Compound in extra-virgin olive oil help prevent, treat Alzheimer's

Compound in extra-virgin olive oil help prevent, treat Alzheimer's

Here's a little something that will make those of us who are long-in-the-tooth perk up.

Quote:

PHILADELPHIA (September 29, 2009) -- Oleocanthal, a naturally-occurring compound found in extra-virgin olive oil, alters the structure of neurotoxic proteins believed to contribute to the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease. This structural change impedes the proteins' ability to damage brain nerve cells.

Known as ADDLs, these highly toxic proteins bind within the neural synapses of the brains of Alzheimer's patients and are believed to directly disrupt nerve cell function, eventually leading to memory loss, cell death, and global disruption of brain function.

"Binding of ADDLs to nerve cell synapses is thought to be a crucial first step in the initiation of Alzheimer's disease. Oleocanthal alters ADDL structure in a way that deters their binding to synapses," said William L. Klein, PhD, who co-led the research with Breslin. "

More here ==> http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releas...-omh092909.php

Kashmir girl fights off militants

Here is an uplifting tale from Kashmir. If more people would try this, the armed gangs in the neighbourhood would be looking for a another line of work!

BBC NEWS

Kashmir girl fights off militants
A teenage girl says she killed a militant with his own gun after insurgents attacked their home in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Three militants stormed into Rukhsana Kauser's home in a remote village in Jammu region on Monday and started beating her parents in front of her, while four more waited outside. One of the militants wanted to marry Ms Kauser against her will, police said. Ms Kauser, 18, and her brother turned on the gunmen, killing one and injuring two more.

“ I had never touched a rifle before this, let alone fired one - but I had seen heroes firing in films ”, said Rukhsana Kauser "My parents told me to hide under the bed and then opened the door." "Without saying anything they [the militants] started beating my parents and my uncle. They beat them so badly that my parents fell on the ground. I could not see that, and pounced on one of the militants while my brother hit him with an axe," she said. "I thought I should try the bold act of encountering militants before dying."

Ms Kauser said she grabbed one of the militants by the hair and banged his head against the wall. When he fell down she hit him with an axe, before snatching his rifle. "I fired endlessly. The militant commander got 12 shots on his body."

Her brother, Eijaz, 19, grabbed one of the other militants' guns and also began shooting, and a four hour gun battle ensued.

The militants escaped and are now being sought by police who are using their blood trails as clues.

India raises nuclear stakes

India raises nuclear stakes

Quote: India can now build nuclear weapons with the same destructive power as those in the arsenals of the world’s major nuclear powers, according to New Delhi’s senior atomic officials.

They said India had built weapons with yields of up to 200 kilotons, which would be considered a “proper strategic deterrent” by the global community. A nuclear weapon above 50 kilotons is considered high yield. India’s enhanced capability gives it a considerable edge over Pakistan, its nuclear-armed arch-rival.

In my humble opinion we are not paying nearly enough attention to the nuclear threat to the world from India and Pakistan. They hate each other with a passion and both have enough nuclear weapons to cause nuclear winter if they start lobbing their nukes at each other. If the Taliban is victorious in Pakistan, India would, most likely, launch a pre-emptive strike. The Taliban threat draws closer every day.

Mr. Obama has revealed he is a paper tiger, not willing or able to help either India or Israel.

Wars and rumours of war... Just like the Bible says.

//rb