20
Alzheimer's and Diet: Bad for Heart May Be Good for wellness

By Mary Ellen Klas | Miami Herald
TALLAHASSEE — The race for governor has narrowed slightly, with Republican Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum ahead of Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the Democrats' nominee, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.
The poll showed McCollum with 40 percent of support and Sink with 36 percent.
McCollum has been the front runner in the race to replace Gov. Charlie Crist since August but, according to the poll of likely voters conducted April 8-13, he's not getting much traction among independents with his plan to sue the federal government over its healthcare reform package.
Voters say, 54-50 percent, that it's a “bad idea'' for McCollum to file a lawsuit challenging the plan, and they say, 38-28 percent, that it makes them less likely to support his bid for governor. Among independents — the historically crucial voting group in Florida — the idea is particularly unpopular: 41 percent oppose the lawsuit challenge, while 27 percent support it.
“Florida voters mostly disapprove of the health care plan, 48-44 percent, but trying to stop it in court is not a political winner for McCollum, at least at this point,'' said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
McCollum easily disposes of a primary challenge by state Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland for the Republican nomination, 56-7 percent, according to the poll, with 34 percent undecided. Sink has no primary challenger.
Most voters say they approve of the job McCollum is doing as attorney general, 51-25 percent, and 38 percent have a favorable opinion about him, while 18 percent do not. But 41 percent of those polled said they who don't know enough about him to form an opinion.
Sink is less well-known and less well-liked by those who know her. She gets a 39-26 percent approval rating for her job as CFO, with 22 percent of those surveyed saying they have a favorable opinion of her and 15 percent saying they do not. Sixty-one percent don't know enough about her to form an opinion, according to the poll.
While McCollum continues to hold the edge in the close race for governor, Brown warned: “November is a long way off.''
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama's approval rating has risen since January to 50-45 percent, compared to four months ago, when 45 percent of those surveyed felt positive about him and 49 percent held a negative view, the survey found.
The uptick in the president's numbers is largely due to his improved standing among independent voters, who give him a narrow 48-46 percent approval rating, Brown said.
Read the full story at MiamiHerald.com
Domingo makes heroic return to stage after cancer surgery as 'Simon Boccanegro' at La Scala
April 16th, 2010 more images
more imagesDomingo applauded for 14 minutes at La ScalaMILAN — A beaming Placido Domingo blew a kiss at the adoring crowd after his heroic portrayal of Verdi's “Simon Boccanegra” Friday night, the Spanish tenor's first performance since cancer surgery 45 days ago. His 131st role was something to sing about.
Domingo returns to stage after cancer surgery as "Simon Boccanegro" at La Scala
April 16th, 2010 more images
more images
more images
Domingo back to work at La Scala after surgery
MILAN — In his first performance since cancer surgery, Placido Domingo will portray Verdi's hero “Simon Boccanegra,” opening Friday night at Milan's famed La Scala opera house. His 131st role will be something to sing about.
Prostate cancer 'increases blood clot risk'
April 14th, 2010 LONDON – A new research has shown that having prostate cancer can more than double a man's chances of suffering blood clots in his legs or lungs. The study of 76,000 Swedish men, conducted by researchers at King's College London, also showed that the blood clot risk is greatest for men undergoing hormone therapy for the disease, reports Times Online.
Work pressures likely to discourage smoking
April 13th, 2010 more imagesLONDON – Smoking may be a coping strategy to deal with work stress, but work pressures can actually lower a smoker's nicotine dependence, says a new study. A German team, led by Anna Schmidt from the University of Cologne, set out to examine the links between occupational stress factors and nicotine dependence, and examined 197 employed smokers from the Cologne Smoking Study.
Sikhs allowed by UK Health Department to wear karas while dealing with patients
April 12th, 2010 LONDON – The UK Health Department has relaxed its “no jewellery” rule for Sikh employees allowing them to wear karas, as long as they can be moved up the arm during direct contact with patients. They have also revised rules for Muslim doctors and nurses, allowing them to opt out of strict dress codes designed to tackle the spread of deadly infection on grounds of religion.he decision comes days after Christian nurse Shirley Chaplin lost her discrimination claim against the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Trust, which banned her from wearing a crucifix.
Brit docs call for smoking ban in cars, parks
March 24th, 2010 LONDON – A number of British doctors have called for smoking to be banned in cars and parks in order to protect children. The ban called by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), says that millions of children are exposed to second-hand smoke at home, which is a major hazard to their health, and reducing the level of exposure should be a priority.
Parents putting babies at risk by using slings incorrectly, say experts
March 20th, 2010 LONDON – Experts have raised concerns about the safety of babies in the way parents carry them in slings. Experts have warned that babies can suffocate within two minutes if the sling is pushed against their face or if they are carried in a curled position that is popular with many mothers.
Even third-hand smoke can pose cancer risk
February 9th, 2010 WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that the residue from tobacco smoke that clings to virtually all surfaces long after a cigarette has been extinguished could prove to be a potential health hazard. The research team at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) showed that nicotine in third-hand smoke reacts with the common indoor air pollutant nitrous acid to produce dangerous carcinogens.



