Click for bigger.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Experts warn one in ten cats has dementia
One in ten cats is now suffering from dementia as Britain's feline population gets older, experts have warned.
Conditions like Alzheimer's are becoming increasingly common and now affect one million felines.
Vets have reported seeing an increase of cases but fear that many owners do not pick up on the symptoms because they do not associate the condition with their pets.
As in humans, dementia leaves the animals confused and distressed. The progressive condition, caused by degeneration of the brain, can cause them to get lost more often or become reclusive.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh now believe half of all cats over the age of 15 and a quarter aged 11 to 14, are suffering from "geriatric onset behavioural problems".
Dr Danielle Gunn-Moore, professor of feline medicine at the university, said: "When we look at cats of all ages, we believe about 10 per cent will be affected, which represents about one million cats in Britain."
Conditions like Alzheimer's are becoming increasingly common and now affect one million felines.
Vets have reported seeing an increase of cases but fear that many owners do not pick up on the symptoms because they do not associate the condition with their pets.
As in humans, dementia leaves the animals confused and distressed. The progressive condition, caused by degeneration of the brain, can cause them to get lost more often or become reclusive.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh now believe half of all cats over the age of 15 and a quarter aged 11 to 14, are suffering from "geriatric onset behavioural problems".
Dr Danielle Gunn-Moore, professor of feline medicine at the university, said: "When we look at cats of all ages, we believe about 10 per cent will be affected, which represents about one million cats in Britain."
6.6 degrees of separation
While it is popularly believed that most people around the world are linked to each other by six degrees of separation, a new American study has found that the real figure is closer to seven.
The 1993 film Six Degrees of Separation starring Will Smith and Donald Sutherland popularised the notion that all people can be connected to each other by a small string of relationships.
The theory holds that you are one degree of separation from everyone you know, two degrees from everyone they know and so on.
But whereas previous studies into the extent of social networks have been limited by the wide geographic distances involved, the new study draws on millions of unwitting participants across the globe.
Carried out by Microsoft researchers, it monitored 30 billion instant messages (stripped of their contents) transmitted by 180 million people all over the world during a single month.
It found that most of these people were separated from everyone else using the messaging system by an average of 6.6 relationships. However, some connections were far more distant, with one pair separated by 29 strangers.
The 1993 film Six Degrees of Separation starring Will Smith and Donald Sutherland popularised the notion that all people can be connected to each other by a small string of relationships.
The theory holds that you are one degree of separation from everyone you know, two degrees from everyone they know and so on.
But whereas previous studies into the extent of social networks have been limited by the wide geographic distances involved, the new study draws on millions of unwitting participants across the globe.
Carried out by Microsoft researchers, it monitored 30 billion instant messages (stripped of their contents) transmitted by 180 million people all over the world during a single month.
It found that most of these people were separated from everyone else using the messaging system by an average of 6.6 relationships. However, some connections were far more distant, with one pair separated by 29 strangers.
Busker boy earns £70 an hour
Thirteen-year-old Calvin Prior is a bit of a guitar hero who's earning up to £70 an hour busking on Brighton seafront.
Calvin only started learning how to play the guitar three years ago, when his dad bought him a guitar for his birthday.
His busking has already helped him save enough cash to get a new guitar and now he's got his sights set on a new amplifier so even more people can hear his music.
Video.
Calvin only started learning how to play the guitar three years ago, when his dad bought him a guitar for his birthday.
His busking has already helped him save enough cash to get a new guitar and now he's got his sights set on a new amplifier so even more people can hear his music.
Video.
Gruesome crime shocks Greek isle
Police on the Greek island of Santorini have shot and injured a knifeman who decapitated his girlfriend and walked around the streets with her head.
Terrified residents of the popular tourist island barricaded themselves into their homes and called the police. The suspect, Athanassios Arvanitis, 35, was shot during a dramatic car chase in which he crashed into a motorbike and badly injured the rider and pillion passenger.
The man reportedly beheaded his girlfriend, Adamantia Karkali, a teacher in her mid-to-late 20s, in the village of Vourvoulos, close to the island's capital, Thira, and then paraded with the head.
Speaking on Greek television, the local sub-prefect said the man attacked officers who tried to arrest him and slashed one policeman in the face.
The man threw the head into a patrol car and then stole a police jeep and tried to get away. But after 400m the suspect slammed into a motorbike carrying two female doctors. They were thrown into the air and badly hurt.
The police then opened fire and hit the alleged knifeman five times. The suspect is said to have a history of jealousy and domestic violence.
Terrified residents of the popular tourist island barricaded themselves into their homes and called the police. The suspect, Athanassios Arvanitis, 35, was shot during a dramatic car chase in which he crashed into a motorbike and badly injured the rider and pillion passenger.
The man reportedly beheaded his girlfriend, Adamantia Karkali, a teacher in her mid-to-late 20s, in the village of Vourvoulos, close to the island's capital, Thira, and then paraded with the head.
Speaking on Greek television, the local sub-prefect said the man attacked officers who tried to arrest him and slashed one policeman in the face.
The man threw the head into a patrol car and then stole a police jeep and tried to get away. But after 400m the suspect slammed into a motorbike carrying two female doctors. They were thrown into the air and badly hurt.
The police then opened fire and hit the alleged knifeman five times. The suspect is said to have a history of jealousy and domestic violence.
High dive belly flop, interspecies relay anyone?
An Irish lawyer determined to make the world a sillier place has launched the race to stage the inaugural Paddy Olympics with madcap challenges like backward running and underwater swimming.
"Nonsense makes sense," said Colin Carroll as he sent out bid documents to the mayors of Boston, London, Beijing, Paris, New York and every city in Ireland, trying to tempt them to host the surreal sporting extravaganza.
"I take being silly very seriously", said the lawyer who has already won a gold medal at the world elephant polo championships in Nepal and became Ireland's first wrestler at the world sumo championships in Japan.
Carroll promised "the world's funniest sports spectacle" with gold medals on offer for three-legged hurdles, egg-and-spoon races, the high dive belly flop and a backwards triple jump contest.
One of the most intriguing events could be the interspecies relay with two animals and two humans."You could pass the baton to the animal of your choosing - you could pick a dog, an elephant whatever," Carroll said.
Eager to promote the Paddy Games movement around the world, he prepared a detailed seven-page bid document which he hoped would entice a city somewhere to fulfil his eccentric dream. "I already have confirmed interest from one city in Ireland," he said. "I have sent the bid document to every city in the world that has a large Irish community or just believes in being silly."
"Nonsense makes sense," said Colin Carroll as he sent out bid documents to the mayors of Boston, London, Beijing, Paris, New York and every city in Ireland, trying to tempt them to host the surreal sporting extravaganza.
"I take being silly very seriously", said the lawyer who has already won a gold medal at the world elephant polo championships in Nepal and became Ireland's first wrestler at the world sumo championships in Japan.
Carroll promised "the world's funniest sports spectacle" with gold medals on offer for three-legged hurdles, egg-and-spoon races, the high dive belly flop and a backwards triple jump contest.
One of the most intriguing events could be the interspecies relay with two animals and two humans."You could pass the baton to the animal of your choosing - you could pick a dog, an elephant whatever," Carroll said.
Eager to promote the Paddy Games movement around the world, he prepared a detailed seven-page bid document which he hoped would entice a city somewhere to fulfil his eccentric dream. "I already have confirmed interest from one city in Ireland," he said. "I have sent the bid document to every city in the world that has a large Irish community or just believes in being silly."
British man to be a grandad at 30
A jobless 29-year-old is set to be one of Britain’s youngest grandads.
Dad-of-three Ged Fulton of Greenock, Inverclyde, was just 14 when he became a dad.
But now his 15-year-old son Sean is expecting a tot with his 18-year-old lover.
And Ged will be 30 when the baby is born in November, making him one of the youngest grandparents in the world.
He said: “I’m a bit disappointed Sean has basically done the same thing as me. But I’m probably the best person to advise him.
"I think he’ll be a good father.”
Dad-of-three Ged Fulton of Greenock, Inverclyde, was just 14 when he became a dad.
But now his 15-year-old son Sean is expecting a tot with his 18-year-old lover.
And Ged will be 30 when the baby is born in November, making him one of the youngest grandparents in the world.
He said: “I’m a bit disappointed Sean has basically done the same thing as me. But I’m probably the best person to advise him.
"I think he’ll be a good father.”
Family forgets four-year-old at Israel airport
A four-year-old girl was left behind at Israel's Ben Gurion international airport on Sunday as her mother, father and four siblings rushed to catch a flight to Paris.
"I saw a little girl in tears. She was looking for her parents," a policewoman said.
"Luckily she was able to give me her name. I grabbed her and ran to the gates but it was too late," the plane had just taken off, she said.
According to police, the girl's parents only realised she was missing when the pilot of the plane informed them just as the aircraft was taking off.
"It is usual that travellers in a rush forget their luggage but not a child. This never happens," a police official said.
The forgetful parents will be interrogated by the authorities upon their return home and risk being indicted for negligence, police said.
"I saw a little girl in tears. She was looking for her parents," a policewoman said.
"Luckily she was able to give me her name. I grabbed her and ran to the gates but it was too late," the plane had just taken off, she said.
According to police, the girl's parents only realised she was missing when the pilot of the plane informed them just as the aircraft was taking off.
"It is usual that travellers in a rush forget their luggage but not a child. This never happens," a police official said.
The forgetful parents will be interrogated by the authorities upon their return home and risk being indicted for negligence, police said.
Display ban for beer but not wine is unfair, say Irish brewers
When it comes to drinking, the Irish government seems to trust citizens who like wine far more than those who prefer beer and spirits.
In an effort to clamp down on rising drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour, as well as improve public health, the government has proposed in its Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 that there should be a ban on beers and whiskies being on open display in the aisles of small to medium-sized shops. Yet an amendment to the act would allow customers to browse freely around displays of wine.
The Irish Brewers Association (IBA) has accused the Department of Justice of discriminating against beer and spirits drinkers. The IBA confirmed this weekend that it is considering a legal challenge, saying it fears the ban would lead to job losses and shop closures.
'It's grossly unfair to suggest that Irish wine drinkers are more responsible than beer or spirits drinkers,' said Stephen Lynam, the IBA's chief executive, adding that the proposal also created a disadvantage for products in competition with wine. 'The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has already determined beer and wine to be competing products and obliges the Irish government to tax wine and beer on a basis which is non-discriminatory,' he said. 'The proposed amendment could therefore be counter to the ECJ finding and be open to legal challenge.'
In an effort to clamp down on rising drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour, as well as improve public health, the government has proposed in its Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 that there should be a ban on beers and whiskies being on open display in the aisles of small to medium-sized shops. Yet an amendment to the act would allow customers to browse freely around displays of wine.
The Irish Brewers Association (IBA) has accused the Department of Justice of discriminating against beer and spirits drinkers. The IBA confirmed this weekend that it is considering a legal challenge, saying it fears the ban would lead to job losses and shop closures.
'It's grossly unfair to suggest that Irish wine drinkers are more responsible than beer or spirits drinkers,' said Stephen Lynam, the IBA's chief executive, adding that the proposal also created a disadvantage for products in competition with wine. 'The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has already determined beer and wine to be competing products and obliges the Irish government to tax wine and beer on a basis which is non-discriminatory,' he said. 'The proposed amendment could therefore be counter to the ECJ finding and be open to legal challenge.'
Man calls 911 over incorrect sandwich
An unhappy Subway customer called 911 not once, but twice to complain to police that his sandwich was not made to his liking.
Reginald Peterson called the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office in hopes that police could have his sandwich made to his satisfaction. A short time later, Peterson contacted JSO again to complain that police still had not shown up.
When police did arrive Peterson told the officer he had ordered two sandwiches, checked out, and then walked outside to find the subs did not have "everything" he ordered.
He told police he became "very upset" and "belligerent" because the employee making the sandwich was not doing it correctly.
Witnesses inside the store say Peterson eventually started screaming at everyone inside. When Peterson went outside to call police. Employees closed the store and locked the door to keep him from returning.
According to the report, the officer tried to calm Petterson and explain to him the proper way to use 911, but he would not cooperate. Peterson was arrested and at his request the sandwiches were thrown away.
Reginald Peterson called the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office in hopes that police could have his sandwich made to his satisfaction. A short time later, Peterson contacted JSO again to complain that police still had not shown up.
When police did arrive Peterson told the officer he had ordered two sandwiches, checked out, and then walked outside to find the subs did not have "everything" he ordered.
He told police he became "very upset" and "belligerent" because the employee making the sandwich was not doing it correctly.
Witnesses inside the store say Peterson eventually started screaming at everyone inside. When Peterson went outside to call police. Employees closed the store and locked the door to keep him from returning.
According to the report, the officer tried to calm Petterson and explain to him the proper way to use 911, but he would not cooperate. Peterson was arrested and at his request the sandwiches were thrown away.
Harry Hill goes nuts for Fairtrade
First there was Paul Newman's salad dressing. Now there's Harry's Nuts. Bafta award-winning comic Harry Hill is to launch his own celebrity brand of Fairtrade peanuts. The snacks will be available in pubs, clubs and Sainsbury's from this autumn.
The former doctor, known for his surreal, quick-fire humour, is working in partnership with Fairtrade nut company Liberation.
Hill is not making any money from his first foray into the food industry, so that as much revenue as possible will go back to the smallholder farmers in Africa and Latin America.
'I love salted peanuts myself and feel I am doing a service to snackers everywhere who want to know the farmers who grew what they are eating have been paid a fair price,' explained Hill. 'I'm working with Liberation because all of its products are Fairtrade and the company is run purely to benefit the farmers and their families.'
The former doctor, known for his surreal, quick-fire humour, is working in partnership with Fairtrade nut company Liberation.
Hill is not making any money from his first foray into the food industry, so that as much revenue as possible will go back to the smallholder farmers in Africa and Latin America.
'I love salted peanuts myself and feel I am doing a service to snackers everywhere who want to know the farmers who grew what they are eating have been paid a fair price,' explained Hill. 'I'm working with Liberation because all of its products are Fairtrade and the company is run purely to benefit the farmers and their families.'
Lost dog returns by ferry
A missing dog found his way home by hitching a ride on a passenger ferry.
The Jack Russell called Jarvis coolly walked on to the boat after going missing chasing a rabbit.
When it docked in Plymouth he bravely trotted half a mile across busy roads to return to his delighted owners.
Photo from here.
Jarvis, six, went missing on an outing to a park on the Cornish side of Plymouth Sound with Vivienne Oxley, 56, and granddaughter Kaytie, two. Vivienne, from Stoke, Plymouth, said: "I was really, really upset when he ran off and honestly didn't expect to see him again."
A few hours after his disappearance, Mrs Oxley received a call from the warden to say there had been a sighting, matching Jarvis' description, on the Cremyll ferry. She was about to make her way to the ferry when her husband, Tony, called her to say that Jarvis had miraculously turned up at home in Stoke.
“I just couldn't believe it. I was so relieved. The staff at Cremyll, who said that he had made several trips on the ferry, laughed and said 'isn't he clever'. When I got home he was just sat in the window as if nothing had happened!”
The Jack Russell called Jarvis coolly walked on to the boat after going missing chasing a rabbit.
When it docked in Plymouth he bravely trotted half a mile across busy roads to return to his delighted owners.
Photo from here.
Jarvis, six, went missing on an outing to a park on the Cornish side of Plymouth Sound with Vivienne Oxley, 56, and granddaughter Kaytie, two. Vivienne, from Stoke, Plymouth, said: "I was really, really upset when he ran off and honestly didn't expect to see him again."
A few hours after his disappearance, Mrs Oxley received a call from the warden to say there had been a sighting, matching Jarvis' description, on the Cremyll ferry. She was about to make her way to the ferry when her husband, Tony, called her to say that Jarvis had miraculously turned up at home in Stoke.
“I just couldn't believe it. I was so relieved. The staff at Cremyll, who said that he had made several trips on the ferry, laughed and said 'isn't he clever'. When I got home he was just sat in the window as if nothing had happened!”
Marriage proposal couple rescued
Two lovers were rescued as they drifted out to sea following a romantic marriage proposal in a dinghy.
Colin Howell, 35, enjoyed a champagne picnic with his girlfriend, Miriam Light, 26, before setting out from Cromer in Norfolk to pop the question.
The alarm was raised on Friday night after onlookers from Cromer Pier saw the boat more than a mile from the beach in windy conditions.
The couple, dressed in full evening wear, were rescued by a fishing boat.
"A fishing crew from Sheringham tugged us back towards Cromer to an applauding crowd on the beach, so we had a wide audience and it just sealed the evening really. I was dressed in a tweed waistcoat and bow tie," said Mr Howell.
A coastguard spokeswoman said the lifeboat crew was "surprised" when they met the couple. "Instead of the normal garb, they had evening wear on," she said. "It wasn't quite what they expected to find."
Colin Howell, 35, enjoyed a champagne picnic with his girlfriend, Miriam Light, 26, before setting out from Cromer in Norfolk to pop the question.
The alarm was raised on Friday night after onlookers from Cromer Pier saw the boat more than a mile from the beach in windy conditions.
The couple, dressed in full evening wear, were rescued by a fishing boat.
"A fishing crew from Sheringham tugged us back towards Cromer to an applauding crowd on the beach, so we had a wide audience and it just sealed the evening really. I was dressed in a tweed waistcoat and bow tie," said Mr Howell.
A coastguard spokeswoman said the lifeboat crew was "surprised" when they met the couple. "Instead of the normal garb, they had evening wear on," she said. "It wasn't quite what they expected to find."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)