That crazy, fascinating sometimes incomprehensible world that lives at the intersection of biotechnology and intellectual property got quite a jolt last week when, in a court filing, the United States Justice Department opined that genes should not be eligible for patents. The rationale behind the position shift: genes are the product of nature, so humans should not be able to claim any proprietary right to them. This marked a reversal in the government's longstanding thinking that genes were indeed patentable as reported by Andrew Pollack's recent story in the New York ...

This October the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced some positive changes to the fast-track process for disability benefits. The fast-track, or Quick Disability Determination process, is used by the most severely disabled applicants. It requires less checking on the part of the SSA because of the obviousness of disabilities. The change focuses on identifying cases that should simply be approved for benefits without additional work by the SSA. In the past, medical reviews were required in every case, but this review is not always necessary. Now, medical reviews ...

The 2000 U.S. Census began to track questions of grandparents as primary caregivers. The results showed 2.4 million grandparents in this role. While grandparents frequently have an abundance of love and concern for their grandchildren, they need to understand the legal ramifications of grandparenthood. For Virginia law to apply, it needs to be determined to be the home state for the grandchild. If their parent lives here or the parent or guardian has 'significant contacts' with the state, Virginia MAY will be the home state. The grandchild does not have to live in Virginia, ...

Holding foreign manufacturers accountable for the injuries caused by their dangerous or defective products can be difficult for injured consumers in Illinois and across the country. Congress is currently considering legislation - the Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act - intended to make recovering compensation from these manufacturers more feasible. The proposed bill, HR 4678, would require manufacturers that import products into the U.S. to have a registered agent to accept service of process for the manufacturer. The legislation would apply to a broad range ...

A recent study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) details the causes of truck crashes from 2009. The report, authored by Ralph Craft, Ph.D. for the Analysis Division, noted there were declines in overall truck crashes and the number of fatalities. The report notes that many factors could have contributed to the decline, including the economy, and numerous safety measures put in place over the last year by the FMCSA, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other motorist safety groups. Decreased truck accidents and ...

The ingredients were all there for tragedy: snow, a slush-covered road, and an 18-wheeler pulling two trailers going dangerously fast. When the truck came to a curve in the highway, the tragedy unfolded. An Oregon mother and wife, Robin Rae Udey, was killed when Ronald Jory lost control of his Kenworth tractor trailer on a cold winter day. According to witnesses, Jory was driving far too fast for conditions; as his big rig neared the curve, the vehicle crossed the center line and slammed into Udey's Toyota head on. Jory was pronounced dead at the scene of the violent ...

According to AAA Carolinas, nationwide motorcycle accident fatalities have fallen by 16 percent. This was not the case in North Carolina, however, where motorcycle deaths have spiked 29 percent compared to last year. Since other types of traffic deaths are decreasing statewide, many officials are puzzled why motorcycle fatalities are not following suit. So far this year 97 people have died in motorcycle accidents on North Carolina roads. Several factors are potentially to blame for the large number of fatalities. These include a high number of inexperienced drivers, ...

A recent news story in the highlights concerns over the increase in DWIs caused by prescription medicine. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) statistics speak for themselves. From 1997 and 2007, according to a University of Michigan study, treatment admissions for prescription painkillers increased more than 400 percent. The DEA reported that between 2004 and 2008, the visits to hospital emergency departments involving the non-medical use of narcotic painkillers increased 111 percent. Police interviewed seemed to think it wasn't just the average user of prescription ...

Atlanta tree service company Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts is advising homeowners to protect their trees from the harsh elements of winter in order to have full, healthy trees in the spring. Backed by extensive arboriculture experience, Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts specializes in Atlanta tree removal, tree trimming, and storm damage response. As autumn turns into winter, many homeowners fall under the misconception that their outside plants and trees no longer have to be cared for and monitored until warm weather returns. The winter months, however, test the strength of each ...

As the holiday season approaches and the weather becomes colder, families are spending more time indoors, spending time together, hanging up holiday decorations, and relaxing in front of the fireplace. Atlanta fireplace company Craft Stove and Fireplace Center encourages families to take precautions to enjoy their Atlanta fireplaces safely this winter. "The holidays are meant for quality time with friends and family, and a cozy fireplace can create the perfect setting for that time together," said Scott Clawson, director of marketing with Craft Stove and Fireplace Center. ...

The cold of winter is rapidly approaching, and homeowners across the country are preparing their fireplaces for increased use. Atlanta fireplaces provide a warm and cozy atmosphere that is a welcome escape from the cold outdoors, but this inviting ambiance can be tarnished if homeowners do not take the appropriate steps to properly maintain their fireplaces and prevent accidents such as house fires, burns or other injuries. Atlanta fireplace company Craft Stove and Fireplace Center is reminding homeowners to prepare their fireplaces for safe use this winter. "A fireplace ...

British Airways has launched its flights to Gothenburg, Sweden's second largest city, with flights available to book in Club Europe, British Airway's Business Class cabin. Flights to Gothenburg depart twice daily from Heathrow Terminal 5. Richard Tams, British Airways' head of UK and international sales, said at the announcement of the new route: "We are really excited about flying to this fabulous city on the south west coast of Sweden. It boasts Michelin star restaurants, culture and the best views of the famous Northern lights. The schedule is perfect for UK originating ...

etyres, the UK's leading online tyres company, announces it is strengthening its nationwide coverage and continuing to grow at a rapid rate, despite the challenging economic climate. etyres has reported a steep rise in the number of new branches launching across the UK. The intensified growth of the UK's leading online tyres company has led to a strengthening of its nationwide coverage. The consolidation of its network is also enhancing the service provided to thousands of customers every week. Since the start of 2009 the Cambridge-based firm has launched almost ...

The number of new jobs on offer across the country rose by four points (four percent) compared to last month, to reach its highest level since the Reed job Index began. Job demand has risen 11 percent compared to December 2009, when the Index was first calculated. Salaries for new jobs regained ground, with a two point increase compared to last month. However salaries continue to be subdued below the Index start point of 100, to give a Reed Salary Index reading of 96. Each month the Reed Jobs Index tracks the number of new job opportunities and the salaries on offer ...

For shoppers who wish to avoid the headache-inducing crush of the mall this holiday season, online shopping saves time and money and is the ultimate in convenience. JustAddCoupons.com's free shipping deals make this option even more attractive. "Early-bird shoppers can take advantage of free shipping deals through our website right now, enabling them to have items shipped well before the Christmas shipping deadlines," says Anita Leung, owner of the coupon site. This means that if you are buying for friends and family, whether local or overseas, you can rest assured that ...

Santa Claus picks 71-year-old illustrator, David Brewer, and 61-year-old writer, Bruce Levitt, to create the website that finally reveals The Secret of Santa's Great Sleigh. Said Santa Claus, "I want everyone to know the amazing story of how the elves came to my rescue and basically saved Christmas. It's just too big to keep secret any longer. And my old friends, Dave and Bruce, have 132 Christmases between them, so who better to help me?" GreatSleigh.com tells the entertaining story that began one Christmas Eve many years ago. Santa Claus had always fit all the toys ...

Managed Service Provider University (www.mspu.us); the largest consultancy and online resource dedicated to business transformation and improvement strategies for information technology (IT) professionals and managed services providers worldwide, announced today its collaboration with ClearCenter (www.clearcenter.com) and ChannelCloud (www.channelcloud.com) to develop and deliver education, training and fulfillment services to help IT professionals grow revenues with hybrid cloud services and technologies. "This strategic partnership will help clear up market confusion ...

Affordable healthcare access is something most Florida families can use more of. The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, "FSHCC" is pleased to welcome its newest Corporate Trustee, Allstate Workplace Division, "Allstate". Allstate offers a full range of supplemental insurance policies combined with product illustration and application tools, automatic underwriting capabilities and streamlined payroll deduction and billing. "With Allstate Workplace Division, agents can provide a better level of attention and service to small business owners," explains David Bird, ...

One of the old-timer financial spread betting guides Financial-Spread-Betting.com has returned to the Internet with a much improved look, additional facilities and an overall better user experience. Authored by a trio of experienced traders, the Financial-Spread-Betting.com spread betting guide is an invaluable resource for traders and investors of all levels. Online trading is fast becoming the norm for many retail investors, and Financial-Spread-Betting.com, which already publishes a free online guide to spread betting, recognised the need to move along with the ...

(ORLANDO, December 4, 2010) – Red blood cells (RBCs) have the very important role of carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body; therefore, disorders that affect RBCs can have a significant impact on quality of life. Sickle cell disease and malaria are two common RBC diseases that affect a significant portion of the U.S. and global populations. Sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic blood disorder that causes deformed and dysfunctional red blood cells, affects an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Americans,1 while malaria affects approximately 1,500 Americans annually ...

(ORLANDO, December 4, 2010) – The latest advances in the treatment of bleeding and clotting disorders will be presented today at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology, focusing on venous thrombeombolism (VTE), a potentially life-threatening disorder in which abnormal blood clots form in the veins and restrict the flow of blood. New studies examine risk-prediction models and cutting-edge treatment options for patients with VTE. "This innovative research is the driving force behind the advancements in the areas of bleeding and clotting disorders," ...

(ORLANDO, December 4, 2010) – Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in the treatment of leukemia through the ongoing development of gene-based targeted therapies. Research that will be presented today at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology provides greater understanding of the optimal use of several BCR-ABL inhibitors for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and how a new gene target functions for several myeloid malignancies. "Each year, we continue to make significant strides ...

(ORLANDO, December 5, 2010) – The next generation of drug therapies and enhanced treatment approaches for various forms of lymphoma are evolving as researchers continue to better understand how these cancers progress. Research will be presented today at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology introducing promising new options for the standard treatment of advanced asymptomatic follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and early, unfavorable (referring to patients with clinical stage I or II disease and one or more risk factors) Hodgkin disease. Other ...

(ORLANDO, December 5, 2010) – Results from four innovative studies help answer outstanding questions about stem cell transplant procedures in treating various hematologic malignancies. Research will be presented today at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology reveals that there is no increase in overall cancer risk in people who donate stem cells and that the utilization of a double cord blood stem cell transplant is associated with better overall outcomes when used early in the treatment of acute leukemias. While research shows that the use of an ...

If a strand of your DNA was stretched out completely, it would be more than six feet long. It's hard to imagine that it can fit inside the nucleus of one of your cells, but that's exactly how it works. For much of the last century, scientists have been busy figuring out how DNA is packaged in cells, and have found strong indications that the packaging is integral to how DNA works. The packaging – comprised mostly of an amino acid molecule called a histone – influences the on and off switches of different genes that regulate cellular function and play a role in human ...