Drinking coffee does not change a person's risk of being
diagnosed with or dying from cancer. The research findings have
been published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. The
QIMR Berghofer study used cancer data drawn from the UK Biobank
cohort for more than 46,000 people who had been diagnosed with
most invasive cancer types, including about 7,000 people who
died from the disease. The genetic and preference information
from the people with cancer was compared to data from more than
270,000 others who had never been diagnosed with cancer.
Senior author and head
of QIMR Berghofer's Statistical Genetics Group, Associate
Professor Stuart MacGregor, said the study looked at data from
more than 300,000 people and showed drinking coffee every
day neither reduced nor increased a person's risk of
developing any cancer.
Associate Professor
MacGregor said, "We also know that a preference for coffee is
heritable. Our two-pronged research looked at whether cancer
rates differed among people with different levels of
self-reported coffee consumption, and whether the same trend was
seen when we replaced self-reported consumption with genetic
predisposition towards coffee consumption. We found there was no
real relationship between how many cups of coffee a person had a
day and if they developed any particular cancers."
"The study also ruled
out a link between coffee intake and dying from the disease."
In an August 2018
statement, the US Food and Drug Administration said current
science indicated that consuming coffee posed no significant
risk of cancer.
Jul 29, 2019
More Canadian Inventions
The paint roller was invented about 1940 in Toronto
by Norman Breakey, but he died before being able to patent his
invention. The first paint roller patent was held by American
Richard Croxton Adams.
The pager was invented by Alfred J. Gross, a Toronto-based wireless communications pioneer, during 1949. Gross is also often credited as the inventor of the walkie-talkie, a distinction he sometimes shares with fellow Canadian Donald Hings, who is also credited for having created the two-way radio during 1939.
The first internet search engine, Archie (Archive without the V), was created by Alan Emtage at McGill University about 1988.
Basketball was invented by Canadian James Naismith, born in Ontario and educated at McGill University, but he did not invent it in Canada. He invented the sport while working as a physical education instructor at a YMCA in Massachusetts during 1891.
The first electric wheelchair was developed by George Klein, during 1953. The Ontario-born inventor also developed aircraft skis, the M29 Weasel army snowmobile/ATV, the microsurgical staple gun, the ZEEP nuclear reactor, a scientific language for snow and more.
The pager was invented by Alfred J. Gross, a Toronto-based wireless communications pioneer, during 1949. Gross is also often credited as the inventor of the walkie-talkie, a distinction he sometimes shares with fellow Canadian Donald Hings, who is also credited for having created the two-way radio during 1939.
The first internet search engine, Archie (Archive without the V), was created by Alan Emtage at McGill University about 1988.
Basketball was invented by Canadian James Naismith, born in Ontario and educated at McGill University, but he did not invent it in Canada. He invented the sport while working as a physical education instructor at a YMCA in Massachusetts during 1891.
The first electric wheelchair was developed by George Klein, during 1953. The Ontario-born inventor also developed aircraft skis, the M29 Weasel army snowmobile/ATV, the microsurgical staple gun, the ZEEP nuclear reactor, a scientific language for snow and more.
More TV Antenna Facts
Any TV antenna will receive analog, digital, and
HD TV signals. Even those old rabbit ears that you have in
storage from when you switched over to cable/satellite can be
used to receive digital and HD TV signals if the station
transmitters are in range. Omni directional vs. directional
antennas work well for capturing stations located in different
directions from your location.
Current antennas can even be used with the new ATSC 3 coming during the next few years. It will offer two way communication with TV, 4K, targeted (personal) advertising, and weather alerts. The only thing that will need to be changed is the addition of an ATSC 3 dongle/box, or an ATSC 3 equipped TV. This standard is not compatible with current over-the-air TV.
Do not worry, it will be years before the changeover is made, and stations are required by law to maintain old signals for five years. During that time the stations will be broadcasting old and new. That is why you need to re-scan your antenna stations every few months as the broadcasters have already begun to consolidate station numbers. Many cities have been testing and may begin rollout during 2020.
Some newer antennas do have better designs for pulling in some signals, but most benefits are not significant and especially not because they are labeled HD (which is not true). All newer antennas are not better. Try your old one first, then decide. Generally outdoor antennas placed higher up pull in more stations. For most local sports and news, indoor antennas work well.
You cannot use a satellite dish to receive over-the-air TV signals. It is not the correct shape and has internal circuitry that is not suitable for broadcast TV reception. You can ditch the dish and attach an antenna to the pole to reuse the pole. Also, the same coax cable works for both satellite and antenna, unless it is more than ten years old or worn, then you might consider replacing it with an RG6 cable.
Current antennas can even be used with the new ATSC 3 coming during the next few years. It will offer two way communication with TV, 4K, targeted (personal) advertising, and weather alerts. The only thing that will need to be changed is the addition of an ATSC 3 dongle/box, or an ATSC 3 equipped TV. This standard is not compatible with current over-the-air TV.
Do not worry, it will be years before the changeover is made, and stations are required by law to maintain old signals for five years. During that time the stations will be broadcasting old and new. That is why you need to re-scan your antenna stations every few months as the broadcasters have already begun to consolidate station numbers. Many cities have been testing and may begin rollout during 2020.
Some newer antennas do have better designs for pulling in some signals, but most benefits are not significant and especially not because they are labeled HD (which is not true). All newer antennas are not better. Try your old one first, then decide. Generally outdoor antennas placed higher up pull in more stations. For most local sports and news, indoor antennas work well.
You cannot use a satellite dish to receive over-the-air TV signals. It is not the correct shape and has internal circuitry that is not suitable for broadcast TV reception. You can ditch the dish and attach an antenna to the pole to reuse the pole. Also, the same coax cable works for both satellite and antenna, unless it is more than ten years old or worn, then you might consider replacing it with an RG6 cable.
TV Stations Moving
The recent FCC sales of bandwidth and ATSC 3 changes are
causing local TV channels to change numbers. Here is a handy web
site that lets you know when to re-scan so you always have the
most channels available in your area. Just type in your zip
code. LINK
Select Scan or Autotune from your TV or converter box control menu to start the scanning process. Your TV will do the rest. This process usually takes a few minutes to complete.
Once your re-scan is complete you will find your favorite stations and maybe a few more. If you have re-scanning difficulties, you can usually find instructions by selecting the Set-Up or Menu button on your television or converter box remote control.
Select Scan or Autotune from your TV or converter box control menu to start the scanning process. Your TV will do the rest. This process usually takes a few minutes to complete.
Once your re-scan is complete you will find your favorite stations and maybe a few more. If you have re-scanning difficulties, you can usually find instructions by selecting the Set-Up or Menu button on your television or converter box remote control.
Interesting Mosquito Facts
We are in the season, so thought some juicy
tidbits might be in order. Of the 3,000 species of mosquitoes
around the world, at least 150 are found in the United States,
and 85 of those can be found in Texas.
The female mosquitoes, which are the ones that sting and suck blood, are the transmitter of disease, and the deadliest animals in the world. Each year, the malaria parasites they transmit kill 2 million to 3 million people and infect another 200 million or more. They also spread pathogens that cause yellow fever, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya, and West Nile disease.
Not every species of mosquito sucks blood from people, and among those that do, not every one transmits disease. Males live entirely on nectar and other plant fluids, and the females’ diet is primarily plant-based, too. Most of the time, they only go after people when they are ready to reproduce, because blood contains lipids, proteins, and other nutrients needed for the production of eggs.
What you see sticking out of a mosquito’s face is the labium, which sheaths the mouth parts that really do all the work. The labium bends back when a mosquito bites, allowing these other parts to pass through its tip and do their thing. The sharp, pointed mandibles and maxillae, which both come in pairs, are used to pierce the skin, and the hollow hypopharynx and the labrum are used to deliver saliva and draw blood, respectively.
The saliva that gets pumped out from the hypopharynx during a bite is necessary to reduce our blood’s tendency to clot. It contains a number of chemicals that suppress vascular constriction, blood clotting, and platelet aggregation.
An old wife's tale is that you can flex a muscle close to the bite site or stretch your skin taut so the mosquito cannot pull out its proboscis and your blood pressure will fill the bug until it bursts. The consensus among entomologists is that this is nonsense.
The female mosquitoes, which are the ones that sting and suck blood, are the transmitter of disease, and the deadliest animals in the world. Each year, the malaria parasites they transmit kill 2 million to 3 million people and infect another 200 million or more. They also spread pathogens that cause yellow fever, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya, and West Nile disease.
Not every species of mosquito sucks blood from people, and among those that do, not every one transmits disease. Males live entirely on nectar and other plant fluids, and the females’ diet is primarily plant-based, too. Most of the time, they only go after people when they are ready to reproduce, because blood contains lipids, proteins, and other nutrients needed for the production of eggs.
What you see sticking out of a mosquito’s face is the labium, which sheaths the mouth parts that really do all the work. The labium bends back when a mosquito bites, allowing these other parts to pass through its tip and do their thing. The sharp, pointed mandibles and maxillae, which both come in pairs, are used to pierce the skin, and the hollow hypopharynx and the labrum are used to deliver saliva and draw blood, respectively.
The saliva that gets pumped out from the hypopharynx during a bite is necessary to reduce our blood’s tendency to clot. It contains a number of chemicals that suppress vascular constriction, blood clotting, and platelet aggregation.
An old wife's tale is that you can flex a muscle close to the bite site or stretch your skin taut so the mosquito cannot pull out its proboscis and your blood pressure will fill the bug until it bursts. The consensus among entomologists is that this is nonsense.
Elections Interference
Trying to influence elections goes back a
long way in the US. During 1757 George Washington stood for
election to the House of Burgesses representing Frederick
County, Virginia. He won only 40 votes out of more than 580 cast
by the male landowners of the jurisdiction, an embarrassing
defeat.
According to his close aide and political adviser at the time, his defeat was caused in part, by his failure to provide suitable liquid refreshment to voters, an oversight which his opponents took advantage of. Washington, who had publicly avowed that he would never stoop to such underhanded tactics, reconsidered his position during the election of 1758. He directed his friend and adviser, Colonel James Wood of the Virginia Colonial militia, to ensure potential supporters were better treated.
Washington purchased rum, whiskey, wine, beer, and hard cider, according to his own account books, spending the equivalent of about $9,000. His supply included nearly 50 gallons of beer, a like amount of wine, three full barrels of rum (over 100 gallons) and a half-pint of brandy, presumably for his own consumption.
In winning he received nearly 400 votes, though the exact count varies depending on the source, and his alcohol supply ensured there was at least a half-gallon of libations for each Washington supporter available at the polling site.
He never again lost an election, though he never again needed to ply his supporters with liquids to achieve success. It should be noted that juicing the voters was a common practice during the 18th century, and one reason why sales of alcohol were for many years in America proscribed while the polls were open.
According to his close aide and political adviser at the time, his defeat was caused in part, by his failure to provide suitable liquid refreshment to voters, an oversight which his opponents took advantage of. Washington, who had publicly avowed that he would never stoop to such underhanded tactics, reconsidered his position during the election of 1758. He directed his friend and adviser, Colonel James Wood of the Virginia Colonial militia, to ensure potential supporters were better treated.
Washington purchased rum, whiskey, wine, beer, and hard cider, according to his own account books, spending the equivalent of about $9,000. His supply included nearly 50 gallons of beer, a like amount of wine, three full barrels of rum (over 100 gallons) and a half-pint of brandy, presumably for his own consumption.
In winning he received nearly 400 votes, though the exact count varies depending on the source, and his alcohol supply ensured there was at least a half-gallon of libations for each Washington supporter available at the polling site.
He never again lost an election, though he never again needed to ply his supporters with liquids to achieve success. It should be noted that juicing the voters was a common practice during the 18th century, and one reason why sales of alcohol were for many years in America proscribed while the polls were open.
Jul 20, 2019
Happy Friday
You cannot learn a deep
appreciation of happiness if you do not dive in.
I always dive in to appreciate a Happy Friday!
I always dive in to appreciate a Happy Friday!
Historical Facts and Time Perception
When we think of historical facts, we
often confuse the sequence of events in history.
The Coliseum in Rome, Italy, was unveiled in 80 A.D., about the same time the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible were written.
Oxford University in England was created before the emergence of the Aztec Empire in modern Mexico.
Tiffany & Company is older than the nation of Italy. The Italian Republic did not happen until 1861 and Tiffany was founded in 1837.
The Titanic sank the same month that Boston’s Fenway Park opened during 1912 and the same year vitamins and Oreos were invented.
The fax machine was invented the same year the first wagon crossed the Oregon Trail in 1843.
The Brooklyn Bridge was being built during the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.
Nintendo was founded when Jack the Ripper was still on the loose in 1889.
Buffalo Bill Cody was alive at the same time the Germans were bombing with Zeppelins in 1916.
Cowboy Wyatt Earp was a movie consultant in his later years and knew William S. Hart, Tom Mix, Charlie Chaplin, Jack London, and more. He died in 1929.
Marilyn Monroe, Chuck Berry, Queen Elizabeth, Don Rickles, and Fidel Castro were born the same year in 1926.
Prisoners arrived at Auschwitz just days after the original McDonald's was founded in May, 1940.
The guillotine was still in use when Jimmy Carter was President of the United States, the year the first Star Wars was released, the year Charlie Chaplin Died, and Apple was incorporated. The last person was beheaded by the device in France during 1977.
The first man to achieve powered flight lived to see it accomplished at speeds faster than sound. Orville Wright lived until 1948, a year after a plane passed the speed of sound during 1947, and a few years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed in 1945.
The last eligible Civil War widow and American pensioner from the Civil War died in 2008. Pensions payable to surviving children and their spouses continued until at least 2017. That means the United States was continuing to incur costs related to the Civil War over 150 years after it ended.
Woolly mammoths were still roaming the earth when the pyramids were built at Giza. The great mammals coexisted with humans for several thousand years and the date of their final demise is several centuries after the construction of the pyramids.
Americans were on the moon in July, 1969, before women in Switzerland were allowed to vote in October, 1969.
The Coliseum in Rome, Italy, was unveiled in 80 A.D., about the same time the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible were written.
Oxford University in England was created before the emergence of the Aztec Empire in modern Mexico.
Tiffany & Company is older than the nation of Italy. The Italian Republic did not happen until 1861 and Tiffany was founded in 1837.
The Titanic sank the same month that Boston’s Fenway Park opened during 1912 and the same year vitamins and Oreos were invented.
The fax machine was invented the same year the first wagon crossed the Oregon Trail in 1843.
The Brooklyn Bridge was being built during the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.
Nintendo was founded when Jack the Ripper was still on the loose in 1889.
Buffalo Bill Cody was alive at the same time the Germans were bombing with Zeppelins in 1916.
Cowboy Wyatt Earp was a movie consultant in his later years and knew William S. Hart, Tom Mix, Charlie Chaplin, Jack London, and more. He died in 1929.
Marilyn Monroe, Chuck Berry, Queen Elizabeth, Don Rickles, and Fidel Castro were born the same year in 1926.
Prisoners arrived at Auschwitz just days after the original McDonald's was founded in May, 1940.
The guillotine was still in use when Jimmy Carter was President of the United States, the year the first Star Wars was released, the year Charlie Chaplin Died, and Apple was incorporated. The last person was beheaded by the device in France during 1977.
The first man to achieve powered flight lived to see it accomplished at speeds faster than sound. Orville Wright lived until 1948, a year after a plane passed the speed of sound during 1947, and a few years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed in 1945.
The last eligible Civil War widow and American pensioner from the Civil War died in 2008. Pensions payable to surviving children and their spouses continued until at least 2017. That means the United States was continuing to incur costs related to the Civil War over 150 years after it ended.
Woolly mammoths were still roaming the earth when the pyramids were built at Giza. The great mammals coexisted with humans for several thousand years and the date of their final demise is several centuries after the construction of the pyramids.
Americans were on the moon in July, 1969, before women in Switzerland were allowed to vote in October, 1969.
Cure Brain Freeze
According to Johns Hopkins University, a bout of radiating
pain in your head after eating cold food is known as cold
neuralgia or sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia. It is likely
caused by your body entering survival mode when it detects a
freezing temperature on the roof of the mouth: our system
constricts blood vessels in the palate to preserve our core
temperature. When they rapidly open back up, a pain signal is
sent to the brain via the trigeminal nerve. Since that nerve
leads directly to the midface and forehead, your face bears the
brunt of the referred pain from the mouth.
A brain freeze typically lasts less than five minutes, but when your head is throbbing, that can feel like forever. To minimize the pain, the best strategy is to warm the palate up. You can do this by pressing your tongue or a thumb against the roof of your mouth, by drinking a warm liquid, or both. Covering your face and breathing into your hands can also warm the air inside your mouth that was chilled by the ice cream.
A brain freeze typically lasts less than five minutes, but when your head is throbbing, that can feel like forever. To minimize the pain, the best strategy is to warm the palate up. You can do this by pressing your tongue or a thumb against the roof of your mouth, by drinking a warm liquid, or both. Covering your face and breathing into your hands can also warm the air inside your mouth that was chilled by the ice cream.
Wordology, Eke
If we see the word eke these days, it is when we "eke out" a
living, but it comes from an old verb meaning to add,
supplement, or grow. It is the same word that gave us eke-name
for additional name, which later became nickname.
Robocalls
During May, 2019 robocallers rang Americans' smartphones an
estimated 4.7 billion times, according to YouMail, a company
that makes an app that helps users block suspected spam calls.
That is nearly double the amount from two years ago, reflecting
the extent to which fraudsters have outwitted carriers such as
AT&T and Verizon, lawmakers on Capitol Hill and the
government's chief robocall cops, including the Federal
Communications Commission.
At Tufts Medical Center, administrators registered more than 4,500 robocalls between about 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. on April 30, 2018.
Testifying in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, it stressed robocalls represent a "serious threat" to the Tampa-based facility, which serves more than 60,000 patients each year. Over a 90-day period, robocallers rang more than 6,600 times using numbers that mimicked its own, which it estimated had consumed 65 hours of hospital response time. That came in addition to about 300 robocalls that appeared to be coming from numbers affiliated with the U.S. Department of Justice. Callers sought to swindle physicians into surrendering critical information that might make it easier for scammers to obtain prescription drugs fraudulently.
At Tufts Medical Center, administrators registered more than 4,500 robocalls between about 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. on April 30, 2018.
Testifying in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, it stressed robocalls represent a "serious threat" to the Tampa-based facility, which serves more than 60,000 patients each year. Over a 90-day period, robocallers rang more than 6,600 times using numbers that mimicked its own, which it estimated had consumed 65 hours of hospital response time. That came in addition to about 300 robocalls that appeared to be coming from numbers affiliated with the U.S. Department of Justice. Callers sought to swindle physicians into surrendering critical information that might make it easier for scammers to obtain prescription drugs fraudulently.
Robocall Popular Area Codes
The list from the app HIYA shows popular area
codes and number of unwanted calls. Looks like Texas is popular.
area code, area code region, estimated unwanted calls
214 Dallas, TX 210,590,643
817 Fort worth, TX 177,353,949
210 San Antonio, TX 167,494,351
512 Austin, TX 141,493,980
832 Houston, TX 125,617,537
404 Atlanta, GA 104,613,003
205 AL 98,239,446
area code, area code region, estimated unwanted calls
214 Dallas, TX 210,590,643
817 Fort worth, TX 177,353,949
210 San Antonio, TX 167,494,351
512 Austin, TX 141,493,980
832 Houston, TX 125,617,537
404 Atlanta, GA 104,613,003
205 AL 98,239,446
Veggie Cutting Tip
Place your cutting board in a sheet pan to keep your table clean
when dealing with messy veggies.
Five Canadian Inventions
Here are a few things many do not know were
invented in Canada.
Peanut Butter - Although American agricultural pioneer George Washington Carver is often credited for inventing peanut butter, the first patent for the spreadable substance was actually given to Montreal, Canada’s Marcellus Gilmore Edson in 1884.
IMAX - Canadian filmmakers Graeme Ferguson and Roman Kroitor first pioneered the technology of high-resolution images on huge screens at Montreal’s Expo ’67.
Hockey Mask - No surprise with this one. The hockey mask, which has helped keep many a goaltender’s face intact, was first worn regularly by Montreal Canadiens player Jaques Plante in 1959.
World Time Zones - Canadian railroad engineer Sandford Fleming came up with the idea of creating 24 time zones across the entire globe, which would form “international standard time.” In 1884 at the International Meridian Conference in Washington, D.C., his ideas were eventually adopted worldwide.
Trivial Pursuit - During 1979, Montreal Gazette picture editor Chris Haney and sports journalist Scott Abbott came up with Trivial Pursuit, which became the biggest phenomenon in game history, with over 100 million copies of the game sold.
Peanut Butter - Although American agricultural pioneer George Washington Carver is often credited for inventing peanut butter, the first patent for the spreadable substance was actually given to Montreal, Canada’s Marcellus Gilmore Edson in 1884.
IMAX - Canadian filmmakers Graeme Ferguson and Roman Kroitor first pioneered the technology of high-resolution images on huge screens at Montreal’s Expo ’67.
Hockey Mask - No surprise with this one. The hockey mask, which has helped keep many a goaltender’s face intact, was first worn regularly by Montreal Canadiens player Jaques Plante in 1959.
World Time Zones - Canadian railroad engineer Sandford Fleming came up with the idea of creating 24 time zones across the entire globe, which would form “international standard time.” In 1884 at the International Meridian Conference in Washington, D.C., his ideas were eventually adopted worldwide.
Trivial Pursuit - During 1979, Montreal Gazette picture editor Chris Haney and sports journalist Scott Abbott came up with Trivial Pursuit, which became the biggest phenomenon in game history, with over 100 million copies of the game sold.
Sashimi vs. Sushi
Sashimi is thinly sliced raw meat, usually fish, such as
salmon or tuna, that is served without rice. Sashimi always contains fresh raw meat or
seafood. Sashi mi ("pierced flesh" in Japanese).
Sushi is not raw fish, but rather vinegared rice that is mixed with other ingredients, which may or may not include raw fish. Raw fish is one of the traditional ingredients in sushi, but it may also be made without meat or with cooked seafood as long as it uses vinegared rice. Sushi ("it is sour" in Japanese).
Sushi is not raw fish, but rather vinegared rice that is mixed with other ingredients, which may or may not include raw fish. Raw fish is one of the traditional ingredients in sushi, but it may also be made without meat or with cooked seafood as long as it uses vinegared rice. Sushi ("it is sour" in Japanese).
Jul 12, 2019
Happy Friday
Smiles are beneficial
to the body, happiness to the soul.
I keep my body and soul happy with both, especially on a Happy Friday!
I keep my body and soul happy with both, especially on a Happy Friday!
National French Fry Day
July 13 National French Fry Day on July 13 is a
great opportunity to take the time to sample some golden-brown
potato slices. Estimates say Americans eat about 20 to 30 pounds
per person per year. survey of 1,000 Americans)
AMERICA’S ULTIMATE RANKING OF FAST FOOD FRIES
#1: McDonalds (35%)
#2: Chick-fil-A (13%)
#3: Five Guys (12%)
#4: Wendys (11%)
#5: Arbys (11%)
AMERICA’S ULTIMATE RANKING OF FAST FOOD FRIES
#1: McDonalds (35%)
#2: Chick-fil-A (13%)
#3: Five Guys (12%)
#4: Wendys (11%)
#5: Arbys (11%)
Bottled Water
Bottled water is now the largest beverage category by volume in
the US. Food & Water Watch explains that 64 percent of
bottled water comes from municipal tap water sources, sometimes
further treated and sometimes not.
The plastic that seals bottled water uses petroleum, which raises environmental concerns and causes a negative environmental impact. Discarded one-time-use plastic water bottles turn up everywhere and are more negative than plastic straws. The plastic used to make single-use water bottles also contains chemicals called endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A. BPA and other endocrine disruptors alter the way the body makes and uses certain hormones, which could have negative health consequences.
The plastic that seals bottled water uses petroleum, which raises environmental concerns and causes a negative environmental impact. Discarded one-time-use plastic water bottles turn up everywhere and are more negative than plastic straws. The plastic used to make single-use water bottles also contains chemicals called endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A. BPA and other endocrine disruptors alter the way the body makes and uses certain hormones, which could have negative health consequences.
National Yellow Pigs Day
July 17 is the day we celebrate Yellow Pigs Day (not
to be confused with national pig day in March). Yellow Pigs Day
is a mathematician's holiday celebrating yellow pigs and the
number 17. It is celebrated annually since the early 1960's,
primarily on college campuses, and primarily by mathematicians.
On campus, Yellow Pig Cake and Yellow Pig Carols, along with
parades and general revelry are tradition. The mythical yellow
pig has 17 toes, 17 teeth, 17 eyelashes, etc. Incidentally,
fear of the number 17 is called heptadecaphobia.
Robocalls Data
According to recent reports, 48 billion robocalls were made to
U.S. mobile phone users in 2018, with scams making up 40 percent
of all robocalls. Only 3 to 5 percent of people return these
calls which can net criminals thousands of dollars each.
Identity theft scams in particular have become increasingly
popular and potentially more lucrative for the bad guys.
Bird Migrations
We think humans travel far, but it seems some birds have us
beat and without planes or Uber. Of the nearly 10,000 species of
birds, about 19% (1,850 species) are considered to be migratory.
The 13-15 inch, 3.5 ounce Arctic Tern takes the prize for the
longest migration at an astounding 44,000 miles (71,000 km)
annually on average.
By tagging the birds, scientists learned the shortest migration was 36,900 miles (60,000 km) while the longest was 50,700 miles (81,000 km). For perspective, the circumference of the Earth is 24,901 miles (40,075 km).
This migration is completed annually at every life stage. The Arctic Tern can live for 35 years, so a single bird can potentially travel about 1.5 million miles (2.4 million km) in its lifetime.
During its migration, the Arctic Tern completes a round trip from Greenland, traversing the Weddell Sea and flying along the shores of Antarctica. The birds take a break at sea over the North Atlantic Ocean while they fuel up on food. Once this break is completed, the birds head down the coast of northwest Africa, around the Cape Verde Islands, then off the west coast of Africa towards Senegal.
Rather than traveling straight back along the path they came, they instead travel in a twisted ‘S’ shaped pattern through the Atlantic Ocean. Though this route adds many miles to their trip, the birds take advantage of the global wind system and use less energy, thanks to the wind currents.
By tagging the birds, scientists learned the shortest migration was 36,900 miles (60,000 km) while the longest was 50,700 miles (81,000 km). For perspective, the circumference of the Earth is 24,901 miles (40,075 km).
This migration is completed annually at every life stage. The Arctic Tern can live for 35 years, so a single bird can potentially travel about 1.5 million miles (2.4 million km) in its lifetime.
During its migration, the Arctic Tern completes a round trip from Greenland, traversing the Weddell Sea and flying along the shores of Antarctica. The birds take a break at sea over the North Atlantic Ocean while they fuel up on food. Once this break is completed, the birds head down the coast of northwest Africa, around the Cape Verde Islands, then off the west coast of Africa towards Senegal.
Rather than traveling straight back along the path they came, they instead travel in a twisted ‘S’ shaped pattern through the Atlantic Ocean. Though this route adds many miles to their trip, the birds take advantage of the global wind system and use less energy, thanks to the wind currents.
Climate Change History
Could not resist this bit of history from the
climate groupies. We only had until the year 2000 before
disaster would strike. Seems these dates change like the dates
for the doomsayers predicting the end of the earth. As each date
passes, another ominous warning and another 'disaster' date is
set.
"U.N. Predicts Disaster if Global Warming Not Checked, PETER JAMES SPIELMANN June 30, 1989
UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ A senior U.N. environmental official says entire nations could be wiped off the face of the Earth by rising sea levels if the global warming trend is not reversed by the year 2000. Coastal flooding and crop failures would create an exodus of eco- refugees, threatening political chaos, said Noel Brown, director of the New York office of the U.N. Environment Program, or UNEP.
He said governments have a 10-year window of opportunity to solve the greenhouse effect before it goes beyond human control. As the warming melts polar icecaps, ocean levels will rise by up to three feet, enough to cover the Maldives and other flat island nations, Brown told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday."
"U.N. Predicts Disaster if Global Warming Not Checked, PETER JAMES SPIELMANN June 30, 1989
UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ A senior U.N. environmental official says entire nations could be wiped off the face of the Earth by rising sea levels if the global warming trend is not reversed by the year 2000. Coastal flooding and crop failures would create an exodus of eco- refugees, threatening political chaos, said Noel Brown, director of the New York office of the U.N. Environment Program, or UNEP.
He said governments have a 10-year window of opportunity to solve the greenhouse effect before it goes beyond human control. As the warming melts polar icecaps, ocean levels will rise by up to three feet, enough to cover the Maldives and other flat island nations, Brown told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday."
More YouTube Interesting Facts
Here are some interesting tidbits to
one-up your friends.
- YouTube is the
second largest search engine in the world. It processes more
queries than Bing and Yahoo combined. (It also means Google
owns the world’s two most popular search engines).
- Ten years of new
video is uploaded every day with 72 hours of newly uploaded
video every minute.
- The first
Spanish-language video on YouTube to amass more than 1 billion
views was Enrique Iglesias’ reggaeton song, Bailando.
- The only non-music video in the most watched YouTube videos of all time is a Russian-language version of an episode of children's TV show, Masha and The Bear. It has been watched 3.4 billion times and counting.
- In total, 17
different videos have held the record for being the most
watched video on YouTube. The current holder is Luis Fonsi’s
hit, Despacito LINK
with over 6 billion views. (Gangnam Style has only a bit over
3 billion views)
- The YouTube Rewind 2018 video is universally disliked with 15 million downvotes in its first month.
- Of the 7 billion videos available, more than 20 percent of videos are switched off within the first 10 seconds of playback.
- We watch four
billion hours of video every month—that is 456,621 years
worth.
Wordology, Philematology
Researchers discovered two out of three
people tilt their heads to the right when kissing. Doctors say
it strengthens our immune system and slows down the ageing
process.
- Just thinking about a kiss increases the flow of saliva, which in turn loosens plaque.
- A normal kiss burns
6.4 calories per minute and an average kiss lasts 12 seconds.
- People kiss in 90
percent of the countries worldwide. How and why differs from
one country to the next. Three cheek kisses are a standard
welcome in France, while in Japan; people only kiss if both
parties want sex.
- Germany ranks second
with four kisses per day behind Sweden on the list of
countries that are stingy kissers.
- People in France and
Italy kiss an average of seven times per day.
- It is forbidden to kiss women in public on a Sunday in Michigan and Connecticut.
Samsung Note Emergency SOS Feature
I had a chance encounter with an
SOS feature was not aware of. Was trying to increase volume
while on a call and rapidly pressed the "On/Off" button three
times by accident. It activated the feature.
The phone took a back picture, forward picture, captured my location, and sent all the info to my phone emergency contacts, along with SOS text. All this activity took place while I was on a call and did not notice anything happening. Imagine my emergency contact's surprise (and fear) and mine.
It is a great feature and should be more widely discussed. Having the ability to picture surroundings and provide location could be a life saver in many situations. PS - warn your emergency contacts before you test it.
The phone took a back picture, forward picture, captured my location, and sent all the info to my phone emergency contacts, along with SOS text. All this activity took place while I was on a call and did not notice anything happening. Imagine my emergency contact's surprise (and fear) and mine.
It is a great feature and should be more widely discussed. Having the ability to picture surroundings and provide location could be a life saver in many situations. PS - warn your emergency contacts before you test it.
Wordology, Gerrymander
The US Supreme Court recently ruled that it
has no authority to decide cases that challenge partisan
gerrymandering, a practice in which political parties draw
Congressional districts to increase votes in their favor.
By redrawing the borders of electoral districts, members of a given political party can cram the opposition’s supporters into as few precincts as possible, thus grabbing a disproportionate amount of power.
The tactic gets its name after a one-time vice president. Elbridge Gerry was born on July 17, 1744. He was a native of Marblehead, Massachusetts.
In 1787, with the war over, Gerry took part in the Constitutional Convention and was the person who moved to include a Bill of Rights.
Early in 1812, Democratic-Republican legislators laid out new districts which shoehorned most Federalist Party supporters into a handful of precincts. Due to this redesign of maps, Federalist candidates for the state Senate earned 1602 more votes than their Jeffersonian opponents did. Yet, because of these new precincts, the Democratic-Republican Party nabbed 29 seats to the Federalist’s 11.
Districts now came in all manner of irregular shapes. Particularly infamous was one such division in Essex County. This squiggly precinct looked like a mythical salamander. Thus, the name “Gerrymander” was born.
By redrawing the borders of electoral districts, members of a given political party can cram the opposition’s supporters into as few precincts as possible, thus grabbing a disproportionate amount of power.
The tactic gets its name after a one-time vice president. Elbridge Gerry was born on July 17, 1744. He was a native of Marblehead, Massachusetts.
In 1787, with the war over, Gerry took part in the Constitutional Convention and was the person who moved to include a Bill of Rights.
Early in 1812, Democratic-Republican legislators laid out new districts which shoehorned most Federalist Party supporters into a handful of precincts. Due to this redesign of maps, Federalist candidates for the state Senate earned 1602 more votes than their Jeffersonian opponents did. Yet, because of these new precincts, the Democratic-Republican Party nabbed 29 seats to the Federalist’s 11.
Districts now came in all manner of irregular shapes. Particularly infamous was one such division in Essex County. This squiggly precinct looked like a mythical salamander. Thus, the name “Gerrymander” was born.
National Bikini Day
July 5 is National Bikini Day and celebrates the anniversary
of the invention of the two-piece bathing suit. Due to its
risqué design, the bikini was slow to be adopted, but it
gradually gained acceptance when film stars began to wear
bikinis on public beaches and in their films. Incidentally,
it is named after hydrogen bomb testing that was conducted at
Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific during World War II.
July 4th Celebration Beginning
After the members of the Second Continental
Congress approved and signed the Declaration of Independence in
1776, John Adams wrote about the occasion in a letter to his
wife Abigail: "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by
succeeding Generations as the great anniversary Festival." He
suggested that it should "be commemorated as the Day of
Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty." and "It
ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games,
Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one end of
this continent to the other from this time forward forever
more."
Adams was talking about July 2, 1776, when the document was approved and signed, and not July 4th, when it was formally adopted by the Continental Congress. For the remainder of his life, Adams considered July 2 to be America's true Independence Day, and he was so upset when the Fourth became the accepted holiday that he refused to participate in any celebrations on that date.
Adams was talking about July 2, 1776, when the document was approved and signed, and not July 4th, when it was formally adopted by the Continental Congress. For the remainder of his life, Adams considered July 2 to be America's true Independence Day, and he was so upset when the Fourth became the accepted holiday that he refused to participate in any celebrations on that date.
Suntan, Sunscreen, Sunblock
Suntan lotion is for tanning. It only blocks
enough UV light to prevent sun burns, but enough to get a more
tan complexion with enough sun exposure.
Sun screen is a more casual protection. It blocks more UV light than suntan lotion, but is a light enough formula that it does not alter the appearance of skin while it is on.
Sun block is a formula which blocks significantly more UV light; however it tends to go on very thick. The smell of it also tends to linger even after you rub it in. This formula is ideal for being in full sun, such as when on the beach.
Check this LINK for SPF information.
Sun screen is a more casual protection. It blocks more UV light than suntan lotion, but is a light enough formula that it does not alter the appearance of skin while it is on.
Sun block is a formula which blocks significantly more UV light; however it tends to go on very thick. The smell of it also tends to linger even after you rub it in. This formula is ideal for being in full sun, such as when on the beach.
Check this LINK for SPF information.
Pontefract Liquorice Festival
Every July, the town celebrates its leading
role in England’s love affair with licorice (known as
“liquorice” in the country), in particular through the “Pomfret”
or Pontefract cake. Created in 1760, these black, coin-shaped
“lozenges” were made of cooked licorice sap and could be
dissolved in water. Once used to treat ailments and sweeten
other medicines, the cake eventually became better known as a
snack toward the end of the 19th century. Licorice-based fashion
is a big part of the annual festival, which began in the 1990s,
with some years featuring all kinds of wearable confectionery,
including dresses, licorice-lined boots, and even a licorice
jewelry-making station. For those who might not be interested in
candy-coated fashion, the town also provides free travel on the
“Liquorice Land Train” to Pontefract Castle, where people can
take a tour. For the tried and true licorice lovers, the
festival features a vast array of classic licorice savory snacks
such as licorice-laden Yorkshire pies and sausage rolls.
Futures Vs. Options
Futures contracts require the transaction specified by the
contract must take place on the date specified. Futures
contracts are agreements to trade an underlying asset at a
future date at a predetermined price. Both the buyer and the
seller are obligated to transact on that date. Futures are
standardized contracts traded on an exchange where they can be
bought and sold by investors.
Options give the buyer of the contract the right, but not the obligation to execute the transaction. Options can be exercised at any time before they expire. There are two types of options: call and put options. Call options give the buyer a right, but not the obligation to buy the underlying asset at a predetermined price before the expiry date. A put option gives the option-buyer the right to sell the security.
Both options and futures contracts are standardized agreements that are traded on an exchange such as the NYSE or NASDAQ or the BSE or NSE. There is daily settlement for both options and futures, and a margin account with a broker is required to trade options or futures. Investors use these financial instruments to hedge their risk or to speculate. The underlying assets for both futures and options contracts can be stocks, bonds, currencies, or commodities.
One of the key differences between options and futures is that options are optional. The option contract itself may be bought and sold on the exchange, but the buyer of the option is never obligated to exercise the option. The seller of an option is obligated to complete the transaction if the buyer chooses to exercise at any time before the expiry date for the options.
Options give the buyer of the contract the right, but not the obligation to execute the transaction. Options can be exercised at any time before they expire. There are two types of options: call and put options. Call options give the buyer a right, but not the obligation to buy the underlying asset at a predetermined price before the expiry date. A put option gives the option-buyer the right to sell the security.
Both options and futures contracts are standardized agreements that are traded on an exchange such as the NYSE or NASDAQ or the BSE or NSE. There is daily settlement for both options and futures, and a margin account with a broker is required to trade options or futures. Investors use these financial instruments to hedge their risk or to speculate. The underlying assets for both futures and options contracts can be stocks, bonds, currencies, or commodities.
One of the key differences between options and futures is that options are optional. The option contract itself may be bought and sold on the exchange, but the buyer of the option is never obligated to exercise the option. The seller of an option is obligated to complete the transaction if the buyer chooses to exercise at any time before the expiry date for the options.
Microwaves Revisited
Microwaving changes the molecular structure of food. It has
been scientifically proven that microwaving changes the
molecular structure of food. This is called cooking.
There are two kinds of radiation: (1) ionizing, the high-energy kind produced by nuclear bombs, radioactive elements, etc., and (2) non-ionizing, the relatively low-energy type we encounter every day in the form of light, heat, and radio waves. Microwaves are located between radio and heat (infrared) as non-ionizing.
Microwave heating is different from conventional heating because, microwaves only affect molecules having polarity or positive and negative ends, which rotate rapidly back and forth as the microwaves pass through. A common type of polar molecule is water, which is distributed fairly evenly throughout many foods.
Infrared energy warms up almost any molecule it passes through. While ordinary heat gets absorbed by the outer layer of a food and only slowly penetrates to the interior, microwave energy passes through most of the food as though it were transparent and heats up mainly the water, and to a degree fats and sugars, which in turn heat up everything else. The food thus cooks mostly uniformly. Yes, microwaved foods are still safe to eat.
There are two kinds of radiation: (1) ionizing, the high-energy kind produced by nuclear bombs, radioactive elements, etc., and (2) non-ionizing, the relatively low-energy type we encounter every day in the form of light, heat, and radio waves. Microwaves are located between radio and heat (infrared) as non-ionizing.
Microwave heating is different from conventional heating because, microwaves only affect molecules having polarity or positive and negative ends, which rotate rapidly back and forth as the microwaves pass through. A common type of polar molecule is water, which is distributed fairly evenly throughout many foods.
Infrared energy warms up almost any molecule it passes through. While ordinary heat gets absorbed by the outer layer of a food and only slowly penetrates to the interior, microwave energy passes through most of the food as though it were transparent and heats up mainly the water, and to a degree fats and sugars, which in turn heat up everything else. The food thus cooks mostly uniformly. Yes, microwaved foods are still safe to eat.
Food For Flying
Here is an updated list of foods you can take through airport
security. Cakes, Pies, Sandwiches, Apples, Bananas, Oranges,
Sliced Fruit, Firm Cheese, Meat, Candy, Gum, Brownies, Cookies,
Pastries, Granola Bars, Pretzels, Chips,
Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers, and Fries. Even though an item is
allowed to pass through security with you, it does not mean it
will not be given a review. For instance, cakes and pies are
permitted as carry-on items, but could require additional
screening.
Equinox vs. Solstice
You could
almost think of them as opposites. The word "solstice" comes
from the Latin roots "sol," meaning sun, and "sistere," meaning
"stationary." That refers to the fact that during a solstice,
the sun rises and appears to stop in the middle of the sky for a
while before it sets. As a result, the summer solstice is the
longest day of the year.
If you are on the opposite side of the globe from that sunny standstill, you would experience a winter solstice, the longest night of the year. The winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere. The summer solstice occurs on June 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and on December 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere.
The word "equinox," comes from the Latin roots "aequus," meaning equal, and "nox," meaning night. On the equinox, day and night last for exactly the same amount of time. Spring equinox means spring has arrived. The vernal equinox happens about March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and September 23 in the Southern Hemisphere. The autumnal equinox occurs near September 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and March 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Picture the Earth as it circles the sun. Our planet does not sit directly upright as it rotates; its axis of rotation is actually tilted by about 23.4 degrees, always pointed in the same direction in space. In the same way you get more sun on your shoulders if you are sitting up in your beach chair than you will if you are lounging flat, some areas of the Earth get more sunlight depending on where its axis is pointing. That, in turn, depends on where the planet is in its revolution around the sun.
For example, when it's the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is at a point in its revolution where its axis points away from the sun and the Northern Hemisphere gets the least amount of sunlight. If you were standing at the North Pole, you wouldn't get any sunlight at all. The Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, would get its biggest helping of sunlight all year, making it the summer solstice there. In Antarctica, the sun never sets during this period.
Whereas the Earth's axis is tilted directly toward or away from the sun during a solstice, it's tilted directly askew from the sun during an equinox. To use the sunbathing example again, it's as if you rotated your body parallel to the towel clockwise you get the same amount of sun on your front and back as if you had rotated the other way. At this time, the sun is directly above the equator, and that means that day and night are of equal length. But not for long: A new season is upon you, which means shorter nights (or days!) and more (or less!) sunlight to enjoy.
If you are on the opposite side of the globe from that sunny standstill, you would experience a winter solstice, the longest night of the year. The winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere. The summer solstice occurs on June 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and on December 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere.
The word "equinox," comes from the Latin roots "aequus," meaning equal, and "nox," meaning night. On the equinox, day and night last for exactly the same amount of time. Spring equinox means spring has arrived. The vernal equinox happens about March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and September 23 in the Southern Hemisphere. The autumnal equinox occurs near September 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and March 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Picture the Earth as it circles the sun. Our planet does not sit directly upright as it rotates; its axis of rotation is actually tilted by about 23.4 degrees, always pointed in the same direction in space. In the same way you get more sun on your shoulders if you are sitting up in your beach chair than you will if you are lounging flat, some areas of the Earth get more sunlight depending on where its axis is pointing. That, in turn, depends on where the planet is in its revolution around the sun.
For example, when it's the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is at a point in its revolution where its axis points away from the sun and the Northern Hemisphere gets the least amount of sunlight. If you were standing at the North Pole, you wouldn't get any sunlight at all. The Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, would get its biggest helping of sunlight all year, making it the summer solstice there. In Antarctica, the sun never sets during this period.
Whereas the Earth's axis is tilted directly toward or away from the sun during a solstice, it's tilted directly askew from the sun during an equinox. To use the sunbathing example again, it's as if you rotated your body parallel to the towel clockwise you get the same amount of sun on your front and back as if you had rotated the other way. At this time, the sun is directly above the equator, and that means that day and night are of equal length. But not for long: A new season is upon you, which means shorter nights (or days!) and more (or less!) sunlight to enjoy.
Geeks Vs. Nerds
According to many, there are differences. The most significant
differences between geeks and nerds are that geeks are more into
pop culture references, such as picking out plot holes in Star
Wars. Nerds are more interested in academic achievement and the
pursuit of knowledge.
TV Antenna Usage
Fast Company reports on a survey by the Consumer Technology
Association (CTA) that found during 2018, 31% of US households
had an antenna hooked up to at least one television, up from 28%
in 2015, but among 25- to 34-year-olds, antenna adoption was
even higher than average, at 45%. Among the 65 to 74 age
demographic, only 19% used an antenna.
Income was not a factor in antenna ownership, suggesting that many are looking to escape cable’s high prices, regardless of financial status.
Income was not a factor in antenna ownership, suggesting that many are looking to escape cable’s high prices, regardless of financial status.
How Many of You
There are 329,525,658 people in the United States of America.
The US Census Bureau statistics tell us that there are at least
151,671 different last names and 5,163 different first names in
common use in the United States. Some names are more common than
others. For instance, there are 47,647 people named John Smith in the
United States. Here is an interesting site that allows you to
input your name and see if there are any others who share the
same name. LINK Happy Hunting!
Amazon Fire Vs. Roku
Amazon Fire TV, the set-top-box streaming platform, now
says it has 34 million users, making it the leading OTT
platform, overtaking Roku. Roku says it has 29.1 million active
accounts. One in three smart TVs in US is a Roku.
Wordology, Balter
I can balter and know others who balter, but many never admit
it. Balter means to dance badly.
Average American and Phones
During 2019 the average American checks their
phone 52 times a day, according to a consumer survey. The
average age at which an American child receives their first
phone is now 10.3 years old.
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