Asset-Based Thinking

Paralyzed rats walk in stem cell study A t...

assetwise — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 15:58:00 +0000

Paralyzed rats walk in stem cell study

A team of Johns Hopkins researchers has restored movement to paralyzed rats using a new method that they say shows the potential of embryonic stem cells to restore function to humans suffering from neurological disorders.

"For the first time we have used stem cells to rewire part of the nervous system," said Dr. Douglas Kerr, the lead researcher.

The multipronged procedure, which requires the use of drugs and proteins as well as implanted stem cells, re-established the electrical path from the rats' brains, down their spinal cords and out to their muscles, Kerr said.

The results, released yesterday, are to be published in the journal Annals of Neurology.

Teach for America surges in popularity Teach for ...

assetwise — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:38:00 +0000

Teach for America surges in popularity

Teach for America is surging in popularity. At sites around the country, the 17-year-old nonprofit organization has begun training about 2,400 recent graduates for two-year teaching stints in disadvantaged schools, nearly triple the figure in 2000. Nearly 19,000 college seniors applied -- and more than four in five were turned down. At Notre Dame, Spelman, Dartmouth and Yale, more than 10 percent of seniors applied.

Facing Their Scars, and Finding Beauty HO...

assetwise — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 15:30:00 +0000

Facing Their Scars, and Finding Beauty

HOBOKEN, N.J., June 14 — Louise Benoit stepped gingerly into the studio. Before her hung paintings of a proud humanoid race whose limbs and features were sculpted into impossible positions and fantastic shapes.

Wild tattoos in no discernible pattern marked their faces. A gnarled knob appeared where the eye expected a hand. Eyelids and ears were partly erased. Hues of blue and green and gold swirled in the pinks and browns of their skin, skin that looked like a moonscape or a field of flame, like anything but the familiar textures of the human body.

First player from Hawaii on World Cup field

assetwise — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 18:35:00 +0000

First player from Hawaii on World Cup field

A Hawaii sports superstar is making a grand entrance on the world stage Monday, as the first player from Hawaii takes to the field in soccer's World Cup. It's a monumental milestone, and one that's expected to give the sport a boost in the islands.

There's nobody bigger in Hawaii soccer right now than 28-year-old Brian Ching.

"He found what he loved," says brother Patrick Ching. "It's what he was born to do."

Thousands of miles away in Germany, he's making history as the first Hawaii player on a World Cup team.

"He's probably got a lot of pressure on him," Patrick says. "Everybody's watching him, the first Hawaiian -- so hopefully he does really well. I think he just wants to score. Everybody just wants to see him score."

With family by his side in Europe, and cheering him on from home in Haleiwa, all eyes are on the superstar they call "Hawaiian Brian."

Motivational speaker tells how she went from 'Homeless to Harvard'

Dr. Assets — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 15:42:00 +0000

Motivational speaker tells how she went from 'Homeless to Harvard'

Murray was living on the streets when her mother died of AIDS when Murray was 15. She says she came to a realization then. "I need to take advantage of life right now. If I don't, it will pass me by. It's just that easy," says Murray. Oddly, Murray says living on the streets and learning to cope may have been the best preparation for Harvard.

"Then you kind of look around and say, what else can life do? Does it have to be negative? You become impressed with -- it's changeable and things don't have to be the way they are," says Murray.

Artsy Yoga Soothes The Soul, Tones The Body

Dr. Assets — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:27:00 +0000

Artsy yoga soothes the soul, tones the body

New York museum blends art lecture with exercise session

UTICA, N.Y. - It may seem like an ordinary art lecture for the visitors viewing a watercolor titled "Moon and Cumulus Cloud." But the listeners are sitting on exercise mats and wearing sweats.

"Yoga is really more than fitness," instructor Rachael Nickel explains before one of six Saturday morning classes at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. "It's a tradition that's over 5,000 years old, and it's really a spiritual tradition. So it's really a wonderful blending of art and movement."

Jesse Sullivan Powers Robotic Arms With His Mind

Dr. Assets — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 17:03:00 +0000

Jesse Sullivan powers robotic arms with his mind

Jesse Sullivan became a real life "bionic man" after a terrible electrical accident.His arms were amputated. Jesse woke from a monthlong coma to discover his limbs gone, his life changed.

Jesse learned to use conventional prosthetics, by moving his back and pressing tabs with his neck. But doctors at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago thought he might make a good research patient -- and that instead of moving artificial limbs slowly with his body, Jesse could move them faster -- with his mind.

Sprightly leader

Dr. Assets — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:09:00 +0000

Sprightly leader
- Kavitha Muralidharan

Over 50 years in public life and yet another election would have left most leaders feeling tired. Not DMK chief M. Karunanidhi. Even at 80, he starts his day at 4 a.m. with yoga and a walk, and reads many newspapers. When I visited his Gopalapuram residence for an exclusive interview, there were many things that struck me. Particularly the photographs with almost all the significant leaders of Tamil Nadu: Rajaji, Kamaraj, Periyar and Anna.

Your Call Should Be Important to Us, but It's Not

Dr. Assets — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:18:00 +0000

Your Call Should Be Important to Us, but It's Not'

PAUL M. ENGLISH never imagined that a pet peeve would become such a cause célèbre. For more than four years, Mr. English, a veteran technologist and serial entrepreneur, has maintained a blog on which he shares everything from his favorite chocolate cake recipe to the best management advice he's received.

But last summer, fed up with too many aggravating run-ins with awful customer service, Mr. English posted a blog entry that reverberated around the world: a "cheat sheet" that explained how to break through automated interactive voice-response systems at a handful of companies and speak to a human being. He named the companies and published their codes for reaching an operator — codes that they did not share with the public.

Bright Autistic Kids 'Misunderstood'

Dr. Assets — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:12:00 +0000

Bright Autistic Kids 'Misunderstood'

People with autism are more intelligent and able to function better than previously believed, experts say. But mistrust of doctors, biased tests and the internet have bred myths about the condition.

At a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, researchers presented reports showing that even people with autism who do not speak can have above-average intelligence.

Autistic hoops star going Hollywood

Dr. Assets — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:05:00 +0000

Autistic hoops star going Hollywood

17-year-old McElwain delivered stunning performance in first game

McElwain, who is autistic, was back in his role as an all-around motivator on the eve of a sectional semifinal game Tuesday night — handing out water bottles, dispensing tips, helping run drills. Two weeks earlier, he suited up for a game and delivered a jaw-dropping performance.

His triumph was captured on a student video that made the rounds of the television networks. The school was besieged with calls and e-mails from parents of children who have autism, a little-understood developmental disorder.

Life’s age-old mystery: What’s it worth to you?

Dr. Assets — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:30:00 +0000

Life’s age-old mystery: What’s it worth to you?

“What's the meaning of life?” The right answer, in 25 words or less, could be worth $10,000. TheMeaningOfLife.com, a Southern California-base Web site, is asking the eternal question as part of a contest to find the answer to that ultimate multiple-choice question.

“We live in an age where we’re bombarded by messages: ‘Buy this, do this, drink this,’ ” said Christing, a father of four. “People need to reflect on what life means to them — What's it all for? How do we make the most of our time? — and make choices consistent with that.”

To sleep, Perchance to Live

Dr. Assets — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 22:03:00 +0000

Lack of shut-eye could be a hazard to your health

(CNN) -- For too many of us, sleep is something to do when we're not doing something else. As a new father with two demanding jobs, there always seems to be something else. Before I started working on this special, I slept five or six hours a night and didn't think much about it. This, it turns out, is not a good idea.

The more scientists learn about sleep, the more they realize how crucial it is to learning, memory, physical performance and health. If you are chronically sleep deprived, studies show you raise your risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Wellness a new health-care market

Dr. Assets — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 21:58:00 +0000

Wellness a new health-care market

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- With the nation's health-care system seemingly in a state of perpetual crisis, one group stands out among companies looking to grow: Wellness-minded Americans with disposable income.
While many people are struggling to just get or hold onto basic health insurance, the affluent can readily pay out of pocket for care that combines prevention, relaxation and rehabilitation through fitness disciplines, nutritional programs and products and Western and Eastern traditional medical practices.

Girl turns struggle into inspiration

Dr. Assets — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 15:06:00 +0000

Girl turns struggle into inspiration

To many in the small Lamar County town, Brooke was already a hero - twice. A little fighter who not only survived a heart transplant at 15 months but cancer at age 5.

Today, the 10-year-old is a Sumrall Attendance Center cheerleader, Beta Club president and a Girl Scout who hopes one day to be a doctor or a teacher.

Graduation Inspiration

Dr. Assets — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 16:13:00 +0000

Graduation Inspiration

To communicate, he runs one lethargic finger over a computer mouse and places the cursor over each letter individually. But the 18-year-old, who was born with what doctors have diagnosed as cerebral palsy, has managed to pass the California High School Exit Exam - impressive considering there are still about 109 local high school seniors who only have one more chance to pass.

It took Osana a couple of times to pass the math portion but he aced the English section the very first time. And, since he'll earn his Gilroy High School diploma this spring, Osana is in the midst of planning his future.

Today is International Women's Day

Dr. Assets — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 18:10:00 +0000

Origins of International Women's Day

Over the years, International Women's Day (IWD) has taken to the streets, sparked off a revolution, met cosily at luncheons and concerts, rubbed shoulders with Premiers, Prime Ministers and Mayors, demonstrated at the doors of newspapers and welfare institutions, occupied empty houses intent on gaining shelter for homeless women and has ushered in reform legislation.

The history of IWD dates back to 1910 internationally, but socialist women in the United States organised the first national Women's Day in 1908 and helped to inspire the international event.

Try a little tenderness

Dr. Assets — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 18:31:00 +0000

Try a little tenderness

YOU care about your heart, so you don't smoke, you eat a healthful diet and you exercise regularly. Maybe you should also lay off the negativity and controlling comments when you talk to your spouse.

A three-year study of older married couples conducted by psychologists from the University of Utah has found a link between the quality of relationships and atherosclerosis, or the narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the heart.

NMI Reports 2005 Health & Wellness Industry Sales at $79 Billion

Dr. Assets — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 19:13:00 +0000

NMI Reports 2005 Health & Wellness Industry Sales at $79 Billion

Harleysville, Pa. (March 2006) - The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) announced today that retail sales within the U.S. consumer packaged goods health and wellness industry reached $79 billion in 2005. That constitutes a total growth of 15% over 2004. These findings are part of NMI's annual Health & Wellness Trends Database™ (HWTD) research study of 2,800+ U.S. consumer households.

According to NMI President Maryellen Molyneaux, "The 2005 sales figures represent significant acceleration compared to the 8% dollar growth shown in 2004. Functional/fortified beverages continue to be the industry's largest category with 2005 retail sales of $29 billion, representing 37% of the total market and an impressive growth of 26%."

Best stress relievers

Dr. Assets — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 23:09:00 +0000

Best stress relievers: Healthy ways to cope without losing your edge

The more successful one is, the more stressful one's life becomes. Every new promotion means added responsibility and added stress. The challenge is how to handle that stress.

"Every successful person has learned to handle stress well," says Dr. Woodson Merrell, of Beth Israel Hospital in New York City. "It's those with a positive outlook on stressful situations who decrease their risk of heart disease, whereas those with increased rage from stress have increased risk of heart disease."

Healthy diet seen boosting worker productivity

Dr. Assets — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 18:28:00 +0000

Healthy diet seen boosting worker productivity

WASHINGTON - That fast-food burger, monster take-out sandwich or bag of nutritional nothing you got from the vending machine at work does more than make you sluggish after lunch.

It's probably making your company less productive
The global cost amounts to billions of dollars a year in lost productivity, considering that a diet loaded with fat and sugar puts workers at risk for diabetes and obesity-related illnesses, said Christopher Wanjek, who wrote the book on food in the workplace.

These Paralympic hopefuls give everyone something to sing about

Dr. Assets — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 16:30:00 +0000

These Paralympic hopefuls give everyone something to sing about

If you were to ask Ralph Green about the statistical improbability of his being a one-legged African-American from Brooklyn who is going for a Paralympic medal as an alpine skier, he would look at you as if it had never crossed his mind. Labels imply limitations, and Green definitely is not interested in recognizing limitations.

In California, New Kind of Commune for Elderly

Dr. Assets — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 18:20:00 +0000

In California, New Kind of Commune for Elderly

DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 23 — They are unlikely revolutionaries. Bearing walkers and canes, a veritable Merck Manual of ailments among them, the 12 old friends — average age 80 — looked as though they should have been sitting down to a game of Scrabble, not pioneering a new kind of commune.

Opting for old age on their own terms, they were starting a new chapter in their lives as residents of Glacier Circle, the country's first self-planned housing development for the elderly — a community they had conceived and designed themselves, right down to its purple gutters.

US court won't review college censorship case

Dr. Assets — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:19:00 +0000

US court won't review college censorship case

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The Supreme Court declined Tuesday to decide whether university administrators can censor campus newspapers by insisting they be approved before publication.

The justices refused to hear an appeal by three students in a case involving the scope of First Amendment free speech protection for college and university newspaper editors and reporters.

Businesses Loving Valentine's Day Ever More

Dr. Assets — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 16:53:00 +0000

Businesses Loving Valentine's Day Ever More

U.S. retailers’ infatuation with Valentine’s Day has been on display in nearly every store window and newspaper ad for weeks. Such sentiments are certainly heartfelt, as consumers are expected to express their own affection to the tune of $13.7 billion this year, up 22 percent from just five years ago, according to the National Retail Federation. Only Christmas and the back-to-school selling seasons create bigger revenues. And it seems merchants are clearly aiming to eventually boost the holiday into second place.