The government is scrapping a 70-year-old ban that barred pilots from flying while on antidepressants. The reasons cited for the change in policy: Improvements in the drugs and putting an end to pilots flying but not admitting they were taking…
Global Aviation Regulators Plan To Pool Safety Data
This week an alliance of aviation groups and regulators agreed to gather and collectively study airline-safety information from around the globe, in order to find ways to better respond to safety problems. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303601504575154163023746980.html?KEYWORDS=aviation+regulators As part of the agreement signed last…
University of Kentucky’s Lentz Gives Up Football Career Because of Concussions
Maybe the danger of Traumatic Brain Injury is finally sinking in with student athletes. On Wednesday it was announced that University of Kentucky safety Matt Lentz is abandoning his football career because of concussions. http://www.wkyt.com/wymtsports/headlines/89627587.html The news was announced by…
New Phone Apps Aim To Thwart Drivers On Cellphones, While Oprah Asks for ‘No Phone Zone’ Pledges
Perhaps there is a way to make motorists drop their cellphones when they are driving. At least a dozen startup companies have come up with phone apps that aim to remind drivers not to get on the phone when driving,…
New NFL Rules to Prevent Concussion
During their meeting in Orlando this week, and following much embarrassing publicity last year, National Football League officials made some key changes in their safety rules. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/03/25/sports/AP-FBN-NFL-Meetings.html?_r=1 Some of the rules passed Wednesday are aimed at protecting “defenseless” players, as…
Idaho Concussion Bill Held Up Over Liability Concerns
Idaho is considering legislation to set tough guidelines on student athlete concussions, but the bill has been stalled because of fears of liability issues. http://www.idahoreporter.com/2010/plan-to-get-tough-on-concussions-stalls-in-committee-over-legal-concerns/ Idaho’s proposed law, like the one pioneered by Washington state, would require that athletes get…
Missouri May Pass Student Concussion Law
Missouri is the latest state to be weighing legislation that would keep young athletes off the field if they appear to have sustained a concussion. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/healthfitness/story/EB4F233FBE11B772862576E9006F382D?OpenDocument The proposed law mandates that athletes can only return to play after they are…
Science Making Progress in Altering Negative Memories
It may sound like science fiction, but researchers are exploring ways to change people’s memories, according to a story in The Wall Street Journal Tuesday. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447104575118021991832154.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird Right now a common hypertension drug is being tested on rape victims, soldiers who…
California Seeks To Mandate Helmets For Young Skiers and Snowboarders
California is looking to crack down on youthful skiers and snowboarders, by requiring minors to wear helmets when they engage in both those sports. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i3mSQTOwvBo-4TsKKXQ72RM0u7RQD9EEVGOG0 Democratic lawmakers from Northern California have introduced two bills mandating the helmets for minors. One…
Military To Make Head-Injury Evaluations Mandatory
The U.S. Defense Department is making a sweeping change it its policy on head injuries, with plans to mandate evaluations of all soldiers who have sustained possible concussions, military officials said last week. http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=58264 Currently, a soldier in combat or…