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From custom prosthetics to minimally invasive surgery, innovations in medical devices are leading to some astonishing advances. One example: an artificial heart that uses plastic tubes instead of heart valves to move blood in and out of two plastic ventricles. Implanted in more than 1,000 patients, this plastic heart has extended lives by more than 270 years. And now U.S. regulators are reviewing an accompanying mobile power supply carried in a backpack, so suitable patients could leave the hospital and live at home.

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(StatePoint) Being a teenager is never easy, but for some kids, it is excruciating. For parents, being able to tell the difference between normal growing pains and real trouble is crucial.

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(BPT) - Whether you are at risk for, have been recently diagnosed with, or are living with diabetes, it is essential to make sure you have the information necessary to manage your disease. It can also be overwhelming caring for someone with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association strives to make it easier and the organization’s EXPOs are a great place to start.

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(BPT) - Many homes have new TVs decorating the living room, bedroom, den and even the kitchen. These TVs often feature the latest wide, flat screens, which give viewers great definition and clarity. But while they provide a beautiful viewing experience, flat screen TVs are top-heavy on a narrow base, and they can easily be pulled off an entertainment center or other piece of furniture.

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(BPT) - A breast cancer diagnosis at any stage can be devastating. However, women with advanced breast cancer are also faced with the overwhelming reality that they must begin additional therapy, or that they will receive treatment for the remainder of their lives. There are an estimated 150,000 women in the United States living with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Stage III locally advanced breast cancer and stage IV metastatic breast cancer – collectively referred to as advanced breast cancer - are the most progressed forms of the illness.

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(BPT) - More than 39 million Americans 16 and older lack a high school diploma, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. And while a new survey indicates their reasons for dropping out range from lack of parental support to becoming parents themselves, those seeking a second chance at an education often find hope in General Educational Development (GED) programs.

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(BPT) - One of the biggest mistakes businesspeople make is assuming that working from home will automatically result in a higher level of productivity. Unless you carefully construct your home office environment, you may find that working from home is less productive than you anticipated.

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(BPT) - The flip of the calendar year is the perfect opportunity to make personal and lifestyle changes. One of the most popular resolutions that people make is to improve their health and exercise routine so they can make a fresh start and get into better shape. Now is the time to develop fitness goals for a new you this new year. Despite your best intentions and resolutions to revamp your fitness routine each year, it’s easy to slip back into your pre-new year's resolution bad habits. The best way to avoid this tendency is to create an active lifestyle plan that works for you and will keep you motivated. Here are a few tips to get a fresh fitness start and make sure that you stay active this new year.

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(BPT) - Bullying is reaching epidemic proportions in North America, with 83 percent of American girls and 79 percent of boys saying they’ve experienced harassment, according to the National Education Association. Adults typically respond to bullying issues with concern, outrage and frustration, and for many, the only thing worse than being the parent of a bullied child is discovering their own child is the one committing the bullying.

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(BPT) - Did you know that when you and your family dine out, you are helping your community’s economy and the economy at large? That’s because restaurants employ millions of Americans nationwide.

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(BPT) - There’s no doubt that small businesses are a driving force in the American economy. And because they feel the shifts in the economy so acutely, the insight of small business owners can provide a real-time picture of what’s going well and where potential problems lie. The semi-annual Bank of America Small Business Owner Report explores the concerns, aspirations and perspectives of small business owners across the country; revealing messages of both optimism and caution.

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(BPT) - Three-year bachelor’s degree programs are gaining popularity as many students look for ways to enter the workforce faster. Though these programs are common in Europe and Canada, condensed programs are now attracting greater interest in the United States as students and education providers realize the unique benefits.

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(BPT) - Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 800,000 reservists and national guardsmen have been called to leave their civilian life to serve the military full-time, with more than 250,000 pressed into active duty more than once.

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(BPT) - Protecting your skin from the sun is a 365 day-a-year job. Summer is officially over, but all the sun exposure from sunny days at a beach, playing outdoor sports or soaking up the rays may have damaged your skin, forming dark brown spots that make your skin look dull and lackluster. Even sun exposure during the winter months can harm your skin. UVA rays, called the rays of aging, are everywhere and can penetrate even on cloudy days and through glass windows in your home or car. These rays are responsible for damage like wrinkles, brown spots and skin cancer. Sun damage is cumulative and begins in childhood, so protecting from the early ages – babies too - with sun protection or clothing is an important step.

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(BPT) - Veterans returning home face many challenges that weren’t present when they were serving in the armed forces. Between adapting to civilian life, reacquainting with family and friends, and finding employment, the adjustment can be a difficult process.

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(BPT) - Wouldn’t it be great if there was a number you could call if you had any sort of question about resources in your community, from something as simple as where to find the nearest library to something as urgent as where you can find relief after a catastrophic event? Good news: You don’t have to wish for this all-in-one help line, as it already exists in vast majority of American communities. It’s as simple as three numbers: 2-1-1.

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(BPT) - As we are reminded during National Family Caregivers Month in November, taking care of a loved one with an illness, such as cancer, can be both physically and emotionally challenging. For caregivers of the approximately 70,000 American adults currently living with the second most common blood cancer, multiple myeloma, there are additional responsibilities associated with taking care of their loved ones.

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(StatePoint) Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly-contagious and vaccine-preventable disease that has made a startling comeback across the country. It is currently responsible for causing the worst epidemic the U.S. has seen in 50 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including 13 deaths.

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(BPT) - – Health care is experiencing dramatic changes as provisions outlined in the Affordable Care Act go into effect. As the largest professional group within the health care workforce, nurses are uniquely positioned to facilitate the successful translation of critical health care policy into practice. Nurse leaders with the expertise to help shape this process - from developing and implementing new programs to monitoring and evaluating their success - are becoming increasingly valuable.

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(BPT) - - If you think lung cancer only affects smokers, you’re not alone. Many people believe this, but the truth is, anyone can get lung cancer. You can be young or old, male or female, a smoker or a non-smoker.

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(BPT) - - A broken leg means a trip to the emergency room. Chronic back pain leads to a battery of tests and time off work. Even a virus will get you some words of sympathy. But if you say you have depression, there's a good chance you'll get a quizzical look and dumb silence.

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(BPT) - - Just over a decade ago, a diagnosis of the blood cancer chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a disease in which the body produces cancerous white blood cells, was considered a death sentence with only a few years of expected survival. But today, an estimated 28,000 Americans are currently living with this disease – a direct result of major advances in treatment options for the disease.

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(BPT) - - They never counted calories, but they ate flavorful, satisfying food and drank wine with lunches and dinners. The people in countries bordering the Mediterranean have historically been known as some of the healthiest, fittest people in the world. Their diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, wholesome whole grains, and fish and lean meats has long been hailed by nutritionists and health experts as a reliable recipe for weight control and better health.

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(BPT) - - Rachel Trevino always aspired to become a nurse. As a senior at a Chicago high school, she enrolled in the Navigate to Nursing (N2N) scholarship program, a dual enrollment program offered through Chamberlain College of Nursing. The program allowed Trevino to better understand the demands of college courses while contemplating her own future career. The hands-on experience helped her develop key skills she may need if she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, such as the ability to complete assignments in a timely and organized way and a comfort level interacting with faculty and students in online discussion boards.