(NewsUSA) - A decade ago, Infographics were the “it” tool to promote your business, but became a less desirable way of promoting your business a few years ago. NewsUSA, a brand content agency, argues that infographics are still one of the best marketing tools to pitch your clients. 

(NewsUSA) - Inflation is top-of-mind for most Americans, as a majority say that they have reduced household spending in many areas except when it comes to retirement savings and life insurance.

A new USAA Life Insurance Company survey explored how American civilian and military-connected families are faring in today’s economy and the financial decisions they are making as a result.

For more information, visit USAA.com/lifesurvey

(NewsUSA) -  

Jeffrey Breslow’s new memoir, “A GAME MAKER’S LIFE: A Hall of Fame Inventor and Executive Tells the Inside Story of the Toy Industry,” is the gripping account of how the inventor held his company together after an employee opened fire in the Marvin Glass and Associates conference room in 1976. The gunman killed two of the Chicago firm’s partners and an employee and critically wounded two more employees before killing himself. Jeffrey Breslow, a partner, missed taking a bullet only because the gunman didn’t see him -- he had just stepped into an adjoining office to take a phone call. The gunman left behind a hit list of fourteen names. Breslow later learned that his name was second on the list.  

Before the shooting, Breslow was the youngest partner of toy industry giant Marvin Glass and Associates at age 33. After the shooting, and despite his youth, Breslow’s partners voted him in as managing partner. Thrust into leadership by default, he faced incredible challenges, including consoling the families of the victims, dealing with the staff’s PTSD and rebuilding a sense of safety and morale. He was also determined to keep the successful but reeling business alive. He needed a miracle -- and he got one. His partner Howard Morrison created a blockbuster, Simon, which Smithsonian Magazine says “ushered in the era of electronic games.” The firm was back in business.  

In spite of the tragedy, Breslow still felt incredibly lucky. Marvin Glass had personally hired him in 1967, soon dubbed him a “boy genius” and made him a partner after 18 months on the job.  

From the first iconic toy Breslow developed, called “Bucket of Fun,” he gifted us with some of the most memorable toys of childhood, including: “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots,” “Ants in the Pants,” “Fashion Polly Pocket,” “Guesstures,” “Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash,” “California Roller Baby,” “The Animal” and “Masterpiece.”  

The secret to his success was creating games that each player thought they had a chance of winning. Clients of Marvin Glass and Associates included Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Ideal Toy, Fisher-Price, Playskool and many others.

Breslow rose to the challenge and learned to:     

• Consistently do the unexpected.     
• Never take “No” for an answer.     
• Help employees maintain their well-being.     
• Unlock the secrets of pleasing clients.     
• Be persistent, especially if an idea was unusual or cutting-edge.     
• Hire more women. Half of toy customers are female, and yet women were under-represented at his company.   
• Find mentors -- they don’t just come to you.  

Breslow would go on to an unprecedented career. He is the only toy designer to win the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval twice and was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 1998. It’s surprising that a man who played for a living had his leadership mettle forged in crisis, but “A GAME MAKER’S LIFE” is more than a memoir, it’s a guide to success under pressure, rebuilding a business and learning how to honor those who were lost -- by bringing joy to children and families around the world.

Purchase this book at https://amzn.to/3nmARRo.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Summer may be winding down, but it’s not over. Even as vacations end and school begins, summer weather and outdoor entertaining and activities linger into October in many places. Chilean lemons are the perfect complement to end-of-summer meals and drinks on the patio or in the park.       

“With their sunny zest and refreshing juice, lemons aren’t just delicious, they also pack a healthy punch,” says Karen Brux, managing director for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association. Lemons are a good source of many key nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.  “You could say that lemons from Chile are the unsung heroes of summer,” Ms. Brux adds.       

Lemons are versatile. Try adding lemon juice to marinades, lemon slices to creamy pasta sauces, or featuring fresh lemons in lemon custards or meringues for an ultimate end-of-summer dessert. When cooking with lemons, you can use their zest or juice, but try them grilled, says Brux.     

Grilling intensifies the flavor of the lemon juice. Just put some slices on the grill along with your fish, beef or chicken. Grilled lemon wedges work in cocktails, too!     

Try this easy recipe for grilled chicken with lemon:

Grilled Chicken with Lemon

Ingredients:

• zest of two lemons
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves chopped garlic
• 5 sprigs rosemary
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• coarse black pepper to taste
• 4 large chicken thighs

Instructions:     

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.   
2. In a large shallow baking dish, whisk together the juice and zest of 2 lemons, 1/2 cup olive oil, 6 cloves chopped garlic, 5 sprigs of rosemary, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and plenty of coarse black pepper.     
3. Add 4 large chicken thighs to the mixture, toss to coat and let the chicken rest for 45 minutes at room temperature.     
4. Before cooking, be sure the chicken thighs are skin-side up. Cut the remaining zested lemons into halves or quarters, and nestle them among the chicken. Add a final grind of black pepper on top.     
5. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes or until the juices run clear. If you would like extra browning, briefly place the baking dish under the broiler.     

Visit fruitsfromchile.com for more tasty recipes, and look for lemons from Chile at your local retailer through early October.

(NewsUSA) -  

“Tuscan Son”
by Robert Berne       

Called “a tour de force adventure within the modern university that is both a great read and eerily familiar,” a university vice president finds himself thrust into a hellish Panamanian prison, at the mercy of unknown forces.  

When a university receives a bequest of a village in Tuscany to use as a study-abroad site, Bill, the vice president, has to negotiate terms with the donor’s angry son, who thinks the village belongs to him. Bill discovers something very wrong.  

As he suspects organized crime is involved, he is lured to Panama, supposedly to sign the transfer papers. Instead, he is thrown into prison and denied contact with the outside. He then realizes his cellmate’s drug-dealing family is his only hope for freedom, but at what price?

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3aW1lG6.

“Pressure Point”
by Betty Briggs  

A letter from Stephanie’s sworn enemy, Jessica, regarding the young child, Zoey, who is half-sibling to Stephanie’s son, Ryan, throws her world into tailspin. Engaged to the man of her dreams, Stephanie must set wedding plans and her job as an attorney aside, and travel to Mexico with fiancé, Colton, to try to find Zoey.  

If that is not enough, Stephanie’s ward, Jill, is also in danger from her own mother and the madman she lives with, who want to reclaim the 16-year-old and drag her back into a life of abuse. Will Stephanie be able to safely bring her family together and have a happily-ever-after wedding to Colton on Christmas Day in Montana? And what about Stephanie’s horse, Kingston, and the special pony, who help Stephanie cope?

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3zzKgwa.

“A Sky of Infinite Blue”
by Kyomi O’Connor  

From an early age in Japan, Kyomi’s life is filled with emotional difficulties. To escape the darkness, Kyomi moves to the U.S. to start a new life. Soon, she falls in love with her husband-to-be, Patrick, whose love and support help her begin to heal. Eventually, they dedicate themselves to a Buddhism practice that changes both their lives -- aiding them in their spiritual growth and in realizing their desire to help others.    

Then Patrick is diagnosed with cancer and loses the battle. Devastated, Kyomi spends a year lost in grief. But then she begins to write, uncovering truths about herself, her life history  and her relationship with Patrick. After years of struggle, Kyomi finds the light that had existed within her all along.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3yiRm64.

“The Golden Gladiator”
by Michael Lynch  

This is the true story of the oldest American football player’s return to the gridiron and glory between the ages of 64 to 68. Michael was a football hero in high school, college and the semi-pro leagues on Long Island in the 1960s and 1970s. After seeing his nephew play in an All-Star game in 2012, he decides to turn back the clock and play football again in one of the toughest semipro leagues in America, with and against players 30 to 40 years younger.  

“The Golden Gladiator” is a story of courage, redemption, tragedy and love as Lynch plays for four years in more than 50 games. He is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest American football player. The book has received two Five-Star reviews by Literary Titan and The Book Connection.

Purchase at www.thegoldengladiator.com.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(Resubmitted 9/9/2022) 

(NewsUSA) - You may be among the 42 million Americans currently infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and not know it. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, affecting more than 70 percent of sexually active adults at least once in their lifetimes. Unlike the “low-risk” HPV strains that produce visible lesions, “high-risk” HPV is an “invisible” infection that can lie undetected for decades and can lead to six different types of cancer; the two most common being cervical and head-and-neck cancers.       

A recent breakthrough in the study of HPV is providing physicians and patients with a new avenue for addressing high-risk infection.  Researchers at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston studied the effect of a unique natural Japanese medicinal mushroom extract called AHCC® on women with persistent high-risk HPV infections.  They found that daily use of AHCC® helped to clear an active HPV infection in two-thirds of study participants after only six months, while volunteers in the placebo group did not see comparable results.     

The randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, considered to be the gold standard protocol for clinical research, was co-funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the June 2022 issue of the prestigious medical journal Frontiers in Oncology.     

Current standard of care entails screening women for HPV during their regular gynecological exam. HPV usually goes undetected in men unless and until they are diagnosed with an HPV-associated cancer; as a result, they often spread the infection without knowing it. When a patient tests positive for HPV, the current protocol is often referred to as “watchful waiting” which entails monitoring the patient’s condition through regular exams but not providing any pharmacological or surgical treatment.     

This latest study shows that there is something that patients can do during this “waiting” period other than just passively anticipating their next exam. “Our results showed that AHCC® supplementation helped the majority of patients in the AHCC® arm of the trial to become HPV-negative, therefore decreasing the long-term risk of HPV-related cancers,” says Dr. Smith. “Importantly, through multiple studies, we have shown that AHCC supplements are safe.”     

There are more than 30 human clinical studies and over 50 papers on AHCC® that have been published in Medline-indexed NIH-recognized scientific journals. AHCC® contains a unique combination of potent active components including alpha-glucans and axoglucan™ fractions, discovered by the Amino Up company of Sapporo, Japan. Numerous reputable supplement brands offer AHCC® in North America. Verified authentic products sold under the registered AHCC® trademark of Amino Up are listed on the AHCC Association website at www.AHCC.net.

(NewsUSA) -  

“Ice Islands”
by Humphrey Hawksley       

This fourth Rake Ozenna thriller will leave readers breathless. Rake faces dangerous choices and deadly consequences in this rip-roaring political thriller that takes you from the ice islands of Finland to the bustling streets of Tokyo via Russia and the White House.  

Rake’s mission is to gain access to the Kato family -- Japan’s most dangerous crime empire -- through its daughter, Sara. But when the son of the Russian leader is murdered and Sara is implicated, a political crisis among Russia, Japan and the U.S. is set in motion. Rake needs to keep Sara alive while uncovering the true extent of the Kato family’s threat to America. Prepare for a page-turning, riveting ride.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3O1cPXa.

“Think Healthy, Be Healthy”
by Beth Linder-Moss  

“Think Healthy, Be Healthy” is a complete guide to living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. It offers simple ways to restructure your life to create the healthiest version of yourself -- even with today’s crazy schedules -- by making easy-to-implement changes in all aspects of your daily life. These modifications will empower you to enhance your physical and mental well-being, as well as your confidence.  

With more than 30 years of experience as an Exercise Physiologist, Personal and Group Fitness Trainer and Health Coach, the author shares her insights by providing advice on fitness, positive thinking, nutrition and sleep habits. Positive thoughts and choices are the key to a balanced lifestyle.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3dpfCwx.

“The Most Likely Club”
by Elyssa Friedland  

At their milestone high school reunion, a group of friends make a pact to achieve their high school superlatives one way or another, in the lively new novel from the acclaimed author of “Last Summer at the Golden Hotel.”  

In Bellport, CT in 1997, four best friends and high school seniors are ready to light the world on fire. Fast forward 25 years and nothing has gone according to plan as the women regroup at their dreaded high school reunion. When a forgotten classmate has a surprising announcement, the friends wonder: Is it too late to make their dreams come true? Fueled by nostalgia and one too many drinks, they form a pact to push through their middle-aged angst to bring their teenage aspirations to fruition.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3ElhW0L.

“A Bend of Light”
by Joy Jordan-Lake  

A quiet coastal village in post-World War II America is shaken when the secrets of the past and present collide in a riveting novel by the best-selling author of “Under a Gilded Moon.”  

Five years after the war, Amie Stilwell returns to her hometown in Maine, starting over in the same village where her life once went so wrong. Waiting for her is her surrogate mother, Shibby Travis. But the unexpected also awaits.  

An abandoned boy is found with a note pleading that he be watched over. Amie and Shibby take him in, but the mysteries multiply when a Boston socialite is found dead in Amie’s barn and an old friend suddenly reappears. Through the hazy filter of a town’s secrets, Amie must confront her own painful past.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/38TWDrE.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(Reissued 9/23/2022)

(NewsUSA) - Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, lung cancer remains a leading cause of death for Black men and women. In the United States, estimates suggest that more than 73,000 Black individuals will die from lung cancer in the next year alone.     

While there are many new treatments for lung cancer, disparities persist across racial and ethnic lines. Given these disparities, Black Americans in particular should learn what questions to ask their doctors to optimize their care.  Specifically, they should ask, what is my biomarker?     

All lung cancer patients should ask their doctors about biomarkers, a new frontier in targeted therapy that may reduce or eliminate the need for chemotherapy and improve outcomes.     

Each cancer tumor is unique, and some have specific traits called “biomarkers.” If you identify your cancer biomarker, there may be treatments that target that specific biomarker, according to Dr. Sydney Barned, a doctor and lung cancer patient.     

“In many cases, these treatments mean taking pills instead of chemotherapy and radiation. Asking for biomarker testing is extremely important, not only in treating your cancer but also in improving your quality of life,” she says.     

“The doctors originally thought I had pneumonia, but I didn’t get better,” says Brandi Bryant, a mother of four and a lung cancer patient.     

“When more treatments didn’t work, I had a biopsy, and they diagnosed me with stage 4 lung cancer. I was prescribed radiation, chemo and immunotherapy (where your body attacks the cancer cells), but the doctors finally put me on targeted therapy where I take eight pills per day. Today, four years later, I show no evidence of cancer. It doesn’t mean the cancer is cured, but it means that it is not growing in my body,” she says.     

“Many people, especially patients of color, are diagnosed and treated by doctors who are not lung cancer specialists. So, it is important for you to ask whether your cancer has been tested for its biomarker before you start treatment,” Brandi adds. “Knowing my biomarker made the difference in my treatment and how much I can do with my kids,” she emphasizes.     

In Dr. Barned’s case, “Knowing my biomarker meant being able to finish my hospital residency. I am on targeted therapy to help my body fight my specific type of lung cancer. So, knowing my biomarker made a huge difference in my life.”     

Many breakthroughs, such as targeted therapy for biomarkers, come from research supported by the Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA). “If you have lung cancer, ask your doctor to identify your biomarker,” Dr. Barned says. “Where there is knowledge, there is hope,” she adds.     

For more information, visit LCFamerica.org or text LCFA to 41444.

(NewsUSA) - Pulse Check: 3 Things You May Not Know About the Most Common Heart Rhythm Disorder

Atrial fibrillation (AFib), otherwise known as an irregular or fluttering heartbeat, is the most common heart rhythm disorder. In fact, nearly one in every ten people older than 65 have AFib.¹ September is National AFib Awareness Month, which is a great time to take a pulse check on your heart health. Here are three misconceptions about AFib and the facts you need to know.

Misconception #1: AFib Symptoms are Easy to Spot

This is not always true – some people don’t know they have AFib until they are diagnosed at a doctor’s appointment or it causes a larger medical concern. It’s often at routine checkups when AFib is diagnosed.  

For others, AFib feels like butterflies or a flopping fish in the chest, according to StopAFib.org.

AFib is a progressive disease meaning that when left untreated or undiagnosed, patients are five times more likely to have a stroke.² Knowing the signs and symptoms of AFib can help you and your doctor catch it earlier:    

• Heart sensations, sometimes called palpitations, which may include irregular, thumping, or pounding heartbeats    
• Feeling like your heart is racing    
• Chest discomfort or pain    
• Fainting or lightheadedness    
• Fatigue, shortness of breath, or weakness

Misconception #2: Medication is My Only Treatment Option

Currently, medications to prevent and treat irregular heart rhythms, known as antiarrhythmic drugs, don’t work for half of people who take them.^3,4,5 Some patients with AFib may be candidates for a minimally invasive procedure called cryoablation. During the procedure, the Medtronic Artic Front™ Cryoballoon targets electrical signals to get your heart rhythm back on track and can be used as the first line therapy approach for a patient experiencing AFib.

Misconception #3: Everyone’s AFib is the same

According to StopAFib.org, different people experience different AFib symptoms. The best thing you can do is go talk to your doctor if you think you’re having symptoms. To better understand your specific condition, your doctor may recommend an insertable heart monitor that watches your heart continuously around the clock to detect abnormal heart rhythms including AFib.⁶  Long-term monitoring with the Medtronic LINQ™ family of insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) can help your doctor get a better picture of how your heart is doing over time and detect episodes of AFib. Because AFib is a progressive condition—meaning it worsens over time—early treatment is crucial. When a heart monitor detects AFib, your doctor can help you get on the treatment course that is right for you. Your long-term heart monitor will continue to give your doctor the information needed to know if your treatment is working or if you need to make changes over time.

Always talk to your doctor about risks, diagnosis, and treatment information.

Possible risks associated with the implant of the LINQ™ Family ICM’s include, but are not limited to, infection at the surgical site, device migration, erosion of the device through the skin and/or sensitivity to the device material.  Risks associated with the Artic Front™ Cryoballoon may include bleeding and bruising where the catheter was inserted, cough, shortness of breath, infection, temporary or permanent stroke, severe complications leading to hospitalization or potentially death. Always talk with your doctor about risks, diagnosis, and treatment information for AFib.

To learn more about atrial fibrillation, available treatment options and to identify a specialist near you, visit: www.Medtronic.com/AFmonth    

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Worldwide Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation, A Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study    
2. Kannel WB, Wolf PA, Benjamin EJ, Levy D. Prevalence, incidence, prognosis, and predisposing conditions for atrial fibrillation: population-based estimates. Am J Cardiol. 1998 Oct 16;82(8A):2N-9N. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(98)00583-9. PMID: 9809895.    
3. Wazni OM, Dandamudi G, Sood N, et al. Cryoballoon Ablation as Initial Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. January 28, 2021;384(4):316-324.    
4. Kuniss M, Pavlovic N, Velagic V, et al. Cryoballoon ablation vs. antiarrhythmic drugs: first-line therapy for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Europace. March 17, 2021:euab029.    
5. Andrade JG, Wells GA, Deyell MW, et al. Cryoablation or Drug Therapy for Initial Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. January 28, 2021;384(4):305-315.    
6. Majos E, Dabrowski R. Significance and Management Strategies for Patients with Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation. J Atrial Fibrillation. February 28, 2015;7(5):1169.

(NewsUSA) - ­­­­

“Math That Makes Sense”
by Dr. Carol Ameche       

This book, focusing on Algebra 1 for homeschool learning and instruction, is designed to break each mathematical concept into manageable parts. Every chapter is written in sections, and each section has problems to ensure one’s understanding of the concept.  

Having students rewrite and rework their incorrect problems trains their brain to answer future similar problems correctly. This works on several levels: first, the students are learning kinesthetically by writing the problem and answering step by step. Second, students are learning visually. Lastly, they are working in repeated patterns, which helps transfer the material from short-term memory to long-term memory. The author is an educator with almost 20 years of experience in mathematics education, including elementary, middle school, and high school.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3PhRcmu.

“Things That Can Be Good, Better & Best”
by J.D. Sperry  

For ages 5 to 12. Philip Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, says, “Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.” In most instances, applying some foresight into not merely doing something well, but doing what it takes to do it better and even going further to try to do it best will produce a much more gratifying experience than initially imagined.  

A slightly larger vision with a little extra effort can quickly turn good things into better and best things. This book gives examples to young readers of things that are good, how they might be made better and what may be one of several ways to make them best.

Purchase at https://readtomebooks.info.

“Augie Sweetwater and the Dolphin’s Tale”
by William J. Harrigan  

Augie Sweetwater has been compared to Harry Potter -- a modern-day wizard and new literary hero. This is a wonderous book for children about kids going on marine-biology-minded adventures, international conspiracies and the power of friendship. The story demonstrates just what kids are capable of when they’re given support and understanding.  

Augie Sweetwater is a brilliant 11-year-old with a gift for inventing amazing things that always get him in hot water. Coop Cooperlick is the new kid in school, a 14-year-old with a passion for rock climbing and a knack for thinking on his feet. Mika Deerwood is a lovely 13-year-old Native American with aspirations of Olympic gold in fencing. Together, they are going to make history.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3cndHrF.

“Sid Johnson and the Phantom Slave Stealer”
by Frances Schoonmaker  

This middle-grade novel represents historical storytelling at its finest, bringing to life a fascinating time in American history with a tale of adventure, mystery and suspense.

Sid Johnson awakens to the sound of gunshots ringing out across his family’s farm. Although his Ma explains away everything as a hunting incident, Sid overhears his parents discussing politics and learns that his family’s home isn’t any ordinary farm; it’s a stop on the Underground Railroad. Sid’s Ma and Pa are under dangerous threat from bounty hunters chasing rewards for runaway slaves.

The book educates young readers on the fundamental issues surrounding slavery during the history of the Underground Railroad and helps them see how this history has shaped the state of American society today.

Purchase at https://fschoonmaker.com.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.