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This only works on Win XP Pro. It really works. I've been using it for years, some time it goes over 20% faster

China to ban tobacco marketing within four years?

I find this fascinating -- the Chinese media said today that the world's largest country by population will ban all tobacco advertising by 2011. China is currently the largest cigarette producer and consumer, which makes this announcement even more baffling.

It's estimated that there are 300 million avid smokers in China, more than the entire population of the U.S. With that fact comes an intense focus of international health concerns, but banning tobacco marketing in four years seems too short a timeframe from my viewpoint, although I applaud it heavily.

Perhaps China does not want to see a cigarette-smoking epidemic alongside its rapidly growing economy after watching an obesity epidemic explode in the U.S. recently.

Sugar found to be more addictive than cocaine

We've known for years that sugar isn't good for us. It promotes tooth decay, provides quick highs and lows and offers nothing but empty, nutritionless calories that pack on the pounds. However, it appears that it is even worse than we previously thought. Researchers recently determined that refined sugar is actually more addictive than cocaine. In a recent study rats were given a choice between sugar water and cocaine, and 94% them chose sugar. Even the rats that had previously been addicted to cocaine switched to the sugar once it was a choice. No wonder it's so hard to give up that 3 pm pack of M&M's, it's more addictive than illegal drugs.

The 10 Most caffeinated diet sodas

When most people choose a diet soda over a regular one, they are doing it for their waistline. In other words, they are only paying attention to the zero or low calorie number. Very rarely are they looking at the caffeine content.

If you are watching your caffeine intake, it's worth noting that most diet versions of their regular counterparts contain more caffeine. Though it's not the highest content among all diet drinks, Diet Coke has 30% more caffeine that regular Coke! To get an idea of how much of a difference there is, and to see how the diet sodas stack up against each other, Diet Blog has put together a list of the 10 Most Caffeinated Diet Drinks. Number one? Pepsi Max, with 69 mg of caffeine. As a reference point, 1 tsp of instant coffee powder has 57 mg of caffeine.

Of course, if you're "dieting," then you might actually appreciate that extra caffeine.

The King Is Dead: The Truth About Elvis

Elvis Presley died 30 years ago on Aug. 16. End of story.

He did not fake his death. He did not enter the witness protection program. He does not troll the nation's back roads for cheeseburgers.

He died. And he died precisely because he trolled the nation's back roads for cheeseburgers or some comparable artery-clogging delicacy. At least that was the essential conclusion of the autopsy performed on Presley back in 1977.

You know, when he died.

For the hard to convince, Find a Death has the two-page autopsy report (page 1, page 2), which cites cardiovascular disease teamed with cardiac arrhythmia as the cause of death. The report can be found on other sites as well, but Find a Death gets points for posting a PDF version that's pretty easy to read, and even more points for translating the stuff that's not at all easy to read (like the cause of death). Suffice to say, the Tennessee medical examiner who signed the report, one Dr. Jerry Francisco, suffered from a bad, bad case of illegible handwriting.

Among the report tidbits that can be readily deciphered: Elvis died in the dressing room, unclothed and, per the checked box on page one, uncircumcised. As far as we can tell, there's no mention of drugs, 'nana sandwiches, and the bathroom, which later accounts would peg as the death scene. If this doesn't jibe with what we know of Elvis' final days today, keep in mind, Francisco was on a quick turnaround schedule, releasing the initial autopsy findings on the night of Presley's death.

Yes, the night of his death.

Sorry about that.

The $40,000 iPod Shuffle

I don't quite get it, but we seem to be seeing the smallest of the iPods, the Shuffle, getting decked out more than any of the others. Now don't get me wrong, the Shuffle is cute as a button and the bling looks good on it, I just can't understand why people would bother to decorate a gadget that costs less than $100 and is the "lowest" member of its own family.

But if you're going to do it then do it all out, right? How about $40,000 worth of 'all out?' Because that's how much this pretty little diamond and gold coated iPod will run you. And for that price no detail is overlooked -- there's even diamonds and gold on the earbuds.

Girls biologically pre-disposed to pink

As the father of a daughter, I've always fought the notion that little girls had to wear pink. Every time my family asked about the kinds of clothes she needed, I told them to "buy, yellow, green, purple, anything -- anything but pink!"
But in spite of it all, my daughter loves the very color I'd been hoping she would avoid. In fact, as soon as she learned how to talk, she proudly declared it was her favorite.

According to a recent study, there was nothing I could do about it. Scientists say that, based on the way humans have evolved, girls prefer pink and boys prefer blue and that's all there is to it. Says one researcher: "There are biological reasons for [women] liking reddish things."

So ladies, next time you're choosing between a cute new pink dress and one of another color, ask yourself: "Do I really prefer the pink one, or is this just my biological pre-disposition talking?"

by: jonathon morgan

Breaking up is not that bad after all

Breaking up from that relationship is displayed in the media as one of the hardest things to do in life. But, a recent study says that breaking up really is not that hard to do. Heartbreak is easy to recover from, in other words.

If you are an ardent giver of affection, you probably feel that you would be lost in the world if a serious relationship was to go south. However, results show that those expectations did not match reality

The next time a serious relationship you have starts turning sour, will you despair or realize that you will be able to recover? Quite an interesting thought to noodle over, huh? once a split was final and both parties went their separate ways.

It's Private Jets Only For David Beckham

The rules in major league soccer in the United States state that players are not to travel by private jet so as to not seem different from the fans. That just wouldn't do for superstar David Beckham. The LA Galaxy got a special dispensation to fly Becks and the squad via private jet because Beckham is so mobbed by fans and there are security concerns. I wonder how the rest of the team feels about the special treatment. It probably doesn't do wonders for the team's reputation around the rest of the league

The Top 10 Best First Class Airlines

Flying first class used to just mean more leg room and a better meal, but anymore some airlines are really going over the top. And the word is some airlines because not all of them even offer first class anymore, having done away with it to focus instead on business class. About 35 airlines offer first class right now, and the competition is getting steeper and steeper as they all compete to get that "wow factor" from customers. They're providing everything from fully flat beds, 3:1 passenger to crew ratios, exotic high end linens, pillows, toiletries, and even 7 course gourmet meals with caviar and Dom Perignon champagne. All that's missing is a jacuzzi!

Recently Skytrax came up with their annual list of the top 10 first class airline experiences, and here's who made their cut as the best of the best:

• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Malaysia Airlines
• Thai Airways
• Emirates
• Jet Airways
• Lufthansa
• Korean Air
• Qantas Airways

Agree? Disagree? I wouldn't be opposed to trying them all and giving my opinion, if someone else would sponsor me that is...

Telecommuters work naked

Sure, it's easy to pick out an outfit for the office. Even if you're only marginally interested in fashion, chances are that you'll outshine the lackluster efforts of your mostly drab co-workers.

But what should you wear when your office...is your couch?

For those of us who telecommute, or work from home, our standard get-up for the daily grind is our favorite pair of pajamas. However, the latest trend amongst home-office types is nothing of the sort -- it's nothing at all, actually.

Naked. Nude. In the buff. That's how 1 in 8 men and 1 in 14 women like to work from home. The desire to bare all while bringing home the bacon is becoming so popular that one California-based clothing-optional resort reports that 80% of their guests aren't on vacation -- they just like to work without covering their bits and pieces.

So the next time you're chatting with your accountant, graphic designer, publicist -- or anyone else who might be free to work out of their house -- picture them naked. It's quite possible that they already are.

"Light" cigarettes may lose label in Canada

Are you fooled by the "light" and "low tar" labels on some brands of cigarettes? Although there may be a smidgen of truth under those marketing claims, smoking is smoking. In other words, I highly doubt there is a "better" version.

Some in Canadian government must agree, as proposed regulations there may soon may claims like "light" or "mild" illegal to present on cigarette packages. Oh no -- the market segmentation of cigarettes may be shot to pieces!

Anyway, three Canadian-based tobacco companies must have seen this coming, as they have already agreed to change labeling (even as of late last year). Europe and Australia already have these regulations in effect, but they're nowhere to be seen in the U.S. I guess here, all those "light" ciggies are really better for you.

Girl sent to hospital from an overdose of coffee

Evidently drinking seven double espressos isn't all that good for you. Just ask Jasmine Wills, a teenager who was taken to the hospital after overdosing on 14 shots of espresso coffee.

In her defense, she thought the cups of coffee were only single doses -- even then seven cups of espresso is probably too much for anybody to handle. I can easily get the shakes after one shot of espresso, I can't imaging what she was feeling after 14!

Yes, coffee really can be good for you, but even still -- as with anything -- you shouldn't overdo it. Researchers at Duke University found that drinking five cups of coffee a day (not even espresso, just regular coffee) could raise your blood pressure enough to increase the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Let's not forget: Caffeine -- as mild as it is -- is still classified as a drug.

Movies on your watch

First there were portable DVD players, then iPods that played video, and now the Home Theater Watch -- specially made on-the-go movie fans who have really good eyesight!

It seems stylish enough. The straightforward black band will go with most of your stuff, and the sleek, modern design will keep your new gadget from looking like a geeky sports-watch. And best of all, it holds up to 2GB worth of stuff, so you can watch a full-length movie wherever you want.

Waiting at the doctor's office? Killing time during an oil change? Stuck in traffic? Just pull up your newly downloaded copy of your favorite feature film, or a couple episodes of that hot new TV show, and you'll never have to be bored again.

Best of all, it even tells time.

Elvis Presley Piano on eBay

Elvis Presley may have forever left the building 30 years ago this month, but his memory is alive and well for fans the world over. I am one of those fans and if it were at all possible, I would buy this white Knabe & Co. Baby Grand piano, one of the original furnishings at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Alas, it is not possible. But for those who can afford the $250,000 starting bid on E-Bay, the King's very own piano could be yours.

The piano's original home was in the Ellis Auditorium & Performance Hall in Memphis where such notables as WC Handy, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Cab Calloway played it. Elvis bought it in 1957 and had it refinished to his taste - white with gold trim. It was placed in the music room at Graceland, where it remained until Priscilla Presley presented Elvis with another piano as an anniversary gift in 1969. The piano was stored until 1976, when Vernon Presley sold it to Ted Sturges, owner of Sturges Recording Studio. There, it was used during the recording of over 50 albums by various artists including Jerry Lee Lewis.

The baby grand is currently in private ownership and includes several certificates of authenticity. Pre-qualified buyers have until August 18th to bid on this piece of American music history. Oh, to be a pre-qualified buyer.

Oh The Horror! XM Makes Its Way Into a Ferrari

Ferrari purists, you might want to be sitting down for this one.

Years ago, it was sacrilege when Ferrari put so much as a radio in its cars, which at the time were likened to off-track race cars and sported similar amenities -- next to none. Now, as Rolls-Royce and other high-end brands are jumping on the infotainment bandwagon, Ferrari is following suit.

Modena has chosen XM over Sirius for its cars, opening Ferrari drivers up to the world of possibilities that not only offers up satellite radio programming, but also provides NavTraffic, a service alerting drivers to real-time traffic information en route.

The 612 Scaglietti is the first in Ferrari's stable to receive the equipment, which comes with a three-year subscription to new owners.

Milk or cheese? One of them sneaks past the radar

Your body has no idea that liquids contain nutrients.

Or so that's the theory scientists have come up with based on a recent study that took the idea that liquids are less filling to the next level. They found that although liquid and solid calories of comparable nutrient value filled people up about the same right away, the people who had the liquid calories reported feeling hungrier sooner afterwards. And in the study it didn't seem to matter if the liquid/solid fullness comparisons came from high carb, high fat, or high protein sources -- a glass of juice or milk isn't nearly as filling in the long-term as a piece of fruit or a hunk of cheese.

Interesting. I can totally see this principle working in my life everyday, can you?

How acidic are your favourite drinks?

We're usually too wrapped in in calories to consider another important factor to what we're drinking -- the acidity. Acidic drinks can not only lead to ulcers, but they can rot your teeth too. Fitsugar has a handy breakdown of the worst offenders acid-wise. What are the some of the worst offenders?

• Coke, with a pH of 2.63
• Pepsi at 2.49
• Gatorade at 2.95
• Doctor Pepper at 2.95
• Minute Maid at 2.8

For comparisons sake, consider this: Neutral pH (water) is 7.0. Battery Acid is 1.0 and you mouth's normal pH should be about 6.2-7.0. So if you haven't quit drinking soda for the sake of your health, maybe you should consider giving it up for the sake of your pearly whites?

Carbonated water: Good or evil?

Have you ever wondered if carbonated water was bad for your health? I've heard both sides, that it's good for dieting because it can help you feel fuller, and that it might have negative side-effects due to acidity and lack of fluoride. So is it or isn't it a bad idea? Honestly, there haven't been enough studies looking at just water (as opposed to other carbonated beverages) to really know for sure, but experts say that all arrows point to a very small risk, if any, for negative health effects. A bigger risk? Not drinking enough water of any kind, period.

The anatomy of a fainting spell

Do people still faint anymore? I don't think I've ever seen anyone faint in person, although I know it happens. Based on TV and movies it seems like people faint left and right, but have you ever wondered what exactly causes somebody to suddenly lose consciousness and hit the floor?

Fainting is caused by a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain, which causes loss of consciousness usually just for a few seconds, and people often feel dizzy or nauseous after they wake up. Things that can trigger fainting include any kind of straining or pushing, excessive coughing, medications, drugs, low blood sugar, pain, and of course the Hollywood favorite: emotional distress.

Lindsay Lohan's Luxurious Utah Rehab

ET Online is reporting that Lindsay Lohan has entered rehab for the third time and this time the young starlet has not chosen Promises or any of the other Southern California rehabs. Instead, she is at the rustic Cirque Lodge drug and alcohol rehab in Sundance, Utah. The Cirque Lodge sounds more like some of the estates we have covered than a rehab. The Lodge has a log cabin look and can accommodate 16 residents. Rooms have access to a private bath including a Jacuzzi tub and shower and the bedrooms have fireplaces and views. The main room is a two-story great room with two fireplaces. There is also an exercise room, a media room, a cedar sauna and a circular meditation room on the third floor which is ideal for quiet contemplation. It is reported that Mary-Kate Olsen and David Hasselhoff have both spent time at Cirque and the rehab can cost upwards of $30,000.

How buses, lithium ion batteries are made

How It's Made is a great show on Discovery's Science Channel. This segment takes a look at the making of a city bus. You might be familiar with a regular car assembly line but making a bus is a little different. The part I found most interesting is the installation of air tanks. That strange sound you hear when a bus door opens is actually compressed air being released.

In this segment, How It's Made takes a look at the production of a lithium battery for an electric car. The coolest part of that video is the spraying on of molten metal. The electric car in the video looks like Th!nk's but I might be wrong. How It's Made has also taken taken a look at the making asphalt, which is made from oil. Many people know gas is made from oil but are surprised to learn things like plastics and asphalt are made from oil as well.

Fan Pulls Off Tim McGraw’s Ring

The crowd at Tim McGraw’s concert in Louisiana last Saturday really couldn’t keep their hands off the country singer.

This time, they grabbed his jewelry. In a second video from the Cajundome show now circulating online, McGraw is seen moving along a row of fans during the show, reaching out to touch them, when one of them pulls a ring off his left hand.

Usher Marries Tameka Foster in Private Ceremony

After abruptly canceling his Hamptons wedding to stylist Tameka Foster last Saturday, Usher became a married man Friday in Atlanta, a source confirms.

The two reportedly exchanged vows in the office of his lawyer – a far different affair than the event planned for last weekend at music mogul L.A. Reid’s Sagaponack, N.Y., home. The couple had spent $10,000 on invitations alone, and had lined up singer Robin Thicke to perform and renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, along with Sylvia’s of Harlem, to cook.