Denver, CO, USA
Willie the parrot became an unlikely hero when he alerted his owner, Megan, to a life-threatening emergency. Megan, along with her pet bird, was babysitting for 2 year-old Hannah when the toddler began choking on a fragment of pop tart. Megan was in the bathroom at the time, when she heard "Willie . . . screaming like I'd never heard him scream before and he started flapping his wings. Then he started saying 'mama baby' over and over and over again until I came out and looked at Hannah and Hannah's face was turning blue . . . " The young woman quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the obstacle. Still, she credits her bird with the rescue, saying "If (Willie) wouldn't have warned me, I probably wouldn't have come out of the bathroom in time because she was already turning blue, her lips were blue and everything." Nicely done, Willie!
To read more, visit http://news.aol.com/article/talking-parrot-saves-toddlers-life/243378
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Stranger Returns Foreclosed Home to Owner
Dallas, TX, USA
"People need to help each other and that's all there is to it," explains Marilyn Mock. That's the reason she gives for a random act of kindness that changed the life of Tracy Orr. Orr attended a foreclosure auction in Dallas today, resigned to seeing her own home sold to the highest bidder. As the auction began, she broke down in tears, catching the attention of a generous stranger. At a bid of 30,000$, Mock won the home she had never seen, and promptly promised to allow Orr to move back in. "I'm still in shock," says Tracy Orr.
To read more and see pictures, visit http://news.aol.com/article/foreclosure-angel-saves-womans-home/226863
"People need to help each other and that's all there is to it," explains Marilyn Mock. That's the reason she gives for a random act of kindness that changed the life of Tracy Orr. Orr attended a foreclosure auction in Dallas today, resigned to seeing her own home sold to the highest bidder. As the auction began, she broke down in tears, catching the attention of a generous stranger. At a bid of 30,000$, Mock won the home she had never seen, and promptly promised to allow Orr to move back in. "I'm still in shock," says Tracy Orr.
To read more and see pictures, visit http://news.aol.com/article/foreclosure-angel-saves-womans-home/226863
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Surfing Your Way to a Healthy Brain
A new study suggests that surfing the web has a positive effect on the brain and can help postpone atrophy, increase cell activity, and ward off dangerous accumulations of Alzheimer’s causing deposits. Activities such as reading and puzzles have already been shown to contribute to the brain’s upkeep as the aging process goes on, and a recent study adds the internet to that list. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging scans (which track how strong a cell’s response to stimuli is) to record subtle brain-circuitry changes in the patients while using the internet veruses the changes when they read passages out of books.
All the study participants showed significant brain activity during the book-reading task, specifically in the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes of the brain, which are involved in controlling language, reading, memory and visual abilities. But Internet searches revealed differences between the two groups. While all the participants showed the same activity as during the book-reading, the group of experienced web surfers also registered activity in the frontal, temporal and cingulate areas of the brain, whereas those new to the net did not. This is because, unlike the act of reading, navigating the Internet requires continuous decision making, such as what to click on—thus engaging cognitive circuits in the brain which control decision-making and complex reasoning.
"Our most striking finding was that Internet searching appears to engage a greater extent of neural circuitry that is not activated during reading — but only in those with prior Internet experience," said study leader Gary Small of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. That being said, with more time and experience, the group that was new to the Web could eventually reap the same benefits as their peers who had been googling away for years. So next time you’re surfing the web, on the prowl for a juicy new GNG update, pat yourself on the back for giving your mind a workout.
All the study participants showed significant brain activity during the book-reading task, specifically in the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes of the brain, which are involved in controlling language, reading, memory and visual abilities. But Internet searches revealed differences between the two groups. While all the participants showed the same activity as during the book-reading, the group of experienced web surfers also registered activity in the frontal, temporal and cingulate areas of the brain, whereas those new to the net did not. This is because, unlike the act of reading, navigating the Internet requires continuous decision making, such as what to click on—thus engaging cognitive circuits in the brain which control decision-making and complex reasoning.
"Our most striking finding was that Internet searching appears to engage a greater extent of neural circuitry that is not activated during reading — but only in those with prior Internet experience," said study leader Gary Small of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. That being said, with more time and experience, the group that was new to the Web could eventually reap the same benefits as their peers who had been googling away for years. So next time you’re surfing the web, on the prowl for a juicy new GNG update, pat yourself on the back for giving your mind a workout.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Out of the Holocaust, a Hollywood Love Story
At just 12 years old, Herman Rosenblat lived a life of hardships. A Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied Poland, his life and his family dissolved around him each day. He was forced to leave his home with his family and live in a ghetto. Soon thereafter, his father fell ill. The doctor they snuck into their dwelling was unable to help; Mr. Rosenblat was dying of typhus. Before he passed, he said something which Herman never forgot: "If you ever get out of this war, don't carry a grudge in your heart and tolerate everybody." It was hard advice to remember in the coming months, when the rest of Herman's family would be sent to labor camps and he would be separated from his mother forever.
In Schlieben, Germany, nine year-old Roma Radziki posed as a Christian with her family to escape persecution. The Radzikis lived near a labor camp; Roma walked passed the chain link fence every day. Once, she caught the eye of a handsome boy on the other side. Asking herself what she could do to help him, Roma threw the boy an apple she was carrying. It was the beginning of a daily ritual that would last until Herman was scheduled to be transferred to a different camp. He told the strange girl he wouldn't be back at the fence the next day. "I won't see you anymore," she said. "Right, right. Don't come around anymore," he replied. Years passed, Herman's camp was liberated, and the two children forgot each other.
Herman eventually moved to New York, where ran a television repair shop. One night a friend offered to set him up on a blind date. Herman was not enthusiastic about meeting a strange girl, especially without knowing what she looked like, but he agreed. The strange girl was Roma.
After dinner, the two of them got to discussing their wartime experiences. Roma told Herman about the handsome boy who used to catch the apples on the other side of the fence, and Herman was astounded. "That was me," he said. He proposed that night. Roma thought he was crazy. But, two months later, she agreed. This summer, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
To read the full story, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/10/13/holocaust.love.story.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
In Schlieben, Germany, nine year-old Roma Radziki posed as a Christian with her family to escape persecution. The Radzikis lived near a labor camp; Roma walked passed the chain link fence every day. Once, she caught the eye of a handsome boy on the other side. Asking herself what she could do to help him, Roma threw the boy an apple she was carrying. It was the beginning of a daily ritual that would last until Herman was scheduled to be transferred to a different camp. He told the strange girl he wouldn't be back at the fence the next day. "I won't see you anymore," she said. "Right, right. Don't come around anymore," he replied. Years passed, Herman's camp was liberated, and the two children forgot each other.
Herman eventually moved to New York, where ran a television repair shop. One night a friend offered to set him up on a blind date. Herman was not enthusiastic about meeting a strange girl, especially without knowing what she looked like, but he agreed. The strange girl was Roma.
After dinner, the two of them got to discussing their wartime experiences. Roma told Herman about the handsome boy who used to catch the apples on the other side of the fence, and Herman was astounded. "That was me," he said. He proposed that night. Roma thought he was crazy. But, two months later, she agreed. This summer, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
To read the full story, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/10/13/holocaust.love.story.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Hundreds of Penguins Rescued
Brazil
Nearly 400 Magellanic penguins are back on the right track this week, after getting lost during migration and wandering 1,550 miles from their destination. The International Fund for Animal Welfare saw that the wayward flock was relocated via a C-130 Hercules aircraft, an ironic mode of transportation for the flightless birds. After the long journey, the warm-weather penguins rested for 24 hours before waddling eagerly into the see off of Brazil's southern coast. It is believed that they first became confused due to shifting temperature patterns in the oceans which are contrary to the animals' hired-wired migration instincts. With luck, though, this wayward flock will go back to life - and migration - as usual.
To read more, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/08/rescued.penguins/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Nearly 400 Magellanic penguins are back on the right track this week, after getting lost during migration and wandering 1,550 miles from their destination. The International Fund for Animal Welfare saw that the wayward flock was relocated via a C-130 Hercules aircraft, an ironic mode of transportation for the flightless birds. After the long journey, the warm-weather penguins rested for 24 hours before waddling eagerly into the see off of Brazil's southern coast. It is believed that they first became confused due to shifting temperature patterns in the oceans which are contrary to the animals' hired-wired migration instincts. With luck, though, this wayward flock will go back to life - and migration - as usual.
To read more, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/08/rescued.penguins/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Simple Precaution May Decrease Likelihood of SIDS
USA
A recent study by Kaiser Permanente indicates that using a fan to circulate air over sleeping babies decreases the likelihood of SIDS, (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) also known as crib death. For the past several decades, doctors and scientists have struggled to discover the cause of SIDS, but thus far have only achieved a list of factors which may help prevent the tragic occurrence. Placing babies to sleep on their backs, and keeping cribs free of excessive blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals are some of the measures that have helped decrease the frequency of SIDS in the US by 56% between 1992 and 2003. Doctors theorize that the addition of a fan may help prevent SIDS by ensuring that the carbon dioxide which babies exhale as they sleep is circulated away from their faces, rather than being re-inhaled. The study indicates that the presence of a fan, in addition to the previously known preventative measures, decreases the overall changes of SIDS by 72%. Doctors stress that all the precautions must be used together to achieve the optimal result, end encourage parents to consult their pediatricians before deciding to use a fan.
A recent study by Kaiser Permanente indicates that using a fan to circulate air over sleeping babies decreases the likelihood of SIDS, (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) also known as crib death. For the past several decades, doctors and scientists have struggled to discover the cause of SIDS, but thus far have only achieved a list of factors which may help prevent the tragic occurrence. Placing babies to sleep on their backs, and keeping cribs free of excessive blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals are some of the measures that have helped decrease the frequency of SIDS in the US by 56% between 1992 and 2003. Doctors theorize that the addition of a fan may help prevent SIDS by ensuring that the carbon dioxide which babies exhale as they sleep is circulated away from their faces, rather than being re-inhaled. The study indicates that the presence of a fan, in addition to the previously known preventative measures, decreases the overall changes of SIDS by 72%. Doctors stress that all the precautions must be used together to achieve the optimal result, end encourage parents to consult their pediatricians before deciding to use a fan.
Monday, October 6, 2008
2 Year-Old Survives 30 Foot Drop, Caught By Strangers
Miami, FL, USA
Sherri Pinkerton found herself in a desperate situation at the central Florida Carnival today, when the "Crazy Bus" ride began to move before all the passengers were safely strapped in. With her 2 year-old daughter, Gracie, Pinkerton was lifted 30 feet into the air with nothing to stop her from falling. Holding to the carnival contraption with one hand, she held Grace in the other. As her strength stretched to the limit, in her own words, "There was nothing I could do. . . I couldn't hold both of us. I held onto her for as long as I could." As luck would happen, fair goers gathered beneath mother and child to catch Grace. ""I let go of her and she grabbed my shirt," Pinkerton explained. "So, I had to pry her hands off my shirt and let her fall." Amazingly, Grace was uninjured. Rescuers used a ladder to access Pinkerton and 6 more children inside the ride, all of whom were recovered safely.
An investigation has been launched to determine whether the ride malfunctioned or there was an operator error.
To read more, visit http://news.aol.com/article/toddler-caught-after-drop-from-fair-ride/201641
Sherri Pinkerton found herself in a desperate situation at the central Florida Carnival today, when the "Crazy Bus" ride began to move before all the passengers were safely strapped in. With her 2 year-old daughter, Gracie, Pinkerton was lifted 30 feet into the air with nothing to stop her from falling. Holding to the carnival contraption with one hand, she held Grace in the other. As her strength stretched to the limit, in her own words, "There was nothing I could do. . . I couldn't hold both of us. I held onto her for as long as I could." As luck would happen, fair goers gathered beneath mother and child to catch Grace. ""I let go of her and she grabbed my shirt," Pinkerton explained. "So, I had to pry her hands off my shirt and let her fall." Amazingly, Grace was uninjured. Rescuers used a ladder to access Pinkerton and 6 more children inside the ride, all of whom were recovered safely.
An investigation has been launched to determine whether the ride malfunctioned or there was an operator error.
To read more, visit http://news.aol.com/article/toddler-caught-after-drop-from-fair-ride/201641
Friday, October 3, 2008
Act of Courage Saves Florida Woman's Life
Chris Mosely is being called a hero for saving a woman's life after she jumped off a bridge in Florida. Onlookers say the woman lay her cell phone down on the side of the road and jumped into the water below the Joe McCorquodale bridge on Highway 43. She fell at least 97 feet before hitting the water. Chris Mosely saw the woman fall and was able to follow a trail below the bridge and jumped in the water to save the woman. When asked what inspired his act of bravery, he responded that he was just doing what he "thought was right thing to do."
"You know I didn't think about it. Nothing like that every crossed my mind I just knew that I was at the time was the only one there she was going to get saved and it was going to be up to me," The woman is currently recovering in the hospital but suffered no critical injuries. We obviously all hope that she will also receive the emotional and mental health services to continue her recovery in all aspects.
http://www.wkrg.com/local/article/bridge_rescue_man_saves_womans_life/19614/
"You know I didn't think about it. Nothing like that every crossed my mind I just knew that I was at the time was the only one there she was going to get saved and it was going to be up to me," The woman is currently recovering in the hospital but suffered no critical injuries. We obviously all hope that she will also receive the emotional and mental health services to continue her recovery in all aspects.
http://www.wkrg.com/local/article/bridge_rescue_man_saves_womans_life/19614/
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
California Menus to Show Nutrition Information
LOS ANGELES, USA
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Tuesday requiring chain restaurants to put calorie counts on their menus and indoor menu boards, making California the first state to enact such a law in the battle against America's expanding waistline. All restaurants must comply by 2011, and starting in July, restaurants and drive-throughs will have to offer menus that with the nutrition facts for each item.
Schwarzenegger said the legislation was part of the state's push to set a national model for nutrition policy and to fight obesity, which costs the state $28.6 billion in health-care costs, lost productivity and workers' compensation. New York, Seattle and San Francisco have already approved similar legislation and Chicago, Washington and Philadelphia have proposals on the table.
Knowedge!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/30/AR2008093002620.html
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Dog Owner Opens Can of Whupass on Shark
Dogs may be mans' best friend, but 53 year-old Greg LeNoir has proven that a man can be a dog's best friend, too. A carpenter from Florida, Mr. LeNoir may not have had an especially loyal relationship with his dog Jake. At least, not until Friday evening. That's when man and dog went for a swim together off New Smyrna Beach, and became easy pray for a hungry shark. LeNoir barely registered the open-mouthed predator before it snatched Jake, pulling the 28 pound pooch under the surface. After a crazed moment of screaming, LeNoir dove after the shark, furious fists a-flying! ''I clenched my fists and dove straight in with all my strength, like a battering ram,'' LeNoir, told the Miami Herald. "I hit the back of the shark's neck. It was like hitting concrete.'' No doubt stunned by the assault, the shark released Jake, who quickly swam to safety. Amazingly, neither he nor Greg LeNoir were seriously injured during the ordeal.
Read more at http://www.miamiherald.com/news/5min/story/707023.html
Read more at http://www.miamiherald.com/news/5min/story/707023.html
19 Hostages Rescued in Desert by Multinational Troop Effort
CAIRO, Egypt
A group of 19 tourists' safari in the remote Sahara region of Africa took a turn for the horrifyingly cinematic last week, when they were abducted by armed kidnappers and driven off into the barren wilderness. Egyptian and Sudanese troops rescued the European tour group early Monday morning, and the tourists and their Egyptian guides returned safely to Cairo.
The operation, apparently backed by European special forces, ends a 10-day hostage situation that took the 11 Europeans and their eight guides across a barren stretch of the Sahara Desert. They were seized by gunmen on the 19th while on a desert safari in remote southwestern Egypt. It was unclear where their abductors were taking them, or where they would end up... Sudan, followed by Libya? Chad?
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini suggested Italian and German special forces were involved. He was beaming as he explained that Sudan and Egypt carried out "a highly professional operation" with the "intervention of Italian intelligence and experts from the special forces" from Germany and Italy.
The official said the tourists, who include two Italians in their 70s, were "feeble" but in good condition. Most importantly, MENA reported that none of the captives was hurt in the rescue. Amazing!
The freed captives, who included five Germans, five Italians, a Romanian and eight Egyptian guides and drivers, were brought by a military plane to Cairo on Monday, greeted at the airport by officials who extended their welcome with bouquets of fresh flowers. They were then taken to a military hospital for checkups.
"Our compatriots and the other hostages in Egypt have been freed," Frattini said. "It is the result of international cooperation for which we have to be really grateful to the authorities of other countries that have been working with us."
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,429475,00.html
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Scientists Coax Adult Cells Back to Embryonic State
Harvard University, USA
Stem cell research has been one of the most promising areas of medical advancement in our generation. Political controversy, however, has strangled funds for research projects, while moral controversy keeps the public decidedly undecided about the potentially life-saving knowledge we stand to gain. The question we are faced with, time and again, is "Is it ever acceptable to use embryonic stem cells for medical research?" Starting now, the answer may not matter.
A team of scientists at Harvard University has developed a method by which adult stem cells can be regressed back to their original embryonic state. With the controversy of harvesting true embryonic cells behind them, scientists may be able to learn by leaps and bounds in the next few years.
"We have removed a major roadblock for translating this into a clinical setting," said Konrad Hochedlinger, a Harvard University stem cell researcher whose research was published online today by the journal Science. "I think it's an important advance."
To read more, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/25/AR2008092502099.html?hpid=moreheadlines
Stem cell research has been one of the most promising areas of medical advancement in our generation. Political controversy, however, has strangled funds for research projects, while moral controversy keeps the public decidedly undecided about the potentially life-saving knowledge we stand to gain. The question we are faced with, time and again, is "Is it ever acceptable to use embryonic stem cells for medical research?" Starting now, the answer may not matter.
A team of scientists at Harvard University has developed a method by which adult stem cells can be regressed back to their original embryonic state. With the controversy of harvesting true embryonic cells behind them, scientists may be able to learn by leaps and bounds in the next few years.
"We have removed a major roadblock for translating this into a clinical setting," said Konrad Hochedlinger, a Harvard University stem cell researcher whose research was published online today by the journal Science. "I think it's an important advance."
To read more, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/25/AR2008092502099.html?hpid=moreheadlines
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Ping Pong Ball Saves 2 Year-Old's Life
Sydney. Australia
An Australian surgeon took a daring step in a liver transplant recently; He implanted a ping pong ball in the patient! What sounds like a medical mishap was, instead, an innovative measure taken to save a life. 2 year-old Mackenzie was on the operating table to receive a portion of an adult liver in place of her own. With donors rare, in Australia, surgeon Albert Shun had no back-up options when the transplant organ proved troublesome. The liver's size and shape caused it to rest on Mackenzie's blood vessels, creating potentially fatal pressure. In an almost MacGyver-like fashion, Shun placed a $2 ping pong ball inside hie patient to prevent the liver from obstructing her blood flow. "There shouldn't be any complications." Says Shun. "We are in a unique situation in Australia because we have a low donor rate so we have to be adaptable." While the unorthodox technique came as a shock to Mackenzie's parents, who found out about it after the surgery, they insist are happy to see their daughter alive and well. "She is so normal now," says mother Letice Darswell, "she is a happy kid."
To read more, visit http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24393387-5006009,00.html
An Australian surgeon took a daring step in a liver transplant recently; He implanted a ping pong ball in the patient! What sounds like a medical mishap was, instead, an innovative measure taken to save a life. 2 year-old Mackenzie was on the operating table to receive a portion of an adult liver in place of her own. With donors rare, in Australia, surgeon Albert Shun had no back-up options when the transplant organ proved troublesome. The liver's size and shape caused it to rest on Mackenzie's blood vessels, creating potentially fatal pressure. In an almost MacGyver-like fashion, Shun placed a $2 ping pong ball inside hie patient to prevent the liver from obstructing her blood flow. "There shouldn't be any complications." Says Shun. "We are in a unique situation in Australia because we have a low donor rate so we have to be adaptable." While the unorthodox technique came as a shock to Mackenzie's parents, who found out about it after the surgery, they insist are happy to see their daughter alive and well. "She is so normal now," says mother Letice Darswell, "she is a happy kid."
To read more, visit http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24393387-5006009,00.html
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Google Phone Unveiled At Last
For years, we've been hearing rumors that Google is developing a phone to rival the BlackBerry and the iPhone - music to the ears of anyone who loves Googe or is anti-Mac. Finally, T-Mobile and Google have teamed up to release the G1, a brand new uber-phone unlike anything we've ever seen. Boasting Google's Android operating system, an iPhone-like touch screen, and an expandable keyboard, the G1 combines many features that have consumers excited to try this latest addition to the technology wave. The G1 will become commercially available on October 22, at a cost of about 180$ with a 2-year contract. I know I'm tempted!
Learn more at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94953519&ft=1&f=1001
Learn more at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94953519&ft=1&f=1001
Friday, September 19, 2008
Everyone Poops, San Antonio Recycles
SAN ANTONIO, Texas
This Texan town is taking recycling to a whole new level: turning the city's collective poop into renewable energy. Quite a metamorphosis, from caca to cash.
Ameresco Inc., a Framingham, Massachusetts-based energy services company has offered to buy captured methane gas generated from the San Antonio Water System treatment of "biosolids" (a nice neutral word for human waste sewage) for $250,000. The 140,000 tons of biosolids will yield at least 900,000 cubic feet of natural gas daily for the next 20 years. Representatives for SAWS explain that this amount is "enough gas to fill seven commercial blimps or 1,250 tanker trucks each day."
"We're very pleased that we can capture and sell this gas, which is good for San Antonio's air quality and puts this renewable energy resource to work for San Antonio." Steve Clouse, the water system's chief operating officer.
It will take a year or two for the facilities to be built, but in the meantime SAWS is already using their human garbage for fertilizing lawns and selling methane byproducts to other institutions.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Unknown Work of Mozart Discovered in French Library
Nantes, France
A priceless bit of musical history was discovered in a French museum this week: a sheet of previously unknown music, handwritten by none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The sheet was donated to the museum in the 19th century by an autograph collector, and was apparently cataloged as part of the library's collection without being recognized for what it is. The International Mozarteum Foundation's head researcher Ulrich Leisinger says there can be no doubt of the document's authenticity. "This is absolutely new," Leisinger said. "We have new music here. . . His handwriting is absolutely clearly identifiable. . . There's no doubt that this is an original piece handwritten by Mozart."
The music itself is described as an early draft, or the start of a piece that was never finished. Leisinger explains "It's a melody sketch, so what's missing is the harmony and the instrumentation, but you can make sense out of it. The tune is complete. It's only one part and not the whole score with eight or twelve parts." Despite its incompleteness, the discovery is considered an important find. And rare, among fewer than a dozen such documents brought to light in the past 50 years.
The document appears to have been written sometime during the last 5 years of Mozart's life.
To read more, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/18/eu.mozart.discovery.ap/index.html
A priceless bit of musical history was discovered in a French museum this week: a sheet of previously unknown music, handwritten by none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The sheet was donated to the museum in the 19th century by an autograph collector, and was apparently cataloged as part of the library's collection without being recognized for what it is. The International Mozarteum Foundation's head researcher Ulrich Leisinger says there can be no doubt of the document's authenticity. "This is absolutely new," Leisinger said. "We have new music here. . . His handwriting is absolutely clearly identifiable. . . There's no doubt that this is an original piece handwritten by Mozart."
The music itself is described as an early draft, or the start of a piece that was never finished. Leisinger explains "It's a melody sketch, so what's missing is the harmony and the instrumentation, but you can make sense out of it. The tune is complete. It's only one part and not the whole score with eight or twelve parts." Despite its incompleteness, the discovery is considered an important find. And rare, among fewer than a dozen such documents brought to light in the past 50 years.
The document appears to have been written sometime during the last 5 years of Mozart's life.
To read more, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/18/eu.mozart.discovery.ap/index.html
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Vaccinations for Pregnant Moms Means Protecting Babies Too
Boston, USA
For moms-to-be looking to protect their babies, a study confirms what scientists have assumed for years: flu shots given to pregnant women a month or more before delivery results in the immunization being passed on to the buns in their ovens. Such vaccinations usually remain effective for the first six months of the baby's life. Since newborns are not authorized to receive flu shots during this time period, a mother's vaccination helps bridge the gap: a time when babies are particularly susceptible to get the flu. Centers for Disease Control have been recommending pregnant women get their flu shots since 1997, but the advice tends to go ignored: only about 15% of expectant mothers are vaccinated each year. Specialists are hoping that this concrete proof will inspire more moms to get their flu shots during the high-risk fall months.
"Immunize the mother and you protect the infant," Dr. Mark Steinhoff, a pediatrician with the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. "This might persuade more mothers to say, 'Hey, it really helps me and it really helps the baby,'"
In the test of 340 pregnant women in Bangladesh, the shots cut the risk of flu by 63 percent and the risk of respiratory illness overall by 29 percent. There were six confirmed cases of influenza in the vaccinated group, compared to 16 among the mothers given a different vaccine.
The injections also lowered the likelihood of fever and respiratory illness among the mothers by 36 percent.
http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USN1726328620080917
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Genetic Therapy May Prevent Hereditary Blindness
Paris, France
A condition known as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy robs young adults of their sight by destroying the optic nerve. In Paris, Marisol Corral-Debrinski and her team at the Pierre and Marie Curie university have created a treatment which may be the light at the end of the tunnel for potential sufferers of the disorder.
The experimental treatment involved implanting functional copies of the ND4 gene, which is irregular in Leber patients, into lab rats with the disease. Electric impulses were used to temporarily open the cells' surface pores. Among treated rats, most of the optic nerve cells survived. Untreated rats lost 40% of their optic nerve cells within eight weeks.
Though the current treatment has only been tested in lab rats, the solution to Leber is beginning to come into focus.
To read more, visit http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/mg19926735.000-hereditary-blindness-therapy-within-sight.html?feedId=online-news_rss20
A condition known as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy robs young adults of their sight by destroying the optic nerve. In Paris, Marisol Corral-Debrinski and her team at the Pierre and Marie Curie university have created a treatment which may be the light at the end of the tunnel for potential sufferers of the disorder.
The experimental treatment involved implanting functional copies of the ND4 gene, which is irregular in Leber patients, into lab rats with the disease. Electric impulses were used to temporarily open the cells' surface pores. Among treated rats, most of the optic nerve cells survived. Untreated rats lost 40% of their optic nerve cells within eight weeks.
Though the current treatment has only been tested in lab rats, the solution to Leber is beginning to come into focus.
To read more, visit http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/mg19926735.000-hereditary-blindness-therapy-within-sight.html?feedId=online-news_rss20
Monday, September 15, 2008
Assistance Dog Calls 911, Saves Man's Life
Phoenix, AZ, USA
The frantic sound of a dog whining and barking may not be what Chriss Trott is accustomed to hearing when he answers 911 calls, but it was enough to save the life of Joe Stalnaker on Wednesday when he suffered a seizure.
Stalnaker's home is flagged in the 911 database as having a trained assistance dog who may call for help in an emergency. Buddy, Stalnaker's faithful German shepherd, has been trained since puppyhood to recognize the symptoms of a seizure, get the telephone, and press specially programmed numbers that contact the 911 emergency hotline.
"It's pretty incredible," says Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark "Even the veteran dispatchers — they haven't heard of anything like this."Clark further reports that Mr. Stalnaker spent a couple of days in the hospital, making a full recovery from his seizure thanks to Buddy. Man's best friend, indeed.
To read more, visit http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jeDqeOQlgzwM4VjSCR1TETh6rM4AD936NST82
Thanks going out to Papa Goose for this story!
The frantic sound of a dog whining and barking may not be what Chriss Trott is accustomed to hearing when he answers 911 calls, but it was enough to save the life of Joe Stalnaker on Wednesday when he suffered a seizure.
Stalnaker's home is flagged in the 911 database as having a trained assistance dog who may call for help in an emergency. Buddy, Stalnaker's faithful German shepherd, has been trained since puppyhood to recognize the symptoms of a seizure, get the telephone, and press specially programmed numbers that contact the 911 emergency hotline.
"It's pretty incredible," says Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark "Even the veteran dispatchers — they haven't heard of anything like this."Clark further reports that Mr. Stalnaker spent a couple of days in the hospital, making a full recovery from his seizure thanks to Buddy. Man's best friend, indeed.
To read more, visit http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jeDqeOQlgzwM4VjSCR1TETh6rM4AD936NST82
Thanks going out to Papa Goose for this story!
Junkyards Go Green
New Hampshire, USA
How green can garbage get? A new campaign in New Hampshire has been inspiring-and requiring-salvage lots to clean up their act. Junkyards are particularly difficult areas to keep in line with environmental law due to the increasing number of regulations regarding the disposal of mechanical leftovers. Cars alone have 13 parts with specific regulations pertaining to their storage.
Both local communities and the Federal government were concerned over water contamination from spilled gas and oil, but the real impetus for change came from within the industry itself: the New Hampshire Auto & Truck Recyclers Association reached out to the Department of Environmental Science in 2003 for advice and help on cleaning up junkyards and staying in compliance. Now over 160 yards across the state of New Hampshire are involved in a nationally recognized and governmentally lauded program called New Hampshire Green Yards.
"We have wonderful compliance from the junkyards as far as this town is concerned," said Dee Voss, manager for the building inspector's office in Plaistow, which has three salvage yards. "They get surprise visits from us almost quarterly and they are quick to act when we ask something of them."
Turning over a new leaf hasn’t been easy. ASAP Auto salvage yard owner Ken Chapman points out the difference between the old days and the new, greener ones:
"Every time you turn around there's a new law," he said. "Junkyards used to pour the used oil on the ground just to keep the dust down, and it was fine."
That is precisely one of the ways in which the Green Yard program supports those they oversee is by helping them to cope with the continually expanding list of disposal regulations. Together they have compiled its Best Management Practices: with recommendations and guidelines along with free training videos and site assessments by state experts.
"Our members all feel positive about the whole thing," Ken reports. "At first some didn't feel that way, but now that they've been through it and have seen how it works, they are finding that it works well for them."
The Green Yard project has even inspired some salvage yards to go above and beyond by taking voluntary precautions. Some are only draining fluids indoors and using water-soluble degreasing solvents. In response, taking such self-starting measures is specially recognized by the state’s official Green Yard Certification, a sort of gold star rating for salvage yards. The recognition comes complete with official flags and magnetic truck door signs which are displayed with pride. It’s great to see another example of green practices sprouting up, even amongst scrap metal and old carburetors.
How green can garbage get? A new campaign in New Hampshire has been inspiring-and requiring-salvage lots to clean up their act. Junkyards are particularly difficult areas to keep in line with environmental law due to the increasing number of regulations regarding the disposal of mechanical leftovers. Cars alone have 13 parts with specific regulations pertaining to their storage.
Both local communities and the Federal government were concerned over water contamination from spilled gas and oil, but the real impetus for change came from within the industry itself: the New Hampshire Auto & Truck Recyclers Association reached out to the Department of Environmental Science in 2003 for advice and help on cleaning up junkyards and staying in compliance. Now over 160 yards across the state of New Hampshire are involved in a nationally recognized and governmentally lauded program called New Hampshire Green Yards.
"We have wonderful compliance from the junkyards as far as this town is concerned," said Dee Voss, manager for the building inspector's office in Plaistow, which has three salvage yards. "They get surprise visits from us almost quarterly and they are quick to act when we ask something of them."
Turning over a new leaf hasn’t been easy. ASAP Auto salvage yard owner Ken Chapman points out the difference between the old days and the new, greener ones:
"Every time you turn around there's a new law," he said. "Junkyards used to pour the used oil on the ground just to keep the dust down, and it was fine."
That is precisely one of the ways in which the Green Yard program supports those they oversee is by helping them to cope with the continually expanding list of disposal regulations. Together they have compiled its Best Management Practices: with recommendations and guidelines along with free training videos and site assessments by state experts.
"Our members all feel positive about the whole thing," Ken reports. "At first some didn't feel that way, but now that they've been through it and have seen how it works, they are finding that it works well for them."
The Green Yard project has even inspired some salvage yards to go above and beyond by taking voluntary precautions. Some are only draining fluids indoors and using water-soluble degreasing solvents. In response, taking such self-starting measures is specially recognized by the state’s official Green Yard Certification, a sort of gold star rating for salvage yards. The recognition comes complete with official flags and magnetic truck door signs which are displayed with pride. It’s great to see another example of green practices sprouting up, even amongst scrap metal and old carburetors.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Child Mortality Rate Down 27% Since 1990
WORLD
UNICEF reports that child mortality rate, that is, the number of live-birth children who die before the age of five, is down 27% since 1990. The organization noted particular progress in Laos, Bangladesh, Bolivia and Nepal. Factors contributing to the good news include healthier breast feeding practices, measles vaccination, vitamin A supplementation, the use of insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria, and prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. While much work remains to be done, particularly ins Sierra Leone, which has the highest child mortality rate in the world, the decrease is viewed as very good news. The latest numbers indicate that the rate continues to decrease, as it has fallen more than 60% since 1960.
To read more, visit http://news.aol.com/article/unicef-child-mortality-down-27-percent/172520?cid=14
UNICEF reports that child mortality rate, that is, the number of live-birth children who die before the age of five, is down 27% since 1990. The organization noted particular progress in Laos, Bangladesh, Bolivia and Nepal. Factors contributing to the good news include healthier breast feeding practices, measles vaccination, vitamin A supplementation, the use of insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria, and prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. While much work remains to be done, particularly ins Sierra Leone, which has the highest child mortality rate in the world, the decrease is viewed as very good news. The latest numbers indicate that the rate continues to decrease, as it has fallen more than 60% since 1960.
To read more, visit http://news.aol.com/article/unicef-child-mortality-down-27-percent/172520?cid=14
Friday, September 12, 2008
New York's Fashion Week Boasts Healthier Models
NY, USA
Fashion Week in New York: It's all about expression. Top-notch designers from around the world converge to unveil their latest and most exclusive creations in the form of runway fashion shows. The glitterati are in attendance, along with a slew of fashion correspondents who distill new trends from the cutting-edge pieces that glamorous models flaunt down the runway. And, sitting in front of their TV screens or flipping through magazines, young girls all over the globe begin to dream of one day becoming fashion models.
For decades, there has been a public outcry against the stick-thin women who, as they strut down the catwalk, set the standard for fashion and beauty. Young women and the people who love them have lamented the spread of eating disorders and psychological problems that too often accompany a little girl's journey towards professional modeling. With designers supplying their clothing in sizes 0 and 2 (that's "emaciated" and "waifish," for those of you who may be unfamiliar with women's sizes), it has long been impossible for any woman, no matter how beautiful, to realize the dream of modeling during fashion week without sticking to an extreme, and often unhealthy diet.
That's why it is good news indeed that this year, Fashion Week has finally jumped on the ever-expanding bandwagon of putting healthier women in the spotlight. According to Nian Fish, who chairs a fashion designers health initiative, models were up to size 4 (read: "thin") this year, and there wasn't a size 0 in sight. Furthermore, designers turned away from modeling their clothing on prepubescent 13 year-old girls.
"I think a lot of the direction from the designers has been a much healthier approach," said James Aguiar, co-host of Ultra HD's "Full Frontal Fashion." Avril Graham, executive fashion and beauty editor at Harper's Bazaar, agrees: "We're obviously going through a season of a less cookie-cutter look."
To my own (fashion-blind) eyes, this years models still look impossibly thin. But if there has been a step, even a tiny one, away from the skin-and-bones ideal that I've grown up with, I see it as a step in the right direction. Who knows, maybe next year we'll have the pleasure of seeing a nice rack or a juicy booty on New York's high profile stage!
To read more, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/homestyle/09/11/thin.models.fashion.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Fashion Week in New York: It's all about expression. Top-notch designers from around the world converge to unveil their latest and most exclusive creations in the form of runway fashion shows. The glitterati are in attendance, along with a slew of fashion correspondents who distill new trends from the cutting-edge pieces that glamorous models flaunt down the runway. And, sitting in front of their TV screens or flipping through magazines, young girls all over the globe begin to dream of one day becoming fashion models.
For decades, there has been a public outcry against the stick-thin women who, as they strut down the catwalk, set the standard for fashion and beauty. Young women and the people who love them have lamented the spread of eating disorders and psychological problems that too often accompany a little girl's journey towards professional modeling. With designers supplying their clothing in sizes 0 and 2 (that's "emaciated" and "waifish," for those of you who may be unfamiliar with women's sizes), it has long been impossible for any woman, no matter how beautiful, to realize the dream of modeling during fashion week without sticking to an extreme, and often unhealthy diet.
That's why it is good news indeed that this year, Fashion Week has finally jumped on the ever-expanding bandwagon of putting healthier women in the spotlight. According to Nian Fish, who chairs a fashion designers health initiative, models were up to size 4 (read: "thin") this year, and there wasn't a size 0 in sight. Furthermore, designers turned away from modeling their clothing on prepubescent 13 year-old girls.
"I think a lot of the direction from the designers has been a much healthier approach," said James Aguiar, co-host of Ultra HD's "Full Frontal Fashion." Avril Graham, executive fashion and beauty editor at Harper's Bazaar, agrees: "We're obviously going through a season of a less cookie-cutter look."
To my own (fashion-blind) eyes, this years models still look impossibly thin. But if there has been a step, even a tiny one, away from the skin-and-bones ideal that I've grown up with, I see it as a step in the right direction. Who knows, maybe next year we'll have the pleasure of seeing a nice rack or a juicy booty on New York's high profile stage!
To read more, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/homestyle/09/11/thin.models.fashion.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Cat Survives 16 Mile Journey Under the Hood of a Running Car
Irvine, CA
After driving 16 miles from Anaheim to Irvine, CA, an anonymous driver pulled her Honda over when she heard odd noises issuing from under the hood. When she got out of the car, she realized that the loud wailing sounded just like a cat. After popping her hood, the driver was stunned to find an adult black cat who had somehow wedged himself behind her right headlight, beneath the hood. The woman immediately called 911.
When rescue workers arrived, the car's engine was still so hot that they were unable to access the trapped kitty. Eventually, loosening the car's headlight gave way to a crack wide enough for rescuers to tranquilize and, eventually, extract cat.
Miraculously, "Miles," as the cat has now been named, survived the ordeal without a scratch or even a burn. Miles is micro chipped, however thus far his owners have not come forward. He is currently up for adoption in Irvine.
For the full story, visit: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/09/11/dnt.ca.cat.wedged.in.engine.kcal
After driving 16 miles from Anaheim to Irvine, CA, an anonymous driver pulled her Honda over when she heard odd noises issuing from under the hood. When she got out of the car, she realized that the loud wailing sounded just like a cat. After popping her hood, the driver was stunned to find an adult black cat who had somehow wedged himself behind her right headlight, beneath the hood. The woman immediately called 911.
When rescue workers arrived, the car's engine was still so hot that they were unable to access the trapped kitty. Eventually, loosening the car's headlight gave way to a crack wide enough for rescuers to tranquilize and, eventually, extract cat.
Miraculously, "Miles," as the cat has now been named, survived the ordeal without a scratch or even a burn. Miles is micro chipped, however thus far his owners have not come forward. He is currently up for adoption in Irvine.
For the full story, visit: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/09/11/dnt.ca.cat.wedged.in.engine.kcal
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
eHusbandry Matches Mates Across the World
COLUMBIA, S.C.
Online dating is becoming more and more commonplace in today's cyber-centered world. The latest development brings good news in the heretofore neglected area of animal husbandry! Zookeepers will soon have access to the profiles of 'single' animals all over the world looking for prospective mates. Until know, discussions and descriptions of animals in captivity were exchanged on an individual basis, over the phone or email. By using a Facebook-esque social networking called the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), 150 zoos and aquariums around the world will be able to play match maker for animals in captivity. Also known as 'studbooks', the web-based data will be more easily accessible, faster in pairing up matches, and will contain information on the animals looks and personalities-- just like sites geared towards humans. This way, even species more hesitant to breed in captivity (such as the panda or African elephant) can be set up with compatible mates.
"Studbooks are the key to our long-term breeding plans," said John Lehnhardt, animal operations director at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Fla. "We want to ensure that these endangered species are here for the future and that's really what the studbooks are all about. What we're trying to do is maintain a savings account in species."
"Big populations out in the wild breed randomly," added Ed Diebold, director of animal collections at Riverbanks Zoo. "In captivity, usually these populations are considerably smaller than wild populations, which is why you can't afford to allow animals to inbreed or breed along closely related lines. That's why you have the studbooks."
For more information and some titillating examples of animal mating habits, check out the original link:
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,419603,00.html
Online dating is becoming more and more commonplace in today's cyber-centered world. The latest development brings good news in the heretofore neglected area of animal husbandry! Zookeepers will soon have access to the profiles of 'single' animals all over the world looking for prospective mates. Until know, discussions and descriptions of animals in captivity were exchanged on an individual basis, over the phone or email. By using a Facebook-esque social networking called the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), 150 zoos and aquariums around the world will be able to play match maker for animals in captivity. Also known as 'studbooks', the web-based data will be more easily accessible, faster in pairing up matches, and will contain information on the animals looks and personalities-- just like sites geared towards humans. This way, even species more hesitant to breed in captivity (such as the panda or African elephant) can be set up with compatible mates.
"Studbooks are the key to our long-term breeding plans," said John Lehnhardt, animal operations director at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Fla. "We want to ensure that these endangered species are here for the future and that's really what the studbooks are all about. What we're trying to do is maintain a savings account in species."
"Big populations out in the wild breed randomly," added Ed Diebold, director of animal collections at Riverbanks Zoo. "In captivity, usually these populations are considerably smaller than wild populations, which is why you can't afford to allow animals to inbreed or breed along closely related lines. That's why you have the studbooks."
For more information and some titillating examples of animal mating habits, check out the original link:
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,419603,00.html
Monday, September 8, 2008
Swimmers Rescued After 12 Hours at Sea
Daytona Beach, FL, USA
A day at the beach for 12 year-old Chris Marino and his father Walter turned nightmarish when Chris was caught in an overpowering tide last Saturday night. Walter rushed to his son's rescue, only to be swept far offshore by the same treacherous current. Night fell, and father and son were separated as they struggled to stay afloat among three-foot swells. Rescue workers searched for the two until after 3:00 am to no avail.
However, both swimmers managed to stay afloat and relatively unharmed for the rest of the night. A fishing boat found Walter Marino, still swimming, at around 7:30 the next morning, while the coast guard rescued Chris two hours later, just a mile from where his father had been found. Both were listed as "in good condition" at a local hospital today.
To read more, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,418495,00.html
A day at the beach for 12 year-old Chris Marino and his father Walter turned nightmarish when Chris was caught in an overpowering tide last Saturday night. Walter rushed to his son's rescue, only to be swept far offshore by the same treacherous current. Night fell, and father and son were separated as they struggled to stay afloat among three-foot swells. Rescue workers searched for the two until after 3:00 am to no avail.
However, both swimmers managed to stay afloat and relatively unharmed for the rest of the night. A fishing boat found Walter Marino, still swimming, at around 7:30 the next morning, while the coast guard rescued Chris two hours later, just a mile from where his father had been found. Both were listed as "in good condition" at a local hospital today.
To read more, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,418495,00.html
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
New Screening Technique Better for Detecting Breast Cancer
Traditional breast cancer screening consists of monthly self-exams, yearly professional exams, and, for older or high-risk women, mammograms. With recent advances in breast cancer screening and treatment, women have a better chance of surviving the disease than ever before. Scientists and doctors are trying to increase that chance even further, and recently unveiled a new screening technique that may go on to save thousands of lives.
Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is a new technology which was presented this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's 2008 Breast Cancer Symposium in Washington, D.C. Unlike mammograms, MBI images the breast using a an injected radiotracter that is able to detect different behaviors between cancerous and healthy cells. In a study presented at the symposium, MBI detected 10 out of 13 cancers among 375 patients. Mammograms detected three. Together, the techniques would have detected 11.
In addition to detecting more cancers, MBI produces fewer false positives than mammograms; 28% of MBI-prompted biopsies proved to be cancerous, compared with only 28% of mammogram prompted biopsies. "Based on the results, MBI has shown great promise as a valuable adjunct to screening mammography in women with dense breasts and who are at an increased risk of developing cancer," said study author Carrie B. Hruska, a research fellow in the department of radiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
MBI technology is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. The future of the treatment depends upon it's spread across the country, as the screening is not yet widely available.
To read more, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090303193.html
Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is a new technology which was presented this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's 2008 Breast Cancer Symposium in Washington, D.C. Unlike mammograms, MBI images the breast using a an injected radiotracter that is able to detect different behaviors between cancerous and healthy cells. In a study presented at the symposium, MBI detected 10 out of 13 cancers among 375 patients. Mammograms detected three. Together, the techniques would have detected 11.
In addition to detecting more cancers, MBI produces fewer false positives than mammograms; 28% of MBI-prompted biopsies proved to be cancerous, compared with only 28% of mammogram prompted biopsies. "Based on the results, MBI has shown great promise as a valuable adjunct to screening mammography in women with dense breasts and who are at an increased risk of developing cancer," said study author Carrie B. Hruska, a research fellow in the department of radiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
MBI technology is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. The future of the treatment depends upon it's spread across the country, as the screening is not yet widely available.
To read more, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090303193.html
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Restaurant Customer Anonymously Leaves the Tip of a Lifetime
Algonquin, IL, USA
After working as a waitress at the Montarra Grill in Angonquin for three years, Michelle Secreto probably has the menu memorized. She had two suggestions at the ready for a couple who came to the restaurant last week and requested gluten-free meals; Ms. Secreto recommended two seafood specials.
While not the most ordinary of interactions between customer and waitress to begin with, the anonymous couple turned their visit to the Montarra Grill into an unforgettable experience for Secreto when they left her the tip of a lifetime: 1,000 dollars.
Secreto plans to use the money to send her daughter, 12 year-old Ashley, on a school trip to Washington DC later this year.
To read more, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414363,00.html
After working as a waitress at the Montarra Grill in Angonquin for three years, Michelle Secreto probably has the menu memorized. She had two suggestions at the ready for a couple who came to the restaurant last week and requested gluten-free meals; Ms. Secreto recommended two seafood specials.
While not the most ordinary of interactions between customer and waitress to begin with, the anonymous couple turned their visit to the Montarra Grill into an unforgettable experience for Secreto when they left her the tip of a lifetime: 1,000 dollars.
Secreto plans to use the money to send her daughter, 12 year-old Ashley, on a school trip to Washington DC later this year.
To read more, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414363,00.html
Monday, September 1, 2008
Michigan Balloonist Survives 9,000 Foot Fall
Anderson, S.C., USA
Chuck Walz is in rough shape; he has a broken leg AND a broken pelvis. But, considering that his hot air balloon deflated at 9,000 feet an plummeted back to Earth with him still in it this week, he's not doing too badly. Apparently, the Michigan native owes his lucky breaks to the fact that his balloon's basket became entangled in tree branches about 10 feet from the ground. Though Walz tumbled out of the basket, his fall was slowed by the collision with the tree. He was concious when rescuers arrived, and has undergone surgery to repair his leg and pelvis. His recovery so far has been promising.
For more information, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414543,00.html
Chuck Walz is in rough shape; he has a broken leg AND a broken pelvis. But, considering that his hot air balloon deflated at 9,000 feet an plummeted back to Earth with him still in it this week, he's not doing too badly. Apparently, the Michigan native owes his lucky breaks to the fact that his balloon's basket became entangled in tree branches about 10 feet from the ground. Though Walz tumbled out of the basket, his fall was slowed by the collision with the tree. He was concious when rescuers arrived, and has undergone surgery to repair his leg and pelvis. His recovery so far has been promising.
For more information, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414543,00.html
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Indiana Grandpa Loses Glasses, Wins the Lottery
ROANOKE, Ind.
Using his five children's birthdays as his lucky numbers every time, Bobby Guffey had played his fair share of lottery games since it started in 1989. He had won a few times over the years, but this time was different: Bobby had forgotten his bifocals at home and accidentally entered a 48 instead of a 46.
Turns out, his poor vision paid off: his Hoosier Lotto ticket bore the winning numbers for a $3 million jackpot.
Not to say that Bobby's strategy of playing his children's birthdays was bad luck. Upon discovering his error at home, Bobby went back to the Huntington service station and purchased a new lotto ticket with his usual numbers. The second won him a handy bonus prize of $1,000.
Using his 3,001,000 earnings, Bobby and his wife, Janell, plan to pay off their house, take a cruise to Hawaii, and set up a trust fund for their five children and 10 grandchildren.
"Christmas will be a lot nicer," Jannell reports.
Using his five children's birthdays as his lucky numbers every time, Bobby Guffey had played his fair share of lottery games since it started in 1989. He had won a few times over the years, but this time was different: Bobby had forgotten his bifocals at home and accidentally entered a 48 instead of a 46.
Turns out, his poor vision paid off: his Hoosier Lotto ticket bore the winning numbers for a $3 million jackpot.
Not to say that Bobby's strategy of playing his children's birthdays was bad luck. Upon discovering his error at home, Bobby went back to the Huntington service station and purchased a new lotto ticket with his usual numbers. The second won him a handy bonus prize of $1,000.
Using his 3,001,000 earnings, Bobby and his wife, Janell, plan to pay off their house, take a cruise to Hawaii, and set up a trust fund for their five children and 10 grandchildren.
"Christmas will be a lot nicer," Jannell reports.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Robotic Suit Helps Paraplegics Stand Tall and Proud
HAIFA, Israel
After two decades of having to look up to people around him, Radi Kaiof is now looking them straight in the eyes. He’s also standing, walking, and climbing stairs: no small feat for someone paralyzed from the waist down.
Radi, a former Israeli paratrooper who was paralyzed 20 years ago while serving in the military, has been participating in the trials of a new robotic suit called ReWalk. Motorized leg supports aided by crutches function as a sort of electronic exoskeleton, powering the 41-year-old's legs to move forward in stride. Body sensors and a back pack containing a computerized control box and rechargeable batteries allow the wearer to chose a setting with a remote control wrist band -- stand, sit, walk, descend or climb.
"I never dreamed I would walk again. After I was wounded, I forgot what it's like," Radi beams.
"Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below."
ReWalk is the invention of Amit Goffer, founder of Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli technology outfit. Goffer’s inspiration to help others comes in part from that fact that he himself is paralyzed, though he cannot use his own invention because he does not have full function of his arms.
"It raises people out of their wheelchair and lets them stand up straight," Goffer said. "It's not just about health, it's also about dignity."
Kate Parkin, director of physical and occupational therapy at NYU Medical Centre, explains that the benefits to standing and walking are great not just for the body, but also for the mind:
"Physically, the body works differently when upright. You can challenge different muscles and allow full expansion of the lung. Psychologically, it lets people live at the upright level and make eye contact."
After our recent post regarding the new control system for quadriplegics, it's great to see even more good news in the arena of health innovations for those living with paralysis.
http://news.aol.com/health/article/robotic-suit-helps-paraplegics-walk/146700
After two decades of having to look up to people around him, Radi Kaiof is now looking them straight in the eyes. He’s also standing, walking, and climbing stairs: no small feat for someone paralyzed from the waist down.
Radi, a former Israeli paratrooper who was paralyzed 20 years ago while serving in the military, has been participating in the trials of a new robotic suit called ReWalk. Motorized leg supports aided by crutches function as a sort of electronic exoskeleton, powering the 41-year-old's legs to move forward in stride. Body sensors and a back pack containing a computerized control box and rechargeable batteries allow the wearer to chose a setting with a remote control wrist band -- stand, sit, walk, descend or climb.
"I never dreamed I would walk again. After I was wounded, I forgot what it's like," Radi beams.
"Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below."
ReWalk is the invention of Amit Goffer, founder of Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli technology outfit. Goffer’s inspiration to help others comes in part from that fact that he himself is paralyzed, though he cannot use his own invention because he does not have full function of his arms.
"It raises people out of their wheelchair and lets them stand up straight," Goffer said. "It's not just about health, it's also about dignity."
Kate Parkin, director of physical and occupational therapy at NYU Medical Centre, explains that the benefits to standing and walking are great not just for the body, but also for the mind:
"Physically, the body works differently when upright. You can challenge different muscles and allow full expansion of the lung. Psychologically, it lets people live at the upright level and make eye contact."
After our recent post regarding the new control system for quadriplegics, it's great to see even more good news in the arena of health innovations for those living with paralysis.
http://news.aol.com/health/article/robotic-suit-helps-paraplegics-walk/146700
Monday, August 25, 2008
A Rare Happy Ending
Toronto, Canada
From an alarmingly long list of plane crash stories, the GNG would like to present this one for our favorite reason: It has a happy ending.
Ed Robertson flies his own Cessna 206 floatplane. He's also the lead singer of the Barenaked Ladies. Sunday afternoon, Robertson and three pass angers - reportedly his wife and two friends -took off from Baptiste Lake, Ontario. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area near Bancroft. Ontario Provincial police Sgt. Bruce Quigg reports that none of the plane's occupants were injured.
Robertson's friend Gord Peel has said that the plane stalled, but Robertson was able to set it down gently, netted by trees with its nose resting on the ground. The pilot and passengers, shaken but unhurt, were able to exit through the aircraft's windows.
Barenaked Ladies manager Adam Smith said "Everyone is fine and that is the important thing," . . . That's all the comment we have at this time."
Special thanks to the Gander for this story.
From an alarmingly long list of plane crash stories, the GNG would like to present this one for our favorite reason: It has a happy ending.
Ed Robertson flies his own Cessna 206 floatplane. He's also the lead singer of the Barenaked Ladies. Sunday afternoon, Robertson and three pass angers - reportedly his wife and two friends -took off from Baptiste Lake, Ontario. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area near Bancroft. Ontario Provincial police Sgt. Bruce Quigg reports that none of the plane's occupants were injured.
Robertson's friend Gord Peel has said that the plane stalled, but Robertson was able to set it down gently, netted by trees with its nose resting on the ground. The pilot and passengers, shaken but unhurt, were able to exit through the aircraft's windows.
Barenaked Ladies manager Adam Smith said "Everyone is fine and that is the important thing," . . . That's all the comment we have at this time."
Special thanks to the Gander for this story.
Tongue Technology Gives Paralyzed a Big Hand
ATLANTA, Georgia
Researchers at Georgia Tech are in the process of turning the tongue into a joystick… but not just for video games, but for computers, household appliances, wheelchairs, and more. The new technology turns the inside of a persons mouth into a virtual computer keyboard, allowing those people paralyzed from the neck down to have unprecedented control over their environment. The tongue presents several advantages over the existing systems: the muscle is flexible, sensitive and tireless. It would benefit a large percentage of those disabled from the neck down due to spinal cord injury because it the tongue is controlled by the brain. There are a few versions of tongue controlled systems out there: one uses a nine-button keypad placed on the roof of the mouth to control electronics. Another uses a virtual keyboard manipulated by an extremely tiny magnet placed on the tip of the tongue and inside each cheek. Software picks up on the tongue’s movements translates them into controls for electronics.
"You could have full control over your environment by just being able to move your tongue," said Maysam Ghovanloo, a Georgia Tech assistant professor who leads the team's research.
Mike Jones, a vice president of research and technology at the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta rehabilitation hospital adds that the new tongue tech has advantages over existing imprecise and expensive technologies:
"This could give you an almost infinite number of switches and options for communication… It's easy, and somebody could learn an entirely different language."
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/08/25/tongue.computing.ap/index.html
Researchers at Georgia Tech are in the process of turning the tongue into a joystick… but not just for video games, but for computers, household appliances, wheelchairs, and more. The new technology turns the inside of a persons mouth into a virtual computer keyboard, allowing those people paralyzed from the neck down to have unprecedented control over their environment. The tongue presents several advantages over the existing systems: the muscle is flexible, sensitive and tireless. It would benefit a large percentage of those disabled from the neck down due to spinal cord injury because it the tongue is controlled by the brain. There are a few versions of tongue controlled systems out there: one uses a nine-button keypad placed on the roof of the mouth to control electronics. Another uses a virtual keyboard manipulated by an extremely tiny magnet placed on the tip of the tongue and inside each cheek. Software picks up on the tongue’s movements translates them into controls for electronics.
"You could have full control over your environment by just being able to move your tongue," said Maysam Ghovanloo, a Georgia Tech assistant professor who leads the team's research.
Mike Jones, a vice president of research and technology at the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta rehabilitation hospital adds that the new tongue tech has advantages over existing imprecise and expensive technologies:
"This could give you an almost infinite number of switches and options for communication… It's easy, and somebody could learn an entirely different language."
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/08/25/tongue.computing.ap/index.html
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Man Rescued from Silo Recovering Well
Town of Oregon, Wisconsin
Wayne Ace noticed a big problem with the materials stored in one of his farm's silos. Silage, a mix of raw chopped materials like field corn, sorghum, grass, or clover, is put into silos to ferment and eventually be used as winter feed for livestock. Wayne noticed that his silage wasn't level, which would have meant wasted space inside the silo and less feed for his animals. Wanye, an experienced farmer, felt he could handle climbing into the 60 foot storage tower to fix the problem. Due to the tower's height and extremely limited access points, Wanye became stuck about halfway up the cylnder. The fumes and fibers from silage can prove toxic when inhaled over an extended period of time. Luckily, Wayne's family noticed what had happened almost immediately and called rescue workers to the scene. The rescue squad safely rappelled down the inside of the silo, and extracted Wanye through an opening no bigger than a foot and a half. He was taken by ambuleance to a local hospital where he has been recovering well. Wayne credits both the EMS and his family for his rescue, pointing out that it might have been much worse had he been stuck for much longer.
"It's my understanding that family members actually discovered the patient. Had they not been as alert and keeping track of what was going on with him, he could have been there for an extended period of time and could have expired," said Capt. Robin Powers of Oregon Fire and EMS.
Wayne Ace noticed a big problem with the materials stored in one of his farm's silos. Silage, a mix of raw chopped materials like field corn, sorghum, grass, or clover, is put into silos to ferment and eventually be used as winter feed for livestock. Wayne noticed that his silage wasn't level, which would have meant wasted space inside the silo and less feed for his animals. Wanye, an experienced farmer, felt he could handle climbing into the 60 foot storage tower to fix the problem. Due to the tower's height and extremely limited access points, Wanye became stuck about halfway up the cylnder. The fumes and fibers from silage can prove toxic when inhaled over an extended period of time. Luckily, Wayne's family noticed what had happened almost immediately and called rescue workers to the scene. The rescue squad safely rappelled down the inside of the silo, and extracted Wanye through an opening no bigger than a foot and a half. He was taken by ambuleance to a local hospital where he has been recovering well. Wayne credits both the EMS and his family for his rescue, pointing out that it might have been much worse had he been stuck for much longer.
"It's my understanding that family members actually discovered the patient. Had they not been as alert and keeping track of what was going on with him, he could have been there for an extended period of time and could have expired," said Capt. Robin Powers of Oregon Fire and EMS.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Dog and Puppies Care for Abandoned Baby Girl
La Plata, Argentina
Argentinian farmer Fabio Anze awoke to a huge surprise Thursday morning: a baby girl nestled among his dog China's litter. The baby, who was abandoned by her 14 year-old mother, was just hours old when she was found and rushed to the Melchor Romero hospital. Despite having spent the cold winder night outdoors, she was in good condition thanks to the snuggling warmth provided by Anze's dogs. It is unknown whether the baby's mother left her in the dog pen, or if perhaps China discovered the infant in the woods and carried her home to her own puppies. Regardless, she accepted the new addition into her own brood with exceptionally good nature.
To read more, visit http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080822/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_argentina_dog
Argentinian farmer Fabio Anze awoke to a huge surprise Thursday morning: a baby girl nestled among his dog China's litter. The baby, who was abandoned by her 14 year-old mother, was just hours old when she was found and rushed to the Melchor Romero hospital. Despite having spent the cold winder night outdoors, she was in good condition thanks to the snuggling warmth provided by Anze's dogs. It is unknown whether the baby's mother left her in the dog pen, or if perhaps China discovered the infant in the woods and carried her home to her own puppies. Regardless, she accepted the new addition into her own brood with exceptionally good nature.
To read more, visit http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080822/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_argentina_dog
Thursday, August 21, 2008
From Cold to Closed: Card Decks Allow Inmates to Help Solve Crimes
A group sits together in a tight circle playing a round of gin rummy. One player, examining his hand, notices that one of the face cards looks familiar. And in this deck, they're all face cards. A little girl's picture on the three of diamonds triggers a memory. The card player dials a number and provides a bit of information: a name, a place, a date. Suddenly a kidnapping case left unsolved for years is brought out of the filing cabinets and a family gets the answer they've been searching for for so long. Another crime case goes from cold to closed.
Such is the motivation behind a new program in New York and Florida's county jails which provide inmates with decks of cards featuring information on a murder, a missing person or another unsolved crime. Since inmates, many of whom have spent a good deal of time on the area streets, know information law enforcement agents don't, they can provide helpful new insights. The cards have a hotline listed where anyone with information can call and leave anonymous tips.
The New York program was started by Doug and Mary Lyall, whose daughter Suzanne went missing 10 years ago after getting off her bus at the State University of New York-Albany. Doug and Mary were inspired by a similar program in Florida, where state prisons and county jails are on their third edition of the decks, which have lead to eight arrests and one conviction.
Cindy Bloch, case manager at New York's Criminal Justice Services, was pleased with the results, and optimistic about the future: "Prior to the playing card program being implemented, we had virtually no calls coming from correctional facilities," she said. "We now have 40 or 50 calls per month coming in."
Doug and Mary used funds donated to their foundation, the Center for Hope, to send 7,200 decks of cards to New York's local jails.
"It just started to snowball, and we got momentum, and it took a lot of hard work, lot of phone calls, lot of foot work, but it's been worth it so far because we got it off the ground," Doug recalled.
Even inmates think the cards are a good idea. Patrick Devival, a prisoner in the Rensselaer County Jail, commented that he thinks the program is a very good idea, and he and many his fellow inmates are glad for the chance to try and do some good "even though we're on this side of the fence".
Such is the motivation behind a new program in New York and Florida's county jails which provide inmates with decks of cards featuring information on a murder, a missing person or another unsolved crime. Since inmates, many of whom have spent a good deal of time on the area streets, know information law enforcement agents don't, they can provide helpful new insights. The cards have a hotline listed where anyone with information can call and leave anonymous tips.
The New York program was started by Doug and Mary Lyall, whose daughter Suzanne went missing 10 years ago after getting off her bus at the State University of New York-Albany. Doug and Mary were inspired by a similar program in Florida, where state prisons and county jails are on their third edition of the decks, which have lead to eight arrests and one conviction.
Cindy Bloch, case manager at New York's Criminal Justice Services, was pleased with the results, and optimistic about the future: "Prior to the playing card program being implemented, we had virtually no calls coming from correctional facilities," she said. "We now have 40 or 50 calls per month coming in."
Doug and Mary used funds donated to their foundation, the Center for Hope, to send 7,200 decks of cards to New York's local jails.
"It just started to snowball, and we got momentum, and it took a lot of hard work, lot of phone calls, lot of foot work, but it's been worth it so far because we got it off the ground," Doug recalled.
Even inmates think the cards are a good idea. Patrick Devival, a prisoner in the Rensselaer County Jail, commented that he thinks the program is a very good idea, and he and many his fellow inmates are glad for the chance to try and do some good "even though we're on this side of the fence".
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
On-the-Job Fatalities at a Historic Low in 2007
Washington DC, USA
The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced some good news today: On-the-job fatalities dropped 6% in 2007 from 2006, achieving the lowest rate the bureau has seen since it began collecting data in 1992. The current rate is 3.7 fatal injuries out of every 100,000 workers. Says Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, "This is continued evidence that the initiatives and programs to protect workers' safety and health, designed by and implemented in this administration, are indeed working."
To read more, visit http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2008-08-20-worker-deaths_N.htm
The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced some good news today: On-the-job fatalities dropped 6% in 2007 from 2006, achieving the lowest rate the bureau has seen since it began collecting data in 1992. The current rate is 3.7 fatal injuries out of every 100,000 workers. Says Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, "This is continued evidence that the initiatives and programs to protect workers' safety and health, designed by and implemented in this administration, are indeed working."
To read more, visit http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2008-08-20-worker-deaths_N.htm
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Wisconsin Man Rescued After Treading Water for 12 Hours
Green Bay, WI, USA
Despite being an experienced sailor, 56 year-old James Nelson was caught in a nightmarish situation on Sunday when he was knocked from his 23-foot sailboat into Michigan's Green Bay. A sudden rush of wind knocked the vessel's boom into Nelson's head, sending him flying into the water without his life jacket, which he had laid in the seat next to him. The same wind blew his boat hopelessly out of reach as Nelson drifted far out into the Bay. That night, his wife reported him missing at about the same time the coast guard found his boat, adrift with its motor still running.
For 12 hours, Nelson had been swimming, treading water, and resting frequently in a dead man's float, hoping and praying for rescue. In an interview with Fox, Nelson said that he tried to focus on his family and how he wanted to get home. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard sent seven boats and two helicopters to join a group of recreational boaters in the search for the missing man. At around 3:00 in the morning, one of the helicopters' crew finally spotted Nelson, who was so exhausted that a diver had to be sent to help him hold on as he was lifted out of the water. "When we heard a survivor was spotted in the water, you'd have thought we won the Super Bowl from the cheers," said Chief Mike Weisenbaugh, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Green Bay.
James Nelson was treated for dehydration at St. Vincent's Hospital, before finally getting home safely.
To read more, visit http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gvu8VYab2kZ8YljiHJcMo8BAX0DwD92LCL9G2
Despite being an experienced sailor, 56 year-old James Nelson was caught in a nightmarish situation on Sunday when he was knocked from his 23-foot sailboat into Michigan's Green Bay. A sudden rush of wind knocked the vessel's boom into Nelson's head, sending him flying into the water without his life jacket, which he had laid in the seat next to him. The same wind blew his boat hopelessly out of reach as Nelson drifted far out into the Bay. That night, his wife reported him missing at about the same time the coast guard found his boat, adrift with its motor still running.
For 12 hours, Nelson had been swimming, treading water, and resting frequently in a dead man's float, hoping and praying for rescue. In an interview with Fox, Nelson said that he tried to focus on his family and how he wanted to get home. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard sent seven boats and two helicopters to join a group of recreational boaters in the search for the missing man. At around 3:00 in the morning, one of the helicopters' crew finally spotted Nelson, who was so exhausted that a diver had to be sent to help him hold on as he was lifted out of the water. "When we heard a survivor was spotted in the water, you'd have thought we won the Super Bowl from the cheers," said Chief Mike Weisenbaugh, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Green Bay.
James Nelson was treated for dehydration at St. Vincent's Hospital, before finally getting home safely.
To read more, visit http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gvu8VYab2kZ8YljiHJcMo8BAX0DwD92LCL9G2
Fay Fades From Florida, Leaves Little Damage, No Casualties
Florida, USA
Florida residents were all breathing a sigh of relief yesterday, when Tropical Storm Fay proved wet and windy, but far less severe than hurricanes of the past. In fact, Fay's milder gusts never even allowed her to achieve official hurricane status, and her tropical storm title was stripped as she continued up the continent.
Police, government, and state agencies had braced for the storm's arrival by imposing a curfew, closing schools, evacuating at-risk residents, and urging businesses to take the proper precautions to safeguard local buildings against damage. Those businesses that braced for the storm, took the opportunity to puff their chests and shake their fists at storms of the past, with plywood window covers painted with taunts such as "Pop Off Charley" and "Oh Wilma!" Other than minor debris and street flooding, however, there were neither casualties nor damages.
Even in Cuba and the Caribbean, where Fay's path had not yet been slowed by the US landmass, there was good news. A bus toppled by the storm where 30 passengers lives were unknown was met by U.N. peacekeepers who confirmed that 41 passengers had made it out safely.
As the 10.8 million people who fell within Fay's path waved her goodbye, life is back to normal. Evacuation orders have been lifted to the north of Tampa Bay, and state and government offices are scheduled to re-open. As Sally Bishop, Pinellas County emergency management director, put it on this August morning, "I think we're going to all enjoy a nice summer day."
Florida residents were all breathing a sigh of relief yesterday, when Tropical Storm Fay proved wet and windy, but far less severe than hurricanes of the past. In fact, Fay's milder gusts never even allowed her to achieve official hurricane status, and her tropical storm title was stripped as she continued up the continent.
Police, government, and state agencies had braced for the storm's arrival by imposing a curfew, closing schools, evacuating at-risk residents, and urging businesses to take the proper precautions to safeguard local buildings against damage. Those businesses that braced for the storm, took the opportunity to puff their chests and shake their fists at storms of the past, with plywood window covers painted with taunts such as "Pop Off Charley" and "Oh Wilma!" Other than minor debris and street flooding, however, there were neither casualties nor damages.
Even in Cuba and the Caribbean, where Fay's path had not yet been slowed by the US landmass, there was good news. A bus toppled by the storm where 30 passengers lives were unknown was met by U.N. peacekeepers who confirmed that 41 passengers had made it out safely.
As the 10.8 million people who fell within Fay's path waved her goodbye, life is back to normal. Evacuation orders have been lifted to the north of Tampa Bay, and state and government offices are scheduled to re-open. As Sally Bishop, Pinellas County emergency management director, put it on this August morning, "I think we're going to all enjoy a nice summer day."
Monday, August 18, 2008
Rodeo Fall Survivor Called "Walking Miracle"
Farmington, NM, USA
20 year-old Blake Arp wasn't too concerned when he regained consciousness on the ground on July 26th, after being thrown off a bull in the National High School Finals Rodeo. The cowboy has built his life around the rodeo, and even plans to attend Clarendon College in Clarendon, Texas on a full rodeo scholarship. He's spent enough time in rodeos to know that sometimes, you get thrown. His biggest concern as he came to was over the state of his hat.
But Arp's C1 vertebra, known as the "atlast," had been fractured. If the C1 sounds familiar, you could be remembering actor Christopher Reeves, who broke his in 1995. But while Reeves was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his live, Blake Arp is making a recovery his doctors call miraculous.
As Arp lay on the ground after his fall, he realized that while he could move his legs, he wasn't able to get up. He was transported to the San Juan Regional Medical Center, where his doctors held few hopes for his recovery. According to Arp, “They didn’t know I could walk for a long time. One day, they started to move me from my bed and I saw that they were having trouble and I said ‘I can get up and lay down on the bed.’” He continues, “When I got up and stood up they were like, ‘You can’t walk yet.’ They thought it was a miracle that I was standing up walking.”
Apparently, they thought it was a miracle that he had even survived. Immediately following Blake's accident, “The doctor came in and told me that it was a miracle that I could even breathe,” Arp said. “They said that if I had moved my neck side to side when I was on the ground that it would have cut off my air supply and killed me.”
Instead, Blake will spend the next few months in the euphemistically named “halo” which keeps his head from moving side-to-side, and after that, a neck brace. His full recovering will take about a year. And then, he plans to get right back into the rodeo ring. “Being out a year is worth a lifetime,” Arp said. “I’d rather sacrifice one year than my whole rodeo career.” His scholarship at Clarendon will be waiting for him, when he's ready.
To read more, visit http://www.cedartownstd.com/pages/full_story?article--A-walking-miracle-Arp-recovering-from-rodeo-injury%20=&page_label=home_top_stories_latest&id=182725--A-walking-miracle-Arp-recovering-from-rodeo-injury&widget=push&instance=home_latest_1st_left&open=&
20 year-old Blake Arp wasn't too concerned when he regained consciousness on the ground on July 26th, after being thrown off a bull in the National High School Finals Rodeo. The cowboy has built his life around the rodeo, and even plans to attend Clarendon College in Clarendon, Texas on a full rodeo scholarship. He's spent enough time in rodeos to know that sometimes, you get thrown. His biggest concern as he came to was over the state of his hat.
But Arp's C1 vertebra, known as the "atlast," had been fractured. If the C1 sounds familiar, you could be remembering actor Christopher Reeves, who broke his in 1995. But while Reeves was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his live, Blake Arp is making a recovery his doctors call miraculous.
As Arp lay on the ground after his fall, he realized that while he could move his legs, he wasn't able to get up. He was transported to the San Juan Regional Medical Center, where his doctors held few hopes for his recovery. According to Arp, “They didn’t know I could walk for a long time. One day, they started to move me from my bed and I saw that they were having trouble and I said ‘I can get up and lay down on the bed.’” He continues, “When I got up and stood up they were like, ‘You can’t walk yet.’ They thought it was a miracle that I was standing up walking.”
Apparently, they thought it was a miracle that he had even survived. Immediately following Blake's accident, “The doctor came in and told me that it was a miracle that I could even breathe,” Arp said. “They said that if I had moved my neck side to side when I was on the ground that it would have cut off my air supply and killed me.”
Instead, Blake will spend the next few months in the euphemistically named “halo” which keeps his head from moving side-to-side, and after that, a neck brace. His full recovering will take about a year. And then, he plans to get right back into the rodeo ring. “Being out a year is worth a lifetime,” Arp said. “I’d rather sacrifice one year than my whole rodeo career.” His scholarship at Clarendon will be waiting for him, when he's ready.
To read more, visit http://www.cedartownstd.com/pages/full_story?article--A-walking-miracle-Arp-recovering-from-rodeo-injury%20=&page_label=home_top_stories_latest&id=182725--A-walking-miracle-Arp-recovering-from-rodeo-injury&widget=push&instance=home_latest_1st_left&open=&
Mom Holds Premie Conjoined Twins for First Time
Arizona, USA
For Arizona mom Ashley Frank, today was a very special day. This morning marked the first time 20 year-old Ashley was able to hold her newborn babies in her arms-- 4 long days after their birthday. The infants were born conjoined (which occurs about once in every 100,000 births) at just 32 weeks and four days, two months less than a full term pregnancy. Although they had been in good health until recently, the last ultrasound revealed that Ashley had lost almost all her amniotic fluids and was suffering from an enlarged bladder. Doctors decided that the twins-- who were old enough to survive outside the womb-- would be safest if an emergency C-section were performed. Happily, the twins and their mom pulled through the surgery just fine and are doing wonderfully under the care of doctors at Phoenix Children's Hospital. The newborns share only a liver-- making the possibility of separation far easier once they are a little older and stronger. For now, Ashley, proud papa Johnny, as well as new big sisters Manuela and Adianna, are just happy to be together.
For the original link: http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=16997
and an interview with the glowing new mother: http://www.wptz.com/video/17221510/index.html
For Arizona mom Ashley Frank, today was a very special day. This morning marked the first time 20 year-old Ashley was able to hold her newborn babies in her arms-- 4 long days after their birthday. The infants were born conjoined (which occurs about once in every 100,000 births) at just 32 weeks and four days, two months less than a full term pregnancy. Although they had been in good health until recently, the last ultrasound revealed that Ashley had lost almost all her amniotic fluids and was suffering from an enlarged bladder. Doctors decided that the twins-- who were old enough to survive outside the womb-- would be safest if an emergency C-section were performed. Happily, the twins and their mom pulled through the surgery just fine and are doing wonderfully under the care of doctors at Phoenix Children's Hospital. The newborns share only a liver-- making the possibility of separation far easier once they are a little older and stronger. For now, Ashley, proud papa Johnny, as well as new big sisters Manuela and Adianna, are just happy to be together.
For the original link: http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=16997
and an interview with the glowing new mother: http://www.wptz.com/video/17221510/index.html
Thursday, August 14, 2008
2 Year-Old Boy Survives Massive Tumor Removal
Amman, Jordan
2-year old Safa, an Iraqi boy, suffered from a 12-lb Whilm's tumor in his kidney. The cancerous tumors, if treated early, are rarely life threatening. However in little Safa's advanced case, it was "a miracle he was still alive." Half a world away, in Boston, liquor tycoon Ray Tye heard Safa's story and resolved to help him get treatment.
With Tye footing the bills, Safa's family traveled to a hospital in Jordan for a risky surgery that could easily cost the toddler his life. Dr. Iyad Sultan, after examining Safa, proclaimed "The tumor is massive. The liver, kidney, intestines are all squished to the sides. His lungs are very small. It's hard to believe he is able to breathe." But, after a 5-hour long, miraculously successful surgery, Safa is alive and better than ever.
To find out more (both about Safa and Ray Tye's Medical Aid Foundation) visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/08/13/iraq.baby/index.html
2-year old Safa, an Iraqi boy, suffered from a 12-lb Whilm's tumor in his kidney. The cancerous tumors, if treated early, are rarely life threatening. However in little Safa's advanced case, it was "a miracle he was still alive." Half a world away, in Boston, liquor tycoon Ray Tye heard Safa's story and resolved to help him get treatment.
With Tye footing the bills, Safa's family traveled to a hospital in Jordan for a risky surgery that could easily cost the toddler his life. Dr. Iyad Sultan, after examining Safa, proclaimed "The tumor is massive. The liver, kidney, intestines are all squished to the sides. His lungs are very small. It's hard to believe he is able to breathe." But, after a 5-hour long, miraculously successful surgery, Safa is alive and better than ever.
To find out more (both about Safa and Ray Tye's Medical Aid Foundation) visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/08/13/iraq.baby/index.html
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Fritzl Update: A Surprise Thank-You
Austria
The famed victims in Austria's Fritzl family have surprised the officers who protected them from paparazzi and public scrutiny in the first few months following their rescue. Apparently unannounced, Elizabeth Fritzl and all six of her children arrived at the police station last week with a gift basket, complete with bottles of wine and hand-made posters and thank-you cards from the children. One of the cards said "During the initial, most difficult period you gave us a lot of strength and security. We will always fondly remember you and hope that our contact won't stop."
The chief of the police station, Karl Gschoepf, called the visit "[a] really nice gesture," continuing, "we were touched."
Faithful Goose readers know that I can never resist publishing good news about the Fritzls, however trivial, considering their past. This latest bit makes me especially happy, because I imagine that they've cleared a certain hurdle in their healing process to be able to give thanks to those who have helped them so far.
For more information, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/13/fritzl.police.incest.ap/?iref=mpstoryview
The famed victims in Austria's Fritzl family have surprised the officers who protected them from paparazzi and public scrutiny in the first few months following their rescue. Apparently unannounced, Elizabeth Fritzl and all six of her children arrived at the police station last week with a gift basket, complete with bottles of wine and hand-made posters and thank-you cards from the children. One of the cards said "During the initial, most difficult period you gave us a lot of strength and security. We will always fondly remember you and hope that our contact won't stop."
The chief of the police station, Karl Gschoepf, called the visit "[a] really nice gesture," continuing, "we were touched."
Faithful Goose readers know that I can never resist publishing good news about the Fritzls, however trivial, considering their past. This latest bit makes me especially happy, because I imagine that they've cleared a certain hurdle in their healing process to be able to give thanks to those who have helped them so far.
For more information, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/13/fritzl.police.incest.ap/?iref=mpstoryview
Monday, August 11, 2008
Cloaking Device Within Reach
USA
If you've ever seen an episode of Star Trek, or if you payed careful attention to The Coneheads, you'll know what a cloaking device is. However, on the off chance that the Goose has any non-nerd readers, a cloaking device is something like an invisibility cloak - a special material that hides solid objects from view.
In the past, scientist have reportedly been able to hide very thin, almost 2-dimensional objects behind special materials designed to bend light in unusual ways. Today, thanks to the development of metamaterials (man-made combinations of metal and ceramic, Teflon or fiber composite) scientists have demonstrated that they can cloak 3D masses as well.
Unlike stealth technology, which makes it harder for radar to detect aircraft by minimizing cross-section, cloaking devices may one day make such objects completely invisible. Since the human eye recognizes 3D objects by the way they bend and scatter light rays, scientists have been developing metamaterials to "bend light around objects so they don't create reflections or shadows."
Find out more at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401208,00.html
If you've ever seen an episode of Star Trek, or if you payed careful attention to The Coneheads, you'll know what a cloaking device is. However, on the off chance that the Goose has any non-nerd readers, a cloaking device is something like an invisibility cloak - a special material that hides solid objects from view.
In the past, scientist have reportedly been able to hide very thin, almost 2-dimensional objects behind special materials designed to bend light in unusual ways. Today, thanks to the development of metamaterials (man-made combinations of metal and ceramic, Teflon or fiber composite) scientists have demonstrated that they can cloak 3D masses as well.
Unlike stealth technology, which makes it harder for radar to detect aircraft by minimizing cross-section, cloaking devices may one day make such objects completely invisible. Since the human eye recognizes 3D objects by the way they bend and scatter light rays, scientists have been developing metamaterials to "bend light around objects so they don't create reflections or shadows."
Find out more at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401208,00.html
Friday, August 8, 2008
110 Year Old Cancer Survivor Becomes Daddy to Be!
New Zealand
Move over Viagra... this is what I call getting a significant second wind. For the past forty years, Henry had shown no interest in sexual relations. That is until recently undergoing successful surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. From the time the tumor was gone, Henry's once lacking libido has done a 180 and he is well on his way to becoming a proud papa. Did we mention that in addition to being a cancer survivor, Henry is over 100 years old? Our re-born Don Juan is a tuatara, an endangered lizard-like creature that descended from dinosaurs found on a few of New Zealand's islands. Henry is the oldest tuatara ever to mate at Southland Museum.
"I had given up on old Henry," said curator Lindsay Hazley. He kept Henry in "solitary confinement" because he would attack females who showed interest in him as a mate. But in the years since veterinarians removed the lump in 2002, his mental health seemed to be improving too: "I say that he had a personality transplant at the same time," Hazley said Thursday. "If I had a tumor underneath my [genitals], when girls were passing by, I'd be a very grumpy boy too."
In March, Henry mated with Mildred, whose age is estimated between 70 and 80, and 11 healthy eggs are developing. Last month, she laid 12 fertile eggs, 11 of which remain healthy. And since tuataras can live well past 200 years old, these two love birds may just be hitting their prime! Hot stuff!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/08/06/lizard.reproduces/index.html?iref=newssearch
Thanks to Garrett for alerting the Goose to this lizard love story!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Couple Gets (Re-)Engaged With Google Street View
The first time Michael asked Leslie to marry him was already a success... she said yes! But his proposal the Google engineer explains 'lacked pizzazz'. The "self-described nerd" he is, Michael Weiss-Malik decided to step up his game. He got the direction he needed using Google's mapping service, specifically the search engine's Street View technology. The feature allows internauts to view street-level panoramas of the areas they search for thanks to vehicle-mounted cameras which rove the covered areas. When Michael found out that the roving cameras were slotted to pass in front of Google's Mountain View headquarters where he works, he saw his chance to ask her before the entire world. Launching a website called MarryMeLeslie.com, Proposal 2.0 was as successful as the beta... and resulted in Acceptance 2.0!
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10112631?source=most_emailed
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10112631?source=most_emailed
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Gas Prices' Downward Trend: 20 Days and Counting!
According to a survey of gas station credit card swipes across the country, gasoline prices have fallen for the 20th consecutive day, resulting in a national average down by 25 cents! The AAA reports that this is an indicator of drivers turning to more environmentally friendly transportation options as well. In related news, yesterday's Washington Post reported that 10% of the police car fleet in Howard County, Maryland is made up of hybrid vehicles. Good for the environment, good for the pocket.
Gas trend details:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/06/news/economy/fuel/index.htm?cnn=yes
Howard's Hybrid decision well rewarded: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/03/AR2008080301643.html
Gas trend details:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/06/news/economy/fuel/index.htm?cnn=yes
Howard's Hybrid decision well rewarded: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/03/AR2008080301643.html
Random Acts of Kindness in the DMV
Good news turned up in the Washington Post's Metro section today! 'Random Acts' is an occasional column for Washingtonian inhabitants to share stories of kindness done to them, by them, or within their line of sight. Each is quite short, so I'll let their authors tell you the story in their own words:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/29/AR2008072902272.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/29/AR2008072902272.html
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
K-2 Update: Third Climber Survives Unaided Return to Base Camp
The third survivor of the K2 avalanche, Marco Confortola of Italy, was able to make his way down the rest of the mountain and to the relative safety of base camp. Marco, who was injured and severely frostbitten, accomplished the rest of his decent with neither staggered down help nor oxygen. Once he was down, a Pakistani military rescue helicopter was able to transport him to a hospital for treatment.
For the original story... http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/05/asia/k2.php
For the original story... http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/05/asia/k2.php
Monday, August 4, 2008
Harassed Mom Apprehends Assailant
Boulder, CO
23 year-old Danika Bueno was out for a bycicle ride with her 10 month-old baby when she was assaulted by a man who rode up behind her, grabbed her chest, and rode away. Where many might freeze with shock or call for help, Ms. Bueno took off after the pervert, chasing him on her bike for over a mile while she called 911. "I'm pretty comfortable on a bike," she says, "but I was nervous about getting too close to him." Nevertheless, with her help, police were able to arrest the assailant. He is now being charged with unlawful sexual contact and, because Ms. Bueno's child was with her on the bike, child abuse.
Way to go, Danika! Hopefully word will spread amongst potential sexual predators: Beware, women fight back!
23 year-old Danika Bueno was out for a bycicle ride with her 10 month-old baby when she was assaulted by a man who rode up behind her, grabbed her chest, and rode away. Where many might freeze with shock or call for help, Ms. Bueno took off after the pervert, chasing him on her bike for over a mile while she called 911. "I'm pretty comfortable on a bike," she says, "but I was nervous about getting too close to him." Nevertheless, with her help, police were able to arrest the assailant. He is now being charged with unlawful sexual contact and, because Ms. Bueno's child was with her on the bike, child abuse.
Way to go, Danika! Hopefully word will spread amongst potential sexual predators: Beware, women fight back!
Two Dutch Climbers Rescued after K-2 Avalanche
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan
A helicopter pilot braved the dangergously thin airspace surrounding the K-2 mountain in Pakistan, and was able to successfully save the lives of two climbers presumed lost after an avalanche Monday. The two frostbitten Dutch climbers were attempting to descend the world’s second-highest mountain along with several other climbers, when the avalanche occurred.
Having spotted Wilco Van Rooijen and Cas Van de Gevel, the helicopter pilot rescued the two climbers and brought them first to K-2’s base camp and then to a military hospital in Skardu, the nearest town. The avalanche struck over 26,250 feet up the mountain, but choppers generally don't fly above 19,700 feet. This risky manueuver was well rewarded with three people safely down from K-2. The search continues for 11 other climbers who were on agruably the world's most dangerous mountain that day.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25995028/
A helicopter pilot braved the dangergously thin airspace surrounding the K-2 mountain in Pakistan, and was able to successfully save the lives of two climbers presumed lost after an avalanche Monday. The two frostbitten Dutch climbers were attempting to descend the world’s second-highest mountain along with several other climbers, when the avalanche occurred.
Having spotted Wilco Van Rooijen and Cas Van de Gevel, the helicopter pilot rescued the two climbers and brought them first to K-2’s base camp and then to a military hospital in Skardu, the nearest town. The avalanche struck over 26,250 feet up the mountain, but choppers generally don't fly above 19,700 feet. This risky manueuver was well rewarded with three people safely down from K-2. The search continues for 11 other climbers who were on agruably the world's most dangerous mountain that day.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25995028/
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Surfing Now an Unrestricted Olympic Event
Internet access will be completely unrestricted for reporters during the this summers Olympics in Beijing. While the Communist government of China will continue to tightly regulate and block websites for its citizens, they are in the process of de-blocking all websites for reporter's access. BOCOG is the organizational body responsible for directly running the Beijing Games under the oversight of the IOC, which sets general policy. As the world prepares for the opening ceremony on the 8th of August, officials with the International Olympic Committee and the Chinese organizers BOCOG had been arguing over the Internet restrictions for media, with the latter saying blocked sites would remain so.
"The issue has been solved," vice-president Gunilla Lindberg said. "The IOC Coordination Commission and BOCOG met last night and agreed. Internet use will be just like in any Olympics."
http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=14934355
"The issue has been solved," vice-president Gunilla Lindberg said. "The IOC Coordination Commission and BOCOG met last night and agreed. Internet use will be just like in any Olympics."
http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=14934355
Saturday, August 2, 2008
First Double Arm Transplant A Success
The team of doctors and surgeons (of which there were over forty) from the Munich University clinic, as well as a German farmer who had lost both his arms, had great reason to celebrate yesterday. Operating over the course of fifteen hours, the surgeons successfully grafted two new limbs to the man whose arms had been severed just below the shoulder in a farming accident. The doctors are still closely monitoring the patient, but say that his immune system has taken to the transplants 'optimally' and that the entire surgery went 'according to script'. Not only is it very commonplace for the body to reject grafts (which the man's has not), but for the first surgery of its kind to go off without a hitch is particularly laudatory. The team from Munich says that with a nerve rate growth of about a millimeter per day, they hope the patient will be using his new arms on his own in about a year or two.
The original link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/02/germany
The original link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/02/germany
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Untangling a Knot in the Series of Tubes: A Flaw Internet Security gets Fixed
Is Dan Kaminski the modern-day Paul Revere? Some think so, after the 29 year old computer security specialist stumbled upon a potentially dangerous flaw in the basic way the internet is set up and called a secret meeting to alert mega programmers before going public. Afraid that hackers might take advantage of the flaw first, Kaminski rode "and spread the alarm, through every Middlesex village and farm." Which, given such modern day amenities as the internet, television, and newspapers, made his trip far faster than Revere's 1775 jaunt.
What Dan discovered was that it would be extremely easy for someone with ill intentions to divert internet users to fake websites that resembled sites they were familiar with, such as their bank's online services. Once surfers were on the fake sites, they would enter their private information where it could be accessed by the wrong hands. By annoucing the flaw, Dan has given the good guys a chance to fix the problem before their clients were taken advantage of. Already a large percentage of domains have been fixed, and others are on their way. With more personal business being conducted over the internet and identity theft a real concern, the fact that this hole can be patched ahead of time and not in the face of a large-scale problem is great news!
"In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere."
http://iht.com/articles/2008/07/30/technology/30flaw.php
What Dan discovered was that it would be extremely easy for someone with ill intentions to divert internet users to fake websites that resembled sites they were familiar with, such as their bank's online services. Once surfers were on the fake sites, they would enter their private information where it could be accessed by the wrong hands. By annoucing the flaw, Dan has given the good guys a chance to fix the problem before their clients were taken advantage of. Already a large percentage of domains have been fixed, and others are on their way. With more personal business being conducted over the internet and identity theft a real concern, the fact that this hole can be patched ahead of time and not in the face of a large-scale problem is great news!
"In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere."
http://iht.com/articles/2008/07/30/technology/30flaw.php
Golden Retriever Adopts Tiger Cubs
Caney, KS
"Some mothers just don't get it," says Tom Harvey, Director of Safari Zoological Park in Caney, Kansas. He's describing a mother tiger who gave birth to three adorable cubs on Sunday. Not long afterwards, she began neglecting them, virtually orphaning the day-old cubs.
Though the Zoo has bottle-fed tiger cubs in the past, natural food is by far the preferred nutrition for the "bottomless pits" of hunger. Fortunately for the cubs, Isabella, a local golden retriever, came to the rescue. Harvey reports that she treats the cubs as if they are her own litter, feeding, cleaning, and protecting them. Having just weened her own puppies, Isabella was in the perfect place, biologically speaking, to adopt the baby tigers.
To read more and to see pictures of this special family of animals, visit http://www.kansas.com/news/story/479300.html
"Some mothers just don't get it," says Tom Harvey, Director of Safari Zoological Park in Caney, Kansas. He's describing a mother tiger who gave birth to three adorable cubs on Sunday. Not long afterwards, she began neglecting them, virtually orphaning the day-old cubs.
Though the Zoo has bottle-fed tiger cubs in the past, natural food is by far the preferred nutrition for the "bottomless pits" of hunger. Fortunately for the cubs, Isabella, a local golden retriever, came to the rescue. Harvey reports that she treats the cubs as if they are her own litter, feeding, cleaning, and protecting them. Having just weened her own puppies, Isabella was in the perfect place, biologically speaking, to adopt the baby tigers.
To read more and to see pictures of this special family of animals, visit http://www.kansas.com/news/story/479300.html
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Drug Trial Gives Hope to Alzheimer's Sufferers
Scientists in the United Kingdom have tested a drug, called Rember, which shows tremendous promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
The illness, as many know, causes a slow deterioration of memory and cognitive function. Nicknamed "the long goodbye" by many physicians, Alzheimer's is often the hardest on those close to the patient, who are confronted with the bit-by-bit loss of the person they know and love. However, the patient must also suffer the embarrassment and pain of knowing the effects of the incurable condition, and many fear becoming a burden to their families.
That's why the promise of this new drug is so uplifting. In medical trials among 321 patients, there was an 81% difference in the rate of mental decline between those who took Rember and those who were given a placebo. According to researchers, after a 19-month period, those who took the new drug had no significant decline in mental function.
The Goose has previously reported on research pertaining to excess protein, or plaque, which builds up in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers, and treatment focused on this plaque. Rember, technically known as methylthioninium chloride, treats instead a protein called Tau, which builds up inside the cells of the brain responsible for memory. This different angle of treatment may be responsible for Rember's apparent success.
Further trials are planned, however Rember may be available as early as 2012.
To read more about this remarkable drug, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7525115.stm
The illness, as many know, causes a slow deterioration of memory and cognitive function. Nicknamed "the long goodbye" by many physicians, Alzheimer's is often the hardest on those close to the patient, who are confronted with the bit-by-bit loss of the person they know and love. However, the patient must also suffer the embarrassment and pain of knowing the effects of the incurable condition, and many fear becoming a burden to their families.
That's why the promise of this new drug is so uplifting. In medical trials among 321 patients, there was an 81% difference in the rate of mental decline between those who took Rember and those who were given a placebo. According to researchers, after a 19-month period, those who took the new drug had no significant decline in mental function.
The Goose has previously reported on research pertaining to excess protein, or plaque, which builds up in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers, and treatment focused on this plaque. Rember, technically known as methylthioninium chloride, treats instead a protein called Tau, which builds up inside the cells of the brain responsible for memory. This different angle of treatment may be responsible for Rember's apparent success.
Further trials are planned, however Rember may be available as early as 2012.
To read more about this remarkable drug, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7525115.stm
By Banning Toy Toxin, Playtime Safer Across America
USA
A group of harmful, yet widespread chemicals found in many children’s toys have finally been banned from use after long debate in Congress. The ban is the result of hard-won campaigning on the part of parents and health experts going up against the heretofore unchallenged chemical industry. The act is good news for two reasons: first because it means safer toys and healthier families. Secondly, because the act may represent a shift away from government favoring of industry and towards consumer rights.
The chemicals, known as phthalates, are found in many children’s toys. Phthalates studies show, however, that when ingested into the body over the course of time these chemicals become toxins, damaging the reproductive system especially in males. They are also thought to contribute to cancer of the liver and kidney. The added danger is that if mothers are exposed to phthalates, the toxins can be passed to their infants through breastfeeding. The toxins have been illegal in the European Union since 2007.
The bill is part of a wider reform of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The legislation also provides for the creation of a new database consumers can use to log complaints or accidents about the goods they use. In addition, new laws will strengthen regulation enforcement and violations of these laws will be met with harsher punishments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802586.html?hpid=topnews
A group of harmful, yet widespread chemicals found in many children’s toys have finally been banned from use after long debate in Congress. The ban is the result of hard-won campaigning on the part of parents and health experts going up against the heretofore unchallenged chemical industry. The act is good news for two reasons: first because it means safer toys and healthier families. Secondly, because the act may represent a shift away from government favoring of industry and towards consumer rights.
The chemicals, known as phthalates, are found in many children’s toys. Phthalates studies show, however, that when ingested into the body over the course of time these chemicals become toxins, damaging the reproductive system especially in males. They are also thought to contribute to cancer of the liver and kidney. The added danger is that if mothers are exposed to phthalates, the toxins can be passed to their infants through breastfeeding. The toxins have been illegal in the European Union since 2007.
The bill is part of a wider reform of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The legislation also provides for the creation of a new database consumers can use to log complaints or accidents about the goods they use. In addition, new laws will strengthen regulation enforcement and violations of these laws will be met with harsher punishments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802586.html?hpid=topnews
Monday, July 28, 2008
First Virginian Job Training Facility Helps ex-Inmates Stay Out
For the first time in Virginia, the Fairfax County jail will be teaming up next week with the non-profit SkillSource Group to help released offenders get on the right track, and stay on it, after release. The newly expanded center gives those serving time but who have shown good behavior while serving their sentence the chance to have employment and job training. The opportunity is open to inmates who have demonstrated good behavior while incarcerated and who are currently living in the center's pre-release center. They are given job training, advice on how to find and keep jobs, and other career counseling, including applying for a driver's licence. If employment is found, they may begin working during the last portion of their sentence. Any income earned by inmates is then given back to pay rent and maintain the facilities. When the nearby George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, began following up on what happened to inmates after release, they found 40% were rearrested within the year, citing the added difficulty of finding a job with jail time on their record. After monitoring the released inmates who completed SkillSource's program, they reported far fewer re-releases. The jobs that agree to take on this type of employee also benefits: tax credits for hiring them, insurance/reimbursement for workplace damage if there is a problem. Local officials said the program is geared toward reducing recidivism rates, which in turn means keeping our communities free from crime.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/22/AR2008072203345.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/22/AR2008072203345.html
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Small-town Artist Awarded Micro-fund, Gets Sculpture to Beijing Just in Time
Athletes aren't the only ones competing for a shot at making it to Beijing this August. When 38 year old Kentucky artist Brad White was chosen to have his sculpture "Salixtension" exhibited in the Chinese Biennial art exposition, he knew it was like winning a gold medal. The the curators of the first exposition of its kind were looking for spacial representations of character art... that is to say pieces that evoke the spirit of Chinese character writing. Described as an "elegantly sinuous anthropomorphic" piece, White's was one of just thirty artists chosen world wide for the event. Great news! The problem was, White's piece could also be described as "heavy" and the costs of shipping his large sculpture to China were over $1,000, which the artists simply couldn't afford. Fundraising might have not been fast enough, as Brad had to get Salixtension to Beijing by July 15th! Faced with the prospect of not being able to have his art displayed, he suggested that perhaps a fund could be established so that local artists who were invited to participate in such important exhibitions would be able to, without worrying about the high side-costs.
Happily, the town of Murray, Kentucky came to the aid of their native artist! The Louisville Visual Art Association (LVAA) has created a program of granting micro-loans to deserving artists without any of the long time-delays that other loan programs involve. White is the first loanee to benefit from the LVAA's support of artists and had his money in two hours, was able to ship his piece to China for the show.
"We loaned Brad $1,000, which enabled him to pay the import broker/expeditors in China, who in turn will obtain full release of his work, thereby getting it delivered to the museum in Beijing. The poor guy was trying to figure all of this out for seven days, while his work was held hostage and costing him a daily holding fee," said Shannon Westerman, leader of the LVAA.
The exhibit will be running the entire length of the 2008 Summer Olympics. For more information on Brad White and the LVAA, check out the original link:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080629/SCENE05/806290332
Happily, the town of Murray, Kentucky came to the aid of their native artist! The Louisville Visual Art Association (LVAA) has created a program of granting micro-loans to deserving artists without any of the long time-delays that other loan programs involve. White is the first loanee to benefit from the LVAA's support of artists and had his money in two hours, was able to ship his piece to China for the show.
"We loaned Brad $1,000, which enabled him to pay the import broker/expeditors in China, who in turn will obtain full release of his work, thereby getting it delivered to the museum in Beijing. The poor guy was trying to figure all of this out for seven days, while his work was held hostage and costing him a daily holding fee," said Shannon Westerman, leader of the LVAA.
The exhibit will be running the entire length of the 2008 Summer Olympics. For more information on Brad White and the LVAA, check out the original link:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080629/SCENE05/806290332
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Girls Catch the Boys in High School Math
For the past several decades, it's been common knowledge in America that high school boys were just plain better at math than high school girls. There's been an awful lot of research into the question "Why is it that high school girls aren't good at math?"A new study provides a thoroughly satisfying answer: They are.
Janet Hyde, a researcher from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, lead a study of 7 million standardized math test cores reported by gender. The scores were provided from ten different states, all having administered the same test as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act. The results? Girls are performing equally to boys after all.
So take it from a girl who refused to take Calculus in high school and went on to become a mechanical engineer: There is something for girls in math. And there's something for math in girls, too.
To read more about the study, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/07/24/girls.math.ap/index.html
And in case you've ever felt like high school math was the most boring subject ever, check this out: http://www.maa.org/devlin/LockhartsLament.pdf
Janet Hyde, a researcher from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, lead a study of 7 million standardized math test cores reported by gender. The scores were provided from ten different states, all having administered the same test as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act. The results? Girls are performing equally to boys after all.
So take it from a girl who refused to take Calculus in high school and went on to become a mechanical engineer: There is something for girls in math. And there's something for math in girls, too.
To read more about the study, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/07/24/girls.math.ap/index.html
And in case you've ever felt like high school math was the most boring subject ever, check this out: http://www.maa.org/devlin/
Friday, July 25, 2008
Pilots and Passengers Survive Explosive Decompression on Plane
Manila, Philippines
About an hour into their flight from London to Austrailia, passengers aboard the Quantas airliner heard the sound of an explosion. According to Michael Rahill, one of the passengers, it sounded "like a tire exploding, but more violently." A 2.5-3 yard hole had been ripped in the side of the plane, for reasons yet to be determined. The hole lead directly to the baggage compartment, and some of the cabin was exposed as well. Oxygen masks appeared for the passengers, and the plane began to descend. Amazingly, those on board managed to stay calm. "No one was very hysterical," said passenger Marina Scaffidi, "The plane kept going down not too fast, but it was descending."
The plane diverted to Manila, where the pilots managed to land it safely. There were no injuries among the 345 passengers. They have been put up temporarily in hotels as they wait for other available flights. What could have been a major disaster has instead become an inconvenience.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, and it's certain that the airline will have some explaining to do in the coming weeks. However, I think it's safe to say that this time they have a decent excuse for losing people's luggage.
To read more and view pictures, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,391024,00.html
Thanks to the Gander for that last one liner ;-)
About an hour into their flight from London to Austrailia, passengers aboard the Quantas airliner heard the sound of an explosion. According to Michael Rahill, one of the passengers, it sounded "like a tire exploding, but more violently." A 2.5-3 yard hole had been ripped in the side of the plane, for reasons yet to be determined. The hole lead directly to the baggage compartment, and some of the cabin was exposed as well. Oxygen masks appeared for the passengers, and the plane began to descend. Amazingly, those on board managed to stay calm. "No one was very hysterical," said passenger Marina Scaffidi, "The plane kept going down not too fast, but it was descending."
The plane diverted to Manila, where the pilots managed to land it safely. There were no injuries among the 345 passengers. They have been put up temporarily in hotels as they wait for other available flights. What could have been a major disaster has instead become an inconvenience.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, and it's certain that the airline will have some explaining to do in the coming weeks. However, I think it's safe to say that this time they have a decent excuse for losing people's luggage.
To read more and view pictures, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,391024,00.html
Thanks to the Gander for that last one liner ;-)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Corrupt Guatemalan Adoption Program Halted, Stolen Child Reunited with Mother
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Ana Escobar's baby, Esther, was kidnapped when she was just 6 months old. Ana was locked in a storage closet by armed men who stole her baby. "When I got out, my daughter was gone," she said in an interview.
Guatemalan authorities have long suspected that the country's 100$ million a year adoption program is corrupt, relying on kidnapped children like Esther to populate their baby banks. The system is so efficient that, after China, Guatemala is the most common source for American parents to search for adoptable children. In May, however, thousands of pending adoptions were halted to provide a change for investigation. No irrefutable evidence has been found to prove that kidnapped babies have been supplying the adoption program, until now.
When Ana Escobar heard the news about the adoption stoppage in May, she rushed to the National Adoption Council's office. She hoped to be allowed to see pictures of the children whose cases were being reviewed. Though Esther had been gone for over a year, Ana immediately recognized her in an image of the baby being carried away by an official. More photographs of the same toddler only strengthened Ana's resolve, and she insisted that the little girl was her own.
By that time, Esther had DNA records indicating that her mother was someone other than Ana. However, Ms. Escobar convinced officials to run a final test to confirm. The results proved that Esther was her daughter, as Ana knew they would. Mother and child are now reunited at last, in what is hopefully to be the first in a growing trend of righted wrongs in the Guatemalan adoption system.
To read more about this extraordinary reunion, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,390044,00.html
Ana Escobar's baby, Esther, was kidnapped when she was just 6 months old. Ana was locked in a storage closet by armed men who stole her baby. "When I got out, my daughter was gone," she said in an interview.
Guatemalan authorities have long suspected that the country's 100$ million a year adoption program is corrupt, relying on kidnapped children like Esther to populate their baby banks. The system is so efficient that, after China, Guatemala is the most common source for American parents to search for adoptable children. In May, however, thousands of pending adoptions were halted to provide a change for investigation. No irrefutable evidence has been found to prove that kidnapped babies have been supplying the adoption program, until now.
When Ana Escobar heard the news about the adoption stoppage in May, she rushed to the National Adoption Council's office. She hoped to be allowed to see pictures of the children whose cases were being reviewed. Though Esther had been gone for over a year, Ana immediately recognized her in an image of the baby being carried away by an official. More photographs of the same toddler only strengthened Ana's resolve, and she insisted that the little girl was her own.
By that time, Esther had DNA records indicating that her mother was someone other than Ana. However, Ms. Escobar convinced officials to run a final test to confirm. The results proved that Esther was her daughter, as Ana knew they would. Mother and child are now reunited at last, in what is hopefully to be the first in a growing trend of righted wrongs in the Guatemalan adoption system.
To read more about this extraordinary reunion, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,390044,00.html
Make Way for North Atlantic Right Whales
Nova Scotia
With only 350 North Atlantic right whales left in the world, scientists and mariners alike are working towards finding ways to protect the population from further decline.
Their small numbers mean the whales tend to stick together, within a relatively small geographical area of the sea near Nova Scotia. While it has been illegal to hunt these whales since 1935, until recently their curious nature attracted them to passing ships, which would accidentally strike and kill several the curious 70 ton animals who had surfaced to take a look around.
Luckily, last year the International Maritime Organization adopted a proposal made by Canada's UN ambassadors to designate the Roseway Bay as an "Area to Be Avoided," or ATBA for short. Each year between June and December when the whales return to in Nova Scotia from their summer vacations in the south, ships weighing 300 tons and larger are asked (not forced) to go around the Roseway Bay. Despite its voluntary nature, most ships are obeying, and some shipping companies are enforcing official policies. Going around the whale pods only adds about 8.6 minutes to a 16-hour voyage between Halifax and New York, with negligible additional fuel costs.
Thanks to the willing participation of ships in the night, we really can save the whales!
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/07/10/rightofway/
With only 350 North Atlantic right whales left in the world, scientists and mariners alike are working towards finding ways to protect the population from further decline.
Their small numbers mean the whales tend to stick together, within a relatively small geographical area of the sea near Nova Scotia. While it has been illegal to hunt these whales since 1935, until recently their curious nature attracted them to passing ships, which would accidentally strike and kill several the curious 70 ton animals who had surfaced to take a look around.
Luckily, last year the International Maritime Organization adopted a proposal made by Canada's UN ambassadors to designate the Roseway Bay as an "Area to Be Avoided," or ATBA for short. Each year between June and December when the whales return to in Nova Scotia from their summer vacations in the south, ships weighing 300 tons and larger are asked (not forced) to go around the Roseway Bay. Despite its voluntary nature, most ships are obeying, and some shipping companies are enforcing official policies. Going around the whale pods only adds about 8.6 minutes to a 16-hour voyage between Halifax and New York, with negligible additional fuel costs.
Thanks to the willing participation of ships in the night, we really can save the whales!
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/07/10/rightofway/
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