Roughly two and a half million Americans suffer a heart attack or a stroke each year. About 20% of these – half a million people – die in the aftermath. The proximate cause for both heart attack and stroke is a blood clot in the wrong place – a blood clot that could be prevented or minimized by anti-clot therapy if physicians knew that an attack or stroke was expected shortly. Recent findings from a research study led by Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) has identified a new blood test which has the promise of predicting heart attack or stroke weeks prior to their occurrence.

The STSI study studied endothelial cells circulating in the blood stream of heart attack patients and healthy control subjects. These cells, which line the surface of blood vessels, appeared normal when sampled from healthy subjects. However, they found that circulating endothelial cells in blood samples from heart attack patients were highly abnormal – enlarged, misshapen, and possessing multiple nuclei.

Heart attack and stroke generally begin with the rupture of pre-existing atheromas – accumulations of macrophage cells, lipids, calcium, and fibrous connective tissue that collect within artery walls. It now appears that the early stages of such ruptures produces abnormal endothelial cells which are swept away into the circulating blood. Circulating endothelial cells are therefore promising biomarkers for prediction of acute ongoing arterial plaque rupture – an event which often results in heart attack, stroke, or other circulatory problems.

“The ability to diagnose an imminent heart attack has long been considered the holy grail of cardiovascular medicine,” said Dr. Eric Topol, one of the study’s principal investigators and director of STSI. “This has been a tremendous collaboration of two institutions on the research side, three health care systems in San Diego, and a life science industry leader, which has resulted in an important discovery that may help to change the future of cardiovascular medicine.”

It is hoped that the validity and predictive ability of the new test will be elucidated in the next year or two, and that it will become part of the arsenal of cardiovascular medicine.

With over 100 million cell phone users just in the United States, cell phones are pervasive in our society.   But, are they really safe?  That question has been raised in recent days by consumer and health groups.  Cell phones do emit microwaves, and these microwaves are released close to our brains since most people hold cell phones up to their ears. So, do cell phones cause cancer?

Cell Phone Radiation
Recently, the Acoustic Neuroma Association Board of Directors released a statement indicating that cell phones are safe for users.  They say the science just isn’t there to support the fears that cell phones cause tumors.  But other studies have come to a different conclusion. To be on the safe side, here are eight ways to protect yourself from cell phone radiation:

Use a headset, Bluetooth, or other hands-free device.  Your cell phone will be safely cradled away from your ears.

Buy a cell phone that produce low levels of radiation. Find out how much radiation your cell phone emits.

Don’t clasp your cell phone to your ear.  Hold it farther away so those microwaves are directed elsewhere.

Leave the dead zones alone.  If you’re trying to get a signal where there aren’t many, just hang up and wait.  Cell phones searching for a tower emit more radiation.

Avoid “radiation shields” like antenna caps or keypad covers.  You’re only causing your cell phone to work harder again to reach the tower, thus emitting more radiation.

Let your fingers do the talking.  Text more … just avoid the risky texting behavior like texting while driving.

Limit cell phone use by your kids.  The brains of children can take in nearly twice as much radiation as the adult brain.

Become a good listener.  The most radiation is released while you’re talking and texting so try listening instead.  Your friends and family will really appreciate it as well!

One of the biggest problems in fighting the spread of AIDS has always been convincing people to have themselves tested regularly. Unfortunately, getting someone to take a trip to a clinic isn’t always easy, particularly in areas where there aren’t many options for discrete testing. In a development that could leap right over this privacy hurdle, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just unanimously approved an over-the-counter HIV test that enables people to test themselves in their own home and receive results in just 20 minutes.

The company behind the test, Orasure, has been distributing its OraQuick HIV test to doctors and medical facilities since 2004. With the stamp of approval from the FDA though, the same test could be as easy for consumers to obtain and use as a pregnancy test. There have been take-home HIV tests before, but those have involved mailing a blood sample off to a lab and then waiting several days for results.

By approving the test – which uses an easier and faster testing method – the FDA hopes to appeal to a much broader range of potential customers and help people determine whether they are HIV-positive much sooner. With government officials estimating that as much as 240,000 people in the U.S. alone do not realize they are infected, a test like this could be a huge step towards slowing the spread of the disease.

When used by medical professionals, the test has shown to be accurate 99% of the time, but a trial conducted by Orasure found that this accuracy dropped to 93% when used by average consumers. After deliberating with a panel of experts, the FDA decided the benefits of the test far outweighed this drawback. Panelists who spoke with the FDA also stressed the importance of clearly stating on the test’s packaging that a negative result does not necessarily mean a person is HIV-free.

Orasure has not revealed how much the OraQuick HIV test will cost once it appears in stores, but the professional version is currently priced at US$17.50.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in North America, while retinitis pigmentosa causes approximately 1.5 million people worldwide to lose their sight every year. Individuals afflicted with retinal degenerative diseases such as these might someday be able to see again, however, thanks to a device being developed at California’s Stanford University. Scientists there are working on a retinal prosthesis, that uses what could almost be described as miniature solar panels to turn light signals into nerve impulses.

The system consists of a camera- and microprocessor-equipped pair of goggles, and a small photovoltaic chip that is implanted beneath the retina.

The output of the camera is displayed on a miniature LCD screen, located on the inside surface of the goggles. That screen is special, however – it emits pulses of infra-red laser light, that correspond to the images it’s displaying. Photodiodes on the chip register those pulses, and in turn stimulate retinal neurons. In theory, this firing of the neurons should produce visual images in the brain, as would occur if they had been stimulated by visible light.

“It works like the solar panels on your roof, converting light into electric current,” said Dr. Daniel Palanker, associate professor of ophthalmology. “But instead of the current flowing to your refrigerator, it flows into your retina.”

Palanker’s team has created a chip about the size of a pencil point, which is thinner than a human hair, and contains hundreds of the photodiodes. These were tested using retinas from both sighted rats, and rats that were blind in a fashion similar to human degenerative blindness – the retinal neurons were still present, but were generally inactive. While the chips in the blind retinas didn’t respond to visible light (unlike those in the sighted retinas), they did respond to the near-infrared light. “They didn’t respond to normal light, but they did to infrared,” said Palanker. “This way the sight is restored with our system.”

The scientists are currently testing the technology on live rats, and state that it so far looks as if the electrical signals are indeed reaching the rats’ brains. They are now looking for a sponsor for human trials. Palanker notes that the system doesn’t allow for color vision, however, and that what vision is does provide would be “far from normal.”

While other retinal prostheses are also in development, these reportedly involve more in the way of hardware such as coils or antennas being implanted in the eye. Most of the technology used in the light-based Stanford system, by contrast, is located in the goggles.

A paper on the research was published, in the journal Nature Photonics.

The federal government plans to send an additional $85 million to states to provide rental assistance for people with disabilities living on extremely modest incomes.

Obama administration officials said Tuesday that state housing agencies may apply for the new round of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 811 program now through July.

Ultimately, the money is expected to provide rental assistance to about 2,800 people with disabilities across the country, federal officials said.

In order to qualify for the aid, individuals must earn no more than 30 percent of the median income for their area.

For the first time, housing agencies will need to partner with their state health and human services and Medicaid agency in order to be eligible for the grants. The requirement is intended to ensure that rental assistance goes toward those with the greatest need and to allow aid recipients to receive casework services so they are successful, officials said.

Advocates praised the effort for offering more people with disabilities the supports they need to live in the community.

“The Section 811 program is a lifeline for people in the disability community who want to live normal lives in society, but cannot afford the cost of even modest rental housing,” said Andrew Sperling who leads the housing task force at the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, a coalition of about 100 disability organizations.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ high-tech platform to help Veterans find jobs, VA for Vets, earned top accolades from the advertising industry for a recruitment video that paid tribute to the nation’s military.

“Our VA for Vets initiative is helping us recruit qualified Veterans into our workforce, bringing energy and insight that help us accomplish our mission,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  “It serves an important part of our commitment to Veterans – serving them as well as they have served our Nation.”

The Web Marketing Association recognized the recruitment video, “A Tradition of Serving Those Who Serve,” with awards in three categories: “Best Employment Online Video,” “Best Government Online Video” and “Best Government Online Ad.”  In addition, the 2012 Telly Awards recognized the video with the Bronze Telly for Recruitment.

The Web Marketing Association’s Internet Advertising Competition Awards were established to recognize outstanding online advertising and public relations in its various forms.  The Telly Award, founded in 1979, honors local, regional and cable TV commercials, programs, and segments, as well as online videos, programs and commercials.

“To receive recognition from the top minds in the field of online advertising is a true honor and a testament to the success of VA for Vets in the few months since the program was launched last Veterans Day,” said Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration John U. Sepúlveda.

To view the award-winning video, click here >>

With warm temperatures fast approaching, homeowners might be considering home improvements to reduce energy costs that fit an affordable budget. While there are several ways to save on energy costs, installing energy efficient windows throughout a home can be a cost effective way to save money during the hot summer months. To help consumers make an informed decision, BBB recommends becoming familiar with the benefits of energy efficient windows and hiring a trustworthy contractor to do the job.

As consumers start their search for energy efficient windows, one of the first things to look for is the Energy Performance Ratings label from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The label can help determine how well a product will perform in keeping a home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Reviewing the information contained on the label can help both contractors and homeowners compare one product to another as they make their selection.

“As with any other home improvement project, the expertise of an experienced and trustworthy contractor can make a difference on whether the project is completed on time or if the right materials are used,” said Matthew Fehling, BBB President/CEO. “Taking the time to research a contractor ahead of time, can help eliminate the headache of an unfinished project or a product that doesn’t meet your expectations.”

BBB offers consumers the following tips for purchasing efficiency windows:

Check the window’s U-Factor

U-Factor ratings indicate a window’s resistance to heat flow, which is particularly important for the winter months. Ranging from 0.20 to 1.20, a low rating indicates a better insulating value.

Look at the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

The SHGC rates how much solar radiation is admitted through the window, ranging from 0 to 1. The lower the number, the less solar heat transmitted in the house. The SHGC is useful to reduce solar heat on windows that get maximum sun exposure.

Know what VT stands for

VT stands for Visible Transmittance, which is an optical property that indicates the amount of visible light transmitted through a window. VT values are between 0 and 1 with a higher VT indicating more light is being transmitted. A VT is useful when considering the amount of light you want for a room, such as an office.

Be aware of the Air Leakage (AL) value

Heat loss and gain occurs by Air Leakage through cracks in the window assembly. The lower the AL value, the less air will pass through cracks.

Look for a high Condensation Resistance (CR) rating

Expressed as a number between 1 and 100, a CR rating indicates a window’s ability to prevent condensation formation. While this rating cannot predict condensation, it can provide a credible method of comparing the potential of various products for condensation formation.

BBB also offers the following guidelines for hiring a trustworthy contractor to buy and/or install your energy efficient windows.

Search smart from the start

Starting your search with BBB will help selecting a trustworthy contractor a lot easier. BBB provides lists of BBB Accredited contractors who have been screened to have all the required licensing. Visit www.SearchBBB.org for a list of local BBB Accredited contractors.

Avoid door-to-door window sales

Don’t fall for door-to-door contractors claiming to have left over materials from another job, even if they are cheaper. While you might pay less, it could cost you more if the work is not done correctly or the materials are low quality.

Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the products or the installation process. Understand the company’s return policy and know your products’ warranty information.

Review and understand the installation contract before signing

Make sure you understand all conditions stated in the contract, particularly in the fine print. Don’t sign the contract if your questions haven’t been answered.

Visit www.nfrc.org for more information on window label standards and regulations.