Factbox: U.S. "fiscal cliff," tax impact of no deal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Higher federal taxes for millions of businesses and individuals will become law on Tuesday unless Congress acts to stop them. These taxes, worth $500 billion, comprise the bulk of what is known as the "fiscal cliff" problem. The following shows the probable impact on taxpayers if Congress does not act on Monday, or does not come back later and undo these tax increases, based on data from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. INDIVIDUAL TAXES If midnight passes with no deal, lower individual tax rates enacted in 2001 on a temporary basis under former President George W. ... Read more

Pediatricians say kids need recess during school

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A group of American pediatricians is telling school districts that children need recess and free time during the school day, and it should not even be taken away as punishment. "We consider it essentially the child's personal time and don't feel it should be taken away for academic or punitive reasons," said Dr. Robert Murray, who co-authored the new policy statement for the American Academy of Pediatrics. The statement, published Monday in the journal Pediatrics, says recess is a "crucial and necessary component of a child's development. ... Credit of the story

Pediatricians say kids need recess during school

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A group of American pediatricians is telling school districts that children need recess and free time during the school day, and it should not even be taken away as punishment. "We consider it essentially the child's personal time and don't feel it should be taken away for academic or punitive reasons," said Dr. Robert Murray, who co-authored the new policy statement for the American Academy of Pediatrics. The statement, published Monday in the journal Pediatrics, says recess is a "crucial and necessary component of a child's development. ... Credit of the story

Michigan hospital blazes trail in fight against fungal meningitis

CHICAGO (Reuters) - After his first day working at St Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor hospital's newly created Fungal Outbreak Clinic, Dr David Vandenberg struggled to describe to his boss the enormity of what lay ahead. He settled on a line from the movie Jaws. "We're going to need a bigger boat," Vandenberg told Dr Lakshmi Halasyamani, chief medical officer of the Michigan hospital, echoing the film's local police chief after he first eyes a 25-foot (7.5-metre) killer shark. The St Joseph Mercy clinic has been at the front line of the fight against one of the biggest ever U.S. ...

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Why Do We Blink So Much?

Why Do We Blink So Much?

Scientists have shown that the average person blinks 15-20 times per minute. That's up to 1,200 times per hour and a whopping 28,800 times in a day--much more often than we need to keep our eyeballs lubricated. In fact, we spend about 10 percent of our waking hours with our eyes closed.

So why do we blink so much?

New research from Japan's Osaka University found that blinking may serve as a form of momentary rest for the brain, giving the mind a chance to wander and "go offline." These brief breaks may last just a split second, or even a few seconds.

When our brains aren't concentrated on a task, brain regions known as the "default mode network" come alive, allowing our mind to switch into an idle mode--a phenomenon researchers discovered decades ago. But how does blinking affect this idle state?

According to the new research, blinking and the brain at rest go hand in hand. In order to understand this phenomenon, scientists monitored the brain activity of 20 healthy subjects in a brain scanner while they watched snippets of a comedy reel.

The researchers found that at points where natural breaks occurred in the video, two things happened: the stop elicited a spontaneous blink in subjects, and the scan showed a dip in the areas of the brain that control focus. For that fleeting moment, the default mode network stepped in to take over for an idle brain.

While our conscious brains may not even detect the stop, the momentary lapse can provide a wakeful reprieve--although perhaps only for a fraction of a second. This new research may help scientists understand the correlation between lying and blinking patterns--it's possible that because lying is an attention-intensive activity, people blink less during deception.

The research was published Dec. 24 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Science.

Also on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Year in Review: Meningitis Outbreak Still a Challenge

The fungal meningitis outbreak that made headlines in the fall was "unprecedented," in the words of the of the clinicians at the eye of the storm. Get the complete story

Employer wins relief from U.S. contraceptives mandate

Employer wins relief from U.S. contraceptives mandate
(Reuters) - A divided federal appeals court has temporarily barred the U.S. government from requiring an Illinois company to obtain insurance coverage for contraceptives, as mandated under the 2010 healthcare overhaul, after the owners objected on religious grounds. More than 40 lawsuits are challenging a requirement in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that requires most for-profit companies to offer workers insurance coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices and other birth control methods. Friday's 2-1 order by a panel of the 7th U.S. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

U.S. mentally ill and their families face barriers to care

U.S. mentally ill and their families face barriers to care
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lori, a 39-year-old mother in New Jersey, would like to save for the usual things: college, retirement, vacations. But those goals are far down her wish list. For now, she and her husband are putting aside money for a home alarm system. They're not worried about keeping burglars out. They need to keep their son in. Mike, 7, began seeing a psychiatrist in 2009, after one pre-school kicked him out for being "difficult" and teachers at the public school he later attended were worried about his obsessive thoughts and extreme anxiety. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

What Can Astronauts Teach Us About Aging?

What Can Astronauts Teach Us About Aging?

While we usually think of astronauts as explorers of life beyond this planet, scientists are discovering that astronauts can actually teach us a lot about life here on earth.

The Canadian Space Institute (CSA) recently teamed up with the Institute of Aging, a branch of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, to see what the medical issues faced by astronauts can tell us about the aging process. The two groups pooled resources and knowledge during a workshop in June, and hope to develop an international program as well, according to Dr. Nicole Buckley, Chief Scientist for Life Sciences at the CSA.

Due to their sedentary lifestyle in space, astronauts often develop similar health problems as the elderly, said University of Waterloo Professor Richard Hughson. These include soft bones, a risk of fainting and hardened arteries. Hughson, who specializes in aging and receives funding from the CSA, has performed several studies showing how space life can have adverse effects on an astronaut’s cardiovascular system.

Because astronauts tend to be healthy people, when one aspect of their health starts to deteriorate, it is easy for researchers to see how this may impact other parts of their body. This is opposed to the elderly, where, “one effect can be confounded with other changes occurring at the same time,” said Dr. Buckley.

By teaming up with scientists at the Institute of Aging, the CSA hopes to improve health outcomes through research.

“Our main mandate is to look after astronaut health. However, there are not that many astronauts, and there are many Canadians. We want to help as many people as possible,” said Dr. Buckley.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Half Of Sleeping Pills' Benefits May Be Due To Placebo Effect

Half Of Sleeping Pills' Benefits May Be Due To Placebo Effect

Half the reason why sleeping pills work is because of the placebo effect, according to a new review of studies in the British Medical Journal.

Researchers from Harvard Medical School, the University of Connecticut and the University of Lincoln analyzed past data from 13 studies on a type of sleeping pill called Z-drugs (also known as non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, which include the brand names of Lunesta, Ambien and Sonata). The studies included more than 4,300 people.

The researchers found "that Z-drugs did reduce the length of time it took for subjects to fall asleep, both subjectively and as measured in a sleep lab, but around half of the effect of the drug was a placebo response," study researcher Niroshan Siriwardena, a professor at the University of Lincoln, said in a statement.

Researchers said the findings have implications for people who use these sleeping pills and experience negative side effects, like problems with balance, fatigue and memory loss.

Recently, a study in the journal BMJ Open showed a link between hypnotic sleeping pill use and increased death risk. The study showed that people who take 18 or fewer sleeping pills each year have a three-and-a-half-times increased risk of death, compared with people who don't take the pills.

And the effect seems to be even higher with the more pills you take -- CBS News reported that people who take 132 or more sleeping pills a year have a five-times higher risk of death, as well as a 35 percent increased risk of developing cancer.

For more on sleeping pills -- and why we use them in the first place -- watch this HuffPost Live segment with Marc Lamont Hill and Drs. Russell Sanna and Stuart Quan, both of Harvard Medical School:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

FDA approves Bristol Myers, Pfizer's anti-clotting drug Eliquis

FDA approves Bristol Myers, Pfizer's anti-clotting drug Eliquis
(Reuters) - U.S. health regulators approved clot prevention drug Eliquis, developed by Bristol Myers-Squibb Co and Pfizer Inc, for treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeats. The drug, also known as apixaban, was approved by European health regulators last month. Eliquis belongs to a new class of medicines designed to replace decades-old warfarin for preventing blood clots in heart patients, or after a hip- or knee-replacement surgery. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

Expectations low for White House "fiscal cliff" meeting

Expectations low for White House "fiscal cliff" meeting

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and congressional leaders were set to meet on Friday for the first time since November with no sign of progress in resolving their differences over the federal budget and low expectations for a "fiscal cliff" deal before January 1. Instead, members of Congress are increasingly looking at the period immediately after the December 31 deadline to come up with a retroactive fix to avoid the steep tax hikes and sharp spending cuts that economists have said could plunge the country into another recession. ...

Source: news.yahoo.com

Study links milk-producing protein to aggressive breast cancer

HONG KONG (Reuters) - The discovery that a protein which triggers milk production in women may also be responsible for making breast cancers aggressive could open up new opportunities for treatment of the most common and deadliest form of cancer among women. Found in all breast cells, the protein ELF5 tries to activate milk production even in breast cancer cells, which does not work and then makes the cancer more aggressive, according to scientists in Australia and Britain. ... Click here to read the rest

Poor reading skills tied to risk of teen pregnancy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Seventh grade girls who have trouble reading are more likely to get pregnant in high school than average or above-average readers, according to a new study from Philadelphia. Researchers found that pattern stuck even after they took into account the girls' race and poverty in their neighborhoods - both of which are tied to teen pregnancy rates. "We certainly know that social disadvantages definitely play a part in teen pregnancy risk, and certainly poor educational achievement is one of those factors," said Dr. ... Original Source

Film explores African-Americans' unhealthy "soul food" habit

(Reuters) - After interviewing food historians, scholars, cooks, doctors, activists and consumers for his new film "Soul Food Junkies," filmmaker Byron Hurt concluded that an addiction to soul food is killing African-Americans at an alarming rate. The movie, which will premiere on January 14 on U.S. public broadcasting television, examines how black cultural identity is linked to high-calorie, high-fat food such as fried chicken and barbecued ribs and how eating habits may be changing. In the deeply personal film, Hurt details his father's fight and eventual death from pancreatic cancer. ... Click here to read the rest

Why You Need To Use Dead Sea Products

Why You Need To Use Dead Sea Products
There are hundreds of natural products that are supposed to be extremely good for our skin and for overall body. People use different products for skin care and almost every single skin product that is available in the market has its own pros and cons. If you want to buy a cream or lotion for your skin, you have no idea as to how it will react and how it will affect your skin.
Source: EzineArticles.com

Ex-U.S. President George H.W. Bush in intensive care

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Former President George H.W. Bush, who led a coalition that ejected Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991, is in intensive care at a Houston hospital in "guarded condition," family spokesman Jim McGrath said Wednesday. The 88-year-old was admitted to hospital November 23 for bronchitis. "The president is alert and conversing with medical staff, and is surrounded by family," McGrath said in a statement. ...

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Condom Dispensers in Philly Schools

Condom Dispensers in Philly Schools
Philadelphia is installing condom dispensers in 22 city high schools where students as young as 14 will be able to receive condoms for free in an effort to combat an "epidemic" of sexually transmitted disease among the city's teenagers.
Source: abcnews.go.com

Doctors on Call: Smoking does more than cause cancer

"Smoking is like paying someone to kill you: They are rich and you are dead, $6 at a time!" We all know that smoking is bad for us, yet many people do not understand or know of its other complications besides cancer, like to our cardiovascular system. Get the complete story

UCB gets Japan clearance for two new drugs

UCB gets Japan clearance for two new drugs
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB has secured two regulatory clearances in Japan, further cementing its worldwide shift to a new generation of drugs. The company said in a statement on Tuesday that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had approved UCB's Neupro patch to treat Parkinson's disease and moderate-to-severe Restleg Legs Syndrome in adults. Otsuka Pharmaceutical has the exclusive rights for developing and marketing Neupro in Japan, with UCB responsible in all other regions worldwide. Neupro is available in 35 countries. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

Ethanol Shot to the Heart Saves Man

Ethanol Shot to the Heart Saves Man
A cardiologist in England gained international attention when he used an unconventional procedure -- a shot of basic alcohol to the heart -- to stop an unusual cardio rhythm in an elderly patient.
Source: abcnews.go.com

UCB gets Japan clearance for two new drugs

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB has secured two regulatory clearances in Japan, further cementing its worldwide shift to a new generation of drugs. The company said in a statement on Tuesday that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had approved UCB's Neupro patch to treat Parkinson's disease and moderate-to-severe Restleg Legs Syndrome in adults. Otsuka Pharmaceutical has the exclusive rights for developing and marketing Neupro in Japan, with UCB responsible in all other regions worldwide. Neupro is available in 35 countries. ... Credit of the story

New Genetic Tests Determines Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Risks

New Genetic Tests Determines Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Risks
COMMENTARY | New research has uncovered that mutations in the PPM1D gene is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Unlike BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, the PPM1D mutation is not inherited. Instead, the mutation only shows up in the blood when breast cancer or ovarian cancer is present. Medical News Today quotes professor Nazneen Raham as saying, "This is one of our most interesting and exciting discoveries."
Source: news.yahoo.com

12 Weeks is a Long Time to Wait for Breast Cancer Chemotherapy

FIRST PERSON | How long a wait is too long when it comes to treatment of breast cancer? A report published in the Dec. 19 issue of JNCI, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, states that after examining records from 6,622 women, the average time for a woman to wait for adjuvant chemotherapy (chemo given after surgery) for breast cancer is 12 weeks. After my surgery, I waited four weeks before chemotherapy began. Courtesy of Yahoo News

Dermatologists Can Provide You With Quality Skin Care

When you suffer from skin problems and nothing you do seems to clear them up, find a team of dermatologists to help you. They can treat your condition and give you a clearer, more attractive complexion in no time. Source

Allergies, extra weight tied to bullying

Allergies, extra weight tied to bullying

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Kids who have food allergies or are overweight may be especially likely to get bullied by their peers, two new studies suggest. Not surprisingly, researchers also found targets of bullying were more distressed and anxious and had a worse quality of life, in general, than those who weren't picked on. Bullying has become a concern among parents, doctors and school administrators since research and news stories emerged linking bullying - including online "cyberbullying" - with depression and even suicide. ...

Source: news.yahoo.com

Explainer: Naming of Parts for an Instrument of Civilian Slaughter

Explainer: Naming of Parts for an Instrument of Civilian Slaughter

Courtesy of Yahoo News

Former President George H.W. Bush remains hospitalized

Former President George H.W. Bush remains hospitalized

(Reuters) - Former President George H.W. Bush, who has been hospitalized for a month undergoing treatment for bronchitis, may not be released from a Houston hospital in time to celebrate Christmas at home as doctors had hoped. Bush, 88, remained in stable condition and doctors were optimistic he would make a full recovery, George Kovacik, a spokesman at Methodist Hospital, said in an emailed statement on Sunday. But doctors were being "extra cautious" with his care and no discharge date had been set, the statement said. ...

Source: news.yahoo.com

Predicting who's at risk for violence isn't easy

CHICAGO (AP) — It happened after Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora, Colo., and now Sandy Hook: People figure there surely were signs of impending violence. But experts say predicting who will be the next mass shooter is virtually impossible — partly because as commonplace as these calamities seem, they are relatively rare crimes.

Courtesy of Yahoo News

Bieber's Hamster Giveaway Causes Furry Furor

Bieber's Hamster Giveaway Causes Furry Furor
Here’s a story that will give you paws. Or at least it has paws. According to TMZ, Justin Bieber gave an unsuspecting fan an early Christmas present by unloading his pet hamster, named PAC, on her during a recent concert. “That’s all you,” Bieber can...
Source: abcnews.go.com

Predicting who's at risk for violence isn't easy

Predicting who's at risk for violence isn't easy

CHICAGO (AP) — It happened after Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora, Colo., and now Sandy Hook: People figure there surely were signs of impending violence. But experts say predicting who will be the next mass shooter is virtually impossible — partly because as commonplace as these calamities seem, they are relatively rare crimes.

Source: news.yahoo.com

Ky. court upholds decision in penis removal case

Ky. court upholds decision in penis removal case
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man lost his bid Friday to force a doctor to pay damages for removing a cancer-riddled section of his penis during what was scheduled to be a simple circumcision.
Source: news.yahoo.com

AP IMPACT: Big Pharma cashes in on HGH abuse

A federal crackdown on illicit foreign supplies of human growth hormone has failed to stop rampant misuse, and instead has driven record sales of the drug by some of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies, an Associated Press investigation shows.

Credit of the story

Greatist Workout of the Day: Friday December 21st

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Dr. Christopher Winter: How Do We Sleep After Sandy Hook?

Dr. Christopher Winter: How Do We Sleep After Sandy Hook?

As I listened to the events unfold in Newtown, Conn. last week, my mind was pretty far away from my self-imposed Friday Huffington Post sleep post deadline. As the parent of three school-aged children, all I could think about, when I allowed myself to, was the friends and families in that community and how they were coping with the horror they all experienced. I decided that I would try to write something that would hopefully be helpful, even if in an immeasurably small way.

It took me several days before I could mentally approach my laptop and write. The intervening time did little to dampen the extreme feelings I have about the situation, nor had any brilliant idea or topic popped into my mind as to how a sleep specialist could offer any help. As I unloaded my emotions onto my wife about the events that transpired and how the sleep of those touched by this tragedy must be ravaged, I made the comment that I was unsure what to write. I told her that sometimes, it's okay to have insomnia. In her infinite wisdom, she simply said, "Write about that."

Sometimes, it is okay to have insomnia.

Doctors like to fix things. There is no doubt that I do. I often tell patients that I will be as aggressive as they want in terms of fixing their sleep problems, but that it is okay sometimes to say, "enough." As much as I want to talk to every person affected by the shooting and help him or her find serenity in their sleep, that simply may be beyond the control of even the best sleep doctor in the world.

So instead of the standard "warm milk" and "no television in bed," my advice is to accept the fact that for many people, sleep problems may be a part of their lives right now. Imagine having a pet snake get loose in your bedroom. The stress of the situation might make sleep very difficult or even impossible. It would be unnatural if sleep were not affected by certain situations. The Sandy Hook shootings and the stories that are emerging are beyond anything I have ever heard in my life -- it is only natural for our brains to struggle with how to comprehend and compartmentalize these events. During this time, people may find that they have a hard time "shutting their brains off." The more they fight to quiet their mind, the more they struggle to sleep.

The goal in a situation like this is not to fight this acute insomnia. The goal is to prevent the acute problem from developing into a chronic problem. I treat many patients with insomnia. I always try to dig into the precipitating event that initially created the problem. Fortunately, shootings are relatively uncommon; but lost loved ones are not. Stories of divorce, job loss or financial stress abound. For many, the only thing that can lessen the effects of these events is time. How much time? That is really impossible to answer. During this period, though, it is important for patients to not engage in behaviors that will serve to perpetuate the sleep impediments.

The most important thing to do in the midst of a sleep crisis is keep your schedule intact, especially your wake time. There is often a strong urge to "make up for lost sleep" when a night of sleep goes poorly. The temptation to hit the snooze button, call in sick, or take a nap in the afternoon can be overwhelming. Resisting the urge to sleep outside of your schedule will strengthen your brain's drive to sleep when you retire at your normal bedtime.

Speaking of bedtime, it is okay to stay up a little later in the midst of sleep difficulties. There is a natural tendency to try to go to bed earlier when sleep is failing you. It seems to make sense that if sleep is problematic, going to bed at 10:00 p.m. rather than 11:00 p.m. to get a little "extra sleep" might be a good idea. This move usually only worsens the problem; if you are not sleepy at 11:00 p.m., how is going to sleep earlier going to help?

Acute insomnia in many people will fade as the pain of the precipitating event starts to lessen. For others, the negativity of the fading precipitating event is gradually replaced by a growing fear of not sleeping. In my opinion, it is this fear of not sleeping that generally causes people to develop chronic sleep problems. There are many things people fear in this world -- darkness, heights, violence. Do not let not sleeping creep into your list. Remember, that sleep is an absolute: Everyone sleeps. To worry about not sleeping is in some ways as irrational as worrying about not eating!

So for people struggling with the events of last Friday, I want to tell you that it is okay to have sleep struggles. The insomnia you are experiencing is a pretty normal reaction. During this time of feeling as if aspects of your life are out of control, focus on what you can control -- your schedule (and most importantly your wake-up time) and your emotional reaction to your insomnia. Keep faith that the difficulties will pass, and if they do not as quickly as you would like, there are doctors who want to help.

I want to extend to everyone who has taken the time to read one of my posts (or fan me -- thank you!) my warmest holiday wishes. I hope that my words have been helpful and enlightening. Make it your New Year's resolution to make 2013 your best year of sleep. Finally, to everyone touched by the Sandy Hook tragedy, I hope you are able to find some peace and rest as the year comes to an end.

For more by Dr. Christopher Winter, click here.

For more on sleep, click here.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

California offered as national mental health model

California offered as national mental health model
In response to the killing of schoolchildren in Connecticut, the federal government should consider California's strategy for dealing with mental illness, experts and lawmakers said Thursday.
Source: news.yahoo.com

Spartan Bioscience Announces 6,000-Patient Study of Personalized Medicine for Cardiac Stents

Spartan Bioscience Announces 6,000-Patient Study of Personalized Medicine for Cardiac Stents
Landmark clinical trial begins for rapid DNA testing and personalized anti-blood clotting drugs.Ottawa, Ontario (PRWEB) December 20, 2012 Spartan Bioscience today announced the start of a 5,945-patient study of personalized medicine for cardiac stent patients. The study is sponsored by the Center for Individualized Medicine at Mayo Clinic and is entitled “Tailored Antiplatelet Initiation to Lessen Outcomes due to Clopidogrel Resistance after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (TAILOR-PCI). ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

Can't Afford Health Care? You're Not Alone

Can't Afford Health Care? You're Not Alone

Over the last year, nearly one in three Americans have forgone medical care due to costs, according to a new report from Gallup.

The percentage -- 32 percent -- is higher than any previously recorded by Gallup. Last year, 30 percent said they had forgone medical care for cost reasons; 12 years ago, 19 percent said they'd forgone it for cost reasons.

The report, based on 1,015 U.S. adults who completed phone surveys from Nov. 15 and 18 this year, shows that the likelihood of forgoing care for cost reasons differs by coverage.

People who don't have health insurance were the most likely to say they'd put off care -- 55 percent, compared with 30 percent of those who were privately insured. Twenty-one percent of people with health care from Medicare or Medicaid said they'd forgone care for cost.

The report also showed that more people are likely to put off medical care for a serious condition than for a non-serious condition -- 19 percent versus 13 percent this year.

"The rising costs can put personal as well as public health at risk if Americans forgo treatment they need because they feel they cannot afford it," the researchers wrote in the report. "Indeed, Gallup finds more than three in 10 Americans are putting off needed care, even for serious medical issues."

Of course, it's nothing new that finances are often in the way of getting necessary care. HuffPost's Jeffrey Young reported earlier this year on a Kaiser Family Foundation survey that showed that 58 percent of people put off, or went without, necessary health care over the past year because of costs. That number is up from 50 percent, recorded from August last year.

And in a 2010 survey from the Commonwealth Fund, 43 percent of adult women in the U.S. said that they'd forgone health care -- in the form of seeing their doctor, or getting medicine -- because of cost reasons.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Advanced Hearing Center Announces Special Offer: Complimentary Hearing Aid Batteries for Residents Looking for Hearing Aids in NYC

Advanced Hearing Center Announces Special Offer: Complimentary Hearing Aid Batteries for Residents Looking for Hearing Aids in NYC
The company will give patients either ten free hearing aid batteries or one Dri-Aid Jar with the purchase of a hearing aid or paid hearing aid repair.New York, NY (PRWEB) December 19, 2012 Advanced Hearing Center, a company that provides hearing aids in NYC, is now offering a special deal to its patients. By printing out the online coupon, patients can get ten free hearing aid batteries, or one Dri-Aid Jar. This offer is redeemable at any time until the coupon is no longer available online. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

Private equity group eyes Abu Dhabi healthcare IPO in 2013

DUBAI (Reuters) - The private equity consortium which owns half of Abu Dhabi healthcare provider Al Noor Medical is reviving plans to sell its stake through a stock market listing in 2013, four sources aware of the matter said. The group, including Dubai-based Ithmar Capital and Qatar First Investment Bank, is looking for new advisers after dropping HSBC Holdings and JP Morgan Chase, following an aborted previous listing, three of the source said. ... Continue reading...

Merck KGaA cancer drug Stimuvax fails late-stage trial

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German drugmaker Merck KGaA's cancer vaccine Stimuvax has failed to meet its goal of improving the survival of lung cancer patients in a late-stage trial. "It is disappointing that the... trial did not meet its primary endpoint, in particular for patients suffering from NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer)," the trial's coordinating investigator, Frances Shepherd, said in a statement on Wednesday. ... Continue reading...

Senator Reid rejects Boehner "fiscal cliff" backup plan

Senator Reid rejects Boehner "fiscal cliff" backup plan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House Speaker John Boehner's backup plan that would simply extend low income tax rates for households with incomes below $1 million a year "cannot pass both houses of Congress," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Tuesday. Reid, a Democrat, said Boehner instead should focus on reaching a broad deficit-reduction deal with President Barack Obama. "Now is the time to show leadership, not kick the can down the road," Reid said. ...

Source: news.yahoo.com

Gift-Giving Unwrapped: Science Says It’s Not the Thought That Counts

Gift-Giving Unwrapped: Science Says It’s Not the Thought That Counts

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Do You Avoid Exercise To Maintain Your Hairstyle?

Do You Avoid Exercise To Maintain Your Hairstyle?

(Reuters Health) - A number of obstacles may stand between a person and exercise, and hairstyles may be one of them for African-American women, according to a new study.

Researchers found about two of every five African-American women said they avoid exercise because of concerns about their hair, and researchers say that is concerning given the United States' obesity epidemic.

"As an African-American woman, I have that problem, and my friends have that problem. So I wondered if my patients had that problem," said Dr. Amy McMichael, the study's senior researcher and a dermatologist at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

McMichael and her colleagues, who published their findings in the Archives of Dermatology on Monday, said hair care can be tedious and costly for African-American women.

Rochelle Mosley, who owns Salon 804 in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, told Reuters Health some of her African-American clients come in once per week to get their hair straightened at a cost of about $40.

They may not want to wash their hair more than once a week to keep their hairstyle, and may avoid sweating because of that.

To find out if women were putting hair above their health, the researchers surveyed 103 African-American women who came to the dermatology clinic at Wake Forest University in October 2007.

They found that more than half of the women were exercising for less than 75 minutes per week, which is less than the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.

That's also less than U.S. women on average, according to a 2007 study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found about half of all U.S. women were exercising close to 150 minutes per week.

More than a quarter of the women in the new study said they didn't exercise at all.

About a third of the women said they exercise less than they'd like because of their hair, and half said they have considered changing their hair for exercise.

McMichael and her colleagues found that women who avoided exercise because of their hair were almost three times less likely to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. That finding, however, could have been due to chance.

Also, scalp issues, such as itching and dandruff, played a role in the women's decision-making process.

SALON OWNER NOT SURPRISED

McMichael also admits that they only surveyed African-American women, and they can't say whether this is a problem shared by other ethnicities.

"It is a really important conversation that African-American women want to have, and they're looking for solutions," said McMichael.

Salon 804's Mosley told Reuters Health that she's not surprised by the findings based on her 22 years in business.

Previously, studies have connected people who get their hair done and their overall health. Some barbershops and salons even act as health clinics (see Reuters article of June 29, 2011 here: reut.rs/WjFXgB).

Mosley added that some women schedule their visits around their exercise schedule, but she also tries to find a hairstyle that will work with physical activity.

"If you don't have a healthy body then you aren't going to have any hair to fix," she said.

SOURCE: bit.ly/WjBo5P Archives of Dermatology, online December 17, 2012.

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Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Amgen to pay $762 million, pleads guilty in marketing case

Amgen to pay $762 million, pleads guilty in marketing case
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amgen Inc pleaded guilty in a New York federal court on Tuesday for improper marketing practices involving its once top-selling Aranesp anemia drug, and prosecutors said the company has agreed to pay $762 million in a civil settlement and criminal fines. The world's largest biotechnology company had set aside funds it expected to have to pay as a result of federal and state investigations, as well as nearly a dozen civil whistleblower lawsuits. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

Watch and learn: How to do your makeup like ’60s It Girl Edie Sedgwick

Watch and learn: How to do your makeup like ’60s It Girl Edie Sedgwick
Dark eyebrows. Kohl-rimmed eyes. Nude lips. Lots and lots of mascara. That’s the Edie Sedgwick look in a nutshell—and Marc Jacobs was so enamoured with it that he had François Nars make up [...]

Dark eyebrows. Kohl-rimmed eyes. Nude lips. Lots and lots of mascara. That’s the Edie Sedgwick look in a nutshell—and Marc Jacobs was so enamoured with it that he had François Nars make up all his models that way for his S/S ’13 show. How fitting, then, that NARS (the brand) have come out with an Edie Gift Set as part of their Andy Warhol holiday collection. In this third vid from the company’s international makeup stylist, Lena Koro, find out how to make yourself up like the ultimate ’60s It Girl.

Source: beautyeditor.ca

Bird flu kills 4-year-old boy in Indonesia

A 4-year-old Indonesian boy has died from bird flu, bringing the death toll to 160 in the country hardest-hit by the deadly virus, a health official said Tuesday. Read more

Boehner opens door to tax hikes, shifts fiscal cliff talks

Boehner opens door to tax hikes, shifts fiscal cliff talks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The first real movement in the "fiscal cliff" talks began on Sunday, with Republican House Speaker John Boehner edging slightly closer to President Barack Obama's key demands as they try to avert the steep tax hikes and spending cuts set to take effect unless Congress intervenes by December 31. But Boehner's new positions, on tax rates and the total amount of new revenue to be included in a deficit-reduction deal, were still far from those held by Obama. ...

Source: news.yahoo.com

Vivalis to buy Intercell in European biotech merger

Vivalis to buy Intercell in European biotech merger
LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) - France's Vivalis and Austrian vaccine specialist Intercell are linking up in a rare cross-border deal that shows the need for Europe's fledgling biotech companies to grow in scale and produce a stronger pipeline to better compete in the quest for lucrative partnership deals. Vivalis is set to buy Intercell in a deal valuing the Austrian vaccine maker at around 133 million euros ($174 million), and creating an enlarged anti-infectives specialist in the fragmented European biotech industry. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

Boehner opens door to tax hikes, shifts U.S. fiscal cliff talks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner's offer to accept a tax rate increase for the wealthiest Americans knocks down a key Republican road block to a deal resolving the year-end "fiscal cliff." The question now boils down to what President Barack Obama offers in return. Such major questions, still unanswered so close to the end of the year suggest, however, that no spending and tax agreement is imminent. ...

Credit of the story

Nelson Mandela had gallstones removed, recovering: South Africa

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Nelson Mandela, the 94-year-old former South African president and Nobel Peace laureate hospitalized with a lung infection, has successfully undergone a procedure to have gallstones removed, the government said on Saturday. "The former president underwent a procedure via endoscopy to have gallstones removed. The procedure was successful and Madiba is recovering," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement, using Mandela's clan name. ...

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“Taste” Four Seasons: Why One Company is Turning to Local Ingredients

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President's pot comments prompt call for policy

President Barack Obama says he won't go after pot users in Colorado and Washington, two states that just legalized the drug for recreational use. But advocates argue the president said the same thing about medical marijuana — and yet U.S. attorneys continue to force the closure of dispensaries across the U.S.

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South Africa's Mandela had gall stones removed, recovering: government

South Africa's Mandela had gall stones removed, recovering: government
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who has been in hospital for a week with a lung infection, has successfully undergone a procedure to have gall stones removed, the government said on Saturday. "The former president underwent a procedure via endoscopy to have the gall stones removed ... The procedure was successful and Madiba is recovering," the government statement said. (Reporting by Agnieszka Flak; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Source: news.yahoo.com

US faces task of running dozens of health exchanges

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fourteen U.S. states and the District of Columbia so far have told the federal government they plan to operate healthcare exchanges under President Barack Obama's reform law, leaving Washington with the daunting task of creating online marketplaces for at least two-thirds of the country. On the eve of a federal deadline for states to say whether they will run their own exchanges, a top U.S. healthcare policy official told lawmakers that the exchanges will start enrolling eligible families starting on October 1, 2013. ...

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Lundbeck's alcohol dependency drug wins EU green light

LONDON (Reuters) - A novel drug to fight alcohol dependency was given a green light by European regulators on Friday, providing a boost to Danish drugmaker Lundbeck at a time when its top product faces a big drop in sales. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Friday it recommended approval of Selincro in conjunction with counseling for the reduction of alcohol consumption in adults dependent on drink. Recommendations from the EMA are normally endorsed by the European Commission within two or three months, implying the drug could be launched in Europe early next year. ...

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The Best Anti Wrinkle Cream 2011 - 2012

The Best Anti Wrinkle Cream 2011 - 2012
There are many anti aging and anti wrinkle products available today. We all know that exercising properly, eating a healthy diet, supplementing with good fish oil, and getting plenty of sleep are great ways to look and feel younger.
Source: EzineArticles.com

Lundbeck's alcohol dependency drug wins EU green light

LONDON (Reuters) - Danish drugmaker Lundbeck won a European green light on Friday for its new alcohol dependency drug Selincro, boosting its product portfolio at a time when its biggest product faces a big drop in sales. Lundbeck needs new drugs to replace lost sales from antidepressant Cipralex, sold as Lexapro in the United States and Japan, which is now coming off patent. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Friday it recommended approval of Selincro in conjunction with psychosocial support for the reduction of alcohol consumption in adults with alcohol dependence. ... Original Source

U.S. states inch closer to pre-recession prosperity

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. states are coming close to the end of a three-year trek back to the financial prosperity they enjoyed before the recession, according to a survey released on Friday that found the recovery is slow and uneven. The National Association of State Budget Officers and National Governors Association found that total state spending will likely rise 2.2 percent this fiscal year from last, while general fund revenues grow 3.9 percent to $692.8 billion. ...

Credit of the story

Blood Clots Are Ready for Their Close-Up [Slide Show]

Blood Clots Are Ready for Their Close-Up [Slide Show]
Blood Clots Are Ready for Their Close-Up [Slide Show]
Source: news.yahoo.com

Sneak Peek at the Dior Chérie Bow Collection for Spring 2013

Sneak Peek at the Dior Chérie Bow Collection for Spring 2013
Flirty pinks, smoky blacks, chic greys and embossed houndstooth patterns… just a few things to look forward to from the Dior Chérie Bow Collection for Spring 2013, available January 15, 2013 at Dior counters (some pieces…

Flirty pinks, smoky blacks, chic greys and embossed houndstooth patterns… just a few things to look forward to from the Dior Chérie Bow Collection for Spring 2013, available January 15, 2013 at Dior counters (some pieces available at Sephora).

The soft & feminine collection includes one Sephora-exclusive Eye & Lip Palette, one signature Chérie Bow Palette, two 5-Color Eyeshadow Palettes, one Blush, three Lipsticks, two Nail Lacquers and two Shadow/Liner Duos. Here’s a little peek at a couple goodies that just arrived… reviews soon!

Check out more photos below and let me know if you’ll be keeping an eye out for this in the new year!

Dior 5-Color Chérie Bow Edition Eyeshadow Palette in Rose Ballerine, $61 USD / $61 CAD

Dior Diorblush Chérie Bow Edition in Rose Bonheur / Pink Happiness, $43 USD / $43 CAD

Dior Addict Lipstick in Charmante, $31 USD / $31 CAD

Dior Twinset Shadow/Liner Duo in Grey Sigh, $30 USD / $30 CAD

Dior Dior Vernis in Gris Trianon, $24 USD / $24 CAD

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Categories: Featured, Sneak Peek
Tags: Blush, Cheeks, Dior, Dior 5-Color Cherie Bow Edition Eyeshadow Palette in Rose Ballerine, Dior Addict Lipstick in Charmante, Dior Cherie Bow Collection for Spring 2013, Dior Dior Vernis in Gris Trianon, Dior Diorblush Cherie Bow Edition in Rose Bonheur / Pink Happiness, Dior Spring 2013, Dior Twinset Shadow/Liner in Grey Sigh, Eyes, Eyeshadow, Face, Lip Color, Lips, Makeup, Nail Polish, Nails, Palettes, Spring 2013

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No progress in "fiscal cliff" talks as new poll hits Republicans

No progress in "fiscal cliff" talks as new poll hits Republicans

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sharp differences remained on Wednesday between congressional Republicans and the White House in talks to avert the "fiscal cliff" of steep tax hikes and budget cuts, and negotiators warned the showdown could drag on past Christmas. A Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll released late on Wednesday, however, held the potential to shake up the stalemate. Three-quarters of those surveyed, including 61 percent of Republicans, said they would accept raising taxes on the wealthy to avoid the so-called cliff, as Democratic President Barack Obama is demanding. ...

Source: news.yahoo.com

Dozens sue pharmacy, but compensation uncertain

Dennis O'Brien rubs his head as he details ailments triggered by the fungal meningitis he developed after a series of steroid shots in his neck: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, exhaustion and trouble with his speech and attention.

Original Source

Obama backers turn from re-election to "fiscal cliff" fight

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After a year of knocking on doors and working the phones to get President Barack Obama re-elected, Meechie Biggers had gotten over her fear of talking politics with strangers. So when she came to Washington last week, the small-town real estate agent and a few like-minded Tennesseeans paid a visit to one of their Republican senators, Bob Corker, to try to persuade him to back Obama's proposal to raise tax rates for the wealthy. Biggers didn't think she had much of a chance of changing his mind, and perhaps she didn't. ...

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SARS-Like Virus Has Key Differences

SARS-Like Virus Has Key Differences
The SARS-like coronavirus that made headlines earlier this year has some important -- and possibly dangerous -- differences, researchers said.
Source: abcnews.go.com

Medicines Co to spend $300 million to boost hospital products line

(Reuters) - Medicines Company, a maker of drugs used in hospitals, will spend about $300 million in two deals to bulk up its surgical care products portfolio. The company will pay $105 million upfront for a two-year license to market Bristol-Myers Squibb Company's device to control bleeding during surgery. Medicines Co also said it agreed to pay $185 million to acquire privately held Incline Therapeutics, which is developing a device to manage post-operative pain. "Both assets fit well with Medicines Co's current hospital franchise. ... Click here to read the rest

Chavez's cancer surgery successful, Venezuela VP says

Chavez's cancer surgery successful, Venezuela VP says

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's cancer operation in Cuba on Tuesday was a success, his vice president said, adding that the complex surgery had lasted more than six hours and he would be recuperating for several days. The 58-year-old socialist leader's third bout with cancer in the past 18 months has thrown his presidency into jeopardy and upended politics in the South American OPEC nation. "Once again, our comandante has shown his strength," Vice President Nicolas Maduro said in a broadcast on state television as members of the government alongside him applauded. ...

Source: news.yahoo.com

Lilly likens Alzheimer's race to 1920s insulin quest

(Reuters) - Drugmaker Eli Lilly & Co is confident it will do for Alzheimer's patients what it did almost a century ago for diabetics - find a breakthrough treatment, even though skeptics say it could take years. "We are on the cusp here of writing medical history again as a company, this time in Alzheimer's disease," Jan Lundberg, Lilly's research chief, said in an interview. ...

Original Source

AstraZeneca starts mid-stage TB drug trial in South Africa

AstraZeneca starts mid-stage TB drug trial in South Africa
LONDON (Reuters) - A new experimental drug that may fight drug-resistant strains of the lung disease tuberculosis is being tested in South Africa, where the first patient has been enrolled into a mid-stage clinical trial. AstraZeneca, which developed the medicine known as AZD5847, is working with the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine on the Phase IIa clinical study. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

South Africa's Mandela has lung infection, responding to treatment

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who is 94 and has been in hospital since Saturday for tests, has suffered a recurrence of a lung infection but is responding to treatment, the government said on Tuesday. The revered anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace laureate is spending his fourth day in a hospital in the South African capital Pretoria. He remains a hero to many of South Africa's 52 million people and two brief stretches in hospital in the last two years made front page news. ...

Courtesy of Yahoo News

And The Healthiest State Is...

And The Healthiest State Is...

Americans, on a whole, are dying less from cancer and heart-related causes, but at the same time, chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and sedentary living are on the rise, according to a new report ranking the health of each U.S. state.

The report, released by UnitedHealth Group's nonprofit, the United Health Foundation, in association with the American Public Health Association and the Partnership for Prevention, shows that 27.8 percent of all Americans are obese, 9.5 percent have diabetes, 30.8 percent have hypertension and 26.2 percent lead sedentary lifestyles.

However, premature deaths and deaths from heart disease and cancer have decreased since 1990.

"As a nation, we've made extraordinary gains in longevity over the past decades, but as individuals we are regressing in our health," Dr. Reed Tuckson, M.D., medical adviser to the United Health Foundation and chief of medical affairs for UnitedHealth Group, said in a statement.

The report also showed disparities in other health categories between the states who scored the highest for health, and the states that scored the lowest. For example, the five least healthy states had smoking rates between 23.1 percent and 28.6 percent, compared with 16.8 percent to 19.4 percent in the five most healthy states.

Similar patterns were seen for sedentary behavior: In the five least healthy states, sedentary lifestyles -- defined as 30 days of not exercising outside of work -- were led by 27.2 to 36 percent of people, compared with 21 to 35 percent in the five healthiest states.

The rankings of the states are based on the results of telephone interviews. Determinants include smoking, binge drinking, obesity, high school graduation rates, sedentary lifestyle, children in poverty, infectious disease cases, air pollution, violent crime, health insurance, immunizations, primary care doctors, hospitalizations, and rate of conditions and deaths, such as cancer, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Click through the slideshow to see the rankings, from the healthiest to the least-healthy state. How did your state fare?

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Fish sold in New York is routinely mislabeled: study

Fish sold in New York is routinely mislabeled: study
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nearly three in five New York City grocery stores and restaurants that sell seafood have mislabeled part of their stock, substituting varieties that could cause health problems, according to a new study. Some 39 percent of the fish obtained for the study by the ocean conservation group Oceana was inaccurately identified, Oceana said. Sometimes cheap fish is substituted for more expensive varieties or plentiful species for scarce ones. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

More "fiscal cliff" talks but neither side giving ground

More "fiscal cliff" talks but neither side giving ground

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House and House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner's office held more negotiations on Monday on ways to break the "fiscal cliff" stalemate, although neither side showed any public signs that they were ready to give ground. The talks gained urgency after Republican Boehner met at the White House with President Barack Obama on Sunday, raising hopes of progress in averting the onset of tax increases and spending cuts that kicks in on January 1 unless Congress intervenes. ...

Source: news.yahoo.com

Chavez faces cancer surgery in Cuba, vows "I'll be back"

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's ailing President Hugo Chavez flew to Cuba on Monday for cancer surgery, vowing to return quickly despite his unprecedented admission the disease could end his 14-year rule of the South American OPEC nation. "I leave full of hope. We are warriors, full of light and faith," the ever-upbeat Chavez said before boarding the flight to Havana. "I hope to be back soon. ...

Original Source

Iron may prevent behavioral issues in small babies

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Iron supplements may help boost brain development and ward off behavioral problems in babies who are born a bit on the small side, a new study from Sweden suggests. Low birth-weight babies are more likely to end up iron deficient, researchers said. They need more of the nutrient for catch-up growth and haven't stored as much as other babies if they're also born premature. For that reason, very early-term and very small babies are often put on iron - but less research has looked at babies born just shy of normal weight, to see if they are also at risk. ...

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Factbox: Chavez's chosen successor Nicolas Maduro

CARACAS (Reuters) - President Hugo Chavez has named Vice President Nicolas Maduro as the heir of his self-styled socialist revolution should cancer force him out of office. He urged Venezuelans to vote for Maduro in the event of a snap election. Here are some facts about Maduro: * A former bus driver and trade unionist with Caracas public transport, the mustachioed Maduro, 50, has been foreign minister since 2006 and also was named vice president in October. ... Click here to read the rest

Kathy Freston: Could A Vegan Diet Help Prevent Cancer?

Kathy Freston: Could A Vegan Diet Help Prevent Cancer?

If you're anything like me, the "C" word leaves you trembling. But today there is very good news to report: Research suggests you can improve your odds of never getting cancer and/or improve your chances of recovering from it. Not with a drug or surgery, although those methods might be quite effective. This is all about the power on your plate, and it's seriously powerful.

A 2012 analysis of all the best studies done to date concluded vegetarians have significantly lower cancer rates. For example, the largest forward-looking study on diet and cancer ever performed concluded that "the incidence of all cancers combined is lower among vegetarians."

That's good news, yes. But what if we're looking for great news? If vegetarians fare so much better than meat-eaters, what about vegans? Is that an even better way to eat? We didn't know for sure until now.

A new study just out of Loma Linda University funded by the National Cancer Institute reported that vegans have lower rates of cancer than both meat-eaters and vegetarians. Vegan women, for example, had 34 percent lower rates of female-specific cancers such as breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer. And this was compared to a group of healthy omnivores who ate substantially less meat than the general population (two servings a week or more), as well as after controlling for non-dietary factors such as smoking, alcohol, and a family history of cancer.

Why do vegans have such lower cancer risk? This is fascinating stuff: An elegant series of experiments was performed in which people were placed on different diets and their blood was then dripped on human cancer cells growing in a petri dish to see whose diet kicked more cancer butt. Women placed on plant-based diets for just two weeks, for example, were found to suppress the growth of three different types of breast cancer (see images of the cancer clearance). The same blood coursing through these womens' bodies gained the power to significantly slow down and stop breast cancer cell growth thanks to just two weeks of eating a healthy plant-based diet! (Two weeks! Imagine what's going on in your body after a year!) Similar results were found for men against prostate cancer (as well as against prostate enlargement).

How may a simple dietary change make one's bloodstream so inhospitable to cancer in just a matter of days? The dramatic improvement in cancer defenses after two weeks of eating healthier is thought to be due to changes in the level of a cancer-promoting growth hormone in the body called IGF-1. Animal protein intake increases the levels of IGF-1 in our body, but within two weeks of switching to a plant-based diet, IGF-1 levels in the bloodstream drop sufficiently to help slow the growth of cancer cells.

How plant-based do we need to eat? Studies comparing levels of IGF-1 in meat-eaters vs. vegetarians vs. vegans suggest that we should lean toward eliminating animal products from our diets altogether. This is supported by the new study in which the thousands of American vegans studied not only had lower rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, but significantly lower cancer risk as well.

This makes sense when you consider the research done by Drs. Dean Ornish and Nobel Prize winner Elizabeth Blackburn; they found that a vegan diet caused more than 500 genes to change in only three months, turning on genes that prevent disease and turning off genes that cause breast cancer, heart disease, prostate cancer, and other illnesses. This is empowering news, given that most people think they are a victim of their genes, helpless to stave off some of the most dreaded diseases. We aren't helpless at all; in fact, the power is largely in our hands. It's on our forks, actually.

For more by Kathy Freston, click here.

For more on diet and nutrition, click here.

Follow Kathy Freston on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kathyfreston

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Ariad drug proves effective in curbing chronic leukemia in study

(Reuters) - An experimental leukemia drug from Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc eliminated the cancer from the bone marrow of nearly half of patients with a chronic form of the disease who had stopped responding to other drugs, according to a 12-month follow-up of a pivotal drug trial. The trial of the drug, ponatinib, which involved 444 patients, including 267 with chronic myeloid leukemia who had previously been treated with older drugs, also showed that 56 percent of chronic patients achieved the study's goal of a "major response," meaning the disease had nearly disappeared from the bone marrow. ... Get the complete story

On the edge of the "cliff," U.S. cities like Charleston

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) - For 37 years straight, Joseph P. Riley Jr. has sat behind the mayor's desk here, shaping this city and its budget. On a recent afternoon, Riley, 69, reached for a draft copy of next year's spending plan and wondered aloud about what might get cut should politicians in Washington fail to find an agreement this month, unleashing $600 billion worth of spending reductions and tax hikes next year. Hiring new police officers for the city of 123,000 could be put on hold, Riley said. A new piece of equipment for the fire department would have to wait. ... Credit of the story

Pfizer/Bristol drug cuts recurrence of blood clots - study

Pfizer/Bristol drug cuts recurrence of blood clots - study
(Reuters) - A new blood clot preventer from Pfizer Inc and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co reduced the risk of recurrence of clots in veins and lungs and death by 80 percent with no increase in major bleeding in a study testing extended use of the drug. ...
Source: news.yahoo.com

Joy Weese Moll: 5 Ways To Avoid Gaining Holiday Weight

Joy Weese Moll: 5 Ways To Avoid Gaining Holiday Weight

When you want to lose or maintain your weight, December can feel like one food-focused festive event after another. In "Thin for Life" Anne Fletcher revealed a study that demonstrated why attentiveness during the holidays is so important for those seeking to maintain or lose weight, especially as we age. The study reported that the typical American gains a pound in the fall and winter.

"While a far cry from the five- to 10-pound gain commonly believed to accrue over the holidays, this small gain was not reversed during the spring or summer...Such insidious increments in weight explain why so many adults find their weight climbing as they grow older."

Diet books provide strategies to keep our waistlines smaller than Santa's. I pulled five books from the shelves to discover the tactics I'll be using throughout the holiday season. If you, like me, are determined not to gain that pound this year, let's take to heart the advice from "Thin for Life" and four other books about how to enjoy the twinkle and cheer of holiday parties without excess consumption of stuffing, champagne cocktails, and pie.

What Would My Thin Friend Eat? In "Thin for Life," Anne Fletcher interviewed 160 people who lost weight and kept it off. One maintainer, Joanna, displayed the power of positive self-talk during a party:

"I think of women I have known who control their weight and imagine what they would eat in this setting."

Getting to know you. Barbara Berkeley, author of "Refuse to Regain," learned a surprising trick for handling holiday parties from another successful maintainer:

"She diverts herself from food at parties by vowing to learn five things about each guest she meets. This has not only kept her weight off, but has provided the opportunity to have some fascinating conversations she would have otherwise missed."

Savor the Good Stuff. "The Biggest Loser Success Secrets" devoted a whole page to holiday tips from the cast of previous seasons of The Biggest Loser including this advice for special events from Pam Smith of Season 3:

"Don't go to the party or holiday meal famished. Being too hungry will set you up for gorging. Focus on those foods that you love, eat slowly, and give yourself permission to savor them. Another strategy is to bring some of your own healthy food to share."

No Idle Hands. "The SuperFoods Rx Diet" by Wendy Bazilian, Steven Pratt, and Kathy Matthews also included a long list of tips for parties. One bit of advice concerned alcohol. Decide beforehand how much alcohol, if any, that you will drink and then switch to water or tea. Another good party strategy is to carry sparkling water in one hand and something from the vegetable platter in the other. I imagine that following this strategy would make it awkward to shake hands, but it would also make it hard to grab something extra from the walking appetizer tray or the buffet table.

How Special Is It? My favorite strategy came from "The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person." Judith Beck advocated changing our whole mindset around parties and celebrations. She warned that a sense of entitlement to eat more during special occasions can sabotage an otherwise successful program for weight loss and maintenance. Special occasions, especially in December, are not particularly rare and going overboard at all of them could easily provide enough excess calories to account for that extra pound we're trying to avoid. When the party is over, it can be difficult to return to normal eating. I'm going to try repeating this mantra from Judith Beck to myself before parties this month:

"Being thinner is more important to me than the momentary pleasure of overeating on special occasions."

If you see me at a party this year, let's agree to not shake hands while keeping them full of low-calorie treats and to take time with our visit, learning five new things about each other. With those techniques, we might all weigh the same or less on January 1 as we did on December 1.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com