New use of a breathalyzer

Recently, a group of reserachers from the University of Vermont reported a breathalyzer could be designed to detect a chemical signature that indicates a bacterial infection in someone's lungs. They experimented with mice and their test succeeded in making a significant difference between the chemical signature of healthy and infected mouse breath. The researchers think that people could someday blow into a bacterial breathalyzer as part of a routine medical exam.
 It looks very convenient that blowing into a breathalyzer could let people know whether they are infected or not. No need to go to hospital and wait for hours to get a medical check-up. Just blow into the device and in just a few minutes, we could know the results. A physical examination is a little troublesome sometimes, Wait, wait, wait for all kinds of check-ups. I imagine someday people don't need to go out to do something since all conveniences fill all that. In that case, I fear most of the people in the world are obese.

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2013/01/a-breathalyzer-test-for-bacterial-infections/

Miss America's first contestant with autism

 Miss Montana Alexis Wineman, this year's youngest and the first autistic contestant ever competing in the beauty pageant, takes the stage at the 2013 Miss America Competition. Wineman, 18, was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder and borderline Asperger's syndrome at the age of 11. She said now she is used to living with autism, but she struggles to communicate at times.
 I want to applaud her for overcoming the disease and serving as a role model for those who are suffering. It is amazing that she does not give up and tries to meet with a new experience in her life. It's like that if you try nothing, you can get anything. I also want to praise her positive mind and courage.

http://www.eonline.com/news/377988/miss-america-2013-meet-miss-montana-alexis-wineman-pageant-s-first-contestant-with-autism

Weightlifter Jang's another dream

Weightlifter Jang Mi ran retires. Olympic gold medalist Jang, 30, has decided to put down her barbells finishing 15 years of hard work. She held a news conference Thursday in Gyeonggi Province and said she wanted to leave with a smile but could not control her emotions. She cound not hold back tears. Jang said, however, that she would focus on helping young athletes in weightlifting and she will apply for the International Olympic Committee membership next year.
 I rooted for Jang this Summer Olympic and was sad that she didn't win a medal. Despite physical limits due to injury and age, she tried her best at the last moment and it made me touched. I respect the spirit of the athlete. Considering she is known for hard works in the athlete's village, she deserves all the great achievements. I hope she bocomes an IOC member and sets a good precedent for other athletes.


http://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1124927/south-koreas-jang-mi-ran-quits-weightlifting

IMAGE from
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2013/01/10/13/0702000000AEN20130110010100315F.HTML

Toilet training using iPotty?

 A new toilet training accessory is going to come out this March. The iPotty that is a little plastic toilet with an iPad holder was being displayed at CES this year. The idea is that parents give their toddlers a tablet to use while they go potty and toddlers sit down on the potty. From now on, babies can take care of business while playing games or watching videos.
 It is a good idea to learn how to pee on the pot while being entertained. Toddlers now learn to play with gadgets before they can speak and talk to parents. On the other hand, I doubt that it is really good for children.  I think using computer or electronic devices at an early age could bring a negative effect on babies because toddlers are in a period when they need to learn how things are going around them , who I am and what I am doing. If I have a toddler, I don't want to buy iPotty to my baby.


http://www.slashgear.com/ipotty-tries-to-get-your-toddler-to-use-the-toilet-11264902/

Kate Middleton's portrait revealed

 The first official portrait of Kate Middleton has been revealed 11 Jan. in London. The portrait that award-winning artist Paul Emsley painted is against black background with a slight smile of the duchess. The painter said he wanted to capture Middleton's natural beauty. In the portrait, Kate wears a green top that doesn't actually exist. The painter invented it based on the different outfits Kate wore.
  Some critics are criticizing the painting, saying the portrait doesn't look like the duchess. In fact,  it is reconizable but looks not that similar. Her expression also doesn't look natural and it makes her look older. Will future generations think her as gracious and refined? I don't know...


http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/01/kate-middletons-first-official-portrait-unveiled/

Following her father's footstep...

 A daughter who lost his father on 9/11 became a cop following her father. Her father served with the Emergency Services Unit for eighteen years and died trying to save people on 9/11. Her dream was a teacher, but it wasn't easy to find a steady job. She then started to dream of becoming a cop and finally her dream came true. Good to see that people affected by 9/11 do not give up and find meanings in life. I've seen an article about 9/11 families that they founded an organization and have been working to create a safer and more peaceful world. Hope to see that dream also come true.





http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/daughter-died-9-11-takes-badge-number-article-1.1229415

Freaky woman's hate crime

 A woman who shoved an Indian man to his death in front of a train was charged with a hate crime. She said she pushed a Muslim off the train tracks because she has detested Muslims since September 11. She seems deranged and needs medication.  Hate crimes are serious and scary, and societies should take stronger measures to curbe these terrible incidents. I think that I could be the subject of hate crimes because I'm Asian and these kinds of thinking make me sick.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/woman-shoved-queens-man-front-subway-train-arrested-article-1.1229427