Atomic agency rescues 'dirty bomb' material Radioactive cobalt cleared from Lebanese lab.

Published online 11 September 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.906
News

Paula Gould


Recovering 'lost' radioactive sources can reduce the risk that they will fall into terrorists' hands.Getty
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repatriated dozens of Russian-made, highly radioactive sources that had been languishing unused in a Lebanese research institute for more than a decade.

The effort forms part of a wider IAEA initiative to secure radioactive materials used in scientific research, medicine and industry, which could potentially be used by terrorists to make a so-called 'dirty bomb'.

IAEA officials identified possible security issues with the radioactive material at an unspecified agricultural institute in Lebanon in 2006. They were concerned to find that a cobalt-60 irradiator, originally used for a biological pest control project, had been lying dormant since 1996. The sealed unit still contained 36 individual sources with a combined activity of 3,500 Curies, making it the most powerful source of radioactivity in Lebanon.

The irradiator had previously been used to sterilize male Mediterranean fruit flies or medfly (Ceratitis capitata), with a view to controlling the medfly population and preventing crop damage by egg-laying females. But after the project ended, all the staff members who knew how to look after the radioactive equipment subsequently left the institute, leaving the cobalt-60 sources potentially insecure.

“It's a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle and this is at best one piece.”
Matthew Bunn
Harvard University
The sources were fully shielded, so there was no risk to research staff entering the room where the irradiator was stored. "We were worried about the risk of theft, either for the value of the irradiator or particularly for malicious purposes," said Robin Heard, an IAEA radioactive source specialist who oversaw the mission. If the sources had been removed from the container, direct exposure to the radioactive material could have killed someone within minutes.

Source of worry

Plans to repatriate the radioactive material were initially delayed, owing to general political instability in the region, and in particular Israel's bombing of Lebanon's airport, which prevented outgoing flights. The sources were finally moved to a secure storage facility in Russia on 30 August.

"This is a big enough set of sources to be worrisome were it to fall into terrorists' hands," says Matthew Bunn, a non-proliferation expert at Harvard University. "Lebanon is certainly a country with some fairly substantial terrorist activity."

The IAEA's repatriation mission in Lebanon was a piece of "good international housekeeping", adds John Simpson, an expert on nuclear non-proliferation at the University of Southampton's Mountbatten Centre for International Studies, the United Kingdom. "It is clearly extremely sensible that the IAEA should try to get all states to account for all radioactive sources that are within their territories."

While this operation was a success, it merely scratches the surface of a global problem, says Bunn: "It's a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle and this is at best one piece."


The IAEA has identified more radioactive material that it would like to remove from Lebanon, although the location and activities of these sources is not being made public. The cost of the removal programme has been met by the European Union.

IAEA officials are also working in Africa and former Soviet Union satellite states to improve the security of radioactive materials. In the Ukraine, for example, a centralized storage facility is planned to house used radioactive sources from across the country. Construction of the facility within the Chernobyl exclusion zone is expected to begin later this year. The UK government has pledged £2.1 million from its Global Threat Reduction Programme towards the scheme.

Natural remedies for Constipation

Colonic Hydrotherapy & Constipation The Health Education Council, National Advisory Committee on Nutrition Education (September 1983) reported that 85% of the population have slow bowel movements with as many as 40% of the population in the United Kingdom being regularly constipated. When the colon does not function properly, other eliminating organs (e.g., skin, kidneys, lungs and lymph) become overloaded and subsequently they too become affected. The Colonic International Assocation advises that constipation is "helped by the resultant detoxifying effect of colonic hydrotherapy" (1). However, it is doubtful whether colonic hydrotherapy will be effective in the long term if used alone, without consideration to diet and other causative factors. Even the Colonic International Association itself recommends that Colonic Hydrotherapy "is best used as a complementary technique to other therapies. By improving elimination, response to dietary, homœopathic, herbal, manipulative and other therapies is markedly improved." That said, colonic hydrotherapy can help relieve long-term blockages and stimulate the colon to start working more efficiently. (1) Health Improvement through Colonic Hydrotherapy - Colonic International Assocation Hypnotherapy & Constipation It is interesting to note that more and more medical studies are confirming that stress and psychological disturbances are often related to chronic constipation. Many psychologists concur with the chinese system of medicine which associates 'inability to let go of past hurts or memories, or difficulties in coming to terms with grief and loss' as a common factor in patients with chronic constipation. In fact, in one study it was said to be "a powerful determinant of outcome, shaping (the patients') response to treatment.(1) Another study revealed that "psychological treatment is feasible and effective in two thirds of those patients who do not respond to standard medical treatment." (2) All the evidence suggests that psychological therapies are superior to medical management alone.(3) physical diseases including cancer, heart disease and even skin complaints have been helped with Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. The power of suggestion and mental imagery is a tool all too often overlooked but which can be of immense help to constipation sufferers. Remember also that constipation is a stress related condition and Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy are both excellent aids to help control emotional stress. A controlled study in Europe involving 266 patients found that psychotherapy can improve the therapeutic possibilities of drugs, diet and surgery. Psychotherapy combined with relaxation and removal of stress were considered along with the personality of the patient before the outbreak of chronic digestive disorders . It was suggested that unknown emotional conflicts such as depression and mental lability may influence the course of these diseases. (1) Irritable bowel syndrome: assessment of psychological disturbance and its influence on the response to fibre supplementation. Fowlie S; Eastwood MA; Prescott R Gastrointestinal Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, U.K. J Psychosom Res (ENGLAND) Feb 1992, 36 (2) p175-80 (2) A controlled trial of psychological treatment for the irritable bowel syndrome [see comments] Guthrie E; Creed F; Dawson D; Tomenson B Department of Psychiatry, Manchester Royal Infirmary, England. Gastroenterology (UNITED STATES) Feb 1991, 100 (2) p450-7 (3) Psychologic considerations in the irritable bowel syndrome.Whitehead WE; Crowell MD Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Gastroenterol Clin North Am (UNITED STATES) Jun 1991, 20 (2) p249-67, Acupuncture & Constipation Acupuncture has traditionally been successfully employed in China to treat most illnesses. There is little doubt that acupuncture is an excellent therapy for people suffering with this condition; in 1979 the World Health organisation listed 40 major diseases that could find relief by acupuncture treatment and diseases of the intestinal tract were included in that number. (1) This is not surprising since acupuncture works through the nervous system and energy channels in the body and has also been shown to cause the brain to release endorphines and encephalins (natural pain killers), boost the immune system and calm the nervous system. It has also been established that all psycho-physiological health problems (of which constipation is an associated symptom) are particularly suitable for acupuncture treatment (2) One study conducted at the China Academy of Traditional Medicine in Beijing revealed that acupuncture was "very effective in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system" with most patients benefitting from the treatment. (3) (1) Dr S Fulder- The Handbook of Complemnetary Medicine (Coronet books) (2)Mann F The Treatment of disease by acupuncture. Part 1 & 2 (Heinnemann Medical Books) (3)Clinical application of acupoint tianshu. Cui S Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing. J Tradit Chin Med (CHINA) Mar 1992, 12 (1) p52-4 Psyllium & Constipation The seeds and husks of the plant psyllium (sometimes referred to as ispaghula) have been traditionally used by herbalists and naturopaths to help people suffering from constipation and related intestinal disorders. When moistened, the husks swell up to form a soft viscous mass, which helps stimulate the peristaltic movement of the intestinal wall. However, a recent study in the Czech Republic has demonstrated that psyllium, not only, can significantly help patients suffering from constipation, but that it has the added benefits of helping to reduce excess body weight in cases of obesity as well as reducing high serum cholesterol levels. In the study, a preparation made from Plantago psyllium was administered to 63 patients suffering from chronic functional constipation for a period of 20 days. The tolerance of the preparation was satisfactory in 55 of the patients (87%), and 49 (79 %) reported problem-free defecation with normalisation of stools. However, the researchers also noted a statistically significant decline in the patients’ serum cholesterol levels and in 14 patients (25 %) a weight loss of more than 1 kg was observed. The re-searchers concluded that psyllium may be considered suitable for the treatment and prevention of chronic functional constipation and as an adjuvant in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinaemia type II, in particular when associated with obesity. Although this was not a controlled study, it does support similar findings of previous studies in which researchers found that 3.5 grams of psyllium taken over a course of eight weeks reduced total cholesterol levels in twenty-six men, by an average of 15 per cent and LDL by 20 per cent. In a trial involving twelve elderly patients, serum cholesterol levels were reduced by twenty per cent after a period of 4 months. However, a more comprehensive, controlled study needs to be conducted before firm conclusions can be drawn as to the viability of using psyllium to treat hypercholesterolemia. It should also be noted that some adverse reactions have been reported following psyllium usage including allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and hypersensitivity leading to anaphylactic shock. Weis M. Plantago psyllium — natural plant laxative and its effect on cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. Ceska a Slovenska Gastroenterologie (Czech Republic), 1996, 50/2(45-47) Biofeedback & Constipation It is well known that abnormal bowel movements can be affected by the motions. Emotional stress is considered to be one of the main underlying problems in constipation, and for this reason, researchers in the Netherlands decided to investigate whether biofeedback training may be a useful treatment for constipation. Defaecation dynamics and clinical out-comes in chronically constipated children were observed in a randomised study comparing conventional treatment with conventional treatment and biofeedback training. Patients, 5 to 16 years old, were referred to the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam by general practitioners, school doctors, paediatricians, and psychiatrists. The children had to fulfil at least two of four criteria for paediatric constipation and were included only if they had received medical treatment for at least one month prior to the study. Patients had a medical history, abdominal and rectal examination, and anorectal manometry at the start and end of the 6-week intervention period. The children in the conventional group received laxative treatment with additional dietary advice, toilet training, and maintenance of a diary of bowel habits. The biofeedback group received the same conventional treatment but also received five biofeedback training sessions. During the first 3 weeks, patients visited the outpatient clinic weekly; two subsequent visits were twice monthly. 94 patients were randomly assigned to conventional treatment (CT) and 98 to conventional treatment with additional biofeedback training (CT+BF). Normal defaecation dynamics increased in the CT group from 41% to 52% whereas the increase in the CT+BF group was from 38% to 86%. At 6 weeks, more patients in the CT + BF group showed normal defaecation dynamics, compared to the CT group. Vander Plas RN.; Benninga MA.; Butler HA.; Bnssuvt PM.; Akkermands L.M.A.; Redekop W.K.; Taminiau J.A. Biofeedback training in treatment of childhood constipation: A randomised controlled study Lancet (United Kingdom), 1996, 348/9030 (776-780) Biofeedback for outlet obstruction constipation has a varying success rate. The aim of this study was to identify which patients are likely to respond to biofeedback. Thirty patients with severe outlet obstruction constipation were treated by a specialist nurse using three or four sessions of visual and auditory feedback of anal sphincter pressures. All patients were assessed by evacuating proctography, whole-gut transit studies and anorectal physiology before treatment. Two patients did not complete the course of biofeedback. Nine patients improved. Before treatment these patients had predominantly normal anorectal physiology and were all able to open the anorectal angle at evacuating proctography. Nineteen patients did not improve, of whom only three had no measured abnormality other than inability to empty the rectum. Ten of these patients had abnormal anorectal physiology which may have been due to previous vaginal delivery. The report concluded that Biofeedback for outlet obstruction constipation is more likely to be successful in patients without evidence of severe pelvic floor damage. Br J Surg 1999 Mar;86(3):355-9 McKee RF, McEnroe L, Anderson JH, Finlay IG Department of Coloproctology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK. Reflexology & Constipation & Constipation Reflexology has also been shown to be an effective alternative treatment for chronic constipation. In a study involving 20 women aged between 30 and 60 years of age, who had suffered with constipation for an average of 24.6 years, 15 reflexology treatments produced astounding results. Prior to the study, the women had a bowel movement an average of only once every 4.1 days but after the course of treatment this was increased to once every 1.8 days. At the end of the study, 50% of the women obtained normal stool consistency whereas none had experienced this before the treatments, 85% reported a positive change in their digestion, and 55% were able to reduce their use of laxatives. Furthermore, over 95% of the women admitted to having other health problems before the study and 80% reported an improvement in those conditions after the reflexology treatments. "Sygeplejerksen" (Danish Journal of Nursing) 24th June 1992 Ayurvedic treatments for Constipation Constipation is a frequent cause of distress in advanced cancer. A palliative care unit in Kerala, a southern state of India, conducted a controlled trial comparing a liquid Ayurvedic (herbal) preparation (Misrakasneham) with a conventional laxative tablet (Sofsena) in the management of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced cancer. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the apparent degree of laxative action between the two, the results indicate that the small volume of the drug required for effective laxative action, the tolerable taste, the once-daily dose, the acceptable side effect profile, and the low cost make Misrakasneham a good choice for prophylaxis in opioid-induced constipation. There is a need for further studies of Ayurvedic medicines in palliative care. Pain Symptom Manage 1998 Oct;16(4):240-4 Ramesh PR, Kumar KS, Rajagopal MR, Balachandran P, Warrier PK Pain and Palliative Care Clinic, Calicut Medical College, India.

Drilling drives a wedge at climate change summit

MARY PEMBERTON

Associated Press Writer= ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — To drill or not drill for new oil and gas.

That was the issue that drove a wedge Friday between young people and many of the older delegates at the United Nations-affiliated Indigenous Peoples' Global Summit on Climate Change.

The five-day summit ended Friday with Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, president of the United Nations General Assembly, describing it as "a rather successful gathering."

After hours of debate, a consensus of sorts was reached on a declaration to be presented to the Conference of Parties at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark, this December.

The document says indigenous people are "deeply alarmed by the accelerating climate devastation brought about by unsustainable development."

"Mother Earth is no longer in a period of climate change, but in climate crisis," the declaration says.

The hang-up was whether to call for a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling and a phase-out of fossil fuels.

The final document contains two options.

One calls for the moratorium where supported by indigenous people. The other says indigenous people would look to an eventual phase-out in the use of fossil fuels while at the same time respecting the rights of indigenous people to develop their resources.

"I think it is the best compromise we can reach," said Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the Asia representative.

Youth delegates were pushing for the total moratorium.

"We refuse to compromise our futures," said Kandi Mossett of Bismarck, N.D., a member of the youth caucus.

They had considered submitting a separate declaration to the Denmark conference if they couldn't get a moratorium, and Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, a 30-year-old member of the Athabasca Chipewyn First Nation in Canada, said that is still an option.

A difference of opinion was to be expected when nearly 400 indigenous people from 80 nations are brought together to discuss climate change, said Patricia Cochran, chairwoman of the summit and steering group member.

"The summit in our estimation is the beginning of the process, not the end," said Cochran, an Inupiaq Eskimo born and raised in Nome.

Youth caucus member Andrea Sanders of Bethel said some of the delegates representing areas dependent on oil for revenue and jobs were afraid to support a moratorium because of the criticism they would face when returning home.

"People think that is going to ruin all the jobs but people working in the oil field on the (North) Slope can be working on new renewable energy projects," she said.

----

On the Net:

http://www.indigenoussummit.com

Preventive Medicine Update

The Importance of Breast health
-Kris Somol, ND

Breast health is an important component of a woman's overall wellness. Women frequently seek medical advice when they are concerned about breast discharge, lumps, size, pain and changes to the skin. While many changes in the breast are related to hormone shifts during menstruation, changes that are not cyclical deserve a conversation with your physician. The primary step a woman can take to maintain breast health is to take the time to understand the anatomy of the breast and schedule regular physical exams.

Women can help with the early detection and treatment of breast cancer by playing an active role in their own health care. While there are some different recommendations from medical organizations on the value of breast self-exams, all women's health organizations agree about the value of annual clinical breast exams, and the importance of regular mammograms after the age of 40.

Over the past three decades we have seen a reduction in breast cancer death in some populations from improved methods of early detection, primarily through the use of mammogram screening. However, there also has been a rise in breast cancer deaths among economically disadvantaged women, indicative of the reduced use and access to health-care resources.

In an effort to address this rise in cancer in some populations, the Washington Breast and Cervical Health Plan provides funding for women ages 40 to 64 to receive annual screening exams and mammograms. Each year, nearly 60,000 women are eligible for this program, which is available at Bastyr Center for Natural Health and other clinics throughout King County. Bringing questions and concerns to a doctor's attention, women can make informed decisions to improve their health.

-- Kris Somol, ND, resident in naturopathic medicine Bastyr Center for Natural Health

GREEN SPACES REDUCE HEALTH GAP

Green spaces 'reduce health gap'

Nature may be good for health

A bit of greenery near our homes can cut the "health gap" between rich and poor, say researchers from two Scottish universities. Even small parks in the heart of our cities can protect us from strokes and heart disease, perhaps by cutting stress or boosting exercise.
Their study, in The Lancet, matched data about hundreds of thousands of deaths to green spaces in local areas. Councils should introduce more greenery to improve wellbeing, they said.
This study offers valuable evidence that green space does more than 'pretty up' the neighbourhood
Dr Terry HartigUppsala University, Sweden

Across the country, there are "health inequalities" related to income and social deprivation, which generally reflect differences in lifestyle, diet, and, to some extent, access to medical care.
This means that in general, people living in poorer areas are more likely to be unhealthy, and die earlier. However, the researchers found that living near parks, woodland or other open spaces helped reduce these inequalities, regardless of social class.

When the records of more than 366,000 people who died between 2001 and 2005 were analysed, it revealed that even tiny green spaces in the areas in which they lived made a big difference to their risk of fatal diseases.

Although the effect was greatest for those living surrounded by the most greenery, with the "health gap" roughly halved compared with those with the fewest green spaces around them, there was still a noticeable difference.

Stress buster
The change was particularly clear in areas such as heart disease and stroke, supporting the idea that the presence of green spaces encourages people to be more active.
However, the researchers, Dr Richard Mitchell from Glasgow University, and Dr Frank Popham, from the University of St Andrews, said that other studies had suggested that contact with green spaces also helped reduce blood pressure and stress levels, perhaps even promoting faster healing after surgery.

They wrote: "The implications of this study are clear - environments that promote good health might be crucial in the fight to reduce health inequalities." They called for planning authorities to consider making more green spaces available to improve the health and wellbeing of their residents. In an accompanying article in The Lancet, Dr Terry Hartig, from the Institute for Housing and Urban Research at Uppsala University in Sweden, wrote: "This study offers valuable evidence that green space does more than 'pretty up' the neighbourhood - it appears to have real effects on health inequality, of a kind that politicians and health authorities should take seriously."

David Tibbatts, from GreenSpace, a charity which promotes parks in urban areas, said that they were threatened by "decades of decline" in some areas. "The study confirms what we have been saying for many years - parks are important for health and everyone should have access to high quality, beautiful and vibrant green spaces. "Unfortunately, despite the benefits green spaces bring to communities, our research has shown a decline in park services that has spread across more than 30 years.

"Despite increase recognition of their role in areas such as improved health, far too many parks teams find their revenue budgets are still under continuous threat." Professor Barbara Maher from the Lancaster Environment Centre said her research had shown that roadside trees improve health by protecting people from pollution.

"Urban and roadside trees may be an under-used resource both in terms of acting as natural 'pollution monitors' and actively screening people, especially, children and the already ill, from the damaging health effects of particle pollution," she said.

Hot Weather risks

Hot weather risks While most enjoy the summer sun, high temperatures can pose a signficant risk to health.

What are the risks?

Dehydration: One of the biggest dangers of a heat wave is the increased risk of dehydration. This is the loss of water from the body, and with it important blood salts like potassium and sodium which play a vital role in the function of organs such as the kidneys, brain and heart. It can lead to confusion, lethargy and problems with breathing and heart rate.

Heat stroke or exhaustion: Under normal circumstances the sweat we produce when we get hot keeps us cool when it evaporates from the surface of our skin. However, on extremely hot days, or when we over-exert ourselves, this system can fail, and body temperature can start to climb to dangerous levels. This leads to heat stroke or exhaustion. This can cause headaches, dizziness and muscle cramps, but it can also be life-threatening. It is particularly dangerous because symptoms can come on very rapidly, and - unless you are watching for the signs - very little warning.

Sunburn: A sun tan may look nice, but it is actually a sign of damage to the skin. Not only is sunburn painful, it can accelerate the ageing process, and increase the risk of skin cancer, including the potentially fatal form, melanoma.

What is the best way to avoid problems?

Drink lots of liquids: As you will be losing more fluid than normal, it is important to top up your supplies. The best way to keep yourself hydrated is to drink water, and to sip it, rather than gulp it down. On an average day, a person weighing 58kg (128lb) should drink eight average-sized glasses of water. As a general rule, for every 2lbs (0.9kg) of body weight, you need one fluid ounce (28.4ml) of water. In very hot weather, consumption should be increased. However, drinking excessive amounts can bring problems of its own. You might think a cold beer is exactly what the doctor ordered, but in fact, alcohol dehydrates the body, and consumption should be kept to a minimum. If you can't face drinking lots of water, non-carbonated soft drinks, such as fruit juice, are a reasonable alternative.

Modify your diet: Avoid hot, heavy food. Salt pills are available to replace minerals lost in the sweat. However, most diets contain more than enough salt, and so this is unlikely to be necessary.

Stay out of the sun: The best place to be on a blistering day is in the shade. If you must sunbathe, then ensure that it is for short periods, and that you use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15. If you start to feel queasy or ill then get out of direct sunlight as quickly as possible. The sun is at its most dangerous between 11am and 3pm.

Be sensible about exercise: Do not exercise vigorously during the hottest times of the day. Instead, run, jog or exercise closer to sunrise or sunset. Take things slowly and adapt to the pace of life in the sun. If you feel breathless or your heart is pounding, stop what you are doing and try to cool your body down, for example, by taking a cool shower. Rest if you feel faint or dizzy.

Keep cool: Wear light, loose-fitting clothing, such as cotton, so sweat can evaporate. Dark, heavy clothes absorb heat, but remember that some thin materials do not provide a sufficient barrier to the sun's dangerous UV rays. It is also a good idea to wear a wide-brimmed sunhat, preferably with vents. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Ventilate your home: Keep windows open all day and all night and use fans. This is particularly important at night, when the body cools down. Avoid heat traps: Try to avoid anywhere where shelter is minimal, and ventilation poor. Parked cars can be a particular hazard. If you can, try to stay in an air-conditioned environment. If you have no alternative, but to travel in a hot, stuffy environment - for instance on the Tube - then make sure you carry a bottle of water with you. If you face a long journey, it may be wise to plan breaks to go above ground for some fresh air. Take special care of the vulnerable: Those most at risk from the sun include children under four, people over 65 whose bodies adapt more slowly to the change in temperature, overweight people whose bodies tend to retain heat more and people who are ill. Babies are particularly vulnerable to heat as their sweat glands are not well-developed. It is important not to wrap them up in blankets or heavy clothing when it is hot - but it is equally important to ensure that they are not exposed to direct sunlight.