Audi Crossover Q3 Baru, Siap Menjegal BMW X1

Shear Blog - Audi AG bakal memboyong Q3 crossover di Shanghai Motor Show Akhir bulan ini. tentu ada yang penasaran, seperti apa wujudnya? Kebetulan, produsen yang berbasis di Ingolstadt, Jerman ini membocorkannya, meski dalam bentuk sketsa melalui media internet. Audi Q3 diposisikan untuk menjegal rival lain disegmen yang sama seperti BMW X1 dan Range Rover Evoque. Tampilannya lebih tangguh dan dimensi lebih kecil dari Q5. 

Desain grill, lampu utama maupun bemper tak beda jauh dengan "sang kakak" (Q5). Dari kabar yang berhembus, Audi bakal membekali mobil ini dengan beberapa varian mesin, di antaranya 2.0 liter empat silinder turbo TFSI bertenaga 200hp dan 3.0 liter diesel serta 3.0 liter bensin supercharged V6 bertenaga 333hp.

Produksi Q3 akan dilakukan oleh perusahaan induk Volkswagen AG di pabrik Martorell dekat Barcelona, Spanyol. Pembukaan pabrik ini bakal menyerap sedikitnya 700 tenaga kerja baru dan kabarnya, VW juga lagi menyiapkan merek baru, Seat mendampingi Audi.

Dipilihnya China sebagai lokasi kemunculan Q3 perdana karena menjadi pasar terpenting Audi sekarang ini. Sepanjang kuartal pertama tahun ini penjualan di China dan Hong Kong tercatat 64.122 unit naik 24,5 persen dibandingkan periode yang sama tahun lalu.

"Meneruskan rekor kami tahun lalu, kuartal pertama 2011 kami berhasil mencapai pertumbuhan positif di CHina. Tahun ini kami menargetkan penjualan sedikitnya 280.000 unit," ujar Peter Schwarzenbauer, Direksi Pemasaran dan Penjualan Audi AG.

Sumber : KOMPAS.com

Britain sold weapons to Libya and other dictatorships, The 'Dirty Secret'

Shear Blog - Britain sold weapons to Libya and other dictatorships in North Africa and the Middle East just four months before Colonel Gaddafi’s regime slaughtered hundreds of protesters, a damning report reveals today. Ministers approved the export of sniper rifles, bullets, tear gas and other ‘crowd control’ ammunition to Tripoli shortly before the murderous dictator ordered his military to crush a pro-democracy uprising.

The highly critical report by MPs laid bare the ‘dirty secret’ of Britain selling arms to some of the world’s most brutal regimes. Successive British governments have ‘misjudged the risk’, the Commons’ Committee on Arms Export Controls said. The report follows mounting fears Gaddafi used UK-made arms against the rebel uprising in Libya. More than 1,000 Libyan citizens have been killed since his violent crackdown was launched. Official figures show that since 2009, Britain approved export licences worth £2.3billion to 16 states over a 21-month period.

Military export licenses to Libya alone since the start of 2009 totalled £61.3million, according to Department for Business figures. The UK also awarded Bahrain £6million of licences covering submachine guns, sniper rifles, CS hand grenades, smoke canisters, stun grenades and riot control agents. At least 26 citizens have been killed and 1,000 injured as the Gulf state cracked down on freedom campaigners. Britain also approved arms licenses totalling £1.7billion to Saudi Arabia, £20.4million to Egypt, £276.9million to Algeria and £52.8million to the United Arab Emirates.

Body armour and night vision goggles have been approved for Yemen, small arms ammunition for Syria, and sniper rifles, aircraft components and armoured personnel carriers for Saudi Arabia. MPs on the cross-party committee admitted the Coalition government had been ‘vigorously backpedalling’ to revoke 156 arms export licences to the region since the ‘Arab Spring’ of uprisings began. But they raised concerns about sales of arms in the first place by Gordon Brown and David Cameron to authoritarian regimes, in deals which are at odds with Britain’s stance on upholding human rights.

The report concluded: ‘Both the present Government and its predecessor misjudged the risk that arms approved for export to certain countries in North Africa and the Middle East might be used for internal repression. ‘We recommend the Government sets out how it intends to reconcile the potential conflict of interest between increased emphasis on promoting arms exports with the staunch upholding of human rights.’

Sir John Stanley, the committee’s Tory chairman, said the hasty withdrawal of so many export licences after several regimes brutally turned their guns on protesters ‘reflected the degree of policy misjudgement that has occurred’. Ministers have ordered a sweeping review into the issuing of arms export licences.

Kaye Stearman, of Campaign Against Arms Trade, said: ‘This is a damning report that shines light on the dirty secret of Britain’s arms exports to authoritarian, undemocratic and abusive regimes. This should be a wake-up call to the Government.’ Oliver Sprague, Amnesty International’s UK arms programme director, said: ‘Plainly decisions made in the past on arms sales to the Middle East and North Africa have been wrong.’ Labour ministers were said to have approved the sale of the crowd control weapons to Gaddafi while negotiations were under way over the fate of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Al Megrahi. 

Source : English KOMPAS

"wolf in a business suit", New BMW M5

Shear Blog - BMW has unveiled the new generation of its super-sedan, the M5, as a thinly disguised concept. The Concept M5 will go on public display for the first time at the Shanghai motor show later this month before reaching Australia in barely changed production form in early 2012.

Regardless of angle viewed from, the M5 will look clearly more muscular than other 5-Series models, adhering to BMW's description of the car as a "wolf in a business suit". Larger, gaping air intakes sit below the trademark double-kidney grille and xenon headlights at the front, small air vents are built into the front guards, and at the rear the bootlid gains a subtle spoiler and the lower bumper features a downforce-creating diffuser sandwiched by dual tail-pipes on either side.

The M5 also sits lower than other Fives, on a sportier suspension developed by BMW's renowned M performance division engineers. The concept sits on large, 20-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile rubber. The concept car features tinted windows and body paint BMW calls 'chrome shadow'. Codenamed F10, the fifth M5 since the mid 1980s will use a twin-turbo V8 that will have "significantly increased power output" over the previous model propelled by a 373kW V10.

The 4.4-litre unit is expected to produce close to 420kW, with that power sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Despite the addition of turbochargers, BMW says the high-revving V8 will "deliver a spontaneous and even acceleration". A stop-start system will also help improve fuel economy and emissions by 25 per cent, according to the German car maker. This would equate to a consumption figure of about 10.7 litres of fuel use per 100km. 

Source : English KOMPAS

Peritoneal Mesothelioma - Mesothelioma Type

Shear Blog - Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. This is a relatively rare form of mesothelioma; approximately 10 to 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases are peritoneal in nature.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include pain or swelling of the abdomen, changes in bowel habits (such as constipation or diarrhea), unexplained weight loss, and nausea or vomiting. These symptoms are caused by thickening of peritoneal membranes and fluid build-up, which puts pressure on internal organs and prevents normal function of some organs. As the cancer advances, people with peritoneal mesothelioma may notice lumps developing under the skin of the abdomen.

Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma involves imaging tests such as CT scans and MRIs, as well as biopsies of fluid and tissue to detect the presence of mesothelioma cells. There is currently no recognized staging process for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is problematic in terms of treatment, because the cancer can spread quickly throughout the peritoneum and often metastasizes more quickly than other types of mesothelioma. In some cases surgery is possible, but this is typically a palliative treatment option.

Pleural Mesothelioma - Mesothelioma Type

Shear Blog - Pleural mesothelioma develops in the mesothelial lining of the lungs, which is known as the pleura. About 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pleural.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include difficulty swallowing, a persistent dry cough, persistent chest pain, or pain when breathing, and difficulty breathing even when resting. These mesothelioma symptoms result from pressure on the lungs and respiratory system, caused by thickening of the pleural membrane and fluid build-up between membrane layers. As the cancer advances, lumps may develop under the skin of the chest.

Diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma involves imaging tests such as chest x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, and may also include biopsies that remove tissue and fluid to test for the presence of cancer cells. These tests also help determine the stage of the cancer and the options available for treatment. Generally, patients in stage one and two mesothelioma are good candidates for surgery, whereas patients in stages three and four have more limited treatment options, and may only be able to receive palliative treatments.

Mesothelioma Type - Benign Mesothelioma Article

Shear Blog - Mesothelioma is caused by long-term, repeated exposure to asbestos fibers. The disease is generally found in four different forms: pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and testicular. In each case, the cancer develops in mesothelial cells, which form the membranous linings that surround and protect organs. The different names for each type of mesothelioma refer to the point of origin of the cancer. 

Mesothelial membranes are made up of two different layers, called the parietal and visceral layers. Parietal layers are outer layers, and these typically cover large areas such as the chest cavity (in the case of pleural and pericardial membranes) and the abdominal cavity (as in the case of peritoneal membranes). Visceral layers are those that cover organs such as the lungs and heart. Mesothelioma develops in these membranes when asbestos fibers become trapped in the spaces between mesothelial cells. 

Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive type of asbestos cancer, and is highly resistant to treatment, resulting in very high mortality rates and poor prognosis for people diagnosed with the disease. In general, pleural mesothelioma responds more positively to treatment, particularly if the disease is diagnosed early. However, all forms of mesothelioma are difficult to diagnose, and unfortunately, it is common for the disease to be diagnosed too late for treatment to be effective.

The type of mesothelioma a patient is diagnosed with will invariably determine the treatment plan suggested by their doctor. A myriad of treatment options are available for patients diagnosed with all types of mesothelioma and a comprehensive packet detailing the options will be provided overnight to those interested who fill out this form.

(Benign Mesothelioma) Mesothelioma Nutrition

Shear Blog - Without a current cure for mesothelioma, patients battling the cancer often want to fight it in every way possible. Nutritious eating is a wonderful way to instill mesothelioma hope and equip the immune system with positive fuel. The food and nutrients that we put into our bodies greatly affect our ability to heal and fight disease. 

Eating a balanced diet consisting of whole grains, proteins, dairy, fruits and vegetables enables the body to function properly and adequately fight infection and illness. Eating nutritious food while actively fighting mesothelioma through treatment may not cure the cancer, but fighting the disease from every angle will give patients the best possible outlook. 

Mesothelioma patients undergoing various treatments may have additional nutritional concerns. Nutrition during chemotherapy is extremely important as the drugs used during treatment kill cancer cells, but simultaneously affect healthy cells as well, leaving the body in a weakened state.

Many patients may experience side effects from the treatment, including nausea and diarrhea. Mild flavored foods such as whole grain toast may settle the stomach and be easier to keep down during treatment. To combat constipation, patients should select foods with a large amount of fiber such as apples, oatmeal and broccoli. Ensuring adequate protein consumption is also important and many patients include egg whites, beans, milk and lean meats in their daily diet.

Patients undergoing radiation therapy may also experience side effects such as vomiting and loss of appetite. Since radiation can zap energy, it is important to eat nutritious foods with healthy calories to fuel the body properly. Limiting the amount of salt, alcohol and caffeine ingested during treatment is also very important. Speaking with a doctor or a nutritionist can help a patient receive guidance about proper nutrition and recommended foods to eat or avoid during radiation.

It is also important for those recovering from cancer to be mindful of their diet. Additional information about nutrition and cancer recovery can be found in the Mesothelioma Cancer and Nutrition section of our Web site. 

Thanks to : http://www.asbestos.com/treatment/mesothelioma-cure.php

Mesothelioma Prognosis and Survival

Shear Blog - Mesothelioma Prognosis and Survival  : Though many patients and their loved ones often get discouraged if the prognosis following a mesothelioma diagnosis comes back poor, it is important to remember that a number of patients have survived much longer than their initial prognosis suggested. Prognosis is generally poor because most patients do not exhibit symptoms of mesothelioma until 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos occurred, allowing the cancer to develop and mature in the body. 

The development of tests to aid in early diagnosis, such as the Mesomark blood test, will hopefully help mesothelioma patients receive treatment in the earlier stages of the cancer. Early diagnosis results in greater treatment options available to mesothelioma patients which can greatly improve a patient's prognosis. 

Research reveals that mesothelioma patients who have survived for many years with the disease have commonly participated in some sort of therapy to enhance their immune system. Participation in clinical trials in immunology and other alternative therapies relating to the immune system have yielded positive results in some instances. 

Researchers theorize that mesothelioma likely results from immune suppression and mesothelioma survivors

that participated in treatments to improve the immune system may have experienced positive results because of this participation.

Radiasi Nuklir Mengancam Kehidupan Laut di Jepang

Shear Blog - Kehidupan bahari dapat terganggu apabila bahan radioaktif dari pembangkit listrik Fukushima terus mencemari laut. Kematian dan mutasi mungkin terjadi. Demikian peringatan dari para ahli. Satwa di laut bisa terpengaruh oleh radiasi dalam berbagai cara: membunuh, mutasi yang menurun, atau memasukkan bahan radioaktif dalam rantai makanan. "Pencemaran radioaktif memang berpotensi mematikan, tapi lebih menyeramkan lagi adalah efek pada gen hewan yang terpapar," demikian kata Jospeh Rachlin, direktur laboratorium bahari di Lehman College, New York. Rachlin menjelaskan, efek pada genetika ini merupakan masalah utama karena dapat diturunkan.

Telur dan larva organisme laut sangat sensitif terhadap radiasi. "Atom radioaktif bisa menggantikan atom lain dalam tubuh, membuat perubahan pada DNA," kata ahli radioekologi F. Ward Whicker. Organisme yang DNA-nya berubah biasanya tidak dapat bertahan hidup, tapi pada beberapa organisme, kelainan itu diturunkan ke generasi berikutnya. "Apa pun kejadiannya, populasi dan kemampuan hidup terganggu," kata Rachlin. Menurut Rachlin, makhluk hidup yang paling rentan adalah ubur-ubur, cacing laut, dan invertebrata laut lain. Meskipun demikian, "ikan juga sangat berisiko terkena," kata Rachlin.

Radiasi bisa masuk ke dalam rantai makanan ketika hewan memakan tanaman teradiasi atau hewan lain yang juga teradiasi. "Isu ini tidak bisa dianggap remeh karena bisa menyebarkan kerusakan," jelas Rachlin.

Laut sendiri, seperti dijelaskan oleh Whicker, punya kemampuan bertahan dari radiasi. Lingkungan bisa kembali baik seiring dengan waktu. "Radioaktif mengurang dan akhirnya menghilang," katanya. Akan tetapi ia juga mengatakan kalau belum pernah ada studi mengenai efek radioaktif dalam jumlah besar terlepas ke dalam ekosistem bahari. Data terbaik saat ini berasal dari pengujian senjata nuklir di Pasifik pada tahun 1950-an dan 1960-an. "Jika kebocoran di Jepang berlangsung hingga beberapa bulan ke depan, kehidupan bahari di Jepang akan menghadapi masalah serius," tegas Whicker.

Dalam seminggu terakhir, sampel air laut yang diambil di sekitar Fukushima menunjukkan kenaikan level isotop radioaktif, termasuk sesium 137 dan yodium 131. Rabu minggu lalu, seperti dilaporkan oleh Associated Press, jumlah yodium mencapai 3.355 kali dari batas aman untuk air laut. Pada tanggal 28 bulan lalu, kadar sesium mencapai 20 kali batas aman. (Sumber: National Geographic News, Associated Press, New York Times)

Sumber : National Geographic Indonesia

Lagi-Lagi Rekayasa Genetika, Apa Tidak Ada Cara Lain Lagi ???

Shear Blog - Ilmuwan merekayasa gen sapi sehingga menghasilkan susu yang nutrisinya mirip dengan ASI. Para ilmuwan di balik penelitian berharap susu yang dihasilkan oleh sapi-sapi tersebut dapat menjadi alternatif bagi para ibu yang kesulitan memberi ASI pada bayi. Susu ini juga jadi pengganti susu formula yang penggunaannya sering menuai kritik.

Profesor Nang Li, ilmuwan yang memimpin peneliti dan direktur State Key Laboratories for AgroBiotechnologi dari China Agricultural University menegaskan kalau susu ini seaman susu biasa yang berasal dari sapi. "Rasanya saja sedikit lebih menyengat," katanya. Ia berencana melakukan penelitian panjang, 10 tahun atau lebih, untuk membuat susu ini siap dikonsumsi.

Secara natural ASI sudah mengandung protein, karbohidrat, lemak, mineral, dan vitamin dalam kadar yang tepat bagi bayi untuk tumbuh. ASI juga membantu meningkatkan daya tahan tubuh bayi agar dapat selamat dari infeksi pada masa-masa awal. ASI mengandung lisozim, protein antibakteri yang membantu melindungi bayi dari infeksi bakteri pada masa-masa awal kehidupan. ASI juga mengandung laktoferin dan alfa-laktalbumin.

Sementara itu, susu sapi hanya menyediakan nutrisi dasar. "Tapi masalah seperti pencernaan dan penyerapan membuat susu sapi bukan makanan sempurna untuk manusia," kata Li. Untuk membuat susu sapi memiliki nutrisi yang sama dengan ASI, peneliti memasukkan gen manusia ke dalam DNA sapi. Susu hasil rekayasa genetika ini juga mengandung protein dalam ASI lain, seperti laktoferin dan alfa-laktalbumin. Mereka juga berhasil meningkatkan kandungan lemak sehingga semakin mirip ASI. Profesor Li menyebutnya, "Memanusiakan susu sapi."

Kontroversi
Makanan yang dihasilkan dari modifikasi gen masih menjadi perdebatan dalam hal keselamatan. Saat ini makanan seperti itu hanya dapat dijual di Inggris dan Eropa. Itu pun setelah melewati rangkaian panjang tes keselamatan. Di pasar, konsumen mencari makanan yang bebas dari rekayasa genetika.

Para penentang rekayasa genetika mengatakan kalau teknologi tersebut tidak hanya belum tentu amat dikonsumsi, tapi juga memiliki ancaman bagi lingkungan. Sementara itu, ilmuwan di bidang ini merasa makanan hasil rekayasa genetika nyaris tak mungkin jadi ancaman terhadap kesehatan. "Makanan hasil modifikasi gen tidak akan berbahaya kecuali ada gen pemicu racun dimasukkan," kata Profesor Keith Campbell, ahl biologi dari University of Nottingham. "Makanan hasil modifikasi genetika tidak akan berbahaya jika dilakukan dengan benar. Malah bisa membuat keuntungan bagi pelanggan karena produknya lebih baik," tambahnya. (Sumber: The Telegraph)

Sumber : National Geographic Indonesia