How many people attended the royal wedding?

Nearly 2000 guests were invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Around 650 people attened the reception.

Top Five Facts About Kate Middleton

Introduction:

In case you live in a cave, Prince William just finally got engaged to Kate Middleton, his girlfriend for the last 8 years. Inevitably compared to her Prince William's mother, Princess Diana, Kate Middleton has some big shoes to fill. But, for this 'commoner', I think she's got the stuff to do just fine. The royal wedding is rumored to be Spring or Summer 2011. Whenever it is, I hope the public allows them to live their lives in a more private manner than poor Diana did.

1. Her Real Name Is Catharine Middleton

Interestingly, her friends and family call her Catharine. It was the English public who dubbed her 'Kate." After the royal wedding, she will take the name Princess Catharine and join the ranks of 5 other former Prince Catharines in the royal family heritage.

2. Kate Middleton Loves Sports

One of the things that attracted Prince William to his future bride was her love of sports. As handy with a rifle as with a tennis racket, this leggy brunette beauty is sure to win the hearts of sports fans. Kate Middleton is also an exercise enthusiast and it shows (I hate her...).

3. Kate Middleton and Prince William Shared a House During Their College Years

During their college years at St. Andrews University in Scotland, Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a house with 2 other roommates. Kate was dating someone else at the time so although they 'live together', it was, supposedly, plutonic. I'm not sure how one gets to share a house with a royal - I sure know my college roommates were commoners....

4. Kate Middleton's Parents Own Their Own Business

Kate Middleton's dad was an airline pilot, her mother was a flight attendant. Together, they own a business called Party Pieces which supplies party supplies through mail order.

5. Kate Middleton Is Related to George Washington

Although England considers her a commoner, to an American, she's our 'royalty.' Family ties can place Kate Middleton as the 8th cousin of eight times removed to George Washington (but, then again, I probably am too...).

By: ListMaker

Increase Bone Strength Tips

Make no bones about it — osteoporosis and its precursor osteopenia affect 44 million Americans and cause more than 2 million fractures (broken bones) every year. These conditions, characterized by weak and brittle bones, typically affect people ages 50 and older. Fortunately, it's never too early to start protecting yourself, and there's a lot you can do to keep your bones strong and lower your risk of osteoporosis.

Start Young

Think of your bones as a retirement savings account; you need to bank a lot of funds when you're young so you have plenty to draw on as you get older. Except with bones, you need to get your stores in sooner. Bones reach peak density when you're in your 20s.
From then on, your job is to keep those levels up by getting enough calcium and vitamin D, exercising, and taking other steps mentioned here.

Milk It

Calcium and vitamin D are like the Batman and Robin of the bone world — best when working together. Calcium is the foundation of healthy bones, and vitamin D is key to helping the body absorb calcium. And on its own, vitamin D helps build and repair bones and keeps muscle strong, which reduces the risk of falls.
Aim for 1,200mg of calcium a day — the amount in about 4 glasses of nonfat milk or 3 cups of nonfat yogurt — and 1,000 IU of vitamin D. Sadly, most Americans fall far short of these goals. If you don't do dairy, drink calcium- and vitamin D-fortified orange juice and consider taking supplements.

Know Your Numbers

Osteoporosis is often called a "silent disease" because it doesn't show obvious outward symptoms until a bone breaks — not the sign you want to wait for.
But a quick and painless test, called a bone mineral density (BMD) test, can tell you how strong your bones are. Your doctor can then combine the results of this test (which is given as a number called a T-score) with other risk factors like your age and gender to determine your actual risk of breaking a bone in the next 10 years.

Meat Halfway

The popular saying suggests all things in moderation, and meat is no exception when it comes to healthy bones. Calcium and phosphorous help the body digest animal protein. Eating too much red meat, fish, pork, and poultry can sap these resources from the bone. But protein deficiency hinders calcium absorption in the intestines.
To get it just right, limit your animal protein intake to no more than twice a day, and eat small portions — about 3 ounces, the size of a deck of cards.

Don't Smoke, Limit Drinking

One more reason to quit: Smoking increases the rate of bone loss. Women who smoke have lower levels of estrogen and tend to hit menopause sooner, both of which accelerate bone loss.
If you drink, keep it to no more than 2 drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. Anything more will interfere with your body's ability to absorb calcium and will also slow new bone formation.

Ask Mom & Dad

Genes determine a lot of factors that affect your overall bone health — including your bone size and bone mass, when you'll go through menopause, and how well your body uses calcium and vitamin D. These traits are passed down from father to son and mother to daughter. For instance, a woman whose mother had a hip fracture is at a high risk for the same accident. By knowing your family history, you can take appropriate steps to intervene, including earlier screening and use of medication.

Shake It Off

Too much sodium causes calcium to leach out of your bones and get excreted in your urine. To keep more calcium in your bones (and less in the bowl), follow a low-sodium diet by cutting down on processed foods and keeping the salt shaker off the table.

Pound the Pavement

Weight-bearing exercises — activities that force you to work against gravity — strengthen bone by stimulating bone-building cells called osteoblasts. Your leg, hip, and lower back bones benefit the most, which is important because these bones are very susceptible to debilitating fractures.
High-impact exercises like running, tennis, basketball, and kickboxing strengthen bone the fastest, but even more moderate regimens do the trick. A 2005 study from Japan showed that doing just 10 vertical jumps three times a week significantly increased the bone mineral density in young women. If high-impact moves aren't safe for you, try brisk walking instead.

Flex It

Every time you flex your muscles, tendons — which attach muscle to bone — tug on your bones stimulating them to grow. Therefore, any exercise that helps build muscle (lifting weights, using resistance bands, doing yoga) will also help build bone. Another plus: Strong muscles improve your balance and coordination so you're less likely to fall.
You don't even have to leave your house, just strap on one- or two-pound wrist and ankle weights while doing chores at home. "This allows you to build bone and muscle in the course of your everyday activities," says Bridget Sinnott, MD, assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Bonus Tip: Protect Against Falls

Even after taking steps to build strong bones, some people will still be at risk for fractures. And in later stages of osteoporosis, simply walking around your home can become an accident waiting to happen. But several simple, DIY fixes can reduce your risk of falling and breaking a bone.

• Secure rugs and fasten down the corners of rugs that are curling up
• Remove clutter from walkways
• Install a nightlight to illuminate the route from your bed to the bathroom
• Use a no-skid rubber mat in the bathtub
• Have a handyman install a grab bar in the shower
• Make sure your slippers have rubber soles

Also, get your eyes checked once a year. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration impair vision and can make obstacles more difficult to see. A 2005 UK study showed cataract surgery reduces the rate of falls by 34 percent.

 

Courtesy of Healthline Networks Inc.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a widely misunderstood and sometimes misdiagnosed chronic condition, commonly characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, concentration issues, and sleep problems. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it affects an estimated 10 million people, mainly women, in the United States alone. The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms can vary from one person to the next and may fluctuate even in a single individual, depending on such factors as time of day or the weather. Because it is a chronic condition, in most cases fibromyalgia symptoms never disappear entirely. The good news is that fibromyalgia isn't progressive or life-threatening, and treatments can help alleviate many symptoms.

Fibromyalgia: The Symptoms
The symptoms of fibromyalgia and their severity vary widely, although pain and fatigue are nearly always present. Major symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

Pain. Some fibromyalgia patients report discomfort in one or more specific areas of their body, while others may experience overall pain in their muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Certain areas, such as the back of the head, upper back and neck, elbows, hips, and knees may be particularly sensitive to touch or pressure and are described clinically as tender points. The degree and type of pain can range from aching, tenderness, and throbbing to sharper shooting and stabbing sensations. Intense burning, numbness, and tingling may also be present.

Fatigue. If you've ever been knocked off your feet by a bad case of the flu, you have a general idea of how tired some people with fibromyalgia can feel. Though some fibromyalgia patients experience only mild fatigue, many report feeling completely drained of energy, both physically and mentally, to the point that exhaustion interferes with all daily activities.

Memory problems. Difficulty concentrating and remembering are common cognitive symptoms in people with fibromyalgia.

Sleep disturbances. Research has shown that the deepest stages of sleep in patients with fibromyalgia are constantly interrupted by bursts of brain activity, causing feelings of exhaustion even after a seemingly good night's rest. Other problems such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and teeth grinding (bruxism) are also common among fibromyalgia sufferers.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of IBS, including diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating, are present in many people with fibromyalgia.

Other common symptoms

• Headaches, migraines, and facial pain
• Depression, anxiety, or mood changes
• Painful menstrual periods
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth, eyes, and skin
• Heightened sensitivity to noise, odors, bright lights, and touch

Symptom Triggers
The following factors can worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia:

• Changes in weather (too cold or too humid)
• Too much or too little exercise
• Too much or too little rest
• Stress and anxiety
• Depression

Some patients also report that pain and stiffness are worse in the morning.
Causes of Fibromyalgia
 
While the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains a mystery, doctors do know that patients with the disorder experience an increased sensation of pain due to a glitch in the central nervous system's processing of pain information. Studies have shown that people with fibromyalgia also have certain physiological abnormalities, such as elevated levels of certain chemicals called nuerotransmitters that help transmit pain signals (thus amplifying, or "turning up," the signals in the brain's pain-processing areas).
In some cases, an injury or trauma, especially to the cervical spine, or a bacterial or viral illness, may precede a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This has caused researchers to speculate that infections may be triggers as well.

Fibromyalgia Risk Factors
A number of factors can increase the odds that you may develop fibromyalgia. These include:
Gender. Fibromyalgia is more common among women than men.

Age. Symptoms usually appear during middle age, but can also manifest in children and older adults.

History of rheumatic disease. People who have been diagnosed with a rheumatic disorder — chronic inflammatory conditions — such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are at increased risk of also developing fibromyalgia.

Family history. Having a relative who suffers from fibromyalgia puts you at increased risk.

Sleep problems. Doctors aren't sure whether sleep disturbances are a cause or a symptom of fibromyalgia — but sleep disorders, including restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea have been cited as possible fibromyalgia triggers.

When to Seek Help for Fibromyalgia
If you experience pain in your muscles that lasts for several months and is accompanied by significant fatigue, see your doctor.

By Katherine Lee

Medically reviewed by Ed Zimney, MD

Ugliest Faces in the World

Variety of faces around the world which are rated as 'ugliest and funniest.' These are some of the most popular images in the web.

Photos are from public domain.

12 year old with an IQ higher than Stephen Hawking’s

Meet the 12 year old with an IQ higher than Stephen Hawking’s

As a three year old with a passion for stars he went on a tour of the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium at Butler University in Indianapolis.

This is the day his mother Kristin Barnett would never forget (via the IndyStar):

“We were in the crowd, just sitting, listening to this guy ask the crowd if anyone knew why the moons going around Mars were potato-shaped and not round.
Jacob raised his hand and said, ‘Excuse me, but what are the sizes of the moons around Mars?’ ”
The lecturer answered, and Jacob looked at him and said the “gravity of the planet . . . is so large that (the moon’s) gravity would not be able to pull it into a round shape.”
Silence.

Meet Jacob Barnett, now 12 years old, mildly autistic and with an IQ of 170 – higher than Stephen Hawkings and Albert Einstein. At age three, he was solving 5,000 piece jigsaw puzzles and now he’s already got a paid research position at Indiana University.
For a taster of this little man’s out-of-this-world genius, watch this (and enjoy his mother’s comedic timing).

Improve Wi-Fi Reception

 

Last June 2005 the record for the longest WiFi connection was set at 125 miles. While this distance is probably beyond your needs, here are some quick tips to maximize your signal strength and minimize interference with a little wireless feng shui.

1. Put large furniture along the exterior walls of your home.

1. Minimize mirrors. All metallic surfaces reflect WiFi signals, including the thin metal layer found in most mirrors.

1. Place your router in one of the following locations:
   • Near the center of the house
   • Off the floor, ideally on a high shelf
   • As far as possible from your neighbor's Wi-Fi router (which, of course, you've made sure is using a different channel)
   • Away from cordless phones and microwaves, which operate on the same 2.4-Ghz frequency.(There are some cordless phones that are Wi-Fi friendly)
   • Keep antennas as far away from power cords and other computer wires as possible. Those cords and wires can interfere with radio reception.
   
   Courtesy of www.wikihow.com
   

Cameron Diaz Photo Collection

Cameron Michelle Diaz (born August 30, 1972) is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other notable movie credits include Charlie's Angels, and voicing the character Princess Fiona for the Shrek series.