KNIGHT WATCH

IS GOOD HEALTH GETTING BETTER?

A study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health found a 7-week acupuncture treatment helped many ease their chronic lower back pain. The patients volunteering for the study ranked their pain at least a 3 on a scale of 0 to 10 and were divided into groups. Some groups received usual care – medicine and doctor checkups. Other groups received usual care plus acupuncture. About 40% of volunteers receiving usual care improved. About 60% of those receiving usual care plus acupuncture improved. In acupuncture needles are inserted in specific points to get energy flowing. Unfortunately, acupuncture won’t work on the economy.

In May 2009 the Institute of Medicine issued new guidelines for how much weight women should gain during pregnancy. More than half of pregnant women don’t follow these guidelines; and unfortunately, more of them are heavier, older and have more pre-existing conditions than a decade ago – making extra pounds riskier. According to the guidelines, women with normal body mass indexes should gain 25 to 35 pounds; overweight women should gain 15 to 25 pounds; and for the first time there’s a recommendation for obese women. They should gain 11 to 20 pounds. Having a baby can be a weighty decision in more than one way.

A study published in the “Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry” found vitamin D may help to reduce mental decline later in life. Researchers compared the cognitive performance of more than 3,000 European men aged 40 to 79. After adjusting for education level, depression, physical activity and physical performance, those with low levels of vitamin D did less well on a task designed to test mental agility. Vitamin D is produced by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight, is present in some foods and is available in supplement form. It seems the “sunshine vitamin” could brighten futures.

Finally, the Dandelion School is Beijing’s only government-approved middle school for children of migrant workers. In 2006, in cooperation with China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the school gave students 3 fortified meals daily for 8 months. Migrant workers’ children come to school on average 4 inches shorter and 22 pounds lighter than average children their age. Blood tests before and after the 8-month experiment showed major improvements in the students’ nutrient levels. Before the fortified food experiment the passing rate was less than 1%. In 2008 it was 98% - fortifying the program’s permanence.

IS TECHNOLOGY GETTING LESS TECHNICAL?

NASA ran a nationwide, student contest to name its Mars Science Laboratory/Mars rover – launch date 2011. The contest received more than 9,000 entries from students from every state. Although many essays were excellent and several of the suggested names would have fit, the winning name was submitted by Clara Ma, a 12-year-old, 6th grader from Lenexa, Kansas. Clara wrote, “We have become explorers and scientists with our need to ask questions and to wonder”. Now the rover is officially named “Curiosity”. Although Clara thought of the name, the “i” in Curiosity represents all of us.

Using technology developed by a French engineer and significantly simpler than NASA’s, Zero Pollution Motors is powering a car with compressed air and a small engine. The “AirPod” is expected to cost $18,000-$20,000, have fuel economy equal to 100 mpg and emit only air at low speeds. When plugged into a wall outlet, an onboard compressor pressurizes the air tank to 4,500 pounds per square inch. Under 35 mph, released air powers the pistons. At faster speeds, the engine warms the air to speed its release. However, because engineering experts say compressing air is energy intensive, the AirPod might be just hot air.

Using very basic technology Maryland replaced lawn mowers with 40 goats to control plant growth in an area that also requires protecting bog turtles. It’s part of the governor’s “Smart Green and Growing” legislative package to reduce greenhouse gas 25% by 2020. Maryland, however, wasn’t first with goat power. Hampstead, New York uses goats for a 50-acre park/preserve. In Vail, Colorado 500 goats are used in public areas as an alternative to chemicals. In Denver “Goats at Work” signs alert passers-by to goats on lots managed by the park system. In the 21st century “getting you goat” has taken on new meaning.

Finally, in spite of technology, research published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” expects the number of diabetics worldwide to escalate from 240 million in 2007 to 380 million in 2025 – with more than 60% of them in Asia. Although obesity rates are much lower in Asia, the rapid growth of economic development, changing diets and more sedentary lifestyles have increased waistlines. Although Asians have lower body mass indexes, height to weight ratios predict higher rates of diabetes then in western countries. Asia is the world’s fastest growing region and it may become the fastest growing fattest too.

IS TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY TOMORROW'S FUTURE?

May 20, 2009 was a first. Astronauts aboard the space station drank water recycled from urine, sweat and water condensation from exhaled air. The urine recycling system is especially needed for outposts on the Moon and Mars, but it will also save NASA money by not having to ship as much water to the space station. The system’s ability to make about 6 gallons of water in about 6 hours will become even more important when the space station expands from 3 to 6 people. Today if you’re an astronaut, “urine” a unique group.

Farmers whose microchipped plants send text messages to the farmers’ cell phones asking for water are in a unique group. The thin sensor, which is smaller than a postage stamp, attaches to plant leaves like a clip-on earring. Using these sensors in the western U.S. to conserve water and the electricity needed to pump water across fields could save farmers hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly. The original “plant cell phone” was developed by NASA to reduce time and supplies needed to grow crops in space. Today’s version still needs a power source, but future sensors could have solar panels as technology grows too.

As technology grows, a New York company may have made the most significant change in publishing since Guttenberg started printing more than 500 years ago. “On Demand Books” has installed a trial machine in a London bookstore. Containing 500,000 digitally saved titles and another 500,000 expected in 3 months, the printer runs at about 100 pages a minute, pages are stuck and bound together and a book is turned out. Although the machine costs $175,000, books average $15 and will enable bookstores to compete with Internet stores and electronic books. Although it’s called the “Espresso”, this machine grinds out books.

To divert fishing and diving from natural reefs, the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, a retired Navy warship, ground to a halt when it was sunk in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The $8.6 million project is the world’s second-largest, artificial reef. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates the ship’s lifespan to be at least 100 years at 40-140 feet below water, providing a stable habitat for many fish species and exciting fishing and diving opportunities for residents and visitors. Because the Vandenberg reef is expected to increase spending in Monroe County by $7.5 million annually, their ship’s come in.

DO GOOD IDEAS HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE?

A woman’s activist group in Kenya urged women to withhold sex for 7 days to protest the shaky coalition between President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The coalition formed after post-election violence killed more than 1,000 people in 2008. Citizens of the east African nation are concerned that more violence will occur. Although one Kenyan husband sued the activists for the stress, mental anguish, backaches and lack of sleep he suffered because of losing his conjugal rights, the principal leaders met and supposedly worked to reform the country’s interior security. The “womancott” was successful!

A federally-funded study done at the University of Rochester found that taking ginger capsules several days before chemotherapy dramatically reduced nausea. The study divided 644 cancer patients from around the U.S. into 4 groups: ½ gram, 1 gram, 1 ½ grams and placebo. Although all doses of ginger were effective, the ½ and 1 gram doses were most effective, with patients experiencing on average 40% less nausea. Because ginger can interfere with blood clotting, patients should check with their doctors. However, just the affordability of $6 - $30 for 50 – 100 capsules could make cancer patients feel a little better.

The Veterans Conservation Corps, a program in Washington state, helps military veterans returning from deployment overseas study and train for green jobs and re-enter civilian life. In return, the veterans work on projects restoring state parks. However, VCC is more than job training – it is therapy. VCC helps veterans enroll in community colleges, where they become part of a network of veterans working on healthy, outdoor, park projects. Graduates of the program have gotten jobs with the state’s forestry and parks service or have started their own environmentally-oriented businesses. VCC helps military veterans become successful veterans of life.

Finally, although the U.S. leads in cyberspace, it’s in violation of World Trade Organization obligations because it prohibits Internet gambling. Delaware, however, has new legislation allowing the operation of sports books – a distinction previously belonging only to Nevada. Delaware expects to make more than $50 million a year in taxes from sports books. Because it has been estimated that the U.S. could make $52 billion in taxes from sports books in the next decade if Internet betting was allowed, Congressman Barney Frank plans to hold hearings on legalizing Internet gambling. If Americans can legally bet on four-legged animals, doesn’t Internet gambling seem like an overdue bet?

THEY'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING, RIGHT?

In Britain most foods aren’t subject to the 15% national tax, but potato chips are. In spite of that, a lower court decided Pringles weren’t chips and would remain exempt from the Value Added Tax. The British Court of Appeal disagreed. The judges said the snack contains “more than enough potato content” to be considered a chip. Because Proctor & Gamble, the manufacturers of Pringles, had been paying the tax protectively, it doesn’t owe money to the British government. This is according to a spokesperson for P&G – a chip off the old block.

Down the block a bit, the West Dorset District Council provided lollipops to pubs and clubs in the district as part of a weeklong, anti-noise campaign. The council hoped imbibers enjoyed the treat and remembered the message – or to quote one of the pub owners, “If they got something in their mouths, they wouldn’t be quite so loud when they left the premises”. Unfortunately, the noise problem has gotten considerably worse since England passed its 2007 indoor smoking ban, causing customers to smoke outside. However, putting a lollipop  in one’s mouth instead of a cigarette is a sweet idea.

The “Fling” is the first chocolate bar introduced by Mars in more than 20 years, but some people might not think it’s a sweet idea. Presently available only in California and online, Mars hopes women across the country will want Flings, the chocolate-covered finger (an industry term for a long, slim confection) wrapped in shiny pink and silver packaging. With the tagline “Naughty, but not that naughty” on the package, promotional postcards saying “Pleasure Yourself” and sexy television commercials, some think Mars has gone too far with its hyper-sexualized marketing. However, at 85 calories others think Flings are kind of naughty, but naughty and nice.

Nice is not a word that describes the May 21, 2009 event when an 11-year-old boy from Sandy, Utah tried to break the Guinness World Record for having the most live snails on his face. Undaunted by the 2007 record of 36 slimy mollusks on one’s face for 10 seconds, Fin Keheler made 3 attempts while sitting in a reclining chair and having snails from neighbors’ gardens carefully placed on his face. After 10 seconds, 43 snails remained. Fin’s family is now sending witness statements, as well as video and media coverage, to Guinness; and a decision is expected – at a snail’s pace.

WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG?

Women in Kuwait didn’t get the right to vote or run for political office until 2005. Four years later, in spite of strong opposition from Sunni Islamist politicians, four women won seats in the 50-member parliament. Aseel al-Awadhi, a U.S. educated, philosophy professor at Kuwait University, was accused by her religiously conservative opponents of being an infidel. They recorded and edited her lectures to make it seem she was against Islamic Sharia law. The women’s victory, seen as a victory for moderates, will enable them to fight against laws that don’t treat women equally – a fight still being fought in the U.S.

The boom in health clubs in Baghdad is a sign Iraq is emerging from decades of dictatorship and war. The arrival of satellite television opened the city’s eyes to being fit. At least 300 gyms and fitness centers are open, compared to about 30 before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Most Baghdad gyms – now with loud music, mirrored walls and protein drinks for sale – are men-only; but some have designated women-only hours. Although the improved security has made the gym boom possible, the streets still aren’t as safe as they were under Saddam. Nevertheless, the future is looking healthier.

Club Bounce is a Long Beach, California nightclub that caters to plus-sized people. According to Lisa Marie Garbo, the 40-year-old entrepreneur, “Club Bounce is a size-acceptance nightclub”. It’s a place where people can be comfortable and not feel like second-class citizens because of being overweight. It’s where fat is phat. Although Club Bounce is only open on weekends, it’s been a 5-year success. In fact, Garbo has opened a sister nightclub in Phoenix and plans to open another in Hollywood. Club Bounce is where people of any size and shape can go for a big night out.

When spending the night out in a hotel, guests are discovering hotels are being more creative stocking their mini bars to encourage guests to return. What is stocked in these bars is meant to reflect the hotel’s personality. The mini bars at China’s Banyan Tree Ringha, 10,000 feet above sea level, contain cans of oxygen. The mini bars at the W. Retreat & Spa in the Maldives contain Heidi Klein bikinis. The Mondrian in Los Angeles stocks Alice in Wonderland hand mirrors designed by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz. However, the Omni Hotel in New Orleans stocks make-your-own Love Voodoo Kits – maxing out its mini bars.

AREN'T WE THE "US" IN STIMULUS?

In 2008 the Federal Reserve increased the country’s money supply by almost 10% - $700 billion. However, in 2009 the Mint will make only 3 billion coins – 70% less than in 2008. This change is attributed to a decreased need by retail and to people cashing in saved coins, thus putting more coins back into circulation. Because the Mint funds its operations through sales of collectible and bouillon coins – making a $750 million profit for the Treasury in 2008 – the decision to reassign specialized workers, instead of laying them off, won’t cost U.S. citizens a dime.

Outside an Omaha gas station people who filled out a survey were given a $5 bill, five $1 bills or five $1 coins. When these people came out of the convenience store, the researcher asked to see their receipts. People given coins spent the most, people given dollar bills spent a little less and people given a $5 bill kept it in their pocket. Because people are more willing to spend smaller denominations, U.S. economists suggested increasing the circulation of $1 coins and introducing $2 coins – unfortunately not “coin”ciding with Federal Reserve plans.

The plan for baggage fees has been a billion-dollar lifesaver for struggling airlines. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 2008 baggage fees totaled $1.15 billion. In February 2008 United started charging $25 for a second, checked bag. In July US Airways started charging $15 for the first, checked bag. Competing airlines followed suit. American Airlines topped the industry with baggage fees of $278 million, followed by US Airways with $187 million and Delta with $177 million. Of the 7 major airlines Southwest earned the least in baggage fees - $25 million. Today editor/politician Horace Greeley might have advised “Fly Southwest, young man”.

Of course, better advice might be to fly to North Dakota. Just before the earliest recession signs, there was a surprisingly steep decline in the population growth of children less than one year old. According to census figures, the number of babies increased only 0.9% between July 2007 and July 2008 – a sizable drop from the record-setting 2.7% increase the previous year. On closer look, however, housing prices had almost peaked in 2007, gasoline prices were going up and banks were starting to fail. Although 13 states reported fewer babies in 2008, North Dakota had a 3.6% increase – primarily due to those three, little words – they have oil.

ISN'T THERE AN "I" IN ENVIRONMENT?

Neighborhood organizations across the U.S. are using a new weapon to help the environment – seed balls. Developed in Japan, the balls are made of drought-resistant seeds native to the area mixed with mulch and kneaded into red terra-cotta clay. Red terra-cotta clay doesn’t affect plant growth, but it protects the seeds from birds and rodents. When the balls are dry, they’re dropped on dirt piles and thrown into abandoned lots. After 3-5 rains the balls break down and the seeds germinate. With city resources strained, citizens are improving their own environments – and having a ball.

Officials in the small English village of Navestock – 25 miles northeast of London – are considering a unique way to improve their environment. Complaints from residents about drivers speeding through the village have resulted in requests for speed bumps. However, instead of providing speed bumps, the village officials proposed not filling potholes. According to one councilor, that would help return many smaller roads to their original status of country lanes. The plan would be to fill potholes on certain roads to encourage use and leave potholes on other roads as speed deterrents – saving both lives and money.

To save lives the American Lung Association’s 2009 “State of the Air” report warns there are times when air is unhealthy in almost every major city. In fact, 60% of Americans live in cities with unhealthy air. The 5 most ozone-polluted cities are Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, California; Bakersfield, California; Visalia-Porterville, California; Fresno-Madera, California; and Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, Texas. Although the last 9 reports show that the Los Angeles area has the highest levels of ozone pollution, Los Angeles has seen improvement in its air quality for the past decade. Maybe it’s improved enough to be able to see what else needs to be done.

Leaves can help see what needs to be done. Leaves collect microscopic particles of pollution generated by humans. Particulate air pollution is a dangerous mix of chemicals caused by power plants and vehicle engines burning fossil fuels. When inhaled, this fine dust can inflame lungs and invade bloodstreams, livers and brains. According to scientists at the University of Lancaster, leaves – over a 7 to 10-day period – can accurately reflect ambient pollution levels and show concentrations can fluctuate by a factor of 10 or more within several city blocks. If leaves can be used worldwide as street-level, pollution monitors, we’ll have another reason to look up to them   

DOES ANYONE MISS THE OLD DAYS?

In spite of the economy, Boeing is proceeding with its new 787 airplane. The “Dreamliner” is designed to carry 200-300 passengers on long, international routes. Boeing plans test flights for 8-9 months, starting in June 2009 – less test flights than usual because the plane is 2 years behind schedule. Boeing’s new approach to plane building has been the primary cause of delay. Most major parts come preassembled from places like France, Italy, Japan and Sweden and are put together in the Everett, Washington factory. If Boeing delivers the 861 Dreamliners on order, the company will make $144 billion. If not, Boeing dreams on.

Many airlines are moving toward the dream of paperless check-in by increasing what customers can do with Internet-enabled mobile phones. Customers can check-in on their phone just like they do with online Web sites. The final result is the appearance of a boarding pass with a square bar code on the mobile phone browser. The bar code can be read by scanners at security and boarding gates. It sounds good, but maybe some people will miss the old days when they couldn’t rush through the airport to wait at security.

Security is what a federally proposed ban on Bisphenol A is about. BPA is a plastic additive used in food and beverage containers and high doses of it can cause reproductive abnormalities and cancer in animals. In the body BPA can act like a weak estrogen; and because it is used so widely, most people have detectable levels. Because scientists aren’t sure this poses a health risk, the ban is based on the precautionary principle, allowing governmental action without clear threat of harm. Baby bottles are now made without BPA; and because studies have shown BPA leaches out of plastic when heated, precautionary action sounds wiser than postcautionary.

Precautionary might describe the Milwaukee police department being one of a growing number of police and fire departments using the social network Twitter to contact the public within seconds via the Web or mobile phones. In 140 characters or less some departments notify people of traffic problems, explain why they are in certain locations or give crime prevention tips. Others encourage leads on investigations. The Milwaukee police have about 900 “followers” – people signed up to automatically receive all their text-messages. Unfortunately, anyone can go on these sites pretending to be police or firefighters – and that’s not a Tweet thought.

ARE GOOD IDEAS RECEDING IN THE RECESSION?

Because charitable donations have been going down with the economy, people are forming “giving circles” – pooling money to have a bigger impact on a charity. “GAGLE” – Gather and Give, Let’s Eat – is a giving circle in Washington, D.C. It’s a group of about 24, young professionals, giving $75-$200 each. Monthly meetings are social occasions and opportunities to interview representatives from charities they’re considering for their almost $2,000 donation. They also volunteer at charities in which they’re interested in order to check them out. Although there’s a growing need for giving circles, about 600 circle the country now.

The country is also circled by wireless technology. During the last half of 2008 the number of U.S. households using only cell phones outnumbered those using only landlines 20% to 17%. That was an increase of about 3% over the first half of 2008 – the largest, 6-month increase since the government started collecting data in 2003. Those likeliest to live in wireless-only households are people 18-29, the poor, renters, Hispanics, Midwesterners, Southerners and those living with unrelated adults. It costs more for pollsters to call cell phones because of federal laws prohibiting the use of computer calls. That’s another reason to go wireless.

Then there’s stealth advertising. It’s so low-key it doesn’t seem like advertising. For example, Levi Strauss made a Web video showing guys jumping, swinging and back-flipping into jeans. Then Levi Strauss paid Feed Co. to put the video and conversation about it on the Web, resulting in 14 million views and the viewers doing the marketing. The video was featured in the online Wall Street Journal and New York Times, on Letterman, MSNBC and Good Morning America – free. Thirty seconds on network morning shows cost $100,000-$200,000 – which puts the steal in stealth advertising.

The French are experiencing a different type of stealing. Because France is facing its worst economy in 30 years, some French are pawning prized wines. A recent auction of 2,500 bottles at “Credit municipal de Paris” raised $273,000. A bottle of 1982 Chateau Petrus sold for $2,660. A 5-bottle box of 1990 Chateau Margaux sold for $3,270. Six bottles of 2000 Chateau Lafite Rothschild sold for $5,450. An increasing number of French people needing money prefer trading bottles of wine for quick cash than having to pay off interest-bearing loans. Credit municipal pays half-price for wines and sells them at market price or more. C’est la vie.