Moisturizers may raise skin cancer risk

SUNDAY August 17, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) — A new study by researchers from Rutgers University suggests that some moisturizing creams or moisturizers may significantly increase the risk of a type of skin cancer called Squamous cell carcinoma.

The study showed hairless mice that were pre-treated with UV radiation to induce skin damage and the received topical treatment with 100 mg of Dermabase, Dermovan, Eucerin, or Vanicream for 17 weeks were 69%, 95%, 24% and 58% respectively more likely to develop skin cancer.

The study was published Thursday in the Aug. 14, 2008 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Some researchers doubt that moisturizers would pose such a risk in humans saying mice are not humans and results from animal studies may not always be applicable to humans.

But Allan Conney and his colleagues are no ordinary researchers. They are highly regarded and well respected in the cancer research. Their findings can’t be discounted with ease although further investigation is needed to confirm the effect of moisturizers in humans.

According to Conney, two chemicals used in the moisturizers are likely culprits for the increased risk. They are mineral oil and sodium laurel sulphate. The researchers made a custom blend cream without these ingredients and found their moisturizer was not tumorigenic in the mice.

News reports said Rutgers and Johnson & Johnson have jointly patented the custom blend moisturizer, but it is unknown whether this product would be ever commercialized.

This study draws quite some attention from the media and readers because moisturizers are so commonly used by many people believing that they would benefit their skin.

http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/L_ifestyle/081711152008_Moisturizers_may_raise_skin_cancer.shtml

Dam breaks near Grand Canyon, forces evacuations

GRAND CANYON, AZ — More than 400 people are being evacuated from the village of Supai Canyon after an earthen dam burst Sunday morning.

The Arizona National Guard and Department of Public Safety also airlifted about 75 campers and river runners out of the Grand Canyon due to the flooding.

According to a spokesperson for the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, the Redlands Dam in the Grand Canyon broke at about 6 a.m.

Rain on Saturday night brought massive flooding to the area.

Officials said water from the dam quickly flowed downstream into Cataract Canyon and subsequently Supai Canyon.

The 400 residents affected are being evacuated to the Havasupai hilltop and then to Peach Springs where the Red Cross is said to have set up a shelter.

DPS officials said they were closing down Route 66 in the Hualapai area.

There’s no word yet regarding the extent of flooding in the canyon, nor any indication of the damage possibly caused.

No injuries have been reported.

Officials with the Grand Canyon National Park are concerned because more rain is expected in the area today, which is expected to exacerbate the problem.

Stay with ABC15.com for updates

http://www.abc15.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=136d63b7-bfaa-4d77-80ab-06c0f575b557&rss=704

Michael Phelps

I wonder if he’s even human. Some of the things surrounding this are bizarre, to put it mildly.

I must be in a different timeline.

Nazi chic in Asia

*Hmmm….*

Uniforms and other imagery related to Nazi Germany have been on sale in east Asia, where some considered it cool. Hong Kong and Japan have each witnessed a growth in the casual wearing of SS uniforms, as well as increased interest in white power music (also known as Rock Against Communism). Sometimes in east Asia, Nazi uniforms are used as part of cosplay. In South Korea, an area generally isolated from Nazi cultural influences during the Nazi era, Time magazine observed in 2000 “an unthinking fascination with the icons and imagery of the Third Reich.”[9] Nazi-inspired imagery featured in various early releases from Japanese band The 5.6.7.8′s.[10]

In some parts of the world, World War II is not taught in schools as a battle of political ideologies, but as a conventional war. This type of education means that Hitler and the Nazi Party are not treated as war criminals or evil, but merely as charismatic and powerful leaders of countries during wartime. Some east Asians are interested in what Adolf Hitler said about east Asian history and philosophy; the Nazi work ethic; as well as militaries that wore Hugo Boss uniforms and drove tanks made by Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. George Burdi, the former head of the neo-Nazi record label Resistance Records, claimed to have sold many CDs to Japan, because some Japanese believed themselves to be the white men of the east. In Turkey, Hitler’s book Mein Kampf is an annual bestseller.[11][12]

Western reaction to the Asian phenomenon has been one of sharp criticism and utter astonishment. Western diplomats, especially Germans and Israelis, have complained heavily, pointing out that Asians suffered under Japanese Militarism and occupation, and frequently compare them as an Asian version of Nazism in order to convey their discontent. German and Israeli embassies in Asian countries have pressured local authorities to shut down Nazi-themed bars, but this has usually resulted in the bar re-opening with only a changed name and no real change in attitude.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_chic

Gov. Charlie Crist: Fay threatens the state of Florida with a major disaster

Its projected path has shifted left and right. Its winds have weakened and strengthened. Tropical Storm Fay certainly has been fickle.

Yet specialists at the National Hurricane Center on Saturday were gaining confidence the system will hit Florida’s west coast as a minimal Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday – and put the Keys under the gun along the way.

The reason: computer models are coming into agreement, said Dave Roberts, a Navy meteorologist assigned to the hurricane center.

“The track could shift,” he said. “But there is consensus in the models.”

Forecasters predicted Saturday afternoon that the sixth named storm of the 2008 season would make landfall somewhere along western coast of Florida on Tuesday as a hurricane, said Corey Walton, a hurricane support meteorologist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

At 11 p.m. EDT, Fay’s center was located about 100 miles north-northeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and moving west at 14 miles per hour. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency because Fay “threatens the state of Florida with a major disaster,” he wrote in an executive order. That action puts the National Guard on high alert and gives state officials authority to order evacuations and distribute recovery supplies.

Despite Fay aiming in their direction, Monroe County officials said they likely will not order a mass evacuation of the Keys. However, they plan to order a mandatory evacuation of visitors beginning at 8 a.m. today.

As it churns through the Caribbean, Fay was expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain along its path – and up to 15 inches in isolated areas. The system already has become a killer storm; a woman perished and two children were missing in the Dominican Republic because of flooding on Saturday.

State officials in Tallahassee opened their emergency operations center, said Blair Heusdens, a spokeswoman for the state’s Division of Emergency Management.

“We like to have the executive order in place before the storm,” Heusdens said. “That way we can have our resources ready.”

Tourists and locals still packed downtown Key West on Saturday, seemingly unfazed by the approaching storm.

Todd Hitchins, 36, of Big Pine Key, about 30 miles east of Key West, said he planned to stock up on water and propane for his grill but wasn’t too worried.

“This will be good practice,” mused Hitchins, who said he’s lived here during much more powerful storms. “But you’ve got to be prepared, be ready.”

Jeff Emmett, operations manager at Fairfield Inn and Suites in Key West, said Saturday afternoon the hotel had no cancellations or early check-outs.

“Business as usual,” Emmett said. “Right now, we’re just keeping the guests informed.” Chris Celestina, 24, was sitting at the hotel’s poolside bar while on vacation with four friends from Pennsylvania.

“We’re not really worried,” Celestina said as he ordered a drink. “Whatever happens, happens. If we get evacuated, that will definitely put a damper on our plans, but until we have to, we’re not moving.”

Some Keys residents were preparing for the aftermath.

Andrew Cardwell, 26, filled up nine 5-gallon gas cans for his employer, Pirate Scooter Rentals, early Saturday afternoon.

“As soon as the storm passes through, people are going to want to rent mopeds,” Cardwell said. “We’re just getting it while we can.”

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-hurricane-fay,0,4963302.story

Are there a tribe of cavemen living underneath Cannock Chase

*I am fairly certain there ARE cavemen there…and one of them is my ex boyfriend. lol…thanks Mike for sending this my way.*

A TRIBE of subterranean creatures who surface on Cannock Chase to hunt for food could be behind a rash of ‘werewolf’ and Big Foot sightings near Stafford.

And the mysterious beings could also be responsible for a string of pet disappearances, it has been claimed.

West Midlands Ghost Club, our area’s top paranormal investigation group, say they have been contacted by a number of shocked eye-witnesses who claim they have come to face to face with a ‘hairy, wolf-type creature’ at the beauty spot.

A scout leader and a local post man are amongst the ‘credible’ witnesses to contact the club. Theories behind the sightings range from a crazed tramp to aliens.

But now another paranormal expert has put foward the theory the sub-human beast is not a werewolf at all – but a Stone Age throwback.

The investigator, who wishes to remain anonymous, told us: “Strange sightings in this area have been made over many years by civilians, military, police, ex-police and scout leaders on patrol.

“Some incidents have been reported and logged but others not – some people don’t want to be classed as ‘mad’.

“The strangest rumour has come from a senior local resident who believes the mysterious intruders to be subterranean,” he told us.

“The creatures have made their way to the surface via old earthworks to hunt, for example, local deer.”

And, on the surface, the far-fetched tale could be easily dismissed. However, our expert added: “It’s a fact that there has been significant mining activity under Cannock Chase for centuries. And it’s a fact there is a high rate of domestic pet disappearance in the area – especially dogs off the lead…just ask anyone who walks their dog near the German War Cemetery…”

Nick Duffy, a lead member of West Midlands Ghost Club, told us he was intrugued by this new theory: “It’s as likely as any of the others – so it could well be,” he said.

http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2008/08/14/are-there-a-tribe-of-cavemen-living-underneath-cannock-chase-66331-21537130/