| Men Who Are Continually Active At Work May Have Decreased Prostate ...
ScienceDaily (Feb. 13, 2008) Men with jobs that require them to be physically active may be getting benefits beyond salary and health insurance - they may be at a decreased risk of developing prostate cancer, according to a study at UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center. .
The Long-Term Perils of Aggressive Advocacy
It may not have been unusual to hear Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes, delivering a radio address supporting the extension of the federal Children's Health Insurance Program. But it was surprising that her speech was the formal Democratic Party response to President Bush's weekly radio address. If champions... To continue reading this Premium article, you must have a Chronicle account AND a subscription or online pass. Subscriptions start at $42.50 for 12 issues; a 24-hour Web pass for under $10. .
Rep. Campfield wants gay references banned in schools
An essay on little Johnny's two mommies could be tossed in the bin before it ever gets the chance to bask in hallway display prominence. Newly proposed state legislation would ban anything that exposes students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade to homosexuality. "Homosexuality, bisexuality, that's something that should be left to be taught at home and not at our schools," said Rep. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, author of the legislation. The bill, however, would allow for the teaching of heterosexuality. "Without heterosexuality you wouldn't be able to teach biology," Campfield explained. He also added keeping heterosexuality on the books would protect schools from litigation. "'Jack and Jill went up the hill' - some organizations say you can't teach that because it pushes a heterosexual agenda," he said.
Chemicals that can make baby items unsafe
BABY shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems, a small study suggests. The chemicals, called phthalates, are found in many ordinary products, including cosmetics, toys, vinyl flooring and medical supplies. They are used to stabilise fragrances and make plastics flexible.
In the study, they were found in elevated levels in the urine of babies who'd been recently shampooed, powdered or lotioned with baby products.
Phthalates (pronounced thowl-ates) are under attack by some environmental advocacy groups, but experts are uncertain what dangers, if any, they might pose. The federal government doesn't limit their use, although California in the United States and some countries have restricted their use.
UI Goes Smokeless In 2009
IOWA CITY – Do not plan to light up on the University of Iowa campus anywhere. It is going completely smoke-free. Smokers are obviously upset.The idea has been debated for years. But on Monday came the burning reality, University of Iowa President Sally Mason announced the decision. And now begins the time of transition. The haze hovering around the University of Iowa campus Monday is not from smokers trying to get their last puffs in before the ban goes into effect. It does not happen until July 1, 2009. The university believes that will be enough time to educate the thousands of people who work and go to school here. University spokesman Steve Parrott said, “Really what we're looking to do is create a healthy environment, healthy culture for everyone on campus." The university will spend the next 17 months letting people know of smoking cessation programs.
SCERA honors local art scene
At a $95-a-plate fundraiser in Orem on Saturday, supporters of the arts gathered for dinner, a silent auction and a live auction to benefit the SCERA's Endowment for the Arts and its arts programs. Last year's event garnered more than $25,000. This year's black-tie gala was emceed by retired KSL-TV newscaster Dick Nourse. Roasted chicken breasts and herbed new potatoes, followed by blueberry cheesecake, were served on black table clothes overlaid with metallic silver. During the live auction following dinner, participants, using star-topped wands to bid, paid $525 for an autographed lithograph of John Stockton, $350 for an iPhone, $500 for a Liz Lemon Swindle print, and $300 each for two family portrait packages, among other items sold. More than 20 people were honored with Star awards for their contributions to the arts in Utah County.
Anti-Nuclear Renaissance: A Powerful but Partial and Tentative Victory ...
As the presidential primary season heats up, an "anti-nuclear renaissance" against loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants will escalate, with the future of American energy policy and global warming hanging in the balance. In the last days of 2007, grassroots activism ran up a stunning and improbably victory. But the triumph is both partial and tentative, and will be fiercely contested throughout 2008, with the basic direction of US energy policy hanging in the balance. This latest chapter in the half-century saga of atomic energy began last summer, with an industry attempt to grab a blank taxpayer check for underwriting new reactor construction. The charge was been led by six-term Senator Pete Domenici (D-NM), atomic power's prime Congressional pusher. Domenici inserted into the Senate version of the national Energy Bill a complex provision meant to allow the Department of Energy to underwrite up to 80% of new reactor construction costs.
Price site shake-out
Everyone likes a bargain and the rapid growth of price comparison websites shows that savvy consumers are prepared to shop around online to get the best deal. Moneysupermarket.com, launched almost a decade ago, was quickly followed by a host of other sites offering comparison on everything from flat screen televisions to mortgages. As the market expanded supermarkets, search engines and financial companies scrambled for a piece of the action. Credit checking giant Experian yesterday confirmed speculation that, "due to interest from a host of private equity and listed companies", its PriceGrabber site is under review, which could lead to a sale of the business. This comes just three months after Yahoo said it was looking at ways to improve the performance of its European shopping comparison site Kelkoo, triggering reports it was also up for sale.
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