Millions to be spent on broadband

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25 June 2012 Last updated at 04:50 ET

The Scottish government has announced that it will spend 120m to bring superfast broadband to communities in the Highlands and Islands.

Public agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is in discussions with BT about delivering the upgrade.

The programme of works will include laying underground and subsea cables.

Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil, said improved internet speeds would benefit business and education.

He announced the Scottish government-funded investment in superfast broadband at a meeting of the Convention of Highlands and Islands, which involves the government and local authorities.

The spending forms part of the Scottish government's Scotland's Digital Future: Infrastructure Action Plan.

Mr Neil said: "Scotland's ambition to deliver world-class digital connectivity by 2020 has received a boost today, with the announcement of 120m for the Highlands and Islands.

"Everybody in the Highlands and Islands recognises the importance of access to superfast broadband, not just for the future of our local economies but indeed for the future of our children, for our education, our health and every aspect of life in the modern world."

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Millions to be spent on broadband

The Caribbean: a bounty of beautiful islands

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The Pirates of the Caribbean films were smash-hit successes and undoubtedly heightened Johnny Depp's heartthrob status. But they also shed light on the bountiful beauty of the islands so head for the high seas and have your own adventure in what was once a pirate paradise.

With its pure white beaches, calm waters and year-round sunshine the Caribbean is understandably a popular holiday destination. This heavenly corner of the American continent beckons the lure of lazy days on the beach soaking up the sun, opportunities for diving and enjoying well-earned rest in some of the world's best hotels.

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Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), the charismatic roguepirate in the film series stole our hearts with his rum-swigging antics. Many of his swashbuckling scenes were shot against the stunning backdrop of the Caribbean. When we could divert our eyes from Captain Sparrow or, indeed, the more reserved Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), we were completely charmed by the scenic surroundings. The films captured the spirit of the idyllic islands: tiny coastal towns where past and present fuse together, and where the ancient maritime spirit still runs deep.

Begin your Caribbean break in the Bahamas, a country consisting of more than 3,000 islands, cays and islets. Its capital, Nassau, spans most of New Providence Island and has a colourful history. Once a pirate hotspot, it was later home to free slaves and rum bootleggers. Although stories of its privateer past are still recounted, nowadays the Bahamas are better known for their spectacular beauty.

Follow in the casts footsteps and head south to Grand Bahama Island, then to White Cay, where the second film Dead Mans Chest was shot in 2006. A short 35 minute hop by plane from Miami, White Cay has some of the worlds clearest waters and is abundant with seemingly endless stretches of white beach and fabulous coral reefs.

Dominica, the most northern of the Windward Islands, claims to have one of the world's largest undiscovered hoards of treasure. Apart fromits mysterious stash of jewels, the island also boasts some of the most pristine beaches in the Caribbean. Home to colourful coral reefs inhabited by sea tortoises, it is rated highly for its diving spots. Captain Jack Sparrows beloved Black Pearl ship was anchored in the islands Prince Rupert Bay.

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The Caribbean: a bounty of beautiful islands

RainDance Technologies Unveils Digital PCR Platform to European Market

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LEXINGTON, Mass. & NUREMBERG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

RainDance Technologies, Inc., the Digital Biology Company, today announced the introduction of its new RainDrop Digital PCR System to the European genetics research market. Attendees of the annual European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) meeting in Nuremberg, Germany have the opportunity to see demonstrations of the system, which establishes new performance standards in sensitivity, multiplexing and absolute quantitation in PCR analysis.

Capable of generating more than a billion reactions in a single day, the RainDrop System transforms the performance of molecular assays by enabling digital answers across a number of important applications including low-frequency tumor allele detection, gene expression, copy number variation, and SNP measurement. Since each droplet encapsulates a single molecule, researchers can quickly determine the absolute number of specific target DNA and compare that to the background wild-type DNA. The RainDrop System also shifts the current digital PCR (dPCR) paradigm from a single-color-per-marker approach to a two color with varying probe intensity method that is capable of multiplexing up to 10 markers.

With the introduction of the RainDrop System at ESHG, we have officially ushered in the next generation of PCR for European researchers, said Mark Dronsfield, Ph.D., European Sales Director at RainDance. Europe is home to a number of the worlds leading research organizations and we are already actively engaged with many of them who are interested in bringing the power of a billion reactions with digital answers to their projects.

In a recent Lab on a Chip paper, scientists from Universit de Strasbourg and Universit Paris Descartes, used the RainDance dPCR technology to detect a single mutated copy of KRAS in a background of 200,000 wild-type copies. By processing reactions in millions of picoliter droplets, the platform improved sensitivity by two orders of magnitude compared to existing technologies.

RainDance will be showcasing the new RainDrop System at ESHG in booth #418. For more information, please visit: http://www.RainDanceTech.com/ESHG.

About RainDance Technologies

RainDance Technologies, the Digital Biology Company, is pioneering the use of high-throughput picodroplet-based analysis in human health and life science research. The company's core RainStorm technology generates millions of discrete droplets that can encapsulate a single molecule, cell or reaction and be digitally analyzed and sorted one at a time. The power, precision and simplicity of picodroplets enable researchers to answer complex questions with unprecedented sensitivity and quantitation. The complete RainDance solution includes automated instrumentation, customizable bioinformatics and high-value consumables and reagents for applications including targeted next-generation DNA sequencing, methylation, digital PCR. Based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company supports scientists around the world through its international sales and support operations and a global network of distributors and service providers. For more information, please visitwww.RainDanceTech.com.

The RainDance products are for research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

RainDance Technologies, the RainDance Technologies logo, RainDrop, RainStorm, and Digital Biology are trademarks of RainDance Technologies, Inc. All other brands may be trademarks of their respective holders.

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Myriad Presents Variant of Uncertain Significance Rates at European Human Genetics Conference 2012

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ZURICH, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Myriad Genetics GmbH announced today that a presentation entitled Current Variant of Uncertain Significance Rates in BRCA 1/2 and Lynch Syndrome (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM) Testing, was presented today at the European Human Genetics Conference in Nurnberg, Germany. The study highlights Myriads best-in-class variant classification process and variant of uncertain significance rate.

Researchers analyzed the variant of uncertain significance rate for the BRACAnalysis test (BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes) test as well as the COLARIS test (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 and EPCAM genes). From 2002 to 2012, Myriads overall uncertain variant rate decreased due to significant investments made in the development and application of improved processes and statistical techniques and the implementation of a targeted program designed to gather data on family members. Across all ancestries, the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 variant of uncertain significance rate declined from 12.8% to 2.9%. Further, the variant of uncertain significance rate for Lynch syndrome, a test analyzing the MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and EPCAM genes, declined to 6.6% in 2012. The variant of uncertain significance for PMS2 gene test, also for Lynch Syndrome, was 4.0%.

This data underscores the importance of a world-class variant classification program as well as the high level of accuracy and sensitivity of Myriads genetic tests. Further, through the investment in research and development for its existing tests, the Company has deepened its understanding of variants and variant classification. Myriad continues to invest furthering this knowledge base in an effort to provide best-in-class testing to patients globally.

Current tests available in Europe have a very high variant of uncertain significance rate, often 25 to 30 percent, stated Gary King, Executive Vice President of International Operations at Myriad. We are pleased to bring Myriads technology and variant classification program to Europe, to enhance the quality of genetic testing available to patients and physicians.

About Myriad Genetics GmbH

Myriad Genetics GmbH is the international headquarters of Myriad Genetics, Inc., a global molecular diagnostic company. The Company is dedicated to making a difference in patients lives through the discovery and commercialization of transformative tests to assess a person's risk of developing disease, guide treatment decisions and assess risk of disease progression and recurrence. Myriad's portfolio of nine molecular diagnostic tests are based on an understanding of the role genes play in human disease and were developed with a focus on improving an individual's decision making process for monitoring and treating disease. For more information on how Myriad is making a difference, please visit the Company's website: http://www.myriad.com.

Myriad, the Myriad logo, BRACAnalysis, Colaris, Colaris AP, Melaris, TheraGuide, Prezeon, OnDose, Panexia and Prolaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Myriad Genetics, Inc. in the United States and foreign countries.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the Companys variant classification program; and the Companys strategic directives under the caption About Myriad Genetics. These forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that sales and profit margins of our existing molecular diagnostic tests and companion diagnostic services may decline or will not continue to increase at historical rates; the risk that we may be unable to expand into new markets outside of the United States; the risk that we may be unable to develop or achieve commercial success for additional molecular diagnostic tests and companion diagnostic services in a timely manner, or at all; the risk that we may not successfully develop new markets for our molecular diagnostic tests and companion diagnostic services, including our ability to successfully generate revenue outside the United States; the risk that licenses to the technology underlying our molecular diagnostic tests and companion diagnostic services and any future products are terminated or cannot be maintained on satisfactory terms; risks related to delays or other problems with manufacturing our products or operating our laboratory testing facilities; risks related to public concern over genetic testing in general or our tests in particular; risks related to regulatory requirements or enforcement in the United States and foreign countries and changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems; risks related to our ability to obtain new corporate collaborations and acquire new technologies or businesses on satisfactory terms, if at all; risks related to our ability to successfully integrate and derive benefits from any technologies or businesses that we acquire; the development of competing tests and services; the risk that we or our licensors may be unable to protect the proprietary technologies underlying our tests; the risk of patent-infringement and invalidity claims or challenges of our patents; risks of new, changing and competitive technologies and regulations in the United States and internationally; and other factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors contained in Item 1A in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Myriad undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.

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Myriad Presents Variant of Uncertain Significance Rates at European Human Genetics Conference 2012

Health care at stake for many in Washington

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The U.S. Supreme Court could be on the verge of a ruling on the Affordable Care Act. A look at one couple's situation.

Tue, Mar 20, 3:12 p.m.

Washington lawmakers gear up for the introduction of Obamacare. Even as it faces its day in the Supreme Court.

Wed, Jan 11, 2 a.m.

A doctor tells legislators: Yes, the lack of insurance does cause deaths. The lawmakers got an early briefing on declining access to health care, which could worsen with further state budget cuts.

Amy Moreno-Sills loves sustainable farming. It's a passion. A core of her beliefs. The life work of her and her husband, Augustin.

And she faces possibly giving it up to get health insurance.

Augustin 29, and Amy, 37, are both managers for produce farms in Pierce County earning about $60,000 annually as a couple, an income that just dropped significantly with the recent brth of their second child, Hector. With a 4-year-old daughter Gabriela, Amy had to switch to a part-time administrative job at Terry's Berry Farm cutting more than $15,000 from the couple's annual income..

So far, the family has lived on the edge of having adequate health insurance. In fact, maybe beyond the edge.

Neither parent has health insurance. Particularly withday-care costs taking up a lot of their income, they can't afford it. "It's super-pricey. What are we gonna have to give up to have health insurance?" Amy said recently.

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Putting health care on the right track

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The Washington Posts Robert Samuelson castigated President Obama in a recent column for a lack of judgment in getting his landmark health-reform law passed. I profoundly disagree.

Obamacare is helping our nation achieve health care that is excellent, accessible to all and affordable. In the 17 months that I led the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, I saw how this law is helping tens of millions of families and is finally putting our health care system on the right track.

Samuelson is right to be concerned about health care costs. Weve been on an unsustainable path for decades. But while he offers no remedy beyond the broken status quo, the presidents reform helps us make health care sustainable the right way: by improving it, not cutting it.

The law does this by targeting the underlying drivers of high health care costs: It supports and rewards caregivers for preventing complications of care, such as health care associated infections, which save both lives and money. The CMS, for example, has set ambitious goals to reduce complications that, if met, would save 60,000 lives and $35 billion in just three years. The law also emphasizes preventive care and cracks down hard on waste and fraud. Last year the government recaptured a record $4 billion. It fosters transparency, so everyone can tell the best performers from the rest. Rather than paying for volume, the law helps us pay for value.

I have seen how improving care can reduce costs dramatically.

The Henry Ford Health System in Detroit has documented savings of $10 million per year from its efforts to improve patient safety. The Nuka system of team-based primary care in Anchorage has reduced hospital days more than 50 percent.

Denver Health, using modern, lean production approaches to decreasing waste in health care processes, has reduced costs by more than $150 million and achieved the lowest mortality rates among 115 comparable academic medical centers. The Affordable Care Act will help make these successful examples the norm.

The law also stops insurance companies from taking advantage of consumers. It prevents insurers from putting lifetime caps on coverage.

Before Obamacare, 105 million people had one of these caps buried in their insurance contracts every year, 20,000 unlucky Americans got letters from their insurers saying their coverage was running out. It didnt matter if they were in their second round of chemotherapy or waiting for surgery; the insurance companies simply said no. Because Obamacare lifted those caps, families have better care and peace of mind.

Obamacare has allowed millions of young people to stay on their parents plans until age 26, and it requires insurance companies to cover the preventive care needed to stay healthy. It gives consumers the right to appeal an insurers decision and stops insurers from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.

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Putting health care on the right track

Pathway Genomics Partners with DASA, the Largest Private Medical Diagnostics Company in Brazil

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SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Pathway Genomics Corporation, a San Diego-based genetic testing laboratory, has partnered with Diagnsticos da Amrica (DASA), the largest private medical diagnostics company in Latin America and the fourth largest provider of diagnostic services in the world. Based in Brazil, DASAs clinical analysis division collects samples from more than 500 patient service centers and has 11 central laboratories. DASAs brands include Alta Excelncia Diagnstica, Delboni Auriemo, Lavoisier, CDPI, Srgio Franco, Pasteur, Exame and others. Through this partnership, physicians have access to Pathways valuable genetic testing services, bringing additional personalized care to more than 180 million people in Brazil.

Pathways vision is to responsibly reveal personalized and actionable genetic information in order to globally educate, inform and improve health and well-being, said Dr. Michael Nova, Pathways chief medical officer. Our alignment with DASA is a major part of this vision, and we are excited to help bring this scientifically-advanced technology to the people of Brazil.

Specifically, through DASA, physicians in Brazil now have access to multiple genetic tests, including:

The partnership between DASA and Pathway represents a milestone in Brazilian medicine, ensuring access to predictive genetic tests through an advanced and innovative technology, said Dr. Octvio Fernandes, DASAs chief operating officer. DASA is a reference in Brazil due to our excellence, innovation and quality in medical diagnostic services. With 50 years of expertise, the company has one of the largest medical teams in Latin America, composed of nearly 2,000 world-renowned doctors, and offering more than 3,000 types of laboratory tests and imaging diagnostics provided by more than 18,000 professionals.

Pathways laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and accredited in accordance with the U.S. Health and Human Services Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988. Pathway is also a member of the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA). The company consists of more than 40 scientific and medical professionals, including medical doctors, molecular geneticists, and genetic counselors, as well as an expert scientific advisory board.

About Pathway Genomics Corporation

Pathway Genomics owns and operates an on-site genetic testing laboratory that is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), accredited in accordance with the U.S. Health and Human Services Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988, and licensed by the state of California. Using only a saliva sample, the company incorporates customized and scientifically validated technologies to generate personalized reports, which address a variety of medical issues, including an individuals carrier status for recessive genetic conditions, food metabolism and exercise response, prescription drug response, and propensity to develop certain diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. For more information about Pathway Genomics, visit http://www.pathway.com.

About DASA

DASA is the largest private medical diagnostics company in Latin America offering a portfolio of over 3,000 clinical analysis and imaging tests. In the clinical analysis segment, samples are collected in more than 500 patient service centers and analyzed in 11 central laboratories. In the diagnostic imaging segment, the images are submitted to physicians for analysis and reporting according to their medical specialty. For more information about DASA, visit http://www.dasa.com.br.

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Pathway Genomics Partners with DASA, the Largest Private Medical Diagnostics Company in Brazil

Research and Markets: Translational Regenerative Medicine – Oncology, CNS and Cardiovascular-Rich Pipeline Features …

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/skdhnn/translational_rege) has announced the addition of the "Translational Regenerative Medicine - Oncology, CNS and Cardiovascular-Rich Pipeline Features Innovative Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Applications" report to their offering.

More Guidelines Needed to Grow Regenerative Medicine Market, Report Finds

Standardized research guidelines are needed to control and encourage the development of gene therapy and stem cell treatments, according to a new report by healthcare experts GBI Research.

The new report* shows how regenerative medicine is seen as an area with high future potential, as countries need ways to cope with the burden of an aging population.

The stem cell market alone is predicted to grow to around $5.1 billion by 2014, while gene therapy has also shown promise despite poor understanding of some areas of regenerative medicine and a lack of major approvals (the only approvals to date being made in Asia).

Up until now, securing research within clinics has been difficult, with a high number of failures and discontinuations throughout all phases of clinical study. Stem cell therapy uses bone marrow transplants as an established treatment method, but the development of the therapy into further applications and has not yet become common practice.

Similarly, tissue engineering has been successful in the areas of skin and bone grafts, but translation into more complex therapies has been an issue for researchers. Although scientific possibilities are ever-increasing, the true potential of regenerative medicine has yet to be demonstrated fully.

A desire to discover new and innovative technologies has encouraged governments in the UK and Singapore to focus directly on regenerative medicine as a future potential economy booster.

Companies Mentioned:

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Research and Markets: Translational Regenerative Medicine - Oncology, CNS and Cardiovascular-Rich Pipeline Features ...

Freedom of press on wane, say journos

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Winnie Chong

Monday, June 25, 2012

Press freedom in Hong Kong has worsened since Donald Tsang Yam-kuen became chief executive in 2005.

That is the belief of four in every five journalists, according to a survey by the Hong Kong Journalists Association.

It found that 86.9percent of the 663 reporters, photographers, editors and management polled in April believe the situation has worsened.

That is 28.5 percentage points more than those who thought the same at the last survey in 2007.

Nearly two in five (35.9 percent) admit they or their supervisors practice self-censorship - six percentage points more than in 2007.

Nearly everyone - 92.7percent - said media coverage is being hindered because government officials exert tighter control over the flow of information.

About seven in 10 (71 percent) said self-censorship exists in the industry, as management plays down negative news of big corporations that wield strong influence over advertising (40.3 percent), information unfavorable to the central government (37percent), and news reports which tend to favor individual chief executive candidates (33.6 percent).

More than 67percent of respondents believe the central government liaison office is exerting political interference over press freedom.

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Freedom of press on wane, say journos

Hongkongers' Press Freedom Threatened By China's Creeping Influence

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An overwhelming majority of journalists say press freedom has deteriorated significantly under Chief Executive Donald Tsang’s administration, according to a recent survey. The Hong Kong Journalists Association’s latest survey on self-censorship found that 86.9% of journalists have felt a tighter grip of information by the government, a 28.5% increase from a similar survey in January 2007.

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Hongkongers' Press Freedom Threatened By China's Creeping Influence

Drought conditions force closure of 4 Ind. beaches

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by Associated Press

WHAS11.com

Posted on June 24, 2012 at 8:45 PM

Updated yesterday at 9:01 PM

BIRDSEYE, Ind. (AP) -- Four Indiana beaches have been closed this summer by DNA officials due to drought conditions.

The state Department of Natural Resources closed the beach at Patoka Lake Reservoir in southern Indiana Friday because of low water levels, the fourth beach closure by the agency caused by the drought.

The state earlier closed beaches at Salamonie Lake, 30 miles southwest of Fort Wayne, Mississinwea Lake near Peru, and Raccoon Lake near Rockville. Agency spokesman Phil Bloom says all four lakes are flood control reservoirs controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday at least 80 percent of Indiana is suffering at least a moderate drought and the state's southwestern corner has extreme drought conditions.

The dry conditions have led more than half of Indiana's 92 counties to implement open burning bans.

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Drought conditions force closure of 4 Ind. beaches

Kailua Beaches Get Free Rescue Tubes

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Kailua (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Windward Oahu Sunrise Rotarians raised money to buy rescue tube set-ups hoping to reduce drowning deaths by providing life-saving equipment at beaches.

Kane McEwen demonstrated how to use the rescue tube by simply removing two velcro straps and pulling the floating device off of a buried stake.

McEweb and other Rotary club members made their way along the Kailua shoreline installing the safety devices at locations they thought might be helpful to anyone who may need help. "Let's hope it never has to be used but if it does need to be, it's here," said McEwen.

They are hoping to follow the lead of the Rotary club on Kauai. The group there has installed over 200 of the devices. "They have five recorded full rescues with those, so much so that one man and his son were found at about a mile and a half floating with that out, outside when they finally got to him with the jet-skis and the lifeguards," McEwen said.

McEwen also said he hopes the community will take pride in the safety units. "Knowing that it's their family and friends who could possibly need it someday too," he continued.

The group did not seek approval from city or state officials for the implementation of the floatation units but say they have gotten the word out and have received positive feedback. "We had the fire department, life guards, some of our local congressmen have been in our meetings and heard about what we are doing and it sounds like we have the support of the whole community," he told Hawaii News Now.

The group says other counties are now embracing the rescue tube idea.

State officials said they would head out to Kailua on Monday to inspect the devices.

Copyright 2012 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

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Kailua Beaches Get Free Rescue Tubes

Volunteer groups tidy beaches

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Brain Physiology and the Chris Benoit Tragedy

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Before I dive right into Benoit, it is important to have an understanding of what a concussion is and how it affects people. Concussions are the most common form of brain injury, yet they are still widely misunderstood.

Concussions occur when the brain strikes the interior surface of the skull. When a persons head is rapidly moved, the brain inside moves as well. The brain is not stationary, so rapid movements cause the brain to sway inside. As the brain impacts the skull, bruises are formed, and the bruising is what concussions are, on a basic level. Once a bruise (concussion) happens on the brain, it is there forever. The brain is made up of nerve cells, and oddly enough, nerve cells do not go through cell division. Cell division is how all our other cells get repaired when they are damaged.

Now, since these cells do not get repaired, it is critical that a person not suffer more than one concussion in the same area of the brain. By injuring the same spot over and over, you begin to develop severe deficits that will affect how you live your life.

This was the problem with Chris Benoit. It is my theory that due to Benoits style of wrestling, and signature moves he performed, it was likely that he suffered multiple concussions in the same area of the brain. June 24, 2007. Wow, has it really been that long? That night, the ECW Championship was to be won by the Rabid Wolverine, Chris Benoit. At the time, we were told that Benoit would not be able to make the event. We were left a bit confused and also a bit skeptical. This announcement could easily have been a swerve, or it could have been an appetizer to a brand new storyline.

The following night on Raw, we learned that Chris and his family had died. There were more questions than answers, and we were left with a hole in our wrestling hearts. Another great talent in the business died far too early. It was not until later in the month did we find out that something had happened to Chris that made him kill his family and then himself. The mainstream media jumped all over this tragic tale, stating that steroids were what made Benoit snap. Nobody seemed to consider any other options.

At the time, I was just beginning my paramedic career, and I knew very little about brain injuries and the impact they have on the rest of your life. Now, after many more years of medical experience, I feel confident that the Benoit tragedy was because the brain in Chris head had suffered so much impact over his incredible career that he no longer was able to differentiate right from wrong, reality from fantasy.

We all know that one of Chris trademark moves was the diving head butt. Even though he would not make head-to-head contact, he would still make impact with the shoulder and chest area of his opponent. Over time, his body realized that his head was making constant impacts, and it began tosend more calcium to skull to protect it. Calcium is what our bones are made up of. The skull, which is the only bone in the body to protect the brain, built up calcium on the front of his skull. This calcium deposit, over time, provided extra strength to the bone itself so it would not develop a stress fracture.

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Brain Physiology and the Chris Benoit Tragedy

Cranberry industry wary of upcoming nutrition standards

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WASHINGTON (USA TODAY) The federal government is expected to propose new nutrition standards soon that could leave a bitter taste in the mouths of cranberry growers from Massachusetts to Wisconsin.

To address childhood obesity in America, an effort spurred by first lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative, the Department of Agriculture is finalizing guidelines for what can be sold in school vending machines, stores and a la carte cafeteria lines. Sugar is widely viewed as a target, and sweetened beverages like cranberry juice cocktail could be deemed unhealthy.

That would be unfortunate and unfair, cranberry industry officials say, because the tart, deep red fruit is loaded with nutrients and health benefits. But for consumers to avail themselves of those benefits, cranberries must be sweetened.

"Cranberries can be sweetened with anything," said Linda Prehn, a cranberry grower in Tomah, Wis., citing apple juice as an example. "But you can't eat 'em raw. They're tough to eat straight up."

Prehn, chairman of United Cranberry Growers Cooperative, a collective of 85 growers in Massachusetts, Oregon and Wisconsin in the U.S. and New Brunswick and Quebec in Canada, was among cranberry industry honchos attending the recent inaugural meeting of the Congressional Cranberry Caucus on Capitol Hill.

Prehn and others are hoping the bipartisan caucus led by Reps. Reid Ribble, R-Wis., and Bill Keating, D-Mass., and Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Scott Brown, R-Mass., can help persuade agriculture officials to make an exception for cranberry products in its nutrition standards for added-sugar products.

"Given the beneficial and scientifically proven health properties of cranberries, we believe there is a need to establish clear standards that recognize cranberries as a part of a healthy diet," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "We ask that you consider including a variety of cranberry juice and dried cranberry products in USDA's food nutrition program so that children, seniors and adults served by these programs are not denied benefits unique to cranberries."

The lawmakers sent a similar letter to the first lady, pointing out cranberries "contribute to whole body health, particularly urinary tract health and the potential to fight cancer and other diseases."

At stake is exclusion from an estimated $2.3 billion school vending machine business and an image that could have a negative impact on the marketing of cranberry products worldwide, particularly cranberry juice cocktail, industry officials say.

"If we're put into a category that says these types of products are unhealthy, we think it would be inaccurate and unfair," said Tom Lochner, executive director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association. "Lumping us in with other beverages that don't have the health benefits associated with them that cranberries do is definitely going to affect our ability to sell cranberry products."

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Cranberry industry wary of upcoming nutrition standards