Dec 30, 2008

Gene linked to High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure
Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a gene variant that most likely contributes towards high blood pressure in human. The discovery is a result of a new technique called genome-wide association study and it could lead to formulation of new therapies to combat high blood pressure.

The gene, named as STK39, is located in chromosome 2. It produces a protein that most likely regulates how the kidneys process salt and plays a key role in determining blood pressure. During the study the researchers analyzed the genes of 542 people who were members of the Old Order Amish community in Pennsylvania, who were ideal for such studies, because its members are relatively isolated and share a similar rural lifestyle and diet.

Then, the researchers cross checked their findings with another group of Amish people as well as four other groups of white people in the United States as well as in Europe. They found about 20 % of the people studied carried either one or two copies of the gene and it is carried by about one of every five white Americans. The findings of the study was published in the recent edition of journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Although the gene STK39 played a key role there could be other factors that influenced blood pressure such as being overweight, lack of exercise, smoking and too much salt in the diet, the researchers said.

read more “Gene linked to High Blood Pressure”
Dec 28, 2008

Surgeon uses Human Fat to run Cars

Human fat runs cars
A surgeon in the U.S. has reportedly been taking fat from patients, and using that fat to help power several cars. According to reports, Dr. Craig Alan Bittner, a former Beverly Hills plastic surgeon used fat from his patients to not only power his girlfriend’s SUV, but his Ford SUV as well.

Bittner took the fat from patients during liposuction procedures which were carried out in Beverly Hills, California. Liposuction is a procedure that removes pockets of fat from areas such as the thighs, hips, abdomen, and upper arms. Under California law it’s illegal to use human medical waste to power vehicles.

Many of his patients have filed lawsuits against the U.S. surgeon. The lawsuits were due to claims that he allowed assistants and girlfriends to carry out surgeries without the proper medical licensing. 

According to reports the California Department of Health has opened an inquiry on the matter. Bittner has since ended his practice, but has stated on his web site that the majority of his patients asked that he "use their fat for fuel." He also claims that he has "more fat than I can use," and that it could actually save the Earth.

read more “Surgeon uses Human Fat to run Cars”
Dec 26, 2008

Tigers skips meal one day a week


According to Reuters, tigers living in the Jawalakhel Zoo, Kathmandu, Nepal, are on a strict diet! They are not given anything to eat on Saturdays except water. Why? Because, recently they have started to gain weight in an alarming rate with the routine diet of buffalo meat.

The country's only zoo have three Royal Bengal tigers. One of the big cats now weighs in at about 220 kg (485 pounds), having gained 40 kg on a diet of buffalo meat in just eight months. This could create threat to the good health of the endangered animal. That's why zookeepers has stopped feeding the tigers for one day a week.

Normally, an adult tiger can weigh up to a 300 kg. So, the zookeepers thinks that feeding tigers for six days a week is good for their health.



read more “Tigers skips meal one day a week”
Dec 23, 2008

Strong Wind blows man up Tree


Take a look at the picture. No, this is not an attempt to suicide case! The man on top was actually blown onto the tree by a strong gust of wind and the firefighters below are trying to save him! Can you believe this?

Sound odd, but this is true. The 20 year-old man was working on the roof of his house in Shijingshan district of Beijing when the strong wind caught him. The poor man loose his control and the wind carried him away from the rooftop to a nearby tree. The man spent about 20 minutes above the 45 feet tall tree, before firefighters arrived and saved his life.

so, what you think about this? In my view, this can happen, specially when your body mass is low and you are working high above the ground. Just imagine what would happened to the man if the tree was not there near to the house. So, next time, when you climb to your rooftop, don't forget to wear some safety ropes!
via Ananova
read more “Strong Wind blows man up Tree”
Dec 21, 2008

Pay Per Wink Advertising

Pay Per Wink Advertising
Now you can earn some extra bucks just for winking! How? FeelUnique.com, an online luxury boutique company is offering 10 pence per wink in return for displaying the company's logo on your eyelid space. Yes, your eyelid can also be used as an advertising space and you can earn up to £100 just for displaying the logo.

Now, the company is searching for people to offer their eyelids as advertising space. People who sign up for the campaign will have the feelunique.com logo temporarily transferred onto their eyelid and will be paid on a Pay Per Wink (PPW) basis. Interested? Contact them today and make some money!

More info: http://www.feelunique.com/pay-per-wink.php

read more “Pay Per Wink Advertising”
Dec 18, 2008

Eating a Live Snake with Beer!

Chinese Man eats live snake with beer
Can you dare to eat a live snake? I am sure that only a handful of people will dare to do so. But, Wen Xide, a 41-year-old man from Wangzhuang village, Zhumadian, China, actually enjoys eating live snakes! Don't believe me? Take a look at the image above. Not a safe diet. What you say?

Wen started his odd habit by eating one to win a bet with friends for a packet of cigarettes. Ever since he became addicted to eating live snakes over a bottle of beer. Wen says his son is now following his lead and has eaten eight live snakes this year. Recently Wen demonstrated his odd habit before a journalist from Oriental Today. Once again take a look at the image. Can you dare to risk your life by eating a live snake?

read more “Eating a Live Snake with Beer!”

Christmas Tree made from 1800 Bottles

Christmas Tree made from 1800 Bottles
Want a different kind of Christmas tree? What about a tree made of bottles? Take a look at this Christmas tree made of over 1,800 deserted bottles. Looks beautiful. Isn't it? The Christmas tree has been installed near the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium in Pudong District in Shanghai, China.

Photo Credit: (Xinhua Photo)
read more “Christmas Tree made from 1800 Bottles”
Dec 17, 2008

The Cat with Contact Lens!

Cat with Contact Lens
Ernest, 15-year-old cat at the RSPCA rescue centre in Godshill, Isle of Wight, has got a pair of contact lenses. What contact lens and cat? Sounds odd, but it is true. The cat, who has lived at the centre for 13 years after he was injured in a car accident, recently suffers from entropion - an inward rolling of the eyelids, which causes inflammation and hinders sight.

Due to the complications, the cat had trouble seeing where he was going. And because of his old age, doctors avoided any operations. So, the ultimate solution to his problems was a pair of contact lenses. Recently a vet successfully fitted the contact lenses and Ernest is now doing well.

Via: link
read more “The Cat with Contact Lens!”
Dec 14, 2008

Fake Taj Mahal found in Bangladesh!

Fake Taj Mahal
Travelers, beware of copycat monuments! A fake, life-size copy of Taj Mahal is being constructed in Bangladesh. Take a look at the picture. This £38m fake building, commissioned by wealthy film director Ahsanullah Moni, will be located about 20 miles north east of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

The construction of the fake Taj Mahal began five years ago and now India is showing it's displeasure over the exact copy. The Indian embassy in Bangladesh has voiced its displeasure and is hoping to sue for copyright infringement.

On the other hand, in support of the project, the Bangladeshi director said: "Everyone dreams about seeing the Taj Mahal but very few Bangladeshis can make the trip because it's too expensive for them." He came up with the idea in 1980 after first visiting the original "Monument to Love" in Agra, India. He has imported marble and granite from Italy, diamonds from Belgium and used 160kg of bronze for the dome.

Taj MahalWell, in our own view, we just can't compare the fake Bangladeshi one with this real one. Because Taj Mahal is the greatest gift one can give for love. It is one and only one. No one can recreate it. Just take a look at the fake again. It just looks like a film set or a building designed by a novice designer. Even there is no similarity in the proportion of the structure. So, there is no need to worry about it. What you say?

read more “Fake Taj Mahal found in Bangladesh!”
Dec 8, 2008

Bear Grylls injured in Antarctica

Bear Grylls injured in Antarctica
Today morning, I got a bad news. Bear Grylls, the host of Discovery Channel's "Man vs. Wild", suffered a serious shoulder injury while he was climbing an ice mountain in Antarctica. I am a fan of Bear Grylls and I never miss his "Man vs. Wild" show. So, this is really a bad news for me. I wish him a speedy recovery.

The 34-year-old British adventurer was on an expedition for Ethanol Ventures to promote the potential of alternative energies like bioethanol. The expedition wa also raising money for the children charity Global Angels. The accident happened whilst Grylls was preparing to spend the Friday night in a bivoaucing suspended on a ice shelf.
Bear Grylls injured in Antarctica
Although he was in severe pain, his back up team took the decision to wait until until Saturday morning before evacuating him to their Antarctic basecamp. But high winds delayed his evacuation to South Africa and then on to the UK by air. On Sunday, Grylls was headed to the U.K. to get proper medical attention.

Grylls became popular all around the world with his "Man vs. Wild" show on Discovery channel. In every episode of the show, the former SAS soldier jumps into a different uninhabited territory without any food, maps and safety equipments. Then he spends some day in those deadly territories to find his was back to civilization. During his stay in the wild, Grylls demonstrates practically how to survive in such conditions and I love his tips.

Now, only one thing I can say: "Get well soon".


read more “Bear Grylls injured in Antarctica”
Dec 5, 2008

Man finds £10,000 shredded notes

£10,000 shredded notes
A street cleaner who found shredded £10 and £20 notes has been told by the authorities that he can exchange them for new ones if he can piece the pieces together. Graham Hill, from Gainsborough, discovered an estimated £10,000 in two bin bags dumped in City Square in Lincoln. They are thought to have been thrown away on the night of May 7.

Lincolnshire Police held the money for six months while an investigation was carried out. But, now as there was no evidence that the money was stolen and no one has claimed the money, Police says that Mr Hill can keep the money. A spokesman for the Bank of England said that Mr Hill will get a reimbursement on the notes that he can put together.

read more “Man finds £10,000 shredded notes”
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...