By Aaron Richardson-Talk Radio News Service

A number of medical professionals from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) suggested Thursday that cases of the H1N1 influenza virus, also known as swine flu, may increase this fall.

The Department of Defense will reportedly be taking steps to offset the risks posed by this prediction.

“The Department of Defense has a global mission and in the execution of our mission we have to be able to operate under those conditions to include a pandemic.” said Captain Kenneth Cole M.D., Medical Director in the Office of the Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense

Harvey Fineberg M.D., President of the Institute of Medicine, gave an overview of Influenza and how the past may help medical professionals battle this current pandemic.

“Recently it’s been possible with Modern Science, a kind of Jurasic Park achievement, to recreate the genetic structure of the 1918, 1919 virus. So we know a lot about it that we didn’t know at the time of that disease. We’re in the midst of preparation at all levels of government.” said Fineberg.

Bruce Rich, Senior Counsel for International Finance and Development at the Environmental Defense Fund, explains the impact that industrialized countries’ continued investment in coal power plants within developing nations will have on increasing carbon emission levels and global warming. (0:50)

 

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Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen addresses the renewal of the START I treaty, which was ratified by Russia and the United States in 1991 in an attempt by both nations to achieve a dramatic reduction in strategic forces. Cohen also discusses the possibility that START be renewed before it expires at the end 2009. Cohen insists that it is not too late to solve the issue as long as both countries show determination in the process. (0:27)

 

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FCC Commissioner Chairman Julius Genachowski says broadband is important to the nation’s goals and Congress has entrusted the FCC to provide broadband access to all Americans (0:20).

 

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One of the biggest challenges in the fight against the ongoing H1N1 virus is going to be effectively communicating crucial information about the virus in a timely manner, says Anne Schuchat, U.S. Assistant Surgeon General. “Our ability to effectively communicate to people what they need to know… is critical to things not being even worse than they would be otherwise,” she adds. (0:46)

 

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“I’m fairly certain we will have a vaccine, but will the virus change to the point of our vaccine not being as protective as we would like it to be?” asks Anthony Fauci, Director at the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Although the virus has not changed since early April, “every time you talk about influenza, you must prepare for the unpredictable,” he says. (0:35)

 

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Crowds gather in Washington, D.C. to celebrate Independence Day. Talk Radio News Service asked visitors what it means to be in the nation’s capital for July 4th and if they think they have more or less independence with the new administration.

We need to be prepared for a likely return of the H1N1 virus in the fall, says Anthony Fauci, Director at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. As environmental factors such as such as cooler temperatures and a drier climate change in the fall, “there is clearly the possibility, if not the likelihood, that we will see, to a greater or lesser degree, a return of this.” (0:40)

 

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Activist Scott Bass describes his ‘pilgrimage’ across North Carolina to enlighten people about the negative impacts the death penalty can have on parties involved. (0:31)

 

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Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen says that in order to increase ties with Russia, delegates from both the U.S and Russia should exchange visits. Cohen argues that this will help “break barriers” that stand between both countries. (0:16)

 

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