Why dinosaurs shook their tail feathers

Feathered dinosaurs might have used muscular tails to shake tail feathers and lure the opposite sex, researchers say.

Scientists analyzed 75-million-year-old fossils of feathered, two-legged dinosaurs known as oviraptors retrieved during expeditions to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. Although oviraptors were members of the meat-eating theropods, making them relatives of such fearsome predators as T. rex and Velociraptor , most oviraptors had beaks that lacked teeth.

"There are good reasons to think they had gone vegetarian," researcher Scott Persons, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Alberta in Canada, told LiveScience. "They were odd ducks, strange dinosaurs," said Persons, who presented the study results at the Society for Vertebrate Paleontology's annual meeting in November, but only this week were they published in a scientific journal.

Past research had revealed oviraptors often had eye-catching bone crests on their heads. "Now we know there was something funny going on at the other end, too," Persons said.

Oviraptor tails were short, but were made of many tailbones, with many points between these vertebrae where they could flex. Persons and his colleagues found oviraptor tailbones also had many projections onto which muscles could attach. Computer models estimating the size of these muscles based on oviraptor skeletons suggest these muscles were quite large. [ Paleo-Art: Stunning Illustrations of Dinosaurs ]

"Their tails were not only very, very flexible, but quite muscular," Persons said. "They could not only move them sinuously to strike a pose, but also hold it to do a muscular dance with the tail."

Unusually, at the very end of the tail, "in some oviraptors, the last few vertebrae were actually fused together to become one solid, ridged, bladelike structure," Persons said. "The only other kind of animal where you see that are modern-day birds, where it's called a pygostyle, which serves as an anchor point for a big fan of tail feathers."

Modern-day birds use pygostyles to help them fly, "but oviraptors were not flying animals ? they had feathers, but they didn't have big broad wings," Persons said. "What else are pygostyles used for? Peacocks and turkeys use their tail feathers for courtship displays."

Past research has suggested that dinosaurs may have first evolved feathers for show, not flight. Persons and his colleagues found that at least four known oviraptor species separated by 45 million years had pygostyles.

"I think like peacocks, oviraptors were strutting their stuff by shaking their tail feathers to show off," Persons said. "Between the crested head and feathered-tail shaking, oviraptors had a propensity for visual exhibitionism."

Although feathers on dinosaur forearms might have served as stabilizers that helped them steer, that may not have been the case for any tail plumes. "Flightless birds such as ostriches and emus don't have big tail-feather fans, and birds that do have big tail-feather fans such as peacocks and turkeys don't try to use them to run at all, but just keep them tucked in except when fanned out for display."

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In the future, Persons and his colleagues want to see if such tails were typically found in one sex or the other. "Maybe they were larger in males, as we see in modern-day birds," Persons said. "The problem there is that the tip of the tail is one of the rarest parts of a fossil skeleton to find, so it might be hard to discover evidence of these sexual differences."

Persons and colleagues Philip Currie and Mark Norell detailed their findings in Friday's issue of the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook? and Google+.

? 2012 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50365603/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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Merkel highlights economy in German election year

German chancellor Angela Merkel pauses during her speech at a party leaders' meeting in Wilhelmshaven, northern Germany Saturday Jan. 5, 2013. Chancellor Angela Merkel is highlighting Germany's economic strength and dismissing worries that her party could be dragged down by its struggling coalition partner as she kicks off campaigning for an important state election. Merkel's center-right coalition faces a tough battle to extend its 10-year hold on Lower Saxony state in the Jan. 20 election. Polls suggest the center-left opposition has a good chance of winning - giving it a significant boost ahead of September national elections in which Merkel will seek a third term. (AP Photo/dapd/ David Hecker)

German chancellor Angela Merkel pauses during her speech at a party leaders' meeting in Wilhelmshaven, northern Germany Saturday Jan. 5, 2013. Chancellor Angela Merkel is highlighting Germany's economic strength and dismissing worries that her party could be dragged down by its struggling coalition partner as she kicks off campaigning for an important state election. Merkel's center-right coalition faces a tough battle to extend its 10-year hold on Lower Saxony state in the Jan. 20 election. Polls suggest the center-left opposition has a good chance of winning - giving it a significant boost ahead of September national elections in which Merkel will seek a third term. (AP Photo/dapd/ David Hecker)

German chancellor Angela Merkel delivers her speech at a party leaders' meeting in Wilhelmshaven, northern Germany Saturday Jan. 5, 2013. Chancellor Angela Merkel is highlighting Germany's economic strength and dismissing worries that her party could be dragged down by its struggling coalition partner as she kicks off campaigning for an important state election. Merkel's center-right coalition faces a tough battle to extend its 10-year hold on Lower Saxony state in the Jan. 20 election. Polls suggest the center-left opposition has a good chance of winning - giving it a significant boost ahead of September national elections in which Merkel will seek a third term. (AP Photo/dapd/ David Hecker)

BERLIN (AP) ? Chancellor Angela Merkel highlighted Germany's economic strength as she kicked off campaigning Saturday for an important state vote that comes months before national elections, and she brushed aside worries about the weakness of her party's coalition partner.

Merkel's center-right party faces a tough battle to extend its 10-year hold on Lower Saxony state, a northwestern region of 8 million people, in the Jan. 20 election there. Polls suggest the center-left opposition has a good chance of winning, which would give it a significant boost ahead of September national elections in which Merkel will seek a third term.

Merkel made clear that her Christian Democrats will make "economic competence, together with jobs ? and jobs that are well-qualified and fairly paid," along with economic strength, a keystone of this year's campaigns. She identified opposition plans for tax increases as one battleground.

"We believe that we do, of course, need income for the state, so we are not talking about tax cuts at this point," Merkel said at a televised news conference after her party's leadership met in Wilhelmshaven, a port city in Lower Saxony.

"But we believe that tax increases ... are not good for current economic developments, for medium-sized companies in particular but also for big companies," she added.

The number of Germans out of work averaged just under 2.9 million last year, the lowest since 1991. Germany's jobless rate of less than 7 percent contrasts with figures well over 20 percent in troubled eurozone partners Greece and Spain.

The strong German economy, and Merkel's hard-nosed management of Europe's debt crisis, have helped keep her popularity high and her party ahead in polls.

But the weakness of the pro-market Free Democratic Party, her junior coalition partner, means that her center-right alliance lacks a majority in surveys. The party, which campaigned at Germany's last election for tax cuts that it failed to obtain, has taken much of the blame for frequent coalition squabbling.

In Lower Saxony, polls show the FDP short of the 5 percent support needed to stay in the state legislature, which endangers popular conservative governor David McAllister's chances of keeping his job.

However, Merkel said she is "very optimistic that the (Free Democrats) will, on their own strength, with their ideas and their share in the success of the work of both the Lower Saxony state government and the federal government, be able to convince people."

The Lower Saxony election follows a rough start for Merkel's center-left challenger in the national elections, former Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck.

He drew criticism this week for saying the chancellor earns too little and that Merkel has an advantage because she's a woman ? adding to earlier controversy over his high earnings from public speaking. Merkel coolly dismissed a question about her challenger's performance.

"To be honest, I take care of my own performance and I'm very satisfied with that," she said. "The rest is for others to comment on."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2013-01-05-EU-Germany-Merkel/id-77eee4a71bbf453e9493787e3e4a2468

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How Much Do You Know Concerning Internet Marketing Using ...

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Source: http://www.homebizblogs.com/2013/01/how-much-do-you-know-concerning-internet-marketing-using-autoresponders/

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Three of Oklahoma's Universities Rank in Top 100 Public Colleges

Three of Oklahoma's public universities have ranked within the top 100 public colleges in the nation, according to the annual ranking of such institutions of higher learning completed by Kiplinger's Personal Finance . The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma all had the distinction of ranking in the top 100 list based on cost and quality factors out of more than 600 schools nationwide.

Kiplinger's Ranking System for Public Colleges

Kiplinger's Personal Finance explained that the ranking each public college received was based 45 percent on the cost factors associated with a four-year degree at each school and 55 percent on quality of the education provided.

Cost factors : Thirty-five percent of each school's total ranking is based on the cost of tuition, room and board, books and fees along with financial aid available both on an at-need and not-at-need basis; 10 percent of the total ranking is based on the students' total indebtedness at graduation.

Quality Factors : Three different quality factors affect each school's ranking, with 22.5 percent based on the competitiveness of the school -- how many people who apply are granted admission -- and how many of those admitted then enroll; graduation rate for a four-year degree comprises 18.75 percent; academic support rounds out the quality factors ranking at 13.75 percent.

University of Oklahoma Ranks 70th for In-State Cost and Quality Factors

The University of Oklahoma, located in Norman, Okla., ranked 70th for in-state cost and quality factors and 79th for out-of-state cost and quality factors. The average admission rate for those who apply is 82 percent; the four-year graduation rate 36 percent.

Total cost per year in-state is $18,288; total cost per year out-of-state is $29,925; the average indebtedness per student at graduation is $23,845.

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Ranks 91st for In-State Costs and Quality Factors

Located in Chickasha, Okla., the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma ranks 91st for in-state cost and quality factors; 89th for out-of-state cost and quality factors. The average admission rate for those who apply to this liberal arts college is 27 percent; the four-year graduation rate is 26 percent.

Total cost per year in-state is $11,760; total cost per year out-of-state is $19,080; the average indebtedness per student at graduation is $17,757.

Oklahoma State University Ranks 93rd for In-State Costs and Quality Factors

Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., ranks 93rd for in-state cost and quality factors; 95th for out-of-state cost and quality factors. The average admission rate for those applying to OSU is 82 percent; the four-year graduation rate is 35 percent.

Total cost per year in-state is $15,569; total cost per year out-of-state is $27,584; the average indebtedness per student at graduation is $21,204.

Bottom Line

Those who look at a half-full glass and see it as half-empty will say, "No big deal," to the rankings of the three Oklahoma universities. No, not one of the schools broke the top 10 or even top 50 list of rankings for public colleges, but then, more than 500 public colleges didn't make the top 100 list.

Oklahomans have more and more for which to be proud. Their institutions of higher learning earn a place of honor, too.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/three-oklahomas-universities-rank-top-100-public-colleges-172500765.html

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Timed Cardio Workout 3 | Shuichi Take Fitness: Miami's #1 Personal ...

TIMED CARDIO WORKOUT 3

The Timed Cardio Workout 3 is a series of 5 exercises done for a designated number of reps for as many sets a possible in a round. The length of time per round varies on your fitness level. For example, a beginner level workout would start with 4, 2 minute rounds with 20 reps per exercise and would complete about? 1.5 sets of each exercise per round. An advanced level workout would be 6, 4 minute rounds of 30 reps per exercise and would complete about 3 sets of each exercise per round. After each round take a 1-2 minute break. Drink some water and record how many sets you completed. Should you need to take any additional breaks during a round make sure to take notes so you can refer back to them and improve your performance next time.

The goal with this workout is to complete as many reps and sets as possible in each round while maintaining proper form and technique with each exercise. Once you have successfully done so, you can increase the volume and intensity of the workout by adding more reps, then adding more sets and then adding more time per round. Once you have reached a comfortable workout level, the final goal is to decrease the time per round while maintaining the same number of reps and sets.

This workout is primarily a lower body workout that can be performed either indoors or outdoors and does not require any equipment.

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WORKOUT BREAKDOWN
Cardio | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Time: 20-30 min | Reps: 20-30 | Sets: 1-3 per round | Rounds: 4-8 | Outdoor Optional

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THE WORKOUT

Source: http://www.shuichitakefitness.com/the-workouts/timed-cardio-workout-3/

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Pop star Rain to be punished for meeting actress

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) ? The South Korean military will punish pop star Rain for meeting with a top actress while on duty during his mandatory military service, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Paparazzi photos showing Rain meeting with Kim Tae-hee have raised suspicions that highly sought-after entertainers may be receiving special favors during their military service. The ministry denies Rain has received special treatment.

Rain, an "entertainment soldier," however, broke rules by meeting with Kim at least three times late last year despite being on duty, ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said in a briefing. Rain is not allowed to have such private meetings while outside his base for official duties like recording and performing.

Spokesman Kim said a ministry committee will meet next week to decide the punishment. He said it was unlikely to be detention in a military jail, one of the more serious penalties for South Korean soldiers that can delay their discharge.

Military service is a sensitive issue. All able-bodied South Korean men must serve about two to three years, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War. Any allegations of special treatment can spark an immediate public outcry.

"Gangnam Style" sensation PSY joined the army in 2008 to spend two years fulfilling his service after authorities found he had abused a law allowing him to serve in a private company instead of a military outfit.

Rain, a 30-year-old actor and singer whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, joined the military in October 2011 and is scheduled to be discharged in July. He is an army corporal.

Rain's agency has not denied or confirmed that he has dated Kim, but the actress's agency has acknowledged a month-old romance. Kim, 32, is hugely popular in South Korea and commands a large number of fans in Japan.

Rain has made seven albums and acted in several South Korean films. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011. He made his Hollywood film debut in "Speed Racer" in 2008.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pop-star-rain-punished-meeting-actress-103017534.html

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Interactive: Do you look like America?

By Chris Wilson

Every few years, the Census releases its projections for how many people of every possible combination of age, sex, race and ethnicity will live in the United States over the next half century. Curious how many 35-year-old female Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Natives there will be in 2045? I can tell you. It?s 17,632.

One might scoff at this sort of datum. How could the Census Bureau possibly know what medical advances will prolong our lives over the next 33 years? Or what geopolitical currents will shift immigration patterns? And what about the robot apocalypse? Will the robots prey on every age group with statistical uniformity?

The Census doesn?t know, of course. A projection is a portrait of what the country will look like if present trends persist exactly as they are now: if babies are born to parents of different races at the same rates, immigration is unchanged, and people?s life spans adhere precisely to the unforgiving mathematics of decline. No one, including the Census Bureau, believes this will happen.

When your mother says, ?Keep eating like that and you?ll have a heart attack when you?re 50,? she is not predicting the future. She is commenting on your present behavior. Population projections have the same effect: They don?t tell us much about the distant future, but they tell us a surprising amount about the present.

?The idea is that if all of the assumptions were to come true, that is what we would expect the population to be at that future point in time,? says Census demographer Jennifer Ortman, who led the team that produced the projections.

In the interactive below, you can track the predicted population for any demographic profile, based on the figures released last month. Each line represents people born in a single year. You can drag the sliding bar back and forth to examine individual years of birth.

If the line rises, it is due to immigration (there is no method by which people of a given age otherwise materialize from thin air). Lines tend to tick up at the end because the Census groups everyone who is 100 or older together, and there tend to be more of them than there are 99-year-olds.

If this view is too morbid for you?I?d like to think I have more than a 3-in-4 shot at being a vibrant, dashing 77-year-old in 2060?you can switch the view in the upper right-hand corner to ?by age,? which shows a different view: How many people of an exact age, race, ethnicity and sex will live in America in the next five decades? Rather than, for example, track people who are 37 right now, this tracks the number of 37-year-olds there will be each year going forward.

I find this more interesting, because it shows us waves of births and captures the rise or decline of a given slice of the population independent of time?s cruel recall. There will be twice as many 72-year-olds in 2060 as there are today, for example?a fact that starkly captures the reality of our aging population. Dragging the bar to age zero shows projected births. Dragging it to 65 shows us that, in the next several years alone, the number of newly eligible retirees will spike dramatically.

When we look at these projections, we?re visited by the Ghost of Census Future?not, perhaps, attended by the same terror as Scrooge encountered, but with the same knowledge that what we?re really seeing is the present.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/census-projections-interactive-how-many-people-like-me-044411382.html

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