The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) rated 200 popular beaches across the United States on a 5 star scale. Criteria for the NRDC’s rating scale include testing the water weekly, notifying the public promptly when tests reveal unsafe bacteria levels, and posting closings and advisories both online and at the beach. Beaches that achieved 5 … Read more
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health have identified several factors in people infected with the hepatitis C virus that may predict whether the unusually rapid progression of disease from initial infection to severe liver conditions, such as cirrhosis, will occur. Knowing whether a patient’s condition is likely to deteriorate quickly could help physicians decide … Read more
A U.S. Sailor with the visit, board, search and seizure team assigned to the USS Lassen boards a South Korean navy combat support ship during a training scenario in the East China Sea. The sailors conducted the mission with South Korean navy SEALs and an underwater demolition team members as part a trilateral interoperability exercise … Read more
Coordinated strategies that address alcohol availability, alcohol policy enforcement and drinking norms can help colleges and their communities protect students from the harms of high-risk drinking, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Most children exposed to high levels of alcohol in the womb do not develop the distinct facial features seen in fetal alcohol syndrome, but instead show signs of abnormal intellectual or behavioral development, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and researchers in Chile.
New programs exploring novel approaches to cell-to-cell communication and understanding undiagnosed diseases, which represent challenges or scientific opportunities for a wide array of health research, are the latest priorities for the National Institutes of Health Common Fund. The funding was announced today by NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., after he received broad community … Read more
Olympic Fun Day Meetup: While thousands of Olympic athletes are representing America in the 2012 Olympics in London this summer, the White House is sponsoring a “Let’s Move! Olympic Fun Day Meetup” all across America. On Saturday, July 28th, the first day of the summer Olympics, communities across the country will participate in Olympic-inspired games … Read more
National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., announced today the appointment of David M. Murray, Ph.D., as Associate Director for Disease Prevention and Director of the Office of Disease Prevention (ODP). Dr. Murray is expected to join the NIH on September 23, 2012.
By Carolyn L. Bird, Ph.D., USDA eXtension’s Financial Security for All Community of Practice Leadership Team Member What is SNAP? SNAP is the short name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The SNAP program has the twin goals of improving health by combating hunger and … Read more
With the rising cost of food, feeding a family on a budget isn’t easy, but there are resources that can help. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps, provides eligible families with help purchasing food. Find out if you’re eligible and apply for the SNAP program. If you’re eligible, you’ll … Read more
Image description: Amelia Earhart’s Pilot License, issued May 16, 1923. Earhart achieved international celebrity as the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean in an airplane in 1928. Seventy five years ago, she and a co-pilot disappeared during a flight over the Pacific. Timed to coincide with her disappearance, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery is … Read more
Happy Independence Day! Today is the United States’ 236th birthday!: July 4th is Independence Day, an American holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of the Independence on July 4th, 1776. Did you know that the estimated population of the United States was 2.5 million people in July of 1776? This July 4th, the … Read more
You don’t have to be outdoors to have a fun summer. In fact, some of the most gratifying and enriching activities might happen within the four walls of one of our country’s 123,000 public libraries. If you haven’t been to the library lately, you should check it out.
Listen to the Stars and Stripes Forever March: Listen to Sousa’s Band playing Stars and Stripes Forever from the Library of Congress’ National Jukebox.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides advice on fireworks safety and statistics about fireworks injuries. If you plan to use fireworks this Fourth of July, read this first. From the CPSC: Fireworks Injuries Fireworks. They are synonymous with our celebration of Independence Day. Yet, the thrill of fireworks can also bring pain, and … Read more
Image description: Fireworks explode near the U.S. Capitol on July 4. Photo from the Architect of the Capitol
What percent of an IRA does a person have to take each month after they are 70 years old? Asked by Charlie on Facebook. If you have a traditional IRA, you must receive a minimum distribution starting when you are 70 1/2 years old. In order to figure out what that amount is, you must first find … Read more