Fishy Personality

Who says fish are boring?

Some fish are active, some not.
Some are risk-takers ; others, scaredy-fish.
University of Guelph scientists noticed this as they sat by the Credit River, west of Toronto, watching trout feed.
So they scooped up the young fish, brought them to the lab aquarium and ran them through six days of personality tests.
The "personality" theory is starting to catch on with respect to our views of much of the animal kingdom, says Rob McLaughlin and student Alex Wilson found the trouts' personalities stayed distinct even after the fish left their natural homes.
For instance, when researchers put the fish in a dark tube in the aquarium, the more active ones emerged into the main body of the tank first.
Presumably, they were more ready to take risks and less afraid of an unfamiliar environment.
"We were getting this sense that they perceive the environment differently," says McLaughlin,"and the kinds of things we measured are part of what people are starting to call personality traits in animals."


RDPETS , JULY 2008

STUNG BY BEES

A mysterious ailment of honeybees threatens a trillion - dollar industry and an essential source of nutrition.

For 3,000 YEARS, FARMERS IN CHINA'S SICHUAN PROVINCE POLLINATED their fruit trees the old - fashioned way ; they let the bees do it. Flower produce nectar that attracts bees, which inadvertently transfer sticky grains of pollen from one flower to another, fertilizing them so they bear fruit. When China rapidly expanded its pear orchards in the 1980s, it stepped up its use of pesticides, and this age - old system of pollination began to unravel. Today, during the spring, the snow - white pear blossoms blanket the hills, but there are no bees to carry the pollen. Instead, thousands of villagers climb through the trees, hand - pollinating them by dipping " pollination sticks " - brushes made of chicken feathers and cigarette filters - into plastic bottles of pollen and then touching them to each of the billions of blossoms.


China's use of human bees is only one of many troubling signs of an agricultural crisis in the making. Bees the world over have been dying from a mysterious syndrome termed colony - collapse disorder, or CCD. U.S. beekeepers lost 35 percent of their hives this winter, after losing 30 percent the previous year. Similar but less well - publicized losses have occurred in countries as far - flung as Canada, Brazil, India and China, as well as throughout Europe. A recent survey of wild - bee populations in Belgium and France found that 25 percent of species have declined in the past 30 years. Several species of bumblebees common in the United States as recently as 1990 have disappeared. In Britain, the British Beekeepers Association has warned that honeybees could disappear entirely from the island by 2018, along with 165 million worth of apples, pears, canola and other crops they pollinate.
The treat is vast. Most crops - 87 of the world's 115 most important ones - require pollination to develop fruits, nuts and seeds, says agroecologist Alexandra - Maria Klein at Germany's University of Gottingen. Those crops account for about $1 trillion of the approximately $3 trillion in annual sales of agricultural produce worldwide. They also provide 35 percent of the calories consumed by humans each year, and most of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Every blueberry, cherry, apple, grapefruit, avocado, squash, cucumber, macadamia nut and almond depends on the ministrations of bee for its existence. Even crops such as lettuce and broccoli need insect pollination to produce seed for the following year's supply.
Colony - collapse disorder is characterized by the sudden collapse of a full - strength hive in a matter of weeks, with adults leaving the hive and not returning, until the hive is deserted. " I found colonies that had just stopped living, " says Borje Svensson, a Swedish beekeeper. " They had given up live without any sign of struggle. " No one knows what causes it, but theories abound. U.S. researchers believe a previously little - known disease called Israeli acute paralysis virus is involved, while Spanish researchers suspect a fungus called Nosema. When France lost a third of its bees in the 1990s, beekeepers blamed Imidacloprid, a new pesticide that had been used on sunflowers in 1999 and expanded the ban to other crops in 2004, yet its bees have not recovered. Despite this ambiguous evidence, many beekeepers around the world continue to blame Imidacloprid - the best - selling pesticide in the world, with annual sales of nearly $860 million. Others have pointed fingers at malefactors ranging from cell phones to genetically modified crops, with little evidence. The leading theory is that colony collapse is caused by a combination of viruses, pesticides, the parasitic varroa mite, drought and stress triggered by commercial colonies' overwork and poor nutrition.
The meta-culprit is the shift to large-scale agriculture. When most farms were small family affairs, pollinators came from nearby wildlands. But the growth of massive industrial farm has put most crops out of the reach of wild insects. So farmers need to supply artificially large numbers of bees to pollinate their fields in the spring, The European honeybee is the only pollinator.

KING BEE: Farmers around the world rely too much on the European honeybee to pollimate their crops.

By. Rowan Jacobsen

LG at CommunicAsia 2008.... SPECIAL REPORT

The CommunicAsia 2008, held from June 17 to 20 at the Singapore Expo, featured various products with the latest technologies. CommunicAsia is Asia's most comprehensive IT and communications exhibitions, where he business of technology comes to life. LG Electronics (LG) was present at this year's CommunicAsia with its strongest lineup ever. This time, its focus was to demonstrate its smart technologies and how the technologies enhance user experience in more convenient ways in line with its theme "Smartly Touchable, More Usable".
LG Secret, the long awaited third model in LG's Black Label Series, made its official debut in the Asia - Pasific region during the exhibition. The launch was attended by Indonesian media. According to John Halim, LGIndonesia Mobile Communication Product Marketing Manager, the new fashionable handset will be available in Indonesia soon.
Other newcomers include LG - KT610, the newest smartphone featuring the QWERTY keypad as well as the world's first "Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial" (DVB - T) mobile TV phone,
the LG - HB620T.
During the exhibition, LG also held an art performance demonstrating how LG Secret has incorporate stylish design and smart technologies. There were also a B - boys and 'Catch the Slow Motion' event with the LG Viewty.
President and CEO of Communications Company LG Electronics Mobile, Dr. Skott Ahn who also attended the launch said, "We are very excited to introduce LG Secret and our latest full product lineup to Asia, one of our strategic markets, during CommunicAsia 2008." Along with Dr. Skott Ahn were Vice President / Regional Business Leader Asia Pacific Region Mobile Communication Company LG Electronics Bo H. Choi.


MOBILE INFO

LG Mobile launched a new member of LG Black Label Series at the CommunicAsia 2008 in Singapore recently.
LG Secret (LG - KF750), the third label of the series, was developed to satisfy the tastes of trendsetters who desire a sophisticated design with enduring elegance . The premium style of the phone is reflected through the unique pattern and texture of the innovative carbon fiber material combined with sleek tempered glass.
After debuting in London in April this year, the LG Secret was then launched in Latin America. Within two weeks of the launch, 200,000 handsets had hit the market. Now, LG Secret is ready to expand to Asia Pacific markets.
At just 11.8 mm thick, the LG Secret is the slimmest 5.0 megapixel camera phone on the market. The main display becomes touch sensitive when users activate the Touch Media, five multimedia features. 120 fps video recording and DivX certified playback make memories last forever. LG Secret also has Voice Clarity technologiy and a remarkably convenient Bluetooth auto - sync feature.

SPECIFICATIONS

Radio Bands
EDGE, HSDPA 3.6 Mbps, 900/1800/1900/2100

Display
240 x 320, 2.4", 262K, TFT - LCD

Camera
5.0 Megapixel, AF, CMOS, Face Tracking

Dimensions
102,8 x 50,8 x 11,8 mm.

Connectivity
Bluetooth 20, USB 20

Internal Memory
100 MB

External Memory Slot
MicroSD up to 4 GB

LG Secret will be available in Indonesia at the end of July.
Visit LG Secret Global Site at http//secret.lgmobile.com for more details.

Business retreats off the beaten track.....

Business meetings held amid lush, tropical greenery beside one of the world's most beautiful pools. Presentations delivered against a soothing seaside backdrop. When it comes to meetings, conferences and corporate retreats, "anytime, anyplace, anywhere" is the adage of ALILA HOTELS AND RESORTS IN BALI. Its two luxurious locations - Alila Ubud and Alila Manggis - offer unique environments and equally unique experiences, catering for everything from corporate - style indoor meetings and outdoor presentation venues to teambuildin adventures like biking, rice field trekking, rafting and snorkeling. Not to mention rewarding incentives such as tai chi, yoga and being pampered naturally from the heart at SPA ALILA. Alila Ubud is tranquil hillside retreat that offers two indoor meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 50 people. This boutique hotel features contemporary design in an inspirational setting along Bali's magnificent Ayung River. It promises no typical retreat. Instead, expect something surprisingly different. Cuisine and locations available are fun and varied to suit your programme. For instance, it might include bird watching and trekking along the river followed by a riverside picnic lunch prepared by the hotel's Plantation Dining restaurant. Or an elegant and formal long table events alongside its spectacular emerald green swimming pool under the stars. Of course, 24 - hour room service is available and you can have your choice of cappuccino, herbal tea or jump - start health juice with your morning wake up - call. Likewise, Alila Manggis provides flexible and interesting outdoor meeting venues for up to 100 guests on its large expanse of manicured lawns, as well as poolside, garden and seaside sites all within the property. This secluded, stylish seaside resort in East Bali features modern design in a tropical seaside Balinese setting, away from the madding crowd. The hotel overlooks the Badung Strait and enjoys cool sea breezes with sunny skies much of the year, the perfect weather to enjoy meeting and dining outdoors. Its very own Cooking School and great Seasalt Restaurant have made seaside dining an art, from casual lounging at the Seafood BBQ to formal dining by the candlelit pool or the elegance of its lotus pond restaurant. Taking care of business are Alila's dedicated meetings coordinator and leisure concierge, who ensure your event, accommodation and fun activities are planned with technical proficiency, artistic creativity and personal attention. Add to this mix fabulous dining, which both hotels are well known for, combining the finest ingredients with the best of Balinese service. This includes an extensive Balinese and Western menu as well as an experienced banqueting team whose skill and creativity can transform any event into a memorable experience. Alila also offers a range of exciting outdoor venues off the properties for meetings, performances and dining, all of which they have experience at arranging for groups of 10 to 150 people. All great reasons to meet at Alila Hotels and Resorts in Bali for your next business retreat.


For information and tailored proposals, please contact :
ALILA UBUD Ph 0361 975963 Fax 0361 975968 ubud@alilahotels.com
ALILA MANGGIS Ph 0363 41011 Fax 0363 41015 manggis@alilahotels.com



www.alilahotels.com

special report_ the environment

AMERICANS DON'T LIKE TO LOSE WARS
which makes sense, since they have so little practice with it. Of course, a lot depends on how you define just what a war is. There are shooting wars - the kind that test mettle and patriotism and resourcefulness and courage - and those are the kind at which the U.S. excels. But other struggles test those qualities too. What else was the Great Depression or the space race or the construction of the railroads or the eradication of polio but a massive, often frightening challenge that the U.S. decided as a country it ought to rise up and face ? If Americans indulge in a bit of chest - thumping and flag - waving when the job is done, well , they earned it.
Now there is a similarly momentous challenge ; global warning. The steady deterioration of the very climate of this very planet is becoming a war of the first order, and by any measure, the U.S. is losing. Indeed, if America is fighting at all - and by most accounts, it's not - it's fighting on the wrong side. The U.S. produces nearly a quarter of the world's greenhouse gases each year and has stubbornly made it clear that it doesn't intend to do a whole lot about it. Although 174 nations ratified the admittedly flawed Kyoto accords to reduce carbon levels, the U.S. walked away from them. While even developing China has boosted its efficiency standards to 15 km/L, the U.S. remains the land of the Hummer. Oh, there are vague promises of manufacturing fuel from switchgrass or powering cars with hydrogen - someday. But for a country that rightly cites patriotism as one of its core values, the U.S. is taking a pass on what might be the most patriotic struggle of all. Its hard to imagine a bigger fight than one for the survival of a country's coasts and farms, the health of its people and the stability of its economy - and for those of the world at large as well.
The rub is, if the vast majority of people increasingly agree that climate change is a global emergency, there's far less consensus on how to fix it. Industry offers its plans, which too often would fix little. Environmentalists offer theirs, which too often amount to naive wish lists that could cripple America's growth. But let's assume that those interested parties and others will always be at the table and will always - sensibly - demand that their voices be heard and that their needs be addressed. What would an aggressive, ambitious, effective plan look like - one that would leave the U.S. both environmentally safe and economically sound?
Forget precedents like the Manhattan Project which develop the atom bomb, or the Apollo program that put men on the moon - single focus programs both, however hard they were to pull off. Think instead of the overnight conversion of the World War II - era industrial sector into a vast machine capable of churning out 60,000 tanks and 300,000 planes, an effort that not only didn't bankrupt the U.S. but instead made it rich and powerful beyond its imagining and - oh, yes - won the war in the process.
Halting climate change will be far harder than even that. One of the more conservative plans for addressing the problem, by Robert Socolow and Stephen Pacala of Princeton University, calls for a reduction of 25 billion tons of carbon emissions over the next 50 years - the equivalent of erasing nearly four years of global emissions at today's rates. And yet by devising a coherent strategy that mixes short-term solutions with farsighted goals, combines government activism with private-sector enterprise and blends pragmatism with ambition, the U.S. can, without major damage to the economy, help halt the worst effects of climate change and ensure the survival of its way of life for future generations. Money will do some of the work, but what's needed most is will. "I'm not saying the challenge isn't almost overwhelming,"says Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund and co-author of the new book Earth: The Sequel, "But this is America, and America has risen to these challengers before."
No one yet has a comprehensive plan for how the U.S. could do so again, but everyone agrees on what the biggest parts of the plan would be. Here's our blueprint for how America can flight - and win - the war on global warming.

Be careful with pincers sandal? Danger for health

Washington,
pincers sandal with pincers rope shaped like V or more know with called pincers sandal danger for health. Consumption of pincers sandal can caused quarrel for leg.
The fact founded punctuality from health expert, America. Pincers sandal often called flip-flop in America can caused quarrel if cause a long time. They are loyal to use pincers sandal can to experience sick ill.
Elder team punctual, Justin Shroyer to say that any people to deny a shoes caused easy hurt in him leg so far they are more choose wearing sandal. This fact, so far each other change life style of them with wearing pincers sandal "say Shroyer like in quotation news com. au. thursday (june, 12, 2008).
Shroyer hope the pincers sandal not to appoint first choice in daily. The kind of sandal this find only wear a rare and changed for some months. "Pincers sandal just wearing in enjoyed for a short time his allowance."
In punctual, they are give value a way of people walk and the strongth of them with leg who tread ground with a shoes or pincers sandal.
The result of them who wearing a pincers sandal a little to use power a moment walk to equal they are walk or running with use a shoes.

Russia's Medvedev calls for overhaul of European security

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday made a new demand for a sweeping overhaul of European security, saying NATO alone could not handle the continent's post-Cold War challengers. In a keynote speech at a media forum, he vowed to make Russia more free and open, and said that despite basic differences with the United States he looked forward to constructive dialogue with the next U.S. administration. "Is the Atlantic alliance sufficient to solve all of the problems of security in old Europe? In my opinion the answer is no," Medvedev told journalists at the Russian Media Congress in Moscow. "The solution would be to prepare an all-encompassing European agreement in which all the state of Europe took part ..... All the other institutions are based on divisive principles," he said. The Kremlin has repeatedly complained that NATO is moving to dominate European security, usurping the power of the United Nations and leaving Moscow out in the cold by planning expansion to Russia's borders. In his first major foreign policy speech since succeeding Vladimir Putin, Medvedev last week called for a European conference to discuss a new treaty. But the call, made on a trip to Berlin, has received a muted response. Getting European allies on board to discuss a broad new treaty might be difficult, analysts said. The idea that NATO should disappear as a force in Europe "is not much of a basis for a conference," independent military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer said earlier. The treaty proposal is little more than a reworking of Soviet-era proposals that had a "very weak impact on security in Europe," said Yevgeny Volk, head of the Moscow office of the U.S. Heritage Foundation. To reach an agreement, Russia would have to overcome what Medvedev described as "radically different" U.S. points of view on key security iddues in Europe. In particular, Medvedev named U.S. plans to extend a missile shield into the Czech Republic and Poland, the enlargement of NATO, and the Cold-War era Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty. But the kremlin chief said he had "guarded optimism" about ties with whoever comes to power in the United States in a November presidential election. In an apparent bid to distance himself from the authoritarian trends seen in Russia in recent years Medvedev also vowed to build a freer society. "Our immutable course will be the creation of a free and responsible society, the defense of human rights, freedom of the press and of speech and, of course, supremacy of the law," he said.

Ursula Hyzy

HOW TO LIVE WITH HIGH FUEL PRICES

Any reduction in subsidy is an emotional issue since this will mean people have to pay more for goods affected by such a decision. Therefore, last week's hefty increases in the price of petrol and diesel have not been well received, as consumers have to dig deeper into their pockets to meet rising prices of goods and services. It has to be admitted that the new rates have caught the public by surprise due to their sudden introduction and the reduction in subsidy for these two fuels. It was an unpopular decision and the government was forced to take this bold move because the global price of crude is getting out of control with serious financial and social consequences for everyone. It was becoming increasingly difficult for the subsidies to continue without bankrupting the nation in the long term. It was only prudent for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to bite the bullet. The public will have to accept this economic reality and make lifestyle changes accordingly, especially when it comes to using their own transport. The main purpose of reducing the subsidy is to curb demand for petrol and diesel. Hopefully, consumption will drop since motorists will come to realize that they cannot keep depending on subsidies. However, it will take a while for the government to determine whether this strategy is working; and if demand should still remain high, then it is not succeeding. With a few hundred thousand vehicles being registered each year, demand for petrol will remain quite constant since any slack-will be made up by the new arrivals. What is likely to change is that motorists may switch to more fuel-efficient models to cut down their petrol bills. They will also need to make fewer trips or use public transport to save money. While motorists may be angry and frustrated with the higher fuel prices, they should realize that this is the only course of action open to government. In any case, the ruling Barisan National leadership had never said it would reduce subsidy during and before the general election. It was the opposition that made such a pledge. Abdullah knew that it was a promise that would be difficult to fulfill since petroleum prices were due to external factors which are out of Malaysia's control. Of course there is nothing to stop state governments to provide special subsidies to their people to ease their financial burden. They are free to do so as a reward for the people's confidence in their leadership. The incentives introduced to offset the new fuel structure may not seem much, but they should be enough to relieve motorists financial burden. It is up to car owners to make the necessary changes in the way they drive since it is no longer possible to do as they pleased like before. They should rid themselves of the dole mentality. The sooner the better or pay the price for refusing to accept that things had changed economically and socially. The good old days are gone. The party is finally over and there will be no longer any free lunch. The days of cheap fuel are unlikely to return.

V K Chin.

FACTS OF LIVE......

Why do we sometimes cry when we laugh?
Weeping with laughter sobbing in sorrow ; our bodies react similarly when emotions run high.
A few scientists have explored the physical pathways of emotional tears, but none have categorically stated why these tears exist. Tom Lutz, author of Crying : The natural and Cultural History of Tears, notes Darwin published snapshots of laughing and crying people to demonstrate that the same expression accompanies both behaviors. " Some tears are squeezed out of the ducts simply because the face is scrunched up, " explains Lutz." But tears also accompany the body's return to homeostasis after extreme excitation. So after a big laughing jag, tears are a sign that the body is returning to normal ".
What tears are made of, however, may offer further clues about why we cry. Unlike tears that well up when you chop onions, emotional tears are unusually rich in protein - based hormones that spike when you're stressed. This fact led one US biochemist to theories that releasing tears - and thus the hormones in them - may be the body's attempt to reduce stress. Regardless of its cause - be it pleasure or pain - people do tend to feel better after a good cry.

RD ; JUNE, 2008

LAWYERS FORM RIVAL BAR ASSOCIATION

History looks set to repeat itself as the country's lawyers have decided to their separate ways, in a move reminiscent of their past divisions.
About 5,000 lawyers gave up their membership to the Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi) and established a new bar association called the Congress of Indonesian Advocates (KAI).
In their first congress here Friday, founders of the new association said it was a legitimate organization for representing their members and had the right to grant practicing certificates.
" Based on the 2003 advocate law, it's not true we can't practice without joining Peradi. In fact, we are insisting that all advocate organizations other than KAI are illegal, " KAI commitee member Luthfi Yazid told after the one day meeting.
He said at least 10,000 of the nation's 15,000 lawyers would return their membership cards to Peradi and sign up as KAI members by monday next week.
Among the noted lawyers that championed the establishment of the new bar association are presidential advisor Adnan Buyung Nasution, Teguh Samudera, Indra Sahnun Lubis, Ibrahim Hasibuan, Roberto Hutagalung, Jimmy Budiarjo and Suhardi Somomuljono.
President SUsilo Bambang Yudhoyono was initially slated to open the congress but canceled due to illness. Peradi executives had earlier written to the president, asking him to skip the KAI congress.
In a direct election, the lawyers voted Indra Sahnun Lubis the association's president and Roberto Hutagalung the secretary - general. They will form a complete organization structure within a month. Buyung was appointed honorary chairman.
Peradi amalgamated eight bar association in 2005, and since then has been recognized as the government - sanctioned group for advocates.
The Constiutional Court in 2006 rejected a judicial review of the law on advocates and unheld Peradi's status as an organization for Indonesian lawyers.
The court ruling did not say Peradi was the only sanctioned bar association, but court chief Jimly Asshidiqqie has interpreted it thus.
But some senior lawyers said Peradi was illegitimate because it was established without a congress and it's executives were not elected in accordance with international practice.
Peradi attracted criticism recently for dismissing noted lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis after finding him guilty of a conflict of interest.
Most recently a Peradi executive filed a defamation lawsuit against Buyung.
Buyung said in his opening speech President absence from the congress would not affect it's legitimacy.
" I hope this congress will create the only legitimate advocates organization in Indonesia, " he said.
In his statement, Buyung said KAI was the only legitimate organization for advocates in Indonesia and demanded Peradi and other advocate organizations be dissolved within one year.
Senior lawyer Frans Hendra Winarta expressed his concern over the division of the advocate organization, saying it would weaken the monitoring of Indonesian lawyers in implementing their code of ethics.
" It will confuse the public about which is the legitimate organization. I believe the split will adversely affect the protection of clients, " he said.
Frans called on Peradi and KAI to meet to discuss ways to consolidate.

By ; ABDUL KHALIK