Crape Myrtle Blooming in the Summer – Nature 28

We know that many flowers blooming in the spring, but some flowers include Crape Myrtle blooming in the summer.

Image 1 – Red Crape Myrtle

Almost all houses in our neighborhood grow this kind of flower, sure with different colors.

We recognize at least four colors both in our neighborhood areas and nearby roads:

- red
- white
- purple
- pink

Image 2- Tend to pink color

Image 3- Purple color

Image 4- White of Crape Myrtle

Image 5- Crape Myrtle on the roadside

Based on internet searching, one author, John Barrat (2018: Crape myrtle trees aren’t native to the U.S., but hungry native birds still find them tasty) reported that this flower is come from Asia.

The origin of Crape myrtle from countries such as:

- China
- Korea
- and other hot temperature areas.

Since temperature of our city, Baton Rouge, LA could reach F 100 (C 38) degree, it is not surprising this flower grow very well.

# Previous postings:

- Visitor My Blogger - 12 Countries in 3 Days
- Cold Morning at My Workplace, Baton Rouge, USA
- Local Event Called as “Mardi Gras” In Louisiana, USA
- Making Perfume in the Organic Chemistry Laboratory - Science 1

Knock Out to Understand Human Diseases – Part 2 – Science 14

You may read the previous posting (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Knock Out to Understand Human Diseases – Part 1 – Science 14

Image 1- chrysanthemums

The knockout will result in disrupt of targeted gene. Since mouse is closely related to humans, thus, it is favorite animal for knockout experiments, especially with regard to genetic questions that relate to human physiology.

At the firt Image (Please see Part 1: Knock Out to Understand Human Diseases – Part 1 – Science 14), we can see how to target gene.

The introduce specific gene modification in mice by the use of embryonic stem (ES) cell, then produced knockout animal (mice).

Image 2- Alaska Pollock, just for illustration

Image 3- Banana, illustration only

As described by Hansson (2007: ADVANCED INFORMATION. Gene modification in mice.) that knockout have become absolutely important in medical research.

Then, through targeting (removing) a specific gene, we can find out what happens once it is gone.

It is lead to new understanding of normal development and disease processes, then identified new avenues for medical therapy which benefits to human being in the near future.

Just to let you know that Hansson, GK was the Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine 2007

# Previous postings:

- Why are We Getting Obese Nowadays? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 20
- Diet of Rose breasted grosbeak in Nature – Nature 25
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Tea Made of Hibiscus Flowers
- Have You Tried to Consume Any Forms of Coconut Products?

Buy One Get One Free of Frappuccino – Part 1

Our city, Baton Rouge, LA, locates at deep south of USA experienced very hot temperature during summer season, especially from June to August every year.

Image 1- The offer of Frappuccino, buy one get one free

The temperature was around 30⁰ C to even as high as 41⁰ C, we feel like living in the desserts of Middle East or somewhere else.

It is interesting to find “cool” areas such as public libraries or Barnes & Nobel coffee shop.

Quite attractive that Barnes & Nobel coffee shop also books store where we can do reading while drinking icy beverage.

Image 2- Coffee shop at Barnes & Noble bookstore

Image 3- A little garden

I just ordered a kind of new beverage for me, called as Frappuccino. Surprisingly, buy one get one free.

Frappuccino, I think a beverage with 3 combines that are coffee, icy and specific ingredients. Blending altogether.

I think it is an awesome deal.

The offer started from June 19^th until July 22. It seems to attract customers for hot summer.

Uniquely, the deal for 4 hours only, happy hours from 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM every day.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Do You Know American Native Ginseng?
- Countries which Export Coconut to America
- Blue Mirror Flowers Blooming Twice in a Season – Nature 24

Could Avocado Reduce Metabolic Syndrome? - Part 2 - Healthy Life 21

You may read the previous posting (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Could Avocado Reduce Metabolic Syndrome? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 21 

Image 1- Half cut of avocado.

Since they boost metabolism, thus these two type of fats may reduce risk of:

- heart disease
- stroke
- and type 2 diabetes.

It is believed that the avocado could improve our immune system to fight of micro pathogens.

Image 2- Sunset seen from a port in our city

Image3- Pile of avocados in the grocery

Avocado is good quality of diet, and very delicious for me. We consume this fruit at least twice a month. They are sold in many groceries include Walmart and Mexican grocery.

It riches in nutrition as well. In generally speaking, the fruit contains:

- 20 vitamins, some of them are A, C, E, K, B6.
- minerals (magnesium, potassium)
- antioxidants (carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin)

Have you ever tasted avocado?

Do you like its?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Summer is a Perfect Time to Ride a Motorbike
- Rose breasted grosbeak Comes to Our Neighborhood – Nature 23
- GUTSY WOMEN of Hillary and Chelsea – Part 2 – Reading 10
- Local Property Tax for Funding Our City Transport System

A Juvenile Woodpecker Hit a Glass Window – Nature 27

I saw birds hit my glass window several times. Many of them can fly away, but few not able to move and even dead.

I can do nothing for helping dead birds. Just feel very sad.

Image 1- A Juvenile Woodpecker can’t fly

Couple weeks ago, A juvenile woodpecker hit a glass window, and unfortunately couldn’t fly away.

I tried to call several numbers, but got nowhere

After thinking a while, then I called Veterinary school at my city, Baton Rouge, LA. The school then ask me to bring the bird to them in the afternoon.

I drop the bird off at 4.00 pm, and the veterinarian there to help the injured Juvenile Woodpecker.

Image 2- Flowers and grass in the garden

I was so thankful, because the bird could be saved, and I feel that I have blessing for the day.

Image 3- Flowers under trees, birds love this place

However, as I said that few birds are “not able to move and even dead.” As far as I remember they are including:

- humming bird
- cardinal
- warbler
- brown creeper

As many people said that birds hit the window glass because they see reflections of:

- vegetation or plants as potential of their foods resources.
- their own, and think that outsiders

# Previous postings:

- What are Health Benefit of Eating Mango? - Part 2 – Health Life 19
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Shredded Rotisserie Chicken with Purple Bell Peppers – Food 15

We talked little bit of Purple Bell Peppers at previous posting:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Purple Bell Peppers in the Farmer Market – Food 14

Image 1- Sauté of peppers and shredded rotisserie chicken

I believe the taste of raw pepper is crisp, but less sweet than red and yellow ones.

I prefer to sauté those peppers, added some slices:

- sweet yellow onion
- green onion
- and red tabasco peppers for flavors.

Image 2- Raw chicken in the market

Image 3- Cutting one half of bell peppers

Image 4- The purple color covers one half only

Then I mixed the slices of purple bell peppers with the shredded (cooked) rotisserie chicken.

As you know that sauté is a technique to fry food with small amount of margarine or fat.

We usually use little fire with oil to coat the food in order to:

- prevent sticking to the pan
- conducting heat to foods

The mixed of purple bell pepper with the shredded rotisserie chicken was very tasty and a little bit spicy.

# Previous postings:

- Weekly Farmer Market at Our Neighborhood
- GUTSY WOMEN of Hillary and Chelsea – Part 1 – Reading 10
- CATS Transport System in Our City Baton Rouge, LA
- What kinds of foods are Consumed by Crowned Night Heron? - Nature 22

Knock Out to Understand Human Diseases – Part 1 – Science 14

Knockout is a technique to in-activate specific genes in human body. The technique is part of biotechnology.

Image 1- Procedure to produce gene knockout animal

(Source: Hansson, 2007)

This technology has been used to modify living organisms in order to improve human welfare since long time ago, may be dated back to ancient time about 5000 B.C.E.

Inactivated specific genes is the biochemical and pathological basis that might be used to understand human diseases.

For these purposes the scientists produced a knockout mouse.

Image 2- Red tulip, just illustration

National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH (2015: Knockout Mice) informed that human share many genes with mice.

Image 3- Green at neighborhood, illustration only

Thus, observing knockout mice gives information that can be used to better understand how a similar gene may cause or contribute to disease in humans.

Image 4- Looking cute, just illustration

So far, knockout mice have been used to understand many diseases, including: - cancer

- obesity and diabetes
- heart disease
- arthritis
- substance abuse
- anxiety
- aging and Parkinson disease.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- What are Health Benefit of Eating Mango? - Part 1 – Health Life 19
- Colorful Flowers in the Spring – Nature 21
- Parks for Dogs in My City Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Part 2
- In what chromosomes are the gene mutation related to Alzheimer's Disease? - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 5