Current Events in August 2015

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    Early to rise just doesn't cut it for students, study says

    Most U.S. middle and high schools start the school day too early

    Is your middle or high school-aged child getting enough sleep? Not according to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    The agency's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report says fewer than 1 in 5 began the school day at 8:30 AM or later during the 2011-2012 school year, the start time recommended by the 2011-2012 Schools and Staffing Survey of nearly 40,000 public middle, high, and combined schools.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics says too-early start times can keep students from getting the sleep they need for health, safety, and academic success.

    Consequences of too little sleep

    Schools that have a start time of 8:30 AM or later allow adolescent students the opportunity to get the recommended amount of sleep on school nights -- about 8.5 to 9.5 hours. Insufficient sleep is common among high school students and is associated with several health risks such as being overweight, drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and using drugs -- as well as poor academic performance. The proportion of high school students who fail to get sufficient sleep (2 out of 3) has remained steady since 2007, according to the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Report.

    “Getting enough sleep is important for students’ health, safety, and academic performance,” said Anne Wheaton, Ph.D., lead author and epidemiologist in CDC’s Division of Population Health. “Early school start times, however, are preventing many adolescents from getting the sleep they need.”

    Study findings

    • 42 states reported that 75-100% of the public schools in their respective states started before 8:30 AM.
    • The average start time was 8:03 AM.
    • The percentage of schools with start times of 8:30 AM or later varied greatly by state. No schools in Hawaii, Mississippi, and Wyoming started at 8:30 AM or later; more than 75 percent of schools in Alaska and North Dakota started at 8:30 AM or later.
    • Louisiana had the earliest average school start time (7:40 AM), while Alaska had the latest (8:33 AM).

    In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement urging middle and high schools to modify start times to no earlier than 8:30 AM to aid students in getting sufficient sleep to improve their overall health.

    School start time policies are not determined at the federal or state level, but at the district or individual school level. Future studies may determine whether this recommendation results in later school start times.

    What to do

    The authors report that delayed school start times do not replace the need for other interventions that can improve sleep among adolescents. Parents can help their children practice good sleep habits. For example, a consistent bedtime and rise time, including on weekends, is recommended for everyone, including children, adolescents, and adults.

    Health care providers who treat adolescents should educate teens and parents about the importance of adequate sleep in maintaining health and well-being.

    Is your middle or high school-aged child getting enough sleep? Not according to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). T...

    Northwest Farm Food Cooperative recalls frozen raw cat food

    The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

    Northwest Farm Food Cooperative of Burlington, Wash., is recalling frozen raw cat food.

    The product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

    No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported to date.

    The recalled product was sold from the company's facility in Burlington, Wash., in 50-lb. blocks and cases of six 10-lb. chubs packaged in a white plastic bag labeled “Cat Food.” They have the production code Jul12015B, which can be found on the outside of the case (box), and no UPC code.

    Customers who purchased the recalled product should stop using it and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or dispose of it immediately.

    Consumers with questions may call (360) 757-4225 Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (PST).

    Northwest Farm Food Cooperative of Burlington, Wash., is recalling frozen raw cat food. The product may be contaminated with Salmonella. No pet or consum...

    Discount Tire recalls light truck replacement tires

    The tire tread may separate and cause rapid air pressure loss

    Discount Tire is recalling 79,513 Pathfinder SAT LT245/75R17E1 121R W tires manufactured September 16, 2013, to May 19, 2015; Pathfinder SAT LT265/75R16E1 123Q W tires manufactured August 5, 2013, to May 19, 2015; Pathfinder SAT LT265/70R17E1 121S B tires manufactured September 2, 2013, to May 19, 2015; and Pathfinder SAT LT275/65R18E1 123S B tires manufactured October 7, 2013, to May 19, 2015.

    These replacement light truck tires may have been manufactured with a inner liner gauge that is lower than specified. As a result, the tire tread may separate and cause rapid air pressure loss, which can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Discount Tire will notify owners, and dealers will provide replacement tires or refund the purchase price, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in August 2015.

    Owners may contact Discount Tire customer service at 1-888-519-6914.

    Discount Tire is recalling 79,513 Pathfinder SAT LT245/75R17E1 121R W tires manufactured September 16, 2013, to May 19, 2015; Pathfinder SAT LT265/75R16E1 ...

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      Chinese hackers compromise private email accounts of high-ranking U.S. officials

      Security breach dates back to at least April 2010, and is still ongoing

      Once again, hackers with suspected foreign-government connections (Chinese, this time) have managed to break into and read the emails of top U.S. government officials. More precisely, once again, the American public has been informed of such a breach, though the breach itself has been ongoing for much longer.

      Government hacking

      NBC News reported today that since at least April 2010, Chinese cyber spies have been able to access and read the private emails of “many” high-ranking officials in the Obama administration. However, it does not appear that the compromise affected any official government-issued email accounts.

      Last April, the New York Times reported a similar attack that did. Hackers with suspected Russian government support were able to breach network security at the State Department, then use that as a jumping-off point to hack into the network of the White House itself.

      And just last week, the Defense Department temporarily took its email systems offline after Russian hackers successfully targeted email systems at the Pentagon.

      Breach is still ongoing

      The Russian breaches from last summer and last week compromised actual government-issued accounts and networks, not private accounts as in this latest Chinese breach. On the other hand, the security holes exploited by those Russian hackers have presumably since been fixed, whereas the Chinese breach is still going on, according to an unnamed “senior official” who spoke to NBC News.

      At a top secret National Security Agency briefing in 2014, the NSA said that the Chinese email grab was first detected in 2010, and was and is still ongoing. U.S. officials gave it the codenames “Dancing Panda” and then “Legion Amethyst.”

      NBC says that “In 2011, Google disclosed that the private gmail accounts of some U.S. officials had been compromised, but the briefing shows that private email accounts from other providers were compromised as well.” However, the senior official who spoke to NBC said that the government emails assigned to those officials had not been compromised, since they are more secure.

      In addition to reading officials' emails and any sensitive content therein, the Chinese hackers also sent malware to the friends and colleagues listed in their address books.

      String of security breaches

      U.S. security experts suspect this newly uncovered email hacking is merely the latest in a string of massive data security breaches backed by China (although the Chinese government has consistently denied responsibility for all of them). In July, the director of the federal Office of Personnel Management, which oversees security clearances for government employees and contractors, resigned after exposure of a massive security breach believed to have affected the sensitive (and often blackmail-worthy) records of 22 million people.

      Those OPM hackers are believed to be the same ones responsible for last November's breach of the United States Postal Service, the February breach at Anthem health insurance, the Premera Blue Cross breach in March, and another breach at CareFirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield in May.

      Last week, NBC published a map from that 2014 NSA briefing, showing all of the successful Chinese-backed thefts of U.S. corporate and military secrets and data over a five-year period: over 600 targets in all, with special focus on stealing data related to electrical and communications infrastructures. NBC noted that “the prizes that China pilfered during its 'intrusions' included everything from specifications for hybrid cars to formulas for pharmaceutical products to details about U.S. military and civilian air traffic control systems, according to intelligence sources.”

      The specific U.S. officials targeted in this latest Chinese cyber attack have not been publicly identified.

      Once again, hackers with suspected foreign-government connections (Chinese, this time) have managed to break into and read the emails of top U.S. governmen...

      Hearing loss can affect mental state

      Hearing-impaired psychologist says too many people delay getting hearing aids

      When do you finally decide to turn to technology to help you hear better? If you are like most consumers, not until you are 70 years old.

      The question carries more relevancy now that the oldest Baby Boomers are approaching 70 and many are showing the effects of attending too many rock concerts in their youth – not to mention exposure to the increasing noise level of modern life.

      It's an important issue for David Myers, a psychology professor at Hope College. A genetic condition caused him to start losing his hearing as a teenager, but Myers didn't turn to hearing aids until he was past 40. After some research, he discovered he wasn't alone.

      People wait an average of 6 years from the first signs of hearing loss before getting treatment, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Myers says someone 70 or older is twice as likely as someone between 20 and 69 to wear hearing aids.

      Reasons for delay

      Myers says the reason for the delay include denial, vanity, and less awareness of how much they are missing. He says the condition is under-treated and that people who embrace hearing aids can significantly lessen depression and anxiety and improve cognitive functioning.

      Myers presented his findings at last week's American Psychological Association annual convention.

      “Many hard of hearing people battle silently with their invisible hearing difficulties, straining to stay connected to the world around them, reluctant to seek help,” Myers said.

      Myers has approached hearing loss from a psychological point of view. He points to a National Council on Aging study of 2,304 people with hearing loss that shows those who did not wear hearing aids were 50% more likely to suffer from sadness or depression than people who did wear them. Hearing aid users were also much more likely to participate in social activities regularly.

      “Anger, frustration, depression and anxiety are all common among people who find themselves hard of hearing,” Myers said. “Getting people to use the latest in hearing aid technology can help them regain control of their life, and achieve emotional stability and even better cognitive functioning.”

      Dementia risk

      Myers points to another study in the Archives of Neurology that found people who lost hearing function could also be at a higher risk for dementia. Scientists who conducted the study said the risk stems from sensory loss and growing social isolation.

      Sometimes it's hard to know when your sense of hearing is diminishing. The American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASLHA) says audio screening begins with infants, where genetic issues are often uncovered.

      But screening should continue throughout life, the group says. It says school-aged children should be screened periodically through their schools. Adults should be screened as part of regular medical check-ups.

      Self-test

      ASLHA also has a self-test to help identify potential hearing problems. It says if you answer “yes” to more than two of the following questions, you should consult your doctor or a certified audiologist:

      • Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?
      • Do you hear better through one ear than the other when you are on the telephone?
      • Do you have trouble following the conversation with two or more people talking at the same time?
      • Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
      • Do you have to strain to understand conversation?
      • Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?
      • Do you have trouble hearing in restaurants?
      • Do you have dizziness, pain, or ringing in your ears?
      • Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?
      • Do family members or coworkers remark about your missing what has been said?
      • Do many people you talk to seem to mumble (or not speak clearly)?
      • Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?
      • Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?
      • Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?

      When do you finally decide to turn to technology to help you hear better? If you are like most consumers, not until you are 70 years old.The question c...

      Gas prices falling nearly everywhere but California

      California consumer groups cry foul but oil companies blame elements beyond their control

      Gas prices are tumbling, except where they're not. Nationwide, average prices are falling at the fastest rate since January due to cheaper crude oil costs and the resolution of some refinery issues but in California, the gap between local prices and the rest of the country is bigger than ever.

      AAA says that by the middle of last week, the national average price of gas had dropped for 16 days in row for a total of 11 cents per gallon. The national average price of gas on Wednesday was $2.66 per gallon, which is the lowest average for this time of year since 2009.

      “It feels good to see gas prices drop during the middle of the busy summer driving season,” said Avery Ash, AAA spokesman. “Millions of people are hitting the roads right now and these gas savings should make their trips more affordable.”

      But in California, the nation's most populous state, a different record has been broken -- this one for the biggest gap between what California consumers have paid at the pump versus the rest of the nation.

      $201 per driver

      The nonprofit group Consumer Watchdog says Californians paid $1.2 billion more, after tax differentials, than the rest of the nation in the month of July, a record, and $4.8 billion more for their gasoline over the last six months ending July 31st, since gas price spikes started. 

      That amounts to $201 extra paid by each California driver, according to the group’s calculations.

      “Oil refiners are getting rich off Californians’ pain at the pump and it's time they pay a price for their profiteering at Californians expense,” said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog. “We need new laws to stop the California gouging and we are very grateful that [billionaire environmentalist] Tom Steyer is stepping up to flex his muscle to help secure new standards to protect Californians’ wallets.”

      Steyer, who has spent millions to help elect climate-friendly candidates, wants California’s legislature to require oil refiners to publicly disclose their profits from producing gasoline in the state, according to an Associated Press report.

      “I am calling on the Legislature to address this problem,” Steyer said, according to the AP. “We have to protect Californians from these gigantic and unprecedented gas hikes.”

      Margins tripled

      Consumer Watchdog's analysis of state data found that oil refiners were able to triple refiner margins the second week of July to a record $1.61 a gallon, representing the amount of money refiners receive for each gallon sold at the pump. The historical margin over the last fifteen years is 48 cents. The margin since the price spike began in February has averaged $1.05 per gallon, the group said.

      A Chevron spokesman said the higher prices in California are the result of a fire at one refinery, a strike another, higher state taxes and a new state-mandated fuel regulation.

      "While it is easy for groups like Consumer Watchdog and individuals like Tom Steyer to take one factor in our earnings out of context, what can't be taken out of context is the fact that many policies backed by Steyer are already increasing fuel prices for California consumers," Chevron's Braden Reddall said, AP reported.

      Good news elsewhere

      California's issues aside, AAA says that gas prices should continue dropping to catch up with the recent decline in the cost of crude oil. All things being equal, a $12 decline in crude oil costs could reduce gas prices by as much as 29 cents per gallon.

      Given that prices have already dropped about 14 cents per gallon since reaching a 2015 high in June, drivers could see prices drop another 15 cents per gallon in the near term if oil remains stable and refineries operate at current production levels. Gas prices could drop even further if oil continues to fall and gasoline supplies grow larger this month, AAA said.

      “We could see many parts of the country make another run towards $2 per gallon by the end of the year if everything keeps running smoothly,” AAA's Ash said.

      Of course, there's always the possibility that a hurricane, earthquake, fire or other unforeseen misfortune may intervene.

      Gas prices are tumbling, except where they're not. Nationwide, average prices are falling at the fastest rate since January d...

      Verizon Wireless phasing out phone subsidies

      New subscribers will have to pay full retail price

      Cellphones – even before they were smartphones – have always been a pricey consumer purchase. That's why carriers have always “subsidized” the cost of a phone, giving it to you at a cheaper price, if you sign a 2-year service agreement.

      If you cancelled before the 2 years was up, the carrier charged an early termination fee (ETF) to make up for the part of the phone subsidy it wouldn't get back by billing you each month.

      Verizon Wireless has been discouraging that business model for months now and starting August 13, is ditching it entirely for new subscribers. That means new Verizon subscribers will either pay the full retail price of a phone – usually more than $600 for the latest model – or will make monthly payments on the phone at the full retail price.

      Disappearing subsidy

      Gone will be the option to pay $200 for a $600 phone and sign a 2-year contract. On the other hand, there will be no need for a 2-year contract, although consumers will have to pay off the balance on financed phones if they cancel their service.

      Verizon Wireless buried this news in a press release outlining its new data plan line-up that also goes into effect August 13.

      Verizon is hardly the first carrier to end the subsidy business model. T-Mobile did it back in 2012, allowing customers to finance the cost of the phone in monthly payments on their bill. Verizon used that approach with its Verizon Edge – a monthly financing option that becomes the norm this week.

      Starting Thursday, Verizon Wireless says its new pricing plan will simplify things for customers. It compares its 4 service plans to the sizes you choose from for your morning cup of coffee.

      4 sizes

      • Small: $30/month for 1GB of shareable data
      • Medium: $45/month for 3GB of shareable data
      • Large: $60/month for 6GB of shareable data
      • X-Large: $80/month for 12GB of shareable data

      Verizon says each size comes with unlimited talk and text and if you need extra data one month, you can get it for $15 per GB. Why change?

      “Customers said they don’t want to have to do a lot of math to figure out their best options, and we heard them,” said Rob Miller, vice-president of consumer pricing for Verizon Wireless. “A plan with small, medium, large and x-large choices makes sense for the way people actually use their wireless service.”

      Verizon is also changing its monthly line access charges. Every smartphone line is $20 per month, tablet and Jetpack lines are $10 per month, and connected device lines for devices like smart watches are $5 per month, all the time. All 4 data options can be shared with up to 10 devices.

      If you have an account with a subsidized account, Verizon says you can keep it. But if you want to switch to one of the new data plans, you have to put your subsidized phone in a drawer and buy a new one, at the full retail price.

      Cellphones – even before they were smartphones – have always been a pricey consumer purchase. That's why carriers have always “subsidized” the cost of a ph...

      It's getting more dangerous to travel on foot

      States propose ways to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents

      Walkable neighborhoods are in demand, the real estate industry tells us. Millennials, especially, want to live in neighborhoods that are within easy walking distance to shopping, entertainment, and amenities.

      While that may be a positive trend when it comes to physical health, state officials have expressed increasing concern about pedestrian safety. A recent report shows an estimated 2,125 pedestrians were killed in the first half of 2014, about the same as the year before. Deaths are up 15% since 2009.

      Based on that data, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has proposed 21 steps for states to take in order to improve pedestrian safety.

      Foot travel could be safer

      "States are developing and implementing programs to ensure the safety of all roadway users," said GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins, who oversaw the development of the proposals. "But clearly more can be done to make travel on foot as safe as possible.”

      To help states improve safety, the report looked at who is most likely to suffer a pedestrian accident. According to the data, that victim is most likely to be male and around 46 years old. In fact, males account for about 70% of pedestrian deaths.

      That victim is less likely to get hit by a vehicle while walking in a neighborhood and more likely to become an accident victim after a vehicle breakdown, forcing him to walk along the side of a busy highway for help. First responders clearing a highway accident are also frequent victims.

      "It's incumbent upon states and their partners to educate motorists about how to stay safe in the event of a vehicle breakdown or roadside stop to minimize risk," said Adkins. "That, coupled with a strong Move Over Law that explains what to do if they encounter a first responder on the side of the road, are critical."

      Distraction a growing problem

      The report also noted a significant uptick in pedestrian accidents caused by distracted walking – with the victim talking or texting on a cellphone or listening to music on headphones. While the number of pedestrians killed while using a cell phone increased from less than 1% to 3.6% between 2004 and 2010, it's estimated that as many as two million pedestrian injuries were related to cell phone use in 2010.

      The report found teenagers were particularly likely to be distracted by their cellphone while walking. It cites research in which 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 8 middle schoolers have been observed crossing the street while texting, wearing headphones, or talking on a cell phone.

      Alcohol and speed also tend to be major factors when pedestrians get hurt. In 2013, a third of pedestrians 16 years of age and older involved in fatal crashes had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 or higher, while 15 percent of motorists who fatally struck pedestrians were also over the legal limit.

      Conclusions

      The report concludes communities should be allowed to lower speed limits within their jurisdictions or establish slow speed zones in areas with a history of pedestrian accidents. It also says communities should be encouraged to reduce vehicle speed limits in neighborhoods with schools, parks, day cares, and senior centers.

      The report also points out that cities like New York, Portland, and Seattle have reduced pedestrian accidents after carefully controlling vehicle speeds in areas of high pedestrian traffic.

      Pedestrians distracted by their mobile devices may be a growing problem, but, at the moment, drivers hitting pedestrians and first responders on the side of a highway account for more accidents, the study concludes.

      It says today's drivers need to be better educated about the danger of pedestrian accidents and how to avoid them.

      Walkable neighborhoods are in demand, the real estate industry tells us. Millennials, especially, want to live in neighborhoods that are within easy walkin...

      Builder optimism about the 55+ housing market remains solid

      The condo sector is showing real strength

      Even with a slight decline, builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market remains in positive territory.

      The National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) reports its 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) for the second quarter of 2015 dipped 1 point for a reading of 57 -- the fifth consecutive quarter with a reading above 50.

      “Although builder confidence in the 55+ housing sector is down slightly from its peak, builders are still optimistic about the market going forward,” said Timothy McCarthy, chairman of NAHB's 55+ Housing Industry Council. “According to our survey, one area in particular that’s improved recently is the condo market, and we expect this momentum to continue.”

      There are separate 55+ HMIs for two segments of the 55+ housing market: single-family homes and multifamily condominiums. Each measures builder sentiment based on a survey that asks if current sales, prospective buyer traffic, and anticipated six-month sales for that market are good, fair, or poor (high, average, or low for traffic). An index number above 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.

      Single family vs. multifamily

      Two of the three components of the 55+ single-family HMI posted slight decreases from the previous quarter: present sales dipped 2 points to 62 and expected sales for the next 6 months edged down a point to 66, while traffic of prospective buyers increased 3 points to 43.

      The 55+ multifamily condo HMI rose 5 points to 43, with all 3 components showing increases as well: Present sales rose 3 points to 44, expected sales for the next 6 months jumped 10 points to 49 and traffic of prospective buyers increased 8 points to 41.

      All four indices tracking production and demand of 55+ multifamily rentals declined in the second quarter. Present production plunged 12 points to 46, expected future production fell 3 points to 49, current demand for existing units declined 9 points to 59 and future demand was down 1 one point to 63.

      “Overall, builders in the 55+ housing sector remain positive about the market,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “However, many builders are being cautious as lot availability and skilled labor shortages remain a challenge in some parts of the country.”

      Even with a slight decline, builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market remains in positive territory. The National Association of Home Bui...

      Neighbor wasting water? Turn 'em in

      California uses I Spy technique to make water-wasters dry up

      Big Brother may not be watching all the time but your neighbors are. And in California, it's neighbor against neighbor when it comes to watering lawns, washing cars and taking long showers.

      There's a severe drought in California, which is not only the nation's most populous state but also the top agricultural producer. Add up 38 million people and $21 billion worth of nuts, fruits and other produce and you have a lot of thirsty mouths and roots.

      Gov. Jerry Brown has ordered everyone to cut back their water usage by 25% but enforcing that isn't easy, so the State Water Resources Control Board is pitting enlisting ordinary water-loving Californians to turn in their neighbors and anyone else seen wasting precious water.

      The agency has set up a website, SaveWater.CA.gov, where eagle-eyed conservationists can report sprinkler runoff, leaking faucets and so forth.

      “Everyone needs to save water, and this is one effective way alert residents can help everyone – and every community – save water during this historic drought,” said State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus. “Every drop saved – and every suspected leak or water waste reported and corrected – will help stretch the state’s limited water supply, because we don’t know if next year will be a fifth year of drought.”

      It's completely anonymous and, yes, you can include photos of the perpetrators in action. Each report will be turned over to local water agencies, which are charged with tracking down the suspects and ordering them to throw down their hose and come out.

      “The beauty of this system is that it sends reports directly to the water suppliers,” Marcus said. “Since the State Water Board passed emergency water conservations regulations in July 2014, hundreds of state residents have emailed us and called asking what they can do to report suspected water waste."

      Big Brother may not be watching all the time but your neighbors are. And in California, it's neighbor against neighbor w...

      Dependence on bodybuilding supplements compared to eating disorder

      Researchers say marketers target male insecurities

      Illegal anabolic steroids are not the only way men have tried to get a bodybuilding advantage. Most men are now well aware of the hazards those drugs can carry and avoid them.

      Instead, more men are turning to legal over-the-counter bodybuilding supplements and it's these products that health officials are worried about.

      Research presented at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention warns that some users rely on these products so much that it should be considered an eating disorder.

      Ubiquitous fixture

      “These products have become an almost ubiquitous fixture in the pantries of young men across the country and can seemingly be purchased anywhere and everywhere -- from grocery stores to college book stores,” said Richard Achiro, of the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles, who presented the research.

      Achiro says marketing efforts for these product target “underlying insecurities associated with masculinity.” He says they're presented as a solution to fill a void so many young men feel.

      The study involved young men who purchased legal performance-enhancing supplements and worked out at a gym at least two times a week. They were questioned about supplement use, self-esteem, body image, eating habits and gender role conflicts.

      Concerns

      The researchers said they were concerned when they learned more than 40% of the young men in the survey reported that their use of supplements had increased over time and 22% said they replaced regular meals with dietary supplements that are not intended to be meal replacements.

      Most alarming, said Achiro, was that 29% expressed concern about their own use of supplements and 8% said their physician had told them to cut back on or stop using supplements due to actual or potential adverse health side effects.

      A few of the participants had actually suffered negative health effects. About 3% said they had been hospitalized for kidney or liver problems that were related to the use of supplements.

      “The most critical implication for these findings is to put risky/excessive legal supplement use on the map as an issue facing a significant number of men,” said Achiro.

      Body issues not limited to women

      Achiro says the results make clear that body-conscious issues aren't limited to young women. Why men are also effected isn't exactly clear, but he says evidence suggests it's a combination of factors, including body dissatisfaction and gender role conflicts.

      “Body-conscious men who are driven by psychological factors to attain a level of physical or masculine ‘perfection’ are prone to use these supplements and drugs in a manner that is excessive and which was demonstrated in this study to be a variant of disordered eating,” said Achiro. “As legal supplements become increasingly prevalent around the globe, it is all the more important to assess and treat the psychological causes and effects of excessive use of these drugs and supplements.”

      The bodybuilding community has not written off all supplements – just some. An essay on Bodybuilding.com warns users to avoid certain products, including ones that contain Vanadyl, which it says mimics insulin and is possibly harmful.

      Illegal anabolic steroids are not the only way men have tried to get a bodybuilding advantage. Most men are now well aware of the hazards those drugs can c...

      Kaboom Action Strips and Lida Daidaihua recalled

      The products contain undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients

      Blue Square Market of North Huntingdon, Pa., is recalling Kaboom Actions Strip 12 Pack, which is marketed for what the firm calls “men’s vitality,” and LiDa DaiDaiHua, which is marketed for weight loss.

      Kaboom was found to contain sulfoaildenafil and LiDa DaiDaiHua was found to contain sibutramine and phenolphthalein. The appetite suppressant, sibutramine, was withdrawn due to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Phenolphthalein is an ingredient previously used in over-the-counter laxatives, but because of concerns of carcinogenicity, it is not currently approved for marketing in the U.S.

      The company says no illnesses or injuries have been reported to date in connection with these products.

      Kaboom Action Strips comes in packages of 12 strips in a black box with a picture of the strip on the front of the box and a stamped expiration date of 9/17 on the box.

      LiDa DaiDaiHua comes in a light green and grey box with a picture of a woman on the front, with a stamped expiration date of 1/17 on the bottom.

      Blue Square Market’s online store, www.calcompnutrition.com, was one of many that sold these retail products, but the company is neither the manufacturer nor the distributor of the product -- only a retailer.

      Blue Square Market is notifying its customers by letter and is arranging for return and refund of all recalled products.

      Customers who purchased Kaboom Actions Strip 12 Pack from March 20, 2015, to July 7, 2015, with expiration date of 9/17, or Lida DaiDaiHua from Feb 23, 2015, to May 7, 2015 with expiration date of 1/17, should immediately discontinue use and return them to Blue Square Market for a full refund.

      Consumers with questions may contact Blue Square at 1-877-919-9992 Monday - Friday from 9am – 4:30pm EST.  

      Blue Square Market of North Huntingdon, Pa., is recalling Kaboom Actions Strip 12 Pack, which is marketed for what the firm calls “men’s vitality,” and LiD...

      Real Foods of Seattle recalls salad kits

      The products may contain peanuts, an allergen not listed on the label

      Real Foods of Seattle of Kent, Wash., is recalling 29 cases of Harvest Slaw Kit and 13 cases of Broccoli Salad Kit.

      The products may contain peanuts, an allergen not listed on the label.

      There have been no reported adverse reactions or illnesses attributed to the recalled items to date.

      The recalled products may be packaged with sunflower seeds mixed with peanut pieces. The Harvest Slaw Kit has a net weight 5.75 lbs. and the Broccoli salad kit has a net weight 11 lbs.

      Products were sold to consumers directly from deli counter orders between August 5, 2015, and August 7, 2015. There are no codes on these containers.

      38 cases were shipped to deli departments in Haggen stores in the following cities in Oregon and Washington.

      • Oregon: Ashland, Eugene, Lake Oswego, Keizer, Milwaukie, Oregon City.
      • Washington: Aberdeen, Auburn, Bellingham, Bremerton, Burien, Edmonds, Federal Way, Ferndale, Gig Harbor, Lake Forest Park, Lakewood, Liberty Lake, Marysville, Milton, Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor, Puyallup, Renton, Shoreline and Tacoma.

      One (1) case of Broccoli Salad Kit was shipped to Plaza Market in Camano Island, Wash., two (2) cases of Broccoli Salad Kit were shipped to County Market stores in Woodinville, Wash., and Kingston, Wash., and one (1) case of Harvest Slaw Kit was shipped to Archie’s IGA in Pullman, Wash.

      Customers who purchased these products and are sensitive to peanut products or have peanut allergies are urged to discard them or return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

      Consumers with questions may call Jami Brock at 206-432-3459 Monday – Friday, between 8am – 5pm (PST).

      Real Foods of Seattle of Kent, Wash., is recalling 29 cases of Harvest Slaw Kit and 13 cases of Broccoli Salad Kit. The products may contain peanuts, an a...

      Victor’s Market recalls chicken products

      The products were slaughtered under religious exemption which was not declared on the product label

      Victor’s Market Company of Hawthorne, Calif., is recalling approximately 7,368 pounds of chicken products.

      The products were slaughtered under religious exemption which was not declared on the product label.

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

      The following whole chickens or chicken pieces, produced from April 10, 2015, through July 20, 2015, are being recalled:

      • Approximately 50-lb. box packages containing “Primal Pastures Chicken Whole.”
      • Approximately 50-lb. box packages containing “Primal Pastures Chicken Back”
      • Approximately 50-lb. box packages containing “Primal Pastures Chicken Wing.”
      • Approximately 50-lb. box packages containing “Primal Pastures Chicken Thigh.”
      • Approximately 50-lb. box packages containing “Primal Pastures Chicken Neck.”
      • Approximately 50-lb. box packages containing “Primal Pastures Chicken Head.”
      • Approximately 50-lb. box packages containing “Primal Pastures Chicken Feet.”
      • Approximately 50-lb. box packages containing “Primal Pastures Chicken Drumstick.”
      • Approximately 50-lb. box packages containing “Primal Pastures Chicken Breast.”

      The recalled products bear the establishment number “P-6087” inside the USDA mark of inspection, and were distributed nationwide.

      Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Bruce Penso at (310) 676-0127.

      Victor’s Market Company of Hawthorne, Calif., is recalling approximately 7,368 pounds of chicken products. The products were slaughtered under religious ...

      10 now dead in New York's Legionnaires' Disease outbreak

      State helping city in effort to trace the source of the outbreak

      Unless you live in New York City, the recent outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease may have escaped your notice. People of a certain age may not even know what the disease is, but, unfortunately, it has now claimed 10 victims in the Big Apple.  

      In 1976 more than 2,000 members of the American Legion attended a convention at Philadelphia's Bellevue Stratford Hotel. In the following days, 221 of them contracted a strange, new, pneumonia-like illness and 34 of them died.

      Since then there have been a few similar, but more limited, outbreaks in other parts of the world and the American veterans group's name has been permanently attached to the illness.

      Traced to water tower

      After the initial outbreak, doctors traced the origin to an old fashioned water tower still common in Philadelphia and other urban centers. The bacteria thrives in warm water, ideally at around 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

      The bacteria does not travel through the air, but does travel in airborne moisture. It is not transmitted person-to-person, which fortunately has limited its spread. It has been found to live in hot water tanks, cooling towers, and in the condensers of large air conditioning systems

      The New York City outbreak is centered in the South Bronx. WCBS-TV reports 100 people have been diagnosed with the disease with more than half receiving hospital treatment, then being released.

      Testing the water

      The New York City Health Department said it is testing water from cooling towers and other potential sources in the area to determine the source of the outbreak. State government agencies are also involved.

      New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced the state is providing free testing at all public buildings in the Bronx and across the state.

      “This is primarily a health crisis and must be handled as such, but at the same time, we must address the needs and fears of our citizens to make sure they understand that the matter is under control,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Public confidence is paramount.”

      Cuomo said he has been in touch with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which he says is sending a team to New York to investigate and inform citizens about efforts to track the source of the outbreak.

      The city's health department advises people who live and work in the area to take quick action if they develop symptoms such as fever, cough, chills and muscle aches. If residents find they have any of these symptoms, then they should seek medical attention right away.

      The department says groups at high risk include people who are middle-aged or older—especially cigarette smokers— people with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems, and people who take medicines that weaken their immune systems.

      Unless you live in New York City, the recent outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease may have escaped your notice. People of a certain age may not even know what...

      Clinton Campaign promises sharp focus on student loan debt

      Major policy proposal expected Monday in New Hampshire

      The issue of America's vast student loan debt is likely to get a lot of attention during the 2016 presidential campaign.

      With the 17 candidates in the Republican field, other issues are taking precedence so far, but Democrats are already moving it up the list of candidates' talking points. Hillary Clinton has promised to unveil the details of her proposed plan to deal with exorbitant education costs and the debt associated with it next week.

      In advance of the announcement, which is expected to come Monday in New Hampshire, Clinton Campaign operatives are building expectations. Politico quotes a campaign insider as saying the proposal will be big and costly, addressing the whole issue of affordable higher education.

      Incentives to states

      The source says it may provide incentives to state governments to increase support for public colleges and universities. The idea would be to bring down the cost of tuition – or at least an individual student's share of it.

      Clinton herself may have tipped her hand on social media. In a recent Facebook interaction with a commenter describing himself as a student, Clinton said she would make specific proposals to allow students to refinance their student loans, making the payments more affordable. She called the student loan issue one of her biggest economic and educational priorities.

      Rivals' plans

      Some of her rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination have already staked out positions in this area. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation in May to provide a free 4-year education at public colleges and universities.

      “We live in a highly competitive global economy,” Sanders said when he introduced the legislation. “If our economy is to be strong, we need the best educated work force in the world. That will not happen if every year hundreds of thousands of bright young people cannot afford to go to college and if millions leave school deeply in debt.”

      Sanders' proposal would provide $70 billion a year in college assistance – two-thirds from the federal government and one-third from states.

      Personal experience

      A third Democratic hopeful, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, has a personal connection to the issue. He and his wife have over $300,000 in student loan debt from sending their children to college.

      On his campaign website, O'Malley calls for legislation that would allow students already holding student loan debt at high interest rates to refinance.

      “Because unlike homeowners or businesses, student borrowers can’t refinance their loans,” O'Malley said. “This is outrageous. If we were able to bail out big banks, we can figure out a way to refinance college loans.”

      As the Republicans winnow their field of candidates, the party may join the student loan debate. After all, it's a huge segment of debt held by American consumers that impacts the economy. Total student loan debt is now estimated to stand at more than $1.3 trillion.

      The issue of America's vast student loan debt is likely to get a lot of attention during the 2016 presidential campaign....

      The old IRS dogs are back with some new tricks

      The IRS says scammers, armed with new variations, are on the prowl

      Yet another warning from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that tax scammers have an ever-evolving array of deceitful tactics to con people.

      These schemes -- which can occur over the phone, in e-mails or through letters with authentic looking letterhead -- try to trick you into providing personal financial information or scare you into making a false tax payment that ends up with the criminal.

      Thousands of victims, millions of dollars

      The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has received reports of roughly 600,000 contacts since October 2013 and aware of nearly 4,000 victims who have collectively reported over $20 million in financial losses as a result of tax scams.

      “We continue to see these aggressive tax scams across the country,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “Scam artists specialize in being deceptive and fooling people. The IRS urges taxpayers to be extra cautious and think twice before answering suspicious phone calls, emails or letters.”

      Scammers posing as IRS agents first targeted those they viewed as most vulnerable, such as seniors, newly arrived immigrants and those whose first language is not English. These crooks have expanded their net and are now targeting virtually anyone.

      A new twist

      In a new variation, scammers alter what appears on your telephone caller ID to make it seem like they are with the IRS or another agency such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. They use fake names, titles and badge numbers. They use online resources to get your name, address and other details about your life to make the call sound official. They even go as far as copying official IRS letterhead for use in email or regular mail.

      The most brazen of the bunch will even provide their victims with directions to the nearest bank or business where the victim can obtain a means of payment such as a debit card. And in another new variation of these scams, con artists may then provide an actual IRS address where the victim can mail a receipt for the payment -- all in an attempt to make the scheme look official.

      The most common theme with these tricks seems to be fear. Scammers try to scare people into reacting immediately without taking a moment to think through what is actually happening. They often angrily threaten police arrest, deportation, license revocation or other similarly unpleasant things. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests, sometimes through “robo-calls,” via phone or email. The emails will often contain a fake IRS document with a telephone number or email address for your reply.

      It is important to remember the official IRS website is IRS.gov. Don't be confused or misled by sites claiming to be the IRS but ending in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. Don't ever provide personal information, financial or otherwise, to suspicious websites or strangers calling out of the blue.

      The “tells”

      Here are 5 things scammers often do that the real IRS would never do.

      The IRS will never:

      • Angrily demand immediate payment over the phone, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
      • Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
      • Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
      • Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
      • Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

      What to do

      If you think you’re the target of an IRS impersonation scam, here are some actions you can take:

      • If you actually do owe taxes, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with a payment issue.
      • If you know you don’t owe taxes or do not immediately believe that you do, you can report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484.
      • If you’ve been targeted by any scam, be sure to contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their “FTC Complaint Assistant” at FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments of your complaint.

      Yet another warning from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that tax scammers have an ever-evolving array of deceitful tactics to con people. These schemes...

      Solid job growth in July

      Unemployment among teens posted a big drop

      More people -- 215,000 -- found work in July, even as the unemployment rate held steady at 5.3%.

      According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job gains occurred in retail trade, health care, professional and technical services, and financial activities.

      Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for teenagers declined to 16.2% last month compared with 18.1% in June, while the rates for adult men (4.8%), adult women (4.9%), whites (4.6%), blacks (9.1%), Asians (4.0%) and Hispanics (6.8%) showed little or no change.

      The number of long-term unemployed -- those jobless for 27 weeks or more -- was little changed at 2.2 million. These people accounted for 26.9% of the unemployed. Over the past 12 months, the number of long-term unemployed is down by 986,000.

      The civilian labor force participation rate held steady at 62.6% in July, after declining by 0.3% in June. The employment-population ratio, at 59.3%, was also unchanged and has shown little movement so far this year.

      Who's hiring

      Employment in retail trade increased by 36,000 last month and is up by 322,000 over the year. In July, motor vehicle and parts dealers added 13,000 jobs, and employment continued to trend up in general merchandise stores (+6,000).

      Also adding jobs were health care (+28,000), professional and technical services (+ 27,000), financial activities (+17,000) and manufacturing (+15,000).

      Among the losers were mining employment , with a drop of 5,000 jobs in July. Since a recent high in December 2014, employment in the industry has fallen by 78,000. Construction, wholesale trade, information and government showed little change over the month.

      Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 5 cents to $24.99. Over the year, average hourly earnings have risen by 2.1%. Average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees was up 3 cents to $21.01.

      The full report is available on the BLS website.

      More people -- 215,000 -- found work in July, even as the unemployment rate held steady at 5.3%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job ga...

      Changes to Prius c minicar earn TOP SAFETY PICK award

      The vehicle now has an acceptable rating in the small overlap front crash test

      Toyota made a midyear change to the Toyota Prius c that took it from a poor to an acceptable rating in the small overlap front crash test. That was enough to put the vehicle on the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety's (IIHS) list of TOP SAFETY PICK winners.

      To improve small overlap protection, Toyota made structural improvements to the front end of the occupant compartment of 2015models of the scaled-down version of the hybrid-only model that were built after May. The side curtain airbags also were lengthened.

      Improved test results

      When IIHS put the modified minicar through the small overlap test, the driver space was maintained reasonably well. Maximum intrusion was 9 inches at the lower door-hinge pillar, compared with 12 inches in the test of the earlier, poor-rated version. Upper intrusion also fell by 3 inches.

      The performance of the vehicle's safety belts and airbags wasn't ideal. The dummy's head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the left side. The safety belt allowed the dummy's head and torso to move too far forward, and the head hit the instrument panel. The driver's seat also tipped forward and toward the B-pillar.

      The side curtain airbag deployed and, in contrast to the earlier model, had sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.

      Measures taken from the dummy indicate that injuries to the left lower leg would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of other significant injuries is low.

      With good ratings in the Institute's other crashworthiness evaluations -- moderate overlap front, side, head restraints and roof strength -- the Prius c qualifies for the TOP SAFETY PICK award. It has no available front crash prevention system, so it isn't eligible for TOP SAFETY PICK+.

      Changing criteria

      Since the small overlap test was added to the Institute's awards criteria in 2013, IIHS has allowed vehicles to qualify with an acceptable rating in order to put awards within reach of more models.

      Starting with 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK, a good small overlap rating will be required. Vehicles with an acceptable rating such as the Prius c will need further improvements if their manufacturers want to hold on to the honors.

      Toyota made a midyear change to the Toyota Prius c that took it from a poor to an acceptable rating in the small overlap front crash test. That was enough ...

      Electronic mortgage closings seen benefiting consumers

      Consumers reported greater understanding, efficiency, and feelings of empowerment

      If you're in the process of buying or selling a home, you might want to give some thought to an electronic closing or eClosing.

      The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published a report on its “Know Before You Owe” eClosing project that found that borrowers can benefit from the process.

      Specifically, according to the agency, the results of the pilot indicate that those who closed their mortgage using an electronic platform are generally better off on measures of understanding, efficiency, and feeling empowered than borrowers who used just paper forms.

      “While technology alone will not address all consumer concerns in the closing process, our study showed that eClosings do offer the potential to make the process less complex,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “We expect this pilot project and its findings to help inform further innovation that will be a win-win for consumers and industry alike.”

      Pain points

      Back in April of last year, the CFPB released a report outlining the major pain points associated with the closing process -- the last step before consumers are contractually obligated to their loan. The report found that consumers felt like they did not have enough time to review the documents. They also felt overwhelmed by the stack of complex paperwork. Finally, consumers complained about finding errors in the documents.

      The CFPB identified eClosings, as one solution to address some of these pain points. Electronic closings are mortgage closings that rely on technology for borrowers to view and sign closing documents electronically. The benefits can include faster delivery of the documents and embedded links to help consumers understand specific terms as they come across them.

      While eClosing transactions are already happening in the market today, adoption is low. The CFPB believes that the eClosing process has the potential to give consumers more time to review closing documents while also providing them with educational tools that can help them navigate the closing process more successfully.

      The CFPB project took place over a four-month period and involved 7 lenders, more than 3,000 consumers, 4 technology companies, and many settlement agents and real estate professionals. Some consumers used traditional paper documents, others used a complete eClosing process, and others used a hybrid of electronic resources and paper documents. Borrowers who completed mortgage transactions during the pilot were invited to complete a follow-up survey. About 1,200 surveys were completed.

      eClosing benefits

      Specifically, the project found that eClosings were associated with:

      • Better consumer understanding: The CFPB measured whether consumers felt like they understood the process. The study found a 7% positive difference in perceived understanding scores for borrowers using eClosings compared to borrowers using paper documents.
      • A more efficient process: The study found a 17% positive difference in scores for borrowers using eClosings compared to borrowers using paper documents.
      • Greater feelings of consumer empowerment: The study found a 15% positive difference in the scores for the eClosing borrowers compared with borrowers using paper documents.

      The study also found that the consumers who showed the best results on all three measurements of empowerment, efficiency, and understanding received and reviewed their closing documents in advance of the closing meeting. This was regardless of whether the paperwork was received electronically or through paper copies, though CFPB believes using an eClosing process can facilitate faster document delivery.

      If you're in the process of buying or selling a home, you might want to give some thought to an electronic closing or eClosing. The Consumer Financial Pr...