Way to grow hair on bald skin found

It's hair-raising news for millions of men - scientists have revealed they have found a way to grow hair on bald skin.

The breakthrough came after researchers discovered a gene in stem cells which can re-grow hair follicles on mice. The new stem cells also have all the same identities as an original hair follicle. The remarkable work overturns previous scientific views about the identity of follicle stem cells. The researchers discovered that mice hair follicles contain a chemical compound called Lgr5 which was previously thought to only live in the intestine and colon. By transplanting the protein Lgr5 on to the backs of dead eight-week-old mice, the scientists found they could re-grow hair.

Furthermore, the 'new' hair follicle would stay healthy and continue to grow for as long as 14 months.

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But, it was not all good news, today. In Washington, bureaucrats are scrambling to try and figure out a solution to what is viewed as an inevitable problem arising from the experiments and expected to become evident in the coming weeks and months: What to do about the (heretofore) majestic symbol of the United States, the bald eagle.

Classic cars from my childhood

I was in my early teens when my older brother came home with one of these beauties one day:

Somehow, it seemed even more beautiful back then to a wide-eyed boy who religiously read his brother's hand-me-down Car & Driver magazines. To me, the car represented awesome power, even if its looks didn't convey it. Only the hood work over the engine gave a hint of what was underneath. That and the diminutive emblem on the front fenders indicating 396 CID.

For the uninitiated, it was a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 (SS signifying "Super Sport", not Nazi). The 396 cubic inch displacement engine packed as much as 375 horsepower. This was the age of muscle cars and this was certainly one of them.

Here's a gallery of pix of that model immaculately restored/maintained: Click here.

As for my brother's car, I will never forget the first time my brother took me for a ride in this machine. We zipped along down Keele Street weaving in and out of traffic, laying rubber in any gear. He entered the circular ramp to the eastbound 401, and as we neared the end of the ramp, I was unprepared for the fury that was about to be unleashed.

Bro switched gears, stomped on the accelerator, and I was driven (literally) back against my seat with a G-force I had never experienced before in my young life, or for that matter, ever since. The front of the car seemed to lift up making me feel like we were headed skyward. There I sat glued for what seemed like an eternity, and feeling like I couldn't breathe as we screamed down the highway, the engine roaring like an angry lion.

That car was a harbinger of things to come. In 1970, the mother of all muscle cars rolled out of Detroit: The Chevelle SS 454. This monster delivered an unbelievable 450 horsepower--more than any other stock car in that era.

While looking for pix, I came across some sale prices for the '67 Chevelle SS396, the highest being an incredible $87,000.

Next, I will review another car my brother actually rebuilt around the same time he had the Chevelle: a '57 Chevy

To see all posts in this series click here.

Last Kiss music video.

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Rogers update #4

Still no word from Rogers regarding their devious ad (explained in this article). Time to rattle their chain once again...

I sent the following e-mail a little while ago:

If you have nothing concrete to report yet, please indicate so. On the other hand, if you think that ignoring a valued 30-year customer is in the best interests of your employer, I will be happy to convey that sentiment for you to your manager.

The gentleman responded in less than 10 minutes apologizing that the issue was handed off to another department, but that he will have them contact me.

Twiddling my thumbs...

Ethnic adventure

I was picking up groceries the other day and was thinking I'd like something other than the usual side dishes. At that very moment, I spotted a box of couscous. I had heard about it many times but had never had occasion to try it. It's a popular dish eaten in many parts of the world and I like just about everything, especially ethnic food, so I decided to give it a try.

I had already planned to have a stirfry as my main dish and I thought the Couscous would complement it, nicely. I should mention here that at the time, I had no idea what couscous was. I prepared both parts of my meal and was very happy that the couscous was so easy to make--just add butter and boiling water and when it's done, fluff with a fork. In no time, my meal was ready.

The couscous looked very appetizing with a light, airy texture. I took a mouthful of stirfry, chewed it for a bit and then threw a spoonful of the couscous into my mouth. It...wasn't that great. I repeated the process. Strangely, it hadn't improved since the first mouthful. Still, being the good, Christian boy I am, and having been taught as a youngster that it was a sin to throw away food, I soldiered on.

In between bites, I got some salt and added a bit to the couscous. Surely that will be the difference between what I was tasting and what will be an exquisite, gastronic delight. It improved slightly, but not much. I refused to be beaten, thinking surely this dish must be better than what my taste buds are telling me. In desperation, I tried adding a little sugar. Now, before you think me crazy, let me inform you that I have a real sweet tooth and that...er...stuff did look sort of like cereal. It...didn't help at all. Grudgingly, I finished my meal.

The experience left me wondering why anyone would pay to eat the stuff, especially those in desert areas, where the dish is a staple, when they could eat sand for free. Although I know that throwing the rest of the box away is a sin, the risk is worth it.

Watch out for grab and run artists

A seagull in Marinette , Wisconson has developed the habit of stealing Doritos from a neighbourhood convenience store. The seagull waits until the Manager isn't looking, and then walks into the store and grabs a snack-size bag of cheese Doritos. Once outside, the bag gets ripped open and shared by other birds.

The seagull's shoplifting started weeks earlier when he first swooped into the store in and helped himself to a bag of Doritos. Since then, he's become a regular. He always takes the same type of chips.

The Manager thinks it's great because people are coming to watch the feathered thief make the daily grab and run, and it's been good for business, especially since customers have begun paying for the seagull's stolen bags of Doritos because they think it's so funny. However, the Manager did say, "This is Wisconsin, and if that seagull starts to grab a 6-pack of beer to go along with the Doritos, I may have to put a stop to it."