Music was sent down a telephone line for the first time in 1876, the year the phone was invented.
Sound travels through water 3 times faster than through air.
A square piece of dry paper cannot be folded in half more than 7 times.
Air becomes liquid at about minus 190 degrees Celsius.
Liquid air looks like water with a bluish tint.
A scientific satellite needs only 250 watts of power, the equivelant used by two hour light bulbs, to operate.
The thin line of cloud that forms behind an aircraft at high altitudes is called a contrail.
Radio waves travel so much faster than sound waves that a broadcast voice can be heard sooner 18,000 km away than in the back of the room in which it originated.
A US ton is equivalent to 900 kg (2000 pounds). A British ton is 1008 kg (2240 pounds), called a gross ton.
Industrial hemp contains less than 1% of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana.
Since space is essentially empty it cannot carry sound. Therefor there is no sound in space, at least not the sort of sound that we are used to.
The Space Shuttle always rolls over after launch to alleviate structural loading, allowing the shuttle to carry more mass into orbit.
The word "biology" was coined in 1805 by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.
Most of the air is about 78% nitrogen gas. Only 21% consists of oxygen. The remaining 1% consists of carbon dioxide, argon, neon, helium, krypton, hydrogen, xenon and ozone.
Argon is used to fill the space in most light bulbs. Neon is used in fluorescent signs. Fluorescent lights are filled with mercury gas.
Hydrogen gas is the least dense substance in the world.
Water expands by about 9% as it freezes.
The surface of hot water freezes faster than cold water but the rest of the water will remain liquid longer than in a cold sample.
The smallest transistor is 50-nanometres wide - roughly 1/2000 the width of a human hair.
A compass does not point to the geographical North or South Pole, but to the magnetic poles.
The double-helix structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. The length of a single human DNA molecule, when extended, is 1.7 metres (5 ft 5 in).
In a desert, a mirage is caused when air near the ground is hotter than air higher up. As light from the sun passes from cooler to warmer air, it speeds up and is refracted upward, creating the image of water.
The typical bolt of lightning heats the atmosphere to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
An electric oven uses one kilowatt-hour of electricity in about 20 minutes, but one kilowatt-hour will power a TV for 3 hours, run a 100-watt bulb for 12 hours, and keep an electric clock ticking for 3 months.
In the 6th century BC Greek mathematician Pythagoras said that earth is round - but few agreed with him.
Greek astronomer Aristarchos said in the 3rd century BC that earth revolves around the sun - but the idea was not accepted.
In the 2nd century BC Greek astronomer Erastosthenes accurately measured the distance around the earth at about 40,000 km (24,860 miles) - but nobody believed him.
In the 2nd century AD Greek astronomer Ptolemy stated that earth was the centre of the universe - most people believed him for the next 1,400 years.
Read More......
Friday, October 31, 2008
Setting cholesterol Goal
There's no such thing as a "normal" cholesterol level, but we do have targets to aim for.
HDL ("good cholesterol"): The higher your HDL is, the more protection you get against atherosclerosis. I tell everyone to try to get their HDL up to at least 40. Low HDL values, below 35-40 mg/dl, are considered dangerous, while numbers above 60-65 mg/dl actually reduce your risk.
There is a little disagreement on the specific thresholds. Men are generally told to strive for higher levels than women, because men have greater risk of atherosclerosis than women the same age. The best way to increase your HDL is with exercise. Diet and current medications don't have very much effect.
Triglycerides: High triglyceride levels not only increase the risk of atherosclerosis, they can also cause liver disease and pancreatitis. Most experts agree that everyone should try to keep their triglycerides below 150 mg/dl.
Our bodies produce triglycerides as a way of storing excess energy to be used later. Even though they are the building blocks of fat, the main cause for high triglycerides is too much sugar and simple starch in the diet. Cutting down on sweets, sodas, bread, rice, noodles, potatoes and similar starchy foods can help a lot.
LDL ("bad cholesterol"): Safe levels of LDL are the most complicated to determine. Because people at higher risk for heart attack and stroke will benefit most from reducing their LDL, we set the lowest target values for them. There are also two different sets of goals, depending upon how aggressive you want to be. But in any case, lower is almost always better for both LDL and triglycerides.
Studies show that heart attack risk continues to drop as you lower your LDL level, regardless of your other health problems. The best way to reduce your LDL is to cut down on fat in your diet. A few common sources of fat include fried foods, milk, cheese, egg yolks and creamy sauces or dressings.
Source : Yahoo
Read More......
HDL ("good cholesterol"): The higher your HDL is, the more protection you get against atherosclerosis. I tell everyone to try to get their HDL up to at least 40. Low HDL values, below 35-40 mg/dl, are considered dangerous, while numbers above 60-65 mg/dl actually reduce your risk.
There is a little disagreement on the specific thresholds. Men are generally told to strive for higher levels than women, because men have greater risk of atherosclerosis than women the same age. The best way to increase your HDL is with exercise. Diet and current medications don't have very much effect.
Triglycerides: High triglyceride levels not only increase the risk of atherosclerosis, they can also cause liver disease and pancreatitis. Most experts agree that everyone should try to keep their triglycerides below 150 mg/dl.
Our bodies produce triglycerides as a way of storing excess energy to be used later. Even though they are the building blocks of fat, the main cause for high triglycerides is too much sugar and simple starch in the diet. Cutting down on sweets, sodas, bread, rice, noodles, potatoes and similar starchy foods can help a lot.
LDL ("bad cholesterol"): Safe levels of LDL are the most complicated to determine. Because people at higher risk for heart attack and stroke will benefit most from reducing their LDL, we set the lowest target values for them. There are also two different sets of goals, depending upon how aggressive you want to be. But in any case, lower is almost always better for both LDL and triglycerides.
Studies show that heart attack risk continues to drop as you lower your LDL level, regardless of your other health problems. The best way to reduce your LDL is to cut down on fat in your diet. A few common sources of fat include fried foods, milk, cheese, egg yolks and creamy sauces or dressings.
Source : Yahoo
Read More......
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
What collectors are called
The name for a teddy bear collector is archtophilist or arctophile.
Collectors of dolls are called plangonologists.
A collector of paper money, coins, tokens, and related objects is called a numismatist.
A collector of paper money is called a notaphilist.
A labeorphilist is a collector of beer bottles.
A collector of butterflies is called a lepidopterist.
Conchologists collect animal shells.
A collector of matchbooks and matchbook covers is a phillumenist.
A collector of antiques is an antiquarian.
If you collect obsidian and syenite you are called a rock hound.
A scripophilist collects old stocks and bonds.
A stamp collector is called a philatelist.
A pernalogist is a collector of pearls.
Cinephiles are film collectors.
A bibiophilist collects books.
A copoclephilist collects key rings.
A deltiologist collects post cards.
A collector of hi-fi equipment is called an audiophile
Spermologist collect seeds.
A spermologer is one who collects Trivia (this from the original Trivial Pursuit game).
A Heortologist collects religious calenders.
A Collector of walking sticks is a rabdophilist.
Read More......
Collectors of dolls are called plangonologists.
A collector of paper money, coins, tokens, and related objects is called a numismatist.
A collector of paper money is called a notaphilist.
A labeorphilist is a collector of beer bottles.
A collector of butterflies is called a lepidopterist.
Conchologists collect animal shells.
A collector of matchbooks and matchbook covers is a phillumenist.
A collector of antiques is an antiquarian.
If you collect obsidian and syenite you are called a rock hound.
A scripophilist collects old stocks and bonds.
A stamp collector is called a philatelist.
A pernalogist is a collector of pearls.
Cinephiles are film collectors.
A bibiophilist collects books.
A copoclephilist collects key rings.
A deltiologist collects post cards.
A collector of hi-fi equipment is called an audiophile
Spermologist collect seeds.
A spermologer is one who collects Trivia (this from the original Trivial Pursuit game).
A Heortologist collects religious calenders.
A Collector of walking sticks is a rabdophilist.
Read More......
Bank of America started as Bank of Italy
Amedeo Giannini, son of Italian immigrants to the US, started the Bank of America in a converted saloon in San Francisco at 9 am on Monday, 17 October 1904. On the first day, 28 deposits totalled $8,780.
When an earthquake struck in 1907, he ran his bank from a plank in the street. Word quickly spread about his service and by 1916 he had several branches. By 1929, the bank was strong enough to withstand the Great Depression stock crash. Giannini changed the name to Bank of America in 1928 and remained chairman until 1963.
The Bank of Italy in Italy was created in 1893 through the merger of 3 of the 6 banks at the time: Banca Nazionale nel Regno d'Italia and 2 Tuscan banks.
The Bank of England was founded by William Patterson after King William III of England found himself badly in need of funds to fight a war with France in 1694. Patterson provided the funds after the king agreed to order all the goldsmiths of London to stop issuing receipts as depositories for precious metals, forcing merchants to store their gold with the new bank. The Bank of England was finally authorised in 1946.
The Reichsbank of Germany was founded by Meyer Amschel Rothschild (1743-1812), who appointed his son Karl over the Bank of Naples, and his son Salomon over the Bank of Vienna. Later, his son Edmund presided over the Bank of Germany,and his son Nathan over the Bank of England.
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) became the first US Secretary of Treasury under Pres. Washington.
By the time of the American Civil War (1861 - 1865) there were 1600 banks in the US, issuing about 7,000 different kinds of bank notes.
In 1861, the US Congress authorised "promissory notes," calling them "greenbacks" to contrast in colour with notes issued by private banks. The US Treasury held the impressive sum of $346,681,016.
Read More......
When an earthquake struck in 1907, he ran his bank from a plank in the street. Word quickly spread about his service and by 1916 he had several branches. By 1929, the bank was strong enough to withstand the Great Depression stock crash. Giannini changed the name to Bank of America in 1928 and remained chairman until 1963.
The Bank of Italy in Italy was created in 1893 through the merger of 3 of the 6 banks at the time: Banca Nazionale nel Regno d'Italia and 2 Tuscan banks.
The Bank of England was founded by William Patterson after King William III of England found himself badly in need of funds to fight a war with France in 1694. Patterson provided the funds after the king agreed to order all the goldsmiths of London to stop issuing receipts as depositories for precious metals, forcing merchants to store their gold with the new bank. The Bank of England was finally authorised in 1946.
The Reichsbank of Germany was founded by Meyer Amschel Rothschild (1743-1812), who appointed his son Karl over the Bank of Naples, and his son Salomon over the Bank of Vienna. Later, his son Edmund presided over the Bank of Germany,and his son Nathan over the Bank of England.
Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton (1755-1804) became the first US Secretary of Treasury under Pres. Washington.
By the time of the American Civil War (1861 - 1865) there were 1600 banks in the US, issuing about 7,000 different kinds of bank notes.
In 1861, the US Congress authorised "promissory notes," calling them "greenbacks" to contrast in colour with notes issued by private banks. The US Treasury held the impressive sum of $346,681,016.
Read More......
P h o b i a s
What do you fear?
What do people fear most? At the top of the list is death, the fear of which is necrophobia. Second, apparently, is the fear of failure, which is called kakorrhaphiophobia. There is of course a story of how fears developed, like fear for the number 13. The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia.
In pagan times Friday was the luckiest day of the week because it was ruled by the planet Venus, the symbol of love and fortune. In fact, Friday is named in honour of Freya, goddess of Love. But for Christians, Friday has not been a good day. Adam and Eve is said to have eaten the forbidden fruit on a Friday and died on a Friday. Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
For centuries sailors refused to set sail on a Friday. It is told that when the reluctance of seamen to set sail on a Friday had reached such proportions that it interfered with naval operations, the British Admiralty decided to prove once and for all that it is a fallacy. They laid the keel of a new vessel on a Friday, named her H.M.S. Friday, and launched her on a Friday. On her first voyage, setting sail on a Friday, she was commanded by Captain James Friday. She left the harbour and nothing has since been heard of her or her crew. The identical story has also found its place in American lore.
The fear for traveling on a Friday continued until the early 20th century where in Europe bus and train travel was lowest on a Friday. But before you say "Thank Goodness, it's Friday!" consider that today, FBI statistics show, most robberies take place on a Friday.
The number 13
It is believed that the fear for the number 13 stems from primitive man being unable to count past 12. Numbers beyond 12 do now have an individual and independent name but are a combination of the first 12 numbers. With 12 being the end of the line, 13 was moving into unknown territory.
In Norse mythology the 13th number led to the death of Baldur, the beloved of the gods. When the 12 gods gathered for a banquet in Valhalla, Loki gatecrashed the party, increasing the number to 13, which led to the death of Baldur. It also happens that in Tarot cards, 13 is called "Death."
The baker's dozen
The "unlucky 13" is the reason why the thirteen loaves that bakers once supplied were never called by the number, but described as "a baker's dozen." The thirteenth loaf was regarded as a special bribe for the devil not to spoil the sale or the bread.
The lucky number 13
But 13 is not unlucky for all. The Mayas worshipped the 13 gods of the upper world. The Aztecs climbed 13 steps to their sacred places. Buddhists paid homage to 13 Buddhas. In Jewish faith, God revealed Himself by 13 attributes of bountiful mercy (Exodus 34: 6-7). The orthodox Jewish prayer book hold the Thirteen Principles of Faith. Jewish boys celebrate their Bar Mitzvah at age 13.
The number 13 in Greek is triskaideka and the fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia.
Read More......
What do people fear most? At the top of the list is death, the fear of which is necrophobia. Second, apparently, is the fear of failure, which is called kakorrhaphiophobia. There is of course a story of how fears developed, like fear for the number 13. The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia.
In pagan times Friday was the luckiest day of the week because it was ruled by the planet Venus, the symbol of love and fortune. In fact, Friday is named in honour of Freya, goddess of Love. But for Christians, Friday has not been a good day. Adam and Eve is said to have eaten the forbidden fruit on a Friday and died on a Friday. Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
For centuries sailors refused to set sail on a Friday. It is told that when the reluctance of seamen to set sail on a Friday had reached such proportions that it interfered with naval operations, the British Admiralty decided to prove once and for all that it is a fallacy. They laid the keel of a new vessel on a Friday, named her H.M.S. Friday, and launched her on a Friday. On her first voyage, setting sail on a Friday, she was commanded by Captain James Friday. She left the harbour and nothing has since been heard of her or her crew. The identical story has also found its place in American lore.
The fear for traveling on a Friday continued until the early 20th century where in Europe bus and train travel was lowest on a Friday. But before you say "Thank Goodness, it's Friday!" consider that today, FBI statistics show, most robberies take place on a Friday.
The number 13
It is believed that the fear for the number 13 stems from primitive man being unable to count past 12. Numbers beyond 12 do now have an individual and independent name but are a combination of the first 12 numbers. With 12 being the end of the line, 13 was moving into unknown territory.
In Norse mythology the 13th number led to the death of Baldur, the beloved of the gods. When the 12 gods gathered for a banquet in Valhalla, Loki gatecrashed the party, increasing the number to 13, which led to the death of Baldur. It also happens that in Tarot cards, 13 is called "Death."
The baker's dozen
The "unlucky 13" is the reason why the thirteen loaves that bakers once supplied were never called by the number, but described as "a baker's dozen." The thirteenth loaf was regarded as a special bribe for the devil not to spoil the sale or the bread.
The lucky number 13
But 13 is not unlucky for all. The Mayas worshipped the 13 gods of the upper world. The Aztecs climbed 13 steps to their sacred places. Buddhists paid homage to 13 Buddhas. In Jewish faith, God revealed Himself by 13 attributes of bountiful mercy (Exodus 34: 6-7). The orthodox Jewish prayer book hold the Thirteen Principles of Faith. Jewish boys celebrate their Bar Mitzvah at age 13.
The number 13 in Greek is triskaideka and the fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia.
Read More......
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
92 known cases of nuclear bombs lost at sea
The very first bomb that the Allies dropped on Berlin in World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo, it is said. The NATO attack on Serbia in 1999 (the Kosovo war) killed more animals than people. "Smart" weapons, such the Tomahawk missile is supposed to hit a postage stamp at 300km or more (200 miles or more). But only two out of thirteen actually hit the target. One skimmed over the house of a small farmer a few kilometres (miles) off target, straight up a track, through bushes, and exploded in the farmer's field, killing seven sheep, one cow and a goat. The farmer kept the missile nosecone as a souvenir.
To err is human. To really mess things up you need a computer
On 5 October 1960 an early-warning system warned the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) of a massive Soviet nuclear missile strike approaching the United States. What happened is that a fault in a computer system had removed two zeros from the radar's ranging components, detecting the missile attack at 4 000km (2,500 miles) away. The radar was actually detecting a reflection from the moon, located 400 000km (250,000 miles) away.
On 3 June 1980 a massive Soviet missile attack was again registered by computers. 100 nuclear-armed B-52s were immediately put on alert. A computer fault was detected in time, but three days later the same error occurred and again the bombers were put on alert. The problem was later traced to the failure of an integrated circuit in a computer, which was producing random digits representing the number of missiles detected.
On 10 January 1984, Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, recorded a message that one of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles was about to launch from its silo due to a computer malfunction. To prevent the possible launch, an armoured car was parked on top of the silo.
The history of nuclear weapon accidents is as old as their introduction
The US Department of Defence (DoD) first published a list of nuclear weapon accidents in 1968 which detailed 13 serious nuclear weapon accidents between 1950-1968. An updated list released in 1980 catalogued 32 accidents. At the same time, documents released by the Navy under the Freedom of Information Act cited 381 nuclear weapon incidents between 1965 and 1977.
A number of nuclear cases involve ships or submarines colliding at sea or, in some cases, submarine nuclear power units becoming unstable and the subs having to be abandoned. According to Greenpeace there have been more than 120 submarine accidents since 1956. The most recent incident, in August 2000, was the loss of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk in the Barents Sea. The Kursk is the seventh nuclear submarine lost, five of them Russian, two American. There are 92 known cases of nuclear bombs lost at sea.
Read More......
To err is human. To really mess things up you need a computer
On 5 October 1960 an early-warning system warned the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) of a massive Soviet nuclear missile strike approaching the United States. What happened is that a fault in a computer system had removed two zeros from the radar's ranging components, detecting the missile attack at 4 000km (2,500 miles) away. The radar was actually detecting a reflection from the moon, located 400 000km (250,000 miles) away.
On 3 June 1980 a massive Soviet missile attack was again registered by computers. 100 nuclear-armed B-52s were immediately put on alert. A computer fault was detected in time, but three days later the same error occurred and again the bombers were put on alert. The problem was later traced to the failure of an integrated circuit in a computer, which was producing random digits representing the number of missiles detected.
On 10 January 1984, Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, recorded a message that one of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles was about to launch from its silo due to a computer malfunction. To prevent the possible launch, an armoured car was parked on top of the silo.
The history of nuclear weapon accidents is as old as their introduction
The US Department of Defence (DoD) first published a list of nuclear weapon accidents in 1968 which detailed 13 serious nuclear weapon accidents between 1950-1968. An updated list released in 1980 catalogued 32 accidents. At the same time, documents released by the Navy under the Freedom of Information Act cited 381 nuclear weapon incidents between 1965 and 1977.
A number of nuclear cases involve ships or submarines colliding at sea or, in some cases, submarine nuclear power units becoming unstable and the subs having to be abandoned. According to Greenpeace there have been more than 120 submarine accidents since 1956. The most recent incident, in August 2000, was the loss of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk in the Barents Sea. The Kursk is the seventh nuclear submarine lost, five of them Russian, two American. There are 92 known cases of nuclear bombs lost at sea.
Read More......
Monday, October 27, 2008
the rapid deforestation that occurs in Kalimantan
To start of, I would like to explain what deforestation is. Deforestation is the permanent clearing and destruction of forests. Deforestation causes harm to us. As forest have been sources of food and materials. Forests have been cleared to create land for agriculture, settlement, transport and industry. When forest are depleted and destroyed, animal and plant species became endangered or extinct.
Kalimantan has been experiencing a rapid rate of deforestation for the last 25 years. In Kalimantan the deforestation rate is about 1.48 million square meters of forest lost every hour! Or 25000 square meters per minute!
The causes of Kalimantan deforestation are:
* Increase in demand for agriculture land use
The increase of demand of land for agriculture purposes means that there are more lands being cleared due to the agriculture activities. Agriculture activities involve the rearing of animals and the cultivation of crops. Indonesia government have made a population resettlement to ease the over crowding of Java and Sumatra island. Indonesians that had been resettled choose to stay in Kalimantan. This causes the increase of population in Kalimantan. New settler who stay and grow small holding of crops cleared land for cultivation. Some crops cultivated are for sale, this motivated the new settler to clear more land in order to cultivate more crops. There is also a source of demand came form plantation companies. As oil palm is very common plantation in Indonesia and it bring a high export rate to Indonesia. Lands are being cleared to grow oil palm which are cheap to grow and highly profitable.
* Growth of settlements
As population increases it leads to crowed settlements and land are being cleared for housing purposes. Lands are being cleared for the growth and expansion of town or cities which is known as the urbanization. People are moving from rural settlements to urban settlements to work due to the more opportunities of jobs in the urban settlements. This increases the population in town or cities area which causes urbanization to occurs.
* Improved transport network
Transport networks like road and railway tracks are build to link settlement and to allow access to previous remote forested areas. Improves accessibility give an easier access for people to destroy more areas of the rainforest.
* Growth in industries
As logging is one of the incomes of Indonesia. There are a lot of logging activities that is carried out in Kalimantan. Forest are cleared in order to sell timber for profit. Heavy logging occurs in Indonesia where rapid pace of wood is processed and exported. The speed up of the pace of logging is to ensure their wood processing activities is fully utilized. In Indonesia it is worsen by illegal logging. Mining also occurs in Indonesia where it is the extracting of minerals found in the ground underneath the rainforest. In Indonesia logging and mining activities must be carried out with a license.
* Forest fire.
Forest fires are fire that occurs in the forest that results in the destruction of forest and air population. Forest fire has caused destruction to more than 23750 sq km in a year. Most forest fires are deliberately se by people. This is because forest fire is the cheapest way to clear lands. Forest fires also tend to affect forests that have been cleared. Vegetation debris that re left on forest floor easily catch fire that can causes a series of forest fire.
The effects of deforestation are:
* Loss of earth biomass
Biomass is the combined weight of all organisms which is measured in term of kilo calories of stored energy. Stored energy represents the amount of food that is available on earth and hence the ability of the earth to support life. As tropical rainforest is rich in biomass the deforestation that occurs in Kalimantan has contributed to the reduction of the earth biomass. Kalimantan is rich in tropical rainforest which means that most forests that are cleared are rain forest. Kalimantan rainforest form a significant portion of the earth biomass.
* The loss of earth biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the range of plants and animals. The reduction of the earth biomass has affected the ability of rainforest to supports the biodiversity. Kalimantan rainforest is one of the reached rainforest in the earth and rival the diversity of Papua New Guinea and Amazon rainforest. The deforestation causes the decrease of the biodiversity of the rainforest which than leads to extinction of species. Kalimantan rainforest is home to 380 bird species, 10000 plant species, 3000 tress species and 2000 varieties of orchids. So, the deforestation that occurs is harming that amount of species of animal! Number of species is not the amount of animal being affected!
* Changes in the nutrients cycle
Leaf litters are dried leaves that feel to the underground layer of the tropical rainforest. Leaf decomposed and form humus due to the consistent hot temperature and high rainfall. Nutrients cycle breakdown when no decomposition occurs this is because trees have been removes or rapid surface fun off that carries away any fallen leaves, twigs and branches before they decay. The expose land are subjected to leaching – a process which by the rain carries the nutrients out of the top soil into lower layer as it move down the soil. Infertile soil is easily eroded by wind and rain.
* Change in quantity of water
As trees and plants are removed less transpiration take place and reduce the amount of cloud formation which lowers the amount of rainfall. Kalimantan deforestation has a direct impact in the amount of rainfall received which caused droughts or prolong dry seasons.
* Change in the quality of water
In area where deforestation takes place, water qualities in river are generally poor. This is caused by the soil is easily eroded and washed away easily by rain into the nearby rivers. This increases the sedimentary level. The increased sedimentary level caused water to be murky and undrinkable. It also changes the pH level by making the water acidic. This affects the aquatic lives in the rivers.
* Air pollution
Most deforestation that occurs are by burning the forest. Dust and smoke particle are exposed into the air causing air pollutions. Huge forest fire caused dust and smoke particles exposed into the air for sometimes resulting haze experienced in many area. Since 1990s it is a recurring problems due to wide spread burning of rainforest in Sumatra and Kalimantan. In several occasion strong wind blow haze to nearby country which affect other countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Haze results health problems like eye, nose, throat irritation, coughs, headache and lung infections. It also ceased the everyday activities of people and shows of tourism industry declining. Tourist will tend to stay away from the regions and slight were to stops due to the poor visibility.
Let us play our part as a nation!
“A nation exists only in the minds and heart of men. It is an idea. It is therefore more real than its courts and armies, more real than its cities, more real than you and I are, for it existed in our father and will exists in our children.” A view on the idea of nation shared by the first President of Indonesia, Achmed Sukarno, in 1956. Read More......
Kalimantan has been experiencing a rapid rate of deforestation for the last 25 years. In Kalimantan the deforestation rate is about 1.48 million square meters of forest lost every hour! Or 25000 square meters per minute!
The causes of Kalimantan deforestation are:
* Increase in demand for agriculture land use
The increase of demand of land for agriculture purposes means that there are more lands being cleared due to the agriculture activities. Agriculture activities involve the rearing of animals and the cultivation of crops. Indonesia government have made a population resettlement to ease the over crowding of Java and Sumatra island. Indonesians that had been resettled choose to stay in Kalimantan. This causes the increase of population in Kalimantan. New settler who stay and grow small holding of crops cleared land for cultivation. Some crops cultivated are for sale, this motivated the new settler to clear more land in order to cultivate more crops. There is also a source of demand came form plantation companies. As oil palm is very common plantation in Indonesia and it bring a high export rate to Indonesia. Lands are being cleared to grow oil palm which are cheap to grow and highly profitable.
* Growth of settlements
As population increases it leads to crowed settlements and land are being cleared for housing purposes. Lands are being cleared for the growth and expansion of town or cities which is known as the urbanization. People are moving from rural settlements to urban settlements to work due to the more opportunities of jobs in the urban settlements. This increases the population in town or cities area which causes urbanization to occurs.
* Improved transport network
Transport networks like road and railway tracks are build to link settlement and to allow access to previous remote forested areas. Improves accessibility give an easier access for people to destroy more areas of the rainforest.
* Growth in industries
As logging is one of the incomes of Indonesia. There are a lot of logging activities that is carried out in Kalimantan. Forest are cleared in order to sell timber for profit. Heavy logging occurs in Indonesia where rapid pace of wood is processed and exported. The speed up of the pace of logging is to ensure their wood processing activities is fully utilized. In Indonesia it is worsen by illegal logging. Mining also occurs in Indonesia where it is the extracting of minerals found in the ground underneath the rainforest. In Indonesia logging and mining activities must be carried out with a license.
* Forest fire.
Forest fires are fire that occurs in the forest that results in the destruction of forest and air population. Forest fire has caused destruction to more than 23750 sq km in a year. Most forest fires are deliberately se by people. This is because forest fire is the cheapest way to clear lands. Forest fires also tend to affect forests that have been cleared. Vegetation debris that re left on forest floor easily catch fire that can causes a series of forest fire.
The effects of deforestation are:
* Loss of earth biomass
Biomass is the combined weight of all organisms which is measured in term of kilo calories of stored energy. Stored energy represents the amount of food that is available on earth and hence the ability of the earth to support life. As tropical rainforest is rich in biomass the deforestation that occurs in Kalimantan has contributed to the reduction of the earth biomass. Kalimantan is rich in tropical rainforest which means that most forests that are cleared are rain forest. Kalimantan rainforest form a significant portion of the earth biomass.
* The loss of earth biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the range of plants and animals. The reduction of the earth biomass has affected the ability of rainforest to supports the biodiversity. Kalimantan rainforest is one of the reached rainforest in the earth and rival the diversity of Papua New Guinea and Amazon rainforest. The deforestation causes the decrease of the biodiversity of the rainforest which than leads to extinction of species. Kalimantan rainforest is home to 380 bird species, 10000 plant species, 3000 tress species and 2000 varieties of orchids. So, the deforestation that occurs is harming that amount of species of animal! Number of species is not the amount of animal being affected!
* Changes in the nutrients cycle
Leaf litters are dried leaves that feel to the underground layer of the tropical rainforest. Leaf decomposed and form humus due to the consistent hot temperature and high rainfall. Nutrients cycle breakdown when no decomposition occurs this is because trees have been removes or rapid surface fun off that carries away any fallen leaves, twigs and branches before they decay. The expose land are subjected to leaching – a process which by the rain carries the nutrients out of the top soil into lower layer as it move down the soil. Infertile soil is easily eroded by wind and rain.
* Change in quantity of water
As trees and plants are removed less transpiration take place and reduce the amount of cloud formation which lowers the amount of rainfall. Kalimantan deforestation has a direct impact in the amount of rainfall received which caused droughts or prolong dry seasons.
* Change in the quality of water
In area where deforestation takes place, water qualities in river are generally poor. This is caused by the soil is easily eroded and washed away easily by rain into the nearby rivers. This increases the sedimentary level. The increased sedimentary level caused water to be murky and undrinkable. It also changes the pH level by making the water acidic. This affects the aquatic lives in the rivers.
* Air pollution
Most deforestation that occurs are by burning the forest. Dust and smoke particle are exposed into the air causing air pollutions. Huge forest fire caused dust and smoke particles exposed into the air for sometimes resulting haze experienced in many area. Since 1990s it is a recurring problems due to wide spread burning of rainforest in Sumatra and Kalimantan. In several occasion strong wind blow haze to nearby country which affect other countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Haze results health problems like eye, nose, throat irritation, coughs, headache and lung infections. It also ceased the everyday activities of people and shows of tourism industry declining. Tourist will tend to stay away from the regions and slight were to stops due to the poor visibility.
Let us play our part as a nation!
“A nation exists only in the minds and heart of men. It is an idea. It is therefore more real than its courts and armies, more real than its cities, more real than you and I are, for it existed in our father and will exists in our children.” A view on the idea of nation shared by the first President of Indonesia, Achmed Sukarno, in 1956. Read More......
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Always and Forever
What would you do if every time you wanted someone they would never be there?
What would you do if for every moment you were truly happy there would be 10 moments of sadness?
What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow and you never got to tell them how you felt?
So, I just wanted to say, even if I talk to you rarely since I know You.
You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.
I look up to you, respect you, and truly cherish you.
Remember, everyone needs a friend, someday you might feel like you have NO FRIENDS at all.
Just remember this words and take comfort in knowing somebody out there cares about you and always will.
I'll Always Be There; In times of trouble, In times of need.
If you are feeling sad; You can count on me.
I will give you a wink; Until you smile.
Give you a hug and stand by your side.
I'll be there for you till the end.
I'll always and forever, be your friend!
Read More......
What would you do if for every moment you were truly happy there would be 10 moments of sadness?
What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow and you never got to tell them how you felt?
So, I just wanted to say, even if I talk to you rarely since I know You.
You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.
I look up to you, respect you, and truly cherish you.
Remember, everyone needs a friend, someday you might feel like you have NO FRIENDS at all.
Just remember this words and take comfort in knowing somebody out there cares about you and always will.
I'll Always Be There; In times of trouble, In times of need.
If you are feeling sad; You can count on me.
I will give you a wink; Until you smile.
Give you a hug and stand by your side.
I'll be there for you till the end.
I'll always and forever, be your friend!
Read More......
Friday, October 24, 2008
Money Mistakes
If you've ever let your spouse control the finances, or you've put off examining your credit report or bought something frivolous just because you had a coupon, read on to find out how to banish cash conundrums from your life for good.
Money mistake No. 1: Minding the pennies and missing dollars.
Have you ever driven across town because you wanted to cash in a 50-cent coupon? Do you spend a lot of time searching out bargains and clipping coupons? "It's sweating the small stuff," says Ginita Wall, founder of the Women's Institute for Financial Education and a financial adviser in San Diego. "You're concentrating so much on clipping coupons and getting bargains, you're forgetting what your overall goals are. Then you'll take the money you saved and just spend it on something else."
Also, being pennywise can sometimes cost you more money than you save. For example, you may spend more in gas than you save from the coupon if you have to drive across town to redeem it.
Smart cents solution: Think of your goal.
It's fine to save cents by clipping coupons and shopping around for bargains, but be sure to keep your bigger goal in mind. Why are you saving the money? Is it for your kid's college education, your vacation fund, a new car? Then take the money you save and put it where it will do the best. For example, many grocery stores have banks inside. If you save $7 with coupons, walk over to the bank right then and deposit that $7 into your savings account.
Money mistake No. 2: Being confused by credit reports.
Whenever you seek credit, whether it's a new store card, a car loan or a mortgage, the lender checks your credit report to determine your creditworthiness.
"Credit reports are the most important decision-making tool for creditors," says Catherine Williams, vice president of financial literacy for Money Management International. Even potential employers and landlords can request your report to find out if you'll be a responsible employee or tenant. That's why mistakes on your credit report, whether they're caused by the credit agency or are the result of identity theft or fraud, can make your life miserable.
Smart cents Solution: Check your report.
"Everybody owes it to themselves to get a copy of their credit report, and you should know that the 2003 FACTA (Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act) (had) a provision to allow consumers one free copy every year from each of the three major credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion," says Williams.
You should request a copy of your credit report every year and before making any major purchase. The Web site annualcreditreport.com, sponsored by the three major credit reporting agencies, serves as a centralized, authorized source for consumers to request free credit reports from all three sources. When you request reports there, you can also choose to pay to receive a copy of your credit score.
Each agency differs slightly in the information it carries, so it's a good idea to check all three reports. Also, the reports should come with supporting information on how to read the data and dispute mistakes.
The three bureaus are TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. You can also request credit reports directly from the agencies, usually for a fee, and dispute your credit report's errors.
Money mistake No. 3: Letting budgeting get you down.
Feeling guilty that you don't have a budget? You're not alone. Many people find budgeting such a drag that they just don't do it, says Wall.
Smart cents solution: Do 'spot budgeting.'
Don't feel that you have to budget down to the last penny. If budgeting is a burden, you can do "spot budgeting" instead, says Wall. "Pick three or four categories where you think you can trim expenses -- such as clothes and entertainment -- and cut down on those. You don't need to worry about every expense."
Money mistake No. 4: Letting your money leak away.
Money leaks are those little ways you spend money, usually automatically, without even thinking about it, and often without enjoying it. The daily candy bar at work, the midmorning cappuccino, the $20 bill you hand your kid whenever she asks for money. "That money might be better used for something you would enjoy, such as saving for a cruise," says Wall.
Smart cents solution: Write it down.
Keep a little piece of paper and a pencil in your wallet, suggests Wall. Every time you spend money, jot down what you spent it on and how much it cost. "In three weeks, you'll be able to see where the money is going -- like, gee, the kids are tapping me for $20 every time I turn around ... so your kids may be your money leak," says Wall. "Time to corral in the kids -- no more 'Bank of Mom and Dad."'
Money mistake No. 5: Being out of touch.
Letting your partner have total control of the family finances can spell bad news. If you don't know how much money you have, where key financial documents are stored or how to pay bills or taxes, you could be in for a rude surprise should you ever need to handle the finances on your own.
Smart cents solution: Hold money meetings.
Both partners should know what's going on financially, even if they divvy up the financial duties, says Wall. Even if your spouse is in charge of taxes and investments, for instance, you need to have a handle on those areas, and you should keep your spouse in the loop on your bill paying and budgeting duties.
That's why Wall suggests holding monthly "money meetings" where you and your spouse fill each other in on how much you're earning, what your goals are, where your money's going, how much you're saving and any problems that may be rearing their heads.
"It doesn't mean to sit down and criticize what the other has done," she says. "The treasurer is reporting to the board of directors about where the family stands."
Source : Yahoonews Read More......
Money mistake No. 1: Minding the pennies and missing dollars.
Have you ever driven across town because you wanted to cash in a 50-cent coupon? Do you spend a lot of time searching out bargains and clipping coupons? "It's sweating the small stuff," says Ginita Wall, founder of the Women's Institute for Financial Education and a financial adviser in San Diego. "You're concentrating so much on clipping coupons and getting bargains, you're forgetting what your overall goals are. Then you'll take the money you saved and just spend it on something else."
Also, being pennywise can sometimes cost you more money than you save. For example, you may spend more in gas than you save from the coupon if you have to drive across town to redeem it.
Smart cents solution: Think of your goal.
It's fine to save cents by clipping coupons and shopping around for bargains, but be sure to keep your bigger goal in mind. Why are you saving the money? Is it for your kid's college education, your vacation fund, a new car? Then take the money you save and put it where it will do the best. For example, many grocery stores have banks inside. If you save $7 with coupons, walk over to the bank right then and deposit that $7 into your savings account.
Money mistake No. 2: Being confused by credit reports.
Whenever you seek credit, whether it's a new store card, a car loan or a mortgage, the lender checks your credit report to determine your creditworthiness.
"Credit reports are the most important decision-making tool for creditors," says Catherine Williams, vice president of financial literacy for Money Management International. Even potential employers and landlords can request your report to find out if you'll be a responsible employee or tenant. That's why mistakes on your credit report, whether they're caused by the credit agency or are the result of identity theft or fraud, can make your life miserable.
Smart cents Solution: Check your report.
"Everybody owes it to themselves to get a copy of their credit report, and you should know that the 2003 FACTA (Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act) (had) a provision to allow consumers one free copy every year from each of the three major credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion," says Williams.
You should request a copy of your credit report every year and before making any major purchase. The Web site annualcreditreport.com, sponsored by the three major credit reporting agencies, serves as a centralized, authorized source for consumers to request free credit reports from all three sources. When you request reports there, you can also choose to pay to receive a copy of your credit score.
Each agency differs slightly in the information it carries, so it's a good idea to check all three reports. Also, the reports should come with supporting information on how to read the data and dispute mistakes.
The three bureaus are TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. You can also request credit reports directly from the agencies, usually for a fee, and dispute your credit report's errors.
Money mistake No. 3: Letting budgeting get you down.
Feeling guilty that you don't have a budget? You're not alone. Many people find budgeting such a drag that they just don't do it, says Wall.
Smart cents solution: Do 'spot budgeting.'
Don't feel that you have to budget down to the last penny. If budgeting is a burden, you can do "spot budgeting" instead, says Wall. "Pick three or four categories where you think you can trim expenses -- such as clothes and entertainment -- and cut down on those. You don't need to worry about every expense."
Money mistake No. 4: Letting your money leak away.
Money leaks are those little ways you spend money, usually automatically, without even thinking about it, and often without enjoying it. The daily candy bar at work, the midmorning cappuccino, the $20 bill you hand your kid whenever she asks for money. "That money might be better used for something you would enjoy, such as saving for a cruise," says Wall.
Smart cents solution: Write it down.
Keep a little piece of paper and a pencil in your wallet, suggests Wall. Every time you spend money, jot down what you spent it on and how much it cost. "In three weeks, you'll be able to see where the money is going -- like, gee, the kids are tapping me for $20 every time I turn around ... so your kids may be your money leak," says Wall. "Time to corral in the kids -- no more 'Bank of Mom and Dad."'
Money mistake No. 5: Being out of touch.
Letting your partner have total control of the family finances can spell bad news. If you don't know how much money you have, where key financial documents are stored or how to pay bills or taxes, you could be in for a rude surprise should you ever need to handle the finances on your own.
Smart cents solution: Hold money meetings.
Both partners should know what's going on financially, even if they divvy up the financial duties, says Wall. Even if your spouse is in charge of taxes and investments, for instance, you need to have a handle on those areas, and you should keep your spouse in the loop on your bill paying and budgeting duties.
That's why Wall suggests holding monthly "money meetings" where you and your spouse fill each other in on how much you're earning, what your goals are, where your money's going, how much you're saving and any problems that may be rearing their heads.
"It doesn't mean to sit down and criticize what the other has done," she says. "The treasurer is reporting to the board of directors about where the family stands."
Source : Yahoonews Read More......
Monday, October 20, 2008
What we are doing to the planet we are living on?
Hi everyone, I have a question and would like to see where everyone stands on this.
Lets compare the world as a whole to a smaller place in an ecosystem. Lets say the maximum amount of deer in particular alloted, closed off forest, is 200. This forest supports 200 deer stability for a long period of time because of the self supporting ecosystem. Lets say a huge amount of food is dumped in that forest that only the deer eat. So the deer breed out of control and eat all the food, that food is gone and with a population of 2000 deer all the rest of potential food will be gone also. So the deer starve and die in huge quantities and after the damage they did on the environment, it supports only 20 deer now.
Since this same logic can be applied to humans and the world, why would we be worrying about something as seemingly trivial as abortion being legal or not? shouldn't space exploration be a bigger priority? Or at least more of an attention to what we are doing to the planet we are living on?
I really ask this because I do not understand your positions on this. Please help me here. Read More......
Lets compare the world as a whole to a smaller place in an ecosystem. Lets say the maximum amount of deer in particular alloted, closed off forest, is 200. This forest supports 200 deer stability for a long period of time because of the self supporting ecosystem. Lets say a huge amount of food is dumped in that forest that only the deer eat. So the deer breed out of control and eat all the food, that food is gone and with a population of 2000 deer all the rest of potential food will be gone also. So the deer starve and die in huge quantities and after the damage they did on the environment, it supports only 20 deer now.
Since this same logic can be applied to humans and the world, why would we be worrying about something as seemingly trivial as abortion being legal or not? shouldn't space exploration be a bigger priority? Or at least more of an attention to what we are doing to the planet we are living on?
I really ask this because I do not understand your positions on this. Please help me here. Read More......
Project Runway
Project Runway is a Peabody Award-winning American reality television series on the Bravo network which focuses on fashion design. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are usually restricted in time, materials, and theme. Their designs are judged and one or more designers are eliminated each week.On April 7, 2008, the show's producers, Weinstein Company, announced a five-year deal that would relocate the show to Lifetime Television, beginning with Season 6. In response, NBC Universal filed a lawsuit against the Weinstein Company for violating its contract rights. A recent court decision granted NBCU's request for an injunction, preventing Lifetime from promoting or exhibiting "Runway" until further notice.The show is moving production from New York City to Los Angeles.
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