Current Events in September 2014

It's always nice to see birds enjoying your garden and fall is a great time to actually bring birds into the garden so you can help them out. It will make life a lot easier for them if you grow plants they can enjoy.

The type of birds you will see as it gets colder will change. Some birds migrate and others just move around and change position locally. Others just tough out the winter weather right where they are.

This fall, attract birds to your garden by giving them the four main things they need: food, water, shelter and a nesting site. Bird feeders, birdbaths and birdhouses can all play an important role.

Fall is a time to load up for birds. It's very much like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Growing seeds and fruit, and cultivating bug populations in your garden, will help your local birds get ready for the winter months. Feeding the birds in fall will also attract unique migrating species to your yard, giving you the opportunity to see birds that might not normally be found nearby.

Seed or suet

Bird feeders can be a huge help to birds in the cooler months. Many gardeners and homeowners provide supplemental food, especially during the colder months, in the form of man-made bird feeders filled with seed or suet.

Just make sure if you use your bird feeders all year that you also clean them out so you don't transfer any bird diseases.

The best foods for fall birds are full of energy-rich oil and carbohydrates that can help the birds build fat reserves as fuel for long flights. Fill your feeders with:

• Sunflower seeds;
• Suet;
• Peanuts and peanut butter;
• Cracked corn; and 
• Hummingbird nectar (if you have hummingbirds)

You may notice your mulch is getting munched on as well. Winter mulch seems to be a favorite. There are a lot of bugs in winter mulch and birds sometimes like bugs more then seeds. Once you’ve put your garden to bed for the cooler months, add fallen leaves or straw to your garden beds to keep them warmer in the winter and add nutrients to the garden.

Birds need water in the winter too, not just in the summer when it's hot. They need to be able to safely get to the water for drinking and bathing. A filled birdbath is the easiest water source for thirsty birds. You can set up a bird bath at ground level on the south side of your house or on a fence or hedge that faces south. The ground-level bird baths stay unfrozen longer than above-ground ones.

You will see more birds if you have a shelter like trees and shrubs where they can hide and stay warm.. Tall grasses, evergreen trees and wooden birdhouses are but a few examples of nesting spaces birds prefer.

Your local birds will thank you by being present in your yard when they see how well prepared you are for them.

Although contract signings remain at their second-highest level over the past year, pending home sales dipped during August, with all major regions experiencing declines except for the West.

The National Association of Realtors reports its Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) fell 1.0% to 104.7 in August from 105.8 in July, and is now 2.2% below August 2013 (107.1).

Despite the slight decline, the index -- a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings -- is above 100 for the fourth consecutive month and is at the second-highest level since last August.

First-time buyers step back

Contract signings are holding steady and fewer distressed sales and less investor activity is likely behind August’s modest decline, said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “Fewer distressed homes at bargain prices and the acknowledgment we’re entering a rising interest rate environment likely caused hesitation among investors last month,” he said. “With investors pulling back, the market is shifting more towards traditional and first-time buyers who rely on mortgages to purchase a home.”

According to NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 81% of first-time buyers in 2013 who financed their purchase obtained a conventional or FHA loan. Overall, first-time homebuyers have been less prevalent from the housing recovery, representing less than a third of all buyers each month for the past two years.

Yun says first-time buyer participation should gradually improve despite tight credit conditions and the inevitable rise in rates. “The employment outlook for young adults is brightening and their incomes finally appear to be rising,” he said. “Jobs and income gains will help repay student debt and better position first-time buyers, setting the stage for improved sales growth in upcoming years.”

Regional activity

• The PHSI in the Northeast slipped 3.0% to 86.5 in August, but is still 1.6% above a year ago.
• In the Midwest the index fell 2.1% to 102.4 last month, and is 7.6% below August 2013.
• The pending home sales in the South decreased 1.4% to 117.0 in August, unchanged from a year ago.
• The index in the West rose 2.6% to 102.1 -- the fourth consecutive monthly increase -- but remains 2.6% below August 2013.

Sales, price outlook

Existing-home sales are expected to be stronger in the second half of the year behind improved inventory conditions, continuously low interest rates and slower price growth. Overall, Yun forecasts existing-homes sales to be down 3.0% this year to 4.94 million from 5.09 million sales of previously-owned homes in 2013.

The national median existing-home price is projected to grow between 5 and 6% this year and 4 and 5% next year.

Foster Farms of Farmerville, La., is recalling approximately 39,747 pounds of frozen pre-cooked chicken products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

There have been no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the products.

Consumers should reheat ready-to-eat product until steaming hot.

The frozen chicken breast grilled strips product was produced on August 5, 2014, and shipped to retail warehouse locations in California, Texas, Utah and Washington state.

The following product is subject to recall:

• 3.5-lb. Plastic resealable bags containing frozen “Chicken Breast Grilled Strips.”

The packaging bears the establishment number “P-33901” and a Best by Date of 08-05-15.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall may contact Teresa Lenz, Foster Farm consumer affairs manager, at (800) 338-8051.

Delicious Beef Jerky of Albuquerque, N.M., is recalling 8 pounds of beef jerky products.

The products were marked and shipped without the benefit of inspection when they were produced under a retail exemption.

There are no reports of adverse reactions or illness due to consumption of these products.

The products subject to recall are

• 2.5-oz. and 5-oz. plastic bags of DELICIOUS BEEF JERKY Lemon Pepper Seasoned Beef Jerky with a use-by date of 0911155

The products the establishment number “EST. 34408” inside the USDA Mark of Inspection, and were sold in small retail stores in the Albuquerque, N.M., area.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Theodore Baca at (505) 344-9221.

Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 850,000 2013-2014 Ford C-MAX, Fusion, Escape and Lincoln MKZ vehicles in North America for a potential issue with the restraints control module.

The restraints control module in the recalled vehicles may experience a short circuit, illuminating the air bag warning indicator. Depending on the location of the short circuit, the deployable restraint systems (e.g., airbags, pretensioners, side curtains) may not function as intended in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The short circuit also may affect the function of other systems that use data from the restraints control module, including stability control. In these cases, the corresponding warning indicator lamps would also illuminate.

Ford says as of Sept. 24, 2014, it is aware of approximately 745,000 vehicles in the U.S. and federalized territories, approximately 83,000 in Canada and approximately 20,000 in Mexico.

The company says there are no reports of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include:

• 2013-2014 C-MAX vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, Jan. 19, 2012, to Nov. 21, 2013;
• 2013-2014 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 3, 2012, to Aug. 24, 2013;
• 2013-2014 Escape vehicles built at Louisville Assembly Plant, Oct. 5, 2011, to Nov. 1, 2013; and
• 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, April 25, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013.

Dealers will replace the restraints control module at no cost to the customer.

Caviness Beef Packers of Hereford, Texas, is recalling approximately 23,100 pounds of beef trimmings products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The following been beef trimmings products are subject to recall and were produced on August 14, 2014 and August 20, 2014:

• Combo bins containing “Beef Trimmings, BNLS, 90 L”
• Combo bins containing “Beef Trimmings, BNLS, 84 L”

The products bear the establishment number “EST. 675” inside the USDA mark of inspection and were shipped to fast food restaurants and retail distribution locations in Texas.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 145° F or 160° F for ground meat.

The only way to confirm that beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall may contact Trevor Caviness at (806) 372-5781.

There's the Mediterranean diet, the Paleo diet and the Atkins diet. Add to those popular regimens the anti-inflammatory diet. Only don't expect to lose weight with it – that isn't the point.

The anti-inflammatory diet, as the name implies, is designed to reduce chronic inflammation, which is not only linked to discomfort but to some diseases. You can take medication to reduce inflammation but the most common drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) -- including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen -- may be problematic for some people at risk of heart attack and stroke.

Thin evidence

Dr. Brent Bauer, writing in a recent issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter, says there's not a lot of evidence that diet works directly to prevent inflammation, but it certainly can't hurt. Most of the recommended foods are the same as you would find on the Mediterranean diet. They include:

• Lots of fruits and vegetables
• Healthy fats, such as olive oil and canola oil
• Eating small portions of nuts
• Red wine, in moderation
• Regular servings of fish
• Reducing red meat consumption

Inflammation usually appears around joints. It can cause pain, heat, redness, and swelling. Inflammation also occurs in muscles, tendons, ligaments and bone, resulting in pain and discomfort. Surgery is rarely used to treat it.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the use of NSAID medication is still the mainstay of most treatments for inflammatory pain, despite their commonly known side effects. But consumers who seek to avoid medication altogether have embraced an anti-inflammatory diet.

Spice it up

Besides food, some spices are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. According to NIH ginger is one of them.

During the last 25 years test after test has provided scientific support for the long-held belief that ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties.

“The original discovery of ginger's inhibitory effects on prostaglandin biosynthesis in the early 1970s has been repeatedly confirmed,” NIH notes.

Turmeric, a yellow spice found in Indian cuisine, is also thought to contain anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections, colds, and even liver disease.

Sulfur compounds found in garlic also contain anti-inflammatory properties, according to a recent study.

Cancer link

Inflammation is not just a source of pain but something even worse. According to NIH, evidence points to a connection between inflammation and a predisposition for the development of cancer. So minimizing inflammation might also help prevent this disease.

Sales of anti-inflammatory dietary supplements have increased in recent years, but Bauer writes that consumers need to proceed carefully since supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness. But he says some limited trials suggest some might be effective in reducing inflammation in the body.

"My best advice concerning chronic inflammation is to stay tuned,” Bauer writes. “This is a huge area of interest in the medical world and there are bound to be discoveries down the road that can improve well-being and the quality of health.”

The U.S. Postal Service has been losing money for years, primarily because the Internet and related technologies destroyed the USPS' former status as “cheapest and most convenient method of long-distance communications between people.”

So the post office has been proposing or experimenting with ways to reduce its expenses and operating costs (such as ending Saturday mail deliveries or replacing individual home delivery with outcroppings of cluster mailboxes), but it is also hoping to find new streams of revenue to offset all the income it lost, and continues losing, after the Internet killed most of the market for personal-letter delivery and other forms of First Class mail.

Now the USPS has a new proposal, and is seeking permission from the Postal Regulatory Commission to get into the grocery-delivery business, by leaving boxes of groceries on peoples' doorsteps.

The proposal, which is in .pdf form here, sounds pretty reasonable — or possibly insane, depending how you look at it.

Reasonable-sounding part

Here's the background to the reasonable-sounding part: the post office owns a huge fleet of delivery trucks but, during a typical 24-hour period, most of that fleet is sitting idle. After all, home and business mail deliveries are mostly made during the daylight hours, so during the overnights, the unneeded trucks just sit in parking lots. Maybe the USPS could find a profitable use for those trucks during the downtime?

Here's what the post office proposes to do:

Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3641, the United States Postal Service hereby gives notice that it intends to conduct a test of an experimental competitive product, named Customized Delivery …. Customized Delivery is a package delivery service offering that will provide customers with delivery of groceries and other prepackaged goods, primarily during a 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. delivery window.

Might that be an unreasonably optimistic business plan? Disclaimer: in all my life I've never lived in an area – urban, suburban or semi-rural – where a box of food placed on my doorstep at 3 a.m. would likely be both present and edible by the time I woke up.

Then again: the USPS proposal calls for these deliveries to be made — not on people's doorsteps, exactly, but in “a location designated by the consumer for delivery.” Presumably, any customer interested in signing up for an overnight grocery delivery would also be interested enough to designate a safe delivery location — or, perhaps, even install a food-safe (and animal-, insect- and thief-proof) equivalent to a standard home mailbox.

The post office has already tested the Customized Delivery program in a select market, helping deliver groceries for Amazon in certain neighborhoods of San Francisco. The post office said in its proposal that it averaged 160 deliveries a day across 38 Zip codes — though how much profit the USPS made as a result wasn't mentioned.

Texting while driving isn't good even when you're using Google Glass, as a new University of Central Florida studydemonstrates. There was one twist though -- the researchers found that texting Glass users outperformed smartphone users when regaining control of their vehicles after a traffic incident.

“Texting with either a smartphone or Glass will cause distraction and should be avoided while driving” said UCF researcher Ben Sawyer. “Glass did help drivers in our study recover more quickly than those texting on a smartphone. We hope that Glass points the way to technology that can help deliver information with minimal risk.”

The study, conducted in cooperation with the Air Force Research Laboratory, is the first scientific look at using Google Glass to text while driving.

Distracted drivers are a menace on the road, and according to the National Safety Council cell-phone use leads to at least 1.6 million crashes each year. With the emergence of Glass and competitors, several states are considering banning drivers from wearing those technologies.

“As distractive influences threaten to become more common and numerous in drivers’ lives, we find the limited benefits provided by Glass a hopeful sign of technological solutions to come,” Sawyer added.

The study

Sawyer and his team set up the experiment with 40 twentysomethings. Each drove in a car simulator with either Glass or a smartphone and was forced to react to a vehicle ahead slamming on its brakes.

Researchers compared text-messaging participants’ reactions on each device to times when they were just driving without multitasking. Those using Glass were no better at hitting their brakes in time, but after their close call returned to driving normally more quickly.

“While Glass-using drivers demonstrated some areas of improved performance in recovering from the brake event, the device did not improve their response to the event itself,” Sawyer said. “More importantly, for every measure we recorded, messaging with either device negatively impacted driving performance. Compared to those just driving, multitaskers reacted more slowly, preserved less headway during the brake event, and subsequently adopted greater following distances.”

While Glass gives drivers the option of using head movements and voice commands to view and respond to text messages, avoiding clumsy thumbs, texting with the technology still causes distraction.

Bottom line: don’t trade your smartphone in for Google Glass because you think it will make texting safer behind the wheel. It won’t, at least not for now.

A pet can be expensive, especially around this time of year when they want the latest Halloween costume. Oh, your pet doesn't really want to be a lobster this year? Probably not. Most pets hate having to dress up and be the life of the party again. So put that money away for Bella when she really might need it.

Here are some ideas on how you can save and create a fund for your pet so if an emergency strikes or if that yearly exam pops up and you realize you have to fix your car also at the same time you can be prepared.

Let's start with the vet

Vets aren't cheap but while cost is a big concern, selecting a veterinarian involves more than just price-shopping. There are many things to think about, including office hours, how the veterinarian and staff treat you and your pet, and what type of payment options and plans they offer. Sometimes the bigger corporate vets aren't as flexible with payments.

When considering cost, be sure you have all the facts. While some veterinary medical services -- the subscription-type services that charge a fixed fee that supposedly covers just about everything -- may be offered at very low rates, remember that they also may not include all the services your pet may need.

Make sure you compare “apples to apples,” so you know that the cost estimates you’re getting are for the same services.

Preventive care

It may seem like a big headache to have to go get flea medicine or have your pet's teeth checked, but it will cost you a lot more in the long run if you have to treat flea infestation or if your animal's teeth start falling out.

Regular rabies shots are a must-have. If your pet gets bitten by a raccoon or a wild animal they have to be treated if you didn't get a rabies shot ahead of time. Not to mention the consequences if they bite someone and haven't had their shots.

The cost of preventive care usually pales in comparison to the cost of treating the disease or problem that would have been prevented.

Eating like a king

There are some dog foods that come in small bags and cost almost $19 for a little bag. That would be crazy if you are feeding a big dog. It's also a little crazy if you are feeding a small one when there are alternatives.

For one thing, some dogs can't handle high-end food and are just fine with grocery store dog food. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health problems, which can also drain money from your wallet.

Several online stores discount pet food when you buy in bulk. When looking for dog or cat food, make sure the meat is listed first—not meat-by-products.

Uhh ohh they need meds

If your pet needs medicines, they usually cost more when you buy them from your veterinarian. Ask for a prescription and take that prescription to your local pharmacy. If you choose to purchase your pet’s medications from an online pet pharmacy, purchase only from reputable pharmacies with a valid license in your state. You can check license status with your state pharmacy board (just Google "[your state] pharmacy board").

Never purchase prescription medications from a pharmacy that tells you that you don’t need a prescription. Don’t purchase medications from pharmacies outside the U.S., because they may be selling medications that are not FDA-approved or even expired or counterfeit meds.

Down and dirty

You can easily spend between $65.00 or more on grooming. Stop out-sourcing that. Get some dog shampoo and suds that pooch up at home. Get a cheap pair of clippers and just give them a buzz cut.

Learn how to clip their nails. It's a little scary at first -- for you and the dog -- but you can do it. If you don't want the mess at your house go to a wash-and-go place they are usually $15 or so and have all the supplies. You are saving time and maybe money.

To insure or not to insure?

There's no doubt a sick pet can cost thousands while also causing emotional grief to your family. Pet insurance may be the answer, if you get the right policy.

Depending on your pet (cat or dog), plans can range from $10 per month for limited accident coverage to $50 per month covering illnesses and accidents. Make sure you check and see if your pet’s insurance premium would be better off invested in a high interest savings account (if you can find one). And always read the fine print to understand what is covered and the size of the deductible.

My suggestion? Open a pet savings account at your bank or credit union, wherever you stash your money every month. Call it a pet allowance -- you save it for your pet and you use it with your discretion.

OK, you really want Bella to be a lobster for Halloween. Well, you saved money all year long and didn't buy the most expensive dog food, you budgeted for one toy last month not two. You have the funds, so knock yourself out and have her suffer through greeting everyone at the door.

A pet savings account is a much cheaper approach than an expensive insurance policy and should cover most of your pet problems.

By now you've surely noticed that, anytime you read the initial news story “Hackers breach this company's customer database,” there's always a followup story that goes something like, “Turns out, the hacking's even worse than initial reports indicated.”

So, on Sept. 24, the Jimmy John's sandwich chain confirmed that, yes: a security breach at one of Jimmy John's third-party payment vendors compromised customer data from all Jimmy John's stores that used it, at least 216 stores out of approximately 1,900 nationwide.

At the time, Jimmy John's didn't specify who that payment vendor was, but security blogger Brian Krebs (who first discovered the Jimmy John's breach) said his sources suspected the vendor was Signature Systems, Inc., and it was their point-of-sale systems that got hacked.

That was the initial story. Today, Krebs provided the “news is even worse” followup: Signature Systems confirmed that its compromised point-of-sale systems were not only behind the Jimmy John's breach, but also compromised customer data at over 100 other independent stores or businesses.

Signature Systems released a statement saying:

We have determined that an unauthorized person gained access to a user name and password that Signature Systems used to remotely access POS systems. The unauthorized person used that access to install malware designed to capture payment card data from cards that were swiped through terminals in certain restaurants. The malware was capable of capturing the cardholder’s name, card number, expiration date, and verification code from the magnetic stripe of the card. … This incident affected 216 Jimmy John’s stores and 108 other restaurant locations.

Not too helpful

Signature also provided a complete list of affected stores and businesses. (scroll down to the bottom of the page). However, that list isn't entirely useful because it only mentions company names, without street addresses, cities or even states.

This is helpful for identifying independent restaurants with unique, one-of-a-kind names – a Google search for the entry “Di Fiores Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant” brought up exactly one hit, that of Signature System's own list, and a search for the truncated “Di Fiores Pizza” brought up only a couple of dozen hits indicating a restaurant in Neffs, Pennsylvania.

But Signature's list also mentions that a “Mario's Pizza” was affected — and the U.S. has thousands of independent pizza restaurants going by that name and scattered across all 50 states.

Which was the one that used Signature's point-of-sale system to handle its payments? Right now, without knowing at least the city and state, there's no easy way to tell, but if you're fond of dining at independent “mom-and-pop” restaurants, it wouldn't hurt to check the list in case any of the company names sound familiar.

The third time is the charm when it comes to calculating economic growth for the second quarter.

This latest look at expansion in the gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the U.S. -- shows growth at an annual rate of 4.6%.

The first two estimates put expansion at a rate of 4.0% and 4.2%, respectively. The stringer showing follows a first-quarter decline of 2.1%.

No significant change

This latest estimate is based on more complete source data than were available for the estimate issued last month. Government economists note, however, that the general picture of economic growth

remains the same although advances in nonresidential fixed investment and in exports were larger than

previously estimated.

The increase primarily reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, private inventory investment, nonresidential fixed investment, state and local government spending, and residential fixed investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.

Inflation

Prices paid by U.S. residents increased 2.0%, up 0.1% from the second estimate and 1.4% in the first quarter. The”core” rate, which excludes food and energy prices, was up 1.7% compared.

The full report is available on the Commerce Department website.

With an eye toward protecting consumers -- especially young children, tweens, and teens – the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new national safety standard for high-powered magnet sets.

These sets are hazardous to young children, who have put them in their mouths and swallowed them, They also pose a serious risk to teens and tweens, who have used them to create mock lip, tongue and nose piercings.

Serious injuries possible

Hazardous magnet sets include, on average, approximately 200 magnets, although some have up to 1,700 magnets. If multiple magnets are swallowed, the magnets attract each other, pinching or trapping intestines or other digestive tissue between them. The result can be a serious injury that requires surgery and can lead to lifelong health consequences or death.

High-powered magnet sets were found to be responsible for the death of a 19-month-old girl and, according to CPSC analysis, an estimated 2,900 emergency room-treated injuries between 2009 and 2013. The agency concluded that the safety standard is necessary to address the unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with these magnet sets.

New standard

Under the new CPSC performance standard, an individual magnet from a magnet set either must be large enough that the magnet does not fit into a CPSC small parts cylinder or the power of the magnetic force must be lower than a specified measure. Certain hazardous magnet sets that were previously in the marketplace had a magnetic force that was 37 times greater than what the new performance standard permits.

The rule applies to high-powered magnet sets and to individual magnets that are marketed or intended for use as part of a magnet set. Once the safety standard becomes effective, the manufacture, importation, distribution or sale of high-powered magnet sets that are subject to the federal standard and do not comply will be illegal.

CPSC urges consumers to stop using those magnets that will not comply with the new federal standard.

Gastric bypass surgery has better outcomes than gastric banding for long-term weight loss, controlling type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, and lowering cholesterol levels, according to a new study. But another study found that the surgery is not a magic wand to cure depression.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center reviewed nearly 30 long-term studies comparing the two types of procedures.

The review, appearing in JAMA, found that those undergoing gastric bypass operations lost more weight — an average of 66% of their excess weight, compared to 45% for those undergoing gastric banding procedures.

“We know gastric bypass brings more weight loss success and relief of commonly associated illness versus gastric band at one year after surgery. We now have the best evidence available telling us this outcome continues to be true even up to five years after surgery. We also know these procedures maintain their safety profile long-term,” said Dr. Nancy Puzziferri, Assistant Professor of Surgery and part of the bariatric surgery team at UT Southwestern.

“The review underscores the importance of thinking about durable treatments, as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol are chronic illnesses, rather than focusing on short-term results,” Dr. Puzziferri said.

No magic wand

Yale researchers, meanwhile, found that not all obese people feel better after such surgery, even though most severely obese people experience much better spirits once they shed weight through a diet, lifestyle changes or medical intervention.

Researchers Valentina Ivezaj and Carlos Grilo of the Yale University School of Medicine, writing in Springer’s journal Obesity Surgery, advise that the levels of depression in patients be measured 6 to 12 months after surgery so that help can be provided if needed.

“The majority of patients whose mood had worsened discernibly experienced these mood changes between six and 12 months post-surgery, suggesting this may be a critical period for early detection and intervention, as needed,” explains Ivezaj.

Self-reported questionnaires were completed by 107 patients with extreme obesity before they underwent gastric bypass surgery, and then again six and 12 months after the procedure. They were asked to reflect on their levels of depression, possible eating disorders, their self-esteem and general social functioning.

120,000 annually

According to a 2011 estimate, some 120,000 bariatric procedures are performed annually in the U.S. Worldwide, gastric bypass accounts for about 47% of weight loss procedures, while gastric bands account for about 18%.

Researchers found dramatic differences between the two procedures in controlling diabetes. More than two-thirds of gastric bypass patients with Type 2 diabetes saw remission of the disease, compared to less than a third of gastric band patients.

Gastric bypass surgery also lowered hypertension better than gastric banding. Nearly half of patients (48%) with hypertension reported remission after two years with gastric bypass, compared to less than a fifth (17%) for those undergoing gastric band procedures.

Gastric bypass also improved hyperlipidemia, characterized by high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins in the blood. About 60% of gastric bypass patients reported remission in the studies, compared to about 23% of gastric band patients.

Long-term complication rates for the two procedures also favored gastric bypass, through both were relatively low — less than 3% for bypass surgery and less than 5% for banding procedures.

Bad Boy Buggies of Augusta, Ga., is recalling about 4,460 Bad Boy Buggies off-road vehicles.

Incorrect parking brake adjustments and improperly bled brake lines can diminish a consumer’s braking ability, posing a crash hazard.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves gas- and electric-powered, four-wheeled recreational vehicles manufactured by Bad Boy Buggies. The vehicles have bench seats for the driver and passenger, a cargo bed in the rear of the two-person model, and a rear-facing back seat in the four-person model.

The recreational vehicles were sold in black, camouflage, green and red, and have 1¾ inch tubular steel exterior frames.

The recalled off-road vehicles have serial numbers ranging from 8004970 through 8012901. Serial numbers are printed on a plate or label on the steering column. Brand and model names are printed on the side and front panels of the vehicle.

Model names included in the recall are:

• Ambush and Ambush iS
• Instinct
• Recoil and Recoil iS

The vehicles, manufactured in the U.S. were sold at Bad Boy Buggies dealers nationwide from August 2012, through May 2014, for between $9,600 and $14,400.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled vehicles and contact Bad Boy Buggies or an authorized dealer for a free repair.

Consumers may contact Bad Boy Buggies toll-free at (855) 738-3711 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Ross Procurement of Dublin, Calif., is recalling about 840 metal bistro chairs

The chair’s seat can fail to attach to the frame when the chair is unfolded, causing the chair to collapse. This poses a fall hazard to consumers.

The company has received three reports of minor injuries from the chairs collapsing, including a back strain and minor bruises.

This recall involves orange metal folding bistro chairs with perforations on the seat. The chairs measure about 36 inches tall by 15 inches wide by 16 inches deep. SKU 400101018858 is found on the product hangtag.

The chairs, manufactured in China, were sold exclusively at Ross stores nationwide from February 2014, through April 2014, for about $30.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs with seats that do not attach to the frame and return them to any Ross store for a full refund.  

Chrysler Group is recalling an estimated 349,442 older-model vehicles to correct conditions that may cause ignition keys to become stuck or inadvertently move.

The company says the keys on certain model-year 2008 vehicles produced before May 12, 2008, may not return fully to the “ON” position after rotation to the “START” position during engine-startup. Instead, they may remain between the two positions. If this occurs, windshield defroster and wiper function may be lost. Air bag function is not affected.

Less probable, Chrysler says, is the prospect that an ignition key may not fully return to the “ON” position after rotation to the “START” position and may inadvertently move through the “ON” position to “ACCESSORY” or “OFF.” If this occurs, it may result in reduced braking power and a loss of engine power, power steering, and one or more of the vehicle’s safety features including front air bags.

The automaker says it is aware of a single minor accident that was possibly related to either condition, but that it is unaware of any related injuries.

Thousands of vehicles affected

The campaign is limited to 2008 Dodge Charger sedans, Dodge Magnum station wagons, Chrysler 300 sedans, Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs.

It covers an estimated 292,224 vehicles in the U.S.; 18,976 in Canada; 4,947 in Mexico; and 33,295 outside the NAFTA region.

All affected customers will be notified when they may schedule service, which will be provided at no cost to them. In the interim, they are advised to confirm their ignition keys are set in the “ON” position (1 o’clock) after starting their vehicles. This will assure engine power and intended functionality of all systems, including front air bags.

As a supplementary precaution, Chrysler is advising customers to detach their ignition keys from key rings and other keys.

Owners with questions may call Chrysler's customer information center at 1-800-853-1403.

Shivvers Manufacturing of Corydon, Iowa is recalling about 2,011 riding lawn mowers in the U.S. and Canada.

The ignition module can fail to ground, resulting in overheating and melting, posing a fire hazard.

The company has received reports of four lawn mower ignition modules overheating and melting. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves model year 2012, 2013 and 2014 Country Clipper riding lawn mowers. The recalled mowers are equipped with 27-horsepower Kohler Command CV740 or Kohler Courage SV740 twin cylinder engines.

The Command engine is dark gray and has the name and model number on a label on the side of the engine near the air filter. The Courage engine has a black engine shroud and has the name and model number on the top of the shroud. The recalled mowers are steered by either a joystick or two steering arms.

The recalled mowers were manufactured from October 2011, to May 2014, and include the model names Challenger, Charger, Edge, Jazee, Jazee Pro and Jazee Pro DLX.

The following model years and model numbers are recalled:

The mowers, manufactured in the U.S., were sold at Country Clipper lawn mower dealers nationwide from October 2011, to May 2014, for between $5,300 and $9,500.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lawn mowers and contact a Country Clipper dealer to schedule a free repair.

Consumers may contact Country Clipper at (800) 344-8237 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.