Monthly Archives: March 2012

EXCLUSIVE: Anatomy of a rescue plan – Rangers administrators are close to a deal

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By John Mcgarry

PUBLISHED: 20:52 EST, 8 March 2012 | UPDATED: 20:53 EST, 8 March 2012

When Dave King opined on Wednesday that the liquidation of Rangers was now 'inevitable', the task of saving the club from going under seemed akin to doing a jigsaw puzzle while blindfolded.

Whether the Rangers director simply saw no reason to hide his honest opinion any more or was attempting to light a fuse under someone, only he will know.

Regardless of his motives, he will have felt the shockwaves emanating from his powderkeg message all the way back to his temporary base in China.

Sign of the times: Rangers are in crisis and are fighting to save themselves from liquidation

As ashen faces digested the words throughout the world, perhaps for the first time the prospect of the club actually ceasing to exist in the near future finally hit home.

A man who has built up a reputed personal fortune of 200million in South Africa, King could scarcely be accused of being naive. It's just conceivable, though, that the man who made the doomsday prediction did so without being privy to everything that is currently going on behind the scenes.

Yet, for all the journey to a safe harbour still has a long way to go, Rangers are by no means holed below the water line.

Indeed, developments on Thursday and several that look set to come to fruition in the coming days, can only be seen as positives by Paul Murray and other interested parties as they seek to successfully take over the club.

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EXCLUSIVE: Anatomy of a rescue plan - Rangers administrators are close to a deal

Anatomy of a crash: Mock accident motivates teens

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It's prom night for students at Community High School. Earlier this week, juniors and seniors witnessed a carefully orchestrated tableau, carried out by dozens of emergency and law enforcement personnel.

An annual tradition at many high schools, Prom Promise presents a graphic reminder to young drivers, through the use of staged accident scenes, of the dangers of driving while distracted or intoxicated.

'Tickets' issued

The storyline began several weeks ago as the Tennessee Highway Patrol ticketed Viking drivers for minor traffic offenses. So many, in fact, that Judge Charles Rich scheduled a court date in the school library to accommodate all the offenders.

Parents were required to attend court with their children on Wednesday, where Rich offered leniency. Charges would be dismissed if the group would agree to attend a safety class.

"The whole purpose behind this, it's prom time -- and the [highway patrol] can tell you, the last several years in this county, around this time of year ... we have lost one or more of our students here," said Rich.

Grim statistics

According to the THP, teen drivers account for more than 50,000 accidents each year in Tennessee, with fatalities occurring in over 200.

Once released from the mock court, students joined their peers just behind the school where an accident scene had been staged. The car and van selected for use had been wrecked in separate accidents involving Community students this year.

Horrific 'crash'

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Anatomy of a crash: Mock accident motivates teens

Movie Man: 'Anatomy of a Murder' is top courtroom drama

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If youre looking for courtroom drama, you dont have to look far, with thousands of hours of Court TV, Law & Order reruns and plain-old courtroom news on your television.

But if youre looking for a truly great courtroom drama, one thats complex, funny, smart and surprising, you need to watch Anatomy of a Murder. Released way back in 1959 and featuring a one-of-a-kind cast, its no kidding the greatest courtroom drama ever made.

Based on a book by a Michigan Supreme Court judge (writing under a pseudonym), Anatomy of a Murder follows a small-town Michigan lawyer (James Stewart) as he defends a young lieutenant (Ben Gazzara) on murder charges. Where things get complicated is when Stewart examines the motive: Gazzara claimed he killed the local bar owner for raping his wife. But as Stewart gets to know the wife (Lee Remick), he begins to wonder if there was a rape or if, down deep, even Gazzara believes there was a rape.

Pretty adult stuff for 1959, and Anatomy of a Murder doesnt stop there. Theres much discussion over the word panties being used in the courtroom (again, scandalous stuff for 1959), but on a deeper level, Anatomy of a Murder hints that what really happened doesnt matter what matters is what the jury thinks happened. It might not be justice, but its the law.

Masterfully directed by Otto Preminger (a guy who loved pushing the envelope, content-wise), Anatomy of a Murder is full of elements that make it a classic film. The cast also includes a young George C. Scott as the big-city prosecutor, Eve Arden as Stewarts world-weary assistant, Orson Bean and Howard McNear (Floyd the barber from Andy Griffith) as expert witnesses and lawyer Joseph Welch, the man who brought down Sen. Joe McCarthy, as the judge. Whats more, not only does jazz legend Duke Ellington supply the music, he also has a cameo as Pie Eye, who for some reason is playing piano in a tiny Michigan tavern. That Michigan atmosphere, incidentally, is one of the movies biggest stars. Preminger filmed the movie in the Upper Peninsula, and it gives the film a feeling like no other Hollywood picture. Heck, even the opening credits iconic images created by legendary Saul Bass are memorable. Its just a great, great movie.

Thankfully, Criterions new edition does it justice. Besides a remastered print of the film, it includes footage from the set; segments on Ellington, Bass and Preminger; the trailer and more.

The Town

Someone at Warner Home Video must really love Ben Affleck.

I mean, The Town is a fine film, with solid direction and acting from Affleck and a strong supporting cast. But its not a classic though you wouldnt know that from the packaging of The Town Ultimate Collectors Edition. The boxed set includes multiple versions of the movie on Blu-ray and DVD, a feature-length documentary, a map of the Charlestown area of Boston, a folder full of files about the films characters, a hardcover book of photos from the set, a letter from Affleck and, believe it not, temporary tattoos exactly like the one Jeremy Renners character sports in the movie (and that you only see on-screen for a split second).

Quite a package for a movie thats pretty good but not great. I liked a lot of The Town, including the well-staged robberies and the simmering tension between the various thieves. But I thought it was another example of a movie let down by its ending, one that does right by its star but not by its main character. I dont want to spoil anything if you havent seen it because it is worth watching but the final scenes make no sense. The idea that the FBI would just quit surveilling the one person with a connection to their fugitive, then ignore the expensive and public! gift made in the name of that fugitives mom is ridiculous.

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Movie Man: 'Anatomy of a Murder' is top courtroom drama

Nokia and Cambridge Look at Applying Nanotechnology to Super-Hydrophobic Phones

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Mobile phone giant Nokia and Cambridge Universityhave been working for a number of years on nanotechnologyapplicationsfor cell phones. In 2008, they announced the much-ballyhooed Morph phone that featured plastic electronics; the flexible circuits allowed the handset, whichI like to call it the Dick Tracy phone,to wrap around your wrist like a watch.

I guess its impressive to duplicate a tech gadget used by a comic book character developed in the 1930s, but I never could see the point. Adding to the head scratching on that one was their admission that they didnt expect to commercialize that phone for another 20 years.

As a marketing toolas Ive heard the Morph phone describedit was effective in that it got a lot of press coverage. But it left me thinking: Does Nokia really have a handle on what nanotechnology can do for mobile phones?

It seems the researchers there did. In fact, Nokia published an entire book on the subject back in 2010 called Nanotechnologies for Future Mobile Devices. So there remained considerable hope that Nokia would focus its attention on the technologies that would really make a difference in cell phones, namely longer lasting batteries.

So, when news came out this week that the big breakthrough it had made in pairing cellular telephony with nanotechnology was to make handsets waterproof, I couldnt help but be disappointed.

Okay, I'll admit that waterproofing is a good featureand sure is a step up from a Dick Tracy phone. But really, Nokia? Five years of collaboration with Cambridge University and this is the result? I have water-resistant nanotechnology on my cycling apparel. At this point, water resistance is just not one of those added features made available by nanotechnology that I can get too excited about anymore, even if it is the super-hydrophobic variety.

Sure, duplicating the lotus effect and other biomimicry on the nanoscale is a worthy feature for a score of products, but some of these products have already been on the market for nearly a decade now.

While I know people who have ruined their phones by dropping it in water, when Chris Bower, the principal scientist at Nokia Research Center in Cambridge, claimed in the video that a coating of the super-hydrophobic material could manage to help a phone dropped in water survive, he seemed less than certain and I was less than impressed.Dont get me wrong. Keeping a phonefrom becoming waterlogged is a big deal. I suppose I just expected an evenbigger one. Worse still for Nokia, at least one news reportseems to have contradicted Bower's claim, pointing out that because of all the openings on a cell phone, water would still find its way into the electronics.

I'll give the researchers their due: The graphene sensor they rigged upto help themfilm the water droplet falling on the coating in super slow motion is quite impressive. But it seems Im still going to have to wait for Nokia and Cambridge to announce a mobile phone that will operatefor a monthwithout recharging .

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Nokia and Cambridge Look at Applying Nanotechnology to Super-Hydrophobic Phones

Nanotech Commercialization Conference Announces Keynote Lineup

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RESEARCH TRIANGLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Global technology leaders will descend upon North Carolina for the Nanotech Commercialization Conference (NCC) http://www.nanoevent.org, hosted by the Center of Innovation for Nanobiotechnology (COIN), the NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA) and the North Carolina Office of Science & Technology. Corporate, investor, start-up and academic leaders will all be in attendance at this cutting edge event in Durham, NC, April 4th-5th, 2012.

Nanotechnology is rapidly transforming industries from medicine to manufacturing to energy. Since the passage of the 21st Century Nanotechnology R&D Act, the U.S. has spent $24 billion in the science of nanotechnology. The science is rapidly becoming the business of nanotechnology, creating thousands of new start-ups, bolstering nearly every industry across the globe, and bringing life changing innovations to market that already improve lives around the world.

We are honored to host an event of this caliber in North Carolina, which is attracting nanotech leaders from around the globe. It reflects the growing awareness of and interest in North Carolinas world-class nanotech cluster, said Griffith Kundahl, Executive Director of COIN.

Topics to be addressed during the conference sessions include:

A complete conference agenda can be found here - http://www.nanoevent.org/node/7.

We have assembled a tremendous lineup of keynote speakers for our premier event, which has already become the largest Nanotechnology conference in the South, said Vincent Caprio, Executive Director of the NanoBCA.

The conference will feature a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, including:

In addition, the Nanotech Commercialization Conference has been structured to facilitate networking with fellow professionals, and keeping up with the cutting edge of nano. The event will be held in the historic Bay 7 Meeting and Event Facility at the American Tobacco Campus http://www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com/rent-bay-7.html, 318 Blackwell Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701.

Sponsors for the NCC include: Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering (JSNN), Kymanox, RTI International, Carlyle & Conlan, Gateway University Research Park, Poyner Spruill, MBHB, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte Research Institute, Nanoscale Science, Zeiss, CMG Partners, Prasidiux, Electricities, Wyrick Robbins, Square 1 Bank, East Carolina University, Research Triangle Region, BLNC. This is a partial list of Sponsors. Click here http://www.nanoevent.org/node/25 for a complete list.

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Nanotech Commercialization Conference Announces Keynote Lineup

Dr. Dan Hale Announces Retirement from HRC Medical

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NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Dr. Dan Hale, 67, founder of HRC Medical and the visionary developer of the companys Amor Vie, has announced his intention to retire from the natural hormone replacement company.

The company also announced the launch of a new website which features hundreds of stories from real people who have had profound improvements in their health and well-being as a result of HRC Medicals Amor Vie. http://www.hrcmedical.com

HRC Medical is a privately held company that manages 37 HRC Medical Centers located in 21 states. Through its affiliated physicians, the company has served more than 30,000 patients with its Amor Vie. Amor Vie therapy is a highly personalized treatment plan that seeks to improve natural hormone levels to improve the health and well-being of patients.

To everything there is a season, Dr. Hale said. The time has come for me to step back from active involvement in HRC Medical.

Don Hale, President of HRC Medical and Dr. Dan Hales brother, said, This is a bittersweet time for me and for this company. Dr. Dans vision is now being realized as we grow HRC Medical to a national company helping thousands of people. My brother is a true visionary who developed our Amor Vie and trained our medical staff in its effective use for our clients.

Dr. John Argerson will succeed Dr. Dan Hale as Interim Chairman of the HRC Medical Advisory Board.

HRC Medical also announced plans to establish the HRC Medical Foundation as a vehicle to fund ongoing research and education in the arena of hormone replacement therapy. Through the HRC Medical Foundation, HRC will seek to initiate and fund independent research in the area of personalized wellness care.

Dr. Hale will continue to practice medicine in his East Tennessee practice and increase his dedication to charitable work. Dr. Hale has been responsible for building a school in the African country of Benin where 300 students now have access to a high quality education. This has been a 15-year passion for Dr Hale.

The solid growth of HRC Medical means it is time for me to turn over the reins to the next generation so that our ongoing leadership and commitment to the highest standards of care can continue now and into the future, Dr. Hale said. There are simply not enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do. HRC Medical will be in good hands with the scores of highly capable doctors and staff that deliver outstanding care as shown by the unprecedented volume of stories noted in our website.

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Dr. Dan Hale Announces Retirement from HRC Medical

Memorial Hermann — Texas Medical Center Offers Houstonians an Option in High-Quality Cancer Care With Opening of New …

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HOUSTON, March 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Memorial Hermann -- Texas Medical Center has established a new cancer center to provide Houstonians with an option for exceptional cancer care. The Center offers advanced treatment from a highly-skilled team of affiliated specialists with the University of Texas (UT) Health Medical School and access to innovative technology and supportive personalized care in a comforting environment.

"We recognize that people have a choice for cancer treatment and we are proud to be leaders in providing superior, comprehensive and accessible patient-centered care to the Houston community," said Dr. Robert J. Amato, medical director of the Memorial Hermann Cancer Center -- TMC and a professor at UTHealth.

The state-of-the-art Cancer Center introduces cutting-edge clinical capabilities, physician expertise and services within a fully integrated space that promotes holistic care and healing. The facility is designed to provide a highly-personalized and comforting environment to support the needs of patients throughout the continuum of care with private treatment suites and counselor guidance during every step of the process.

The team of nationally-recognized oncologists and researchers are equipped to address the needs of all diagnoses and stages of cancer offering access to the latest procedures and clinical trials. The dynamic team works together to develop new and successful treatments to improve cancer survival rates and quality of life for patients. Comprehensive and coordinated care is initiated by an accredited, multidisciplinary tumor board that meets regularly to evaluate the most effective treatment plan for each patient, tailored to the type, stage and aggressiveness of the tumor.

"The Memorial Hermann Cancer Center -- TMC is built on years of experience and extensive knowledge in helping thousands of cancer patients in Houston find hope and healing," said Paul O'Sullivan, Oncology Service Line Executive. "Our cancer center features the hallmarks that Memorial Hermann patients have come to expect, putting patients first and supporting them with physician expertise, advanced treatments and gifted caregivers."

In addition to personalized physical care, the cancer care team provides emotional support during the entire course of each patient's treatment. As an essential part of the care team, patients are provided with the information and support they need to take an active role in all decisions. Patients have access to a combination of therapies -- medical, nutritional, physical, psychological and spiritual -- and treatment plans personalized by professionals who understand the concerns of cancer patients and their families.

Social workers are available to help with non-medical needs associated with a patient's illness and can offer assistance to connect with legal and home health services, communicate with their physicians, and complement the healing process through customized therapy. Further comprehensive patient support services include: nutritional counseling, support groups, cancer education and resources, pastoral care, genetic counseling and psychosocial support.

The Center houses advanced technologies to enhance patient care including the Varian Trilogy linear accelerator, which is considered one of the most versatile cancer treatment devices available in the field of radiation therapy. The Trilogy accelerator enables any area of the body to be treated with the latest approaches in radiosurgery and radiation therapy and is highly accurate, flexible and reliable.

"Memorial Hermann-TMC and UTHealth have taken cancer treatment to the next level and we are glad to offer Houstonians a viable option in their cancer care," said Amato.

For more information, visit Memorial Hermann Cancer Center -- Texas Medical Center or call 713.222.CARE.

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Does moderate wine consumption improve lung function?

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Public release date: 8-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: R. Curtis Ellison ellison@bu.edu 617-638-8080 Boston University Medical Center

A research team from the Netherlands assessed the impact of wine and resveratrol (a natural polyphenol found in high quantities in red wine) on lung function. It also looked at genetic factors and mechanisms by which resveratrol might be absorbed by the body and its possible effect on longevity of life. The authors report that pure resveratrol intake was associated with higher lung volumes and that white wine intake (but not red wine intake) and was associated with lower risk of airway obstruction. They report that the genetic factors studied did not relate to the associations found.

While several previous studies (as does this one) have reported that wine intake improves lung function, Forum reviewers were concerned about several aspects of the paper, and especially with the conclusions of the authors that resveratrol was the key factor in improved lung function. A reviewer stated: "Resveratrol may well be just the bystander of something else present in wine." The beneficial effects on lung function are probably related to many compounds present in wine, and not just resveratrol'.

Based on a number of scientific studies, moderate wine intake appears to have a favorable effect on lung function. The doses of resveratrol seen in these epidemiologic studies are at levels that could be expected from moderate wine consumption, unlike the huge doses of resveratrol, which we doubt are capable of being metabolized, being evaluated as a potential life-extending drug in pharmaceutical studies.

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Reference: Siedlinski M, Boer JMA, Smit HA, Postma DS, Boezen HM. Dietary factors and lung function in the general population: wine and resveratrol intake. Eur Respir J 2012; 39: 385-391 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00184110

Comments on this critique by the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research were provided by the following members:

Fulvio Ursini, MD, Dept. of Biological Chemistry, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

Ulrich Keil, MD, PhD, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Mnster, Mnster, Germany

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Center for Life participates in National Integrative Medicine Survey – Video

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05-03-2012 11:28 We are excited to report that the UNM Center for Life (CFL) has been included in a recent national survey of patient populations and health conditions most commonly treated with integrative medicine strategies. Twenty-nine select integrative medicine centers affiliated with hospitals, health systems and/or medical and nursing schools in the US were surveyed regarding trends in prevention and wellness, patient outcomes, emerging norms of care and reimbursement. The Bravewell Collaboration study showed that 75 percent of integrative medicine centers reported success using integrative practices to treat chronic pain, and more than half reported positive results for gastrointestinal conditions, depression and anxiety, cancer, and chronic stress.

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Center for Life participates in National Integrative Medicine Survey - Video

RiverView acupuncturist to present Community Wellness Talk

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Theories and therapies, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, of Traditional Chinese Medicine can be used to effectively manage digestive dysfunctions. Megan R. Scott L.Ac Dipl.O.M, Licensed Acupuncturist and Certified Chinese Herbalist at RiverView Family Practice and Integrative Medicine Center in Crookston will provide a wellness talk titled Improving Digestion with Chinese Medicine at RiverView Health in Meeting Room 1 on Thursday, March 8 at 6 p.m. and again at the Healthy Living Expo at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks on Saturday, March 10 at 1:15 p.m.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine proper digestion is one of the most important aspects of health. When everything is functioning as it should, appetites are controlled naturally and cravings are reduced. The digestive tract derives the maximum nutrients from our diet and creates energy, which allows us to function. At the same time, it rids the body of waste from the digestive process without complication.

Digestive problems are a common complaint of people who seek care with an acupuncturist or a Chinese Herbalist. Many people struggle with symptoms such as: overeating or under eating, odd meal times, insatiable cravings for certain tastes or foods, heartburn, nausea, abdominal bloating and pain, constipation, diarrhea and food intolerances. These and other symptoms of digestive disease are signs that the system is not working properly. In addition chronic sufferers may experience poor energy and weakened immune systems.

You Are What You Eat Simplify your diet and unburden your digestive system. Your body can work with food when it is closest to the way its found in nature - modern food production and processing, artificial ingredients and additives and preservatives wreck havoc on digestive systems and whole body wellness. Avoid cold and raw food as the temperature shocks the digestive system. Drink warm or hot water or tea with meals and stay hydrated with room temperature pure water throughout the day. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake and add whole grains, beans, nuts for increased fiber. You Are How You Eat Slow down - take a moment and longer to enjoy your food Chew slowly and thoroughly Do not eat on the run - but do keep active otherwise as sedentary lifestyles can contribute to digestive dysfunction Eat regularly, dont skip meals and snacks as it will lead to decreased energy production and overeating later Hari Hachi Bu - an Okinawan phrase meaning Eat Only Until You Are 80 Percent Full Eat when you are calm - avoid stress or excessive emotions at the meal table Avoid distractions when eating - tv, loud music, working, etc. Respect and be grateful for food - notice how this affects your eating habits Spend more time on preparation and presentation - allow food to stop you in your tracks more than once in a while

For more information about Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, contact Scott at Riverview Family Practice and Integrative Medicine Center 281-9519 or visit riverviewhealth.org/services and click on Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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Integrative medicine BS

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science Friday, March 9, 2012. Post by David Bradley

A few days ago, I suggested we have a BS abbreviation on Twitter. It would be like the RT (retweet), DM (direct message), HT (hat tip) etc that we all know and love, but it would, of course be shorthand for referring to bovine faeces and could be associated with links to disinformation, spurious statistical studies and pseudoscience unsupported by proper evidence, for instance.

One area that is ripe for the BS tag is so-called Integrative Medicine. This is the supposed holistic combination alternative medicine with conventional medicine that is meant to provide a better approach to personal wellbeingpractitioners get the best of both worlds: the potential for a proper cure (courtesy of the conventional) and the potential for a big fat fee for doing very little if anything at all and for a bottle of sugar pills (courtesy of the complementary).

However, Integrative Medicine is to Alternative Therapies as Intelligent Design is to Creationism.

Scam? sCAM? BS!

One might use the programmers NOT symbol ! in front of the BS to represent something that is most certainly not the ordure of bovine ruminants. I.e. !BS

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Integrative medicine BS

New throat cancer gene uncovered by UK and Japanese scientists

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Public release date: 8-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Katherine Barnes katherine.barnes@kcl.ac.uk 44-207-848-3076 King's College London

Researchers at King's College London and Hiroshima University, Japan, have identified a specific gene linked to throat cancer following a genetic study of a family with 10 members who have developed the condition.

The study, published today in American Journal of Human Genetics, uncovered a mutation in the ATR gene, demonstrating the first evidence of a link between abnormality in this gene and an inherited form of cancer. The researchers say this finding raises new ideas about genetic factors linked to throat cancer and provides a platform for exploring the role of ATR more generally in cancer biology.

Scientists carried out a genome-wide linkage study in a US family with an unusual hereditary condition affecting 24 members of the family over five generations. Characteristics include developmental abnormalities of hair, teeth and nails as well as dilated skin blood vessels. Strikingly, nearly every person with the condition involved in the study had developed throat cancer (oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma) in their 20s or 30s.

The team took blood samples from 13 members of the affected family, as well as samples from 13 unaffected people. After analysing these samples they found a single mutation in ATR was present in all the people with the condition, but none of the unaffected people had the mutation. Ten of the 13 people with the condition had developed throat cancer.

Professor John McGrath from the King's College London Genetic Skin Disease Group at St John's Institute of Dermatology, based at Guy's Hospital, said: 'This is an intriguing study which not only provides a genetic explanation for an unusual syndrome, but also provides a unique novel insight into how the ATR gene may be associated with a specific form of cancer. It is a classic example of how we can use rare conditions to give us insight into more common diseases.

'Key known risk factors for developing throat cancer include consumption of alcohol and tobacco as well as viral infections such as HPV (humanpapilloma virus). But this is the first evidence connecting abnormalities in the ATR gene with susceptibility to this type of cancer. We know that ATR encodes a protein critical to the way cells repair their DNA, and is therefore a vital mechanism. We now plan to investigate the cancer pathways in more detail to try to find new treatments.'

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CONTACT Katherine Barnes International Press Officer King's College London Tel: +44 207 848 3076 Email: katherine.barnes@kcl.ac.uk

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New throat cancer gene uncovered by UK and Japanese scientists

Gene differences in tumors making cancer treatment difficult

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A woman receives cancer treatment

(CBS/AP) BOSTON - Scientists are reporting what could be very bad news for efforts to customize cancer treatment based on each person's genes.

PICTURES: Got cancer? 10 secrets for better decisions

They have discovered big differences from place to place in the same tumor as to which genes are active or mutated. They also found differences in the genetics of the main tumor and places where the cancer has spread.

This means that the single biopsies that doctors rely on to choose drugs are probably not giving a true view of the cancer's biology. It also means that treating cancer won't be as simple as many had hoped.

New treatment for kidney transplant patients may reduce need for anti-rejection drugs

By analyzing tumors in unprecedented detail, "we're finding that the deeper you go, the more you find," said one study leader, Dr. Charles Swanton of the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute in England. "It's like going from a black-and-white television with four pixels to a color television with thousands of pixels."

Yet the result is a fuzzier picture of how to treat the disease.

The study is reported in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.

It is a reality check for "overoptimism" in the field devoted to conquering cancer with new gene-targeting drugs, Dr. Dan Longo, a deputy editor at the journal, wrote in an editorial.

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Gene Mutations Linked to Crohn's Disease in Ashkenazi Jews

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THURSDAY, March 8 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have identified five new genetic mutations associated with Crohn's disease in Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) and say their findings may help explain why Crohn's is nearly four times more prevalent in this group than in the general population.

Crohn's is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling and irritation in the digestive tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fever.

Previous research pinpointed 71 genetic variants associated with Crohn's disease risk in people of European ancestry. In this new study, Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers compared almost 2,000 Ashkenazi Jews with Crohn's disease to another 4,500 Ashkenazi Jews without the disease.

The team found 12 of the known risk variants and also discovered five new genetic risk regions on chromosomes 5q21.1, 2p15, 8q21.11, 10q26.3 and 11q12.1.

"This is the largest study to date, and the first to discover the unique risk factors of Crohn's disease in the Ashkenazi Jewish population," study leader Inga Peter, an associate professor of genetics and genomic sciences, said in a Mount Sinai news release.

"The prevalence of this disease is so much higher in Ashkenazi Jews, and the involvement of genetic variants predominant in this population might help understand why that is," she added.

The researchers also found that the genetic structure of the newly-identified regions associated with Crohn's disease risk in Ashkenazi Jews was much less diverse than that of non-Jewish Europeans.

"Not only did we discover different risk factors for Ashkenazi Jews, but we found that some previously known risk factors are more potent to this population," Peter said. "Armed with this new information, we can begin to analyze the specific signals in order to pinpoint causal genetic mutations, discover why they are malfunctioning, and eventually develop novel treatment approaches."

The study is published March 8 in the online edition of PLoS Genetics.

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Chemistry students step into the spotlight

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Chemistry students step into the spotlight

By Catherine Monson '12 March 8, 2012

Although St. Olaf students often get the chance to display their work for professors and students, few find themselves presenting to hundreds of graduate students, Ph.D.s, and professionals in their field of interest. But five seniors will have exactly that opportunity this weekend when they travel to Orlando, Florida, for PittCon the largest annual analytical chemistry conference in the world.

The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy draws more than 17,000 people from 90 countries to present their latest findings and connect with other chemists, academics, and professionals.

"The fact that four posters prepared by St. Olaf students were accepted for presentation at PittCon is fantastic," says Associate Professor of Chemistry Doug Beussman '92, who worked with the students to submit research abstracts. "This is the largest number of students and projects we've ever brought to the conference."

Last summer Beussman worked with all five students on their research projects, three of which dealt with forensic science Beussman's main area of interest. Jason Eckmann analyzed fibers that could be used as crime scene evidence, Britta Anderson studied date-rape drugs in beverage residues, and Brooke Reaser's project dealt with laboratory methods of human scent differentiation to mimic that of body search dogs. The fourth project, conducted by Aaron Chamberlain and Rob Pieh, examined the various proteins of a single-celled organism called a Tetrahymena thermophila. Each of these projects has been invited to present at the main poster session, a peer-reviewed, day-long event separate from the undergraduate poster session.

Adrenaline rush "Presenting to professionals and graduates in the field presents a unique opportunity that is both exhilarating and nerve-racking," says Reaser. "It will be a two-hour rush of adrenaline to talk about the research I conducted with people who are equally fascinated by the field. We're all nervous, but Professor Beussman did a wonderful job of preparing us for this experience."

In addition to presenting their posters, the students will attend symposiums and oral presentations about a variety of topics. At the Employment Bureau, they will be able to submit their resumes for a variety of jobs. In addition, the students as well as Beussman are excited to view the newest laboratory equipment from the more than 930 vendors at an instrument exhibition.

"Four of these five students took an instrumental analysis course, which is the advanced analytical course at St. Olaf," says Beussman. "In the class we talked about a whole host of instruments, some of which we have here at St. Olaf and many which we don't. So this will be a good opportunity for them to go and actually see these instruments and talk to people who make them."

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Texas A&M notebook: Chemistry still an issue as women enter postseason

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Texas A&M coach Gary Blair revealed a little secret this week concerning the defending national champions. The Aggies, Blair contends, are in serious search of cohesion with the postseason at hand.

"We're hurting for chemistry on this team," he said, later adding, "We're supposed to be a big dog, not a Chihuahua."

Teams that have wrapped up their regular seasons typically have their chemistry questions answered by now - for better or worse. The third-seeded Aggies face sixth-seeded Kansas at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Big 12 tournament, and Blair vows he can still find an answer in time for A&M to make another deep run in the NCAA postseason.

Creatively accountable

"We don't have a finger-pointing problem and we don't have parent problems, but we're lacking chemistry, and when you don't have certain things you're used to having, you've got to create things another way," he said. "That's why they pay me the middle-sized bucks, to figure out a way to create that chemistry now that we're in the postseason."

A couple of wins in Kansas City and a rematch with top-ranked Baylor for the Big 12 title - the powerful programs have each won two of the last four league tourney titles - could go a long way toward shoving this team in the right direction for an NCAA run.

"We lost by 23 (in Waco) and we only lost by seven (in College Station) and we were in the entire game," A&M guard Sydney Carter said following the programs' last meeting. "You see what you did right, and you keep working on those things and keep getting better."

Cooking up wins

It's not like the Aggies are chopped beef (an appreciated menu item in K.C.) this season. They've lost three of four, but prior to that won six of seven. Expectations are simply much higher following the university's first national title in basketball nearly a year ago, when then-seniors Danielle Adams and Sydney Colson led the charge.

As for this year's leaders?

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Texas A&M notebook: Chemistry still an issue as women enter postseason

Chemistry questions surround Carmelo, Knicks again

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This is not a story about how LeBron James had to learn to play with Mario Chalmers. It is not a story about the trouble Kobe Bryant had adjusting his game to fit in with Steve Blake.

So why should it be about Carmelo Anthony finding a way to fit in alongside Jeremy Lin?

It might be what Anthony has been asking himself, too, as he has in the span of a year gone from the savior of the Knicks, who shipped a good chunk of their roster to Denver to obtain him, to the player who is ruining the chemistry of the team.

With three losses already on a road trip that continues in Milwaukee tonight, the doubts have been raised again.

The numbers might indicate that; the Knicks were struggling to an 8-15 record before Lin emerged and coincidentally, Anthony was injured and Amar'e Stoudemire left to be with his family after the death of his brother.

When Lin shouldered the load, the Knicks won eight of nine games, creating a worldwide frenzy, one that has taken a hit since Anthony returned and the Knicks have dropped five of seven.

Anthony's frustration with his performance and the team's showed Tuesday, when he bolted from the locker room without speaking after a 2-for-12, six-point night, walking past coach Mike D'Antoni's press conference before being coaxed off the team bus.

When he did speak, just as he did the next night, he said all the right things maybe too enthusiastically to be believable.

"It's going to happen," Anthony said after Wednesday's loss in San Antonio. "I'm not too concerned about that. I believe in coach and how smart he is as a coach and the knowledge he has in the basketball game. So I believe in him."

When Anthony returned from a strained groin Feb. 20, he has not only seen the team lose, but his numbers have dipped, too. He was averaging 16.3 points per game before he scored 27 on 12-of-24 shooting Wednesday as the Knicks were manhandled by the Spurs.

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Chemistry questions surround Carmelo, Knicks again

BIO Praises House Passage of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act

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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) applauds the House on the passage of H.R. 3606, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. The JOBS Act, which passed the House by a vote of 390-23, contains several provisions which would make the pathway to capital formation more attainable for small biotechnology companies.

The JOBS Act creates an on-ramp to the public market for emerging growth companies, allowing them five years to focus on conducting critical research that can lead to cures for debilitating diseases before having to divert funds to costly regulations. Through this legislation, emerging growth companies would be exempt for their first five years on the public market from the compliance burdens of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Section 404(b), which SEC studies estimate cost companies up to $2 million per year. An on-ramp would ease certain accounting and disclosure requirements for a companys first five years. In addition, the legislation would:

BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood made the following statement today:

BIO supports these reforms, which are especially important to innovative biotechnology companies that do not yet have product revenue and must spend investor dollars on compliance rather than the search for cures and breakthrough medicines for patients living with debilitating diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and Parkinsons.

This legislation would make capital formation easier for small biotechnology companies, enabling them to focus more on curing and treating disease. Bringing groundbreaking cures and treatments from bench to bedside is a long and arduous road, and biotechnology companies are at the forefront of the effort.

It can take more than a decade to bring a new medicine from discovery, through Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III clinical trials, and on to FDA approval. The entire endeavor can cost more than $1.2 billion. Due to this capital-intensive process, biotechnology companies must cultivate a wide range of public and private investors to finance the early stages of development.

In addition to the research and development hurdles that biotechnology companies face on their search for cures and breakthrough medicines, biotech leaders also must deal with the day-to-day challenges of running a small business with the hopes of one day entering the public market. Of great import in the biotechnology industry is the need to lessen the constant struggle to find working capital to support this critical research.

For the majority of biotechnology companies that are without any product revenue, the significant capital requirements necessitate fundraising through venture capital firms. These venture capital investors need to know that the companies they support will have the opportunity to be successful on the public market. Unfortunately, due to the current economic climate, it is becoming harder for biotech companies to go public. As a result, venture capital firms are turning elsewhere to make their investments, leading to a dearth of innovation capital in the biotechnology industry and undermining the ability of these innovative firms to develop their research into breakthrough medicines and cures to aid patients.

BIO supports passage of the JOBS Act and efforts to incentivize and encourage capital formation for growing companies, and applauds the House for passing this important and timely legislation.

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BIO Praises House Passage of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act

BIO Hails Senate Passage of PAHPA Reauthorization

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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood issued the following statement applauding Senate passage last night of the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) Reauthorization of 2011, S. 1855:

BIO thanks Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Bob Casey (D-PA) for their leadership on the critical issues of public health and emergency preparedness as original sponsors of the legislation.

Biotech companies are willing and active partners in the national security endeavor. The reauthorization of PAHPA streamlines, strengthens and improves the current system and reaffirms our governments commitment to this national security priority.

The bipartisan legislation provides needed clarity for the regulatory process for medical countermeasures at the Food and Drug Administration and strongly encourages the Agency to work with product sponsors to develop regulatory management plans, provide technical assistance and help solve regulatory and scientific issues. These provisions will help provide transparency and consistency which will help accelerate the development and approval of medical countermeasures, improving the nations preparedness in the face of a public health crisis or bioterrorism event.

BIO is pleased that the reauthorization of the Special Reserve Fund within BioShield was included in this legislation. The funding available in the Special Reserve Fund is vital for private companies working on the development of medical countermeasures for which the federal government is the sole market.

The reauthorization of PAHPA and the Special Reserve Fund signify the solid commitment of government attention and funding which will allow the biotech industry to do even more to help protect our nation.

Last year, the House of Representatives passed a companion bill, H.R. 2405, introduced by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI).

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the worlds largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling innovations transforming our world. Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

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BIO Hails Senate Passage of PAHPA Reauthorization