Topic: radiation

Your Smartphone Will Soon Tell You If You Have Bad Breath

Your Smartphone Will Soon Tell You If You Have Bad Breath

You may be better able to get away with bad breath at home, but one thing I’ve learned through years in the corporate world (where I vow never to return) is that, I don’t care how talented, smart or in charge of my paycheck someone is, if their breath stinks, they just need to stop talking. Or find themselves some serious Listerine. Luckily for anyone whose breath is festooned with garlic, onions or remnants of last night’s dinner, you will no longer chase away friends or colleagues or have to rely on them to tell you that your breath is a rancid weapon. You can simply rely on your smartphone.
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Unfortunately, Potassium Iodide Is Not A Cure-All For Japan’s Nuclear Radiation

Unfortunately, Potassium Iodide Is Not A Cure-All For Japanâs Nuclear Radiation

Last week, in the wake of the devastating Japan earthquake and tsunami, news broke that the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear cooling towers began to experience a series of failures and the threat loomed of another Three-Mile-Island, or even another Chernobyl. Panic also beset many Canadians on the West Coast, considering their proximity to Japan. The West Coast anxiety was so great that even Prime Minister Harper had to go on record and state that:

“I have been in very regular contact with all senior officials and departments responsible for monitoring this and there is no evidence of a scenario that presents any risk to this country.”

Nonetheless, reports began circulating that Iodine Supplements were selling out, and health resources in British Columbia and Alberta began to experience shortages.

Potassium Iodide (commonly known as KI) is a specific formulation of over-the-counter iodine that effectively treats the thyroid from radiation exposure. But would it have an effect on nuclear radiation? More »

Morning Links: Ecstasy-like Drugs Found in Epsom Salts

Morning Links: Ecstasy-like Drugs Found in Epsom Salts

Is There Ecstasy in Your Bath Salts? – Epsom salts have been testing positive for ecstasy-like drugs that can cause severe physical and mental side effects; here’s the low-down on how to make sure yours help you relax. (ABC Denver, via FitSugar)

Women at Work – A new study of female professors at M.I.T. finds that while they’ve made progress in their careers, many now perceive them to have an unfair advantage. (New York Times)

The Latest on Radiation in Japan – Radiation data collected from near Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant don’t indicate an immediate health threat, say researchers. (NPR Shots) More »

Morning Links: Radiation Exposure and Iodine Scams

Morning Links: Radiation Exposure and Iodine Scams

Work Out the Jitters – Studies show that exercise relieves anxiety in the short term, so if you’re on edge about your upcoming job interview or nervous for a big speech, head to the gym to work it out. (PsychCentral)

Ins & Outs of Radiation Exposure – The health risks of Japan’s nuclear disaster are minimal, say scientists, but many people are falling victim to iodine scams in efforts to protect themselves from radiation exposure. (NPR)

Unhealthy Hospitals – Surgery prep pads were recalled nationwide this week, owing to a bacterial contamination that can cause severe infection and meningitis in at-risk populations. (TheChart)

Guns N’ Roses Sample Sale – If you’re in the market for antique yoga paraphernalia, today’s your day: Slash is auctioning off his Tibetan yoga mats to benefit the Los Angeles Youth Network. (YogaDork) More »

Ann Coulter Says Radiation Exposure Could Prevent Cancer

Ann Coulter Says Radiation Exposure Could Prevent Cancer

Some of us consider it tacky to make light of Japan’s nuclear meltdown, but not Ann Coulter: The right wing pundit says the silver lining of Japan’s tragedy is that radiation is good for you. Coulter reassured audiences on Bill O’Reilly’s Fox show The O’Reilly Factor that, despite government warnings, radiation exposure could help prevent cancer. She elaborated on her health expertise in the latest column on her website: More »

Protect Yourself From Radiation Exposure By Going Vegan

Protect Yourself From Radiation Exposure By Going Vegan

Most articles about the health effects of Japan’s nuclear crisis have reassured us that there’s little, if any, risk of radioactive materials traveling from Japan to the U.S. But for those who still don’t feel great about the possibility of exposure, we found an interesting tip in a New York Times reader Q&A about Japan’s nuclear crisis: The best way to protect yourself from radiation exposure is to stop drinking milk and eating dairy. More »

Real Ways to Deal With a Breast Cancer Diagnosis In the Family

Real Ways to Deal With a Breast Cancer Diagnosis In the Family

In her practiced everything’s-going-to-be-fine teacher voice, my mom recently called and told me that the doctor had seen something in her mammogram. Something that required further testing. My mom told me that she wouldn’t find out the results for several days, but that it was probably nothing.

The next day she called me as I was heading out of work to meet a friend and told me that she had breast cancer. The doctors caught it early, but it was still there — the C word.

Holy crap, cancer?! Is she going to be okay? What kind of treatment will this entail? Mastectomy? Chemo? Radiation? What about recurrence? Is this hereditary? Not to sound selfish, but are my sister and I doomed to get breast cancer, too? What about my little nieces? What will I do if something happens to my mom? More »

Cell Phones Aren’t as Safe as You Think They Are, Claims Author

Cell Phones Aren't as Safe as You Think They Are, Claims Author

Before anyone realized the horrible effect of cigarettes on health, people smoked them often and everywhere: At breakfast, lunch, dinner; in the office, outside, inside, and even while pregnant or while nursing ailments in the hospital. Then, it was just a benign habit that offended some but was largely promoted by social norms. Flash forward to now, and a similar habit plagues us: cell phones. They’re even more ubiquitous, and most of us use them more than even the heaviest smokers use cigarettes. Like tobacco, cell phone usage is far from benign, according to epidemiologist Devra Davis, author of “Disconnect.” More »

Thanksgiving Travel: Are Airport Security Scanners Really Bad for Your Health? (Rocky Flats Gear Hopes You Think So)

Thanksgiving Travel: Are Airport Security Scanners Really Bad for Your Health? (Rocky Flats Gear Hopes You Think So)

For the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, Colorado-based company Rocky Flats Gear has introduced a new travel accessory: Radiation-shielding undergarments. Their bras and briefs “can protect tissues from a broadband of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation generated by imaging equipment and natural sources,” according to their website, which also states that the company’s goal is to protect the traveling public from radiation generated by security and medical imaging equipment. They offer a wide variety of styles for men, women, and children, but their site provides very little evidence that the leaf-shaped shields that are adhered to cotton underwear could really protect us.

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Forget Body Scanners: Real Radiation Risk Comes From the Sky

Forget Body Scanners: Real Radiation Risk Comes From the Sky

Lately, some fliers are up in arms over the new full-body scanners that are being used at airports, because of the dose of radiation and the invasion of privacy. But it turns out that the real radiation worry could be coming from the sky, not the scanners. A new paper that will be released in December from the Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal says that people who fly more than 85,000 miles a year should be classified as radiation workers because of the radiation they’re receiving from the sun and the stars. More »

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