Did You Know?

Common Cooking Spice shows Promise in Combating Diabetes and Obesity

2008-06-24T17:36:00.001+08:00

Turmeric, an Asian spice found in many curries, has a long history of use in reducing inflammation, healing wounds and relieving pain, but can it prevent diabetes? Since inflammation plays a big role in many diseases and is believed to be involved in onset of both obesity and Type 2 diabetes, Drew Tortoriello, M.D., an endocrinologist and research scientist at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University Medical Center, and his colleagues were curious what effect the herb might have on diabetic mice.

Dr. Tortoriello, working with pediatric resident Stuart Weisberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Rudolph Leibel, M.D., fellow endocrinologist and the co-director of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, discovered that turmeric-treated mice were less susceptible to developing Type 2 diabetes, based on their blood glucose levels, and glucose and insulin tolerance tests. They also discovered that turmeric-fed obese mice showed significantly reduced inflammation in fat tissue and liver compared to controls. They speculate that curcumin, the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant ingredient in turmeric, lessens insulin resistance and prevents Type 2 diabetes in these mouse models by dampening the inflammatory response provoked by obesity.

Their findings are the subject of a soon-to-be published paper in Endocrinology and were presented at ENDO 2008, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco this week.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has no known dose-limiting toxicities in doses of up to at least 12 grams daily in humans. The researchers tested high-doses of a dietary curcumin in two distinct mouse models of obesity and Type 2 diabetes: high-fat-diet-fed male mice and leptin-deficient obese female mice, with lean wild-type mice that were fed low-fat diets used as controls.

The inflammation associated with obesity was shown several years ago by researchers in the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center to be due in part to the presence of immune cells called macrophages in fat tissues throughout the body. These cells produce "cytokine" molecules that can cause inflammation in organs such as the heart, and islets of the pancreas, while also increasing insulin resistance in muscle and liver. Researchers hypothesized that by suppressing the number and activity of these cells, with turmeric or a drug with similar actions, it may be possible to reduce some of the adverse consequences of obesity.

Curcumin administration was also associated with a small but significant decline in body weight and fat content, despite level or higher calorie consumption, suggesting that curcumin beneficially influences body composition.

"It's too early to tell whether increasing dietary curcumin [through turmeric] intake in obese people with diabetes will show a similar benefit," Dr. Tortoriello said. "Although the daily intake of curcumin one might have to consume as a primary diabetes treatment is likely impractical, it is entirely possible that lower dosages of curcumin could nicely complement our traditional therapies as a natural and safe treatment."

For now, the conclusion that Dr. Tortoriello and his colleagues have reached is that turmeric – and its active anti-oxidant ingredient, curcumin – reverses many of the inflammatory and metabolic problems associated with obesity and improves blood-sugar control in mouse models of Type 2 diabetes.

In addition to exploring novel methods of curcumin administration to increase its absorption, they are also interested in identifying novel anti-inflammatory processes invoked by curcumin and in adapting those processes in the development of more potent curcumin analogues.

[source]

The Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee

2008-06-14T21:23:00.002+08:00

Coffee might soon be considered a health drink following a study showing it is a surprisingly rich source of anti-cancer agents.

A study has found that coffee contributes more antioxidants - which have been linked with fighting heart disease and cancer - to the diet than cranberries, apples or tomatoes.

Fruit and vegetables have long been known to be a good source of antioxidants, but the new findings are surprising because it is the first time that coffee has been shown to be such a rich source of the agents.

Professor Joe Vinson of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania warned, however, that the study did not prove that coffee was good for you because high levels of antioxidants in food did not necessarily translate into higher levels absorbed by the body.

Nevertheless, the research - which was funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute - indicates that at least where coffee is consumed in high amounts, the beverage could be responsible for relatively high levels of antioxidants in the diet.

"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close," said Professor Vinson, whose study was described at the weekend to the American Chemical Society in Washington.

The study found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee appeared to provide similar levels of antioxidants.

The American findings are probably reflected in Britain, where people drink about 70 million cups of coffee each day despite the country's reputation as a tea-drinking nation. More than half of the American population are daily coffee drinkers. Although coffee consumption may be lower in the United Kingdom, nearly half of the British population regularly drinks instant or ground coffee, the market analysts Mintel say.

Antioxidants help to rid the body of harmful free radicals, destructive molecules that damage cells and DNA. They have been linked to a number of health benefits, including protection against heart disease and cancer. Studies have associated coffee drinking with a reduced risk of liver and colon cancer, type two diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.

But Professor Vinson urged moderation, recommending that people should drink only one or two cups of coffee per day. He added that it was important not to ignore the benefits offered by fresh fruit and vegetables. "Unfortunately, consumers are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables, which are better for you from an overall nutritional point of view to their higher content of vitamins, minerals and fibre," he said.

The research showed that, compared with other foods, dates were the richest source of antioxidants. But since so few dates are eaten by Americans, they only contributed a small amount of antioxidants to the average person's diet. Cranberries and red grapes also contain high levels of antioxidants.

A spokesman for the British Coffee Association said: "This study reconfirms the fact that moderate coffee consumption of four to five cups a day not only is perfectly safe but may confer health benefits."

The pros and cons of coffee

BENEFITS

Can increase alertness and improve short-term recall.
May reduce the risk of cirrhosis of the liver among heavy drinkers.
May postpone muscle fatigue.
Contains caffeine-related compounds (theophylline) that can alleviate the symptoms of asthma in some cases.

RISKS

Increases blood pressure among people who already suffer from high blood pressure.
Causes insomnia, anxiety, and irritability.
May worsen symptoms of PMS in some women.
Can reduce fertility in women trying to conceive.
Can cause heartburn and indigestion.

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2008-06-12T21:55:00.001+08:00

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Coffee As Disease Figther

2008-06-03T21:44:00.000+08:00

Some exciting work is showing how coffee may help reduce the risk of a number of diseases and ailments, including type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's, colon cancer, cirrhosis, gall stones, depression and more. Major medical centers and universities are contributing to our knowledge about what components in coffee help in the disease-fighting process. The Independent which would seem to indicate that coffee has numerous health benefits, and could be construed to be a 'health drink

What is Vitamins ?

2008-06-01T21:33:00.000+08:00

A vitamin is an organic compound required in tiny amounts for essential metabolic reactions in a living organism. The term vitamin does not include other essential nutrients such as dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, or essential amino acids, nor does it encompass the large number of other nutrients that promote health but that are not essential for life.

Vitamins are bio-molecules that act as catalysts and substrates in chemical reactions. When acting as a catalyst, vitamins are bound to enzymes and are called cofactors. For example, vitamin K is part of the proteases involved in blood clotting. Vitamins also act as coenzymes to carry chemical groups between enzymes. For example, folic acid carries various forms of carbon group – methyl, formyl and methylene - in the cell.

Until the 1900s, vitamins were obtained solely through food intake, and changes in diet (which, for example, could occur during a particular growing season) can alter the types and amounts of vitamins ingested. Vitamins have been produced as commodity chemicals and made widely available as inexpensive pills for several decades, allowing supplementation of the dietary intake.

Macular Degeneration (AMD)

2008-05-29T20:12:00.001+08:00

Macular degeneration is a disease of the central retina (called the macula) that affects central vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss among people over age 65.

Because it affects only central vision, macular degeneration does not cause total blindness. But it can make most daily activities like driving and reading difficult or impossible.

What causes it?

The exact cause of macular degeneration is still not understood, but it is thought to be associated with atherosclerotic changes in the tiny blood vessels that nourish the macula, compromising the blood flow to this part of the retina.

Age clearly plays a role in the disease. For this reason, it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Macular degeneration has two forms

There are two forms of AMD:

Dry AMD is the more common form, affecting approximately 90 percent of those who have macular degeneration. It typically develops slowly and causes mild visual distortion to moderate central vision loss.
Wet AMD affects only 10 percent of people with macular degeneration, but causes more severe vision loss. In wet AMD, new blood vessels that form under the macula leak fluid and can cause a rapid and severe loss of central vision.

How common is AMD?

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of severe vision loss among individuals over age 65. It's estimated that over 11 million people in the United States have AMD. It affects about 9 percent of the population over age 40, and causes vision loss of 20/200 or worse (legal blindness) in 15 to 20 percent of those with the condition.

Age is the greatest risk factor. People in their forties have only about a two percent. Those over age 75 have a 30 percent risk.

Other risk factors include:

Smoking
A family history of AMD
High cholesterol
A poor ability to tan when young
Excessive exposure to sunlight
High dietary intake of saturated fat and cholesterol
Uncontrolled hypertension
A high body mass index in men
Race - AMD affects Caucasians more frequently than people of other races
Gender - Women are twice as likely to develop AMD

What are the symptoms of AMD?

Macular degeneration is painless. Visual symptoms are constant and limited to the central area of a person's visual field. They include:

Distorted vision
Blurred vision
A central darkened spot or empty area

Can macular degeneration be treated?

Though there is currently no widely accepted treatment for macular degeneration, promising new medications are currently being developed. If you or a family member has AMD, ask your eye doctor about new treatment options that may be available.

Can macular degeneration be prevented?

Recent research suggests certain antioxidant vitamins and other nutritional supplements may slow or prevent the development of macular degeneration in some individuals. Vitamins A, C and E; zinc; Carotenoids; and lutein may be beneficial in maintaining a healthy retina. (These substances, however, have not been shown to reverse existing damage to the retina from AMD.)

Actions you can take to lower your risk of AMD include:

Get plenty of exercise
Maintain a proper weight
Eat a healthy diet
Avoiding smoking
Take a multiple antioxidant vitamin supplement daily

Because excessive exposure to sunlight is a risk factor for AMD, it's also a good idea to wear sunglasses outdoors that provide 100 percent UV protection. A wide-brimmed hat also helps limit the amount of UV radiation reaching your eyes.

Low vision aids

People who have lost vision due to AMD can often benefit from low vision aids. These specialized optical devices provide high magnification and help a person with AMD use their remaining central vision as effectively as possible.

How to Get Energy from Vitamins

2008-05-21T21:28:00.002+08:00

The biggest complaint that doctors often hear from patients is a lack of energy, or the constant feeling of fatigue. Due to these types of complaints, it really isn't a surprise that people want to know the best types of vitamins and supplements they can get for energy. All vitamins are ideal for staying healthy, as well as keeping your body performing in top shape.

Among vitamins and supplements, one of the most common for energy is folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin that has been proven to increase energy levels. Even though you can look for vitamins that provide energy, it would be in your best interest to find those that can be effective with fighting fatigue as well. There are vitamins, nutrients, and supplements that are great for fighting fatigue and helping the body stay alert.

The vitamin known as NADH is very powerful for energy, although many people aren't aware of it. People who use vitamins on a regular basis would find themselves very impressed with the boost NADH provides. It is often used with chronic fatigue, although the way it works can be quite complicated indeed. Other vitamins that are great for providing energy include the msm supplement and gingko biloba.

If you happen to be on a blood thinner, such as aspirin, you should always consult with a doctor or other trained specialist before you take gingko biloba, as it is a blood thinning agent. Even though it is considered to be an energy vitamin, if you use it with aspirin it can thin your blood down a bit too much. If you get your blood too thin, it may lead to medical problems later on in life that can prevent you from doing the things you love.

With any vitamin that you take as a source of energy, you should always consult with your doctor. If you have any type of heart or other serious medical condition, you may not be able to take the vitamin you are interested in. For this reason, you should always consult with your doctor and ask for his advice. After a few tests and exams, your doctor will be able to tell you what type of vitamins you should or shouldn't take.

In the world of vitamins and supplements, there are many alternative sources that you can take for energy. Whether you are a senior citizen looking to do more activities or an athlete looking to get more energy, there are many different vitamins out there that can give you what you need. Before you rush out and explore your options though, you should always consult with your doctor first and see if there are any vitamins you shouldn't be taking.

What is Conjunctivitis - Pink Eye?

2008-05-11T20:07:00.002+08:00

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is an irritation of the thin, normally transparent lining (called the conjunctiva) that covers the inner surface of the eyelids and the outer surface of the white of the eye (the sclera). The symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness, itchiness, irritation, and sensitivity to light.Conjunctivitis is commonly called "pink eye" because of the pale red appearance of the infected eye. Pink eye is a common and highly contagious infection among young children.

What causes conjunctivitis?

Allergies, an infection by bacteria or viruses, or by exposure to chemicals or other irritants can cause conjunctivitis.In allergic conjunctivitis, the conjunctiva usually appears swollen and red. The eyes are usually very watery, and itchiness can be severe.If conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, a sticky, yellow discharge may be present. This discharge may accumulate between the eyelids during sleep, causing the lids stick together.Viral conjunctivitis is usually characterized by redness, itchiness, and a clear, watery discharge.

How common is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is very common, especially among people with allergies.

How is conjunctivitis treated?

Most types of conjunctivitis are treated with medicated eye drops or ointments. In some cases, oral medicines may also be used.Most types of conjunctivitis are not damaging to the eye or sight threatening. However, conjunctivitis caused by exposure to chemicals is a medical emergency, requiring immediate action to prevent eye damage. If a chemical has gotten in your eye, flush the eye with a gentle stream of cool water for at least 10 minutes. Then cover the eye and go to an urgent care facility or hospital emergency room immediately. Though flushing the eye with water alone may prevent eye damage from some chemical exposures, it is important to have your eye examined as soon as possible by a doctor.

To avoid contracting or spreading conjunctivitis, take the following precautions

Wash your hands frequently during the day, especially before and after touching your eyes.
Avoid rubbing your eyes.
Do not share washcloths, pillows, towels, and make-up items with others.
Wash your bedding and towels frequently.
If you have a case of bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, discard and replace your current make-up, mascara, and eyeliner.
If you wear contact lenses, clean and disinfect your lenses as directed.
Wash your hands thoroughly before applying and removing your lenses.
Replace your contact lenses frequently.
Don't share your contact lenses with others.
Wear protective goggles when working with or near chemicals.
Avoid swimming in nonchlorinated pools or stagnant lakes or ponds.

How Water Could Possibly Form in the Freezing Darkness of Interstellar Space

2008-05-05T09:23:00.000+08:00

Water is the most abundant solid material in space. Astronomers see it on various planets, on moons, in comets and in interstellar clouds. But how did it get there? Nobody really knows how water could possibly form in the freezing darkness of interstellar space.

At least they didn’t until now. Today, Akira Kouchi and buddies at the Institute of Low Temperature Science at Hokkaido University in Japan say that have created water for the first in conditions similar to those found in interstellar space.

Water forms quite easily when oxygen and atomic hydrogen meet. The problem is that there is not enough of it floating around as gas in interstellar dust clouds. So instead, the thinking is that water must form when atomic hydrogen interacts with frozen solid oxygen on the surface of dust grains in these clouds.

Kouchi and co recreated this process by creating a layer of solid oxygen on an aluminum substrate at 10K and then bombarding it with hydrogen. Sure enough, infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of water and hydrogen peroxide, and in the right quantities to explain the abundance of water seen in interstellar clouds.

That’s cool and in more ways than one. All the water in the solar system–in comets, on Mars and in the oceans on Earth–must have formed in exactly this way in the interstellar dustcloud which pre-dated Sol and the planets.

So that’s not just any old water you’re sipping, that’s interstellar star juice.

Wha is SIP Trunking ?

2008-04-30T13:42:00.003+08:00

Unlike in traditional telephony, where bundles of physical wires were once delivered from the service provider to a business, a SIP trunk allows a company to replace these traditional fixed Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN) lines with PSTN connectivity via a SIP trunking service.

A SIP Trunk is a logical connection between an IP PBX and a Service Provider’s application servers that allows voice over IP traffic to be exchanged between the two. When a call is placed from an internal phone to an external number, the PBX sends the necessary information to the SIP Trunk provider who establishes the call to the dialed number and acts as an intermediary for the call. All signaling and voice traffic between the PBX and the provider is exchanged using SIP and RTP protocol packets over the IP network.

If the number being called is a traditional PSTN telephone, the trunk provider routes the IP packets to a PSTN Gateway that is closest to the number being called, to minimize possible long distance charges. The provider can also terminate PSTN numbers, and route incoming calls for those numbers back to the IP PBX over the SIP can also Trunk. This allows businesses to offer local phone numbers in several geographical areas, but service them all from a single location.

If the number being called can be reached over a SIP Trunk, the call does not need to be routed over the PSTN, but can be carried on the IP network end to end. Providers can deliver these calls to their customers for very little cost, and many offer them at no charge. Some service providers have agreements and exchange calls for each others customers directly over their IP networks. Where no such agreements are in place, calls are routed over the PSTN, even though both endpoints may ultimately be reachable over a SIP Trunk.

The SIP Trunk can be provided by the Internet Service Provider, or by an independent Internet Telephony Service Provider. In fact, there can be several parties involved, each one providing a different part of the service needed to deliver the end-to-end communication: Internet access, SIP termination, PSTN gateway, etc.

Because a SIP Trunk is not a physical connection, there is no explicit limit on the number of calls that can be carried over a single trunk. Each call consumes a certain amount of network bandwidth, so the number of calls is limited by the amount of bandwidth that can flow between the IP PBX and the provider’s equipment.

World’s largest tidal power project coming to Korea

2008-04-29T15:56:00.001+08:00

If there’s one thing we can depend on it’s the rising and falling of the tides. Up until very recently, tidal power has been a severely underutilized renewable energy source, but this won’t be the case much longer with the announcement of the world’s largest tidal power project in South Korea. A collaboration between Lunar Energy and Korean Midland Power Co (KOMIPO), and would create a colossal 300-turbine field in the Wando Hoenggan Water Way off the South Korean coast by 2015, providing 300MW of renewable energy, enough to power 200,000 homes!

World’s Largest Solar Energy Projects

2008-04-20T16:00:00.001+08:00

Mojave Desert, Southern California

California not only boasts the highest concentration of hybrid cars in the United States, but it can now also claim the world’s largest solar energy project. Phoenix-based Stirling Energy Systems, working with utilities firm Southern California Edison, is developing an enormous, 4,500-acre thermal solar generating station in southeastern California’s Mojave Desert. The station will initially encompass 20,000 40-foot-tall, dish-shaped mirrors and produce 500 MW of electricity. And the site might expand to 850 MW—making it at least 500 MW more powerful than any of the other large solar plants in the pipeline. Stirling’s dish technology uses mirrors to focus the sun’s rays on the receiver of a device called a Stirling engine. When the hydrogen inside the receiver expands, it creates enough pressure to kick the engine into gear and drive an electricity generator without any need for gasoline or water, and without producing emissions. The company claims its process is nearly twice as efficient as other solar technologies, and Stirling is also planning to construct a 300 MW site in California’s Imperial Valley. Construction of the Mojave Desert facility is due to begin in the middle of this year.

World's Largest Diamond Mine

2008-04-13T19:44:00.004+08:00

This diamond mine is located eastern Siberia is so deep that the surrounding "air zone... is closed for helicopters" after "a few accidents when they were 'sucked in' by downward air flow..."

The Largest Diamond Ever Exist

2008-04-08T20:19:00.000+08:00

The largest diamond to ever exist was discovered on January 26,1905. It was called the Cullinan Diamond. It was found in the Premier Mine in Pretoria, South Africa. This diamond weighed 3,106.75 carats (621.35 gms). The diamond weighed 1.33 pounds. It was discovered during a routine inspection by the mine superintendent, Mr. Frederick Wells. Fredrick Wells was 18 feet below the earth’s surface, when he spotted a flash of starlight just above him. The diamond was on the wall a few feet above him. He climbed up and got it out. His discovery was presented that same afternoon to Sir Thomas Cullinan who owned the mine. Cullinan then sold the diamond to the Transvaal Provincial Government. The stone was presented to Britain’s King Edward VII as a birthday gift on his sixty-sixth birthday. King Edward VII was worried that the diamond might be secretly stolen in transit from Africa to London. So he set up a decoy, with a phony diamond, aboard a steamship loaded with detectives.

Eventually the Cullinan was divided into 106 polished diamonds. One of the largest stones that was cut from the Cullinan diamond is called Star of Africa I or Cullinan I, and it weighed 530 carats. It is the largest, fine-cut, colorless diamond in the world. The second largest stone cut from Cullinan diamond is called the Star of Africa II or Cullinan II. It is 317 carats. These stones along with the Cullinan III, which is the third largest diamond cut, are displayed, and well guarded, in the Tower of London with other crown jewels from Britain.

Alligator Blood May Be Source of New Antibiotics ?

2008-04-07T18:25:00.005+08:00

Despite their reputation for deadly attacks on humans and pets, alligators are wiggling their way toward a new role as potential lifesavers in medicine, biochemists in Louisiana reported today at the 235th national meeting of the American Chemical Society. They described how proteins in gator blood may provide a source of powerful new antibiotics to help fight infections associated with diabetic ulcers, severe burns, and “superbugs” that are resistant to conventional medication.

Their study, described as the first to explore the antimicrobial activity of alligator blood in detail, found a range of other promising uses for the gator’s antibiotic proteins. Among them: combating Candida albicans yeast infections, which are a serious problem in AIDS patients and transplant recipients, who have weakened immune systems, the scientists say.

“We’re very excited about the potential of these alligator blood proteins as both antibacterial and antifungal agents,” says study co-author Mark Merchant, Ph.D., a biochemist at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La. “There’s a real possibility that you could be treated with an alligator blood product one day.”

Previous studies by Merchant showed that alligators have an unusually strong immune system that is very different from that of humans. Unlike people, alligators can fight microorganisms such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria without having prior exposure to them. Scientists believe that this is an evolutionary adaptation to promote quick wound healing, as alligators are often injured during fierce territorial battles.

In collaboration with Kermit Murray and Lancia Darville, both of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Merchant and colleagues collected blood samples from American alligators. They then isolated disease-fighting white blood cells (leucocytes) and extracted the active proteins from those cells.

In laboratory tests, tiny amounts of these protein extracts killed a wide range of bacteria, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), the deadly bacteria that are moving out of health care settings and into the community. These “superbugs” are increasingly resistant to multiple antibiotics and cause thousands of deaths each year.

The proteins also killed six out of eight different strains of Candida albicans, the researchers say. Their previous research also suggests that blood proteins may help fight HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The scientists are working to identify the exact chemical structures of the antimicrobial proteins and determine which proteins are most effective at killing different microbes. The gator blood extract may contain at least four promising substances, they estimate.

With the chemical structures in hand, scientists can begin developing them into antibacterial or antifungal drugs, including pills and creams, for fighting infections. These drugs show particular promise as topical ointments, Merchant says. Gator-blood creams could conceivably be rubbed onto the foot ulcers of patients with diabetes to help prevent the type of uncontrolled infections that lead to amputations, he says. The creams could also be applied to the skin of burn patients to keep infections at bay until damaged skin can heal, the researcher adds.

Merchant suggests that the proteins might be called “alligacin.” If studies continue to show promise, the drugs could land on pharmacy shelves in another seven to ten years, he estimates. Until then, don’t try to create your own home-remedies using alligator blood, as raw, unprocessed blood could make you sick or even kill you if injected, the researcher cautions.

Similar antimicrobial substances might also be found in related animals such as crocodiles, Merchant notes. In the future, he plans to study blood samples from alligators and crocodile species throughout the world to test their disease-fighting potential. The state of Louisiana and the National Science Foundation provides funding for this research.

The Largest Animal Alive

2008-04-05T16:04:00.003+08:00

The largest animal alive is the blue whale. Fully grown, these great creatures reach a length of over 30 metres and weigh as much as twenty-four large elephants, or more than 1,500 men. The heart of a blue whale is more than a metre in diameter.

The blue whale is not a fish, even though it spends its entire life in the sea. Whales are mammals, just like us. A mother whale gives birth to a live baby whale, not an egg. She feeds her baby with her own milk. While fish are cold-blooded, whales are warm-blooded, and they have lungs and breathe air, like us.

For all its size, a blue whale feeds mainly on this shrimps. It is harmless to man. Unfortunately for the blue whales, men are not harmless to them. So many blue whales have been hunted and killed that very few of these magnificent animals are now left alive.

Blue whales may reach over 24 m (80 ft) in length; mature females are usually slightly longer than mature males. A small dorsal fin is set far back on the body. The skin has a light-gray-and-white mottled pattern, which appears light blue when the whale is just below the surface of the water on a sunny day. The mottled pattern, which is unique to each animal, has been used by researchers to identify individual whales.

Blue whales were heavily hunted for oil, baleen, meat, and other products from the 1930s to the 1960s. This hunting nearly caused the extinction of the species. They are now protected and may gradually be returning in several areas of their range; since 1985, blue whales feeding in Monterey Bay, California, have become a familiar sight in late summer. The blue whale is classified as an endangered species.

World’s Tallest Tree

2008-04-01T15:56:00.001+08:00

In Redwood National Park, national park, located in northwestern California, established in 1968. The world’s tallest tree (112 m/367 ft) is located here. The park encompasses a 64-km (40-mi) strip of scenic Pacific coastal territory and contains virgin forests of ancient redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens). Heavy rainfall has produced a luxuriant vegetation that includes ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and, in places, an underbrush of azalea and rhododendron. The park preserves an undisturbed coastline of bluffs, beaches, rocky inlets, and lagoons. The park’s boundaries were expanded in 1978 and designated a World Heritage Site in 1980. Area, 45,532 hectares (112,512 acres).

Animals Use Pheromones to Communicate, but Do Humans?

2008-03-25T15:30:00.001+08:00

Some couples just seem to have a certain chemistry together. Research is showing that they might be exactly right.

Scientists now believe they have found the first human gene associated with the function of pheromones, odorless molecules wafting through the air that signal key survival responses in animals, like dealing with danger or finding a mate.

While rodents and other creatures essentially are reactive animals that depend heavily on pheromones for behavioral cues, it has been a topic of debate whether humans kept any pheromone function along the course of evolution. Humans use their larger brains to rely more on judgment and complex sensory cues, such as vision.

Researchers studying animals have shown how pheromones work, tracing complex neurological paths to stimulate parts of the brain that are deeply rooted in instinct.

Scientists have had their suspicions that humans also use pheromones to communicate with each other chemically. But only recently have experts been able to tease out the parts of the human body that might function this way.

Neurogeneticists at Rockefeller University and Yale say they have isolated a human gene, labeled V1RL1, they believe makes a pheromone receptor, or the chemical's personal reserved parking place. Pheromones would attach to this receptor when they are inhaled into the mucous lining in the nose.

"This is the first convincing identification of a human pheromone receptor," said University of Colorado biochemist Joseph Falke, PhD.

Rodents and other mammals also have the V1RL1 gene, and they rely heavily on pheromone cues to survive. However, it has not been determined whether the gene is active in humans or what sort of activity the gene could trigger.

"The ultimate test will be to find a pheromone that binds to the receptor and triggers a measurable physiological response," Falke said. more info...

Peptic Ulcer Information

2008-03-22T13:37:00.006+08:00

1. What is peptic ulcer disease?

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a chronic, recurrent disorder that is characterized by lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract which appears as reddish and inflamed, or as small depressions or excavations in the upper gastro-intestinal tract. The most common sites of this disease are the duodenum (duodenal ulcer) and the stomach (gastric ulcer). Duodenal ulcer typically affects persons 25-55 years of age while the peak incidence of gastric ulcer occurs around 55-65 years of age.

2. What are the common complaints of patients with peptic ulcer?

The usual complaints are:

Epigastric pain or pain in the upper abdomen may be a burning, annoying, or dull in the ache (like hunger pain) that is usually relieved within 5-10 minutes after eating or taking antacids. 50% to 80% of patients reported that they are awakened by pain at night.
Nausea, vomiting and a sense of fullness, are fairly common with gastric ulcers but less with duodenal ulcers.

3. How does ulcer develop?

Although acid (from carbonated drinks, juices, alcoholic drinks, etc) may be a major factor for ulcers to develop, other causes are now identified like the presence of Helicobacter pylori and chronic intake of antiarthritic drugs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Helicobacter pylori (H, pylori) is a bacteria that colonizes the epithelial cells, lining the surface of the stomach and duodenum where it causes inflammation and ulceration. More than 90% of patients with duodenal ulcers and about 75% with gastric ulcers harbor the organism, which are responsible for frequent relapses of ulcers. Up to 805 of patients with ulcers relapse within 1 year after the initial healing with conventional control of acid secretion (antacids and acid inhibitors). More recent drug regimens include eradication of H, pylori, which has resulted to dramatic reduction of ulcer recurrences.
Other factors include:

Smoking

doubles the incidence of peptic ulcer disease
increases ulcer recurrence
reduces ulcer healing with anti-ulcer drugs

Genetic influence – first degree relatives of patients with peptic ulcer have 2-3 fold risk of developing the disease
Stress – a potent factor in the development of peptic ulcer

4. How do you treat peptic ulcer?

The goals of therapy are to:

Promote ulcer healing
Relieve pain
Prevent complications like bleeding
Prevent recurrences

Treatment of peptic ulcer includes the use of:

Antacids – Aluminum and Magnesium hydroxide
Antisecretory Agents

H2-receptor Antagonists – inhibit acid secretion by blocking the H2-receptors in the parietal cells (acid-secreting cells in the stomach).

Cimetidine
Ranitidine
Famotidine

Proton-Pump Inhibitors – the most potent antisecreting agents which almost completely inhibit acid secretion of parietal cells (acid-secreting cells in the stomach).

Omeprazole
Lansoprazole
Pantoprazole

----3. Other Agents

Sucralfate
Bismuth subcitrate
Misoprostol

If you have history of ulcer symptoms, consult your doctor. Do not self-medicate, especially if…

You are more than 40 years of age
You have severe, intractable pain
You have blood in stools
You vomit ground coffee-like substance, and
You have significant weight loss.

How to Prevent or Delay Diabetes

2008-03-21T14:45:00.004+08:00

Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition that can be treated. The good news is that the recently completed Diabetes Prevention Program study conclusively showed that people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes in their diet and increasing their level of physical activity. They may even be able to return their blood glucose levels to the normal range.

While the DPP also showed that some medications may delay the development of diabetes, diet and exercise worked better. Just 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity, coupled with a 5-10% reduction in body weight, produced a 58% reduction in diabetes.

Making Healthy Food Choices

Knowing what to eat can be confusing. Everywhere you turn, there is news about what is or isn't good for you. Some basic principles have weathered the fad diets, and have stood the test of time. Here are a few tips on making healthful food choices for you and your entire family.

Eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Try picking from the rainbow of colors available to maximize variety. Eat non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, carrots, broccoli or green beans with meals.
Choose whole grain foods over processed grain products. Try brown rice with your stir fry or whole wheat spaghetti with your favorite pasta sauce.
Include dried beans (like kidney or pinto beans) and lentils into your meals.
Include fish in your meals 2-3 times a week.
Choose lean meats like cuts of beef and pork that end in "loin" such as pork loin and sirloin. Remove the skin from chicken and turkey.
Choose non-fat dairy such as skim milk, non-fat yogurt and non-fat cheese.
Choose water and calorie-free "diet" drinks instead of regular soda, fruit punch, sweet tea and other sugar-sweetened drinks.
Choose liquid oils for cooking instead of solid fats that can be high in saturated and trans fats. Remember that fats are high in calories. If you're trying to lose weight, watch your portion sizes of added fats.
Cut back on high calorie snack foods and desserts like chips, cookies, cakes, and full-fat ice cream.
Eating too much of even healthful foods can lead to weight gain. Watch your portion sizes.

The World's Biggest Subsea Robot

2008-03-20T20:12:00.000+08:00

United Kingdom (UK) companies installing subsea cables for telecommunications companies and pipelines for the oil industry have now a new tool, the UT-1 Ultra Trencher. The SMD loaded Ultra Trencher 1 (UT1) , a remote controlled submersible robot (ROV), on to a ship for delivery to CTC Marine Projects. The pounds 10m machine will be the world's largest ROV which is capable of self propelling and supporting its own weight in water.

[read from source...]

5 Tips To Help You Stay Healthy

2008-03-19T15:01:00.000+08:00

The key to a long, happy and prosperous life is, of course, good health. While we may be pre-destined to certain conditions or diseases, there are definitely things we can do to ward off illness and stay healthy for as long as possible. Here are five simple tips that anyone can do to help you live a long life full of good health.

1. No smoking

Don’t smoke, and if you do quit immediately. Smoking is perhaps the most preventable and avoidable cause of many debilitating and fatal diseases and conditions. Besides damaging the lungs, smoking also does considerable, irreversible damage to the heart as well as other organs of the body, including even the skin, not to mention the high risk of several types of cancer.

2. Drink in moderation

Studies have shown that drinking in moderation, meaning no more than one drink per day, can have a protective effect on the body depending on the type of alcohol consumed. Red wine, Beer for instance, has been shown to have a positive effect on the heart while distilled spirits such as vodkas and bourbons may increase a person’s risk of developing certain cancers.

3. Eat healthy

An overwhelming percentage of the population is either overweight or obese. A simple, yet sensible eating plan coupled with regular exercise is the absolute best way to lose weight, keep it off and stay healthy for the rest of your life. There are no “quick fixes” when it comes to good health and diets that are high in fat and cholesterol are linked with diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

4. Exercise regularly

After consulting with your doctor the two of you can determine what level of exercise is the best for you. It’s important to remember that more is not necessarily better, particularly if you are just starting to exercise or have had an otherwise sedentary lifestyle. A gradual increase in your work-outs will also increase your level of endurance for the best long-term results.

Here are some simple exercises that are excellent for losing weight, getting in shape and maintaining good health while strengthening your heart at the same time.

Walking: Almost anyone can do it and brisk walking can burn a few hundred calories per hour.
Running: While not for beginners, running is an excellent form of cardio exercise as it increases lung capacity, strengthens the heart and burns many calories.
Swimming: This full-body exercise is easy on the joints but still burns calories and strengthens the heart as well as the muscles.
Bicycling: Either indoors or out, bicycling is a great exercise to help you stay healthy as it burns calories, increases endurance, builds leg strength, and strengthens the heart and lungs.

5. Make time to relax

Stress and tension can lead to serious health problems if they are not dealt with in a productive manner. Research has proved that those with a Type-A personality or those who are prone to stress or anger are far more likely to suffer from heart-related illnesses as well as a host of other detrimental conditions.

Why The Vitamin B Complex Is Important To Your Mind and Body

2008-03-18T20:39:00.000+08:00

The B complex is made up of 8 vitamins and this group of nutirents is a very important constituent of your daily diet. These vitamins support many important physical and mental processes. This means that anybody who wants to feel in peak health each day, requires a sufficient daily intake of this essential set of vitamins.

Role of Vitamin B Complex

The Vitamin B complex is made up of eight separate vitamins. These are B1, also called thiamine, B2, also known as riboflavin, B3, which is also referred to as niacin, B6, also called pyridoxine, B9, commonly called folic acid, B12, also known as cyanocobalamin, biotin and pantothenic acid. These vitamins are essential to helping the body in converting food into energy. They also assist in the process of breaking down the fats and proteins that ensure the nervous system runs at peak efficiency. The B Complex vitamins also support muscle tone, oral health, and help to keep the eyes, skin, and hair healthy. The Vitamin B complex also helps to maintain mental functioning, including thinking and short-term memory.

Health Benefits of Beer

2008-03-17T14:05:00.006+08:00

In the past, research has linked beer with reducing the risk for heart disease. Beer contains no cholesterol, although it does have antioxidant qualities that can reduce LDL oxidation, with may help reduce your risk of heart disease. Beer is also an excellent source of fiber, stemming from the malted barley. Beer can also help to reduce stress, if you drink it in moderation.

To get the health benefits that beer provides, you should drink one beer a day. You shouldn't drink any more than this, as it can easily lead to health problems. Alcohol will thin out your blood, which will protect your heart and reduce the risk of strokes as well. In the past, research has even shown moderate consumption of alcohol can help with improving your memory as well. Then again, if you drink it excessively, it can destroy brain cells - the adverse effect.

Beer is also nutritious, although it can destroy your levels of vitamin C as well. Beer is a great source of fiber, as well as other minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and several B vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12. Beer contains high levels of these vitamins, along with other minerals that are actually good for your body. Although it offers plenty of B vitamins and other minerals your body needs, it will also destroy your vitamin C - which is why you never want to drink too much of it.

Role of Vitamin B2

2008-03-16T20:46:00.001+08:00

What Vitamin B2 (or Riboflavin) Does For Your Health

The second B complex vitamin, B2, is also known as riboflavin. Vitamin B2 is a member of the group of 8 vitamins which make up the nutritional group known as the Vitamin B complex. These B vitamins are essential to the functioning of the body in almost every way, and they play very important roles in all the bodily systems.

Apart from their major influence on the physical health of the body, the Vitamin B complex is also essential to mental functioning, including cognition and the stability of emotional responses.

Vitamin B2 has many roles in human health and functioning. This vitamin is a key part of the fundamental workings of human blood. It assists in the production of red blood cells, the means by which oxygen, vital to every cell in the body, is transported through the circulatory system. It is also essential in the production of antibodies and the body’s absorption of iron.

Additionally, Vitamin B2 aids the digestive system by helping the body to make use of the energy potential in carbohydrates. It serves to protect the health of the mucus membranes, especially those that act within the digestive process to keep the foods consumed moving smoothly through the digestive tract. It is a cofactor, or partner, in the metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, and certain proteins.

Because it plays a role in the regulation of the activity of the thyroid, Vitamin B2 is very important to normal growth and development; it is also key to the reproductive system. Vitamin B2 acts as a cofactor to Vitamin B6, which itself could not be active without the Vitamin B2 in the body. This co-operative action takes place in many processes, and also helps in making niacin useful to the body.

Vitamin B2 also has a role to play in adrenal gland function and tissue repair in the body, while helping to keep the skin, hair, fingernails and toenails healthy. Lastly, it is essential to good vision, and may play a role in the prevention of cataracts.