The National Climate Assessment: Climate Change Impacts in the United States concludes that warmer and drier conditions have already contributed to increasing wildfire events across the western United States, and future increases are projected in some regions. Already this year, there have been over 44,000 wildfires that have damaged or destroyed almost 8.5 million acres. Long periods of record high temperatures are associated with droughts that contribute to dry conditions and drive wildfires in some areas.
USDA Secretary Vilsack recently stated, “This year, we are experiencing yet another devastating wildfire season, particularly in the drought-ravaged West. Climate change, drought, fuel buildup, insects and disease are increasing the severity of unprecedented wildfire in America's forests and rangelands, which impacts the safety of people, homes and communities. Development close to forests has also increased the threat to property, with more than 46 million homes in the United States, or about 40 percent of our nation's housing, potentially at risk from wildfire.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7607931-fema-national-prepareathon/
Last week, Jennifer Lawrence and other celebrities had indiscrete photos stolen and distributed across the Internet. It’s speculated that their accounts were accessed by a “brute force” attack—which can only be successful if their passwords were weak.
Weak passwords are a risk for businesses, too. Verizon found that 76% of all network intrusions exploit weak or stolen passwords.
To protect critical data, every employee at every business must use strong passwords (which have no fewer than 12 characters). But with an average of 14.3 apps per business, users are likely to take shortcuts by creating passwords that are easy to memorize – and easy to crack.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7286151-intermedia-appid-single-sign-on-passwords-one-click-access/
Watch this video by NRMA for top tips on motorcycle lane filtering, to keep you safe and moving on NSW roads.
NRMA offer comprehensive motorbike insurance, providing you with cover for your bike against any accidental damage, collision or crashes.
In NSW, lane filtering became legal as of the 1st July 2014. In heavy traffic on multi-lane roads, riders often filter between the lanes. It can be an efficient way to road your motorcycle when done correctly.
1. When you are lane-filtering look out for drivers on both sides.
2. Watch for body language as an indication that they are about to change lanes.
3. Get your speed right. While it may be legal to travel at 30km an hour, it may not be safe to do so.
4. Never ride to the left of a vehicle; it puts you at risk of a collision with a vehicle entering a driveway.
5. Be aware of circumstances where it is still illegal to filter lanes, this includes active school zones.
Accidents happen and if you ride a motorbike or scooter then a motorcycle insurance policy could cover someone else’s property and your motorcycle, should you have an accident.
http://www.nrma.com.au/motorcycle-insurance
Meijer announced today it is launching its new Consumer Drug Take-Back Program by installing secure in-store kiosks designed to help customers safely and properly dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs at no cost. Customers can find the easily identifiable kiosks in the pharmacy area in all 241 Meijer supercenters across the Midwest.
“Meijer is thrilled to be one of the first in our industry to provide a secure and convenient prescription drug take-back program at all stores in the communities we serve,” said Jason Beauch, Vice President of Meijer Pharmacy. “The Meijer Drug Take-Back Program allows our customers to remove the risk of an unforeseen accident occurring with expired or unused medications, while enabling them to properly dispose prescription drugs and reducing the possibility of creating a public health hazard.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8497051-meijer-consumer-drug-take-back-program/
Exact Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ: EXAS) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cologuard, the company’s noninvasive, stool DNA colorectal cancer screening test. Cologuard is the first noninvasive screening test for colorectal cancer that analyzes both stool DNA and blood biomarkers and has been proven to find 92 percent of cancers and 69 percent of the most advanced precancerous polyps in average risk patients. Cologuard, which is available through healthcare providers, offers people 50 and older at average risk for colorectal cancer an easy–to–use screening test they can do in the privacy of their own home.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7092251-fda-approve-s-exact-sciences-cologuard-screening-test-colorectal-cancer/
With September marking National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the kick-off of the 2015 NFL season, the Urology Care Foundation and the NFL have renewed their commitment to driving prostate health awareness, as well as teamed up to highlight a Public Service Announcement (PSA) focused on educating men about prostate cancer and encouraging them to take charge of their health through the Know Your Stats® campaign.
The Know Your Stats® campaign is a rallying force to connect, educate and inspire men across the country to know their prostate cancer risk and talk to their doctor about whether prostate cancer testing is right for them.
“It is important for men to know their risk and talk to their doctors so they can determine if prostate cancer testing is right for them,” said Richard A. Memo, MD, Chair of the Urology Care Foundation. “Having the tools and facts empowers individuals and their doctors to make informed decisions.”
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in America, affecting one in seven men. Odds increase to one in five if they are African American and one in three if they have a family history; however, the educational tools are making an impact. More men are talking with their doctors and getting tested, and fewer men are dying from the disease.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7365551-prostate-cancer-know-your-stats-psa/
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/
LivaNova PLC (NASDAQ:LIVN; LSE: LIVN) (“LivaNova” or the “Company”), a market-leading medical technology and innovation company, today recognizes that more than one million people in the United States with drug-resistant epilepsy continue to be treated unsuccessfully with drugs, despite the proven effectiveness of non-drug treatment options. LivaNova’s VNS Therapy®, for example, is a medical device treatment specifically designed for people with drug-resistant epilepsy that is already used by more than 85,000 people around the world.
One in three people with epilepsy has the type that is not well controlled with drugs, called drug-resistant epilepsy. For those people, prescribing more medicine is usually not the most effective option. In fact, research shows that if you haven’t found seizure freedom after your first two drugs, there is a 95 percent chance that no drug or combination of drugs will result in seizure freedom.
“Despite what we know about drug-resistant epilepsy, the majority of people affected by this condition will continue to be prescribed additional medications instead of being evaluated for surgery or seen in a specialized epilepsy facility,” said Jason Richey, president of LivaNova’s U.S. Region and general manager of the Neuromodulation Business Franchise. “This treatment gap means over one million individuals in the U.S. with undertreated epilepsy remain at risk for dangerous side effects of continued seizures, including injury, depression, memory issues and death.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7966451-livanova-vns-therapy-epilepsy/
The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), through its efforts during Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month in September and throughout the year, is working to raise awareness of the increased prevalence of the disease and the associated risk of stroke in patients living with atrial fibrillation (AFib). Today, HRS releases a new public service announcement (PSA) as part of its ongoing work to educate Americans about AFib, the most common heart arrhythmia, and how it increases one’s risk of stroke fivefold. The PSA can be viewed by clicking here.
AFib affects more than three million Americans and it is estimated that 12 to 16 million Americans will have AFib by 2050. AFib occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) fibrillate, or “quiver,” which causes a rapid, irregular heart rhythm. The normal heart rate for an adult is between 60 and 100 beats every minute. When the heart is experiencing AFib, the atria can beat over 300 times every minute.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7312151-heart-rhythm-society-afib-stroke-psa/
Wildfires are a serious risk to property and lives in every state in the country. Last year alone the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported there were 63,212 fires in the U.S. and Puerto Rico that burned 3,595,613 million acres – that’s roughly the size of Connecticut! In an effort to help raise community and homeowner awareness about preparing for wildfires, State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are working together and encouraging residents to take action during national Wildfire Community preparedness Day.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7452831-state-farm-weather-preparedness/
New data from a school asthma management program, “Building Bridges for Asthma Care,” presented today at the American Thoracic Society 2015 International Conference, show a significant decrease in school absenteeism among children with asthma from inner-city schools who were enrolled in the program. Absences dropped 11.75 percent among children enrolled in Building Bridges, compared to an increase of 8.48 percent in children with asthma not in the program.
“Building Bridges for Asthma Care” is a school-based program designed to empower nurses in participating elementary schools to ensure that asthmatic children are identified and provided care according to the National Institute of Health’s clinical treatment guidelines. The objectives of the program are addressing the risk of health disparities and asthma-related absenteeism, as well as its related impact on academic achievement for inner city students.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7506851-gsk-building-bridges-for-asthma-care/
A new survey from the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society (GUAES) finds many Americans with gout may be placing too much emphasis on diet when it comes to managing the disease and controlling painful flares. Of all the steps taken to manage gout, respondents cited changing their diet by eliminating or reducing consumption of certain foods as their top step taken (50 percent)—even ahead of taking medications to lower their uric acid levels (40 percent) and maintaining an overall healthy fitness level (33 percent). Furthermore, nearly one in three with gout incorrectly believes that the disease can be completely avoided by eliminating certain foods; and more than one in four said they would not take medications if they were making dietary changes.
“Physicians all too often see patients who believe they can successfully manage their gout with diet alone,” said N. Lawrence Edwards, M.D., a rheumatologist and GUAES chairman. “But even with extremely rigid diet restrictions, most gout patients will only be able to lower their uric acid levels slightly—not nearly enough to achieve a healthy level to control flares and reduce risk for long-term damage.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7835451-guaes-diet-survey/
