Sunday, 29 April 2012

Purple Crab

Four new species of crab have been discovered in the Philippine island of Palawan. And one of the crabs truly stands out with its unusually bright purple shell. Located between the Sundaic and Philippine region, Palawan combines two of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots. Around 50 percent of the species living on Palawan are defined as endemic, which means they are exclusively native to the island.


The newly discovered purple crab species is very tiny - just one to two inches wide, so bright purple color indeed would be an advantage for recognition. Found only in small, lowland-forest ecosystems in the Palawan island group, most have purple shells, with claws and legs tipped red. The tiny crustaceans burrow under roots in streams, feeding on dead plants, fruits, carrion and small animals in the water at night. The tiny creatures can hide in spaces unavailable to their large counterparts and require less food. They can also survive in less habitat.


These newly discovered crabs are not secure. Reptiles, birds likely prey on the crabs, and it is possible that people in remote areas also collect them for food. However, the main threats are the ongoing forest clearing for farming, mining or home building, since the risks drying up their small habitats. All these activities cause water pollution leading to their elimination. Even if the habitats are not entirely destroyed, the smaller the remaining habitats, the higher is the risk of extinction for a species.

Boiling point of human saliva

Human saliva is composed of 98% water while the other 2% consists of other compounds such as electrolytes, mucus, antibacterial compounds, and various enzymes.
A person cannot taste food unless it is mixed with saliva. For example, if strong-tasting substance like salt is placed on a dry tongue, the taste buds will not be able to taste it. As soon as a drop of saliva is added and the salt is dissolved, however, a definite taste sensation results. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks down starch into sugar. The daily salivary output ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 litres. It is generally considered that during sleep the amount of saliva drops to almost zero. 


There are many controversies regarding the boiling point of human saliva. It is assumed that the boiling point of saliva is nearly three times than that of pure water (boiling point of pure water is 100° C). But according to the mathematical calculations, it comes out to be 100.16° C.
The saliva helps detect cancer or other illness. Saliva testing using Elisa test kit helps you discover cancer cells and hormonal problems. It is also useful in drug testing and in other medical evaluations. It also helps heal the wound. Scientists have found that histatin, a small protein in saliva is responsible for the healing (previously only believed to kill bacteria).
Note : Opiorphin is a newly researched pain-killing substance found in human saliva. 

Saturday, 24 March 2012

Dark Chocolates

It's more than wishful thinking - chocolates are good for you.
Studies have revealed that eating dark chocolates may contribute to improved cardiovascular health by improving blood flow, reducing blood pressure and reducing the strain on the heart. Dark chocolates also have mild anti-blood clotting effects and help prevent the build-up of plaque that can block arteries. 


There is a 'feel good' factor present in the chocolates. Chocolate is packed with natural compounds called antioxidants which helps in reducing the risk of many kinds of illness, from heart disease to cancer. These antioxidants work by protecting the cells from damaging molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are basically unstable oxygen molecules that can trigger changes in the structure of normally healthy cells. Dark chocolates have more antioxidants than do foods like blueberries, green tea and red wine. It contains all the vital minerals required by the body.

Copper -
It is a critical mineral that aids in the absorption of iron and is a key component of enzymes that form skin strengthening collagen. It also contributes to heart health.
Magnesium -
It helps in reducing the risk of several chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Some of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include leg cramps, migraines, fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, nausea and vomiting.
Potassium -
It is considered as a key factor in affecting blood pressure and stroke. The more potassium present in the body, the less likelihood of developing high blood pressure or stroke.
Iron -
The main function of the iron is to help carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles and other organs. If the iron content in the body is insufficient then fatigue, irritability and headache may occur. If the iron deficiency becomes significant, a person can become anemic.      


Chocolate is one of the nature's most concentrated sources of theobromine, a mild stimulant and molecular cousin of caffeine. However, unlike caffeine, it does not strongly stimulate the central nervous system. Theobromine has also been shown to reduce coughing and has been used in 'natural cough medicine'. While safe for humans, other species, such as dogs, lack the specific enzyme that metabolizes theobromine, so eating chocolate can cause them to become overstimulated. That is why it is strongly recommended that pet owners prevent dogs from eating chocolates.                                                                                          

Sunday, 18 March 2012

Varieties of Apples

Eating and drinking apples and apple juice, in conjunction with a balanced diet can protect the brain from the effects of oxidative stress and apples are one of the anti-oxidants rich fruits. Apple contains vitamins like Vitamin C, Beta-Carotene, iron, potassium etc., apples are also very rich in mineral contents, malic acid which are good in normalizing the intestines.

There are different varieties of apples and each category has its own benefits.
Green Apples -
These are good for strong bones and teeth, aids for vision and in strengthening the gums. Eating fresh green apples prevent formation of plaque on the teeth. It also has anti-cancer properties. Green apples are found to be effective in reducing the risks and chances of neurodegenerative diseases like the schizophrenia, dementia, the Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.


Green apples can give relief from constipation, diarrhea, gout etc. These apples are also known for lowering blood cholesterol, stabilizing  blood sugar and improving appetite. It does not contain any cholesterol so helpful for people who are trying to reduce their weight.

Yellow Apples -
These are good for heart and eyes. These apples contain around three to five grams of fiber in each serving. The high levels of fiber helps in digestive support. A specific type of fiber called pectin helps in improving the digestive system. These apples are very good for baking, making apple sauce or apple butter. The apple skin contains a nutrient called quercetin, which is used to reduce the impact of allergens on the body.


A yellow delicious apple contain no sodium and proteins. It provide approximately 80 calories per serving. It contains good amount of Vitamin C. These apples contain no saturated fats, trans fats or cholesterol. It also contains a variety of flavonoids, which serve to produce inflammation and blood pressure.

Red Apples -
These apples help in improving the memory functions. Red apples have highest concentration of anti-oxidants which helps in fighting off many diseases. It lowers cholesterol and improves digestion. It also increases the immune system of human body. These are also helpful in maintaining the urinary tract health. These apples provide healthy and beautiful skin, hair and nails.

                                                             

The red delicious apples are rich in sugar but contains no fats. It contains proteins and has approximately 130 calories per serving. These apples are good source of calcium, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium. These contain vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-6, C, E, K.
It is suggested that the apples should not be peeled because the skin on the apples has more than six times the disease-fighting chemical than the fruit on the inside.

Friday, 6 January 2012

Wii

The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. The Wii is Nintendo's fifth home console and the direct successor of the Nintendo GameCube. As a seventh generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3.

The console has a wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detects movement in three dimensions. The Wii Remote is also known as Wiimote and it has motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen through the use of optical sensor technology. Another distinctive feature of the console is WiiConnect24, which enables the user to remain connected to the internet while the console is on standby.


 The Wii console contains 512 megabytes of internal flash memory and featured an SD card slot for external storage. An SD card can be used for uploading photos as well as backing up saved game data. The Wii has a PowerPC-based "Broadway" processor by IBM clocked at 729 MHz. The Wii console is backward compatible with all the official Nintendo GameCube's software, memory cards and controllers. There is also a microphone accessory which provides more realistic features to the Nintendo's Wii and is known as Wii Speak. It is connected to the console via USB. The device features an LED to indicate when the microphone is active.


Nintendo - Nintendo Co. Ltd. is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in 1889. It has developed into a video game company and is Japan's third most valuable listed company with a market value of over US$85 million.


Mario is the mascot of Nintendo. As Nintendo's mascot, Mario is said to be the most famous character in video game history. The appearance shown by Mario has been changed many times during the series. Another portable game console developed by Nintendo is the Nintendo 3DS, which was released on February 26, 2011. It competes with the Sony's PlayStation Portable and the newly released PlayStation Vita.