Butterflies drink tears of turtles to get salt

A group of colorful butterflies were seen choking the turtles heads in an attempt to drink their tears. The strange phenomenon occurs because the butterflies Julia and butterflies Sulphur need the nutritional benefits of salt. As access to any source of sodium in the Amazon forest requires a long way, these insects prey on rich salt tears of turtles.

The photographer Jeff Cremer and the biologist Phil Torres worked together in Tambopata, Peru, to capture these moments. "We are used to one or two butterflies on a turtle, but these seem to be absolutely suffocated by the butterflies," said Cremer.

These terrapins were warming up in the Sun when the insects the besieged. Like humans, the sweat of the turtle is rich in salt and animals of the region find themselves obliged to drink your tears for not having an ocean nearby.

"As we go further away from the Atlantic Ocean, the general availability of salt decreases the environment because there is less in the rain," explained Torres. "Then, in the far western Amazon the Atlantic appear strange behavior, including drinking the tears of turtles and alligators."

The butterflies tend to attract each other, so that if a butterfly is feeding, their bright colors invite the other to join the feast. Surprisingly, the turtles are apparently unperturbed by the intrusion into their personal space and very patient with the touch of the butterflies.

The same is not true with the activity of bees, which also seek to sodium in your eyes. "When bees appear to drink the tears of turtles, these seem to be agitated and evaded the head and try to swat the bees," added Torres. "I imagine that the butterflies are a little smoother and have more narrow mouths with that turtles deal well."

Some experts believe that the insects clean eyes of turtles in Exchange for drink, but Torres is not sure that is the case. "The most likely thing is that this relationship is a form of commensalism, in which the butterfly obtains the tortoise and the tortoise is not really affected."

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USA: cages protect children from wolves in the bus stops

Apparently, the wolves are a regular presence on the bus stops from New Mexico, United States, and the population has chosen to build cages to protect passengers.

The draft emerged a decade ago, some time after the wolves being reintroduced in the local habitat, but back into the spotlight after the u.s. Agency linked to wildlife has proposed the extension of protection of 75 Mexican gray wolves, rekindling the debate about the danger of wolves in the day-to-day life of a community.

The idea of the cages, however, is not consensual. Several environmentalists point out that there are no attacks of wolves to humans since this species was reintroduced in 1998, and that the cages are damaging to the community, and eventually "demonize" animals.

But residents of some small communities of New Mexico have a different idea. They say that animals have cornered the youngsters, the cages are indispensable. And, therefore, are against the extension of the area of protection of wolves.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the population thinks the cages are insufficient, and that they should get to more places of the cities. In Catron County, the wolves have been seen after children after school, being "a constant danger for all."

This is just another example of how communities do not always understand the need to live in communion with the animals, even if it is legitimate parental concern.

Read the full story from the Los Angeles Times and tell us who is right: environmentalists or community?

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Brazil: cartons are used to manufacture tiles

And if the aseptic packaging of Tetra Pak ' s card were used to fabricate tiles? At the outset, common sense would say that this process will be complicated, but nothing is impossible in the world of innovation: since 2000, in the Brazilian market, which it is possible to find tiles made of packaging, explains the Protects What's good.

According to the portal, Tetra Pak supports the marketing of tiles produced with plastic and aluminum in their cartons. "Manufacturers of tiles, in conjunction with Brazilian universities, cooperate in evaluating the material and introduction of major improvements in the final product," explains the site.

Currently, about 15 Brazilian tiles manufacturers are responsible for the annual production of a million tiles made from cartons for liquid foods. Used packaging, of course.

Tetra Pak has a global objective, until 2002, reaching 40% recycling rate of their packaging, post-consumer phase. This would mean tripling the amount of recycled packaging between 2010 and 2020, reaching about 100 billion packaging recycled in the year 2020.

Projects such as this, who value the residues, are a strong help to pursue this objective. Learn more about the strategy of recycling of Tetra Pak packings in Protects What's good.  And see also, on this link, the techniques used in this process.

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Apple looking for 1,500 employees worldwide

The American Apple, one of the most prestigious brands in the world, is to recruit more than 1500 professionals in various corners of the world â€" particularly in the United States (1421), but also Canada (37 jobs), Australia (23), Brazil (20), Chile, Belgium or Austria.

According to the Jobs around the world, those interested should register on the Apple Web site and submit your application to the desired position.

Apple has 408 stores spread over 14 countries â€" and about 76 employees worldwide, being 72 thousand of these herds.

Vacancies are mainly for software engineers-632-and to the area of operations â€" 314. About 200 are in the area of technology and information systems. On the other hand, just last week, 800 new jobs were created.

There are opportunities specifically for fluent in Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, German and French. Apply for a job here.

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Virgin: CO2 emissions per passenger are smaller by plane than by car

In its sustainability program from 2013, the British airline Virgin Atlantic says that last year the CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer fell to 119.3 grams. This is an "interesting", according to the company, since in the United Kingdom the average emissions from the new car was 133.1 grams of CO2 per kilometre in 2012. The company is advancing that the fall in emissions in the United Kingdom is due to carry more passengers at high occupancy rates.

Virgin Atlantic â€" which, by the way, is suspect in this type of study â€" also confirmed that continues to reduce its global carbon footprint. The enormous investment in new aircraft, more efficient, reduced CO2 emissions by 30% in some cases.

The environmental groups, in turn, are questioning whether the Virgin Atlantic will be focusing on the wrong impact, with ever more people to fly. Dax Lovegrove, the WWF argues that this and other airlines should "focus less on passenger and efficiencies of CO2 per kilometre and more in managing the overall carbon footprint of the overall increase of passengers travelling great distances."

Lovegrove has cited a number of changes that are necessary to ensure an "intelligent mobility", which includes electric vehicles, better public transport and car sharing. In fact, a Virgin Atlantic spokesman admitted that emissions from automobiles are based on a single person traveling in the vehicle.

Emissions from aviation have doubled since 1990, due to increased passenger demand, according to Edie. In 2011 the aviation sector was responsible for 6% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom, with the vast majority (95%), resulting from international flights.

"Fully Accept our part in reducing the negative consequences of air transport," said this year Craig Kreeger, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic. "Our number one priority is to reduce the carbon emissions of our aircraft in flight."

Photo: under Creative Commons license

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Sustainable Development Prize elects CGD as more sustainable Bank of Portugal

CGD won the award prize sectoral sustainable development, an initiative organised by Heidrick & Struggles for the fifth year and recognizes the entities with the best practices in the area of business sustainability.

The prize, which carries out a study of the evolution of the various practices in Portugal and in its entrepreneurial tissue, highlighted the banking institution in the general ranking.

"Sustainable development is a long-term investment, with a view to creating value for the stakeholders, through the identification and exploitation of opportunities and managing risks posed by economic, social and environmental factors," explains the Caixa Geral de Depósitos in a statement.

"The Corporate Sustainability Program CGD enhanced. The solidity of the CGD group will be pursued a path of continuous improvement, always focused on creating value for its stakeholders, "continues the institution.

Caixa Geral de Depósitos has published its sustainability report for 2012. Although the information reported refers essentially to the activities of the Bank in Portugal, this year has been enlargement under a sustainability reports being presented information about the sustainable performance of the CGD group companies, supplementary group of companies (Sogrupo purchasing and shared services, ACE and Sogrupo Information System) and affiliate banks: Banco Interatlântico, Banco Comercial do Atlântico â€" both of Cape Verde â€" and Banco Caixa Geral Brazil.

You can see the sustainability report here.

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GNR accounted 1091 accidents with animals on the roads until September

By the end of September, the GNR 1091 accidents on Portuguese roads monies resulting from collisions with animals â€" more than our common sense thinks. According to the newspaper i, most collisions happen in municipal roads and ends only in property damage. But the discharge of responsibilities may prove to be a headache for drivers.

In the case of a domestic animal, the highway code provides for a fine for owners, who are responsible for ensuring that your pets do not constitute danger for road traffic. The fine may vary between € 30 and € 150, outside the car damaged.

But, if the crash happen with a wild animal, the only way the driver be compensated is using the Automobile guarantee fund, which will pay for the damage.

If the accident if it works on a highway, the dealership â€" that is required to ensure good circulation of security â€" is liable. But to do that the driver has to prove that the company had nothing to do with it at the entrance of the animal on the road.

However, according to the GNR, most accidents involving animals happen in national and municipal roads. The overwhelming majority of collisions takes place between the 6:0 pm and the 10:0 pm. At the end of the day, it is therefore recommended that you circulate cautiously redoubled rural areas.

If it is confronted with an animal on the road, the GNR advises against the use of signs or lights, honk the Horn, because they confuse the animal. Are also discouraged any sudden deviations (twists) â€" that can end in crash.

So, and when you can see the animal, should reduce the speed gradually until you can bypass it safely. If you're already too late and could not avoid the shock, the best can be non stop and not deviate, since with the braking, the front of the car low and if it is a large animal can be designed for glass windshields-breaking glass and causing injuries to the driver.

In the event of an accident, should always contact the police. Because, to operate the car insurance or the Automobile guarantee fund, it takes an auto raised by GNR or the PSP â€" which attests to the existence of the occurrence. If the accident involved domestic animals (dogs, cats, cows, sheep), it will be up to the authorities to contact the respective owners, but in the case of a hunting species (case of hares, rabbits or wild boars), the police is obliged to call the municipal veterinarian.

If it concludes that the animal can be consumed, this is donated to a charitable institution.

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Is Banksy vegetarian?

The famous British street artist Banksy revealed yesterday, his latest work in residential areas from New York. His name is "better out than in" and transmits his disappointment regarding meat industry. Titled "the sirens of the lambs", the play demonstrates a moving truck, containing various stuffed animals into the slaughterhouse. According to the artist's Instagram, before making a tour around New York City, the van makes a journey through the Meatpacking District.

"The silence of the Lambs", at first glance, it might seem comical. However, also intends to be a social commentary about the horrors of the livestock industry. All kinds of animals (cows, chickens, ducks, sheep and pandas) can be seen leaving the farm fresh meat "on the way to the slaughterhouse. Many of these creatures move their heads and ask for help, attracting the attention of people passing on the street.

The truck passes by a meat market, which leads the Inhabitat asking: is Banksy vegetarian?

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Scientists discover gold in Australian Eucalyptus leaves

For the first time, scientists have discovered gold naturally embedded in a living organism. According to the journal Nature Communications, researchers from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) confirmed the existence of gold particles in leaves and branches of Australian eucalyptus trees.

In the search for water, the gold infiltrates at the root of eucalyptus which, for being ejected, since this is toxic, carries the metal for their leaves and branches. These gold particles are invisible to the naked eye, perceptible only by use of x-ray technology.

However, it is not likely that the eucalyptus trees cause a boom in the extraction of this metal. Responsible for research, Mel Lintern, said that even though 500 trees grow on top of a gold deposit, just extrairiam metal enough to produce a small engagement ring. Nevertheless, the presence of eucalyptus trees can help the Drillers to find gold reserves, without the need to carry out deep excavations.

According to Inhabitat, the discovery of deposits of this metal fell by half in the last decade, which was accompanied by a reduction in the quality of this. You will be able to plant eucalyptus trees become an environmentalist and low-cost form of gold mining? And most importantly: make sense to move on biodiversity because of it?

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GPA Portugal debate green economy and deliver prizes in Champalimaud Foundation

The sixth edition of the Green Project Awards Portugal will reveal tomorrow its winners, a Conference that seeks to "Mobilize Portugal for the green economy". The ceremony takes place at the Champalimaud Foundation, in Lisbon, and opened at 9:0.

The event will count with the participation of invited national and international panorama, from lawmakers to business leaders. Are confirmed the presence of the Minister of agriculture and the sea, Assumption Crests, and the Minister of the environment, spatial planning and energy, Jorge Moreira da Silva.

The Conference, along which will be awarded the prizes of various categories, shall consist of three panels: "the competitiveness of a sustainable economy"; "The (R) evolution of the primary sector as an engine for sustainable growth"; and "green economy: an opportunity for growth".

See the program of the event and sign up for the Conference.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Portuguese Environment Agency, Quercus and the GCI-the Organizing Committee of the Green Project Awards in Portugal â€" give Portuguese known to the public the outstanding projects throughout the year with regard to best practices in support of sustainable development.

Present in Portugal, Brazil and Cape Verde, the Green Project Awards received more than 800 applications and recognized more than 40 projects. In 2013 the highlight goes through young entrepreneurship, through the project 80, green economy and the enlargement of frontiers with the support of CPLP. Besides Brazil and Cape Verde, the Green Project Awards will this year get to Angola and Mozambique.

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Seattle can glide into the water in an upcoming earthquake

When you register an earthquake, it's easy to focus on major structural damage that results directly from the concussion. But the secondary risk of landslides can also be problematic. With all its hills, the city of Seattle, in the United States, faces enormous risks in this respect â€" a new study from the University of Washington advances to more than 8,000 buildings in landslide zones.

Kate Allstadt, PhD student and sismóloga in the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, is co-author of this study. He became involved in the investigation after moving to the city and realize the enormous amount of steep inclines which has â€" the city lies upon the Failure of Seattle, who is believed to have been responsible for an earthquake of 7.5 magnitude in 900 a.d.

"I thought about what would happen to these slopes if there was an earthquake on this fault or in its vicinity," she says. "No one is really studying quantitatively how many landslides have occurred. I thought it would be important, because we need to prepare. "

The earthquake of the year 900 was of such size that caused a deadly tsunami and brought down large tracts of forest, today submerged in Lake Washington. Nowadays, the slopes around water are densely populated, so the impact of a similar phenomenon would be catastrophic.

Using computer simulations and a seismology tool called Newmark method, Allstadt and his colleagues John Vidale and Art Frankel created several maps showing areas where the threat is greatest.

There are some aspects that could minimize or maximize the landslides. If an earthquake occurs during the height of the year as wet in early spring, the soil can be humid and more conducive to catastrophic landslides. The intensity of the earthquake, obviously, also matters.

Unfortunately it is difficult to measure seismic activity patterns-earthquakes are difficult to predict and the human history of Seattle not dating back to as far as that of many other countries prone to earthquakes, like Japan.

It is therefore essential to start preparing the city for this possibility, defends Allstadt â€" discover the most vulnerable regions, micro planning rapid responses within and outside these areas, provide that basic sanitation and electrical infrastructure could be implemented, educate homebuyers about the risks of living on these slopes. "It may be now or in a few thousands of years", says the researcher. "We just don't know."

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Transparent shell snail discovered in Croatia

It was discovered a transparent shell snail within the deepest cave of Croatia. The little creature was declared as a new species and lives in one of the 20 deepest caves systems of the Lukina Jama-Trojama â€" world.

The newfound species â€" zospeum tholussum â€" belongs to a genus of snail who cannot see and that only lives in dark underground caves. The most distinctive aspect of the fragile animal is its beautiful shell, translucent, cone-shaped.

Scientists found only one live specimen during his expedition. The animal was discovered a remarkable depth of 980 metres, in a Chamber full of stones and sand with a small stream.

All the known species of the cave have a limited capacity for locomotion. But their preference for a muddy habitat and establish generally close the drainage system of the cave, in proximity to the water, suggests that these animals are not real estate.

The scientists think that the dispersion of snails is obtained by your movement through the water or for driving larger mammals.

Lukina Jama-Trojama is the deepest cave in Croatia and is known for its extraordinary vertical form, long chasms and great depth-at least 1,392 meters.

From an ecological point of view, this cavernous system is extremely interesting for having three layers microclimatic: a piece of ice that forms at the entrance, with a temperature of about 1° C; the middle part, with temperatures up to 2ºc; and the bottom with a temperature of 4ºc.

These unusual living conditions make the cave extremely interesting for scientists from the point of view of its biodiversity.

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Air pollution halts Chinese city with 11 million inhabitants

The smog did terminate Harbin â€" one of the largest cities in China, with a population of 11 million, due to potential health problems associated with the phenomenon and a limited visibility to only 10 meters. Schools and local airports are closed and public transport are limited, at a time when the whole town deals with pollution that reached levels 50 times higher than those deemed safe by the World Health Organization.

Although it is not the first time that China faces high air pollution levels recorded in Harbin are really shocking. Local government reports an air quality index of 500 â€" the highest possible. Some parts of the city showed an index of particulate material from 1,000 milligrams per cubic meter â€" values that are especially alarming to health authorities.

Residents and employees are now especially concerned about dense smog which began taking care of the industrial city. To make matters worse, coal-fired heating system was activated, worsening the pollution.

"You can't see his own toes in front", announces the official City News Web site. An inhabitant of Harbin also commented: "you can hear the person who you're talking about, but you can't see her".

The Government issued a red alert and called on the population to stay at home, wearing masks and eating pears â€" in northern China believed that the fruit help irritated lungs. Despite warnings to stay away from roads, there has been heavy traffic on two highways. According to Inhabitat, the hospitalizations have increased 30% over the weekend, with many people complaining of respiratory problems.

The northeastern region of China has implemented for years, strict measures to combat air pollution. so far, local authorities have replaced small heating boilers for central heating, urban systems prohibited coal with high sulphur content and applied cleaner fuel standards for cars. But the biggest problem â€" the city's central heating system, which is fuelled by coal â€" remains active.

Harbin is one of China's coldest cities and often faces difficult choice between clean air or warm climate.

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Cats smugglers are the new trend of prisons

A cat with a big collar unusual raised suspicions in a prison in Moldova for their frequent visits to the site â€" when the guards caught him, realized so that the collar contained bags of marijuana.

This is not the first case of cats to be used as drug dealers. Last June, according to Treehugger, another cat was intercepted by guards at the prison institution of Komi, in northern Russia, with two packages attached to the body that contain mobile phones and Chargers.

Other cat was also found in a medium-security prison in the city of Arapiraca to carry files and drills, such as a mobile phone. A prison spokesman told the newspaper O Estado de s. Paulo: "it's hard to figure out who is responsible for the action, since the cat didn't fala".

We can imagine that the animals will be enticed with candy in order to visit their friends Favorites in prisons, however it is not known what happens to them when they are captured.

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Woman dresses 365 days only with second-hand clothes

A woman committed to promoting environmental sustainability in the fashion industry undertook to use only second-hand clothes during 365 days. Christina Dean, founder of ReDress, organization of eco-fashion, is to use throughout the year of 2013 second-hand parts, 100% discarded or donated â€" with the exception of underwear and shoes, which are hers.

Christina, living in Hong Kong, shows their daily choices on Instagram. These include dresses found in the recycling container, the boyfriend's jeans that just needed a wash and shirts that look new after ironing.

Every month visit a recycling center called Friends of the Earth, receiving clothing donated by townspeople, and chooses about 30 outfits. With the help of a stylist, she wears clothes recycled parts using specific criteria, such as reuse, creating for herself or the arrangement.

"The recycling center have bags stuffed with clothes of all sizes, shapes and styles," says Christina. "Between the waste there are amazing clothes, whatever their well-known brands, fabrics and high quality finishes, brand new, vintage or handmade, I have used throughout this year."

A chequered shirt Ralph Lauren is just one of the examples of amazing clothes that a woman finds. Other pieces include a white Tux salvaged, to which Christina cut the sleeves to make it look more "finished" and "modern", such as a red silk dress that just needed a new button to hold the back of the neck.

Christina reveals that it was after having witnessed firsthand the daily dump of some of about 217 tons of textile waste â€" most of which non-biodegradable â€" into landfills in Hong Kong that decided to take action.

"I realized that the environmental gains made by sustainability initiatives of the fashion industry â€" a hint of better recycling, a dose of energy efficiency and a dash of water economy â€" are lost when confronted with this abyss of post-consumer textile waste repugnant," she explains.

Less than three months to complete this project, Christina intends to sell all clothing worn to raise money for the ReDress and the Friends of the Earth.

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London: first class trains can decrease to relieve overcrowding

In London, it is common to see passengers crammed into overcrowded train carriages common rush hour, that not true canned sardines, while in first class have taken hold the seats. This trend, however, may have borrowed time.

An investigation focused on the arrival of trains at London stations of Paddington, Waterloo, Liverpool Street and King's Cross, between the 8:0 and the 9:0, showed that trains normally include three first-class carriages and five standard. It turns out that only about 50% of first-class seats were occupied in these trains. Less than a fifth of the first-class carriages were full or nearly full and some had only three or four people in compartments with 48 seats.

In almost all cases, passengers travelling in standard carriages, accommodating 80 people each. The East Coast operator revealed that their first class carriages are, on average, complete in 40% â€" but it was the only one who agreed to divulge the numbers.

"It is wise to come up with a mix of first-class and standard carriages in our railways," said Patrick McLoughlin. The Secretary of transportation shows that this option could offer a better experience for passengers, but warns that "it is important to be absolutely clear that it is not a solution to the serious capacity issues we face".

When you set the terms of contracts of railway undertakings, McLoughlin can specify detailed criteria to be met â€" and which may include the addition of more seats in the ordinary carriages at the expense of first class.

"Must be achieved a balance between the number of standard and first class carriages a train has" defended Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus employee. "It is clear that where the passengers are being squeezed in standard-class cars, while there are a number of empty seats in first class, this balance is not being achieved."

Critics of the measure insist, however, that the comfort of passengers who pay a higher price should come before demand of railway companies by the maximization of profits.

Government data released in July show that one out of every five passengers in London must stand on the road during rush hours in the morning.

Photo: under Creative Commons license

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Elephants perceive the meaning of point

Humans point to articles without giving much attention to the gesture, which is complex. To stretch a finger, we give other people the ability to know what we mean. When scientists test this capability in other species, realize that understand the gesture of pointing is a rare gift in the animal Kingdom. However, Richard Byrne, biologist at the University of St Andrews, and the student Anna Smet claim to have discovered a wild animal who realizes the meaning of pointing: the elephant.

The study in question raises the possibility of the elephants have a deep social intelligence rivaling that of humans, in some ways. The researchers used a simple but effective test, to see if the animals understand the gesture of pointing-put food in one of two identical containers and then silently pointed to what was the food.

While the majority of primates and other animals undergoing the test fail, some run with success â€" in the case of domesticated mammals. The dogs turned out to be especially good at understanding the gesture.

But in the mid-2000, Byrne began to question whether the elephants could also pass the test. The logical path would perform the test point with the elephants and that's what the pair did last year.

Anna Smet traveled to Zimbabwe, where a company called Wild Horizons offers safaris with elephants. Every morning, each animal watching Smet putting pieces of fruit in one of two equal buckets through a screen, without realizing who was receiving the content. Then Smet brought the buckets to the animal and pointed to what was in the fruit.

During two months, Smet repeated the test with 11 elephants. When they analyzed the data later, researchers realized that the animals chose the bucket right side 67.5% of the time. These followed Smet both if she extended the entire arm as the hand only. And when she simply stood between the buckets, without aim, the elephants were playing us at random.

According to the New York Times, scientists rule out the hypothesis that animals have learned to associate the gesture of pointing to food over the tests, since they were successful from the beginning of the experiment.

Byrne and Smet intend to now investigate whether wild elephants also point to each other. "This makes us want to review the Visual signals of elephants to elephants," said Smet.

Byrne also proved wondering if other highly social mammals manage to pass the test of point-whales and dolphins are at the top of your list.

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The forgotten planet tribes

The new book of British photographer Jimmy Nelson, Before They Pass Away ("before they die", in Portuguese), recalls his last three years traveling and photographing remote tribes of the five continents.

Half half art historical documentary, the book portrays 35 tribes that still live as their ancestors â€" in inaccessible spots on the planet or even on our doorstep.

From Mongolia to Papua New Guinea, passing by Ethiopia, Argentina or Arctic, Jimmy Nelson traveled the world looking for ancestor's life. In Ethiopia, he traveled three weeks just to get to the tribes in the South of the country.

The photographer's next adventure will be portraying other 35 tribes, but now troubled areas or in the middle of armed conflict â€" a project that is dependent on a special permit from the authorities. For now, stay with some of the pictures of Jimmy â€" and click on the photo for the tribe and country.

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Eight-year-old creates application for healthy eating

At age eight, the American Nicolas Eats interviewed its President, Barack Obama, having tapped to present its application for Android and IOS, Nicolas Garden.

In it, young created a virtual fridge where users can choose ingredients, leaving Nicolas with the task of suggesting meals. All are homemade and healthy.

The application encourages users to Cook, to comentaremn the recommended dishes and suggest new recipes.

During the holidays, Nicolas participated in the "Kid's State Dinner", a dinner sponsored by the American first lady, Michelle bama. This is the day that the young interviewed Obama. "The first thing I did was submit my application and give you a card with my contact," said the boy.

According to the American press, the White House Chef was so impressed with the work of Nicolas who suggested all cooks contribute recipes for your app. as soon as that happens, the Nicolas ' Garden will have a special page to gather the tips of these special experts.

Nicolas believes in technology as a tool to promote a healthy lifestyle in a country where the rate of obesity is increasingly worrisome.

And once the smartphones and tablets are always with us, why not take advantage of them to help us in the search for a healthier life?

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Windows Phone 8 will silence calls while driving

Microsoft is updating your Windows operating system for mobile phones, in order to work on larger devices and become less distracting to drivers moving on the road. This is the third update for Windows Phone 8 since the launch of the system, a year ago.

Electronic devices with this new update will start to emerge in the coming weeks and the old phones can make your free upgrade. The new mode of driving will be able to automatically mute the calls and text messages, so that who's driving be sure to concentrate only on the road.

Through configuration, users can also automatically send a reply to those who try to contact the driver by saying this is leading. This mode can be activated whenever the mobile phone is connected via Bluetooth, a device present in the vehicle.

Apple has no option like that for iPhone, only that which needs to be activated manually. What this autonomous driving mode of Microsoft cannot do, however, is to block calls or messages. And there will always be a way to bypass the driver activated mode and use the same phone.

The appeal will not stop anyone from writing while driving, but will help to reduce distractions for those who wish to not be disturbed, said Greg Sullivan, business manager of Windows Phone.

The new update will also allow a better resolution for larger phones. At this point, the system supports a maximum resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels, which only serves to devices that do not have more than five inches diagonally.

The layout for mobile phones will also change to include a third column of tiles.

Photo: under Creative Commons license

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Seed with 2,000 years gives rise to rare Palm tree

A young Palm tree, called Metusalah, flourished for the third time after a seed with 2,000 years old have been planted, for eight years. Ancestral seeds were found in a jar of clay in the fortified Palace of Herod the great in Masada, Israel in 1973.

One of those turned out to be seeds planted in 2005 and, to everyone's surprise, gave rise to a rare and ancient plant. Who sowed was the botanical researcher Elaine Solowey, with the help of the Louis l. Borick Natural Medicine Centre in Jerusalem.

"When we asked if we could try to grow some of them [seeds], said ' are crazy ' but they gave us three seeds," says the researcher.

She was the one who planted the seed, so received, and saw her blossoming for the first time in 2011. Despite being very similar to modern Palm trees, the tree has some unusual leaves. The big difference seems to reside in the length of the third sheet.

The aim is to now make the intersection of plant with modern relatives nearby. The young Palm tree was called Metusalah, by means of a biblical story about the oldest person who ever lived.

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Brits choose to renovate the houses, instead of moving

Most Britons are opting for improving the conditions of their homes instead of moving to bigger houses. The Bank of England says that were liquidated € 18 billion ($ 54 billion) of mortgage debt between April and June-the highest amount in any three-month period since records began in 1970.

The data suggest that owners of dwellings are choosing to invest your money in payment of mortgages in the first place, or add value to properties through a series of improvements, such as conversions or extensions of the divisions.

Since 2001 until the beginning of 2008, the Bank's asset values show that the mortgage debt was growing. This means that, at this time, people were constantly to withdraw more money from their homes than to invest in them. But the economic downturn seems to have provoked a radical change in attitudes, for the amount of the debt that people want to have, suggests the institution.

For many owners, the cost of moving house right now is prohibitive. At the same time, others are taking advantage of the cheaper mortgages ever to perform a "payment" of his, thus reducing interest rates. This means that people opt to pay more than the Bank requires monthly or pay a large sum once a year. The figures show that many people are using as much of the money amassed precisely for this purpose.

Clare Francis, mortgage specialist site Moneysupermarket, argues that the owners are "channeling the money to your mortgage". And he adds: "The about regular payments will help reduce the amount you must reduce the amount of interest you will pay over the term and lead people to become mortgage free sooner".

In short, today people are opting to save instead of spend. "Homeowners are being responsible," argues Henry Pryor, a specialist in independent housing. "They are doing what they were told â€" acting responsibly and paying his debts."

Photo: under Creative Commons license

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13-year-old girl creates sustainable fashion company

Maya Shea Penn, with only 13 years ago, has created a fashion company, published a book and created a nonprofit organization called Maya's Ideas 4 The Planet. The promising career of this girl began when he was eight and realized that our choices of clothing have a large impact on the environment.

Perplexed with the abundance of toxic chemicals used in most clothes, Maya began his own line, called Maya's Ideas. Using 100% organic materials, such as recycled and vintage some fabrics, the project became an inspiration to young entrepreneurs and activists around the world.

"Many people ask me: ' why be environmentally friendly? '," says the young woman. And explains: "my parents taught me from an early age to recycling, organic farming, being environmentally aware and a good administrator, respecting the planet and taking care of their animals."

Maya began to hear talk about how the dyes in clothing are harmful to the health of people, animals and the planet. Researched the matter and confirmed that, in fact, there are a number of potential problems for those who are sensitive to dyes.

In 2011, Greenpeace published a report in which reveals traces of toxic chemicals found in the products of 14 manufacturers of major brands, including Adidas and H&M. People who have sensitivity to these components experience often negative symptoms such as rashes and difficulty breathing.

Against this garment that, besides being harmful to health, contributes to the pollution of water and air, Maya began creating natural dyes, fruits and vegetables, such as herbal teas, to dye your clothes and accessories. These parts, in turn, are made of organic cotton, linen, wool, rayon, sarapilheira organic and recycled materials.

Articles created by Maya reveal the features of a girl in love with fashion and by nature. But she is also solidarity â€" according to Inhabitots, 20% of the profits of the Maya's Ideas are donated to local and global charities.

The young recently wrote and illustrated his first book, Lucy and Sammy Save the Environment that teaches the younger children the basics of recycling, pollution and greenhouse gases. The 20-page book is being made available in schools of Atlanta.

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City wants to open marine park where you eat meat of whale and Dolphin

Yes, we're in 2013, but a city still intends to build a marine park where visitors can swim with the whales and dolphins in the wild. And then eat whale and dolphin meat.

According to press reports, the Japanese coastal town of Taiji has initiated a plan to transform part of the Cove of Moriura entertainment area, where people can swim and kayak next to whales and dolphins, but also prove the meat of animals.

"This is part of the long-term plan of Taiji to make the entire city in a park, where you can observe marine mammals while tasting various marine products, including whale and dolphin meat," said Masaki Wada, Japanese Government official.

The famous 2009 documentary The Cove, winner of the Oscar for best documentary, disclosed the practice of hunting of dolphins in this town. The proposed site for the recreation area is located near the Hatakejiri Bay where dolphins are caught annually for sale to aquariums or slaughtered for their meat. The practice used in Taiji animals driving involves to a small area, where they are killed so macabre, with Spears and knives.

"From our point of view, the plan for the new Marine Park is just an extension of vision predominantly ignorant of Taiji that whales and dolphins exist only to entertain and feed people," defended Clare Perry, of the activist non-profit Environmental Investigation Agency.

The Huffington Post advances that, despite knowing that the Dolphin slaughter methods used in the city are extremely inhumane, killing on the spot was resumed again this year.

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In love with €430 let dogs British Grand animal rescue Center

A passion for dogs, in England, died of grief a few weeks after your dog German Shepherd have been the Holy Shroud, leaving a legacy of €430, 000 ($ 1.3 million) for the British animal charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

Kevin Johnson, of 59 years, donated all his savings to the RSPCA Southridge, near Potters Bar, as well as the value of the sale of your home, as a form of gratitude for the bitch who allowed him to adopt the local rescue Center. The man suffered a massive heart attack just two months after her best friend Chelsea have died with a stroke.

The man had no parents, siblings or children who leave their goods. Lived in North London with Chelsea, adopted after Kevin had lost their previous two German shepherds, Max and Heidi.

The dog had been adopted seven years ago and was about 10 years old when he died. "Kevin was totally devastated by losing to Chelsea â€" she was the Apple of his eyes and his great friend," said an aunt of man, with 90 years.

Aunt added that accompanied the nephew the day this decided to adopt the animal. "They [owner and dog] immediately called on the first date so that Kevin looked at her. She had been badly treated and Kevin gave him a new life. "

The aunt said that the man never quit the bitch after adoption-with her everywhere. The day she found her inanimate, took her to the vet but nothing could be done to save her and had to opt for euthanasia.

Kevin was found two months later, dead in bed, victim of a heart attack. "We are sure that he died of a broken heart," said her aunt.

"Kevin left a fantastic legacy to the animal Center and the donation will help rescue and care for a large number of dogs," he added. A new leisure area for dogs at Southridge will be dedicated to the memory of Kevin and Chelsea, with a special plate placed in his honor.

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Jellyfish crushers Robots Act in South Korea

In recent years, the jellyfish populations along the coast of South Korea have increased enough to adversely affect the marine industry in the region, costing the country € 2 million ($ 6.2 million) per year. A team of scientists claims, however, have the solution to the problem â€" a series of autonomous robots that work together to make the tracing of jellyfish at sea and the grind.

The jellyfish are becoming a serious plague in South Korea â€" more than 2,000 people were treated for stings last year, including a child who died due to injuries. In recent years, the country has tried to solve the problem sweeping the coast with nets and releasing the animals from natural predators, but the method is very expensive and ineffective.

Hyun Myung, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and his team have been working on a robot since 2009 and completed last year, successfully a first test on the ground. More recently, the Group upgraded the speed and system programming.

Each robot is maintained on the surface by two structures equipped with motorized propellers that keep the unit stable in water, while controlling your speed and direction. A network is suspended under water and pulls the jellyfish using its own propulsion. The animals are so driven to a separate propeller that chops up instantly, creating a folder that is dispersed in water.

According to Gizmag, the robot uses a combination of GPS and INS (inertial navigation System) to accurately determine your location and orientation in the ocean. Researchers may update data via wireless about the sites with more jellyfish, so that the machine travels there alone.

As a single robot would take a long time to eliminate all the jellyfish in the region, the project includes several machines that coordinate efforts. A first robot is designated as the leader and determines the path to be followed by others, covering a large area. When traveling in a group, the robots shall exchange information, in order to ensure that they remain evenly spaced. This facilitates control researchers, who only have to focus on the path of the leader.

Tests conducted recently with three robots have a velocity of 7.2 km/hour and eradication of 900 kg of jellyfish per hour. In the long run, Myung expects his invention can be adapted to other missions, such as cleaning water of the sea, maritime surveillance and prevention of oil spillage.

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The Dutch city that has four times more bicycles than cars

In Groningen, a historic college town in the North of the Netherlands, the bike is Queen. In one of the countries most friends of the two wheels in the world, Groningen manages to stand out with its 300 thousand bicycles to 75 thousand cars.

With these numbers it is not surprising, therefore, that more than 50% of trips in the city are made by bicycle, the favourite means of transport of its 190 thousand inhabitants.

The city began its history in 1977, when the velocipede responsible for urban planning began to create a compact streets plan, dividing the metropolitan area on four sides â€" and banned cars from passing between each of these sectors.

Thus, the cars were pushed into the roads surrounding the city, while the bikes were the only vehicles allowed in the Centre. The city â€" and mentalities of its inhabitants â€" began to evolve from there. There is even a unique bike path to one of the largest Ikea stores in the world, being that the multinational offers its guests bicycle trailers, where people can put their furniture. Is, in fact, a mentality almost unique in the world.

Without cars, Groningen has become one of the safest cities and with better air quality in the world. A town, no doubt, with a huge quality of life.

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The British vegetarian who has a phobia of vegetables and fruits

A woman claims not to eat any fruit or vegetable for 21 years for being afraid of these foods. Dee Vyas, 34 years, living in London, developed this phobia for being forced to eat vegetables as a child.

The woman does not eat any vegetable or piece of fruit for more than 20 years, which of course will cause health problems. "I panic if I see any fruit or vegetable on my plate," she says. "The tomatoes make me shudder and bananas make me shudder."

The irony of all this is that Dee also doesn't eat meat or fish. "I've never been able to stand the smell, the taste or the texture of the flesh," he explains. "But as long as I can remember, also retreated before the vision of fruits and vegetables."

This was not just a question of childish rebelliousness-Dee couldn't even look at these foods, even being forced to ingest them. At the age of 12 years, finally, stopped eating and, since then, never even played in one.

Enter a simple supermarket can be a traumatizing experience for this woman â€" just look at the Hall of vegetables make her feel bad. Upon such phobia, Dee survives based on a very unhealthy diet â€" eat rice, pasta, soft drinks, chocolate, crisps, cheese and cereals.

Dee is overweight, but still unable to adopt a healthier diet. "Even at work can be embarrassing, because I don't want to call the attention of my colleagues to my Lunchbox, which usually contains a packet of crisps, a chocolate bar and a soda." In a few days, your lunch is just hot chocolate or coffee.

"I'm limited to foods that, unfortunately, are unhealthy," laments Dee. "I was warned by my doctor to eat more healthy, but I just can't."

With a history of diabetes in the family, your diet puts it under a higher risk of developing the disease. In addition, the issue also impacts their social life, since most of the time you have to eat alone, away from the danger of extraneous meals.

This unusual phobia affects thousands of people in Britain, and treatments include a "psychological reprogramming", to control the response of the patient to see unwanted food.

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Sculptor creates human figures for underwater Museum in Mexico

The British sculptor Jason Taylor, food and cooking of 39 years, unveiled his latest collection for the Underwater Museum of art which he co-founded in 2009 off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. New parts include busts of people in hostels cement between algae on the seabed.

Made of marine cement black with neutral pH, most pieces are increased for stainless steel â€" these thorns, with the long, bright yellow color coral where able to simulate the presence of flames.

"I try to use the work to highlight the enormous losses that we are having and how our blue planet is changing dramatically," explains Taylor food and cooking. "Future generations will see the same number of species and plentiful reefs ancestors."

One of the sculptures, entitled No Turning Back, alludes to the loss of coral reefs of the Caribbean. Another of the sculptures is an angelic figure, named Resurrection, which uses a purple coral rescued after being displaced from your reef system and damaged during a recent storm.

Food and cooking Taylor now has 510 sculptures on permanent display at the bottom of the sea, although these are their latest additions to the Museum, since the artist is preparing to return to Europe. "I'm going to leave Mexico, but I have this legacy that will allow my daughter come back in 20 years and you're still here," he said.

The underwater Museum has proved a huge success â€" receives 250 000 visitors each year. Food and cooking Taylor is trying to secure funding to allow it eventually to include 8,000 figures.

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The compression at Tokyo Metro

The metropolitan area of Tokyo has 13 million people. That's a lot of people trying to make it to work and to return as soon as possible, at the end of the afternoon, with their families. Are millions to go get the kids to school, go shopping or leisure event.

With a population as high, the public transport system cannot fail. Still, he will never be enough for such searches, as you can see from the photos of Michael Wolf, published below.

The photographer specialized in portraying how people move in metropolitan areas, and your book Tokyo Compression, published in September by Peperoni Books and Asia One Books, is one of the most fascinating portraits of the series.

There is funny photos, but most reflects the exhaustion of the day-by-day, on the way home. If you think that transport in Lisbon or Porto are chaotic, then what about the main metro city?

Now try to imagine how it will be rush hour traffic.

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The most beautiful photos from National Geographic by readers

National Geographic, is known, is a House of great photographers and great photographs. Now, the American magazine wants to extend this status, encouraging your readers to be part of the day-to-day life of the publication with your own photos.

The project, called "Your Shot, National Geographic Photo Community" allows the community of brand contact with professional photographers who, every day, they take home stunning images. Journalists also will be in contact with this community.

The first "work" has the backdrop of the global changes and has already produced some images from all over the world: from nature to the animal Kingdom, passing for mankind.

See some of the pictures already entered and enter your own work here.

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Nutrition Awards 2013: all winners

Five categories, five winners and 11 honorable mentions were delivered today in the Auditorium of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, to projects that have distinguished themselves with regard to innovation and entrepreneurship in the agroalimentary sector and Nutrition Sciences in Portugal.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Nutrition Awards, a joint organisation of the GCI and consultant of the Portuguese Association of Dietitians (APN), awarded research projects, products, services and initiatives of mobilization who have distinguished themselves among the more than 100 applications received.

Thus, the winners are the Frueat (product innovation), Myfarm.com (innovation), Faculty of Sciences of nutrition and feeding of the University of Porto, Edenred and Directorate-General of health (mobilization Initiative), Frulact (research and development) and the journalist Louis Silvestre, Saturday at Public Communication special award.

The winners of each category will have a stamp of recognition of quality and distinction, which may use as reinforcement on the credibility of their products, services and projects and as a tool for marketing and communication.

In its fourth edition, the Nutrition Awards included the sponsorship of APED, Continent, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and McDonald 's, having as partners of media audiences, the frog, the Store Magazine, the GreenSavers distribution Today and the SIC Notícias.



WINNERS of the NUTRITION AWARDS 2013



PRODUCT INNOVATION |



Winner

Frueat

The product released by the Frueat, the Fruut, consists of natural dehydrated Apple slices produced at Quinta de Vilar, in Viseu. The product is 100% natural, constıtuído only for Apple, no added sugar, fat or preservatives, and 100% national, having joined the movement I'm Portugal.

The drying process of the product was developed in partnership with the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia da Universidade Católica and the Escola Superior Agrária de Viseu. Partnerships with universities to stimulate the process of innovation and development, offered to young researchers in touch with real-world scenarios of market.



SERVICE INNOVATION |



Winner

"MyFarm.com-your garden, your products, our ingenuity". The main objective of this organization is to promote and sensitize the population to the cultivation and maintenance of its own vegetable garden, 49 m2, participating, to the extent of its possibilities, and according to the information provided, in the activities of the productive process. In this way customers (e-farmers) consume, with confidence, the vegetables that they produce (the MyFarm offers about 70 cultures of spring/summer and autumn/winter). In your area of terrain is installed a camera, from which the customer can follow 24/12:0 am the development process that asked to be planted. Farmers are the company's partners on the component production and share with the MyFarm investments, costs and revenues (up to 60% of all revenue, depending on their degree of involvement with the production process and with the client).



MOBILIZATION INITIATIVE |



Winner

Faculty of nutrition and Food Sciences of the University of Porto, Edenred and General Health Direction with the project "Intelligent Nutrition-eat better, save more". This Manual is intended for the population in General, particularly those responsible for the management of food familiar. The book has been adopted as a tool for internal consultation in public institutions, such as the Ministry of solidarity and Social Security, and private institutions and of the Social economy and can be downloaded in several sites of government institutions as www.alimentacaosaudavel.dgs.pt.



& RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT |



Winner

FRULACT-Agroalimentary Industry, s. a., with the project "FruShape â€" Fruit into shapes (development of a amiloproteica array formatted containing fruit, vegetables, chocolate, or cocoa)". The FruShape is a product with high nutritional value presented so playful and fun, to the younger population segments, and as the product of easy accessibility and consumption for the segments more seniors. This research and development project began in September of 2010 and the next phase of the project will be FruShape the industrialization and commercialization from 2014.



SPECIAL PREMIUM COMMUNICATION "PUBLIC" |



Winner

Journalist Louis Silvestre, Saturday magazine, as research paper titled: "Why do we eat?", whose objective was to "understand the secrets of the appetite, and the brain is just as important as the stomach. The colors and the sounds are as important as the flavors. And genetics is as important as taste. "

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Viseu: Apple rejected is dehydrated and turned into healthy snacks (with video)

On Thursday de Vilar, in Viseu, several tons of apples are rejected by the market and ended up, invariably, in the list of food waste that so often we criticise in our aggregator.

It was then that Eva Raimann Cabral, the owner, began researching what to do with an Apple that, after all, had good organoleptic skills. With several options at hand, Eva opted for dehydrated Apple, a snack that's not exactly groundbreaking, but enough to end food waste at Quinta do Vilar.

The project has evolved and has become the brand Fruut, a snack that now arrives to the market and that reflects apples rejected from 42 hectares of cultivation.

At Quinta do Vilar, the first apples were born in 1967. Today, catch 1,800 tons â€" among them, 150 tons of granny smith, an unusual variety in Portugal.

Harvesting is manual, the sprinkler system's drip and the origin is natural and 100% Portuguese. It is here, too, that the apples are sliced, dried and Fruut packed.

The Fruut tag doesn't have any kind of addiction and, of course, is healthy. "This is a great value proposition. We offer fun, a crunchy, tasty product, but it can't hurt, "said the green economy Philip Simões, responsible for the commercial area of Fruut â€" which is already thinking about expanding the product for other flavors.

See the episode 131 of the green economy.

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Eritrea, Burundi and Comoros are leading global hunger (with MAP)

Twenty-three of the 120 countries monitored by the Global Hunger Index, which maps the global hunger, are making "significant progress" in improving nutrition and food security of its citizens. Namely, global hunger is slowing.

According to the ranking of 2013, which will be presented this week, the 10 countries with the highest progression are Angola, Ethiopia, Malawi, Niger, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. "In 2000, the South Asia had a better result than sub-Saharan Africa, but now [the opposite occurs]," explained the director of the Institute of Development Studies, Lawrence Haddad. "You always think it the worst news come from Africa but, at a regional level, there is a serious upgrade from 2006".

Angola, for example, is now yellow. Namely, hunger is a problem, "serious", but it is no longer "alarming" or "extremely alarming".

The study also suggests that red alarming that if spread, in 2006, for the entire African continent, is now orange. Much of Orange went to yellow â€" which means "serious but not alarming." Ghana, for example, is already on the Green â€" i.e. There is hunger "moderated".

Unfortunately, there are still countries in the red zone, like Burundi, Eritrea or Comoros. In Swaziland, hunger is not so extreme, but there is a glaring deficiency in nutrition. According to the Global Hunger Index, however, the famine in Swaziland went up 38% since 1990, something absolutely incomprehensible.

"There are some factors that explain this trend, like HIV," reveals Dominic MacSorley, CEO of Concern Worldwide.

Read the report in full.

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Portuguese project pioneer combines entertainment, technology and healthy lifestyles

It's already tomorrow, during the celebrations of world food day, which will be presented the draft Nutri-Masters, a pioneering programme worldwide, developed for health and education professionals and utilizing educational tool as entertainment in promoting healthy lifestyles in childhood.

The program was prepared by NutriVentures in conjunction with the Directorate-General of health (DGS) and Directorate-General for education (DGE) and will be available here.

In this digital platform, teachers, nutritionists, nurses and doctors, among other professionals related to the sectors of health and education, have at their disposal a wide range of free educational materials and sensitisers in the importance of having a healthy lifestyle: video lessons, worksheets, songs and other elements of interactivity and multimedia

"It's a groundbreaking educational tool that helps health professionals and education in its mission to improve the power of the newest, introducing the entertainment district, the fantasy and the world of animation in their most different formats without losing sight of the scientific quality. The professionals will be surprised and, I believe, will also learn from this new interactivity and with the power of persuasion of these new tools now available to them, "explained Peter Grace, director of the national programme for the promotion of healthy nutrition, the Ministry of health.

The official launch of the project for health professionals and education is open to the public and takes place the day 16 October at 10:0, in the Auditorium of the Vasco da Gama elementary school, in Lisbon.

Portugal is the first country to implement this tool that, very briefly, will become available for professionals in Brazil and Hungary. "We are already working to implement the project in the remaining Masters Nutri-countries where we are present" remate Sofia Bento Monteiro, global marketing manager of Nutri Ventures.

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Apple's new headquarters will be a circle with solar panels and seven thousand trees

The project for the new Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California, was developed by Steve Jobs himself, in 2011. Now, the ambitious project is in the process of being approved by the local authorities and has been partly disclosed. Final approval of the building is scheduled for November 19, but Apple officials meet today with authorities of Cupertino.

Thus, what most stands out the new lines of the building is its appearance of spacecraft, a ring-shaped structure that includes about 7,000 trees and, of course, several solar panels. "We can see the energy, love and attention to detail that we put [the project]," explained the company's CFO, Peter Oppenheimer. "We treated the project as a product from Apple. And is this the place where the most creative teams in the industry, for decades to come, will be to innovate ".

After the death of Jobs, the project was in the hands of Jonathan Ive, the guru of American multinational design, who worked in conjunction with the renowned architect Norman Foster.

The building has four floors and a circular shape. The San Francisco Weekly described it as a "a giant doughnut and massive", with a great place for leisure in the Centre and which uses natural gas as primary energy source.

As one would expect, the building is sustainable through natural ventilation, which replaces the air conditioning at 70% of the year, LED lighting and on-site recycling. "This will be one of the most sustainable large scale enterprises in the world," said Apple.

The Center will have thousands of fruit trees, Oaks and olive trees â€" 2,500 of these are native. The green space continues around the building and will represent 80% of the total project. Today, 80% of the venture is concrete.

Finally, the roof will be surrounded by solar panels.

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Mainland promotes food fortnight with screenings and free advice

The Continent is organizing the Fortnight of food, an initiative promoted by the Hipersaudável Movement and intends to sensitize the population to the adoption of healthy lifestyles.

The initiative falls within the framework of world food day, which marks tomorrow, and includes a set of free activities â€" from surveys (weight, BMI, fat mass index or cholesterol), counseling and food tasting food.

The action took the 7 October in Braga, and has been through Matosinhos, Gaia Shopping, CoimbraShopping, Leiria and Portimao. Today, she will be in Loulé, then by the Colombo shopping centre (Lisbon, October 16), Cascais (17) and Oeiras (18).

Hyper Healthy movement is an initiative that aims to promote the improvement of the eating habits of the Portuguese families and motivate them to have a more active lifestyle. "Sensitize and mobilise the Portuguese society for the change of attitudes and behaviours towards better eating habits and a healthier lifestyle are the goals that move you propose streamline", explains the Continent in a statement.

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Unemployed Portuguese creates bodyboard with Cork

Dodo Cork Boards is the name of a new Portuguese project which combines originality environmental sustainability â€" this time with boards of Bodyboarding. The booster is Fernando Simões, of 34 years, residing in Figueira da Foz.

The idea of creating boards from Cork emerged five years ago, "as a joke", according to his own. What started as a hobby has become a full-time occupation that he lost his job. Fernando, fiscal technician of public works, is currently unemployed and attends a degree in mechanical engineering.

Dedicated now to this project, its main objective is to promote reduction in the use of plastics in this kind of sports equipment, "through the incorporation of organic raw materials, recyclable and sustainable," explains Green Savers.

The project works in partnership with Granorte, company that provides support in the supply of Cork used in surfboard bodyboard and that allowed Fernando do the first experiments with the material.

All boards are produced manually by Fernando. Consist of Cork, polystyrene and fibreglass network and are glued together with resin-that is, at the end of its life cycle can be fully recycled. All raw materials are produced in Portugal, with the exception of the resin.

"The choice of materials was based on their subsequent recycling," says Fernando. And added: "I'm working on other articles that can be based on the recycled materials the planks and remains associated with its production."

The bodyboard â€" who has recently received the provisional patent of utility model â€" is just the first of many. You can see it on the page Dodo Cork Boards on Facebook and order it via email of the project. Prices vary between € 150 and € 300, depending on the sizes and characteristics.

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Temple Centennial high 12 meters above the ground

A building with almost 3,200 tonnes is currently suspended in the air in the city of Provo, Utah, in the United States. The massive outer walls of the temple Centennial rest on foundations with more than 12 feet tall, creating a surreal scenario that intended for its restoration.

The Provo Tabernacle â€" historic treasure and the city's landmark-was damaged in a fire in 2010, which is now being restored and transformed into a Mormon Temple. It was originally built between 1883 and 1898 and, since then, has been used as a venue for community meetings and cultural events.

After the fire, church leaders decided to convert it into a Mormon Temple. For this, was excavated a huge area around and underneath the walls of the building, with this insurance by scaffolding, which creates an extraordinary scenario â€" and reportedly stable.

To preserve the most important parts of the Tabernacle, the engineers destroyed the interior of the building and excavated the soil to create a two-storey basement. First, stabilized the outside of the building, eliminating two of the five rows of bricks on the walls and putting steel ties around the remaining queues.

According to Inhabitat, was inserted within a brick wall of concrete to give it greater stability and resistance. The foundations were then installed and the team dug in more than 12 feet deep, making room for the large area where the remaining works will flow.

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Cat with rare disease uses wheels to take first steps

Thumper was abandoned in a backyard baby still in California, but fortunately managed to be rescued in time by PACT â€" People and Cats Together. Was different from the other kittens because he couldn't walk, not even remain standing. The hind legs were not strong enough to withstand its weight and shifted himself dragging the body. But thanks to an engine with wheels, Thumper might take its first steps.

When the PACT took him to the vet, she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease and no cure. No one knew if the animal could ever come out and if it had not been rescued by the non-profit organization, probably never would have survived on his own.

The PACT brought immediate efforts in the search for solutions for the rehabilitation of Thumper and eventually come up with the idea of creating a special mobility aid system that helped strengthen the legs of the animal. Some people were sceptical about the recovery by this route, but the truth is that the mechanism enabled him to walk.

Thumper began to walk faster, day by day, and his legs were gaining strength. With the help of simple locomotion system, the cat managed to even learn how to run. After two weeks of treatment, Thumper already showed his potential, walking as if determined always had. And soon dropped the "training wheels" for going out on your own, to everyone's surprise.

Today, nobody stops â€" flying solo and plays with the other cats, and do imagine the limitations that previously depended. Run, don't seem to get tired and became an inspiration.

The Huffington Post advances the little Thumper is still waiting for adoption, so you can run and grow healthily in a safe place, as it deserves.

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The shocking photos of waste electronic garbage in Accra, Ghana

Photographer Michael Ciaglo recently shared some photos of Agbogbloshie, a digital dump on the outskirts of Accra, Ghana. This is where a lot of spam is "processed" and destroyed-wires, televisions, computers or mobile phones.

In this dump, all these electronic components are burned and melted. Saves only the metal, which is then resold. This process creates highly toxic fumes that poisoned the employees from the Recycle Bin and the local community.

See pictures of Ciaglo, absolutely shocking, and read here what are the major challenges of collecting electrical and electronic waste.

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Disused public bus converted into housing with penthouse

An Israeli has transformed a public bus in disuse in a two-story apartment, which includes a penthouse on the roof. The solution appeared in alternative to high housing rents in force in Israel.

Avishari Reuven, of 34 years, was looking for alternative forms of accommodation, after returning from a trip to India. At the beginning, sought common caravans but high prices and claustrophobic spaces led him to abandon the idea. Instead, he chose to buy a disused bus, on sale for € 7,400 ($ 22 million). Buses with more than 20 years, according to the Israeli law, must be withdrawn from circulation, even if they are in good condition-as seems to be the case.

Given the increasing rental prices and purchase of dwellings in the country, the value that Reuven invested is considered very low, considering we ended up buying a House. Left him enough to acquire the materials needed for the renewal of the vehicle and its transformation in a suite on wheels. Its great asset was knowing work in carpentry, plumbing and welding, so didn't have to pay the labor.

The Green Prophet reports that housing was equipped with kitchen, bathroom, living room and even a guest room as penthouse. The trunk and the basement of the bus have been converted into storage spaces. The water needed for housing comes from a tank placed on the roof. And a staircase linking the two floors.

The project involved a small-scale design process that allowed to reduce costs, but also create a true feeling of affinity for the work. In the future, Reuven wait convert over three public buses home furniture for this time, sell them.

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New Zealand opens the world's largest geothermal central

The New Zealand has just announced the completion of the largest geothermal power plant in the world. Designed by Mighty River Power, geothermal central Ngatamariki of 100 MW is the third geothermal project carried out in the country since 2008. The infrastructure is located near Taupo and is considered a strategic framework as an important achievement.

Due to the complex nature of geothermal projects, the company has devoted more than a decade to build partnerships and more than €55 million ($ 165 million) in holdings before taking the decision to move towards the construction of the factory.

"Our commitment (...) for this project was only confirmed after we meet in each one of its fronts â€" and the long-term sustainability of resources and returns from our investors, "said Joan Withers, the Mighty River Power.

The Ormat, company responsible for building the factory, says it is the largest installation of its kind in the world. Works by feeding power converters with high-temperature geothermal fluid (193 C). In this configuration, 100% of the geothermal fluid is reinjectado with zero water consumption and low emissions, minimizing the impact on the environment and without depleting the underground reservoir.

Unlike other forms of sustainable energy, the geothermal energy is not dependent on climatic conditions, which means that it can be performed at any time, without interruption.

The Inhabitat added that the five Mighty River Power's geothermal plants generate about 10% of the total annual electricity of New Zealand. The geothermal company initiative avoids the use of coal, sparing the country more than three million tons of carbon emissions per year.

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Comoco Architects wins 2nd Edition of the national prize of architecture in Wood

The draft N10-II, sports and multipurpose space situated in Coimbra and that has the wood as raw material of choice, is the winning project of the second edition of the national prize of architecture in wood.

Sports and multipurpose space, implemented in an old industrial Hall, covers three areas: reception, changing rooms and party zone. A porticoed structure built with American pine elements defines the basic structure of space, whose filling or frosting as on the walls, is done with the use of MDF boards.

The application of MDF boards has been thought for a result of excellence in structural terms as in the definition of construction. The option for MDF with natural finish allows a harmonious aesthetic result with other options of materialization, as the use of white tiles, in the locker room, and with the design of the pieces of furniture in pine and MDF boards lacquered in black.

Thus, the architects Luis Miguel Correia, Nelson Motta and Susana Constantine, of the atelier Comoco, received a monetary prize, awarded by the Gold Sponsor-Sonae Indústria â€" and a unique work by Siza Vieira, while the developer received a commemorative wooden plaque.

Among the range of works finalists the jury distinguished two citations attributed to the Swing Project, authored by. Manfred Eccli and Pedro Leitão, Babble and at the laboratory of Curated by João Mendes Ribeiro in collaboration with Catherine Fortune, Inês Lourenço and Joana Brandao

The prize, biennial, could apply for projects constructed between September 24, 2011 and June 28, 2013, in Portuguese territory, designed by architects registered in the order of Portuguese Architects and which reflect the quality and versatility of wood, incorporating a significant volume of wood and/or their derivatives in any structural or decorative solution.

The next edition of the national prize of architecture in Wood will happen in 2015.

About the works of honorable mentions

First Honorable mention | Swing project â€" Atelier Address Vague â€" Manfred Eccli and Pedro Cavaco Piglet 

Interactive installation conceived for the exhibition Pop Art of Guimarães, European Capital of culture 2012. The installation was built with wooden pallets, re-used, which in conjunction with other materials such as iron structure, giving it an "old look" style and the sound evokes the sounds previously industrial ears in town



2nd honorable mention |Curatorial lab-Atelier João Mendes Ribeiro â€" João Mendes Ribeiro in collaboration with Catherine Fortune, Inês Lourenço and Joana Brandao

Temporary installation conceived for Guimarães â€" European Capital of culture 2012, produced in madeira, to host exhibitions and works of artists.

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