Sunday, June 21, 2009

Web Buzz: UFO, Colby Curtin, Zicam


Colby Curtin, UFOs in Australia, pharmceutical Zicam's side effects

Some weeks of Internet Buzz are thrilling, others inspiring. However, the past week was filled with surprising news: UFO abductions are rampant in Australia; a child dying of cancer asked for (and received) a private screening of Pixar's "Up"; and the nasal spray you've been may have taken away your sense of smell.

  • AUSTRALIA - A rash of alleged UFO abductions are striking Down Under.
  • Something stinks in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Particularly when a chemical companies claim to make homeopathic products. So when will companies learn to stop trying to cure the common cold? Perhaps now after the FDA charged Matrixx, the makers of Zicam, with selling a product that robbed people of their sense of smell. Matrixx called the claim "unwarranted." But the news caused a shockwave as searches roared on "zicam side effects," "zicam recall," and "loss of smell zicam." An article from CNN Money explains that because Zicam was classified as a homeopathic remedy, it was able to be marketed without "government oversight." Perhaps that loophole will soon be closed?

  • A child's last wish

10-year-old Colby Curtin died of cancer this week, but before she passed away, her final wish was fulfilled. The child had desperately wanted to see the new Pixar movie, "Up." Unfortunately, she was too ill to go to the theater. According to various articles within the Buzz, Pixar was told of Colby's illness. The company sent a representative to deliver a DVD for Colby to watch in her room. Though she could no longer see, her mother narrated the action. Colby died several hours after the movie ended, and searches on "up movie make a wish" and "colby curtin up" both soared.

Also buzzing this week...
• Al Roker took it to the Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag on "The Today Show."
• The highly anticipated, if awkwardly named, iPhone 3G S hit store shelves.

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