Category Archives: Technology

Business, International, Technology, Travel

AIRLINES CONSIDERING ADDING THREE EXTRA PASSENGER SEATS ON THEIR AIRCRAFT

gear retract wheel wells.jpgSan Jose, California – The 15-year-old boy who survived a 5-1/2-hour flight from San Jose to Maui on a Hawaiian Airlines jetliner may have stunned the airline industry, but this unbelievable incident also gave airline officials new hope for an additional revenue stream.

Authorities had said that it was a miracle that the stowaway kid survived in the wheel well of the plane, as oxygen was limited at the jet’s cruising altitude of 38,000 feet, and the temperature dropping to 50 degrees below zero or even lower.

But now that it has been established that survival is possible in aircraft wheel wells, airlines are considering adding three additional passenger spots on all their planes – one in each of the three wheel wells. With minor adjustments, such as providing sleeping bags secured by seat belts, the airlines will soon be adding three passenger spots per plane. “We expect these new spots to sell like hotcakes” one airline official said, “because they will be sold at 50% off the published airfare rates.” There will be no beverage or meal service for this special ticket class, but complimentary sleeping pills will be provided for flights lasting more than theee hours.

Want an oxygen mask? That would be $5o extra!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human Interest, International, Music, Science and Environment, Technology

STANFORD UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS DISCOVER MUSIC GENE AMONG FILIPINOS

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photo(1)Palo Alto, California – It’s all in the genes. It has been long established that the genetic makeup in people determines not only the color of their skin, eyes and hair but also their susceptibility to certain diseases and conditions.

Now researchers at the Department of Genetics of Stanford University School of Medicine have uncovered the gene responsible for making Filipinos such good singers and musicians. It’s called PH-13, found only among Filipinos.

Researchers studied over 2,000 individuals, 500 of whom were of Filipino heritage with the rest equally divided among Whites, Blacks and Native Americans. All respondents were pre-screened and auditioned for their musical ability.

At the conclusion of the six-month study which involved blood tests, MRIs of the vocal chords and eardrums, as well as invasive procedures to obtain genetic samples, the researchers announced the discovery of the gene responsible for musical talent.  While a few African Americans exhibited an almost undetectable level of the music gene, 100% of the Filipinos in the study tested positive for PH-13.

“We have finally found the answer to the nagging question on why Filipinos are always winning in music competitions,” the researchers said.

Could this also be the reason why almost all Filipino households have a karaoke machine?

Business, Food, Health & Medicine, International, Politics, Science and Environment, Technology

REPORTS OF ARSENIC IN RICE PROMPT PHILIPPINE LAWMAKERS TO MAKE PAN DE SAL THE NATIONAL STAPLE

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Pan de Sal
Pan de Sal

Manila, Philippines – Rice is the main staple food of the Filipinos.  It is estimated that each household eats an average of almost 500 kilograms of rice per year. While Philippine farms produce rice quite extensively, the country often resorts to rice importation to supplement local demand.

It is therefore not surprising that Filipinos are alarmed at recent reports and studies showing the presence of arsenic (poison chemical) in rice and rice products. (See latest article from The New York Times).

To appease the growing anxiety among the population over arsenic-tainted rice, Philippine lawmakers have moved quickly to make pan de sal the new national staple in place of rice. The wheat-based delicacy is the Filipinos’ choice of breakfast bread or dinner roll.

While lawmakers realize that their action will cost the country millions of pesos in wheat importation, they said that the health and safety of the citizens are of greater concern.  Wheat is not produced locally and the Philippines imports 100% of its wheat and flour requirements. The Philippines is one of the top destinations for U.S. wheat exports.

The lawmakers are confident that the Filipino people will adjust easily to the change in staple from rice to pan de sal because the latter goes well with many Filipino dishes like adobo, pancit, dinuguan, menudo and queso de bola.