Electronic Cigarettes Can Still Cause Lung Diseases

Electronic cigarettes, the new invention of the 21st century, thought to be the best alternative and solution for smokers to quit smoking and stay healthy. However, a recent study shows that this new vapor smokless cigs can still cause lung diseases.

The study was done on 24 smokers who don't have any serious lung diseases. These people are long-term smokers.

The test was carried using electronic cigarettes (brand was not disclosed) in a short period of time. 11 people in the test was healthy, while the other 13 experience some type of lung clogging, asthma, and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD).

On September 2nd, scientists from Athens University, Greece reported the results to the WHO in Vienna. COPD is a life-threatening disease which interferes with normal breathing.

"More than 3 million people died of COPD in 2005, which is equal to 5% of all deaths globally that year" - World Health Organization 

This study shows how dangerous an electronic can be for human health. "The instant reaction of the respiratory system prove that the e cigs are more harmful than good". - Doctor Christina Gratziou said.
 
On the other hand, some debates addressed that the study wasn't broad enough to make any claims. Besides, there are no disclose on the actually e cigarette product that was used in the research. Of course this study still stir up many aspects of smokers' life, but the report has to be more straightforward and should be execute on a larger scale.

The specialists are still on their way to test and understand more about long-term affects of the electronic cigarettes on smokers.

Actually, the e cigarette is a device that provides nicotine to the lungs through vapor, not smoke. It doesn't have to go through the same lighting and firing process, but nicotine is still extract from real tobacco plants.

Again, there are two sides of the debates. But still, the reports and facts that was given out by both sides are still in the mist and not completely accurate. The benefits and harms are still on the line waiting for real concrete evidence.

Some think that politics and money power are involving with the e cigarette sales. Powerful cigarette companies doesn't want the e cigs to be legalized and thus will reduce their profits. Because smokeless cigarette companies provide hopes for people who desperately need some changes, regular cigarette companies have to worry. My opinion is that if you are going to ban one, then ban both. If one is legalized, then legalize the other as well.

Source: http://greencigarettes.net

4.2 Million USD Batman Mobile Sold

On Jan 19th, 2013, a Batmobile was sold for almost 4.2 million USD at a Barret-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

If you don't know, this Batmobile originally appeared in the Batman TV series back then, from 1966 to 1968. This model is the mother of all Batmobile because it was the first bat appear on film.

This car is great for any serious collector all around the world. It is still in awesome condition after those years. The awesome design makes this Bat an one of a kind treasure for collectors. After taxes, the car cost about 4.65 million US dollars, almost 3 times more expensive than the Bugatti Vernon (fastest car in the world).

Designed and manufactured by engineer George Barris right after the ABC announcement of the movie in 1965, this Bat has given the film a new look and attracted viewers for its unique and mystic features. The whole body resemblances the black bat, the back end has features similar to a bat wing as well.

The car was made from the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car body which was bought for merely 1 dollar at that time. Barris design and work on this fast. Only after 15 days of hard work, the first Batmobile in history was born. The estimated cost for this Bat is about 15,000 dollars. As an appreciation for George good work, after the film was finished, the Batmobile stayed with him ever since.

The convertible roof was designed with high-tech features such as "bat-laser" machine, radar, and a computerized control system. If you've seen the original film, there are also many cool features such as laser gun, inflatable tires. However, these features only available for the real Batman in the movie.

The car was sold to a new buyer also from Arizona, Rick Champagne, a successful 56 years old general manager of a service company. Now, he definitely has a new place to celebrate his "Champagne" successful business.

Cruise Around Manila With The "Jeepney"

As a "pimped up" version of the American army Jeep left back in the wars, Jeepney has become the main source of transportation in the Philippines.

If Thailand has the Tuk Tuk, in Manilla, there are Jeepneys. Like no where else in the world, Jeepneys are created by the Filipinos. The motors are taken from the original Jeep while the body was added to make it look longer with 2 rows of seats facing each other. This is like a taxi in the Philippines.

Each Jeepney can carry 8-10 people around the city. The inside of each is almost the same, but the outside is the wild imagination of the drivers or jeepney's owners. Each one is pretty unique with bright, colorful paintings and logos.

The Jeepneys run the street of Manila. It replace taxi and take people to desirable places whenever, wherever, even in small streets as well.

There are no Jeepney in Makati though, where high buildings, luxury apartments, big shopping malls and high amounts of taxi are located. Jeepney has become a symbol of Manila, and Philippines, like the Yellow Cab in New York city.


There's nothing more exciting than sitting in these Jeepneys and discover Manila on a tour around this beautiful modern city.

The driver takes you around through the streets while taking the fees at the same time. Even when there are many people on the ride talking loudly, he still understand and hear your request while taking you to the right place you want to be. You tell the driver where you want to go and he will tell you the price. He do both, driving and collecting money at the same time. Seems like a dangerous practice for typical Westerners.

You will experience a very cool vibe and meet friendly people in Manila. There is no Jeepney's stop like bus stop. You will always find your ride around the nearest corner where they drop customers. Like any community vehicle, you will need to carry some changes as the transaction will happen rather quickly to keep everyone on time.

Make sure you will hang tight while on these Jeepneys as the driver go fast, and break fast. Don't be scare, it just like normal safety procedures on a bus. But it is much better and cooler than a bus.

Colorful features is the main attraction of the Jeepneys. Different drivers have their own imagination and that makes the Jeepney the symbol of Manila. You can almost find these type of transportation anywhere in Manila, even in the gift shops.