On September 28, 2016, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) within Health and Human Services, controlling more than $1 trillion in Medicare and Medicaid funding, has moved to prevent nursing homes from forcing arbitration clauses into nursing home contracts. The agency’s decision, which is the most significant overhaul of its rules governing federal…
Stanford University researchers have discovered that aluminum may be the sought after alternative to volatile lithium commonly used in batteries. Superior Recharging Capacity of Aluminum Battery Stanford University professor Hongjie Dai has developed a high-performance aluminum battery that may replace lithium-ion batteries, which occasionally burst into flames. Unlike previous unsuccessful attempts with aluminum, his battery uses a graphite…
Driving any vehicle under the influence of marijuana, whether for medicinal or recreational use, is illegal in Oregon. While a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent of a driver’s blood, by volume, will conclusively establish that a driver is under the influence, when marijuana is involved, any amount that was in the driver’s blood or…
Oregon law reflects legislative intent to protect the rights of children in many ways. For example, Oregon law, with some notable exceptions, requires appointment of a conservator, guardian or “guardian ad litem” (GAL) to make decisions in the child’s best interest. Oregon also grants children more time to assert suit than adults. And most claims…
It seems asinine that a drug less toxic and less responsible for deaths than alcohol ever made it to the drug category deemed most dangerous by the federal government. While marijuana reform is gaining ground across the U.S., the federal government still classifies it as a Schedule I controlled substance, on par with dangerous substances like heroin…
While automakers rush to get totally driverless vehicles on the road, many believe that full autonomy may not be the best approach. For over a decade car manufacturers have been trying to develop driverless cars, claiming that fully autonomous cars would be safer than regular cars and might make traffic flow smoother. They cite the…
A drug commonly used to treat depression and schizophrenia now shows promise in restoring memory to patients with traumatic brain syndrome. Tetra Discovery (a pharmaceutical company in Boston), in association with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NINDS), has found that a certain phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor (PDE4B) has the…
Just how bad are Portland drivers again? If you’ve been following along you probably know that PDX was ranked poorly in a recent traffic report released by Allstate last year. Despite efforts to improve transportation, we keep outdoing ourselves. Just two years ago, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) felt the need to remind local drivers just…
Living in Oregon, we’re used to rain in all its forms, from mist to drizzle and downpour. Drivers here need to be aware of the hazards each rainy weather condition presents and be prepared. Driving Hazards of First Rain While a refreshing change, a summer or fall light mist is one of the most dangerous…
The City of Portland is well known for its awareness of all things environmental. While most cities in the U.S. have trash bins with just one hole in them, Portland’s boast three — one for trash, one for recyclables, and even one for composting. It’s even #2 on Grist’s 15 Green Cities, a list that ranks…