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Famous DNA Review – Genghis Khan

// March 31st, 2009 // No Comments » // General

In 2003, researchers from around the world released a paper that suggested that 8% of all Mongolian males have a common Y chromosome because they are the descendants of Genghis Khan (See “The Genetic Legacy of the Mongols,” 2003, Zerjal, et. al.,American Journal of Human Genetics, 72: 717-721). The researchers examined the Y chromosome variability of over 2000 people from different regions in Asia and discovered a grouping of closely related lines. The cluster is believed to have originated about 1,000 years ago in Mongolia and its distribution coincides with the boundaries of the Mongol Empire.

Genghis Khan’s empire (he ruled from 1206–1227) stretched across Asia from the Pacific Ocean to the Caspian Sea and was reportedly extremely prolific. Khan’s son Tushi had as many as 40 sons. His grandson Kublai Khan is reported to have had as many as 22 sons,and perhaps many more. Together this family may have as many as 16 million descendants alive in Asia today. It is extremely important to note that until DNA can be extracted from Khan’s bones (which have never been found), there is no definitive proof that this Y chromosome cluster is actually descended from Genghis Khan.

When Family Tree DNA compared the markers in the paper to their database, they determined that the Y chromosome cluster belongs to Haplogroup C3 (M217+). Forty-seven samples in their database at that time exactly matched the markers identified in the paper. The company has summarized the marker results from the paper and have made that information freely available.

A newly released study from Russian scientists examined the Y chromosomes of 1,437 men from 18 Asian ethnic groups (AltaiKazakhs, Altai-Khizhis, Teleuts, Khakasses, Shor, Tuvinians, Todjins, Tofalars, Soyotes, Buryats, Khamnigans, Evenks, Mongolians, Kalmyks, Tajiks, Kurds, Persians and Russians). The researchers discovered that approximately 35% of Mongolians possess the “Khan” Y chromosome. Surprisingly, the results of the study suggest that although the Mongol Empire held eastern Russia for 250 years, there are few “Khan” Y chromosome carriers in that region.
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10 Filthy hotels in Asia

// March 4th, 2009 // No Comments » // General

10 Filthy hotels in Asia
10. Aseania Resort, Langkawi, Malaysia.
Location: Simpang 3, Jalan Pantai Tengah, Langkawi 07100, Malaysia.
Filthy Degree: 3.5
How Filthy: Looks are deceptive.
Review: broken toilet, dirty sheets, ancient furniture, broken kettle, numerous mosquitoes, dark and depressing room, the internet does not work, the breakfast is limited in both selection and quality, hotel has no lift, filthy with dead cockroaches on the floor, the restaurant is infested with roaches.

9. Royal Parkview Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.
Location: 19/9 Sukhumvit soi 20 Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
Filthy Degree: 3.5
How Filthy: Hell Hole
Review: The rooms are old dirty, food terrible, rude staff, they refuse to take responsibility when something missing from the room, bad shower, smelly elevators, and cockroaches.

8. City Gate Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam
Location: 10 Thanh Ha Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
Filthy Degree: 3
How Filthy: It’s a big joke!
Review: Hot water, fridge and air-con don’t work, the manager is rude, and should be avoided at all costs. Reserved a room online for $18/night and arrived to be moved to another hotel for $25 a night, fake City Gate hotel in Hanoi.

7. Oxford Hotel, Singapore.
Location: 218 Queen Street, Singapore 188549, Singapore
Filthy Degree: 3
How Filthy: If all you need is a place to sleep
Review: Rooms are old, mini bar is empty, no bellboy, small rooms, and bathroom is really small, rooms are not cleaned, burn holes in sheets, dirty pillowcases, the towels are not clear white, a few TV Channels, bed have fleas, avoid at all cost.

6. Colmar Tropicale, A French-Themed Resort, Bentung, Malaysia
Location: KM 48, Persimpangan Bertingkat Lebuhraya Karak, Bentung 28750, Malaysia
Filthy Degree: 3
How Filthy: If you think Genting Highlands is tacky, wait till you see this!
Review: From a distance, it looked quaint and charming but horror upon horrors, the service is very slow, the sofa is old and dusty, bed sheets and towels are not so clean, the windows don’t close properly, the beds and bedding are old and worn, the bathroom is a disgrace, and food choices are limited.

5. Woraburi Sukhumvit Hotel and Resort, Bangkok, Thailand
Location: 128/1 Sukhumvit Soi 4 | Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Filthy Degree: 3.5
How Filthy: Better values elsewhere
Review: Bed bugs, staff are not helpful, steal money, stains on the sheets, the curtains, the walls, bed is lumpy and is not clean, bad food, no service, tiny creatures around the sinks, cracks, mosquitoes in the room, the bathroom is dirty (could hardly take a shower without throwing up).

4. Royal Peacock Hotel, Singapore.
Location: 55 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089158, Singapore.
Filthy Degree: 3
How Filthy: Why go to Disneyland when this place is so Micky Mouse
Review: Prison cell type if a room, the room is disgusting, moldy, filthy, damp, old, no hot water and air-conditioner noise, no window, poor lighting, small room, dusty walls, old stained carpet in the hall and room, no shower curtain, no room safe, burned ceilings and scuffed carpets, the shelves are dusty, the bathroom towel rail keep falling off and the bedding looks so worn and shabby.

3. The Imperial Hotel, Hong Kong, China
Location: 32-34 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Filthy Degree: 3
How Filthy: You Can’t Pick A Winner Every time. A Pig-Sty
Review: The hallways smelt musty, the room smelt even more musty, the room is so tiny, the bathroom is filthy and old, there was mold on the walls and curtains, the sheets have stains on them, no tissue in the bathroom, the room stinks, the AC doesn’t work, the shower is leaking and the bed is small, the room is awful, small, dirty and dingy. The bed cover is old and caused to itch, the bedsheets have a stain which look like blood. The hotel is very stingy with shampoo and does not care much for customer service.

2. Hotel Grand Central, Singapore.
Location: 22 Cavenagh Road | Orchard Road, Singapore 229617, Singapore.
Filthy Degree: 3
How Filthy: A Nightmare Stay To Remember For Life
Review: Receptions are unfriendly, the room is small, stink, old, with black, dirty carpet and furnishings. The top bed covers were dark brown fabric with white stains all over them, and the yellowing bed-sheets are all covered in brown stains, the bathrooms are worn out and leaking, the breakfast is worst.

1. First Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.
Location: 2 Petchburi Road | Phayathai, Ratchatevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Filthy Degree: 3.5
How Filthy: First Hotel = Last Hotel
Review: Many bedbugs of all sizes, crawling ants in the bathroom, the corridors stink of smoke, the place is full of white people having mid life crisis, the TV set doesn’t work, the bathroom is tolerable but not memorable, thief, strange screaming sound in the middle of the night, rude receptionist, the bathroom has more mold and rust than tiles, the sheets are stained and the rooms stink badly.