eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

thesis: vitamin e helps reduce physical decline

Researchers have found that vitamin E may help prevent physical decline in those over the age of 65. You'd be too old to care by then, but those who had low levels of vitamin E performed worse than those who had high levels of vitamin E on basic physical ability tests. The study was performed by researchers at the Yale University of Medicine around Florence, Italy. There were 698 volunteers, but the mean and standard deviation of the scores is unknown. I'm sorry. :(

Vitamin E is actually an antioxidant, and while it has been claimed to help reduce heart problems, most of the data or studies made were ambiguous. The only solid fact about vitamin E is that it is an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect tissue against the damage of free radicals. Interesting enough, the studies suggested no link with any other essential vitamins.

This does not, however, mean you should start taking vitamin e supplements, like what I am doing. The supplements haven't been proved to create an effect; only vitamin E has been identified as a contributing factor. Yet high doses of vitamin E will probably kill you. Overall, good nutrition can help improve the quality of life in many elderly people.

If you want to stock on that vitamin E for the future, it can be found in wheat germ, soya, nuts, seeds, olives, and green leafy vegetables. I'll just continue taking my supplements and pass on the vegetables.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7204293.stm
http://in.news.yahoo.com/indiaabroad/20080124/r_t_ians_sc/tsc-vitamin-e-may-help-prevent-physical-1bdf89b.html

Cloning and You

thesis: there is nothing wrong with eating meat and milk from cloned animals

After about six years of study, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States ruled that meat an dmilk from cloned pigs, cattle and goats (and their subsequent offsprings) are safe. Although many people entertain the idea that products from cloned animals are unnatural in some way, it's literally quite safe (so says years of study). "The public should understand that cloning is just another form of breeding, like artificial insemination that ranchers widely use," Trans Ova President David Faber said.

Cloning animals produces a genetic twin from the subject. If the original subject suffered no problems, then naturally the cloned animal is just as likely to suffer nothing as well. In fact, it's probably more safe to reduce genetic mutation among animals (for some mutations are not wholly beneficial). Most farmers and breeders are pleased with cloning as another breeding tool. This allows them to preserve some of their most prized animals. And the agency has concluceded that cloned animals are born healthy and are no different than non-clones.

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That's it, time to go nuclear.

thesis: nuclear energy is going to become more widespread in the future

Nuclear energy is often regarded as dangerous and harmful to the environment due to its waste. It also has been cited as expensive. On the other hand, it has been praised for its easy to obtain fuel, being cost-effective and clean (other then the radioactive fuel; emits no greenhouse gases) in comparison to other sources. Although renewable sources are becoming more practical each passing day, they are unable to match the power of a nuclear plant.

Nevertheless, the world seems to be leaning towards nuclear energy. According to this report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as of the 31st of December, 2005, there are 443 nuclear reactors in 30 different countries. In addition, there are 27 new nuclear reactors in construction in 11 different countries.

Iran is one of those countries. In fact, it has completed its first reactor and will be operational in the summer of this year (2008). Although the US have accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons, Iran claims it has been developing fuel in preparation of this new facility. Russia has been helping Iran build the facility as well as shipping fuel for operating the reactor. article

In the UK, nuclear energy has already been established. Nevertheless, the government wants to encourage the development of nuclear energy, and has been given formal backing. The government has agreed not to give subsides for new reactors or build any of its own, but promises to help streamline the process as well as provide some tax advantages. article

I have a feeling the world is going to see a lot more reactors in the future. Although renewable sources of energy is popular among the younger generation, it can not compete head-on with something such as a nuclear reactor. Nuclear energy may become as instrumental to us as fossil fuels was half a century ago.