Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Malaysia On the Hunt for 700,000 Missing Condoms
I don´t even know what to say...jaja
Somewhere en route to Tokyo from Malaysia, 700,000 ultrathin condoms disappeared. The condom maker, Sagami Rubber Industries, says that the crate containing the shipment was virtually empty.
The case containing the prophylactics has been apparently emptied and replaced with locks. Goods being shipped from Malaysia apparently often go missing, and are often inside jobs. The shipment, valued at $1.5 million, is being investigated by the Malaysian police, who, assuredly, are taking the matter “very seriously.”
But with Valentine's Day right around the corner, they ought to really consider if they want their condoms back.
Source: Time Magazine
Glow-in-the-Dark Surgery in The Works
This gives the phrase "lit from within" a whole new meaning.
A new, fluorescent liquid is being developed by researchers at the University of California's San Diego School of Medicine that would, once injected, cause a patient's nerves to "glow", allowing surgeons to more easily avoid nicking them during surgery.
The substance "consists of a protein fragment containing amino acids," according to the Daily Mail, and has been effective in preliminary experiments on mice, rendering nerves about ten times more visible to the naked eye than normal, with no known side effects.
One of the researchers, Professor Roger Tsien, said that the new liquid would be much more effective in outlining the nerves to avoid during surgery.
"The analogy I use is that when construction workers are excavating, they need a map showing where the existing underground electrical cables are actually buried, not just old plans of questionable accuracy," he said. "Likewise when surgeons are taking out tumours, they need a live map showing where the nerves are actually located, not just a static diagram of where they usually lie in the average patient."
Surgeons usually avoid nerves while operating guided solely by their knowledge of the human body. However, this can lead to problems as nerve location can vary slightly from one person to the next. Another method used to avoid nerves is electromyographic monitoring which uses electrodes to find major nerves but the smaller ones still go undetected.
The fluorescent liquid hasn't been through human testing yet, but if it proves successful the method could prevent the majority of accidental nerve damage during surgery.
Source: Time Magazine
Volkswagen Commercial: The Force
I´m not sure if I want a VW or a Darth Vader costume...but I can´t stop laughing at this commercial! Good stuff for the superbowl.
Archaeologists Find Trove of Tombs on Google Earth
That looks like a lot of fun...
Source: Time Magazine
Link: Archaeologists Find Trove of Tombs on Google Earth
Forget your shovel — you can now find ancient artifacts from the comfort of your desk.
David Kennedy, an archaeologist from the University of Western Australia has found thousands of potential archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia, simply by using Google Earth. He used the software to find 1082 "pendants" — tear-shaped stone tombs.
"[Saudi Arabia is] not the easiest country to break into," Kennedy said. Aerial photos are scarce for archaeologists, and few people can fly over the country. That's why Google Earth was such an important resource for exploring the territory.
Kennedy's Google Earth search found an area that may be up to 9,000 years old and has evidence of human activity. This comes three years after other Australian researchers found hundreds of Afghan artifacts through the software. Looks like clicking is the new digging.
Source: Time Magazine
Link: Archaeologists Find Trove of Tombs on Google Earth
NASA Releases First-Ever Image From Far Side of Sun
Forget the dark side of the moon...
Source: Time Magazine
Link: NASA Releases First-Ever Image From Far Side of Sun
After a new NASA breakthrough, we can now see the far side of the sun.
Why should we care about imaging the whole sun? According to Michael D. Lemonick over at TIME.com, we don't like the sun when it's angry. The star occasionally erupts masses of charged subatomic particles, which seriously mess with NASA.
These eruptions, known as coronal mass ejections, aren't enough to hurt the planet physically [...] What they can do is fry the electronics of communications satellites, and even put astronauts in danger of a radiation overdose. These electronic storms are part of the broader phenomenon known as "space weather," and it's good to have as much warning as possible when the Sun is looking angry.
A new spacecraft has made it possible to determine when coronal mass ejections happen, no matter where they occur on the sun's surface. And aside from potentially protecting astronauts, they also produce great video. Check out NASA's clip below
Source: Time Magazine
Link: NASA Releases First-Ever Image From Far Side of Sun
The Best Zero Calorie Flavour Boosters
Good stuff to have in the kitchen!!!
Want to boost nutrition and up your culinary game at the same time? Fresh herbs are the perfect prescription. They're packed with nutrients that have been shown to boost brainpower, increase your inner organ functionality, and protect you against diseases like asthma and arthritis. The best part is that knowing how to wield them well guarantees a super flavor boost to any meal you make. Delicious!
Basil
The Benefit: Basil is rich in antioxidants that mop up cell-damaging free radicals inside the body. This can help prevent a host of unwanted conditions, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and high cholesterol. Basil also contains oils that prevent bacteria growth and inflammation
The Blueprint: Make fresh pesto by blending 2 cups fresh basil leaves with 2 tablespoons pine nuts, ¼ cup Parmesan, and ¼ cup olive oil.
Peppermint
The Benefit: Thank the menthol in peppermint for the plant's ability to clear phlegm and mucus from the bronchial tract to facilitate easy breathing. And also for soothing indigestion, gas, menstrual cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome.
The Blueprint: Brighten up a batch of fruit salad with a squeeze of lime and handful of chopped mint leaves.
Sage
The Benefit: Like rosemary, sage is known to strengthen memory. The rosemerinic acid in these plants also works to preserve your body by protecting your cells from oxidative damage and alleviating the effects of asthma and arthritis.
The Blueprint: For a quick pasta sauce, melt a pat of butter in a pan until it bubbles and turns light brown, then add a handful of whole sage leaves. Toss with store-bought cheese or pumpkin ravioli.
Rosemary
The Benefit: Call it the smart spice. Many people swear by rosemary's ability to increase cognitive functioning, and researchers in California have identified carnosic acid as an active ingredient in rosemary that can offset cognitive degeneration, protect against Alzheimer's, and prevent stroke.
The Blueprint: Mix together minced rosemary, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Use as a marinade for chicken, steak, pork, and vegetables.
Thyme
The Benefit: This tiny herb is extremely rich in iron, which is crucial to your body's ability to transport oxygen. Just 2 teaspoons contain 20 percent of your daily intake. Plus, seasoning with thyme helps protect food from bacterial contamination.
The Blueprint: Thyme is the ultimate utility player, pairing great with roasted meat and vegetables, tomato sauce, and scrambled eggs.
Cilantro
The Benefit: In mice studies, coriander seeds, from the cilantro plant, encouraged the pancreas to produce more insulin-the hormone that helps shuttle glucose into the cells to be burned as energy. This prevents excess blood sugars from being stored as fat. Cilantro leaves have the same benefits.
The Blueprint: Chop up a few tomatoes, an onion, and a jalapeño and mix with a heap of cilantro for a versatile fresh salsa.
Tarragon
The Benefit: By increasing the secretion of bile and acids into the stomach, tarragon improves gastric efficiency and whets the appetite. Because of this, it's best used early in the meal as an appetizer.
The Blueprint: Grill up a mixture of vegetables-onions, peppers, squash, asparagus-and sprinkle them with fresh goat cheese, tarragon, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Oregano
The Benefit: A USDA study found that when adjusted for weight, it had four times the antioxidant activity of blueberries. That means big cancer-fighting potential for your next pizza or pasta sauce.
The Blueprint: Add equal parts fresh parsley and oregano to a blender and, with the motor running, slowly drizzle in olive or canola oil. Strain and use the infused oil to top grilled fish or chicken or as a dip for toasted bread.
Parsley
The Benefit: These dainty leaves are highly concentrated with luteolin, a powerful flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers at the University of Illinios found that luteolin decreased inflammation in the brain, which helps prevent decline in cognitive functions.
The Blueprint: Chop a bushel and mix it with bulgur wheat. Add olive oil, lemon juice, and mint and you have a tasty tabbouleh salad to pair with grilled fish or meat.
Want to boost nutrition and up your culinary game at the same time? Fresh herbs are the perfect prescription. They're packed with nutrients that have been shown to boost brainpower, increase your inner organ functionality, and protect you against diseases like asthma and arthritis. The best part is that knowing how to wield them well guarantees a super flavor boost to any meal you make. Delicious!
Basil
The Benefit: Basil is rich in antioxidants that mop up cell-damaging free radicals inside the body. This can help prevent a host of unwanted conditions, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and high cholesterol. Basil also contains oils that prevent bacteria growth and inflammation
The Blueprint: Make fresh pesto by blending 2 cups fresh basil leaves with 2 tablespoons pine nuts, ¼ cup Parmesan, and ¼ cup olive oil.
Peppermint
The Benefit: Thank the menthol in peppermint for the plant's ability to clear phlegm and mucus from the bronchial tract to facilitate easy breathing. And also for soothing indigestion, gas, menstrual cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome.
The Blueprint: Brighten up a batch of fruit salad with a squeeze of lime and handful of chopped mint leaves.
Sage
The Benefit: Like rosemary, sage is known to strengthen memory. The rosemerinic acid in these plants also works to preserve your body by protecting your cells from oxidative damage and alleviating the effects of asthma and arthritis.
The Blueprint: For a quick pasta sauce, melt a pat of butter in a pan until it bubbles and turns light brown, then add a handful of whole sage leaves. Toss with store-bought cheese or pumpkin ravioli.
Rosemary
The Benefit: Call it the smart spice. Many people swear by rosemary's ability to increase cognitive functioning, and researchers in California have identified carnosic acid as an active ingredient in rosemary that can offset cognitive degeneration, protect against Alzheimer's, and prevent stroke.
The Blueprint: Mix together minced rosemary, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Use as a marinade for chicken, steak, pork, and vegetables.
Thyme
The Benefit: This tiny herb is extremely rich in iron, which is crucial to your body's ability to transport oxygen. Just 2 teaspoons contain 20 percent of your daily intake. Plus, seasoning with thyme helps protect food from bacterial contamination.
The Blueprint: Thyme is the ultimate utility player, pairing great with roasted meat and vegetables, tomato sauce, and scrambled eggs.
Cilantro
The Benefit: In mice studies, coriander seeds, from the cilantro plant, encouraged the pancreas to produce more insulin-the hormone that helps shuttle glucose into the cells to be burned as energy. This prevents excess blood sugars from being stored as fat. Cilantro leaves have the same benefits.
The Blueprint: Chop up a few tomatoes, an onion, and a jalapeño and mix with a heap of cilantro for a versatile fresh salsa.
Tarragon
The Benefit: By increasing the secretion of bile and acids into the stomach, tarragon improves gastric efficiency and whets the appetite. Because of this, it's best used early in the meal as an appetizer.
The Blueprint: Grill up a mixture of vegetables-onions, peppers, squash, asparagus-and sprinkle them with fresh goat cheese, tarragon, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Oregano
The Benefit: A USDA study found that when adjusted for weight, it had four times the antioxidant activity of blueberries. That means big cancer-fighting potential for your next pizza or pasta sauce.
The Blueprint: Add equal parts fresh parsley and oregano to a blender and, with the motor running, slowly drizzle in olive or canola oil. Strain and use the infused oil to top grilled fish or chicken or as a dip for toasted bread.
Parsley
The Benefit: These dainty leaves are highly concentrated with luteolin, a powerful flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers at the University of Illinios found that luteolin decreased inflammation in the brain, which helps prevent decline in cognitive functions.
The Blueprint: Chop a bushel and mix it with bulgur wheat. Add olive oil, lemon juice, and mint and you have a tasty tabbouleh salad to pair with grilled fish or meat.
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