Design Nature Artificially

Lungee problem in U.A.E.

2010-08-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

I happened to read of my friend’s post calling lungi as national dress of Kerala. I thought I should write how the lungi is seen in another part of world. Very few back in Kerala know that lungi has been banned in Sharjah, U.A.E. saying it is improper attire in public.

Here is the news came in Gulf News: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/sharjah-bans-south-asian-attire-lungi-in-public-1.608924.

One sentence, the Asian man in the news said, caught my attention. "My lungi fully covered my legs. Why did the police have to arrest me while you see so many people wearing revealing dresses in public whom no one stops ?!". Almost all living in U.A.E. will know what exactly he meant by that. I would like to describe what he meant by that with some pictures

Men wearing lungis strolling in a Sharjah locality

Women with revealing dresses

Of course, I took these pictures from relevant news in U.A.E, but the message is clear. Now, I leave it to you to decide. During weekends 75% of the women visiting malls in U.A.E. would be wearing so-called-publicly-indecent clothes. The extreme case I saw was a European woman wearing net-like dress revealing her under garments and nudity. Comparatively, the thoub, which is worn in this part of the world, is the worst, especially when one walks against the wind wearing it. When some countries banned full face veil, it’s a violation to human rights, anti-democracy and all that. But the same, in fact… worst, is practiced here in the name of publicly indecent attire.

Sometimes these kind of news force me think of ongoing racism and dislike of Asians, which are common in this part of the world, though media always say otherwise.

Where Adventurer's and Romantics go....

2010-06-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

Part I ..:) (Sorry if u find it too long ..simply couldn't resist writing about the place I found to be so amazingly beautiful :) )

Hope for the best… prepare for the worst…. persistence is the key… have alternate plans handy… the wisdom, I would say, was driven home from this entire trip to Wayanad…the picturesque hilly district set high in the western ghats to the north east of Kerala…



A trip to Wayanad had been a long cherished dream… with planning and re-planning the dates for almost 2 years …people falling in and pulling out of the group till the last minute… a 2-3 days trip being resized to a single day... the whole trip being at the mercy of the monsoon… despite a couple of last minute disappointments and clashes, I am happy to have finally made to this paradisiacal hill town… and what’s more… been to Wayanad twice within a month….so much for the willpower of a hodophile…:)

The first trip which took me to Kuruva Dweep and Thirunelli (Tolpatti being exempted out of the plan in the last minute :( ) was with a close friend and friends of this friend… taking the route through Kuttiadi on an early June morning, we reached Mananthavady town in high spirits and great anticipation fuelled by the sights and smells during our ascend… the infrequent silvery white streaks of small waterfalls on the lush green face of hills, the mist that drifts through deep valleys, the stomach lurching feeling at the bends, the dropping temperature, the occasional brooks that flows down to road  and the smell of woods…… the road to Wayanad itself gives a high sensation of what  is next to come
.



Hiring a Jeep, Kuruva Dweep is a 10 km drive from Mananthavady. Nature has architected it as a uniquely beautiful delta system on the Kabini River. The forest covered island is in the in the form of 9 concentric rings ,with Kabini flowing through the rocky terrains in between. As you cross the rocky slippery streams and reach deeper into the woods the atmosphere becomes cooler and vegetation greener and thicker. Woody climbers overhanging the streams … green meadows, fallen rotting trees, occasional marks made by elephants. The surroundings are so serene that you will find yourself instinctively whispering in hushed tones lest you break the serene mediation of nature ….



The next destination that day was Thirunelli Temple, the ancient temple located  on the foothills of Brahmagiri. According to mythology, Veda vyasa wrote the 18 existing Puranas. Epical tales goes the way that Lord Brahma was travelling round the Earth when he became attracted by the beauty of the area now known as Brahmagiri Hill. Descending on that spot, Brahma noticed an idol of Lord Vishnu set in a gooseberry (Nelli) tree. Legend has it that at Brahma’s request Vishnu promised that the waters of the area would wash away all sins (thus, the spring and river near the temple is called Papanasini – “washes away all sins”). Even today the head priest of the temple leaves a portion of the worship materials in the belief that Lord Brahma himself will come and perform Pooja rites deep in the holy hours of morning.

The famous incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Parasurama, is reputed to have visited Thirunelli and performed last rites at the death of his father sage Jamadagni. He also took immersion in the Papanasini to wipe away sins committed in killing Kshatriyas.

(coursety : wikepedia )
The unmatchable beauty of the forest that surrounds the temple, the cool fresh flavour of the mountain stream, Papanashini and the dark rocky nooks around the stream which seems to harbour the departed souls brings in a spine chilling sensation :). It was here where we were fortunate enough to spot a mountain squirrel amidst the tall standing trees….

The day that was coming to its end compelled us to return back… it was only a glimpse of the majestic beauty of this beautiful land and I was not yet full… longingly I pledged to return back and one of the group members supplied with the appropriate quote for the occasion . “If you really want to come again, you will definitely return.”




Where Adventurer's and Romantics go..contd

                                                             
Yes!!!! I really wanted to and I did return… and I returned much sooner than I expected. This time with a bunch of family friends whom, I am proud to have successfully tempted to undertake the trip and another good friend (cum guide… owing his experience of being to Wayanad 8 times.:))

This time we took the Calicut-Mysore road. It was second week of June and monsoon had set in.Every single person who came to know about the plan had unified opinion... "The climate was too bad for a visit"… but hail the spirit of adventure and romanticism !!! :)

The climb filled me with the same awe and tranquility I had experienced the previous trip… may be a little more. This time Kuruva Dweep was excluded as it was closed down for visit owning to the heavy rain. So we decided to explore the other end… Sultan Batteri – originally the gun emplacement built by Tipu Sulthan. Our plan was to pick the forester friend who had kindly consented and enter the forest at Muthanga by 10 am. We were to proceed with seeing the rest of the places by afternoon. Little did we know that all the glorious plans were to be shuffled :P, thanks to the poaching team from Karnataka which required the forest staff to be on perambulation. So after discussing what would be the best under given circumstances, we were directed to meet another guide at Muthanga around 3 pm. So armed with the new schedule and visit to Pulpalli waterfalls and Pookode lake pushed to the end, we embarked on exploring Edakkal caves so famous for its  pre-historic carvings and paintings. During the 1 hr drive my friend cum our guide filled us with some interesting facts about the forest and ecosystem. The tribes,who collect the precious grains resembling rice from old bamboos which perish after flowering, the poachers who arrive during the rains for the meat of Sambha deers, the Government rule that prohibit the removal of fallen and rotting trees from forests that are believed to harbour at least 300 species of micro flora… the tough life the forest guards and rangers undergo...

The rocky climb to Edakkal caves is almost a steep  90 degree 2 km… and the reward is the  breathtaking view…. phantom hillocks shrouded in mist at a distance, the wet, glistening  slippery moss covered rocks around, the musical sound of flowing water inside the caves and the mystique inscriptions… make one wonder about both... the miracles of  nature and human spirit of exploration that took him atop to the caves…



Destination next was Muthanga forest. Exempted from the usual entrance fee, thanks to the forester friend :), we arrived at the check post by 3.00. We were in a jubilant mood… for the climate was merciful… apart from the occasional drizzle that was more like a pleasure added to the trip, it looked like the heavens were taking a break for the day allowing us to explore… and drink in the beauty of this paradise on earth. Our guide was a cheerful guy in early thirties and as we took the narrow gravel paved road into the forest, he started filling us with tit bits of his life among the flora and fauna.

Muthanga is one among the few areas of Wayanad that still retains its natural forest, though the peripheral part consist of artificial eucalyptus and teak plantations. During the British reign, forests of Wayanad were heavily exploited as a source of timber and other natural resources and eventually the lush green natural forests were replaced by sparse plantations of teak and eucalyptus. But thanks to the new government rule that prevents the falling and removal of trees (even the ones that have fallen due to natural causes). This is in light of the fact that these trees are known to harbour a minimum of 300 different species of micro flora




The narrow gravel paved road eventually tapered into muddy slushed path. The density of the vegetation was slowly on the rise. As the jeep progressed through the wet muddy tracks each one of us were on keen lookout for animals… the one spotting herds of deer, wild pigs or bisons popping up with excitement at the discovery. We were fortunate enough to spot a few herds of deer. And as we would spot an animal, we all would urge the driver to stop as close as possible for capturing them with our cams.


It’s a marvel how animals compensate their lack of speech with their eyes. As we passed through, the deers would give us surprised and startled look and in a moment sprint away disappearing into the bushes… as we entered deeper into the forests we were fortunate enough to spot elephants and wild pigs. A herd of dangerous looking bisons looked up from their lazy grazing and stared at us with a threatening fix, visibly irritated at the encroachment. The guide narrated the tale of terrific jungle fight that happened a month before between a bison and leopard that killed both. A team returning back reported the sighting of a leopard near the Karadimunda junction. We rushed to the Karadiguda junction fully aware of the fact that chances of seeing the wildcat again was but the remotest. The most powerful tool animals have against human invasion is camouflage. Once they hide, they blend so well with the environment that an animal footsteps away can go unnoticed even to an expert’s eye.


Evening was setting in… the sound of crickets echoes constantly in periphery, but the interior of the forest echoes with an eerie silence. A strange calmness shrouds the atmosphere successfully hiding the struggles, turmoil and secrets of the life that inhabits, from the peering human eyes…

Dusk was approaching accompanied by light drizzle, the mood of the jungle was changing and trees had started throwing dark shadows around… it was time to leave.

Driving back our jeep got stuck in a particularly slushy spot. As the guys got down to help, the guide joked about the possibility of an ambush… a freaky prospect indeed...:P

We boarded the bus, partially intoxicated by the sights and smells of the day and partially disappointed at the lack of time to visit few places that we had planned to. Nonetheless we were happy. Electrical lights were coming to life in the sparse human abodes in the valley. As we climbed down the ghats a fear gnawed at my heart, what would we do without the forests? Haven’t we lost enough of our lands to concrete jungles with places like this being our last retreat from the maddening crowd? Isn’t it high time we stop lest the world become one vast desert?

The fog and darkness was slowing down the bus… more time meant more of  mountain breeze to us :)as all of us pledged in our hearts... to return again... and again and again :)
ZQNUYTNW5BGY

gulfnews : US indirectly funding Afghan warlords: report

2010-06-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : US indirectly funding Afghan warlords: report

US indirectly funding Afghan warlords: report

Outsourcing has fueled protection racket, and payments have been made in exchange for safe passage, latest report reveals

Reuters
Published: 12:29 June 22, 2010

US military police of the 293rd Battalion gesture to locals as they patrol in Kandahar.
Image Credit: AFP

Washington: The United States is indirectly paying tens of millions of dollars in protection money to Afghan warlords, and potentially to the Taliban, to secure convoys carrying supplies to US troops in Afghanistan, congressional investigators said in a report.

The Pentagon's system of outsourcing to private companies the task of moving supplies in Afghanistan, and leaving it up to them to provide their own security, frees US troops to focus on counterinsurgency.

But its unintended consequences undermine U.S. efforts to curtail corruption and build an effective Afghan government, according to the report to be reviewed at a congressional hearing on Tuesday.

"This arrangement has fueled a vast protection racket run by a shadowy network of warlords, strongmen, commanders, corrupt Afghan officials, and perhaps others," Representative John Tierney, chairman of a House of Representatives national security subcommittee, said in a statement.

Tierney, a Democrat, said the system "runs afoul" of the Defense Department's own rules and may be undermining the US strategic effort in Afghanistan.

The report by the subcommittee's Democratic staff called protection payments "a significant potential source of funding for the Taliban," citing numerous documents, incidents reports and emails that refer to attempts at Taliban extortion along the road.

Congressional investigators began looking into the Defense Department's $2.16 billion Host Nation Trucking (HNT) contract in November 2009.

The contract covers 70 per cent of the food, fuel, ammunition and other supply distributions to US troops in Afghanistan.

"HNT contractors and trucking subcontractors in Afghanistan pay tens of millions of dollars annually to local warlords across Afghanistan in exchange for 'protection' for HNT supply convoys to support US troops," the report said.

"The HNT contractors frequently referred to such payments as 'extortion,' 'bribes,' 'special security,' and/or 'protection payments,'" the document said.

Many contractors have told US military officials that warlords were demanding protection payments in exchange for safe passage and that these payments were funding the insurgency, the report said. But the contractors concerns were never appropriately addressed, it said.

It faults the Pentagon for a lack of effective oversight of its supply chain and private security contractors.

"The Department of Defense has little to no visibility into what happens to the trucks carrying US supplies between the time they leave the gate to the time they arrive at their destination," the report said.

The congressional investigators said the Defense Department must take direct responsibility for the contractors to ensure robust oversight.

They also recommended a top-to-bottom evaluation of the secondary effects of the HNT contract, including an analysis of corruption and the impact on Afghan politics.

Rejuvenation, Regeneration and Regrowth

2010-06-22T00:13:00.000-07:00

by Dan Eden for viewzone.com

Rejuvenation, Regeneration and Regrowth

A lot of what I write about is concerned about the ancient past or the very near future. This time, however, I'm writing about the here and now. I'll be telling you about an amazing discovery that allows humans to grow new parts for their body -- arms, legs, spinal nerves -- everything. I'll be telling you about how this discovery has revealed what has been described as "the fountain of youth" that can not only stop the aging process, but restore an old person to their youth. You will be surprised to learn that it has been known for quite a while and is the basis for the lore of Vampires and a woman called "The Bloody Lady of Cachtice." All of this is no fantasy. It's science and it's here and now.

I'll also be telling you something you may not want to hear. It is my hope that, after you read it, you will change your life. In fact, it's so important that I know you will.

An Arm and a Leg

A milestone was reached as scientists from the Wistar Institute announced a breakthrough in tissue regeneration in a mammal through the understanding and successful blocking of a single gene, p21[5]. This breakthrough clears the way for humans to re-grow a missing finger, arm, leg, or virtually any cellular tissue much the same way as Newts, sponges, flatworms and some fish already do.

First some background:

The newt is a small salamander that has been show to regenerate a limb or tail when it is accidentally lost. In laboratory experiments, when a leg is amputated, the wound immediately forms a seal to prevent blood loss. But unlike mammals which form a scar, the newt forms a blastema.

The blastema is a mass of undifferentiated cells -- much like the cells of an embryo -- which have the ability to change into skin, bone and vascular cells, as needed. These cells quickly undergo differentiation and reproduce to form the missing tissue and underlying structures to make the salamander whole again. The newt can not only regenerate an arm, leg or tail but can also do the same for its retina and intestines.

Another remarkable example of tissue regneration is found in the zebra fish. Only two inches long, it's found in many home aquariums. The zebra fish has been famous for growing lost fins, often the favorite "snack" for larger aquarium fish. Hobbyists have noted that these are completely re-grown with no signs of damage within a few weeks. But scientists are most interested in how this small fish can re-grow its damaged heart.[3]

In laboratory experiments the zebra fish's heart is clipped, severing the lower ventricle. Within seconds the wound clots and is sealed as cells covering the tiny heart rapidly grow to encase the chamber. The cells lining the heart then quickly divide to form new muscle cells, completely repairing the heart with no residual scar.

In mammals, like humans, damage to the heart muscle results in an inflexible scar which not only replaces the muscle with useless tissue but impedes the movement of the heart, causing it to overwork and eventually fail. Understanding how to re-grow and rejuvenate cardiac muscle -- like the zebra fish does -- would prevent the number one cause of death for humans.

Until now, this kind of regeneration was impossible for mammals. When humans suffer a traumatic injury, our bodies quickly mobilize a clotting factor to stop the bleeding. The clotted blood then forms a membrane that inhibits regeneration and later forms a scar. While the discovery of the function of gene p21, as you will see, will allow us to regrow lost parts, scientists are also quickly learning how to rejuvenate and re-grow damaged muscle fibers.

Mouse ears reveal the secret

Investigations of human diseases are often conducted on mice. Over the past decades mice have been bred to have certain genetic problems that mimic human diseases. In this way appropriate treatments can be evaluated in without the risk to humans. A certain mouse species called the Murphy Roths Large (MRL for short) varierty has been popular in studying auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis and diabetes. The MRL mice lack a gene called p21.

Experimenting with many different varieties of mice can get confusing. Some laboratories punch small holes in the animals' ears to readily identify their specific breed. This procedure was used at the Wistar Institute to identify the MRL mice in an experiment. But when the mice were left in their cages with other mice for several days these holes had completely healed! The tissue had vascularized and even re-grew hairs. Of course this totally ruined their experiment but it made the researchers curious about how and why this happened.

The answer was simple. The MRL mice lacked one gene -- p21 -- which, it turns out, stopped the membrane and scarring that prevents tissue rejuvenation. The absence of this single gene resulted in complete healing and re-growth of their cells. It was determined that this gene was responsible for preventing mammals from re-growing tissue like the salamander and zebra fish.

According to Dr. Ellen Heber-Katz of Wistar's Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis program,

"Much like a newt that has lost a limb, these mice will replace missing or damaged tissue with healthy tissue that lacks any sign of scarring. While we are just beginning to understand the repercussions of these findings, perhaps, one day we'll be able to accelerate healing in humans by temporarily inactivating the p21 gene.
In normal cells, p21 acts like a brake to block cell cycle progression in the event of DNA damage, preventing the cells from dividing and potentially becoming cancerous. In these mice without p21, we do see the expected increase in DNA damage, but surprisingly no increase in cancer has been reported."

Experiments have since succeeded in regenerating a mouse limb on the MRL mice and the application of this gene manipulation should allow the same techniques to be used on humans who have suffered traumatic amputations. Scientists are now working on methods to temporarily shut off p21 in human tissue. The most efficient and safe way should be ready for trials very soon.

One promising method for shutting off a gene is called RNA Interference. RNA interference (RNAi), which naturally occurs in cells, is a process in which brief RNA sequences, called small interfering RNA (siRNA) block signals from a particular gene. This process, called gene silencing, inhibits the gene from carrying out its function of creating a protein or another gene product. The body often uses RNAi as a defense against the action of hostile viruses.

Over the past few years, biomedical researchers have been investigating how they might eventually harness RNAi in new medicines. Another line of research uses RNAi as a research tool, investigating the functions of specific genes by studying what happens when RNAi temporarily silences them -- a process calling "knocking down" the gene.

Teeth Also!

Robey is chief of the Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the NIH. Says Robey,

For thousands of years, losing teeth has been a routine part of human aging. That's over. We're there, right now. A lot of people will go and never lose a tooth. With good health care and proper habits, there's no reason to lose a tooth, short of a knuckle sandwich.

Recently, a Japanese team from the Tokyo University of Science, led by associate professor Takashi Tsuji, reported in Nature Methods that it had successfully regrown a tooth from cells extracted from mouse embryos. The researchers were able to transplant the tooth into an adult mouse, and the tooth bud continued to grow to full size.

Teeth in mice, much like those in humans, form during embryonic development from two major cell types: epithelial and mesenchymal. Epithelial cells give rise to the outer enamel, while mesenchymal cells form a tooth's inner connective tissue and blood vessels. Takashi's team isolated both kinds of cells from multiple mouse embryos, then transferred them to a collagen gel culture, in which the cells interacted to form a tooth bud. Researchers then transplanted the bud into the liver of an adult mouse, where the increased blood supply aided further tooth formation. Finally, Takashi inserted the tooth into an empty cavity within the mouse's mouth, in which it grew to full size.

For humans, a better approach may be to use adult stem cells, which can be obtained from a patient's hair, skin, or other tissue; manipulated with the right molecular cues to form any kind of tissue; then transplanted back into the same person with less rejection problems. However, obtaining such cells from human bone marrow is a painful process. In the next three years, scientists hope to identify more-accessible stem cells that may be able to form not only teeth, but also -- and more important -- roots.

A group of researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) recently regrew tooth roots in pigs using adult stem cells from wisdom teeth. The team, led by Songtao Shi, assistant professor of USC's School of Dentistry, isolated stem cells from the extracted wisdom teeth of 18-to-20-year-old humans. From these cells, the researchers successfully recreated a tooth's root and periodontal ligament, which, when transplanted into the oral cavity of a pig, could support a synthetic crown. Shi says it is a promising start, and his team hopes to begin human trials within the next few years. Eventually, he envisions being able to isolate stem cells from sources such as wisdom teeth, then store them for future use should the patient require dental attention down the line.

In the next few years, Shi and others anticipate great strides in the area of tooth regeneration.

The Fountain of Youth

Regenerating certain cells has always been possible for the human body. But this natural ability has so far been limited to certain tissues that are subjected to extreme wear and tear. Our skin sheds and replaces billions of cells on a regular basis as does out liver and the cells that line our intestines. Our muscles also tear and are replaced, and it was when scientists examined this process that they discovered something amazing.

Muscle cells are shaped in long fibers that form bundles. Inside these bundles of muscle cells are special satellite cells. Satellite cells are stem cells. When stimulated, they are able to differentiate and to form new muscle fibres. These cells represent the oldest known stem cells and are involved in the normal growth of muscle, as well as regeneration following injury or disease.

Young and old muscle tissue have these satellite cells, but the cells in older muscle do not work as efficiently and so regeneration is slower or incomplete. This is why old age often manifests in muscle wasting and weakness.

Microscopic examination of satellite cells[1] reveals that they contain protruding organs called a notch delta. Half of this organ is outside the cell membrane (delta) and senses changes in the intercellular environment while the other half (notch) is surrounded by the cell's cytoplasm. The delta notch can sense the damage of neighboring muscle cells and triggers the nucleus to activate its RNA transcription and effect repairs. It is this ability to trigger regeneration that slows or stops in aged tissue. Although scientists could clearly observe these sluggish notch delta in aged satellite cells they didn't know why it was happening.

The breakthrough came when Thomas A. Rando of Stanford University[2] surgically joined pairs of mice like reconnected Siamese twins. He linked the animals' circulatory systems so that blood from each member of a pair flowed through both mice. One mouse in each pair was old; the other was young.

Rando wanted to find out whether the declines of satellite cells should be attributed to changes in the satellite cells themselves (faulty delta notch organs) or to changes in the cells' environment as the animals aged. Amazingly, the blood of the young mice completely restored the tissue-healing powers of the satellite cells in the older mice! The delta notch organs functioned with no problems. Rando showed that the decline is a response to changes in the blood, not the result of an inherent wearing out of the stem cells themselves.

"There clearly is an effect of aging on satellite cells. But I think the other question is ... are those changes reversible or irreversible?" --Rando

When satellite cells from old mice were isolated in a culture and the young serum (liquid part of blood) was applied, the same improvement in rejuvenation was observed. It seems that the serum of young blood is capable of not only stopping the age related deficiencies -- but of reversing it. The stem cells were not the problem; rather, it was their intracellular environment.

The leap from making mice more youthful to doing the same for humans is not that far. In fact, we have some rather gruesome evidence that this method has already been implemented.

In the 15th century there was the famous case of Elizabeth Bathory, the so-called "Bloody Lady of Cachtice," who bathed and consumed the blood of young virgins with the certainty that it kept her body young and healthy.

The Blood Lady of Cachtice

Countess Erzsebet Bathory aka the "Blood Countess" and the "Bloody Lady of Cachtice" was a Hungarian noblewoman who enjoyed torturing her servants and took up an interest in the black arts. Legend has it she was beating a servant girl for some minor infraction when the girl's blood spilled on her arm. Bathory immediately determined that her skin had improved where the blood landed, so she had the girl bled to death and bathed in her blood.

Although it seems unlikely, Bathory was convinced that this technique was making her young again, and she decided to keep it up. For about ten years she bathed in and drank the blood of kidnapped peasant girls on a regular basis. Eventually, her nobility was her downfall. She decided she needed a better quality of blood (possibly when her continued aging became too difficult to ignore), and started to prey on girls of higher birth. This obviously did not sit well with the nobility. They ordered her arrest.

More than six hundred and fifty girls (according to one witness) had fallen victim to Bathory's obsession with eternal youth. Her primary servants, the ones in charge of the bleeding, were sentenced to death, but it was considered gauche to try and execute nobles, so Erzsebet Bathory herself was never formally put on trial. In 1610, she was imprisoned in Cachtice Castle where she remained bricked in a set of rooms until her death four years later.

The Dwarfs of Equador

What is it in the young blood serum that can change an old body to a youthful one?

We know from experiments that once the youthful serum is removed from the old tissue, it reverts back to its former (older and slower) rejuvenation abilities. This is perhaps because the older serum lacks some special ingredient that's only produced in sufficient amounts in our youth.

Blood serum contains glucose, proteins, clotting factor, minerals and hormones. Since we are looking for a substance that changes with age, a good candidate might be a hormone called Insulin-like Growth Factor (called IGF-1) produced in the liver. This serum ingredient peaks around puberty but drops significantly in old age. Its production is stimulated by Growth Hormone (GH) that is produced in the pituitary (brain).

When mice were specifically bred to have naturally occurring high levels of IGF, induced damage to the heart (a heart attack) resulted in almost complete rejuvenation of the heart muscle with no scarring or fibrous tissue. This seems to suggest that IGF could be a good candidate for our "fountain of youth."

But wait. There's a problem.

In the southern Equador there is a group of people who suffer from a rare condition called Laron Dwarfism. Over 300 people have this disorder and they have been well studied. The Laron syndrome is characterized by small stature (not more than 4 feet in height), enlarged foreheads and DNA mutations that inhibit the production of IGF.

The blood of the Laron dwarfs may have the requisite amount of Growth Hormone (GH) circulating in their blood but the receptors for this important hormone don't function. This results in exceptionally low levels of IGF. You might think this is very bad and unhealthy -- right? Wrong.

Scientists are amazed that the Laron dwarfs have virtually no cancer or diabetes among their group! What's even more remarkable is that they live as much as 40 years beyond the normal population.

The Paradox

We have a paradox where high levels of IGF appear to have rejuvenating abilities for old tissue but, at the same time, the absence of IGF results in resistance to common diseases such as cancer and diabetes and a significant increase in lifespan. How can we resolve this?

While the role of genes and stem cells is rapidly being revealed by advances in science and technology, the goals of rejuvenation and regeneration continually face the great nemesis: cancer.

As our cells get older their DNA become shorter at each end (telomeres) because of slight misalignments, and genetic data is lost. Each time this wondrous molecule unwinds and reforms, the chance that a critical error will occur becomes greater. Mistakes actually happen all the time and mutations in our body are routinely cleared by our immune system or by the eventual death of these anomalous cells. (see Why do we age? on viewzone)

Naturally, as we get older, the replication errors become more common. By slowing down the growth and renewal of our tissue, the body is actually delaying the statistical probability that some cells will mutate and become cancerous. This is why Growth Hormones and IGF-1 decline with age. The ramping up of cell division among mutant cells would certainly mean a much earlier death.

The human lifespan can be thought of as having two phases. Youth is designed for reproduction and the continuation of the species. Accelerated cellular regeneration and rejuvenation is at a relatively low risk of cancer. The demands of survival require rapid repair of tissue and optimal strength. When the reproduction phase turns to old age the body seeks self-preservation and growth slows.

The experiments with co-joined mice, had they continued, might have shown that the older mice had greater rejuvenation abilities; however their risk of developing tumors could be expected to increase. But the temporary effects of youthful blood serum should be beneficial if it is applied to humans being treated for surgery or traumas. Perhaps we should be more careful about the age of blood donors. The aged homeless man selling his blood for ten dollars a pint might not be the best candidate for procuring emergency serum.

BREAKING NEWS:

Stem Cells Repairing Hearts in Surgical Trials

The University of Utah is one of only six medical facilities conducting clinical trials on repairing damages heart muscled by infusing stem cells directly into failing hearts.

The stem cells are harvested from the patient's bone marrow and then are placed in bioreactor where they are incubated for twelve days. During this time, the weak stem cells, damaged by either age or illness, wither away. Then millions of the strong, rejuvenative stem cells are then gathered for the infusion.

Once injected into the patient's heart muscle, the new colony of cells act like homing beacons, sending out messages to different parts of the body.

So they actually send out little chemicals that go to all the local heart muscle and throughout the body that recruits other cells to the heart and so they work together to actually rebuild and remodel. --Dr. Amir Patel

Instead of a heart transplant -- which for many of these patients wasn't even an option -- nature's own mechanism is being called into play to make the repairs.

"We are not isolated to just an anecdotal one or two patients," Patel said. "We're seeing this in a majority of our patients. So, it's a very diverse population of men, women; different ages and different causes of heart failure."

At present the trials are limited and patients must volunteer for the treatment. The University of Utah team hopes soon to use a less invasive technique: snaking a catheter from the leg up into the heart, then infusing stem cells through that catheter into the heart from the inside out.

If you would like more information about the clinical trials, call 801-581-5311.

Now, that life changing thing I promised...

We've learned much about the benefits and hazards of IGF. Basically, unless you are very young and actively growing, you don't want excess levels of IGF in your body.

In January 2010, Amy Wager (Harvard) announced results that show increased levels of IGF in bone marrow significantly change the population of blood cells, producing less b-lymphocytes and more myeloid cells than normal. This is an unhealthy trend leading to an impediment of the immune system and an increase in the inflammatory reaction.

" We found that the aged osteoblasts show an increase or altered responsiveness to a particular growth factor called Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF1), which is a conserved regulator of longevity in many organisms. And when we neutralize IGF-1, specifically in the bone marrow where the osteoblast and blood stem cells live, we can restore more youthful interactions between these two cell types. That was pretty interesting because IGF has also been implicated in regulating stem cells in other tissues, particularly in the skeletal muscles -- although in the muscle it has an opposite effect."[4]

In doing this research I learned that most of the IGF in our diets comes from dairy products. Since milk is naturally produced to feed very young animals, it produces proteins that stimulate Growth Hormones and IGF. If that were not bad enough, farmers and milk producers often inject the cows with additional Bovine Growth Hormones (BGH) to stimulate their milk output. Although it is desirable in our growing years to grow strong bones and muscle, it has minimal value in older years of life. Unfortunately, by then milk consumption has become habitual.

Today's fast foods are rich in cheese. From cheeseburgers to pizzas to sub sandwiches, concentrated milk protein is being consumed in record amounts. Add a national addiction to ice cream and butter and the annual consumption is staggering. The result has been that people are getting bigger and living shorter lives because of cancer and heart diseases.

In the animal world, size and longevity go hand in hand. A small dog may live for 10 to 15 years while a large breed will be lucky to live half that age. Height in humans correlates with increased breast and colon cancer. Mice who were bred to have lower levels of IGF lived 40% longer than normal mice. In 1998, Science published a study that positively correlated high levels of IGF with human prostate cancer. The medical literature is now full of studies implicating IGF in arthritis, Alzheimers and a plethora of inflammatory diseases.

A recent study conducted in England showed that vegans had a 13% decrease in IGF compared to both meat eaters and so-called "lacto-vegans" (who consume dairy products). In America these studies are seldom conducted because of a powerful Dairy Lobby that promotes milk as a healthy part of the "essential food group." In short, aside from the arterial fat from dairy products, the stimulation of IGF is enough reason to never touch dairy products again.

But wait. There's more...

Sadly, there is one food that is even more dangerous to your IGF level -- soy. Soy products have been sown, gram for gram, to be twice as potent as milk in stimulating your body's production of IGF. So if you try to get away from dairy and beef by consuming soy milk or tofu you are moving in the wrong direction.

A little milk or soy now and then should not be harmful. But a diet of fresh vegetables, fruit and nuts will keep IGF levels low, your body free of replicating diseases and you should live a longer life.

"Go and sin no more".

[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWxUZSW1JtY&feature=related
[2] Rando TA, (2006), Stem cells, ageing and the quest for immortality. Nature, 441: 1080-1086
[3] http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-11/dumc-ktz103006.php
[4] http://www.harvard.edu/downloads/100126_wagers.mp3
[5] Khamilia Bedelbaeva, Andrew Snyder, Dmitri Gourevitch, Lise Clark, Xiang-Ming Zhang, John Leferovich, James M. Cheverud, Paul Lieberman, and Ellen Heber-Katz. Lack of p21 expression links cell cycle control and appendage regeneration in mice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1000830107

Akshaya Tritiya and facts

2010-05-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

I have been wondering quite a bit of time about Akshaya Tritiya and the importance of buying gold, as the gold jewellers say in their ads. Whether it is another superstitious belief as we Indians tend to fall in to such beliefs very easily or it is a time when jewellers try to give different kind of offers on gold.

I gave a quick search on google about this special occasion to know the truth. The first result itself gave me wealth of info on it. Here is the link; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akshaya_Tritiya. It is saying 'It is believed that bestowing upon religious gifts on Akshaya Tritiya becomes inexhaustible', which I still fail to understand on what ground!!! Since the word 'Akshaya' means 'never diminishing', I believe people buy gifts especially gold on this special day to have a feeling that it will never get damaged, lost or diminished.

The religious significance associated with this special day is one thing, which I respect. But the superstitious belief developed out of this special day is something hard to digest. Also some traders take advantage of this superstitious belief to sell off their goods and push the people more into the deepness of superstitious world.

Fooled... :P

2010-03-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

April Fool Banaaya ... :)
To Unako Gussa Aaya ....
To Mera Kya Qasoor..
Zamaane Ka Qasoor....
Jisne Dastoor Banaaya … ;)

Remember Biswajeet and Saira Bano …J The slacker Ashok , Whose favorite day is fool's day, April 1st, who falls in love with gorgeous Madhu, and then become target of an international gang, when a practical joke hits the truth….:)

:D One of the innumerable obligations the generation today has been entrusted upon seems to be ritualistic observation of the numerous days dedicated to one cause or the other…mom, dad ,valentine, environment……., ……,……today ….the fools day ..:D

So here goes, my wishes to everyone planning pranks, and to the gullible ones destined to be the victims of the pranks “Happy April fools day”...as someone rightly said … “All of us are invariably fools ,only the degree to which our foolishness is expressed varies…..:D he he or was that mad and madness….whatever

Well, its long since I have grown out of the tendency to derive pleasure from making others fools.. :P (Not accusing anyone…)…. well most probably because, back at college and hostel I have found myself to be one of the most preferred targets of hoaxes and practical jokes of my friends…the aversion causing wooden snakes under pillow, midnight SOS ..Jokes that can leave you Rolling on the floor laughing or can spoil an entire day causing irritation…

The origins of April fool day or All fool days are uncertain. ..While Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar. Ancient, including those of the Romans and Hindus ,celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March 21st.) In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (The Gregorian calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. According to a popular explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.

But this doesn’t fully account for the spread of April Fools' Day to other European countries. The Gregorian calendar was not adopted by England until 1752 while the idea of April fools day was popular before that.

Another explanation of the origins of April Fools' Day was provided by Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event. "In a way," explained Prof. Boskin, "it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor."

(Courtesy : http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html)

Whatever , triggered the tradition ..the idea sure seem to have caught on…J …but then Did u know that not just the all fools day, April is also the US National poetry month , National Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. The Japanese school calendar also starts from April 1,and other dates like World health day (April 7),Buddha's Birthday (April 8) ,Thai,Lao and Khmer New year (April 13),Earth day (April 22),falls this month ..so enjoy….with harmless pranks of course

IPL, Indian Premier League, is not a game, but a gambling

2010-03-29T15:33:00.001-07:00

I found this article in one of the popular newspaper of Kerala and rather interesting. I thought of translating most of it here. Courtesy to Prof. P.J. James

IPL, The Indian Premier League, has become one of the largest money making business or rather let's call it gambling. It's being nourished by liquor lobbies, cinema and corporate worlds mainly as the return is beyond their imagination. According to global sports salaries review IPL is the second highest-paid league, based on first-team salaries on a pro-rata basis, only second to NBA league. Cricket fans of Kerala were very concerned for quite some time for not being involved in the party.

As cricket has turned to be a money making gambling and as a part of involving Cochin, which is considered to be the financial capital of the state, in the game, a group led by one of the popular film actor has made an attempt to buy a franchisee for Kerala, but got a blow when heard of new changes made to own one. What do we make of it ?! That our beloved starts are not able to play in a level where international and national money rackets are playing ?! If IPL has made 2840 crores (633 million US$) in 2008, now bidding of 2 teams alone (Cochin and Pune) has made 3235 crores (721 million US$). This shows how big the money mafia or gambling world has grown in these 3 years. The disappointing return of mollywood bullies, who went with a math of 2008, with empty hand suggests that suggests their failure to see the scope of money laundering happening behind the screen.

This is where the importance of involvement of corporate world becomes apparent. Corporate giants and ruling party front lines played major roles in making Cochin an IPL center. The external affairs minister Shashi Tharoor has appeared as the brain behind franchisee, Rendezvous Sports World Ltd., to bid Rs 1,533 crore (333 million US$) to get Kochi one of the two new IPL teams from the next season. This shows how well are corporate and political giants together are involved in this gambling world. those so-called cricket fans, who think the new formation of IPL team in Cochin will give opportunities and widen the scope of cricket game, are living in a world of fantasy.

Those including liquor mafia, share holders, sponsers, ad agencies, media channels, etc., who throw large money from their pockets have got only one intention. Return their investment multiplied many times in a short period of time. Encouraging the cricket as a sport has long gone in the air. I was laughing when I thought of bidding players could be compared to bidding bulls for bullfights in Tamilnadu or Gladiators in old Roman empire. Even the best players, if went without support of those with bulk pockets, will not be entertained or the doors will be closed for them. It is almost sure that not a single player from Kerala apart from Tinu Yohannan and Sreishanth, who came into cricket world even before IPL started, will not see themselves in IPL. Rumours are that team will have national and international players only. Well, let's put our share also :) by finding a catchy name for the team like Rajastan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, etc.

Reputation Vs Forehead :D

2010-03-25T23:05:00.000-07:00

Well this is soo..unlike the other posts on DNA....this is nothing serious..nothing that will draw your attention to the grave issues, the world today is facing....just a simple conversation...which when pictured made me smile ...:)

One thing am getting more sure of everyday is that despite the seriousness, sadness and tragedies it keeps showing us from time to time..life is absolutely hilarious….. and comically crazy at times…:D….And hats off to the one who said " nothing lasts for ever"… otherwise how else could one explain transformation of one of the most rebellious undisciplined child notorious for his pranks in convent into a software professional and finally a teacher….:) .A recollection by him just left me rolling on the floor with laughter....so here it is ….with his permission…....

1996 world cup cricket ... the group of rebellious kids of........ Convent ,TVM… like ,so many others, caught the fever and ended up being suspended...lol..so much for being a sports maniac and showing dedication to the game….he he

Jabir Koduvally: ….. SSLC I was notorious: D
me: notorious ?
Jabir Koduvally: he he yeah…the other side
me: Rebellious? Bent on breaking rules? Ok den?
Jabir Koduvally: yeah.got suspended from the school for throwing a stone :P
me: eh? Throwing a stone? At????
Jabir Koduvally: and breaking one of the teacher's forehead L
me: what y? very naughty
Jabir Koduvally: coz he punished us for playing cricket: D..You know world cup cricket was going on …and we all were mad about it
me: he he ok
Jabir Koduvally: we used to see other school boys playing cricket
me: ok..didnt u have PT hour ?
Jabir Koduvally: So …we played cricket using rubber cork stolen from chemistry lab and a hardboard piece … PT was allowed only in the scheduled time: P
me: hmm…den
Jabir Koduvally: …so we were beaten up badly by him
me: hmm,so u broke his head?
Jabir Koduvally: "………….. Master"… that was his name
me: were there others also? or your own work?
Jabir Koduvally: 5 of us….
me: ake mottam oru frustated school life analle ?
All 5 suspended? What did people back home say? must have been mad
Jabir Koduvally: yeah… it was the hot talk of the day…the PTA also reacted and all five of us were suspended!!!!!!! We were stopped from writing model exams and the management asked our parents to give us good coaching at home…
me :hmmm….
Jabir Koduvally: but Only because we were SSLC students did they exempt us from restriction…
me: thoughtful management J
Jabir Koduvally :D… there is where the irony is…..while the PTA wanted to give us TC management stood by us….the reply they gave was funny … 5 TC’s They said …will effect their 100% result And that they preferred reputation over a broken forehead :P
me :!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An imaginary 14-year old girl was approached by thousands and what followed was sickening

2010-03-23T10:14:00.001-07:00

As we all know, sexual abuses against children are considered to be criminal and civil offense in all countries. I was shocked when I came to know how in a world of internet and latest mobile devices child abuses are increasing in an alarming rate through social networking, chatting platforms, etc.

Researches and observations done by one of the famous UK journalist revealed shocking facts. He posed himself as a 14-year old girl in a very popular social network site and he was approached by thousands within minutes. Within 90 seconds after registering in the site, he was approached by middle-aged man wanting to perform sexual acts in front of him.

Most of those approached wanted to only one thing… sex. Some wanted to know about my body, some just wanted to circulate dirty words. I was deluged by strangers asking stomach-churning questions about my sexual experience. I was pressured to meet men with whom I'd never before communicated.

Yes, the imaginary girl, who registered in a social networking site was raped within minutes. I would like to term it as ‘cyber rape’. This is not the case of an imaginary girl alone. There are many children who enjoy this kind of relationship as online pedophiles are devious, clever, calculating and manipulative.

I knew the enormity of the problem, but I wanted to make public how easy it is for pedophiles to approach youngsters online.

So, I created a fake profile and photograph portraying me as a pretty, slim, 5ft 2in brunette who liked music and dance.

Within five minutes of the profile going live on one of the biggest social networking sites, messages from men poured in. The first three who approached me were aged between 20 and 40. Each asked 'A, S, L?' - teen text speak for: 'What is your age, sex and location?'

Ultimately, it's up to all of us - parents, teachers, police and internet companies - to educate and protect our children. Also girls registered in social networking sites or using internet and chatting platforms must be very careful not to accept unknown requests of all kind and not to publish or handover any kind of important documents online.

World war III : In quest of water resources :(

2010-03-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

It was from by friend Basil’s message which went on something like

Water has become a highly precious resource. There are some places where a barrel of water costs more than a barrel of oil. it seems its not that far when we can see water enlisted as a commodity in exchanges though its priceless.... conserve water...happy world water day... :-)

That I came to know that yesterday was world water day…True I belong to the generation which thinks “Conserve water ,Drink Beer” kind of quotes funky on T-shirts …But I don’t bypass the serious irony, that human race is the only species capable of over-exploiting natural resources so grace fully blessed upon us and finally dedicating a day to mourn the loss ..I proceeded to do some research on water conservation …so now its time for some facts

One-third of the Earth’s population lives in “water-stressed” countries and By 2030, nearly half of the world's people will be living in areas of acute water shortage
An estimated 200 million people of India do not have access to adequate water supply
About 300 million people of China drink unsafe drinking water while cities like Shanghai are sinking in elevation due to excessive pumping of rain water
Only 22% of the 71 million population of Ethiopia have access to clean water
Every year, 1,500 cubic kiloliters of waste water are produced globally.
While waste water can be reused productively for energy and irrigation, it usually is not.
In developing countries 80 percent of all waste is being discharged into water bodies untreated, because of lack of regulations and resources.

So in light of such shameful facts regarding clean water which once was a free commodity The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 took the initiative of observance of world water day on 22nd of march with the aim of conserving water resources around the world Wikipedia defines Water conservation as:

Improved water management practices that include action, behavioral change, device, technology, or improved design or process implemented that reduce water loss, waste, or use or enhance the beneficial use of water.

You see water pollution and water conservation has been the most common essays topics right from my school days but in the run of creating impressive essays and scoring marks I never really gave a thought to the seriousness of the issue until few encounters with the harsh reality opened my eyes...So here I share some practical household tips that I found on the web that can be used to conserve water ….

Harvest Rain water – Believe me it works….The shortage of water supply in our Chennai locality reduced considerably after the residents adopted rain water harvesting techniques

When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks

Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.

Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap. , then reuse it to water houseplants.

Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water

Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.

If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the shower head with a water-efficient model.

When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.

Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste

Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.

Support projects that use reclaimed waste water for irrigation and industrial uses.

Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid over watering some while under watering others

For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.

and oldest and the most effective….Never leave taps open…

(Tips from - http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php)

So we better hurry …lest nature decide to revolt earlier than we expect…Lest human race be destroyed in war waged for water

Imagine,Hope,Laugh ,Love....Believe

2010-03-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge
That myth is more potent than history.
I believe that dreams are more powerful than facts
That hope always triumphs over experience
That laughter is the only cure for grief.
And I believe that love is stronger than death"

The age of self help books and soaring spirituality J …Everyone needs a dose of inspiration once in a while to keep going…and to my surprise as I get older I find myself more in need of constant motivation and in the process of fulfilling the need is in constant look out of wise words of wisdom…simple and elegant …and that’s how I came to the conclusion that quotes like many other things comes in varieties. First there are the ordinary ones that just leaves an impression of just another one liner kind…then there are the ones that makes you wonder where the author did his learning to come up with such wise and beautiful words and still there are others….those which makes you fall in love with them at first sight …the last category are the ones that get etched into the subconscious ..becomes a part of your thought process and without your knowing gets reflected in the actions …and The I believe quote by Robert Fulghum is my love at first sight kind of quote…J One day I found those words staring at me from the introductory page of his book “ All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten” as I stared back at it with awe at the meaning and beauty of it

Simple words….A quite unpractical figment of a dreamers imagination …But sinking deep into the meaning of the 6 lines does something…It prompts me to get creative when my brain gets stuffed with facts and figures I least care to remember, something which gives me courage to go on when I am down, hope to hold on when practical experience clearly indicates unhappy results , something which fills me with enthusiasm when the world tries to drag me down with their negative facts, the reason to smile when I think about why I should ,and fills me with glorious hope of life after death J…

(This is dedicated To Jabir sir )And as one of the best teachers I know says “I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only, probably make them think”..... True….Learning Free thinking and life skills.. …What else could be the noble aim of education…and somehow I find that this simple quote has taught me more life skill than any classroom lecture I ever attended … .and some day when the crazy consortium (Again Jabir sir’s idea)establishes the university of enlightenment , where the primary level teaching will be about de-schooling the kid….I hope to make some lost kid mediate upon Fulghums lines …J

Wonder Drug

2010-03-16T04:23:00.000-07:00

Natural therapy for heart vein opening

For Heart Vein opening

Lemon juice 01 cup
Ginger juice 01 cup
Garlic juice 01 cup
Apple vinegar 01 cup

Mix all above and boil in light flame approximately half hour, when it becomes 3 cups, take it out and keep it for cooling. After cooling, mix 3 cups of natural honey and keep it in bottle. Every morning before breakfast use one Table spoon regularly. Your blockage of Vein's will open (No need any Angiography or By pass)

Nature's wonder drug is a cheap way to beat obesity, cancer, asthma and more. Top doctors have revealed that the combination of garlic, vinegar, and honey is a wonder drug that can cure every thing from cancer to arthritis. Amazing studies from respected universities around the world prove the miracle home remedy that costs just pennies a day to make is a super way to fight just about any affliction. Experts have verified that this health-restoring trio of garlic, vinegar and honey can wipe out both common and uncommon ailments. Successes include ache, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer, excessive cholesterol level, colds, flu, gas, and indigestion, headaches, heart and circulatory problems, hemorrhoids, infertility and impotence, toothaches, obesity, ulcers and many other diseases and conditions. In a study of arthritis victims Dr. Angus Peters of the University of Edinburgh 's Arthritis Research Institute found a daily dose of vinegar and honey reduced pains by 90%. A daily dose of garlic and vinegar has proved to be a powerful fat destroyer and weight reducer, according to Dr Raymond Fish of London 's famous Obesity Research Center. The prestigious British medical journal Lancet reported that cholesterol levels plunged on average from231.4 to 224.4 after volunteers consumed 50 grams of garlic and four ounces of butter. The study proved the dangers associated with high fat foods can be neutralized by adding garlic to your diet. A study of 261 adult patients by the German Association of general Practitioners indicated that serum cholesterol and triglyceride level factors associated with the risk of heart disease are significantly reduced by regular use of garlic in the diet. Studies at Housing's MD Anderson Cancer Institute in Houston , the Pennsylvania State University and GCLA support earlier evidence that certain ingredients in garlic block agents the cancer of the breast, colon, esophagus and skin. The National Cancer Institute found in a study of 1,000 people that eating a lot of garlic is linked to a reduced risk of stomach cancer. Dr.Etik Block of the State university of New York at Albany has discovered garlic unleashes at least 100 sulfur producing components, all of which are powerful medicines. There appears to be little doubt that this astounding remedy of garlic vinegar and honey can extend life by protecting the user of many proven killers. Dr. Hen Lee Tsao writes in China 's respected journal of Natural Medicines. 'Patients given this miracle drink before breakfast showed a remarkable reduction in high blood pressure and cholesterol in less than a week.' Italian nutritionist Emilio Steffani adds, 'Years of scientific investigation by experts around the world have proven beyond a doubt that garlic, vinegar and honey are nature's magic potion. 'The three powerful ingredients are available everywhere and they cost only pennies a day. Considering all that these natural substances can do for human health, it is a amazing they are not more widely used' Dr. Jack Soltanoff a nutritional expert from New York , praises the benefits of the apple cider vinegar. He has recorded remarkable success stories involving arthritis sufferers,' I have seen many arthritis patients start to loosen up at once 'says Dr.Soltanoff. Some even call it (apple cider vinegar) a natural arthritis tonic that frees them from stiffness pain and throbbing aches. Within just few weeks most pain wrecked arthritis patients can perform normal activities because of this simple tonic 'boxing legend Mohammad Ali reportedly take a daily dose of garlic. Vinegar and honey to fight the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and many other athletes use it to gain competitive edge. Dr. Tsao is sweet on the power of honey. 'Honey has been described as the perfect food 'notes the respected researcher. It contains at least 31 nutrients, 13 minerals, the component parts of nine vitamins six acids and four key enzymes. Patients, who took the traditional vinegar and honey drink daily, were more vigorous, had never cold or infectious diseases and in general were healthier than those who didn't. There is no question that this astounding drink can elixir can extend life by protecting you from many proved killers. Honey not only makes your daily dose taste better. The sweet stuff also aids in your body's ability to absorb the medical properties of the powerful ingredients. Garlic provides in storehouse of vitamins and minerals, but what excites researchers most is growing evidence that allicin, an enzyme (amino acid) present in large amounts in garlic stimulates the immune system.

Basic Elixir Recipe
Here is how to make your own miracle medicine:
In a bowl, mix together one cup of cider vinegar-use only cider vinegar, one cup of honey and eight cloves of chopped garlic. Place the combination in a blender and mix on high speed for 60 seconds, pour the mixture in to jar or other glass container, seal and have in the refrigerator for minimum of five days. Normal dosage is two teaspoon in a glass of water or fruit juice, grape or orange juice is best, before breakfast. A second dose, if desired can be taken in the evening.

Kerala's love affair with alcohol

2010-03-16T01:52:00.001-07:00

Kerala's love affair with alcohol
കേരളത്തിന്റെ മദ്യ പ്രണയം
Friday, 12 March 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8557215.stm
Kerala has the highest per-capita consumption of alcohol in India

People in the southern state of Kerala are the heaviest drinkers in India, and sales of alcohol are rising fast. The BBC's Soutik Biswas examines why.

Jacob Varghese says he began drinking when he was nine years old, sipping on his father's unfinished whiskey and brandy in glass tumblers.

It's a terrifying story of a descent into alcoholism for this 40-year-old health inspector.

At school, he consumed cheap local liquor. He lived in a haze of alcohol through his teens and dropped out of college.

He lost a job, cut his wrists twice trying to end his life, landed up in rehabilitation centers and at the age of 32, was reduced to begging on the streets to fund his alcohol habit.

'Lost respect'

"Drinking is a disease in Kerala," he says, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"I lost my kin, my respect and all my money chasing alcohol. Everyone encourages you to have it - your friends, the government."

This was before he was dragged to the local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter by friends. This, after 17 years of drinking had reduced him to a mental wreck and a pauper.

Mr Varghese has been sober for the past eight years, and is now married with children and holds down a job.

"Many of my friends have not been as lucky. So many of my drinking buddies died, and others landed up in mental asylums," he says.

If you have willpower... booze will never you, NL Balakrishnan
Forum For Better SpiritKerala is India's tippler country. It has the highest per capita consumption - over eight litres (1.76 gallons) per person a year - in the nation, overtaking traditionally hard-drinking states like Punjab and Haryana.

Also, in a strange twist of taste, rum and brandy are the preferred drink in Kerala in a country where whisky outsells every other liquor.

Alcohol helps in giving Kerala's economy a good high - shockingly, more than 40% of revenues for its annual budget come from booze.

A state-run monopoly sells alcohol - the curiously named Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) - runs 337 liquor shops, open seven days a week. Each shop caters on average to an astonishing 80,000 clients.

This fiscal year the KSBC is expected to sell $1bn (£0.6bn) of alcohol in a state of 30 million people, up from $12m when it took over the retail business in 1984.

Similarly, revenues from alcohol to the state's exchequer have registered a whopping 100% rise over the past four years.

The monopoly is so professionally run that consumers can even send text messages from their phones to a helpline number to record their grievances.

"If we delay opening any of our shops by even five minutes, clients send us text messages saying that they are waiting to buy liquor," says KSBC chief N Shankar Reddy.

That's not all. There are some 600 privately run bars in the state and more than 5,000 shops selling toddy (palm wine), the local brew. There is also a thriving black market liquor trade.

Spirited defence

Despite a growing number of people who demand a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol, there is an equally spirited group of hard-core drinkers who lobby for cheaper and more widely distributed liquor.

One of them is well-known actor NL Balakrishnan, a veteran of more than 200 films, who launched a lobby group called Forum for Better Spirit in 1983.

The forum's manifesto asks the government to provide liquor through the state-subsided public distribution system, boost toddy production, slash prices for elderly drinkers and supply free alcohol to drinkers over 90.

The jolly and convivial Mr Balakrishnan, 67, says his father "initiated" him into drinking when he was four.

"We used to go to the cinema together. After the show was over, he would take me to a toddy shop where he would drink. He would give me a few spoons of toddy too. It was an amazing experience," he says.

He says when his father died at the ripe age of 98 after a "lifetime of heavy drinking", he wet his lips with liquor and not holy water, as is the Hindu custom.
There are over 5,000 toddy shops in the state (Photo: AS Satheesh)

Mr Balakrishnan says that on his average day out with his drinking buddies he downs 22 shots of his favourite brandy - and "never has any problems".

"If you have willpower and have enough food to go with your drink, booze will never harm you," he says cheerily.

But drinking is killing a lot of people and exacting a heavy social cost, say doctors and activists.

Rising numbers of divorces in Kerala are linked to alcohol abuse. Johnson J Edayaranmula, who runs the Alcohol and Drug Information Center, a leading NGO, puts the figure as high as 80%.

And the majority of road deaths in the state - nearly 4,000 during 2008-2009 - are due to drink driving, he says. Hospitals and rehab centers are packed with patients suffering from alcohol-related diseases.

'Societal problem'

The situation is so grim that, ironically, the KSBC itself is planning to open a hospital specializing in treating alcohol-related problems. It also runs a campaign to combat alcohol abuse.

But why do people in Kerala drink so heavily?

Jacob Varghese says it is a "societal problem" - what he possibly means is that drinking liquor is almost a social rite of passage, taken very seriously.

But he elaborates other, perhaps more important, reasons - high unemployment, easy access to alcohol and the fact that drinking has become a "part of upwardly mobile living".

Most activists believe that "prohibition" is not the solution - it just drives buyers and sellers underground.

"The solution possibly lies in introducing drinks with mild alcohol content. And since drinking is also a cultural problem, people need to be made aware of the havoc that alcohol can wreak on their lives," says Mr Edayaranmula.

Until then alcohol will continue to dominate the lives of many of Kerala's people - and boost its exchequer's finances.

Power and Office Politics: Rumor and Reality

2010-03-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

By Jacqui Love Marshall

Office politics have been around since ancient times. Julius Caesar succumbed to them, and Aristotle told the Greeks: “Man is by nature a political animal.” As a middle manager, even Tony Soprano spent most of his day (and therapy sessions) pondering the power elements and politics of his world. No wonder Tony watched the History Channel in search of leadership tips. Ignoring office politics is not likely to land you a dagger in the back or a bullet in the head. But don’t underestimate the career fatalities that can befall the politically unaware. Jean Hollands, a Silicon Valley corporate team builder, advises: “The person who says, ‘I’m not political’ is in great danger ... Only the fittest will survive, and the fittest will be the ones who understand their office’s politics.” Face it, office politics are here to stay. If anything, the game has become more complex.

‘Power’: Not a Dirty Word
At the heart of office politics is that daunting word — POWER — so let’s start there. For some, power falls into the company of words that carries negative connotation, along with influence, control and manipulation. Few of us were raised in worlds ruled by truly powerful people. So power holds a mysterious, perhaps unsavory, place in many minds. And we’re right to be skeptical. All too often, power has been abused. Who hasn’t encountered at least one manipulative, dishonest or back-biting colleague? However, the ability to negotiate and leverage power can make a measurable difference in navigating choppy business waters, achieving positive results and advancing your career. It’s helpful to think of power as a kind of currency in business environments. As currency, power is minted in many forms — knowledge and information, access to others, access to resources (including funds), decision-making authority, approval to act, latitude to take risks, forgiveness when a risk turns to failure, etc. Another reality is that, in any organization, some people have more power, influence and autonomy than others, often (but not always) along hierarchical lines. The ability to offer, share, exchange, anoint or negotiate power is a key component of office politics. And the ability to capture some of that power to get things accomplished is critical to your success. In other words, power is not a bad thing, if you understand it and can deploy it for constructive outcomes.

Ron Brown, an organizational and management consultant, sees a lot of ambivalence among managers of color in dealing with concepts of power and politics. Speaking at a diversity conference at Bennett College Brown said: “One of the major challenges is understanding the nature of power, how to get it, how to use it, how to feel comfortable with the notion of power. For many managers of color, it’s like walking onto a football field with a basketball; they’re playing the wrong game.” Not sure how power operates in your work environment or which game really is being played? Observe people and activities for a month and then answer these important questions:

Is the hierarchy of authority the primary clue to who holds the most power here? How do the top executives influence others in leadership positions? What do employees think about the top leaders? How is power defined?
What drives the top people in positions of power? Is it profits, dividends, expansion, shareholders, innovation, excellence? Something else?
Besides the people in obvious positions of power, who else seems to hold a strong position of power or influence? Why? What are their areas of influence? What is their relationship to the top power brokers?
What positions/roles are the most valued ones? Why? Who’s getting developed, mentored or promoted? What skills, experiences and behaviors count most? Who’s emulating whom?
What other factors seem to be tied to power and influence here? Being outspoken? Non-challenging? Well liked? Loyal? Long service? Social or community connections?
Where do you fall in the organizational and power hierarchy? How does your standing compare to others? Do you have any power currency? If so, what? If no, why not?

Your responses to the questions will help you understand the power interests at play in your workplace. But remember: Power and politics are not static phenomena. Become an astute observer in your workplace environment and stay alert to important changes in the landscape.

Play Or Be Played
The workplace is increasingly more demanding and competitive. By establishing your unique political foothold in the workplace, you empower yourself to take full charge of your work life and ultimately demonstrate that power to those around you. Managers of color and women should be especially keen observers of office politics. While you may not be able to control biases or cultural insensitivities in the workplace, lack of attention to office politics can create one more dimension of exclusion or barriers to advancement. And, in certain offices, politics may actually supersede or obscure issues of gender and race. What can you do to thrive in a political environment? There’s no magic formula, but common sense, fair play and sound judgment are good starting points. Beyond those qualities, here’s my list of tips for managing office politics:

Be essential. First and foremost, be a top performer. Do your job and more.Be known as a “go to” person — someone people want on their team. Volunteer for projects and new initiatives.
Have a personal plan. Design a career path and set ambitious goals. Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need to learn and advance. Stay alert toopportunities to showcase your talents. Be flexible in your choices and patient with your progress but decide how long you are willing to wait to get what you want.
Get to know your “boss.” What are your manager’s goals, priorities and ambitions? Her/his preferred style of getting work done? Your goal should be to do things in ways that your “boss” will value and make her/him shine. Once s/he knows that you are working in her/his behalf, ask to be developed, involved more or “promoted” to others.
Stay “in the loop.” Learn the lingo and nuances (spoken and unspoken) in your workplace. Be alert to changes; stay informed. Mingle broadly but avoid being in the mix of people who keep gossip, griping and negative undercurrents alive. Be discreet with confidential information; there’s no such thing as a secret once two people know.
Stand for the right things. Reputations are hard to build and easy to destroy. Be known as a person who is trustworthy, reliable, honest and fair. Do what you say you will do. Speak up when you hear false rumors, unfair criticism or ethnic slurs. Even if you are not liked by everyone, you will be respected by most.
Build a strong network. Few of us succeed without help. Cherish friends and supporters. Cultivate mentors and confidantes who will offer good counsel and share important information. Seek advice from other people of color, people you can learn from, people who can influence your career. Ask for candid feedback regularly.
Help others get ahead. Be willing to share your expertise, experience and insights with others. You’ll gain greater confidence as people develop and, as they advance, you’ll broaden your network and access to information, resources, etc. One way to convert your competitors to allies: help them succeed.
Think like you own the company but remember: you don’t. Get to know the business well and think like a CEO — you’ll gain greater appreciation for the tough decisions and begin to anticipate executive actions. Resist the temptation to publicly blame and criticize those above you — they may not be perfect but they’re probably doing what they believe is best. Work to see the whole picture of a situation but realize that you’re rarely privy to every piece of the puzzle.
Act like a strategist. Pick your battles — you can’t win every time and you shouldn’t waste your power on minor skirmishes. Don’t employ “all or nothing” thinking; aim for win-win outcomes and look for compromises that won’t compromise your honor. When trying to achieve major goals, get advance support and build consensus among key decision makers.
Know when to fold ‘em. Be willing to own up to your mistakes and failures; people will respect (and, hopefully, forgive) you for your courage. Always look for the lessons learned so you don’t repeat them. If the company’s culture and politics are making you miserable, move on. Decide it’s time to go before you are asked to leave or before you have lost your self-esteem. When you leave, don’t burn your bridges. Use your lessons to find a company where you start with a clean slate and thrive.

Work hard? Definitely. But instead of keeping your head down, keep your antenna up. Instead of keeping your nose clean, use it to sniff out information and opportunities. Instead of seeing power and politics as dirty words, put them to good use for yourself and others.

Jacqui Love Marshall is the former vice president/staff development & diversity for Knight Ridder. She can be reached at jlovemarshall@yahoo.com

2010-03-15T02:55:00.001-07:00

Work Experience Abroad Blog — International Jobs Opportunities, Graduate Jobs Abroad…

2010-03-15T01:08:00.001-07:00

Work Experience Abroad Blog — International Jobs Opportunities, Graduate Jobs Abroad…

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work abroad blog: Work abroad working holiday

2010-03-15T01:04:00.001-07:00

work abroad blog: Work abroad working holiday

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COMMODITY TRADING & THE NEW WORLD ORDER

2010-02-28T23:45:00.004-08:00

Selling something you have got to someone who needs it is no more a business here. but , selling something you don't have to someone who really don't needs it fits in to the description of business.
Its like what they say "You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t always make it drink it. The trick is not making the horse drink, but making it thirsty"
Now the real fools are those who wants to really buy some commodities rather than using it as a platform to gamble money in futures. and these fools includes everyone who needs food to eat, fuel for energy, raw materials for production.like what P.T Barnum , an American showman said "There's a sucker born every minute".With all the uncertainty in the banks worldwide, where can people place their money to take advantage of ? Into the markets for commodities, which have become a chaos.
They believe they can use the demand/supply curves to their advantage,but they miss the point,These fools either demand, but don’t want the commodities, or supply but don’t have the ‘goods.’ What they don’t realize is that their preconceptions of these curves actually feed back and affect the underlying data, and consequently negate the curves themselves by triggering an ‘uncertainty principle.’ In the linear world of theory, the consequences of an action stop with a reaction; but here in this non-linear world of practice only God knows what havoc the feedback will cause.
the technical instruments in the practical world of non-linear supply and demand can cause only instability as uncertainty is the only thing which is certain
What is the point in measuring something which will change the moment it is been measured.
In conditions like today’s commodity markets, the jokers are setting off a non-linear positive feedback sequence, triggering a chain of events within a system that affects their analysis, something the jokers themselves don’t appreciate. The meaning created when they interpret the supply and demand through their own personal filters, is invalidated by the very act of interpreting.
The systemic nature of this situation is often neglected due to the fact that the smug jokers are using the curves to second-guess meaning in the minds of others. When those ‘others’ also contain large numbers of jokers, all confident that they can take advantage of their superior(!) economic (and hence linear) knowledge, then the joke is on them. They are all thinking the same way, and this multiply-reinforcing subjective interpretation will always totally distort the objective world of data.

Goodhart’s Law comes into play. Charles Goodhart, a distinguished LSE Professor, famously noted: “any observed statistical regularity will tend to collapse once pressure is placed on it for control purposes”.

2010-02-22T22:28:00.000-08:00

Doomsday, The Mayan Calendar and 2012

2010-02-22T05:18:00.001-08:00

Doomsday, The Mayan Calendar and 2012

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EARTH’S ROTATION SLOWING | Weekly World News

2010-02-21T23:44:00.001-08:00

EARTH’S ROTATION SLOWING | Weekly World News

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BEES THE BOMB DETECTORS

2008-10-20T21:56:00.000-07:00

ast week, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory, in New Mexico, buzzed with the results of a rigorous study on sophisticated bomb detectors. Their research suggests that contained bees can be used to identify volatile compounds like TATP, the primary charge associated with last summer's terrorist plot. Highly reliable and precise, these next-wave detectors are cheap to produce and easy to train.

Entomologists have long known that honeybees can be trained to detect many scents, including the olfactory footprints of deadly explosives. This latest research reinforces those findings and suggests an approach that could prove useful for finding substances in populated areas.

Timothy Haarmann, principal investigator of the Los Alamos project (officially called the Stealthy Insect Sensor Project), says he and his colleagues trained bees to extend their proboscises--tubular organs used to suck the nectar from flowers--in the presence of explosives. When the proboscis is extended, the bee appears to be sticking out its tongue.

Training 50 bees requires only two or three hours using this traditional approach, which takes advantage of an insect's attraction to sugar water. "If you hold up sugar water [to bees], they stick out their proboscis," Haarmann says.

By combining a target substance with sugar water and then presenting the compound to the bee, the researchers manipulate the insects into recognizing a distinct smell. By the end of the session, successfully trained bees extend their proboscises toward explosives.

Bees trained at one concentration of vapor easily recognize lower doses. Chemist Robert Wingo, who works on the project, says that the bees proved to be more sensitive than many sophisticated man-made devices. "They are capable of detecting TATP, and the instruments I have available in the lab are not able to detect TATP," he says.

Honeybees can also pick explosives out of more complicated bouquets--like the myriad scents that surround a typical human being. Trained bees can identify explosives whose odors were masked by "lotions, underarm deodorants, and tobacco products," Wingo says. "Much to our surprise, the bees are capable of picking out TNT in motor oil ... Even in the presence of insect repellent, we can train them to detect TNT."

In Haarmann's system the bees are contained in tubes so that their proboscises can be easily monitored. Unfortunately, a contained bee only lasts about two days. "We find that after about 48 hours you start to get a high mortality rate," Haarmann says. Being confined is "hard on them." Plus, not all bees prove to be up to the task of detecting explosives. Like dogs, some of the insects are more successfully trained than others. "We like to think of bees as these nice little robots, but there were certain bees that did better than others," Haarmann says.

Jerry Bromenshenk, a researcher with the University of Montana's division of biological sciences, is one of the pioneers of bee detection systems. He has trained bee colonies to detect explosives, meth labs, and dead bodies, but he uses a different approach. Bromenshenk works primarily with free-flying bees that are allowed to roam large, outdoor spaces. When the bees detect the target scent, they tend to slow down and circle the area. Using audio, video, and laser systems, Bromenshenk and colleagues can analyze the flight patterns of thousands of trained bees and produce a density map indicating the most likely locations of the target substance. With tens of thousands of bees searching, they can quickly canvass an area of a mile.

But Bromenshenk says Haarmann's "bee in a box" approach still has its place.

"Free-flying bees don't work well in airports," he says.

SEEMS PRETTY INTERESTING AH

BIOTECH NEW ARRIVAL:'Gene-Altered Foods -Still Not Sure'

2008-10-20T21:44:00.001-07:00

Ignorance might well be bliss for the American public. A decade after genetically altered crops were first cultivated in the continent, Americans still remain ignorant and disinclined towards them.

According to a survey sponsored by The Pew Initiative for Food and Biotechnology, the last five years have seen little change in the depth of knowledge on the subject.

Says executive director of the survey’s sponsor, Michael Fernandez, “Americans are still generally uncertain about genetically modified and cloned foods. How the next generation of biotech products is introduced — and consumers' trust in the regulation of GM foods — will be critical in shaping U.S. attitudes in the long term."

Ignorance of the subject is actually propelling Americans towards what most of them don’t want to do; eat genetically modified or GM food.

Few know that over the last five years, almost all of soybean, cotton and more than half of corn grown are genetically modified. Since most processed foods contain tiny amounts of soy lecithin and corn syrup people are actually eating gene altered food without realizing it.

At times some attention is drawn to the dangers of GM foods, like the finding that Star Link corn was unfit for human consumption and that long grain rice grown in the US was accidentally contaminated with a modified gene, but in general, few are aware of the silent takeover of GM

crops.

In a survey conducted this year by Mellmans group, a few interesting statistics have come to light.

Less than a quarter of Americans are aware that they are eating gene altered foods, support for GM foods has not increased over the last 5 years, slightly more amount of people believe GM foods are safe and out of those who claim a basic knowledge of GM foods less than 41 per cent expect stricter rules from the FDA.

The survey has also shown the influence of religion on America’ s attitude towards genetically modified food such as cloned animals. Around 70 per cent people voting against cloned animals as food, go to church every Sunday, while those who pay occasional visits to their local church and do not mind eating such food constitute thirty percent.

Source-Medindia
SRM

Medindia on genetically engineered crops
A team of researchers led by an Indian American scientist have genetically engineered toxin-free cottonseeds, potentially unlocking a large source of nutrition.

Hiring Manager Secrets: The 5 Smartest Interview Moves

2008-10-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

Kate Lorenz

Ever wonder why you don't get called back after that first interview? What's holding you back from that great job while others are getting hired after shorter job searches?

It could be something you DIDN'T do.

Careerbuilder.com recently asked hiring managers what the smartest things a candidate can do in an interview. What are the traits of a good candidate? How can you make a good impression? Here are the top five ways to win over your interviewer and get a leg up on the competition.

1. Demonstrate or communicate your experience and skills.
The number one thing a candidate can do in an interview is intelligently and clearly articulate professional experience, capabilities or knowledge. Hiring managers are most impressed when a candidate is able to "think on their feet" during the interview - this demonstrates competency. They're also impressed when a candidate takes an active role in helping a customer or rectifying a situation right on the spot, whether posed by the interviewer or introduced by the candidate.

2. Act professionally.
A candidate who is professional during the selection process will stand out among fellow job seekers. When a candidate communicates intelligently, uses proper grammar, makes eye contact, listens and asks intelligent and relevant questions. This demonstrates how that person will act within the parameters of the position with coworkers and clients. A hiring manager will want to choose a candidate who will represent the company well.

3. Prepare.
Skimming the company's website five minutes before you leave won't help you at all. Simple steps to prepare for the interview include researching the company, market and opportunity, arriving on time and dressing appropriately. Bring extra copies of your resume and work samples, as well as your portfolio. And, don't forget names of references and letters of recommendation. Thorough preparation for an interview can make or break your chances of landing the job. As someone once said - Proper planning prevents piss poor performance.

4. Exhibit enthusiasm.
Go ahead, be an eager beaver. Hiring managers are impressed when a candidate shows enthusiasm for the job and want to hire someone who is gung ho. The candidate who is ready and willing will likely carry those traits into the position. Plus, it demonstrates an eagerness to learn. This doesn't mean you need an overly peppy personality with perma-grin, but zeal for the position, the company and profession will show you'll go the distance.

5. Be honest.
The candidate was honest and showed integrity. A candidate's honesty was important to hiring managers by being sincere and truthful about the past. Be candid and open about past jobs. This doesn't mean you have to churn out all the dirty details of previous employers or supervisors. If you are coming from a bad experience, think of ways to put a positive spin on your previous situation. For example, if you were let go from your last job, be truthful without being negative and highlight your strengths or how you learned from that situation.

MY VISION

2008-10-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

"Information is wealth. The better idea you have,the better life you live .All of us differ from one another in someway or the other and the difference lies in our 'DNA';Still you can change your life and other's.

And thats what i call:

'Design Nature Artificially'." -Bas

Design Nature Artificially

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Imagine,Hope,Laugh ,Love....Believe

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge That myth is more potent than history. I believe that dreams are more powerful than facts That hope always triumphs over experience That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death"

Wonder Drug

Kerala's love affair with alcohol

Power and Office Politics: Rumor and Reality

Work Experience Abroad Blog — International Jobs Opportunities, Graduate Jobs Abroad…

work abroad blog: Work abroad working holiday

COMMODITY TRADING & THE NEW WORLD ORDER

Doomsday, The Mayan Calendar and 2012

EARTH’S ROTATION SLOWING | Weekly World News

BEES THE BOMB DETECTORS

BIOTECH NEW ARRIVAL:'Gene-Altered Foods -Still Not Sure'

Hiring Manager Secrets: The 5 Smartest Interview Moves

MY VISION

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge
That myth is more potent than history.
I believe that dreams are more powerful than facts
That hope always triumphs over experience
That laughter is the only cure for grief.
And I believe that love is stronger than death"