New Plastic Bag Law

2007 brings a new plastic bag law to Californians. Can the rest of the country be far behind?

The new law will require store owners to create a plastic recycling program. It will require owners to make it possible for customers to return plastic bags to the store for reuse.

It has been estimated that it costs 17 cents for each plastic bag used by consumers.

Plastic bags pollute the environment, fill up landfills, and kill wildlife.

As a solution, customers can recycle plastic bags by taking them back to the store to carry home their own purchases. Better yet, stop using plastic bags and bring their own canvas and other reusable bags.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment.Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Air Pollution Harms Holly Plants

If you grow holly plants be aware that they are particularly susceptible to air pollution. Ozone in particular.

Scientists at Staffordshire University in the UK conducted experiments exposing holly to ozone levels that they are exposed to in the summer. The tested plants produce fewer leaves and shed more leaves as well. Ozone also affected the plants hardiness to withstand cold winter temperatures.

Ozone forms when ultraviolet light from the sun combines with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides emitted by cars, power plants and industrial sources.

Ozone pollution is so serious, especially in cities, that ozone alerts are broadcast to alert people with respiratory illnesses to stay indoors.

Ozone affects holly plants grown in the United States, Canada and Europe.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Dark Chocolate Eases Diarrhea

Once again chocolate proves itself to be a healthful food. It helps to ease diarrhea.

Diarrhea is a disorder that can cause dehydration. Dehydration can cause all sorts of other health related problems and even death.

Researchers at the Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, California, found that cocoa beans contain chemicals called flavonoids which limit the development of fluid in the small intestine which causes diarrhea.

Dark chocolate contains large amounts of the necessary flavonoids.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Losing Weight Prevents Prostate Cancer

A new study by researchers from the American Cancer Society and the Duke University Prostate Center found that men who lose excess weight have a lower risk for aggressive prostate cancer.

Men should try to not gain weight as they grow older and, if overweight, should lose at least 11 pounds to help prevent getting prostate cancer.

One out of six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Regular checkups and natural supplements all help to maintain a healthy prostrate.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Mice Sing To Mates

While it's well known that male birds, insects, whales and humans serenade a prospective mate, it isn't as well known that male mice sing to their loved one.

According to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis one theory is that the singing evokes a response of the pheromones in the female mouse which then leads to mating. But it may be more complicated than first thought. Humans don't hear the songs because they are ultrasonic vocalizations.

While you may not hear the singing mice here are some tips to rid your house or apartment of scurrying mice in your home.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Waterways Polluted by Lawn Fertilizers

Having a green lawn means using fertilizer. But the kind of fertilizer used makes a big difference for the environment.

Nitrogen fertilizers run off into streets, sewers and eventually make their way to local waterways and eventually to the ocean.

But a program called Greenscapes North Shore is being put into effect by the Ipswich River Watershed Association in Massachusetts. The program is to educate homeowners on how best to have a beautiful lawn while at the same time not pollute the environment.

There are many fertilizers to choose from so the best thing for a homeowner to do is select natural fertilizers which work with, and not against, the environment.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Smokers And Pregnancy

Women who are heavy smokers are most likely to either have problems getting pregnant, or, are more likely to have multiple births. That is the recent finding by researchers at a Care Fertility Group in Spain and Portugal.

The researchers found that tobacco affects the lining of the uterus in a different way among different women. In some, it makes the lining more receptive to egg implantation, and in others, less receptive.

So.......... if you have been wanting a baby and haven't been successful, and smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day, you might consider stopping smoking.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Sugar Plums Are Healthful

Sugar plum fairies dance at Christmas time but are sugar plums healthful? In the 17th century the word plum was used to describe a dried fruit, not necessarily a prune as we know them today.

Whether they are sweetened or not plums are definitely a very healthful food to eat.

Texas A&M University researchers have found that dried plums, which are high in antioxidants, can be used as a natural meat preservative reducing the need for synthetic preservatives.

The prune puree also enhances the flavor of the food it's added to.

Plums are also easy for the home gardener to grow.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Road Salt And Your Car

Winter driving means salt on the roads to make driving safer. But........... it's bad for cars.

According to the Department of Transportation one state, Connecticut, is going to use rock salt with liquid calcium chloride instead of sand this winter.

Sand eventually gets into streams and rivers killing fish and water life. The sand also absorbs road contaminants like copper and other metals from brake dust and engine oils.

However, the same amount of salt will be used and will be used cautiously by water, wells and vegetation.

Salt, in any form, is damaging to cars so be sure to protect the finish of your car.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Pregnant Women Need To Avoid Mice

If you are expecting, avoid contact with mice and other rodents.

According to doctors at the University of Iowa rodents carry an infectious virus called Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, or LCMV. It can cause severe brain damage in a fetus.

Pregnant women should avoid all rodents, especially wild mice, and also anything they might have had contact with.

Keep the home free of mice with these tips.
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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment.Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Breast Cancer Risk Lowered With Less Hormone Replacement Therapy

A study released by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reports that there was a 7 percent decline in breast cancers in 2003 than 2002.

The only reason theorized is a decrease in the use of hormone replacement therapy. Women between the ages of 50 to 69 showed the sharpest decline of 12 percent because this age group is most often diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Breast cancer takes a long time to develop and these tumors are fed by the hormone estrogen and are shown to stop growing when estrogen is not made available by hormone replacement therapy.

Another factor in breast cancer and hormone replacement therapy is involution. Studies done by Mayo Clinic researchers show that as women grow older involution of the breasts naturally occurs. The more involution, the less chance there is of developing breast cancer.

Natural herbal remedies are an alternative choice for hormone replacement therapy of menopausal symptoms.

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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Garlic Prevents Cancer

Medical studies show what garlic lovers have known for a long time. Garlic is good for you! Some studies show that eating garlic, and it's close relative, onion, can help prevent cancer.

Swiss and Italian researchers found that people who ate more garlic had less cancer than those who don't eat the pungent vegetable. The only cancers that weren't affected are those of the breast, ovary and prostate because of the hormonal aspects of these body systems.

So....... everyone eat more garlic, gardeners grow more garlic and enjoy!

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
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