Base Jumping: A Truly Extreme Sport

BASE jumping is not a sport for the faint of heart. Athletes who practice this extreme sport climb to the top of tall buildings, canyons, or other structures; jump off; enjoy a period of free falling; then open a parachute and coast to the ground.

The acronym BASE stands for building, antennae, span, and earth; which make up a comprehensive list of what kinds of fixed objects BASE jumpers plummet from. Span is a term that includes all sorts of bridges, or any other structures that span over a valley or chasm. Earth means anything from cliffs to mountains to canyons.

BASE jumping is very dangerous for a variety of reasons, but the most common causes of injury and death have to do with failure to maintain a clear area around the athlete during the jump and/or the landing. If the wind is against them or if they make a mistake during the launch of their jump, athletes sometimes collide with the object that they have jumped from. Because BASE jumping areas are usually not designated for this guerilla-style sport, the makeshift landing targets that jumpers aim for are rarely large enough to allow for a safe jump. As a result many BASE enthusiasts meet with serious and sometimes fatal injuries because they haven't been able to steer themselves to the landing area in time.

Many people compare BASE jumping to bungee jumping without a bungee cord, but it is actually much closer to skydiving without an airplane. Jumpers practice many of the same techniques that divers use to maintain stability and altitude awareness while they are in the air. Before becoming a BASE jumper, an athlete must complete a full course of skydiver training. Once they have their full skydiving certification, the next step for anyone interested in BASE is to find a mentor in the jumping community who can teach them how to take on these ambitious freefalls. Only experienced divers can even contemplate a BASE jump because this kind of unguided and somewhat unpredictable activity requires razor sharp awareness of altitude, along with stellar free fall technique. <
BASE jumping is one of the most dangerous sports practiced today. Every year, BASE jumping leads to several fatalities, and most major BASE societies and clubs have seen at least one member perish in pursuit of the sport that he or she loved. Because no two jumps are alike, it is very difficult to predict what will happen once you start plummeting towards the ground. This means that to survive a BASE jump you need to have a very level head, an ability to react to surprises without panicking, and lightning speed reflexes that will allow you to make instantaneous adjustments in your position or your trajectory. However, no amount of experience can guarantee that you will complete your jump without mishap, so even very accomplished jumpers are taking serious risks every time they prepare to hurl themselves off of a building, antennae, span, or natural cliff.

Chemicals that Mimic Hormones Explain Birth Defects and 8 year-olds Reaching Puberty

Bisphenol A is a threat to your health. It's all around you - and probably in you.
And BPA is most likely the cause of early puberty in young girls, plus birth defects in newborns.
Birth defects caused by exposing an unborn child to toxic chemicals was rarely discussed by doctors and hospitals before fetal alcohol syndrome was first identified. Many women employed in industry do not know all dangers associated with chemicals used at work because of the reluctance of manufacturers to explain in Material Data Safety Sheets all that is known about individual chemicals in chemical mixtures. What is known is that chemicals that alter DNA do it across the board and life cycle. Birth defects, early puberty and cancer go hand-in-hand. BPA is exactly that kind of chemical.
Endocrine disruption leads to carcinogenic, reproductive and developmental effects. In addition to early puberty, disruption of ovarian function, reduced sperm production, and reduced fertility are the outcomes. Potential developmental effects include low birth weight and birth defects.
Endocrine disruptors are found in pesticides, insecticides and industrial chemicals, such as bisphenol A found in plastic containers and can liners, which has been receiving all the bad press it deserves.
We know that two common pesticides found in polluted water, atrazine and bifenthrin, function in shellfish as estrogen does.
Environmental and biological scientists have done much to warn us about the hazards in our food supply.
In 1993 Stanford endocrinologist Dr. David Feldman was conducting research on steroid hormones in yeast cultures, such as estrogen, and he found hormones, but not where he expected them. After sterilizing empty flasks with very high heat and pressure, Feldman said he "discovered the molecules must be leaching from the plastic, because they weren't coming from the yeast,"
The plastic flasks were made of polycarbonate, a clear sturdy plastic found in numerous containers and in the epoxies used to paint the interior of cans used for food. . Bisphenol A was contaminating his experiments. He knew that bisphenol A was a chemical relative of DES, diethylstilbestrol, a chemical known to cause cancer in the offspring of mothers treated with DES to prevent spontaneous abortions. Dr. Feldman rang the warning bell and presented his results to a major conference in 1994 in a paper entitled "Estrogens in Unexpected Places: Possible Implications for Researchers and Consumers," later published in Environ Health Perspect. 1995 Oct;103 Suppl 7:129-3.
Nobody listened, until 2007 when Canada banned the use of bisphenol A in plastic baby bottles.
Industry did nothing about BPA for years because there were no penalties and no incentives to use alternatives, and as Professor Feldman notes" scientists can only say so much."
From the first reported synthesis of BPA in 1936 it has been known as an estrogen. Dodds, E.C., Lawson W. "Synthetic Oestrogenic Agents Without the Phenanthrene Nucleus," Nature 137:996 (1936). Today BPA is associated with causing damage in reproduction and is a suspect in a myriad of other problems, including breast cancer, diabetes, testicular cancer and more, as shown in tests on laboratory animals.
Bishpenol A can be found in baby bottles, water bottles and the white linings of canned foods. It was thought to be just fine, but we are eating it. BPA has been found in 93 percent of Americans who were tested for it.
Industry, as expected, claims that it is safe. But it's not acceptable if it leaches into humans. The Environmental Working Group found that bisphenol A lines the cans of baby formula, including Nestlé, Ross-Abbot (Similac), Mead Johnson (Enfamil), Hain-Celestial (Earth's Best), and PBM (sold under various names at Walmart, Kroger, Target and other stores).
Researchers say BPA acts like the hormone estrogen and can affect a developing brain and reproductive system. It is among the chemicals now known as environmental estrogens.
"There is mounting scientific evidence that BPA is toxic, especially to children," Aaron Freeman, Policy Director with Environmental Defense, says in a statement. "Governments should be acting quickly, starting with a ban on BPA in food and beverage containers."
In a recent article in the San Jose Mercury News, Edwin Garcia wrote that lawmakers in Sacramento have recently introduced an increasing number of bills to clamp down on potential toxins in our lives -- bisphenol A and others. Environmental authorities in our northern neighbor, Canada, were so alarmed about bisphenol A that retailers yanked from their shelves many children's toys containing the chemical.
And the same should be true in the United States.
Unfortunately, that's not happening.
There will be consequences once the rest of the world knows what industrial already knows about this chemical.
Exposure to chemicals that mimic estrogens in the body is thought to be the reason more girls are entering puberty at younger ages, according to Jeanne Rizzo, executive director of the Breast Cancer Fund.
Dr. Marcia Herman-Giddens of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill school of public health, in a 1997 study of 17,000 Girls in the US, found that black girls begin puberty shortly before age 9 on average, while white girls begin just before age 10.
Dr. Herman-Giddens found an astonishing 45 percent of all Afro-American females reach puberty at age 8 and have begun developing breasts, growing pubic and underarm hair or both
Think that through and consider the consequences of early development.
Third grade girls, without the benefit of judgment or maturity, have reached the beginning of their sexual development without the emotional skills to make appropriate decisions. That's more than a family problem - it's a major social problem.
Bishpenol A mimics hormones and because of its widespread use BPA is among the environmental chemicals suspected to be responsible.
The San Jose Mercury News on April 7, 2008 opined that bisphenol A should be deemed safe until proven guilty and in doing so maligned the research of Dr. Vom Saal and falsely stated that the scientific door on bisphenol A was still open. http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8837191
Both claims were false, as was the Mercury's premise that bisphenol A is safe.
On April 10, 2008 the Mercury responsibly admitted that its editorial supporting the safety of bisphenol A mischaracterized the credibility of biologist Frederick vom Saal and the position of the National Academy of Science. The Mercury conceded that the Vom Saal studies of bisphenol A have stood the test of peer review and that recent studies by National Academy of Science scientists have produced results questioning the safety of bisphenol A.
The US should be adopting the principles of precaution and prevention, long advocated by the Environmental Research Foundation in numerous papers.
Bishpenol A is too high on the suspect list to be granted a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Our daughters are at risk and that means this chemical must not be used until its has been proven safe. There's no second chance if it disables your daughter or grandchild.
Chemicals should be deemed dangerous until proven innocent because we can never unring the bell of altered human DNA in this generation and the next.
The Kids Safe Chemicals Act places the burden of proof on the chemical industry, which has produced more than 60,000 new chemicals in the last 30 years without safety testing, to prove that chemicals are safe for children before they are used in consumer products. See "Shouldn't Chemicals be Proven Safe for Kids Before Marketing, May 21, 2008.
Why stop there? Why not make it "Everyone's Safe Chemical Act"?

Think about it. Learn more.

Onward.

Richard Alexander

Visitors Guide to Rome, Lazio, Italy

One of the world's most historic and fascinating cities, Rome is famous for its rich heritage and important buildings. Many magnificent monuments and truly ancient ruins reside in Rome, together with numerous vibrant shopping areas, restaurants and sightseeing opportunities. The city has much to offer tourists and also offers a selection of nearby beaches.

Standing alongside the scenic River Tiber, Rome has a population of almost 3 million and experiences hot summer weather and particularly mild, pleasant winters. With year-round attractions, many people choose to visit Rome between November to February, when the city is at its quietest.

Rome Hotels:
Being one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations, it is hardly surprising that Rome is full of hotels, catering for all tastes and budgets. Ranging from impressive hotels in the Centro Storico (historic centre), to more modern accommodation around the Campo dei Fiori, hotels in Rome quickly become fully booked, and so be sure to reserve your room in advance. Bed and breakfasts in Rome are known as 'pensioni' and often provide particularly good value for money, with a number being located close to the 'Stazione Termini' railway station and Trastevere area.

Rome Tourism:
Rome has long been a major tourist destination and its historical attractions and important ruins are known throughout the world. However, the city is also an exciting and vibrant place to visit, with many impressive shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and seasonal festivals. Some of the most popular places to visit in Rome include the Circus Maximus, the Coliseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, Janiculum Hill, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the vast Vatican City, the official residence of the Pope, head of the Roman Catholic faith. The Sistine Chapel at the Vatican City is particularly awe-inspiring, together with the city's numerous art galleries and museums.

Popular events in the city include many operas, ballets and concerts at Rome's numerous theatres. Other seasonal highlights include regular football matches at the Stadio Olimpico, the Rome Marathon each March, religious events throughout Easter, concerts at the Teatro Olimpico, June's Pesaro Film Festival, and also the Festa della Madonna della Neve, held every August

Rome Transport:
With good rail connections to a number of major cities, including Florence and Venice, Rome is well-connected by highways, which provide easy access to nearby towns. Rome's Metro subway network, public buses and trams all provide inexpensive ways to travel throughout the city. Car rental is one of the most popular ways to travel out of the city and is perfect for day trips and excursions.

Located around 18 miles / 29 km from the city centre, Leonardo da Vinci Airport, also known as Fiumicino, is an important air transport hub. Dealing with large numbers of domestic and international flights each day, ground transportation at the airport includes buses, trains and car hire.

Rome Shopping:
Known for its chic fashion boutiques and expensive department stores, shopping in Rome is a major attraction. With many bustling shops clustered around the Piazza Di Spagna, other popular stores can be found around the city's Via Del Governo Vecchio area, close to the Spanish Steps, along the Via Sistina, and on Via Borgognona. Also, the pedestrianized Via Frattina is the perfect place for some serious window shopping.

Rome Restaurants:
Home to one of the greatest cuisines in the world, Italian restaurants are known for their superb local specialities, which include freshly made pizzas, pasta dishes, paninis, salads, a selection of cheeses and many other types of food. Al fresco dining is particularly popular in Rome, with an array of cafes, bars and superb ice cream shops clustered around the piazzas.

High Interest Credit Cards: Quick Tips

Most of the high interest credit cards are usually pretty easy to get and really the high interest rate only matters if you are going to roll over your balances from month to month. People that have been involved in bankruptcies, judgments or have a bad credit score, for some other reason are the most common applicants for these high interest credit cards. It might be possible to lower your interest charges with credit card balance transfers. If you are looking to consolidate all your debts or you just want to pay off your high interest credit cards, apply for a card that offers a low rate on balance transfers.

Those of you who want to apply for a major high interest credit card to re establish or just to establish new credit should consider the price that they will ultimately pay, including interest, yearly fees, etc... Those who have good credit may qualify for credit cards that offer a 0 percent interest rate on balance transfers for a full year, but be aware, if you make a payment late, you might end up paying higher interest than before you transferred your balance. A recent FDIC study revealed that the overwhelming rise in bankruptcy rates (up 400 percent in the last 25 years) is directly related to banking de-regulation and the use of high-interest credit cards.

Many credit cards can have interest rates, 15, 19 and even 24 percent or higher.  At these very high interest rates you are paying a lot of money in interest. If you are in a bind and missing payments, many credit card companies might agree to reduce your debt on a credit card dramatically if the borrower is able to pay off the balance rather than continue to miss payments, so it might be worth contacting a debt expert to negotiate on your behalf. If you have a good credit score, one way of paying all of your high interest credit card balances, is to take out a debt consolidation loan, which will mean that you can pay off all of your credit cards with one lower interest loan, possibly saving you quite a bit of money.

Caring for Helmets

What are the most vital attribute for motorists? Helmets, of course. This is the compulsory use of safety equipment. A good helmet can provide security and comfort for the wearer.
So that the helmet is always optimal to function, the condition of this headgear needs to be treated properly. because, helmets can also be a source of harm if not maintained. It is not impossible when you are busy driving helmet use, suddenly itchy scalp. This can result in impaired concentration, and is potentially fatal.
Quite often a lazy rider helmet care, especially washing. Most of the reason for the drying process of lining in the helmet that takes a long time, while they only have one helmet. Whereas in the moist layer will invite bacteria and fungi multiply rapidly.
So that the helmet remains in clean condition, well maintained and does not smell, keep the helmet after use in a safe place and do not easily fall. Keep the helmet is always stored in a closed state with a plastic or other wrapping. This can prevent the exposed dirt, especially when the dust settles long been somewhat difficult in the wash and made ​​opaque. Do not forget to add safety devices such as key chain as it leaves the parking place of a helmet or entrusted to the parking attendant, to avoid theft.
To clean dust or dirt, helmets should be cleaned with a tissue or damp cloth. Meanwhile, the visor cleaned by splashing water into the inside and outside of the glass evenly, before gently wiped with a tissue or cloth. Hanging the helmet should be done periodically, so that mold and odors do not appear. last but not least, do not - time swapping helmets with others, to avoid the disease.

Improvisation Style Appliances

Dress the house can be a job that never ended. Stairwell, as connecting the two floors, do not miss being part to the best possible order to improve the aesthetics of the house.
In fact, with proper arrangement, the stairs can be a focus of design in space, which gives the essence of the arrangement over the whole space. In this case, the main factor to consider is the availability of space to be made in the stairwell. This determines the form of stair design that can be used. Such as straight-shaped, semi-circular, spiral, resembling the letter "U", and so forth..
Consider also the function of the empty area below the stairs so as not to maximize space is wasted. For example, although the form of straight stairs only and not a lot of ornaments, the bottom could be used as a bookcase under the stairs so that the area still looks attractive.
Safety factors also need to be considered, especially if you have young children or the elderly at home. The presence of handrail is absolutely necessary, with the sides closed to protect the child from falling when climbing stairs.
For convenience, higher rungs should be 20-25 cm. more than that, it can make your feet tired because the steps are too high. Meanwhile, for the width, at least 25 cm in order to keep providing comfort for the feet when stepping.
If the number of steps a lot, there's nothing wrong giving the area borders (temporary stopping places) that plural done to get around so do not get tired when climbing stairs.
Next is to determine what type of stair coverings and colors. Since the ladder into the transition area that connects the upper and lower floors., Harmonization of the overall design needs to be noticed. It's easier if you use neutral colors, which tend to fit paired with various colors, like white, gray or brown.
Stair covering material can vary, depending on the design style you want removed. To give an impression of luxury, marble floors are widely used or use a glossy-coated ceramic floor. Nothing wrong with using a non-slip carpet because it is safer. Meanwhile, the motif is able to give the impression of a warm wood as well as thicken the natural style in the home.
There are many other styles that can be applied to the design of stairs in the house, all depending on needs, funding and who want to look at the show. Welcome to improvise.