Mis fotos

      Known for years, through several epidemiological studies, diseases of the central nervous system such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or schizophrenia protect against some cancers. What is not an evidence available was the molecular details that explained this protective effect; ie, "which genes might be behind this behavior" as he explained the researcher at the National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Alfonso Valencia, Deputy director of the Centre for Basic Research.

      A striking example is Alzheimer's disease, which can reduce up to 50% the risk of cancer. Several proposals have tried to explain this association between a priori very different diseases, from pharmacological, genetic to environmental, but the available results were not strong enough to confirm these models.

      Yesterday, Valencia presented, in the journal “PLOS Genetics” the first demonstration on the possible molecular basis of this relationship between cancer and diseases of the brain and central nervous system, as reported by the CNIO in a statement. Specifically, the study identifies nearly a hundred genes as possibly responsible for this association.

      "We had previously reported that some diseases of the brain and nervous system, especially those with a neurodegenerative component, are associated with a lower risk of cancer. We call this epidemiological evidence ´reverse comorbidity´”, said Valencia.

      To delve into this paradoxical relationship, the study's authors crossed by bioinformatic analysis of gene expression data from nearly 1,700 individuals from more than 30 studies on diseases of the central nervous system (Alzheimer, Parkinson and schizophrenia) and three types of cancer (cancer colon, lung and prostate).

      The results show that nearly a hundred genes could be behind this association between diseases: 74 genes showed less activity simultaneously in diseases of the central nervous system and increased activity in cancer.

      By contrast, 19 genes had simultaneously increased activity in central nervous system diseases and cancer reduced activity. "These genes,  that are activated in reverse, which could explain the lower risk of patients with diseases of the central nervous system of developing cancer as a second disease", the authors say.

      Predoctoral researchers from Valencia´s Lab,  César Boullosa and Kristina Ibáñez,  have underlined: "Up to 90% of all biological processes, that occur increased in cancer, are repressed in diseases of the nervous system analyzed".

      It is the first time, that a molecular link between these diseases is established. This figure shows how the "global regulation of cell activity could exert a protective effect in reverse disease comorbidity", the article explains.

      "At the beginning of the project we did not have much faith in order to find statistically significant results, so it was a great surprise to see that there is such a clear genetic correlation between the two types of diseases", confesses Valencia, explaining that it is "the first time that a molecular link between these diseases is stablished".

      Among the genes that appear in the study is PIN1, formerly associated with Alzheimer's disease and cancer, as well as genes involved in the signaling pathways of p53 and Wnt. Related genes also appear as important to life as metabolism or cell communication with the external environment biological processes.

      The researchers propose that this genetic association between diseases could open the door to the use of anticancer drugs to treat some diseases of the nervous system and inside out.

      An example of this practice is the bexarotene, an antineoplastic agent that has shown beneficial effects in the treatment of Alzheimer's in mice.

      The work represents an example of the new possibilities that genomics and bioinformatics can offer an integrated approach to complex diseases such as cancer and disorders of the nervous system.

      The study had the collaboration of the psychiatrist Rafael Tabarés-Seisdedos, from the University of Valencia and the Center for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), and the Computational Biologist, Anaïs Baudot, from the CNRS in Marseille, France. It has been funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the La Caixa Foundation.

      Well, I think that it is a very interesting study, one more time made in Spain. And I hope this study may be good for many people, all over the world.

      Till next time, kind regards,

Luis.

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      Spain is a country of traditions, some are retained and others lost. But, undoubtedly, an important  tradition, that is few times used is The Mantilla. Possibly the origin of this little  blanket back to the time of the Iberians, that it was customary for women to cover their heads with veils or cloaks. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was still employed in the Iberian peninsula touched different head coverings.

      In the seventeenth century, it was common to use the blanket and lace as well as the distinctive garment of cloth and silk. However, its use is not widespread among women of high position well into the eighteenth century, as seen in numerous paintings by Francisco de Goya, which is used much less than formerly, is La Mantilla.

MANTILLA, by Alfredo Miguel Romero, at flickr.com

      His older roots, however, was reached in the nineteenth century's predilection powered by Isabel II of Spain towards her. Currently the Queen Sofia and her daughters also used to take it when they dressed in elegance.

      In the twentieth century, the Mantilla was losing popularity except in some regions such as Madrid, Valencia and Andalusia, where it soon disappeared. Currently, its use has been restricted to certain events like Easter processions, offerings of flowers at parties, weddings with elegance. 

      We know that the original use of the Mantilla was as an ornamental piece in the wardrobe woman. But this piece evolved and its evolution was marked by social, religious and even weather. The latter was visible in the type of preparation. In the North, woven fabrics were used, with a clear purpose: to serve warm. In the south, tissues were used for purely ornamental purposes, such as silk.

      Early, uses of the Mantilla were between people. Were not used by the upper classes or Aristocracy. They were used more as a blanket coat as an ornamental garment, without using the comb.

      In the early seventeenth century, began an evolution of the Mantilla giving way to a more ornamental piece in the women's locker room, to replace gradually the lace cloth. Little by little, starts to spread the use of this garment as an ornament, but would have to wait until well into the eighteenth century that the blanket begins to be used for the upper classes.

      The Queen Elizabeth II (1833-1868), very fond of the use of headdresses and tiaras, begins to popularize the use of the Mantilla, custom soon adopt women closest to her. Courtesans and higher social strata ladies begin to use this piece in various social events, which contributes largely to give a distinguished air, as it has come down to us (although its use is very limited and little generalized).

      Its use has a clear setback, with the death of the sovereign, while maintaining a certain rootedness in the center and south of Spain. As we can see, it remains its use in places where the use has nothing to do as warmer clothes but merely ornamental. Even today this custom lasts and is easier to see Mantillas in the center or south of our country in the north.

      The reduced use of the Mantilla in following times of the reign of Isabel II, has, among other reasons, its origin in the use of other customs imposed by the new monarchs. A remarkable fact is known as "the conspiracy of the Mantillas”: a form of protest by the Spanish women against the new foreign customs that seemed to want to impose the King Amadeo I of Spain (Amadeo of Saboya 1845-1890) and his wife Maria Victoria. Amadeo I abdicated the throne of Spain after a short time (about three years), due to the "lawlessness" of the Spaniards.

      In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the Mantilla still a piece of "everyday" use event and it begins its decline. Just a little "Mantilla", that usually use the ladies in the church, which was known as "shawl" (handkerchief, usually triangular, that women are placed in the head) is preserved. We can indicate that it is a "reduced" version of the Mantilla, dressing without comb.

      Currently, the Mantilla can be seen, almost exclusively, in bulls, Holy Week and weddings. It is not easy to see it in other events or ceremonies.

      For any type of event (wedding, bulls ...) the Mantilla must have the proper length to each person. On the front, it should have a length to the height of the hands, and the back, long fingers below the waist level. To avoid the "wings" of the Mantilla, it should hold the dress discreetly (usually on shoulders).

      The stylists say a trick to make a perfect fit with enough "slack" is tilt your head to the left side, and holding the Mantilla right shoulder and back (tilt your head to the right and hold the Mantilla on the shoulder left).

      For Mantillas there are several types of tissue, depending on budget and taste of every woman:

Lace: it is a type of silk, characterized by the use of large grounds, especially floral, which is made in silk brighter than the rest of the Mantilla (which is usually done on silk matte to highlight more embroidery). It has a particular characteristic, which are ripples of its edges, which some authors have called "castanets tips", because of its similarity to these.

Chantilly: as the name suggests, they use a tissue from this French city, light and elegant. Like the rest of the Mantillas, it is usually heavily embroidery with various motives.

Tul: is a thin and transparent fabric, of silk, linen or cotton, and we can say that crossed over "current" for Mantillas. Often used as an imitation of Mantillas of lace and chantilly. These are known as Mantillas of lace.

      As for the comb, we opt for a suitable match us and our "relationship", if we are accompanied. The best are the hawksbill, although there are other varieties. If you are petite, you can choose a high comb, but it is more difficult to wear. If you are tall, and have a long face, you can choose a lower (and more comfortable to wear) comb. In any case, you have to adjust well to the bun and cover it properly and well balanced with the Mantilla.

      To show off a wedding Mantilla, some tips. If the wedding is during the day, you can wear the Mantilla with a cocktail dress --below the knee--. If you are the maid of honour, you can wear a long dress, even if it is in the morning. Do not wear a short dress. If the wedding is in the evening, it will only be wearing long dress. Keep in mind two things: one is dressed in religious ceremonies (if the wedding is civil, it is best to forget the Mantilla), and certain etiquette wedding (when dresses evening dress or tuxedo, the groom). Finally, colors. According to tradition, the white or ivory Mantilla is only wear by single women and black Mantilla is reserved for married (although like many other customs or traditions, is not kept in mind).

Melilla en Semana Santa (21), Melilla, South eastern Spain, by Miguel GonzalezNovo, at flickr.com

      Well, I hope that you have enjoyed with this post.

      Till next time, kind regards,

Luis.

Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.

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      Five years ago, began in Málaga a project called "SmartCity", this is a project related to electricity and has already achieved energy savings of over 25% and a reduction in CO2 emissions of 20%, as claims Susana Carillo, head of SmartCity Malaga.

      This is a project led by ENDESA and ENEL group, and it aims to meet the objectives 20-20-20 of the European Union: increase by 20% the energy efficiency; producing 20% more, through renewable energy and reduce emissions another 20% of CO2, in 2020.

      But How do you get all that?. Well, achieving a more efficient lighting, enhancing the electrical mobility, getting smarter buildings, encouraging renewable generation or promoting the Telemanagement consumption by digital counters.

      The area occupied by SmartCity Malaga covers four square miles and encompasses 11,000 domestic customers and 1,200 industrial and service. In total, we talk about 40 kilometers of circuits that form a network, which optimizes the power supply. So, you can analyze each new technology through the prism “cost / benefit”, which has already generated several examples of success kits household energy efficiency have reduced electricity bill by 10% for many users, while the replacement of 200 points of light LED technology reduced streetlights consumption by 65%.

Malaga: otra vision desde el mirador. Malaga, South eastern Spain, by Juan Chaves Alcoba, at flickr.com

      The project, with a budget of EUR 31 million Euros (ERDF and privates), ended last year, but continues now encompassed in the R & D budgets of ENEL. The group also has similar experiences in Barcelona, Seville, Buzios (Brazil) and Santiago de Chile, but the most unique experience is being done in El Hierro. The goal is to turn this island into a space of zero emissions.

      I think that it is a very interesting project. Hopefully it can be performed in many Spanish cities and around the world.

      Till a next post, kind regards,

Luis.

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       If there is a period in the life of children, that frightens parents, is certainly Adolescence. I have not yet come to that, because I have two very young children, but I have heard many cases in real life and in movies, in which parents complained of the great difficulty of living with teenagers.

      A teenager is, by definition: rebel, rebellious, impulsive or provocative. It is a force of nature, which depletes their parents, to the limit. How can we harness this energy?, How we can redirect both character?. The answer is not simple, but there is a tool, on the Internet, that can help parents, promoting the culture of effort, as the basis of learning. But who best can can explain this tool is its creator: Raúl de la Cruz (Founder and the maximum responsible of a digital platform dedicated to Adolescence;  the platform is called www.keepunto.com and its year of existence has already attracted over 90,000 adolescents.

      Raúl has just been on the radio and has explained in what consists “keepunto.com”.

      First, Raul says that on this platform, they mix three elements, which are common at this stage  --even at the stage of children--: curiosity, his love for the game and, actually, his love and passion for the New technologies.

      And he explains in what consists “keepunto.com”. keepunto.com is presented as the "first PreBank" in the world, through which they begin to know the intricacies of what will be the Online Banking in future. Al thread  the “PreBank" and creating a "virtual currency" on the platform they use, so these guys can get their virtual currency, a series of games and challenges, which help them to develop skills --skills can be marked by the OECD, as a Foreign Language , Mother Language , thinking skills and also a number of provisions to teamwork, work in family, friendship, etc. And all that is rewarded to them with the “Kee" (virtual currency) -- which is the acronym for : Key Electronic Effort -- . That is, we recognize that effort with a virtual currency, what they do with the virtual currency, it depends on them, the boys are autonomous in making their decisions. For example, they can spend the currency on buying a book , or a material for school , or save , or invest in a virtual product --they have in the platform such as a saving account or a deposit--. I mean, we are teaching doing, not with master classes.

      Already, there are parents with teenage children, who when Friday comes, they "negotiate" with their children, if for example they want to care for their younger siblings, is that the teenage son tells his father: "I do not want you to pay me in Euros , I want you to pay me in KEEs”. Raul says this happened with his daughter and he asked her why she did not want Euros and yes KEEs and she replied: "If you pay me in Euros, so tomorrow I will have spent on whatever (in popcorn in the cinema, going out with my friends ...), but, if you pay me in KEEs, I can invest in my current account and add them to the KEEs, that I have already got with the challenges, with competitions ... and I can save them to achieve this goal, the goal that I have set out to achieve”.

      The platform is designed for adolescents among 14 and 24 years old. From age 14, a guy can enlist without his parents. But also parents can get KEEs. Teenagers want to be challenged or to be put challenges. They know that generally they are news source that speaks well of them. So say you need challenges, challenges, more and more complicated. They need to prove to themselves and the people around them, who are able to overcome difficult tasks. Thus, in these 13 months of life and has the platform, the young have exceeded more than 3 million tasks. Ie they are young ready to get things by themselves.

      A challenge has to be a motivating activity itself. It also has to be a different activity to routine. That it has some rules, to follow and you can get a successful experience, have a goal.

      Raul says that experience with the platform says them that teenagers feel good about getting things by themselves. Therefore, they want to have their own money, in order to not to ask it for their parents. The crisis has changed a lot of manners; for example, in 2010, the 65 per cent of the adolescents in Spain had a pay. Now, the 65 per cent of the adolescents in Spain have no pay.

      Who buys the KEEs, to give teenagers?.Well, marks are who do the challenges, who buy the KEEs, that the team of this platform gives to adolescents. There are several types of collaboration:  a program of Marketing, a program of Loyalty, …..So, parents can buy some KEEs, but they are not who defray to keepunto.com. It is GRATIS for adolescents at all.

      It is good to instil a financial literacy to young people, in order that they start being responsible, that they understand that we old people are not millionaire.

      I am agree with this idea and I hope that you like it too.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.

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      The Gamification is to know what is there in video games that makes them so attractive, to apply in other environments as Education, Business, Sport, etc..; i.e. what we can learn from a video game, to make more attractive Education, to work in a Company, playing sport, etc. This is what Juan Valera (a Professional of Human Resources, Labour and Social Psychologist and Discloser in Gamification), explains in his book: "Gamification in Business".

      Juan also says that, in Nature, animals learn playing, since they are very small, because playing is the best way to learn. So, the videogame improves children in decision making, creative thinking, helps coordination; ie, it has many benefits.

      John says that the Motivation is associated with Gamification, because Motivation is what makes a person think through making. And that is how good the game, which allows us to repeat some moves, thanks to the game, because without the game, we should not do them.

      He also talks about the Gamification into Companies and in the social environment. Then, he says that it is very interesting the application of the Gamification in the social environment. For example he talks about the known driver's license points.This is very effective, because people strive more to maintain something that they have than to win something that they have not.It seems to be more positive than to put fines.The idea is to learn driving well, without losting points.

      What happens with video games is that they are designed to keep the games unfinished; so, we need to keep playing.It happens, because we do not like to leave things without finishing.

      John says that the Gamification is not only for big companies, but also for little companies, even you can apply it at your home –in this sense, he says he has applied it with his daughter--; he says that it is very interesting for children, for their education, for their behavior.For example, John asked a girl for writing a number 400 times. Then, he asked her so: “You are not able to do it in ten minutes” and…..the girl was so stimulated to challenge, that she wrote the number very quickly…..

      It seems to be so interesting.I feel it very positive. Do you like the idea?

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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        Today I want to talk to you about some words, that we use in Spanish but they come from Andalussia.

       The first word is: “Alikindoi”. It is used, when you tell someone, for example: “Be still”, “Be quiet”, then in Andalussia you say: “Be alikindoi”. Alikindoi comes from this anecdote: the British sailors told workers of the ports of Malaga and Cadiz: "Look and do it" and the Andalusian workers said: "Alikindoi".

       Another word, --but this one comes from the Arab--, is: "Almanaque" (Almanac).In Andalussia, we say Almanaque, bu, in the rest of Spain, it is said: “Calendario" (Calendar).In Arab it is: al-manakh (climate), that reflects its original purpose, used for agriculture, where provided information about seasons and climate.

       A funny word so used in Andalussia is: “Aguja palá”; it is used when you talk about the fish named “Pez Espada” (Swordfish). This is the explanation: when you go to buy “Pez espada”, you ask for “Aguja palá”, because this fish has a big sword before it, in its mouth, the you want to ask for a fish that has asword forwards.

      Another word is: “Aljofifa”, that means “Bayeta” (Baize).

      Also “Alcachofa” (Artichoke) comes from the Arab.

      Another expression so used is: “Ancá”; it means “A casa de…” (To someone´s home….), for example: “Voy ancá Juan” (I am going to John´s home).

      I can not translate the word “Botijo”, named “Búcaro” in Andalussia, but I can tell you that it is a container for drinking water.

Botijo,by Dando uina vuelta, at flickr.com

       Another curious word is: “Menester”; it means: “Necessary”.

      A so funny word is: “Chingua”, that comes from “Chewing gum”.

      Well, I hope that you have enjoyed.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.

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        A team from the National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), directed by Marcos Malumbres, has discovered how a drug used to treat various types of cancer, called etoposide, could increase efficiency and specificity, combined with other compounds, that interfere with the division cell.

      The study, published in the journal Cell Reports, has been conducted in collaboration with the groups of Oscar Fernandez-Capetillo and Javier Muñoz, from the CNIO, and the team of Hiroyuki Yamano, from the Cancer Institute at the University of London, as reported by the CNIO, in a statement.

      The Etoposide is a compound obtainable from variants of the mandrake plant and it blocks a necessary protein for repairing the DNA, while the cells are divided by themselves; it is the enzyme “topoisomerase 2” (TOP2). It increases the damage to the genetic material and cell death.

      Much of the cancer research efforts are directed toward searching combinations of existing drugs, many of them introduced in clinical practice, allowing greater overall survival and improved quality of life for patients with cancer.

      In the case of etoposide is widely used to treat lung cancer, testicular, leukemia or brain tumors.

      As Malumbres has indicated:  "Etoposide affects tumor cells, which are the most divided and need TOP2 to repair their DNA, but also healthy cells. This lack of specificity leads to alterations in healthy tissues, that result in secondary disorders and toxicity to the organism”.

      The researchers suggest that "Now, the challenge is to improve the therapeutic window of the drug, so that the effective dose range gain without an increase in toxicity and side effects associated with treatment”.

      To date, data on the molecular pathways that govern topoisomerase levels in cells were very scarce and little illuminating.

      Now, the research of the Malumbres´team,  Manuel Eguren, has linked, for the first time, in animal models of mouse and human cells, TOP2 with the protein Cdh1, aregulatory of the cell division, so that a decrease in the activity of Cdh1, increases the levels of TOP2 in cells.

      This work identifies the formula increase theTOP2 levels in the cells. The research team proposes a new effective treatment modality in tumors: the combination of inhibitors of Cdh1 --between which is a substance called proTAME-- with etoposide. "ProTAME, which is in preclinical studies to inhibit tumor cell division, could increase the effectiveness of etoposide in cancer cells, those that are most divided themselves and thus have a greater reliance on TOP2, to maintain DNA integrity”, say the researchers.

      This drug combination could maximize the antitumor effect of etoposide and mean dose reduction and decreased toxicity. Moreover, previous studies indicate that Cdh1 inactive in some patients due to various oncogenic mutations. "Our data suggest that stratification of patients based on the status of Cdh1 in the tumor may improve the effect of etoposide in the treatment of these patients”.

      The next step, for the Malumbres´team, is to study this new cocktail of drugs in patient samples and investigate the tumors in which this new therapeutic strategy could be more efficient.

      The project was funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the European Union and the Community of Madrid.

      Well, I hope that the researchers, in Spain and in the rest of the world, can end this tough disease, named Cancer. God help them.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      This is a typical dish of Granada (South eastern Spain).Therefore it is named "Colorá" (Red, but not Colorada, the same thing than when you say: Graná, instead of Granada). 

      These are its ingredients, for 4 persons: 6 spoons full of virgin olive oil. A dry red pepper. A dried tomato. A pair of ribs in marinade. 50 grams of well-seasoned sausage (it gives better flavor than fresh). One onion. 3 cloves of garlic. 2 liters of water. 1/2 kilo of flour vetch. Fine salt.

      To begin, in a pot, we put the oil over high medium heat, and fry separately until they take color pepper and the dried tomato, the garlic cloves, the ribs, the sausage and, finally, the finely chopped onion . We mash, in a mortar, pepper, tomato and garlic; we put everything in the pot, we put the water, salt and cook for 40 minutes. After this time, withdrew from the pot a liter of broth, sausage and ribs and add, gradually, vetch flour, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, until the dough sticks to the spoon and the pot.

      After all of that, we put the porridge on the bottom of a bowl, we add chunky ribs and sausage and cover with a little broth, that we had booked.

      And this one must be the result:

Gachas colorás

      I hope that you can try this recipe and you like eating it.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      Today, I want to show you a video about the largest salt lakes in Europe:

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http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/programas-de-tve/comando-actualidad-negocio-del-frio/2360981/

The presenter (Sara Lozano): “Vincent and John, you are the Industrial Director and Head of Production. Which is the production, that this company has, these salt lakes?”.

Juan (John): “Around 650,000 tonnes per year”

Sara: “What percentage of all these tons, is intended to roads, to prevent the formation of ice sheets?”

Vicente (Vincent): “Almost half, Is not it?”

Juan: “Almost half ... well, not only for Spain, eh? ...... for Europe and Spain the half of the production”

Sara: “Oops ..it is falling out there ... this is not danger, right?, of release ...”

Juan: “Well ... when we are working here, usually with a retro we are dropping the lot, so there is no risk”

Sara: “In northern Europe is there no salt mine?”

Juan: “No”

Sara: “Does the cold, do not temperatures allow this process?”

Juan: “Maritime outputs, no, and, in some countries, it does not even exist salt from a mine”

Sara: “John, What is this one that you have here?”

Juan: “From here comes a conveyor line, approximately 2 km long, reaching to the port”

Sara: “And there, you load the ships, ranging north of Europe, we said”

Juan: “Exactly, exactly”

…………………………………………….

Sara: “And where are we going now?”

Juan: “Now, let us take the canoe to approach the mining machine, to see how the salt is collected”

Sara: “Do we go up?”

Juan: “Come in”

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Juan: “We have one water meter deep. Then, all navigation systems are prepared, so that they can navigate with just one meter of water. Then, you will see the tugs, which are paddle tugs, like those we see in the movies, which were the old tugs of the Mississippi, ships of the Mississippi ......,  but same, it is the same system”

Sara: “Each barge tows, you told me…..”

Juan: “Abuout 10 tons of crude salt…………….once washed, they become in 7”

Vicente: “Paco, five, Do you listn me?”

Paco: “Tell me”

Vicente: “Stop, just a moment, we are going to get off”

…………………………………………………………..

Juan: “Hello, Paco”

Paco: “Good afternoon”

Juan: “This symbol is the machine. The blue areas are already the extracted areas. He is the pilot of the machine and he deals to make some rounds, glued to the extracted area, because really the goal is to collect the entire surface of the pond once a year”.

………………………………………

Juan: “The machine goes on with floats and moves through these two tracks, then it has a blade height adjustment, which is stuck at the bottom to collect the salt layer. The first thing to do is drain it a bit, then we will see it, after dump barges, drain and wash a little ... Although it seems…... it seems to be rare, the salt must be washed to remove the insoluble and having then stored, to finish draining”.

Sara: “Why the pond water has this color?”

Juan: “The color is given by a bacterium, reproduced, spontaneously, when the brine is saturated in salt;  this happens in all saline and it is completely harmless”.

Sara: “How far is sold a ton of salt?”

Juan: “Well ...for  Export, below 20 Euros and, for the thaw here, it will not be much more..”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Sara: “What happens if it rains, it spoils all this salt?”

Juan: “No, no, no ... if you notice, the salt makes a crust on the surface……."

Sara: “Yes, It is so hard….”

Juan: “….the water runs out there and .......we have practically no loss……”

…………………………………………………………………..

Sara: “John, this salt…., well, it is road salt, Is it thrown, such as you offer it on roads?”

Juan: “First we grind it and then we add an anti-caking, which in turn has an effect antifreeze”

Sara: “What temperature salt freezes?”

Juan: “Salt, less than -20 degrees, is already freezed. The truth is that in Spain this does not happen often, but salt, that we export to some Nordic countries, if it had no anti-caking, could reach freezing”

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Sara: “John, Are we in the largest salt lake of Europe?”

Juan: “Yes. probably, at this time, the salt lakes of Torrevieja are the largest European sea salt”

Clarification:  Torrevieja is a village of Alicante (Esatern Spain)

Sara: “I have read that, in Spain, all the salt industry employs 26,000 people, 26,000 direct jobs. How many people can work in the Salt lakes of Torrevieja?”

Juan: “In the Salt lakes of Torrevieja, we are more than 80 people, who are working directly and, then, there are 30 or 40 people, who are working indirectly”

Sara: “If the winter is cold, John, all this salt around us now .... I do not know how many tons can be here .....”

Juan: “Here, there are ………around 300,000 tons….”

Sara: “300,000….they could be sold…”

Juan: “If Winter were hard, we could sell these 300,000 tons, yes”

Sara: “Is Winter being hard?”

Juan: “By the moment, not much; but… there are still a lot of winter in front and ... well ... the Winter ....”

Sara: “Are you here hopeful that temporary arrive?”

Juan: “Well, the proverb says: April showers, bring May flowers…..Snow is good for everybody”

      Well, here has finished the video. I hope that you have liked.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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