College Clips

By Amy Oslica, Staff Writer
Oct. 23, 2007

After 95 years, absinthe absence finally ends

For the first time in 95 years, absinthe can be legally enjoyed in the U.S.

"From what I've heard, you see things when you drink it, like a green fairy, but I also did hear that there was some sort of poison in it," Iowa State University sophomore Patrick Kohn said.

Since early May, one approved brand of absinthe has been available in three states.

Leading the resurgence into the states is Lucid, created by Viridian Spirits.

The company hired French absinthe guru T.A. Breaux to develop the unique blend required to pass U.S. restrictions.

"T.A. Breaux has spent many years testing vintage bottles of absinthe produced in the 1800s," Viridian president Jared Gurfein said. "In those years of testing, Breaux found, quite remarkably, that absinthe made in its heyday actually contained few or none of the impurities that might otherwise have made it illegal under modern U.S. law."

— The Iowa State Daily

(Iowa State University)

Alcohol may increase chances of

breast cancer, studies say

Daily drinkers might be surprised to learn that their habits raise their chances of developing breast cancer.

"Those who consistently drink two to four alcoholic beverages a day have a 40 percent increased chance of breast cancer," said Lorna Palmer, executive director of the Oklahoma affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Several studies have noted the correlation between alcohol and breast cancer, and the results remain consistent — more than a drink a day increases likelihood of breast cancer.

Four in five college students drink alcohol, and two in five engage in heavy episodic drinking, according to a 2002 study from the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Even though breast cancer tends to occur in the later years of life, Palmer said it's becoming more of a problem among middle-aged women and women in their 20s.

— The Daily Collegian

(Penn State)

Natural family planning can be effective

Contraception is always a relevant topic for college students, since few of them want to start a family during this time in their lives.

Although most people use hormonal or barrier contraception, natural family planning, when used correctly, is a fairly effective way to prevent pregnancy naturally.

NFP is a method of preventing pregnancy where "a woman learns to regulate when ovulation is occurring and avoids intercourse during this fertile time," said Christine Peterson, director of gynecology at University of Virginia Health System.

Also, because NFP uses no chemicals, it is environmentally friendly.

Karen Poehailos, doctor of family medicine at First Med in Charlottesville, Va., described NFP as a very pro-woman method.

"She learns about her body and how it works, and her husband learns to respect the natural rhythm she was born with," she said. "I think women need to look at this as something that can empower them and the way they look at their body and their health."

— The Cavalier Daily

(University of Virginia)

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