Filed under: Arizona, Arizona Biotech, Arizona Technology, ASU, City of Tempe, City of Tempe News, Community, Tempe, Tempe Arizona, US - AZ (Phoenix) | Tags: Arizona, az, News, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, scientists, Tempe
TEMPE, Ariz. — The unknown human health and environmental impacts of nanotechnology are a bigger worry for scientists than for the public, according to a new report published on line (November 25, 2007) in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
The report was based on a national telephone survey of American households and a sampling of 363 leading U.S. nanotechnology scientists and engineers. It reveals that those with the most insight into a technology with enormous potential — and that is already emerging in hundreds of products — are unsure what health and environmental problems might be posed by the technology.
Two Arizona State University researchers – Elizabeth Corley, an assistant professor in the School of Public Affairs, and David Guston, director of the Center for Nanotechnology in Society and a professor of political science, are co-authors of the paper.
“It’s unusual for experts to see a greater risk in new technologies than for the public at large,” Guston said. “But these findings do not mean that scientists are saying that there is a problem.”
“Scientists are saying, ‘we don’t know,” explained the study’s lead author Dietram Scheufele, a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor of life sciences communication and journalism. “The research hasn’t been done.’”
The new findings are in stark contrast to controversies sparked by the advent of major technologies of the past, such as nuclear power and genetically modified foods, which scientists perceived as having lower risks than did the public.
Nanotechnology is based on science’s newfound ability to manipulate matter at the smallest scale, on the order of molecules and atoms. The field has enormous potential to develop applications ranging from new antimicrobial materials and tiny probes to sample individual cells in human patients, to vastly more powerful computers and lasers. Already, products with nanotechnology built in include such things as golf clubs, tennis rackets and antimicrobial food storage containers.
At the root of the information disconnect, said Elizabeth Corley, who conducted the survey with Scheufele, is that nanotechnology is only now starting to emerge on the nation’s policy agenda. Amplifying the problem is that the news media have not paid much attention to nanotechnology and its implications.
“In the long run, this information disconnect could undermine public support for federal funding in certain areas of nanotechnology research, particularly in those areas that the public views as having lower levels of risk,” Corley said.
While scientists were generally optimistic about the potential benefits of nanotechnology, they expressed significantly more concern about pollution and new health problems related to the technology. Potential health problems were in fact the highest rated concern among scientists, Guston said.
Twenty percent of the scientists responding to the survey indicated a concern that new forms of nanotechnology pollution may emerge, while only 15 percent of the public thought that might be a problem. More than 30 percent of scientists expressed concern that human health may be at risk from the technology, while just 20 percent of the public held such fears.
Of more concern to the American public, according to the report, are a potential loss of privacy from tiny new surveillance devices and the loss of more U.S jobs. Those fears were less of a concern for scientists.
While scientists wonder about the health and environmental implications of the new technology, their ability to spark public conversation seems to be limited, Corley and Guston said.
That’s because “scientists tend to treat communication as an afterthought,” Wisconsin’s Scheufele added. “They’re often not working with social scientists, industry or interest groups to build a channel to the public.”
The good news for scientist is that of all sources of nanotechnology information, they are the most trusted by the public.
“The public wants to know more about nanotechnology,” Guston added. “That’s why the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at ASU is conducting additional polls of the public and of scientists, and is organizing a National Citizens’ Technology Forum to elicit informed public perspectives on nanotechnology.”
“The climate for having that discourse is perfect,” Scheufele added. “There is definitely a huge opportunity for scientists to communicate with a public who trusts them.”
In addition to ASU’s Corley and Guston and Wisconsin’s Scheufele, other authors of the Nature Nanotechnology report include Sharon Dunwoody, Tsung-Jen Shih and Elliott Hillback of University of Wisconsin-Madison. The study was funded by the National Science Foundation as part of the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University and the UW-Madison Graduate School.
Filed under: Arizona, Community, Free | Tags: Alzheimer's, Arizona, az, Caregivers, Help, Help for Alzheimer's Caregivers, News, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale, Tempe
Help for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
New research by The Hartford Financial Service Group in conjunction with the
MIT Age Lab and Boston University helped to develop “At the Crossroads,” a
new booklet designed to help Alzheimer caregivers make the difficult
decision on when their loved one should stop driving.
You can reach the story directly by going to
http://www.mediaseed.tv/home.aspx?Story=34143
Filed under: Arizona, Arts, Arts and Entertainment, Community, Entertainment, Phoenix Arizona | Tags: Arizona, az, Jordin Sparks, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona
“And the winner of American Idol is … Jordin Sparks!” We all remember when
Ryan Seacrest said those words on the season finale. So, what has the
17-year-old songstress been up to since she won the coveted spot? During the
summer she, along with the rest of the top ten finalists, traveled across
the country for the 56-city Pop Tarts American Idol Live! Tour. In between
shows, Jordin was working hard on her self-titled debut album, which hits
stores on November 20th.
You can reach the story directly by going to
http://www.mediaseed.tv/home.aspx?Story=34139
Filed under: Arizona, Art, Arts, Arts and Entertainment, City of Tempe, City of Tempe News, Community, Entertainment, Events, Family, library, Tempe, Tempe Arizona, Youth | Tags: Arizona, az, library, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, Tempe, Tempe Community Gallery
TEMPE, Ariz. – The public is invited to a free reception celebrating the
opening of “Animal Instinct,” a family-oriented art exhibition featuring
two- and three-dimensional animal-themed works, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Nov.
27 in the Tempe Community Gallery, Lower Level Library, 3500 S.
Rural Road.
Refreshments and cookies will be served, and children will be entertained by
a story time reading about animals.
The Animal Instinct exhibition is on display through Feb. 3 and is a program
of the city of Tempe Cultural Services Division.
Library hours (Closed on city-observed holidays)
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Thursday
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday
Noon to 5:30 p.m., Sunday
For information, visit http://www.tempe.gov/arts/exhibitions/Library.htm
or call 480/350-2867.
Filed under: Art, Artists, Arts, Arts and Entertainment, City of Tempe, City of Tempe News, Community, Entertainment, Events, Holiday, Holidays, Museum, Tempe Arizona, Tempe Historical Museum | Tags: Arizona, az, Christmas, Crafts, Danish, Danish Christmas, Exhibition, Holiday, Model Trains, Museum, News, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, Santa, Tempe, Tempe Historical Museum
Santa, trains highlight annual
Holiday Fantasia festivities
TEMPE, Ariz. – Model trains, holiday crafts and a visit from Santa Claus
highlight the annual Holiday Fantasia event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 at
the Tempe Historical Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave.
This free, public event features holiday trees with lights, decorations from
other time periods and cultures and cookie decorating (and eating).
Children will enjoy art stations with make-n-take art activities, including
traditional Danish paper cutouts by the Danish Immigrant Museum of Elkhorn,
Iowa.
And don’t forget to bring a camera for snapshots. The first 100 families can
take home a free photo with Santa.
Information: 480-350-5100 or www.tempe.gov/museum/.
Filed under: City of Scottsdale | Tags: Arizona, az, News, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale
Water is the lifeblood of a community and always a top concern of mine. I would like to share Scottsdale’s recent achievement which demonstrates our steadfast commitment to long-term sustainability of our water resources.A major milestone has been achieved by Scottsdale. This past year we recharged as much water into the groundwater aquifers as was pumped out from wells. This balance is called “safe yield” and it ensures the long-term sustainability of the city’s groundwater resources. Several factors contributed to this achievement, including strategic planning and the construction of the Water Campus. Scottsdale recently received the prestigious Crescordia Award for our Aquifer Sustainability Program during Valley Forward’s annual Environmental Awards banquet.
“In 1980 Arizona passed the Groundwater Management Act that set the achievement of “safe yield,” a balance between groundwater withdrawal and artificial/natural recharge, as a goal for Phoenix-area water providers. To achieve “safe yield” Scottsdale had to overcome several challenges – primarily its historic 100 percent dependency on groundwater to supply its drinking water, and secondly, the city’s wells are located on the upper-end of the aquifer, making the community more vulnerable to water-level decline.
Scottsdale implemented an innovative set of water resource management strategies, which culminated in the city’s Aquifer Sustainability Program. Its surface water acquisition program was funded by the first impact fees in the state, developed by Scottsdale, dedicated exclusively toward water supply acquisition. The city now receives approximately 75 percent of its drinking water from two surface water supplies, the Colorado River through the Central Arizona Project, and the Salt and Verde rivers through SRP.
The city then maximized its reclaimed water supply through its Scottsdale Water Campus, which delivers reclaimed water directly to 23.5 golf courses in north Scottsdale for turf irrigation. To better manage groundwater conditions, the city initiated a complex groundwater modeling effort, and helped to establish a strong water conservation ethic as one of the founding partners of the Valleywide “Water – Use It Wisely” campaign.” Scottsdale achieved “safe yield” in 2006, a milestone that will help sustain groundwater resources.”
Even though safe yield has been achieved, residents are still asked to conserve water and to take advantage of the tips and tools available to them from the city’s Water Conservation Office. To learn more about how you can conserve water, please call the office at 480 312-5650.
Scottsdale is a leader in the Valley and the nation in conservation and in using artificial groundwater recharge to enhance the sustainability of the city’s water supply. This is an important part of Scottsdale’s overall water supply management strategy. Maintaining the city’s safe yield balance is the city’s next goal. Congratulations to Dave Mansfield and the entire Water Resources team.
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona Technology, Arizona Technology Council, Business, Innovation, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, US - AZ (Phoenix) | Tags: Arizona, Arizona Technology Council, Celebration of Innovation, GCOI, Governor, GOVERNOR’S CELEBRATION OF INNOVATION, Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards, Innovation, Innovator of the Year, international, Janet Napolitano, MITEL NETWORKS CORPORATION, sponsor, sponsores, tech, Technology, telecom, Trans-West Network Solutions, Voice Over IP, VoIP
THE ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL & TRANS-WEST NETWORK SOLUTIONS IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE MITEL NETWORKS CORPORATION AS THE PREMIER SPONSOR FOR THE 2007 GOVERNOR’S CELEBRATION OF INNOVATION
(Phoenix, AZ – November 8, 2007) Every year, companies across Arizona reach out and sponsor the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) and it has become known as the “Academy Awards” for the technology and innovation industry. This is the first year the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation is to feature a Premier Sponsor. As an active supporter of the Arizona Technology Council, Trans-West Network Solutions has been a Mitel partner since 1981 with over 4,000 business customers in Arizona. With a long term relationship, the company was able to secure Mitel as the Premier Sponsor for this exclusive event.
“It seemed like the perfect opportunity to place Mitel in the spotlight in their recent position,” said Debi McMahon, Sales Manager of Trans-West Network Solutions. Mitel, an international telecom company, recently acquired Inter-Tel and has moved its U.S. headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona.
“As the ‘new’ Mitel, a global leader in business communications solutions, we are proud to continue our membership in the Arizona Technology Council and to have the privilege of serving as the first Premier Sponsor of this prestigious event,” said Steven DeKorne, VP of marketing for Mitel U.S. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to represent not only our company but our industry in recognizing the achievements of our peers in innovation and technology.”
The Governor’s Celebration of Innovation sold out before the closing date for ticket sales in 2005 and 2006, and has grown each year since its inception attracting attendees from the technology industry, academia, politics, media, research, future innovators, and the business community at large from across Arizona. Now in its fifth year, the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation is Arizona’s largest and most influential annual event celebrating technological innovation in the state. GCOI is presented in the fourth quarter of the year by the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Department of Commerce.
The event will take place on December 6, 2007 on the field at the University of Phoenix Stadium from 5-9pm. Awards are given to members of the state’s technology community whose innovations are expected to have a lasting positive impact on Arizona’s economy and a positive impact on their end-users’ lives.
Additional Information:
The Governor’s Celebration of Innovation was established in 2003 by combining two technology award ceremonies: the High Tech Industry Cluster’s 17-year student awards ceremony and the Arizona Software and Internet Association’s 10-year “Celebration of Innovation”. With the addition of the Governor’s support, the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation has become the premier technology community gathering of its kind in Arizona. The inaugural Governor’s Celebration of Innovation took place in November 2003 and was a colossal success with over 1,200 in attendance. The event is hosted by both the Arizona Technology Council (www.aztechcouncil.org) and the Department of Commerce (www.azcommerce.com). Purchase an individual ticket or table before November 21st. For more information about the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation, visit www.celebration-of-innovation.com
Mitel Networks Corporation is a leading provider of communications solutions for a range of organizations – from very small, single-site offices to multi-site, large enterprises. Mitel offers customers a broad choice of solutions, from basic business communications to sophisticated unified communications, from pre-packaged to tailored applications, and from an outright capital purchase to a managed service. Mitel operates from over 100 locations in over 90 countries. Mitel services its customers through a network of over 1,500 value-added resellers and partners.
Following its merger with Inter-Tel, Inc. in August 2007, Mitel now offers an even greater choice and flexibility to customers. Mitel recognizes that the value of a communications solution is different for every business. Its portfolio of solutions is highly scalable, secure, easily managed and optimized to meet the evolving communications needs of customers. To find out more about the Premier Sponsor for the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation, visit Mitel online at www.mitel.com.
Trans-West Network Solutions is a leader in the telecom industry and is a locally owned Arizona Corporation, established in November of 1981. Trans-West provides VoIP, Unified Communications, Presence Management, Video Conferencing and traditional PBX solutions. With over 4,000 customers in the Arizona market, and over 8,000 customers nationwide, Trans-West provides voice, data, and cabling for all sized business needs. With products such as MITEL, and INTER-TEL, a Mitel Company, Trans-West Network Solutions takes a consultative approach to improving business communications. With our highly certified technicians and a commitment to exceeding customer’s expectations, Trans-West is Arizona’s #1 provider of Mitel equipment. www.twns.com
Filed under: Arizona, City of Tempe, City of Tempe News, Community, Free, Tax, Taxes, Tempe, Tempe Arizona, Volunteering, Volunteers | Tags: Earned Income Tax Credit, EITC, Free, Free Income Tax Preparation, Income Tax, Income Tax Preparation, Preparation Income, Tax, tax credit, Tax Preparation, Taxes, Volunteer
Volunteer tax preparers and translators needed for Earned Income Tax Credit initiative
For Other Free Income Tax Preparation locations contact Community Information & Referral at 01-602-263-8856
Tempe, Arizona – Volunteer tax preparers and translators are needed at free income tax assistance sites in Tempe and Guadalupe on Saturdays from January 26 to April 12, 2008.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), created by Congress, returns money from overpayment of taxes to workers with modest incomes. Free tax preparation and electronic filing are provided by volunteers as part of a coalition of Tempe Community Council, City of Tempe, Newtown Community Development Corporation, Tempe Schools Credit Union and the IRS. Since the coalition was initiated five years ago, volunteers have helped bring nearly $7.4 million in EITC refunds to working families.
Tax preparers must complete an IRS course in tax law and pass an IRS test. This year, the 5-week tax law course will be offered from 6-9 p.m.
on Nov. 15, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 11 and Dec. 13 at Tempe Schools Credit Union, 2800 S. Mill Ave., Tempe.
Translators need not know tax terms.
For more information, visit www.tempe.gov/tcc/taxhelp/ or call the EITC Hotline at 480-858-2323.
Phoenix Arizona 