Mothers who are exposed to particulate air pollution of the type emitted by vehicles, urban heating and coal power plants are significantly more likely to bear children of low birth weight, according to an international study led by co-principal investigator Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, MPH, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at UC San Francisco along with Jennifer Parker, PhD, of the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study, the largest of its kind ever performed, analyzed data collected from ...

After a year of studying up close the symbiotic relationship between a mosquito-sized bug and a fungus, a Simon Fraser University biologist has advanced the scientific understanding of biological diversity. Jeffrey Joy has discovered that symbiosis — a relationship between two or more organisms that can be parasitic or mutualistic — is as much the mother of biological diversity as predation and competition. The Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B journal has just published the post-doctoral researcher's findings online. They advance Joy's previous ...

Jobs Difficult to Find for Those Over 55 Many employees continue to experience difficulties finding jobs in this tough economy. Unfortunately, research shows that those over the age of 55 seem to have an even greater struggle than most jobless Americans. According to the AARP, unemployment rates for Americans 55 and older surged from 490,000 in 2000, to 2,114,000 in 2009. Reuters also reports that the number of workers over 55 struggling with long-term unemployment has more than doubled since 2007. In some cases, employee rights may come into play. Both federal ...

State and Federal Authorities Cracking Down on Synthetic Drugs State and federal authorities once lagged behind on the growing synthetic drug trend. The constantly changing chemical compounds in synthetic drugs, which mimic either the effects of methamphetamine or marijuana, made it a legal high for many users, who could purchase them at smoke shops and gas stations. This is no longer the case. Growing alarm at the frequent use and corresponding dangers of synthetic drug use has prompted state and federal authorities to issue harsh punishments to those found selling ...

What to tell (and not tell) a child about a divorce A divorce is a high-stress event that makes parenting more difficult than ever. A child may have many several reactions and emotions to a divorce, and putting that child's needs first is more important than ever. Parents know this, of course, but it can be difficult to know how to say and do the right things to ensure a child is emotionally stable and able to move on after the divorce. Speaking to children when divorcing It is important to speak to children about divorce as soon as plans are made concrete. If ...

Financial issues to consider when getting a divorce If you are going through a divorce, you know that your whole financial life is about to change. But if you prepare for it, the transition does not have to be difficult. The following tips can help you deal with your money matters as you are dissolving your marriage. Make an assessment about what you have To assess your financial condition, it is best to make a list of what you have, as well is what you owe. Make a list of your shared properties, investments and retirement funds , so you can give a detailed statement ...

Part of New York City's stop and frisk policy ruled unconstitutional Recently, a federal judge ruled a portion of New York City's controversial stop and frisk policy unconstitutional. Undeterred, New York City plans to appeal the ruling. The federal judge's ruling was one of three federal challenges to the policy. The federal judge found that the policy violated the civil liberties of residents who were stopped for trespass because police lacked reasonable suspicion for the stop. The Fourth Amendment and reasonable stops The Fourth Amendment protects individuals ...

Federal court: Employers can refuse to hire based on past bankruptcies Filing for bankruptcy is a major decision. In many cases, a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy can be the best way for individuals to get out from under overwhelming debt. However, there are some downsides to filing for bankruptcy -- most notably, bankruptcy will negatively a person's credit score and it can make it difficult to qualify for a mortgage or a major loan. Recently, a new complication for bankruptcy filers has emerged. More and more, employers are looking into job applicants' credit ...

Valuable tips for managing finances during a divorce Although Missouri residents know the divorce process is challenging, divorcing couples may not be aware of the complex financial issues involved. Competing interests can also further complicate the situation. Finances are one of the biggest sources of stress when going through a divorce,and that stress may be especially intense for individuals who are not familiar with handling finances. The following tips are a good starting place for dealing with these issues. Financial tips during a divorce It is wise ...

New Treatment Shows Promise for Those with Spinal Cord Injuries According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 200,000 people in the United States are currently living with a severe spinal cord injury (SCI). Experts estimate that an additional 12,000 to 20,000 people in the United States suffer an SCI each year. The cost of treating these injuries is significant: the average annual medical cost for someone with a spinal cord injury is anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the severity of the injury. Spinal cord injuries are ...

Women Struggling With Medical Debt in Oregon and Across the US According to a report issued by the Commonwealth Fund, a non-profit group advocating for health care reform, women in the U.S. have more problems paying their medical bills than in other industrialized nations around the world. Women struggle with medical debt more often than men for a number of reasons, and some women may not be aware that filing bankruptcy may be one way to deal with overwhelming medical bills. Women in the U.S. Have More Medical Debt The Commonwealth Fund compared the number of women ...

Military Obligations Impact Some Pennsylvania Parents' Child Custody The extended military presence the U.S. has had in Iraq and Afghanistan has tested society in a number of ways. Many people feel the strain of having loved ones overseas for lengthy military tours. Those who serve their country also face a number of struggles. Marriages often crumble when one or both spouses are in the military, and servicemembers face unique issues when it comes to child custody. A panel of lawyers is recommending a uniform set of laws to address custody issues for military parents. ...

GAO report shows 'chameleon carriers' a major cause of truck accidents Heavy trucks are a constant presence on North Carolina highways. Most people who encounter these vehicles probably assume that the truck, its driver and the trucking company have all been thoroughly vetted to ensure that they are in compliance with federal safety standards. However a new audit from the U.S. Government Accountability Office shows that this is not always the case. In its audit, the GAO discovered significant problems with what it calls "chameleon carriers" -- trucking companies ...

Agency calls for tougher drunk driving enforcement to prevent crashes Accident reports are frequently examined to determine the causes of serious collisions. Recently, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a study on accidents caused by wrong-way drivers. Over 1,500 accidents from across the country were examined in an effort to learn more about these kinds of crashes. In nearly 60 percent of the accidents, the driver traveling the wrong lane had a blood-alcohol content that was above the legal limit in that particular state. As a result of this ...

Obtaining an order of protection in New York If you live in New York and are a victim of harassment or domestic violence, you might wonder where you can turn for protection when the abuser is a spouse, family or other household member. The situation may seem hopeless, but there is a powerful tool available to help you called an order of protection. An order of protection (also known commonly as a restraining order) is a court order that protects you from someone that you are married to, separated or divorced from or have a child with. Its protection also extends to ...

Proposed law designed to help nurses get workers' compensation benefits Nurses do a great service for the community every day, but they put themselves at tremendous risk when taking care of their patients. In fact, during the course of their daily work, nurses are at risk of contracting a number of blood-borne diseases, as well as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. MRSA is the most dangerous staph infection that can be contracted in hospitals, in part because of its resistance to antibiotics. In order to make it easier for nurses in California to ...

How the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act protects workers Although anyone can be the victim of a workplace injury, some jobs are more dangerous than others. And among the most dangerous jobs out there are those in the maritime and longshore industries. In fact, every year, at least 350 workers in these jobs suffer from serious injuries on the job -- which are most commonly caused by slips and falls, drowning and accidents related to the mishandling of machines and other equipment. Recognizing how dangerous these jobs are, in 1927 Congress passed the ...

Is Mississippi's cap on non-economic damages constitutional? Mississippi law currently caps non-economic damages -- damages for intangible harms such as severe pain and suffering or emotional distress -- at $1 million. Mississippi's cap on non-economic damages has come under fire by those who have been subjected to it. Some believe it is unconstitutional. One woman, Lisa Learmouth, is taking her case against Mississippi's cap on non-economic damages to court. The facts ofSears and Roebuck v. Learmouth Lisa Learmouth sued Sears in federal court after she was injured ...

Distracted drivers may be on the Internet Most motorists probably know that texting or talking on a cell phone while driving can be sources of potentially deadly distraction. Educational campaigns have carried that message widely. However, other uses of smart phones have received less attention so far. These sophisticated electronic devices are capable of accessing the World Wide Web, and drivers who "web" while driving are putting everyone on the road at risk of car crashes. Study finds "webbing" is up A new survey from State Farm assessed ...

Four retailers agree to voluntarily recall the Nap Nanny The injury or death of a loved one is always tragic -- and when the loved one is an infant, the grief can be unimaginable. Parents do their best to care for their children, providing safe environments in which they can flourish. Unfortunately, the products made for infants and children do not always meet safety standards. In some terrible situations, they can lead to serious injuries and fatalities. Such is the case with a product called the "Nap Nanny," which is made by a company called Baby Matters. ...

New treatment may help patients with asbestos-related lung cancer A new study published in the Annals of Oncology has found a promising link between the use of beta-blockers and increased survival times and slower spread of tumors in lung cancer patients. The findings may help extend the lives of patients with lung cancers related to asbestos. The new beta-blocker study The new beta-blocker study looked at the survival rates of 722 patients who had non-small-cell lung cancer. Some of the patients were taking beta-blockers for an unrelated condition during their ...

Rise of prescription drug abuse puts pharmacists in legal jeopardy As prescription drug abuse continues to rise in California and across the nation, pharmacists' actions are being scrutinized by state licensing boards as well as local governments. As a result, pharmacists should be on the lookout for signs of prescription drug abuse and be exacting in their use of California's state prescription drug monitoring program to avoid challenges to their licenses. California prescription drug statistics In California in 2011, 43,000 pharmacists dispensed 318 million prescriptions. ...

Recent reform in California's workers' compensation system No matter what industry you work in, there is always some risk of injury. All workers should be aware of their rights to workers' compensation if injured at work. Knowing your rights and how to exercise them will ensure that your financial future is secure in the unfortunate event of an injury. Benefits provided under California worker's compensation laws In California, if a person has suffered a work-related injury or illness, the law requires that his or her employer pay for workers' compensation benefits. ...

Factors to consider before filing for personal bankruptcy Deciding to file personal bankruptcy is a serious decision, and the choice may not be appropriate for everyone who believes their debt is unmanageable. That's why it's important to speak with an attorney who practices bankruptcyto help you consider factors that apply to your personal situation and decide what type of bankruptcy may be appropriate. Many people file bankruptcy because their financial situation is a detriment to their mental health while others file for bankruptcy because they cannot pay their ...

Danger of debt settlement schemes: Why bankruptcy may be a better option Indebted Americans are becoming victims of debt settlement companies who make alluring and, more likely than not, false promises to relieve debtors' obligations by claiming they can negotiate settlements with creditors for half the amount that is owed. Instead, debtors often end up lining the pockets of the debt settlement companies while receiving little to nothing in return, or even winding up worse off. Federal government investigations into debt settlement companies In 2010, the federal ...