Jessica Simpson: "My Belly Is Bigger Than My Boobs!"

How hummingbirds fly when soggy

Anna's hummingbird (Victor Ortega-Jimenez)

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The cameras show how a hummingbird shakes its head to get rid of the water (Footage: University of California, Berkeley)

Slow-motion footage has revealed how a hovering hummingbird is able to cope with wet weather.

The cameras show that the delicate bird shakes its heads with such acceleration that it can reach a g-force of 34 (Formula 1 racing cars typically reach less than 6g).

This mid-air manoeuvre takes just 0.1 seconds and removes almost all of the water droplets from its feathers.

The research is published in the journal of the Royal Society Interface.

Professor Robert Dudley, one of the authors of the study, from the University of California, Berkeley, said: "It is the extreme mobility - its head is going through 180 degrees in a 10th of a second or less - it is just extraordinary."

Artificial rain

The Anna's hummingbird is found in cloud forests and the neo-tropics where rainy days are common, and is able to remain active even in very wet weather.

Yet, until now, nobody knew how the bird did

To find out, the researchers trained their hi-tech cameras on a bird as it fed from its feeder, and then sprinkled it with water.

Lead author of the study Dr Victor Ortega-Jimenez, from the University of California, Berkeley, said: "We simulated three different types of rain - and the hummingbirds did this extreme oscillation in light, medium and heavy rain.

"It seems it is a common behaviour of hummingbirds."

The researchers were surprised that the hummingbirds were able to generate such extreme forces while in flight.

Professor Dudley said: "We know visual information is the key to flight control, and, obviously, when you are shaking your head, you don't have that input of flight acceleration, and yet they remain basically stable - they are not falling out of the air."

The scientists said their findings could help engineers to develop micro air vehicles that could cope with unsettled weather or even washing machines with an improved drying spin.it.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/science-environment-15620024

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Jury in Jackson case a diverse cross-section of LA

(AP) ? The seven men and five women who hold the fate of Michael Jackson's doctor in their hands are a diverse cross-section of Los Angeles, people of varying ethnicities from different towns who might never have met if they had not been thrown together in the jury pool.

They are white, black and Hispanic, mostly middle-aged and live in an assortment of suburbs in the Los Angeles urban sprawl. Most have children and some have grandchildren.

They include a professor, postman, bus driver, actor and movie animation supervisor.

The panel is set to resume deliberations Monday after spending their first day in discussions Friday without reaching a verdict.

Dr. Conrad Murray has pleaded not guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors accused him of administering a fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol to the King of Pop.

The jurors, who have been engaged by all the details of the case, will likely be methodical in their deliberations.

Nine of them have prior jury experience and one woman, a native of Spain, has served on five juries, all of which reached verdicts. She was once a jury forewoman.

A woman who has worked as a paralegal for 30 years is serving on her first jury and appeared enthralled.

They knew about the involuntary manslaughter charge against Murray before they came to court and most of them know Jackson's music. A few said they were fans and one, the video animation specialist, said he had some interaction with Jackson when the singer was making the video, "Captain EO."

Details about their lives were culled from lengthy written questionnaires obtained by The Associated Press. Their identities have been kept secret and even lawyers in the case know them only by their jury numbers.

In six weeks together the jurors have displayed uncommon attentiveness to the task at hand. Several, including alternates, have taken notes and kept lists of evidence. Once, when the judge was at a loss to find the number of an exhibit, a member of the jury spoke up and told him.

There were no drooping eyelids or distracted glances. When a scientific expert was conducting experiments on the floor of the courtroom, panelists stood up in the jury box to get a better view.

Their attention to evidence and witnesses has impressed Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, who commended them for their commitment, punctuality in getting to court and willingness to give up their personal lives to serve.

When the trial went longer than Pastor had predicted, he apologized, but the jurors seemed unperturbed.

Every night, when he gave them an admonition to avoid the news, the Internet and other sources of information about the trial, they listened as if it was the first time they had heard it and they nodded in agreement.

Many of the panelists have a familiarity with prescription drugs; most of them said they trust their doctors and several believe that celebrities receive a different kind of justice than average people.

Some have learned about the justice system from TV, watching such shows as "Law and Order" and "CSI." Others watched broadcasts of real-life, high-profile trials including the Casey Anthony case and the O.J. Simpson trial.

One woman, an accounting manager, remembered that during the Simpson trial, "a TV was brought to the office for everyone to follow it." A man in his 30s said he followed that trial in school as an educational experience.

While not sequestered, the jurors have had a rare opportunity to bond because they were kept together for lunch and transported together between a secret parking lot and the courthouse. In order to avoid exposure to events outside the courtroom, the judge had lunch catered for them every day.

But during lunches and coffee breaks there was one thing they could not discuss ? the trial. Now, in a secluded jury room, they can give each other their opinions as they try to reach a verdict.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2011-11-07-Michael%20Jackson-Doctor/id-18394ebad0be485993f85ab1485f846a

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Hospital for special surgery physician-scientists share advances in rheumatology research

[ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 5-Nov-2011
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Phyllis Fisher
phyllis.fisher@gmail.com
212-606-1197
Hospital for Special Surgery

Most women with lupus can safely carry out pregnancy

Hospital for Special Surgery physician-scientists who focus on arthritis, lupus, vasculitis and related conditions are traveling from New York City to Chicago this week to share their recent findings at the 75th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

Special Surgery investigators will present advances that should influence the future of clinical care. Of the meeting's highlights, results from the nine-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study led by Jane Salmon, M.D., senior author, rheumatologist and Collette Kean Research Professor at Hospital for Special Surgery, found a favorable prognosis for pregnancy outcomes in women with lupus. The study's results will be presented on Monday, Nov. 7 and at an ACR press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 8:30am CT.

"We have demonstrated that with diligent care and counseling, successful pregnancy can be a reality for women faced with lupus," says Dr. Salmon. "Historically, doctors have cautioned against becoming pregnant, but with the medical insights we have learned from our research, these women have reason for new hope."

Additional significant topics presented by HSS experts include socioeconomic factors that influence patients' appointment compliance at a specialized lupus clinic, one-year results following a cardiovascular prevention program in lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome patients, expectations for rheumatoid arthritis patients following total knee replacement, use of anti-TNF medications before patients undergo total knee replacement, and the link between mental health and inflammatory flares in Wegener's granulomatosis disease.

"The goal for the physicians at Hospital for Special Surgery's Division of Rheumatology is to better understand disease so that we can better care for patients," explained Physician-in-Chief Mary K. Crow, M.D. "We hope to take the knowledge we gain at the laboratory bench and apply what we learn to patients who need the most innovative care."

At the meeting, the ACR will also honor three Hospital for Special Surgery faculty members with prestigious awards: Dr. Laura Robbins, DSW, CSW, MSW, senior vice president of education and academic affairs and scientist at Hospital for Special Surgery, will receive the ACR's Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Theresa Lu, MD, PhD, pediatric rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery, will receive the Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award, and Physician-in-Chief Emeritus Stephen A. Paget, M.D. will receive the Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award being given to Laura Robbins is the highest honor that the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) bestows, and is presented to an investigator whose career has demonstrated a sustained and lasting contribution to the field of rheumatology. The Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award is granted to a young physician scientist, age 45 or younger, who has made outstanding and promising independent contributions to basic and clinical research in the field of rheumatology. The Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award is awarded to a rheumatologist who has made outstanding contributions in clinical medicine, clinical scholarship, or education.

"It is remarkable that three Hospital for Special Surgery experts in rheumatologic disease have been honored with ACR Awards," said Dr. Crow, who is also a past president of the ACR. "Each of these Special Surgery experts has significantly contributed to the field of rheumatology."

Dr. Robbins, the first ARHP President, focuses on qualitative research as a way to understand the role of culture and ethnicity in rheumatologic patients' health care experience. Dr. Lu is studying the contribution of blood vessels to the altered immune system function that is responsible for autoimmune diseases, including lupus and scleroderma. Dr. Paget served as the hospital's physician-in-chief and chair of the Division of Rheumatology from 1995 to 2010, and today continues to advance delivery of outstanding care to patients and superior education of rheumatology trainees through the hospital's new Rheumatology Education Academy.

Highlights of presentations by Hospital for Special Surgery physician-scientists include:

Most Women with Lupus Can Have Successful Pregnancy Outcomes (1707)

Monday, November 7, 2011: 4:30 PM, W 183 A

ACR Press Conference: Tuesday, November 8 at 8:30AM, Location W 175C

Investigators of the NIH-funded PROMISSE Study (Predictors of pRegnancy Outcome: BioMarkers In antiphospholipid antibody Syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) evaluated 333 pregnant women with lupus and found that 80 percent of patients had a favorable pregnancy outcome. The findings provide reassurance for patients with stable lupus, who are contemplating pregnancy, and suggest factors that merit caution for the minority of high-risk lupus patients. "Patients enrolled in this study had inactive lupus at the time of conception and during their first trimester, which we believe explains why a large majority of these women had successful and uncomplicated pregnancies," explained Jane Salmon, M.D. "Now that our treatments are more effective and we have a better understanding of the disease, we can identify a window when pregnancy is safe and outcomes are good for mother and fetus. Our findings should change the way patients and physicians view pregnancy in women with lupus."

Life Challenges Prevent Those with Lupus from Keeping Doctors' Appointments (867)

Sunday, November 6, 2011: 4:30 PM; Room W 194 A

Healthcare providers at the Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Care observed that many patients failed to keep doctors' appointments, which can lead to less-favorable outcomes in these lupus patients' care. Researchers at the Center examined this patient population, largely homogenous with low socioeconomic status, and found that most of these individuals did not attend their appointments because of either tardy or unreliable transportation, such as ambulettes, or because of insufficient childcare. "Healthcare appointment compliance is critical for a lupus patient's care, because timely communication with their physician keeps both parties up-to-date on prescription and care instructions," explains senior author. Doruk Erkan, M.D. "By not following up with scheduled appointments, patients may stay on a course of medication that should be changed, which could quickly become dangerous."

Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Have Low Expectations After Knee Replacement Surgery (1694)

Monday, November 7, 2011: 5:45 PM; Room W 196 B

Compared with osteoarthritis (OA) patients, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who undergo total knee replacement surgery have lower expectations about their postsurgical outcomes. These lower expectations could cause some patients to slack on their postsurgical rehabilitation, leading to worse outcomes. The researchers compared 62 RA patients with 124 OA patients to make their conclusions. "If rheumatoid arthritis patients are healthy enough to have surgery, they should really expect good outcomes. It would be a real shame if these patients could have significantly improved function, but don't because they expect to be able to do less in their postsurgery therapy," said Lisa Mandl, M.D., co-author of the study and rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery. "What we can do as doctors is ensure that we educate our patients properly," said Susan Goodman, M.D., HSS rheumatologist who led the study.

One-Year Results of Cardiovascular Intervention Program in Lupus and Antiphospholipid Antibody (aPL) Positive Patients (1666)

Monday, November 7, 2011: 2:45 PM; Room W 476

Results from the first year of a three-year cardiovascular disease prevention counseling program in lupus patients show that the program's patients are motivated to better control their cardiovascular health by maintaining healthy diet and exercise regimes. However, while there was a significant improvement in diet and exercise habits, the findings do not show a significant improvement in clinical parameters such as high blood pressure, body-mass index, or cholesterol profile at one-year follow-up. "We're encouraged that these patients are working hard to improve their cardiovascular health, and it is possible that they will have improved results after the study has reached the end of its third year," said senior author Doruk Erkan, M.D. "These results demonstrate just how difficult it is for lupus patients to improve their cardiovascular disease risk factors that would be relatively easier to achieve in most other individuals."

Tweaking Withdrawal of Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications Before Surgery May Reduce Disease Flares (2224)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Room: Poster Hall

To minimize infections, doctors stop giving anti-TNF medications before surgery. These medications are powerful immunosuppressants and effectively control disease activity in RA patients. However, it is not known how long anti-TNFs should be held prior to surgery to ensure the best outcomes in patients. Stopping them too early may put these patients at risk for RA flares, which may complicate recovery. This study found no increased risk of infections in RA patients taking anti-TNF medications compared with those not on these medications, and a trend toward more postoperative flares in the anti-TNF patients. Different anti-TNFs were held seemingly arbitrarily, with no correlation to half-life. Rheumatologist Lisa Mandl, M.D., senior author of the study, said more evidence-based studies are needed to determine optimal timing of pre-operative use of these medications.

Stress Triggers Disease Flares in Patients with Vasculitis (2371)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Room: Poster Hall

Stress can contribute to disease flares in those with Wegener's granulomatosis a form of vasculitis that causes inflammation that destroys blood vessels. This is the first study to show that mental health is a risk factor for patients with vasculitis. "When this disease flares, people are really sick. It affects the lungs, sinuses, kidneys and nerves, and can cause fever and rashes," said Robert Spiera, M.D., lead author of the study and director of the Vasculitis and Scleroderma Program at Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Spiera suggests that doctors be attentive to the psychological health of these patients along with their medical care.

###

About Hospital for Special Surgery

Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics, No. 2 in rheumatology, No. 19 in neurology, and No. 16 in geriatrics by U.S.News & World Report (2011-12), and has received Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. From 2007 to 2011, HSS has been a recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award. A member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS provides orthopedic and rheumatologic patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. All Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are on the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at http://www.hss.edu.

For more information contact:
Phyllis Fisher
212-606-1197
FisherP@hss.edu

Andrew Klein
212-606-1197
917-763-5842 (cell in Chicago)
KleinA@hss.edu



[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 5-Nov-2011
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Phyllis Fisher
phyllis.fisher@gmail.com
212-606-1197
Hospital for Special Surgery

Most women with lupus can safely carry out pregnancy

Hospital for Special Surgery physician-scientists who focus on arthritis, lupus, vasculitis and related conditions are traveling from New York City to Chicago this week to share their recent findings at the 75th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

Special Surgery investigators will present advances that should influence the future of clinical care. Of the meeting's highlights, results from the nine-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study led by Jane Salmon, M.D., senior author, rheumatologist and Collette Kean Research Professor at Hospital for Special Surgery, found a favorable prognosis for pregnancy outcomes in women with lupus. The study's results will be presented on Monday, Nov. 7 and at an ACR press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 8:30am CT.

"We have demonstrated that with diligent care and counseling, successful pregnancy can be a reality for women faced with lupus," says Dr. Salmon. "Historically, doctors have cautioned against becoming pregnant, but with the medical insights we have learned from our research, these women have reason for new hope."

Additional significant topics presented by HSS experts include socioeconomic factors that influence patients' appointment compliance at a specialized lupus clinic, one-year results following a cardiovascular prevention program in lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome patients, expectations for rheumatoid arthritis patients following total knee replacement, use of anti-TNF medications before patients undergo total knee replacement, and the link between mental health and inflammatory flares in Wegener's granulomatosis disease.

"The goal for the physicians at Hospital for Special Surgery's Division of Rheumatology is to better understand disease so that we can better care for patients," explained Physician-in-Chief Mary K. Crow, M.D. "We hope to take the knowledge we gain at the laboratory bench and apply what we learn to patients who need the most innovative care."

At the meeting, the ACR will also honor three Hospital for Special Surgery faculty members with prestigious awards: Dr. Laura Robbins, DSW, CSW, MSW, senior vice president of education and academic affairs and scientist at Hospital for Special Surgery, will receive the ACR's Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Theresa Lu, MD, PhD, pediatric rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery, will receive the Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award, and Physician-in-Chief Emeritus Stephen A. Paget, M.D. will receive the Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award being given to Laura Robbins is the highest honor that the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) bestows, and is presented to an investigator whose career has demonstrated a sustained and lasting contribution to the field of rheumatology. The Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award is granted to a young physician scientist, age 45 or younger, who has made outstanding and promising independent contributions to basic and clinical research in the field of rheumatology. The Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award is awarded to a rheumatologist who has made outstanding contributions in clinical medicine, clinical scholarship, or education.

"It is remarkable that three Hospital for Special Surgery experts in rheumatologic disease have been honored with ACR Awards," said Dr. Crow, who is also a past president of the ACR. "Each of these Special Surgery experts has significantly contributed to the field of rheumatology."

Dr. Robbins, the first ARHP President, focuses on qualitative research as a way to understand the role of culture and ethnicity in rheumatologic patients' health care experience. Dr. Lu is studying the contribution of blood vessels to the altered immune system function that is responsible for autoimmune diseases, including lupus and scleroderma. Dr. Paget served as the hospital's physician-in-chief and chair of the Division of Rheumatology from 1995 to 2010, and today continues to advance delivery of outstanding care to patients and superior education of rheumatology trainees through the hospital's new Rheumatology Education Academy.

Highlights of presentations by Hospital for Special Surgery physician-scientists include:

Most Women with Lupus Can Have Successful Pregnancy Outcomes (1707)

Monday, November 7, 2011: 4:30 PM, W 183 A

ACR Press Conference: Tuesday, November 8 at 8:30AM, Location W 175C

Investigators of the NIH-funded PROMISSE Study (Predictors of pRegnancy Outcome: BioMarkers In antiphospholipid antibody Syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) evaluated 333 pregnant women with lupus and found that 80 percent of patients had a favorable pregnancy outcome. The findings provide reassurance for patients with stable lupus, who are contemplating pregnancy, and suggest factors that merit caution for the minority of high-risk lupus patients. "Patients enrolled in this study had inactive lupus at the time of conception and during their first trimester, which we believe explains why a large majority of these women had successful and uncomplicated pregnancies," explained Jane Salmon, M.D. "Now that our treatments are more effective and we have a better understanding of the disease, we can identify a window when pregnancy is safe and outcomes are good for mother and fetus. Our findings should change the way patients and physicians view pregnancy in women with lupus."

Life Challenges Prevent Those with Lupus from Keeping Doctors' Appointments (867)

Sunday, November 6, 2011: 4:30 PM; Room W 194 A

Healthcare providers at the Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Care observed that many patients failed to keep doctors' appointments, which can lead to less-favorable outcomes in these lupus patients' care. Researchers at the Center examined this patient population, largely homogenous with low socioeconomic status, and found that most of these individuals did not attend their appointments because of either tardy or unreliable transportation, such as ambulettes, or because of insufficient childcare. "Healthcare appointment compliance is critical for a lupus patient's care, because timely communication with their physician keeps both parties up-to-date on prescription and care instructions," explains senior author. Doruk Erkan, M.D. "By not following up with scheduled appointments, patients may stay on a course of medication that should be changed, which could quickly become dangerous."

Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Have Low Expectations After Knee Replacement Surgery (1694)

Monday, November 7, 2011: 5:45 PM; Room W 196 B

Compared with osteoarthritis (OA) patients, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who undergo total knee replacement surgery have lower expectations about their postsurgical outcomes. These lower expectations could cause some patients to slack on their postsurgical rehabilitation, leading to worse outcomes. The researchers compared 62 RA patients with 124 OA patients to make their conclusions. "If rheumatoid arthritis patients are healthy enough to have surgery, they should really expect good outcomes. It would be a real shame if these patients could have significantly improved function, but don't because they expect to be able to do less in their postsurgery therapy," said Lisa Mandl, M.D., co-author of the study and rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery. "What we can do as doctors is ensure that we educate our patients properly," said Susan Goodman, M.D., HSS rheumatologist who led the study.

One-Year Results of Cardiovascular Intervention Program in Lupus and Antiphospholipid Antibody (aPL) Positive Patients (1666)

Monday, November 7, 2011: 2:45 PM; Room W 476

Results from the first year of a three-year cardiovascular disease prevention counseling program in lupus patients show that the program's patients are motivated to better control their cardiovascular health by maintaining healthy diet and exercise regimes. However, while there was a significant improvement in diet and exercise habits, the findings do not show a significant improvement in clinical parameters such as high blood pressure, body-mass index, or cholesterol profile at one-year follow-up. "We're encouraged that these patients are working hard to improve their cardiovascular health, and it is possible that they will have improved results after the study has reached the end of its third year," said senior author Doruk Erkan, M.D. "These results demonstrate just how difficult it is for lupus patients to improve their cardiovascular disease risk factors that would be relatively easier to achieve in most other individuals."

Tweaking Withdrawal of Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications Before Surgery May Reduce Disease Flares (2224)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Room: Poster Hall

To minimize infections, doctors stop giving anti-TNF medications before surgery. These medications are powerful immunosuppressants and effectively control disease activity in RA patients. However, it is not known how long anti-TNFs should be held prior to surgery to ensure the best outcomes in patients. Stopping them too early may put these patients at risk for RA flares, which may complicate recovery. This study found no increased risk of infections in RA patients taking anti-TNF medications compared with those not on these medications, and a trend toward more postoperative flares in the anti-TNF patients. Different anti-TNFs were held seemingly arbitrarily, with no correlation to half-life. Rheumatologist Lisa Mandl, M.D., senior author of the study, said more evidence-based studies are needed to determine optimal timing of pre-operative use of these medications.

Stress Triggers Disease Flares in Patients with Vasculitis (2371)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Room: Poster Hall

Stress can contribute to disease flares in those with Wegener's granulomatosis a form of vasculitis that causes inflammation that destroys blood vessels. This is the first study to show that mental health is a risk factor for patients with vasculitis. "When this disease flares, people are really sick. It affects the lungs, sinuses, kidneys and nerves, and can cause fever and rashes," said Robert Spiera, M.D., lead author of the study and director of the Vasculitis and Scleroderma Program at Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Spiera suggests that doctors be attentive to the psychological health of these patients along with their medical care.

###

About Hospital for Special Surgery

Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics, No. 2 in rheumatology, No. 19 in neurology, and No. 16 in geriatrics by U.S.News & World Report (2011-12), and has received Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. From 2007 to 2011, HSS has been a recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award. A member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS provides orthopedic and rheumatologic patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. All Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are on the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at http://www.hss.edu.

For more information contact:
Phyllis Fisher
212-606-1197
FisherP@hss.edu

Andrew Klein
212-606-1197
917-763-5842 (cell in Chicago)
KleinA@hss.edu



[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-11/hfss-hfs110211.php

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Instagram And Path - Business Insider

At TechCrunch Disrupt in Beijing, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom said that video sharing is the next step for the popular photo-sharing app.

But ultimately, Systrom said, the Instagram team's job and vision "is to allow you to tell the story of your life."

"We really want to go after something bigger than filtered photos," he added.

We sure hope big?doesn't mean bloat, because simplicity is one of Instagram's greatest assets.

Video sharing could be huge for Instagram, which has more than 9 million users.

While there are already video sharing apps out there like Socialcam and GLMPS, Instagram has one killer feature these apps don't: an incredible community of users.

Systrom didn't say when the new feature would be coming, but it's definitely on the horizon.

Still don't have Instagram? Grab it in the App Store for free.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-and-path-2011-11

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'Twilight' Fan-Favorite Moment #2: Edward's Proposal

We're counting down your favorite 'Twilight Saga' moments before Rob, Kristen and Taylor join us live tonight at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV!
By Eric Ditzian


The proposal in "Eclipse"
Photo: Summit

Kristen Stewart was worried. Capturing Edward Cullen's proposal to Bella Swan in last year's "Eclipse" came with all sorts of potential hitches. A teen girl and a 100-plus-year-old vampire deciding to get married? A scene that legions of fans had been anticipating for years and which they'd undoubtedly scrutinize? Stewart didn't want to mess it up.

"Well, to decide you're gonna marry someone at 18 is a pretty hefty decision. And I didn't want to look stupid," the actress told us months before the film hit theaters. "I didn't want it to look like kids getting married. You know what I mean? I wanted to be, like, 'Oh! Wow! I would say yes too.' "

"Oh, wow" neatly summarizes moviegoers' reaction to the moment, because the proposal scene was picked as the #2 "Twilight" moment in our fan-voted poll. The ultimate winner will be announced today, just hours before the debut of "MTV First: Breaking Dawn - Part 1," our exclusive interview with Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. At 7:56 p.m. ET, the three stars will introduce a never-before-seen clip from the upcoming film, which arrives in theaters on November 18. The interview will then continue on MTV.com for a full 30 minutes.

Until then, take a trip back in time and relive that beloved proposal scene. Hear, once again, Edward announce, "Isabella Swan, I promise to love you every moment forever. Would you do me the extraordinary honor of marrying me?"

What do you think she answered? Right. And what do you think Stewart thought of the whole thing? "You try to do it for real, and it felt good," she told us.

Be sure to tune in to "MTV First: Breaking Dawn - Part 1," which kicks off Thursday, November 3, on MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET, followed by a Q&A with Kristen, Rob and Taylor on MTV.com!

Related Videos

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673661/twilight-favorite-moment-edwards-proposal.jhtml

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Fitbit Ultra

Trying to shed a few pounds, increase your daily physical activity, improve your sleep, or otherwise smooth out your health takes constant vigilance, at least at first, until you develop solid habits that turn into a lifestyle. All the factors, when mixed with real life, can become cloudy and difficult to track. Fitbit Ultra?($99.95, direct) is a smart pedometer that tracks how many steps you take in a day, the flights of stairs you climb, the distance you travel, the number of calories you burn, and even how much restful sleep you get. It automates much of the hard work of keeping tabs on your health, and uploads the data to a companion Web account where you can add even more statistics, like what foods you've eaten and other activities that Fitbit can't track on its own, like cycling.

Design
Inconspicuous and sleek, the Fitbit pedometer measures a compact 2.1 inches by 0.75 inch by 0.56 inch (HWD) and weights a scant 0.4 ounce. The device itself is matte black, but is available in two accent colors: blue and plum. A single button lets you cycle through a blue LED display that shows the time, as well as activity recorded so far that day, such as miles traveled, stairs climbed, and feedback about your overall activity in the form of a flower that grows taller the more you move. The battery has remarkable staying power. I only recharged the battery every three or four days while testing, and never once did I see it dip below 25 percent.

Clip Fitbit onto a waistband, the fold of a dress, a belt loop, or hide it out of sight by attaching it to the center front of a bra, and the Fitbit securely stays in place. I wore our Fitbit review unit for more than a month, clipping it anywhere between hip and chest height, and never saw it budge.

Fitbit also comes with a USB base station, used for charging the device and wirelessly uploading data from Fitbit to your Web account whenever you are within a few feet of the base. You also get a Velcro wristband that holds the Fitbit while you're sleeping if you want to track your sleep.

Set Up
Out of the box, Fitbit is functional and ready to roll, although you have to set up your Web account and prepare the device to sync to it (which requires a small download, too), and this is where I found the device less user-friendly than it at first seems. Very little information is provided in the product packaging, and the online instructions are simple, but don't provide enough details about troubleshooting or explaining what you should see once the sync is successful. What's confusing is the pedometer will charge up, record your steps, and seem to be functioning just fine, even when it hasn't tethered to your Web account. The time will be off, and it will calculate a 24-hour day starting whenever you took it out of the box and charged it (rather than resetting at midnight), but other than that, it works.

After a few days of suspecting something was wrong (why was my data not showing up online even though the pedometer was counting my steps?), I started over again with the syncing process, and the second time, it took. The key piece of information to look for is a line that reads "Synched: date and time" in your profile. When I tried the set-up process a second time, it worked, although the small downloadable software that facilitates the initialization actually crashed at the end. It still took, but it wasn't entirely smooth.

Features
Fitbit uses both an accelerometer and an altimeter to count the number of steps you take and the stairs you climb. The online account uses that information, in conjunction with some personal data, like your height and weight, to also calculate how many calories you burn.

The altimeter works surprisingly well for a $100 device, able to account for changes in pressure that aren't caused by climbing, like car doors opening and closing. However, while testing the device, I rode my bicycle several times over a bridge that's several stories high, which did affect the reading.

Bicycling and other most activities aren't fully supported the same way running and walking are. You can log into the website and record these activities?even noting the time and duration so that Fitbit can align the activity readings with those noted exercises?but it isn't automatic. Only running, walking, and jogging work without effort.

The feature that most caught my attention, the sleep monitor, also requires you to enter time data using the online dashboard. You can tuck Fitbit into the pocket of a wristband and wear it while you sleep, and the accelerometer will watch for movement all night long. The Web application graphically shows periods when you were very still, and thus in a deep sleep and times when you moved enough to not be in a REM sleep. It also records how long it took you to fall asleep, though this data relies on you entering a precise and accurate time when you got into bed.

If you're trying to lose weight, Fitbit can be used in conjunction with another weight-management tool called Lose It!, which has both a website and smartphone app?see the review of Lose It! for iPhone (free, 3.5 stars).

When Fitbit Fits
Fitbit Ultra performed well in all my testing, doing a good job of collecting, aggregating, and displaying data across walking, running, stair-climbing, sleeping, and eating. It excels as a pedometer, but classifies only as a lightweight when measured against other fitness tracking devices.?When I spoke with Fitbit's CEO, he likened Fitbit to the Nintendo Wii?not as powerful as its competitors, but certainly less niche.?True fitness buffs will want to pay more for a device that simply does more, like show maps of their running routes based on GPS coordinates. But if you're not training for a marathon and only looking to boost your exercise and activity levels modestly, the Fitbit delivers.

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China completes first space docking test (Reuters)

BEIJING (Reuters) ? China successfully carried out its first docking exercise on Thursday between two unmanned spacecraft, a key test of the rising power's plans to secure a long-term manned foothold in space.

The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft joined the Tiangong (Heavenly Palace) 1 module about 340 km (211 miles) above Earth, in a maneuver carried live on state television in the early hours of the morning.

The 10.5 meter-long unmanned Tiangong, launched on September 29, is part of China's preparations for a space laboratory at some point in the future.

Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior leaders oversaw the operation from a command center in Beijing, a measure of the importance the government attaches to this mission and to China's space ambitions in general.

"We believe that making this breakthrough and mastering the space docking technology is a meaningful and historic breakthrough for our country and a huge technical leap forward," Wu Ping, spokeswoman for China's Manned Space Engineering Programme, told a news conference.

Wu said all of the components in the docking mechanism, as well as 600 onboard instruments, were designed and manufactured by Chinese firms, mostly state-owned enterprises.

Rendezvous and docking exercises between the two vessels are an important aspect of China's efforts to acquire the technological and logistical skills needed to run a full space lab that can house astronauts for long periods.

The next stage will be two similar docking exercises in 2012, with at least one expected to carry astronauts.

China aims to have a fully fledged space station by about 2020.

"The planned Chinese space station will be open to global scientists," the official Xinhua news agency said. "(A) foreign presence might also be welcomed aboard Chinese spacecraft in the future."

The docking mission is the latest show of China's growing prowess in space, alongside its growing military and diplomatic presence -- at a time when budget restraints and shifting priorities have held back U.S. manned space launches.

Beijing, however, is still far from catching up with the established space superpowers: the United States and Russia.

Docking techniques such as those which China is only testing now were mastered by the United States and Russia decades ago, and the Tiangong 1 is a trial module, not the building block of a space station.

Russia, the United States and other countries jointly operate the 400 tonne International Space Station, to which China does not belong. But the United States will not test a new rocket to take people into space until 2017, and Russia has said manned missions are no longer a priority.

China launched its first manned space mission in 2003 when astronaut Yang Liwei orbited Earth 14 times. It launched its second moon orbiter last year after becoming only the third country to send its astronauts walking in space outside their orbiting craft in 2008.

Beijing also plans an unmanned moon landing and deployment of a moon rover in 2012. Scientists have raised the possibility of sending a man to the moon after 2020.

(Additional reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Yoko Nishikawa)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/space/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111103/sc_nm/us_china_space

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1st-degree murder conviction in yoga shop killing

Phyllis Murray leans her head against her husband's shoulder as he speaks to the media after Brittany Norwood was convicted of first degree murder in the bludgeoning death of their daughter, Jayna Murray, in March inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, at Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville, Md., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Phyllis Murray leans her head against her husband's shoulder as he speaks to the media after Brittany Norwood was convicted of first degree murder in the bludgeoning death of their daughter, Jayna Murray, in March inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, at Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville, Md., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Defense Attorney Douglas Wood speaks to the media after his client Brittany Norwood was convicted of first degree murder in the bludgeoning death of Jayna Murray in March inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, at Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville, Md., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Montgomery County States Attorney John McCarthy speaks to the media after Brittany Norwood was convicted of first degree murder in the bludgeoning death of Jayna Murray in March inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, at Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville, Md., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Margaret Wheeler with Lululemon, left, hugs Phyllis Murray, mother of Jayna Murray, after Brittany Norwood was convicted of murder in the first degree in the bludgeoning death of Jayna Murray in March inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, Md., at Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville, Md., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Phyllis Murray, left, and David Murray, speak to the media after Brittany Norwood was convicted of first degree murder in the bludgeoning death of their daughter, Jayna Murray, in March inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, at Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville, Md., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

(AP) ? A woman who killed her co-worker in an upscale suburban Washington yoga clothing shop was convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday and faces the prospect of life in prison.

The Montgomery County jury deliberated for a little more than an hour before returning the verdict against 29-year-old Brittany Norwood, who showed no expression as the decision was read.

There was no dispute in the weeklong trial that Norwood had killed 30-year-old Jayna Murray inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in affluent Bethesda on the night of March 11. The only question for jurors was whether the killing was premeditated and an act of first-degree murder.

Prosecutors portrayed Norwood as a calculating and ruthless murderer who lured Murray back to the store after closing and attacked her with about a half dozen instruments ? including a hammer, knife and wrench ? then doctored the crime scene and concocted an elaborate fable that pinned the blame on two masked men.

Her lawyers said Norwood, a former college soccer player who had only recently started working at the store, had simply snapped during a heated argument and spun a series of "delusional" lies as a result.

The distinction was crucial because a second-degree murder conviction would have carried a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, far shorter than the punishment of life without parole now being sought by prosecutors.

In the end, the jury appeared swayed by the prosecution's description of Norwood as a cunning criminal. Juror Donny Knepper said he was struck by the sheer number of wounds Murray suffered; a medical examiner counted at least 331 separate injuries, including a fatal knife wound to the brain.

"How could that be anything but premeditation?" said the 36-year-old Knepper.

A judge's ruling prevented both sides from discussing the reason for the fight, but prosecutors have said Murray caught Norwood with stolen merchandise from the store and that Norwood stood to lose her job if the theft was reported.

The crime attracted immediate attention because it occurred in a bustling, high-end commercial thoroughfare.

Based on Norwood's account that she and Murray had been attacked by robbers, police spent time hunting down leads and residents and shoppers in a county where murders are relatively rare were rattled by the thought that two dangerous men were on the loose. Those fears proved misplaced.

Norwood, who was interviewed multiple times over the next week at the hospital, her home and at the police station, emerged as the sole suspect as her story unraveled. She was arrested seven days after the killing.

"The case that we tried and the person we tried was not the case we got involved in initially," Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy, who prosecuted Norwood, said after the verdict.

Murray's family choked back tears as the verdict was read and a "yes" sounded from their side of the courtroom. Norwood's family sat impassively and declined to comment afterward.

"More than anything, I know the trauma our family has gone through," said Murray's mother, Phyllis. "I want no other family to go through this."

Norwood's attorney Doug Wood said he was disappointed at the speed of the verdict and said he expects to appeal. Sentencing is set for Jan. 27.

"I think that we were surprised that this happened so (fast). I thought we had established a pretty good case for second-degree murder."

Jurors heard from detectives who interviewed Norwood and initially believed her story; from Apple employees who testified that they heard two women loudly arguing next door; from a nurse who examined Norwood at the hospital; and from a constellation of forensics experts whose testimony linked Norwood to the slaying.

McCarthy told jurors during closing arguments that there was abundant evidence of premeditation, from the number of wounds and weapons to the elaborate cover-up. After the two women had closed the store for the night, Norwood called Murray and asked her to return, saying she had left her wallet inside and needed help getting back in.

He said however long the attack lasted, there was enough time for Murray to plead for mercy ? she cried out for help and beseeched Norwood to "talk to me," according to testimony ? and for Norwood to grab at least five different weapons inside the store to use against her victim. A medical examiner testified Wednesday that Murray was alive for the duration of the attack.

"This crime took an enormous amount of time, and there were dozens of opportunities ? multiple times ? when she could have stopped this," McCarthy said.

In the 10 hours after the attack, prosecutors say, Norwood used a size-14 shoe to track blood around the store. She cut herself, even making a slit in her the crotch of her pants to support the allegation that she was raped with a coat hanger, and bound her hands above her head.

When police arrived the next morning, a dazed Norwood told police her concocted story. Detectives testified that they initially believed Norwood and treated her as a victim.

Wood, her lawyer, said it was ridiculous to think the killing was premeditated because her narrative was so inconsistent and riddled with holes. If she were so methodical, he said, she would have left the store after the killing instead of sticking around to stage the scene. And he said it defied reason for her to claim she had been raped when she had to have known that an examination would swiftly debunk that accusation.

"Is that the story of someone who is cunning?" Wood asked incredulously. "That's the story of someone who is the exact opposite of cunning. That's the story of someone who is delusional, lost."

.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2011-11-02-Yoga%20Shop%20Killing/id-d4cb4dd07c15467fa302ba9545ccc0db

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E! defends decision to reshow Kardashian wedding (AP)

NEW YORK ? Kim Kardashian's lightning-quick marriage shouldn't have any impact on the E! Entertainment network's relationship with the reality TV family despite some shuffling this week, E!'s chief said on Wednesday.

E! moved up, and then moved back, a rerun of Kardashian's lavish wedding to pro basketball player Kris Humphries after Kardashian announced this week that the marriage was kaput. The network, feeling its reputation sullied, put out a statement calling rumors that it had orchestrated the wedding for TV to be "completely false."

"I don't even know if Kim has had a chance to emotionally process this the way that she needs to," said Suzanne Kolb, president of E! Entertainment. "I don't have any indication that this is going to change her career path."

Kardashian's wedding to Humphries, televised on E! to huge ratings last month, was the highlight of the 72-day marriage. The wedding took place on Aug. 20; it was televised Oct. 9 and 10. The first day scored the highest ratings in E!'s history.

Before the marriage went sour, E! had planned to rerun the wedding in prime time Wednesday and Thursday this week. With Kardashian's announcement, E! moved the first part up to Monday and was set to run part two on Tuesday. Then, showing some uncertainty about whether that appeared insensitive, E! moved part two to Thursday at 5 p.m. An onscreen announcement at the show's beginning on Thursday will tell viewers about the divorce announcement.

Asked why E! was rerunning a wedding from a broken marriage, Kolb said, "We are a topical network and this is a topic at the moment." When it first aired, both parts of "Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event" attracted more than 4 million viewers ? big numbers for a cable network.

Kardashian announced the divorce on her website, and some of the nearly 3,000 comments posted there Wednesday questioned whether the wedding was a hoax and all for show.

"I am trying not to read all the different media reports but it's hard not to see all the negative ones," Kardashian wrote on her website. "First and foremost, I married for love. I can't believe I even have to defend this. I would not have spent so much time on something just for a TV show."

In an interview on Australian television this week, Kardashian said "intuition" led her to end her marriage.

"I think when you know so deep in your heart that you just have to listen to your intuition, and follow your heart," Kardashian said. "There's no right or wrong thing to do."

Kardashian is in Australia with her sister Khloe to promote a line of handbags.

Kolb said she felt the network's statement about comments questioning the marriage's legitimacy was necessary because E!, the show's producers and the Kardashians were being unfairly treated. "At some point I felt we had to come out and say that was absurd," she said.

With a television family such as the Kardashians, "I don't know if the distinction between reality and contrivance means anything anymore," said Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University.

E! executives may have to tread a little carefully around the controversy, but it also has the potential of being a gold mine, he said. Think of the alternative: In television drama, there's no bigger story-killer than a couple getting married and living happily ever after.

"Chevy manufactures cars out of their assembly line," he said. "The Kardashians manufacture stories like these. This is what they do. This is their product."

The Kardashian family has been a cottage industry for E! ever since "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" premiered in 2007. Kim was the star, known best at the time for a sex tape she did with singer Ray J.

The initial show produced three spinoffs: "Khloe and Lamar"; "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami"; and "Kourtney and Kim Take New York." All the shows are currently between seasons, but another season of "Kourtney and Kim Take New York" premieres on Nov. 27, and it will deal in depth with Kim's marriage problems, Kolb said.

"The show is obviously going to have more drama in it that we originally expected with a newlywed couple," she said. "At the same time, people are going to be able to see how difficult this was for the two of them."

Not following the Kardashian story would be contrary to the way E! has covered the family for the past four years and the way the Kardashians have chosen to live their lives unfiltered, Kolb said.

The rapid dissolution of the marriage put the Kardashian clan squarely in line for public ridicule.

Jay Leno opened his "Tonight" show Tuesday with six straight Kardashian jokes. "Seventy-two days," he said. "I was on at 10 o'clock longer than that."

David Letterman offered a Top Ten list of "Things That Have Lasted Longer Than the Kardashian Marriage." No. 5 was "ABC's remake of `Charlie's Angels.'" No. 9 was "a conversation with Regis."

E! is walking a fine line with bankable reality stars and a potential backlash.

"I think you try to milk it and say you're not going to milk it," said Derek Baine, a cable TV analyst for SNL Kagan. "You don't want to seem real crass and taking advantage of a personal tragedy. In fact, it's their job to boost the ratings. There's nothing like a good car wreck."

In another interview on Australian television, Kardashian said she has not decided what to do with her 20.5-carat engagement ring, or with the gifts she received from her $172,000 wedding registry.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/celebrity/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111103/ap_en_tv/us_people_kim_kardashian

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