VR1 Mock

Khmer Rouge

Tuol Svay Pray High School sits on a dusty road on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In 1976, the Khmer Rouge (a far left Cambodian political party) renamed the high school S-21 and turned it into a torture, interrogation and execution center. Of the 14,000 people known to have entered, only seven survived.

Not only did the Khmer Rouge carefully transcribe the prisoners’ interrogations; they also carefully photographed the vast majority of the inmates and created an astonishing photographic archive. Each of the almost 6,000 S-21 portraits that have been recovered tells a story shock, resignation, confusion, defiance and horror.

Although the most gruesome images to come out of Cambodia were those of the on-site mass graves, the most haunting were the portraits taken by the Khmer Rouge at S-21. Today, S-21 is known as the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide. Inside the gates, it looks like any high school; five buildings face a grass courtyard with pull-up bars, green lawns and lawn-bowling pitches. The ground-floor classrooms in one building have been left to appear as they were in 1977. The spartan interrogation rooms are furnished with only a school desk-and-chair set that faces a steel bed frame with shackles at each end. On the far wall are the grisly photographs of bloated, decomposing bodies chained to bed frames with pools of wet blood underneath.

These were the sights that greeted the two Vietnamese photojournalists who first discovered S-21 in January of 1979. In another building the walls are papered with thousands of S-21 portraits. At first glance, the photograph of a shirtless young man appears typical of the prison photos. Closer inspection reveals that the number tag on his chest has been safety pinned to his pectoral muscle.

With a bruised face and a pad-locked chain around his neck, a boy stands with his arms at his sides and looks straight into the camera.A mother with her baby in her arms stares into the camera with a look of indignant resignation. The photographs and confessions were collected in order to prove to the Khmer Rouge leaders that their orders had been carried out.

Khmer Rouge

Tuol Svay Pray High School sits on a dusty road on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In 1976, the Khmer Rouge (a far left Cambodian political party) renamed the high school S-21 and turned it into a torture, interrogation and execution center. Of the 14,000 people known to have entered, only seven survived.

Not only did the Khmer Rouge carefully transcribe the prisoners’ interrogations; they also carefully photographed the vast majority of the inmates and created an astonishing photographic archive. Each of the almost 6,000 S-21 portraits that have been recovered tells a story shock, resignation, confusion, defiance and horror.

Although the most gruesome images to come out of Cambodia were those of the on-site mass graves, the most haunting were the portraits taken by the Khmer Rouge at S-21. Today, S-21 is known as the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide. Inside the gates, it looks like any high school; five buildings face a grass courtyard with pull-up bars, green lawns and lawn-bowling pitches. The ground-floor classrooms in one building have been left to appear as they were in 1977. The spartan interrogation rooms are furnished with only a school desk-and-chair set that faces a steel bed frame with shackles at each end. On the far wall are the grisly photographs of bloated, decomposing bodies chained to bed frames with pools of wet blood underneath.

These were the sights that greeted the two Vietnamese photojournalists who first discovered S-21 in January of 1979. In another building the walls are papered with thousands of S-21 portraits. At first glance, the photograph of a shirtless young man appears typical of the prison photos. Closer inspection reveals that the number tag on his chest has been safety pinned to his pectoral muscle.

With a bruised face and a pad-locked chain around his neck, a boy stands with his arms at his sides and looks straight into the camera.A mother with her baby in her arms stares into the camera with a look of indignant resignation. The photographs and confessions were collected in order to prove to the Khmer Rouge leaders that their orders had been carried out.

Khmer Rouge

Tuol Svay Pray High School sits on a dusty road on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In 1976, the Khmer Rouge (a far left Cambodian political party) renamed the high school S-21 and turned it into a torture, interrogation and execution center. Of the 14,000 people known to have entered, only seven survived.

Not only did the Khmer Rouge carefully transcribe the prisoners’ interrogations; they also carefully photographed the vast majority of the inmates and created an astonishing photographic archive. Each of the almost 6,000 S-21 portraits that have been recovered tells a story shock, resignation, confusion, defiance and horror.

Although the most gruesome images to come out of Cambodia were those of the on-site mass graves, the most haunting were the portraits taken by the Khmer Rouge at S-21. Today, S-21 is known as the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide. Inside the gates, it looks like any high school; five buildings face a grass courtyard with pull-up bars, green lawns and lawn-bowling pitches. The ground-floor classrooms in one building have been left to appear as they were in 1977. The spartan interrogation rooms are furnished with only a school desk-and-chair set that faces a steel bed frame with shackles at each end. On the far wall are the grisly photographs of bloated, decomposing bodies chained to bed frames with pools of wet blood underneath.

These were the sights that greeted the two Vietnamese photojournalists who first discovered S-21 in January of 1979. In another building the walls are papered with thousands of S-21 portraits. At first glance, the photograph of a shirtless young man appears typical of the prison photos. Closer inspection reveals that the number tag on his chest has been safety pinned to his pectoral muscle.

With a bruised face and a pad-locked chain around his neck, a boy stands with his arms at his sides and looks straight into the camera.A mother with her baby in her arms stares into the camera with a look of indignant resignation. The photographs and confessions were collected in order to prove to the Khmer Rouge leaders that their orders had been carried out.

Khmer Rouge

Tuol Svay Pray High School sits on a dusty road on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In 1976, the Khmer Rouge (a far left Cambodian political party) renamed the high school S-21 and turned it into a torture, interrogation and execution center. Of the 14,000 people known to have entered, only seven survived.

Not only did the Khmer Rouge carefully transcribe the prisoners’ interrogations; they also carefully photographed the vast majority of the inmates and created an astonishing photographic archive. Each of the almost 6,000 S-21 portraits that have been recovered tells a story shock, resignation, confusion, defiance and horror.

Although the most gruesome images to come out of Cambodia were those of the on-site mass graves, the most haunting were the portraits taken by the Khmer Rouge at S-21. Today, S-21 is known as the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide. Inside the gates, it looks like any high school; five buildings face a grass courtyard with pull-up bars, green lawns and lawn-bowling pitches. The ground-floor classrooms in one building have been left to appear as they were in 1977. The spartan interrogation rooms are furnished with only a school desk-and-chair set that faces a steel bed frame with shackles at each end. On the far wall are the grisly photographs of bloated, decomposing bodies chained to bed frames with pools of wet blood underneath.

These were the sights that greeted the two Vietnamese photojournalists who first discovered S-21 in January of 1979. In another building the walls are papered with thousands of S-21 portraits. At first glance, the photograph of a shirtless young man appears typical of the prison photos. Closer inspection reveals that the number tag on his chest has been safety pinned to his pectoral muscle.

With a bruised face and a pad-locked chain around his neck, a boy stands with his arms at his sides and looks straight into the camera.A mother with her baby in her arms stares into the camera with a look of indignant resignation. The photographs and confessions were collected in order to prove to the Khmer Rouge leaders that their orders had been carried out.

A Paradise to Lose

The Amazon region is home to more than one million species of animals and plants – some 60 % of the planet’s species. The rainforest is therefore an irreplaceable archive of biodiversity. But it also performs valuable services for plants and the soil, by binding considerable amounts of carbon dioxide, for instance.

Nonetheless, the latest satellite images show that the rainforest’s inhabitants are under threat. Clear-cutting continues, for example to make space for cattle ranches and soybean plantations. Climate change, moreover, is also beginning to threaten the wilderness.

In the past 40 years, a rainforest area twice the sizes of France was destroyed in the Amazon basin. Most of this devastation occurred in Brazil, which is home to more than half of the rainforest. Destructive practices continue even today, although the government of Brazil, with international support, is doing quite a bit to put an end to them. However, global demand for agrofuels is increasing, and Brazil’s model of economic development is based on commodity exports. Both the national government and most state governments focus on mass exports of raw agricultural products, such as meat, soybeans and sugarcane.

Borges Maggi is the world’s most important soybean producer and the governor of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. He says that forest romanticism has no future. He and other agro-millionaires speak of defending the “constitutional right to deforestation” for the sake of Brazil’s development.

But Marina Silva, Brazil’s environment minister and a former rubber-plantation worker, disagrees. She supports a different development model. As she puts it, if trends are not sustainable, they are not about development, but only about repeating catastrophes.

A Paradise to Lose

The Amazon region is home to more than one million species of animals and plants – some 60 % of the planet’s species. The rainforest is therefore an irreplaceable archive of biodiversity. But it also performs valuable services for plants and the soil, by binding considerable amounts of carbon dioxide, for instance.

Nonetheless, the latest satellite images show that the rainforest’s inhabitants are under threat. Clear-cutting continues, for example to make space for cattle ranches and soybean plantations. Climate change, moreover, is also beginning to threaten the wilderness.

In the past 40 years, a rainforest area twice the sizes of France was destroyed in the Amazon basin. Most of this devastation occurred in Brazil, which is home to more than half of the rainforest. Destructive practices continue even today, although the government of Brazil, with international support, is doing quite a bit to put an end to them. However, global demand for agrofuels is increasing, and Brazil’s model of economic development is based on commodity exports. Both the national government and most state governments focus on mass exports of raw agricultural products, such as meat, soybeans and sugarcane.

Borges Maggi is the world’s most important soybean producer and the governor of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. He says that forest romanticism has no future. He and other agro-millionaires speak of defending the “constitutional right to deforestation” for the sake of Brazil’s development.

But Marina Silva, Brazil’s environment minister and a former rubber-plantation worker, disagrees. She supports a different development model. As she puts it, if trends are not sustainable, they are not about development, but only about repeating catastrophes.

A Paradise to Lose

The Amazon region is home to more than one million species of animals and plants – some 60 % of the planet’s species. The rainforest is therefore an irreplaceable archive of biodiversity. But it also performs valuable services for plants and the soil, by binding considerable amounts of carbon dioxide, for instance.

Nonetheless, the latest satellite images show that the rainforest’s inhabitants are under threat. Clear-cutting continues, for example to make space for cattle ranches and soybean plantations. Climate change, moreover, is also beginning to threaten the wilderness.

In the past 40 years, a rainforest area twice the sizes of France was destroyed in the Amazon basin. Most of this devastation occurred in Brazil, which is home to more than half of the rainforest. Destructive practices continue even today, although the government of Brazil, with international support, is doing quite a bit to put an end to them. However, global demand for agrofuels is increasing, and Brazil’s model of economic development is based on commodity exports. Both the national government and most state governments focus on mass exports of raw agricultural products, such as meat, soybeans and sugarcane.

Borges Maggi is the world’s most important soybean producer and the governor of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. He says that forest romanticism has no future. He and other agro-millionaires speak of defending the “constitutional right to deforestation” for the sake of Brazil’s development.

But Marina Silva, Brazil’s environment minister and a former rubber-plantation worker, disagrees. She supports a different development model. As she puts it, if trends are not sustainable, they are not about development, but only about repeating catastrophes.

A Paradise to Lose

The Amazon region is home to more than one million species of animals and plants – some 60 % of the planet’s species. The rainforest is therefore an irreplaceable archive of biodiversity. But it also performs valuable services for plants and the soil, by binding considerable amounts of carbon dioxide, for instance.

Nonetheless, the latest satellite images show that the rainforest’s inhabitants are under threat. Clear-cutting continues, for example to make space for cattle ranches and soybean plantations. Climate change, moreover, is also beginning to threaten the wilderness.

In the past 40 years, a rainforest area twice the sizes of France was destroyed in the Amazon basin. Most of this devastation occurred in Brazil, which is home to more than half of the rainforest. Destructive practices continue even today, although the government of Brazil, with international support, is doing quite a bit to put an end to them. However, global demand for agrofuels is increasing, and Brazil’s model of economic development is based on commodity exports. Both the national government and most state governments focus on mass exports of raw agricultural products, such as meat, soybeans and sugarcane.

Borges Maggi is the world’s most important soybean producer and the governor of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. He says that forest romanticism has no future. He and other agro-millionaires speak of defending the “constitutional right to deforestation” for the sake of Brazil’s development.

But Marina Silva, Brazil’s environment minister and a former rubber-plantation worker, disagrees. She supports a different development model. As she puts it, if trends are not sustainable, they are not about development, but only about repeating catastrophes.

Bread, Beer & Yeast

The history of bread and cake starts with Neolithic cooks and marches through time according to ingredient availability, advances in technology, economic conditions, socio-cultural influences, legal rights (Medieval guilds), and evolving taste. The earliest breads were unleavened. Variations in grain, thickness, shape, and texture varied from culture to culture.

Archaelogical evidence confirms yeast (both as leavening agent and for brewing ale) was used in Egypt as early as 4000 B.C. Food historians generally cite this date for the discovery of leavened food and genesis of the brewing industry. There is an alternate theory regarding the invention of brewing. Some historians believe it is possible that brewing began when the first cereal crops were domesticated.

Sources generally agree the discovery of the powers of yeast was accidental. No one has yet managed to date the origins of beer with any precision, and it is probably an impossible task. Indeed, there are scholars who have theorized that a taste for ale prompted the beginning of agriculture, in which case humans have been brewing for some 10,000 years. Most archaeological evidence, however, suggests that fermentation was being used in one manner or another by around 4000 to 3500 B.C. Some of this evidence-from an ancient.

Mesopotamian trading outpost called Godin Tepe in present-day Iran- indicates that barley was being fermented at that location around 3500 B.C. Additional evidence recovered at Hacinegi Tepe (a similar site in southern Turkey) also suggest that ancient Mesopotamians were fermenting barley at a very early date.

Bread, Beer & Yeast

The history of bread and cake starts with Neolithic cooks and marches through time according to ingredient availability, advances in technology, economic conditions, socio-cultural influences, legal rights (Medieval guilds), and evolving taste. The earliest breads were unleavened. Variations in grain, thickness, shape, and texture varied from culture to culture.

Archaelogical evidence confirms yeast (both as leavening agent and for brewing ale) was used in Egypt as early as 4000 B.C. Food historians generally cite this date for the discovery of leavened food and genesis of the brewing industry. There is an alternate theory regarding the invention of brewing. Some historians believe it is possible that brewing began when the first cereal crops were domesticated.

Sources generally agree the discovery of the powers of yeast was accidental. No one has yet managed to date the origins of beer with any precision, and it is probably an impossible task. Indeed, there are scholars who have theorized that a taste for ale prompted the beginning of agriculture, in which case humans have been brewing for some 10,000 years. Most archaeological evidence, however, suggests that fermentation was being used in one manner or another by around 4000 to 3500 B.C. Some of this evidence-from an ancient.

Mesopotamian trading outpost called Godin Tepe in present-day Iran- indicates that barley was being fermented at that location around 3500 B.C. Additional evidence recovered at Hacinegi Tepe (a similar site in southern Turkey) also suggest that ancient Mesopotamians were fermenting barley at a very early date.

Bread, Beer & Yeast

The history of bread and cake starts with Neolithic cooks and marches through time according to ingredient availability, advances in technology, economic conditions, socio-cultural influences, legal rights (Medieval guilds), and evolving taste. The earliest breads were unleavened. Variations in grain, thickness, shape, and texture varied from culture to culture.

Archaelogical evidence confirms yeast (both as leavening agent and for brewing ale) was used in Egypt as early as 4000 B.C. Food historians generally cite this date for the discovery of leavened food and genesis of the brewing industry. There is an alternate theory regarding the invention of brewing. Some historians believe it is possible that brewing began when the first cereal crops were domesticated.

Sources generally agree the discovery of the powers of yeast was accidental. No one has yet managed to date the origins of beer with any precision, and it is probably an impossible task. Indeed, there are scholars who have theorized that a taste for ale prompted the beginning of agriculture, in which case humans have been brewing for some 10,000 years. Most archaeological evidence, however, suggests that fermentation was being used in one manner or another by around 4000 to 3500 B.C. Some of this evidence-from an ancient.

Mesopotamian trading outpost called Godin Tepe in present-day Iran- indicates that barley was being fermented at that location around 3500 B.C. Additional evidence recovered at Hacinegi Tepe (a similar site in southern Turkey) also suggest that ancient Mesopotamians were fermenting barley at a very early date.

Bread, Beer & Yeast

The history of bread and cake starts with Neolithic cooks and marches through time according to ingredient availability, advances in technology, economic conditions, socio-cultural influences, legal rights (Medieval guilds), and evolving taste. The earliest breads were unleavened. Variations in grain, thickness, shape, and texture varied from culture to culture.

Archaelogical evidence confirms yeast (both as leavening agent and for brewing ale) was used in Egypt as early as 4000 B.C. Food historians generally cite this date for the discovery of leavened food and genesis of the brewing industry. There is an alternate theory regarding the invention of brewing. Some historians believe it is possible that brewing began when the first cereal crops were domesticated.

Sources generally agree the discovery of the powers of yeast was accidental. No one has yet managed to date the origins of beer with any precision, and it is probably an impossible task. Indeed, there are scholars who have theorized that a taste for ale prompted the beginning of agriculture, in which case humans have been brewing for some 10,000 years. Most archaeological evidence, however, suggests that fermentation was being used in one manner or another by around 4000 to 3500 B.C. Some of this evidence-from an ancient.

Mesopotamian trading outpost called Godin Tepe in present-day Iran- indicates that barley was being fermented at that location around 3500 B.C. Additional evidence recovered at Hacinegi Tepe (a similar site in southern Turkey) also suggest that ancient Mesopotamians were fermenting barley at a very early date.

£60 Fines for Being Late to School

Councils are cracking down on tardy children, with parents who don’t pay up facing prosecution. Families have been told they face fines if children are repeatedly late for school, with the threat of prosecution for those who do not pay.

Councils and schools in the West Midlands, Hampshire and Essex are among those that have extended the £60 fixed penalties they issue for absenteeism, including holidays in term time, to cases of lateness. Warwickshire county council has issued guidance to say it can fine families if pupils are often late, defined as arriving more than 30 minutes after the register is taken.

Winter Gardens Academy in Essex has told parents they can be fined £60 if their children consistently turn up after 9am, rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days.An Eastern Asian government’s behaviour tsar said sanctions to improve punctuality could include making children collect litter, remove chewing gum or mop classroom floors before school, a measure used in South Korea, often a leader in academic league tables. He said fines could be used as a last resort.Tom Bennet said parents whose teenage children were regularly late should walk with them.

“Most pupils would rather make sure not to miss their alarm, than be seen walking up to school with their parents,” he said. Bennet admits he was late for school every day when he was studying for his A-levels. Bennet believes that the increase in technology has had a role in increasing the number of students being late for school, because many are staying up late on their phones.

£60 Fines for Being Late to School

Councils are cracking down on tardy children, with parents who don’t pay up facing prosecution. Families have been told they face fines if children are repeatedly late for school, with the threat of prosecution for those who do not pay.

Councils and schools in the West Midlands, Hampshire and Essex are among those that have extended the £60 fixed penalties they issue for absenteeism, including holidays in term time, to cases of lateness. Warwickshire county council has issued guidance to say it can fine families if pupils are often late, defined as arriving more than 30 minutes after the register is taken.

Winter Gardens Academy in Essex has told parents they can be fined £60 if their children consistently turn up after 9am, rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days.An Eastern Asian government’s behaviour tsar said sanctions to improve punctuality could include making children collect litter, remove chewing gum or mop classroom floors before school, a measure used in South Korea, often a leader in academic league tables. He said fines could be used as a last resort.Tom Bennet said parents whose teenage children were regularly late should walk with them.

“Most pupils would rather make sure not to miss their alarm, than be seen walking up to school with their parents,” he said. Bennet admits he was late for school every day when he was studying for his A-levels. Bennet believes that the increase in technology has had a role in increasing the number of students being late for school, because many are staying up late on their phones.

£60 Fines for Being Late to School

Councils are cracking down on tardy children, with parents who don’t pay up facing prosecution. Families have been told they face fines if children are repeatedly late for school, with the threat of prosecution for those who do not pay.

Councils and schools in the West Midlands, Hampshire and Essex are among those that have extended the £60 fixed penalties they issue for absenteeism, including holidays in term time, to cases of lateness. Warwickshire county council has issued guidance to say it can fine families if pupils are often late, defined as arriving more than 30 minutes after the register is taken.

Winter Gardens Academy in Essex has told parents they can be fined £60 if their children consistently turn up after 9am, rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days.An Eastern Asian government’s behaviour tsar said sanctions to improve punctuality could include making children collect litter, remove chewing gum or mop classroom floors before school, a measure used in South Korea, often a leader in academic league tables. He said fines could be used as a last resort.Tom Bennet said parents whose teenage children were regularly late should walk with them.

“Most pupils would rather make sure not to miss their alarm, than be seen walking up to school with their parents,” he said. Bennet admits he was late for school every day when he was studying for his A-levels. Bennet believes that the increase in technology has had a role in increasing the number of students being late for school, because many are staying up late on their phones.

£60 Fines for Being Late to School

Councils are cracking down on tardy children, with parents who don’t pay up facing prosecution. Families have been told they face fines if children are repeatedly late for school, with the threat of prosecution for those who do not pay.

Councils and schools in the West Midlands, Hampshire and Essex are among those that have extended the £60 fixed penalties they issue for absenteeism, including holidays in term time, to cases of lateness. Warwickshire county council has issued guidance to say it can fine families if pupils are often late, defined as arriving more than 30 minutes after the register is taken.

Winter Gardens Academy in Essex has told parents they can be fined £60 if their children consistently turn up after 9am, rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days.An Eastern Asian government’s behaviour tsar said sanctions to improve punctuality could include making children collect litter, remove chewing gum or mop classroom floors before school, a measure used in South Korea, often a leader in academic league tables. He said fines could be used as a last resort.Tom Bennet said parents whose teenage children were regularly late should walk with them.

“Most pupils would rather make sure not to miss their alarm, than be seen walking up to school with their parents,” he said. Bennet admits he was late for school every day when he was studying for his A-levels. Bennet believes that the increase in technology has had a role in increasing the number of students being late for school, because many are staying up late on their phones.

You are what you eat right? You are what your gut microbes eat.

And this appears to be one of the reasons giant pandas are struggling to survive. The microbes inside their guts are “optimized to digest meat” — this despite the fact that pandas have been eating a nearly exclusive diet of fibrous bamboo for some 2 million years.This conclusion comes from researchers’ analysis of panda droppings.

They collected faecal matter from 45 pandas in the wild — in spring, summer and fall — and sequenced the DNA. The findings are published in the American microbiology journal, mBio. “The giant panda evolved from omnivorous bears,” the study states. “It lives on a bamboo-dominated diet at present, but it still retains a typical carnivorous digestive system and is genetically deficient in cellulose-digesting enzymes.”

The paper adds: “The peculiar characteristics of its gut microbiota may put it at high risk of extinction.” The giant panda is arguably the most beloved animal in the world. But despite decades of effort from conservationists (the panda is the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund), the animal remains endangered. Fewer than 2,000 giants pandas live in the wild, and the animals are well known for having trouble reproducing.There are many reasons for the giant panda’s perilous state, but the low diversity of its gut microbes is definitely not helping the situation. It is becoming conventional wisdom that high diversity in gut microbes makes it easier for animals to adapt to changing environments.

The giant panda is not adapting. “Unlike other herbivores that have successfully evolved anatomically specialised digestive systems to efficiently deconstruct fibrous plant matter, the giant panda still retains a gastrointestinal tract typical of carnivores,” the researchers write.

You are what you eat right? You are what your gut microbes eat.

And this appears to be one of the reasons giant pandas are struggling to survive. The microbes inside their guts are “optimized to digest meat” — this despite the fact that pandas have been eating a nearly exclusive diet of fibrous bamboo for some 2 million years.This conclusion comes from researchers’ analysis of panda droppings.

They collected faecal matter from 45 pandas in the wild — in spring, summer and fall — and sequenced the DNA. The findings are published in the American microbiology journal, mBio. “The giant panda evolved from omnivorous bears,” the study states. “It lives on a bamboo-dominated diet at present, but it still retains a typical carnivorous digestive system and is genetically deficient in cellulose-digesting enzymes.”

The paper adds: “The peculiar characteristics of its gut microbiota may put it at high risk of extinction.” The giant panda is arguably the most beloved animal in the world. But despite decades of effort from conservationists (the panda is the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund), the animal remains endangered. Fewer than 2,000 giants pandas live in the wild, and the animals are well known for having trouble reproducing.There are many reasons for the giant panda’s perilous state, but the low diversity of its gut microbes is definitely not helping the situation. It is becoming conventional wisdom that high diversity in gut microbes makes it easier for animals to adapt to changing environments.

The giant panda is not adapting. “Unlike other herbivores that have successfully evolved anatomically specialised digestive systems to efficiently deconstruct fibrous plant matter, the giant panda still retains a gastrointestinal tract typical of carnivores,” the researchers write.

You are what you eat right? You are what your gut microbes eat.

And this appears to be one of the reasons giant pandas are struggling to survive. The microbes inside their guts are “optimized to digest meat” — this despite the fact that pandas have been eating a nearly exclusive diet of fibrous bamboo for some 2 million years.This conclusion comes from researchers’ analysis of panda droppings.

They collected faecal matter from 45 pandas in the wild — in spring, summer and fall — and sequenced the DNA. The findings are published in the American microbiology journal, mBio. “The giant panda evolved from omnivorous bears,” the study states. “It lives on a bamboo-dominated diet at present, but it still retains a typical carnivorous digestive system and is genetically deficient in cellulose-digesting enzymes.”

The paper adds: “The peculiar characteristics of its gut microbiota may put it at high risk of extinction.” The giant panda is arguably the most beloved animal in the world. But despite decades of effort from conservationists (the panda is the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund), the animal remains endangered. Fewer than 2,000 giants pandas live in the wild, and the animals are well known for having trouble reproducing.There are many reasons for the giant panda’s perilous state, but the low diversity of its gut microbes is definitely not helping the situation. It is becoming conventional wisdom that high diversity in gut microbes makes it easier for animals to adapt to changing environments.

The giant panda is not adapting. “Unlike other herbivores that have successfully evolved anatomically specialised digestive systems to efficiently deconstruct fibrous plant matter, the giant panda still retains a gastrointestinal tract typical of carnivores,” the researchers write.

You are what you eat right? You are what your gut microbes eat.

And this appears to be one of the reasons giant pandas are struggling to survive. The microbes inside their guts are “optimized to digest meat” — this despite the fact that pandas have been eating a nearly exclusive diet of fibrous bamboo for some 2 million years.This conclusion comes from researchers’ analysis of panda droppings.

They collected faecal matter from 45 pandas in the wild — in spring, summer and fall — and sequenced the DNA. The findings are published in the American microbiology journal, mBio. “The giant panda evolved from omnivorous bears,” the study states. “It lives on a bamboo-dominated diet at present, but it still retains a typical carnivorous digestive system and is genetically deficient in cellulose-digesting enzymes.”

The paper adds: “The peculiar characteristics of its gut microbiota may put it at high risk of extinction.” The giant panda is arguably the most beloved animal in the world. But despite decades of effort from conservationists (the panda is the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund), the animal remains endangered. Fewer than 2,000 giants pandas live in the wild, and the animals are well known for having trouble reproducing.There are many reasons for the giant panda’s perilous state, but the low diversity of its gut microbes is definitely not helping the situation. It is becoming conventional wisdom that high diversity in gut microbes makes it easier for animals to adapt to changing environments.

The giant panda is not adapting. “Unlike other herbivores that have successfully evolved anatomically specialised digestive systems to efficiently deconstruct fibrous plant matter, the giant panda still retains a gastrointestinal tract typical of carnivores,” the researchers write.

The precursor of pizza was probably the focaccia, a flat bread known to the Romans as panis focacius, to which toppings were then added. Modern pizza developed in Naples, when tomato was added to the focaccia in the late 18th century. Neapolitan pizza itself is believed to have originated from a similar dish called Jeyoun.

The word pizza was first documented in AD 997 in Gaeta, and successively in different parts of Central and Southern Italy. Pizza was mainly eaten in the country of Italy and by emigrants from there. This changed after World War II, when Allied troops stationed in Italy came to enjoy pizza along with other Italian foods.

Foods similar to pizza have been made since the neolithic age. Records of people adding other ingredients to bread to make it more flavorful can be found throughout ancient history. In Sardinia, French and Italian archaeologists have found bread baked over 8,000 years ago. According to Professor Philippe Marinval, the local islanders leavened this bread. The Ancient Greeks had a flat bread called plakous (πλακοῦς, gen. πλακοῦντος—plakountos) which was flavored with toppings like herbs, onion, and garlic.

In the 6th century BC, the soldiers in Persian King Darius I armies baked flatbreads with cheese and dates on top of their battle shields. An early reference to a pizza-like food occurs in the Aeneid (ca. 19 BC), when Celaeno, queen of the Harpies, foretells that the Trojans would not find peace until they are forced by hunger to eat their tables (Book III).

The precursor of pizza was probably the focaccia, a flat bread known to the Romans as panis focacius, to which toppings were then added. Modern pizza developed in Naples, when tomato was added to the focaccia in the late 18th century. Neapolitan pizza itself is believed to have originated from a similar dish called Jeyoun.

The word pizza was first documented in AD 997 in Gaeta, and successively in different parts of Central and Southern Italy. Pizza was mainly eaten in the country of Italy and by emigrants from there. This changed after World War II, when Allied troops stationed in Italy came to enjoy pizza along with other Italian foods.

Foods similar to pizza have been made since the neolithic age. Records of people adding other ingredients to bread to make it more flavorful can be found throughout ancient history. In Sardinia, French and Italian archaeologists have found bread baked over 8,000 years ago. According to Professor Philippe Marinval, the local islanders leavened this bread. The Ancient Greeks had a flat bread called plakous (πλακοῦς, gen. πλακοῦντος—plakountos) which was flavored with toppings like herbs, onion, and garlic.

In the 6th century BC, the soldiers in Persian King Darius I armies baked flatbreads with cheese and dates on top of their battle shields. An early reference to a pizza-like food occurs in the Aeneid (ca. 19 BC), when Celaeno, queen of the Harpies, foretells that the Trojans would not find peace until they are forced by hunger to eat their tables (Book III).

The precursor of pizza was probably the focaccia, a flat bread known to the Romans as panis focacius, to which toppings were then added. Modern pizza developed in Naples, when tomato was added to the focaccia in the late 18th century. Neapolitan pizza itself is believed to have originated from a similar dish called Jeyoun.

The word pizza was first documented in AD 997 in Gaeta, and successively in different parts of Central and Southern Italy. Pizza was mainly eaten in the country of Italy and by emigrants from there. This changed after World War II, when Allied troops stationed in Italy came to enjoy pizza along with other Italian foods.

Foods similar to pizza have been made since the neolithic age. Records of people adding other ingredients to bread to make it more flavorful can be found throughout ancient history. In Sardinia, French and Italian archaeologists have found bread baked over 8,000 years ago. According to Professor Philippe Marinval, the local islanders leavened this bread. The Ancient Greeks had a flat bread called plakous (πλακοῦς, gen. πλακοῦντος—plakountos) which was flavored with toppings like herbs, onion, and garlic.

In the 6th century BC, the soldiers in Persian King Darius I armies baked flatbreads with cheese and dates on top of their battle shields. An early reference to a pizza-like food occurs in the Aeneid (ca. 19 BC), when Celaeno, queen of the Harpies, foretells that the Trojans would not find peace until they are forced by hunger to eat their tables (Book III).

The precursor of pizza was probably the focaccia, a flat bread known to the Romans as panis focacius, to which toppings were then added. Modern pizza developed in Naples, when tomato was added to the focaccia in the late 18th century. Neapolitan pizza itself is believed to have originated from a similar dish called Jeyoun.

The word pizza was first documented in AD 997 in Gaeta, and successively in different parts of Central and Southern Italy. Pizza was mainly eaten in the country of Italy and by emigrants from there. This changed after World War II, when Allied troops stationed in Italy came to enjoy pizza along with other Italian foods.

Foods similar to pizza have been made since the neolithic age. Records of people adding other ingredients to bread to make it more flavorful can be found throughout ancient history. In Sardinia, French and Italian archaeologists have found bread baked over 8,000 years ago. According to Professor Philippe Marinval, the local islanders leavened this bread. The Ancient Greeks had a flat bread called plakous (πλακοῦς, gen. πλακοῦντος—plakountos) which was flavored with toppings like herbs, onion, and garlic.

In the 6th century BC, the soldiers in Persian King Darius I armies baked flatbreads with cheese and dates on top of their battle shields. An early reference to a pizza-like food occurs in the Aeneid (ca. 19 BC), when Celaeno, queen of the Harpies, foretells that the Trojans would not find peace until they are forced by hunger to eat their tables (Book III).

Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo

After morning pickup at selected Tokyo hotels or Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal, relax as your deluxe coach cruises along a scenic 2.5-hour route to Mt Fuji Visitor Center. Learn about the history and geology of Japan’s highest mountain from your guide and the informational exhibits about the revered mountain.

From the second floor observation deck, you can get great views of Mt Fuji on a clear day.After seeing the Visitor Center, return to your coach and proceed to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station, located about halfway up the mountain at 7,545 feet (2,300m).

Take in the shrines, torii gates and shops that sell souvenirs, along with views of Mt Fuji and the surrounding lakes (subject to weather conditions). Soak in the invigorating atmosphere of 5th Station; you might even spot some climbers preparing for their adventure.Then have time for lunch. You can choose the upgrade that includes a Japanese-style lunch, or have the option to buy your own meal. After having a bite to eat, drive to nearby Lake Ashi, located in Hakone National Park. Step aboard your boat for a short cruise across the lake. Admire the spectacular scenery of pristine waters surrounded by Mt Komagatake, Mt Fuji and other mountains.

Disembark from the boat and head to the Mt Komagatake Ropeway, an aerial tram that takes you from the shores of Lake Ashi to the top of Mt Komagatake. Have time to walk around the mountain top and take in amazing views of Lake Ashi, the Owakudani volcanic valley and majestic Mt Fuji. After visiting Hakone, transfer by coach to the evening bullet train (Shinkansen) for your return to Tokyo, where your guide will tell you how to get back to your hotel.

This tour also offer a discounted option with pickup at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku for direct transfer to Mt Fuji without stopping at Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. This Shinjuku direct departure option allows you to spend more time at Mt Fuji. It is worth noting that views around Mt Fuji are always subject to weather conditions as mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. Visibility tends to be better during the colder months, in the early morning and late evening.

Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo

After morning pickup at selected Tokyo hotels or Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal, relax as your deluxe coach cruises along a scenic 2.5-hour route to Mt Fuji Visitor Center. Learn about the history and geology of Japan’s highest mountain from your guide and the informational exhibits about the revered mountain.

From the second floor observation deck, you can get great views of Mt Fuji on a clear day.After seeing the Visitor Center, return to your coach and proceed to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station, located about halfway up the mountain at 7,545 feet (2,300m).

Take in the shrines, torii gates and shops that sell souvenirs, along with views of Mt Fuji and the surrounding lakes (subject to weather conditions). Soak in the invigorating atmosphere of 5th Station; you might even spot some climbers preparing for their adventure.Then have time for lunch. You can choose the upgrade that includes a Japanese-style lunch, or have the option to buy your own meal. After having a bite to eat, drive to nearby Lake Ashi, located in Hakone National Park. Step aboard your boat for a short cruise across the lake. Admire the spectacular scenery of pristine waters surrounded by Mt Komagatake, Mt Fuji and other mountains.

Disembark from the boat and head to the Mt Komagatake Ropeway, an aerial tram that takes you from the shores of Lake Ashi to the top of Mt Komagatake. Have time to walk around the mountain top and take in amazing views of Lake Ashi, the Owakudani volcanic valley and majestic Mt Fuji. After visiting Hakone, transfer by coach to the evening bullet train (Shinkansen) for your return to Tokyo, where your guide will tell you how to get back to your hotel.

This tour also offer a discounted option with pickup at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku for direct transfer to Mt Fuji without stopping at Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. This Shinjuku direct departure option allows you to spend more time at Mt Fuji. It is worth noting that views around Mt Fuji are always subject to weather conditions as mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. Visibility tends to be better during the colder months, in the early morning and late evening.

Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo

After morning pickup at selected Tokyo hotels or Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal, relax as your deluxe coach cruises along a scenic 2.5-hour route to Mt Fuji Visitor Center. Learn about the history and geology of Japan’s highest mountain from your guide and the informational exhibits about the revered mountain.

From the second floor observation deck, you can get great views of Mt Fuji on a clear day.After seeing the Visitor Center, return to your coach and proceed to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station, located about halfway up the mountain at 7,545 feet (2,300m).

Take in the shrines, torii gates and shops that sell souvenirs, along with views of Mt Fuji and the surrounding lakes (subject to weather conditions). Soak in the invigorating atmosphere of 5th Station; you might even spot some climbers preparing for their adventure.Then have time for lunch. You can choose the upgrade that includes a Japanese-style lunch, or have the option to buy your own meal. After having a bite to eat, drive to nearby Lake Ashi, located in Hakone National Park. Step aboard your boat for a short cruise across the lake. Admire the spectacular scenery of pristine waters surrounded by Mt Komagatake, Mt Fuji and other mountains.

Disembark from the boat and head to the Mt Komagatake Ropeway, an aerial tram that takes you from the shores of Lake Ashi to the top of Mt Komagatake. Have time to walk around the mountain top and take in amazing views of Lake Ashi, the Owakudani volcanic valley and majestic Mt Fuji. After visiting Hakone, transfer by coach to the evening bullet train (Shinkansen) for your return to Tokyo, where your guide will tell you how to get back to your hotel.

This tour also offer a discounted option with pickup at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku for direct transfer to Mt Fuji without stopping at Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. This Shinjuku direct departure option allows you to spend more time at Mt Fuji. It is worth noting that views around Mt Fuji are always subject to weather conditions as mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. Visibility tends to be better during the colder months, in the early morning and late evening.

Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo

After morning pickup at selected Tokyo hotels or Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal, relax as your deluxe coach cruises along a scenic 2.5-hour route to Mt Fuji Visitor Center. Learn about the history and geology of Japan’s highest mountain from your guide and the informational exhibits about the revered mountain.

From the second floor observation deck, you can get great views of Mt Fuji on a clear day.After seeing the Visitor Center, return to your coach and proceed to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station, located about halfway up the mountain at 7,545 feet (2,300m).

Take in the shrines, torii gates and shops that sell souvenirs, along with views of Mt Fuji and the surrounding lakes (subject to weather conditions). Soak in the invigorating atmosphere of 5th Station; you might even spot some climbers preparing for their adventure.Then have time for lunch. You can choose the upgrade that includes a Japanese-style lunch, or have the option to buy your own meal. After having a bite to eat, drive to nearby Lake Ashi, located in Hakone National Park. Step aboard your boat for a short cruise across the lake. Admire the spectacular scenery of pristine waters surrounded by Mt Komagatake, Mt Fuji and other mountains.

Disembark from the boat and head to the Mt Komagatake Ropeway, an aerial tram that takes you from the shores of Lake Ashi to the top of Mt Komagatake. Have time to walk around the mountain top and take in amazing views of Lake Ashi, the Owakudani volcanic valley and majestic Mt Fuji. After visiting Hakone, transfer by coach to the evening bullet train (Shinkansen) for your return to Tokyo, where your guide will tell you how to get back to your hotel.

This tour also offer a discounted option with pickup at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku for direct transfer to Mt Fuji without stopping at Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. This Shinjuku direct departure option allows you to spend more time at Mt Fuji. It is worth noting that views around Mt Fuji are always subject to weather conditions as mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. Visibility tends to be better during the colder months, in the early morning and late evening.

New HIV Guidelines

According to a new WHO progress report lack of an HIV diagnosis is a major obstacle to implementing the Organization’s recommendation that everyone with HIV should be offered antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The report reveals that more than 18 million people with HIV are currently taking ART, and a similar number is still unable to access treatment, the majority of which are unaware of their HIV positive status. Today, 40% of all people with HIV (over 14 million) remain unaware of their status. Many of these are people at higher risk of HIV infection who often find it difficult to access existing testing services.

“Millions of people with HIV are still missing out on life-saving treatment, which can also prevent HIV transmission to others,” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “HIV self-testing should open the door for many more people to know their HIV status and find out how to get treatment and access prevention services.”HIV self-testing means people can use oral fluid or blood- finger-pricks to discover their status in a private and convenient setting. Results are ready within 20 minutes or less. Those with positive results are advised to seek confirmatory tests at health clinics. WHO recommends they receive information and links to counselling as well as rapid referral to prevention, treatment and care services.

HIV self-testing is a way to reach more people with undiagnosed HIV and represents a step forward to empower individuals, diagnose people earlier before they become sick, bring services closer to where people live, and create demand for HIV testing. This is particularly important for those people facing barriers to accessing existing services.

Between 2005 and 2015 the proportion of people with HIV learning of their status increased from 12% to 60% globally. This increase in HIV testing uptake worldwide has led to more than 80% of all people diagnosed with HIV receiving ART.

New HIV Guidelines

According to a new WHO progress report lack of an HIV diagnosis is a major obstacle to implementing the Organization’s recommendation that everyone with HIV should be offered antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The report reveals that more than 18 million people with HIV are currently taking ART, and a similar number is still unable to access treatment, the majority of which are unaware of their HIV positive status. Today, 40% of all people with HIV (over 14 million) remain unaware of their status. Many of these are people at higher risk of HIV infection who often find it difficult to access existing testing services.

“Millions of people with HIV are still missing out on life-saving treatment, which can also prevent HIV transmission to others,” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “HIV self-testing should open the door for many more people to know their HIV status and find out how to get treatment and access prevention services.”HIV self-testing means people can use oral fluid or blood- finger-pricks to discover their status in a private and convenient setting. Results are ready within 20 minutes or less. Those with positive results are advised to seek confirmatory tests at health clinics. WHO recommends they receive information and links to counselling as well as rapid referral to prevention, treatment and care services.

HIV self-testing is a way to reach more people with undiagnosed HIV and represents a step forward to empower individuals, diagnose people earlier before they become sick, bring services closer to where people live, and create demand for HIV testing. This is particularly important for those people facing barriers to accessing existing services.

Between 2005 and 2015 the proportion of people with HIV learning of their status increased from 12% to 60% globally. This increase in HIV testing uptake worldwide has led to more than 80% of all people diagnosed with HIV receiving ART.

New HIV Guidelines

According to a new WHO progress report lack of an HIV diagnosis is a major obstacle to implementing the Organization’s recommendation that everyone with HIV should be offered antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The report reveals that more than 18 million people with HIV are currently taking ART, and a similar number is still unable to access treatment, the majority of which are unaware of their HIV positive status. Today, 40% of all people with HIV (over 14 million) remain unaware of their status. Many of these are people at higher risk of HIV infection who often find it difficult to access existing testing services.

“Millions of people with HIV are still missing out on life-saving treatment, which can also prevent HIV transmission to others,” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “HIV self-testing should open the door for many more people to know their HIV status and find out how to get treatment and access prevention services.”HIV self-testing means people can use oral fluid or blood- finger-pricks to discover their status in a private and convenient setting. Results are ready within 20 minutes or less. Those with positive results are advised to seek confirmatory tests at health clinics. WHO recommends they receive information and links to counselling as well as rapid referral to prevention, treatment and care services.

HIV self-testing is a way to reach more people with undiagnosed HIV and represents a step forward to empower individuals, diagnose people earlier before they become sick, bring services closer to where people live, and create demand for HIV testing. This is particularly important for those people facing barriers to accessing existing services.

Between 2005 and 2015 the proportion of people with HIV learning of their status increased from 12% to 60% globally. This increase in HIV testing uptake worldwide has led to more than 80% of all people diagnosed with HIV receiving ART.

New HIV Guidelines

According to a new WHO progress report lack of an HIV diagnosis is a major obstacle to implementing the Organization’s recommendation that everyone with HIV should be offered antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The report reveals that more than 18 million people with HIV are currently taking ART, and a similar number is still unable to access treatment, the majority of which are unaware of their HIV positive status. Today, 40% of all people with HIV (over 14 million) remain unaware of their status. Many of these are people at higher risk of HIV infection who often find it difficult to access existing testing services.

“Millions of people with HIV are still missing out on life-saving treatment, which can also prevent HIV transmission to others,” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “HIV self-testing should open the door for many more people to know their HIV status and find out how to get treatment and access prevention services.”HIV self-testing means people can use oral fluid or blood- finger-pricks to discover their status in a private and convenient setting. Results are ready within 20 minutes or less. Those with positive results are advised to seek confirmatory tests at health clinics. WHO recommends they receive information and links to counselling as well as rapid referral to prevention, treatment and care services.

HIV self-testing is a way to reach more people with undiagnosed HIV and represents a step forward to empower individuals, diagnose people earlier before they become sick, bring services closer to where people live, and create demand for HIV testing. This is particularly important for those people facing barriers to accessing existing services.

Between 2005 and 2015 the proportion of people with HIV learning of their status increased from 12% to 60% globally. This increase in HIV testing uptake worldwide has led to more than 80% of all people diagnosed with HIV receiving ART.

A Nap a Day keeps the Doctor Away

The effect of napping on memory consolidation is also influenced by how often it takes place. Milner, Fogel and Cote (2006) found that following a 20-minute nap, those who napped habitually (i.e. more than twice a week) improved more on a procedural motor learning task after a nap than those who only napped non-habitually (i.e. less than twice a month).

These results are corroborated with the previously discussed study by Kurdziel et al. (2013), where children who napped habitually had the greatest benefit in declarative memory performance. One flaw of the study by Milner et al. (2006), is that napping behaviour was decided based on frequency of naps rather than preference, as adults may be habitual nappers but may not have the time to do so.

Nonetheless, it could also be argued that the participants were students and so did have sufficient time to carry out their desired napping preference. Looking at nap desirability, research by Evans et al. (1977) found that there were differences in nap infrastructure in appetitive nappers (nap unrelated to sleep need), replacement nappers (nap when tired) and sporadic nappers. Dinges, Orne EC, Orne MT and Evans (1980) carried out a replication study following on from this research, and found that appetitive nappers had greater stage 1 sleep and more stage changes than a group of non-nappers.

The variation in how often people take naps, and the reasons for it could therefore have an impact on memory consolidation, as differing sleep composition has shown to be an influence.

A Nap a Day keeps the Doctor Away

The effect of napping on memory consolidation is also influenced by how often it takes place. Milner, Fogel and Cote (2006) found that following a 20-minute nap, those who napped habitually (i.e. more than twice a week) improved more on a procedural motor learning task after a nap than those who only napped non-habitually (i.e. less than twice a month).

These results are corroborated with the previously discussed study by Kurdziel et al. (2013), where children who napped habitually had the greatest benefit in declarative memory performance. One flaw of the study by Milner et al. (2006), is that napping behaviour was decided based on frequency of naps rather than preference, as adults may be habitual nappers but may not have the time to do so.

Nonetheless, it could also be argued that the participants were students and so did have sufficient time to carry out their desired napping preference. Looking at nap desirability, research by Evans et al. (1977) found that there were differences in nap infrastructure in appetitive nappers (nap unrelated to sleep need), replacement nappers (nap when tired) and sporadic nappers. Dinges, Orne EC, Orne MT and Evans (1980) carried out a replication study following on from this research, and found that appetitive nappers had greater stage 1 sleep and more stage changes than a group of non-nappers.

The variation in how often people take naps, and the reasons for it could therefore have an impact on memory consolidation, as differing sleep composition has shown to be an influence.

A Nap a Day keeps the Doctor Away

The effect of napping on memory consolidation is also influenced by how often it takes place. Milner, Fogel and Cote (2006) found that following a 20-minute nap, those who napped habitually (i.e. more than twice a week) improved more on a procedural motor learning task after a nap than those who only napped non-habitually (i.e. less than twice a month).

These results are corroborated with the previously discussed study by Kurdziel et al. (2013), where children who napped habitually had the greatest benefit in declarative memory performance. One flaw of the study by Milner et al. (2006), is that napping behaviour was decided based on frequency of naps rather than preference, as adults may be habitual nappers but may not have the time to do so.

Nonetheless, it could also be argued that the participants were students and so did have sufficient time to carry out their desired napping preference. Looking at nap desirability, research by Evans et al. (1977) found that there were differences in nap infrastructure in appetitive nappers (nap unrelated to sleep need), replacement nappers (nap when tired) and sporadic nappers. Dinges, Orne EC, Orne MT and Evans (1980) carried out a replication study following on from this research, and found that appetitive nappers had greater stage 1 sleep and more stage changes than a group of non-nappers.

The variation in how often people take naps, and the reasons for it could therefore have an impact on memory consolidation, as differing sleep composition has shown to be an influence.

A Nap a Day keeps the Doctor Away

The effect of napping on memory consolidation is also influenced by how often it takes place. Milner, Fogel and Cote (2006) found that following a 20-minute nap, those who napped habitually (i.e. more than twice a week) improved more on a procedural motor learning task after a nap than those who only napped non-habitually (i.e. less than twice a month).

These results are corroborated with the previously discussed study by Kurdziel et al. (2013), where children who napped habitually had the greatest benefit in declarative memory performance. One flaw of the study by Milner et al. (2006), is that napping behaviour was decided based on frequency of naps rather than preference, as adults may be habitual nappers but may not have the time to do so.

Nonetheless, it could also be argued that the participants were students and so did have sufficient time to carry out their desired napping preference. Looking at nap desirability, research by Evans et al. (1977) found that there were differences in nap infrastructure in appetitive nappers (nap unrelated to sleep need), replacement nappers (nap when tired) and sporadic nappers. Dinges, Orne EC, Orne MT and Evans (1980) carried out a replication study following on from this research, and found that appetitive nappers had greater stage 1 sleep and more stage changes than a group of non-nappers.

The variation in how often people take naps, and the reasons for it could therefore have an impact on memory consolidation, as differing sleep composition has shown to be an influence.

A2n001 – The Future

The A2n 001 was an experimental Diesel railcar built in Italy by CaFiCi consortium in 1982. Despite a long test period in several regional lines, the vehicle never came into regular service.

The railcar was designed taking advantage of the experience developed in the construction of 2-decks vehicles gained in Italy by the Casaralta workshops (Bologna) in building railways carriages derived from those in service on the Parisian “banlieue” and supplied to Ferrovie Nord Milano and Ferrovie dello Stato companies. The vehicles were built under CIMT Lorraine (a French firm) license.

The experiment was focused on the research on a lightweight vehicle with higher capacity than railcars used at that time. The objective was to provide regional and branch lines with such vehicles, with an offer estimated at about 40-50% more passengers than equivalent traditional railcars, despite the “low power consumption and a saving of about 20% in investment and running costs”. It was designed a curious double-decker railcar reminiscent of the similar coaches of the time. The vehicle was built by a company called Cafici International, with headquarters in Geneva.

The engine was supplied by Fiat (IVECO 828 SRI engine 4-stroke, 8-cylinder V) and installed in only one in every two carriages, which were derived from those equipped on the double-decker coaches then being delivered by Casaralta, with secondary air suspension and brake discs and mixed strains.

The arrangement of each carriage space was such as to create in practice four distinct rooms: the two vestibules, allowing access to the high and low rooms, a capacity of 17 each, and the two central decks, with an upper and lower deck, with a capacity of 60 and 48 respectively.

A2n001 – The Future

The A2n 001 was an experimental Diesel railcar built in Italy by CaFiCi consortium in 1982. Despite a long test period in several regional lines, the vehicle never came into regular service.

The railcar was designed taking advantage of the experience developed in the construction of 2-decks vehicles gained in Italy by the Casaralta workshops (Bologna) in building railways carriages derived from those in service on the Parisian “banlieue” and supplied to Ferrovie Nord Milano and Ferrovie dello Stato companies. The vehicles were built under CIMT Lorraine (a French firm) license.

The experiment was focused on the research on a lightweight vehicle with higher capacity than railcars used at that time. The objective was to provide regional and branch lines with such vehicles, with an offer estimated at about 40-50% more passengers than equivalent traditional railcars, despite the “low power consumption and a saving of about 20% in investment and running costs”. It was designed a curious double-decker railcar reminiscent of the similar coaches of the time. The vehicle was built by a company called Cafici International, with headquarters in Geneva.

The engine was supplied by Fiat (IVECO 828 SRI engine 4-stroke, 8-cylinder V) and installed in only one in every two carriages, which were derived from those equipped on the double-decker coaches then being delivered by Casaralta, with secondary air suspension and brake discs and mixed strains.

The arrangement of each carriage space was such as to create in practice four distinct rooms: the two vestibules, allowing access to the high and low rooms, a capacity of 17 each, and the two central decks, with an upper and lower deck, with a capacity of 60 and 48 respectively.

A2n001 – The Future

The A2n 001 was an experimental Diesel railcar built in Italy by CaFiCi consortium in 1982. Despite a long test period in several regional lines, the vehicle never came into regular service.

The railcar was designed taking advantage of the experience developed in the construction of 2-decks vehicles gained in Italy by the Casaralta workshops (Bologna) in building railways carriages derived from those in service on the Parisian “banlieue” and supplied to Ferrovie Nord Milano and Ferrovie dello Stato companies. The vehicles were built under CIMT Lorraine (a French firm) license.

The experiment was focused on the research on a lightweight vehicle with higher capacity than railcars used at that time. The objective was to provide regional and branch lines with such vehicles, with an offer estimated at about 40-50% more passengers than equivalent traditional railcars, despite the “low power consumption and a saving of about 20% in investment and running costs”. It was designed a curious double-decker railcar reminiscent of the similar coaches of the time. The vehicle was built by a company called Cafici International, with headquarters in Geneva.

The engine was supplied by Fiat (IVECO 828 SRI engine 4-stroke, 8-cylinder V) and installed in only one in every two carriages, which were derived from those equipped on the double-decker coaches then being delivered by Casaralta, with secondary air suspension and brake discs and mixed strains.

The arrangement of each carriage space was such as to create in practice four distinct rooms: the two vestibules, allowing access to the high and low rooms, a capacity of 17 each, and the two central decks, with an upper and lower deck, with a capacity of 60 and 48 respectively.

A2n001 – The Future

The A2n 001 was an experimental Diesel railcar built in Italy by CaFiCi consortium in 1982. Despite a long test period in several regional lines, the vehicle never came into regular service.

The railcar was designed taking advantage of the experience developed in the construction of 2-decks vehicles gained in Italy by the Casaralta workshops (Bologna) in building railways carriages derived from those in service on the Parisian “banlieue” and supplied to Ferrovie Nord Milano and Ferrovie dello Stato companies. The vehicles were built under CIMT Lorraine (a French firm) license.

The experiment was focused on the research on a lightweight vehicle with higher capacity than railcars used at that time. The objective was to provide regional and branch lines with such vehicles, with an offer estimated at about 40-50% more passengers than equivalent traditional railcars, despite the “low power consumption and a saving of about 20% in investment and running costs”. It was designed a curious double-decker railcar reminiscent of the similar coaches of the time. The vehicle was built by a company called Cafici International, with headquarters in Geneva.

The engine was supplied by Fiat (IVECO 828 SRI engine 4-stroke, 8-cylinder V) and installed in only one in every two carriages, which were derived from those equipped on the double-decker coaches then being delivered by Casaralta, with secondary air suspension and brake discs and mixed strains.

The arrangement of each carriage space was such as to create in practice four distinct rooms: the two vestibules, allowing access to the high and low rooms, a capacity of 17 each, and the two central decks, with an upper and lower deck, with a capacity of 60 and 48 respectively.

Elephant Sanctuaries

Elephants have been used by humans to perform a variety of tasks for around 5000 years, but while people have consistently profited, this relationship has not been greatly beneficial to the elephants. Revered throughout Thailand, elephants have greatly influenced Thai culture, myth, and religion, though the deep respect held for the species is unfortunately not often reflected in the treatment of individual elephants.

Widespread abuse, poaching, deforestation of green spaces, increased tourism, farming, and a vast reduction in habitat have all contributed to a rapid decline in elephant numbers, and Asian elephants are now officially an endangered species. It is estimated that at the turn of the century, Asian elephants numbered approximately 100,000 in Thailand alone (and likely in the millions globally).

Currently the worldwide population has decreased to around 30,000. Of these, only 2500-4000 live in Thailand, and most of those live in captivity near metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, increases in the human population tend to lead to reductions in the number of living elephants. The main reasons for this are because of poaching, habitat loss, and increased tourism. Current estimates for 1kg of ivory on the black market in China (the worlds largest market for illegal ivory sales) is around $3000 US Dollars. Due to their high intelligence, it is possible to train elephants to perform a broad array of tasks, from hauling logs to painting.

This adaptability and aptitude, coupled with their immense size and strength, meant elephants were naturally seen as ideal work animals. Historically, they have been utilised by logging companies to haul lumber, but widespread deforestation has caused legal logging to officially cease throughout Thailand. Sadly, logging camp elephants in the north of the country were forced by humans to contribute to the destruction of their own habitat, and deforestation is now one of the major threats to elephant survival.

Elephant Sanctuaries

Elephants have been used by humans to perform a variety of tasks for around 5000 years, but while people have consistently profited, this relationship has not been greatly beneficial to the elephants. Revered throughout Thailand, elephants have greatly influenced Thai culture, myth, and religion, though the deep respect held for the species is unfortunately not often reflected in the treatment of individual elephants.

Widespread abuse, poaching, deforestation of green spaces, increased tourism, farming, and a vast reduction in habitat have all contributed to a rapid decline in elephant numbers, and Asian elephants are now officially an endangered species. It is estimated that at the turn of the century, Asian elephants numbered approximately 100,000 in Thailand alone (and likely in the millions globally).

Currently the worldwide population has decreased to around 30,000. Of these, only 2500-4000 live in Thailand, and most of those live in captivity near metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, increases in the human population tend to lead to reductions in the number of living elephants. The main reasons for this are because of poaching, habitat loss, and increased tourism. Current estimates for 1kg of ivory on the black market in China (the worlds largest market for illegal ivory sales) is around $3000 US Dollars. Due to their high intelligence, it is possible to train elephants to perform a broad array of tasks, from hauling logs to painting.

This adaptability and aptitude, coupled with their immense size and strength, meant elephants were naturally seen as ideal work animals. Historically, they have been utilised by logging companies to haul lumber, but widespread deforestation has caused legal logging to officially cease throughout Thailand. Sadly, logging camp elephants in the north of the country were forced by humans to contribute to the destruction of their own habitat, and deforestation is now one of the major threats to elephant survival.

Elephant Sanctuaries

Elephants have been used by humans to perform a variety of tasks for around 5000 years, but while people have consistently profited, this relationship has not been greatly beneficial to the elephants. Revered throughout Thailand, elephants have greatly influenced Thai culture, myth, and religion, though the deep respect held for the species is unfortunately not often reflected in the treatment of individual elephants.

Widespread abuse, poaching, deforestation of green spaces, increased tourism, farming, and a vast reduction in habitat have all contributed to a rapid decline in elephant numbers, and Asian elephants are now officially an endangered species. It is estimated that at the turn of the century, Asian elephants numbered approximately 100,000 in Thailand alone (and likely in the millions globally).

Currently the worldwide population has decreased to around 30,000. Of these, only 2500-4000 live in Thailand, and most of those live in captivity near metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, increases in the human population tend to lead to reductions in the number of living elephants. The main reasons for this are because of poaching, habitat loss, and increased tourism. Current estimates for 1kg of ivory on the black market in China (the worlds largest market for illegal ivory sales) is around $3000 US Dollars. Due to their high intelligence, it is possible to train elephants to perform a broad array of tasks, from hauling logs to painting.

This adaptability and aptitude, coupled with their immense size and strength, meant elephants were naturally seen as ideal work animals. Historically, they have been utilised by logging companies to haul lumber, but widespread deforestation has caused legal logging to officially cease throughout Thailand. Sadly, logging camp elephants in the north of the country were forced by humans to contribute to the destruction of their own habitat, and deforestation is now one of the major threats to elephant survival.

Elephant Sanctuaries

Elephants have been used by humans to perform a variety of tasks for around 5000 years, but while people have consistently profited, this relationship has not been greatly beneficial to the elephants. Revered throughout Thailand, elephants have greatly influenced Thai culture, myth, and religion, though the deep respect held for the species is unfortunately not often reflected in the treatment of individual elephants.

Widespread abuse, poaching, deforestation of green spaces, increased tourism, farming, and a vast reduction in habitat have all contributed to a rapid decline in elephant numbers, and Asian elephants are now officially an endangered species. It is estimated that at the turn of the century, Asian elephants numbered approximately 100,000 in Thailand alone (and likely in the millions globally).

Currently the worldwide population has decreased to around 30,000. Of these, only 2500-4000 live in Thailand, and most of those live in captivity near metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, increases in the human population tend to lead to reductions in the number of living elephants. The main reasons for this are because of poaching, habitat loss, and increased tourism. Current estimates for 1kg of ivory on the black market in China (the worlds largest market for illegal ivory sales) is around $3000 US Dollars. Due to their high intelligence, it is possible to train elephants to perform a broad array of tasks, from hauling logs to painting.

This adaptability and aptitude, coupled with their immense size and strength, meant elephants were naturally seen as ideal work animals. Historically, they have been utilised by logging companies to haul lumber, but widespread deforestation has caused legal logging to officially cease throughout Thailand. Sadly, logging camp elephants in the north of the country were forced by humans to contribute to the destruction of their own habitat, and deforestation is now one of the major threats to elephant survival.