1:34pm

Tue February 7, 2012
It's All Politics

Romney Campaign Preemptively Downplays MN, CO And MO Contests

Mitt Romney's campaign had a message Tuesday for those who would try to stop his forward momentum to the Republican presidential nomination — he's got this.

Oh, and Tuesday's contests really don't add up to much of anything really.

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1:27pm

Tue February 7, 2012

1:15pm

Tue February 7, 2012
Shots - Health Blog

Controversy Over Stem-Cell Research Keeps Charities On Sidelines

Credit Andrei Tchernov / iStockphoto.com

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation has been in the news because of its clash with Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

But another aspect of Komen's activities hasn't received much attention: Komen's position on research using human embryonic stem cells.

Despite raising millions of dollars for breast cancer research, Komen hasn't funded any of this work, prompting questions about whether that decision is rooted in politics.

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12:58pm

Tue February 7, 2012
The Salt

To Hold The Salt, It's Time To Hold The Bread

It's no secret that some of the tastiest snacks around — potato chips, french fries, and processed deli meats — are terrific vehicles for salt. Without salt, they'd be bland, too starchy, or just plain dull.

But would you guess that the white bread on your turkey sandwich could be delivering as much or more than the turkey — up to 400 mg of sodium, or about one-third of the daily recommended limit for 6 of every 10 adults?

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12:42pm

Tue February 7, 2012

12:22pm

Tue February 7, 2012
Education

Meaningless In Missouri? Not In Santorum's View

Credit Alan Greenblatt / NPR

For an election that shouldn't matter on paper, Missouri's primary on Tuesday may carry a lot of weight.

The state's Republican electorate tends to be both populist and conservative. That could give former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who has campaigned in Missouri the most – and the most recently – among GOP presidential candidates the chance for a strong showing.

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12:19pm

Tue February 7, 2012
Arts & Culture

Blind Willies

Credit Photo Courtesy of Blind Willies

Do you know the way to famously reclusive Bolinas?

If so, and you stop in at Smiley’s Saloon this Friday, you can hear the Blind Willies. This Bay Area band says its music is “gospel revised by thieves, pimps, poets, losers, children, and malcontents.” They also play the blues.

Music starts about 9pm . But remember, this is Bolinas, so be patient. 

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12:16pm

Tue February 7, 2012
Shots - Health Blog

A Fresh Look At Antidepressants Finds Low Risk Of Youth Suicide

In 2004, after an extensive review, the Food and Drug Administration issued a strong warning to doctors who prescribed antidepressants to teens and children.

Antidepressants, the FDA said, appeared to increase suicide among kids and teens. Doctors needed to be careful. The FDA even mandated that a "black-box warning," the strongest type, be placed on antidepressant packaging.

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12:11pm

Tue February 7, 2012
Latin America

Can Vaccines Break Cholera's Deadly Hold On Haiti?

Originally published on Wed May 23, 2012 8:05 am

The cholera outbreak in Haiti is currently the worst ongoing episode in the world.

Over the past 15 months, it has sickened more than half a million people and killed roughly 7,000. The bacteria has now spread throughout the Caribbean island, and medical experts say it will be around for years to come.

Partners in Health, a Boston-based nonprofit, is planning to launch an unprecedented cholera vaccination campaign to try to curb the outbreak — but it faces many challenges, including a shortage of the vaccine.

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12:06pm

Tue February 7, 2012
It's All Politics

Why Missouri Voters Have The 'Beauty Contest' Blues

There's no waiting in line at O'Fallon City Hall. A half-dozen election volunteers have been eagerly hoping that more people will turn up for Tuesday's Republican primary.

After five hours, they've seen a grand total of 33 voters. Normally, the City Hall precinct gets about 250 people to turn out for a primary.

"We haven't had many," says Vince Scully, a retired printer and election official. As for a late rush in the evening, he says, "We won't have that today."

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