-growing number of controversies. Different sects of Buddhism have come to either support or outlaw Buddhist nuns. Korea, Vietnam, China and Taiwan are a few of the countries where those in training can receive ordination. In Thailand, where roughly 95 percent of the population is Buddhist, male bhikkhus do not believe it appropriate for women to serve an active role in monastery life. Sri Lanka showed a similar hesitation toward the increasing population of bhikkhunis, which resulted in 10 women flying to S

Oct 6, 2009

Doctor Issues Warning Over Rhinitis

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Your nose does more than just smell. It inhales air, then filters germs, bacteria, viruses and more with its nostrils and mucous. It also screens out large particles from entering the lungs. The nose also has a temperature control function that warms and humidifies the whole area with the inhaled air. Moreover, it helps one speak ― squeeze it and try to talk. It's hard to articulate words. When one catches a cold, the nose usually senses the disease first and sneezes, secreting nasal discharge. The organ is very sensitive and vulnerable. Rhinitis is one of its most common disorders. The nasal area swells due to allergens or other stimulating factors, and inflammation takes place. It becomes hard to breathe. Rhinitis, in some cases, develops into sinusitis, which usually requires surgery. With non-allergic rhinitis affecting about 13 percent of the population here and the number of those suffering from allergic rhinitis increasing every year due to environmental, dietary and hygiene factors, Dr. Dhong Hun-jong of Samsung Medical

Oct 4, 2009

(62) Branch Interaction: Saju of a Student Applying to University

By Janet Shin The 12 branches interact to generate penalties, clashes, assemblies and combinations by certain forces in their relationship. We have learned to put water energy at the bottom owing to its fluidity, and to put fire energy at the top for its explosive characteristics. According to the flow of five elements, the 12 branches can be mapped out in the chart below. Starting from ja water, it circulates to myo wood, to o fire at the top, to yu metal and back to ja water. The earth energy (chuk, jin, mi, sul) is placed with the other four elements respectively. Then the energy flows to create the six combinations as follows: Ja-chuk In-hae Myo-sul Jin-yu Sa-sin o-mi The assemblies are: • Hae-ja-chuk to make water assemblies • In-myo-jin to make wood assemblies • Sa-o-mi to make fire assemblies • Sin-yu-sul to make metal assemblies The clashes are created when the opposite branches are met, Ja-o clash Myo-yu clash In-sin clash Sa-hae clash Jin-sul clash Chuk-mi clash If you compare these branch interactions in

Oct 1, 2009

Anti-Flu Measures for Chuseok Holiday

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter The Chuseok, or Korean Thanksgiving, holiday is just around the corner, taking place from Friday to Sunday, and many will once again take to the road to see family members, catch up on life and share smiles. However, due to the influenza A (H1N1) virus sweeping the nation, some fear that the holiday could turn into an occasion for mass infection. Dr. Chung Doo-ryeon of Samsung Medical Center says the virus is likely to spread faster during the holiday season because the temperature gap between morning and evening is wider. ``The immune system is weakened and you get cooped up in a closed space for quite a long time, giving the virus enough of a chance for transmission,'' he said. ``The virus could be delivered to people within 2 meters of an infected person through the nose, eyes or mouth. Also, door knobs, elevator buttons and many other facilities in public places or transportation could be contaminated. You should watch out.'' Covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing is recommended and carrying sanitizing agents when going

Sep 27, 2009

(61) Branch Interactions — Penalty

By Janet Shin After previous columns reviewing the branch interactions: combinations, trines and clashes, let's continue our study about the penalty in branches. The penalty is a certain abnormal energy that is stimulated by the over-flooding power of trine energy. Described in Taiji theory of yin and yang at the highest concentration of one side, the other side constitutes the cause of penalty in branch interactions. Since it is inflated energy, it boils over to the inclusions of the branches in penalty. Among many penalty groups, in-sa-sin and chuk-sul-mi penalties are critical in influencing one's fate. Here is the saju of a Korean celebrity, who is popular around Asia. Rain, whose Korean name is Jung Ji-hoon, is the lead star of the upcoming Hollywood film ``Ninja Assassin,'' which will be released November. When he made his Hollywood debut in ``Speed Racer'' (2008), a film written and directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski, he was already a K-pop superstar. Rain gained popularity throughout Asia through Korean dramas such as ``Full House'' as well as his R&

Sep 25, 2009

A Taste of Templestay in Southern Seoul

This is the second in a 10-part series on templestays. ― ED. By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter A night in a temple can be a refreshing and memorable experience, but if you don't feel like traveling to the mountains on weekends, you can apply for the two-hour Temple Life Program at Bongeun Temple in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. Located between tall buildings and hotels, the Bongeun Temple is hard to find at first, but as soon as you walk through the entrance, the tranquil atmosphere is spread out before your eyes. The temple was built by Buddhist master Ven. Yeon Hue in 794 during the Silla Kingdom (668-935). According to historical records, the temple was built to commemorate King Jinji. The construction was planned in the reigns of King Haegong and King Seondeok, and was finally finished during King Wonseong's time. Buddhism was not favored during the Joseon Kingdom, due to policies that preferred Confucianism. Many temples, including Bongeun Temple, were downsized and monks lost their positions as Buddhist masters during the time. However, thanks to the

Sep 24, 2009
previous page
396397398399400
next page

Most Read in Lifestyle