The lavender and tea tree oils found in some soaps, shampoos, hair gels and body lotions can produce enlarged breasts in boys, researchers reported today.[...]
In laboratory tests, scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in North Carolina found that both substances can mimic the action of the female hormone oestrogen and block male hormones that control both masculine characteristics and inhibit the growth of breast tissue.
It's effect on females of all ages has yet to be tested.
Oops.
I read an article yesterday on a similar theme, "Unhappy Meals" by Michael Pollan, published in the New York Times, 28th Jan 2007.
The catch phrase from the article that has swept the net is "Eat food, mostly plants". Reading the full, many paged, article does elaborate a little but after reading it all it really did boil down to just that sentence. It's an excellent read and full of many interesting thought provoking points on how we think about food and how to eat healthy.
Very highly recommended.
I know, it's another eat well article but it comes from another angle, outside of the food industry, which spends it's time pushing what we should eat more of in terms of what is in it (saturated fat, salt, sugar), instead of what it is (milk, animals, the quantity of each) for fear of offending a particular multi-billion-dollar economy.
They've already indefinitely cancelled a number of services. Personally I've noticed no real difference to my travel. I never pay any attention to the train time table, as it usually never matches reality anyway. I leave work/home when I feel like it and get on the next train. I haven't noticed that train being any fuller than usual, or taking any longer to turn up. Perhaps the train to work has been a little fuller.
The Age article suggests Connex could begin running a permanent Saturday time table. On my line this would mean trains 20 minutes apart during peak hour, while at the moment we have every 5 to 12 minutes depending on the time.
The overcrowding this would cause is obvious. I can't imagine it actually happening but perhaps they'll have no choice.
It's been a year since I've had any real train troubles on my line. I've either been lucky or I'm on a good line, or both.
I don't know how far I'd have to be pushed to give up on the train. Driving isn't really an option. I'd rather cut off my arm than put up with city traffic every day of the week.