Rats were Trained as Trackers Landmine in Colombia

BOGOTA - In a laboratory owned by the police, 11 white rats to wait its turn to impress the coach and maybe get a prize.

Ilustration

Rodents it now has an important role to make the Colombian conflict to be safe. The mice are now being trained to find landmines that have killed and injured hundreds of people each year.

Government project that began in 2006 has trained rats to detect the metal used for thousands of landmines that have been used during the conflict with my left.

Colombian scientists decided to use a mouse, like a dog that has traditionally been able to detect the presence of landmines, the rats had increased ability to smell it. Another reason is because the body of mice that light, so it will not blow up the mines.

As reported by Reuters on Thursday (24.11.2011), the rats were previously trained to obey voice commands and recognize the specific odor of the metal used for the mines.

Landmines are providing a new problem for national security, approximately 63 percent of landmine victims were from the military and police officers.

The Colombian government has said that they had cleared the land area of ​​10 hectares in 2010, but only found 194 explosive devices. (RHS)

Adapted from Okezone

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Tradition Cut Finger in Papua, Indonesia

The ceremony cut a finger on the Dani Tribes, Papua

Anguish as had been abandoned by people who loved and lost one family member to evening. Tears and feelings of loss is so profound. Sometimes it took so long to return back pain of loss and not infrequently still imprint hearts.

Tradition Cut Finger in Papua

As with the central highlands of Papua society that symbolizes grief of losing a family member who died not only to weep alone. But there are traditions that are required when there are family members or close relatives such as husband, wife, father, mother, son and brother who died. Tradition is tradition that required cutting a finger. If we look at the tradition of cutting a finger in this tradition must have been present should not be done or perhaps tradition tradition is quite extreme. But for society central highlands of Papua, this tradition is an obligation that must be done. They assume that the cut finger is a symbol of pain and pain of someone who lost some members of his family.

Can be interpreted finger is a symbol of harmony, unity and strength in humans as well as a family. Although the naming of a human finger that is in the hands only mentions one family representative of Thumb. However, if the observed length of each difference in every shape and has a strength of unity and togetherness to relieve all human workload.Complementary to each other as a harmonization of living and life. If one is missing, then the component is lost and diminished the power of togetherness.

Other reasons are "Wene opakima dapulik welaikarek mekehasik" or basic guidelines to live together in one family, one family name / surname, one honai (home), one tribe, one ancestor, one language, one history / origins, and so on (Hisage , Julian Joli, 07:2005).Togetherness is very important for the people the central mountains of Papua. Only the remaining wounds and blood. Poignant, tender covering the atmosphere. Wound the hearts of the bereaved family members are recovering if the wound is healed and the finger does not hurt anymore. Maybe that's why the mountain communities of Papua cut finger when there are families who died.

One mother in Papua ever do traditional cut finger

According to information has grown, that cuts the finger is generally done by the mother.However, did not rule out the cutting is done by members of the family parent male or female. If the cases who died was the wife who has no parents, then the husband who bear them. As has been tercontoh the children of the nation's film titled "Denias, Senandung above the Clouds". Cutting finger also be interpreted as efforts to prevent return or rejection calamity that had claimed the lives of a family member.

Terkisah about trust cuts a finger so as not to repeat the disaster rejection perenggutan lives have been proven through a source that states that met a mother of the tribe Paniai monitor the central highlands of Papua tell you about a severed little finger not because of the death of a family, but being bitten by his biological mother at birth. Events pinkie cuts had to be done because earlier many new-born child died. With all the hope that the events experienced by other children do not happen to her biological mother then cut off his little finger with a bite to cut off his little finger. Sources said that it proved the mother of the tribe monitor that the meet has provided many grandchildren and great-grandson to his biological mother who bit his little finger to break up.

The tradition of cutting the fingers was also conducted by the Yakuza in Japan. This tradition comes from the bakuto the berartikan the gambler. Tradition called yubitsume cut finger. In contrast to the one in Papua cutting a finger as a rejection of the disaster that claimed the lives or the form of mourning for a family member died. However, yubitsume (cut finger) is done as a repentance atapun as a form of punishment. Initially yubitsume symbolic punishment, because the segment of the little finger is cut to make the owner's hand becomes more difficult to hold the sword firmly. It becomes a symbol of sincerity and obedience to the leader.

The tradition of cutting a finger in Papua done in various ways there are to use sharp objects like knives, axes or machetes. Other way that is binding on the finger with a rope to a long time, causing the blood flow stops and blood flow stops when the newly made cutting a finger.

In addition to the tradition of cutting your fingers, there is also a tradition that carried out the ceremony of mourning. Tradition is tradition of mud baths. Mud bath made by groups or members within a specified period. Mud bath has a connotation means any person who has died has returned kea lam. Humans started from the ground and back to the ground.

The tradition of cutting a finger at this time belom some sources suggesting that the ongoing tradition of cutting your fingers, but no source is also a mention of this tradition has become extinct and no longer done. Can be said to exist but are rarely encountered or may be due to the influence of religion began to develop in the vicinity of the central highlands of Papua.

Updated from Papuabaratnews.com

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10 Most Dangerous Toys Named

10 most dangerous toys flagged by consumer group

‘That is a weapon,’ watchdog organization’s president says about the Z-Curve Bow

BOSTON — A Power Rangers "samurai mega blade" and a Godzilla figure with dagger-like attachments are some of the most dangerous toys lurking in stores this holiday season, according to a consumer watchdog group.

Boston-based World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) on Wednesday issued its annual list of the 10 worst children's toys, just in time for the shopping frenzy that typically starts in late November.

This pull-toy duck made by Haba for toddlers may
look innocent but it has a 33-inch long cord
that poses a serious strangulation risk, according to
consumer group World Against Toys Causing Harm.

On the list were items the group said pose risks for choking, electrocution, puncture wounds and more.

Joan Siff, president of WATCH, said there have been at least 28 toy recalls representing 3.8 million units in the United States over the past year.

"Any recall is too late in the process," she said, urging better vetting and testing of toys before they go on sale. "Testing cannot take place in the marketplace."

The group has produced its list each year since 1973, and has been successful in getting a number of toys pulled from the shelves. It found this year's selections at leading big-box retailers, online, and in small specialty stores.

James Swartz, a director of WATCH, demonstrated the "Z-Curve Bow," a foam bow and arrow set recommended for kids eight and over.

A warning label suggested the bow should not be pulled back "at more than half strength" and that "anyone at close distance to the target should be alerted" before firing.

"That is a weapon," Swartz said, shooting an arrow into a wall with a loud thud.

Also featured was a "Fold & Go Trampoline" which came with the warning it should only be used for controlled bouncing.

"What young child has the ability, the desire, the knowledge to use it in that manner?" said Swartz. "That's not possible in the real world."

German wooden toys seem sturdy and rather quaint. But a wooden duck, sold for babies as young as a year, has a pull cord about 33 inches long — a potential strangulation hazard.

The industry's standard limits strings on cribs and playpen toys to 12 inches.

Toys often have thematic tie-ins to popular movies, television shows or books, arguably making them likely choices for shoppers looking for a familiar brand.

On the "Sword Fighting Jack Sparrow" figurine, fashioned after Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp, the pirate's right hand is armed with a 4-inch long, rigid, plastic sword.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that in 2009 about 250,000 toy-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms, a number that has been rising.

Reports of toy hazards, however, "needlessly frighten parents" this time of year, said the Toy Industry Association. It said less than half of one percent of the estimated 3 billion toys sold each year in the United States are recalled.

"Toys are safer now than they've ever been," said Stacy Leistner, a spokesman for the Toy Industry Association, the trade group for the North American toy industry.

The design, testing, production and inspection of toys are constantly being strengthened, the group said.

"Certainly from the industry, safety is our number one priority year round, not just at the holidays," Leistner said.

Sources: MSN

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The Greatest Places to Experience the Simple Life

These are 10 great places:

Block Island, R.I. 

Block Island can be defined by what it lacks: There are no stoplights, no McDonald's, no Holiday Inns. Instead, the town of fewer than 1,000 year-round residents "is a landscape of freshwater ponds, rolling green hills and dramatic 250-foot bluffs," van Ogtrop says. In winter, Block Island becomes an artists' community. 800-383-2474; blockislandinfo.com

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Harrodsburg, Ky. 

It's not uncommon at Shaker Village to see a pair of oxen laboring in the field or a blacksmith in period clothing shoeing a horse. It's a delightful step back in time and "a testament to the simplicity of the Shaker lifestyle," van Ogtrop says. "Plank-and-stone fences lace together nearly 3,000 lush bluegrass acres where a community of Shakers once lived, worked and worshiped." 800-734-5611; shakervillageky.org

Grafton, Vt. 

The town is "a veritable showcase of historic buildings, including a well-stocked general store, a famed cheese company and a working blacksmith shop," van Ogtrop says. Down a tree-lined road and past a covered bridge is the Grafton Inn, one of the USA's older operating inns. The white-clapboard getaway invites travelers to "follow in the footsteps of Rudyard Kipling, who honeymooned here," says van Ogtrop. 802-828-3237; vermontvacation.com

Finger Lakes, N.Y. 

For an up-close and intimate shore-side getaway, van Ogtrop likes the Finger Lakes region. "Of the 11 glacial lakes clustered there, Y-shaped Keuka is said to be the prettiest, and the adjacent state park offers hiking, boating, fishing, and views of the rolling, vineyard-dotted hills," she says. 888-408-1693; FingerLakesTravelNY.com

Grand Teton National Park 

Wyoming 

Grand Teton National Park is home to glacier-chiseled peaks that rise 7,000 feet above the floor of Jackson Hole Valley. You can picnic in aspen groves, where elk graze and bald eagles soar, or check out a ranger program to learn how American Indians used porcupine quills and grizzly claws for artwork, says van Ogtrop. 307-739-3300; nps.gov/grte

The Willamette Valley 

Oregon 

Wine grapes, Oregon - Willamette Valley

Covered bridges and pastoral picnic spots abound in the heart of Oregon's agriculture country. Rural byways are dotted with picturesque barns, hazelnut orchards and vegetable gardens. Plus, van Ogtrop says, some 200 vineyards flourish in the valley. 800-547-7842: traveloregon.com

Point Reyes National Seashore 

Point Reyes Station, Calif. 

Point Reyes Station, CA

"The 30-mile stretch of rugged Marin County wilderness draws hikers, whale watchers, solitude seekers and birders," van Ogtrop says. Whale watching is prime from December to March, and elephant seals populate the beach near Chimney Rock from December through April. "Make an alfresco lunch of barbecued oysters, a local delicacy, from the Hog Island Oyster Company," van Ogtrop suggests. "And catch an unforgettable sunset in Muir Beach." 415-464-5100; nps.gov/pore

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness 

Northern Minnesota 

The region consists of more than 1 million acres, including 1,200 miles of mapped canoe routes. You won't find any roads, and with more than 1,000 lakes, rivers and streams to explore, a paddler's sense of isolation and timelessness remains intact, van Ogtrop says. "Head to Ely to rent gear for canoe-and-camp outings, or book a trip with Williams and Hall Outfitters, who will fly you deep into the backcountry," she says. exploreminnesota.com

Seward, Alaska 

Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska

The town is an ideal place to sail among silver salmon, climb up rocky trails, photograph puffins and stop to smell the wildflowers. It's easy to spot humpback whales, which have been known to swim within 10 feet of the shore, van Ogtrop says. You can also arrange a wildlife-viewing cruise past the glaciers at nearby Kenai Fjords National Park, or kayak in Resurrection Bay, watching for black bears and bald eagles, she adds. 907-224-8051; seward.com

Molokai, Hawaii

Molokai, Halawa Valley, couple at waterfalls, Hawaii

The buildings on this rural island are no taller than a coconut tree. Fishing for your dinner is common. And the central town of Kaunakakai has not changed much since the early 1900s. It's "a lush, untouched oasis, devoid of even a single traffic signal," van Ogtrop says. "You'll feel light-years away from the sunburned crowds of Waikiki (not to mention home)." 800-800-6367; molokai-hawaii.com

Updated by LetsReadGUsTi from UsaToday

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