Lethal stings from the Australian box jellyfish could be treated with zinc

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Box jellyfish of the Chironex species are among the most venomous animals in the world, capable of killing humans with their sting. Their venom, though, which kills by rapidly punching holes in human red blood cells, can be slowed down by administering zinc, according to research published December 12 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Angel Yanagihara from the University of Hawaii and colleagues.

The researchers developed ways to extract venom from the jellyfish, and tested it on human blood and on mice. They found that the venom created pores in human red blood cells, making them leak large amounts of potassium, which causes cardiac arrest and death.

As Yanagihara elaborates, "For over 60 years researchers have sought to understand the horrifying speed and potency of the venom of the Australian box jellyfish, arguably the most venomous animal in the world. We have found that a previously disregarded hemolysin can cause an avalanche of reactions in cells. This includes an almost instantaneous, massive release of potassium that can cause acute cardiovascular collapse and death."

The authors treated the cells with a zinc compound which inhibits this process, and found that the treatment could slow the pore-forming process in cells, and increased survival times in the mice treated with the compound, zinc gluconate. The research suggests that the venom's capacity to increase potassium levels is what makes it so dangerous, and that rapid administration of zinc may be a potential life-saver in human sting victims.

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Yanagihara AA, Shohet RV (2012) Cubozoan Venom-Induced Cardiovascular Collapse Is Caused by Hyperkalemia and Prevented by Zinc Gluconate in Mice. PLoS ONE 7(12): e51368. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051368

Public Library of Science: http://www.plos.org

Thanks to Public Library of Science for this article.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/125911/Lethal_stings_from_the_Australian_box_jellyfish_could_be_treated_with_zinc

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'video games' essay - ielts-simon.com

Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

Many people, and children in particular, enjoy playing computer games. While I accept that these games can sometimes have a positive effect on the user, I believe that they are more likely to have a harmful impact.

On the one hand, video games can be both entertaining and educational. Users, or gamers, are transported into virtual worlds which are often more exciting and engaging than real-life pastimes. From an educational perspective, these games encourage imagination and creativity, as well as concentration, logical thinking and problem solving, all of which are useful skills outside the gaming context. Furthermore, it has been shown that computer simulation games can improve users? motor skills and help to prepare them for real-world tasks, such as flying a plane.

However, I would argue that these benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks. Gaming can be highly addictive because users are constantly given scores, new targets and frequent rewards to keep them playing. Many children now spend hours each day trying to progress through the levels of a game or to get a higher score than their friends. This type of addiction can have effects ranging from lack of sleep to problems at school, when homework is sacrificed for a few more hours on the computer or console. The rise in obesity in recent years has also been linked in part to the sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise that often accompany gaming addiction.

In conclusion, it seems to me that the potential dangers of video games are more significant than the possible benefits.

(258 words, band 9)

Source: http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2012/12/ielts-writing-task-2-video-games-essay.html

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Venezuela says Chavez in tough fight after surgery, warns he may miss swearing-in for new term

CARACAS, Venezuela - Somber confidants of President Hugo Chavez say he is going through a difficult recovery after cancer surgery in Cuba, and one close ally is warning Venezuelans that their leader may not make it back for his swearing-in next month.

Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said Wednesday night that Chavez was in "stable condition" and was with close relatives in Havana. Reading a statement, he said the government invites people to "accompany President Chavez in this new test with their prayers."

Villegas expressed hope about the president returning home for his Jan. 10 swearing-in for a new six-year term, but said in a written message on a government website that if Chavez doesn't make it, "our people should be prepared to understand it."

Villegas said it would be irresponsible to hide news about the "delicateness of the current moment and the days to come." He asked Venezuelans to see Chavez's condition as "when we have a sick father, in a delicate situation after four surgeries in a year and a half."

Moving to prepare the public for the possibility of more bad news, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro looked grim when he acknowledged that Chavez faced a "complex and hard" process after his latest surgery.

At the same time, officials sought to show a united front amid the growing worries about Chavez's health and Venezuela's future. Key leaders of Chavez's party and military officers appeared together on television as Maduro gave updates on Chavez's condition.

"We're more united than ever," said Maduro, who was flanked by National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello and Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez, both key members of Chavez's inner circle. "We're united in loyalty to Chavez."

Analysts say Maduro could eventually face challenges in trying to hold together the president's diverse "Chavismo" movement, which includes groups from radical leftists to moderates, as well as military factions.

Tapped by the 58-year-old president over the weekend as his chosen political heir, Maduro is considered to be a member of radical left wing of Chavez's movement that is closely aligned with Cuba's communist government.

Cabello, a former military officer who also wields power within Chavez's movement, shared the spotlight with Maduro by speaking at a Mass for Chavez's health at a military base.

Just returned from being with Chavez for the operation, Cabello called the president "invincible" but said "that man who is in Havana ... is fighting a battle for his life."

After Chavez's six-hour operation Tuesday, Venezuelan television broadcast religious services where people prayed for Chavez, interspersed with campaign rallies for upcoming gubernatorial elections.

On the streets of Caracas, people on both sides of the country's deep political divide voiced concerns about Chavez's condition and what might happen if he died.

At campaign rallies ahead of Sunday's gubernatorial elections, Chavez's candidates urged Venezuelans to vote for pro-government candidates while they also called for the president to get well.

"Onward, Commander!" gubernatorial candidate Elias Jaua shouted to a crowd of supporters at a rally Wednesday. Many observers said it was likely Chavez's candidates could get a boost from their supporters' outpouring of sympathy for Chavez.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who lost to Chavez in the October presidential election and is running against Jaua, complained Wednesday that Chavez's allies are taking advantage of the president's health problems to try to rally support. He took issue with Jaua's statement to supporters that "we have to vote so that the president recovers."

Maduro looked sad as he spoke on television, his voice hoarse and cracked at times after meeting in the pre-dawn hours with Cabello and Ramirez. The pair returned to Venezuela about 3 a.m. after accompanying Chavez to Cuba for his surgery.

"It was a complex, difficult, delicate operation," Maduro said. "The post-operative process is also going to be a complex and hard process."

Without giving details, Maduro reiterated Chavez's recent remarks that the surgery presented risks and that people should be prepared for any "difficult scenarios."

The constitution says presidents should be sworn in before the National Assembly, and if that's not possible then before the Supreme Court.

Former Supreme Court magistrate Roman Duque Corredor said a president cannot delegate the swearing-in to anyone else and cannot take the oath of office outside Venezuela. A president could still be sworn in even if temporarily incapacitated, but would need to be conscious and in Venezuela, Duque told The Associated Press.

If a president-elect is declared incapacitated by lawmakers and is unable to be sworn in, the National Assembly president would temporarily take charge of the government and a new presidential vote must be held within 30 days, Duque said.

Chavez said Saturday that if an election had to be held, Maduro should be elected president.

The dramatic events of this week, with Chavez suddenly taking a turn for the worse, had some Venezuelans wondering whether they were being told the truth because just a few months ago the president was running for his fourth presidential term and had said he was free of cancer.

Lawyer Maria Alicia Altuve, who was out in bustling crowds in a shopping district of downtown Caracas, said it seemed odd how Maduro wept at a political rally while talking about Chavez.

"He cries on television to set up a drama, so that people go vote for poor Chavez," Altuve said. "So we don't know if this illness is for that, or if it's that this man is truly sick."

Some Chavez supporters said they found it hard to think about losing the president and worried about the future. His admirers held prayer vigils in Caracas and other cities this week, holding pictures and singing hymns.

Chavez has undergone four cancer-related surgeries since June 2011. He has also undergone months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Throughout his treatments, Chavez has kept secret some details of his illness, including the exact location and type of the tumors.

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa wished his close ally the best, while also acknowledging the possibility that cancer might end his presidency. "Chavez is very important for Latin America, but if he can't continue at the head of Venezuela, the processes of change have to continue," Correa said at a news conference in Quito.

___

Associated Press writer Christopher Toothaker contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-says-chavez-tough-fight-surgery-warns-may-073016339.html

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Sir Ian McKellen Does Not Have Prostate Cancer, Says Rep ...

Christina's latest Voice look, Lindsay's possible jail time and Sir Ian McKellen's false alarm: See what Us Weekly's preferred partners are buzzing about in this Wednesday's roundup!

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake's October nuptials were the most searched wedding of 2012 -- according to Google, anyway (Just Jared)

Meanwhile, Whitney Houston was the most Googled phrase (Vulture)

Channel your inner Sasha Fierce with some helpful hints from Beyonce's makeup artist (ET Online)

Why Lindsay Lohan will probably avoid jail time -- again (The Stir)

Who doesn't love love? Check out the sweetest celeb PDA moments of the year! (PopSugar)

Sir Ian McKellen's rep says the actor's quotes were "taken out of context" and that he does NOT have prostate cancer (Zap2It)

From Miley Cyrus' punky cut to Kate Middleton's bangs, take a look back at the most buzzed-about hair transformations of the year (The Daily Beast)

The always over-the-top Christina Aguilera went with a rather interesting look for the Voice semifinals results show Tuesday (toofab)

Donald Trump is lobbying hard to get Anna Wintour a British or French ambassador gig (Fashionista)

Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/sir-ian-mckellen-does-not-have-prostate-cancer-says-rep-20121212

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It's 12/12/12: That's bad ? and good

A seemingly benign number that defines everything from a dozen eggs and the hours of day and night to the days of Christmas and the astrological signs, 12 may be in the spotlight today, 12/12/12.

This date structure, in which the same two-digit number gets repeated three times, won't happen again until 2112, according to the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP).

But does the triple dose of 12 hold any meaning? Depends on whom you ask, but in Hong Kong and Singapore, couples are crowding the aisles for a chance to tie the knot on a day they say symbolizes love, according to news outlets. Las Vegas is also abuzz with nuptials, according to CNN, which also reported an Indian numerologist saying today is a great day to start a new business venture. Making the rounds online, a boy who will turn 12 today at 12:12 p.m. in Bronxville, N.Y., suggests we're all a bit "number crazy."

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Doom isn't far behind the celebrations. While most believers in the Mayan apocalypse think the end of the world will come on Dec. 21, 2012, apparently some have interpreted the end of the Maya Long Count calendar differently, pinpointing Dec. 12, 2012, as a day of reckoning. (There is no evidence to suggest the Mayans predicted the end of their calendar to mean the end of the world.)

Turning doomsday on its head, the ASP has coined today "Anti-Doomsday."

"While many pundits and prognosticators lament the supposed end of the world on Dec. 21, 2012 (thanks to misinterpreting Mayan predictions), here at the ASP we encourage everyone to go in the opposite ? and accurate ? direction. Thus, we are declaring Dec. 12, 2012 as Anti-Doomsday Day in celebration of rational thinking and reasoned discourse," according to an ASP statement. [ End of the World? Top Doomsday Fears ]

And if one were to tie any significance to today, and numerology in general, the ASP reminds us of plenty of auspicious associations with the number 12: the months in a year on contemporary calendars; 12 traditional zodiac signs; 12 Olympic gods and goddesses in Greek mythology; and 12 bottles of wine in a case. In Christian belief, Jesus had 12 apostles.

Then there's Mars, which is 12 light-minutes from the sun, and Jupiter, which takes 12 years to orbit the sun, according to the ASP.

The most recent triple-digit setup like today's occurred on Nov. 11, 2011 ( 11/11/11 ), another day some associated with Mayan doom. That day most likely became linked with Dec. 21, 2012, when believers noticed that the U.S. Naval Observatory had set the exact time of the 2012 winter solstice ? when Earth's tilt is angled at its farthest from the sun ? for 11:11 Universal Time on Dec. 21, John Hoopes, a scholar of Maya history at the University of Kansas, told LiveScience last year. (The Observatory now lists the official time for the winter solstice at 11:12 Universal Time.)

While the meaning behind numbers, called numerology, has yet to be grounded in science, humanity seems hard-wired to find such numerical associations.

"Cognitive scientists have demonstrated that our brains are hard-wired to look for meaningful patterns in the sensory data it collects from the world," said Alan Lenzi, professor of religious studies at University of the Pacific. "Numbers that are already significant to us, such as calendar dates, that also coincidentally fall into an obvious pattern become doubly significant," Lenzi told LiveScience in 2011, speaking about 1/11/11.

Lenzi added, "Given the propensity for people to look for significance in particular days and times (e.g. the "end of the world"), patterns are easily imbued with imaginative meaning," Lenzi said.

And patterns tend to stick in our heads ? you're more likely to remember a birthday that's on 11/11, 12/12, or 10/10, than one on 12/5, for instance. The same would be the case for various times of the day. "People are more likely to remember 11:11 than they are, say, 4:29 or 6:53 or 3:17 or something like that," Hoopes said.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook? and Google+.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50175929/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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Chobani founder turns centuries old Greek yogurt into billion dollar craze

By Alissa Figueroa
Rock Center

One day in 2005 Hamdi Ulukaya, owner of a small feta cheese company in upstate New York, took a tour that would change his life. As he walked through the 100-year-old yogurt factory, a handful of employees were busying themselves with the work of shutting the factory down.

?On the way back, I called my attorney and I said, ?I just saw a plant and I think I want to buy it,?? explains Ulukaya, a 40-year-old immigrant who grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Turkey. ?He said, "You?re really, really crazy. That's not going to happen.?"

But Ulukaya saw something in the defunct factory that no one else did: an opportunity to bring the yogurt of his youth to the masses. So using loans of less than $1 million, some backed by the Small Business Administration, he bought the plant.

Ulukaya spent the next two years developing the recipe for Chobani yogurt.

NBC News

Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya and Rock Center's Harry Smith.

?That place became my home,? Ulukaya told Rock Center's Harry Smith in an interview airing Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10pm/9CT on Rock Center with Brian Williams. ?It was lonely days, difficult days, a lot of question marks, a lot of pressure to see if I would make it to the next day.?

No longer does Ulukaya have to worry if his company will make its next payroll.

WATCH: Chobani founder on billion dollar Greek yogurt business

Since launching in 2007, Chobani has grown into a $1 billion business, according to Ulukaya, with no signs of slowing down. He also did something arguably more impressive: he changed what Americans eat.

Before Chobani came along, Greek yogurt sales in America were nearly nonexistent. Now, more than a third of the yogurt we eat is Greek, and Chobani is the biggest seller.

Ulukaya's personal wealth is now valued at $1.1 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaire's Index.

Impact on the local community

The good fortune, though, is not only his. Chobani's rise has been a lifeline for one of the most economically depressed parts of the country: rural upstate New York. This area was struggling long before the recession hit, with tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs disappearing in the last few decades.

?I expected the plant to sit there vacant [after Kraft left]. I had these visions of it becoming dilapidated and falling apart,? says Maria Wilcox, one of the four remaining Kraft workers that Ulukaya hired from New Berlin, the tiny town where the plant is located.?

Growing from those first few workers, Chobani now employs more than 1,300 people in upstate New York and has made $193 million in capital investments on the old factory.


?Other companies came and looked at the plant and the surrounding area and left. [Ulukaya] always had a vision for the plant here that included the community,? says New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter.? ?He?s brought a sense of rejuvenation to the community.?

Along with good-paying jobs, Chobani built New Berlin its first little league field, free of charge.

Chobani also trucks 4 million pounds of milk daily to its New Berlin factory from the area's 5,300 dairy farms. New York produced some 530 million pounds of yogurt in 2011 -- more than twice 2008 levels ? and a direct result of Greek yogurt production.

A new kind of CEO

Ulukaya has been able to accomplish all of this so quickly by bypassing many of the traditional models for business success, especially in the food industry. Instead of focus groups, consultants and big marketing campaigns, Ulukaya has focused on perfecting his product based on response from consumers. Ulukaya still has messages from customers (every single one) forwarded to his cell phone daily.

The company has been particularly good at harnessing the power of positive feedback online.

?The communication is so fast; you don't need huge money for the marketing or your voice to be heard,? says Ulukaya. ?It's a flat world.?

In fact, Chobani has only launched two television ad campaigns, the most recent during the 2012 London Olympics, for which they were an official sponsor. Ulukaya had to pull the ads because the factory couldn?t keep up with the increased demand.

Chobani runs on the idea that consumers? voices will shape the market; with the internet, word of mouth is a more valuable marketing tool than ads, says Ulukaya. This helps new guys on the scene make a big impact quickly. And, he adds, it?s their responsibility to challenge the status quo.

?It's a shame what's in the supermarkets today,? says Ulukaya. ?It doesn't have to have all these preservatives.? It doesn't have to have all these bad colors and stuff like that. . . It's the manufacturer's responsibility. They can make it better. They can make it nutritious, and they can make it accessible. That's what we did in Chobani.?

So what?s next for the company?

Chobani just opened its first retail store, a boutique yogurt bar in SoHo, this summer. Now customers can sit down to enjoy a ?yogurt creation," with gourmet fresh toppings and, of course, Chobani.

Ulukaya is coy about what?s on the horizon for Chobani as far as new products, but he?s clear about one thing: this is only the beginning.

Editor's Note: Harry Smith's full report airs Thursday, Dec. 12 at 10pm/9CT on NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams.

Source: http://rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/12/15866373-chobani-founder-turns-centuries-old-greek-yogurt-into-billion-dollar-craze?lite

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Is investing in Real estate a good idea? | HomeBackers Realty

Posted on December 12th, 2012 by Homebackers

If you ask me this, I would definitely say ?Yes?. Investing in real estate property is a great way to grow your wealth if chosen carefully. With clever and conservative financing, the clear understanding of the tax implication and the mastermind of the good realtors combined together can make you to take a good decision in investing a property. Generally properties are a low risk investment and can be less volatile when compare with stock and shares. If you are looking for a long term investment for your retirement, then investing in real estate Dayton property is the best idea.

Before investing in real estate Dayton property, one should know how the real estate investment is really a good idea with low risk? There are three things to consider for you to invest in property

  • It become your own property (asset)
  • Tax benefit
  • Extremely stable and predictable

Buying a house through realtors is the better way than deciding on your own. As a common man, we have only little knowledge about real estate and the current market trends. By not buying the investment real estate Dayton property via realtors many have lost even their capital investment through making poor decisions and from failing to understand the real estate market fully. But for Realtors, it?s their business to know about the property and its market value and help you to make good decision.

Short selling the property is mostly a complex process but worth the effort if done correctly. Most of the homes offered through short sales are typically in good condition or might only require minimal repairs. If you have capable of buying short sale real estate properties with 100% ready cash can further reduce the sale price and are able to close very quickly with the help of realtors.

Choose the right place to buy your investment property. Housing in largest metropolitan areas like Dayton is constantly in demand with the high purchase price being offset by substantial rental income and a yearly return of between 4% and 8%. Also, Expert Investors says that value of Residential real estate Dayton properties have been steadily booming in most US markets. The demand for homes in Dayton tends to be driven a lot by population working outside the state and so prices there have been increase beyond our expectation.

HomeBackers Realty is an experienced real estate realtor that can search perfect homes in Dayton for your investment. Investing in real estate Dayton is the greatest way for creating wealth. Real estate is accessible, appreciable, rentable, improvable, stable and livable. If you find greater realtors like HomeBackers Realty then you are the luckiest person. Please contact us or call 937-754-1111 for all your queries.

Source: http://www.homebackers.com/is-investing-in-real-estate-a-good-idea/

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Deck Out Your Outdoors | Travel & Leisure Story

Outdoors

Deck Out Your Outdoors

Americans everywhere are spending more time at home. Because of this, they are looking for creative ways to expand their current space by investing in ?outdoor living rooms.? Creating outdoor living areas can be a cost-effective way to enhance both the beauty and functionality of your yard and home, make more livable space and increase the value of your home. Try the following simple tips to revamp and grow your living space:

Create different rooms

We are used to having our homes divided into rooms, but rarely take this approach to our outdoor spaces. But dividing up your yard can actually help to maximize your enjoyment of it. Look at the available space and designate one area for play, one for dining and socializing, and another for relaxing. Then decorate accordingly!

Focus on quality

When embarking on any renovation project, make selections that will maintain and perform in the long-term. For example, if you are building a deck, using Symmatrix? Composite Decking means your deck will stand up to the elements for years without cracking, splitting or warping. And it requires no sealing or staining, so maintaining it requires little effort on your part!

Set the mood with color

Just as you would with an indoor room, you can use color to decorate outdoors. In fact, applying color theory when selecting plants and flower arrangements can influence the mood and personality of a space. For example, while earth tones are appropriate for a relaxation corner, bright colors like pink and red are ideal in areas used for play. If you?re building a patio or deck, select a base color that matches your home, but allows for flexibility in design.

Get the most for your money

You want to enjoy your home, but you also want to see it increase in value over time. So when it comes to making big decisions, such as the addition of a deck or pool, research the dollar value that element will bring. For example, according to Replacement Contractor, installing a deck provides the second highest return on investment for homeowners-over 90 percent on average after the first year of installation.

Use your space!

Why limit the time you spend outdoors to the summertime? Even in colder climates, accessories are available that can extend the use of your outdoor space to other times of year. Electric heaters, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are accessories that will keep you warm through late fall and into early spring.

Tags: Deck, outdoors

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 13th, 2012 at 6:53 am and is filed under Outdoors. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback.

Source: http://www.datcagolmarotel.com/deck-out-your-outdoors/

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