GOP Lawmaker Compares Free Contraception to 9/11, Pearl Harbor Attacks – Video

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02-08-2012 13:40 Watch: Follow Rep. Tim Huelskamp, a Kansas Republican, claimed the measure reintroduced "anti-Catholic bigotry" to American life. Though churches and houses of worship are exempt from the mandate, 24 lawsuits have been filed against it, and it remains one of the most contentious aspects of President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act. Calling the contraception mandate an act of war on America may win support from religious conservatives, but GOP men may also be opening another can of worms.... accusations they are waging a war on women.

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GOP Lawmaker Compares Free Contraception to 9/11, Pearl Harbor Attacks - Video

Letter: Health care law has benefits

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Letter: Health care law has benefits

Future uncertain for St. Mary’s Hospital after deal falls through

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The anticipated takeover of Passaic Countys three hospitals by the nations first for-profit Catholic health care system fell apart on Friday after the board of trustees representing two of the hospitals rejected a proposal from Ascension Health Care Network.

The vote by St. Josephs Healthcare Systems board, which controls hospitals in Paterson and Wayne, also derailed the sale of St. Marys Hospital in Passaic, raising questions about the future of the sole hospital serving a city of 70,000. Although St. Marys had previously approved its sale, Ascension did not want the Passaic hospital without the Paterson hospital.

The surprising developments, after months of negotiations, left officials in Passaic scrambling and some hoping that St. Josephs board would reconsider its decision.

The finances at St. Marys are precarious, with less than a weeks cash on hand, according to several sources. The hospital emerged from bankruptcy just two years ago, and received $9.5 million in state aid this year. One-third of its patients have no insurance or are underinsured.

State health officials will meet with St. Marys soon to discuss their options as they work to address the health care needs of their community, according to a statement from Dawn Thomas, a spokeswoman for the department.

Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer, a Democrat representing the city of Passaic, who is also its City Council president, said he was concentrating on getting this deal done, and hoped the St. Josephs board would reconsider its unfortunate decision.

I do believe its to St. Josephs benefit, as it is to St. Marys benefit to recognize the advantages of partnership under the Ascension banner, he said. This will be better for everyone. In the long term, this is a necessary step.

Ascension had hoped to create a network of seven for-profit Catholic hospitals in New Jersey, and planned to start with St. Josephs Regional Medical Center in Paterson, St. Josephs Wayne Hospital and St. Marys. It had promised in its presentations to the boards at St. Marys and St. Josephs to pay off the bonds of both institutions, totaling more than $278 million. It had also pledged to fully fund their underfunded pension liabilities and invest hundreds of millions of dollars in their physical plants, sources said.

Tax revenue

The change to for-profit status would have brought millions in new tax revenues to Paterson, Passaic and Wayne, as well as the Passaic County government.

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Future uncertain for St. Mary’s Hospital after deal falls through

Three Extendicare Health Centers Earn National Recognition for Providing High Quality Care in 2012

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN--(Marketwire -08/03/12)- Announced today, Extendicare Health Services, Inc. received three 2012 American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living's (AHCA/NCAL) Silver - Achievement in Quality, National Quality Awards in recognition of outstanding performance in the health care profession. The three health centers awarded this recognition include Tendercare Mt. Pleasant Health and Rehab Center in Mt. Pleasant, MI, Cedar Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cedarburg, WI and Medco Center of Hardinsburg in Hardinsburg, KY. These centers are three of only 52 centers to receive this prestigious award this year, joining the only 232 across the nation to have been awarded this achievement since the program's inception.

"This award is a benchmark of distinction in the journey to providing high quality care," said Governor Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. "The long term and post-acute care community applauds these three centers and Extendicare on this great achievement."

The AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards - comprised of three levels, Bronze - Commitment to Quality award; a more rigorous Silver - Achievement in Quality award; and a comprehensive Gold - Excellence in Quality award - are an independently judged, criteria-based, award program considered to be the most prestigious recognition of quality within the long-term and post-acute care profession. This Silver - Achievement in Quality award highlights select centers across the nation that serve as models of excellence for providing high-quality care. Applicants for the award must first receive the Bronze award to become eligible and must demonstrate a level of quality achievement through good performance outcomes that have evolved from the center's ability to embrace the core values and concepts of visionary leadership, a focus on the future, and resident-focused excellence.

"Receiving this award is evidence of the staff commitment and successful leadership at Tendercare Mt. Pleasant, Cedar Springs and Hardinsburg and their ability to apply rigorous standards to operations and service," says Chick Stepahin, Chair, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers. "These three centers have been consistent in their performance and dedication to providing high-quality care."

"Extendicare centers across the country are focused on providing high-quality, person-centered care for every person they serve and I attribute the success of these three health centers to their strong leadership team and innovative approach to care. We are very proud of this accomplishment and thank the entire team for their dedication," said Tim Lukenda, Chairman and CEO of Extendicare Health Services, Inc.

A team of trained Examiners reviews each Quality Award application and determines recipients based on a set of rigorous criteria. As recipients of the Silver - Achievement in Quality award, Tendercare Mt. Pleasant, Cedar Springs and Hardinsburg may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Gold - Excellence in Quality award, which requires them to address the Baldrige Program's Health Care Criteria in its entirety. These three centers will be presented with their awards during AHCA/NCAL's 63rd Annual Convention and Exposition, October 7-10, 2012 in Tampa, FL.

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and is designed to support both continuous quality improvement efforts in long-term care by promoting quality awareness and education and recognizing quality achievements.

About Extendicare

Extendicare Health Services, Inc. located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Extendicare Inc., or Extendicare, (TSX symbol "EXE"). Extendicare is a leading North American provider of long-term and short-term senior care services through its network of owned and operated health care centers. We employ 36,100 qualified and experienced individuals dedicated to helping people live better through a commitment to quality service that includes post-acute care, rehabilitative therapies and home health care services. Our 244 senior care centers in North America have capacity for approximately 26,500 residents.

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Three Extendicare Health Centers Earn National Recognition for Providing High Quality Care in 2012

Freedom, bondage hand-in-hand for Kashmiri designer

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New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) There is beauty as well as violence in the Kashmir Valley. The stark contrast in atmosphere led designer Sajid Dhar to reflect the pain, suffering and urge for freedom among his people through his collection "Bondage", said to be also inspired by late international pop star Amy Winehouse, who lived life on her own terms.

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Freedom, bondage hand-in-hand for Kashmiri designer

Freedom of Edinburgh for Olympian

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3 August 2012 Last updated at 14:03 ET

Sir Chris Hoy is to be awarded the Freedom of Edinburgh in recognition of his Olympic achievements.

Edinburgh City Council is putting in place plans to give the five times gold medallist its highest honour.

There are only five other recipients: The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, Sean Connery, Nelson Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi.

It will mean Sir Chris will be exempt from tolls and charges in the city.

Royal Mail have also painted a post box in the Olympian's home city gold to celebrate his medal win.

The Scots cyclist won the men's team sprint, along with Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny, on Thursday.

A post box in Hanover Street in the capital has been transformed in his honour.

The cycling trio also features on a new stamp.

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Freedom of Edinburgh for Olympian

Freedom Shut Out Boomers to Win Series

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August 2, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Florence, KY - The The Florence Freedom(37-32) got another outstanding start from Brandon Mathes as he guided the Freedom to a 3-0 victory and a series win Thursday over the Schaumburg Boomers(41-28). Mathes pitched 7 shutout innings while striking out a season high 6 batters as he improved to 2-0 on the season. Mathes has now thrown 16 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to his last which was a complete game shutout against Evansville.

Boomer starter Robby Donovan(7-4) had retired the first nine of the contest, as the game was scoreless heading into the 5th inning. Donovan walked Drew Rundle. Jim Jacquot drove Rundle in on an RBI double to left center to give the Freedom a 1-0 lead. Two batters later it was John Malloy ripping an RBI double to make it 2-0. Junior Arrojo then followed with a two-out RBI double of his own to give Florence a 3-0 advantage.

With the Freedom ahead 3-0 they turned to their bullpen which kept the shutout intact. Jose Velazquez worked a scoreless 8th, and Brennan Flick worked a 1-2-3 9th to pick up his third save of the season.

The Freedom will now have Friday and Saturday off, before the Road Warriors visit Florence on Sunday night. RHP Sheng-An Kuo(0-1, 3.18) will start for the Road Warriors while LHP Brent Choban(0-1, 4.82) gets the ball for the Freedom. Sunday's game can be heard starting at 5:50 with Steve Jarnicki on Real Talk 1160 AM and realtalk1160.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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Freedom Shut Out Boomers to Win Series

High bacteria levels close 5 beaches

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Four beaches in Quincy and one in Hingham have been closed to swimming due to high levels of bacteria.

Belair Beach in Hingham was closed after the water tested at almost 11 times the maximum limit considered safe. The water was retested Thursday morning and results should be in Friday afternoon, The Patriot Ledger reported.

The Channing Street, Milton Street, Rice Road and Sachem Street beaches were all closed as a precaution, although the water tested within safe limits.

Hingham health officials said they can't be sure exactly what caused the elevated levels, but said retesting usually shows adequate results.

All other beaches on the South Shore are open.

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High bacteria levels close 5 beaches

Civil servants, beaches and lycra

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3 August 2012 Last updated at 02:30 ET By Ed Davey BBC News, London

Two civil servants. On a beach. In Camden.

Could it get more surreal?

Yes, clearly. Because in the world of Olympic London these are but the undulating foothills of the bizarre.

And beyond them lie the far-off, snow-capped, mad-as-a-box-of-frogs peaks of the downright peculiar.

For what had this pair of valued governmental workers descended on north London's Roundhouse to witness?

A collection of lycra-clad superheroes with heads shaped like blobs of ice cream in a wind-tunnel zooming around a track made of imported Siberian Pine.

"I'd like to think we'll win," said Steve Aherne, 30, one of the civil servants. "But you never know..."

The lads were not to know the day would end in triumph for Chris Hoy and the rest of the men's sprint team.

But even before Team GB added its second cycling gold, Chris Bell, 32, was in awe.

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Civil servants, beaches and lycra

Bay State beaches close due to increased bacteria

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LYNN, Mass. (WHDH) -- Beaches across the Bay State have reopened after they were closeddue to increased bacteria in the water.

According to the Globe, beaches in Quincy, New Bedford, Eastham, Wellfleet and Nantucket were closedThursday due to the elevated levels of bacteria.

Nantucket had 10 beach closures.

Some of the beaches were allowed to reopen Thursday evening.

The exact cause of the increase in bacteria is not known but officials believe heavy rain may have been a factor.

Affected beaches will reopen to swimmers once the levels in the water are back to appropriate levels. State officials test all of the beaches that are open to public swimming once a week for bacteria levels.

(Copyright (c) 2012 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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Bay State beaches close due to increased bacteria

Area beaches closed due to high bacteria

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LYNN A pair of area beaches were closed Friday due to high bacteria levels, according to Anne Roach, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

King's Beach in Lynn and Grace Oliver Beach in Marblehead were both closed as of 3:30 p.m. Friday, said Roach.

Roach said there are a number of factors that contribute to high bacteria counts.

"Typically, it can be attributed to a heavy rainfall and the resulting surface water runoff that washes contaminants such as animal waste into beach water," said Roach. "Nearby sewer lines that overflow or leak have also been known to contribute to a high level."

She said beaches with high bacteria levels have warning signs informing beachgoers that swimming could cause illness.

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Area beaches closed due to high bacteria

Crowds shun Italian beaches as umbrella men strike

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ROME (Reuters) - Italian beaches were devoid of their usual August crowds on Friday as beach clubs staged a short strike, the latest chapter in an emotive conflict over right of access to the Mediterranean country's sun-soaked coast. The strike - organized by the beach workers' union during peak season - was called to protest against a government plan that would see the right to operate patches ...

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High Honours in Astronomy

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03.08.2012 - (idw) Astronomische Gesellschaft

German Astronomical Society (AG) publishes this year's award winners

During the yearly major fall meeting, the German Astronomical Society awards internationally renowned prizes to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in astronomy. The awards recognize both scientific activities and achievements in the field of public outreach and education. Karl-Schwarzschild-Medal for Sandra Moore Faber

The highest honour in Germany for astronomical research, the Karl Schwarzschild Medal of the Astronomical Society will be awarded this year to the astrophysicist Sandra Moore Faber of the University of California, Santa Cruz.

"Sandy Faber has delivered in her more than four decades of research fundamental contributions to understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies, and she has significantly influenced observational cosmology" says Prof. Dr. Andreas Burkert, President of the German Astronomical Society. Of particular importance is her pioneering work on the mysterious cold dark matter, which is crucial for understanding the emergence of the large-scale structure in the universe and galaxy formation. Similarly fundamental has been her research on supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. Students of astronomy are familiar with her name through the well-known Faber-Jackson relation, which relates the orbital velocities of stars in galactic disks to the total luminosity of the galaxies. This relation is a useful tool to determine the distances of galaxies and to understand the structure of disk galaxies like our Milky Way. In addition, Sandy Faber has made significant achievements in the development of new instruments for astronomical observations, including in particular important work for the famous Hubble Space Telescope and the first 10m-class telescope in the world, the Keck Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.

Awards for successful young scientists

Cecilia Scannapieco of the Leibniz-Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) will receive the 2012 Biermann Prize. Since her PhD in 2006 at the University of Buenos Aires, the Argentinian astrophysicist has been working in Germany. Her internationally acclaimed theoretical work and advanced modelling of the gas physics in high-resolution computer simulations have provided important new insights into the origin and evolution of spiral galaxies, and how these galaxies were able to form large, thin galactic disks like that in the Milky Way. Only six years after her PhD, Cecilia Scannapieco has already established herself as an international expert.

The Dissertation Award of the Astronomical Society goes this year to Julius Donnert from the Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bologna. The winner is honoured for his outstanding dissertation on magnetic fields and cosmic radiation in galaxy clusters. He completed his dissertation at the University Observatory Munich under the supervision of Harald Lesch. The publication of his scientific results has received a lot of attention in the scientific community.

Brgel-Prize goes to Hermann-Michael Hahn

The German Astronomical Society awards extend beyond active researchers. Media and outreach activities are also recognized regularly by the Society. For the first time since 2009, the AG will award the Bruno H. Brgel Prize for outstanding German-language popular depictions in the media. Hermann Michael Hahn from Cologne receives the award for his broad range of activities in particular in presenting basic skills in aerospace and astronomy to a wide audience. The award winner has been a journalist since 1968 and is known for his numerous books, articles for leading newspapers, public lectures and activities in radio and television.

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High Honours in Astronomy

Renton developing Aerospace Training Center

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With $2.5 million from the state, the City of Renton is developing the Renton Aerospace Training Center at its airport where Renton Technical College will train much-needed aerospace workers.

An architect has been hired to determine whether it makes sense to remodel the former Renton Chamber of Commerce headquarters on Rainier Avenue for the training center or to build new after tearing down the roughly 50-year-old building.

RTC would train 120 students per quarter, with a staff of four faculty members two full-time and two part-time, according to RTC President Steve Hanson. RTC would offer Aerospace Manufacturing Assembly Mechanic certificate training, The college established the program in 2011 to train assembly mechanics.

The college may offer short-term training in areas such as tooling and quality assurance, he said. The Precision Machining Technologies Program will remain on the main campus.

RTC will use a portion of a $2.1 million Air Washington grant the Department of Labor to support the expansion of the new center. Increasing the capacity to train workers is a key priority of the grant, he said.

Renton led the lobbying efforts to obtain the $2.5 million from the states capital budget, in partnership with RTC and The Boeing Co., to develop the center, said Suzanne Dale Estey, the citys economic development director.

We want to make sure this is a legacy project for the aerospace industry and the community, said Dale Estey, who added the citys sense is that the aerospace industry is in Renton for decades to come.

Boeing is already producing its 737 at the Renton plant at record levels and that rate will continue to increase, to 42 planes, if not higher. At the same time Boeing is anticipating an increase in retirees, so it will need to replace them with new trained workers.

The goal is to complete the design in six months, then begin construction early next year, with the building ready to accept its first students in 2014, Dale Estey said.

The training center is part of a plan Dale Estey drafted in June 2011 to help develop and support the existing aerospace industry, including suppliers, in Renton and to attract new companies.

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Renton developing Aerospace Training Center

3D Systems Brings On-Demand Aerospace Manufacturing Solutions to AUVSI

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ROCK HILL, S.C., Aug. 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3D Systems Corporation (DDD) announced today that it plans to exhibit its growing Aerospace Manufacturing capabilities at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, AUVSI 2012 Conference and Exposition. The company's portfolio of design-to-manufacturing solutions and services will be on display August 6-9, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada in booth 4446.

For over a decade, 3D Systems has been leading the qualification and adoption of large scale custom manufacturing solutions for aerospace, defense and transportation applications. Along with the company's production 3D printers, customers can source their entire unmanned vehicle system's components and other non-structural parts through 3D Systems' certified on-demand aerospace manufacturing service.

"Our extensive suite of manufacturing capabilities and the assurance of consistent quality reduces cost, lowers part weight and count, and is proving essential to enhanced unmanned vehicle performance," said Jim Williams, 3D Systems General Manager, On-Demand Aerospace Manufacturing. "Our capabilities and services are transforming the aerospace and defense supply chain, reducing inventory and compressing lead-times for the benefit of our growing customer base."

Visit us now to request a complimentary parts quote.

About 3D Systems Corporation

3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides CAD software and plugins, and affordable consumer create-and-make printers, apps and services. Its expertly integrated solutions replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, prototype or produce real parts, empowering customers to create and make with confidence.

More information on the company is available at http://www.3DSystems.com.

To experience our entire range of 3D content-to-print products and services please visit http://www.printin3D.com, http://www.production3dprinters.com, http://www.3Dproparts.com, http://www.zcorp.com, http://www.toptobottomdental.com, http://www.quickparts.com, http://www.alibre.com, http://www.bitsfrombytes.com, http://www.bespokeinnovations.com,www.botmill.com, http://www.cubify.com, http://www.myrobotnation.com, http://www.freshfiber.com, http://www.The3dStudio.com, http://www.freedomofcreation.com, http://www.sycode.com, http://www.paramountind.com, blog.3dsystems.com, or via email at moreinfo@3Dsystems.com.

The 3D Systems Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4537

About AUVSI

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FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:FLY) Announces Second Quarter Conference Call

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CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Aug. 3, 2012) - FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (FLY.V) (the "Company" or "FLYHT") will hold a live conference call to discuss second quarter results and answer questions on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 3 pm MT (5 pm ET). The 2012 Second Quarter Report will be released before the conference call.

To access the conference call by phone within Canada and the U.S. the toll-free number is 1-800-319-4610. Outside Canada and the U.S., dial 1-604-638-5340. (Callers should dial in five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time).

Management will accept questions by telephone and e-mail. Questions can be forwarded in advance or during the conference call to investors@flyht.com and may be posed live by dialing one of the above numbers and pressing (i)1 on a touch-tone phone.

About FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd.

FLYHT provides proprietary technological products and services designed to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in the airline industry. The Company has patented and commercialized three products and associated services currently marketed to airlines, manufacturers and maintenance organizations around the world. Its premier technology, AFIRS(TM) UpTime(TM), allows airlines to monitor and manage aircraft operations anywhere, anytime, in real time. If an aircraft encounters an emergency, FLYHT's triggered data streaming mode, FLYHTStream(TM), automatically streams vital data, normally secured in the black box, to designated sites on the ground in real time. The Company has been publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange since 2003 and recently changed its trading symbol from AMA to FLY. Shareholders approved a Company name change from AeroMechanical Services Ltd. to FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. in May 2012.

AFIRS, UpTime, FLYHT, FLYHTStream and AeroQ are trademarks of FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd.

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FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:FLY) Announces Second Quarter Conference Call

Abbott Nutrition invites second wave of research proposals on diet and cognition

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Abbott Nutrition and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are inviting researchers to bid for cash to fund new diet and cognition-related projects that could help Abbott develop the next generation of brain foods and supplements.

Target groups for studies include full-term and premature infants, pre-adolescent children, healthy adults, elderly adults, cancer patients and traumatic brain injury patients

The Center for Nutrition, Learning, and Memory, a collaboration between the two partners, is seeking pre-proposals by Sept 7, 2012 in its second annual research challenge.

Last year, the center awarded nearly $10m in funding for interdisciplinary research projects involving nutrition, the brain and cognition.

This years funding will be announced by December 17, with the amount awarded based on the quality of proposals.

Cognition research is one of Abbott's top glocal priorities

Speaking to NutraIngredients-USA in May,an Abbott spokeswoman said: Cognition research is one of Abbotts top global priorities."

She added: The research collaboration is intended to help uncover relationships between nutrition and cognition, and carry those discoveries to innovative nutritional products across all of our categories including pediatric, adult and performance nutrition.

Nutrients of interest include the long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), flavonoids and lutein, while target groups include full-term and premature infants, pre-adolescent children, healthy adults, elderly adults, cancer patients and traumatic brain injury patients.

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Abbott Nutrition invites second wave of research proposals on diet and cognition