The American Journal of Epidemiology has just released a study, conducted over 7 years, that shows a link between breast cancer and the consumption of what is commonly known as trans-fat:

“A high serum level of transmonounsaturated fatty acids, presumably reflecting a high intake of industrially processed foods, is probably one factor contributing to increased risk of invasive breast cancer in women.”

Transfat is created naturally in the rumen of cows and sheep, so meat products and dairy foods contain trans-fat in small amounts. However trans-fat is also created by combining a vegetable oil with hydrogen under high pressure. Manufacturers love this hydrogenated oil because it keeps things crispy.
Australian manufacturers are not required to label the amount of trans-fat on their products, hopefully this will change in the future. Denmark has moved to banish trans-fat from all products, and many other European countries are following suit. The US has introduced measures requiring products to be labelled with the percentages of trans-fat and Canada is moving to ban trans-fat from all products.

How can you avoid trans-fat? Look out for these products: cakes, cookies, crackers, pies, bread, animal products, margarine, fried take-away foods (check the oil that is being used), potato chips, corn chips, popcorn

Thanks Amp

http://www.virb.com/amplifier

Flow.ers

http://amp.tumblr.com/

I was sent this email by partner Teilo and wanted to share it:
In one country, as part of a ubiquitous custom called “five–six” lending, poor people borrow five pesos from informal lenders and repay six, usually within a week. The annual interest rate works out at roughly 13,000 percent.

This is hardly the only place where low-income people suffer from a lack of choices and information. Their options have been limited because legitimate companies have been reluctant to enter the markets that serve them.

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Marketing/Strategy/A_grassroots_approach_to_emerging-market_consumers_1866_abstract

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Financial_Services/Personal_Financial_Services/Extending_financial_services_to_Latin_Americas_poor_1955_abstract

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Financial_Services/Banking/Financing_Latin_Americas_low-income_consumers_1956_abstract?gp=1

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Financial_Services/Banking/Succeeding_in_Latin_American_banking_An_interview_with_Banco_Itaus_CEO_1868_abstract?gp=1

Some great photography articles:

15 great tips for Candlelight photography

How to colourise black and white images

The best tip…”Capture an image with a sharp foreground and the rest will follow.” and many others

Some inspiring underwater photos

We’ve had alot of rain in Brisbane the last few days, here are some fantastic rainy day photos

Some interesting links for you:

A way to monitor your competitors website for changes using Page2rss.

A commentary on Google’s investment in a genetic mapping company and the possible implications.

A home ethanol system (by the guy who invented the Wii fit system) which reduces the cost of fueling you car to around 50 cents per gallon.

And, finally, a way to instantly print your digital photos