10 Little-Known Facts About Wolves

Arguably no other animal on earth has been as important to humans as the wolf. They were gods in the Norse mythologies and nursed Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. Most importantly, the wolf was the first animal to ever be domesticated by man, a process still shrouded in mystery that took place well over 10,000 years ago. They have been our dearest friends and direst enemies, and yet there is still so much we don’t know about them.

10

Black Wolves

Fact: Black wolves don’t occur naturally.

A 2008 study at Stanford University found that the mutation responsible for black fur occurs only in dogs, so black wolves are the result of gray wolves breeding back with domestic canines. The mutation is a dominant trait, like dark hair in humans, and is passed down to the majority of offspring. It is not entirely clear what benefit black fur has for the animals; they do not seem to be more successful hunters, but do show a marked improvement in immunity to certain infections. Black wolves are far more common in North America than they are in the rest of the world.

Top 10 Bizarre Foods They Most Likely Serve in Hell

The world is a big ol’ place, populated by billions of people and thousands of cultures.  It’s not anyone’s place to judge them, no matter how strange or disgusting some of them might seem to you.  Yes, some Asian cultures eat dogs and cats.  Get over it.  Yes, in certain parts of Africa people regularly eat snake meat.  Stop judging them!

That being said…I’m almost certain that if I go to Hell (and I probably will), what will await me there are these 10 torture-dishes from around the world (along with, you know, actual torture):

10.  Satan’s Ashes Curry

Let me be very clear that I absolutely love spicy food, but I also have this unwritten rule (carved into a huge boulder behind my house) that I will never try anything that can only be described as tasting “like pain.”

Speaking of which – Satan’s Ashes Curry.  Lauded as the world’s most spicy curry mixing the infamous Dorset Naga, Naga Morich and Bhut Jolokia) peppers (the latter clocking in at over 1,000,000 Scoville units of hotness), the dish might very well be renamed The Reverse Volcano Curry, if you catch my drift.  According to a man who actually managed to eat a plate of Satan’s Ashes Curry, the dish burns with the power and hatred of 1000 suns—with whose wives you have slept—from the very first bite with no intention of ever stopping.

It’s little surprise that the same man later confessed to almost passing out from the pain while on the toilet.

I love my wife BAL..

"Hi, what r u doing Darling?"
  Wife: I'm dying..!
  Husband jumps with joy but types "Sweet
 Heart, how can I live without U?"
  Wife: "U idiot! I'm dying my hair.."
  Husband: "Bloody English Language!
 

Toucans Shine Bright With Their Brightly Colored Bills

Toucans Shine Bright With Their Brightly Colored Bills here are very few people on Earth who wouldn't recognize the colorful bill of the Toucan. Their extra long bills display a virtual rainbow of colors. Therefore, it's no surprise these particular birds have become one of the world's most popular. However, long before they were sold as household pets or were launched into fame from cereal or stout commercials, they were a bright part of the Central and South American rainforests. 

अपना दिल मत बिगाड़ो

एक सेठ के चार बेटे थे। तीन तो सुबह जल्दी उठ जाते थे, चौथा आलसी-प्रमादी था। सूर्योदय होने के बाद देरी से उठता था। सेठ व्यथित हो जाते थे। आप बेटे को जल्दी उठाओ, नहीं उठे तो अपने हृदय को व्यथित मत करो। 'बेटा नहीं मानता... बेटी नहीं मानती.... बहू नहीं मानती.... यह नहीं होता.... वह नहीं होता...।' ऐसा करके छोटी-छोटी बातों में आप अपने हृदय को व्यथित कर देते हैं, व्यग्र कर देते हैं, शोकाकुल कर देते। व्यथित होना यह दक्षता से गिरना है। हृदय को व्यथित करने से अपनी ही शक्ति क्षीण होने लगती है। आप संतानों को अनुशासन में चलाओ। इसमें शास्त्र संमत है किन्तु आप व्यथित होकर अपने बच्चों, नौकरों को सुधारने लगोगे तो वे सुधरेंगे नहीं, बगावत करेंगे।

"आप अपना दिल बिगाड़कर उसे सुधार रहे हो तो वह कैसे सुधरेगा ?"

बाबाजी सेठजी के साथ कार में जा रहे थे। ड्राईवर ने एकदम से मोड़ ले लिया। सेठ जी ने उसे डाँटाः
"बदतमीज ! यह क्या कर रहा है ? अभी गाड़ी को ठोकर लग जाती ! हार्न बजाना चाहिए था !... " इत्यादि। आग-बबूला होकर सेठ जी बरस पड़े।

बाबाजी ने धीरे से कहाः "सेठजी ! यह क्या कर रहे हो ?"
"मैं इस कम्बख्त को सुधार रहा हूँ।"

"आप अपना दिल बिगाड़कर उसे सुधार रहे हो तो वह कैसे सुधरेगा ?"

आप अपना दिल मत बिगाड़ो। अपने को व्यथित करके किसी को सुधारेगा तो वह नहीं सुधरेगा।
पहले अपना दिल पावन कर लो, प्यार से भर लो, कल्याण से भर लो। दिल को व्यथा में मत भरो। प्यार से लोगों को सुधरने का मौका दो और परिणाम रूप फल की आशा मत करो। फिर देखो, ईश्वर क्या नहीं करवाता।

10 Worst Generals in British History

Great Britain has a long, storied military history. For every glorious victory and brilliant general, however, there’s an ignominious defeat and blundering fool. The following list presents ten such incompetents.

10

James Abercrombie

1706-1781

Poor Edward Braddock always gets a drubbing for his mismanagement of the Monongahela Campaign. But the French and Indian War saw an equally stupid disaster perpetrated by James Abercrombie, who wasted thousands of men in a futile assault against Fort Ticonderoga in July 1758.

The French position at Ticonderoga was not insurmountable. The terrain gave the British a chance to flank the fort without difficulty, while unoccupied hills nearby offered prime artillery positions. “It is rare in military history for a commander to be faced by such a range of options,” notes Geoffrey Regan, “any one of which guaranteed success.”

Instead, Abercrombie opted for a suicidal frontal assault. The result was a bloodbath: 2,000 men fell, including nearly half of the famous “Black Watch” Highland regiment, and the attack was repulsed. Abercrombie lost his job to Edward Amherst, who captured Ticonderoga a year later with fewer men at a fraction of the cost.

Is Online Dating Worth It?

Today’s infographic is an interesting one The Truth About Online Dating and the Business of Love as implied by the title looks at online dating and its truth worth. It turns out people like to lie and online dating profiles are no exception. On average women claim to be 8.5 pounds lighter and have profile pictures about 1.5 years old. Men on average claim to be 2 pounds lighter and use profile pictures taken about 6 months ago. People’s need to find a significant other has turned out to quite profitable for online dating sites.

Even though people lie on their profile pages the amount of people using or visiting online dating sites has doubled in the past five years. Today’s infographic claims couples who meet via an online dating site are much quicker to get to the alter, dating an average of 18.5 months before getting married. Where as couples who met in the “real world” take about 42 months to get married. Makes me wonder what the personality differences are between people meeting online and in the real world.

Enjoy today’s infographic and don’t forget to share! [via]

Antarctica’s Bloody Falls

Life sure turns up in the darnedest places. The latest discovery comes from Blood Falls, a rusty red discolouration on the face of the Taylor Glacier in Antarctica that occasionally gushes forth a transparent, briny, iron-rich liquid that quickly oxidizes and turns red, staining the ice below.

बीजिंग. यह दुनिया की सबसे हैरतअंगेज सुपर याट है। चीन में बुधवार को यह लॉन्च की गई। इसका नाम है अदेस्त्रा। हांगकांग के क्लाइंट एंटो और एलेन मार्डन ने इसे खरीदा है। कई सालों पहले देखे गए इस सपने को साकार करने में पूरे पांच साल लगे।

जॉन शटल ने इसे डिजाइन किया है और इसे चीन में ही बनाया गया है। बोट इंटरनेशनल मैगजीन ने इसकी कहानी बयां की है। मैगजीन के मुताबिक यह भविष्य में समुद्र में लंबी दूरी तय करने का सफल माध्यम होगा।

आईपैड से होगी नियंत्रित

इसमें इंडीग्रेटेड शिप मॉनिटरिंग सिस्टम लगा है। इसकी खास बात यह है कि इसे 50 मीटर के रेंज में एप्पल के आईपैड से भी नियंत्रित किया जा सकता है। इसके इसकी खामी कहिए या खूबी कि इसमें सिर्फ 9 लोगों के ही सफर करने की सुविधा है। हालांकि इसमें 5-6 क्रू मेंबर्स के लिए जगह अलग से रखी गई है।  

खूबी यह भी

इंजन कैटरपिलर सी 18 इंजन, 1150 हॉर्स पावर, मेन डेक में सलून, लॉन्ज,  डाइनिंग टेबल, नेविगेशन सिस्टम है। रीयर डेक में सोफा और बार।

मोटी तनख्वाह पाने का यह है नया फार्मूला!

 पेंसिलवेनिया यूनिवर्सिटी की हालिया रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक अगर आपको मोटी तनख्वाह चाहिए तो एक ही नौकरी से चिपके न रहें बल्कि नौकरी बदलते रहें। जो लोग समय-समय पर नौकरी बदलते रहते हैं वो मोटी तनख्वाह पाते हैं।

इस शोध में कहा गया कि कोई भी नई कंपनी ज्वाइन करने पर 18-20 फीसदी सैलरी इंक्रीमेंट देती है। इस शोध में यह भी कहा कि कंपनी के लिए नए कर्मचारियों को ज्यादा सैलरी देने से अच्छा है कि वो पहले से काम कर रहे कर्मचारियों को प्रमोशन देकर उनकी सैलरी बढ़ा दें।

इस शोध के प्रमुख शोधकर्ता मैथ्यू बिडवैल के मुताबिक बाहर से आने वाले कर्मचारियों का बायोडाटा दिखने में भले ही शानदार दिखे लेकिन उनका काम शानदार हो यह जरुरी नहीं है। नए लोगों को कंपनी के बारे में समझने में दो साल का समय लगता है जिससे कंपनी के विकास में बाधा आती है जबकि पुराने कर्मचारियों पहले ही परिवेश में ढले  होते हैं।

तो क्या यह है दुनिया की सबसे बेस्ट जॉब!

एक सर्वे में इस जॉब को दुनिया की सबसे बेस्ट जॉब माना गया है। अमेरिका की करियर कॉस्ट कंसल्टेंसी द्वारा हाल ही में किए गए सर्वे के मुताबिक सॉफ्टवेयर इंजीनियर की जॉब दुनिया में सबसे बेस्ट जॉब है क्योंकि इसमें अच्छी सैलरी के साथ तनाव काफी कम रहता है। इसके अलावा एकाउंटेंट, एचआर मैनेजर, डेंटिस्ट और फाइनेंशियल एडवाइजर की नौकरी को दुनिया की बेस्ट पांच जॉब माना गया है।

इस सर्वे में लकड़ी काटने के पेशे को सबसे खराब पेश करार दिया गया है। इस के अलाव में दस सबसे तनावपूर्ण पेशों को भी शामिल किया गया है। जिसमें पायलट, फौजी, मिलिटरी जनरल, पुलिस अफसर,इवेंट मैनेजर, जनसंचार अधिकारी, वरिष्ट कॉरपोरेट, फोटो जर्नलिस्ट और टैक्सी ड्राईवर की नौकरी को सबसे तनावपूर्ण माना गया है।

इस सर्वे का मुख्य पैमाना अच्छी सैलरी और तनाव का स्तर था। बेस्ट जॉब में उन पेशों का शामिल किया गया जिसमें सालाना आय 30 से 50 लाख रुपए थी।

पति की मौत के बाद जब दूसरे शासकों ने डाली गंदी निगाहें...

भोपाल। भारत का दिल कहे जाने वाला राज्य मध्यप्रदेश की राजधानी भोपाल को झीलों की नगरी कही जाती है। लेकिन क्या आपको पता है कि इस खूबसूरत शहर के निर्माता दोस्त मोहम्मद खान हैं? 

 

सन् 1720 ई. के आस-पास की बात है। इतिहास में मौजूद साक्ष्यों के अनुसार निजाम शाह उस समय भोपाल के आस-पास के इलाकों के प्रतापी गौंड राजा थे। उनकी पत्नी रानी कमलापति काफी सुंदर स्त्री थीं। कई गौंड शासक उनकी सुंदरता के कायल थे। उन्हीं में से एक आलम शाह नामक शासक उनसे काफी प्रभावित थे।

 

 

इसी दरम्यान रानी कमलापति के पति निजाम शाह की मृत्यु हो गई। उनकी मृत्यु होते ही शासकों ने उनपर गंदी निगाहें डालना शुरू कर दीं। तब रानी की सुरक्षा खतरे में पड़ गई। वे खुद को असुरक्षित महसूस करने लगीं। इसके लिए उन्होंने इस्लामनगर के दुर्दात अफगान लड़ाके दोस्त मोहम्मद खां को अपनी रक्षा का बुलावा भेजा। लेकिन रानी के पास उस समय मोहम्मद खां को देने के लिए बहुत कुछ नहीं था।

 

इसके बावजूद उन्होंने एक लाख रुपए में सौदा तय किया। मोहम्मद खां को सौदा मंजूर हो गया और उन्होंने रानी की सुरक्षा करते हुए गौड़ राजाओं की निर्ममता से हत्या कर दी। इसके बाद रानी कमलापति मोहम्मद खां को सिर्फ 50 हजार रुपए ही दे सकीं। सौदा पूरा नहीं हुआ। ऐसे में शेष 50 हजार रुपयों के बदले रानी ने मोहम्मद खां को बेरसिया और गिन्नौर के बीच बड़ी झील के किनारे की बस्ती दे दी।

 

मोहम्मद खां ने उसे सहर्ष स्वीकार लिया। दरअसल, वही बस्ती भोपाल के रूप में प्रसिद्ध हुई। इतिहास के पन्नों में भोपाल के जन्मदाता के रूप में राजा भोज का नाम भी चर्चे का विषय है। ऐसा कहा जाता है कि भोपाल के जन्मदाता राजा भोज ही हैं। लेकिन इतिहास में इस बात का कहीं भी विस्तार से जिक्र नहीं मिलता।

 

इसका जिक्र शहरयार खां की किताब द बेगम्स ऑफ भोपाल में भी मिलता है।

नंगे पकड़े जाने के डर से बना डाली अनोखी लालटेन

श्रीनगर. एक किसान ने रिमोट सेंसर लालटेन बनाई है। यह घर के बाहर होने वाली गतिविधि की जानकारी संगीत के साथ देती है। 48 वर्षीय गुलाम मोहम्मद पीर ने इसका प्रदर्शन कश्मीर विश्वविद्यालय के सम्मेलन में किया। कोकरनाग क्षेत्र स्थित सागाम गांव के मोहम्मद मीरअनपढ़ हैं। वे पेशे से किसान हैं। 

इसलिए बनाई लालटेन

मोहम्मद पीर घर में कम कपड़े पहनने के आदी हैं। गांव में सुरक्षाबलों की जांच अभियान के दौरान अक्सर उन्हें आधे कपड़ों में ही बाहर आना पड़ता था। अगर देर हो जाती तो अनेक सवालों के जवाब देने पड़ते। कई बार देरी की वजह से उनकी पिटाई भी हुई। इससे तंग आकर उन्होंने लालटेन में रिमोट सेंसर लगाया। घर के आसपास किसी भी तरह की मानवीय हलचल होते ही लालटेन में गाना बजने लगता। इससे वे सतर्कहो जाते और पूरे कपड़े पहन लेते। उनका दावा है कि कई बार इस लालटेन ने उनकी जान बचाई। अब तक वे 20 लालटेन लोगों को बेच चुके हैं

the best of Blighty with incredible sand sculptures

The artists look proud of their work - and it's under-sand-able.

These stunning sand sculptures have been created by a Japanese attraction that's gone against the grain to celebrate the best of British for the Olympics.

Using some of our most famous figures and landmarks, a team 15 artists from around the world created everything from the Tower of London to the inside of a Great British pub at the world's first museum dedicated to sand in Tottori.

To beach or not to beach: A sand replica titled British Literature William Shakespeare at the Sand Museum in Tottori, Japan

Once-in-a-lifetime picture of lightning striking iconic bridge

They say that lightning never strikes twice, but this amazing photo proves otherwise. 

An incredible eight bolts struck the Bay Bridge in San Francisco last night which was captured in this incredible shot by photographer Phil McGrew, who took the photo through the rain-soaked window of his apartment.  

Mr McGrew, 49, was shocked at the striking image which shows the split-second moment of electric forks hitting the span of the bridge.

Lucky strike! Eight bolts of lightning hit the iconic Bay Bridge in San Francisco in a spectacular once in a lifetime moment captured by photographer Phil McGrew 

The currency trader, who took up photography as a hobby two years ago, put his camera near his window as the rare thunderstorm lashed the city at 6pm.

He said: 'I moved from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to San Francisco about two years ago.

'We used to get a lot of big storms in Florida, but I've only seen them a couple of times here.

38 seldom-seen places

World's 38 UNSEEN Places....Amazing !    1. Ebenalp, Switzerland?A Restaurant!

Top 10 Fastest Birds in the World

Bird, as it can fly, is one of the species in the world that can move fast. Some birds become the fastest bird because they can fly in high speed. Some of them even faster than luxury cruises. You can imagine how some birds can travel in a long distance, even cross continents, to find a better weather when the winter is coming. Their wings is very strong to travel hundreds of mile. We don’t include Peregrine Falcon here as It’s the fastest bird when they are in its hunting dive. Their speed can be more than 200 mph. So let’s take a look at the list of fastest birds in the world when They are flying

10. Pintail: 65 mph

The Pintail (Anas acuta) is a widely spreaded duck with the population in Europe, Asia and North America. They are strong migratory birds that can travel near the equator to south. They can fly at the speed of 105 km/hour (65 mph). They are large ducks with a wingspan of 23.6–28.2 cm (9.3–11.1 in). The male is usually larger than the female.

Pintail

Mastercard, Absolutely Priceless !!!!

Mastercard!!! 
 CANCEL YOUR CREDIT CARD BEFORE YOU DIE .......

Reported in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle U.K. recently:
Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die! This is so priceless.  And so easy to see happening - customer service, being what it is today!

A lady died this past September, and MBNA bank billed her in October and November for their annual service charges on her credit card, and then in December added late fees and interest on the monthly charge.
The balance that had been £0.00, now is somewhere around £60.00.

A family member placed a call to the MBNA Bank:
 
Family Member: 'I am calling to tell you that my grandma died in September.'
MBNA: 'But the account was never closed and so the late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'Maybe, you should turn it over to your collections section.'
MBNA: ‘Since it is two months over due, it already has been.'
Family Member: ‘So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'
MBNA: 'Either report her account to the Frauds Department or report her to The Credit bureau, maybe both!'
Family Member: 'Do you think God will be mad at her?'
MBNA: 'Excuse me?'
Family Member: 'Did you just get what I was telling you . . The part about her being dead?'
MBNA: 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.'
Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member: 'I'm calling to tell you, she died in September.'
MBNA: 'But the account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'
MBNA: (Stammer) 'Are you her solicitor?'
Family Member: 'No, I'm her grandson'
MBNA: 'Could you fax us a  death certificate?'
Family Member: 'Sure.'
( fax number is given )
 
After they get the fax:
MBNA: 'Our system just isn't set up for death. I don't know what more I can do to help.'
Family Member: 'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her.  I don't think she will care.'
MBNA: 'Well, the late fees and charges will still apply.' 
Family Member: ‘Would you like her new billing address?'
MBNA: 'That would help.'
Family Member: ' Plot 1049.' Heaton Cemetary, Heaton Road , Newcastle upon Tyne
MBNA: 'But, that's a cemetery!'
Family Member: 'Well, what the f*** do you do with dead people on your planet?'
The MBNA were not available for comment when a reporter from the Newcastle Evening Chronicle rang them.

GOD exists .. know how..

If you never felt pain,
then how would you know that GOD is a Healer?





If you never went through difficulties,
how would you know that GOD is Deliverer?





If you never had a trial,
how could you call yourself an over comer?





If you never felt sadness,
how would you know that GOD is Comforter?





If you never made a mistake,
how would you know that GOD is forgiving? 





If you knew it all,
how would you know that GOD will answer your questions?





If you never were in trouble,
how would you know that GOD will come to your Rescue?





If you never were broken,
then how would you know that GOD can make you whole?





If you never had a problem,
how would you know that GOD can solve them?





If you never had any suffering,
then how would you know what Jesus went Through? 





If you never went through the fire,
then how would you become pure?





If GOD gave you all things,
how would you appreciate them? 





If GOD never corrected you,
how would you know that GOD love you?





If you had all power,
then how would you learn to depend on GOD ? 





If your life was perfect,
then what would you need GOD for?



GOD IS THERE .. GOD IS GREAT

unique

HEMA is a Dutch department store. The first store opened on November 4, 1926, in Amsterdam. Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands.n

Take a look at HEMA's product page. You can't order anything and it's in Dutch, but just wait a couple of seconds and watch what happens. 

 

Don't click on any of the items in the picture, just wait and see what happens.

This company has a sense of humor and a great computer programmer.

Click here

TOP WAYS TO PREVENT DIABETES...

Whether you fall in the high-risk category for diabetes, or are simply concerned for your health, do read the top 10 ways in which you avoid getting this disease.

A healthy diet and exercise can help prevent diabetes

A healthy snack, by definition, is: 
1. Low in fat, especially trans fat
2. Low in calories
3. Low-cholesterol
4. Baked rather than fried

A multi-grain snack made from oats, corn, ragi, rice, wheat and flax seeds are rich in fibre and provide wholesome nutrition. Oats, ragi, wheat have adequate amount of essential amino acids, vitamin B, calcium, iron and specially rich in cellulose whereas corn is an excellent source of iron, B` vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C, phosphorous and zinc.

Overall this multi grain snack brings you considerable health benefits along with great taste.

Of course, knowing what not to eat is as important as knowing what to eat. One should be wise enough to avoid fried, oily and generally high on calorie content snacks.

Besides this, healthy snacks are at the crux of reducing the chances of diseases, losing weight and keeping you energetic all day. The most important advantage of taking healthy snacks is that you do not binge later on foods that are unhealthy and may become the leading cause of obesity and other diseases.

Burn more calories that you consume - It is a healthy practice to consume fewer calories than you use. Eat foods that are not high in calories and increase your physical activity by walking more, taking the stairs whenever you can and making a conscious effort to stay active.

Be conscious of your measurements - A slim waist is not just a cosmetic vanity, it is also a sign of better health. As Indians, we have a tendency to gain weight around our midriffs and thus it`s very important to make an effort to keep the inches off. Experts suggest that women should keep their waist measurement below 80 cm (31.5 inches), and men below 90 cm (35.5 inches).

Start eating smaller, more frequent meals - Many of us follow the policy of eating three solid meals a day. Consider changing over to the divide and eat policy. So if you`re used to eating 4 chappaties, eat 2 now and 2 after a couple of hours. Also, whatever happens, don`t skip breakfast.

Include fruits and vegetables in your diet - It`s time to take control of what you eat. Make a conscious effort to include plenty of fruits (whole fruits are far better than juices) and vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, in your diet. The benefits to your overall health, sense of well-being and looks will be immense.

Gain with whole grains - Wheat, brown rice and oats are far healthier for you than refined foods. Make them a part of your diet and keep diabetes at bay.

There`s no escaping exercise - When it comes to prevention, the power of regular exercise is far greater than that of any medicine created. Through regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, you can prevent a range of diseases - from diabetes to heart disease. It keeps you feeling healthy, looking good and makes life far more enjoyable. If you`re not exercising already, start today.

De-stress - Experts have found a strong correlation between stress and diabetes. Don`t simply accept stress as a part of modern living. There are many things you can do to avoid and reduce stress in your life.

Practice yoga, take up meditation, exercise - The list is endless. Take steps to reduce stress in your life today.

Quit smoking -

If you needed another reason to quit smoking, here it is. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that a person who smoked 16 to 25 cigarettes a day was three times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than a non`smoker.

Reduce salt intake - Hypertension and diabetes have a very close connection. In fact, the prevalence of hypertension in the diabetic population is twice that of the non-diabetic population. So if you have any of the risk factors of diabetes or hypertension, take care of reducing your salt intake.

Check your blood sugar and cholesterol levels - If you fall in the high-risk group, i.e., if you have a family history of diabetes, along with any one of the risk factors listed above, you must get regular blood sugar and cholesterol checks.

The Bizarre Landscape of YehLiu Geopark

Yehliu is a cape on the north coast of Taiwan in the town of Wanli, famous for its stunning geological landscape. The unique rocks are concentrated at a region called the Yeliu Geopark - a 1,700 meter-long peninsula jutting out into the ocean and dotted with strange rock formation such as mushroom rocks, honeycomb rocks, ginger rock, pothole erosion and other appropriately named oddities.

A number of rock formations have been given imaginative names based on their shapes. The most well-known is the "The Queen's Head", an iconic image in Taiwan and an unofficial emblem for the town of Wanli. Other formations include "The Fairy Shoe", "The Bee Hive", "The Ginger Rocks" and "The Sea Candles. Many of these rocks contain fossils, which showcase creatures native to Taiwan from a not-so-distant-past.

The area is studded with seawater-eroded holes teeming with sea-life, as well as unusual rock formations, which make the surrounding environment rich in ecological resources. Sun, wind, rain, waves and strong northeastern typhoons all make a major impact on this narrow strip of land.

10 Greatest Opera Singers

Opera has long been mistaken to be purely singing. Besides the orchestral music, acting, stage presence and interpretation of the music are what separates a diva from a group of singers. The voice in opera is usually split in to sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, tenors, baritones and basses. You might notice that sopranos and tenors make up 90% of the list. After all, it’s only over when the fat lady sings.

10

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

(1915-2006) Soprano (Lyric)

Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was one of the greatest opera singers that lived to recording age. She performed her first opera Orfeo ed Euridice at age 13 in Germany. In an ironic turn of luck, her father was censored by the Nazis, resulting in her inability to study medicine. Her beautifully lyric sound made her ideal for Classical operas, such as Mozart and the operettas of Johann Strauss Jr. and Jacques Offenbach. Her lyricism also made her perfect for the German Lieds. Aside from the regular Schubert, she also shared affinity with the works of Hugo Wolf.

The Deep Blue Lakes of Band-e-Amir, Afghanistan

The name Afghanistan invokes images of a dry and arid country with mountainous terrain, endless desert, thorn bushes and mud houses. But at the center of this depressing landscape is a series of spectacular lakes with water so blue that it looks almost like ink.

Band-e Amir is a series of six incredibly deep blue lakes in the heart of the central Afghanistan. The lakes are situated in the foothills of the Hindu Kush, the second highest mountain range in the world, 80 kilometers from the ancient town of Bamiyan, where the Taliban destroyed the world’s tallest Buddha statues in 2001. Surrounded by pink towering limestone cliffs almost in complete lack of vegetation, the stunning lakes seems totally out of place.

The beautiful lakes were created by the carbon dioxide rich water that is drawn from the spring melt-water in the surrounding mountains and came out from faults and cracks in the rocky landscape. This outflow of water percolates slowly through the underlying limestone, dissolving its principal mineral, calcium carbonate. Over time, the water deposited layers of hardened mineral (travertine), which created dams that trap water in increasingly large basins. These dams are usually about 10m high and 3m wide. Water cascades from one lake to the other near travertine terraces serving as massive natural dams between the lakes.

Aerial Photography of Iceland by Sandro Santioli

Iceland is one of the most photogenic countries of the world. The Icelandic landscape is vast, varied and ruggedly beautiful with huge icecaps and glaciers, geysers and hot springs, raging rivers and wonderful waterfalls. The dramatic scenery is shaped by volcanic eruptions and carved out by glaciers.

Recently, Italian photographer Sandro Santioli took to the air in a Cessna and snapped a series of extraordinary images showcasing the island's exotic topography. Sandro Santioli racked up 70 hours of flight time as he took the photos while holding his camera out the window of the aircraft.

Sandro Santioli is one of the most esteemed Italian photographers, with a work that varies from reportage to creative photography. He often works with geographic and travel magazines, in Italy and abroad. His work has been reviewed on fine art and photo magazines (such as National Geographic Italy), and used used for advertising campaigns for firms and public corporations, on websites, books, posters, brochures.

Awesome Out Of Bounds Photography

Photoshop has mad the impossible possible. Have you ever imagined the photos coming out of the frame. well! Here we have collected some amazing photos form various designers that is popping out of the bond which gives a 3D effect. Now have a look at these awesome Photoshopped pictures...

Top 10 Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold

We are completely amazed by the amounts of money art-lovers and collectors would pay to own a unique piece of art and call it theirs. We are aware of the fact that these carry a huge value behind them and should probably cost even more, although we wouldn’t consider them as sellable items.

In the following article, we’d like to point out the 10 most expensive paintings ever to be purchased. They range from extremely well known artists to more obscure ones, and from privately sold ones to others that were purchased from famous auctions.

Fatty acids fight cancer spread

Tiny agents found in omega-3 could potentially be used to block the path of primary cancer tumours, preventing the advance to secondary stage cancers according to pharmacy researchers at the University of Sydney.

Investigators in the Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development Group of the Faculty of Pharmacy are using breast cancer tissue cells to gauge the blocking capacity of the omega-3 agents called epoxides on cancer cell movement.

Dr Michael Murray, Professor of Pharmogenetics at the University, says a major life-threatening consequence of malignant breast tumours is metastasis where the disease has spread to distant sites (or tissues) and at present there are no treatments.

He led his team to the discovery of the anti-metastatic actions of epoxides which are produced within the body from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The groundbreaking work has led Murray and his Drug Development Group deeper into the molecular structure of the omega-3 agents.

Professor Murray says: "These agents are a bit like frontline soldiers blocking the assault of an invading army and now we want to advance our research which was published late last year and apply it to breast cancer cells.

"We know that epidemiological studies have reported that dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, decrease the risk of certain cancers. And many of us are including sources of omega-3 such as tuna and salmon in our diet as a precaution.

"The major objective of our new project is to speed the development of anti-metastatic agents based on omega-3 epoxides and trial their effectiveness in vivo on breast cancer tissue.

"Longer term we are aiming to develop a completely new class of anti-metastatic drugs designed to inhibit the spread of primary cancers," Murray says.

Although not all experts agree, women who eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids over many years may be less likely to develop breast cancer. More research is needed to understand the effect that omega-3 fatty acids may have on the prevention of breast cancer says Murray.

Research has also shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis.

Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.

12 Coolest Facts About Dreams

Some of the most interesting facts about dreams in the trailing paragraphs are sure to take one by surprise.

While dreaming we become temporarily paralyzed

Not many of us are aware that we become temporarily paralyzed in the dream state. This can be attributed to the fact that sometimes we may be so moved with certain dramatic dreams as to fall and hurt ourselves, thus, as a natural response the body goes into a temporary inactive state physically.

Eisriesenwelt–The World’s Largest Ice Cave

The Eisriesenwelt (German for "World of the Ice Giants") is a natural limestone ice cave located in Werfen, Austria, about 40 km south of Salzburg. It is the largest ice cave in the world extending more than 42km.

Eisriesenwelt Cave was created by the Salzach river as it flowed through the mountain eroding passageways nearly 100 million years ago. Over the course of thousands of years cracks and crevices in the limestone became more developed as water eroded the rocks away. In winter, when the air inside the mountain is warmer than outside, cold air streams into the mountain and reduces the temperature of the lower areas of the caves to below freezing point. In spring the water from melting snow seeps through the cracks in the rock and when it reaches the colder lower areas of the caves it freezes and turns slowly into the wonderful ice formations visible inside the caves.

Although the cave has a length of 42 km, only the first kilometer, the area that tourists are allowed to visit, is covered in ice. The rest of the cave is formed of limestone. Since the entrance to the caves is open year-round, chilly winter winds blow into the cave and freeze the snow inside. In summer, a cold wind from inside the cave blows toward the entrance and prevents the formations from melting.

A Rare Scene In The Animal Kingdom !!!

Don't touch my baby!

The incredible moment three lionesses killed a crocodile after it tried to attack a cub

The protective females instinctively leapt into action to fend off the aggressive predator.

With organised precision, the lionesses surrounded the croc and launched a ferocious volley of blows.

The extraordinary encounter took place in Botswana and was captured on camera by a touring cardiologist

A lioness stared down the crocodile after it tried to snap at a cub

The lionesses circled around the crocodile

During the encounter the crocodile managed to bite one of the big cats but was soon killed by the pride.

The rare scenes were captured by Tony Goldman while on a safari trip to the Duba Plains, in Botswana, with his son.

Tony, 58, a cardiologist, said: 'The lionesses had just killed a buffalo and suddenly a crocodile ventured about 100 yards out of the water towards them to snack on the meat.

'One of the smaller cubs was in the path of the crocodile and it started to advance towards the cub in a menacing fashion before trying to attack it.

One lioness let out a roar inches from the croc's face

Three lionesses then pounced on the aggressive beast

The crocodile reared in pain as the lioness struck a blow

'This resulted in an eruption from the three nearby lionesses who went for the croc in an organised fashion.

'I expected the croc to back off but it didn't and there was a tremendous fight with the croc biting one of the lionesses.

'There was a commotion and dust flying everywhere before the lionesses finally overpowered the invader.

The crocodile only managed to get in one bite before it was killed by the protective pride

'The whole thing lasted about 15 minutes and was only witnessed by my son, our driver and myself.

'We were really lucky because the driver had driven like a maniac to get there in time after we heard about the buffalo kill.'  Father of two,Tony, from Benoni, near Johannesburg, South Africa, added: 'On my subsequent safaris I've mentioned this experience to rangers with more than 20 years in the bush and no one has ever seen lions take down a crocodile.

'It is most certainly a very rare wildlife occurrence that we were lucky enough to see and photograph.'

The cubs were brought in for a snack after the crocodile was killed

source