An international newsletter published on the first day of every month for U3A members and kindred groups anywhere in the world.

Please send items of possible interest to the editor, Tom Holloway.

Feel free to copy any or all of this information in your local newsletters.

The Ancient History Encyclopedia (see banner above) is a non-profit company publishing the world's most-read history encyclopedia. Every submission to the encyclopedia is carefully reviewed by our editorial team, making sure only the highest quality content is published to our site.

Our publication follows academic standards, but it is written in an easy-to-read manner with students and the general public in mind. As a result, our publication is recommended by many educational institutions including Oxford University and the European Commission's e-Learning Initiative.

The Literature Network website is organized alphabetically by author. Most of the literature here is free; some downloads require a small fee.We offer searchable online literature for the student, educator, or enthusiast.

We currently have over 3500 full books and over 4400 short stories and poems by over 260 authors. Our quotations database has over 8500 quotes, and our quiz system features over 340 quizzes which will surely enliven Book Group meetings.

Nearly all of us know that if we don’t use our muscles as we age, we’ll lose muscle mass. The same theory seems to hold true when it comes to keeping our minds sharp. Computer games, word games, crossword puzzles, Sudoku and other challenging mental pursuits have been advised as methods of keeping the mind healthy as we age. Now, a recent study has shown that by pursuing life-long learning, even people who are genetically at risk for Alzheimer’s disease may be able to stave off symptoms for years.

Read the full article on HealthCentral about how life-long learning can help many people delay Alzheimer's symptoms.
Thank you Dr Vyasamoorthy - Indian Society of U3A

Compton Verney's Annual Textile Fair is back. Visit us on Saturday 4th of November as stalls and displays spill through the galleries. An opportunity to browse and buy unique and one-off pieces and to top up your own craft and sewing supplies and there will be displays by the Solihull and Leamington Embroiderers' Guild throughout the day.

You don't need to be a textile specialist or fashionista to enjoy this remarkable event. No stalls are the same. The fair offers something for everyone and with Christmas not far off, offers a chance to find a unique gift to suit every taste, style and budget.

From Professor Richard Wiseman of University of Hertfordshire, UK.

"Do you remember Neil Armstrong stepping foot on the Moon? I am a psychologist and fascinated by people’s memories of this historic event, including where they were when it happened, and the impact that it had on their lives. Do you remember the landing? If so, I would love to hear from you. In the first instance, could you please spend just a couple of minutes completing this short survey."

http://www.surveyshare.com/s/AYAKHWC

We are in danger of leaving behind a junk-yard for our grand-children to clear up. This is an urgent issue that must be addressed very soon. The story of space debris highlights how the unintended consequences of intense spaceflight activity during the past 60 years has resulted in a growing population of debris objects that pose hazards to safe space navigation. In 2013, experts estimate that 29 000 objects larger than 10 cm were orbiting Earth.

This ESA video also highlights the current state of debris mitigation measures and presents several concepts for removing defunct satellites from economically vital orbits now being studied by space agencies and industry across Europe.

Japan is running out of people to take care of the elderly, so it's making robots instead. Countries around the world are grappling with how to care for a growing population of elderly people. In fact, 20% of Japan's current population is 65 or older. But as countries witness a climbing number of seniors, the amount of caregivers remains stagnant. This is particularly a problem in Japan, as a nearly 300-page Merrill Lynch report projects a shortage of 1 million caregivers by 2025 for the country. To address the issue, Japanese companies are leading in the development of Carebots.

Carebots are robots specifically designed to assist elderly people, and it's an industry that's growing in a big way. One-third of the Japanese government's budget is allocated to developing carebots.

But Maggie Boden, professor of Cognitive Science at the University of Sussex, warns that computer companions for elderly people are ‘emotionally dangerous’ and will never be good enough to take the place of real human contact. Machines would never be able to understand abstract ideas such as loyalty or hurt. For a full report click here >>>