10 WAYS TO REPURPOSE CDS & CD CASES

It's true. Just about everything you see in the photo collage above this sentence was made with either a CD or CD case! You knew you were saving all those old jewel cases, CD-R spindles, and AOL CDs for a reason.

For today's repurposing project, we decided to revamp the traditional vanity or dresser. If you don't already have a zone in your bedroom, bathroom or closet carved out for putting your best face forward, let this be inspiration. 

1. Jewel Case Planter

First off, let's get a little extra oxygen in the air by way of some greenery. Find a potted plant that looks good, smells good, or both, and it will surely refresh you each morning. 

To create the planter, we used a similar method to our DIY Floppy Disk Planters. Glue the edges (with a multi-purpose adhesive like E-6000), press together, and let dry overnight. Add extra glue from the inside of the box planter to seal up any holes. Un-pot your plant, repot it, and you're done. We added stones at the bottom for a bit of extra weight. 

2. Desk Organizer

Now, let's get those documents in order! Gather up some of your most prized CD cases (read: best looking or most nostalgic covers), and get ready to glue.

We glued two cases together at the bottom to act as the base. Then add 3-5 standing up using the same multi-purpose adhesive. Let set overnight and voila! And if you don't have your old cases or don't like the covers, grab a magazine and customize in a way that works for you. 

3. CD Clock

What time is it? It's time for… a Hitch Clock, of course! Maybe our obsession with Will Smith is a bit over the top but you've gotta admit this is a sweet little clock.

The clock kit we used is the same style as our Book Clock. To make the stand for the CD, we used washers, bolts and a two screws as pictured above.

4. Custom Makeup Palette

Make a mini one in a jewel case so you've got all the colors you need in a small, sleek case. 

5. Dangly Earring Holder

That old fabric jewelry box just isn't cutting it for your super long dangly earrings these days. This caddy is just the thing to add to your jewelry zone. We placed ours on a cupcake pedestal for a little extra height.

Simply take the clear round top of a CD-R spindle and get to work with your spray paint. And spray paint that spindle while you're at it.

6. Spindle Bracelet Caddy

Were you wondering why we had you spray paint that spindle? Ta dah! An easy peasy bracelet caddy perfect for Cozy Winter Cuffs, Wrap Bracelets, and any other chunky cuffs you've got kicking around your vanity area. 

7. Mosaic Mirror

Love the mosaic style but aren't jazzed on the idea of breaking a mirror? CDs to the rescue!

To break CDs, boil a pot of water and then place in a mixing bowl. Place the CD in for about 5 minutes so that it softens. Then you can use scissors to cut any shape you like or simply break it up with your hands. And yes, good ventilation is necessary for this one (though we didn't actually smell any fumes).

8. Prism Pendant

It's still pretty awesome that the backs of CDs have a prism-like quality. The combination of shininess and metal can't resist but turn into a rainbow.

You'll use the same boiled water method. Take out the CD and use scissors to cut out a shape or two that you like. To make sure the edges of the CD pieces don't flake off or scratch, seal each side using Stained Glass Foiling Tape. Once you have your pendants, you'll need to make holes to attach your chain. Heat up a large needle and you should be able to simply poke however many holes you need in each pendant piece. Attach a chain with needle nose pliers, add a clasp, and you're done.

9. Changeable Picture Frames

True. All picture frames are changeable, but you don't even have to take these off the wall to change them! Simply print your favorite photos, cut to size, and slide into old jewel cases.

We used double stick mounting tape to attach to the wall.

10. Easy Circular Bunting

We like our garlands and buntings as easy as pie, but cutting out perfect circles is nearly impossible, especially out of a heavy fabric or paper. Again, old CDs to the rescue!

Simply glue decorative paper or fabric to CDs using spray adhesive. Use an Xacto knife or sharp scissors to cut around the CD so you get a perfect circle. Add letters if you like. Then use curtain clip rings to attach to string or fabric. 

What are other ways you might reuse old pieces of tech? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below

WATCHING TV IN CHILDHOOD AFFECTS WAIST SIZE, FITNESS: STUDY

Watching too much television can increase waist size in children and reduce their muscular fitness, study says.

A recent study finds that children who watch more TV between the ages of two and four may increase the risk of having a larger waist size and weaker muscular fitness as they approach their teens.

The new study, issued in the BioMed Central journal on Monday, suggested that every extra weekly hour of television watched could add half a millimeter to the waist size of children and diminish their physical fitness. 

Researchers from the University of Montreal studied the parental reports of TV habits of 1,314 children at 29 and 53 months of age. 

The children watched TV for about 8.8 hours a week at the beginning of the study. The habit was then boosted on average by six hours over the next two years, reaching to 14.8 hours a week by the age of 4.5, the Canadian researchers said. 

Some 15 percent of the children were watching over 18 hours a week by that age, the study also said. 

The researchers concluded that watching 18 hours of television at the age of 4.5 would result in an extra 7.6mm of waist by the age of 10.

Dr Linda Pagani, from the research team, said that the study was a warning about the factors that lead to obesity in kids. Saying, "Across the occidental world, there have been dramatic increases in unhealthy weight for both children and adults in recent decades.” 

"Watching more television not only displaces other forms of educational and active leisurely pursuits but also places them at risk of learning inaccurate information about proper eating," Pagani added.

Source : Presstv

TANZANIA TO REPLACE 500-SHILLING NOTE WITH COIN BY DECEMBER 2012

According to an article on DailyNews dated 1 March 2012, the Bank of Tanzania plans to replace 500-shilling (US$0.30) notes with coins because the latter lasts much longer in circulation.

The article also contains new details on plans of the East African Community (www.eac.int)—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda—to introduce a common currency, the new East African shilling.

According to an article on DailyNews dated 6 July 2012, the bank now expects that the notes will be replaced by coins by December 2012.

SCIENTIST NAMES NEW PARASITE AFTER JAMAICAN MUSICIAN BOB MARLEY

A blood-sucking parasite that infests fish has been named in honor of reggae star Bob Marley. 

An American biologist has named a newly-discovered small blood-sucking parasite, found in the Caribbean Sea, after the Jamaican musician and singer, Bob Marley.

“I named this species, which is truly a natural wonder, after Marley because of my respect and admiration for Marley’s music,” said Paul Sikkel, an assistant professor of marine ecology and a field marine biologist at Arkansas State University. 

Discovered off the US Virgin Islands, the tiny creature, which is a blood feeder and lives in the Caribbean, is named “Gnathia marleyi.”

Sikkel further noted that “this species is as uniquely Caribbean as was Marley.” 

According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), a United States government agency, Gnathia marleyi belongs to the family of gnathiid isopods and is considered as the first new species which is discovered in the Caribbean in more than two decades. 

Born on February 6, 1945 Bob Marley was a world-renowned singer, songwriter and musician. 

The Jamaican artist is the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, a kind of popular music originally from Jamaica, with a strong regular beat. 

Marley is credited with helping spread the Jamaican music to a worldwide audience. 

He died on the morning of May 11, 1981 in the US at the age of 36. 

As NSF said, naming new species after famous people is not uncommon as Microsoft boss Bill Gates has a flower fly and Elvis Presley, the popular American singers has a wasp.

Source: Presstv

Traffic noise increases risk of heart attack: Study

Traffic noise increases the risk of a stroke, a study finds. 

Working on the links between traffic noise and health, a new study has found that people exposed to louder traffic sounds run a greater risk of suffering a heart attack.

By analyzing more than 50,000 participants aged between 50 to 64, Danish researchers discovered that the risk of a heart attack goes up by 12 percent for every 10-decibel increase of noise from traffic. 

To produce accurate results, the study was conducted in Copenhagen and Aarhus, two of the largest cities in Denmark, and kept track of many aspects of the participants’ health for almost a decade. 

Commenting on the outputs of the research, Dr. Mette Sorensen, the study’s lead author said, “We think traffic noise during the night is especially dangerous, because it disturbs sleep.” 

She added that most people do not realize that they are exposed to noise pollution, but when the quality of their sleep is looked into in a lab it becomes clear that their “sleep stages have been disturbed.” 

Sorensen also noted that, according to the findings of the study, almost 4 percent of all heart attacks in Denmark are related to traffic noise. 

Published in the journal PLoS ONE, the research recommends that people choose a room with low exposure to traffic noise to sleep in.

Source : Presstv