Flu Vaccination Now Available For Canines

If your dog contracts the rare H3N8 flu virus, a vaccination is now available.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/health/30flu.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=new%20flu%20vaccination%20approved%20-%20for%20dogs&st=cse

Raising Kids to Thrive in Difficult Economic Times

Even with careful planning, a secure career path is no longer a sure thing in the marketplace. In addition to education and professional skills, "softer" skills such as adaptability and self-reliance in their kids might be just as important.

Raising Kids Who Can Thrive Amid A Career Crisis (WSJ)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124459007942099943.html

At Home Gender Predicter

The Intelligender, an over-the-counter test which

• can predict a baby sex's as early as 10 weeks, post-conception
• has accuracy rate of 70-80%
• results from urine test are available in 10 minutes
• retails at $34.95

Can it tell me how long I will be in labor?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/09/gender.prediction.test/index.html

Kid Studies

Yes She Can: A study by the University of Wisconsin at Madison showed that among the smartest group of children, girls score just as high on math aptitude test as do boys. http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE5507QQ20090601.

Today's Mama 's Boy, Tomorrow's Mensch: A University of Illinois at Urban study showed that boys who are especially close to their mothers or primary caregiver at 4.5 years of age not only have stronger friendships two years laters but stronger interpersonal skills. (Courtesy of Redbook)

Skin Cancer, An Equal Opportunity Offender

While skin cancer is most often associated with fair-skinned, freckled individuals, incidence among blacks and hispanics is occurring with greater frequency. Early treatment is critical. Since these groups were not considered the most-at-risk, the diagnosis is coming much later and the outcomes are worse. Please get checked annually.

For more, http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/29/race.skin.cancer/index.html

Disappointing Results for Autism Drug

A government-sponsored study failed to show that the anti-depressant Citalopram does not lower the rate of repetitive actions. Celexa is the generic brand.



For more, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124388930925673687.html

Elmo Has A Question

Can someone Sesame Street (S/S) out?

The groundbreaking children's show is yet turns 40 and its impact is wide-ranging, yet the Children's Television workshop faces a budget shortfall, as the economic downturn has strained nonprofit funding across the board. As a result, staffing cuts have been announced, and the number of new episodes is down significantly (26 this year compared to 130 peak level).

You can't argue with the numbers. As a recent Newsweek article states S/S is definitely still relevant, as several independent studies show that children who regularly watch S/S consistently:

• 
  
  score better on number and letter recognition


• 
  
  have stronger vocabulary and math skills


• 
  
  and the impact carries over into high school years

Take it from a new mom, I much rather start my day with Ernie, Elmo, Big Bert & Burt than those manic doomsayers on CNBC (which I did for many years). Maybe if we all watched a little more S/S, American productivity would return.

Economic Downturn Impacting Price of Fertility Treatments

Yes, we all know the economy is tanking, the datapoints don't lie. House prices are plummeting and foreclosures are climbing. Profits are down and the unemployment rolls are approaching the 8%, the highest level in almost 25 years.

But fertility treatment costs are inelastic, right? Not anymore. According to the NY Post, a number of clinics are offering reduced rates from the $15,000 standard.

The Lady Behind APGAR Score

How inspiring.

While at student at the prestigious Columbia Medical School in the 1930s, Virginia Apgar was strongly advised not to pursue the surgeon path because "even women won't go to a woman surgeon." Dr. Apgar switched gears and concentrated her energies on the field of anesthesia, later focusing on obstectrics and teaching.

When a young student asked what were the most important factors she looks for in a just-delivered baby, she scribbled down five criteria on some scrap paper: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration. The rest is history.

Fifty-seven year later, the medical establishment considers the APGAR score to one of the best predictors of neonatal survival. Babies with low scores, now received specialized care, and infancy survival rates surged.

Later in her career, she became a leading advocate for the prevention of birth defects.

Next month the 100th aniversary of Dr. Apgar's birth.

As they say, when one door closes, another opens.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124328572691452021.html

Whooping Cough Vaccinations

A recent government-sponsored study conducted by Kaiser Permanente's Colorado Institute for Health Research demonstrated that kids who do not receive the whooping cough vaccination series have a significantly greater probability of contracting the disease (1 in 20) that those who receive the vaccination (1 in 500).



(Reuters.com)





http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE54P0NX20090526.

New Fathers Ask What Happened to My Pre-Dad Life?

Sleep deprivation, no more video games, social estrangement. Honey we got tickets to the Knicks game tonight, do you mind? Forget about it.



Caring for a newborn can challenge the most symbiotic relationships. Fathers are particularly blind-sided by the lifestyle adjustments as they re-evaluate friendships, priorities and lifestyle. But once that connection with the baby is made, few want to return to their pre-dad days.



Courtesy of Parenting.com via CNN

Good Social Skills Start With Mom

A 14-year study conducted by the Economic & Social Research Counsel indicated that moms who foster emapthy can have a direct impact on a child's social development now and in the future. When exposed to various social situations, researcher encourage parents to ask how their children would feel in a similar setting (specifically the other persons intentions, beliefs, and wants, among other things).

Labeling and showing how one should deal with such feelings is also an extremely important tool.


Courtesy of CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/15/mother.children.social.skills/index.html

Metro Card

James joined the teeming masses today, commuting to NYC for the first time, in rush hour no less. Starting at the Hoboken PATH station, the destination was an appointment at Columbia Presbyterian and it required two connections. We met some bright-eyed NYU students on the way to their commencement ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. James was all smiles and charm as he enjoyed the people-watching on the A train. He was in great cheer when we arrived at 168th Street and Broadway. Walking toward the hospital, his laughter was infectious and he received shoutouts from all sorts of people along the way, whether it was a smile from a doctor, a god-bless from some grandmothers, or a "hey pappi" from the maintenance men. The doctors visits went well and James took a well deserved nap on the train ride home.