August 24, 2010, 7:11 AM CT

Failure better teacher than success

While success is surely sweeter than failure, it seems failure is a far better teacher, and organizations that fail spectacularly often flourish more in the long run, as per a newly released study by Vinit Desai, assistant professor of management at the University of Colorado Denver Business School.

Desai's research, reported in the Academy of Management Journal, focused on companies and organizations that launch satellites, rockets and shuttles into space an arena where failures are high profile and hard to conceal.

Working with Peter Madsen, assistant professor at BYU School of Management, Desai observed that organizations not only learned more from failure than success, they retained that knowledge longer.

"We observed that the knowledge gained from success was often fleeting while knowledge from failure stuck around for years," he said. "But there is a tendency in organizations to ignore failure or try not to focus on it. Managers may fire people or turn over the entire workforce while they should be treating the failure as a learning opportunity."

The scientists said they discovered little "significant organizational learning from success" but added "we do not discount the possibility that it may occur in other settings."........ Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

August 11, 2010, 7:20 PM CT

Best way to pour champagne?

In a study that may settle a long-standing disagreement over the best way to pour a glass of champagne, researchers in France are reporting that pouring bubbly in an angled, down-the-side way is best for preserving its taste and fizz. The study also reports the first scientific evidence confirming the importance of chilling champagne before serving to enhance its taste, the researchers say. Their report appears in ACS' bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Grard Liger-Belair and his colleagues note that tiny bubbles are the essence of fine champagnes and sparkling wines. Past studies indicate that the bubbles formed during the release of large amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide gas help transfer the taste, aroma, and mouth-feel of champagne. Researchers long have suspected that the act of pouring a glass of bubbly could have a big impact on gas levels in champagne and its quality. Until now, however, no scientific study had been done.

The researchers studied carbon dioxide loss in champagne using two different pouring methods. One involved pouring champagne straight down the middle of a glass. The other involved pouring champagne down the side of an angled glass. They observed that pouring champagne down the side preserved up to twice as much carbon dioxide in champagne than pouring down the middle probably because the angled method was gentler. They also showed that cooler champagne temperatures (ideally, 39 degrees Fahrenheit) help reduce carbon dioxide loss......... Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:33:58 GMT

Winnebago Man

It might seem counterintuitive to craft a feature-length documentary around a viral clip concerning one man"s explicit outtakes during a 1989 industrial video production, but Winnebago Man director, producer and cowriter Ben Steinbauer has truly made an entertaining portrait with a complicated range of emotions:

Jack Rebney is the most famous man you"ve never heard of-an RV salesman whose hilarious, foul-mouthed outbursts circulated underground on VHS tapes in the "90s before turning into a full-blown Internet phenomenon in 2005. Today, the "Winnebago Man" has been seen by more than 20 million people worldwide, and is regarded as one of the first and funniest viral videos. Filmmaker Ben Steinbauer goes in search of Rebney-and finds him living alone on a mountain top, unaware of his fame. WINNEBAGO MAN is a laugh-out-loud look at viral culture and an unexpectedly poignant tale of one man"s response to unintended celebrity.

While in New York for the film"s premiere, I sat down with Steinbauer at the Ace Hotel to discuss the film"s themes, what can happen to analog recordings in the digital age, and who will play his subject in the inevitable Hollywood remake. As a bonus, the Winnebago Man team invited me to have a post-screening chat with the man himself, Jack Rebney. It seemed timely to discuss Mel Gibson"s recorded outbursts before allowing him his soapbox to address all you %#$@ers directly.

To listen to the podcast, click here. (21:21)

Podcast Music
INTRO: Dead Kennedys: "Winnebago Warrior"
OUTRO: Band of Horses: "The General Specific"

[Winnebago Man is now playing in New York, and will open in nearly 30 cities throughout the summer. For more information, please visit the official site.] Posted by: ahillis      Read more     Source

July 16, 2010, 7:15 AM CT

Skilled immigrants boost US innovation

A study reported in the latest issue of the Journal of Labor Economics finds that highly skilled temporary immigrants boost technological innovation in the U.S. without displacing U.S.-born workers in the process.

The study, by William Kerr of the Harvard Business School and William Lincoln of the University of Michigan, looked at fluctuations over the last 15 years in the number of immigrants admitted to the U.S. under the H-1B visa program, which governs immigration of highly skilled temporary workers. The scientists observed that when more H-1B visas are granted, the number of U.S. patent applications filed by people with Chinese and Indian names increased substantially in cities and firms dependent upon the program. Much of that increase can be attributed to H-1B immigrants.

Meanwhile, the number of applications filed by people with Anglo-Saxon namesa proxy for U.S.-born workersdid not vary with fluctuations in H-1B admissions.

"We conclude that total invention increased with higher [H-1B] admissions primarily through the direct contributions of immigrant inventors," the authors write. "We are also able to rule out displacement [of native workers]".

The study used data gathered from 1995 to 2008. Patent applications do not record inventors' nationalities, so the scientists used an algorithm to determine probable nationalities based on the inventors' names. They then compared those data with the number of H-1B visas granted in a given year. The number of visas fluctuated widely over the study period, due to changes in a government-mandated cap on the program. At its lowest, visas were capped at 65,000 per year, and peaked at 195,000......... Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

July 15, 2010, 10:14 PM CT

Increase your Style Quotient with Chic Clutch Bags

Clutch bags have been in style for more than half a century now and their popularity is far from diminishing. Not much larger than a pocket book, these bags are not meant to carry anything more than the bare essentials for an evening on the town. The sophistication that these handbags lend can make any woman feel special and confident of her elegant appearance.

From Jimmy Choo to Fendi, Zagliani, Balenciaga and Prada, every designer has tried his hand on this chic accessory. That is not all, you can buy these bags in a huge variety of fabrics, from silk to leather and crocodile skin. If you are looking for purse that best suits your style, it is no wonder that the catalogue of reputed online stores confuses the best of us. Anything you look for, from the tackiest leopard print bag to the most classy Louis Vuitton design, everything is available at the click of a mouse today.

Make a Style Statement with the Right Clutch Bag
The main thing to remember is that this type of handbag is not meant to be used as a hold-all. Therefore, make sure that all you carry with you for the evening are your bare essentials - keys, cell phone, maybe a lipstick and a small hairbrush. Anything more than this will make the bag look stuffy and bulging, taking away from the chic appearance of the accessory.

The first step, however, is to choose the right bag for the right outfit. The material that the clutch purseis made of, the embellishments, such as sequins, tassles, semi-precious stone setting, etc., should complement your outfit. This does not mean that the purse should be exactly like the outfit, it could be in contrast colors and textures to highlight, rather than take away from the whole elegant and sophisticated look.

Another aspect one could look at is the shape of the bag. Clutches come in various shapes including, envelope or rectangular, round, square, flat or boxish. The flap also could differ between being a triangular top to a square flap, with the snap lock or clasp specifically chosen to highlight the entire appearance of the bag.

Choosing the Best Clutch Bags
Every woman desires and deserves a whole range of handbags to accessorize outfits for all occasions. The truth, however, is that the best bags are usually prohibitively priced and all one's savings could go into buying just one designer bag.

The online market is overflowing with retailers who promise wonderful things when it comes to clutch bags. However, it is important to remember that a large number of online retailers are selling cheap knock-offs that even the worst novice could spot. While buying look alike bags or "designer inspired handbags", trust only the reputed and experienced stores. Take the time to go through their client feedback and testimonials. This will give you an idea of what to expect. Also look at what they are offering carefully because a high quality bags will use the best material and stitching to create a masterpiece.

Also remember, that if the price is too good to be true, it probably is. A handbag that cost $15 will look like a bag that cost you $15. After all, creating quality does entail higher costs. On the other hand, even if you buy several high quality bags, the total price would still be lower than bags from the original designer.

One of the most trusted names when it comes to clutch bags is Baginc. Visit www.baginc.com to access a huge inventory of handbags or all shapes and sized. Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:16:16 GMT

Why SEO Is Harder Than It Used to Be

© sharedferret
Remember the good ole days when having an informative title for your Internet page was enough to get you ranked pretty high in the search engines and (as a result) drive traffic to your site? That was a decade ago - in 2000. Bill Clinton was President, Destiny's Child had a couple of hit singles, and the St. Louis Rams won Superbowl XXXIV that year. Things have changed a lot since then.

Daily SEO Tip recently explained some of the reasons why optimizing your web pages to draw traffic to your site through search engines isn't quite as easy as it used to be. For starters, there are a lot more web pages now. In your effort to be one of the top five or ten websites listed for some keyword in a search engine you were competing with a few dozen other websites in an Internet environment that included millions of pages. Today millions is a small number. The Internet is an expanding universe with gajillions of pages; and instead of competing with a few dozen other sites, you're competing with thousands of other sites for a top ranking on your particular search term. And I won't talk about how much more complicated the search engines themselves have gotten. Life is a little harder now.

As Daily SEO Tip points out, there are some things you can do. Think about your readers more than about search engines. Write quality content. Optimize your images. Get good backlinks.

And you do still have to think about keywords and meta tags - but you have to be better at it than before.... Posted by: Jason      Read more     Source

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:40:40 GMT

Whole Life or Term Life Insurance?

© madnzanyWhen it comes time for you to consider buying life insurance, you will want to buy life insurance that will meet your needs the best. This means that you will need to consider term vs. whole life insurance. They are quite different in how they work and in costs, too.

Term life insurance is clearly the more affordable option of the two. It will cost considerably less than whole life because it has very little in the way of commissions and other costs built in to it. It is pure insurance and it has no frills. It is purchased in terms of a set number of years, such as five years, ten, twenty, and up to thirty years. At the end of that time, the cost will probably greatly increase due to the new age, but you may also convert it to a whole life insurance policy if desired.

A whole life insurance policy is insurance with a cash value, or savings element, built into it. This means that part of the premium goes into a savings portion of the plan and accumulates after several years. This cash value portion may be borrowed, but it will reduce the face value of the policy if the insured dies without it being repaid. This amount also receives interest charges which are also subtracted from the face value.

The cash value could be good at a time when the insurance is not needed. However, if the insured dies, only the face amount will be received by the beneficiaries, and not the cash value portion on a standard whole life policy.

Term insurance is the much cheaper option, and a much larger amount of life insurance can be purchased with a smaller premium. Many financial experts recommend that term insurance be purchased and that you create your own savings plan, and you will receive a better return than you would get from a whole life insurance policy.
Posted by: FinanceMan      Read more     Source

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:23:15 GMT

One entrepreneur's good

© playerx
I may just not be paying attention, but I haven't seen all the indicators that Scott Shane is talking about when he talks about mass media claiming that the recession has been good for entrepreneurs. His latest post disputes that purported point, which just serves to illustrate that in small business, it all depends on your perspective.

One can generally expect self-employment numbers to skyrocket during times of economic trouble as people lose their jobs and find it impossible to get re-hired elsewhere. The easiest thing to do in that situation, if you have some skills that are applicable outside the standard corporate environment, is to hang out your own single. It's an opportunity for people who would otherwise never have made the leap from security to uncertainty, and a stop-gap for many others to pick up a few bucks during the lean time between jobs.

Shane crunches the numbers to illustrate that while this has, in fact, happened again during this most recent recession, in fact overall numbers of the self-employed are down.... 7.5 percent from 2007 to 2009. In other words, while the number of people starting their own businesses did increase as the recession churned along, even more gave up working for themselves, indicating a tremendous failure rate.

Shane uses this to question whether the recession has been good for entrepreneurs, as his bete noir Robert Reich recently claimed. But I think neither of them are really looking at how the recession has been for entrepreneurs.... they're looking at how it's been for the economy driven by small businesses. In that equation, more small businesses is good; they're creating jobs and demand, a healthy economic environment. In that debate, I think it's hard to dispute Shane's point: you only have to look at the overall health of the system to see what the state of small business must be.

On the other hand, as an entrepreneur, I think that actually is good for entrepreneurs on the individual level. From where I am sitting, that's less competition, fewer amateurs cluttering up my market, more big opportunities with fewer bidders. Other small business owners are getting discouraged and getting out of the game? More for me!

I'm not saying I want that to flow to it's logical conclusion, where the economy implodes, but I'm saying that simply looking at the numbers of the self-employed doesn't tell you much about their environment, and people that are doing so may not understand that environment very well in the first place. I like to have a healthy economy to operate my business in, just like the next guy, but if that next guy is a competitor and pulls in his shingle, that's a win for me, not a loss. Their bad is my good. Posted by: Mattew      Read more     Source

June 9, 2010, 7:11 AM CT

Men are more vulnerable to relationship ups and downs

Contrary to popular belief, the ups and downs of romantic relationships have a greater effect on the mental health of young men than women, as per a newly released study by a Wake Forest University sociology professor.

In the study of more than 1,000 unmarried young adults between the ages of 18 and 23, Wake Forest Professor of Sociology Robin Simon challenges the long-held assumption that women are more vulnerable to the emotional rollercoaster of relationships. Even though men sometimes try to present a tough face, unhappy romances take a greater emotional toll on men than women, Simon says. They just express their distress differently than women.

Simon's research is reported in the recent issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior Anne Barrett, associate professor of sociology at Florida State University, co-authored the article.

"Our paper sheds light on the association between non-marital romantic relationships and emotional well-being among men and women on the threshold of adulthood," Simon says. "Surprisingly, we found young men are more reactive to the quality of ongoing relationships."

That means the harmful stress of a rocky relationship is more closely linked to men's than women's mental health. The scientists also observed that men get greater emotional benefits from the positive aspects of an ongoing romantic relationship. This contradicts the stereotypic image of stoic men who are unaffected by what happens in their romantic relationships......... Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

June 9, 2010, 7:07 AM CT

Americans want self-respect, more than ever

Americans want self-respect, and that desire has risen significantly in the last two decades, say marketing scientists at the University of Oregon. Meanwhile, the needs for both security and a sense of belonging have declined in the last 30 years.

In the world of marketing and advertising, the findings indicate that people have shifted from a desire of gaining what they don't have (deficit values) to strengthening what they may already have (excess values). That conclusion -- based on data compiled from web-based surveys in 2007 and in comparison to nearly identical surveys conducted in 1976 and 1986 -- was published in a recent issue of the Journal of Advertising Research.

"Research on advertising effectiveness has shown that advertisements that connect to people's core values are more effective than ones that don't," said Lynn R. Kahle, the Ehrman V. Giustina Professor of Marketing in the UO's Lundquist College of Business. "If you keep questioning people on why they buy something, before very long you will get to a core social value. We find that understanding these core values is the basic reason that people buy certain brands of products".

Self-respect also was a leading core value for most of people in prior surveys. Since 1976, self-respect has risen from the top pick by 21.1 percent of all respondents to 28.8 percent in 2007. Also rising fast was "warm relationships with others," from 16.2 percent to 20.9 percent since 1976. And the popularity of "fun-enjoyment-excitement" more than doubled as a top choice, from 4.5 percent to 9.3 percent......... Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

May 21, 2010, 7:17 AM CT

When it comes to security, think 'natural'

Security systems could be more effective if officials looked at how organisms deal with threats in the natural world, University of Arizona scientists suggest in the May 20 edition of the journal Nature

The authors are working with security and disaster management officials to help put some of their recommendations such as decentralizing forces and forming alliances into practice.

"Anytime you have the illusion of full security, you get adaptation," said Rafe Sagarin, an assistant research scientist in the UA's Institute of the Environment who is the main author of the opinion piece. "Terrorists figure out unexpected means of attack, hackers come up with new software to break through firewalls, and pathogens develop resistance to antibiotics".

Instead of relying on large, centralized bureaucracies that move slowly and often lag behind in addressing threats, the authors encourage officials to look to the natural world for principles that could prove less costly, more flexible and more effective at countering threats.

The security issues of modern human societies are analogous to those of a number of organisms, as per Sagarin and his co-authors. In nature, risks are frequent, variable and uncertain. Over billions of years, organisms have evolved an enormous variety of methods to survive, grow and proliferate on a continually changing planet. The key to their success is their ability to quickly adapt to rapidly changing threats, and change their structures, behaviors and interactions accordingly......... Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

March 18, 2010, 11:31 AM CT

Why Golf Awards Should Be Chosen with Care

Golf is one of those sports that have gained a reputation for being played by gentlemen. It is also one of a handful of sporting activities that requires as much patience as skill. Therefore, a winner in a game of golf deserves as exquisitely built a trophy as sportspersons from other arenas, if not better. And this is why golf awards have to be chosen with selective care and a balanced judgment.

Here are some ideas to help you out:

• Glass Golf Trophies: Glass golf trophies are the most sought after prizes in such tournaments, especially as they come across as a stable symbol of professionalism and elegance - two of the very features that characterize the sport itself.
• Engraved: Engraved golf trophies can also act as a great reward for a game well played. For clubs or associations, adding that extra bit in writing, a few scribbles about the player himself can add that Midas touch to an otherwise bland trophy!
• Fun Prizes: Poor rounds of play or funny shots or glitches between games can also be awarded, albeit with funny bob-heads and alike. This makes this seemingly placid game much more fun to participate in - both as a spectator as well as a player.
• Golf Accessories: Thos unwilling to invest in sleek trophies and prizes (even though they are the primary option), try offering golf accessories like bags, clubs, caps and others as golf awards!

There are immense ideas that can capitalize on the game of golf and the kind of golf awards that can be injected into the game to help make it a rewarding (literally) experience!........ Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:27:56 GMT

Information is Good, But It Can Also Steal Your Soul

Seth Godin had a blog post a week or so ago about data - and how everyone wants more data, so they can prove their point.

We live in the Information Age now. There's a common misconception that we entered the Informatin Age as a byproduct of computers. But we had an infatuation with data before computers were very common. It makes me think of the McNamara Fallacy, named for Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. At a time when computers where not all that common, McNamara had a four-step process for reaching conclusions by exzamining the data:

• The first step is to measure whatever can be easily measured.


• The second step is to disregard that which can't easily be measured.


• The third step is to presume that what can't be measured easily really isn't important.


• The fourth step is to say that what can't be easily measured really doesn't exist.

Of course, step one is okay (for what it's worth). But the second step is misleading, the third step is blindness and the fourth step is suicide (or insanity).

McNamara left office in 1967.

Information is a marvelous thing. But given enough of it (and enough time) you can prove almost anything with it. And, as Seth says, "The problem is this: no spreadsheet, no bibliography and no list of resources is sufficient proof to someone who chooses not to believe. The skeptic will always find a reason, even if it's one the rest of us don't think is a good one."

Know what you beleive. The data comes after that.... Posted by: Steve      Read more     Source

February 12, 2010, 6:11 PM CT

Getting the Best Prices on Cheap Flights: Book In Advance to Save Money Says Southall Travel

Most people nowadays plan and book their entire vacation online. It is a much easier process that does not involve a middleman like a travel agent and the whole procedure is within your control. You can actually book a vacation even a year in advance and get good deals on the same. Most of the online travel websites even offer a combination package that has both airfare deals as well as cheap hotel deals. You have an option of booking a vacation with your desired time, location, and even budget with the help of Internet.

However you must also do a little bit of research to understand how you can actually grab a good deal. Recently Southall Travel reported how most UK travelers are missing out on cheap flights due to poor booking habits. This is happening since people are booking flights at a shorter notice while you can actually save a lot of money if you book tickets in advance. This is true in case of all flight tickets and also for all destinations. So if you keep this in mind when booking tickets online, you can automatically save a lot of money. Airlines also offer a wide range of offers to their regular customers and usually have loyalty programs for them. If you are a corporate flier, even then you are liable to get a wide range of benefits and discounts. When looking for good deals you can visit the travel websites which will show you the offers from all major airlines and this will make it easier for you to take a decision and buy tickets. ........ Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

February 7, 2010, 10:18 PM CT

Tips to Make Your Custom Made Shirts Perfect

custom made shirts are very poplar since they fit your body perfectly. Individuals prefer such shirts largely as they have full control over the size of their shirt. There are other factors like uniqueness in design and fabric that leads people to choose custom made shirts. Recently, Tony Nicolson, reviewer of Store Trooper has declared that designs goose neck and long arms have made him go for custom made shirts greatly. The garment dealers of this line of clothing are always coming up with better designs at affordable prices.

When an individual is purchasing a custom made shirt, there are several issues that he should judge to ensure a best buy. The following guidelines can enable a man to make a shirt that fits his personality.

• Your fabric is the chief material in making a dress. Hence, you should take proper care in buying that. You should choose the color and style that suits your personality and your skin. There are several synthetic fabrics that look attractive and are available at affordable prices. It is better not to go for them. Always try to find cotton fabrics since they provide immense strength and durability to your dress.
• Once your fabric has been selected, it is time to find a proper design. Generally, a good tailoring company offers attractive designs in shirts. Check for all the designs present in their catalogue before you place the final orders.
........


Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:17:22 GMT

Jennifer Lopez Helps Haiti

Jennifer Lopez makes an appearance on a special two hour addition of the Larry King Live show called "Haiti: How You Can Help" in Hollywood on Monday (January 18).

The 40-year-old singer joins other celebrities like Paula Abdul, Christian Slater, Jared Leto, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden where they chatted online, answered phones, and tweeted to help raise funds to help survivors of the Haiti earthquake.

In other news, J.Lo is reportedly in discussion to make an appearance on Glee.

According to E!, Glee executive producer Brad Flachuk confirmed that Jennifer is being considered to play a cafeteria worker. Posted by: Melissa      Read more     Source

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:09:04 GMT

Egg Shape Mobile Living Space

This unit, the blob VB3, is mainly made by polyester, and holds all necessary items one could possibly need as bathroom, kitchen, lighting, sleeping space and several niches for storage.

Moreover, the nose can be opened automatically and functions as a porch. While being closed, it blends into a complete smooth blob. Posted by: Gerard      Read more     Source

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:02:28 GMT

Yale Admissions Video

In some ways, you gotta admire Yale for going out on a limb and producing an entire musical admissions video with which to promote the finer elements of their storied institution. On the other hand, you also have to laugh. And laugh. And laugh. Granted, this video still can"t touch the pure brilliance of Appalachia State University"s recruiting efforts (the benchmark for all catchy collegiate tunes), but really, who can?

Nevertheless, this video, titled "That"s Why I Chose Yale," plays sort of like a forgotten number from Enchanted. I half expected Amy Adams to come swirling into frame, crooning "How doooo yoooooou knoooowwww???????" But alas, the best we get is Brian Williams, who thankfully refuses to sing his two cameo lines. As for the rest, well, it"s mainly just a bunch of effete guys with very high voices exalting the many splendors of residential colleges and varied course offerings.

Personally, I like the Dartmouth"s recruiting videos more, which are both conveniently located after the jump.... Posted by: B-Side      Read more     Source

January 22, 2010, 8:09 AM CT

Satisfied and Well-informed Consumers

Expert consumers like to be surprised by unusual product presentation, while novices crave familiarity, so claims a new Pitt/USC study titled "Smart Subcategories: How Assortment Formats Influence Consumer Learning and Satisfaction," to be reported in the recent issue of "Journal of Consumer Research".

"How can retailers help consumers become more informed about the products they use while also making them happy?" write authors Cait Poynor, Pitt assistant professor of business administration in the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, and Stacy Wood, University of South Carolina professor of marketing. The answer seems to be in organizing products tailored to customers' knowledge levels. Their research indicates that simply organizing a store's existing stock in different ways can improve consumers' learning and their degree of satisfaction.

What works for one consumer may not work for another, however. The authors observed that highly knowledgeable consumers liked being surprised by product formats; conversely, novice consumers had an easier time when familiar with product groupings.

The data was collected from 123 undergraduate students who completed a two-part study as part of their course work. Both parts were carried out online where the presentation of information could be manipulated. The benefit of an online environment is the infinite number of ways Web sites can be organized, says Poynor......... Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:56:55 GMT

Things to Do if You Get Sick on Vacation

© Leonid Mamchenkov


Fodor's has some useful tips availabel for what to do if you get sick on a trip.Getting a cold or the flu is bad enough, but when it strikes less than 24 hours before getting on the plane-or worse, while you're flying-panicking won't speed up your recovery. Rather than succumbing to a sneezy fate, take immediate action by following these top five tips en route.Top number one? Check your carry-on along with the rest of your bags so that you don't have to haul around any extra weight. You don't need the stress. Read the other tips here.
Posted by: Lisa      Read more     Source

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:14:57 GMT

Historical Medical Videos from Wellcome Trust

Wellcome Trust has a Youtube channel on which they feature videos from the 20th century including films about surgeries, medical issues and the everyday lives of doctors.

A new digital collection of moving images on 20th-century healthcare and medicine is now online. Over 450 titles – 100 hours of film and video – have been transferred and are freely available under Creative Commons licences.

Here are a few examples:

Cruel Kindness: a 1967 UK educational film about childhood obesity



Acute appendicitis from 1931:



Caesarean section from 1930:



(Hat tip: BoingBoing) Posted by: Bertalan      Read more     Source

January 15, 2010, 8:12 AM CT

Lifestyle Traits and Foreclosure Rates

A homeowner's station in life and personal spending beliefs and habits are important indicators of the borrower's potential for home-mortgage default, say scientists in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Business.

"Our research has shown that a borrower's personal traits and behaviors have considerable influence on their willingness and ability to repay a mortgage loan and avoid foreclosure," says Stephanie Rauterkus, Ph.D., UAB assistant professor of finance.

"Traditionally, the industry has focused on default pressures like income, credit scores or loan-to-home-value ratios, but our research has shown that borrowers who may look identical by these traditional measures could have very different default probabilities based on their behavioral characteristics," she says.

The study, Behavioral Determinants of Mortgage Default, was authored by Rauterkus, her husband Andreas Rauterkus, Ph.D., UAB assistant professor of finance, and Grant Thrall, Ph.D., professor of geography at the University of Florida.

The scientists considered a sample of 7,000 mortgages from public records in Jefferson County, Ala. Borrowers were classified into one of 12 so called LifeMode groups, which were based on classifications established by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)......... Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source