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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Fast Food Diet Participants Paid to Gain Weight

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are making an unusual offer: They are paying people to add fat to their own bodies by eating an extra 1,000-calorie fast food meal each day for three months.

Dr. Samuel Klein, the lead researcher in the study, wanted to do some basic research on why only some people who gain weight develop diabetes and hypertension, while others do not. It's something he said he couldn't research by feeding food pellets to lab animals.

"What you learn in rodents does not always translate to people," Klein said. "What you learn on flies and worms won't translate to people."

Fast food turns out to be a perfect food pellet replacement because it is good for measuring exactly what people are eating. The five restaurants chosen for the study were McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC.

"[Fast food restaurants] have very regulated food content," said Klein, the lead researcher of the study. "We know exactly the calories and macro-nutrient composition within fast food restaurants, so it's a very inexpensive, easy and tasteful way to give people extra calories."

There was also a cash incentive. Participants could earn up to $3,500, depending on how long it took them to reach the weight goal. They had to gain 5 percent to 6 percent of their body weight during the three-month span and then they could work to shed the pounds again. Researchers monitored their weight from week to week.

When the hospital put out an ad seeking participants, several people came forward.

Food 'Fix': Can Overeating Really be an Addiction? Watch Video

Dawn Freeman, a 50-year-old nurse who has now finished the program, started out weighing 170 pounds. She said she gained 16 pounds over the course of eight weeks.

She was compensated a total of $2,650 for her effort, including $50 to lose all the weight again, which she did with diet and walking exercise to help her get down to 162.8 pounds. The hospital guides participants through the weight loss.

Freeman said gaining weight fast -- with a doctor's persmission -- only sounds easy and even seemed easy with the first meal, a Big Mac and large fries from McDonalds.

"It was really good and you know the next night I went to Taco Bell and it was, it was wonderful," she said. "This is after I have already eaten dinner."

But Freeman eventually found out that gaining weight in a hurry was hard, something Klein predicted.

"This is not pleasant for them," Klein said. "It's not easy to stuff your face every day for a long period of time."

Freeman said she started to feel awful after two weeks, "I could hardly breathe anymore."

She is glad it's over. But another participant, Dave Giocolo, was about to find out that this experiment was not a food lovers' dream.

The 48-year-old bathroom design and supply salesman said when he heard the medical school's ad on the radio while commuting to work, he called them right away.

The St. Louis native starting weight was 249.9 pounds, with a goal of adding about 15 pounds for the study. So Giocolo, who never went without his morning McDonalds breakfast burrito, started eating quarter pounders for the sake of science.

He made so many drive-in runs that he knew the calories by heart, but around week four, those burgers and fries started to catch up with him. Giocolo said his knees and ankles started aching.

"It's getting harder to move," he said.

Metabolism is a mysterious thing. For Giocolo, the weight went on, slowly it seems. One week he actually lost about a pound. That's when researchers told him to up the quantitites. Around week 11, he said he was ready to be done with it.

Just last week, Giocolo finished the weight gain part of the study, hitting 268 pounds -- a gain of just over 18 pounds. He was compensated $3,225, and will receive more when he gets his weight back down to baseline.

Now his challenge is to lose the weight, helped maybe by the fact that he said he has lost his appetite for fast food, at least for a while.

Source: http://feeds.abcnews.com/click.phdo?i=791bb4f44114325919a67dd619bc1553

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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Should I Buy Kindle Paperwhite - Business Insider

Razer CEO wants annual Blade laptop refreshes, isn't worried about price complaints

Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan is charismatic, clearly very smart and passionate -- not a bad combination considering he's the face and voice of a major international hardware manufacturer. Razer's latest, the second-generation Blade gaming laptop, launches this week for the whopping price of $2,500, and we spoke with Min-Liang about just that. "This," he said, referencing the second-generation Blade's slim power brick, "costs seven times this," he added, pointing to a competitor's power supply. "Do we have to do this? Probably not." And that's emblematic of Razer's whole approach to the Razer Blade, as a line of gaming computers. Expensive? Yes, very. But significantly nicer and more detailed that its less expensive competition? Also yes. Also very.

As our own Sean Buckley put it in our review of their latest gaming laptop, "the Blade is a gorgeous machine." It's true -- at just 0.88 inches tall and 6.6 pounds, the new Blade is remarkably thin and light for a 17-inch laptop with enough juice under the hood to sate even the most spec-obsessed of PC gamers. But are enough gamers out there willing to trade a lower price tag for a better-looking machine? Razer and its CEO certainly think so, and they've got numbers from the first, more expensive Blade to prove it. "The original Blade was at $2,799. Back then, it was pricey, but we've been surprised at the amount of demand for that. We thought we were gonna sell out in 30 days -- we had 30 days' stock. But we sold out in 30 minutes for the first batch," he said. And, as far as pre-order numbers go for the second version, Min-Liang's confident they mean good things for the future of the Blade.

"We're getting hammered with the pre-orders for the new Razer Blade. Right now, we'll be able to ship most of the orders by September 30, fingers crossed. But we're trying to bring in as many units as possible," he excitedly explained. Min-Liang isn't too worried about offending first-gen buyers, either -- the first Razer Blade launched in early 2012 for just shy of $2,800. Less than 10 months later, the second-gen Blade is launching for $300 less with a significantly upgraded graphics card. Sure, first-gen adopters get a $500 discount on the new Blade, but the sting of early adoption is especially rough in such an instance.

Gallery: Razer Blade 2 hands-on

Continue reading Razer CEO wants annual Blade laptop refreshes, isn't worried about price complaints

Filed under: Gaming, Laptops

Razer CEO wants annual Blade laptop refreshes, isn't worried about price complaints originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/01/razer-ceo-interview-blade-2/

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Peanut butter recall includes major retailers

WASHINGTON (AP) ? A recall of peanut butter and other nut products has some of the country's largest grocery stores pulling store-brand products off their shelves.

New Mexico-based Sunland Inc. has expanded its recall of peanut butter and almond butter to include cashew butters, tahini and blanched and roasted peanut products. The company, which sells its nuts and nut butters to large groceries and other food distributors around the country, recalled products under multiple brand names last month after salmonella illnesses were linked to Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter, one of the brands it manufactures.

In addition to Trader Joe's, the recall over the past week has included some nut butters and nut products sold at Whole Foods Market, Target, Safeway, Fresh & Easy, Harry and David, Sprouts, Heinen's, Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, Giant Food of Landover, Md., and several other stores. Some of those retailers used Sunland ingredients in items they prepared and packaged themselves.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there have been 30 salmonella illnesses in 19 states that can be traced to the Trader Joe's peanut butter. No other foods have been linked to the illnesses, but Sunland recalled other products manufactured on the same equipment as the Trader Joe's product.

Some of the brand names included in the recall are Target's Archer Farms, Safeway's Open Nature, Earth Balance, Fresh & Easy, Late July, Heinen's, Joseph's, Natural Value, Naturally More, Peanut Power Butter, Serious Food, Snaclite Power, Sprouts Farmers Market, Sprouts, Sunland and Dogsbutter.

Sunland's recall includes 101 products, and several retailers have issued additional recalls including items made with Sunland ingredients.

Those sickened reported becoming ill between June 11 and Sept. 11, according to the CDC. Almost two-thirds of those who became ill were children under the age of 10. No deaths have been reported.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 hours to 72 hours after infection. It is most dangerous to children, the elderly and others with weak immune systems.

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Find Mary Clare Jalonick on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mcjalonick

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Online:

Full list of recalled items: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm320413.htm

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/peanut-butter-recall-includes-major-retailers-152639303--finance.html

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Monday, October 1, 2012

Screening for post-stroke depression inadequate and inconsistent, study finds

ScienceDaily (Oct. 1, 2012) ? Physicians are prescribing anti-depressants for stroke patients without first giving them a proper diagnosis, they are over-treating some patients, and overlooking others, according to a study presented October 1 at the Canadian Stroke Congress.

"A lot of people are being treated for depression, but we don't know if they're the right ones," says lead researcher Ms. Katherine Salter of Parkwood Hospital in London, Ontario. "This study found that 40 per cent of stroke patients were treated for depression, but most were not screened or diagnosed. Who are we treating?"

Researchers examined medical charts for 294 patients discharged from five in-patient rehabilitation programs in southwestern Ontario over a six-month period beginning in September 2010. Only three of 294 patients given an antidepressant were formally screened, assessed and diagnosed with depression first. However, 40 per cent of all patients, whether or not they were screened or assessed for the condition, received treatment for depression.

Depression is the most common mental health issue following stroke, affecting more than a quarter of all stroke patients. Depression may affect a patient's ability to participate in post-stroke therapy and is associated with slower progress in rehabilitation and longer stay in hospital.

Researchers found that 100 per cent of patients who had already been taking an antidepressant at the time of their admission to in-patient rehabilitation still received one at the time of their discharge, largely without being reassessed. "No matter what the best practice recommendations say, if you're on an antidepressant when you show up, you will not likely be screened or assessed, but you will be given more drugs," says Ms. Salter.

Conversely, the lack of formal screening and assessment for depression means that stroke patients without a history of depression or other mental illness could be overlooked for treatment.

According to the study, patients with a previous history of psychiatric illness and those with severe impairments from their stroke are more likely to receive antidepressants.

Ms. Salter emphasizes that Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care call for clear and formal steps in the diagnosis and treatment of depression.

"Depression is a serious problem for people with stroke. We need to make sure that everyone who needs treatment for depression is receiving the right help," says neurologist Dr. Michael Hill, Co-Chair of the Canadian Stroke Congress.

Lack of access to mental health care professionals, as well as "some inertia" by clinicians reluctant to change their practice, may be to blame for the failure to screen patients properly, says Ms. Salter. "We need to be able to include psychological resources as part of our health care team. These professionals should be a central, integrated part of recovery."

"Screening for depression after all strokes could result in more positive outcomes for patients and their families," says Ian Joiner, the director of stroke for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "With screening, those who would benefit from specialized medication, counselling and referral to other health professionals won't be missed."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/mind_brain/mental_health/~3/1x7Ltk965GE/121001083904.htm

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Online spying Bill C-30 threatens Canada's national security ...

Image from Charles Fettinger on Flickr

An access-to-information request from The Globe and Mail has revealed that Canada?s Communications Security Establishment has concerns about our nation?s network security. Specifically, the documents show that Huawei Technologies?a Chinese company that has become the world?s leading maker of telecom equipment?has been the subject of national security concerns.

With all these security worries in the air, it seems strange that Ottawa should continue to consider a bill that could leave Canadians? personal data less secure. Online spying bill C-30?a contentious piece of legislation that has provoked the ire of Canada?s privacy commissioners, legal experts, and wider public?could, if passed, lead to the creation of giant, unsecure registries of every Internet user?s personal data.

Introduced in the House of Commons earlier this year, Bill C-30 would require telecom providers in Canada to monitor user data, and be prepared to hand over personal information to authorities without a warrant or judicial oversight.

This on its own creates security risks: for C-30 to work, ISPs must implement and maintain both the technology and the personnel required to give authorities real-time, simultaneous access to transmissions in the form specified by law enforcement. This could also mean that telecom companies would be responsible for breaking data encryptions to facilitate use of the gathered information. This would be both expensive (note: the costs will be passed down to Canadians) and would create a security risk, as our personal data would pass through more and more people and systems vulnerable to cyber-attacks and other breaches.

With the advent of increased foreign control over Canada?s networks (i.e. one of the briefing notes uncovered by The Globe urges caution and asserts that Canada ?can?t feasibly block foreign technology?) it seems reckless to consider a bill that would weaken Canadians? control over private data. Huawei is already doing business with Canadian wireless providers, including big telecom companies Bell and Telus.

Would you feel safer under the online spying bill?

--
Tell your MP to stand against warrantless online spying ?

Source: http://openmedia.ca/blog/online-spying-bill-c-30-threatens-canadas-national-security

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Ahead of their debate, Paul Ryan takes on Joe Biden

COLUMBUS, Ohio-Less than two weeks before Paul Ryan and Joe Biden face off on the debate stage, Paul Ryan took on his counterpart on the issues of Social Security and Medicare. The GOP vice presidential nominee almost always saves his rhetorical fire for the top of the Democratic ticket but Saturday he aimed to rebut a claim the vice president made on the campaign trail in Florida Friday.

"Just down in Florida yesterday Vice President Biden was making up all new falsehoods about Social Security and taxes," Ryan said at the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance's annual banquet, an event for hunters and fishermen. "They're trying to scare people for political gain. That's unfortunately the kind of campaign that we're seeing, as I said with a president without a record to run on. Let me be very clear: There is only one person in this race threatening the health and retirement security programs of our seniors and that is President Obama. There is only one person in this race insisting on raising taxes and that is President Obama. In fact, Joe Biden himself voted to raise taxes on social security benefits and as a senator, President Obama voted to keep those tax increases in place three times."

Ryan continued saying his ticket "will never waiver in our commitment to our seniors."

"Our plans actually save these programs, they make no changes for people in or near retirement, they strengthen Medicare and Social Security for a generation," Ryan said. "And you know why we do this? Because it's a promise that was made. It's because people organized their retirements around these promises. They paid their taxes when they worked and now these benefits are due to them. And shame on the politician who wants to use this issue to try and scare seniors when those of us who are out there trying to fix this problem for my generation and my kids' generation and your kids."

Speaking at the Century Village retirement community in Boca Raton, Fla. Friday Joe Biden said the Romney-Ryan plan would raise taxes on Social Security and they would turn Medicare into "vouchercare."

"If Gov. Romney's plan goes into effect, it could mean that everyone, every one of you, would be paying more on taxes on your Social Security," Biden said. "The average senior would have to pay $460 a year more in taxes for their Social Security. Ladies and gentlemen, that's ? while these guys are ? hemorrhaging tax cuts for the super wealthy."

Biden's claim is based on a Tax Policy Center analysis that tried to explain some of Romney's economic goals - cutting taxes by 20 percent, closing undisclosed loopholes and balancing the budget. Romney's plan does not specify that he would achieve such goals by raising taxes on Social Security. When Romney unveiled his plan in 2011, he promised there would be no tax hikes on Social Security benefits.

Although the vice president accused the GOP ticket of raising taxes on Social Security, while serving in the senate he voted for President Bill Clinton's 1993 budget which raises taxes on Social Security benefits, something both the Romney and Ryan camps were eager to point out.

What Biden is referring to as "vouchercare" is Ryan's Medicare plan. Romney has said his plan for Medicare is nearly "identical" to his running mate's. Although Ryan rejects the term voucher it would replace the current Medicare system with a plan where beneficiaries would be paid an amount by the government that they would use toward private insurance premiums. Ryan's plan would not affect current seniors and although critics, including Biden, say seniors would end up paying more Ryan defends his plan saying it's the only way to save Medicare from going completely bankrupt.

Ryan and Biden's debate will take place on Oct. 11 in Danville, Ky. and it will be moderated by ABC News' Martha Raddatz. Ryan will take some time for debate prep this coming week heading to Virginia, after a bus tour through Iowa, to get ready for the face off. His debate sparring partner and Joe Biden stand-in is former Solicitor General Ted Olson.

ABC News' Arlette Saenz contributed to this report.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

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Monday, October 1, 2012