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As Paris Looks to Get Rid of Love Lock Bridges, Lockport Wants to Encourage Them

29Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

Lifestyle, World

As Paris Looks to Get Rid of Love Lock Bridges, Lockport Wants to Encourage Them

In some parts of the world -- especially Paris -- cities are trying to slowly wean citizens and tourists away from the practice of leaving "love locks." Yet some areas, such as Lockport, New York, are hoping to replicate the love lock's popularity in order to bring new tourism to their area. What is a love lock? About 15 years ago, couples visiting European cities began leaving locks on bridges as a symbol of their love. The locks are often decorated or bear the initials of the couple. Soon, many bridges in popular areas become completely covered with locks. Lockport, NY is hoping that the lock can have special resonance with their namesake. Lockport gets its name from the Erie canal locks within the city, and the new Lockport Beautiful group is hoping that the metal locks, permanently a...

Electric Feel: Special Bacteria Help Detect Water Pollutants

29Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

Lifestyle

Electric Feel: Special Bacteria Help Detect Water Pollutants

What happens when scientists and governments know that a body of water is polluted, but can't test for toxins due to the expensive equipment? The University of Bath brings in their electric bugs to test the waters. Scientists from the university's Department of Chemical Engineering have recently developed a low-cost and effective device that is intended to be used by developing countries in order to help them monitor their drinking water in real time. This real time data feedback will omit the need for expensive lab equipment. Water pollution cause by industrial waste is a serious problem in developing countries as many governments dismiss the need to monitor environmental impact as production takes top priority to improve the nation's economic standings. More developed countries ...

Car Insurance Basics: Why Switching Insurance Companies is Harder than Ever

29Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

Business

Car Insurance Basics: Why Switching Insurance Companies is Harder than Ever

UPDATED 10/13/2020 Car Insurance is a topic many adults are familiar with. To the many young and innocent drivers of America, it might be just a strange bit of maintenance they pay their parents $100 a month for. However, it's a lot more complicated than that. What Is Car Insurance? Car insurance's most basic definition is financial protection if you or another driver cause an accident that damages some else's person, car, or other property. Each state has minimum requirements for the coverage you need on the vehicle. Mandatory coverage often includes liability or bodily injuries, property damage, medical payments, personal injury, and uninsured motorist. Which of these you actually need is part of car insurance coverage law in your state. One of the car insurance coverage ...

U.S. Housing Industry Sees Rebound This July; Economics Cautiously Optimistic

29Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

Business

U.S. Housing Industry Sees Rebound This July; Economics Cautiously Optimistic

Developers, rejoice -- the U.S. home construction industry is experiencing a positive rebound. The data for July has just come in, and the government is reporting that the month saw an eight-month high. Construction increased 16%, equating to a little over one million homes, when adjusted for seasonal inflation. Experts had predicted a less dramatic upswing for July. The better than expected performance can be a good indicator that the economy as a whole is rebounding, and that the housing construction industry itself is experiencing more long-term gains. Economists always hope to find that the housing market is growing stronger, because new-home construction has a positive impact on the national economy. Building spurs demand for raw goods and creates jobs, while new home buyers help o...

27Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

Business

Creator of the Pop-Up Ad Issues Apology

If you hate pop-up ads with a burning passion, you're far from alone. In fact, Ethan Zuckerman, the man who created the pop-up ad while working for hosting site Tripod.com in the mid-1990s, hates them just as much as everyone else. And in a recent article he wrote for The Atlantic, he blatantly apologizes for creating this internet nightmare at all. According to Zuckerman, Tripod.com struggled for a while as it tried to create marketed content in a way that would reach consumers and result in a share of the revenue. Companies began complaining that their banner ads, which are placed directly on a webpage, could make it seem as though the company supported that particular page's content. After years of experimenting with different platforms, Tripod.com eventually settled on a model where...

U.S. Banks are Still Holding a Tight Grip on Small Business Loans

27Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

Business

U.S. Banks are Still Holding a Tight Grip on Small Business Loans

Although the economy has been steadily improving over the past few years, the small business lending industry has been slow to catch-up -- and many small business owners are feeling the lag. In Carrollton, Georgia, Brandi Shirey is hoping to expand her cake shop business, which she started up four years ago. Since then, the demand has grown to a point where the shop can't keep up. She hopes to borrow $20,000 in order to move to a new, larger storefront. Shirey, though, knows that even with her store's positive financial history, she'll need a bulletbroof credit record and paperwork in order to receive a bank loan. Things "aren't what they used to be," said Shirey in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Although banks have been loosening their grip on tight restrictions year by ...

26Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

World

Father’s Rights Activists Stage Four Day Protest In Order To Raise Awareness

In London's famous Hyde Park, several fathers' rights activists camped on the roof of a building at the main entrance of the park for several days last week. The protesters were subsequently arrested when they descended. Police were alerted early last week when five men and one woman climbed the Apsley Gate entrance to central London’s largest park. Of the total six protesters, two men and one woman are British, while the two other men are French and the sixth man is an American who has lived in France for decades, according to reports. The protesters are apart of a group called Human Worth, and were acting in support of New Fathers 4 Justice, which campaigns and raises awareness for greater fathers rights following couples divorcing or separating. “New Fathers 4 Justice want nothing...

Researchers Find Crucial Information About the Relationship of Psoriasis and Skin Discoloration

26Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

Lifestyle

Researchers Find Crucial Information About the Relationship of Psoriasis and Skin Discoloration

Anyone who's experienced psoriasis, acne or eczema probably has experience with the lingering redness or discoloration left in the wake of major breakouts. Fortunately researchers at Milstein Medical Research Program at The Rockefeller University have finally discovered the source of the correlation between pigment changes and psoriasis, which is good news for sufferers of acne and eczema as well. Their research revealed that immune system molecules called cytokines are closely related to several inflammatory skin conditions. Essentially, they signal passing immune cells when there's an infection so they can fight it off. Two specific cytokines known as interleukin-17 and tumor necrosis factor contain an excess of psoriasis, which forces the immune system to attack it's own skin cell...

Apple Attempts To Break Into Healthcare Industry With Healthkit App

26Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

Business

Apple Attempts To Break Into Healthcare Industry With Healthkit App

A few of the world's leading healthcare providers, including Mount Sinai, the Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins, are reported to be in talks with Apple regarding the use of the tech giant's new Healthkit mobile application. According to reports, Healthkit would be used to collect and store healthcare data and information at their facilities. The talks are in the very early stages and may not even amount to anything substantial, yet they highlight Apple's determination to break into the booming health tech industry by creating this app. Healthkit may just be become the go-to app for consolidating important patient health data and vitals, such as blood pressure, pulse, and weight, making it easier for consumers and healthcare providers to view. Apple's Health app is schedule to debut...

State Farm’s Auto Repair Practices Under Attack from Attorney General Lawsuit

26Aug

By rocitoutNo Comments

Business

State Farm’s Auto Repair Practices Under Attack from Attorney General Lawsuit

On Tuesday, Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell filed a potentially precedent-setting lawsuit: He's accusing major auto-insurance provider State Farm of forcing car repair shops to install unsafe replacement parts, endangering drivers across America.The lawsuit was filed in Baton Rouge's 19th Judicial district and is currently being reviewed by State Farm. In a press conference, Caldwell said, "State Farm has created a culture of unsafe business practices in which consumer vehicle repairs are performed with cost savings as the primary goal, rather than safety and reliability."Caldwell is focusing specifically on the use of after-market and junkyard parts for car repairs. These parts are cheaper to buy and install, but they may also be damaged or ill-fitting. Cheap parts often lack su...