Exercise and Weight Loss: 5 Truths

Experts Weigh In on How Much Exercise Affects Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance

By Miranda Hitti, WebMD

You've heard it time and again -- to lose weight, you need to exercise and watch your diet, so that your calories burned exceed your calories consumed.

But if you've been working out and your extra pounds won't budge, you may be wondering why that seemingly simple strategy isn't working.

Don't hang up your sneakers and throw in the towel. If you do, you're going to miss out on the biggest weight perk exercise has to offer, experts tell WebMD.

Read the entire article here.

Car-Sharing: A Growing Trend But Is It For You?

There are pluses and minuses to car-sharing and on-demand rentals

By Daryl Nelson, ConsumerAffairs.com

If you’ve noticed, car-sharing companies are growing in popularity, and many find them to be a more convenient alternative to rental car agencies.

Companies like Zipcar or City CarShare are pulling in new consumers by the thousands, and the customer base is primarily made up of those who live in big cities, and don’t need a car every day. Also, a big portion of these customers just don’t want to own a car.

Rental companies like Thrifty and Budget may provide the convenience of having access to a wider selection of vehicles, and a bigger network of repair and support services, but some are also known to have really poor customer service.

Read the entire article here.

In Treatment for Leukemia, Glimpses of the Future

Second Chance: Lukas Wartman, a leukemia doctor and researcher, developed the disease himself. As he faced death, his colleagues sequenced his cancer genome. The result was a totally unexpected treatment.

By Gina Kolata, The New York Times

ST. LOUIS — Genetics researchers at Washington University, one of the world’s leading centers for work on the human genome, were devastated. Dr. Lukas Wartman, a young, talented and beloved colleague, had the very cancer he had devoted his career to studying. He was deteriorating fast. No known treatment could save him. And no one, to their knowledge, had ever investigated the complete genetic makeup of a cancer like his.

So one day last July, Dr. Timothy Ley, associate director of the university’s genome institute, summoned his team. Why not throw everything we have at seeing if we can find a rogue gene spurring Dr. Wartman’s cancer, adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia, he asked? “It’s now or never,” he recalled telling them. “We will only get one shot.”

Dr. Ley’s team tried a type of analysis that they had never done before. They fully sequenced the genes of both his cancer cells and healthy cells for comparison, and at the same time analyzed his RNA, a close chemical cousin to DNA, for clues to what his genes were doing.

Read the entire article here.

How to detect and fix a machine infected with DNSChanger

By Topher Kessler, CNET

The FBI will be closing the DNSChanger network on Monday, after which thousands worldwide are expected to no longer be able to access the Internet.

On July 9, the FBI will close down a network of DNS servers that many people have been depending on for proper Internet access. These servers were originally a part of a scam where a crime ring of Estonian nationals developed and distributed a malware package called DNSChanger, but which the FBI seized and converted to a legitimate DNS service.

This malware scam has been widespread enough that even third-party companies like Google and Facebook and a number of ISPs like Comcast, COX, Verizon, and AT&T have joined in the effort to help remove it by issuing automatic notifications to users that their systems are configured with the rogue DNS network.

If you see this or similar warnings when using Google or other services, then be sure to check your system for malware.

(Credit: CNET)

If you have recently received a warning when performing a Google search, browsing Facebook, or otherwise using the Web that claims your system may be compromised, then you might consider taking a few steps to check your system for the presence of the malware. This can be done in a couple of ways. First you can check the DNS settings in your system to see if the servers your computer is using are part of the rogue DNS network.

Read the entire article here.

Mosquitoes Remade

Scientists reinvent agents of illness to become allies in fight against disease

By Susan Milius, Science News

It’s a bit unnerving that Scott O’Neill bursts out laughing at the basic premise behind the story you are beginning to read.

He is dean of the science faculty at Monash University in Australia and lead scientist for research on developing bacteria-infected mosquitoes as a public health tool. The premise put forth was that scientists suddenly have made visible progress on a daydream that has been around for at least 50 years. Apparently, though, O’Neill thinks the “suddenly” is funny.

To the general insect-bitten public, a mosquito that fights disease instead of spreading it is the flying car of public health. Twentieth century science was supposed to create all kinds of marvels. But it’s a new millennium, cars are still grounded and mosquitoes are still dangerous. They pass along maladies, including malaria, yellow fever and dengue, that together kill hundreds of thousands of people each year, and often stump vaccine makers and drug developers. Small, frail-bodied creatures, easily knocked out of the air with the slap of a rolled-up science magazine, rank among the deadliest animals on Earth.

But now, retrofitted Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that might interrupt disease transmission are flying around freely in a wave of real-life tests.

Read the entire article here.

Safety Recalls For Saturday, July 7

Bath Petals Recalls Soy Candles

Overheating can produce fire and laceration hazards

Read the entire article here.

Twist'n Sparkle Beverage Carbonation System Bottles Recalled

iSi North America recall prompted by explosion hazard

Read the entire article here.

Fruiti Pops, Inc. Recalling Frozen Dessert Bars

Undeclared eggs in the product could make some consumers ill

Read the entire article here.

GM Recalling Chevrolet Captivas

A problem with the parking brake could cause a crash

Read the entire article here.

Volkswagen Recalling Some Audi Q5 Vehicles

A problem with the sunroof glass panel could cause it to break in cold weather

Read the entire article here.

Toyota Recalling Some 2011 Lexus Models

Accelerator pedal problem poses an accident hazard

Read the entire article here.

BI-LO Issues Class II Recall On Southern Home Brand Bacon Ranch Salad Mix & Creamy Parmesan Salad Mix

Today BI-LO announced an immediate Class II voluntary recall of two store brand products, the Southern Home Bacon Ranch Salad Mix and the Southern Home Creamy Parmesan Salad Mix. According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the reason for the recall is the potential for the product to contain small metal fragments.

DOT Construction Signs Hacked To Read 'Impeach Obama'

By Todd Walker, Channel 2 News

Several electronic road construction signs around Anchorage were hacked late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Signs that normally display closure and detour information, like the one on Minnesota Drive near 100th Avenue, were changed to read “Impeach Obama.” That particular sign wasn’t fixed until sometime between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Thursday.

It happened because DOT says it doesn't lock the boxes on the signs that hold the message control pad.

Read the entire article here.

Snow Piles Still Tower Over Anchorage in July

Melting Leftovers of Record Winter Requires Extra Work

By Ted Land, Channel 2 News

Bulldozer crews are on the clock this Independence Day, trying to break down mountains of snow, which still tower over some parts of Anchorage after a winter of record snowfall.

At American Landscaping, along C st. in South Anchorage, crews “roll” the surface of their pile every day or so, scraping off a top layer of gravel, which can insulate the snow, slowing its melt.

“I don’t know how high it is now, looks like about 80 feet,” said Glenn Ball, owner of American Landscaping, as he looked up at what he estimated to be about 280,000 cubic yards of leftovers.

Read the entire article here.

Glaxo Agrees to Pay $3 Billion in Fraud Settlement

By Katie Thomas and Michael S. Schmidt, The New York Times

In the largest settlement involving a pharmaceutical company, the British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges and pay $3 billion in fines for promoting its best-selling antidepressants for unapproved uses and failing to report safety data about a top diabetes drug, federal prosecutors announced Monday. The agreement also includes civil penalties for improper marketing of a half-dozen other drugs.

The fine against GlaxoSmithKline over Paxil, Wellbutrin, Avandia and the other drugs makes this year a record for money recovered by the federal government under its so-called whistle-blower law, according to a group that tracks such numbers.

In May, Abbott Laboratories settled for $1.6 billion over its marketing of the antipsychotic drug Depakote. And an agreement with Johnson & Johnson that could result in a fine of as much as $2 billion is said to be imminent over its off-label promotion of another antipsychotic drug, Risperdal.

Read the entire article here.

U.S. Adds Forces in Persian Gulf, a Signal to Iran

By Thom Shanker, Eric Schmitt and David E. Sanger, The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The United States has quietly moved significant military reinforcements into the Persian Gulf to deter the Iranian military from any possible attempt to shut the Strait of Hormuz and to increase the number of fighter jets capable of striking deep into Iran if the standoff over its nuclear program escalates.

The deployments are part of a long-planned effort to bolster the American military presence in the gulf region, in part to reassure Israel that in dealing with Iran, as one senior administration official put it last week, “When the president says there are other options on the table beyond negotiations, he means it.”

But at a moment that the United States and its allies are beginning to enforce a much broader embargo on Iran’s oil exports, meant to force the country to take seriously the negotiations over sharply limiting its nuclear program, the buildup carries significant risks, including that Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps could decide to lash out against the increased presence.

Read the entire article here.

Alaska Healthcare: A Breakdown of the Law and What Happens Next

Lawmakers and policy makers react to Supreme Court decision

By Jason Lamb and Abby Hancock, Channel 2 News

The Supreme Court's landmark ruling on federal healthcare reform still leaves some unanswered questions about what the decision will mean for Alaska.

In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Republican Governor Sean Parnell said it is too soon to say how the state will move forward.

"I do not intend to saddle the state's residents with the costs of that if I can allow the federal government to cover the cost for our citizens," said Parnell.

Read the entire article here.

Anchorage, Alaska - One Person Killed in Three-Vehicle Crash

Police say fatal crash happened at Lake Otis Parkway and O'Malley Road intersection.

By Abby Hancock, Channel 2 News

Anchorage police say one person was killed in a vehicle crash in South Anchorage late Sunday night. The crash happened just before midnight at the Lake Otis Parkway and O'Malley Road intersection. The driver of one of the vehicles died at the scene, according to APD.

Police say it is still unclear what led to the crash or which direction each vehicle was travelling.

"We're in the process of speaking with two of the drivers but it sounds as though there was a red light violation that occurred which then resulted in the collision, but we're still trying to sort out which vehicle was travelling which way," said Sgt. Gerard Asselin.

Read the entire article here.

Safety Recalls

Ishtex Textile Products Recalls Children's Pajamas

A violation of the federal flammability standard compels the garment recall
Read the entire article here.

Children's Lounge Pants and Boxers Recalled By Rigo International

The recall is prompted by the violation of federal flammability standards
Read the entire article here.

Exhaust Fans Sold At Lowe's Stores Recalled

A problem with the heater blades could present a fire hazard
Read the entire article here.

Spas Recalled Due To Fire Hazard

There have been nearly three dozen reports of overheating, but no injuries
Read the entire article here.

Safety Recalls

Notus Air Movers Recalled Due To Fire Hazard

The air mover/blower's internal electrical capacitor can fail and overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Read the entire article here.

TBC Recalling SUV Tires

Tread separation raises the risk of a crash
Read the entire article here.

Big Cat Recalls Bicycle Due To Crash Hazard

The possibility of a frame crack poses the risk injury to the rider
Read the entire article here.

Samuel Lawrence Furniture Recalls Sleigh Beds

Failure of the hardware holding the bed together poses a fall hazard
Read the entire article here.

Dole Fresh Vegetables Recalls Limited Number of Salads

There is a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes
Read the entire article here.

Cooper Issues Tire Recall

A tread separation problem could lead to crashes
Read the entire article here.

Del-Nat Recalling Tires

Contaminated rubber used in the tread could lead to a crash
Read the entire article here.

My Son's 15th Birthday!

This is the youngest of my four kids and today is his 15th birthday! Happy Birthday Tate! I love you.

Mom

Blood Pressure Medicine Linked To Severe Gastric Distress

Mayo Clinic doctors find olmesartan can cause nausea, vomiting and weight loss

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com

Olmesartan is a commonly prescribed medication that helps patients control their blood pressure. But Mayo Clinic researchers say it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and electrolyte abnormalities -- symptoms common among those who have celiac disease.

The findings are published online in the medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Their discovery took shape over a three year period, from 2008 to 2011. Doctors at Mayo Clinic treated 22 patients with symptoms similar to celiac disease who suffered symptoms like chronic diarrhea and weight loss. The median weight loss was 39 pounds, and one patient lost 125 pounds. Fourteen of the 22 were hospitalized because of the severity of their symptoms.

Read the entire article here.

Healthy Choice Recalls All Sizes of Liquid Gold Carrot Juice for Possible Health Risk

From FoodSafety.gov

Healthy Choice Island Blends, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA, is recalling all sizes of LIQUID GOLD CARROT JUICE including 128oz, 64oz, 32oz, and 16 oz, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness. Foodborne botulism is a severe type of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of foods containing the potent neurotoxin formed during growth of the organism.

Site link here.

Consumer Awarded $65,000 for Bank's Harassing Phone Calls

Bank kept calling even after being advised it was calling the wrong person

By Daryl Nelson, ConsumerAffairs.com

Have you ever received a continuous flow of pre-recorded phone calls? They usually come at the most inconvenient time during your day, and typically have to do with some sort of sales pitch, survey, or debt collection.

Well, a gentleman from Michigan took his annoyance to court, after receiving a slew of harassing phone calls from World Financial Network National Bank (WFNNB).

Dan Harris claimed he received 56 robo-calls to his cell phone about an outstanding debt, but Harris was the wrong person, and although he told the bank it was phoning the wrong person, the harassing phone calls didn't stop.

Read the entire article here.

Wyndham Hotels In Hot Water Over Personal Information Protection

Credit card data of hundreds of thousands of consumers compromised, millions lost to fraud

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

When you go on vacation, the last thing you want to do is be hassled with a credit card problem because someone at your hotel screwed up. But, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), that’s what’s happened to a lot of folks who stayed at Wyndham Hotels.

The FTC has filed suit against global hospitality company Wyndham Worldwide Corporation and three of its subsidiaries for alleged data security failures that led to three data breaches at Wyndham hotels in less than two years.

According to the agency, these failures led to fraudulent charges on consumers’ accounts, millions of dollars in fraud loss and the export of hundreds of thousands of consumers’ payment card account information to an Internet domain address registered in Russia.

Read the entire article here.