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i-Snake 'will transform surgery'

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 16:00:17 GMT

clipped by: pibita
clipper's remarks: very interesting

i-Snake 'will transform surgery'

Experts are developing a flexible surgical robot, known as the i-Snake, which they say could revolutionise keyhole surgery

It could enable surgeons to do complex procedures previously possible only through more invasive techniques.

They envisage using the i-Snake - a long tube housing special motors, sensors and imaging tools - for heart bypass surgery.

Minimally invasive surgery has obvious advantages - it can mean smaller scars, reduced hospital stays and shorter recovery times.

"The cost benefits that i-Snake will introduce include earlier, cheaper and less invasive treatment, faster recovery and procedure times and intangible benefits through an increase in patient care and quality of life."

Dr Ted Bianco, director of technology transfer at the Wellcome Trust, said: "Gone are the days when the surgeon's knife ruled in the operating theatre. The future of surgery is in smart devices like i-Snake."

Tags: science, medicine, surgery

Argentina's first elected female president sworn in

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:02:37 GMT

clipped by: pibita

Clip Source: edition.cnn.com

Argentina's first elected female president sworn in

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Cristina Fernandez was sworn in Monday as Argentina's first elected female president, completing a rare husband-wife transfer of power that the nation hopes will ensure continued recovery from an economic meltdown.

Fernandez won 45 percent of the vote against a divided opposition on October 28. She joins Michelle Bachelet in neighboring Chile as the second female president in South America.

"The government that is coming is going to be much better than the one that's now leaving," Kirchner said.

He handed over power Monday afternoon to Fernandez, a three-term senator who won office handily on their left-leaning Victory Front coalition ticket.

Tags: women, in, power, argentina

Argentina's new Female President

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:58:58 GMT

clipped by: pibita

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Argentina Ushers In a New Political Dynasty

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, the first woman to be elected president in Argentina, succeeded her husband, Néstor Kirchner.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Cristina Fernandez was sworn in Monday as Argentina's first elected female president, completing a rare husband-wife transfer of power that the nation hopes will ensure continued recovery from an economic meltdown.

Fernandez, whose husband Nestor Kirchner is credited with leading Argentina out of its 2001-2002 economic meltdown, vowed to increase his center-left economic programs, create jobs and reduce high poverty levels.

She vowed to strengthen Argentina's oft-criticized justice system, overhaul a poorly funded system of public schools and tackle rampant crime and a looming energy crisis.

Several South American presidents looked on and thousands of supporters outside Congress waved blue-and-white Argentine flags.

Tags: women, in, power, argentina

Presidenta Cristina Fernandez swears in her new Cabinet

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:54:38 GMT

clipped by: pibita
clipper's remarks: Cristina Fernandez swore in her new cabinet shortly after taking office herself. The most emotional moment was when she swore in her sister and law, a woman with whom she has been fighting side by side in politics.

Clip Source: www.cronica.com.ar

Click para ampliar
El nuevo gabinete de Crsitina Kirchner.

ASUMIERON LOS MINISTROS

En su primer acto oficial como Presidenta en la Casa de Gobierno, Cristina Fernández le tomó juramento a los miembros de su gabinete. El momento más emotivo fue cuando llamó a su cuñada y ministra de Desarrollo Social, Alicia Kirchner, con quien se fundió en fuerte abrazo. Martín Lousteau asumió en Economía; Juan Carlos Tedesco en Educación; Lino Barañao en Ciencia y Tecnología; Florencio Randazzo en Interior y Graciela Ocaña en Salud.

Tags: women, in, power, argentina, presidenta

Cristina Fernandez New Argentine President

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:44:43 GMT

clipped by: pibita
clipper's remarks: In her short speech she delineated her plan of action. She also spoke briefly about the ongoing problem with neighboring nation Uruguay and said that the problem was only one; that Uruguyans would continue to be our brothers.

Clip Source: lanacion.com.ar

Asumió Cristina y delineó los ejes de su ges

Su marido le entregó la banda presidencial en el Congreso; en el acto de traspaso dio un discurso que duró 50 minutos; luego se trasladó a la Casa Rosada donde tomó juramento a todos su ministros; una multitud la recibió en la Plaza de Mayo

Tabaré presenció la jura y Cristina le habló de Botnia

16:11 | Aunque aseguró que no le daría gestos que profundicen las diferencias, advirtió que "la Argentina no es imputable" por el conflicto de las papeleras

Tags: women, in, power, argentina, presidenta

Cristina Fernandez First Elected Female President Argentina

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:36:08 GMT

clipped by: pibita
clipper's remarks: President Elect Cristina Fernandez was sworn in as President of Argentina today at 3pm local time. Handing her the reins her husband and acting president Nestor Kirchner.

Clip Source: www.cronica.com.ar

CRISTINA YA ES PRESIDENTA

La presidenta electa, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, llegó a las 15.03 al Congreso para participar de la Asamblea Legislativa, donde prestó juramento y recibió los atributos de mando por parte de Néstor Kirchner.

Tags: women, in, power, argentina, presidenta

Argentina swears in new FEMALE president

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:33:11 GMT

clipped by: pibita
clipper's remarks: At 3pm local time Cristina Fernandez was sworn in as first elected female president of Argentina. She was handed the presidency down from her husband and former president of the nation.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Argentina swears in new president

Cristina Kirchner takes over from her husband, Nestor

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been sworn in as president of Argentina, six weeks after her convincing win in October's election.

She took over the presidential sash from the outgoing president - her husband, Nestor Kirchner.

Mrs Kirchner becomes Argentina's first elected female head of state.

Many regional leaders were also at the ceremony.

Although both Mr and Mrs Kirchner have repeatedly stressed that she alone will take decisions, the new president said her predecessor will not disappear from the political scene.

"For me and for all Argentines, he will also continue being president," she said.

For the first time ever, Latin America will have two women presidents at the same time, with Mrs Kirchner following the lead of Michelle Bachelet in Chile.

But while many problems remain, the country has seen year-on-year economic growth and relative stability.

Tags: women, in, power, argentina, presidenta

Black Friday

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:07:26 GMT

clipped by: pibita
clipper's remarks: "The lines outside were twice as long as last year because we're offering 101 doorbuster items, which is four times as much as last year," Storch said, adding that he was "encouraged" by the crowds given this year's spate of toy recalls that affected millions of products.

Clip Source: money.cnn.com

Black Friday shopper surge

At malls and big-chain stores, crowds gather in the dark for super specials. TVs, laptops selling out. Analysts wonder if the enthusiasm will last through the holidays.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The Black Friday 2007 bargain frenzy kicked off just after midnight as throngs of shoppers shrugged off Thanksgiving Day fatigue to grab early bird sales on flatscreen TVs, clothes, jewelry and toys.

Many retailers offered "doorbuster deals," which are special sales offered only for the first few hours on Black Friday. Some chains, including Kohl's and J.C. Penney (Charts, Fortune 500), opened at 4 a.m. nationwide.

Electronics - especially high-definition plasma and LCD TVs, GPS navigation devices, Apple's iPhone and MP3 players - were expected to be among the most sought-after items.

The first big shopping day of the holiday season also attracted plenty of international shoppers, taking advantage of weakness in the dollar.

Tags: shopping, more shopping

Sinking ship 'struck iceberg'

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:05:08 GMT

clipped by: pibita

Clip Source: edition.cnn.com

Sinking ship 'struck iceberg'

LONDON, England (CNN) -- All passengers and crew aboard a ship touring the Antarctic were safe Friday after the vessel apparently hit an iceberg and started sinking, officials said. No injuries were reported.

The Norwegian cruise ship MS Nord Norge took the stranded passengers and crew on board, a spokesman for Gap Adventures, which owns the sinking vessel, said.

Passenger ship Explorer reported problems near the South Shetland Islands, south of Argentina. The area is in a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom.

Nationalities on board include 24 Britons, 17 Dutch, 14 Americans, 12 Canadian and 10 Australians, Gap Adventures said.

Other nationalities include Argentineans, Belgians, Chinese, Danes, French, Irish, Japanese, Swiss, Colombian, Swedes and Germans.

"We believed it has been hulled, it has a hole the size of a fist and some cracking in the hull of the ship, it's taking water and it's listing about 21 degrees," he said.

Tags: ship, iceberg

Argentina-Minister sacks Argentine spy boss

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 04:58:08 GMT

clipped by: pibita
clipper's remarks: Women are coming into power in Argentina, and won't be easily remove. We are her to stay---wohoo!

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Minister sacks Argentine spy boss

The head of military intelligence in Argentina has been sacked for plotting to replace President-elect Cristina Kirchner's new defence minister.

In taped conversations, Brigadier General Osvaldo Montero was heard telling interior ministry officials that Nilda Garre had to go.

But Ms Garre moved first and sacked him for disloyalty.

The Argentine military has been back in their barracks now for more than 20 years, but their relationship with the civilian governments is often a difficult one.

A recent survey of military officers found morale to be low and Ms Garre to be unpopular.

Gen Montero was caught trying to keep her out of the new government. But his conversations were recorded and the defence minister heard them.

Ms Garre is part of the government being formed by Ms Kirchner, who will take over as president next month.

Tags: argentina, women in power

Greenpeace-Forest Law in Argentina

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 04:51:25 GMT

clipped by: pibita
clipper's remarks: The Senate has approved the proposed forest law which halts the cutting down of the forests, and demands that each province (state) set a part a protected area that cannot be cut down, deforested. This will stop the dying of many animal species, and more importantly it will preserve the national forest. These forest are not only part of Argentine heritage but are also important in helping ward off the negative climatic changes.

Clip Source: www.greenpeace.org

Victoria de la gente: el senado aprobó la Ley de Bosques

Buenos Aires, Argentina — Luego de debatir artículo por artículo, el Senado Nacional aprobó este miércoles la Ley de Bosques. Greenpeace celebró que la norma, apoyada por casi un millón y medio de argentinos, cuente con una moratoria a los desmontes hasta que cada provincia realice un ordenamiento territorial de sus bosques nativos.

La Ley de Presupuestos Mínimos de Protección Ambiental de los Bosques Nativos suspende la emisión de permisos de desmonte por un año para que cada provincia realice un ordenamiento territorial de sus bosques nativos. Cumplido ese tiempo, aquellas jurisdicciones que no hayan realizado el ordenamiento territorial no podrán autorizar desmontes ni aprovechamientos productivos en zonas boscosas.

Tags: spanish, argentina, national forest

Thanksgiving Health Risks

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 03:49:56 GMT

clipped by: pibita

Clip Source: health.msn.com

Tired? Don’t blame the turkey.

he amino acid L-tryptophan in turkey

only has a noticeable ‘sleepy’ effect if it is taken on an empty stomach

Drinking and overeating are more likely to make you sleepy.

a traditional Thanksgiving meal is heavy and high in carbohydrates

A carbohydrate-rich

meal increases production of the sleep-promoting chemical serotonin in the brain.”

If you’re going to drink, it’s best to eat first.

it’s a good idea to have eaten something before drinking since food will slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream

Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be a fat fest.

Buy skinless turkey

Eat the white meat

, don’t overeat

Families can celebrate … and aggravate.

thinking ahead about what role you want to have in the family gathering; whether it’s to make it a pleasant, joyful day of family togetherness or whether you want to save time to address some particular issue

Accident rates soar at the holidays.

Don’t drink and drive

Tags: will, take, into, account, for, next, year

U.N. report: Urgent action needed on 'severe' climate change

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 16:31:50 GMT

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clipper's remarks: Scientists say up to an 85 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions is needed to head off potential catastrophic changes that could lead to more floods and famine.
Written by more than 2,500 top government-appointed scientists, Saturday's report contains a summary for policymakers attending the Bali talks, outlining the scientific evidence for global warming and ways to deal with it.

Clip Source: www.cnn.com

U.N. report: Urgent action needed on 'severe' climate change

(CNN) -- Climate change is "severe and so sweeping that only urgent, global action" can head it off, a United Nations scientific panel said in a report on global warming issued Saturday.

The report produced by the Nobel prize-winning panel warns of the devastating impact for developing countries and the threat of species extinction posed by the climate crisis.

Exposed mud banks at a reservoir in Spain, November 2007.

The U.N. head said the situation was already "so severe and so sweeping that only urgent, global action" could head off the crisis.

The report warns that in spite of the protocols adopted by many Western countries after Kyoto, greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise by between 25 and 90 per cent by 2030.

The report also predicts a rise in global warming of around 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade.

Tags: global, climate change

Bangladesh cyclone kills hundreds

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:06:22 GMT

clipped by: pibita

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Bangladesh cyclone kills hundreds

At least 600 people are reported to have died after a powerful cyclone smashed into Bangladesh's coast, levelling villages and uprooting trees.

Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated or sought safe shelter before the storm hit the coast from the Bay of Bengal, but some were left behind.

The true extent of the devastation remains unclear as the storm has blocked access to the affected areas.

As it was downgraded to a tropical storm, attention turned to assessing the devastation and distributing aid.

Many people are thought to have been killed as falling trees levelled fragile houses made of thatch, wood and tin.

The cyclone had roared in from the Bay of Bengal just before dusk on Thursday, generating winds of up to 240km/h (150mph) and driving rain.

At least 150 fishing boats in the Bay of Bengal have failed to return to shore.

Tags: bangladesh, cyclone

Powerful quake hits north Chile

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:48:30 GMT

clipped by: pibita

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Powerful quake hits north Chile

A powerful 7.7-magnitude quake has hit northern Chile, knocking out power and damaging buildings.

The quake hit at 1243 local time (1543 GMT), centring on Quillahua village, about 100km north-west of Calama town.

The quake - lasting about 40 seconds - sent panicked residents out into the streets. It could even be felt in the capital Santiago, 1,260km to the south.

"It was horribly strong. It was very long and there was a lot of underground noise," Andrea Riveros, a hotel worker in Calama, told news agency AP.

Shortly after the earthquake struck the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued a tsunami alert.

Two tectonic plates - the Nazca and the South American - clash in this region.

Tags: earthquake, chile