Tiempo Limitado

I wish I could do this again... Busy week - not much time to do much but sort shrimp at work, and run between classes. It should slow down next week with my work schedule cut in half. There has been one bright spot to all this new stress. Some of you may already know. Hopefully there will be more good news to come [retract that]. I need to catch up on reading....

I Always Thought These Soaps Were Bunk

This was published in the Washington Post today.

Antibacterial Soap Claims Just Don't Wash
Tuesday, August 28, 2007; 12:00 AM

TUESDAY, Aug. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Antibacterial soaps that contain triclosan as the main active ingredient are no better at preventing infections than plain soaps, say University of Michigan researchers who reviewed 27 studies conducted between 1980 and 2006 to reach their conclusion.

The team also concluded that these antibacterial soaps could actually pose a health risk, because they may reduce the effectiveness of some common antibiotics, such as amoxicillin.

That's because -- unlike antibacterial soaps used in hospitals and other clinical settings -- the antibacterial soaps sold to the public don't contain high enough concentrations of triclosan to kill bacteria such asE. coli.

"What we are saying is that theseE. colicould survive in the concentrations that we use in our [consumer-formulated] antibacterial soaps," researcher Allison Aiello, of the U-M School of Public Health, said in a prepared statement.

"What it means for consumers is that we need to be aware of what's in the products. The soaps containing triclosan used in the community settings are no more effective than plain soap at preventing infectious illness symptoms, as well as reducing bacteria on the hands," Aiello said.

The study is published in the August issue ofClinical Infectious Diseases.

Other types of consumer antibacterial products that contain different active ingredients such as alcohol (hand sanitizers) or bleach (household cleaners) were not included in the study.

More information

The Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics has more aboutantibacterial agents.

SOURCE: University of Michigan, news release, August 2007

Key Biscayne Sprint Triathlon

    Third of a local sprint distance series this morning out on the key. Swimming along the beach, running around a parking lot, riding the causeway, including the Mount Tri bridge. 

    There was a pretty good turnout.  So it's good that I rode the bike out, so even though I was late leaving the house, I was able to bypass hundreds of cars waiting to park.

    There was a little sprinkle on registration, but by the time the sun came up the rain had stopped.  The ocean swim was not too far off shore - most of the distance was along the beach in a deep pool with a sandbar on the ocean side of the course.  As I was on the outside round the first buoy to avoid all the kicking I admit to using this bar to push off a few times...  The wind blew into shore and the chop wasn't too bad.  I breath more easily to the left, so I didn't drink too much sea water.

    T1 was a long run across the wide beach and through along some sidewalks, then I had to sit down and have a cheeseburger before getting on the bike...

    The pavement was a bit wet from the rain earlier, so I got a good start passing some cautious riders in the parking lots before we headed out onto the causeway.  The bike leg went well.  I kept a good pace - passing a good stream of riders.  And I didn't get DQ'd for cutting the turns straight and passing on the right. 

    The run was slow and hot, but I didn't cramp and kicked a little at the end.  Overall a decent attempt. And a well run event.  The event was pricey, with not much schwag to show for the $60 entry fee (Multirace.com).

    I ended up seeing some friends there.  Leah Harmon and her boy, Gus, were around.  Leah won her 20-29 age group, and Gus provided support - also posing for several photos in his chicken hat...  Thanks for the Hammerhead tri club BBQ invite Gus - good meat and beer.

    Oh, btw, the high today was around 90 F, like it has been for the past four months, no triple digits here...

Something Like This

... will be what I am working on for the coming months...

(copyright ELB '07)

New Student Picnic at Prez Shalala's Spread

A little rain shower, but good food and a beautiful location on a canal in Coral Gables, with band (Suénalo) and some new RSMoids.

Jury Duty

Even with everything else going on we can't forget our civic duties. I spent a thoroughly dull day in the Miami-Dade criminal courthouse - I didn't make the cut.

Biscayne Bay Sampling

A couple of shots showing the sampling routine for the western mangrove shoreline of Biscayne Bay.