INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indiana University School of Medicine gastroenterologist led a team of distinguished physicians who developed the first guidelines for diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The guidelines were published simultaneously in the June issues of the journals Hepatology, Gastroenterology and the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Naga P. Chalasani, M.B.B.S., professor of medicine and director of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the IU School of Medicine and a member of IU Health Physicians, said non-alcoholic ...

Brown Smith Wallace is partnering with the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) Conference's Social Media Bootcamp to land Kyle Dodwell, a staff accountant, on the Letterman TV show. The viral marketing experiment kicked off at the AAM conference in Las Vegas last week. "Yes, it's a BHAG - big hairy audacious goal, "Mike Bowlan, Brown Smith Wallace marketing director, says, "but with the support of the AAM members' marketing and social media muscles, we have a good shot! And, if we can get social media-minded accountants enthused, the bandwagon ...

TORONTO, Ont. June 21, 2012—A new study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital suggests that fructose may not be as bad for us as previously thought and that it may even provide some benefit. "Over the last decade, there have been connections made between fructose intake and rates of obesity," said Dr. John Sievenpiper, a senior author of the study. "However, this research suggests that the problem is likely one of overconsumption, not fructose." The study reviewed 18 trials with 209 participants who had Type 1 and 2 diabetes and found fructose significantly improved ...

Simply because someone lives in an assisted living facility does not mean they give up on some form of exercise. For many of these elderly individuals, swimming was a part of their life when they were young, so why shouldn't they continue to swim? After all, it's one of the best forms of exercise you can do. Unfortunately, there are reports of accidental drowning cases at these assisted living facilities that should not have happened. While there are many activities elderly people can do on their own, supervision should always be on the safe side at assisted living facilities. ...

MADISON, WI – June 21, 2012 -- It's clear where the black-and-white striped zebrafish got its name, but less obvious at first glance is what zebrafish has to do with biomedical research. Amazingly, it has biological similarities to humans, which are making this small freshwater fish an increasingly popular model organism for studying vertebrate development, genetics, physiology, and mechanisms of disease. The variety of presentations at the 2012 International Zebrafish Development and Genetics Conference, held June 20-24 in Madison, Wisconsin, showcase the breadth of ...

MADISON, WI – June 21, 2012 – Chemicals in the environment that mimic estrogen can strongly influence the development of humans and other animals. New research to be presented at the 2012 International Zebrafish Development and Genetics Conference, held June 20-24 in Madison, Wisconsin, reveals that these substances may act even earlier than previously realized, at the very beginning stages of embryonic development. Estrogenic compounds in the environment are both naturally occurring, such as in food plants, and synthetic, such as bisphenol A (BPA), used in making hard ...

A popular cosmetic dentistry procedure, porcelain veneers can improve your smile by concealing certain cosmetic dental flaws. If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your smile, your cosmetic dentist can determine whether you can benefit from veneers. Veneers offer many cosmetic benefits. Veneers are generally not a treatment for tooth or bite misalignment, which may require traditional braces. If your desired areas of smile improvement are cosmetic in nature, veneers offer an effective and convenient way to create the smile you have always wanted. Issues Improved ...

NASA satellites monitoring the life of Chris in the Atlantic saw the tropical storm become the first hurricane of the Atlantic Ocean season on June 21, 2012. Infrared satellite imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite have revealed that the clouds around Hurricane Chris' eye have reached a cold peak early on June 21 when it was first designated a hurricane, and have since warmed. The thunderstorms that surround Chris' eye are now between -60 and -70 Celsius. Cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong, high, thunderstorms with the potential for heavy rainfall. When thunderstorm ...

It's generally against the law for most employers to discriminate against job applicants on the basis of race and national origin, among other characteristics. But these same employers routinely refuse to even consider hiring someone with a criminal record. The applicant with a record goes to the bottom of the pile - or doesn't get into the pile at all. And it often doesn't matter the type of conviction. Employers don't necessarily evaluate the difference between being convicted for a traffic offense like DUI versus a violent crime like first-degree murder. In other ...

Domestic violence is a scourge that affects an estimated 1.3 million Americans every year. Yet, while domestic violence is certainly a serious problem, outrage surrounding the issue may cloud public discourse; it can be easily forgotten that alleged perpetrators are innocent until proven guilty, with all the rights due anyone accused of wrongdoing. In Florida and other states, "anti-strangulation" laws have been introduced in order to combat what is seen as a relatively common and particularly harmful form of partner abuse. While the intentions behind these ...

NASA satellites are providing data on a broad area of low pressure in the south-central Gulf of Mexico that has a medium chance for development into a tropical depression. Infrared data from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument that flies onboard NASA's Aqua satellite is helping forecasters at the National Hurricane Center understand what's happening with the low pressure area. In an image captured on June 21 at 0729 (3:29 a.m. EDT), the center of the low pressure area appears to be near the western tip of Cuba near 22 North and 85 West. The strongest thunderstorms ...

For big-ticket purchases or shopping on the Internet -- and even smaller purchases made on quick runs to the store or filling up the gas tank -- credit cards are convenient. Carrying cash to make these purchases is often not feasible. Along with the convenience, there are other benefits of using credit cards, such as the ability to pay off purchases over time or receiving rewards for using the card (like airline miles or cash back). Yet, the same convenience and benefits offered by credit cards can also be the things that get consumers in financial trouble. Credit-Card ...

The Obama administration has proposed regulations which would require companies that drill oil and natural gas using hydraulic fracturing on public and Indian lands to disclose the chemicals used in the process. The proposal would also set guidelines for wastewater disposal and well construction. Though hydraulic fracturing has been a boon for drilling companies, the practice has had a questionable impact on drilling sites' surrounding residents and the environment, in part due to the hazardous chemicals used in the process. What is Hydraulic Fracturing? Hydraulic ...

When a person is injured or killed in an accident with a drunk driver, the drunk driver's car insurance policy and other coverage or assets are almost always insufficient to pay the full amount of damages. A car accident lawyer can explain how in some cases in North Carolina, a personal injury victim or the estate of someone wrongfully killed may be able to seek compensation from the store, bar or restaurant that provided alcohol to the intoxicated driver. North Carolina law regarding the regulation of liquor sales allows an injured person to sue stores, bars, restaurants ...

Tropical Storm Talim has weakened overnight due to stronger wind shear and land interaction and is now a depression. NASA satellite data from June 21 revealed that the thunderstorms that make up the tropical cyclone are scattered and disorganized. NASA's Aqua satellite Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument captured an infrared image of Tropical Depression Talim on June 21 at 3:29 a.m. EDT. The imagery showed several areas of strong thunderstorms, but they're now scattered in nature as a result of the two factors. As Talim moved over Taiwan and interacted with ...

It's a cliche to say the only constant is change. But the pace of life is undeniably fast in modern times, and a lot can happen in a short period of time. This is why it's important to review your estate plan periodically and update it as needed. An event such as a divorce, marriage or the birth of a child may affect even the most carefully thought-out plans. This piece will discuss when and how to review and revise your estate plan so that it continues to express your wishes, even as the specific circumstances of your life continue to evolve. Getting Started With ...

In November of 2012, Americans will take to the polls to decide elections for national and state offices, and Washingtonians will also determine if the state will legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana through Initiative 502. The initiative would make it legal for people 21-years-old and up to possess up to one ounce of marijuana bought from state-licensed stores. Like alcohol, the state Liquor Control Board would regulate the sale of marijuana. I-502 is receiving a broad range of support, including from several current and former government employees. ...

Boulder, Colo., USA – New GSA Bulletin postings include studies of the geomorphic impact of 19th-century placer mining along the Fraser River, British Columbia; seafloor images around Ross Island, obtained by the Swedish research vessel Oden from 2007-2011; a foray into the fossil record of early Tertiary mammal evolution in Africa via magnetostratigraphic analyses of exposed fossiliferous sequences in Algeria; and a new contribution to the growing volume of published geoscience research for southeastern Mongolia. GSA Bulletin articles published ahead of print are online ...

In February of 2012, the Ohio Supreme Court held that particular application of a federal sex offender law is unconstitutional. Specifically, the court determined that the law cannot retroactively apply to sex offenders who completed their sentences prior to July 1, 1997. Brief History of Ohio Sex Offender Registry Law Two laws were considered in the Ohio Supreme Court's recent ruling. Megan's Law is state legislation which established a statewide sex offender registry; it was enacted July 1, 1997. As written, Megan's Law requires nearly all persons convicted of sex ...

MAYWOOD, Ill. - A device used to prevent incontinence in women who undergo a common pelvic-floor surgery reduces symptoms but increases side effects in these patients. These findings were published in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Women in this study underwent surgery for pelvic organ prolapse. Prolapse occurs when the pelvic organs fall and cause the vaginal wall to protrude outside of the body. About 1 in 5 women will undergo this surgery in her lifetime. Those who undergo surgery for this disorder are at risk for urinary incontinence following ...

RENO, Nev. – Leading muscular dystrophy researcher Dean Burkin, of the University of Nevada School of Medicine summarizes the impact of a new protein therapeutic, MG53, for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in an article published this week in Science Translational Medicine. "This is a focus article in which we summarize the impact of MG53 protein therapy as a treatment option and discuss the increasing number of new protein therapeutics being developed for the muscular dystrophies, including laminin-111 developed in our laboratory," Burkin, a pharmacological ...

In recent months, there has been a veritable plethora of discussion in the media about the dangers of distracted driving. Although distracted driving is a proven danger to motorists, a new study suggests that it may not be as significant of a cause of car accidents as it was once thought. The study found that a technological feature that has been on vehicles almost since their inception -- turn signals -- is to blame for more collisions than being distracted by newfangled technology. According to research conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers, drivers fail ...

Safer coal mining operations in West Virginia have been a renewed priority for many lawmakers since the Upper Big Branch explosion two years ago. That includes House Speaker Rick Thompson, whose father long ago died in a coal mining roof fall accident. A new coal mining safety bill sponsored by Speaker Thompson passed both chambers by narrow margins this session, and was signed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in March. A range of new measures will take effect in June, including: - Establishment of an anonymous mining safety tip line - Increases in fines and penalties for ...

What is the overall effect on safety when cameras are installed at intersections to detect traffic violations? Red-light cameras, as they are commonly known, have been controversial in the Chicago area and in several other cities across the country. Their advocates present them on public safety grounds, as a way to prevent people from running red lights by using technology to automatically issue a ticket to violators. There are several concerns, however, that accompany use of this tactic. Civil liberties proponents argue that the specter of Big Brother lurks in letting ...

How much is a stream worth? Can we put a dollar value on a wetland? Some conservation proponents have moved to establish the economic value of "ecosystem services," the benefits that nature provides to people. The approach translates the beauty and utility of a wetland into pounds of phosphorus removed from agricultural runoff, Joules of heat pulled out of urban wastewater, and inches of floodwater absorbed upstream of riverside communities. The idea of trading ecosystem services has surged in popularity since the 2005 United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. But ...