Life Goes On in Spite of Economic Woes

Now, where was I? What was I planning to do? Oh well, there goes my memory again!!

Well now there is hope with work carried out at the University of Haifa. A protein essential in long-term memory consolidation has been identified at the University of Haifa.

As the process of memory creation and consolidation is the first to be affected in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, understanding the biological mechanisms of the process brings us one step closer to finding a treatment for these diseases, said chief researcher Prof. Kobi Rosenblum, who published the study in the prestigious journal Nature Neuroscience.

The full story can be read at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221745575471&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

And so life goes on inspite of the politics, elections both here and overseas, the economies etc.

On a totally different track Kfar Saba became the first city in Israel, and perhaps in the world to adopt a master plan to become a sustainable, environmentally friendly city.

A team of experts spent a year compiling a comprehensive plan to overhaul everything from light bulbs to transportation to construction. Parts of the plan will already be adopted in 2009, Kfar Saba Mayor Yehuda Ben-Hemo said upon accepting the report and all of its recommendations.

To cite just a few of the many and diverse proposals, all building from now on will be green building focusing on energy saving, alternative energy sources and similar elements. On a smaller scale, the city will convert all streetlights and traffic lights to energy-saving bulbs.

The team of experts suggested creating a broad system of bike paths to encourage nonpolluting transportation. In addition, they suggested creating a rent-a-bike system like the one that currently serves Paris. The experts also recommended exploring the use of cleaner or smaller buses for public transportation.

The municipality plans to become an example to residents of sustainable living. It will also report to residents on its progress and environmental issues in a transparent manner.

The city plans to reduce paper use in schools by 10 percent within three years and to create green councils in half the schools now and the rest within five years. Pupils will be encouraged to conduct research projects on environmental issues and recycling will be stressed both for schools and in the community at larger.

The full report can be read at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221745575870&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull