A habit of picking or wiping one’s nose could lead to flu and pneumonia according to study, doctors have advised the public to frequently wash their hand to remove bacteria and germ build ups that our fingers are used to pick the nose.
In a UK study, it found that bacteria and germs can be transmitted through our dirty fingers and hands that can enter our body into our nose, in this case there will be a high risk of landing a flu or pneumonia. Picking the nose may seem to be harmless habit but after the study it surely not a good idea.
With viruses can easily enter our body through our nose specially when we are out in public places. Viruses and bacteria from different things like mall escalators, door knobs, elevators, bus and train hand rails and any other places, these viruses can last for an hour in our hands.
Doctors advises the often washing of hands, if someone’s immune system is weak these virus that enters the nose could lead to pneumonia. Also, the best is to try not to remove the habit of picking or wiping the nose.
Clinical trials on a herbal medicine that is formulated to cure dengue have started after it has been presented in the recent conference which is led by pharmacologist – epidemiologists Dr. Rita Grace Alvero and group of researchers from De La Salle University – Dasmarinas Medical Health Sciences Institute as reported by Philstar.
The researchers were very determined to pursue the development of the drug that can cure the deadly dengue as it is presented at the National Research and Development Conference held by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay, Manila.
According Dr. Alvero, the medicine is formulated in three endemic plants or herbal plants found in the Philippines that is proved in curing dengue and it will be ready by the end of year 2020 as this breakthrough drug will help a lot.
DOST – Philippine Council for health Research and Development totally supports the development of the dengue drug and had provided initial financial grant to the team of researchers to develop the potential dengue cure. Dengue is one of the leading killer disease in the Philippines.
A 77year old senior citizen claimed the title as the fastest senior citizen after winning big time at global track and field event. Hsu Yong-chung a Taiwanese senior citizen athlete, finished the final 200 meter dash in just 29.49 seconds in World Master Athletics in Spain.
For a senior citizen, a 29.49 seconds dash in 200 meter is fast and that is how good he is. The 77 year old also bagged the gold medal for 200 meter, 300 meter and 400 meter hurdle dash, any athlete would be happy for that kind of performance but for him it is very extra special.
According to Hsu, he became deeply emotional when the awarding ceremony arrives watching his home flag of Taiwan rise up while playing the national anthem.
When Hsu is in his High School years, he is a superstar in his school in track and field. Though he move to work and has a family to feed. When he turned 70, he revived the love the sport of track and field and began training as he look forward to join more events and compete.
In a released report, 7 districts in Taichung City have found that it contains very unacceptable level of PM2.5 and first level airborne carcinogens in a study of air pollution. Taichung as a whole did not exceed the standard limits but the 7 districts have high level of carcinogens according to the study.
Inhaling a high level of carcinogens put residents at high health risk that may lead to cancer. The following 7 districts with high level of carcinogens in Taichung are:
1. Houli District
2. Longjing District
3. Situn District
4. Wuci District
5. Cingshuei District
6. Dadu District
7. Daya District
The study focuses on exposure to air pollution near Taichung Power Plant, Dragon Steel Co Ltd and Central Taiwan Science Park that cause residents within the districts to panic.
The eight first level carcinogens include arsenic, cadmium, nickel and dioxin and anyone who inhale those substance may face high health risk specially on pregnant women, children, elderly and sensitive in health. According to officials, to eradicate the problem is to remove the source as the city government are started to deal with it.
There are at least 70% of claw machine arcades in Taiwan that have items that are illegal and have violated several laws and regulation of the country according to the released investigation by Consumer Protection Committee and the Consumers’ Foundation of Taiwan.
Arcade claw machines violated mostly that these machines are within 100 meters within schools. In the investigation within major cities in Taiwan, 20% are within 100 of school and 70% have illegal items like electric cigarette, electric lighters, lingerie, sex toys, adult anime and other adult products.
Claw machines in Taiwan are very abundant and you can see them in almost every corner. The investigation show in 143 crane game arcades that 30% in major Taiwan cities violated the 100meter rule, while there were no found violators in Kaohsiung.
Adult products are not allowed to go in the crane game as they are not suitable for children or teenagers and is a violation to owners pointed by the organization. In 20 claw machine venues, 14 were found with violation making it a ratio of 70% fail rate.
Listed violations of 70% of crane game are the ff:
1. Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act
2. Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act
3. Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation
4. Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease
5. Pharmaceutical Affairs Act
6. Gambling-related crimes under the Criminal Code
The mysterious sparkling blue light dubbed by the local residents as “Blue Tears” can be spotted in Kinmen County in spring it has become a tourist destination and attraction. It is a one of kind natural phenomenon and it is noticed long time ago when Kinmen opened their coastline to tourists.
The area have become popular due to this sighting according to Kinmen County Fisheries Research Institute and is called “Blue Tears” when clusters of marine algae disturbed by waves and glow a bioluminescent blue.
This sighting can only be seen in warn water sea in spring between the months of April and May. Kinmen’s topography makes easier to any visitors to get up close to the Blue Tears.
The best spots to observe the natural phenomenon is in Cihu Shangyi Chenggong Beach, Houhu Seashire Park, Guang’ao Embankment in Jinsha Township and Liaolo Sounth Stone Park in Jinju Township.
Kinmen plans to introduce via ecological tour to visitors to promote the natural phenomenon and to educate the public about environmental protection.
Since the start of year 2019, Taiwan has been hit 10 earthquakes with a strength of magnitude 5.0 for less than four months while there is an average of 22 for 1 whole year according to Central Weather Bureau (CWB) of Taiwan.
Though as per CWB it is still within the reasonable range and does not indicate higher frequency of earthquakes even the number of earthquakes are higher than the same period in previous years. 70% of earthquakes are mostly encountered in northeastern Taiwan.
According to the bureau’s Seismology center, Taiwan meets a 2-3 earthquakes with magnitude 6.0-7.0 and 22 earthquakes with magnitude 5.0-6.0 annually.
Everyone are advised to stay alert every time and follow all safety guideline to avoid more further accident. Always prepare the first aid kit and participate in any fire drill and earthquake drill in the country.
Known successful and one of the largest fast food chain worldwide, McDonalds in Taiwan now accepts four main electronic payments cards. Electronic payment cards include Easycard, iPass, iCash and HappyCash.
The main electronics payment cards can be used in most of restaurants of McDonalds in all of Taiwan. It will also fully enable use of credit card micro payment like Visa, MasterCard and JCB and mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
Easycard and iPass are the most popular mode of payment that is used in Taiwan for both local and international visitors (includes migrants), there are at least 2 Easycards own by a single person in Taiwan according to the country’s Financial Supervisory Commision.
McDonalds already seen positive revenues in non-cash payments with more than 10% in its outlets. If the balance is insufficient on the electronic cards, as long as the automatic reload function is enable, the card can be automatically reload to make up for the difference with a maximum purchase of NT$1000.
(image from CNA)
The aggressive move of HiSilicon in the 5G technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet-Of-things (IoT) which explore the global demands, Huawei Corporation subsidiary HiSilicon Semiconductor may unseat MediaTek as the top IC designer in whole Asia.
The China based company set to gear up and roll various chipset owing to expand the competitiveness and economy of scale of its ecosystem. HiSilicon is expected to place husge foundry orders to TSMC and other neighboring companies for its new chipsets.
With Huawei’s aggressive move HiSilicon now have a chance to dethrone MediaTek as Asia’s top IC designer by revenues. Current revenue report MediaTek has US$7.8Billion while HiSilicon just breathing behind with US$7.6Billion.
HiSIlicon just released its 7nm mobile AI chipset and is set to launch move advanced AI accelerator chips, server core processors and multimedia chip solutions. Huawei is also expanding its production lines for communication network and mobile devices.
According to Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine (TSSM), people who work mostly on shifts rather than the regular working hours tends to have trouble in sleeping and double the presence of chronic insomnia.
The survey made by TSSM to 300 shift workers and 300 regular day workers, the percentage of having insomnia is higher for shift workers than the regular workers. The survey is published during its annual meeting.
Chronic insomnia is defined as having sleeping disorders that includes trouble falling asleep in the most appropriate time, waking up in between sleeps and waking up too early in a span of three times a week for three consecutive months.
Sleeping disorder can cause high risk in health related issues like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, mental illness and a weakened immune system. These are the worst disorder for any shift workers specially in Taiwan where most workers are in shifting schedules.
When the psychological clock turned upside down, the organs and immune system can get out if snyc according to a professor in National Chengchi University in the meeting with TSSM. Best way to battle insomnia is to sleep under optimum conditions such sleeping in a quiet place, the professor added.
The Taipei Metro Sysytem or Taipei MRT reached a milestone to have 10Billion passenger, as the 10thbillionth passenger will receive gifts and passes according to Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC). The 10th billionth passenger rides thru the Taipei MRT Orange Line or the Zhngehe-Xinlu line that entered in Xinzhuang station.
The lucky 10billionth passenger will receive a laptop computer that costs NT$30,000 (Php51,000) and will have free 1year pass to Taipei MRT. Also ones who entered five before and five after the 10billionth passenger will receive a 90 day free pass to the MRT, according to TRTC
The prizes are given as part of the celebration of the Taipei Metro by having 10 billion passengers in the last 23 years of operation. The added visa free entry for tourists also added to the number of passengers that use the MRT.
There are also activities like polls and fun games where in what station will the 10billionth passenger came and voting for the best MRT line. Taipei metro consists of five lines with a total of 131.1 kilometers.
Researchers have discovered microorganisms that are capable of eating plastic have been discovered in Zambales. The biology department of the University of the Philippines in Baguio pave way for the research.
The microorganisms were discovered in a hyper alkaline spring that contains minenals, iron, sulfate, chloride and others which the group of researchers discovered four strains of bacteria that are capable of biodegrading low-density polyethylene (LDPE) which is most commonly used in plastic materials.
The research is published in the Philippine Science Letters that tell the bacterial strains from rock found at Poon Bato spring in Botolan, Zambales. According to researchers the bacteria significantly reduced the weight of plastic polymer during the 90-day incubation period.
The emerging plastic waste in the Philippines and in the world is a major issue and the research would surely help to reduce the plastic wastes. Though the degradation of plastic by the microorganism are subject to extreme conditions particularly in the hyper alkaline environment.
In year 2065, 20% of the population in Taiwan will have an average age 65 years old and above due its low fertility rate in the current year. Taiwan’s population will be a super-aged society according to National Development Council of the country.
Last year, Taiwan already entered the super-aged society era with 10% of its population are now above 65 years old. The birth rate of Taiwan is below the rate needed to sustain the country’s population growth.
Taiwan currently has 23.76 million population that ranked 56th in the world and according to the report, depending in any scenario there will be no population growth in Taiwan in either around next year or the following year up or in 2027. The population growth will decline once it reached the 24million mark.
Having a super-aged society, workforce will start to lessen that the country need to improve its working environment and manpower by hiring migrant workers where mostly came from Southeast Asia.
By having 40% of population aging 65years old above in 2065, it means there is 1 elderly in every 1.2 person of childbearing age. Singapore, Japan and South Korea also faces the same situation.
