TEMPE, Ariz. — Somewhere in the curriculum, most colleges and universities include Henry David Thoreau. Now, many of them are trying to emulate him. Yes, sweeping the academic world is Walden Pond 101: the art of living in a sustainable manner. Think environmental and social responsibility. One of the best examples of the ivory tower’s effort to tread lightly on the land is at Arizona State University. Next month, ASU will inaugurate the nation’s first School of Sustainability – whose classes will look at everything from water scarcity to urban air quality problems. It is one of many universities putting its intellect and talents to use in the name of ecology. These institutions are devoting more research to solving global climate problems, and they’re redesigning their own campuses to be examples of better ways to use and protect Earth’s resources. For some schools, the financial commitment to these issues has started to run into the millions of dollars, as they foot salaries for new specialists and pay the costs of creating green buildings. At the very least, many universities are creating new courses in response to student interest. ‘We have always looked to academia to think […]
Listen to the way people malign chocolate: Sinful! Decadent! To die for! There’s even that popular restaurant dessert known as ‘Death by Chocolate.’ But is this any way to talk about a loved one — especially during the season of comfort and joy? Bite your tongue! Evidence is mounting that some kinds of chocolate are actually good for you. Here’s the latest about the healthy side of your chocolate habit and taste-tested advice on what to try. Merry munching. A happier heart Scientists at the Harvard University School of Public Health recently examined 136 studies on coco — the foundation for chocolate — and found it does seem to boost heart health, according to an article in the European journal Nutrition and Metabolism. ‘Studies have shown heart benefits from increased blood flow, less platelet stickiness and clotting, and improved bad cholesterol,’ says Mary B. Engler, Ph.D., a chocolate researcher and director of the Cardiovascular and Genomics Graduate Program at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing. These benefits are the result of cocoa’s antioxidant chemicals known as flavonoids, which seem to prevent both cell damage and inflammation. Better blood pressure If yours […]
My best wishes to all of you. May you, and all those you care for, have the best of holidays, however you celebrate. May it be a time of joy, love, and good fellowship with family and friends. — Stephan
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas held a first official meeting in Jerusalem evening aimed at reviving the stalled peace process. Abbas and Olmert shook hands before the Palestinian leader’s motorcade left the premier’s official residence in Jerusalem following a two-hour meeting over dinner between the two teams, followed by one-on-one talks. Palestinian presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP that ‘the meeting was useful. It is the first and there will be many more meetings in the coming future. The sides agreed on many issues and we will keep discussing them.’ Olmert spokeswoman Miri Eisin confirmed the meeting had ended and that an official statement would be issued promptly. Abbas’s team included former prime minister Ahmed Qorei and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, while on Olmert’s side were his chief of staff Yoram Turbovitch and political advisor Shalom Turjeman. The long-awaited summit followed a series of preparatory meetings between officials on both sides, and came after six years of standstill in the Middle East peace process. Although this marked the first official encounter since Olmert was elected last March, the two leaders held an impromptu meeting during a gathering […]
More people in Britain think religion causes harm than believe it does good, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published today. It shows that an overwhelming majority see religion as a cause of division and tension – greatly outnumbering the smaller majority who also believe that it can be a force for good. The poll also reveals that non-believers outnumber believers in Britain by almost two to one. It paints a picture of a sceptical nation with massive doubts about the effect religion has on society: 82% of those questioned say they see religion as a cause of division and tension between people. Only 16% disagree. The findings are at odds with attempts by some religious leaders to define the country as one made up of many faith communities. Most people have no personal faith, the poll shows, with only 33% of those questioned describing themselves as ‘a religious person’. A clear majority, 63%, say that they are not religious – including more than half of those who describe themselves as Christian. Older people and women are the most likely to believe in a god, with 37% of women saying they are religious, compared with 29% of men. […]
Remote Viewing the Year 2060
