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id_1900 | Crude oil from regions around the Dead Sea was used as early as 1000 BC for ancient Egyptian mummification, but it wasn't until 1853 that the process of oil distillation was discovered and we saw the advent of the modern history of oil. The first oil mine was constructed the following year. Oil quickly took over from coal as being the world's principal fuel in the mid 1950's. Oil is now used to run the vast majority of vehicles and is a key ingredient in many chemicals used in industry. However, concerns have been raised that as oil is a limited resource its usage as an economically viable energy source will eventually come to an end. There is also worry that using and treating oil has major impacts upon the environment, like the carbon dioxide released when it is burnt and the contribution of this to global warming. | The discovery of the process of oil distillation has drastically changed the modern world. | n |
id_1901 | Crude oil from regions around the Dead Sea was used as early as 1000 BC for ancient Egyptian mummification, but it wasn't until 1853 that the process of oil distillation was discovered and we saw the advent of the modern history of oil. The first oil mine was constructed the following year. Oil quickly took over from coal as being the world's principal fuel in the mid 1950's. Oil is now used to run the vast majority of vehicles and is a key ingredient in many chemicals used in industry. However, concerns have been raised that as oil is a limited resource its usage as an economically viable energy source will eventually come to an end. There is also worry that using and treating oil has major impacts upon the environment, like the carbon dioxide released when it is burnt and the contribution of this to global warming. | In the modern history of oil, it took more than two centuries for oil to replace coal as the major source of energy. | c |
id_1902 | Crude oil stocks are closely monitored by traders to establish the markets natural supply and demand levels. Hoarding was a major factor in the high crude prices in the 1970s and evidence is again suggesting that hoarding is fuelling current record high crude prices. Crude stocks had fallen because refiners had adopted just-in-time stock management policies. However, traders have noticed that some countries are purchasing oil at levels well above their rate of consumption, suggesting that the hoarding of oil stocks is once again occurring. Traders have recently increased the worlds crude markets assumed levels of demand quite substantially because of increased consumption by developing nations such as India and China. | If hoarding is supporting high crude prices then one would expect prices to fall back once hoards have been established. | e |
id_1903 | Crude oil stocks are closely monitored by traders to establish the markets natural supply and demand levels. Hoarding was a major factor in the high crude prices in the 1970s and evidence is again suggesting that hoarding is fuelling current record high crude prices. Crude stocks had fallen because refiners had adopted just-in-time stock management policies. However, traders have noticed that some countries are purchasing oil at levels well above their rate of consumption, suggesting that the hoarding of oil stocks is once again occurring. Traders have recently increased the worlds crude markets assumed levels of demand quite substantially because of increased consumption by developing nations such as India and China. | India and China have recently become major oil importers. | n |
id_1904 | Crude oil stocks are closely monitored by traders to establish the markets natural supply and demand levels. Hoarding was a major factor in the high crude prices in the 1970s and evidence is again suggesting that hoarding is fuelling current record high crude prices. Crude stocks had fallen because refiners had adopted just-in-time stock management policies. However, traders have noticed that some countries are purchasing oil at levels well above their rate of consumption, suggesting that the hoarding of oil stocks is once again occurring. Traders have recently increased the worlds crude markets assumed levels of demand quite substantially because of increased consumption by developing nations such as India and China. | No facts are offered in support of the thesis that current high crude prices are being supported by the hoarding of stock. | c |
id_1905 | Cure-all Pills: Myths or Reality? Browse the shelves of any health food shop or pharmacy and youll find dozens of dietary supplementsvitamins, antioxidants, mineralsalong with a seemingly endless range of homeopathic remedies. There is always something new, some miracle ingredient offering the promise of a longer, healthier, happier life. There are extracts of every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imaginetomato, celery, carrot, papaya and cranberryalong with green tea potion, red wine extract and vitamins A-K in every colour and form. And all of these supplements claim to assist us in the constant battle against ageing, cancer, cardio-vascular disease, and a cornucopia of other afflictions. However, recent research may show it is all too good to be true. So how real are these claims? Vitamin tablets have been around forever, but antioxidants are the latest miracle cure; the question is, do they work? If the hype is true, then what antioxidants do is work to neutralise the free radicals in our bodies and later excrete them. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have at least one unpaired electron and are therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissue they are believed to accelerate the progression of cardio-vascular and age-related diseases, such as dementia and cancer. Antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables have been shown to combine with free radicals and neutralise them, preventing the oxidation which may lead to disease. An apple a day keeps the doctor awayif eaten alongside four other portions of fresh fruit and vegetables! It is clear that those who eat more fruit and vegetablesand the recommended daily intake is at least five portionsare less prone to disease and live longer, healthier lives. Over the last 20-30 years, scientists have worked to isolate the active ingredients in fruit and vegetables believed to be the antioxidantsand have conducted controlled tests of antioxidants, which revealed that they do indeed appear to have the ability to halt some of the chemical processes that cause disease. Thus the multimillion dollar industry of bottled antioxidants to supplement the diets of the busy and the stressed was born. Antioxidants were first cast into doubt during a major clinical trial in the US, in which a very common antioxidant, beta-carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A (found in yellow and green vegetables, milk and fish), was being tested for its efficacy against lung cancer in high-risk subjects. To the surprise and concern of the scientists conducting the experiment, those individuals taking the supplementintended to reduce the risk of cancerwere at a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer. This startling discovery led to the abandonment of the trials mid-way through the experimental process. Since this experiment in the mid-90s, other studies have similarly indicated that antioxidants and vitamin supplements are of dubious health value at best, and may possibly be harmful. It seems that even common vitamin supplements such as vitamin C may, in large doses, actually exacerbate the risk of cardio-vascular disease or cancer. As a result of these recent alarming studies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its European equivalent, the European Medicine Agency (EMEA), have taken the decision to prohibit the production and sale of a number of the higher-dose supplements currently on the market. Another aspect of the increasingly complex picture to take into account is that recent research findings have also called into question some previously held beliefs concerning free radicals. It is possible, some scientists believe, that free radicals actually play a role in preventing disease. Professor Jennifer Horton at the University of West Wyoming is one of a number of scientists who has found that in small amounts, the free radicals may help stimulate the antioxidant systems in our bodies. It is also becoming apparent that free radicals may play a fundamental role in the fight against disease; recent research in the UIC suggests that they kill off harmful bacteria and even cancerous cells. Clearly, then, the use of bottled supplements with your diet is a practice to approach warily; and it is essential to keep abreast of new developments in research. Ironically, those health-conscious individuals who already eat large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, whose diet does not include junk food and who get plenty of regular exercise and have less need for dietary supplements tend to be the ones who are most likely to use them. | The FDA and the EMEA have jointly funded research into the safety of certain higher-dose vitamin supplements. | n |
id_1906 | Cure-all Pills: Myths or Reality? Browse the shelves of any health food shop or pharmacy and youll find dozens of dietary supplementsvitamins, antioxidants, mineralsalong with a seemingly endless range of homeopathic remedies. There is always something new, some miracle ingredient offering the promise of a longer, healthier, happier life. There are extracts of every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imaginetomato, celery, carrot, papaya and cranberryalong with green tea potion, red wine extract and vitamins A-K in every colour and form. And all of these supplements claim to assist us in the constant battle against ageing, cancer, cardio-vascular disease, and a cornucopia of other afflictions. However, recent research may show it is all too good to be true. So how real are these claims? Vitamin tablets have been around forever, but antioxidants are the latest miracle cure; the question is, do they work? If the hype is true, then what antioxidants do is work to neutralise the free radicals in our bodies and later excrete them. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have at least one unpaired electron and are therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissue they are believed to accelerate the progression of cardio-vascular and age-related diseases, such as dementia and cancer. Antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables have been shown to combine with free radicals and neutralise them, preventing the oxidation which may lead to disease. An apple a day keeps the doctor awayif eaten alongside four other portions of fresh fruit and vegetables! It is clear that those who eat more fruit and vegetablesand the recommended daily intake is at least five portionsare less prone to disease and live longer, healthier lives. Over the last 20-30 years, scientists have worked to isolate the active ingredients in fruit and vegetables believed to be the antioxidantsand have conducted controlled tests of antioxidants, which revealed that they do indeed appear to have the ability to halt some of the chemical processes that cause disease. Thus the multimillion dollar industry of bottled antioxidants to supplement the diets of the busy and the stressed was born. Antioxidants were first cast into doubt during a major clinical trial in the US, in which a very common antioxidant, beta-carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A (found in yellow and green vegetables, milk and fish), was being tested for its efficacy against lung cancer in high-risk subjects. To the surprise and concern of the scientists conducting the experiment, those individuals taking the supplementintended to reduce the risk of cancerwere at a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer. This startling discovery led to the abandonment of the trials mid-way through the experimental process. Since this experiment in the mid-90s, other studies have similarly indicated that antioxidants and vitamin supplements are of dubious health value at best, and may possibly be harmful. It seems that even common vitamin supplements such as vitamin C may, in large doses, actually exacerbate the risk of cardio-vascular disease or cancer. As a result of these recent alarming studies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its European equivalent, the European Medicine Agency (EMEA), have taken the decision to prohibit the production and sale of a number of the higher-dose supplements currently on the market. Another aspect of the increasingly complex picture to take into account is that recent research findings have also called into question some previously held beliefs concerning free radicals. It is possible, some scientists believe, that free radicals actually play a role in preventing disease. Professor Jennifer Horton at the University of West Wyoming is one of a number of scientists who has found that in small amounts, the free radicals may help stimulate the antioxidant systems in our bodies. It is also becoming apparent that free radicals may play a fundamental role in the fight against disease; recent research in the UIC suggests that they kill off harmful bacteria and even cancerous cells. Clearly, then, the use of bottled supplements with your diet is a practice to approach warily; and it is essential to keep abreast of new developments in research. Ironically, those health-conscious individuals who already eat large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, whose diet does not include junk food and who get plenty of regular exercise and have less need for dietary supplements tend to be the ones who are most likely to use them. | The findings of studies into the effect of pro-vitamin A resulted in some US drug companies going on trial. | n |
id_1907 | Cure-all Pills: Myths or Reality? Browse the shelves of any health food shop or pharmacy and youll find dozens of dietary supplementsvitamins, antioxidants, mineralsalong with a seemingly endless range of homeopathic remedies. There is always something new, some miracle ingredient offering the promise of a longer, healthier, happier life. There are extracts of every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imaginetomato, celery, carrot, papaya and cranberryalong with green tea potion, red wine extract and vitamins A-K in every colour and form. And all of these supplements claim to assist us in the constant battle against ageing, cancer, cardio-vascular disease, and a cornucopia of other afflictions. However, recent research may show it is all too good to be true. So how real are these claims? Vitamin tablets have been around forever, but antioxidants are the latest miracle cure; the question is, do they work? If the hype is true, then what antioxidants do is work to neutralise the free radicals in our bodies and later excrete them. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have at least one unpaired electron and are therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissue they are believed to accelerate the progression of cardio-vascular and age-related diseases, such as dementia and cancer. Antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables have been shown to combine with free radicals and neutralise them, preventing the oxidation which may lead to disease. An apple a day keeps the doctor awayif eaten alongside four other portions of fresh fruit and vegetables! It is clear that those who eat more fruit and vegetablesand the recommended daily intake is at least five portionsare less prone to disease and live longer, healthier lives. Over the last 20-30 years, scientists have worked to isolate the active ingredients in fruit and vegetables believed to be the antioxidantsand have conducted controlled tests of antioxidants, which revealed that they do indeed appear to have the ability to halt some of the chemical processes that cause disease. Thus the multimillion dollar industry of bottled antioxidants to supplement the diets of the busy and the stressed was born. Antioxidants were first cast into doubt during a major clinical trial in the US, in which a very common antioxidant, beta-carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A (found in yellow and green vegetables, milk and fish), was being tested for its efficacy against lung cancer in high-risk subjects. To the surprise and concern of the scientists conducting the experiment, those individuals taking the supplementintended to reduce the risk of cancerwere at a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer. This startling discovery led to the abandonment of the trials mid-way through the experimental process. Since this experiment in the mid-90s, other studies have similarly indicated that antioxidants and vitamin supplements are of dubious health value at best, and may possibly be harmful. It seems that even common vitamin supplements such as vitamin C may, in large doses, actually exacerbate the risk of cardio-vascular disease or cancer. As a result of these recent alarming studies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its European equivalent, the European Medicine Agency (EMEA), have taken the decision to prohibit the production and sale of a number of the higher-dose supplements currently on the market. Another aspect of the increasingly complex picture to take into account is that recent research findings have also called into question some previously held beliefs concerning free radicals. It is possible, some scientists believe, that free radicals actually play a role in preventing disease. Professor Jennifer Horton at the University of West Wyoming is one of a number of scientists who has found that in small amounts, the free radicals may help stimulate the antioxidant systems in our bodies. It is also becoming apparent that free radicals may play a fundamental role in the fight against disease; recent research in the UIC suggests that they kill off harmful bacteria and even cancerous cells. Clearly, then, the use of bottled supplements with your diet is a practice to approach warily; and it is essential to keep abreast of new developments in research. Ironically, those health-conscious individuals who already eat large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, whose diet does not include junk food and who get plenty of regular exercise and have less need for dietary supplements tend to be the ones who are most likely to use them. | Antioxidants eliminate free radicals from the body. | e |
id_1908 | Cure-all Pills: Myths or Reality? Browse the shelves of any health food shop or pharmacy and youll find dozens of dietary supplementsvitamins, antioxidants, mineralsalong with a seemingly endless range of homeopathic remedies. There is always something new, some miracle ingredient offering the promise of a longer, healthier, happier life. There are extracts of every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imaginetomato, celery, carrot, papaya and cranberryalong with green tea potion, red wine extract and vitamins A-K in every colour and form. And all of these supplements claim to assist us in the constant battle against ageing, cancer, cardio-vascular disease, and a cornucopia of other afflictions. However, recent research may show it is all too good to be true. So how real are these claims? Vitamin tablets have been around forever, but antioxidants are the latest miracle cure; the question is, do they work? If the hype is true, then what antioxidants do is work to neutralise the free radicals in our bodies and later excrete them. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have at least one unpaired electron and are therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissue they are believed to accelerate the progression of cardio-vascular and age-related diseases, such as dementia and cancer. Antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables have been shown to combine with free radicals and neutralise them, preventing the oxidation which may lead to disease. An apple a day keeps the doctor awayif eaten alongside four other portions of fresh fruit and vegetables! It is clear that those who eat more fruit and vegetablesand the recommended daily intake is at least five portionsare less prone to disease and live longer, healthier lives. Over the last 20-30 years, scientists have worked to isolate the active ingredients in fruit and vegetables believed to be the antioxidantsand have conducted controlled tests of antioxidants, which revealed that they do indeed appear to have the ability to halt some of the chemical processes that cause disease. Thus the multimillion dollar industry of bottled antioxidants to supplement the diets of the busy and the stressed was born. Antioxidants were first cast into doubt during a major clinical trial in the US, in which a very common antioxidant, beta-carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A (found in yellow and green vegetables, milk and fish), was being tested for its efficacy against lung cancer in high-risk subjects. To the surprise and concern of the scientists conducting the experiment, those individuals taking the supplementintended to reduce the risk of cancerwere at a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer. This startling discovery led to the abandonment of the trials mid-way through the experimental process. Since this experiment in the mid-90s, other studies have similarly indicated that antioxidants and vitamin supplements are of dubious health value at best, and may possibly be harmful. It seems that even common vitamin supplements such as vitamin C may, in large doses, actually exacerbate the risk of cardio-vascular disease or cancer. As a result of these recent alarming studies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its European equivalent, the European Medicine Agency (EMEA), have taken the decision to prohibit the production and sale of a number of the higher-dose supplements currently on the market. Another aspect of the increasingly complex picture to take into account is that recent research findings have also called into question some previously held beliefs concerning free radicals. It is possible, some scientists believe, that free radicals actually play a role in preventing disease. Professor Jennifer Horton at the University of West Wyoming is one of a number of scientists who has found that in small amounts, the free radicals may help stimulate the antioxidant systems in our bodies. It is also becoming apparent that free radicals may play a fundamental role in the fight against disease; recent research in the UIC suggests that they kill off harmful bacteria and even cancerous cells. Clearly, then, the use of bottled supplements with your diet is a practice to approach warily; and it is essential to keep abreast of new developments in research. Ironically, those health-conscious individuals who already eat large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, whose diet does not include junk food and who get plenty of regular exercise and have less need for dietary supplements tend to be the ones who are most likely to use them. | Vitamin supplements bought from health food shops can differ from those available at pharmacies. | c |
id_1909 | Cure-all Pills: Myths or Reality? Browse the shelves of any health food shop or pharmacy and youll find dozens of dietary supplementsvitamins, antioxidants, mineralsalong with a seemingly endless range of homeopathic remedies. There is always something new, some miracle ingredient offering the promise of a longer, healthier, happier life. There are extracts of every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imaginetomato, celery, carrot, papaya and cranberryalong with green tea potion, red wine extract and vitamins A-K in every colour and form. And all of these supplements claim to assist us in the constant battle against ageing, cancer, cardio-vascular disease, and a cornucopia of other afflictions. However, recent research may show it is all too good to be true. So how real are these claims? Vitamin tablets have been around forever, but antioxidants are the latest miracle cure; the question is, do they work? If the hype is true, then what antioxidants do is work to neutralise the free radicals in our bodies and later excrete them. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have at least one unpaired electron and are therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissue they are believed to accelerate the progression of cardio-vascular and age-related diseases, such as dementia and cancer. Antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables have been shown to combine with free radicals and neutralise them, preventing the oxidation which may lead to disease. An apple a day keeps the doctor awayif eaten alongside four other portions of fresh fruit and vegetables! It is clear that those who eat more fruit and vegetablesand the recommended daily intake is at least five portionsare less prone to disease and live longer, healthier lives. Over the last 20-30 years, scientists have worked to isolate the active ingredients in fruit and vegetables believed to be the antioxidantsand have conducted controlled tests of antioxidants, which revealed that they do indeed appear to have the ability to halt some of the chemical processes that cause disease. Thus the multimillion dollar industry of bottled antioxidants to supplement the diets of the busy and the stressed was born. Antioxidants were first cast into doubt during a major clinical trial in the US, in which a very common antioxidant, beta-carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A (found in yellow and green vegetables, milk and fish), was being tested for its efficacy against lung cancer in high-risk subjects. To the surprise and concern of the scientists conducting the experiment, those individuals taking the supplementintended to reduce the risk of cancerwere at a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer. This startling discovery led to the abandonment of the trials mid-way through the experimental process. Since this experiment in the mid-90s, other studies have similarly indicated that antioxidants and vitamin supplements are of dubious health value at best, and may possibly be harmful. It seems that even common vitamin supplements such as vitamin C may, in large doses, actually exacerbate the risk of cardio-vascular disease or cancer. As a result of these recent alarming studies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its European equivalent, the European Medicine Agency (EMEA), have taken the decision to prohibit the production and sale of a number of the higher-dose supplements currently on the market. Another aspect of the increasingly complex picture to take into account is that recent research findings have also called into question some previously held beliefs concerning free radicals. It is possible, some scientists believe, that free radicals actually play a role in preventing disease. Professor Jennifer Horton at the University of West Wyoming is one of a number of scientists who has found that in small amounts, the free radicals may help stimulate the antioxidant systems in our bodies. It is also becoming apparent that free radicals may play a fundamental role in the fight against disease; recent research in the UIC suggests that they kill off harmful bacteria and even cancerous cells. Clearly, then, the use of bottled supplements with your diet is a practice to approach warily; and it is essential to keep abreast of new developments in research. Ironically, those health-conscious individuals who already eat large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, whose diet does not include junk food and who get plenty of regular exercise and have less need for dietary supplements tend to be the ones who are most likely to use them. | Recent research suggests that small amounts of free radicals can help prevent disease. | e |
id_1910 | Cure-all Pills: Myths or Reality? Browse the shelves of any health food shop or pharmacy and youll find dozens of dietary supplementsvitamins, antioxidants, mineralsalong with a seemingly endless range of homeopathic remedies. There is always something new, some miracle ingredient offering the promise of a longer, healthier, happier life. There are extracts of every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imaginetomato, celery, carrot, papaya and cranberryalong with green tea potion, red wine extract and vitamins A-K in every colour and form. And all of these supplements claim to assist us in the constant battle against ageing, cancer, cardio-vascular disease, and a cornucopia of other afflictions. However, recent research may show it is all too good to be true. So how real are these claims? Vitamin tablets have been around forever, but antioxidants are the latest miracle cure; the question is, do they work? If the hype is true, then what antioxidants do is work to neutralise the free radicals in our bodies and later excrete them. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have at least one unpaired electron and are therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissue they are believed to accelerate the progression of cardio-vascular and age-related diseases, such as dementia and cancer. Antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables have been shown to combine with free radicals and neutralise them, preventing the oxidation which may lead to disease. An apple a day keeps the doctor awayif eaten alongside four other portions of fresh fruit and vegetables! It is clear that those who eat more fruit and vegetablesand the recommended daily intake is at least five portionsare less prone to disease and live longer, healthier lives. Over the last 20-30 years, scientists have worked to isolate the active ingredients in fruit and vegetables believed to be the antioxidantsand have conducted controlled tests of antioxidants, which revealed that they do indeed appear to have the ability to halt some of the chemical processes that cause disease. Thus the multimillion dollar industry of bottled antioxidants to supplement the diets of the busy and the stressed was born. Antioxidants were first cast into doubt during a major clinical trial in the US, in which a very common antioxidant, beta-carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A (found in yellow and green vegetables, milk and fish), was being tested for its efficacy against lung cancer in high-risk subjects. To the surprise and concern of the scientists conducting the experiment, those individuals taking the supplementintended to reduce the risk of cancerwere at a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer. This startling discovery led to the abandonment of the trials mid-way through the experimental process. Since this experiment in the mid-90s, other studies have similarly indicated that antioxidants and vitamin supplements are of dubious health value at best, and may possibly be harmful. It seems that even common vitamin supplements such as vitamin C may, in large doses, actually exacerbate the risk of cardio-vascular disease or cancer. As a result of these recent alarming studies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its European equivalent, the European Medicine Agency (EMEA), have taken the decision to prohibit the production and sale of a number of the higher-dose supplements currently on the market. Another aspect of the increasingly complex picture to take into account is that recent research findings have also called into question some previously held beliefs concerning free radicals. It is possible, some scientists believe, that free radicals actually play a role in preventing disease. Professor Jennifer Horton at the University of West Wyoming is one of a number of scientists who has found that in small amounts, the free radicals may help stimulate the antioxidant systems in our bodies. It is also becoming apparent that free radicals may play a fundamental role in the fight against disease; recent research in the UIC suggests that they kill off harmful bacteria and even cancerous cells. Clearly, then, the use of bottled supplements with your diet is a practice to approach warily; and it is essential to keep abreast of new developments in research. Ironically, those health-conscious individuals who already eat large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, whose diet does not include junk food and who get plenty of regular exercise and have less need for dietary supplements tend to be the ones who are most likely to use them. | After the release of Professor Hortons study the number of people taking vitamin supplements declined. | n |
id_1911 | Current figures suggest that one in five British children will be obese by the time they reach the final year of primary school. This statement comes from a survey conducted by the National Child Measurement Programme, which collected data based on more than one million school children. London was found to have the highest percentage of obese children, with 20% of final year pupils affected by the issue. The survey also noted that the problem was twice as acute in deprived areas, with 14% of four and five year olds in deprived area being obese, compared to only 6% in well-off areas. In comparison to the rising rates of obesity in children, the percentage of obese adults in the UK has fallen, currently standing at 23%. | 20% of obese children will become obese adults | c |
id_1912 | Current figures suggest that one in five British children will be obese by the time they reach the final year of primary school. This statement comes from a survey conducted by the National Child Measurement Programme, which collected data based on more than one million school children. London was found to have the highest percentage of obese children, with 20% of final year pupils affected by the issue. The survey also noted that the problem was twice as acute in deprived areas, with 14% of four and five year olds in deprived area being obese, compared to only 6% in well-off areas. In comparison to the rising rates of obesity in children, the percentage of obese adults in the UK has fallen, currently standing at 23%. | 14% of obese children will become obese adults | c |
id_1913 | Current figures suggest that one in five British children will be obese by the time they reach the final year of primary school. This statement comes from a survey conducted by the National Child Measurement Programme, which collected data based on more than one million school children. London was found to have the highest percentage of obese children, with 20% of final year pupils affected by the issue. The survey also noted that the problem was twice as acute in deprived areas, with 14% of four and five year olds in deprived area being obese, compared to only 6% in well-off areas. In comparison to the rising rates of obesity in children, the percentage of obese adults in the UK has fallen, currently standing at 23%. | 23% of obese children will become obese adults | c |
id_1914 | Current levels of domestic inflation make it a lot easier for the government of China to accept a stronger domestic currency (the Yuan). Until recently, the government was concerned that strengthening the Yuan would lead to domestic deflation. Chinese trade surpluses are resulting in the accu- mulation of foreign exchange reserves equal to $1 billion a day. Trading partners, especially the United States, are keen to see a stronger Yuan, hoping that it will pull back the level of trade surplus. Imported commodities the raw materials necessary for Chinas manufacturing industry have become far more expensive and a stronger Yuan will help offset some of these increases. | Two potential advantages of a stronger Yuan are described in the passage. | e |
id_1915 | Current levels of domestic inflation make it a lot easier for the government of China to accept a stronger domestic currency (the Yuan). Until recently, the government was concerned that strengthening the Yuan would lead to domestic deflation. Chinese trade surpluses are resulting in the accu- mulation of foreign exchange reserves equal to $1 billion a day. Trading partners, especially the United States, are keen to see a stronger Yuan, hoping that it will pull back the level of trade surplus. Imported commodities the raw materials necessary for Chinas manufacturing industry have become far more expensive and a stronger Yuan will help offset some of these increases. | If it were the case that domestic inflation in China stood at over 5 per cent, then the Chinese government would have greater concerns over the domestic effects of a stronger Yuan. | c |
id_1916 | Current levels of domestic inflation make it a lot easier for the government of China to accept a stronger domestic currency (the Yuan). Until recently, the government was concerned that strengthening the Yuan would lead to domestic deflation. Chinese trade surpluses are resulting in the accu- mulation of foreign exchange reserves equal to $1 billion a day. Trading partners, especially the United States, are keen to see a stronger Yuan, hoping that it will pull back the level of trade surplus. Imported commodities the raw materials necessary for Chinas manufacturing industry have become far more expensive and a stronger Yuan will help offset some of these increases. | The author expects the reader to know that the domestic currency of China is called the Yuan. | c |
id_1917 | Current levels of domestic inflation make it a lot easier for the government of China to accept a stronger domestic currency (the Yuan). Until recently, the government was concerned that strengthening the Yuan would lead to domestic deflation. Chinese trade surpluses are resulting in the accu- mulation of foreign exchange reserves equal to $1 billion a day. Trading partners, especially the United States, are keen to see a stronger Yuan, hoping that it will pull back the level of trade surplus. Imported commodities the raw materials necessary for Chinas manufacturing industry have become far more expensive and a stronger Yuan will help offset some of these increases. | Deflation and surplus are antonyms. | c |
id_1918 | Current levels of domestic inflation make it a lot easier for the government of China to accept a stronger domestic currency (the Yuan). Until recently, the government was concerned that strengthening the Yuan would lead to domestic deflation. Chinese trade surpluses are resulting in the accu- mulation of foreign exchange reserves equal to $1 billion a day. Trading partners, especially the United States, are keen to see a stronger Yuan, hoping that it will pull back the level of trade surplus. Imported commodities the raw materials necessary for Chinas manufacturing industry have become far more expensive and a stronger Yuan will help offset some of these increases. | It is clear from the passage that the Yuan value has been allowed torise. | c |
id_1919 | Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time. The nineteenth century was a period of great technological development in Britain, and for shipping the major changes were from wind to steam power, and from wood to iron and steel. The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers. From the 1840s until 1869, when the Suez Canal opened and steam propulsion was replacing sail, clippers dominated world trade. Although many were built, only one has survived more or less intact: Cutty Sark, now on display in Greenwich, southeast London. Cutty Sark's unusual name comes from the poem Tam O'Shanter by the Scottish poet Robert Bums. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a 'cutty sark' - an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. The witch is depicted in Cutty Sark's figurehead - the carving of a woman typically at the front of old sailing ships. In legend, and in Bums's poem, witches cannot cross water, so this was a rather strange choice of name for a ship. Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, for a shipping company owned by John Willis. To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position. In the end, the firm was forced out of business, and the ship was finished by a competitor. Willis's company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship. On her maiden voyage, in 1870, she set sail from London, carrying large amounts of goods to China. She returned laden with tea, making the journey back to London in four months. However, Cutty Sark never lived up to the high expectations of her owner, as a result of bad winds and various misfortunes. On one occasion, in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae, left port in China on the same day. Crossing the Indian Ocean, Cutty Sark gained a lead of over 400 miles, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas, making her impossible to steer. The ship's crew had the daunting task of repairing the rudder at sea, and only succeeded at the second attempt. Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae. Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the same year that Cutty Sark was launched, had a serious impact. While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance. Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months. By 1878, tea traders weren't interested in Cutty Sark, and instead, she took on the much less prestigious work of carrying any cargo between any two ports in the world. In 1880, violence aboard the ship led ultimately to the replacement of the captain with an incompetent drunkard who stole the crew's wages. He was suspended from service, and a new captain appointed. This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark's working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain. One such journey took just under 12 weeks, beating every other ship sailing that year by around a month. The ship's next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew. As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off, though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years. As competition from steam ships increased in the 1890s, and Cutty Sark approached the end of her life expectancy, she became less profitable. She was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira. For the next 25 years, she again carried miscellaneous cargoes around the world. Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbour in southwest England, for repairs. Wilfred Dowman, a retired sea captain who owned a training vessel, recognised her and tried to buy her, but without success. She returned to Portugal and was sold to another Portuguese company. Dowman was determined, however, and offered a high price: this was accepted, and the ship returned to Falmouth the following year and had her original name restored. Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954, she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display. The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year. | John Willis wanted Cutty Sark to be the fastest tea clipper travelling between the UK and China. | e |
id_1920 | Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time. The nineteenth century was a period of great technological development in Britain, and for shipping the major changes were from wind to steam power, and from wood to iron and steel. The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers. From the 1840s until 1869, when the Suez Canal opened and steam propulsion was replacing sail, clippers dominated world trade. Although many were built, only one has survived more or less intact: Cutty Sark, now on display in Greenwich, southeast London. Cutty Sark's unusual name comes from the poem Tam O'Shanter by the Scottish poet Robert Bums. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a 'cutty sark' - an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. The witch is depicted in Cutty Sark's figurehead - the carving of a woman typically at the front of old sailing ships. In legend, and in Bums's poem, witches cannot cross water, so this was a rather strange choice of name for a ship. Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, for a shipping company owned by John Willis. To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position. In the end, the firm was forced out of business, and the ship was finished by a competitor. Willis's company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship. On her maiden voyage, in 1870, she set sail from London, carrying large amounts of goods to China. She returned laden with tea, making the journey back to London in four months. However, Cutty Sark never lived up to the high expectations of her owner, as a result of bad winds and various misfortunes. On one occasion, in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae, left port in China on the same day. Crossing the Indian Ocean, Cutty Sark gained a lead of over 400 miles, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas, making her impossible to steer. The ship's crew had the daunting task of repairing the rudder at sea, and only succeeded at the second attempt. Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae. Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the same year that Cutty Sark was launched, had a serious impact. While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance. Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months. By 1878, tea traders weren't interested in Cutty Sark, and instead, she took on the much less prestigious work of carrying any cargo between any two ports in the world. In 1880, violence aboard the ship led ultimately to the replacement of the captain with an incompetent drunkard who stole the crew's wages. He was suspended from service, and a new captain appointed. This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark's working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain. One such journey took just under 12 weeks, beating every other ship sailing that year by around a month. The ship's next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew. As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off, though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years. As competition from steam ships increased in the 1890s, and Cutty Sark approached the end of her life expectancy, she became less profitable. She was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira. For the next 25 years, she again carried miscellaneous cargoes around the world. Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbour in southwest England, for repairs. Wilfred Dowman, a retired sea captain who owned a training vessel, recognised her and tried to buy her, but without success. She returned to Portugal and was sold to another Portuguese company. Dowman was determined, however, and offered a high price: this was accepted, and the ship returned to Falmouth the following year and had her original name restored. Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954, she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display. The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year. | The opening of the Suez Canal meant that steam ships could travel between Britain and China faster than clippers. | e |
id_1921 | Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time. The nineteenth century was a period of great technological development in Britain, and for shipping the major changes were from wind to steam power, and from wood to iron and steel. The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers. From the 1840s until 1869, when the Suez Canal opened and steam propulsion was replacing sail, clippers dominated world trade. Although many were built, only one has survived more or less intact: Cutty Sark, now on display in Greenwich, southeast London. Cutty Sark's unusual name comes from the poem Tam O'Shanter by the Scottish poet Robert Bums. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a 'cutty sark' - an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. The witch is depicted in Cutty Sark's figurehead - the carving of a woman typically at the front of old sailing ships. In legend, and in Bums's poem, witches cannot cross water, so this was a rather strange choice of name for a ship. Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, for a shipping company owned by John Willis. To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position. In the end, the firm was forced out of business, and the ship was finished by a competitor. Willis's company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship. On her maiden voyage, in 1870, she set sail from London, carrying large amounts of goods to China. She returned laden with tea, making the journey back to London in four months. However, Cutty Sark never lived up to the high expectations of her owner, as a result of bad winds and various misfortunes. On one occasion, in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae, left port in China on the same day. Crossing the Indian Ocean, Cutty Sark gained a lead of over 400 miles, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas, making her impossible to steer. The ship's crew had the daunting task of repairing the rudder at sea, and only succeeded at the second attempt. Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae. Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the same year that Cutty Sark was launched, had a serious impact. While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance. Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months. By 1878, tea traders weren't interested in Cutty Sark, and instead, she took on the much less prestigious work of carrying any cargo between any two ports in the world. In 1880, violence aboard the ship led ultimately to the replacement of the captain with an incompetent drunkard who stole the crew's wages. He was suspended from service, and a new captain appointed. This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark's working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain. One such journey took just under 12 weeks, beating every other ship sailing that year by around a month. The ship's next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew. As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off, though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years. As competition from steam ships increased in the 1890s, and Cutty Sark approached the end of her life expectancy, she became less profitable. She was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira. For the next 25 years, she again carried miscellaneous cargoes around the world. Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbour in southwest England, for repairs. Wilfred Dowman, a retired sea captain who owned a training vessel, recognised her and tried to buy her, but without success. She returned to Portugal and was sold to another Portuguese company. Dowman was determined, however, and offered a high price: this was accepted, and the ship returned to Falmouth the following year and had her original name restored. Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954, she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display. The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year. | Captain Woodget put Cutty Sark at risk of hitting an iceberg. | e |
id_1922 | Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time. The nineteenth century was a period of great technological development in Britain, and for shipping the major changes were from wind to steam power, and from wood to iron and steel. The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers. From the 1840s until 1869, when the Suez Canal opened and steam propulsion was replacing sail, clippers dominated world trade. Although many were built, only one has survived more or less intact: Cutty Sark, now on display in Greenwich, southeast London. Cutty Sark's unusual name comes from the poem Tam O'Shanter by the Scottish poet Robert Bums. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a 'cutty sark' - an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. The witch is depicted in Cutty Sark's figurehead - the carving of a woman typically at the front of old sailing ships. In legend, and in Bums's poem, witches cannot cross water, so this was a rather strange choice of name for a ship. Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, for a shipping company owned by John Willis. To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position. In the end, the firm was forced out of business, and the ship was finished by a competitor. Willis's company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship. On her maiden voyage, in 1870, she set sail from London, carrying large amounts of goods to China. She returned laden with tea, making the journey back to London in four months. However, Cutty Sark never lived up to the high expectations of her owner, as a result of bad winds and various misfortunes. On one occasion, in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae, left port in China on the same day. Crossing the Indian Ocean, Cutty Sark gained a lead of over 400 miles, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas, making her impossible to steer. The ship's crew had the daunting task of repairing the rudder at sea, and only succeeded at the second attempt. Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae. Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the same year that Cutty Sark was launched, had a serious impact. While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance. Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months. By 1878, tea traders weren't interested in Cutty Sark, and instead, she took on the much less prestigious work of carrying any cargo between any two ports in the world. In 1880, violence aboard the ship led ultimately to the replacement of the captain with an incompetent drunkard who stole the crew's wages. He was suspended from service, and a new captain appointed. This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark's working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain. One such journey took just under 12 weeks, beating every other ship sailing that year by around a month. The ship's next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew. As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off, though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years. As competition from steam ships increased in the 1890s, and Cutty Sark approached the end of her life expectancy, she became less profitable. She was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira. For the next 25 years, she again carried miscellaneous cargoes around the world. Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbour in southwest England, for repairs. Wilfred Dowman, a retired sea captain who owned a training vessel, recognised her and tried to buy her, but without success. She returned to Portugal and was sold to another Portuguese company. Dowman was determined, however, and offered a high price: this was accepted, and the ship returned to Falmouth the following year and had her original name restored. Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954, she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display. The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year. | Steam ships sometimes used the ocean route to travel between London and China. | n |
id_1923 | Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time. The nineteenth century was a period of great technological development in Britain, and for shipping the major changes were from wind to steam power, and from wood to iron and steel. The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers. From the 1840s until 1869, when the Suez Canal opened and steam propulsion was replacing sail, clippers dominated world trade. Although many were built, only one has survived more or less intact: Cutty Sark, now on display in Greenwich, southeast London. Cutty Sark's unusual name comes from the poem Tam O'Shanter by the Scottish poet Robert Bums. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a 'cutty sark' - an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. The witch is depicted in Cutty Sark's figurehead - the carving of a woman typically at the front of old sailing ships. In legend, and in Bums's poem, witches cannot cross water, so this was a rather strange choice of name for a ship. Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, for a shipping company owned by John Willis. To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position. In the end, the firm was forced out of business, and the ship was finished by a competitor. Willis's company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship. On her maiden voyage, in 1870, she set sail from London, carrying large amounts of goods to China. She returned laden with tea, making the journey back to London in four months. However, Cutty Sark never lived up to the high expectations of her owner, as a result of bad winds and various misfortunes. On one occasion, in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae, left port in China on the same day. Crossing the Indian Ocean, Cutty Sark gained a lead of over 400 miles, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas, making her impossible to steer. The ship's crew had the daunting task of repairing the rudder at sea, and only succeeded at the second attempt. Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae. Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the same year that Cutty Sark was launched, had a serious impact. While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance. Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months. By 1878, tea traders weren't interested in Cutty Sark, and instead, she took on the much less prestigious work of carrying any cargo between any two ports in the world. In 1880, violence aboard the ship led ultimately to the replacement of the captain with an incompetent drunkard who stole the crew's wages. He was suspended from service, and a new captain appointed. This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark's working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain. One such journey took just under 12 weeks, beating every other ship sailing that year by around a month. The ship's next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew. As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off, though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years. As competition from steam ships increased in the 1890s, and Cutty Sark approached the end of her life expectancy, she became less profitable. She was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira. For the next 25 years, she again carried miscellaneous cargoes around the world. Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbour in southwest England, for repairs. Wilfred Dowman, a retired sea captain who owned a training vessel, recognised her and tried to buy her, but without success. She returned to Portugal and was sold to another Portuguese company. Dowman was determined, however, and offered a high price: this was accepted, and the ship returned to Falmouth the following year and had her original name restored. Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954, she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display. The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year. | Despite storm damage, Cutty Sark beat Thermopylae back to London. | c |
id_1924 | Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time. The nineteenth century was a period of great technological development in Britain, and for shipping the major changes were from wind to steam power, and from wood to iron and steel. The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers. From the 1840s until 1869, when the Suez Canal opened and steam propulsion was replacing sail, clippers dominated world trade. Although many were built, only one has survived more or less intact: Cutty Sark, now on display in Greenwich, southeast London. Cutty Sark's unusual name comes from the poem Tam O'Shanter by the Scottish poet Robert Bums. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a 'cutty sark' - an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. The witch is depicted in Cutty Sark's figurehead - the carving of a woman typically at the front of old sailing ships. In legend, and in Bums's poem, witches cannot cross water, so this was a rather strange choice of name for a ship. Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, for a shipping company owned by John Willis. To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position. In the end, the firm was forced out of business, and the ship was finished by a competitor. Willis's company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship. On her maiden voyage, in 1870, she set sail from London, carrying large amounts of goods to China. She returned laden with tea, making the journey back to London in four months. However, Cutty Sark never lived up to the high expectations of her owner, as a result of bad winds and various misfortunes. On one occasion, in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae, left port in China on the same day. Crossing the Indian Ocean, Cutty Sark gained a lead of over 400 miles, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas, making her impossible to steer. The ship's crew had the daunting task of repairing the rudder at sea, and only succeeded at the second attempt. Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae. Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the same year that Cutty Sark was launched, had a serious impact. While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance. Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months. By 1878, tea traders weren't interested in Cutty Sark, and instead, she took on the much less prestigious work of carrying any cargo between any two ports in the world. In 1880, violence aboard the ship led ultimately to the replacement of the captain with an incompetent drunkard who stole the crew's wages. He was suspended from service, and a new captain appointed. This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark's working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain. One such journey took just under 12 weeks, beating every other ship sailing that year by around a month. The ship's next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew. As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off, though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years. As competition from steam ships increased in the 1890s, and Cutty Sark approached the end of her life expectancy, she became less profitable. She was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira. For the next 25 years, she again carried miscellaneous cargoes around the world. Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbour in southwest England, for repairs. Wilfred Dowman, a retired sea captain who owned a training vessel, recognised her and tried to buy her, but without success. She returned to Portugal and was sold to another Portuguese company. Dowman was determined, however, and offered a high price: this was accepted, and the ship returned to Falmouth the following year and had her original name restored. Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954, she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display. The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year. | Cutty Sark was given the name of a character in a poem. | c |
id_1925 | Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time. The nineteenth century was a period of great technological development in Britain, and for shipping the major changes were from wind to steam power, and from wood to iron and steel. The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers. From the 1840s until 1869, when the Suez Canal opened and steam propulsion was replacing sail, clippers dominated world trade. Although many were built, only one has survived more or less intact: Cutty Sark, now on display in Greenwich, southeast London. Cutty Sark's unusual name comes from the poem Tam O'Shanter by the Scottish poet Robert Bums. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a 'cutty sark' - an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. The witch is depicted in Cutty Sark's figurehead - the carving of a woman typically at the front of old sailing ships. In legend, and in Bums's poem, witches cannot cross water, so this was a rather strange choice of name for a ship. Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, for a shipping company owned by John Willis. To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position. In the end, the firm was forced out of business, and the ship was finished by a competitor. Willis's company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship. On her maiden voyage, in 1870, she set sail from London, carrying large amounts of goods to China. She returned laden with tea, making the journey back to London in four months. However, Cutty Sark never lived up to the high expectations of her owner, as a result of bad winds and various misfortunes. On one occasion, in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae, left port in China on the same day. Crossing the Indian Ocean, Cutty Sark gained a lead of over 400 miles, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas, making her impossible to steer. The ship's crew had the daunting task of repairing the rudder at sea, and only succeeded at the second attempt. Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae. Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the same year that Cutty Sark was launched, had a serious impact. While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance. Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months. By 1878, tea traders weren't interested in Cutty Sark, and instead, she took on the much less prestigious work of carrying any cargo between any two ports in the world. In 1880, violence aboard the ship led ultimately to the replacement of the captain with an incompetent drunkard who stole the crew's wages. He was suspended from service, and a new captain appointed. This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark's working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain. One such journey took just under 12 weeks, beating every other ship sailing that year by around a month. The ship's next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew. As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off, though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years. As competition from steam ships increased in the 1890s, and Cutty Sark approached the end of her life expectancy, she became less profitable. She was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira. For the next 25 years, she again carried miscellaneous cargoes around the world. Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbour in southwest England, for repairs. Wilfred Dowman, a retired sea captain who owned a training vessel, recognised her and tried to buy her, but without success. She returned to Portugal and was sold to another Portuguese company. Dowman was determined, however, and offered a high price: this was accepted, and the ship returned to Falmouth the following year and had her original name restored. Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954, she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display. The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year. | The contract between John Willis and Scott & Linton favoured Willis. | e |
id_1926 | Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time. The nineteenth century was a period of great technological development in Britain, and for shipping the major changes were from wind to steam power, and from wood to iron and steel. The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers. From the 1840s until 1869, when the Suez Canal opened and steam propulsion was replacing sail, clippers dominated world trade. Although many were built, only one has survived more or less intact: Cutty Sark, now on display in Greenwich, southeast London. Cutty Sark's unusual name comes from the poem Tam O'Shanter by the Scottish poet Robert Bums. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a 'cutty sark' - an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. The witch is depicted in Cutty Sark's figurehead - the carving of a woman typically at the front of old sailing ships. In legend, and in Bums's poem, witches cannot cross water, so this was a rather strange choice of name for a ship. Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, for a shipping company owned by John Willis. To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position. In the end, the firm was forced out of business, and the ship was finished by a competitor. Willis's company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship. On her maiden voyage, in 1870, she set sail from London, carrying large amounts of goods to China. She returned laden with tea, making the journey back to London in four months. However, Cutty Sark never lived up to the high expectations of her owner, as a result of bad winds and various misfortunes. On one occasion, in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae, left port in China on the same day. Crossing the Indian Ocean, Cutty Sark gained a lead of over 400 miles, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas, making her impossible to steer. The ship's crew had the daunting task of repairing the rudder at sea, and only succeeded at the second attempt. Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae. Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the same year that Cutty Sark was launched, had a serious impact. While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance. Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months. By 1878, tea traders weren't interested in Cutty Sark, and instead, she took on the much less prestigious work of carrying any cargo between any two ports in the world. In 1880, violence aboard the ship led ultimately to the replacement of the captain with an incompetent drunkard who stole the crew's wages. He was suspended from service, and a new captain appointed. This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark's working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain. One such journey took just under 12 weeks, beating every other ship sailing that year by around a month. The ship's next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew. As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off, though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years. As competition from steam ships increased in the 1890s, and Cutty Sark approached the end of her life expectancy, she became less profitable. She was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira. For the next 25 years, she again carried miscellaneous cargoes around the world. Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbour in southwest England, for repairs. Wilfred Dowman, a retired sea captain who owned a training vessel, recognised her and tried to buy her, but without success. She returned to Portugal and was sold to another Portuguese company. Dowman was determined, however, and offered a high price: this was accepted, and the ship returned to Falmouth the following year and had her original name restored. Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954, she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display. The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year. | Clippers were originally intended to be used as passenger ships. | c |
id_1927 | DELIVERING THE GOODS. The vast expansion in international trade owes much to a revolution in the business of moving freight International trade is growing at a startling pace. While the global economy has been expanding at a bit over 3% a year, the volume of trade has been rising at a compound annual rate of about twice that. Foreign products, from meat to machinery, play a more important role in almost every economy in the world, and foreign markets now tempt businesses that never much worried about sales beyond their nations borders. What lies behind this explosion in international commerce? The general worldwide decline in trade barriers, such as customs duties and import quotas, is surely one explanation. The economic opening of countries that have traditionally been minor players is another. But one force behind the import-export boom has passed all but unnoticed: the rapidly falling cost of getting goods to market. Theoretically, in the world of trade, shipping costs do not matter. Goods, once they have been made, are assumed to move instantly and at no cost from place to place. The real world, however, is full of frictions. Cheap labour may make Chinese clothing competitive in America, but if delays in shipment tie up working capital and cause winter coats to arrive in spring, trade may lose its advantages. At the turn of the 20th century, agriculture and manufacturing were the two most important sectors almost everywhere, accounting for about 70% of total output in Germany, Italy and France, and 40-50% in America, Britain and Japan. International commerce was therefore dominated by raw materials, such as wheat, wood and iron ore, or processed commodities, such as meat and steel. But these sorts of products are heavy and bulky and the cost of transporting them relatively high. Countries still trade disproportionately with their geographic neighbours. Over time, however, world output has shifted into goods whose worth is unrelated to their size and weight. Today, it is finished manufactured products that dominate the flow of trade, and, thanks to technological advances such as lightweight components, manufactured goods themselves have tended to become lighter and less bulky. As a result, less transportation is required for every dollars worth of imports or exports. To see how this influences trade, consider the business of making disk drives for computers. Most of the worlds disk-drive manufacturing is concentrated in South-east Asia. This is possible only because disk drives, while valuable, are small and light and so cost little to ship. Computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas will not face hugely bigger freight bills if they import drives from Singapore rather than purchasing them on the domestic market. Distance therefore poses no obstacle to the globalisation of the disk-drive industry. This is even more true of the fast-growing information industries. Films and compact discs cost little to transport, even by aeroplane. Computer software can be exported without ever loading it onto a ship, simply by transmitting it over telephone lines from one country to another, so freight rates and cargo-handling schedules become insignificant factors in deciding where to make the product. Businesses can locate based on other considerations, such as the availability of labour, while worrying less about the cost of delivering their output. In many countries deregulation has helped to drive the process along. But, behind the scenes, a series of technological innovations known broadly as containerisation and inter-modal transportation has led to swift productivity improvements in cargo-handling. Forty years ago, the process of exporting or importing involved a great many stages of handling, which risked portions of the shipment being damaged or stolen along the way. The invention of the container crane made it possible to load and unload containers without capsizing the ship and the adoption of standard container sizes allowed almost any box to be transported on any ship. By 1967, dual-purpose ships, carrying loose cargo in the hold* and containers on the deck, were giving way to all-container vessels that moved thousands of boxes at a time. The shipping container transformed ocean shipping into a highly efficient, intensely competitive business. But getting the cargo to and from the dock was a different story. National governments, by and large, kept a much firmer hand on truck and railroad tariffs than on charges for ocean freight. This started changing, however, in the mid-1970s, when America began to deregulate its transportation industry. First airlines, then road hauliers and railways, were freed from restrictions on what they could carry, where they could haul it and what price they could charge. Big productivity gains resulted. Between 1985 and 1996, for example, Americas freight railways dramatically reduced their employment, trackage, and their fleets of locomotives while increasing the amount of cargo they hauled. Europes railways have also shown marked, albeit smaller, productivity improvements. In America the period of huge productivity gains in transportation may be almost over, but in most countries the process still has far to go. State ownership of railways and airlines, regulation of freight rates and toleration of anti-competitive practices, such as cargo-handling monopolies, all keep the cost of shipping unnecessarily high and deter international trade. Bringing these barriers down would help the worlds economies grow even closer. | Small computer components are manufactured in Germany. | n |
id_1928 | DELIVERING THE GOODS. The vast expansion in international trade owes much to a revolution in the business of moving freight International trade is growing at a startling pace. While the global economy has been expanding at a bit over 3% a year, the volume of trade has been rising at a compound annual rate of about twice that. Foreign products, from meat to machinery, play a more important role in almost every economy in the world, and foreign markets now tempt businesses that never much worried about sales beyond their nations borders. What lies behind this explosion in international commerce? The general worldwide decline in trade barriers, such as customs duties and import quotas, is surely one explanation. The economic opening of countries that have traditionally been minor players is another. But one force behind the import-export boom has passed all but unnoticed: the rapidly falling cost of getting goods to market. Theoretically, in the world of trade, shipping costs do not matter. Goods, once they have been made, are assumed to move instantly and at no cost from place to place. The real world, however, is full of frictions. Cheap labour may make Chinese clothing competitive in America, but if delays in shipment tie up working capital and cause winter coats to arrive in spring, trade may lose its advantages. At the turn of the 20th century, agriculture and manufacturing were the two most important sectors almost everywhere, accounting for about 70% of total output in Germany, Italy and France, and 40-50% in America, Britain and Japan. International commerce was therefore dominated by raw materials, such as wheat, wood and iron ore, or processed commodities, such as meat and steel. But these sorts of products are heavy and bulky and the cost of transporting them relatively high. Countries still trade disproportionately with their geographic neighbours. Over time, however, world output has shifted into goods whose worth is unrelated to their size and weight. Today, it is finished manufactured products that dominate the flow of trade, and, thanks to technological advances such as lightweight components, manufactured goods themselves have tended to become lighter and less bulky. As a result, less transportation is required for every dollars worth of imports or exports. To see how this influences trade, consider the business of making disk drives for computers. Most of the worlds disk-drive manufacturing is concentrated in South-east Asia. This is possible only because disk drives, while valuable, are small and light and so cost little to ship. Computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas will not face hugely bigger freight bills if they import drives from Singapore rather than purchasing them on the domestic market. Distance therefore poses no obstacle to the globalisation of the disk-drive industry. This is even more true of the fast-growing information industries. Films and compact discs cost little to transport, even by aeroplane. Computer software can be exported without ever loading it onto a ship, simply by transmitting it over telephone lines from one country to another, so freight rates and cargo-handling schedules become insignificant factors in deciding where to make the product. Businesses can locate based on other considerations, such as the availability of labour, while worrying less about the cost of delivering their output. In many countries deregulation has helped to drive the process along. But, behind the scenes, a series of technological innovations known broadly as containerisation and inter-modal transportation has led to swift productivity improvements in cargo-handling. Forty years ago, the process of exporting or importing involved a great many stages of handling, which risked portions of the shipment being damaged or stolen along the way. The invention of the container crane made it possible to load and unload containers without capsizing the ship and the adoption of standard container sizes allowed almost any box to be transported on any ship. By 1967, dual-purpose ships, carrying loose cargo in the hold* and containers on the deck, were giving way to all-container vessels that moved thousands of boxes at a time. The shipping container transformed ocean shipping into a highly efficient, intensely competitive business. But getting the cargo to and from the dock was a different story. National governments, by and large, kept a much firmer hand on truck and railroad tariffs than on charges for ocean freight. This started changing, however, in the mid-1970s, when America began to deregulate its transportation industry. First airlines, then road hauliers and railways, were freed from restrictions on what they could carry, where they could haul it and what price they could charge. Big productivity gains resulted. Between 1985 and 1996, for example, Americas freight railways dramatically reduced their employment, trackage, and their fleets of locomotives while increasing the amount of cargo they hauled. Europes railways have also shown marked, albeit smaller, productivity improvements. In America the period of huge productivity gains in transportation may be almost over, but in most countries the process still has far to go. State ownership of railways and airlines, regulation of freight rates and toleration of anti-competitive practices, such as cargo-handling monopolies, all keep the cost of shipping unnecessarily high and deter international trade. Bringing these barriers down would help the worlds economies grow even closer. | Most countries continue to prefer to trade with nearby nations. | e |
id_1929 | DELIVERING THE GOODS. The vast expansion in international trade owes much to a revolution in the business of moving freight International trade is growing at a startling pace. While the global economy has been expanding at a bit over 3% a year, the volume of trade has been rising at a compound annual rate of about twice that. Foreign products, from meat to machinery, play a more important role in almost every economy in the world, and foreign markets now tempt businesses that never much worried about sales beyond their nations borders. What lies behind this explosion in international commerce? The general worldwide decline in trade barriers, such as customs duties and import quotas, is surely one explanation. The economic opening of countries that have traditionally been minor players is another. But one force behind the import-export boom has passed all but unnoticed: the rapidly falling cost of getting goods to market. Theoretically, in the world of trade, shipping costs do not matter. Goods, once they have been made, are assumed to move instantly and at no cost from place to place. The real world, however, is full of frictions. Cheap labour may make Chinese clothing competitive in America, but if delays in shipment tie up working capital and cause winter coats to arrive in spring, trade may lose its advantages. At the turn of the 20th century, agriculture and manufacturing were the two most important sectors almost everywhere, accounting for about 70% of total output in Germany, Italy and France, and 40-50% in America, Britain and Japan. International commerce was therefore dominated by raw materials, such as wheat, wood and iron ore, or processed commodities, such as meat and steel. But these sorts of products are heavy and bulky and the cost of transporting them relatively high. Countries still trade disproportionately with their geographic neighbours. Over time, however, world output has shifted into goods whose worth is unrelated to their size and weight. Today, it is finished manufactured products that dominate the flow of trade, and, thanks to technological advances such as lightweight components, manufactured goods themselves have tended to become lighter and less bulky. As a result, less transportation is required for every dollars worth of imports or exports. To see how this influences trade, consider the business of making disk drives for computers. Most of the worlds disk-drive manufacturing is concentrated in South-east Asia. This is possible only because disk drives, while valuable, are small and light and so cost little to ship. Computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas will not face hugely bigger freight bills if they import drives from Singapore rather than purchasing them on the domestic market. Distance therefore poses no obstacle to the globalisation of the disk-drive industry. This is even more true of the fast-growing information industries. Films and compact discs cost little to transport, even by aeroplane. Computer software can be exported without ever loading it onto a ship, simply by transmitting it over telephone lines from one country to another, so freight rates and cargo-handling schedules become insignificant factors in deciding where to make the product. Businesses can locate based on other considerations, such as the availability of labour, while worrying less about the cost of delivering their output. In many countries deregulation has helped to drive the process along. But, behind the scenes, a series of technological innovations known broadly as containerisation and inter-modal transportation has led to swift productivity improvements in cargo-handling. Forty years ago, the process of exporting or importing involved a great many stages of handling, which risked portions of the shipment being damaged or stolen along the way. The invention of the container crane made it possible to load and unload containers without capsizing the ship and the adoption of standard container sizes allowed almost any box to be transported on any ship. By 1967, dual-purpose ships, carrying loose cargo in the hold* and containers on the deck, were giving way to all-container vessels that moved thousands of boxes at a time. The shipping container transformed ocean shipping into a highly efficient, intensely competitive business. But getting the cargo to and from the dock was a different story. National governments, by and large, kept a much firmer hand on truck and railroad tariffs than on charges for ocean freight. This started changing, however, in the mid-1970s, when America began to deregulate its transportation industry. First airlines, then road hauliers and railways, were freed from restrictions on what they could carry, where they could haul it and what price they could charge. Big productivity gains resulted. Between 1985 and 1996, for example, Americas freight railways dramatically reduced their employment, trackage, and their fleets of locomotives while increasing the amount of cargo they hauled. Europes railways have also shown marked, albeit smaller, productivity improvements. In America the period of huge productivity gains in transportation may be almost over, but in most countries the process still has far to go. State ownership of railways and airlines, regulation of freight rates and toleration of anti-competitive practices, such as cargo-handling monopolies, all keep the cost of shipping unnecessarily high and deter international trade. Bringing these barriers down would help the worlds economies grow even closer. | International trade is increasing at a greater rate than the world economy. | e |
id_1930 | DELIVERING THE GOODS. The vast expansion in international trade owes much to a revolution in the business of moving freight International trade is growing at a startling pace. While the global economy has been expanding at a bit over 3% a year, the volume of trade has been rising at a compound annual rate of about twice that. Foreign products, from meat to machinery, play a more important role in almost every economy in the world, and foreign markets now tempt businesses that never much worried about sales beyond their nations borders. What lies behind this explosion in international commerce? The general worldwide decline in trade barriers, such as customs duties and import quotas, is surely one explanation. The economic opening of countries that have traditionally been minor players is another. But one force behind the import-export boom has passed all but unnoticed: the rapidly falling cost of getting goods to market. Theoretically, in the world of trade, shipping costs do not matter. Goods, once they have been made, are assumed to move instantly and at no cost from place to place. The real world, however, is full of frictions. Cheap labour may make Chinese clothing competitive in America, but if delays in shipment tie up working capital and cause winter coats to arrive in spring, trade may lose its advantages. At the turn of the 20th century, agriculture and manufacturing were the two most important sectors almost everywhere, accounting for about 70% of total output in Germany, Italy and France, and 40-50% in America, Britain and Japan. International commerce was therefore dominated by raw materials, such as wheat, wood and iron ore, or processed commodities, such as meat and steel. But these sorts of products are heavy and bulky and the cost of transporting them relatively high. Countries still trade disproportionately with their geographic neighbours. Over time, however, world output has shifted into goods whose worth is unrelated to their size and weight. Today, it is finished manufactured products that dominate the flow of trade, and, thanks to technological advances such as lightweight components, manufactured goods themselves have tended to become lighter and less bulky. As a result, less transportation is required for every dollars worth of imports or exports. To see how this influences trade, consider the business of making disk drives for computers. Most of the worlds disk-drive manufacturing is concentrated in South-east Asia. This is possible only because disk drives, while valuable, are small and light and so cost little to ship. Computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas will not face hugely bigger freight bills if they import drives from Singapore rather than purchasing them on the domestic market. Distance therefore poses no obstacle to the globalisation of the disk-drive industry. This is even more true of the fast-growing information industries. Films and compact discs cost little to transport, even by aeroplane. Computer software can be exported without ever loading it onto a ship, simply by transmitting it over telephone lines from one country to another, so freight rates and cargo-handling schedules become insignificant factors in deciding where to make the product. Businesses can locate based on other considerations, such as the availability of labour, while worrying less about the cost of delivering their output. In many countries deregulation has helped to drive the process along. But, behind the scenes, a series of technological innovations known broadly as containerisation and inter-modal transportation has led to swift productivity improvements in cargo-handling. Forty years ago, the process of exporting or importing involved a great many stages of handling, which risked portions of the shipment being damaged or stolen along the way. The invention of the container crane made it possible to load and unload containers without capsizing the ship and the adoption of standard container sizes allowed almost any box to be transported on any ship. By 1967, dual-purpose ships, carrying loose cargo in the hold* and containers on the deck, were giving way to all-container vessels that moved thousands of boxes at a time. The shipping container transformed ocean shipping into a highly efficient, intensely competitive business. But getting the cargo to and from the dock was a different story. National governments, by and large, kept a much firmer hand on truck and railroad tariffs than on charges for ocean freight. This started changing, however, in the mid-1970s, when America began to deregulate its transportation industry. First airlines, then road hauliers and railways, were freed from restrictions on what they could carry, where they could haul it and what price they could charge. Big productivity gains resulted. Between 1985 and 1996, for example, Americas freight railways dramatically reduced their employment, trackage, and their fleets of locomotives while increasing the amount of cargo they hauled. Europes railways have also shown marked, albeit smaller, productivity improvements. In America the period of huge productivity gains in transportation may be almost over, but in most countries the process still has far to go. State ownership of railways and airlines, regulation of freight rates and toleration of anti-competitive practices, such as cargo-handling monopolies, all keep the cost of shipping unnecessarily high and deter international trade. Bringing these barriers down would help the worlds economies grow even closer. | Japan imports more meat and steel than France. | n |
id_1931 | DELIVERING THE GOODS. The vast expansion in international trade owes much to a revolution in the business of moving freight International trade is growing at a startling pace. While the global economy has been expanding at a bit over 3% a year, the volume of trade has been rising at a compound annual rate of about twice that. Foreign products, from meat to machinery, play a more important role in almost every economy in the world, and foreign markets now tempt businesses that never much worried about sales beyond their nations borders. What lies behind this explosion in international commerce? The general worldwide decline in trade barriers, such as customs duties and import quotas, is surely one explanation. The economic opening of countries that have traditionally been minor players is another. But one force behind the import-export boom has passed all but unnoticed: the rapidly falling cost of getting goods to market. Theoretically, in the world of trade, shipping costs do not matter. Goods, once they have been made, are assumed to move instantly and at no cost from place to place. The real world, however, is full of frictions. Cheap labour may make Chinese clothing competitive in America, but if delays in shipment tie up working capital and cause winter coats to arrive in spring, trade may lose its advantages. At the turn of the 20th century, agriculture and manufacturing were the two most important sectors almost everywhere, accounting for about 70% of total output in Germany, Italy and France, and 40-50% in America, Britain and Japan. International commerce was therefore dominated by raw materials, such as wheat, wood and iron ore, or processed commodities, such as meat and steel. But these sorts of products are heavy and bulky and the cost of transporting them relatively high. Countries still trade disproportionately with their geographic neighbours. Over time, however, world output has shifted into goods whose worth is unrelated to their size and weight. Today, it is finished manufactured products that dominate the flow of trade, and, thanks to technological advances such as lightweight components, manufactured goods themselves have tended to become lighter and less bulky. As a result, less transportation is required for every dollars worth of imports or exports. To see how this influences trade, consider the business of making disk drives for computers. Most of the worlds disk-drive manufacturing is concentrated in South-east Asia. This is possible only because disk drives, while valuable, are small and light and so cost little to ship. Computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas will not face hugely bigger freight bills if they import drives from Singapore rather than purchasing them on the domestic market. Distance therefore poses no obstacle to the globalisation of the disk-drive industry. This is even more true of the fast-growing information industries. Films and compact discs cost little to transport, even by aeroplane. Computer software can be exported without ever loading it onto a ship, simply by transmitting it over telephone lines from one country to another, so freight rates and cargo-handling schedules become insignificant factors in deciding where to make the product. Businesses can locate based on other considerations, such as the availability of labour, while worrying less about the cost of delivering their output. In many countries deregulation has helped to drive the process along. But, behind the scenes, a series of technological innovations known broadly as containerisation and inter-modal transportation has led to swift productivity improvements in cargo-handling. Forty years ago, the process of exporting or importing involved a great many stages of handling, which risked portions of the shipment being damaged or stolen along the way. The invention of the container crane made it possible to load and unload containers without capsizing the ship and the adoption of standard container sizes allowed almost any box to be transported on any ship. By 1967, dual-purpose ships, carrying loose cargo in the hold* and containers on the deck, were giving way to all-container vessels that moved thousands of boxes at a time. The shipping container transformed ocean shipping into a highly efficient, intensely competitive business. But getting the cargo to and from the dock was a different story. National governments, by and large, kept a much firmer hand on truck and railroad tariffs than on charges for ocean freight. This started changing, however, in the mid-1970s, when America began to deregulate its transportation industry. First airlines, then road hauliers and railways, were freed from restrictions on what they could carry, where they could haul it and what price they could charge. Big productivity gains resulted. Between 1985 and 1996, for example, Americas freight railways dramatically reduced their employment, trackage, and their fleets of locomotives while increasing the amount of cargo they hauled. Europes railways have also shown marked, albeit smaller, productivity improvements. In America the period of huge productivity gains in transportation may be almost over, but in most countries the process still has far to go. State ownership of railways and airlines, regulation of freight rates and toleration of anti-competitive practices, such as cargo-handling monopolies, all keep the cost of shipping unnecessarily high and deter international trade. Bringing these barriers down would help the worlds economies grow even closer. | Cheap labour guarantees effective trade conditions. | c |
id_1932 | DIABETES Here are some facts that you probably didnt know about diabetes. It is the worlds fastest growing disease. It is Australias 6th leading cause of death. Over 1 million Australians have it though 50% of those are as yet unaware. Every 10 minutes someone is diagnosed with diabetes. So much for the facts but what exactly is diabetes? Diabetes is the name given to a group of different conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Heres what happens: the body needs glucose as its main source of fuel or energy. The body makes glucose from foods containing carbohydrate such as vegetables containing carbohydrate (like potatoes or corn) and cereal foods (like bread, pasta and rice) as well as fruit and milk. Glucose is carried around the body in the blood and the glucose level is called glycaemia. Glycaemia (blood sugar levels) in humans and animals must be neither too high nor too low, but just right. The glucose running around in the blood stream now has to get out of the blood and into the body tissues. This is where insulin enters the story. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors that let glucose go from the blood to the body cells where energy is made. This process is called glucose metabolism. In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin it does make is not enough and cannot work properly. Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut. Glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels, which causes the health problems linked to diabetes. People refer to the disease as diabetes but there are actually two distinctive types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. It occurs when the bodys immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. The diagnosis of diabetes often depends on what type the patient is suffering from. In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms are usually sudden and sometimes even life threatening hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) can lead to comas and therefore it is mostly diagnosed quite quickly. In Type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed, being seen as part of getting older. Therefore, by the time symptoms are noticed, the blood glucose level for many people can be very high. Common symptoms include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, feeling lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and leg cramps. At present there is no cure for diabetes, but there is a huge amount of research looking for a cure and to provide superior management techniques and products until a cure is found. Whether its Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the aim of any diabetes treatment is to get your blood glucose levels as close to the non-diabetic range as often as possible. For people with Type 1 diabetes, this will mean insulin injections every day plus leading a healthy lifestyle. For people with Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating and regular physical activity may be all that is required at first: Sometimes tablets and/or insulin may be needed later on. Ideally blood glucose levels are kept as close to the non-diabetic range as possible so frequent self-testing is a good idea. This will help prevent the short-term effects of very low or very high blood glucose levels as well as the possible long-term problems. If someone is dependent on insulin, it has to be injected into the body. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. The insulin would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. Insulin must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood. Diabetes can cause serious complications for patients. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause problems. Short term problems are similar to the symptoms but long term high blood sugar levels can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, amputations and blindness. Having your blood pressure and cholesterol outside recommended ranges can also lead to problems like heart attack and stroke and in fact 2 out of 3 people with diabetes eventually die of these complications. Young adults age 18 44 who get type 2 diabetes are 14 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, and are up to 30 times more likely to have a stroke than their peers without diabetes. Young women account for almost all the increase in heart attack risk, while young men are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as young women. This means that huge numbers of people are going to get heart disease, heart attacks and strokes years, sometimes even decades, before they should. | The majority of diabetics develop heart problems or suffer strokes. | e |
id_1933 | DIABETES Here are some facts that you probably didnt know about diabetes. It is the worlds fastest growing disease. It is Australias 6th leading cause of death. Over 1 million Australians have it though 50% of those are as yet unaware. Every 10 minutes someone is diagnosed with diabetes. So much for the facts but what exactly is diabetes? Diabetes is the name given to a group of different conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Heres what happens: the body needs glucose as its main source of fuel or energy. The body makes glucose from foods containing carbohydrate such as vegetables containing carbohydrate (like potatoes or corn) and cereal foods (like bread, pasta and rice) as well as fruit and milk. Glucose is carried around the body in the blood and the glucose level is called glycaemia. Glycaemia (blood sugar levels) in humans and animals must be neither too high nor too low, but just right. The glucose running around in the blood stream now has to get out of the blood and into the body tissues. This is where insulin enters the story. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors that let glucose go from the blood to the body cells where energy is made. This process is called glucose metabolism. In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin it does make is not enough and cannot work properly. Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut. Glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels, which causes the health problems linked to diabetes. People refer to the disease as diabetes but there are actually two distinctive types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. It occurs when the bodys immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. The diagnosis of diabetes often depends on what type the patient is suffering from. In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms are usually sudden and sometimes even life threatening hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) can lead to comas and therefore it is mostly diagnosed quite quickly. In Type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed, being seen as part of getting older. Therefore, by the time symptoms are noticed, the blood glucose level for many people can be very high. Common symptoms include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, feeling lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and leg cramps. At present there is no cure for diabetes, but there is a huge amount of research looking for a cure and to provide superior management techniques and products until a cure is found. Whether its Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the aim of any diabetes treatment is to get your blood glucose levels as close to the non-diabetic range as often as possible. For people with Type 1 diabetes, this will mean insulin injections every day plus leading a healthy lifestyle. For people with Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating and regular physical activity may be all that is required at first: Sometimes tablets and/or insulin may be needed later on. Ideally blood glucose levels are kept as close to the non-diabetic range as possible so frequent self-testing is a good idea. This will help prevent the short-term effects of very low or very high blood glucose levels as well as the possible long-term problems. If someone is dependent on insulin, it has to be injected into the body. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. The insulin would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. Insulin must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood. Diabetes can cause serious complications for patients. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause problems. Short term problems are similar to the symptoms but long term high blood sugar levels can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, amputations and blindness. Having your blood pressure and cholesterol outside recommended ranges can also lead to problems like heart attack and stroke and in fact 2 out of 3 people with diabetes eventually die of these complications. Young adults age 18 44 who get type 2 diabetes are 14 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, and are up to 30 times more likely to have a stroke than their peers without diabetes. Young women account for almost all the increase in heart attack risk, while young men are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as young women. This means that huge numbers of people are going to get heart disease, heart attacks and strokes years, sometimes even decades, before they should. | Frequent check ups at the doctor can drastically reduce the chances of suffering from problems related to diabetes. | n |
id_1934 | DIABETES Here are some facts that you probably didnt know about diabetes. It is the worlds fastest growing disease. It is Australias 6th leading cause of death. Over 1 million Australians have it though 50% of those are as yet unaware. Every 10 minutes someone is diagnosed with diabetes. So much for the facts but what exactly is diabetes? Diabetes is the name given to a group of different conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Heres what happens: the body needs glucose as its main source of fuel or energy. The body makes glucose from foods containing carbohydrate such as vegetables containing carbohydrate (like potatoes or corn) and cereal foods (like bread, pasta and rice) as well as fruit and milk. Glucose is carried around the body in the blood and the glucose level is called glycaemia. Glycaemia (blood sugar levels) in humans and animals must be neither too high nor too low, but just right. The glucose running around in the blood stream now has to get out of the blood and into the body tissues. This is where insulin enters the story. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors that let glucose go from the blood to the body cells where energy is made. This process is called glucose metabolism. In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin it does make is not enough and cannot work properly. Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut. Glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels, which causes the health problems linked to diabetes. People refer to the disease as diabetes but there are actually two distinctive types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. It occurs when the bodys immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. The diagnosis of diabetes often depends on what type the patient is suffering from. In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms are usually sudden and sometimes even life threatening hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) can lead to comas and therefore it is mostly diagnosed quite quickly. In Type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed, being seen as part of getting older. Therefore, by the time symptoms are noticed, the blood glucose level for many people can be very high. Common symptoms include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, feeling lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and leg cramps. At present there is no cure for diabetes, but there is a huge amount of research looking for a cure and to provide superior management techniques and products until a cure is found. Whether its Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the aim of any diabetes treatment is to get your blood glucose levels as close to the non-diabetic range as often as possible. For people with Type 1 diabetes, this will mean insulin injections every day plus leading a healthy lifestyle. For people with Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating and regular physical activity may be all that is required at first: Sometimes tablets and/or insulin may be needed later on. Ideally blood glucose levels are kept as close to the non-diabetic range as possible so frequent self-testing is a good idea. This will help prevent the short-term effects of very low or very high blood glucose levels as well as the possible long-term problems. If someone is dependent on insulin, it has to be injected into the body. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. The insulin would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. Insulin must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood. Diabetes can cause serious complications for patients. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause problems. Short term problems are similar to the symptoms but long term high blood sugar levels can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, amputations and blindness. Having your blood pressure and cholesterol outside recommended ranges can also lead to problems like heart attack and stroke and in fact 2 out of 3 people with diabetes eventually die of these complications. Young adults age 18 44 who get type 2 diabetes are 14 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, and are up to 30 times more likely to have a stroke than their peers without diabetes. Young women account for almost all the increase in heart attack risk, while young men are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as young women. This means that huge numbers of people are going to get heart disease, heart attacks and strokes years, sometimes even decades, before they should. | Artificial insulin is the most effective treatment for those patients requiring insulin. | n |
id_1935 | DIABETES Here are some facts that you probably didnt know about diabetes. It is the worlds fastest growing disease. It is Australias 6th leading cause of death. Over 1 million Australians have it though 50% of those are as yet unaware. Every 10 minutes someone is diagnosed with diabetes. So much for the facts but what exactly is diabetes? Diabetes is the name given to a group of different conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Heres what happens: the body needs glucose as its main source of fuel or energy. The body makes glucose from foods containing carbohydrate such as vegetables containing carbohydrate (like potatoes or corn) and cereal foods (like bread, pasta and rice) as well as fruit and milk. Glucose is carried around the body in the blood and the glucose level is called glycaemia. Glycaemia (blood sugar levels) in humans and animals must be neither too high nor too low, but just right. The glucose running around in the blood stream now has to get out of the blood and into the body tissues. This is where insulin enters the story. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors that let glucose go from the blood to the body cells where energy is made. This process is called glucose metabolism. In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin it does make is not enough and cannot work properly. Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut. Glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels, which causes the health problems linked to diabetes. People refer to the disease as diabetes but there are actually two distinctive types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. It occurs when the bodys immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. The diagnosis of diabetes often depends on what type the patient is suffering from. In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms are usually sudden and sometimes even life threatening hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) can lead to comas and therefore it is mostly diagnosed quite quickly. In Type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed, being seen as part of getting older. Therefore, by the time symptoms are noticed, the blood glucose level for many people can be very high. Common symptoms include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, feeling lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and leg cramps. At present there is no cure for diabetes, but there is a huge amount of research looking for a cure and to provide superior management techniques and products until a cure is found. Whether its Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the aim of any diabetes treatment is to get your blood glucose levels as close to the non-diabetic range as often as possible. For people with Type 1 diabetes, this will mean insulin injections every day plus leading a healthy lifestyle. For people with Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating and regular physical activity may be all that is required at first: Sometimes tablets and/or insulin may be needed later on. Ideally blood glucose levels are kept as close to the non-diabetic range as possible so frequent self-testing is a good idea. This will help prevent the short-term effects of very low or very high blood glucose levels as well as the possible long-term problems. If someone is dependent on insulin, it has to be injected into the body. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. The insulin would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. Insulin must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood. Diabetes can cause serious complications for patients. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause problems. Short term problems are similar to the symptoms but long term high blood sugar levels can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, amputations and blindness. Having your blood pressure and cholesterol outside recommended ranges can also lead to problems like heart attack and stroke and in fact 2 out of 3 people with diabetes eventually die of these complications. Young adults age 18 44 who get type 2 diabetes are 14 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, and are up to 30 times more likely to have a stroke than their peers without diabetes. Young women account for almost all the increase in heart attack risk, while young men are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as young women. This means that huge numbers of people are going to get heart disease, heart attacks and strokes years, sometimes even decades, before they should. | Hyperglycaemia leads to type 1 diabetes being diagnosed quite quickly. | e |
id_1936 | DIABETES Here are some facts that you probably didnt know about diabetes. It is the worlds fastest growing disease. It is Australias 6th leading cause of death. Over 1 million Australians have it though 50% of those are as yet unaware. Every 10 minutes someone is diagnosed with diabetes. So much for the facts but what exactly is diabetes? Diabetes is the name given to a group of different conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Heres what happens: the body needs glucose as its main source of fuel or energy. The body makes glucose from foods containing carbohydrate such as vegetables containing carbohydrate (like potatoes or corn) and cereal foods (like bread, pasta and rice) as well as fruit and milk. Glucose is carried around the body in the blood and the glucose level is called glycaemia. Glycaemia (blood sugar levels) in humans and animals must be neither too high nor too low, but just right. The glucose running around in the blood stream now has to get out of the blood and into the body tissues. This is where insulin enters the story. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors that let glucose go from the blood to the body cells where energy is made. This process is called glucose metabolism. In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin it does make is not enough and cannot work properly. Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut. Glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels, which causes the health problems linked to diabetes. People refer to the disease as diabetes but there are actually two distinctive types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. It occurs when the bodys immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. The diagnosis of diabetes often depends on what type the patient is suffering from. In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms are usually sudden and sometimes even life threatening hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) can lead to comas and therefore it is mostly diagnosed quite quickly. In Type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed, being seen as part of getting older. Therefore, by the time symptoms are noticed, the blood glucose level for many people can be very high. Common symptoms include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, feeling lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and leg cramps. At present there is no cure for diabetes, but there is a huge amount of research looking for a cure and to provide superior management techniques and products until a cure is found. Whether its Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the aim of any diabetes treatment is to get your blood glucose levels as close to the non-diabetic range as often as possible. For people with Type 1 diabetes, this will mean insulin injections every day plus leading a healthy lifestyle. For people with Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating and regular physical activity may be all that is required at first: Sometimes tablets and/or insulin may be needed later on. Ideally blood glucose levels are kept as close to the non-diabetic range as possible so frequent self-testing is a good idea. This will help prevent the short-term effects of very low or very high blood glucose levels as well as the possible long-term problems. If someone is dependent on insulin, it has to be injected into the body. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. The insulin would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. Insulin must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood. Diabetes can cause serious complications for patients. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause problems. Short term problems are similar to the symptoms but long term high blood sugar levels can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, amputations and blindness. Having your blood pressure and cholesterol outside recommended ranges can also lead to problems like heart attack and stroke and in fact 2 out of 3 people with diabetes eventually die of these complications. Young adults age 18 44 who get type 2 diabetes are 14 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, and are up to 30 times more likely to have a stroke than their peers without diabetes. Young women account for almost all the increase in heart attack risk, while young men are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as young women. This means that huge numbers of people are going to get heart disease, heart attacks and strokes years, sometimes even decades, before they should. | Some patients develop diabetes due to faults in their own immune systems | e |
id_1937 | DIABETES Here are some facts that you probably didnt know about diabetes. It is the worlds fastest growing disease. It is Australias 6th leading cause of death. Over 1 million Australians have it though 50% of those are as yet unaware. Every 10 minutes someone is diagnosed with diabetes. So much for the facts but what exactly is diabetes? Diabetes is the name given to a group of different conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Heres what happens: the body needs glucose as its main source of fuel or energy. The body makes glucose from foods containing carbohydrate such as vegetables containing carbohydrate (like potatoes or corn) and cereal foods (like bread, pasta and rice) as well as fruit and milk. Glucose is carried around the body in the blood and the glucose level is called glycaemia. Glycaemia (blood sugar levels) in humans and animals must be neither too high nor too low, but just right. The glucose running around in the blood stream now has to get out of the blood and into the body tissues. This is where insulin enters the story. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors that let glucose go from the blood to the body cells where energy is made. This process is called glucose metabolism. In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin it does make is not enough and cannot work properly. Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut. Glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels, which causes the health problems linked to diabetes. People refer to the disease as diabetes but there are actually two distinctive types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. It occurs when the bodys immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. The diagnosis of diabetes often depends on what type the patient is suffering from. In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms are usually sudden and sometimes even life threatening hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) can lead to comas and therefore it is mostly diagnosed quite quickly. In Type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed, being seen as part of getting older. Therefore, by the time symptoms are noticed, the blood glucose level for many people can be very high. Common symptoms include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, feeling lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and leg cramps. At present there is no cure for diabetes, but there is a huge amount of research looking for a cure and to provide superior management techniques and products until a cure is found. Whether its Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the aim of any diabetes treatment is to get your blood glucose levels as close to the non-diabetic range as often as possible. For people with Type 1 diabetes, this will mean insulin injections every day plus leading a healthy lifestyle. For people with Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating and regular physical activity may be all that is required at first: Sometimes tablets and/or insulin may be needed later on. Ideally blood glucose levels are kept as close to the non-diabetic range as possible so frequent self-testing is a good idea. This will help prevent the short-term effects of very low or very high blood glucose levels as well as the possible long-term problems. If someone is dependent on insulin, it has to be injected into the body. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. The insulin would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. Insulin must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood. Diabetes can cause serious complications for patients. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause problems. Short term problems are similar to the symptoms but long term high blood sugar levels can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, amputations and blindness. Having your blood pressure and cholesterol outside recommended ranges can also lead to problems like heart attack and stroke and in fact 2 out of 3 people with diabetes eventually die of these complications. Young adults age 18 44 who get type 2 diabetes are 14 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, and are up to 30 times more likely to have a stroke than their peers without diabetes. Young women account for almost all the increase in heart attack risk, while young men are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as young women. This means that huge numbers of people are going to get heart disease, heart attacks and strokes years, sometimes even decades, before they should. | Diabetics cannot produce insulin. | c |
id_1938 | DIABETES Here are some facts that you probably didnt know about diabetes. It is the worlds fastest growing disease. It is Australias 6th leading cause of death. Over 1 million Australians have it though 50% of those are as yet unaware. Every 10 minutes someone is diagnosed with diabetes. So much for the facts but what exactly is diabetes? Diabetes is the name given to a group of different conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Heres what happens: the body needs glucose as its main source of fuel or energy. The body makes glucose from foods containing carbohydrate such as vegetables containing carbohydrate (like potatoes or corn) and cereal foods (like bread, pasta and rice) as well as fruit and milk. Glucose is carried around the body in the blood and the glucose level is called glycaemia. Glycaemia (blood sugar levels) in humans and animals must be neither too high nor too low, but just right. The glucose running around in the blood stream now has to get out of the blood and into the body tissues. This is where insulin enters the story. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors that let glucose go from the blood to the body cells where energy is made. This process is called glucose metabolism. In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin it does make is not enough and cannot work properly. Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut. Glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels, which causes the health problems linked to diabetes. People refer to the disease as diabetes but there are actually two distinctive types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. It occurs when the bodys immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. The diagnosis of diabetes often depends on what type the patient is suffering from. In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms are usually sudden and sometimes even life threatening hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) can lead to comas and therefore it is mostly diagnosed quite quickly. In Type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed, being seen as part of getting older. Therefore, by the time symptoms are noticed, the blood glucose level for many people can be very high. Common symptoms include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, feeling lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and leg cramps. At present there is no cure for diabetes, but there is a huge amount of research looking for a cure and to provide superior management techniques and products until a cure is found. Whether its Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the aim of any diabetes treatment is to get your blood glucose levels as close to the non-diabetic range as often as possible. For people with Type 1 diabetes, this will mean insulin injections every day plus leading a healthy lifestyle. For people with Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating and regular physical activity may be all that is required at first: Sometimes tablets and/or insulin may be needed later on. Ideally blood glucose levels are kept as close to the non-diabetic range as possible so frequent self-testing is a good idea. This will help prevent the short-term effects of very low or very high blood glucose levels as well as the possible long-term problems. If someone is dependent on insulin, it has to be injected into the body. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. The insulin would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. Insulin must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood. Diabetes can cause serious complications for patients. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause problems. Short term problems are similar to the symptoms but long term high blood sugar levels can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, amputations and blindness. Having your blood pressure and cholesterol outside recommended ranges can also lead to problems like heart attack and stroke and in fact 2 out of 3 people with diabetes eventually die of these complications. Young adults age 18 44 who get type 2 diabetes are 14 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, and are up to 30 times more likely to have a stroke than their peers without diabetes. Young women account for almost all the increase in heart attack risk, while young men are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as young women. This means that huge numbers of people are going to get heart disease, heart attacks and strokes years, sometimes even decades, before they should. | Carbohydrate foods are the bodys source of glucose. | e |
id_1939 | DO YOU HAVE A MUSIC PROJECT IN MIND THAT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM FUNDING? Music is wonderfully therapeutic! This is recognised by The Dosoco Foundation, which supports local projects that use music for social good. The next round of Dosoco grant funding will shortly be open for applications. Grants are available from 700 to 1,000 (for organisations) and up to 300 (for individuals) in the areas of music education (e. g. working with a talented music student with either physical, social or learning disabilities), music access (e. g. a music club for groups that might struggle to start something on their own), music innovation (e. g. using an electronic device such as Raspberry Pi to help disabled people make music) and music therapy (e. g. an idea for using music to support positive mental health). Case study Dosoco recently awarded a grant to Alexia Sioame, a young composer with sight loss, to enable her to attend the sound-and-music summer-school composition course at the Purcell School. Alexia has since gained a place as a composer with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain the first blind composer to be appointed and has also been awarded the title of Young Composer of the Year. She was the first female composer ever to receive this honour in its ten-year history. Organisations, families and individuals can apply by completing a simple form. Dosoco can contribute up to 50% towards project costs. Projects must be locally based and must be new ideas for using music to make a positive impact on peoples lives where help is really needed. | Alexia Sloane lost her sight after attending a summer-school composition course | c |
id_1940 | DO YOU HAVE A MUSIC PROJECT IN MIND THAT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM FUNDING? Music is wonderfully therapeutic! This is recognised by The Dosoco Foundation, which supports local projects that use music for social good. The next round of Dosoco grant funding will shortly be open for applications. Grants are available from 700 to 1,000 (for organisations) and up to 300 (for individuals) in the areas of music education (e. g. working with a talented music student with either physical, social or learning disabilities), music access (e. g. a music club for groups that might struggle to start something on their own), music innovation (e. g. using an electronic device such as Raspberry Pi to help disabled people make music) and music therapy (e. g. an idea for using music to support positive mental health). Case study Dosoco recently awarded a grant to Alexia Sioame, a young composer with sight loss, to enable her to attend the sound-and-music summer-school composition course at the Purcell School. Alexia has since gained a place as a composer with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain the first blind composer to be appointed and has also been awarded the title of Young Composer of the Year. She was the first female composer ever to receive this honour in its ten-year history. Organisations, families and individuals can apply by completing a simple form. Dosoco can contribute up to 50% towards project costs. Projects must be locally based and must be new ideas for using music to make a positive impact on peoples lives where help is really needed. | You can apply for a grant that will help to educate a musician. | e |
id_1941 | DO YOU HAVE A MUSIC PROJECT IN MIND THAT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM FUNDING? Music is wonderfully therapeutic! This is recognised by The Dosoco Foundation, which supports local projects that use music for social good. The next round of Dosoco grant funding will shortly be open for applications. Grants are available from 700 to 1,000 (for organisations) and up to 300 (for individuals) in the areas of music education (e. g. working with a talented music student with either physical, social or learning disabilities), music access (e. g. a music club for groups that might struggle to start something on their own), music innovation (e. g. using an electronic device such as Raspberry Pi to help disabled people make music) and music therapy (e. g. an idea for using music to support positive mental health). Case study Dosoco recently awarded a grant to Alexia Sioame, a young composer with sight loss, to enable her to attend the sound-and-music summer-school composition course at the Purcell School. Alexia has since gained a place as a composer with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain the first blind composer to be appointed and has also been awarded the title of Young Composer of the Year. She was the first female composer ever to receive this honour in its ten-year history. Organisations, families and individuals can apply by completing a simple form. Dosoco can contribute up to 50% towards project costs. Projects must be locally based and must be new ideas for using music to make a positive impact on peoples lives where help is really needed. | Alexia has received an award for her work in music. | e |
id_1942 | DO YOU HAVE A MUSIC PROJECT IN MIND THAT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM FUNDING? Music is wonderfully therapeutic! This is recognised by The Dosoco Foundation, which supports local projects that use music for social good. The next round of Dosoco grant funding will shortly be open for applications. Grants are available from 700 to 1,000 (for organisations) and up to 300 (for individuals) in the areas of music education (e. g. working with a talented music student with either physical, social or learning disabilities), music access (e. g. a music club for groups that might struggle to start something on their own), music innovation (e. g. using an electronic device such as Raspberry Pi to help disabled people make music) and music therapy (e. g. an idea for using music to support positive mental health). Case study Dosoco recently awarded a grant to Alexia Sioame, a young composer with sight loss, to enable her to attend the sound-and-music summer-school composition course at the Purcell School. Alexia has since gained a place as a composer with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain the first blind composer to be appointed and has also been awarded the title of Young Composer of the Year. She was the first female composer ever to receive this honour in its ten-year history. Organisations, families and individuals can apply by completing a simple form. Dosoco can contribute up to 50% towards project costs. Projects must be locally based and must be new ideas for using music to make a positive impact on peoples lives where help is really needed. | Alexia now plays several instruments with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. | c |
id_1943 | DO YOU HAVE A MUSIC PROJECT IN MIND THAT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM FUNDING? Music is wonderfully therapeutic! This is recognised by The Dosoco Foundation, which supports local projects that use music for social good. The next round of Dosoco grant funding will shortly be open for applications. Grants are available from 700 to 1,000 (for organisations) and up to 300 (for individuals) in the areas of music education (e. g. working with a talented music student with either physical, social or learning disabilities), music access (e. g. a music club for groups that might struggle to start something on their own), music innovation (e. g. using an electronic device such as Raspberry Pi to help disabled people make music) and music therapy (e. g. an idea for using music to support positive mental health). Case study Dosoco recently awarded a grant to Alexia Sioame, a young composer with sight loss, to enable her to attend the sound-and-music summer-school composition course at the Purcell School. Alexia has since gained a place as a composer with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain the first blind composer to be appointed and has also been awarded the title of Young Composer of the Year. She was the first female composer ever to receive this honour in its ten-year history. Organisations, families and individuals can apply by completing a simple form. Dosoco can contribute up to 50% towards project costs. Projects must be locally based and must be new ideas for using music to make a positive impact on peoples lives where help is really needed. | Applications can be made by filling in an online form. | n |
id_1944 | DO YOU HAVE A MUSIC PROJECT IN MIND THAT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM FUNDING? Music is wonderfully therapeutic! This is recognised by The Dosoco Foundation, which supports local projects that use music for social good. The next round of Dosoco grant funding will shortly be open for applications. Grants are available from 700 to 1,000 (for organisations) and up to 300 (for individuals) in the areas of music education (e. g. working with a talented music student with either physical, social or learning disabilities), music access (e. g. a music club for groups that might struggle to start something on their own), music innovation (e. g. using an electronic device such as Raspberry Pi to help disabled people make music) and music therapy (e. g. an idea for using music to support positive mental health). Case study Dosoco recently awarded a grant to Alexia Sioame, a young composer with sight loss, to enable her to attend the sound-and-music summer-school composition course at the Purcell School. Alexia has since gained a place as a composer with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain the first blind composer to be appointed and has also been awarded the title of Young Composer of the Year. She was the first female composer ever to receive this honour in its ten-year history. Organisations, families and individuals can apply by completing a simple form. Dosoco can contribute up to 50% towards project costs. Projects must be locally based and must be new ideas for using music to make a positive impact on peoples lives where help is really needed. | You can apply to Dosoco now for grant funding. | c |
id_1945 | DO YOU HAVE A MUSIC PROJECT IN MIND THAT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM FUNDING? Music is wonderfully therapeutic! This is recognised by The Dosoco Foundation, which supports local projects that use music for social good. The next round of Dosoco grant funding will shortly be open for applications. Grants are available from 700 to 1,000 (for organisations) and up to 300 (for individuals) in the areas of music education (e. g. working with a talented music student with either physical, social or learning disabilities), music access (e. g. a music club for groups that might struggle to start something on their own), music innovation (e. g. using an electronic device such as Raspberry Pi to help disabled people make music) and music therapy (e. g. an idea for using music to support positive mental health). Case study Dosoco recently awarded a grant to Alexia Sioame, a young composer with sight loss, to enable her to attend the sound-and-music summer-school composition course at the Purcell School. Alexia has since gained a place as a composer with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain the first blind composer to be appointed and has also been awarded the title of Young Composer of the Year. She was the first female composer ever to receive this honour in its ten-year history. Organisations, families and individuals can apply by completing a simple form. Dosoco can contribute up to 50% towards project costs. Projects must be locally based and must be new ideas for using music to make a positive impact on peoples lives where help is really needed. | In some cases Dosoco will cover the full cost of the project. | c |
id_1946 | DRINKING FILTERED WATER The body is made up mainly of water. This means that the quality of water that we drink every day has an important effect on our health. Filtered water is healthier than tap water and some bottled water. This is because it is free of contaminants, that is, of substances that make it dirty or harmful. Substances that settle on the bottom of a glass of tap water and microorganisms that carry diseases (known as bacteria or germs) are examples of contaminants. Filtered water is also free of poisonous metals and chemicals that are common in tap water and even in some bottled water brands. The authorities know that normal tap water is full of contaminants and they use chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine in order to disinfect it. But such chemicals are hardly safe. Indeed, their use in water is associated with many different conditions and they are particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women. For example, consuming bromine for a long time may result in low blood pressure, which may then bring about poisoning of the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. Filtered water is typically free of such water disinfectant chemicals. Filtered water is also free of metals, such as mercury and lead. Mercury has ended up in our drinking water mainly because the dental mixtures used by dentists have not been disposed of safely for a long time. Scientists believe there is a connection between mercury in the water and many allergies and cancers as well as disorders, such as ADD, OCD, autism and depression. Lead, on the other hand, typically finds its way to our drinking water due to pipe leaks. Of course, modern pipes are not made of lead but pipes in old houses usually are. Lead is a well-known carcinogen and is associated with pregnancy problems and birth defects. This is another reason why children and pregnant women must drink filtered water. The benefits of water are well known. We all know, for example, that it helps to detoxify the body, So, the purer the water we drink, the easier it is for the body to rid itself of toxins. The result of drinking filtered water is that the body does not have to use as much of its energy on detoxification as it would when drinking unfiltered water. This means that drinking filtered water is good for our health in general. That is because the body can perform all of its functions much more easily and this results in improved metabolism, better weight management, improved joint lubrication as well as efficient skin hydration. There are many different ways to filter water and each type of filter targets different contaminants. For example, activated carbon water filters are very good at taking chlorine out. Ozone water filters, on the other hand, are particularly effective at removing germs. For this reason, it is very important to know exactly what is in the water that we drink so that we can decide what type of water filter to use. A Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) should be useful for this purpose. This is a certificate that is issued by public water suppliers every year, listing the contaminants present in the water. If you know what these contaminants are, then it is easier to decide which type of water filter to get. | The type of water you consume on a regular basis has a great impact on your overall health and wellness. | e |
id_1947 | DRINKING FILTERED WATER The body is made up mainly of water. This means that the quality of water that we drink every day has an important effect on our health. Filtered water is healthier than tap water and some bottled water. This is because it is free of contaminants, that is, of substances that make it dirty or harmful. Substances that settle on the bottom of a glass of tap water and microorganisms that carry diseases (known as bacteria or germs) are examples of contaminants. Filtered water is also free of poisonous metals and chemicals that are common in tap water and even in some bottled water brands. The authorities know that normal tap water is full of contaminants and they use chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine in order to disinfect it. But such chemicals are hardly safe. Indeed, their use in water is associated with many different conditions and they are particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women. For example, consuming bromine for a long time may result in low blood pressure, which may then bring about poisoning of the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. Filtered water is typically free of such water disinfectant chemicals. Filtered water is also free of metals, such as mercury and lead. Mercury has ended up in our drinking water mainly because the dental mixtures used by dentists have not been disposed of safely for a long time. Scientists believe there is a connection between mercury in the water and many allergies and cancers as well as disorders, such as ADD, OCD, autism and depression. Lead, on the other hand, typically finds its way to our drinking water due to pipe leaks. Of course, modern pipes are not made of lead but pipes in old houses usually are. Lead is a well-known carcinogen and is associated with pregnancy problems and birth defects. This is another reason why children and pregnant women must drink filtered water. The benefits of water are well known. We all know, for example, that it helps to detoxify the body, So, the purer the water we drink, the easier it is for the body to rid itself of toxins. The result of drinking filtered water is that the body does not have to use as much of its energy on detoxification as it would when drinking unfiltered water. This means that drinking filtered water is good for our health in general. That is because the body can perform all of its functions much more easily and this results in improved metabolism, better weight management, improved joint lubrication as well as efficient skin hydration. There are many different ways to filter water and each type of filter targets different contaminants. For example, activated carbon water filters are very good at taking chlorine out. Ozone water filters, on the other hand, are particularly effective at removing germs. For this reason, it is very important to know exactly what is in the water that we drink so that we can decide what type of water filter to use. A Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) should be useful for this purpose. This is a certificate that is issued by public water suppliers every year, listing the contaminants present in the water. If you know what these contaminants are, then it is easier to decide which type of water filter to get. | People who are depressed often suffer from dehydration. | n |
id_1948 | DRINKING FILTERED WATER The body is made up mainly of water. This means that the quality of water that we drink every day has an important effect on our health. Filtered water is healthier than tap water and some bottled water. This is because it is free of contaminants, that is, of substances that make it dirty or harmful. Substances that settle on the bottom of a glass of tap water and microorganisms that carry diseases (known as bacteria or germs) are examples of contaminants. Filtered water is also free of poisonous metals and chemicals that are common in tap water and even in some bottled water brands. The authorities know that normal tap water is full of contaminants and they use chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine in order to disinfect it. But such chemicals are hardly safe. Indeed, their use in water is associated with many different conditions and they are particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women. For example, consuming bromine for a long time may result in low blood pressure, which may then bring about poisoning of the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. Filtered water is typically free of such water disinfectant chemicals. Filtered water is also free of metals, such as mercury and lead. Mercury has ended up in our drinking water mainly because the dental mixtures used by dentists have not been disposed of safely for a long time. Scientists believe there is a connection between mercury in the water and many allergies and cancers as well as disorders, such as ADD, OCD, autism and depression. Lead, on the other hand, typically finds its way to our drinking water due to pipe leaks. Of course, modern pipes are not made of lead but pipes in old houses usually are. Lead is a well-known carcinogen and is associated with pregnancy problems and birth defects. This is another reason why children and pregnant women must drink filtered water. The benefits of water are well known. We all know, for example, that it helps to detoxify the body, So, the purer the water we drink, the easier it is for the body to rid itself of toxins. The result of drinking filtered water is that the body does not have to use as much of its energy on detoxification as it would when drinking unfiltered water. This means that drinking filtered water is good for our health in general. That is because the body can perform all of its functions much more easily and this results in improved metabolism, better weight management, improved joint lubrication as well as efficient skin hydration. There are many different ways to filter water and each type of filter targets different contaminants. For example, activated carbon water filters are very good at taking chlorine out. Ozone water filters, on the other hand, are particularly effective at removing germs. For this reason, it is very important to know exactly what is in the water that we drink so that we can decide what type of water filter to use. A Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) should be useful for this purpose. This is a certificate that is issued by public water suppliers every year, listing the contaminants present in the water. If you know what these contaminants are, then it is easier to decide which type of water filter to get. | People wearing artificial teeth are more likely to be contaminated. | n |
id_1949 | DRINKING FILTERED WATER The body is made up mainly of water. This means that the quality of water that we drink every day has an important effect on our health. Filtered water is healthier than tap water and some bottled water. This is because it is free of contaminants, that is, of substances that make it dirty or harmful. Substances that settle on the bottom of a glass of tap water and microorganisms that carry diseases (known as bacteria or germs) are examples of contaminants. Filtered water is also free of poisonous metals and chemicals that are common in tap water and even in some bottled water brands. The authorities know that normal tap water is full of contaminants and they use chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine in order to disinfect it. But such chemicals are hardly safe. Indeed, their use in water is associated with many different conditions and they are particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women. For example, consuming bromine for a long time may result in low blood pressure, which may then bring about poisoning of the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. Filtered water is typically free of such water disinfectant chemicals. Filtered water is also free of metals, such as mercury and lead. Mercury has ended up in our drinking water mainly because the dental mixtures used by dentists have not been disposed of safely for a long time. Scientists believe there is a connection between mercury in the water and many allergies and cancers as well as disorders, such as ADD, OCD, autism and depression. Lead, on the other hand, typically finds its way to our drinking water due to pipe leaks. Of course, modern pipes are not made of lead but pipes in old houses usually are. Lead is a well-known carcinogen and is associated with pregnancy problems and birth defects. This is another reason why children and pregnant women must drink filtered water. The benefits of water are well known. We all know, for example, that it helps to detoxify the body, So, the purer the water we drink, the easier it is for the body to rid itself of toxins. The result of drinking filtered water is that the body does not have to use as much of its energy on detoxification as it would when drinking unfiltered water. This means that drinking filtered water is good for our health in general. That is because the body can perform all of its functions much more easily and this results in improved metabolism, better weight management, improved joint lubrication as well as efficient skin hydration. There are many different ways to filter water and each type of filter targets different contaminants. For example, activated carbon water filters are very good at taking chlorine out. Ozone water filters, on the other hand, are particularly effective at removing germs. For this reason, it is very important to know exactly what is in the water that we drink so that we can decide what type of water filter to use. A Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) should be useful for this purpose. This is a certificate that is issued by public water suppliers every year, listing the contaminants present in the water. If you know what these contaminants are, then it is easier to decide which type of water filter to get. | Drinking tap water helps minimise your exposure to harmful elements. | c |
id_1950 | DRINKING FILTERED WATER The body is made up mainly of water. This means that the quality of water that we drink every day has an important effect on our health. Filtered water is healthier than tap water and some bottled water. This is because it is free of contaminants, that is, of substances that make it dirty or harmful. Substances that settle on the bottom of a glass of tap water and microorganisms that carry diseases (known as bacteria or germs) are examples of contaminants. Filtered water is also free of poisonous metals and chemicals that are common in tap water and even in some bottled water brands. The authorities know that normal tap water is full of contaminants and they use chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine in order to disinfect it. But such chemicals are hardly safe. Indeed, their use in water is associated with many different conditions and they are particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women. For example, consuming bromine for a long time may result in low blood pressure, which may then bring about poisoning of the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. Filtered water is typically free of such water disinfectant chemicals. Filtered water is also free of metals, such as mercury and lead. Mercury has ended up in our drinking water mainly because the dental mixtures used by dentists have not been disposed of safely for a long time. Scientists believe there is a connection between mercury in the water and many allergies and cancers as well as disorders, such as ADD, OCD, autism and depression. Lead, on the other hand, typically finds its way to our drinking water due to pipe leaks. Of course, modern pipes are not made of lead but pipes in old houses usually are. Lead is a well-known carcinogen and is associated with pregnancy problems and birth defects. This is another reason why children and pregnant women must drink filtered water. The benefits of water are well known. We all know, for example, that it helps to detoxify the body, So, the purer the water we drink, the easier it is for the body to rid itself of toxins. The result of drinking filtered water is that the body does not have to use as much of its energy on detoxification as it would when drinking unfiltered water. This means that drinking filtered water is good for our health in general. That is because the body can perform all of its functions much more easily and this results in improved metabolism, better weight management, improved joint lubrication as well as efficient skin hydration. There are many different ways to filter water and each type of filter targets different contaminants. For example, activated carbon water filters are very good at taking chlorine out. Ozone water filters, on the other hand, are particularly effective at removing germs. For this reason, it is very important to know exactly what is in the water that we drink so that we can decide what type of water filter to use. A Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) should be useful for this purpose. This is a certificate that is issued by public water suppliers every year, listing the contaminants present in the water. If you know what these contaminants are, then it is easier to decide which type of water filter to get. | Exposure to disinfectant chemicals is linked with poisoning of the vital organs. | e |
id_1951 | DRINKING FILTERED WATER The body is made up mainly of water. This means that the quality of water that we drink every day has an important effect on our health. Filtered water is healthier than tap water and some bottled water. This is because it is free of contaminants, that is, of substances that make it dirty or harmful. Substances that settle on the bottom of a glass of tap water and microorganisms that carry diseases (known as bacteria or germs) are examples of contaminants. Filtered water is also free of poisonous metals and chemicals that are common in tap water and even in some bottled water brands. The authorities know that normal tap water is full of contaminants and they use chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine in order to disinfect it. But such chemicals are hardly safe. Indeed, their use in water is associated with many different conditions and they are particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women. For example, consuming bromine for a long time may result in low blood pressure, which may then bring about poisoning of the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. Filtered water is typically free of such water disinfectant chemicals. Filtered water is also free of metals, such as mercury and lead. Mercury has ended up in our drinking water mainly because the dental mixtures used by dentists have not been disposed of safely for a long time. Scientists believe there is a connection between mercury in the water and many allergies and cancers as well as disorders, such as ADD, OCD, autism and depression. Lead, on the other hand, typically finds its way to our drinking water due to pipe leaks. Of course, modern pipes are not made of lead but pipes in old houses usually are. Lead is a well-known carcinogen and is associated with pregnancy problems and birth defects. This is another reason why children and pregnant women must drink filtered water. The benefits of water are well known. We all know, for example, that it helps to detoxify the body, So, the purer the water we drink, the easier it is for the body to rid itself of toxins. The result of drinking filtered water is that the body does not have to use as much of its energy on detoxification as it would when drinking unfiltered water. This means that drinking filtered water is good for our health in general. That is because the body can perform all of its functions much more easily and this results in improved metabolism, better weight management, improved joint lubrication as well as efficient skin hydration. There are many different ways to filter water and each type of filter targets different contaminants. For example, activated carbon water filters are very good at taking chlorine out. Ozone water filters, on the other hand, are particularly effective at removing germs. For this reason, it is very important to know exactly what is in the water that we drink so that we can decide what type of water filter to use. A Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) should be useful for this purpose. This is a certificate that is issued by public water suppliers every year, listing the contaminants present in the water. If you know what these contaminants are, then it is easier to decide which type of water filter to get. | Filtered water typically contains water disinfectant chemicals. | c |
id_1952 | DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION Distracted driving may not get the publicity given to alcohol, drugs and speed, but it is thought to play a role in one third of fatal and serious injury crashes on roads. And while there is a strong community opposition to drink drivers or people who speed, our attitude towards making phone calls or reading text messages is much more relaxed. Surveys for the Office of Road Safety have found that while 96 per cent of people believe reading and sending text messages is distracting, 54 per cent admit reading texts and 3 5 per cent have sent them while driving. About 85 per cent of people think mobile phone use is distracting but 46 per cent said they take calls on the road and 36 per cent concede making them. Then there are all the other distractions, from resolving arguments between the kids to trying to navigate with a map book on your lap. Acting Sergeant Chris Green, from the Police Traffic Enforcement Group, said distracted driving is extremely common-even in plain sight of the police. You see all sorts of things: people reading newspapers, putting on makeup, having their breakfast, reading books and maps, he said. Map books are very common but you see people with all sorts of documents. They have busy lives so they might have their information out for a doctors appointment, not just at traffic lights but driving along. If there is a marked police car, lots of people will change their behaviour, but with some of this behaviour, they are so caught up they dont notice the police car right next to them. Acting Sgt Green said drivers can feel falsely confident about the road conditions, particularly on familiar routes, but an accident can occur in seconds. On the roads the environment changes every day. You could drive down that street a hundred times but on the 101st time, there could be road works or a pedestrian that steps out-anything can happen, he said. Despite recent changes to laws regarding the use of mobile phones-with a fine and three demerit points for people using them illegally-Acting Sgt Green said drivers still flout the law. Police are handing out an average of 225 infringement notices a week, down on past years figures, but still very high. We are out there enforcing it but people are still using the phones on a daily basis and as they become more sophisticated, they are reading emails, sending messages, watching videos, he said. If you are on the phone, you are not concentrating on what is going on around you. Identifying the exact role of distraction in crashes is difficult but the RA. Cs Glen Walker said people making or def ending claims are quick to point out when the other driver is at fault. When you speak to someone to settle a claim they will say the other driver was too busy putting on lipstick and rear-ended me, said Mr Walker, Manager of the Technical Claims Unit. Getting distracted while changing a CD is a very common one. So is reaching into the glove box. There was one guy who drove into a house because he was getting a bit amorous with the woman in the car. Mr Walker said some of the stories of distracted driving can be amusing but in his previous work as a police officer he had seen fatal accidents caused by a momentary lapse of attention. It only takes just a little bit of distraction and things get very dangerous very fast. Professor Mark Stevenson is a leading road safety researcher and director of the Accident Research Centre and School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. He said the risks of mobile phones in cars have been well established, with major studies showing any use by a driver raises the risk of an accident. He and other researchers have examined the phone records of hundreds of drivers attending hospital after a crash, finding the risk of crashing is four times greater if the driver is using their mobile phone-regardless of whether it is hand-held or hands-free. While that may sound surprising, there are crucial differences between a conversation with a passenger and one on a mobile, he said. There have been laboratory studies that have shown that if you have a driver holding a conversation with a passenger, the passenger will moderate the conversation because they are scanning the scene in front of the vehicle and they can see the situation changing for the driver, Professor Stevenson said. If you are at a complex intersection with a lot of traffic, lots of things around, what happens is that the passenger will moderate the conversation and not get into a heated debate right at that moment. That doesnt happen on the phone. The pressure of maintaining a conversation in tricky road conditions reduces the drivers ability to react. It is the cognitive processing thats delayed-and that means reaction time and the manoeuvres required all slow down as a result of the phone conversation, he said. Because of growing evidence that even hands-free phones can be dangerous, several Australian states have banned mobile phones in cars for P Platers and the Draft National Road Safety Strategy released this year even suggested that there was evidence to support a total ban on all mobile phone use while driving. We know from our research that it still increases the risk of crashing almost four-fold, Professor Stevenson said. Its just not going far enough. If mobile phone use has been problematic for driver distraction, the next wave of in-car technology could be worse. In the US, the issue has received considerable public debate in the wake of high-profile cases, including a state police officer who crashed and killed two sisters after travelling at 200km/h while talking on the mobile and emailing from his laptop. In January, the US Transportation Secretary met with American carmakers, asking them to limit the use of distracting technology in vehicles. At the same time, however, struggling manufacturers hope that bundling technology into cars might boost sales, particularly among young drivers. Car manufacturer Ford is updating a system that will allow text messages and Facebook updates to be read to the driver, while other manufacturers are looking for ways to give drivers updates about nearby amenities and expand the dashboard display with USB ports, bigger maps and wi-fi access. The technology is developing so fast that our understanding of how much it increases our risk of crashing is not keeping up, Professor Stevenson said. Are these things truly there to benefit us or are they just increasing the distraction factor for drivers? While technology is helping cause the problems, Professor Stevenson believed it could also be used to fight distraction by switching off all phones and other devices-whether drivers want it to or not. There is potential down the track with in-vehicle technologies that you could block any transmission while the car is in motion, he said. That would be a passive intervention-you dont need any behavioural change to ensure that happens. RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said members are already concerned by the level of mobile phone use they see on the roads and believes more care is needed before increasing the load. We want cars to be comfortable and user-friendly, but the safety of the driver and other road users has to be the top priority, he said. You wouldnt go to a factory floor and clutter it up with devices that would take the workers mind off the machinery. What happens in a car is no different. In fact the law requires employers to remove any potential hazards. An open driving track with just a few orange cones to navigate doesnt sound like much of a challenge-but the mother and son who navigated the course for the RAC found it much tougher once they were asked to do something else at the same time. Kim, 52, said she was used to using a mobile phone in her own car through a Bluetooth system and found concentrating on buttons and the road at the same time difficult. I dont even dial my phone normally; its voice activated and I just tell it to call the person and it does, she said. It is really difficult to try to dial and talk and manage the phone and drive through the obstacles at the same time. Kim found talking hands-free on the mobile relatively easy but struggled with texting and said programming the cars G PS system was almost impossible. Kims son Matt, 21, was a bit more confident that he would be able to text while driving but negotiating the orange-cone chicanes and then a tight lane, designed to represent driving over a bridge, proved too difficult. I clipped the bridge and if it was real I guess I would have been getting wet, he said. Texting was definitely harder than I expected and programming the GPS was very difficult. RAC driver trainer Dave Meinen, who conducted the assessment, said the tests proved that even minor distractions could compromise a motorists ability to drive. We tested the drivers against a range of distractions and every single one of them had an impact on core driving competencies, including driver attention, accuracy, lane control, speed control, hazard perception and reaction time, Mr Meinen said. At the end of the day good drivers just drive; they dont get distracted. | Male drivers engaging in distracted behaviour such as texting or talking on a phone usually change their behaviour when they see a police car next to them; however, female drivers often continue with the behaviour or dont notice the police car. | n |
id_1953 | DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION Distracted driving may not get the publicity given to alcohol, drugs and speed, but it is thought to play a role in one third of fatal and serious injury crashes on roads. And while there is a strong community opposition to drink drivers or people who speed, our attitude towards making phone calls or reading text messages is much more relaxed. Surveys for the Office of Road Safety have found that while 96 per cent of people believe reading and sending text messages is distracting, 54 per cent admit reading texts and 3 5 per cent have sent them while driving. About 85 per cent of people think mobile phone use is distracting but 46 per cent said they take calls on the road and 36 per cent concede making them. Then there are all the other distractions, from resolving arguments between the kids to trying to navigate with a map book on your lap. Acting Sergeant Chris Green, from the Police Traffic Enforcement Group, said distracted driving is extremely common-even in plain sight of the police. You see all sorts of things: people reading newspapers, putting on makeup, having their breakfast, reading books and maps, he said. Map books are very common but you see people with all sorts of documents. They have busy lives so they might have their information out for a doctors appointment, not just at traffic lights but driving along. If there is a marked police car, lots of people will change their behaviour, but with some of this behaviour, they are so caught up they dont notice the police car right next to them. Acting Sgt Green said drivers can feel falsely confident about the road conditions, particularly on familiar routes, but an accident can occur in seconds. On the roads the environment changes every day. You could drive down that street a hundred times but on the 101st time, there could be road works or a pedestrian that steps out-anything can happen, he said. Despite recent changes to laws regarding the use of mobile phones-with a fine and three demerit points for people using them illegally-Acting Sgt Green said drivers still flout the law. Police are handing out an average of 225 infringement notices a week, down on past years figures, but still very high. We are out there enforcing it but people are still using the phones on a daily basis and as they become more sophisticated, they are reading emails, sending messages, watching videos, he said. If you are on the phone, you are not concentrating on what is going on around you. Identifying the exact role of distraction in crashes is difficult but the RA. Cs Glen Walker said people making or def ending claims are quick to point out when the other driver is at fault. When you speak to someone to settle a claim they will say the other driver was too busy putting on lipstick and rear-ended me, said Mr Walker, Manager of the Technical Claims Unit. Getting distracted while changing a CD is a very common one. So is reaching into the glove box. There was one guy who drove into a house because he was getting a bit amorous with the woman in the car. Mr Walker said some of the stories of distracted driving can be amusing but in his previous work as a police officer he had seen fatal accidents caused by a momentary lapse of attention. It only takes just a little bit of distraction and things get very dangerous very fast. Professor Mark Stevenson is a leading road safety researcher and director of the Accident Research Centre and School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. He said the risks of mobile phones in cars have been well established, with major studies showing any use by a driver raises the risk of an accident. He and other researchers have examined the phone records of hundreds of drivers attending hospital after a crash, finding the risk of crashing is four times greater if the driver is using their mobile phone-regardless of whether it is hand-held or hands-free. While that may sound surprising, there are crucial differences between a conversation with a passenger and one on a mobile, he said. There have been laboratory studies that have shown that if you have a driver holding a conversation with a passenger, the passenger will moderate the conversation because they are scanning the scene in front of the vehicle and they can see the situation changing for the driver, Professor Stevenson said. If you are at a complex intersection with a lot of traffic, lots of things around, what happens is that the passenger will moderate the conversation and not get into a heated debate right at that moment. That doesnt happen on the phone. The pressure of maintaining a conversation in tricky road conditions reduces the drivers ability to react. It is the cognitive processing thats delayed-and that means reaction time and the manoeuvres required all slow down as a result of the phone conversation, he said. Because of growing evidence that even hands-free phones can be dangerous, several Australian states have banned mobile phones in cars for P Platers and the Draft National Road Safety Strategy released this year even suggested that there was evidence to support a total ban on all mobile phone use while driving. We know from our research that it still increases the risk of crashing almost four-fold, Professor Stevenson said. Its just not going far enough. If mobile phone use has been problematic for driver distraction, the next wave of in-car technology could be worse. In the US, the issue has received considerable public debate in the wake of high-profile cases, including a state police officer who crashed and killed two sisters after travelling at 200km/h while talking on the mobile and emailing from his laptop. In January, the US Transportation Secretary met with American carmakers, asking them to limit the use of distracting technology in vehicles. At the same time, however, struggling manufacturers hope that bundling technology into cars might boost sales, particularly among young drivers. Car manufacturer Ford is updating a system that will allow text messages and Facebook updates to be read to the driver, while other manufacturers are looking for ways to give drivers updates about nearby amenities and expand the dashboard display with USB ports, bigger maps and wi-fi access. The technology is developing so fast that our understanding of how much it increases our risk of crashing is not keeping up, Professor Stevenson said. Are these things truly there to benefit us or are they just increasing the distraction factor for drivers? While technology is helping cause the problems, Professor Stevenson believed it could also be used to fight distraction by switching off all phones and other devices-whether drivers want it to or not. There is potential down the track with in-vehicle technologies that you could block any transmission while the car is in motion, he said. That would be a passive intervention-you dont need any behavioural change to ensure that happens. RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said members are already concerned by the level of mobile phone use they see on the roads and believes more care is needed before increasing the load. We want cars to be comfortable and user-friendly, but the safety of the driver and other road users has to be the top priority, he said. You wouldnt go to a factory floor and clutter it up with devices that would take the workers mind off the machinery. What happens in a car is no different. In fact the law requires employers to remove any potential hazards. An open driving track with just a few orange cones to navigate doesnt sound like much of a challenge-but the mother and son who navigated the course for the RAC found it much tougher once they were asked to do something else at the same time. Kim, 52, said she was used to using a mobile phone in her own car through a Bluetooth system and found concentrating on buttons and the road at the same time difficult. I dont even dial my phone normally; its voice activated and I just tell it to call the person and it does, she said. It is really difficult to try to dial and talk and manage the phone and drive through the obstacles at the same time. Kim found talking hands-free on the mobile relatively easy but struggled with texting and said programming the cars G PS system was almost impossible. Kims son Matt, 21, was a bit more confident that he would be able to text while driving but negotiating the orange-cone chicanes and then a tight lane, designed to represent driving over a bridge, proved too difficult. I clipped the bridge and if it was real I guess I would have been getting wet, he said. Texting was definitely harder than I expected and programming the GPS was very difficult. RAC driver trainer Dave Meinen, who conducted the assessment, said the tests proved that even minor distractions could compromise a motorists ability to drive. We tested the drivers against a range of distractions and every single one of them had an impact on core driving competencies, including driver attention, accuracy, lane control, speed control, hazard perception and reaction time, Mr Meinen said. At the end of the day good drivers just drive; they dont get distracted. | Research shows that a driver speaking to a passenger is less dangerous than a driver speaking on a mobile phone, because the passenger wilt automatically moderate the conversation depending on the surrounding driving conditions. | e |
id_1954 | DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION Distracted driving may not get the publicity given to alcohol, drugs and speed, but it is thought to play a role in one third of fatal and serious injury crashes on roads. And while there is a strong community opposition to drink drivers or people who speed, our attitude towards making phone calls or reading text messages is much more relaxed. Surveys for the Office of Road Safety have found that while 96 per cent of people believe reading and sending text messages is distracting, 54 per cent admit reading texts and 3 5 per cent have sent them while driving. About 85 per cent of people think mobile phone use is distracting but 46 per cent said they take calls on the road and 36 per cent concede making them. Then there are all the other distractions, from resolving arguments between the kids to trying to navigate with a map book on your lap. Acting Sergeant Chris Green, from the Police Traffic Enforcement Group, said distracted driving is extremely common-even in plain sight of the police. You see all sorts of things: people reading newspapers, putting on makeup, having their breakfast, reading books and maps, he said. Map books are very common but you see people with all sorts of documents. They have busy lives so they might have their information out for a doctors appointment, not just at traffic lights but driving along. If there is a marked police car, lots of people will change their behaviour, but with some of this behaviour, they are so caught up they dont notice the police car right next to them. Acting Sgt Green said drivers can feel falsely confident about the road conditions, particularly on familiar routes, but an accident can occur in seconds. On the roads the environment changes every day. You could drive down that street a hundred times but on the 101st time, there could be road works or a pedestrian that steps out-anything can happen, he said. Despite recent changes to laws regarding the use of mobile phones-with a fine and three demerit points for people using them illegally-Acting Sgt Green said drivers still flout the law. Police are handing out an average of 225 infringement notices a week, down on past years figures, but still very high. We are out there enforcing it but people are still using the phones on a daily basis and as they become more sophisticated, they are reading emails, sending messages, watching videos, he said. If you are on the phone, you are not concentrating on what is going on around you. Identifying the exact role of distraction in crashes is difficult but the RA. Cs Glen Walker said people making or def ending claims are quick to point out when the other driver is at fault. When you speak to someone to settle a claim they will say the other driver was too busy putting on lipstick and rear-ended me, said Mr Walker, Manager of the Technical Claims Unit. Getting distracted while changing a CD is a very common one. So is reaching into the glove box. There was one guy who drove into a house because he was getting a bit amorous with the woman in the car. Mr Walker said some of the stories of distracted driving can be amusing but in his previous work as a police officer he had seen fatal accidents caused by a momentary lapse of attention. It only takes just a little bit of distraction and things get very dangerous very fast. Professor Mark Stevenson is a leading road safety researcher and director of the Accident Research Centre and School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. He said the risks of mobile phones in cars have been well established, with major studies showing any use by a driver raises the risk of an accident. He and other researchers have examined the phone records of hundreds of drivers attending hospital after a crash, finding the risk of crashing is four times greater if the driver is using their mobile phone-regardless of whether it is hand-held or hands-free. While that may sound surprising, there are crucial differences between a conversation with a passenger and one on a mobile, he said. There have been laboratory studies that have shown that if you have a driver holding a conversation with a passenger, the passenger will moderate the conversation because they are scanning the scene in front of the vehicle and they can see the situation changing for the driver, Professor Stevenson said. If you are at a complex intersection with a lot of traffic, lots of things around, what happens is that the passenger will moderate the conversation and not get into a heated debate right at that moment. That doesnt happen on the phone. The pressure of maintaining a conversation in tricky road conditions reduces the drivers ability to react. It is the cognitive processing thats delayed-and that means reaction time and the manoeuvres required all slow down as a result of the phone conversation, he said. Because of growing evidence that even hands-free phones can be dangerous, several Australian states have banned mobile phones in cars for P Platers and the Draft National Road Safety Strategy released this year even suggested that there was evidence to support a total ban on all mobile phone use while driving. We know from our research that it still increases the risk of crashing almost four-fold, Professor Stevenson said. Its just not going far enough. If mobile phone use has been problematic for driver distraction, the next wave of in-car technology could be worse. In the US, the issue has received considerable public debate in the wake of high-profile cases, including a state police officer who crashed and killed two sisters after travelling at 200km/h while talking on the mobile and emailing from his laptop. In January, the US Transportation Secretary met with American carmakers, asking them to limit the use of distracting technology in vehicles. At the same time, however, struggling manufacturers hope that bundling technology into cars might boost sales, particularly among young drivers. Car manufacturer Ford is updating a system that will allow text messages and Facebook updates to be read to the driver, while other manufacturers are looking for ways to give drivers updates about nearby amenities and expand the dashboard display with USB ports, bigger maps and wi-fi access. The technology is developing so fast that our understanding of how much it increases our risk of crashing is not keeping up, Professor Stevenson said. Are these things truly there to benefit us or are they just increasing the distraction factor for drivers? While technology is helping cause the problems, Professor Stevenson believed it could also be used to fight distraction by switching off all phones and other devices-whether drivers want it to or not. There is potential down the track with in-vehicle technologies that you could block any transmission while the car is in motion, he said. That would be a passive intervention-you dont need any behavioural change to ensure that happens. RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said members are already concerned by the level of mobile phone use they see on the roads and believes more care is needed before increasing the load. We want cars to be comfortable and user-friendly, but the safety of the driver and other road users has to be the top priority, he said. You wouldnt go to a factory floor and clutter it up with devices that would take the workers mind off the machinery. What happens in a car is no different. In fact the law requires employers to remove any potential hazards. An open driving track with just a few orange cones to navigate doesnt sound like much of a challenge-but the mother and son who navigated the course for the RAC found it much tougher once they were asked to do something else at the same time. Kim, 52, said she was used to using a mobile phone in her own car through a Bluetooth system and found concentrating on buttons and the road at the same time difficult. I dont even dial my phone normally; its voice activated and I just tell it to call the person and it does, she said. It is really difficult to try to dial and talk and manage the phone and drive through the obstacles at the same time. Kim found talking hands-free on the mobile relatively easy but struggled with texting and said programming the cars G PS system was almost impossible. Kims son Matt, 21, was a bit more confident that he would be able to text while driving but negotiating the orange-cone chicanes and then a tight lane, designed to represent driving over a bridge, proved too difficult. I clipped the bridge and if it was real I guess I would have been getting wet, he said. Texting was definitely harder than I expected and programming the GPS was very difficult. RAC driver trainer Dave Meinen, who conducted the assessment, said the tests proved that even minor distractions could compromise a motorists ability to drive. We tested the drivers against a range of distractions and every single one of them had an impact on core driving competencies, including driver attention, accuracy, lane control, speed control, hazard perception and reaction time, Mr Meinen said. At the end of the day good drivers just drive; they dont get distracted. | On a familiar route for a driver, research shows that fewer accidents happen. | n |
id_1955 | DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION Distracted driving may not get the publicity given to alcohol, drugs and speed, but it is thought to play a role in one third of fatal and serious injury crashes on roads. And while there is a strong community opposition to drink drivers or people who speed, our attitude towards making phone calls or reading text messages is much more relaxed. Surveys for the Office of Road Safety have found that while 96 per cent of people believe reading and sending text messages is distracting, 54 per cent admit reading texts and 3 5 per cent have sent them while driving. About 85 per cent of people think mobile phone use is distracting but 46 per cent said they take calls on the road and 36 per cent concede making them. Then there are all the other distractions, from resolving arguments between the kids to trying to navigate with a map book on your lap. Acting Sergeant Chris Green, from the Police Traffic Enforcement Group, said distracted driving is extremely common-even in plain sight of the police. You see all sorts of things: people reading newspapers, putting on makeup, having their breakfast, reading books and maps, he said. Map books are very common but you see people with all sorts of documents. They have busy lives so they might have their information out for a doctors appointment, not just at traffic lights but driving along. If there is a marked police car, lots of people will change their behaviour, but with some of this behaviour, they are so caught up they dont notice the police car right next to them. Acting Sgt Green said drivers can feel falsely confident about the road conditions, particularly on familiar routes, but an accident can occur in seconds. On the roads the environment changes every day. You could drive down that street a hundred times but on the 101st time, there could be road works or a pedestrian that steps out-anything can happen, he said. Despite recent changes to laws regarding the use of mobile phones-with a fine and three demerit points for people using them illegally-Acting Sgt Green said drivers still flout the law. Police are handing out an average of 225 infringement notices a week, down on past years figures, but still very high. We are out there enforcing it but people are still using the phones on a daily basis and as they become more sophisticated, they are reading emails, sending messages, watching videos, he said. If you are on the phone, you are not concentrating on what is going on around you. Identifying the exact role of distraction in crashes is difficult but the RA. Cs Glen Walker said people making or def ending claims are quick to point out when the other driver is at fault. When you speak to someone to settle a claim they will say the other driver was too busy putting on lipstick and rear-ended me, said Mr Walker, Manager of the Technical Claims Unit. Getting distracted while changing a CD is a very common one. So is reaching into the glove box. There was one guy who drove into a house because he was getting a bit amorous with the woman in the car. Mr Walker said some of the stories of distracted driving can be amusing but in his previous work as a police officer he had seen fatal accidents caused by a momentary lapse of attention. It only takes just a little bit of distraction and things get very dangerous very fast. Professor Mark Stevenson is a leading road safety researcher and director of the Accident Research Centre and School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. He said the risks of mobile phones in cars have been well established, with major studies showing any use by a driver raises the risk of an accident. He and other researchers have examined the phone records of hundreds of drivers attending hospital after a crash, finding the risk of crashing is four times greater if the driver is using their mobile phone-regardless of whether it is hand-held or hands-free. While that may sound surprising, there are crucial differences between a conversation with a passenger and one on a mobile, he said. There have been laboratory studies that have shown that if you have a driver holding a conversation with a passenger, the passenger will moderate the conversation because they are scanning the scene in front of the vehicle and they can see the situation changing for the driver, Professor Stevenson said. If you are at a complex intersection with a lot of traffic, lots of things around, what happens is that the passenger will moderate the conversation and not get into a heated debate right at that moment. That doesnt happen on the phone. The pressure of maintaining a conversation in tricky road conditions reduces the drivers ability to react. It is the cognitive processing thats delayed-and that means reaction time and the manoeuvres required all slow down as a result of the phone conversation, he said. Because of growing evidence that even hands-free phones can be dangerous, several Australian states have banned mobile phones in cars for P Platers and the Draft National Road Safety Strategy released this year even suggested that there was evidence to support a total ban on all mobile phone use while driving. We know from our research that it still increases the risk of crashing almost four-fold, Professor Stevenson said. Its just not going far enough. If mobile phone use has been problematic for driver distraction, the next wave of in-car technology could be worse. In the US, the issue has received considerable public debate in the wake of high-profile cases, including a state police officer who crashed and killed two sisters after travelling at 200km/h while talking on the mobile and emailing from his laptop. In January, the US Transportation Secretary met with American carmakers, asking them to limit the use of distracting technology in vehicles. At the same time, however, struggling manufacturers hope that bundling technology into cars might boost sales, particularly among young drivers. Car manufacturer Ford is updating a system that will allow text messages and Facebook updates to be read to the driver, while other manufacturers are looking for ways to give drivers updates about nearby amenities and expand the dashboard display with USB ports, bigger maps and wi-fi access. The technology is developing so fast that our understanding of how much it increases our risk of crashing is not keeping up, Professor Stevenson said. Are these things truly there to benefit us or are they just increasing the distraction factor for drivers? While technology is helping cause the problems, Professor Stevenson believed it could also be used to fight distraction by switching off all phones and other devices-whether drivers want it to or not. There is potential down the track with in-vehicle technologies that you could block any transmission while the car is in motion, he said. That would be a passive intervention-you dont need any behavioural change to ensure that happens. RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said members are already concerned by the level of mobile phone use they see on the roads and believes more care is needed before increasing the load. We want cars to be comfortable and user-friendly, but the safety of the driver and other road users has to be the top priority, he said. You wouldnt go to a factory floor and clutter it up with devices that would take the workers mind off the machinery. What happens in a car is no different. In fact the law requires employers to remove any potential hazards. An open driving track with just a few orange cones to navigate doesnt sound like much of a challenge-but the mother and son who navigated the course for the RAC found it much tougher once they were asked to do something else at the same time. Kim, 52, said she was used to using a mobile phone in her own car through a Bluetooth system and found concentrating on buttons and the road at the same time difficult. I dont even dial my phone normally; its voice activated and I just tell it to call the person and it does, she said. It is really difficult to try to dial and talk and manage the phone and drive through the obstacles at the same time. Kim found talking hands-free on the mobile relatively easy but struggled with texting and said programming the cars G PS system was almost impossible. Kims son Matt, 21, was a bit more confident that he would be able to text while driving but negotiating the orange-cone chicanes and then a tight lane, designed to represent driving over a bridge, proved too difficult. I clipped the bridge and if it was real I guess I would have been getting wet, he said. Texting was definitely harder than I expected and programming the GPS was very difficult. RAC driver trainer Dave Meinen, who conducted the assessment, said the tests proved that even minor distractions could compromise a motorists ability to drive. We tested the drivers against a range of distractions and every single one of them had an impact on core driving competencies, including driver attention, accuracy, lane control, speed control, hazard perception and reaction time, Mr Meinen said. At the end of the day good drivers just drive; they dont get distracted. | A measured test showed that not every example of distractive behaviour has an impact on core driving competency. | c |
id_1956 | DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION Distracted driving may not get the publicity given to alcohol, drugs and speed, but it is thought to play a role in one third of fatal and serious injury crashes on roads. And while there is a strong community opposition to drink drivers or people who speed, our attitude towards making phone calls or reading text messages is much more relaxed. Surveys for the Office of Road Safety have found that while 96 per cent of people believe reading and sending text messages is distracting, 54 per cent admit reading texts and 3 5 per cent have sent them while driving. About 85 per cent of people think mobile phone use is distracting but 46 per cent said they take calls on the road and 36 per cent concede making them. Then there are all the other distractions, from resolving arguments between the kids to trying to navigate with a map book on your lap. Acting Sergeant Chris Green, from the Police Traffic Enforcement Group, said distracted driving is extremely common-even in plain sight of the police. You see all sorts of things: people reading newspapers, putting on makeup, having their breakfast, reading books and maps, he said. Map books are very common but you see people with all sorts of documents. They have busy lives so they might have their information out for a doctors appointment, not just at traffic lights but driving along. If there is a marked police car, lots of people will change their behaviour, but with some of this behaviour, they are so caught up they dont notice the police car right next to them. Acting Sgt Green said drivers can feel falsely confident about the road conditions, particularly on familiar routes, but an accident can occur in seconds. On the roads the environment changes every day. You could drive down that street a hundred times but on the 101st time, there could be road works or a pedestrian that steps out-anything can happen, he said. Despite recent changes to laws regarding the use of mobile phones-with a fine and three demerit points for people using them illegally-Acting Sgt Green said drivers still flout the law. Police are handing out an average of 225 infringement notices a week, down on past years figures, but still very high. We are out there enforcing it but people are still using the phones on a daily basis and as they become more sophisticated, they are reading emails, sending messages, watching videos, he said. If you are on the phone, you are not concentrating on what is going on around you. Identifying the exact role of distraction in crashes is difficult but the RA. Cs Glen Walker said people making or def ending claims are quick to point out when the other driver is at fault. When you speak to someone to settle a claim they will say the other driver was too busy putting on lipstick and rear-ended me, said Mr Walker, Manager of the Technical Claims Unit. Getting distracted while changing a CD is a very common one. So is reaching into the glove box. There was one guy who drove into a house because he was getting a bit amorous with the woman in the car. Mr Walker said some of the stories of distracted driving can be amusing but in his previous work as a police officer he had seen fatal accidents caused by a momentary lapse of attention. It only takes just a little bit of distraction and things get very dangerous very fast. Professor Mark Stevenson is a leading road safety researcher and director of the Accident Research Centre and School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. He said the risks of mobile phones in cars have been well established, with major studies showing any use by a driver raises the risk of an accident. He and other researchers have examined the phone records of hundreds of drivers attending hospital after a crash, finding the risk of crashing is four times greater if the driver is using their mobile phone-regardless of whether it is hand-held or hands-free. While that may sound surprising, there are crucial differences between a conversation with a passenger and one on a mobile, he said. There have been laboratory studies that have shown that if you have a driver holding a conversation with a passenger, the passenger will moderate the conversation because they are scanning the scene in front of the vehicle and they can see the situation changing for the driver, Professor Stevenson said. If you are at a complex intersection with a lot of traffic, lots of things around, what happens is that the passenger will moderate the conversation and not get into a heated debate right at that moment. That doesnt happen on the phone. The pressure of maintaining a conversation in tricky road conditions reduces the drivers ability to react. It is the cognitive processing thats delayed-and that means reaction time and the manoeuvres required all slow down as a result of the phone conversation, he said. Because of growing evidence that even hands-free phones can be dangerous, several Australian states have banned mobile phones in cars for P Platers and the Draft National Road Safety Strategy released this year even suggested that there was evidence to support a total ban on all mobile phone use while driving. We know from our research that it still increases the risk of crashing almost four-fold, Professor Stevenson said. Its just not going far enough. If mobile phone use has been problematic for driver distraction, the next wave of in-car technology could be worse. In the US, the issue has received considerable public debate in the wake of high-profile cases, including a state police officer who crashed and killed two sisters after travelling at 200km/h while talking on the mobile and emailing from his laptop. In January, the US Transportation Secretary met with American carmakers, asking them to limit the use of distracting technology in vehicles. At the same time, however, struggling manufacturers hope that bundling technology into cars might boost sales, particularly among young drivers. Car manufacturer Ford is updating a system that will allow text messages and Facebook updates to be read to the driver, while other manufacturers are looking for ways to give drivers updates about nearby amenities and expand the dashboard display with USB ports, bigger maps and wi-fi access. The technology is developing so fast that our understanding of how much it increases our risk of crashing is not keeping up, Professor Stevenson said. Are these things truly there to benefit us or are they just increasing the distraction factor for drivers? While technology is helping cause the problems, Professor Stevenson believed it could also be used to fight distraction by switching off all phones and other devices-whether drivers want it to or not. There is potential down the track with in-vehicle technologies that you could block any transmission while the car is in motion, he said. That would be a passive intervention-you dont need any behavioural change to ensure that happens. RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said members are already concerned by the level of mobile phone use they see on the roads and believes more care is needed before increasing the load. We want cars to be comfortable and user-friendly, but the safety of the driver and other road users has to be the top priority, he said. You wouldnt go to a factory floor and clutter it up with devices that would take the workers mind off the machinery. What happens in a car is no different. In fact the law requires employers to remove any potential hazards. An open driving track with just a few orange cones to navigate doesnt sound like much of a challenge-but the mother and son who navigated the course for the RAC found it much tougher once they were asked to do something else at the same time. Kim, 52, said she was used to using a mobile phone in her own car through a Bluetooth system and found concentrating on buttons and the road at the same time difficult. I dont even dial my phone normally; its voice activated and I just tell it to call the person and it does, she said. It is really difficult to try to dial and talk and manage the phone and drive through the obstacles at the same time. Kim found talking hands-free on the mobile relatively easy but struggled with texting and said programming the cars G PS system was almost impossible. Kims son Matt, 21, was a bit more confident that he would be able to text while driving but negotiating the orange-cone chicanes and then a tight lane, designed to represent driving over a bridge, proved too difficult. I clipped the bridge and if it was real I guess I would have been getting wet, he said. Texting was definitely harder than I expected and programming the GPS was very difficult. RAC driver trainer Dave Meinen, who conducted the assessment, said the tests proved that even minor distractions could compromise a motorists ability to drive. We tested the drivers against a range of distractions and every single one of them had an impact on core driving competencies, including driver attention, accuracy, lane control, speed control, hazard perception and reaction time, Mr Meinen said. At the end of the day good drivers just drive; they dont get distracted. | To encourage sales of new cars, car manufacturers constantly develop new in-car technologies (such as USB ports and wi-fi access), and researchers believe that this development could contribute to further driver distraction and higher accident rates. | e |
id_1957 | DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION Distracted driving may not get the publicity given to alcohol, drugs and speed, but it is thought to play a role in one third of fatal and serious injury crashes on roads. And while there is a strong community opposition to drink drivers or people who speed, our attitude towards making phone calls or reading text messages is much more relaxed. Surveys for the Office of Road Safety have found that while 96 per cent of people believe reading and sending text messages is distracting, 54 per cent admit reading texts and 3 5 per cent have sent them while driving. About 85 per cent of people think mobile phone use is distracting but 46 per cent said they take calls on the road and 36 per cent concede making them. Then there are all the other distractions, from resolving arguments between the kids to trying to navigate with a map book on your lap. Acting Sergeant Chris Green, from the Police Traffic Enforcement Group, said distracted driving is extremely common-even in plain sight of the police. You see all sorts of things: people reading newspapers, putting on makeup, having their breakfast, reading books and maps, he said. Map books are very common but you see people with all sorts of documents. They have busy lives so they might have their information out for a doctors appointment, not just at traffic lights but driving along. If there is a marked police car, lots of people will change their behaviour, but with some of this behaviour, they are so caught up they dont notice the police car right next to them. Acting Sgt Green said drivers can feel falsely confident about the road conditions, particularly on familiar routes, but an accident can occur in seconds. On the roads the environment changes every day. You could drive down that street a hundred times but on the 101st time, there could be road works or a pedestrian that steps out-anything can happen, he said. Despite recent changes to laws regarding the use of mobile phones-with a fine and three demerit points for people using them illegally-Acting Sgt Green said drivers still flout the law. Police are handing out an average of 225 infringement notices a week, down on past years figures, but still very high. We are out there enforcing it but people are still using the phones on a daily basis and as they become more sophisticated, they are reading emails, sending messages, watching videos, he said. If you are on the phone, you are not concentrating on what is going on around you. Identifying the exact role of distraction in crashes is difficult but the RA. Cs Glen Walker said people making or def ending claims are quick to point out when the other driver is at fault. When you speak to someone to settle a claim they will say the other driver was too busy putting on lipstick and rear-ended me, said Mr Walker, Manager of the Technical Claims Unit. Getting distracted while changing a CD is a very common one. So is reaching into the glove box. There was one guy who drove into a house because he was getting a bit amorous with the woman in the car. Mr Walker said some of the stories of distracted driving can be amusing but in his previous work as a police officer he had seen fatal accidents caused by a momentary lapse of attention. It only takes just a little bit of distraction and things get very dangerous very fast. Professor Mark Stevenson is a leading road safety researcher and director of the Accident Research Centre and School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. He said the risks of mobile phones in cars have been well established, with major studies showing any use by a driver raises the risk of an accident. He and other researchers have examined the phone records of hundreds of drivers attending hospital after a crash, finding the risk of crashing is four times greater if the driver is using their mobile phone-regardless of whether it is hand-held or hands-free. While that may sound surprising, there are crucial differences between a conversation with a passenger and one on a mobile, he said. There have been laboratory studies that have shown that if you have a driver holding a conversation with a passenger, the passenger will moderate the conversation because they are scanning the scene in front of the vehicle and they can see the situation changing for the driver, Professor Stevenson said. If you are at a complex intersection with a lot of traffic, lots of things around, what happens is that the passenger will moderate the conversation and not get into a heated debate right at that moment. That doesnt happen on the phone. The pressure of maintaining a conversation in tricky road conditions reduces the drivers ability to react. It is the cognitive processing thats delayed-and that means reaction time and the manoeuvres required all slow down as a result of the phone conversation, he said. Because of growing evidence that even hands-free phones can be dangerous, several Australian states have banned mobile phones in cars for P Platers and the Draft National Road Safety Strategy released this year even suggested that there was evidence to support a total ban on all mobile phone use while driving. We know from our research that it still increases the risk of crashing almost four-fold, Professor Stevenson said. Its just not going far enough. If mobile phone use has been problematic for driver distraction, the next wave of in-car technology could be worse. In the US, the issue has received considerable public debate in the wake of high-profile cases, including a state police officer who crashed and killed two sisters after travelling at 200km/h while talking on the mobile and emailing from his laptop. In January, the US Transportation Secretary met with American carmakers, asking them to limit the use of distracting technology in vehicles. At the same time, however, struggling manufacturers hope that bundling technology into cars might boost sales, particularly among young drivers. Car manufacturer Ford is updating a system that will allow text messages and Facebook updates to be read to the driver, while other manufacturers are looking for ways to give drivers updates about nearby amenities and expand the dashboard display with USB ports, bigger maps and wi-fi access. The technology is developing so fast that our understanding of how much it increases our risk of crashing is not keeping up, Professor Stevenson said. Are these things truly there to benefit us or are they just increasing the distraction factor for drivers? While technology is helping cause the problems, Professor Stevenson believed it could also be used to fight distraction by switching off all phones and other devices-whether drivers want it to or not. There is potential down the track with in-vehicle technologies that you could block any transmission while the car is in motion, he said. That would be a passive intervention-you dont need any behavioural change to ensure that happens. RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said members are already concerned by the level of mobile phone use they see on the roads and believes more care is needed before increasing the load. We want cars to be comfortable and user-friendly, but the safety of the driver and other road users has to be the top priority, he said. You wouldnt go to a factory floor and clutter it up with devices that would take the workers mind off the machinery. What happens in a car is no different. In fact the law requires employers to remove any potential hazards. An open driving track with just a few orange cones to navigate doesnt sound like much of a challenge-but the mother and son who navigated the course for the RAC found it much tougher once they were asked to do something else at the same time. Kim, 52, said she was used to using a mobile phone in her own car through a Bluetooth system and found concentrating on buttons and the road at the same time difficult. I dont even dial my phone normally; its voice activated and I just tell it to call the person and it does, she said. It is really difficult to try to dial and talk and manage the phone and drive through the obstacles at the same time. Kim found talking hands-free on the mobile relatively easy but struggled with texting and said programming the cars G PS system was almost impossible. Kims son Matt, 21, was a bit more confident that he would be able to text while driving but negotiating the orange-cone chicanes and then a tight lane, designed to represent driving over a bridge, proved too difficult. I clipped the bridge and if it was real I guess I would have been getting wet, he said. Texting was definitely harder than I expected and programming the GPS was very difficult. RAC driver trainer Dave Meinen, who conducted the assessment, said the tests proved that even minor distractions could compromise a motorists ability to drive. We tested the drivers against a range of distractions and every single one of them had an impact on core driving competencies, including driver attention, accuracy, lane control, speed control, hazard perception and reaction time, Mr Meinen said. At the end of the day good drivers just drive; they dont get distracted. | Although most people agree that the use of mobile phones while driving is distracting, nearly half admit they take calls, and around a third admit they make calls while driving. | e |
id_1958 | DVDs The first DVD player hit the market in March 1997. A DVD is very similar to a CD, but it has a much larger data capacity. A standard DVD holds about seven times more data than a CD does. This huge capacity means that a DVD has enough room to store a full-length, MPEG-2 encoded movie, as well as a lot of other information. Here are the typical contents of a DVD movie: Up to 133 minutes of high-resolution video, in letterbox or pan-and-scan format, with 720 dots of horizontal resolution (The video compression ratio is typically 40:1 using MPEG-2 compression. ) Soundtrack presented in up to eight languages using 5.1 channel Dolby digital surround sound Subtitles in up to 32 languages DVD can also be used to store almost eight hours of CD-quality music per side. The format offers many advantages over VHS tapes: DVD picture quality is better, and many DVDs have Dolby Digital or DTS sound, which is much closer to the sound you experience in a movie theater. Many DVD movies have an on-screen index, where the creator of the DVD has labeled many of the significant parts of the movie, sometimes with a picture. With your remote, if you select the part of the movie you want to view, the DVD player will take you right to that part, with no need to rewind or fast-forward. DVD players are compatible with audio CDs Some DVD movies have both the letterbox format, which fits wide-screen TVs, and the standard TV size format, so you can choose which way you want to watch the movie. DVD movies may have several soundtracks on them, and they may provide subtitles in different languages. Foreign movies may give you the choice between the version dubbed into your language, or the original soundtrack with subtitles in your language. | With most DVDs you can jump to any part, from the index, without having to rewind or fast-forward. | c |
id_1959 | DVDs The first DVD player hit the market in March 1997. A DVD is very similar to a CD, but it has a much larger data capacity. A standard DVD holds about seven times more data than a CD does. This huge capacity means that a DVD has enough room to store a full-length, MPEG-2 encoded movie, as well as a lot of other information. Here are the typical contents of a DVD movie: Up to 133 minutes of high-resolution video, in letterbox or pan-and-scan format, with 720 dots of horizontal resolution (The video compression ratio is typically 40:1 using MPEG-2 compression. ) Soundtrack presented in up to eight languages using 5.1 channel Dolby digital surround sound Subtitles in up to 32 languages DVD can also be used to store almost eight hours of CD-quality music per side. The format offers many advantages over VHS tapes: DVD picture quality is better, and many DVDs have Dolby Digital or DTS sound, which is much closer to the sound you experience in a movie theater. Many DVD movies have an on-screen index, where the creator of the DVD has labeled many of the significant parts of the movie, sometimes with a picture. With your remote, if you select the part of the movie you want to view, the DVD player will take you right to that part, with no need to rewind or fast-forward. DVD players are compatible with audio CDs Some DVD movies have both the letterbox format, which fits wide-screen TVs, and the standard TV size format, so you can choose which way you want to watch the movie. DVD movies may have several soundtracks on them, and they may provide subtitles in different languages. Foreign movies may give you the choice between the version dubbed into your language, or the original soundtrack with subtitles in your language. | Some movies on DVD have more than one mode of display. | e |
id_1960 | DVDs The first DVD player hit the market in March 1997. A DVD is very similar to a CD, but it has a much larger data capacity. A standard DVD holds about seven times more data than a CD does. This huge capacity means that a DVD has enough room to store a full-length, MPEG-2 encoded movie, as well as a lot of other information. Here are the typical contents of a DVD movie: Up to 133 minutes of high-resolution video, in letterbox or pan-and-scan format, with 720 dots of horizontal resolution (The video compression ratio is typically 40:1 using MPEG-2 compression. ) Soundtrack presented in up to eight languages using 5.1 channel Dolby digital surround sound Subtitles in up to 32 languages DVD can also be used to store almost eight hours of CD-quality music per side. The format offers many advantages over VHS tapes: DVD picture quality is better, and many DVDs have Dolby Digital or DTS sound, which is much closer to the sound you experience in a movie theater. Many DVD movies have an on-screen index, where the creator of the DVD has labeled many of the significant parts of the movie, sometimes with a picture. With your remote, if you select the part of the movie you want to view, the DVD player will take you right to that part, with no need to rewind or fast-forward. DVD players are compatible with audio CDs Some DVD movies have both the letterbox format, which fits wide-screen TVs, and the standard TV size format, so you can choose which way you want to watch the movie. DVD movies may have several soundtracks on them, and they may provide subtitles in different languages. Foreign movies may give you the choice between the version dubbed into your language, or the original soundtrack with subtitles in your language. | There are five main advantages of DVDs over VHS. | n |
id_1961 | DVDs The first DVD player hit the market in March 1997. A DVD is very similar to a CD, but it has a much larger data capacity. A standard DVD holds about seven times more data than a CD does. This huge capacity means that a DVD has enough room to store a full-length, MPEG-2 encoded movie, as well as a lot of other information. Here are the typical contents of a DVD movie: Up to 133 minutes of high-resolution video, in letterbox or pan-and-scan format, with 720 dots of horizontal resolution (The video compression ratio is typically 40:1 using MPEG-2 compression. ) Soundtrack presented in up to eight languages using 5.1 channel Dolby digital surround sound Subtitles in up to 32 languages DVD can also be used to store almost eight hours of CD-quality music per side. The format offers many advantages over VHS tapes: DVD picture quality is better, and many DVDs have Dolby Digital or DTS sound, which is much closer to the sound you experience in a movie theater. Many DVD movies have an on-screen index, where the creator of the DVD has labeled many of the significant parts of the movie, sometimes with a picture. With your remote, if you select the part of the movie you want to view, the DVD player will take you right to that part, with no need to rewind or fast-forward. DVD players are compatible with audio CDs Some DVD movies have both the letterbox format, which fits wide-screen TVs, and the standard TV size format, so you can choose which way you want to watch the movie. DVD movies may have several soundtracks on them, and they may provide subtitles in different languages. Foreign movies may give you the choice between the version dubbed into your language, or the original soundtrack with subtitles in your language. | Up to 133 minutes of video can be compressed onto a DVD. | e |
id_1962 | DVDs The first DVD player hit the market in March 1997. A DVD is very similar to a CD, but it has a much larger data capacity. A standard DVD holds about seven times more data than a CD does. This huge capacity means that a DVD has enough room to store a full-length, MPEG-2 encoded movie, as well as a lot of other information. Here are the typical contents of a DVD movie: Up to 133 minutes of high-resolution video, in letterbox or pan-and-scan format, with 720 dots of horizontal resolution (The video compression ratio is typically 40:1 using MPEG-2 compression. ) Soundtrack presented in up to eight languages using 5.1 channel Dolby digital surround sound Subtitles in up to 32 languages DVD can also be used to store almost eight hours of CD-quality music per side. The format offers many advantages over VHS tapes: DVD picture quality is better, and many DVDs have Dolby Digital or DTS sound, which is much closer to the sound you experience in a movie theater. Many DVD movies have an on-screen index, where the creator of the DVD has labeled many of the significant parts of the movie, sometimes with a picture. With your remote, if you select the part of the movie you want to view, the DVD player will take you right to that part, with no need to rewind or fast-forward. DVD players are compatible with audio CDs Some DVD movies have both the letterbox format, which fits wide-screen TVs, and the standard TV size format, so you can choose which way you want to watch the movie. DVD movies may have several soundtracks on them, and they may provide subtitles in different languages. Foreign movies may give you the choice between the version dubbed into your language, or the original soundtrack with subtitles in your language. | An MPEG-2 encoded movie just fits on to a DVD. | c |
id_1963 | DVDs The first DVD player hit the market in March 1997. A DVD is very similar to a CD, but it has a much larger data capacity. A standard DVD holds about seven times more data than a CD does. This huge capacity means that a DVD has enough room to store a full-length, MPEG-2 encoded movie, as well as a lot of other information. Here are the typical contents of a DVD movie: Up to 133 minutes of high-resolution video, in letterbox or pan-and-scan format, with 720 dots of horizontal resolution (The video compression ratio is typically 40:1 using MPEG-2 compression. ) Soundtrack presented in up to eight languages using 5.1 channel Dolby digital surround sound Subtitles in up to 32 languages DVD can also be used to store almost eight hours of CD-quality music per side. The format offers many advantages over VHS tapes: DVD picture quality is better, and many DVDs have Dolby Digital or DTS sound, which is much closer to the sound you experience in a movie theater. Many DVD movies have an on-screen index, where the creator of the DVD has labeled many of the significant parts of the movie, sometimes with a picture. With your remote, if you select the part of the movie you want to view, the DVD player will take you right to that part, with no need to rewind or fast-forward. DVD players are compatible with audio CDs Some DVD movies have both the letterbox format, which fits wide-screen TVs, and the standard TV size format, so you can choose which way you want to watch the movie. DVD movies may have several soundtracks on them, and they may provide subtitles in different languages. Foreign movies may give you the choice between the version dubbed into your language, or the original soundtrack with subtitles in your language. | The quality of a DVD picture is nearly the same as the quality in a cinema. | n |
id_1964 | DVDs The first DVD player hit the market in March 1997. A DVD is very similar to a CD, but it has a much larger data capacity. A standard DVD holds about seven times more data than a CD does. This huge capacity means that a DVD has enough room to store a full-length, MPEG-2 encoded movie, as well as a lot of other information. Here are the typical contents of a DVD movie: Up to 133 minutes of high-resolution video, in letterbox or pan-and-scan format, with 720 dots of horizontal resolution (The video compression ratio is typically 40:1 using MPEG-2 compression. ) Soundtrack presented in up to eight languages using 5.1 channel Dolby digital surround sound Subtitles in up to 32 languages DVD can also be used to store almost eight hours of CD-quality music per side. The format offers many advantages over VHS tapes: DVD picture quality is better, and many DVDs have Dolby Digital or DTS sound, which is much closer to the sound you experience in a movie theater. Many DVD movies have an on-screen index, where the creator of the DVD has labeled many of the significant parts of the movie, sometimes with a picture. With your remote, if you select the part of the movie you want to view, the DVD player will take you right to that part, with no need to rewind or fast-forward. DVD players are compatible with audio CDs Some DVD movies have both the letterbox format, which fits wide-screen TVs, and the standard TV size format, so you can choose which way you want to watch the movie. DVD movies may have several soundtracks on them, and they may provide subtitles in different languages. Foreign movies may give you the choice between the version dubbed into your language, or the original soundtrack with subtitles in your language. | Most DVD movies have subtitles for foreign films. | n |
id_1965 | Daydreaming Everyone daydreams sometimes. We sit or lie down, close our eyes and use our imagination to think about something that might happen in the future or could have happened in the past. Most daydreaming is pleasant. We would like the daydream to happen and we would be very happy if it did actually happen. We might daydream that we are in another persons place, or doing something that we have always wanted to do, or that other people like or admire us much more than they normally do. Daydreams are not dreams, because we can only daydream if we are awake. Also, we choose what our daydreams will be about, which we cannot usually do with dreams. With many daydreams, we know that what we imagine is unlikely to happen. At least, if it does happen, it probably will not do so in the way we want it to. However, some daydreams are about things that are likely to happen. With these, our daydreams often help us to work out what we want to do, or how to do it to get the best results. So, these daydreams are helpful. We use our imagination to help us understand the world and other people. Daydreams can help people to be creative. People in creative or artistic careers, such as composers, novelists and filmmakers, develop new ideas through daydreaming. This is also true of research scientists and mathematicians. In fact, Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited whereas imagination is not. Research in the 1980s showed that most daydreams are about ordinary, everyday events. It also showed that over 75% of workers in so-called boring jobs, such as lorry drivers and security guards, spend a lot of time daydreaming in order to make their time at work more interesting. Recent research has also shown that daydreaming has a positive effect on the brain. Experiments with MRI brain scans show that the parts of the brain linked with complex problem-solving are more active during daydreaming. Researchers conclude that daydreaming is an activity in which the brain consolidates learning. In this respect, daydreaming is the same as dreaming during sleep. Although there do seem to be many advantages with daydreaming, in many cultures it is considered a bad thing to do. One reason for this is that when you are daydreaming, you are not working. In the 19th century, for example, people who daydreamed a lot were judged to be lazy. This happened in particular when people started working in factories on assembly lines. When you work on an assembly line, all you do is one small task again and again, every time exactly the same. It is rather repetitive and, obviously, you cannot be creative. So many people decided that there was no benefit in daydreaming. Other people have said that daydreaming leads to escapism and that this is not healthy, either. Escapist people spend a lot of time living in a dream world in which they are successful and popular, instead of trying to deal with the problems they face in the real world. Such people often seem to be unhappy and are unable or unwilling to improve their daily lives. Indeed, recent studies show that people who often daydream have fewer close friends than other people. In fact, they often do not have any close friends at all. | Old people daydream more than young people. | n |
id_1966 | Daydreaming Everyone daydreams sometimes. We sit or lie down, close our eyes and use our imagination to think about something that might happen in the future or could have happened in the past. Most daydreaming is pleasant. We would like the daydream to happen and we would be very happy if it did actually happen. We might daydream that we are in another persons place, or doing something that we have always wanted to do, or that other people like or admire us much more than they normally do. Daydreams are not dreams, because we can only daydream if we are awake. Also, we choose what our daydreams will be about, which we cannot usually do with dreams. With many daydreams, we know that what we imagine is unlikely to happen. At least, if it does happen, it probably will not do so in the way we want it to. However, some daydreams are about things that are likely to happen. With these, our daydreams often help us to work out what we want to do, or how to do it to get the best results. So, these daydreams are helpful. We use our imagination to help us understand the world and other people. Daydreams can help people to be creative. People in creative or artistic careers, such as composers, novelists and filmmakers, develop new ideas through daydreaming. This is also true of research scientists and mathematicians. In fact, Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited whereas imagination is not. Research in the 1980s showed that most daydreams are about ordinary, everyday events. It also showed that over 75% of workers in so-called boring jobs, such as lorry drivers and security guards, spend a lot of time daydreaming in order to make their time at work more interesting. Recent research has also shown that daydreaming has a positive effect on the brain. Experiments with MRI brain scans show that the parts of the brain linked with complex problem-solving are more active during daydreaming. Researchers conclude that daydreaming is an activity in which the brain consolidates learning. In this respect, daydreaming is the same as dreaming during sleep. Although there do seem to be many advantages with daydreaming, in many cultures it is considered a bad thing to do. One reason for this is that when you are daydreaming, you are not working. In the 19th century, for example, people who daydreamed a lot were judged to be lazy. This happened in particular when people started working in factories on assembly lines. When you work on an assembly line, all you do is one small task again and again, every time exactly the same. It is rather repetitive and, obviously, you cannot be creative. So many people decided that there was no benefit in daydreaming. Other people have said that daydreaming leads to escapism and that this is not healthy, either. Escapist people spend a lot of time living in a dream world in which they are successful and popular, instead of trying to deal with the problems they face in the real world. Such people often seem to be unhappy and are unable or unwilling to improve their daily lives. Indeed, recent studies show that people who often daydream have fewer close friends than other people. In fact, they often do not have any close friends at all. | Some people can daydream when they are asleep. | c |
id_1967 | Daydreaming Everyone daydreams sometimes. We sit or lie down, close our eyes and use our imagination to think about something that might happen in the future or could have happened in the past. Most daydreaming is pleasant. We would like the daydream to happen and we would be very happy if it did actually happen. We might daydream that we are in another persons place, or doing something that we have always wanted to do, or that other people like or admire us much more than they normally do. Daydreams are not dreams, because we can only daydream if we are awake. Also, we choose what our daydreams will be about, which we cannot usually do with dreams. With many daydreams, we know that what we imagine is unlikely to happen. At least, if it does happen, it probably will not do so in the way we want it to. However, some daydreams are about things that are likely to happen. With these, our daydreams often help us to work out what we want to do, or how to do it to get the best results. So, these daydreams are helpful. We use our imagination to help us understand the world and other people. Daydreams can help people to be creative. People in creative or artistic careers, such as composers, novelists and filmmakers, develop new ideas through daydreaming. This is also true of research scientists and mathematicians. In fact, Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited whereas imagination is not. Research in the 1980s showed that most daydreams are about ordinary, everyday events. It also showed that over 75% of workers in so-called boring jobs, such as lorry drivers and security guards, spend a lot of time daydreaming in order to make their time at work more interesting. Recent research has also shown that daydreaming has a positive effect on the brain. Experiments with MRI brain scans show that the parts of the brain linked with complex problem-solving are more active during daydreaming. Researchers conclude that daydreaming is an activity in which the brain consolidates learning. In this respect, daydreaming is the same as dreaming during sleep. Although there do seem to be many advantages with daydreaming, in many cultures it is considered a bad thing to do. One reason for this is that when you are daydreaming, you are not working. In the 19th century, for example, people who daydreamed a lot were judged to be lazy. This happened in particular when people started working in factories on assembly lines. When you work on an assembly line, all you do is one small task again and again, every time exactly the same. It is rather repetitive and, obviously, you cannot be creative. So many people decided that there was no benefit in daydreaming. Other people have said that daydreaming leads to escapism and that this is not healthy, either. Escapist people spend a lot of time living in a dream world in which they are successful and popular, instead of trying to deal with the problems they face in the real world. Such people often seem to be unhappy and are unable or unwilling to improve their daily lives. Indeed, recent studies show that people who often daydream have fewer close friends than other people. In fact, they often do not have any close friends at all. | Escapist people are generally very happy. | c |
id_1968 | Daydreaming Everyone daydreams sometimes. We sit or lie down, close our eyes and use our imagination to think about something that might happen in the future or could have happened in the past. Most daydreaming is pleasant. We would like the daydream to happen and we would be very happy if it did actually happen. We might daydream that we are in another persons place, or doing something that we have always wanted to do, or that other people like or admire us much more than they normally do. Daydreams are not dreams, because we can only daydream if we are awake. Also, we choose what our daydreams will be about, which we cannot usually do with dreams. With many daydreams, we know that what we imagine is unlikely to happen. At least, if it does happen, it probably will not do so in the way we want it to. However, some daydreams are about things that are likely to happen. With these, our daydreams often help us to work out what we want to do, or how to do it to get the best results. So, these daydreams are helpful. We use our imagination to help us understand the world and other people. Daydreams can help people to be creative. People in creative or artistic careers, such as composers, novelists and filmmakers, develop new ideas through daydreaming. This is also true of research scientists and mathematicians. In fact, Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited whereas imagination is not. Research in the 1980s showed that most daydreams are about ordinary, everyday events. It also showed that over 75% of workers in so-called boring jobs, such as lorry drivers and security guards, spend a lot of time daydreaming in order to make their time at work more interesting. Recent research has also shown that daydreaming has a positive effect on the brain. Experiments with MRI brain scans show that the parts of the brain linked with complex problem-solving are more active during daydreaming. Researchers conclude that daydreaming is an activity in which the brain consolidates learning. In this respect, daydreaming is the same as dreaming during sleep. Although there do seem to be many advantages with daydreaming, in many cultures it is considered a bad thing to do. One reason for this is that when you are daydreaming, you are not working. In the 19th century, for example, people who daydreamed a lot were judged to be lazy. This happened in particular when people started working in factories on assembly lines. When you work on an assembly line, all you do is one small task again and again, every time exactly the same. It is rather repetitive and, obviously, you cannot be creative. So many people decided that there was no benefit in daydreaming. Other people have said that daydreaming leads to escapism and that this is not healthy, either. Escapist people spend a lot of time living in a dream world in which they are successful and popular, instead of trying to deal with the problems they face in the real world. Such people often seem to be unhappy and are unable or unwilling to improve their daily lives. Indeed, recent studies show that people who often daydream have fewer close friends than other people. In fact, they often do not have any close friends at all. | Some daydreams help us to be more successful in our lives. | e |
id_1969 | Daydreaming Everyone daydreams sometimes. We sit or lie down, close our eyes and use our imagination to think about something that might happen in the future or could have happened in the past. Most daydreaming is pleasant. We would like the daydream to happen and we would be very happy if it did actually happen. We might daydream that we are in another persons place, or doing something that we have always wanted to do, or that other people like or admire us much more than they normally do. Daydreams are not dreams, because we can only daydream if we are awake. Also, we choose what our daydreams will be about, which we cannot usually do with dreams. With many daydreams, we know that what we imagine is unlikely to happen. At least, if it does happen, it probably will not do so in the way we want it to. However, some daydreams are about things that are likely to happen. With these, our daydreams often help us to work out what we want to do, or how to do it to get the best results. So, these daydreams are helpful. We use our imagination to help us understand the world and other people. Daydreams can help people to be creative. People in creative or artistic careers, such as composers, novelists and filmmakers, develop new ideas through daydreaming. This is also true of research scientists and mathematicians. In fact, Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited whereas imagination is not. Research in the 1980s showed that most daydreams are about ordinary, everyday events. It also showed that over 75% of workers in so-called boring jobs, such as lorry drivers and security guards, spend a lot of time daydreaming in order to make their time at work more interesting. Recent research has also shown that daydreaming has a positive effect on the brain. Experiments with MRI brain scans show that the parts of the brain linked with complex problem-solving are more active during daydreaming. Researchers conclude that daydreaming is an activity in which the brain consolidates learning. In this respect, daydreaming is the same as dreaming during sleep. Although there do seem to be many advantages with daydreaming, in many cultures it is considered a bad thing to do. One reason for this is that when you are daydreaming, you are not working. In the 19th century, for example, people who daydreamed a lot were judged to be lazy. This happened in particular when people started working in factories on assembly lines. When you work on an assembly line, all you do is one small task again and again, every time exactly the same. It is rather repetitive and, obviously, you cannot be creative. So many people decided that there was no benefit in daydreaming. Other people have said that daydreaming leads to escapism and that this is not healthy, either. Escapist people spend a lot of time living in a dream world in which they are successful and popular, instead of trying to deal with the problems they face in the real world. Such people often seem to be unhappy and are unable or unwilling to improve their daily lives. Indeed, recent studies show that people who often daydream have fewer close friends than other people. In fact, they often do not have any close friends at all. | Most lorry drivers daydream in their jobs to make them more interesting. | e |
id_1970 | Daydreaming Everyone daydreams sometimes. We sit or lie down, close our eyes and use our imagination to think about something that might happen in the future or could have happened in the past. Most daydreaming is pleasant. We would like the daydream to happen and we would be very happy if it did actually happen. We might daydream that we are in another persons place, or doing something that we have always wanted to do, or that other people like or admire us much more than they normally do. Daydreams are not dreams, because we can only daydream if we are awake. Also, we choose what our daydreams will be about, which we cannot usually do with dreams. With many daydreams, we know that what we imagine is unlikely to happen. At least, if it does happen, it probably will not do so in the way we want it to. However, some daydreams are about things that are likely to happen. With these, our daydreams often help us to work out what we want to do, or how to do it to get the best results. So, these daydreams are helpful. We use our imagination to help us understand the world and other people. Daydreams can help people to be creative. People in creative or artistic careers, such as composers, novelists and filmmakers, develop new ideas through daydreaming. This is also true of research scientists and mathematicians. In fact, Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited whereas imagination is not. Research in the 1980s showed that most daydreams are about ordinary, everyday events. It also showed that over 75% of workers in so-called boring jobs, such as lorry drivers and security guards, spend a lot of time daydreaming in order to make their time at work more interesting. Recent research has also shown that daydreaming has a positive effect on the brain. Experiments with MRI brain scans show that the parts of the brain linked with complex problem-solving are more active during daydreaming. Researchers conclude that daydreaming is an activity in which the brain consolidates learning. In this respect, daydreaming is the same as dreaming during sleep. Although there do seem to be many advantages with daydreaming, in many cultures it is considered a bad thing to do. One reason for this is that when you are daydreaming, you are not working. In the 19th century, for example, people who daydreamed a lot were judged to be lazy. This happened in particular when people started working in factories on assembly lines. When you work on an assembly line, all you do is one small task again and again, every time exactly the same. It is rather repetitive and, obviously, you cannot be creative. So many people decided that there was no benefit in daydreaming. Other people have said that daydreaming leads to escapism and that this is not healthy, either. Escapist people spend a lot of time living in a dream world in which they are successful and popular, instead of trying to deal with the problems they face in the real world. Such people often seem to be unhappy and are unable or unwilling to improve their daily lives. Indeed, recent studies show that people who often daydream have fewer close friends than other people. In fact, they often do not have any close friends at all. | People usually daydream when they are walking around. | c |
id_1971 | Daydreaming Everyone daydreams sometimes. We sit or lie down, close our eyes and use our imagination to think about something that might happen in the future or could have happened in the past. Most daydreaming is pleasant. We would like the daydream to happen and we would be very happy if it did actually happen. We might daydream that we are in another persons place, or doing something that we have always wanted to do, or that other people like or admire us much more than they normally do. Daydreams are not dreams, because we can only daydream if we are awake. Also, we choose what our daydreams will be about, which we cannot usually do with dreams. With many daydreams, we know that what we imagine is unlikely to happen. At least, if it does happen, it probably will not do so in the way we want it to. However, some daydreams are about things that are likely to happen. With these, our daydreams often help us to work out what we want to do, or how to do it to get the best results. So, these daydreams are helpful. We use our imagination to help us understand the world and other people. Daydreams can help people to be creative. People in creative or artistic careers, such as composers, novelists and filmmakers, develop new ideas through daydreaming. This is also true of research scientists and mathematicians. In fact, Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited whereas imagination is not. Research in the 1980s showed that most daydreams are about ordinary, everyday events. It also showed that over 75% of workers in so-called boring jobs, such as lorry drivers and security guards, spend a lot of time daydreaming in order to make their time at work more interesting. Recent research has also shown that daydreaming has a positive effect on the brain. Experiments with MRI brain scans show that the parts of the brain linked with complex problem-solving are more active during daydreaming. Researchers conclude that daydreaming is an activity in which the brain consolidates learning. In this respect, daydreaming is the same as dreaming during sleep. Although there do seem to be many advantages with daydreaming, in many cultures it is considered a bad thing to do. One reason for this is that when you are daydreaming, you are not working. In the 19th century, for example, people who daydreamed a lot were judged to be lazy. This happened in particular when people started working in factories on assembly lines. When you work on an assembly line, all you do is one small task again and again, every time exactly the same. It is rather repetitive and, obviously, you cannot be creative. So many people decided that there was no benefit in daydreaming. Other people have said that daydreaming leads to escapism and that this is not healthy, either. Escapist people spend a lot of time living in a dream world in which they are successful and popular, instead of trying to deal with the problems they face in the real world. Such people often seem to be unhappy and are unable or unwilling to improve their daily lives. Indeed, recent studies show that people who often daydream have fewer close friends than other people. In fact, they often do not have any close friends at all. | Daydreaming helps people to be creative. | e |
id_1972 | Daydreaming Everyone daydreams sometimes. We sit or lie down, close our eyes and use our imagination to think about something that might happen in the future or could have happened in the past. Most daydreaming is pleasant. We would like the daydream to happen and we would be very happy if it did actually happen. We might daydream that we are in another persons place, or doing something that we have always wanted to do, or that other people like or admire us much more than they normally do. Daydreams are not dreams, because we can only daydream if we are awake. Also, we choose what our daydreams will be about, which we cannot usually do with dreams. With many daydreams, we know that what we imagine is unlikely to happen. At least, if it does happen, it probably will not do so in the way we want it to. However, some daydreams are about things that are likely to happen. With these, our daydreams often help us to work out what we want to do, or how to do it to get the best results. So, these daydreams are helpful. We use our imagination to help us understand the world and other people. Daydreams can help people to be creative. People in creative or artistic careers, such as composers, novelists and filmmakers, develop new ideas through daydreaming. This is also true of research scientists and mathematicians. In fact, Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited whereas imagination is not. Research in the 1980s showed that most daydreams are about ordinary, everyday events. It also showed that over 75% of workers in so-called boring jobs, such as lorry drivers and security guards, spend a lot of time daydreaming in order to make their time at work more interesting. Recent research has also shown that daydreaming has a positive effect on the brain. Experiments with MRI brain scans show that the parts of the brain linked with complex problem-solving are more active during daydreaming. Researchers conclude that daydreaming is an activity in which the brain consolidates learning. In this respect, daydreaming is the same as dreaming during sleep. Although there do seem to be many advantages with daydreaming, in many cultures it is considered a bad thing to do. One reason for this is that when you are daydreaming, you are not working. In the 19th century, for example, people who daydreamed a lot were judged to be lazy. This happened in particular when people started working in factories on assembly lines. When you work on an assembly line, all you do is one small task again and again, every time exactly the same. It is rather repetitive and, obviously, you cannot be creative. So many people decided that there was no benefit in daydreaming. Other people have said that daydreaming leads to escapism and that this is not healthy, either. Escapist people spend a lot of time living in a dream world in which they are successful and popular, instead of trying to deal with the problems they face in the real world. Such people often seem to be unhappy and are unable or unwilling to improve their daily lives. Indeed, recent studies show that people who often daydream have fewer close friends than other people. In fact, they often do not have any close friends at all. | Factory workers daydream more than lorry drivers. | n |
id_1973 | Dear Ms Foster, Visit to the parliament building I am pleased to confirm the following date and time for your visit, which is free of charge: 18th June at 15.30 hours (scheduled admission) for the two people you specified when registering. Participants are requested to come to the welcome centre for visitors to the Reichstag building, which is located on Scheidemann Street, next to the west portal of the building, no later than 15 minutes before their visit is due to begin (i. e. 15.15 hours), to allow time for the security checks prior to entry. They must each bring a valid identity card or an equivalent form of photo identification with them, and must also show this letter on arrival. Group leaders must ensure that participants come to the admission point as a group. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel visits at short notice due to special events being held or heightened security requirements. On the roof terrace, you can obtain an audio-guide to the dome of the Reichstag Building, which provides a great deal of interesting information about the Reichstag Building and its surroundings, the German Bundestag, the work of the parliament, and the sights you can see from the dome. The audio-guide is available in ten languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. A special audio-guide is available for children (German only). Cameras are permitted as long as the pictures are for personal rather than for commercial use. Equipment will be checked at the security desk on arrival. The Berlin Reichstag is the only parliamentary building in the world that features a public restaurant; Restaurant Kaefer and its roof garden are located on the top of the Reichstag, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices breathtaking views included. I wish you an enjoyable and informative visit to the German Bundestag. Kind Regards. | Meals are available at the restaurant throughout the day. | e |
id_1974 | Dear Ms Foster, Visit to the parliament building I am pleased to confirm the following date and time for your visit, which is free of charge: 18th June at 15.30 hours (scheduled admission) for the two people you specified when registering. Participants are requested to come to the welcome centre for visitors to the Reichstag building, which is located on Scheidemann Street, next to the west portal of the building, no later than 15 minutes before their visit is due to begin (i. e. 15.15 hours), to allow time for the security checks prior to entry. They must each bring a valid identity card or an equivalent form of photo identification with them, and must also show this letter on arrival. Group leaders must ensure that participants come to the admission point as a group. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel visits at short notice due to special events being held or heightened security requirements. On the roof terrace, you can obtain an audio-guide to the dome of the Reichstag Building, which provides a great deal of interesting information about the Reichstag Building and its surroundings, the German Bundestag, the work of the parliament, and the sights you can see from the dome. The audio-guide is available in ten languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. A special audio-guide is available for children (German only). Cameras are permitted as long as the pictures are for personal rather than for commercial use. Equipment will be checked at the security desk on arrival. The Berlin Reichstag is the only parliamentary building in the world that features a public restaurant; Restaurant Kaefer and its roof garden are located on the top of the Reichstag, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices breathtaking views included. I wish you an enjoyable and informative visit to the German Bundestag. Kind Regards. | Visitors are forbidden to take photos inside the parliament building. | c |
id_1975 | Dear Ms Foster, Visit to the parliament building I am pleased to confirm the following date and time for your visit, which is free of charge: 18th June at 15.30 hours (scheduled admission) for the two people you specified when registering. Participants are requested to come to the welcome centre for visitors to the Reichstag building, which is located on Scheidemann Street, next to the west portal of the building, no later than 15 minutes before their visit is due to begin (i. e. 15.15 hours), to allow time for the security checks prior to entry. They must each bring a valid identity card or an equivalent form of photo identification with them, and must also show this letter on arrival. Group leaders must ensure that participants come to the admission point as a group. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel visits at short notice due to special events being held or heightened security requirements. On the roof terrace, you can obtain an audio-guide to the dome of the Reichstag Building, which provides a great deal of interesting information about the Reichstag Building and its surroundings, the German Bundestag, the work of the parliament, and the sights you can see from the dome. The audio-guide is available in ten languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. A special audio-guide is available for children (German only). Cameras are permitted as long as the pictures are for personal rather than for commercial use. Equipment will be checked at the security desk on arrival. The Berlin Reichstag is the only parliamentary building in the world that features a public restaurant; Restaurant Kaefer and its roof garden are located on the top of the Reichstag, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices breathtaking views included. I wish you an enjoyable and informative visit to the German Bundestag. Kind Regards. | If their visit is cancelled, visitors will receive a phone call or an email. | n |
id_1976 | Dear Ms Foster, Visit to the parliament building I am pleased to confirm the following date and time for your visit, which is free of charge: 18th June at 15.30 hours (scheduled admission) for the two people you specified when registering. Participants are requested to come to the welcome centre for visitors to the Reichstag building, which is located on Scheidemann Street, next to the west portal of the building, no later than 15 minutes before their visit is due to begin (i. e. 15.15 hours), to allow time for the security checks prior to entry. They must each bring a valid identity card or an equivalent form of photo identification with them, and must also show this letter on arrival. Group leaders must ensure that participants come to the admission point as a group. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel visits at short notice due to special events being held or heightened security requirements. On the roof terrace, you can obtain an audio-guide to the dome of the Reichstag Building, which provides a great deal of interesting information about the Reichstag Building and its surroundings, the German Bundestag, the work of the parliament, and the sights you can see from the dome. The audio-guide is available in ten languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. A special audio-guide is available for children (German only). Cameras are permitted as long as the pictures are for personal rather than for commercial use. Equipment will be checked at the security desk on arrival. The Berlin Reichstag is the only parliamentary building in the world that features a public restaurant; Restaurant Kaefer and its roof garden are located on the top of the Reichstag, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices breathtaking views included. I wish you an enjoyable and informative visit to the German Bundestag. Kind Regards. | Visitors have to produce either photo ID or their official letter before being allowed into the parliament building. | c |
id_1977 | Dear Ms Foster, Visit to the parliament building I am pleased to confirm the following date and time for your visit, which is free of charge: 18th June at 15.30 hours (scheduled admission) for the two people you specified when registering. Participants are requested to come to the welcome centre for visitors to the Reichstag building, which is located on Scheidemann Street, next to the west portal of the building, no later than 15 minutes before their visit is due to begin (i. e. 15.15 hours), to allow time for the security checks prior to entry. They must each bring a valid identity card or an equivalent form of photo identification with them, and must also show this letter on arrival. Group leaders must ensure that participants come to the admission point as a group. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel visits at short notice due to special events being held or heightened security requirements. On the roof terrace, you can obtain an audio-guide to the dome of the Reichstag Building, which provides a great deal of interesting information about the Reichstag Building and its surroundings, the German Bundestag, the work of the parliament, and the sights you can see from the dome. The audio-guide is available in ten languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. A special audio-guide is available for children (German only). Cameras are permitted as long as the pictures are for personal rather than for commercial use. Equipment will be checked at the security desk on arrival. The Berlin Reichstag is the only parliamentary building in the world that features a public restaurant; Restaurant Kaefer and its roof garden are located on the top of the Reichstag, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices breathtaking views included. I wish you an enjoyable and informative visit to the German Bundestag. Kind Regards. | Visitors should be at the welcome centre at least a quarter of an hour before their scheduled admission time. | e |
id_1978 | Dear Ms Foster, Visit to the parliament building I am pleased to confirm the following date and time for your visit, which is free of charge: 18th June at 15.30 hours (scheduled admission) for the two people you specified when registering. Participants are requested to come to the welcome centre for visitors to the Reichstag building, which is located on Scheidemann Street, next to the west portal of the building, no later than 15 minutes before their visit is due to begin (i. e. 15.15 hours), to allow time for the security checks prior to entry. They must each bring a valid identity card or an equivalent form of photo identification with them, and must also show this letter on arrival. Group leaders must ensure that participants come to the admission point as a group. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel visits at short notice due to special events being held or heightened security requirements. On the roof terrace, you can obtain an audio-guide to the dome of the Reichstag Building, which provides a great deal of interesting information about the Reichstag Building and its surroundings, the German Bundestag, the work of the parliament, and the sights you can see from the dome. The audio-guide is available in ten languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. A special audio-guide is available for children (German only). Cameras are permitted as long as the pictures are for personal rather than for commercial use. Equipment will be checked at the security desk on arrival. The Berlin Reichstag is the only parliamentary building in the world that features a public restaurant; Restaurant Kaefer and its roof garden are located on the top of the Reichstag, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices breathtaking views included. I wish you an enjoyable and informative visit to the German Bundestag. Kind Regards. | There is no charge for use of the audio-guides. | n |
id_1979 | Deer Farming in Australia Deer are not indigenous to Australia. They were introduced into the country during the nineteenth century under the acclimatization programs governing the introduction of exotic species of animals and birds into Australia. Six species of deer were released at various locations. The animals dispersed and established wild populations at various locations across Australia, mostly depending upon their points of release into the wild. These animals formed the basis for the deer industry in Australia today. Commercial deer farming in Australia commenced in Victoria in 1971 with the authorized capture of rusa deer from the Royal National Park, NSW. Until 1985, only four species of deer, two from temperate climates (red, fallow) and two tropical species (rusa, chital) were confined for commercial farming. Late in 1985, pressure from industry to increase herd numbers saw the development of import protocols. This resulted in the introduction of large numbers of red deer hybrids from New Zealand and North American elk directly from Canada. The national farmed deer herd is now distributed throughout all states although most are in New South Wales and Victoria. The number of animals processed annually has continued to increase, despite the downward trend in venison prices since 1997. Of concern is the apparent increase in the number of female animals processed and the number of whole herds committed for processing. With more than 40,000 animals processed in 1998/99 and 60,000 in 1999/2000, there is justified concern that future years may see a dramatic drop in production. At least 85% of all venison produced in Australia is exported, principally to Europe. At least 90% of all velvet antler produced is exported in an unprocessed state to Asia. Schemes to promote Australian deer products continue to have a positive effect on sales that in turn have a positive effect on prices paid to growers. The industry appears to be showing limited signs that it is emerging from a state of depression caused by both internal and external factors that include: (i) the Asian currency downturn; (ii) the industrys lack of competitive advantage in influential markets (particularly in respect to New Zealand competition), and; (iii) within industry processing and marketing competition for limited product volumes of venison. From the formation of the Australian Deer Breeders Federation in 1979, the industry representative body has evolved through the Deer Farmers Federation of Australia to the Deer Industry Association of Australia Ltd (DIAA), which was registered in 1995. The industry has established two product development and marketing companies, the Australian Deer Horn and Co-Products Pty Ltd (ADH) and the Deer Industry Projects and Development Pty Ltd, which trades as the Deer Industry Company (DIC). ADH collects and markets Australian deer horn and co-products on behalf of Australian deer farmers. It promotes the harvest of velvet antler according to the strict quality assurance program promoted by the industry. The company also plans and co-ordinates regular velvet accreditation courses for Australian deer farmers. Estimates suggest that until the early 1990s the rate of the annual increase in the number of farmed deer was up to 25%, but after 1993 this rate of increase fell to probably less than 10%. The main reasons for the decline in the deer herd growth rate at such a critical time for the market were: (i) severe drought conditions up to 1998 affecting eastern Australia during 1993-96 and (ii) the consequent slaughter of large numbers of breeding females, at very low prices. These factors combined to decrease confidence within the industry. Lack of confidence saw a drop in new investment within the industry and a lack of willingness of established farmers to expand their herds. With the development of strong overseas markets for venison and velvet and the prospect of better seasons ahead in 1996, the trends described were seen to have been significantly reversed. However, the relatively small size of the Australian herd was seen to impose undesirable restraints on the rate at which herd numbers could be expanded to meet the demands for products. Supply difficulties were exacerbated when the supply of products, particularly venison, was maintained by the slaughter of young breeding females. The net result was depletion of the industrys female breeding herds. Industry programs are funded by statutory levies on sales of animals for venison, velvet antler sales and the sale of live animals into export markets. The industry has a 1996 2000 five year plan including animal nutrition, pasture quality, carcass quality, antler harvesting, promotional material and technical bulletins. All projects have generated a significant volume of information, which compliments similar work undertaken in New Zealand and other deer farming countries. Major projects funded by levy funds include the Venison Market Project from 1992 to 1996. This initiative resulted in a dramatic increase in international demand for Australian venison and an increase in the domestic consumption of venison. In an effort to maintain existing venison markets in the short term and to increase them in the long term, in 1997 the industrys top priority became the increase in size and production capacity of the national herd. | Until 1985 only 2 species of the originally released Australian deer were not used for farming. | e |
id_1980 | Deer Farming in Australia Deer are not indigenous to Australia. They were introduced into the country during the nineteenth century under the acclimatization programs governing the introduction of exotic species of animals and birds into Australia. Six species of deer were released at various locations. The animals dispersed and established wild populations at various locations across Australia, mostly depending upon their points of release into the wild. These animals formed the basis for the deer industry in Australia today. Commercial deer farming in Australia commenced in Victoria in 1971 with the authorized capture of rusa deer from the Royal National Park, NSW. Until 1985, only four species of deer, two from temperate climates (red, fallow) and two tropical species (rusa, chital) were confined for commercial farming. Late in 1985, pressure from industry to increase herd numbers saw the development of import protocols. This resulted in the introduction of large numbers of red deer hybrids from New Zealand and North American elk directly from Canada. The national farmed deer herd is now distributed throughout all states although most are in New South Wales and Victoria. The number of animals processed annually has continued to increase, despite the downward trend in venison prices since 1997. Of concern is the apparent increase in the number of female animals processed and the number of whole herds committed for processing. With more than 40,000 animals processed in 1998/99 and 60,000 in 1999/2000, there is justified concern that future years may see a dramatic drop in production. At least 85% of all venison produced in Australia is exported, principally to Europe. At least 90% of all velvet antler produced is exported in an unprocessed state to Asia. Schemes to promote Australian deer products continue to have a positive effect on sales that in turn have a positive effect on prices paid to growers. The industry appears to be showing limited signs that it is emerging from a state of depression caused by both internal and external factors that include: (i) the Asian currency downturn; (ii) the industrys lack of competitive advantage in influential markets (particularly in respect to New Zealand competition), and; (iii) within industry processing and marketing competition for limited product volumes of venison. From the formation of the Australian Deer Breeders Federation in 1979, the industry representative body has evolved through the Deer Farmers Federation of Australia to the Deer Industry Association of Australia Ltd (DIAA), which was registered in 1995. The industry has established two product development and marketing companies, the Australian Deer Horn and Co-Products Pty Ltd (ADH) and the Deer Industry Projects and Development Pty Ltd, which trades as the Deer Industry Company (DIC). ADH collects and markets Australian deer horn and co-products on behalf of Australian deer farmers. It promotes the harvest of velvet antler according to the strict quality assurance program promoted by the industry. The company also plans and co-ordinates regular velvet accreditation courses for Australian deer farmers. Estimates suggest that until the early 1990s the rate of the annual increase in the number of farmed deer was up to 25%, but after 1993 this rate of increase fell to probably less than 10%. The main reasons for the decline in the deer herd growth rate at such a critical time for the market were: (i) severe drought conditions up to 1998 affecting eastern Australia during 1993-96 and (ii) the consequent slaughter of large numbers of breeding females, at very low prices. These factors combined to decrease confidence within the industry. Lack of confidence saw a drop in new investment within the industry and a lack of willingness of established farmers to expand their herds. With the development of strong overseas markets for venison and velvet and the prospect of better seasons ahead in 1996, the trends described were seen to have been significantly reversed. However, the relatively small size of the Australian herd was seen to impose undesirable restraints on the rate at which herd numbers could be expanded to meet the demands for products. Supply difficulties were exacerbated when the supply of products, particularly venison, was maintained by the slaughter of young breeding females. The net result was depletion of the industrys female breeding herds. Industry programs are funded by statutory levies on sales of animals for venison, velvet antler sales and the sale of live animals into export markets. The industry has a 1996 2000 five year plan including animal nutrition, pasture quality, carcass quality, antler harvesting, promotional material and technical bulletins. All projects have generated a significant volume of information, which compliments similar work undertaken in New Zealand and other deer farming countries. Major projects funded by levy funds include the Venison Market Project from 1992 to 1996. This initiative resulted in a dramatic increase in international demand for Australian venison and an increase in the domestic consumption of venison. In an effort to maintain existing venison markets in the short term and to increase them in the long term, in 1997 the industrys top priority became the increase in size and production capacity of the national herd. | Current economic conditions in Asian countries have had positive effect on the Australian deer industry. | n |
id_1981 | Deer Farming in Australia Deer are not indigenous to Australia. They were introduced into the country during the nineteenth century under the acclimatization programs governing the introduction of exotic species of animals and birds into Australia. Six species of deer were released at various locations. The animals dispersed and established wild populations at various locations across Australia, mostly depending upon their points of release into the wild. These animals formed the basis for the deer industry in Australia today. Commercial deer farming in Australia commenced in Victoria in 1971 with the authorized capture of rusa deer from the Royal National Park, NSW. Until 1985, only four species of deer, two from temperate climates (red, fallow) and two tropical species (rusa, chital) were confined for commercial farming. Late in 1985, pressure from industry to increase herd numbers saw the development of import protocols. This resulted in the introduction of large numbers of red deer hybrids from New Zealand and North American elk directly from Canada. The national farmed deer herd is now distributed throughout all states although most are in New South Wales and Victoria. The number of animals processed annually has continued to increase, despite the downward trend in venison prices since 1997. Of concern is the apparent increase in the number of female animals processed and the number of whole herds committed for processing. With more than 40,000 animals processed in 1998/99 and 60,000 in 1999/2000, there is justified concern that future years may see a dramatic drop in production. At least 85% of all venison produced in Australia is exported, principally to Europe. At least 90% of all velvet antler produced is exported in an unprocessed state to Asia. Schemes to promote Australian deer products continue to have a positive effect on sales that in turn have a positive effect on prices paid to growers. The industry appears to be showing limited signs that it is emerging from a state of depression caused by both internal and external factors that include: (i) the Asian currency downturn; (ii) the industrys lack of competitive advantage in influential markets (particularly in respect to New Zealand competition), and; (iii) within industry processing and marketing competition for limited product volumes of venison. From the formation of the Australian Deer Breeders Federation in 1979, the industry representative body has evolved through the Deer Farmers Federation of Australia to the Deer Industry Association of Australia Ltd (DIAA), which was registered in 1995. The industry has established two product development and marketing companies, the Australian Deer Horn and Co-Products Pty Ltd (ADH) and the Deer Industry Projects and Development Pty Ltd, which trades as the Deer Industry Company (DIC). ADH collects and markets Australian deer horn and co-products on behalf of Australian deer farmers. It promotes the harvest of velvet antler according to the strict quality assurance program promoted by the industry. The company also plans and co-ordinates regular velvet accreditation courses for Australian deer farmers. Estimates suggest that until the early 1990s the rate of the annual increase in the number of farmed deer was up to 25%, but after 1993 this rate of increase fell to probably less than 10%. The main reasons for the decline in the deer herd growth rate at such a critical time for the market were: (i) severe drought conditions up to 1998 affecting eastern Australia during 1993-96 and (ii) the consequent slaughter of large numbers of breeding females, at very low prices. These factors combined to decrease confidence within the industry. Lack of confidence saw a drop in new investment within the industry and a lack of willingness of established farmers to expand their herds. With the development of strong overseas markets for venison and velvet and the prospect of better seasons ahead in 1996, the trends described were seen to have been significantly reversed. However, the relatively small size of the Australian herd was seen to impose undesirable restraints on the rate at which herd numbers could be expanded to meet the demands for products. Supply difficulties were exacerbated when the supply of products, particularly venison, was maintained by the slaughter of young breeding females. The net result was depletion of the industrys female breeding herds. Industry programs are funded by statutory levies on sales of animals for venison, velvet antler sales and the sale of live animals into export markets. The industry has a 1996 2000 five year plan including animal nutrition, pasture quality, carcass quality, antler harvesting, promotional material and technical bulletins. All projects have generated a significant volume of information, which compliments similar work undertaken in New Zealand and other deer farming countries. Major projects funded by levy funds include the Venison Market Project from 1992 to 1996. This initiative resulted in a dramatic increase in international demand for Australian venison and an increase in the domestic consumption of venison. In an effort to maintain existing venison markets in the short term and to increase them in the long term, in 1997 the industrys top priority became the increase in size and production capacity of the national herd. | Only a small amount of Australian venison production is consumed domestically. | e |
id_1982 | Deer Farming in Australia Deer are not indigenous to Australia. They were introduced into the country during the nineteenth century under the acclimatization programs governing the introduction of exotic species of animals and birds into Australia. Six species of deer were released at various locations. The animals dispersed and established wild populations at various locations across Australia, mostly depending upon their points of release into the wild. These animals formed the basis for the deer industry in Australia today. Commercial deer farming in Australia commenced in Victoria in 1971 with the authorized capture of rusa deer from the Royal National Park, NSW. Until 1985, only four species of deer, two from temperate climates (red, fallow) and two tropical species (rusa, chital) were confined for commercial farming. Late in 1985, pressure from industry to increase herd numbers saw the development of import protocols. This resulted in the introduction of large numbers of red deer hybrids from New Zealand and North American elk directly from Canada. The national farmed deer herd is now distributed throughout all states although most are in New South Wales and Victoria. The number of animals processed annually has continued to increase, despite the downward trend in venison prices since 1997. Of concern is the apparent increase in the number of female animals processed and the number of whole herds committed for processing. With more than 40,000 animals processed in 1998/99 and 60,000 in 1999/2000, there is justified concern that future years may see a dramatic drop in production. At least 85% of all venison produced in Australia is exported, principally to Europe. At least 90% of all velvet antler produced is exported in an unprocessed state to Asia. Schemes to promote Australian deer products continue to have a positive effect on sales that in turn have a positive effect on prices paid to growers. The industry appears to be showing limited signs that it is emerging from a state of depression caused by both internal and external factors that include: (i) the Asian currency downturn; (ii) the industrys lack of competitive advantage in influential markets (particularly in respect to New Zealand competition), and; (iii) within industry processing and marketing competition for limited product volumes of venison. From the formation of the Australian Deer Breeders Federation in 1979, the industry representative body has evolved through the Deer Farmers Federation of Australia to the Deer Industry Association of Australia Ltd (DIAA), which was registered in 1995. The industry has established two product development and marketing companies, the Australian Deer Horn and Co-Products Pty Ltd (ADH) and the Deer Industry Projects and Development Pty Ltd, which trades as the Deer Industry Company (DIC). ADH collects and markets Australian deer horn and co-products on behalf of Australian deer farmers. It promotes the harvest of velvet antler according to the strict quality assurance program promoted by the industry. The company also plans and co-ordinates regular velvet accreditation courses for Australian deer farmers. Estimates suggest that until the early 1990s the rate of the annual increase in the number of farmed deer was up to 25%, but after 1993 this rate of increase fell to probably less than 10%. The main reasons for the decline in the deer herd growth rate at such a critical time for the market were: (i) severe drought conditions up to 1998 affecting eastern Australia during 1993-96 and (ii) the consequent slaughter of large numbers of breeding females, at very low prices. These factors combined to decrease confidence within the industry. Lack of confidence saw a drop in new investment within the industry and a lack of willingness of established farmers to expand their herds. With the development of strong overseas markets for venison and velvet and the prospect of better seasons ahead in 1996, the trends described were seen to have been significantly reversed. However, the relatively small size of the Australian herd was seen to impose undesirable restraints on the rate at which herd numbers could be expanded to meet the demands for products. Supply difficulties were exacerbated when the supply of products, particularly venison, was maintained by the slaughter of young breeding females. The net result was depletion of the industrys female breeding herds. Industry programs are funded by statutory levies on sales of animals for venison, velvet antler sales and the sale of live animals into export markets. The industry has a 1996 2000 five year plan including animal nutrition, pasture quality, carcass quality, antler harvesting, promotional material and technical bulletins. All projects have generated a significant volume of information, which compliments similar work undertaken in New Zealand and other deer farming countries. Major projects funded by levy funds include the Venison Market Project from 1992 to 1996. This initiative resulted in a dramatic increase in international demand for Australian venison and an increase in the domestic consumption of venison. In an effort to maintain existing venison markets in the short term and to increase them in the long term, in 1997 the industrys top priority became the increase in size and production capacity of the national herd. | The drop in deer numbers since 1997 led to an increase in the price of venison. | c |
id_1983 | Deer Farming in Australia Deer are not indigenous to Australia. They were introduced into the country during the nineteenth century under the acclimatization programs governing the introduction of exotic species of animals and birds into Australia. Six species of deer were released at various locations. The animals dispersed and established wild populations at various locations across Australia, mostly depending upon their points of release into the wild. These animals formed the basis for the deer industry in Australia today. Commercial deer farming in Australia commenced in Victoria in 1971 with the authorized capture of rusa deer from the Royal National Park, NSW. Until 1985, only four species of deer, two from temperate climates (red, fallow) and two tropical species (rusa, chital) were confined for commercial farming. Late in 1985, pressure from industry to increase herd numbers saw the development of import protocols. This resulted in the introduction of large numbers of red deer hybrids from New Zealand and North American elk directly from Canada. The national farmed deer herd is now distributed throughout all states although most are in New South Wales and Victoria. The number of animals processed annually has continued to increase, despite the downward trend in venison prices since 1997. Of concern is the apparent increase in the number of female animals processed and the number of whole herds committed for processing. With more than 40,000 animals processed in 1998/99 and 60,000 in 1999/2000, there is justified concern that future years may see a dramatic drop in production. At least 85% of all venison produced in Australia is exported, principally to Europe. At least 90% of all velvet antler produced is exported in an unprocessed state to Asia. Schemes to promote Australian deer products continue to have a positive effect on sales that in turn have a positive effect on prices paid to growers. The industry appears to be showing limited signs that it is emerging from a state of depression caused by both internal and external factors that include: (i) the Asian currency downturn; (ii) the industrys lack of competitive advantage in influential markets (particularly in respect to New Zealand competition), and; (iii) within industry processing and marketing competition for limited product volumes of venison. From the formation of the Australian Deer Breeders Federation in 1979, the industry representative body has evolved through the Deer Farmers Federation of Australia to the Deer Industry Association of Australia Ltd (DIAA), which was registered in 1995. The industry has established two product development and marketing companies, the Australian Deer Horn and Co-Products Pty Ltd (ADH) and the Deer Industry Projects and Development Pty Ltd, which trades as the Deer Industry Company (DIC). ADH collects and markets Australian deer horn and co-products on behalf of Australian deer farmers. It promotes the harvest of velvet antler according to the strict quality assurance program promoted by the industry. The company also plans and co-ordinates regular velvet accreditation courses for Australian deer farmers. Estimates suggest that until the early 1990s the rate of the annual increase in the number of farmed deer was up to 25%, but after 1993 this rate of increase fell to probably less than 10%. The main reasons for the decline in the deer herd growth rate at such a critical time for the market were: (i) severe drought conditions up to 1998 affecting eastern Australia during 1993-96 and (ii) the consequent slaughter of large numbers of breeding females, at very low prices. These factors combined to decrease confidence within the industry. Lack of confidence saw a drop in new investment within the industry and a lack of willingness of established farmers to expand their herds. With the development of strong overseas markets for venison and velvet and the prospect of better seasons ahead in 1996, the trends described were seen to have been significantly reversed. However, the relatively small size of the Australian herd was seen to impose undesirable restraints on the rate at which herd numbers could be expanded to meet the demands for products. Supply difficulties were exacerbated when the supply of products, particularly venison, was maintained by the slaughter of young breeding females. The net result was depletion of the industrys female breeding herds. Industry programs are funded by statutory levies on sales of animals for venison, velvet antler sales and the sale of live animals into export markets. The industry has a 1996 2000 five year plan including animal nutrition, pasture quality, carcass quality, antler harvesting, promotional material and technical bulletins. All projects have generated a significant volume of information, which compliments similar work undertaken in New Zealand and other deer farming countries. Major projects funded by levy funds include the Venison Market Project from 1992 to 1996. This initiative resulted in a dramatic increase in international demand for Australian venison and an increase in the domestic consumption of venison. In an effort to maintain existing venison markets in the short term and to increase them in the long term, in 1997 the industrys top priority became the increase in size and production capacity of the national herd. | Since 1985 many imported deer have been interbred with the established herds. | n |
id_1984 | Demand for mobile phones in underdeveloped markets such as China and India is leading to ever-higher predictions for global sales. This year analysts have raised their forecasts for the third time to 640 million handsets. This is almost 100 million higher than forecast at the beginning of the year. Some are already forecasting that over 700 million handsets will be sold next year, with analysts convinced that record demand will continue in both developing and mature markets. Only five years ago, total sales were at a global level of 200 million. | Forecast global sales stand 500 million handsets higher than actual sales five years ago. | c |
id_1985 | Demand for mobile phones in underdeveloped markets such as China and India is leading to ever-higher predictions for global sales. This year analysts have raised their forecasts for the third time to 640 million handsets. This is almost 100 million higher than forecast at the beginning of the year. Some are already forecasting that over 700 million handsets will be sold next year, with analysts convinced that record demand will continue in both developing and mature markets. Only five years ago, total sales were at a global level of 200 million. | Next years predicted record sales are attributed to continued growth in newer markets. | c |
id_1986 | Demand for mobile phones in underdeveloped markets such as China and India is leading to ever-higher predictions for global sales. This year analysts have raised their forecasts for the third time to 640 million handsets. This is almost 100 million higher than forecast at the beginning of the year. Some are already forecasting that over 700 million handsets will be sold next year, with analysts convinced that record demand will continue in both developing and mature markets. Only five years ago, total sales were at a global level of 200 million. | The most recent increase in this years forecast for sales was almost 100 million handsets higher than the previous forecast. | c |
id_1987 | Dense fog disrupted movement of several passenger trains under East Central Railway (ECR) division. Many trains on Patna-New Delhi-Patna route were delayed due to dense fog. | Revenue of ECR decreased in the months of winter. | e |
id_1988 | Dense fog disrupted movement of several passenger trains under East Central Railway (ECR) division. Many trains on Patna-New Delhi-Patna route were delayed due to dense fog. | Only the trains operating under ECR get delayed in the winter season. | c |
id_1989 | Dense fog disrupted movement of several passenger trains under East Central Railway (ECR) division. Many trains on Patna-New Delhi-Patna route were delayed due to dense fog. | Fogs are the major reason for the delay of trains in winter season. | c |
id_1990 | Dense fog disrupted movement of several passenger trains under East Central Railway (ECR) division. Many trains on Patna-New Delhi-Patna route were delayed due to dense fog. | Fogs are the major reason for the cancellation of train in the winter season. | c |
id_1991 | Designed To Last Could better design cure our throwaway culture? Jonathan Chapman, a senior lecturer at the University of Brighton, UK, is one of a new breed of sustainable designers. Like many of us, they are concerned about the huge waste associated with Western consumer culture and the damage this does to the environment. Some, like Chapman, aim to create objects we will want to keep rather than discard. Others are working to create more efficient or durable consumer goods or goods designed with recycling in mind. The waste entailed in our fleeting relationships with consumer durables is colossal Domestic power tools, such as electric drills, are a typical example of such waste. However much DIY the purchaser plans to do, the truth is that these things are thrown away having been used, on average, for just ten minutes. Most will serve conscience time, gathering dust on a shelf in the garage; people are reluctant to admit that they have wasted their money. However, the end is inevitable for thousands of years in landfill waste sites. In its design, manufacture, packaging, transportation, and disposal, a power tool consumes many times its own weight in resources, all for a shorter active lifespan than that of the average small insect. To understand why we have become so wasteful, we should look to the underlying motivation of consumers. People own things to give expression to who they are, and to show what group of people they feel they belong to Chapman says. In a world of mass production, however, that symbolism has lost much of its potency. For most of human history, people had an intimate relationship with objects they used or treasured. Often they made the objects themselves, or family members passed them on. For more specialist objects, people relied on expert manufacturers living close by, whom they probably knew personally. Chapman points out that all these factors gave objects a history a narrative and an emotional connection that todays mass production cannot match. Without these personal connections, consumerist culture instead idolizes novelty. We know we cant buy happiness, but the chance to remake ourselves with glossy, box-fresh products seems irresistible. When the novelty fades we simply renew the excitement by buying more new stuff: what John Thackara of Doors of Perception, a network for sharing ideas about the future of design, calls the schlock of the new. As a sustainable designer, Chapmans solution is what he calls emotionally durable design. Think about your favourite old jeans. They just dont have the right feel until they have been worn and washed a hundred times, do they? It is like they are sharing your life story. You can fake that look, but it isnt the same. Chapman says the gradual unfolding of a relationship like this transforms our interactions with objects into something richer than simple utility. Swiss industrial analyst Walter Stahel, visiting professor at the University of Surrey, calls it the teddy-bear factor. No matter how ragged and worn a favourite teddy becomes, we dont rush out and buy another one. As adults, our teddy bear connects us to our childhoods, and this protects it from obsolescence Stahel says this is what sustainable design needs to do. It is not simply about making durable items that people want to keep. Sustainable design is a matter of properly costing the whole process of production, energy use, and disposal. It is about the design of systems, the design of culture, says Tim Cooper from the Centre for Sustainable Consumption at Sheffield Hallam University in Britain. He thinks sustainable design has been surprisingly slow to take off but says looming environmental crises and resource depletion are pushing it to the top of the agenda. Thackara agrees. For him, the roots of impending environmental collapse can be summarized in two words: weight and speed. We are making more stuff than the planet can sustain and using vast amounts of energy moving more and more of it around ever faster. The Information Age was supposed to lighten our economies and reduce our impact on the environment, but the reverse seems to be happening. We have simply added information technology to the industrial era and hastened the developed worlds metabolism, Thackara argues. Once you grasp that, the cure is hardly rocket science: minimize waste and energy use, stop moving stuff around so much and use people more. EZIO MANZINI, Professor of industrial design at Politecnico di Milano University, Italy, describes the process of moving to a post-throwaway society as changing the engine of an aircraft in mid-flight Even so, he believes it can be done, and he is not alone. Manzini says a crucial step would be to redesign our globalized world into what he calls the multi-local society. His vision is that every resource, from food to electricity generation, should as far as possible be sourced and distributed locally. These local hubs would then be connected to national and global networks to allow the most efficient use and flow of materials. So what will post-throwaway consumerism look like? For a start, we will increasingly buy sustainably designed products. This might be as simple as installing energy-saving light bulbs, more efficient washing machines, or choosing locally produced groceries with less packaging. We will spend less on material goods and more on services. Instead of buying a second car, for example, we might buy into a car-sharing network. We will also buy less and rent a whole lot more: why own things that you hardly use, especially things that are likely to be updated all the time? Consumer durables will be sold with plans already in place for their disposal. Electronic goods will be designed to be recyclable, with the extra cost added to the retail price as prepayment. As consumers become increasingly concerned about the environment, many big businesses are eagerly adopting sustainable design and brushing up their green credentials to please their customers and stay one step ahead of the competition. | People often buy things that are seldom used and throw them away. | e |
id_1992 | Designed To Last Could better design cure our throwaway culture? Jonathan Chapman, a senior lecturer at the University of Brighton, UK, is one of a new breed of sustainable designers. Like many of us, they are concerned about the huge waste associated with Western consumer culture and the damage this does to the environment. Some, like Chapman, aim to create objects we will want to keep rather than discard. Others are working to create more efficient or durable consumer goods or goods designed with recycling in mind. The waste entailed in our fleeting relationships with consumer durables is colossal Domestic power tools, such as electric drills, are a typical example of such waste. However much DIY the purchaser plans to do, the truth is that these things are thrown away having been used, on average, for just ten minutes. Most will serve conscience time, gathering dust on a shelf in the garage; people are reluctant to admit that they have wasted their money. However, the end is inevitable for thousands of years in landfill waste sites. In its design, manufacture, packaging, transportation, and disposal, a power tool consumes many times its own weight in resources, all for a shorter active lifespan than that of the average small insect. To understand why we have become so wasteful, we should look to the underlying motivation of consumers. People own things to give expression to who they are, and to show what group of people they feel they belong to Chapman says. In a world of mass production, however, that symbolism has lost much of its potency. For most of human history, people had an intimate relationship with objects they used or treasured. Often they made the objects themselves, or family members passed them on. For more specialist objects, people relied on expert manufacturers living close by, whom they probably knew personally. Chapman points out that all these factors gave objects a history a narrative and an emotional connection that todays mass production cannot match. Without these personal connections, consumerist culture instead idolizes novelty. We know we cant buy happiness, but the chance to remake ourselves with glossy, box-fresh products seems irresistible. When the novelty fades we simply renew the excitement by buying more new stuff: what John Thackara of Doors of Perception, a network for sharing ideas about the future of design, calls the schlock of the new. As a sustainable designer, Chapmans solution is what he calls emotionally durable design. Think about your favourite old jeans. They just dont have the right feel until they have been worn and washed a hundred times, do they? It is like they are sharing your life story. You can fake that look, but it isnt the same. Chapman says the gradual unfolding of a relationship like this transforms our interactions with objects into something richer than simple utility. Swiss industrial analyst Walter Stahel, visiting professor at the University of Surrey, calls it the teddy-bear factor. No matter how ragged and worn a favourite teddy becomes, we dont rush out and buy another one. As adults, our teddy bear connects us to our childhoods, and this protects it from obsolescence Stahel says this is what sustainable design needs to do. It is not simply about making durable items that people want to keep. Sustainable design is a matter of properly costing the whole process of production, energy use, and disposal. It is about the design of systems, the design of culture, says Tim Cooper from the Centre for Sustainable Consumption at Sheffield Hallam University in Britain. He thinks sustainable design has been surprisingly slow to take off but says looming environmental crises and resource depletion are pushing it to the top of the agenda. Thackara agrees. For him, the roots of impending environmental collapse can be summarized in two words: weight and speed. We are making more stuff than the planet can sustain and using vast amounts of energy moving more and more of it around ever faster. The Information Age was supposed to lighten our economies and reduce our impact on the environment, but the reverse seems to be happening. We have simply added information technology to the industrial era and hastened the developed worlds metabolism, Thackara argues. Once you grasp that, the cure is hardly rocket science: minimize waste and energy use, stop moving stuff around so much and use people more. EZIO MANZINI, Professor of industrial design at Politecnico di Milano University, Italy, describes the process of moving to a post-throwaway society as changing the engine of an aircraft in mid-flight Even so, he believes it can be done, and he is not alone. Manzini says a crucial step would be to redesign our globalized world into what he calls the multi-local society. His vision is that every resource, from food to electricity generation, should as far as possible be sourced and distributed locally. These local hubs would then be connected to national and global networks to allow the most efficient use and flow of materials. So what will post-throwaway consumerism look like? For a start, we will increasingly buy sustainably designed products. This might be as simple as installing energy-saving light bulbs, more efficient washing machines, or choosing locally produced groceries with less packaging. We will spend less on material goods and more on services. Instead of buying a second car, for example, we might buy into a car-sharing network. We will also buy less and rent a whole lot more: why own things that you hardly use, especially things that are likely to be updated all the time? Consumer durables will be sold with plans already in place for their disposal. Electronic goods will be designed to be recyclable, with the extra cost added to the retail price as prepayment. As consumers become increasingly concerned about the environment, many big businesses are eagerly adopting sustainable design and brushing up their green credentials to please their customers and stay one step ahead of the competition. | In a post-throwaway society, we will pay extra money after disposing of electronic goods. | c |
id_1993 | Designed To Last Could better design cure our throwaway culture? Jonathan Chapman, a senior lecturer at the University of Brighton, UK, is one of a new breed of sustainable designers. Like many of us, they are concerned about the huge waste associated with Western consumer culture and the damage this does to the environment. Some, like Chapman, aim to create objects we will want to keep rather than discard. Others are working to create more efficient or durable consumer goods or goods designed with recycling in mind. The waste entailed in our fleeting relationships with consumer durables is colossal Domestic power tools, such as electric drills, are a typical example of such waste. However much DIY the purchaser plans to do, the truth is that these things are thrown away having been used, on average, for just ten minutes. Most will serve conscience time, gathering dust on a shelf in the garage; people are reluctant to admit that they have wasted their money. However, the end is inevitable for thousands of years in landfill waste sites. In its design, manufacture, packaging, transportation, and disposal, a power tool consumes many times its own weight in resources, all for a shorter active lifespan than that of the average small insect. To understand why we have become so wasteful, we should look to the underlying motivation of consumers. People own things to give expression to who they are, and to show what group of people they feel they belong to Chapman says. In a world of mass production, however, that symbolism has lost much of its potency. For most of human history, people had an intimate relationship with objects they used or treasured. Often they made the objects themselves, or family members passed them on. For more specialist objects, people relied on expert manufacturers living close by, whom they probably knew personally. Chapman points out that all these factors gave objects a history a narrative and an emotional connection that todays mass production cannot match. Without these personal connections, consumerist culture instead idolizes novelty. We know we cant buy happiness, but the chance to remake ourselves with glossy, box-fresh products seems irresistible. When the novelty fades we simply renew the excitement by buying more new stuff: what John Thackara of Doors of Perception, a network for sharing ideas about the future of design, calls the schlock of the new. As a sustainable designer, Chapmans solution is what he calls emotionally durable design. Think about your favourite old jeans. They just dont have the right feel until they have been worn and washed a hundred times, do they? It is like they are sharing your life story. You can fake that look, but it isnt the same. Chapman says the gradual unfolding of a relationship like this transforms our interactions with objects into something richer than simple utility. Swiss industrial analyst Walter Stahel, visiting professor at the University of Surrey, calls it the teddy-bear factor. No matter how ragged and worn a favourite teddy becomes, we dont rush out and buy another one. As adults, our teddy bear connects us to our childhoods, and this protects it from obsolescence Stahel says this is what sustainable design needs to do. It is not simply about making durable items that people want to keep. Sustainable design is a matter of properly costing the whole process of production, energy use, and disposal. It is about the design of systems, the design of culture, says Tim Cooper from the Centre for Sustainable Consumption at Sheffield Hallam University in Britain. He thinks sustainable design has been surprisingly slow to take off but says looming environmental crises and resource depletion are pushing it to the top of the agenda. Thackara agrees. For him, the roots of impending environmental collapse can be summarized in two words: weight and speed. We are making more stuff than the planet can sustain and using vast amounts of energy moving more and more of it around ever faster. The Information Age was supposed to lighten our economies and reduce our impact on the environment, but the reverse seems to be happening. We have simply added information technology to the industrial era and hastened the developed worlds metabolism, Thackara argues. Once you grasp that, the cure is hardly rocket science: minimize waste and energy use, stop moving stuff around so much and use people more. EZIO MANZINI, Professor of industrial design at Politecnico di Milano University, Italy, describes the process of moving to a post-throwaway society as changing the engine of an aircraft in mid-flight Even so, he believes it can be done, and he is not alone. Manzini says a crucial step would be to redesign our globalized world into what he calls the multi-local society. His vision is that every resource, from food to electricity generation, should as far as possible be sourced and distributed locally. These local hubs would then be connected to national and global networks to allow the most efficient use and flow of materials. So what will post-throwaway consumerism look like? For a start, we will increasingly buy sustainably designed products. This might be as simple as installing energy-saving light bulbs, more efficient washing machines, or choosing locally produced groceries with less packaging. We will spend less on material goods and more on services. Instead of buying a second car, for example, we might buy into a car-sharing network. We will also buy less and rent a whole lot more: why own things that you hardly use, especially things that are likely to be updated all the time? Consumer durables will be sold with plans already in place for their disposal. Electronic goods will be designed to be recyclable, with the extra cost added to the retail price as prepayment. As consumers become increasingly concerned about the environment, many big businesses are eagerly adopting sustainable design and brushing up their green credentials to please their customers and stay one step ahead of the competition. | Some businesses have jumped on the sustainability bandwagon. | e |
id_1994 | Designed To Last Could better design cure our throwaway culture? Jonathan Chapman, a senior lecturer at the University of Brighton, UK, is one of a new breed of sustainable designers. Like many of us, they are concerned about the huge waste associated with Western consumer culture and the damage this does to the environment. Some, like Chapman, aim to create objects we will want to keep rather than discard. Others are working to create more efficient or durable consumer goods or goods designed with recycling in mind. The waste entailed in our fleeting relationships with consumer durables is colossal Domestic power tools, such as electric drills, are a typical example of such waste. However much DIY the purchaser plans to do, the truth is that these things are thrown away having been used, on average, for just ten minutes. Most will serve conscience time, gathering dust on a shelf in the garage; people are reluctant to admit that they have wasted their money. However, the end is inevitable for thousands of years in landfill waste sites. In its design, manufacture, packaging, transportation, and disposal, a power tool consumes many times its own weight in resources, all for a shorter active lifespan than that of the average small insect. To understand why we have become so wasteful, we should look to the underlying motivation of consumers. People own things to give expression to who they are, and to show what group of people they feel they belong to Chapman says. In a world of mass production, however, that symbolism has lost much of its potency. For most of human history, people had an intimate relationship with objects they used or treasured. Often they made the objects themselves, or family members passed them on. For more specialist objects, people relied on expert manufacturers living close by, whom they probably knew personally. Chapman points out that all these factors gave objects a history a narrative and an emotional connection that todays mass production cannot match. Without these personal connections, consumerist culture instead idolizes novelty. We know we cant buy happiness, but the chance to remake ourselves with glossy, box-fresh products seems irresistible. When the novelty fades we simply renew the excitement by buying more new stuff: what John Thackara of Doors of Perception, a network for sharing ideas about the future of design, calls the schlock of the new. As a sustainable designer, Chapmans solution is what he calls emotionally durable design. Think about your favourite old jeans. They just dont have the right feel until they have been worn and washed a hundred times, do they? It is like they are sharing your life story. You can fake that look, but it isnt the same. Chapman says the gradual unfolding of a relationship like this transforms our interactions with objects into something richer than simple utility. Swiss industrial analyst Walter Stahel, visiting professor at the University of Surrey, calls it the teddy-bear factor. No matter how ragged and worn a favourite teddy becomes, we dont rush out and buy another one. As adults, our teddy bear connects us to our childhoods, and this protects it from obsolescence Stahel says this is what sustainable design needs to do. It is not simply about making durable items that people want to keep. Sustainable design is a matter of properly costing the whole process of production, energy use, and disposal. It is about the design of systems, the design of culture, says Tim Cooper from the Centre for Sustainable Consumption at Sheffield Hallam University in Britain. He thinks sustainable design has been surprisingly slow to take off but says looming environmental crises and resource depletion are pushing it to the top of the agenda. Thackara agrees. For him, the roots of impending environmental collapse can be summarized in two words: weight and speed. We are making more stuff than the planet can sustain and using vast amounts of energy moving more and more of it around ever faster. The Information Age was supposed to lighten our economies and reduce our impact on the environment, but the reverse seems to be happening. We have simply added information technology to the industrial era and hastened the developed worlds metabolism, Thackara argues. Once you grasp that, the cure is hardly rocket science: minimize waste and energy use, stop moving stuff around so much and use people more. EZIO MANZINI, Professor of industrial design at Politecnico di Milano University, Italy, describes the process of moving to a post-throwaway society as changing the engine of an aircraft in mid-flight Even so, he believes it can be done, and he is not alone. Manzini says a crucial step would be to redesign our globalized world into what he calls the multi-local society. His vision is that every resource, from food to electricity generation, should as far as possible be sourced and distributed locally. These local hubs would then be connected to national and global networks to allow the most efficient use and flow of materials. So what will post-throwaway consumerism look like? For a start, we will increasingly buy sustainably designed products. This might be as simple as installing energy-saving light bulbs, more efficient washing machines, or choosing locally produced groceries with less packaging. We will spend less on material goods and more on services. Instead of buying a second car, for example, we might buy into a car-sharing network. We will also buy less and rent a whole lot more: why own things that you hardly use, especially things that are likely to be updated all the time? Consumer durables will be sold with plans already in place for their disposal. Electronic goods will be designed to be recyclable, with the extra cost added to the retail price as prepayment. As consumers become increasingly concerned about the environment, many big businesses are eagerly adopting sustainable design and brushing up their green credentials to please their customers and stay one step ahead of the competition. | The company will spend less on repairs in the future. | n |
id_1995 | Designing and shipping after the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive Almost two months after the European Unions ban on the use of six environmentally unfriendly materials went into effect, designers have clear evidence that failure to meet the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive means lost sales. Palm Inc. recently announced that its Treo 650 smart phone is no longer being shipped to Europe, since it doesnt meet RoHS requirements. And several Apple Computer Inc. products will not be sold in Europe for the same reason. The EU directive, which took effect on 1st July, covers lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Electronics vendors worldwide are working to eliminate those substances from nearly all new products developed for the European market, while also adapting their manufacturing processes to a lead (Pb)-free environment. But that is only the beginning. Other countries, including China, Taiwan and South Korea, and certain U. S. states are creating their own green or RoHS-like legislation. That means RoHS compliance must become an integral part of a designers development process, with RoHS checks at each step: concept, development, prototype, first builds and volume production. Major companies will run the gamut from finding component databases of qualified green components to taking due care to prove compliance and developing processes that allow for the higher-temperature requirements of Pb-free manufacturing. And for designers, those are just the tip of the iceberg. A host of technical and reliability issues remain to be sorted out in Pb-free board processing and soldering. What it comes down to is what Ken Stanvick, senior vice president at Design Chain Associates, calls a lack of tribal knowledge on design RoHS- compliant systems. We had a great tribal knowledge when it came to dealing with leaded systems, but we havent built up that same amount of knowledge for Pb-free, he said. Every problem will be blamed on Pb-free until its been worked out. We need to figure out tests that replicate more of the environment and different stresses that were going to see in this new system. Manny Marcano, president and CEO of EMA Design Automation Inc. (Rochester, N. Y. ), cited the impact of parts obsolescence, including the need to redesign older products and the resultant emphasis on component engineering at the expense of conceptual design. A key challenge is identifying RoHS design specifications as early as possible in the design process, he said. But even before they get to that point, designers must understand whether they are designing a fully compliant product or one thats subject to some exemptions, said Robert Chinn, director for consultant firm PRTM (Mountain View, Calif. ). This affects their design parameters, he said. Previously, they looked at components based on size, performance, electrical parameters, features and functionality. Now they have to add on a new constraint, revolving around environmental compliance: Is it RoHS 6-compliant or is it RoHS 5-compliant? (RoHS 6 components eliminate all six of the banned substances, while RoHS 5 models, because of exemptions, still contain lead. ) If designers do not take RoHS seriously, any country that can prove a product does not comply can levy fines against the vendor. That can cost market share, Marcano said, since noncompliant companies become noncompetitive. And then, not being prepared can mean belatedly diverting resources to RoHS compliance, causing missed market opportunities. But many industry observers believe smaller and medium-size companies will continue to be complacent about the RoHS transition until some major company is cited for non-compliance. When that happens, there will be an earthquake throughout the industry, and it will wake up every design engineer, said Steve Schultz, director of strategic planning and communications at Avnet Logistics and program manager for the distributors compliance efforts for RoHS in the Americas. The product developers RoHS concerns center on the fear of lost revenue from a product ban, a customer who demands a RoHS-compliant product that the company doesnt have, or competition, said Harvey Stone, managing director for consultancy GoodBye Chain Group (Colorado Springs, Colo. ). With price, quality and service being relatively equal, a savvy customer is going to choose a RoHS-compliant product, he said. Meanwhile, designers are looking over their shoulders at several other and potentially stricter environmental regulations in the pipeline. These include the EUs Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals legislation, which could restrict the use of thousands of chemicals, and its Energyusing Products (EuP) directive, which will initially target energy-efficiency requirements. | The Energy-using directive will be introduced in the very near future. | n |
id_1996 | Designing and shipping after the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive Almost two months after the European Unions ban on the use of six environmentally unfriendly materials went into effect, designers have clear evidence that failure to meet the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive means lost sales. Palm Inc. recently announced that its Treo 650 smart phone is no longer being shipped to Europe, since it doesnt meet RoHS requirements. And several Apple Computer Inc. products will not be sold in Europe for the same reason. The EU directive, which took effect on 1st July, covers lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Electronics vendors worldwide are working to eliminate those substances from nearly all new products developed for the European market, while also adapting their manufacturing processes to a lead (Pb)-free environment. But that is only the beginning. Other countries, including China, Taiwan and South Korea, and certain U. S. states are creating their own green or RoHS-like legislation. That means RoHS compliance must become an integral part of a designers development process, with RoHS checks at each step: concept, development, prototype, first builds and volume production. Major companies will run the gamut from finding component databases of qualified green components to taking due care to prove compliance and developing processes that allow for the higher-temperature requirements of Pb-free manufacturing. And for designers, those are just the tip of the iceberg. A host of technical and reliability issues remain to be sorted out in Pb-free board processing and soldering. What it comes down to is what Ken Stanvick, senior vice president at Design Chain Associates, calls a lack of tribal knowledge on design RoHS- compliant systems. We had a great tribal knowledge when it came to dealing with leaded systems, but we havent built up that same amount of knowledge for Pb-free, he said. Every problem will be blamed on Pb-free until its been worked out. We need to figure out tests that replicate more of the environment and different stresses that were going to see in this new system. Manny Marcano, president and CEO of EMA Design Automation Inc. (Rochester, N. Y. ), cited the impact of parts obsolescence, including the need to redesign older products and the resultant emphasis on component engineering at the expense of conceptual design. A key challenge is identifying RoHS design specifications as early as possible in the design process, he said. But even before they get to that point, designers must understand whether they are designing a fully compliant product or one thats subject to some exemptions, said Robert Chinn, director for consultant firm PRTM (Mountain View, Calif. ). This affects their design parameters, he said. Previously, they looked at components based on size, performance, electrical parameters, features and functionality. Now they have to add on a new constraint, revolving around environmental compliance: Is it RoHS 6-compliant or is it RoHS 5-compliant? (RoHS 6 components eliminate all six of the banned substances, while RoHS 5 models, because of exemptions, still contain lead. ) If designers do not take RoHS seriously, any country that can prove a product does not comply can levy fines against the vendor. That can cost market share, Marcano said, since noncompliant companies become noncompetitive. And then, not being prepared can mean belatedly diverting resources to RoHS compliance, causing missed market opportunities. But many industry observers believe smaller and medium-size companies will continue to be complacent about the RoHS transition until some major company is cited for non-compliance. When that happens, there will be an earthquake throughout the industry, and it will wake up every design engineer, said Steve Schultz, director of strategic planning and communications at Avnet Logistics and program manager for the distributors compliance efforts for RoHS in the Americas. The product developers RoHS concerns center on the fear of lost revenue from a product ban, a customer who demands a RoHS-compliant product that the company doesnt have, or competition, said Harvey Stone, managing director for consultancy GoodBye Chain Group (Colorado Springs, Colo. ). With price, quality and service being relatively equal, a savvy customer is going to choose a RoHS-compliant product, he said. Meanwhile, designers are looking over their shoulders at several other and potentially stricter environmental regulations in the pipeline. These include the EUs Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals legislation, which could restrict the use of thousands of chemicals, and its Energyusing Products (EuP) directive, which will initially target energy-efficiency requirements. | Smaller companies are taking the changeover to RoHS seriously. | c |
id_1997 | Designing and shipping after the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive Almost two months after the European Unions ban on the use of six environmentally unfriendly materials went into effect, designers have clear evidence that failure to meet the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive means lost sales. Palm Inc. recently announced that its Treo 650 smart phone is no longer being shipped to Europe, since it doesnt meet RoHS requirements. And several Apple Computer Inc. products will not be sold in Europe for the same reason. The EU directive, which took effect on 1st July, covers lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Electronics vendors worldwide are working to eliminate those substances from nearly all new products developed for the European market, while also adapting their manufacturing processes to a lead (Pb)-free environment. But that is only the beginning. Other countries, including China, Taiwan and South Korea, and certain U. S. states are creating their own green or RoHS-like legislation. That means RoHS compliance must become an integral part of a designers development process, with RoHS checks at each step: concept, development, prototype, first builds and volume production. Major companies will run the gamut from finding component databases of qualified green components to taking due care to prove compliance and developing processes that allow for the higher-temperature requirements of Pb-free manufacturing. And for designers, those are just the tip of the iceberg. A host of technical and reliability issues remain to be sorted out in Pb-free board processing and soldering. What it comes down to is what Ken Stanvick, senior vice president at Design Chain Associates, calls a lack of tribal knowledge on design RoHS- compliant systems. We had a great tribal knowledge when it came to dealing with leaded systems, but we havent built up that same amount of knowledge for Pb-free, he said. Every problem will be blamed on Pb-free until its been worked out. We need to figure out tests that replicate more of the environment and different stresses that were going to see in this new system. Manny Marcano, president and CEO of EMA Design Automation Inc. (Rochester, N. Y. ), cited the impact of parts obsolescence, including the need to redesign older products and the resultant emphasis on component engineering at the expense of conceptual design. A key challenge is identifying RoHS design specifications as early as possible in the design process, he said. But even before they get to that point, designers must understand whether they are designing a fully compliant product or one thats subject to some exemptions, said Robert Chinn, director for consultant firm PRTM (Mountain View, Calif. ). This affects their design parameters, he said. Previously, they looked at components based on size, performance, electrical parameters, features and functionality. Now they have to add on a new constraint, revolving around environmental compliance: Is it RoHS 6-compliant or is it RoHS 5-compliant? (RoHS 6 components eliminate all six of the banned substances, while RoHS 5 models, because of exemptions, still contain lead. ) If designers do not take RoHS seriously, any country that can prove a product does not comply can levy fines against the vendor. That can cost market share, Marcano said, since noncompliant companies become noncompetitive. And then, not being prepared can mean belatedly diverting resources to RoHS compliance, causing missed market opportunities. But many industry observers believe smaller and medium-size companies will continue to be complacent about the RoHS transition until some major company is cited for non-compliance. When that happens, there will be an earthquake throughout the industry, and it will wake up every design engineer, said Steve Schultz, director of strategic planning and communications at Avnet Logistics and program manager for the distributors compliance efforts for RoHS in the Americas. The product developers RoHS concerns center on the fear of lost revenue from a product ban, a customer who demands a RoHS-compliant product that the company doesnt have, or competition, said Harvey Stone, managing director for consultancy GoodBye Chain Group (Colorado Springs, Colo. ). With price, quality and service being relatively equal, a savvy customer is going to choose a RoHS-compliant product, he said. Meanwhile, designers are looking over their shoulders at several other and potentially stricter environmental regulations in the pipeline. These include the EUs Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals legislation, which could restrict the use of thousands of chemicals, and its Energyusing Products (EuP) directive, which will initially target energy-efficiency requirements. | Countries can impose fines on the sellers of products that do not comply with RoHS. | e |
id_1998 | Despite an auspicious launch, sales of the year-old Lianda model plummeted last month to an all time low. Production levels were sustained in anticipation of the traditional seasonal peak and then slashed radically once this failed to materialise. The collapse is largely blamed upon inept promotion and the car is now solely available through special order from Head Office. The announcement shortly after launch of the six month minimum waiting time, led to an upsurge in complaints from customers and is thought to have dissuaded plenty of potential buyers, some of whom opted for the more expensive Especial from the same stable. Talk of the company's imminent collapse, however, is unfounded and is thought to be propaganda spread by less profitable rivals. | The company will be forced to close very shortly. | n |
id_1999 | Despite an auspicious launch, sales of the year-old Lianda model plummeted last month to an all time low. Production levels were sustained in anticipation of the traditional seasonal peak and then slashed radically once this failed to materialise. The collapse is largely blamed upon inept promotion and the car is now solely available through special order from Head Office. The announcement shortly after launch of the six month minimum waiting time, led to an upsurge in complaints from customers and is thought to have dissuaded plenty of potential buyers, some of whom opted for the more expensive Especial from the same stable. Talk of the company's imminent collapse, however, is unfounded and is thought to be propaganda spread by less profitable rivals. | Parts of the plant lay temporarily idle after Lianda production was cut. | e |
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