Eating fish may help prevent macular degeneration.
crapbag
Monday, July 31, 2006
Canned tunafrom Latin America had higher mercury levels than canned tuna in the US. Canned tuna from Asia had the lowest levels of all.
Here are some cholesterol-lowering foods that are good for your arteries.
In women who had Alzheimer’s disease, weight loss occurred as early as 10 years before the onset of dementia.
Why is it so important to eat at least 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables? Read this to find out.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Some women are demanding equal rights from the Catholic Church, challenging Church law and tradition, as they seek ordination as women priests. They will undoubtedly find themselves ex-communicated for this, but these women think it is wrong for the Catholic Church to deny women entry to the priesthood.
Another consequence of global warming is happening right before our eyes. High temperatures are causing droughts destroying crops and affecting livestock. Expect higher grain and meat prices in the future.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
In 70-79 year olds without any heart problem, a study found that light to moderate drinkers (drinkers whom consumed from one to seven drinks a week) had a lower risk of cardiac arrest and death. Researchers don't really understand why the risk may be lower; some think it is due to anti-inflammatory and vaso-dilating properties of alcohol while others think it may be something else. Heavy drinking however, increases the risk of heart attacks and death.
In spite of the protective effect of alcohol found in this study, drinking is toxic to the stomach, the liver and the brain, so it is not recommend by doctors.
In spite of the protective effect of alcohol found in this study, drinking is toxic to the stomach, the liver and the brain, so it is not recommend by doctors.
"If we didn't have alcohol in the world, our health would be better, not worse," Siegel said. "Overall, alcohol is very bad for us."
Read about all the politics behind the minimum wage increase/estate tax cut bill that was just approved by the House. Opposed by Senate Democrats, the bill might not be passed by the Senate.
According to this article:
The effectiveness of a group can be predicted, not by the group's average IQ, but by the highest IQ in the group. The exception is when the difference between the "smartest" person's IQ and everyone else's IQ in the group is very large.
Also, working in a group is actually better than working alone or working alone first before joining the group.
The effectiveness of a group can be predicted, not by the group's average IQ, but by the highest IQ in the group. The exception is when the difference between the "smartest" person's IQ and everyone else's IQ in the group is very large.
Also, working in a group is actually better than working alone or working alone first before joining the group.
Take this quiz to find out how you're doing on food safety in your kitchen.
Amazon has started a virtual sweatshop that seems to have no problems finding workers willing to work for a pittance and is saving employers a ton of money. In a twist from our usual idea of technology saving labor, in this case, human labor is assisting technology.
It's good to be a nerd if you're a girl, but not if you're a boy. That may be why there is talk that girls are doing better than boys academically.
If you've ever wondered who Republicans care about, then this move should answer your question. It seems that Republicans really want to help millionaires by eliminating the taxes on their estates. It doesn't matter a bit to them that people working full-time at the exisiting minimum wage currently live below the poverty line.
The Bush administration has even resorted to a underhanded but effective way to nullify the estate tax since Bush's previous efforts to repeal the estate tax have failed. The Federal government is laying off half of all the IRS tax auditors who handle estates of the wealthy, basically making it a lot easier for rich people to evade the estate tax.
The Bush administration has even resorted to a underhanded but effective way to nullify the estate tax since Bush's previous efforts to repeal the estate tax have failed. The Federal government is laying off half of all the IRS tax auditors who handle estates of the wealthy, basically making it a lot easier for rich people to evade the estate tax.
Monday, July 24, 2006
With temperatures this year being the hottest on record in the United States, with heat waves sweeping throughout Europe even causing the pavement to melt in the UK, and record electricity demand for air conditioning causing blackouts in California, we can see global warming in action. These heat waves are killing people and power companies are struggling to meet the surging demand for electricity to keep people cool. This is only the beginning of things to come.
Yet there are a few voices out there that are still denying that global warming is happening. This history of science professor tells us that there is no longer any debate on the issue in the scientific community: it is accepted that global warming is happening and that it is caused by human activities. But there will always be a few stubborn people unwilling to change their views in spite of overwhelming evidence. That is the history of science. However, it is dangerous for us to ignore the evidence. We must act now to address this problem before it is too late.
post edited on July 25, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Yet there are a few voices out there that are still denying that global warming is happening. This history of science professor tells us that there is no longer any debate on the issue in the scientific community: it is accepted that global warming is happening and that it is caused by human activities. But there will always be a few stubborn people unwilling to change their views in spite of overwhelming evidence. That is the history of science. However, it is dangerous for us to ignore the evidence. We must act now to address this problem before it is too late.
post edited on July 25, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Asatru is becoming popular in US prisons.
Many white supremacists have become adherents of the religion and have found justification for violence in the religion, although Asatru leaders deny this. Some say the religion promotes a warrior mentality that celebrates raw physical power and domination and may inspire violence in adherents.
Asatru is often referred to as Odinism, although some followers believe the two are separate religions. It is a polytheistic, pre-Christian faith native to Scandinavia whose adherents worship gods including Thor and Odin.
Many white supremacists have become adherents of the religion and have found justification for violence in the religion, although Asatru leaders deny this. Some say the religion promotes a warrior mentality that celebrates raw physical power and domination and may inspire violence in adherents.
Video games are no longer just for entertainment. People are now making serious or persuasive games that can be used to educate people on a political or social issue.
Los Angeles is the "most economically segregated region in the country". It is "a region of extreme polarization, where rich and poor live in separate neighborhoods, surrounded by others like themselves." While most extreme in LA, this is reflective of a national trend toward greater polarization and a shrinking of the middle class.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Read this horror story of a man who got arrested for using $2 bills to pay his bill at Best Buy. The $2 bill is legal tender and is still being circulated, but most people rarely encounter it nowadays.
If you've ever questioned the importance of nurture as opposed to nature in determining who we are as human beings, then you only have to look at the situation of feral children like this woman who was raised by dogs to find out what happens to a person deprived of human culture.
Those people holding up arrows on street corners seem to be everywhere. This relatively recent form of advertising (20 years old) that started in Lake Forest is becoming popular, and seems to be effective in bringing in traffic.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Rehab for video game and online computer game addicts.
From the article:
People who said they had been active throughout their lives had about a 60 percent lower risk of being diagnosed with coronary heart disease.
Couch potatoes who changed their ways and began exercising after the age of 40 were about 55 percent less likely to be diagnosed with the illness than people who had always been inactive.
"Our results suggest that a more active physical activity pattern is clearly associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, and that changing from a sedentary to a more physically active lifestyle even in later adulthood may strongly decrease CHD risk."
An Australian town has been playing Barry Manilow tunes non-stop over the city's loudspeakers to drive away loiterers at a park. The tactic has worked but unfortunately, the songs are also driving the residents crazy.
A new nictotine vaccine may help smokers quit.
Advertisers are always looking for new ways to get our attention. Now, they want to advertise on food, specifically on eggs sold at the supermarket.
Some people can't tell people's faces apart. They go through life unable to recognize movie stars, acquaintances, friends, and even the faces of their own parents, spouses, children and themselves! Read about face blindness here.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
We owe a lot to plumbing. Read this article to find out why.
Old people may not have to run a marathon to get the benefits of exercise. Increased physical activity and energy output from daily activities can do a lot of good.
Everyone knows we are exercising less and consuming more calories, and that's why obesity is on the rise. But are these the only reasons? Here are other theories for the rise in obesity that aren't talked about as much.
Here are some strategies for preventing depression.
In a study comparing people who ate healthy fat and trans fat, researchers found that trans fat is particularly bad for people. Trans fat seems to lead to extra weight gain and increased fat around the abdomen.
Drugs used to treat ADHD may work by normalizing the dopamine system in patients' brains.
For a while during the housing boom, renting in Southern seemed reasonable compared to the cost of owning a home, but now, rents are rising quickly and are predicted to continue rising into the future.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
This woman discovered that the same principles animal trainers use on animals could be used on her husband with positive results. For example, she found that praising desirable behavior and ignoring undesirable behavior worked, while nagging didn't.
According to this article, the problem isn't that there are too many frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits; in fact, most lawsuits are warranted and the few frivolous ones are frequently tossed out. There are just too many medical mistakes being committed. A study found that "doctors were injuring one out of every 25 patients—and that only 4 percent of these injured patients sued." The solution is to prevent medical mistakes from happening in the first place.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Statins may not just be good for lowering cholesterol. They may help treat hepatitis C infections, reduce the risk of cataracts, and even possibly affect influenza viruses including bird flu.
From the article:
Patients newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer often don't retain information provided by their physicians about treatment options, risks, and expected outcomes, a new study conducted at the University of Colorado at Denver suggests.
Instead, patients are inclined to base their treatment decisions on fear and uncertainty, false impressions, and anecdotes from acquaintances who have been treated for prostate cancer.
The painful and damaging practice of breast ironing is still being practiced widely today in Cameroon and other African countries by mothers who think that it is good for their daughters. "[I]n 58 percent of cases breast ironing was carried out by mothers worried that the onset of puberty could provoke sexual harassment, inhibit their daughters' studies or even stunt their growth."
Thursday, July 06, 2006
A very interesting article on the Comedy Central animated TV series, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, now finally available on DVD.
The incredible growth in demand for organic food in the First World could be an opportunity for poorer countries for whom industrialized farming has traditionally been out of reach due to the costs. In countries where labor is cheap but pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not, farmers stand to take advantage of the rising popularity of organic produce.
Regardless of whether organic farming costs less to practice, consumers have shown a willingness to pay a premium for organic food. So by commanding a higher price, organic produce can potentially be far more profitable for farmers.
Best of all, by not involving the use of man-made pesticides and other chemicals that could harm the environment, organic farming may be better, not just for farmers, but for everyone in the long run.
Regardless of whether organic farming costs less to practice, consumers have shown a willingness to pay a premium for organic food. So by commanding a higher price, organic produce can potentially be far more profitable for farmers.
Best of all, by not involving the use of man-made pesticides and other chemicals that could harm the environment, organic farming may be better, not just for farmers, but for everyone in the long run.
Click on the link in the article to view a very interesting slideshow on the history of the bikini.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Nowadays, we know that pregnant women should not drink because it can harm their babies. But few of us realize that teenagers should not drink either for neurobiological reasons. Drinking alcohol injures the brain in teenagers and adults. But the developing brains of teenagers may be especially vulnerable to brain injury. Alcohol can impair their brain development and cause "long-term cognitive consequences" such as poor memory.
The good news is, quitting drinking may reverse the damage. "Adult alcoholics who stop drinking are known to recover cognitive function over time. The same may hold true for hard-drinking teenagers." However, part of the damage alcohol does is to areas of the brain involved in planning and impulse control, making teenagers who drink more susceptible to forming an addiction to alcohol. That's why drinking at an early age is a bad idea.
The good news is, quitting drinking may reverse the damage. "Adult alcoholics who stop drinking are known to recover cognitive function over time. The same may hold true for hard-drinking teenagers." However, part of the damage alcohol does is to areas of the brain involved in planning and impulse control, making teenagers who drink more susceptible to forming an addiction to alcohol. That's why drinking at an early age is a bad idea.
Takeru Kobayashi has been completely destroying his competition for the past several years in the world of competitive eating. But now, a newcomer, Joey Chestnut, may actually have a shot at beating him. Chestnut came out of nowhere and ended up scoring 3rd place in last year's hot dog eating contest. Since then, he has been winning other eating competitions left and right. He will be competing against Kobayashi in this year's hot dog eating competition that is being held today.
Monday, July 03, 2006
The next time you lose something, don't panic. Just follow this guide to finding lost objects, and you will fine.
This article has advice for college graduates entering the world of work.
Rubber sidewalks may replace concrete ones in the future. They last three times longer and are better for trees.
YouTube, the video-sharing site, may not have much of a future as a business, according to this article.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Learn about the the long-standing rivalry between DC and Marvel comics.
The future is here. South Korea will be launching a test program placing robots in 1000 homes and 40 kindergartens "to clean up homes, care for pets, read to children and identify visitors." The Korean government hopes to have a robot in every Korean home by 2020.
This is an interesting article arguing that Hollywood has has no way of predicting what movies will become hits, even though movie executives want you to believe that they have the ability to determine which movies will become blockbusters.
Six Flags has announced that they are planning on closing down Magic Mountain. The theme park property will likely be sold off to housing developers.
This is just ridiculous. Farm subsidies are being given out by the Federal government, adding up to almost 50% more than what families on welfare receive, and many of the recipients are people who don’t even do any farming.
A US study found that higher incomes may not mean more happiness.
Women underestimate their abilities to use the Internet much like they underestimate their math and science skills, even though they are found to have comparable skill levels as men.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
What we normally think of as waste, does not have to be. This farm is using cow manure to generate electricity, and it is earning them even more than sales of their milk.
A study shows that one "drink is all it takes to cause "inattentional blindness," a condition where people fail to detect unexpected objects in their field of vision while focusing on another task." This inability to see something unexpected makes it dangerous for anyone who has an alcoholic drink to drive. Inattention is a major cause of car accidents.
Elderly people who want to know their chances of surviving the next six years can do a simple test to find out.
The study found that those who were unable to complete the quarter-mile walk “were at an extremely high risk of later disability and death.”
The risk of dying was also three times greater for those who were slowest at completing the walk, compared to the faster walkers.
If you can walk a quarter-mile, odds are you have at least six years of life left in you, scientists announced today.
And the faster you can do it, the longer you might live.
The study found that those who were unable to complete the quarter-mile walk “were at an extremely high risk of later disability and death.”
The risk of dying was also three times greater for those who were slowest at completing the walk, compared to the faster walkers.