MILWAUKEE -- after prosecutors say he took details of a cancer-fighting element that he wanted to discuss with China A specialist at the Medical College of Wisconsin is charged with espionage. Prosecutors say Huajun Zhao stole the compound, C-25, and data that led to its growth. A federal criminal problem says researchers found several hundred items related to research into C-25 on Zhao's computer. Regulators found a grant program from Zhao, created in Mandarin, claiming he discovered the element and seeking Chinese money to keep research. The 42-year-old Zhao is experiencing one count of economic espionage. A sentence posesses maximum 15 years in prison and a $500,000 great. Zhao's attorney, Juval Scott, tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (http://bit.ly/YYACHW ) that Zhao is a "talented professional accused of a significant crime."
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Regret over loss of slate roof shingles at middle school - Seacoastonline.com
Take a stroll along Parrott Avenue and you can't help but notice a disconcerting sight. The slate shingles atop our middle school are gone.
Slate is a natural sheathing. It is indigenous to the Northeast. Slate is one of the most durable of roofing materials. A slate roof will last between 125 and 200+ years, depending on the origin of the slate.
By way of comparison, the city's petroleum-based replacement will serve us for just 20 years or so, then it's off to the landfill it goes.
Notwithstanding the obvious fiscal irresponsibility of swapping out slate for an inferior material, the aesthetic consequences are just depressing. Since 1930, that massive slate roof had stood out, glistening in the sunlight after a rainfall, easily seen half a mile away. The roof was one of this historic building's most significant attributes. And it was Portsmouth's largest slate roof, by far.
If you ask them why, you'll get the predictably lame excuses. Their Web site will confuse you further with its purported commitment to "preserve the historical elements of the original building." Perhaps we should be thankful that they haven't trashed the cupola (yet).
Contrast this inexcusable blunder with the response by prior generations when faced with similar challenges. When the old high school (1898) on Islington Street was converted into senior housing, it managed not to lose the slate roof. When the old hospital (1894-1920s), the old police station (1893), and the Whipple School (1889) were converted to new uses, ditto. Walk the length of State Street and you'll see upwards of three dozen fine examples of slate roofs atop 19th-century buildings. It's not by chance that those ancient roofs remain intact.
Yet when it comes to conserving our built environment, upon which Portsmouth's economy has long been reliant, it is City Hall that is increasingly tone-deaf.
Not convinced? Look no further than the anywhere-USA development of the Northern Tier. One Herald reader recently compared it, quite aptly, to Worcester, Mass.
And what are we to make of that new cinder block high-rise on Islington Street? And the demolition of the historic Martingale on Bow Street? They are on a roll, no?
Now, I'll readily acknowledge that Mr. Jeffrey Purtell, the taxpayers' best friend, had it nailed when he reminded Herald readers that demographics do not justify doubling the size of the middle school. Go there today and you'll see that the school's entire enrollment fits quite comfortably into one half of this massive complex. The $37.5 million edifice is a grossly oversized monument to local pols who want us all to know just how much they care about education.
If educational quality was their real goal, then the money would have been better spent on things that would actually make a difference, e.g. teachers and curriculum.
Had they gone with a more modest rehabilitation of the middle school, the building might still have a slate roof. It seems that the more funds we taxpayers provide, the greater their predilection for destructive behavior.
The project's Web site boasts of their conservation of "natural resources" and adherence to sustainability standards promulgated by an outfit that goes by the acronym of NECHPS. The latter is noteworthy because a state subsidy of 3 percent of the project costs is contingent upon the city meeting those standards. The city's little roofing faux pas suggests that the decision-makers may be just careless enough to squander that opportunity.
Our self-proclaimed eco-municipality talks a good game, but it's mostly just that ... talk. Prior generations spared us the phony green rhetoric. Instead, they consistently made the common sense decision (and the sustainable one) to preserve slate roofs. Perhaps they just had more respect for the taxpayer.
Big Pharma loses key ruling over cancer drug patent - CBS News
NEW DELHI India's Supreme Court on Monday rejected drug maker Novartis AG's attempt to patent a new version of a cancer drug in a landmark decision that healthcare activists say ensures poor patients around the world will get continued access to cheap versions of lifesaving medicines.
Novartis had argued that it needed a new patent to protect its investment in the cancer drug Glivec, while activists said the company was trying to use loopholes to make more money out of a drug whose patent had expired.
The decision has global implications, since India's $26 billion generic drug industry supplies much of the cheap medicine used in the developing world.
The ruling sets a precedent that will prevent international pharmaceutical companies from obtaining fresh patents in India on updated versions of existing drugs, said Pratibha Singh, a lawyer for the Indian generic drug manufacturer Cipla, which makes a generic version of Glivec.
"Patents will be given only for genuine inventions, and repetitive patents will not be given for minor tweaks to an existing drug," Singh said.
The Swiss pharmaceutical giant has fought a legal battle in India since 2006 for a fresh patent for its leukemia drug Gleevec, known in India and Europe as Glivec.
India's patent office had rejected the company's patent application because it was not a new medicine but an amended version of its earlier product. The patent authority cited a legal provision in India's 2005 patent law aimed at preventing companies from getting fresh patents for making only minor changes to existing medicines, a practice known as "evergreening."
Novartis appealed, arguing Glivec was a newer, more easily absorbed version of the drug and qualified for a fresh patent.
Anand Grover, a lawyer for the Cancer Patients Aid Association, which has taken the lead in the legal fight against Novartis, said the ruling Monday prevented the watering down of India's patent laws.
"This is a very good day for cancer patients. It's the news we have been waiting for for seven long years," he said.
Aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, have opposed Novartis' case, fearing that a victory for the Swiss drugmaker would limit access to important medicines for millions of poor people around the world.
Gleevec, used in treating chronic myeloid leukemia and some other cancers, costs about $2,600 a month. Its generic version was available in India for around $175 per month.
"The difference in price was huge. The generic version makes it affordable to so many more poor people, not just in India, but across the world," said Y.K. Sapru, of the Mumbai-based cancer patients association.
Do digital methods help with diabetes? New record casts doubt - GigaOM
Mar. 28, 2013 - 4:27 PM PDT Mar. 28, 2013 - 4:27 PM PDT Given the amount of people with diabetes a 26 million in the U.S., with yet another third estimated to have prediabetes a itas small wonder that more businesses and startups are trying use technology to handle the situation. But a fresh report on computer-based support for those who have diabetes sees that while electronic instruments can lead to some positive results, the results be seemingly short-lived. The statement, printed in the Cochrane Library, an independent evaluator of medical research, was based on analysis 16 studies involving almost 3,600 people with diabetes. In each of the studies, the people used computers or cell phones as between one and 12 weeks part of a diabetes treatment program that lasted. The treatments in the trials included online peer support and education, digitally delivered personalized advice, setting goals features and mobile-based sugar data signals. The research found that the digitally protected plans resulted in small positive effects on blood sugar, with the interventions leading to slightly more progress, but that these effects began decreasing after half a year. Additionally, it discovered that there didnat appear to be important developments on despair, body pressure, weight or total well being. aOur assessment suggests that although popular, computer-based diabetes self-management treatments actually have limited data supporting their use,a cause analyst Kingshuk Pal, of the London-based University College London said in a statement. aThere will also be few studies considering cost-effectiveness or long-term impact on patient health.a Skeptics of extensive studies like this one mention that simply because they look at a variety of products and services of different qualities, that can make more middle-of-the-road results. Indeed, some of the more revolutionary electronic diabetes programs, likeAOmada Health,AGinger.io, andAGlooko, have shown some promise a' for example, in a recently available 230-person pilot of Omadaas diabetes prevention program, the common participant dropped 13.7 pounds after 16 months. But as more electronic purposes emerge to help patients fight and prevent diabetes and other problems, itas very important to examine their effectiveness.AAs this study stresses, real behavior change is amazingly complicated, and the methods that eventually work will undoubtedly be the ones that help patients figure out how their unique health changes could sustainably match the rest of these lives. Subscriber Information Customer Content arises from GigaOM Pro, an innovative way of market research minus the high price. Visit some of our studies a subscription.
Diabetes look after African-Americans may be enhanced - Medical Xpress
For African-Americans with diabetes, health care-promoted treatments targeting people, the health care program, or both, may improve the quality of care, according to an evaluation and meta-analysis revealed in the March issue of Diabetes Care. (HealthDay )a'For African-Americans with type 2 diabetes, health care-promoted treatments targeting people, the health care system, or both, could enhance the quality of care, based on an evaluation and meta-analysis revealed in the March issue of Diabetes Care. Ignacio Ricci-Cabello, Ph.D., from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted a thorough review and meta-analysis to identify and define health care-led interventions aimed at improving the quality of look after African-Americans with diabetes. Data from 32 posts, reporting 31 health care-promoted interventions, were included. The researchers discovered that 22 interventions targeted patients, five targeted the health care system, and four addressed both patients and the health care system. Interventions that focused patients, which mostly included culturally-adapted diabetes self-management training, linked with a 0.8 percent reduction in the proportion of hemoglobin A1c. Available evidence suggested that interventions targeting the health care system and multifaceted interventions could be effective and could increase health benefits and diabetes care. "This systematic evaluation provides evidence about the important role that medical care can play in reducing ethnic differences in African-American patients with type 2 diabetes by planning and conducting treatments aimed at this excellent purpose," the authors write. More information: AbstractFull Text (registration or payment could be needed) Journal reference: Diabetes Care Health Information Copyright A 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
More Info: Learn how to make the longitudinal adjustment of the seat
Professor gives support to lupus-sticken student - Henry Herald
Special Photo Clayton State University student Rosalynn Gresham (shown) is looking for a transplant and legal justice professor, Dr. Sarah Stein, is wanting to produce that happen by increasing consciousness in the community about her studentas issue. MORROW a Clayton State Universityas school is galvanizing support for student Rosalynn Gresham, who requires a kidney transplant. The Hampton native is struggling lupus. Gresham, 34, is one of approximately 1.5 million Americans living with the serious autoimmune disease, based on information from the Lupus Foundation of America. The inspiration reported that there are a lot more than 16,000 new cases of lupus annually across the country. Gresham was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 17. She's been on dialysis since January 2011, joining treatments 3 x a week and dividing her time between the classroom and a medical facility. She she lapsed right into a three-day coma and mentioned her kidneys failed that month. She was eventually hospitalized for a month. aIave been praying to God for an elimination donor,a Gresham wrote in an online appeal for potential contributors. Dr. Sarah Stein was one of those tested this past year to become a kidney donor and taught Gresham in her criminal justice course at Clayton State. The professor is leading efforts to get Gresham a donor. aSheas extremely bright, sheas extremely pushed to complete what she desires to do, and she's a zest forever that's unbelievable,a said Stein. aI at the very least desired to give her that hope that some body on the market is wanting, and I hope as well.a other folks will attempt Stein can host an information session April three, from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m., on Main Street on the second floor of the James M. Baker University Center. She said she hopes to boost awareness of Greshamas situation and give information regarding the testing process to be always a donor. aI experience endowed with Ms. Stein,a said Gresham. aI believe sheas an angel. I didnat know her and she didnat know me, nonetheless it made me feel better [to have her support]. Iam really happy to her.a There is an online fundraising effort for Gresham at www.giveforward.com/newlifenewbeginnings. May 30 it ends.
How to Reduce the Risk of Back Injuries During Exercise
If you're just getting started on an exercise program, or even if you are an old pro, your back is at risk for injury every time you go out there. We can't really do much without our backs and it is very important to protect it while you are exercising. If you have ever suffered from a herniated disc, pulled muscle or slipped disc, you know the pain of a back injury. Luckily, there are many techniques that you can implement to make sure that even if you're feeling the burn, your back won't.
It really is true and it does make a difference. If you're lifting weights, this is absolutely vital. Take the time to ask a personal trainer for lifting tips if you're a bit rusty or completely new. Find the right position for lifting and practice it at home. Your body will get used to the proper way to lift weights and you'll reduce your risk for injury.
It's tempting to really take it to the next level, especially when you are motivated to lose weight and you're seeing results. However, it is best to stop before you reach that wall. Try gradually increasing your workout times and never add a new exercise suddenly. Work into it, and your back will thank you.
We all know how important it is to stretch before a workout, but how many of us actually do it? In addition, how many of us actually do it correctly? Again, take the time to work with a trainer or instructor to find out which stretches you should be doing. Let them know which exercises you will be doing so that they can help you stretch the right muscles before hand. A few toe touches and leg pulls are not enough to warm up your back. You've got to focus on each part of your body and really take the time to get a good stretch in.
If you take a break or cool down during your workout, you are running the risk of injury. Even if you have already stretched once, you're going to need to get back out there and do it again. It's annoying, it's time consuming, but it's better than being flat on your back for a few weeks. Anytime you stop for more than five minutes, or if you aren't really working up to capacity, take the time to re-stretch before moving on to a different exercise.
We would all like to think we're high level athletes that can bench 350, or do 100 pull-ups. But the fact is, most of us simply can't. You've got to know your limits and you've got to listen to your body. There is no shame in doing less of an exercise or lifting a little less weight. It is much better than the alternative.