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iHerb Commentaires des clients
Économie de: €4.28 (33 % de remise)
Simply Better than ALL the Rest!
Publié par Reviewer1627479 le Dec 08, 2010
If you are looking to get your system moving on a regular basis, NOW Foods 100% Certified Organic Psyllium Husk Powder is a MUST HAVE! The powder is very fine, almost like baby powder to the touch. It mixes extremely well;however, putting a teaspoon in a jar with liquid works better than stirring it. It makes no difference what you use, because it have no taste. It is easy to swallow, but make sure you drink enough water. Actually, I also use as a thickener when cooking certain dishes, from soups to sweet treats the added fiber is great. What I like best of all is that it is bulk-forming. You can see the end result. Make it a point to use it everyday, and you will find yourself eating less, and losing weight. Another way to use the product, is to block the impact of carbohydrates on your blood sugar. All you have to do is take a teaspoon of psyillium with a glass of water 15-30 minutes before your treat. This is the best product on the market, at the right price. Why pay more and get less. This product delivers both on the front and back-end! Try it and see for yourself. You can feel the difference, when your body is moving properly.
Very good!
Publié par RutLervik le Aug 24, 2011
I didn't think psyllium could be different just because it's another brand, but this one is really the best I've tried. It makes my smoothies creamy and rich, and my stomach happy :)
Now Food Organic Pysyllium Husk Powder
Publié par Reviewer2183128 le May 02, 2011
The was great, identical to a more expensive brand my Naturopath wanted me to use, I save a bit of money buying this one. Seems identical. I will order regularly.
Great for making breads for a low carb diet!
Publié par Sickness-ELIMINATOR le Feb 05, 2015
I initially bought this because a low carb blog I read recommended it in some of her recipes. I decided to go ahead and buy it for that reason, to make breads with it (not necessarily to drink or use as a supplement). For the reason I bought it, is AMAZING! My low carb bread stays together better and tastes more like normal bread when I add the NOW brand Psyllium Husk Powder. I buy many, many things from the NOW foods brand and I have yet to be disappointed! They offer great prices for their products. This was the cheapest psyllium husk I came across, and a bonus-it's ORGANIC! // If I was helpful, click YES.
Vraiment EXCELLENT
Publié par Lyllow le Dec 27, 2015
Cette poudre est magique. Régule parfaitement le transit ! Ce n'est pas le genre de laxatif que l'on voit habituellement. Celui ci est très doux pour les intestins ! En cas de diarrhées il régule les selles et les rend ferme, en cas de constipation, il ramollit les selles. Pour moi c'est un complément à avoir sous la main ! La quantité à ingérer dépend de chacun. En moyenne pour moi : 2 cuillères à café environ 15 à 20 minutes avant le repas. Attention car ceci est le modèle en poudre (l'autre modèle est celui entier, non réduit en poudre). J'ai choisis ce modèle car il est certifié bio (Selon les normes USDA). Je recommanderais c'est certain.
Publié par 4621558679672986299 le Apr 08, 2016
Simple d'utilisation, c'est le jour et la nuit pour mon transit. 1 cuillère avant chaque repas en période de constipation ou de diarrhée (syndrome de colopathie fonctionnelle) et le tour est joué! Le transit se régule de suite sans effets secondaires, ça n'est "que mécanique".
The best!
Publié par 5349848801703725505 le Feb 15, 2013
The best psyllium husk powder I've ever tried!
great fiber supplement
Publié par Reviewer1927634 le Sep 08, 2012
I used this with Now Foods, Organic, Inulin, 100% Pure Powder, 8 oz (227 g). Two tsp of this and one tsp of inulin with blackcurrant juice. Shake and stir and wait for a while - then drink the "pudding"
Totally satisfied
Publié par Reviewer3000993 le Jan 24, 2014
I have been using psyllium for years now, for myself but mostly for my cats. This is the best I have ever used .... it is so super fine in texture! Makes it so much easier to mix with water and suck into a syringe for force-feeding my cats if necessary (some won't accept psyllium mixed into their food). Some brands are very coarsely textured, and the mixture gets stuck in the nozzle of the syringe. This will be THE brand for us.
Great Texture
Publié par Jasmine44 le Mar 03, 2014
This is a great fiber addition to a morning smoothie. It mixes fairly well with a brisk stir & has little taste...not so noticeable when mixed with other ingredients or with juice.
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Moderators: peeker643, swerb, Ziner
by FUDU » Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:43 pm
by peeker643 » Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:39 pm
FUDU wrote:Interesting read. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/8844646/World-power-swings-back-to-America.html#.TqWduMfVhnM.facebook
by Commodore Perry » Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:20 pm
by Cerebral_DownTime » Tue Oct 25, 2011 6:46 pm
American labor hasn't seen a pay raise in a decade
peeker643 wrote:I wish I shared the optimism of that article.
by Orenthal » Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:08 pm
by Cerebral_DownTime » Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:16 pm
by Orenthal » Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:57 pm
by Cerebral_DownTime » Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:03 pm
by Orenthal » Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:36 am
by Ziner » Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:00 am
Cerebral_DownTime wrote:American labor hasn't seen a pay raise in a decadeYeah, great thing to cluck about.While the cost of living has skyrocketed, Americans wages stay flat.Awesome. peeker643 wrote:I wish I shared the optimism of that article.Yeah me too, but I don't because once the European banks go down (the current Sword of Damocles), ours will be begging for another bailout for their stupid derivative gambling in Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.BUT THAT'S OK, IGNORE THE LOOMING DISASTER AND FOCUS ON OIL SHALE!@!#$!!!#$!@#!!@$!$!@# USA USA USA USA USA USA USA!!!!!!!!!
by Cerebral_DownTime » Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:04 am
by Ziner » Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:30 am
by Cerebral_DownTime » Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:34 am
by Ziner » Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:50 am
by Cerebral_DownTime » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:02 pm
by Ziner » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:13 pm
Cerebral_DownTime wrote:Ok. I take back "skyrocketing", I'll replace it with "continue to rise".Energy prices..... I'm not real crazy about this whole oil speculation thing.
by Cerebral_DownTime » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:15 pm
by Orenthal » Wed Oct 26, 2011 2:27 pm
Cerebral_DownTime wrote:I'm not saying shut it down, they can do it as long as it doesn't hurt the consumer and they aren't rigging the market.
by Sea Foam Green » Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:28 am
Commodore Perry wrote:There is a lot more truth to that article then people want to acknowledge. The reason we've lost so many manufacturing jobs to china is because American wages were very high and Chinese wages were very low. It had nothing to do with Chinese competitiveness. They were using our own factories and our own technologies, just supplying cheap labor.Well thanks to the laws of supply and demand, Chinese labor is getting more and more expensive and American labor hasn't seen a pay raise in a decade. As the labor costs even out, believe me, you will see a mass rush back to America by manufacturers. None of them want a a long, expensive supply chain that extends to the other side of the world and has to deal with a communist government that steals intellectual property left and right. They're only putting up with it while the rewards outweigh the risks. That won't be true for long.
by Commodore Perry » Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:54 pm
Sea Foam Green wrote:I think this is over simplifying the issue quite a bit. The reason US companies are building so many factories/manufacturing jobs in China is because China has a BILLION people who are either not using the companies products or are using inferior versions of a company's products made by someone else. The cheap labor's a plus, but the driving force is the market available. The U.S. is saturated for nearly all goods. Companies have to look elsewhere for growth.
Additionally, a substantial contributing factor to the decrease in manufacturing jobs in the US, is an increase in line efficiency. New technologies flat out allow manufacturer's to make more product with less resources. You can blame this on the high labor costs if you want. But the point is, if the labor costs in China grow to high, Chinese laborers will be replaced by technologies, not Americans.
If companies just wanted cheap labor, they would go to Mexico.
by YahooFanChicago » Fri Oct 28, 2011 2:42 am
by Sea Foam Green » Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:57 am
YahooFanChicago wrote:Don't kid yourself, in the vast majority of the cases these factories in China were put there for export purposes not for local market development.As big as China's population and GDP is their GDC (gross domestic consumption) is very low. Their total annual consumption of all goods and services in USD terms is about equal to Italy's annual consumption (staggering given the population difference).Also, many of these factories don't even have licenses to sell within China (they are licensed for export only). another interesting tidbit.. the factories get large tax credits on all of their export sales. For factories that also have domestic sales licenses they do not get any tax credit on sales within domestic China. They only get the tax credits on export sales.China's government is light years ahead of ours when it comes to economy/trade, they have done a great job in rigging the system to be in their favor. They have very effectively imported a ton of our jobs, production knowledge and tooling. They really have done too good of a job since they have essentialy destroyed the economies of their biggest customers (US, Europe, Japan).The Chinese govenrment knows that this has to be addressed and that they have to increase their domestic purchasing power and domestic consumption. That means higher wages and increasing the value of the Chinese Yuan. It has to be done slowly and it is a real balancing act otherwise it could result in massive global inflation. Very tough situation for everyone involved and I don't see it going nearly as quickly nor as smoothly as that article outlines.
by YahooFanChicago » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:32 pm
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Medford electric car show
An outdoor electric car show takes place today featuring the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt at the Rogue Federal Credit Union. This show comes after news earlier this year of expansion of use of an electric car for the maintenance department to be used daily on the Southern Oregon University campus in Ashland. Just yesterday development of an "Electric Avenue" in Portland was announced where seven charging stations from six different manufacturer's have been installed at Portland Statue University. It's part of a two-year study to find out which charging stations are most popular and to find out what those charging their cars do during the time the charge is taking place.


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We will be updating TeaChat to a new version in the next few days. The site will be taken offline for an hour or so while we migrate all user accounts as well as post to the new database.
I expect there to be a few bugs while we iron out the kinks, but we hope to have a very stable site within the week.
I'll see you all on the over side.


text: Reardon Lectures in IndiaJack Reardon, professor in the School of Business, lectured in international macroeconomics and international financial economics at the Dr. Gaur Hari Singhania Institute of Management and Research, in Kanpur India. Reardon also conducted a workshop on teaching economics for high school teachers at Methodist High School in Kanpur; was keynote speaker in a seminar on health care for managers; and was keynote speaker and special guest in a city-wide celebration in Kanpur during India Republic Day (January 26). During the ceremony, Reardon was presented with a special plaque honoring him for "service to humanity and international relations."


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With Stephanie Ritz and Grace Clissold, Rob and Tom's UK agent.
Rob, Kristen and Tom arrived in NYC Feb27th and the 3 all left March 2nd, Kristen flew home to LA, the besties back to London (Rob to resume Bel Ami filming)
Peoplemag AT A FEBRUARY DINNER in New York City, Robert Pattinson, 24, and Kristen Stewart, 20-or Robsten, as they have come to be known-joined a group of friends at the Italian eatery Locanda Verde, a casual hot spot in Tribeca. "Nobody could take their eyes off them," says one witness. "A few waiters had to stand in front of the couple and act as human shields. When Beyoncé and Jay-Z were sitting there, people didn't make such a fuss!" But the makeshift wall couldn't hide the fact that "they were a really happy couple," says the onlooker, noting the duo were "sitting very close to each other and whispering. They seemed to be having a good time together.


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The Fabulous 4 (Minutes)
The short-intense-workout that delivers
Many great things have come from Japan, but one invention outshines them all—Tabata training. ...
Illustration by Jeremy Duncan
Many great things have come from Japan. The Lexus GS, sushi and ninjas are some of my favorites. But one invention outshines them all—Tabata training.
You probably haven't heard of Tabata training, a short, intense workout that yields inexplicable gains. The method may seem unusual, and like something meant only for extremists or mystical Japanese runners with scraggly three-foot beards that live in the high mountains and scurry up ancient trails without their feet touching the ground.
Don't worry; it's not that complicated, and, remember, it wasn't that long ago that only rebels ate sushi.
What Is It?
Way back in the dark ages (1996), Izumi Tabata from the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo, Japan, was searching for a better training protocol for the Japanese speed-skating team.


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Star of We Are Klang (BBC3) and well known as Mr Gilbert, Head of Sixth Form in The Inbetweeners (E4), Greg Davies performs his hotly anticipated stand-up show Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog. If.comedy Award nominated comedian, Greg has performed on numerous TV Shows including: '8 Out Of 10 Cats' (Channel 4), 'Mock the Week' (BBC Two), 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks' (BBC Two).


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The Purple One himself, Prince, will present the first BRIT Award of 2014 this coming Wednesday (19th February).
Currently playing a series of covert gigs in London and Manchester, Prince will take time out of his busy schedule to present the inaugural honour of the night with his backing band 3rd Eye Girl.
Unfortunately, Prince won't be strutting his stuff live but there will be live performances from Arctic Monkeys, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Bastille, Rudimental, Ellie Goulding, Lorde, Disclosure and Pharrell Williams.
Live performances will be made available on the night exclusively to iTunes with the first 30 days proceeds going to War Child and the BRIT Trust.
Bastille and Rudimental lead the nominations charge at the BRITs with four nominations each – British Group, British Breakthrough Act, British Single (Bastille for 'Pompeii' and Disclosure for 'White Noise' ft AlunaGeorge) and British Album of the Year.


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— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
The fight over Proposition B, which goes to a vote on Tuesday, June 3rd, has been fairly one-sided thus far. After crushing the 8 Washington development, which would have allegedly erected a "Wall on the Waterfront," the unlikely alliance between mega-rich property owners and progressives have enjoyed popular support against waterfront development. And because of that support, the opposition has been relatively silent regarding the ballot initiative which would require all development over 40 feet on Port property to be approved by voters—so quiet that ordinarily pro-development Mayor Ed Lee and Sup. Scott Wiener aren't fighting it.
But what makes the situation weird is so many progressives will privately admit that it's terrible legislation, even if their clubs, employers, or candidates support it. So why is this a done deal? Are progressives really concerned about the Giants turning their sprawling parking lot into a public park and housing development?
For a different take on the matter, Mark Hogan recently put out this great case against Prop B. The whole thing is worth a read, but here's the meat:
Planning at the ballot box doesn't make sense because the typical voter doesn't have the time or background to analyze urban design, land use planning, or the tradeoffs involved in various options. A lot of people walk into the voting booth, read the one line description on the ballot, and vote. The current process for exceeding the height limit on a parcel takes years of meetings (public meetings for anyone interested in attending), approval of the Planning Commission, and approval of the Board of Supervisors. Changing a height limit cannot simply be done with an exception to the planning code: it involves rezoning that piece of land at a taller height, and it is not a simple process.
Our current planning process also has a number of public benefits built in. Developers must comply with affordable housing laws (either through a fee or providing on-site units), fees to pay for infrastructure and they are held to public scrutiny at numerous meetings where public comment is collected.
What is Proposition B proposing? Proposition B would require proposed projects to skip the typical approvals process and instead go to a vote of the people. Why does the City's Planning Department think this is a bad idea? "There is a potential for developers to circumvent required City review and craft subsequent ballot initiatives that combine height increases with other aspects of project approval."
How often to voters read the full text of things they are voting on? Not very often, I can assure you. Developers could hypothetically skip many steps of project approval by spending enough money to get a project approved at the ballot box without having to comply with all of the other rules that have been put in place to ensure a good outcome for the City and the residents of the area.
Comments (16)
IMissNotThinkingBeforeIType | [Permalink]
Thank you for covering this - although I had to laugh a little at "the unlikely alliance between mega-rich property owners and progressives", since more recently both groups are quite clearly held together by the common desire to kill the building of new housing in SF, even if they want it for different reasons.
Sam | [Permalink]
Yes, this is madness. That said this is SF, and anything with the appearance of giving 'power to the people' is always going to pass. It's kind of funny how weak the citizens of this city have become when compared to its early 20th century / late 19th century roots. Need more housing? Sure put it up. Thats why we have a nice 7 or so story building next to Alamo square park, none of this whining that todays older generation engages in. Hell people in Potrero Hill have formed a save Potrero Hill alliance to stop a building thats 4 stories tall. You know who ruined San Francisco (not that i think its ruined)? Not the young people that are moving here, it's the old people that block development for 50 years.
So VOTE! | [Permalink]
Another awful political tactic at work here is that this is being put to the public during an off election… This is done specifically becasuse young people and moderately-minded people are less likely to take the time to vote, and like what happened with 8 Washington, only the fired up "activist" groups will turn out. I really hope this doesn't pass.
Grizzled Mission | [Permalink]
Direct democracy is awful. I always vote against propositions, because I don't want to encourage anything - even if I agree with it - to go "straight to the voters." There's a reason we have elected officials - to provide actual policy analysis and deliberation. Now, that doesn't mean they always act in our best interests, but at least it's not soundbite democracy.
Logan the Huge | [Permalink]
In theory elected officials with a term period (AKA no recall) can make policy decisions that are unpopular at first, that with time show to be the right course of action. Too bad too many of these elected officials lack the foresight to practice this behavior.
Chachito415 | [Permalink]
I'm glad you're back, UA.
U Ragazzu | [Permalink]
I've never bought the old demoncracy-is-too-important-to-be left-to-the-people argument. And the scenario above envisions developers exploiting a loophole under Prop. B–versus the floodgates open to them without it. I don't regret my vote for Proposition B!
Doctor Memory | [Permalink]
Everything that is insane and broken about SF politics is very nicely on view here. In the middle of the worst housing availability crisis in the city's history, in which we are allegedly very very concerned about the dislocation of poor families from traditionally working-class neighborhoods, we are going to make it <i>harder to build downtown,</i> for no other apparent reason than to preserve the waterfront views of a bunch of condo owners up the hill.
Fuck everyone associated with this monstrosity. And especially fuck the Sierra Club for greenwashing an objectively pro-sprawl policy by putting their name on this idiocy.
DensityDuck | [Permalink]
Although it's not like there would be high-rise housing projects for low-income single mothers built on these sites. They'd be the same twelve floors of corporate whores as are already building everywhere, at Palo Alto mansion prices.
DenstityGoDuckyourself | [Permalink]
Newsflash… those "corporate whores" will come to SF, and they WILL find a place because they can afford it, and thanks to our limited supply this WILL actually displace people - especiallly low income single mothers.
I have always been a very liberal voter, but arguments like yours are aligning me closer to the political right. Try to start thinking critically about how we got in this mess to begin with.
roisin | [Permalink]
The case against "planning at the ballot" has been made a good amount of times already–not a new perspective. That's what most people's issue with the leg is, even if they support it. Thing is–it's just at the Waterfront, not city wide. And at that parcel, you have to dig really really deep to get to bedrock. Scientists agree that the next big quake will involve at least 100x the ground shakeage of 89, meaning liquefaction at the waterfront. The ground will fall away, resulting in ground many many feet lower than it had originally been. Building skyscrapers there is irresponsible (because they will eventually be teetering on still stilts), which is why we have height restrictions there in the first place (many of our height resitrictions are the result of earthquakes–until recently you couldn't safely build more than 5 stories easily in a lot of the city, and it's still really expensive to do. That's why skyscrapers are a bad solution for affordable housing). Anyway, in the event of liquefaction, those developments would be a city problem to deal with, and also unliveable.
Trevor | [Permalink]
If your argument is that the current planning process is so inept or corrupt that it disregards the structural engineering reality along the waterfront, I want to know why you've come to that conclusion.
steelhead | [Permalink]
Two words: Scott Weiner…
John | [Permalink]
Criticism of Prop B asserts it will destroy neighborhood protection, circumvent the planning and environmental review process, rob money from transit, etc. None of this is true. Read the ordinance; it's not long. It doesn't eliminate any of the existing planning process. It only says that plans that are inconsistent with the height limits can't be approved without voter approval. There's not a word about altering or waiving any other element of the process.


text:
Hello there!
My name is Laura and I am the Visual Arts Feature Editor for a brand new urban culture and arts magazine called Trisickle. I am currently on the look out for up and coming
artists to showcase, this is a fantastic opportunity to really show off your talent in a creative publication.
Feel free to email me: email@example.com with a maximum of 5 images of your works (pdf or jpeg only please) and an accompanying statement, it doesn't have to be
long (250- 800 words). It could be your artists statement, details of project/exhibition, inspirations, themes or you could be more quirky if you like. The text should be a
Word doc, normal font and the deadline for this opportunity is the end of February.
The website is currently under construction so we have a temporary blog at trisickle.wordpress.com !!! Check it out!
Warm Regards,
Laura Tully
Feature Editor – Visual Arts
Trisickle Magazine™
Mobile: 07761899677
Office: 0845 3011546
Trisickle™: A paradox of freedoms gained and the danger of life's own progressive nature. The 'tricycle', your first set of wheels, good feelings, the discovery of newfound
freedoms and the 'sickle', symbol of mortality, the gnarl some edges mutually felt by a group 'tri', those who constantly push and witness life's own evolution.


text:
Window Treatments For Hard To Reach Windows
- Cover high spots for additional privacy
- Consider light control needs on high windows
- Protect interior from UV rays and heat gain
- Versatile top down/bottom up to preserve view
- Add motorization for easier operation
A tall wall full of windows provides great views and plenty of light, but may let in damaging UV rays or unwanted heat. Hard to reach areas usually require custom made blinds for high windows. Determine how much light control you need and if you'd like your shade to be adjustable. If you don't plan on raising or lowering your shades, choose a cellular shade with light filtering qualities that fit your needs. For total control over your shade, we suggest motorization that will allow you to raise, lower, or tilt your blinds with a remote control instead of struggling to grab a hold of those hard to reach window treatments.
Comfortex® SlumberShade 1/2" Single Cells: Virtuoso Blackout
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Products with this label meet or exceed safety recommendations approved by the Window Covering Manufactures Association (WCMA) and have undergone rigorous third-party testing.
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customer reviews for hard to reach
"Best blind purchase yet"
By Blackout BlindsFan from Portland
These blinds are amazing for blocking out light. Easy to install. Depending on window framing you will have to install small amounts of weather striping to get the last tiny bits of light blocked out (Small amount included). The bottom of my window was not level and had a slight light streak I purchased some weather stripping and when blind is closed no light (Attached it to bottom of blind). If you need to block out light in your room for sleeping or home theater take a look at these. They are amazing at blocking light. I plan to purchase them again soon to start blocking more light out of my theater room.View this product
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Director, actor to appear at Wisconsin tourism meeting
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- - A movie director and actor are slated to appear at the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism next month.
The conference is scheduled to run from March 17 to March 19 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. Organizers expect about 1,000 people from across the state's tourism industry will attend.
The itinerary includes appearances by director David Zucker and actor Robert Hays. Zucker directed Hays in "Airplane!" He also directed Hays in a new state Tourism Department television ad, which will debut at the conference.
Zucker and Hays are set to address participants on March 18. Attendees also will get a chance to win a private breakfast with them and state Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett.
Zucker graduated from Shorewood High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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- Wisconsin unemployment rate drops to 4 percent in December
- 13-year-old charged with attempted murder in Fort Dodge
- Minnesota ban on Sunday liquor sales may be lifted
- Local hospital expands suicide screening


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Intel: Measuring What Matters
September 16, 2010
Becky Brown, director of social media, Arlene Villanueva, global media director, and Beth Butrymowicz, global media manager, shared Intel's measurement program for paid and social media integration and measurement.
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Bike Nerd Pen Holder
From Certified Problem Solver El Gato comes this re-use for your old hub shells & disc rotors...
1. Find an old hub with 6-bolt or center lock disc mount, (ideally with a larger hub shell)
2. Locate a used rotor; pick your size
3. Use the proper hardware to mount rotor to hub. Bend outer edge of rotor downward, to "lift" the center of the rotor upward, making room for bolt heads. Avoids wobble. Takes a little time but works out well.
4. Clean it up, make it shiny
5. Insert a "plug" at the bottom (I used foam) to stop the pens from falling through
6. Place pens inside, and enjoy the envy of your peers


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Following the popular Steven Spielberg movie, "ET," Atari made a video game about the adventures of the lost, little alien. According to this report in Marketplace.org, it was among the worst video games ever and Atari purportedly buried its mistake in the New Mexico dessert.
Now a Canadian video game company, Fuel Entertainment, is attempting to locate it and dig it up. Watch this short video of the Marketplace report and a short gameplay video of the original Atari game.
Do you agree that the ET video game is one of the worst ever made?


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CIA's Brennan Rejects Feinstein's Allegations
Speaking publicly for the first time about the controversy with the Senate Intelligence Committee, CIA Director John Brennan defended his agency's cooperation with Congress.
Mr. Brennan rejected statements made earlier Tuesday by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) that the CIA inappropriately searched Senate computers.
"Nothing can be farther from the truth," he told NBC's Andrea Mitchell in a forum at the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday morning. "We wouldn't do that."
Mr. Brennan urged lawmakers to reserve judgment until investigations are complete and expressed confidence that the CIA would be absolved of any wrongdoing.
Should the investigations expose any wrongdoing at the agency, Mr. Brennan said he would take the findings to President Barack Obama and let the president decide whether to keep him on as director.
Ms. Feinstein later told reporters she stood behind her remarks.
"I believe they are," she said, when asked if she thought her remarks were true, despite Mr. Brennan's dismissal.


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Discover the H10 Roma Citta located off Viale Marconi/ a very commercial street just 5 minutes walk from the Trastevere/ one of the most charming neighborhoods/ famous for its narrow streets/ restaurants and night life. A completely new Design Hotel with 182 rooms and all the facilities to offer you a pleasant stay in Rome. All rooms are equipped with Satellite TV/ Desk/Minibar/ Safe and free WiFi connection. Bathrooms with hairdryer/ make up mirror/ bathtub with shower and H10 amenities. Enjoy our relaxing area on the top floor with Gymnasium/ Outdoor pool/Jacuzzi and Solarium with views overlooking the Tiber River. Furthermore/ you will enjoy our exquisite gastronomic specialties in the Restaurant or Lobby Bar. For all your meetings and congresses we offer Five Meeting Rooms with natural light and all the equipment needed to guarantee the success of your events. Please note that as of 1st January 2011 a City Tax will be introduced in the city of Rome. This will be a fixed stay contribution for all the Client staying in the City of Rome. Kindly take note that this contribution will be applied also to other tourist services /buses sightseeing boat tours on the Tiber and seaside facilities/. The contribution for 4 stars hotels is 6.00 EUR per person per day- up to a maximum of 10 consecutive nights.
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The graphics memory (GDDR) market faces a changing landscape as leading designers of microprocessors are about to integrate graphics processors into central processing units, according to market research firm iSuppli. While the demand towards GDDR will be high due to the fact that it is used inside game consoles, the extinction of low-end and eventually entry-level mainstream graphics cards may shrink the market.
A specialty segment of the larger DRAM market, the graphics memory industry is projected to grow only slightly at the beginning of next year, despite its relative insulation from the more disruptive fluctuations of the commodity memory market. Graphics in the first quarter of 2011 will make up 5% of the overall market for memory, up from 4.9% in the Q3 and Q4 of 2010, iSuppli data indicate.
While it's expected to maintain its course through most of the year, the market will then begin a slight but steady decline starting in the final quarter of 2011. By 2014, the graphic memory segment will have lost another half of a percentage point of the total memory market, accounting for roughly 4.4%.
Such figures point to a contentious, muddy outlook about future prospects for the segment. While graphic memory commands a price premium and is more stable in demand compared to commodity DRAM, the market is not projected to grow dramatically in the future, iSuppli research bears out. In the coming years, demand for graphic memory may ease as manufacturing trends favor the integration of the graphic processing unit (GPU). There is, however, another scenario: as the demand towards personal computers is growing in general and the importance of graphics processors is growing, the market of discrete GPUs may increase and so will the demand towards GDDR.
The flattening of the graphics segment is surprising, considering the attractive margins enjoyed by the segment and the intense efforts among fierce rivals and major players alike to make their presence felt in the market.
Micron, for instance, has been developing a graphics memory product for some time, hiring key executives from now-bankrupt Qimonda AG of Germany, whose commanding share of market once rivaled that of leader Samsung Electronics. Qimonda's bankruptcy, in turn, has benefited Korean player Hynix Semiconductor, which rushed in to fill the gap and is now Samsung's main contender for hefty spoils.
Another player, Elpida Memory from Japan, earlier this year begain the production of memory technology specific to graphic cards known as GDDR3 and GDDR5. Elpida's present share of market may be small, but the company's entrance into the segment is likely to shake up things. As additional competitors enter the market, Samsung and Hynix may well be forced to surrender market share to Elpida and other new upstarts.
All told, the graphics market is expected to remain a build-to-order segment, with prices based more on manufacturing costs than overall supply-demand dynamics. And while graphics memory will continue to be demanded by game-console makers and high-end graphics cards, the advent of better-integrated products could likely threaten the GPU market.
Tags: DRAM, GDDR, Business, Fusion, Ontario, Llano Sandy Bridge, zacate


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The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, Book 6)
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- Brief Synopsis:
- After his three year absence, Artemis Fowl, big brother and former criminal mastermind, is faced with finding a cure for his sick mother by going back in time and stopping his former self from killing the animal that will cure his mother.
- Long Synopsis:
- Artemis's mother has contracted a deadly disease--and the only cure lies in the brain fluid of African lemurs. Unfortunately, Artemis himself was responsible for making the lemurs extinct five years ago. Now he must enlist the aid of his fairy friends to travel back in time and save them. Not only that, but he must face his deadliest foe yet...his younger self.
- Book Quality:
- Excellent
- Book Size:
- 425 Pages
- 9781423108368
- Publisher:
- Hyperion Press
- Date of Addition:
- 07/04/09
- Copyright Date:
- 2008
- Copyrighted By:
- Eoin Colfer
- Adult content:
- No
- Language:
- English
- Categories:
- Animals, Children's Books, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teens, Literature and Fiction
- Submitted By:
- Noel Romey
- Proofread By:
- AniKitty
- Usage Restrictions:
- This is a copyrighted book.
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Stocks Boomerang After Twitter Hack Spooks Markets
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- U.S. stocks indexes closed near session highs after a Twitter hacking event sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average crashing by nearly as many points as there are characters in a single tweet.
The Dow fell 143 points at about 1:08 p.m. New York time, temporarily erasing the day's gains after The Associated Press Twitter account erroneously reported two explosions at the White House coupled with a report that President Barack Obama had been injured. The maximum number of characters in a Tweet is 140.
Markets snapped back within minutes to near session highs after journalists attending a press briefing inside the White House reported that the Tweet was false. Another AP Twitter account, @apstylebook, confirmed that the @AP account had been hacked. The tweet occurred at about 1:08 p.m. EST.
The S&P 500 ended up gaining 1% on the day to 1,578.78 matching the Dow Jones Industrial Average which also rose 1% to 14,719.46.
Better-than-expected profits from Coach
The key to Apple's earnings report will be guidance for the June quarter, as the tech giant gets ready to refresh its product lineup , with the oft-rumored iPhone 5S and new iPad and iPad mini tablets.
TheStreet is live-blogging Apple's earnings.
"NLFX has been an interesting story and I think investors are looking at this as the new 'hot stock'," said Jonathan Corpina, senior managing partner at Meridian Equity Partners in New York.
Delta Air Lines added 10.5% to $16.73 and U.S. Airways jumped 5% to $16.29 after both reported rare first-quarter profits, a sign the airline industry may have found the formula for consistent financial performance .


text:
Next Court Redistricting Challenge: Legislative Lines
Supreme Court to hear claim that independent commission drew boundaries favoring Democrats.
Supreme Court to hear claim that independent commission drew boundaries favoring Democrats.
US Supreme Court ruling makes no changes in state's cultural, political differences.
Bill will allow judges to vacate criminal records of victims of sex trafficking.
Forced into prostitution, she didn't run away because 'you're just thinking about surviving that day.'
Class action federal claim says Arizona violates youngsters' civil rights, despite 2014 state reforms.
Gov. Jan Brewer takes fight to US Supreme Court.
Health Director Humble says spouses can now get death certificates amid legalization of gay marriage.
Attorney General Horne says state will not appeal federal judge's decision saying same-sex unions ban in state is unconstitutional.
Lawyers representing Arizona cited last week's appeals court ruling striking down prohibitions in Idaho, Nevada.
Tuesday ruling said same-sex union prohibition in 2 states was unconstitutional; 2 state challenges still pending.
US Supreme Court, Appeals Court rulings favoring unconstitutionality may foreshadow future of same-sex marriage in Arizona.
US Attorney's Office declined to prosecute earlier this year; aggravated assault case is now in hands of Santa Cruz County.
Farmworkers' union co-founder Dolores Huerta urges White House to allow Mexican woman to stay in US.
Spouse died two weeks ago leaving parter unable to receive Social Security, other benefits because Arizona doesn't recognize gay marriage.
Activists argue in court that immigrants using stolen or fake IDs to get work shouldn't face criminal charges.
Policy in place while governor challenges earlier decision saying she can't deny these driving privileges.
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WOW everyone out there! It's so exciting to have the Secret Website flying across the airwaves to you. We've got it up and running in London and are really pleased with the way it has come out, the quality looks good, the band sounds cool and we are all really happy to be able to bring this extra value for your money.
Let us know just how cooooooooooooooooool you think it is. The technology is so exciting to be able give you the DVD of the tour and at the same time give you this secret little bonus.
Keep on rocking out there. Let us know what you think of our jolly little Xmas package and make sure you have yourselves the merriest of Xmas's.
Love from
P.s. The band sends their love and so does Heather.


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The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is set to celebrate the traditional Japanese festival of obon with the thirty-fifth annual Bon Festival on August 18. One of the Morikami's most popular events, attracting sold-out crowds and entertainment that is distinctively Morikami, the Bon Festival is a moment of retrospect and thanks for those who passed before us. This year, admission will be limited with tickets available online only to help quell the scope of the crowds that swarmed the gardens last year.
Obon is a traditional Japanese Buddhist festival that honors the spirits of the ancestors. Celebrated for more than 500 years in Japan, obon (or bon) is tied to the lunar calendar, a three-day stretch when it is believed that the spirits of deceased family members and ancestors return to the land of the living. A time of family togetherness and remembrance, obon is marked with visits to ancestral homes where family members clean their ancestor's graves, homage for the past sacrifices that have helped the current generations find their place in the present.
During obon, families gather for festive dances called the Bon Odori, aimed to entertain the visiting the spirits. Accompanied by flutists and drummers, performances grow to a fever pitch, growing to a carnival-like atmosphere, with games, entertainment and food all playing a prominent role. The festival culminates with Toro Nagashi, floating paper lanterns (some elaborately decorated, others solemn and simple) that are illuminated and floated down rivers, a symbolic gesture of the spirits returning to the world of the dead, which is then usually followed by a fireworks display.
The Morikami Museum will celebrate the three-day tradition in one fun-filled and joyous evening August 18. From 4-9 p.m., the Morikami will transform from tranquil and introspective gardens into an ennichi street fair, including authentic Japanese fare, the Kirin Beer Garden for the of-age guests and shopping. Fan-favorite Taiko drum performances by FushU Daiko, scheduled for 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m.and 8 p.m., will thunder through the 200-acre park, while the Bon Odori, performed by Japanese folk dance group Chistose Kai, scheduled at 4:45 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., will not only delight visitors but also beckon them to join. For the kiddies, games and children-friendly activities will abound for entertainment.
As the sun sets, the Toro Nagashi ceremony will take place on the Morikami Lake, engulfing the pond in a sea of light, acting as a guide for the ancestors' return from the land of the living. To cap the evening of remembrance, a dazzling fireworks display will light up the sky, which, when set against the candlelit lanterns, gives visitors an introspective moment of reverence.
- Candlelit lanterns will be on sale for $10. They cannot be purchased in advance but always sell out, so grab yours early in the evening.
- The Bon Festival will take place Saturday, August 18, from 4-9 p.m. Because of last year's overwhelming popularity and record crowds (nearly 9,000 visitors!) tickets are only available online. There will be no tickets sold at the door. Tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for children. Purchase them here; they are expected to sell out!
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
4000 Morikami Park Rd.
Delray Beach, FL 33446


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Short-beaked echidna
The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), is one of four living species of echidna and the only member of the genus Tachyglossus. The short-beaked echidna is covered in fur and spines, and has a distinctive snout and a specialized tongue, which it uses to catch its prey at a great speed. Like the other extant monotremes, the short-beaked echidna lays eggs; the monotremes are the only group of mammals to do so.
This echidna has extremely strong front limbs and claws due to its mechanical advantage, which allows it to burrow quickly with great power. As it needs to be able to survive underground, it has a great tolerance to high levels of carbon dioxide and low levels of oxygen. It has no weapons or fighting ability, and repels predators by curling into a ball and deterring them with its spines. The echidna lacks the ability to sweat and cannot deal with heat well, so it tends to avoid daytime activity in hot weather; it can swim if needed. The snout has mechanical and electroreceptors that help it to detect what is around it.
During the winter, it goes into deep torpor and hibernation to save energy and reduce metabolism, before emerging, as the temperature increases, to breed. Female echidnas only lay one egg a year, and the mating period is the only time the otherwise solitary animals meet one another; the male has no further contact with the female after mating. After the young are born, they are only the size of a grape, but grow rapidly on the mothers' milk, which is very rich in nutrients. After a period, they are too large and spiky to stay in the pouch, and after around six months they leave the burrow and have no more contact with their mothers.
The species is found throughout Australia, where it is the most widespread native mammal, and in coastal and highland regions of southwestern New Guinea, where it is known as the mungwe in the Daribi and Chimbu languages.[3] It is not threatened with extinction, but human activities, such as hunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of foreign predatory species and parasites, have reduced the distribution of the short-beaked echidna in Australia. Attempts to breed the echidna in captivity have not been successful to date, with none reaching maturity. However, as the echidna can survive merely by foraging dead logs for ants and termites, it can survive in environments with restricted resources.
Taxonomy and naming
The short-beaked echidna was first described by George Shaw in 1792. He named the species Myrmecophaga aculeata, thinking it might be related to the South American anteater. Since Shaw first described the species, its name has undergone four revisions: from M. aculeata to Ornithorhynchus hystrix, Echidna hystrix, Echidna aculeata and finally, Tachyglossus aculeatus.[4][5] The name Tachyglossus means "quick tongue",[4] in reference to the speed with which the echidna uses its tongue to catch ants and termites,[4] and aculeatus means "spiny" or "equipped with spines".[4]
The short-beaked echidna is the only member of its genus,[6] sharing the family Tachyglossidae with the extant species of the genus Zaglossus that occur in New Guinea.[7] Zaglossus species, which include the western long-beaked, Sir David's long-beaked and eastern long-beaked echidnas,[8] are all significantly larger than T. aculeatus, and their diets consist mostly of worms and grubs rather than ants and termites.[9] Species of the Tachyglossidae are egg-laying mammals; together with the related family Ornithorhynchidae, they are the only extant monotremes in the world.[10]
The five subspecies of the short-beaked echidna are each found in different geographical locations. The subspecies also differ from one another in their hairiness, spine length and width, and the size of the grooming claws on their hind feet.[11]
- T. a. acanthion is found in Northern Territory and Western Australia.
- T. a. aculeatus is found in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.[11]
- T. a. lawesii is found in coastal regions and the highlands of New Guinea, and possibly in the rainforests of Northeast Queensland.[12]
- T. a. multiaculeatus is found on Kangaroo Island.
- T. a. setosus is found on Tasmania and some islands in Bass Strait.[11]
The earliest fossils of the short-beaked echidna date back around 15 million years ago to the Pleistocene era, and the oldest specimens were found in caves in South Australia, often with fossils of the long-beaked echidna from the same period. The ancient short-beaked echidnas are considered to be identical to their contemporary descendants except the ancestors are around 10% smaller.[10][13] This "post-Pleistocene dwarfing" affects many Australian mammals.[10] Part of the last radiation of monotreme mammals, echidnas are believed to have evolutionally diverged from the platypus around 65 million years ago, between the Cretacious and Tertiary periods.[10] However, the echidna's pre-Pleistocene heritage has not been traced yet, and the lack of teeth on the fossils found thus far have made it impossible to use dental evidence.[14]
The short-beaked echidna was commonly called the spiny anteater in older books, though this term has fallen out of fashion since the echidna bears no relation to the true anteaters. It has a variety of names in the indigenous languages of the regions where it is found. The Noongar people from southwestern Western Australia call it the nyingarn. In Central Australia southwest of Alice Springs, the Pitjantjatjara term is tjilkamata or tjirili, from the word tjiri for spike of porcupine grass (Triodia irritans). The word can also mean slowpoke.[15] In central Cape York Peninsula, it is called (minha) kekoywa in Pakanh, where minha is a qualifier meaning 'meat' or 'animal', (inh-)ekorak in Uw Oykangand and (inh-)egorag in Uw Olkola, where inh- is a qualifier meaning 'meat' or 'animal'.[16] In the highland regions of southwestern New Guinea, it is known as the mungwe in the Daribi and Chimbu languages.[3]
Short-beaked echidnas are typically 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) in length, with 75 mm (3 in) of snout, and weigh between 2 and 5 kg (4.4 and 11 lb).[17] However, the Tasmanian subspecies, T. a. setosus, is smaller than its Australian mainland counterparts.[18] Because the neck is not externally visible, the head and body appear to merge.[19] The earholes are on either side of the head,[19] with no external pinnae.[19] The eyes are small, about 9 mm (0.4 in) in diameter and at the base of the wedge-shaped snout.[20] The nostrils and the mouth are at the distal end of the snout;[19] the mouth cannot open wider than 5 mm (0.2 in).[21] The body of the short-beaked echidna is, with the exception of the underside, face and legs, covered with cream-coloured spines. The spines, which may be up to 50 mm (2 in) long, are modified hairs,[22] mostly made of keratin.[23] Insulation is provided by fur between the spines, which ranges in colour from honey to a dark reddish-brown and even black; the underside and short tail are also covered in fur.[22] Colouration of the fur and spines varies with geographic location. The echidna's fur may be infested with what is said to be the world's largest flea, Bradiopsylla echidnae, which is about 4 mm (0.16 in) long.[22]
The limbs of the short-beaked echidna are adapted for rapid digging; they are short and have strong claws.[22] Their strong and stout limbs allow it to tear apart large logs and move paving stones, and one has been recorded moving a 13.5-kg (30-lb) stone; a scientist also reported a captive echidna moved a refrigerator around the room in his home.[24] The power of the limbs are based on strong musculature, particularly around the shoulder and torso areas.[25] The mechanical advantage of its arm is greater than that of humans, as its biceps connects the shoulder to forearm at a point further down than for humans,[26] and the chunky humerus allows more muscle to form.[27]
The claws on the hind feet are elongated and curved backward to enable cleaning and grooming between the spines. Like the platypus, the echidna has a low body temperature—between 30and32°C (86 and 90°F)—but, unlike the platypus, which shows no evidence of torpor or hibernation, the body temperature of the echidna may fall as low as 5°C (41°F).[28] The Echidna does not pant or sweat[29] and normally seeks shelter in hot conditions.[30] Despite the inability to sweat, echidnas still lose water as they exhale. The snout is believed to be crucial in restricting this loss to sustainable levels, through a bony labyrinth that has a refrigerator effect and helps to condense water vapour in the breath.[31] The echidna does not have highly concentrated urine, and around half of the estimated daily water loss of 120 g (4.2 oz) occurs in this manner, while most of the rest is through the skin and respiratory system.[32] Most of this is replenished by its substantial eating of termites—one laboratory study reported it would ingest around 147 g (5.2 oz) a day, most of which was water.[32] This can be supplemented by drinking water if available, or licking morning dew from flora.[33]
In autumn and winter the echidna shows periods of torpor or deep hibernation.[34] Because of the low body temperature, it becomes sluggish in very hot and very cold weather.[31]
Like all monotremes, it has one orifice,[35] the cloaca, for the passage of faeces, urine and reproductive products.[34] The male has internal testes, no external scrotum and a highly unusual penis with four knobs on the tip.[36] The gestating female develops a pouch on its underside, where it raises its young.[37]
The musculature of the short-beaked echidna has a number of unusual aspects. The panniculus carnosus, an enormous muscle just beneath the skin, covers the entire body. By contraction of various parts of the panniculus carnosus, the short-beaked echidna can change shape, the most characteristic shape change being achieved by rolling itself into a ball when threatened, so protecting its belly and presenting a defensive array of sharp spines. It has one of the shortest spinal cords of any mammal, extending only as far as the thorax.[38] Whereas the human spinal cord ends at the first or second lumbar vertebra, for the echidna it occurs at the seventh thoracic vertebra.[39] The shorter spinal cord is thought to allow it the flexibility to wrap into a ball.[39]
The musculature of the face, jaw and tongue is specialised to allow the echidna to feed. The tongue is the animal's sole means of catching prey, and can protrude up to 180 mm (7 in) outside the snout.[17] The snout's shape, resembling a double wedge, gives it a significant mechanical advantage in generating a large moment, so makes it efficient for digging to reach prey or to build a shelter.[40] The tongue is sticky because of the presence of glycoprotein-rich mucus, which both lubricates movement in and out of the snout and helps to catch ants and termites, which adhere to it. Protrusion of the tongue is achieved by contracting circular muscles that change the shape of the tongue and force it forwards and contracting two genioglossal muscles attached to the caudal end of the tongue and to the mandible. The protruded tongue is stiffened by the rapid flow of blood, allowing it to penetrate wood and soil. Retraction requires the contraction of two internal longitudinal muscles, known as the sternoglossi. When the tongue is retracted, the prey is caught on backward-facing keratinous "teeth", located along the roof of the buccal cavity, allowing the animal both to capture and grind food.[21][41] The tongue moves with great speed, and has been measured to move in and out of the snout 100 times a minute.[17][42] This is partly achieved through the elasticity of the tongue and the conversion of elastic potential energy into kinetic energy.[41] The tongue is very flexible, particularly at the end, allowing it to bend in U-turns and catch insects attempting to flee in their twisty nests or mounds.[43] The tongue also has an ability to avoid picking up splinters while foraging in logs; the reason for this ability is unknown.[41] It can eat quickly; a specimen of around 3 kg (6.6 lb) can ingest 200 g (7.1 oz) of termites in 10 minutes.[44]
The echidna's stomach is quite different from other mammals. It is devoid of secretory glands and has cornified stratified epithelium, which resembles horny skin.[44] Unlike other mammals, which typically have highly acidic stomachs, the echidna has low levels of acidity, almost neutral, with pH in the 6.2–7.4 range.[44] The stomach is elastic, and the gastric peristalsis grinds soil particulates and shredded insects together. The digestion occurs in the small intestine, which is around 3.4 m (11 ft) in length. The insect exoskeletons and soil are not digested, so are ejected in the waste.[44]
Numerous physiological adaptations aid the lifestyle of the short-beaked echidna. Because the animal burrows, it must tolerate very high levels of carbon dioxide in inspired air, and will voluntarily remain in situations where carbon dioxide concentrations are high. It can dig up to a metre into the ground to retrieve ants or evade predators, and can survive with low oxygen when the area is engulfed by bushfires. The echidna can also dive underwater, which can help it to survive sudden floods.[33] During these situations, the heart rate drops to around 12 beats per minute, around one-fifth of the rate at rest. This process is believed to save oxygen for the heart and brain, which are the most sensitive to such a shortage, and laboratory testing has revealed its cardiovascular system is similar to that of the seal.[33]
The echidna's optical system is an uncommon hybrid of both mammalian and reptilian characteristics. The cartilaginous layer beneath the scleral layer of the eyeball is similar to that of reptiles and avians.[20] The small cornea's surface is keratinised and hardened, possibly an evolution to protect it from chemicals secreted by prey insects or self-impalement when it rolls itself up, which has been observed.[45] The echidna has the flattest lens of any animal, giving it the longest focal length. This similarity to primates and humans allows it to see distant objects clearly.[46] Unlike placental mammals, including humans, the echidna does not have a ciliary muscle to distort the geometry of the lens and thereby change the focal length and allow objects at different distances to be viewed clearly; the whole eye is believed to distort, so the distance between the lens and screen instead changes to allow focusing.[46] The visual ability of an echidna is not great, and it is not known whether it can perceive colour; however, it can distinguish between black and white, and horizontal and vertical stripes. Eyesight is not a crucial factor in the animal's ability to survive, as blind echidnas are able to live healthily.[47]
Its ear is sensitive to low-frequency sound, which may be ideal for detecting sounds emitted by termites and ants underground.[48] The pinnae are obscured and covered by hair, so predators can not grab them in an attack, and prey or foreign material cannot enter, although ticks are known to reside there.[49] The macula of the ear is very large compared to other animals, and is used as a gravity sensor to orient the echidna. The large size is speculated to be due to importance of burrowing downwards for an echidna.[50]
The leathery snout is keratinised and covered in mechano- and thermoreceptors, which provide information about the surrounding environment.[48][51] These nerves protrude through microscopic holes at the end of the snout.[52] It also has mucus glands on the end of the snout that act as electroreceptors. It can detect electric fields of 1.8 mV/cm—1,000 times more sensitive than humans—and dig up buried batteries.[53] Echidnas have a series of push rods protruding from their snouts. These are columns of flattened, spinous cells, with roughly an average diameter of 50 micrometres and a length of 300 micrometres. The number of push rods per square millimetre of skin is estimated to be 30 to 40.[54] Longitudinal waves are believed to be picked up and transmitted through the rods, acting as mechanical sensors, to allow prey detection.[55]
The short-beaked echidna has a well-developed olfactory system, which may be used to detect mates and prey. It has a highly sensitive optic nerve, and has been shown to have visual discrimination and spatial memory comparable to those of a rat.[56] The brain and central nervous system have been extensively studied for evolutionary comparison with placental mammals, particularly with its fellow monotreme, the platypus.[57][58] The average brain volume is 25 ml, similar to a cat of approximately the same size;[59] while the platypus has a largely lissencephalic and smooth brain, the echidna has a heavily folded and fissured, gyrencephalic brain similar to humans, which is seen as a sign of a highly neurologically advanced animal.[60] The cerebral cortex is thinner, and the brain cells are larger and more densely packed and organised in the echidna than the platypus, suggesting evolutionary divergence must have occurred long ago.[60] Almost half of the sensory area in the brain is devoted to the snout and tongue, and the part devoted to smell is relatively large compared to other animals.[60]
The short-beaked echidna has the largest prefrontal cortex relative to body size of any mammal,[57] taking up 50% of the volume in comparison to 29% for humans.[61] This part of the brain in humans is though to be used for planning and analytical behaviour, leading to debate as to whether the echidna has reasoning and strategising ability.[61][62] Experiments in a simple maze and with a test on whether the animal can open a trap door to access food, and the echidna's ability to remember what it has learnt about the task for over a month, has led scientists to conclude its learning ability is similar to that of a cat or a rat.[63]
The echidna shows rapid eye movement during sleep, usually around its thermoneutral temperature of 25°C, and this effect is suppressed at other temperatures.[39] Its brain has been shown to contain a claustrum similar to that of placental mammals, so linking this structure to their common ancestor.[57][64]
Ecology and behaviour
No systematic study of the ecology of the short-beaked echidna has been published, but studies of several aspects of their ecological behaviour have been conducted. They live alone, and, apart from the burrow created for rearing young, they have no fixed shelter or nest site. They do not have a home territory they defend against other echidnas, but range over a wide area.[30] The range area has been observed to be between 21 and 93 ha, although one study in Kangaroo Island found the animals there covered an area between 9 and 192 ha.[30] Overall, the mean range areas across the various regions of Australia were 40–60 ha. There was no correlation between gender and range area, but a weak one with size.[30] Echidnas can share home ranges without incident, and sometimes share shelter sites if not enough are available for or each animal to have one individually.[65]
Short-beaked echidnas are typically active in the daytime, though they are ill-equipped to deal with heat because they have no sweat glands and do not pant. Therefore, in warm weather, they change their patterns of activity, becoming crepuscular or nocturnal.[66] Body temperatures above 34°C (93°F) are believed to be fatal, and in addition to avoiding heat, the animal adjusts its circulation to maintain a sustainable temperature by moving blood to and from the skin to increase or lower heat loss.[66] In areas where water is present, they can also swim to keep their body temperatures low.[66] The "thermoneutral zone" for the environment is around 25°C (77°F), at which point metabolism needed to maintain body temperature is minimized.[66] Echidnas can tolerate cold temperatures, and they hibernate during the winter both in cold regions and in regions with more temperate climates.[67] The echidna is endothermic, and can maintain body temperatures of around 32°C.[68] It can also reduce its metabolism and heart rate and body temperature.[69] In addition to brief and light bouts of torpor throughout the year, the echidna enters periods during winter when it hibernates.[70] During periods of hibernation, the body temperature drops to as low as 4°C (39°F). The heart rate falls to four to seven beats per minute—down from 50–68 at rest[33]&mdash, and the echidna can breathe as infrequently as once every three minutes,[70] 80 to 90% slower than when it is active.[33] Metabolism can drop to one-eighth of the normal rate.[71] Echidnas begin to prepare for the hibernation phase of the year between February and April, when they reduce their consumption and enter brief periods of torpor. Males begin hibernating first, while females that have reproduced start later.[71] During the period of hibernation, the animals average 13 separate bouts of torpor, which are broken up by periods of arousal lasting 1.2 days on average. These interruptions tend to coincide with warmer periods.[71] Males end their hibernation period in mid-June, while reproductive females return to full activity in July and August; nonreproductive females and immature echidnas may not end hibernation until two months later.[71] During euthermia, the body temperature can vary by 4°C per day.[71] The metabolic rate is around 30% of that of placental mammals, making it the lowest energy-consuming mammal. This figure is similar to that of other animals that eat ants and termites;[72] burrowing animals also tend to have low metabolism generally.[66]
Questions have arisen as to why echidnas hibernate, as it is seemingly unnecessary for survival; they begin their hibernation period while the weather is still warm, and food is generally always plentiful.[73] One explanation of this phenomenon is echidnas want to be cautious with their energy reserves to maximize their foraging productivity. Another hypothesis is they are descended from ectothermic ancestors, but have taken to periodic endothermy for reproductive reasons, so the young can develop more quickly.[73] Supporters of this theory argue males hibernate earlier than females because they finish their contribution to reproduction first, and they awake earlier to undergo spermatogenosis in preparation for mating, while females and young lag in their annual cycle.[73] During the hibernation period, the animals stay in entirely covered shelter.[74]
Short-beaked echidnas can live anywhere with a good supply of food. They locate food by smell, using sensors in the tips of their snouts, and regularly feast on ants and termites.[75] This view is based on the echidna's method of shuffling around seemingly arbitrarily, and using its snout in a probing manner.[76] A study of echidnas in New England has shown they tend to dig up scarab beetle larvae in spring when the prey are active, but eschew this prey when it is inactive; this has been used to support the conjecture that echidnas detect their prey using hearing.[77] Vision is not believed to be significant in hunting, as blind animals have been observed to survive in the wild.[77]
Echidnas use their strong claws to pull apart nests and rotting logs to gain access to their prey.[78] They are selective of what types of ants and termites they target because some of their would-be prey secrete repulsive liquids. They also have a preference for the eggs, pupae and winged phases of the insects.[79] Echidnas hunt most vigorously towards the end of winter and early in spring, when their fat reserves have been depleted after hibernation and/or nursing.[80] At this time of the year, ants have high body fat, and the echidna targets their mounds.[80] The animal also hunts beetles and earthworms, providing they are small enough to fit in a 5-mm gap.[80] The proportion of ants and termites in their diets depends on the availability of prey, and termites make up a larger part in drier areas where they are more plentiful.[76] However, termites are preferred, if available, as their bodies contain a smaller proportion of indigestible exoskeleton. Termites from the Rhinotermitidae family, however, are avoided due to their chemical defenses. Scarab beetle larvae are also a large part of the diet when and where available. In a study conducted in New England in New South Wales, 37% of the food intake consisted of beetle larvae, although the echidna had to squash the prey in its snout as it ingested it, due to size.[76]
Echidnas are powerful diggers, using their clawed front paws to dig out prey and create burrows for shelter. They may rapidly dig themselves into the ground if they cannot find cover when in danger.[22] They bend their belly together to shield the soft, unprotected part, and can also urinate, giving off a pungent liquid, in an attempt to deter attackers.[81] Males also have single small spurs on each rear leg, believed to be a defensive weapon that has since been lost to the evolutionary process.[82] Echidnas typically try to avoid confrontation with predators due to their lack of anatomical weaponry. Instead, they use the colour of their spines, which is similar to the vegetation of the dry Australian environment, to avoid detection. They have good hearing and tend to become stationary if sound is detected.[82]
In Australia, they are most common in forested areas with abundant, termite-filled, fallen logs. In agricultural areas, they are most likely to be found in uncleared scrub; they may be found in grassland, arid areas, and in the outer suburbs of the capital cities. Little is known about their distribution in New Guinea. They have been found in southern New Guinea between Merauke in the west and the Kelp Welsh River, east of Port Moresby, in the east, where they may be found in open woodland.[3]
Echidnas have the ability to swim, and have been seen cooling off near dams during high temperatures. They have also been seen crossing streams and swimming for brief periods in seas off Kangaroo Island. They swim with only the snout above water, using it as a snorkel.[82]
The solitary short-beaked echidna looks for a mate between May and September;[22] the precise timing of the mating season varies with geographic location.[83] In the months before the mating season, the size of the male's testes increases by a factor of three or more before spermatogenesis occurs.[84] Both males and females give off a strong, musky odour during the mating season, by turning their cloacas inside out and wiping them on the ground, secreting a glossly liquid believed to be an aphrodisiac.[36] During courtship—observed for the first time in 1989—males locate and pursue females. Trains of up to 10 males, often with the youngest and smallest male at the end of the queue,[85] may follow a single female in a courtship ritual that may last for up to four weeks; the duration of the courtship period varies with location.[17][86] During this time, they forage for food together, and the train often changes composition, as some males leave and other join the pursuit.[85] In cooler parts of their range, such as Tasmania, females may mate within a few hours of arousal from hibernation.[87]
Before mating, the male smells the female, paying particular attention to the cloaca. This process can take a few hours, and the female can reject the suitor by rolling herself into a ball.[84] After prodding and sniffing her back,[84] the male is often observed to roll the female onto her side and then assume a similar position himself so the two animals are abdomen to abdomen, having dug a small crater in which to lie. They can lie with heads facing one another, or head to rear.[88] If more than one male is in the vicinity, fighting over the female may occur.[88] Each side of the bilaterally symmetrical, rosette-like, four-headed penis [similar to that of reptiles and 7 centimetres (2.8 in) in length] is used alternately, with the other half being shut down between ejaculations. Sperm bundles of around 100 each appear to confer increased sperm motility, which may provide the potential for sperm competition between males.[88][89] This process takes between a half and three hours.[88] Each mating results in the production of a single egg, and females are known to mate only once during the breeding season; each mating is successful.[90]
Fertilisation occurs in the oviduct. Gestation takes between 21 and 28 days after copulation,[91] during which time the female constructs a nursery burrow. Following the gestation period, a single, rubbery-skinned egg[17] between 13 and 17 mm (0.5 and 0.7 in) in diameter and 1.5 and 2.0 g (0.053 and 0.071 oz) in weight[91] is laid from her cloaca directly into a small, backward-facing pouch that has developed on her abdomen. The egg is ovoid, leathery, soft, and cream-coloured. Between laying and hatching, some females continue to forage for food, while others dig burrows and rest there until hatching.[91] Ten days after it is laid, the egg hatches within the pouch.[22][91] The embryo develops an "egg tooth" during incubation, which it uses to tear open the egg; the tooth disappears soon after hatching.[92]
Hatchlings are about 1.5 centimetres (0.6 in) long and weigh between 0.3 and 0.4 gram (0.011 and 0.014 oz).[92][93] After hatching, young echidnas are known as "puggles". Although newborns are still semitranslucent and still surrounded by the remains of the egg yolk, and the eyes are still barely developed, they already have well-defined front limbs and digits that allow them to climb on their mothers' bodies.[92] Hatchlings attach themselves to their mothers' milk areolae, specialised patches on the skin that secrete milk—monotremes lack nipples—through about 100–150 pores.[17][22][92] The puggles were thought to have imbibed the milk by licking the mother's skin, but they are now thought to feed by sucking the areolae.[94]
They have been observed ingesting large amounts during each feeding period, and mothers may leave them unattended in the burrow for between five and 10 days to find food.[94] Studies of captives have shown they can ingest milk once every two or three days and then increase their mass by 20% in one milk-drinking session lasting between one and two hours.[94] Around 40% of the milk weight is converted into body mass, and as such, a high proportion of milk is converted into growth; a correlation with the growth of the puggle and its mother's size has been observed.[94] By the time the puggle is around 200 g (7.1 oz), it is left in the burrow while the mother forages for food, and it reaches around 400 g (14 oz) after around two months.[94] Juveniles are eventually ejected from the pouch at around two to three months of age, because of the continuing growth in the length of their spines.[22][94] During this period, the young are left in covered burrows while the mothers forage, and the young are often preyed upon.[95] Suckling gradually decreases until juveniles are weaned at about six months of age. The duration of lactation is about 200 days,[17][94] and the young leave the burrow after 180 to 205 days, usually in January or February, at which time they weigh around 800 and 1,300 g (28 and 46 oz). There is no contact between the mother and young after this point.[95]
The composition of the milk secreted by the mother changes over time. At the moment of birth, the solution is dilute and contains 1.25% fat, 7.85% protein, and 2.85% carbohydrates and minerals. Mature milk has much more concentrated nutrients, with 31.0, 12.4 and 2.8% of the aforementioned nutrients, respectively.[94] Near weaning, the protein level continues to increase; this may be due to the need for keratin synthesis for hair and spines, to provide defences against the cold weather and predators.[96]
The principal carbohydrate components of the milk are fucosyllactose and saialyllactose; it has a high iron content, which gives it a pink colour.[97] The high iron content and low levels of free lactose contrasts with other eutherian mammals. Lactose production is believed to proceed along the same lines as in the platypus.[97]
The age of sexual maturity is uncertain, but may be four to five years. A 12-year field study found the short-beaked echidna reaches sexual maturity between five and 12 years of age, and the frequency of reproduction varies from once every two years to once every six years.[93] The short-beaked echidna can live as long as 45 years in the wild,[98] and the longest-lived echidna in captivity reached 49 years of age in a zoo in Philadelphia in the US.[81] Echidnas contrast to other mammals in that their rates of reproduction and metabolism are lower, and they live longer, as though in slow motion,[81] something caused, at least in part, by their low body temperature, which rarely exceeds 33°C, even when they are not hibernating.[81]
Like its fellow monotreme the platypus, the short-beaked echidna has a system of multiple sex chromosomes, in which males have four Y chromosomes and five X chromosomes. Male individuals appear to be X1Y1X2Y2X3Y3X4Y4X5 (figure[99]), while females are X1X1X2X2X3X3X4X4X5X5. Weak identity between chromosomes results in meiotic pairing that yields only two possible genotypes of sperm, X1X2X3X4X5 or Y1Y2Y3Y4, thus preserving this complex system.[99]
Conservation status
The short-beaked echidna is common throughout most of temperate Australia and lowland New Guinea, and is not listed as endangered.[17][22] In Australia, it remains widespread across a wide range of conditions, including urban outskirts, coastal forests and dry inland areas, and is especially widespread in Tasmania and on Kangaroo Island.[100]
The most common threats to the animal in Australia are motor vehicles and habitat destruction, which have led to localized extinctions.[100] In Australia, the number of short-beaked echidnas has been less affected by land clearance than have some other species, since they do not require a specialized habitat beyond a good supply of ants and termites.[22] As a result, they can survive in cleared land if the cut-down wood is left in the area, as the logs can be used as shelters and sources of insects. However, areas where the land has been completely cleared for single crops that can be mechanically harvested, such as wheat fields, have seen extinctions.[100] Over a decade-long period, around one-third of echidna deaths reported to wildlife authorities in Victoria were due to motor vehicles, and the majority of wounded animals handed in were traffic accident victims.[101] Studies have shown they often choose to traverse drainage culverts under roads, so this is seen as a viable means of reducing deaths on busy roads in rural areas or national parks where the animals are more common.[101]
Despite their spines, they are preyed on by birds, the Tasmanian devil,[22] dingoes,[17] snakes, lizards, goannas, cats, and foxes,[102] although almost all victims are young. Goannas are known for their digging abilities and strong sense of smell, and are believed to be have been the main predators of the echidna before the introduction of most of the other predators by European settlers.[102] Dingoes are known to kill echidnas by rolling them over onto their backs and attacking their underbellies.[100] A tracking study of a small number of echidnas on Kangaroo Island concluded goannas and cats were the main predators, although foxes—absent in Kangaroo Island—would be expected to be a major threat, also, as the echidna density in Tasmania—which is free from foxes—is higher in other parts of Australia.[102]
They were eaten by indigenous Australians and the early European settlers of Australia.[22] In contrast, hunting and eating of the echidna in New Guinea has increased over time and caused a decline in the population and distribution areas; it is now believed to have disappeared from highland areas. The killing of echidnas was a taboo in traditional culture, but since the tribespeople have become increasingly Westernised, hunting has increased, and the animals have been more easily tracked down due to the use of dogs.[103]
Infection with the introduced parasitic tapeworm Spirometra erinaceieuropaei is considered fatal for the echidna. This waterborne infection is contracted through sharing drinking areas with infected dogs, foxes, cats, and dingos, which do not die from the parasite. The infection is seen as being more dangerous in drier areas, where more animals are sharing fewer bodies of water, increasing the chance of transmission.[101] The Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland runs an Australia-wide survey, called Echidna Watch, to monitor the species. Echidnas are also known to be affected by other tapeworms, protozoans and herpes-like viral infections, but little is known of how the infections affect the health of the animals or the populations.[104]
Although it is considered easy to keep echidnas healthy in captivity,[105] breeding is difficult, partly due to the relatively infrequent cycle. In 2009, Perth Zoo managed to breed some captive short-beaked echidnas.[106] Until 2006, only five zoos have managed to breed short-beaked echidnas, but no captive-bred young have survived to maturity.[107] Of these five institutions, only one in Australia—Sydney's Taronga Zoo—managed to breed echidnas, in 1977. The other four cases occurred in the Northern Hemisphere, two in the United States and the others in western Europe. In these cases, breeding occurred six months out of phase compared to Australia, after the animals had adapted to Northern Hemisphere seasons.[107] The failure of captive breeding programs has conservation implications for the endangered species of echidna from the genus Zaglossus, and to a lesser extent for the short-beaked echidna.[107]
Cultural references
Short-beaked echidnas feature in the animistic culture of indigenous Australians, including their visual arts and stories. The species was a totem for some groups, including the Noongar people from Western Australia. Many groups have myths about the animal; one myth explains it was created when a group of hungry young men went hunting at night and stumbled across a wombat. They threw spears at the wombat, but lost sight of it in the darkness. The wombat adapted the spears for its own defence and turned into an echidna.[108] Another story tells of a greedy man who kept food from his tribe; warriors speared him and he crawled away into the bushes, where he turned into an echidna, the spears becoming his spines.
The short-beaked echidna is an iconic animal in contemporary Australia, notably appearing on the Australian five-cent coin (the smallest denomination),[109] and on a A$200 commemorative coin released in 1992.[110] The short-beaked echidna has been included in several postal issues; it was one of four native species to appear on Australian postage stamps in 1974, when it was on the 25-cent stamp; it appeared on a 37-cent stamp in 1987, and in 1992 it was on the 35-cent stamp.[111][citation needed] The anthropomorphic echidna Millie was a mascot for the 2000 Summer Olympics.[112] Knuckles the Echidna, from the Sonic the Hedgehog series is also based on the short-beaked echidna.
See also
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General references
- Augee, M. L. and Gooden, B. A. 1993. Echidnas of Australia and New Guinea. Australian National History Press, Sydney ISBN 978-0-86840-046-4
- Augee, M. L., Gooden, B. A. and Musser, A. 2006. Echidna : extraordinary egg-laying mammal. Collingwood, Victoria, CSIRO Publishing ISBN 0643092048
- Augee, M. L. 1983. R. Strahan Ed. The Australian Museum Complete Book of Australian Mammals. pp. 8–9. Angus & Robertson ISBN 0-207-14454-0
- Egerton, L. ed. 2005. Encyclopedia of Australian wildlife. Reader's Digest ISBN 1-876689-34-X
- Griffiths, M. 1989. Tachyglossidae. pp. 407–435 in Fauna of Australia (D. W. Walton and B. J. Richardson, eds.). Mammalia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 1B:1–1227.