The blog search technology is designed to let bloggers sign up to publish their weblogs. The technology boasts of various search tools that will enable blog visitors to retrieve content and images within weblogs, latest blog postings or pages marked as favorites.

Blogs are currently the rage in the Internet. Anybody with an Internet connection can publish a blog for the worldwide audience to see. At the beginning of 1999, there were only an estimated two or three dozen blogs in existence. As of July 2006, Technorati counted more than 50 million and still growing. In fact, 75 000 new blogs are created everyday.

A blog, short for weblog, is an interactive, personalized web journal for posting articles or anything one wants to share with the general public or a select few. Articles or posts are arranged in reverse chronological order, that is, recent addition is at the top of the page. A blog is updated regularly and contains links to other articles (posts), blogs or websites. Posting comments is another feature. Many blogs focus on a specific topic such as politics, sports, technology, health, news, etc. Others are more like personal diaries detailing the author’s (blogger) rants, raves and musings.

Because of the rapid growth of blogs, keeping on top of them is quite challenging. Industry players like Yahoo! is well aware of the increasing power of blogs and their ability to provide a wealth of information online. Yet, there are only a few blog-specific search tools to go through all the information in real time.

Two months after Yahoo! began testing the blog search feature on its Korean blog site; it has finally unveiled its blog search tool. The launch came at a time when the United States was still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. During that time, millions of people logged in to Yahoo! News for in-depth and accurate information. Simultaneously, bloggers were posting first-hand accounts, pictures, opinions, personal experiences. But due to lack of mainstream exposure, much relevant information was not disseminated. This further highlights the role that a blog search tool can play – a channel to bring information to the public in the shortest time possible.

Instead of launching a stand alone feature, Yahoo! has integrated blogs in Yahoo! News Search. When a user conducts a search in Yahoo! News, blog results as well as news from trusted news sites will be displayed simultaneously. Yahoo! acknowledges that the opinions, stories and experiences published on blogs make a great complement to mainstream news people read everyday. Blogs have proven to be an effective medium for anyone who wants to be heard in the public forum. A lot of times bloggers have even beaten mainstream media to newsworthy stories.

Traditional media recognize that they do not have the time and resources to cover all the events and happenings in the world. By incorporating the blog search into Yahoo! News, Yahoo! desires to offer an alternative perspective on news aside from what mainstream media can offer. Yahoo! wishes to bring professional journalism and amateur or citizen journalism together to provide the users with a wider array of information. Yahoo assures the users and the general public as well that there will be enough distinction where the information is coming from.

Yahoo! aims to learn from users and publishers. The expanded news search gives users more chances to find relevant information that matters to them from leading news stories, commentaries, citizen first-hand reports, pictures and images that mainstream media may not have covered. It will be to the utmost benefit of the millions of people who wants to be informed of what is going on around the world if Yahoo! News can bring mainstream and personal or grassroots media together. The people are then assured of greater variety of sources and viewpoints from all corners of the world.

When a user conducts a search on Yahoo! News, results from mainstream media partners of Yahoo! will be displayed on the left side of the page. On the right side, in a side-bar type area will be relevant blog search results. When the user clicks on “all blog results”, the user will receive Flickr (Yahoo!’s photo sharing service) photo thumbnails related to his search on the right hand side of the search results page. By integrating global grassroots media into the News Search results, users can enjoy analysis or opinions thru blogs but also related photos from the Flickr community that will provide a visual context to content as reported by the citizens. In addition, My Web links will also be displayed on the right hand side of the search results page together with Flickr. My Web is Yahoo!’s social search engine that utilizes the combined knowledge of the My Web community. My Web provides important links to information related to the user’s search topic.

As to which search results to display in its blog column, Yahoo! does not give specifics but suffice it to say that blog search results are based in part on the popularity of the blogs within My Yahoo!, as measured by a computer algorithm. At first, only blogs registered with the My Yahoo! RSS directory will be included in the search but will eventually scan the millions of blogs outside the My Yahoo! sphere.

Yahoo!’s Blog Search will complement Yahoo! 360, its social networking and blog publishing service and Yahoo!’s recently launched advertising service for small publishers.

Whether you are looking for political commentary on the Israeli air strikes in Lebanon, Superman movie reviews, iMac G5 specs, sumptuous Vietnamese recipes, Louis Vuitton’s latest bag collection, or anything else, Yahoo! Blog Search will help you find out what people are saying on these subjects of your choice.

http://www.theinternetone.net
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RAGE CELL RECEPTORS are associated with damaging low-grade inflammation of the brain that results in the formation of abnormal beta-amyloid plaques and other pathological processes.

BETA-AMYLOID PLAQUES aggravate inflammation of brain tissue. They also accumulate in the walls of small blood vessels where they accelerate the degeneration of neuronal tissue by impeding blood flow to the brain.

TAU TANGLES slow the movement of nutrients and chemical messengers within the nerve cells. Neurons are the longest cells in the body and are particularly vulnerable to this type of interference.

These disease processes lead to wasting and malfunction of neurons and the loss of synapses (nerve connections) and their associated neurotransmitter chemicals from key areas of the brain. The impeded communications between different areas of the brain results in memory loss, reduced cognitive function, mood changes and other symptoms.

HOW TO COUNTER ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE:

1. EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN

Research has shown that those individuals who challenge themselves with relatively complex activities can improve communications between different areas of the brain by stimulating the growth of NEW brain cells and synaptic connections. It is well known that stroke victims and those who have suffered brain trauma can regain lost function by learning to use undamaged parts of the brain. This is also true of Alzheimer’s disease.

By engaging in activities that stimulate the brain, we can activate neural pathways that have not been damaged by beta-amyloid plaques, tau tangles or hyperactive RAGE receptors. Regularly doing puzzles, taking dancing and music lessons or learning a new language all help to maintain active neurons and synapses.

2. IMPROVE CIRCULATION TO THE BRAIN

As we age the circulation to our brain diminishes. Circulation can be improved in a number of ways:

Although regular physical exercise of any type will help to improve cerebral circulation aim for at least a 30 minute brisk walk every day. It is even more beneficial to take part in a regular exercise program that includes cardiovascular and resistance workouts.

Increased mental activity uses more energy which demands an increased blood supply. Therefore brain exercises not only improve brain tissue function but also enhance circulation to the brain.

Some micronutrients such as CARNOSIC ACID found in culinary herbs such as rosemary and sage have been shown to enhance cerebral circulation by dilating the main arteries feeding the brain.

3. MEDICATE YOUR BRAIN WITH SPICES

An adequate supply of a variety of effective micronutrients in the diet are essential to counter inflammation, oxidative stress, toxic metals, the deposition of damaging beta-amyloid and tau proteins and the expression of RAGE receptors.

Spices such as turmeric, rosemary and sage contain the most valuable Alzheimer’s fighting phytonutrients and should be taken with other spices on a daily basis. Spices work best when a variety are eaten together as they then work synergistically to enhance one another’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.

Curcumin, from turmeric, inhibits the deposition of beta-amyloid and tau tangles and is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrient. Moreover, it is also a chelating agent and therefore helps to rid the body of damaging metals and other toxins.

The amazing phytonutrient, carnosic acid, as well as being an outstanding antioxidant with unique properties, enhances the blood supply to the brain. It also stimulates the production of glutathione, one of the brain’s most important antioxidants,

If we fail to implement all of the above lifestyle changes we are much more likely to notice an age-related decline in cognitive function or develop Alzheimer’s disease. However, if we exercise our minds and bodies and provide them with restorative and protective phytonutrients we have a far greater chance of retaining sharp, active brains well into our senior years and avoid falling victim to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Keith Scott is a medical doctor with a special interest in the healing properties of spices and phytonutrients. He has written several books including the groundbreaking, “Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power of Spices”. Download a free pdf copy of his book, “Medicinal Seasonings” and read more about the preventive properties of spices go to: => http://www.medspice.com
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