7:09 AM
http://www.odwalla.com/plantatree/
Documents released yesterday revealed that in *March* BP reported problems in controlling the undersea well that is now involved in the largest oil spill in US history and they got a delay in testing a critical piece of equipment in March. BP had "serious problems and safety concerns" with their rig's well casing and blowout preventer for months before the huge oil spill!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/31/oil.spill.probe/index.html?hpt=T2
Extensive study found that heavy cell phone users had a 40% higher risk of glioma (the brain cancer that killed Sen. Ted Kennedy) and twice the risk of developing tumors on the same side of their heads where they normally held their phones while talking. The cell phone industry actually helped pay for this study and spun the results by saying that normal cell phone use is safe. However, they do not mention that "heavy" cell phone use was considered 30 minutes per day of cell phone use during the study period (2000 to 2004):
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/heavy-use-of-cell-phones-linked-to-tumour-risk/article1571108/
Study found that eating processed meat (bacon, sausage or processed deli meats, etc.) was associated with 42% higher risk of heart disease and a 19% higher risk of type 2 diabetes. However, eating *unprocessed* red meat (beef, pork, lamb, etc.) did NOT increase the risk of heart disease or diabetes. So, the meat might not be the problem...it could be teh salt and nitrate preservatives in processed meats:
http://www.physorg.com/news193319745.html
Study found that postpartum depression affects just as many new fathers as mothers, with about 10% of fathers and mothers affected. The study found that fathers with postpartum depression are less likely than women to get help, partly because men tend to avoid mental health care and partly because women see their OBs frequently during pregnancy and again 6 weeks after delivery while men may go years without seeing a doctor:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-05-19-dad19_ST_N.htm
Kudzu has been spreading over the US--it now covers 7 million acres of land in the US--and it is known that kudzu (like other members of the pea family, or legumes) grabs nitrogen from the air and converts it into nitrous oxide, one of the pollutants that comes from car exhaust, with nitrous oxide leading to the creation of ozone. Study found that kudzu cuold lead to a 35% increase in ozone on extra hot, smoggy days:
http://news.discovery.com/earth/kudzu-ozone-global-warming.html
Interesting discussion of the issues UT-Austin might consider when choosing which conference to go to. I didn't realize that the schools in the Big 10 conference had combined to create such a powerful group to collectively get research funding:
http://www.burntorangenation.com/2010/5/24/1484340/realignment-chronicles-texas-to