As if there were any question about it, a new study released proves that tanning bed usage DEFINITELY causes cancer. Just in case any of you were on the fence about whether to get all lathered up and slip into that UV-filled bed, this study might make you switch to SPF and put on a big hat.
Research conducted by experts at the International Agency for Research in Lyon (the cancer arm of the World Health Organization) found that risk of skin cancer jumps an astonishing 75% when you begin using tanning beds before age 30. Researchers found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused mutations in mice, proving it to be carcinogenic. It was previously believed that only one type of UV radiation was thought to be lethal.
Due to these new findings, tanning beds and other forms of UV radiation are now moved into the "officially and definitely cause cancer" category, alongside tobacco, hepatitis B virus, and chimney sweeping, among others. The study also found that using tanning beds increases the chance of melanoma by 20%. Melanoma is now the leading form of cancer found in 20-something women - above even breast cancer.
"People need to be reminded of the risks of sunbeds," said Vincent Cogliano, one of the cancer researchers. "We hope the prevailing culture will change so teens don't think they need to use sunbeds to get a tan."
So, so true. And hey, scare tactics work! That scene in Final Destination was enough to keep us out of the beds for good, but this study just solidifies our fear. If you really want a tan, FAKE IT! Cancer is really not worth it, and we're sure we could find more than a few people that would back us up.
When you're waiting on your food at a diner or restaurant, there is only one thing to do - play with the tabletop items. Pouring out sugar packets, twisting your straw wrapper and doodling on your paper placemat or napkin are among the top I'm-hungry-and-impatient activities. One such doodler, Cheeming Boey, had a knack for ink drawing on styrofoam cups. Who knew they would become the next big thing in art?
His friends told him they would never sell, but boy were they wrong. Marion Meyer, former president of the Laguna Beach Art Walk, took notice of Boey's work and invited him to display his work at her gallery during the monthly event. His cups are now selling for $120-$220 a piece.
“I personally liked them,” says Meyer. “And that’s how I select artists. When I connect to the energy and passion someone creates in their art, that’s when I like it.”
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I suppose those foul un-biodegradable styrofoam cups are better off on someone's mantel than in the ocean or filling up a dump. I wonder if Marion would be willing to feature my napkin recreations of Archie comicstrips...
Hayden Panettiere has taken her campaign to Save The Whales to the blogosphere. The Heroes actress has been a dedicated supporter of and official spokesperson for The Whaleman Foundation for over 5 years, and launched an exclusive petition with SocialVibe last year to stop the horrifying annual dolphin and whale slaughter in Japan. Now, she's blogging on TakePart to keep up the momentum surrounding her cause.
In her blog post, Hayden tells of how she first got involved with The Whaleman Foundation and why she feels so passionately about saving the lives of thousands of innocent dolphins and small whales.
"I am aware this fight will not end overnight, but I am committed to seeing this battle through until the very end. There are many things you can do to help me protect the whales and dolphins but one of the best ways you can help us end their needless and cruel slaughter is to sign our petition on SocialVibe.com"
Have you ever used fear as an excuse not to try something? Perhaps the better question is, who HASN'T let something as silly as fear stand in our way of accomplishing our dreams. This kid sure isn't letting something like a little physical handicap prevent him from doing what he loves - skateboarding. This video of the paraplegic boy doing a skateboard trick should serve as inspiration to all of us!
Tobey Maguire, star of the Spiderman flicks, is hoping to make a healthier future for children by rallying for more vegetarian options in school lunches. The father of two-year-old Ruby Sweetheart and a newborn baby boy recently wrote a letter to Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Senator Tom Harkin pleading for changes to the upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.
“As a parent, I am contacting you because I am deeply concerned that unhealthy school lunches are contributing to our nation’s childhood obesity epidemic,” writes Maguire. “My wife and I just had our second child, so this issue is tremendously important to us…Let me ask you please to ensure the Child Nutrition Act provides more fruits, vegetables, and healthy vegetarian foods. Young people deserve healthful food, and I can’t imagine a better investment in the future of our country.”
We can't really think of any reason why school lunches SHOULDN'T be healthy. As for vegetarian students, your options are basically limited to greasy fries and vending machine snacks, unless you pack your own lunch.
Dang! Tickets for this year's Virgin Mobile FreeFest are all sold out. Not to worry, though... there's still a way to score tickets for the massive lineup (and help the world at the same time!)
But first, welcome to this year's sweet lineup: Blink-182, Weezer, Franz Ferdinand, Girl Talk, Jet, Mates of State, Public Enemy, Taking Back Sunday, The Bravery, The Hold Steady, The National, St. Vincent, and Wale. In the Dance Tent (my kind of tent): Danny Howells, Holy F*ck, Lee Burridge, and Pete Tong. Will any of this change? Guess you'll have to stay posted.
Virgin Mobile is supporting charities that advocate help and awareness for the homeless youth in America, between the ages of 12-24. Many people within this age group, nearly 100,000 a year, are faced with unbelievable hardships, and their needs are worlds different than that of adults; they have not even gotten the chance to live their lives yet.
Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation is accumulating charities and young volunteers to help in the struggle against the horrors of homelessness, and they need your help to make it all possible. In select cities, all you need to do is get involved, volunteer, and punch in your hours in order to be eligible to receive your very own Free V.I.P ticket to FreeFest 2009. Plus, it feels great to help those in need. Welcome to SocialVibe!
Here's what really blew my mind: the lucky winners of these limited Free V.I.P. ticks travel free! They weren't lying when they called it "FreeFest". Furthermore, you all look like groovy people who love to help and who are into awesome music, VIP access and live shows. You really have no excuse, unless your grandmother's birthday is on Sunday, August 30th... from 11 A.M. to 10 P.M.
Can't make it? Grandmother's 90th? Understood, I'll get over it. However, if you'd still like to show your support, donate five bucks to youth homelessness charities around the country by texting "FREEFEST" to 20222 (don't forget to reply "yes" to the confirmation SMS.) You can also earn free donations for RE*Generation by choosing them as your Cause on SocialVibe.
Don't take my word for it. Check it all out at their neato website and poke around for a bit: virginmobilefestival.com. See you in the mosh pit!
SocialVibe is proud to be sponsoring the official opening night of The Cove, this Friday, July 31 at 7:30pm at the Landmark Theatre in Los Angeles. To celebrate, we're giving away two free tickets to the first five LA-area members that send their full name and address to thecove@socialvibe.com.
Ben Stiller and Isabel Lucas will be giving a special introduction, and the film will be followed by a Q&A with the amazing Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson from Whale Wars. Even if you don't win tickets, you can still buy them here.
This extraordinary and critically-acclaimed film from Participant Media follows a team of activists and filmmakers as they infiltrate a heavily-guarded cove in Taiji, Japan. In this remote village they witness and document activities deliberately being hidden from the public: More than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises are being slaughtered each year and their meat, containing toxic levels of mercury, is being sold as food in Japan, often times labeled as whale meat.
The majority of the world is not aware this is happening, as the Taiji cove is blocked off from the public. Cameras are not allowed inside and the media does not cover the story. It's critical that we get the word out in Japan. It's critical that we get the word out—everywhere. We believe that once the Japanese people know, they will demand change.
The Cove has already won several audience awards across the globe, including Sundance, SilverDocs and HotDocs.
If you're a supporter of saving the whales, protecting our ecosystems or animal rights in general, this is not a film you will want to miss. You can buy tickets to the opening night here. Check out the trailer below:
Find out more about the important issues brought forth in this film and how YOU can help by visiting http://www.takepart.com/thecove/.
We're still in the middle of summer, but the Back-To-School season is just around the corner. Many of you will either be entering university or are going to start thinking about your college plans very soon. We all want to follow our dreams, but in the middle of an economic downturn, one can't help but wonder: which job will make me the most money? We've got some stats to give you just the answer.
The data below is based on a recent PayScale study of over 1.2 million users who volunteered both education and salary information.
In terms of return on investment (i.e., which major is going to make you the most bucks), Engineering is where it's at. Aerospace, chemical, computer, electrical, mechanical, and environment engineering are among the top ranked money-makers.
The lowest-paying jobs include social work, education, music, theology, and hospitality/tourism. It's a shame that these majors are among the least-paid, especially considering the enormous impact these folks are making on society, i.e., helping those in need and educating our future money-makers engineers.
For more information about how you can get the most bang-for-your-buck at college, including which universities produce the highest salaries, read the rest of the study here.
What do you think - would you rather major in something that will yield a higher paycheck, or do you care less about money and more about doing something you love?
