| Cheap, Clean Drinking Water Purified Through Nanotechnology
ScienceDaily (Feb. 26, 2008) Tiny particles of pure silica coated with an active material could be used to remove toxic chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and other hazardous materials from water much more effectively and at lower cost than conventional water purification methods, according to researchers writing in the current issue of the International Journal of Nanotechnology. .
Erosion-control holdouts being sought for project
In the Lake Tahoe Basin, the letters "BMP" can bring about various reactions.
Short for "best management practices," BMPs are methods prescribed by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to help developed properties function more like natural, undisturbed forest and meadowland. The TRPA believes that water conveyed to a lake by an undisturbed watershed usually is quite pure, because the watershed's soils and plants act as a natural water-purification system.
BMPs prescribed for residential properties usually fall into the following categories: vegetating and mulching bare, disturbed soils; infiltrating stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces; paving dirt driveways and roads; and stabilizing or retaining steep slopes and loose soils.
But for some of the 38,000 property owners in the basin who have not retrofitted their land for BMPs, the requirements can be harsh and expensive.
David Jones denies corporate paedophillia claims
MARK COLVIN: There's a furious row between the retailer, David Jones, and the think-tank, the Australia Institute, over a report which accused big stores of "corporate paedophilia".
The Australia Institute paper accuses the makers of a number of advertising and marketing campaigns of "sexualising" children.
But several companies identified in the report have strenuously denied the charge. And the Australia Institute says David Jones has threatened to sue.
Kathryn Roberts reports.
KATHRYN ROBERTS: The standoff between retailers and the Australia Institute has escalated with the Institute's Executive Director Dr Clive Hamilton making this allegation.
CLIVE HAMILTON: David Jones rang me this morning demanding that the Institute remove all references to David Jones.
Jersey home witness 'intimidated'
An ex-worker at the former children's home in Jersey at the centre of a child abuse inquiry has been intimidating a witness, police have revealed. Deputy police chief Lenny Harper warned anyone who approaches witnesses or victims in the case that they may be perverting the course of justice. He also said it could take weeks to establish the facts about a child's skull found at Haut de La Garenne. Excavations are continuing at the site as the inquiry enters a second week. Speaking at a press conference in the grounds of Haut de La Garenne, Mr Harper said officers had substantiated "to some degree" claims a former worker at the home approached a victim and told them to keep quiet. Excavations "I can't emphasise too much that anyone approaching victims or witnesses in this case could well be found to be perverting the course of justice," he warned.
State looking to smokers to finance health care law
A $1 increase would bring it to $6.41, or about 32 cents per cigarette. Harwich resident Carol Hughes said the price hike wouldn't keep her from smoking. "I won't stop, but I would have to smoke less," she said, working at a Christy's in Dennisport on Route 28. Hughes said she used to smoke 10 packs a week, but as state taxes have risen, she's reduced it to five packs a week. "To me, they are forcing you to stop smoking," Hughes said.
Driven by health careThe cost of the state's new health care law is driving the cigarette tax debate. Since last year, 300,000 state residents have signed up for private or state subsidized health care plans. Gov. Deval Patrick proposed spending $400 million more on health care in the 2009 fiscal budget, in part as a result of rising enrollment in the state's subsidized health insurance programs.
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