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2009年12月30日星期三
Love Means Sharing the Same Diseases
Married Jumper With Slide couples share more than their homes, cars and finances - they are also likely to have some of the same diseases, experts say. If a spouse suffers from asthma, depression, peptic ulcers, high blood pressure or raised cholesterol levels, the chances are their partner will be afflicted with the same illness. "Partners of people with specific diseases are at increased risk of the disease themselves - at least 70 percent increased risk for asthma, depression and peptic ulcer disease," Julia Hippisley Cox of the University of Nottingham in northern England said. Cox and her team said the most likely reason for the shared diseases was environment. Married couples usually eat the same foods, are exposed to the same allergens and often have similar exercise patterns, all of which contribute to ailments such as allergies, high blood pressure and raised cholesterol. The scientists studied the medical history of 8,000 married couples, aged 30 to 74. "The findings could have implications for targeting screening or disease prevention measures at partners of participants with one of these diseases," Cox added.
Anthrax Q & A-- What the Disease Is, How to Identify and Treat It
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is a Moonwalk Jumper Bouncer colorless, odorless, tasteless bacterium that protects itself from sunlight, heat and disinfectant by forming a protective coat. With this coat, the bacterium is called a "spore." The spores are so small that even an infectious dose - between 8,000 and 10,000 spores - is smaller than a speck of dust.
If inhaled, anthrax spores can germinate and lead to infection within one to 60 days. This is pulmonary anthrax, which usually causes death.
Less lethal forms include cutaneous infections, which occur if anthrax spores come in contact with a cut or other opening in the skin.
Another form of anthrax develops in the intestine of those who eat improperly cooked meat of animals that have been infected with anthrax.
Is anthrax contagious?
Anthrax does not spread from person to person. It is a "one-time agent" - to catch it a person must come directly in contact with the bacterium.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
Symptoms of pulmonary anthrax are very similar to the flu, which can make an initial diagnosis somewhat difficult. However, in light of recent events many doctors have a heightened awareness of the possibility, and are therefore more likely to diagnose it.
Anthrax is a Moonwalk Jumper Bouncer colorless, odorless, tasteless bacterium that protects itself from sunlight, heat and disinfectant by forming a protective coat. With this coat, the bacterium is called a "spore." The spores are so small that even an infectious dose - between 8,000 and 10,000 spores - is smaller than a speck of dust.
If inhaled, anthrax spores can germinate and lead to infection within one to 60 days. This is pulmonary anthrax, which usually causes death.
Less lethal forms include cutaneous infections, which occur if anthrax spores come in contact with a cut or other opening in the skin.
Another form of anthrax develops in the intestine of those who eat improperly cooked meat of animals that have been infected with anthrax.
Is anthrax contagious?
Anthrax does not spread from person to person. It is a "one-time agent" - to catch it a person must come directly in contact with the bacterium.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
Symptoms of pulmonary anthrax are very similar to the flu, which can make an initial diagnosis somewhat difficult. However, in light of recent events many doctors have a heightened awareness of the possibility, and are therefore more likely to diagnose it.
Quality sleep 'rescues memories'
Even facts "forgotten" by people during a busy day may be retrieved if this is followed by a good night's sleep.
Researchers from Inflatable Advertising the University of Chicago asked volunteers to remember simple words.
Many found their memories letting them down towards the end of the day, but the following morning, those who had slept well could recall much more.
Researchers, writing in the journal Nature, said the brain could "rescue" lost memories during the night.
When the brain is first asked to remember something, that memory is laid down in an "unstable" state, meaning that it is possible that it could be lost.
At some point, the brain consolidates those it deems important into a "stable", more permanent state.
However, the Chicago researchers suggested that it was possible for a "stable" memory to be made "unstable" again.
This would mean that memories could be modified then filed away again in the face of new experiences.
The 12 volunteers tested in the experiment were played words created through a speech synthesizer which were purposely difficult to understand.
Initially, the written version of the word was available, but afterwards the volunteers were asked to identify the word from the audio version only.
Tests revealed that the ability to recall the right word tended to tail off as the day ended.
However, when the volunteers were retested after a good night's sleep, they were able to recall some words that they had "forgotten" the previous evening.
Dr Daniel, one of the study authors, said: "Sleep consolidates memories, protecting them against subsequent interference or decay.
Researchers from Inflatable Advertising the University of Chicago asked volunteers to remember simple words.
Many found their memories letting them down towards the end of the day, but the following morning, those who had slept well could recall much more.
Researchers, writing in the journal Nature, said the brain could "rescue" lost memories during the night.
When the brain is first asked to remember something, that memory is laid down in an "unstable" state, meaning that it is possible that it could be lost.
At some point, the brain consolidates those it deems important into a "stable", more permanent state.
However, the Chicago researchers suggested that it was possible for a "stable" memory to be made "unstable" again.
This would mean that memories could be modified then filed away again in the face of new experiences.
The 12 volunteers tested in the experiment were played words created through a speech synthesizer which were purposely difficult to understand.
Initially, the written version of the word was available, but afterwards the volunteers were asked to identify the word from the audio version only.
Tests revealed that the ability to recall the right word tended to tail off as the day ended.
However, when the volunteers were retested after a good night's sleep, they were able to recall some words that they had "forgotten" the previous evening.
Dr Daniel, one of the study authors, said: "Sleep consolidates memories, protecting them against subsequent interference or decay.
2009年12月29日星期二
A full night's sleep? Not everyone needs it
The truism that all adults need at least eight hours of sleep a night for good health should be put to rest by mounting evidence that less may be better.
People who Inflatable Arch sleep about seven hours a night live the longest, three huge studies have found, the newest out in the February issue of the journal SLEEP.
Still, many sleep experts say lots of adults get too little rest, and that can lead to dangerous health problems.
In the latest report from Japanese researchers, 104,010 adults were followed for about 10 years. At the start, the participants answered questionnaires about their sleep patterns, and about their health, mental health and lifestyle habits, which also can affect survival.
After accounting for all of these factors, adults getting an average of seven hours had the lowest death rates. Surprisingly, less sleep, even as little as four hours a night, didn't significantly increase deaths for men and only lowered survival for women if they averaged less than four hours. But adults who slept longer than seven hours, particularly women, were more likely to die during the 10 years.
Two other major published studies and a dozen smaller ones came to similar conclusions, says psychiatrist Daniel Kripke, a sleep researcher at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine.
Doctors shouldn't tell all of their patients to get at least eight hours of sleep, he says in an editorial in the journal.
Hormonal changes triggered by darkness or other unknown biological effects from long sleep could be affecting survival, Kripke says.
But short sleepers may suffer other bad effects. In his brief studies, those sleeping four to five and a half hours did poorly on tests that measure memory, clear thinking and the ability to pay attention, "and they did progressively worse as the week went on," says David Dinges of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Adults who slept about seven hours performed best, he says.
Other small studies have found adults who sleep less than six hours may be at higher risk for diabetes and obesity. And sleep deprivation also causes car crashes, Dinges says.
"People should get as many hours sleep as they need to feel rested," Kripke says, adding that there's no proof that shortening sleep will lengthen life. Sleep need is partly genetic and may be determined by other factors that also influence life span, he says.
People who Inflatable Arch sleep about seven hours a night live the longest, three huge studies have found, the newest out in the February issue of the journal SLEEP.
Still, many sleep experts say lots of adults get too little rest, and that can lead to dangerous health problems.
In the latest report from Japanese researchers, 104,010 adults were followed for about 10 years. At the start, the participants answered questionnaires about their sleep patterns, and about their health, mental health and lifestyle habits, which also can affect survival.
After accounting for all of these factors, adults getting an average of seven hours had the lowest death rates. Surprisingly, less sleep, even as little as four hours a night, didn't significantly increase deaths for men and only lowered survival for women if they averaged less than four hours. But adults who slept longer than seven hours, particularly women, were more likely to die during the 10 years.
Two other major published studies and a dozen smaller ones came to similar conclusions, says psychiatrist Daniel Kripke, a sleep researcher at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine.
Doctors shouldn't tell all of their patients to get at least eight hours of sleep, he says in an editorial in the journal.
Hormonal changes triggered by darkness or other unknown biological effects from long sleep could be affecting survival, Kripke says.
But short sleepers may suffer other bad effects. In his brief studies, those sleeping four to five and a half hours did poorly on tests that measure memory, clear thinking and the ability to pay attention, "and they did progressively worse as the week went on," says David Dinges of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Adults who slept about seven hours performed best, he says.
Other small studies have found adults who sleep less than six hours may be at higher risk for diabetes and obesity. And sleep deprivation also causes car crashes, Dinges says.
"People should get as many hours sleep as they need to feel rested," Kripke says, adding that there's no proof that shortening sleep will lengthen life. Sleep need is partly genetic and may be determined by other factors that also influence life span, he says.
2009年12月27日星期日
A Family Get-Together
Candy : Mommy, when will we have dinner? I'm starving.
Mother : Soon, honey. We have to wait for grandmom and grandpa.
Candy : Aren't they in Canada for the World's Exhibition?
Mother : They were, but they will join us for dinner today.
Mike : Hi, Mon. I'd like you to meet my girlfriend. Jill Lee.Jill, this is my mother.
Jill : How do you do, Mrs. Miller.
Mother : How do you do, Jill. I'm glad you can join us. (To Mike) Ask your father to come downstairs. I need his help. (To Jill) Make yourself at home, Jill.
Jill : I will, Mrs. Miller. (The door bell rings.)
Candy : I'll Inflatable Bouncer Kids get it….Grandmom! Grandpa!
Grand- Parents : Hello, my little princess.
Mother : (They embrace each other.) How was your flight?
Grandmom : It was tiring!...Look who is here ! Mike! (They embrace.) You've grown taller and stronger since I last saw you. And who is this beautiful young lady?
Mike : She's my girlfriend. Jill, come meet my grandmom.
Jill : How do you do.
Candy : Could we have dinner now, Mommy?
Mother : Soon, honey. We have to wait for grandmom and grandpa.
Candy : Aren't they in Canada for the World's Exhibition?
Mother : They were, but they will join us for dinner today.
Mike : Hi, Mon. I'd like you to meet my girlfriend. Jill Lee.Jill, this is my mother.
Jill : How do you do, Mrs. Miller.
Mother : How do you do, Jill. I'm glad you can join us. (To Mike) Ask your father to come downstairs. I need his help. (To Jill) Make yourself at home, Jill.
Jill : I will, Mrs. Miller. (The door bell rings.)
Candy : I'll Inflatable Bouncer Kids get it….Grandmom! Grandpa!
Grand- Parents : Hello, my little princess.
Mother : (They embrace each other.) How was your flight?
Grandmom : It was tiring!...Look who is here ! Mike! (They embrace.) You've grown taller and stronger since I last saw you. And who is this beautiful young lady?
Mike : She's my girlfriend. Jill, come meet my grandmom.
Jill : How do you do.
Candy : Could we have dinner now, Mommy?
A Power Outage
Debra : What Sumo Wrestling Suits happened?
Simon : It's a power outage, obviously.
Debra : Oh, what am I going to do now? I've to hand in this report tomorrow.
Simon : Where do you keep the flashlight?
Debra : Some where in the kitchen.
Simon : Go find it so that I can check the fuse box.
Debra :It is probably my fault. I shouldn't have plugged three plugs in one socket.
Simon : This will teach you. Now go get the flashlight.
Debra : It's too dark. I can't find the way. Don't you have a lighter with you?
Simon : No, I've quit smoking for over one week. I'm afraid you'll have to grope your way to the kitchen.
Debra : Well, I guess that's it then….Ah! (She screams and Simon hears the dog barking.)
Simon : What happened? Are you all right?
Debra : I'm fine. I stepped on old Life. It must have hurt him very much.
Simon : Did you find the flashlight?
Debra : Wait a second….Yes, I've found it.
Simon : Why don't you turn it on so that you don't have to grope your way back here?
Debra : I want to, but there are no batteries in the flashlight.
Simon : Oh, no….Find a candle then.
Simon : It's a power outage, obviously.
Debra : Oh, what am I going to do now? I've to hand in this report tomorrow.
Simon : Where do you keep the flashlight?
Debra : Some where in the kitchen.
Simon : Go find it so that I can check the fuse box.
Debra :It is probably my fault. I shouldn't have plugged three plugs in one socket.
Simon : This will teach you. Now go get the flashlight.
Debra : It's too dark. I can't find the way. Don't you have a lighter with you?
Simon : No, I've quit smoking for over one week. I'm afraid you'll have to grope your way to the kitchen.
Debra : Well, I guess that's it then….Ah! (She screams and Simon hears the dog barking.)
Simon : What happened? Are you all right?
Debra : I'm fine. I stepped on old Life. It must have hurt him very much.
Simon : Did you find the flashlight?
Debra : Wait a second….Yes, I've found it.
Simon : Why don't you turn it on so that you don't have to grope your way back here?
Debra : I want to, but there are no batteries in the flashlight.
Simon : Oh, no….Find a candle then.
2009年12月25日星期五
At the Bank
Anna：Excuse me, sir.
Clerk：Yes, May Inflatable Toys I help you?
Anna：I’d like to cash a check. Would you please tell me which window should I go to?
Clerk：You can cash checks over there at window 5.
Anna：Thanks a lot.
Clerk：Anytime.
Anna：I’d like you to cash this check for sixty dollars, please.
Clerk：Do you have an account with us?
Anna：No. Actually I’d like to open an account right now, and deposit these other checks.
Clerk：What kind of account would you like to open?
Anna：A checking account.
Clerk：Please go to window 3 first. Tell the clerk at window 3 that you want to open a checking account. He’ll give you some forms. Fill them out, give him the checks you want to deposit, and after you finish everything, come back here. I’ll tell you what to do next.
Anna：Thank you.
(After 15 minutes. Back at window 5.)
Anna：Mister, I have an account now.
Clerk：Now, how would you like this check cashed, ma’am?
Anna：Six tens will be fine.
Clerk：Here you are.
Anna：Thanks. Er, mister, if I want to deposit checks next time, what should I do?
Clerk：Yes, May Inflatable Toys I help you?
Anna：I’d like to cash a check. Would you please tell me which window should I go to?
Clerk：You can cash checks over there at window 5.
Anna：Thanks a lot.
Clerk：Anytime.
Anna：I’d like you to cash this check for sixty dollars, please.
Clerk：Do you have an account with us?
Anna：No. Actually I’d like to open an account right now, and deposit these other checks.
Clerk：What kind of account would you like to open?
Anna：A checking account.
Clerk：Please go to window 3 first. Tell the clerk at window 3 that you want to open a checking account. He’ll give you some forms. Fill them out, give him the checks you want to deposit, and after you finish everything, come back here. I’ll tell you what to do next.
Anna：Thank you.
(After 15 minutes. Back at window 5.)
Anna：Mister, I have an account now.
Clerk：Now, how would you like this check cashed, ma’am?
Anna：Six tens will be fine.
Clerk：Here you are.
Anna：Thanks. Er, mister, if I want to deposit checks next time, what should I do?
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