New study on neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal exposure to paracetamol

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Contact: Julie Johansen
julie.johansen@fhi.no
Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most commonly used medicine in pregnancy, yet there are very few studies that have investigated the possible long-term consequences for the child. A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health suggests that long-term use of paracetamol during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse effects on child development.

The study uses data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study to investigate the effect of paracetamol during pregnancy on psychomotor development, behaviour and temperament at 3 years of age. Almost 3000 sibling pairs were included in the study.

The study is a collaboration between the University of Oslo, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, and was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology 25th October 2013.

Results

By comparing children who were exposed to paracetamol during pregnancy with unexposed siblings of the same sex, researchers could control for a variety of genetic and environmental factors, in addition to other important factors such as infections, fever, use of other medications, alcohol intake and smoking.

The study shows that children who had been exposed to paracetamol for more than 28 days of pregnancy had poorer gross motor skills, poor communication skills and more behavioural problems compared with unexposed siblings.

The same trend was seen with paracetamol taken for less than 28 days, but this was weaker.

To investigate whether the underlying illness could be the cause of the effect on the children, and not paracetamol itself, the researchers examined a different type of analgesic with another type of mechanism of action (ibuprofen). The researchers did not find any similar long-term effects after use of ibuprofen.

Need for more research

"The results strengthen our concern that long-term use of paracetamol during pregnancy may have an adverse effect on child development, but that occasional use for short periods is probably not harmful to the foetus. Importantly, we cannot assume that there is a causal relationship between maternal use of paracetamol during pregnancy and adverse effects in children from an epidemiological study. Since this is the only study to show this, there is a need for further research to confirm or refute these results," says Professor Hedvig Nordeng.

Nordeng is a professor at the School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, and is also affiliated as a researcher at the Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

"The findings support the advice of medical authorities; the first choice for pain is paracetamol, but one should be restrictive with all medicine use in pregnancy," says Nordeng.

The Norwegian Medicines Agency advises pregnant women about the medicines they should use during pregnancy.

The Norwegian Directorate of Health is responsible for the national guidelines for antenatal care in Norway, which includes the use of medicines in pregnancy.

###

About the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health began recruiting pregnant women in 1999. The fathers were also invited. In 2008, the goal was reached - over 100,000 pregnancies were included. Biological samples and questionnaire data have been collected since week 17 of pregnancy which makes the study unique. The purpose of this study is to find causes of diseases.

Reference

Brandlistuen RE, Ystrom E, Nulman I, Koren G, Nordeng H. (2013) Prenatal paracetamol Exposure and Child Neurodevelopment: A sibling-controlled cohort study. International Journal of Epidemiology

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

29-Oct-2013

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Contact: Julie Johansen
julie.johansen@fhi.no
Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most commonly used medicine in pregnancy, yet there are very few studies that have investigated the possible long-term consequences for the child. A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health suggests that long-term use of paracetamol during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse effects on child development.

The study uses data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study to investigate the effect of paracetamol during pregnancy on psychomotor development, behaviour and temperament at 3 years of age. Almost 3000 sibling pairs were included in the study.

The study is a collaboration between the University of Oslo, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, and was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology 25th October 2013.

Results

By comparing children who were exposed to paracetamol during pregnancy with unexposed siblings of the same sex, researchers could control for a variety of genetic and environmental factors, in addition to other important factors such as infections, fever, use of other medications, alcohol intake and smoking.

The study shows that children who had been exposed to paracetamol for more than 28 days of pregnancy had poorer gross motor skills, poor communication skills and more behavioural problems compared with unexposed siblings.

The same trend was seen with paracetamol taken for less than 28 days, but this was weaker.

To investigate whether the underlying illness could be the cause of the effect on the children, and not paracetamol itself, the researchers examined a different type of analgesic with another type of mechanism of action (ibuprofen). The researchers did not find any similar long-term effects after use of ibuprofen.

Need for more research

"The results strengthen our concern that long-term use of paracetamol during pregnancy may have an adverse effect on child development, but that occasional use for short periods is probably not harmful to the foetus. Importantly, we cannot assume that there is a causal relationship between maternal use of paracetamol during pregnancy and adverse effects in children from an epidemiological study. Since this is the only study to show this, there is a need for further research to confirm or refute these results," says Professor Hedvig Nordeng.

Nordeng is a professor at the School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, and is also affiliated as a researcher at the Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

"The findings support the advice of medical authorities; the first choice for pain is paracetamol, but one should be restrictive with all medicine use in pregnancy," says Nordeng.

The Norwegian Medicines Agency advises pregnant women about the medicines they should use during pregnancy.

The Norwegian Directorate of Health is responsible for the national guidelines for antenatal care in Norway, which includes the use of medicines in pregnancy.

###

About the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health began recruiting pregnant women in 1999. The fathers were also invited. In 2008, the goal was reached - over 100,000 pregnancies were included. Biological samples and questionnaire data have been collected since week 17 of pregnancy which makes the study unique. The purpose of this study is to find causes of diseases.

Reference

Brandlistuen RE, Ystrom E, Nulman I, Koren G, Nordeng H. (2013) Prenatal paracetamol Exposure and Child Neurodevelopment: A sibling-controlled cohort study. International Journal of Epidemiology

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Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-10/niop-nso102913.php
Similar Articles: alice eve   george zimmerman  

New report: Companies created from federally funded university research fuel american innovation, economic growth

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

29-Oct-2013

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Contact: Lauren Pulte
lpulte@qga.com
202-429-6875
The Science Coalition

Sequestration jeopardizes this source of progress, jobs and growth

WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 29, 2013 A new report released today by The Science Coalition illustrates one of the many returns on investment of federally funded scientific research: the creation of new companies. Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 highlights 100 companies that trace their roots to federally funded university research and their role in bringing transformational innovations to market, creating new jobs and contributing to economic growth. An accompanying online database provides free access to company profiles and allows users to sort companies by federal funding agency, university affiliation, type of innovation and other criteria.

The basic scientific research that gives rise to companies like those in this report is in jeopardy. Federal funding for R&D has been on a downward trend for the past decade, with funding levels in 2013 at historic lows. Sequestration, which began in March 2013, is set to run through 2021 and will wring an additional $95 billion from federal R&D budgets over this period. This national disinvestment in science will have real consequences. As the Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 companies illustrate, research and the transformative discoveries that flow from it require sustained funding over many years to yield results.

"Innovation is a cornerstone of American progress, improving our lives in countless ways and providing jobs and economic growth. For decades, innovation has been fueled by federally funded research that is conducted at universities across our nation," said University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank, an economist and former Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. "America's future economic prosperity depends on increased investments in research and education that will accelerate innovation and inspire future generations of scientists."

Chancellor Blank is one of several experts on innovation, competitiveness and technology transfer who provide comments in the report. Others include Lita Nelsen, director of MIT's Technology Licensing Office, Dr. Terri Lomax, vice chancellor of the Office of Research, Innovation & Economic Development at North Carolina State University, and Deborah Wince-Smith, president and CEO of the Council on Competitiveness.

"Sparking Economic Growth 2.0: Companies Created from Federally Funded University Research, Fueling Innovation and Economic Growth" is a companion report to one published in 2010 by The Science Coalition. That report also identified 100 companies created from federally funded university research. The companies in both reports were self-selected by the member universities of The Science Coalition and are illustrative of the many companies created from federally funded university research, as well as the far-reaching paybacks on federal research funding.

The estimated total investment in the fundamental university research that contributed to the discovery or core technology behind the companies in Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 was approximately $330 million*. This funding often occurred over many years and even decades. It is a relatively small sum compared to problems such as cancer, which costs the U.S. economy $552 million every day or cybercrime which costs $383.6 million a day. Federally funded researchers are working every day to solve these and countless other problems that adversely affect our health, safety and economy.

"This report demonstrates the power of the federal investment in basic scientific research," said Science Coalition President Tim Leshan. "While research is only a small portion of the overall federal budget, the results are huge: discoveries with profound implications for our health, safety and quality of life; training for future generations of scientists, doctors and teachers; and innovations that give birth to new technologies, companies and industries.

"If America wants to maintain its innovative edge, create meaningful jobs and realize economic growth, then we must ensure that funding for scientific research is prioritized, even in times of cost-cutting," he said.

The Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 report details:

• How university research and the companies born of such research are a driving force behind much of the innovation in the United States, providing essential seed corn for U.S. industry;
  
• The impact that research universities have on local economies, including through spin-out companies that locate close to their founding universities, contributing to the formation of regional innovation hubs and creating jobs;
  
• The factors that make university research-based companies unique and contribute to their success, including the nurturing ecosystem of research universities, which provides ready access to essential tools like technology transfer offices, business incubators, business schools and workforce talent; and
  
• The success rate of the companies in the 2010 Science Coalition report, specifically those companies that were less than five years old at the time. Eighty percent of those companies remain operational today.

###

Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 and accompanying database are available at http://www.sciencecoalition.org/successstories.

* Estimates are available for 91 out of 100 companies and focus on funding of the initial university research that gave rise to the discovery or core technology behind the companies.

The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation's leading public and private research universities. It is dedicated to sustaining the federal government's investment in basic scientific research as a means to stimulate the economy, spur innovation and drive America's global competitiveness. Learn more about The Science Coalition at http://www.sciencecoalition.org.

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

29-Oct-2013

[


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]


Share

Contact: Lauren Pulte
lpulte@qga.com
202-429-6875
The Science Coalition

Sequestration jeopardizes this source of progress, jobs and growth

WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 29, 2013 A new report released today by The Science Coalition illustrates one of the many returns on investment of federally funded scientific research: the creation of new companies. Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 highlights 100 companies that trace their roots to federally funded university research and their role in bringing transformational innovations to market, creating new jobs and contributing to economic growth. An accompanying online database provides free access to company profiles and allows users to sort companies by federal funding agency, university affiliation, type of innovation and other criteria.

The basic scientific research that gives rise to companies like those in this report is in jeopardy. Federal funding for R&D has been on a downward trend for the past decade, with funding levels in 2013 at historic lows. Sequestration, which began in March 2013, is set to run through 2021 and will wring an additional $95 billion from federal R&D budgets over this period. This national disinvestment in science will have real consequences. As the Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 companies illustrate, research and the transformative discoveries that flow from it require sustained funding over many years to yield results.

"Innovation is a cornerstone of American progress, improving our lives in countless ways and providing jobs and economic growth. For decades, innovation has been fueled by federally funded research that is conducted at universities across our nation," said University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank, an economist and former Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. "America's future economic prosperity depends on increased investments in research and education that will accelerate innovation and inspire future generations of scientists."

Chancellor Blank is one of several experts on innovation, competitiveness and technology transfer who provide comments in the report. Others include Lita Nelsen, director of MIT's Technology Licensing Office, Dr. Terri Lomax, vice chancellor of the Office of Research, Innovation & Economic Development at North Carolina State University, and Deborah Wince-Smith, president and CEO of the Council on Competitiveness.

"Sparking Economic Growth 2.0: Companies Created from Federally Funded University Research, Fueling Innovation and Economic Growth" is a companion report to one published in 2010 by The Science Coalition. That report also identified 100 companies created from federally funded university research. The companies in both reports were self-selected by the member universities of The Science Coalition and are illustrative of the many companies created from federally funded university research, as well as the far-reaching paybacks on federal research funding.

The estimated total investment in the fundamental university research that contributed to the discovery or core technology behind the companies in Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 was approximately $330 million*. This funding often occurred over many years and even decades. It is a relatively small sum compared to problems such as cancer, which costs the U.S. economy $552 million every day or cybercrime which costs $383.6 million a day. Federally funded researchers are working every day to solve these and countless other problems that adversely affect our health, safety and economy.

"This report demonstrates the power of the federal investment in basic scientific research," said Science Coalition President Tim Leshan. "While research is only a small portion of the overall federal budget, the results are huge: discoveries with profound implications for our health, safety and quality of life; training for future generations of scientists, doctors and teachers; and innovations that give birth to new technologies, companies and industries.

"If America wants to maintain its innovative edge, create meaningful jobs and realize economic growth, then we must ensure that funding for scientific research is prioritized, even in times of cost-cutting," he said.

The Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 report details:

• How university research and the companies born of such research are a driving force behind much of the innovation in the United States, providing essential seed corn for U.S. industry;
  
• The impact that research universities have on local economies, including through spin-out companies that locate close to their founding universities, contributing to the formation of regional innovation hubs and creating jobs;
  
• The factors that make university research-based companies unique and contribute to their success, including the nurturing ecosystem of research universities, which provides ready access to essential tools like technology transfer offices, business incubators, business schools and workforce talent; and
  
• The success rate of the companies in the 2010 Science Coalition report, specifically those companies that were less than five years old at the time. Eighty percent of those companies remain operational today.

###

Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 and accompanying database are available at http://www.sciencecoalition.org/successstories.

* Estimates are available for 91 out of 100 companies and focus on funding of the initial university research that gave rise to the discovery or core technology behind the companies.

The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation's leading public and private research universities. It is dedicated to sustaining the federal government's investment in basic scientific research as a means to stimulate the economy, spur innovation and drive America's global competitiveness. Learn more about The Science Coalition at http://www.sciencecoalition.org.

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-10/tsc-nr102913.php
Tags: tom brady   tibetan mastiff  

Queen's University in €6m bid to find new Cystic Fibrosis treatments

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

29-Oct-2013

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Contact: Anne-Marie Clarke
comms.officer@qub.ac.uk
44-028-909-75320
Queen's University Belfast

Queen's University Belfast is a lead partner in a new 6 million global research program to develop new ways to treat Cystic Fibrosis

Queen's University Belfast is a lead partner in a new 6 million (euro) global research programme to develop new ways to treat Cystic Fibrosis.

Affecting more than 10,000 people in the UK, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common life-threatening inherited diseases. Symptoms include repeated chest infections, the major cause of death for patients.

The new global programme, known as CF Matters, aims to develop personalised antibiotic treatments for these chest infections. The work could revolutionise the practice of antibiotic prescription and limit resistance to the drugs globally.

The study brings together renowned CF clinicians and scientists from 12 academic institutions and hospitals across Europe and the USA. It is led by University College Cork with Queen's as a lead partner. It will involve lab-based research and clinical trials with 252 patients in seven countries, including around 40 in Northern Ireland.

Queen's lead on the study is Professor Stuart Elborn, Director of Queen's Centre for Infection and Immunity. An internationally recognised CF expert, he led the original trial for a drug which has now been approved for use by CF patients with the G551D gene mutation or 'Celtic Gene'. The drug Ivacaftor, also known as Kalydeco, treats the root cause of CF for people with the Gene.

Professor Elborn said: "When patients have a flare-up they are treated with several antibiotics but it isn't always effective and can lead to antibiotic resistance. In this study we will use molecular next generation DNA sequencing methods to detect all the bacteria present in the sputum of CF patients and use this knowledge to determine what antibiotics should be used in individual patients.

"This personalised antibiotic treatment will be compared with standard therapy for CF patients. We will determine the patient's immune response to all the different bacteria present in the sputum. Using models of infection we will also discover the effect of these bacteria on lung inflammation and infection. The overall impact will be to determine if all bacteria present contribute significantly to lung infection in CF patients and subsequently identify the most effective antibiotic treatment for patients infected with these bacteria."

The study will involve a team of scientists from Queen's Centre for Infection and Immunity including Professor Cliff Taggart, Dr Rebecca Ingram and Dr Sinad Weldon and Dr Michael Tunney from the School of Pharmacy.

They will collaborate with Dr Damian Downey, Co-Director of the Regional Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. Dr Downey said: "This important collaborative study with our colleagues in Queen's University will investigate the use of directed antibiotic therapy to treat lung infections. The aim of a more focused treatment plan is to limit the damage that occurs to the lung."

The CF Matters grant comes just weeks after Queen's work on managing Bronchiectasis, another chronic lung condition affecting thousands of people in the UK, was published in leading scientific journals.

The three papers by Dr Michael Tunney from Queen's School of Pharmacy and Professor Elborn, address key issues in the management of the condition, including the detection of bacteria that cause lung infection and how long-term antibiotic use to treat Bronchiectasis can result in antibiotic resistance.

Commenting on the work, Dr Tunney said: "We found that large numbers of different types of bacteria were present both when bronchiectasis patients were stable, and during a lung infection. The results clearly demonstrate that routine diagnostic techniques do not detect many of these bacteria.

"Further studies are required to better understand the relationship between the presence of the bacteria found in the lungs of Bronchiectasis patients and the severity of the condition. More research is also needed into the effects of long-term antibiotic use and development of antimicrobial resistance."

###

For more information on the Centre visit http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/CentreforInfectionandImmunity

Media inquiries to Anne-Marie Clarke at Queen's University Communications Office.
Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5320 or email: comms.officer@qub.ac.uk

Notes to editors:

Professor Stuart Elborn is available for interview

Queen's University has been given 1.36m from the overall grant awarded by the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme.

The full trial name is Cystic Fibrosis Microbiome-determined Antibiotic Therapy Trial in Exacerbations: Results Stratified CF MATTERS

The study is led by Dr Barry Plant at University College Cork. Research partners include Queen's University Belfast, Universit Parus Descartes (France), University of Dundee (Scotland), University of Washington (USA), University of Heidelberg (Germany), Teagasc Food Research Centre (Ireland), Clininfo SA (France), GABO (Germany), Papworth Hospital (UK), University Hospital Leuven (Belgium), Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris (France).

The results of the study will be reviewed by an expert panel who will then develop a tailored treatment plan for each patient. The analysis of all the bacteria present will pave the way for more effective therapeutic regimes and ultimately contribute to the development of personalised treatment for CF patients.

---

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

29-Oct-2013

[


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]


Share

Contact: Anne-Marie Clarke
comms.officer@qub.ac.uk
44-028-909-75320
Queen's University Belfast

Queen's University Belfast is a lead partner in a new 6 million global research program to develop new ways to treat Cystic Fibrosis

Queen's University Belfast is a lead partner in a new 6 million (euro) global research programme to develop new ways to treat Cystic Fibrosis.

Affecting more than 10,000 people in the UK, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common life-threatening inherited diseases. Symptoms include repeated chest infections, the major cause of death for patients.

The new global programme, known as CF Matters, aims to develop personalised antibiotic treatments for these chest infections. The work could revolutionise the practice of antibiotic prescription and limit resistance to the drugs globally.

The study brings together renowned CF clinicians and scientists from 12 academic institutions and hospitals across Europe and the USA. It is led by University College Cork with Queen's as a lead partner. It will involve lab-based research and clinical trials with 252 patients in seven countries, including around 40 in Northern Ireland.

Queen's lead on the study is Professor Stuart Elborn, Director of Queen's Centre for Infection and Immunity. An internationally recognised CF expert, he led the original trial for a drug which has now been approved for use by CF patients with the G551D gene mutation or 'Celtic Gene'. The drug Ivacaftor, also known as Kalydeco, treats the root cause of CF for people with the Gene.

Professor Elborn said: "When patients have a flare-up they are treated with several antibiotics but it isn't always effective and can lead to antibiotic resistance. In this study we will use molecular next generation DNA sequencing methods to detect all the bacteria present in the sputum of CF patients and use this knowledge to determine what antibiotics should be used in individual patients.

"This personalised antibiotic treatment will be compared with standard therapy for CF patients. We will determine the patient's immune response to all the different bacteria present in the sputum. Using models of infection we will also discover the effect of these bacteria on lung inflammation and infection. The overall impact will be to determine if all bacteria present contribute significantly to lung infection in CF patients and subsequently identify the most effective antibiotic treatment for patients infected with these bacteria."

The study will involve a team of scientists from Queen's Centre for Infection and Immunity including Professor Cliff Taggart, Dr Rebecca Ingram and Dr Sinad Weldon and Dr Michael Tunney from the School of Pharmacy.

They will collaborate with Dr Damian Downey, Co-Director of the Regional Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. Dr Downey said: "This important collaborative study with our colleagues in Queen's University will investigate the use of directed antibiotic therapy to treat lung infections. The aim of a more focused treatment plan is to limit the damage that occurs to the lung."

The CF Matters grant comes just weeks after Queen's work on managing Bronchiectasis, another chronic lung condition affecting thousands of people in the UK, was published in leading scientific journals.

The three papers by Dr Michael Tunney from Queen's School of Pharmacy and Professor Elborn, address key issues in the management of the condition, including the detection of bacteria that cause lung infection and how long-term antibiotic use to treat Bronchiectasis can result in antibiotic resistance.

Commenting on the work, Dr Tunney said: "We found that large numbers of different types of bacteria were present both when bronchiectasis patients were stable, and during a lung infection. The results clearly demonstrate that routine diagnostic techniques do not detect many of these bacteria.

"Further studies are required to better understand the relationship between the presence of the bacteria found in the lungs of Bronchiectasis patients and the severity of the condition. More research is also needed into the effects of long-term antibiotic use and development of antimicrobial resistance."

###

For more information on the Centre visit http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/CentreforInfectionandImmunity

Media inquiries to Anne-Marie Clarke at Queen's University Communications Office.
Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5320 or email: comms.officer@qub.ac.uk

Notes to editors:

Professor Stuart Elborn is available for interview

Queen's University has been given 1.36m from the overall grant awarded by the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme.

The full trial name is Cystic Fibrosis Microbiome-determined Antibiotic Therapy Trial in Exacerbations: Results Stratified CF MATTERS

The study is led by Dr Barry Plant at University College Cork. Research partners include Queen's University Belfast, Universit Parus Descartes (France), University of Dundee (Scotland), University of Washington (USA), University of Heidelberg (Germany), Teagasc Food Research Centre (Ireland), Clininfo SA (France), GABO (Germany), Papworth Hospital (UK), University Hospital Leuven (Belgium), Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris (France).

The results of the study will be reviewed by an expert panel who will then develop a tailored treatment plan for each patient. The analysis of all the bacteria present will pave the way for more effective therapeutic regimes and ultimately contribute to the development of personalised treatment for CF patients.

---

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Share

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-10/qub-qui102913.php
Category: tina fey   9 news   Liam Payne   nasdaq   Ichiro Suzuki  

With security, prayer is not the answer

October 29, 2013

Are you a mathematician or a priest?

What I mean: I'm always amazed by the lack of real data brough to bear in computer security and how people push agendas that have little basis in fact. It can leave an old computer security pro like me disillusioned.

[ InfoWorld presents the Bossies 2013, the best open source software for security, data centers, clouds, and more. | Keep up with key security issues with InfoWorld's Security Central newsletter. ]

We're told that buying the latest and greatest security product will be the answer to all our prayers. We buy it and implement it -- yet it doesn't stop the bad guys from breaking in.

If you want to become a better computer security practitioner, use your own data to make better decisions. It's there for the taking.

I'm surprised at how many companies don't understand how they've been compromised. You can talk to almost any company's computer security employees and ask, "What is the No. 1 way your company is most exploited?" but rarely will you get the right answer. The CIO or CSO won't know. And if the very people in charge of your defense don't understand how to rank threats by risk level, how can they fight them effectively?

Instead, you usually have one or more influential employees (and their preferred vendors) pushing solutions that sound great, but rarely address big problems head-on. When I confront computer security employees with what's really wrong and how to fight it better, I'm often surprised how many leave the meeting hearing something else.

Source: http://www.infoworld.com/d/security/security-prayer-not-the-answer-229683?source=rss_infoworld_top_stories_
Tags: Captain America The Winter Soldier   Grambling State University   Boulder Flooding   nfl scores   amc  

Do Pakistanis Support US Drone Attacks?

Drone strikes in Pakistan are in the spotlight after that country's Prime Minister visited the U.S., and a new report detailed hundreds of civilian casualties from American attacks. But how do people in Pakistan view drones? Host Michel Martin speaks to freelance journalists Aisha Sarwari and Madiha Tahir to find out.

Source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=240749015&ft=1&f=1014
Category: aapl   randall cobb   Ray Rice   michael beasley   pga tour  

Who You Gonna Call? The Littlest Ghostbuster and His Adorable Ecto-1

Do you recognize Cooper? Probably not, because he's a year older than the last time you saw him driving a tiny time-traveling DeLorean and wearing an adorable Marty McFly costume. This year, however, Cooper's hitting the trick-or-treating circuit in a wonderful Ghostbusters getup complete with his trusty push car turned into an absolutely amazing miniature Ecto-1.

Read more...

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Ys2HjOLWkz4/who-you-gonna-call-the-littlest-ghostbuster-and-his-ad-1453586260
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Graham says he'll block nominations over Benghazi

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Lindsey Graham is threatening to hold up all nominations for federal government positions until survivors of last year's deadly attack on the diplomatic post in Libya appear before Congress.

The South Carolina Republican made the threat Monday on his official Twitter account.

The tweet said: "Where are the #Benghazi survivors? I'm going to block every appointment in the US Senate until they are made available to Congress."

Graham is among lawmakers who are not satisfied with information they've received so far on the attack in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans on Sept. 11, 2012.

Prominent nominations awaiting Senate confirmation include Janet Yellen for chair of the Federal Reserve and Jeh Johnson for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

• Politics & Government
• Government
• Lindsey Graham

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/graham-says-hell-block-nominations-over-benghazi-154611347--politics.html
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