Monthly Archives: September 2012

Prop. 37: Another example of the perils of the initiative process

Posted: September 15, 2012 at 9:12 am

Love it or hate it, the one thing you can say for sure about California's ballot initiative process is that it's the absolute worst way to craft policy dealing with complex scientific issues.

That doesn't stop advocates on one side or another from constantly trying, with the result that the public's understanding of the underlying facts plummets faster than you can say, well, "Proposition 37."

Proposition 37 is on November's ballot. The measure would require some, but not all, food sold in California and produced via genetic engineering to be labeled as such. (There are exemptions for milk, restaurant food and other products.)

Genetic engineering, or genetic modification, which involves manipulating DNA or transferring it from one species to another, is increasingly common in agriculture and food processing, and wouldn't be banned or even regulated by the measure. Genetic engineering has pluses and minuses. It can increase crop yields and pest resistance. But it can also affect the environment in negative ways pollen or seeds from genetically engineered crops can be spread by wind, birds or insects to territory where they're unwanted, for example.

Once you've said that, you've said pretty much everything that's known to be relevant to Proposition 37. The rest is baloney, of the non-genetically engineered variety.

So what does this mean for you? It means that between now and election day your airwaves are likely to be filled with steaming piles of fatuous nonsense about genetically engineered foods (which will be depicted as horrifically perilous or absolutely safe), about trial lawyers, about struggling mom-and-pop grocery stores, about the evils of multinational agribusinesses and federal regulators. You'll be presented with learned scientific and economic studies on both sides, and they'll almost certainly be misleading, incomplete or irrelevant, though they'll sound pretty danged convincing.

This will all come to you courtesy of war chests that are already in the neighborhood of $30 million, total.

Great initiative system we have here in the Golden State. As a procedure for producing rational law, it could only be designed by a mad scientist working with rogue DNA.

Let's start with the Yes on 37 campaign. It describes its bottom line as your right to know what's in your food; so what's wrong with mandating explicit labeling? That's fair as far as it goes, but it doesn't go very far. The danger in enacting rules like this is that while they sound perfectly reasonable, they distract from the need for thoughtful and effective regulation and for action at the Legislature, not the ballot box.

"All consumers should have a right to know how their food is produced," observes Gregory Jaffe, head of the biotechnology project at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which is no crony of the food industry. "But that includes not merely genetic engineering, but irradiated foods and those produced from cloning."

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Prop. 37: Another example of the perils of the initiative process

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Time to Bid Eczema Good Night

Posted: at 9:11 am

One of the biggest discomforts with eczema is when itching strikes at bedtime. Sleep disruption due to itching may snowball into a morning of physical and mental distress. In order to get a good nights sleep, here are some practical tips.

1. HYDRATE

Take a nice cool bath an hour before bed. It not only cleans your body but also washes away the heat from your skin. It brings back vital moisture which your skin needs. Make sure to apply emollient after bathing to lock in skins moisture.

2. VENTILATE

Your sleeping environment should be planned, too. Heat leads to skin irritation. So keep to a cool bedroom temperature. Make sure air circulates properly. Avoid thick beddings and sheets and dress only in the most comfortable cotton night clothes.

3. MOISTURIZE

Stick to a daily moisturizing routine. Apply your emollient 30 minutes before sleeping to help reduce night time itching.

"Noon, nakakaawa si Hanna when all the itching kept her up at night. But Ive learned the best ways to give her the most comfortable sleeping environment. It helps to be always prepared with Elica, too. Kaya ayan mahimbing na lagi ang tulog nya (Before, I would feel bad for Hanna when all the itching kept her up at night. But Ive learned the best ways to give her the most comfortable sleeping environment. It helps to be always prepared with Elica, too. Now, she's able to sleep soundly)," Celebrity mom Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan shares.

ONE SOLUTION. ONCE A DAY.

Should flare-ups persist, its good to know theres a medicine that you can count on. Elica is specially formulated to help relieve the symptoms of eczema. Applied once a day, Elica helps stop the itching, take out the redness and ease the swelling to help bring back smooth, healthy skin.

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Freedom 20, Brandon 14, Final/OT

Posted: at 8:13 am

By MARK PUKALO | Tbo.com Published: September 14, 2012 Updated: September 14, 2012 - 10:28 PM

Freedom quarterback Taylor King scored the winning touchdown a 1-yard touchdown dive on third down in overtime to spoil Brandons home opener.

The Patriots (1-2) trailed 14-6 midway through the fourth quarter. King connected with Alunte Fleshman for a 12-yard scoring strike and a 2-point conversion with 4:06 remaining in regulation.

You get your playmakers in position and they stepped up, Freedom coach Todd Donohoe said.

Brandon (0-2) drove inside the Freedom 2-yard line, but Willie Burkharts 20-yard field goal was wide as time expired in the fourth quarter.

Alonsos Aaron Cox recovered a fumble in overtime to set up the winning opportunity. He also intercepted a Brandon pass.

Nate Godwin returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown to score the first quarters only points.

which turned over the ball at the Brandon 2-yard line later in the first quarter. Dooley and Isaiah Harris had touchdown runs in the second quarter for the Eagles.

Freedom

6

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Freedom 20, Brandon 14, Final/OT

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Freedom Flight Takes Off

Posted: at 8:13 am

The Sparta Post 100 American Legion Freedom Honor Flight will leave La Crosse with 100 veterans Sept. 22.

"I recommend it for anybody," said 85-year-old Robert "Bud" Whereatt.

Whereatt, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, went on the Freedom Flight last May with his daughter, Terri Whereatt.

"I'd just broken my ankle, but I went," said Whereatt.

The flights cost $500 per person, and veterans fly at no charge.

Although Post 100 is located in Sparta, Gail Raddatz and Bill Bohn, co-chairs of the Freedom Flight Committee, emphasize the countywide nature of the effort. Thirty veterans from Tomah and 29 from Sparta have taken off from La Crosse since 2008, when the program started in Monroe County.

"It's all done by volunteers. It's like people just want to be a part of it," Terri Whereatt said.

The veterans are accompanied by a photographer and cameraman and provided with a photo album and DVD after the trip is over.

"It's not only an honor for the post, it's an honor for our sponsors," said Bohn, a retired Navy corpsman.

The Whereatts flew out of a private hangar at La Crosse Airport at 5:30 a.m. May 12.

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Freedom House Needs Votes to Win Grant

Posted: at 8:13 am

Freedom House, in Green Bay,is used to asking for donations of money or food, but this time the homeless shelter needs votes.

"We can get the vote out when we need to. I mean, we're the owners, are we the owners of the Mirror Ball from Dancing with the Stars? So the Packer nation can be motivated," said Robyn Davis, president of Freedom House.

Freedom House was nominated for the Chase Community Giving program and is eligible for a grant ranging from $10,000 to $250,000.

All it takes is a click of the mouse at the Chase Community Giving program Facebook page.

Winning this grant money means Freedom House would be able to help more families.

It can serve up to 12 familiesin house, but 72 families are currently on the waiting list

"That includes 76 adults and 154 children. So, there's a lot of need out there that we would really love the opportunity to help more," explained Davis.

One resident at Freedom House knows what it's like to be on that waiting list.

She waited for three months.

"When we got that call from Freedom House saying we could come in, it was just a blessing. We were so happy," said Pauline Silas.

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Expiry of Liberty Silver Offer for Sennen Resources

Posted: at 8:13 am

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sep 14, 2012) - Liberty Silver Corp. (LSL.TO)(LBSV) ("Liberty Silver"), in accordance with applicable securities legislation, announced today that its offer (the "Offer") to acquire all the issued and outstanding common shares of Sennen Resources Ltd. ("Sennen") expired at 9:00 pm EDT on September 10, 2012 and that Liberty Silver shall not take-up the Sennen common shares deposited under the Offer and shall return such deposited Sennen common shares to the depositing Sennen shareholders.

About Liberty Silver

Liberty Silver is focused on exploring and developing mineral properties in North America. The company is committed to creating value for its shareholders by advancing its projects using its mitigated risk approach to production, developing new resources on its existing properties, and acquiring new properties with potential to expand their resource base. The Trinity Silver property in Pershing County, Nevada is the company''s flagship project. Liberty Silver has the right to earn a joint venture interest in the 10,576 acre Trinity Silver property from Renaissance Gold Inc. For more information, go to http://www.libertysilvercorp.com.

Cautionary Statements

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management''s expectations. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company''s future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company''s mineral properties, and the Company''s financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company''s forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company''s forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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Free speech zones suspended in Brigham City as agreement reached

Posted: at 8:12 am

The Brigham City Utah Temple, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. City officials said they will not enforce their "Free speech" ordinance while a lawsuit is pending in federal court.

Ravell Call, Deseret News

BRIGHAM CITY The question of free speech had been at the heart of a federal lawsuit that was initiated by an emergency motion, but visitors to the new Brigham City Utah Temple on Friday may not have known it.

As they took tours and pictures and were unloaded and reloaded from buses throughout the day, there was no one trying to proffer any pamphlets or newspapers. But when demonstrators started arriving in the early afternoon, they had more access to temple patrons than they'd had before.

Thursday evening, an agreement was reached between the Main Street Church of Brigham City, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, and Brigham City officials after the city said it would not enforce the free speech ordinance that had limited demonstrators' access to certain areas around the temple.

"We're excited," Rick Sweet of Mormonism Research Ministry said. "Unfortunately, it's done about two days before the temple open house has concluded, but we're glad they backed down."

The Main Street Church and the ACLU filed a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court after protestors said they was prohibited from passing out fliers on public sidewalks that border The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' new temple in Brigham City.

The night before a hearing in which the ACLU planned to ask for a temporary restraining order against the city, the two parties reached an agreement.

Brigham City officials agreed to temporarily not enforce the free speech ordinance, as long as the Main Street Church limited its participation on each side of the temple to four protestors, addressing the city's public safety concerns.

ACLU attorney John Mejia said his organization was "thrilled" with the decision. But the Main Street Church did not take advantage of the space Friday morning and afternoon. Calls to Main Street Church officials for comment Friday were not returned.

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Space Station Spin-Off Could Protect Mars-Bound Astronauts From Radiation

Posted: September 14, 2012 at 3:18 pm

It's hard to think of many spinoffs from the $100 billion project to build and launch the International Space Station. In fact, there is precious little done on the ISS that isn't focused on just keeping the thing in orbit.

One exception is the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, which is designed, among other things, to determine whether cosmic ray particles are made of matter or antimatter.

The spectrometer consists of a giant magnet that deflects charged particles and a number of detectors that characterise the mass and energy of these particles. It was bolted to the ISS last year and is currently bombarded by about 1000 cosmic rays per second.

Today, Roberto Battiston at the University of Perugia in Italy and a few pals say that the technology developed for the spectrometer could be used for protecting astronauts from radiation during the long duration spaceflights in future.

The journey to the asteroids, Mars or beyond is plagued with technological problems. Among the most challenging is finding a way to protect humans from the high energy particles that would otherwise raise radiation levels to unacceptable levels.

On Earth, humans are protected by the atmosphere, the mass of the Earth itself and the Earth's magnetic field. In low earth orbit, astronauts loose the protection of the atmosphere and radiation levels are consequently higher by two orders of magnitude.

In deep space, astronauts loose the protecting effect of the Earth's mass and its magnetic field, raising levels a further five times and beyond the acceptable limits that humans can withstand over the 18 months or so it would take to get to Mars or the asteroids.

An obvious way to protect astronauts is with an artificial magnetic field that would steer charged particles away. But previous studies have concluded that ordinary magnets would be too big and heavy to be practical on a space mission.

However, superconducting magnets are more powerful, more efficient and less massive. They are much better candidates for protecting humans.

The only problem is that nobody has built and tested a superconducting magnet in space.

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Research: Hopping DNA supercoils

Posted: at 3:17 pm

Artistic impression of the dynamics of DNA supercoils. A person manipulates a long DNA molecule. Loops in the DNA molecule are created by winding up the DNA. For the first time ever, the research by Van Loenhout, Grunt and Dekker revealed how these DNA loops dynamically move along the DNA strand.

If you take hold of a DNA molecule and twist it, this creates 'supercoils', which are a bit like those annoying loops and twists you get in earphone cables. Research carried out by TU Delft, The Netherlands, has found that in the DNA molecule these coils can make their way surprisingly quickly along the length of the DNA. This newly discovered 'hopping' mechanism - which takes places in a matter of milliseconds - could have important biological implications, because cells use the coils to bring specific pieces of DNA into contact with one another. The researchers from Cees Dekker's group at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience in Delft will be publishing their results in Science this week.

Supercoiling

A DNA molecule in a cell is not simply a loose wire; it is completely wound up in a tangle of loops ('DNA supercoils'). These supercoils in a DNA molecule (see the illustration on the right) are similar to those annoying loops and twists you often get in earphone cables.

In living cells, the DNA supercoils form and unravel and move along the DNA molecule. They are vital to the regulation of DNA activity, in determining which genes are switched on or off for example. One of the ways in which cells use the supercoils is to bring pieces of DNA into contact with one another.

Dynamic

Static images of the DNA supercoils have been studied in detail in the past, but their dynamics remained unknown up till now. PhD student Marijn van Loenhout from the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at Delft developed a new technique that enabled him to observe how the coils travel along a DNA molecule for the first time. The research was led by Professor Cees Dekker, head of the Bionanoscience Department.

The TU Delft team used magnetic tweezers to stretch out a small section of a DNA molecule and were then able to observe the movement of the DNA coils using fluorescence microscopy (see movies at the website). They succeeded in showing these movements in real time, at the level of the individual DNA molecule.

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Van Loenhout: "We have discovered that the coils can move slowly along the DNA via diffusion. But what we also saw - and this was totally unexpected - that they can 'hop' along relatively long distances (micrometres). In such a movement a loop disappears in one spot, while simultaneously another loop appears in another spot, much further away. This information enables us to test theories about the mechanics of DNA, testing how you tie a knot in DNA, as it were."

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‘Freedom Park’ for protests proposed in Bukidnon capitol grounds

Posted: at 3:12 pm

Freedom Park for protests proposed in Bukidnon capitol grounds By Walter I. Balane | Friday| September 14, 2012 | Filed under: Top Stories

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/13 Sept) The Bukidnon Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed a resolution urging Gov. Alex Calingasan to designate a freedom park in an area within the property of the provincial government where citizens can freely air their grievances and hold rallies and protests without need for securing permit.

Sponsored by board member Jay Albarece, a lawyer who worked with labor groups prior to his election in 2010, the resolution was passed in the aftermath of a string of protests led by Kaugalingong Sistema sa Igpasasindog to Lumadnong Ogpaan (Kasilo) for 12 families who evacuated from Sitio Kirangol, Dao in the municipality of San Fernando after reported harassments from paramilitary groups in the area on August 20.

Calingasan issued Executive Order 87 on September 3 providing stricter regulations regarding the assembly of individuals staging protests or creating infrastructures within the compounds of the provincial capitol which impedes the normal function of government offices.

Albarece cited that Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provided that no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

Although admittedly subject to certain limitations, these rights of expression, of the press and to peaceably assemble form the very foundation of our democratic society and must therefore be protected and upheld, Albarece said in his draft, which was passed unanimously Wednesday.

He said to ensure the untrammeled exercise of these freedoms by the citizens without sacrificing public order, peace and security, as well as cleanliness in the provincial capitol grounds, there is a need to designate a portion of the capitol grounds as a freedom park where people can assemble and speak without fear of arrest, dispersal, or prosecution.

Board member Roland Deticio cited that Malaybalay City already has a freedom park and raised the possible problem of distraction in case a freedom park is designated when the province has formal functions like the Kaamulan festival.

Vice Gov. Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr. said the area can be assigned away from the city center even if he submitted that it is now up to the provincial governor to identify its location.

There is nothing wrong if we have two parks, he added.

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