[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]
[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]
It Is Possible To Profit From Doing Web Marketing With The Best System
Today many people are thinking of ways of generating an income from home. An excellent way to achieve that is with an online marketing system that has a great reputation and helps make money. Nonetheless, before rushing off to start your business, there are several downsides you must be aware of. There is a bad side and a good side to managing an online business, and you need to spend some time in researching this. You are likely to avoid later issues if you take a bit of time with this. Goji Berry Advance
The internet can be truly helpful in starting your business, but it is only a mechanism after all, and care has to taken in its correct usage. People?s opinions regarding the internet are not always couched in reality. One group considers it as a bringer of excellent things solely. In contrast, some individuals consider it as being the playground of hustlers. The truth lies somewhere between these extremes. If you carry out an excellent marketing system and are ready to spend some time on it, you can reasonably expect to establish a very good business. You have been told your prospective customers come from the whole world, but so do your competition. You have to find the appropriate place for your business, rather than competing against the biggest competitors. Hoodia Balance
A business online has the edge that is open all the time. If you have a niche site you are comfortable with, when everything is set up, you can be making sales every day, throughout the whole day. The world wide web is always up, and so is your web site, which means greater sales for you. It won?t cost you very much to put an opt-in box on your website, which will let you build a list of subscribers cheaply. Having their email addresses allows you to send relevant information to them, and to market products on which you can generate a commission..
The big drawback of internet marketing is the lack of face-to-face contact with prospects. At times people only purchase the product because they trusted what the salesperson said to them. Many individuals wish to be reassured about a product choice, and they want it personally. This option does not exist with an internet enterprise. The best you?ll be able to do is treat folks well through your emails. That appears to be enough for lots of people, but there are still a lot of people who won?t make a purchase online. You may want to make a study of who is going to your site, and learn how likely they are to become buyers.
In the event that you have an offline business, it?s wise to increase your business by using an online marketing system. All of us are different in how we do things, and we won?t enjoy equal success from adding a web site to our business. Nevertheless, if it is done correctly, creating a site will inevitably be beneficial for your business.
Summer is here and what better way to cool off than with a cold, refreshing cocktail!? Problem is, before you even touch an appetizer, you can consume hundreds, if not thousands (yes, thousands!) of calories from alcoholic beverages alone. Obviously, it all depends on how much you drink, but it also depends on what you drink.
Some of the most popular alcoholic beverages are also the worst ones for you ? calorie-wise, anyway! Take a look at the calorie contents of these popular drinks?(These are just average sizes and calories. Some restaurants offer massive sizes, extra mix-ins, and even extra alcohol, which can all add up to nearly 1,000 calories!)
Long Island iced tea (8 oz): ~700
White Russian (2 oz vodka, 1.5 oz coffee liqueur, 1.5 oz cream): ~400
Chocolate martini: (6 oz): ~500
Margarita (8 oz): ~300
Pina Colada (6 oz): ~400 calories
Mai Tai (6 oz) : ~350
Sip on a few of these and before you know it you could have gulped down anywhere from 600 to 1500 calories! And let?s not forget the appetite increasing side-effect of alcohol, or the lowered inhibitions. Before you know it that plate of nachos is sounding pretty good, and your diet? What diet?
Maybe you?re thinking ?So what? It?s okay to eat nachos and have a cocktail here and there?, and yes, you may be right. But far too many of us indulge more than just ?here and there?, especially in the summer. And that extra 1500 calories ? even just once a week ? can add up to a 1-pound weight gain every 2 weeks! Making simple tweaks to your cocktail hour can make all the difference to your waistline. Here are a few tips:
1. Alternate alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks to save calories. After every alcoholic beverage you consume, have a glass of water or club soda. This will not only help you save hundreds of calories, but will also help you stay hydrated and keep hangovers at bay.
2. Stick with low-calorie mixers. Opting for club or diet soda instead of regular will save you nearly 100 calories. Fruity, mixed drinks are loaded with sugar and fat, so instead of ordering a margarita which can have up to 400 calories, order tequila with club soda and lime for about 100 calories instead. And choose light beer over regular; before you know it you could save a couple hundred calories.
Some mixers that won?t pack on the pounds include:
3. Skip the mixer altogether. Try ordering your favorite spirit or one of the new flavored liquors on the rocks. They don?t contain all the added sugars, and you?ll probably drink it slower than you would a fruity cocktail.
If you?re really watching your weight, you?re best bet is to order a vodka with diet coke or club soda ? not tonic. People often make the mistake of ordering tonic instead of club soda, thinking its low in calories. In reality, a gin and tonic has nearly 200 calories.
There are many low calorie mixers out there that you can use to make a lighter version of your favorite cocktail. Crystal Light makes a margarita mix, as well as new appletini and mojito flavors. BajaBobs.com has tons of different mixes from margaritas to mudslides! In the meantime, here are a few recipes to whip up at home!
Mojito Fresco
2 large limes, cut into pieces (reserve one piece)
2 cups water
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups water
1/4 to 1/2 cup light rum
Sugar
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes
Quartered limes and/or mint leaves (optional)
?
Directions
1. In a blender combine lime pieces, 2 cups water, and 2/3 cup sugar. Cover and blend about 30 seconds or until limes are chopped; do not puree. Strain through a sieve into a large pitcher. Mix in 2 cups additional water. Cover and chill for 1 to 12 hours.
2. Stir rum into lime mixture. Moisten the rims of 8 glasses with the reserved lime piece; dip rims in sugar. Divide mint among glasses. Use a wooden spoon to press mint into the bottom of each glass; press firmly to release flavor. Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour chilled lime mixture over ice and mint leaves. If desired, add extra quartered limes and/or mint leaves.
Makes: 8 servings. Per serving: 95 calories
?
Sangria
1 bottle red wine
1 1/2 cups club soda
1 cup Trop50 orange juice
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 small orange, peeled and chopped
Half an apple, chopped
Half a banana, peeled and chopped
Directions:
1. Place fruit in a large container that will not stain easily (like a glass pitcher or a high-quality plastic one). Cover fruit with wine and cranberry drink, and stir. Cover and refrigerate for at least 10 hours.
2. Once ready to serve, add soda and stir. Pour and be sure to get a nice amount of fruit in each glass.
Makes 7 Servings. Per Serving (1 cup): 125 calories
3/4 cup coconut-flavored rum, such as Malibu (see Variation, above)
Directions
1. Combine strawberries, sugar and lime juice together in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes and rum and blend until frothy. Transfer mixture to a pitcher and serve.
To enhance the curb appeal of your home, give your garage door a fresh coat of paint. Many garage doors look worn because of the elements. A fresh coat of paint makes your whole house look newer and more valuable. Paint your garage door a different color that will match your home.
A brand new welcome mat and a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the front of your house. Your front entrance is the portal to your home and it is the first impression that guests get of your home. Placing a nice plant and attractive welcome mat by the door give visitors a positive first impression.
Nothing is more important to successful home improvement than planning ahead. If you wait until you start work on a project, this can be disastrous, since you may be indecisive or make hasty decisions. If you plan the job properly before it starts, you will find the work gets done quicker and with less problems.
One simple home improvement that is often neglected is gutter and chimney maintenance. However, without regular inspections you may not discover that there is an issue in the function of these items. Maintenance such as chimney sweeping, gutter cleaning and checking downspouts will prevent costly damage from leaks or water damage that you may not notice until it is too late.
Learn about the different kinds of screws that are needed for different materials. Understand which screws you should utilize for the type of project you undertake. Use wood screws when you are doing wood projects because they are designed to easily go into wood. When working with sheet metal, there are special screws available also.
You can change the look of your bathroom cheaply and easily if desired. Get new towels, a shower curtain and a new rug. Doing so makes your bathroom look better right away. Another way to brighten up your bathroom is by using plants. Just be sure you choose those that like low light and high humidity.
Consider building a basement bar. It can be fun to design and work on your own bar. However one decides to do it, building a bar can greatly improve ones home.
Make sure the contractor you hire is properly insured, when doing any remodeling project to your house. This insurance will cover any damages they may do. You can ask for papers to make sure that the contractor is insured.
A good thing to do when you are wanting to keep up with home improvements is to put aside some money for repairs. You will be able to keep your home in better condition if you allot a reasonable amount for home repairs. If you have money left at the year?s end, put it aside for larger or unexpected home improvement expenses down the road.
You need to do research and find out how much your materials will cost before you begin. You can save money if you purchase your materials in bulk. Long lead times can be a problem for materials needed for home improvements. Failing to order them ahead of time could make the whole project grind to a halt.
You have seen a few ideas for improving your home. Home improvement projects can be rather addicting. Following the advice you?ve read here can help you approach home improvement the right way. Once you have done a few projects, you?ll be eager to take bigger projects in home improvement.
Richie Vee, the site?s editor, is the Chief Engineer of one of the largest Platinum LEED buildings in NYC. His extensive engineering experience helps guide consumers through home improvement projects for the average homeowner. Using home solar energy and roofing repair ideas to save them money.
Billionaire tycoon Sir Richard Branson has criticised the Government for failing to promote economic growth.
The Virgin founder, who backed the Tories in the run-up to the 2010 general election, was one of several senior business figures who told the Observer that the coalition needed a plan to stimulate the economy.
Sir Richard said the Government needed to provide ?action to back the rhetoric?, boosting support for small and medium-sized businesses and promoting entrepreneurialism to reduce unemployment and boost growth.
?To get that growth, we need to get behind the small and medium-sized businesses that are the engines of any healthy economy,? he told the newspaper. ?They need investment and finance, and that comes from the big banks. The politicians talk of encouraging lending; we need action to match that rhetoric.?
In February 2010 Sir Richard boosted the Tories by calling for public spending cuts to start that year. The high-profile entrepreneur said the UK?s huge borrowing was a ?serious risk? to the UK economy and action could not be put off.
Speaking to the Evening Standard he said: ?The next government, whatever party that is, must set out a plan to reduce the bulk of the deficit over a parliament by cutting wasteful spending and must not put off those tough decisions to next year. These factors threaten to undermine the confidence of international and UK business, UK consumers and the global financial markets. That could cost jobs and reduce investment in Britain. We must send a clear signal that we have the issues in hand and a clear strategy for UK plc.?
George Osborne, then shadow chancellor, said at the time that Sir Richard?s support was ?hugely welcome?.
But Sir Richard told the Observer that the Government now needed to focus on making it easier to set up a business in the UK by reducing business rates and regulation on small and start-up companies.
He suggested politicians look at policies including a national insurance holiday on hiring people for the first two years and introduce school lessons on ?basic business and money-management skills? to create a new generation of business owners.
He was backed by two other leading businessmen. Sir Martin Sorrell, the chief executive of advertising group WPP , told the Observer that the Government had been ?blown off course? and ?seem to be looking at the short term too much, which is a problem?. Luke Johnson, a former chairman of Channel 4 and Pizza Express, told the paper that the Government needed to show more ?consistency and rational thinking?.
For today?s edition of Deal of the Day, Amazon has the CaseCrown Metallic Glider Case for Apple iPhone 4 and 4S (AT&T, Sprint, & Verizon compatible) for just $8.21. That?s 50% off the case?s usual retail price of $19.99.
Protect your Apple iPhone 4 and 4S (AT&T, Sprint, & Verizon compatible) with the CaseCrown Metallic Glider Case. Made from durable polycarbonate that will remain resilient with use. Easy to snap onto the back of the phone, this case will remain secure and provide long lasting protection. Protect your phone from scratches, dust, and damage. Use all of your phone?s features without having to remove your iPhone from the case: camera, screen, volume control, etc.
-CaseCrown Metallic Glider Case for Apple iPhone 4 and 4S (AT&T, Sprint, & Verizon compatible) ? Silver ? $19.99 $8.21 (59% Off)
If you have a large backyard and you do not already have one, it may be beneficial to build a deck before putting your house on the market. This is because potential home buyers look at a deck as a crucial entertaining space for family and friends to hang out in.
Get really good references for contractors you use on your home improvements. It is far too easy for a con artist to take your money and run, leaving you with a wreck of a home and no more money to fix it. Don?t trust just anyone. Make sure you have plenty of excellent references, from people you really trust.
Never try to use makeshift solutions or inferior equipment to replace tools you need for your home improvement project. While you may be tempted to save time and money this way, the equipment you attempt to replace is expensive or hard to get hold of for a reason. Using stopgap measures can give you unsatisfactory results or even expose you to danger.
Listen to a contractor when you discuss your home improvement project and pay attention to what he says. If he gently lets you know an idea is folly, or asks you questions to get a better understanding of your needs, then he?s probably a great contractor. Also, see if he?s listening to you or if he?s just trying to get you to do what he envisions.
Consider converting unused rooms in your house. Before you spend too much money adding an extra room or two to your home, seriously look at what you have to work with. Are you getting much use out of that exercise room or office? Even storage spaces like attics can be transformed into something useful, like a bedroom.
Doing any home improvement requires that you plan ahead for any and all complications that could arise. This will help keep you within your budget if you can anticipate any changes that have to be made on the fly. Not only will it keep you on budget, but proper planning will prevent delays.
Instead of installing electricity based heating system in your home, consider going with a large wood burning fireplace. With the proper piping and the right size, a wood burning fireplace is more cost effective and heats better. If the electricity ever goes out, you are still able to keep warm in the winter.
If your plan is to remodel your kitchen, consider keeping your old appliances to save money. You can find stainless steel appliques for appliances which can make them look more high end, or appliance paint to cover up dings or scratches that have suddenly appeared over the years. Clean the handles and glass while you?re at it.
Interior paint finishes come in a number of textures. For ordinary homeowners there is no reason to select a texture rougher than ?eggshell? or ?orange peel.? In years gone by much rougher textures (like ?popcorn?) were used for walls and ceilings in order to provide visual interest and dampen sound. These textures proved easy to damage and hard to clean, and so fell out of common use.
You can see now that there are very simple steps that you can take right away to increase the overall worth and appearance of your home, even if you are operating on a shoestring budget! Put some of these suggestions into practice for a more attractive and manicured home.
Rochell Sweetser is known for a web site on Concrete Stain
AAA??May. 27, 2012?4:35 AM ET Activists: Bomb hits security vehicle in Syria By BASSEM MROUEBy BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press??
This image made from amateur video released by Shaam News Network and accessed Saturday, May 26, 2012 purports to show covered bodies after a government assault on Houla, Syria. Government troops shelled a string of villages in central Syria before pro-regime thugs swept through the area, shooting people in the streets and in their homes in attacks that killed more than 90 people, activists said Saturday. The assault on Houla, an area northwest of the central city of Homs, is one of the bloodiest single events in Syria's 15-month-old uprising. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video) TV OUT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL
This image made from amateur video released by Shaam News Network and accessed Saturday, May 26, 2012 purports to show covered bodies after a government assault on Houla, Syria. Government troops shelled a string of villages in central Syria before pro-regime thugs swept through the area, shooting people in the streets and in their homes in attacks that killed more than 90 people, activists said Saturday. The assault on Houla, an area northwest of the central city of Homs, is one of the bloodiest single events in Syria's 15-month-old uprising. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video) TV OUT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL
This image made from amateur video released by Shaam News Network and accessed Saturday, May 26, 2012 purports to show an injured child in Houla, Syria. Government troops shelled a string of villages in central Syria before pro-regime thugs swept through the area, shooting people in the streets and in their homes in attacks that killed more than 90 people, activists said Saturday. The assault on Houla, an area northwest of the central city of Homs, is one of the bloodiest single events in Syria's 15-month-old uprising. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video) TV OUT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL
This image made from amateur video released by Shaam News Network and accessed Saturday, May 26, 2012 purports to show an injured Syrian in a hospital in Houla, Syria. Government troops shelled a string of villages in central Syria before pro-regime thugs swept through the area, shooting people in the streets and in their homes in attacks that killed more than 90 people, activists said Saturday. The assault on Houla, an area northwest of the central city of Homs, is one of the bloodiest single events in Syria's 15-month-old uprising. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video) TV OUT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL
This image made from amateur video released by Shaam News Network and accessed Saturday, May 26, 2012 purports to show covered bodies after a government assault on Houla, Syria. Government troops shelled a string of villages in central Syria before pro-regime thugs swept through the area, shooting people in the streets and in their homes in attacks that killed more than 90 people, activists said Saturday. The assault on Houla, an area northwest of the central city of Homs, is one of the bloodiest single events in Syria's 15-month-old uprising. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video) TV OUT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL
Anti-Syrian regime mourners chant slogans as they carry the body of soldier Khaled Shurbajy, who was shot by Syrian security forces in Dir el Zour last week after disobeying orders to fire on anti-Assad protesters, during his funeral procession, in the Kfar Suseh area of Damascus, Syria, on Saturday , May 26, 2012. (AP Photo)
BEIRUT (AP) ? Activists say that a bomb has struck a security vehicle in the Syrian capital of Damascus, causing casualties.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees say Sunday's blast occurred in the upscale neighborhood of Mazzeh.
The LCC said the blast occurred near a military airport in the neighborhood. The Observatory said the explosion caused casualties but did not give a breakdown.
A video posted online by activists showed thick black smoke billowing from what it said was Mazzeh.
Damascus is tightly controlled by regime forces but has been hit by a wave of blasts over recent months that claimed the lives of scores of people. Most of the blasts have targeted Syrian security agencies.
Consie Severson takes on her fourth 24-hour Ride for Research today.
?Every year that I have done this has been special for me, but this year will be more special since I lost my sister to cancer in March,? said Severson, a four-year cancer survivor herself.
?It will be a tough one, but I?ll pull through because it means so much to me that no on else has to go through what I did and what so many people do. There?ll be no stopping me.?
Severson starts the ride on a stationary bike at Ladies World at 8:30 a.m. today and ends at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. There will be a barbecue, refreshments, kids? activities, entertainment, a raffle, and a pancake breakfast. People are welcome to join her for however long they like on the two stationary bikes that will be set up beside her.
?Some friends will be with me through the night and I?ve had lots of help so I?m well looked after and all I have to do is pedal. It?s all worth it,? she said.
People can make donations to Ride for Research, which benefits the local Canadian Cancer Society, at the event or to Severson?s personal page online at cancer.ca.
This year? S Legends of La Cienega topic? Windows of the World?, Is clearly followed by the window in the OTW (Off the Wall antiques), of world travelers and captured award-winning eco-designer Rachel Winokur, a newcomer to the Windows of Legends designed. ? I love the elegance, warmth and charm of old items and collectibles at my window, plus the magic of the unexpected elements? Winokur States. Here is a 9? Stop sign, the background of the Winokur? s window with the title? The magic of travel photography.
About Rachel Winokur:
With 10 years experience in interior design and a focus on sustainability, Rachel runs the design company is based on designs by Etta. She has appeared on HGTV? S & DIY Design Wars? S House Crashers, has been introduced in the fall of 2011 Angeleno Interiors Magazine and was quoted in March 2012 issue of House Beautiful. In addition, panelists discuss a Rachel Green AltBuild material in Santa Monica, be this Saturday, May 12
About Legends of La Cienega
:
The 4th Legends of La Cienega Annual Meeting in 2012, passed away Wednesday to Friday can range from 9 to 11 in the vicinity of La Cienega Design in Los Angeles. Legends is slated to put on bigger and better than in previous years, as a designer and 10,000 fans. By 2012 Legends extends its reach beyond Los Angeles and invited renowned interior designers throughout the country and around the world to decorate the windows legendary. Legends takes place in a particular region consists of more than 50 highly respected design showroom and galleries, making it one of the nation? S business area of ??excellence for the design. Besides the famous cartoons of the window can design lovers enjoy a variety of programming such as lectures discussion groups moderated by the nation? S large magazine publishers, book signings, receptions, demonstrations, exhibitions, programs and more luggage space. Additionally, media partners include legends of the nation? S is the most prestigious housing, including Elle D?cor, House Beautiful House, VERANDA traditional and regional media housing California, California Home + Design Interiors & Design and Luxe.
Such is the reaction that many men have to being told they have breast cancer. Any cancer diagnosis is a shock; but finding out you have a kind you never thought you could get makes it even harder to accept.
Because most men (and women) don?t know that men can develop breast cancer, men often fail to recognize its earliest signs and end up seeing a doctor later in the process than women do. The result: They face treatment for larger and more advanced tumors, and their cancer is more likely to have spread to other parts of the body.
?We?ve known for a long time that survival from male breast cancer has been worse than for females, and it?s largely due to men being diagnosed later? says Dr. Mehra Golshan, an assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School and director of Breast Surgical Services at Brigham and Women?s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. ?It?s not on the radar screen of the lay public or press.? But it should be. (Click here to hear one man?s story about his battle with breast cancer.)
Latecomers do worse
The ?latecomer effect? in men diagnosed with breast cancer recently received some rare press attention with the release of new findings on male breast cancer outcomes at the American Society of Breast Surgeons meeting in Phoenix. Dr. Jon Greif, a breast surgeon in Oakland, Calif., and his colleagues examined the medical records of more than 13,000 men who developed breast cancer, and compared their outcomes with those of more than 1.4 million women with breast cancer. It was the largest study analyzing sex differences in breast cancer ever conducted.
The study found that the five-year survival rate for women overall was 83%, compared to 74% for men. (See a video of Dr. Greif discussing the findings.) Even men diagnosed with early stage breast cancer still fared worse than women, although the gap closed for men and women diagnosed with later-stage disease.
If there is one positive note, it is that male breast cancer is rare. Dr. Golshan says that 2,100 cases are diagnosed in the United States per year. Compare that to the 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer that will be diagnosed in women in 2012, according to a projection by the American Cancer Society.
Know the danger signs
This does not mean male breast cancer isn?t worthy of attention. But since doctors often aren?t thinking about it, men will have to bear the main responsibility for checking themselves. The main warning signs are:
A lump that can be felt, typically right under the nipple (see image below)
Noticeable differences between the left and right chest or nipple.
Skin retracting or ?bunching up? around the breast area.
Discharge of fluid from the nipple.
Male breast cancer basics
According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, male breast cancer happens most often to men between the ages of 60 and 70. Risk factors for it include exposure to radiation, a family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation, and having high estrogen levels, which can occur with diseases like cirrhosis or Klinefelter?s syndrome.
Treatment for male breast cancer is usually a mastectomy, which is surgery to remove the breast. It may be possible to perform a breast-conserving ?lumpectomy? to reduce scarring, however. Dr. Golshan and his colleagues performed a series of seven lumpectomies in men from 1996 to 2005, which he thinks may be the only series of breast-conserving surgeries in men ever done.
Other treatments may include radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy. Most breast tumors in men are estrogen-receptor positive, says Dr. Golshan, meaning they respond to estrogen-blocking drugs that help to block the cancer?s spread. But in Dr. Greif?s study, only 41% of males were treated with anti-estrogen medications.? This suggests treatment of breast cancer in men, like awareness of the disease in general, still may have some catching up to do.
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SOUTH African Rugby Union president Regan Hoskins told the parliamentary portfolio committee on sport and recreation that the Southern Kings were included in Super rugby to ?boost transformation?.
Hoskins and Saru CEO Jurie Roux were among several rugby leaders who met with the governmental sports watchdog to discuss transformation in general, which encompassed a discussion on the Kings? controversial inclusion in next year?s Super Rugby tournament.
?The reason our organisation took this bold decision to include the Kings in Super rugby is transformation,? Hoskins said.
?We mustn?t forget that as Saru we are aware of the dynamics of rugby and what is expected of our sport in terms of transformation. We can talk about transforming the administration and grassroots rugby and that?s all important, but we took the decision on the Kings because we know the country wants us to transform rugby.
?Black rugby players traditionally come from the Eastern Cape. It?s been a huge step because we believe a franchise in the Eastern Cape will be a massive boost to black players in the region, who can come through the ranks and play for the Springboks.
?We can?t wave a magic wand to transform rugby, but we can boost transformation in rugby by having a franchise in the Eastern Cape. We ask all South Africans to bear with us, because it will be in the best interests of rugby.
?It will be a painful process over the next year, but it?s been done with sincerity. All 14 provinces agreed to this decision without exception.?
The Kings are the only franchise guaranteed their place in next year?s tournament as Saru and the various stakeholders wrestle with a way to accommodate the five existing franchises in four available places.
On Monday, several proposals to find a solution to the impasse were accepted and will now go to the executive council for consideration before being presented to the general council for ratification.
?It?s a simple fact that the Kings will play next year and what we are now debating is to how to accommodate the other five franchises,? Roux said.
?The Kings will play, but not at the cost of South African rugby, or of the other five franchises. We are trying to resolve the issues surrounding those franchises, or franchise, that won?t be part of Super rugby next year.?
Critics have used the Kings? failure to win at Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup first division as proof that they will be an embarrassment in Super rugby, but Roux defended their performances.
?The Kings have recruited according to their budget and according to the competition they play in. The Kings have been playing in the Vodacom Cup,? Roux said.
?Their budget reflects the structure they?re in, but with Super rugby it will change. Now that they have been guaranteed a franchise it immediately means they can secure lucrative sponsorships and sign a better calibre of player and compete. That?s the reality of the professional world.?
via www.sportlive.co.za
what is sopa marianne gingrich ibooks author gabrielle union merle haggard ladainian tomlinson mark wahlberg
A study to evaluate birth control methods has found dramatic differences in their effectiveness. Women who used birth control pills, the patch or vaginal ring were 20 times more likely to have an unintended pregnancy than those who used longer-acting forms such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant.
Results of the study, by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, are reported May 24 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Birth control pills are the most commonly used reversible contraceptive in the United States, but their effectiveness hinges on women remembering to take a pill every day and having easy access to refills.
In the study, birth-control pills and other short-term contraceptive methods, such as the contraceptive patch or ring, were especially unreliable among younger women. For those under 21 who used birth control pills, the patch or ring, the risk of unplanned pregnancy was almost twice as high as the risk among older women. This finding suggests that increased adolescent use of longer acting contraceptive methods could prevent substantially more unplanned pregnancies.
"This study is the best evidence we have that long-acting reversible methods are far superior to the birth control pill, patch and ring," says senior author Jeffrey Peipert, MD, the Robert J. Terry Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. "IUDs and implants are more effective because women can forget about them after clinicians put the devices in place."
Unintended pregnancy is a major problem in the United States. About 3 million pregnancies per year ?50 percent of all pregnancies? are unplanned. The rate of unintended pregnancy in the United States is much higher than in other developed nations, and past studies have shown that about half of these pregnancies result from contraceptive failure.
IUDs are inserted into the uterus by a health-care provider. The hormonal IUD is approved for 5 years, and the copper IUD can be used for as long as 10 years. Hormonal implants are inserted under the skin of the upper arm and are effective for three years. Many women, however, cannot afford the up-front costs of these methods, which can be more than $500.
"We know that IUDs and implants have very low failure rates ?less than 1 percent," says Brooke Winner, MD, a fourth-year resident at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the study's lead author. "But although IUDs are very effective and have been proven safe in women and adolescents, they only are chosen by 5.5 percent of women in the United States who use contraception."
Earlier contraceptive studies asked women to recall the birth control method they used and number of pregnancies. For this study, the investigators wanted to determine whether educating women about the effectiveness of various birth- control options and having them choose a method without considering cost would reduce the rate of unintended pregnancy. Birth control was provided to women free of charge.
The study involved over 7,500 women enrolled in the Contraceptive CHOICE project. Participants were ages 14-45 and at high risk of unintended pregnancy. The women were sexually active or planned to become sexually active in the next six months. They either were not currently using contraception or wanted to switch birth control methods. The women also said they did not want to become pregnant for the next 12 months.
Participants in this report could choose among the following birth-control methods: IUD, implant, birth control pills, patch, ring and contraceptive injection. The women were counseled about the contraceptive methods, including their effectiveness, side effects, risks and benefits. Participants were permitted to discontinue or switch methods as many times as desired during the study.
Investigators interviewed participants by telephone at three and six months and every six months thereafter for the remainder of the study. During each interview, participants were asked about missed periods and possible pregnancy. Any participant who thought they might be pregnant was asked to come in for a urine pregnancy test. Those who were pregnant were asked if it was intended and what contraceptive method (if any) they were using at time of conception.
Over the course of the three-year study, 334 women became pregnant. Of these, 156 pregnancies were due to contraceptive failure. Overall, 133 (4.55 percent) of women using pills, the patch or ring had contraceptive failure, compared with 21 (0.27 percent) of women using IUDs and implants.
"This study also is important because it showed that when IUDs and implants are provided at no cost, about 75 percent of women chose these methods for birth control," Winner says.
Women who chose an IUD or implant were more likely to be older, to have public health insurance and to have more children than women who chose other contraceptive methods. Women who chose pills, the patch or ring were more likely to have private health insurance and to not have had children previously.
Peipert says the results support a shift in how patients should be counseled, which could greatly affect unintended pregnancy rates. "If there were a drug for cancer, heart disease or diabetes that was 20 times more effective, we would recommend it first," he says. "Unintended pregnancies can have negative effects on women's health and education and the health of newborns."
###
Washington University School of Medicine: http://www.medicine.wustl.edu
Thanks to Washington University School of Medicine for this article.
This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.
TinyTap is a new iPad application designed for kids which introduces a different angle on the "record-your-own-voice" storybooks craze, by offering a playable book or game you and your kids can customize with your own photos, camera shots, music, narration, and more. The resulting creations can then be shared with family and friends. And, for a little inspiration, the built-in TinyTap store offers a collection of pre-made games which kids can customize with their own voice and actions.
Last week Nugget had her lastever?ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) class. I cannot believe her first 'school' journey has come to an end. We attended our first Mommy and Me class together when she was just four weeks old, and we haven't missed a single session since. We anticipate our weekly classes, and Nugget is always excited to see Miss Britt and all her friends. Since I am home with my kids all the time, this is a time for?Nugget to develop friendships on her own, and?work on?separating from me during the parent education time. It hasn't always been easy for her, but through it all she (and I) have learned and grown tremendously. Circle time with Miss Britt.
It has been such a positive experience in both of our lives, and honestly, I wish we could continue going forever, like until she's 18. Seriously!?There's still so much I need to know for down the road.?I know?the closing of this chapter?is a stepping stone to bigger things, but I love our?little net of ECFE, the one that feels like family. We are all working together for the common good of our children, and striving to be the best parents we can be.
The art table is one of her favorite areas.?
I don't think Nugget fully understands that she has aged out of her beloved school, but she does get that she's going to preschool 'after summer' and she's pretty stoked about that. Her ECFE buddy, Mac, will be in her class, and I'm hoping a familiar face will make the transition just a teensy bit smoother. Her other favorite, playing in the kitchen.
I must say that the promise of starting the cycle all over again with Brother softened the blow a wee bit for me last week, and because of that I was able to hold myself together on the last day. After all, Nugget didn't need me bringing her down on her beach party day!
'Peek Into Preschool' group, Winter 2012. Back L to R: Miss Britt, Carolyn, Caroline, Walker, Hunter,Charlie, Sky Front L to R: Aedan, Giovanni, Kate, Lilian, Nugget, Maddie, Mac
These are our awesome teachers, Parent Educator Miss Mary, and Early Childhood teacher Miss Britt. And Dora.
And while Nugget and I are enjoying our time together, Brother is just down the hall in the sibling care room with Miss Pam, whom he just adores. It's a pretty awesome feeling when your child is comfortable with?his care giver and runs right in to her arms, all ready to play! There are so many amazing people who work hard to make ECFE fantastic, so we always make sure to remember them with a special little gift and Christmas time and the end of the year. But because there are so many of them, we usually opt to gift something homemade (aka inexpensive), and they are always so appreciative. This year we made lemon hand scrub for everyone, and Nugget thoughtfully picked out a special nail polish to accompany each one. Who wouldn't love a little at home mani/pedi to get ready for summer? Recipe here.
So yes, sadly, Nugget's time in ECFE has come to an end. We are so grateful and appreciative for all that we have learned and experienced during our time there. It will always hold a special place in our hearts. We are ready for the next journey, ready to learn, make more new friends, ready for the next stepping stone of life.
ScienceDaily (May 23, 2012) ? Children are more likely to have more body fat during childhood if their mother has low levels of Vitamin D during pregnancy, according to scientists at the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit (MRC LEU), University of Southampton.
Low vitamin D status has been linked to obesity in adults and children, but little is known about how variation in a mother's status affects the body composition of her child.
Low vitamin D status is common among young women in the UK, and although women are recommended to take an additional 10?g/day of vitamin D in pregnancy, supplementation is currently not routine.
In new research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on May 23 2012, scientists at the MRC LEU, University of Southampton, have compared the vitamin D status of 977 pregnant women with the body composition of their children. The findings from this study showed that the children who were born to mothers who had low vitamin D status in pregnancy had more body fat when they were six years old. These differences could not be explained by other factors such as mother's weight gain in pregnancy, or how physically active the children were. The 977 women are part of the Southampton Women's Survey, one of the largest women's surveys in the UK.
Dr Si?n Robinson, Principal Research Fellow, at the University, who led the study, says: "In the context of current concerns about low vitamin D status in young women, and increasing rates of childhood obesity in the UK, we need to understand more about the long-term health consequences for children who are born to mothers who have low vitamin D status.
"Although there is growing evidence that vitamin D status is linked to body fatness in children and adults, this research now suggests that the mother's status in pregnancy could be important too.
"An interpretation of our data is that there could be programmed effects on the fetus arising from a lack of maternal vitamin D that remain with the baby and predispose him or her to gain excess body fat in later childhood. Although further studies are needed, our findings add weight to current concerns about the prevalence of low vitamin D status among women of reproductive age."
This study is part of a wider body of work by the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit into how factors during pregnancy might have a long-term influence on childhood growth and development.
Professor Cyrus Cooper, Director of the MRC LEU comments: "This is a wonderful example of multi-disciplinary research using the unique clinical and biochemical resource provided by the Southampton Women's Survey. The observations that maternal vitamin D insufficiency might be associated with reduced size at birth, but accelerated gain in body fat during early childhood, add to the considerable amount of evidence suggesting that vitamin D status during pregnancy may have critical effects on the later health of offspring."
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Southampton, via AlphaGalileo.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
Sarah R Crozier, Nicholas C Harvey, Hazel M Inskip, Keith M Godfrey, Cyrus Cooper, Si?n M Robinson, and the SWS Study Group. Maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy is associated with adiposity in the offspring: findings from the Southampton Women's Survey. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 23, 2012 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.112.037473
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
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No matter what type of rider you are, front bike lights are extremely important, especially if you know you will be cycling in the dark. Safety should be your main concern when our riding; the road can be a dangerous place when there are cars and other cyclists present so it is vital that you remain visible at all hours of the day. You can do this in a number of ways including wearing reflective clothing and investing a set of front bike lights. They will protect you and ensure your journey is a safe and smooth one. Country roads in particular can be full of hazards such as sharp bends and narrow bridges. Motorists should be another one of your main concerns; they can be extremely unpredictable by overtaking and flying around bends so it is essential to remain vigilant and have those front bike lights on full power.
Riding in the Country
Riding in built up areas or on busy roads is a completely different experience to that of riding in the countryside. There are plenty more risks to a cyclist riding amongst countryside lanes so it is essential to be well prepared. If you choose to ride in the day and know that you will be back well before dark, it is likely that you won't need a set of front bike lights however isn't it better to be safe than sorry? Imagine if you get lost and get delayed or come across bad weather, then you'll wish you attached that light to your bike! If you know you will be riding in the dark on countryside lanes, lights are an absolute must and you should also wear reflective clothing. This way you will be extra noticeable to drivers and other riders. Here are a few tips to riding in the countryside:
Hold your own whilst riding and don't let cars bully you.
Look out for potholes on those roads you haven't visited before.
Be assertive with any animals you come across.
Stay hydrated; bring enough water and food with you.
Kit yourself out with front bike lights and wear reflective clothing.
Front Bike Lights and Enjoying Your Ride
Of course it is safety that should be your primary concern but it is also important that you enjoy your ride! Having front bike lights attached to your bike will mean you can get the most out of your hobby and it will also allow you to ride whatever time of day you please. As already discussed, cycling in the countryside brings with it many dangers but if you are aware of these and are well prepared, countryside riding is fun and exciting! There are so many front bike lights available today so make sure you choose wisely.
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Probability of contamination from severe nuclear reactor accidents is higher than expectedPublic release date: 22-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Prof. Jos Lelieveld jos.lelieveld@mpic.de 49-061-313-054-040 Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Western Europe has the worldwide highest risk of radioactive contamination caused by major reactor accidents
This press release is available in German.
Catastrophic nuclear accidents such as the core meltdowns in Chernobyl and Fukushima are more likely to happen than previously assumed. Based on the operating hours of all civil nuclear reactors and the number of nuclear meltdowns that have occurred, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz have calculated that such events may occur once every 10 to 20 years (based on the current number of reactors) some 200 times more often than estimated in the past. The researchers also determined that, in the event of such a major accident, half of the radioactive caesium-137 would be spread over an area of more than 1,000 kilometres away from the nuclear reactor. Their results show that Western Europe is likely to be contaminated about once in 50 years by more than 40 kilobecquerel of caesium-137 per square meter. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, an area is defined as being contaminated with radiation from this amount onwards. In view of their findings, the researchers call for an in-depth analysis and reassessment of the risks associated with nuclear power plants.
The reactor accident in Fukushima has fuelled the discussion about nuclear energy and triggered Germany's exit from their nuclear power program. It appears that the global risk of such a catastrophe is higher than previously thought, a result of a study carried out by a research team led by Jos Lelieveld, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz: "After Fukushima, the prospect of such an incident occurring again came into question, and whether we can actually calculate the radioactive fallout using our atmospheric models." According to the results of the study, a nuclear meltdown in one of the reactors in operation worldwide is likely to occur once in 10 to 20 years. Currently, there are 440 nuclear reactors in operation, and 60 more are planned.
To determine the likelihood of a nuclear meltdown, the researchers applied a simple calculation. They divided the operating hours of all civilian nuclear reactors in the world, from the commissioning of the first up to the present, by the number of reactor meltdowns that have actually occurred. The total number of operating hours is 14,500 years, the number of reactor meltdowns comes to four one in Chernobyl and three in Fukushima. This translates into one major accident, being defined according to the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), every 3,625 years. Even if this result is conservatively rounded to one major accident every 5,000 reactor years, the risk is 200 times higher than the estimate for catastrophic, non-contained core meltdowns made by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 1990. The Mainz researchers did not distinguish ages and types of reactors, or whether they are located in regions of enhanced risks, for example by earthquakes. After all, nobody had anticipated the reactor catastrophe in Japan.
25 percent of the radioactive particles are transported further than 2,000 kilometres
Subsequently, the researchers determined the geographic distribution of radioactive gases and particles around a possible accident site using a computer model that describes the Earth's atmosphere. The model calculates meteorological conditions and flows, and also accounts for chemical reactions in the atmosphere. The model can compute the global distribution of trace gases, for example, and can also simulate the spreading of radioactive gases and particles. To approximate the radioactive contamination, the researchers calculated how the particles of radioactive caesium-137 (137Cs) disperse in the atmosphere, where they deposit on the earth's surface and in what quantities. The 137Cs isotope is a product of the nuclear fission of uranium. It has a half-life of 30 years and was one of the key elements in the radioactive contamination following the disasters of Chernobyl and Fukushima.
The computer simulations revealed that, on average, only eight percent of the 137Cs particles are expected to deposit within an area of 50 kilometres around the nuclear accident site. Around 50 percent of the particles would be deposited outside a radius of 1,000 kilometres, and around 25 percent would spread even further than 2,000 kilometres. These results underscore that reactor accidents are likely to cause radioactive contamination well beyond national borders.
The results of the dispersion calculations were combined with the likelihood of a nuclear meltdown and the actual density of reactors worldwide to calculate the current risk of radioactive contamination around the world. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an area with more than 40 kilobecquerels of radioactivity per square meter is defined as contaminated.
The team in Mainz found that in Western Europe, where the density of reactors is particularly high, the contamination by more than 40 kilobecquerels per square meter is expected to occur once in about every 50 years. It appears that citizens in the densely populated southwestern part of Germany run the worldwide highest risk of radioactive contamination, associated with the numerous nuclear power plants situated near the borders between France, Belgium and Germany, and the dominant westerly wind direction.
If a single nuclear meltdown were to occur in Western Europe, around 28 million people on average would be affected by contamination of more than 40 kilobecquerels per square meter. This figure is even higher in southern Asia, due to the dense populations. A major nuclear accident there would affect around 34 million people, while in the eastern USA and in East Asia this would be 14 to 21 million people.
"Germany's exit from the nuclear energy program will reduce the national risk of radioactive contamination. However, an even stronger reduction would result if Germany's neighbours were to switch off their reactors," says Jos Lelieveld. "Not only do we need an in-depth and public analysis of the actual risks of nuclear accidents. In light of our findings I believe an internationally coordinated phasing out of nuclear energy should also be considered ", adds the atmospheric chemist.
###
Original paper:
Jos Lelieveld, Daniel Kunkel and Mark G. Lawrence
Global risk of radioactive fallout after nuclear reactor accidents
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 4245-4258, 2012 www.atmos-chem-phys.net/12/4245/2012/ doi:10.5194/acp-12-4245-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Probability of contamination from severe nuclear reactor accidents is higher than expectedPublic release date: 22-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Prof. Jos Lelieveld jos.lelieveld@mpic.de 49-061-313-054-040 Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Western Europe has the worldwide highest risk of radioactive contamination caused by major reactor accidents
This press release is available in German.
Catastrophic nuclear accidents such as the core meltdowns in Chernobyl and Fukushima are more likely to happen than previously assumed. Based on the operating hours of all civil nuclear reactors and the number of nuclear meltdowns that have occurred, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz have calculated that such events may occur once every 10 to 20 years (based on the current number of reactors) some 200 times more often than estimated in the past. The researchers also determined that, in the event of such a major accident, half of the radioactive caesium-137 would be spread over an area of more than 1,000 kilometres away from the nuclear reactor. Their results show that Western Europe is likely to be contaminated about once in 50 years by more than 40 kilobecquerel of caesium-137 per square meter. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, an area is defined as being contaminated with radiation from this amount onwards. In view of their findings, the researchers call for an in-depth analysis and reassessment of the risks associated with nuclear power plants.
The reactor accident in Fukushima has fuelled the discussion about nuclear energy and triggered Germany's exit from their nuclear power program. It appears that the global risk of such a catastrophe is higher than previously thought, a result of a study carried out by a research team led by Jos Lelieveld, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz: "After Fukushima, the prospect of such an incident occurring again came into question, and whether we can actually calculate the radioactive fallout using our atmospheric models." According to the results of the study, a nuclear meltdown in one of the reactors in operation worldwide is likely to occur once in 10 to 20 years. Currently, there are 440 nuclear reactors in operation, and 60 more are planned.
To determine the likelihood of a nuclear meltdown, the researchers applied a simple calculation. They divided the operating hours of all civilian nuclear reactors in the world, from the commissioning of the first up to the present, by the number of reactor meltdowns that have actually occurred. The total number of operating hours is 14,500 years, the number of reactor meltdowns comes to four one in Chernobyl and three in Fukushima. This translates into one major accident, being defined according to the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), every 3,625 years. Even if this result is conservatively rounded to one major accident every 5,000 reactor years, the risk is 200 times higher than the estimate for catastrophic, non-contained core meltdowns made by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 1990. The Mainz researchers did not distinguish ages and types of reactors, or whether they are located in regions of enhanced risks, for example by earthquakes. After all, nobody had anticipated the reactor catastrophe in Japan.
25 percent of the radioactive particles are transported further than 2,000 kilometres
Subsequently, the researchers determined the geographic distribution of radioactive gases and particles around a possible accident site using a computer model that describes the Earth's atmosphere. The model calculates meteorological conditions and flows, and also accounts for chemical reactions in the atmosphere. The model can compute the global distribution of trace gases, for example, and can also simulate the spreading of radioactive gases and particles. To approximate the radioactive contamination, the researchers calculated how the particles of radioactive caesium-137 (137Cs) disperse in the atmosphere, where they deposit on the earth's surface and in what quantities. The 137Cs isotope is a product of the nuclear fission of uranium. It has a half-life of 30 years and was one of the key elements in the radioactive contamination following the disasters of Chernobyl and Fukushima.
The computer simulations revealed that, on average, only eight percent of the 137Cs particles are expected to deposit within an area of 50 kilometres around the nuclear accident site. Around 50 percent of the particles would be deposited outside a radius of 1,000 kilometres, and around 25 percent would spread even further than 2,000 kilometres. These results underscore that reactor accidents are likely to cause radioactive contamination well beyond national borders.
The results of the dispersion calculations were combined with the likelihood of a nuclear meltdown and the actual density of reactors worldwide to calculate the current risk of radioactive contamination around the world. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an area with more than 40 kilobecquerels of radioactivity per square meter is defined as contaminated.
The team in Mainz found that in Western Europe, where the density of reactors is particularly high, the contamination by more than 40 kilobecquerels per square meter is expected to occur once in about every 50 years. It appears that citizens in the densely populated southwestern part of Germany run the worldwide highest risk of radioactive contamination, associated with the numerous nuclear power plants situated near the borders between France, Belgium and Germany, and the dominant westerly wind direction.
If a single nuclear meltdown were to occur in Western Europe, around 28 million people on average would be affected by contamination of more than 40 kilobecquerels per square meter. This figure is even higher in southern Asia, due to the dense populations. A major nuclear accident there would affect around 34 million people, while in the eastern USA and in East Asia this would be 14 to 21 million people.
"Germany's exit from the nuclear energy program will reduce the national risk of radioactive contamination. However, an even stronger reduction would result if Germany's neighbours were to switch off their reactors," says Jos Lelieveld. "Not only do we need an in-depth and public analysis of the actual risks of nuclear accidents. In light of our findings I believe an internationally coordinated phasing out of nuclear energy should also be considered ", adds the atmospheric chemist.
###
Original paper:
Jos Lelieveld, Daniel Kunkel and Mark G. Lawrence
Global risk of radioactive fallout after nuclear reactor accidents
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 4245-4258, 2012 www.atmos-chem-phys.net/12/4245/2012/ doi:10.5194/acp-12-4245-2012
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Public release date: 22-May-2012
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