Nontoxic Nanotech Uses Cinnamon

A dash of spice makes everything nice, including nanotechnology. Scientists at the University of Missouri have a way to make gold nanoparticles using cinnamon instead of toxic chemicals.

Nanotech has all kinds of potential, including as a tool to fight cancer. Small particles -- ones that are much, much smaller than a human cell -- can do what chemicals can't. Gold, in combination with active chemicals, turns out to be ideal for targeted cancer treatment and detection. The problem is that making gold nanoparticles involves toxic chemicals.

A University of Missouri team led by radiology and physics professor Kattesh Katti developed a greener alternative. The researchers took cinnamon, mixed it with gold salts in water and successfully produced gold nanoparticles. Sounds kind of like alchemy at first glance, but the scientists found that cinnamon and other kinds of plants contain naturally occurring chemical compounds called phytochemicals.

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Here I was thinking the spice was great for mulled wine, when it turns out to be great at converting metals into nanoparticles. Katti told the university that their ecologically benign nanoparticles "are biologically active against cancer cells."

To study the cinnamon process, the team tested the nanoparticles on mice. They found that cancerous cells took up significant amounts of the nanoparticles, which were then detected with photoacoustic signals. The scientists published their findings in the journal Pharmaceutical Research (abstract) this fall, concluding that their nanoparticles "may provide a novel approach toward tumor detection through nanopharmaceuticals."

I've been as excited about nanotechnology as I have been wary of its potential detrimental effect on the environment. My concern is that we'll be creating more problems in the process of addressing the ones we already have. If Katti and his team can develop their plant-based nanoparticles into a viable option for cancer treatment and detection, they deserve a celebratory cake. A spicy one.

Photo: Cinnamon is the key ingredient for making gold nanoparticles nontoxically. Credit: S. Diddy.

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New shops tonight in Newport Beach

NEWPORT BEACH - The Cove, a new cluster of shops at 410 West Coast Highway between Dover Drive and the Balboa Bay Club, is having an open house with wine and cheese from 6 to 9 tonight.

The area languished for years after the collapse of plans for a boutique mall. Residents are invited to explore nine stores selling home furnishings, clothing, antiques and more.

A blighted row of empty storefronts on West Coast Highway has been transformed with nine boutique shops.

COURTESY THE COVE

Next door to The Cove, a large swath of property remains vacant, and a developer is planning a shopping-and-dining venue called Mariner's Pointe.

 

 

 

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Cowboys’ Don Meredith dies after brain hemorrhage

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)—Don Meredith, one of the most recognizable figures of the early Dallas Cowboys and an original member of ABC’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast team, died Sunday. He was 72.

Meredith’s wife, Susan, told The Associated Press on Monday her husband died in Santa Fe after suffering a brain hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma. She says a private graveside ceremony is being planned and that family members were traveling to Santa Fe.

“He was the best there was,” she said, describing him as kind, warm and funny. “We lost a good one.”

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Meredith played for the Cowboys from 1960-1968, becoming the starting quarterback in 1965. While he never led the Cowboys to the Super Bowl, Meredith was one of the franchise’s first stars.

Over his nine-year career, Meredith threw for 17,199 yards and 111 touchdowns. He retired unexpectedly before the 1969 season.

Just two years after retiring from football, Meredith joined Keith Jackson(notes) and Howard Cosell in the broadcast booth as part of the “Monday Night Football” crew.

He quickly became one of the most popular broadcasters in sports because of his folksy sayings and country humor.

Meredith’s signature call was singing the famous Willie Nelson song “Turn Out the Lights” when it appeared a game’s outcome had been determined.

Meredith left ABC after the 1973 season for a three-year stint at NBC. He returned to the “MNF” crew in 1977 before retiring in 1984, one year after Cosell left the team.

Before a generation knew Meredith for his colorful broadcasting career, he was one of the most recognizable figures of the early Dallas Cowboys teams.

Meredith was drafted in the third round by the Chicago Bears in 1960 and was traded to the expansion Cowboys franchise for future draft picks.

“Dandy Don”, as he was affectionately known, shared time under center with Eddie LeBaron before winning the starting job in 1965.

Meredith led the Cowboys to three straight division titles and to consecutive NFL Championship games in 1966 and 1967. Dallas lost both games though to eventual Super Bowl winners Green Bay.

In 1966, Meredith guided the Cowboys to their first-ever winning season (10-3-1). He was named NFL Player of the Year after throwing a career-high 24 touchdown passes and 2,805 yards.

Meredith was one of nine Dallas players selected to the Pro Bowl that year— the first of his two Pro Bowl years.

His last moment in a Cowboys uniform was painful. Meredith threw three interceptions in a 1968 playoff game against the Cleveland Browns and was pulled in favor of Craig Morton.

“I tried to talk him out of it,” Dallas head coach Tom Landry said after Meredith announced his retirement. “But when you lose your desire in this game, that’s it.”

Meredith and Don Perkins were the second and third players inducted to Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1976.

Meredith was one of the first athletes to make the transition from the field to the color analyst—and the move to calling “Monday Night Football” was an easy one for him.

While on the show, Meredith was part of many memorable moments on ABC’s landmark hit.

In 1970, Meredith was in the booth for the St. Louis Cardinals’ 38-0 whitewashing of his former team. The Cotton Bowl crowd late in began chanting “We want Meredith!”

Meredith quipped, “No way you’re getting me down there,”

Another famous Meredith moment occurred in 1974 at the Houston Astrodome. The Oakland Raiders were in the process of beating the Houston Oilers 34-0.

A cameraman had a shot of a disgruntled Oilers fan, who then made an obscene gesture. Meredith said of the fan. “He thinks they’re No. 1 in the nation.”

He was also in the booth when Howard Cosell announced that John Lennon had been assassinated on Dec. 9, 1980.

In addition to his broadcasting career, Meredith appeared in several TV shows and movies after his playing career ended. He had a recurring role in “Police Story” and was a spokesman for Lipton.

Before his career with the Cowboys, Meredith was a three-year at quarterback for SMU. He was an All-America selection in 1958 and 1959.

Meredith was born and raised in Mount Vernon, Texas—which is about 100 miles east of Dallas. He never played a home game outside of North Texas.

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Fake Recyclers Profit Off E-Waste

Recycling your electronic waste is a noble idea, but here's the dirty little secret: even if you drop off your old electronics for recycling, it may never get recycled.

As OSNews' Howard Fosdick describes some people fall victim to a scam called "fake recycling," and just describing it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Fake recyclers are organizations that approach well-meaning community groups like the Boy Scouts or the Make-a-Wish Foundation to help run a local "Recycling Day." The idea is that people from the community will bring in their old electronics to the legitimate organization's Recycling Day event. The fake recycler will then haul that e-waste away, and export it to another country with lax environmental regulations.

What's in it for them? According to the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, "Recyclers can make more money by exporting than they can by actually responsibly recycling. This is particularly true for recyclers who are collecting televisions, because it costs money to properly recycle old televisions. But they can get paid for exporting them."

This story from the Basel Action Network details how Cartoosa, OK-based company, EarthEcycle allegedly conned the Humane Society and several other groups into running a "Recycle Day" Event, and then exported the goods to Hong Kong and South Africa. Last year, the EPA filed charges (download EarthECycle complaint) against the company for violating at least seven federal hazardous waste management regulation.

The EPA found other companies located in the state of Washington and Texas as well as in New Jersey illegally disposing of electronic waste.

Most people have never heard of a fake recycling organization like EarthEcycle, but plenty of people know all about the Boy Scouts or the Make-a-Wish Foundation. And that's exactly why fake recycler organizations need the help of legitimate groups, which lend the good name and publicity to the event.

The crazy thing is that none of this is illegal, but it's definitely destroying the environment. Here are a few tips from Electronics Takeback Coalition to keep a lookout for fake recyclers to make sure that you (or a group you represent) don't get scammed.

First off, remember that responsibly recycling an item is not free, especially when it comes to electronics. If it's not you forking over the cash to recycle an old computer, find out who is. Some electronics companies now take your old electronics back when you buy a new one, as are some state and local governments.

If you really want to do right by the environment, seek out an e-waste recycler on your own. You can find plenty of them on e-Stewards. There are also eclectic groups like FreeGeek Chicago that refurbish your old computers for people who can't afford their own.

Both of those options sound a lot better than letting your old computer sink into a landfill.

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We are here to help you , Fluoresent Tubes , Asbestos, Electronics

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Josh found Egg Nogg! After 35 years

Thomas M Abercrombie
http://tomabercrombie.posterous.com

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The Story of Electronics’ By The Story of Stuff Project

The Story of Stuff Project has released a new animated movie, The Story of Electronics. Hosted by Annie Leonard, the creator of the hit viral video The Story of Stuff, the film takes on the electronics industry and e-Waste. The movie champions product take back to spur companies to make less toxic, more easily recyclable and longer lasting products.

The movie is co-produced with the Electronics TakeBack Coalition – a national partnership of over 30 environmental and public health organizations—and Free Range Studios.

Last year, the Story of Cap and Trade, from the makers of “The Story of Stuff,” got mixed reviews from the media.

 

http://bx.businessweek.com/e-waste/view?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.environmentalleader.com%2F2010%2F03%2F03%2Froom-for-improvement-in-e-waste-recycling%2F

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