Human fat yields multipurpose stem cells

A new study by Stanford University School of Medicine has found that you can make stem cells from fat cells sucked out during liposuction. This is a huge breakthrough which could help create cures for many diseases. Stem cells used to be made by skin cells which took seven to eight weeks, but now the new fat cells can be turned into stem cells in about one or two weeks. The average amount of fat removed during liposuction is about six times more than the amount needed to create stem cells. This means the availability of the cells will be higher and more scientists will have access to them which means more research. Some uses for stem cells: muscle tissue repair, artificial organs, and cures for diseases.

One of the things I was most interested in was the ability to make artificial organs. I have a few family members who have passed away from failed organs and/or currently have organ problems. If somehow they do find a way to create those artificial organs, it would change many peoples lives for the better, giving them a second chance.

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/04/stem.cells.liposuction.fat/index.html?iref=newssearch

Japanese Mothers Paid To Have Kids?

Source:
CNN

Japan has one of the worlds lowest birth rates. In fact the majority of the population is over fifty years old. They wish to lower the number from sixty-five to forty by 2050 but that's a long way away and the lack of young children and teenagers is a huge strain on their economy.

Don't worry! The Democratic Party of Japan is coming to the rescue! They're offering to pay Japanese families to have another child! A set amount every year until the child reaches High School. Some people are thrilled with the idea while others aren't quite as thrilled. A mother mentioned in the CNN article says it would help very much with a second child while an economist claims it doesn't help the problem.

What is the problem? Economist Yuri Okina believes it is the lack of day care centers. It's practically impossible for a mother to go to work and raise her kids due to the lack of day care. She wants to make it a normal thing for a woman to have a career and children in Japan. She isn't alone in her beliefs. Other critics have claimed this plan doesn't fix the day care issue as well.

It's up to the Japanese government to decide whether it would be more wise to throw money at indecisive parents or if it would be wise to open more day care. As of now, they're handing out money.

New Rat Species Discovered

One of the largest rats to ever be discovered was just discovered in Papua, New Guinea. It weighed about 3.3 lbs and was 32.3 inches long. It was found inside the extinct volcano Mount Bosavi in Southern Highlands province of Papua, New Guinea. Even though this new species is the largest rat ever to be discovered they aren't the largest rodent. Sadly the habitat where these extremely large rats were discovered are found to be very endangered.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/07/giant.rat.papua/index.html

This is a grand new discovery. I just hope that they won't be used and abused for human pleasures and hopefully environmentalist will do something to help their endangerd habitat.

2 China Wal-Mart workers arrested after death

In Beijing two employees of a Wal-Mart store in eastern China were arrested after a woman was beaten to death outside the store on suspicion that she was shop lifting. The 37-year old woman was going home Aug. 30 when she was surrounded by five Wal-Mart employees, four men and one woman, all in their twenties who accused her of shoplifting. One of the men requested a receipt. But after the woman handed it over, she took it back, saying no one was wearing a Wal-Mart uniform and she didn't believe they worked there. That’s when the Wal-Mart employees fought her to the ground and she was taken to a hospital where she died a couple days later.

The police statement said that two employees were detained but. It did not give details about the other three. Wal-Mart is cooperating with authorities and extends its condolences to the woman's family.(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090908/ap_on_bi_ge/as_china_wal_mart)

I can’t believe that this happened at a Wal-Mart. I know this is in China but I’m pretty sure that all the stores no matter where their located go by the same rules procedures and in those procedures you cannot put your hands on anybody stealing or not. In this incident she was not even stealing. If this happened here in the states the family would get way more than just condolences they would be getting paid and they would have everybody evolved charged with murder.

Emil Gilbert

Jimena weakens to a tropical depression

Hurricane Jimena hit Mexico's Baja California peninsula that flooded the area and took a man's life. After passing through Mexico, Jimena's winds lowered to 35 mph and it's status dropped to a tropical depression.

When hurricane Jimena was heading towards Mexico at a category 4 with 150 mph winds, tourists left and local residents had to seek shelter. Jimena was heading towards Los Cabos, "multimillion dollar resorts, " but it seemed to miss it and hit smaller towns instead. Jimena destroyed 4,000 of the resident's homes and according to forecasters, flash floods and waves were heading that way too.

Some residents on the Island refused to leave their belongings because they feared that someone would come by and steal it. So a lot of residents were evacuated, but some stayed home with their stuff.

The only good thing that came out of the storm was rain that they needed because they have gone with no rain for a while.

http://www.msnbc.com/id/32687274/ns/weather/

It is sad that the Islands are more at risk for hurricanes and tropical storms than any other country. When we went through Hurricane Charley, I remember going without electric for over a week and witnessing the storm tearing through the city like nothing. Pool cages, trampolines, and tree branches were some of the things that I witnessed blowing down the street during that time. Only a couple stores were open if they had a generator to run it, and there was barely any gas to go around, along with food and supplies. It was just a terrible time that I don't ever want to relive and would never wish that anyone to go through that.

Korea's won't stop Nuclear program

Korea is developing Nuclear weapons which are in the final stage of enrichment. They are using the most deadly elements in their program, Uranium and Plutonium. Uranium can be used in weapons and Plutonium can be used in atomic bombs. The Security Council tried to come to a resolution with Korea to prevent them from continuing the program and Korea rejected it. Within the next few days, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States will be discussing about the nuclear program.

If you ask me what the point is for nuclear missiles; I'd say there is no point. Why did anyone even invent them All they do is create an inhabitable space on land when they are detonated. They fill the land with highly toxic radiation which can kill people very quickly. I think that a country should know that if they used one that maybe their opponent would use one back on them and just create this nasty black hole in their country where nothing could live.

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/03/nkorea.nuclear/index.html

Gunmen kill 17 people at a drug rehab in Mexico

The drug wars in Mexico continue with the killings of 17 people in a rehab center. In Ciudad Juarez, Mexico the gunmen broke into a drug rehabilitation center and started to line people against a wall. They shot 17 dead and injured 5 in one of Mexico’s bloodiest day yet. This attack followed the killing of the No. 2 security official in President Felipe Calderon's home state.

Dozens of sobbing relatives rushed to the rehabilitation center to find out if their loved ones were among the dead there were soldiers and federal agents that patrolled the streets surrounding the center in the Bellavista neighborhood. Calderon, sent thousands of more troops and federal police to Ciudad Juarez earlier this year, but the surge has done little to stem the raging violence. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090903/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_drug_war_mexico)

Since 2006 when Calderon was elected drug gang violence has surged, claiming more than 13,500 lives, including more than 1,000 police officers. With the death toll being so high I don’t know why their government hasn’t been able to take control. I don’t think we would ever have a problem like this in the U.S. there is no way are government would even let it get that bad. We wouldn’t be able to leave the house if this was the case.
Emil Gilbert

No More Cords. ... Ever.

Source:
CNN

What I mean to say by the title of this post isn't that we are 100% free of cords. What I mean to say is that we're heading towards a cordless future. A reality in which we don't need any cords at all. Ever.

Impossible you say? WiTricity disagrees with all sense of their being. How can I tell? Who else has wireless electricity? Soon you won't need a cord to charge your laptop or cell phone. You won't have to plug in your TV or computer to an outlet. Even electricity can be made wireless. The technology is not yet commercially available but the CEO of WiTricity believes it will be soon. This kind of revolution could change the way we use electronics in general. Electric cars for example. The article makes a point of just driving into a garage fitted with a charge pad and it would charge then and there.

We already have smaller versions of these devices. There are pads you can set your cell phone and game system on that will charge them without wires but what they're looking towards goes beyond that. It's one thing to imagine your house attached to an electric wire with electric pads within to send the power throughout your house... it's another to imagine no more electrical wiring strung up around the city. Sending the power large distances wirelessly is the overall goal... but is it safe? There are indeed health concerns and I don't know about you, but constantly being exposed to the magnetic equivalent of electricity doesn't spark me as a good thing.

As I said before, this could be revolutionary. This could change EVERYTHING. Freedom from restraint of the cords that "bind us". I'm very... what's the term... techy? I have a lot of electronics and they're stuck in certain places due to cords. Elimination of cords would allow me to better set up my entertainment center. To better set up my computer. To overall do everything better than I did before. Eliminate the safety concerns and I'd be all for this idea. It would lead us to a future with no more cords. ... ever.

'Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Bill churns in Atlantic

Hurricane Bill was said to be "extremely dangerous" at a Category 4, heading towards Bermuda, Wednesday. Forecasters warned that people should take all precautions necessary to be ready just in case the hurricane hit the Islands in the Caribbean Sea.

Hurricane Bill's winds were reported at "up to 85 miles of Hurricane force winds from the eye, and tropical storm-force winds up to 230 miles out." It was moving NW, "passing between the U.S. coast and Bermuda" but it was to early to say where it was going to land.

Hurricane Bill could make some serious rip tides and swells close to the U.S. coastline. Also some flooding could occur while Bill is making it's move towards land.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/weather/08/19/hurricane.bill/index.html?iref=mpstory...

It is getting into hurricane season again and I am hoping we do not get hit because I don't know how we would recover from it. The economy is so bad right now that if we were to get hit by a hurricane, like Hurricane Charlie years ago, we would not recover as fast as we did then.

Four U.S. Troops charged with soldier cruelty

A 19 year old soldier named Keiffer P. Wilhelm, shot himself inside a portable toilet a few days after arriving in Iraq. He was harrassed because he was over weight and the Sgt.'s were extremely hard on him. He stopped going around crowded areas to prevent further harrassment.

The four guys, "Sgt. Enoch Chatman, Staff Sgt. Bob Clements, Sgt. Jarrett Taylor, and Spc. Daniel Weber were all of B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 13th Calvary Regiment from Fort Bliss, Texas."They were picking on keiffer every day because he was over weight. They were also accused of picking on other soldiers as well. They are being charged with false statements, cruelty and mistreatment and reckless endangerment. If they are found guilty of the charges against them, they are all facing a good amount of time in prison.

http://www.msnbc.com/id/32509172/ns/us-news-military/

I think these soldiers deserve what they being charged with. It is not right to treat anyone in a terrible way at all. People should treat everyone how they want to be treated.

Africa's Growing Obesity Problem

Hearing about problems if starvation and malnutrition many won't believe now Africa is facing problems of obesity. 64% of blacks and 50% of whites in South Africa are either obese or overweight . Many feel like being obese or overweight is a good thing. It's their way to prove they aren't infected with HIV/AIDS, a huge epidemic in Africa. Being obese is easy in cities with jobs requiring less energy and has a large supply of foods and cheap meat loaded with trans fat.
Sadly even with starvation in some areas of Africa, South Africa is facing a crisis of obesity.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/212556
Africa is facing two very crises starvation on one hand and obesity on the other. I think they need help finding a balance. Even though unfortunately the areas starving aren't starving by choice. But the obesity problem could be managed they need to learn that even though you may prove you don't have AIDS your causing many more serious health complications , such as high blood pressure diabetes and many other things associated with being overweight.

Leaders mark 70th anniversary of World War II

Almost 20 world leaders gathered Tuesday in Poland to commemorate the start of World War II. 70 years ago today in a battle which 6 million Polish people died. The attack of the battleship Schleswig-Holstein set off a chain of events.The Russians took half of Poland in this war.Leaders from many nations were in Gdansk for a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cemetery of Defenders, where speeches took place in front of the Westerplatte memorial. Although this war was many years ago, their are still people suffering, and they feel it's unfair to them. The war is over, and all the pain and suffering should be over with. Most countries have overcome these types of controversies, when will this country be done with theirs??? It's a new day, age and time, so lets get the problems resolved.

Mexico tries to evacuate thousands ahead of Jimena

In Los Cabos, Mexico emergency workers were trying their best to get residents to evacuate the are, due to the incoming hurricane Jimena. Jimena was forecast ed to be a category five hurricane by the time it makes landfall late Tuesday night. Police, firefighters, and navy personnel are in the little towns trying to get residents who lived in little shacks to evacuate. But a lot of the people were scared there possessions would be stolen if they left, so most of them were skeptical. Even though the government warns who ever hadn't evacuated would be force to evacuate by the time the storm. Meetings have been moved, over 75 percent of the tourists have left, and the city's port has been shut, the remaining tourists are embracing the waves and such brought on by the hurricane. And just a little ways over in the pacific, Tropical storm Kevin is brewing.


http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090901/D9AEGSKG0.html

Germany arrests suspect in plot to attack U.S. targets

In Berlin, Germany, a German of Turkish origin known as Kadir T, was arrested under suspicion of helping terrorists that planned to attack the U.S troops in Germany. he was getting a video camera and night-vision equipment to ship to Wairistan in Pakistan for the terrorist group.

A terrorist group named the Islamic Jihad Union Group trained four men that are on trial in Germany for planning attacks against U.S. installations. These four men, Fritz Gelowicz, Martin Schneider, Adem Yilmaz and Attila Selek are known as the "Sauerland Group." Three of the men mixed together explosive combinations that would have caused a massive explosion in September 2007, but were arrested before anything could happen. The charges they are facing are "membership in foreign and domestic terrorist groups, preparation of explosives, plotting to murder and plotting to commit a crime using explosives," the court said.

The group killed about 47 people when they set off a bunch of suicide bombs in April 2004, but up until that time they were not known, "according to the Memorial Institute for the prevention of Terrorism. The nonprofit organization is funded by the Department of Homeland Security.

"http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/08/28/germany.terror.arrests/index.html

Dutch court halts girl's solo sailing plans

A Dutch court intervened Friday to stop a 13-year-old girl from attempting to sail around the world by herself, stripping her parents of sole custody. The 13 year old girl Laura Dekker's parents support her with her decision to sail around the world by herself that’s when it started to catch the concerns of child protection officials that took her to court to prevent the trip all by herself.
The courts ruled that the Child Protection Board will share custody over Laura with her parents for two months. During those two months, a child psychologist will assess the girl’s mental state and ability to carry out a solo trip around the world. The Child Protection Board said they took on the action to stop the teen from attempting to become the youngest person to circle the globe because they believe the voyage would be too dangerous.The parents of Laura Dekker where happy with the decision of the courts saying that she still has the chance to be the youngest girl to sail around the world.(http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/08/28/dutch.teen.sailor.court/index.html)
I think it was good that the court steeped in. I wouldn’t send my kid around the world all alone. Sailing for a year at sea anything could happen. There was just a 17 year old boy in London that just finished sailing around the world being the youngest one to do so but he had boats that traveled along with his the whole time just in case something happened. Maybe she should go with that option.
Emil Gilbert

A New Form Of Wheelchair?

Source:
Breitbart

Medical and Robotics experts in Japan have recently revealed a new style of wheelchair... one you sit in like a motorcycle rather than a chair. The design was worked on so it would require less assistance for those physically disabled to enter and exit the "chair" and to offer better manueverability. It isn't for sale now, except to private companies, but is this the wheelchair of the future?

A better wheelchair can mean a lot for those disabled. Anyone you know who has trouble walking my benefit from this new design. Let's hope it passes all the safety tests and is released if it really is better than what we have now.

China moves to cut use of executed inmates' organs

China is trying a new organ donation system to try and reduce it's need of body parts from executed prisoners. In the past they relied greatly on the executed prisoners because people don't volunteer to be donors; they are cultural bias against organs removed before burial. Their old system is always being criticized for being for profit and unethical. Critics say death row inmates personal religious and cultural beliefs are being violated. Also death row inmates may feel pressured to become donors.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article/6810287.ece
I understand why China were using the organs, because the great demand for them. But that also doesn't make it right. It is violating their right if they don't want to be an organ donor, even in death. Its a good idea for them to try and come up with a new system.

In an instant, waves go from majestic to monstrous

People watched as waves smashed into the rocky shore, and then a massive wave struck viciously, knocking three people into the ocean. A spectator named Mary Ellen Martel watched as bodies floated in the waters. Because Hurricane Bill was sending massive waves towards the coast, a tourist spot called the "Thunder Hole" in New England was closed for the safety of the ocean viewers. Even that didn't make the area safe. There's a rock cliff about 20 feet high which a wave came over and drenched the ground beneath the people standing there; everyone's feet were completely soaked.

I have relatives that have been to New England in that exact spot. I'm sure it was a great place to go sightseeing, but possibly also dangerous. Since I am a Florida resident and I used to live right on the water, I know about safety precautions which could make things a little more on the safe side. I probably wouldn't have gone near the water if I knew the waves were abnormally large, unless I really had to.

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/weather/08/25/maine.wave.death/index.html

Afghani woman where plummeted by stones and spit on as they protested to a new bill being passed into law. The woman where defending their rights a few days before the election saying that the bill is just being passed to gain votes by the Shiite.
The new law being passed will make Afghan wives virtual slaves and make it o.k. to rape them letting the men starve their wives if they refuse sex. One article in the law stipulates that the wife "is bound to preen for her husband as and when he desires. As long as the husband is not traveling, he has the right to have sexual intercourse with his wife every fourth night."
This is just one out of many that have caught the attention of human rights activist they even have a law saying that a woman cannot leave her home unless she is accompanied by a man which is one of the favorites among the Shiite community.
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30014515/)
Thank god this doesn’t go on in the U.S with all we accomplished we have woman doctors, astronauts, teachers, police officers, government officials and so much more. It amazes me how far behind we would be as a nation if we didn’t have this or value their opinions

Emil Gilbert

East Africa Finally Obtains Faster Internet

Source:
GlobalPost
-----------
Fiber-Optic lines are arriving in Tanzania in a $650 million dollar project by Seacom to bring East Africa access to broadband. Giving another opportunity than satellite internet in the area may boost education and health care. It also may open up job opportunities that did not exist with the painfully slow internet that plagues Tanzania. It may become like Singapore and India as another outsourcing hub. However, all computer parts are imported and often too expensive. They need locally made computers to take this new opportunity to its fullest potential.

Outsourcing has lost Americans jobs in some tech industries. Companies that outsource do it because of the cheaper cost. Potentially this could effect some people in the IT industry, but hopefully not too many. As someone going into the IT industry, I would not like to lose a job because it's cheaper to outsource. Even so, I wish them nothing but luck in setting up this faster line.

Hellish scenes as six bombs blast rip through Baghdad

On Wed. August 19 Baghdad suffered from a multiple of bombings 95 were killed and 536 were wounded. They have claimed that this is Iraq bloodiest day this year. The bombings stuck near government ministries and other targets near the heart of Iraq. They say the attacks are acts of terrorist but will not change there efforts in making Iraq a peaceful and prosperous society. Two suspects have been arrested and are believed to be al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. The U.S. pulled all combat troops from the Iraqi cities on June 30 and left the security in their hands Iraqi hands. Since then Iraqis have been ordered to move the concrete blast walls the bordered the house and buildings in Baghdad. There has been major incidents of violence in the past couple years in Iraq. Just in 2009 there has been 6 incidents and that's not including this one that just happened.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/08/19/iraq.violence/index.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1207610/Hellish-scenes-bomb-blasts-rip-Baghdad-leaving-95-dead-536-wounded.html

Zimbabweans Trials and Tribulations

Although at the moment Zimbabwe isn't facing wars and attacks, they are facing situations much more serious; such as food shortages and fatal disease. Right now five million Zimbabweans face starvation. And humanitarians fear an epidemic of cholera, a disease that booms in areas without clean water and proper sanitation. United Nations say more than half of the population have limited access or no access to clean water. And to make things worse doctors are on strike requesting a $1000 monthly salary as well as housing and car allowances. Zimbabweans situation worsened last year after an economical collapse. But United Nations are trying to fix their situation, but sadly have only raised 44% of the needed funds.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/08/19/zimbabwe.humanitarian.day/index.html

This story is really sad and touching. I believe that more can be done to help them. Americans have been over in the middle east for nearly a decade now. Why isn't that much dedication being put forth to help starving and dying families?

Afghanistan hit by attacks 2 days before election

10 people died in Afghanistan a few days before the inauguration. Many believe it was the Taliban's efforts to disrupt the election. The president Harmid Karzai was not injured in these event. According to the United Nations, two of its Afghan members were killed because of these violent actions. Other attacks include a suicide bombing in Afghan National Army checkpoint, rockets were launched at the presidential palace, a suicide car bombing in Kabul, and there have been other attacks which may have not been reported as of yet.

I have a friend in the Army and a few more in the Navy, all of which are stationed near Afghanistan. I'm not a big fan of the war, but I feel that sending in troops to protect a U.S. ally and help him become president, may help the governmental and economical issues over there. It's either that or let the Taliban control and have them be a threat our nation's security. I also believe there's a certain point which should not be crossed; more tactics and less people in the battle zone may have dramatically reduced casualties. Obama believes his strategy will win the war; let’s just all hope it goes down as planned.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/world/asia/19afghan.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Mexican Army takes over Border Patrol

Mexico trying to crack down on it's borders. Mexico is in the midst of a raging war on organized crime.Drugs leaving the country and U.S. guns and ammo into the country.Army took over the border after many Custom agents were linked to contraband operations

.http://www.news-press.com/article/20090817/COLUMNISTS50/90816018/1002/NEWS01

China is asking for assitance to clean up the damage of Typhoon Morakat

Since Typhoon Morakat hit Taiwan a little over two weeks ago, China has been reaching their hand out for help. They are trying to get other countries to send them large machinery, and large helicopters, or cargo planes. All this in order to continue search and rescue efforts to find survivors. 108 deaths were confirmed, and an additional 4,000 troops were sent to help in rescue efforts. Over 14,00 people were air evacuated. Typhoon Morakat was said to had caused the cost flooding to China in the past 50 years. they received over 80 inches of rain. The typhoon also damaged the mainland of China. It will take an estimated $225 million dollars to fix the damage from the Storm. Being that the U.S would be the nation that would have all these items, China is really looking for the U. S to send aid to help with rescue efforts.

http:/news.bbc.co.uk/hi/asia-pacific/8198817.stm

Windows 7 is better than Vista

For all of those who have struggled with Windows Vista, set your mind on Windows 7. Even in its test form, Windows 7 has defeated Windows Vista in many benchmarks and in daily tasks. Although the look and feel maybe similar to Vista, the mechanics, stability, and ability to correctly use drivers will be far superior.

Many people have tested the beta version and were startled when they believed they saw a mere clone of Windows Vista. They were surprised when they discovered that Windows 7 wasn't just great with Benchmarks, it excelled in everyday tasks and situations.

According to an article from ZD Net, Install time was decreased dramatically as well as startup, shutdown, restart and updating using Windows Update. The taskbar has been improved and they added a feature that allows you to snap windows which makes viewing content in separate windows much easier. One of the better enhancements was the way Windows 7 utilizes resources. It is much more resource friendly! I am a Windows Vista user and I can tell you, my machine has 4 gigs of RAM and Vista manages to use almost half of that when it's just idling.

I believe Windows 7 will be a huge advancement to the technological industry, and I am definitely going to be purchasing it when it releases on October 22, 2009. Windows 7 brings many enhancements and upgrades which most are left unveiled. Keep in mind this new version is still under development. Many enhancements or changes can still be made at this point.

Click the link below to take the Microsoft Windows 7 tour.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/tour.aspx

Performance review: http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=3236

Sources:
http://gizmodo.com/5233098/windows-7-release-candidate-1-vs-vista-first-benchmarks
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10080417-56.html
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/review.asp
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/23/cnet.microsoft.windows/index.html?iref=newssearch