23
Mar

State of emergency declared in New York over H1N1 swine flu virus

   Posted by: Admin   in Uncategorized

Thursday, October 29, 2009

According to US health officials, New York state governor David Paterson has declared a state of emergency in the state as a result of the H1N1 swine flu outbreak.

The Associated Press news agency reports that the six-page declaration was issued because at least 75 people have died of H1N1 related illnesses in New York since April. Three have died from H1N1 related illnesses just this past week. The declaration also says that human cases of the virus are on the rise.

Paterson says he issued the declaration because “a disaster has occurred throughout New York State, for which the affected local governments are unable to respond adequately.”

The declaration will allow health officials more access to the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu shot. It will also allow for an increase in the number of vaccine doses available in the state and will allow more health care facilities to administer the vaccine, including dentists and pharmacists. Schools with health centers will also be allowed to administer both vaccines.

Despite the declaration, officials stressed that there is no reason to worry. A spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health, Claire Pospisil, said that “it [the declaration] helps us to be more prepared.”

The order came shortly after US president Barack Obama declared a national emergency last Saturday, a response to the spreading of the virus, which has now been circulated in 46 states.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=State_of_emergency_declared_in_New_York_over_H1N1_swine_flu_virus&oldid=2526377”
22
Mar

Study: Socialized Canadian surgery half the U.S. cost with same results

   Posted by: Admin   in Uncategorized

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Americans pay twice as much for heart-bypass surgery as the socialized Canadian system, with no difference in outcome, according to today’s issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine in a study funded by American drug company, Pfizer Inc.. The research found that heart bypass surgery costs an average of $10,373 in Canada, compared with $20,673 in the United States. Even though the costs were double in the United States, the rate of complications and death following bypass surgery was similar.

High administrative costs and overtreatment are usually blamed for the higher cost in the profit-driven U.S. system. Americans spent $5,635 per capita on health care in 2003, while only $3,003 was spent by Canadians. Health spending accounts for almost 15 per cent of gross domestic product in the U.S. and just under 10 per cent in Canada; while at the same time, all Canadian residents are full covered. In addition, the average Canadian lives 2 years longer than the average American.

This is one of the first studies directly comparing the costs of surgery in Canada and the United States and it reinforces the view of Dr. Mark Eisenberg, head of cardiovascular epidemiology at Jewish General Hospital in Montreal; “The conventional wisdom is that health care is much more expensive in the U.S. and the conventional wisdom is right.” by finding that Canada’s socialized system is far more cost efficient than the U.S. model.

The cost of medications used to treat bypass patients were as much as 68 percent greater in the U.S. than in Canada and the cost of a surgical bed was 36 percent greater in the U.S.. In Canada, nursing accounted for 44 percent of the treatment costs, compared with 21 percent in the U.S. and patients stayed longer in hospital following surgery in Canada.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Study:_Socialized_Canadian_surgery_half_the_U.S._cost_with_same_results&oldid=2630350”
22
Mar

Von D from “LA Ink” TV series sets world record for tattooing

   Posted by: Admin   in Uncategorized

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Realising how visual a medium tattooing is, tattoo artist Kat Von D of TV series LA Ink set a world record while raising funds to fight childhood blindness. In 24 hours, Von D tattooed 400 people with an “LA” logo, in her West Hollywood, California tattoo shop.

The December event at High Voltage Tattoo drew 1000 people in line, although only 400 could get the image emblazoned on them, for a $20 donation. Most learned of the event through her MySpace profile. In all, the funds raised will help 32,000 children’s eyesight, through Vitamin Angels.

Vitamin Angels is the only organization in the world solely dedicated to eradicating vitamin A definciency among children, with the goal of warding off youth blindness by 2020. The year 2020 is chosen because perfect vision is described as “20/20“.

First in line at the event was Jose Flores, who had camped out in front of the store since 7:15 the previous evening. Doors didn’t open until 10 am, and Flores didn’t get the tattoo until Von D was done with her friends and family, including internet celebrity Jeffree Star.

A Guinness World Records official was scheduled to attend, but was caught in a snow storm.

Katherine Von Drachenberg told the Los Angeles Times that, as a teenager, she “be at the mall and parents would grab their kids and be like, ‘Honey!’ It was like that scene in Pretty Woman, where the women on Rodeo Drive think Julia Roberts is going to shoplift. Now people just come up to me more out of curiosity — everyone from grandmas to soccer moms.”

The record setting event was filmed for LA Ink, a series that airs Tuesday nights on TLC in the United States. The series is a spin-off of Miami Ink, a series featuring Von D’s previous place of employ, before she set off on her own.

The series’ second season started last night, however that particular episode will air March 4.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Von_D_from_%22LA_Ink%22_TV_series_sets_world_record_for_tattooing&oldid=2584888”
20
Mar

How To Write An Effective Business Plan

   Posted by: Admin   in Public Relations

By Garry Neale

A good business plan doesn’t have anything to do with length, or the information covered in the plan. It’s all about the process of figuring out what your goals are and the specifics of how you’ll achieve them. If you want to know how to write a business plan, here’s some advice – keep it simple, specific, and realistic so that you can actually achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself.

Every small business needs a good business plan to get started. If you don’t have a clue where to begin, search for a business plan template to get the ball rolling. A business plan template provides an outline for a basic business plan so all you have to do is fill in the blanks, so to speak. When running a small business, it can be difficult to put all the information together – for most people using a business plan template takes some of the guesswork out of how to write a business plan, and speeds up the process. There’s no good reason not to use a business plan template if you want to.

So what are the elements of a well-written business plan? A simple plan is always best. Can you take action on everything you have planned, or are you being too unrealistic? To help your small business grow and flourish, it’s important to understand how to write a business plan that serves as a decent reflection of what you can actually accomplish if you implement the steps outlined in the plan.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MopkxDZNHMY[/youtube]

Is the plan full of specifics? You need to lay down facts and concrete objectives to make sure you know exactly what steps to take to achieve your business goals. Knowing how to write a business plan is one thing, but if you want to write a plan for your small business that won’t let you down, it’s important to take the time to seriously set down a real plan of action.

A sample plan, many of which you can find online, can help make the process easier. With a sample plan to guide you along the way, it’s possible to get the job done more quickly than if you were doing everything from scratch, without any extra guidance. Or, purchase software designed to put together a proper business plan. Business plan software is easy to use, and guides you by the hand, step-by-step, to complete the process.

A good business plan should always have a specific budget included in the financial section. This is important if you plan to ask investors or a bank for loan money, but even if this isn’t the case, it’s helpful for your own sake. Setting up a budget and planning how you’re going to take care of the financial aspect of your business will help you turn your dreams into a reality. And that’s the whole point of starting a business and writing a business plan – you want to start or continue to run a business in the best way possible, to provide a service to the public and enjoy what you do.

The exact points you include in a business plan can vary depending on your needs and your specific situation, however, there are a few main sections that should always be included in a business plan. The finances section is a must, as well as a vision statement. Of course, every business plan is different, so you have to follow your own needs when putting together a business plan for your company.

About the Author: To learn more about writing business plans, check out the Business Plan Web Site.

Source: isnare.com

Permanent Link: isnare.com/?aid=257073&ca=Business+Management

17
Mar

Explosion at earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant

   Posted by: Admin   in Uncategorized

Saturday, March 12, 2011

An explosion has been reported at Japan’s stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after its cooling system was damaged by a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit off the North-East coast of Japan on Friday. The explosion occurred at around 3:00pm local time (6:00am UTC). According to the plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, four workers were injured in the explosion.

The explosion occurred as workers were attempting to cool a reactor by injecting water into its core. Local media are reporting that the plant’s exterior walls have been destroyed and only a skeleton structure remains.

More than 45,000 residents within a 10-kilometre radius of the plant have been evacuated.

Television reports show white smoke coming from the plant. Local authorities are warning residents in the vicinity of the plant to stay indoors, turn off air-conditioners and not to drink tap water. According to Japan’s nuclear agency, radioactive caesium and iodine has been identified at the plant. Authorities speculate that this indicates that containers holding uranium fuel at the site may have ruptured and are leaking.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Explosion_at_earthquake-damaged_Fukushima_nuclear_power_plant&oldid=4628600”
17
Mar

CanadaVOTES: NDP candidate Paul Arbour in Carleton—Mississippi Mills

   Posted by: Admin   in Uncategorized

Friday, October 10, 2008

In an attempt to speak with as many candidates as possible during the 2008 Canadian federal election, Wikinews has talked via email with Paul Arbour. Arbour is a candidate in Ontario’s Carleton—Mississippi Mills riding, running under the New Democratic Party (NDP) banner.

The riding is currently represented by Gordon O’Connor, a Conservative. The Minister of National Revenue, O’Connor is up against the NDP’s Arbour, Liberal Justin Mackinnon, and Green Jake Cole. Previous MPs in the riding were Progressive Conservative, Liberal, and Canadian Alliance members. A riding since 1988, Carleton—Mississippi Mills is in the Capital region.

The following is an interview with Arbour, conducted via email. The interview has had very limited editing, to eliminate in-text mentions of website addresses, but is otherwise left exactly as sent to Wikinews.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=CanadaVOTES:_NDP_candidate_Paul_Arbour_in_Carleton—Mississippi_Mills&oldid=778888”

By Greg Garner

The internet has become one of the most desirable and instant source of information. It is also considered to be among the most reliable sources, having an edge over other sources because on the World Wide Web, you can get information about anything within just a few seconds. If you are looking for information on healthcare, for instance, you can find out loads of information very quickly. A number of websites offer absolutely free information on varieties of niches such as health conditions, diseases, therapies, and medicines.

With good research skills, you can find out about various healthcare providers and institutions to suit your needs. All you need to do is to locate the right website containing relevant content.

Some people think that information provided on Internet is fake, not based on reality, and thus contains false information and is unreliable. But still there are many of the online sites which offer reliable and authentic information about health and well being. However, it is still advisable to consult anexperienced doctor. Information provided on the Internet cannot be a substitute for a professional doctor’s advice. So it is recommended that you consult a professional for any of your health related issues. It is also advisable that you ask your doctor to recommend reliable web portals so that you can gather your desired information on health issues and advancements taking place in the industry.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSWPgFkUUeU[/youtube]

Being responsible enough about your life means that you pay attention to healthcare. This is a combination of several factors: regular doctor’s appointments and personal hygiene which serve as a prevention of disease, proper diagnoses and treatment. To have a long and healthy life, you should be informed about the different ways to take care of your body. However, sometimes it is almost inevitable that you will get sick, i.e. you cannot do anything to prevent this. In these cases, you should consult with a professional. Self-medication can cause disastrous results.

Healthcare includes three elements – primary care, secondary care and tertiary care.

— Simply explained – primary care is the care that you receive when you go to see your family physician. For instance, you may have some problems like headaches and vomiting, and you go to consult with him/her for a prescription of some pills.

— If you have serious concerns – for instance, you have felt a lump in your breast, the family physician will send you to a specialist, where you will receive secondary care. These professionals are cardiologists, surgeons or dermatologists. Most of the times they work in hospitals that are why secondary care is used as a synonymous to hospital care.

— Tertiary care is a consultation for patients who had a cancer or who had burns on their bodies and need professional support. Although these patients may be physically cured, their psyche needs to be cured as well.

Therefore, it is very essential to care of your health. With advancement in the field of medical science, there are a lot of diseases that have been already eradicated and many are being cured. It is always better to be careful as it has been said, ‘Prevention is better than cure.’

About the Author: To learn more, visit our website about

Healthcare

issues today and bookmark it to share with others!

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=1680190&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

17
Mar

Canadian nuclear reactor shutdown causes worldwide medical isotope shortage

   Posted by: Admin   in Uncategorized

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The nuclear reactor at Chalk River, Ontario in Canada was shut down on Thursday, May 14 by the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) due to a leak of heavy water. Government officials say that by Saturday the demand for medical isotopes will no longer be met, due to the shortage caused by the closure.

Medical isotopes are used in diagnostic procedures for cancer, heart disease and other medical conditions. When radioactive isotopes are injected into the body, radiologists can view higher radiation via medical imaging, enabling them to make a more accurate diagnosis.

Estimates suggest that the reactor will be shut down for approximately one month for repairs. The Chalk River Laboratories produce 33% of the international supply of medical isotopes.

Lisa Raitt, Natural Resources Minister said, “A secure supply of medical isotopes is not only an issue for Canada, it is an international issue that is being addressed co-operatively by all isotope-producing countries.”

“It may mean that if you have an elective study booked … that patient is going to be deferred and will have to wait until the situation is resolved. I’m reasonably confident that for most patients, if they’re having an acute problem, that problem is going to be dealt with – and the greater the acuity, the more likelihood it’s going to be dealt with quickly and expeditiously,” said Dr. Karen Gulenchyn, a nuclear medicine expert.

“The government of Canada is engaging international isotope producers as well as companies such as MDS Nordion, Lantheus, and Covidien, who all play key roles in securing medical isotope supply for North America,” said Raitt and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.

In December 2007, the 52-year-old reactor was shut down and the Canadian House of Common stepped in to restart the reactor.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Canadian_nuclear_reactor_shutdown_causes_worldwide_medical_isotope_shortage&oldid=1977188”

Submitted by: Manuel Forster

Many people don t realize this but maintaining your air conditioning system is vitally important. Not only can this cause a breakdown but it can also cost you more money to run in the long run. With summer finally on the horizon anyone who has air conditioning should be looking at making sure that it s clean and in good working order now. It won t be long before you want to use it and the last thing you want is to have to call out a repair man in the middle of summer.

In this article I intend to give you some tips on how to ensure that your air conditioning system is clean and in good working order. One of the main things that you should look out for is the compressor; if this is not looked after properly it s highly expensive to replace and can actually cause damage to the rest of the system as it is the heart of your air conditioning. If the refrigerant charge is not used correctly, this will cause the compressor to breakdown so; this should be your first job.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87-W7NO5E3E[/youtube]

When it comes to the outside unit, this by the way, does not apply to portable units; you have to make sure that the condenser coil is clean. If it isn t this will make your whole system work much harder at removing heat from inside the house; this means that you will have to run your air conditioning for longer and it will increase your electric bills. If you notice a sudden upturn in the amount you re spending on electric, this should be one of the first things that you check. If the problem goes unnoticed and is not checked, your air conditioning will eventually breakdown and will need a professional to repair it for you.

Another integral part of an air conditioning system is the condensate drain. This is a line in your system that deals with condensation. Of course, as you cool the air in your home or office there will be a certain amount of condensation; this is where the condensate line comes in. Every year, you must have this part of the system checked so that any build up of mould or algae can be removed in order to keep the line as clean as is humanly possible. If you ensure that this is done, you will not suffer with any overflow problems and the amount of humidity produced in your home will be kept to a minimum.

Your air conditioning system also has something called blower wheels and fan motors. It is vital that these are kept free from dirt and believe me; they really do get clogged up. When you have your air conditioning on, these fans remove dust particles in the air and can become very dirty; ensure that you have these cleaned regularly. These are just a few tips on how to keep your air conditioning clean; if you follow this advice you should be problem free.

About the Author: Putting some class in your home is not impossible through affordable Fremont Heating and Fremont Air Conditioning that will surely make you feel comfortable into your new or old house.For more information please visit this site:

myecohvac.com/heating

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=1589917&ca=Home+Management

15
Mar

Wikinews’ overview of the year 2008

   Posted by: Admin   in Uncategorized

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Also try the 2008 World News Quiz of the year.

What would you tell your grandchildren about 2008 if they asked you about it in, let’s say, 20 years’ time? If the answer to a quiz question was 2008, what would the question be? The year that markets collapsed, or perhaps the year that Obama became US president? Or the year Heath Ledger died?

Let’s take a look at some of the important stories of 2008. Links to the original Wikinews articles are in all the titles.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Wikinews%27_overview_of_the_year_2008&oldid=4641412”