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In 2006, more than 250,000 U. S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. This deadly disease will claim the lives of more than 40,000 friends, neighbors, mothers and daughters. These are staggering statistics.

However, breast cancer death rates are going down. This decline is largely attributed to the benefits of annual mammograms that enable physicians to detect cancer at its earliest stages, and improved treatment programs that help patients better manage their cancer.

Both digital and film-based mammography can identify breast disease in women who may have no obvious signs of breast cancer. Historically, mammograms have been conducted using medical X-ray film. Now, new digital imaging technologies are emerging that offer a complementary method for early detection of breast cancer.

The arrival of more digital imaging options sometimes can cause some patients to "wait it out" until their health care provider installs digital imaging systems. But the advice from physicians appears to be overwhelming: Do not wait for the latest digital technology. One of the most critical aspects for a full recovery is early detection, and it is far better to have any kind of mammogram than to delay or skip a mammogram entirely. The decision on which imaging technology to use should be a secondary issue that patients can discuss with their physicians.

"Digital technologies show great promise in helping to detect breast cancer in certain patients," said Dr. John M. Lewin, Diversified Radiology of Colorado, a leader in providing technologically advanced radiology imaging. "In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering relaxing guidelines that may make it easier for manufacturers of digital mammography systems to bring new products to market faster."

Should the FDA adopt revised guidelines, it is possible that health care providers and patients could have access to a broader range of new digital mammography products earlier-and perhaps at a lower cost-as more competition among manufacturers may drive down prices of these systems.

One of the innovators of digital medical imaging systems is Eastman Kodak Company, which currently markets a digital mammography system for use in Europe, Latin America, Asia and other parts of the world. Kodak has applied to the FDA for approval to market this system in the U. S. and the company is conducting clinical trials of this system in the U. S. and Canada. "We applaud the FDA for examining ways to streamline the approval process for digital mammography products that may lead to increased adoption and improved access to these innovative systems," said Michael Marsh, vice president, Kodak's Health Group.

Given the benefits and improvements in both digital and film mammogram technology, there is more reason now than ever before to encourage mothers, grandmothers, sisters and friends to get an annual mammogram.

The American Cancer Society continues to recommend the importance of mammograms as a highly effective tool in the detection of breast cancer. What is critical is not the technology used to produce a mammogram, but ensuring that women age 40 and older have regular mammograms as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Give a piece of the picture

Know someone who loves the movies? Most people do. Almost everyone sees a movie or two every couple of months, but movie lovers are something else. They are the ones who go to the theater 2 hours early on opening night just to be one of the first to see a particular film. Extreme cases, like Star Wars fans, will camp in front of the theater for a few days or dress like the characters in the movie. People like that are fun to know because it's easy to buy them gifts. Some movie mementoes can be high priced items. An 8 inch Han Solo Marquette costs $80.00. There are some inexpensive things you can buy for the movie lover in your life.

Press Kits

Press Kits are elaborate folders of information about a film created to be given to theater owners, movie reviewers, and promoters prior to a film's release. They often contain cast lists, trivia, and stills or reproduced pictures from the film, and extra little gifts or design features. The press kit for X-Men 2 is designed to unfold like the doors in the danger room of the X-mansion. Some press kits even contain DVDs with trailers for the film and star interviews. The bigger the blockbuster, the more elaborate the press kit. Eventually people who get a plethora of information end up selling their press kits or giving them away. Ask a journalism teacher or friend in media for a press kit for a certain film or purchase it on EBay. To the person who loves that film, it will be a prize.

Stills

It's a funny concept when you think about it, but people take pictures while actors are making pictures. Movie stills or stills of a particular star, once framed, make a great gift to any fan creating a homage in their spare bed-room. Stills can be acquired through entertainment stores like Hollywood And Vine or any number of online retailers who purchase prints from the company releasing the film. Many stars have websites or management offices where you can write or send away for an autographed still and many signed stills can be bought through charity auctions. With a scene from their favorite movie or person on their wall, your friend will never have to wait in line to see them again.

Posters

The ultimate sign of allegiance to a film is to have a 40 x 27 likeness of the poster hanging above your dresser. Some people love film so much they decorate their whole house in movie posters. Famous movies generate lots of posters for stores to sell. These posters tend to be a standard 36 x 24 size and fit easily into a poster frame. For a better gift, go to the theater or video retailer and ask for their display when they are finished with it. They tend to give those away to the first customer to ask. Theater posters are much larger, usually 40 x 27, and require a special frame which you can get at a craft store or online. They are larger than life and a true collectable masterpiece for any film enthusiast.

The whole point of any gift is to show people you love and support them. With these great memorabilia presents your friendship will stay the main attraction.

Health care degrees online cover medical billing

Health care degrees online can be earned in several different disciplines, but one of the most often overlooked is actually one of the most essential to today’s medical practitioners. A degree in medical billing or health care reimbursement is essential for anyone working in the office of any medical facility that accepts health care insurance of any kind.

Today’s hospitals, clinics and private practice medical offices have to accept insurance payments in order to survive. Health insurance is what allows medical practices to provide expensive procedures to patients who need them by paying for most or all of the expenses. The problem for medical offices, hospitals and clinics is universal – the health insurance companies use complex, confusing coding and procedures for all billing and reimbursement.

Physicians Don’t Have Time to Learn Billing Codes

Ask any doctor and he’ll tell you that he or she doesn’t have enough hours in the day. If you also demanded that a doctor fill out all of the paperwork for his or her patient’s health insurance payments, you would be told in no uncertain terms that the patients would suffer as a result. That’s why medical insurance and health care reimbursement experts are in such demand. Doctors and nurses have to focus on the care of their patients. They need someone professional they can rely on to handle the paperwork.

If you get a health care degree online that focuses on this area, you will be one of the most essential members of the staff. Their are thousands of health insurance providers in the United States, thousands of different variations on coverage provided by these companies and unique and complicated billing codes, procedures and regulations for each company and type of policy.

It is essential that a medical provider hire someone who is good with numbers, pleasant on the phone (medical billing experts spend a lot of time talking to health insurance companies) and familiar with the many rules, regulations and codes used for health care reimbursement.

Understanding Health Care Reimbursement

When you earn a health care degree online that focuses on health care reimbursement, you’ll learn:

What the major types of health care coverage are, including HMO’s, PPO’s, FFS’s, etc. and how they differ.

The rules and regulations of managed care, Medicare and Medicaid.

Billing codes, federal regulations and how to process the paperwork.

The intricacies of co-insurance and third party payers

Ways to work with patients and insurers to provide the best health care possible at the most reasonable cost.

Lots of people looking for a health care degree online overlook health care reimbursement at first, which is a shame. The fact is, medical billing specialists earn excellent salaries and keep their medical practices running smoothly by insuring that there is money coming in and that patients’ health insurance issues are resolved.

If you are interested in a health care career and are good with numbers, look into health care reimbursement or billing specialist health care degrees online. There are several reasons this might be the right career choice for you:

You can obtain an associate’s degree with less time and money invested than you would need for some other specialties.

Health care reimbursement is one of the fastest growing fields in the medical profession.

You can transfer your skills to many different environments – from small private practices to major hospitals.

With medical costs increasing every year and Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance companies revising their procedures and paperwork on a regular basis, the need for qualified reimbursement specialists will only grow. If you want to establish yourself in this vital field, consider a health care degree online while you work and soon you’ll have the medical career you’ve always wanted.

Ultimate aero tt breaks world record

The 2008 Ultimate Aero TT is the latest version by Shelby Super Cars (SSC). When the Ultimate Aero TT first made its debut many industry insiders felt that this vehicle would break the world speed record for production cars of 253.2 mph, set by the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. It wasn't long before they were proven right. The Ultimate Aero TT reached an unprecedented speed of 256.15 mph, making this lightweight, aerodynamic vehicle officially the "World's Fastest Production Car."

Achieving tremendous power via its twin turbo V-8 engine, it produces 1,183 horsepower and 1,094 ft.-lbs. of torque. The speedometer on the car goes up to 260, and in sixth gear at 7,200 rpm; the TT's performance stats state that it exceeds 286 mph.

The Ultimate Aero TT does zero to 60 mph in 2.78 seconds and a quarter mile in less than 10 seconds. It has a 422-pound V-8 engine with an aluminum block and heads. The four-wheel rocket redlines at 7,200 rpm, and the vehicle's horsepower is an incredible 1,183 at 6,950 rpm. It is a rear-wheel drive with a mid-engine position. The lightweight body is made of carbon fiber, composites, and a steel space frame. It sets on Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, 19 by 9.5 inches in the front and 20 by 13 inches in the rear. The ride is controlled by unequal length upper and lower A-arms coil-over springs in the front and rear.

This politically incorrect beast vehicle - with a four-inch ground clearance - has a refined side too. The interior is both clean and chic. Even the roll bar enhances the lines of the cabin by matching the car's seats. There also is a high-end sound system and a DVD navigational system. It comes in 11 heavenly colors, including yellow, purple and plum.

The Shelby name has been associated with classic, super-fast automobiles for decades. However, Carroll Shelby, the man who made the world think of cars instead of reptiles when referring to cobras or vipers, is not related whatsoever to Jarod Shelby, the owner of SSC and the designer of the Ultimate Aero TT. Maybe there is just something about that name?

Finding small business grants

Poor financing is the number two reason small businesses fail, falling right behind poor management. Sufficient funding is paramount to the success of small businesses, and small business grants can be the answer to the problem. If business owners have the necessary knowledge about how to find and properly request grants, they have a better shot at creating a successful business that will be open longer and prosper.

There are over 300 different grants and loans available for small businesses that are just starting out. The grants range from $25,000 up to $1,000,000 depending on the size and projected success rate of the business. There are also grants available to help small businesses grow or expand. Grants are not the same as loans because they do not have to be repaid. A grant is considered free money, as well as an investment to promote the success of small businesses and the U. S. economy. Money for grants comes from income taxes. Obtaining a small business grant does not require credit checks or deposits, even if the owners have experienced bankruptcy in the past.

There are a number of helpful websites that send small businesses government grant packages for free, excluding the cost of shipping. These packages include information on how to find grants, how to prepare a grant request, and how to apply for grants pertaining to a specific business. Some of the providers are Government Funding Solutions, Grant Master, and Grant Wizard.

It is important to be familiar with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) rules for receiving grants before beginning the process of obtaining one. Although the SBA does not provide grants to small businesses, they do provide helpful suggestions and resources on how to find grants.

In order to qualify for a small business grant, individuals must first become familiar with the 13 CFR 143 document that lists all of the requirements to be eligible for a grant. This document includes information on the pre-award and post-award periods and defines all aspects of applying for a grant and states who is eligible. The CFR is the primary source of rules and regulations for small business grants and must be read before starting the grant writing process.

After reviewing the requirements, prospective business owners must write a grant request. There are professionals who will write a grant proposal or the individuals may complete it themselves. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is a helpful site that links individuals to resources about federal grants for small businesses. Afterschool. gov gives helpful tips on how to write a small business grant and, although it is geared toward grants for after school programs, includes helpful information for grant writing in general.

Additionally, there are many well-established government and private organizations that provide grants to small businesses. The Department of Justice’s Ten Grant document gives access to grant opportunities for those conducting research in support of law enforcement. The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has several grant opportunities for small business owners. They offer about $125 million to businesses that are based in a community setting with special attention to training programs. The Department of Transportation is another organization that offers small business grants. They offer grants to any business willing to help resolve the growing problems with the federal-aid highway program. The Department of Education has a program called e-GRANTS that locates electronic grants online. They have a detailed list of grants available and the necessary applications to fill out. There are a variety of grants available for different groups, all of which have detailed descriptions and contact information. Other organizations that provide small business grants include the EPA, the National Cancer Institute, NOAA, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.