The blood was checked for DDE, the form DDT takes in the body, and PCBs. For comparison, the researchers also checked the blood of women who were similar but didn't have cancer.

The study found virtually no difference in levels of either DDE or PCBs between the two groups. Also, there was no sign that women with high buildups of the chemicals in their bodies faced a higher risk of breast cancer than did those with low accumulations.

In an editorial in the journal, Dr. Stephen H. Safe of Texas A&M University said he believes that the evidence is clear, and it should reassure the public that these chemicals don't cause breast cancer.

He noted that breast cancer had increased over the past 20 years at the same time the banned chemicals had become less common. The incidence of the disease has risen by about 1 percent a year since the 1940s. Much of this is probably a matter of better detection.

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For more information and the complete article visit the site at New England Journal of Medicine

PA Considers year round Black Bass angling

Eight Chippewa bands can begin hunting and fishing immediately in east-central Minnesota after a crucial legal hurdle was cleared

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an order that temporarily prevented the bands from exercising treaty rights that were affirmed in an August decision.

The state, landowners and counties have long argued that the special hunting and fishing rights for the Indians were extinguished long ago, both by presidential order and subsequent treaties.

In August a three-judge panels of the appeals court disagreed, upholding the Indians' rights and affirming lower federal court decisions, but didn't address a stay on the Indian harvest in its ruling. Earlier this month, the Mille Lacs, Fond du Lac and six Wisconsin bands petitioned the court to lift the order.

An 111-page code allows the Indians to set gills nets in Lake Mille Lacs and other designated lakes. The Band is expected to begin netting fish within a few days after the necessary tribal permits are issued.

Tribal deer hunting will begin with opening of the state's deer season on Nov. 8.

For a better understanding of Native Americans fishing and hunting rights, please refer to: Chippewa Treaty Rights: History and Management in Minnesota and Wisconsin-

University of Minnesota Misconceptions about Native American Fishing Rights

Residents in the Lake Mille Lacs region expressed resignation and anger fearing the lake will be fished out.

Few appeals options remain for opponents to the 1837 treaty-rights cases.

Attorneys for the state, counties and landowners have petitioned for a hearing before the full 11-member appeals court, based in St. Louis. The court has not announced whether it will hear the case, but opponents have also vowed to take the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court if they fail in the appeals court.

Bands are allowed 40,000 pounds of walleyes this year, but only took 1,900 pounds under a court-allowed ceremonial harvest. Bands are allowed a 55,000-pound walleye harvest next year on Lake Mille Lacs. Harvests will be declared on other lakes in March.

Sport anglers and hunters have already been affected by past rulings. The Department of Natural Resources instituted special length regulations for walleyes this summer on Mille Lacs in anticipation of tribal harvests. More stringent regulations could be in the works for next year.

Indiana Snags Poachers On-line