Scientists from Oxford University have mapped a state of matter called 'quantum spin liquid', whose existence was proposed in the 1970s but which has only been observed recently.
Monthly Archives: April 2011
Electrons seem heavier in extremely thin silicon
Research conducted by Jan-Laurens van der Steen of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology at University of Twente has shown that electrons in silicon which is less than ten nanometres thick take on unusual characteristics.
From science fiction to research breakthrough
Focusing on interdisciplinary research is now leading to breakthroughs in bio nanotechnology research. A new method for drug development has become a reality.
Friday fun for nano Sherlock Holmes’: Find the nanotechnology products
Playing the Nanorama-Loft quiz, you can discover numerous everyday nano products. Every product comes up with a question. Take the nano challenge and test your knowledge!
Gorillas need greens, not processed food
Joel Fuhrman, M.D.
The leading cause of death for male gorillas in zoos is heart disease. Sadly, animals that live in close contact with (and fed by) humans end up with human chronic diseases.
Gorillas are the largest of the primates, and they are one of the four species of great apes (great apes make up the Hominidae superfamily, which includes chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas). Following chimpanzees, gorillas are the closest living relatives to humans, differing in only about 3% of our genetic makeup.
Gorillas are herbivores that live in the forests of central Africa, where they can eat up to 50 pounds of vegetation each day, mostly leaves and fruit. Although most gorillas have a preference for fruit, they also eat large amounts of leaves, plus herbs and bamboo, and occasionally insects. In the wild, gorillas spend most of their day foraging and eating.1 Read more...
Ayurtox for Body Detoxification
Med-Start Summer Program/Counselors & Resident Assistants Needed
Counselors and Resident Assistants:
Med-Start is an intensive five-week academic summer program held in Tucson and Phoenix for high school students interested in careers in the health professions. The purpose of the program is to help students prepare for college life and orient them to health-related career opportunities and educational pathways.
Med-Start counselors and resident assistants are central to the operation of the program. Counselors and resident assistants supervise students, plan and implement numerous program activities, and serve as role models for these future college students.
Minimum Qualifications:
•Must be a continuing student at ASU, NAU, or the U of A
•Available to live in residence hall during the entire program (RAs only)
•Able to relate to students from diverse backgrounds
•Current driver’s license and a good driving record
Rate of Pay $8.00/hr + room & board
Deadline to Apply - Friday April 15
How to Apply:
•Download an application from the Med-Start website http://medstart.arizona.edu/student_employment.html
•Email a completed application and a cover letter explaining your qualifications as they relate to the Med-Start Summer Program to azhealth@email.arizona.edu
For more information, please contact us:
Tucson: (520) 621-5531
Phoenix: (602) 827-2027
i-Path Diagnostics Commissioned to Develop Software for the Northern Ireland Biobank
New Northern Ireland Biobank will be central to cancer research locally, nationally and internationally
i-Path Diagnostics is being has been chosen as the cloud based digital pathology platform to study human tissue samples, improve understanding of cancer, develop new drugs and identify patients who will benefit from drugs.
£1.9m of funding has been secured to establish Northern Ireland’s first comprehensive cancer tissue collection aimed at supporting local, national and international cancer research. i-Path Diagnostics will develop the Northern Ireland Biobank’s IT systems to support and manage this new bank of cancer tissue samples.
Thousands of samples will be collected over the next few years together with extensive clinical, treatment, response and survival data.
Des Speed, CEO of i-Path Diagnostics said: “We are very pleased to be playing a central role in the creation of this new facility in Northern Ireland. The new Biobank will play a crucial role in diagnosis and the development of the new treatments and therapies for cancer that we hope will have a positive impact on the lives of many people in the years ahead.”
The i-Path software will store, organize and manage all virtual slides, giving cancer researchers within Northern Ireland and across Europe the ability to search for the right samples and retrieve tissues to aid new scientific discoveries.
The system will also give researchers across Europe access to high resolution digital images of the tissue samples remotely using i-Path’s proprietary web-based software.
i-Path’s world-class technology removes the need to post microscopic slides to different locations and creates opportunities for remote analysis of tissues and high throughput computerised analysis of tissue biomarkers, and remote TMA management and manual scoring.
The Northern Ireland Biobank Scientific Lead, Dr Jackie James said: "This repository of tumour samples is essential for the development of new targeted therapies in cancer and will support the local, national and international development of Stratified Medicine".
i-Path will work with the local cancer research community to develop a resource that will underpin cancer research for years to come.
CMS Releases Proposed Rule for ACOs
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and CMS Administrator Donald M. Berwick, MD, this morning announced the release of the proposed rules for implementation of accountable care organizations (ACOs), as required under the health care reform law.
“These rules will help teams of doctors form ACOs…and in return, they will be able to share in savings that come from coordinating care and improving the quality of health,” said Secretary Sebelius during a telephone press event announcing the rule’s release. She added that CMS estimates ACOs could save Medicare between $510 million and $960 million over the next three years, net of provider savings payments.
Coming in slightly over 400 pages, the proposed rule will be open for comments for 60 days, and CMS officials will be gathering stakeholder feedback at listening sessions held throughout the country in the coming months. The College is currently analyzing—and will provide feedback to CMS—on the rule’s impact on pathologists. CMS is expected to publish a final rule later this year.
The proposed rule includes 65 quality measures, which Dr. Berwick detailed in a New England Journal of Medicine column, also published online this morning. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released an anti-trust document this morning to accompany the CMS proposed rule. In the Proposed Antitrust Enforcement Policy Statement Regarding Accountable Care Organizations Participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, the FTC outlines certain safe harbors and related information allowing providers to form integrated health care delivery systems without conflicting with the antitrust laws.
Olympus Licenses Digital Pathology Patents to Leica Microsystems
Busy news day at the end of Q1 2011.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus America Inc. and Leica Microsystems GmbH of Wetzlar, Germany have signed a nonexclusive worldwide licensing agreement allowing Leica to access an extensive portfolio of patents held by Olympus in the field of digital pathology and virtual microscopy. The patents included in the licensing deal cover methods and equipment for creating, storing and delivering virtual microscopy slides. The technology enables individuals to view and share high-resolution virtual microscopy images over the Internet.
"We've seen interest in digital slide scanning grow rapidly over the past few years," said Osamu Joji, Group Vice President and General Manager of Olympus America's Scientific Equipment Group. "Olympus is the holder of these important patents, and we feel it is vital to allow broad access to these technologies in order to advance the field of pathology. Ultimately, we hope that implementing these technologies will help enhance healthcare for patients around the world."
"We believe digital slide scanning will be the fastest growing segment in microscopy for years to come. This license agreement will enable us to further expand our offering in this space, and to provide our customers around the world with a complete solution from digital scanning of microscopy slides to the handling and management of digital pathology data," said Stefan Traeger, Managing Director of Leica's Life Science Division.
The companies are not making specific terms and conditions of the agreement public.
About Olympus America Inc., Scientific Equipment Group
Olympus America Scientific Equipment Group provides innovative microscope imaging solutions for researchers, doctors, clinicians and educators. Olympus microscope systems offer unsurpassed optics, superior construction and system versatility to meet the ever-changing needs of microscopists, paving the way for future advances in life science.
About Olympus
Olympus is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in its core business areas: Medical and Surgical Products, Life Science Imaging Systems, Industrial Measurement and Imaging Instruments and Cameras and Audio Products. Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and affiliates worldwide to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines.
Olympus serves the healthcare field with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers to efficiently, reliably and more easily achieve exceptional results. Olympus develops breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality for the consumer and professional photography markets, and also is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. For more information, visit http://www.olympusamerica.com.
About Leica Microsystems
Leica Microsystems is a world leader in microscopes and scientific instruments. Founded as a family business in the nineteenth century, the company's history was marked by unparalleled innovation on its way to becoming a global enterprise. Its historically close cooperation with the scientific community is the key to Leica Microsystems' tradition of innovation, which draws on users' ideas and creates solutions tailored to their requirements. At the global level, Leica Microsystems is organized in four divisions, all of which are among the leaders in their respective fields: the Life Science Division, Industry Division, Biosystems Division and Medical Division.
Leica Microsystems Biosystems Division, also known as Leica Biosystems, offers histopathology laboratories the most extensive product range with appropriate products for each work step in histology and for a high level of productivity in the working processes of the entire laboratory. The company is represented in over 100 countries with 12 manufacturing facilities in 7 countries, sales and service organizations in 19 countries and an international network of dealers. The company is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany.
SOURCE: Olympus America Inc.
Advanced Cell Diagnostics And Definiens Partner To Develop Tool For Quantitative Biomarker Analysis
From DigitalPathologyInsigts.com:
HAYWARD, Calif. and MUNICH, March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD), a technological leader in molecular pathology, and Definiens, a leading provider for biomedical image and data analysis, announce today a strategic partnership to develop image analysis applications that will enable researchers to accurately quantify specific RNA molecules within individual cells in routine clinical specimen. The partnership will build on ACD’s RNAscope platform and add new specialized image analysis solutions that will automatically process and analyze images from RNAscope assays. The software system will significantly enhance the utility of RNAscope-based diagnostic tests for personalized medicine. ACD will demonstrate the technology at booth #413 of the 2011 AACR conference in Orlando, FL on April 3 – 6.
ACD’s RNAscope is a novel and proprietary RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) method that can detect and quantify virtually any expressed gene at single molecule sensitivity in individual cells in all major biological specimen types, including cell lines, PBMC and FFPE tissue sections. As the most clinically robust RNA ISH assay available, RNAscope enables the fastest path from genomic discovery to validated biomarkers and clinical diagnostic tests.
Under the agreement, Definiens will develop a unique and proprietary image analysis application for ACD that provides users with powerful analysis capabilities. Definiens software, based on its Definiens XD framework, offers users with accurate, robust and scalable image analysis solutions for a wide range of histology analysis.
“The partnership between Advanced Cell Diagnostics and Definiens will combine two powerful technologies in the promising field of RNA biomarker identification and development,” said Thomas Heydler, CEO of Definiens. “With our image intelligence technology’s superior accuracy and multiplexing capabilities, Definiens is uniquely suited to help Advanced Cell Diagnostics create powerful RNA assays that can further support personalized medicine initiatives around the world.”
“This advanced image analysis solution will bring objective and accurate quantification to RNAscope and enable a new generation of diagnostic applications such as circulating tumor cell detection and molecular analysis. For the first time, gene expression can be measured quantitatively at single cell resolution and interpreted by pathologists within histopathological context,” said Dr. Yuling Luo, Founder, President and CEO of ACD.
About Advanced Cell Diagnostics (http://www.acdbio.com)
Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc. (ACD) is a leader in the emerging field of molecular pathology, developing cell- and tissue-based diagnostic tests for personalized medicine. The company’s products and services are based on its proprietary RNAscope® technology, the first multiplex fluorescent and chromogenic in situ hybridization platform capable of detecting and quantifying RNA biomarkers in situ at single molecule sensitivity. ACD partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to validate biomarkers for targeted therapeutic development in cancer and other diseases. These partnerships provide the foundation for ACD to develop companion diagnostic tests in conjunction with partners’ targeted therapeutics. ACD also pursues internal programs to develop proprietary diagnostic tests in cancer management.
About Definiens
Definiens is a leading Health Image Intelligence™ company that develops software solutions for biomedical image analysis, data mining and clinical decision support. The company’s software analyzes images from cell-based assays, whole tissue slides and full body scans and allows users to correlate this information with data derived from other sources, supporting better decisions in research, diagnostics and therapy. By automating analysis workflows and generating new knowledge, Definiens provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research institutions, clinical service organizations and medical professionals with deeper insights, faster results and better decision support. Harnessing the power of image intelligence, Definiens supports personalized medicine and aims to significantly improve the quality of patients’ lives.
Definiens is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and has offices throughout the United States. Further information is available at http://www.definiens.com.
Definiens – from images to clinical decisions.
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. Launches Virtuoso Software for Digital Pathology
Ventana acquired BioImagene last June. This is the first of likely many improvements on their digital pathology platform.
Latest version provides pathologists with superior case management and telepathology capabilities
TUCSON, Ariz., March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, announced today the availability of its next generation Virtuoso digital pathology application software.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110331/LA74593)
The new version of Virtuoso software expands pathologists' workflow capabilities with features that deliver additional gains in efficiency, collaboration, and productivity. Pathology labs worldwide will realize significant value and workflow improvements with the upgraded software enhancements including:
Telepathology enhancements – the capability to conveniently share cases for review by other pathologists; a real-time collaboration feature enabling simultaneous peer reviews; and case review guidance for residents for educational purposes.
User Interface (UI) enhancements – context-sensitive toolbars for a faster and more intuitive viewer experience and an interactive UI that allows microscope-like panning and zooming on images.
Christopher Cestaro, Lifecycle Leader, Advanced Workflow, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., commented, "Digital pathology is transforming the practice of pathology in ways that will significantly impact the delivery of healthcare in the future. Ventana digital pathology solutions fully leverage our strengths in high quality staining platforms, assays, and workflow solutions such as VANTAGE, to deliver a complete end-to-end solution for pathology laboratories. Our global leadership in the pathology market ensures that our customers continue to have access to the most innovative products and solutions."
The new features of the Virtuoso 5.0 software will improve the pathologist's ability to manage and share cases, and collaborate in real time. Virtuoso works with the VENTANA iScan Coreo Au scanner to deliver a comprehensive digital pathology solution from image acquisition to case management, report customization, and more.
Ventana test systems are for in vitro diagnostic use for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research use only for other applications.
About Ventana Medical Systems, Inc
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. ("VMSI") develops, manufactures, and markets instrument/reagent systems that automate tissue preparation and slide staining in clinical histology and drug discovery laboratories worldwide. The Company's clinical systems are important tools used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. VMSI's drug discovery systems are used to accelerate the discovery of new drug targets and evaluate the safety of new drug compounds. In addition, the Company offers premier workflow solutions designed to improve laboratory efficiency, providing safeguards to enhance the quality of healthcare. Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. is a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group. For more information on Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. visit http://www.ventana.com.
For further information, please contact:
Jacquie Bucher
Ventana Media Relations
520-877-7288 jacquie.bucher@ventana.roche.com
SOURCE Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
Copyright (2011) PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved
Aperio making strides
In January Aperio released Version 11 of their software, Spectrum. The press release noted:
""Release 11 adds and expands key features of our system that address the needs of pathologists in both clinical and research environments, based on broad usage and feedback from our customers,” said Dirk G. Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. “Through our ongoing development efforts we continue to supply the pathology community with the most comprehensive patent-protected digital pathology solutions available to help inform better patient care decisions.”
Spectrum consolidates pathology cases, projects, specimens and slides into an integrated source with 24/7 anytime access, eliminating the transfer of glass slides, improving efficiency and streamlining pathology workflow and analysis.
Spectrum’s secure, customizable workflow has made it the digital pathology information management solution of choice for leading global institutions including ARUP Laboratories and Memorial Sloan Kettering."
I think this is key to the adoption of digital pathology - tighter integration that is workflow driven and consolidates information. I have found this to be a problem with past versions of Spectrum that keeps on getting better and better from earlier versions. One of the keys to success in this space is getting the process as close to looking at a glass slide (for now) to aid adoption. Additional mouse clicks, multiple screens, applications or poor integration with LIS data will impede mass adoption.
Additionally, Aperio recently launched, in partnership with USCAP an extensive collection from Dr. Juan Rosai, recognized as one of the foremost surgical pathologists of our time.
From the Aperio website:
This comprehensive collection of Surgical Pathology Seminars (1945 to the present) comprises digital images of original slide material of nearly 20,000 cases originally presented at approximately 1500 pathology seminars. The collection includes clinical history summaries, discussions, and diagnoses by yesterdays authorities with updates and comments by Dr. Rosai and other contemporary experts. Pathologist spanning the globe can access the collection to learn about the evolution of surgical pathology thinking, as described and discussed at pathology society meetings, individual medical centers, and pathology groups over the past 60 years.
Juan Rosai makes freely available to the International pathology community the digital version of this historical collection through a partnership with the USCAP and Aperio.
- Gain insight into the evolution of surgical pathology thinking
- Browse original material that led to discoveries of new entities and concept proposals
- Access case slides, discussion notes, and speaker biographies
- View updated diagnostic interpretations of the seminar cases
- Access resource for decision support, self-study, and publications
This is covered on USCAP TV:
I reviewed some of the old cases and the images are excellent, complete with aging cover slip media but nonetheless the diagnostic features are evident on the tissue itself. The images launched quickly and refreshed quickly within my web browser. Several cases were scanned at 20x that I thought would be better with 40x scans and several cases with documentation I tried failed to open the pdf. I presume this has the accompanying clinical information and any follow-up information with supporting literature from the original slide conferences they are a part of but I could not tell.
Recently, the USPTO affirmed Hamamatsu's patent for slide scanning with remote viewing as reported by several news sources. You may recall in June 2009, Aperio filed suit against Hamamatsu and others. My understanding is that this issue has been settled by the parties.
Nonetheless, lawsuits take time and resources away from innovation and I wonder what impact, if any, this patent re-issue may mean for companies such as Aperio and others.
Proceedings of the 10th European Congress on Telepathology and 4th International Congress on Virtual Microscopy Proceedings
from The 10th European Congress on Telepathology and 4th International Congress on Virtual Microscopy Vilnius, Lithuania. 1-3 July 2010 Edited by Klaus Kayser, Arvydas Laurinavicius and Gian Kayser Sponsorship for publication of these proceedings has been provided by the International Academy of Telepathology (IAT), COST-Action IC0604, EU Verein Förderung des Biol.-Techn. Fortschritts in der Medizin, e.V., Heidelberg, DiagnomX GmbH. |
Proceedings 
Virtual telepathology in Egypt, applications of WSI in Cairo University
Essam Ayad
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S1 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Localization of Eosinophilic Esophagitis from H&E stained images using multispectral imaging
Pinky A Bautista, Yukako Yagi
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S2 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Towards a computer aided diagnosis system dedicated to virtual microscopy based on stereology sampling and diffusion maps
Philippe Belhomme, Myriam Oger, Jean-Jaques Michels, Benoit Plancoulaine, Paulette Herlin
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S3 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Intelligent security and privacy solutions for enabling personalized telepathology
Bernd Blobel
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S4 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Digital pathology evaluation of complement C4d component deposition in the kidney allograft biopsies is a useful tool to improve reproducibility of the scoring
Ernesta Brazdziute, Arvydas Laurinavicius
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S5 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
COST Action “EuroTelepath”: digital pathology integration in electronic health record, including primary care centres
Marcial García Rojo, Ana Morillo Castro, Luis Gonçalves
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S6 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Proliferative activity in human breast cancer: Ki-67 automated evaluation and the influence of different Ki-67 equivalent antibodies
S Fasanella, E Leonardi, C Cantaloni, C Eccher, I Bazzanella, D Aldovini, E Bragantini, L Morelli, LV Cuorvo, A Ferro, F Gasperetti, G Berlanda, P Dalla Palma, M Barbareschi
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S7 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Traditional microscopy instruction versus process-oriented virtual microscopy instruction: a naturalistic experiment with control group
Laura Helle, Markus Nivala, Pauliina Kronqvist, Andreas Gegenfurtner, Pasi Björk, Roger Säljö
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S8 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
How to measure diagnosis-associated information in virtual slides
Klaus Kayser, Jürgen Görtler, Stephan Borkenfeld, Gian Kayser
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S9 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Interactive and automated application of virtual microscopy
Klaus Kayser, Jürgen Görtler, Stephan Borkenfeld, Gian Kayser
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S10 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
E-education in pathology including certification of e-institutions
Klaus Kayser, Robert Ogilvie, Stephan Borkenfeld, Gian Kayser
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S11 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Grid computing in image analysis
Klaus Kayser, Jürgen Görtler, Stephan Borkenfeld, Gian Kayser
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S12 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Five years of experience teaching pathology to dental students using the WebMicroscope
Janusz Szymas, Mikael Lundin
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S13 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Quality evaluation of virtual slides using methods based on comparing common image areas
Slawomir Walkowski, Janusz Szymas
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S14 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Color standardization and optimization in Whole Slide Imaging
Yukako Yagi
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S15 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Distributed computing in image analysis using open source frameworks and application to image sharpness assessment of histological whole slide images
Norman Zerbe, Peter Hufnagl, Karsten Schlüns
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S16 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Recent advances in standards for collaborative Digital Anatomic Pathology
Christel Daniel, François Macary, Marcial García Rojo, Jacques Klossa, Arvydas Laurinavi?ius, Bruce A Beckwith, Vincenzo Della Mea PhD
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S17 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Using MATLAB software with Tomcat server and Java platform for remote image analysis in pathology
Tomasz Markiewicz
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S18 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Expanding application of digital pathology in Japan - from education, telepathology to autodiagnosis
Yasunari Tsuchihashi
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S19 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
Proceedings
Accuracy of a remote quantitative image analysis in the whole slide images
Janina S?odkowska, Tomasz Markiewicz, Bart?omiej Grala, Wojciech Koz?owski, Wielis?aw Papierz, Katarzyna Pleskacz, Piotr Murawski
Diagnostic Pathology 2011, 6(Suppl 1):S20 (30 March 2011)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
What’s Up for April
Click here to view the embedded video.
It’s been a long winter full of snow and unexpected surprises.  Finally April arrives and the threat of snow diminishes as the month goes on. Be sure to try and get a look at Saturn if you can.
Massive Xylophone Constructed In the Woods to Sell Japanese Cellphone [Video]
What does it take to market a cellphone in Japan these days? Try an immense xylophone contraption that slowly plays out Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire in the middle of a large, mossy wood. More »
Selection exam shown to be poor guide to university performance – The Australian
Selection exam shown to be poor guide to university performance The Australian ONE of Australia's top medical schools is considering dumping the exam used to pick which high-school students win medical school places after showing it is a poor guide to university performance. The University of Queensland may now rank those ... Medical Admission Test Is Not A Valid Predictor Of Academic Performance, AustraliaMedical News Today (press release) |
Group Uses Gadgets, Chemistry and a Mouse to Educate India About Religious Charlatans [Video]
Why hasn't this kind of critical thinking migrated out of India to the rest of the world? Methinks these educators (seriously, watch to the end) would do well to license out their brand of debunking to other cultures. More »
Citizens In Okemos Attempt To Block Medical Clinic – WILX-TV
Citizens In Okemos Attempt To Block Medical Clinic WILX-TV They're worried that the proposed clinic, which was approved by Meridian Township-- will become a medical marijuana dispensary. The problem is that the clinic is right across the street from Chippewa Middle School. The opponents are certain they will ... Fahey: Protect our children from marijuana clinicLansing State Journal Residents Petitioning To Stop "Pot Shop"WLNS |
A History of Comet Collisions Is Inscribed in Saturn & Jupiter’s Rings | 80beats
What’s the News: Looking at images of odd undulations in the rings of Saturn and Jupiter, astronomers have discovered that comets are to blame. The finding means that a planet’s rings act as a historical record of passing comets, possibly leading to a better understanding of comet populations. “We now know that collisions into the rings are very common—a few times per decade for Jupiter and a few times per century for Saturn,” Mark Showalter, from the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California, told the Daily Mail. “Now scientists know that the rings record these impacts like grooves in a vinyl record, and we can play back their history later.”
How the Heck:
When a comet passes by the rings of a planet, its high-speed debris impacts the ring material and “changes the inclination of the particles’ orbits,” Bad Astronomer Phil Plait told me. “It’s like a cosmic shotgun blast.”
With the ring particles knocked out of alignment, they bob up and down as they orbit the planets—a phenomenon that looks in telescope images (see animation above) like ripples in a pond or corrugated metal.
The particles undulate up and down as they slowly gradually come back ...
