Magic Statistics

Intimate relationships that are hostile or angry have been found to increase the risk of coronary disease and heart attack.  The findings emerged from a study of more than 9000 British civil servants covering a twelve-year period.  Survey participants were asked about the extent of emotional and practical support they received from partners.

The study, reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found the stress and anxiety of hostile, angry relationships can boost the risk of developing heart disease. Chances of a heart attack or chest pain rose by 34 percent compared to people on good terms with a spouse or partner.

"A person's heart condition seems to be influenced by negative intimate relationships," researchers wrote. "We showed that the negative aspects of close relationships…are associated with coronary heart disease."

Even after adjusting for such other relevant factors as obesity, smoking, drinking, and family history, those in the unhappiest relationships were still 23 percent more likely than those in the happiest relationships to develop heart-related problems.

Previous related posts:

• Marriage is good for you and your kids
• Canadians who believe in marriage have stronger marriages
• Divorce is a man killer

The physicists who developed the technology that made the iPod possible have won the Nobel Prize for Physics.

Physics of the iPod awarded Nobel Prize

STOCKHOLM: Albert Fert of France and Peter Grünberg of Germany were awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics on Tuesday for a discovery that has shrunk the size of hard disks found in computers, iPods and other digital devices.
. . .
"The MP3 and iPod industry would not have existed without this discovery," Borje Johansson, a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, said. "You would not have an iPod without this effect."

The two winners will share the $3 million that goes with the prize.  They’ve earned every penny.

Previous related posts:

• Listening to iPods improves doctors’ skills
• Classical music lovers embrace the iPod revolution
• Latest iPod accessory: iSuit
• Latest iPod accessory: iRobot

According to a new report from Human Rights Watch, the conduct of Nigerian political leaders and public institutions often resembles criminal activity rather than democratic governance. 

"Violence, corruption and impunity are not just problems that government has failed to tackle; they are systemic abuses that flow from the heart of the very same government institutions that should be working to combat them," the report, titled Criminal Politics: Violence, "Godfathers" and Corruption in Nigeria, said.

In some Nigerian states, powerful political "godfathers" control politicians, the report said. "In return, the 'godfathers' have captured government institutions to serve their own interests."

Because of corruption and mismanagement, Nigeria’s massive oil revenues have not been channelled into health, education, and other programmes to alleviate poverty.

Numerous examples are cited in the report of political figures openly recruiting and arming criminal gangs. In Gombe State politicians recruited violent cult gangs "who unleashed a wave of violence on local communities that included murder, rape, arson and other crimes".

"In Rivers State, criminal gangs hired to rig Nigeria's 2003 elections have since become a law unto themselves, spreading violence and insecurity throughout the restive Niger Delta." Scores of civilians have been killed or injured during clashes since the 2007 elections.

The report casts a pall over the administration of newly elected President Umaru Yar'Adua, whose victory is widely attributed to his party’s manipulation of Nigeria’s violent and corrupt political culture.  The president has personally promised to tackle corruption and uphold the rule of law, but it remains to be seen how much real reform will result from those pledges.

Previous related posts:

• Muslims rampage against Christians in northern Nigeria
• Delta unrest has cost Nigeria $16 billion
• Supply and demand in Nigeria
• Muslim rule oppresses Nigerian church

Members of the self-styled “Northern Mahdi Army” have gone on trial in Azerbaijan charged with plotting the violent overthrow of the government.  The accused are alleged to have received significant material and logistical support from Iran.

This trial will make it difficult for Azerbaijan to maintain friendly relations with its powerful southern neighbour.

Sixteen men are on trial in Baku for allegedly receiving support from Iran with the aim of imposing Islamic rule in largely secular Azerbaijan. Mindful of national-security concerns — and the impact the case may have on Baku's relationship with one of its most important neighbors — the presiding judge at the Azerbaijani Court for Serious Crimes requested a closed-door hearing.

The trial, which began October 8, has attracted significant attention at home and abroad, as it puts Azerbaijan in the uncomfortable position of accusing Iran of meddling in its domestic affairs. The young cleric accused of leading the group now on trial says the charges themselves are a "political game" at a time when unsanctioned Islamic faith is on the rise in what has typically been a secular state.

Predictably, the lawyer for the leading defendant says the charges are baseless.

Previous related posts:

• Which OSCE member country has the most journalists in jail?
• Iran calls for death of “blasphemous” journalist
• Azerbaijan’s baby-name police are on the job

I am very sorry to hear this.  May our Lord comfort him and his family in their time of sorrow.

h/t: Kathy Shaidle at Shotgun. 

Gordon Hinckley, current president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke at a bi-annual Mormon gabfest last weekend.  He maintains two arguably contradictory positions on the Mormon faith: It's both unique and Christian.

Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints defended the Mormon faith Sunday, saying the beliefs and practices differ from every other church.

"The work is unique and wonderful," Hinckley said on the second day of the faith's semiannual conference. "It is fundamentally different from every other body of religious doctrine of which I know."

If it's "fundamentally different", in what sense is it Christian?

Like Hinckley, many of weekend's speakers defended the faith as a Christian church despite the differences between Mormon theology and other faiths. The Mormon church disavows the Christian tradition of the Trinity – the belief that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one body – instead believing the three were individuals united in a divine purpose. Mormons also believe in the principle of continuing revelation, leaving their scriptural canon open.

The Arizona Daily Star reporter needs to brush on Christian theology.  The doctrine of the Trinity holds that the three persons of the Godhead are one being, not one body.

Hinckley said men have struggled for generations to understand the nature of God. He added that he can't understand the creeds used by most Christian churches.

If he doesn't understand Christian creeds, how does he know his religion is Christian?

Mr Hinckley also defended Joseph Smith’s Wild West adventure novel, The Book of Mormon.

h/t: Religion News Blog