Chatting with Cydney and Dallas from Stone Cold Fox...


Today’s Q&A is with 24 year old Cydney Morris and Dallas Wand, two childhood friends who combined their creativity to create Stone Cold Fox, a clothing, accessory and home ware label that right now has fashion bloggers and stylish celebrities buzzing with excitement, desperate to own pieces from the girl's exclusive collections.

Based in California, both Cydney and Dallas believe in quality over quantity and each item is hand made to order. Their vintage boho garments are made from the most luxurious fabrics and attention to detail is their highest priority. The girls intention is to produce unique and timeless pieces that will last forever... I'm sure we'll be hearing lots more about the girls and their gorgeous label in the near future! Here's a little introduction for those of you who haven't already...

What year did you launch Stone Cold Fox?
We launched in 2009

How many people currently work in the business?
There are only the two of us, not including our seweing help.

Where can we find your products to buy online?
All items are available to buy through us, or on www.revolveclothing.com or www.shopplanetblue.com

You seem to have blogger and celebrity fans right around the world, who are your biggest celebrity fans?
Yes, the girls from High School Musical, Alicia Silverstone, the girls on The Hills, Lindsay Lohan, Chloe Sevigny and all the good blogger girls!

Who would you like to see wearing your designs?
Kate Bosworth, Laura Stone, Kemp Muhl, Georgia May Jagger.

If you weren’t doing this right now what other career paths could you see yourselves in?
Dallas would be an interior designer and Cydney would be a dog walker.

Where do you find your inspiration?
From the fabrics we see, the places we have been and easy living.

What is the most exciting accomplishment for Stone Cold Fox so far?
Some of the press we have received, moving into our new location, and just doing what we love to do.

What has been the hardest thing about launching your label?
Lack of time and money.

What has been the most satisfying?
Having the best wardrobe.

What music are you loving at the moment?
We love No Doubt, Brian Jonestown, and all Reggae.

What’s the last book you read and loved?
Kelly Cutrones book “She’s Pretty Rad”.

Where do you shop online for clothing, accessories, home where?
ETSY!

Any words of advice for other aspiring designers?
You have to be very self motivated, and have original ideas. Just move at your own pace, there is a lot of pressure to move fast, and taking it day by day is the best way to go.



Anger & Depression Erode Intimate Relationships

Depression erodes intimate relationships. A depressed person can be withdrawn, needy, or hostile—and give little back.

But there’s another way that depression isolates partners from each other. It chips away at the ability to perceive the others’ thoughts and feelings. It impairs what psychologists call “empathic accuracy” —and that can exacerbate alienation, depression, and the cycle by which they feed each other.

Three Israeli researchers—Reuma Gadassi and Nilly Mor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Eshkol Rafaeli at Bar-Ilan University—wanted to understand better these dynamics in relationships, particularly the role of gender. Their study will be published in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

The study revealed a surprising dynamic: “It’s called the partner effect,” said Gadassi, a psychology graduate student. She explained: “Women’s depression affects their own accuracy. But it also affected their partner’s accuracy”—in both cases, negatively.

Fifty heterosexual couples—some married, some cohabiting, and together an average of about five years—participated in the study. First, a questionnaire assessed their levels of depression. Then, their interpersonal perceptions were tested both in the lab and in daily life.

In the lab, the couples were videotaped during a 12-minute conversation in which one sought help from the other. Halfway through, they switched roles: the help-requester became the helper. Afterwards, the individuals watched the tapes and wrote about their own thoughts and feelings and their partners’. The reports were assessed for similarities and differences between each person perceptions and the other’s self-descriptions.

In the second portion, the participants made once-a-day diary entries for 21 days, rating a list of negative and positive moods and feelings about the relationship, both their own and their partner’s, on a five-point scale. These entries were also assessed for “empathic accuracy.”

From both tests, the researchers found that the more depressed the woman was, the less accurately she inferred her partner’s feelings. In the daily-life portion, the specificity of depression’s effect to negative (vs. positive) feelings was revealed. Men’s own depression did not affect their empathic accuracy—though that is not to suggest that his blues would have no impact on the relationship, just “a different one,” says Gadassi.

It was in the daily diaries that the most surprising finding emerged: When women were depressed and their sensitivities dulled, their partners also became less empathic. When women are depressed, the relationship suffers more. After all, mutual understanding is the bedrock of intimacy.

The study has important implications, says Gadassi. It tells us “you can’t understand depression without taking account of gender.” The findings should inform treatment. “Bringing only the depressed woman into therapy is not enough,” she says. “You really have to have both partners in the room.”

Source for How depressed women bring relationships down: new study

Why Has The War On Cancer Failed?

In 1971 President Nixon and Congress declared war on cancer. So what's happened in the 40 years since? After weeding out the hype and filling in the actual statistics, it turns out, not much.

"These summary statistics show that the war on cancer has not gone well," says the article's author, Reynold Spector. "This is in marked contrast to death rates from stroke and cardiovascular disease (adjusted for the age and size of the population), which have fallen by 74 percent and 64 percent, respectively, from 1950 through 2006; and by 60 percent and 52 percent, respectively, from 1975 through 2006 (Kolata 2009a).

Cancer therapy is clearly decades behind."

"Why has "The War on Cancer" Failed so Miserably? The answer is simple.
Cancer is NOT a disease of the tissues! Cancer is a disease of the body
fluids! We are treating the wrong thing! Cancer is acid and acid is the
cause of ALL cancerous conditions!" Dr. Robert O. Young

Sources:

The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry January/February 2010

Nitric Oxide for Impotence & Erectile Dysfunction


Does nitric oxide in L-arginine Plus work for Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction?

My answer is absolutely YES! New research from our own research and several other universities are reporting positive benefits of increased nitric oxide production, improved circulation to the extremities having positive effects for ED in as little as 3 weeks.

Here is what I can share with you:

  1. Viagra produces Nitric Oxide in the male genitalia and dramatically increases blood flow allowing for erections for a specific amount of time. Bottom-line many erectile dysfunction medications are acidic and therefore come with a long list of negative health effects.
  2. Many published studies have shown that consuming 5,000mg of L-arginine, triggers cell production of Nitric Oxide in all areas of the body including the reproductive system improving circulation to the male or female genitalia.
  3. Producing Nitric Oxide through the use of L-arginine has been found to relax and enlarge blood vessels, which allows for greater blood flow to the extremeties. This is similar to a water hose that is no longer kinked allowing water to flow more freely. It works the same way with the blood being circulated throughout out body. When blood is needed in a special area, it flows more freely, allowing for a better sex life.
  4. Several of my male clients who are using L-arginine Plus for cardiovascular health are also using it for the purpose of sexual health. They have reported no longer needing to use Viagra.
  5. In 1998 three American scientists received the Nobel Prize in medicine for discovering the role of Nitric Oxide and its health benefits for the cardiovascular and reproductive systems.

If you want to try the pH Miracle L-arginine Plus, go to: http://phmiracleliving.com/p-565-l-arginine-plus.aspx It is the product I formulated for my clients and simply the best on the market.

For best results I recommend my clients to take it twice a day.

What Are The Benefits of L-Arginine Plus


In 1998 three American scientists won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discovering the role that Nitric Oxide plays in the cardiovascular system and throughout the body. Nitric Oxide (NO) has since been called the “Miracle Molecule”.

Nitric Oxide has been found to relax and enlarge blood vessels, prevent blood clots that cause strokes and heart attacks, regulate blood pressure, reduce stress on the heart, improve circulation and reduce accumulation of acidic plaque from an acidic lifestyle and diet in blood vessels. L-arginine Plus also boosts HGH production, increases lean muscle mass, preserves bone density and supports a healthy sexual performance. You might say that L-arginine Plus is a natural form of Viagra.

Many published studies have proven that L-arginine, a vital amino acid, triggers cell production of Nitric Oxide and that L-citrulline is metabolized in the body and yields more L-arginine, which in turn provides additional Nitric Oxide for longer periods of time - upo to 24 hours. L-citrulline also helps promote healthy energy levels in the body.

L-arginine Plus™ combines L-arginine with L-Ornithine Monohydrochloride, L-Citrulline, Magnesium Chloride, Co-Q 10, Resveratrol, Pomegranate, Grape Seed Extract and other vital nutrients in a breakthrough formulation which assists the body in achieving exceptional cardiovascular health and sexual health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is L-arginine Plus™ less expensive than other Nitric Oxide supplements?

Many suppliers charge what the market will bear. A more current business model, however, is to offer a superior product directly to the consumer at rock bottom prices, thereby increasing sales volume as well as long term customer satisfaction.

What is L-arginine Plus™ ?

L-arginine Plus™ is a blend of the amino acids L-arginine, L-Ornithine Monohydrochloride and L-Citrulline, that cause increase production levels of Nitric Oxide (NO) in the body. The efficacy of L-arginine & L-citrulline in the cardiovascular system have been validated by many scientific clinical studies and L-Ornithine helps to produce human growth hormone.

What are the active ingredients in L-arginine Plus™ ?

Key ingredients include L-arginine, L-ornithine, L-citrulline, Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin K, Vitamin D3, Magnesium Chloride, Co-Q 10, Resveratrol, Pomegranate, and Grape Seed Extract.

How does L-arginine Plus™ provide anti-aging benefits?

L-arginine Plus supplementation has been shown to encourage the pituitary gland to release human growth hormone (HGH). As the body ages, HGH levels decrease. L-arginine Plus provides anti-aging benefits by boosting natural HGH production in the body with the amino acid L-ornithine.

Are there any age limits for taking L-arginine Plus™?

The L-arginine Plus formula can be used as a nutritional supplement for all ages. The recommended dosages on the bottle are based upon a man or woman who weighs 70 K or 154 lbs. The dosage is adjusted up or down based upon weight not age.

Is L-arginine Plus™ safe to use?

The ingredients in L-arginine Plus have a history of being safe. As with any dietary nutritional supplement, when being treated for a medical condition, always consult with your health care provider regarding the use of L-arginine Plus.

What about the protocols? Are there any special instructions?

L-arginine Plus™ is easy to use and requires no complicated protocols. Just mix one serving with 3 to 4 ounces of alkaline water twice a day (preferably on an empty stomach).

Do you have to take L-arginine Plus™ on an empty stomach to get the benefits?

For maximum benefit, L-arginine Plus™ should be taken on an empty stomach. All benefits are certainly not lost by taking L-arginine Plus™ with foods or beverages, but the maximum benefits may be reduced.

What is the product sweetened with? Can you describe the taste of L-arginine Plus?

Unlike all other L-arginine products our pH Miracle L-arginine Plus contains NO added natural or artificial sweetners. It has zero carbohydrates/sugars and therefore will not cause an increase in dietary acids in the digestive tract, blood or body tissues.

Why Do YOU Need L-arginine Plus?

Arginine, also known as L-arginine, is involved in a number of different functions in the body.

They include:
  • wound healing
  • helping the kidneys remove waste products from the body
  • maintaining immune and hormone function
As a natural dietary nutritional supplement, L-arginine has garnered particular attention for its possible heart benefits. L-arginine has shown to reduce high blood pressure and clear the acidic plaque from arteries.

What Are the Benefits of L-Arginine Plus?

In the body, the amino acid arginine changes into nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves blood and lymphatic circulation.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

Does L-arginine Lower High Systolic Blood Pressure?


Does L-arginine and nitric oxide nutritional supplementation work for lowering high systolic blood pressure?

Over the last year my clinical research suggests that L-arginine (without all the added sugars) will lower systolic blood pressure, lower pulse rate and lower blood sugars by over 15% with only 2 weeks of usage at my recommended dosage of 20 grams a day.

Here is what I have found from my own clinical research and that of other research scientists:

  1. In 1998 three American scientists won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discovering the role Nitric Oxide plays in the cardiovascular system and throughout the body.
  2. In 2002 Nitric Oxide (NO) was called the “Miracle Molecule." Nitric Oxide was found to relax and enlarge blood vessels, which allows for greater blood flow or better circulation. This happens when the L-arginine breaks down metabolic and dietary acid crystallizations that build up on the wall of the arteries. This is similar to a clogged drain that is cleared with a chemical compound. As circulation improves the heart has to work less to move blood throughout the body and thereby reducing your body’s blood systolic pressure.
  3. Many published studies have proven that L-arginine, an amino acid, triggers cell production of Nitric Oxide and that L-citrulline is metabolized in the body and yields more L-arginine, which in turn provides additional Nitric Oxide for longer periods of time.
  4. The production of Nitric Oxide through the use of L-arginine Plus has demonstated efficacy in increasing blood circulation to the extremeties of the body when used in high doses.
  5. The L-arginine Plus formula is a product that I produced for reducing high pulse rates and high systolic blood pressure. The L-arginine Plus also contains the amino acid L-citrulline. L-citrulline acts like a catalyst when combined with L-arginine and extends the body’s production of nitric oxide from a three hour window to over twenty four hours. That way you can recieve the benefits of lowering your systolic blood pressure and your pulse rate around the clock and not just for three hours.

So What Should You Do Now?

First, if you are serious about really finding the best nitric oxide producing formula, go to http://phmiracleliving.com/p-565-l-arginine-plus.aspx It is free from all carbohydrates/sugars and it contains some very powerful redox or antioxidant ingredients such as, magnesium chloride, Co-Q 10, Resveratrol, pomegranate, and grape seed extract. L-arginine Plus is a product that I recommend to all my clients and the best product for producing nitric oxide without increasing blood sugars, making it the best product for diabetics to ingest.

For best results I recommend people take it at least twice a day and three times a day in chronic symptomologies.

Myth: There is a high degree of scientific certainty in modern medicine

"Medical doctors prescribed drugs of which they know little, for the human body of which they know less, for dis-eases of which they know NOTHING at all" Virchow - We could accurately say, "Half of what physicians do is wrong," or "Less than 20 percent of what physicians do has solid research to support it."
Read the article below from Scientific American which supports this conclusion.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=demand-better-health-care-book

Free People ♥

I don't think there's much that needs to be said about this post. There's not only a million outfit ideas (well not quite THAT many but it's certainly sparked plenty in my head) but the images are just SO beautiful. After seeing these photos maybe I'm not so keen for Winter to arrive so soon... Enjoy X

Images & clothing from www.freepeople.com

Japan's nuclear contamination spreads to more U.S. states

Check out the latest CNN News Item on the Japanese Nuclear disaster. Still wondering why the U. S. Government is buying up all of the Potassium Iodide? Make no mistake we are all being exposed to cancer causing "ionizing radiation." Protect yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only way to protect yourself from "ionizing radiation" is to hyper-alkalize the blood and tissues. http://articlesofhealth.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-protect-yourself-from-nuclear.html

Japan's nuclear contamination spreads to more U.S. states
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/28/radiation.us/

Meet Diya from www.diyainherstilettos.com - I'm obsessed and I think you will be too after this!

So who says you can’t have beauty and brains? It seems the two actually go hand in hand.

Gorgeous Liss Winnel from www.daydreamlily.com is a research scientist by day, stylish blogger by night. And, my latest obsession is 22 year old Diya Liu, who’s style I've been gushing over since discovering her blog recently, is actually double majoring in chemical engineering and biochemistry. Jealous much? It seems some people are blessed with it all, and when it comes to these talented and inspiring individuals, I tend to get a little obsessively intrigued.

When I discovered Diya’s blog last week I was instantly in love with every one of her stylish ensembles, then after reading a little bit about her life & background I knew I had to find out more about her…. So first, a little teaser of Diya’s sensational style, and then I chat to her about blogging and where she shops for all of her fabulous clothing and accessories… ENJOY!



You're a Chemical engineering student, is this what you always wanted to do? How did this choice path come about?
I'm actually double majoring in chemical engineering and biochemistry.  I always knew I would study something in the field of science; I had every single science book one can imagine thanks to both my parents being botanists when I was a little kid. My parents would bring me on their trips to collect samples and always answered my countless questions. I didn't know I loved chemistry until high school, and I decided to double major to cover my butt for every possible post-graduation option...and ended up sticking with both majors.

You’ve been blogging since 2010, how many visitors per month does your blog have?
Around 60,000 per month.

There are so many fashion blogs now, why do you think yours has become so popular (other than your FABULOUS personal style)? Have you done any marketing or promotional things to increase the readership?
Aww thanks! I don't actually think of my blog as extremely popular; there are so many other inspirational blogs that have risen to popularity much more quickly but I think I fill a small niche by helping other girls in non-traditionally fashionable career tracks see that it is perfectly okay to dress up. I've been quite bad about promoting my blog. I tried to make myself at least comment on the blogs I visit normally lately but my schedule has been in the way...

You have a little snippet on your blog that says ‘ For marketing, wardrobe consulting, press, styling & modeling inquiries’ to contact you. Is this something else you do on the side? Can you tell me more about this?
Well...the "wardrobe consulting" part was added on recently since I've already been helping my friends with building/ revamping their wardrobe and I get so many styling questions. I decided I can help locals in their wardrobe questions in person as well. However, I've been modeling and styling for a good while now for Austin fashion events. Unlike the fashion meccas of the world, the fashion scene here's very based on "volunteer-ism"; everyone's willing to help each other build their niche in the fashion community so I've been doing a little bit of everything. I love gaining hands-on experience in fashion from every angle. 

You have the most AMAZING wardrobe! What are the top 3 online and top 3 stores that you shop at?
I shop the most online at Etsy's vintage section, Ideeli and other sample sale sites, and Lulu's. As for stores I love Savers, Forever 21, and our monthly City Wide Garage Sale (where around 50 vendors have tons of great vintage and secondhand items). I've found so many great jewelry and vintage fur pieces from the CWGS!

You also have quite an impressive jewelry collection! Where do you buy most of your jewelry?
I'm looking at my necklaces right now, trying to determine where I shop for jewelry the most....and I can't decide because I have gotten  jewelry from everywhere: belly dancing conventions, gas stations, random street shops I've stumbled in.  I just got six pieces of great jewelry from a $1 pile at the City Wide Garage Sale. Online, I love Kristine's store ManifestManifest.com and I am obsessed with everything from AmritaSingh.com

You mention on your blog that you boyfriend takes your photos. What does he do for a living? Do you have some sort of daily routine for taking outfit photos?
My boyfriend's a lawyer; my friend once mentioned that "a lawyer and an engineer..." sounded like the beginning of a really funny but bad joke. We usually only manage to see each other on the weekends most of the time, so we don't really have a daily routine for taking outfit photos. We're both so incredibly busy that we end up squeezing an outfit photo session in whenever and wherever! 

I’m in love with your emerald green cape (pictured first), where did you get that?
The cape is vintage from Lace With Romance. I got it at the stone-and-mortar store located here in Austin, but they're also online at LacedWithRomance.com

Who are your own top 3 favourite personal style bloggers?
This is hard... I have so many bookmarked blogs that I visit religiously! Currently I'm most inspired by Karla (Karla's Closet), Kelly (The Glamourai), and Liz (Late Afternoon). 

What advice would you pass on to anyone else who wants to make their mark in the fashion blogging world?
Be nice (publicly and privately) but honest, and have really thick skin. Also, don't be afraid to admit you're smitten with someone else's work!

You can enjoy Diya's blog at www.diyainherstilettos.com

Ionizing Radiation: Not To Worry?

Beginning with Madam Curie, the story of nuclear power and "ionizing radiation" is one where key players have consistently miscalculated or misrepresented the risks of radiation.

The victims from "ionizing radiation" include many of those who worked on the original Manhattan Project, the 200,000 soldiers who were assigned to eye witness our nuclear tests, the residents of the Western US who absorbed the lion's share of fallout from our nuclear testing in Nevada, the thousands of forgotten victims of Three Mile Island or the likely hundreds of thousands of casualties of Chernobyl and now the Japanese reactors which hold about 1,000 times more "ionizing radiation" than the bombs dropped over Hiroshima.(1)

Every day, the jet stream carries pollution from Asian smoke stacks and dust from the Gobi Desert to the West Coast of California, contributing 10 to 60 percent of the total pollution inhaled by Californians, depending on the time of year.

Mercury is probably the second most toxic substance known after plutonium. Half the mercury in the atmosphere over the entire US originates in China. It, too, is 5,000 miles away. A week after a nuclear weapons test in China, radioactive iodine 131 could be detected in the thyroid glands of deer in Colorado, although it could not be detected in the air or in nearby vegetation.(2)

Even properly functioning nuclear plants emit a steady stream of radiation into nearby water and atmosphere, which can be inhaled directly or ingested from soil contact, plants or cows milk. Many studies confirm higher rates of cancers like childhood leukemia, and breast and thyroid cancer among people who live in the same counties as nuclear plants, and among nuclear workers.(3)

The idea that a threshold exists or there is a safe level of radiation for human exposure began unraveling in the 1950s when research showed one pelvic x-ray in a pregnant woman could double the rate of childhood leukemia in an exposed baby.(3) Furthermore, the risk was ten times higher if it occurred in the first three months of pregnancy than near the end. This became the stepping-stone to the understanding that the timing of exposure was even more critical than the dose. The earlier in embryonic development it occurred, the greater the risk.

A new medical concept has emerged, increasingly supported by the latest research, called "fetal origins of disease," that centers on the evidence that a multitude of chronic diseases, including cancer, often have their origins in the first few weeks after conception by environmental insults disturbing normal embryonic development. It is now established medical advice that pregnant women should avoid any exposure to x-rays, medicines or chemicals when not absolutely necessary, no matter how small the dose, especially in the first three months.

Many epidemiologic studies show that extremely low doses of radiation increase the incidence of childhood cancers, low birth-weight babies, premature births, infant mortality, birth defects and even diminished intelligence.(4) Just two abdominal x-rays delivered to a male can slightly increase the chance of his future children developing leukemia.(5) By damaging genetic matter anywhere in a living cell, radiation can accelerate the aging process and diminish the function of any organ. Cells can repair themselves, but the rapidly growing cells in a fetus may divide before repair can occur, negating the body's defense mechanism and replicating the damage.

Comforting statements about the safety of low radiation are not even accurate for adults.(6)Small increases in risk per individual have immense consequences in the aggregate. When low risk is accepted for billions of people, there will still be millions of victims. New research on risks of x-rays illustrate the point.

Radiation from CT coronary scans is considered low, but, statistically, it causes cancer in one of every 270 40-year-old women who receive the scan. Twenty year olds will have double that rate. Annually, 29,000 cancers are caused by the 70 million CT scans done in the US.(7)(8) Common, low-dose dental x-rays more than double the rate of thyroid cancer. Those exposed to repeated dental x-rays have an even higher risk of thyroid cancer.(9)

This could be the latest chapter in that long and tragic story when, once again, we were told by the powers to be "not to worry."

Footnotes:

1. "Fukushima Daiichi reactors contain radiation equal to a thousand Hiroshima bombs," Vancouver Observer, March 14, 2011; Ira Helfand, Robert Alvarez, Ken Bergeron and Peter Bradford (former member of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission), on behalf of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

2. Rosenthal E. Radiation, "Once Free, Can Follow Tricky Path," The New York Times, March 21, 2011.

3. International Commission on Radiological Protection.

4. Bartley K, Metayer C, Selvin S, et al, "Diagnostic X-rays and risk of childhood leukaemia," Int. J. Epidemiol. (2010) 39(6): 1628-1637, first published online October 1, 2010, doi:10.1093/ije/dyq162.

5. Bailey H, Armstrong B, de Klerk N, et al, "Exposure to Diagnostic Radiological Procedures and the Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia," Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, November 2010, 19:2897-2909; Published online first, September 22, 2010.

6. Shuryak I, Sachs R, Brenner D., "Cancer Risks After Radiation Exposure in Middle Age," JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst Volume102, Issue 21, Pp. 1628-1636.

7. Berrington de González A, Mahesh M, Kim K, et al, "Projected Cancer Risks From Computed Tomographic Scans Performed in the United States in 2007," Arch Intern Med, December 14/28, 2009; 169: 2071 - 2077.

8. Smith-Bindman R, Lipson J, Marcus R, et al, "Radiation Dose Associated With Common Computed Tomography Examinations and the Associated Lifetime Attributable Risk of Cancer," Arch Intern Med., 2009; 169(22): 2078-2086.

9. Memon A, Godward S, Williams D, et al, "Dental x-rays and the risk of thyroid cancer: A case-control study," Acta Oncologica, May 2010, Vol. 49, No. 4: 447–453.

Special Note:

Development of nuclear power was halted at the stage of Westinghouse-style fission reactors. We have not really progressed technologically, which means we have regressed. It is because of the blockade against science. "Nuclear power" is not a type of reactor at a given time, but a continuous dynamic of development. The lesson to be drawn is that we all should have developed fourth-generation reactors, and moved into controlled thermonuclear fusion more quickly. Fourth-generation reactors, and HTRs, are inherently safe, which means that when the reaction stops, heat production also stops, in contrast to the boiling water reactors like those in the Japanese power plants. Fusion, in particular laser fusion, would then come into play in some 40 years and supply very cheap energy. Of course, opting for this direction and pursuing our human adventure requires considerable long-term investments. They are impossible under the current financial system, which destroys the economy and is socially unjust, and that's why we have to change systems before it is too late.

Take me back to bed...

It's not just fashion that gets me excited. Put a few interior design magazines in front of me any day and I'll happily be absorbed for hours. If your anything like me, then hopefully you'll enjoy this collection of bedroom images below. A little change is always fun so instead of today's post being about what I'm thinking of wearing, it's about where I'd like to snuggle up right now...

The Young's Lecture at Agape Spiritual Center


You are cordially invited to a lecture of World renowned Dr. Robert Young, and his wife Shelley Redford Young, authors of the best seller “The pH Miracle,” speak at the Agape Spiritual Center on Sunday afternoon April 10 from 3:30 to 5:30. The title of the talk will be “The Miracle of an Alkaline Life - The Diet for Immortality ” and the moderator is TV Host/author Paul Ryan. The address for Agape is 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City 90230.

Study Indicates Lymphocyte Count Predicts Death in Heart Failure





In this study, total lymphocyte count was a prognostic factor in patients with chronic heart failure and was inversely associated with predicted mortality.In contrast to earlier research, total lymphocyte count is an independent predictor of mortality in heart failure patients, a prospective study showed.

After an an average 4.7 years of follow-up, the lymphocyte count was the second most prominent predictor of death, following New York Heart Association class, according to Gideon Charach, MD, of the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv, and colleagues.

And it was more significant than left ventricular ejection fraction, Charach and colleagues reported online in the American Journal of Cardiology.

The prognostic value of the lymphocyte count has been previously explored, the researchers noted, but earlier studies were smaller and had follow-up times of less than a year.

In contrast, Charach and colleagues enrolled 305 heart failure patients with up to 8.4 years of follow-up, prospectively evaluating lymphocytes, heart association class, left ventricular ejection fraction, and a host of laboratory parameters thought to be possibly related to mortality.

The end point of the study was death from any cause or need for inpatient care. Over the course of the study, the researchers reported, 163 patients were hospitalized, all for exacerbation of heart failure, and 111 died.

For analysis, the cohort was stratified according to median lymphocyte count (above or below 1,600 per milliliter), heart association class (I and II versus III or IV), and median ejection fraction (above or below 40%).

The researchers found:

  • On average, the total lymphocyte count was 1,803.64, and the left ventricular ejection fraction was 37%.
  • Lymphocyte count below 1,600 was associated with a greater risk of death and hospital admission, at P=0.012 and P=0.024, respectively.
  • Lymphocyte count greater than the median was associated with a 24% reduction in the risk of death (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.97, P=0.037).
  • Heart association class III or IV was associated with a doubling of the risk of death, compared with class I and II (HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.48 to 2.38, P<0.0001).
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or more was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of death (HR 0.06, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.092, P=0.0138).

Patients in heart association class I and II, but with a lymphocyte count below the median, had a poorer survival rate than those with more severe disease but a lymphocyte count of 1,600 or higher, a Cox regression analysis showed.

There was no significant association between heart association class and left ventricular ejection fraction and the risk of morbidity, regardless of lymphocyte count, the researchers reported.

The researchers said the study's strengths included the large number of patients and the long follow-up, but cautioned that the effect of hormone levels (adrenaline, cortisol, and parathyroid hormone) could not be evaluated because they were not measured.

The authors did not report external support for the study or any conflicts.

Celebrity style: Khaki jackets


Over sized military style or a structured blazer, a khaki jacket will give pretty much any outfit an understated and effortlessly cool edge. Be it typical khaki or a subtle shade of olive green, it’s a colour that tones in so beautifully with not only your typical wardrobe basics such as denim, white and black, but unexpectedly with a printed summer dress or contrasting bright orange (Reese Witherspoon style). You can always rely on Kate Bosworth to supply inspirational outfit ideas, and she’s regularly photographed in her military jacket, however I also really love all of the other combinations shown by Reese Witherspoon, Vanessa Hudgens and Mena Suvari.

Japan radiation risk FAQs from the World Health Organization

Current risk of radiation-related health problems in Japan

What is the current risk of radiation-related health problems in Japan to those near the reactor at the time, and those in other parts of Japan?

* The actions proposed by the Government of Japan are in line with the existing recommendations based on public health expertise. The government is asking people living within 20 km of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to evacuate and those between 20 km and 30 km away from the plant are asked to stay indoors in unventilated rooms. People living farther away are at lower risk than those who live nearby.

* This assessment can change if there are further incidents at these plants and WHO is following the situation closely. However, radiation-related health consequences will depend on exposure. Exposure in turn is dependent on the amount of radiation released from the reactor, weather conditions such as wind and rain at the time of the exposure, the distance someone is from the plant, and the amount of time someone is in irradiated areas.

What is ionizing radiation?

* When certain atoms disintegrate, either naturally or in man-made situations, they release a type of energy called ionizing radiation (IR). This energy can travel as either electromagnetic waves (gamma or X-rays) or as particles (neutrons, beta or alpha).

* The atoms that emit radiation are called radionuclides.

* The time required for the energy released by a radionuclide to decrease by half (i.e., the half-life) range from tiny fractions of a second to millions of years depending on the type of atoms.

Are people normally exposed to ionizing radiation?

* Human beings are exposed to natural radiation on a daily basis. The radiation comes from space (cosmic rays) as well as natural radioactive materials found in the soil, water and air. Radon gas is a naturally formed gas that is the main natural source of radiation.
* People can also be exposed to radiation from human-made sources. Today, the most common man-made source of ionizing radiation are certain medical devices such as X-ray machines.
* The radiation dose can be expressed in units of Sievert (Sv). On average, a person is exposed to approximately 3.0 mSv/year of which, 80% (2.4 mSv) is due to naturally-occurring sources (i.e., background radiation), 19.6 % (almost 0.6 mSv) is due to the medical use of radiation and the remaining 0.4% (around 0.01 mSv) is due to other sources of human-made radiation.
* In some parts of the world, levels of exposure to natural radiation differ due to differences in the local geology. People in some areas can be exposed to more than 200 times the global average.

How are people exposed to ionizing radiation?

* Ionizing radiation may result from sources outside or inside of the body (i.e. external irradiation or internal contamination).

* Internal contamination may result from breathing in or swallowing radioactive material or through contamination of wounds.

* External irradiation is produced when a person is exposed to external sources such as X-rays or when radioactive material (e.g. dust, liquid, aerosols) becomes attached to skin or clothes, resulting in external contamination.

* External contamination can often be washed off the body.

What type of radiation exposure could occur in a nuclear power plant accident?

* If a nuclear power plant does not function properly, radioactivity may be released into the surrounding area by a mixture of products generated inside the reactor (“nuclear fission products”). The main radionuclides representing health risk are radioactive caesium and radioactive iodine. Members of the public may be exposed directly to such radionuclides in the suspended air or if food and drink are contaminated by such materials.

* Rescuers, first responders and nuclear power plant (NPP) workers may be exposed to higher radiation doses due to their professional activities and direct exposure to radioactive materials inside the power plant.

What is the WHO travel advice for Japan?

At this time, WHO is not advising general restrictions on travel to Japan.

However, travellers should avoid travel to the areas most affected by the earthquake and tsunami because of disruptions to essential services, such as transport and electric power, and the ongoing disaster relief activities, including the nuclear power plant emergency response and control activities, will make travel difficult and could consume resources needed by relief worker and residents. Moreover, as indicated by the Japanese authorities, travel within the evacuation and exclusion zones surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is prohibited.

In general, travellers who do not have essential reasons to travel should give careful consideration to deferring travel to any areas where there has been considerable disruption to the normal infrastructure and where authorities are responding to urgent humanitarian needs.

What are the precautions when travelling in Japan?

Travellers should also be aware of the risk of further earthquakes across Japan. Moreover, there may be areas of power, fuel, food and water shortages.

Travellers in Japan should monitor local media, follow the advice and instructions issued by local authorities and register their travel and location details with their respective embassy or consulate. Information on the status of the nuclear facilities in Fukushima can be found on Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) website and on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website. Additional information can be found on the WHO web site.

* Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA)

* International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Do travellers returning from Japan represent a health risk for others?

At this time, only those involved in the emergency response near the plant remain in the area where there are higher levels of radioactivity. For their own safety, all personnel in these areas should undergo decontamination procedures when they leave the site. Travellers returning from Japan who have come from the 20 km evacuation zone surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and who have undergone proper screening and decontamination procedures, and travellers from all other areas, do not pose a radioactive health risk to others.

What are the acute health effects of radiation exposure?

* If the dose of radiation exceeds a certain threshold level, then it can produce acute effects, such as skin redness, hair loss, radiation burns, and acute radiation syndrome (ARS1).

* In a nuclear power plant accident, the general population is not likely to be exposed to doses high enough to cause such effects.

* Rescuers, first responders and nuclear power plant workers are more likely to be exposed to doses of radiation high enough to cause acute effects.

What long-term effects can be expected from radiation exposure?

* Exposure to radiation can increase the risk of cancer. Among the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, the risk of leukaemia increased a few years after radiation exposure, whereas the risks of other cancers increased more than 10 years after the exposure.

* Radioactive iodine can be released during nuclear emergencies. If breathed in or swallowed, it will concentrate in the thyroid gland and increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Among persons exposed to radioactive iodine, the risk of thyroid cancer can be lowered by taking potassium iodide pills, which helps prevent the uptake of the radioactive iodine.

* The risk of thyroid cancer following radiation exposure is higher in children and young adults.

Source for and more of Japan radiation risk FAQs from the World Health Organization

Trend spotting: NEON


I’ve already lived through the fluro/neon trend once and during that time it was HUGE.

It was around 1984 and I was 10. I think it made such a huge imprint in my memory because as far as fashion trends go, it was the first time I was ever really aware of one. I remember realising there was a general theme going on around me with what lots of people were ALL wearing, it was also the first time I felt a longing to be just like them.

I feel like having already lived through an era where I idolized style icons like Madonna who rocked fluro in such perfection for the very first time, how could you beat that? If you feel a little the same way as me, you too would never be able to forget George Michael from Wham releasing "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go!" and from that moment forward needing to own a pair of fluro socks in every single colour.

So there you have it. I'm having mixed feelings on the neon or fluro trend coming back again and how it can or should be worn. That's why I decided to ask a few fashion industry insiders to see what their thoughts were…


Lesley Scott
I like how bright, cheery and somewhat non-serious it is - I LOVED that bright orange "hospital scrubs" sheath dress that Miuccia Prada opened her Spring '11 show with - she was also careful to balance the in-your-face "orangeness" of it by keeping the shape streamlined and not going nuts with the accessories. I recommend treating neon hues like animal prints: they make such a statement already, that if you're not careful to keep the rest of your outfit somewhat toned down, you risk looking like a bright yellow NYC taxicab on two legs.

For neon separates, you can always pair them with black which is kind of obvious; more sophisticated, I think, is to try a neutral like deep khaki, stone, or rich beige; think a neon-bright blouse with an elegant, Jackie O'ish cigarette trouser in a neutral shade. Also, a great way to add some punch & interest to any outfit is with bold neon cuff bracelets or fun earrings - like the Prada banana dangly ones.


Genevieve Err
Designer - This Is Genevieve
Around 5 years ago there was this burst of colour, graphic bold yardage prints and every music festival seemed awash with revellers who also seemed to love it as much as me. It was called ‘fluro’.
I embraced it fully, my collection consisted of a ‘digital circuit board print’ which sat alongside my ‘hexagon diagonal’ print, about 6 months later my eyes hurt. I was ready to say goodbye to fluro and could only embrace using the colour pens. But people were still loving it. It was in stores for another 2 years, by the time it finally left I was so in love with black, grey and denim that the thought of a colour revival would have had me laughing at the suggestion. After going through summer, winter, summer again in my basics, I had to admit going ‘back to black’ was getting boring. That’s when I was introduced to ‘neon’ at my nail salon. Neon crept up on me as it didn’t consume my wardrobe it blended with my staples. A little lipstick here and some neon nails there, then out popped Kate Bosworth in that Proenza Schouler dress and who wasn’t in love. Cool, fun and more sophisticated than its cousin ‘fluro’. It feels great to have colour back in my wardrobe I had been missing it.

Celeste Mitchell
I have to say I'm not the hugest fan of fluro and I can probably blame it on too many festivals, and the sea of neon that seems to flock to them. That being said, I think slight touches can still look hot. Like a neon lace bra peeking out from under a black tank or dress, or a bright pedicure.

Jessy Cameron
Blogger
"I opt for splashes of neon colour paired back with neutral tones. I recently splashed out on a brighter-than-bright tangerine hued tee from Acne, it's amazing"

Potassium Iodide USP (KI) - Now Available!


Potassium Iodide USP (KI)
Pharmaceutical Pure - Manufacture Date: March 16th, 2011

Potassium Iodide (KI) may be used when it is desirable to maintain a high level of beneficial iodides in the thyroid gland. Iodide is a form of iodine that is preferentially taken up by the thyroid gland. This product also supports the body's normal detoxification of environmental, metabolic, gastrointestinal and respiratory acids, including the removal of heavy metals. Potassium Iodide helps shield (or block) the absorption of harmful radioactive iodine by the thyroid following a nuclear emergency.

Potassium iodide is a salt, similar to table salt. Its chemical symbol is KI. It is routinely added to table salt to make it iodized. Potassium iodide, if taken in time and at the appropriate dosage, blocks the thyroid gland's uptake of radioactive iodine and thus could reduce the risk of thyroid cancers and other diseases that might otherwise be caused by exposure to radioactive iodine that could be dispersed in a severe nuclear accident.

• Potassium iodide is a blocker of thyroid radio-iodine uptake.
• Promotes healthy metabolism
• Supports the immune function
• Supports a healthy thyroid
• Promotes breast and prostate health
• Combats iodine deficiency that causes hypothyroidism
• Supports balanced mood
• Assist in regulation of healthy pulse and blood pressure

  • Promotes the destruction of harmful cells
  • Helps to decrease high blood sugar and cholesterol levels
  • Detoxifies the body from heavy metals, radioactive elements, free radicals and metabolic acids
  • Helps those who are overweight by improving the function of the gastro-intestinal tract
  • Improves the structure of hair and nails and helps them grow
  • Helps to detoxify smokers from strontium and cadmium
  • In stock & shipped within 2-3 business days. This item contains 150 tablets. This is NOT old or expired product, it was manufactured March 16th, 2011. Because of the volume of orders for KI, we cannot change or cancel your order once placed so please make sure that your order and address are correct.



    65mg KI

    150 Tablets.
    1 per order only.


    $24.99

    save 20%

    If ordered by phone

    This product will ship March 25-28th. To order call: 760-751-8321.

    This product is Hypoallergenic & Pharmaceutical grade.


    The United States government mandates the distribution of Potassium Iodide to the population within 10 miles of any nuclear power plant. The following information is taken directly from The U.S. Nuclear Regulation Commissions (NRC) website. links have been provide below.

    What is potassium iodide?

    Potassium iodide is a salt, similar to table salt. Its chemical symbol is KI. It is routinely added to table salt to make it "iodized." Potassium iodide, if taken in time and at the appropriate dosage, blocks the thyroid gland's uptake of radioactive iodine and thus could reduce the risk of thyroid cancers and other diseases that might otherwise be caused by exposure to radioactive iodine that could be dispersed in a severe nuclear accident.

    What is the role of potassium iodide in radiological emergency preparedness?

    Potassium iodide is a special kind of protective measure in that it offers very specialized protection. Potassium iodide protects the thyroid gland against internal uptake of radioiodines that may be released in the unlikely event of a nuclear reactor accident. The purpose of radiological emergency preparedness is to protect people from the effects of radiation exposure after an accident at a nuclear power plant. Evacuation is the most effective protective measure in the event of a radiological emergency because it protects the whole body (including the thyroid gland and other organs) from all radionuclides and all exposure pathways. Administering KI can be a reasonable, prudent, and inexpensive supplement to in-place sheltering and evacuation.

    Does this rule imply that America's nuclear reactors are less safe?

    In 2001, the NRC revised of its emergency preparedness regulation that requires that States with a population within the 10-mile emergency planning zone of commercial nuclear power plants consider including potassium iodide as a protective measure for the general public to supplement sheltering and evacuation in the unlikely event of a severe nuclear power plant accident. The rule does not imply that the present generation of nuclear power plants are less safe than previously thought. On the contrary, present indications are that nuclear power plant safety has significantly improved since the existing emergency preparedness requirements became effective after the Three Mile Island-2 accident in 1979.

    Why does the rule require States to consider the use of potassium iodide instead of mandating its use?

    The NRC will not require use of potassium iodide by the general public because the NRC believes that current emergency planning and protective measures--evacuation and sheltering--are adequate and protective of public health and safety. However, the NRC recognizes the supplemental value of potassium iodide and the prerogative of the States to decide the appropriateness of the use of potassium iodide by its citizens. The NRC believes the final rule together with the decision to provide funding for the purchase of a State's supply of potassium iodide strikes a proper balance between encouraging (but not requiring) State authorities to take advantage of the benefits of potassium iodide. By requiring consideration of the use of potassium iodide, the Commission recognizes the important role of States and local governments in matters of emergency planning. This rule applies to States and Tribal governments that have a nuclear power plant within their borders and populations within the 10-mile emergency planning zone and to local governments designated by States to request funding for potassium iodide.

    Can individual members of the public obtain potassium iodide?

    FDA has approved potassium iodide as an over-the-counter medication. As with any medication, individuals should check with their doctor or pharmacist before using it.

    The United States Government provides Potassium Iodide to the population within 10-mile EPZ around nuclear power plants?

    The population closest (within the 10 mile EPZ) to the nuclear power plant are at greatest risk of exposure to radiation and radioactive materials. The purpose of radiological emergency preparedness is to protect people from the effects of radiation exposure after an accident at a nuclear power plant. Evacuation is the most effective protective measure in the event of a radiological emergency because it protects the whole body (including the thyroid gland and other organs) from all radionuclides and all exposure pathways. However, in situations when evacuation is not feasible, in-place sheltering is substituted as an effective protective action. In addition, administering potassium iodide is a reasonable, prudent, and inexpensive supplement to both evacuation and sheltering. When the population is evacuated out of the area, and potentially contaminated foodstuffs are interdicted, the risk from further radioactive iodine exposure to the thyroid gland is essentially eliminated.

    United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission:

    Frequently asked questions about Potassium Iodide.

    Federal Policy on the Use of Potassium Iodide (10 CFR Part 50 RIN 3150–AG11)