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Defendants Win California Welding Fume Trial
Business Wire, February 11, 2009 05:29 PM Eastern Time

OAKLAND, Calif. & WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–John Beisner, attorney for several current and former welding consumable manufacturers, today issued the following statement regarding the defense verdict in the Thomas case, which was returned today in the Superior Court of California for the County of Alameda:

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Philadelphia Inquirer Examines Sen. Grassley’s Efforts To Overhaul Pharmaceutical Industry, FDA
Medical News Today / Article Date: 11 Feb 2009 - 4:00 PST

The Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday examined how Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has “found a congressional calling” in “creating uproars that often transform public opinion and policy” and “in recent years … has repeatedly turned his sights on wrongdoing by the pharmaceutical industry and its overseer,” FDA. Grassley held Senate hearings that contributed to the decision by Merck to withdraw the COX-2 inhibitor Vioxx from the market in 2004, and his “revelations about prominent psychiatrists who failed to disclose large payments from drug companies have fueled investigations into conflicts of interest,” according to the Inquirer. In addition, research conducted by his staff in 2007 found that GlaxoSmithKline allegedly “bullied” scientists who identified heart problems associated with the diabetes medication Avandia, the Inquirer reports.

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Will Christians lose ‘clout’ in the Obama years?
U.S.A. Today / Religion & Reason, February 11, 2009

“Do you think Christians will lose clout during an Obama administration?”

That was the ChristianityToday.com online quick question poll yesterday. Such Internet polls are unscientific but, common on, admit it, they’re fun. And when 1648 folks answer in a few hours, it makes you think a minute or two about what others say and whether you agree.

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Congress, White House agree on $790B stimulus bill
Associated Press / By DAVID ESPO – February 11, 2009, 14 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Moving with lightning speed, the Democratic-controlled Congress and White House agreed Wednesday on a compromise $790 billion economic stimulus bill designed to create millions of jobs in a nation reeling from recession. President Barack Obama could sign the measure within days. “More than one-third of this bill is dedicated to providing tax relief for middle-class families, cutting taxes for 95 percent of American workers,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at a Capitol news conference where he was joined by moderates from both parties whose support is essential for the legislation’s final passage.

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UT Southwestern Performs First Local Implant in Deep Brain Stimulation Study for Depression
Centre Daily News.com / Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009

DALLAS — UT Southwestern Medical Center neurological surgeons have begun implanting patients as part of a clinical study that is investigating whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy may help people who suffer from major depressive disorder, a severe form of depression.

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