Finally, a Drug Label as Easy to Read as a Nutrition Fact Box

The laundry list of side effects at the end of TV drug ads, and the giant instruction sheets you get at the pharmacy, can often be befuddling. Informulary, a site launched this week in beta, is designed to fix that, and to provide an easy resource for evidence-based facts about popular medicines.

The site was founded by a team of independent researchers at Dartmouth College, who crunch data from clinical trials the Food and Drug Administration uses to approve drugs. Then they spell out the risks and benefits — in clear, plain language — on a single sheet called a DrugFactsBox like this one:

Their product is different from a lot of the drug information sites on the web for two important reasons: It's totally independent, so it's not funded by pharmaceutical companies like, for example, WebMD is. And it's presented in a meticulous but digestible format that reflects the available data behind drugs in a way that's easy to understand.

WHO takes Nigeria off global list of polio-endemic countries

Lagos (AFP) - The World Health Organization on Friday took Nigeria off the list of polio-endemic countries, hailing a "historic achievement" more than a year after the last recorded case of the disease in Africa's most populous nation. 

The announcement, made in a statement and at a meeting of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in New York, leaves just two countries -- Pakistan and Afghanistan -- on the list. 

In declaring Nigeria "no longer polio endemic", the WHO said: "This is the first time that Nigeria has interrupted transmission of wild (naturally occurring) poliovirus, bringing the country and the African region closer than ever to being certified polio-free." 

Countries have to go at least 12 months without a case before they can be considered for removal from the list while polio-free status comes after three years without a case.

Nigeria revels in removal from list of polio-endemic nations

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria on Saturday celebrated the announcement by the U.N. health agency that polio is no longer endemic in the West African country.

The news of Nigeria's progress, made by the World Health Organization on late Friday, leaves only Pakistan and its war-battered neighbor Afghanistan as countries where the disease is prevalent. Polio which can cause life-long paralysis can be prevented with a simple vaccination.

"It's a great moment for Nigeria," Dr. Tunji Funsho, chairman of Rotary International's anti-polio campaign in Nigeria, told The Associated Press. "We should celebrate but with a caveat that we should not let our guard down." He attributed the success to teamwork between government and non-governmental health organizations.

Nigeria's main goal now is maintain vigilance to make sure that Nigeria has no new polio cases in the next two years so that the WHO can declare Nigeria a polio-free country, Dr. Funsho said. "Until that happens we are not out of the woods yet," he said.

Liberia struggles to regain economic footing after Ebola

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Liberia needs two years to regain its economic footing after it was battered by the Ebola epidemic, as it moves to boost access to electricity and infrastructure and diversify the economy, Liberia's president said in an interview on Saturday.

Liberia had been slowly rebuilding from a civil war that ended in 2003 when the Ebola epidemic erupted more than 18 months ago. The disease has since killed 4,800 people in Liberia, and a total of 11,000 people in West Africa.

"Our target is to get it done in two years," Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said of the hoped-for economic recovery, in an interview on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Liberia was declared free of the Ebola virus for a second time on Sept. 3, entering a 90-day period of heightened surveillance. 

The country was declared Ebola-free in May but more cases appeared in late June, probably via transmission from sexual contact as the virus can survive in semen well beyond the usual 21-day incubation period.

Benefits Of Booking a Beauty Appointment Online

First impressions make or break a deal. That is why it is of paramount importance that you take good care of your hair and beauty properly. As a woman, well-groomed hair and properly done makeup will enhance your appearance tremendously. Men are not left behind either in the need to look sharp and well-groomed.

There are many ways of ensuring you look amazing for example, do it yourself home strategies or visiting beauty salons or barber shops, where qualified personnel take care of your hair and beauty needs. 9 out of 10 people prefer a professional taking care of them. The challenge therefore is finding one in these fast-moving times. Given that a great percentage of your time is spent on a computer with internet connection, a simpler, easier way of getting one is through online beauty parlours.

Simple Home Remedies To Improve Skin Complexion And Glow

Just whitening the skin is not the only thing you should focus on. The skin should also feel soft and smooth, and it should have a rosy glow. In your zeal to attain such a skin you should not go overboard and try every product under the sun which you think may lead to your goal. Most of the cosmetic products in the market have strong chemicals which are dangerous for the skin. A much better way is to try out natural home-remedies for skin care. This article will list out some such home remedies worth trying out.

Laser Hair Removal: Is It Really Permanent?

With summer heating up it is time to look at options that will keep your skin smooth and silky. Which is why everyone is wondering about laser hair removal and whether it really is permanent.

The truth about laser hair removal is that it really is permanent. This is due to the way in which the process is designed. The laser will send pulses down the hair follicle. Over time the hair follicle will die. This means that it will no longer be able to produce any hair, hence why it is a permanent process. What most people do not know, however, is that this does not happen overnight. You cannot walk into a clinic and get all of the unwanted hair you have removed in one session. The number of sessions that you will need in order to remove the hair forever will depend on the type of hair you have. Coarse, thick and darker hair will take longer to remove than lighter, thin hair. It is recommended that the average person should have a minimum of 5 sessions to begin with. Also, the amount of time it will take in total, will be determined by the size of the area. Smaller areas will obviously take less time than the bigger areas.

Understanding How Laser Hair Removal Works

When people are confronted with permanent processes there can be a lot of stress and anxiety associated. Understanding the process of exactly how laser hair removal is performed is a key part in helping to manage that stress and anxiety before and during the procedure.

Laser hair removal has been a popular hair removal treatment since 1997 and has only become increasingly more effective (and popular) in the past few years. It is safe, effective, and much more permanent than other hair removal options such as waxing, tweezing or electrolysis.

Go For A Bridal Makeover Before Big Day

Bridal parties are one of the important occasions in someone's life. The bride and her friends want to look pretty and attractive in this occasion. This occasion involves long months of planning, and the most prominent planning is how to look beautiful in this ceremony. Nowadays, pampering the brides and her friends are quite common. The bridal services include manicure, feet massage, head and shoulder massages and tanning seasons.

Ways of Finding a Perfect Hairstylist

Finding a good hairdresser is always a daunting task as it demands a lot of efforts and proper research. As there are plenty of options available in the market, the salon finding task becomes more difficult as the competition amongst the hairdressers is increasing gradually, which in-turn helps us in getting better quality haircuts/hairstyles, facials, color services, body treatments, blow dry and much more, at affordable prices. Before choosing any beauty expert, one must make sure that it provides quality services at a reasonable cost. Also, you need to make sure that the salon possesses a wide range of hair styles, along with different offers while getting your haircut from them. You must also check out whether they provide discounts during festive seasons or any special discount vouchers to their routine customers and offer free services on their special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

Know About Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. It is not a surgical process as there is no cutting and stitching involved. Laser hair removal involves the use of pulsing laser beams to burn hair follicles. The process takes only a few minutes but removes the hair follicle from the face, neck, chest, back and other body parts. It is a safe procedure with high success rate. Federal Drug Authority has approved laser hair removal as safe for humans and the procedure can be carried out by dermatologists as well as trained skincare specialists.

Easy Steps to Getting Gorgeous Natural Hair

Once you decide you want to stop chemically straightening your hair, you may wonder what the process will be like. How will your transitioning hair look and what you should be doing to get you through this period. You may have heard stories, some of which may have you feeling anxious. If you don't want to do the "big chop" and get rid of your processed hair all at once, here are some transitioning Do's that may help you through this period.

Top Curly Hair Myths

We have heard a lot of myths about curly hair and some of them are downright funny. However, some actually make us wonder if they are true, and if they are not, we wonder where they came from and if there is a truth behind them. But more than anything, of course we want to know how we should adjust our care regimen based them in case they are true right? Well, here are our top 4 myths. Do add the ones you know right down there at the comments section so we can trade secrets okay?

Causes of Hair Breakage and How to Avoid It

Breakage unlike shedding is neither a natural or normal process but rather an indication of an imbalance between important forces within the hair strand. These forces are protein and moisture. Broken hairs do not fall naturally from the head, they are signs of mishandling or abuse.

Rejuvenate Your Ego With Hairstyles and Makeup

Nothing makes you ooze with confidence better than an excellent appearance. The minute you feel comfortable with yourself, you are able to address people and this can boost your self-esteem. By choosing and fixing the right makeup or wearing a hairstyle that flatters the shape of your face, you can feel at ease and have the confidence to face the day. A complete makeover for instance can boost your level of confidence and allow you to face people while taking part in various activities that life presents to you.

Unusual But Fabulous Beauty Tips Straight From Your Kitchen!

Here are some beauty tips and tricks that are both unusual but extremely effective. Many of these involve common household items that you will find in your pantry or fridge, making this a cheap alternative to caring for your hair and skin.

The Best Vintage Hairstyles

Vintage hairstyles are not only unique, but they are also easy to maintain. If you are a vintage enthusiast, here are unique hairstyles that you can have:

Get the Best Clarifying Shampoo for Your Hair Problems

Facing hair problems such as greasy hair, or hair that just do not have the perfect volume? What you need is a special shampoo that not only ensures thorough cleaning of your hair and scalp, but also rid it of excess buildup that is stunting its growth. A great clarifying shampoo will do exactly that and ensure that your hair get a chance to grow and look amazing.

The Eyelash Growth Process

Your eyelashes play an important role in protecting your eyes, such that it keeps dust and other foreign matter away from them. They also serve as a warning mechanism whenever something is moving toward your eye, letting it close as a precautionary measure. And more than the practical function, your lashes serve a cosmetic purpose, beautifying your eyes and face.

Most Common Neurosurgery Procedures

Trained to operate on the brain, spinal cord, and other intricate structures of the human nervous system, neurosurgeons undergo what is arguably the most rigorous training program in all of medicine. In addition to four years of college and four years of medical school, a neurosurgery student must complete at least six years of residency. By the time he or she finally becomes a licensed neurosurgeon, they will have spent a minimum of 14 years in school! What happens then?

Boot Camp Workout Ideas For Your New Year's Resolutions

Year in, year out, getting fit is the New Year's resolution for millions of people around the globe. You know how it is, good intentions in the first few months followed by a period of shamed acceptance and then eight months of getting back to the point where you need to think about losing weight again. It's a common cycle, and one that most of us suffer from, but the answer to the problem isn't scrapping the idea altogether, it's approaching fitness in a smart and targeted way. The same goes for all those who approach a boot camp, either as teacher or student, the key to getting your pupils or yourself fit is picking the right routines. That's why we've pulled together a two of our favourite beginner exercise routines to help you build initial fitness and get you off to a flying start.