Skip to main content

Home/ JJP Website Review/ Group items tagged risks

Rss Feed Group items tagged

Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics Simple Middle
Ann Thomas

The Health Benefits of Owning a Cat: Pets Reduce Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke, and Othe... - 0 views

cats.suite101.com/...ealth_benefits_of_owning_a_cat

shared by Ann Thomas on 03 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Cat ownership helps children to learn responsibility and develop a greater capacity for empathy at an early age. In addition, pets provide unconditional love and acceptance, which can help children through difficult times.
  • Cats also offer protection against certain physical conditions. If adopted before or shortly after a child is born, owning a cat reduces the risk of developing animal allergies, asthma, and possibly other illnesses as well. One study found that children living with pets were 13-18% less likely to miss school due to illness than children without pets. Researchers who measured the salivary immunologobulin levels of young pet owners found that their immune function was less likely to be in the sub-normal range than that of non-pet-owners. Additionally, cats can provide particular therapeutic benefits for children with conditions such as autism, especially those who suffer from motor coordination problems.
  • and cat owners tend to have lower triglycerides, which reduces their risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • Pet ownership has also been shown to boost the levels of mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. As such, pets can reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other negative states.
  • Elderly people are particularly likely to benefit from the health-protective effects of cat ownership. Those with cats are less inclined to suffer heart attacks, their blood pressure is lower on average, they report less tension and stress, and they live longer overall.
  • A University of Minnesota study of 4,435 people found that those who did not own cats were 30-40% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease, even if they owned dogs.
  • Ann Thomas on 03 Dec 08
     
    Owning cat can provide psychological and physical health benefits, particularly for children, seniors, and those with medical conditions or disabilities. Cat ownership helps children to learn responsibility and develop a greater capacity for empathy at an early age. In addition, pets provide unconditional love and acceptance, which can help children through difficult times. Cats also offer protection against certain physical conditions. If adopted before or shortly after a child is born, owning a cat reduces the risk of developing animal allergies, asthma, and possibly other illnesses as well. One study found that children living with pets were 13-18% less likely to miss school due to illness than children without pets. Researchers who measured the salivary immunologobulin levels of young pet owners found that their immune function was less likely to be in the sub-normal range than that of non-pet-owners. Additionally, cats can provide particular therapeutic benefits for children with conditions such as autism, especially those who suffer from motor coordination problems. and cat owners tend to have lower triglycerides, which reduces their risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease. Pet ownership has also been shown to boost the levels of mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. As such, pets can reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other negative states. Elderly people are particularly likely to benefit from the health-protective effects of cat ownership. Those with cats are less inclined to suffer heart attacks, their blood pressure is lower on average, they report less tension and stress, and they live longer overall. A University of Minnesota study of 4,435 people found that those who did not own cats were 30-40% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease, even if they owned dogs.
Ann Thomas

Alley Cat Rescue � The National Cat Protection Association - 0 views

www.saveacat.org/communitybenefits.html

shared by Ann Thomas on 10 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Feral cats can minimize rodent problems. While cats cannot hunt rats and mice into extinction, they can keep their populations in check and discourage new rodents from moving into the area. Often feral cats fill in a gap in the current ecosystem. For example bob cats or lynx used to live up and down the East Coast but were hunted ruthlessly and driven away by development. Feral cats are similar in size and behavior to these native feline predators and help to control the same species of small prey animals. Many people enjoy watching feral cats and observing animals has been shown to lower blood pressure in medical studies. People who help to care for feral cats by feeding them and taking them to the vet enjoy many benefits. Often cat caretakers are elderly and live alone, a population at risk for depression, loneliness, and isolation. Cats relieve these conditions and often bring a sense of happiness and purpose to people who help them. Just as companion animals have been shown extend life expectancies, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress, caring for feral cats improves the health of their caretakers. Individuals who cannot take on the full time commitment of adopting a companion animal can participate in programs to help feral cats. This provides a viable alternative to irresponsibly purchasing an animal one is not prepared to care for. An established, stable, vaccinated, and sterilized colony of feral cats will deter other stray and feral cats from moving into the area. This actually decreases the risk that residents will encounter an unvaccinated cat, and will virtually eliminate problem behaviors like fighting and spraying.
  • Ann Thomas on 10 Dec 08
     
    1. Feral cats can minimize rodent problems. While cats cannot hunt rats and mice into extinction, they can keep their populations in check and discourage new rodents from moving into the area. Often feral cats fill in a gap in the current ecosystem. For example bob cats or lynx used to live up and down the East Coast but were hunted ruthlessly and driven away by development. Feral cats are similar in size and behavior to these native feline predators and help to control the same species of small prey animals. 2. Many people enjoy watching feral cats and observing animals has been shown to lower blood pressure in medical studies. 3. People who help to care for feral cats by feeding them and taking them to the vet enjoy many benefits. Often cat caretakers are elderly and live alone, a population at risk for depression, loneliness, and isolation. Cats relieve these conditions and often bring a sense of happiness and purpose to people who help them. Just as companion animals have been shown extend life expectancies, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress, caring for feral cats improves the health of their caretakers. 4. Individuals who cannot take on the full time commitment of adopting a companion animal can participate in programs to help feral cats. This provides a viable alternative to irresponsibly purchasing an animal one is not prepared to care for. 5. An established, stable, vaccinated, and sterilized colony of feral cats will deter other stray and feral cats from moving into the area. This actually decreases the risk that residents will encounter an unvaccinated cat, and will virtually eliminate problem behaviors like fighting and spraying.
Ann Thomas

FuturePundit: Cats Cut Heart Attack Risk? - 0 views

www.futurepundit.com/...005030.html

shared by Ann Thomas on 03 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Owning a cat could reduce your risk of a heart attack by nearly one third, researchers told delegates of the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in New Orleans last week. The finding provoked a mixed reaction from heart experts and veterinarians.
  • Ann Thomas on 03 Dec 08
     
    Owning a cat could reduce your risk of a heart attack by nearly one third, researchers told delegates of the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in New Orleans last week. The finding provoked a mixed reaction from heart experts and veterinarians.
Stephania D

beaches in the U.S - 0 views

www.msnbc.msn.com/20156905

water Pollution beaches

shared by Stephania D on 03 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Pollution at the nation’s 3,500 ocean, lake and bay beaches resulted in more than 25,000 closing or swimming advisory days last year, 28 percent more than in 2005, and the highest number in the 17 years that records have been kept, according to a new federal report released Tuesday.
  • he prime culprit was storm water runoff
  • Another 1,300 days were attributed to sewage spills and overflows.
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • could not be determined.
  • “Exposure to bacteria, viruses and parasites in contaminated beach water can cause a wide range of diseases, including ear, nose and eye infections; gastroenteritis; hepatitis; encephalitis; skin rashes; and respiratory illnesses,”
  • Most at risk are small children, pregnant women, cancer patients and others whose immune systems are weak or compromised.
  • “Children under the age of 9 had more reports of diarrhea and vomiting from exposure to waterborne parasites than any other age group,”
  • “found that more than 10 percent of swimmers report contracting gastroenteritis or respiratory infections after swimming. Based on those results and beach attendance numbers, nearly 300 people could expect to contract a respiratory illness after swimming in Lake Michigan in Chicago on a summer weekend.
  • “The study found skin rash and diarrhea to be consistently significantly elevated in swimmers compared to non-swimmers.
  • For diarrhea, this risk was strongest among children 5 to 12 years old,
  • an estimated 27 cases per 1,000 among children with any water contact, 32 cases among those with facial contact with the water, and 59 cases among those who swallowed water,
  • 92 beaches in 19 states as being “high risk”
  • 25 percent of tests.
  • “Aging and poorly-designed sewage and storm water systems hold much of the blame for beach water pollution. The problem was compounded by record rainfall, which added to the strain on already overloaded infrastructure.
  • Stephania D on 03 Dec 08
     
    Water pollution (Best + Worst)
anonymous

The dope on steroids: Why some athletes take the risk : UMNews : University of Minnesota - 0 views

www1.umn.edu/...me_athletes_take_the_risk.html

shared by anonymous on 03 Dec 08 - Cached
  • The stakes in Athens are fierce. The difference between an Olympic gold or silver medal could be a one hundredth of a second on the track or in the pool; an inch on the pole vault or shot put.
  • The athletes who make the Olympic cut are blessed with the right combination of physical and psychological traits, including an intense competitive drive and an unrelenting determination to be the best. This is the stuff of champions.
  • Steroids are not just for elite athletes--they can be used by anyone who wants to change his or her body image. The Centers for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance report shows more than a million youth taking steroids, and the numbers have been rising every year.
  • ...13 more annotations...
  • Unfortunately, sometimes so are steroids. For decades, athletes have used anabolic (meaning muscle-building) steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs to build strength and endurance. And those drugs are getting more and more sophisticated in an effort to evade detection. Doping, as the practice is called, is illegal and, by most people's standards, unethical. Athletes who have been caught using these drugs have been stripped of their Olympic medals and world records and banned from their sports, sometimes for years, and on occasions for a lifetime.
  • "There are rights and wrongs in life, and if it's against the rules, it's cheating to do it," says Wiese-Bjornstal. "I love sports, but some athletes treat elite sports as if they are life itself, more important than their health, their loved ones, and even their lives."
  • In addition, steroids mess with your body. Potential side effects include high blood pressure, strokes, nausea, sleep problems, increased aggressiveness, and severe mood swings. In men, steroids can reduce sperm count and cause impotence, breast growth, and shrunken testicles. In women, side effects can include reduced breast size, increased body and facial hair, a deepened voice, and menstrual problems.
  • With the risks and consequences of steroid use so high, why do some athletes continue to dope?
  • "The major underlying factor [with steroids use] is that winning at all costs is the most important thing," says Diane Wiese-Bjornstal, associate professor in the School of Kinesiology.
  • She says that athletes that use steroids often have the mindset that "they are demonstrating that they are as highly committed to their sport as they can be and are doing whatever it takes to prove to themselves, their coaches, and to the world that they are true athletes who will do anything to win."
    • anonymous
      anonymous on 03 Dec 08
       
      Diane Wiese-Bjornstal's Comment
  • From a moral and ethical framework, Wiese-Bjornstal believes this is twisted thinking. "There are rights and wrongs in life, and if it's against the rules, it's cheating to do it," she says. "I love sports, but some athletes treat elite sports as if they are life itself, more important than their health, their loved ones, and even their lives."
    • anonymous
      anonymous on 03 Dec 08
       
      Wiese-Bjornstal's Comment
  • She also says there is pressure to dope because of the belief that everyone else is doing it, and that if an athlete wants to compete at the highest level, she or he has to do it, too.
  • Nancy Cullen, a sports psychology consultant for the University, says the temptation to use steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs simply comes down to the rigors and pressure of elite competition and the desire to win. She cites an alarming poll taken in 1995 of 198 sprinters, swimmers, power lifters and others, most of whom were Olympians or aspiring Olympians. The poll asked if the athletes would take a banned performance-enhancing substance if they knew if would help them win and they wouldn't be caught--195 responded, yes.
  • Most athletes train for perfection," says Cullen. "The drive to achieve and win is so strong. If the difference between winning or losing is a hundredth of a second, and there is a drug that might give you the edge, the temptation can be great."
  • For some Olympic events, steroid scandals have cast a pall over the games, leaving viewers to wonder after each win, "Did he take drugs? Did she?"
  • Both Wiese-Bjornstal and Cullen agree that education, beginning with young athletes, is important in the fight against steroid use, as are drug testing and stiffer penalties for those who are caught. They also believe that coaches and parents play an important role in supporting the healthy ambitions of developing athletes.
  • "It's important to teach athletes to know what the consequences are and to learn other training practices that are legal and don't involve taking drugs," says Cullen. "Strive to win, strive for perfection, but do it within the rules of the game."
  • anonymous on 03 Dec 08
     
    Good Site for information and Comments on use of drugs on athletes. Site has lots of good comments. Very Interesting.
  • anonymous on 03 Dec 08
     
    Use it
anonymous

Anabolic steroid use increases heart attack risk and causes li...( Anabolic steroid use... - 0 views

news.bio-medicine.org/...and-causes-liver-damage-6180-1

shared by anonymous on 01 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Anabolic steroid use increases heart attack risk and causes liver damage
anonymous

Anabolic steroid use increases heart attack risk and causes liver damage - UCSF News Of... - 0 views

news.ucsf.edu/...k-risk-and-causes-liver-damage

shared by anonymous on 03 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Anabolic steroid use increases heart attack risk and causes liver damage
Ann Thomas

Dog and Cat Owners Gain Health Benefits - BestFriendsPetCare.com - 0 views

www.bestfriendspetcare.com/bf_feature_14.cfm

shared by Ann Thomas on 08 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Ann Thomas on 08 Dec 08
     
    Good for body Some of the studies show that owning a pet can have very real physical benefits for their owners. These include: * Pet owners have lower blood pressure. It has long been known that the act of stroking a pet can reduce blood pressure. But a study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that the beneficial effects continue even when the pet is not present. The study, which looked at a group of stockbrokers with hypertension, concluded that just owning a pet can help lower blood pressure -and keep it lower, even in stressful settings. * Pet owners have lower blood cholesterol levels. A study of more than 5,400 people conducted by Australia's Baker Medical Research Institute found that pet owners had not only lower blood pressure, but also lower levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides in comparison to the non-pet owners, reducing the risk of heart disease. * Pet owners have a higher survival rate after serious illness. Two studies have found that heart attack patients who owned the pets were significantly more likely to be alive a year after they were discharged from the hospital than those who didn't. What's more, a study conducted at City Hospital in New York found that the presence of a pet affected survival rate even more than having a spouse or friends. Patients in hospitals or nursing homes who have regular visits from their pets have shown to be more receptive to treatment. The need to care for their pet gives them reason to recover and the will to live. * Pet owners have fewer doctors' visits. Studies conducted by Cambridge University in England and at the University of California at Los Angeles have found that pet ownership corresponds to overall improved health and fewer medical care visits. A study of Medicare patients also found that seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less than those who do not. Even the most highly-stressed older dog owners in the study had 21 % fewer physician's visits than non-dog ow
Carlen Hodgson

Bodybuilding.com - Mauro Di Pasquale - Cardio Training Guidelines For Basketball Players! - 0 views

www.bodybuilding.com/md49.htm

shared by Carlen Hodgson on 10 Dec 08 - Cached
  • is crucial in order to build a solid base of conditioning. This type of training should be executed 3-4 days per week and can involve activities such as running, biking, hiking and swimming.
  • Running is extremely effective, but it is also extremely stressful if done over long periods and distances. Cross-Training is an effective method to use in order to get results with little risk to your body
  • . The stresses that the body encounters doing a variety of activities is more beneficial to the athlete than the stresses encountered by doing the same old, tired routine. Also, the risk of injury is greater if you only take part in one activity.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Exercise Bike - 30-45 minutes. Jogging - 30 minutes. Stairmaster - 30 minutes. Aerobics Class - 30 minutes. Water Exercise - 30 minutes. Versa Climber - 30 minute
Diana Davis

Cancer Treatments - 0 views

therapy.epnet.com/nat.asp

shared by Diana Davis on 04 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Principal Proposed Natural Treatments   • Folate; Garlic; Green Tea; Isoflavones; Selenium; Soy; Tomatoes (Lycopene); Vitamin C; Vitamin EOther Proposed Natural Treatments   • Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC); Betulin; Black Tea; Blue-green Algae; Boron; Bromelain; Calcium; Cartilage; Catechins (From Green Tea ) ; Citrus Bioflavonoids; Conjugated Linoleic Acid; Cordyceps; Coriolus versicolor; Diindolylmethane (DIM); Ellagic Acid; Fiber; Fish Oil; Flaxseed (Lignans); Flavonoid; Genistein; Ginseng; Glycine; Grapes (Resveratrol); Grass Pollen; Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C); Inositol Hexaphosphate (Phytic Acid, IP6); Isoflavones; Kelp; Licorice; Ligustrum; Melatonin; Milk Thistle; MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane); N-Acetylcysteine (NAC); Nettle; OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins); Papaw Tree Bark; Probiotics; Quercetin; Rosemary; Schisandra; Shiitake; Sulforaphane; Turmeric; Vitamin D
  • Diana Davis on 04 Dec 08
     
    things that can help reduce the risk of cancrer
anonymous

The Wrong Way to Win - 0 views

express.howstuffworks.com/express-doping1.htm

shared by anonymous on 03 Dec 08 - Cached
  • The Wrong Way to Win › Introduction to The Wrong Way to Win › Why Do Athletes Use Performance-enhancing Drugs? › Masking Pain and Managing Weight and Stress › Detecting Drugs Why Do Athletes Use Performance-enhancing Drugs?
  • An athlete may want to: Build mass and strength of muscles and/or bones Increase delivery of oxygen to exercising tissues Mask pain Stimulate the body Hide use of other drugs
  • Many drugs are banned outright in Olympic competitions. However, some drugs, such as cortisone and local anesthetics, are merely restricted because they have legitimate clinical uses. Athletes may also misuse drugs to reduce weight, relax, cope with stress or boost their own confidence. Whatever the reason, doping has many unsafe if not deadly side effects.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Athletes looking to build mass may also abuse Human Growth Hormone (hGH). Excessive hGH levels increase muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis, strengthen bones by stimulating bone growth and reduce body fat by stimulating the breakdown of fat cells. Use of hGH has become increasingly popular because it is difficult to detect. Side effects include overgrowth of hands, feet, and face (known as acromegaly), enlarged internal organs, especially heart, kidneys, tongue and liver and heart problems.
  • In addition to taking drugs that build mass and strength, some athletes take drugs and engage in practices that increase the amount of oxygen in tissues. Endurance athletes, like cyclists or cross-country skiers, may use Erythropoietin (EPO). EPO can increase an athlete's oxygen supply by as much as seven to 10 percent. As mentioned earlier, EPO is extremely dangerous, if not deadly in some cases. The increased red cell density caused by EPO can thicken the blood. The thickened blood -- which is more like honey than water -- cannot flow through the blood vessels well. To pump the thickened blood, the heart must work harder. This increases the chances of heart attack and stroke.
  • Another method for improving oxygen concentration is blood doping -- infusing whole blood into an athlete. An athlete who infuses his own blood may cause infection or cardiovascular problems because of the increased blood volume (high blood pressure, blood clots, heart failure and stroke). An athlete who uses someone else's blood runs the risk of acquiring viral infections such as HIV/AIDS. These are huge risks for a result that can also be achieved by training at high altitudes.
  • Athletes use anabolic steroids to increase muscle strength. Anabolic steroids, which can be injected or taken as pills, allow the athlete to train harder and longer at any given period. The possible and well-known side effects of anabolic steroid use include jaundice and liver damage, mood swings, depression and aggression. Men may also suffer from baldness, infertility and breast development. Females may grow excessive hair on the face and body and suffer from infertility. The substances Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) may also produce the same side effects.
  • anonymous on 03 Dec 08
     
    use it
  • anonymous on 03 Dec 08
     
    Use this site for information
Ann Thomas

Health Benefits From Owning a Cat | Simply Cats - 0 views

www.simplycats.org/294

shared by Ann Thomas on 08 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Whether it's a frisky kitten or a tubby tabby, a cat at home could cut your heart attack risk by almost a third, a new study suggests. The finding, from a 10-year study of more than 4,300 Americans, suggests that the stress relief pets provide humans is heart-healthy.
  • Cat owners "appeared to have a lower rate of dying from heart attacks" over 10 years of follow-up compared to feline-free folk, Qureshi said.
  • Ann Thomas on 08 Dec 08
     
    Cat owners "appeared to have a lower rate of dying from heart attacks" over 10 years of follow-up compared to feline-free folk, Qureshi said. Cat owners "appeared to have a lower rate of dying from heart attacks" over 10 years of follow-up compared to feline-free folk, Qureshi said.
Stephania D

Olympic Sailors - 0 views

dsc.discovery.com/...sailing-olympics.html

water polllution olympic sailors

shared by Stephania D on 03 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Beijing Olympics
  • China's environmental
  • Choked Waters
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • With the Olympics only a month away, athletes cannot risk falling sick and are taking few chances.
  • "You don't really want to go sailing around in pollution and I've never sailed in a place that's more polluted than this," said Australian coach Euan McNicol, a former skiff world champion.
  • The most shocking story is that of Australian sailor Elise Rechichi, who swallowed water when she slipped on a boat ramp during a test event here in 2006. It took her 10 months to recover from severe gastric trauma that had her in and out of hospital.
  • "It's made us all reasonably wary of what's going on,"
  • But for many Olympic sailors it's what they can't see in the water that is their greatest concern.
  • Boats, bulldozers and the military have been deployed to remove the eyesore.
  • On Saturday, officials briefly claimed victory over the algae saying the course had been cleared.
  • But Qu Chun, the 2008 Olympic sailing competition manager said the bloom has not been totally wiped out, estimating that 2-5 percent of the course was still affected, down from nearly a third a week earlier.
  • Stephania D on 03 Dec 08
     
    Face Pollution
Stephania D

Coral feefs-Sunscreen - 0 views

dsc.discovery.com/...coral-reefs-sunscreen.html

Sunscreen water pollution coral reefs

shared by Stephania D on 03 Dec 08 - Cached
  • n experiments, the cream-based ultra-violet (UV) filters -- used to protect skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure -- caused bleaching of coral reefs even in small quantities, the study found.
  • But some 60 percent of these reef systems are threatened by a deadly combination of climate change, industrial pollution and excess UV radiation.
  • The new study, published in U.S. journal Environmental Health Perspectives, has now added sun screens to the list of damaging agents, and estimates that up to 10 percent of the world's reefs are at risk of sunscreen-induced coral bleaching.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Chemical compounds in sunscreen and other personal skin care products have been detected near both sea and freshwater tourist areas. Previous research has shown that these chemicals can accumulate in aquatic animals, and biodegrade into toxic by-products.
  • Stephania D on 03 Dec 08
     
    Sunscreen damaging coral reefs.
Lindsey McCaleb

OLYMPIC INJURIES: The risk of going for the gold - PHOTOS -- chicagotribune.com - 0 views

www.chicagotribune.com/...0819-pg,0,1256917.photogallery

shared by Lindsey McCaleb on 09 Dec 08 - Cached
  • Lindsey McCaleb on 09 Dec 08
     
    olympic injurys
Stephania D

Document Page: BETTER DATA AND EVALUATION OF URBAN RUNOFF PROGRAMS NEEDED TO ASSEDD EFF... - 0 views

elibrary.bigchalk.com/...document

shared by Stephania D on 10 Dec 08 - Cached
  • The Chesapeake Bay, forexample, has been polluted with the nutrients nitrogen andphosphorus and with excess sediment caused, in part, by urbanrunoff. The excess nutrients cause algae blooms that blocksunlight from reaching bay grasses-which are a source of food,shelter, and nursery grounds for many aquatic species.
  • In aneffort to control nutrient pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, theExecutive Council of the Chesapeake Bay Program" established agoal to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus entering theChesapeake Bay by 40 percent, including through control of runofffrom urban areas.
    • Stephania D
      Stephania D on 10 Dec 08
       
      The Baltimore Harbor and the Patapsco River in Maryland; the Anacostia, River in Washington, D.C.; and the Elizabeth River in Virginia were designated as "regions of concern."
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • "hot spots" of contaminated sediment.
    • Stephania D
      Stephania D on 10 Dec 08
       
      The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project conducted a study to identify adverse health effects of untreated urban runoff by surveying over 13,000 swimmers at three bay beaches. The study established a positive association between an increased risk of explains health outcome measures at various distances from storm drains. For example, the study found a 1-in-14 chance of fever for swimmers in front of the drain versus a 1-in-22 chance at 400 or more yards away.
  • Pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, which are often presentin urban runoff, can pose public health problems.
  • Drains Versus 400 or More Yards Away Found On Hard Copy-Storm Drain Runoff," Epidemiology, July 1999, Vol. 10, No. 4.Metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in urban runoffcan present a threat to aquatic life.
  • proved to betoxic to sea urchin fertilization in the Santa Monica Bay, anddissolved zinc and copper were determined to be contributors tothis toxicity. -Brown bullheads (a bottom-dwelling catfish) inthe Anacostia River developed tumors that were believed to becaused by PAHs associated in part with urban runoff. High PAHand heavy metal concentrations were found in crayfish tissuesamples from several urban streams in Milwaukee. The studyassociated these contaminants with storm water runoff.
  • The three primaryactivities used in these programs include efforts to characterizestorm water runoff; BMPs aimed at reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff to the maximum extent practicable; and reportingprogram activities, monitoring results, and costs of implementingthe program. Some BMPs are structural-meaning that they aredesigned to trap and detain runoff until constituents settle orare filtered out.
  • -good housekeeping" practices by the local government, such asoil collection and recycling, spill response, household andhazardous waste collection, pesticide controls, flood controlmanagement, and street sweeping; -public education programs, suchas storm-drain stenciling, to remind the public that trash, motoroil, and other pollutants thrown into storm drains end up innearby receiving waters;' -new ordinances to control pollutionsources, such as prohibiting the disposal of lawn clippings instorm drains and requiring pet owners to clean up after theirpets;" requirements that developers comply with storm waterregulations and incorporate erosion and sediment controls at allnew development sites; -requirements that runoff from propertiesowned or activities sponsored by the municipality be properlycontrolled; and -efforts to identify and eliminate illicitconnections and illegal discharges to the storm sewer systems,such as those from pipes carrying sewage.
  • Several officials in the cities we visited said that their annualcosts are likely to increase. A number of factors could affectthe costs. For example, a Baltimore City official explained thatthe anticipated, future program costs depend on several factors,including (1) requirements in watershed- management planscurrently being developed, (2) pollution-reduction goals the citywill be required to achieve, (3) requirements of the stateregulatory agency in future permits, and (4) requirements thecity may have to meet if TMDLs or numeric effluent limits areincorporated into NPDES storm water permits. Other city officialsalso expressed concern about the extent to which TMDLs couldaffect their future costs. These city officials are concernedthat when and if TMDLs are established, their future storm waterpermits may require that storm water runoff meet specific waterquality standards. For example, Los Angeles County's trash TMDLcould potentially drive the county's storm water management costsupward, and the county expects additional TMDLs to be imposed. Onthe other hand, Worcester officials estimated that their futurestorm water costs would be about the same as they were at thetime of our review-about $4.5 million per year.
~ * josie * ~

Universal, world's largest music company, refuses to renew iTunes contract - Engadget - 0 views

www.engadget.com/...company-refuses-to-renew-itune

i-tines and universal

shared by ~ * josie * ~ on 10 Dec 08 - Cached
    • ~ * josie * ~
      ~ * josie * ~ on 10 Dec 08
       
      this problem is very serios and i have heard some things about i-tunes and universal and it didnt sound pretty
  • Looks like a pillar of iTunes content might be on the brink of collapse -- Universal Music, the world's largest music business, has officially opted not to renew its contract with Apple for vending music on the iTunes Music Store. We don't know specifically what caused Universal to turn away -- perhaps it's the weight of the rising anti-DRM movement among consumers, or perhaps it's because of Stevie J.'s brash negotiating tactics, continual refusal to hand over iPod cash, or oceanic persistence in keeping tracks locked in at $0.99. Whatever the reason, we can't say we're all that surprised; Universal's been a pain in Apple's ass for years now. So what's the end result? Well, Universal music will still be sold through iTunes at will, so that means consumers can keep buying tracks for the time being, but Apple runs the risk of losing Universal's content on very short notice if the companies don't make happy with one another and put pen to paper once more.
Diana Davis

SportsGeezer: Lupron for Prostate Cancer Does More Harm than Good - 0 views

www.sportsgeezer.com/...lupron-for-pros.html

shared by Diana Davis on 04 Dec 08 - Cached
  • The L.A. Times reports that the side effects of hormonal therapy, which involves such drugs as leuprolide (Lupron, Viadur, Eligard), goserelin (Zoladex) and triptorelin (Trelstar), includes a 10 percent to 50 percent increase in the risk of fractures, diabetes, heart disease and sudden cardiac death; a 500 percent increase in hot flashes; and a 267 percent increase in impotence. It also has adverse effects on fats and cholesterol and causes enlargement of the breasts. Wait. It gets worse. The 10-year death rate from prostate cancer was 17.4 percent in those receiving no therapy, compared with 19.9 percent in those receiving hormonal therapy.
  • grindle All the research I have done indicates that preadjuvant hormone therapy does no good and in fact can cause harm.
  • Diana Davis on 04 Dec 08
     
    Lupron for prostate cancer does no good, but it causes harm.
Eriel Eaglin

Investing 101: Stocks go up, stocks go down, but they average 10% a year - USATODAY.com - 0 views

www.usatoday.com/...-01-24-stocks-avg-return_x.htm

shared by Eriel Eaglin on 03 Dec 08 - Cached
  • It's important to remember that this doesn't mean the stock market returns exactly 10% a year, every year. It's actually unusual for the market to return exactly 10% in a given year. The S&P 500 has only posted a return of between 10.0% and 10.9% four times since 1926 and only returned exactly 10% once, in 1966, according to S&P data that includes dividends.
  • Stock returns are wild and unpredictable. Since 1927, the S&P 500 stock index has gained 10.4% a year on average. But in any given year it could be up 29.9% or down 9.0% or somewhere in between, says IFA.com.
  • To do that, it's important to understand the power of diversification and the benefits of owning many types of stocks, from large value-priced stocks to small value-priced stocks. Diversification lets you minimize the risk posed by a single stock or type of stock and lets you still get your share of the market's return.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • You must also understand that to claim your 10% return, you need to be invested for a number of years and ignore short-term stock movements.
  • Eriel Eaglin on 03 Dec 08
     
    Investing 101
1 - 20 of 25 Next ›
Showing 20▼ items per page