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Oil, gas prices fall after US acts to boost supply

1 hr.

Reuters

Gas and oil prices fell more than 2 percent on Friday after Washington issued a waiver allowing foreign tankers to bring fuel to the East Coast from U.S. ports, holding out some promise of relief from supply disruptions caused by superstorm Sandy.?

Brent crude fell for a fifth day and posted a third consecutive weekly loss as the dollar strengthened on support from a better-than-expected October jobs report and worries about the Japanese economy.?

Gasoline prices slumped as oil tankers and pipelines supplying New Jersey and the New York Harbor restored more operations that had been affected by Sandy.?

Related:?New York Harbor reopens, bringing hope to the fuel-hungry

The U.S. government temporarily waived Jones Act?restrictions on tankers carrying fuel from the Gulf Coast refining hub to the storm-ravaged Northeast, increasing the available fleet of tankers to bring fuel.?

"I think economic uncertainty and next week's (U.S.) elections are weighing on oil prices. You also have the statement that the Jones Act is going to be waived for a week, suggesting some supplies are going to return," said analyst Gene McGillian at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut.?

The waiver allows foreign tankers to carry fuel to the Northeast from other U.S. ports. Normally only U.S.-flagged ships are permitted to go between domestic ports.?

Brent December crude fell $2.49 to settle at $105.68 a barrel, the lowest settlement since early August.?U.S. ?crude fell $2.23 to settle at $84.86 a barrel, the lowest settlement since early July.?

Gasoline futures for December delivery dropped 6 cents to settle at $2.5736 a gallon.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/oil-gas-prices-fall-after-us-acts-boost-supply-1C6842850

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Elephant in South Korean zoo imitates human speech

Kosik, a 22-year-old Asian elephant, puts his trunk in his mouth to modulate sound next to his chief trainer Kim Jong-gab at the Everland amusement park in Yongin, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 2, 2012. Kosik uses his trunk to pick up not only food but also human vocabulary. He can reproduce five Korean words by tucking his trunk inside his mouth to modulate sound. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) ? An elephant in a South Korean zoo is using his trunk to pick up not only food, but also human vocabulary.

An international team of scientists confirmed Friday what the Everland Zoo has been saying for years: Their 5.5-ton tusker Koshik has an unusual and possibly unprecedented talent.

The 22-year-old Asian elephant can reproduce five Korean words by tucking his trunk inside his mouth to modulate sound, the scientists said in a joint paper published online in Current Biology. They said he may have started imitating human speech because he was lonely.

Koshik can reproduce "annyeong" (hello), "anja" (sit down), "aniya" (no), "nuwo" (lie down) and "joa" (good), the paper says.

One of the researchers said there is no conclusive evidence that Koshik understands the sounds he makes, although the elephant does respond to words like "anja" and "nuwo."

Everland Zoo officials in the city of Yongin said Koshik also can imitate "ajik" (not yet), but the researchers haven't confirmed the accomplishment.

Koshik is particularly good with vowels, with a rate of similarity of 67 percent, the researchers said. For consonants he scores only 21 percent.

Researchers said the clearest scientific evidence that Koshik is deliberately imitating human speech is that the sound frequency of his words matches that of his trainers.

Vocal imitation of other species has been found in mockingbirds, parrots and mynahs. But the paper says Koshik's case represents "a wholly novel method of vocal production" because he uses his trunk to reproduce human speech.

In 1983, zoo officials in Kazakhstan reportedly claimed that a teenage elephant named Batyr could reproduce Russian to utter 20 phrases, including "Batyr is good." But there was no scientific study on the claim.

Researchers believe Koshik learned to reproduce words out of a desire to bond with his trainers after he was separated from two other elephants at age 5.

Koshik emerged as a star among animal enthusiasts and children in South Korea after Everland Zoo claimed in 2006 that he could imitate words, two years after his trainers noticed the phenomenon. His growing reputation prompted Austrian biologist Angela Stoeger-Horwath and German biophysicist Daniel Mietchen to study him in 2010, zoo officials said.

Oh Suk-hun, a South Korean veterinarian who co-authored the research paper with Stoeger-Horwath and Mietchen, said the elephant apparently started imitating human speech to win the trust of his trainers.

In April, a children's science book called "Joa Joa, Speaking Elephant" was published. The cover photo showed Koshik opening his mouth wide while raising a trunk over his trainer's head.

Researchers said Koshik was trained to obey several commands and "exposed to human speech intensively" by trainers, veterinarians and zoo visitors.

Shin Nam-sik, a veterinary professor at Seoul National University who has seen Koshik, agreed with researchers' finding that the elephant was able to mimic human speech.

"In Koshik's case, the level of intimacy between him and his trainer was the key factor that made the elephant want to sound like a human," Shin said.

Kim Jong-gab, Koshik's chief trainer, said the elephant was timid for a male when he first came to Everland Zoo, so trainers often slept in the same area with him. Kim thinks that contact helped Koshik feel closer to humans.

Kim said he has another phrase he wants to teach Koshik: "Saranghae," or "I love you."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/aa9398e6757a46fa93ed5dea7bd3729e/Article_2012-11-02-SKorea-Talking%20Tusker/id-71dd5197519441a49b06e3b891fbfd0d

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Reasons That Businesses Build and People ... - Tampa Real Estate

Imagine waking up and stepping over to open the blinds. You pause as you take in the beautiful scenery overlooking the bay. A pleasing fragrance gently wafts into the house through the screen. Listening carefully, you hear the lapping of water as it flows on and off the shore near your waterfront site in Andalucia.

The day ahead features a scheduled tee time, followed by a well-deserved relaxing day with friends and family. The great thing about Tampa houses is that they are available in a variety of sizes and floor plans. No matter what you are looking for, you are sure to find it here!

A mid-sized city with a population of just over 350,000, Tampa has all the amenities that encourage people to choose it for a residence. It has grown into the financial and economic center of Florida, venturing a long way from its former reputation as a cigar town. The largest industry in the area currently is agriculture, even though tourism is a close second and believed by some to be in first place.

Hillsborough County is known for products such as beef, dairy, ornamental plants, and citrus fruits. It is a foreign trade zone, and some qualifying products that are unloaded, repacked and reshipped here are not subject to import duties because of the ability to eliminate, reduce or defer customs fees. This is a big draw for companies that want to establish themselves in the area.

Everyone has his or her own idea of what the ideal home should be. For some, it is a condo or town home. Still others think fondly of a two-story single family home or one of the many full-sized mansions that dot this area. You may be one who likes to be close to neighbors or you may prefer some space in between. Tampa offers all of these home styles and everything in the middle. From East Tampa to Tampa Palms, your dream home is waiting to be discovered.

Source: http://www.tampa2enjoy.com/blog/2012/11/02/reasons-that-businesses-build-and-people-buy-homes-in-tampa/

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Plastic surgery myths debunked

A number of myths are in circulation regarding plastic surgery. Examples are: an airline flight will cause breast implants to pop; and the sun will melt the implant in your nose after rhinoplasty. Also, a recent trend in plastic surgery is the number of teens undergoing cosmetic procedures. To obtain the straight scoop regarding plastic surgery, I consulted Tracy M. Pfeiffer, MD, MS. She is a New York City plastic surgeon with a special interest in breast surgery. In addition to noting that the foregoing myths are untrue. Dr. Pfeiffer made the following points.

Plastic surgery is a luxury only the wealthy can afford:
This is simply another myth associated with plastic surgery. I would say that plastic surgery is a lifestyle choice. Like with any other lifestyle choice, the average person may have to save and budget for it, but it?s within reach. Most of my patients are not the extremely wealthy. Rather, they are everyday Americans such as teachers, lawyers, real estate agents, retired persons, etc. that come from every social strata and ethnic background. What these people all have in common is not their wealth, but that they want to feel good about their appearance and understand that treatments are available to address their concerns. Plastic surgery has also come a long way and become much more common in the lives of everyday people. Recognizing this, many plastic surgeons offer payment options for patients such as plans, financing, partial pre-payment, etc. This helps make plastic surgery much more mainstream, and not only reserved for the super wealthy.

Plastic surgery is unsafe:
This notion is completely untrue. I think that the perception that plastic surgery is unsafe is partially due to the media reports. This is because it is so rare for a person undergoing plastic surgery to have a complication that when it does happen, it often makes the news. The truth is that since patients having plastic surgery are having a purely elective procedure, reputable plastic surgeons will usually insist that the patient have a full medical clearance to insure the patient is medically cleared for surgery. Additionally, many patients are worried about anesthesia and possible complications, but anesthesia is very safe. This is even true for patients who have significant medical problems.

However, since plastic surgery is a fee for the service medical field, there are physicians, unfortunately, who are trying to cash in. This is why patients need to protect themselves by seeking a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This should not be confused with The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, which does not have the same significance in terms of rigorous training. Patients must check their surgeon?s credentials and not just assume they are qualified. They can do this by checking with their state?s department of health to see if any complaints have been filed and researching common red flags that patients should be aware of. Additionally, patients can see if their surgeon is ASPS board certified by logging onto www.plasticsurgery.org.

All plastic surgeons will provide the same results:
This is entirely untrue. First, one must separate plastic surgeons board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology from those board certified by organizations such as the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. This is because there is simply no comparison between the training and qualifications between them. Surgeons board certified by ABPS and ABO have extensive training and therefore intimate knowledge of the anatomy involved in plastic surgery procedures. ABPS surgeons are trained in all areas of the body and face whereas ABO are trained in only head and neck, not the body. Next, even if the surgeon is board certified by ABPS or ABO, it is important to look for someone who specializes in aesthetic/cosmetic procedures. If a surgeon in interested in this area, he/she is more likely to be very up to date on the latest techniques, products, etc. Also, it is important to look for someone who specializes in the part of the body you are interested in improving, because there is no substitute for experience.

Teens undergoing plastic surgery:
Plastic surgeons are sometimes consulted by teenagers and their parents for a variety of concerns. The most common reasons are breast reduction, breast asymmetry (breasts of dissimilar sizes), breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and for the treatment of acne. The main concern on the part of the plastic surgeon is making sure that this young person can understand the possible ramifications of the surgery and that they are emotionally mature enough. Warning signs are teenagers who ?just want it" but have no good reason for the procedure. This is most commonly seen with breast augmentation and least commonly with acne treatments. This is why I tend to separate out the breast augmentation and acne groups from the others.

Acne treatment does not require surgery and the treatments are non-invasive although some of the medications have side effects. For this reason, the treatment of acne in teenagers is not problematic and is very much justified. Teenagers seeking breast augmentation tend to have a different set of concerns and different attitude. In my experience, they often cannot fully absorb the potential complications and necessary management of breast implants. Teenagers in this group can sometimes be more self-absorbed, less thoughtful about the downsides of surgery and implants, cannot accept adverse advents and, in my opinion, are sometimes not really able to sign a truly informed patient consent. These patients must be carefully screened to insure they are mature enough for the breast augmentation surgery. I find it is a good sign if the patient is accompanied by the parent. This usually signals to me that the parent has spent some time discussing the procedure and the pros and cons with their teenager. Additionally, although rare, parents who "give" their teenagers plastic surgery as a gift, such as augmentation or rhinoplasty, are a red flag and the plastic surgeon is wise to carefully assess these patients for their motivation and goals.

On the other hand, teenagers seeking breast reduction, correction of breast asymmetry and correction of nasal deformity, in my experience, have thought about these issues for some time, often years. They typically are thoughtful and mature and have excellent reasons for seeking these treatments, and they understand and accept the potential complications. Their parents are usually concerned but at the same time supportive. These teenagers often suffer from social embarrassment, inability to engage in sports, have difficulty finding clothes to wear and are extremely self-conscious about their appearance. Because of this, they are quite motivated to have the procedure. I find these teenagers are very, very happy with their surgical results and it is not uncommon for them to state that their lives have been really transformed in a positive way.

References:
Tracy M. Pfeiffer, MD, MS
American Society of Plastic Surgeons

See also: Life coach offers healthy alternatives to teen cosmetic surgery

Source: http://www.emaxhealth.com/11306/plastic-surgery-myths-debunked

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Medicinal Munchies: Medical Marijuana Fully Explained | Greatist

To light up or not to light up? That is the question, or at least it will be on November 6, when voters in several states will decide whether to legalize medical marijuana.

A Healthy High ? Why It Matters

Medical marijuana is prescribed by physicians to alleviate symptoms of disorders ranging from anxiety to glaucoma to wasting disease. It?s already legal in 17 states (Connecticut was the most recent legalizer, in 2012) and Washington, D.C. This election season, measures to legalize medical marijuana will appear on ballots in Arkansas and Massachusetts; marijuana legislation is also pending in Illinois, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Lawmakers will decide whether qualifying patients and healthcare professionals can purchase, carry, and use small amounts of marijuana.

Since ancient times, people have been smoking joints to cure a variety of physical and psychological ailments. As early as 2737 B.C., the Chinese Emperor Shen Neng recommended marijuana to treat gout, rheumatism, malaria, and even a faulty memory (ironic). Ancient Hindus used marijuana to beat stress and relieve pain during childbirth.

Today, medical experts still use marijuana as a treatment for a range of medical complaints. Marijuana can help ease nausea and vomiting for chemotherapy patients; stimulate appetite in people with HIV and AIDS; relieve muscle tension and spasms in people who suffer from multiple sclerosis; help treat glaucoma; relieve anxiety; and provide pain relief, especially for terminally ill patients. Some research even suggests marijuana can help delay the growth of certain types of cancer in the human body.

Indeed, marijuana is more complicated than Jay and Silent Bob would have us believe. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid (or class of chemical compounds) in marijuana that binds to endocannabinoid receptors in the brain and body, reducing pain (indica strains) and anxiety (sativa strains). It?s the heavier intake, particularly of the sativa strain of cannabis, that produces that high-as-a-kite feeling. But not every health expert is on board with keeping a stash of marijuana in the medicine cabinet.

Doctor?s Orders ? The Answer/Debate

There?s plenty of recent research suggesting marijuana and other cannabinoids can help treat a variety of medical conditions like the ones outlined above^[]^[]^[].?But other studies suggest long-term use of high doses of marijuana may have some unfavorable side effects, including lethargy, loss of balance, and even anxiety and panic attacks. There?s also the possibility that users can become dependent on marijuana and go through withdrawal when usage stops^[]. Plus, long-term marijuana use has been linked to increased risk for respiratory problems^[].?Some researchers even suggest marijuana use escalates the onset of schizophrenia and psychosis among people who are prone to these psychiatric disorders^[]^[]. Those with cardiovascular disease and substance use disorders may also experience adverse effects and, ultimately, marijuana?s usefulness may depend on the specific individual who?s using it^[].

Aside from the debate over medical marijuana?s helpfulness (or lack thereof), it?s worth noting that none of the states with pending marijuana legislation plan to let anyone travel with a truck-full of pot. Voters in most states will decide whether eligible patients can cultivate or possess fairly small amounts (a few ounces) of marijuana or obtain it from state-regulated dispensaries.

Stay tuned November 6 for updates on the marijuana sitch; ?til then, it might just be a half-baked idea.

This article was read and approved by Greatist Experts Dr. John Mandrola and Dr. Dessa Bergen-Cico.

Do you think marijuana should be legal? Let us know in the comments below or tweet the author @ShanaDLebowitz.

Source: http://greatist.com/health/what-is-medical-marijuana/

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PFT: Dungy says same-day travel not a big deal

The San Diego Chargers scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, including two defensive touchdowns, to cruise to a 31-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

With Norv Turner?s job security incredibly tenuous entering the game, the Chargers found themselves holding on to a 10-6 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers connected with Malcolm Floyd from 13 yards out to give the Chargers a 17-6 edge with just over 11 minutes to play.

Then the defense put the game away.

On the ensuing possession, Jarret Johnson stripped Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel in the endzone and Shaun Phillips recovered for another Chargers touchdown.

Cassel then watched a pass bounce off the hands of running back Dexter McCluster straight into the arms of linebacker Demorrio Williams that was returned 59 yards for a score as San Diego all of a sudden had a 31-6 lead on their way to getting back to .500 at 4-4.

The Chiefs find themselves at 1-7 and have now played eight full games and have yet to hold a lead at any point this season. Their only victory came on the final play of overtime against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 when Succop hit a 31-yard game-winning field goal.

The Chargers offense came out firing against the Chiefs as Rivers led San Diego on a seven-play, 84-yard drive culminating in a 14-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates to quickly jump on top 7-0.

Rivers was nearly perfect in the first half starting the game 14 of 14 for 179 yards and a touchdown. But with the Chargers threatening in the redzone inside the final minute of the half, Rivers threw a pass away and then was intercepted by safety Eric Berry to keep it just a one-possession game going to the break.

As has been the case all season for Kansas City, they failed to take advantage. Ryan Succop saw his string of 14 straight field goals made come to an end with a missed 39-yard try in the third quarter. Succop did convert from 41 yards out to make it a 10-6 game headed to the fourth quarter, but the Chiefs couldn?t get out of their own way. The Chiefs turned the ball over four times on the night and are dead last in the league with 29 turnovers on the year. The Dallas Cowboys are next on the list with 19.

Rivers finished 18 of 20 for 220 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.

Cassel actually managed the game well and had the Chiefs in striking distance before the Chargers capitalized on Kansas City mistakes. Cassel was 19 of 29 for 181 yards and an interception on the night.

The Chargers travel to Tampa Bay next week while the Chiefs head to Pittsburgh.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/01/dungy-same-day-travel-not-a-major-distraction/related

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Judge: Employee not let go over intelligent design

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? A former computer specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory was not dismissed because he advocated his belief in intelligent design while at work, a Superior Court judge has tentatively ruled.

Judge Ernest Hiroshige said Thursday he is leaning in favor of JPL's argument that David Coppedge instead was let go because he was combative and did not keep his skills sharp.

Hiroshige, who presided over the lawsuit's trial in April, ordered a final ruling to that effect be drawn up and distributed within 30 days.

Coppedge's attorney, William Becker, declined to comment until the final ruling is issued. JPL officials also had no immediate comment.

Coppedge, a self-described evangelical Christian, had worked on NASA's Cassini mission to explore Saturn for 15 years until he was dismissed in 2011.

In his wrongful termination suit, Coppedge claimed he was demoted in 2009, then let go for engaging his co-workers in conversations about intelligent design and for handing out DVDs on the topic while at work. Intelligent design is the belief that life is too complex to have developed through evolution alone.

Becker argued at trial that a supervisor told Coppedge to "stop pushing your religion," and that Coppedge was retaliated against for disputing a written warning and filing a lawsuit against the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

JPL attorney Cameron Fox, however, contended Coppedge was a stubborn and disconnected employee who decided not to heed warnings to get additional training, even when it became clear the Cassini mission would be downsized and computer specialist positions eliminated.

Coppedge often was confrontational and insensitive to customers and colleagues, who had complained about his behavior and his advocacy of intelligent design, Fox said.

Coppedge is active in the intelligent design sphere and runs a website that interprets scientific discoveries through the lens of intelligent design. His father wrote an anti-evolution book and founded a Christian outreach group.

Coppedge also is a board member for Illustra Media, a company that produces video documentaries examining the scientific evidence for intelligent design. The company produces the videos that Coppedge was handing out to co-workers, Becker said.