Study Shows Whole-Grain Cereal for Breakfast Lowers Heart Failure Risk in Men

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Starting the day with whole-grain cereal may lower the risk of heart failure in the long run.

A new study shows men who eat whole-grain breakfast cereal regularly are less likely to develop heart failure than those who eat it rarely or never.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood as effectively as it should. The risk of developing heart failure is about one in five for the average 40-year-old man or woman, the study's researchers say.

Other studies have suggested that a diet rich in whole grains, such as nonrefined breakfast cereals, can provide a variety of health benefits. But researchers say it's the first study to look at the relationship between breakfast cereal and the risk of heart failure in a large group.

If further studies confirm these results, adding whole-grain cereal may be a relatively risk-free way to reduce the risk of heart failure.

Cereal Fights Heart Failure
The study compared cereal intake and the risk of heart failure among more than 21,000 doctors who took part in the Physicians Health Study I. The results appear in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Information on the participants' diets was gathered throughout the study and their health was monitored with annual surveys. During more than 19 years of follow-up, there were 1,018 cases of heart failure.

The results showed that the risk of heart failure decreased as cereal consumption increased. For example, the risk of heart failure among those who ate breakfast cereal at least seven times a week was 29% lower than that the risk among those who never ate cereal, after adjusting for other heart disease risk factors.

When researchers further analyzed the results they found this healthy effect was associated with whole-grain cereals only, not with refined breakfast cereals.

Researcher Luc Djoussé, MD, MPH, of Harvard Medical School, and colleagues say the protective effect of whole-grain cereal against heart failure may be due to the beneficial effects of whole grains on heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, heart attack risk, diabetes, and obesity.

Google OS: The Scenario

Microsoft's getting into the advertising business instead of fixing its operating system issues, so why shouldn't Google put its billions to use developing a free, better OS?

Microsoft has been in the news a lot lately, and there are two distinct themes to the coverage. The first is the generally negative press about Vista—that people are complaining about it, and that many are reverting to XP. In this kind of situation, you'd think a corporate effort would be made to fix any and all flaws.

But instead, we hear a lot of denial while Microsoft pushes its new agenda: advertising. And I'm not talking about buying advertising, like any normal company in the software business does, but about selling ads—as Google does.

Engineers' syndrome. The only difference is that Microsoft, once a software company, keeps entering businesses in which it has little or no expertise. Microsoft may be suffering from engineers' syndrome, something you run into all the time. This is quite amusing, even to engineers, who see it occurring in other engineers but never see it in themselves.

The idea is that once you learn engineering disciplines, you project them onto endeavors other than engineering, since everything you ever do in life is actually some sort of engineering. While there is some modicum of truth to this notion, it's the leap of faith that pushes the idea into the absurd. What happens with engineers' syndrome is this: You start believing that since you're an excellent engineer in one specialty, then you're a friggin' genius in everything you do, because it's all the same, really.

This becomes most obvious—and ludicrous—when engineers decide that they can develop, design, and orchestrate an advertising campaign. Hey, it's a form of engineering, no? If you work with some of the big agencies in and around Silicon Valley, you'll hear great stories about what a nightmare working with engineering companies can be, because of the meddling of engineers.

Microsoft afflicted. Microsoft seems to suffer from this syndrome a lot more than Google does. Microsoft sees that Google is making a pot-load of money selling ads from search results and via other mechanisms. How hard can that be? So Ballmer is out tub-thumping for the notion that Microsoft will eventually generate half its income from selling ads. Is he nuts? That's like General Motors deciding that it doesn't want to buy ads to sell its cars—it will sell ads on its cars instead. Put an ad on a Cadillac! That's just dopey—and particularly dopey for Microsoft, since Microsoft is a software company, not Vogue magazine.

For Microsoft, this is a potentially disastrous scenario: The company takes its eye off the operating system ball and goes into the flaky ad-sales business, buying up various companies and lording it over them since Microsoft engineers are the ones who know better. This is a formula for disaster. —

Google pulls a Microsoft. Meanwhile, Google runs into a team of coders who have developed some sort of hybrid Linux-Windows-VM-BSD mashup OS. The results are interesting, and kind of work. A lot of people do not know that at any given time, numerous workable operating systems are being developed, many with great potential. None of them can get traction, though. If they rise above the common-noise level, they get crushed by Microsoft rather quickly. But none have worked freely under the umbrella of a troublemaker corporate entity such as Google, either. What we are witnessing is the potential for a unique switcheroo.

Microsoft pulls a Netscape. You'll recall that in the mid-to-late-1990s Netscape was making noise about moving into Microsoft territory, and Microsoft had to get into the browser business to beat Netscape back and crush it. Well, this time, Microsoft is the one making the saber-rattling noises by going into the Google business. Seems as if Microsoft is the joker here, much as Netscape was back then.

How about this for an idea: the Google OS—a Vista/XP-compatible OS that's fully functional, has billions of dollars in development behind it (eventually), and is free!

Sound like a familiar ploy? Give away the product to destroy the cash cow of the other company. That's exactly what Microsoft is asking to have happen if it attacks Google, a company with which it should not even be in competition.

Instead of going into the advertising business because Google is in the advertising business, perhaps Microsoft should go back and nurture its cash cows. Cripes. What are they thinking!?!

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Nokia's Ovi service revives the N-Gage gaming name

As part of its new Ovi brand of Internet services, Nokia is reviving the much-maligned N-Gage gaming platform in a new way. Instead of offering a hardware-based gaming system, Nokia is opening up a mobile gaming portal with the N-Gage branding. Once accessed, you can browse through a wide selection of game titles, download free trials, and finally purchase the games directly from Nokia. Nokia is also heavily promoting the community aspect of the new N-Gage platform, suggesting that you can connect and play with friends all over the world, as well as keep track of global gaming stats. As with the Music store, you can either purchase the game over the air or download it to your PC first. And these aren't just any ordinary games, either. Gaming titles include popular ones such as EA Sports' FIFA 08, The Sims 2 Pets, Tetris, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, and Crash Bandicoot. A host of different gaming companies have jumped on board, such as Capcom, Digital Chocolate, EA, Gameloft, Glu Mobile, Vivendi Games Mobile, and more, signifying the availability of additional games in the future.

Initial pricing per game will range between $8.16 and $13.60 (6 and 10 euros), or alternatively, daily and weekly licenses are available at lower prices. Supported phones include the Nokia N73, the Nokia N81, the Nokia N81 8GB, the Nokia N93, the Nokia N93i, the Nokia N95, and the Nokia N95 8GB, with more planned in the future. The service will debut in November 2007.

Originally posted at Crave.

Human heads found in back of truck

ROYSE CITY, Texas (UPI) -- Police in Royse City, Texas, discovered about two dozen embalmed human heads in the back of a truck that was pulled over for speeding.

The driver was detained until the company he works for, which was not identified, faxed police paperwork documenting why the heads, which had been used for medical training in Fort Worth, Texas, were being transported, the Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday.

"It really turned out to be much ado about nothing," Royse City police Lt. Jim Baker said. "When you are carrying human body parts, it's good to have some documentation that they are legitimate."

The heads were found in plastic bags and containers in the back of the truck.

"This is in the top five of the strangest things -- maybe the strangest -- that I've ever encountered," said Hunt County Justice of the Peace Aaron Williams, who was called to the scene when the heads were discovered.

The driver and the heads were allowed to continue their journey back to the company in Little Rock, Ark.



Copyright 2007 by United Press International

Teller helps nab would-be robber

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (UPI) -- A teller in Florida ended her day by helping capture a man who allegedly first tried to open an account and then rob the bank where she works, police said.

Daytona Beach police said the Sun Trust bank branch teller was leaving work Monday afternoon when she spotted the would-be customer-robber, the Orlando Sentinel reported Tuesday. The man was arrested and booked for attempted armed robbery under the name John Doe.

Earlier, the man had tried to open a bank account only to leave after being told he lacked proper identification, authorities said. He returned to the bank and handed a note with a phone number on it to a teller.

Not understanding the man was trying to rob the bank and unable to read what the note said, the teller asked the potential thief if he wanted her to call someone for him. He told her he wanted money.

Police said the man then apologized to the teller, explaining he was on medication and asking her to return the note. He never displayed a weapon.



Copyright 2007 by United Press International

You looked a lot like my wife

A serious drunk walked into a bar and, after staring for some time at the only woman seated at the bar, walked over to her and kissed her. She jumped up and slapped him silly. He immediately apologized and explained, "I'm sorry. I thought you were my wife. You look exactly like her."

"Why you worthless, insufferable, wretched, no good drunk!" she screamed.

"Funny," he muttered, "you even sound exactly like her."

G-Unit - Feel Good *1st Video from their new album* 18+

Hunting Dog shoots Hunter

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Bad dog. Good shot. Hunter James Harris was shot by his dog in a bizarre accident.

Officials of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say Harris had placed his shotgun on the ground to cross a fence, when his dog stepped on the trigger. Harris was hit in the lower leg and is listed in good condition at an Iowa City hospital.

Authorities say no other people or animals were hurt in the incident. Officials add they won't be pursuing any charges in the case of the dog whose bang was worse than his bite.

Truck totaled by lightning strike

Granite Bay, California - A California man can pretty much write off his Ford 150 pick-up truck.

Monday night during a storm, a lightning bolt pierced Mike Knapp's pick-up, slicing through the windshield and hood, frying the headlight and melting the tires.
The truck was sitting in Knapp's driveway at the time. No one was hurt.

Couple gets luxurious stay at 1940s price

CHICAGO (UPI) -- A couple stayed in Chicago's luxurious Palmer House Hotel for only $9.90 a day, the same price they paid for a room there 60 years ago.
Larry and Miriam Orenstein of Milwaukee were taking advantage of a promotional offer for those who slept in the hotel's lavish rooms decades ago, The Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Hotel spokesman Ken Price said that taking advantage of the 136-year-old hotel's newest offer isn't always easy, given the length of time between guests' stays.
"A lot of people just don't have their original receipts," Price said of the offer's key requirement.
The Orensteins stayed at the Palmer House for their honeymoon -- and they still had their original receipt stored away among their wedding memorabilia.
Miriam told the Sun-Times that for their stay this weekend, the hotel even gave them the penthouse suite, which typically costs guests $1,600 a night.
"We are just surprised and shocked," the 81-year-old said. "What a nice present!"

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

Geto Boys - My Minds Playing Tricks On Me

Tupac - Hail Mary

Gravediggaz - Diary Of A Madman

Timbaland - Luv 2 Luv U

The Drunk ....

An extremely modest man was in the hospital for a series of tests, the last of which had left his bodily systems extremely upset.

Upon making several false alarm trips to the bathroom, he decided the latest episode was another and stayed put. He suddenly filled his bed with diarrhea and was embarrassed beyond his ability to remain rational.

In a complete loss of composure he jumped out of bed, gathered up the bed sheets, and threw them out the hospital window.

A drunk was walking by the hospital when the sheets landed on him. He started yelling, cursing, and swinging his arms violently trying to get the unknown things off, and ended up with the soiled sheets in a tangled pile at his feet.

As the drunk stood there, unsteady on his feet, staring down at the sheets, a hospital security guard, (barely containing his (laughter), and who had watched the whole incident, walked up and asked, "What the heck is going on here?"

The drunk, still staring down replied: "I think I just beat the shit out of a ghost."

Make Your Linux Desktop Look Like a Mac ... Lifehacker.Com

Linux only: Want the look and feel of a Mac without paying the high-end design premium? Tired of hearing from all your Mac-happy friends how awesome Leopard looks? Got time to run through six pages of instructions? Then HowTo Forge has got you covered. Their guide to making a nearly total theme conversion requires Compiz Fusion (installed by default on Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon), Awn and the patience to download and place a hefty handful of files, but everything seems to be covered, right down to the system sounds. The guide is written for GNOME-based Linux systems and requires a number of downloads, some of which might not pass the most stringent legal (or open source) tests but are otherwise free. I haven't tried it myself, but this weekend's another story.


Make Your Linux Desktop Look Like A Mac [via The Linux Tutorial]

Set Up VNC on Ubuntu in Four Steps ... Lifehacker.Com

Linux only: The Ubuntu Unleashed blog has a great tutorial on remote controlling your Linux system—even through a Java-enabled browser. Here's the whole deal:

Install packages. Code: sudo apt-get install x11vnc vnc-java
Set up a password for clients. Code: x11vnc -storepasswd
Open up ports 5800 and 5900 on your firewall
Run the terminal command: x11vnc -forever -usepw -httpdir /usr/share/vnc-java/ -httpport 5800 and add it for auto-starting in future sessions
That third step isn't quite so simple, but luckily we've covered that ground before. The same warnings and disclaimers about running a VNC server in that link above apply here. While the guide and code are written from an Ubuntu users' perspective, the packages and commands, possibly with a little tweaking, should be available in most distributions. Windows and Mac users can get help setting up their own VNC connections through this guide.

Setup VNC Server for Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon in 3 Easy Steps [Ubuntu Unleashed]

Speed Up a Slow My Computer with a Simple Tweak ... Lifehacker.com

If you're used to taking a coffee break because of long hangs every time you fire up Windows Explorer, the How-To Geek weblog suggests turning off network folder and printer searching in Explorer's folder options. Just open Explorer, go to Tools -> Folder Options and click on the View tab. At the top of the File and Folders list, uncheck "Automatically search for network folders and printers" and click OK. If the networking issue was your Explorer slow-down culprit, you should notice a significantly faster startup next time you open up My Computer. (LifeHacker.Com)


Troubleshooting "My Computer" Opening Slowly on Windows XP [the How-To Geek]

Recover from a Hangover ... By Gina Trapani (Lifehacker.Com)

You threw back a few too many pumpkin-colored vodka shots at the Halloween party last night and woke up this monring dressed like a nun with a raging headache. Sucks to be you! Luckily, health web site Diethack has a few tips for getting over and through that hangover. Quick tip: get yourself some ginseng.

Take about 1000 mg to 3000 mg of ginseng before the party. You will be able to support the effect of alcohol better and your mind will be more focused without having to resort to a cup of coffee. Ginseng also helps the liver in its job to neutralize the toxic agents in alcohol. Ginseng accelerates the decomposition and the elimination of alcohol.

Ways to Minimize The Effects of a Hangover (Diethack)

Coming out soon ... Wanted ... THIS LOOKS GOOD!!!

Wanted trailer

TRIBUTE TO 90S HIP HOP Part 1 - 3

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Beanie Sigel - All of the Above (feat. R. Kelly)

Miami-Dade officer charged with taking $100,000

MIAMI (AP) — A Miami-Dade Police officer was arrested and faces a charge of first-degree grand theft, authorities said. Officer Ricardo Toledo was arrested Saturday after police received a tip.
Authorities said Toledo stopped a vehicle carrying $100,000 in cash, took the money and let the motorist go. The driver was an undercover officer; 36-year-old Toledo was not on duty at the time.
Police said the officer had previously taken $150 for providing confidential information from a motor vehicle database.
Besides the grand theft charge, he also faces a charge of unlawful compensation. The five-year police veteran has been relieved of duty.

Armed stand-off ends with robot shot, man in hospital

The opening shot of the robot rebellion this isn't, but it's still a reminder of how robots are slowly creeping into situations where humans and their fleshy bodies can't go. A five hour stand-off that began with a man pointing his gun at a neighbor in a mobile home park in North Fort Myers, Florida was ended when the suspect shot a bomb disposal robot sent in by police to video the man. After the encounter -- the man shot out the video camera's lens -- police moved in to "subdue" the man, although it's not clear whether they shot back. The suspect is now in hospital and is being evaluated for mental health problems: apparently he hadn't been taken his medication, and residents say his wife had just left him. The state of the robot is probably something along the lines of "broken."

Woman gets 10 years for sex attack

TEMPE, Ariz. (UPI) -- A Tempe, Ariz., woman who stabbed her lover during sex to drink his blood has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Tiffany Sutton -- who pleaded guilty in August to two counts of aggravated assault stemming from the February incident, and a previous violent encounter with a police officer during a trespassing arrest -- expressed remorse Tuesday before she was sentenced, The East Valley (Ariz.) Tribune reported Wednesday.

"I'm really sorry that all this went on," Sutton told Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Udall. "I never meant to hurt anyone."

A police report said Sutton and her victim, Robert McDaniel, were drunk and high on drugs when he agreed to be tied up during sex. McDaniel later told police he became frightened and asked to be untied when Sutton attacked him with a knife.

She sliced his leg, punctured his arm, shoulder and back, and cut his neck and stomach before he managed to escape, court records say. She then chased him with a pickax until a friend intervened and called 911.

Sutton's mother said her daughter has struggled with mental health issues for most of her life and prison health records state that Sutton thought she was a vampire for several weeks after her arrest.




Copyright 2007 by United Press International

Don't Ignore the Kids

The 12-year-old boy stood patiently beside the clock counter while the store clerk waited on all of the adult customers first. Finally he got around to the youngster, who made his purchase and hurried out to the curb, where his father was impatiently waiting in his car.

"What took you so long, son?" he asked.

"The man waited on everybody in the store before me," the boy replied. "But I got even."

"How?"

"I wound and set all the alarm clocks while I was waiting," the youngster explained happily. "It's going to be fun at eight o'clock."

Playing the Piano while Juggling 4 Balls

Invisible Rope Prank

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Swing Set Cant Take It Anymore

Two annoying girls sing some awful songs until the swing set just cant take it anymore.


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