New Blood Test Derived From Harry Potter

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Guest Author| Leave a comment

While many kids watched the Harry Potter movies with a fascination that can only be attributed to magic, one scientist in Australia with looking at the Diary of Tom Riddle and thinking of other practicalities. Could a blood test operate in the same way that letter appeared on the pages, and what could be the life saving applications of the technology for quick, easy and most importantly accurate blood tests? With the importance of realising a person’s blood type as soon as possible in order to use the correct blood for transfusion, a test that can be operated by almost anyone on the scene with the ease and accurately that will save thousands of lives is the reality being created right now, through the inspiration of the movies.

Blood Testing Magic

Wei Shen, while working from his laboratory in Australia, has devised a paper test to be able to check blood type while he was conducting research into female pregnancy and how to increase the likely hood of a successful pregnancy test based on blood type. In the ongoing development of the blood test, they have developed a prototype that will be able to show whether the person is A, B, AB or O and whether they are Rhesus positive or negative simply by applying some blood to the sticky note size piece of paper. The technology of the blood test comes in the paper having four quadrants, and the antibodies of the blood type only reacting with the paper, therefore showcasing the exact blood type in letters, similar to the Harry Potter Movies.

The Magic to Save Lives

The implications of this blood text technology far outweigh the initial objectives as this system is able to be easily read by any person on the street, where even with current blood testing equipment, a substantial amount of knowledge is needed to interpret the results. Therefore the technology, which is due for mass production in upcoming months, will be used by almost all emergency services and also have massive implications for warfare, where under even the most stressful of circumstances, accurate and life saving information can be understood in mere seconds. This covers the issue with world health that requires more and more technology to be able to be used by the average citizen, to cope with the huge issues of a natural disaster or similar scenario. Also with such a unique blood test product, 3rd world countries will benefit from local production or very low costs involved in getting the much needed technology to their shores and remote areas. While the magic of Harry Potter enthralled on the screens, it’s clearly Dr Shen and his new blood test that will change the world in more amazing ways.

About Author: Sarah Mancini is a freelance writer with an interest in medical developments and a volunteer medic for sporting events. She has been involved in Pharma transportation and emergency services work for 5 years and is constantly on the look out for technology that may save lives. 

Posted in Treatments

Tagged , ,

A Guide for Getting Active

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Guest Author| Leave a comment

When people today are asked about the types of things they would like to improve in their lives, getting active comes up more and more often. Becoming a more active person takes a fundamental desire to do so, as well as dedication and patience as you begin to start new habits and better your life. The benefits to becoming a more active person are great, as you’re bound to both feel better and start to look more radiant with every passing day. Not only that, but decreased premiums for insurance are nearly a sure thing as you start to get more active and fit, your heart health will become that much more of a priority.

Getting Started

Like anything, increasing physical activity needs to start somewhere. Everyone is at a different place in their life, so there is no right answer for where you should begin and how you should change your habits. No matter who you are or what stage in life you’re at, making small steps each day is the number one way to begin to form new, healthier habits for the future. Some people may start with a small walk around the block as a means to become more active. Others will prefer a move with a bit more structure, like a dance class or joining a weekly aquafit at the community pool. Whatever your style of getting active is, go easy on yourself in the beginning!

Setting Goals

Once your commitment to active living starts to feel a bit less like a chore, you’re ready to set personal goals for improvement. These goals will directly pertain to whatever it is that you’ve chosen to do. Many people who undertake a lifestyle change like this one set huge goals and feel discouraged when they aren’t met right away. Go easy on yourself, understanding that what you’re doing is going to consist of lot of little changes before you can really make the big ones. Long term goals are healthy, but break them down into smaller ones to encourage yourself to keep going in the right direction.

Keeping Track

Everyone will reach a point in personal fitness where they plateau and are no longer able to exceed their expectations as easily. These points are natural, and should not serve to discourage you. Keeping track of your progress is a good way to motivate yourself through these hiccups and keep moving, because once you’ve come through them you will feel that much more accomplished. Many people find an  journal to be a useful tool, by tracking each milestone they can then easily look back to see progress, which encourages action for the future.

About Author: This guest post is from Allison with LifeInsuranceQuotes.org.

Posted in Fitness and Weight Loss

Tagged , ,

Stick To Your Workout Goal

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Guest Author| Leave a comment

Every new year, people all over the world make resolutions that they will attain the weight loss goals they have always desired. Gym memberships soar only to quickly become unused a few months later. It is understandable that time constraints in our busy society make it difficult to maintain a workout regimen, and some lose the enthusiasm once they start to see how exhausting it can be. By following a few tips, however, it can be easy to stick to your goals and lose the weight you have always wanted.

The Buddy System

Those who choose to establish a workout routine with a close friend are far more likely to achieve success than those who attempt it solo. Knowing that the other person is counting on you to join them makes it more likely that the regimen will be adhered to while simultaneously giving you time to catch up with the ones you love.

For those who cannot meet with their buddy of choice due to differences in schedules or distance, simple accountability can do the trick. Most would agree that if a boss or teacher expects that you complete certain projects and assignments by a specific time, it would be more likely to be completed as opposed to an assigned task with no deadline. By agreeing with a friend or loved one that you will both stick to a certain exercise routine and check in with one another to make sure goals are being met, you are more likely to stick to it.

Don’t Overdo It

Ironically, many fail at their exercise attempts due to having too much enthusiasm. High expectations, while not always a bad thing, can cause you to establish initial goals that are too exhausting to start off with. Those who dream of running three miles every day complemented with 200 situps and weightlifting to acquire the perfect beach body by summer often quickly find their routine as a chore they like to avoid and make excuses not to perform. It is much better not to be too overzealous and opt for a simpler exercise routine; running a mile every other day, for example, would be a better alternative. Once you feel comfortable with the workout you are doing, it is then okay to add other steps to the routine or change it up.

Just Do It!

Now that you have some tips to get started, you have to get out there and work! Any exercise goal can be attained with the proper balance of accountability and enthusiasm.

About Author: This author writes about fitness and exersice and recommends you look into getting the  best home alarm system for your home and office. 

Posted in Fitness and Weight Loss

Tagged , , , ,

Why a Storage Facility Can Help Reduce Clutter

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Guest Author| Leave a comment

Hoarding is a serious problem that can affect anyone. It is a common practice for most people to keep things, especially those that have practical or emotional significance to them. There are some people who find it hard to part with certain items that they consider to be of high value to them, whether economically or emotionally. Compulsive hoarders, however, take this desire to collect to an entirely new level by refusing to throw away anything that comes into their possession.

A person who has been diagnosed with compulsive hoarding tends to do the following: 

  • Hang on to items which other people would have no problem throwing away, such as junk mail or bottles or newspapers
  • Clutter up the home to the extent that the home becomes unlivable.
  • Clutter up the home or the living area to the extent that it causes significant problems in socialization and in forming relationships with other people outside of the home or family

Self-Storage Units as a Solution to Hoarding

One of the main problems in hoarding is that the home becomes so cluttered with stuff that it becomes unlivable. It is a common sight in the homes of hoarders to see dining tables which cannot be used for eating or beds which cannot be used for sleeping since they are covered in junk. One solution to this problem would be to transfer all items to a self-storage facility which the family member can keep as his own. This way he/she gets to have a place where his/her stuff can be kept safe without taking up the space in home, which he might be sharing with other family members.

The use of storage systems can be used as a part of a person’s treatment towards controlling the urge to hoard. In most cognitive behavioral treatments, hoarders are taught about how to slowly evaluate their actions and to identify the causes behind the behavior so they can eventually learn to let go of the items that serve no purpose to them. Getting a self-storage unit can help as a way to assign a middle ground for those who feel like they cannot completely part ways with all the items they have collected. At the same time, a self-storage facility also removes the clutter from the home.

A reputable storage facility can offer your family storage services for the safekeeping of items that are too many to be stored in the home. For families with family members who were diagnosed with compulsive hoarding, this is a very practical solution since it allows the hoarder to keep his items in a safe and secure place, while allowing family members to go back to living in a home that is clean and clutter-free.

About Author: Katherine Schultz is an author, freelancer, and blogger who writes frequently about common problems and useful solutions (check this out, for example).

Posted in Awareness

Tagged , , ,

Meditation Can Help You Induce Lucid Dreaming

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Guest Author| Leave a comment

In my experience, the people that are able to easily and effectively induce lucid dreaming are the same people that have developed a consistent practice of meditation. I believe there are many reasons for this fact but in this article I am going to touch on the three I feel are most important to anyone looking to develop a system for inducing lucid dreaming.

The first reason meditation plays such a key role in lucid dreaming is because it helps you to become aware of you awareness.  What this means is that people often go through their daily life, fluttering from thought to thought to thought without any awareness of what they are actually thinking, how their thoughts are connected to each other and how their thoughts are affecting their body patterns and state of being.  Once you develop a practice of meditation you start to notice the thoughts and patterns that go through your mind everyday.  You become bystander that can simply sit and look at the continuous flow of thoughts that race through your mind. Once you have mastered the art of simply observing your thoughts, then you can develop your practice further by beginning to quiet them. Being able to have an awareness of your thoughts and being able to cultivate a quiet mind is one of the first steps to mastering lucid dreaming.

Meditation also creates extreme states of peace and relaxation, and this is a very important part of lucid dreaming which is why it is the second reason I think the two practices are beneficial for each other.  The more relaxed your body is when you begin to induce lucid dreaming, the easier it is to jump right into that state.  If you are tense or worried or have any doubts that the process will work, then the probability is that it will not. But if you are relaxed with a quiet mind then your chances of creating a lucid dream are much higher.

Lastly, meditation creates an awareness of being in the moment, which breaks the patterns we have created throughout our life of being on ‘auto-pilot’ or of automatically reacting to things, people and events in a certain way because it is what we have always done.  Breaking this habit of reacting is very important to the process of lucid dreaming because it helps you stop being reactionary, and instead to start coming from a place of creation.  Now that you have become aware of your awareness, now that you can quiet the pattern of thoughts that you have held for so long and replace them with new thoughts or simply quiet them altogether, and now that you are active in being a creator, you are much closer to being able to induce lucid dreaming.  This is why I believe these practices are so closely linked together and it is why I believe that meditation should be a practice that you begin immediately when you start to actively pursue lucid dreaming.

About Author: Article is written by guest author. Liked the article find out more about meditation here and lucid dreaming techniques here

Posted in Awareness

Tagged , , ,