Doris O'Brien is a retired college Speech teacher and banker. She has published two books of humor (Up or Down With Women's Liberation and Humor Me a Little) and for many years contributed light verse to the Pepper 'n Salt column of the Wall Street Journal. She is an avid writer of letters to the editors.
Doris celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary in the same year she welcomed her first grandchild. She now lives in Pasadena with a great view of the San Gabriel mountains — and the annual Tournament of Roses Parade.
She can be reached by e-mail: witsendob at (@) gmail.com
Deep Sleep May Mitigate Alzheimer’s Memory Loss, Berkeley University Research Shows
"Deep sleep, also known as non-REM slow-wave sleep, can act as a “cognitive reserve factor” that may increase resilience against a protein in the brain called beta-amyloid that is linked to memory loss caused by dementia. Disrupted sleep has previously been associated with faster accumulation of beta-amyloid protein in the brain. However, the new research from a team at UC Berkeley reveals that superior amounts of deep, slow-wave sleep can act as a protective factor against memory decline in those with existing high amounts of Alzheimer’s disease pathology — a potentially significant advance that experts say could help alleviate some of dementia’s most devastating outcomes." more »
IRS: Going Green Could Help Taxpayers Qualify for Expanded Home Energy Tax Credits
What taxpayers need to know: Taxpayers can claim the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and the Residential Clean Energy Credit for the year the qualifying expenditures are made. Homeowners who improve their primary residence will find the most opportunities to claim a credit for qualifying expenses. Renters may also be able to claim credits, as well as owners of second homes used as residences. Landlords cannot claim this credit. IRS encourages taxpayers to review all requirements and qualifications at IRS.gov/HomeEnergy for energy efficient equipment prior to purchasing. Additional information is also available on energy.gov, which compares the credit amounts for tax year 2022 and tax year 2023. When it is time to file a tax return, taxpayers can use Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits, to claim the credit. more »
May 3, 2023 Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Press Conference: " Reducing inflation is likely to require a period of below-trend growth and some softening of labor market conditions"
"We remain committed to bringing inflation back down to our 2 percent goal and to keep longer-term inflation expectations well anchored. Reducing inflation is likely to require a period of below-trend growth and some softening of labor market conditions. Restoring price stability is essential to set the stage for achieving maximum employment and stable prices over the longer run..." "To conclude, we understand that our actions affect communities, families, and businesses across the country. Everything we do is in service to our public mission. We at the Fed will do everything we can to achieve our maximum employment and price stability goals." more »
Government Accountability Office Findings - Antibiotic Resistance: Federal Agencies Have Taken Steps to Combat the Threat, But Additional Actions Needed
Government Accountability Office: "Antibiotic-resistant infections can be difficult or impossible to treat. This testimony covers our work on federal efforts to address the following challenges: Surveillance: CDC doesn't have enough data on antibiotic-resistant infections in health care settings: Diagnostics: More studies are needed to help develop and promote the use of tests to diagnose resistance: New treatments: The pipeline of new antibiotics is inadequate and not fully federally incentivized; Antibiotic use: Federal antibiotic-use requirements only apply to hospitals and nursing homes; We also describe actions federal agencies have taken to address our prior recommendations." more »
