Putting Silicone Along Bath Top

Where the bath meets the wall tiles is usually made waterproof with silicone from a tube. If this is done when the bath is empty, the silicone may pull away from bath or tiles when the bath is filled with water - and is therefore heavier. Tip: Fill the bath with water before sealing with silicone.

Fake Emails, Scams and Viruses

Someone phones you to say your computer has been identified as vulnerable and asking you to go to a specific website. Just put the phone down - they want your details. Read more at Microsoft security queries.

You get an email telling you your banking details are incorrect and that you need to go to their website to correct them. Delete the message - they are trying to get your details. Read more at Microsoft security tips.

Something has taken over your internet settings so you automatically get taken to (e.g. a rubbishy shopping-type home page) and all attempts to re-set the default come to nothing next time you log on. The likely cause is that you have downloaded some software that had hi-jack software contained within it. Firstly, see if you can recall what you've downloaded in the recent past. Then go to Google Groups and run a search and see if other people have reported the same thing, and they may have suggestions for getting rid of it. Alternatively, do a search on the name of the page that your browser is now defaulting to  in order to see if anyone has reported the same thing. It's also worth getting a copy of Ad Aware (free) from LavaSoft (www.lavasoftusa.com/) and running that. It should tell you if you've got spyware and so on onstalled and should help yu get rid of it; it's very simple to use and and doesn't require any technical knowhow. Alternatively, try Spybot (www.safernetworking.org/)

Getting emails from FindTheDirt.com? Ignore them. These emails tell you that some of their members were trying to find out information about you. If you visit the site you're told that in order to view the request or the information about you, you need to register. This of course is not free but when you have paid, you find that there is no information about you or that it is very basic, such as your email address.

Phil Bradley in CILIP Update (various dates)

Food and Medicine Interactions

Milk and dairy foods
If taking an antibiotic called tetracycline (often prescribed for acne), you should avoid milk and dairy products. The calcium and magnesium in these foods combines with the drug, creating a compound that the body cannot break down, Absorption is prevented and the drug won't work properly.

Green Vegetables
If taking the blood thinning drug Warfarin, don't each too much broccoli, spinach or other green, leafy vegetables. They are rich in vitamin K, which counteracts the effect of the drug.


Good Housekeeping, February 2009

AMD - Age-related Macular Degeneration

AMD is a disease of the macula, an area at the back of the eye that is essential for seeing detail, colour and things straight ahead. Although it rarely causes total sight loss, it robs people of central vision, making it hard or impossible to read, drive, identify faces, watch tv, do fine tasks, navigate stairs and many other everyday tasks.
In dry AMD macular cells are damaged due to lack of nutrients and debris known as drusen builds up; it usually progresses slowly. Wet AMD occurs when new blood vessels form under the macula, which can leak leading to scarring and rapid loss of vision.
Risk factors are: age, gender, genes and lifestyle. AMD is most common in the over-60s and women. Blue-eyed people are most at risk, while smoking, sun exposure, unhealthy eating and possibly alcohol all increase risk.
Treatment. Wet AMD is treated using injectable medications. Dry AMD cannot be treated, but using magnifiers to read and techniques like 'eccentic viewing' which trains patients to use remaining peripheral vision (e.g. looking slightly to one side of a tv screen) can help. Clinical trials are investigating drops or tablets for wet AMD and stem cells for dry AMD.
Eating for eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin (two members of the carotinoid family) may offer some protection.

Healthspan magazine, Spring 2014

Honey

Honey crystallizes over time. To reverse this, place the jar - with lid on - in a bowl of hot water and leave until the crystals dissolve.