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Scientists from Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, have found that boa constrictors halt squeezing a prey when their victim’s heart stops.

This accurate calculation of death, while seemingly just cruel, allows the snake to expend the minimum amount of energy

Scientists discovered boas can actually “feel” their victim’s heartbeat after a series of experiments.

First they used dead rats with implanted “simulated hearts” (water-filled bulbs connected to a pump) to lure the snakes.

Scientists from Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, have found that boa constrictors halt squeezing a prey when their victim's heart stops

Scientists from Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, have found that boa constrictors halt squeezing a prey when their victim's heart stops

When the boas struck out at the rats the scientists controlled their fake hearts remotely.

They also measured the pressure of the squeeze on the rat’s bodies to see whether the snake adjusted according to heartbeat strength.

When scientists kept the hearts pumping, they found the snakes clung onto the rats for “longer than any previous observation of a snake constricting a prey item – live or dead”.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes the first time we tested a snake with a rat with a simulated heart,” lead researcher, Dr. Scott Boback, from Dickinson College, told BBC Nature.

“It was writhing and squeezing the rat in an apparent effort to kill it.”

The team then tried the same experiment with live rats.

The scientists found the boas constricted the rats and then gradually eased off as their prey’s heartbeat dwindled.

“There was such a clear difference I knew we were discovering something interesting,” Dr. Scott Boback said.

In a summary of the study, published in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters, the scientists wrote: “Many of us think of snakes as audacious killers, incapable of the complex functions we typically reserve for <<higher>> vertebrates.

“We found otherwise.”

The scientists added the snakes’ sense of touch may mean the serpents are “capable of things that we did not realize before”.

“For instance, snakes may utilize this acute tactile sense to coordinate complex movements associated with limbless locomotion,” said Dr. Scott Boback.

Royal Marines and Scotland Yard took command of the River Thames yesterday in a determined show of strength as part of a security exercise for the London Olympics called Operation Woolwich Arsenal Pier.

Elite military and police teams joined forces in a combined exercise to give a glimpse of the sheer scale of the Britain’s biggest peacetime security operation yesterday.

The British forces show was designed to test the water for the joint operation, and to illustrate the country’s readiness against terrorism.

Around 100 marines and 50 officers rehearsed a string of high-speed drills amid fears attackers could use the waterways to launch onslaughts on London landmarks.

About 50 marine police officers in rigid inflatables and fast response boats were joined by up to 100 military personnel and a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter for the exercises.

Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, head of the force’s security operation for the Games, said a Mumbai-style terror attack was one of a host of potential threats to the games.

Royal Marines and Scotland Yard took command of the River Thames yesterday in a determined show of strength as part of a security exercise for the London Olympics called Operation Woolwich Arsenal Pier

Royal Marines and Scotland Yard took command of the River Thames yesterday in a determined show of strength as part of a security exercise for the London Olympics called Operation Woolwich Arsenal Pier

Speaking on the shores of the Thames, Chris Allison said: “There is no specific threat from the river but we would be failing in our duty to ignore it at games time.

“What you have seen today is the sort of things we can do.”

Despite a heavy military presence on show today, Chris Allison insisted the sporting event would remain a “blue games”.

The Thames runs directly past the O2 Arena, which will be known as the North Greenwich Arena for the purpose of the Games, when it will host events including gymnastics.

The river will also be used to transport tourists between venues via water buses and a new cable car.

Typhoon jets and HMS Ocean, the largest ship in the Royal Navy’s fleet, will eventually be deployed to protect the London 2012 Games along with up to 13,500 military personnel.

“If we need the military support, it is there,” Chris Allison said.

“All of our planning is designed to mitigate against potential risks during the summer of 2012, and this is an example of where we will be using specialist military capability to support us.

“This exercise is not in response to any specific threat, but is part of our planning to pre-deploy certain specialist assets to bolster our operation.

“This will be a summer like no other in London. The Thames runs through the very heart of our capital and will be a popular place for people who want to be part of the Olympic spirit.

“This is all part of our planning to ensure this summer’s events take place safely and securely.”

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Sarah Burke, the Canadian freestyle skier, has died from injuries sustained in a training accident, a family spokeswoman says.

Sarah Burke, 29, helped bring freestyle skiing events to the Winter Olympics, and was considered a gold medal contender for the 2014 Games.

The Canadian freestyle skier was injured in a superpipe accident at Park City in the US state of Utah.

Tests showed Sarah Burke sustained “irreversible damage to her brain” her spokeswoman said.

Sarah Burke, the Canadian freestyle skier, has died from injuries sustained in a training accident

Sarah Burke, the Canadian freestyle skier, has died from injuries sustained in a training accident

Sarah Burke was airlifted to hospital after her crash on 11 January.

Sarah Burke, the four-time Winter X Games champion crashed on the same superpipe where snowboarder Kevin Pearce suffered a traumatic brain injury during a training accident in late 2009.

The best-known athlete in her sport, Sarah Burke specialized in skiing the superpipe – a version of a traditional halfpipe with walls over 5 m (16ft) high.

“Sarah, in many ways, defines the sport,” Peter Judge, chief executive of Canada’s freestyle team, said before she died.

“She’s been involved since the very, very early days as one of the first people to bring skis into the pipe.”

“She’s also been very dedicated in trying to define her sport but not define herself by winning. For her, it’s been about making herself the best she can be rather than comparing herself to other people.”

A native of Midland, Ontario, Sarah Burke won was named female action sports athlete of the year by TV network ESPN in 2007.

Sarah Burke tore her vertebral artery as a result of the fall, which led to severe bleeding on the brain. That caused her to go into cardiac arrest on the scene, where CPR was performed.

“The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the international outpouring of support they have received from all the people Sarah touched,” Nicole Wool, her spokeswoman said.

Sarah Burke’s organs and tissues were donated as per her wishes.

The sport’s leaders defend the safety record of the superpipe and other freestyle events, pointing to requirements for mandatory helmet use, air bags on the sides of pipes during practice and better pipe-building technology.

“There are inherent risks in everything,” Peter Judge said prior to her death.

“Freestyle is a very safe sport in large part because we had to build a safe sport in order to get into the Olympics.”

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Italian media reported today that a mystery woman was on the bridge alongside cowardly captain Francesco Schettino when Costa Concordia cruise ship ran aground off Giglio island on Friday night.

The blonde woman is a 25-year-old Moldovan crew member who was not properly identified by investigators as she reportedly did not appear on any official manifest for the Costa Concordia.

The woman was identified as passenger rep Domnica Cemortan, possibly hired without a proper contract. Reports speculated she may have been on the bridge because Captain Francesco Schettino was trying to impress her.

Prosecutor Francesco Verusio had asked police to try and trace the woman, pictured on the doomed Costa Concordia just before it left Civitavecchia harbor on the evening it ran aground.

Domnica Cemortan is swiftly emerging as a key witness to the chain of events up until the liner struck an underwater reef just off the island of Giglio.

Witnesses have said that she appeared to know Francesco Schettino.

But a statement from Costa Cruises later confirmed Domnica Cemortan was an authorized passenger.

The statement said: “Costa Cruises would like to clarify that the law as it stands, safety regulations and the control systems applied meticulously by the company do not permit the embarkation of unregistered passengers.

“Based on the pictures broadcast by the media, the woman stated as being in the company of Captain Schettino on the evening of January 13th was certainly embarked on January 13th in Civitavecchia and duly registered.

“The company is ready to provide the authorities, when requested, with the identity of the person and the number of the ticket purchased.”

Investigators want to find out where Domnica Cemortan was at the moment the Costa Concordia hit the rocks.

Domnica Cemortan, from Chisnau, Moldova, was working as a passenger rep for Costa Cruises

Domnica Cemortan, from Chisnau, Moldova, was working as a passenger rep for Costa Cruises

There is also the possibility Domnica Cemortan would have key evidence on what happened in the moments after the fatal “sail by” which was apparently carried out by Francesco Schettino as a “salute” to a former captain.

It is believed that Domnica Cemortan, from Chisnau, Moldova, was working as a passenger rep for Costa Cruises and gave a brief interview to the media defending Francesco Schettino, adding that his actions had helped save the lives of holidaymakers and crew.

Domnica Cemortan has also said in an interview on Moldovan TV that she did have dinner with the captain, but that she went to the bridge after the impact to give instructions to Russian speaking passengers.

Italian newspapers suggested that she was the blonde woman seen dining with Francesco Schettino at around 9:00 p.m. – just under 30 minutes before the disaster – but there is also the possibility she may have been the guest of another officer on the liner.

Last night in a bizarre twist a male passenger had to be taken off the Costa Concordia’s sister ship Serena after suffering a heart attack as the liner sailed past Giglio at the start of a seven-day cruise.

Searching has resumed on the stricken vessel with divers focusing primarily on the stern by the deck four restaurant muster station, where the majority of the 21 people still listed as missing were thought to be.

A team of medical scientists, led by a cell biologist from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Bruce M. Spiegelman, discovered a hormone, called irisin, that appears to increase fat burning and to improve glucose homeostasis.

These findings might play a great role in fighting obesity and controlling hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

The study was published this month in Nature, International weekly journal of science.

Irisin is produced by muscles during the exercise and has the ability to convert white adipose cells into a brown-fat-like development.

It has powerful effects on the browning of certain white adipose tissues,” cell cultures as well as in living animals, the researchers wrote.

The white fat is the “bad fat” that makes the belly look unaesthetic, and, worse, can clog the arteries leading to heart attack or stroke. Brown fat is the “good fat” that can easy be transformed in energy, leaving no trace. Brown fat can be found in young mammals, as well as in children. As you grow older, the brown adipose cells diminish.

We knew the effect wasn’t only limited to muscle,” said Pontus Bostrom, cell biologist at Harvard and member of the team.

There has been a sensation in the field that work out ‘talks to’ various tissues in the human body. But the problem has been, how?” said Bruce Spiegelman.

Researchers found out that exercise can increase the expression of a membrane protein (FNDC5) from what irisin is produce.

They have studied mice that were let to do three weeks of free-wheel running. Irisin levels arised by 65 percent. In the persons who underwent ten weeks of “supervised endurance exercise training,” irisin levels doubled.

The team introduced into obese mice bodies (mice fed with a high-fat diet) viruses carrying a synthesized gene. This gene triggered a cascade of reactions leading to an increased secretion of irisin. Even a short course of FNDC5 and a small increase in irisin levels led to some weight loss. Fat burning increased like after exercising, growth hormone levels were elevated, blood sugar levels (glycemia) were lowered. Their muscles consumed more oxygen (burned more calories), their growing insulin resistance was reversed and their glucose tolerance was improved.

The medical scientists injected those mice with anti-FNDC5 antibodies to stop the secretion of irisin, and as a result after ten days of swim training they had the same weight.

 

Irisin losing weight hormone

Irisin might make the way to lose weight more easy.

 

Irisin seems to be a promising remedy for diabetes, obesity, and probably neurological disorders as Parkinsons.

In the future, we hope to be able to give this as a therapeutic to treat metabolic diseases, but there’s a long road ahead,” said Pontus Bostrom.

The medical team wants to find out if long-term treatment with irisin can lead to more weight loss and control obesity-related conditions (hypertension, heart disease, diabetes).

Whether long treatments with irisin an/or higher doses would cause more weight loss remains to be determined,” wrote the researchers.

However, even as a treatment or a dietary supplement, this hormone will be able to help a person to lose weight in an easier manner, but it cannot replace the exercise.

The very last factor in the planet we’re striving to do is substitute for diet and workout,” said Spiegelman.

Regular exercise leads to improvements in metabolic function and other processes (such as inflammation) that obesity aggravates.

Irisin was named after the Greek messenger goddess, Iris, it is a way to say that this hormone carries a message of health throughout the body.

 

Lauren Scruggs, the model and fashion blogger who lost her left hand and left eye after she walked into a spinning plane propeller, has been pictured in public for the first time since the horrific accident.

Lauren Scruggs was spotted leaving a hospital in Dallas, where she has been recovering since the accident, with her parents on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old model is said to be doing well despite her appalling ordeal, and she looked in good spirits as she faced the camera again.

As she walked rigidly upright wearing stylish sneakers, pedal-pushers and a blue halterneck top, Lauren Scruggs also had a baseball cap pulled down over her face, hiding her bandaged left eye.

Lauren Scruggs was spotted leaving a hospital in Dallas, where she has been recovering since the accident, with her parents on Tuesday

Lauren Scruggs was spotted leaving a hospital in Dallas, where she has been recovering since the accident, with her parents on Tuesday

Lauren Scruggs’ left sleeve was left hanging unobtrusively down by her side, to avoid drawing attention to her injury.

Her public appearance comes after it was revealed that the pilot of the plane which injured her tried to warn her to avoid the propeller.

Curt Richmond revealed to air safety officials that he put his arm up and yelled at Lauren Scruggs as she tried to walk in front of the plane on December 3 at Aero County Airport in McKinney, Texas.

Curt Richmond, who has not spoken publicly about the accident, said the plane’s engine was still running and he told the young woman to walk behind the plane and out of harm’s way.

The pilot put down his arm and turned away from Lauren Scruggs when he thought she had turned to walk away from the spinning propeller, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board.

But it’s unclear whether Lauren Scruggs heard his warning over the roar of the engine.

Moments later, someone on the ground screamed “Stop! Stop!” and Curt Richmond saw Lauren Scruggs laying on the tarmac. He immediately cut the engine.

Investigators say Lauren Scruggs walked into the whirling propeller blades on the front of the plane after a 30-minute plane ride to look at Christmas lights from the sky.

Curt Richmond, believed to be a friend of Lauren Scruggs’, had left the engine running while new passengers filed into the small plane as he prepared another trip to the skies.

The NTSB did not find fault with the pilot for the accident but at least one aviation expert said Curt Richmond is ultimately responsible.

“The bottom line is, he should have shut the engine down,” air safety investigator Denny Kelly said.

“The bottom line is he made a mistake.”

Lauren Scruggs, who has been recovering in hospital since the accident, wrote on the LoLo magazine website for the first time earlier this month.

The model said: “I don’t know how to thank each one of you, properly, for so much love during this difficult incident in my life. My heart is so grateful beyond what I could ever imagine.

“So thank you dearly for the sweet encouragements, the precious words in letters and messages, the beautiful grace in pretty presents, but mostly I am so so thankful for you and your loving hearts and sweet spirits.”

Lauren Scruggs, a communications graduate who is known to her friends as Lo, had just got off of the plane after viewing Christmas lights from above Dallas when the tragedy struck.

She has been in intense rehabilitation ever since.

Lauren Scruggs made her first trip outside the hospital last week, taking a break from her four-and-a-half weeks of intense rehab.

Her mother, who has updated her daughter’s progress on the CaringBridge account, wrote of their visit to Whole Foods: “We had many complete strangers stop us, with tears in their eyes, saying they have been praying for Lo and for our family.”

She recently posted that her daughter is adjusting to her new life and that simple tasks such as “typing an email” are heightened.

“Many have told us how the accident has them seriously thinking about how important God needs to be in their lives, or how it has helped them refocus where they have gotten off track in their spiritual walk.”

In addition to losing her hand and eye, Lauren Scruggs suffered from brain injuries and scaring to half of her face.

Doctors removed her left eye on December 15 and since then she has been in intensive therapy to relearn how to walk, talk, use a stationary bike and even dress herself.

Friends, family and members of the community have so far raised $10,000 to help with her medical bills.

Most recently Lauren Scruggs’ twin sister Brittany Morgan reported feeling sympathetic pain in her own left eye.

“Being twins, and having a bond that most never understand, Britt’s left eye has been twitching for the last 4-5 days every 30 seconds or so,” their mother wrote late last month.

“She knows it’s because of the deep connection she and Lo have, and God allowing her to go through this with her at the <<twin>> level.”

In the build-up to the holiday, Lauren Scruggs’ mother reported her daughter/stylist and fashion blogger’s further strides in her recovery.

She managed to cook scrambled eggs, dress herself, brush her teeth and her hair and take a shower without help, her mother wrote on the webpage.

“Lo is making remarkable strides!” Lauren Scruggs’ mother wrote.

“Her spirit is incredible. She’s positive, hungry and cheery! Her appetite is very healthy, even though she is still taking lots of pain medication.”

December 3rd 2011: Lauren Scruggs walks into an aeroplane propeller at Aero County Airport in McKinney, Texas. She is hospitalized with serious injuries.

December 5th: Lauren Scruggs talks for the first time since the accident, saying her name and telling her family: “I love you.”

December 7th: Lauren Scruggs takes her first steps, but is still being operated on.

December 8th: Lauren Scruggs sees her face in the mirror and says: ‘It’s not that bad.’

December 10th: Lauren Scruggs smiles and raises her eyebrows, showing that her facial nerves were not as badly damaged as was initially feared.

December 12th: Lauren Scruggs is back on solid foods and eats sweet potatoes and hard-boiled eggs.

December 14th: Doctors operate on Lauren Scruggs to remove her left eye, usually a very painful operation.

January 3rd 2012: Lauren Scruggs leaves hospital for the first time, taking a trip to Whole Foods with her mother.

January 9th: Lauren Scruggs returns to her website, LoLo, to post a message of thanks for her supporters, family and friends.

Proteus Biomedical, Redwood City, California, and the healthcare company Lloydspharmacy are about to launch digital pills in the United Kingdom, as they announced on January 13.

When a person is prescribed multiple drugs, that are required to be taken at various times, the compliance with physician’s advice becomes very difficult.

Anyone taking several medications knows how easy it can be to lose track of whether or not you’ve taken the correct tablets that day. Add to that complex health issues and families caring for loved ones who many not live with them and you can appreciate the benefits of an information service that helps patients to get the most from their treatments and for families to help them to remain well,” said Steve Gray, healthcare services director of Lloydspharmacy.

According to World Health Organization around 50% of all patients do not take their medicines correctly. This can lead to people not getting the full benefits of treatment, or to harmful side-effects. NHS spends £400m a year on unused prescription medicines.

Digital pills or “intelligent medicines” help patients and their care-givers to keep track of which pills are taken at what time of day by chronically-ill patients, especially those with mental health problems.

The “digital health product” (Helius) consists in “sensor-enabled tablets” designed to supervise patients’ medication use. The digestible sensor, smaller than a grain of sand, triggers the transmission of medical information from a patient’s body to the mobile phone of a relative or a care-giver.

The most important and basic thing we can monitor is the actual physical use of the medicine. We have tested the system in hundreds of patients in many different therapeutic areas. It’s been tested in tuberculosis, in mental health, in heart failure, in hypertension and in diabetes,” said Andrew Thompson, chief executive of Proteus.

In the future the goal is a fully integrated system that creates an information product that helps patients and their families with the demands of complex pharmacy. What we know is that we’ve created many pharmaceuticals with great potential but much of that potential is not realized because these drugs are not being used properly,” he said.

Sensors called “ingestible event markers” can be taken with medicines or during the production will be incorporated into pills. In this system, the sensors will be embedded in a placebo to be taken alongside a medicine. The edible microchip records the details of a patient’s pill regime.

How do the digital pills work?

The sensors are activated by stomach acid. They are powered like a “potato battery” (two different metals generate a current when inserted into the vegetable). Every sensor includes a very small quantity of copper and magnesium separated by a silicon membrane.

If you swallow one of these devices, you are the potato that creates a voltage, and we use that to power the device that creates the signal,” said Thompson.

A device is attached to the skin (like a patch or a bandage) and is the only one that can detect the digital signal. The bandage must be worn for seven days, and includes a flexible battery and chip that records the information.

This device can monitor the patient’s response to medication by measuring temperature, heart and respiration rate. These findings can be transferred by Bluetooth wireless technology to a mobile phone and the patient can choose who can see these data.

 

Digital pills

Digital pills to monitor the patient's medication regime might be available in September.

 

Asides from these digital pills, other similar technologies were developed.

More than 30 years ago NASA produced ingestible thermometers to measure astronauts’ core temperatures. Some athletes are using these devices in recent times.

Camera pills are showing images of the inside of the digestive system for some years.

There are a number of companies that have looked at putting technologies on pills for sensing inside the body,” said Jonathan Cooper, biomedical-engineering researcher, University of Glasgow, Scotland.

A problem appears when they try to make the digital pills more complicated.

As you add sensor functionality you have greater power demands and have to make the pill larger,” Cooper said. As the pills enlarged they become harder to swallow and camera pills might sometimes be stuck in the digestive tract.

Internal monitoring technology also has to compete with sensor systems based outside the body. Cooper’s team tried to design digital pills for monitoring minute traces of blood in the lower colon, to screen for bowel cancer. In the end they found it easier to adapt their technology to analyze and monitor stool samples.

Lloydspharmacy intends to test if NHS patients would be prepared to pay privately for digital pills.

The pills will be marketed to people with chronic conditions, and it is possible that they will be available from September, probably at a starting cost of about £50 per week.

 

Scientists say that exercising not only trims the waistline but will substantially increase your salary.

Jogging, swimming or lifting weights in the gym three times a week could boost your income by up to 9%, a Cleveland State University in Ohio study say.

Even taking moderate exercise such as a regular walk has a positive effect on earnings, a study has found.

Employers may view those participating in regular activity as more determined and dedicated.

Fit staff members were also more likely to work harder because of the psychological – as well as physical – benefits of keeping fit.

Scientists say that exercising not only trims the waistline but will substantially increase your salary

Scientists say that exercising not only trims the waistline but will substantially increase your salary

The study examined two questionnaires in the US involving more than 12,000 people.

Details about salaries and the extent to which people exercised were analyzed.

The researchers found that people exercising three times a week could expect a salary between 6 and 9% greater than those who do not.

For those exercising between one and three times a month, the benefit was still an additional 5%.

The report, by Dr. Vasilios Kosteas from Cleveland State University, said: “In addition to the positive impacts on heart health, weight and other medical issues, studies show that exercise leads to improved mental function, psychological condition and higher energy levels.

“All three of these traits can translate into higher earnings.”

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After an accident that left him needing the aid of a walking cane Brad Pitt shows now his fans that he is still good looking on the cover of the latest issue of W magazine.

With his shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a flash of his chest, and sporting his trademark designer stubble, Brad Pitt looks every inch the Hollywood heartthrob.

Brad Pitt can be seen on the cover of W magazine lounging on a chair by a swimming pool, smouldering at the camera.

He appears to be winding down after a difficult day, with a drink in his hand and an undone bow tie slung casually around his neck.

And the cover shot was not the only treat brad Pitt had in store for his female admirers.

Inside W magazine Brad Pitt can be seen lying in bed under plush blue sheets, eating biscuits

Inside W magazine Brad Pitt can be seen lying in bed under plush blue sheets, eating biscuits

Inside W magazine Brad Pitt can be seen lying in bed under plush blue sheets, eating biscuits.

Brad Pitt is still wearing a suit for the photograph, but his floppy brown hair is messy and his sleeves are loosely rolled up.

He features on the front of the magazine for W’s Movie Issue, and is also interviewed by the publication about his latest movies The Tree of Life and Moneyball.

Despite the film star’s confidence, when asked by the magazine if he had any characters he would like to do over, Brad Pitt answered: “Um… the first 12 years of my career, I would think.”

Brad Pitt features on one of two covers the magazine has released for its February 2012 issue.

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Stephen Beatty posted messages about his new relationship on Twitter, revealing he received a home-made pair of socks for his recent birthday from his beau.

It is unclear whether his father Warren Beatty approves, although he reportedly toasted his “brave son” at a special family dinner in Hollywood last month.

Warren Beatty is trying to solidify his relationship with Stephen, who was previously called Kathlyn, according to the National Enquirer.

Stephen Beatty, 20, who is a blogger and transgender activist, made the revelation about his sexuality on December 22.

He said: “Haha, yeah, I’m trans and gay. Double the fun!”

Stephen Beatty posted messages about his new relationship on Twitter, revealing he received a home-made pair of socks for his recent birthday from his beau

Stephen Beatty posted messages about his new relationship on Twitter, revealing he received a home-made pair of socks for his recent birthday from his beau

Stephen Beatty, who has turned 20 on Sunday, also told his followers he had been given a special gift from his new man.

“I’m terrified of socks. My boyfriend has made me some though!

“They’re my birthday present and are coming in the mail.”

Yesterday Stephen Beatty also said: “I miss my boyfriend.”

No doubt many will be wondering just who has captured the heart of Stephen Beatty, who decided to switch genders in 2009.

But it seems he is still interested in other men too, as he recently tweeted about his attraction to a uniquely featured individual.

Stephen Beatty said: “Oh man I was actually super into the Nazi guy with the weird forehead.”

He frequently tweets his thoughts about sex, gender, philosophy and politics.

But according to the National Enquirer Stephen Beatty’s posts have become racier since 74-year-old Warren “publicly backed” his son at a family dinner at Italian restaurant il Covo.

A source said: “The dinner was an unofficial public display that he’s proud of his family, especially Stephen, for having the courage to be who he truly is.

“It wasn’t easy for Warren. But he learned a lot about the transgender community over the past year.

“Warren even made an emotional toast to Stephen during the dinner and said he was proud to have such a brave son.”

However in a recent blog post Stephen Beatty blasted the story, claiming it was simply a fabrication.

He said: “If you’re me, which not many people are, there are suddenly paparazzi following you around, doing really dehumanizing things.

“For example, recently my family and I went out to dinner and a paparazzo got all up on us as we were walking to our car.

“The next morning an article came out purporting to know what we’d talked about at dinner.

“Some reporter literally made up an account of our dinner conversation. Out of whole cloth.”

Stephen Beatty added he was particularly unhappy as he was photographed looking far from his best.

He said: “There was also a picture of me really needing a haircut and looking shellshocked.

“So yeah. Queer Christmas: stressful, especially if people are trying to take your picture because they are interested in the confluence of your gender identity and your parentage.”

Stephen is one of four children Warren Beatty has with his wife of the last 19-years Annette Bening.

They have another two daughters, Isabel and Ella, and a son Ben.

Angelina Jolie’s transition from actress to director was not so smooth, as she had a “complete meltdown” while making her directorial debut with wartime film In the Land of Blood and Honey.

Angelina Jolie had to be comforted by partner Brad Pitt after collapsing in the shower in tears.

The 36-year-old star told fans on a live video web chat: “I had a complete emotional breakdown in the shower and Brad found me crying.

“I felt this huge responsibility and I felt very small and, who am I to take this on?”

Angelina Jolie added: “I had a complete meltdown.”

The actress took on the daunting project of writing and directing the love story, which is set in the Bosnian war.

Angelina Jolie told fans on a live video web chat that she had a complete emotional breakdown and cried after her directorial debut with wartime film In the Land of Blood and Honey

Angelina Jolie told fans on a live video web chat that she had a complete emotional breakdown and cried after her directorial debut with wartime film In the Land of Blood and Honey

While Angelina Jolie is determined to tell the tale in order to raise awareness, she is unsure as to whether she will return to her behind the scenes role.

Angelina Jolie said: “I didn’t plan to become a director, and I still have trouble saying I’m a director.

“I just wanted to tell this story and I ended up by default being the director.

“It was a pleasure but I wonder if it would be a pleasure with another cast and crew, and a subject matter that wasn’t so special.”

Angelina Jolie was captivated by hearing heart-wrenching stories of people’s experiences living through the Bosnian war, but says at the time it happened, when she was aged 17, she was unaware of its seriousness.

The actress said: “I knew very little, like most Americans.

“I was 17 so I wasn’t very focussed. I was my own form of self-destructive, and it was a bad time.”

Angelina Jolie later came back to the subject and added: “I was a punk… you don’t imagine you could ever be a role model.”

She has clearly proven her directorial ability as the movie, which is released in Europe in February, has been nominated for an award at the Golden Globes.

The subject matter, which is close to her heart, has helped her to realize the importance of teaching her children certain values.

When asked by a fan what lessons she wished to pass onto her children, Angelina Jolie said “compassion and respect”.

She said: “I want my children to be aware of the world around them and have respect for all people around the world.”

Angelina Jolie added: “From the nature of the make-up of my family, they learn a lot abot each other. They dont see this divide which is dangerous.”

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Apple has decided to halt the sale of all iPhone models from its stores in China, after large crowds disrupted the launch of the iPhone 4S.

An Apple store, in the Sanlitun area of Beijing, did not open on Friday after a large crowd gathered outside in anticipation of the launch.

The crowd became unruly, throwing eggs. Scuffles broke out with police.

Apple has decided to halt the sale of all iPhone models from its stores in China, after large crowds disrupted the launch of the iPhone 4S

Apple has decided to halt the sale of all iPhone models from its stores in China, after large crowds disrupted the launch of the iPhone 4S

China is the world’s largest mobile phone market, and Apple’s second-biggest market.

The iPhone 4S, which has voice-activated functions, was being introduced through official Apple stores in China for the first time.

Apple said in a statement that it decided not to open its store at Sanlitun “due to the large crowd, and to ensure the safety of our customers and employees”.

The company also said that it was halting the sale of iPhones at all retail stores in Beijing and Shanghai “for the time being”.

However, Apple said Chinese customers can still purchase the phones either through the Apple online store or at China Unicom and other authorized sellers.

The decision came despite the fact that other stores in Beijing and Shanghai opened without incident and reported rapid sales.

Apple said all iPhone 4Ss were now sold out in stores in China.

Crowds began gathering outside of Apple stores overnight and in the early morning. Police were deployed to a number of stores to help control the crowds.

Eggs were thrown at Apple’s Sanlitun store in Beijing after it failed to open on Friday at 07:00 local time as advertised.

When it was announced that the store would not be opening, there were shouts of “open the door” and “liar”.

Customers at the Sanlitun store said they were disappointed not to be walking away with any purchases.

“I’ve been waiting here since yesterday afternoon, then this morning they say they won’t sell,” a man in his 20s told Reuters TV.

“They broke customers’ hearts.”

By about 10:00 local time in Beijing, the crowds had cleared the area in front of Apple store.

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A case study reports that a man with two hearts – one his own, one a donor heart- was resuscitated via a defibrillator when both organs developed irregular heart rhythms.

The case study was published online recently in the journal Annals of Emergency Medicine and explains how the life-saving measures used in 2010 saved a 71-year-old who received the donor heart in 2003. The patient had also received a pacemaker in 2001. The heart was implanted in a heterotopic procedure, which means the patient keeps his heart and receives a donor heart.

The new heart is connected to the original organ to create a double heart, which offers some advantages: it offers the old heart a chance to recover, and if the donor heart is rejected and fails, it can be removed. The procedure, which dates back to the 1970s, is typically done when the original heart is too weak to work by itself or the donor heart is a different size than the patient’s original heart. It’s done less frequently nowadays, due to new surgical techniques and better immunosuppressive drugs.

The man came to the emergency room with shortness of breath, low blood pressure and a rapid heart beat. He was treated with medications but his blood pressure dropped even further and he was sent to the intensive care unit.

The abnormal heart rhythm in the original heart eventually started affecting the donor heart, and the patient became unconscious, stopped breathing, and had no pulse. At that point defibrillators were used and the patient recovered. The patient was transferred to a cardiac unit, his pacemaker was upgraded and he was eventually discharged. The report noted that the man is doing well, with no further irregular heart beats.

The authors noted that the case points out the importance of immediate treatment.

Bruce Jenner, the Kardashians girls’step-father, has a penchant for dressing up in women’s clothing, it was revealed recently.

The claims come from Ellen Pierson, who married Kris Jenner’s ex-husband Robert Kardashian shortly before his death in 2003.

Ellen Pierson claims Bruce Jenner’s first wife Chrystie Crownover – who he was married to for eight years between 1972 and 1980 – made the revelation to her over drinks.

Chrystie Crownover told Ellen Pierson how former track and field athlete Bruce Jenner was a secret cross-dresser and had a penchant for women’s clothing, shoes and lingerie, according to Star magazine.

“Of course Bruce was every woman’s heartthrob when he was that age, right?” Ellen Pierson told the Star.

“But Chrystie said: <<Yeah, until I went on a trip and I came back and he had gone through all my clothes. And I found my bras… He’d clip them together and wear them>>.”

Bruce Jenner, the Kardashians girls’step-father, has a penchant for dressing up in women's clothing, it was revealed recently

Bruce Jenner, the Kardashians girls’step-father, has a penchant for dressing up in women's clothing, it was revealed recently

Chrystie Crownover went on to divorce Bruce Jenner. They had two children together.

Bruce Jenner went on to wed Linda Thompson and they had two sons together during their four year marriage – Brandon and Brody.

Kris Jenner, his third wife, apparently has no qualms about Bruce’s penchant for cross-dressing, according to Ellen Pierson.

Ellen Pierson claims Kris Jenner was unfazed by his odd habit and that he continued to cross-dress for years after their 1991 wedding.

But apparently the Kardashian girls were not as accepting.

“Khloe called her dad and she was very upset, crying and screaming about it,” Ellen Pierson said.

The full story appears in this week’s issue of Star magazine.

Los Angeles authorities said yesterday that no new evidence has been uncovered in the death of Natalie Wood that would point to foul play.

After several weeks of interviews and other investigative work, detectives have not uncovered any evidence the death was a homicide.

It had been ruled as an accident.

Chief detective William McSweeney told the Los Angeles Times cold cases like Natalie Wood’s are never really closed and that detectives are still looking at some aspects of the case.

“At this point, it is an accidental death. Nothing has been discovered to suggest changing that at this time,” William McSweeney said.

Los Angeles police said in November “substantial new evidence” led them to re-open their investigation into Natalie Wood’s death 30 years ago.

Los Angeles authorities said yesterday that no new evidence has been uncovered in the death of Natalie Wood that would point to foul play

Los Angeles authorities said yesterday that no new evidence has been uncovered in the death of Natalie Wood that would point to foul play

Natalie Wood died sometime after the evening of November 28, 1981, when the 43-year-old actress was boating off Catalina Island with her husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher Walken.

The evening before the drowning, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken, who was her co-star in the film “Brainstorm”, had dinner at a restaurant on the island.

According to ship Captain Dennis Davern’s sworn statement to detectives, the trio returned to the yacht and had drinks and Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken got into an argument.

A furious Robert Wagner shouted: “Do you want to f*** my wife” at Christopher Walken as he smashed a bottle of wine in the moments before Natalie Wood fell overboard, Dennis Davern claimed.

The captain told the officers when he showed up on the open deck where Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner had been arguing, Dennis Davern said: “Wagner was present, and he stood near the far rear wall of the yacht.”

The day after Natalie Wood’s body was found off the coast of California, Dennis Davern said he was asked to go to Robert Wagner’s bedroom at his Beverly Hills home, where he met with a lawyer and was told to “Say nothing”.

The captain wrote: “Wagner informed me he would hire an attorney who would handle my statement about Natalie Wood’s disappearance and drowning, which he did before Natalie Wood’s funeral.

“I signed a statement the appointed attorney drafted, one completely void of the facts surrounding Natalie Wood’s disappearance.”

Dennis Davern continued: “Detective Duane Rasure accepted the statement that had been prepared for me – a statement claiming that I did not know details about Natalie Wood’s disappearance from the yacht.

“Although I did want to reveal what I knew, I obeyed what had been asked of me.”

Robert Wagner has always maintained Natalie Wood accidentally slipped and drowned as she drunkenly tried to tie up a dinghy against the boat. Police say he is not considered a suspect.

In his memoir, Pieces of My Heart, Robert Wagner explains how he had been on his boat, the Splendour, with Natalie Wood – who he had married twice – and Christopher Walken when an argument broke out.

Robert Wagner wrote: “Chris [Walken] began talking about his <<total pursuit of a career>>, which he admitted was more important to him than his personal life. He clearly thought Natalie should live like that, too.

“I got angry. <<Why don’t you stay out of her career?>> I said. <<She’s got enough people telling her what to do without you>>.”

As the argument escalated, Natalie Wood left for bed.

“The last time I saw my wife she was fixing her hair in the bathroom while I was arguing with Chris,” Robert Wagner said.

“I saw her shut the door. She was going to bed.”

Robert Wagner described how he and Christopher Walken moved up to the deck as “things were threatening to get physical” and they were calmed by the fresh sea air.

He said he waited up a little longer before going to bed – but his wife was not there.

When Robert Wagner was questioned by a rescue boat captain in 1981 about why he didn’t call for help to find his missing wife, he allegedly said: “We thought she was off on another boat screwing around because that’s the kind of woman she is.”

Describing his sense of guilt, Robert Wagner continued in his book: “Yes, I blamed myself. If I’d been there, I could have done something. I wasn’t, but ultimately, a man is responsible for his loved one.

“I would have done anything in the world to protect her. Anything. I lost a woman I loved with all my heart and I will never completely come to terms with that.”

Lifeguard captain Roger Smith told the Times in November that Natalie Wood could have been saved if officials had been called sooner to search for her.

Roger Smith said he was alerted that Natalie Wood was missing at 5:11a.m. the next day.

Based on the condition of her body when Natalie Wood was pulled from the water, Roger Smith said he believes she survived for some time in the water and was washed out to sea.

Scientists say life expectancy is written into our DNA and could be seen from the day we are born.

They have found a way to predict how long someone will live – by measuring their genes as a baby

It all depends on the length of the telomeres, which are described as “acting like the plastic ends on shoelaces” to protect chromosomes from wear and tear.

Telomeres are being studied extensively – and are thought to hold the key to ageing.

The longer your telomeres, the longer you will live – dependent, of course, on not dying accidentally, from disease or from lifestyle factors.

It was known they could be shortened by life choices, including smoking and stress. But this is the first indication that our lifespan might be predetermined from birth.

In the future, tests may allow people to know their expected lifespan from a very early age – if they want to.

Professor Pat Monaghan, who led the Glasgow University study, said: “The results of this research show that what happens in our bodies in early life is very important.

“It is not understood why there are variations of telomere length but if you had a choice, you would want to be born with longer telomeres.

“If you were to test this, I don’t think anyone would want to know – it would just make you miserable. But it must be remembered that how you live has a big effect. This isn’t quite a case of nature overtaking nurture.”

Telomeres are important because they stop DNA from unraveling, but they begin shortening from the moment we are conceived

Telomeres are important because they stop DNA from unraveling, but they begin shortening from the moment we are conceived

The study – which used zebra finches, one of Australia’s most common bird species – is the first to measure telomere lengths at regular intervals through an entire life. With people, it is usually only the elderly who are studied because of the timescales involved.

Blood cell samples were taken from 99 finches, starting when they were 25 days old.

The results exceeded even the researchers’ expectations. The birds with the shortest telomeres did tend to die first – from as early as seven months after the start of the trial.

But one bird in the group with the longest telomeres survived to almost nine years old.

Professor Monaghan said: “These birds were dying of natural causes. There were no predators, no diseases and no accidental deaths. This was showing their capacity for long life.”

The results hold huge implications for humans, whose telomeres work in the same way.

Telomeres are important because they stop DNA from unraveling, but they begin shortening from the moment we are conceived.

The longer they are, the better for an individual because when they get too short, they stop working.

DNA is then no longer protected and errors begin to creep in when cells divide. When this happens – usually in middle age – the skin begins to sag and the immune system becomes less efficient. Faulty cells also lead to a growing risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

The university’s institute of biodiversity, animal health and comparative medicine has published its groundbreaking research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA.

In the next stage of their research, the Glasgow scientists will look at what causes telomeres to shorten – including inherited and environmental factors – to make it possible to predict life expectancy more accurately.

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A video has emerged of Russell Brand taking off his wedding ring, just two weeks after his first wedding anniversary with Katy Perry back in November.

Russell Brand posted the video on porn website Nudevista as he began a week-long tour of various universities in America.

In the footage, Russell Brand is seen saying: “I am going to meet people from sororities and fraternities. I don’t know what a sorority is except for what I have seen on Nudevista – that they are sort of sex clubs for women.

“A week of revolution and, more importantly, I am going to learn first-hand about sororities.”

Russell Brand is then seen taking his ring off in full view of the camera, before adding: “I’m just going to place this somewhere very, very safe for the next week.”

 

A video has emerged of Russell Brand taking off his wedding ring, just two weeks after his first wedding anniversary with Katy Perry back in November

A video has emerged of Russell Brand taking off his wedding ring, just two weeks after his first wedding anniversary with Katy Perry back in November

Since filing for divorce from Katy Perry on December 30, Russell Brand has remained resolutely silent on his Twitter page.

However, his estranged wife Katy Perry came forward over the weekend to thank her fans for their support in the difficult times.

Katy Perry wrote: “I am so grateful for all the love and support I’ve had from people around the world. You guys have made my heart happy again.”

She also pulled out of what was scheduled to be her first public appearance since the split at the People’s Choice Awards, writing her apologies on Twitter.

But new claims have suggested Katy Perry is considering flying into the UK in a bid to resolve things with her former spouse.

A source told Grazia magazine: “Katy was absolutely crushed by Russell’s decision. She’s furious after everything he’s done, but still insists there must be a way to reconcile and try to work things out.

“She told Russell that if he’d agreed to marriage counseling, they wouldn’t be in this mess and tried to persuade him to fly back to the States and meet her.

“She’s now considering jetting to the UK as she’s desperate to see him and talk to him.

“She said she can’t stand that everything has been done over the phone and says she needs to see him before she can truly accept it’s over.”

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On December 21, 2012, the apocalypse foretold 5,125 years ago by the ancient Mayans will come to pass and the world will end.

Meanwhile, Harold Camping, an American radio preacher, got thousands of followers worked up when he predicted the Second Coming of Jesus Christ on May 21 last year.

When that didn’t happen, Harold Camping said the world would end on October 21. And then he quietly retired from his radio show.

But the “2012 phenomenon”, as it is commonly known to its legions of internet followers, is different.

For the Mayans, a famously wise and advanced civilization which was at its height between 250 and 900AD in the present-day Mexican state of Yucatan and Guatemala, have grabbed everyone’s attention.

The evidence boils down to one simple fact: their 5,125-year calendar – the one used across Central America before the arrival of Europeans – runs out on December 21 this year.

The point is that the Mayans were noted for their extraordinary astronomical observations and mathematical powers.

And if they didn’t think it worth taking their calendar beyond December 2012, they must have had a reason.

Public concern is so high that NASA, the U.S. space agency, even has a section debunking the theories of impending doom on its website.

NASA says it has taken more than 5,000 questions from people, some asking if they should kill themselves, their families or their pets.

Archaeologists who have studied the Mayans have been downplaying the apocalypse theories, insisting that the only surviving Mayan reference to any dreadful significance attached to December 21, 2012, was contained on a single ancient stone tablet found at ruins in Tortuguero, southern Mexico, in the 1960s.

Mexico’s tourism agency hopes the 2012 phenomenon will draw 52 million visitors to the region - more than twice the number the whole country normally receives

Mexico’s tourism agency hopes the 2012 phenomenon will draw 52 million visitors to the region - more than twice the number the whole country normally receives

According to an inscription on the tablet, a fearsome Mayan god of war and creation may “descend” from the sky on the appointed day.

But then, a few weeks ago, archaeologists had to admit they had found a second piece of evidence – a 1,300-year-old carved brick fragment at a temple ruin in nearby Comalcalco.

The brick, now kept in a vault at Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History, has an inscription on its face which also refers to the date.

The fact that the face of the brick was probably laid facing inward or covered with stucco – suggesting it was not meant to be seen by the Mayan population who visited the temple – has only added to the hysteria of modern doom-mongers.

Scientists insist there is no dire threat on the horizon, while Mayan experts stress that the ancient civilization’s legacy has simply been misinterpreted.

“Nothing bad will happen to the Earth in 2012,” says NASA on its website in the reassuring tones of a parent dealing with a frightened toddler.

“Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than four billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.”

Of course in these conspiracy-obsessed times, there are thousands of cynics who are not convinced.

David Morrison, senior scientist at the NASA Astrobiology Institute, said he had been receiving about ten emails a day from worried members of the public who are “seriously, seriously upset”.

A young woman from Denmark wrote to him saying: “Mother of one daughter and another coming.

“Yesterday I was considering killing myself, the baby in my stomach and my beloved two-year-old daughter before December 2012 for fear of having to experience the Earth’s destruction.”

A 13-year-old American, wrote: “I am considering suicide. I am scared to tears . . . I don’t want to live any more, I deserve an explanation.”

Another wrote: “I am so scared. My only friend is my little dog. When should I put her to sleep so she won’t suffer when the Earth is destroyed?”

Worried Americans are rushing to buy everything from $27 survival guides to $50,000-per-person places in bunkers that are marketed as being both nuclear bomb and asteroid-proof.

Robert Vicino, a Californian businessman who is building the luxury bunkers in secret locations asked on his website: “What if the prophecies are true? Which side of the door do you want to be on?”

The businessman says that he has more than 5,000 Americans booking places, and is now building bunkers in Europe.

Steve Cramer, one man who has reserved his place, insists: “We’re not crazy people: these are fearful times. My family wants to survive. You have to be prepared.”

Jason Hodge, a father-of-four who also counts himself a “future survivor”, to use the jargon of the apocalypse industry, adds: “It’s an investment in life.

“I want to make sure I have a place I can take me and my family if that worst-case scenario were to happen.”

Mayan apocalypse converts have started flocking to Bugarach too, a tiny hilltop town in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

The 200-strong local community has had to contend with 20,000 visitors since the start of last year, and the French government is worried about the threat of mass suicides.

Believers say a magnetic force surrounds the town’s “mystical” mountain where the top layers of rock are older than the lower ones.

(Geologists say that soon after the mountain was formed, it exploded and the top flew into the air, before landing upside-down).

People claim the magnetic force will protect them from the apocalypse to come.

Others who have flocked to Bugarach insist the mountain is a gateway to another dimension and may contain a secret alien base.

Unhelpfully, the Mayans did not specify exactly what would happen when the world ends. But that hasn’t stopped believers from letting their imaginations run riot.

Many of their 2012 doomsday scenarios involve astronomical phenomena – a rogue planet hitting Earth, fierce solar storms, a galactic alignment in which the Sun’s gravitational effect combines with that of a huge black hole to create havoc. The gloomiest think we may get all three.

A particularly popular theory is that a rogue planet called Nibiru is lurking behind the Sun and will collide with the Earth next December, destroying it. Some believe this rogue body is Eris, a dwarf planet orbiting beyond Neptune.

The idea of a planet creeping out from behind the Sun and smashing into Earth provided the depressing backdrop to last year’s Lars von Trier film Melancholia, starring Kirsten Dunst and Kiefer Sutherland.

Another theory, also involving the Sun, predicts that a huge solar flare – called a “solar max” – will destroy the Earth.

This notion has already inspired Hollywood in the 2009 disaster blockbuster 2012, in which the flare caused catastrophic earthquakes. The film also made reference to the Mayan calendar.

Finally, no apocalypse would be complete without at least one alien invasion.

This time last year, reports emerged suggesting the U.S. Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) had detected three large spacecraft due to arrive at Earth in 2012. SETI rejected the claims, to which those who wanted to believe the reports replied: “Well they would, wouldn’t they?”

Another alien theory doing the rounds among conspiracy theorists is that the authorities will stage a fake extra-terrestrial invasion at next year’s closing ceremony for the London Olympic Games so they can declare martial law and introduce a new world order.

Academics and scientists dismiss all of these theories as wild hysteria, of course.

But the fact is that Mayan scholars have been bickering for years over what the end of the Long Count Calendar actually signifies.

The Mayan calendar began in 3,114  BC – believed by Mayans to be when the current “world order” was created – and progresses in 144,000-day cycles (a little more than 394 years) known as baktuns.

The 13th (a sacred number for Mayans) baktun runs out on the 2012 winter solstice, December 21. After that date, the “Great Cycle” is completed and the calendar sequence simply ends.

In 1957, respected Mayan scholar and astronomer Maud Worcester Makemson wrote that the completion of a “Great Period” of 13 baktuns would have been “of the utmost significance to the Maya”.

In 1966, Michael Coe, another prominent Mayan anthropologist and a former CIA agent, went much further and concluded there was a “suggestion” among the Mayans that the final day of the Great Cycle would see “Armageddon overtake the degenerate peoples of the world and all creation” and “thus . . . our present universe would be annihilated”.

Experts had tended to agree with Michael Coe’s interpretation until about a decade ago when the academic world started to insist the Mayans had meant nothing of the sort.

The Mayans believed the end of the 13th baktun would indeed be significant, say academics now, but in a good way.

There will simply be another cycle and it will be a cause for celebration not desperation.

This optimistic message has been championed by many in the New Age movement, which is obsessed by the idea that cultures such as the Mayans had a secret spiritual knowledge that we might tap into if only we knew where to look.

Whatever the truth, hundreds of books have already been published on the subject, not to mention dozens of television programmes and films.

For the most reliable indication of the future, we should perhaps head for the heart of Mayan territory in south-eastern Mexico.

There, locals aren’t running for the hills at all, and don’t seem worried.

In fact, quite the reverse. After suffering years of a tourist industry badly hit by the violence of warring drug cartels, they are looking forward to an economic boom.

Mexico’s tourism agency hopes the 2012 phenomenon will draw 52 million visitors to the region – more than twice the number the whole country normally receives.

And the town of Tapachula, on the Guatemalan border, has already started a countdown to December 21 on a giant digital clock in its main park.

Quite what will happen on the day it runs out remains the subject of feverish debate around the world.

According to specialists, the death of a loved one makes people up to 21 times more likely to suffer a heart attack within a day of the loss.

Cardiologists also say that during the first week of bereavement, the risk is almost 6 times higher than normal.

The risk slowly declines during the month that follows, a study found.

Doctors are warning people of the dangers, especially for those closest to the person who died and who are already at risk of having a heart attack.

A U.S. study of almost 2,000 heart attack survivors found the increased risk of heart attack within the first week after the loss of a significant person ranged from one per 320 people at high risk to one per 1,394 people with a low heart attack risk.

The study is the first to look specifically at heart attack risk in the first days and weeks after bereavement.

Previous research shows grieving spouses have higher long-term risks of dying, with heart disease and stroke accounting for more than half of deaths – leading to the phenomenon known as “broken heart syndrome”.

According to experts, the stress caused by bereavement has immediate health effects, while loss of sleep and appetite can depress the immune system of surviving loved ones, which may aggravate existing underlying medical conditions.

The emotional strain also causes some bereaved partners to take their own lives, while others neglect their health and diet because of the pain of their loss.

Dr. Murray Mittleman, a preventive cardiologist and epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and School of Public Health’s epidemiology department, in Boston, said: “Caretakers, healthcare providers, and the bereaved themselves need to recognize they are in a period of heightened risk in the days and weeks after hearing of someone close dying.”

Researchers reviewed health charts and interviewed 1,985 patients while in hospital after a confirmed heart attack between 1989 and 1994.

Patients answered questions about circumstances surrounding their heart attack, as well as whether they recently lost someone significant in their lives over the past year, when the death happened and the importance of their relationship.

The researchers estimated the relative risk of a heart attack by comparing the number of patients who had someone close to them die in the week before their heart attack to the number of deaths of significant people in their lives from one to six months before their heart attack.

Experts found after a significant person’s death, heart attack risks rose to 21 times higher than normal during the first day.

The risk was almost 6 times higher than normal in the first week, and declined steadily during the first months, says a report in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

The study shows bereaved people at high risk of a heart attack before the loss occurred were 4 times more likely to succumb themselves than those previously at low risk.

Psychological stress caused by intense grief can increase heart rate, blood pressure and blood clotting, which in the short-term can raise the chances of a heart attack.

Lead researcher Elizabeth Mostofsky said grieving people may neglect their own wellbeing, forgetting to take medication for heart and other medical problems.

“Friends and family of bereaved people should provide close support to help prevent such incidents, especially near the beginning of the grieving process.

“During situations of extreme grief and psychological distress, you still need to take care of yourself and seek medical attention for symptoms associated with a heart attack,” she said.

Heart attack signs include chest discomfort, upper body or stomach pain, shortness of breath, breaking into a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

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Katy Perry has finally spoken out after keeping silence since it emerged that her 14-month marriage to Russell Brand was over.

Katy Perry, 27, has been somewhat forced into making an official statement over her impending divorce since speculation as to why she and Russell Brand, 36, split had gone into overdrive.

The singer made it crystal clear yesterday that she speaks for herself and she also took a swipe at her parents who had publicly given their opinion on their daughter’s troubles.

Katy Perry said on Twitter: “I am so grateful for all the love and support I’ve had from people around the world. You guys have made my heart happy again.”

The singer also put out a strong and stern warning to her fans to not listen to any rumors or information about her unless she says it herself.

Katy Perry said: “Concerning the gossip, I want to be clear that NO ONE speaks for me. Not a blog, magazine, <<close sources>> or my family.”

Katy Perry has finally spoken out after keeping silence since it emerged that her 14-month marriage to Russell Brand was over

Katy Perry has finally spoken out after keeping silence since it emerged that her 14-month marriage to Russell Brand was over

The tweet, which was Katy Perry’s first since December 26, will be a clear message to her evangelical parents who had spoken about the split earlier this week.

Pastors Keith and Mary Hudson spoke about their daughter’s divorce for the first time – from the pulpit of their evangelical church, which was unusually packed.

They suggested their daughter split with Russell Brand was a gift sent by God – to help them fill churches.

Mary Hudson, 63, preached to the Church on the Rise congregation in Westlake, Ohio: “I’m sure that Katy’s trending on the Internet was to get you here to church tonight.”

“I mean all over the world, who knows how God is bringing them in? The most important thing is you are here and God wants to put the fire in you in 2012.”

Russell Brand announced on December 30 that he was filing for divorce from Katy Perry and said: “Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I’ll always adore her and I know we’ll remain friends.”

It has also emerged Katy Perry will stay in the couple’s $6.5 million Hollywood Hills mansion and Russell Brand will move out.

Sources close to told TMZ the moving process is already under way and most of the camp comic’s belongings are already out of the home.

It seems Katy Perry and Russell Brand are still on reasonably good terms as the decision over the house went reasonably smoothly.

The couple had purchased the home together just a few months ago.

Friends said Katy Perry had asked Russell Brand to file the court papers last month to avoid upsetting her parents, who are strongly opposed to divorce.

The comments were revealed by biographer Chloe Govan, author of Katy Perry: A Life of Fireworks.

A friend said: “Russ was forever making lewd jokes at the dinner table and poking fun at her parents’ beliefs.

“He managed to restrain himself in the beginning – just. But as the marriage progressed, he got worse and kept winding up her family.”

Another friend said: “After the lust wore off, reality hit home about their differences and she was left thinking, <<What have I done?>>”

Other rumors say the split was because Katy Perry couldn’t keep up with Russell Brand’s appetite in the bedroom, and his disapproval of her party lifestyle.

Russell Brand, who Katy Perry affectionately called Rusty, has reportedly been uninvited from the People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday to avoid a confrontation with Katy, where she is expected to make an appearance.

 

The Holy Community of the Holy Mountain at the side of Abbot Efraim

Monday, 26 December 2011

Aimilios Polygenis

 

A few minutes ago, the members of the Holy Community of the Holy Mountain expressed their overwhelming support for Abbot Efraim of the Holy Monastery of Vatopaidi.

According to information, today, Monday 26 December, 2011, a delegation from the Holy Community of the Holy Mountain visited Abbot Efraim in his cell in the monastery.

The members handed over a letter of support to the Abbot, stressing that the entire Community expressed its unstinting confidence in and respect for his person.

In their letter, the Representatives of the Holy Monasteries of the Holy Mountain emphasized that the decision to place Abbot Efraim in preventative detention was an affront to the religious sensibilities of the people, the most holy Church and Athonite monasticism.

The letter reads as follows:

SEAL OF THE HOLY COMMUNITY

Ref. No. Φ. 4/5/3069

The Very Reverend

Holy Abbot

of the H. M. of Vatopaidi

Archim. Efraim

and the honourable brotherhood with him

therein

                        We embrace Your Reverence in brotherhood in the Lord.

It is with profound sorrow and great astonishment that we have been informed of the issue of an arrest warrant for the immediate preventative detention of Your Reverence.

It causes us and the whole Athonite world deep pain that this hasty issue and dispatch of the above arrest warrant should have occurred on the days leading up to the glorious feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, as do the inexplicable haste and immediate mobilization of a powerful force of police and the urgent delegation of a prosecutor, in disregard of Athonite procedures, for Your arrest, as if it were the case of an extremely dangerous malefactor. These actions are an affront to the religious sensibilities of the faithful, of our most holy Church and of Athonite monasticism.

Holy fathers and brethren, we share your profound pain at this unprecedented tribulation and the cross you are bearing during these holy days, when your Spiritual Father, known from his youth for his love of the Church and monasticism, as well as his contribution over many years to Your Holy Monastery and the Holy Mountain in general, has been dragged away and taken into detention. His treatment has been an offence against the whole Athonite fraternity.

In sharing the pain of Your trial, we express through this present letter, sealed with Our stamp, the unanimous support of Our Holy Community, encompassing the holy Abbot with Our undivided respect, trust and genuine love in Christ.

We pray from the depths of our hearts that Our Lord, Who became incarnate for Our salvation, through the intercessions of Our Lady the Mother of God, the guardian of this Holy Place, will strengthen all of You, will bring this trial to a satisfactory conclusion and will disperse the shafts of the enemy and of those who are against the Church.

With much love in the Lord and with brotherly affection, we remain

All the Representatives and Stewards

of the twenty Holy Monasteries of the Holy Mountain of Athos.

12-year-old Jessica Joy Rees lost her battle with brain cancer on Thursday, few days after her parents wrote on their blog about how they were excited for a great 2012 and being confident that the girl would reach her goal of making 50,000 of her “Joy Jars”.

Joy Jars were filled with candy and toys for sick children.

Jessica Joy Rees’ parents were exploring other medical treatments in Europe and out of reach of the FDA and they continued to pray and encouraged others to do the same.

Unfortunately, Jessica Joy Rees died after 10 months and 2 days of battle with the cancer.

“We have prayed and prayed and prayed for sweet Jessie to be healed here on earth but God’s plan was to use heaven for healing,” the parents wrote on Facebook when Jessica Joy Rees died on Thursday.

“Jessie earned her wings today and is with Jesus now!!! No pain..complete vision…spreading joy,” the post continued.

Calling on friends and fans to pray for their family, Eric and Stacey Rees told of their continued plans to help advance cancer research after Jessie lost her 10 month and 2 day battle.

 

Jessica Joy Rees died after 10 months and 2 days of battle with the brain cancer

Jessica Joy Rees died after 10 months and 2 days of battle with brain cancer

 

Tens of thousands of people responded by posting updates to the page in a show of support that includes “likes” and prayers.

By Friday afternoon the outpouring surpassed Jessica’s goal to get one “like” for each of the estimated 50,000 American children with cancer.

“Thank you all for honoring Jessie by helping her reach her 50,000 goal today. We will NEVER EVER GIVE UP spreading hope, joy and love to kids fighting cancer. Jessie’s dream is now our destination!” Jessica Joy Rees’ parents wrote on her Facebook page shortly after she died.

Jessica Joy Rees, the Orange County seventh-grader, called “Jessie” by family and friends, began her blog and Facebook page after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in March.

A second tumor was discovered in September.

While some of Jessica Rees’ posts discussed her struggles as she underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments, others urged readers in dozens of countries to support pediatric cancer research and to pray for other children with the illness.

Jessica Rees always signed her posts with the acronym “NEGU” [NEE’-goo], short for “never ever give up.”

Also, Jessie Rees and her parents started The NEGU Foundation, a nonprofit organization to raise awareness of pediatric cancer, support sufferers and raise money for research.

The foundation sold and provided thousands of “JoyJars” stuffed with candy and toys to sick children.

More than 3,000 were sold and distributed in 27 states last year, according to the NEGU website.

Co-host Ryan Seacrest also allowed her to announce country singer, and eventual winner, Scott McCreery.

Jessica Rees wrote on Facebook that her mission was “to encourage kids fighting cancer to Never Ever Give Up by spreading hope, joy and love. A cheerful heart is great medicine.”

After a particularly hard day in November, Jessica Rees took to her website, jessicajoyrees.com to admonish her pain and focus on her love for all that she did still have in her life.

“I love spreading joy to kids with our JoyJars. I love reading all of the posts on Facebook. I love having so many people praying for me. I love that people are supporting NEGU and allowing us to help kids. I love my family and all of my new friends,” Jessica Rees wrote.

A celebration service was scheduled for Wednesday at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, where her father, Erik Rees, is a pastor.

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Former teenage star Corey Feldman, who starred in some classic movies and became an 80’s Hollywood icon, admits he was preyed on by many men and he plans to reveal the names of two Hollywood perverts in a tell-all book.

On film sets such as The Goonies, Stand By Me and The Lost Boys, Corey Feldman, 40, claims to have been sexually abused by paedophiles.

The Dancing On Ice star explained how at age 14 he was being leached upon and used by men like vultures.

Corey Feldman told The Sun: “It was basically me laying there pretending I was asleep and them going about their business.”

The Canadian actor, who has been clean of drugs for 20 years, will write a book to chronicle all the abuse that he and other actors endured as children.

Corey Feldman decided it was time to open up about the seedy side of the industry after his Lost Boys co-star Corey Haim, 38, died and an agent was charged with child abuse.

He said that Corey Haim, who died from heart failure and pneumonia, was also sexually abused and the people who did it believe that they are above the law.

Corey Feldman says he and his Lost Boys co-star Corey Haim (right) were sexually abused as teenage actors

Corey Feldman says he and his Lost Boys co-star Corey Haim (right) were sexually abused as teenage actors

Corey Feldman feels Hollywood have used the pair as scapegoats and labeled them drug addicts and has-beens.

He said: “Even today people say about me, <<Eighties heartthrob; hasn’t done anything since>>. The truth is I haven’t stopped. Last year I did four films.

“Corey and I were pegged as the scapegoats… People need to know the reason Corey and I were swept under the carpet like the beaten dogs that were sent to the pound so no one had to deal with us anymore.”

The actor first spoke out about his troubled past last year and he believes that is the reason why an anonymous former child actor claimed he had been abused by talent agent Martin Weiss.

Corey Feldman said: ”I stood up and said there is a bigger problem, that I’d lost Corey and that I didn’t want to see any more kids lost to these sick perverts.”

Although Martin Weiss, 47, did not abuse Corey Feldman, he is still helping the detective in charge of the case with investigations.

Corey Feldman is aware of the danger he is putting himself and his family in by naming those who molested him but after losing his good friend Corey Haim he wants to protect his own son.

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Bill Clinton is known as a vegan now, though he was once a ravenous diner with an insatiable hunger, Roland Mesnier, the former White House pastry chef, revealed.

Roland Mesnier described former President Bill Clinton’s appetite as “scary” saying:

“He could eat five or six pork chops in a day.”

The former White House pastry chef added that his kitchen staff “had to be ready”.

Bill Clinton is known as a vegan now, though he was once a ravenous diner with an insatiable hunger, Roland Mesnier, the former White House pastry chef, revealed

Bill Clinton is known as a vegan now, though he was once a ravenous diner with an insatiable hunger, Roland Mesnier, the former White House pastry chef, revealed

Roland Mesnier, who has been making pastries for presidents for a quarter century, told the Washingtonian that cooking for the president was no easy feat.

For one thing, Bill Clinton is allergic to both flour and chocolate. For a pastry chef, this could be frustrating, Roland Mesnier said.

The former chef remembered one night he crafted a strawberry cake for the president. He said Bill Clinton devoured half of the cake – without help from Hillary or Chelsea – and then wanted a slice or two in the morning.

“No one could find the cake,” Roland Mesnier said.

“Clinton was pounding on the table and shouting, <<I want my goddamned cake.>>”

When the missing cake was nowhere to be found, there was only one conclusion to be made.

“We decided (Vice President Al) Gore must have eaten it,” Roland Mesnier told the Washingtonian.

Roland Mesnier served everyone from President Carter to President George W. Bush, but left before his second term.

The French chef is the author of three books, including his memoir, All the Presidents’ Pastries.

Bill Clinton, who is now 65, said his vegan diet is serving him well.

“I like the vegetables, the fruits, the beans, the stuff I eat now,” Bill Clinton said.

“It’s turning a ship around before it hits the iceberg, but I think we’re beginning to turn it around.”

While in office Bill Clinton, who has a family history of heart disease, was well known for gorging on fatty snacks like doughnuts, burgers and steaks as he worked long hours in the Oval Office.

But following a quadruple bypass in 2004 he has had to adjust his diet and lower his cholesterol intake.

Bill Clinton had to make more changes last year when doctors implanted two stents to open one of the veins from that surgery.

After taking advice from U.S. diet guru Dr. Dean Ornish, Bill Clinton appeared noticeably thinner last August at daughter Chelsea’s wedding, where he revealed he had lost 20 lbs.

Bill Clinton told CNN that he realized he had been playing “Russian Roulette” with his body because even though he had cut down on some unhealthy foods, he was still taking in too much cholesterol.

Rumours have been spread last night that Johnny Depp’s 14-year relationship with French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis is on the rocks.

Johnny Depp, 48, is on the brink of a split because of the couple’s constant bickering, according to a report in the US.

A source told the RadarOnline: “People around him are worried about how Johnny is doing because he and Vanessa seem so fractured right now.”

RadarOnline report appears to contradict Johnny Depp’s claims in interviews about his enduring love for Vanessa Paradis, 39, the mother of his children, Lily-Rose, 12, and Jack, 9.

The website quoted a source close to the actor as saying: “Johnny isn’t handling anything well right now.”

Rumours have been spread last night that Johnny Depp’s 14-year relationship with French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis is on the rocks

Rumours have been spread last night that Johnny Depp’s 14-year relationship with French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis is on the rocks

RadarOnline also suggested Johnny Depp is seeking legal advice over the alleged unravelling of the 14-year relationship.

“Johnny has started reaching out to lawyers, probably to quietly discuss how to get out of the relationship.

“They’re not married but they’ve been together for years and have kids together so it isn’t as easy as just breaking up.

“Johnny is so talented at acting, but he doesn’t seem able to hide how badly things are going right now,” the unnamed source added.

There were claims of problems in the relationship last April when a French magazine splashed a photo on its front page of Johnny Depp appearing to kiss another woman.

The woman turned out to be the actor’s publicist Robin Baum who reportedly attended the unveiling of Penelope Cruz’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with Johnny Depp while Vanessa Paradis was at home in France with their children.

At the time, Voici magazine wrote: “Are Johnny and Vanessa heading for a split?”

“Whenever Johnny and Vanessa are rumored to be having relationship problems, it’s Robin who as his press officer has to deny them.

“This woman is dangerous.”

France’s 24heuresactu website said: “Is Johnny cheating on Vanessa and splitting up one of the world’s best-known celebrity couples?”

Johnny Depp was most recently spotted on New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles with Vanessa Paradis, their two children and a woman believed to be his mother, Betty Sue.

The actor was married briefly in the early Eighties to make-up artist Lori Anne Allison before his high-profile romances with actress Winona Ryder and supermodel Kate Moss.

Johnny Depp has been with Vanessa Paradis since 1998, when they met on the set of the Roman Polanski thriller, The Ninth Gate.

Speaking about their first meeting in an interview last year, Johnny Depp said: “She was wearing a dress with an exposed back and I saw that back and that neck, and then she turned around and I saw those eyes, and – boom! – my life as a single man was done.

“You have this feeling,” Johnny Depp added. “I can’t really explain what it was, but I had it when I met her.

“I saw her across a room and thought: <<What’s happening to me?>>”

Johnny Depp said the couple hadn’t seen the need for marriage.

“I never found myself needing that piece of paper. Marriage is really from soul to soul, heart to heart.

“You don’t need somebody to say: <<OK, you’re married>>.

“She and I have been together for nearly 14 years, and, well, I can hardly believe it.

“It only seems like yesterday that we met.”

Of his own parents’ broken marriage, Johnny Depp said: “I recall hearing my parents argue and thinking: <<Come on, this is torture. Just split!>>

“They stuck it out until I was 15, but I’d seen it coming for years. When they finally did divorce, I thought: <<OK, this is the right thing>>.”

Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis split their time between their home in Meudon in the Paris suburbs, Los Angeles, Le Plan-de-la-Tour in the south of France and an island in the Bahamas.