E-cigarettes still contain carcinogens, pose health risks, study says
Posted On mercredi 28 août 2013 at at 06:11 by HSMA
E-cigarettes still contain carcinogens, pose health risks, study says, E-cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes that vaporize liquid nicotine, are marketed as a healthier alternative to the real thing because they don't contain tobacco. But a new report from France's National Consumer Institute has echoed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's previous concerns about so-called "vaping."
Using a new testing technique, Monday's report says that researchers found a "significant amount" of "carcinogenic molecules" in the vapor produced by 12 different models of e-cigarettes.
In three cases out of 10, for products with or without nicotine, the content of formaldehyde was as much as the levels found in some conventional cigarettes.
“This is not a reason to ban them, but to place them under better control,” National Consumer Institute editor Thomas Laurenceau said.
Concerns about the health effects of e-cigarettes have prompted a California town to consider a moratorium on new shops hoping to sell them.
"The city [of Seal Beach, Calif.] wants more time to explore the health affects and any time you have a smoke related business you want to take careful consideration and figure out how it impacts the community," Seal Beach Community Development Director, Jim Basham, told My Fox LA.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has reportedly been working on legislation that would place restrictions on e-cigarettes.
Critics of these bans say that e-cigarettes are still safer than real ones. Anti-vaping advocates are against any kind of smoking behavior, even if its not quite as bad for you.
"Many anti-smoking groups oppose these products because they are blinded by ideology," Michael Siegel, of Boston University’s School of Public Health, recently told the New York Times. "They find it difficult, if not impossible, to endorse a behavior that looks like smoking, even though it is literally saving people’s lives....What’s not to like?”
Using a new testing technique, Monday's report says that researchers found a "significant amount" of "carcinogenic molecules" in the vapor produced by 12 different models of e-cigarettes.
In three cases out of 10, for products with or without nicotine, the content of formaldehyde was as much as the levels found in some conventional cigarettes.
“This is not a reason to ban them, but to place them under better control,” National Consumer Institute editor Thomas Laurenceau said.
Concerns about the health effects of e-cigarettes have prompted a California town to consider a moratorium on new shops hoping to sell them.
"The city [of Seal Beach, Calif.] wants more time to explore the health affects and any time you have a smoke related business you want to take careful consideration and figure out how it impacts the community," Seal Beach Community Development Director, Jim Basham, told My Fox LA.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has reportedly been working on legislation that would place restrictions on e-cigarettes.
Critics of these bans say that e-cigarettes are still safer than real ones. Anti-vaping advocates are against any kind of smoking behavior, even if its not quite as bad for you.
"Many anti-smoking groups oppose these products because they are blinded by ideology," Michael Siegel, of Boston University’s School of Public Health, recently told the New York Times. "They find it difficult, if not impossible, to endorse a behavior that looks like smoking, even though it is literally saving people’s lives....What’s not to like?”
Faulkner Shooting: Woman Shot By Husband, Warning Systems Failed
Posted On at at 06:09 by HSMA
Faulkner Shooting: Woman Shot By Husband, Warning Systems Failed, A shooting at Faulkner University has left one woman in hospital, reportedly in a critical condition. The woman was shot by her husband in broad daylight, on the university campus. According to local police, the Faulkner shooting occurred near a maintenance building on the campus. Paramedics rushed the victim to hospital.
The University campus was on a high state of alert and students even received an emergency text message which read: “(Active Shooter on Campus) Emergency! Armed person on campus. Go to nearest room and lock door. If off campus, do not enter campus. Follow instructions from auth.” Unfortunately, since not all the students and teachers received the text message, the university is now looking into why the alert system failed. In this case, it seems that the gunman only intended to shoot his wife and not random people on the campus.
Nevertheless failures in systems like these could prove fatal in other situations.The shooter was arrested and will be tried for murder. An eyewitness, Saul Calderon-Zavala, said the man wearing black pants and a red shirt, simply approached the woman and shot her, “She tried running away and she was just shot more… And he got into his car and drove off.”
School officials spoke to reporters about the shooting saying: “In what appears to have been a domestic situation, a contract employee was injured in the shooting and has been taken to a local hospital for treatment. Her condition is not known at this time.” The statement urged people to pray for the full recovery of the victim: “The Montgomery Police Department is following up on the incident.
At no time were any students involved in the incident. Faulkner University asks everyone to be in prayer for the victim and offers its sincere gratitude to campus security and law enforcement officers for their rapid response.” Police have not yet named the victim in the Faulkner shooting or the accused shooter. A full investigation into the circumstances which led up to the Faulkner shooting is being carried out by police. It is not clear what steps, if any, will be taken to ensure that warning systems work properly in the future.
The University campus was on a high state of alert and students even received an emergency text message which read: “(Active Shooter on Campus) Emergency! Armed person on campus. Go to nearest room and lock door. If off campus, do not enter campus. Follow instructions from auth.” Unfortunately, since not all the students and teachers received the text message, the university is now looking into why the alert system failed. In this case, it seems that the gunman only intended to shoot his wife and not random people on the campus.
Nevertheless failures in systems like these could prove fatal in other situations.The shooter was arrested and will be tried for murder. An eyewitness, Saul Calderon-Zavala, said the man wearing black pants and a red shirt, simply approached the woman and shot her, “She tried running away and she was just shot more… And he got into his car and drove off.”
School officials spoke to reporters about the shooting saying: “In what appears to have been a domestic situation, a contract employee was injured in the shooting and has been taken to a local hospital for treatment. Her condition is not known at this time.” The statement urged people to pray for the full recovery of the victim: “The Montgomery Police Department is following up on the incident.
At no time were any students involved in the incident. Faulkner University asks everyone to be in prayer for the victim and offers its sincere gratitude to campus security and law enforcement officers for their rapid response.” Police have not yet named the victim in the Faulkner shooting or the accused shooter. A full investigation into the circumstances which led up to the Faulkner shooting is being carried out by police. It is not clear what steps, if any, will be taken to ensure that warning systems work properly in the future.
Norfolk based destroyers ready for Syria strike
Posted On at at 06:08 by HSMA
Norfolk based destroyers ready for Syria strike, Four Virgina-based destroyers are currently stationed in the Mediterranean Sea and are ready to strike on Syrian ground.
Four Norfolk-based destroyers are currently sailing the Mediterranean Sea and ready to execute a missile strike on Syria if the United States calls for it.
The USS Gravely, the USS Mahan, the USS Barry and the USS Ramage are on station in the eastern Mediterranean, Navy spokeswoman Lt. Courtney Hillson said.
Defense officials have claimed that possible targets for the destroyers could include Syrian weapons arsenals, command and control centers, radar and communications facilities and other military headquarters.
On Monday U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned Syria's use of chemical weapons claiming that it was a "moral obscenity" that could not go unanswered. He added that Syrian actions are not "the behavior of a government that has nothing to hide."
Also on Monday, Russian officials warned the U.S. against intervening in Syria and drew comparisons between the current response to Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons and the run-up to the Iraq war in 2003.
Russia's foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said last week that it was "no coincidence" that information regarding Syria's use of chemical weapons had come from "agenda-driven regional mass media."
"All this can only lead us to thik that we are dealing with a provocation planned in advance," Lukashevich added.
Syrian ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad denied reports that the country had used chemicals weapons adding that the information was meant to confuse international observers.
"All reports on this topic are aimed at repeating the Iraqi scenario in Syria where there were allegedly weapons of mass destruction," Haddad said. "But there was an attempt to politicize this investigation by one of the superpowers supporting terrorists in our country."
The UK, however, has called the West to military action over reports of chemical weapons use in Syria.
After Prime Minister David Cameron requested to recall Parliament Thursday to vote on the UK's "response to chemical weapons attacks," a spokesman for Cameron explained that the country was working on a contingency plan.
"I am not going to get into details on any specifics," the spokesman said. "All I would say is it is reasonable to assume that our armed forces are making contingency plans."
Four Norfolk-based destroyers are currently sailing the Mediterranean Sea and ready to execute a missile strike on Syria if the United States calls for it.
The USS Gravely, the USS Mahan, the USS Barry and the USS Ramage are on station in the eastern Mediterranean, Navy spokeswoman Lt. Courtney Hillson said.
Defense officials have claimed that possible targets for the destroyers could include Syrian weapons arsenals, command and control centers, radar and communications facilities and other military headquarters.
On Monday U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned Syria's use of chemical weapons claiming that it was a "moral obscenity" that could not go unanswered. He added that Syrian actions are not "the behavior of a government that has nothing to hide."
Also on Monday, Russian officials warned the U.S. against intervening in Syria and drew comparisons between the current response to Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons and the run-up to the Iraq war in 2003.
Russia's foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said last week that it was "no coincidence" that information regarding Syria's use of chemical weapons had come from "agenda-driven regional mass media."
"All this can only lead us to thik that we are dealing with a provocation planned in advance," Lukashevich added.
Syrian ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad denied reports that the country had used chemicals weapons adding that the information was meant to confuse international observers.
"All reports on this topic are aimed at repeating the Iraqi scenario in Syria where there were allegedly weapons of mass destruction," Haddad said. "But there was an attempt to politicize this investigation by one of the superpowers supporting terrorists in our country."
The UK, however, has called the West to military action over reports of chemical weapons use in Syria.
After Prime Minister David Cameron requested to recall Parliament Thursday to vote on the UK's "response to chemical weapons attacks," a spokesman for Cameron explained that the country was working on a contingency plan.
"I am not going to get into details on any specifics," the spokesman said. "All I would say is it is reasonable to assume that our armed forces are making contingency plans."
African serval cat shot dead in Detroit
Posted On at at 06:07 by HSMA
African serval cat shot dead in Detroit, An exotic cat was shot dead in Detroit when a worried neighbor found it and thought it was dangerous An exotic-looking African serval cross cat was shot dead in a Detroit neighborhood after it escaped its owner's house and was confused for a wild animal.
The 2-feet 25-pound feline is a Savannah, a cross between an African Serval and a domestic cat that is reportedly known for its stripes and spots which reminisce of a wild feline. The cat's name was Chum.
Chum's body was found dead inside a trash can Monday evening after numerous neighbors called the Michigan Humane Society and Detroit Police to inform them that the feline was seen roaming, but both entities failed to look into the matter.
Laura Wilhelm-Bruzek, with Paws for the Cause Feral Cat Rescue, told WWJ Newsradio 950 that Chum ran away from its owner's home about a month ago through a screened window.
"We have been out there day and night, trying to set traps out to get this cat,” Wilhelm-Bruzek said, adding that she was told by reporters Saturday that the cat had died.
The feline was reportedly shot dead by a neighbor who thought its exotic look meant it was dangerous.
“It was simply ignorance. A Savannah cat is a cross between an African Serval and a domestic cat, and that is it," Wilhelm-Bruzek said. "They’re larger cats, they’re very beautiful, they have a lot of stripes and spots, which I think was more intimidating to people than even the size of the cat, because the cat wasn’t overly huge, about 25 pounds and maybe when it was sitting was probably two feet tall. But they’re very sweet animals, they’re kind of like the dog of the cat world.”
Wilhelm-Bruzek also dismissed rumors that the cat was ever a threat to the neighborhood.
“They’re totally legal pets. As long as they’re cared for and socialized properly from a young age, they’re wonderful animals. They’re legal exotic pets,” she said.
The 2-feet 25-pound feline is a Savannah, a cross between an African Serval and a domestic cat that is reportedly known for its stripes and spots which reminisce of a wild feline. The cat's name was Chum.
Chum's body was found dead inside a trash can Monday evening after numerous neighbors called the Michigan Humane Society and Detroit Police to inform them that the feline was seen roaming, but both entities failed to look into the matter.
Laura Wilhelm-Bruzek, with Paws for the Cause Feral Cat Rescue, told WWJ Newsradio 950 that Chum ran away from its owner's home about a month ago through a screened window.
"We have been out there day and night, trying to set traps out to get this cat,” Wilhelm-Bruzek said, adding that she was told by reporters Saturday that the cat had died.
The feline was reportedly shot dead by a neighbor who thought its exotic look meant it was dangerous.
“It was simply ignorance. A Savannah cat is a cross between an African Serval and a domestic cat, and that is it," Wilhelm-Bruzek said. "They’re larger cats, they’re very beautiful, they have a lot of stripes and spots, which I think was more intimidating to people than even the size of the cat, because the cat wasn’t overly huge, about 25 pounds and maybe when it was sitting was probably two feet tall. But they’re very sweet animals, they’re kind of like the dog of the cat world.”
Wilhelm-Bruzek also dismissed rumors that the cat was ever a threat to the neighborhood.
“They’re totally legal pets. As long as they’re cared for and socialized properly from a young age, they’re wonderful animals. They’re legal exotic pets,” she said.
French fry burger' coming to Burger King
Posted On at at 06:05 by HSMA
French fry burger' coming to Burger King, It's been a big day for fast food junkies. Just as we learned that McDonald's would be rolling out bone-in chicken wings next month, Burger King introduced a budget-friendly burger stuffed with french fries.
In its attempt to compete with McDonald's "Dollar Menu" campaign, Burger King's new "French fry burger" will cost only $1, according to FoodBeast.
Burger fans imagining beef patties piled high with French fries will be disappointed -- each serving comes with only four fries.
The new burger, which contains 360 calories and 19 grams of fat, will hit franchises September 1.
In its attempt to compete with McDonald's "Dollar Menu" campaign, Burger King's new "French fry burger" will cost only $1, according to FoodBeast.
Burger fans imagining beef patties piled high with French fries will be disappointed -- each serving comes with only four fries.
The new burger, which contains 360 calories and 19 grams of fat, will hit franchises September 1.
Kyrgyzstan bubonic plague
Posted On at at 05:57 by HSMA
Kyrgyzstan bubonic plague, Doctors in Kyrgyzstan have said a teenage boy has died of bubonic plague, but that an epidemic is not likely.
The death of the 15-year-old herder was confirmed on Monday, several days after his death in the Karakol regional hospital.
Health ministers said the boy, from the small mountain village Ichke-Zhergez in eastern Kyrgyzstan, died last Thursday after being diagnosed with bubonic plague, which is carried by rodents and caused millions of deaths throughout Europe in the 14th century.
"After a meeting of doctors, he was diagnosed with bubonic plague," a statement said.
His body was cremated and remains were buried with special precautions.
"We suspect that the patient was infected with the plague through the bite of a flea," Tolo Isakov, a ministry official who heads the sanitation department, said in Bishkek on Monday.
The oriental rat flea carries the bubonic plague after biting an infected rodent and may then pass the disease to a human.
Officials have dispatched two teams to the area to "catch, exterminate, and study rodents," Isakov said.
He said the last recorded case of bubonic plague occurred in Kyrgyzstan 30 years ago.
Dinara Saginbayeva, health minister, sought to dispel fears of an epidemic.
"There will not be a bubonic plague epidemic," she said.
"The form of the disease in the teenager is not conducive to a plague epidemic. So there are no grounds for closing the borders."
Officials have hospitalised and isolated 105 people who have had contact with the deceased, including doctors and medical staff that treated the boy, the minister said.
Doctors are also administering antibiotics in the area.
The death of the 15-year-old herder was confirmed on Monday, several days after his death in the Karakol regional hospital.
Health ministers said the boy, from the small mountain village Ichke-Zhergez in eastern Kyrgyzstan, died last Thursday after being diagnosed with bubonic plague, which is carried by rodents and caused millions of deaths throughout Europe in the 14th century.
"After a meeting of doctors, he was diagnosed with bubonic plague," a statement said.
His body was cremated and remains were buried with special precautions.
"We suspect that the patient was infected with the plague through the bite of a flea," Tolo Isakov, a ministry official who heads the sanitation department, said in Bishkek on Monday.
The oriental rat flea carries the bubonic plague after biting an infected rodent and may then pass the disease to a human.
Officials have dispatched two teams to the area to "catch, exterminate, and study rodents," Isakov said.
He said the last recorded case of bubonic plague occurred in Kyrgyzstan 30 years ago.
Dinara Saginbayeva, health minister, sought to dispel fears of an epidemic.
"There will not be a bubonic plague epidemic," she said.
"The form of the disease in the teenager is not conducive to a plague epidemic. So there are no grounds for closing the borders."
Officials have hospitalised and isolated 105 people who have had contact with the deceased, including doctors and medical staff that treated the boy, the minister said.
Doctors are also administering antibiotics in the area.
Celebrity Chefs And Their Families
Posted On mardi 27 août 2013 at at 18:37 by HSMA
Hugh Acheson
The chef and TV show judge initially met his wife, Mary Koon, in middle school. They reconnected while attending a Canadian university and married two years later.
Lidia Bastianich
When the Italian cuisine chef isn't fighting legal battles, Bastianich can be found passing down family recipes to her sous chef grandchildren, Olivia, Lorenzo, Miles, Ethan and Julia.
John Besh
Healthy, simple suppers using weekend leftovers are what the James Beard award-winning chef and his wife, Jennifer, prepare with kids Brendan, Jack, Luke and Andrew.
Daniel Boulud
The French chef typically takes Father's Day off and spends it dining out for breakfast and caviar with his only daughter.
Derry Clarke
New Year's Eve of 2012 will always be a painful memory for the Dublin chef and his family, following the tragic death of his 16-year old son, Andrew.
Melissa d'Arabian
This reality TV competition winner, TV host and mother of four makes a green breakfast for her kids Valentine, Charlotte, Margaux and Oceane to start their day.
Paula Deen
Although Deen was recently involved in quite the legal dispute, she always has her family for support. Her brother, Bubba, and her two sons are also known for their Southern cooking skills.
Pete Evans
Fame is reportedly to blame for the rift between this Australian chef and his former business partner and older brother, Dave, But when he's not working, you can catch him with his two daughters and his girlfriend.
Guy Fieri
Following the death of his sister, Morgan, the "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" host found himself backing his parents in a custody dispute with Morgan's husband, Dain Pape, over his nephew, Jules However, Guy also has a family of his own.
Bobby Flay
When the thrice-married grill master isn't dodging scandalous rumors involving a "Mad Men" actress, Flay is cozying up with his TV actress wife in their new Hamptons home
Emeril Lagasse
Cooking has always been a learning experience for Lagasse's offspring, E.J. and Meril. Emeril's top tip: Use fresh local ingredients to make simple tasty dishes.
Padma Lakshmi
A brief relationship with the brother of a personal computer innovator led to the birth of her daughter, called the "miracle baby" because of a medical condition known to contribute to infertility.
Nigella Lawson
This well-known chef met her last husband Charles Saatchi less than a year after the death of her first husband. Unfortunately, the second time around has not been a piece of cake for them
Patrick and Gina Neely
When the duo aren't joining forces in marriage and parenthood, they are serving down-home goodness in restaurants and cookbooks and on their Food Network TV programs.
Wolfgang Puck
Although the Austrian chef's sons, Cameron, Byron, Oliver and Alexander, vary in ages and interests, there is one food favorite all of them can't get enough of.
John Burton-Race
In 2007, the British chef left his second wife and their six children to take up residence with his current wife and former mistress, Susan, and love child, Pip.
Gordon Ramsay
In 2008, the Michelin-starred chef and married father of four was outed as a cheater by his alleged mistress of seven years, Sarah Symonds. Ramsay denied the claim and publically affirmed his love for wife Tana.
Rachael Ray
Rumors of extramarital trysts and an affinity for swapping more than recipes have plagued the chef and her lawyer-by-day-rocker-by-night husband, John Cusimano, for years.
Martha Stewart
According to daughter Alexis Stewart, growing up as the daughter of this domestic diva was anything but a bed of roses.
Ming Tsai
Cook-offs with sons David and Henry, with wife Polly as the judge, are one way this fusion chef shares his joy of cooking with his family.
Andrew Zimmern