Clay is most commonly associated with the sublime experience of the European spa where visitors have been masked, soaked and basted with this touted curative since the Romans ruled. However, today scientists think that smectite clay could one day rise above cosmetic use to take its place comfortably with antibacterial behemoths like penicillin. People are interested in natural cures and I think that there is a lot of nature that we dont understand yet, ASU geochemist Lynda Williams says. What if we discover a mechanism for controlling microbes that had never been discovered before? It is these avenues, at the boundaries of scientific discovery, at the edges of my field and knowledge (and Shelleys), where such discoveries are made. .

Smoking ban brings mixed opinions in Carroll

Maggie's has been fighting this kind of ban for 10 years, he said.But Scott Beck, owner of E W Beck's Pub in Sykesville, said the ban will bring in new business."I think on the short term it may negatively affect us, but in the long term, it will probably be positive," said Beck, who anticipates the ban may make his restaurant more family friendly and attract many of the area's young residents."We have people that won't come out because it's too smoky," he said.Beck said he will try his best to accommodate the smoking clientele. Before the ban goes into effect, a door that will access an outdoor patio will be added to the restaurant. The plan is to eventually have the patio covered and heated, Beck said."I think some of the bar business might decline, but people don't come to a bar or restaurant to smoke.

Martin leads Devils past Hurricanes 6-1

White opened the scoring at 3:08 with a slap shot from the left point. After a stretch of 125 games without a goal, White has produced two in five games.

Zubrus netted the Devils' second power-play goal of the period with 2:02 left to give New Jersey a 4-1 advantage.