31.   But patent expirations, rising competition and rising research costs are also key.

32.   But Snapple faces rising promotional costs to gain good shelf space in stores.

33.   But the threat of rising energy costs has pointed out another piece of economic reality.

34.   But, Vitner cautioned, rising health care costs and inflation will keep factories reliant on existing workers and reluctant to add new ones.

35.   But with rising construction costs, the breeder reactor is becoming one of the more expensive energy alternatives.

36.   Company officials said they agreed to a settlement because of rising litigation costs.

37.   Consequently, some congressional Republicans have already introduced legislation in the House and Senate in order to provide consumers with some immediate relief from rising energy costs.

38.   Deregulation and competition from upstart airlines, coupled with rising fuel costs, started an economic decline.

39.   Doctors, consumers, and those who pay the bills all need to push back against rising drug costs.

40.   Elderly populations in the United States and Europe have grown so large that governments have been forced to consider reducing individual pension benefits to cover rising costs.