Experts say cellphones are possibly carcinogenic
http://sync.sympatico.ca/news/contentposting?newsitemid=7008923
31/05/2011 12:38:00 PM | Maria Cheng, The Associated Press

LONDON - An international panel of experts says cellphones are possibly carcinogenic to humans after reviewing details from dozens of published studies.

The statement was issued in Lyon, France, on Tuesday by the International Agency for Research on Cancer after a weeklong meeting of experts. They reviewed possible links between cancer and the type of electromagnetic radiation found in cellphones, microwaves and radar.

The agency is the cancer arm of the World Health Organization and the assessment now goes to WHO and national health agencies for possible guidance on cellphone use. The group classified cellphones in category 2B, meaning they are possibly carcinogenic to humans. Other substances in that category include the pesticide DDT and gasoline engine exhaust.

Last year, results of a large study found no clear link between cellphones and cancer. But some advocacy groups contend the study raised serious concerns because it showed a hint of a possible connection between very heavy phone use and glioma, a rare but often deadly form of brain tumour. However, the numbers in that subgroup weren't sufficient to make the case.

The study was controversial because it began with people who already had cancer and asked them to recall how often they used their cellphones more than a decade ago. In about 30 other studies done in Europe, New Zealand and the U.S., patients with brain tumors have not reported using their cellphones more often than unaffected people.

Because cellphones are so popular, it may be impossible for experts to compare cellphone users who develop brain tumors with people who don't use the devices. According to a survey last year, the number of cellphone subscribers worldwide has hit 5 billion, or nearly three-quarters of the global population.

People's cellphone habits have also changed dramatically since the first studies began years ago and it's unclear if the results of previous research would still apply today. Since many cancerous tumors take decades to develop, experts say it's impossible to conclude cellphones have no long-term health risks. The studies conducted so far haven't tracked people for longer than about a decade.

Cellphones send signals to nearby towers via radio frequency waves, a form of energy similar to FM radio waves and microwaves. But the radiation produced by cellphones cannot directly damage DNA and is different from stronger types of radiation like X-rays or ultraviolet light. At very high levels, radio frequency waves from cellphones can heat up body tissue, but that is not believed to damage human cells.

According to Cancer Research U.K., the only health danger firmly connected to cellphones is a higher risk of car accidents. The group recommends children under 16 only use cellphones for essential calls because their brains and nervous systems are still developing.

Also, a recent U.S. National Institutes of Health study found that cellphone use can speed up brain activity, but it is unknown whether that has any dangerous health effects.

Ontario College of Teachers Issues Advisory on the Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media

Backgrounder, Advisory on the Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media, Video (incorporates clips from teachers and social media experts - unmixed version available for broadcast, by request)

HAMILTON, ON, May 27, 2011 /CNW/ - The simple message for Ontario certified teachers is this: "Represent yourself in social media the same way you would in person,'' says College of Teachers Registrar Michael Salvatori, OCT of a professional advisory to the College's 230,000 members.

The advisory offers advice to teachers on how best to use electronic communication and social media with students. It encourages the use of social media as a teaching tool but cautions teachers to be careful when using sites like Facebook.

"In the current education milieu, e-communication and social media do and will continue to offer engaging and exciting teaching and learning experiences for students and teachers. Their use should be encouraged," says the Registrar. "We want to alert members to its potential risks and provide guidance for its responsible, professional use."

The teaching profession's ethical standards and standards of practice provide the foundation for the College's advice.

"Our advice to teachers is to keep ethical standards - care, trust, respect and integrity - in line of sight," says College Chair Liz Papadopoulos, OCT. "As teachers and educators, we model professionalism and responsibility for our students in both the real world and the virtual world."

It's the College's role as a professional regulator to provide advice to its members from time to time on emerging issues or in response to member questions on aspects of teaching that will continue to advance the profession and the public's confidence in it.

The Ontario College of Teachers licenses, governs and regulates the profession of teaching in the public interest. It sets standards of practice and ethical standards, conducts disciplinary hearings and accredits teacher education programs affecting its more than 230,000 members in publicly funded schools and institutions across Ontario. The College is the largest self-regulatory body in Canada.

Ontario Lung Association calls to abolish the word “habit”
http://smr.newswire.ca/en/ontario-lung-association/abolish-the-word-habit
May 26, 2011 @ 08:30AM

Smokers, their families and all Ontarians need to understand that smoking is an addiction

Toronto, Ontario – Today, the Ontario Lung Association is calling for a new type of ban when it comes to smoking – a ban on the word “habit” – to combat the attitude that smoking is simply a matter of choice and to increase understanding of the true nature of smoking: a serious addiction.

“Too many Ontarians believe smoking is a habit, implying it is something easily overcome with willpower alone, not acknowledging how addictive nicotine is and why it is so difficult for people to quit,” said George Habib, president and CEO of the Ontario Lung Association. “That’s why the Ontario Lung Association is calling today on media, government and the public to abolish the word “habit” and recognize smoking as the powerful addiction it is.”

Approximately two million people in Ontario still smoke and at least half of them have tried to quit in the past year without success.

“If it was easy to quit smoking, there would be about a million people who would quit today,” said Mr. Habib. “The numbers speak for themselves. Smoking is so much more than a habit and Ontarians need help to quit successfully. We need to correct some damaging myths when it comes to dealing with this addiction so that smokers receive the proper support.”

Nearly 1 In 5 Young Adults Has High Blood Pressure

May 26, 2011 Being overweight or obese is a well-known risk factor for hypertension. And the majority of the young adults in the study grew overweight or obese as they got older at a rapid pace.
Click link to read more…

Shots - Health Blog

Top 10 Simple Privacy Tricks Everyone Should Use
http://lifehacker.com/5806487/top-10-simple-privacy-tricks-everyone-should-use
Source: From: Merwin D’Souza | To: Class-of-64@googlegroups.com

Whitson Gordon — Protecting your privacy on the internet these days seems like a hefty undertaking, but there are a few things you can do to protect your privacy with just the click of a button. Here are our favorite super-simple tricks.

We've talked about our 10 favorite privacy hacks before, but a lot of times inducing a privacy-oriented overhaul on your workflow is time consuming, and sometimes it just might not fit the way you work (it's not imperative, of course, that everyone quit Facebook without quitting Facebook, and your less tech-savvy friends and relatives may not have the patience for the more involved set-ups. These tweaks are, instead, very simple tricks that we think everyone should use, whether you're a tin-foil hat wearer or you just want to reduce the spam in your email inbox. They're so simple, …..

What a Woman Truly Wants —Sleep.

TORONTO, May 18 /CNW/ - Your life is already tense — teens rebelling, house under renovation, work life in overload, bills piling up, elderly parents declining — yet the demands requiring your attention and time continue to grow, overflowing into sleep-time territory. Oftentimes, mass marketing's solutions to women's challenging lifestyles focus on quick fixes and more consumer goods. But ask around, and you'll quickly learn that what most women really savour and yearn for is not a faster toaster or fancier phone, but uninterrupted, mind-numbing, all-encompassing, quality, sound sleep. That's right. To wake up refreshed and energized, with zip in your step, clarity in your mind, feeling good and ready to tackle all that life throws your way. Is dreaming about sublime, heavenly sleep the impossible dream? Absolutely not.

Insomnia - difficulty falling asleep and/or maintaining sleep resulting in sleep that leaves you non-revitalized - is the most common sleep disorder in Canada. Although there is no gender bias or age barrier, insomnia appears to affect more women than men. In 2008, IMS Health Canada reported that almost 18 million prescriptions for sleep were dispensed by Canadian drug stores. It is clear that this issue is not going away.

Poor sleep over an extended period of time can have a serious detrimental effect on overall health and wellness. It can impact on mental stability, affecting a person's behaviour, concentration and focus and increasing the risk for anxiety, depression; and on physical health, contributing to weight gain and inducing impaired motor coordination. Quality sleep is essential to regenerate the brain and other parts of the body so that they can continue to function optimally.

What can you do?

Most importantly, establish a sleep routine. Maintain when possible a fixed sleep time. For instance, make an effort to go to bed at 10 p.m. each night and rise by 6 a.m. New research notes that we all need at least 7 ½ hours of quality sleep daily.

Create an appropriate sleep environment. Avoid noise, light, and extreme temperatures to help encourage a comfortable night's sleep.

Avoid caffeine, nicotine and excess alcohol. These often contribute to poor sleep and insomnia. Alcohol may initially allow one to fall asleep, but results in fragmented sleep.

Learn how to relax. Deep breathing, meditation and biofeedback are often helpful for most people.

Consider natural sleep supplements including:

Passionflower - a safe, effective herb used to promote sleep, particularly if caused by nervous exhaustion, overwork and worry.

Valerian - well known for its sedative effects, this herb can reduce restlessness and insomnia. It appears to reduce night-time waking.

Melatonin - Research reported in the 2001 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that melatonin can help older adult insomniacs (50+) obtain a good night's sleep.

Other beneficial herbs include hops, chamomile and lavender. A number of excellent natural sleep supplements are available at through your local Nutrition House store or on-line at www.nutritionhouse.com. Most of these supplements are comprised of a few nutrients that work synergistically to provide a restful night of restorative, quality sleep.

Stressing over lack of sleep can only make it worse. So try the tips, stay calm, and train yourself to a better sleep.

Michele Sevier Biography

Michele Sevier, DNM, DAc, is an educator and advocate of natural health and healing. As an independent advisor to Nutrition House, she is actively involved in many facets of integrative medicine including research, the formulation of specialized supplements, and providing natural health solutions to the general public through Nutrition House's 'Ask Our Expert' service at www.nutritionhouse.com.