tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722984710220495792024-03-21T09:54:34.943-07:00The World and You...our world in a better view !Tope Ajisafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646730231160475190noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372298471022049579.post-72036303484302286232016-03-20T08:16:00.000-07:002016-03-20T08:16:11.253-07:00 The Top 10 Deadliest Diseases<div class="ad-lb">
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The news is filled with stories about Ebola, and breast
cancer gets a lot of press too. Would it surprise you to know that neither
makes the list of the 10 deadliest diseases? Even more surprising, perhaps, is
that several of the deadliest diseases, including the number one killer in the
world, are at least partially preventable. Where a person lives, access to
preventive care, and quality of healthcare all factor into their risk.<br />
The top five deadliest diseases haven’t changed much in the
past decade, but we’ve managed to lower the number of deaths for some of the
top 10 deadliest diseases. <br />
<h2 style="clear: both;">
1. Coronary Artery Disease (Ischemic
Heart Disease)</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered rightAligned"><img alt="coronary-artery-disease" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/1-coronary-artery-disease-infographic2.jpg" height="483" style="display: block; float: right; margin: 20px;" width="320" /></span><br />
The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery
disease (CAD). CAD, also called ischemic heart disease, occurs when the blood
vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed. The <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/" target="_blank">World Health
Organization</a> (WHO) estimates that about 7.4 million people died of ischemic
heart disease in 2012. That was about 13.2 percent of all deaths.<br />
In the United States, about 600,000 people die of heart
disease every year, according to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention</a> (CDC). That makes it the deadliest disease in the U.S., as well
as the world. In the U.S. the most common type of heart disease is CAD, which
takes about 380,000 lives each year.<br />
Among the risk factors are high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, and smoking. Regular exercise, good nutrition, and weight control
can help lower your risk of developing CAD.<br />
Where you live matters. Although it’s still the leading
cause of death, mortality rates have declined in many European countries and in
the United States. This may be due to better prevention and access to quality healthcare.
However, in many developing nations, mortality rates due to CAD are on the rise.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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2. Stroke</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered rightAligned"><img alt="stroke" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/2-stroke-infographic.jpg" height="447" style="display: block; float: right; margin: 20px;" width="320" /></span><br />
A stroke is when an artery in the
brain is blocked or leaks. Oxygen-deprived brain cells begin to die within
minutes.<br />
Stroke was responsible for 6.7
million deaths around the world in 2012, according to <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/" target="_blank">WHO</a>. That figure
represents about 11.9 percent of all deaths. <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm" target="_blank">CDC</a> figures show that nearly
130,000 people in the United States die of stroke each year — that’s one person
every four minutes. About one in four strokes occur in people who have had a
prior stroke. Stroke is also a leading cause of disability.<br />
Risk factors for stroke are similar to those for CAD. In
general, good health habits can lower your risks.<br />
<h2 style="clear: both;">
3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered "><img alt="copd" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/3a-COPD-infographic.jpg" height="528" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px;" width="320" /></span><span class="imageAreaBordered "><img alt="copd-state-facts" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/3b-COPD-infographic.jpg" height="528" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px;" width="320" /></span><br />
COPD is a chronic, progressive lung disease that makes it
hard to breathe. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD.<br />
About 3.1 million deaths were attributed to COPD in 2012,
according to <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/" target="_blank">WHO</a>.
That represents about 5.6 percent of deaths, a rate that has held steady since
2000. In 2004, about 64 million people around the world were living with COPD.<br />
The main cause of COPD is tobacco — and that means
secondhand smoke, too. Another factor is air pollution, both indoors and out. COPD
affects men and women at about the same rate. There’s no cure for COPD, but its
progression can be slowed down with medication.<br />
The <a href="http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/copd/resources/facts-figures/COPD-Fact-Sheet.html" target="_blank">American
Lung Association</a> estimates that in 2011, 12.7 million adults in the United
States had COPD, but even more showed some sign of lung problems. There’s a
great variation in the number of cases from state to state. In 2011, about 4
percent of people in Minnesota and Washington had COPD. In Alabama and Kentucky,
it was more than 9 percent.<br />
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<h2 style="clear: both;">
4. Lower Respiratory Infections</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered rightAligned"><img alt="lower-respiratory-infections" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/4-Lower-respiratory-infection_infographic.jpg" height="481" style="display: block; float: right; margin: 20px;" width="320" /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/" target="_blank">WHO</a>
estimates that lower respiratory infections caused about 3.1 million, or 5.5
percent of deaths in 2012. This group of diseases includes pneumonia,
bronchitis, and influenza.<br />
Flu season lasts from December through February in the
Northern Hemisphere and from June through August in the Southern Hemisphere.
The risk is year round in tropical regions.<br />
According to the <a href="http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-2-the-pre-travel-consultation/respiratory-infections" target="_blank">CDC</a>,
about 20 percent of travelers returning to the United States seek medical
attention for respiratory infection following a trip. Packed cruise ships,
hotels, and other close quarters increase risk of transmission and outbreaks of
disease.<br />
<h2 style="clear: both;">
5. Trachea, Bronchus, and Lung Cancers</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered rightAligned"><img alt="trachea-bronchus-lung-cancers" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/5_Trachea-bronchus-lungCancer-infographic.jpg" height="231" style="display: block; float: right; margin: 20px;" width="320" /></span><br />
Trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer are all respiratory
cancers. The main causes of this type of cancer are smoking, second-hand smoke,
and environmental toxins.<br />
<a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/" target="_blank">WHO</a>
estimates that in 2012, 1.6 million people died from
trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers. These cancers represent about 2.9 percent
of all deaths globally.<br />
<h2 style="clear: both;">
6. HIV/AIDS</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered "><img alt="hiv-aids" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/6a_HIV-infographic2.jpg" height="384" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px;" width="320" /></span><span class="imageAreaBordered "><img alt="hiv-aids" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/6b_HIV-infographic2.jpg" height="384" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px;" width="320" /></span>
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*Source: <a href="http://amfar.org/worldwide-aids-stats/" target="_blank">amfAR</a><br />
HIV is short for human
immunodeficiency virus. It’s a virus that attacks the immune system. HIV can
cause AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is a chronic,
life-threatening condition.<br />
According to the <a href="http://amfar.org/worldwide-aids-stats/" target="_blank">Foundation for AIDS Research</a>
(amfAR), since the start of the pandemic, almost 39 million people have died
due to HIV/AIDS. In 2013, about 1.5 million people lost their lives to AIDS. That’s about 2.7 percent of deaths worldwide.<br />
By the end of 2012, 35.3 million
people around the world were infected with HIV. Every day, about 5,700 more
become infected.<br />
Rates vary dramatically by
geographical location. HIV is rampant in sub-Saharan Africa, where almost one
in 20 adults has it. The region is home to 70 percent of all people who have
HIV. Sadly, it’s also home to 91 percent of the HIV-positive children in the
world.<br />
<h2 style="clear: both;">
7. Diarrheal Diseases</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered rightAligned"><img alt="diarrheal-diseases" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/7_Diarrheal-diseases-infographic.jpg" height="518" style="display: block; float: right; margin: 20px;" width="320" /></span><br />
Diarrhea is when you pass three or more loose stools a day.
When diarrhea lasts more than a few days, your body loses too much water and
salt. Death is due to dehydration. Diarrhea is usually caused by an intestinal
infection transmitted through viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. This type
of infection can easily spread through contaminated water or food. It’s
particularly widespread in developing nations that have poor sanitary
conditions.<br />
<a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/" target="_blank">WHO</a>
estimates that 1.5 million people died from diarrheal diseases in 2012, which
comprises about 2.7 percent of deaths. Fortunately, that’s down from 2.2
million in 2000. Diarrheal disease is the second top killer of children under
age five. Tragically, about 760,000 children die from diarrheal diseases each
year.<br />
According to a 2009 <a href="http://www.unicef.org/health/files/Final_Diarrhoea_Report_October_2009_final.pdf" target="_blank">Unicef</a>
report, every year there are about 2.5 billion cases of diarrhea involving
children under five years old. More than 50 percent occur in Africa and South
Asia. More than 80 percent of child deaths due to diarrhea occur in those
regions.<br />
According to <a href="http://www.unicef.org/health/files/Final_Diarrhoea_Report_October_2009_final.pdf" target="_blank">Unicef</a>,
healthy behaviors such as good handwashing technique can reduce the incidence
of diarrheal diseases by 40 percent. Progress is being made in the fight
against diarrheal diseases, but much work remains. Improved sanitization and
water quality can help prevent diarrheal diseases. Access to early medical intervention
can be the difference between life and death.<br />
<h2 style="clear: both;">
8. Diabetes Mellitus</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered rightAligned"><img alt="diabetes-mellitus" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/8_Diabetes-infographic.jpg" height="374" style="display: block; float: right; margin: 20px;" width="320" /></span><br />
Diabetes is a group of diseases
that affect insulin production and use. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas can no
longer produce insulin. The cause is not known. In type 2 diabetes, the
pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t be used effectively. Type
2 diabetes can be caused by a number of factors, including poor diet, lack of
exercise, and carrying too much weight.<br />
In 2012, about 1.5 million people died from diabetes-related
causes, according to <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/" target="_blank">WHO</a>. People in low
to middle income countries are more likely to die from complications of diabetes.<br />
<h2 style="clear: both;">
9. Preterm Birth Complications</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered rightAligned"><img alt="preterm-birth-complications" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/9_Preterm-Birth-infographic.jpg" height="365" style="display: block; float: right; margin: 20px;" width="320" /></span><br />
According to <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/" target="_blank">WHO</a>, in 2012, as
many as 1.1 million deaths were due to prematurity and complications due to low
birth weight. Three-quarters of these deaths happen within the first week of
life. Lack of skilled medical care makes this a huge problem in developing
countries. Many newborn deaths could be avoided with good prenatal and
postnatal care.<br />
<h2 style="clear: both;">
10. Tuberculosis (TB)</h2>
<span class="imageAreaBordered rightAligned"><img alt="tuberculosis" src="http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Infographics/top-10-deadliest-diseases/10_Tuberculosis-infographic.jpg" height="344" style="display: block; float: right; margin: 20px;" width="320" /></span><br />
TB is a lung condition caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It’s an
airborne disease that is often successfully treated. Some strains of TB are
resistant to conventional treatments. Second-line drugs used to treat these
patients are in limited supply. Some strains fail to respond to second-line
treatment as well.<br />
In 2012, about 900,000 people lost their lives to TB,
according to <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/" target="_blank">WHO</a>
estimates. The majority of TB-related deaths happen in poorer countries. It is
one of the top causes of death for people who have HIV.<br />
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<h2 style="clear: both;">
Worthy of Mention</h2>
They didn’t make the top 10 deadliest disease list, but
these diseases are definitely worth noting.<br />
<b>Malaria</b> is caused
by a parasite that infects mosquitos. People get it from the bite of an
infected mosquito. Malaria caused about 627,000 deaths in 2012, according to <a href="http://www.who.int/malaria/media/world_malaria_report_2013/en/" target="_blank">WHO</a>.
Sub-Saharan Africa took the brunt with 90 percent of all malaria deaths.
Malaria is not contagious.<br />
<b>Measles</b> is a
contagious viral disease that can be prevented through immunization. In 2010,
it killed about 139,300 people around the world, according to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/surv-manual/chpt07-measles.html" target="_blank">CDC</a>.</div>
Tope Ajisafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646730231160475190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372298471022049579.post-7090169267713425772016-02-02T12:08:00.001-08:002016-02-02T12:08:22.987-08:00 14 Seemingly Harmless Things That Could Actually Kill You<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="post-title"></a>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">1.</span> Letting someone blow air into your vagina.</h2>
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<img alt="14 Seemingly Harmless Things That Could Actually Kill You" class="bf_dom" height="262" src="https://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-03/28/21/imagebuzz/webdr12/anigif_optimized-23931-1427594114-1.gif" style="height: 262px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 625px;" width="625" />
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Or if, for some reason, you take a
syringe full of air and pump it into your vagina. If you get enough air,
blown at sufficient force, it can result in a <a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01816487">fatal air embolism</a> — when air bubbles get into your bloodstream and kill you.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Don’t let anyone blow in your vagina.<br />
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">2.</span> Dryer lint.</h2>
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<img alt="Dryer lint." class="bf_dom" height="417" src="https://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-03/28/22/enhanced/webdr06/enhanced-7916-1427594603-27.jpg" width="625" />
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When lint builds up in your dryer, it
could cause your dryer to overheat and potentially catch fire.
According to a 1998 report from the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/117075/dryer.pdf">U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission</a>, there were roughly 15,600 dryer fires that year, causing 20 deaths and 370 injuries.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Clean out your dryer lint in between each use.</div>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">3.</span> Cleaning the bathroom.</h2>
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Mixing bleach with other common household cleaners can create toxic gases that could potentially kill you. <a href="http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/bleach.asp">Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>: NEVER mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> If you’re going to use bleach, read the
instructions incredibly carefully. And never, ever mix it with other
household cleaners.</div>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">4.</span> Tylenol.</h2>
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Or, rather, way too much
acetaminophen (a pain reliever that Tylenol is made of, and that’s found
in many other medications). Acetaminophen overdose causes about <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cld.373/full">500 deaths in the United States</a>
each year. When taken as directed, acetaminophen can be very helpful.
But it’s easy to take more than you should, because it’s in so many
medications that you might feel compelled to take simultaneously (like
Tylenol and Nyquil, for instance). There are about 60,000 cases of
acetaminophen-related liver damage every year, most of them accidental.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Always read the label before you take any
medication. If you’re taking a medication that has acetaminophen as one
of the ingredients, don’t take any other medication that also contains
acetaminophen. Talk to your doctor about what’s safe.</div>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">5.</span> Drinking too much water, too fast.</h2>
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Two tragic examples: In 2005, a man died after a fraternity hazing ritual where he had to <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5012154">chug water</a> from a jug over and over again. In 2007, a California woman died after participating in a <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jan/14/local/me-water14">water-drinking contest</a>
hosted by a local radio station. The cause of death in both cases was
water intoxication, which is when someone drinks so much water in a
short amount of time that the kidneys can’t process it quickly enough,
causing deadly swelling of the brain and lungs. It has also happened to
athletes during extreme sporting events; as well as to people taking
club drugs, who feel insatiable thirst and end up drinking too much
water too quickly. </div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Don’t ever force yourself to drink when you aren’t
thirsty. And don’t do MDMA, Molly, or ecstasy.</div>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">6.</span> Pools, lakes, bathtubs — any body of water, really.</h2>
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<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db149.htm">According to the CDC</a>,
drowning is the third biggest cause of death from “unintentional
injury” in the world. In the United States, it’s THE leading cause of
death from unintentional injury for children under 4 years old —
overtaking car accidents in 2005. Of all drowning deaths, 9.7% occurred
in bathtubs; 16.3% in swimming pools; 47.2% in natural water, and 26.8%
unspecified. </div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Always keep a close eye on your kids when they’re
in or around water, even if there’s a lifeguard on duty. Don’t leave
young children unattended in a bathtub for any amount of time.</div>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">7.</span> Pressure washers.</h2>
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A pressure washer is a very strong
cleaning tool that sprays water at SUPER high pressure. It can cause
serious wounds if you accidentally point it at yourself or others. The
wound might not appear bad, but it could potentially become infected.
Per a <a href="http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/pressurewashersafety.asp">CDC fact sheet</a>:
“Wounds that appear minor can cause a person to delay treatment,
increasing risk for infection, disability or amputation.” Other pressure
washer risks, according to the CDC, include carbon monoxide poisoning,
electric shock, and also the possibility that the washer might hit small
objects that can turn into dangerous projectiles.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Never point it at yourself, and never try to use it to move things around, for starters.</div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz-superlist-item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz-superlist-item-image buzz_superlist_item_wide image_hit " id="superlist_3738139_5362876">
<div class="solid">
<h2 class="subbuzz_name" data-subbuzz-id="5362876">
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">8.</span> Vending machines.</h2>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt="Vending machines." class="bf_dom" height="266" src="https://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-03/28/22/enhanced/webdr11/enhanced-4716-1427595294-3.jpg" width="625" />
</div>
<br />
<div class="sub_buzz_desc_w_attr">
In 1995, a number of soda vending
machine manufacturers agreed to label their machines with a warning that
they could cause death or serious injury if rocked or tilted. It’s
pretty rare, but not unheard of: Between 1978 and 1995, there were at
least <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/1996/CPSC-Soda-Vending-Machine-Industry-Labeling-Campaign-Warns-Of-Deaths-And-Injuries/">37 known cases of people dying</a>, and 113 injuries, due to vending machines falling over onto them.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Don’t rock or tilt or jiggle the vending machine.</div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz-superlist-item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz-superlist-item-image buzz_superlist_item_wide image_hit " id="superlist_3738139_5362886">
<div class="solid">
<h2 class="subbuzz_name" data-subbuzz-id="5362886">
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">9.</span> Minor cuts and scratches.</h2>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt="Minor cuts and scratches." class="bf_dom" height="418" src="https://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-03/28/22/enhanced/webdr03/enhanced-30979-1427595405-17.jpg" width="625" />
</div>
<br />
<div class="sub_buzz_desc_w_attr">
Most cuts and scratches end up
healing on their own and everything’s fine. But if you don’t wash and
dress your wounds, you risk them becoming infected. And infected wounds
can lead to major problems — like sepsis. Sepsis can kill you in a
matter of days.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Learn how to <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cuts/basics/art-20056711">treat your cuts and wounds</a> the right way.</div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz-superlist-item buzz_superlist_item_video buzz-superlist-item-video video_instagram buzz_superlist_item_wide video_hit " id="superlist_3738139_5362890">
<h2 class="subbuzz_name" data-subbuzz-id="5362890">
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">10.</span> The flu.</h2>
<div class="sub_buzz_content c solid">
</div>
<br />
<div class="sub_buzz_desc_w_attr">
Between 1976 and 2006, the flu killed
thousands of Americans every year. The death rates ranged from a low of
3,000 deaths in a flu season, to a high of 49,000 deaths during a
season. Each year, roughly 200,000 Americans end up hospitalized because
of the flu, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm">according to the CDC</a>.
The flu is especially dangerous for the young (under 5), the old (over
65), pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions (like
asthma, heart disease, and diabetes), but those are not the only people
who can become very sick or die from it.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Get the flu shot if you can, every year (typically
in October or so, just before flu season). It isn’t a guarantee (this
year it was only partially effective), but it’s definitely better than
NOT getting vaccinated. Not only does it help lower your chances of
catching the flu, but the more people who are vaccinated, the better it
is for people who are especially vulnerable to flu complications.</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz-superlist-item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz-superlist-item-image buzz_superlist_item_wide image_hit " id="superlist_3738139_5362935">
<div class="solid">
<h2 class="subbuzz_name" data-subbuzz-id="5362935">
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">11.</span> Not getting enough sleep.</h2>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt="Not getting enough sleep." class="bf_dom" height="416" src="https://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-03/28/22/enhanced/webdr08/enhanced-24897-1427596324-5.jpg" width="625" />
</div>
<br />
<div class="sub_buzz_desc_w_attr">
Insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/features/dssleep/">according to the CDC</a>.
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In fact, the National Department of Transportation estimates that
drowsy driving is responsible for roughly 1,550 car accident deaths and
40,000 car accident injuries each year.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Sleep for seven to nine hours a night.</div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz-superlist-item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz-superlist-item-image buzz_superlist_item_wide image_hit " id="superlist_3738139_5362932">
<div class="solid">
<h2 class="subbuzz_name" data-subbuzz-id="5362932">
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">12.</span> Shoveling snow.</h2>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt="Shoveling snow." class="bf_dom" height="833" src="https://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-03/28/22/enhanced/webdr03/enhanced-30343-1427596624-1.jpg" width="625" />
</div>
<br />
<div class="sub_buzz_desc_w_attr">
Every year, a <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/snow-shoveling-deaths-in-chicago/">handful</a> of <a href="http://www.centralmaine.com/2015/02/05/here-comes-the-sun-and-bitter-cold-in-southern-maine/">people</a> die, usually from heart attacks, while <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/bal-te.md.heart19feb19-story.html">shoveling snow after a blizzard</a>. And a <a href="http://www.ajemjournal.com/article/S0735-6757%2809%2900371-4/abstract">study that looked at emergency room visits</a>
from 1990 to 2006 found that snow-shoveling accidents accounted for
roughly 11,500 ER visits per year (and accounted for 1,647 deaths during
the 16-year time period).</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Don’t push yourself — pay attention to what your
body is telling you; work with a friend or family member to split the
job into more manageable parts; and take plenty of breaks to lower your
heart rate and drink water and get some rest.</div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz-superlist-item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz-superlist-item-image buzz_superlist_item_wide image_hit " id="superlist_3738139_5363298">
<div class="solid">
<h2 class="subbuzz_name" data-subbuzz-id="5363298">
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">13.</span> Eating food.</h2>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt="Eating food." class="bf_dom" height="416" src="https://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-03/28/22/enhanced/webdr13/enhanced-1012-1427596735-1.jpg" width="625" />
</div>
<br />
<div class="sub_buzz_desc_w_attr">
Remember how President George W. Bush <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2002/jan/14/news/mn-22490">choked on a pretzel</a>?
It’s more common than you’d expect. Choking is the eighth most common
cause of accidental injury death in the United States, according to the <a href="http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/safety-at-home-choking.aspx">National Safety Council</a>.
It’s especially common in young kids and in the elderly, although it
can and does happen to people of all ages. Hot dogs are especially
dangerous.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Cut up your food into smaller pieces. If you’re
serving hot dogs to kids, cut them longwise and in tiny bits. Chew your
food carefully. Don’t talk with your mouth full.</div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz-superlist-item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz-superlist-item-image buzz_superlist_item_wide image_hit " id="superlist_3738139_5362936">
<div class="solid">
<h2 class="subbuzz_name" data-subbuzz-id="5362936">
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">14.</span> Cheating on your wife.</h2>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<div class="rubbable-container">
<div class="sub_buzz_content__gif">
<img alt="14 Seemingly Harmless Things That Could Actually Kill You" class="bf_dom" height="263" src="https://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-03/28/22/imagebuzz/webdr15/anigif_optimized-25860-1427597396-1.gif" style="height: 263px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 625px;" width="625" />
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="sub_buzz_desc_w_attr">
And not because she’ll kill you (har
har), but because you might have a heart attack while having sex with
your mistress. According to a <a href="http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/125/8/1058.full">statement from the American Heart Association</a>,
an autopsy review of 5,559 cases of sudden death found that 75% of the
people who died DURING intercourse were having extramarital sex. It was
often with a younger partner, and often after having consumed a lot of
food and alcohol earlier in the night. To be fair, the people in the
study whose heart attacks happened during sex was incredibly low in
general (about 0.6% of all sudden deaths). But… the point stands.</div>
<b>Stay safe:</b> Don’t cheat.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Tope Ajisafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646730231160475190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372298471022049579.post-67726958126734083402016-01-04T08:31:00.001-08:002016-01-04T08:32:47.496-08:00Most Famous Scientists and Inventors in HistoryAbout 2.3 million
years ago our very earliest ancestors invented their first primitive
tool, the split stone, which they used for cutting and scraping. For the
next 1 million years early humans gradually learned to customize stone
tools and use fire. <br />
Modern humans first appeared about 200,000 years ago. About 50,000
years ago they (or should that be we?) began to use language, symbols
and more complex tools.<br />
As inventions and discoveries added to one another, human
civilization, technology and science advanced and evolved. The word
“science” is derived from the Latin word “<i>scientia</i>” which means “knowledge.” Science is probably the most important and helpful area of study for the human race.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Famous Scientists" src="http://www.famousscientists.org/images/famousscientists-montage.jpg" height="240" width="429" />
</div>
<h3>
Most Famous Scientists and Inventors in History</h3>
The beginnings of science and the scientific method largely came from
the ancient Greek world, which encompassed the eastern part of the
Mediterranean. <br />
The names of the great scientists and philosophers of that time, such
as <br />
<a name='more'></a>Pythagoras, Archimedes, Aristotle, Eratosthenes and Thales, are
still known today, over 2000 years later.<br />
<h3>
The Era of Modern Science Begins</h3>
Science entered a new era with the Renaissance, which began in 14th
century Italy. By the 17th century it had extended and blossomed
throughout most of Europe.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Modern Science Technology" src="http://www.famousscientists.org/images/modern-science.jpg" height="283" width="430" />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 15px;">
</div>
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 resulted in a large number of
refugees fleeing to Europe, bringing with them Greek and Roman books
that had been archived in Constantinople, unused for centuries. This,
and the invention of the printing press in about 1450 accelerated the
pace of learning in Renaissance Europe.<br />
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Unfortunately for science, only a few people thirsted for scientific
knowledge and progress, while most intellectuals focused on artistic or
liberal arts disciplines.<br />
It was only in the 17th century that a rapid scientific revolution finally took place.<br />
<h3>
Timeline of a Scientific Revolution</h3>
• c1600 – Galileo Galilei discovers the principle of inertia, building the stage for a rational view of motion.<br />
• 1600 – William Gilbert finds that Earth has magnetic poles and acts like a huge magnet.<br />
• 1600 – Galileo Galilei discovers that projectiles move with a parabolic trajectory.<br />
• 1608 – Hans Lippershey invents the refracting telescope, which Galileo Galilei soon puts to use.<br />
• 1609 – Galileo Galilei observes moons of Jupiter, disproving church
dogma that all movement in the universe is centered on Earth.<br />
• 1609 – Johannes Kepler publishes his first two laws of planetary
motion showing that planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun.<br />
• 1610 – John Napier publishes tables of logarithms, showing how they can be used to accelerate calculations.<br />
• 1619 – Kepler publishes his third law of planetary motion relating
the time taken for a planet to orbit the sun with its distance from the
sun. <br />
• 1621 – Willebrord Snell discovers the laws of light refraction.<br />
• 1628 – Kepler publishes his planetary tables, the calculations for which would have taken years without Napier’s logarithms.<br />
• 1629 – Nicolaus Cabeus finds there are two types of electric charge and notes both attractive and repulsive forces acting.<br />
• 1632 – William Oughtred invents the slide rule. With the combined
power of logarithms and slide rules, calculation speeds explode.<br />
• 1632 – Galileo Galilei finds that the laws of motion are the same in all inertial reference frames.<br />
• 1637 – Rene Descartes invents the Cartesian coordinate system –
i.e. the x-y axis for graphs, allowing changes in quantities with time
to be plotted.<br />
• 1645 – Blaise Pascal invents the adding machine.<br />
• 1652 – Thomas Bartholin discovers the human lymphatic system.<br />
• 1654 – Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat invent the mathematics of probability and statistics.<br />
• 1656 – Christiaan Huygens discovers Saturn’s rings after building a new telescope – the world’s best. <br />
• 1657 – Pierre de Fermat uses the principle of least time in optics.<br />
• 1658 – Jan Swammerdam discovers the red blood cell.<br />
• c1660 – Otto von Guerkicke builds a rotating sphere from which
sparks fly. Static electricity can now be generated. He demonstrates
electrostatic repulsion.<br />
• c1660 – Robert Hooke discovers that the extension of a spring or
elastic material is directly proportional to the applied force.<br />
• 1661 – Robert Boyle writes <i>The Skeptical Chymist</i>, with his
manifesto for the science of chemistry, explaining the roles of
elements and compounds, and telling scientists they must carefully
observe, record and report scientific data.<br />
• 1662 – Robert Boyle publishes his law of pressure and volume in gases.<br />
• 1633 – James Gregory publishes his design for the world’s first reflecting telescope.<br />
• 1664 – Robert Hooke uses a microscope to observe the cellular basis of life.<br />
• 1665 – Isaac Newton invents calculus – the mathematics of change –
without which we could not understand the modern world. He keeps it
secret, using it to develop theories which he eventually publishes in
1687.<br />
• 1666 – Isaac Newton discovers that light is made up of all of the
colors of the rainbow, which are refracted by different amounts in a
glass prism.<br />
• 1667 – Isaac Newton builds the world’s first reflecting telescope.<br />
• 1668 – John Wallis discovers the principle of conservation of momentum – one of the foundations of modern physics.<br />
• 1669 – Hennig Brand becomes the first identifiable person to have
discovered and isolated a new chemical element – phosphorus. <br />
• 1674 – Antony van Leeuwenhoek discovers microorganisms.<br />
• 1675 – Robert Boyle shows that electric repulsion and attraction act in a vacuum.<br />
• 1676 – Ole Christensen Roemer measures the speed of light for the first time.<br />
• 1676 – Christiann Huygens finds light can be refracted and diffracted and should be considered to be a wave-like phenomenon.<br />
• 1684 – Gottfried Leibniz publishes his calculus, which he
discovered independently of Isaac Newton. He has been working on
calculus for the past decade.<br />
• 1687 – Isaac Newton publishes one of the most important scientific books ever: <i>Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica</i>, revolutionizing physics and our understanding of gravity and motion.<br />
This was a momentous century in which science moved from a state of
knowledge that was in many ways little more advanced than third century
BC Greece to a much more advanced, sophisticated position, paving the
way for the industrial revolution in the 1700s, and many more <a href="http://www.famousscientists.org/">famous scientists</a>.<br />
Probably the greatest advantages that Renaissance scientists had over their ancient Greek predecessors were:<br />
• the invention of the movable type printing press in 1450 by
Johannes Gutenberg. (Bi Sheng invented movable type printing much
earlier, in about 1040 AD in China, but this does not appear to have
influenced the Renaissance.)<br />
• Leonardo Fibonacci brought the Hindu-Arabic number system to Europe in 1202 AD.<br />
The Greek number system was primitive, making calculations
cumbersome, and confining most Greek mathematical achievements to
geometry. European scientists were using the Roman system, which was
little better.<br />
The familiar Hindu-Arabic system of 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9… brought with
it ease of calculation and the recognition that zero was a number in
its own right. Mathematical rules for the correct use of zero were first
written in 628 AD in Brahmagupta’s book <i>Brahmasputha Siddhanta</i>. This book also highlighted the use of negative numbers in, for example, solutions of quadratic equations.<br />
Following the huge scientific advances of the 1600s, we have
continued to take enormous strides in scientific knowledge, carrying us
to where we are today.Tope Ajisafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646730231160475190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372298471022049579.post-86766230828639635502015-12-02T10:48:00.002-08:002015-12-02T10:48:59.073-08:00Top 10 Health Benefits of Drinking Water<div class="theiaPostSlider_nav _left _upper" id="tps_nav_upper_483">
<div class="_title">
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</div>
<img alt="Image result for benefits of water" class="rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRIaN3jjuzXz0bQFarxseZ8WEG8BZKOKqlGFTyquWuWXYMdzjap" data-sz="f" name="DpDX0NstK48o4M:" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRIaN3jjuzXz0bQFarxseZ8WEG8BZKOKqlGFTyquWuWXYMdzjap" style="height: 205px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 245px;" /><br />
Water
is the main component of the human body. In fact, the body is composed
of between 55 and 78 percent water, depending on body size. Adequate and
regular water consumption has numerous health benefits. As an added
plus, it has no calories, fat, carbohydrates or sugar.<br />
The amount of water you consume everyday <strong>plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body</strong>. Experts recommend drinking eight to 10 glasses of water each day to maintain good health.<br />
Furthermore, the
Institute of Medicine has determined the adequate intake of total
beverage per day (AI) to be about three liters or 13 cups for men and
2.2 liters or nine cups for women.<br />
Water helps keep the body well
hydrated, which is essential because almost every cell in the body needs
water to function properly.<br />
<h2>
1. Relieves Fatigue</h2>
If you often feel tired,
there is a high chance that it could be due to<br />
<a name='more'></a> inadequate consumption
of water which makes the body function less efficiently. In fact,
fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration.<br />
When there is
less water in the body, there is a drop of blood volume which causes the
heart to work harder to pump oxygenated blood out in the bloodstream,
and other major organs also work less efficiently. Thus, drinking
adequate water can help your body function better and reduce fatigue.<br />
<img alt="Image result for benefits of water" class="rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZQecgPSA0m-5s-L_jT4X9ETBPNsSMA0OV5w7H-uR1ZerbWB7v" data-sz="f" name="h6dHPx9FV6WJeM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZQecgPSA0m-5s-L_jT4X9ETBPNsSMA0OV5w7H-uR1ZerbWB7v" style="height: 177px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 232px;" /> <br />
<h2>
2. Improves Mood </h2>
Research
indicates that mild dehydration (even one or two percent lower
hydration level of hydration than optimal) can negatively affect your
mood and ability to think.<br />
A small study conducted on 25 women and
published in the Journal of Nutrition found that being dehydrated can
take a toll on your mood and cognitiive function. The color of your
urine is a good indicator of your level of hydration. The lighter the
color the better the level of hydration and vice versa.<br />
<h2>
3. Treats Headaches and Migraines</h2>
If
you have a headache or migraine, the first thing that you can do to get
some relief is drink plenty of water. Headaches and migraines are often
caused by dehydration.<br />
In a study published in the European
Journal of Neurology, researchers found that increasing water intake
helped reduce the total number of hours and intensity of headaches in
the study participants.<br />
<h2>
4. Helps in Digestion and Constipation</h2>
Water also improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This helps in digestion and prevents constipation.
Inadequate water in the body often results in constipation as the colon
pulls water from the stools to maintain hydration, thereby making them
harder and difficult to pass.<br />
Drinking sufficient water boosts
your metabolism and helps the body properly break down food. This helps
your digestive system work well and promotes regular bowel movements.
Warm water, in particular, is good for digestive health.<br />
<h2>
5. Aids Weight Loss</h2>
In
a clinical trial, scientists found that drinking two eight-ounce
glasses of water prior to meals can help suppress appetite and hence
support your weight loss efforts. When you drink water, it fills your
stomach and reduces the tendency to eat more.<br />
Plus, it helps increase the rate at which the body burns fat, and promotes the breakdown and elimination of fat cells.<br />
Calorie-free
water is also a great replacement for high-calorie drinks like alcohol,
sugary fizzy drinks and sodas that often contribute to weight gain.<br />
<h2>
6. Flushes Out Toxins</h2>
Water is an excellent detoxifier as it helps flush out toxins from your body and get rid of waste primarily through sweat and urine.<br />
It also promotes kidney function and reduces kidney stones by diluting the salts and minerals in urine that cause kidney stones.<br />
Though
you need to drink adequate amount of water throughout the day, experts
warn against drinking too much water (although uncommon still, it is
possible) as it may reduce your kidneys’ ability to filter out waste.<br />
Thus,
it is recommended to drink the amount of water your body requires. As
the amount of water required by the body tends to differ from one person
to another, it is usually suggested to drink to your thirst, and also
include other fluids and foods with high water content in your diet.Tope Ajisafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646730231160475190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372298471022049579.post-39743248054164428172015-12-02T10:44:00.001-08:002015-12-02T10:44:14.325-08:00The secrets of being intelligent <img alt="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZHT_yOORuUogGL8q-HzKBq3bUmUQU1772I3MA-IDG7Gdaaf8Zew" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZHT_yOORuUogGL8q-HzKBq3bUmUQU1772I3MA-IDG7Gdaaf8Zew" /><br />
I am not intelligent but I have been around far too many intelligent
people .Its no secret as far as I could see my friends just enjoyed what
they learn where as I am very lazy and sleep for hours and hours
together :P .Imagine you love cricket .You play everyday ..someone who
is not interested obviously cannot play as good as you or someone who is
learning to achieve some goal will look up to you for guidance ! but
you are not looking particularly to achieve some goal ..you play because
you absolutely enjoy playing....but <br />
<a name='more'></a>for your friend he plays because he
wants to be a cricketing legend in future ..but he does not enjoy it he
is going for it only because he wants the money ..you on the other hand
dont really care about the money but just enjoy playing ..you will be
the better one no matter how good your friend becomes ..ultimately your
friend will think you were born to play cricket or you are unbeatable
... <br /><br />
<div class="Bgc-w Lh-16 Pend-14 Bdstart-1g Bdend-1g Bdbx-f4" id="ya-best-answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer">
<div class="Py-12" data-ya-answer-id="EuxV7DhPx1qdBRJcxdyCF2APqeMXBNSZoCWGkZY8N4eHfbo8G4AKp8k=" data-ya-question-id="20120320060458AAEJyLa" data-ya-type="answer" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_231">
<div class="Mstart-75 Pos-r" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2067">
<div class="Fw-n" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2082">
<span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2083" itemprop="text">
<br />
so just select a field of interest rather than looking for what benefits
it will have in store for you ! ..thats important but not that
important !because if you take something you dont like for the benefits
like income it offers ..theres a good chance you may give up even before
you start !because of lack of interest .. <br />
<br />
Everyone would be intelligent if they played according to their
interests or desires and passions ..Brain is more comfortable with your
interests ! </span><span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2083" itemprop="text"> </span></div>
<div class="Fw-n" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2082">
<span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2083" itemprop="text">However, </span><span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2100" itemprop="text">The secret is to get out and learn about various things like history, language, culture, science, cars, religion, etc. <br />
<br />
Some people "can't" be because they are stuck in their own little world
and aren't willing to go outside of their comfort zone. Ever notice how
some people can migrate to one country, learn it's language, but never
get better at it, while others migrate, learn the language, and speak it
wonderfully. Some people are just happy being in their own little
spot/neighborhood/culture. <br />
<br />
Use your brain by seeking out different perspectives on things. Try
thinking about stuff in a different way. Try learning about one thing
every week. Everyone has the potential to be smart, but not everyone
takes advantage of it.</span></div>
<div class="Fw-n" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2082">
<span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2100" itemprop="text">Conclusively, </span></div>
<div class="Fw-n" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2082">
<span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2106" itemprop="text">1.Approach everything with an open mind. <br />
<br />
Practice the difficult stuff. <br />
<br />
If you get stuck, ask help from an expert. <br />
<br />
2. Lack of resources. Genes. <br />
<br />
3. It works no matter if you conciously use it or not. Not always to
your advantage. Train it to get it under your control. Concentration
meditation is a good help. Concentrate on doing boring stuff, it'll
train your brain to do whatever you tell it to do. Discipline will
always get you further, no matter how high your IQ when you start.</span></div>
<div class="Fw-n" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2082">
<h4>
<b><span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2106" itemprop="text"> Please suggest your own possible steps or secrets of being intelligent in the comment box below ! </span><span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2100" itemprop="text"> </span><span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2083" itemprop="text"> </span></b></h4>
</div>
<div class="report-abuse-holder">
</div>
<div class="Pt-15" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2066">
<br /><span class="Clr-88" id="yui_3_17_2_3_1449081307457_2065"></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Tope Ajisafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646730231160475190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372298471022049579.post-26466057860454154632015-11-20T18:55:00.003-08:002015-11-20T18:55:41.338-08:0025 Powerful Reasons to Eat Bananas<strong>benefits and reasons to add them to your diet. Bananas combat
depression, make you smarter, cure hangovers, relieve morning sickness,
protect against kidney cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and blindness.
They can cure the itch of a mosquito bite and put a great shine on your
shoes. Here's 25 reasons to eat bananas you might have never considered
before.</strong><br /> <br />
<img alt="25 Powerful Reasons to Eat Bananas" class="img-responsive articleHero " height="219" src="http://www.foodmatters.tv/images/bananas.jpg" width="320" />
<br />
<h2>
<strong>If you think bananas are just for monkeys, think again.</strong></h2>
<strong>
</strong>
<ol>
<li>
Bananas help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan,
which is <a name='more'></a>converted into serotonin -- the happy-mood brain
neurotransmitter.</li>
<li>
Eat two bananas <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">before a strenuous workout</a> to pack an energy punch and sustain your blood sugar.</li>
<li>Protect against muscle cramps during workouts and nighttime leg cramps by eating a banana.</li>
<li>Counteract calcium loss during urination and build strong bones by supplementing with a banana.</li>
<li>Improve your mood and reduce PMS symptoms by eating a banana,
which regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation.</li>
<li>Bananas reduce swelling, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">protect against type II diabetes</a>,
aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the
production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6.</li>
<li>Strengthen your blood and relieve anemia with the added iron from bananas.</li>
<li>High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially
recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure and protect
against heart attack and stroke.
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: left;">
Eating Bananas Aids Digestion</h2>
</li>
<li><img alt="" src="http://foodmatters.tv/images/articles/banana-sliced.jpg" style="border: 0px solid; float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 17px;" />Rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body.</li>
<li>Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly
bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in
absorbing nutrients.</li>
<li>Constipated? High fiber in bananas can help normalize bowel motility.</li>
<li>Got the runs? Bananas are soothing to the digestive tract and help restore lost electrolytes after diarrhoea.</li>
<li>Bananas are a natural antacid, providing relief from acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.</li>
<li>Bananas are the only raw fruit that can be consumed without
distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach
against corrosive acids.
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 12px;">
Natural Cures From A Simple Banana</h2>
</li>
<li>
Eating bananas will help prevent kidney cancer, protects the eyes
against macular degeneration and builds strong bones by increasing
calcium absorption.</li>
<li>Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you
more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels
of potassium.</li>
<li>Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing protection from free radicals and chronic disease.</li>
<li>Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea from morning sickness.</li>
<li>Rub a bug bite or hives with the inside of the banana peel to relieve itching and irritation.</li>
<li>Control blood sugar and avoid binging between meals by eating a banana.</li>
<li>Eating a banana can lower the body temperature and cool you during a fever or on a hot day.</li>
<li>The natural mood-enhancer tryptophan, helps to relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).</li>
<li>Quitting smoking? Bananas contain high levels of B-vitamins as
well as potassium and magnesium to speed recovery from the effects of
withdrawal.</li>
<li>Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place.</li>
<li>Rub the inside of a banana peel on your leather shoes or handbag and polish with a dry cloth for a quick shine.</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong> Oh, and remember -- bananas make great snacks and delicious smoothies. </strong><br />
</div>
<strong>
</strong>Tope Ajisafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646730231160475190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372298471022049579.post-33782033815858712872015-11-05T19:49:00.002-08:002015-11-05T19:49:57.669-08:00Underworld <h1>
</h1>
<div class="adwords_in_content">
<hr />
<hr />
</div>
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<div class="advboxl">
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From all parts of the world come myths and legends about the underworld, a
mysterious and shadowy place beyond ordinary human experience. The
underworld is the realm of the dead, the destination of human souls in the
<a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'afterlife' definition from Wikipedia">afterlife</a>. In some traditions, it is also the home of nonhuman,
<b>
supernatural,
</b>
or otherworldly beings such as fairies, demons, giants, and monsters.
Although usually portrayed as a terrifying, dangerous, or unpredictable
place, the underworld appears as a source of growth, life, and rebirth in
some myths. Many descriptions of the underworld include elements of
earthly life, such as powerful rulers and palaces.
<br />
The most common idea of the underworld is that it lies beneath the
everyday world. The <br />
<a name='more'></a>passage from this world to the other may begin by
descending into a cave, well, or pit. However, the distance between the
two worlds is more than physical, and the spiritual journey involved often
includes great peril. The souls of the dead are the principal travelers,
but sometimes living heroes, mystics, and
<b>
shamans
</b>
also make the journey.
<br />
<br />
<i>
<b>
The Land of the Dead.
</b>
</i>
Many cultures believe that after death the soul travels to the
underworld. In some traditions the passage to or through the underworld is
part of a process that involves judgment of the individual's deeds when
alive, and perhaps punishment for evil deeds. In others the underworld is
simply the destination of all the dead, good and bad alike.
<br />
Some of the earliest descriptions of the underworld occur in myths from
ancient Mesopotamia*. One tells how the fertility goddess <a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'inanna' definition from Wikipedia">Inanna</a>, later
known as Ishtar, descends into the kingdom of the dead, ruled by her
sister Ereshkigal. Trying to overthrow Ereshkigal, Inanna is killed. The
other gods convince Ereshkigal to release Inanna, but Inanna cannot leave
the underworld without finding someone to take her place. She determines
that her husband, Dumuzi or Tammuz, should be her substitute. Some
scholars believe that this myth is related to the annual death and rebirth
of vegetation.
<br />
The underworld Inanna visits is the same as that described in the
Mesopotamian
<b>
epic
</b>
of Gilgamesh, in which the character <a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'enkidu' definition from Wikipedia">Enkidu</a> has a vision of himself among
the dead. The underworld described is a dim, dry, dreary place called the
House of Darkness, a house that none who enter leave. The dead dwell in
darkness, eating dust and clay. Although recognizable as individuals, they
are pale and powerless shadows of their former selves.
<br />
<div>
<b>
supernatural
</b>
related to forces beyond the normal world; magical or miraculous
<br />
<b>
shaman
</b>
person thought to possess spiritual and healing powers
<br />
<b>
epic
</b>
long poem about legendary or historical heroes, written in a grand
style
</div>
This Semitic* image of the underworld appears in early Jewish <a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'mythology' definition from Wikipedia">mythology</a>.
The Jewish underworld was <a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'sheol' definition from Wikipedia">Sheol</a>, which means "pit."
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="gale_imggroup">
<img alt="The idea of the afterlife played a central role in Egyptian religion. When humans died, their souls began a difficult journey through the underworld. This tomb painting of the 1200s B.C. shows Ramses I surrounded by deities in the underworld." src="http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/images/mlw_0001_0004_0_img0199.jpg" height="296" width="263" />
<br />
<div class="caption">
The idea of the afterlife played a central role in Egyptian religion.
When humans died, their souls began a difficult journey through the
underworld. This tomb painting of the 1200s
<small>
B.C.
</small>
shows Ramses I surrounded by deities in the underworld.
</div>
</div>
It held all the dead who had ever lived. Over time, as the idea of
judgment in the afterlife took root in Jewish and then Christian belief,
the early, neutral concept of the underworld changed. Sheol became a place
of punishment and torment for the souls of sinners.
<br />
The ancient Greek vision of the underworld was, at first, much like that
of the early Semitic cultures. All the dead went to the same
place—a vague, shadowy underworld populated by the ghosts, or
shades, of the dead. This realm is sometimes called Hades, after the god
who ruled it. Gradually the underworld of Greek and then Roman mythology
became more elaborate. The kingdom of Hades was said to lie either beyond
the ocean or deep within the earth, separated from the world of the living
by five rivers: <a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'acheron' definition from Wikipedia">Acheron</a> (woe), Styx (hate), Lethe (forgetfulness), Cocytus
(wailing), and Phlegethon (fire). Cerberus, a fierce, three-headed,
doglike monster, guarded the entrance to the underworld, which consisted
of various regions. The souls of the good dwelled in the Elysian Fields or
Islands of the Blessed, while those who deserved punishment went to a deep
pit called Tartarus.
<br />
To the Maya of
<b>
Mesoamerica,
</b>
the underworld was a dreadful place, but not one limited to sinners. Only
people who died a violent death went to a heaven in the afterlife.
Everyone else entered Xibalba, the underworld, whose name meant
"place of fright." Any cave or body of still water was an
entrance to Xibalba.
<br />
The dead were not confined to the underworld forever. In the Mayan sacred
book
<i>
Popol Vuh,
</i>
the Hero Twins Hunahpú and Xbalanqúe outwitted the lords of
Xibalba and left the land of death. The souls of kings and nobles could
also escape from Xibalba if they were summoned by living relatives during
the Serpent Vision ceremony.
<br />
The Aztecs of central Mexico believed that the underworld consisted of
eight layers, each with its own dangers, such as <a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'drowning' definition from Wikipedia">drowning</a> or sharp blades.
Souls descended through the layers until they reached Mictlan, the
bottommost part of the underworld.
<br />
<div>
<b>
Mesoamerica
</b>
cultural region consisting of southern Mexico and northern regions of
Central America
</div>
The underworld of Japanese mythology was Yomi, land of night or gloom. It
was empty until the <a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'creator goddess' definition from Wikipedia">creator goddess</a> Izanami died after giving birth to the
god of fire. The maggots that appeared in her dead body grew into a host
of demons who populated Yomi and tormented the souls of the wicked.
Although Yomi was said to be a dark region of barren plains and lonely
tunnels, artists often portrayed it as an underground palace crowded with
the dead and
demons. Also there was Emma-ô (the Japanese version of Yama, the
Buddhist god of death), who judged the souls as they arrived inYomi.
<br />
<br />
<i>
<b>
The Journey
</b>
to
<b>
the Underworld.
</b>
</i>
Many myths tell of heroes who entered the underworld while still alive.
Those who survived the ordeals of the journey often returned to the living
world transformed by the experience, perhaps bearing special wisdom or
treasure.
<br />
Some heroes wished to rescue or reclaim a loved one who had died. In Greek
mythology, Demeter went down to the underworld to try to bring back her
daughter, Persephone, whom <a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'hades' definition from Wikipedia">Hades</a> had carried off. The Greek hero Orpheus*
traveled to the underworld in search of his wife Eurydice.
<br />
Chinese Buddhist mythology tells of a hero named Radish, a disciple of
Buddha. Before leaving on a journey Radish gave his mother, Lady Leek
Stem, money for begging monks. The mother failed to give the money to the
monks, but she lied to her son and said that she had done so. When Lady
Leek Stem died, she went to hell.
<br />
Radish became so holy that he was made a saint named Mulian. With Mulian's
<b>
enlightenment
</b>
came the knowledge of his mother's torment. He went to hell to save her,
although Yama, the king of hell, warned him that no one had the power to
change a sinner's punishment. On his way Mulian had to travel past 50
demons, each with the head of an animal and swords for teeth. By waving a
wand that Buddha had given him, he was able to make them disappear.
Finally Mulian found his mother, nailed to a bed. But he could not release
her; only Buddha could change a sinner's fate. Mulian asked Buddha for
mercy for his mother, and after the proper prayers Buddha released Lady
Leek Stem from hell.
<br />
The Ashanti people of Africa have a myth about Kwasi Benefo, who made a
journey to the underworld. Kwasi Benefo married four women in turn, and
each one died. Miserable and alone, he decided to go to Asamando, the land
of the dead, to seek his lost loves. He went to the place of burial and
then beyond it, passing through a dark, silent, trackless forest. He came
to a river. On the far side sat Amokye, the old woman who greets dead
women's souls. She felt sorry for Kwasi Benefo and allowed him to cross
the river, though normally the living are forbidden to enter Asamando.
Soon Kwasi Benefo found the invisible spirits of his wives. They told him
to marry again, promising that his fifth wife would live and that they
would be waiting for him in the underworld when his time came to die.
Kwasi Benefo fell asleep and awoke in the forest. He brought from the
underworld the precious gift of peace of mind, which allowed him to marry
and live a normal life for the rest of his days.
<br />
<br />
<div>
<h2>
Mirror Worlds
</h2>
The underworld is sometimes a mirror image of the world above. According
to some African myths, the underworld is just like the ordinary world
except that it is upside down. Its people sleep during the day and are
active during the night. In the Congo, tradition says that the world of
the living is a mountain and the underworld of the dead is another
mountain pointing downward. Chinese myths tell of "China plowed
under," an underworld inside the earth that mirrors every
province and town in the world above.
<br />
<b>
enlightenment
</b>
in Buddhism, a spiritual state marked by the absence of desire and
suffering
</div>
<i>
<b>
The Otherworld.
</b>
</i>
In some myths the underworld is a kind of alternative reality, a land not
merely of the human dead but of different beings who live according to
different rules. Celtic* mythology contains many accounts of an
otherworldly realm. Its
<br />
<br />
<i>
*See
<b>
Names and Places
</b>
at the end of this volume for further information.
</i>
<br />
location was said to be far away on remote islands or lying beneath the
sea or the ground. Certain caves or hills were believed to be entrances to
this otherworld.
<br />
In Wales the otherworld was called Annwn, which means
"not-world." It had a number of different sides. Primarily,
the otherworld was the kingdom of the dead, and its grim ruler was known
as Arawn to the Welsh and Donn to the Irish. However, the otherworld could
also be a joyous and peaceful place or a source of wisdom, magic, and
enchantment. The fairies, demons, spirits, and other supernatural beings
who lived there were neither purely good nor purely evil. Depending on the
circumstances, they could bring humans either harm or good fortune.
<br />
Celtic folklore is filled with legends of living people who entered the
otherworld. Some went voluntarily, like King Arthur of Britain, who led an
army into Annwn to capture a magical
<b>
cauldron.
</b>
Others were lured into the otherworld by fairies, sometimes in human or
animal form. The theme of a human straying into the otherworld appears in
many European fairy tales that draw on the old notion of the underworld as
a supernatural realm. In such stories, a human who ate or drank while in
the otherworld could never leave. Those who resisted food and managed to
leave found that time had different meanings in the two worlds. After
spending a single night in the otherworld, a person might return to the
world above to find that years had passed.
<br />
<br />
<i>
<b>
The Source of Life.
</b>
</i>
The underworld does not always represent the kingdom of the gloomy dead
or the home of dangerous beings. In some myths it serves as the point of
contact between the surface world of the living and the earth's powerful
creative forces. Among the Ibo people of Western Africa, Ala, the goddess
of the underworld, is also the earth goddess who protects the harvest,
which emerges from the ground. Ala receives the dead—burial is
thought to be placing the dead in her pocket or womb. However, Ala also
ensures life by making people and animals fertile.
<br />
<div>
cauldron large kettle
</div>
The creation myths of many Native American cultures say that people and
animals emerged from an underworld or series of underworlds. In these
stories the underworld is a womb in which life is nurtured or prepared
until the time is right for it to enter the world. One of many emergence
myths is told by the Zuni, who say that the Ahuyuuta twins were sent deep
into the earth by their
<br />
<div class="gale_imggroup">
<img alt="Yama, the Buddhist god of death, judged souls as they arrived in the Japanese underworld called Yomi, a dark land of gloom." src="http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/images/mlw_0001_0004_0_img0200.jpg" height="331" width="264" />
<br />
<div class="caption">
Yama, the Buddhist god of death, judged souls as they arrived in the
Japanese underworld called Yomi, a dark land of gloom.
</div>
</div>
father the sun god to guide unformed creatures up to the daylight. Once
above the ground, the creatures changed into human beings.
According to the <a class="knldlink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" title="View 'jicarilla apache' definition from Wikipedia">Jicarilla Apache</a> of New Mexico, in the beginning all
people, animals, and plants lived in the dark underworld. Those who wanted
light played a game with those who liked darkness. The light-lovers won,
and the sun and stars appeared. Then the sun, looking through a hole in
the roof of the underworld, saw the surface of the earth, which was
covered with water.
<br />
Eager to reach this hole in the underworld, the people built four great
hills that grew upward. But after girls picked the flowers from the hills,
the hills stopped rising. Then the people climbed to the roof on ladders
made of buffalo horns. They sent the moon and sun through the hole to
light the world and dispatched the winds to blow away the water. Next they
sent out animals. Last of all, the people climbed up into the new world.
Once they reached the surface, they spread out in four directions. Only
the Jicarilla stayed in the original homeland near the hole that led up
from the underworld.
Tope Ajisafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646730231160475190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372298471022049579.post-47269963195649435692015-10-30T13:01:00.001-07:002015-10-30T13:01:45.564-07:00Sense of youthful purpose driven by action and passion<h1>
<br /></h1>
Stanford education Professor William Damon says that
research shows that while young people can sometimes struggle with a
sense of purpose, they are likely to find it in concrete and
action-oriented goals.
<div class="byline">
By <span class="byline">Clifton B. Parker</span>
</div>
<div class="photolarge">
<div class="photolarge">
<span class="citation">L.A. Cicero</span>
<a class="lightbox" href="http://news.stanford.edu/news/2015/april/images/15075-purpose_news.jpg"><img alt="Students planting trees at Stanford" class="photolarge" height="213" src="http://news.stanford.edu/news/2015/april/images/15075-purpose_news.jpg" width="320" /></a>
Stanford students plant trees on campus in 2013. Professor William Damon sees such activities as<br />
<a name='more'></a> leading to a sense of purpose. <br />
</div>
</div>
Encouraging a sense of meaning and purpose in young people often
comes down to a "beyond-the-self" way of orienting to the world, a
Stanford expert says.<br />
Yet while service to others can build a capacity for purpose that endures into later life, said William Damon,
an education professor and director of the Stanford Center on
Adolescence, those activities should be something that a young person
truly enjoys and finds appealing – not just obligatory work.<br />
Damon's research
explores how young people develop purpose in their civic, work, family
and community relationships. The Stanford News Service recently
interviewed him about this topic:<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>What does your research show about how to encourage a sense of purpose and meaning among young people?</strong><br />
There are a couple of key insights that lead young people to start
their search for purpose. First is the realization that there is a need
in the world that calls for action. It could be a problem or a deficit
of some kind – such as, for example, some people die from cancer or some
people go hungry from lack of food – or it could simply be that there
are things that could be improved or created by new efforts. The second
realization is that young people believe they are capable of making such
efforts, and in fact would enjoy doing so if given the chance.<br />
<strong>Do young people struggle with purpose and meaning? </strong><br />
Of course, as do many people later in life. Purpose requires both a
personal desire to accomplish something meaningful to the self and a
commitment to take the actions needed to do so. Some people struggle
because they feel their lives are full of obligatory actions that have
no personal meaning. Others struggle because they have trouble
developing an action plan they can commit to. These difficulties can
arise at any age, but young people in particular may struggle with them –
some if they feel forced to engage in activities that lack meaning and
others because they have not yet learned how to follow up aspirations
with appropriate actions.<strong> </strong><strong></strong><br />
<strong>What are some of the most popular purposeful interests for young people? </strong><br />
Many are motivated by family purposes (raising a family, caring for
an extended family); others by vocational purposes (becoming a doctor,
teacher, army officer, and so on); others by faith (serving God or some
transcendent cause); and others by the arts, sports or civic duty. In
our studies, we have found a number of young people with civic purposes
such as fighting for a particular cause or contributing to the
betterment of their communities; but we have found few who aspire to
civic leadership. If this is a trend among today's youth, it bodes a
problem for the future of our democracy, since a thriving democratic
society depends upon strong leadership in every new generation.<br />
<strong>Is encouraging purpose and meaning a worthy educational goal? </strong><br />
Purpose is the pre-eminent long-term motivator of learning and
achievement. Any school that fails to encourage purpose among its
students risks becoming irrelevant for the choices those students will
make in their lives. Schools that encourage purpose will see their
students become energized, diligent and resilient in the face of
challenges and obstacles.<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>Why is "beyond-the-self" thinking important for young people? </strong><br />
Especially in these days of intense focus on individual performance
and status, a real risk in the development of today's young is
self-absorption. For the sake of both their mental health and their
character development, all young people need to hear the message "It's
not about you," every now and then. Finding a purpose that contributes
to the world beyond the self is a premier way of tuning in to that
message. Consider a common example: As early as age 4 or 5, a child can
be asked to help out in the home, such as by watering the plants or
feeding a pet. When children help out with such tasks, they acquire a
sense of service to their families. Eventually, this sense of service
generalizes to other sectors of the world beyond the self.<br />
Children take pride in what they accomplish. Service to others, even
in the form of childhood responsibilities, can build a capacity for
purpose that endures into later life.<strong></strong><br />
<strong>How can adults, teachers and parents help educate the young about purpose and meaning? </strong><br />
Parents, teachers and other adults can nurture sparks of realization.
We also found that purposeful youth had chances to observe admired
people in their lives who themselves were pursuing purposes they
believed in. Parents can model for the child a dedication to a
purposeful goal. Rarely, however, did we find that purposeful youngsters
found their choices in direct instructions from parents or other
adults. Rather, young people tend to choose from the menu of options
that they are exposed to by parents, teachers, and other adults. One
thing, therefore, that adults can do for young people is to present them
with a full palette of possibilities that align with the "sparks" that
the young people express. To be of help, adults must be good listeners
when young people discuss their interests.<br />
Also, adults can be supportive of the choices that young people make
on their own – all the purposeful youngsters that we studied said that
their parents eventually supported and encouraged the purposes that they
chose.<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>Is it more challenging in today's world for young people to focus on purpose and meaning? </strong><br />
It is a challenging time for young people to find purpose. Choices
about where to live, what sorts of careers to pursue, how to spend one's
time, and what kinds of interpersonal arrangements are possible and
desirable have expanded enormously from earlier eras in our own society.
While the availability of so many choices can be liberating, it also
can be confusing for a young person first facing them.<br />
Also, choices create uncertainty, which can be frightening. In prior
times, when the major choices about vocation, family and community
location were settled by age 20 or so, there was less room for agonizing
about what to do in life than exists in our time, in which many young
people are still searching at age 30 or later. But my sense is that such
delay is not itself a problem, as long as there is learning and forward
movement during this extended period of choice-making. In fact, for
many, such delay offers the opportunity to make sounder and more
interesting choices for the kinds of lives they want to lead and the
kinds of people they want to be.Tope Ajisafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646730231160475190noreply@blogger.com0