Clipmarks | Kelika's clips

Sarah Palin's appeal to working-class women may be limited

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:40:36 GMT

clipped by: Kelika
clipper's remarks: "Recent surveys suggest that Palin, who opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest, is not necessarily poised to help McCain with moderate women. "

A National Journal/Hotline daily tracking poll released Friday found that 49% of male voters say Palin is prepared to be president but that only 41% of female voters think so.

When Palin belittled Obama's history as a community organizer on Chicago's South Side -- suggesting he was a do-little activist while she, as the former mayor of tiny Wasilla, Alaska, had "actual responsibilities" -- Sandy Ryan, 59, clicked the remote."

"That's enough of that. I switched over to 'House Hunters,' " she said with some disgust over dessert with a group of women from the senior housing complex she manages."

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

But when it came down to an issue Heckman really cares about -- sending a daughter to college on $10.50 an hour -- her desire to see a woman reach the White House took a back seat to her depleted savings account.

"I have no retirement. Obama understands it's the economy. He knows how we live."

Heckman, like many others in this former coal-mining town at the western foot of the Appalachians, is the type of voter that both presidential campaigns will target in the final two months.

they were thinking about the price of milk -- nearly $5 a gallon -- or the healthcare coverage that many working families here cannot afford.

Even if they admire Palin's attempt to juggle political ambition, an infant son with Down syndrome and a pregnant unwed daughter, these women say that maternal grit is not enough to win their votes.

Tags: palin

CT Scans Overprescribed?

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:33:18 GMT

clipped by: Kelika
clipper's remarks: "The result is cancer.

The increased risk varies with age but, at most, adds about a tenth of a percent to a person's 42% lifetime chance of getting cancer.

Still, even the small amount of radiation from a CT can compound over time as the number of scans adds up.

Medical tests are now the biggest source of radiation exposure, recently surpassing background radiation, according to the National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements.

Of particular concern is the rising use of CT scans for children and pregnant women. Children -- who account for 11% of CT scans -- face significantly higher risks than adults because they are more sensitive to radiation and have more years ahead for a cancer to develop.

For example, an abdominal scan in a 5-year-old carries a 0.10% risk of triggering a fatal cancer, nearly 10 times the risk in adults older than 35, according to the New England Journal study.

Risks this small are not well understood, and there is a vigorous debate o

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

The scans involved hundreds of razor-thin X-rays of her innards stitched together by a computer into stunningly detailed 3-D images showing the size and location of the stone, down to the millimeter.

What she didn't realize was that the perfection of the images was a result of a radiation dose equivalent to more than a dozen standard abdominal X-rays -- all for a condition that though painful is relatively mundane.

But with the boom has come a rising concern that the abundant use of radiation is beginning to have a subtle effect on the health of the nation.

Although the risk of a single CT scan to an individual is minuscule, even a tiny increase in radiation exposure spread over a large population can eventually add up to tens of thousands of cancer deaths a year.

Some researchers estimate that up to a third of scans could have been avoided or replaced by safer technologies, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.

Tags: ct scans, health, cancer

Cloud-seeding ships could combat climate change

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:27:56 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: physicsworld.com

It should be possible to counteract the global warming associated with a doubling of carbon dioxide levels by enhancing the reflectivity of low-lying clouds above the oceans, according to researchers in the US and UK. John Latham of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, US, and colleagues say that this can be done using a worldwide fleet of autonomous ships spraying salt water into the air.

The 300-tonne unmanned ships used to seed the clouds would be powered by the wind, but would not use conventional sails. Instead they would be fitted with a number of 20 m-high, 2.5 m-diameter cylinders known as “Flettner rotors” that would be made to spin continuously. This spinning would generate a force perpendicular to the wind direction, propelling the ship forward if it is oriented at right angles to the wind (Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2008.0136).

Tags: global warming

Genome analysis used to decode brain cancer: study

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:26:10 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: afp.google.com

PARIS (AFP) — US scientists have unveiled the most complete genetic profile ever attempted of glioblastoma, a common and deadly form of the brain cancer that US Senator Edward Kennedy is battling.

The research uncovered a host of genetic alterations linked to the disease, including three previously unknown mutations found in at least three-quarters of tumour samples analysed.

It may also explain why, in some cases, standard chemotherapy treatment for brain tumours works at first but then loses its ability to beat back tumour growth.

The most unexpected finding, said Chin, was that a commonly used chemotherapy treatment called temozolomide may provoke a "resistance mechanism" that compromises genes critical for DNA repair.

The result is new tumours with a large number of DNA mutations and a higher tolerance for chemotherapy.

Tags: brain cancer

Cramped Homes

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:18:36 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: weburbanist.com

Tags: architecture, housing

3D Architectural Illusions

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:36:51 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: weburbanist.com

3D street artists are great, but their ever-popular sidewalk chalk art isn’t the only 3D art of its kind. Inside a home, on the outside of a building or even in a swimming pool, the illusion of three-dimensionality can transform a space, giving the appearance of depth, texture and place in a mythical or fantastical fashion.

Eric Grohe creates surprising illusions of far-reaching spaces out of otherwise flat surfaces. In some of these images of his works, it is difficult to see what is within the picture he created and what is in the real foreground. Though not strictly photorealistic, his plays on perspective feel compellingly real from a distance.

This mystery artist clearly has an eye for classical and medieval scenes. His paintings both enliven these otherwise conventional interior spaces, creating amazing conversation pieces and great play spaces for children. If anyone knows who this is, please add information and links in the comments!

Tags: art, 3d, architecture

Joy

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:26:34 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: www.spiritualityandpractice.com

Joy is an essential spiritual practice growing out of faith, grace, gratitude, hope, and love. It is the pure and simple delight in being alive. Joy is our elated response to feelings of happiness, experiences of pleasure, and awareness of abundance. It is also the deep satisfaction we know when we are able to serve others and be glad for their good fortune.

Invite joy into your life by staging celebrations. Host festivities to mark transitions and changes in your life. Toast moments of happiness you notice as you go through your day. Dance — jump for joy — as often as possible. Life is not meant to be endured; it is to be enjoyed.

Joy will usually be part of a set of symptoms presenting in your life. The best protocol is to be thankful for the intensity of these feelings. When you are experiencing sorrow and sadness, when the tears are flowing, remember they can be stepping stones to joy.

Tags: joy, emotions, spirituality

Some Animal "awww" Pictures

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:16:13 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: www.darkroastedblend.com

Big-eyed beauty... A face that launched 10,000 hikers (up the tree) -

Sun Bears or Malayan Sun Bears are the smallest bears in the world (more pics... this one does not seem very happy) -

Baby orangutan at 4 hours after birth:

Tags: animals, nature, photos

Facebook for Spies

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:07:50 GMT

clipped by: Kelika
clipper's remarks: Wanna bet how long before the site is hacked?

Clip Source: news.cnet.com

While that scenario is bit far-fetched, agents for the CIA, FBI, and National Security Agency are testing a social-networking site designed for use by analysts within the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies, according to a report on CNN's Web site. Instead of posting thoughts on music and movies, the agents use the site--called A-Space--to share information on terrorist activities and troop movements around the world.

The social networking site has been undergoing testing for months and is expected to officially launch to the nation's entire intelligence community on September 22, CNN reported.

"It's a place where not only spies can meet but share data they've never been able to share before. This is going to give them for the first time a chance to think out loud, think in public amongst their peers, under the protection of an A-Space umbrella."

Access will be limited to intelligence personnel with the proper security clearance

Tags: social networking

Meet the Latest Copyright Scofflaw -- Meet the GOP

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:38:54 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: blog.wired.com

Late Thursday, the group's hit song "Barracuda" was blaring in the background when the presidential hopefuls kicked off their campaign at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Heart's publishers -- Universal Music and Sony BMG -- sent the Grand Old Party a cease-and-desist notice, marking the third time in as many months the GOP has been accused of hijacking copyrighted works as it jockeys for the White House. All the while, the party was threatening to sue CafePress for hosting an online venue for vendors to hawk trademarked GOP-related regalia like T-shirts, stickers and portrayals of the elephants.

Jackson Browne sued the party in federal court alleging copyright infringement when "Running on Empty"

And in July, a McCain fund-raising campaign hit known as the "Obama Love" video, was removed from YouTube because it used Frankie Valli's hit tune "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" without permission.

Tags: gop, copyright

Dems/Reps Speeches through Wordle

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:31:43 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: blog.wired.com

Michelle Obama

It's all over: Years of planning, hours of speech-writing, millions spent on creating the venues to host thousands of Democratic and Republican convention attendees.

What remains are the words that the politicians spoke (or didn't,) and the promises they made.

To re-cap those words, we thought we'd create a Wordle gallery of the most notable candidates', spouses', and supporters' speeches.

Wordle is an online application created by IBM's senior software engineer Jonathan Feinberg. Using text entered by its users, it creates visually alluring "word clouds" that show you the frequency at which words occur within that text. The more often a word occurs, the bigger it appears in the cloud.

Mark Warner

Hillary Clinton

Edward Kennedy

Joe Biden

Barack Obama

John McCain

George W. Bush

Sarah Palin

Joe Lieberman

Cindy McCain

Tags: wordle, mccain, obama

Older Vietnamese Americans Suffer Higher Rate of Mental Health Problems

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:38:46 GMT

clipped by: Kelika
clipper's remarks: "Huynh said Vietnamese Americans are wary of seeking help for mental problems because it is seen as taboo and is rarely spoken about.

"It's a struggle," she said. "Seeking help is more of a last resort. They don't do it until they feel so helpless that they don't know where else to go.""

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

Vietnamese Americans who came to the United States as political refugees are suffering from higher rates of mental health problems than non-Latino whites, an indication that many Vietnamese Americans are experiencing lingering effects from the Vietnam War, according to a UC Irvine Center for Health Care Policy study.

In the first analysis of its kind for Vietnamese Americans in California, researchers found that Vietnamese Americans over 55 were twice as likely as whites to report needing mental health care, but were less likely to discuss such issues with their doctors.

In general, Vietnamese Americans have assimilated quickly in the United States and have achieved success in business, education and politics. The study offers a contrasting view of the tough adjustments refugees have endured.

Many Vietnamese American refugees are suffering from problems related to traumatic experiences fleeing the Communist government after the 1975 fall of Saigon

Tags: mental health, vietnam

For L.A. man, 93, life is a walk in the park

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:33:49 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

The weight of time has bowed Sol Shankman's spine into the shape of a question mark. After 93 years, he is blind in one eye and nearly blind in the other. His voice, except for brief bursts of animation -- when he's imitating a mud lark, for instance -- sounds like a handful of gravel.

"But the way I see it, you've got two choices," he said the other day. "You can sit at home and weep for yourself. Or you can get out and do the best you can."

And so, every evening, at his home just above Los Feliz Boulevard, Shankman sets his alarm clock for 5 a.m. Every morning, his eyes open five minutes before the alarm, and he sets off into the hills.

He has been walking for more than three decades, pretty much every day -- 42,000 miles, by his reckoning, the vast majority of it in Griffith Park. The circumference of the Earth is roughly 25,000 miles, "so I figure," he said, "that I'm on my second trip around the world, all in Griffith Park."

The Science of Happiness

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:27:08 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

IF RECENT scientific research on happiness -- and there has been quite a bit -- has proved anything, it's that happiness is not a goal. It's a process. Although our tendency to be happy or not is partly inborn, it's also partly within our control. And, perhaps more surprising, happiness brings success, not the other way around. Though many people think happiness is elusive, scientists have actually pinned it down and know how to get it.

Among the major findings of the last decade is that the pursuit of happiness is a worthy cause, Diener says. "Happiness doesn't just feel good. It's good for you and for society. Happy people are more successful, have better relationships, are healthier and live longer."

Great if you happen to be one of the people born happy, right? Not exactly. Another major finding is that about half of our tendency toward happiness is genetic, while the rest is controlled by the individual.

Tags: science

U.S. Spied on Iraqi Prime Minister

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:20:11 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com

There's news in the new book by Bob Woodward, and it's not going to make life easier for the White House or John McCain's campaign to move in there:

According to the Washington Post's account, scheduled to appear on Page One of the paper's Friday edition, the United States has spied on Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, his staff and others in the government there.

"We know everything he says," the Post account says one of Woodward's sources told him.

Another headline in the book by the Post associate editor -- and one that goes to the heart of McCain's approach to the war: The notable decrease in violence in Iraq is not primarily the result of the steep increase in U.S. forces that began in 2007.

Rather, Woodward reports, "groundbreaking" new covert techniques, beginning in 2007, enabled U.S. military and intelligence officials to locate, target and kill insurgent leaders and key individuals in extremist groups such as al-Qaeda in Iraq....

Tags: bush, iraq, mccain