In a development that could lead to faster and more effective toxicity tests for airborne chemicals, scientists from Rice University and the Rice spinoff company Nano3D Biosciences have used magnetic levitation to grow some of the most realistic lung tissue ever produced in a laboratory. The research is part of an international trend in biomedical engineering to create laboratory techniques for growing tissues that are virtually identical to those found in people's bodies. In the new study, researchers combined four types of cells to replicate tissue from the wall of ...

Pulsars—tiny spinning stars, heavier than the sun and smaller than a city—have puzzled scientists since they were discovered in 1967. Now, new observations by an international team, including University of Vermont astrophysicist Joanna Rankin, make these bizarre stars even more puzzling. The scientists identified a pulsar that is able to dramatically change the way in which it shines. In just a few seconds, the star can quiet its radio waves while at the same time it makes its X-ray emissions much brighter. The research "challenges all proposed pulsar emission theories," ...

A prospective study led by researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has found that low serum vitamin D levels in the months preceding diagnosis may predict a high risk of premenopausal breast cancer. The study of blood levels of 1,200 healthy women found that women whose serum vitamin D level was low during the three-month period just before diagnosis had approximately three times the risk of breast cancer as women in the highest vitamin D group. The study is currently published online in advance of the print edition of the journal ...

Cincinnati, OH, January 25, 2013 -- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are commonly used to treat pain and reduce fever in children. However, the use of NSAIDs has been shown to cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in some children. A new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics reports the findings on the number of children diagnosed with AKI caused by NSAIDs in one hospital over an 11 ½ year span. Dr. Jason Misurac and colleagues from the Indiana University School of Medicine and Butler University retrospectively ...

Yoga has positive effects on mild depression and sleep complaints, even in the absence of drug treatments, and improves symptoms associated with schizophrenia and ADHD in patients on medication, according to a systematic review of the exercise on major clinical psychiatric disorders. Published in the open-access journal, Frontiers in Psychiatry, on January 25th, 2013, the review of more than one hundred studies focusing on 16 high-quality controlled studies looked at the effects of yoga on depression, schizophrenia, ADHD, sleep complaints, eating disorders and cognition ...

Sick children, especially those with some dehydration from flu or other illnesses, risk significant kidney injury if given drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, Indiana University School of Medicine researchers said Friday. In an article published online Jan. 25 by the Journal of Pediatrics, Jason Misurac, M.D., and colleagues from IU and Butler University reported that nearly 3 percent of cases of pediatric acute kidney injury over a decade could be traced directly to having taken the common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Although relatively few ...

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues at Wayne State University School of Medicine investigated the acidity in solid tumors to determine if pH levels play a role in cancer cell invasion in surrounding tissues. They found that an acidic microenvironment can drive cancer cells to spread and propose that neutralizing pH would inhibit further invasion, providing a therapeutic opportunity to slow the progression of cancers. Their study appeared in the Jan. 3 online release of Cancer Research, a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research. According ...

A new law in California now allows drivers to send text messages with hands-free technology. As technology continues to advance, lawmakers in California have reconsidered certain distracted driving laws. Recently, a new law was enacted, making the previous texting ban more lenient for California motorists. The new law in California allows drivers to use hands-free technology to send text messages or listen to incoming messages while they are behind the wheel. Previously, motorists in the state had been prohibited from texting altogether, regardless of whether they ...

House-swapping and lifetime gifts as money-saving options In this difficult economic landscape, most families are trying to find ways to save costs in major areas of expenditures such as buying a house or estate taxes. Two possible solutions are house-swapping among family members to avoid realtor's fees and using life-time gifts to children as a means of avoiding overly burdensome estate taxes. House-swapping House swaps are when family members buy each other's homes in order to meet changing needs and to avoid realtors' commissions and other fees. For example, ...

State police advise Illinois motorists to stay safe this winter With the winter driving season in full force, parts of Illinois and the Midwest have already experienced major snowstorms, bringing with it icy and slippery roads. In order to lessen the risk of being involved in a car accident, the Illinois State Police are advising drivers to take proper precautions when driving during adverse weather conditions. State officials encourage Illinois motorists to take extra care when driving on icy or snowy roads and to allow for extra travel time. In addition, winter ...

Getting a mortgage loan after bankruptcy Even after filing bankruptcy, a person may still be eligible to be approved for a mortgage loan. A record of the bankruptcy can remain on the filer's credit report for up to 10 years. Although many people believe the myth that they will never be able to obtain a mortgage after filing bankruptcy, in reality, filers can be approved for mortgage in as little as one year after a bankruptcy. A mortgage loan can be approved in as little as one year after bankruptcy The amount of time it takes for someone who filed bankruptcy to ...

2013 brings sweeping changes to Florida's PIP law In Florida, every driver is required to carry personal injury protection auto insurance, also known as no-fault insurance or PIP coverage. This insurance is designed to cover reasonable medical expenses and wage loss stemming from a car accident injury, regardless of who was at fault in causing the crash. Florida's PIP system has long been the subject of significant controversy. Advocates say that PIP coverage provides an important safety net, and that a generous interpretation of the terms of coverage is necessary ...

Dealing with the financial fallout of childhood illnesses To a parent, there is nothing more terrifying than learning your child has a serious or life-threatening illness. For nearly every parent, protecting their child's life and health is their most important priority. Parents of sick children often sacrifice everything to help their kids get the treatment they need. Unfortunately, though, treatment for childhood illnesses usually comes at a great expense. When a family's resources are diverted toward paying for a child's medical care, it is not uncommon for the ...

Despite national decline, California traffic deaths on the rise In 2011, the number of fatal collisions nationwide dropped to its lowest point in over 60 years. According to federal transportation data, 32,367 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2011. This figure represents a 1.9 percent decrease from 2010. Although the federal figures are on the decline, not all states are experiencing individual declines. In fact, only 36 states have experienced a decrease in fatal automobile collisions. In addition, despite the national decrease in fatal collisions, pedestrian ...

Child custody after divorce in Indiana For parents going through a divorce or separation, questions about child custody and visitation rights often weigh heavily on their minds. In these situations, it can be helpful to know how the Indiana courts handle issues of parenting time and what options are available for parents and children after divorce. The best interests of the child As a general matter, judges in Indiana are required to rule on child custody and visitation matters according to the best interests of the child. This means that the child's well-being ...

Survey finds more drivers surfing Web while behind the wheel Cellphones that double as mini-computers and allow you to remain constantly connected to your friends and family via email and social networking sites have many benefits -- a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips, easily accessible from any location where you can connect to your network. As a result, these days few people leave home without their smartphones. As people have become more accustomed to using their cellphones for a wide array of activities, it has become harder for them to put their phones ...

Student loan debt a growing problem in California Right now, a college education is more important that it has ever been. With the manufacturing sector on the decline, it has become increasingly difficult for young people to find career-track jobs with only a high school education. Unfortunately, a college education is also more expensive than it has ever been, leaving many struggling with debt. In the wake of the recession, state governments have cut appropriations to their higher education systems, leaving students to shoulder a greater percentage of the cost of ...

SSA adds to list of Social Security Compassionate Allowances conditions Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can sometimes be an arduous process. In most cases, the Social Security Administration requires disability applicants to provide significant proof that their disabling condition will prevent them from working for at least one year. The process can be even longer if the SSA denies the initial application, requiring the applicant to pursue an appeal. This process can be frustrating for nearly any applicant. However, it is especially troubling for ...

Receiving coverage under Washington's workers' compensation plan Being injured on the job is no picnic for Washington residents or their family members. Fortunately, the state's workers' compensation system gives workers the support they need to get back on their feet and back to work. Coverage of health care services When workers make a claim for a work-related injury or occupational disease, workers' compensation will pay their medical bills while they recover. Workers' compensation will be responsible for bills from all health-care providers, hospitals, surgical ...

Underreporting of work injuries leads to lack of compensation Given the nature of the construction industry, workplace injuries are sometimes unavoidable. Like many other jobs, there is typically some type of protocol to properly report injuries sustained on the job. Unfortunately, however, there are some hurdles in the way that may prevent construction workers from reporting their sustained injuries. Even when workers understand that they have a right to report injuries, there are pressures in the workplace that discourage them from doing so. Underreporting of injuries ...

January 22 marks the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, and the issue continues to inspire controversy and passionate debate between pro-choice and pro-life Americans. Many fear the possibility of the decision being reversed in the future, while others hope such a day will come. So how exactly has debate progressed in the 40 years since Roe v. Wade was overturned? And what are the current goals of both pro-choice and pro-life Americans? Author Annette Raynor has answers. She explores a potential future scenario in her political thriller "Overturned!" ...

For the second consecutive year, Cary Family Dental will be partnering with Dentistry From The Heart to host a free dental care event on Saturday, April 13th. The event will be held at Cary Family Dental's office located at 1149 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As last year, Dr. Allan Acton and a team of dental professionals will provide free extractions, fillings, or cleanings. Hygienists, dental assistants and other dental professionals will also be donating their time and resources in order to provide free dental care to as many people as possible. Last ...

- The upscale fashion-forward website Sassenfras is launching its new weekly e-newsletter filled with Daily Style Edits, "Beg, Borrow or Steal" style features, style articles, designer profiles, styling tips and more. People who register to receive the newsletter will be entered to win a $500 Shopbop giveaway. Sassenfras provides men and women with a roundup of the hottest fashion trends highlighted in its Daily Style Edits and saves time by allowing readers to purchase the items directly on the website through Lyst.com. The Sassenfras giveaway begins on January ...

What if you really could get back into great shape, better than when you were younger, and actually have the time to make this a reality? Author James Hess answers this question and more in "6 Pack After 60: A Simple & Effective System for Getting & Staying Strong." He has condensed his many years of exercise experience into an effective system. By applying what you will learn in his book, you will have the keys to getting and staying strong the rest of your life. Both the Kindle (http://aehokila.notlong.com) and paperback (http://checoophe.notlong.com) ...

Lenmar Enterprises Inc. continues to set the gold standard in battery packs with the versatile, all-in-one PowerPort Gold. The PowerPort Gold is a sophisticated external battery pack, car charger and wall charger all in one sleek, compact unit. You will never be without power with our one-of-a-kind battery pack. There's no need to carry around any separate adapters or wires to recharge your battery pack. Just one device covers it all. Whether you are a business professional or a student, be powered in the office, at home, in your car, or on-the-go. Just slip your ...