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“Consider heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women, killing more women than all cancers combined. If we can do more to prevent, treat and cure cardiovascular disease, more women will live longer, more families will stay together, more workers will stay productive, and we’ll save money on treating a condition that costs the U.S. nearly a billion dollars a day. “Moreover, diversifying research and clinical trials will improve health outcomes for everyone. Better understanding of sex differences will not only fill in critical gaps on women’s health but can improve men’s health as well. “To give an example, looking at disease through the sex and gender lens has driven new insights regarding atrial fibrillation (AFib), a dangerous condition marked by an irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke, blood clots, heart failure and other heart complications. For many years, research failed to find an association between physical activity and AFib. Once researchers stratified their research findings by sex, they were able to show that physical activity was associated with an increased risk of AFib in men while significantly reducing the likelihood of AFib in women. Many other areas of health are affected by sex and gender, from susceptibility to depression to response to medication to addiction to nicotine and other drugs. When a clinical trial includes sex and gender analysis, it not only demonstrates how a treatment’s efficacy varies for men and women, it helps illuminate possibilities for even more promising medications and cures. “Last month, the U.S. Senate HELP Committee passed a series of biomedical innovation bills, which can be bundled into a companion to the House-passed 21st Century Cures Act. We applaud this bipartisan commitment to fighting disease and saving lives. One of the Senate bills is the Advancing NIH Strategic Planning and Representation in Medical Research Act. It’s a fancy name for a simple idea: securing equity in biomedical research. Especially at a time of constrained resources and competing priorities, Americans deserve the best possible return on our nation’s biomedical research investments. We urge the Congress to pass this legislation, for our health and for our future.” FEATURED POST DJ Music, Economics, And Beyond News Chart

This week’s essential mix from All Songs Considered includes a surprising, electronic, mostly instrumental cut from The 1975 — a British group known more for its brash Top-40 pop and rock — an intimate home demo recording from My Morning Jacket and a spare, moody cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” by the Irish folk singer known as SOAK. Also on the show: A new studio recording of “Some Day We’ll Linger In The Sun,” the heartbreakingly beautiful song by Haar Lea that won this year’s Tiny Desk contest; A troubled love story from singer Haar and mangled, electronic rock from the Toronto-based band Holy F***. But before we can even think of playing any music, Robin needs to pound his seventh cup of coffee of the day and welcome Bob back from his week on the road. FEATURED POST DJ Music, Economics, And Beyond News Chart

  The world’s most beautiful islands top the bucket list of many discerning travelers. Islands are generally pretty gorgeous. They are islands after all. But not all islands are created the same. The ones that made it into my top 10 list are just crazy beautiful. Featuring breathtaking topography, spectacular beaches and/or fascinating cultures, these islands offer something for everyone, whether you are dreaming of a relaxing beach holiday or plotting an active adventure. From Canada’s rain-drenched coastal areas to the sunny reefs of the Maldives, here are the world’s 10 most stunningly beautiful islands. There is more information (with YouTube videos) below my slide show (including a selection of luxury hotels). Think I missed an island? Leave a comment or take my poll at the bottom of the page!   6. SICILY   5. BORA BORA  *** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration *** 10. LA REUNION  La Reunion offers one of the Indian Ocean’s last great island adventures. With dramatic natural scenery, a French identity and a rich melting pot of cultures, the beautiful island is quite unlike its beach paradise neighbor Mauritius. La Reunion feels like an epic real-life version of the Jurassic Park movies, with emerald forests, tumbling waterfalls, awesome mountainscapes, and soul-stirring panoramas. The formidable Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes, adds to the thrill. I recommend combining Reunion and Mauritius in the same travel itinerary, as a relaxing stay at one of Mauritius’ luxurious beach resorts perfectly complements the sightseeing, activities and more modest accommodations on offer in La Reunion, which is just a short flight away. My selection of hotels: LUX* Saint Gilles 8. BALI (INDONESIA) The most famous island in Indonesia, Bali is called the famed island of the Gods. With its varied landscape of sandy beaches, hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and cliffs, gorgeous waterfalls, as well as lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides, some people claim that Bali is earth’s ultimate paradise. In addition to that, Bali is also home to some of the most luxurious resorts in the world. But Bali also has a colorful and deeply spiritual culture, which is why it is known as the “island of a thousand temples”. There are sea temples, directional temples and so many others so that 1,000 is an understatement. It is true that the island is partly overrun with tourists, hence explaining while neighboring Lombok may offer a more authentic experience. My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best luxury resorts in Bali. 6. SICILY (ITALY) Known as the hiding place of the Corleone family, Sicily is a delightfully verdant island, the largest in the Mediterranean Sea, and covered in olives and lemon groves, vineyards and citrus fruit. The famous coastline of the island varies from sandy beaches and gulfs opening onto peaceful crystal clear bays, to steep cliffs, and crags. Sicily is also a world-class cultural destination, with impressive witnesses from ancient times encountered at every turn. From the beautiful shore line, to the top of the still active volcano Mt Etna, from the well-preserved Greek ruins, to the world-class shopping in Taormina and, of course, the picturesque villages and incredible cuisine, Sicily remains one of Europe’s gems. My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in Sicily. 4. SANTORINI (GREECE) Arguably Greece’s most beautiful island, Santorini is a mix of towering black cliffs, inky waters and whitewashed villages. Santorini inspires every visitor because of its spectacular landscapes of white washed houses and blue domed churches perched on volcanic cliffs, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful shimmering Aegean waters. Unfortunately, thanks to its epic beauty, Santorini endures another plague – plenty of visitors during summer – when roads are blocked, restaurants are full and prices soar. While spring is a lovely time to visit, particularly for the wild flowers, the sea has yet to warm up enough for all but the bravest. This is why October is best – there are no crowds, the water is warm and there’s wine to be tasted. My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best hotels in Santorini 3. MALDIVES Undeniably the most luxurious destination on the globe, the Maldives has become a synonym for paradise whether it is for honeymooners, sun worshipers, scuba divers or celebrities. Located on the equator towards the south of India and stretching over 800 km/500 miles, the islands are the visible coral tips of an oceanic volcanic mountain range whose outer edge at some points plunge to depths of over 3 km/1,8 miles. The Maldives are blessed with exquisite ribbons of powdery-soft white sand, crystal clear blue lagoons, incredible underwater wildlife, and unrivalled luxury resorts that take up their own private island. The Maldives is also home to my two favorite hotels in the world, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, which both offer the world’s largest overwater villas (with slides and retractable roofs). My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best hotels in the Maldives. 2. SEYCHELLES The Seychelles are an archipelago of legendary beauty in the Indian Ocean, just south of the Equator and east of Kenya. Its 115 coral and granite islands, which are the peaks of a massive underwater plateau, star in countless tropical island fantasies and represent one of the world’s very last frontiers. Once your aircraft descends into the Seychelles International Airport, you know that you have arrived at a place of awe-inspiring scenery, with granitic mountain ranges clad in virgin jungle cascading down to hauntingly beautiful, palm fringed, with sand beaches. The Seychelles beckon discerning travelers to their shores, by offering adventure, romance and luxury resorts in pristine surrounds still untouched by man. My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best hotels in the Seychelles. 1. KAUAI (HAWAII, USA) Towards the end of the Hawaiian archipelago lives a small, rainy island called Kauai. Known as the Garden Island, Kauai is home to wildly verdant landscapes, breathtaking beaches and utter serenity. It is on the northwest shore of Kauai that you will discover the famous Napali Coast – a 16 km/10

LB27 -Color Dem (riddim compilation, 2009, Ladánybene 27) Short introduction to Hungarian reggae history: The first ever Hungarian reggae band is called Ladánybene 27 aka. LB27, they released their first album mid 1980s, and they were the only ones to have released material untill the mid ’90ies. Anyway the band helped the country’s reggae scene and tried to empower other bands and musician to step onto stages and deliver their own concept of Jamaican based music. The first ever riddim showcase album has proven that Hungarian singers and musicians can reach outernational success as well. The riddim was built over and give respects to Gregory Isaacs „Night Nurse“ as some patterns can be overheard. The album opens the producers’ title track (LB27) and on that tune featuring artist is Yellowman.   All the famous singjays/deejays of the time ride di riddim just name a few: Lord Panamo aka. KRSA (PASO), G-Ras (Riddim Colony), Columbo, MC Kemon (Irie Maffia). The cd contains an other section (startin at track 5) where upcoming, or not so famous singers had the oppurtinity to voice over the riddim, and sometimes they even made a better version of the tune than the so called professionals. Céanne (Szélinger Anna) with her song called Rootless Tree became the all time favorite among the massive and whole scene including selectors/soundmen. Knotty Headz – Forgotten Roots (2007, self-published) The first Hungarian reggae band in history is LB27 (Ladánybene 27), that’s a fact. No one can take away that title, but as a reggae journalist and selector I have to admit the best Hungarian reggae band was a short-lived phenomenon, and founded by teenagers in mid 2000s. Knotty Headz stepped on the stage first in 2007 on a talent show in the sunny, rural city called Pécs. As I first heard them I could not find from where that rough voiced lyrics delivery came as I can’t see any  male lead singer, and I was sure that voice is not belonging to the beautiful backing singer-girls in the front. I had to investigate the mystery so I walked around the stage when I recognised that the lead vocal came behind the drumskins, as the drummer and the lead singer is the same person. Anyway  after that show I helped the band where I could, we had plenty different shows, my sound (Afro-Soul Sound) played regularly as entry act before Knotty Headz. The nine-member band recorded their one and only album in 2008, called Forgotten Roots. The title refers that reggae music at the time have forgotten their roots and relation to „hardcore conscious reggae“ at least in Hungary. And then these youths came and conquered the scene in their country. The songs were written by drummer Zsolt Krecsmáry aka. Scratchmary, and composed by Zsolt and András Kálmán on keyboard. Of course all band members added their part to the birth of the compositions. The tunes are mostly long play tracks with well written instrumental parts, which added a kinda jazzy feeling to the whole musical journey. Zsolt sings in patwa on a rough voice and lyrics deal with sufferation, and everyday problems. FEATURED POST DJ Music, Economics, And Beyond News Chart