Cheyenne Personal Injury Lawyer - Business News

Energy Drinks May Increase Blood Pressure

Jenny Albano — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:20:14 GMT

Results of a study show that energy drinks may increase heart rate and blood pressure levels in addition to increasing energy. The researchers of the study are recommending that anyone who has high blood pressure or heart disease should avoid these beverages because their blood pressure could change and the drinks may change how effective medications are.

The drinks generally have high levels of caffeine and taurine, an amino acid found in protein-rich foods like meat and fish that can affect heart function and blood pressure, the researchers said.

The researchers stated that they saw a significant increase in both blood pressure and heart rate in healthy participants while they were just sitting. The increase was nothing health threatening, but it could be for people with cardiovascular disease or those taking drugs to lower heart rate or blood pressure.

The participants consumed two energy drinks every day over a seven day period. Their heart rates rose from around 8% on day one to 11% on day seven. Maximum systolic blood pressure rose from 8% to 10% by the end of the study, and diastolic blood pressure went from 7% to 8%.

The American Beverage Association responded to this study by saying,
"While the amount of caffeine in energy drinks or coffee may cause a slight and temporary increase in blood pressure, it would have no greater effect than walking up a flight of steps, so singling out energy drinks in a unique manner, particularly when compared to a more commonly consumed caffeinated beverage like coffee, does not provide a full and proper context for consumers."

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Target Recalls Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

Courtney Mills — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:44:55 GMT

The large merchandiser Target in concert with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall of approximately 82,000 'Plush Boys Rattles' because of a choking hazard. The rattles were manufactured in China.

The cloth rattles have the propensity to be torn open by children, releasing beads that present a choking hazard. Parents are advised to remove the rattles from children as soon as possible.

The recalled rattles were sold at Target in three varieties: a white baseball rattle , a brown football with white stitching, and an orange basketball with black stitching. The identification tag on the rattles bears the lettering, "Reg. No. PA5706(CN), Distributed by Double Nice Co. Ltd. 3f-2 No. 325, Wu-Chuan Roan Taichung, Taiwan, Made in China."

Rattles can be returned to any Target store for a full refund. For pictures see these recalled rattles.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Courtney Mills

Another Pet Food Added to Recall

Shannon Weidemann — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 21:39:59 GMT

Another company has discovered melamine tainted ingredients were used to manufacture their pet food. Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd was notified that some of their canned dog and cat food and dog treats were made with rice protein that was tainted with melamine. Over 100 brands of dog and cat food have been recalled due to the melamine which has been causing kidney failure and death.

It should be noted the "Blue" canned dog and cat food products were not formulated or labeled to contain rice protein concentrate, and that the manufacturer, American Nutrition, Inc. added the rice protein concentrate to these products without Blue Buffalo Company's knowledge or consent. For this reason, Blue Buffalo Company is concerned that it can not have any faith in the integrity, or the accuracy of the ingredient labels of any of its products manufactured by American Nutrition. Therefore Blue Buffalo is withdrawing all products manufactured by American Nutrition, including products that American Nutrition claims do not contain rice protein. The FDA investigation into the inclusion of the rice protein by American Nutrition in Blue Buffalo's products is ongoing.

Recalled food can be returned to the store they were purchased at for a full refund. Pet owners should observe their dogs and cats for signs of kidney failue which include decreased appetite, vomitting, and increased thirst. Contact your veterinarian with questions or concerns.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Attorney Intends to Challenge Constitutionality of Wyoming's Recreational Safety Act

Staff Writer — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 07:36:28 GMT

The Wyoming Supreme Court has issued a ruling that could make it difficult for skiers injured on ski lifts to collect damages saying that the inherent risk that skiers accept while on a mountain includes their time spent on the chair lifts. "The court said that the use and operation of ski lifts may be an inherent risk also, 'although those questions must be decided by the fact finder based on the evidence presented.' "

Sharon Muller, of Hawaii, sued the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in 2001 based on claims that she was injured when her ski boot became caught underneath the ski rack of the Bridger Gondola and was subsequently dragged several feet resulting in a fractured tibia. A federal jury ruled against Muller in 2003. Muller appealed the verdict to the US 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver which asked the Wyoming Supreme Court to address whether Wyoming's Recreational Safety Act covers the risk of riding chair lifts in addition to skiing itself.

Muller attorney, William Fix, says that he intends to appeal the ruling in federal court and challenge the constitutionality of Wyoming's entire Recreational Safety Act.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Smoking Ban Begins August 15

Staff Writer — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:21:47 GMT

According to a report by CBS News, a petition to delay a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants has failed. In June, the Cheyenne City Council agreed on this ban, but because of a petition drive by opponents to get the issue before voters in November the ban was delayed. Opponents needed to get signatures from 10% of Cheyenne's registered voters. According to the city clerk's office, the petition came up short and as a result, the smoking ban will go into effect August 15. Cheyenne and Laramie are the only two cities in Wyoming that have a smoking ban in bars and restaurants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

New Credit for Small Business

Staff Writer — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 20:20:11 GMT

Through a new program called LEADS M.E. lines of credit will be provided to help qualifying small business owners. This program will allow county business people, unable to receive financing through other means, to receive up to 5,000 credit lines. Interested parties will be required to submit a business plan and complete the required applications and forms before funds would be released.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Stolen Computers and Identity Theft

Staff Writer — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 07:54:26 GMT

The Associated Press reported a Wyoming resident and nine other employees of Union Pacific Corp. are suing Union Pacific for their use of employee' Social Security numbers. According to officials, a company laptop, stolen in May of this year, contained the Social Security numbers of 30,000 current and former Union Pacific workers. The lawsuit could eventually include all of these employees. Identity theft and the frequent use of Social Security numbers as identification are key factors in this suit.

Computer theft and the ensuing risks for identify theft continue to plaque both government and commercial organizations. In May, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported careless employees and inadequate security practices put 26.5 million veteran's identities at risk. A computer, filled with sensitive information, was stolen from an employee's home. This is another in a recent series of poor internal security protocol and careless use of information by the government and businesses. The Privacy Rights Clearing House reported that in the past year it identified 29 cases where stolen laptops have contained Social Security numbers, health records and addresses for millions of people.

Simple procedures will protect sensitive data from unauthorized disclosure including the use of basic encryption in the form of software or specialized chips. Many computer companies may begin to sell computers with encryption built in, aiding consumers, business and government organizations in protecting vital information, ensuring the privacy and protection of individual identities.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Cheyenne Least Expensive City for Business

Staff Writer — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 08:52:51 GMT

The 2006 Cost of Doing Business Survey by the Kosmont-Rose Institute, ranked Cheyenne, Wyoming as the least expensive city in which to do business. The survey looked at 398 cities in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The Institute compared data such as fees, taxes, costs and business incentives provided by the community or government institutions. The most expensive city to conduct business was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Cheyenne Developer Envisions Retail/Residential Mix at Cathedral Commons

Staff Writer — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 07:39:37 GMT

Developer Bill Abernathy has plans for a new development that would mix retail and residential uses, the first of its kind in Cheyenne. The development, an eight-acre property at Yellowstone Road and Gardenia Drive, would include retail businesses, upscale lofts, underground parking, outdoor patios and landscaping. A landscaped buffer would mitigate the impacts of the retail area on surrounding homes, as well as for those living in the lofts. The town council is expected to vote on the preliminary plat and zoning tonight, and Abernathy wouldn't own the property until October 15, more than a month after the council votes on the final plat.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Wildlife Values Changing

Staff Writer — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 19:31:54 GMT

Attitudes about use and management of wildlife are changing, according to an article in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle by Eric Keszler of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. He cites a study conducted by Colorado State University documenting the nation's shifting attitude from "utilitarianism" (traditional values supportive of hunting and fishing) to "mutualism" (values advocating animal rights). Mr. Keszler notes that Wyoming had a higher percentage of "pluralists" (those whose views fall somewhere in the middle) than any other state.

There has been no relevant previous research to establish trends or changes in the way people value wildlife, but this research does suggest that wildlife value orientations are changing in the West, and this is reflected mainly in a shift away from utilitarian values and toward mutualist values.
The researchers concluded that this shift is closely associated with some other basic culture trends.
Shifts away from utilitarian values are closely linked to economic well-being, urbanization, higher levels of education and increased environmentalism.

Click here to see the full article.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer