Thursday, July 31, 2008

Diverse Approaches to Alzheimer's Therapies Continue to Show Progress at ICAD

A lot of good and encouraging news continues to come out of this week's Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008.
--18-Month Data from an Extension of a Pivotal Trial of Dimebon in Alzheimer's
--First U.S. Double-Blind Phase II Clinical Trial of IVIg (Immunotherapy) in Alzheimer's
--Phase II Immunotherapy Trial with LY2062430 in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's
--Antidementia Drugs Contribute to Longer Life in People with Alzheimer's
Read More......
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Monday, July 28, 2008

New Research Shows That People With Better Physical Fitness Have Less Brain Atrophy in Alzheimer's

I have been writing about Alzheimer's and exercise on the Alzheimer's Reading Room blog for years. I believe that exercise is a key component in fighting off the devastating effects of Alzheimer's on my mother--now 92 years old.

Exercising in a gym also gives my mother an added boost by keeping her socialized. Most days my mother goes kicking and screaming to the gym. On the way out she has a smile on her face, better balance while walking, and I feel like we are fighting the good fight.

I should mention that I am also getting some obvious benefits. If you are predisposed to Alzheimer's by birth you really need to incorporate Alzheimer's into your daily return.
clipped from www.alz.org
People with early Alzheimer’s disease who had better fitness ratings had less atrophy in key brain areas associated with memory, according to research reported today at the 2008 Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD 2008) in Chicago.

This is the first time that MRI brain imaging has been used to demonstrate the connection between cardiorespiratory fitness and Alzheimer’s-related brain changes in the hippocampus, an area of the brain important for memory and spatial navigation. In Alzheimer's, the hippocampus is one of the first regions of the brain to suffer damage.

"We found that, in early-stage Alzheimer’s, cardiorespiratory fitness is correlated with regional brain volumes in key areas affected by the disease," said Honea. "This suggests that maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness may positively modify Alzheimer’s-related brain atrophy."

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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Secondary Sources: Myths, Infrastructure Stimulus, Modest Proposal

clipped from blogs.wsj.com
Cherished Myths: Paul De Grauwe of the Financial Times looks at how the current financial crisis has exploded some cherished myths.
Infrastructure Stimulus: On his Economist’s View blog, Mark Thoma extends a debate over using stimulus for infrastructure spending.
Modest Proposal: The Macro Man blog presents a modest proposal for fixing the U.S. financial crisis: sell off the states to foreign governments.
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Solar Subsidies: Is Less More?

clipped from blogs.wsj.com

The U.S. renewable-energy industry says letting the current clean-energy tax credits lapse will cripple the industry and kill hundreds of thousands of jobs. Even foreign clean-tech types like Vestas, the big Danish wind turbine maker, bemoan America’s short-term approach. Al Gore’s call for an “energy revolution” would require big and lasting support for clean energy that isn’t there yet.

SilverLIning_art_200h_20080723115600.jpg

But guess what? While Europe’s flirtation with smaller solar-power subsidies is spooking the sector, the impending demise of subsidies for solar power in the U.S. is driving a last-minute stampede. The subsidies’ renewal is still on Congress’ wish list after several failed shots at renewal.

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The New Financial Rally — Is It Real?

I caught this at MarketBeat. Gives a sense of what is going on out there. Read more by following the link.
clipped from blogs.wsj.com
The catalyst in Wednesday’s action appears to be word that President Bush will sign Congress’s housing bill, which solidifies support for the mortgage guarantors
that, though, other major banks are gaining ground, including Wachovia Corp., which is up 6.2% after a 29% gain Tuesday on the back of a quarterly report which detailed major losses at the Charlotte-based firm.
bkx_art_200_20080723114106.jpg
The banking stocks have put together a nice rally. In context, it seems mild.

The Philadelphia Stock Exchange/KBW Bank Index was lately up 1% and has gained 41% in six sessions. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision to crack down on “naked” short-selling has contributed to the improvement, as have better-than-expected-but-still-sorta-lousy earnings from banks includingCitigroup Inc., Wachovia and Washington Mutual Inc.

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Monday, July 21, 2008

Obama's paid staff dwarfing McCain's

clipped from www.boston.com

Behind the headlines about the unprecedented success of Democrat Barack Obama's fund-raising machine lies a more prosaic truth - his campaign will need every penny of its $300 million goal to bankroll an unprecedented 50-state general election campaign with a massive army on the ground.

His campaign already has by far the largest full-time paid staff in presidential campaign history, and unlike Republican rival John McCain's, continues to grow by the day.

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Thursday, July 17, 2008

Is Obama ready to be chief?

clipped from www.msnbc.msn.com
Back in January, I argued that the outcome of the Democratic nomination hinged on one question: To what extent can Barack Obama reassure primary and caucus voters that he is ready to be their president? Now, nearly five months later, the answer may determine the outcome of the general election.
  Obama heads to Europe, Mideast
July 17: Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is heading on a five-country European and Middle East tour. NBC’s chief White House correspondent, David Gregory, reports.
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Gore pitches 10-year shift to clean energy

clipped from www.msnbc.msn.com
Just as John F. Kennedy set his sights on the moon, Al Gore is challenging the nation to produce every kilowatt of electricity through wind, sun and other climate-friendly energy sources within 10 years, an audacious goal he hopes the next president will embrace.
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In the post, "Crazy Money: Wells Fargo Options Rocket," Matt Nesto reported that the August $27.50 call contract gained:

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In the post, "Crazy Money: Wells Fargo Options Rocket," Matt Nesto reported that the August $27.50 call contract gained:

Stagflation fears; High oil prices help U.S. foes

clipped from blogs.usatoday.com

Good morning. It's Thursday.

The Washington Post
describes mounting concerns about "stagflation" while The New York Times reports that oil prices fell yesterday because of "concerns about a slowing economy and rising inflation."

“The U.S. economy is becoming weaker and is unable to sustain oil consumption at these prices,” James Crandell, a commodity analyst, tells the Times. “But it is still too early to call this a tipping point because of some major risks we might face this summer, like hurricanes or geopolitical events.”

Thanks to high oil prices, the Los Angeles Times says the economic climate is a lot more favorable "in countries whose leaders are most hostile to the United States: Venezuela's populist President Hugo Chavez, Iran's stringent Islamic rulers and Russia's growing autocracy."

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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

informationpreneur: According to the Featured Slideshow, "10 World Famous Gemstones", which ruler owned the "cursed" Koh-i-Noor diamond?

informationpreneur: According to the Featured Slideshow, "10 World Famous Gemstones", which ruler owned the "cursed" Koh-i-Noor diamond?

Obama Leads by 8 Points In Poll


Sen. Barack Obama holds his biggest advantage of the presidential campaign as the candidate best prepared to fix the nation's ailing economy, but lingering concerns about his readiness to handle international crises are keeping the race competitive, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

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According to the Stock Blog post, "Stocks That Gain on Hurricanes"

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informationpreneur: According to the Stock Blog post, "Stocks That Gain on Hurricanes"

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Web Video Hunt: In Monday's CNBC.com video, "Commodities Explosion", which precious-metals play was John Roque's pick?

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The Call
Web Video Hunt: In Monday's CNBC.com video, "Commodities Explosion", which precious-metals play was John Roque's pick?
Answer: GoldCorp.






Was Jimmy Carter an energy prophet?

As I listen to President Bush suggesting that Americans turn down their thermostat and use less gasoline I have to ask myself, Was Jimmy Carter a prophet??

Most people don't know it but Jimmy Carter wanted to set a goal of obtaining 20 percent of our energy from solar power by the year 2000.
clipped from www.ajc.com

Can we now acknowledge that Jimmy Carter was right all those years ago?

Americans, who hate to be told they must change, roundly condemned Carter's memorable "Crisis of Confidence" speech of July 15, 1979. In it, Carter outlined a program for achieving energy independence: "On the battlefield of energy we can win for our nation a new confidence, and we can seize control again of our common destiny."

He was right in seeking to raise the fleet auto mileage standard to 48 miles per gallon by 1995. (Even U.S. automakers admitted at the time that they could easily achieve 30 mpg by 1985.)

Carter was right in exhorting Americans to turn down their thermostats, even if he did look nerdy in a cardigan while urging us to do so.

In his July 1979 speech, he was right when he said, "I am tonight setting a clear goal for the energy policy of the United States. Beginning this moment, this nation will never use more foreign oil than we did in 1977 —- never." That worthy goal quickly went by the board.

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Obama Wants Tax Credit for Small Firms Offering Coverage

clipped from blogs.wsj.com

Barack Obama shed some new light on his health-care proposals this weekend, suggesting a $6 billion-a-year plan to offer tax credits to small businesses offering health insurance to employees.

Our Washington Wire blog notes that Hillary Clinton had made a similar proposal for small businesses, whose problems providing health insurance are among the biggest hurdles to universal coverage. The big annual Kaiser Family Foundation survey on employee health benefits found that 59% of firms with 3-199 workers offered health benefits in 2007, compared with 99% of firms with 200 or more workers. The issue was more dire for firms with 3-9 employees, where 45% offered coverage.

obama_art_257_20080714110147.jpg
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In the Stock Blog post, "Five-Star Picks: Fuel and Fertilizer", which stock supposedly has "at least 50 percent upside"?

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informationpreneur: In the Stock Blog post, "Five-Star Picks: Fuel and Fertilizer", which stock supposedly has "at least 50 percent upside"?

Friday, July 11, 2008

CNBC fans know Texas topped our Top States for Business 2008 list. But which state won for cost of doing business?

EF Hutton: Final CNBC Bonus Bucks Answers for Friday, July 11, 2008

In the Thursday Stock Blog post, Three New Energy ETFs You Should Know, which one was NOT on the list?

Power Lunch
In the Thursday Stock Blog post, Three New Energy ETFs You Should Know, which one was NOT on the list? Answer: Dynamic Energy Exploration

In the Fast Money post, Fallen Foreign Buys, which emerging-market ticker does trader Tim Seymour actually like?

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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Is the Hindenburg Omen forecasting a Stock Market Crash?

Follow the link in the clip for criteria and details.
Stock traders are talking up the Hindenburg Omen. Is the Hindenburg Omen forecasting a stock market crash?
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In a spooky Two-Way Street blog post on "omens," CNBC.com's Allen Wastler refers to which paranormal concept?

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EF Hutton: In a spooky Two-Way Street blog post on "omens," CNBC.com's Allen Wastler refers to which paranormal concept?


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In CNBC's "Top States for Business 2008," Texas is No. 1. Which state won the Most Improved State for Business title?

Squawk Box
In CNBC's "Top States for Business 2008," Texas is No. 1. Which state won the Most Improved State for Business title? Answer: Indiana

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

In a July 8 feature, Boone Pickens told CNBC he's sticking with $150 oil for 2008. But where did Lehman Bros. see oil?

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EF Hutton: Final CNBC Bonus Bucks Answers for Wednesday, July 9, 2008: "In a July 8 feature, Boone Pickens told CNBC he's sticking with $150 oil for 2008. But where did Lehman Bros. see oil?"

Today's photo: Iran tests medium- and long-range missiles

clipped from blogs.usatoday.com
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This photo, distributed by Iran's Revolutionary Guards via AFP/Getty Images, shows four missiles being test-fired today at an undisclosed location in Iran.

NPR says one of the missiles was a Shahab-3 that is capable of reaching Israel.

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In the article “Top Global Agriculture Picks” which companies did Victor Badin recommend?

EF Hutton: In the article “Top Global Agriculture Picks” which companies did Victor Badin recommend?

In the article “Top Global Agriculture Picks” which companies did Victor Badin recommend?

EF Hutton: In the article “Top Global Agriculture Picks” which companies did Victor Badin recommend?

In Suze Orman's Web Extra video, "What to Do with Old 401(k)s," she advises the caller to:

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EF Hutton: In Suze Orman's Web Extra video, "What to Do with Old 401(k)s," she advises the caller to:

A Primary Care Doc Builds an Electronic Office, and Nobody Comes

No doubt this doctor is early with this strategy.

I envision a doctor visit via a web cam. With a growing number of people without health care a cheap solution to a simple antibiotic will be a real home run.

The web cam satisfies the need to talk to the doctor live. If its a simple ailment that needs a generic prescription that works. If its more serious the doctor could direct the patient to the emergency room or to a doctor.

I believe in the future people will willingly pay $30 for the web cam consult and then 4 bucks for a generic drug.
clipped from blogs.wsj.com
Three years ago, Ben Brewer took the leap and paid for a fancy Web site that allows patients to send secure emails and have electronic consults.
Brewer counts himself among the minority of doctors willing to take the online plunge. “Most doctors I know seem unwilling or unable to make even email part of the way they practice medicine,” he writes. Legal worries and data overload are the deterrents.
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EF Hutton: On Tuesday, which strategist told "Market Insider" Patti Domm that stocks are actually bottoming?

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EF Hutton: On Tuesday, which strategist told "Market Insider" Patti Domm that stocks are actually bottoming?

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Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Sex gets better with age, study says

It will be a while before I can comment first hand on this one. It is interesting. I wonder if I will have to move to Sweden?
clipped from www.msnbc.msn.com

70-year-olds said they get it on now more than they did 30 years ago

More 70-year-olds are having good sex more often, Swedish researchers said on Tuesday in a finding bound to bring a smile to many an aging baby boomer.

They found 70-year-olds of both sexes are having more sex than they did 30 years ago, and many more women report being satisfied with their sex lives.

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What I Wish I’d Done Differently

Been there, done that. An excellent article worth reading and passing along to friend.

I found out that one of the most important decision that can ever be made is the selection of an excellent personal physician. Are they still updating their education? This is one question I would ask. And the first thing I would recommend is asking question.

I would suggest adding the New Old Age to your reader. Click the link in the clip to do it.

Looking back on the last few years of my mother’s life, with 20/20 hindsight and the belated knowledge that came from four years of reporting about aging for The New York Times, my single biggest mistake was not finding a doctor with expertise in geriatrics to quarterback her care and attend to the quality of her life, not merely its length.

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Bush Boom Bah

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Docs Bailing Out of Medicare, Medicaid

Click the link in the clip to read about this disturbing trend.
clipped from abcnews.go.com

Plummeting Reimbursement Rates Have Some Doctors Looking for a Way Out

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In Fast Money's July 3 post, "Our Favorite Inflation Trades", what was Guy Adami's play?

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EF Hutton: In Fast Money's July 3 post, "Our Favorite Inflation Trades", what was Guy Adami's play?