Nutmeg and Clove Price Crisis Affected Europe

The selling price of nutmeg, mace, and cloves in Maluku continued to decline since the last three weeks. Expected price decline triggered the reduced buyers from several countries in Europe as the impact of economic crisis that occurred in the region.

Samuel, owner of UD Same Taste, a company engaged in the sale and purchase of agricultural produce in Ambon, Maluku, Friday (11/18/2011), said that since the last three weeks, nutmeg and mace prices continue to decline. Price nutmeg previously Rp 135.000 per kilogram (kg), now down to Rp 120,000 per kg. Similarly, the price of mace (mace) which previously could reach Rp 225,000 per kg down to around Rp 170,000 per kg.

U.S. Dollar Strengthens, Cocoa Futures Price Weakens

A stronger U.S. dollar exchange rate and the fear of European crisis will re-occur affect the price movements of cocoa.

Prices of cocoa futures for December delivery contracts on the ICE Futures New York declined $ 45 and closed at position 2 .444 dollars per ton.

Violence Game Affect Brain Patterns

The debate about game violence and its effects have lasted for nearly two decades. Recent research reveals, there is a negative reaction that changes the pattern in the brain due to play a violent game.

Brain scans using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed long-term effects of violent game play that is influential in the changing area of ​​the brain associated with cognitive function and emotional control.

Reported by TG Daily and quoted on Thursday (1/12/2011), this effect is particularly susceptible occurs in adolescent boys. Analysis results also indicate, violence-themed game only takes one week to be an impact on changes in brain patterns.

"For the first time, we found a random sample that showed a reduced activation in certain areas of the forebrain, after participants played a violent game for a week," said Yang Wang, Research Assistant Professor of Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.

He mentioned, this is very important brain region controlling emotion and aggressive behavior. So do not be surprised if violent games rated as one of the triggers of criminal behavior.

The negative effects of violent games is continue to be a controversial topic. Several studies mention the need for control over the circulation of games like this so as not to adversely affect teenagers and children. But there is also another study that refute the opinion.

Suicide bomber kills Pakistani Politician

A Pakistani politician and his bodyguard were killed in a suicide attack in northwestern Pakistan on Monday (7/11/2011), said a Pakistani police official told CNN.

Politicians, Hanif Jadoon, had just finished morning prayers on Eid al-Adha when a bomber approached the car and detonated his bomb, said police officer Mohammad Ejaz Khan. Jadoon is a member of the Awami National Party, the secular parties which are often targeted by the Taliban.

Nine others were injured in the attack. According to police, there has been no claim of responsibility for the attack.

"Temu Kunci" Cure Thrush

This spice plants used for seasoning vegetables nodes. It smells fragrant aromatic and slightly bitter taste. Each region in Indonesia and other Asian countries have their own designation for the plant-rich properties of this herb.

Rally is one of the temu kunci plants known as a cooking spice in Southeast Asia. Key retrieval form somewhat different from other herbs because the growth of vertically down its length up to 50cm. Elongated oval, pelepahnya red, fragrant flowers, the petals are arranged to form a tube.

This plant grows wild in lowland tropical forests and teak. Planting is done by the distance between plants with 3000 cm, can be harvested a year later after planting. This plant grows in the countries Greece, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka and is also cultivated in Indochina.

This plant has a Latin name Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schlecht, spice plants classified as a type of ginger, turmeric, kencur and rhizomes. Gathering key known by different names in Indonesia. As in the land of Java called (kunci), Bali (temu konci), Bhima (dumu kunci), Madurese (temo kunce), Ternate (tampute). While in other countries such as China Intersection known by the name (ow sun ziang), Thailand (krachai), and in Inngris call (fingerroot).

Temu Kunci containing resin, starch and volatile oil as much as 1.2%, its leaves have anti venom. Efficacious overcome indigestion, curing cough, appetite enhancer, and spur the release of breast milk (ASI).

Besides temu kunci can also heal sores that usually attacks the inner lip, tongue, gums and palate in the oral cavity. Rinse rhizomes key meeting then chew and swallow, or can also be chewed with betel nut which can quickly heal canker sores and dry cough. It feels fresh, fragrant with a hint of slightly bitter taste.

Rhizome temu kunci is very easy to get, not only can be purchased diswalayan key retrieval can be found in the traditional market that sells a variety of herbs. The price is very cheap. If pressed tuber will watery, so choose a quite old tuber and root tuber hard.