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Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have announced today the discovery of eight previously unknown, ancient animal species within "a new and unique underground ecosystem in a cave near Ramle, Israel.

In a press conference on the Mt. Scopus campus of the Hebrew University, the researchers said the discovery came about when a small opening was found, leading to a cave extending to a depth of 100 meters beneath the surface of a quarry in the vicinity of Ramle, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The quarry is operated by cement manufacturer Nesher Industries.

The cave, which has been dubbed the Ayalon Cave, is "unique in the world", said Prof. Amos Frumkin of the Hebrew University Department of Geography. This is due mainly to its isolation from the outside world, since the cave's surface is situated under a layer of chalk that is impenetrable to water. The cave, with its branches, extends over some 2� kilometers, making it Israel's second largest limestone cave. It is to remain closed to the public to permit further scientific research.

The invertebrate animals found in the cave � four seawater and freshwater crustaceans and four terrestial species � are related to but different from other, similar life forms known to scientists. The species have been sent to biological experts in both Israel and abroad for further analysis and dating. It is estimated that these species are millions of years old. Also found in the cave were bacteria that serve as the basic food source in the ecosystem.

The animals found there were all discovered live, except for a blind species of scorpion, although Dr. Dimentman is certain that live scorpions will be discovered in further explorations and also probably an animal or animals which feed on the scorpions.

The underground cave includes an underground lake, in which the crustaceans were found. The lake is part of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer, one of Israel's two aquifers, yet is different in temperature and chemical composition from the main waters of the aquifer. The lake's temperature and salinity indicates that its source is deep underground.

Among the interesting features of the discoveries thus far in the cave is that two of the crustaceans are seawater species and two others are of a types found in fresh or brackish water.

This can provide insights into events occurring millions of years ago regarding the history of ancient bodies of water in the region.

I have a digital call in dictation system that is less than 2 years old that has given me nothing but problems from day one. It has already blown 2 speech boards and a new one has to be put in. I purchased an insurance policy for it but the company is giving me a large hassle. I currently have a loaner system that is also acting up. I was wondering if anyone can recommend any Internet-based call in systems that doctors could use by calling in on an 800 number and something that is easy to use and maintenance free from my end. I have always used a computer based call in system but it is very expensive to maintain with phone lines, etc. I am looking to get something fast that I can have set up as a backup in case my loaner also breaks down. I am a novice as far as Internet systems go. Thanks for any help or information about a company that you could recommend.

I just did the stupidest thing. I could cry but it would not help. I will lose this account due to my carelesness and not thinking. I accidentally just erased two "undone" tapes and kept two "finished" tapes. So on Monday I have to tell the doctor and if I were them I would fire me. They have been my account for 4 years but have been patient with me at times through some personal problems -- yucky divorce -- and I do a good job at a very reasonable rate but I would not blame them if they fired me. I just want to take myself out and beat myself silly. But there is nothing I can do right now and so oneward and upward -- I guess. But this will hurt as it is my largest account and I am a small MTSO so I will be out pounding the pavement for something.

What do you guys do when you get a doctor or group of doctors that dictate past the point of warp speed and it all comes out totally unclear? I'm not just talking about medical terminology either but simple English words!

I'm about to flip my wig here with these docs. It is such abuse. I try so hard to understand them and spend a lot of my time going back and forth, back and forth to listen. I have a well trained ear, too, but it's not me - just that they talk SO INCREDIBLY FAST!

I've told them before to slow down a bit and dictate at a reasonable speed and that they can dictate fast if they want because I'm a fast typist, but they MUST enunciate. It goes in one ear and out the other!

I hate to give up the account, but really it's like every report I send in to them is filled with blanks because the docs talk past warp speed.

How did you study? Did you take a course? How much did you pay for the course/test? Was the test hard? Did it help you with your job (ie raise)?

I have 6 years experience in acute care (with Medquist). My DH has been pushing me to take the test for years, but I'm a big chicken! I was a nurse before becoming a medical Transcriptionist and I just keep thinking how rough my nursing boards were. Major stressor for me!!

I need some thoughts as to what to do with this, if anything. I filed for divorce this January....or so I thought. I paid my lawyer (who might I first say is reputable in this town) the money and was expecting him to get the ball rolling. In March or April or so, I get papers from my ex-husband, saying HE's sueing ME for divorce. So, I call up my lawyer and ask why I hadn't filed first. He'd apparently set the case aside and forgot about me, and those were almost his exact words. So, I let that drop because I needed someone to represent me. When I first filed the papers, I MADE SURE I told him I wanted my ex's name off the car title, because he likes to take the title down to the pawn shop. So, I mentioned that then, then I was worried about it again sometime over the course of these months and called to rediscuss it with him, then, right before the hearing, I made sure that he remembered about it. Fine, no problem. This took place in July. Since I still hadn't gotten a divorce decree, I took myself down to the courthouse and had to purchase myself a copy (yet another thing the lawyer didn't do), and lo and behold, the car isn't listed. I know as a fact we discussed this, because each time, I had to go out and get the VIN # off the car. I can't get his name off without it being in the decree or having him sign off, which he won't do.

I checked BBB, and the company isn't on there, but neither can I find any of the attorneys in my hometown. Like I said, he's very well known around town, and it's a small town, so you know just about everybody. I had to take out a loan to get the divorce going in the first place and while I think I'd like to ask for my money back and deserve it, I know I won't get it.

Anybody have any ideas? Should I report him to SOMEONE? Should I keep pestering him until I have what I want? Or should I just forget it and move on?

I need opinions please...I work on a very small account with just a handful of ladies. Because of the nature of the software (trying not to get too specific here) we can see who is working online and what reports they are working on in real-time...

We have one cherrypicker on the account. Instead of using FIFO method, she retrieves the reports by author ID - usually picking the better dictators of course. She knows I busted her and she did admit to it in on our work e-mail (not too bright) which I am saving just in case she gets out of hand - so far I'm still able to make money since really most of the dictators aren't bad.

But every night it's starting to wear on me since she's screwing up turnaround time. I don't really want to cause a big uproar being that it is such a small account and I need to work with her almost every night usually one on one.

What would you all do? I want to handle this as delicate and professional as possible because we can't really afford to lose anyone on this account. In other words, I refuse to stoop to her level by cherrypicking right back.

My boss has asked me several times why so-and-so does so much more than I do...I just bite my lip at that point but one of these days I think I might explode and just open up a can of worms....

I am visiting my son this week, and decided to help my granddaughter clean her "spotless" room. She is such a neat freak.

What a smart little girl. I went into her closet where she keeps her electronic equipment. Every single cord for each item was neatly folded and slipped into empty paper towel (aluminum foil, toilet paper) rolls and labeled. She had attached a small velcro square to the equipment and one to the paper roll. It was so neat.

My employer wants me to try using an ergonomic keyboard and supplied me with a Belkin model.

I tried it for a couple of hours and despised it, so I switched back to my regular HP keyboard.

Has anyone else tried a Belkin ergonomic keyboard, and if so, did you find you had to literally slam your thumb into the space bar in order to have it work correctly?

Since I don't like this one, I'm sure they'll want to order me another type. Besides the Kinesis Advantage (which I think they would deem too expensive), any recommendations for an ergonomic keyboard with a nice light touch?

I need to make at least $150 a day every day. Where can I find a Mary Morken's method?

I'm going from DocQScribe to an Ex-Text platform and I have to reinput the phrases in one-by-one. Should I do this as the phrases come up? Is it preferable to just make some time to re-type the whole list at multiple settings?

In these tough economic times, any ideas on how to bring up the subject of a salary increase to management without it turning on me in some way? Is it even worth asking in our industry? Working for major MTSO for a few years, still making same salary since the beginning, below 10 c/l. Any little bit would help. Love my job but getting desperate.

I am considering taking a course to become an MT, but there are SOOOOO many programs out there! I want to do a home-based/online course - which is the best while still being affordable?

Hi - What type of abbreviation program is good? I used to have Abbreviate, but no longer have it. Is Foxfire a good program? Does anyone just use their Word autocorrect strictly? If you use Word autocorrect - do you know how to copy it and put it on another computer?

I am a ShortHand user considering adding Instant Text, but the IT product literature says it imports other programs' abbreviations as an IT glossary. Does that mean you can no longer just type your abbreviations like you're used to but have to select them from a list and type a lot of numbers all the time? Also, if your Shorthand entries contain code (move-around keys, etc.), does IT still play them and their codes out accurately? Also, I can get 400% productivity increase with my Shorthand expansions. Does anyone out there get such results from IT? I really appreciate any advice, as there is no "free trial" with this product as there is with others!!!

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