Abbott announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and launch of the iDesign Advanced WaveScan Studio System. The system acts as the "brain" of the LASIK procedure, generating a high-definition scan that measures and maps irregularities of the eye that may impact vision. From these measurements, the iDesign System creates an accurate and personalized LASIK treatment plan based on the unique "blueprint" of each person’s eyes.
The iDesign System captures more than 1,200 micro readings of the eye, as well as identifying the shape of the cornea, its curvature, how light passes through the eye and pupil diameter under different lighting conditions – all in one, three-second scan that can be used to precisely correct vision.
The development of the sensor technology within the iDesign System was the result of an earlier discovery by Abbott scientists, which NASA used to accurately measure and shape the mirrors in the James Webb Space Telescope to ensure it will transmit high resolution images of deep space back to earth. The telescope is scheduled to launch in 2018.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7571951-abbott-idesign-system-3-d-eye-map/
The First Graduation Ceremony of Nazarbayev University (NU) took place on June 15, 2015. The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the Class of 2015.
Nazarbayev University, created on the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan in 2010, is fast becoming a leading research university in Kazakhstan and the region. The first cohort of graduating students consists of 446 undergraduate and graduate students. Of the 365 bachelor degree holders, 115 have been accepted to Masters and PhD programs in leading universities of the world, some 90 graduates plan to continue their studies at Nazarbayev University; more than 80 received job offers from leading national and international companies, and another 50 are interviewing with prospective employers.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7560951-nazarbayev-university-graduation-ceremony/
The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity today released a new report “Energy Cost Impacts on Families” that details the plight of American households who are significantly harmed by rising energy costs.
The study finds that on average nearly half of America’s households are bringing home $1,900 a month, less than $23,000 annually, and spending 17 percent of those hard-earned dollars on energy. Low and fixed income families, including minorities and senior citizens, are among the most vulnerable to energy price increases and frequently must make tough choices about what to do to meet energy costs.
“No one should go without food or medication to keep the lights on but that’s exactly what is taking place in millions of households across America,” said Mike Duncan, president and CEO of ACCCE. “Regulations like EPA’s calamitous Clean Power Plan will only exacerbate the economic struggles families face, making it all that much harder to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. This administration should put Americans ahead of its politically charged agenda and immediately take action to ensure vulnerable families are not harmed further by these reckless regulations.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7552751-accce-family-energy-impact-report/
A Settlement has been reached in a bankruptcy involving claims about exposure to asbestos-containing gasket and packing products. Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC, The Anchor Packing Company, and Garrison Litigation Management Group, Ltd. (“Debtors”) have filed a plan of reorganization to restructure their business and pay claims.
The products (with names like Garlock, Blue-Gard, Gylon, and Flexseal) were used in places where steam, hot liquid or acids moved through pipes, including in shipbuilding, oil refinery, chemical, paper and pulp, semi-conductor, power, and construction industries as well as in maritime/naval vessels.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7476251-garlock-bankruptcy-asbestos/
It’s normal to have uric acid in your body, but too much can increase your risk for gout – an extremely painful form of inflammatory arthritis that often presents with other health issues, including kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes and permanent joint and tissue damage. Despite this, just 10 percent of gout sufferers are being properly treated – and more than one-third have not had their uric acid checked in the past five years.
To raise awareness about the need for timely treatment for gout – including regular monitoring of serum uric acid (sUA) levels – the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society (GUAES) has introduced a new “Go for Six” campaign. The campaign urges those who have or who are at risk for gout to get their sUA levels checked every six months, and to work with their doctor to determine a treatment plan for controlling gout and keeping sUA levels to a healthy 6 mg/dL or below.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7420351-gout-uric-acid-go-for-six-campaign/
Today leading window manufacturer The VELUX Group and the social business Little Sun announce a partnership with the NGO Plan International to distribute a new solar lamp – the Natural Light solar lamp – in three African countries: Zimbabwe, Zambia and Senegal. The partnership with Plan International will deliver sustainable solar-powered light to people living off-grid in areas without electricity, through a program that involves and empowers local communities.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7519251-velux-plan-partners-solar-africa/
Companies in every part of the nation sponsor tax-qualified benefit plans to attract and retain high quality employees. The plans are designed to offer employees tax relief as they build up their retirement through 401k plans or to buy medical and dental type benefits. However, according to EisnerAmper's Pension Services Group, tax relief that benefits both the employer and the plan participants is at risk of being lost if plan sponsors fail to follow basic qualification requirements by maintaining effective internal control structures over their plans.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7461932-eisneramper-employee-benefits/
In recognition of National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day on May 9, 2015, Hill’s Pet Nutrition is encouraging pet parents to plan ahead by creating a pet emergency go-kit and following several easy tips to ensure the safety of their pets during a crisis.
“The best thing a family can do in the case of an emergency is be prepared, and that includes having a plan in place for your pets,” said Kostas Kontopanos, President of Hill’s Pet Nutrition North America. “We hope that families take into account some simple steps that will help them feel ready to respond should disaster strike.”
Hill’s recommends building a Pet Emergency Go-Kit in order to cut down on time in the event of a crisis, allowing families to focus solely on getting to safety as quickly as possible.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7481151-hill-s-pet-emergency-go-kit/
AARP Travel, a valuable resource for America's 76 million baby boomers who spend over $120 billion annually in leisure travel, today announced new insights into Multi-Generational family vacations (www.aarp.org/multigenvacation) - trips that include three generations or more, such as kids, parents, aunts/uncles and grandparents all traveling to one destination to vacation together.
The new research conducted by AARP Travel of people 45 and older offers valuable insights into multi-generational vacations including why families are going, where they're going, what they do on these family vacations, the challenges to plan them and why they create memories of a lifetime. AARP is also giving away a family vacation for six for an Alaskan cruise, Grand Canyon adventure, or Hawaiian getaway to one lucky sweepstakes winner. A daily prize drawing is also held and each day one winner will receive a gift card. Visit http://www.aarp.org/travelsweeps to participate in the sweepstakes.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7488431-aarp-travel/
A recent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) survey found that nearly 60 percent of American adults have not practiced what to do in a disaster by participating in a disaster drill or preparedness exercise at work, school, or home in the past year. Further, only 39 percent of respondents have developed an emergency plan and discussed it with their household. This is despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans live in counties that have been hit with a weather-related disaster since 2007, as reported by the Washington Post. With the number and severity of weather-related disasters on the rise, the America’s PrepareAthon! is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to take action to prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills, and exercises.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7500251-fema-national-prepareathon/
For families who have a dependent with special needs, financial planning often takes a back seat to the necessities of daily life; but it also bears an increased importance.
“April’s Autism Awareness Month offers a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of planning for families who are caring for a dependent child, sibling or spouse with special needs,” said Ruthann Driscoll, JD, CLU, CFP®, director of advanced planning at Northwestern Mutual. “Crafting a comprehensive plan that addresses the needs of the dependent with special needs — for today and for tomorrow — and balancing that with the needs of the rest of the family is essential to achieving lifelong financial security.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7422151-northwestern-mutual-autism-awareness/
The current student loan debt crisis in the U.S. is real. Total student loan debt currently stands at more than $1.16 trillion. And, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, student loans represent the highest amount of delinquent debt compared to all other forms of household debt, including mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards.
Gaining a college education has long been among the most important first steps towards obtaining a happy and prosperous life. The reality, however, is that most college graduates are starting their adult life deep in debt, and feeling stressed and completely unprepared to manage their financial lives. The good news is that the government has created programs to help borrowers reduce the burden caused by student loan debt. To learn more about these government programs, visit StudentAid.ed.gov.
Money Management International (MMI), along with other nonprofit organizations and consumer advocate groups, have taken additional steps to help struggling student loan borrowers understand their repayment plan options, find solutions for managing other debt obligations, and create realistic action plans for reaching overall financial success.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7406151-mmi-student-loan-debt/
