17th November 2011

Issue No.
20
Thursday, 17 November 2011
“Innovations for Better Lives”
Medicine:
Inventions that preserve life are the most
vital of all! Men have been struggling against
simple infections and deadly diseases until
miracle medical inventions were discovered to
fight back.
Just imagine life without medicines. You
can’t! Discovery of medicines and medical
equipment have dramatically changed our
society.
We, human beings have witnessed
many important medical events, from new
treatments to new diseases. In reflecting on
that panorama, it is clear that technology
has accounted for the greatest changes in
medicine. Technology has improved laboratory
testing; allowed for the development of CT
scans, magnetic resonance imaging exams and
positron emission tomography, or PET, imaging
to improve diagnostic accuracy; and produced
new drugs and devices. Basic science, too, has
deepened our understanding of disease, and
much of that work depends on technology.
At the same time, the care for many ailments
has been greatly improved by ancillary
developments like better nursing care, newer
antibiotics, transfusions of platelets to prevent
bleeding, the insertion of monitoring tubes in
major veins, and better organization of some
services.
Steer away from the complexities and simply
compare yesterday’s wooden legs with today’s
robotic limbs, and you’ll be amazed at how
science has progressed to improve the quality
of life.
Over the years we have witnessed some
brilliant advancement in this field and in the
coming years there’s a lot more in store. As we
all that inventions in medicine and science are
on the threshold of a brave new world in this
“Age of the Gene.”
Computers and mobile phones:
Life in our time is influenced by information and communications technologies (ICTs)
everywhere. Over the last two decades, or so, whether at work or in our social lives, computers,
cell phones and the internet have changed daily routines and altered behaviour.
About twenty-five years ago, the telephone was the most visible communications
technology. Its usage involved, exclusively, simple two-way voice communication, which was
not much different from its beginnings a century earlier. Personal computers, cell phones,
and the internet did not exist in any way that would be recognized today. These days, a visitor
walking in several downtown cores will notice that people on the street appear to be talking
to themselves. In fact, these are not isolated occurrences of eccentric or troubled individuals;
these are people talking into microphones and listening through earpieces attached to cell
phones, which are tucked away somewhere; which clearly shows the influence of technology
on our lives.
Likewise, computers have changed our lives in so many aspects of today’s world. For
instance take banks. Back in the old days, we could not get money out of an ATM, we had
to wait in line to get money out. Another way is how it has revolutionized the way people
communicate. No more people send pigeons out for messages, and hardly anyone has to
write letters anymore, most people use email or instant message. Pretty much every aspect
of our lives today has computers integrated into them. If we did not have computers, you
wouldn’t even get the answer to this question.
And if we need yet another
example, we can simply ask the
average office worker what he or
she thinks of their Blackberry and
we get our answer.
So all we could say is from flashy
smartphones to lightning-fast
PCs to GPS, it’s hard to imagine
life without technology. .
Air Travel:
Life on the road, in the air, at sea or in the
great outdoors is suddenly so much easier
and more convenient. Thanks to technology!
Airplanes have changed our lives since it
was created. It has played a significant role
by acting as a great weapon to combat the
enemies during war as well as help us to have
the world communicated.
It is used as an important link to connect
countries; not only to carry products and
packages, but also interchange cultural
information. Some time ago, many islands
and countries were isolated from trade with
others; the ship being the only way to connect
them. But with the discovery of airplanes
things weren’t the same anymore.
These days, people can be in any place they
want and send things that travel thousands
of miles in a little time, and that is possible
only because of the airplane.
But, not so very many years ago it was only
the rich who could afford to fly long distances
- the rest of us had to stay at home or in our
own country.
The development of commercial aviation
brought prices down but it was the introduction of the Jumbo Jet in 1970 which
really made air travel available to everyone
at reasonable prices, even though in not very
luxurious and rather cramped cabins. And
by 2008 we could see about 1500 of these
aircrafts had been produced, and most people
who have flown long distances have flown in
one of them. The recently introduced rival
aircraft- the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747
both continue to dominate the long distance
mass travel market. So in less than 40 years
our lives have changed and most of us
in the west can now manage to fly to the
other side of the world and vice versa at
least once in our lives.
In fact through history, humans have
been investigating and developing many
kinds of machines in order to make
our lives easier, mainly in the area of
transportation. As a result of that, now we
find many options of transportation such
as cars, trains, ships and airplanes that
we use to move things and people around
the world. From all of these options of
transportation, the airplane is one of the
most important that has changed people’s
lives in the war and communication.
Changing Lives
What seemed impossible a
few years back is actually ‘made
possible’ now. The reason- the
continuous effort of humans
to discover, to create, to find
alternatives, to make work easy; in
one word- to innovate!
This issue focuses on some
incredible advances in the field of
science and technology.
People with brown eyes do not
have to wait for generations to have
a blue eyed baby. For now, a unique
medical procedure can actually
convert brown-coloured eyes to
blue in just a matter of weeks.
And now when every other day
we see smartphones becoming
‘smarter’, here comes yet another
application which is indeed one of
the smartest ways to tackle with
crime.
Hold on! Bloom also gives you
a reason to go out on weekends
with a handy city guide. You can
also have an idea about the latest
accessories & fashion trends as you
flip over the pages.
It was indeed a pleasure to see
a bundle of feedbacks streaming
in this week. Keep up the good
work by writing to us at bloom@
qimqatar.com. We are only too
eager to hear from you. Let us
know what you like about Bloom,
your suggestions to make it better,
your reviews on our features, and
story ideas that can add value to
Bloom.
2
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Health
Too much sitting
raises odds for cancer
The hours people spend sitting may be
increasing their risk for cancer, just as the
time they spend exercising can reduce the
risk, according to new research.
“For colon and breast cancer we can
now say there is convincing evidence that
being physically active reduces your risk of
developing those two major cancers,” said
Christine Friedenreich, a senior research
epidemiologist at the Alberta Health
Services-Cancer Care in Calgary, Canada.
“It’s not enough to just meet the physical
activity guidelines like doing 150 minutes
a week of exercise,” she added. “If you are
spending the rest of your time sitting, like in
front of a computer, that may be a problem.”
For colon cancer, regular exercise can
reduce the risk up to 35 percent, Friedenreich
said. “There’s a dose response -- that means
more physical activity lowers the risk
more,” Friedenreich said. The same is true
for breast cancer, where exercise can
reduce the risk up to 25 percent.
One expert said the new findings
do support a connection between
sedentary lifestyles and cancer.
Dr. Freya Schnabel, director of
breast surgery at NYU Langone
Medical Centre in New York
City, said that “there is
beginning to be evidence that
the way obesity increases the
risk of cancer is through an
increase in inflammation
in the body, and by
doing exercise you can
lower the makers of
inflammation, which
might lower the risk
of cancer.” But she
stressed that more
research is needed
to clarify these
links.
F r i e d e n re i c h
agreed. Although the
connection
between
lack
of exercise and the increased risk
for heart disease is well-established, the
association between a “couch potato”
lifestyle and cancer risk is a relatively
new finding and one that needs further
investigation, she said.
Friedenreich, who has studied the
connection between exercise and
cancer for years, is slated to present
the findings at the American Institute
for Cancer Research (AICR) annual
conference in Washington, D.C.
In her most recent work, Friedenreich
and her colleagues have found an
association between exercise and the
reduction of markers of inflammation,
such as one called C-reactive protein,
which might explain how exercise reduces
the risk of breast cancer.
At the moment there is no conclusive
evidence that increases in these
markers of inflammation
actually
cause
cancer
or
increase
the risk of
developing
cancer,
Friedenreich
noted.
It’s
probably
a
much
more
complicated
process, she said.
“It’s a bunch
of
different
mechanisms
that
are going to have an
impact,” she said. “We
think there are probably
pathways through body
fat, through hormones,
through insulin resistance.
Inflammation is one way
cancer
is affected; I wouldn’t say
it’s the primary one, it’s just one of the
pathways.”
It’s not just lack of exercise that increases
these markers of inflammation -- just sitting
around or leading a sedentary life style
may have the same effect. Friedenreich’s
presentation also describes findings from a
study first published in 2009 in the British
Journal of Sports Medicine. It suggested
that simply sitting around watching TV can
cut years off yours life.
To counteract the risk of leading a
sedentary life, Friedenreich suggests regular
exercise. But she also suggests that taking
breaks from sitting, especially at work, will
help lower inflammation and also the risk of
cancer.
“Too much sitting, sedentary behaviour,
actually increase the risk of cancer,” she
said. “Some of the mechanisms seem to be
the same as for lack of physical activity. If
you can break up your sitting time, even by
little bits, that can help reduce your risk of
cancer,” Friedenreich said.
Experts estimate that people sit about
15.5 hours a day, including at meals, traveling
to and from work or school, working on the
computer and watching television. Office
workers may spend 75 percent of their time
sitting.
“It is clear to me it’s never too late” to
start exercising to reduce your risk of cancer,
Friedenreich said. “Anything you can do to
maintain a healthy body weight, especially
later in life, will reduce the risk of colon and
breast cancer.”
Of course people
who lead sedentary lives are also at risk
for other unhealthy habits that can lead
to obesity, a known risk factor for some
cancers. In addition, sedentary people might
not eat the most healthful foods, which also
increase the risk for some cancers, experts
say.
Dr. Stephanie Bernik, chief of surgical
oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New
York City, commented that “we know that
exercise is a good tool to maintain normal
body weight.”
But, it isn’t known whether reducing
inflammation markers in the body really
reduces the risk for cancer, she said.
“The things that are good for you in
general appear to be good for you in terms
of reducing your risk for some cancer,”
Bernik said.
TIPS:
t Sit Less, Move More at Work
t The AICR presentation includes tips for
getting active at work:
t Take a short walk, even down the hall,
every hour -- set the timer on your
computer to remind you.
t Take a walk with co-workers to discuss
issues; don’t just use email.
t Use light weights while you’re on the
phone or reading emails.
t Stand up while you talk on the phone and
walk around.
t Use an office wall for stretching, doing
vertical pushups or leg lifts.
t Put up a punching bag or chin-up bar in
the break room.
Hepatitis may lurk at
barbershops, nail salons
Customers in nail salons and
barbershops may be at risk for hepatitis
infection if the tools used are improperly
cleaned, a new U.S. study suggests.
While regulations for disinfecting
instruments such as nail files and
brushes, finger bowls, foot basins,
razors, clippers and scissors may
be enough to prevent hepatitis
transmission, there is no guarantee
that workers will follow those rules,
the researchers said.
They analysed a Virginia
Department of Health report on
the risk of hepatitis infection in
nail salons and barber shops and
were scheduled to present their
findings at the annual scientific
meeting of the American College of
Gastroenterology in Washington,
D.C.
“Whether there is sufficient
compliance
with
disinfection
requirements is an important variable
in the safety of salon and barbershop
services from a public health perspective,”
Dr. David A. Johnson, of Eastern Virginia
Medical School, said in an ACG news
release.
“The risk of transmission of
infectious disease, particularly hepatitis B and
C, in personal care settings is significantly
understudied in the United States,” he added.
The evaluation of hepatitis infection risk
among patients in nail salons and barber
shops was prompted by a reported case of
acute hepatitis C that was “clearly related to a
manicure/pedicure treatment,” Johnson said.
The disease, which causes swelling of the
liver, is serious and sometimes lasts a lifetime.
Customers can protect themselves by asking
whether a nail salon or barbershop is properly
cleaning and disinfecting tools and equipment,
Johnson said. He also recommended bringing
your own clippers, razors, nail files and other
equipment to your appointments.
Recommendations to reduce the risk of
hepatitis infection include proper training for
nail salon and barbershop workers, education
about how hepatitis and other blood-borne
infections are transmitted, and an emphasis on
the principles of good hygiene and disinfection.
More stringent requirements governing
personal hygiene, storage, disinfection and
inspection are also recommended.
Currently, there are no federal government
infection-control guidelines for the prevention
of hepatitis infections in nail salons or
barbershops.
Fine Living
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Weekend: family outdoor destinations
Doha Zoo:
Home to more than 1,500 animals belonging to 147 species from all over the world, the
42-hectare Doha Zoo on Al Furousiya St represents a miniature animal kingdom, and is a great
opportunity to see the region’s desert creatures alongside traditional zoo animals.
The collection includes Oryx, Giraffes, Elephants, Gazelles, Deer, Ostriches, Baboons and
Zebras. Amongst which Ostriches and Oryx are the native Qatari species.
New species are regularly introduced through a number of international zoo exchange
programmes.
The zoo has a cafeteria, a children’s play area located within its 4.2 hectare grounds and lush
landscape areas with plenty of shade, making it an ideal spot for a picnic or a day out.
Besides this, a train (pulled by a tractor) is available to take you on a tour of the zoo.
The Zoo is open 8 am – 12 pm and 2:30 pm – 7:30 pm daily (closed Friday mornings). School
groups are welcome in the mornings; Tuesday afternoons are for ladies and children only (boys
must be under nine years old); and Wednesday afternoons are reserved for families. Hours may
vary throughout the year so check the timings before you go.
A trip to the zoo makes a great weekend excursion for both children and adults.
Al Corniche:
Being the top destination to take a stroll, Doha’s famous 8 km-long Corniche offers a panoramic view of the capital city.
Overshadowed by palm trees, this promenade is well appreciated at night, when the lights of Doha’s skyline reflect across
Doha Bay, from the Museum of Islamic Art to the business district of West Bay.
The landscaped waterfront offers paved and grassed areas that are popular with walkers, joggers and picnickers.
Apart from this, there are striking examples of Doha’s architectural achievements around the Corniche, with residential and
commercial towers enjoying commanding positions overlooking Doha Bay and the Gulf.
Several hotels, government ministries and the Emir’s working palace are located along the route, and opposite the Diwan,
traditional wooden boats are moored in the fishing harbour.
What we have at the harbour entrance is quite a delight to one’s eyes; an attractive fountain in the shape of a pearl oyster, a
reminder of Qatar’s pearling heritage.
The park also has a free Wi-Fi access making it easy for people to stay connected with the world amidst the soothing
atmosphere.
One can also catch up with powerboat championships and sailing regattas that are held in Doha Bay.
Being the most attractive area of Doha, Corniche for sure draws in a lot of visitors. From admiring the incredible colour of
the Doha bay in the daytime to adoring the breathtakingly beautiful sunset of the region in the evening, it gives you multiple
reasons to take a walk along the Corniche on weekends.
Aspire Park:
A pleasant place to spend some relaxing time away from hustle bustle of the city is none other than the Aspire Park.
Hidden away behind the Villagio, it is an astoundingly large and green park, complete with children’s play area, football
pitches and greenery.
Strategically located just behind the two prominent commercial hubs in Doha, namely the Villaggio and Hyatt Plaza
malls, Aspire Park is mostly frequented by visitors during night-time.
The recreation area is nestled on a vast expanse of land measuring over 80 hectares bound by Al Waab and Huwar Street.
Among its eye-catching exciting features, the park has a large man-made lake with bridges and fountains.
Running through the lake is a walkway with 21 fountains forming arches, a place where visitors to the park won’t fail to
experience passing through.
Around a hundred meters away is an arch bridge, crossing which would lead to the Aspire Petit Café, a cosy Western
inspired coffee shop serving delectable pasta, salad, and cake, among others.
Truly a sight to behold for any visitor is a dozen geese disturbing the calm waters as they wade through the lake while the
horizon slowly turns crimson.
As night comes, more and more people arrive to the park and the entire field looks lovely with the thousands of lights
flickering like stars along the tracks, by the trees and the lake. The imposing Aspire Tower, the tallest structure in the city,
also adds appeal to the view.
The park also offers paved sections for cycling and roller skating with a large parking space. In addition, benches are set up
in shady areas full of trees to provide a resting spot for people after walking or running along the jogging tracks.
So, it is quite evident that one need not turn away from the city to experience a quiet and pleasant atmosphere for a
surprisingly breath-taking and refreshing hideaway can be found within Doha limits which is fast becoming a favourite
among nationals and expatriates alike.
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What could be more exciting than sand, sun and
surf? Well, if you are looking to spend some time
near the coastline, then this is the place- you very
own Doha. And if you are willing to travel across the
country, then here is the list of beaches where you
can spend your weekend.
tAl Ghariya (80 km North of Doha)
tDukhan (80 km West of Doha)
tFuwairit (80 km North of Doha)
tKhor Al Adaid (80 km south from Doha)
tMaroona (80 km North of Doha)
tRas Abrouq (Bir Zekreet) (70 km West of Doha)
tSealine Beach Resort (40 km South of Doha)
tSimaisma (40 km North of Doha)
tUmm Bab (90 km West of Doha)
3
4
Lifestyle
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Bathroom Designs
Color-Coded
Towel Tags:
Your family and guests
won’t confuse their white
towels if you color-code
them with hanging loops.
Towel Ladder:
Etched Glass:
Custom Bath Mat:
Keep the bathroom
tidy by hanging towels
from the rungs of a
progressive or applepicking ladder propped
against a wall.
Etching is especially
appropriate for bathroom
windows, as the treated
sections let in light but
afford privacy.
Step out of the tub in style.
Pretty ribbon transforms
a store-bought mat into
one specially made for your
bathroom.
Bathroom Vanity:
In
Martha’s
East
Hampton bathroom, a
zinc-topped pastry table
is used as a vanity; on its
broad surface, a variety of
toiletries stays neat and
accessible. To make a useful
-- and comfortable -- set,
Martha pairs the table with
a white-painted button
chair that’s just the right
height.
Seashell Soap Dish:
Stone Bath Mat:
Want to put your beach
finds to practical use? Turn
a pair of pretty shells into a
soap dish. Clam or scallop
shells are ideally shaped for
holding bars of soap.
This mat was created
by
taping
together
several smaller stone
mats, available at garden
centres.
Terry-Cloth
Shower Curtain:
Trimmed Shower
Curtains:
Nothing looks as
inviting in a cool white
bathroom as plush terrycloth towels.
This trimmed shower
curtain looks tidy and
tailored and won’t trap dust
and moisture.
Medicine Chest
Makeover:
Rolling Hand Towel:
Toiletry Shelf:
Cubbyholes:
Make space for supplies
over the bathroom door so
that they’ll be accessible when
they need to be replenished.
Keep bathroom items neat
and accessible with cubbyhole
shelves for large items and
surgical jars for small toiletries
and accessories.
Few of us want our own
bathrooms to resemble a
public restroom in any way,
but the rolling hand towel
loop is an excellent invention
equally useful in the home
for providing an always-ready
drying surface.
Hanging Mirror:
A frameless oval mirror
hung on ribbon in a bathroom
is part wondrous window,
part vanity glass. A lavender
satin ribbon threaded through
two 1/4-inch-wide holes adds
a beguiling touch.
Found objects and fleamarket bargains make
appealing, practical keepers
for toiletries. A vintage
teacup makes a pretty
container for cotton balls,
and an eggcup doubles as a
bobby-pin dispenser. Use
a tin shaker as a talcumpowder sprinkler, and an old
flask to hold mouthwash.
Don’t forget to clean
containers thoroughly and
carefully label all medicines.
Healthy Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate Berry
Cupcakes
We all adore chocolate
cupcakes. But what
we don’t love are the
saturated fat and calories
found in most cupcakes.
Hence we decided to
‘health-ify’ the cupcakes
with our new cupcake
recipe without losing the
sweet, decadent and meltin-your-mouth quality
associated with cupcakes.
Ingredients:
t 3/4 cup granulated sugar
t 1/2 cup canola oil
t 2 large eggs
t 3/4 cup frozen wild
blueberries, thawed (but
not drained)
t 1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
t 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
t 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
t 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
t 1/3 cup unsweetened
cocoa powder, sifted
t 1½ teaspoons baking
powder
t 1/4 teaspoon salt
t 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet
chocolate chips
For the Frosting:
t 1 cup powdered sugar
t 1/4 cup unsweetened
cocoa powder, sifted
t 2 tablespoons buttery
“spread” (you can use
Smart Balance Buttery
Spread with Flax)
t 2 tablespoons 1% low-fat
milk
t 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
extract
Method:
Preheat the oven to
350°F. Lightly oil or coat
24 mini muffin cups with
nonstick cooking spray and
set aside.
Place the sugar and oil
in a large bowl and beat
at medium speed until well
blended, about 1 minute.
Add the eggs, blueberries
1
2
(and their juice), milk, and
vanilla extract, and continue
to beat on medium until the
blueberries are broken up a
bit and well incorporated, 1
more minute. Scrape down
the sides of the bowl if
necessary.
In a separate bowl,
whisk together the allpurpose flour, whole wheat
flour, cocoa powder, baking
powder, and salt. At low
speed, gradually beat the
flour mixture into the liquid
mixture until just combined.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Spoon the batter evenly
into the prepared muffin
cups, filling almost to the
top. Bake for 15 minutes, or
until a toothpick inserted in
the center comes out clean.
Transfer the pan to a wire
rack and cool for 5 minutes.
3
4
Remove the cupcakes and
cool completely before
frosting. (Note: Depending
on the size of your muffin
cups, you may have some
batter left over. Feel free
to bake up a second small
batch of cupcakes with any
leftover batter).
To make the frosting,
place the powdered
sugar,
cocoa
powder,
buttery spread, milk, and
vanilla extract in a bowl
and beat at low speed until
blended. Raise the speed to
medium once the sugar is
incorporated and continue
to beat until creamy.
Spread the frosting
over the cupcakes, and
garnish as desired with a
red candy or conversation
heart. (Makes 24 Mini
Cupcakes)
5
6
Science
Thursday, 17 November 2011
5
Want to live longer?
Vinodh K. Pisharom
By consuming fewer calories,
aging can be slowed down. The
earlier we reduce calorie intake,
the greater the effect
Man has been longing to live longer since
long. Mythology has mention to many magical potions like ‘ambrosia’ and ‘amrit’, which
could bestow immortality upon whoever
consumes it. But, their consumption was
typically reserved for the divine, leaving
the lesser beings to fend for themselves.
This prejudice may have prompted man to
seek equivalents for eternal life.
“I would do anything, even die, to live
forever”, could be a silly statement. But
man who has been in persistent pursuit
of the elusive elixir may have made sillier
statements in sheer despair. Nevertheless, man’s pursuit for such mystical
medicines shall go on for eternity,
swinging from hope to despair.
Certain scientists, futurists
and philosophers advocate that
human immortality is achievable
in the first few decades of the 21st
century, while other advocates believe that life extension is a more achievable
goal in the short term, with immortality awaiting
further research breakthroughs into an indefinite future. Aubrey de Grey, a researcher who has developed a
series of biomedical rejuvenation strategies to reverse
human aging, believes that they are implementable in
two or three decades, though vulnerability to death by
physical trauma is unavoidable.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg, having
identified one of the enzymes that hold the key to the
aging process, claim that aging can be slowed down and
the development of age-related diseases such as cancer
and type2 diabetes can be delayed with a simple prescription. The prescription is so simple that one may
wonder why it took so long for longevity to smile upon
us. To extend our life span, the researchers suggest that
we just control our Peroxiredoxin1 (Prx1) from being
inactivated, or increase the production of Sulfiredoxin
(Srx1) in our body cells.
Well!! If you haven’t already dropped from hope to
despair, or fallen sick from an overdose of scientific
nonsense, let me extend some support. Peroxiredoxin1
(Prx1) is one of the enzymes that holds key to the aging
process. It is also capable of preventing proteins from
getting damaged and aggregating, a process that has
been linked to several age-related disorders affecting
the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Using yeast cells as a model, the research team at the
University of Gothenburg was able to show that active
Prx1 breaks down harmful hydrogen peroxide in the
cells, counteracting damage to the genetic material and
thereby slowing down the aging process. But, with age,
Prx1 gets damaged and loses its activity, and the challenge is to keep it active. Mikael Molin, Department of
Cell and Molecular Biology, says, “We are able to show
that caloric restriction slows down aging by preventing Prx1 from being inactivated. This enzyme is also
extremely important in counteracting damage to our
genetic material.” The results, which have been published in the journal Molecular Cell, show that Caloric
restriction counteracts by increasing the production
of another enzyme, Sulfiredoxin (Srx1), which repairs
Prx1. Interestingly, the study also shows that aging can
be delayed without caloric restriction by only increasing the quantity of Srx1 in the cell. Repair of the Peroxiredoxin Prx1 consequently emerges as a key process
in aging.
Thus, by consuming fewer calories, aging can be
slowed down. The earlier we reduce calorie intake, the
greater the effect. By gradually reducing the intake of
sugar and proteins, without reducing vitamins and
minerals, researchers have previously shown that
monkeys can live several years longer than expected. The method has also been
tested on everything from
fishes and rats to fungi,
flies and yeasts with
favourable results.
Caloric restriction also has favourable effects
on our health
and delays the
development of
age-related diseases.
So, leave the Peroxiredoxins and Sulfiredoxins to do their part,
while we just assist them
by consuming lesser calories.
If this is not simple enough to
live longer, let’s turn philosophic and pronounce- ‘It is not how
long we live, but how well we live
that matters’.
Technology to
turn your eyes blue
Vinodh K. Pisharom
A bonnie baby with no birth defects was all
that they wished for, but the clear blue colour
of the new-born’s eyes came as a pleasant bonus. Neither of the parents had blue eyes, yet
they proudly took it as a special gift. The neonatal ward resounded with compliments from
well-wishers until one mischief-monger made
a nasty remark- “Both of you have dark-brown
eyes, how come the child has blue? Any international alliance?”
The father, or the so-called, could not sleep
that night, despite counting sheep a hundred
times over. His mind was engaged listing out
all the black sheep, especially with blue eyes,
among his friends and relatives. Even Charles
Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’ failed to console,
for it could not explain why some children
look like their neighbours.
It took him some time before he could fairly understand the complexities of genetics,
genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms. It was a great relief to learn that children can have completely different eye colours than either of their parents. But if both
parents have brown eyes, it’s most likely that
their children also will have brown eyes. Nevertheless, it’s far more likely for two browneyed parents to have a blue-eyed child than
for two blue-eyed parents to have a browneyed child. This is because the generally less
dominant blue-eyed trait can be passed along
by brown-eyed people until the genes for the
lighter eye colour happen to match up, possibly many generations later.
Thanks to a new medical procedure, people with brown eyes
do not have to wait for generations, or endure unpleasant moments as above, to have blue-eyed progenies. Those unhappy
with brown eyes may find just what they’re looking for: Laguna Beach doctor Gregg Homer has developed a new procedure that can actually convert brown-coloured eyes to blue
in just a matter of weeks. It took Dr. Gregg Homer and his
firm, Stroma Medical, a decade to figure out how to remove
the brown pigment called melanin from irises, revealing blue
pigment beneath.
The process they discovered takes just 20 seconds to complete.
“We use a laser, and it’s tuned to a specific frequency to remove the pigment from the surface of the iris,” Homer told KTLA. “You won’t feel anything,”
the Laguna Beach doctor told. “Your eyes will get a little darker for the first week.
Then in two
to four weeks,
they’ll be completely changed. “After completing the treatment, which is
expected to cost about $5,000, the brown
pigment won’t return, Homer claims.
He is confident the procedure doesn’t cause
tissue damage, though he expects his company
will spend another year conducting research on
the treatment. It could be available in the United
States in three years, KTLA reports. As the doctor
explains it, the procedure only works for browneyed individuals, as they already have a bluish
coloration hiding underneath. Unfortunately, this
process is completely irreversible, so if you end up
regretting a hasty decision to switch, you’ll never
be brown-eyed again.
Not surprisingly, the practice has come under
scrutiny by some who believe the colour of our
eyes is somehow more sacred than other parts of
the human body — like the bits that plastic surgeons alter every day. There’s also the risk that
long-term damage may result from the procedure,
and without longitudinal research, Homer can’t
guarantee that problems won’t arise down the
road. Still, with would-be patients lining up by the
thousands, it’s clear that some people believe the
risk is worth the reward.
6
Technology
Thursday, 17 November 2011
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Nawras R Diaa
Apps become indispensable
Ever since Apple popularized the smartphone
revolution with the launch of the Appstore back in
2008, and with competitors flooding the markets
aimed at taking a piece of the electronic pie, app
developers were living a golden age as millions
were demanding these small pieces of software that
will bring added value to their smartphones. With
a wide topic range for development, the markets
were flooded with apps to cater to every whim
and need that customers longed for. From playing
embarrassing flatulence sounds to entertain your
highschool buddies, to intricate spreadsheet
analysis apps that gave business professionals even
more quality time with their beloved Excel sheets,
apps have become a means to improve the living
experience of many.
The AAA Initiative
With the ever-growing popularity of apps
worldwide, the US government recently launched
a remarkable initiative designated “Apps Against
Abuse”, or AAA. US Vice President Joe Biden, the
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy,
and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen
Sebelius had launched the AAA technology challenge
back in July of 2011 as a nationwide competition
to encourage app developers to build an innovative
software application that provides young adults
with tools to help prevent sexual assault and dating
violence. In the US, there is a surprisingly high rate
of dating violence and sexual assault occurring,
mostly against young women that are targeted
and isolated in vulnerable circumstances against
their will. The goal was to provide a simple, fast
and convenient method to digitally and discretely
seek help and save themselves from a potentially
dangerous situation.
After more than 30 app prototypes were
submitted, two winning applications – “Circle of 6”
and “On Watch” - were selected and displayed on
the White House website, and were also personally
accredited by the Vice President himself during
a conference call with hundreds of college and
university officials where he further discussed
ongoing efforts to help better prevent and respond
to abuse crimes.
A better world
indeed
These types of initiatives are
unfortunately too scarce when
compared to the extravagant focus
that’s being given to other genres of
apps. Yet one can’t but appreciate the
fact that such initiatives do exist, and
that even entire government bodies
are becoming more actively involved
in using popular technology for the
betterment of humanity.
‘Circle of 6’ and ‘On Watch’ will
soon be available for free download
worldwide in early 2012, so keep your
smartphone ready!
Slippery SLIPS
“On Watch” asks users to set up
a list of very close friends whom
they can call anytime, anywhere
and for any reason. This app is
great for anticipating dangerous
situations. For example if you are
walking alone late night and you
feel you might run into a dangerous
situation, you can write an advance
message to send, set a timer and
cancel the message if everything
is fine or have it go out when the
timer elapses.
The application also has a “panic”
button that the user can hit that
both calls the police and sends a
text message and an e-mail to the
pre-set contacts which contains a
prewritten message and the GPS
coordinates of your location.
Circle of 6
The “Circle of 6” app directs users
to add six contacts to their trusted
circle of contacts and when in a
potentially difficult and dangerous
situation, they can tap on an icon
to either send a message to all six
contacts, call them, ask for advice
or automatically call a special
dedicated hotline which had been
previously launched to provide
free assistance and consultation
to victims.
The design is simple and
straightforward. It takes two
touches to get help, so no nervous
fumbling or digging around for
the right number to call is needed.
Icons are displayed to represent
actions, which makes it easier to act
quickly without anyone noticing.
Moreover, GPS is integrated using
Google maps, and when the need
arises your location is sent to your
own Circle of 6.
Just when you thought bananas where the ultimate
pranking weapon, here comes a new material that will make
banana peels look like shag carpets!
A new artificial material, appropriately named SLIPS (Slippery Liquid
Infused Porous Surface), is one of the most slippery materials ever created.
This new material, developed at Harvard University, is self-cleaning and
never gets dirty no matter what. The simple reason is that nothing can ever
stick to it.
SLIPS was inspired by carnivorous pitcher plants, whose slippery,
cylindrical leaves slide insects into the digestive juices at the base of the plant.
The surface of the leaves’ sponge-like texture is infused with water, which
repels the sticky oils on insects’ feet.
Joanna Aizenberg, lead researcher and material scientist at Harvard
University, and her colleagues created an artificial version of the leaves surface,
infusing a lubricating film called Fluorinert FC-70 perfluorinated fluid inside
a similarly spongy layer of Teflon. The result is a material that repels both
water and oil-based substances. Liquids like oil, water or blood all roll right off
the material even at a mere 2 degree inclination, which when compared to the
5 to 30 degrees inclination for other surfaces in considered quite a feat. The
lubricating liquid in SLIPS seeps into any holes in the Teflon, so the material is
also self-repairing. And because liquid does not compress at high pressure, the
material works at the pressures found seven kilometers underwater.
There are many possible applications for SLIPS, from highly efficient oil pipes
to a coating for airplanes that repels ice. Perhaps the most common benefit for
it will be in ketchup bottles! Till now, modern science has never found a way to
get those luring last few drops of ketchup stuck at the bottom of the bottle. But
now, ketchup lovers everywhere can rejoice in knowing that a slippery solution
to their eternal feud with the ketchup bottle has been discovered!
Beauty
Hair Types &
Treatments
Thursday, 17 November 2011
7
It is
essential to
identify the texture
of your hair whether
dry, oily or balanced for a
good hair care program.
Read on to identify
your hair type.
Dry Hair
Dry hair is due to inactive oil glands. It is also caused by
other factors like over exposure to the sun, using harsh
shampoo and chemical treatment. Accumulated oil, block
the pores not allowing the oil to flow on to the surface.
This is another reason for dry hair. Dry hair would need
plenty of nourishment.
Treatment
t Massage well with a warm herbal oil at least twice a
week.
t Follow a diet rich in zinc such as beans, nuts and
almonds.
t Use a mild shampoo and avoid harsh ones since the
chemicals in them can strip hair of its outer protein
layer, further drying the scalp.
t Do not use electric curlers and hair dryers.
Oily Hair
This is usually accompanied with oily skin.
This is due to the over secretion of oil. Hence
the scalp and hair gets too oily. Oily hair is
easily recognizable. It looks greasy even
after shampooing and and attracts more
dirt.
Treatment
t The oily hair needs to be washed
every third or fourth day or even more
frequently depending on individual
comfort and rinsed out with lemon.
tUse oils and shampoos rich in neem and
henna.
t
A head massage with a herbal oil helps
maintain the pH level of the scalp.
t Avoid oily foods and binge on green leafy
vegetables and fruits.
Balanced or
Normal Hair
Normal hair is the ideal hair type that most of us would
like to have. It has shine, but not greasy or dry. It is
fairly manageable and preferably has not been permed
or colored. It is of medium texture which allows for easy
maintenance. It holds its style and looks good most of
the time without much effort.
Liquid Keratin Infusing
Healthy Hair De-Frizz
Shampoo Keratin Infusing
Healthy Hair De-Frizz
Shampoo gently cleans
hair while drenching it
with keratin proteins for
improved strength, shine and
manageability. It moisturizes
the hair and protects it from
sun damage, leaving even
frizzy hair silky smooth.
Developed for all hair types
and suitable for natural or
colour treated hair.
Kerastase, Complete Nutrition Shampoo
for Normal to Slighly Dry Hair Gently
cleanses and nourishes hair, providing
optimal hair fiber nutrition. Leaves hair
soft and shiny with a lightweight finish.
Garnier Fructis
Daily Care is fortified
with Reinforced Active
Fruit Concentrate
- an innovative
combination of
vitamins B3 and B6,
fructose and glucose.
Gentle enough for
everyday use, it
nourishes, strengthens
and smoothes each
hair strand, keeping it
balanced and healthylooking. It keeps
hair clean, shiny and
healthy-looking.
Sanctum Shampoo
The natural surface acting
agents in this shampoo
by Sanctum remove the
daily dirt and grime
without stripping away
the essential oils your
hair needs. Follow with
Organic Conditioner for
Dry Hair by Sanctum for
superb results.
Matrix Total Results
Sleek Silk Wonder
Smoothing Oil instantly
restores shine and
silkiness. Lightweight oil
treatment quickly absorbs
into hair to smooth and
control frizz all day.
Directions: Apply a small
amount throughout damp
hair, style as usual. Apply
small amount from midlengths to ends on dry
hair for added shine.
Dull hair? Bring back the
power of shine to your
hair. With an innovative
formula, the L’Oreal Paris
laboratories have developed
Nutri-Gloss Shampoo with
Pearl ProteinTM. The formula
provides targeted care for
the hair fibre, nourishing
it from root to tip leaving
your hair shiny and soft
without weighing it down.
The shampoo instantly helps
smooth the micro splits of the
hair cuticle and illuminates
the hair strands. With a clean
fresh fragrance that lasts
all day. For mirror shine,
cashmere touch.
Optimum Oil Therapy is just what you
need for hair that is beautifully nourished
and richly conditioned. Featuring MicroOil Technology, Optimum Oil Therapy
penetrates each strand with micro-beads
of essential oils and natural ingredients
- including coconut, olive, avocado and
jojoba oil - to moisturize, nourish, repair,
strengthen and protect your hair with
no greasy buildup. A creme hair dress
that deeply moisturizers hair to alleviate
dryness, helps repair damaged hair and
protects against split ends.
8
Fashion
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Winter in fashion boots
Chanel fantasy fur:
These fantasy fur
boots with icicle
heels will make you
want to travel up
north so that you
can have an excuse to
wear them. Fantasy
Fur has a “je ne sais
quoi” look with an
unexplainable allure.
Winter fashion boots
by famous brands with
different stylish designs
which can be worn for
different occasionsformal gatherings, casual
outings and evening
parties. We also include
latest fur boots to keep
your feet warm in this
chilly weather.
Ankle
boots by
Gucci with
two mix
& match
colors
Ankle
boots by
Kenzo
uses
bleached
leather for
a warm
style.
Boots by
Fendi with
a stylish
design for
everyday
wear.
VIONNET Black Ankle Boots
Luxurious booties made of
fine black leather. Absolutely
modern, flamboyant, a true
fashion must-have this winter.
Alaïa’s luxe leather boots.
Black leather knee-high boots with a cone-shaped
heel that measures approximately 125mm/ 5
inches with a 25mm/ 1 inch platform. Alaïa boots
have intricate cutout detail along stitched seams, a
round toe, side-zip fastening along inside leg with a
logo-embossed tab, V-shaped cutout at top of boot
leg and a tan lining.
High boots
by Versace
made of black
shiny leather.
Furla Plastic
shoes:
Furla offers a
nice version of
innovative classy
plastic shoes
that are already
climbing the charts
of the must have
accessories for our
shoe-racks.
Burberry “Wellington”
plastic boots:
These boots have
a black rubber sole
and black patent
trim at the top.
Columbia Ice Maiden™ Lace:
Made of waterproof leather
and has a faux fur collar for
additional warmth with a soft
fleece lining to keep your feet
cosy.
Blowfish valentine boots:
Leather and faux fur decorated
with a side strap with a buckle
Lining and sock: Textile
Vitesse Vulcan
boots:
Worn under a pair
of riding jeans these
boots really could
pass for trainers at
first!
Part shoe, part sock, this Iiliana
ankle boot from DKNY is 100%
stylish. The leather upper is topped
with an elasticize fabric for easy
pull-on construction, while the
platform and high heels gives you
height. This boot contrasts nicely
with short, flirty skirts, or looks
great under pants as well.
:LUK`V\YMLLKIHJRHUKZ\NNLZ[PVUZ[VISVVT'XPTXH[HYJVT‹;LS!-H_! Lumiani torrence:
This stunning ankle boot
doesn’t scrimp on style and
details. It features suede
upper with decorative
studded accents, lace-up
closure, lightly padded foot
bed, smooth synthetic lining,
sculptured stacked heel,
covered platform and a manmade sole.