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from UTNE Reader --
It’s easy to play good news-bad news when considering the environmental effects of the global economic crisis. Rhett Butler at Mongabay.com, one a popular rainforest conservation website, gave us a bit of a lift in a recent commentary when he pointed out that “plunging commodity prices may offer a reprieve for the world’s beleaguered tropical forests.” Butler is a realist, and he readily cites the many environmental downsides of the current crisis, but he also notes that the price dive “may do what conservationists have largely failed to achieve in recent years: slow deforestation.” It’s not just wood he’s talking about: He notes that in Southeast Asia, a collapse in the prices of palm oil and rubber “is causing a shake-out in the plantation sector, which has become one of the leading drivers of deforestation in the region.”
 

from Body+Soul Magazine --
Overuse of synthetic artificial disinfectants, hand sanitizers, sprays and antibacterial soaps causes germs to morph, which can lead to antibiotic-resistant "superbugs." Hand washing with plain simple soap and water remains the best way to reduce germs, but if you like the idea of an added layer of protection, make your own natural antibacterial spray. Just combine 1 teaspoon of essential oil from lavender, rosemary, sage or your favorite with mint in one cup of white vinegar in a new spray bottle.
 

from the Association for Research & Enlightenment --
For some years the A.R.E. organization has conducted expeditions in search of remains of the lost continent of Atlantis. According to the mystic Edgar Cayce, Atlantis—located from the Gulf of Mexico to Gibraltar—was destroyed in a final catastrophic event around 10,000 B.C. Before the end of the last Ice Age (12,000-years ago) the ocean levels were at least 300 feet below their current levels. A vast "island" was in the area in those remote times rather than chains of islands. British researcher Andrew Collins proposes that the major remaining portions of Atlantis are in and around Cuba—especially in the area where possible underwater ruins were discovered in 2000. While researchers hoped that the "ruins" reported off the extreme western tip of Cuba are remnants of Atlantis, ARE research indicates that the formations lying on the 2100-foot bottom may be something else. This area lies near the locations of the Soviet-era guided missile bunkers and concrete platforms that were the critical issue in the 1961 Cuban missile crisis. Oh, well...

from Science Daily --
It matters whether you give your loved one a material gift or an experience for Valentine's Day, say researchers at The University of Texas, Austin and Washington University in St. Louis. Past research has shown that shared experiences such as vacations and theatre tickets will lead to more long-term happiness than will buying material goods. However, new research shows that sometimes experiences can backfire. "Previous studies have only tested happiness with positive experiences versus positive material purchases," said Irwin, associate professor of marketing at the University of Texas, McCombs School of Business. "We have studied the effects of negative purchases-ones where the results went poorly." Indeed, Irwin said, experiences do lead to more happiness when the purchase goes well. "However, for negative purchases, bad experiences lead to more lasting unhappiness than do bad material purchases. Experiences 'stay with' us longer than material purchases, whether good or bad. It's tougher to recover from picking the wrong experience than from picking the wrong thing."

So, when considering the perfect romantic gift, it may be best to forgo the risky adventure vacation (with its risk of danger and bad weather) in favor of a safer gift, such as a piece of jewelry. On the other hand, if you have a good reason to suspect that the experience will turn out well (if it is her favorite restaurant, for instance, or the movie tickets she has been hinting about) then experiences are the way to go and will leave your valentine happier longer than any material gift could.

If you read or hear of some interesting news for us, let us know. Call 828-254-6620, or go to our website, viratolive.com and contact us.