zen talk

"Theory that would not die: how Bayes' rule cracked the Enigma code, hunted down Russian submarines, and emerged triumphant from two centuries of controversy" by Sharon Bertsch McGrayne. Just came across it, and it appears to be a very promising read. The very first page mentions some practical problems that Bayes' rule helped solve in its early days: - To demonstrate the innocence of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a French artillery officer - To set rates for insurance premiums - To decode German Enigma cipher thereby arguably saving the Allies from losing the WWII - To locate a missing hydrogen bomb and to locate Soviet submarines - To assess the likelihood of a nuclear accident - To verify the authorship of the Federalist Papers. Each of these applications is worth a look :-)

Is it possible to prevent cancer by making life style changes? This question just crossed my mind and I immediatedly Googled. The answer was a very clear yes. That is, it is possible to decrease the risk of cancer in people who are at high risk for cancer. It is also possible to reduce the complications and prolong life after cancer treatment. Best of all, many of the required life style changes are simple and doable. At a quick glance, these are most noted life style changes: - Healthy diet: at least five portions of fruits and vegetables per day (one portion = 80 grams). High fiber.  Whole grains. Less red meat. Less saturated fats. Less salt and sugar. Less processed food. - Active life style. Exercise. - Keep good weight. Obesity is a risk factor. - Avoid smoking. Avoid tobacco. - Be mindful of your alcohol intake i.e. keep it low or avoid. - Take special measures to reduce exposure to UV radiation. - Reduce exposure to pesticides and environmental pollutants. Fact: 40%