If you are reading Friday Thoughts, you are probably a curious person. Well, here is some good news. It also means that you are likely intelligent. Something we all knew, but now science is on our side.
Scientists from University of Toronto and the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital have discovered a molecular link between intelligence and curiosity.
Sep, 2009, the journal, Neuron published results from researchers, who studied the interaction of two proteins in a small region of the brain in the hippocampus, which plays an important role in long-term memory and spatial navigation.
For the study, the neuronal calcium sensor-1, a protein was increased by one-and-a-half times in mice. This modest overexpression increased the ability of brain cells to change how they communicate with each other and gave the mice superior memory in complex tasks and a significant increase in exploratory behavior (curiosity).
The scientists believe they have discovered a region of the brain that generates curiosity and a model for how brain activity leads to curiosity. They believe that fostering curiosity should also foster intelligence and vice versa, which may lead to the development of drugs to improve learning. I'm curious, when can we get some of those drugs?
Sep 25, 2009
New Book Reader
Asus just announced a new ebook reader with two, color, touch screens that will fold up like a real book.
The device will probably be shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2010 and it will likely be cheaper than Kindle and Sony e-book readers. The consumer launch is planned for late 2009 or early 2010.
More readers from other manufacturers are also scheduled to come out this year or early next year, but they are all black and white.
One version might have a webcam, microphone, speaker, and the ability to make calls via Skype.
The device will probably be shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2010 and it will likely be cheaper than Kindle and Sony e-book readers. The consumer launch is planned for late 2009 or early 2010.
More readers from other manufacturers are also scheduled to come out this year or early next year, but they are all black and white.
One version might have a webcam, microphone, speaker, and the ability to make calls via Skype.
Quotable
Curiosity is the very basis of education and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I say only, the cat died nobly.
Did You Know
Aegilops (goat grass) is the longest word with its letters arranged in alphabetical order.
Spoonfed is the longest word with its letters arranged in reverse alphabetical order.
Spoonfed is the longest word with its letters arranged in reverse alphabetical order.
Sep 23, 2009
Oldest Person Dies
Here is an inspiration - Gertrude Baines, the world's oldest known person, who once quipped she had won the genetic lottery, recently died at a nursing home. She was 115 and was born in 1894 in Shellman, Ga. and claimed the title of the world's oldest living person when a 115-year-old woman, Maria de Jesus, died in Portugal in January.
Nurses at Western Convalescent Hospital described Baines as a modest woman who liked to watch the 'Jerry Springer Show' and eat fried chicken, bacon, and ice cream.
The oldest person in the world is now Kama Chinen, 114, who lives in Japan and was born May 10, 1895.
The oldest person who ever lived was Jeanne-Louise Calment, who was 122 when she died Aug. 4, 1997, in Arles, France. There is still hope for me, fried chicken and bacon, Yumm! I knew bacon was good for me.
Nurses at Western Convalescent Hospital described Baines as a modest woman who liked to watch the 'Jerry Springer Show' and eat fried chicken, bacon, and ice cream.
The oldest person in the world is now Kama Chinen, 114, who lives in Japan and was born May 10, 1895.
The oldest person who ever lived was Jeanne-Louise Calment, who was 122 when she died Aug. 4, 1997, in Arles, France. There is still hope for me, fried chicken and bacon, Yumm! I knew bacon was good for me.
Speaking of Bacon
Now you can have a squeeze bacon and squeeze cheese sandwich.
The Wayback Machine
It is a 150 billion page web archive of web pages as they were before they changed. Think of it as a perpetual inventory of web pages, showing what each page looked like at any one point in time. It has documents, videos, audio, and many interesting things to pleasantly waste your time for days.
It serves about 500 queries per second from the approximately 4.5 Petabytes (4.5 million gigabytes) of archived web data. The cluster of computers and the Modular Datacenter acts as a single massive computer.
The Wayback Machine is a tribute to the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show's "Waybac Machine" which in turn was a reference to the Univac Sherman and Peabody live on.
It serves about 500 queries per second from the approximately 4.5 Petabytes (4.5 million gigabytes) of archived web data. The cluster of computers and the Modular Datacenter acts as a single massive computer.
The Wayback Machine is a tribute to the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show's "Waybac Machine" which in turn was a reference to the Univac Sherman and Peabody live on.
Speaking of Way Back
Bullwinkle's name came from a friend of Jay Ward's, Clarence Bullwinkel, who was a property owner in Berkeley, California and also owned a Chevrolet dealership. J Troplong 'Jay' Ward was the creator and producer of Bullwinkle and many other animated series, including Dudley Do-Right, George of the Jungle, Crusader Rabbit, Super Chicken, and more.
The narrator of Bullwinkle was William Conrad (d 1994) who played Cannon on TV and was the voice of Marshall Dillon on the radio version of Gunsmoke. He also narrated the TV Fugitive series and 'The Making of Star Wars'.
Gunsmoke also had Chester Proudfoot on radio, but on TV it was Chester Goode, played by Dennis Weaver. Milburn Stone was Doc Adams on radio and TV. Burt Reynolds, born in Lansing, MI. 1936 was the Gunsmoke TV blacksmith, Quint Asper. from 62 - 65. Amanda Blake, Miss Kitty, passed away in 1989
The narrator of Bullwinkle was William Conrad (d 1994) who played Cannon on TV and was the voice of Marshall Dillon on the radio version of Gunsmoke. He also narrated the TV Fugitive series and 'The Making of Star Wars'.
Gunsmoke also had Chester Proudfoot on radio, but on TV it was Chester Goode, played by Dennis Weaver. Milburn Stone was Doc Adams on radio and TV. Burt Reynolds, born in Lansing, MI. 1936 was the Gunsmoke TV blacksmith, Quint Asper. from 62 - 65. Amanda Blake, Miss Kitty, passed away in 1989
Dollar Coins
Did you ever wonder who the heck Sacagawea (sacka ja we a) was and what her babie's name was. The Shoshone woman, Sacagawea, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is shown on the coin carrying her son Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, who was later nicknamed Pomp. She was a slave girl, given to Toussaint Charbonneau, a French trader born in Montreal. She was six months pregnant when she joined the expedition.
The new 2009 Sacagawea dollar, along with the Presidential Dollar series, is one of the two current United States dollar coins.
The coins are made from pure copper with a manganese brass outer clad. Unlike most other coins in circulation, the outer alloy has a tendency to tarnish quite severely in circulation, resulting in a loss of the golden patina. The Mint suggests the uneven tarnishing effect gives the the coins an antique finish that accentuates the profile and adds depth to the depiction of Sacagawea and her child.
Four designs will be minted, each for one year from 2009 to 2012. The first Native American series coin was released in January 2009 and has a reverse that depicts a Native American woman sowing seeds of the Three Sisters, symbolizing the Indian tribes' contributions to agriculture. Like the Presidential Dollar, the year of issue, mint mark, and motto E Pluribus Unum have been moved to the edge of the coin to allow more room for the design.
Unlike the Presidential $1 coins from before 2009, "In God We Trust" will remain on the front and the vacant space on the edge lettering will be taken up by thirteen stars, symbolizing the Thirteen Colonies.
The chief stumbling-block to the success of the golden dollar is the continued presence of the $1 bill. The lesson demonstrated by the Susan B. Anthony, experience, and learned by all countries that have introduced a high-denomination coin since 1979, is that the equivalent paper note must be removed from circulation. The only country not to learn that lesson is the United States
Although the Sacagawea dollar is not widespread in the United States, it is very popular in Ecuador and other foreign countries that have made the US dollar their currency. An estimated 500 million coins, approximately half of those minted, are used in Ecuador, El Salvador, and other Latin American countries
The new 2009 Sacagawea dollar, along with the Presidential Dollar series, is one of the two current United States dollar coins.
The coins are made from pure copper with a manganese brass outer clad. Unlike most other coins in circulation, the outer alloy has a tendency to tarnish quite severely in circulation, resulting in a loss of the golden patina. The Mint suggests the uneven tarnishing effect gives the the coins an antique finish that accentuates the profile and adds depth to the depiction of Sacagawea and her child.
Four designs will be minted, each for one year from 2009 to 2012. The first Native American series coin was released in January 2009 and has a reverse that depicts a Native American woman sowing seeds of the Three Sisters, symbolizing the Indian tribes' contributions to agriculture. Like the Presidential Dollar, the year of issue, mint mark, and motto E Pluribus Unum have been moved to the edge of the coin to allow more room for the design.
Unlike the Presidential $1 coins from before 2009, "In God We Trust" will remain on the front and the vacant space on the edge lettering will be taken up by thirteen stars, symbolizing the Thirteen Colonies.
The chief stumbling-block to the success of the golden dollar is the continued presence of the $1 bill. The lesson demonstrated by the Susan B. Anthony, experience, and learned by all countries that have introduced a high-denomination coin since 1979, is that the equivalent paper note must be removed from circulation. The only country not to learn that lesson is the United States
Although the Sacagawea dollar is not widespread in the United States, it is very popular in Ecuador and other foreign countries that have made the US dollar their currency. An estimated 500 million coins, approximately half of those minted, are used in Ecuador, El Salvador, and other Latin American countries
Quotable
We all know the back of a coin is called the reverse, but did you know the front of a coin is called the obverse.
Laughter is Truly the Best Medicine
And it's free. Research is ongoing regarding the potential health benefits of laughter. Still to be proven is if the sense of humor and positive attitude behind laughter are also helpful.
When we laugh, we increase our pulse rate and blood pressure, and the effects may be similar to exercise. Researchers have estimated that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes burns 50 calories. Other studies suggest laughter improves blood flow, immune responses, and blood sugar levels.
Research looking at the connection between mind and body suggests that repeated doses of laughter, and even anticipation of laughter, can lead to positive physical changes.
In a paper presented at the American Physiological Society, they found that the hormones beta-endorphins (which elevate mood) and human growth hormone (which builds immunity) increased by 27% and 87 % respectively in patients exposed to "mirthful laughter."
Another study found that laughter reduced three key stress hormones; cortisol, epinephrine, and dopac -- by 38 percent to 70 percent. Significantly high levels of those three hormones have long been linked to compromised immune systems.
Laughter promotes all kinds of good endorphins, which help reduce pains and promotes deep breathing.
In another study, they found that the same anticipation of mirthful laughter reduced the levels of three detrimental stress hormones. Cortisol, adrenaline, and dopac, were reduced 39, 70, and 38%, respectively.
A group of 20 high-risk diabetic patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia were divided into two groups: Group C (control) and Group L (laughter). Both groups were started on standard medications for diabetes and Group L viewed self-selected humor for 30 minutes in addition to the standard therapies.
The patients in the laughter group had lower epinephrine and norepinephrine levels by the second month, suggesting lower stress levels. They also increased HDL (good) cholesterol and had lower levels of inflammation.
At the end of one year, the laughter group HDL cholesterol had risen by 26 percent, and only 3 percent in the Group Control. Harmful C-reactive proteins decreased 66% in the laughter group vs. 26% for the control group.
Take these in small doses, but not in the office - Link 1 Link 2 Link 3
The study suggests that the addition of an adjunct therapeutic laughter prescription to standard diabetes care may lower stress and inflammatory response and increase "good" cholesterol levels. The authors conclude that laughter may thus lower the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Hey, if you want some good laughs and to get fit at the same time, try some of my joke books, especially 'Medical Humor - medical nonsense to tickle your funnybone'. Don't forget to use the 'search inside' feature to get a detail look at the contents.
When we laugh, we increase our pulse rate and blood pressure, and the effects may be similar to exercise. Researchers have estimated that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes burns 50 calories. Other studies suggest laughter improves blood flow, immune responses, and blood sugar levels.
Research looking at the connection between mind and body suggests that repeated doses of laughter, and even anticipation of laughter, can lead to positive physical changes.
In a paper presented at the American Physiological Society, they found that the hormones beta-endorphins (which elevate mood) and human growth hormone (which builds immunity) increased by 27% and 87 % respectively in patients exposed to "mirthful laughter."
Another study found that laughter reduced three key stress hormones; cortisol, epinephrine, and dopac -- by 38 percent to 70 percent. Significantly high levels of those three hormones have long been linked to compromised immune systems.
Laughter promotes all kinds of good endorphins, which help reduce pains and promotes deep breathing.
In another study, they found that the same anticipation of mirthful laughter reduced the levels of three detrimental stress hormones. Cortisol, adrenaline, and dopac, were reduced 39, 70, and 38%, respectively.
A group of 20 high-risk diabetic patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia were divided into two groups: Group C (control) and Group L (laughter). Both groups were started on standard medications for diabetes and Group L viewed self-selected humor for 30 minutes in addition to the standard therapies.
The patients in the laughter group had lower epinephrine and norepinephrine levels by the second month, suggesting lower stress levels. They also increased HDL (good) cholesterol and had lower levels of inflammation.
At the end of one year, the laughter group HDL cholesterol had risen by 26 percent, and only 3 percent in the Group Control. Harmful C-reactive proteins decreased 66% in the laughter group vs. 26% for the control group.
Take these in small doses, but not in the office - Link 1 Link 2 Link 3
The study suggests that the addition of an adjunct therapeutic laughter prescription to standard diabetes care may lower stress and inflammatory response and increase "good" cholesterol levels. The authors conclude that laughter may thus lower the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Hey, if you want some good laughs and to get fit at the same time, try some of my joke books, especially 'Medical Humor - medical nonsense to tickle your funnybone'. Don't forget to use the 'search inside' feature to get a detail look at the contents.
Sep 18, 2009
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Arrgh! It be celebrated every year on September 19. Here is a website to find more nonsense about the day. There is even a facebook group dedicated to it.
This year, a group, Pirates for Parkinsons, is using the day to march for Parkinsons Disease. To date there are 39 Pirates for Parkinson's walks or events, mostly in the UK, but others include: Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dayton, Ohio; French Pyrenees, France; Ghana; Glasgow, UK; Hong Kong; Johannesburg, SA; Ketchikan, Alaska; Luxembourg; Plano, USA; Stockholm, Sweden; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan; Wellington, NZ; West Bank, Middle East. Glad to see that Plano is included. More info is here. Avast, mateys, have fun for a good cause. Let me know if you see any blonde pirates - They are the ones with patches over both eyes.
This year, a group, Pirates for Parkinsons, is using the day to march for Parkinsons Disease. To date there are 39 Pirates for Parkinson's walks or events, mostly in the UK, but others include: Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dayton, Ohio; French Pyrenees, France; Ghana; Glasgow, UK; Hong Kong; Johannesburg, SA; Ketchikan, Alaska; Luxembourg; Plano, USA; Stockholm, Sweden; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan; Wellington, NZ; West Bank, Middle East. Glad to see that Plano is included. More info is here. Avast, mateys, have fun for a good cause. Let me know if you see any blonde pirates - They are the ones with patches over both eyes.
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