Gotta love WFMU listeners. One of my favorite DJ's was laid off from his real job, and in the comments today someone was giving advice on COBRA. Did you know you can get money back from the government for 9 months for COBRA if you get laid off? See site below.
DOL Website
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Why Hair Goes Gray
Why Hair Goes Grey
Study Blames a Chain Reaction That Makes Hair Bleach Itself From the Inside Out
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Feb. 25, 2009 -- Scientists may have figured out why hair turns gray, and their finding may open the door to new anti-graying strategies.
New research shows that hair turns gray as a result of a chemical chain reaction that causes hair to bleach itself from the inside out.
The process starts when there is a dip in levels of an enzyme called catalase. That catalase shortfall means that the hydrogen peroxide that naturally occurs in hair can't be broken down. So hydrogen peroxide builds up in the hair, and because other enzymes that would repair hydrogen peroxide's damage are also in short supply, the hair goes gray.
Putting the brakes on that chemical chain reaction "could have great implications in the hair graying scenario in humans," write the researchers, who included Karin Schallreuter, a professor clinical and experimental dermatology at England's University of Bradford.
The study appears online in The FASEB Journal; the FASEB is the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Study Blames a Chain Reaction That Makes Hair Bleach Itself From the Inside Out
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Feb. 25, 2009 -- Scientists may have figured out why hair turns gray, and their finding may open the door to new anti-graying strategies.
New research shows that hair turns gray as a result of a chemical chain reaction that causes hair to bleach itself from the inside out.
The process starts when there is a dip in levels of an enzyme called catalase. That catalase shortfall means that the hydrogen peroxide that naturally occurs in hair can't be broken down. So hydrogen peroxide builds up in the hair, and because other enzymes that would repair hydrogen peroxide's damage are also in short supply, the hair goes gray.
Putting the brakes on that chemical chain reaction "could have great implications in the hair graying scenario in humans," write the researchers, who included Karin Schallreuter, a professor clinical and experimental dermatology at England's University of Bradford.
The study appears online in The FASEB Journal; the FASEB is the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Disabilities in the US
Number of Americans With a Disability Reaches 54.4 Million
About one in five U.S. residents - 19 percent - reported some level of disability in 2005, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released today. These 54.4 million Americans are roughly equal to the combined total populations of California and Florida.
Both the number and percentage of people with disabilities were higher than in 2002, the last time the Census Bureau collected such information. At that time, 51.2 million, or 18 percent, reported a disability.
Among those with a disability, 35 million, or 12 percent of the population, were classified as having a severe disability, according to Americans With Disabilities: 2005 [PDF].
Nearly half (46 percent) of people age 21 to 64 with a disability were employed, compared with 84 percent of people in this age group without a disability. Among those with disabilities, 31 percent with severe disabilities and 75 percent with nonsevere disabilities were employed. People with difficulty hearing were more likely to be employed than those with difficulty seeing (59 percent compared with 41 percent).
A portion of people with disabilities — 11 million age 6 and older — needed personal assistance with everyday activities. These activities include such tasks as getting around inside the home, taking a bath or shower, preparing meals and performing light housework.
Other important findings:
* Among people 15 and older, 7.8 million (3 percent) had difficulty hearing a normal conversation, including 1 million being unable to hear at all. Although not part of the definition of disability used in the report, 4.3 million people reported using a hearing aid.
* Roughly 3.3 million people, or 1 percent, age 15 and older used a wheelchair or similar device, with 10.2 million, or 4 percent, using a cane, crutches or walker.
* Nearly 7.8 million people age 15 and older had difficulty seeing words or letters in ordinary newspaper print, including 1.8 million being completely unable to see.
* More than 16 million people had difficulty with cognitive, mental or emotional functioning. This included 8.4 million with one or more problems that interfere with daily activities, such as frequently being depressed or anxious, trouble getting along with others, trouble concentrating and trouble coping with stress.
* The chances of having a disability increase with age: 18.1 million people 65 and older, or 52 percent, had a disability. Of this number, 12.9 million, or 37 percent, had a severe disability. For people 80 and older, the disability rate was 71 percent, with 56 percent having a severe disability.
* Among people 16 to 64, 13.3 million, or 7 percent, reported difficulty finding a job or remaining employed because of a health-related condition.
* Among people 25 to 64 with a severe disability, 27 percent were in poverty, compared with 12 percent for people with a nonsevere disability and 9 percent for those without a disability.
* Median monthly earnings were $1,458 for people with a severe disability, $2,250 for people with a nonsevere disability and $2,539 for those with no disability.
* Parents reported that 228,000 children under age 3, or 2 percent, had a disability. Specifically, they either had a developmental delay or difficulty moving their arms or legs. In addition, there were 475,000 children 3 to 5 years, or 4 percent, with a disability, which meant they had either a developmental delay or difficulty walking, running or playing.
* There were 4.7 million children 6 to 14, or 13 percent, with a disability. The most prevalent type was difficulty doing regular schoolwork (2.5 million, or 7 percent).
About one in five U.S. residents - 19 percent - reported some level of disability in 2005, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released today. These 54.4 million Americans are roughly equal to the combined total populations of California and Florida.
Both the number and percentage of people with disabilities were higher than in 2002, the last time the Census Bureau collected such information. At that time, 51.2 million, or 18 percent, reported a disability.
Among those with a disability, 35 million, or 12 percent of the population, were classified as having a severe disability, according to Americans With Disabilities: 2005 [PDF].
Nearly half (46 percent) of people age 21 to 64 with a disability were employed, compared with 84 percent of people in this age group without a disability. Among those with disabilities, 31 percent with severe disabilities and 75 percent with nonsevere disabilities were employed. People with difficulty hearing were more likely to be employed than those with difficulty seeing (59 percent compared with 41 percent).
A portion of people with disabilities — 11 million age 6 and older — needed personal assistance with everyday activities. These activities include such tasks as getting around inside the home, taking a bath or shower, preparing meals and performing light housework.
Other important findings:
* Among people 15 and older, 7.8 million (3 percent) had difficulty hearing a normal conversation, including 1 million being unable to hear at all. Although not part of the definition of disability used in the report, 4.3 million people reported using a hearing aid.
* Roughly 3.3 million people, or 1 percent, age 15 and older used a wheelchair or similar device, with 10.2 million, or 4 percent, using a cane, crutches or walker.
* Nearly 7.8 million people age 15 and older had difficulty seeing words or letters in ordinary newspaper print, including 1.8 million being completely unable to see.
* More than 16 million people had difficulty with cognitive, mental or emotional functioning. This included 8.4 million with one or more problems that interfere with daily activities, such as frequently being depressed or anxious, trouble getting along with others, trouble concentrating and trouble coping with stress.
* The chances of having a disability increase with age: 18.1 million people 65 and older, or 52 percent, had a disability. Of this number, 12.9 million, or 37 percent, had a severe disability. For people 80 and older, the disability rate was 71 percent, with 56 percent having a severe disability.
* Among people 16 to 64, 13.3 million, or 7 percent, reported difficulty finding a job or remaining employed because of a health-related condition.
* Among people 25 to 64 with a severe disability, 27 percent were in poverty, compared with 12 percent for people with a nonsevere disability and 9 percent for those without a disability.
* Median monthly earnings were $1,458 for people with a severe disability, $2,250 for people with a nonsevere disability and $2,539 for those with no disability.
* Parents reported that 228,000 children under age 3, or 2 percent, had a disability. Specifically, they either had a developmental delay or difficulty moving their arms or legs. In addition, there were 475,000 children 3 to 5 years, or 4 percent, with a disability, which meant they had either a developmental delay or difficulty walking, running or playing.
* There were 4.7 million children 6 to 14, or 13 percent, with a disability. The most prevalent type was difficulty doing regular schoolwork (2.5 million, or 7 percent).
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
This just in - Facebook
Court approves using Facebook to pass along foreclosure document.
"You've been "superpoked" - and served. A court in Australia has approved the use of Facebook, a popular social networking site, to notify a couple that they lost their home after defaulting on a loan"
So much for not having anything serious on the site.
"You've been "superpoked" - and served. A court in Australia has approved the use of Facebook, a popular social networking site, to notify a couple that they lost their home after defaulting on a loan"
So much for not having anything serious on the site.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Something Uplifting, and ripe for un-PC comments
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Students at the Ohio State School for the Blind screamed with joy when they learned their marching band will make history at the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade.
It will be the first time a blind marching band takes part in the flower-bedecked parade in Pasadena, Calif., said the school's music director, Carol Agler.
It's the only blind marching band in the whole country, she said.
Sighted assistants help band members stay in formation.
Stacy Houser, the parade's music committee chairwoman, said Monday she hopes the selection will be an inspiration to others.
The band and the rest of the student body got the news during an assembly Monday when Agler held her cell phone up to a microphone for the announcement from Gary DiSano, president of the 2010 parade. The school's students range from kindergartners to high schoolers.
Macy McClain, the band's flute and piccolo player, compared the honor to being picked for "American Idol." "Except you don't have to stand in line," she said.
The band was formed in 2005 when the football team from the neighboring Ohio School for the Deaf was looking for a band to play at its games. Band members have played in parades before, though never in anything as long as the nearly 6-mile Rose Parade, so they'll be practicing on treadmills, Agler said.
Agler said the school will need to raise an estimated $1,500 in travel costs for each person making the trip, including the 17 band members and a number of alumni to beef up their ranks.
-------------
And here's a zen moment. Seemed like a good day for that too. Although, I just viewed it and it seems less zen than I thought - kinda seasicky.
It will be the first time a blind marching band takes part in the flower-bedecked parade in Pasadena, Calif., said the school's music director, Carol Agler.
It's the only blind marching band in the whole country, she said.
Sighted assistants help band members stay in formation.
Stacy Houser, the parade's music committee chairwoman, said Monday she hopes the selection will be an inspiration to others.
The band and the rest of the student body got the news during an assembly Monday when Agler held her cell phone up to a microphone for the announcement from Gary DiSano, president of the 2010 parade. The school's students range from kindergartners to high schoolers.
Macy McClain, the band's flute and piccolo player, compared the honor to being picked for "American Idol." "Except you don't have to stand in line," she said.
The band was formed in 2005 when the football team from the neighboring Ohio School for the Deaf was looking for a band to play at its games. Band members have played in parades before, though never in anything as long as the nearly 6-mile Rose Parade, so they'll be practicing on treadmills, Agler said.
Agler said the school will need to raise an estimated $1,500 in travel costs for each person making the trip, including the 17 band members and a number of alumni to beef up their ranks.
-------------
And here's a zen moment. Seemed like a good day for that too. Although, I just viewed it and it seems less zen than I thought - kinda seasicky.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
What does the NRA think of this?
WESTFIELD, Massachusetts (AP) -- An 8-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself in the head while firing an Uzi submachine gun under adult supervision at a gun fair.
An 8-year-old shot and killed himself with an Uzi submachine gun like the weapon shown here.
The boy lost control of the weapon while firing it Sunday at the Machine Gun Shoot and Firearms Expo at the Westfield Sportsman's Club, Police Lt. Lawrence Valliere said.
The boy was with a certified instructor and "was shooting the weapon down range when the force of the weapon made it travel up and back toward his head, where he suffered the injury," a police statement said. Police called it a "self-inflicted accidental shooting."
An 8-year-old shot and killed himself with an Uzi submachine gun like the weapon shown here.
The boy lost control of the weapon while firing it Sunday at the Machine Gun Shoot and Firearms Expo at the Westfield Sportsman's Club, Police Lt. Lawrence Valliere said.
The boy was with a certified instructor and "was shooting the weapon down range when the force of the weapon made it travel up and back toward his head, where he suffered the injury," a police statement said. Police called it a "self-inflicted accidental shooting."
Friday, September 26, 2008
Uh oh, I may be in big trouble someday
A battery charge has been dropped against a West Virginia man who had been accused of passing gas and fanning it toward a South Charleston patrolman. The Kanawha County prosecutor's office requested that the charge be dropped against 34-year-old Jose Cruz of Clarksburg. Mary Frampton, an assistant to Magistrate Jack Pauley, said Thursday the magistrate signed a motion to dismiss the charge. Cruz, who was arrested Tuesday, still faces driving under the influence and other charges.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
I digress from Maine to Palin
Just found this great site: FreakingNews where they ask people to photoshop crazy photos to go with news stories.
One of the more recent tasks was re: Palin, of course. Below is one of them. Not my favorite, which was the Pitbull with Lipstick, but that one was a little too out there to scare people with.
One of the more recent tasks was re: Palin, of course. Below is one of them. Not my favorite, which was the Pitbull with Lipstick, but that one was a little too out there to scare people with.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Guns and Health
From the New England Journal of Medicine:
With the Supreme Court's decision and the expectation of a substantial reduction in gun regulation we are poised to witness another epidemiologic study of the effect of regulation on gun violence. With this experiment, which may play out in many American cities, we will know in the coming years whether the overturned laws reduced death and injury from handguns. The Court has heard the arguments and made its decision; we will now learn the human ramifications in this landmark case.
Editorial in July 31, 2008 issue. Pg. 517.
Whether you agree with the position or not, I think it's an excellent and unexpected venue for a commentary on gun control. Not sure that it's scientifically sound, since there are so many other variables that go into the equation, but it's an interesting proposition nonetheless.
With the Supreme Court's decision and the expectation of a substantial reduction in gun regulation we are poised to witness another epidemiologic study of the effect of regulation on gun violence. With this experiment, which may play out in many American cities, we will know in the coming years whether the overturned laws reduced death and injury from handguns. The Court has heard the arguments and made its decision; we will now learn the human ramifications in this landmark case.
Editorial in July 31, 2008 issue. Pg. 517.
Whether you agree with the position or not, I think it's an excellent and unexpected venue for a commentary on gun control. Not sure that it's scientifically sound, since there are so many other variables that go into the equation, but it's an interesting proposition nonetheless.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Is it human instinct to do nothing?
I just ran across this article. From the article, a description of a video:
[A 78-year old man] steps off the curb just as two cars that appear to be racing swerve on the wrong side of the street. The first car swerves around the man. The second car hits him and throws him into the air like a doll, then speeds away. What follows is even more chilling: People walk by. Nine vehicles pass him lying in the street. Some drivers slow down to look but drive away.
The article further states:
If no one else is moving, individuals have a tendency to mimic the unmoving crowd. Although we might think otherwise, most of us would not have behaved much differently from the people we see in these recent videos, experts say. Deep inside, we are herd animals, conformists. We care deeply what other people are doing and what they think of us.
It states finally:
But it's different when the bystander is a solitary witness: "They are more likely to come to another person's aid than if there are other people around and nobody is doing anything."
So what do you think you would do? Can you work against the crowd? Would you ask the questions / do what needed to be done? Think about it next time something happens. Jump in and help. Go against the herd mentality. Stand out.
But, if your moral compass will stay awry, then perhaps you can go into management:
[A 78-year old man] steps off the curb just as two cars that appear to be racing swerve on the wrong side of the street. The first car swerves around the man. The second car hits him and throws him into the air like a doll, then speeds away. What follows is even more chilling: People walk by. Nine vehicles pass him lying in the street. Some drivers slow down to look but drive away.
The article further states:
If no one else is moving, individuals have a tendency to mimic the unmoving crowd. Although we might think otherwise, most of us would not have behaved much differently from the people we see in these recent videos, experts say. Deep inside, we are herd animals, conformists. We care deeply what other people are doing and what they think of us.
It states finally:
But it's different when the bystander is a solitary witness: "They are more likely to come to another person's aid than if there are other people around and nobody is doing anything."
So what do you think you would do? Can you work against the crowd? Would you ask the questions / do what needed to be done? Think about it next time something happens. Jump in and help. Go against the herd mentality. Stand out.
But, if your moral compass will stay awry, then perhaps you can go into management:
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Zimbabwe
When articles about Dictator Mugabe and beating the opposition don't sway Americans' opinions, turn to the stories about the white farmers trying to save their land. Either way, it's such a horrible situation. It would be nice if the African states, the United States, some country in the world, would pressure him out of office.
Monday, July 14, 2008
World's Oldest Blogger dies
Here's the story. I wish my mom would blog. Or at least read blogs. Ok, well, not mine.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The power of twittering
On CNN today: James Karl Buck was released from a Mahalla jail after sending a one-word blog post from his cell phone through the Twitter Web site. The message -- "Arrested" -- alerted all of his friends on the site of his detention.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
In Keeping with the Food theme - Egg McMuffin Man
A Southern California McDonald's restaurants official says Egg McMuffin inventor Herb Peterson has died in Santa Barbara at age 89.
Peterson came up with idea for the signature McDonald's breakfast item in 1972.
He began his career with McDonald's as vice president of the company's advertising firm, D'Arcy Advertising, in Chicago. He wrote McDonald's first national advertising slogan, "Where Quality Starts Fresh Every Day," and eventually became a franchisee.
I must say, I do love an egg mcmuffin once in a while. Every couple years is all my body can take.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy VD day
Had to add this. I've written before that I have herpes. Well, keep your eye out, women without it, for a vaccine. My first google search came up with this Science Blog article. Even though it's from 2006, it's worth going to just for the ad on the right. It's good to know that the United Church of Christ is open to members who are scientists. I found another site that lists the problems they've encountered with creating vaccines. Still, anything is better than nothing.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Regrets? Great! See How They Can Help You Now
Had this in my inbox and had to share, given the title. And since it's from Oprah.com, it has to be good, right? :-)
Could, Woulda, Shoulda
Stewart has shown that women who take action on the basis of their regrets -- getting a job if they felt they'd left the workforce prematurely, going back to school -- score higher on physical and psychological measures of well-being later in life. The key, she says, is acknowledging the thing you wish you'd done, or done differently, without fixating on it, and using it as a motivator to make changes
Could, Woulda, Shoulda
Stewart has shown that women who take action on the basis of their regrets -- getting a job if they felt they'd left the workforce prematurely, going back to school -- score higher on physical and psychological measures of well-being later in life. The key, she says, is acknowledging the thing you wish you'd done, or done differently, without fixating on it, and using it as a motivator to make changes
WhyMommy Breast Cancer Fight - another type of cancer
Not sure how many of you have been following WhyMommy's battle with inflammatory breast cancer, but she had her boobs taken off, and had clean margins, and is cancer free. Amazingly enough, the doctors found that her other boob had an even rarer form of cancer - Paget's disease of the nipple. Being the scientist that she is, she calculated the odds of having both - time for her to play the lottery. But wanted to bring it up here since you should read about this other form of breast cancer so you know about it.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
For your reading pleasure
Sex: Fact and Fiction
What’s the average penis size? How fast is premature ejaculation? Exactly where is the G-spot? Grab a ruler and a stopwatch as the experts sort sex myths from the facts.
By Rob Baedeker
WebMD Feature
What’s the average penis size? How fast is premature ejaculation? Exactly where is the G-spot? Grab a ruler and a stopwatch as the experts sort sex myths from the facts.
By Rob Baedeker
WebMD Feature
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
Ok, a bunch of random stuff today.
Got into work, turned on my internet radio station, WFMU, and the song playing was "Bunnyrabbits, Satan, Cheese, and Milk". Cool.
On the way to work today, heard on the radio that it's now safe to eat squirrels in NJ.
It was a nippy bike riding morning this morning. I procrastinated at home until the sun came up at least. Gotta ease into the colder weather biking. I cannot go from 60's/70's to 30's immediately.
Ever danced on bubble wrap? It's fun. Especially the stuff with the big bubbles.
A story of Halloween past. I spent a year in Germany in the mid 80's at a college where everyone (all 50 of us) lived and studied in one building. Very intense experience. This was back in the day when the whole world had not quite yet been Americanized, so when I brought up having a Halloween party, everyone, or most everyone, wondered what I was talking about. So, in the days before the ubiquitous Internet, I wrote to my mom and asked her to send me the history. I went to a nearby farm and got some pumpkins, which were all used to feed animals. We gutted them, carved them, cooked the flesh and the seeds, and made pumpkin stuff. (This was also before I knew there is a difference between pumpkins and the ones we used were likely not to be eaten - but hey, none of us died.) And we had a Halloween party where everyone dressed up and had a GREAT time. I was going to insert a picture, but I realized it looked just like any normal Halloween, except mid 80's getup and German faces. Ach du lieber!
Just stood outside to get some sun. What made me laugh hard and turn red? As I was standing talking with the door guy, a guy walked by, then turned around looked at my lower half, and just turned and shook his head with a smile. I needed that. And I might note, that it's only African American men who ever say anything or show an appreciation for my big trunk. White men look but don't make it obvious and NEVER say anything.
Got into work, turned on my internet radio station, WFMU, and the song playing was "Bunnyrabbits, Satan, Cheese, and Milk". Cool.
On the way to work today, heard on the radio that it's now safe to eat squirrels in NJ.
It was a nippy bike riding morning this morning. I procrastinated at home until the sun came up at least. Gotta ease into the colder weather biking. I cannot go from 60's/70's to 30's immediately.
Ever danced on bubble wrap? It's fun. Especially the stuff with the big bubbles.
A story of Halloween past. I spent a year in Germany in the mid 80's at a college where everyone (all 50 of us) lived and studied in one building. Very intense experience. This was back in the day when the whole world had not quite yet been Americanized, so when I brought up having a Halloween party, everyone, or most everyone, wondered what I was talking about. So, in the days before the ubiquitous Internet, I wrote to my mom and asked her to send me the history. I went to a nearby farm and got some pumpkins, which were all used to feed animals. We gutted them, carved them, cooked the flesh and the seeds, and made pumpkin stuff. (This was also before I knew there is a difference between pumpkins and the ones we used were likely not to be eaten - but hey, none of us died.) And we had a Halloween party where everyone dressed up and had a GREAT time. I was going to insert a picture, but I realized it looked just like any normal Halloween, except mid 80's getup and German faces. Ach du lieber!
Just stood outside to get some sun. What made me laugh hard and turn red? As I was standing talking with the door guy, a guy walked by, then turned around looked at my lower half, and just turned and shook his head with a smile. I needed that. And I might note, that it's only African American men who ever say anything or show an appreciation for my big trunk. White men look but don't make it obvious and NEVER say anything.
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