Sumatran elephant habitats are shrinking

Based on data of the Indonesian Elephant Conservation Forum (Forum Konservasi Gajah Indonesia) in 2014, of 56 habitats of Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Sumatra, 13 of which are no longer found the elephant populations or allegedly extinct. Status of the existence of elephants in eleven others were declared critical habitat and the other two in a critical threshold.

Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1t3sqoX)

The cause of the extinction of elephants from their natural habitat was allegedly killed or died due to the motion shrinking and lack of food. Such conditions occur in the six habitat of elephants in Riau, three locations in South Sumatra, two locations in Jambi, and each of the locations in Bengkulu and West Sumatra.

The elephant habitat in Jambi is badly fragmented that disrupt the movement of a group of elephants. "There is a change of behavior and feeding patterns as habitat turned into oil palm plantations, rubber, and acacia," said Krismanko Padang, Chairman of the Indonesian Elephant Conservation Forum (Forum Konservasi Gajah Indonesia/FKGI) in Jambi on Monday, November 17, 2014.

Among experts and wildlife conservator predict the threat of extinction of the Sumatran elephant in sight. Without saving the remaining forests, Sumatran elephants certainly disappeared in just 10 years into the future.

According to Nazaruddin, Chairman of the Indonesian Mahout Forum (Forum Mahout Indonesia) and the elephant Conservator, shrinkage increasingly uncontrollable natural forest in the last 5-10 years. He is looking at a number of elephant habitats have been lost with the changing the forest into the roads and monoculture plantations.

"Some groups elephant I've ever encountered in boundaryof Bengkulu-Lampung, Riau and South Sumatra is not there anymore," said Nazaruddin. Currently only the Way Kambas National Park which is still considered adequate and safe as the elephant habitat, he added. A number of other forest areas, although still good vegetation conditions, very threatened encroachment, logging, and poaching.

For example, in the ecosystem buffer of Taman Nasional Bukit Tigapuluh (Thirty Hill National Park) in Tebo, Jambi, initially the forest in good condition and suitable as elephants roaming space. Along ripped the forest area for wood product distribution corridor along 80 kilometers by PT. WKS five years ago, increasingly easy access to triggering the forest encroachment. In addition, forest cover area shrank 80 percent. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOMPAS]

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Truck or Tank?

A grand event for the automotive modifiers take place at SEMA or Specialty Equipment Market Association, 2014, in Las Vegas, some time ago. Many products are unique and beautiful that have not been revealed, including a product of this unique truck.

Basically, this is the Jeep FC170 (forward control) made in 1958 which were fitted with the tracks style such as the tanks. The goods transporter that was widely used circa 1950-1960s has been modified by Daystar Products so it can appear in the unique form today.

Daystar Products’ Jeep FC 170 Truck With Hemi power and tracks. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1vonfX0)

The modification project have been completed by the whole of Daystar team and, as a result they touted as the best in this year's SEMA.

Left side view of 1958 Jeep FC 170 truck by Daystar Products. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/11BkYe0)

Everything can be seen on the Daystar Products' unique vehicle. The most prominent modifications form of the Jeep is the installation of wheel tracks that make an impression and function becomes more total.

Rear side view of 1958 Jeep FC 170 truck by Daystar Products. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1xOwcqd)

Changes also occur in the engine sector which has now been installed the last edition of the HEMI engine, followed by a high needs chassis and increasing the suspension height. And then it sweetened with the paint workmanship of the classical bi-color (two tone) also its impression was reinforced with brown colored coating on the interior. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BANGSHIFT.COM]

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Deep sleep secrets

Trying to close the eyes but still can not fall asleep too. Once asleep for a while, then there's something to make us awake and finally fight again just to get to sleep. That which may be common to many people in urban areas. After at least 8 hours of working for money, it turns out at night still have to fight to be able to sleep so the next day can move smoothly.

Something that takes a lot of urban people may be the secret to a good night's sleep and quality. More recently, Taruna Ikrar, an Indonesian neuroscientist who is now teaching and researching at the University of California, Irvine, found it.

Illustration of Deep sleep. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1yOwQTU)

Recently in the Journal of a publication, Taruna outlines that sleep quality is influenced by hormonal balance, especially the levels of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH).

Taruna and his team conducted experiments with mice that have been genetically engineered. Engineering to kept mice have specific protein labeling, ZsGreen1 Fluorescent Protein, on the end of receiving excitatory nerve cells containing H3R (Histamine Receptor No.3).

ZsGreen1 are the green specific proteins that can record the work of nerve cells that play a role in the activity of histamine-related compounds. H3R itself is the end of the nerve cells that in charge of receiving the sleep stimulus.

After genetically engineered, then the mice induced by MCH hormone. Then mice observed by Photostimulation laser. Nerve cell activity monitored directly with the help of electrodes that have been installed on the brain.

"The mice were induced with MCH and given H3R histamine types showed lower activity, easier to fall asleep, and showed less active conditions when compared with mice that were not induced," said Taruna outlines the results.

Based on the research results, Taruna said, the secret to a good night's sleep is to maintain a balance of hormonal activity of the body, especially the MCH, and maintain levels of histamine compounds.

"This balance will be the key to improving the quality of sleep, and also become a very important factor for the quality of life and health of a person," he explained to Kompas.com, on Saturday, November 15, 2014.

One of the keys to maintaining hormonal balance is keeping the good food, weight, and regular exercise activity. Also the water consumption greatly affect the balance of MCH.

Another benefit of this invention is the new way to help people suffering from sleep disorders. "Healthy People who experience sleep disorders can be treated with special drugs that affect histamine receptors in the brain, particularly the histamine receptor number 3 (H3R) so that sleep disorders in people can be improved, so too can prevent the negative effects of lack of sleep," Taruna said. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOMPAS.COM]

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Mustang Shelby GT350 appear more vicious

Ford finally reveal the form of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 which has a very outstanding performance. This car was launched at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2014, Wednesday, November 19, 2014. It powered by a 5.2-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine that stored on the bonnet, and claimed by Ford was able to give a power of 500 hp and peak torque to 542 Nm, which is transmitted to all-wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission system.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 front motion view. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BLGUDf)

One thing that is different on this Mustang is the use of a flat crankshaft with the angle interval of 180 degrees, instead of 90 degrees as the muscle car in general. This component is generally used in racing cars or European sports cars.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 front side view. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BLGUDf)

The legs are equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. While the rate freeze affairs backed by Brembo disc brakes with six-piston calipers in the front wheels and four pistons on the rear wheels.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 rear side view. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BLGUDf)

In the cabin installed Recaro sport seats and the unique design indicators. The driver can also change settings on the car's stability control system, ABS, steering, traction control, throttle mapping, exhaust, and settings MagnaRide suspension.

Furthermore, by paying a little more expensive, Ford offers this legendary muscle car with Tech Pack option which includes leather electric seats, dual-zone climate control system, Shaker audio and Ford MyTouch infotainment system. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORTREND | WORLDCARFANS]

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Anniversary edition of Motorcycle with the largest engine capacity

Triumph Rocket III was ordain itself as a motorcycle with the largest cubication which mass produced today. To celebrate its age who has reached a decade, the British motorcycle manufacturer was spawn a special model given a name 'Rocket X'.

The special edition motorcycle was given a black color with silver striping. Also on its muffler layered with matte black of the special heat resistant paint. Some components are also made completely dark, ranging from small wind shield, handlebars, glass, gear shifting, to the legs, which given chrome ornament. As for aluminum rims that specially designed with pinstripe finish.

Triumph Rocket X. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ukuzzj)

And for machines still use a three-cylinder engine with a capacity of 2,294 cc, which claimed enough for spraying up to 146 hp and torque of 220 Nm. Triumph also think of stability with re engineering the balance shaft and drive shaft.

Right side view of Triumph Rocket X. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ukuzzj)

There will be only 500 units of Rocket X which produced by Triumph. And each will be given special emblem on the side panel with a unique number, and the emblems on the lubricant tank made of aluminum.

But there is no published price at the moment, but planned these special models will showing in Triumph's showrooms in the UK start from March 2015. As for the other regions consumers will probably wait until the middle of next year. Please be patient... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORCYCLISTONLINE]

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Viziv GT Vision will appear in the Gran Turismo

Gran Turismo, the famous game series quietly released a teaser video with the featuring of Subaru Viziv GT Vision concept car in the new game, such as reported from Worldcarfans on Wednesday, November 12, 2014. However, no details of this model in the new game. But through existing video revealed that the concept car is a plug-in hybrid.

Teaser image of Subaru Viziv GT Vision. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ygl2tP)

Subaru became one of the many manufacturers that participate in Gran Turismo, the most phenomenal racing game. With the launch of Subaru Viziv GT Vision concept on the Gran Turismo, Subaru showing their class as the leading sports car manufactures in the world. 

Rendering image of Subaru Viziv GT Vision. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1xFtber)

This concept car is quite tempting the racing world lovers, because Subaru Viziv is a high performance sports car that manages to combine the elegance nuances in its body design. If we look at the design, this concept combines the muscle and luxury at the same time. In the front we could see a large grlle fenced by LED headlights. There are also the Subaru typical vented hood that be a reminder on the Subaru WRX-STi.

There are very sloping windscreen, the A pillar without a hitch, and then the floating roof, the rear wing is quite large, and LED rear lights. Here's the link of full-version video. *** [EKA | FROM VAROUS SOURCES  | AUTOBLOG | WORLDCARFANS]

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