Flavonoids, the key chemicals in choclate claimed to boost cognitive ability, are also in red wine although the merits of this source are very limited. Classifed as a phytochemical, Flavonoids are highly effective in reversing age-related declines in neuro-cognitive performance through their ability to interact with the cellular and molecular architecture of those partsm of the brain responsible for memory and by reducing neuronal loss due to neurodegenerative processes. It is claimed that in particular, Flavonoids may increase the number of, and strength of, connections between neurons. Naturally correlation does not necessarily equal causation. What if the Nobel laureates were also coffee drinkers thus with another source of stimulation ?
Thursday 1 August 2013
Chocolate continues to astound with its unique value
Flavonoids, the key chemicals in choclate claimed to boost cognitive ability, are also in red wine although the merits of this source are very limited. Classifed as a phytochemical, Flavonoids are highly effective in reversing age-related declines in neuro-cognitive performance through their ability to interact with the cellular and molecular architecture of those partsm of the brain responsible for memory and by reducing neuronal loss due to neurodegenerative processes. It is claimed that in particular, Flavonoids may increase the number of, and strength of, connections between neurons. Naturally correlation does not necessarily equal causation. What if the Nobel laureates were also coffee drinkers thus with another source of stimulation ?
Saturday 27 July 2013
Weapons of fiction, now a reality
Active Denial mounted on its main heavy carrier |
Smaller mobile unit of Active Denial |
Tuesday 23 July 2013
UNESCO's concern over the future of Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Bleached coral - Great Barrier Reef, Australia |
In relation to the Great Barrier Reef and Australia, the UN report specifically states:
The World Heritage Centre and IUCN recommend that the World Heritage Committee reiterate its request to the State Party (Australia) to undertake the following
actions:
a) make a clear
financial commitment to maintain the Reef Rescue programme and ensure water
quality continues to improve,b) halt the approval of coastal development projects that could individually or cumulatively impact on the property’s Oustanding Universal Value (OUV) and compromise the ongoing Strategic Assessment, and
c) ensure that the legislation protecting the property remains strong and adequate to maintain and enhance its OUV.
They further recommend that the Committee consider the Great Barrier Reef for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger at its 38th session in 2014 in the absence of a firm and demonstrable commitment on these priority issues by the State Party.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the wonders of the world and the largest coral reef on the planet. The international recognition of serious threats to its' survival should galvanise further action domestically as warnings from local marine scientists appear to have been largely unsuccessful.
Monday 22 July 2013
Theatre Review - Mrs Warren's Profession - Sydney Theatre Company 2013 Season
Helen Thomson as Mrs Warren |
The Sydney Theatre Company have returned with an additional series of performances of George Bernard Shaw's 'Mrs Warren's Profession' following the season sell-out earlier this year. The play received rapturous reviews and accolades but what was all the fuss about ?
Bernard Shaw's play is centred on the relationship between Vivie Warren (Lizzie Schebesta) a young, fiercely independent minded 19th Century bluestocking woman working her way to a successful career and her mother, Kitty Warren (Helen Thomson) who has bankrolled her daughter's expensive education via her unorthodox profession. Vivie's world and perceptions are turned upside down when she discovers her mother is a brothel owner and operator across Europe. Their relationship breaks down as the strong-minded daughter is quite unforgiving of her mother's commercial activities. Add to the mix a collection of various male bon vivants with class and privilege perspectives and the scene is set for the collapse of Vivie and Kitty's relationship. The play has an expert cast most notably with Lizze Schebesta and Helen Thomson however even with Bernard Shaw's sharp wit, the play has dated in its social observations (it was written in 1893), customs and practice. It could well be that a competently written play staged by STC has become such a novelty following flat seasons and financial loss-making years that its a stand-out.
Wednesday 10 July 2013
Global corruption report - corruption remains a critical problem world-wide
The Report can be accessed at this link:
Global Corruption Index Report
The 2013 Global Corruption Barometer recently released by
Transparency International charts increasing public disquiet over the level of corruption in many segments and institutions of society. Over 114,000 people in 107 countries were surveyed for
their views on corruption and the results by country demonstrate a strong public perception that corruption has a strong influence.
Transparency International is an global Non-Government
Organisation with its Secretariat in Berlin, Germany and membership and
organisational chapters throughout the world. Transparency International has been
active in strengthening anti-corruption initiatives, such as the OECD
Anti-Bribery Convention, UN Convention against Corruption and UN Global Compact.
For Australia the results were generally positive with some obvious exceptions:
Percentage of respondents who felt these institutions
were affected by corruption in this country –
58 % political parties
58 % media
47 % business
44 % religious bodies
Question: How effective do you think your government's actions are
in the fight against corruption ?
16 % stated effective
32 % stated neither effective nor ineffective
36 % stated they were ineffective
16 % stated they were very ineffective
Global Corruption Index Report
Monday 1 July 2013
The Earth's Threatened Species - the list grows
Orange-bellied parrot, Eastern Australia: critically endangered |
The latest 'Red List of Threatened Species' assessment released in June 2013 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) continues to paint a bleak picture for the future of most of the planet's animal life. The Red List is not about climate change impact as the methodology and process was established long before the current global warming issue came to mainstream public debate. The assessment remains grim with 24 to 50 per cent of species being hihghly vulnerable, 22 to 44 per cent of amphibians and 15 to 32 per cent of corals - the lower estimate being the most optimistic and higher figure being the most pessimistic.
In a separate study which specifically addresses the impact of climate change, species which are at the greatest risk from climate change are not currently conservation
priorities. The IUCN paper, published in the
journal PLOS ONE, is one of the largest studies of its kind, assessing all of the world’s birds, amphibians and
corals. It draws on the work of more than 100 scientists over a period of five
years. Up to 83% of birds, 66% of
amphibians and 70% of corals that were identified as highly vulnerable to the
impacts of climate change are not currently considered threatened with
extinction. They are therefore
unlikely to be receiving focused conservation attention, according to the
study.
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