New study: sleeping consistently less than six hours can kill you

Researchers from the UK and Italy have filed a new study with new information about the link there is between the hours you sleep and the risk of dying prematurely. The academics saw that people who sleep consistently less than six hour per night are 12% more bound to a premature death. Nevertheless, sleeping more than nine hours is neither good for our health. Consequently, spleeping generally from six to eight hours per night might be optimal if you want to enjoy a long life.

This is a very interesting infromation, don't you think? Just by checking the hours you sleep per night you're lenghtening your life. It's truly helpful to know how many hours you should sleep for having a healthier life.
For instance, now we're in our last week of batxillerat and some of won't probably sleep eight hours owing to the huge amount of exams we have. I usually sleep between seven and eight hours per night. However, on an exams' week I may sleep less. So now that I know the medium period of time I should sleep, maybe I'll go to bed earlier in order to be more alert next morning.
On the other hand, I have to confess I normally sleep more than nine hours per night during the weekend. It's something I can't manage. Despite of promising myself I'll wake up early next morning so as to have time to study, then I get as late as usual. So I hope this study affects my concience!lool
Even so, the point is: will we continue sleeping the same hours as we did, or will we change our habits?

[Resource: short news]

2010/2011

The fact of finishing 2nd of batxillerat don't mean just leaving the high school but lots of things: chosing a degree, moving to another city, meeting new people... starting a new way of life.
At last I have decided to study Industrial Engineering at the UPC (universitat politècnica de catalunya). It is a varied degree where you do a little bit of everything and it has infinite professional opportunities. This might have been some of the characteristics that have finally convinced me. Everybody told me: "if you are not so sure it's better to study Industrial Engineering 'cause it's the most general one and then you can specialize in many things.
On the other hand there is the factor of living. In spite of not knowing anyone, I'm decided to go to a residence at least for the first year. I haven't chosen one yet, though. I have to confess that I'm quite afraid even though beeing determined.
Anyway, I'm sure this new way of life is going to be very postive. I already know I'll have to study a lot, but I'll try to have fun as well (I'm sure I will!loool).

Emergency talks on air chaos

As the impact of the volcano Eyjafjallajoekull destructed flights in major Europe for fifth days, European transport ministers are looking for ways to bring stranded travellers back to their countries. For instance, the British Prime Minister Grodon Brown has displaced three Royal Navy ships to begin the rescue.

One of the proposals in discussion is using Spain as a gate hub into Europe. Mr Brown says the only way for thousands of people who need to get home from America and from Asia through by plane is to get to Spain and then use other forms to travel to Britain.

In my opinion, in this type of situations, is when the politicians have to show their skills. They have to make us think they're doing their best and feeling the solution is close. If now they get to work out all this air traffic chaos succesfully, people might think they'll be capable of resolving common problems. On the contrary, if the governments don't achieve to take everyone to his/her destination, people may refuse to think they'll do something positive. I think most of people is guided by this stuff. The problem is that this situation do not depends on the governments but to the nature. And this is what most people don't understand. They just want to arrive were they wanted though not thinking they could die on the way because of the ash.

[Resource: BBC News (video)]

NZ man at strip club 'leaves baby in car'

A man left his one-year-old baby in a car while he was in a striptease club in Wellington (New Zeland). After seeing the unattended baby in the car, a passer-by took some action to make it save by alerting the police. The father was located in the club then arrested, and the baby was taken to the hospital by the police officers. Now the Child, Youth and Family agency has the custody of the baby for five days as long as they get in contact with the baby's family and decide on his future.

After reading this news, a question comes to my mind: how can there be such irresponsible people? I just can't understand how someone can leave his baby in the car then go calmly to a strip club. He was ONE-year-old!! What was his father thinking of? Something horrible could have happened. Luckily, someone who was passing-by saw the baby and cleverly, noticed the police about the situation. This man couldn't have done a better thing. This way the baby will surely be looked after by a much more competent person than his father. I hope he never have his custody again after what he did.

[Resource: Telegraph]

Scientists discover 20 kidney disease genes

Researchers announced the identification of the genetic part (20 genes) of Chronic Kidney Disease. This discovery might help to the cause of kidney diseases and even overturn kidney disease treatments. It has been a great breakthrough, though Dr. Jim Wilson affirms more research need to be funded.

This is such a wonderful news, don't you think? This new discovery is just the first step forward in finding a cure for the disease. Nowadays the biotechnology is said to be the great power of the future, and here is the answer. Maybe now this 20 genes doesn't mean anything, they are just the beggining of a new discovery, though. Perhaps this 20 genes can't do anything to prevent the disease, but I'm sure they will be suitable for other things such as finding a better treatment. In conclusion, I think we have to celebrate this type of discoveries because they all will make our lifes better.

[Resourece: sort news]

Apple iPad sells 300,000 on debut

On its launch day in the US, Apple says they sold more than 300,000 of its latest product. The iPad will be available in other countries such as Canada, Australia and some parts of Europe (european prices have not been anounced yet) by the end of April. The first genration model of the product has wi-fi though not 3G connectivity. According to Apple iPad users downloaded more than 250.000 e-books and more than one million applications from its store. On the other hand, taking reports into considerations, queues for the new iPad were quite smaller than the crowds which accumulated for the iPhone's lauch day.

As Steve Jobs said, is iPad going to be a game changer?
The iPad is not a laptop or computer neither a mobile phone. It's just something different. So this is probbably the reason why it is having such a demand.
In my opinion it is going to be a game changer in the way that it is another way to be connected to the net whenever you want. It's not like a laptop which you have to turn on and turn off. The iPad is a new abbility to be always connected. Moreover, its dimensions make it perfect to bring it with you wherever.
Nevertheless, I think it's not going to have such an impact as the iPhone had. From my point of view, people who already bought an iPhone won't be likely to buy an iPad.

[Resource: BBC News]

New York jets 'directed by a child'

The US officers are looking into how a child was able to direct planes at one of the countrie's busiest airport (New York's JFK). They caught the boy, who was apparently with his father (certified air traffic controller), directing several pilots preparing for take-off by an audiotape (you can listen to it at the bbc webpage). The incident took place on 17 February, when many pupils were on a week-long break. The air traffic controller got the sack and The National Air Traffic Controllers Assosiation said this incident was not indicative of the highest professionals they have.

I cannot understand how that little boy was able to do that. I think it was a terrrible mistake from the father to let him do it. Beeing an air traffic controller is so serious because the life of a huge amount of people depends on you. What would have happened if the kid had said something wrong? I really do not want to imagine! I suppose that man didn't realize how igriveous was that situation. I agree about his dismissal, that behaviour is not acceptable! On the other hand, I guess they were not the only ones there so someone else could have stopped it, though as the audiotape proves, nobody did. All in all, it was just luckily hilarious.

[Resource: BBC, 3 March 2010]

Roger Federer

As you know, I practise tennis. Everyone who practises a spor thas usually a favourite player, and I have to confess that mine is Roger Federer.

Last week it was announced that Roger would has to pull out of the Dubai Championship, which started today, because of a lung infection. He is expected to be out of action for two weeks. If everything goes well, he will return to the courts at Indian Wells in March. Apart from the Dubai's Championship, he won't be able to play the Davis Cup against Spain neither. Everybody was expecting this cup because there would probbably be a match between Roger and Rafa Nadal. However, Rafa won't be able to play it neither because of an injury.
As I said in the beggining, I am a fan of Federer. And what do this involve? This entails that I hate Nadal. I think he's such a proud man, not hansome and show-off. Moreover, he's a suporter of Real Madrid! In my opinion, his game is not as smart as Federer's. I love the elegance of Roger's game.
So, when we go to the Godo's trophy in Barcelona with the tennis club we split up in two groups: the ones who are fans of Rafa and the ones who are not. Then, when we are on the court watching the match ones shout "vamos rafa!" and the others ones (me!) cheer up the other player.

[Roger Federer website]
[Rafa Nadal website]

Haiti charity single top UK charts

Stars such as Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams or Take That covered the REM's Everybody Hurts in order to help Haiti's earthquake victims. Organised by Simon Cowell, 453000 copies has already been sold notching up the biggest first week sales. Proceeds will be divided between the Disasters Emergenvy Comitee and The Sun newspaper's Helping haiti Campaign.
In my opinion it's so nice from the singers who collaborated recording the hit and the thousands of persons who have bought it. Everybody would like to be helped if such a horrible tragedy as the Haiti's earthquake happened to him so we have to now that happened to them. In fact, many fact have been hols so as to recollect money for Haiti. I think that this one concretly is a fantastic way of recollecting money for reconstructing the country and treating the injured persons. Lots of people died so now it is about to take care of the ones who survived.

[Resource: BBC news, 14 February 2010]

Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl is an American drama series based on the exclusive life of some teenagers who live in the privileged New York City's Upper East Side, narrated by the yet unseen blogger "Gossip Girl".
I had heard some comments from my cousin saying it was a great series so when it was released in tv I started watching it and truly liked it. However, few chapters were broadcasted so I started watching them on the interent. I must confess I rapidly became addicted!lool They're now in the third season but the final chpaters will be released on march so I'll wait eagerly!
It shows how exclusive the life is in the Manhattan's Upper East Side. The plot is centred in some of the most powerful families of the city (the Van der Woodsens, the Basses, The Archibalds...) and some outsiders from Brooklyn (the Humphries).
In my opinion this is one of the best series I've ever seen. As the title says, there always many gossips which make characters go furious or, on the other hand, reconciliate. They are always going on brunches, posh parties, cotillions... It's like the perfect life we always dream at least once. I suppose this is the fact that makes me like it. They all always look perfect and fashion. I wish I ahd they're wardrobe!lool What's more, they live in New York, the city I wanted to go!!

This is the phrase with which all the chapters start (I know it by heart!!:D):
"Gossip Girl here, your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite. And who am I? That's a secret I'll never tell, you know you love me, xoxo, Gossip Girl."

Here is one of the best scenes (last chapter - season 2):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYsnBaBqLJ4

New questions on body scanners

National Geographic best picture

Of all the photos from the Natinal Geogrphic's International Photography Conest of 2009 I've chosen this one. It is a train that travels to different areas of Shangai (China) oncoming in the tunnel's changing light show.
And you may ask, why have I chosen this photo instead of another of the 25? Well, I think it's an impressive photo that shows the world we live in, or actually, our future. It shows the huge development in technology of the last decade. Looking at this photo I feel we can reach lots of things.
On the other hand, this picture makes evident that China is becoming an influential and powerful country. It's clearly obvious that our country is less advanced than China and lots of other countries.

It's just looking at the photo and an electric feeling arise in me.


[Resource: National Geographic's International Photography Contest 2009, picture 6]

Brad and Angelina are $7 million givers

In 2008 Angelina Jolie, 34, and Brad Pitt, 45, gave $6.8 million to charities. That was the amount given to various groups through the philanthropically minded couple's Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which donated about half of the $13 million it raised last year to nonprofits like Global Health, Human Rights Watch, the Armed Services YMCA, and Pitt's own Make It Right Foundation, dedicated to rebuilding New Orleans. Another $1 million went to various causes in Cambodia, home country for their son Madox.

In my opinion, it's a nice thing that people like Brad Pitt and Angleina Jolie who win a huge amount of money give at least a part to people who need it more than them. I actually think it's not fair there're persons who win stratospheric amounts of money while there are people dying every day of hungry. Moreover, some of these persons don't work so hard to deserve those quantities of dollars. So from my point of view, all these rich people should give some money for charities, investigation,...whatever. It doesn't mind if it's just $100 or $100000 the important thing is to collaborate a little bit.

CNN, November 25

Twilight review

This romantic-fantasy film was released in 2008 and it was one of the films which grossed more money. It is a wondeful story of a girl called Bella and a vampire called Edward. This is actually the first part of three movies.

Bella moves to live with his father in Folks (Washington state) were she used to spend a month each summer. There she meets nice people in the high school and she's intrigued by the misterious Cullen's family. She sits next to Edward cullen in biology class and he seems to be disgusted by her. One day she is nearly to strucked by a van but Edward runs toward her and stops the van with his hand. Then Bella starts wondering many things about him and finds out that he is a vampire although he only consumes animal blood. From this time on, they start beeing really good friends and they finally fall in love. Edward introduces Bella to his vampire family and one day they go to play a baseball match. In the meantime, there have appeared two dead people who seems to be killed by an animal. (we saw until here)
I really liked this film. It's interesting the fact that a normal girl goes out with a vampire and they maintain such a good relationship. On the other hand you feel intrigued by the deaths around the town and that keeps you interested in it.
I didn't like the soundtrack. I think it was so simple and they could have included much more better songs in such a film.
Finally, I definetly recommend you to go and watch it 'cause it's fantastic and i'm sure you'll pass a great time.
Star Rating: ***worth seeing, brilliant.

Why is Friday the 13th unlucky?

Friday the 13th has traditionally been when the superstitious take extra care and double check everything they do. They also consider unlucky to open an umbrella indoors or walk under a ladder.
Are you superstitious?

I'm definetly not superstitious. Actually, I think that everything is up to your mind. If you think that Friday the 13th in going to be an unlucky day, it will. On the other hand, if you don't know it's Friday the 13th it will just be an ordinary day as any other. Something unlucky can happen to you every day. Haven't something unlucky happened to you and it wasn't Friday the 13th?
From my point of view it's all phsycological. You just have to order your mind and think positively. Then everything will go as it has to whether it's Friday the 13th or have passed under a ladder.

bbc news, november 15

More plastic surgery for Gwyneth Paltrow?

In the past, Gwyneth was likely to have had a job nose and a breast augmentation in order to enhace her career. Now 37, there are many suspicions she has had rejuvenation procedures, such as facelift combined with injectables.

Some surgeons said that she is a beautiful woman blessed with great genes so that it was not the result of a facelift. They suggested she probably had injected some Botox around her face to make it appear smooth. Nevertheless, there was a surgeon who said that she looked altered, tighter than before, so it indicated a facelifht and injection.

In my opinion, we might not be that obssesed by plastic surgery. Why can't somebody remain beautiful in his/her forty's? We should accept ourselves as they are 'cause it's just natural to become older and have wrinkles.
On the other hand, there can be people who remain young and seem to have had plastic surgery but the haven't. This is just beeing lucky, but you have to accept yourself anyway.
The aim of plastic surgery is just making money, so they'll always find any defect on you 'cause they just want to earn a great amount of money.

makemeheal, November 6

Music player noise limit planned

The European Comission is planning to set a maximum noise default on new portable music players after a research claimed that one of ten users could suffer permanent hearing loss.

In my opinion this is such a good restraint ,cause there,s many peolple who don-t know about the harm they are suffering because of the excesive volume on their music players.
Despite of being voluntary among the manufacturers, I think it should be compulsory. They might have taken this measure from the begining of the music portable players, knowing this would happen in the future.
From my point of view, the time you listen to it should also be restricted. In other words, the mp3 ought to be automaticly switched off when exceeded the limit time exposure.

BBC News

Global premieres for Jackson film.

I'm not really a Michael Jackson fan, but since he was death we've heard of him quite many days on the news and there's been great polemic on the way he died.

Michael Jackson's film This Is It is going to have simultaneous premieres in more than 15 cities around the world. In my opinion, that they just do it for marketing.
This way it will probably appear on the news or the press so people we'll know about the premiere and they'll be more exciting 'cause it'll also be taking place in other fifteen cities.
Nevertheless, not all the premiers will take place at the same time. In total, more than 25 cities will host the premiere of the film. So, why some cities will host the premiere at the same time and some not? I think that they should do it at the same time in all the cities, or at least at the same day.
Finally, I disagree with the fact that the movie will only be on the cinemas for two weeks, I don't understand it! Common films are usually in the cinemas for more than two weeks.