Jul 13, 2011
What's in a Name, Ballpeen
Laughing Cures
Laughing helps get blood flowing round the body.
A good old belly laugh can help heal leg ulcers, according to experts. The Leeds University team said good nursing and the occasional laugh was a better way to get the body healing than using the latest technology.
Hospitals and health clinics are increasingly using low-dose ultrasound for leg ulcers, but the five-year study of 337 patients found it did nothing to speed up recovery, the British Medical Journal reported.
Instead, lead researcher Professor Andrea Nelson said, "They key to care with this group of patients is to stimulate blood flow back up the legs to the heart. The best way to do that is with compression bandages and support stocking coupled with advice on diet and exercise. Believe it or not, having a really hearty chuckle can help too. This is because laughing gets the diaphragm moving and this plays a vital part in moving blood around the body."
During the study, the team concentrated on patients with hard-to-heal ulcers that had not cleared up after six months or longer. They found that adding ultrasound to the standard approach to care - dressings and compression therapy - made no difference to the speed of healing or the chance of ulcers coming back. And that's no laughing matter.
A good old belly laugh can help heal leg ulcers, according to experts. The Leeds University team said good nursing and the occasional laugh was a better way to get the body healing than using the latest technology.
Hospitals and health clinics are increasingly using low-dose ultrasound for leg ulcers, but the five-year study of 337 patients found it did nothing to speed up recovery, the British Medical Journal reported.
Instead, lead researcher Professor Andrea Nelson said, "They key to care with this group of patients is to stimulate blood flow back up the legs to the heart. The best way to do that is with compression bandages and support stocking coupled with advice on diet and exercise. Believe it or not, having a really hearty chuckle can help too. This is because laughing gets the diaphragm moving and this plays a vital part in moving blood around the body."
During the study, the team concentrated on patients with hard-to-heal ulcers that had not cleared up after six months or longer. They found that adding ultrasound to the standard approach to care - dressings and compression therapy - made no difference to the speed of healing or the chance of ulcers coming back. And that's no laughing matter.
Death Valley
In July 1913, the highest temperature ever recorded in the continental United States was 134 degrees which melted thermometers that day in Death Valley, California. I thought it was cooler before global warming started.
Jul 8, 2011
Happy Friday
Your attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards you.
My attitude makes me determined to have a Happy Friday!
My attitude makes me determined to have a Happy Friday!
Spit Your Age
Dr. Eric Vilain, a professor of human genetics, pediatrics and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "With just a saliva sample, we can accurately predict a person's age without knowing anything else about them." Vilain and his colleagues looked at a process called methylation – a chemical modification of one of the four building blocks that make up our DNA.
"While genes partly shape how our body ages, environmental influences also can change our DNA as we age," explained Vilain. "Methylation patterns shift as we grow older and contribute to aging-related disease."
Using saliva samples contributed by 34 pairs of identical male twins ages 21 to 55, UCLA researchers scoured the genomes and identified 88 sites on the DNA that strongly correlated methylation to age. They replicated their findings in a general population of 31 men and 29 women aged 18 to 70.
Next, the scientists built a predictive model using two of the three genes with the strongest age-related linkage to methylation. When they plugged in the data from the twins' and the other group's saliva samples, they were able to correctly predict a person's age within five years – an unprecedented level of accuracy. "Methylation's relationship with age is so strong that we can identify how old someone is by examining just two of the 3 billion building blocks that make up our genome," said first author Sven Bocklandt.
"While genes partly shape how our body ages, environmental influences also can change our DNA as we age," explained Vilain. "Methylation patterns shift as we grow older and contribute to aging-related disease."
Using saliva samples contributed by 34 pairs of identical male twins ages 21 to 55, UCLA researchers scoured the genomes and identified 88 sites on the DNA that strongly correlated methylation to age. They replicated their findings in a general population of 31 men and 29 women aged 18 to 70.
Next, the scientists built a predictive model using two of the three genes with the strongest age-related linkage to methylation. When they plugged in the data from the twins' and the other group's saliva samples, they were able to correctly predict a person's age within five years – an unprecedented level of accuracy. "Methylation's relationship with age is so strong that we can identify how old someone is by examining just two of the 3 billion building blocks that make up our genome," said first author Sven Bocklandt.
Richard Branson
Britain's Sir Richard Branson is a self-made billionaire businessman. He founded Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Records, Virgin Mobile, and most recently, a space tourism company to provide suborbital trips into space for anyone who can afford them. Branson has dyslexia and was a poor student, so he quit school at age 16 and moved to London, where he began his first successful entrepreneurial activity, publishing Student magazine. Not bad for a high school dropout.
Cola
The primary flavoring ingredients in a cola drink are sugar, citrus oils (from oranges, limes, or lemon fruit peel), tamarind, cinnamon, vanilla and an acidic flavorant. Manufacturers of cola drinks add trace ingredients to create distinctively different tastes for each brand. Trace flavorings may include nutmeg and a wide variety of ingredients, including vanilla and cinnamon. Acidity is often provided by phosphoric acid, citric acid or other isolated acids. Coke also uses a cocaine-free coca leaf extract
Coca-Cola's original two key ingredients were cocaine and caffeine. The cocaine was derived from the coca leaf and the caffeine from kola nut, leading to the name Coca-Cola (the "K" in Kola was replaced with a "C" for marketing purposes.
Kola nuts come from Kola trees grown in Africa.
Coca-Cola's original two key ingredients were cocaine and caffeine. The cocaine was derived from the coca leaf and the caffeine from kola nut, leading to the name Coca-Cola (the "K" in Kola was replaced with a "C" for marketing purposes.
Kola nuts come from Kola trees grown in Africa.
Actress Shoe Sizes
Here is some completely useless, but maybe interesting information about what size shoes some actresses wear.
Tila Tequila- Singer- size 5 1/2
Jennifer Aniston- Actress- size 6
Kathie Lee Gifford- Talk Show Host- size 6
Britney Spears- Singer- size 6 1/2
Shania Twain- Singer- size 6 1/2
Heather Locklear- Actress- size 7
Paula Abdul- American Idol Judge- size 7 1/2
Pamela Anderson- Actress- size 8
Jennifer Lopez- Singer, Actress- size 8 1/2
Julia Roberts- Actress- size 9
Sandra Bullock- Actress- size 9
Cindy Crawford- Model- size 9
Barbra Walters- Talk Show Host- size 9
Jennifer Garner- Actress- size 9 1/2
Anna Kournikova- Tennis Player- size 9 1/2
Tyra Banks- Model, Talk Show Host- size 10
Mariah Carey- Singer- size 10
Angelina Jolie- Actress- size 10
Whoopi Goldberg- Talk Show Host- size 11
Paris Hilton- Heiress- size 11
That's about the size of it. Interesting that Paris Hilton and Whoopi Goldberg wear the same size.
Tila Tequila- Singer- size 5 1/2
Jennifer Aniston- Actress- size 6
Kathie Lee Gifford- Talk Show Host- size 6
Britney Spears- Singer- size 6 1/2
Shania Twain- Singer- size 6 1/2
Heather Locklear- Actress- size 7
Paula Abdul- American Idol Judge- size 7 1/2
Pamela Anderson- Actress- size 8
Jennifer Lopez- Singer, Actress- size 8 1/2
Julia Roberts- Actress- size 9
Sandra Bullock- Actress- size 9
Cindy Crawford- Model- size 9
Barbra Walters- Talk Show Host- size 9
Jennifer Garner- Actress- size 9 1/2
Anna Kournikova- Tennis Player- size 9 1/2
Tyra Banks- Model, Talk Show Host- size 10
Mariah Carey- Singer- size 10
Angelina Jolie- Actress- size 10
Whoopi Goldberg- Talk Show Host- size 11
Paris Hilton- Heiress- size 11
That's about the size of it. Interesting that Paris Hilton and Whoopi Goldberg wear the same size.
What's in a Name Swastika
The swastika symbol has been around for thousands of years. early meaning from the word is translated as 'good to be' or 'well being'. It has long been popular in Eastern cultures and was a common decoration that often adorned postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika was found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division. American and Canadian Indians also used the symbol with various positive meanings.
Germany began using it during the 1800s because it had ancient Aryan/Indian origins, to represent a long Germanic/Aryan history (before Hitler). It is now outlawed in Germany.
In 1920, Hitler decided that the Nazi Party needed its own insignia and flag. The new flag had to be "a symbol of our own struggle" as well as "highly effective as a poster," from Mein Kampf. The symbol was turned on a 45 degree angle and took on a new meaning equated with hate, death, and murder. It became popularly used in his 1935 flag.
Budhists and Hindus continue to use it as a religious symbol. Since the Nazi use of the swastika, many are trying to differentiate the two meanings of the swastika by varying its direction, with the clockwise Nazi version to mean hate and death, and the counter-clockwise version to keep the ancient meaning of life and good-luck. Either way it will continue to evoke strong emotions.
Germany began using it during the 1800s because it had ancient Aryan/Indian origins, to represent a long Germanic/Aryan history (before Hitler). It is now outlawed in Germany.
In 1920, Hitler decided that the Nazi Party needed its own insignia and flag. The new flag had to be "a symbol of our own struggle" as well as "highly effective as a poster," from Mein Kampf. The symbol was turned on a 45 degree angle and took on a new meaning equated with hate, death, and murder. It became popularly used in his 1935 flag.
Budhists and Hindus continue to use it as a religious symbol. Since the Nazi use of the swastika, many are trying to differentiate the two meanings of the swastika by varying its direction, with the clockwise Nazi version to mean hate and death, and the counter-clockwise version to keep the ancient meaning of life and good-luck. Either way it will continue to evoke strong emotions.
Sundae
On this day in 1881, it was born in Edward Berner’s drug store. The owner put ice cream in a dish and poured the syrup on top (chocolate syrup was only used for making flavored and ice-cream sodas, which could not be purchased on Sunday at the time). Because it was Sunday, he called it an ice cream Sunday. The spelling was later changed to sundae.
Jul 5, 2011
How to Change Time
The government is about to begin year-long experiments that may literally change time, at least the time on your microwave or coffee pot. It may begin as early as this month.
The time service department at the U.S. Naval Observatory, one of two official timekeeping agencies in the federal government, and the group that oversees the U.S. power grid is proposing an experiment which would allow more frequency variation in electricity than it does now. The purpose is to find ways to make the grid more cost effective.
Some clocks keep time based on the rate of the electrical current that powers them. If the current varies, clocks run fast or slow. Power companies monitor and correct the frequency to keep it constant.
Obviously, computers, TVs with cable, and other devices that are not plugged or get the time signal from another source in will not be affected.
The North American Electric Reliability Corp. which runs the nation's interlocking web of transmission lines and power plants says East Coast clocks may run as much as 20 minutes fast over a year, with other parts of the country having less of an effect. It is also possible that the effects will be negligible. The good news is that it is set to happen before the election, so if your fuses start popping, you can correct it in the voting booth. As Kermit says, "Time's fun when you are having flies."
The time service department at the U.S. Naval Observatory, one of two official timekeeping agencies in the federal government, and the group that oversees the U.S. power grid is proposing an experiment which would allow more frequency variation in electricity than it does now. The purpose is to find ways to make the grid more cost effective.
Some clocks keep time based on the rate of the electrical current that powers them. If the current varies, clocks run fast or slow. Power companies monitor and correct the frequency to keep it constant.
Obviously, computers, TVs with cable, and other devices that are not plugged or get the time signal from another source in will not be affected.
The North American Electric Reliability Corp. which runs the nation's interlocking web of transmission lines and power plants says East Coast clocks may run as much as 20 minutes fast over a year, with other parts of the country having less of an effect. It is also possible that the effects will be negligible. The good news is that it is set to happen before the election, so if your fuses start popping, you can correct it in the voting booth. As Kermit says, "Time's fun when you are having flies."
Beverly Hills Bacon
In an exclusive upscale Beverly Hills hotel bar called simply
£10. Here is the table setting. Notice the center of the table with the bacon in the glass along with the other bar munchies. A bit of class in the glass.
Burning Calories
On average, 42% of an adult man’s body mass is made up of skeletal muscle. For women, that number drops to 36% on average. Contrary to popular myth, skeletal muscles consume about 6 calories per pound per day, not 50. So, if you weigh approximately 180 pounds and are a man, your skeletal muscles will burn around 454 calories per day when you just sit around all day.
Fat cells will burn about 2 calories per pound per day. How much of your body mass is made up of fat cells varies greatly from person to person, but you can use a body fat test to get that number and then calculate how many calories your fat cells burn per day. Average male is 18% - 25%, female is 25% - 31%. Wow, another 64 burned calories for sitting around.
Bone cells burn about 1 calorie per pound. If you are a man, on average about 15% of your body mass is made up of bone (another 27 calories for just sitting around). For women, that number is around 12%. Sit back, relax, burn some calories.
Fat cells will burn about 2 calories per pound per day. How much of your body mass is made up of fat cells varies greatly from person to person, but you can use a body fat test to get that number and then calculate how many calories your fat cells burn per day. Average male is 18% - 25%, female is 25% - 31%. Wow, another 64 burned calories for sitting around.
Bone cells burn about 1 calorie per pound. If you are a man, on average about 15% of your body mass is made up of bone (another 27 calories for just sitting around). For women, that number is around 12%. Sit back, relax, burn some calories.
Jul 1, 2011
Happy Friday
Deep doubts, deep wisdom; small doubts, little wisdom.
No doubts, wisdom says I am going to have a Happy Friday!
No doubts, wisdom says I am going to have a Happy Friday!
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