Low Carbohydrate Portfolio or �Eco-Atkins� Diet

Low Carbohydrate Portfolio or Eco-Atkins Diet: "Exchange of the butter, eggs, cheese and meat in the Atkins diet for soy protein foods, other vegetable proteins including gluten and vegetable fats, nuts, avocado, olive and canola oil will result in dramatic rather than modest reductions in blood lipids with weight loss. In effect this will represent an exchange of saturated fat and animal protein for healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and vegetable proteins with significant effects on blood lipids while still encouraging weight loss."

Three Arrested on Failure to Pay State Income Tax Charges

Three Arrested on Failure to Pay State Income Tax Charges: "Two Santa Cruz County residents and one Santa Clara County resident await arraignment following their arrest on felony and misdemeanor charges of state income evasion, according to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB)."

Veggies Help Fight Stress

Veggies Help Fight Stress: "Eating vegetables on a regular basis for two weeks helped volunteers in a nutrition study reduce levels of stress-related molecules and boost their blood levels of vitamin C (Journal of Nutrition, volume 134, pages 3021-3025). "

What's In The Foods You Eat Search Tool

What's In The Foods You Eat Search Tool: "An online searchable database of nutrient content including fat, cholesterol, energy, Carbohydrate , sugar and more for over 13,000 commonly eating foods."

Interested in Losing Weight? Get practical step-by-step assistance for long-term weight control

Interested in Losing Weight? Get practical step-by-step assistance for long-term weight control: " What You Need to Know Before Getting Started. Weight loss can be achieved either by eating fewer calories or by burning more calories with physical activity, preferably both."

Are Two Antidepressants a Good Initial Treatment for Depression?

Are Two Antidepressants a Good Initial Treatment for Depression?: "While antidepressant medications are often effective in relieving depressive symptoms, at least 60% of patients do not remit with the first agent tried. This pilot study will assess whether giving two standard medications simultaneously (i.e., Escitalopram and Bupropion) is both tolerated and improves response while decreasing drop outs. This is a replication of a previous study. "

Low Carbohydrate/High Fat Diet in the Treatment of Obesity

Low Carbohydrate/High Fat Diet in the Treatment of Obesity: "The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a low calorie high fat/protein diet on body fat and body composition in overweight and obese subjects. The investigators will also test the effects of this diet on secondary outcomes such as: fluid and electrolyte balance, cholesterol, inflammation, sugar and insulin metabolism, fat hormones, blood pressure and feelings of fullness. "

Perception and Attitude Toward Estrogen Therapy Among Surgically Menopausal Women

Perception and Attitude Toward Estrogen Therapy Among Surgically Menopausal Women: "The aim of this study is to survey patient's cognition and attitude about health-related quality of life, use of estrogen, experience of menopausal syndrome, compliance of medication, experience, and satisfaction for women who underwent hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy before menopause. "

Pelvic Pain in Women with Endometriosis

Pelvic Pain in Women with Endometriosis: "This study will examine pelvic pain associated with endometriosis and explore better approaches to treatment. In women with endometriosis, uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Standard treatments - altering hormone levels to prevent endometrial tissue growth or surgically removing endometrial tissue - treat pelvic pain only temporarily. This study will investigate the role of sex hormones, immune chemicals, stress hormones, and genes in pelvic pain and determine how the nerve, muscle, and skeletal systems are involved in this pain. "

HHS Provides $1 Billion in Energy Assistance Funds to Help Low-Income Families

HHS Provides $1 Billion in Energy Assistance Funds to Help Low-Income Families: "HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the release of $1 billion in supplemental funds to states and direct grant tribes that will help families in need pay their home energy bills. These funds are administered by the Administration for Children and Families through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)."

Update:Pocket Guide to Good Health for Children

Update:Pocket Guide to Good Health for Children: "This guide was developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services."

Attorney General Lockyer Launches Task Force to Examine Human Trafficking and Forced Labor

Attorney General Lockyer Launches Task Force to Examine Human Trafficking and Forced Labor: "Attorney General Bill Lockyer this week convened the first meeting of a statewide task force to address the emerging issue of human trafficking, a crime involving captives -- many of them non-English speaking women and children -- who are forced to work against their will in sweatshops, prostitution rings, farm labor, private homes and other enterprises under deplorable conditions. "

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE HITS HOME RUN WITH UNVEILING OF BASEBALL SLUGGERS STAMPS

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE HITS HOME RUN WITH UNVEILING OF BASEBALL SLUGGERS STAMPS: "Baseball Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle, Roy Campanella, Hank Greenberg and Mel Ott are on deck to be immortalized on the 39-cent 'Baseball Sluggers' postage stamps. The stamp images were unveiled today at Mickey Mantle's restaurant in New York City and are set to be issued on July 15 at Yankee Stadium before the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox game. "

Lead Poisoning Hazard Prompts Recall of Metal Charm Bracelets

Lead Poisoning Hazard Prompts Recall of Metal Charm Bracelets: "The recalled metal charm bracelets contain high levels of accessible lead, posing a serious risk of lead poisoning to young children. Lead poisoning in children is associated with behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth retardation."

Reebok Recalls Bracelet Linked to Child�s Lead Poisoning Death

Reebok Recalls Bracelet Linked to Child's Lead Poisoning Death: "Reebok has received a report of a death caused by lead poisoning of a 4-year-old child from Minneapolis, Minn. The child reportedly swallowed a piece from one of these bracelets. "

2.1 Million Available for State Incentive Grants for Persons with Co-Occurring Substance Related and Mental Disorders

2.1 Million Available for State Incentive Grants for Persons with Co-Occurring Substance Related and Mental Disorders: "The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the availability of FY 2006 funds for Co-Occurring State Incentive Grants (COSIG). These grants will enhance infrastructure to increase the capacity to provide accessible, effective, comprehensive, coordinated, integrated, and evidence-based treatment services to persons with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. Grantees will also participate in a national evaluation of the COSIG program."

U.S. Tuberculosis cases at an all-time low in 2005, but drug resistance increasing

U.S. Tuberculosis cases at an all-time low in 2005, but drug resistance increasing: "The latest national surveillance data show that tuberculosis (TB) rates reached an all-time low in the United States in 2005, but progress to eliminate TB is slowing.1 Furthermore, the increasing occurrence of drug-resistant TB, including extensively drug-resistant cases, presents significant challenges to treatment and control of the disease both in the United States and abroad."

Deducting Costs of Refinancing Your Home

Deducting Costs of Refinancing Your Home: "Taxpayers who refinanced their homes may be eligible to deduct some costs associated with their loans. The term 'points' is used to describe certain charges paid to obtain a home mortgage.
Here are some things to remember when deducting points"

Deducting Car Donations

Deducting Car Donations: "If you donated a car or other vehicle to charity in 2005 and claim a deduction greater than $500, remember the rules for deducting that donation have changed. If the vehicle is sold by the charitable organization, the deduction claimed by the donor may not exceed the gross proceeds from the sale. "

Cyber Security Alert: Sendmail Race Condition Vulnerability

Cyber Security Alert: Sendmail Race Condition Vulnerability: "Sendmail contains a race condition caused by the improper handling of asynchronous signals. In particular, by forcing the SMTP server to have an I/O timeout at exactly the correct instant, an attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Sendmail process. "

Avian Flu Preparation Checklists

Avian Flu Preparation Checklists: "Planning for pandemic influenza is critical. To assist you in your efforts, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed the following checklists."

Frequently Asked Questions about the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule - Volume 1

Frequently Asked Questions about the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule - Volume 1: "The COPPA Rule applies to operators of commercial websites and online services directed to children under 13 that collect personal information from children, and operators of general audience sites with actual knowledge that they are collecting information from children under 13. "

Rape Statistics:Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Rape Victimization: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey

Rape Statistics:Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Rape Victimization: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey: "More than 300,000 women and almost 93,000 men are raped annually, according to the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS). Researchers found differences in rape prevalence relating to age, gender, and race/ethnicity, as well as other factors such as whether victims were first raped as minors."

OSHA Cites Team Electric of Denver for Alleged Safety Violations

OSHA Cites Team Electric of Denver for Alleged Safety Violations: "DENVER -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Team Electric Inc., Denver, Colo. for unsafe working conditions following an electrical accident at a construction site in Aurora. Proposed penalties total $115,500."

Four Defendants Indicted In Nigerian Nigerian Advance-Fee� Fraud Scam

Four Defendants Indicted In Nigerian Nigerian Advance-Fee� Fraud Scam: "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Four defendants have been indicted on federal charges of running an 'advance-fee' scheme that targeted U.S. victims with promises of millions of dollars, including money from an estate and from a lottery, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Roslynn R. Mauskopf of the Eastern District of New York announced today."

California Files Lawsuit To Block Orange County Toll Road

California Files Lawsuit To Block Orange County Toll Road: "(SACRAMENTO) - Attorney General Bill Lockyer today filed a lawsuit to block the controversial Foothill South Toll Road, which is slated to cut through San Onofre State Beach, a state park that is home to a popular surfing spot, abuts a Native American heritage site and is one of the few remaining coastal open space areas in Southern California."

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration -- Drug Free Communities Support Grant

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration -- Drug Free Communities Support Grant: "Approximately $12 million will be available for 120 grants. Budgets cannot exceed $100,000 per year. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, community-based coalitions that are legally eligible entities, have the goal of reducing substance abuse among youth, target multiple drugs and address the two major goals, and must have worked together on substance abuse prevention for a period of more than six months"

Future Fisherman Foundation -- National Fishing and Boating Education Grants Initiative

Future Fisherman Foundation -- National Fishing and Boating Education Grants Initiative: "The Future Fisherman Foundation, in partnership with The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and The National Association for Sport and Physical Education, offers the National Fishing and Boating Education Grants Initiative to incorporate quality fishing and boating programs into curriculum based K-12 physical education classes."

100th Anniversary: San Francisco Earthquake � April 18

100th Anniversary: San Francisco Earthquake - April 18: "Almost a century before Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, one of the worst natural disasters in our nation's history devastated San Francisco. On April 18, 1906, at 5:12 in the morning, "The Great San Francisco Earthquake" struck, followed by a series of catastrophic fires that burned for three days and destroyed more than 500 blocks in the heart of the city. "

Home Computer Filing Shows Strong Growth in 2006

Home Computer Filing Shows Strong Growth in 2006: "WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced today that taxpayers are continuing to e-file from home computers at a record pace, up almost 17 percent from the same period last year."

Avian Influenza Update: Azerbaijan

Avian Influenza Update: Azerbaijan On March 21, 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection had been confirmed in seven patients in Azerbaijan; five of the seven patients died.

California Issues Cease and Desist Order Against TSI Title & Escrow, Inc. for Conducting Business in State Without Proper Insurance License

The Nevada-based title company agreed to provide in excess of $860,000 in coverage on properties in El Dorado and Placer Counties, collecting over $35,000 in premiums—all while transacting business in California without a license.

National Consumers League Launches ‘Responsible Rx’ Initiative for Parents of Children with AD/HD

Washington, DC– The National Consumers League, the nation’s oldest consumer organization, today announced a new initiative for parents of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). “Responsible Rx” is designed to help parents make successful and appropriate treatment choices for their child with AD/HD, a challenging condition that leaves many parents confused about how to best help their child. Responsible Rx will provide parents tools to improve communication with their healthcare professional and better understand the risks and benefits of AD/HD medications.

U.S. Embassy and Ministry of Trade and Industry Sponsor �Lessons Learned� Seminar on WTO Accession

U.S. Embassy and Ministry of Trade and Industry Sponsor "Lessons Learned" Seminar on WTO Accession: "Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) -U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Janet Wilgus and State Minister of Trade and Industry, H. E. Ato Ahmed Tusa, on March 22 opened a one and-a-half day seminar at the Hilton Hotel on lessons learned from countries that have previously acceded to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The seminar was sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development, (USAID) in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry under the USAID Doha Project for WTO Accession and Participation. "

Expanding HIV/AIDS, TB & Malaria Services to Northern Uganda Grant Opportunity

Expanding HIV/AIDS, TB & Malaria Services to Northern Uganda Grant Opportunity: "Under this program, the recipient will be responsible for facilitating the delivery of HIV/AIDS and infectious disease (Tuberculosis and Malaria) services in the Acholi and Lango subregions in Uganda, through capacity building, technical assistance and funding. "

Vaccine and Antibody Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Vaccine and Antibody Treatment of Prostate Cancer: "This study will evaluate the side effects of a fixed dose of vaccine and GM-CSF with increasing doses of anti-CTLA-4 antibody in patients with advanced prostate cancer. "

Pain Management Techniques for Fibromyalgia

Pain Management Techniques for Fibromyalgia: "Pain management techniques may influence how the brain processes pain and may help patients with fibromyalgia (FM), a chronic pain condition. This study will train patients with FM to use pain management techniques. Investigators will use brain scanning (functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI) technology to identify changes in how a patient's brain processes pain over time."

Tackling a Weighty Problem: America�s Obesity Epidemic

Tackling a Weighty Problem: America�s Obesity Epidemic: "Increasingly, more of us are entering the ranks of those who need to shed some pounds. Today, an estimated 64 percent of all American adults are overweight or obese. And this epidemic extends to our children, our nation�s future. Nearly 9 million children aged 6 years or older, from all states, socioeconomic, and ethnic groups, are obese. A disproportionate number of them are African-American, Hispanic, or American Indian."

West North Central Household Electricity Report

West North Central Household Electricity Report: "EIA's new regional report analyzes household energy consumption in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. EIA statistics indicate that the 7.4 million households in the West North Central States consumed 0.8 quadrillion Btu of energy in 2001, about one-twelfth of the total for U.S. households."

'Debt Elimination Program' Fails to Deliver Guaranteed Lower Interest Rates

'Debt Elimination Program' Fails to Deliver Guaranteed Lower Interest Rates: "The Federal Trade Commission and the Washington State Attorney General have asked a federal judge to order Debt Solutions Inc. and three other telemarketers in Washington and Florida to stop charging consumers hundreds of dollars for a "debt elimination program" that offers a false promise of substantially reduced interest rates and thousands of dollars in savings."

Town Hall Meetings to Confront Underage Drinking in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia Communities

Town Hall Meetings to Confront Underage Drinking in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia Communities: "The Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, chaired by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in partnership with state and local agencies and organizations, is spearheading a nationwide campaign to curb underage drinking before it starts. Town hall meetings, with the theme Start Talking before They Start Drinking, are being convened on and around March 28, 2006, in approximately 1,200 communities across the country."

Town Hall Meetings to Confront Underage Drinking in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia Communities

Town Hall Meetings to Confront Underage Drinking in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia Communities: "The Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, chaired by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in partnership with state and local agencies and organizations, is spearheading a nationwide campaign to curb underage drinking before it starts. Town hall meetings, with the theme Start Talking before They Start Drinking, are being convened on and around March 28, 2006, in approximately 1,200 communities across the country."

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) - Embargo of Birds from Specified Countries

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) - Update: Embargo of Birds from Specified Countries: "Based on concerns about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus and its potential to cause illness in humans, CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have taken steps to prevent importation of birds and unprocessed bird products from countries with the virus in domestic poultry. The import restrictions do not apply to U.S.-origin pet birds which will be allowed to return upon entering a USDA quarantine facility for 30 days. The import restrictions also do not apply to processed bird products that have been rendered noninfectious. Countries affected by the CDC and USDA import restrictions are outlined in the following table:"

California Announces $8.8 Million Agreement with Time Inc. to Reform Subscription Practices, Compensate Consumers

California Announces $8.8 Million Agreement with Time Inc. to Reform Subscription Practices, Compensate Consumers: "Attorney General Bill Lockyer today announced Time Inc. (Time) will refund to consumers up to $4.3 million, and reform its practices related to automatic renewals of magazine subscriptions, under an agreement between the publisher, Lockyer and 22 other state Attorneys General."

Growth of Hispanic-Owned Businesses Triples the National Average

Growth of Hispanic-Owned Businesses Triples the National Average: "The number of Hispanic-owned businesses grew 31 percent between 1997 and 2002 - three times the national average for all businesses -according to a new report, Survey of Business Owners: Hispanic-Owned Firms: 2002 [PDF], released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The nearly 1.6 million Hispanic-owned businesses generated nearly $222 billion in revenue, up 19 percent from 1997"

AHRQ Launches New Web-Based Tool for States To Measure Performance on the Quality of Health Care Across America

AHRQ Launches New Web-Based Tool for States To Measure Performance on the Quality of Health Care Across America: "HHS� Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality today released a new interactive Web-based tool for States to use in measuring health care quality. The new State Snapshot Web tool is based on the 2005 National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR) and the 2005 National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR), originally released on January 9, and provides quick and easy access to the many measures and tables of the NHQR from each State's perspective"

Attorney General Seeks Applicants for Grants -Antitrust Settlement

Attorney General Seeks Applicants for Grants -Antitrust Settlement: "Attorney General Lockyer is soliciting applications from nonprofit organizations and public agencies for grants to benefit cancer victims or their families in California."

Deadline Looming for California Tax Shelter Resolution Initiative - Taxpayers Stand to Save Millions

Deadline Looming for California Tax Shelter Resolution Initiative - Taxpayers Stand to Save Millions: "The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) is reminding taxpayers and tax professionals that April 3, 2006, is the last day to apply for the California Tax Shelter Resolution Initiative. The initiative was announced in FTB Notice 2006-1 and follows the IRS tax shelter settlement initiative as outlined in IRS Announcement 2005-80."

USGS Announces $5.5 Million in Earthquake Research Grants Available for 2007

USGS Announces $5.5 Million in Earthquake Research Grants Available for 2007: "(Reston, Virginia) The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that it will award up to $5.5 million in National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) grants for earthquake research in 2007. Researchers interested can review the grant announcement and apply online at www.grants.gov. Applications are due May 2, 2006."

USGS Announces $5.5 Million in Earthquake Research Grants Available for 2007

USGS Announces $5.5 Million in Earthquake Research Grants Available for 2007: "(Reston, Virginia) The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that it will award up to $5.5 million in National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) grants for earthquake research in 2007. Researchers interested can review the grant announcement and apply online at www.grants.gov. Applications are due May 2, 2006."

Deaths Possibly Connected to Medical Abortion with Mifeprex Prompt Health Advisory

Deaths Possibly Connected to Medical Abortion with Mifeprex Prompt Health Advisory: "The Food and Drug Administration has been informed of two additional deaths following medical abortion with mifepristone (Mifeprex). The Agency received verbal notification of the deaths in the United States from the manufacturer, Danco Laboratories."

John Garamendi Announces Landmark Settlement with Zurich American Insurance Co. to End Practice of Paying Secret Commissions

John Garamendi Announces Landmark Settlement with Zurich American Insurance Co. to End Practice of Paying Secret Commissions: "Agreement calls for full disclosure of all commissions; California policyholders will share in related financial settlement of $172 million"

Acupuncture and Massage for Depression During Pregnancy

Acupuncture and Massage for Depression During Pregnancy: "This study evaluates the efficacy of acupuncture and massage for the treatment of depression during pregnancy. The study also examines differential effects of study treatments on delivery outcome and post partum depression. "

How to Maintain a Healthy Weight

How to Maintain a Healthy Weight: "Whether you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, it's important to understand the connection between the energy your body takes in (through the foods you eat and the beverages you drink) and the energy your body uses (through the activities you do). To lose weight, you need to use more calories than you take in. To maintain a healthy weight, you need to balance the calories you use with those you take in. No matter which results you want, eating a healthy diet and being physically active can help you reach your goal. "

Massage Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment-Related Swelling of the Arms

Massage Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment-Related Swelling of the Arms: "The purpose of this study is to examine the short-term and long-term efficacy of massage therapy alone compared to massage therapy plus compression bandaging in the treatment of breast cancer treatment-related swelling of the arms and legs. "

Mediation Week� Features Program That Returned Nearly $2 Million to Consumers Last Year

'Mediation Week'Features Program That Returned Nearly $2 Million to Consumers Last Year: "SACRAMENTO -Consumers help drive a California economy that ranks as the world's sixth largest. But what can a consumer do if a good deal goes bad? For thousands of California consumers, the answer is the Department of Consumer Affairs'Complaint Mediation Program or similar programs statewide"

Mediation Week� Features Program That Returned Nearly $2 Million to Consumers Last Year

'Mediation Week'Features Program That Returned Nearly $2 Million to Consumers Last Year: "SACRAMENTO -Consumers help drive a California economy that ranks as the world's sixth largest. But what can a consumer do if a good deal goes bad? For thousands of California consumers, the answer is the Department of Consumer Affairs'Complaint Mediation Program or similar programs statewide"