Cerebralcrap

There’s nothing like a little bit of trivia to test your knowledge of the sport of soccer. You may say that soccer is your favorite sport, but how much do you really know? Following are some facts and tidbits that you may or may not know about soccer.

· Soccer originated generally in its present form in Britain.
· The world’s oldest club formed in 1857 is Sheffield FC
· Soccer is the most played and most watched sport on Earth
· Soccer is called football in practically every country except America, who call ‘Grid Iron’ football and football soccer.
· Famous soccer rivalries include the Old Firm (Scotland), Manchester derby, London derbies, Milan derby, Real vs Barcelona, and many more.
· Some famous soccer players: Pele, Maradonna, Charlton, Eusebio, Cruyff, Dalglish, Ronaldo, Beckham, Mattheus.

Those are some basic bits of soccer trivia and facts. How much did you know? Well, here are so more soccer facts to test your knowledge:

· The sport of Association Football (often referred to as soccer or simply football) is the most popular team sport in the world, in both number of spectators and number of active participants.
· The largest attendance for a soccer match ever was 199,854 people - Brazil v. Uruguay in the World Cup at the Maracana Municipal Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, July 1950.
· In the largest soccer tournament ever, no less than 5,098 teams competed in 1999 for the second Bangkok League Seven-a-Side Competition. Over 35,000 players involved!
· The most goals scored by one player in a single soccer match was 16
- Stephan Stanis (France) playing for Racing Club de Lens in December 1942.
· Based on video evidence, one of the fastest ever scored was in 2.8 seconds by Ricardo Olivera (Uruguay) in December 1998.
· The international governing body of soccer is the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), based in Zurich, Switzerland.
· Diego Maradona was only 16 when he made his soccer debut for Argentina.
· Soccer goalies didn’t have to wear different coloured shirts from their teammates until 1913.
· Eusebio scored 46 goals in the European Cup for Benfica.
· Chris Woods once went 1196 minutes without conceding a goal while at Rangers, from between November 26 1986 and January 31 1987.
· Ryan Giggs’ dad was a professional Rugby League player.
· In 1973, the entire Galilee team spent the night in jail for kicking their opponents during an Israeli League game.

Have you had enough soccer trivia and facts? These are only a few of the interesting soccer facts that are floating around out there.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, sports, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on soccer, please visit Soccer Products and Info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

Yoga has become an increasingly popular form of exercise and meditation the last several years.  Many people look at yoga as just that, though.  But yoga encompasses more than simply exercise and meditation.  This article will “enlighten” you to some facts about yoga.

Yoga started out in the East as a spiritual practice focusing on meditation, but in the West it is normally seen as a physical practice, for the benefit of staying healthy and in shape.  Hatha yoga is the variation of yoga that describes exercise.  It is estimated that around sixteen million North Americans practice this form of yoga.  These yoga classes focus on breathing exercises, physical exercises and meditation, which are especially beneficial for people with back, heart, or breathing problems.

In studies, yoga has helped young and old people alike who have heart problems.  The studies have shown that yoga helped to lower blood pressure and increase resistance to psychological stresses.  Yoga aids to improve physical flexibility, strength and endurance, which is particularly beneficial to people with back problems.  The yogic breathing and meditation assists those people to better manage their back pain.

A male who practices yoga is referred to as a yogi or yogin, whereas a female who practices yoga is called a yogini.  The word yoga means to yoke and it can loosely be translated as “to join” or “unite”.  It can also be taken to mean as “union” or a method of discipline.  Yoga is believed to be made up of eight limbs: the asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), yamas (restraints), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), niyamas (observances) and samadhi (absorption).  The goal of traditional yoga is to achieve samadhi, which is a state of inward enlightenment.

Most people who practice yoga today are involved with the limb asana.  They use these physical postures to increase physical strength and flexibility, while purifying the body at the same time.  These asanas or postures are known as the increasingly popular hatha yoga.  The word hatha can mean forceful or willful and can be translated into “ha”, which means “sun” and “tha” meaning “moon”.  Hatha yoga is the physical exercises and postures of yoga that allows the free-flow of energy throughout the body, as well as creating balance and inner peace and harmony.

When some people picture someone doing yoga, they have an image of a person sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, thumb and fore finger pressed together, chanting the word “Om”. What is Om and what does it mean?  Repeating the word Om is a mantra; it is a vibration of the universe around us.  Everything has a pulse and ancient yogis created Om to represent that universal pulse.  Chanting Om at the beginning and end of a yoga session brings the person a sense of connection to the entire universe and is meant to be soothing and uplifting.

Yoga is beneficial no matter how much or how little of it you can fit into your weekly schedule.  It is recommended to start practicing yoga two or three times a week for an hour each time and work your way up from there if possible.  However, any time that you can find for a yoga session will work too.  Nothing special is required to begin a yoga session.  The only things that are needed for a yoga session are your body, mind and comfortable, well-fitting workout clothes.  Then you are ready for your first yoga experience!

Michael Russell

Your independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Facts-on-Yoga&id=434078

Beer is among the most popular and important part of the culture of Germany. Fact is, its popularity is well known all throughout the world. The beer in Germany is highly diverse. There are more than a thousand breweries all over Germany. The popularity of the German beer is the outcome of the strict process it undergoes before it is sold to the public. That is because beer manufacturers in Germany are required to follow the purity law. The purity law enables the beer manufacturers in Germany to differentiate which ingredient they must and must not use. The basic ingredients that the beer manufacturers Germany are allowed to use are water, hops, and barley malt.

It is the reason why German beers, by far, taste much more luscious from other beers. German beers have distinctive taste (of which has either little or no aftertaste). Presently, German beer has a diverse beer styles. The ales that are manufactured by beer breweries in Germany also have a wide variety of beer styles. These German ale styles are Koelsch, Weizen, and Altbier. The beer lager styles of Germany also have a wide variety of styles. The most common are Bock, Pilsener, Dunkel, Helles, and Maerzen. Bear in mind that the taste, aroma, and color of the German beers vary. The ones that are mentioned are identified as being true German beers.

The beer lagers of Germany are very popular not just throughout the country, they are known all throughout the world. Pilsener is also one of the most well known and most recognizable German beers. These types of German beers provide you with more hops and less malt and are available all over the world. They are also very popular in North America and are considered as one of the most popular dark lagers worldwide.

The German beer Altbier is a common dark ale in Germany. It is top fermented in the lower regions of the country. These types of German beers have yellowish color, and have a taste that is rich in hops. Another well known variety of German beer that is well-known for its smoky color and flavor is the Rauchbier. They have excellent tastes and are very popular among beer drinkers all throughout Germany.

There are more than 4,000 brands of beers in Germany. Some of the well known and larger manufacturers in the northern region of Germany are Beck, St. Pauli, Warsteiner, and Krombach. However, there are more breweries in the southern part of Germany; although these breweries are somewhat smaller, and are owned and operated by the locals. One of the oldest beer breweries in the world – The Benedictine Abbey – is located in this region in Germany. The Benedictine Abbey started manufacturing beer since the year 1040.

For those who do not know, Germany is home of the world renowned “Oktoberfest”. This world renowned beer festivity in Germany is held annually in Munich. Oktoberfest is usually held in late part of September. The beer festivity lasts for two weeks, ending in early days of October. The world renowned beer festivity in Germany is mostly visited by beer drinkers from all over the world. The distinctive and savory taste of German beers makes them want travel to Germany and celebrate and experience the luscious and distinctive taste of German beers. Oktoberfest is visited by more than 5 million people yearly, making it one of the biggest and largest beer celebrations in the whole world.

The local breweries in Munich are the only breweries allowed to serve beer in the larger tents and there are a total of six breweries that produce a variety of different German beers during the beer festivity. If you attend this world renowned beer festivity, you will learn, taste and most of all enjoy the rich bold flavor that has made the German beer popular worldwide. Because of the success Oktoberfest gets each year, numerous countries worldwide try copy the said event. Some of them are successful; however, the levels of success of these events are nowhere near the original beer festivity held in Germany.

German beers are very popular all over the world, with Oktoberfest proving the claim. If you are fond of drinking beer but have never tasted the beers from Germany, you really should try one. As soon as you have tasted and experienced the German beer, you will know the reason why German beers are very popular.

About The Author

Dirk Blurd, a wine lover and aficionado, writes for The-Wine-Site.com. Get tips and practical advice about red wine, white wine and everything in between. So, grab your FREE report on “How to Choose Wine” at http://the-wine-site.com in less than 30 seconds. signs.

• How many days can you work without having sleep? Well the record for longest duration without sleeping is of 18 days and 22 hours. This person reported aphasia, hallucination, blurred vision.

• Nobody can surely say if somebody is sleeping or not. It is not possible without close medical observation. Sometimes people sleep and their eyes remain open. This usually happens when they take a nap. People, sometime, do not even realize that they have slept.

• Rapid eye movement starts generally after 90 minutes of sleep. This state remains up to 2 hours total.

• Rapid eye movement does not guaranty that we are seeing a dream. Dream can be seen even in the absence of rapid eye movement.

• Rapid eye movements dreams are influenced by bizarre plots. But the dreams that do not have REM sessions, are influenced by our daily life. For example, if we leave some important work and sleep, we are likely to get a dream about it.

• We still do not know if animals also dream or not.

• In 1998, a theory was given. The shone at the back of knee can reset the human sleep wake clock. No scientist, till now, is able to explain reason behind it.

• Women need an hour extra sleep more than men. And if they do not get the required amount of the sleep, they are likely to get into depression more than men.

• Whatever we know about our sleeps till now, is due to research of past 25 years.

These were some of the amazing facts we gathered about human sleep.

Spot Fake Doctors Sick Note - Catch The Fake Doctors

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sebanti_Ghosh
http://EzineArticles.com/?Medical-Facts—Amazing-Facts-About-Your-Sleep&id=511889

MenScience gives the inside scoop on myths and facts about men’s acne and acne treatments. How much do you really know about breakouts? Take our quiz and see for yourself!

1. Popping acne pimples makes them go away faster.

* True
* False

2. You should wash your face several times a day if you have acne.

* True
* False

3. Eating greasy or oily foods causes acne.

* True
* False

4. Tanning clears up acne in men’s skin.

* True
* False

5. Where you work can affect your skin and cause acne.

* True
* False

6. Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective ingredient for acne treatment.

* True
* False

7. Glycolic and Salicylic Acids are effective against acne.

* True
* False

8. If an acne medication causes your skin to get worse, you should stop using the acne product.

* True
* False

9. It takes 28 days for new cells to appear on the surface of men’s skin.

* True
* False

10. Acne-prone men should use noncomedogenic products.

* True
* False

11. Perspiration cleanses skin.

* True
* False

12. Teenagers (not real men) get acne.

* True
* False

13. Only men with oily skin get acne.

* True
* False

14. Acne is caused by bacteria.

* True
* False

15. Using a face scrub can control acne.

* True
* False

16. Acne is no big deal.

* True
* False

ANSWER KEY:
1. FALSE: Popping pimples may seem to reduce their size, but it can actually aggravate blemishes by spreading bacteria, causing them to take longer to heal. Not only that, but popping or picking at pimples causes scars and dark spots to form.

2. FALSE: It’s important to have a clean face, but washing your face with force several times a day can cause your skin to produce more oil to make up for the moisture being washed away. Not to mention skin will become red and irritated. Your best bet is to wash once or twice a day with a gentle liquid cleanser that contains Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree extract.

3. FALSE: Pizza, chocolate and junk food have long been labeled “acne magnets,” but there’s very little scientific evidence to back up this claim. However, men should aim to eat a balanced diet full of vitamins from fruits and vegetables, and drink a lot of water for overall well-being.

4. FALSE: When you tan, dead cells build up on your skin’s surface. This can often cause your pores to look tighter and the surface to look smoother. Tanning also masks redness caused by acne. However, once the tan disappears, you’ll be left with greater outbreaks and darker acne scars and marks. Protect skin exposed to direct sunlight by regularly applying sunscreen (especially if using a treatment containing Benzoyl Peroxide).

5. TRUE: Men who work in places that put them in constant contact with grease and oil (restaurants and garages, for example) may find themselves breaking out more because oil creates an ideal environment for bacteria to reproduce. Although there’s no simple way to rectify this, they should clean skin gently at least twice a day and try to keep their hands from their faces at all times.

6. TRUE: Benzoyl Peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient prescribed by dermatologists as the preferred topical medicine for safe treatment for acne. It clears acne-causing bacteria on the surface, absorbs excessive oils and clear pores, while promoting greater cell exfoliation and renewal. Doctors also prescribe Green Tea, Urea and Allantoin to help soothe acne-irritated skin. Because Benzoyl Peroxide has powerful antibacterial and exfoliating qualities, it may take some time for skin to get used to the treatment. Once skin has become accustomed to the treatment however, irritation, redness or dryness usually disappears. The best bet is to apply a small amount only once a day, and then increase frequency gradually over 5 – 6 days. If too much dryness occurs, decrease frequency and gradually increase again.

7. TRUE: Glycolic and Salicylic Acids work very effectively to exfoliate dead skin cells and clear pores. By reducing pore blockage, acne has less of a chance to form and breakouts are reduced. Exfoliation with gentle products that contain Glycolic and Salicylic Acids helps smooth and clean skin, while also reducing instances of ingrown hairs as well.

8. FALSE: During acne treatment, skin often seems to take a turn for the worse before it begins getting better. This is due in part to the need to become accustomed to a treatment and the exfoliating process of shedding dead skin cells. The important thing is to keep usage regular. If, however, skin remains irritated for a long period of time, stop acne treatment and consult a doctor.

9. TRUE: It takes new cells 28 days to form and move through the epidermal layer of skin to finally appear on the surface. This is why results are not always immediately apparent. Using a product with Glycolic Acid may accelerate this process and help clear away dead skin cells.

10. TRUE: Noncomedogenic means ingredients in the product do not clog pores or provoke acne. Although it’s definitely recommended for men with oily skin, you should use non-irritating, noncomedogenic products no matter what skin type you have. All MenScience products have been developed by doctors and are noncomedogenic.

11. FALSE: Perspiration helps flush toxins from the body and maintains body temperature, but it does not cleanse skin at all. In fact, leaving sweat on your body can actually cause acne breakouts. Because of this, remember to take a shower or wash your face immediately after sweating heavily with a gentle cleanser several times a day.

12. FALSE: If only this were true! While acne outbreaks are often strongest during teen years (due to hormonal imbalances and improper skincare), acne can affect men their entire lives. Good skin health needs to be regularly maintained to avoid falling prey to blemishes.

13. FALSE: Acne can affect guys with any skin type, from dry to combination and even normal. Men with oily skin might be more susceptible to outbreaks, but they are by no means alone.

14. TRUE: Bacteria (P. acnes) play a big part in the creation of acne. Once a skin pore becomes clogged, acne bacteria begin to grow, causing blemishes to form. Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective treatment for acne because it introduces oxygen into the bacteria, which kills it.

15. TRUE: Using a gentle exfoliating face scrub that contains Salicylic and Glycolic Acids can help clear pores of dirt and blockage, cutting down on the instances of acne. However, do not use a scrub if your acne is severe; it could aggravate your skin further.

16. TRUE….and FALSE: Acne is a painful, annoying condition, but it doesn’t need to negatively affect your lifestyle. While healthy skin is something we should all aim for, an occasional pimple or breakout is nothing to freak out about and can be treated with the right acne products. Remember: almost everyone is affected by acne. By using the most effective acne products and skincare techniques, there’s nothing to stop you from attaining a clear, healthy complexion.

SCORING:

13-16 Answers Correct: Acne Expert

9-12 Answers Correct: Good job! Add to your acne know-how with more tips.

5-8 Answers Correct: Knowledgeable, but check out our articles for more info.

0-4 Answers Correct: Needs work. Discover how to treat acne with our expert advice.

About The Author

Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men’s skincare and grooming company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at http://www.MenScience.com.

iPod is one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history. It is the best selling mp3 / mp4 player in the market today. The combination of sound quality, sleek design and unique user interface, made the iPod a hit, causing an entire industry of accessories to emerge almost overnight.

The Apple Corporation first released the iPod on October 23, 2001.

Presently we are now on the 5th generation of iPod.

The first generation - Mp3 player with mechanical scroll wheel and four buttons.

The second generation - It has touch-sensitive wheel, 10 GB and 20 GB hard drives.

The third generation - It has touch-sensitive bottoms and USB connectivity.

The fourth generation - It has click-wheel and only two hard disk version, 20 GB and 40 GB.

The fifth generation - Mp4 player with 60 GB memory storage and video capability.

iPod has won several awards ranging from engineering excellence, to most innovative audio product. Very often it receives favorable reviews on looks, designs and handling.

iPod was designed as an mp3 / mp4 player for people with an active lifestyle. It is compact, sturdy and lightweight enough to take with you wherever you go. It was designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand or to be carried into a pocket or purse for easy transportation.

It comes in many storage capacities from 512 MG to 80 GB. The amount of memory it can hold, depends on the model or on the compression rate of your songs.

As an mp3 player it was designed to provide the best quality sound. It has a powerful 60 MW amplifier so it can deliver audio as loud as you want. It also has a 20 MZ to 20 KHZ frequency response, which means you can hear distortion free music at the lowest pitches.

iPod built-in rechargeable battery provides between 8 to 20 hours of music playtime depending on your model. Using the appropriate stereo adapter your iPod will sound great on your home or car stereo system. All iPod`s come as standard with a non removable lithium rechargeable battery. The battery charge will last about 14 to 28 days without use. The lcd display shows the battery level on the upper right corner of the screen. You may charge your iPod by connecting it to an Apple iPod Power Adapter or connecting it to a USB port of a computer. A full charge takes approximately four hours while 80% charge will require at least one hour.

Apple has designed the iPod, as an mp3 player, to work with the iTunes media library software, which allows you to select your music on your computer and on your ipod. iTunes can automatically synchronize this mp3 player with specific playlists or with the entire content of a music library each time you connect your iPod to a host computer.

The first three generations of iPod used two ARM 7TDMI derived CPUs running at 90 MHZ, while later models have variable speed chips which run at a peak of 80 MHZ to save battery life. Another great feature of owning an iPod is the fact that someone can record a discussion and then post the audio file on the internet. This means people can download the file and listen to the file on their iPod. As an mp4 player, with iTunes 4.9, you can now browse and subscribe to podcasts at the iTunes Website. Podcasts are radio shows or other audio/video programs that are downloadable over the internet.

In order for you to be a more satisfied iPod customer, as to the usability and longer battery life spam of this mp3-mp4 player you should consider the following tips:

- Keep it turned off when not using it.
- Update to the latest software.
- Keep it at room temperature whenever possible.
- If you are not using the backlighting, turn it off.
- Turning off the equalizer will save you battery.
- Use compressed songs.

With the availability of compact audio format, we have had mp3 players such as iPod, which provided an unprecedented portability to eager electronic consumers. Now iPod, as mp4 players, is already able to deliver video capability and a whole new set of features and services yet to come.

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author´s name and all the URL´s (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept

About The Author

Roberto Sedycias has a bachelor degree in Business Administration and over 20 years experience in systems analysis and computer programming. Currently working as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/mp3-mp4-audio-portatil.php

Cats are amazing creatures; majestic, comical, ever changing, and diverse. Because of their agility, athleticism, and equipment–claws and teeth, they are considered to be perfect killing machines. Equally true, they are gentle companions who share our lives and household. They love to sit on our laps and be with us but don’t respond to training like a dog. I’ve shared my life with cats since childhood. Here are a few basic facts for anyone interested in this amazing species.

The first thing you’ll notice is that cats sleep a lot. They average 16 hours of sleep per day. When their up, they usually like to play, eat or groom. The amount of daily sleep can vary by cat, circumstance and breed. There are approximately 25-40 known breeds of cats. The largest is a Maine Coon which often weighs in excess of 20 LBs. Other cat breeds average 7-10 LB’s. The lifespan of a cat varies depending on its breed and environment. Outdoor un-neutered male cats have a lifespan of just 4 years regardless of their breed. This is because many of them are hit by cars or infected with terminal illnesses. Indoor cats live much longer than outdoor cats due to lower stress, and lower exposure to disease. The Maine Coon has a short lifespan of approximately 8-10 years, whereas a Siamese often lives up to 20 years. Mixed breed cats typically live 12-18 years, but I’ve had mixed breeds live up to 24 years.

According to pet trainers, cats can be trained, but always keep in mind, the cat will only do what serves the cat’s best interest. The best way to train a cat is by using food when the cat is hungry. Repeat the trick over and over and give a “treat” each time.

The body of a cat is amazing. The eyes are designed to detect the slightest movement. They see well in the dark. Their ears move so they can pick up the faintest sound—this explains why cats hate loud noises and unfamiliar sounds. The spine of a cat is incredibly dexterous, containing approximately 60 vertebrae compared to a humane spine which has approximately 24 vertebras. The tail can reflect a cat’s mood, and is also used for balance. Most cats enjoy when we run our hand down their back and give a slight gentle tug on the tail, near the base of the tail. It gives the cat a little back stretch. The claws are retractable for ease of walking on any surface and extend to climb trees or catch prey. Cats are carnivores and should always eat a high protein diet. They are amazingly resourceful and prolific. A single mother and her first year offspring can produce in excess of 150 cats by the third year. This is why all cats need to be spayed and neutered before sexual maturity (approximately 6 months).

Centuries ago, humans and cats started sharing their environment. We don’t know when this occurred, but most likely our ancestors valued cats for their ability to reduce rodent populations. During the Egyptian era, cats were revered. During the dark ages they were persecuted and wrongfully blamed for the black plague. Today approximately 30 percent of all households share their lives with cats. It’s easy to understand why they are the most popular pet.

For more free pet care or animal welfare tips, visit http://www.PetCareRCA.com Kate Garvery is the founder and director of the Pet Care Resource Center of America. She is also a freelance writer and provides professional writing services for individuals and business owners http://www.kategarvey.net Kate is the author of 3 non-fiction books and more than 40 non-fiction articles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Garvey

1. Dr. Carlos Bilardo was the manager of Argentina in the 1986 World Cup when they went on to lift the trophy for the second time.
2. Jairzinho scored in all six games of the 1970 World Cup for Brazil which they went on to win in stunning style.
3. Bulgaria secured their first in a World Cup after16 matches and 5 World Cups.
4. Andres Escobar of Columbia was shot dead after scoring an own goal in a match in the 1994 World Cup.
5. Geoff Hurst of England is the only player till date to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final (1966).

Cell phone (telefone celular) is a wireless, portable, long-range, electronic telephone, which during travel can seamlessly change antenna connections, from one radio reception cell to another radio reception cell, without dropping or losing the ongoing call.

Besides the standard voice function of a telephone, latest cell phones (telefone celular) have features such as SMS for text messages, MMS for multimedia messages, radio, games, internet connectivity for email, browsing, blogging, music (MP3) playback, memo recording, built-in cameras and camcorders, ringtones, personal organizers, Push-to-Talk (PTT), Bluetooth and infrared connectivity, call registers, streaming video, downloading video, video call, and also serve as wireless modems for PCs that can be connected to the Internet.

The power in a cell phone (telefone celular) is obtained from rechargeable batteries, which can be recharged from the mains, a USB port or a cigarette lighter port in an automobile. Nickel Metal Hydride were the most common types of batteries, which due to the “memory effect” (the user can recharge only when the entire battery is drained off) were replaced by Lithium-Ion batteries, which did not suffer from any memory effect.

Cell phones (telefone celular) came into existence because of the invention of hexagonal cells in 1947, for the base stations by Bell Labs engineers at AT&T. This was further developed during the 1960s by Bell Labs. During a call, the channel frequency could not be changed automatically from one cell (base station coverage area) to another cell (base station coverage area) as the person traveled from the area of one cell to the area of another cell. Amos Joel of Bell Labs invented a breakthrough invention and called it as the `call handoff` by which the channel frequency could be changed automatically from one cell to another cell, during the same call, as the mobile user traveled from one cell to another cell. Due to their heavy construction, these phones were used mainly in automobiles.

The first practical cell phone in a non-vehicle setting, and which could be handheld, was invented by Martin Cooper, the General Manager (Communications Division) of Motorola, who made the world`s first handheld cell phone (telefone celular) call on April 3, 1973.

The technology by which the cell phone (telefone celular) works depends on the mobile phone operator; however, all of them use electromagnetic radio waves, which are in touch with a cell site (base station). The base station is composed of several antennas which are mounted on a pole, tower, or building. Cell sites are spread at a distance of 5 to 8 miles (approx. 8 to 13 km) from each other. The low power transceiver from the cell phone transmits the voice and data to the nearest cell site. During movement, the cell phone will “handoff” the information to other cell site. Mobile phone operators use many technologies to maintain the smooth stream of digitized data from the cell phone to the cell site and vice versa.

The wireless telephone technologies are grouped under heads known as generations, starting from zero generation or 0G. The current generation going on is 4G; however, there are old cell phones (telefone celular) that still operate on 1G, 2G, and 3G technologies. The wireless telephone technologies used in each generation are as given below:

0G: PTT, MTS, IMTS, AMTS, OLT, MTD, Autotel/PALM, ARP

1G: NMT, AMPS/TACS/ETACS, Hicap, CDPD, Mobitex, DataTac

2G: GSM, iDEN, D-AMPS, IS-95/cdmaOne, PDC, CSD, PHS, GPRS, HSCSD, WiDEN, CDMA2000 1xRTT/IS-2000, EDGE (EGPRS)

3G: W-CDMA, UMTS (3GSM), FOMA, TD-CDMA/UMTS-TDD, 1xEV-DO/IS-856, TD-SCDMA, GAN (UMA), HSPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, HSOPA

4G : UMB, UMTS Revision 8 (LTE), WiMAX

Frequency bands: SMR, Cellular, PCS

The impact of cell phone (telefone celular) usage on human health has been of considerable worldwide concern. Research studies in Copenhagen, from the Danish Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, the National Cancer Institute, and the Institute of Cancer Research, do not establish any link between cancer and cell phone usage. However, an intergovernmental agency IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) forming part of the World Health Organization of the United Nations, undertook a study of 4,500 users and found a statistically significant link between cell phone usage and tumor frequency. Further research is going on.

Cell phone (telefone celular) usage and driving is a common worldwide phenomenon. Some jurisdictions have banned usage of hand-held phones during driving, but allowed the hands-free fashion of cell phone usage while driving. However, studies have found out that the distraction is caused by the conversation itself; hence, both hand-held and hands-free cell phones contribute towards road traffic accidents. Further studies on cell phone usage and driving are going on.

Nokia Corporation is currently the world`s largest manufacturer of cell phones (telefone celular). Other notable cell phone manufacturers, in alphabetical order, are 3G, Audiovox (now UT Starcom), Benefon, BenQ-Siemens, Fujitsu, High Tech Computer Corporation (HTC), Kyocera, LG Mobile, Motorola, NEC, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric), Pantech Curitel, Philips, Research In Motion, Sagem, Samsung, Sanyo, Sharp, Siemens, Sierra Wireless, SK Teletech, Sony Ericsson, T&A Alcatel, Toshiba, and Verizon.

About The Author

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/celular.php

1. The Ganga originates from an icy cave in the Manasa Gangothri Glacier in the Western Himalayas.
2. The English name for Kanya Kumari is Cape Comorin.
3. The largest lake in India is the Chilka Lake - Orissa.
4. The City of Kolkata was founded by the British in 1690.
5. The first Viceroy of India was Lord George Canning.