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| Latest News & Information
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| Last Safe Haven for Iraqi Christians Taken by Al-Qaeda |
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Mosul, IRAQ - "Now the last safe haven for Christians is gone," said Canon Andrew White, the vicar of St. George's church in Baghdad. During the past week, twelve Christians have been killed and more than 3,000 have left the city of Mosul, once considered a safe zone for persecuted Iraqi Christians.
Mosul, on the plain of Nineveh in northern Iraq, has long been home to one of the largest remaining Christian communities in the nation. Furthermore, in recent years the city has been a destination for persecuted Christians.
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| Filed in: Law & Order, Government & Society, World News & Odds 'N' Ends, Chaldean Federation of America By Guest Reporter |
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| 26th Annual Chaldean Commencement and Gala Party. |
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Michgian, USA - The Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) with supporting coordination from the Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) will be hosting the 26th Annual Chaldean Commencement and Gala Party. The Chaldean Commencement celebrates the 2007-2008 Chaldean high school and college graduates. The event showcases the community’s top student scholars and helps raise tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship money for Chaldean students.
The event will be held Thursday, June 12th starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Southfield Millennium Center, located on 15600 J. L. Hudson Drive in Southfield, MI. 48075.
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| Filed in: Career & Education, Community & Culture, Chaldean Education & Career Center, Chaldean American Student Association, Chaldean Federation of America By Rita Abro |
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| Chaldean Federation of America Leads in Rebuilding and Rescuing Lives |
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Michigan, USA - They have been forced to flee their home and country due to the Iraqi war. Many grieve over having to abandon their children or elderly parents and will remain emotionally scarred for life. Others are tortured and killed in violent conflict. Those that are able to find refuge from the killing in another country are treated inhumanely. They are still without food, water, shelter, medical or mental care, kept unemployed, uneducated, and alienated. They are what many consider locked into a living hell.
The Iraq war has ravaged more than 20,000 families – mostly Christians –persecuted and even murdered because of their religious beliefs says Basil Bakal, Chaldean Federation of America Adopt-A-Refugee Family committee chairman.
Many feel the United States have a responsibility to address the refugee crisis caused by the Iraq war and occupation. Current American policy denies any special American responsibility for Iraqi refugees although the entire world believes that the two million refugees are a bi-product of American actions in Iraq says Lavinia Limon. Limon is the former Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the Department of Health and Human Service under the Clinton administration and current President and CEO of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI).
Entire families, infants, children, young adults, and elders are left homeless, hungry, and in desperation. Paralyzed by fear and hurting for someone, somewhere to help the effort in rescuing and rebuilding their shattered lives.
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| Filed in: Community & Culture, Government & Society, Chaldean Federation of America By Huda Metti |
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Touch in Windows 7: Just for show?
Support for multitouch input is one of the most tangible ways that Windows 7 differs from its predecessors. But will many people actually get their hands on the technology? There's a reason the first thing in Windows 7 that Microsoft chose to show publicly was its support...
With 3.5 launch, Firefox faces new challengers
Mozilla's browser broke Microsoft IE's lock on the market. But the new Firefox 3.5 faces other serious alternative-browser ontenders. A funny thing to happened to Firefox on the way to vanquishing Internet Explorer: the Mozilla browser's success opened the door for a host of its...
Intel urges SMEs: Don't delay PC refresh
Chip giant Intel urges small and medium-sized enterprises to avoid lengthening their PC refresh cycles as a cost-cutting measure during the recession. Chip giant Intel has urged small and medium-sized enterprises to avoid lengthening their PC refresh cycles as a cost-cutting measure during the recession, reiterating that security risk...
Sony PSP could get phone functions
Sony is considering developing a mobile phone-game gear hybrid in a bid to better compete with Apple's highly popular iPod and iPhone, the Nikkei business daily said on Saturday. Sony is considering developing a mobile phone-game gear hybrid in a bid to better compete with Apple's highly popular iPod...
Jackson death prompts malware alert at Google
The breaking news of Michael Jackson's death on Thursday triggered an alert at Google over a potential malware attack. The breaking news of Michael Jackson's death on Thursday triggered an alert at Google over a potential malware attack. As reports began to circulate, first of Jackson's...
What PC makers are paying for Windows 7
Microsoft plans to charge PC makers the same for the business version of Windows 7 as it did for Windows Vista, while cutting the price of Windows 7 Home Premium as compared to its predecessor. Microsoft plans to charge PC makers the same for the business version of Windows...
RFID could be in all cell phones by 2010
All cell phones will come packed with an RFID chip by next summer â giving your phone the possibility of also becoming the keys to your car or house. All cell phones will come packed with an RFID chip by next summer â giving your phone the possibility of...
'Acid test' for Ubuntu on a netbook
A friend asked me to configure her netbook to my WiFi system so I decided it was time to replace the outdated operating system with a new Ubuntu Netbook Remix. At the end of last week I got the opportunity to start an "Acid Test" of the latest Ubuntu...
Tech giants deny helping Iran eavesdrop
A joint venture of Siemens AG and Nokia is denying reports that Iran uses its Web-monitoring technology to censor and spy on its citizens' online activities. A joint venture of Siemens AG and Nokia Corp., two large European technology firms, is denying reports that Iran uses its Web-monitoring technology...
Roadrunner, Jaguar retain supercomputer edge
IBM's Roadrunner and Cray's Jaguar have retained their No. 1 and No. 2 rankings on the Top500 supercomputer list which is released twice yearly. Roadrunner (Credit: IBM) IBM's Roadrunner and Cray's Jaguar have retained their No. 1 and No. 2 rankings on...
India's IT growth to slow down in 2009
The global financial meltdown is expected to finally reach local shores this year, dragging India's IT and IT-enabled services ITES industry to its lowest growth in five years. INDIA--The global financial meltdown is expected to finally reach local shores this year, dragging India's IT and IT-enabled services ITES industry...
Schneier: Security neglected in economic gloom
While it may seem logical to downgrade security, Bruce Schneier argues that security should be maintained or boosted, as systems become more business critical in a recession IT security has been neglected due to the economic downturn, according to security experts. by Tom Espiner ZDNet UK
Intel expanding beyond its core
The chip maker has provided insights into a number of research projects that extend beyond its processor business. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Much more than most companies, Intel's success depends on the technology that will arrive in its field years hence. As a result, the company has more than 1,000 researchers...
Large Hadron Collider restart pushed back again
The Large Hadron Collider, put out of commission by a quality-control flaw, will be switched on a couple of weeks later than previously expected. The flagship particle accelerator at the European Organization for Nuclear Research Cern is to be restarted in October as opposed to September. ...
Experts: Don't clamp down on social media
The use of Twitter to spread information about the unrest in Iran can teach businesses valuable lessons about the flow of information in their organizations, according to leading lights of the IT security world. The use of Twitter to spread information about the unrest in Iran can teach businesses...
CIO Jury: iPhone has no place in business
The Apple iPhone may have got a makeover but it's not enough to convince CIOs the device has a place in business, according to a jury of CIOs. The Apple iPhone may have got a makeover but it's not enough to convince CIOs the device has a place in...
Ad tech can recognize gender - age next?
Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research has developed a gender-recognition system that could change the way advertising works in future. A*Star's gender recognition system at work. (Credit: Leonard Goh/CNET Asia) Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) has developed a...
'Golden Cash' network - rent a botnet
Finjan said that they have uncovered an underground botnet-leasing network where cyber criminals can pay $5 to $100 to install malware on 1,000 PCs for things like stealing data and sending spam. Researchers at security firm Finjan said on Wednesday that they have uncovered an underground botnet-leasing network where...
New iPhone 3.0 OS available
A revised operating system for Apple's iPhone is now available, adding functionality such as system-wide search and cut-and-paste to the popular handset. A revised operating system for Apple's iPhone is now available, adding functionality such as system-wide search and cut-and-paste to the popular handset. ...
iPhone OS 3.0 now available
Many of the iPhone's long-awaited features will finally become reality Wednesday when Apple rolled out iPhone OS 3.0. Many of the iPhone's long-awaited features will finally become reality Wednesday when Apple rolled out iPhone OS 3.0. Current iPhone owners can download...
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DirDate 4.4.3 (Windows)
Command line tool that can easily be automated to change files last modification date, creation date or last access date. It can change dates using either a reference file, the current date/time or a series of year, month, day, hour, min, sec, and msec commands. The 16-bit version included can be used to change folder, volume label, and file entry dates, file sizes and attributes under. Version 4.4.3 has fixed -DIROLDEST and -DIRNEWEST (again) and faster processing.
Basics Payroll 2009 1.2 (Windows)
Basics Payroll is a quick and easy payroll calculation and check-printing program. It calculates federal payroll for up to 30 employees. Prints check and check stub information to pre printed 8.5 x 11 "Top Check Format" style checks. It is an idea solution for small operations in states where no state income tax withholding is required (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming).Version 1.2 includes Tax Table corrections.
SecureBackup 3.1.3468 (Windows)
Unlimited Online Backup: Don't lose your precious family photos, e-mail, or critical business data. Backup your music collection, videos, and other important documents with our fully automated and secure online backup solution. With SecureBackup, you don't need a flash drive, an external hard-drive, or a DVD burner to backup your computer files. Simply use the SecureBackup software and your existing Internet connection to backup your data. Our simple "set it and forget it" interface makes backing up and restoring your files a breeze. In addition, SecureBackup provides (FIPS 197) 256-Bit AES File Encryption as well as Password Encryption that meets National Security Agency guidelines. The SecureBackup service provides hacker-safe password protection and uses secure TLS/SSL backup server connections to guard against "Man in the Middle" attacks. SecureBackup has other great features as well. For example, SecureBackup provides a "Smart File Synchronization" feature which only backs up data that has actually changed. It also provides compression and multithreading support to improve backup performance. Thorough file verification is performed both prior to uploading, as well as 'after' uploading, to ensure the integrity of your backups. And unlike some online backup services, SecureBackup does not limit you to including only certain types of files in your backup.Version 3.1.3468 includes file archiving support as well as numerous updates, enhancements, and bug fixes.
Train Track 2009 7.2 (Windows)
Train Track allows you to assign required trainings by department, job title, individual employee name, hire date, or any combination. You may except individuals from required trainings. It allows you to quickly determine what trainings are needed, and provides documentation of compliance with training requirements. It's easy to learn and use, and you can modify the program to meet your needs. View trainings required, needed, scheduled, completed, failed, or expired. Use the report wizard to design your own reports, and save them to print again. Add your own company logo to over 50 standard reports. Import/export to Excel or other file formats, or send email notifications to employees or supervisors. Approve trainers, schedule classes, print sign-in sheets, and allow employees to take exams electronically. Track total training hours and cost. Track training modules with multiple components or training series. Automatically require re-training for document revisions. Attach a document to each record. Assign user access levels. Track unlimited employees, and maintain historical data. Liberty Labs can customize the program to your specifications at affordable prices, or you can modify it yourself. Available as a standalone application or client/server. Version 7.2 allows you to except individuals from required trainings, send email notices to employees, upload employee photos, "Quick Add" completion records for any training, print a generic sign-in sheet listing all employees for any training, and other improvements.
Schedule Wizard Automation Edition 4.23.4231 (Windows)
Schedule Wizard provides a professional interface to let you to trigger a variety of events by date and time, hot key, or Windows event. Easy scheduling wizards and excellent documentation make this powerful utility a breeze to master. Have your backup and anti-virus programs launch on specific dates and times, and schedule important pop-up messages. You can send keystrokes to applications, download files from the Internet, and even compose and schedule e-mail with an integrated e-mail client that handles file attachments and BCCs. Many scheduling options are available, including alarms and advance warnings for upcoming events. You can easily view scheduled events by date, category, or specific selections and can also print them in a variety of reports. This edition includes extra tools and utilities, and can perform tasks without requiring logon.
Text Speaker 3.1 (Windows)
Text Speaker reads any kind of document aloud in a human voice. Listen to ebooks, reports, email, and web pages on your PC. Just press a hotkey to hear any text. Even better, leave the PC behind. Turn your documents into MP3 files for your Apple iPod or other audio player. There are so many ways that Text Speaker can be useful. Listen to email and memos, narrate your tutorials and marketing videos, or create voice menu prompts for your phone messaging system. No need to rent a studio or hire announcers: the program turns your script directly into finished audio files. It's the perfect way to proofread. Hearing your documents makes it easy to spot mistakes You can also create your own audio books. Why strain your eyes reading a book on a screen, when you can relax and have it read to you in a clear, pleasant voice? Text Speaker is easy to learn and easy to use. Volume, pitch, and voice controls are available on the main window to make listening pleasant. You can open, edit, and save Word, PDF, RTF, and text files directly with Text Speaker. It handles multiple files with ease, and you can batch-convert all open files to MP3 with a single command. You can hear text in any program by simply pressing a hotkey. Text Speaker's interface can be displayed in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Italian. When you switch interface languages, all menus, button labels, and messages are displayed in your selected language. With the purchase of additional Professional Voices, it can read aloud in any of these languages. The voice is so close to human, you can learn to pronounce foreign speech. Choose between dozens of male and female voices from the exciting and amazingly realistic AT&T Natural Voices available at our web site. Version 3.1 adds Create Audio Outlines feature.
Gladinet Cloud Desktop Starter Edition 1.1.134 (Windows)
Gladinet Cloud Desktop (GCD) supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. This is the 32-bit package. GCD provides two Editions in one package, the Starter Edition and Professional Edition. The package provides a 30-day trial for Pro Edition. After the trial, it switches back to Starter Edition. If users like features in Pro Edition, they can purchase the Professional Edition key to upgrade. The Starter Edition can mount web storages as local folders. Users can access their web files in Windows Explorer. It delivers Web applications to desktop. To make web experience easier, it provides single sign-on to Google applications. Professional Edition contains all functions in Starter and more. Backup Manager can backup local folders to cloud storage. Task Manager controls the running and pending tasks. Setting Manager customizes GCD behavior. Users can schedule to run upload/download immediately, or at a specific time. Gladinet side panel provides an easy way to manager storages. User can compress files and chunk large files to small pieces for security and easy transfer. User can backup multiple local folders to different cloud storages simultaneously. Gladinet Side Panel is moved to Explorer Bar menu. In Task Manager, user can easily change upload/download bandwidth limit. In Backup Manager, user can add file filter to make backup more efficient.Version 1.1.134 adds more storage support, including FTP, Box.net, WebDav, EMC Atmos onLine and Amazon S3 Europe buckets.
Schedule Wizard Standard Edition 4.23.4231 (Windows)
Schedule Wizard provides a friendly interface to let you schedule a variety of timed events. Easy scheduling wizards and excellent documentation make this powerful utility a breeze to master. Have your backup and antivirus programs launch on specific dates and times, and schedule important pop-up messages. It even includes a birthday/anniversary wizard to provide as much advance warning as needed for special occasions. You can send keystrokes to applications, download files from the Internet, and even compose and schedule e-mail with an integrated e-mail client that handles file attachments and BCCs. Many scheduling options are available, including alarms and advance warnings for upcoming events. Other features include system-wide hot-key support, contact management, a to-do list, password protection, and a clipboard manager.
Auto FTP Manager 4.32 (Windows)
Powerful FTP client. Use it for web site publishing and maintenance, uploading and downloading files and backing up servers. With Auto FTP Manager file transfer tasks take less time and less effort. Schedule file transfers to take place automatically on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Back up your server regularly, or synchronize FTP folders to ensure that everyone has the most current documents. Easily share or back up critical information. The familiar drag-and-drop interface means that here's no learning curve. Receive and transmit multiple files with multiple servers simultaneously. No time is wasted waiting for one task to finish before starting the next. If a download is interrupted, you can resume from where it left off. Create Automated Transfer rules to handle even the most complex transfer task with a single click. You can synchronize two directories, or specify exactly which files to download or upload. Use advanced filtering and pattern-matching to select the correct files and folders to transfer. Auto FTP Manager's command line interface lets you start transfers either manually, or from batch files and scripts. A powerful and flexible logging system tracks all transfers for audit purposes. The log can be emailed, saved on the FTP server, saved on the PC, or all three. Whether you want to back up your most important files, update your web site, or manage large numbers of files on multiple servers, Auto FTP Manager is the perfect FTP client. Version 4.32 is a bug fixing release.
Belkasoft Forensic Studio 1.04 (Windows)
Tool for forensic professionals that eases their work on analysing Internet Messengers histories, Browsers histories and Outlook mailboxes. Supported Instant Messengers: ICQ versions from 97a up to ICQ 6, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, &RQ, Miranda, Skype, MySpace IM, SIM, QIP, QIP Infium, Trillian, AIM. Supported browsers: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera. Supported Outlook versions: 2003, 2007, Outlook Express. No password required. No need to be logged as history owner. No need to have messenger/browser/mail software installed. No need to have write access to a disk. Search is supported - simple search by word or phrase and advanced search using file with suspect word or using regular expression which is very useful when searching a various word's forms or phrase with fuzzy structure. The product can search installed messengers and history files on your computer as well as on mapped network drives (including Encase mapped drives). Thus you will find history files even in case you haven't installed messenger. It is possible to work with several histories at a time. Per-session bookmarks are supported. Belkasoft Forensic Studio allows you to extract analyzed history into such formats as plain text, HTML and XML.
MSN Recorder Max 4.1.1.2 (Windows)
MSN Recorder Max enables you to record your favorite MSN chatmate's webcam video or capture the whole MSN conversation easily and instantly. It supports all versions of MSN and Windows Live Messenger. All the videos can be captured in real time while chatting on MSN video call. Needless to select a region on screen, you just need to click 'record' button to easily record MSN video. The saved video files are high-quality with a really small size. You can also choose Full Screen, Selected Window or Selected Region to record. Besides, you can upload the video you recorded to Youtube directly as well. Version 4.1.1.2 adds support for Windows Live Messenger 2009.
Passwords Max for Groups 5.51.5507 (Windows)
Passwords Max for Groups is a tool for organizations that need a secure way to distribute passwords to authorized personnel, yet keep them safe from everyone else. It provides effective password management for small to large companies, banks, and government departments. Administrators have many tools to match configuration to their needs: access limited by levels, categories, departments and user groups, overrides (both one time "break the glass" emergency access and permanent), audit trails, professional-quality reports, password generation, access expiration, password expiration, and file encryption/decryption. Information can be sent to Web sites and other applications automatically using simulation of key and mouse input, the clipboard, or directly through the secure integrated Web browser.
Network Ping 1.2.4.5 (Windows)
Network Ping is the network diagnostic utility that allows visual monitoring of computers/devices activity in the network. The notification feature helps to identify the machines ping reply status change by sending emails.
Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair 3.1 (Windows)
Stellar Phoenix Mailbox Professional is designed to repair and restore email and data from damaged or corrupted Microsoft outlook file. Microsoft Outlook stores e-mail messages, contacts, notes and folders on the local drive as a .pst file. It scans the damaged .pst file, extracts and then saves information in a new usable .pst file. The program is read only and is safe to use. The program includes support for Outlook XP and Outlook 2003. The demo lists all the e-mails and data that are recoverable but does not display the message contents.Version 3.1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
Blue Iris 2.29.05 (Windows)
Video Capture. Use up to 25 cameras (Webcams, camcorders, network IP cams, analog cards, or your PC desktop). Capture JPEG snapshots or capture movies in standard AVI, advanced DVR, or leading-edge Windows Media file formats. Video Security. Keep an eye on your home, place of business, cars, and valuables; watch your pets or your kids; monitor your nanny, babysitter, or employees. Watch your door for mail, packages or visitors. Use motion detection, audio detection, or capture continuously. Receive alerts via loudspeaker, e-mail, instant messaging, or phone. Webcam. Overlay text and graphics. Use the built-in Web server, or post to a Web site. Webcast using MPEG ActiveX, JAVA, or Windows Media.Version 2.29.05 is a bug fixing release.
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| Top Science, Technology, and Health News
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Undiagnosed Celiac Disease More Common Today Than 50 Years Ago Say US Researchers
US researchers said that undiagnosed cases of celiac disease, where the immune system has a strong adverse reaction to the protein found in wheat and other grains, appear to have increased dramatically in the last 50 years. They also found, over a 45 year follow up, that people with undiagnosed celiac disease have a nearly four-fold increased risk of premature death from any cause.
More Women Seek Nonprescription Remedies For Menopause Symptoms
Over-the-counter remedies for menopause symptoms are growing in popularity among some women who fear potential risks from prescription hormone replacement therapy, the New York Times reports.
New Georgia Law Allows Families To 'Adopt' Embryos
A Georgia law (HB 388) that took effect on Wednesday allows state residents to "adopt" embryos created for fertility treatments, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (Gould Sheinin, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/1).
Doctors And Nurses Facing Tough Choices
Doctors and nurses consider job security and the differences between primary care and specialties when choosing their career paths.The Business Courier of Cincinnati reports on an increase in nursing: "The recession has people craving a safe harbor, and nursing is probably the closest thing to it.
State Medicaid Coverage, Costs Grow In Maryland, Mississippi
"A year into a new effort to expand health coverage, recession-weary Marylanders are flocking to the state's Medicaid program in numbers far greater than expected, costing the state $50 million more in the process," The Baltimore Sun reports.
AMA President Calls For Congress' Insurance Plan For All Uninsured Americans
While CNN reports that the American Medical Association's new president, J. James Rohack, is open to a government-funded health insurance option, others report that the system the AMA now endorses is not a public plan, but the heavily managed private plan that federal employees participate in.
HELP Democrats Draft New Bill With Public Plan And Employer Mandate That They Say Is Cheaper
Democrats on a key Senate committee are readying a plan that has a government-run insurance option and a $750-per-worker annual fee on larger companies that do not offer coverage to its employees, The Associated Press reports. "In a letter outlining the details, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.
Obama Presses Case For Health Reform
President Barack Obama pitched his health reform proposal Wednesday at a town hall meeting in Annandale, Va., asking the public and Congress to deliver on health care reform. The Associated Press reports that Obama put "a human face" on health care reform by hugging a cancer patient, but gave few new details on his health care reform plans.
India To Provide Incentives For Medical Professionals To Work In Rural, Underserved Areas
In an effort to encourage medical professionals to provide services to low-income rural populations in India, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announced an initiative that will significantly raise the salary of "doctors, specialists and para-medical staff" who elect to work in "rural, particularly far-flung and inaccessible areas," the Hindu reports.
Politico Examines Retraction, Resubmission Of HHS HIV Immigration Policy
Politico's Blog "Under the Radar" explores the HHS' recent decision to revise documents submitted to the Federal Register regarding a change in HIV-related immigration policy.
Flu Virus Ill-Suited For Rapid Transmission, But Researchers Say New Strain Bears Watching, Could Mutate
A team from MIT and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found a genetic explanation for why the new H1N1 "swine flu" virus has spread from person to person less effectively than other flu viruses.
Number Of Abortion Procedures Continues To Decline In Minnesota And Wisconsin
The following summarizes news coverage of state abortion statistics in Minnesota and Wisconsin.~ Minnesota: The number of abortions performed in Minnesota decreased for the second consecutive year in 2008, according to an annual report from the state Department of Health, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Today's Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
The Patients Doctors Don't Know The New York Times All medical students are required to have clinical experiences in pediatrics and obstetrics, even though after they graduate most will never treat a child or deliver a baby.
FDA Adds Strong Warnings To Anti-Smoking Drug Labels
"The Food and Drug Administration announced (Wednesday) that it is requiring the smoking-cessation drugs Chantix and Zyban to carry the strongest type of safety warning possible to alert patients that the medications can cause serious mental health problems, including depression and suicide," the Washington Post reports (Stein, 7/1).
Study Examines Cost, Benefits Of Extending Medicare Drug Use
"A new large-scale study of medical records found that the extra cost of extending prescription coverage to Medicare enrollees was substantially offset by lower spending on other medical care for people who previously had limited or no prescription-drug coverage," The Wall Street Journal reports.
Health Care Reform: What Small Business Wants
"As Congress prepares to do battle over health reform, a parallel dispute is shaping up among small-business groups that are staking out opposing positions on a key element of reform proposals: whether Uncle Sam will take on a bigger role in offering insurance coverage or leave the field to the private market," CNN Money reports.
White House Reform Chief Was On Boards Of Health Companies With Suspect Practices
Before taking her job as the White House health reform director, Nancy-Ann DeParle earned more than $6 million serving on the boards of major health care corporations, some of which were accused of fraud, mismanagement and regulatory violations during her tenure, the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University reports on MSNBC.com.
Developing World Health Care Solutions Help Some U.S. Programs
The Wall Street Journal examines how some U.S.-based health care programs are improving their treatment capabilities by learning from strategies used in developing countries.
UNAIDS Director Calls For G8 To Come Through On HIV/AIDS Funding Pledges
Michel Sidibe, the executive director of UNAIDS, voiced concerns that wealthy nations who previously pledged to help Africa stop the spread of HIV/AIDS during the G8 summit four years ago, might instead use funds to bolster their own ailing economies, Reuters reports. "Before this financial crisis, the world came together and this solidarity helped put more than 3.
CEO Of Black AIDS Institute Discusses HIV/AIDS At Newspaper Conference; Group Releases Report Examining HIV Testing In Black Community
Phill Wilson, CEO of the Black AIDS Institute (BAI), last week addressed the annual convention of the National Newspapers Publishers Association where he discussed the reasons blacks "were so slow to grasp the severity of the threat" of HIV, the NNPA/Seattle Medium reports.
Work Status Changes More Common Among Women Receiving Chemotherapy For Breast Cancer, Study Says
Women with breast cancer who receive chemotherapy appear more likely than those treated with radiation therapy to experience a major change in work status, according to a study published in the journal Cancer, Reuters reports.
Ohio Supreme Court Rulings Deny Request For Clinic Records, Address Mifepristone Use
The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that a clinic operated by Planned Parenthood-Southwest Ohio Region does not have to release 10 years of child abuse reports and medical records of minors who received abortions, the AP/Middletown Journal reports.
A Selection Of Recent Studies And Surveys
Government Accountability Office Prescription Drugs: Overview of Approaches to Control Prescription Drug Spending in Federal Programs -- "The increasing cost of prescription drugs has put pressure to control drug spending on federal programs such as the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB
Private Health Insurance Coverage At 50-Year-Low, According To CDC
The percentage of Americans with private health insurance is at its lowest level in 50 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. "About 65 percent of non-elderly Americans had private insurance in 2008, down from 67 percent the year before, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the (CDC).
President Calls For Medicare Payment Rate Revisions
President Obama reiterated his call to adjust Medicare reimbursement rates as a part of his broad push for health reform in a meeting with nine reporters, including writers from local newspapers, Wednesday.
Schumer Preparing Strong Public Plan Option
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., a member of the key Senate Finance Committee and advocate for a government-run health insurance plan, said yesterday he would abandon all other possible compromises in favor of immediately creating a public plan that "would operate on 'a level playing field' with private insurers," CongressDaily reports.
Recent Releases: TB Plans Compared; Seasonal Hunger; Getting Health Workers In Underserved Places; Antiretroviral Drugs To Prevent HIV
Economic Benefits Of Global Plan To Stop TB Examined A study, recently published in the journal Health Affairs, analyzes the costs associated with the Global Plan to Stop TB and compared them to the cost of sustaining the DOTS treatment program.
Wellcome Trust To Give $50M To Boost Health Research In Africa
The Wellcome Trust on Thursday pledged 30 million pounds or about $50 million to support health research at more than 50 African institutions, Nature reports (Nayar, 7/1). The money will fund seven partnerships that aim to boost health research capacity in Africa. It was unveiled at the World Conference of Science Journalists in London, according to SciDev.Net (Nordlingx, 7/2).
WHO, Wyeth Launch Trial In Africa To Test New River Blindness Drug
The WHO on Wednesday announced plans for a clinical trial to test a new drug that "could halve the treatment period for river blindness [or onchocerciasis], a disease that threatens 100 million people mostly in Africa," AFP/Dow Jones Newswires/CNN Money reports (7/1).
Some Groups Say Iowa HIV Transmission Law Worsens Stigma, Hinders Testing Efforts
Some Iowa groups are concerned that the state's criminal HIV transmission law adds to the stigma associated with the virus and hampers testing efforts, and are urging lawmakers to revisit the law, the Iowa Independent reports. According to the Independent, criminal transmission of HIV is classified among the second-most serious felonies that can be committed in the state.
Alzheimer's Gene Risk Higher For Those Widowed in Mid Life and Stay Without a Partner
Researchers in Sweden found that people who have the APOE Alzheimer's gene and who live alone in middle age after being widowed or separated from a life partner, are at higher risk of developing dementia. The study is the work of Dr Krister Hakannson, a research fellow at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and colleagues, and is published in the 2 July online issue of the BMJ.
Scientists Investigate Severity And Spread Of New H1N1 Swine Flu Virus
Scientists in the US and the Netherlands discovered what most doctors already suspected: the new H1N1 swine flu virus causes more severe infection than seasonal flu, but the two groups disagreed on how easily it spreads, with one finding that it spreads easily while the other finding it does not. The two studies are published in the 2 July online issue of Science.
Rockefeller Foundation Launches $100M 5-Year Initiative To Improve Health Systems In Africa, Asia
The Rockefeller Foundation launched a $100 million, five-year initiative aimed at improving health systems in Asia and Africa, Judith Rodin, the foundation's president, said in a speech on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya, Xinhua reports.
Indian Court Overturns 150-Year-Old Ban On Gay Sex
An Indian court on Thursday ruled that "gay sex between consenting adults was not a crime, ordering that the rights of citizens were violated by parts of a 150-year-old colonial-era law that made it illegal," Bloomberg reports. The law "has drawn criticism from public health activists as a barrier in the fight against HIV/AIDS" (Patnaik, 7/2).
Lancet Examines Obama Administration's Progress On HIV/AIDS-Related Campaign Pledges
The July issue of the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases examines whether President Obama is fulfilling his campaign promises to tackle HIV/AIDS abroad and domestically. The article states that Obama's recent appointments of "lauded experts," including Jeffrey Crowley as the new director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, indicate that the U.S.
Politico Examines Retraction, Resubmission Of Proposed HIV Travel Ban Rule
Politico's blog "Under the Radar" explores HHS' recent decision to revise documents submitted to the Federal Register regarding a change in HIV-related immigration policy.
A Rush Of Blood To The Head - Anger Increases Blood Flow
Mental stress causes carotid artery dilation and increases brain blood flow. A series of ultrasound experiments, described in BioMed Central's open access journal Cardiovascular Ultrasound, also found that this dilatory reflex was absent in people with high blood pressure.
Weight Determines The Future Cognitive Development Of Children Born Very Premature
Researchers of the Department of Neuroscience and Health Sciences of the University of AlmerÃa and Hospital Torrecárdenas are carrying out an assessment of the physical neuropsychological characteristics of children born before 32 weeks' gestation or whose weight is lower than 1500 grams -very premature-.
Visit To The Doctor: The Supply Of Additional Private Services Is Increasing
Panel physicians are increasingly offering individual health services (IHS) to patients with statutory health insurance. This is documented by Susanne Richter et al. of the Department of Social Medicine, Lubeck University, in the new edition of Deutsches Arzteblatt (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2009; 106(26): 433-9).
Biological Warfare In Bacteria Offers Hope For New Antibiotics
Scientists are to study a group of proteins that are highly effective at killing bacteria and which could hold the key to developing new types of antibiotics. Researchers from the Universities of York and Leeds have been awarded £3.
Mom's Weight During Pregnancy Affects Her Daughter's Risk Of Being Obese
A mother's weight and the amount she gains during pregnancy both impact her daughter's risk of obesity decades later, according to a new study by Alison Stuebe, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. "The findings are especially important because of the growing epidemic of obesity in women," Stuebe says.
Research Reveals What Drives Lung Cancer's Spread
A new study by researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) reveals the genetic underpinnings of what causes lung cancer to quickly metastasize, or spread, to the brain and the bone the two most prominent sites of lung cancer relapse. The study will be published online in the journal Cell on July 2.
Brain Malformations Significantly Associated With Preterm Birth
New research out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine provides for the first time a solid scientific answer for the long-standing question of whether there is an association between preterm birth and brain malformations.
From Little Leaguer To All-Star: Staying Off The DL
As spectators or players, America's sports fanatics love ballgames at every age, from kids learning the basics at their first tee-ball game to top athletes playing in the All-Star game. Baseball is a game that can be played throughout our lives if injuries don't leave us on the sidelines.
Prostate Cancer Patients Disease Free After Five Years Likely To Be Disease Free After 10 Years
Prostate cancer patients who receive brachytherapy and remain free of disease for five years or greater are unlikely to have a recurrence at 10 years, according to a study in the July 1 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
Sports Injuries Cause 1 In 5 Emergency Department Visits For Kids
Sports-related injuries such as bruises, scrapes and broken bones accounted for 22 percent of hospital emergency department visits for children ages 5 to 17 in 2006, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Tick, Tick, Tick…Lyme Season Has Begun, Physician Warns
The persistent cool and damp weather in the Northeast this spring put many outdoor activities on hold. With the weather finally improving, many people will head outdoors, and when they do, they are likely to find a perennial pest has been lurking, ready to latch onto the next warm-blooded body that comes by. "And that could spell serious health trouble," warns Dr.
Pain Medicine Experts Recommend Safe And Responsible Use Of Acetaminophen
In response to the advisory committee's recommendations to the U.S.
Current Status Of The Development Programs Of New Indications And Formulations For Aricept(R) For Enhancing Patient Value
Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Haruo Naito, "Eisai") and Eisai Corporation of North America (Headquarters: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Chairman and CEO Hajime Shimizu) are currently focusing on three clinical development programs for the company's major product Aricept(R) (donepezil hydrochloride tablets) to further contribute to patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Extreme Heat Causes Major Health Problems For Older Adults
As we prepare for hotter, humid weeks ahead and temperatures reach well over 100 degrees in some parts of the country, older adults are at higher risk of health problems if they don't take the proper precautions to protect themselves from the sweltering heat. About 200 Americans die of health problems caused by high heat and humidity every year, most of them are 50 or older.
Remuda Ranch Programs For Eating And Anxiety Disorders Reports Need For Increasing Awareness Of Eating Disorders In Males
As many as five to ten million males in the U.S. struggle quietly with an eating disorder because they're ashamed to admit they have the illness, reports Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorders. Healthcare professionals, family members and close friends often are unaware of the high-risk behaviors in males that may signify an eating disorder.
Seek Out Credentials Before Choosing A Physician - Is Your Cardiologist Board Certified In Cardiovascular Disease?
Recent news reports have highlighted the importance of physician credentials and ensuring that physicians meet high standards in their chosen area of practice, according to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which coordinates and assists its 24 Member Boards in their efforts to develop
Spanish Government Selects Novavax's VLP Technology For Comprehensive Flu Vaccine Solution In Spain
Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) announced its initial agreement to license its proprietary, recombinant virus-like-particle (VLP) vaccine technology to ROVI Pharmaceuticals (Madrid: ROVI) of Spain.
FDA Approves Multaq(R) For Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Or Atrial Flutter
Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Multaq(R) (dronedarone) 400 mg Tablets. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) soon will have a new treatment option to help improve current management of their disease.
Joint Replacement Patients With Diabetes Greatly Benefit From Controlled Glucose
Diabetics undergoing total joint replacement often are at a higher risk of experiencing complications after surgery due to various pre-existing health conditions. According to a new study published in the July 2009 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS), those complications are less likely to occur when a diabetic patient has glucose levels under control.
Acura And King Receive FDA Complete Response Letter Regarding Acurox(R)
Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACUR) and King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: KG) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Complete Response Letter regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for Acurox (oxycodone HC1, USP and niacin, USP) Tablets CII, an immediate release product intended for the relief of moderate-to-severe pain.
Lixte Biotechnology Holdings' Lead Compound, LB-1.2, Enhances The Effectiveness Of Standard Cancer Chemotherapy In Animal Models
Lixte Biotechnology Holdings (OTC Bulletin Board: LIXT) announced that investigators of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health and Lixte reported that its novel compound, LB-1.2, enhances the effectiveness of two standard chemotherapy drugs in mouse models of human cancers.
Elderly Need Homes To Ensure Proper Care
Closing residential homes affects quality of life. Care providers must protect the elderly by ensuring those most in need have access to residential homes. That's according to Nick Bruce, owner of Nightingales Retirement Care, who has spoken out after a glut of home closures.
Deputy Minister Announces Mandatory Registration Of Adult Care Home Managers In Wales
Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas announced her plans to implement the next phase of the mandatory registration of the Social Care Workforce in Wales in the interest of public protection. Registration will become compulsory for managers of adult residential care homes by 1 July 2010 and for managers of the domiciliary care sector by 1 July 2012.
In Postpartum Women, Poor Sleep Is Independently Associated With Depression
A study in the July 1 issue of the journal SLEEP suggests that postpartum depression may aggravate an already impaired sleep quality, as experiencing difficulties with sleep is a symptom of depression.
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Moon probe returns first images
The US space agency's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft sends back its first images since reaching the Moon.
No safe haven for rarest antelope
Hopes are dashed that some of the few remaining hirola antelope have managed to colonise new, safer territory.
New dinosaurs found in Australia
Three new dinosaur species are found in Queensland, Australia, and named after the Outback song Waltzing Matilda.
Climate change is shrinking sheep
Climate change is causing a breed of wild sheep in Scotland to shrink, according to research in the journal Science.
Planck achieves ultra-cold state
Europe's Planck telescope reaches its operating temperature, making it the coldest object in space.
Amur tigers on 'genetic brink'
The world's largest cat is down to an effective wild population of fewer than 35 individuals, new research has found.
World 'still losing biodiversity'
Species around the world are still being lost despite governments pledging action to reverse the trend, a report warns.
Ariane lofts biggest 'space bird'
TerreStar-1, the world's biggest commercial telecommunications satellite, is put in orbit by an Ariane 5 rocket.
How honeybee mobs smother giant hornets to death
Bees smother hornets in a "bee ball" that kills the giant predators with heat and carbon dioxide.
UK-born astronauts are to receive a commemorative pin
The five British-born individuals who have flown in space are being honoured with a commemorative pin.
Earth Watch
Environmentally, is climate change our biggest concern?
Floating future
All kinds of boats provide services to Bangladeshis
Final moments
How Air France debris gives clues to jet's break-up
Fergus On Flu
Flu predictions should come with a health warning
Video gaga
Surveillance camera footage sheds light on baby babble
Space ambitions
US moonwalker Buzz Aldrin looks to new frontiers
Watching whalers and whales in Madeira
A compromise on whaling that just may work
China 'unfairly seen as eco-villain'
China's insatiable appetite for resources has led to the nation being unfairly portrayed as the world's biggest environmental villain.
Ant mega-colony takes over world
Ants living on three continents belong to the same colony, the largest of its kind ever known.
Huge declines in woodland birds
Numbers of 18 woodland bird species have crashed.
Gene clues to schizophrenia risk
A team of scientists identifies thousands of tiny genetic variations which raise the risk of schizophrenia.
Herschel captures galaxy image
The European Space Agency releases a stunning combination image of the spiral "Whirlpool Galaxy".
UK 'yet to embrace space tourism'
Virgin Galactic boss Will Whitehorn says the UK needs a proper regulatory framework to expand private spaceflight activity in the country.
Most complete Earth map devised
The most complete terrain map, covering 99% of the Earth's surface, has been published and will be free to use.
Daily sex 'best for good sperm'
Having sex every day improves sperm quality and could boost the chances of getting pregnant, research finds.
Chimpanzees learn from video demo
Copycat chimps build their own tools after watching a video demonstration, says a team of British scientists.
Tags to help solve puffin decline
Scientists hope hi-tech tags will help reveal why puffin numbers at one of the UK's key colonies have fallen by a third.
Dinosaur mummy yields secrets
A beautifully preserved dinosaur found in the US retains remarkable detail of skin cells.
Mobile pollution sensors deployed
Cyclists, buses, cars and even pedestrians become mobile pollution detectors in a UK-based scientific project.
Wind 'can revolutionise UK power'
Britain can massively expand wind power by 2030 without suffering power cuts, a report says.
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