Archive: February 2011

Print media widely covered the Supreme Court ruling in a case which sought to hold a drug maker liable for the side effects of a childhood vaccine. Most sources considered the Court’s decision a victory for vaccine makers. The Los Angeles Times reported, “The Supreme Court on Tuesday shielded the nation’s vaccine makers from being […]

Here’s more trouble for Toyota. The company has recalled more than two million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to correct problems that can cause gas pedals to become stuck in floor mats. You can see a list of vehicles included in the recall at Toyota’s recall site.

OK, this site isn’t really “fun,” but it sure is an interesting idea. Have you ever lost a camera? I have, but fortunately it did not have any photos on it that had not been transferred to a computer. Some people are not nearly as fortunate. They get lazy about transferring photos, and can lose […]

The Los Angeles Times ran an article last week reporting that dire warnings from the food and Drug Administration have not stopped parents from giving potentially dangerous cough and cold medicines to infants. Here are excerpts: More than half of parents continue to give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children under the age of […]

The short answer to that question is no. Here is a more complete explanation from the National Organization of Social Security Claimants representatives: The tax bill signed into law in December 2010, the “Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010,” included a one-year reduction in the FICA payroll tax paid by employees […]

AlloDerm is a type of skin graft material made from decellularized human cadaveric dermis (meaning it’s made from donated skin that’s been processed to remove the cells). AlloDerm was first introduced into the market in 1994 for use treating burn victims by skin-grafting over the burn. AlloDerm is made by LifeCell Corporation. Since that time […]

USA Today reports, “More than 9,500 babies and toddlers” go to the emergency department (ED) each year because of injuries related to “cribs, playpens and bassinets,” according to a “19-year” study in the journal Pediatrics. The researchers found that an average of “113 children die each year from these accidents.” Lead author Dr. Gary Smith, […]

I don’t care what color my Diet Coke is, but please don’t change the taste! NBC Nightly News reported, “Something a lot of us take a lot of in, caramel coloring, the stuff that makes Coke and Pepsi and other soft drinks so dark. … A consumer group says some versions of caramel coloring contain […]

This sailboat was designed to look like a sinking ship. Great idea, but I wonder how many times the Coast Guard has rushed to its “rescue”?

In a front-page story, the Boston Globe reported, “With the use of monitors rising, their beeps can become so relentless, and false alarms so numerous, that nurses become desensitized — sometimes leaving patients to die without anyone rushing to their bedside.” In some cases, busy nurses “have not heard or ignored alarms warning of failing […]