iblog

Rushda: The winner of this year's Man Booker prize has been announced. Surprisingly it was neither of the two favourites from the bookmakers - Ian McEwan or Lloyd Jones - but Irish author Anne Enright for her book The Gathering. The Booker prize is one of the most prestigious in literature and is awarded for the best work of fiction in English from a British author in the last twelve months. Enright has received a £50,000 reward. The book is a melancholy look at a grieving family in Ireland. Chair of the judges Sir Howard Davies believes the book is a masterpiece as it is "powerful, uncomfortable and, at times, angry." He says:

"The Gathering is an unflinching look at a grieving family in tough and striking language. The book is powerful, it pulls you along and it has an absolutely brilliant ending. It has one of the best last sentences of any novel I have ever read."

Like most people, the author herself, a former television producer who's written three novels before this one, is surprised by the winning. After all, over 90% of all wagers at the Bookies were for Ian McEwan and Lloyd Jones. Enright says:

"I am still churning it through. Tomorrow, I'll wake up and go 'whoopee'. I was ready for anything - possibly anything except that."

Congratulations to the author for such a spectacular recognition for her works. No doubt I will try and get hold of a copy in the near future!

Rushda: It is one of the mysteries of life that no one has really been able to answer before - do fish go to sleep or do they just "rest"? Since fish have no eyelids, the question has baffled scientists and laymen alike, but now we finally have the answer! A study has found that not only do fish sleep but they also enjoy a good lie-in, particularly after a rough night. The study, which was conducted at Stanford University in the United States, consisted of observing the behaviour of zebrafish. Scientists repeatedly disturbed the fish with "mild electric shocks" to keep them awake at night and the results showed that the disturbed fish tried to "catch up" on sleep they lost after they were left in peace. Not only have these results helped us understand the lifestyle of fishes, but the researchers believe that they will also help us with human sleep disorders. Zebrafish were selected because they have a similar central nervous system to mammals such as humans, so by analysing how they develop sleep disorders will mean we can make progress on the science of sleep in general. According to the researchers:

“Sleep disorders are common and poorly understood. Further, how and why the brain generates sleep is the object of intense speculations. In this study, we demonstrate that a bony fish used for genetic studies sleeps.”

So perhaps the next time you come down past the fish tank in the middle of the night, you should be quiet so as not to disturb the sleeping fish!

Rushda: Now that a public health threat has marked obesity out as a "potential crisis on the scale of climate change", it is no surprise that so many of us are worried. It is, therefore, interesting to see the various "funkier" measures which have been introduced to try and tackle it. For example, one such new invention is the "intelligent shopping trolley" which will alert future shoppers as soon as anything unhealthy is dropped into it. Experts believe that such a trolley will not only make people more aware of what they are buying but will motivate those with a lack of willpower. The trolley works by scanning the bar codes of anything that is dropped into it and triggering red warning lights when it detects something that contains high levels of fat, sugar or salt. The new concept for the trolley will be unveiled tomorrow by the Institute for Grocery Distribution which is currently considering the future of British retail. It is believed that it could actually be a reality in the near future as successful trials have already begun in the States. Not only does the trolley alert the shopper to unhealthy foods but it has actually designed to be cleverer than that. Using a scan of the shopper's loyalty card, the trolley can detect what kind of person the shopper is - whether they have diabetes or not for instance, and what kinds of foods they need to watch out for. It also uses a record of previous purchases to help guide the shopper to the best deals and even gives directions around the store. Sion Roberts, director of consumer industries and retail at the technology company, EDS, believes this is something that really could change shopping remarkably in future. He says:

“Everyone wants more and more information and different information, not everyone wants to know everything about a product. But many shoppers already think that lists of ingredients on packaging are too complicated to read and understand. It will be easier to read larger print on a screen. There will also be red-light alerts if you ask the trolley to give your shopping a health check. It may not stop you putting a box of cream cakes in the trolley but you will be made to think about the decision.”

Rushda: Whatever your theory about whether there is more life out there, the search certainly is hotting up as there is now a new telescope specifically dedicated to sweeping the skies for signs of it. The device will be one of the largest arrays in the world and has been funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The finished array, named the Allen Telescope Array (ATA), will have 350 six-metre antennas which will be able to sweep over more than 1 million star systems. It will work by detecting radio signals which will then be examined to see if they could come from intelligent life forms. The scientists and creators on the team are very excited by the new development, and even hope to spot "definite" signs by the year 2025. ATA will be run by the Seti Institute and the Radio Astronomy Laboratory at the University of California. Senior astronomer on the team Seth Shostak says:

"For Seti, the ATA's technical capabilities exponentially increase our ability to search for intelligent signals, and may lead to the discovery of thinking beings elsewhere in the Universe."

Personally I am a little sceptical about the whole thing - even if we found radio signals, it would be very difficult to work out what made them "intelligent", and surely it is a little presumptuous to think that aliens, if they exist, would be using such signals to contact us or otherwise. Thankfully, it is good to know the array will have other uses, such as helping us better understand the other mysterious phenomena in our universe such as supernovas and black holes which are currently only predictions and have not yet been observed.

Rushda: New research suggests that those who do frequent housework using cleaning sprays and air fresheners are at an increased risk from developing asthma. Though it does not seem surprising at all, this is the first time scientists have found a direct link between developing the dangerous breathing condition and the use of these substances. In fact, the research found that even using these sprays as little as once a week increases the risk. The study has been carried out in Spain and conducted over more than 3,500 people. It has found that the more often you use cleaning sprays, the higher your risk is to develop asthma. It also found that the types of sprays which carry the greatest risk are "air fresheners, furniture cleaners and glass cleaners", some of the most common household substances. The researchers believe that the link is indeed a serious one, with as many as 1 in 7 of all asthma cases being likely to be caused by cleaning sprays. Indeed, the risk of getting asthma is up to 50% higher in those who use sprays than those who don't. Though studies are still being carried out to determine what the exact cause of the risk is, it is believed that the most likely reason is that the sprays contain "irritants specific to asthma." The news is indeed worrying as respiratory problems can even be fatal. However, the manufacturers of the cleaning products say that there is no obvious link between use of them and asthma, and rigorous testing does go on to make sure the products are safe. But as Victoria King of Asthma UK says:

"We know that up to 25% of people exposed to chemicals, including cleaning sprays, at work will go on to develop occupational asthma. This report also highlights significant findings regarding the link between asthma and the use of spray cleaning products in the home. Although further research is needed, we do already know that air fresheners and bleach trigger symptoms in people who already have asthma."

As someone who has regularly suffered from asthma, I can fully appreciate how serious the condition can be, and I urge keen cleaners to be cautious!

Rushda: A new study on education has revealed the worrying result that even young children who are still at primary school experience stress and anxiety, the most popular reason being exams. The government has subsequently been criticised of overly-harsh testing which could account for some of the pressure children feel when having to take their SATs. The research was conducted by Primary Review in Cambridge, where 750 people took part in answering surveys and having discussions. Professor Robin Alexander from the organisation is alarmed by the results:

"What people wanted to talk about was the stress of government tests, then life outside school, road safety, physical dangers, the sense young children are having to grow up too soon."

Many of the children who researchers had discussions with were stricken with all kinds of worries including family breakdown, terrorism, violence, and even mature scientific topics like climate change. Lots of them did not feel safe, even around their own friends. Now most teachers and parents believe that children are being brought up to "grow up too soon" and are worried by how easy it is for children to feel unsafe. For example, a parent has said:

"I'm now thinking that I won't let my child read the local newspaper because, I mean, yesterday there was something in it about someone being stabbed outside the swimming pool where he goes. I don't want him to feel he is not safe."

It is troubling to know that so many children now are not getting the best out of their innocent and carefree childhood - supposedly some of the best years of their lives, and it is difficult to know who is to blame. Some criticise the government for tests too mature for their age, whilst some believe that the problem lies in electronic gadgets and television. Many are simply pessimistic about the state of the world as it is today, and feel that it is unfortunate that children so young are affected by it.

Jeanne: Just when you thought medical marvels couldn’t get any stranger, here’s another report to startle and amuse you. Doctors in Australia recently saved the life of an Italian tourist by feeding him vodka through an intravenous drip. This followed a failed attempt by the 24 year-old to commit suicide by poisoning himself. The treatment was carried out whilst the patient was in a coma. Having run out of medical alcohol – an effective antidote to the poison, the doctors had to resort to using concentrated vodka in an attempt to save the patient. According to Dr. Todd Frasier of hospital in the Queensland hospital:

The patient was drip-fed about three standard drinks an hour for three days in the intensive care unit. Fortunately for him he was in a medically induced coma for a good portion of that. By the time he woke up I think his hangover would have well and truly gone.

The patient was hospitalized for 20 days following the incident and is currently receiving counseling. Whilst the actions of the doctors have been praised, however, some critics have pointed out that the hospital shouldn’t have run out of medical alcohol in the first place. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the doctors involved deserve to be praised for their willingness to innovate and adapt to difficult situations.

Rushda: It may seem like something out of science fiction, and it's difficult to know how seriously to take it, but scientists have produced money which can be used in outer space. The Quasi Universal Intergalactic Denomination, conveniently abbreviated as Quid, is for the use of inter-planetary travellers when space travel becomes more common in future. The currency has been specially designed by scientists from the National Space Centre and the University of Leicester for the foreign exchange company Travelex. One of the developers ,Professor George Fraser, is excited about the new invention and says:

"None of the existing payment systems we use on Earth - like cash, credit or debit cards - could be used in space. Anything with sharp edges, like coins, would be a risk to astronauts, while the chips and magnetic strips used in our cards on Earth would be damaged beyond repair by cosmic radiation."

The Quid coins are specially adapted to outer-space because they have no sharp edges so will not damage anything if they accidentally float free in space. They are made of a polymer which has previously been best used for non-stick pans. The technology comes after much speculation that space travel will become very common in the near future. Indeed, predictions from the National Space Centre state that even tourist facilities on the Moon by 2050 are a real possibility. There are all sorts of things currently being developed for space tourism - from an inflatable space hotel being produced in the US to VirginGalactic developing spaceships for ordinary use. It only then makes sense, say these scientists, to have a way of using money whilst in space. The confidence these scientists have is indeed astounding. As Travelex say:

"It's only a matter of time before people will be walking up to our shops and asking for Quids for their two weeks in a space hotel."

Furthermore, what's most bizarre is that they have even decided already what the conversion rate is, currently quoting £6.25 to the Quid!

Rushda: At a time when music piracy laws are making everyone feel like a criminal for downloading free music, it is refreshing to see that there are some bands who are on the side of the public, either by offering their music for free or by allowing the listeners to pick the price at which they'd be willing to buy it. This is the case for Rainbows, the much anticipated seventh album from alternative rock group Radiohead. Fans can log on to the band's website and download the album at a price they choose which is anything from nothing to one hundred pounds. In this interesting experiment, Radiohead have refused to reveal to the public what the average amount is that they are receiving for the downloads at this stage. It is certainly clear that there will definitely be many freeloaders untouched by any ethical idea of paying a reasonable amount for it. However, it is also clear from the massive success of Radiohead's previous albums (the last three of which went straight to number one) that Radiohead has a huge fan following who will go to great lengths to show how much the band's music is worth. Not only this, but some are even paying for the music simply because they believe the idea is a good one - regardless of whether they like Radiohead or not! Bryce Edge, one of the managers for Radiohead, says that he trusts the band's fans and knows they will not be let down. He says:

"We're prepared to take a risk and we might come out looking very foolish. But we believe if your music is great, then people will pay for it."

Though I'm no Radiohead fan myself, I do admire this new liberal attitude with their music. Though, of course, it is much of a marketing strategy as it could make people more willing to pay the band, it is still quite a risk and it shows that Radiohead have that much faith in the quality of their music.

Rushda: A new study has suggested that the stress of a rough relationship or marriage can actually lead to serious heart conditions. Even though it has always been maintained that those who are attached suffer less heart problems than those who aren't, being in a turbulent relationship is actually worse than being on your own. The research was conducted on 9,000 British civil servants, all of whom completed questionnaires about their relationships several decades ago. It has now been found that those in negative relationships are 34% more likely to suffer heart problems, according to statistics from the Archives of Internal Medicine. Though not many of the sample had heart disease at the start, almost 600 reported a heart condition subsequently. And the ones who said that conflict, arguments, and criticism were frequent in their relationships were found to be more likely to be in the group of new heart sufferers. The heads of research believe that the results substantially show that emotional problems really do have an effect on the "wear and tear" of organs, due to problems ranging from hormonal changes to blood clotting. These finds support the views of the British Heart Foundation which has maintained for some time how terrible emotional distress really can be on the heart. As Cathy Ross, a cardiac nurse at the organisation says:

"[the study] reinforces a well-known fact that lack of emotional and psychological support may increase the risk of heart disease. Identifying groups of individuals who are at risk and ensuring psychological support can make a big difference. It allows people to deal with their negative emotions."

It is all very tragic that the age-old metaphor of a broken heart may hold true. Problems in a relationship not only take an emotional toll but they may end up damaging the very thing from which many have professed to love in the first place.