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Technology Notes - 29 July 2009

Isaak Kwok — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:38:07 +0000

[Twitter](1), as you know, is increasingly becoming popular tool used by many, even to the extent that the British government is now ‘urging civil servants to use the micro-blogging site’, according to [BBC](2). The Cabinet Office, which has a [blog](3) for digital engagement, has published the [20-page document](4). Do go have a read.

In addition, Twitter recently posted a [Twitter 101 guide for businesses](12) for companies who are considering using Twitter or have just started using the service. You might want to zoom right into the [case studies](13) section, which I found most useful.

Speaking of using technology, a [couple from Sweden made quite a big error in their use of technology](5). They were planning to travel to the isle of Capri, which is in the south of Italy, but ended up in the industrial town of Carpi, which is in the north. This was because they had misspelt the name in their car’s GPS. And they only found out when they went to the tourist office in Carpi to ask how to get to the famous Blue Grotto in Capri. Hmmm … note to self: must remember to check my spellings when I input information into my GPS.

Not sure if you have heard about people being allergic to Wi-Fi waves. Apparently, there is an increasing number of people afflicted with such an allergy, known as [Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity](7), and it causes the persons to feel sick, dizzy and confused. One such person is top UK DJ Steve Miller and he says he to stay home in his 18in-thick granite walls to stay safe, from [The Sun](8). As for me, I’m not sure if I can live without wi-fi as our router is just too far away from the computer so wi-fi is the only solution for us.

On to some good news with the use of technology. When Apple announced their new [iPhone 3GS](9) in June at the annual WWDC keynote, they also introduced this new service called ‘Find My iPhone’. ‘Find My iPhone’ is powered by [MobileMe](10), which you’ll need to subscribe on an annual basis. The power of the technology makes use of both GPS as well as cell tower triangulation to located where the iPhone is. In this [story](11) (from Mashable), a teen and his dad had their iPhones stolen after their car and 4 other cars were broken into. When they arrived home, he remembered that he had activated the ‘Find My iPhone’ and tracked it. He managed to track the phone to a particular address and phoned the cops. The cops promptly appeared at the address and arrested the family there. They were known to police and now police had the evidence to prosecute them. So, if you have an iPhone and MobileMe, do remember to activate the ‘Find My iPhone’ feature. It might come in useful someday.

[1]: http://www.twitter.com/
[2]: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8171597.stm
[3]: http://blogs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/digitalengagement/
[4]: http://blogs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/digitalengagement/post/2009/07/21/Template-Twitter-strategy-for-Government-Departments.aspx
[5]: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8173308.stm
[6]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Grotto
[7]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_hypersensitivity
[8]: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2552553/Wi-fi-waves-make-top-DJ-Steve-Miller-sick-Steve-Miller-aka-Afterlife.html
[9]: http://www.apple.com/iphone/
[10]: http://www.apple.com/mobileme/
[11]: http://mashable.com/2009/07/28/find-my-iphone/
[12]: http://business.twitter.com/twitter101/
[13]: http://business.twitter.com/twitter101/cases

Technology Notes - 29 July 2009 originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on July 29, 2009.

Quick Health Links - 24 September 2008

Isaak Kwok — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:04:27 +0000

- Broccoli is [good for undoing diabetes damage](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7541639.stm) as well as [help you help your lungs](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7612813.stm). So, eat more broccoli! It’s one of my favorite vegetables. :) Thankfully, they didn’t say cauliflower.

- Now I know why my wife always gets nightmares. According to [a study done](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7609985.stm) by the University of the West of England, women tend to have more emotional dreams as compared to men. The study also found the women’s sleep tends to be more disrupted.

- And maybe I can counter the nightmares by putting some nice smelling flowers in the room as [this study](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7628744.stm) in Germany found that the flowers caused the volunteers to report experiencing pleasant emotions in their dreams.

- Speaking about scent, my mum-in-law’s favorite scent is lavender. When she stayed in Australia, she had pots of different varieties of lavender. Lavender is about to soothe headaches and aid sleep. And it now has an additional use as a relaxant for people about to go into the dentist room. Researchers [found](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7611862.stm) that the lavender oil scent ‘helped’ dental patients be less anxious about the upcoming treatment. For me, no matter how much lavender oil scent would make me less anxioius about going to a dentist. :)

Quick Health Links - 24 September 2008 originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on September 24, 2008.

Coffee is Good!!

Isaak Kwok — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:06:22 +0000

Well, I have to confess upfront that I am heavy coffee drinker. The day just doesn’t seem right if I don’t drink a cup of coffee in the morning.

I have greater incentive to drink a little more coffee as research has found that guzzling coffee may help cut heart disease and boost the lifespan. However, I’ll need to be drinking more than five cups of coffee a day. In addition, other research has linked the consumption of coffee leads to lower rates of heart attack, liver cancer and diabetes. But like I always like to say, consume everything in moderation.

In addition, Australian researchers have found that coffee consumption together with a carbs diet can help athletes recover much faster after their training sessions. They found that pairing caffeine and food dramatically increases the levels of glycogen, the main fuel source for muscles. Well, I’m no athlete, so I’ll never know if the research is true. But I’m sure for all athletes this will be a legal way for them to squeeze something extra from themselves in their quest for glory.

Coffee is Good!! originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on July 9, 2008.

How Fat You Are Is Fated!

Isaak Kwok — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:14:58 +0000

Was reading this article on BBC News about researchers in Sweden discovering that a person’s fat cell numbers is fixed for life.

But it doesn’t mean that you can just go out and eat all the sinful things. The researchers found although the number of fat cells is constant, exercise and healthy eating will ensure that the fat cells called ‘adipoctye’ does not grow in size. When the adipoctye cells will grow in size as we become fatter, thus resulting in the expansion of our bellies and waistlines.

The other interesting finding from the report is that the fat cell numbers remain constant in adulthood. However, the fat cell numbers will increase through childhood. Though the article didn’t say whether this can be controlled, I’m assuming that it is even more critical to ensure that children eat proper and healthy meals. And that they have adequate exercise.

Like I always say, “everything must be in moderation!”

How Fat You Are Is Fated! originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on May 6, 2008.

Chocolates ‘May Cut Diabetes Risk’

Isaak Kwok — Fri, 02 May 2008 07:11:10 +0000

An article in BBC News has reported that scientists at the University of East Anglia are running a one year trial to see if eating chocolate can reduce the risk of heart disease in women with diabetes.

However, it is not the ordinary chocolate bar that you can get from the supermarkets. The women in the trial will be consuming one chocolate bar every day for a year. The chocolate bar has been specially formulated so that it contains more flavonoids than is usual and also soy, another source of flavonoids.

It must be reiterated that the chocolate bar has been specially formulated and not just any kind of chocolate bar. Eating too much chocolate is not advisable as it is high in fat and sugar.

Chocolates ‘May Cut Diabetes Risk’ originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on May 2, 2008.

Best Presentation at TED 2008

Isaak Kwok — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:39:16 +0000

I must say that this was a truly inspiring talk by neuroanatomnist Jill Bolte Taylor at TED 2008. And from what I’ve been reading on the blogosphere, some even consider it the best talk at TED 2008. I, for one, was definitely glued to the screen the whole time the video was playing. And I was a little emotional at certain parts of the video.

I think when you are really attached to the topic that you are speaking about, then your emotions show through and thus make the audience connect with you on a higher level. Well, I hope to be able to make such presentations / talks some day.

Anyway, go watch the video!

No related posts.

Best Presentation at TED 2008 originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on March 17, 2008.

Apparently Eating Fruits and Vegetables Offer No Cancer Protection

Isaak Kwok — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:06:11 +0000

Contrary to other research, Australian researchers have found that eating fruits and vegetables provide no benefit in helping to avoid cancer.

Well, the research shows that what a person eats matters much less as compared to a healthy weight range. However, do not forsake your daily diet of fruits and vegetables as they do help in the reduction of heart disease as well as help fight obesity. The researchers found that obesity, smoking and drinking too much alcohol are the main risk factors when it comes to cancer.

Hmmm … guess my saying still must remain … Eat everything in moderation and exercise. I think I need to exercise more by playing more Wii Sports. :)

Technorati Tags: cancer, diet, exercise

Apparently Eating Fruits and Vegetables Offer No Cancer Protection originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on August 28, 2007.

Eat More Colorfully … Literally

Isaak Kwok — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:01:30 +0000

Seems like eating just green vegetables is not enough in the fight against cancer. This new article on The Guardian has noted that researchers have found that eating certain fruits and vegetables that have a rich, bright color of red, purple or blue can act as powerful anti-cancer agents.

Vegetables such as the exotic purple corn and chokeberries have been found to be highly efficient in stopping the growth of colon cancer and even killing 20% of the colon cancer cells. Even the humble radish and black carrots have been able to slow colon cancer cells growing by about 50% to 80%.

The reason why it is so effective is because these colorful fruits and vegetables contain a class of antioxidant compounds known as anthocyanins. And the most famous of fruits that contain anthocyanins is the blueberry, which is considered one type of superfood.

So, go eat some colorful fruits and vegetables to help clear your colon.

Technorati Tags: anthocyanins, blueberries, cancer, nutrition, superfoods

Eat More Colorfully … Literally originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on August 21, 2007.

Increased Numbers of Avoidable Cancers

Isaak Kwok — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:37:40 +0000

A report in The Guardian highlights the increase in numbers of potentially avoidable cancers because of the modern lifestyle such as alcohol, smoking, obesity and exposure to the sun.

The research by the Cancer Research UK found that in most cases of skin, mouth, womb and kidney cancers, the cause is usually a result of our lifestyle. And simple changes in lifestyle can help prevent the occurrences.

So, remember:

Everyone can help reduce their risk of cancer by avoiding smoking, keeping a healthy body weight, eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and fibre and taking regular exercise.

Technorati Tags: alcohol, cancer, obesity, smoking, suntanning

Increased Numbers of Avoidable Cancers originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on August 12, 2007.

Six Superfoods That Prevent Disease

Isaak Kwok — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:09:36 +0000

The topic of superfoods seems to be the hot topic for the moment. Here’s an article about 6 superfoods that can help you in disease prevention. The article also includes some simple recipes.

Here’s the six superfoods:

Broccoli: One of my favorite green vegetables (and I don’t eat much vegetables). Think will have to buy more broccoli for our meals as it has cancer-fighting antixoxidant.
Pumpkin: Don’t particular like pumpkin. But if it’s made into soup, I might still drink it. But the article also mentions are orange-red vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots. So, I might take more of those.
Blueberries: Quite difficult to find in Singapore. And even if they are available, it is quite expensive.
Fish: Well, we eat quite a lot of fish, whether it’s salmon, tuna or mackerel, at home. But the little one loves cod fish.
Spinach: Another of my favorite vegetables.
Tomatoes: Time to go buy cherry tomatoes for eating with olive oil and a little sea salt while watching tv. That’s the way an Australia taught us to eat when we visited Fremantle Market.

So, what do you think about such superfoods? For me, I’ll just eat everything in moderation and maybe a little more of the above superfoods.

Technorati Tags: health, superfoods

Six Superfoods That Prevent Disease originally appeared on Isaak Kwok dot Com on August 6, 2007.