Researchers have discovered that a subtype of leukemia characterized by a poor prognosis is fueled by mutations in pathways distinctly different from a seemingly similar leukemia associated with a much better outcome. The findings from the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP) highlight a possible new strategy for treating patients with this more aggressive cancer.
The work provides the first details of the genetic alterations fueling a subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) known as early T-cell precursor ALL (ETP-ALL). The results suggest ETP-ALL has more in common with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) than with other subtypes of ALL. The study appears in the January 12 edition of the journal Nature.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/46768-st-jude-cancer-genome-sequencing-project-combat-aggressive-leukemia
If you are like most consumers, the current economic environment and has you re-thinking your holiday shopping list. And, with holiday shopping now in full effect, what better time than now to start thinking about how you can save while still getting the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Nationally recognized consumer trends expert Drew Krasny has great gift ideas to help stretch your holiday dollar. He will discuss everything from the latest trends in gift giving and how to shop on a budget to tips on how to avoid the most common holiday shopping mistakes.
The list of winners of the Institute's TOP SAFETY PICK award is longer than ever this year, with vehicles in nearly every size category the Institute evaluates earning accolades. From minicars to sedans to pickups, consumers have a record number of choices among 2012 models.
In all, 69 cars, 38 SUVs, 5 minivans, and 3 pickups earn TOP SAFETY PICK. The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on ratings in Institute evaluations. The ratings, which cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes, help shoppers pick vehicles that offer the highest levels of crash protection. Because the federal government now requires all 2012 and later passenger vehicles to have electronic stability control to help drivers avoid loss-of-control crashes, ESC no longer is a requirement to win as it was in prior years.
The winners’ circle includes 18 new recipients for 2012, while 97 models that previously qualified for the 2011 award carry over to 2012.
As the season turns from fall to winter, many holiday displays replace pop-up flu vaccine clinics. Yet flu season is not over — it has barely begun. In the 35 years that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has monitored influenza, February has been the most common month for peak flu activity, including during the 2010-2011 flu season. To share this important information and educate families around the country, Families Fighting Flu is joining the CDC once again during the annual National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) — an observance to promote the importance of flu vaccination as the single best preventative measure against this disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52236-families-fighting-flu-psa-flu-survivor-luke-duvall-flu-prevention
It still pays to play nice at work, a new Robert Half survey confirms. Nearly half (48 percent) of workers interviewed said being courteous to others can help an employee rise through the ranks. Another 41 percent said etiquette plays at least some role in career advancement.
Robert Half also has introduced new videos illustrating some of the most egregious examples of office etiquette faux pas as part of the firm’s ongoing video series, “Don’t Let This Happen to You.” The lighthearted videos, including “The Cupcake Caper,” along with advice on avoiding common blunders, can be found at www.roberthalf.com/dont-let-this-happen-to-you.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53175-robert-half-survey-and-companion-video-series-highlight-office-etiquette
Drugs are everywhere. The use of prescription painkillers has increased dramatically in recent years, and prescription drug abuse is now the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 5 million Americans misuse painkillers each month. Opioid painkillers—a class of very powerful and potentially addicting pain relievers—are the most common source of drug overdose deaths, resulting in more unintentional deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prescriptiondrugabuse/50825/
If you think that fall signals the end of heartworm season, think again. The American Heartworm Society (AHS) cautions the pet-owning public that heartworm disease is not solely a summer threat.
To help pet owners spread the word that heartworm is a year-round problem, as well as one of the most common diseases in pets, AHS created a video message that pet owners can forward to their friends. The “Is Your Pet Protected?” video emphasizes that this deadly disease is easy to prevent—but knowledge is needed to help all pet owners understand the importance of year-round protection and the importance of prevention.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52009-american-heartworm-society-urges-year-round-pet-protection
The American Kidney Fund today launches a national campaign to raise awareness about kidney disease, a serious and increasingly common condition that is damaging the health of as many as 31 million Americans. Pair Up: Join the Fight to Prevent Kidney Disease encourages women to take two simple, yet powerful actions: learn if they’re at risk for kidney disease; and spread the word about kidney disease to loved ones who also may be at risk. The launch of Pair Up coincides with the release of a national survey revealing that most Americans who care for their loved ones’ health are unaware that diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/51973-american-kidney-fund-laila-ali-pair-up-women-prevent-kidney-disease
Urgent coordinated action from national governments, medical societies and patient organizations is needed to avoid a public health crisis resulting from the tide of preventable strokes that leave many people with atrial fibrillation (AF) mentally and physically disabled or dead, every year. How Can We Avoid a Stroke Crisis in Latin America?, a report from Action for Stroke Prevention – a group of health experts from around the world - reveals the huge economic, social and personal burden of AF-related strokes across the region. Launched today at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 3rd Latin America Conference, the report proposes measures to tackle stroke in patients with AF, the most common, sustained abnormal heart rhythm and a major cause of stroke.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/strikeoutstroke/50549/
It’s an all too common tragedy: beloved pets lost or abandoned in the wake of a disaster. The Insurance Information Institute recommends that everyone have a disaster plan, but if you have pets, advance planning is key.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/insuranceinformationinstitute/51010/
Vehicles are doing a better job of protecting people in crashes, but a new crop of advanced technology aims to prevent many crashes from happening altogether. A new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) finds that one kind of advanced forward collision avoidance system is working to prevent about a quarter of the common low-speed crashes that happen in everyday commuter traffic.
The study of insurance claims found that Volvo XC60 midsize SUVs outfitted with a standard collision avoidance feature called City Safety are far less likely to be involved in low-speed crashes than comparable vehicles without the system. City Safety is designed to help a driver avoid rear-ending another vehicle in slow-moving, heavy traffic. Claims under property damage liability coverage — the insurance that pays for damage to vehicles that an at-fault driver hits — were filed 27 percent less often for the XC60 than other midsize luxury SUVs.
For more information: www.iihs.org
Released today, The Aging Myth is an explosive new book by noted scientist and anti-aging researcher Joseph Chang, Ph.D., that reveals how new genetic discoveries are challenging traditional anti-aging philosophies and helping people live younger longer. In The Aging Myth, Dr. Chang uses a conversational and accessible style to dispel common myths about aging and explains some of the latest groundbreaking research in the field.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/nuskin/50881/
