Mafia's Ten Commandments

Italian police have found what they say is a "Ten Commandments"-style code of behaviour for Mafia members, at the hideout of a captured Mafia boss.
Prohibitions include frequenting bars and looking at friends' wives, while members are urged to treat their own wives with respect.
The list was found during the arrest of Salvatore Lo Piccolo, the reputed new boss of the Sicilian Mafia.
It is thought to have been drawn up as a "guide to being a good mobster".
Other activites apparently beyond the pale for Mafiosi are being friends with the police, being late for appointments and "appropriating money if it belongs to other Mafia members or to other families".
Childbirth
The document makes clear that people with police or informers in their family cannot become members of the Mob.
And although mobsters' wives must be respected, they should not expect much support during childbirth: the rules state that "always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty - even if your wife's about to give birth".
The decalogue was discovered along with a large number of other coded documents in a house near Palermo where Mr Lo Piccolo was apprehended after spending more than two decades on the run from police.
Investigators say that the documents - including the Ten Commandments - will give them an insight into how the Mafia operates.
The papers also reveal details of companies with Mafia connections and information about the hierarchy within the organisation.
The Mafia's "Ten Commandments"
The original Ten Commandments
1. No-one can present himself directly to another of our friends. There must be a third person to do it.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me
2. Never look at the wives of friends.
2. Thou shalt not make for thyself an idol
3. Never be seen with cops.
3. Thou shalt not make wrongful use of the name of thy God
4. Don't go to pubs and clubs.
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
5. Always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty - even if your wife's about to give birth.
5. Honor thy Father and Mother
6. Appointments must absolutely be respected.
6. Thou shalt not murder
7. Wives must be treated with respect.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery
8. When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.
8. Thou shalt not steal
9. Money cannot be appropriated if it belongs to others or to other families.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor
10. People who can't be part of Cosa Nostra: anyone who has a close relative in the police, anyone with a two-timing relative in the family, anyone who behaves badly and doesn't hold to moral values.
10. Thou shalt not covet Source: news --> >If you like this post buy me a beer

Woman faces jail, fine for shouting profanities in her own home

SCRANTON, Pa. - A Scranton woman who admitted shouted profanities at her overflowing toilet within earshot of a neighbor was cited for disorderly conduct, authorities said.

Dawn Herb could face up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $300.

“It doesn’t make any sense. I was in my house. It’s not like I was outside or drunk,” Herb told The Times-Tribune of Scranton. “The toilet was overflowing and leaking down into the kitchen and I was yelling (for my daughter) to get the mop.”


Herb doesn’t recall exactly what she said, but she admitted letting more than a few choice words fly near an open bathroom window Thursday night.

Her next-door neighbor, a city police officer who was off-duty at the time, asked her to keep it down, police said. When she continued, the officer called police.

Mary Catherine Roper, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union in Philadelphia, took issue with the citation.

“You can’t prosecute somebody for swearing at a cop or a toilet,” she said.
>If you like this post buy me a beer
Source: Associated Press-->

G-Mail Users Rules

I came across this when surfing the net and I thought I should share this with all of you especially if you use GMAIL , it cracked me up "Damn!I was conk out for a moment when i came across this thai dude's blog which states ''Gmail Users are Younger, Richer, Good in Bed'' But if this is real,everyone who uses Gmail will be A Gazilionaire,A Casanova & possesses the Elixir of Life!Okok,maybe indeed SOME of the Gmail users are indeed Younger,Richer and Sex Experts than yahoo mail and hotmail users.
But possessing all 3 qualities by using Gmail??In that case,i will delete all my other mail accounts and switch to Gmail,Fulltime!
On the serious note,I do possess a few of the qualities.But you have to make a wild guess on which one though!" How many of you possess any of these qualities? I myself by no means am I rich so I must possess one of the other two qualities .SMILE Which ones do you Possess?
Source:weird &crazy news

Health Spell- Old Folks Remedies

Lilyruths"This and that friendly cottage" Pets welcomed. "Old folks remedies, to cure what ailes you.And here is another article on a plant that has been around for years and to this day there are still a few people who do not know it has the magic to cure cuts or you can add its juice right from its leaves onto your skin to make it smooth and silky. Its especialy good to use on the bottom of your feet or elbows. Aloe vera is better then pretty feet. It has many other medicinal purposes. You might think that Aloe Vera is a "New Age" fascination, but you'd be wrong about that. As far as I know, these plants have been used for every day use at least since before 1930. I have several Aloe Vera plants in my house that I often use for cuts or use on the bottom of my feet to keep then smooth and soft, I remember the first time I as treated after falling down with a leaf from the plant when I was small, my mother used it on me often and it worked. I still use it to this day. So I hope article will be of help to those who do not know about the magic Aloe vera posesses.>If you like this post buy me a beer

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Horror Novelist Cooked and ate his Girlfriend

A Mexico City man has been arrested in connection with the murder of his girlfriend, who is also believed to have been a victim of cannibalism. Jose Luis Calva was a suspect in the disappearance of his girlfriend, 32 year old Alejandra Galeana. Galeana’s family tipped police to her relationship with Calva and a search of Calva’s apartment ensued. What the police found was a shock. The body of Galeana was found in Calva’s closet, although the corpse was not fully intact. On Monday, forensic experts made a grisly discovery in Calva’s apartment. Human flesh and muscle were found on a plate, along with a fork and a dirty frying pan. A lime found next to the remains suggests that Calva seasoned the woman’s forearm with the juice before cooking.

When asked if Calva had cooked and eaten his girlfriend, prosecutor Octavio Romulo Salas said, "That is the assumption that exists."

Dr. Rodolfo Rojo, Mexico City’s Chief Medical Examiner, stated that the body parts discovered corresponded with the parts missing from Galeana’s corpse. According to Rojo, it is believed that Calva strangled, dismembered, and fried part of the woman’s body before eating it. Corresponding to this belief is the fact that other incriminating evidence was found at the scene. Items found included knives, a box cutter, blood stains, and a pair of shoelaces Calva may have used to strangle the woman.

Three days passed between the alleged cannibalistic act and the gruesome discovery of the body. Three days is more than enough time for Calva’s digestive system to have disposed of any traces of Galeana’s remains. Authorities will use DNA to attempt to identify if the woman is in fact Galeana. Tests will also be performed on a leg that was found in Calva’s refrigerator.

The search of Calva’s apartment turned up an unfinished novel titled "Cannibalistic Instincts." The cover page was adorned with a picture of famed cannibal Hannibal Lecter from "Silence of the Lambs," altered to resemble the would-be author. One witness stated that Calva was fascinated by animal porn, witchcraft, and the sadistic novel "120 Days of Sodom."

Calva is also a suspect in two other Mexico City murders in which the bodies of the female victims were dismembered and crammed into cardboard boxes and suitcases. One of the bodies, found in April, was missing its hands and feet. A previous murder victim, found in 2004, was Calva’s former girlfriend Veronica Martinez.

According to Salas, Calva could face up to 50 years in prison if convicted of homicide. Source: Pam Mortimer

Dancing With THe Devil

Lilyruths weird and Bizarre articles and funny pictures. Its a weird place with strange facts or whatever I come across on the web. Whatever you think you need you can find it here. You can leave your COMMENTS, your likes or dislikes,"this and that" Speak about anything is what this cottage is all about! Tell your friends. about "Lilyruths Its getting closer to Halloween and time for the witches and ghoulsand ghosts and especialy the Devil to get ready to go out and make their appearance once a year its said they come out on Halooween. So I think since they are all getting ready for their special dark moon-lit night I shall tell you a scarey story. A Texas folklore told to me when I was growing up, its suppose to have really happened but then again you know how stories go But are they just stories? I shall tell you this tale and you all decide for yourselves........................ Dancing with the Devil

The girl hurried through her schoolwork as fast as she could. It was the night of the high school dance, along about 70 years ago in the town of Kingsville, Texas. The girl was so excited about the dance. She had bought a brand new, sparkly red dress for the dance. She knew she looked smashing in it. It was gone to be the best evening of her life.

Then her mother came in the house, looking pale and determined.

"You are not going to that dance," her mother said.

"But why?" the girl asked her mother.

"I've just been talking to the preacher. He says the dance is going to be for the devil. You are absolutely forbidden to go," her mother said.

The girl nodded as if she accepted her mother's words. But she was determined to go to the dance. As soon as her mother was busy, she put on her brand new red dress and ran down to the K.C. Hall where the dance was being held.

As soon as she walked into the room, all the guys turned to look at her. She was startled by all the attention. Normally, no one noticed her. Her mother sometimes accused her of being too awkward to get a boyfriend. But she was not awkward that night. The boys in her class were fighting with each other to dance with her.

Later, she broke away from the crowd and went to the table to get some punch to drink. She heard a sudden hush. The music stopped. When she turned, she saw a handsome man with jet black hair and clothes standing next to her.

"Dance with me," he said.

She managed to stammer a "yes", completely stunned by this gorgeous man. He led her out on the dance floor. The music sprang up at once. She found herself dancing better than she had ever danced before. They were the center of attention.

Then the man spun her around and around. She gasped for breath, trying to step out of the spin. But he spun her faster and faster. Her feet felt hot. The floor seemed to melt under her. He spun her even faster. She was spinning so fast that a cloud of dust flew up around them both so that they were hidden from the crowd.
When the dust settled, the girl was gone. The man in black bowed once to the crowd and disappeared. The devil had come to his party and he had spun the girl all the way to hell.

by ???? and retold byS.E. Schlosser and now retold by ME.

Halloween safety Tips for Children and Adults

Halloween safety tips for children and adults!
Child Safety
NEVER eat any treats until they are examined by an adult at your home.
Trick or Treat with friends or with adult supervision. Don't go alone.
NEVER enter the house or car of a stranger.
Trick or Treat in the late afternoon or early evening.
Trick or Treat in your own neighborhood, and visit only houses that you know.
Stay on streets that are well lit and only cross the street at the corners.
NEVER run across the street and always look both ways before crossing.
Do not take short cuts through backyards, alleys, or parks.
Carry a flashlight or wear reflective tape so drivers can see you and you can see hazards in the street as well as other people.
Only trick or treat at houses where the porch light is on and well lit.
Carry a few quarters for a payphone so you can call home if you need to.
Do not play with lighters, matches, or fireworks!
Adult Safety
Welcome trick-or-treaters with your porch lights and any exterior lights on.
Patrol your street occasionally to discourage speeding motorists, acts of malicious mischief and crimes against children.
Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your police department immediately. In many areas you can dial 9-1-1.
Candlelit jack-o-lanterns should be kept clear of doorsteps and landings.
Consider using flashlights instead of candles to light jack-o-lanterns.
Keep pets away from doors so children will not become frightened.
Set a time limit for your children to "trick-or-treat." Also designate a specific route for them to take.
Feed the kids before they go so they will be less likely to eat the treats before they get home. Warn them not to eat anything before you inspect it.
Car Safety
Exercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle. Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting out into traffic.
Motorists should avoid all unnecessary travel on Halloween evening, and when driving all motorists should drive slowly.
Many accidents occur when motorists are backing vehicles out of driveways. Make absolutely sure there are no small children behind your car.
Flame Resistant Costume
When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for the label "Flame Resistant." Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
Costume Design
Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible to motorists. For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights.
Bags or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape.
Children should carry flashlights to see easily and aid in being seen.
Costumes should be short enough so that children won't trip and fall.
Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Mother's high heels are not a good idea for safe walking.
Tie hats and scarfs securely to keep them from slipping over children's eyes.
If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
Swords, knives, and accessories should be made of soft, flexible material.
Always use common sense, caution and adult supervision to make this Halloween the best ever. Have a fun, safe and Happy Halloween from Halloween is Here!

Satan is running Loose

A satanist who allegedly lures men to bed in order to rob them is on the loose in Gaborone.The woman apparently uses her evil powers to extort her victims' debit card pin numbers and loot their money from the bank. The devil worshiping South African woman, commonly known as Tshireletso, confessed at a healing crusade organized by the Christian Worship Center (CWC) of South Africa at the National Stadium in Gaborone recently. She revealed that she had come to Gaborone to cast evil spells on unsuspecting people.CWC owns the popular Divine Troupe God Channel, which has footages of Tshireletso, at several crusades where CWC Pastor Irene Tshifiwe exorcised her, releasing snakes, frogs, rings, money and chains through her private and other body parts.Tshifiwe said: "She told us that she specialized in men. She performed sex with them and used her evil powers to know their pin codes and steal their money."Lazarus Mosandiwa, a member of the Divine Troupe God Channel in South Africa told The Voice that they had footage of the woman releasing horrible objects such as men's genitals, money, wires of all alphabetical shapes, and rings from her private parts."After having sex with these men, she kills some of them and steals their private parts," he said.Tshireletso was last seen at the National Stadium where she was rolling over and crawling in zigzags like a snake.Mosandiwa said: "This woman had been following us wherever we hold crusades. She first appeared at our service in May 2006 and confessed she was a satanist."She told us she wanted to be delivered and revealed she had evils powers to kill fetuses in their mother's womb, steal from men, kill and mutilate them. We prayed for her and all sorts of things came out of her body."After the exorcism, Mosandiwa said, Tshireletso disappeared only to come back at another Crusade that was held at the Alexander Township in South Africa."She threw rings, bangles and shoes onto the stage. Source: all africa

Have trouble Sleeping do This to Promote Sleep

Promote Sleep
There’s a lot you can do to regain control over your sleep. Minor lifestyle and environment changes — such as preparing for sleep, following a sleep schedule, and making your bedroom conducive to sleep — can have a major impact. And if you do shift work, there are ways to meet the unique challenges you face.

Prepare for sleep
Setting the stage for a good night’s sleep can help you get your mind and body into “sleep mode.”

Relax your body. To reduce muscular tension, try techniques such as meditation, progressive relaxation (see glossary), or even taking a warm bath.
Unwind mentally. About a half hour before going to bed, enjoy a low-key activity such as reading or listening to music.
Once in bed, try to stop worrying. Avoid solving your problems from your bed. Before going to bed, make a list of problems and “next steps” for the following day.
Try a high-carb snack. A light snack that is high in carbohydrates, such as a plain bagel, might help you relax. Avoid heavy, spicy, or high-sugar foods.
Follow a schedule
Go to bed and get up at the same time every day — even on weekends. Creating this routine can help condition your mind and body to expect sleep at a regular time.
Do a bedroom check
Your bedroom may not be as conducive to sleep as it could be. The following strategies can make your bedroom more sleep-friendly:
Block out noise. Or better yet, eliminate it. Even if you fall back to sleep after noise wakes you, the quality of your sleep can be compromised. Turn off radios, televisions, or stereos in the bedroom (and other rooms as well). If you can’t control the noise, try earplugs.
Reduce light. The issue isn’t merely how light affects your eyes. Light also affects the way your brain produces hormones that regulate your sleep cycle. Even a minimal amount of light can disrupt your sleep. Possible solutions: Ask your sleep partner to read in another room; wear a “sleep mask”; use heavy shades or other window treatments that keep the room very dark.
Adjust the room temperature. If you are too warm or too cold, you are less likely to sleep soundly. Adjust the thermostat, your sleep clothes, or your bedding; open or close a window.
Move the clock. If you have insomnia (see glossary), looking at the clock can make you anxious. Therefore, it’s best to keep it out of view.
Have your pet sleep somewhere else. If your dog or cat sleeps in your bed, your chances for sound sleep are jeopardized. Have your pet sleep on the floor, or get your pet its own cushion and place it in another room.
Address your partner’s sleep problems. A bed partner who snores, tosses and turns a lot, talks while sleeping, or gets up often can affect your own sleep. In some cases, using earplugs or adding “white noise” (from a fan or similar humming appliance) can help. If your partner gets up a lot, make sure he or she sleeps closest to the door. If your partner tosses and turns, consider a larger bed, or even separate beds.
Perhaps the best solution for you and your partner is to get to the source of the problem by consulting a healthcare provider.

Tips for shift workers
If you need to get a good night's sleep during the day, one of your biggest challenges may be dealing with the sunlight. Here are some suggestions:

If possible, work in brightly lit areas during your shift.
When you drive home in the morning, wear sunglasses. Limiting light to your eyes tricks the brain into thinking it’s getting close to nighttime.
Make sure your bedroom is absolutely dark. If any daylight is creeping in through the curtains or shades, drape a thick towel or blanket over the window. You might also consider wearing a “sleep mask.”

Attention Readers: Paypal Account Opened Again

Attention Readers: It has just come to my attention that since July 29th, 2007 that my account in Paypal was not receving any funds from anyone whether be for payment for sevices rendered or whether it was for Donations, in the Chip In Box to help Save the Dogs or Donations to help me out. Paypal informed me someone in the World Wide Web tried to hack into my account at Paypal. So security at Paypal caught it and froze my account all payments sent in and all payments sent out were stoped temporaily halted until things could be cleared up. Now everything is fine and back to the way things were..Anyone who wished to send in any kind of contributions to Save the Dogs fund raiser or anyone who wishes to buy Lilyruth a beer, or who wishes to support Lilyruths this and that Blog or her DOgcents Blog , now is the time to do so. For three whole months the people who wanted to give donations could not because of Payupal account being closed because of the Hacker , these three long months Save the Dogs fund raiser has gotten behind in help for food, shelter, heartworm treatments, vet services etc. I need your help to catch up and make up for these three missing months, I know several of you have contacted me and told me you wanted to donate some money but couldn't because of the message that kept popping up saying " The Recipient cannot receive any funds at this time,"So now I say to all of you who contacted me and those who wanted to give but could not get into the account to give at Paypal I say Please RESEND your donations now because we need your help desperately,You and only You can make a difference to help these dogs who cannot speak up for themselves and who are always there for us with unconditional love, no matter who we are they love us. They are our friends and some keep us from being lonely when no one else cares so come one guys whatever you can give help us out NOW.. I still invite you all to visit my blogs whether you give or do not give you are all still welcomed here and I just want to add this if you want to give me a CHristmas Presnt for Christmas , you all know what I will be needing, if you don't then go to the Chip In Box I have placed on at http://lilyruthsthisandthat.blogspot.com read all about it there, If you like me or my blogs just a litle bit then I hope you will donate a few dollars. Thank you.. By Lilyruth

Smoking Does it affect the Sex of your Child?

Studies show that couples that smoke during the time of conception have a higher chance of having a girl compared to couples that do not smoke.
Smoking, Conception and the Sex of Your Child
So you’re ready to have a family, and would like to load the odds in favor of one sex or the other. How do you go about the whole thing?

Since most couples have the basics down, we won’t provide a how-to guide here, but there are certain things that not only affect fertility in general, but also the sex of the child-to-be.

First, there is the age-old argument of who influences the sex of the child more: man or woman. That depends on how you look at it. Woman cannot contribute to making a boy, since she possesses only the X chromosome for females. Men, on the other hand, have both X and Y sperm. If X hits the egg first, you’ll have a girl. If Y wins the race, you’re going to have a boy.

That’s the modern scientific “evidence”. Back in the really old days, you had nonsense like the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras, who declared in the 5th century, that the right testicle sired boys, and the left, girls. Even before that, in 800B.C., one of the first sex manuals, the Caraka Samhita, recommended turning the woman on her right side after sex, because male children developed in the right side of the uterus.

That’s the modern scientific “evidence”. Back in the really old days, you had nonsense like the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras, who declared in the 5th century, that the right testicle sired boys, and the left, girls. Even before that, in 800B.C., one of the first sex manuals, the Caraka Samhita, recommended turning the woman on her right side after sex, because male children developed in the right side of the uterus.

Now, one of society’s increasingly abhorred habits, smoking, is being cited as an enhancement and deterrent to having children of a certain sex, or having children at all.

New Scientist magazine published an article in the April 2002 edition, citing smoking as more likely to get you a girl. Why? Because apparently the male sperm are more sensitive to the chemicals in smoke/cigarettes, and die off in the millions, leaving the field clear for the X sperm to have their way.

Then again, another 2002 study put out by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, found that in 290 participating couples, smokers had less sex, lower sperm counts, and took longer to conceive.

Your best bet? The old-fashioned way. At least then, you have a 50% chance of getting the sex of the child you want. Tell your friends about "Lilyruths "
If you like this post buy me a beer

100 Year Old Lady Celebrates Birthday by Lighting Up her 170,000th Cigarette

Winnie Langley, who just turned 100 years old and has been smoking cigarettes since 1914, celebrated her birthday by lighting up her 170,000th cigarette.
1. I don’t know how she has figured out the number of 170,000, but I’m sure she forgot about a few cancer sticks she smoked after getting hammered off moonshine during Prohibition.
2. Now idiotic smokers are going to figure that smoking is good for you because one person beat the odds. Ugh. Source: news

NFL star admits dog fight charges

NFL star admits dog fight charges

Michael Vick could face up to five years in jail
National Football League star Michael Vick has pleaded guilty to plotting to take part in dog fighting.
The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was accused of helping to run an interstate dog-fighting operation, known as "Bad Newz Kennels", from 2001 to April 2007.

His lawyers accepted a plea agreement after his co-defendants agreed to co-operate with prosecutors.

Vick, 27, who faces a maximum five years in jail, has now been suspended indefinitely without pay by the NFL.

The quarterback, who could also be fined up to $250,000 (£125,000), is likely to face a reduced punishment because of his guilty plea.

Prosecutors said the dogs sometimes fought to the death and underperforming animals had been shot, drowned, hanged, electrocuted or killed by being slammed to the ground.

Dog-fight paraphernalia

Vick, who is expected to formally enter his plea on Monday, reportedly admitted bankrolling the fights but denied gambling on them.

Two of Vick's co-accused, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, both pleaded guilty earlier this month.

The Associated Press news agency quoted a summary of facts in the case as recording: "Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts of Peace, Phillips and Vick."

Police who searched Vick's property in April found pit bull dogs and dog-fighting paraphernalia.

The football star, who signed a 10-year, $130mn (£65mn) contract with the Falcons in 2004, last season became the first quarterback ever to rush for more than 1,000 yards.

An NFL statement released on Friday read: "Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Falcons QB (quarterback) Michael Vick on Friday that he is suspended indefinitely without pay from the National Football League, effective immediately."

Project to boost brain knowledge

Project to boost brain knowledge

The project will further understanding of brain conditionsA £40m study to improve scientist's understanding of how the brain works has been launched.
It is hoped the five-year project by experts from six Scottish universities will boost study of conditions such as stroke, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.
Scientists will use state-of-the-art equipment to create images of the brain.
The money will also be used to bring leading researchers from across the world to Scotland.
The project will be known as The Scottish Imaging Network: A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE).
The partnership of experts from Aberdeen, Dundee, St Andrews, Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh universities will collect data on brain information including structure, function and brain waves.
It will be retrieved using technology which includes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).
About £35m of its total funding has been provided by the universities, with a further £6.3m secured from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and £700,000 from the Chief Scientist Office.
'Distressing conditions'
It is hoped that five new chairs will be created across the universities, and that the project will be able to retain the best Scottish graduates.
Dr Richard Lerski, from Dundee University, said: "The SINAPSE collaboration opens up new and exciting possibilities to further our understanding of the mind and the diseases that affect the mind.
"Partnerships such as SINAPSE are essential to push forward new discoveries aimed to support the development of treatments which will be of great benefit to patients in Scotland and beyond."
Professor Joanna Wardlaw, of Edinburgh University, added: "Several key advances in medical imaging originated in Scotland, so we are continuing what is a strong research tradition.
"Working together, we can make new discoveries for the benefit of all patients, which would be hard to make by working alone."
SFC chief executive Roger McClure said: "The potential benefits to individuals and their families of understanding better these distressing conditions are enormous."

Strange facts"

"A Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan) researcher reported in June that his work reveals that cockroaches have memories and the ability to learn, in that they can be taught to salivate (upon exposure to a specific odor), just as Pavlov showed that dogs could be taught to salivate (upon hearing a bell). [CNN-Reuters, 6-13-07] Among the recent discoveries of substances that provide similar virility outcomes as Viagra: the venom of a variety of black widow spider found in southern Chile (according to a researcher at Universidad de la Frontera in Temuco, Chile); [MSNBC-Reuters, 6-1-07]

Secret fixes For Everyday

Soothe joint pain by rubbing pepper cream onto the sore spot two or three times a day, and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. The pain should subside in two weeks.
— “Secret Fixes for Everyday Health Problems,”

Feel a snack attack coming on? Apply some vanilla-scented body lotion. The aroma deters cravings!
— “Stay Well,”

Sharpen sewing needles and pins by sticking them through the strawberry that’s attached to your pincushion. (Yes, the attachment actually has a purpose! — it’s filled with sand.)
— “Ready, Set, Sew!,”

The Devil You Say?

More like what the Devil, was saying. Or, that was the idea. People often step into an argument, claiming to be the Devil's Advocate. What they usually do, is take the unpopular side of the discussion or a position that is contrary to the one being promoted. Some do it out of genuine intellectual or other interests, while there are people who enjoy the role, simply to tweak a nose or have fun with those participating.
But was there ever an advocate of the Devil? Yes, but oddly enough, he wasn't arguing the Devil's good points. He was arguing all the points that the Devil would present, had he been present. And in church, no less.
For the Devil's Advocate was an official office of the Catholic Church, instituted in 1587. It lasted nearly 400 years, until Pope John Paul II abolished it in 1983. The advocate's role was to argue against the canonization of nominees for Sainthood, presenting all contrary evidence that a given person warranted the honor, and picking apart the evidence given to back up the nomination. When the Devil's Advocate was no longer there to give "the other side", it paved the road for a phenomenal 500 canonizations and 1300 beatifications during John Paul II's reign.
Clearly, whoever served in that office must have been extremely effective, since the Popes who had served throughout the 20th century had never managed anywhere near those totals, even taken all together.
However, there are those secular devil's advocates, who argue that the role should never have been eliminated, since it ensured that only the truly saintly made it through the process.