Here are some of the most popular New Year Resolutions taken up by around the world. Ironically, it has been observed that many people fail to keep up their promise and take up the same resolution every year. Nevertheless it should not deter one to take up a resolution, as you never know that this might be your luck year!! So go ahead, get inspired by these popular resolutions for new year and make firm resolution this New Year's Day.
Getting into Shape
Looking better and feeling better is one of the most popular New Year's Resolution taken up by people all over the world. This is because society is becoming obsessive about one's look and overall persona. Slimming down, toning up their bodies, taking up a makeover are some of the most popular promises made by the people.
Getting More Organized
This is another helpful and extremely popular New Year's Day resolution. Under this goal comes the resolution to keep office and home space cleaner so that one is able to locate things more conveniently when they need them. To sleep and wake up early also comes under this as most people are annoyed with their own habit of being late. People also wish to learn better time management skills and get more out of their day and life.
Giving up Smoking / Drinking
This is perhaps the most popular New Year Resolution! The promise ranges from reducing the frequency to quitting up smoking or drinking altogether. Though many succeed, most others fail to keep their promise. Heavy drinkers of tea / coffee or aerated drinks also resolve to keep a check on their habit. The idea behind this resolution is to give up bad habits and start the new year with healthier habits.
Getting / Changing a Job
Rising job opportunities and soaring ambitions is making many a people to resolve to find a new or better job for themselves. Many also make a promise to find an alternative career or start their own business.
Keeping a Check on Expenses & Pay Down Debt
In the materialistic lifestyles of today, many of us live with the guilt of overspending and overindulging ourselves. Hence we see a rise in people who resolve to keep a check on their expenses. While, those living under debt usually resolve to pay down debt and lead a stress-free life.
Buying a House / Renovate / Relocate
Many people make a New Year's Day Resolution of buying a house or any other type of property they have in mind. Others usually plan to do some kind of renovation, buying some new furniture or gadgets and improve their lifestyles.
Finding a Mate
Finding a mate is a popular New Year's Day resolution of those who are single and ready to mingle. While those looking for settling down resolve to get married.
Learning Something New
A popular New Year's Day resolution is to learn something new in the coming year. Many plan to take up higher studies while others wish to take up some vocational courses. Learning computers, a new language, cooking, painting or a musical instrument are some of the other most popular resolutions under this category.
Enjoy More and Travel More
Stressed out with their hectic lifestyles many people make a resolution to travel and enjoy more. On New Year's Day people make a list of places they intend to visit in the new year or fun activities they wish to indulge in. The idea is to relax and reduce stress out of their life.
Spend More Time with Family
In present times, people are often hard pressed for time and often ignore their family. Hence it is seen that many people make a resolution to spend more time with their family and dear ones. Working on a Hobby
In their daily humdrum of life, lot many people ignore their hobbies. On the New Year's Day many people make a promise to reinvigorate passion for hobbies and make their lives more interesting. Those without a hobby plan to pick up one.
Helping Others / Doing
Service to the SocietyThese days many people make a noble and selfless New Year's Day resolution of helping others. Many also make a promise of joining a social service organization or devote more time to it if already a member. Educating a child or planting a tree is another popular resolution taken up by people on New Year's Day.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Skip numbering on chapter-division pages in a Microsoft Word
In current versions of Microsoft Word, one way to adjust page numbers within a long document is to make each chapter a separate section. You can then manually adjust the page numbers within that section.
To divide the document into separate sections, click your cursor at the point where you want to create a new section, say, at the end of each chapter, and then select the Break option from the Insert menu. In the Break box, you can specify where you want the new section to begin, say, "t" to follow continuously on the same page or "n" to start on the next page.
The dialogue box for adding page numbers is found under Word's Insert menu with the Page Numbers option. This box lets you choose where you want the numbers to appear on the page and how they should look. Click into each section to adjust the page numbers for that chapter.
Uncheck the box next to "Show number on first page" in the Page Numbers box. This will remove the page number from the first page of your new chapter, which should be the chapter division page.
Next, click the Format button in the Page Numbers box. Click the "Start at" button and type in the page number you want for the start of the new chapter. Even though it won't display the number on the page, Word will count the chapter division page and display the next number on the following page. If you don't want the chapter-division pages numbered or counted, start the page sequence one number earlier in the "Start at" box.
For example, your first chapter ends on Page 25 and you want to skip the number on the chapter division page and have the first real page of the second chapter be Page 26. In the Page Numbers box for the second chapter-section, click Format and then "Start at" Page 25. Word will count the unnumbered chapter division page as Page 25 and visibly number the first page of the second chapter as Page 26.
To divide the document into separate sections, click your cursor at the point where you want to create a new section, say, at the end of each chapter, and then select the Break option from the Insert menu. In the Break box, you can specify where you want the new section to begin, say, "t" to follow continuously on the same page or "n" to start on the next page.
The dialogue box for adding page numbers is found under Word's Insert menu with the Page Numbers option. This box lets you choose where you want the numbers to appear on the page and how they should look. Click into each section to adjust the page numbers for that chapter.
Uncheck the box next to "Show number on first page" in the Page Numbers box. This will remove the page number from the first page of your new chapter, which should be the chapter division page.
Next, click the Format button in the Page Numbers box. Click the "Start at" button and type in the page number you want for the start of the new chapter. Even though it won't display the number on the page, Word will count the chapter division page and display the next number on the following page. If you don't want the chapter-division pages numbered or counted, start the page sequence one number earlier in the "Start at" box.
For example, your first chapter ends on Page 25 and you want to skip the number on the chapter division page and have the first real page of the second chapter be Page 26. In the Page Numbers box for the second chapter-section, click Format and then "Start at" Page 25. Word will count the unnumbered chapter division page as Page 25 and visibly number the first page of the second chapter as Page 26.
Pinhead-Size jewish Bible
The world got small, smaller, really small, well agreed, but one can’t remotely imaging that a book comprising of 300,000 words shrunk to the size of a pin head…or even smaller!
The complete text of the Jewish Bible has been carved on a chip, which is less than the size of a sugar grain. This entire initiative has been exercised by a team of scientists in Israel. According to the nanotechnology experts at the Technion Haifa Institute of Technology, the text measured less than 0.5 sq mm, which was written on a silicon surface covered with a thin layer of gold (20nanometres thick - 0.0002mm).
The microscopic Bible comprising of 300,000 words was produced by blasting tiny particles at an object that then rebounded, resulting in an etching effect.
According to Zohar, when a particle beam is directed toward a point on the surface, the gold atoms bounce off and expose the silicon layer below just like a hammer and chisel.
While the previous record for the smallest copy belongs to a Bible that measures 2.8×3.4×1cm (1.1×1.3×0.4in), weighs 11.75g (0.4 ounces) and contains 1,514 pages.
Apparently, as per Zohar, in future the technology would be employed to store huge amounts of data on bio-molecules and DNA.
Just one question, what’s next?
The complete text of the Jewish Bible has been carved on a chip, which is less than the size of a sugar grain. This entire initiative has been exercised by a team of scientists in Israel. According to the nanotechnology experts at the Technion Haifa Institute of Technology, the text measured less than 0.5 sq mm, which was written on a silicon surface covered with a thin layer of gold (20nanometres thick - 0.0002mm).
The microscopic Bible comprising of 300,000 words was produced by blasting tiny particles at an object that then rebounded, resulting in an etching effect.
According to Zohar, when a particle beam is directed toward a point on the surface, the gold atoms bounce off and expose the silicon layer below just like a hammer and chisel.
While the previous record for the smallest copy belongs to a Bible that measures 2.8×3.4×1cm (1.1×1.3×0.4in), weighs 11.75g (0.4 ounces) and contains 1,514 pages.
Apparently, as per Zohar, in future the technology would be employed to store huge amounts of data on bio-molecules and DNA.
Just one question, what’s next?
eBay launches microlending website
Online auction giant eBay has launched a microlending website that lets people invest in entrepreneurs in poor communities around the world and get a return on their money.
Unlike micro-finance organizations that make interest-free loans to people in developing countries, Microplace.com offers investors profits for funding folks trying to build better lives, said founder Tracey Turner.
“You are actually investing in the world’s working poor,” Turner told reporters. “And for the first time you get a return on investment. You can take the profit and invest in more people in a virtuous cycle.”
Turner’s vision of MicroPlace began taking shape in 2005, after she lived for a time with a Kenyan family comprised of a single mother caring for three children.
The Kenyan woman bought a sewing machine with 100 dollars she borrowed and started an in-home business making school uniforms for local children.
The woman paid the debt and managed to send one of her sons to college in the United States.
“When you are out in the field talking to these women whose lives are transformed because of 30 dollars or 10 dollars, then you are part of the movement forever,” Turner said.
California-based eBay bought Turner’s business plan in June of 2006 and the website launched October 24 of this year.
Website visitors can browse investors by country, seeing pictures of people seeking loans and reading about their business goals.
MicroPlace connects investors with micro-finance organizations in the various countries. MicroPlace scrutinizes the organizations to check their legitimacy.
“Our job is to vet,” Turner said. “We do a lot of research.” Turner said rates of return are modest but that investors at the website see value in addressing global poverty. Lenders shoulder the risk that loans will not be repaid.
“The eye-opening thing for everyone is that repayment rates by the working poor remain unbelievably high, north of 98 percent,” Turner said.
Thousands of people visit the website daily and hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans have already been issued, according to MicroPlace. In keeping with the holidays, some have made gifts of loans by issuing in others’ names.
“What gets me out of bed in the morning is the idea that when you invest in a person it really honors them and enhances their dignity as a human being,” Turner said. “Which is different than a hand out.”
MicroPlace gets fees from microfinance organizations that get money through the website. Money is moved through online financial-transactions firm PayPal, which eBay owns.
“I think it is important everyone from the investor to the person making baskets in a village makes a profit,” Turner said. “The beauty and magic of micro-finance is that it is scalable. That is the only way it will scale.”
EBay has promised that any profits made by MicroPlace will be invested in other initiatives for social good, according to Turner.
EBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife have channeled hundreds of millions of dollars into microloans through their own foundation and are investors in online microlending website Kiva.
Kiva specializes in connecting altruistic lenders with aspiring business people in developing countries.
In 2008, Kiva plans to begin offering modest interest rates on loans, which at present are interest-free.
“The industry is growing like crazy right now,” Turner said. “It is a new kind of asset class. It is a wise investment.”
Unlike micro-finance organizations that make interest-free loans to people in developing countries, Microplace.com offers investors profits for funding folks trying to build better lives, said founder Tracey Turner.
“You are actually investing in the world’s working poor,” Turner told reporters. “And for the first time you get a return on investment. You can take the profit and invest in more people in a virtuous cycle.”
Turner’s vision of MicroPlace began taking shape in 2005, after she lived for a time with a Kenyan family comprised of a single mother caring for three children.
The Kenyan woman bought a sewing machine with 100 dollars she borrowed and started an in-home business making school uniforms for local children.
The woman paid the debt and managed to send one of her sons to college in the United States.
“When you are out in the field talking to these women whose lives are transformed because of 30 dollars or 10 dollars, then you are part of the movement forever,” Turner said.
California-based eBay bought Turner’s business plan in June of 2006 and the website launched October 24 of this year.
Website visitors can browse investors by country, seeing pictures of people seeking loans and reading about their business goals.
MicroPlace connects investors with micro-finance organizations in the various countries. MicroPlace scrutinizes the organizations to check their legitimacy.
“Our job is to vet,” Turner said. “We do a lot of research.” Turner said rates of return are modest but that investors at the website see value in addressing global poverty. Lenders shoulder the risk that loans will not be repaid.
“The eye-opening thing for everyone is that repayment rates by the working poor remain unbelievably high, north of 98 percent,” Turner said.
Thousands of people visit the website daily and hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans have already been issued, according to MicroPlace. In keeping with the holidays, some have made gifts of loans by issuing in others’ names.
“What gets me out of bed in the morning is the idea that when you invest in a person it really honors them and enhances their dignity as a human being,” Turner said. “Which is different than a hand out.”
MicroPlace gets fees from microfinance organizations that get money through the website. Money is moved through online financial-transactions firm PayPal, which eBay owns.
“I think it is important everyone from the investor to the person making baskets in a village makes a profit,” Turner said. “The beauty and magic of micro-finance is that it is scalable. That is the only way it will scale.”
EBay has promised that any profits made by MicroPlace will be invested in other initiatives for social good, according to Turner.
EBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife have channeled hundreds of millions of dollars into microloans through their own foundation and are investors in online microlending website Kiva.
Kiva specializes in connecting altruistic lenders with aspiring business people in developing countries.
In 2008, Kiva plans to begin offering modest interest rates on loans, which at present are interest-free.
“The industry is growing like crazy right now,” Turner said. “It is a new kind of asset class. It is a wise investment.”
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Global warming: Indian subcontinent at war risk
UN environmentalists have warned the Indian subcontinent is at risk of conflict, even war because of global warming.
According to the UNEP’s report, shrinking Himalayan glaciers, shifting monsoon patterns and rising seas along the coastlines could create millions of refugees.
They could threaten the borders between India and Pakistan and India and Bangladesh.
Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal landed in Bali on Monday. Sibal will offer India’s commitment to cut greenhouse gases but not at the cost of industrial growth. India is expected to make its case on December 12
According to the UNEP’s report, shrinking Himalayan glaciers, shifting monsoon patterns and rising seas along the coastlines could create millions of refugees.
They could threaten the borders between India and Pakistan and India and Bangladesh.
Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal landed in Bali on Monday. Sibal will offer India’s commitment to cut greenhouse gases but not at the cost of industrial growth. India is expected to make its case on December 12
Lookup who’s chatting
Internet chatroom romantics beware: your next chat may be with a clinical computer, not a passionate person, trying to win your personal data and not your heart, an online security firm says. A Russian website called CyberLover.ru is advertising a software tool that, it says, can simulate flirtatious chatroom exchanges. It boasts that it can chat up as many as 10 women at the same time and persuade them to hand over phone numbers.
An Australian anti-virus software firm, PC Tools, has warned that the software could be abused by identity fraudsters trying to harvest people’s personal details online. The Russian site denied it was intended for identity fraud. The program, so far available only in Russian, will go on sale around February 15, just after St Valentine’s Day, said the CyberLover.ru website. “Not a single girl has yet realized that she was communicating with a program!” it said, adding that the program could also simulate virtual sex online.
“It’s happened - a program to tempt girls over the internet!” said the site. “Within half an hour the CyberLover program will introduce you to … girls, exchange photos and perhaps even a contact phone number,” it states. Chatrooms have developed into a popular social networking section of the internet, where people can converse anonymously by keyboard on any topic, from flirting to fishing. CyberLover’s website explains that the settings on its program can be changed to attract men, persuade people to visit a website or encourage them to top up mobile telephone credit, and that all the data collected will be stored.
CAN FOOL USERS
A spokesman for PC Tools said the program had a “terrifyingly well-organized” interaction that could fool users into giving up personal details and could easily be converted to work in other languages.”As a tool that can be used by hackers to conduct identity fraud, CyberLover demonstrates an unprecedented level of social engineering,” Sergei Shevchenko, Senior Malware Analyst at PC Tools, said in a statement.”It employs highly intelligent and customized dialogue to target users of social networking systems.”
He said the program “can monitor Internet browser activity, automatically recognize and fill in the fields in the web pages, generate keystrokes and mouse clicks, and post messages, URLs, files and photos.”"It can do exactly what users normally do when they are online, only in an automated pre-programmed way.” The CyberLover.ru site denied the program did anything wrong, saying it only gathered information that chatroom users themselves were volunteering.”The program can find no more information than the user is prepared to provide,” one of the site’s employees, who gave his name only as Alexander, said in an emailed reply to Reuters questions.”It maintains a dialogue with a person, but is not engaged in hacking or any other such schemes, I think this should be obvious,” he said.
If you have someone who is ready to hand over secret information to the person they are chatting to after having known them for all of five minutes, then in that case a leak of information is possible.”
An Australian anti-virus software firm, PC Tools, has warned that the software could be abused by identity fraudsters trying to harvest people’s personal details online. The Russian site denied it was intended for identity fraud. The program, so far available only in Russian, will go on sale around February 15, just after St Valentine’s Day, said the CyberLover.ru website. “Not a single girl has yet realized that she was communicating with a program!” it said, adding that the program could also simulate virtual sex online.
“It’s happened - a program to tempt girls over the internet!” said the site. “Within half an hour the CyberLover program will introduce you to … girls, exchange photos and perhaps even a contact phone number,” it states. Chatrooms have developed into a popular social networking section of the internet, where people can converse anonymously by keyboard on any topic, from flirting to fishing. CyberLover’s website explains that the settings on its program can be changed to attract men, persuade people to visit a website or encourage them to top up mobile telephone credit, and that all the data collected will be stored.
CAN FOOL USERS
A spokesman for PC Tools said the program had a “terrifyingly well-organized” interaction that could fool users into giving up personal details and could easily be converted to work in other languages.”As a tool that can be used by hackers to conduct identity fraud, CyberLover demonstrates an unprecedented level of social engineering,” Sergei Shevchenko, Senior Malware Analyst at PC Tools, said in a statement.”It employs highly intelligent and customized dialogue to target users of social networking systems.”
He said the program “can monitor Internet browser activity, automatically recognize and fill in the fields in the web pages, generate keystrokes and mouse clicks, and post messages, URLs, files and photos.”"It can do exactly what users normally do when they are online, only in an automated pre-programmed way.” The CyberLover.ru site denied the program did anything wrong, saying it only gathered information that chatroom users themselves were volunteering.”The program can find no more information than the user is prepared to provide,” one of the site’s employees, who gave his name only as Alexander, said in an emailed reply to Reuters questions.”It maintains a dialogue with a person, but is not engaged in hacking or any other such schemes, I think this should be obvious,” he said.
If you have someone who is ready to hand over secret information to the person they are chatting to after having known them for all of five minutes, then in that case a leak of information is possible.”
1lakh out by Jan10
The “people’s car” from the stable of Tata Motors that its chairman Ratan Naval Tata hopes to sell for all of Rs 100,000 will be showcased during the 9th Auto Expo that begins in Delhi on January 9.
“In keeping with the company’s tradition of unveiling its new cars at the Auto Expo, the company will present its ‘People’s Car’, which will be unveiled at a special ceremony on January 10,” the $7.2-billion company said in a statement.
“Although the ‘People’s Car’ will be unveiled at the expo, the commercial launch will take place later in 2008,” said the company statement, adding that the expo will see Tata Motors jointly showcasing its automobiles with Fiat.
The company’s commercial vehicles business will also display buses made by its joint venture with Marcopolo of Brazil, newly developed multi-axle heavy trucks, pick-up vehicles, applications of panel vans, and new mini-trucks.
The Auto Expo is a biennial event that has been showcasing the Indian automobile and auto-component industry for the past 18 years. It has especially emerged as a platform for the Indian auto industry to feature its latest developments.
“In keeping with the company’s tradition of unveiling its new cars at the Auto Expo, the company will present its ‘People’s Car’, which will be unveiled at a special ceremony on January 10,” the $7.2-billion company said in a statement.
“Although the ‘People’s Car’ will be unveiled at the expo, the commercial launch will take place later in 2008,” said the company statement, adding that the expo will see Tata Motors jointly showcasing its automobiles with Fiat.
The company’s commercial vehicles business will also display buses made by its joint venture with Marcopolo of Brazil, newly developed multi-axle heavy trucks, pick-up vehicles, applications of panel vans, and new mini-trucks.
The Auto Expo is a biennial event that has been showcasing the Indian automobile and auto-component industry for the past 18 years. It has especially emerged as a platform for the Indian auto industry to feature its latest developments.
Chandamama.com
Chandamama, which has behind it a sixty years history of story-telling, has relaunched its website Chandamama.com. At the new site readers would be able to enjoy comics and stories based on popular characters like Vikram-Vetal and Akbar-Birbal. Stories from Panchatantra and Jataka Tales will also be available on the site.Apart from comic stories, the website will have folk tales from different states of India, and will aim to be a source of infotainment for kids. The site content will also include stories based on Indian and world history, Indian achievers. There will also be a section dealing with stories on science, general knowledge and sports. Chandamama was launched in 1947 by B Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani to familiarise the post-independence generation with Indian tradition, folklore, mythology and history in the form of stories.
Chandamama was recently acquired by Mumbai-based technology firm Geodesic Information Systems, which has developed a universal instant messaging tool called Mundu that combines AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, MSN and Yahoo.
Chandamama was recently acquired by Mumbai-based technology firm Geodesic Information Systems, which has developed a universal instant messaging tool called Mundu that combines AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, MSN and Yahoo.
Naukri.com International Jobs 9000 jobs
Info Edge India’s jobs portal Naukri.com has introduced an International Jobs section on the website. With over 9,000 international jobs in over 15 countries, the section contains opportunities for freshers as well as professionals with up to 25 years of experience, the company has said. According to Naukri, the international jobs listed on the site are largely located in US, UK, Dubai and Singapore. The jobs range across industries and functional areas. Industries that offer most jobs abroad include software services, construction, engineering, metals, oil and gas, infrastructure, healthcare, banking, financial services and aviation.Hitesh Oberoi, COO, Info Edge India, has said, “With globalization of services, there is a lot of requirement for white collar talent across countries. At Naukri, over 10 per cent of individuals are open to working abroad. At the same time, there is a huge demand for Indian talent. Thus, creating this new section is a logical step to cater to the demand and simplify search further.”
Monday, December 10, 2007
Withdraw money without ATM card…
If you are falling short of money while on a shopping binge, you can ask your friend to SMS a system generated personal identification number (PIN). The PIN can be used to withdraw money from his account in an automated teller machine (ATM). NCR, a global selfservice technology major, has developed an interactive technology for cash withdrawals without an ATM card. It is in talks with a leading private sector bank to offer this technology.
“We are also in talks with a couple of other banks to offer our technology. The technology solution will offer services such as stock trading, shopping, mobile money transfer and bill payments through interactive ATMs. However, the system generated PIN can be used only once. Banks are willing to spend on this technology,” said country sales manager of NCR India’s financial solutions division Manjunath Rao.
According to him, the PIN transaction through a mobile phone is secure as it uses encrypted messages. Shopping and stock trading are also possible through interactive ATMs as banks have access to customer’s PAN, address and account balance.
The new technology solution works on Pentium IV computers with XP operating system . It costs about Rs 15 per customer for the banks that have a 15 million plus customer base. Stock trading and mobile money transfer through ATMs are widely in use in Singapore , the US and Europe.
The mobile subscriber base in India has touched 250 million now and is growing at a scorching pace. At present, nearly 23% of banking transactions are through ATMs and banks are attempting to increase this number. Globally too, the trend is towards self-service in banks and retail stores.
Around 50,000 crore ATM transactions were done across the world last year and goods valued at around $300 billion were bought online. “We are also in talks with some retail chains here, to supply self-assisting machines,” Manjunath said.
“We are also in talks with a couple of other banks to offer our technology. The technology solution will offer services such as stock trading, shopping, mobile money transfer and bill payments through interactive ATMs. However, the system generated PIN can be used only once. Banks are willing to spend on this technology,” said country sales manager of NCR India’s financial solutions division Manjunath Rao.
According to him, the PIN transaction through a mobile phone is secure as it uses encrypted messages. Shopping and stock trading are also possible through interactive ATMs as banks have access to customer’s PAN, address and account balance.
The new technology solution works on Pentium IV computers with XP operating system . It costs about Rs 15 per customer for the banks that have a 15 million plus customer base. Stock trading and mobile money transfer through ATMs are widely in use in Singapore , the US and Europe.
The mobile subscriber base in India has touched 250 million now and is growing at a scorching pace. At present, nearly 23% of banking transactions are through ATMs and banks are attempting to increase this number. Globally too, the trend is towards self-service in banks and retail stores.
Around 50,000 crore ATM transactions were done across the world last year and goods valued at around $300 billion were bought online. “We are also in talks with some retail chains here, to supply self-assisting machines,” Manjunath said.
Fropper.com
Fropper.com, India’s first social networking site has taken an initiative in the struggle with the world’s most dangerous disease AIDS. Fropper.com has joined hands with Saadhan Helpline of PSI (Population Services International), a leading non-governmental organization in Mumbai, to spread across the message amongst the youth.
The online campaign of AIDS awareness started from 26th November’07 and will continue until 25th December’07. This AIDS awareness campaign includes spreading awareness about HIV, Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) amongst the Indian youth.
To answer various queries regarding AIDS, Fropper.com has created a character called Miss. Red Ribbon. This fictional character talks the language of the youth today, and she fields member’s queries regarding HIV and safer sex.
Also, Miss. Red Ribbon will provide significant statistics about AIDS and will direct members to links to relevant zones on Fropper.com or Saadhan helpline.
According to Navin Mittal, Business Head, Fropper.com, said, “Today social networking conquers a huge space in the online world and the youth is closely involved in its evolution. This online awareness campaign is one of the best possible ways to reach out to the Indian youth who need to be aware of the threats of HIV and AIDS.”
“We are proud that Fropper.com has been able to make online networking not only a fun-filled activity, but also a platform to discuss social issues. I am happy to be associated with Saadhan Helpline and helping us contribute to this social cause,” he continued.
Carrying such an aggressive campaign for AIDS by a social networking website is essential in today’s era as youths need to be educated regarding the intense issue like AIDS.
The online campaign of AIDS awareness started from 26th November’07 and will continue until 25th December’07. This AIDS awareness campaign includes spreading awareness about HIV, Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) amongst the Indian youth.
To answer various queries regarding AIDS, Fropper.com has created a character called Miss. Red Ribbon. This fictional character talks the language of the youth today, and she fields member’s queries regarding HIV and safer sex.
Also, Miss. Red Ribbon will provide significant statistics about AIDS and will direct members to links to relevant zones on Fropper.com or Saadhan helpline.
According to Navin Mittal, Business Head, Fropper.com, said, “Today social networking conquers a huge space in the online world and the youth is closely involved in its evolution. This online awareness campaign is one of the best possible ways to reach out to the Indian youth who need to be aware of the threats of HIV and AIDS.”
“We are proud that Fropper.com has been able to make online networking not only a fun-filled activity, but also a platform to discuss social issues. I am happy to be associated with Saadhan Helpline and helping us contribute to this social cause,” he continued.
Carrying such an aggressive campaign for AIDS by a social networking website is essential in today’s era as youths need to be educated regarding the intense issue like AIDS.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Users spend 5-10 Minutes Everyday simply Dealing with Spam
IronPort Systems, a Cisco business unit and a leading provider of enterprise spam, virus and spyware protection says that the spam attacks have increased tremendously. In fact, an average user spends nearly 5-10 minutes a day dealing with spam. The company has unveiled its 2008 Internet Security Trends Report, in which it highlights the key security trends of today. This report says that during 2007, IronPort’s Threat Operations Center measured a 253 percent increase in dirty spam, which means spam containing links that pointed to known malware sites.
Talking about spam and internet security Tom Gillis, Vice President of Marketing for IronPort said, “2007 marks a turning point. Just when malware design seemed to have reached a plateau, new attack techniques have burst forth, some so complex — and obviously not the work of novices-they could have only been designed by means of sophisticated research and development.”
Furthermore, the report says that spam, virus and malware attacks are costly. The clean up cost may go up even by $500 per desktop. That is actually even more costly than the recovery of lost data.
Moreover IronPort Systems has found out the following points:
Spam volume increased 100 percent, to more than 120 billion spam messages daily. That’s about 20 spam messages per day for every person on the planet. IronPort measurements have shown that enterprise users get anywhere from 100 to 1,000 spam messages per day.
Spam has become less focused on selling product and more focused on growing spam networks. Earlier versions of spam attacks were primarily selling some type of product (pharmaceuticals, low interest mortgages, etc.). However, today’s spam includes an increasing amount of links that point to websites distributing malware. This malware is often designed to further extend the size and scale of the botnet that originated the spam in the first place.
Viruses are less visible, but increasing in number. Virus writers have evolved from the previous mass distribution attacks, such as “Netsky” and “Bagel.” In 2007, viruses were much more polymorphic and typically associated with the proliferation of very sophisticated botnets, such as “Feebs” and “Storm.” In one week alone, the IronPort Threat Operation Center detected more than six variants of the Feebs virus, each of which began spreading exponentially before signatures could be created.
The duration of a particular attack technique decreased substantially. In previous years, spammers would employ a typical technique, such as the use of embedded images, for months. More recent techniques, such as MP3 spam, lasted only three days. But there are more of these smaller attacks. Where as in 2006 image spam was the primary new technique, 2007 saw more than 20 different attachment types used in a variety of short-lived attack techniques.
Talking about spam and internet security Tom Gillis, Vice President of Marketing for IronPort said, “2007 marks a turning point. Just when malware design seemed to have reached a plateau, new attack techniques have burst forth, some so complex — and obviously not the work of novices-they could have only been designed by means of sophisticated research and development.”
Furthermore, the report says that spam, virus and malware attacks are costly. The clean up cost may go up even by $500 per desktop. That is actually even more costly than the recovery of lost data.
Moreover IronPort Systems has found out the following points:
Spam volume increased 100 percent, to more than 120 billion spam messages daily. That’s about 20 spam messages per day for every person on the planet. IronPort measurements have shown that enterprise users get anywhere from 100 to 1,000 spam messages per day.
Spam has become less focused on selling product and more focused on growing spam networks. Earlier versions of spam attacks were primarily selling some type of product (pharmaceuticals, low interest mortgages, etc.). However, today’s spam includes an increasing amount of links that point to websites distributing malware. This malware is often designed to further extend the size and scale of the botnet that originated the spam in the first place.
Viruses are less visible, but increasing in number. Virus writers have evolved from the previous mass distribution attacks, such as “Netsky” and “Bagel.” In 2007, viruses were much more polymorphic and typically associated with the proliferation of very sophisticated botnets, such as “Feebs” and “Storm.” In one week alone, the IronPort Threat Operation Center detected more than six variants of the Feebs virus, each of which began spreading exponentially before signatures could be created.
The duration of a particular attack technique decreased substantially. In previous years, spammers would employ a typical technique, such as the use of embedded images, for months. More recent techniques, such as MP3 spam, lasted only three days. But there are more of these smaller attacks. Where as in 2006 image spam was the primary new technique, 2007 saw more than 20 different attachment types used in a variety of short-lived attack techniques.
MetroMela.com launched-city-centric information
Hyderabad-based MetroMela Internet Services has launched MetroMela.com, a city-centric website that aims to help users find relevant local information, share reviews and get the ‘best deals running in town’. The website currently offers its services for users in seven cities — Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Mysore, Vizag and Cochin.
MetroMela.com provides information across three sections – ‘Shopping, Food & Entertainment,’ ‘Health & Wellness’ and ‘Family & Kids’. “What we typically do is give out vendor listings (unlike Yellow Pages we list out selected vendors that we think would cater to the needs of our target audience) and write reviews on those vendors,” Barkha Shah, head of content, MetroMela, has said.
Barkha Shah has added, “We also have city-centric informative write-ups that would help users to know how to organize a birthday bash for their kids, where to find Reiki practitioners in the city or which places are good as weekend getaways with families or for corporate outings. Apart from that, we collect deals, offers and discounts and aggregate it on the site.” MetroMela.com also allows users to contribute to the content by suggesting a vendor that should be added to the site, notifying the company about a deal in their neighbourhood, or writing about their own experiences about a particular store or activity centre.
MetroMela is the brainchild of Sateesh Andra, a venture partner at Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ). The other key people include Pankaj Joshi (vice president, marketing and business strategy), Nitin Chowdhary (chief operating officer), Chidambaran Subramanian (chief technology officer), and Aparna Ganti (director of marketing).
MetroMela.com provides information across three sections – ‘Shopping, Food & Entertainment,’ ‘Health & Wellness’ and ‘Family & Kids’. “What we typically do is give out vendor listings (unlike Yellow Pages we list out selected vendors that we think would cater to the needs of our target audience) and write reviews on those vendors,” Barkha Shah, head of content, MetroMela, has said.
Barkha Shah has added, “We also have city-centric informative write-ups that would help users to know how to organize a birthday bash for their kids, where to find Reiki practitioners in the city or which places are good as weekend getaways with families or for corporate outings. Apart from that, we collect deals, offers and discounts and aggregate it on the site.” MetroMela.com also allows users to contribute to the content by suggesting a vendor that should be added to the site, notifying the company about a deal in their neighbourhood, or writing about their own experiences about a particular store or activity centre.
MetroMela is the brainchild of Sateesh Andra, a venture partner at Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ). The other key people include Pankaj Joshi (vice president, marketing and business strategy), Nitin Chowdhary (chief operating officer), Chidambaran Subramanian (chief technology officer), and Aparna Ganti (director of marketing).
Yahoo Mail made accessible to visually impaired users
Yahoo India Research and Development has made its new Yahoo Mail Classic accessible to visually impaired users. With the new initiative Yahoo India hopes to bring a large community of people with various disabilities on to the internet bandwagon.
According to the company, the simplicity of design in the new Yahoo Mail classic with accessibility feature is such that it will work on all standard screen reader software. Assisted by Yahoo Accessibility Guru Victor Tsaran, the Yahoo India R&D team in Bangalore has played pivotal role to make the new Yahoo Mail “fully accessible”.
According to the company, the simplicity of design in the new Yahoo Mail classic with accessibility feature is such that it will work on all standard screen reader software. Assisted by Yahoo Accessibility Guru Victor Tsaran, the Yahoo India R&D team in Bangalore has played pivotal role to make the new Yahoo Mail “fully accessible”.
Monday, December 3, 2007
RelCom intros Mobile Application contest
Reliance Communications announced the launch of a nation-wide contest for developing rural mobile applications on November 20th. Conducted under the aegis of the Reliance Developer Programme, the contest aims to encourage young talent in the area of mobile applications development in India. The award winning applications will be deployed on its Reliance Mobile World platform and interactive voice services portal, RelCom said in a statement. Also, for the first time mobile applications will be developed for both GSM and CDMA technology and Interactive Services Voice Portal. Applications can be submitted for WAP, Java, Reliance Java, Brew, Brew Lite,, Symbian and VoxML environments, RelCom statement added Mahesh Prasad, president, Applications, Solutions and Content Group, said, “As we embark on our objective of covering over 600,000 villages by March 2008, there will be a huge market for rural applications. This initiative of ours will help us create a databank of exciting applications relevant in the rural context.” The contest is open between 15 October 2007 and 15 February 2008. Developers can register for the contest on the Reliance Developer Programme website before 25th December 2007.
Cordless Laser Mouse
The VX Nano Cordless Laser mouse features the world’s smallest plug-and-forget nano-receiver, which makes the mouse ready for use especially for people who are always on the move.
Also, so miniscule (8mm) is the nano-receiver, that when it is plugged into a laptop, the receiver can hardly be noticed against the notebook’s body. Thus, notebook users will not have to worry about the receiver getting misplaced or snagged for that matter!
The Logitech VX Nano Cordless Mouse features the MicroGear Precision Scroll Wheel which definitely helps to maximize creativity. When the wheel is in hyper-fast scrolling mode, users will be able to scroll through long documents with just a flick of the finger. However, if a user wishes to shift to the precise, click-to-click scrolling mode, he/she will only be required to press and click the scroll wheel.
Moreover, the VX Nano cordless mouse’s FORWARD and BACK buttons allow for effortless navigation of Web pages and documents alike. Then, there’s the Onbe-Touch search button that provides an instant display of results from the user’s favorite search engine.
Logitech’s VX Nano Cordless Mouse runs on a laser engine which ensures smooth cursor control and precision tracking on just about any surface, while Logitech’s 2.4GHz digital cordless technology provides a robust wireless connection.
Coming to the actual design, the VX Nano mouse has an ultra-portable design as mentioned before. Thus, users will find no trouble in carrying it around. The contoured shape and soft rubber grip is supposed to provide an exceptional level of comfort.
This cordless mouse runs on two AAA batteries which are housed in the base of the VX Nano mouse. The trap door that stores the batteries when opened also reveals a storage compartment for the nano-receiver.
The Logitech VX Nano Cordless Mouse is available in India via Rashi Peripherals for a price of Rs.4,995 along with a replacement warranty of 3 years
Also, so miniscule (8mm) is the nano-receiver, that when it is plugged into a laptop, the receiver can hardly be noticed against the notebook’s body. Thus, notebook users will not have to worry about the receiver getting misplaced or snagged for that matter!
The Logitech VX Nano Cordless Mouse features the MicroGear Precision Scroll Wheel which definitely helps to maximize creativity. When the wheel is in hyper-fast scrolling mode, users will be able to scroll through long documents with just a flick of the finger. However, if a user wishes to shift to the precise, click-to-click scrolling mode, he/she will only be required to press and click the scroll wheel.
Moreover, the VX Nano cordless mouse’s FORWARD and BACK buttons allow for effortless navigation of Web pages and documents alike. Then, there’s the Onbe-Touch search button that provides an instant display of results from the user’s favorite search engine.
Logitech’s VX Nano Cordless Mouse runs on a laser engine which ensures smooth cursor control and precision tracking on just about any surface, while Logitech’s 2.4GHz digital cordless technology provides a robust wireless connection.
Coming to the actual design, the VX Nano mouse has an ultra-portable design as mentioned before. Thus, users will find no trouble in carrying it around. The contoured shape and soft rubber grip is supposed to provide an exceptional level of comfort.
This cordless mouse runs on two AAA batteries which are housed in the base of the VX Nano mouse. The trap door that stores the batteries when opened also reveals a storage compartment for the nano-receiver.
The Logitech VX Nano Cordless Mouse is available in India via Rashi Peripherals for a price of Rs.4,995 along with a replacement warranty of 3 years
Aaja Nachle
She came, she danced and she returned.
That's right. Madhuri Dixit has gone back to her family in Denver, the United States, after her comeback vehicle Aaja Nachle released over the weekend.
Though Madhuri's acting was brillant, there were not many takers for the movie.
Some multiplexes recorded 30 percent ticket sales while the scene in single-screen theatres was even more discouraging.
And this despite no other major competition. The only other release last week was the low budget film Gauri.
"Madhuri danced and acted well but she chose a wrong script," said trade analyst Komal Nahta. "The film was anti-modernisation and therefore did not click."
Comparing the film to John Mathan Matthew's movie starring Ajay Devgan and Shahid Kapoor , Nahta said, "Aaja Nachle was on the lines of Shikhar and therefore it did not appeal to masses. The content was poor."
Adding to Aaja Nachle's woes was the controversy over the lyrics of a song. UP Chief Minister Mayawati, while banning the film, termed the lyrics of the title track as casteist. Punjab and Haryana followed suit, but soon revoked the ban following producers Yash Raj Films' apology and the deleting of the objectionable words.
Though the ban did not amount to huge losses, the damage is already done.
"The theme of saving a dancing school was not good enough. Except for Madhuri, the film had nothing to woo the audience," said trade analyst Vinod Mirani.
"Moreover, to the new generation of cinegoers, Madhuri's name does not mean anything so all the talk of a comeback did not make much sense. There was curiosity among the people for Madhuri but when they saw the promos and got to hear about the script, the curiosity was killed," Mirani added.
Aaja Nachle was not produced at a very high cost, and the only star attraction was Madhuri. The producers, hence, are not likely to suffer heavy losses. One analyst, on condition of anonymity, pegged the "maximum loss" at "Rs 5 crores (Rs 50 million) and not more than that."
But it is a big setback for the country's biggest banner, as Aaja Nachle is its fourth flop of the year, after Ta Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Bara Bar Jhoom and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag.
The only film that did well for Yash Raj this year was the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak De! India.
That's right. Madhuri Dixit has gone back to her family in Denver, the United States, after her comeback vehicle Aaja Nachle released over the weekend.
Though Madhuri's acting was brillant, there were not many takers for the movie.
Some multiplexes recorded 30 percent ticket sales while the scene in single-screen theatres was even more discouraging.
And this despite no other major competition. The only other release last week was the low budget film Gauri.
"Madhuri danced and acted well but she chose a wrong script," said trade analyst Komal Nahta. "The film was anti-modernisation and therefore did not click."
Comparing the film to John Mathan Matthew's movie starring Ajay Devgan and Shahid Kapoor , Nahta said, "Aaja Nachle was on the lines of Shikhar and therefore it did not appeal to masses. The content was poor."
Adding to Aaja Nachle's woes was the controversy over the lyrics of a song. UP Chief Minister Mayawati, while banning the film, termed the lyrics of the title track as casteist. Punjab and Haryana followed suit, but soon revoked the ban following producers Yash Raj Films' apology and the deleting of the objectionable words.
Though the ban did not amount to huge losses, the damage is already done.
"The theme of saving a dancing school was not good enough. Except for Madhuri, the film had nothing to woo the audience," said trade analyst Vinod Mirani.
"Moreover, to the new generation of cinegoers, Madhuri's name does not mean anything so all the talk of a comeback did not make much sense. There was curiosity among the people for Madhuri but when they saw the promos and got to hear about the script, the curiosity was killed," Mirani added.
Aaja Nachle was not produced at a very high cost, and the only star attraction was Madhuri. The producers, hence, are not likely to suffer heavy losses. One analyst, on condition of anonymity, pegged the "maximum loss" at "Rs 5 crores (Rs 50 million) and not more than that."
But it is a big setback for the country's biggest banner, as Aaja Nachle is its fourth flop of the year, after Ta Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Bara Bar Jhoom and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag.
The only film that did well for Yash Raj this year was the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak De! India.
Few tips for safer Online Shopping
Online shopping is the new development that has caught up among the masses. Shopping online is fast and convenient, but it comes with its own set of pros and cons. One such issue is security, which haunts each and every one of us who shop online. According to a research, there was estimated USD 2 billion of online commercial loss in 2006 due to safety concerns. Here are 5 tips discussed by Shekhar Kirani, vice president of VeriSign India that will make on line shopping secure.
Look for visual cues
Prominent misspellings and frequent grammatical errors are signs that a web site is fraudulent. One can also look for simple visual cues that show that the site is authenticated and protected. Cues include a green address bar in high-security browsers such as Internet. Explorer 7 and soon, Firefox 3 and Opera. Other visual cues include a padlock icon in either the lower or upper right-hand corner of the screen and https:// in the browser — both of these indicate the site is secured.
Check out 2-factor authentication
A growing number of sites are accepting a second form of user authentication that comes from physical devices such as a token, credit-card form factor, a USB drive, and even your cell phone. According to Kirani, “Each device provides users with a dynamic onetime password that must be entered into a login page in addition to their user name and password. The extra layer of security prevents potential fraudsters from accessing personal accounts that are accessed by a simple user name and password.”
Compare the checkout experience to well-known sites and look for anomalies
Most well-run web sites — such as Amazon or eBay — send orderconfirmation, shipping confirmation e-mails, and allow you to print outconfirmations of your orders. Beware of a simple form with no “visual cues” and no confirmation that you entered or ordered anything.
Know your vendor
Read their ratings and reviews from other customers and take red flags seriously. Also make sure you have some way of contacting them — look for a phone number and mailing address. Finally, try to find out where the company is based in their “about us” section.
Pay attention to the order form
The site should not ask for more than your name, shipping address, billing address, credit card type and number, and expiration. Data such as bank account number, etc. shouldn’t be collected. Finally, make sure that the sites with which you indulge into business provide proper security measures to protect their most valuable asset-you, the customer.
Look for visual cues
Prominent misspellings and frequent grammatical errors are signs that a web site is fraudulent. One can also look for simple visual cues that show that the site is authenticated and protected. Cues include a green address bar in high-security browsers such as Internet. Explorer 7 and soon, Firefox 3 and Opera. Other visual cues include a padlock icon in either the lower or upper right-hand corner of the screen and https:// in the browser — both of these indicate the site is secured.
Check out 2-factor authentication
A growing number of sites are accepting a second form of user authentication that comes from physical devices such as a token, credit-card form factor, a USB drive, and even your cell phone. According to Kirani, “Each device provides users with a dynamic onetime password that must be entered into a login page in addition to their user name and password. The extra layer of security prevents potential fraudsters from accessing personal accounts that are accessed by a simple user name and password.”
Compare the checkout experience to well-known sites and look for anomalies
Most well-run web sites — such as Amazon or eBay — send orderconfirmation, shipping confirmation e-mails, and allow you to print outconfirmations of your orders. Beware of a simple form with no “visual cues” and no confirmation that you entered or ordered anything.
Know your vendor
Read their ratings and reviews from other customers and take red flags seriously. Also make sure you have some way of contacting them — look for a phone number and mailing address. Finally, try to find out where the company is based in their “about us” section.
Pay attention to the order form
The site should not ask for more than your name, shipping address, billing address, credit card type and number, and expiration. Data such as bank account number, etc. shouldn’t be collected. Finally, make sure that the sites with which you indulge into business provide proper security measures to protect their most valuable asset-you, the customer.
40 lakh Silk Sari
A palanquin arrived amid much fanfare at Chennai Silks, a textile house in Tamil Nadu, to give a princely welcome for an outfit that’s fit for a queen – a sari studded with gold, diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones. The textile house has woven what it claims is the world’s costliest sari, one that costs Rs 40 lakh and weighs around eight kilogram.“The most special thing about the sari is the Ravi Varma painting which has been woven into it. All the intricate details in the painting have been replicated like the curly hair of the ladies and the jewels they are wearing,” Assistant General Manager of Chennai Silks K V Sriram said.While it has already entered the Limca Book of Records, the company says it will try to enter the Guiness Book as well.
It took 30 weavers around seven months to make the sari and its launch was also star-studded with actors Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Shobhana and Jeeva attending the event. So, was the attempt just for a record? “This sari can be worn. Normally also it can be used, so it’s not just for a record,” Sriram said.
'Chennai Silks' Director Chandran claims that they have already received enquiries regarding the sari and hopes that it will be sold soon and said it took 4,680 man hours for a team of highly-skilled weavers to complete the work, using a double warp.
He claimed it was the first silk sari manufactured using 7,440 jacquard hooks (which are instrumental in weaving a design) and 66,794 cards (which are punched to create a specific design using CAD software.) "The sari, which had entered the Limca Book of Records, will be a unique drape for a bride," he added.
It took 30 weavers around seven months to make the sari and its launch was also star-studded with actors Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Shobhana and Jeeva attending the event. So, was the attempt just for a record? “This sari can be worn. Normally also it can be used, so it’s not just for a record,” Sriram said.
'Chennai Silks' Director Chandran claims that they have already received enquiries regarding the sari and hopes that it will be sold soon and said it took 4,680 man hours for a team of highly-skilled weavers to complete the work, using a double warp.
He claimed it was the first silk sari manufactured using 7,440 jacquard hooks (which are instrumental in weaving a design) and 66,794 cards (which are punched to create a specific design using CAD software.) "The sari, which had entered the Limca Book of Records, will be a unique drape for a bride," he added.
Slow Broadband speed in UK!!!
Seems, that the broadband speed in the UK is falling rapidly. With the aim to stop this declining rate, Minister of State for Competitiveness Stephen Timms addressed a broadband summit.A Moneysupermarket.com survey suggests that UK’s broadband speed is one of the lowest in Europe. Most of the British citizens use broadband connections. And it delivers an average speed of 4 megabits a second (Mbps).
Timms said, “When next-generation broadband starts to emerge, I don’t want it to be claimed that Britain is being left behind. We need to work together to avoid the non-availability in Britain of commercially significant services emerging in the US and elsewhere.”
The UK Government as well as the broadband industry participated in the event, and discussed the future of broadband.
According to the survey, the fastest broadband speed is found in Japan.
Timms said, “When next-generation broadband starts to emerge, I don’t want it to be claimed that Britain is being left behind. We need to work together to avoid the non-availability in Britain of commercially significant services emerging in the US and elsewhere.”
The UK Government as well as the broadband industry participated in the event, and discussed the future of broadband.
According to the survey, the fastest broadband speed is found in Japan.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
The Body Shop
The Body Shop International plc is a global manufacturer and retailer of naturally inspired, ethically produced beauty and cosmetics products. Founded in the UK in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick, now has over 2,100 stores in 55 countries, with a range of over 1,200 products, all animal cruelty free, and many with fairly traded natural ingredients.
It is the first international cosmetics brand to be awarded the Humane Cosmetics Standard for its Against Animal Testing policy. And it has its own fair trade programme called Community Trade, making us the only cosmetics company with such an extensive commitment to trading fairly. Community Trade now works with 31 suppliers in 24 countries, providing over 15,000 people across the globe with essential income to build their futures.
It also has its own charity, The Body Shop Foundation. Launched in 1990 (registered charity no. 802757) it gives financial support to pioneering, frontline organisations that otherwise have little hope of conventional funding. The Foundation's focus is to assist those working to achieve progress in the areas of human and civil rights, environmental and animal protection.
All products are made with a love of life, respect for the world we live in, a spirit of individuality, and commitment to trading fairly. In a word, passion.
It believes that every woman has the right to feel fabulous, so they put their all into finding the highest quality natural ingredients, ethically and responsibly grown and bought, and turning them into innovative products, honestly marketed, and priced so that everyone can afford them.
It is the first international cosmetics brand to be awarded the Humane Cosmetics Standard for its Against Animal Testing policy. And it has its own fair trade programme called Community Trade, making us the only cosmetics company with such an extensive commitment to trading fairly. Community Trade now works with 31 suppliers in 24 countries, providing over 15,000 people across the globe with essential income to build their futures.
It also has its own charity, The Body Shop Foundation. Launched in 1990 (registered charity no. 802757) it gives financial support to pioneering, frontline organisations that otherwise have little hope of conventional funding. The Foundation's focus is to assist those working to achieve progress in the areas of human and civil rights, environmental and animal protection.
All products are made with a love of life, respect for the world we live in, a spirit of individuality, and commitment to trading fairly. In a word, passion.
It believes that every woman has the right to feel fabulous, so they put their all into finding the highest quality natural ingredients, ethically and responsibly grown and bought, and turning them into innovative products, honestly marketed, and priced so that everyone can afford them.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Vitamin E linked to level of Dipression
Anyone who eats a low fat diet isn't likely to get a lot of nutrient (vitamin E) which is found in nuts, margarine and vegetable oil. Major depression is associated with defective antioxidant defences and vitamin E is the major fat soluble antioxidant available in the body.
Many health related professionals suggest that this vitamin may have something to do with this disease.
"People with major clinical depression appear to have lower levels of alphatocopherol, a form of vitamin E, circulating in their blood streams," say researchers. But it is not known whether the low levels are due to inadequate dietary intake or are result of depression itself.
An Australian team from the University of Wollongong measured plasma alphatocopherol levels in 49 adults with major depression and looked at the dietary intake of vitamin E of patients in their diet history. The idea was to find out whether these subjects had a lower dietary intake of the vitamin or if their vitamin E levels had fallen due to depression.
The result of the study showed that 89 percent of the subjects interviewed, revealed that they had exceeded the recommended intake of vitamin E. So they came to the conclusion that the lower vitamin level in the blood could be a maker of increased physiological stress possibly increased oxidative stress during depression.
Previous studies have shown that antioxidant vitamins may protect the brain against damage caused by fee radicals and other reactive species produced during basic cellular metabolism. But researchers think that at this stage, it is too early to recommend vitamin E supplements as a therapy for depression.
Many health related professionals suggest that this vitamin may have something to do with this disease.
"People with major clinical depression appear to have lower levels of alphatocopherol, a form of vitamin E, circulating in their blood streams," say researchers. But it is not known whether the low levels are due to inadequate dietary intake or are result of depression itself.
An Australian team from the University of Wollongong measured plasma alphatocopherol levels in 49 adults with major depression and looked at the dietary intake of vitamin E of patients in their diet history. The idea was to find out whether these subjects had a lower dietary intake of the vitamin or if their vitamin E levels had fallen due to depression.
The result of the study showed that 89 percent of the subjects interviewed, revealed that they had exceeded the recommended intake of vitamin E. So they came to the conclusion that the lower vitamin level in the blood could be a maker of increased physiological stress possibly increased oxidative stress during depression.
Previous studies have shown that antioxidant vitamins may protect the brain against damage caused by fee radicals and other reactive species produced during basic cellular metabolism. But researchers think that at this stage, it is too early to recommend vitamin E supplements as a therapy for depression.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Chillies Help You Sleep Better
Having trouble falling asleep at night? A new Australian study has found adding chilli to your diet will make you drift off to sleep quicker and leap out of bed with more energy.
University of Tasmania physiologist Andrew Davies put 25 volunteers on a controlled diet for four weeks. They then repeated the eating plan for another four weeks, this time adding 30 grams of chopped uncooked chilli to their daily diet. Participants reported they fell asleep easier with the spicy addition. Sleep time was shorter on a chilli diet and volunteers made fewer movements during sleep suggesting they may have slept more deeply. Result won't happen with a single spicy meal, Dr Davies warns. Stick with the chilli for a little longer.
University of Tasmania physiologist Andrew Davies put 25 volunteers on a controlled diet for four weeks. They then repeated the eating plan for another four weeks, this time adding 30 grams of chopped uncooked chilli to their daily diet. Participants reported they fell asleep easier with the spicy addition. Sleep time was shorter on a chilli diet and volunteers made fewer movements during sleep suggesting they may have slept more deeply. Result won't happen with a single spicy meal, Dr Davies warns. Stick with the chilli for a little longer.
Rear Wear
Find the perfect pair of jeans for your shape
Bootylicious behind If you are big and beautiful, create the illusion of a shapely butt with cargo pockets on the hips or thighs, rear and legs. High heels also perk up your derriere.
Minimize curves Opt for dark denim in a boot-cut style with a slight flare to balance your curves.
Flatter your full butt Minimise your butt with small back pocket that sit higher up towards the waistband.
Tall and thin Celebrate your lean look with tight straight-leg jeans.
Elongate your legs Wear straight-leg jeans with pointed-toe heels to extend the visual line.
Bootylicious behind If you are big and beautiful, create the illusion of a shapely butt with cargo pockets on the hips or thighs, rear and legs. High heels also perk up your derriere.
Minimize curves Opt for dark denim in a boot-cut style with a slight flare to balance your curves.
Flatter your full butt Minimise your butt with small back pocket that sit higher up towards the waistband.
Tall and thin Celebrate your lean look with tight straight-leg jeans.
Elongate your legs Wear straight-leg jeans with pointed-toe heels to extend the visual line.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Stupid Answers for Stupid Questions
10 most stupid questions people usually ask in obvious situations and some equally stupid answers.
1. At the movies: When you meet aquaintances/friends
Stupid Question:- Hey, what are you doing here?
Answer:-Well,it's so hot , there were no cool cabs so I thought I'd watch some advertisements in the cool comfort of the theatre.
2. In the bus: A fat girl wearing pointed high-heeled shoes steps on your feet
Stupid Question:- Sorry, did that hurt?
Answer:-No, not at all, I'm on local anesthesia..... why don't you try again or should i try this time.
3. At a funeral:One of the teary-eyed people ask
Stupid Question:- Why, why him, of all people.
Answer:-Why?Would it rather have been you?
4. At a restaurant:When you ask the waiter
Stupid Question:- Is the "blah blah blah" dish good
Answer:-No, its terrible and made of adulterated cement. We occasionally also spit in it.
5. At a family get-together.When some distant aunt meets you after years
Stupid Question:- Munna,Chickoo, you've become so big.
Answer:-Well you haven't particularly shrunk yourself.
6. When a friend announces her wedding, and you ask
Stupid Question:- Is the guy you're marrying good?
Answer:-No,he's a miserable wife-beating , insensitive lout... it's just the money.
7. When you get woken up at midnight by a phone call
Stupid Question:- Sorry. were you sleeping.
Answer:-No. I was playing cricket for India at Sharjah and just when you called Salim Malik was betting with me that Pakistan would win. What do you think?
8. When you see a friend/colleague with evidently shorter hair
Stupid Question:- Hey have you had a haircut?
Answer:-No, its autumn and I'm shedding......
9. At the dentist when he's sticking pointed objects in your mouth
Stupid Question:- Tell me if it hurts?
Answer:-And while I'm telling you , you tell me if I bite.
10. You are smoking a cigarette and a cute woman asks
Stupid Question:- Oh, so you smoke
Answer:-No, it's a miracle ...........it was a chalk=20 and now it's in flames!!!
1. At the movies: When you meet aquaintances/friends
Stupid Question:- Hey, what are you doing here?
Answer:-Well,it's so hot , there were no cool cabs so I thought I'd watch some advertisements in the cool comfort of the theatre.
2. In the bus: A fat girl wearing pointed high-heeled shoes steps on your feet
Stupid Question:- Sorry, did that hurt?
Answer:-No, not at all, I'm on local anesthesia..... why don't you try again or should i try this time.
3. At a funeral:One of the teary-eyed people ask
Stupid Question:- Why, why him, of all people.
Answer:-Why?Would it rather have been you?
4. At a restaurant:When you ask the waiter
Stupid Question:- Is the "blah blah blah" dish good
Answer:-No, its terrible and made of adulterated cement. We occasionally also spit in it.
5. At a family get-together.When some distant aunt meets you after years
Stupid Question:- Munna,Chickoo, you've become so big.
Answer:-Well you haven't particularly shrunk yourself.
6. When a friend announces her wedding, and you ask
Stupid Question:- Is the guy you're marrying good?
Answer:-No,he's a miserable wife-beating , insensitive lout... it's just the money.
7. When you get woken up at midnight by a phone call
Stupid Question:- Sorry. were you sleeping.
Answer:-No. I was playing cricket for India at Sharjah and just when you called Salim Malik was betting with me that Pakistan would win. What do you think?
8. When you see a friend/colleague with evidently shorter hair
Stupid Question:- Hey have you had a haircut?
Answer:-No, its autumn and I'm shedding......
9. At the dentist when he's sticking pointed objects in your mouth
Stupid Question:- Tell me if it hurts?
Answer:-And while I'm telling you , you tell me if I bite.
10. You are smoking a cigarette and a cute woman asks
Stupid Question:- Oh, so you smoke
Answer:-No, it's a miracle ...........it was a chalk=20 and now it's in flames!!!
Grabbing a soft drink.... Think again
For those of you who love areated drinks...Just when you thought you knew everything....
To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl. Let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a crumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminium foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
To loosen a rusted bolt : Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan; wrap the ham in aluminium foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the rippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.
To remove grease from clothes : Empty a can of Coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains.
It will also clean road haze from your windshield. AND WE DRINK THIS STUFF!Coke & Pepsi For your info :The average pH of soft drinks, e.g. Coke, Pepsi is pH 3.4. This acidity is strong enough to dissolve teeth and bones! Our human body stops building bones at around the age of 30. After that it'll be dissolving about 8-18% of the bones each year through the urine depending on the acidity of the food intake (acidity does not depend on the taste of the food, but on the ratio of potassium / calcium / magnesium / etc. to phosphorus).
All the dissolved calcium compounds accumulate in the arteries, veins, skin tissue, organs. This affects the functioning of the kidney (kidney stones).
Soft drinks do not have any nutritional value (in terms of vitamins and minerals). They have higher sugar content, higher acidity, and more additives such as preservatives and colourings.
Some people like to take cold soft drinks after each meal, guess what's the impact? Our body has an optimum temperature of 37 degrees for the functioning of digestive enzymes. The temperature of cold soft drinks is much less than 37, sometimes quite close to0. This will lower the effectiveness of the enzymes and put stress on the digestive system, digesting less food. In fact the food gets fermented. The fermented food produces bad smelling gases, decays and forms toxins which are absorbed in the intestines, get circulated in the blood and is delivered to the whole body. This spread of toxins can lead to the development of various diseases.
Think before you drink Coke or Pepsi or any another soft drink. Have you ever thought what you drink when you drink an aerated drink? You gulp down carbon dioxide, something that nobody in the world would advise you to do.
There was a competition in Delhi University "Who can drink the most Coke?". The winner drank 8 bottles and died on the spot because too much carbon dioxide in the blood and not enough oxygen. From then on, the principal banned all soft drinks from the university canteen.
Someone put a broken tooth in a bottle of Pepsi and in 10 days it is dissolved! Teeth and bones are the only human organ that stay intact for years after death. Imagine what the drink must be doing to your soft intestines and stomach lining!
To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl. Let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a crumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminium foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
To loosen a rusted bolt : Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan; wrap the ham in aluminium foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the rippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.
To remove grease from clothes : Empty a can of Coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains.
It will also clean road haze from your windshield. AND WE DRINK THIS STUFF!Coke & Pepsi For your info :The average pH of soft drinks, e.g. Coke, Pepsi is pH 3.4. This acidity is strong enough to dissolve teeth and bones! Our human body stops building bones at around the age of 30. After that it'll be dissolving about 8-18% of the bones each year through the urine depending on the acidity of the food intake (acidity does not depend on the taste of the food, but on the ratio of potassium / calcium / magnesium / etc. to phosphorus).
All the dissolved calcium compounds accumulate in the arteries, veins, skin tissue, organs. This affects the functioning of the kidney (kidney stones).
Soft drinks do not have any nutritional value (in terms of vitamins and minerals). They have higher sugar content, higher acidity, and more additives such as preservatives and colourings.
Some people like to take cold soft drinks after each meal, guess what's the impact? Our body has an optimum temperature of 37 degrees for the functioning of digestive enzymes. The temperature of cold soft drinks is much less than 37, sometimes quite close to0. This will lower the effectiveness of the enzymes and put stress on the digestive system, digesting less food. In fact the food gets fermented. The fermented food produces bad smelling gases, decays and forms toxins which are absorbed in the intestines, get circulated in the blood and is delivered to the whole body. This spread of toxins can lead to the development of various diseases.
Think before you drink Coke or Pepsi or any another soft drink. Have you ever thought what you drink when you drink an aerated drink? You gulp down carbon dioxide, something that nobody in the world would advise you to do.
There was a competition in Delhi University "Who can drink the most Coke?". The winner drank 8 bottles and died on the spot because too much carbon dioxide in the blood and not enough oxygen. From then on, the principal banned all soft drinks from the university canteen.
Someone put a broken tooth in a bottle of Pepsi and in 10 days it is dissolved! Teeth and bones are the only human organ that stay intact for years after death. Imagine what the drink must be doing to your soft intestines and stomach lining!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Life Tree
What tree did you fall from?Find your birthday, find your tree and then scroll down... This is really cool and somewhat accurate, also in line with Celtic astrology.
Dec 23 to Dec 31 - Apple Tree
Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree
Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree
Mar 21 - Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree
Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree
Jun 24 - Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree
Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree
Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree
Sep 23 - Olive Tree
Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree
Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree
Dec 22 - Beech Tree
APPLE TREE (the Love) -of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, and action,pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love andbeloved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents,lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.
ASH TREE (the Ambition) - uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes Partnership very seriously
BEECH TREE (the Creative) -has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, goodorganisation of life and career, economical, good leader, takes nounnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on eeping fit (diets, sports, etc.)
BIRCH TREE (the inspiration) –
vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly,unpretentious, modest, does notlike anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.
CEDAR TREE (the Confidence) -of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury,of good health, not inthe least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined,impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthyoptimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.
CHESTNUT TREE (the Honesty) -of unusual beauty, does not want to impress,well-developed sense ofjustice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat,but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self confidence,acts sometimes superior, feels not understood, loves only once, hasdifficulties in finding a partner.
CYPRESS TREE (the Faithfulness) -strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgement, hates loneliness,passionatelover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.
ELM TREE (the Noble-mindedness) -pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands,tends not to forgivemistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous,goodsense of humour, practical.
FIG TREE (the Sensibility) -very strong, a bit self-willed, independent,does not allow contradictionor arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humour, likes idleness and laziness,ofpractical talent and intelligence.
FIR TREE (the Mysterious) –
extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful,moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rathermodest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, uncontented lover, manyfriends, many foes,very reliable.
HAZELNUT TREE (the Extraordinary) –
charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make animpression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgement.
HORNBEAM TREE (the Good Taste) -of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is notegoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable anddisciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgement in an emotionalpartner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings,mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.
LIME TREE (the Doubt) -accepts what life dishes out in a composed way,hates fighting, stress, andlabour, dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting,makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to makethem blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal.
MAPLE TREE (Independence of Mind) -no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy andreserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident,hungers for new experiences,sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.OAK TREE (the Brave) - robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.
OLIVE TREE (the Wisdom) -loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced,avoidsaggression and violence, tolerant,cheerful, calm, well-developed sense ofjustice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.
PINE TREE (the Particular) -loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappointments until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.
POPLAR TREE (the Uncertainty) -looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous ifnecessary,needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, oftenlonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organiser, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.
ROWAN TREE (the Sensitivity) –
full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism,likes to draw attention,loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent andindependent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company,does not forgive.
WALNUT TREE (the Passion) –
unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic,aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous,unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but oftenadmired,ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.
WEEPING WILLOW (the Melancholy)
beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, lovesanything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, nestless,capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to livewith,demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.
Dec 23 to Dec 31 - Apple Tree
Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree
Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree
Mar 21 - Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree
Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree
Jun 24 - Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree
Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree
Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree
Sep 23 - Olive Tree
Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree
Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree
Dec 22 - Beech Tree
APPLE TREE (the Love) -of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, and action,pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love andbeloved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents,lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.
ASH TREE (the Ambition) - uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes Partnership very seriously
BEECH TREE (the Creative) -has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, goodorganisation of life and career, economical, good leader, takes nounnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on eeping fit (diets, sports, etc.)
BIRCH TREE (the inspiration) –
vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly,unpretentious, modest, does notlike anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.
CEDAR TREE (the Confidence) -of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury,of good health, not inthe least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined,impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthyoptimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.
CHESTNUT TREE (the Honesty) -of unusual beauty, does not want to impress,well-developed sense ofjustice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat,but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self confidence,acts sometimes superior, feels not understood, loves only once, hasdifficulties in finding a partner.
CYPRESS TREE (the Faithfulness) -strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgement, hates loneliness,passionatelover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.
ELM TREE (the Noble-mindedness) -pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands,tends not to forgivemistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous,goodsense of humour, practical.
FIG TREE (the Sensibility) -very strong, a bit self-willed, independent,does not allow contradictionor arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humour, likes idleness and laziness,ofpractical talent and intelligence.
FIR TREE (the Mysterious) –
extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful,moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rathermodest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, uncontented lover, manyfriends, many foes,very reliable.
HAZELNUT TREE (the Extraordinary) –
charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make animpression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgement.
HORNBEAM TREE (the Good Taste) -of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is notegoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable anddisciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgement in an emotionalpartner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings,mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.
LIME TREE (the Doubt) -accepts what life dishes out in a composed way,hates fighting, stress, andlabour, dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting,makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to makethem blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal.
MAPLE TREE (Independence of Mind) -no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy andreserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident,hungers for new experiences,sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.OAK TREE (the Brave) - robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.
OLIVE TREE (the Wisdom) -loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced,avoidsaggression and violence, tolerant,cheerful, calm, well-developed sense ofjustice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.
PINE TREE (the Particular) -loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappointments until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.
POPLAR TREE (the Uncertainty) -looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous ifnecessary,needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, oftenlonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organiser, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.
ROWAN TREE (the Sensitivity) –
full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism,likes to draw attention,loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent andindependent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company,does not forgive.
WALNUT TREE (the Passion) –
unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic,aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous,unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but oftenadmired,ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.
WEEPING WILLOW (the Melancholy)
beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, lovesanything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, nestless,capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to livewith,demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Joke of the Millenium
The European Union commissioners have announced
That agreement has been reached to use English as the preffered language for European communities,
Rather than German,which was the other possibility.As part of the negotiation,Her Majesty’s Government conceded that English spellings have some room for improvement and has accepted a five year phased plan for what will be known as EuroEnglish(Euro for short).
In the first year,’S’ will be used instead of soft ‘C’.Sertainly sivil servants will receive this news with joy.Also the hard ‘C’ will be replased with ‘K’.Not only will this klear up konfusion but typewriters kan have one letter less.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the second year,when the troublesome ‘ph’ will be replased by ‘f’.This will make words like ‘fotograf’ 20 persent shorter.In the third year publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expected to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.Governments will enkourage the removal of ,which have always ben a deterent to alurate speling.Also al wil agre that the horrible mes of silent ‘e’s in the language is disgrasful,and they would go.
By the fourth year,people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing ‘th’ with ‘z’ and ‘w’ by ‘v’.
During ze fifz year,ze unesesary ‘o’ kan be dropd from vords containing ‘ou’,and similar changes vud of kors,be aplid to ozer kombinatios of leters.After zis fifz yer,ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl.Zer vil b no mor trubls or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech ozer.Ze drem vil finali kum tru.
That agreement has been reached to use English as the preffered language for European communities,
Rather than German,which was the other possibility.As part of the negotiation,Her Majesty’s Government conceded that English spellings have some room for improvement and has accepted a five year phased plan for what will be known as EuroEnglish(Euro for short).
In the first year,’S’ will be used instead of soft ‘C’.Sertainly sivil servants will receive this news with joy.Also the hard ‘C’ will be replased with ‘K’.Not only will this klear up konfusion but typewriters kan have one letter less.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the second year,when the troublesome ‘ph’ will be replased by ‘f’.This will make words like ‘fotograf’ 20 persent shorter.In the third year publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expected to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.Governments will enkourage the removal of ,which have always ben a deterent to alurate speling.Also al wil agre that the horrible mes of silent ‘e’s in the language is disgrasful,and they would go.
By the fourth year,people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing ‘th’ with ‘z’ and ‘w’ by ‘v’.
During ze fifz year,ze unesesary ‘o’ kan be dropd from vords containing ‘ou’,and similar changes vud of kors,be aplid to ozer kombinatios of leters.After zis fifz yer,ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl.Zer vil b no mor trubls or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech ozer.Ze drem vil finali kum tru.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Kids and Calcium
Good ol' milk is at threat of being extinct today. It has given way to aerated drinks and fast foods that have poor nutrition value as compared to the rich attributes of nature's best bet. This has singularly led to a sharp decline in levels of calcium that's pivotal to a child's diet.
Those who consume milk as a routine are known to acquire the recommended levels of Calcium as opposed to others who have replaced milk with unhealthy substitutes. Used by the body primarily for growth and development of bones, school-going children and adolescents feel the need for calcium the most.
Use of Calcium : The rate of bone growth is highest during when there is an overall development of teeth, bones and soft tissues. It's during this time calcium is needed the most. Among the more important ingredients in human body, an adult man of about 60kg has as much as one kg of calcium present mostly in bones. That apart, besides bones, in small quantities calcium plays a pivotal role in neuromuscular excitation, blood coagulation and membrane permeability.
Effect of Absence : For all bone growth, the presence of calcium in adequate is mandatory. Long-term poor dietary intake of calcium owing to warped lifestyles and eating patterns leads to brittle bones. It also makes a human lot more prone to fractures and bone compression issues even from simple fall or injuries. It can also result in nerve and muscle impairment like skeletal muscle spams and abnormal heart beats.
Tackling Dietary Hurdles : The biggest hurdle a mother faces is getting her child to have that glass of milk that's necessary for proper growth. So, instead of the bland ol' plain MILK, you could try lending flavour and colour to the product. Blended with fruits and flavoured too, you could find milk-shakes a lot more preferred to milk.
Also, CHEESE - a milk by-product will help your child obtain the pre-requisite levels of calcium. So, sandwiches, rolls and spreads are a great way to pack in that calcium requirement.
Even green, leafy VEGETABLES could be blended into food like mint parathas, Frankie rolls with spinach, stuffed pakodas to boost calcium intake. French toasts as well as cheesy omelettes provide for the prefect calcium camouflage as they're tasty yet healthy option for the growing child.
Last but not the least, go for the new products in the market which have been fortified with calcium derived from a glass of milk- the perfect solution to calcium problem.
Those who consume milk as a routine are known to acquire the recommended levels of Calcium as opposed to others who have replaced milk with unhealthy substitutes. Used by the body primarily for growth and development of bones, school-going children and adolescents feel the need for calcium the most.
Use of Calcium : The rate of bone growth is highest during when there is an overall development of teeth, bones and soft tissues. It's during this time calcium is needed the most. Among the more important ingredients in human body, an adult man of about 60kg has as much as one kg of calcium present mostly in bones. That apart, besides bones, in small quantities calcium plays a pivotal role in neuromuscular excitation, blood coagulation and membrane permeability.
Effect of Absence : For all bone growth, the presence of calcium in adequate is mandatory. Long-term poor dietary intake of calcium owing to warped lifestyles and eating patterns leads to brittle bones. It also makes a human lot more prone to fractures and bone compression issues even from simple fall or injuries. It can also result in nerve and muscle impairment like skeletal muscle spams and abnormal heart beats.
Tackling Dietary Hurdles : The biggest hurdle a mother faces is getting her child to have that glass of milk that's necessary for proper growth. So, instead of the bland ol' plain MILK, you could try lending flavour and colour to the product. Blended with fruits and flavoured too, you could find milk-shakes a lot more preferred to milk.
Also, CHEESE - a milk by-product will help your child obtain the pre-requisite levels of calcium. So, sandwiches, rolls and spreads are a great way to pack in that calcium requirement.
Even green, leafy VEGETABLES could be blended into food like mint parathas, Frankie rolls with spinach, stuffed pakodas to boost calcium intake. French toasts as well as cheesy omelettes provide for the prefect calcium camouflage as they're tasty yet healthy option for the growing child.
Last but not the least, go for the new products in the market which have been fortified with calcium derived from a glass of milk- the perfect solution to calcium problem.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Truths Universally Acknowledged
We hear them almost every day, but what do they actually mean? Here are the facts behind some common sayings:
At a snail's pace: The fastest land snail on record was called Archie. He won the 1995 World Snail Racing Championship in Congham, England, by covering 33 centimeters in two minutes and 20 seconds. That's 0.008kmph.
Just a moment: According to an old English time unit, a moment takes one and half minutes, but by rabbinical reckoning a moment is precisely 19/270 of an hour.
All the tea in China: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that all the tea in China amounts to 569,860 tonnes.
Since time immemorial: Time immemorial is usually defined as beyond the memory of any living person, or a time extending so far back as to be indefinite. However, for the purpose of English law, a status passes in 1275 decreed that time immemorial was any point prior to 1189-the year when Richard I began his reign.
Blood is thicker than water: In chemistry, water is given a specific gravity, or relative density, of 1.00, because it is used as the standard against which all other densities are measured. By comparison, blood has a specific gravity of 1.06-just slightly thicker than water.
At a snail's pace: The fastest land snail on record was called Archie. He won the 1995 World Snail Racing Championship in Congham, England, by covering 33 centimeters in two minutes and 20 seconds. That's 0.008kmph.
Just a moment: According to an old English time unit, a moment takes one and half minutes, but by rabbinical reckoning a moment is precisely 19/270 of an hour.
All the tea in China: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that all the tea in China amounts to 569,860 tonnes.
Since time immemorial: Time immemorial is usually defined as beyond the memory of any living person, or a time extending so far back as to be indefinite. However, for the purpose of English law, a status passes in 1275 decreed that time immemorial was any point prior to 1189-the year when Richard I began his reign.
Blood is thicker than water: In chemistry, water is given a specific gravity, or relative density, of 1.00, because it is used as the standard against which all other densities are measured. By comparison, blood has a specific gravity of 1.06-just slightly thicker than water.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Your very own Spa Day
Working five days a week, and in the weekends planning to go out for a tour with your friends, hanging out in someones house, going shopping, parties.....bla bla bla... and if you find time for yourself planning to sleep ? try out this one.. Treat yourself with a SPECIAL SPA DAY. A whole day when your concentration is you and your body. Here is how to spend your very own Special Spa Day:
07 am: The first thing you have when you get up is honey and lime juice in warm water.
08 am: Time for yoga/exercise - put on some soothing music and enjoying doing it.
09 am: Make a cup of herbal tea. For breakfast have a plate of fruits like watermelon, papaya.
11 am: Have a glass of vegetable juice, put your feet up and sip slowly.
12 am: Lunch time - It must be packed with fresh raw salads, lowfat protein rotis made of soya, jowar and wheat. Salad must be full of sprouts and tomatoes. Have dal, two vegetable curries, if you are interested in non-veg make it one veg-curry and one non-veg curry (but be sure you dont eat much oil at least today on you spa day).
2 pm: Beauty time- Close the bathroom door, light a scented candle. Indulge your body with full-body mask and oil massage. Take half cup of milk, half cup of ground almonds, quater cup of fresh, grated coconut, 4 drops of your favourite oil, a bunch of crushed rose petals and egg white. Mix it all together and apply the paste to your body starting from your feet. After 20 min wash it off with luke warm water. You can make a home made bubble bath by combining 1 cup of soap flakes, 3 tbsp of glycerine and oils. Mix and store in a container.Watch your skin glow all week.
After your bath, apply another layer of the bath oil or lotion. Don't forget your elbows.These may look like an ostrich neck, but it is your job to make them look line a swan's. Rub half a lime with sugar granules on each elbow. After your shower, rub an elbow cream.
A pedicure and manicure come next. Put a herbal face pack, lie with thin cucumber slices on your eyelids before washing your face.
5 pm: Juice break- A glass of fresh orange or mousambi juice with a spring of fresh peppermint.
5.45 pm: Go for a long walk. Get into your track suit and take a brisk walk.
6.30 pm: Have a milk shake .
08 pm: Dinner time- Have a thai style with vegitable curry and rice.
09 pm: Have a sweet dish gajar-ka-halwa or curd , topped with almonds.
10 pm: Bed time- slip into your bed with your favourite book in your hands and slowly slip into a lovely sleep.
Make your spa day a monthly event and you will wonder what makes you so relaxed and your skin glow. So have a happy Spa Day.
07 am: The first thing you have when you get up is honey and lime juice in warm water.
08 am: Time for yoga/exercise - put on some soothing music and enjoying doing it.
09 am: Make a cup of herbal tea. For breakfast have a plate of fruits like watermelon, papaya.
11 am: Have a glass of vegetable juice, put your feet up and sip slowly.
12 am: Lunch time - It must be packed with fresh raw salads, lowfat protein rotis made of soya, jowar and wheat. Salad must be full of sprouts and tomatoes. Have dal, two vegetable curries, if you are interested in non-veg make it one veg-curry and one non-veg curry (but be sure you dont eat much oil at least today on you spa day).
2 pm: Beauty time- Close the bathroom door, light a scented candle. Indulge your body with full-body mask and oil massage. Take half cup of milk, half cup of ground almonds, quater cup of fresh, grated coconut, 4 drops of your favourite oil, a bunch of crushed rose petals and egg white. Mix it all together and apply the paste to your body starting from your feet. After 20 min wash it off with luke warm water. You can make a home made bubble bath by combining 1 cup of soap flakes, 3 tbsp of glycerine and oils. Mix and store in a container.Watch your skin glow all week.
After your bath, apply another layer of the bath oil or lotion. Don't forget your elbows.These may look like an ostrich neck, but it is your job to make them look line a swan's. Rub half a lime with sugar granules on each elbow. After your shower, rub an elbow cream.
A pedicure and manicure come next. Put a herbal face pack, lie with thin cucumber slices on your eyelids before washing your face.
5 pm: Juice break- A glass of fresh orange or mousambi juice with a spring of fresh peppermint.
5.45 pm: Go for a long walk. Get into your track suit and take a brisk walk.
6.30 pm: Have a milk shake .
08 pm: Dinner time- Have a thai style with vegitable curry and rice.
09 pm: Have a sweet dish gajar-ka-halwa or curd , topped with almonds.
10 pm: Bed time- slip into your bed with your favourite book in your hands and slowly slip into a lovely sleep.
Make your spa day a monthly event and you will wonder what makes you so relaxed and your skin glow. So have a happy Spa Day.
Friday, November 2, 2007
DANGERS TO LEG AND LIFE DURING PREGNANCY
Women during pregnancy face two problems which are quite debilitating and sometimes pose a risk to their lives. The first problem is sudden swelling in legs. If a pregnant women complains of sudden appearance of leg swelling, the attending physician or gynaecologist must be alarmed and should take appropriate measures to control the situation.
The sudden appearance of swelling in the leg may harald the begnning of deposition of blood clot inside the deep veins of thighs and legs. This condition is called "deep vein thrombosis" or DVT. Due to lack of exercise and the thickening of blood with hormonal changes during pregnancy, blood flowing through the deep veins of the lower limbs tends to get clotted faster and earlier than normal. When the deep veins become full of clotted blood, the normal mechanism of the upward flow of impure deoxygenated blood gets distrupted, which results in accumulation of impure blood in the legs which causes swelling.
Blood clotting inside the leg veins must be taken seriously as there is always the likelihood of slipping towards heart and through heart, they may lodge inside the artery of the lung which is called Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and majority of these cases are fatal. A pregnant women who suddenly develops a swelling in one or both lesg must consult a vascular or a cardiovascular surgeon.
The second problem a pregnant faces is the prominent apearance of spider-like blue veins on her thighs or lesg. These veins are actually abnormal veins lying just beneath the skin of legs and thighs. These are called "early varicose veins". It looks as if a number of blue spiders or earthworms are lying under the skin.
Pressure is sometimes exerted by a pregnant uterus inside the abdomen on the main collecting veins from the lower limbs lying beneath the uterus. These veins sometimes get temporarily and partially or sometimes, completely compressed. Due to which the mechanism of carrying impure blood back to heart gets disturbed.
In general veins collect impure blood from your limbs and carry back to the heart and then on to lungs for purification. The job is difficult as it has to push blood from lesg against gravity towards the heart. This function is made possible by valves which open up and allow blood to flow only in one direction. But , when a person stands up, these valves get closed to prevent blood from going back again down the leg. Because of sustained back pressure on the venous valves, these become weak and cannot withstand the pressure of impure blood and thus are unable to close completely. This allows the blood to go down the legs again which relults in gradual accumulation of lot of impure blood in the deep as well as superficial system of veins. Which resuls the appearance of spider-like blue veins.
The use of graduated compressing stockings, regular walks and morning exercises are helpful in preventing these two problems.
The sudden appearance of swelling in the leg may harald the begnning of deposition of blood clot inside the deep veins of thighs and legs. This condition is called "deep vein thrombosis" or DVT. Due to lack of exercise and the thickening of blood with hormonal changes during pregnancy, blood flowing through the deep veins of the lower limbs tends to get clotted faster and earlier than normal. When the deep veins become full of clotted blood, the normal mechanism of the upward flow of impure deoxygenated blood gets distrupted, which results in accumulation of impure blood in the legs which causes swelling.
Blood clotting inside the leg veins must be taken seriously as there is always the likelihood of slipping towards heart and through heart, they may lodge inside the artery of the lung which is called Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and majority of these cases are fatal. A pregnant women who suddenly develops a swelling in one or both lesg must consult a vascular or a cardiovascular surgeon.
The second problem a pregnant faces is the prominent apearance of spider-like blue veins on her thighs or lesg. These veins are actually abnormal veins lying just beneath the skin of legs and thighs. These are called "early varicose veins". It looks as if a number of blue spiders or earthworms are lying under the skin.
Pressure is sometimes exerted by a pregnant uterus inside the abdomen on the main collecting veins from the lower limbs lying beneath the uterus. These veins sometimes get temporarily and partially or sometimes, completely compressed. Due to which the mechanism of carrying impure blood back to heart gets disturbed.
In general veins collect impure blood from your limbs and carry back to the heart and then on to lungs for purification. The job is difficult as it has to push blood from lesg against gravity towards the heart. This function is made possible by valves which open up and allow blood to flow only in one direction. But , when a person stands up, these valves get closed to prevent blood from going back again down the leg. Because of sustained back pressure on the venous valves, these become weak and cannot withstand the pressure of impure blood and thus are unable to close completely. This allows the blood to go down the legs again which relults in gradual accumulation of lot of impure blood in the deep as well as superficial system of veins. Which resuls the appearance of spider-like blue veins.
The use of graduated compressing stockings, regular walks and morning exercises are helpful in preventing these two problems.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Stem Cells a scientific break through
Stem cells are one of the most fascinating areas of biology today. But like many expanding fields of scientific inquiry, research on stem cells raises scientific questions as rapidly as it generates new discoveries.
Stem cells are the reserve supply of replacement cells that multiply when needed for repair. They may offer a renewable source of replacement cells to treat diseases, conditions, and disabilities. Some, but not all, organs and tissues in the body have a supply of stem cells that respond to damage. Skin is an example. Skin wounds are repaired by skin stem cells, liver damage is repaired by liver stem cells. These cells can replace the dead cells that are taken from a reserve supply of cells that have maintained the potential to divide and multiply when called upon. They have also maintained the potential to mature into the specific type of cell that is needed. Such cells with the lasting ability to divide and mature into new functional cells when needed are termed stem cells.
The two broad categories of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells, derived from blastocysts and adult stem cells, which are found in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing specialized cells.
As stem cells can be grown and transformed into specialized cells with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture, their use in medical therapies has been proposed. In particular, embryonic cell lines, autologous embryonic stem cells generated through therapeutic cloning, and highly plastic adult stem cells from the umbilical cord blood or bone marrow are touted as promising candidates.
Stem cells differ from other kinds of cells in the body. All stem cells regardless of their source have three general properties: they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods; they are unspecialized; and they can give rise to specialized cell types.
Stem cells are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods. Unlike muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells which do not normally replicate themselves stem cells may replicate many times. When cells replicate themselves many times over it is called proliferation. A starting population of stem cells that proliferates for many months in the laboratory can yield millions of cells. If the resulting cells continue to be unspecialized, like the parent stem cells, the cells are said to be capable of long-term self-renewal.
Stem cells are unspecialized: one of the fundamental properties of a stem cell is that it does not have any tissue-specific structures that allow it to perform specialized functions. As stem cannot work with its neighbours to pump blood through the body, it cannot carry molecules of Oxygen through the bloodstream and it cannot fire electrochemical signals to other cells that allow the body to move or speak. However unspecialized stem cells can give rise to specialized cells, including heart muscle cells, blood cells or nerve cells.
Stem cells can give rise to specialized cells. When unspecialized stem cells give rise to specialized cells, the process is called differentiation. Scientists are just beginning to understand the signals inside and outside cells that trigger stem cell differentiation. The internal signals are controlled by a cell's genes, which are interspersed across long strands of DNA, and carry coded instructions for all the structures and functions of a cell. The external signals for cell differentiation include chemicals secreted by other cells, physical contact with neighboring cells, and certain molecules in the microenvironment.
Therefore, many questions about stem cell differentiation remain. For example, are the internal and external signals for cell differentiation similar for all kinds of stem cells? Can specific sets of signals be identified that promote differentiation into specific cell types? Addressing these questions is critical because the answers may lead scientists to find new ways of controlling stem cell differentiation in the laboratory, thereby growing cells or tissues that can be used for specific purposes including cell-based therapies.
Adult stem cells typically generate the cell types of the tissue in which they reside. A blood-forming adult stem cell in the bone marrow, for example, normally gives rise to the many types of blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Until recently, it had been thought that a blood-forming cell in the bone marrow—which is called a hematopoietic stem cell could not give rise to the cells of a very different tissue, such as nerve cells in the brain. However, a number of experiments over the last several years have raised the possibility that stem cells from one tissue may be able to give rise to cell types of a completely different tissue, a phenomenon known as plasticity. Examples of such plasticity include blood cells becoming neurons, liver cells that can be made to produce insulin, and hematopoietic stem cells that can develop into heart muscle. Therefore, exploring the possibility of using adult stem cells for cell-based therapies has become a very active area of investigation by researchers.
Stem cells are the reserve supply of replacement cells that multiply when needed for repair. They may offer a renewable source of replacement cells to treat diseases, conditions, and disabilities. Some, but not all, organs and tissues in the body have a supply of stem cells that respond to damage. Skin is an example. Skin wounds are repaired by skin stem cells, liver damage is repaired by liver stem cells. These cells can replace the dead cells that are taken from a reserve supply of cells that have maintained the potential to divide and multiply when called upon. They have also maintained the potential to mature into the specific type of cell that is needed. Such cells with the lasting ability to divide and mature into new functional cells when needed are termed stem cells.
The two broad categories of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells, derived from blastocysts and adult stem cells, which are found in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing specialized cells.
As stem cells can be grown and transformed into specialized cells with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture, their use in medical therapies has been proposed. In particular, embryonic cell lines, autologous embryonic stem cells generated through therapeutic cloning, and highly plastic adult stem cells from the umbilical cord blood or bone marrow are touted as promising candidates.
Stem cells differ from other kinds of cells in the body. All stem cells regardless of their source have three general properties: they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods; they are unspecialized; and they can give rise to specialized cell types.
Stem cells are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods. Unlike muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells which do not normally replicate themselves stem cells may replicate many times. When cells replicate themselves many times over it is called proliferation. A starting population of stem cells that proliferates for many months in the laboratory can yield millions of cells. If the resulting cells continue to be unspecialized, like the parent stem cells, the cells are said to be capable of long-term self-renewal.
Stem cells are unspecialized: one of the fundamental properties of a stem cell is that it does not have any tissue-specific structures that allow it to perform specialized functions. As stem cannot work with its neighbours to pump blood through the body, it cannot carry molecules of Oxygen through the bloodstream and it cannot fire electrochemical signals to other cells that allow the body to move or speak. However unspecialized stem cells can give rise to specialized cells, including heart muscle cells, blood cells or nerve cells.
Stem cells can give rise to specialized cells. When unspecialized stem cells give rise to specialized cells, the process is called differentiation. Scientists are just beginning to understand the signals inside and outside cells that trigger stem cell differentiation. The internal signals are controlled by a cell's genes, which are interspersed across long strands of DNA, and carry coded instructions for all the structures and functions of a cell. The external signals for cell differentiation include chemicals secreted by other cells, physical contact with neighboring cells, and certain molecules in the microenvironment.
Therefore, many questions about stem cell differentiation remain. For example, are the internal and external signals for cell differentiation similar for all kinds of stem cells? Can specific sets of signals be identified that promote differentiation into specific cell types? Addressing these questions is critical because the answers may lead scientists to find new ways of controlling stem cell differentiation in the laboratory, thereby growing cells or tissues that can be used for specific purposes including cell-based therapies.
Adult stem cells typically generate the cell types of the tissue in which they reside. A blood-forming adult stem cell in the bone marrow, for example, normally gives rise to the many types of blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Until recently, it had been thought that a blood-forming cell in the bone marrow—which is called a hematopoietic stem cell could not give rise to the cells of a very different tissue, such as nerve cells in the brain. However, a number of experiments over the last several years have raised the possibility that stem cells from one tissue may be able to give rise to cell types of a completely different tissue, a phenomenon known as plasticity. Examples of such plasticity include blood cells becoming neurons, liver cells that can be made to produce insulin, and hematopoietic stem cells that can develop into heart muscle. Therefore, exploring the possibility of using adult stem cells for cell-based therapies has become a very active area of investigation by researchers.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Meditation
Meditation describes a state of concentrated attention on some object of thought or awareness. It usually involves turning the attention inward to a single point of reference.
The word meditation comes from the Latin meditation, which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning "contemplation."
The use of Meditation for healing is not new. Meditative techniques are the product of diverse cultures and peoples around the world. It has been rooted in the traditions of the world's great religions. In fact, practically all religious groups practice meditation in one form or another. The value of Meditation to alleviate suffering and promote healing has been known and practiced for thousands of years.
Meditation is not necessarily a religious practice, but because of its spiritual element it forms an integral part of most religions. And even though the basic objective of most meditation styles remain the same and are performed in a state of inner and outer stillness, they all vary according to the specific religious framework within which they are placed. Preparation, posture, length of period of meditation, particular verbal or visual elements—all contribute to the various forms of meditation.
The entire process of meditation usually entails the three stages of concentration, meditation and enlightenment or absorption. The individual preparing to meditate usually starts off by harnessing his awareness, such as focusing his mind onto a certain object. Once attention gets engaged, concentration turns into meditation. And through continuous meditation, the mediator merges with the object of concentration, which might either be the present moment or the Divine Entity.
Meditation is a safe and simple way to balance a person's physical, emotional, and mental states. It is simple; but can benefit everybody. Meditation is an intensely personal and spiritual experience. The desired purpose of each meditation technique is to channel our awareness into a more positive direction by totally transforming one's state of mind. To meditate is to turn inwards, to concentrate on the inner self. Meditation which is self-realization or self-awareness is nothing but the knowledge of the "pure being"—the Self. Apart from this there are many useful and inspiring effects of meditation such as reduction in stress and anxiety, increased motivation and confidence, improved mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, increased focus, concentration, memory and learning, better restful sleep.
Humanity is increasingly turning towards various meditative techniques in order to cope with the increasing stress of modern-day lifestyles. Unable to locate stability in the outside world, people have directed their gaze inwards in a bid to attain peace of mind. Modern psychotherapists have begun to discover various therapeutic benefits of meditation practices. The state of relaxation and the altered state of consciousness —both induced by meditation—are especially effective in psychotherapy. New research proves that Meditation reduces stress, blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety...increases mental abilities, focus, concentration, longevity... and creates the consciousness to be in control of one's life.
But more than anything else, meditation is being used as a personal growth device these days—for a peaceful mind and inculcating a more positive attitude towards life at large.
The word meditation comes from the Latin meditation, which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning "contemplation."
The use of Meditation for healing is not new. Meditative techniques are the product of diverse cultures and peoples around the world. It has been rooted in the traditions of the world's great religions. In fact, practically all religious groups practice meditation in one form or another. The value of Meditation to alleviate suffering and promote healing has been known and practiced for thousands of years.
Meditation is not necessarily a religious practice, but because of its spiritual element it forms an integral part of most religions. And even though the basic objective of most meditation styles remain the same and are performed in a state of inner and outer stillness, they all vary according to the specific religious framework within which they are placed. Preparation, posture, length of period of meditation, particular verbal or visual elements—all contribute to the various forms of meditation.
The entire process of meditation usually entails the three stages of concentration, meditation and enlightenment or absorption. The individual preparing to meditate usually starts off by harnessing his awareness, such as focusing his mind onto a certain object. Once attention gets engaged, concentration turns into meditation. And through continuous meditation, the mediator merges with the object of concentration, which might either be the present moment or the Divine Entity.
Meditation is a safe and simple way to balance a person's physical, emotional, and mental states. It is simple; but can benefit everybody. Meditation is an intensely personal and spiritual experience. The desired purpose of each meditation technique is to channel our awareness into a more positive direction by totally transforming one's state of mind. To meditate is to turn inwards, to concentrate on the inner self. Meditation which is self-realization or self-awareness is nothing but the knowledge of the "pure being"—the Self. Apart from this there are many useful and inspiring effects of meditation such as reduction in stress and anxiety, increased motivation and confidence, improved mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, increased focus, concentration, memory and learning, better restful sleep.
Humanity is increasingly turning towards various meditative techniques in order to cope with the increasing stress of modern-day lifestyles. Unable to locate stability in the outside world, people have directed their gaze inwards in a bid to attain peace of mind. Modern psychotherapists have begun to discover various therapeutic benefits of meditation practices. The state of relaxation and the altered state of consciousness —both induced by meditation—are especially effective in psychotherapy. New research proves that Meditation reduces stress, blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety...increases mental abilities, focus, concentration, longevity... and creates the consciousness to be in control of one's life.
But more than anything else, meditation is being used as a personal growth device these days—for a peaceful mind and inculcating a more positive attitude towards life at large.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Eternal Love And Unity Of All Humankind
At the deepest level, there is but one religion. Science and faith together constitute the dual knowledge system that propels the evolution of civilisation. Each is an “effulgence of the Sun of Truth”. Successive dispensations of a loving and purposeful Creator have brought the earth’s inhabitants to the threshold of their collective coming-of-age as a single people. The oneness and unity of humanity is of foremost importance. That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith. Know the reality of eternal love. There are four kinds of love. The first is the love that flows from God to man: it consists of the inexhaustible graces, the Divine effulgence and heavenly illumination. Through this love the world of being receives life. Through this love man is endowed with physical existence, until, through the breath of the Holy Spirit - this same love - he receives eternal life and becomes the image of the Living God. This love is the origin of all love in the world of creation. The second is the love that flows from man to God. This is faith, attraction to the Divine, enkindlement, progress, entrance into the Kingdom of God, receiving the Bounties of God, illumination with the lights of the Kingdom. This love is the origin of all philanthropy; this love causes the hearts of men to reflect the rays of the Sun of Reality. The third is the love of God towards the Self or Identity of God. This is the transfiguration of His Beauty, the reflection of Himself in the mirror of His Creation. This is the reality of love, or ancient love; in other words, eternal love. Through one ray of this love all other love exists. The fourth is the love of man for man. The love which exists between the hearts of believers is prompted by the ideal of the unity of spirits. This love is attained through the knowledge of God, so that men see the Divine Love reflected in the heart. Each sees in the other the beauty of God reflected in the soul, and finding this point of similarity, they are attracted to one another in love. This love will make all men the waves of one sea, this love will make them all the stars of one heaven and the fruits of one tree. This love will bring the realisation of true accord, the foundation of real unity. Love that is subject to transmutation is not eternal love; this is merely fascination. It is subject to change. Today, you will see two souls apparently in close friendship; tomorrow all this may be changed. Yesterday, they were ready to die for one another, today they shun one another’s society. This is not love; it is yielding of hearts to the accidents of life. When that which has caused this “love” to exist passes, the love passes also; this is not in reality love. All love originate from God. These rays are from the Sun of Reality; these are the Breathings of the Holy Spirits; these are the Signs of the Reality. “This is the Day whereon the Ocean of God’s mercy hath been manifested unto men, the Day in which the Day Star of His loving-kindness hath shed its radiance upon them, the Day in which the clouds of His bountiful favour have overshadowed the whole of mankind. Now is the time to cheer and refresh the down-cast through the invigorating breeze of love and fellowship, and the living waters of friendliness and charity”. (Today is the anniversary of the Birth of the Bab, the Prophet-Herald of the Baha’i Faith.)
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Deleting Personal Information from Your PC
I have an old Windows XP Pro laptop which I want to give to an acquaintance. How could I go about safely deleting my data and all other localizations while leaving the OS intact and the system immediately usable? Unfortunately I don't have the XP installation discs (I acquired the system from a used computer store) so I can't just wipe the hard drive and reinstall XP from scratch.There's no 100 percent foolproof, super-reliable way to do what you're proposing without wiping the hard drive, but since you're giving the computer to a friend, I think we can get you close. Here's what I recommend you do, step by step. (All of the tools mentioned here are free.)Run anti-spyware applications, including Ad-Aware and Spyware Doctor (both free; get Spyware Doctor in the Google Pack, just unselect the other options), in their most secure modes. This will help delete any personally identifiable tracking cookies.Uninstall everything you can. Getting rid of applications (especially third-party web browsers like Firefox) is a good first step (just use the Add or Remove Programs control panel), as uninstalling will often take with them personalization information. It will also make it easier to delete data files, which we'll get to in a moment. Don't remove anything critical for system operation, like the touchpad driver.Delete data files. Hopefully most of your data is in the My Documents folder, but scour the hard drive, especially the C:\ root directory and the C:\Documents and Settings directory for wayward files. Next search through the C:\Program Files directory and delete any remnants of programs that you uninstalled in step 2. Just delete the whole folder. This is the most important step, so spend time on it.Delete Internet Explorer user data. Microsoft offers a series of tutorials on how to delete cookie files no matter which browser you have. Assuming you're running IE7, though, you'll want to purge all user information (especially stored passwords) using the Tools > Delete Browsing History function. Just click Delete All to scrub it away. Though not a problem with modern browsers, you should also run an index.dat hidden file remover as discussed in this post, just in case.Run CCleaner. This will scrub the registry for you, removing as much personal data as possible along the way.Delete all user accounts except one. Do this in the User Accounts control panel.Look in the Start Menu for the "My Recent Documents" folder. Clear this folder by following the instructions on this page.Empty the trash.Wipe free space. Use BCWipe (see screenshot) to scrub out all the free space in the drive. This way, files you deleted won't be able to be recovered.You're finally done!This is indeed a pretty involved process and, as discussed, there's no guarantee it will get every single shred of personal data off your system. It'll get most of it, but probably not everything, so it's a good idea to make sure you can't hunt down an XP installation disc or a system restore disc before doing this all by hand. You could also try installing an Ubuntu Linux operating system instead, which would leave the computer perfectly operable, just not with Windows.
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