Products

Researchers hailed the Supreme Court ruling Wednesday that bans the patenting of human DNA, saying it would expand access to genetic testing for disease at lower cost to patients. In a unanimous decision, the justices said Myriad Genetics did not have exclusive rights to the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes that are linked to significantly greater risk for breast cancer and thus should not be the only company allowed to test for it. "Myriad did not create anything," Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for his fellow justices.

For three hours each work week, Bert Rice walks laps around Burba Lake at Fort Meade — part of a mission by the federal government to build a healthier workforce. Rice, 76, a retired Army colonel and former Anne Arundel County councilman working as a civilian on the garrison staff at Fort Meade, is one of thousands of federal workers who participate in health and fitness programs designed to lower the government's health care costs, increase productivity and better recruit and retain employees.

Fed up with foam cups floating in Baltimore's waterways, a City Council committee voted Tuesday to approve a ban on polystyrene foam products for carryout food and drink items within the city limits. The measure, sponsored by Councilman James B. Kraft, would impose penalties on food service businesses for using products such as Styrofoam. It will now go to the full council Monday for a vote. "No food service facility may use any disposable food service ware made from polystyrene for the purpose of allowing consumers to take away prepared foods or beverages from its premises," Kraft's bill states.

Fed up with foam cups floating in Baltimore's waterways, a City Council committee voted Tuesday to approve a ban on polystyrene foam products for carryout food and drink items within the city limits. The measure, sponsored by Councilman James B. Kraft, would impose penalties on food service businesses for using products such as Styrofoam. It will now go to the full council Monday for a vote. "No food service facility may use any disposable food service ware made from polystyrene for the purpose of allowing consumers to take away prepared foods or beverages from its premises," Kraft's bill states.

The Under Armour brand is poised for continued growth with a soon-to-be-released football cleat that's expected to drive footwear sales, as well as plans to keep expanding into international markets, executives told stockholders Tuesday. Consumers who choose Under Armour over other sports apparel brands do so because the products help solve problems for athletes, said Kevin Plank, the company's chairman, president and CEO, during the company's annual stockholders' meeting at its South Baltimore headquarters.

WASHINGTON - Fifteen phony products - including a gasoline-powered alarm clock - won a label from the government certifying them as energy efficient in a test of the federal Energy Star program. Investigators concluded the program is "vulnerable to fraud and abuse." A report released Friday said government investigators tried to pass off 20 fake products, and only two were rejected. Three others didn't get a response. The program run by the Energy Department and Environmental Protection Agency is supposed to identify energy-efficient products to help consumers.

If you can hold off from buying that energy-efficient refrigerator or furnace for a little more than a week, you could save 6 percent sales tax in Maryland. The state's annual sales tax holiday runs Feb. 16-18 for those buying “Energy Star” products. The state offers answers to frequent questions online.  Consumers can also find online a list of qualified Energy Star products, which runs from washers and dryers to light bulbs.  

Columbia-based Osiris Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company developing stem cell-based treatments, beat Wall Street analysts' estimates with a reported loss of $4.3 million in the second quarter, which ended June 30. The firm, which earlier this year drew international headlines for having the world's first stem cell drug approved by a major country, posted a loss of 13 cents per share. Analysts polled by MarketWatch had expected a 15-cent-per-share loss. The company said its revenues from biosurgery products - which are used to improve wound healing and tissue regeneration - rose 43 percent, to $1.6 million, from the first quarter.

No one can expect to escape childhood without a few bumps and scrapes. But federal regulators, manufacturers and parents are still grappling with ensuring the safety of products for babies and toddlers. Several widespread product recalls this year have stoked the debate — and made navigating the consumer market potentially heart-wrenching. At least half of more than 500 recalls by the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission each year are for children's products, said Don Mays, senior director of product safety for Consumer Reports.

Martek Biosciences Corp., a Columbia-based maker of infant formula nutritional supplements, said Thursday it will pay $200 million for a consumer health and wellness product company that will for the first time help give their products a direct pipeline to store shelves. Martek is buying Amerifit Brands Inc. from Charterhouse Group Inc., a New York-based private equity investment firm, in a deal that is being funded with $120 million in cash reserves and the rest through loans, the companies said.

Edward Henry Weiss, a retired marketing executive who put the name Wacky Noodle on a children's flotation device used in swimming pools, died of a stroke Monday at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The Timonium resident was 74. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Sidney Weiss, who owned a printing business, and the former Fannie Brand, a homemaker. As a student at Abraham Lincoln High School, he played the saxophone and clarinet in the school band. He befriended a classmate, a young composer and performer, Neil Sedaka, who wrote hits including "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. " "In the summer my husband and Neil would go to the Catskills early in the season," said his wife, Susan Pace Weiss.

When Lerner and Loewe's "Camelot" debuted on Broadway in 1960 with a cast headed by Richard Burton as King Arthur, Julie Andrews as Guinevere and Robert Goulet, an unknown Canadian in his first starring role, as Lancelot, the musical became an instant hit. Fifty-three years later, "Camelot" retains its luster, especially in 2nd Star's current production, now playing at Bowie Playhouse in White Marsh Park. Frederick Loewe's music and Alan Jay Lerner's lyrics are magic. Lerner is also responsible for the book, allowing King Arthur's message of hope and idealism to permeate almost every scene.

In response to the letter regarding animal cruelty ("Eat more plants," June 4), I would like to clarify one important thing: There is no such thing as humanely produced animal products or humane slaughter. It is a misnomer by animal producers to relieve the guilt consumers feel when buying meat, eggs or dairy. All animals, no matter how the conditions are labeled (meat-free, organic, cage-free, free-range, etc.) suffer in food production as all end up at the same slaughterhouses and all feel the fear and panic of impending death.

Five active Orioles have a higher batting average than Nick Markakis this season. The veteran right fielder is fifth on the team in doubles. He is fifth in home runs. Fifth in runs scored. And fifth in runs batted in. Where Markakis currently ranks in those categories has everything to do with the high-powered Orioles offense -- one that is second in baseball in runs and first in homers -- and nothing to do with how he is hitting. Before leaving the team Tuesday following the death of his grandmother, Markakis was batting .300 with 12 doubles, seven home runs and 33 RBIs.

Harris Teeter and Costco have pulled an antioxidant berry blend from stores because it has been linked to an outbreak of hepatitis A. The product made by Townsend Farms Inc. was sold at Harris Teeters stores April 19 to May 7 under the name Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend in 10 ounce bags. The product was sold at Costco warehouse stores under the product name Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend in three pound bags. Townsend Farms, Inc. issued a recall of certain lots of the frozen berry blend products on June 4. The blend contains a mix of berries, cherries, and pomegranate.

Whether you're barbecuing in Baltimore, in Bel Air or on the bay this Memorial Day, you will pay more for staple foods because our federal government continues to pit food versus fuel. Thanks to an unworkable federal energy policy, prices for animal feed have soared, burdening those farmers and ranchers that raise livestock and poultry, along with the companies that process them, with rising production costs. In addition to forcing farms and food producers to cut jobs or close their doors, the increased costs are reflected in the expanding grocery bills of every American.

Drew Westervelt's path to pro lacrosse was slicked with sweat and puke and blood and spit. "You know how it is when you're playing sports," he said. "You leave a lot out there. " So when the 27-year-old Bel Air native and UMBC graduate felt an entrepreneurial tug in 2009, he immediately thought about developing a business cleaning sports facilities. When he went to an uncle seeking financing, he was given one condition: Go see Doug Bradford and Doug McGettigan. The two had been running a cleaning business in Maryland for 25 years.

Now you can bake like Duff Goldman and the gang at Charm City Cakes. A new line of cake decorating products has just been released by Gartner Studios, a Minneapolis-based stationery company. Duff Essentials include cake mixes, decorating kits, pans and tools. Decorate With Duff includes sprinkles, decorating tools and cake "tattoos" and "graffiti. " And Duff Fondant includes everything you need to make your own extravaganzas. You can see the new Duff products here and here on the Charm City Cakes website.

On April 14, members of the Blue Ribbon 4-H Club presented their demonstrations to the club. Among those participating were Sarah Fielder "Smores Galore," Madie Potee "Cow Identification," Laura Fielder "Shabby Chic and So Unique," Mckenzie McCann "Dunkaroo Dip," Hannah Burgess "Saddle Up," Samantha Fielder "Super Sewing Tools," Katie Potee "Cattle By Products" and Beth Johnson "Before You Show, You Should Know. "

PBS is going to launch a new Charlie Rose in July, the public broadcaster announced Monday. The show will air Friday nights at 8:30 and be called "Charlie Rose Weekend. " With his CBS duties, the 71-year-old Rose is going to be a very busy guy. Good for him. I think the continued appeal of Rose indicates that there is still an appetite for intelligent talk on television -- as well as a dearth of channels and networks providing it. Here's the release: PBS today announced CHARLIE ROSE WEEKEND, a new 30-minute series hosted by acclaimed journalist Charlie Rose, to air at 8:30 p.m. on PBS stations nationwide on Fridays.