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May 30, 2008
Ovary Baby - Ectopic Pregnancy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7427907.stm
Ovary baby survives against odds
--------------------------------
Who gets it?
Women who have been affected by pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis, women who have had abdominal surgery, used a coil for contraception, or taken the progestogen-only mini pill, but become pregnant anyway.
There may also be an increased among women who take the morning after contraceptive pill to no avail - although this is still unclear.
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A woman in Australia has given birth to a healthy baby girl after a rare full-term ectopic pregnancy.
Against all odds, baby Durga survived despite developing in her mother's ovary instead of her uterus.
Her mother Meera Thangarajah, 34, had shown no signs of abnormality and doctors only realised when they performed a Caesarean section.
Most ectopic pregnancies end in miscarriage or are terminated early because of the risk to the mother.
Just 1-2% of all pregnancies are ectopic, and in 95% of those cases the egg is fertilised in the fallopian tubes on its way to the uterus.
In 0.5% of cases, including this one, the baby grows inside the ovary itself.
Pre-natal scan
Mrs Thangarajah gave birth on Thursday at the Darwin Private Hospital in Australia's Northern Territory.
General manager Robyn Cahill told the Associated Press news agency that mother and baby were both doing well.
Normally, a woman with an ectopic pregnancy would present with severe pain and bleeding in the first few weeks after conception.
But Ms Cahill said Mrs Thangarajah had experienced no symptoms, and the abnormality did not show up on a pre-natal scan.
She said only 1 in 40,000 fertilisations implant in the ovary, and it was unheard of for one of those foetuses grow to full term. But despite those statistics, Durga - meaning Goddess - was born at 38 weeks weighing 6lb 3oz (2.8 kg).
"We're calling it a miracle," Ms Cahill said.
Risk of bleeding
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said the odds of survival in such a pregnancy were "no more than one in a million".
Spokeswoman Dr Maggie Blott said: "One that goes to produce a live healthy baby is very unusual.
"There is a great risk in such a pregnancy of bleeding.
"And had it been picked up at six to eight weeks, it would have been removed because of the risk to the mother.
"This type of pregnancy is very rare indeed."
Obstetrician Dr Andrew Miller, who delivered Durga, told AFP news agency that he had not realised there was a problem until he saw the ovary stretched almost to breaking point.
"And you can't believe that the baby, just by normal movement, wouldn't have caused the sac [inside the ovary] to rupture," he said.
"It was so paper thin you could see the baby's hair."
The baby's father, Ravi, told local television that doctors had told him: "You're one of the luckiest men in the world at the moment."
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Ectopic pregnancy
However, one of the most devastating complications is if the embryo starts to grow outside the womb - ectopic pregnancy.
BBC News Online's health team examines the condition, which affects one in every 100 pregnancies.
What is it?
Eggs make their way from the ovaries to the womb through the fallopian tubes, where they may be fertilised by a sperm.
The fertilised egg continues on to the womb, where it implants itself to the wall and continues to grow.
However, sometimes the embryo implants itself outside the womb, most often in the fallopian tubes themselves, and this is known as an ectopic pregnancy.
The embryo can also implant in the ovary, the abdomen, and in the cervix.
What causes it?
Anything that obstructs or slows the movement of eggs can increase the risk.
Infections in the fallopian tubes can leave them scarred, which will hinder movement, or there may be a physical blockage caused by previous surgery or injury.
Hormones - particularly those used in contraceptive pills and devices - can also affect the rate of movement of the egg.
Who gets it?
Women who have been affected by pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis are at higher risk.
So too are women who have had abdominal surgery, used a coil for contraception, or taken the progestogen-only mini pill, but become pregnant anyway.
There may also be an increased among women who take the morning after contraceptive pill to no avail - although this is still unclear.
Women who become pregnant despite having been surgically sterilised have a 60% chance of an ectopic pregnancy.
And women who have had previous ectopic pregnancy, are at greater risk of repeating the experience.
Ectopic pregnancies are on the rise with the rate nearly tripling from 1970 to 1980.
About half are estimated to be due to the increase in sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia.
What are the risks?
With an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo can rupture the fallopian tube, leading to massive internal bleeding - and possibly death - for the mother, and loss of the baby.
If the woman survives this, her fertility is likely to be greatly reduced and her chances of going through the same experience are increased.
What is the treatment?
Because of the life threatening nature of the condition, early diagnosis is essential and doctors recommend terminating the pregnancy.
If the pregnancy is allowed to continue and the tube ruptures, doctors have to remove it, reducing the woman's fertility.
This page contains basic information. If you are concerned about your health, you should consult a doctor.
Posted by chek at 02:19 PM | Comments (0)
May 28, 2008
Google Analytics
http://www.google.com/analytics/
The New Google Analytics
Google Analytics has been re-designed to help you learn even more about where your visitors come from and how they interact with your site.
Discover. Share. Act.
The new Google Analytics makes it easy to improve your results online. Write better ads, strengthen your marketing initiatives, and create higher-converting websites. Google Analytics is free to all advertisers, publishers, and site owners.
Posted by chek at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)
Beta Blogger For Dummies
http://betabloggerfordummies.blogspot.com/
Dummies Guide to Google Blogger Beta
Replace all " & " with " & a m p ; "
(Ignore " marks and spaces)
Posted by chek at 07:59 PM | Comments (0)
Stories by Jina Falahati
http://www.iranian.com/main/2008/how-hyena-got-its-laugh
Some of the stories written by my 10-year-old daughter, Jina, have been published in the British magazine for kids, Aquila. -- Mehdi Falahati
Nugget had never seen anything like it before
---------------------------------------------
by Jina Falahati
12-May-2008
In the largest and most famous pack of hyenas in South Africa, lived over 90 dull, dangerous aggressive spotted hyenas…OK, maybe they weren’t so famous, and there wasn’t so many of them, but one thing is true though, and that is, that this story is very ancient, and that is exactly why you should hear it now, before it is lost in the mist of time.
Now among them lived a playful and happy baby hyena. Now be prepared for a shock. These hyenas did not have a laugh, they never even imagined having one. But one day, as the pack was relaxing by the river, and the baby hyena was playing along, the strangest creature fluttered past him.
Nugget had never seen anything like it before. It had two wings, it was about 3 cm long and all colourful. Can you guess what it was? Nugget followed the butterfly, forgetting completely about the rest of the pack, around the lake, just where he could see his parents. (So he had not gone far) when he stopped, to his amazement the butterfly landed right on top of his nose. He sniffed and then sneezed. The butterfly ‘s little legs tickled him. He had no way of showing his emotions to himself apart from a strange and awkward noise through his nose. It made the butterfly jump off. So, he followed it back all the way around the other side of the water to his pack. His mother the alfa-female was not even tempted to ask where her son had been. Neither was his father, the alfa male. Mind you, no one saw him, anyway, following that insect around. Nugget went round tapping all the other hyenas for attention. When he got back, he showed them the strange creature he had discovered.
Once more, it landed right on top of Nugget’s nose. Nugget gave the hyena’s first giggle. But this time, unlike when he was on the other side of the lake, the giggle did not stay a giggle. It grew into a chuckle, and then a hesitation, and then a laugh, and what a laugh it was, the loudest any one has ever heard in the world’s history, or even in any ones loudest nightmares.
When Nugget had dried his eyes, and came back from his own laughing planet, he, and all the other hyenas, realised that the butterfly had gone. That however, did not matter the least bit to them. The LAUGH had been discovered.
After a week or two, all hyenas were doing it. It had sort of even become a fashion from then on. Now they are all laughing, so it has finally become a tradition.
How the sun came to be
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by Jina Falahati
16-Mar-2008
Long, long ago, before time began, before you or I were in the world yet, before your parent’s, parent’s parents were born, in the deep forest Foofoo, in the heart of New Zealand, there was quarrel between the lion, the zebra, the kangaroo, the elephant, and all the other animals in the deep forest Foofoo. It was all about the sun, they didn’t have on. Mind you, they didn’t even know what it was, until the lion declared: “Why can’t I see my beautiful feathers, it’s no good having no light.”
The zebra was also upset. He said he wanted to see his fabulous pouch at the end of his tail.
Kangaroo announced that her mane of soft fur must be shown-off too the whole of the deep forest Foofoo.
The elephant said his beautiful, bendy beak was so wondrous he should pass around whilst everybody stares at it.
Meanwhile, the beaver was rolling wood to the sound of the water to build a dam. There was a twig on the floor and Beaver tripped up on it. All the logs she had collected flew high up into the sky. They landed straight into the volcano and with a massive BANG, splashes of lava flew into the air and froze! That’s right, it froze, right there in the sky. As all the hustle was going on, beaver stopped the quarrel by showing them the sun.
The lion felt stupid. He had no feathers. His mane, however was extremely soft and made him look strong and brave.
The zebra blushed. He didn’t have a pouch, in fact, he was al stripy, but that’s what made him look so wonderful.
The kangaroo hid. She was embarrassed. She had no mane of soft fur on her stomach. She had a cozy pouch instead.
And the elephant felt shameful. His beak was a trunk. Nobody had seen anything so useful.
So now you know the sun is just an accidental ball of boiling hot lava, above the grate volcano of the deep forest Foofoo. ☺
Posted by chek at 05:36 PM | Comments (0)
Barcelona Bridal Week
http://www.moda-barcelona.com/en/index.asp
Barcelona Bridal Week - Noviaespana
May 27 - Jun 1, 2008
A total of 42 prestigious national and international companies will be revealing the latest bridal wear trends at PASARELA GAUDÍ NOVIAS
The next edition of PASARELA GAUDÍ NOVIAS, to be held between May 27 and 30, will herald a milestone in its trajectory in terms of the number and quality of its participants. The modern and cutting-edge pavilion 8 of the Gran Via venue of Fira Barcelona, the work of the Japanese artist Toyo Ito, will bring together a total of 42 national and international companies of worldwide prestige, projecting, once again, the image of Barcelona as an international capital of bridal fashion.
Some of the new sign-ups for this event include CHRISTIAN LACROIX MARIÉE who, through ROSA CLARA, will be showcasing his new bridal collection. And it will be precisely the ROSA CLARA company which, on Tuesday May 27, will officially open this brilliant edition of PASARELA GAUDÍ NOVIAS, which will close its eighteenth edition on Saturday May 31 with collections by PRONOVIAS, MANUEL MOTA, VALENTINO and ELIE SAAB in shows for clients only.
Other novelty in this edition is the new HAUTE COUTURE PLATFORM, a newly created group comprised of select Catalan firms engaged in festive wear, such as ANGELITA MORILLO, EVA MARTÍNEZ, FRANS BAVIERA, JOAQUIN PEREZ VALETTE, MARTI FELEZ, PIEDAD RODRÍGUEZ and TERESA RIPOLL. They have all chosen the prestige and high media impact of PASARELA GAUDÍ NOVIAS for their collective social and media debut.
For men, mention should be made of the presence of MIQUEL SUAY, DUYOS and DEVOTA & LOMBA who, together with other companies who are already veterans at the show, such as FUENTECAPALA, ANTONIO MIRO or JAVIER ARNAIZ, will be showcasing their particular and creative vision of bridegroom fashion.
The novelties conclude with some new names engaged in festive and ceremonial fashion, such as the firm from the Canary Islands, M & M or the Catalan GRACIA GALINDO.
Posted by chek at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)
Monkey's Brain Controls Robot Arm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7423184.stm
Monkeys have been able to control robotic limbs using only their thoughts, scientists report.
The animals were able to feed themselves using prosthetic arms, which were controlled by brain activity.
Small probes, the width of a human hair, were inserted into the monkeys' primary motor cortex - the region of the brain that controls movement.
Writing in Nature journal, the authors said their work could eventually help amputees and people who are paralysed.
Lead researcher Dr Andrew Schwartz, who is based at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said: "We are beginning to understand how the brain works using brain-machine interface technology.
"The more we understand about the brain, the better we'll be able to treat a wide range of brain disorders, everything from Parkinson's disease and paralysis to, eventually, Alzheimer's disease and perhaps even mental illness."
natural movement
With the probes inserted into the monkeys' motor cortices, computer software was used to interpret the brain's electrical impulses and translate them into movement through the robotic arm.
This arm was jointed like a human arm and possessed a "gripper" that mimics a hand.
After some training, two monkeys - who had had their own arms restrained - were able to use the prosthetic limbs to feed themselves with marshmallows and chunks of fruit.
The researchers said that the movements were fluid and natural.
The monkeys were able to use their brains to continuously change the speed and direction of the arm and the gripper, suggesting that the monkeys had come to regard the robotic arm as a part of their own bodies.
The success rate of the experiment was 61%.
Dr Schwarz said: "In our research, we've demonstrated a higher level of precision, skill and learning.
"The monkey learns by first observing the movement, which activates its brain cells as if it was doing it. It's a lot like sports training, where trainers have athletes first imagine that they are performing the movements they desire."
Complex brain
He said the research could eventually benefit the development of prosthetic limbs for people with spinal cord injuries or for amputees.
He said: "Our immediate goal is to make a prosthetic device for people with total paralysis."
"Ultimately, our goal is to better understand brain complexity."
Commenting on the paper, Professor Paul M Matthew from the Hammersmith Hospital, said: "The challenge of interfacing the billions of nerve cells in the brain that control the full range of limb movements directly with a mechanical prosthesis has seemed impossibly difficult.
"However, this important paper confirms that the brain controls movement just by planning where to go, rather than by directing individual muscles how to make the limb get there.
"The study shows that fewer than 100 tiny electrical signals generated in the specialised area known as the 'motor cortex' can command even complex arm and hand movements.
"This moves the day when patients disabled after spinal cord injuries or amputations can use brain-controlled bionic limbs from the realm of science fiction towards science fact."
Posted by chek at 01:50 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2008
Oxytocin - Trust Drug
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7412438.stm
Trust drug may cure social phobia
A nasal spray which increases our trust for strangers is showing promise as a treatment for social phobia, say scientists from Zurich University.
They found that people who inhaled the "love hormone" oxytocin continued to trust strangers with their money - even after they were betrayed.
Brain scans showed the hormone lowered activity in the amygdala - a region which is overactive in social phobics.
Drug trials are underway and early signs are promising say the scientists.
Nicknamed the "cuddle chemical", oxytocin is a naturally produced hormone, which has been shown to play a role in social relations, maternal bonding, and also in sex.
Lead researcher Dr Thomas Baumgartner said: "We now know for the first time what exactly is going on in the brain when oxytocin increases trust.
"We found that oxytocin has a very specific effect in social situations. It seems to diminish our fears.
"Based on our results, we can now conclude that a lack of oxytocin is at least one of the causes for the fear experienced by social phobics.
"We hope and indeed we expect that we can improve their sociability by administering oxytocin."
Powerful effect
Previous studies have shown that participants in "trust games" took greater risks with their money after inhaling the hormone via a nasal spray.
In this latest experiment, published in the journal Neuron, the researchers asked volunteer subjects to take part in a similar trust game.
They were asked to contribute money to a human trustee, with the understanding that the trustee would invest the money and decide whether to return the profits or betray the subjects trust by keeping the profit.
The subjects also received doses of oxytocin or a placebo via a nasal spray.
After investing, the participants were given feedback on the trustees. When their trust was abused, the placebo group became less willing to invest. But the players who had been given oxytocin continued to trust their money with a broker.
"We can see that oxytocin has a very powerful effect," said Dr Baumgartner.
"The subjects who received oxytocin demonstrated no change in their trust behaviour, even though they were informed that their trust was not honoured in roughly 50% of cases."
In a second game, where the human trustees were replaced by a computer which gave random returns, the hormone made no difference to the players' investment behaviour.
"It appears that oxytocin affects social responses specifically related to trust," Dr Baumgartner said.
Defence barriers
During the games, the players' brains were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The researchers found that oxytocin reduced activity in two regions which act as natural "defence barriers".
They are the amygdala, which processes fear and danger, and an area of the striatum, which helps to guide future behaviour, based on reward feedback.
The amygdala has been found to be extremely active in the brains of sufferers of social phobia.
Dr Baumgartner's colleague, Professor Markus Heinrichs, has begun a study where social phobia sufferers are given either oxytocin or a placebo, in combination with cognitive and behavioural therapy.
The trials are ongoing, but Dr Baumgartner said that early signs appear "promising".
The hormone could also be a candidate for treating patients with autism, he says.
"Autistic people also have a fear of social situations and have problems interacting, so it is very likely that oxytocin could help," he said.
"This hormone seems to play a very specific role in social situations so might be able to improve autism. But so far I am not aware of any studies."
Mauricio Delgado, a psychologist at Rutgers University, said: "This study has significant implications for understanding mental disorders where deficits in social behaviour are observed.
"While a degree of wariness may protect one from harm, being able to ''forgive and forget'' is an imperative step in maintaining long-term relationships.
"The reported oxytocin finding could provide a bridge for potential clinical applications."
Posted by chek at 05:24 PM | Comments (0)
Hoosh Hoosh Bashoosh
http://www.hooshhooshbahoosh.com/index.html
Come join in the fun as Hooshi learns Farsi and is introduced to his rich Iranian heritage. A friendly world awaits with lots to learn!
Along the way, you and Hooshi will discover fun filled animation, adorable puppets and real life characters, introduce first words and cultural elements. Engaging music has been specifically composed and performed to make this a memorable experience for all childen.
Posted by chek at 01:26 PM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2008
Road Trip USA
http://www.roadtripusa.com/
11 ways to travel cross country
1. Pacific Coast
2. Border to Border
3. The Road to Nowhere
4. The Great River Road
5. Appalachian Trail
6. Atlantic Coast
7. The Great Northern
8. The Oregon Trail
9. Loneliest Road
10. Southern Pacific
11. Route 66
Posted by chek at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2008
World Heritage Tour
http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/
WHTour.org
UNESCO World Heritage sites in panography - 360 degree imaging
Posted by chek at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)
May 14, 2008
Education USA Iran
http://www.educationusairan.com/
U.S. colleges and universities continue to welcome Iranian students and scholars. Today more than ever the world needs better understanding between nations and individuals — understanding that only direct experience of a new culture can bring. This Web site focuses on providing support and information to Iranian students and scholars interested in U.S. study, offering comprehensive, unbiased information to help you decide which U.S. program may be right for you and support you through the application process.
Posted by chek at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2008
Arkani-Hamed, Nima
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/05/09/physics.nima/index.html#cnnSTCText
Arkani-Hamed is only in his mid-30s, but he has distinguished himself as one of the leading thinkers in the field of particle physics.
His revolutionary ideas about the way the universe works will finally be put to the test this year at Switzerland's Large Hadron Collider, which will be the world's most powerful particle accelerator.
Formerly a professor at Harvard, Arkani-Hamed currently sits on the faculty at the prestigious Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, where Einstein served from 1933 until his death in 1955.
A theory that has emerged in recent decades that claims to bring some relief to physics mysteries is called superstring theory, or string theory for short. Previously, scientists believed that the smallest, most indivisible building blocks of our world were particles, but string theory says the world is made of extremely small vibrating loops called strings.
In order for these strings to properly constitute our universe, they must vibrate in 11 dimensions, scientists say. Everyone observes three spatial dimensions and one for time, but theoretical models suggest at least seven others that we do not see.
Arkani-Hamed proposed, along with physicists Savas Dimopoulos and Gia Dvali, that some of these dimensions are larger than previously thought -- specifically, as large as a millimeter. Physicists call this the ADD model, after the first initials of the authors' last names. We haven't seen these extra dimensions because gravity is the only force that can wander around them, Arkani-Hamed said.
String theory has come under attack because some say it can never be tested; the strings are supposed to be smaller than any particle ever detected, after all. But Arkani-Hamed says the Large Hadron Collider could lead to the direct observation of strings, or at least indirect evidence of their existence.
Posted by chek at 12:11 PM | Comments (0)
May 09, 2008
Zoroastrian Wedding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs-PP6fG9dk
Posted by chek at 02:50 PM | Comments (0)
May 05, 2008
download.com c|net
http://www.download.com/
Free Software Downloads and Software Reviews
Posted by chek at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)
May 03, 2008
Maker Faire
http://makerfaire.com/
May 3 & 4, 2008
San Mateo County Fairgrounds
Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It’s for creative, resourceful people of all ages and backgrounds who like to tinker and love to make things.
Posted by chek at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
May 02, 2008
Sabur, Alia
http://www.aliasabur.com/
19-year-old professor
WASHINGTON , April 26: Alia Sabur, a 19-year old Iranian American, has been declared the world's youngest professor in history by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Alia broke the 1717 record set by a student of physicist Isaac Newton , Colin Maclaurin.
She has been setting records and making history throughout her young career; starting with reading at 8 months. Her IQ was determined off the charts.
She went from 4th grade to college, earning a BS in Applied Mathematics summa cum laude from Stony Brook University , New York at age 14, the youngest female in American history.
She then earned an MS and PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Drexel University , Philadelphia .
Alia is the youngest ever to receive fellowships and awards from the US Department of Defence, Nasa and the US National Science Foundation.
She was 18 when she was hired as a professor in the Department of Advanced Technology Fusion at Konkuk University in Seoul , Korea .
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24273418/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alia_Sabur
Posted by chek at 02:54 PM | Comments (0)
Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
Randy Pausch Lecture:
Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Posted by chek at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2008
Lesbos, Greek Island or Gay
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7376919.stm
Campaigners on the Greek island of Lesbos are to go to court in an attempt to stop a gay rights organisation from using the term "lesbian".
The islanders say that if they are successful they may then start to fight the word lesbian internationally.
The issue boils down to who has the right to call themselves Lesbians.
Is it gay women, or the 100,000 people living on Greece's third biggest island - plus another 250,000 expatriates who originate from Lesbos?
The man spearheading the case, publisher Dimitris Lambrou, claims that international dominance of the word in its sexual context violates the human rights of the islanders, and disgraces them around the world.
He says it causes daily problems to the social life of Lesbos's inhabitants.
Injunction sought
In court papers, the plaintiffs allege that the Greek government is so embarrassed by the term Lesbian that it has been forced to rename the island after its capital, Mytilini.
map of Lesbos
An early court date has now been set for judges to decide whether to grant an injunction against the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece and to order it to change its name.
A spokeswoman for the group has described the case as a groundless violation of freedom of expression, and has pledged to fight it.
The term lesbian originated from the poet Sappho, who was a native of Lesbos.
Sappho expressed her love of other women in poetry written during the 7th Century BC.
But according to Mr Lambrou, new historical research has discovered that Sappho had a family, and committed suicide for the love of a man.
Posted by chek at 01:44 PM | Comments (0)