Chelsea Clinton Criticizes Bush in N.C.

clipped from apnews.myway.com Chelsea Clinton returned Monday to North Carolina, telling college students that the world will "breathe a sigh of relief" once President Bush leaves office. Clinton spoke Monday during a town hall meeting with students at North Carolina State University. She later moved on to Peace College in Raleigh to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "I think the world will breathe a sigh of relief when this president is gone," Clinton said, criticizing Bush for pulling out of various accordings, including the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. "Is a vote for Hillary a vote for Bill? No. A vote for Hillary is a vote for Hillary," she said. "I'm really proud of what my father did in the '90s, but I don't think you should vote for or against my mother based on my father." In response to a question about NASA funding, Clinton said the budgets of many scientific programs have either stayed flat or been cut. She pointed to Bush's veto of stem cell research bills.

New plan offered to seat Michigan's delegates

clipped from www.cnn.com Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak proposed a plan Monday that would apportion his state's delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Stupak, a Democrat, offered a plan that would take into account the results of the state's January primary and the total popular vote of all primary contests nationwide. Stupak proposed allotting 83 of Michigan's pledged delegates based on the January vote, and splitting the state's remaining pledged delegates and superdelegates -- 73 total -- based on the nationwide vote. Under Stupak's proposal, Clinton would receive 47 delegates based on her vote total, while Obama would be awarded 36 delegates based on that "uncommitted" result; the rest would be divided according to the nationwide popular vote total after all the primaries are completed. The Clinton campaign strongly advocated a re-vote in Michigan, but the state's legislature was unable to agree on a proposal before it adjourned earlier this month.

Experts predict record number of food stamps as economy slumps

clipped from blogs.usatoday.com Experts are predicting that the USA will soon have the greatest number of food-stamp recipients since the federal program began in the 1960s, according to The New York Times. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 28 million Americans will receive aid during the coming fiscal year. Total costs to the federal treasury are expected to hit $36 billion at that time, up from $34 billion in the 2008 fiscal year. Here are some sobering statistics from the Times story: •  One in eight Michigan residents receives food stamps. •  The number of aid recipients increased in more than 40 states between December 2006 and December 2007. •  At least six states -- including Arizona, Florida and Maryland -- posted 10% increases in just one year. •  To be eligible, a family four has to earn less than $27,560. Charleston Daily Mail s the World Food Program reported Read more about the FNS Food Stamp Program.

Winning Hearts and Minds: Gore’s Permanent Campaign

clipped from blogs.wsj.com The former vice president, concerned that Americans are preoccupied with issues like the war in Iraq, terrorism, or the economy, will launch a $300 million, three-year ad campaign this week to, as the Washington Post puts it, “[mobilize] Americans to push for aggressive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, a move that ranks as one of the most ambitious and costly public advocacy campaigns in U.S. history.” “This climate crisis is so interwoven with habits and patterns that are so entrenched, the elected officials in both parties are going to be timid about enacting the bold changes that are needed until there is a change in the public’s sense of urgency in addressing this crisis,” Gore said. “I’ve tried everything else I know to try. The way to solve this crisis is to change the way the public thinks about it.” Supporters of the Alliance for Climate Protection

Big Insurers Pay for Online Doctor Visits

clipped from blogs.wsj.com Doctors are finally starting to get compensated for online consultations with patients, but whether the practice will catch on is another story. Aetna recently took a three-state pilot project nationwide, and Cigna plans to start paying for Web visits next year, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Both companies contract with RelayHealth Patients typically pay the same co-pay whether they go to the doctor or have a Web consult. Insurers pay doctors less for the Web consult — typically $25 to $35, according to the Inquirer. But Lisa Rankin, a Florida doctor who has been using Web visits for a while, said they can substitute for simple questions that might otherwise be answered over the phone — and not reimbursed by insurance. “There definitely is a nice niche for it,” she told the Inquirer.

Lilly Launches Its First Phase III Trial for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

clipped from www.prnewswire.com Late-stage IDENTITY study of once-daily, oral agent is now enrolling patients Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has announced today the start of a Phase III clinical trial studying LY450139, an investigational gamma secretase inhibitor for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Slowing the rate of disease progression could preserve independent functioning and quality of life for Alzheimer's patients in the milder stages of the disease, potentially delaying the onset of the severe stages of the disease. LY450139 is being tested to see if it can slow the progression associated with Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting gamma-secretase, an enzyme that can create a sticky protein called amyloid beta. IDENTITY is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that will be conducted in the U.S. and 21 additional countries. information regarding the IDENTITY trial, including global recruitment sites, may be

Corporate meetings go 'topless'

clipped from blogs.usatoday.com The Los Angeles Times reports that some Silicon Valley companies are holding "topless" meetings. Workers aren't allowed to use laptops, smartphones and other handheld diversions while they're sitting or standing around the big table, the paper says. "In this age of wireless Internet and mobile e-mail devices, having an effective meeting or working session is becoming more and more difficult," Todd Wilken, a design company employee, writes, according to the paper."Laptops, Blackberries, Sidekicks, iPhones and the like keep people from being fully present. Aside from just being rude, partial attention generally leads to partial results." Since his company barred the devices, Wilken says "our meetings got a lot more productive." Is it rude to tap away during meetings?

Alzheimer's Reading Room: Vytorin Postgame: Worse Than Expected

clipped from blogs.wsj.com The discussion of that big Vytorin study at this weekend’s big cardiology meeting was harsher than expected. Industry observers had predicted that an open conversation by the experts could temper the negative image of the drug that emerged earlier this year after the study results were made public, but just the opposite occurred. The study was presented at the conference yesterday and published online in the New England Journal of Medicine. “You’ve just seen a negative trial that should change practice, especially the way we in this country have prescribed,” Harlan Krumholz of Yale told thousands of cardiologists at the meeting, the WSJ reports. The NEJM also published an editorial based on the study results, calling on doctors to prescribe Zetia (and, by extension, Vytorin), only in selected cases. Catherine Arnold of Credit Suisse called the discussion “surprisingly negative,”

New Alzheimer's Disease Survey Reveals Children of Sandwich Caregivers Assist With Loved Ones' Care

clipped from www.alzfdn.org Three In Five Caregivers Say Their Children Help Care For Loved Ones With Alzheimer's Disease Results from the third annual Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) ICAN: Investigating Caregivers’ Attitudes and Needs Survey suggest that Alzheimer’s disease care is a family affair. Most “sandwich caregivers” – the parents or guardians of children under 21 who also care for an aging parent, other relative or friend with Alzheimer’s disease – say their children are assisting with caregiving responsibilities that range from attending doctors’ appointments to feeding and dressing their loved ones. Survey results released today found that about three in five caregivers say their children aged 8 to 21 are involved in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Of the caregivers who feel they do a good job balancing the care of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and children under 21, more than one-third (36%) specifically cited support from children as a contributor to their success.

PARADE Magazine Features Smart Genetics and Alzheimer's Mirror

clipped from www.breitbart.com Magazine urges readers to participate in nationwide poll on Alzheimer's genetic testing Smart Genetics has announced that PARADE magazine is featuring Alzheimer's Mirror as part of a nationwide poll asking readers if they want to learn their risk level for developing Alzheimer's disease. To vote, visit: http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2008/edition_03-30-2008/Intelligence_Report#health.

Teva can't yet sell Alzheimer's generic (Aricept)

My mother takes Aricept at a cost of about $160 a month. A generic versions of Aricept is sure to benefit millions and dramatically cut the cost of health care.

We use to pay over $100 a month for Zocor. The generic now runs $10 a month (since July 2007).

clipped from www.businessweek.com Drug developer Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said Friday a U.S. District Court ordered Teva to tentatively refrain from selling a generic version of Eisai Co.'s Alzheimer's treatment Aricept. The tentative injunction by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey was requested by Japan's Eisai as part of an ongoing lawsuit with Teva. Teva has already gained tentative Food and and Drug Administration approval for the generic drug and could receive final approval April 26, when the mandatory stay of approval under the patent lawsuit expires. A trial date has not yet been set.

Free Online Publications Alzheimer's and Caregiving

clipped from www.niapublications.org Acute Hospitalization and Alzheimer's Disease Online Version Only AD: A Caregiver and Patient Resource List Online Version Only Caregiver Guide: Tips for AD Caregivers Online Version Only Caregiving Basics: A Resource List Online Version Only

National Institute on Aging Clinical Trials

clipped from www.nia.nih.gov The Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials Database is a joint project of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) maintained by the NIA's Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center. Here you can search a database of clinical trials on Alzheimer's disease and dementia currently in progress at sites throughout the U.S.: Search for Trials  Trials in the News  More Information: AD Clinical Trials: Questions & Answers To search further listings of clinical trials underway at the National Institutes of Health and other research institutions, go to Clinicaltrials.gov. For information about submitting a clinical trial to the ADEAR database, send an e-mail to: trials@alzheimers.org. To receive updates about new clinical trials, subscribe to e-mail alerts.

Study Finds Improved Cognitive Health among Older Americans

clipped from www.nia.nih.gov Study Finds Improved Cognitive Health among Older Americans Rates of cognitive impairment among older Americans are on the decline, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) comparing the cognitive health of older people in 1993 and 2002. Higher levels of education were associated with better cognitive health.

Alzheimer's: How to help the caregivers

clipped from www.mayoclinic.com Alzheimer's caregivers need all the help they can get. If you'd like to help, but don't know how, here are some tips. Everybody says the same thing when a friend is going through a difficult time: "Let me know how I can help." But such offers are often difficult to accept — primarily because they're not specific. It's much easier to accept concrete offers, such as: "I'm going to the grocery store. May I pick up a few things for you?" "I've got a couple of hours free tomorrow afternoon. May I sit in for you while you run a few errands?" "I made an extra big meatloaf so that I could share it with you. I brought enough to last you for several meals." "Do you need some laundry done? I can come over today and do it. Or maybe I could help you sort medical bills or do dishes." Even sending a card or making a phone call means a lot. Often visits are even better Sometimes a caregiver just needs a little contact with the outside world. Be gently persistent in your offers of help

Mayo Clinic in Alzheimer's

clipped from www.mayoclinic.com What is Alzheimer's? Resources for understanding Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's symptoms and Alzheimer's treatment, including Alzheimer's medication. Alzheimer's and other dementias Alzheimer's treatment Alzheimer's symptoms Coping with Alzheimer's care Information to help you care for someone with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's caregivers: How to cope Helping people with Alzheimer's cope

Vacation-Home Sales Plummet

clipped from blogs.wsj.com After hitting a record in 2006, sales of vacation homes declined last year as would-be buyers held off purchasing retreats, the National Association of Realtors said. Vacation-home sales fell 31% to 740,000 in 2007, from 1.07 million in 2006 Homes bought purely for investment dropped 18% to 1.35 million last year Those who did buy vacation homes last year saw more affordable prices. The median price of a vacation home was $195,000 in 2007, down 2.5% from $200,000 in 2006, according to NAR. Twenty-eight percent of vacation-home buyers made the purchase with cash.

A Future Full of Foreclosure Bidding Wars?

clipped from blogs.wsj.com Bargain-hunters are descending upon Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla., the foreclosure capital of the country, writes June Fletcher in an article in today’s Journal. In February, the southwest Florida metro area had the highest foreclosure rate in the U.S., according to RealtyTrac of Irvine, Calif., which tracks notices of mortgage default, house-auction notices and bank repossessions. One in 84 households in the area was in some stage of foreclosure last month. One homeowner’s misfortune is another’s great deal: Cape Coral buyers are snagging homes for as little as half the original asking price, according to the article. Bidding wars are breaking out for some foreclosed homes. Ms. Fletcher writes about Tim Post, a “veteran flipper,” who bought a waterfront penthouse in Cape Coral for $300,000, down from a $499,000 asking price.

Runaway health care costs — we’re #1!

clipped from krugman.blogs.nytimes.com The latest Trustees’ reports from Social Security and Medicare show, once again, that there is no such thing as Socialsecuritymedicareandmedicaid. Social Security, the subject of thousands of demands that we get “serious” and cut benefits, is doing relatively well. The real problem lies in health care costs. I am, of course, a big proponent of health care reform. But is there any reason to think that reform would curb the growth of costs? Well, I was browsing some of the charts at CMS, and thought I’d share some information from Chart 2.1. This table shows health care spending as a percentage of GDP in some major countries, 35 years ago and recently: Everybody knows that the US spends much more on health care than anyone else What I didn’t realize was just how clearly the evidence shows that the rising trend is steepest in the US. We have the biggest increase as well as the highest level. We’re #1!

Nuclear Ghosts: On Anniversary, Three Mile Island Still Haunts Industry

clipped from blogs.wsj.com As nuclear power races back into the energy agenda, it keeps getting waylaid by old ghosts. Today is the 29th anniversary of the accident at Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, when a partial core meltdown in one of the reactors led to five days of panic and 14 years of expensive clean-up. The Union of Concerned Scientists, which opposes the nuclear revival on safety grounds, invoked the accident this week: “Three Mile Island was almost 30 years ago so perhaps the industry and the NRC have forgotten about it,” said Dave Lochbaum, the director of UCS’s Nuclear Safety Project. It’s doubtful either the NRC or the industry have, but no one else has for sure. When California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he was in favor of using nuclear energy to help California meet its energy needs, he received a shower of editorial criticism. The L.A. Times, picking up on the Governor’s comments that Three Mile Island references are often just scare tactics, rebutted this week:

Pfizer Exec Arrested On Child Pornography Charges

clipped from blogs.wsj.com A Pfizer vice president has been arrested on charges of receiving, possessing and distributing child pornography. Alan Hesketh, 61, was arrested at JFK airport by federal agents Wednesday and is being held without bond, reports the newspaper The Day. Hesketh, who works on patent issues in the firm’s offices in New London, Conn., is currently on leave from the company, a Pfizer spokesman told the WSJ . The company is “cooperating fully with authorities,” the spokesman added. A call from the WSJ Law Blog to Hesketh’s lawyer wasn’t immediately returned this morning. Hesketh is accused of posing as a 28-year-old woman in online chats while trading images of children engaged in sexual acts, according to a court document filed in the case. He signed on as “Suzybibaby” from his home, as well as from an Internet address registered to Pfizer in New York.