I got an email pointing me to this abstract. The work will be presented as a poster in the Recent Developments in Geodetic Theory (session G17) in the transactions of the European Geosciences Union General Assembly which will be held in Vienna, Austria, this April. I didn't believe it at first so I checked it from the European Geosciences Union website to make sure it's not a hoax, it's NOT! Now if this is the standard of work for people who are making statements about global warming, I don't know where to go for reliable information?!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
If ...
If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.
- Erma Bombeck
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.
- Erma Bombeck
Thursday, February 26, 2009
the 7 wonders
Dr Richard Dawkins lists his 7 wonders of the world:
- spider webs
- bat's ears
- pianist's finger
- DNA
- parabolic reflector
- embryos
- David Attenborough
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
suicide and genes
From the study of 12 suicide victims who had been abused as children, 12 suicide victims who had not been traumatized and 12 people who died of other causes, a group at McGill have reached an outstanding conclusion. In the brain cells of suicide victims who had suffered severe sexual or physical abuse or neglect, the Montreal researchers found epigenetic markings in a gene that affects how a person reacts to stress.
Aside from the "suicide study" of people who have been abused, this research has a broader ramification. It shows that other than chemical exposures which were known to affect one's genes, social trauma can also be an influence.
Dr. John Strauss, a child psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, said the McGill study is important because it brings to "psychiatric disorders a way of explaining potential gene-environment interactions."
The italic parts have been taken from this report on the study. The full article is published in the Nature Neuroscience and you can find it here.
Aside from the "suicide study" of people who have been abused, this research has a broader ramification. It shows that other than chemical exposures which were known to affect one's genes, social trauma can also be an influence.
Dr. John Strauss, a child psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, said the McGill study is important because it brings to "psychiatric disorders a way of explaining potential gene-environment interactions."
The italic parts have been taken from this report on the study. The full article is published in the Nature Neuroscience and you can find it here.
fine fine print
Every once in a while I read the fine print on credit cards and such. You expect the usual, we are not responsible for this and that and that we can change the terms of agreement when we want to and we just need to notify you before or after we have done so; but of the ones I have read, this one is an eyeopener! This is a clause in the Customer Agreement for RBC online banking and credit card:
In no event, even if we are negligent, will we be liable for any loss of data, or any indirect, consequential, special, aggravated, punitive or exemplary damages whatsoever, in whole or in part, (including any business interruption, loss of profits, data, information, opportunity, revenues, goodwill or any other commercial or economic loss), caused to you, regardless of the cause of action, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
It would be interesting to see if it would actually holds up in court.
In no event, even if we are negligent, will we be liable for any loss of data, or any indirect, consequential, special, aggravated, punitive or exemplary damages whatsoever, in whole or in part, (including any business interruption, loss of profits, data, information, opportunity, revenues, goodwill or any other commercial or economic loss), caused to you, regardless of the cause of action, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
It would be interesting to see if it would actually holds up in court.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
me and D
Last winter I had a rather hard time getting up in the mornings. As I mentioned before, this year I decided to take a 400IU pill a day from October to April. And now that the days are getting longer and brighter, I am more than happy to say I had no sluggish mornings and no midday train wrecks. I think it has done my body much good! I have to add that I do drink my 2 glasses a day of milk which is of course vitamin A&D fortified. I also eat cheese and keep a good balance of fruit and vegetables in my diet; plus I exercise regularly. It was just that during the darker months of the year I was lacking the vitamin D produced with sunshine in my body ...
I looked up a few fact about Seasonal Affective Disorder; mine was not that severe, but I think the same solutions helped me get over my winter blues.
According to Mental Health America, women suffer from SAD three times more often then men, as do those in colder climates and people who work for extended periods without sunlight or work the night shift.
The suggestions for getting over SAD are:
I looked up a few fact about Seasonal Affective Disorder; mine was not that severe, but I think the same solutions helped me get over my winter blues.
According to Mental Health America, women suffer from SAD three times more often then men, as do those in colder climates and people who work for extended periods without sunlight or work the night shift.
The suggestions for getting over SAD are:
- get as much sunlight as possible
- take vitamin D
- exercise
- watch the carbs. as much as your body craves them, you should opt for healthier carbs like vegetables, whole grains, and fruits which will help keep you energized.
- keep up social interaction
- be nice to yourself
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
belief
"for those who believe, no proof is necessary ... for those who don't believe, no proof is possible."
- Stuart Chase
Saturday, February 07, 2009
!برابرتر
مقاله "هر کس مي خواند به پنج نفر خبر دهد" از شيرين عبادی رو بخونین و به حال و وضع کشورمون فکر کنین!؟
Friday, February 06, 2009
only the poor
"Malaria is spread by mosquitoes," Gates said while opening a jar onstage at a gathering known to attract technology kings, politicians, and Hollywood stars. "I brought some. Here, I'll let them roam around. There is no reason only poor people should be infected."
That, of course, grabbed people's attention! I also like another remark he made in his speech:
"The market does not drive scientists, thinkers, or governments to do the right things. Only by paying attention and making people care can we make as much progress as we need to."
That, of course, grabbed people's attention! I also like another remark he made in his speech:
"The market does not drive scientists, thinkers, or governments to do the right things. Only by paying attention and making people care can we make as much progress as we need to."
- source
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