Two Elements Named: Livermorium and Flerovium - Technology & science - Science - LiveScience - msnbc.com:
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Chemistry's periodic table can now welcome livermorium and flerovium, two newly named elements, which were announced Thursday (Dec. 1) by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The new names will undergo a five-month public comment period before the official paperwork gets processed and they show up on the table.
Three other new elements just recently finished this process, filling in the 110, 111 and 112 spots.
All five of these elements are so large and unstable they can be made only in the lab, and they fall apart into other elements very quickly. Not much is known about these elements, since they aren't stable enough to do experiments on and are not found in nature. They are called "super heavy," or Transuranium, elements.
December 5, 2011
Team sees biggest black holes yet
BBC News - Team sees biggest black holes yet:
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A US team has found the two biggest "supermassive" black holes known to science, Nature journal reports.
Sitting at the centres of two nearby galaxies, the two objects have masses close to 10 billion times greater than our Sun.
Such large black holes had been suspected to exist, but, until now, the biggest known was some 6.3 billion times the mass of the Sun.
'via Blog this'
A US team has found the two biggest "supermassive" black holes known to science, Nature journal reports.
Sitting at the centres of two nearby galaxies, the two objects have masses close to 10 billion times greater than our Sun.
Such large black holes had been suspected to exist, but, until now, the biggest known was some 6.3 billion times the mass of the Sun.
Study Proves Fluoride Brain Damage
Study Proves Fluoride Brain Damage | Sovereign Independent:
'via Blog this'
A study conducted by scientists in India demonstrates that consumption of sodium fluoride results in brain and neurological damage. It was published by K. Pratap Reddy of the University College of Sciences at Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, on January 10, 2011.
The study was performed on rats for a period of 60 days. Fluoride resulted in neurodegenerative changes and morphological alterations were observed in the neocortex, hippocampus and cerebellum areas of the brain and also the spinal cord and sciatic nerve.
In 1995, Dr. Phyllis Mullenix and her colleagues found that fluoride studies in rats “can be indicative of a potential for motor dysfunction, IQ deficits and/or learning disabilities in humans.”
'via Blog this'
A study conducted by scientists in India demonstrates that consumption of sodium fluoride results in brain and neurological damage. It was published by K. Pratap Reddy of the University College of Sciences at Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, on January 10, 2011.
The study was performed on rats for a period of 60 days. Fluoride resulted in neurodegenerative changes and morphological alterations were observed in the neocortex, hippocampus and cerebellum areas of the brain and also the spinal cord and sciatic nerve.
In 1995, Dr. Phyllis Mullenix and her colleagues found that fluoride studies in rats “can be indicative of a potential for motor dysfunction, IQ deficits and/or learning disabilities in humans.”
Activist Post: 5 popular but harmful drugs that can be replaced with marijuana
Activist Post: 5 popular but harmful drugs that can be replaced with marijuana: "i"
'via Blog this'
The notion that any authority can determine what a sovereign human being can and cannot ingest into their own body is the very essence of control. Banning any substance from responsible adult consumption no matter how harmful should simply not be permitted in a free society.
However, certain substances are deemed so harmful by "experts" that they claim to adversely affect society as a whole and thus they're banned from the population. Of course, force of laws with guns and jails have never been able to eliminate their use throughout history. So, as a practical matter, banning any substance from society always tends to do more harm than good.
The utter failure that is the war on drugs seems to have ulterior motives besides protecting society, as evidenced by the countless harmful chemicals that are legal to consume. Marijuana is the most obvious example of a substance that remains illegal not because of health threats, or because it's a danger to society, but rather because its benefits threaten entire industries, especially Big Pharma.
'via Blog this'
The notion that any authority can determine what a sovereign human being can and cannot ingest into their own body is the very essence of control. Banning any substance from responsible adult consumption no matter how harmful should simply not be permitted in a free society.
However, certain substances are deemed so harmful by "experts" that they claim to adversely affect society as a whole and thus they're banned from the population. Of course, force of laws with guns and jails have never been able to eliminate their use throughout history. So, as a practical matter, banning any substance from society always tends to do more harm than good.
The utter failure that is the war on drugs seems to have ulterior motives besides protecting society, as evidenced by the countless harmful chemicals that are legal to consume. Marijuana is the most obvious example of a substance that remains illegal not because of health threats, or because it's a danger to society, but rather because its benefits threaten entire industries, especially Big Pharma.
Cancer 'drives families into debt', says charity report
BBC News - Cancer 'drives families into debt', says charity report:
'via Blog this'
Two-thirds of parents of children with cancer surveyed by a cancer charity say they have been forced to borrow money to make ends meet.
Of the 245 families interviewed, 76% said that their child's illness had had a major impact on finances with two in three parents experiencing a loss of earnings.
'via Blog this'
Two-thirds of parents of children with cancer surveyed by a cancer charity say they have been forced to borrow money to make ends meet.
Of the 245 families interviewed, 76% said that their child's illness had had a major impact on finances with two in three parents experiencing a loss of earnings.
Information Overload Is Causing Illness And Costing Money, Experts Warn
Information Overload Is Causing Illness And Costing Money, Experts Warn | Fox News:
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The culture of modern business needs to change, with workers drowning under a deluge of emails and information, experts warned Monday.
Corporations are failing to help staff cope with the technological barrage, daily meetings and constant connection, leading to rising levels of stress and psychological illness and costing billions in lost productivity.
Psychologists and experts said the information glut is becoming a major issue for firms who are searching for realistic answers to the problem.
'via Blog this'
The culture of modern business needs to change, with workers drowning under a deluge of emails and information, experts warned Monday.
Corporations are failing to help staff cope with the technological barrage, daily meetings and constant connection, leading to rising levels of stress and psychological illness and costing billions in lost productivity.
Psychologists and experts said the information glut is becoming a major issue for firms who are searching for realistic answers to the problem.
December 2, 2011
The Great Antidepressant Hypocrisy
The Great Antidepressant Hypocrisy | Drugs | AlterNet:
'via Blog this'
When the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that one in ten Americans now takes an antidepressant—a 400% increase since 1988—there was a predictable media hand-wringing about "pill popping” and a rush to “quick fixes.”
What I always wonder when I hear these complaints is this: Have these people ever experienced depression themselves, or known someone who suffers from it? In over 20 years reporting on mental health, I’ve never actually come across a person whose first response to the slightest sadness was to seek medical help. (If you are or know of such a person, please do contact me—I’d love an interview).
'via Blog this'
When the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that one in ten Americans now takes an antidepressant—a 400% increase since 1988—there was a predictable media hand-wringing about "pill popping” and a rush to “quick fixes.”
What I always wonder when I hear these complaints is this: Have these people ever experienced depression themselves, or known someone who suffers from it? In over 20 years reporting on mental health, I’ve never actually come across a person whose first response to the slightest sadness was to seek medical help. (If you are or know of such a person, please do contact me—I’d love an interview).
Males Exposed to BPA Plastic Less Attractive to Females
Males Exposed to BPA Plastic Less Attractive to Females. | Prostate.net:
'via Blog this'
A growing body of evidence has linked exposure to the chemical BPA (Bisphenol-A) to all manner of illness including prostate cancer and now it seems if you are exposed to BPA (if you are a male mouse that is), then your chances of attracting a female just became a lot worse.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is ubiquitous in the environment, found in common, everyday products. BPA is used in food and beverage containers and packaging, and the chemical leaches into the products. That means your canned beans, peas, soups, and chili have likely been exposed to BPA, as well as milk cartons and foods in plastic containers. It’s been estimated that 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA toxin in their bodies.
A recent study now shows that male mice who were exposed as babies to BPA act more like females and are seen as less desirable mates.
'via Blog this'
A growing body of evidence has linked exposure to the chemical BPA (Bisphenol-A) to all manner of illness including prostate cancer and now it seems if you are exposed to BPA (if you are a male mouse that is), then your chances of attracting a female just became a lot worse.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is ubiquitous in the environment, found in common, everyday products. BPA is used in food and beverage containers and packaging, and the chemical leaches into the products. That means your canned beans, peas, soups, and chili have likely been exposed to BPA, as well as milk cartons and foods in plastic containers. It’s been estimated that 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA toxin in their bodies.
A recent study now shows that male mice who were exposed as babies to BPA act more like females and are seen as less desirable mates.
REGRETS OF THE DYING
Inspiration and Chai:
'via Blog this'
For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.
People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone's capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.
When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:
'via Blog this'
For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.
People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone's capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.
When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:
Twelfth Tibetan Self-Immolates, but Survives
Twelfth Tibetan Self-Immolates, but Survives - NYTimes.com:
'via Blog this'
A former Tibetan monk set fire to himself as an anti-China political protest in Tibet’s Chamdo township on Thursday but survived, according to reports on Friday by Tibet advocacy groups. It was the 12th self-immolation by a Tibetan this year and the first inside Tibet.
'via Blog this'
A former Tibetan monk set fire to himself as an anti-China political protest in Tibet’s Chamdo township on Thursday but survived, according to reports on Friday by Tibet advocacy groups. It was the 12th self-immolation by a Tibetan this year and the first inside Tibet.
7 Foods You Should Never Eat
7 Foods You Should Never Eat | Fox News:
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Food scientists are shedding light on items loaded with toxins and chemicals--and simple swaps for a cleaner diet and supersized health.
Clean eating means choosing fruits, vegetables, and meats that are raised, grown, and sold with minimal processing. Often they're organic, and rarely (if ever) should they contain additives. But in some cases, the methods of today's food producers are neither clean nor sustainable. The result is damage to our health, the environment, or both. So we decided to take a fresh look at food through the eyes of the people who spend their lives uncovering what's safe--or not--to eat. We asked them a simple question: "What foods do you avoid?" Their answers don't necessarily make up a "banned foods" list. But reaching for the suggested alternatives might bring you better health--and peace of mind.
'via Blog this'
Food scientists are shedding light on items loaded with toxins and chemicals--and simple swaps for a cleaner diet and supersized health.
Clean eating means choosing fruits, vegetables, and meats that are raised, grown, and sold with minimal processing. Often they're organic, and rarely (if ever) should they contain additives. But in some cases, the methods of today's food producers are neither clean nor sustainable. The result is damage to our health, the environment, or both. So we decided to take a fresh look at food through the eyes of the people who spend their lives uncovering what's safe--or not--to eat. We asked them a simple question: "What foods do you avoid?" Their answers don't necessarily make up a "banned foods" list. But reaching for the suggested alternatives might bring you better health--and peace of mind.
Foster Kids Are Overly Medicated, Report Says
Foster Kids Are Overly Medicated, Report Says | Fox News:
'via Blog this'
Foster children on Medicaid received psychotropic drugs—including antipsychotics and antidepressants—at a higher rate than other children covered by the government insurance program, according to a federal report released Thursday.
The study by the Government Accountability Office is raising concern among lawmakers and medical experts that doctors are overprescribing psychiatric drugs to treat children in the foster-care system.
Foster children are wards of the state placed in the homes of certified caregivers, or foster parents, often on a short-term basis until a permanent situation can be arranged.
'via Blog this'
Foster children on Medicaid received psychotropic drugs—including antipsychotics and antidepressants—at a higher rate than other children covered by the government insurance program, according to a federal report released Thursday.
The study by the Government Accountability Office is raising concern among lawmakers and medical experts that doctors are overprescribing psychiatric drugs to treat children in the foster-care system.
Foster children are wards of the state placed in the homes of certified caregivers, or foster parents, often on a short-term basis until a permanent situation can be arranged.
Lung Cancer's Hidden Victims: Those Who Never Smoked
Lung Cancer's Hidden Victims: Those Who Never Smoked - Yahoo! News:
'via Blog this'
Opera legend Beverly Sills never smoked. Neither did actress and health advocate Dana Reeve, wife of the late actor Christopher Reeve.
And yet in 2007 and 2006, respectively, both joined the ranks of about 32,000 Americans each year who never touch a cigarette but die of lung cancer anyway.
In fact, experts say, one in every five cases of the leading cancer killer occurs in nonsmokers. The annual death toll among this group now approaches that of breast cancer (about 40,000 per year) and is roughly equal to that of prostate cancer (32,000). Many never-smoking women may also be unaware that they are more than twice as likely to die of lung cancer as they are of ovarian cancer (14,000 deaths per year).
Numbers like those have experts calling for a shift in the public's thinking on lung cancer, away from its label of "the smoker's disease."
'via Blog this'
Opera legend Beverly Sills never smoked. Neither did actress and health advocate Dana Reeve, wife of the late actor Christopher Reeve.
And yet in 2007 and 2006, respectively, both joined the ranks of about 32,000 Americans each year who never touch a cigarette but die of lung cancer anyway.
In fact, experts say, one in every five cases of the leading cancer killer occurs in nonsmokers. The annual death toll among this group now approaches that of breast cancer (about 40,000 per year) and is roughly equal to that of prostate cancer (32,000). Many never-smoking women may also be unaware that they are more than twice as likely to die of lung cancer as they are of ovarian cancer (14,000 deaths per year).
Numbers like those have experts calling for a shift in the public's thinking on lung cancer, away from its label of "the smoker's disease."
Some Personality Traits Affect How You Smell
Some Personality Traits Affect How You Smell | Fox News:
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Getting to know someone usually requires at least a little conversation. But a new study suggests you can get a hint of an individual's personality through his or her scent alone.
Participants in the study assessed, with some degree of accuracy, how outgoing, anxious or dominant people were after only taking a whiff of their clothes. The study is the first to test whether personality traits can be discerned through body odor.
While the match-up between responses by the judges and the judged were not perfect, they do suggest that, when forming a first impression, we take into account a person's smell, as well as visual and audible cues to their personality traits, the researchers said.
'via Blog this'
Getting to know someone usually requires at least a little conversation. But a new study suggests you can get a hint of an individual's personality through his or her scent alone.
Participants in the study assessed, with some degree of accuracy, how outgoing, anxious or dominant people were after only taking a whiff of their clothes. The study is the first to test whether personality traits can be discerned through body odor.
While the match-up between responses by the judges and the judged were not perfect, they do suggest that, when forming a first impression, we take into account a person's smell, as well as visual and audible cues to their personality traits, the researchers said.
Teen Sex May Affect Brain Development, Study Suggests
Teen Sex May Affect Brain Development, Study Suggests | Fox News:
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The uproar that followed a November episode of Fox's "Glee" in which two teen couples had sex for the first time may have some scientific legs. New research shows sex during the adolescent years could affect mood and brain development into adulthood.
The study, which was carried out on hamsters, reveals how social experiences during adolescence when the brain is still developing can have broad consequences, say the researchers from Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Specifically, the animals that mated earlier in life had higher levels of depressive behaviors, changes to the brain and smaller reproductive tissues compared to those that had intercourse later or not at all.
'via Blog this'
The uproar that followed a November episode of Fox's "Glee" in which two teen couples had sex for the first time may have some scientific legs. New research shows sex during the adolescent years could affect mood and brain development into adulthood.
The study, which was carried out on hamsters, reveals how social experiences during adolescence when the brain is still developing can have broad consequences, say the researchers from Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Specifically, the animals that mated earlier in life had higher levels of depressive behaviors, changes to the brain and smaller reproductive tissues compared to those that had intercourse later or not at all.
New Icelandic volcano eruption could have global impact
BBC News - New Icelandic volcano eruption could have global impact:
'via Blog this'
Hundreds of metres under one of Iceland's largest glaciers there are signs of an imminent volcanic eruption that could be one of the most powerful the country has seen in almost a century.
Mighty Katla, with its 10km (6.2 mile) crater, has the potential to cause catastrophic flooding as it melts the frozen surface of its caldera and sends billions of gallons of water surging through Iceland's east coast and into the Atlantic Ocean.
"There has been a great deal of seismic activity," says Ford Cochran, the National Geographic's expert on Iceland.
'via Blog this'
Hundreds of metres under one of Iceland's largest glaciers there are signs of an imminent volcanic eruption that could be one of the most powerful the country has seen in almost a century.
Mighty Katla, with its 10km (6.2 mile) crater, has the potential to cause catastrophic flooding as it melts the frozen surface of its caldera and sends billions of gallons of water surging through Iceland's east coast and into the Atlantic Ocean.
"There has been a great deal of seismic activity," says Ford Cochran, the National Geographic's expert on Iceland.
Swiss scientist prove durability of quantum network
Swiss scientist prove durability of quantum network:
'via Blog this'
Scientists and engineers have proven the worth of quantum cryptography in telecommunication networks by demonstrating its long-term effectiveness in a real-time network.
Their international network, created in collaboration with ID Quantique and installed in the Geneva metropolitan area and crossing over to the site of CERN in France, ran for more than one-and-a-half years from the end of March 2009 to the beginning of January 2011.
Published Dec. 2 in the Institute of Physics and German Physical Society's New Journal of Physics, the researchers' study documents the longest ever deployment of a quantum key distribution (QKD) network and demonstrates its robustness and reliability when coupled with a real-time telecommunications network.
'via Blog this'
Scientists and engineers have proven the worth of quantum cryptography in telecommunication networks by demonstrating its long-term effectiveness in a real-time network.
Their international network, created in collaboration with ID Quantique and installed in the Geneva metropolitan area and crossing over to the site of CERN in France, ran for more than one-and-a-half years from the end of March 2009 to the beginning of January 2011.
Published Dec. 2 in the Institute of Physics and German Physical Society's New Journal of Physics, the researchers' study documents the longest ever deployment of a quantum key distribution (QKD) network and demonstrates its robustness and reliability when coupled with a real-time telecommunications network.
New evidence of an unrecognized visual process
New evidence of an unrecognized visual process:
'via Blog this'
We don't see only what meets the eye. The visual system constantly takes in ambiguous stimuli, weighs its options, and decides what it perceives. This normally happens effortlessly. Sometimes, however, an ambiguity is persistent, and the visual system waffles on which perception is right. Such instances interest scientists because they help us understand how the eyes and the brain make sense of what we see.
Most scientists believe rivalry occurs only when there's "spatial conflict" -- two objects striking the same place on the retina at the same time as our eyes move. But the retina isn't the only filter or organizer of visual information. There's also the "non-retinal reference frame" -- objects such as mountains or chairs that locate things in space and make the world appear stable even when our eyes are moving.
'via Blog this'
We don't see only what meets the eye. The visual system constantly takes in ambiguous stimuli, weighs its options, and decides what it perceives. This normally happens effortlessly. Sometimes, however, an ambiguity is persistent, and the visual system waffles on which perception is right. Such instances interest scientists because they help us understand how the eyes and the brain make sense of what we see.
Most scientists believe rivalry occurs only when there's "spatial conflict" -- two objects striking the same place on the retina at the same time as our eyes move. But the retina isn't the only filter or organizer of visual information. There's also the "non-retinal reference frame" -- objects such as mountains or chairs that locate things in space and make the world appear stable even when our eyes are moving.
'Moment of truth' approaching in Higgs boson hunt
BBC News - 'Moment of truth' approaching in Higgs boson hunt:
'via Blog this'
In recent months, news headlines have been dominated by one story from the world of particle physics - those befuddling faster-than-light neutrinos.
Such is the interest in those speedy sub-atomic particles that developments in the search for the elusive Higgs boson - usually covered at every twist and turn by journalists - have been all-but eclipsed.
Earlier this month, physicists announced results of a combined search for the Higgs by the Atlas and CMS experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
Their analysis, presented at a meeting in Paris, shows that physicists have now covered a large chunk of the search area in detail, ruling out a broad part of the mass range where the boson could be lurking.
'via Blog this'
In recent months, news headlines have been dominated by one story from the world of particle physics - those befuddling faster-than-light neutrinos.
Such is the interest in those speedy sub-atomic particles that developments in the search for the elusive Higgs boson - usually covered at every twist and turn by journalists - have been all-but eclipsed.
Earlier this month, physicists announced results of a combined search for the Higgs by the Atlas and CMS experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
Their analysis, presented at a meeting in Paris, shows that physicists have now covered a large chunk of the search area in detail, ruling out a broad part of the mass range where the boson could be lurking.
December 1, 2011
Diabetes Breakthrough Stalled In Safety Debate
Diabetes Breakthrough Stalled In Safety Debate | Fox News:
'via Blog this'
It's a dream of medical science that looks tantalizingly within reach: the artificial pancreas, a potential breakthrough treatment for the scourge of type 1 diabetes.
Meant to mimic the function of a real pancreas, the artificial version is a complex device that combines a pager-sized continuous glucose monitor and sensor that tracks blood sugar with a pump that automatically delivers the correct dose of insulin at just the right time.
That technology could make a major difference to the three million Americans with the disease who must vigilantly monitor their blood sugar, even at night, and risk deadly consequences if they are slow to notice a dangerous change.
'via Blog this'
It's a dream of medical science that looks tantalizingly within reach: the artificial pancreas, a potential breakthrough treatment for the scourge of type 1 diabetes.
Meant to mimic the function of a real pancreas, the artificial version is a complex device that combines a pager-sized continuous glucose monitor and sensor that tracks blood sugar with a pump that automatically delivers the correct dose of insulin at just the right time.
That technology could make a major difference to the three million Americans with the disease who must vigilantly monitor their blood sugar, even at night, and risk deadly consequences if they are slow to notice a dangerous change.
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