Italian Research:Another Benefit of Aspirin

Another benefit of humble aspirin has been suggested by an Italian study at the University of Perugia.Based on its results,the researchers believe aspirin can be considered an alternative to extended treatment with anticoagulant drugs,or blood thinners,such as Warfarin,for secondary prevention of blood clots.Taking aspirin resulted in around 40% less of a chance of developing repeat blood clots in the veins.Warfarin is often prescribed for a period of several months after a blood clot event,but is eventually stopped because of the risk of major bleeding that it poses.In the new study,6.6% per year of the patients on aspirin had a repeat blood clot;while 11.2% per year of those taking a placebo had one.Aspirin reduced clot risk without increasing the risk of major bleeding,the study found.Blood clots in the deep veins of the legs can travel up to the lungs with fatal consequences,a condition known as VTE,or venous thromboembolism.Another,larger study of aspirin prevention of blood clots is already underway.Results of the two studies will be combined to help assess the merits of aspirin as a therapy for VTE.The University of Perugia study was led by Cecilia Becattini,MD,PhD,and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.Aspirin is a known preventer of heart attacks and strokes,and possibly colon cancer as well.Aspirin maker Bayer AG provides funding for such research.Bayer AG ADS(BAYRY)

NASA - Dragon Fire

NASA - Dragon Fire

Sierra LaMar Suspect Watched for Weeks Hoping He Would Lead Them To Teen - ABC News

Sierra LaMar Suspect Watched for Weeks Hoping He Would Lead Them To Teen - ABC News

Facebook and Investing in Social Media

Global X Funds will wait a few more days for a price that is much more stable to invest in Facebook shares.Co-founder and CEO Bruno del Ama,CFA,feels the people who are there for the longer term will give the stock a much more sensible price.We love the social media space,he says.What are the big secular trends that are taking hold?Social media is one of them.I think Facebook absolutely will be able to monetize.They really created new forms of advertising.They already have 900 million users and growing.Once they focus on monetizing,they surely will find ways to make money,Mr.del Ama projected.The Global X Social Media Index is a globalized fund that contains the likes of LinkedIn,Tencent and SINA,as well as GREE,Hena and Nexon,besides the future Facebook holding.Global X is considered to be the fastest- growing ETF family.It strives to develop innovative ETFs based on global markets.Mr.del Ama has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. Global X Social Media Index Fund(SOCL),Facebook(FB),LinkedIn(LNKD)

Asia This Day:Growth and a Sale

China's 2012 growth is expected to expand at the slowest pace in 13 years,a recent survey predicts.People have got to expect Chinese growth in the low 7s,said currency expert Chris Gothard of Brown Brothers Harriman.Responding to this,China's outgoing President,Wen Jiabao,called for a proactive fiscal and a prudent monetary policy,while giving more priority to maintaining growth.For its part,Thailand is recovering nicely from last year's devastating flooding around the capital,Bangkok.The nation grew 11% on the quarter,with both domestic spending and tourism gaining momentum.On the year,Thai growth was up 0.3%,beating the estimate of a -0.5% loss.Back in China,Internet titan Alibaba is buying back 20% of a stake in it held by Yahoo for 7.1 billion dollars-6.8 billion of that will be in cash.Yahoo will still own more than 50% of Alibaba with Softbank.Yahoo is considering a massive share buyback with the proceeds of the sale.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.2% this morning,Monday. Yahoo(YHOO)

Robin Gibb of Bee Gees fame dies at age 62

Robin Gibb of Bee Gees fame dies at age 62

Health Uncle:The Red Flag Burgers

The size of unhealthy hamburgers is a red flag in itself.If it's too big to fit comfortably in your mouth,it is probably too fatty and salty to eat.These are burgers built on a dare.They are statements about freedom to some;but is the statement one that is really worth making?Even one unhealthy meal can push an individual over the heart's limit.It's an edge you don't want to fall off of,my reader friend.To stay away from heart procedures,consider having those more modest burgers and other foods. One company that specializes in health information is WebMD.It publishes a magazine for doctors' offices and a large and sophisticated website on consumer health topics. WebMD Health Corporation(WBMD)