The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is hosting the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR), which is focusing this year on the effects of outside influences on prenatal growth. SSR President Asgi Fazleabas says it’s possible conditions like cardiovascular disease start before birth. “The impact of smoking, alcohol, obesity, a number of these factors contribute to the potential of the offspring having, potentially, disease for the rest of his or her life,” says Fazleabas.
He says while the idea of being healthy while pregnant is not new, the hypothesis of the environment affecting fetuses is gaining speed in both the press and the world of medicine. This notion, called epigenetics, refers to the way outside influences can change the way one’s genes are expressed in the body.
Dr. Kjersti Aagaard-Tillery presented an abstract saying that in a primate study, a maternal high-fat diet caused the child to produce fat at twice the normal rate. Her studies say that while the genetic signatures of the fetus are affected mostly by the actual diet during pregnancy, metabolism levels in the child are more influenced by the mother’s long-term obesity.
“There are proteins that really do play a role, and might have implications in some animals being resistant to getting obese. Even if they are fed ‘the all-American diet’ [a balanced intake] some animals just get obese on this diet. So, what is involved with it? What is different about the genetic makeup of these animals?” says Fazleabas.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Budget Battles Taking Place Across Country
Pennsylvania is not alone in its budget battle. The tough economic times have also made spending plans elusive in several other states.
Douglas Roberts, a researcher at Michigan State University who once served as Michigan's treasurer, says the recent dip in that state's auto industry has not helped things. "Year to date, we're down about 13 percent in revenue from a year ago. I've been in Michigan a long time, and I can't remember anything even close to this. "Pennsylvania has taken significant hits in its own manufacturing sector over the last couple of years.
Meantime, Stephen Fehr, a writer for stateline-dot-org, says California's 26 billion dollar budget deficit is not just bad news for that state. "When people don't buy cars in California it affects the entire automobile industry because more cars are sold there than anywhere else. They send more tax revenue to the federal government than any other state."
While Pennsylvania and California have missed their budget deadlines of June 30th, Michigan still has until October first to pass its fiscal plan.
Douglas Roberts, a researcher at Michigan State University who once served as Michigan's treasurer, says the recent dip in that state's auto industry has not helped things. "Year to date, we're down about 13 percent in revenue from a year ago. I've been in Michigan a long time, and I can't remember anything even close to this. "Pennsylvania has taken significant hits in its own manufacturing sector over the last couple of years.
Meantime, Stephen Fehr, a writer for stateline-dot-org, says California's 26 billion dollar budget deficit is not just bad news for that state. "When people don't buy cars in California it affects the entire automobile industry because more cars are sold there than anywhere else. They send more tax revenue to the federal government than any other state."
While Pennsylvania and California have missed their budget deadlines of June 30th, Michigan still has until October first to pass its fiscal plan.
Insurance Fraud Bills Await Vote In Pennsylvania General Assembly
State Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario says when people defraud insurance companies, they're actually stealing money from other policy holders.
While a three-person anti-fraud unit works out of his office, Ario says it's the companies that are on the front lines of the fight. That's why he favors legislation that would require insurers to report fraud findings on all, not just some, lines of insurance. "I think it would be good for us to see what's going on in each of the lines of insurance. Shouldn't take much for the insurers to report on all of the lines since they already have the activity going on out there," says Ario.
Sam Marshall, president of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, says he's not in favor of stepped-up reporting requirements. "I don't think that addresses any real problem. I think that resources are better used in terms of giving law enforcement more tools to go after fraud and giving insurance companies more tools to go after fraud."
Marshall and Ario agree that legal immunity should be granted for conversations insurers have among one another as they work together to identify policy abuse.
While a three-person anti-fraud unit works out of his office, Ario says it's the companies that are on the front lines of the fight. That's why he favors legislation that would require insurers to report fraud findings on all, not just some, lines of insurance. "I think it would be good for us to see what's going on in each of the lines of insurance. Shouldn't take much for the insurers to report on all of the lines since they already have the activity going on out there," says Ario.
Sam Marshall, president of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, says he's not in favor of stepped-up reporting requirements. "I don't think that addresses any real problem. I think that resources are better used in terms of giving law enforcement more tools to go after fraud and giving insurance companies more tools to go after fraud."
Marshall and Ario agree that legal immunity should be granted for conversations insurers have among one another as they work together to identify policy abuse.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Mountain Bike Festival
Several mountain bikers will gather in North Park this afternoon as part of Allegheny County's 4th Annual Mountain bike festival. Bikers tried out some of the trails in South park Friday night. Maurice Tierney is with the Pittsburgh Public Trails Advocacy Group. He says the festival is partly an opportunity to let people know about the volunteer efforts that go into maintaining these trails but also a chance to get people out riding. He says each ride is designed for people with much, little or no experience. The festival wraps up with the final ride Monday evening at 6 at Boyce Park starting near the soccer fields. More information is available at www.ptagtrails.com
Friday, July 17, 2009
Rally Held Downtown In Support Of Current Healthcare System
Hundreds of people gathered in the rain downtown today to rally against President Obama's proposed health care reform. Members of the group TEA Party (Taxed Enough Already) organized the event. Those who spoke at the rally spoke against the plan calling it socialist and comparing healthcare coverage in Europe and Canada to the current system in the United States. Those who spoke said that the Presidents proposed plan would place limits on operations and procedures and would create long wait times for procedures that now can be done within hours of discovering the need. Those who attended the rally spoke about reforming the malpractice laws in order to cut costs because doctors do unneccesary tests and procedures in order to avoid being an "easy target" for malpractice attorneys.
DISH Network Coughs Up Dough
Colorado-based DISH Network will pay nearly $6 million to settle consumer complaints in 46 states. Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett says the agreement resolves quite a few allegations, including keeping consumers uninformed about contract conditions, using old equipment without telling the buyer, and repeated violations of state and federal "Do Not Call" laws. The settlement requires DISH Network to pay restitution to people with valid complaints dating back to January 2004 and extending to 150 days from today. Corbett says in addition to the $6 million, the settlement requires DISH Network to fix the things consumers have complained about.
Gaming Oversight Committee Approves Video Poker Legislation
The State House Committee on Gaming Oversight today approved a bill that would legalize video poker. The legislation had been voted on in committee on Thursday and reached a tie vote of 13-13. Today Representative Curtis Thomas changed his vote and the bill was sent to the House floor by a 14-12 vote. Members of the committee had concerns over how the revenue gleaned from the video poker machines would be used to fund state universities. Some members wanted to include the four state related universities, Pitt, Penn State, Temple and Lincoln. In the legislation approved when revenue over $550 million is achieved the four state related universities will begin to share in the funds. The bill now goes on to the House floor for debate and a vote.
Home Prices Fall In Pittsburgh Region
The value of homes in the Pittsburgh region is dropping right alongside with the number of home sales. According to real estate tracking company RealSTATS the average sales price in the Pittsburgh Region dropped 3.9% from $152,808 in the second quarter of 2008 to $146,890 by June 2009.
Pittsburgh had been doing well in the housing market despite national problems largely because the region avoided the type of speculation that drove up home prices. Pittsburgh is now starting to feel the pain of having to many houses on the market and not enough buyers. RealSTATS Vice President Daniel Murrer says that even though home prices are falling and home sales declining Pittsburgh has seen a decline in foreclosure rates since 2006.
Pittsburgh had been doing well in the housing market despite national problems largely because the region avoided the type of speculation that drove up home prices. Pittsburgh is now starting to feel the pain of having to many houses on the market and not enough buyers. RealSTATS Vice President Daniel Murrer says that even though home prices are falling and home sales declining Pittsburgh has seen a decline in foreclosure rates since 2006.
Program Helps At-Risk Boys
A program for at-risk boys is underway in Allegheny County. SNAP is a program aimed at boys ages 6-11 who have been arrested or frequently get into trouble at home or in school.
SNAP stands for Stop Now and Plan. The program is being carried out in two locations - at Auberle in McKeesport and The Holy Family Institute in McKees Rocks.
For children to appear in juvenile court they usually have to be at least ten - that leaves a hole in the criminal justice system.
Many of the boys in the program have conduct disorders.
The program aims to reduce impulsive behaviors, decrease aggression and eventually lower the numbers of juveniles and adults in the justice system.
To listen to this story click here.
SNAP stands for Stop Now and Plan. The program is being carried out in two locations - at Auberle in McKeesport and The Holy Family Institute in McKees Rocks.
For children to appear in juvenile court they usually have to be at least ten - that leaves a hole in the criminal justice system.
Many of the boys in the program have conduct disorders.
The program aims to reduce impulsive behaviors, decrease aggression and eventually lower the numbers of juveniles and adults in the justice system.
To listen to this story click here.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Power Line Dispute Continues
A dispute over Allegheny Power's TrAIL project is not over, despite a settlement proposal filed with the Public Utility Commission this week. Attorney Wil Burns represents the Energy Conservation Council, which fought Allegheny Power's original plans for a substation and high-voltage lines in Washington County. Burns says he's pleased that a new agreement meets Washington County's electricity needs in other ways. But the agreement is still subject to the PUC's approval.
And Burns says litigation continues over another segment of the TrAIL project that stretches from Greene County into northern Virginia. Critics of that segment say power-hungry Virginia would reap all the benefits from the project, while rural Greene County would be stuck with a new substation. That case is in Commonwealth Court.
And Burns says litigation continues over another segment of the TrAIL project that stretches from Greene County into northern Virginia. Critics of that segment say power-hungry Virginia would reap all the benefits from the project, while rural Greene County would be stuck with a new substation. That case is in Commonwealth Court.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)