90 million adults in the U.S. have difficulty understanding health information; Lilly earns national honor for …

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INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine needing health care but being unable to understand the information you're given by a doctor. For 90 million people in the U.S., it's a reality with a long-lasting impact on health and finances.

Health literacy defined as the ability to read, understand and act on health information is vital to achieving the best possible health care results for each individual patient. It is being able to read an appointment card, follow a health care provider's instructions, use medical equipment or understand medication information.

According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy survey, two in five American adults have difficulty processing health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.

Health literacy varies by context and setting and is not necessarily related to education level or reading ability. It highlights the struggle of understanding and acting on health information. The American Medical Association reports that the most commonly affected patients low income, elderly, people with limited education, ethnic minorities, recent immigrants and individuals for whom English is a second language have more medication errors, excess hospitalizations and a generally higher level of illness.

Those with poor health literacy also are more likely to have a chronic disease and less likely to get the health care they need, according to the National Adult Literacy Survey. The study showed that 75 percent of Americans who reported having a long-term illness had limited health literacy and knew less about their conditions or how to handle symptoms. The need for awareness and adherence to health literacy principles has become a public health concern, estimated to cost the U.S. economy in the range of$106 billionto$238 billionannually.

"The widespread but often unrecognized public health challenge of health literacy serves as both a warning and a call to action," said Jack Harris, M.D., vice president of Eli Lilly and Company's (LLY) U.S. medical division. "Overcoming health disparities is a transformational and important journey. At Lilly we are working to develop communication and health education that connects with patients in a way that's meaningful and understandable."

Lilly has partnered with nationally recognized health literacy experts to implement new standards to ensure the company's patient communications and resources adhere to health literacy principles. Lilly's health education efforts recently received national recognition from the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), which awarded Lilly the Published Materials Award for outstanding achievements in health literacy for two bi-lingual educational pieces. The educational materials Eating to Feel Your Best and Being Active to Feel Your Best and their Spanish counterparts, Comer para sentirse lo mejor posible and Estar activo para sentirse lo mejor possible, address the importance of making healthy food choices at every meal and staying active. Using colorful pictures, clear and concise information, simple illustrations, quick tips and space for personalized notes, readers are inspired, directed and motivated to take action to feel their best. Both pieces are available in English and Spanish on the Lilly for Better Health website http://www.lillyforbetterhealth.com.

"We were delighted to present Lilly USA with our 2012 IHA Health Literacy Award in the Published Materials category for their 'Feel Your Best' patient education brochure series," said Gloria Mayer, RN, Ed.D, FAAN, president and CEO of the IHA. "These materials follow all the tenets of design for a low literate audience, and provide users with an easy-to-use resource to get and keep healthy."

About the Institute for Healthcare Advancement IHA is dedicated to empowering people to better health. It is nationally recognized for its efforts in health literacy and provides health care information through its various publishing efforts, the Internet, and its renowned local and national education programs.

About Eli Lilly and Company Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers through medicines and information for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com.

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90 million adults in the U.S. have difficulty understanding health information; Lilly earns national honor for ...

Ukrainian press freedom in the spotlight

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Freedom of the press is restricted in Ukraine. But the World Newspaper Conference begins there next weekend. Can Ukrainian media gain more rights through the event?

From Michael Golden, vice chairman of the New York Times Company, to Rainer Esser, managing director of German newspaper "Die Zeit," the list of speakers at this year's World Newspaper Congress and World Editor's Forum in Kiev, Ukraine is a who's who of global media players. But one name on the list, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, has come under growing criticism for his government's restrictions on the media.

Growing pressure on journalists

Since taking office, Yanukovych has stated on a number of occasions that press freedom is something he cares for and protects. But the reality looks somewhat different. In 2010, Yanukovych declared Kiev's media union itself "the number one enemy of the press." ON these grounds, the president's bodyguards repeatedly hindered journalists' work. Further, television reports critcial of the president were prevented from being aired.

Ukrainian journalists protest in Kiev in June 2010

International rights organization Reporters Without Borders (RWB) has reported a dramatic decrease in press freedom in Ukraine. RWB's executive director Christian Mihr said pressure on journalists has been mounting in the lead up to October general elections in the country. In RWB's latest press freedom ranking, Ukraine came in at spot 116 out of 179 countries. That was much better than their 2010 spot, but significantly worse than 2009. Under former President Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine was in spot 89 on the list.

Impetus to boycott Kiev

Against this backdrop, the question arises whether the World Newspaper Congress should even be hosted in a country like Ukraine. Wouldn't it make more sense to boycott the event? In spring 2012, a boycott by leaders including German President Joachim Gauck forced Ukrainian leaders to cancel a summit of central European countries in Yalta. The Euro 2012 soccer tournament in Ukraine in June also saw top European politicians refusing to attend in protest of Ukraine's dismantling of democracy.

Several days before the World Newspaper Congress, the general director of Ukrainian broadcaster TVi discussed a possible boycott. Mykola Knyaschyzki said holding the event in Ukraine gave the false appearance that the country has a free press.

"The Ukrainian regime is somewhat legitimized by participating in the form," he told DW.

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Ukrainian press freedom in the spotlight

'Freedom is Fabulous’: Two Republican gay groups make waves in Tampa

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TAMPA--An older gentleman in a sparkling cowboy suit and matching hat made out of sequins gazed at a pair of buff male go-go dancers wearing tight jeans and skimpy tank tops that read "Freedom Is Fabulous." That was the scene at a local gay bar called "The Honeypot" on Tuesday night. More than 800 Republican [...]

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'Freedom is Fabulous’: Two Republican gay groups make waves in Tampa

Half man, half machine: Scientists engineer first 'cyborg' tissue – which uses living human cells and organic polymers

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Harvard scientists created 'cyborg' skin from neurons, heart cells, and nano-electronic wiring Wiring allows scientists to detect and respond to pH changes on the tissue's surface, the same as human skin

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 23:43 EST, 29 August 2012 | UPDATED: 11:31 EST, 30 August 2012

It like its something out of a science-fiction movie genius scientists engineer a synthetic skin thats part living, part electronics.

But scientists at Harvard University have done just that, creating meshes of electronic and biological tissue.

The end result is cyborg tissue, which is created from electrodes and wires combined on a Nano-scale.

Engineering humanity: Scientists at Harvard have found a way to create cyborg skin, using nano-wires to mesh and human cells

High tech: Here, cardiac cells are pictured with a nano-electroic electrode highlighted

The results, published in Nature Materials, detail how scientists in the lab embedded electrical nanowires into the lab-grown flesh.

Dr Charles Lieber, who is a chemistry professor at Harvard and the leader of the research team, told the Harvard Gazette: With this technology, for the first time, we can work at the same scale as the unit of biological system without interrupting it.

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Half man, half machine: Scientists engineer first 'cyborg' tissue - which uses living human cells and organic polymers

Martin County beaches OK after Tropical Storm Isaac

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Tropical Storm Isaac spared Martin County's beaches from significant erosion, a county official said Wednesday.

"Lifeguards all felt that Jensen and Stuart beaches were generally unchanged," said Martin County Coastal Engineer Kathy Fitzpatrick. "Bathtub (Beach) looked much the same as before the storm, as well."

The high winds and big waves during the storm caused no serious impacts to any of the county's beaches, Fitzpatrick said. The north-south wind directions may have been a factor in keeping the sand on the beaches.

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Martin County beaches OK after Tropical Storm Isaac

Chatham beaches are closed to swimming due to shark concerns

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By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

Chathams ocean-facing beaches have been closed to swimming until further notice after multiple reports of increased great white shark activity in the area, the towns Department of Parks and Recreation says.

Several fishermen have reported white sharks in their nets offshore. The Division of Marine Fisheries has also spotted numerous white sharks close to shore in the vicinity of swimmers, Dan Tobin, director of parks and recreation, said in a statement.

Beaches will be closed from the Orleans line along Nauset Beach to Monomoy, Tobin said. All other public beaches remain open to swimming, including Hardings Beach, Ridgevale Beach, Cockle Cove Beach, Forest Street Beach, and Pleasant Street Beach.

Tobin warns that beachgoers should be aware of their surroundings and not swim within 300 feet of seals.

Shark sightings should be reported to the Chatham harbormaster at 508-945-5185, officials said.

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Chatham beaches are closed to swimming due to shark concerns

7 beaches in Scituate, Plymouth, Quincy and Hull closed

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With temperatures expected to top 90 on Friday, three beaches in Scituate, two in Plymouth and one each in Quincy and Hull have been closed because of unhealthy bacteria levels.

In Plymouth, the north end of White Horse Beach tested at 35 times the maximum considered safe for swimming and the middle section of Plymouth Beach was 31 times over.

In Scituate, Peggotty Beach was five times the limit and Lighthouse Beach was three times over. Egypt Beach in Scituate was under the limit, but is closed because contamination was high in three previous tests.

The bacteria counts were three times the limit at the Sachem Street section of Wollaston Beach in Quincy was three times the maximum and 65 percent over the limit at the bay side of the A Street Beach in Hull.

New water samples have been taken and the results are expected on Friday.

The other 53 beaches on the South Shore that are tested weekly are open.

Testing ends this week in Quincy.

See water quality test results for each community and for Cape Cod, the South Coast and North Shore.

For more on Quincy beaches, call 617-376-1288, or visit tinyurl.com/ledger-quincy-beaches. For more on Wollaston Beach, call 617-626-4972.

Seventy-five salt water beaches on the South Shore are tested for enterococci, intestinal bacteria found in humans and animals. High levels of enterococci indicate the waters may also contain other disease-causing microbes that are present in sewage but are more difficult to detect. Bacterial colonies are filtered from three ounces of water and placed on a gel infused with nutrients and chemicals designed to promote growth. Left in an incubator, the single cells isolated on the filter grow explosively, forming colonies visible to the naked eye.After one day, the colonies are counted and if they exceed 104 colonies, the beach is closed to swimming.

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7 beaches in Scituate, Plymouth, Quincy and Hull closed

Aerospace & Defense Stock Overview – Aug. 2012 – Zacks Analyst Interviews

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The growth of the Aerospace and Defense industry depends largely on the spending outlook of government departments, with the U.S. defense budget being the primary driver. The U.S. is the world's largest aerospace and defense market, and also home to the world's largest military budget. The industry largely depends on U.S. government contracts.

Defense spending is the major source of revenue for the top nine global aerospace and defense companies, with the US accounting for more than 40% of total global defense spending. Given the uncertain macroeconomic environment, not just in the U.S. but also globally, the industry faces the risk of fewer new orders as customers are more likely to postpone or cancel contractual orders and/or payments.

With the U.S. government expected to institute greater austerity in its defense budget going forward, defense companies will need to source more orders from global clients. The geo-strategic significance of the industry and the related heavy export restrictions will come in the way, to some extent, of those marketing efforts by U.S.-based operators.

The U.S. defense budget for 2012 was $645.7 billion, with the base budget at $530.6 billion and $115.1 billion approved for Overseas Contingency Operations ("OCO") as supplementary defense spending, mainly to fund ongoing wars. In February this year, the Department of Defense ("DoD") requested a Pentagon base budget of $525.4 billion for 2013, which is approximately $5.1 billion or 1% less than what is approved for fiscal 2012, with $88.5 billion earmarked for OCO spending.

In early August 2012, the subcommittee recommended $511 billion for DoD's base budget and $93 billion for OCO spending, for a total of $604.5 billion for fiscal 2013.

The general trend is approving an amount less than requested. However, here the government has outstripped OCO spending more than requested. In this case, the money has been transferred from one bill to the other in order to keep the base budget within the budget law's spending limits.

Since the September 2001 WTC and Pentagon attacks, the U.S. government has spent significant amounts on military campaigns overseas. The country has already decided to gradually move out of Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq has finally ended, which is expected to lower its expenditure on foreign campaigns.

However, its clandestine military operations in other nations as part of anti-terrorism operations will continue to add to foreign war expenses. The overall trend in overseas military spending is unmistakably on the downtrend.

OPPORTUNITIES

Acquisition, Merger, Spin-offs and Strategic Alliance

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Aerospace & Defense Stock Overview - Aug. 2012 - Zacks Analyst Interviews

Aerospace & Defense Stock Overview – Aug. 2012 – Industry Outlook

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The growth of the Aerospace and Defense industry depends largely on the spending outlook of government departments, with the U.S. defense budget being the primary driver. The U.S. is the world's largest aerospace and defense market, and also home to the world's largest military budget. The industry largely depends on U.S. government contracts.

Defense spending is the major source of revenue for the top nine global aerospace and defense companies, with the US accounting for more than 40% of total global defense spending. Given the uncertain macroeconomic environment, not just in the U.S. but also globally, the industry faces the risk of fewer new orders as customers are more likely to postpone or cancel contractual orders and/or payments.

With the U.S. government expected to institute greater austerity in its defense budget going forward, defense companies will need to source more orders from global clients. The geo-strategic significance of the industry and the related heavy export restrictions will come in the way, to some extent, of those marketing efforts by U.S.-based operators.

The U.S. defense budget for 2012 was $645.7 billion, with the base budget at $530.6 billion and $115.1 billion approved for Overseas Contingency Operations ("OCO") as supplementary defense spending, mainly to fund ongoing wars. In February this year, the Department of Defense ("DoD") requested a Pentagon base budget of $525.4 billion for 2013, which is approximately $5.1 billion or 1% less than what is approved for fiscal 2012, with $88.5 billion earmarked for OCO spending.

In early August 2012, the subcommittee recommended $511 billion for DoD's base budget and $93 billion for OCO spending, for a total of $604.5 billion for fiscal 2013.

The general trend is approving an amount less than requested. However, here the government has outstripped OCO spending more than requested. In this case, the money has been transferred from one bill to the other in order to keep the base budget within the budget law's spending limits.

Since the September 2001 WTC and Pentagon attacks, the U.S. government has spent significant amounts on military campaigns overseas. The country has already decided to gradually move out of Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq has finally ended, which is expected to lower its expenditure on foreign campaigns.

However, its clandestine military operations in other nations as part of anti-terrorism operations will continue to add to foreign war expenses. The overall trend in overseas military spending is unmistakably on the downtrend.

OPPORTUNITIES

Acquisition, Merger, Spin-offs and Strategic Alliance

More here:

Aerospace & Defense Stock Overview - Aug. 2012 - Industry Outlook

Aerospace and Defense Stock Outlook – August 2012 – Industry Outlook

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The growth of the Aerospace and Defense industry depends largely on the spending outlook of government departments, with the U.S. defense budget being the primary driver. The U.S. is the world's largest aerospace and defense market, and also home to the world's largest military budget. The industry largely depends on U.S. government contracts.

Defense spending is the major source of revenue for the top nine global aerospace and defense companies, with the US accounting for more than 40% of total global defense spending. Given the uncertain macroeconomic environment, not just in the U.S. but also globally, the industry faces the risk of fewer new orders as customers are more likely to postpone or cancel contractual orders and/or payments.

With the U.S. government expected to institute greater austerity in its defense budget going forward, defense companies will need to source more orders from global clients. The geo-strategic significance of the industry and the related heavy export restrictions will come in the way, to some extent, of those marketing efforts by U.S.-based operators.

The U.S. defense budget for 2012 was $645.7 billion, with the base budget at $530.6 billion and $115.1 billion approved for Overseas Contingency Operations ("OCO") as supplementary defense spending, mainly to fund ongoing wars. In February this year, the Department of Defense ("DoD") requested a Pentagon base budget of $525.4 billion for 2013, which is approximately $5.1 billion or 1% less than what is approved for fiscal 2012, with $88.5 billion earmarked for OCO spending.

In early August 2012, the subcommittee recommended $511 billion for DoD's base budget and $93 billion for OCO spending, for a total of $604.5 billion for fiscal 2013.

The general trend is approving an amount less than requested. However, here the government has outstripped OCO spending more than requested. In this case, the money has been transferred from one bill to the other in order to keep the base budget within the budget law's spending limits.

Since the September 2001 WTC and Pentagon attacks, the U.S. government has spent significant amounts on military campaigns overseas. The country has already decided to gradually move out of Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq has finally ended, which is expected to lower its expenditure on foreign campaigns.

However, its clandestine military operations in other nations as part of anti-terrorism operations will continue to add to foreign war expenses. The overall trend in overseas military spending is unmistakably on the downtrend.

OPPORTUNITIES

Acquisition, Merger, Spin-offs and Strategic Alliance

More here:

Aerospace and Defense Stock Outlook - August 2012 - Industry Outlook

e2v aerospace & defense appoints Robert Brevelle as President

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SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

e2v aerospace and defense, the leading provider of technology solutions to the US mil/aero marketplace, has announced the appointment of Robert Brevelle into the role of President. Robert will be joining e2v on 3rd September and will be based at the Milpitas, CA facility.

Robert has broad experience in leading diverse organizations in the aerospace and defense arena, and has specialized in providing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) solutions.

Robert joins e2v from Advanced Reconnaissance Corporation, where he held the role of Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. He has previously been accountable for building business opportunities and strategic partnerships in the aerospace and defense industry, having held senior and executive level P&L positions at DRS Defense Solutions, Rockwell Collins, L-3 Communications and Raytheon.

Robert holds advanced degrees in computer science and engineering and a Masters of Business Administration in Operations Management.

As part of growth plans into the US mil/aero market, e2v aerospace and defense recently moved from Santa Clara to larger facilities in Milpitas, CA.

Robert brings to e2v his strong business development, project management and engineering background, aligned with his proven record of developing and implementing sound business strategies to generate growth. He will design and lead e2vs work towards developing strategic relationships and driving further growth in the US mil/aero market.

About e2v aerospace and defense

e2v aerospace and defense Inc, based in Santa Clara CA, is a leading provider of technology solutions to the US mil/aero marketplace for imaging, RF Power and hi-rel semiconductor requirements.

e2v aerospace and defense is part of the global e2v group, headquartered in the UK and employing approximately 1,650 people, with design and production facilities across Europe and North America. For the year ended 31 March 2012 e2v reported sales of over $370m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit http://www.e2v.com/aero.

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e2v aerospace & defense appoints Robert Brevelle as President

Aerospace and Defense Stock Outlook – August 2012

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The growth of the Aerospace and Defense industry depends largely on the spending outlook of government departments, with the U.S. defense budget being the primary driver. The U.S. is the worlds largest aerospace and defense market, and also home to the worlds largest military budget. The industry largely depends on U.S. government contracts.

Defense spending is the major source of revenue for the top nine global aerospace and defense companies, with the US accounting for more than 40% of total global defense spending. Given the uncertain macroeconomic environment, not just in the U.S. but also globally, the industry faces the risk of fewer new orders as customers are more likely to postpone or cancel contractual orders and/or payments.

With the U.S. government expected to institute greater austerity in its defense budget going forward, defense companies will need to source more orders from global clients. The geo-strategic significance of the industry and the related heavy export restrictions will come in the way, to some extent, of those marketing efforts by U.S.-based operators.

The U.S. defense budget for 2012 was $645.7 billion, with the base budget at $530.6 billion and $115.1 billion approved for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) as supplementary defense spending, mainly to fund ongoing wars. In February this year, the Department of Defense (DoD) requested a Pentagon base budget of $525.4 billion for 2013, which is approximately $5.1 billion or 1% less than what is approved for fiscal 2012, with $88.5 billion earmarked for OCO spending.

In early August 2012, the subcommittee recommended $511 billion for DoDs base budget and $93 billion for OCO spending, for a total of $604.5 billion for fiscal 2013.

The general trend is approving an amount less than requested. However, here the government has outstripped OCO spending more than requested. In this case, the money has been transferred from one bill to the other in order to keep the base budget within the budget laws spending limits.

Since the September 2001 WTC and Pentagon attacks, the U.S. government has spent significant amounts on military campaigns overseas. The country has already decided to gradually move out of Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq has finally ended, which is expected to lower its expenditure on foreign campaigns.

However, its clandestine military operations in other nations as part of anti-terrorism operations will continue to add to foreign war expenses. The overall trend in overseas military spending is unmistakably on the downtrend.

OPPORTUNITIES

Acquisition, Merger, Spin-offs and Strategic Alliance

Read more:

Aerospace and Defense Stock Outlook - August 2012

Aerospace & Defense Stock Overview – Aug. 2012

Posted on by

The growth of the Aerospace and Defense industry depends largely on the spending outlook of government departments, with the U.S. defense budget being the primary driver. The U.S. is the worlds largest aerospace and defense market, and also home to the worlds largest military budget. The industry largely depends on U.S. government contracts.

Defense spending is the major source of revenue for the top nine global aerospace and defense companies, with the US accounting for more than 40% of total global defense spending. Given the uncertain macroeconomic environment, not just in the U.S. but also globally, the industry faces the risk of fewer new orders as customers are more likely to postpone or cancel contractual orders and/or payments.

With the U.S. government expected to institute greater austerity in its defense budget going forward, defense companies will need to source more orders from global clients. The geo-strategic significance of the industry and the related heavy export restrictions will come in the way, to some extent, of those marketing efforts by U.S.-based operators.

The U.S. defense budget for 2012 was $645.7 billion, with the base budget at $530.6 billion and $115.1 billion approved for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) as supplementary defense spending, mainly to fund ongoing wars. In February this year, the Department of Defense (DoD) requested a Pentagon base budget of $525.4 billion for 2013, which is approximately $5.1 billion or 1% less than what is approved for fiscal 2012, with $88.5 billion earmarked for OCO spending.

In early August 2012, the subcommittee recommended $511 billion for DoDs base budget and $93 billion for OCO spending, for a total of $604.5 billion for fiscal 2013.

The general trend is approving an amount less than requested. However, here the government has outstripped OCO spending more than requested. In this case, the money has been transferred from one bill to the other in order to keep the base budget within the budget laws spending limits.

Since the September 2001 WTC and Pentagon attacks, the U.S. government has spent significant amounts on military campaigns overseas. The country has already decided to gradually move out of Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq has finally ended, which is expected to lower its expenditure on foreign campaigns.

However, its clandestine military operations in other nations as part of anti-terrorism operations will continue to add to foreign war expenses. The overall trend in overseas military spending is unmistakably on the downtrend.

OPPORTUNITIES

Acquisition, Merger, Spin-offs and Strategic Alliance

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Aerospace & Defense Stock Overview - Aug. 2012

Norwegian Snowboard Great Terje Haakonsen and Incrediwear to Create Full Line of Socks and Braces Using Incrediwear …

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CHICO, CA--(Marketwire -08/30/12)- Star Nutrition, Inc. (STAU), a California-based diversified health and wellness industry firm, has brought on Norwegian snowboard champion Terje Haakonsen to create a new line of socks and braces for snowboarders and skiers, called The Shredder line. The popular Avalanche Incredisocks will be renamed "The Shredder" and become the first product in the line.

"Ask any snowboarder about Terje and their eyes light up," says Jackson Corley, CEO of Star Nutrition. "He is very well known around the world as a pioneer in the sport. He's developed products with other companies, including the T6 board, so he's no stranger to knowing what consumers need. We can't wait to combine our revolutionary technologies with his knowledge of the industry and the sport as a whole."

Haakonsen dominated the world of freestyle snowboarding in the 1990s. He won the ISF World Championships three times in a row in half-pipe and five more European Championships in the same event. He also won the U.S. Open half-pipe three times, as well as seven victories in the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom. Additionally, he's the creator of the aerial snowboard maneuver known as "The Haakon Flip."

"It wasn't long ago that I was introduced to Incrediwear products," says Haakonsen. "After trying them, I knew right away I wanted to work with Star Nutrition to develop a signature line of products specifically designed for snowboarders and skiers. I'm really excited about our initial concepts and I know everyone who tries them will see the benefits that I experienced."

Incrediwear products, including Incredibraces, Incredisocks, Increditec, and Incredisoles, couple proven benefits such as increased blood flow, reduced inflammation, accelerated recovery and aiding pain relief to injured body parts. Incrediwear products can also regulate temperature, wick away moister and are antimicrobial.

About Star Nutrition, Inc. California-based Star Nutrition is a publicly traded company (STAU) that prides itself on providing innovative, over-the-counter health care products. Its mission is to focus on producing products that will enhance the lives and wellness of its customers.

For more information visit Incrediwear.com or BuyIncrediwear.com.

Join the Incrediwear community at Facebook.com/Incrediwear and @Incrediwear.

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Norwegian Snowboard Great Terje Haakonsen and Incrediwear to Create Full Line of Socks and Braces Using Incrediwear ...

Mead Johnson to Present at Barclays Back-to-School Consumer Conference

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GLENVIEW, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (MJN) announced today that it will present at the Barclays Back-to-School Consumer Conference in Boston, Massachusetts on September 6, 2012. The presentation by Stephen W. Golsby, president and CEO and Peter G. Leemputte, executive vice president and CFO will begin at 2:15 p.m. EDT and will be webcast live on the Internet. To access the webcast go to meadjohnson.com and click first on the Investors tab, then the Events and Presentations tab. A replay will be available approximately four hours after the conclusion of the live webcast at meadjohnson.com under the Investors tab, Events and Presentations tab.

About Mead Johnson

Mead Johnson, a global leader in pediatric nutrition, develops, manufactures, markets and distributes more than 70 products in over 50 countries worldwide. The company's mission is to nourish the worlds children for the best start in life. The Mead Johnson name has been associated with science-based pediatric nutrition products for over 100 years. The company's "Enfa" family of brands, including Enfamil infant formula, is the world's leading brand franchise in pediatric nutrition. For more information, go to http://www.meadjohnson.com.

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Mead Johnson to Present at Barclays Back-to-School Consumer Conference

Calorie restriction doesn't add years of life, at least to monkeys

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A pair of 27-year-old monkeys are part of a national study that failed to find a longevity benefit to calorie restrictions. The one on the left consumed 30 percent fewer calories than the monkey on the right.

National Institute on Aging

Enlarge photo

SALT LAKE CITY Restricting calories may extend the life of rodents, but it doesn't seem to increase longevity for monkeys, according to surprise findings in a much-anticipated study published this week by the journal Nature. Monkeys do, however, get some health benefits from consuming fewer calories.

Many earlier studies suggested that restricting calories adds years to life in lab-bred rodents. The findings were so compelling, in fact, that many scientists and others have curbed their own caloric intake in anticipation of reaping extra years. Caloric restriction decreases calories by as much as 40 percent, but maintains the nutrients found in a standard diet.

Drug manufacturers have sought drugs that would "mimic the salutary effects of a skimpy diet without triggering severe hunger pangs," according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.

The new research, collected over 30 years (because that's the outer lifespan of monkeys), casts doubt on whether the benefits found for rodents would extend to people, since monkeys and humans are primates and more similar genetically.

"One thing that's becoming clear is that calorie restriction is not a Holy Grail for extending the lifespan of everything that walks on earth," Rafael de Cabo, an experimental gerontologist in the U.S. National Institute on Aging and lead study author, told WSJ.

To test the calorie restriction theory, the NIA scientists restricted by 30 percent the diets fed two sets of monkeys. The first group included monkeys ages 1 to 14, while the other group was made up of older monkeys, 16 to 23. They were compared to similar groups with more normal diets.

The male animals on calorie restriction had lower cholesterol; the females didn't. Cancer incidence appeared to fall with caloric restriction, but heart disease increased slightly. Age-related diseases, however, appeared a bit later in calorie-restricted animals.

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Calorie restriction doesn't add years of life, at least to monkeys

Marsh & McLennan Companies Partners with Stanford Center on Longevity to Foster Lifetime Financial Security Preparedness

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC), a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in risk, strategy and human capital, and the Stanford Center on Longevity, a research center at Stanford University, today announced that the two organizations will collaborate to raise awareness and preparedness around lifetime financial security. As part of its previously announced commitment to fund retirement policy exploration, Marsh & McLennan Companies will contribute $1.5 million through 2013 to support the Stanford Center on Longevitys studies and activities related to financial security.

Marsh & McLennan Companies is eager to advance awareness and education around issues related to retirement and aging populations. Two aspects of those issuesincreased longevity and financial securityare top of mind for governments, businesses and individuals, said Brian Duperreault, President and CEO of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Through our Companys support of the Stanford Center on Longevity, we will take part in forward-looking dialogue on these issues and work to be a catalyst for new ideas and perspectives that benefit the greater good of the aging population and of future generations, Mr. Duperreault concluded.

It is a privilege for the Stanford Center on Longevity to receive this support for our programs from Marsh & McLennan Companies, said Laura Carstensen, Founding Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. Our Center aims to connect with the best thinkers, business leaders and policy makers, and we look forward to the insights Marsh & McLennan Companies will provide based on its deep expertise in risk, strategy and human capital.

Michele Burns, who previously served as Chairman and CEO of Mercer, a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, and was named to lead Marsh & McLennan Companies retirement policy center exploration last year, will serve as Center Fellow and Strategic Advisor to the Stanford Center on Longevity. She will join Founding Director Laura Carstensen, PhD and Deputy Director Thomas Rando, MD, PhD in providing strategic guidance for the overall efforts of the Center and development of the Financial Security Division of the Center.

In exploring how Marsh & McLennan Companies could have the greatest impact in the retirement policy arena, the Stanford Center on Longevity emerged as an excellent partner, said Michele Burns. The Center brings a unique perspective to issues facing our society by rethinking the perceived problems around an aging populationchallenges such as retirement planning and the need to work longerand finding value in the opportunities these challenges present.

The Centers Financial Security Division, in collaboration with Marsh & McLennan Companies, will examine these issues from multiple perspectives, ranging from individual financial capability, the changing nature and role of work, common financial pitfalls such as fraud, and the resulting key policy issues. The goal is to help drive the dialogue forward in order to facilitate a healthier state of long-term financial securityboth for the individual and society. I am very proud to work with the Stanford Center on Longevity on these issues and to contribute to solutions that can make a difference for us all, Ms. Burns concluded.

The two organizations recently collaborated on a conference that brought together contributors from business, academia and government to address retirement planning in the age of longevity. The insights discussed at the conference are being used to inform the Stanford Center on Longevitys financial security agenda as well as recommendations for future policy and research. The Centers Financial Security Division will also launch an expanded web presence this fall that will highlight the Divisions work and will also serve as an information resource for key stakeholders.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES (MMC) is a global team of professional services companies offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. Marsh is a global leader in insurance broking andrisk management; Guy Carpenter is a global leader in providing risk and reinsurance intermediary services; Mercer is a global leader in human resource consulting and related services; and Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting. Marsh & McLennan Companies 53,000 colleagues worldwide provide analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in more than 100 countries. The Company prides itself on being a responsible corporate citizen and making a positive impact in the communities in which it operates. Visit http://www.mmc.com for more information.

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Marsh & McLennan Companies Partners with Stanford Center on Longevity to Foster Lifetime Financial Security Preparedness

Chew on this: Starving yourself may not help longevity

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The longevity diet's premise is seductively simple: cutting your calorie intake well below your usual diet will add years to your life.

New research published on Wednesday, however, shows the extreme, emaciating diet doesn't increase lifespan in rhesus monkeys, the closest human relatives to try it in a rigorous, long-running study. While caveats remain, outside experts regarded the findings as definitive, particularly when combined with those from a similar study.

"If there's a way to manipulate the human diet to let us live longer, we haven't figured it out yet and it may not exist," said biologist Steven Austad of the University of Texas Health Science Center's Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, who wrote an analysis of the study in Nature.

Since 1934, research has shown that lab rats, mice, yeast, fruit flies and round worms fed 10 percent to 40 percent fewer calories than their free-eating peers lived some 30 percent longer. In some studies, they lived twice as long.

Such findings have spawned a growing community of believers who seek better health and longer life in calorie-restricted (CR)diets, as promised in the 2005 book "The Longevity Diet," including 5,000 members of the CR Society International. The research has also prompted companies like Procter & Gamble and Nu Skin Enterprises to develop drugs to mimic the effects of calorie restriction.

The new study, from the National Institute on Aging, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, suggests a surprising disconnect between health and lifespan. It found that most of the 57 calorie-restricted monkeys had healthier hearts and immune systems and lower rates of diabetes, cancer or other ills than the 64 control monkeys. But there was no longevity pay-off.

"You can argue that the calorie-restricted animals are healthier," said Austad. "They have better cholesterol profiles, less muscle loss, less disease. But it didn't translate into greater longevity. What we learn from this is you can un-link health and longevity."

Younger immune systems, less heart disease

The NIA study, launched in 1987, is one of two investigating whether eating just 70 percent of the calories in a standard lab diet extends life in a long-lived primate. The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center's study, begun in 1989, also uses rhesus monkeys, whose physiology, genetics and median lifespan (27 years) are closer to humans than are the rodents in earlier calorie-restriction research.

Initial results were promising. In 2006 the NIA group reported that calorie-restricted monkeys had younger-seeming immune systems. Wisconsin reported that after 20 years of eating like birds, the monkeys were less likely to get heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases of aging.

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Chew on this: Starving yourself may not help longevity

After DNA review, murder charges being dismissed 17 years later

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Alprentiss Nash, shown in 2010 at Menard Correctional Center, has been fighting his murder conviction since a genetic test showed someone else's DNA was on a ski mask found at the scene. (Zbigniew Bzdak, Chicago Tribune / September 29, 2010)

11:09 a.m. CDT, August 30, 2012

Alprentiss Nash, 37, was sentenced to 80 years for the death of Lion Stroud. According to prosecutors, Nash was wearing a black ski mask when he broke into Stroud's home in 1995. The mask was found near the crime scene, they said.

Cook County prosecutors opposed Nash's request for DNA testing on the ski mask, but the Illinois Appellate Court later ordered it. Testing was done on skin cells found on the mask, and the genetic profile was matched to an inmate who recently was paroled from prison after serving time for a drug conviction.

Nash's attorney, Kathleen Zellner, requested additional testing and the state's attorney's office agreed.

In an interview at Menard Correctional Center earlier this year, Nash said he hoped the DNA results would lead to his release. "I'm tired of doing time," he said.

Chicagobreaking@tribune.com

Twitter: @ChicagoBreaking

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After DNA review, murder charges being dismissed 17 years later

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New DNA method tracks fish and whales in seawater

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ScienceDaily (Aug. 30, 2012) Danish researchers at University of Copenhagen lead the way for future monitoring of marine biodiversity and resources by using DNA traces in seawater samples to keep track of fish and whales in the oceans. A half litre of seawater can contain evidence of local fish and whale faunas and combat traditional fishing methods. Their results are now published in the international scientific journal PLOS ONE.

"The new DNA-method means that we can keep better track of life beneath the surface of the oceans around the world, and better monitor and protect ocean biodiversity and resources," says PhD student Philip Francis Thomsen from the Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen.

Marine ecosystems worldwide are under threat with many fish species and populations suffering from human over-exploitation, which greatly impacts global biodiversity, economy and human health. Today, marine fish are largely surveyed using selective and invasive methods mostly limited to commercial species, and restricted to areas with favourable conditions.

However, researchers at Centre for GeoGenetics now lead the way for future monitoring of marine biodiversity. They have shown that seawater contains DNA from animals such as fish and whales. The species leave behind a trace of DNA that reveals their presence in the ocean based on water samples of just half a litre.

From freshwater to seawater

The development of the novel DNA monitoring approach was accomplished by PhD student Philip Francis Thomsen and Master's student Jos Kielgast from the Centre for GeoGenetics headed by Professor Eske Willerslev. In December last year, they showed that small freshwater samples contain DNA from several different threatened animals, and after having published these results they began to focus on seawater. Here it also proved possible to obtain DNA directly from the water, which originated from local species living in the area.

"We analysed seawater samples specifically for fish DNA and we were very surprised when the results started to show up on the screen. We ended up with DNA from 15 different fish species in water samples of just a half litre. We found DNA from both small and large fish, as well as both common species and rare guests. Cod, herring, eel, plaice, pilchard and many more have all left a DNA trace in the seawater," says Philip Francis Thomsen.

In the other study the researchers showed that it is also possible to obtain DNA from harbour porpoise in small water samples taken in the sea, so the approach is not only limited to fish, but can also track large marine mammals.

A new and efficient method

The study also compares the new DNA method with existing methods traditionally used for monitoring fish such as trawl and pots. Here, the DNA method proved as good as or mostly better than existing methods. Moreover, the DNA method has a big advantage that it can be performed virtually anywhere without impacting the local habitat -- it just requires a sample of water. Associate Professor and fish expert Peter Rask Mller from the National History Museum of Denmark, who also participated in the study, is optimistic.

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New DNA method tracks fish and whales in seawater

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