Online Features
Health & Wellness
Finding an online connection for patients with rare blood cancer, Myelofibrosis
(BPT) - When faced with a serious diagnosis such as cancer, many people immediately begin searching for information about their condition. Some go to the library to find published resources about studies, treatments and possible cures; some ask their doctors for additional resources; and many use the Internet to find in...
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Take three laps for kids' good dental health with NASCAR star Greg Biffle
(BPT) - What can a kid do in two minutes? If they want good oral health, they’ll spend that time brushing their teeth twice a day, recommends the American Dental Association. When it comes to racing, NASCAR driver Greg Biffle can do a lot in those two minutes – run three laps in his racecar, do nine pit stops or two vi...
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Mold woes? Manage moisture through better ventilation
(BPT) - Few phrases can strike fear into a homeowner’s heart as powerfully as the words “you have a mold problem.” Mold troubles in your home can cause health troubles for your family, and both issues can be notoriously difficult to resolve. It occurs everywhere in nature, but when mold begins growing indoors, it can da...
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Affected by diabetes? Important facts and developments you should know
(BPT) - A disease so prevalent that it is labeled an epidemic in America, diabetes affects nearly 26 million children and adults, according to the American Diabetes Association (the Association). As this number grows, so does the urgency of finding a cure. Health experts around the world research type 1, type 2 and ges...
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Women athletes have races geared just for them
(BPT) - Women are busier than ever these days - the latest report from RunningUSA says women account for nearly eight million U.S. road-race finishers, with the number continuing to climb. For many women, running provides an opportunity to take a break from the challenges of work, family and other stress to be their bes...
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Food for thought: Cutting back on salt may cause you to eat more
(BPT) - Our bodies naturally crave salt, a necessary nutrient, and research shows that we gravitate to the amount we need for our bodies to function properly. Salt deficiency has been linked to a host of health concerns, including insulin resistance, increased risk of heart attacks and reduced cognition. But what if eat...
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Tart cherries may help naturally manage pain [Infographic]
According to a growing body of research, tart cherries may help athletes reduce muscle damage and exercise-related pain to recover faster from a tough workout. It’s the antioxidant compounds in tart cherries – called anthocyanins – that are linked to reducing pain and inflammation, and at levels comparable to some well-known pain medications. Available year-round in dried, frozen and juice forms, tart cherries are a convenient and flavorful way to manage pain – from topping oatmeal or a sala...
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Simple ways older drivers can save money on auto insurance
(BPT) - Are your auto insurance premiums too high? Maybe they are, but not for reasons you might think. Insurance companies aren’t charging you higher premiums because you’re in an over-50 age group. You may be paying too much because you haven’t done anything to lower the cost of your premiums. Check out these money-sa...
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Do you really know who is providing your medical care?
(BPT) - Whether you’re being treated for a minor injury or undergoing major surgery, it’s likely you’ll encounter not just one, but a team of health care professionals. While having multiple professionals working to provide you with the highest quality and safest care eases some fear, it also can cause confusion. When u...
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Summer sandals: Pairing what we want with what we need
(BPT) - While stylish for men and women, you may be surprised to learn wearing most flip-flops can hurt or even injure your feet. The flip-flop, an icon of summer, has for decades been the easy choice for warm weather and weekends on the go; however, it isn’t always the most supportive or healthy choice. Though we’ve c...
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Melanoma facts [Infographic]
Melanoma is the most serious and deadly form of skin cancer, and metastatic melanoma is when the disease has spread to other parts of the body. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2013, there will be more than 76,000 new cases of melanoma and close to 9,500 deaths in the United States from the disease. Approximately half of all people with metastatic melanoma have a BRAF mutation, which is an abnormal change in a gene that can enable some melanoma tumors to grow and spread. Melan...
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Better sex for better health
(BPT) - Listen up ladies, there’s a sexual paradox. Just as you’re getting older and when - for some - sex may not be a priority, that is exactly when you need it most.  Indeed, a recent study released this May suggests as many as six in 10 women - ages 55 to 65 - avoid sexual intimacy. Yet, sexual activity is good for...
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national news

A bowl of free New York City condoms are seen in a lobby at the AIDS Service Center of New York City (ASC/NYC) lower Manhattan headquartersBy Stephanie Simon (Reuters) - Students at all Boston public high schools may soon be able to obtain free condoms at the front office - as long as they sit through a few minutes of counseling about safe sex - under a policy due to be voted on Wednesday by the school board. Condoms are already available in 19 high schools with on-site health centers. The policy, up for a vote by the Boston School Committee, would expand distribution to all 32 high schools in the system. Parents would have the right to exempt their children. Several U.S. ...


2013-06-19 14:52:05 -0500

Defense Attorney O'Mara and prosecutor de la Rionda talk as jury selection continues in George Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial in SanfordBy Barbara Liston SANFORD, Florida (Reuters) - The final round of jury selection began in Florida on Wednesday in the trial of a former neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, who is charged with the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager in February last year. Lawyers on both sides are working to whittle down a group of 40 potential jurors to form a panel of six and at least four alternates with the expectation that prosecutors and lawyers will deliver opening arguments on Monday. ...


2013-06-19 13:48:47 -0500

Handout photo of three F-35 Joint Strike Fighters flying over Edwards Air Force BaseBy David Alexander WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The theft of sensitive design data by hackers targeting programs like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter takes away a big U.S. advantage by allowing rivals to speed up development of their own stealth aircraft, a top Pentagon official said on Wednesday. Defense acquisitions chief Frank Kendall told a Senate hearing he was reasonably confident that classified information related to the development of the F-35 was well-protected. "But I'm not at all confident that our unclassified information is as well-protected," he said. ...


2013-06-19 13:41:54 -0500
NEW YORK -- Staten Island resident Donna Lokhammer can add another chore to her list: sorting through her garbage for organic waste like potato peels, coffee grounds, and chicken bones, and gathering these scraps in a bin to be put out on curb every Saturday morning. “I’m not so crazy about the size of the [...]
2013-06-19 14:29:37 -0500