Cognitive difficulties associated with menopause described

Jan. 3, 2013 ? The memory problems that many women experience in their 40s and 50s as they approach and go through menopause are both real and appear to be most acute during the early period of post menopause. That is the conclusion of a study which appears January 3 in the journal Menopause.

"Women going through menopausal transition have long complained of cognitive difficulties such as keeping track of information and struggling with mental tasks that would have otherwise been routine," said Miriam Weber, Ph.D. a neuropsychologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and lead author of the study. "This study suggests that these problems not only exist but become most evident in women in the first year following their final menstrual period."

The study followed 117 women, who were grouped into categories based on criteria established in 2011 by the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop +10, which consisted of an international consortium of researchers.

Study participants took a variety of tests assessing their cognitive skills, reported on menopause-related symptoms such as hot-flashes, sleep disturbance, depression and anxiety, and gave a sample of blood to determine current levels of estradiol (an indicator of estrogen levels) and follicle stimulating hormone. Results were analyzed to determine if there were group differences in cognitive performance, and if these differences were due to menopausal symptoms.

The study grouped participants into four stages: late reproductive, early and late menopausal transition, and early post menopause. The late reproductive period is defined as when women first begin to notice subtle changes in their menstrual periods, such as changes in flow amount or duration, but still have regular menstrual cycles.

Women in the transitional stage experience greater fluctuation in menstrual cycles -- from a difference of 7 days or more in the early phase of transition to 60 days or longer in the later phase. Hormone levels also begin to fluctuate significantly during this time. This transition period can last for several years.

The researchers also evaluated women in early post menopause, defined as the first year after which a woman experienced her last menstrual period.

The study participants were assessed with a comprehensive battery of tests to evaluate a variety of cognitive skills. These included tests of attention, verbal learning and memory, fine motor skills and dexterity, and "working memory" -- or the ability to not only take in and store new information, but also manipulate it.

These tests are similar to daily tasks such as staying focused on something for a period of time, learning a new telephone number, and making a mental list of groceries and then recalling specific items as required as one wanders the aisles of a grocery store.

The researchers found that women in the early stage of post menopause performed worse on measures of verbal learning, verbal memory and fine motor skill than women in the late reproductive and late transition stages.

The researchers also found that self-reported symptoms such as sleep difficulties, depression, and anxiety did not predict memory problems. Nor could these problems be associated with specific changes in hormone levels found in the blood.

"These findings suggest that cognitive declines through the transition period are independent processes rather than a consequence of sleep disruption or depression," said Weber. "While absolute hormone levels could not be linked with cognitive function, it is possible that the fluctuations that occur during this time could play a role in the memory problems that many women experience."

The process of learning new information, holding on to it, and employing it are functions associated with regions of the brain known as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These parts of the brain are rich with estrogen receptors.

"By identifying how these memory problems progress and when women are most vulnerable, we now understand the window of opportunity during which interventions -- be those therapeutic or lifestyle changes -- may be beneficial," said Weber. "But the most important thing that women need to be reassured of is that these problems, while frustrating, are normal and, in all likelihood, temporary."

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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/xoTY_jogxoc/130103092028.htm

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Apple Reportedly Adding High-Speed 802.11ac Wireless Networking To 2013 Macs

AirPort_Utility_iconApple is planning to give the 802.11ac wireless networking standard a big boost in 2013, according to a new report from TheNextWeb. Sources tell the blog that Apple will partner with Broadcom to bring the next-gen Wi-Fi tech to new Macs. 802.11ac is the successor to 802.11n, but it has yet to make its way to many shipping notebooks.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/4ukoa9rPg_M/

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Writing Goals Pyramid ? A great way to chunk down your writing ...

Writing Goals Pyramid ? A great way to chunk down your writing goals into manageable?bits

Writing Goals Pyramid ? A great way to chunk down your writing goals into manageable bits

There?s no time like New Year?s Day to make goals for the year. Personally, I much prefer setting goals to making resolutions. Here?s a new idea forwriting goal pyramid planning the goals to write your book, the goal pyramid. Goal pyramids are about chunking big projects down into manageable pieces. Here?s how you can apply the concept to writing and publishing your book.

First you explore your overall goal.

Generally speaking, the next step is identifying monthly goals. However, in the case of writing a book, your outline and research will likely come before you start approaching your monthly goals. Next you?ll identify your monthly goals. Then you?ll break the monthly goals down into weekly goals, and the weekly goals into daily goals.

Keep in mind, this is not a hard and fast plan; yours could (and should) differ, depending on your timeline and process. The important thing is to set goals and make a plan to stick to it.

For more writing goals inspiration, check my Pinterest board: Writing Goals ? Get Some!

By the way, we?re participating in BlogHer?s January National Blog Posting Month Challenge ? to write and post 1 original blog post per day. You can read posts from other participating blogs by clicking here.

Here?s to a peaceful, prosperous 2013!

Laura2013

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Ready to make your dream of writing a book a reality? The Empowering Women Writers program will walk you through all the steps, at your pace and on your schedule! Launching January 15, 2013!

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Source: http://marciebrockbookmarketingmaven.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/writing-goals-pyramid-a-great-way-to-chunk-down-your-writing-goals-into-manageable-bits/

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Relative says Venezuela's Chavez 'stable'

AFP

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaking during a press conference in Caracas on Oct. 9.

By NBC News staff and wire reports

Updated at 5:15 a.m. ET: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is in stable condition and spent Monday with his daughters, the cancer-stricken leader's son-in law-said in an appeal for supporters to ignore rumors about his condition.

Chavez has not been seen in public nor heard from in more than three weeks. The vice president said on Sunday that the 58-year-old was suffering a third set of complications after surgery in Cuba on Dec. 11, his fourth operation in 18 months.

"President Chavez spent the day quietly and stable, together with his daughters," his son-in-law, Science Minister Jorge Arreaza, wrote on Twitter from Havana, where the family has been at the president's bedside.?

Arreaza urged his countrymen not to "believe in ill-intentioned rumors" about the president's health.

On New Year's Eve, a major party in Caracas was quickly turned into a more somber gathering.?Jacqueline Far?a, head of the Capital District governing Caracas, canceled a free concert, calling instead for Venezuelans to "unite in prayer" for Chavez and to include his "prompt recovery" among their wishes for 2013.


On Monday afternoon, Venezuela state television began airing a live Catholic mass for Chavez that was being held at the Palacio de Miraflores, the building that houses presidential work offices. Meantime, the Ministry of Communications was organizing a massive prayer meeting at San Francisco Church at 5 p.m.?(4:30 p.m. ET) and other Chavez supporters were planning a political rally at 6 p.m. at Plaza Bolivar.

On Sunday night, Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro delivered a somber address to the nation from Havana, Cuba, where Chavez, 58, remains hospitalized after his fourth operation for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Maduro, flanked by one of Chavez?s daughters, Rosa Virginia, and her husband, Arreaza, read a prepared statement revealing that the Venezuelan president was now suffering "new complications" stemming from a respiratory infection he contracted after an operation on Dec. 11.

Archival video: Venezuela's controversial president Hugo Chavez -- who makes no secret of his dislike for the US -- was re-elected to an unprecedented third term, fending off a serious challenge to win decisively, 54 to 45 percent. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports from Caracas. October, 2012.

These problems developed on top of profuse bleeding Chavez experienced during the six-hour surgery in Havana. Chavez has been battling cancer for the past 18 months ? flying to Cuba for surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Maduro indicated that Chavez was conscious and able to speak, dispelling rumors circulating earlier in the day that claimed Chavez was only breathing with the help of a respirator and close to death.

Sept. 20: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took his verbal battle with the United States to the floor of the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, calling President Bush "the devil." NBC's David Gregory reports.

"Just a few minutes ago we were with President Chavez," said Maduro. "We greeted each other and he himself talked about these complications."

Again Sunday evening, Maduro described Chavez?s condition as "delicate" and with "risks" while warning the nation to prepare for difficult times. Chavez has not been seen since his surgery three weeks ago and no additional information on his condition has appeared in Cuba?s state-run media.

"We trust that the avalanche of love and solidarity with Comandante Chavez, together with his immense will to live and the care of the best medical specialists, will help our president win this new battle," Maduro said.

For the moment, Maduro remains in Havana and said he was spending time with Chavez's medical team and relatives.

NBC News' Mary Murray and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/31/16268884-venezuelas-chavez-stable-in-hospital-son-in-law-says?lite

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Report: 10 crushed to death at church event in Angola

By Reuters

Ten people were crushed to death and 120 injured in the Angolan capital Luanda as they tried to enter an overcrowded stadium for a vigil organized by a Pentecostal church, the state news agency Angop reported on Tuesday.

Angop cited an emergency services spokesman as saying the victims, including four children, were crushed at the gates of the Cidadela Desportiva stadium, where the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD) organized a vigil on Monday night.

IURD is a Pentecostal Christian church created in 1977 in Brazil, where it has over 8 million followers, according to its own website. IURD says it is present in most countries of the world.

New Year's tragedy: Dozens killed in stampede after Ivory Coast fireworks

Ferner Batalha, IURD's deputy bishop for Angola, said the vigil had been overcrowded.

"Our expectation was to have 70,000 people, but that was surpassed by far," Angop cited him as saying.

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Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/02/16295451-report-10-crushed-to-death-120-hurt-at-church-event-in-angola?lite

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Last Minute New Year's Eve Ideas From Lonny Magazine And Designer Eddie Ross

We're antsy to get our celebration on in just a few hours! Lucky for us, our friends at Lonny Magazine shared some great New Year's Eve ideas for last minute preparations as well as beautiful and festive tabletop inspiration by Eddie Ross, one of our favorite designers.

Our top 5 tips from Ross and the Lonny team:

new years ideas
Photo courtesy of Lonny Magazine


1. Personalize your party by making homemade hats and horns to match your bash's color scheme. And we've got crafty ideas for both. (Party hats don't have to be dorky -- we promise!)

2. Don't worry about having a fully stocked bar with many different spirits. Ross suggests putting out a champagne buffet with your finest glassware. It looks glamorous, and it's easy on the host. And if any bubbly sprays on your fine attire when you pop the cork, we've got you covered.

3. Don't be afraid to go bold with your designs. New Year's doesn't always have to be about black, gold and silver. Ross' tablescape is a combination of vibrant jewel tones, and the effect is amazing.

4. A gathering in a small space can still be festive. Ross' tips for maximizing a tiny venue incude investing in stylish folding chairs that can be tucked away and utilizing spaces like console tables for party spreads and decor.

5. Always leave some chocolate candies on the table for guests to snack on between dinner and dessert. (This one's our favorite. We can't argue with that!)

Click through the slideshow to see Ross' magnificent designs and head over to Lonny Magazine for some more great tips. Happy new year!

  • Decorative Accents

  • Champagne Buffet

  • Jewel Tones

  • Potted Orchid Centerpieces

  • Add Some Sparkle

  • Go Bold!

Have something to say? Check out HuffPost Home on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram.

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Do you have a home story idea or tip? Email us at homesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/31/new-years-eve-ideas-lonny_n_2389452.html

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Clinton receiving blood thinners to dissolve clot

FILE - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton listens to a question during a joint news conference with Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the government building in Dublin, Ireland, in this Dec. 6, 2012 file photo. Clinton has been admitted to a New York hospital after the discovery of a blood clot stemming from the concussion she sustained earlier this month. Spokesman Philippe Reines says her doctors discovered the clot during a follow-up exam Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque, FILE)

FILE - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton listens to a question during a joint news conference with Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the government building in Dublin, Ireland, in this Dec. 6, 2012 file photo. Clinton has been admitted to a New York hospital after the discovery of a blood clot stemming from the concussion she sustained earlier this month. Spokesman Philippe Reines says her doctors discovered the clot during a follow-up exam Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque, FILE)

FILE - In this June 10, 2011 file photo, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton waves as the arrives at Lusaka International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia. Clinton has been admitted to a New York hospital after the discovery of a blood clot stemming from the concussion she sustained earlier this month. Spokesman Philippe Reines says her doctors discovered the clot during a follow-up exam Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, Pool, File)

Chart shows the number of countries where Hillary Clinton has traveled

(AP) ? Doctors treating Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for a blood clot in her head said blood thinners are being used to dissolve the clot and they are confident she will make a full recovery.

Clinton didn't suffer a stroke or neurological damage from the clot that formed after she suffered a concussion during a fainting spell at her home in early December, doctors said in a statement Monday.

Clinton, 65, was admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Sunday when the clot turned up on a follow-up exam on the concussion, Clinton spokesman Phillipe Reines said.

The clot is located in the vein in the space between the brain and the skull behind the right ear. She will be released once the medication dose for the blood thinners has been established, the doctors said.

In their statement, Dr. Lisa Bardack of the Mount Kisco Medical Group and Dr. Gigi El-Bayoumi of George Washington University said Clinton was making excellent progress and was in good spirits.

Clinton's complication "certainly isn't the most common thing to happen after a concussion" and is one of the few types of blood clots in the skull or head that are treated with blood thinners, said Dr. Larry Goldstein, a neurologist who is director of Duke University's stroke center. He is not involved in Clinton's care.

The area where Clinton's clot developed is "a drainage channel, the equivalent of a big vein inside the skull. It's how the blood gets back to the heart," Goldstein said.

Blood thinners usually are enough to treat the clot and it should have no long-term consequences if her doctors are saying she has suffered no neurological damage from it, Goldstein said.

Clinton returned to the U.S. from a trip to Europe, then fell ill with a stomach virus in early December that left her severely dehydrated and forced her to cancel a trip to North Africa and the Middle East. Until then, she had canceled only two scheduled overseas trips, one to Europe after breaking her elbow in June 2009 and one to Asia after the February 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Her condition worsened when she fainted, fell and suffered a concussion while at home alone in mid-December as she recovered from the virus. It was announced Dec. 13.

This isn't the first time Clinton has suffered a blood clot. In 1998, midway through her husband's second term as president, Clinton was in New York fundraising for the midterm elections when a swollen right foot led her doctor to diagnose a clot in her knee requiring immediate treatment.

Clinton had planned to step down as secretary of state at the beginning of President Barack Obama's second term. Whether she will return to work before she resigns remained a question.

Democrats are privately if not publicly speculating: How might her illness affect a decision about running for president in 2016?

After decades in politics, Clinton says she plans to spend the next year resting. She has long insisted she had no intention of mounting a second campaign for the White House four years from now. But the door is not entirely closed, and she would almost certainly emerge as the Democrat to beat if she decided to give in to calls by Democratic fans and run again.

Her age ? and thereby health ? would probably be a factor under consideration, given that Clinton would be 69 when sworn in, if she were elected in 2016. That might become even more of an issue in the early jockeying for 2016 if what started as a bad stomach bug becomes a prolonged, public bout with more serious infirmity.

Not that Democrats are willing to talk openly about the political implications of a long illness, choosing to keep any discussions about her condition behind closed doors. Publicly, Democrats reject the notion that a blood clot could hinder her political prospects.

"Some of those concerns could be borderline sexist," said Basil Smikle, a Democratic strategist who worked for Clinton when she was a senator. "Dick Cheney had significant heart problems when he was vice president, and people joked about it. He took the time he needed to get better, and it wasn't a problem."

It isn't uncommon for presidential candidates' health ? and age ? to be an issue. Both in 2000 and 2008, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., had to rebut concerns he was too old to be commander in chief or that his skin cancer could resurface.

Two decades after Clinton became the first lady, signs of her popularity ? and her political strength ? are ubiquitous.

Obama had barely declared victory in November when Democrats started zealously plugging Clinton as their strongest White House contender four years from now, should she choose to take that leap.

"Wouldn't that be exciting?" House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi declared in December. "I hope she goes. Why wouldn't she?"

Even Republicans concede that were she to run, Clinton would be a force to be reckoned with.

"Trying to win that will be truly the Super Bowl," Newt Gingrich, the former House Speaker and 2012 GOP presidential candidate, said in December. "The Republican Party today is incapable of competing at that level."

Americans admire Clinton more than any other woman in the world, according to a Gallup poll released Monday ? the 17th time in 20 years that Clinton has claimed that title. And a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 57 percent of Americans would support Clinton as a candidate for president in 2016, with just 37 percent opposed. Websites have already cropped up hawking "Clinton 2016" mugs and tote bags.

Beyond talk of future politics, Clinton's three-week absence from the State Department has raised eyebrows among some conservative commentators who questioned the seriousness of her ailment after she canceled planned Dec. 20 testimony before Congress on the deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Clinton had been due to discuss with lawmakers a scathing report she had commissioned on the attack. It found serious failures of leadership and management in two State Department bureaus were to blame for insufficient security at the facility. Clinton took responsibility for the incident before the report was released, but she was not blamed. Four officials cited in the report have either resigned or been reassigned.

___

Associated Press writer Ken Thomas in Washington and AP Chief Medical Writer Marilynn Marchione in Milwaukee contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/bbd825583c8542898e6fa7d440b9febc/Article_2013-01-01-Clinton/id-a143491c57e44e0fb50552e61cbb80e7

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10 Very Successful Small Businesses That Don't Use Social Media

This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.

Facebook released some stats in early December that show the number of small businesses that use the social network has doubled since January.

However, only 13 million small businesses are on Facebook. There are about 29 million small businesses in the U.S. according to the U.S. Census. If you do the math that means that only about 45% of small businesses are actually on Facebook.

Some industries tend to have more use for social media than others. According to the IAB, retail is the biggest adopter of social media, followed by telecom and financial services. Under-indexers include heavy industry. Why? "The simple truth is there often just aren?t enough people out there excited about your industry that want to spend their free time talking about it and sharing photos," declared the Internet Marketing Blog. Fittingly, the list below is comprised of companies whose customers aren't flocking to social media. Or, at least that's their perception.

Nevertheless, they are all doing well. The 10 below made Forbes's list of the top small businesses in America. However, none of them are on Facebook or Twitter, at least in an official capacity. While they are in the minority on the list, they illustrate the social media isn't necessarily required for success, even in 2012.

1. Metropolitan Health Networks

The Florida-based Metropolitan Health Services provides healthcare services to people with Medicare Advantage and Medicaid in that state. The older demo explains why the company has no use for Facebook. "Given our customer demographic, (76+ years of age) social media in general has not been a primary focus for us," says a rep. "With that said, we are currently reviewing our corporate communications planning, and I suspect it will include one, or several, social media components."

2. Questcor Pharma

Questcor describes itself as a "biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of patients with serious, difficult-to-treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders." Questcor has a Page created by Facebook for directory purposes, but no maintained Page.

3. IPG Photonics

IPG Photonics makes fiber lasers for use by other telecom and medical companies as well as some government offices. Such lasers are in demand right now, especially from manufacturers in China. "We're doing well without it," says a rep, referring to the lack of a social media presence. "Our customers know where to find us." The rep says there has been discussion about changing that, but "no real interest."

4. United Therapeutics

Like Questcor, UT's target audience is people with life-threatening and chronic conditions. A rep from UT couldn't be reached, but the company may shy away from social media for the same reason other pharma companies do: liability risk.

5. WEX

WEX, formerly known as Wright Express, has a particular niche: Providing payment processing and information management products and services to the U.S. and Australian commercial and government vehicle fleet industry.

6. FutureFuel

FutureFuel is in the chemical- and biofuel business. "We just don't see our customers there," says CFO Chris Schmitt. "We don't see it as advantageous for our marketing."

7. EDAC Technologies

EDAC specializes in precision aerospace components and assemblies, which it provides to a "broad spectrum of worldwide customers."

8. Cantel Medical

Cantel makes medical equipment and supplies. Like others in the category, including Stryker, Cantel doesn't appear to have much use for social media.

9. AZZ

AZZ makes electrical equipment and components for companies in the power generation, transmission and distribution markets.

10. Landauer

Landauer provides integrated radiation safety devices and services. As the company's website states, "We provide tools and support to organizations with potential exposure to ionizing radiation, helping them achieve their radiation safety goals."

More Small Business Resources From OPEN Forum

- How to Use Hashtags to Promote Your Small Business
- 10 Things You Didn't Know About Yelp
- How to Master Social Media Like a Famous Comedian


Image courtesy of iStockphoto, fatihhoca

Source: http://mashable.com/2013/01/01/social-media-not-required/

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7 Apps That Will Keep Your New Year?s Resolutions Alive

balldropA brand new year is upon us, and it's time to start thinking about the changes you want to make. But it can be difficult to follow through on New Year's Resolutions, especially without any help or support. But nine times out of ten, there's an app for that. We pulled seven of Time Magazine's list of the top ten most broken New Years Resolutions, and determined which apps would be best to help with each. So without any further ado, here are the best apps to help you live better in the new year.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/WwnHkYmACek/

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Wall Street ends 2012 riding high on "cliff" deal optimism

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed out 2012 with their strongest day in more than a month, putting the S&P 500 up 13.4 percent for the year, as lawmakers in Washington closed in on a resolution to the "fiscal cliff" negotiations.

The S&P 500's gain for the year marks its best performance since 2009, as stocks navigated through debt crises in Europe and the United States that dominated the headlines. Still, with numerous issues involving budget talks unresolved, markets could still be open to a shock should the deal break down unexpectedly.

Fittingly, in the last session of the year, stocks bounced back and forth on the headlines out of Washington, as both President Barack Obama and Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell issued statements indicating a deal to avert the cliff was close.

"The worst news could have been the president coming out and saying, 'We don't have a deal and we've giving up,' and he didn't say that," said Ron Florance, managing director of investment strategy for Wells Fargo Private Bank, based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

"My personal skepticism, I don't trust anything out of Washington until it is signed, sealed and delivered, and it is not signed, sealed and delivered."

While a deal on the cliff is not yet official, investors may be ready to take on more risk next year in hopes of a greater reward.

McConnell said an agreement had been reached with Democrats on all of the tax issues in the potential deal, removing a large hurdle in the talks. An agreement is needed in order to avert a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts that many believe could push the U.S. economy into recession.

A source familiar with the matter said an emerging deal, if adopted by Congress and President Barack Obama, would raise $600 billion in revenue over the next 10 years by increasing tax rates for individuals making more than $400,000 and households earning above $450,000 annually.

Despite the uncertainty, the market encountered only occasional bouts of volatility this year. For the first time since 2006, the CBOE Volatility Index or VIX , the market's favored indicator of anxiety, did not surpass the 30 level, a threshold that usually signals heightened worry among investors.

"Given all the threats in 2012, the VIX was relatively tranquil," said Bill Luby, the author of the VIX and More blog in San Francisco, citing the crises in Spain and Greece, along with constant intervention from the Federal Reserve.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 166.03 points, or 1.28 percent, to end at 13,104.14. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 23.76 points, or 1.69 percent, to finish at 1,426.19. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 59.20 points, or 2.00 percent, to close at 3,019.51.

Monday's gains enabled the S&P 500 to snap a five-day losing streak, its longest skid since September.

The S&P 500 closed out 2012 with a 13.4 percent gain for the year, compared with a flat performance in 2011. The Dow rose 7.3 percent in 2012 and the Nasdaq climbed 15.9 percent.

Financials were the strongest of the S&P's 10 industry sectors this year, gaining more than 26 percent, led by Bank of America , which more than doubled in 2012, and was the best performer of the Dow industrials.

Of the S&P's 10 sectors, only defensively oriented utilities ended the year lower, falling 2.9 percent.

Gains in Apple Inc , the most valuable U.S. company, helped lift the Nasdaq. The stock rose 4.4 percent to $532.17, lifting the S&P information technology sector index up 2.2 percent. For the year, Apple rose 31.4 percent, ending with a market value of about $501.4 billion.

Each of the Dow's 30 components finished the session in positive territory, led by a 3.2 percent climb in Caterpillar Inc to $89.58.

Volume was modest, with about 6.06 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq and the NYSE MKT, slightly below the daily average of 6.42 billion.

Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a ratio of 6 to 1, while on the Nasdaq, four stocks rose for every one that fell.

(Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak; Editing by Jan Paschal)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/wall-street-ends-2012-riding-high-cliff-deal-142701960--sector.html

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