Daily Archives: May 10, 2017


Study: Modern AIDS Drugs Add 10 Years of Life Expectancy in Europe, US

Life expectancy for young HIV-positive adults has risen by 10 years in the United States and Europe, thanks to improvements in AIDS drugs known as antiretroviral therapy, researchers say. This means many patients can expect to live as long as those without HIV, according to the researchers’ study published Thursday in The Lancet, a medical journal. The scientists said the improvements were likely to be largely due to the transition to less toxic medicine combinations, with more drug options for people infected with drug-resistant HIV strains, and better adherence to …


Rascal Flatts Look to Young Songwriters for Big Hits

Early on in their career, the country group Rascal Flatts often dealt with critics of their pop-country sound and being labeled a country music boy band. Bassist and producer Jay DeMarcus noted that one early review referred to their music as “bouncy, bouncy, flop.”   Seventeen years later with the release of their 10th studio album, “Back to Us,” the trio of DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney say they’ve adapted their material to fit their lives.   “As husbands and fathers and everything, you have to write appropriate …


For Expatriate Shutterbug, Even Federal Washington Offers Unique Angles

Modern history. Political change. Urbanization, emotion, and the colors of Washington, DC. For Ukrainian-born photographer Val Proudkii, it’s all filtered through the lens of his camera. In his repertoire: numerous photography competition awards and one printed image signed by former president Barack Obama. After spending a day looking at the nation’s capital through his eyes, VOA’s Iuliia Iarmolenko and Dmytro Savchuk have more. … From: MeNeedIt


US Under Increased Pressure to Remain Committed to Climate Change Efforts

Pressure is mounting on the U.S. administration to remain committed to the Paris agreement on climate change. European Union leaders, a former United Nations chief and former U.S. President Barack Obama have joined the chorus of voices emphasizing the need for action to reduce greenhouse emissions worldwide. On Tuesday, the White House announced that President Trump is postponing his decision regarding the climate treaty for the second time. Zlatica Hoke has more. … From: MeNeedIt


Therapists Use VR to Treat Balance Problems

New York University researchers have developed a system combining virtual reality with a pressure sensing mat they say could help people with vestibular dysfunction, which affects parts of the inner ear and brain and results in problems with balance, or those suffering from vertigo or dizziness as a result of a brain injury. Faith Lapidus reports. … From: MeNeedIt


For One Chinese City, New ‘Silk Road’ Leaves Old Problems Unsolved

In August, 2014, planners in the northeastern Chinese city of Hunchun argued in state media that it should be included in the “One Belt, One Road” project, Beijing’s vision laid out the previous year of a new Silk Road across Asia to Europe. In 2015, the official Xinhua news agency ran stories about how Hunchun was accelerating its “OBOR” plans, and early in 2016, China’s cabinet released a list of Chinese cities included in “OBOR:” Hunchun was on the map. The fact that the list came about slowly, and that …


Mexico Targets Suppliers, Buyers in Move Against Fuel Theft

Mexico is embarking on a strategy to combat illegal pipeline thefts that includes going after those who purchase and deal in stolen fuel as well as the thieves, the country’s treasury secretary said Tuesday.   Jose Antonio Meade said it’s a problem that costs Mexico somewhere between 15 billion and 20 billion pesos a year, or $780 million to $1 billion, and one that requires a holistic approach to solve.   Mexico’s government wants to reduce the siphoning of gasoline and diesel from illegal pipeline taps by attacking “not only …