Old as Methuselah?

Old as Methuselah?  Well not quite, but according to Fox news, there may be an anti-aging drug that can possibly expand human life to an average of 120 years.  In a little while, 60 will be the new 40 and I will truly be 99 and still fine!

Belgian researchers have been testing a drug called Metformin, which is commonly used for diabetes, on roundworms.  The drug helps bring more oxygen to the cells, therefore slowing down the aging process. Metformin will be tried next on humans.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed.  If this is successful, people will be able to live longer and healthier lives.

I always said that I would live to be 128.  Looks like I may get my wish! 

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Source:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/12/02/new-anti-aging-drug-could-extend-human-life-span-to-120-years.html

Vampire Bambi?

With its fangs hanging ready for action, the Kashmir musk deer reappeared last year in Afghanistan 60 years after its last sighting in1948.  Luckily these herbivores aren’t in search for blood.  A bite from one of their fangs would make a nip from Dracula seem painless!

These fanged bucks bare their teeth to impress hot does, and to fight off other deer.  Unfortunately, while the deer are looking for does, hunters are looking for them.  Their meat is a local delicacy.  Apparently they are worth over $20,455 per pound ($45,000 per kilogram), according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, on the black market.  Their scent glands are used for medicines and perfumes.  Because of destruction of habitat and poaching, the musk deer has become an endangered species, and like vampires, they are pretty darn hard to photograph.

Have a happy and safe Halloween! 

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Works cited:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2014/10/31/fanged-deer-pops-up-in-afghanistan-60-years-after-its-last-appearance/

http://www.livescience.com/48585-fanged-deer-sighting-afghanistan.html

Marvin the Martian could be real…

Well, no.  He’s a Looney Tune cartoon, but scientists think they may have discovered water on Mars.  Water equals the prospect of life on the red planet.  For decades humans have been dreaming of aliens and now there may be proof that they could exist.

“Our quest on Mars has been to ‘follow the water,’ in our search for life in the universe, and now we have convincing science that validates what we’ve long suspected,” said John Grunsfeld, astronaut and associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. “This is a significant development, as it appears to confirm that water -- albeit briny -- is flowing today on the surface of Mars.” [1]

It is unclear if the salt content of the water on Mars is low enough to support Earth life, but the possible existence of water on the planet could mean that life once thrived there or/and microscopic life still strives there.  Area 51 doesn’t sound crazy now huh?   Maybe we’ll meet ET and Marvin the Martian sooner than we think.

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

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[1] https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-confirms-evidence-that-liquid-water-flows-on-today-s-mars

The Skinny on Water

Did you know that water has skin? Well kinda!  Water has skin in a sense that a molecular layer is formed at the top of it.  “It is not really true that a "skin" forms on the water surface; the stronger cohesion between the water molecules as opposed to the attraction of the water molecules to the air makes it more difficult to move an object through the surface than to move it when it is completely submerged.” (http://water.usgs.gov/edu/surface-tension.html)  

This is called surface tension.  Surface tension is the force that causes the molecules on the surface of a liquid to be pushed together and form a layer.  This layer or skin is what allows water to bead up and turn into drops. It also allows water to be filled up above the rim. Water is only second to mercury in having the greatest amount of service tension.  Small objects will float as long as the object doesn’t separate the top layer of water molecules. Surface tension allows light weight insects like water striders to literally walk on water.  Jesus must have been pretty light on his feet! 

The next time you drink a glass water, pause to think about how very cool it is!  Happy hydrating!  

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Give Us Free! (In Cinque's (Djimon Hounsou) voice from the movie Amistad)

No living being appreciates being caged up, and a bear at the Minnesota Zoo proved this yesterday when it picked up a big rock with both paws and repeatedly slammed it against the glass until it shattered.  The bear probably caught a glimpse of “Planet of the Apes” on some kid’s iPhone and decided to gain its freedom.  Maybe the bear thought to itself, “If one more beady-eyed human walks past my cage, I’m gonna grind their bones into dust!”  

Thank God it was a five pane glass barrier!  The glass stayed in place to the bear’s supreme disappointment.  No aminal or human was harmed.  Potential bear weapons are supposed to be in a secured place.  A representative from the zoo said they’ll have to make sure everything is anchored down correctly. The bears were pulled out of the open air exhibit that will remain closed to the public until repairs are made.

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Source: startribune.com 

Sit Down and Chill Out

Did you know that sitting down and chilling out at least once a day can help you live a healthier happier life?  Meditation isn’t a mystical thing.  It’s simply a continuous contemplation on something or absolutely nothing!  It’s quieting of the body and mind in order to reflect on self, the world around you, or spiritual matters. It’s good for you because it can:

•  lead to a deeper level of physical relaxation
• enhance energy, strength and vigor
• bring body, mind, spirit in harmony
• build self-confidence
• help with focus & concentration
• increase creativity
• increase emotional stability
• increase ability to solve complex problems
• provide peace of mind, happiness and deeper understanding of yourself and others 

There are many ways to meditate.   You can sit down, quiet yourself, and use your imagination or you can focus on something while you relax and breathe.  You can listen to soothing music, pray, think, or just be still.  Do whatever makes keeps you calm and quiet.  Taking time out to free yourself of stress can increase your lifespan and raise you happiness meter.  So take a seat!

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

It's Real If You Think It's Real...

Your thoughts are very powerful, so powerful that they can determine your physical and mental health.  This is proven by studying how placebos work.  A placebo is a prescribed pseudo-medication such as a sugar pill or salt water injection that is given to a patient under the pretense that it is real medication.  Studies have shown that patients feel better because they think they are being treated when in all actuality, they are not.  The belief that the placebo is real medication causes the brain to release morphine-like chemicals called endorphins to relieve their pain. 

On the opposite spectrum of things, people can experience an equally strong nocebo effect.  If patients are told that the placebo will cause negative side effects, people will start to experience negative side effects even if there is no scientific reason why those side effects should occur.  In one study, placebos were given to patients and told that the side effect was vomiting, by the end of the day, 80% of the patients were vomiting.

The mind is a powerful thing.  It is very true you are what you think you are, and you feel how you think you feel.   Keep mind over matter.  I hope this encourages you to stay positive!  

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Cool Cool Kids

 Children are such fascinating creatures.  I have three on them and they never cease to amaze me.  From their off center questions to their surreal dance moves, children make adults find it hard to imagine we were ever that small and full of wonder. Kids are a lot cooler than we could ever imagine.  That’s a big deal for me to admit because I think my children are the coolest kids in the world.  Here are ten cool things about children I bet you didn’t know.

•  Between birth and 3 years old, is the fastest stage of human development.
•  Children have 300 bones at birth but 206 in adulthood because many bones fuse together as the child gets older.
• The average 4 year old asks over 400 questions a day.  (I think that’s low balling!)
• In the 1600s, in England, boys and girls wore dresses until they were about 7 years old.
• Pharaoh Ramses II had over 160 children.  (Talk about being fruitful and multiplying!)  
• At birth babies have no knee caps.  (Since I’ve gained a few pounds, mine has disappeared as well.  Does that mean I’m looking younger? LOL)
• 60% of the energy a baby uses in the brain. (The world would be a better place if never grew out of this!)
• Alex Martin became the youngest card-carrying Mensa Member at age 3.
• Youngest children usually grow up to have creative careers.
• Watching TV can act as a natural pain killer for a child. (Step one in becoming a zombie.)

Hopefully these fun facts will give you a new appreciation to the little ones in the world.  Just another reason to love them even more!

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Sources:

http://www.10-facts-about.com/Children/id/22

http://onlinenursepractitionerschools.com/40-truly-amazing-facts-about-babies/

http://milwaukee.uwex.edu/files/2013/04/fast-facts-about-childrens-brain-development.pdf

http://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2014/07/10-fun-facts-about-childhood-development.html

http://thestir.cafemom.com/being_a_mom/171824/9_surprising_scientific_facts_about

Got Milk?

Painters and artists should be proud to know that their craft has been appreciated for at least a quarter of a billion years (according to Past Horizons and sciencedaily.com) or 125,000 years ago in South Africa (according to archeology.org).  Yes, you read correctly.  People have been wagging their brushes for eons and now a new paint mixture has been discovered.  The earliest form of paints were made of ochre which is any of various natural earths containing ferric oxide, silica, andalumina that are used as yellow or red pigments.  Now a research team led by the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa has discovered a milk-and ochre-based paint.  It is said to date back 49,000 years. 

It is unclear what paint was used for.  Some speculate it could be used for body decorating, painting objects such as wood and stone, or some sacred significance because of the use of the milk.  What every the use, it’s good to know that artist have been doing their thing since the dawn of time! 

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com.