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2009-03-28

Enzyme could determine obesity

I figured it was either this or an allergy of some sort!
Reporting their findings in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers wrote: "Our studies identify MGAT2 as a key determinant of energy metabolism in response to dietary fat and suggest that the inhibition of this enzyme may prove to be a useful strategy for treating obesity and other metabolic diseases associated with excessive fat intake."
... and here is an interesting article on the same subject

Red Tie, Blue Tie, Powerful or Creative guy?

Does it matter whether one wears red or blue?

Yes, suggest several studies, including a new one out today in the journal Science.

Red is associated with love, power, nobility and now, scientists say, attention to detail. Blue (the other preferred tie color of choice for business and politics) is now thought to boost creativity.

What would you do?

2009-03-27

Waiting for a bus? Try walking instead!



One of the latest and probably oddest advertising devices can be seen in the capital of Netherlands, Amsterdam.

Innovative but also a bit weird, some bus shelters in Amsterdam have been fitted with weight meters that the weight of people waiting for public transportation and whether they should start losing some extra flab.

A fish-eye view


Click on the link to be treated to a 360° interactive view of tropical fish around a Pacific coral reef.

(When you get to the webpage, click and drag on the image to look around!)

Funny published items


Hmmm, could be a tough decision ...

... and many other classic stories that will make you chuckle!

2009-03-26

Translucent concrete


Filled with optical fibers that run from one end of a poured piece of concrete to the other, these prefabricated blocks and panels effectively transmit light from one side to the other. Colors and light remain remarkably consistent from end to end, but with a natural variation from the pouring process that actually softens the effects considerably.

Nurturing Nature


Although it’s certainly not a new idea to combine landscaping with public transportation, we love the sight of these European trams gliding along on beds of grass. From Barcelona to the Czech Republic, Frankfurt, St-Etienne and Strasbourg, these public transit greenways are showing the potential of incorporating landscaping into good urban design.

Spring Tulips in Holland



About 10 years ago, I went to the Keukenhof, a botanical garden just west of Amsterdam, with my friend Carlos. These videos will give you a taste of how beautiful the flowers were.

If you ever fly into Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam in Spring (April) be sure to look out the plane window - you will see a remarkable quilt of coloured fields.

Enjoy!



2009-03-24

Freakin' your freak!

I'm a freak. You're a freak. Some of my best friends are freaks. We're ALL freakin' freaks, Man!