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Wednesday, March 19, 2014
A new sweetener made from
the tequila plant could help reduce blood glucose levels in diabetics
and contribute to weight loss in obese people.
A researcher
has outlined the potential benefits of agavins, the natural sugar found
in the agave plant, which is non-digestible and may act as a dietary
fiber rather than a sugar that raises blood glucose.
The findings were presented at the 247th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society
(ACS), the world's largest scientific society gathering, happening
through Thursday, March 20 at the Dallas Convention Center and
surrounding hotels. The meeting involves thousands of scientists and
some 10,000 reports on new scientific advances and similar topics.
"We
have found that since agavins reduce glucose levels and increase GLP-1,
they also increase the amount of insulin," said Mercedes G. López,
Ph.D. of the Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados,
Biotechnology and Biochemistry Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
GLP-1
(glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone "that slows the stomach from
emptying," which subsequently begins insulin production.
Lopez
and her team analyzed a group of mice fed a standard diet and added
agavins to their daily water. The mice were weighed every day and had
their glucose blood levels checked weekly. The majority of the mice that
drank agavins ate less, lost weight and had lower blood glucose levels
compared to sweeteners such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, aspartame and
agave syrup.
"Agavins are not
expensive and they have no known side effects, except for those few
people who cannot tolerate them," Lopez continued, adding that much like
other fructans, agavins are comprised of fructose. Fructose contributes
to healthy microbe growth in the mouth and intestines. Because fructans
are linked together in long, branched chains, they can't affect blood
sugar the way high fructose corn syrup does.
Agavins are occasionally
confused with agave nectar or agave syrup, both of which are health-food
store shelf staples. However, these products feature individually
broken-down fructans, making them similar to high-fructose corn syrup.
Lopez
also notes that agavins are better than artificial sweeteners, as the
latter are absorbed by the body, resulting in side effects such as
headaches. Artificial sweeteners have also been linked to weight gain among other adverse health effects, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
"One slight downside, however, is that agavins are not quite as sweet as their artificial counterparts," she said.
Paris (AFP) - The Burmese python
has a built-in compass that allows it to slither home in a near-straight
line even if released dozens of kilometres away, researchers said
Wednesday.
Capable of
growing over five metres (16 feet) long, pythons are among the world's
largest snakes. Although native to South and Southeast Asia, the snakes
have taken up residence in South Florida's Everglades National Park,
possibly after being released as unwanted pets.
They have adapted so well to their new habitat that they now pose a serious threat to several species which they hunt as prey.
They
implanted radio trackers in the animals and followed their movements
with GPS readings from a small fixed-wing plane -- measuring their
direction and speed.
All the
snakes immediately oriented themselves towards the place where they were
captured, with five of the six returning to within five kilometres
(three miles) of that spot.
The sixth veered somewhat off course as it was nearing its destination.
The
snakes travelled between 94 and 296 days, displaying "high motivation
to reach home locations", according to the study, published in the Royal
Society journal Biology Letters.
"This study provides evidence that Burmese pythons have navigational map and compass senses," the authors wrote.
No other snake species has yet been shown to possess a similar homing ability.
Such
navigational skills suggest the python has a razor-sharp sense of
territoriality. This could help combat the species in places where it is
unwanted by predicting where the snake is likely to spread.
Burmese pythons eat everything from tiny birds to deer and even alligators. They swallow their food whole.
By ERIC TALMADGE and CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
March 18, 2014 5:12 AM TOKYO (AP) — Finding the missing Malaysian jetliner would be a coup for any of the more than two dozen countries out there looking. But for China and the United States, it's a lot more than that — it has been a chance for the two rival powers in the Pacific to show off what they can do in a real-life humanitarian mission across one of the world's most hotly contested regions.
The hunt has major ramifications
for Beijing, which has been rapidly improving its military while
aggressively challenging neighbors over territorial disputes. Washington
is looking to prove it's still the top dog to allies worried about how
seriously it takes the threat China poses to the Pacific status quo.
So far, neither country has come up with anything significant. But they have been vigorously waving their flags.
China
has the most at stake and has been taking an unusually high-profile
role. Almost immediately after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared
March 8, China dispatched its largest-ever rescue flotilla to the
initial search area in the South China Sea, which Beijing considers its
own backyard.
Beijing sent
four warships and five coast guard and civilian patrol service vessels,
along with helicopters and fixed-wing surveillance aircraft. Among the
warships are two of China's largest and most advanced amphibious docking
ships. The 20,000-ton vessels are equipped with helicopters and a range
of small boats, including up to four hovercrafts.
"On
the one hand, China is simply doing its duty in orchestration with
other countries," said Ni Lexiong, a military expert at Shanghai's
University of Political Science and Law. "On the other hand, this
operation offers an opportunity to assess the Chinese navy's willpower,
efficiency and ability to carry out operations far from home, especially
in comparison with the U.S."
Fresh off a massive relief effort
after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines — which China barely
got involved in — the U.S. was once again quick to respond. Within days,
the Navy had two destroyers in the South China Sea participating in the
search, the USS Kidd and the USS Pinckney. Both are both based in San
Diego but were training in the area when the jet disappeared.
Since
the flight was bound for Beijing and two-thirds of the passengers were
Chinese, the public expects the government and military to pull out all
the stops. With more Chinese traveling abroad than ever — 100 million
last year, more than double the figure for 2009 — they are increasingly
reliant on their government to assist and protect them when overseas,
and they are looking for proof that it can fulfill that role.
National prestige is also a huge factor.
National prestige is also a huge factor.
Though
the U.S. remains the dominant power in the Pacific, China deeply craves
that role. Sizable chunks of its defense spending, which has grown
significantly over the past two decades to $131 billion, have been
devoted to boosting its ability to project force for both military and
humanitarian missions.
China's
Achilles' heel is its relative lack of experience, not having fought in
a major conflict since the end of the Korean War in 1953. Its leaders
have been trying to compensate with more realistic training scenarios,
including joint maritime search and rescue exercises with other nations.
Given
new clues from radar and satellite data that the missing Boeing 777
turned west and flew on for several more hours, the search has shifted
to a vast swath of land and sea stretching from the southern Indian
Ocean up to Kazakhstan. That's an area that neither China nor the U.S.
has traditionally put much emphasis on, and has forced both to rethink
their strategies.
The U.S.
Navy decided that long-range naval aircraft were a more efficient way to
search such a vast area, so will be relying on P-3 and P-8 planes,
while the two destroyers go back to normal duties.
The
mission is one of the first on the international stage for the P-8
Poseidon, one of the newest additions to the Navy's air capabilities.
The Navy touts the aircraft as the world's most advanced anti-submarine
and anti-surface ship reconnaissance plane and says it can cover 15,000
square miles (38,850 square kilometers) in a nine-hour flight.
China,
meanwhile, has sent most of its ships involved in the search toward
Singapore, where they will split into two groups, one traveling north
and the other south. They will be searching two huge blocks of ocean off
the coast of Sumatra and near the Andaman Islands — a total area of
300,000 square kilometers (186,000 square miles), or roughly three times
the area they searched in the South China Sea.
A
big problem for China is its bad blood with virtually all of its
neighbors, many of whom are key players in the search. China has
territorial disputes with India, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam, and
many other countries in the region are wary of its efforts to exert
more control over Pacific shipping lanes that could impact their freedom
of trade.
Chinese
officials haven't done themselves any favors by criticizing Malaysia's
leadership in the search effort. Some saw that as an attempt to shift
public attention away from its own shortcomings, and Beijing's weak
military-to-military relationship with Malaysia probably exacerbated the
issue.
"Some
people say China is trying to use the mission as a way to show off its
presence, but that also means they are stepping up their efforts and
capabilities in disaster relief," said Kyouji Yanagisawa, a former
Japanese Cabinet adviser on national security. "This is a search
operation and I think it could be an opportunity to cultivate trust
among participating countries, rather than conflict."
Saturday, March 1, 2014
......... By Christy Karras
Travelers love coming to America, a land many of them have seen via exports from Hollywood. They rave about the landscapes, the recreational opportunities, the vibrant cities and the culture.
But like international travelers
anywhere, foreigners visiting the United States from other countries can
be flummoxed by some of what they encounter. Fortunately, their fellow
travelers have plenty of advice. The picture they paint portrays
Americans as relentlessly cheerful yet sensitive folks who just might
raid your fridge.
What outsiders say about the U.S.
will strike an American as very true, very strange, or both. Here (with
some help from Google Translate) are some travel advice gems from
around the world.
(Photo by Ian Waldie/Getty Images)
It’s probably best not to drink the water.
“There are strict laws regarding Hygiene eating places that must be
met, so that restaurants and even street stalls are safe. In some areas
you can take the tap water. Bottled water is available everywhere and is most recommended.”
Americans’ social boundaries are very inconsistent. “Things like “We should get together sometime” doesn’t really mean anything, unless the same people keep mentioning it to you."
“During a party at your house, don’t be surprised if Americans will just walk up to your fridge and help themselves.”
From Switzerland:
Forget public nudity, intoxication or urination. "The legal system can be very different from one state to another and is often inspired by moral principles stiffer than in Switzerland. For example it is forbidden to bathe topless or without shirt (kids), urinate on public roads or photograph partially unclothed children (even at home). It is forbidden for people under 21 to drink alcohol. Similarly, people who drink alcohol in public or carry alcoholic beverages without concealing from the eyes are guilty of an offense."
From France:
Do take a road trip across the West, but don’t be weird about American Indians or cops. “Do not miss and be certain to visit driving in a country that venerates it, but scrupulously respect the speed limits, the constabulary of the United States not kidding ... Remember that Indian reserves in the western United States are economic and human realities, not museums."
(Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
From Italy:
Tipping is fraught with misunderstanding.
Q. Is it true that I have to "force" to tip at all? A. It is not
mandatory to tip, however, it is strongly recommended, because in many
cases it is the only entry of workers. Generally in a restaurant, in the
cab, and in many places where there is a service gratuity is 15%. Since
the bill that will take you specify the city tax of 8.875%, is
sufficient to double that sum, without bothering to do the calculations.
In the hotel you leave two dollars per day per person cleaning. Obviously you do not leave tips in places like McDonalds or Starbucks.”
You will probably get sucked into a political discussion. “Americans are REALLY opinionated. And they want to know what you think about the government, about politics, about current issues. A typical conversation might go like this: ‘Hi I’m Matt. Nice to meet you.’ ‘The name’s Bob. Where you from Matt?’ ‘Sydney, Australia.’ ‘Oh I see. You’ve come a long way. So what’s your take on Obamacare?’”
Did we mention the violence of U.S. toilets? “A veritable swimming pool of water greets you when you open the toilet lid and when you flush, it all goes down the drain in a huge rotating whirlpool.”
From the UK:
America might give you fever. “There are occasional outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis and dengue fever.”
From India:
The U.S. doesn’t offer much in terms of shopping. “Based on my experience everyone need to bring almost every basic thing you need on a daily basis.”
From China:
Americans love to follow rules, even when no one is looking.
“Americans are such strict rule followers. I witnessed this once
sitting on the sidelines of a high school dodge ball game. To me, it was
goofy, a little violent, and very American. It struck me that my
classmates followed the rules of the game so strictly. Even when no one
noticed that a person had been hit and he could have kept playing, he
voluntarily gave himself up and left the game. I was deeply impressed by
how much people honored the rules even when they are not seen."
Gifts are not a big deal. And did you know bribery was illegal?
“Gifts: Americans do not expect them. On the contrary, an unexpected
gift while conducting business can put an American in an awkward
position. Such things for Americans suggest reciprocity.
(Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage)
"As a rule, the invitation will be only on a weekend, and you don’t have to prepare for something extravagant. Everything is the same as ours, only with far less booze. Bring something sporty — ball, badminton, Americans are certainly fervent fans of these things.”
"Phone etiquette in America
usually involves the gradual end of the conversation, confirmation
agreements and standard closing remarks. By the way, 'see you later'
should not be taken literally. That is a courtesy, and no more...
Russian conversational patterns often sound harsh to Americans.
Statements such as, 'You’re wrong,' can be offensive. This can be
interpreted as 'You are telling lies!' Therefore it is better to say, 'I
do not think I can agree with this.'"
(Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
“Americans: they are a nation that truly feels happy. These people get used to smiling from the cradle onwards, so they do not pretend to be cheerful. The desire for a successful happy life is inculcated from childhood.”
The women are a little uptight, and they don't appreciate chivalry. “US etiquette prohibits flirting with a woman who is not your girlfriend or wife. If you are not acquainted with a woman, whether she be in a restaurant, on the street, or on the subway, do not look at her legs, etc. Americans could easily call the police on you, even for just ogling her.”
“Welcome and introductions: men and women tend to shake hands. Mutual kissing and kissing ladies' hands is not accepted. Also, women play a greater role in business. Often they insist to be treated exactly as an equal and not as a lady. In this regard, it is not acceptable to be excessively gallant, and you should avoid personal questions (do not find out whether she is married).”
American food is not subtle. American food is about big, bold taste, and is indifferent to subtleties. Hence "hidden ingredients" are seldom seen. Sugar, salt, pepper, oils, and routine spices are used for family meals. There is no such thing as purely U.S. cuisine, except the hamburger, which isn’t made at home so much. There is no such thing as purely U.S. cuisine, except for maybe the hamburger, and not many varieties that can be cooked at home. There’s not much emphasis on seasonal foods. Basically, they like sweet tasting foods, as well as foods that are high in fat and calories.
Watch out where you wear hip-hop clothes.
“In Japan, hip hop clothes are considered stylish. But in the United
States, it is wise to avoid them, as you might be mistaken for a member
of a street gang.
Nobody is impressed by how much you can drink.“In
the U.S., they do not have a sense of pride if they drink a large
amount. Rather, if you drink a lot, there is a sense that you cannot
manage yourself, and you can lose respect from those around you. Being
drunk doesn't excuse your actions, and to drink alcohol habitually is a
sign of alcoholism. Alcoholics are seen as mentally weak, and are
ostracized by society due to their inability to have self control."
(Photo by Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images)
“In America, when men or women laugh, they do not turn away. In general, they face front, open the mouth, and laugh in a loud voice. This is because in America if you muffle your laugh or turn away while laughing, you give the impression that you are talking about a secret or name-calling. It comes across as vulgar and insidious. ”
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