Why Do Bats Hang UpSide Down?

Did You Know?

Bats. They see the world upside down. Literally. But why do bats hang upside down? Is it their way to seek protection? Is it their way to hibernate? Is hanging upside down just instinctive? Or is it an adaptation? The answer to all these is a 'well, yes'.

Hanging upside down is not the only different-from-normal behavior of bats. Something equally strange yet interesting is that they are the only flying mammals. Plus, they have very good echolocation skills. This means, they emit ultrasonic signals, which on echoing back, help them gauge distances. This skill helps the bats in locating their prey and also in protecting themselves from their predators. Bats' wings and legs have a unique structure. They can lock their feet to a support and suspend their bodies down, without the fear of falling. In this mechanism, the bats open their claws (like you would hold your fist open), then find a support to grip to (like you would hold an object in your clenched fist). From the support, when a bat suspends itself down, its weight causes the tendons to clench. The talons connected to the tendons lock themselves to the support and this is how bats can remain in the hanging position. The wings are like a webbing that extends from their legs and up, which can be wrapped around their bodies when roosting. This structure of their wings helps them in quick movement.

There's something else that helps bats take quick flight. And it is, yes, their hanging upside down! How does it help? In the upside down posture, it's easier for the bats to take flight by just dropping themselves down and gliding. They cleverly use the gravitational pull to their advantage by dropping from a height to take flight. They cannot launch into flight from the ground. Their body mass does not allow them to. Plus, neither their wings are that developed nor their legs, meaning they can neither run to take the lift, not their wings are capable of giving them flight.

The second reason why bats hang is that they cannot stand! It's strange but true. Bats are flying mammals. Unlike other birds, bats cannot stand firmly or walk. So their resting position is hanging, that too, upside down! This posture helps their muscles relax. Imagine a tired you hanging down from a support. No, that wasn't a joke. It was meant to help you realize how you would feel then. Won't you feel a relaxing stretch in your body? That's how bats feel!

Bats hang upside down during torpor. Torpor is temporary hibernation. During this period, bats conserve energy. Their breathing and heart rates are lowered, which helps the bats further save their energy. Now hanging upside down would mean that the body is suspended in the direction of gravity, which means less or no consumption of bodily energy. Locking their feet to a support, bats hang down and enter torpor.

This was precisely why bats hang in the inverted position. The most prominent reason why bats hang that way seems to be, to take a quick flight. They have to 'fall down' to 'fly up'. Actually, in the bottom up position that they hang in, our 'down' is their 'up'! Interesting.

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Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/why-do-bats-hang-upside-down.html

What happens to Retired Police Dogs?

Did You Know?

Between 2002 and 2012, as many as 288 military service dogs were euthanized by the British Ministry of Defense. These included a Belgium Shepherd and a German Shepherd who guarded Prince William while he was in the RAF. The primary cause behind this is that, unlike the United States, Britain does not have a pension policy for retired dogs, and the cost of their maintenance falls onto their handlers, who are often unable to afford such expenses.

 

Commonly used by the armed forces and police personnel, K-9 dogs are specially trained to detect bombs, drugs, lost people, dead bodies, forensic evidence, and also to protect their handlers. Only the best specimens are chosen to be trained as the best police dogs to serve the country.

These driven, enthusiastic, and selfless soldiers throw themselves fearlessly into their tasks with every bit of energy. Through their years of service, regardless of the tasks or the working conditions, they can be counted on to perform their duty to the best of their ability. Truly, K-9 dogs deserve the best that they can get. However, what really happens to these canine heroes after they have outlived their usefulness? Do they really get all that they deserve?

What Happens to Retired Military and Police Dogs?

Until 2000, all police and army dogs in the US were considered as mere tools in war and law enforcement. As soon as these dogs became too old to work, or had a bad injury, they were retired from the force and put to sleep, much to the agony of their handlers. However, in 2000, Robby's law was introduced, which not only gave canines an official status in the police and armed forces, but also provided them with a regular pension after retirement, right to the end of their lives. To add to this, these dogs could now be adopted by their handlers and even certain civilian families. So, retired military and police dogs of the United States can now look forward to a relaxed and happy future.

Adoption by Handlers

Most breeders keep their retired bitches and studs with them till the end, as adjusting a grown dog with new owners is not an easy task. Similarly, retired police and military dogs go under their handler's care as a first priority, as both man and animal have already bonded very closely.

When handlers consider adopting their retired dogs, several emotional and logistical concerns have to be studied. As K-9 handlers will be assigned new dog partners, they will have to learn to handle the needs and the dynamics of the relations between the two animals and themselves. This can be a problem if the dogs are male and female, or if the old dog is jealous of all the attention that the handler is giving the newbie. Also, the expenses and effort of care, shelter, and medical requirements also double. As these dogs have been so active and busy all their lives, the sudden change to a sedentary lifestyle can be disconcerting, leading to problems like excessive digging, chewing, barking, etc., and might require serious behavior modification training. Despite all these challenges, most handlers do not give up on their dogs.

Since the bond between a dog and its handler is usually very tight, very few retirees need to be put up for civilian adoption. However, in case of the handler' death, or any other unlucky complication, the dog has to look for new pastures, which is where civilian families come in.

Can You Adopt a Retired Police Dog?

In the rare case where a handler cannot take care of his former K-9 partner, or when a dog fails the training program, what happens is that, they are put up for adoption for civilians. However, for prospective owners, the process of adoption can be a tough one. First, candidates have to fill in an application about themselves, which will help the coordinating staff find the best match between the family and the dog. After this, the candidate has to go through an interview with a placement specialist. In the interview, the expectations and experience of the prospective new owner, along with the living arrangements for the dog will be determined. Home inspections and interviews with all the members of the family are conducted, following which an applicant is informed whether they have qualified or not.

If the candidate qualifies, they are then placed on a waiting list, which can go up to a year or more due to the high demand for these animals. Depending on the prior experience of the candidate, and the temperament of the dog, the animals are then categorized and sent to their new owners, who are likely to form a good bond quickly with their new pet. People who have experience with handling specially trained animals, the financial resources to provide for shelter, and proper means for care and medical attention, have a better chance at success.

Qualified applicants have to pay for the transportation costs of moving the dog to its new home. After adoption in a civilian family, the dog loses police/military status and benefits, and is considered an ordinary pet. However, volunteer service programs can provide limited support services to the family whenever needed. Sadly, in a few cases, some of these dogs become too aggressive (possibly from PTSD), and cannot be re-homed. In these cases, euthanasia is used as the last resort.

Do Retired Police Dogs Make Good Pets?

Although there are no clear statistics to show how old police dogs are when they retire, the estimated range is around 7 - 9 years of age. However, this calculation is dependent on the physical and mental condition of each dog. Although rare, a dog which has been injured, diseased, or is not performing up to standard, will be considered for retirement, regardless of the age. Most retired dogs only have a few years of life left, along with old age issues, or multiple injuries. Therefore, it might be a little tricky to get them adopted.

Having said that, getting a police dog home has several advantages, and as long as they are alive they make amazing pets. We shall take a look at some of the perks of getting a retired police dog home:

• Most of these dogs are trained to a very high standard. This means that, although they have been trained to combat criminals with force, they can be extremely gentle towards their handlers and owners. As such, they can work well with people who are old or have disabilities.
• These dogs show lots of tolerance, compared to untrained breeds. So if provided with adequate socialization, they can be great with kids.
• K-9 dogs are almost always great guard dogs. Their instincts and training makes them very good at this job. This is especially true if the dog is one of the larger breeds, like a German shepherd, which can deter intruders with only their looks.
• The training received by them ensures that you don't have to house train the dog yourself, and that every command is followed without any delay and to the letter.
• Once the dog is well-adjusted to its new environment, it is likely to constantly keep its affection and attention on its new owner, giving the person a loyal, constant companion.

So, if you feel that you have the right resources to offer these four-legged canine heroes a great new home and a dignified life, make sure to enroll with your local police station for more information on adoptions, and its requirements. Best of luck!

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Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-happens-to-retired-police-dogs.html

History of the Fez hat

Did You Know

Fez hats are sometimes called 'Rumi Topi' (Rumi cap) by Muslim aristocrats, named after the famous Turkish poet Melwana Jalaluddin Rumi, who wore a fez to all his public appearances.

 

Fez hats are sometimes called 'Rumi Topi' (Rumi cap) by Muslim aristocrats, named after the famous Turkish poet Melwana Jalaluddin Rumi, who wore a fez to all his public appearances. The fez, also known as 'tarboosh' or 'checheya', is a hat which is usually made of felt or rough woven fabrics. These hats are brimless, and are either shaped like a short cylinder or a truncated cone, attached with a tassel to the top. They are either worn as is, or in rarer cases with a turban on top of the fez.

Fez Hat History

 

The city of Fez, in ancient Morocco, is believed by many to be the origin of the fez hat. When the Hajj pilgrimage was temporarily suspended in 980 AD, pilgrims living to the western side of the Nile river were directed to Fez as an effective alternative to the holy city Mecca. Here, a Moor merchant started the supplies of a new style of headdress, which quickly became popular due to the heavy influx of pilgrims in the city. Fez initially had a monopoly on the manufacture of fezzes, because the berry used to color the hats was planted only there.

 

With time, this style lost its appeal, and was found only with a few people. However, interest in the hat was reignited in 1826, when Sultan Mahmud II of the Ottoman Empire was looking to change the traditional garb of his civil officers into something new. Initially, he thought of using a triangular hat of European descent. However, his advisors pointed out to the three corners represented the Holy Trinity of the Christians, which could sow discord amongst his largely Muslim subjects. So, when a shipment of fezzes arrived from Tunisia, they were selected instead. The hat was publicized as being a badge of identification for Turkish subjects, and even those citizens who were not Muslims were obliged to wear them. Smaller fezzes without tassels were made even for the women. Although it took a while for this fashion to catch on, by the 1900s, the fez had become extremely popular, and was considered to be the national headdress of Turkey.

 

At one time, the fez was even a symbol of protest against the French occupation of Morocco. However, the legend of the origin has been disputed by other theories, which state that the fez originated in ancient Greece or from the Balkans, but not in Morocco. With the discovery of synthetic dyes in the 19th century, the headdress started being manufactured across Europe. By the beginning of the 20th century, Austria had become the new capital of the fez manufacturing industry.

 

The fez again came up against a wall in 1925, when the new leader of Turkey, Kemal Ataturk, felt that it was a sign of being backward. He felt that traditional garments should be replaced by British suits and styles. To push Turkey towards alleged modernization, the fez was banned. However, this ban was not taken well by the people of the country, leading to several riots, and large numbers of fezzes being confiscated as illegal contraband. When an attempt was made to overthrow Ataturk, and bring back the fez, 9 - 10 people were shot and killed, virtually making the fez disappear.

 

Modern Use

• Members of the Greek Presidential Guard wear the fez as a part of their uniform, used on ceremonial occasions.
• A variant known as 'peci' is a part of Indonesian culture, and is worn during special ceremonies.
• Members of Shriners, an organization of Freemasons, wear a red fez which is embroidered with gold.
• Until the 1950s, soldiers of the Turkish army wore fezzes as a part of their uniform.

Symbolism of Fez Hats

• The Moorish fez was considered to be a mark of high intelligence. By wearing one, a person claimed that he belonged to a highly evolved bloodline. If the fez is red in color, it symbolizes the 'supreme height of practical wisdom'.
• In the past, only chiefs and leaders in the Ottoman Empire wore black fez hats, as it was considered to have the highest standing. However, nowadays, they are worn by religious leaders like Muftis, which symbolizes that they know the religion in full, and are able to defend it.
• In Western pop culture, the fez acts as a symbol of relaxation. For example, cartoon characters such as Tom and Jerry were shown wearing a red fez hat while lying on a hammock during a vacation, or while relaxing after a long day of work.

With its unique look and comfortable material, the fez is slowly gaining a foothold in the Western world as an unusual fashion statement. However, while wearing one, we must take care that it is worn appropriately, so as not to hurt the sentiments of any of the communities using this hat for religious or symbolic purposes.

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Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-the-fez-hat.html

Is the White House the Most SecureBuilding in the World???

Interesting Fact

With the alien invasion of the White House premises in the film Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956), Hollywood movies began a long and cherished tradition of having this iconic landmark attacked, captured, or completely wiped out, to the thrill of the audiences around the world. Nine such cinematic security breaches have occurred so far, and it is fairly certain to happen again in the future.

 

Until the first few years of the 20th century, the White House was completely open to public visitation, despite being invaded by unruly mobs of the president's supporters on a regular basis. However, in recent decades, the security of this building has become much more dense, and restrictions to public visits have increased drastically.

Public tours of the White House had been temporarily suspended in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. When these tours were restarted, security measures around the building had been drastically upgraded. The tours themselves are now limited, with strict background checks done for all visitors before they can gain access inside. However, attacks on the White House happened before 9/11 too, and even after that, despite the new security measures.

History of Attacks on the White House

―Aug 24, 1814
At the peak of the war of 1812 between the United States and England, British soldiers attacked the White House. However, they found the place empty, so they ate the food left in the building, ransacked the place, and set the mansion on fire. Fortunately, then President James Madison and his wife had already fled to safety when the event occurred.

―Aug 16, 1841
To curb the fluctuation in the value of currency and the rampant occurrences of bank fraud, President John Tyler had tried to reestablish the Bank of the United States. Angered by this decision, supporters of the bank gathered outside the presidential residence in large numbers, throwing stones, firing guns, and burning effigies of the president. To make sure that such an incident did not happen again, the police force of Columbia was formed.

―Feb 17, 1974
A young US Army private by the name of Robert Preston was flunked in flight training. Allegedly angry with this decision, he stole a helicopter from an airfield and flew it to the White House, where he hovered above the south lawn. He soon fled the scene when a State Police helicopter tried to apprehend him. After a brief chase, Preston returned to the White House. This time, responding to the unidentified threat, Secret Service guards let out a storm of bullets towards the helicopter, forcing Preston to land. He was captured with a few injuries, and was admitted for psychiatric evaluation.

―Dec 25, 1974
Marshall Fields crashed his car on this Christmas day through the gates of the White House premises, and drove up to the north portico, where he was surrounded by Secret Service officers. Fields, who was dressed in an Arab robe, claimed that he was the Messiah, and threatened to detonate the bombs that he had attached to his body. After negotiating with him for nearly four hours, officers got Fields to surrender. The alleged explosives attached to his body turned out to be ordinary flares.

―Mar 16, 1984
David Mahonski was an electrician with a history of drug abuse, mental instability, and a habit of loitering around the White House, making threats towards then President Ronald Reagan. On this night, security officers spotted him near the fence of the south grounds. As the officers approached, Mahonski pulled out a shotgun from his jacket, but was immediately shot in the arm by a guard. David was then arrested and ordered to go for psychiatric treatment.

―Jan 21, 1985
On the day of Ronald Reagan's second term swearing in, a man named Robert Latta decided to see how far he could get into the White House premises, just for fun. He simply walked behind the 33 member Marine Band into the premises, right past the White House security. Once inside, he strolled around the residence for nearly 15 minutes, before he was spotted and caught by Secret Service agents. Despite interrogation and a search for weapons and explosives, security found nothing on him. Latta was then charged with unlawful entry, where he posted bail in court and returned home.

―Sep 12, 1994
After allegedly going through a mental breakdown due to problems in his marriage, army veteran Frank Eugene Corder got intoxicated and flew a Cessna airplane into the southern wall of the presidential mansion, dying on the spot. Due to renovations, then President Bill Clinton and his family were fortunately not in the building at the time. This serious breach of airspace security caused officials to make many changes in the security measures there.

―Oct 29, 1994
A few months after the Corder incident, a man named Fransisco Duran fired several shots from his gun at the White House. Secret Service agents tackled and wrestled Duran to the ground, before arresting him. Although the president was present in the mansion, and a bullet did manage to go through a window in the west wing, nobody was hurt. In court, Duran was found guilty of trying to assassinate the president, and is still in jail for his crime.

―May 23, 1995
Another attempt was made to attack the building when a man named William Modjeski climbed a fence and ran towards the building with a pistol in his hand. A Secret Service officer fired and hit him in the arm, injuring another officer in the process. Modjeski was found not guilty, by reason of insanity. However, he was sent to a mental facility for treatment until 1999.

―Feb 7, 2001
Robert Pickett, an IRS employee with a history of mental instability, brandished a handgun at the tourists and policemen outside the White House, before firing several shots. After a brief stand-off, a Secret Service agent shot him in the knee, and subdued him. Pickett was made to spend two years in a prison hospital, where he received psychiatric treatment.

Apart from these incidents, there have been several other instances where people have jumped over the fences of the President's residence, only to have been apprehended by security officers. Keeping this very real danger of attacks on the White House in mind, the security measures around this building have increased drastically in number and complexity over the past few years.

White House Security Features

► Iron Fence: The fence surrounding the White House premises is the first layer of defense. Made from reinforced iron, this fence is 7½ feet tall. Although it was initially very close to the building, the area was expanded by an entire block in the 1990s in order to increase the distance between vehicular traffic and the White House. This prevents car bombs from getting close enough to cause any damage. Following the recent spate of people jumping over the White House fence, new metal spikes have been added in May 2015, which are expected to make it much more difficult for people to trespass.

► Infrared Sensors: With the help of infrared technology, security is able to read heat signatures coming from people who might jump over the fence, which is especially helpful in situations where normal vision is impaired.

► Concrete Barriers: This is a secondary layer of protection, which stops vehicles that attempt to break through the fence. These barriers are soon expected to be replaced with mobile steel plate barriers.

► Secret Service Agents: These officers come from a special division of the Department of Homeland Security, and are stationed in teams around the property. They carry a wide arsenal of weapons, including pistols, shotguns, and machine guns. A team of snipers are always stationed on the roof of the building, who can shoot a target as far away as 1,000 yards away. Whenever the president enters or exits the building, a team of SWAT agents take their positions on the roof. There are approximately 1,300 such agents, who are specially trained to protect the current and past presidents and their families, from when the president takes office until 10 years after they leave.

► Restricted Airspace: The area above and around the building is completely restricted to all kinds of aircraft. Radar and lasers are used to detect any intrusion into the restricted airspace, 24/7. This helps security forces respond promptly to any aerial threat. After the 9/11 attacks, this area was enlarged, and the rules were enforced more strictly. Airspace surrounding the building is protected by Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS).

► Food Scanners: All food items, whether brought for the preparations of the house chef, or brought by a visitor, is thoroughly checked at an offsite station.

► Bullet Proof Windows: All 147 windows of the property are made from high-quality, resilient ballistic glass. This glass was first installed on the windows in the 1950s, and have been protecting the house since then.

► Entry Screening: After the September 11 attacks, any person visiting the White House has to go through a strict background check before getting access to the property. They are also screened with a magnetometer to search for concealed weapons.

► Air Filtration System: The White House also has a state-of-the-art air filtration system, which keeps any type of contaminant―natural or man-made―out of the building.

► PEOC: The Presidential Emergency Operations Center is a secure area built six stories below the east wing of the White House. It is used by the president as a meeting place in times of emergency. This room can be accessed only with an elevator that is behind multiple vault doors, opened using biometric systems. For security reasons, the specifications of the area are classified. What is known is that, the room can withstand a direct nuclear strike.

► Secret Metro Tunnels: When the Washington Metro Subway was first planned in the 1950s, then President Eisenhower had a secondary secret underground rail system built alongside the public one. This rail system connects the White House to several important buildings, such as the State Department, the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and various bunkers in the Washington area. Further expansion of this tunnel system is expected, but obviously the details are classified.

► DUCC: In 2011, a Deep Underground Command Center was constructed under the west wing. It protects the president and key staff in times of crisis. It also has a massive data communication facility connected to all military, intelligence, and federal agencies. This means that the DUCC can function as a secondary Oval Office in case of an emergency. Although most specifications of this room are classified for security purposes, it is estimated to be around 5,000 square feet in area. The president has a trap door under his desk, which he can use to quickly access the new command center.

And it's safe to say that, besides these measures, there must be several security features that have not been revealed to the public.

As you can see, the White House is provided with maximum security. However, it is difficult to say if it is the most secure building in the world, as other structures, such as Fort Knox, Cheyenne Mountain, Alcatraz Prison, etc., also have similar security strength, if not more.

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Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/is-the-white-house-the-most-secure-building-in-the-world.html

A Brief Expanation of the 25th Amendment to U.S Constitution

Did you Know

Did You Know?The 25th Amendment was proposed by the U.S. Congress in 1965, and was ratified in 1967, under the presidency of the 36th President, Lyndon Johnson.

 

 

There have been several instances in recent history where the Vice President has assumed the duties of the President in cases where the incumbent was unavailable or was unable to carry out his presidential duties. However, this wasn't the case before the 25th Amendment.

Though the motive or cause behind this Amendment is a little unclear, it is believed that the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the impending threat of a nuclear attack during the Cold War prompted its ratification. Following is the summary and a brief explanation of the Twenty-fifth Amendment. The Twenty-fifth Amendment set the protocol of the Vice President in the event that the President is incapacitated to fulfill his duties.

                ~ Twenty-fifth Amendment Explained ~

Section 1

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

 

The first section of the Amendment states that in the absence of the President for reasons that may include removal, resignation, or death, the Vice President will assume the duties of the President.

Section 2

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

 

During the permanent absence of the Vice President, the President can nominate a new Vice President. However, this candidate needs to have the majority of both, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Section 3

Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

 

If the President is unable to perform his duties, he must inform both the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate Pro Tempore in writing. After which the Vice President, will assume the place of the President. This is until the President sends another letter stating that he is able to resume his position as the President.

 

Section 4

Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

 

If the President is incapacitated and is unable to perform his duties, the Vice President along with the majority of the Cabinet member can send a letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate Pro Tempore, stating that the President is unable to fulfill his duties. After which, the Vice President can immediately assume the position of the President. Once the President can resume his duties, he is required to write to the Congress stating so, after which he can resume the post of the President.
In layman's terms, according to the 25th Amendment, the Vice President will act as President until the President is able to resume his duties.

Source>>
Read more at Buzzle:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/a-brief-explanation-of-the-25th-amendment-to-the-u-s-constitution.html

Does Having a Pet Reduce Stress??

Pets come with a 'feel good factor' that can relieve stress, enhance your mood, and improve overall well-being. The following Buzzle article elaborates more on how pets can be helpful to reduce stress.

 

Did You Know?

 Pets can lower anxiety as well as improve social skills of children diagnosed with autism.

Does having a pet reduce stress? Yes, of course! To stay mentally healthier, what better way than owning a pet. Pets have long been a source of enjoyment for many. Their presence can be comforting, it can banish loneliness and of course, reduce stress.

 

How Owning a Pet can Reduce Stress

• Studies show that those having a pet, are better equipped to deal with stress. The love and affection that we receive from a pet can substantially reduce the negative impact of stress on our health. A lowered physiological and emotional response to stress is one of the most important benefits of owning a pet.
• Playing with a pet is a great source of comfort and has shown to boost serotonin activity in the brain. Serotonin is referred to as the happy hormone, hence the increase in its levels can certainly enhance feelings of well-being.
• Studies have also shown that gently running your hand over the dog's coat for a few minutes, triggers the release of a cascade of 'feel good hormones' including oxytocin, prolactin, and dopamine. Oxytocin has shown to decrease levels of cortisol, the hormone released during times of stress. No wonder, interacting with a pet instills a feeling of calmness and relaxation.
• High blood pressure (HBP), one of the most common side effects of today's stress-ridden lifestyle, can be kept under control with pet companionship. Studies show that pet ownership can help to nullify the exaggerated blood pressure response associated with stress. One study conducted in 2001 has shown that in times of stress, HBP patients owning a pet were better at controlling blood pressure than those who did not own a pet.
• A stressful job is one of the primary contributory factors in increasing cholesterol levels. However, studies show that interacting with pets after coming home from work can be a natural remedy to lower elevated cholesterol levels in response to stress.
• According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pet ownership can be good for the heart at it can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. No wonder, having a pet decreases the chances of having a heart attack. Moreover, the patients also lead a healthier and a longer life.
• A recent study also observed that with pet ownership, people tend to be happier, more social, less lonely, and have a higher self-esteem. The emotional support provided by pets does have a positive impact on one's psychological well-being.
• Playing with pets uplifts the mood, which can contribute in reducing depression. Spending some time daily with the pet is bound to make us feel good, thanks to the release of 'happy hormones'. So pets act as mood enhancers, and can be of great help for people with depression.

Indeed, pet ownership can have a positive impact on your mental health. On the whole, having a pet is an effective way to overcome stress. The bond you develop with your pets and the unconditional love you get from them, enriches life.

Source>>

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/does-having-a-pet-reduce-stress.html

Intelligent Life On The Web: Legends and Myths About the Bite in Apple's Logo

Intelligent Life On The Web: Legends and Myths About the Bite in Apple's Logo: Did You Know? Steve Jobs came up with the name 'Apple' for his organization, when he was on a fruitarian diet and visiting an ap...

Legends and Myths About the Bite in Apple's Logo

Did You Know?

Steve Jobs came up with the name 'Apple' for his organization, when he was on a fruitarian diet and visiting an apple farm. Jobs felt that this name was, quote, "fun, spirited, and not intimidating".

It is simplicity, more often than not, that tends to catch the eye of the beholder. This is probably why, while other brands opted for more complex logos in the hopes of garnering public appeal, the founders of Apple Computers decided to settle for a plain apple. The result - Apple's logo has become one of the most iconic and widely known symbols of modern times. But is this seemingly plain logo really all that simple?

Look at it again, and you will notice that the apple in the logo has a bite on the top right side. Why was it put there? What exactly does the bite in the Apple logo represent?

Since it was first displayed to the public, this peculiarity of the logo has left numerous people scratching their heads. Over the years, there have been many speculations over the bite, which have given rise to many myths and urban legends regarding its origins and importance. Let's look at some of the most common urban legends about the bite in the Apple logo.

The Apple Logo

This is the Apple store on 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica near Los Angeles in California (21 March, 2015). The Apple logo in white is clearly visible.

Common Myths
The 'a' in the Bite

If you observe carefully, you will notice that the bite in the Apple logo is perfectly curved, which is unlike the asymmetric pattern that the act of biting into a real apple would produce. While one can argue that this is simply the result of the abstract art used for the design, some speculate that it might hold some significance after all.

The symmetrically curved bite is believed to represent the contour of the letter 'a', which at the time the logo was designed, was the name of the new computer - the Apple II.

The Byte in the Bite

Binary is the universal language in the world of digital electronics. A byte is a group of binary digits (bits) that are operated on together by computers. As such, the terms kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes(GB) etc., are synonymous with computers.

According to one urban legend, the designer of the Apple logo introduced the bite in it to symbolize 'byte', in order to express that Apple was a company that designed computers, thus giving the logo a unique personality.

The Knowledge in the Bite
There is another myth surrounding the bite, which is likely to appeal more to those who are religiously inclined. According to it, the apple in the logo represents the apple of knowledge, similar to the one that is believed to have grown on the Tree on Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The bite, therefore, is believed to mean that a user can 'bite' into an Apple computer―a source of infinite knowledge―and acquire wisdom through using it. If this is true, let's hope that using Apple, the computer, doesn't anger God!

Most Popular Urban Legend
The Homage in the Bite
Alan Turing (1912 - 1954) was a British computer scientist, mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst, philosopher, mathematical biologist, and marathon runner. He is widely regarded as the father of computer science. Apart from being all of these, Turing was also gay.

Back in Turing's time, homosexuality was a crime in the United Kingdom, and so he was tried before a court of law and was found guilty. He was convicted and given a choice between imprisonment and probation, which included undergoing hormonal treatment comprising injections of synthetic estrogen. Turing chose the latter, which ultimately rendered him impotent.

Turing's conviction also caused him to be barred from continuing his work with the British Signals Intelligence Agency. He was denied entry into the United States, and was deemed by many as a security risk.

All of this took a grave toll on Turing, and on June 8, 1954, he committed suicide, allegedly by biting into an apple laced with cyanide. Turing's conviction and treatment was a major blow to the justice system of the U.K., and his suicide a great loss for the world of science.

Many believe that the bitten apple in Apple's Logo is a tribute to Alan Turing. This belief is further strengthened by the fact that, the original logo had multicolored stripes on it, similar to the rainbow pattern on the LGBT flag.

The True Story Behind the Bite in the Apple Logo
Apple's logo was designed by graphics designer Rob Janoff. He first created the symbol of a bitten apple, and presented it to Steve Jobs with several monochromatic design themes. Jobs, however, wanted the logo to be colorized in order to add a human element to it. Also, the multicolored pattern that was chosen was to represent the fact that the Apple II could generate colored graphics.

According to Janoff, the apple with a bite was chosen purely for scaling purposes. In smaller versions of the logo, the apple was prone to being confused for a cherry, and therefore, the designer decided to add a bite into it to reinforce its identity as an apple.

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Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/legends-and-myths-about-the-bite-in-apples-logo.html

HIV / AIDS: Myths and Facts

That mosquitoes can spread HIV infection, that it can be cured very easily, and that protected sex is not required if infected by HIV, are some of the common myths associated with AIDS. There is a common misconception that HIV and AIDS are one and the same. In this Buzzle article, we bust some of the common myths related to HIV/AIDS.

Did You Know?

In the United States of America, every year around 50,000 people are infected by HIV.

Since the time HIV/AIDS came to light back in the 1980s, the viral infection has been plagued with misconceptions and myths. In today's times, guidelines about HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are easily available, yet some myths continue to circulate, which actually contribute to increasing the risk of HIV infection. This Buzzle article discusses the myths and facts that will help to debunk the misconceptions associated with HIV/AIDS.

Myth 1
Getting infected with HIV means the person is affected with AIDS.

Fact: HIV diagnosis does not always signal AIDS. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a condition in which the HIV infection has progressed to the advanced stage. When diagnosed in the initial stages and with the right treatment, the infection can be suppressed and prevented from reaching the final stages. So, early diagnosis is the key to prevent the infection from advancing to AIDS.

Myth 2
If both partners are HIV-infected, it is not necessary to have protected sex.

Fact: Risky sexual behavior by HIV-infected partners will only make the ongoing treatment ineffective. HIV is of two types viz, HIV-1 and HIV-2. Also, since the virus can mutate very easily, there are numerous strains among these 2 types of HIV. This means, the partners can get reinfected with different strains of HIV, if unsafe sex practices are followed. The resulting infection from exposure to multiple strains may not respond to current treatment. Hence, to avoid any complications, it is best to have protected sex.

Myth 3
Mosquitoes can spread HIV infection.

Fact: This myth stems from the fact that HIV infection is transmitted through blood. Although HIV is a blood-borne infection, it doesn't mean that a mosquito that has bitten an HIV-infected patient will transmit the virus after it bites a healthy person.

Although this theory may appear logical, extensive research has demonstrated that transmission of HIV does not occur through mosquito bites. First of all, when a mosquito or rather any insect bites, it only sucks the victim's blood and does not introduce its own blood into the victim's body. To be more specific, the mouth parts of the mosquito are of a needle-like structure. When bitten by a mosquito, the human body is exposed only to the mosquito saliva and not the blood.

Moreover, even if the virus is present in the mosquito's body, it does not live for long. This is because mosquitoes do not have the cells that help promote proliferation of the virus. So even if the mosquito gets exposed to the virus, it cannot cause any harm to the insect and is actually digested in its body.

Myth 4
Sexual activity with a virgin is a remedy for HIV/AIDS.

Fact: Also referred to as the virgin cure myth, this belief is as absurd as it can get. The virgin cleansing myth is said to be one of the possible reasons behind sexual abuse of children by HIV-infected men in South Africa. Although its origin cannot be traced in history, the myth became very popular during the 19th century Victorian era of the British Empire. In the Victorian England, it was also regarded as a remedy for sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and syphilis. The fact is that HIV is not curable and unsafe sex with a person (whether virgin or not) can actually increase the risk of HIV infection.

Myth 5
Getting diagnosed with HIV infection means the end of life.

Fact: Yes, the infection is incurable but patients can still lead a productive life, thanks to advancements in medical science. In the early 1980s, when the disease became known, patients survived only for a few years. However, today the lifespan of patients has improved tremendously. With proper care and treatment, the condition can now be managed effectively. New drugs that have been developed for treatment have substantially increased the life expectancy of HIV patients.

Myth 6
Getting infected with HIV is not a concern as a new class of drugs make the condition a trivial issue.

Fact: If considering HIV/AIDS as a death sentence is a wrong notion, then so is believing that the infection isn't serious as drugs are formulated to maintain the patient's health. Although the new drugs help to increase the lifespan of patients, one cannot forget that it is a lifelong treatment that can have various side effects, some of which are a cause for great concern. Also, every missed dose elevates the chances of drugs becoming ineffective. Moreover, the risk of virus showing resistance to the drug also exists. Yes, there have been advances in medical treatment but that shouldn't be an excuse for indulging in unsafe sexual behavior.

Myth 7
HIV transmission is not possible through oral sex.

Fact: Getting HIV infection through oral sex is far less common but one can still contract the virus, if the infected partner has sores or cuts in the oral cavity. Although one cannot catch the virus from transfer of saliva, an open wound such as bleeding gums is a potent source of infection that can transmit HIV.

Myth 8
In most cases, HIV/AIDS is associated with homosexual men.

Fact: Plenty of studies have shown that HIV/AIDS is far more common in heterosexuals than homosexuals. So considering the infection as a gay disease is also wrong.

Myth 9
People taking HIV treatment cannot spread the infection.

Fact: While the drugs are useful in controlling the infection, the virus can still be transmitted. Antiretroviral therapy is formulated to decrease the presence of virus in an infected person's blood but the infection is active enough to spread when indulging in risky sexual behavior.

Myth 10
People who contract HIV show the symptoms immediately.

Fact: A person may look healthy for years despite getting the HIV infection. Studies have shown that absence of symptoms in HIV-infected people can last for up to 10 years. Moreover, HIV symptoms are not diagnostic, hence the person is advised to undergo a blood test for diagnosis.

Myth 11
Birth control pills make women resistant to HIV.

Fact: Birth control pills are formulated to protect women from unplanned pregnancy. The pills do not provide any protection against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Latex condoms (and not birth control pills) can help in preventing HIV.

Myth 12
HIV/AIDS is a form of genocide.

Fact: The black community in the United States believed that HIV/AIDS is a government conspiracy to reduce their population. The belief stemmed from the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, a racially motivated study that was carried out from 1932 and 1972. The participants involved were African-American men and the study was conducted to investigate syphilis in the subjects.

In the study that lasted for 40 years, patients were not put on penicillin, despite the medication being approved in 1947 for syphilis treatment. While the study was found to be racist and unethical, the US Department of Health and Human Services has now enacted laws and regulations to prevent such morally wrong studies.

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Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/hiv-aids-myths-and-facts.html