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Showing posts with label Did You Know.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Did You Know.. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Hand gestures and body language is as vital a communication medium as spoken language itself. Gestures pre-dates any language in the world, in fact, human communication evolved from gestures. It is not uncommon for people to use gestures even to this date to convey thoughts, punctuate an expression and give it a shading that the word or phrase itself lacks. But I wasn’t aware that they were so popular among Italians until I stumbled upon the Illustrated guide to Italian popular gestures by Alfredo Cassano.
[via My Modern Metropolis]
Monday, November 8, 2010
Whether you're talking about Spider-man's archenemy or the deadly poisons that animals and insects use to kill their prey, venom most often conjures up negative thoughts. Spider bites, snakebites, bee stings: All of these frighten us, and it's not only about the pain of getting bitten, but also the potentially harmful toxins. But as it turns out, some venoms may be actually be beneficial to human health. Venoms contain hundreds of different ingredients, some of which are not the harmful toxins we assume them to be. Venoms are extremely biologically active and these chemical concoctions provide a great natural resource for researchers to study different chemicals, some of which can be developed into drugs. From scorpions and spiders to snakes and bees, many other researchers are finding ways to bring out the positive in poison. Here's a look at five recent examples of venom as medicine.
Deathstalker Scorpion Venom for Brain Cancer
Deathstalker Scorpion, Leiurus Quinquestriatus (Photo by Furryscaly/Flickr)
The deathstalker scorpion, native to North Africa and the Middle East, is highly dangerous because of its venom—a neurotoxin powerful enough to kill a child or elderly person, often by causing pulmonary edema.
Recently, Miqin Zhang, a materials scientist at the University of Washington, and her research team showed that a certain compound found in the venom of the deathstalker scorpion could help in the treatment of brain cancer.
In a study published in the monthly journal ACS Nano, Zhang showed off a way to use an ingredient of the venom called chlorotoxin (which, despite its name, is nontoxic) to help treat brain cancer. In gene therapy, doctors inject small bits of healthy DNA that are attached to nanoparticles, and these move toward the tumor site to repair or replace the cancer-causing gene mutations.
The problem is that many of the substances currently used for delivery either don't deliver the genes efficiently or have potentially harmful side effects. But by attaching chlorotoxin to the nanoparticle, Zhang and her research team managed to get significantly more of the therapeutic DNA sequence into the cancerous cells than by using nanoparticles without the compound.
Bee Venom in Cancer Treatment
Honey Bee, Apis Mellifera
In a similar study, Samuel A. Wickline, a biomedical engineer at Washington University School of Medicine, altered a protein found in bee venom—which often causes inflammation after stings—called melittin. Like chlorotoxin, melittin can help deliver therapeutic drug compounds to damaged cells. Wickline linked the compound to the membrane of nanoparticles, which, without disrupting a drug's normal function, helped it more accurately hit its target. Scientists are primarily focused on using this as an anticancer therapy.
Tarantula Venom for Muscle Dystrophy
Chilean Rose Tarantula, Grammostola Rosea
Frederick Sachs, a biophysicist at the University of Buffalo, studies the function of ion channels on the membranes of muscle cells to see what happens in muscle tissue when you turn these channels on and off. He has been searching for a chemical that would inhibit these channels.
After getting no results from known drug compounds, he and his research team turned to the Chilean rose tarantula, a relatively harmless spider commonly bought in pet stores. In their studies of the venom, which is too weak to harm a human, they came across a peptide that they called GsMtx-4.
Sure enough, the isolated peptide successfully turned the channels off, which Sachs figured could reduce the amount of stress in muscles. Excessive mechanical stress on muscles is common in muscular dystrophy, a disease that can cripple young children. But by injecting a synthetic version of the peptide into lab mice with dystrophy, Sachs found that muscle activity improves. Currently, Sachs and his research team are awaiting FDA approval to begin clinical trials.
Scorpion Venom for Studying Pancreatitis
Brazilian Yellow Scorpion, Tityus Serrulatus
A compound called antarease, similar to the peptide found in tarantula venom, has proved a useful medical tool because of its effect on ion channels. East Carolina's Fletcher discovered the compound in the venom of the Brazilian yellow scorpion, which often causes pancreatitis—a severe inflammation of the pancreas—in sting victims.
Fletcher's research team found that antarease is the likely cause; when they injected the purified compound into pancreatic tissue, it disrupted the pancreas' control of its digestive enzymes, insulin, and other proteins, which can cause inflammation.
Pancreatitis is more commonly caused by gallstones and alcohol abuse, and recent studies suggest it may be a precursor to pancreatic cancer. Fletcher hopes to use his work with scorpion venom and antarease to further understand the pathology of pancreatitis and eventually plan a better treatment for it.
Cobra Venom for Arthritis
Indian Cobra, Naja Naja
The Indian cobra is one of the most common venomous snakes in South East Asia, and is responsible for most of the 10,000 deaths by snakebite that occur in India each year. Despite that danger, India's traditional medicine system, ayurveda, has used these cobra venoms to treat various health conditions for thousands of years. Witch-doctor-esque as that may sound, a recent study may lend validity to the practice.
Earlier this year, physiologist Antony Gomes and his research team at the University of Calcutta in India published a paper in the journal Toxicon showing the role the venom might play in improving arthritis. In the study, male rats were induced with arthritis and were then injected with nonlethal doses of Indian monocellate cobra venom. The rats showed significant improvement in their arthritic symptoms.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Bhangarh is a fort located in Alwar district in the state of Rajasthan is approximately 80kms from the main Alwar City and is known for its ruins. Staying in the premises of the fort is not allowed before sunrise and after sunset as the ruins are said to be haunted.
There are many myths related to the ruins and fort of Bhangarh which say that the place is cursed. The Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI) was suppose to setup an office in the fort but the government did not dare to do that and the nearest office of ASI is around a kilometer away from the ruins of Bhangarh. ASI has put a signboard near the ruins which says "Staying After Sunset Is Strictly Prohibited In The Area".
Several stories support the legend relating how the city came to be destroyed. Some seems true while some just rumours.
Thats Bhangarh in Rajasthan which is the most haunted Place in India as per Archeological Survey Of India. "STAYING HERE AFTER SUNSET IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED"
We ourselves felt the jolt while composing this article. It really HAUNTED!
There are many myths related to the ruins and fort of Bhangarh which say that the place is cursed. The Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI) was suppose to setup an office in the fort but the government did not dare to do that and the nearest office of ASI is around a kilometer away from the ruins of Bhangarh. ASI has put a signboard near the ruins which says "Staying After Sunset Is Strictly Prohibited In The Area".Several stories support the legend relating how the city came to be destroyed. Some seems true while some just rumours.The Government of IndiaThe Archeological Survey of India, BhangarhImportant warning:1. Entering the borders of Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited.2. Shepherds and woodcutters who enter Bhangarh area will face legal action.3. The Kewda or Pandanus trees found in Bhangarh area belong to the Archaelogy Survey of India. Is it forbidden to subject this tree to any kind of harm.Note: Anyone flouting of the rules mentioned above will face legal action.By orderSupervisor, Archaelogical Survey BoardLegend 1: In the first half of the 17th century, Madho Singh of Amber built his capital here with the sanction of an ascetic Baba Balanath, who meditated there, but not without his dire prescription: Look my dear chap! The moment the shadows of your palaces touch me, you are undone. The city shall be no more! In ignorance, Ajab Singh, one of the later descendants in the dynasty, raised the palace to such a height that the shadow reached the forbidden place. Hence the devastation.Legend 2: A second legend tells of a tantric battle waged between the lovely queen Ratnavali and that wicked sorcerer Singha Sevra, whose chhatri can be seen on the top of the hill. Desperately, he tried to trap her in his magical web, and failed every time, as the queen herself was a past-mistress in the tantric art.The last battle took place on the day when the queen losing eventually her temper, transformed a glass bottle containing the massaging oil into a big rock and flung it towards the hill-top, where sat the devil. In vain he tried to stall this glass missile. It was too late. Sensing his imminent death, concentrating all his powers, he spat his dying curse: "I die! But thou too, thou Ratnavali shall not live here anymore. Neither thou, nor thine kin, nor these walls of the city. None shall see the morning sun!"
Thats Bhangarh in Rajasthan which is the most haunted Place in India as per Archeological Survey Of India. "STAYING HERE AFTER SUNSET IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED"A Documentary Video shot in Bhangarh
Here are a few Pictures from Bhangarh we found on the Internet. Really spooky!We ourselves felt the jolt while composing this article. It really HAUNTED!Bhangarh in Google Maps
View Larger at Google Maps WebsiteFor the ones who have been to this place, please leave your view in the comments. For the ones who want to go here, BEWARE!Pictures hosted at our servers and are subject to copyrights of their respective owners.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Luxury Car Collection of David Beckham, Beside known as a famous football player, david beckham was also known as a models, he's listed as one of the richest football player in the world, Beckham salary is about U.S. $ 112.500 / day (68.141 pounds)!) Per day, he just needs to work for 3 days to buy a new Bentley. No wonder his luxury car collection grew. he has a lamborghini, porsche, Rolls Royce, Hummer, Cadillac, and many more luxury car collection.
If you love to see another luxurious car collection of a celebrity you can also check our previous post about the luxurious car collection of Michael Jackson the King Of Pop. This car on the left was one he had ever dreamed as a child. Now, he has one as a collection. However, this car is not suitable for wet situations. So, Beckham rarely use them. Still, he loved it. In addition to its also sporty, the car is a classic design. Beckham bought it for £ 46.500
And Here's several of Beckham's Luxury Car Collection.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Pictures from the production of medical marijuana in California, where it is quite possible that cannabis will be fully legalized.
«Medi-Cone» - a greenhouse and a plant for the production of cannabis in Marin County. Employees of the company «United Food & Commercial Workers Union» produce marijuana cigarettes to satisfy the demand for medical marijuana in California.
In the United States in the second half of XIX - early XX centuries were sold without restriction drugs from cannabis in treating migraines, stomach ulcers and other diseases.
With the psychoactive properties of cannabis Americans met by Mexican immigrants. Special popularity of cannabis has won among jazz musicians.
In the early 1930's. there have been several major lobbying campaigns, and the U.S. Congress in 1937, against the advice of the American Medical Association, a law was passed, the taxable sale of marijuana such high taxes that its use was virtually banned.
In the United States and other countries there are organizations that are engaged in promotion of the legalization of marijuana. One of the oldest is the NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana laws), founded in 1970.
It advocates the abolition of criminal penalties for possession and consumption of marijuana by adults, including, for its cultivation for their own consumption.
NORML facilitated the holding of referendums in several states, which resulted in marijuana has been decriminalized there.
In November 2010, California will also host a referendum on the legalization of marijuana.
In case of approval of legalization, persons aged 21 years will be to have an ounce (about 28 grams) of marijuana, as well as cultivate cannabis for personal use.
According to opinion polls, probably, Californians voted to legalize marijuana: California's population belongs to the drug rather liberally.
14 years ago, in 1996, California became the first state allowed to use cannabis for medical purposes.
Supporters of legalization believe that marijuana is not dangerous and addictive as alcohol and tobacco.
In addition, taxes on sales of "weed" will allow the state to make profit from 1.3 billion dollars.
Opponents of legalization lead the statistics of crimes that were committed because of marijuana, and frequent cases of marijuana use among adolescents.
One of the opponents of legalization of marijuana advocates Barack Obama, who believes believes untenable proposals to strengthen the U.S. economy through trade in cannabis.
Sometimes in China you just never know what you will get. The most trusted products can be inspected to find the “Made in China” mark, even eggs…
Their wholesale price is 0.15 yuan (S$0.03) each - half the price of a real egg. According to the Chinese, the technology of artificial eggs has reached such perfection that in appearance to distinguish them from real ones is quite difficult.
To create egg they use assorted ingredients such as gelatin, an unknown powder, benzoic acid, coagulating material and even alum, which is normally used for industrial processes.
For egg yolk, some lemon-yellow colouring powder is mixed to a liquid and the concoction stirred. The liquid is then poured into a round-shaped plastic mould and mixed with so-called 'magic water', which contains calcium chloride
This gives the 'yolk' a thin outer membrane, firming it up. The egg is then shaped with a mould. The shell is not forgotten. Paraffin wax and an unidentified white liquid are poured onto the fake egg, which is then left to dry.
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