John Solvie of Las Vegas, Nevada submitted this photo to EarthSky this week. He wrote:
Earlier than normal desert ‘monsoon’ flow in the Las Vegas Valley revealed that the pot of gold isn’t on the Las Vegas Strip, but rather in the northern foothills. 🙂
Source….www.earthsky.org
Natarajan
People who experience explosive bouts of anger are at greater risk for heart disease, as well as those who harbour suppressed rage, writes Dr Haresh Mehta, consultant intervention cardiologist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai
Subodh’s promotion to chief manager was like living a dream. But bigger position meant bigger responsibilities and never-ending list of deadlines.
The hectic workload and continued stress took a toll on Subodh.
He started losing his temper at the most trivial of matters and eventually his disposition turned extremely temperamental and volatile.
During a crucial board meeting, Subodh experienced sudden dizziness and sweating, accompanied by mild pain in his left arm and nausea. The diagnosis appalled Subodh.
A non-smoker and non-drinker with just the right weight, he had considered himself healthy. How did he suddenly become a cardiac patient?
Humans deal with stress on a daily basis. It is unavoidable and so are the negative thoughts that arise while dealing with a nerve-wracking situation. It is more or less impossible to be any kind of professional these days and not experience frequent bouts of intense stress.
Anger, hostility and cynicism have been observed to harm your heart. These emotions quickly activate the “fight or flight response”, in which release of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, speed up your heart rate and breathing.
Frequent anger initiates the stress response within the body, causing blood sugar levels to rise, heart rate and blood pressure to increase, and this may speed up the process of atherosclerosis, in which fatty plaques build up in arteries.
Chronic stress that causes an increase in the heart rate and blood pressure may damage the walls of the artery. People who experience explosive bouts of anger are at greater risk for heart disease, as well as those who harbour suppressed rage.
Watch for signs and symptoms and pay utmost attention – these are the precursors to underlying heart trouble.
Women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as unusual fatigue, dizziness, sweating, upper back or abdominal discomfort and nausea.
People who experience extreme emotions such as anger and anxiety should get themselves checked for heart related diseases as they are at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Quick Tips
Dr Haresh Mehta
in http://www.rediff.comThe English language has roots in Ancient Greek, Latin, German, French and several more languages. Because of that, the meaning of certain words we use today have come a long way since their origins, tosometimes mean something else completely. This short list shows you some of the more bizarre origins of modern English words, many of which are quite surprising.
Bellwether” refers to a leader or a trendsetter, generally used for a products or stock that serves as an indicator of the state of the market. In old English dialect, “wether” was the name of a castrated ram, and the lead wether in a herd would usually have a bell hung around its neck, helping the herdsman could locate it.
“Arctic” comes from the Greek word “arktos”, meaning “bear”. It refers to the “Great Bear” (also known as the “Big Dipper” or Ursa Major), a constellation that remain in the same place year-round in the northern sky.
Canopy comes from the Greek word for mosquito – “konops”. The Greek referred to a bed or a couch fitted with mosquito netting as a “Kanopeion”, which eventually became “Canopy”.
The flower “Dandelion” got its name from the French “dent de lion” (the tooth of the lion), referring to the shape of the petals.
When you hear the word “Sturdy”, you think of something robust and solid, but in the 14th century, it actually meant “unruly” or “unmanageable.” It is believed to originate from the Latin name for thrush – “turdus”. Thrushes had a tendency to eat leftover fermented grapes in wineries, making them drunk and frenzied. To this day, the French use the term soûl comme une grive, meaning “as drunk as a thrush”…
These days, “Pedigree” is used to refer to lineage or heritage, but it originally was a genealogical diagram (A family tree). French scholars in medieval times thought the connecting lines resembled a stork’s leg – “pied de grue”.
| When we hear the word “Henchman”, we often associate it with the nameless guards for the main villain in a Bond movie, but the origin of the word has noble roots. “Hench” comes from the old English word “hengest” (horse), and a henchman would be a knight or a servant who would ride along a nobleman on long journeys.
Not surprisingly, “Mortgage” comes from the French words “mort” (death), and “gage” (pledge) meaning you pledge to pay it until you’re dead…
“Schlong” comes from the Yiddish word for snake – “Shlang”…
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| In the 19th century, a “sniper” was a man who hunted snipe. Snipes were considered to be the hardest game bird due to their flight speed and constant alertness. This forced hunters to shoot them from a distance, and giving us the modern meaning of the word.
Tragedy is an interesting word. It comes from the Greek word “tragoedia” which literally means “goat song”. The exact reason for this peculiar origin is a mystery, but it likely comes from the Ancient Greek actors who wore animal hides during performances of drama and tragedy.
In the 17th century, “Fizzle” meant to break wind without making a noise. Originating from the old English word “fisting” (farting). |
Cantaloupe comes from the name “Cantalupo”, a papal estate in Italy where the first melons in Europe were grown. Cantalupo itself comes from the Latin words “Cantare” (to sing) and “Lupo” (wolf) – it’s assumed that the residents Cantalupo would hear the howling of wolves regularly.
| A “Sycophant” is a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage. Its origin is quite bizarre – it comes from the Greek “suko” (fig) and “phantes” (a person who shows or reveals something). In Ancient Greece, exporting figs was prohibited by law, and those who would report illegal exporters to the authorities were called “fig revealers”. |
| H/T: mentalfloss.com / buzzfeed.com
Source….www.ba-bamail.com Natarajan |
| There is much to learn from the world of nature. We often forget that many of the things we know come from that place. When we despair from our world’s hardships, it can be of immense comfort to look outside of it for some answers. I hope this beautiful presentation will prove that to you.
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Source…..www.ba-bamail.com
Natarajan
The look on tourist Mickey McCaldin’s face says it all. Picture: Caters News Source: Picture Media
All aboard! Picture: Caters News Source: Picture Media
Bigger than your average household cat, these cheetahs made themselves at home with these tourists. Picture: Caters News Source: Picture Media
There were many other tourists on board, but these cheetah’s took a special liking to Mickey McCaldin, seated in the back row. Picture: Caters News Source: Picture Media
Picture: Caters News Source: Picture Media
Source….www.news.com.au
Natarajan
ARussian cosmonaut has achieved an astonishing feat by spending most number of days on the International Space Station (ISS). Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka has officially set a new Guinness world record by spending 804 days on the ISS.
Padalka, who is also the commander of the crew on the ISS, surpassed cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, former Russian Air Force officer who spent 803 days, nine hours and 41 minutes in the space, across six mission from 1998 to 2005. In addition, Padalka is scheduled to return to earth in September this year and by then he would have spend a total of 877 days in space.
Born on June 21, 1958, in Krasnodar, Russia; Padalka graduated from Eisk Military Aviation College in 1979; in 1994 he left UNESCO International Center of Instruction Systems, where he was an engineer–ecologist. After graduation from the Military College in 1979, Gennady Padalka served as a pilot and a senior pilot in the Air Force. In 1989, he was selected as a cosmonaut candidate to start training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. In 1991, Padalka was qualified as a test cosmonaut. Since then he never looked back and became the most experienced cosmonaut.
Coming to his personal life, Padalka is married to Irina Anatolievna Padalka (Ponomareva). They have three daughters, Yulia, Ekaterina and Sonya. Gennady enjoys the theater, parachute sport and diving.
Moreover, ISS is a space station that was launched in 1998.ISS is the largest artificial satellite body that orbits earth nearly 400 km above the surface and it can be seen with naked eye. Recently a man clicked a photo of ISS orbiting the earth. ISS moves at a very high speed and it completes 15.54 orbits per day.
Source….www.tecake.com
Natarajan
MS Dhoni turns 34 today and birthdays are always special. The captain with the Midas touch had an eventful last year when he retired from Test cricket and led India to World Cup 2015 semis. But, this one is his first as a proud father and as a retired Test cricketer.
From the young dasher with long locks, Dhoni has evolved into this calm figure who has helped Indian cricket touch dizzying heights.
In his 34 years, Dhoni has touched upon and seized every accolade that could possibly ever come a cricketer’s way.
Let’s take a look at the decade-long journey and his achievements that speak of his contributions to the Indian cricket.
Dhoni, a former Ticket Inspector with the Indian Railways blasted two centuries for India A in Nairobi in 2004. He did not have a great start to his ODI career, getting run out for a duck on debut.
Long-haired and fearless, he soon swaggered into international cricket scoring 148 against Pakistan and surpassing the earlier record for the highest score by an Indian wicket-keeper. However, his 183 not out against Sri Lanka in Jaipur later that year was even more brutal. It still remains the highest score by a wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs.
Due to his consistent ODI performances, Dhoni overtook Ricky Ponting as number one batsman in the ICC ODI Rankings.
Dhoni led India to victory in the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007. As the senior pros had opted out of the inaugural edition of the World T20 in South Africa, Dhoni was handed the reins with a young team at his disposal. No one expected India to lift the title. Dhoni was born as a captain.
Dhoni led a Test match for the first time in Anil Kumble’s absence. India beat South Africa within three days at Kanpur and in his first full series as captain, he led India to a 1-0 win over England.
Dhoni had an excellent year in ODIs in 2009 scoring 1198 runs in just 24 innings at an astonishing average of 70.43 and was the top-scorer in ODIs. He led India to beat New Zealand for the first time in an ODI series on their home ground after 42 years.
Dhoni went on to win the ICC ODI Player of the Year for the second time in 2009.
India became the No. 1 Team in the ICC’s Test Rankings for the very first time and he was presented with the ICC Test Championship Mace for this achievement. His team CSK clinched the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Champions League T20 (CLT20) in 2010 to become the first team to complete the double with total success.
He became the first Indian wicketkeeper to complete 200 dismissals in Tests. Syed Kirmani, who held the record earlier, had 198 dismissals to his credit, from 88 Tests. Dhoni surpassed the mark in only his 62nd Test.
And yes, the dream of a billion-strong nation was fulfilled. His innings of unbeaten 91 won India the ICC WORLD CUP and he fittingly won the game with a trademark six over long-on.
His best innings in the traditional format was the match-winning 224 that he scored against Australia at Chennai in 2012-13, which is still the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman in Test cricket.
Dhoni became the first Indian captain to win four Tests in a series, when India defeated Australia 4-0 to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and surpassed Sourav Ganguly’s tally of 21 wins as captain to become India’s most successful Test skipper ever.
Team India underwent a change in 2007 with the old guard making way for the new, but still he led a new-look side to victory at the ICC Champions Trophy 2013.
Dhoni left Test cricket, the way he entered. Quiet, understated and without any fuss.
The fact is, anybody can walk in as a captain. But only a few can walk out as a leader.
Here’s wishing India’s greatest captain ever ‘Captain Cool’ a year full of happiness and success.
source…Shuvro Ghoshal in www.storypick.com
Natarajan
Source….unknown…input from a friend of mine.
Natarajan
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Starting in early September, a huge mass makes its way towards the high Alpine pastures in Austria. This is a mass of more than 100,000 heads of cattle, and they have come to eat.
This huge herd of cows comes to spend all summer, about 4 months, grazing in the lush green high Alpine pastures. From September to early October, the huge herds come down to the town of Tyrol for a beautiful cattle drive, the air is filled with the sound of cow bells and brass bands, with many of the cows wearing traditional head gear that makes them look very festive indeed, decked with ribbons and garlands of flowers in over 40 cattle drives.
 Crowds of all ages gather in the valley, tourists mingling with locals as they celebrate this unique event – the homecoming of the animals, as well as thousands of Alpine herdsmen and dairymen who have spent their time in the highlands with the herds.
 On the day of the grand cattle drive, stalls are set up in the street, selling all sorts of authentic Tyrolean specialties and refreshments. Brass bands are out in force as well and the streets become full of people in traditional Tyrolean lederhosen and dirndl costumes. A perfect opportunity to enjoy authentic Tyrolean customs!
            Source::::::www.ba-bamail.com
Natarajan
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Susannah Mushatt Jones, 116, from Brooklyn took the title from Jeralean Talley.
A woman in the United States who celebrated her 116th birthday on Monday has officially been recognised as the world’s oldest living person by Guinness World Records.
Guinness World Records has confirmed that Susannah Mushatt Jones of Brooklyn, New York, born on July 6, 1899, is now the world’s oldest living person.
In addition to the early present from Guinness World Records, Jones is celebrating this milestone year with two birthday parties — an intimate gathering of family on Monday and a larger celebration with her housing community, friends and local officials in attendance on Tuesday.
Jones became the record holder at the age of 115 years and 346 days, as of June 17, 2015.
Jones took the title of the world’s oldest living person from Jeralean Talley who died, just 26 days after her 116th birthday at her home in Inkster, a Detroit suburb, on June 17.
Asked for the secret of her longevity, Jones said “sleep!” While she has lost her eyesight and is hard of hearing, Jones is not bed-bound and only takes two medications a day.
Jones, known as ‘T’ to her 100 nieces and nephews, will also become the oldest living female, Guinness said.
Jones was born in Lowndes County, Alabama, to Mary and Callie Mushatt. Her father was a sharecropper who picked cotton to support his wife and ten children.
In 1922, Jones left Alabama for New Jersey before moving to New York City in 1923, finding employment as a live-in housekeeper and childcare provider.
Image: Susannah Mushatt Jones will also become the oldest living female. Photograph: Guinnessworldrecords.com
Source…www.rediff.com
Natarajan
Take off with Natarajan 