In late 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented an extensive new program to improve safety in the commercial trucking industry. Known as the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program, the initiative focuses on identifying and sanctioning trucking companies with track records of risky driving in order to prevent future trucking accidents. The CSA program evaluates trucking companies and keeps track of individual drivers. But, even though individuals are monitored, gaps in the system may allow unsafe truckers to remain behind the wheel. The ...

Individuals who are treated for cancer during childhood have a significantly higher risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) complications – from mild to severe – later in life, according to a study led by the University of California, San Francisco. The findings underscore the need for childhood cancer survivors and their physicians to be aware of these risk factors to ensure patients' ongoing health care needs are met. "We have, in a relatively short period of time, made remarkable progress in treating pediatric cancer, which has resulted in a growing population of ...

GALVESTON, Texas — No one knows the cause of most cases of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative disorders. But researchers have found that certain factors are consistently associated with these debilitating conditions. One is DNA damage by reactive oxygen species, highly destructive molecules usually formed as a byproduct of cellular respiration. Another is the presence of excessive levels of copper and iron in regions of the brain associated with the particular disorder. University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers have discovered how ...

A proposed federal measure to improve motor vehicle safety will be delayed by nearly a year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was expected to publish a rule in late February of 2011 creating a phased-in requirement for backup cameras on cars and trucks sold in the U.S. But NHTSA recently requested another 45-day commentary period, and told Congress that the rule could be delayed by ten months. The rule will require that ten percent of new vehicles be equipped with backup cameras by September 2012, increasing to 40 percent a year later with full ...

Species pairs that disappear through hybridization after human-induced changes to the environment can reemerge if the disturbance is removed, according to a new mathematical model that shows the conditions under which reemergence might happen. The findings, published in the journal Evolution, are important for conservationists and ecosystem managers interested in preserving, or even restoring, systems that have been disturbed by human activity. By simulating environmental disturbances that reduce the ability of individuals to identify and select mates from their own ...

North American red foxes originated from two separate genetic lineages that were isolated from each other by glaciers some half a million years ago, according to a U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station study. The research—featured in the April/May 2011 issue of Science Findings, a monthly publication of the station—can assist efforts aimed at conserving potentially imperiled montane populations of the species. "When most people think of the red fox, they envision the ones that thrive in low-elevation, human-dominated landscapes," said Keith Aubry, ...

When patients entrust their health to physicians, surgeons and other health care professionals, they deserve to know the risks and expect a health care provider's best efforts to maximize the chance of a positive outcome. The fact is, many occurrences of surgical error, misdiagnosis, medication error or birth injury are preventable, and medical malpractice attorneys strive to help clients and surviving family members obtain justice when they suspect that standards were not followed. A patient's right to damages for the harm caused by medical errors is an established ...

An international team, including NASA-funded researchers, using radio telescopes located throughout the Southern Hemisphere has produced the most detailed image of particle jets erupting from a supermassive black hole in a nearby galaxy. "These jets arise as infalling matter approaches the black hole, but we don't yet know the details of how they form and maintain themselves," said Cornelia Mueller, the study's lead author and a doctoral student at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany. The new image shows a region less than 4.2 light-years across -- ...

Since it began in 2009, the Home Affordable Modification Program has given over half a million Americans a realistic chance to hold on to their homes. Now, new legislation in the House of Representatives could put an end to the program and leave thousands of families out in the cold. Home Affordable Modification Program HAMP was created to give relief to Americans in danger of losing their homes through foreclosure by providing an avenue for mortgage modification. Currently, around 30,000 homeowners take advantage of HAMP loan modification every month. HAMP has ...

Tropical Storm 04W formed from the low pressure System 98W this morning in the northwestern Pacific. NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite watched the towering thunderstorms in the center of the tropical storm grow to almost 10 miles (16 km) high as it powered up quickly. At 1500 UTC (11 a.m. EDT) on May 20, Tropical Storm 04W (TS04W) was located 180 miles (290 km) east-southeast of Yap near 8.3 North and 141.9 East. It had maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/65 kmh). On its west-northwest track it is already generating rough seas, with ...

A physician in a recent New York Times article lamented the current lack of more intimate doctor-patient relationships, and their replacement by technology-driven diagnoses. Our medical facilities might have the latest imaging devices and computer programs, but the human element is sometimes lost, and patients may be suffering as a result. American hospitals and physicians are among the best in the world, and patient care and safety has always been a priority. Medical students and interns are trained on the newest advances in diagnosing illnesses with the latest technology ...

LOS ANGELES (May 20, 2011) – When two adjacent discs in the low back wear out, become compressed and cause unmanageable pain, numbness or other symptoms, replacement with artificial discs can be a viable alternative to standard fusion surgery, based on two-year post-surgery data from a randomized, multicenter trial recently published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Previous studies have compared single-disc replacement with fusion but this is believed the first to evaluate the two forms of treatment for two contiguous discs, said Rick B. Delamarter, MD, vice ...

Late Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2011, local attorney David S. Jasmer announced that a Cook County jury awarded $3,767,792 for the wrongful death of a 35 year-old Sauk Village man, Michael Hamilton, who died in 2001. He was a supervisor at Behr Process Corp. in Chicago Heights and fell extremely ill at work on May 15, 2001. He left a 12 year-old daughter and his mother, who brought the suit on behalf of her granddaughter. The case involved a missed diagnosis of aortic dissection. Aortic dissection is a life-threatening illness that is treatable but needs to be diagnosed ...

Washington, DC – Georgetown University Medical Center's Howard J. Federoff, MD, PhD, joins preeminent scientists from academia, government, and industry along with advocates, at the "One Mind for Research Forum," a three-day conference designed to dramatically advance the understanding and treatment of brain disorders. By uniting a broad coalition, conference organizers will endorse a bold new 10-year research agenda for the field of neuroscience. During the forum, May 23rd through May 25th in Boston, leading scientists will share the latest research on debilitating ...

Thistle Hotels has announced that just two months from its opening, the Crown Social restaurant at The Parc by Thistle in Cardiff has been awarded two prestigious AA rosettes by the association's independent restaurant inspectors. The contemporary, restaurant in Cardiff; a joint venture between Thistle Hotels and Crown Hotels & Restaurants, is headed up by former Michelin-accredited celebrity chef Martin Blunos. Both Martin and his team, including sous chef Lance Keirle, were praised by the AA inspector for their 'fine cooking' and were awarded a standout score of ...

Standard Life has found that people in the UK live for the moment rather than the long term, with more than one in six (17%) failing to plan their finances at all, according to recent research from the savings and investments company. The research, which looks into the UK's fascination with living for now, finds that almost half of Brits (45%) only plan their finances just a year ahead, or less, with only a fifth of them (22%) planning up to five years into the future. Alarmingly, only one in six people (16%) plan more than six years ahead which underlines the real necessity ...

Hays plc, the global specialist recruiting firm, has called on governments and industries across the world to take joined-up action to tackle the looming threat of increased global unemployment as the world's working population is set to increase dramatically. With many countries already at record levels of unemployment, co-ordinated action needs to be taken now to avert future labour crises as significantly more people are set to join the global labour force. To this end Hays has developed a Five Point Plan. Hays, which placed more than 230,000 people in work across ...

Standard Life's new research* has revealed that almost two out of three people (63%) think they could not live on GBP140 a week in retirement, rising to 72% for the 55 and over's. Only 17% of the 55 and over's think they could live on GBP140 a week. The Government has recently proposed a single-tier flat-rate state pension worth around GBP140 a week, and are currently consulting on how this might be introduced in 2015 at the earliest. John Lawson, head of pensions policy at Standard Life said: "The introduction of state pensions of GBP140 a week for all is to be ...

Principal photography on "The Hunger Games" began on May 19, 2011. According the the Screen Actors Guild, shooting will continue through September 3, 2011. Locations include the North Carolina communities of Hildebran, Shelby, Charlotte, Asheville, and Wilmington among others. Casting for the films extras, stand-ins and photo doubles will continue throughout filming. Some small speaking roles will also be cast as minor script changes occur during the shoot. Several newcomers have been cast in some of the films lead roles. Director Gary Ross and producer Nina ...

Central Park Bike Tours, a leading bicycle rental and tours company in New York City, is pleased to announce they will once again partner with Australia based non-profit organization, Challenge, and offer free bike tours to 8 teenage cancer patients for an unforgettable trip around Central Park this summer. The Victoria based organization conducts "Trip in a Lifetime" program every two years, which aims to take a group of 10 teenagers and travel throughout the USA. The program is designed to encourage confidence and independence, while giving them the strength ...

4-year old Eric never hesitates to say what's on his mind and always finds a moment to laugh with his friends. You would never know the jovial little boy faces a host of medical complications and extreme difficulties due to his disability. But Eric never let's that stand in his way of being a "normal" child. Eric is one of the many children chosen as a Grand Marshal to help lead the Walk for St. Mary's Kids and Family Fun Day on Sunday, May 22nd at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY because of his determination and strong will to overcome his disability. Eric ...

TouchTaste Technologies, winners of the 2010 People's Choice Chicago Innovations Award, has partnered with the Cosmo Agency for brand management and media sales. The Cosmo Agency will market the TouchLife media products including TouchLife tables, iWalls, iPads, and mobile apps. The Cosmo Agency provides brands unique advertising concepts and technologies for out-of-home marketing. Touch Taste Technologies creates interactive TouchLife tables and iWalls for the hospitality, entertainment, nightlife and gaming industries. Combining a state-of-the-art touchscreen interface ...

The Annual 200 Club of Mercer County Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 8th, at 11:30am at the "Stone Terrace by John Henry's" on Kuser Road in Hamilton. It will feature Bill Baroni, the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as Guest Speaker. The Deputy Executive Director grew up in Hamilton Township, and previously served as State Senator in the 14th District. As the director of a Port Authority which operates some of the most critical infrastructure points in the nation, Mr. Baroni also oversees the rebuilding of ...

VQ ActionCare, makers of mature adult fitness and lifestyle equipment, is pleased to announce a special offer on its award-winning Resistance Chair , just in time for Father's Day. Beginning on June 1, 2011, VQ ActionCare will offer 25% off of the award-winning Resistance Chair and two accessories: the SmoothRider II Exercise Cycle and Freedom Flex Shoulder Stretcher. Originally retailing for $659.55, VQ ActionCare is offering the Father's Day package for the reduced price of $494.66, through June 19, 2011. "Committed to the health and wellness of mature adults, ...

Taking the advice of the National Running Day Organizing Committee, who says "you may run alone but on National Running Day, we celebrate together", famed trainer of running trainers, Dr. Michael Yessis is hosting a fun run for all runners. The event has no real rules, no entry fees. There will be an informal trail run and an even more casual run around landmark Kit Carson Park in Escondido, California starting at 6:00 PM to allow nine-to-fivers the chance to participate. Everyone who runs will receive a complimentary T-Shirt from Dr. Yessis. "We looked ...