-
Computers Improve and Sustain Mind and Memory of the Elderly
Researchers at the The University of Western Australia have discovered that using a personal computer decreases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older men by 40%. The findings are part of a study on men’s health and aging that have followed a group of more than 19,000 men since 1996.
The researchers state that “older people should therefore be encouraged to embrace computer technology as long as they understand the dangers of prolonged physical inactivity and the many advantages of a balanced and healthy lifestyle, the authors write.”
Be patient with Grandma and Grandpa the next time they tell you “my Google is broken.” You’re prolonging their sanity, and what little remains of yours!
-
All Tea Comes From the Same Plant: Camellia sinensis
http://yinzhen.com/ Camellia sinensis on the hill Green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea, and all the rare in-betweens are actually the same plant, the Camellia sinensis. The difference is the way each tea is grown and prepared.
Related Article: Green Tea Power: Surprising Health Benefits
Harvest time, climate, altitude, plant part and method of drying all play a crucial role in the final product that results. Each tea variety is created using a unique combination of the aforementioned growing aspects. It’s amazing that such subtle changes can alter a single plant so dramatically and change the way our taste buds respond with such a wide array of differences. Of course Camellia sinensis isn’t the only tea out there. There are many types of herbal teas on the market made from other plants and are very good for a variety of functions.
Related Article: Japanese Diet Secret: Kuromame Tea (Black Soybean Tea)
Although I prefer buying loose leaf tea in bulk, my favorite brand of tea bag is Yogi Tea. They are completely organic, extremely effective, and have a great variety to choose from. Yogi tea has a variety of teas derived from Camellia sinensis, herbal tea and teas which are mixtures of the two. Explore the wonderful world of tea and enter into a healthier lifestyle with Camellia sinensis.
Related Article: The Life Changing and Life Lengthening World of Fasting
In addition to being delicious tea is much healthier than some of the market’s tasty alternatives. Soda and diet soda are quite unhealthy and easily replaced by hot tea or even refreshing iced tea.
Drop the soda, pick up the tea! (allow it to cool first) Camellia sinensis might be your new best friend.
Sources:
http://www.teatime-anytime.com/articles/black-green-white-tea-the-same.html
-
All Tea Comes From the Same Plant
Green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea, and all the rare in-betweens are actually the same plant. The difference is the way each tea is grown and prepared. Harvest time, climate, altitude, plant part and method of drying all play a crucial role in the final product that results.
It’s amazing that such subtle changes can alter a single plant so dramatically and change the way our taste buds respond with such a wide array differences.
In case you were interested, although I prefer buying loose leaf tea in bulk, my favorite brand of tea bag is Yogi Tea. They are completely organic, extremely effective, and have a great variety to choose from.
Drop the soda, pick up the tea! (allow it to cool first)
-
An End to the Electoral College
http://www.caglecartoons.com A little late Al, but it makes sense that he would be in favor of ending the Electoral College since he in fact won the popular vote in the 2000 election, despite losing to Bush.
According to Gore,
many Americans are disenfranchised and some states are ignored because of the Electoral College, and it’s time to abandon it.
The electoral college was put into place in opposition to common suggestions that congress should choose the president. Some delegates like James Madison preferred a popular vote, believing it would be most ideal. However, there was a problem
of a serious nature attending an immediate choice by the people. The right of suffrage was much more diffusive in the Northern than the Southern States; and the latter could have no influence in the election on the score of Negroes.
That and,
The people are uninformed, and would be misled.
Seeing as how the American public has access to easy-to-understand sites like Wikipedia and Factcheck, ignorance has largely become a choice. So, Mr. Madison, we don’t have slaves, and we can think for ourselves, what do you think of the popular vote now?
Although I recognize that the Electoral College was put in place for good reason at the time, basing elections purely on the popular vote does make a lot of sense. The popular vote ensures that each person gets their vote counted for the candidate they want to see in office, instead of having their vote transformed by their state’s overarching political preference. We would be able to vote as individuals, instead of as all consuming groups. It might even allow more than two parties to become active in American politics, heightening ideological and strategical diversity.
I’m sure the Electoral College isn’t going anywhere soon, but maybe one day each and everyone’s voice will truly make a difference in the ballots.
Sources:
National Journal: Al Gore Calls for an End to Electoral College
Library of Congress: Congressional Debtes
-
Al Gore Calls for an End to the Electoral College
A little late Al, but it makes sense that he would be in favor of ending the EC since he in fact won the popular vote in the 2000 election.
According to Gore, “many Americans are disenfranchised and some states are ignored because of the Electoral College, and it’s time to abandon it.”
Although I recognize that the EC was put in place to ensure weighted and fair representation for all states, basing elections purely on the popular vote does make a lot of sense. The popular vote ensures that each person gets their vote counted for the candidate they want to see in office, instead of having their vote transformed by their state’s overarching political preference.
I’m sure the EC isn’t going anywhere soon, but maybe one day each and everyone’s voice will truly make a difference in the ballots.
-
The Benefits of Barefoot Running and Hiking
A huge controversy still rages regarding the benefits and potential injuries associated with barefoot running/hiking. According to recent research at Harvard, it seems more and more likely that barefoot is the way to travel.
Not only does barefoot running allow you to feel more connected to the Earth and trail you are embarking on, it also reduces a wide range of injuries including knee, shin, and hip ailments. It even helps to build a network of arch support muscles for those of us that have flat feet.
According to the research, runners and hikers need to ensure they also strike with the front of their foot instead of the rear. This reduces stress and force of impact.
The best way to break into the barefoot running scene is to start breaking in a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. There are many models to choose from, but as an avid hiker I recommend the KSO Treksports. If the smell of the shoes ever gets too funky go ahead and throw them in the wash with the rest of your clothes. Easy peasy.
If you don’t want to look like a goofy primate all the time, you can always look into a model like the trailglove from Merrell. It is still worn barefoot, and has all the benefits of the Vibrams, without the strange stares people will be offering graciously.
Here’s a quick quote from a friend of mine involved in forestry and wildlife conservation regarding the Vibrams he wore while hiking through Yellowstone National Park:
“GET THESE. They are amazing for my flat footedness. They are the exact opposite of babying your foot like custom orthotics but I’ve hiked over 15 miles a day in these with no problem. Actually just got back from a trip with them. I don’t wear any socks and the level of moisture is way better than any shoes. I crossed countless creeks/rivers in yellowstone with um on and could just keep going when I got out as they eventually dry out. Also they make hiking more dynamic. No more trudging because you will hurt your feet that way. Ive stubbed a toe once or twice and you know it! I’m 100% bare foot!
-Dan Tekiela
arch support, barefoot, barefoot hiking, barefoot running, connected to the earth, controversy, dan tekiela, earth, feet, foot, harvard, hiking, injury, merrell, muscles, orthodics, research, running, running injury, shin splint, trailglove, travel, trekking, vibram, vibram five finger, yellowstone national park -
Researcher Creates Cure for Cancer; Can’t Release it to Public
http://www.cancercentre.leeds.ac.uk/ The cure for cancer is sitting in cold storage in Sweden. It is a common virus that eats away all forms of cancer without doing any damage to the host body, and is then easily killed by the immune system. Repeated laboratory research has shown consistent and completely successful results in mice and other animals. According to the head researcher, Professor Essand,
It is amazing, it’s better than anything else. Tumour cell lines that are resistant to every other drug, it kills them in these animals.
So why can’t we get our hands on this seeming miracle? Money. According to Professor Essand, he is about “a million pounds” short. A measly million pounds. He is unable to get enough funding from cancer research groups, so it is up to the public to fund this amazing find.
Sources:
-
Swedish Researcher Has Created Another Cure for Cancer; Can’t Release it to the Public
The cure for cancer is sitting in cold storage in Sweden. It is a common virus that eats away all forms of cancer without doing any damage to the host body, and is then easily killed by the immune system. Repeated laboratory research has shown consistent and completely successful results in mice and other animals. According to the head researcher, Professor Essand, ‘It is amazing, it’s better than anything else. Tumour cell lines that are resistant to every other drug, it kills them in these animals.’
So why can’t we get our hands on this seeming miracle? Money. According to Professor Essand, he is about “a million pounds” short. A measly million pounds. He is unable to get enough funding from cancer research groups, so it is up to the public to fund this amazing find.
-
Merge Biology with Electronics: First True Cybernetic Tissue Created
http://www.sovereignindependentuk.co.uk/ I wonder where I can get myself some cybernetic tissue… Harvard Researchers have created the first true cybernetic tissue, merging electronics with living nerve tissue. The researchers embedded a three-dimensional network of nanoscale wires into human tissues which grew and merged together into perfect, functional cybernetic tissue.
The head researcher, Mark Lieber, states that the team has succeeded, for the first time, in working
at the same scale as the unit of biological system without interrupting it. Ultimately, this is about merging tissue with electronics in a way that it becomes difficult to determine where the tissue ends and the electronics begin.
Through the new technology, the team was able to create a wide range of cybernetic tissues including: cell types ranging from heart and nerve cells, to bio-engineered blood vessels. The cells respond organically just like natural cells in our bodies. The cybernetic tissues are also able to provide researchers with feedback regarding overall health and well being of the host environment, as well as the status of the cell itself.
This is another great advancement in the field of cybernetics, as humans learn and grown and learn to grow with machines the possibilities truly do become endless. See you in the future.
Sources:
Astrobiology Mazagine- Merging the Biologic and the Electronic
New Scientist- Cyborg tissue is half living cells, half electronics
Tech Hive- Scientists Develop Cyborg Tissue, Bring The Borg Closer to Reality
-
Researchers Merge Biology with Electronics: First True Cybernetic Tissue Created
Harvard Researchers have created the first true cybernetic tissue, merging electronics with living nerve tissue. The researchers embed a three-dimensional network of nanoscale wires into human tissues which grow and merge together into perfect, functional unison.
The head researcher, Mark Lieber states that the team has succeeded, for the first time, in working “at the same scale as the unit of biological system without interrupting it. Ultimately, this is about merging tissue with electronics in a way that it becomes difficult to determine where the tissue ends and the electronics begin.”
Through the new technology, the team was able to create a wide range of cybernetic cell types ranging from heart and nerve cells, to bio-engineered blood vessels. The cells respond organically just like natural cells in our bodies. The cybernetic cells are also able to provide researchers with feedback regarding overall health and well being of the host environment, as well as the status of the cell itself.
Wonder about your world…
Take the plunge down the rabbit hole of insanity and wonder in this fast-paced, nonstop psychological thriller that will leave you questioning the very nature of reality and beyond. Part thriller, part romance, part existential horror, A Dream of Waking Life delves into lucid dreaming, psychedelics, existential ontology, video games, the nature of love, the nature of reality, and more.
Mendel’s Ladder delivers an adrenaline-fueled journey set on a dystopian future Earth, brimming with high-stakes action, adventure, and mystery. This epic series opener plunges readers into a world filled with diverse cultures, heart-pounding battles, and characters who will captivate your heart and imagination.
“E.S. Fein is raising the bar for quality as it’s a very well-written and thought-provoking book…There are points and themes in the story that could be discussed for eons as people will have their own idea on where it leads. It’s a book I would highly recommend.” – Andy Whitaker, SFCrowsnest
Wondergressive 