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Posts Tagged ‘science’

Ancient Astronauts and Contemporary Skepticism

July 9th, 2011

Over the course of the past year, I closely assisted a colleague in writing a series of ten articles covering diverse aspects of my ancient astronaut theory. All ten of those articles circulated widely around the globe and view counters on many sites indicated plentiful readership, but feedback to me, or to her, from anywhere, was non-existent. There was neither criticism nor acclaim from anyone. Just silence. I was starting to think that perhaps no one in world wants to take ancient astronauts seriously.

In an attempt to make some progress, I decided to pay sixty dollars for a review of my ancient astronaut website. Of course, this was to be a review by skeptics; a review by New Age believers would be worthless. Their blog's description was "critical reviews of paranormal claims on the Internet." The intermediary granted them five days to perform their review but that has long since come and gone, and not a word from them. My website presents a vast amount of evidence and, in truth, I could not expect anyone to produce a good critical review in just five days. No one, including myself, would want to see quickly prepared and frivolous arguments, else I would make them look ridiculous in my counter arguments. Moreover, some of my evidence comes from Spanish-language sources and, to start, they would need time to verify that none of it is a hoax. They are welcome to all the time they need.

What to expect from this blog is uncertain. There are skeptics who are as narrow-minded in their thinking as their New Age counterparts, and then again, there are skeptics, like me, who objectively evaluate the evidence to arrive at the truth. Was there a real ancient astronaut? To help the skeptics answer that question, I will give them some ideas on how to refute my theories. Here, solely for space considerations, I will concentrate on the archaeological evidence, leaving aside ideas on how to refute the cryptology and theology evidence for another day.

My website reproduces engravings from the Tiwanaku civilization in Bolivia. One of those engravings depicts the alleged ancient astronaut as an aquatic with a three-pronged tail, with each of the three prongs ending in a pod. How do the skeptics refute that? Easy. They simply need to demonstrate that the shape of those pods resembles some form of animal or plant life to be found in that region. In other words, they need to find a terrestrial source for those engravings, otherwise my extraterrestrial arguments remain unharmed.

The timing of the Tiwanaku sky-god drawings coincides with the timing of the Nazca Lines in Peru, so the ancient astronaut of both places has to be one and the same. For Nazca, the skeptics will find many ready-made arguments, but I consider all of them weak. The mentality of the people of Nazca cannot be assumed to be unique in human history. It has to be demonstrated that people elsewhere also believed that the sun, moon, or sky-spirits had physical eyes that could observe ground drawings. Alternatively, it has to be demonstrated that the people of Nazca worshipped birds, believing them to have cognitive intelligence.

The recorded engravings on the cosmological Sun Disk, alleged alien artifact, may prove to be the biggest challenge for the skeptics. How are we to believe that the Andeans of the early sixteenth century a) knew that the Earth was round, b) knew that it was possible to orbit the Earth, c) knew that sunlight striking the moon could reflect back to strike a spaceship, d) knew that the dark clouds along the Milky Way contained stars within, and e) knew that water formed the basis of plant and animal evolution? Here the skeptics would need to find parallels in the history of western civilization. I look forward to their response.

Are you interested in learning more about astronauts and space travel? A good start is learning how rockets work and how to make a rocket.

Cure For Restless Legs Without Drugs

June 25th, 2011

If you find yourself unable to sleep at night because of the persistent pain in your legs, then you may be suffering from RLS or restless leg syndrome. This condition is characterized by aching, throbbing or tingling sensation on the leg. The sensation is often times more noticeable when the leg is at rest. People who have RLS feel the need to continuously move their legs in order to ease the discomfort.

There are no proven causes for this condition but experts believe that RLS may be a neurological disorder. It may be caused by an imbalance in dopamine levels, the substance that aids in the transmission of signals between the brain and the nerve cells. This may also be hereditary and people who are pregnant or suffer from medical conditions like diabetes, rheumatism, and renal failure are more likely to experience RLS.

RLS should be acted upon swiftly. It is simple to do RLS treatment at home if the condition is still at its early stage. Exercising the legs regularly is the best method. You can also lessen the need to keep your leg moving and put it into a more relaxed mode by doing simple walking and stretching exercises.

Another simple and easy treatment for RLS is to maintain a healthy diet. Load up on protein as it is the nutrient that is responsible in keeping the muscles strong and firm. It is also better to stay away from food or beverages that contain caffeine like coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolates. Taking up daily supplements that are rich in iron, magnesium, and folate may be of help too.

One of the most sure treatments for restless leg syndrome is to soak your leg in a warm tub of water for about ten to fifteen minutes each day. For people averse to taking medications, aromatherapy with lavender or other botanical extracts infused in oils has been shown to be effective in reducing RLS. You can also help to ensure yourself of a good night?s sleep and remove the sensation of restless leg by giving them a good massage before you go to bed.

Taking herbal medicines can be an effective RSL treatment too. Ginkgo biloba is probably one of the most effective herbal remedies as it works to increase the blood flow and strengthen the cell membranes. This promotes more effective signal transmissions to the brain. Valerian root may also be effective because of its natural sedating characteristics. It is commonly used as treatment for disorders that may be caused by stress. Ginseng on the other hand, may work as well. Because it is known as a tonic for the whole body, it increases the body's resistance in order to be able to adapt with stressful conditions.

For worse case conditions, you may use certain kinds of drugs like dopamine agonists, anticonvulsants or opioids for RLS treatment. However, these medications should be prescribed only by a doctor and should not be taken without a prescription. Pain relievers can also be taken for temporary relief but one must be careful not to get too dependent. If the pain becomes too unbearable even after taking low doses of medication, the safest way to consult with your doctor for other possible treatments.

If you are sick of experiencing RLS and want to know more on restless leg syndrome cures, then you need to either look on Google or read more about rls relief here.

Gout Treatment: Which to Choose?

June 20th, 2011

Gout is actually a particular type of arthritis that comes from an overabundance of uric acid forming in your joints. Gout may come about as either one of two forms namely acute or chronic. Acute gout is where only one joint is typically affected, while chronic gout involves repeated episodes of inflammation and pain and may involve more than one joint.

Many people get gout from high levels of uric acid, but there are many people that never get gout even with a high level of it. How gout is actually contracted is not also clear but it has been proven to run in families, with males and post-menopausal women more susceptible. The risk of developing gout is further elevated by the use of medications which could increase the levels of uric acid in the blood. Individuals who suffer from diabetes, leukemia, and kidney disease are also at an increased risk for gout, and are often in search of effective treatments.

You may be needing gout treatment if you have the following symptoms. If you have sudden pain in your joints and you are unsure as to what is causing it, you might want to check out the gout option. The ankle joints, knees and big toes are the most commonly affected areas. If you have Gout, the pain can be miserable, and many people describe it as a throbbing, crushing, excruciating pain. It is typical during the night that these types of pains will begin. Gout treatment may be needed if the affected joint is warm, red, and tender. Simply laying a blanket over it will lead to a painful sensation. There is fever. There are recurring attacks.

The usual treatment for gout involves anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin, naproxen, or ibuprofen as soon as symptoms manifest, with prescriptions scheduled for 4 to 10 days. Once you have any inflammation in check, you may wish to obtain some pain killers to increase your comfort level. For quick relief, corticosteroids may also be injected on the inflamed area. Relief will begin roughly twelve hours after treatment and total relief will be seen after 48 hours.

A big part of treating gout involves dietary restrictions; certain foods are known to cause gout attacks. Some of the food you should keep in moderation or completely avoid depending on the severity of your gout attack include: alcohol, sardines, organ meats, anchovies, spinach, legumes, cauliflower, asparagus, and baked goods - because of brewer's yeast. Watch out for those sugary drinks too since fructose from corn syrup has also been associated with increased gout risk.

By increasing your intake of dairy and carbohydrates, you can prevent gout attacks. You are safe to consume your meats since protein-rich foods have not been show to either reduce or increase risks for gout attacks.

There is nothing that will completely prevent you from ever being effected by gout. You do have control over the risk factors of gout, however. Doing these things will help you to enjoy life and by pass the miseries of gout.

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Sciatica Treatment That May Help

June 15th, 2011

Recent medical developments have led to a massive range of Sciatica treatment options. Long-term relief from pain in your lower back, thighs, ankles, and feet can now be experienced thanks to these treatment methods.

In ancient times, people who experienced incessant periods of lower back pain have been advised to rest in bed. Adequate bed rest was believed to be the best pain reliever for sore bones and joints. However, clinical research has suggested that bed rest alone cannot offer relief for those who suffer from Sciatica nerve pain.

Overall, these studies lead to the inevitable conclusion that nothing is helped by staying in bed and waiting for the pain to stop. Try these effective Sciatica treatment options to heal all those aching joints and bones for good.

Medications for Sciatica: Anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drugs are used for the treatment of nerve pain. In some cases, drugs that resemble cortisone are also injected into the space surrounding the patients spinal column. However, both of these medications will only provide temporary relief because they fail to attack the root of the problem.

Invasive surgeries: Those who experience Sciatic pain due to herniated discs have the option to undergo laminectomy, an advanced surgical treatment for Sciatica. This procedure involves the removal of a portion of a patient?s posterior arch to decrease some of the pressure that can affect pinched and contracted nerve tissues.

If your Sciatic pain is a result of spinal stenosis, the part of the bone that is causing the pressure will be removed.

Surgery, though, isn't the best choice for everybody. If you are a candidate for surgery, you will meet the criteria of sciatic pain for between 4-6 weeks, and you will exhibit spinal stiffening and disc herniation.

Natural remedies for Sciatica: Patients who do not want to undergo surgery may also capitalize on effective natural remedies. Ice packs, stretching, and increased physical activities are recognized as effective ways to ease the symptoms of Sciatic pain.

Applying ice packs on the affected areas can reduce the inflammation around the nerve. Ice packs can be used for ten minutes at least thrice a day. This can help in stopping the inflamed area from getting much worse.

Improving pelvic balance is also a good way to cure Sciatica for good. A balanced pelvis will ease off all the excessive amount of force applied on the Sciatic nerves. Performing some exercises as well as maintaining a proper posture can drastically enhance pelvic balance.

Keeping active is an important factor in effective treatment of sciatica. If you sit or stay in bed for protracted periods of time, you?ll only worsen your sciatic condition. By gently flexing joints and moving around every now and then, the symptoms of Sciatica can be decreased.

Surgery, medications, and natural remedies are only some of the best known ways to treat Sciatic pain. Monitor all your improvements while undergoing any of these treatment options. The best Sciatica treatment will gradually help you reclaim all the normal activities you were previously able to do.

Before you try any sciatica cure options, it is better to understand more on sciatic nerve exercise here.

Contact Lenses Or Spectacles?

June 8th, 2011

Has your eyesight deteriorated to the stage where you have to wear specs? Are you all right with that? Well, there are a number of alternatives to be had nowadays, so you do have other choices. If you do not want to undergo surgery, you can still opt for contact lenses. In fact, contact lenses have been a feasible alternative to glasses for decades.

Surgery can be a more permanent solution to problems with eyesight, but for various reasons, some people do not want to take up this option. This leaves contact lenses as the best alternative. The first thing to notice about contact lenses is that most people will not know that you are wearing them. This is very important to some people and not significant to others at all.

Contact lenses offer better all-round or peripheral vision than spectacles. When you look to the side wearing spectacles, there is no glass there, but contact lenses cover your entire pupil so that your vision is closer to normal. This is safer if you are driving a car or riding a bike or even trying to cross a road.

Another problem that many people find with spectacles is that they leave indentations on the nose. Some people find these unsightly. Glasses also need frequent cleaning, which many people consider annoying, whereas contact lenses are cleaned by the eyes' normal cleaning system - in other words, automatically.

Stylists also think that their prescription specs have to go with what they are wearing. This can mean that you have to have a dozen pairs of glasses. If your eyesight deteriorates further, which is fairly likely, all those spectacles will have to be up-graded as well. This is not the case with contact lenses naturally.

Both glasses and contact lenses can correct astigmatism or bad eyesight, which comes to most people after the age of forty. Sometimes earlier and sometimes later, but it will happen. Your choice, if you do not want to undergo surgery, is whether you would rather wear specs or contact lenses.

In the past, contact lenses were very expensive, which is why many people still discount using them, but in fact it is no longer true. Contact lenses are more costly, but not much more now. In fact, you can buy disposable contact lenses and many people do do that.

The fact is that there are better alternatives to wearing either contacts or specs, but most people do not know it. It is possible these days to have one eye operation and never have to wear glasses again. Or you could have laser surgery and almost certainly not need specs again for ten or twenty years, but some people are adverse to having surgery and so they opt for glasses or contacts.

In the long run, surgery is almost definitely less expensive than wearing contact lenses and wearing contact lenses is almost definitely cheaper than wearing glasses, but it is the same with most things, people merely look at the up-front costs and cheaper is hardly ever better.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a number of subjects, but is now involved with Designer Spectacles. If you want to know more, please visit our website at Spectacles Direct.

Is Solar Power Right For You?

May 19th, 2011

Until approximately a hundred years ago in the West, people only had recourse to renewable energy for heat and light for their homes. They burnt wood and sometimes coal or peat (OK, fossil fuels) and got up when the sun came up and went to bed with the sun too. In, fact a large part of the world's population still lives like that.

Things changed with mechanized industry and night shifts. Electricity providers sold the populace on being able to do more instead of just sleeping when it got dark, and the Western population got hooked on buying huge amounts of energy, mostly electricity and engine fuel, which was usually produced from oil and coal.

This idea soon travelled around the world and with rising prosperity came emulation and other countries wanted the same. Now we are in the sad situation where we have to confess that we rode the fossil fuel gravy train to its terminus without thinking about what we would utilize when fossil fuels ran out.

This is where the typical civilian comes in. You have to think about how you want to draw energy in the future. Do you want to be powered by keeping sucking unrenewable resources out of the Earth, or do you want to have as little to do with it as you can? Would you prefer to have everything you have now, but know that the resources that are powering your lifestyle are renewable?

If, like millions of others around the world, you would rather say 'No!' to traditional power production methods, then you have to take a stand. But not only in words, you really have to do some something about it physically.

This will mean investing a lot of money up front, which might not be a problem for you or you may even think that taking a stand is worth looking for a bank loan. These are admirable sentiments, but I would like to propose that there is another way to self-sufficiency.

You could make your own!

Why not? The technology has been around for decades and is fairly easy. Most reasonably competent teenagers can put together a bank of photovoltaic cells into a solar panel and then plug that into your home's electrical system. And if a teenager can manage it, so can you. All you (and the teenager) will require is a solar panel kit and a schematical diagram. A plan in other words.

A solar panel kit can be bought locally from a Do-It-Yourself store or from the Internet. A typical solar panel will take a few hours to assemble and will produce 100 watts of electrical energy. The electricity produced from these panels is then passed through an inverter that changes the current from DC to AC, making it utilizable by household appliances and the utility grid.

Do yourself and the planet a favour, get off the grid and start saving money and the planet's resources, you will be surprised how straightforward it is once you get going. And do not forget, you can do it in stages of, say, one 100 watt panel a month until you hit self-sufficiency. It is not a question of 'All or Nothing'.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with a favourite subject, types of renewable energy. If you are interested in Sustainable Energy At Home, please click through to our site.

Helpful Gout Remedies to Cure Your Pain

May 18th, 2011

Gout is a result of a buildup of crystallized uric acid, which then becomes stuck in various joints the body including fingers, toes, knees, ankles, etc. Gout is often characterized by discomfort in one's big toe. You may also experience swollen or aching joints that could last hours up to days. People who suffer from this problem often seek gout remedies that can help them combat the pain especially when it starts to flare up.

Various types of gout remedies are available today. Over-the-counter meds are available, but they can cause side-effects after extended use. This is why some gout sufferers turn to age old gout home remedies to help them fight back this painful disease.

When considering gout remedies, go natural! One example of this is cherries, which are high in Vitamin C content that are perfect for removing those crystallized deposits in your joints. Apple has been proven effective in reducing gout pain. If you have gout, you should have one a day.

There are home remedies for gout. One good example can be used for gout affecting the toes. Soak the affected toes in water and one-third cup of ginger for half an hour. Be sure to bathe your body thoroughly in order to wash away the ginger concoction once the thirty minutes are up. This is important especially when you don't want your skin to get irritated.

There is a simple remedy for gout that people often forget and that is drinking water. Lots of people fail to realize that keeping yourself hydrated can help prevent gout from appearing since it washes away the urate crystals from your body. The more glasses of water you drink every day, the more chances you have of being risk free from gout.

You might want to do some exercises as well to keep your joints from tightening and from swelling up aside from these natural gout remedies. You joints and muscles can be helped by stretching exercises. It is more efficient to concentrate only on the muscles and joints used while exercising. See to it that you get to exercise every day for at least 15 minutes.

These gout treatments are as effective as doctor's prescription medications for gout. Natural remedies are the least invasive way of dealing with joint pain.

Treating gout is easy with these quick home remedies. You can help reduce your overall pain and swelling by using some basic exercises and ingredients that you probably have in your home right now.

With this assistance on treatments for gout, living with Gout shall be a thing of the past. Click on over here right away to check out more about avoid gout.

Worthwhile Information About Prevent Kidney Stones

May 17th, 2011

The passing of a kidney stone is often regarded as being one of the most agonizing physiological experiences one can have. Kidney stones typically result from bad lifestyle choices. Some suffer from kidney stones because of inherited genes from one or both parents that make them prone to kidney stones. It is easy to treat kidney stones, with an early diagnosis. Kidney stones are usually passed naturally. Larger kidney stones, however, require more care, since they can cause more pain and suffering. So the earlier the kidney stones are treated, the less complicated the treatment has to be. The sooner these symptoms are recognized; the better the chances for treatment will be.

It is unfortunate that you can't diagnose a kidney stone since the pain is only felt after the the kidney stone is there. Normally, the pain is very severe and experienced on the back and under the rib cage. If you have an ache that won't go away, you should be concerned. Before making a decision in passing a kidney stone, make a lifestyle assessment on a few things in your daily habits. Eating too much red meat and drinking little water can be bad for your health. Do you have a low intake of fruits and vegetables? Do you hardly exercise? You have to realize that half of the equation in passing kidney stones should be attributed to your lifestyle. You need to be especially vigilant about preventing kidney stones if they run in your family.

Then that shouldn't be a problem if you are determined in passing kidney stones by yourself. For catching the deposits that come out of your bladder using a urine strainer will invariably help. Put this in a specimen container and take it to the doctor for further examination so the doctor can determine the root cause.

Increased urination will help the passing of kidney stones, so be sure to drink lots of water. The water cleanses the bladder, hopefully taking the kidney stones as well. Do not overdo it. You may get a bladder infection if you hold too much water in that organ which can damage its protective lining.

Expect the process to be really painful when you pass a kidney stone. But if you think about it, this temporary pain is better than undergoing a tedious kidney stone surgery. See if you can ignore the pain by thinking about or doing something else. For severe pain, there are non-inflammatory drugs that are safe for your kidneys. Or, just drink water with a little olive oil and lemon juice. Since the oil lubricates the Kidney stones, it is relatively painless process to discharge kidney stones, in this method.

A beer or two helps stimulate the bladder, as the beer acts as a natural diuretic. However, when passing kidney stones, stay away from coffee and carbonated drinks. The process of passing a kidney stone is more uncomfortable and it can leave you dehydrated.

Knowing everything about treating kidney stones may be grueling. However for some beneficial assistance about how to beat kidney stones, visit here right now.

Getting The Right Rosacea Cure

May 11th, 2011

Lighter complexioned people are prone to suffer from Rosacea, a chronic condition where redness on the facial skin often persists, including small red spots called, "papules", which often appear on the forehead,cheeks, chin and nose. Don't believe people who tell you they can cure rosacea. This term can be misleading so evaluate treatments carefully.

There are remedies available that can help reduce the redness and swelling of rosacea, although there is no cure for it at this time. If you suffer a more minor bout of rosacea there are a number of topical treatments available for purchase.

Heed the advice and recommendations of your dermatologist. You will need to apply the aforementioned ointment, cream, or gel once or twice per day to achieve the desired effect. This is perfect for flare-ups because it alleviates the redness.

In order to treat their condition, patients who have an unrelenting case of rosacea may be prescribed a sequence of oral antibiotics by their physician. Rosacea is severe when pimples and bumps appear and you have to resort to anti-inflammatory drugs.

Laser treatments are known to be an effective way to treat the most severe cases of rosacea. Heat is applied onto the skin where it boils the blood vessels along the vein where they in turn disintegrate, which help in reducing the redness of your skin. These treatments can take some time to fully take effect but they are worth it especially when you get have a lighter, smoother skin than before.

Just like any other treatment, rosacea cure will only succeed if you also change your eating habits and make the necessary lifestyle changes. To keep your skin from getting red and bumpy, you have to avoid the common trigger foods.

You might want to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun since this skin disorder can be triggered by too much sun. It would be better to apply sunblock when going out or at least go out when the sun is not too high. You can combat rosacea by a combination of preventative measure and medication.

Your dermatologist can help you decide which rosacea treatment is best for you. This way, both of you come up with a specific treatment for your skin problem in order to give you the best results.

No more will you fret about cure for rosacea once you have the knowledge to conquer Rosacea. Check out more on rosacea management today.

Hydrogen Fuel Cars - Do They Exist?

May 3rd, 2011

There are hydrogen fuel cars on the roads of some cities. However there are two ways in which hydrogen can be used to power cars. The first method is to use hydrogen to actually power the internal combustion engine, in much the same way as numerous cars use Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). The second way is to use the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen in fuel cells as a battery, which makes the car a form of electric car.

The dream of producing hydrogen in the car while driving along by electrolyzing water is still a long way off, so we are still at the phase of batteries and filling the tank with hydrogen gas. This is the nub of the problem for potential users and manufacturers. There are merely sixteen hydrogen filling stations in Los Angeles and none in 99% of other cities worldwide.

In fact, some of the big name automobile manufacturers have pulled out of the contest to put the first commercially feasible hydrogen powered car on the streets. Ford and GM have declared that they are pulling out in America and so has Renault in France.

However, the Japanese companies are pressing on. In fact, Honda introduced its first hydrogen fuel cell car in 1999. It was called the FCX and they are now ready with introductory models of the second generation hydrogen cars called the FCX Clarity. Guess where they are available for sale? The one city in the world? Yes, Los Angeles, because of its hydrogen stations.

Honda says that, they could go into full-scale production of the FCX Clarity by 2020, if the world is ready for them by then. Hyundai have on-going plans to produce fuel cell (FC) cars and say that they will be in place to launch full-scale production by 2012. Daimler also announced that they would be manufacturing 100,000 FC vehicles in 2012-2013.

Then there are hydrogen powered buses in quite a few European cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid. Porto Stockholm and a few more. Lotus, the makers of London taxis, have announced that they propose to set up a fleet of new, hydrogen powered taxis in time for the London Olympics in 2012.

So, the hydrogen vehicle and the hydrogen passenger car is out there and the numbers will be growing pretty soon. The buses, mentioned above, go back to their depot, where an electrolyzing machine turns water into fuel for them to fill up on and the same will be the case for many of London's taxis. Regrettably, getting fuel is not the only difficulty for the average motorist, some of these vehicles, like the FCX Clarity cost about $300,000 each.

However, here are a couple of interesting facts for those who enjoy trivia. Francois Isaac de Rivaz designed the first hydrogen powered car in 1807 and Paul Dieges filed a US patent for a modification to the internal combustion engine in 1970 which allowed a petrol engine to run on hydrogen and 200 years later we are still trying to get it right.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a number of topics, but is now concerned with how to get Stapletons tyres. If you want to know more, please visit our website at Car Tyres For Sale.