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Eating the trans fats present in processed foods increases the danger of depression, according to a recent research. A Mediterranean diet had the opposite effect. The study indicated that consuming foods with polyunsaturated fats and olive oil led to fewer instances of depression. The effect of trans fat on depression may be even more pronounced in the United States, where the rate of trans fat intake is much higher than in Europe.

Link between depression and trans fats

A research done at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain did a research that found out people who had trans fat were 48 percent much more likely to suffer from depression. Those who got more than 0.6 percent of calories from trans fats were the exact same ones that had an increase danger in depression. To draw their conclusions, scientists tracked more than 12,000 people for six years. In the beginning of the research, no participants had depression. This was clear. Depression was greater for those who got more trans fat at the beginning of the research than those who got less.

Getting swelling with trans fat

There was a questionnaire that was given to individuals at the beginning and end of the research for the trans fat/depression study. Not only was trans fat consumption connected to depression, higher levels of trans fat consumption led to a higher danger of depression. Participants who ate a Mediterranean diet were less likely to become depressed. A depression/inflammation link was suggested by the author of the research since those with depression often have it. Trans fats increase inflammation, a danger factor for heart disease, also as lower HDL (good) cholesterol and raise LDL (bad) cholesterol. Mediterranean diets have olive oil used in them a lot. It helps reduce swelling very much.

Trans fat intake in the U.S.

The research done by the Spanish might wake some Americans up. It can help explain what is going on. Milk and cheese was where most of the trans fat came from in the Spanish subjects. The highest levels averaged 0.4 percent of total calories too. An American diet averages about 2.5 percent of calories from trans fat, in large part from processed foods. When it comes to consumption of trans fats and cases of depression, the United States leads.

Information from

MSN

health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100269616&GT1=31009

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-26/saturated-or-trans-fat-in-food-may-increase-risk-of-depression-study-says.html

Medical News Today

medicalnewstoday.com/articles/215021.php

An annual report on shark attacks showed they increased substantially around the world in 2010. The trend reversed in FL, which leads the United States in shark attacks, but recorded a decline in 2010. A recent shark study showing sharks are colorblind suggests that traditional black wet suits may increase the likelihood of a shark attack.

Information on shark assaults

The Worldwide Shark Attack File, an annual report compiled by the University of FL, recorded 79 shark attacks last year, the most since 80 were documented in 1980. Deaths happened in six of the shark attacks. From the 63 total shark attacks in 2009, that’s a 25 percent increase. The U.S. was the world leader in shark attacks with 36, considered an average year. Sharks are famous in Australia. This country had 14 making it the runner up. Eight occurred in South Africa. Six were reported in both Vietnam and Egypt. In Egypt, four of five of the shark assaults occurred in five days. The report attributed the Egypt attacks to an abnormally hot summer, a passing cargo ship that dumped dead sheep overboard and recreational divers feeding reef fishes and sharks.

Shark attacks in FL become less common

For the fourth year in a row, FL showed a decline in shark assaults, although it’s normally the lead. This year, 13 shark attacks were reported in Florida. This is relatively low considering 23 is the 10 year FL shark attack average. Other states listed in the Shark Attack File contain North Carolina (5), California (4), Hawaii (4) and SC (4). Many other places had just one shark attack. These included WA, Virginia, TX, Oregon, Maine and Georgia. The recession and the British Petroleum oil leak, which reduced the number of tourists coming to Florida, may have been a factor in Florida’s relatively low number of shark attacks in 2010.

Ways you are able to stop shark assaults too

More than half of 2010 cases were of surfers. A recent study showing that sharks are colorblind suggests ways to protect them. It’s better to have a wetsuit with less visual contrast as the sharks see in shades of gray. When attacking, sharks are usually just curious. They aren’t trying to get a meal. A high contrast is shown in the black wetsuits that surfers often wear. The United States navy nicknamed the attraction to yellow sharks has as “yum, yum yellow”. Shark assaults might take place less with blue or green wetsuits.

Information from

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/41458324/ns/world_news-world_environment/?GT1=43001

Gainesville Sune

gainesville.com/article/20110207/ARTICLES/110209535/1109/sports?Title=Economy-to-blame-for-drop-in-Florida-shark-attacks-expert-says&tc=ar

Los Angeles Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2011/01/sharks-are-color-blind-shark-attacks.html

The FBI is investigating the Church of Scientology, a faith that counts actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta as members. The FBI investigation arose on its suspicion that the Church of Scientology is associated with human trafficking. Former Scientologists have publicly accused the Church of unlawful imprisonment and slavery that takes place at secret Church compounds.

Using the desert as a scientology camp for work

The FBI human trafficking investigation of Scientology allegedly started in 2009, when agents started interviewing former Scientologists who tried to quit. Those considered apostates would get confined to a Scientology compound east of LA in the California desert. This was where many had hazing occur while pushed labor for hardly any pay happened also, in a story the St. Petersburg Times broke out 2 years ago. The New Yorker said on February 7 the FBI investigation of Scientology was occurring. Screenwriter Paul Haggis revealed this. In 2009, the Church of Scientology lost Haggis. This was due not only to what the Times showed was human trafficking but additionally due to the Proposition 8 support that California had and was supported by Scientology.

Labor helped Tom Cruise get better

It was shown in the Times and New Yorker that there have been escapees out of the Scientology desert compound. They would be forced to return back there though. Women in the compound were discouraged from having children and forced to get abortions. The money brought in by the Church was used by Church leader David Miscavige to live how he wanted, former Scientologists explain. Workers got $50 a week in the compound as pay. Miscavige forced a worker to customize motorcycles for Tom Cruise. Thousands of dollars is normally what is paid for something like this. Scientology was used to customize an airplane hangar for Cruise also. An SUV was customized there for him as well.

Scientology states it did not happen

In a statement the Church of Scientology denied being investigated by the FBI for human trafficking. In a New Yorker article, it was called a “rehash of unfounded accusations.” There are signs of human trafficking that the FBI website lists. The Scientology defectors share this link. There was control of food, schedule, money, speech, ID and travel documents while physical and emotional abuse was also seen.

Citations

St. Petersburg Times

tampabay.com/news/scientology/article1150248.ece

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/02/07/2011-02-07_FBI_probing_allegations_of_human_trafficking_and_enslavement_in_scientology_repo.html

The New Yorker

newyorker.com/reporting/2011/02/14/110214fa_fact_wright

New York Post

nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/cruise_church_labor_probed_lNckRxqOTLp5LvQAe3iGFI

The Associated Press reports that big bankers won’t be cashing their bonuses at this time. Large banks are being asked to postpone bankers’ bonuses by three years, in order to guard against a relapse of bank collapse during the United States economic recovery. The rule would apply to financial institutions with $ 50 billion or more in assets.

Banks charging larger insurance costs

In addition to the suggested banker bonuses provision, a clause within the Dodd-Frank Act will require the same large United States banking institutions to contribute more in insurance costs to the FDIC in order to protect financial institution deposits nationwide. The banks that have more in assets than other banks will put more into the insurance fund. This is not for those with more deposits though. The less liquidity and higher risk assets an institution has, the more it can be charged. This will be due to the risk the U.S. financial system is taking up with it.

The insurance fund has been as low as $15.2 billion in the hole; while in the red for a long time. This has been during the bank closures and bailouts going on. On the good side, by the end of the 3rd quarter 2010, the deficit had been cut nearly in half to $8 billion.

Less paid out by small banks though

Based on small financial institution trade group the Independent Community Bankers of America, 98 percent of banks that possess less than $10 billion in assets will pay less money into the insurance fund, due to various rule changes. The ICBA says this will save littler U.S. banks $4.5 billion over the next three years.

“ICBA led the charge throughout the Wall Street reform debate to create fairness within the deposit insurance system so that Main Street community banks can continue to serve their customers and keep money where it belongs – in the community,” said chairman James MacPhee.

Why you should improve

The FDIC fund could be able to become positive again, claims Blair, with the greater deposit insurance contributions. This will trigger more foreseeable rates for short term loans. Banks will count on it.

“The financial crisis provided ample evidence of the need to improve the assessment system,” said Bair. “The banking industry, the Deposit Insurance Fund and the financial system will benefit from this rule in both the short and long term.”

Citations

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2011-02-07-fdic-exec-pay_N.htm?csp=34money&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+UsatodaycomMoney-TopStories+%28Money+-+Top+Stories%29

Housing Wire

housingwire.com/2011/02/07/fdic-to-base-insurance-charges-to-banks-based-on-risk-not-deposits

Imagine all the bankers living for less pay

youtube.com/watch?v=uesCu3VVR4E

Auto loan underwriters tend to be forgotten among the progenitors of the recession, but sloppy decisions regarding subprime loans created a great deal of defaults. Lenders did not adequately weigh the chance of lending to customers who were hard-pressed to repay, leading to excessive loan default. In accordance with Wards Auto, the sins of the past have forced the automotive business to take a closer look at auto loan standards.

The details make all the main difference with car loan underwriting

More attention is given to those applying for car loans with a terrible credit history. This is the only way to get approved for it. Price Waterhouse and Cooper Consumer Financial Group senior manager Douglas Ekizian explained that a borrower can have a few dings in a credit rating however doesn’t appear to be in a terrible loan default can be approved. Sometimes it seems clear the applicant has the ability to pay back the loan. In these cases, the underwriter makes a decision depending on the consumer’s history.

In general, better car loan underwriting decisions come when there is as much information as possible that is available. Full income and employment data is a must so that analysts can do “more than a cursory review of credit-bureau forensic analytics,” said Ekizian.

Auto lending is a gut call

Alliance Acceptance CEO Ray Thousand explained that a vehicle loan underwriter is able to determine what will and will not trigger an odd loan default depending on the detail. A default following job loss is something that could be overlooked if the rest of the credit history is clean. The sector has relaxed when it comes to credit for auto loans. This is why consumer risk finance manager of Toyota Motors Financial Services, Adem Yilmaz, said borrowers are still considered with a bankruptcy on the report.

“Determining willingness to pay back a loan is the gut call of the day. We’re looking for evidence of ultimately trying to make good on the loan,” said Thousand.

Auto loan defaults: Children of recession

A boom in car loan defaults occurred in 2008 and 2009, years that were particularly bad for the U.S. economy. This dragged some of the country’s most respected automobile loan businesses into bankruptcy or in line for subprime bailout dollars. With cautious underwriting decisions, the auto financing business hopes to stay away from the mistakes of the past.

Articles cited

Wards Auto

wardsauto.com/home/auto_loan_analysts_110204/

Understanding the role of loan underwriting

youtube.com/watch?v=Q7OvlYjNt9w

Super Bowl XLV struck Nielsen ratings gold, reports the WA Post. The Green Bay Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers drew a record one hundred and eleven million viewers, making it the most-watched show in United States television history. The Green Bay Packers’ win trumped the 106.5 million viewers for last year’s Super Bowl, and it even trounced the 1983 season finale of “M*A*S*H,” which drew 106 million TV viewers. Source for this article – Super Bowl XLV boasts record 111 million viewers by Newsytype.com.

Who viewed the Super Bowl

Lots of media reports the number of viewers the Super Bowl XLV had. It was reported to be 162.9 million. However, that number doesn’t represent the actual number of viewers; it is a “reach” number that relates to advertisers. The individuals in that count watched less than six minutes of the game. It was not the whole game watched. About one hundred and eleven million people viewed the whole performance though. This includes those who watched the whole Black Eyed Peas halftime show.

Supporters for football and ‘Glee’ were different

Much of that audience failed to stick around once the game was over and the latest episode of “Glee” aired, though. After the game got over, 84 million of the 111 million got out, says Nielsen Media Research. CBS had only 27 million viewers this year that stayed after the Super Bowl. This is relatively low considering when “Undercover Boss” played in 2010, there were 39 million viewers that stayed and watched.

There were 2 top post-Super Bowl programs in television history that did much better than that. Nobody could touch this. A 1996 episode of “Friends” drew 53 million viewers, and the 2001 premiere episode of another “reality” show, “Survivor: The Australian Outback” got 45 million viewers.

Audience dies off in the East

It is believed that much of the drop-off following the Super Bowl had to do with the start time for “Glee.”. ”Glee” started at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time with the Super Bowl XLV. As the majority of the country’s major Nielsen markets are in the Eastern time zone, bedtime could have been the primary factor in the shrinking audience.

Articles cited

Washington Post

voices.washingtonpost.com/TVblog/2011/02/glee-post-super-bowl-episode-a.html

Super Bowl XLV Doritos commercial

youtube.com/watch?v=qRMMBXx3kqk

Gisele Bundchen is a thirty-year-old Brazilian model and businesswoman. Bundchen was cited as calling sunscreen “poison” and has caught some flak for it. {Gisele Bundchen denies labeling sunscreen poison, though, claiming it was a “mistranslation.”|Reps for the model, however, are saying that this was a mistake in interpretation.|The representatives for the model are denying this statement. Instead, they’re labeling the quotation a “mistranslation.” Article source –

John Paulson, a successful hedge fund manager, is considered an investing guru by those who think that betting against the United States housing industry – deriving a cash advance each time somebody was foreclosed upon – is an acceptable by-product of a deregulated stock market. Regardless of whether Paulson is considered to be a crook or an expert, there is no disputing that the housing bubble and investment in various financials have made him a billionaire. He will not be applying for a pay day loan to cover his mortgage at any time soon.

Betting for the U.S. this time, Paulson puts money into Citigroup

To some, hedge fund manager John Paulson represents all of what is wrong with Wall Street. John Paulson has started to change his position after making about $15 billion betting in 2007 against the United States real estate market, getting him named a “guru”. He bet the United States economy would soon rebound. He bet on high gold prices and rebounding house prices with his “after the fall” outlay while also putting investments into many indexes. Paulson’s stake in Citigroup earned his hedge fund investors utilizing Paulson & Co. about $1 billion in 2010. Over the past year, Citigroup’s share price shot up 50 percent.

Paulson & Co. is currently responsible for $35 billion in investments. Where most hedge funds eschewed the more volatile elements of the industry past year, Reuters accounts that Paulson and business took small financial lumps early this year, yet managed to swing things around into double-digit gains. There was a 35 percent jump in 2010 in Paulson’s gold investments while the Paulson Advantage Plus fund went up 17 percent.

How good is 17 percent?

The Globe and Mail may have a reasonable point regarding the scope of John Paulson’s success when it states the Paulson Advantage Plus Fund’s 17 percent gain isn’t really all that different than the 15 percent gain experienced by the S&P 500. This isn’t necessarily true though. The 17 percent is still good. Nobody can really be upset with Paulson for making millions betting “against-the-bubble” and making the market crash even harder. The federal regulators failed to do their job as well. This excuse is not one the majority is willing to accept.

Citations

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/books/2010/mar/07/the-greatest-trade-ever-by-gregory-zuckerman-review-heather-stewart

The Globe and Mail

theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/markets/markets-blog/paulsons-5-billion-haul-big-deal/article1886319/

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/01/25/us-hedgefunds-paulson-idUSTRE70O4G820110125

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_default_swap

John Paulson and Joe Stiglitz on the mispricing of risk

youtube.com/watch?v=l8G-b315B6E

Following a long absence, Bond can be coming back to movie theaters in 2012. Daniel Craig will retain the starring position as the sequence resurfaces after protracted financial issues at Metro Goldwyn Mayer have kept the business on hold. It will also mark the 50th anniversary of the first film being released. I know I for one would be willing to take out a payday advance just to buy presale tickets.

In 2010, James Bond could be back for a while

The Metro Goldwyn Mayer studies has having financial difficulties causing production of James Bond to end. The Guardian reports that there could be a new one in 2012 though. James Bond will be played for a 3rd time by Daniel Craig who played Bond most lately. His previous entries within the Bond series, “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace,” hauled in nearly $600 million apiece. Bond 23 couldn’t come out as MGM had a string of financial troubles which incorporated bankruptcy and new ownership.

The first film anniversary being celebrated

This is the longest running and most financially successful film series of all time. For the year of release, a special one can be done. In 2012, there will be an anniversary of the first Bond film ever released. “Dr. No” will be in the 50th anniversary. Sean Connery was a star as a result of the movie that was very popular. Sam Mendes is attached to direct the next Bond film, according to The Telegraph. Some fans weren’t thoroughly amazed with Marc Forster’s direction of “Quantum of Solace,” but the film stilled pulled in nearly $590 million.

Making 23 movies happen

The Bond series is possibly the longest running film series of all time. In the world, over $5 billion was made by the series. Only “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars” have made more than that. The new direction of the series with Craig was hailed as the welcome return of one of one of the most legendary film characters of all time. Right now, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is what Craig is in as the English version. “Fight Club” director David Fincher is directing it.

Articles cited

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jan/12/bond-23-daniel-craig-mgm

The Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/jamesbond/8255072/Sam-Mendes-may-have-problems-directing-new-Bond-movie.html

The Associated Press reports that Brandi Favre, younger sibling to currently retired NFL star Favre, was imprisoned in her Diamondhead, Miss., home. According to Hancock County Sheriff’s Maj. Matt Karl, Brandi Favre, 34, faces accusations of producing methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, transfer of a controlled substance and creating hazardous waste. Brandi Favre and four others were taken in handcuffs from her upscale condo on Golf Club Drive in Diamondhead. She most likely will not need a payday advance to make bail.

Crystal meth wasn’t done by Brandi Favre alone

Normally, Diamondhead is a quiet community. Still, when the Hancock County Narcotics Task Force came to Brandi Favre’s door, none of her neighbors were surprised. There was a sting outside diamond head, said task force director Karl. WLBT3 NBC reports that this is what led to the location of where the meth was being produced. Seven units nearby were all evacuated. The risk of an explosion is very high with meth production because there are flammable evaporated solvents that production releases. There was a lot of drug found by authorities. It was all finished too.

“We discovered the full lab in the bathroom; it was still cooking. I think we collected pretty close to 10 grams (worth about $1,000) of finished product, which, that’s a lot of meth,” said Karl.

Others arrested in connection to crystal meth ring

David Logan, Marty Grimes, Alesha Kirkland and Carl Wynn III were all arrested with Brandi Favre. Suspects range in age from 25 to 53. Charges anywhere from felony shoplifting to unlawful use of a weapon which happened with a drive by shooting are what Favre has been arrested for within the past.

The current mug shot of Brandi Favre isn’t the first as Karl explained saying, “she’s always in trouble,” to MSNBC.

Since you will find already issues with the Jenn Sterger debacle along with the Brandi Favre difficulties, possibly it is a good thing that Brett Favre retired.

Restricting cold medicine sales creates lucrative meth market

Crystal meth became a lucrative black market drug after federal laws restricted the sale of cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, reports Impact Lab. Somebody like Brandi Favre can sell less than 10 grams of crystal meth for about $1,000 during this “sub-criminal culture” as the United States Drug Enforcement Administration calls it.

Details from

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/41051422/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

Impact Lab

impactlab.net/2011/01/11/restricting-sale-of-cold-medicine-creates-lucrative-black-market/

NBC Sports

offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/01/13/favres-sisters-mug-shot-is-here/

WLBT

wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=13831137

Meth lab toxic waste hidden by snow

youtube.com/watch?v=OQMemezw6Uk