Change in PSA level does not predict prostate cancer, study finds

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, according to the American Cancer Society. While PSA screening is widely used for the early detection of prostate cancer, it is also associated with a high rate of overdiagnosis, which can lead to unnecessary treatment and anxiety.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have found that change in PSA levels over time -- known as PSA velocity -- is a poor predictor of prostate cancer and may lead to many unnecessary biopsies.

Read more of the article 'Change in PSA level does not predict prostate cancer, study finds' on ScienceDaily

A Coal Scuttle, a Leek and a Goldfish.

I decided to join the 'Creative Writing' group of our local U3A in Torrevieja to try to improve the content of my ramblings on this blog.

It was suggested that members of the group could attempt to write a (very) short story of 100 words, which must include a coal scuttle, a leek and a goldfish, for reading and discussion at the next meeting.

I wonder what they'll think of this.

As a lad I grew a gigantic leek for the village garden show competition.

I nurtured it from seed to maturity. When large enough I transplanted it to an old coal scuttle. It protected it from crawling garden enemies like a battlement protecting the keep. I gave devoted attention to growing an unbeatable champion.

I wanted the winner and the magnificent trophy I dreamed I would receive.

Judging day arrived; the tension and excitement grew; “and the winner is”; I'd won!

I swaggered forward, hands outstretched ready, to collect my well deserved prize.

Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A goldfish in a glass bowl !

Higher levels of social activity decrease the risk of developing disability in old age

Are you fearful of becoming disabled in old age, of not being able to dress yourself or walk up and down the stairs?

Well, according to research conducted at Rush University Medical Center, higher levels of social activity are associated with a decreased risk of becoming disabled.

Staying physically active before symptoms set in could help. But so could going out to eat, playing bingo and taking overnight trips.

Read more in Science Daily:- Higher levels of social activity decrease the risk of developing disability in old age

Unwanted Family Knowledge

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I did not need to know, or seek, that knowledge, but I do now.

As a consequence it has brought a problem that I did not previously have, and would rather not have; what to do with it.

Now I know it I cannot erase unwanted knowledge.

Women are better at forgiving, Spanish study finds

A study by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) has carried out the first Spanish study into the emotional differences between the sexes and generations in terms of forgiveness. According to the study, parents forgive more than children, while women are better at forgiving than men. "A decisive factor in the capacity to forgive is empathy, and women have a greater empathetic capacity than males," says Carmen Maganto, co-author of the study and a tenured professor at the Psychology Faculty of the UPV.

Read more of the Science Daily article: Women are better at forgiving, Spanish study finds

Being bilingual may delay Alzheimer's and boost brain power | Science | The Guardian

An interesting article by Alok Jha in the Guardian about research that suggests that bilingual people can hold Alzheimer's disease at bay for longer. Being bilingual may delay Alzheimer's and boost brain power | Science | The Guardian

Perhaps this is a another good reason for us older UK Expats here in Spain to try to learn the language.

Justice minister promises action over Franco-era illegal adoption network

"Such grievous actions cannot go unpunished. The guilty parties must feel the full weight of the law. It is a matter of dignity." So said Justice Minister Francisco Caamaño on Wednesday, after emerging from a 90-minute meeting with relatives of newborns who were stolen from their mothers and sold to childless couples under Franco's rule and in the early years of democracy. "Our Ministry is willing to cooperate with them fully."

Read more:Plan drawn up for stolen children cases · ELPAÍS.com in English

Two new plants discovered in Spain

This is one of the new plants of the Taraxacum genus.(Credit: Galán de Mera)

Just when everyone thought that almost every plant species on the Iberian Peninsula had been discovered, Spanish researchers have discovered Taraxacum decastroi and Taraxacum lacianense, two dandelions from the Pyrenees and the Cordillera Cantábrica mountain range, respectively.

Read further details here; ScienceDaily (2011-02-15

Protect yourself from fake gas inspectors and fraudulent reviews

Very often us home owners in Spain, who use bottled gas, are being warned to be careful of the con-men acting as fake gas inspectors trying to fleece unsuspecting owners into paying for fake inspections and certificates.

It was very pleasing when receiving a delivery of gas today to see that gas company through it's local supplier has put warning notices on each cylinder.

The message reads:

"Protect yourself from fake inspectors and fraudulent reviews. Before letting a stranger into your home: Call 965710937 (obviously this is my local supplier not national) and stay calm."

Well done to Repsol and Torregrosa. 

Spanish property market crash - Conspiracy theory

Image: Matt Banks / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

An interesting article written by Graham Hunt and Nick Snelling worth reading which begins:

"What if I told you that you could earn millions without actually ever doing anything for just a smallish investment? What if I told you that the victims would be banks and nobody else? (well maybe just the odd foreigner)? What if I told you that you could live happily ever after with no consequences?

You would probably tell me to ‘pull the other one’ wouldn't you - or words to that effect? However, this may well have been the World of the Spanish developer during the boom years".

and ends with a question:

"Conspiracy theory or did this really happen?"

Read the full article here and then perhaps you might be able to answer the question: Spanish property market crash - Conspiracy theory

Don't forget to read the many comments added to the article - very interesting!

Buy in Spain? You’ve got to be kidding

In her comment article in the Expat section of the Telegraph, Anna Nicholas opens with the words "Hark the lark. As the property market in Spain stagnates with 700,000 newly built homes up for sale, the Spanish government has begun a PR campaign to woo back the British buyer. I know, it’s enough to make you choke on your chorizo", and ends with "Until the Spanish government resolves to force its regional authorities into line, accepting new and transparent planning regulations that cannot be applied retrospectively, it might as well kiss goodbye to future British buyers".

Read Anna's full interesting comment here:Buy in Spain? You’ve got to be kidding – Expat - My Telegraph

Read the originating article in the Telegraph entitled 'Spanish housing minister appeals to British buyers to return' by Harriet Alexander. In it Beatriz Corredor, the Spanish housing secretary, is reported to have promised new planning laws to end the confusion which has led to some British home owners being ordered to knock down their properties deemed to have been illegally built. She is saying to future buyers, “Come here calmly, and trust in the system that we have and the transparency we provide”. Oh really Minister!

Michael McIntyre explains the Man Drawer

As this was brought to my attention I've been and checked my 'Man Draw' to see if it meets the requirements. I need some more wasted AA batteries!

Prisoner voting: Convicts are human beings, with human rights!

Thomas Hammerbarg has an interesting article in the Guardian today with some equally interesting comments.

Consider that two people can be convicted of similar crime and receive different sentences. One may get community service and the other custodial sentence. Having been a Magistrate there have been times when sitting as a member of the Bench we have has passed different sentences for the same classification of crime, within the sentencing guidelines, after considering relevant mitigating and extenuating factors. Why does one loose the right to vote in custody and the other doesn't? They're both criminals!

Read the article: Prisoner voting: Convicts are human beings, with human rights | Thomas Hammarberg | Law | guardian.co.uk

DVLA scam email warning

Watch out for emails claiming to be from DVLA asking you to verify your driving licence details via an online link – it's a scam. DVLA has not sent any such email, so if you get one delete it immediately.

Read more details here:DVLA scam email warning : Directgov - Newsroom