| Exciting Times for Heart-assisting Devices
The FDA approval of a new heart-assist device, and a new national program to certify hospitals that offer such devices to help patients' hearts pump blood, make this an exciting time for heart failure patients and their doctors and nurses. The University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center is helping lead the way. .
Farmers in NSW going to pot
THE NSW Government has turned over a new leaf after decades of opposing commercial cannabis, revealing plans for a new scheme to grow the plant on an industrial scale. It will introduce legislation in weeks to allow farms to grow hemp, the fibres and oil of which can be used in food and clothes, biofuels and skin-care products. The state's first legal hemp crop has been approved by police and will contain only tiny amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound that some people smoke for recreation. It will be planted later this year, with farmers no longer needing their licences to be approved by the NSW Health Department. "Industrial hemp fibre produced here in NSW could pave the way for the establishment of a new viable industry that creates and sells textiles, cloth and building products made from locally grown industrial hemp," said the Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, who will oversee the licences for the new crop.
Go green at home and protect the family from harmful chemicals
Mollie Walz, Lexi Ward and Nicole Brubaker are dedicated to making their homes healthy, one sippy cup at a time. Their desire to become greener was sparked by an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that discussed eco-friendly household cleaners. "I was shocked," said Walz, a Palm Desert stay-at-home mom. "I've done all the right things for my kids, and then I find out I've been slathering these chemicals on their bodies." Walz was particularly dismayed when she discovered her favorite brand of baby bottle uses a type of plastic that can leach toxic chemicals. Through e-mails, phone calls and play dates, the women have been gathering information, sharing it, and finally detoxing their homes. "You start thinking about everything you put in your body and everything you use in your house ..." Walz said.
Huntington School of Beauty Culture relocating to bigger site
HUNTINGTON -- Being cramped in a tight space is one thing. Being cramped in a room where you're giving perms is something completely different That's one reason cosmetology student Amanda Creech is excited about the Huntington School of Beauty Culture relocating to a bigger site. Other reasons to be excited are new equipment and updated furnishings, said Catherine Belvin, owner of the beauty school. "We talk about it every day -- getting out of here and getting a fresh, new everything," Belvin said. The school is moving next month from its spot near the 29th Street exit of Interstate 64 to a spot about a mile down U.S. 60, in the Kmart Plaza. The move takes place at the end of May to make room for more medical offices as part of the new East Hills Professional Center.
Relax, slow down with elderly mom
Dear Amy: My mother is 82 and recently remarried. Her 83-year-old husband is very attentive to her. They live on their own and are healthy. My sisters and I are in close touch. I call a few times a week and make a weekly visit. She lives only eight miles away. Today, Mom told me that I'm "always in a hurry" and that I'm "too aggressive" when we talk. She has been sick, so I had specific questions for her. In the same conversation, she seemed to want to absolve me for being "in a hurry and aggressive" by saying she knows I'm experiencing "a lot of stress." From my point of view, my stress level is pretty normal -- family illness and work concerns. I'm not a workaholic. My work is a dream job -- I get a lot out of it. Mom mentioned her anxiety and said it kept her from enjoying certain moments of our time together.
Skin Care Products Retailer Adds Professional Mineral Makeup and Brushes
CleoaptrasChoice.com, a leader in online retail of beauty and skin care products with Dead Sea minerals, announces the addition of mineral makeup and makeup brushes designed by a professional makeup artist. Mineral makeup is quickly becoming one of the most popular makeup choices for women and Cleopatra's Choice will provide easy color selection and a makeup brush for every need. .
Ask Laura Mercier
Q: IM using Laura Merciers Secret Concealer for my dark eye bags but I am still unable to conceal them. The shadow of the bags can still be seen. Do I need to use foundation before or after applying the concealer? And what is the best lighting condition to put make-up on? Lily Chan. A: Use a light layer of foundation on the eye area first, and then gently pat on the Secret Concealer on top of it working from the bottom of the concave eye area and gradually move upwards and outwards. Remember to set this area with Secret Brightening Powder. Natural day light is the best condition to apply make-up.
Q: I WEAR contact lens, what is the best way to wear eye make-up to avoid dryness and itchiness to my eyes? Katerine Lim, Petaling Jaya,
A: Use products formulated for sensitive eyes and avoid any products with glitter.
Immunotherapy: Enlisting The Immune System To Fight Cancer
Researchers are directing the body's immune system to shrink tumors and prevent new ones from forming. Data presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, April 12-16, detail how cellular strategies and new vaccines are changing the cancer treatment landscape.
The first use of a live listeria cancer vaccine in man: Abstract 225
Phase I/II trial results have shown that the live Listeria cancer vaccine, Lovaxin C, is safe for humans. In addition, three women in the cervical cancer trial had approximately 20 percent tumor reductions, researchers report.
"We are using Listeria to deliver tumor-specific antigens to the immune system in a manner that results in maximal immune and tumor-clearing response," said John Rothman, Ph.D., vice president of clinical development at Advaxis, which is developing Lovaxin C.
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