The median sales price rose from a year earlier in 133 of 152 metropolitan areas measured
-the National Association of Realtors said in a report today. (more…)
Author: smartblogger2312
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Newsflash: Lightning May Cause Headaches
A thunderous pounding, flashes of light—the symptoms are familiar to anyone who’s suffered a headache or migraine.
The study found a shocking 31 percent increase of the risk of headache and a 28 percent increased risk of migraine for chronic headache sufferers on days that lightning struck within 25 miles (40 kilometers) of their homes. (See lightning pictures.)
Furthermore, new-onset headaches and migraines increased by 24 percent and 23 percent, respectively, according to the study, published January 24 in the headache-focused journal Cephalalgia.
While there have been conflicting studies linking factors such as weather, humidity, and barometric pressure and headaches, the new study is the first to show a correlation between lightning and associated weather phenomena and the squalls in our heads.
How Does Lightning Spark Headaches?
Participants in the study logged their daily headache activity for three to six months, during which any nearby lightning strikes were also recorded. Mathematical models were then applied to rule out other weather factors as the cause of the headaches—and the correlation held true. (Interactive: Make lightning strike.)
The results “suggest that lightning has its own unique effect on headache,” study leader Vincent Martin, a professor of medicine at the University of Cincinnati, said in a statement.
As for how exactly lightning might trigger headaches, Martin said there are a number of possible explanations.
“Electromagnetic waves emitted from lightning could trigger headaches. In addition, lightning produces increases in air pollutants like ozone, and can cause release of fungal spores that might lead to migraine.”
Study co-author Geoffrey Martin—a medical student at the university and Vincent’s son—emphasized in a statement that while the study sheds light on the apparent link between lightning and headaches, “the exact mechanisms through which lightning and/or its associated meteorologic factors trigger headache are unknown.”
Meaning a further brainstorm may be required.
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Airline VIP Club Cheat Sheet
American Airlines’ erstwhile chairman C.R. Smith launched the first VIP airport lounge in 1936 to reward his best customers and supporters.
American Airlines’ erstwhile chairman C.R. Smith launched the first VIP airport lounge in 1936 to reward his best customers and supporters, upon whom he bestowed the honorific “Admirals.” Back then, membership was at the discretion of the sales force. Today, however, anyone with enough money can join. They’re expensive, but considering the chaos of the typical airport terminal, especially when flights are delayed or cancelled, well worth it–a definite step up from sitting on the floor next to the gate, fighting over the last available power outlet. In addition to comfortable workstations and cushy chairs, they offer perks like free beverages and WiFi, and civil reservation agents. But is that worth the price of admission? It might be if you travel often.
Annual Memberships
You can buy annual club memberships using money or frequent flyer miles. Memberships cost $450 with Delta, US Airways and Alaska; $500 at United and American. There are also “spousal” memberships and multi-year options; however, it looks like the lifetime membership is a thing of the past.
“Initiation fees” (always with the fees, these airlines) may also apply (typically $50 for first time members), but there are discounts if you’re an upper tier member of the airline’s frequent flyer program. There are also short-term memberships, applicable to full-year dues, for less (for example, a 30-day pass might cost $90 with Delta, or a 90-day pass $120 on US Airways).
Day Passes
However, if you’re an infrequent flyer, but still want to wait comfortably and work productively, the best solution is a day pass, which costs $50 per person for Delta’s Sky Club, American’s Admirals Club and United’s Red Carpet Club, or $29 with US Air if bought on line in advance ($50 at the door). Delta offers discounted passes for $25 with the Delta-branded Gold or Platinum American Express card.
Airlines also offer access to passengers traveling in the premium cabins on a same-day international (considered transoceanic or intercontinental) flight, plus customers traveling in first class or on full-fare Y class tickets on specific routes to/from JFK (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, and Las Vegas) can enjoy access at JFK or one of the eight aforementioned airports. Passengers booked on United’s p.s. (premium service) flights in business and first class between JFK and SFO or LAX get free access on the day of travel.
Alaska Airlines grants access to full-fare first class passengers at any of its Board Room clubs.
Reciprocity
As an added bonus, some airlines offer reciprocal admission to other facilities although there are a few fine point restrictions. For example, Delta Sky Club members enjoy access to Alaska Board Rooms and vice versa when traveling on the other carrier. Although this could change when and if US Airways merges with American Airlines (since USAir will presumably join the OneWorld alliance), as of this writing United and US Airways offer reciprocal privileges with each other and with Star Alliance lounges throughout the world.
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GoPro Athlete Summit 2012
GoPro invited 60 athletes from all sports to attend a 3 day summit racing cars around Sonoma Raceway in California this past June.
The past 6 months of my life has been a blur of amazing people, travel, and school. GoPro invited 60 athletes from all sports to attend a 3 day summit racing cars around Sonoma Raceway in California this past June. The overall respect and appreciation from all athletes in attendance was apparent from everyone and it was a true honor to be included in such a historic event.
Unfortunatley this gum drop wonderland landed right in the middle of my finals week at UCSC so I was forced to take one of my finals early and drive back to Santa Cruz at 4am the last day of the summit to make an 8am final. I only mention this because there are few things in the world that I would rearrange a stressful finals week for but the opportunity to get to know GoPro’s extensive team was an experience like no other and worth missing pretty much anything.
Huge shout out to GoPro for the amazing experience and already fired up for the 2013 Athlete Summit! Props to Matt Baker for being the most ballin race partner ever and Reno Makani (renomakani.com) for collaborating footage.
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Levi’s GranFondo Video Example
Take a look into the inner workings of an event that bills itself as “the best day out on two wheels.”
NASA on Monday successfully launched its new Landsat satellite from California’s Vandendberg Air Force Base, the space agency said.
The Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) spacecraft, part of NASA’s ongoing mission to capture images and data from the Earth’s surface, “roared into space” atop an Atlas V rocket at 1:02 p.m. Eastern, space agency officials said. Satellites operated by NASA have monitored Earth from space continuously for the past four decades.
“Landsat is a centerpiece of NASA’s Earth Science program, and today’s successful launch will extend the longest continuous data record of Earth’s surface as seen from space,” NASA administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement.
“This data is a key tool for monitoring climate change and has led to the improvement of human and biodiversity health, energy and water management, urban planning, disaster recovery and agriculture monitoring—all resulting in incalculable benefits to the U.S. and world economy,” he added.
The satellite separated from its booster rocket 79 minutes after launch, a signal was received at a Svalbard, Norway station from the spacecraft at about 82 minutes into its flight, and the LCDM deployed its solar arrays just a few minutes later, NASA said. In about two months, the Landsat spacecraft is expected to reach its “operational, sun-synchronous, polar orbit” about 440 miles above the Earth.
Control of the LDCM, the eighth in a series of NASA Landsat satellites first launched in 1972, will be transferred to the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in about three months when it goes fully operational, NASA said. At that point, the satellite will be renamed Landsat 8.
Data gathered by the satellite will be made available to the public through an online archive.
“Landsat has been delivering invaluable scientific information about our planet for more than forty years. It’s an honor to be a part of today’s launch to ensure this critical data will continue to help us better understand our natural resources and help people like water managers, farmers, and resource managers make informed decisions,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.
NASA scientists stressed advances made to the latest Landsat spacecraft, including the addition of improved instruments like the LDCM’s Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS).
“LDCM is the best Landsat satellite ever built. The technology will advance and improve the array of scientific investigations and resource management applications supported by Landsat images,” said LDCM project scientist Jim Irons of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.
“I anticipate new knowledge and applications to emerge with an increasing demand for the data.”
For more, check out NASA’s video of the LDCM separating from its Atlas V booster below.
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Youtube Video Example
Here is a youtube video example of videos…
NASA on Monday successfully launched its new Landsat satellite from California’s Vandendberg Air Force Base, the space agency said.
The Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) spacecraft, part of NASA’s ongoing mission to capture images and data from the Earth’s surface, “roared into space” atop an Atlas V rocket at 1:02 p.m. Eastern, space agency officials said. Satellites operated by NASA have monitored Earth from space continuously for the past four decades.
“Landsat is a centerpiece of NASA’s Earth Science program, and today’s successful launch will extend the longest continuous data record of Earth’s surface as seen from space,” NASA administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement.
“This data is a key tool for monitoring climate change and has led to the improvement of human and biodiversity health, energy and water management, urban planning, disaster recovery and agriculture monitoring—all resulting in incalculable benefits to the U.S. and world economy,” he added.
The satellite separated from its booster rocket 79 minutes after launch, a signal was received at a Svalbard, Norway station from the spacecraft at about 82 minutes into its flight, and the LCDM deployed its solar arrays just a few minutes later, NASA said. In about two months, the Landsat spacecraft is expected to reach its “operational, sun-synchronous, polar orbit” about 440 miles above the Earth.
Control of the LDCM, the eighth in a series of NASA Landsat satellites first launched in 1972, will be transferred to the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in about three months when it goes fully operational, NASA said. At that point, the satellite will be renamed Landsat 8.
Data gathered by the satellite will be made available to the public through an online archive.
“Landsat has been delivering invaluable scientific information about our planet for more than forty years. It’s an honor to be a part of today’s launch to ensure this critical data will continue to help us better understand our natural resources and help people like water managers, farmers, and resource managers make informed decisions,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.
NASA scientists stressed advances made to the latest Landsat spacecraft, including the addition of improved instruments like the LDCM’s Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS).
“LDCM is the best Landsat satellite ever built. The technology will advance and improve the array of scientific investigations and resource management applications supported by Landsat images,” said LDCM project scientist Jim Irons of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.
“I anticipate new knowledge and applications to emerge with an increasing demand for the data.”
For more, check out NASA’s video of the LDCM separating from its Atlas V booster below.
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