Americans love their dogs, and proof exists that cuddling a pup is good for your health and well-being. Our pets can do everything from lowering cholesterol and blood pressure to promoting quicker recovery from serious problems like heart attack. Smart folks who want to steal your money are taking advantage of our pooch love affair with the latest scam to take the name of Nigeria in vain. The American Kennel Club reports that fraudulent websites and MySpace postings tout ads for folks who must move quickly or have become “stuck” in Nigeria and other countries and need loving homes for their pups. Adorable puppy faces accompany these ads as you, tears in eyes, are asked to help. While the ads may offer the doggies for free, various “fees” eventually build into the thousands of dollars, and the pup never appears at your doorstep. One variation offers a purebred highly expensive pup, such as an English bulldog, at a huge discount.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck . . . you know the rest. Come on, people, wake up! Stuck in Nigeria? What did that poor country do to have become the butt of all rip-off scandals?
An even more important question is why one would pay mountains of moolah to adopt a dog they can’t even see when local animal shelters offer dozens of these adorable creatures? And they won’t make you take out a bank loan to cover their modest fees. If you don’t know the location of your local shelter, visit the ASPCA’s shelter finder. I can guarantee you won’t have to drive to Nigeria.
And yes, that’s a Pomeranian pirate. (From Cute Overload)
Morning all. I’ll be doing a short radio interview tonight on Dr. Fitness and The fat Guy at 7:15pm EDT (GMT -4)/ 5:15pm CST (GMT -6). Listen in and, afterwards, in the comments, tell me how sexy my voice is.
Since June 2005 members of Visual Resistance have been creating small memorials to fallen bikers in New York City. When a biker has been killed in an auto-related accident a bike is painted all-white and locked down at the scene with a small plaque attached.
The installations are meant as reminders of the tragedy that took place on an otherwise anonymous street corner, and as quiet statements in support of bikers’ right to safe travel. It was inspired by Ghost Bike Pittsburgh, which was in turn inspired by a similar effort in St. Louis. In recent months, Ghost Bikes have appeared in cities across the country, as well as in the UK.
Creating and installing ghost bikes is a sad and moving process. The death of a fellow bicyclist hits home, since we travel the same unsafe streets and face the same risks; it could just as easily be one of us.
Each time we say we hope to never have to do it again — but we remain comitted to making these memorials as long as they are needed.
Maker defends diabetes drug; Others call for FDA warning - Newsday As GlaxoSmithKline’s medical director defended the embattled diabetes drug Avandia Wednesday, a leading consumer advocate reiterated his stance that the drug is inherently unsafe. Dr. Ronald Krall, medical director of the pharmaceutical giant, posted a letter in the online version of The Lancet medical journal saying data from long-term, large-scale clinical trials has shown Avandia to be safe.
Man Eluded Attempts to Control Deadly TB Strain - NPR (Audio & Copy) An American man with a highly dangerous form of tuberculosis is under guard in an Atlanta hospital while health officials in many countries try to track down people he may have exposed to the disease on his way to Europe and back.
Women warned on iron ‘overdose’ - BBC Healthy pregnant women who take iron supplements may increase blood pressure risks, a study claims.
Molecular Motors May Speed Nutrient Processing - Science Daily Intestinal microvilli, finger-like protrusions on the cell surface, are packed with the motor protein myosin-1a. This myosin was thought to serve a purely structural role, but now Vanderbilt cell…
China scientists shed new light on male infertility - Reuters Scientists in Hong Kong and China have identified for the first time a protein in sperm from humans and from mice that could be responsible for many unexplained cases of male infertility.
The Center for Studies in Physics and Biology and Laboratory of Microbiology at Cornell in Ithaca is doing something revolutionary. They’ve tracked the evolution of a Staphylococcus aureus bacterial infection by periodically isolating it from the subjects body and fully sequencing its genome as they administer antibiotic treatment. They found 35 mutations as the bacteria’s resistance rose throughout the experiment.
From the abstract of the paper published in Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences:
The spread of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains in the clinical environment has begun to pose serious limits to treatment options. Yet virtually nothing is known about how resistance traits are acquired in vivo. Here, we apply the power of whole-genome sequencing to identify steps in the evolution of multidrug resistance in isogenic S. aureus isolates recovered periodically from the bloodstream of a patient undergoing chemotherapy with vancomycin and other antibiotics. After extensive therapy, the bacterium developed resistance, and treatment failed.
I’m always eager to know more about my environment and how it’s affecting my body. Dealing with health is usually a micro-environmental sort of topic, but sometimes it pays to see the big-picture. In any case, knowledge is never a bad thing: Here is a very cool, scale model of the universe from The Smoot Group. It’s in “4-D”. Meaning that time is a parameter you can “see”.
Professor George Smoot’s group conducts research on the early Universe (cosmology) using the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) and other astrophysical sources. These investigations are directed towards realizing a variety of science goals regarding cosmology.
Now, that guy that cut you off on the way in, this morning, doesn’t seem like such a big deal anymore, does he? Thinking about stuff like this actually helps melt my silly little problems away. Which is always a good thing, considering stress can kill you.
This thing is awful. You don’t think so? Now consider the fact that London taxpayers paid £400,000 for this Microsoft Paint-worthy junk. It looks like something that was on my “jams” in the late eighties. Those were uber-cool board shorts for the uninitiated or the too young to remember. Unfortunately they weren’t uber-cool enough to keep me from being one of the fat kids at the pool, but I digress…
The internet has labeled this design as everything from Lisa Simpson in a rather, uh, compromising position, to crappy graffiti, to something that would be more at home in a Bayside “Zach for Class President” campaign. I tend to agree with all of the above.
OMG! It’s so good… when it touches my lips!11!!11!!1
Seriously, folks. Blue Bunny Root Beer Float bars rock my socks. I consider my self a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to root beer. (A&W, please, and thank-you.) So, my endorsement of these is something special. They’re cold, root beer-y, ice-creamy and they’re only 80 calories. What’s not to love?
(No I don’t own any Blue Bunny stock, nor I am being paid to gush about this product. In fact, no one will pay me to gush about they’re products, despite my best efforts. (*sad face* (Look ma, nested parentheticals!)))
Anyway, they’re good. Summertime is quickly approaching, go get some cool heaven on a stick.
Breast Cancer Awareness month is coming up soon (beginning October 1) and to celebrate, our fabulous sister blog, Pink Ribbon Review, is giving away a prize a day! There are some amazing things donated by some amazing companies, who will also support the cause with a percentage of sales donated to Breast Cancer Awareness. Outstanding.
Be sure to subscribe to Pink Ribbon Review so you don’t miss a single day of give-aways.
Tell your friends. Spread the word, spread the awareness.
For a current list of items to be given away, check here.
Breast Cancer Awareness month is coming up soon (beginning October 1) and to celebrate, our fabulous sister blog, Pink Ribbon Review, is giving away a prize a day! There are some amazing things donated by some amazing companies, who will also support the cause with a percentage of sales donated to Breast Cancer Awareness. Outstanding.
Be sure to subscribe to Pink Ribbon Review so you don’t miss a single day of give-aways.
Tell your friends. Spread the word, spread the awareness.
For a current list of items to be given away, check here.
How many chemicals do you think are in your body and do you really want to know?
I’m not sure I’d want to know. Sometimes I feel that ignorance is bliss.
Nena Baker obviously doesn’t live by this philosophy. She got her blood tested and found out she’s positive for more than three dozen substances—including DDT which was supposedly banned over 35 years ago.
Nena wrote about why she got herself tested and what she did with this information in her book “The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-Being.” I haven’t had a chance to read her book, but apparently it’s an eye opening account of why we need to question the safety of everything we use to store food in, drink from, walk on, wear, drive, and breathe.
Have a listen to what Nina has to say at this Authors@Google talk. It’s quite interesting scary…
How many chemicals do you think are in your body and do you really want to know?
I’m not sure I’d want to know. Sometimes I feel that ignorance is bliss.
Nena Baker obviously doesn’t live by this philosophy. She got her blood tested and found out she’s positive for more than three dozen substances—including DDT which was supposedly banned over 35 years ago.
Nena wrote about why she got herself tested and what she did with this information in her book “The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-Being.” I haven’t had a chance to read her book, but apparently it’s an eye opening account of why we need to question the safety of everything we use to store food in, drink from, walk on, wear, drive, and breathe.
Have a listen to what Nina has to say at this Authors@Google talk. It’s quite interesting scary…
Illusionist David Blaine has been hanging around, upside down for the past couple of days. You can find him at the swinging in the breeze above the Wollmann ice rink in Central Park, New York.
Its a stunt that requires a great deal of endurance, focus, and might I add, stupidity.
Medical, hanging up side down for long periods of time is simply not a good idea. It can mess with the heart and cause the blood pressure to rise. There’s increased risk of brain haemorrhage, seizures, and blindness because of all the blood pooling in the brain and skull. It can also cause breathing problems - with the diaphragm upside down, the intestines will be exerting pressure on the lungs, making breathing more difficult. And of course, there’s less blood, and therefore oxygen, going to the legs, which could possibly cause muscle tissue to die off.
All in all, doesn’t seem like a smart move. Even Blaine’s own physican, when told about the stunt, said ‘”It scared the crap out of me.”
So, really, I really have to ask ‘why would someone put themselves through this?’
Illusionist David Blaine has been hanging around, upside down for the past couple of days. You can find him at the swinging in the breeze above the Wollmann ice rink in Central Park, New York.
Its a stunt that requires a great deal of endurance, focus, and might I add, stupidity.
Medical, hanging up side down for long periods of time is simply not a good idea. It can mess with the heart and cause the blood pressure to rise. There’s increased risk of brain haemorrhage, seizures, and blindness because of all the blood pooling in the brain and skull. It can also cause breathing problems - with the diaphragm upside down, the intestines will be exerting pressure on the lungs, making breathing more difficult. And of course, there’s less blood, and therefore oxygen, going to the legs, which could possibly cause muscle tissue to die off.
All in all, doesn’t seem like a smart move. Even Blaine’s own physican, when told about the stunt, said ‘”It scared the crap out of me.”
So, really, I really have to ask ‘why would someone put themselves through this?’
September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recover Month and in recognition of this, the bloggers at b5Media’s Health and Wellness Channel have put together their interpretation of the 12 Steps, looking at each step not just from it’s orginal intent but also in relation to their own blog topic. The result is an interesting and informative group of posting that provides ‘food for thought’ in own lives.
We’ve all heard of the 12 Step Program, but most of us won’t be able to recite what each step was. That’s because we are lucky enough not to need to. But for thousands of people around the world, the 12 steps is their world.
Mark over at A Dozen Steps lists the 12 Steps that he believes are designed to bring the person who practices them to a spiritual awakening and a psychic change sufficient enough to bring about a radical change in thinking.
Angelique from Breaking the Mirror starts off with Step 1 and finds that this step could just as easily apply to many addictions and disorders.
Alicia from Mental Health Notes addresses Step 2, asking Can A Power Greater Than Yourself Restore You To Sanity’?
Karen from Pink Ribbon Review looks at Step 3 as it relates to her and her life as a breast cancer survivor.
Kelly from Grounded Fitness tackles Step 4, saying she believes everyone can benefit from doing a little honest soul searching.
Kendra from A Hearty Life dicusses Step 5, saying we need to stop hiding behind our own excuses, problems and shortcomings and take responsibility for our own actions.
Grace from Kids Health Notes contemplates Step 6, saying that while “defect of character” seems little to do with nurturing healthy children, in reality our weaknesses have a lot to do with keeping our children healthy and productive.
At Diabetes Notes, Kendra moves on to Step 7, saying humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.
Breaking the Mirror, looks at Step 8, saying if she was to make a list, she would probably start with herself, to be perfectly honest. Then, she’d move on to her immediate family, and from there, branch out to friends.
Alicia from Mental Health Notes further explores the twelve steps, this time looking at Step 9, asking ‘Should You Make Amends With Those You’ve Wronged?
Kristina from AutismVox focuses on Step 10, find that the call to self-scrutiny and to reexamination of oneself has always been important to her as an aid in figuring out how to help her son Charlie who is autistic.
Grace from Kids Health Notes looks into Step 11, saying she believes words can either bring life or death, curse or blessing, and that when we speak, or pray, specific words then something tangible takes place: Hope.
And for Step 12, the final step, Breaking the Mirror addresses ways that anyone can carry the message about their addiction or illness.
September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recover Month and in recognition of this, the bloggers at b5Media’s Health and Wellness Channel have put together their interpretation of the 12 Steps, looking at each step not just from it’s orginal intent but also in relation to their own blog topic. The result is an interesting and informative group of posting that provides ‘food for thought’ in own lives.
We’ve all heard of the 12 Step Program, but most of us won’t be able to recite what each step was. That’s because we are lucky enough not to need to. But for thousands of people around the world, the 12 steps is their world.
Mark over at A Dozen Steps lists the 12 Steps that he believes are designed to bring the person who practices them to a spiritual awakening and a psychic change sufficient enough to bring about a radical change in thinking.
Angelique from Breaking the Mirror starts off with Step 1 and finds that this step could just as easily apply to many addictions and disorders.
Alicia from Mental Health Notes addresses Step 2, asking Can A Power Greater Than Yourself Restore You To Sanity’?
Karen from Pink Ribbon Review looks at Step 3 as it relates to her and her life as a breast cancer survivor.
Kelly from Grounded Fitness tackles Step 4, saying she believes everyone can benefit from doing a little honest soul searching.
Kendra from A Hearty Life dicusses Step 5, saying we need to stop hiding behind our own excuses, problems and shortcomings and take responsibility for our own actions.
Grace from Kids Health Notes contemplates Step 6, saying that while “defect of character” seems little to do with nurturing healthy children, in reality our weaknesses have a lot to do with keeping our children healthy and productive.
At Diabetes Notes, Kendra moves on to Step 7, saying humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.
Breaking the Mirror, looks at Step 8, saying if she was to make a list, she would probably start with herself, to be perfectly honest. Then, she’d move on to her immediate family, and from there, branch out to friends.
Alicia from Mental Health Notes further explores the twelve steps, this time looking at Step 9, asking ‘Should You Make Amends With Those You’ve Wronged?
Kristina from AutismVox focuses on Step 10, find that the call to self-scrutiny and to reexamination of oneself has always been important to her as an aid in figuring out how to help her son Charlie who is autistic.
Grace from Kids Health Notes looks into Step 11, saying she believes words can either bring life or death, curse or blessing, and that when we speak, or pray, specific words then something tangible takes place: Hope.
And for Step 12, the final step, Breaking the Mirror addresses ways that anyone can carry the message about their addiction or illness.
So you enjoy the occasional cigar, do you? Well, if you’re in the camp that believes cigarette smoking is a no-no, but the occasional cigar is no biggie, think again. A recent article in Men’s Health lists the following as possible side effects to cigar smoking:
* Frequent daily cigar smoking may double a man’s risk of throat, laryngeal, nose, esophageal and lung cancers, compared with those who don’t smoke.
* Even a few puffs can raise your heart rate and blood pressure.
* You are also at risk of exacerbating existing breathing problems like asthma.
* And perhaps the scariest side effect of all? You may suffer weaker erections due to all the nicotine found in a cigar!
Not saying you should never enjoy a vice here or there, just reporting the information to help you make those informed decisions. We love looking out for you, don’tcha know?
So you enjoy the occasional cigar, do you? Well, if you’re in the camp that believes cigarette smoking is a no-no, but the occasional cigar is no biggie, think again. A recent article in Men’s Health lists the following as possible side effects to cigar smoking:
* Frequent daily cigar smoking may double a man’s risk of throat, laryngeal, nose, esophageal and lung cancers, compared with those who don’t smoke.
* Even a few puffs can raise your heart rate and blood pressure.
* You are also at risk of exacerbating existing breathing problems like asthma.
* And perhaps the scariest side effect of all? You may suffer weaker erections due to all the nicotine found in a cigar!
Not saying you should never enjoy a vice here or there, just reporting the information to help you make those informed decisions. We love looking out for you, don’tcha know?
