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Contributing To Scientific Research By Donating Cord Blood

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Once thought to be useless, the umbilical cord cut after birth has been used successfully, over the last two decades, to treat more than 70 diseases, including some forms of cancer, blood disorders, immune deficiencies, or rare metabolic disorders. The cord blood left in the umbilical cord is an important source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) normally found and extracted from the bone marrow, and responsible for the blood supply throughout our lives. According to some scientific reports, apart from HSCs, cord blood may also contain some other forms of stem cells that can produce specialized cells (i.e. nerve cells or liver cells), but this finding is still under research. Clinical trials are under way all over the world, wherein children are being infused with cord blood stem cells extracted from their own umbilical cord, in an attempt to develop therapies for cerebral palsy, autism, hydrocephalus, type 1 diabetes, traumatic brain injuries or congenital heart flaws that would otherwise require surgery. Researchers are also optimistic about the possibility to use some day a patients own cord blood stem cells to treat rare diseases or cancer types that are not genetically determined. This summer, the scientists at the Anthony Nolan Research Institute discovered that some proteins - called soluble NKG2D ligands that can be found in the umbilical cord blood are also very useful in the treatment of eczema and rheumatoid arthritis. The role of these ligands in the human body is to annihilate the natural killer cells in the immune system, which, therefore, makes them an extremely valuable material in the possible treatment of autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. Another extremely important discovery was made by the Canadian scientists from the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at the Montreal University who developed a molecule that, when coupled to a bioreactor, allowed them to multiply by 10 the number of stems cells extracted from a cord blood unit. This is the most encouraging news for all the patients in the world waiting for a life-saving transplant. It could be a major breakthrough in medicine, since one of the biggest challenges in the use of stem cells so far has been the number of stem cells needed for a successful transplant.

Use A Courier For The Rush Delivery

Canadian women will be happy to know that, since the autumn of 2013, it is possible, as a second option, to donate cord blood to the National Public Cord Blood Bank where the stored cord blood from the public database is then available for any compatible patient in need of a stem cell transplant. If you are a healthy mother-to-be, with no known history of blood diseases in your family and, hence, contemplating the idea of donating your babys cord blood for scientific research, you should also remember that time is of the essence in this kind of medical procedure. For a successful cord blood sampling and shipment, I recommend using a courier to make the rush delivery, Canada being home to many professional companies with experience in delivering cord blood samples.

Useful Advice For How To Attract An Aquarius Man

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If youre looking for some true fun, adventure and excitement in your life - then its a good idea to date an Aquarius man. These gentlemen tend to have a great desire for fun and adventure, which means when youre in a relationship with one, theyll be taking you along for the ride, too!

But before you get to this stage, you need to learn how to get an Aquarius man's love interest, and ultimately make him fall for you. With this in mind, wed like to share some useful tips and advice thatll help you stand out from the crowd, and ultimately win his heart.

To begin with, Aquarius men tend to be very social, so you may struggle to find any alone time with him at all. Obviously this can be frustrating, but if hes important to you, its important to be patient and bide your time.

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Therell always be a moment where you can spend a little time alone together, and this will be the perfect opportunity to deepen the relationship between the two of you. If youre observant, you should be able to spot when these moments are going to occur, so you can be in the right place at the right time.

Next, youll need to demonstrate certain qualities that the Aquarius man is sure to find irresistible. Above all, an Aquarius man is very principled, with a strong ethical code on how he treats and respects other people. This means you should never gossip about people behind their backs - especially when youre talking to an Aquarius. While it may be tempting to talk negatively about your potential rivals - and while the Aquarius man may listen to you - deep down he will be losing respect for you.

Its also important to show him that you have similar principles in regards to how you treat others, and how you allow other to treat you. As confident and highly social people, an Aquarius is likely to have a lot of friends, as well as pride themselves on being a good friend to others. This means hell happily respect your thoughts and opinions, just as long as you have them!

In general, Aquarius men dislike wishy washy people who wont stick up for themselves and what they truly believe in. With this in mind, dont be afraid to express what you really think whenever youre in the company of an Aquarius man - because hes likely to respect you for being yourself, and this will certainly pique his interest in you straight away.

The History Of The Chinese Zodiac

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There are two distinct philosophies related to the history of the Chinese Zodiac

1. The Tale

From a young age, children are told the story of how the Jade Emperor called upon all the animals in the world to attend a banquet. The order in which they arrived, determines the order of the zodiac. The Rat won the race to the palace, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit Dragon, Snake, Ram, Monkey, Chicken, Dog and lastly the Pig.

The tale goes onto to relate the tactics that the various animals used to get ahead. For example, the Rat, sneaky and cunning, sat on the head of the Ox to win the race by a whisker. These tactics are used to define the different characteristics of the zodiac signs.

While this is a sweet tale to teach the different zodiac signs and characteristics, the actual history is far more complicated and difficult to unravel.

2. The Reality

Just like the roots of Hinduism and some other oriental religions, the background of the Chinese Zodiac is difficult to trace and there is still much debate among scholars regarding the actual history.

Early artifacts dating back to around 221 BC, depicts signs of the various zodiac animals which dictates that the aspects were introduced to China via the Silk Road from India. However, other experts believe that the roots can be found much earlier in Chinese history when the first astronomers used Jupiter as their constant. Jupiter orbits the earth every 12 years and thus the 12 signs of the zodiac were created.

Yet another set of scholars follows the belief that early nomads and hunting tribes were responsible for the development of the Chinese zodiac through the depiction of animals that were prolific during certain periods. It is from this basis that we have seen the development of what are Chinese Horoscopes. These horoscopes play a large part in the lives of Chinese people and are based on this ancient format of 12 zodiac animals.

3. Modern Day Chinese Astrology

The Chinese Zodiac and Astronomy have seen changes over the centuries due to various rulers implementing adjustments to suit their political agendas. However, the current zodiac has seen no changes for an extended period of time.

Despite political attempts to eliminate the practice and following of Chinese astronomical beliefs, the custom is still highly revered and forms an established part of Chinese culture in modern society. The customs are widely practiced in business, relationships as well as everyday life. Chinese astronomy is also used in conjunction with other religions and doctrines such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Numerology, etc.

Healthy relationships lead to better lives

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Unless you’re shipwrecked on a deserted island, you probably enjoy a handful of close relationships. From spouses to children to friends, parents, siblings and significant others, healthy relationships build self-esteem, improve mental and emotional health and help you live a fuller life.
“Relationships are — not surprisingly — enormously important for health, and there are lots of studies on the biological processes that account for the link between relationships and health,” says psychology professor Arthur Aron, PhD, director of the Interpersonal Relationships Laboratory at New York’s Stony Brook University.
The quality of our personal relationships also has an enormous impact on our physical health, as evidenced by a hefty number of research studies.
“We support each other in getting enough exercise, eating right, flossing — all the things that make for better health can be supported or undermined by close relationships,” Aron says.
In the movie “Cast Away,” Tom Hanks’ character — stranded on an uninhabited island — creates a face on a volleyball and talks to the ball, which he names “Wilson,” as if it were a person. Though fictional and funny, the gesture illustrates something very basic about us: Relationships are important — so important, in fact, that our brains are hardwired to form them.
“Evolution has set us up to be very good in relationships and to make them happen,” says Aron, who also teaches an undergraduate course on close relationships. “We have evolved to form relationships and to keep them together to raise children.”
That said, have you ever wondered why some of your relationships are more effective than others? Researchers have learned a lot in the last 30 years about what makes good relationships tick, and it boils down to just a few things. Unfortunately, most folks are only minimally aware of those elements, Aron says, and therefore aren’t doing everything they could be doing to improve their relationships.
Mind your mental health
Without question, the mental health of all parties is the most important element of a good relationship. If you suffer from depression, anxiety, insecurity or low self-esteem, seek help from a health professional right away, because it’s not just you, but also your relationship, that will suffer.
You can’t always control the stressors in your life, but for your relationships to be effective, try to keep stress to a minimum.
Also, be understanding when others are going through a tough time. Someone who loses her or his job, for example, might behave negatively for a little while. But things should get better eventually.
Keep the lines open
“We just don’t communicate!” is a common refrain in relationships — too common in fact, because after mental health, effective communication is the second most important ingredient in a healthy relationship.
Communication is important because conflicts are inevitable in relationships, and “most people are poorly prepared to deal with them well,” Aron says.
But there’s plenty of help out there. If you’re planning to wed, take advantage of the preparation courses offered through places of worship or community programs.
If you are already in a relationship, think about registering for a weekend seminar or marital enrichment course, often offered through churches, synagogues and community recreation departments.
And if you think the communication between you and your partner needs some extra help, consider couples counseling or marital therapy.
Build a bridge of support
Support from family and friends is an ingredient that repeatedly surfaces in good relationships. You might need someone to take the kids for the night, or help with carpooling. If you have a support system in place, or live near friends and family, don’t be afraid to ask them for a helping hand, a sympathetic ear or advice.
“All relationships require effort and attention,” Aron says. “Sometimes that effort and attention is automatic, such as with an infant. Beyond what is automatic, for most relationships, we usually need to put attention and effort into them, and it pays off.”

Warning For Those Driving while Drunk under the Influence

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The cost of the damage in accidents caused by drunk drivers is not only quantified in terms of its financial aspects. The authorities also take into consideration the cost in terms of human lives. According to the US Department of Transportation, at least one person dies every hour due to an alcohol-related accident. Another sad fact is that most of these casualties are composed of children who were either pedestrians or were riding in the same vehicle as the drunk driver. For information on legal representation, visit PietyHillDesign. This is why the government has tightened the laws that encompass people who drive while they are drunk under the influence. Some of the measures that have already been taken to prevent people from driving while intoxicated include: 1. Strict implementation of the rules on the acceptable Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Drivers could possibly avoid getting charged for driving while drunk is if their BACs are below .08%. However, there is still a chance that the driver could be arrested even if his BAC is .01% if the arresting officer finds probable cause. 2. Strict implementation of the minimum age for legally drinking alcoholic beverages. Previous statistics have shown a high percentage of teens that were driving while drunk under the influence and have since caused extensive damage to property and loss of lives. In most cases, the teen drivers were the very first casualties of the accidents. There are many other rules that have contributed greatly to the prevention of injuries associated with drunk driving. However, the government should not be alone in fighting the ill effects of DUI. The populace can also play an important role in bringing down the statistics. They can start by taking precautions to avoid getting into accidents and to make sure that the people around them are safe as well. These precautions would come in handy during the endless nights of painting the town red with your friends. One of the simplest precautions to take is to assign somebody to be the driver at the end of the night. That person has to remain sober at all costs. To even out the playing field, each person in the group can be assigned as the sober driver so that everyone can take turns in being the responsible adult of the group. Otherwise, you just might end up behind bars for driving while drunk under the influence and in need of the services of the best DUI lawyer in town.
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The Extensive Repercussions of Driving While Drunk under the Influence

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Everyone knows that drunk driving is not only risky and dangerous for the one driving but also to his passengers (if there are any) and to other people on the road, like pedestrians or other drivers. In the United States alone, 30 people die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. That’s like one death occurring every 51 minutes!

Alarming Facts about Drunk Driving

In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in alcohol-related accidents. That accounted for nearly 31 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. That same year, there were 1,149 reported traffic deaths among children aged 0 to 14 years. Of these, 200, or 17 percent, involved an alcohol-impaired driver, with 121 of these involving children who were riding in the vehicle of the guilty driver. Apparently, DUI costs federal and local governments, as well as American taxpayers, $51 billion each year. The figures are alarming and should be sobering. Sadly, though, half of Americans will still get behind the wheel of the car and drive while under the influence of alcohol, unmindful of the potential consequences. However, apart from lives lost and injuries sustained, there are other repercussions of drunk driving and the ensuing accidents.

Repercussions of Drunk Driving

Accidents caused by drunk drivers usually lead to serious, long-lasting legal consequences. If you happen to injure someone because of drunk driving, you would have to pay for your victim’s medical treatment and lost wages. You could also face legal charges, the penalties of which depend on the severity of the accident. The most common is arrest for driving under the influence, and more often than not, this incurs fines, suspension of your license, and other penalties. The worst case scenario is when you are charged with wrongful death, reckless driving, and a host of other criminal charges all because you were irresponsible enough to drive while buzzed from alcohol. When criminal charges are in place, you will need the help of a lawyer to ensure that these are legal and justified. For more information on legal representation, please visit americanguineahogassociation.org. Never expect to get out of it all scot-free. If you’re found guilty, there’s no other recourse but to face the consequences of your wrongdoing. It can be easier if you get a good lawyer to represent you such as a DUI Lawyer in Anaheim. Your lawyer will be there to help make sure you would still be entitled to your rights, as well as to handle the settlements with the aggrieved party. Keeping in mind all the repercussions of DUI should prevent you from doing it. Remember, aside from the expense and the possible legal charges, you would also have to live with guilt especially if your drunk driving took the life of another.