Monthly Archives: April 2012

How to get better treatment for migraines

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(Five of the six guideline authors, including Silberstein, disclosed that they had previously served on advisory boards or accepted honoraria or consulting fees from manufacturers of drugs used to treat migraines.)

Migraines which are frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances or aura, and sensitivity to light affect about 1 in 10 Americans and can be triggered by certain foods, lack of sleep, stress, jet lag, fasting, and hormonal changes during a womans menstrual cycle. Nearly 40 percent of migraine sufferers have at least four or five headaches a month, and a smaller percentage have chronic migraines defined as having pain at least 15 days a month. Women are also more likely to get them than men.

Doctors especially primary-care physicians who treat most headaches may still have the mindset of prescribing drugs to treat headaches after they set in, rather than for prevention, according to Silberstein.

There may also be reluctance on the part of patients to take medicines every day when migraines come on episodically, said Dr. Elizabeth Loder, an internist in the neurology department at Brigham and Womens Hospital and president-elect of the American Headache Society, which endorsed the guidelines. But the data show that if you have a frequent number of headaches every month, treating them individually can backfire.

Certain medications to relieve migraine pain can become less effective when used too often or could cause rebound headaches caused by withdrawal from the drugs. The triptan class of drugs such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) and frovatriptan (Frova) are the most commonly used drugs to treat pain once a migraine sets in, but the guidelines state that they should be used only occasionally for prevention, say, to avert a monthly menstrual migraine or one likely to occur from a planned religious fast.

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Flavonoid-rich berries could halt memory declines: Study

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A high intake of flavonoid rich berries can delay memory decline in older women by 2.5 years, according to new research findings.

The study published inAnnals of Neurology reveals that certain types of berries could help to reduce cognitive decline in older women. The researchers add that high intakes of blueberries and strawberries, both of which are very high in flavonoids, appear to delay cognitive aging by up to 2.5 years when compared to those consuming lower amounts.

"We provide the first epidemiologic evidence that berries may slow progression of cognitive decline in elderly women," said Dr Elizabeth Devore, who led the study at Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA.

"Our findings have significant public health implications as increasing berry intake is a fairly simple dietary modification to test cognition protection in older adults."

Study details

The research team used data from the Nurses' Health Study containing data from over 120,000 women. The participants completed health and lifestyle questionnaires beginning in 1976, and have been surveyed on food consumption every four years since 1980.

The study focuses on data from 16,010 women aged over 70, who had their memory and cognitive functions tested every two years between 1995 and 2001.

"What makes our study unique is the amount of data we analyzed over such a long period of time. No other berry study has been conducted on such a large scale," said Devore.

The lead researcher said the results of the analysis show that increased consumption of blueberries and strawberries was associated with a slower rate of memory decline in older women with a greater intake of anthocyanidins and total flavonoids also associated with slowing memory decline.

Devore revealed that women who had higher berry intake had delayed memory decline by up to 2.5 years.

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Flavonoid-rich berries could halt memory declines: Study

Call to reintroduce Nano Science in schools

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By Gamini WARUSHAMANA

Sri Lanka should popularise Nano Science at school level to gain economic control in nano technology- based industries. Nano Science should be re-introduced in school syllabuses said Dr. Prabath Hewageegana of the Department of Physics of the University of Kelaniya. Nano Science should be taught at school level so that students have a basic knowledge and the foundation in Nano Science should be strong to enable applications in nano technology.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has recognised nano technology-based applications and potential industries and institutions have been set up. Strengthening Nano Science education is crucial for sustainable development in the field. Sri Lanka can easily develop a sufficient pool of professionals and a work force in the next 10-15 years.

The Government's motivation and support is important and more research funds should be made available to universities and other research institutions, he said.

Dr.Hewageegana published a book in Sinhala last week to disseminate knowledge of Nano Science to teachers, students and those interested in this new subject.

The book is written in simple language to introduce key elements of the subject.

Nano Science was in the syllabus for the GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level but was later removed because there were no teachers who had the knowledge of the subject.

Another complaint from teachers was that there were no text books in Sinhala for reference.

My objective is to fulfill this requirement and if the authorities want to develop this sector they should re-introduce Nano Science in the school syllabus Dr.Hewageegana said. Senior Prof. of Physics, W.P. Siripala said that the importance of Nano Science is that it can be applied in every field.

Today it is applied in medicine,agriculture, and many other industries. This new science will generate the next revolution in science and therefore expansion of the knowledge in Nano Science was essential.

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Cannabis Science Makes Medical Moves at The 7th Patients Out of Time medical cannabis conference in Tucson at the …

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCBB: CBIS.OB) a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana) products, was honored to be the Sponsor and an Exhibitor at the 7th national Patients Out of Time, medical cannabis conference in Tucson, Arizona. The conference was attended by patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, professors, supporters, and entrepreneurs of the medical cannabis industry. Our own Dr. Melamede presented patient's results that we have documented at http://www.cannabisscience.com.

The University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (UCSF) is accredited by the AccreditationCouncil for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.Patients Out of Time is the only accredited CMEprogram to educate medical professionals about cannabis as a medicine. There were over 25 world-renowned doctors and scientists sharing and presenting the latest research advances asthe complexity of theendo-cannabinoid system continues to unfold. Please see the previous news release from April 17, 2012 at http://finance.yahoo.com/news/dr-robert-melamede-scheduled-speak-182800051.html

Speakers at the conference focused on the science and medicine of cannabinoids. Cannabis Science was overwhelmed, with great feedback by various representatives in the medical community. Prominent speakers included Dr. Robert Melamede, CEO and president of Cannabis Science; Dr. William Courtney of Cannabis Sciences scientific advisory board, and Dr. Andrew Weil, best selling author, speaker, and Integrative Medicine thought-leader. Talks covered specific ailments such as PTSD, cancer, and even drug addiction; research on cannabinoid science and medical applications, and law.Dr. Robert Melamede shared pictures show on our website. Cannabis Science helps cancer patients make informed choices regarding treatments. He also spoke as to the holistic nature by which the endocannabinoid system regulated homeostasis in all vertebrates from conception till death and therefore, why cannabis-based medicines are different from all others in their ability to help with so many illnesses.

Cannabis Science demonstrated a pre-release our multi-tiered, digital educational platform to be announcedin more detail laterthis week. Our novel platform will help to meet the ever-expanding interest incannabis that is coming from the medical communities as the almost miraculous medical benefits of cannabis emerge from the states that support medical marijuana. Our new educational platform (see below) willbring in revenues as we fill the emerging educational need of the medical community.Realistic cannabis education programs are not currently available in the professional schools that need them to end the disconnect between medical cannabis patients an their physicians.

At the conference the Cannabis Science booth collected data from attendees interested in Cannabis Science Stock and there was a lot of interest in our new branding platform.. Attendees were given PR Packets with CBIS information on cancer, Alzheimers, PTSD, aging, and heart disease. CBIS had attendees fill out a questionnaire to enter into a drawing for an iPad 3, a symbolic prize since Cannabis Science will launce our new digital education platform for Physicians, on the Apple iPad platform. Our congratulations to our conference iPad winner.

Andrew Pitsicalis, the Branding and Licensing Director for Cannabis Science, revealed the new digital platform and demonstrated the technology at the CBIS booth. Pitsicalis coordinated many interviews with Cannabis Planet TV, Arizona Clinics TV, The Phoenix Arizona Times, and local news and media. As a result, we had the honor to meet with a brain cancer survivor ofan extremely dangerous surgery.InDecember of last year, he had a second operation to try to reduce the large mass in his brain. With stage 4 cancer, he came to Cannabis Science to help us create awareness for other cancer patients worldwide so that they too might understand there is hope with cannabis. The patient had not been a previous cannabis user, and was amazed at the impact the plant had on him. In fact, it prevented him from taking his own life,when he was no longer able to cope withhaving multiple grand mal seizures daily. The patients close friend begged him to smoke cannabis. When he did, he stopped having seizures. He told us he drove 7 hours to meet Dr. Robert Melamede because he was watching his videos our website and YouTube and found hope. The patient wanted to go to the conference to meet him and other doctors and scientists attending the conference.

The Patients Out of Time charity benefit dinner included entertainment by Greta Gaines from her upcoming album Grassy Girl; a live and silent auction, and a guest appearance by Gigi Ganjay. Gretas information may be found at http://www.gretagaines.com, http://www.cannibuzz.com, and her reel at http://www.conlincasting.net/Gretareel/Greta_Gaines/Reel.html Greta Gaines is a client of Kaneabis (a Cannabis Science company).

If you would like to view information that Cannabis Science provided to the attendees of the conference, please visit our website.

Dr. Robert Melamede stated, Things have never been better for Cannabis Science and this was confirmed at the conference this past weekend. Not only were we part of an historic event with Patients Out of Time, the amount of consciousness and knowledge gained by everyone attending will shape the medicinal science of the industry going forward. Furthermore, our network of professionals increased substantially as we continue to grow the Cannabis Science business model. Most importantly, this conference was a success because it was about the patients,and we heard dramatic testimonials from them, It was all about doing the right things,with the right people, for the right reasons.

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Cannabis Science Makes Medical Moves at The 7th Patients Out of Time medical cannabis conference in Tucson at the ...

Walgama brothers follow father’s footsteps with careers in medicine

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For two Henderson High School graduates, a good dose of medical school runs in the family.

Dr. Evan Walgama graduated from Henderson High School in 2002 and the University of Texas at Austin in 2006.

On June 7, 2010, he graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, where he is now in his second year of five-year residency program at UT Southwesterns affiliated hospitals.

His focus is in otolaryngology to specialize as an ear, nose and throat doctor.

Evan also graduated with honors and as an Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society member.

Evans brother, Dr. Jonathan Walgama, is also a Henderson High School graduate in 2003.

In 2007, he graduated from Austin College in Sherman before attending medical school.

On May 21, 2011, Jonathan graduated from Texas A&M Universitys System Health Science Center College of Medicine and, like his brother, received honors as an Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society member.

Jonathans medical school graduation was unique in that he was hooded by three family physicians during the ceremony, his wife, his brother and his father, his grandfather Dr. Lonnie Traylor said.

The Walgamas father, Dr. U.S. Walgama, still practices in Henderson across from East Texas Medical Center.

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Walgama brothers follow father’s footsteps with careers in medicine

Direct Flow Medical® Announces the Appointment of Chief Medical Officer, Charles Davidson, MD

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SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Direct Flow Medical, Inc., a privately held, emerging medical device company focused on the next generation, minimally invasive implant to treat patients with heart valve disease announced the appointment of Charles Davidson, MD, as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Davidson brings a wealth of knowledge to the organization, having spent over 20 years in interventional cardiology and medicine. He has also worked extensively in his career with medical device industry leaders and start-up companies.

Dr. Davidson currently is a Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and is the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Clinical Chief of Cardiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. His professional memberships include Fellow, American College of Cardiology, Fellow of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions and a Fellow membership with the Clinical Council, American Heart Association. Prior positions were held at Duke University Medical Center and Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Davidsons experience in interventional cardiology and his extensive knowledge of cardiac care will be invaluable to Direct Flow Medical as we continue to expand our clinical trials and drive the future growth of the Company, commented Bernard Lyons, President and CEO of Direct Flow Medical. His longstanding thought leadership in the care of patients with cardiac disease, experience in novel interventional devices combined with his first-hand experience in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures will help us achieve our clinical and market objectives. Simply, this is just a terrific addition to our existing team. The current clinical programs are actively recruiting patients outside the United States.

Dr. Davidsons connection with Direct Flow Medical began 3 years ago, when he first reviewed the early clinical data from the feasibility study and has been a key consultant to the DISCOVER CE Mark Study which was initiated late in 2011. About his newest affiliation with the organization, Dr. Davidson says, I am very impressed with the Direct Flow Medical device. This is a true, second generation device which is designed to allow for precise placement, conforms to the aortic valve anatomy, thereby virtually eliminating any paravalvular leaks. I look forward to working with the Direct Flow Medical Team and their outstanding group of clinical investigators and advisors to help bring this latest, unique innovation to fruition. The Direct Flow Medical device addresses one of the most important clinical issues in the TAVR Market aortic regurgitation. It has the potential to improve clinical outcomes globally and better serve the needs of this growing patient population.

About Direct Flow Medical, Inc.

Founded in 2004, the Company is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, and has a second technology and manufacturing facility in Lake Forest, California. The Companys unique implant design is not limited to aortic valve disease but is readily applicable to mitral and other heart valve anatomical sites. Direct Flow Medical has raised 3 rounds of funding to date with the following investors: EDF Ventures, New Leaf Venture Partners, Spray Venture Partners, Foundation Medical Partners, VantagePoint Venture Partners, ePlanet Venture Partners and strategic corporate investors. For further information, please visit the website at http://www.directflowmedical.com.

The Direct Flow Medical Transcatheter Aortic Valve System is an investigation device, limited by applicable law to investigational use and not available for sale.

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Direct Flow Medical® Announces the Appointment of Chief Medical Officer, Charles Davidson, MD

Hometown Hero: Dr. Lester Breslow (1915-2012)

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Posted Apr. 29, 2012, 9:23 am Susan Cloke / Mirror Columnist

Courtesy the Breslow family

You may have seen Dr. Lester Breslow, a man in his 90s, taking his regular walk on the Boardwalk in Santa Monica. Breslow, a physician who pioneered the field of public health, was following his own advice for a long life.

Do not smoke. Drink in moderation. Sleep seven to eight hours. Exercise at least moderately. Eat regular meals. Maintain a moderate weight. Eat breakfast.

These rules, Breslows 7 Healthy Habits, became the foundation for many government programs designed to promote good health and longevity. What may seem common knowledge to us now is, in large part, common knowledge because of Breslows work.

The 7 Healthy Habits for longevity were based on data from the Alameda County Study. The demographics of Alameda County were reflective of national demographics and that made it a good site for the study.

In 1965, almost 7,000 residents of Alameda County, Calif., were randomly selected and asked to participate in a survey regarding their health habits. Did they smoke? How much did they drink? How much exercise did they get? What did they eat? When did they eat? How much did they sleep?

The first survey was used to create a baseline. Follow up surveys, coded for anonymity, collected data over a 20-year period and were used to correlate health habits with disease incidence and longevity.

The methodology used in the study provided a mathematical proof that lifestyle, good health, and longevity are linked. His work expanded the definition of public health and explored the inter-relationship of the community, the environment, and the individual.

Breslow had intended to practice psychiatry but he was having doubts about his choice. His mentor at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Alex Blumstein, became a life long friend and encouraged him to go into the field of public health.

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Hometown Hero: Dr. Lester Breslow (1915-2012)

In NYC, 80 is the new 50

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Retire at 65? Theyd sooner die.

Thousands of New Yorkers are working decades past Social Security eligibility, into their 80s and even their 90s, keeping their minds sharp and their bodies moving.

A bookkeeper who commutes four hours a day into Manhattan, a grandma who keeps pace with diplomats at the United Nations, an octogenarian who runs around after 7-year-olds all day.

They represent the new longevity awesome over 80 living healthier and working longer than their peers of previous generations.

While people older than 75 make up just 1% of the nations workforce, that age group accounts for the most dramatic rise in employment a 158% uptick since 1990, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

Of 11.6 million people older than 75 in 1990, about 4% or 487,000 were employed. By 2011, there were nearly 18 million people older than 75, and 7%, or 1.2 million superseniors, were working.

In New York, there are more than 9,000 people older than 80 on the job, a slight increase from 20 years earlier. And 734 of them were 90 or older, census data show.

When you look at the past two decades, there has been a change in the paradigm of retirement, said AARPs New York spokesman Luci DeHaan.

It was assumed people would retire at 65, move to another climate, take a step back and enjoy their life. What you are seeing now is people living healthy longer and choosing to stay in their communities and work. They want to stay involved.

Nir Barzilai, a geneticist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx who studies centenarians and their children, has found longevity genes in people with at least one parent or sibling who have lived past 80.

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In NYC, 80 is the new 50

The new age of old age

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World expert on ageing Alexandre Kalache: 'We are going to age differently. We are starting to see role models who are active, demanding, who will want to work longer or will want more leisure or will want to take part in society and expect that people will listen to their voices. Its exciting because its a new stage of human development.'

Alexandre Kalache is a world expert on ageing. With average life expectancy now above 80, he discusses what Australia should do to prepare for the longevity revolution.

ALEXANDRE Kalache's departure from his job as the World Health Organisation's Director of Ageing in 2007 was a moment of bitter irony. In October of that year he turned 62, and despite being fit and energetic with years of good work still ahead of him, he was forced by the organisation to retire.

It is policies such as this that, paradoxically, represent the central theme of Kalache's life work: that the retirement structure used by most developed countries was conceived in the 19th century and has ceased to be relevant in the 21st century. It is time for societies to adapt to what he calls the "longevity revolution".

When Kalache was born in 1945, life expectancy in his native Brazil was 43; now the average Brazilian can expect to live to 75. Kalache describes this leap in life expectancy in such a short time (mirrored in developed countries including Australia) as "the greatest societal achievement of the 20th century - something to celebrate".

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But he also warns that "it threatens to become the greatest challenge for the 21st century if we don't have the right policies''.

The numbers explain the challenge: by 2050, the number of people aged over 60 will double to more than 2 billion, or 22 per cent of the global population. With life expectancy in more than 20 developed countries already above 80, the economic and social impact on societies of an increasingly healthy ageing populace are obvious. For example, in Australia the cost of aged care is expected to double by 2050.

Politically, it also brings opportunities for governments to target the so-called "grey vote" - evidenced in the Gillard government's much-trumpeted aged-care announcement on April 20.

For his part, retirement has been a productive time for Kalache. His various positions include being president of the International Longevity Centre in Brazil, a senior adviser on global ageing at the New York Academy of Medicine, and a Resident Thinker on Ageing for the government of South Australia, where he is currently visiting.

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The new age of old age

Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia Offers Educational Symposiums to the Public

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ATLANTA, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia would like to invite you to attend their Prostate Cancer Symposium, Women's Education Cancer Series and/or Integrative Oncology (Wellness) Presentation on Saturday, May 5, 2012. These events will be held at the Marriott Evergreen Conference Resort Center located at 4021 Lakeview Drive in Stone Mountain, Ga. Continental breakfast and light lunch will be provided.

Details include:

These educational offerings are free and open to public. To register, visit http://www.rcog.com/Reunion. For more information or questions, please call Toni Karasik at 770-682-2099 ext. 168.

About Radiotherapy Clinics of GeorgiaAn affiliate of Vantage Oncology, Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia was founded in 1984 and has earned a reputation for being one of the country's top cancer treatment and research facilities because of its commitment to quality, use of the latest radiation technology and focus on research that enables it to treat men and women with different types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, colon, lymphatic and others. Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia has treated more than 14,000 men for prostate cancer and has compiled its observations of these men, both before and after treatment, into one of the largest computerized databases on prostate cancer in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.RCOG.com.

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Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia Offers Educational Symposiums to the Public

Dr. Brian Berman Receives Sir. Alister McIntyre Award

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Posted April 30, 2012

Brian Berman

Brian Berman, M.D., founder and director of the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine, received the Sir Alister McIntyre Distinguished Lecture Award from the University of the West Indies and University of Technology, Jamaica. The annual award is given to a distinguished physician and researcher. Dr. Berman received the award at the 18th Annual International Diabetes Conference. At the conference, he presented the Sir Alister McIntyre Distinguished Lecture, "Integrative Practices for Diabetes Management."

Founded in 1991, the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine was the first program within a U.S. academic medical center to investigate complementary and alternative medicine through research, patient care and education. It has been a National Institutes of Health Center of Excellence for Research of Complementary Medicine for the past 15 years.

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Dr. Brian Berman Receives Sir. Alister McIntyre Award

Ray McNulty: Livings' honor should have come much sooner

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It's so very wrong that Billy Livings isn't here to see this day.

The longtime and legendary Vero Beach High School football coach should've had the opportunity to go to Gainesville, take his rightful place in the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and receive a much-deserved reward for life that touched so many others.

But immortality comes too late for Livings, who died in October, at age 75, after suffering a massive stroke. And the people who allowed this inexplicable and unnecessary gaffe to happen ought to be ashamed of themselves, embarrassed by their failure to pay proper tribute to a beloved man who was denied the chance to attend his own induction.

Truth is, his election to the Hall of Fame he'll be formally inducted Sunday night was long overdue. This honor should've come years ago, when he would've been able to embrace the moment with family and friends and could share the occasion with all of us.

He would've enjoyed that.

Livings was modest. In the folksy, self-deprecating manner that was so much a part of his Southern, small-town charm, he was quick to deflect any credit that came his way in the wake of his teams' success. And when asked about the Hall of Fame, he would downplay its importance.

Privately, though, the Hall of Fame meant more to him than he would ever admit publicly.

"When it happened in Alabama, I could tell he was excited about it," Livings' wife, Rosie, said, referring to his 2007 enshrinement in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, which recognized his championships-filled, 12-year stint at Jefferson Davis High in Montgomery. "The newspapers and TV stations up there made a big deal of it, and I know Billy enjoyed that ... just as he would've enjoyed getting into Hall of Fame in Florida, if he were here.

"He didn't need the Hall of Fame to know how good he was at what he did. And anyone who couldn't see that he was a special man wasn't paying attention. But he would've been thrilled to get in."

For reasons beyond personal glory.

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Ray McNulty: Livings' honor should have come much sooner

Ravi Varma's birth anniversary celebrated

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Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 30 : Kerala Chief Secretary K Jayakumar today said Raja Ravi had Varma achieved immortality through his art by opting not to imitate his predecessors.

Inaugurating the 164th birth anniversary celebration of painter Raja Ravi Varma at Santhigiri Ashram,he said his paintings gave shape to Indian mythological characters in popular imagination, he said.

'Painting as an art has had few takers in Kerala. This scenario has to change. To be able to identify with the turmoils of fellow human beings is the crux of both art and spirituality,' he added.

The meeting was organised to comemorate Kerala's most popular painter as a part of Samskarikothsavam, the cultural festival of Santhigiri Fest 2012 going on here.

The paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, who was born on April 29, 1948, are famous for their depiction of mythological figures, modelled on South Indian women.

Reproductions of his paintings adorning visiting rooms, hotels and public places across the country speak volumes for the immense popularity enjoyed by him. (UNI)

Yearly Horoscope of 2012 for the Zodiac Sign:

Sagittarius Scorpio LibraVirgoLeo Cancer Gemini Taurus Aries Pisces Aquarius Capricon

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Ravi Varma's birth anniversary celebrated

Blade Runner: What It Means to Be Human in the Cybernetic State

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Blade Runner: What It Means to Be Human in the Cybernetic State

By John W. Whitehead

Were not computers, Sebastian. Were physical.Roy Batty

Thirty years ago right around this time, Ridley Scott was wrapping up production on his filmBlade Runner.By the summer of 1982, it had opened in over 1,200 theaters across the country. Routinely panned and even attacked by test audiences, the film fared little better in theaters. In fact, it was a certified box office flop. Virtually no one, it seems, likedBlade Runner. Fortunately, in the three decades since it first debuted on the big screen, viewers discovering the film on cable TV and DVD have come to appreciate it as not only a cult film par excellence but an emotionally challenging, thematically complex work whose ideas and subtexts are just as startling as its now famous production designs.

Set in Los Angeles in the year 2019,Blade Runnerdepicts a world where the sun no longer shines. Instead, a constant rainy drizzle adds to the dark character of this futuristic landscape. Although the opening shots aerial perspective suggests a modern Los Angeles, the audience soon discovers a very different city in which the endless archipelago of suburbs have been replaced by a dark and ominous landscape lit only by occasional flare-ups of burning gas at oil refineries. An energy shortage has crippled life in the future. The earth is decayed, and millions of people have been forced to colonize other planets. Those who remain behind live in huge cities consisting of a conglomeration of new buildings four hundred stories high and the dilapidated remains of earlier times.

The streets teem with Asians, Hare Krishnas and men in fezzes, all lit by a lurid blaze of flashing neon. The crunch and crush of modern population seems overwhelming and totally dehumanizing. Genetic engineering has become one of the earths major industries, with humans now assuming the role of maker and creator. Since most of the worlds animals have become extinct, genetic engineers now produce artificial animals. And artificial humans called replicants have been created to do the difficult, hazardous and often tedious work necessary in the colonies on other planets.

If Michelangelo were alive in Ridley Scotts future world, rather than portraying God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he would likely paint the human creators of the Tyrell Corporation, the worlds leading manufacturer of replicants which has just introduced the Nexus-6, a replicant with far greater strength and intelligence than human beings. These latest-model replicants represent an obvious potential danger to human society, and their introduction on Earthan offense calling for the death penaltyhas been strictly outlawed. When the replicants somehow make their way back to Earth, they are systematically retired (but not killed since they are inhuman) by special detectives or Blade Runners trained to track down and liquidate the infiltrators.

Police receive an emergency report that four combat model Nexus-6 replicantstwo male and two femalehave killed the crew of a space shuttle and returned to Earth. The Blade Runner assigned to track them down and terminate them is Deckard (Harrison Ford, in his best performance).

The film shifts dramatically when the replicants, who are on a mission to extend their short life span, display a stronger sense of community than the human beings on Earth. With his three partners now destroyed by explosive bullets, the silver-blonde replicant Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) succeeds in finding his way to Tyrell himself, the master of the Tyrell Corporation and the genetic engineering genius who actually designed him. Batty wants to have his genetic code altered to extend his assigned four-year life span. He simply wants to live. But when he discovers he cannot, Batty kills Tyrell in a despairing rage, calling him (as Zeus to Cronos) Father. At one point, Batty remarks: Its a hard thing to meet your maker.

Blade Runnercannot be understood without comprehending the deeply felt moral, philosophical, ecological and sociological concerns that are interwoven throughout the story. Three key, yet profound, questions contribute to the core ofBlade Runner: Who am I? Why am I here? What does it mean to be human? Thus, the eternal problems in the film are essentially moral onesthat is, should replicants kill to gain more life? Should Deckard kill replicants simply because they want to exist?

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Blade Runner: What It Means to Be Human in the Cybernetic State

Gene Therapy Convention I-SMART on May 2nd 2012, 4 PM to 7 PM, at Bangalore Under the Aegis of DRDO, DST, Dr.Agarwal …

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BANGALORE, India, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

I-SMART (Indian Society For Molecular Advanced Regenerative Technologies) a conglomerate of Indian scientists from DRDO, DST, Dr.Agarwal Hospitals, Manacells, Gene Research Foundation has organized the first Gene Therapy Convention to be held at Bangalore on May 2nd2012.

People who are interestedare welcome to contact Dr.Agarwal Hospitals for registrations. Address: Dr.Agarwal Hospitals15, Eagle ST, Bangalore 560025, Phone 080-22240736, 22240200, 22221242, mobile +91-9845010510, 9845039271, 9844202364 email generesearchfoundation@gmail.comThe conference will shed new light into the frontiers of medicine where patients can be addressed with healthy DNA from their own blood.

I-SMART Millenium Awards will be presented to the national heroes, Dr.V.K.Saraswat (Chief of DRDO), Sri Oscar Fernandes (MP), Sreesanth (Cricketeer), Pujya Swamy Chidanand Saraswati (Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh) Dr. Ramasami (Sec DST),On May 2nd4 pm 2012, Bangalore.

DNA-Gene therapyuses peripheral blood from the patientsfinger with Mana (DNA Activator) to generate the patients own healthy or fetal DNA.This is the molecule responsible for creating aparticular human body and thus it can also repair and regenerate the respective aging person.Thus customization of medical technologies has made it possible to treat various conditions associated with diseases of the eye, neurological disorders, diabetes, hypertension, cancer etc.

The work on this line of treatment was initiated over 20 years backby Dr.Agarwal Hospitals and Gene Research Foundation, with the help of The Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. For over 6 years Mana DNA gene therapy and the Defence Research Development Organization have added value to medical science.They have used high tech instrumentation and microscopes to show DNA formation within seconds of one drop of patients blood and Mana (DNA activator) coming together.

Through Dr.Agarwal Hospitals this medication has been used on eye patients (most of them are associated with a general disease) with great success. Over the last 8 years and 12000 patients using the patients own blood (autologous) shows no side effects or allergic reactions. This has taken a new step into medical technologies by giving it customization of each individual patient and seems to be one single major breakthrough in making the treatment a success.

After two days of debate and discussion the first Gene Therapy Convention I-SMART 2012 will be brought into mass productionto reach out to soldiers on the front (DRDO),and the masses (DST, through Manacells. An expansion plan to the tune of 300 cr is required and investors are welcome to come in at this stage. Over 100cr will go into a high end research facility which will monitor the mass production as well as be open to other sources.

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Gene Therapy Convention I-SMART on May 2nd 2012, 4 PM to 7 PM, at Bangalore Under the Aegis of DRDO, DST, Dr.Agarwal ...

Dow to Share Laboratory Safety Expertise with University of Minnesota

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MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW - News) and University of Minnesota are expanding their strategic partnership by launching a pilot program to improve safety awareness and practices in the Department of Chemistry and Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science in the universitys College of Science and Engineering. The pilot program will leverage key elements of Dows best-in-class practices to help improve university laboratory safety.

The safety partnership reinforces Dows commitment to advancing research and development at leading U.S. universities. In support of the companys goal to support breakthrough technologies and ensure a strong pipeline of scientific talent for the nations workforce, Dow announced in October 2011 it would invest $25 million per year for 10 years among 11 academic institutions, including the University of Minnesota.

At Dow, we see it as part of our mission to support universities continue the tradition of excellence in chemical engineering, chemistry, and materials science, said Dr. William F. Banholzer, Ph.D., Dows chief technology officer and executive vice president of ventures, new business development, and licensing. The safety pilot program expands the partnership with University of Minnesota and leverages our strength in laboratory safety, which is a continuing challenge for universities everywhere. The Dow safety mindset is based on driving behavior toward incident prevention, sustained by renewed employee engagement and the responsibility to provide a safe work environment to our employees.

University laboratory safety has improved steadily over the last two decades, thanks largely to the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Laboratory Safety Act in 1990. However, with a transient student population and, at times, inadequate infrastructure (especially in pre-1990 facilities) nurturing and sustaining a safety culture is a challenge, say university researchers.

"This partnership is a tremendous opportunity for us to learn how to improve the safety culture in our two departments, which is always of paramount concern as we perform research at the forefront of chemistry, materials science and engineering," said Department of Chemistry chair William Tolman. "The insights and help we glean by working closely with Dow, an industry leader in safety practices, will be invaluable in promoting safe work in our laboratories."

University administration recognizes the impact of this new partnership to improve safety and the importance of partnering with industry leaders.

Dows partnership with the University of Minnesota is a great example of how todays companies can work with universities to accomplish mutual goals while contributing to our society, said Eric W. Kaler, president of the University of Minnesota. The safety partnership with Dow will help bring a renewed culture of safety awareness to our laboratories that supports our mission of education and driving groundbreaking research.

Successful elements of this safety pilot program could be leveraged to other departments within the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering and potentially to other universities.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Dow Chemical Company in this critically important aspect of research and education," said Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science head Frank Bates. "The consequences of this unique and innovative program will reverberate across Universities around the country."

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Dow to Share Laboratory Safety Expertise with University of Minnesota

Chemistry helps volleyball team to hot start

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By Chris Aguirre/Sports Writer Email a friend Printer friendly

Righettis Frankie Platero goes for the spike on Arroyo Grandes Taylor Jenish and Andrew Midyett in Tuesday nights volleyball match. //Joshua E. Duffy/Contributor

The Arroyo Grande High School boys volleyball team is off to a hot start, thats for certain.

The Eagles improved to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in PAC 7 League play after a 3-0 victory over the defending league champion Righetti Warriors on Tuesday.

The Eagles are a young team starting on the floor this season, with two sophomores currently in the rotation.

Our team is well-rounded, and thats why we are successful, Arroyo Grande head coach Laurel Allen said. We depend on everybody to play their part.

A few of the players having an impact so far this season are sophomore Jack Empey and senior Tanner Howard.

Empey is the setter, who despite being a sophomore brings a lot of experience to the floor.

You can see his experience and confidence on that court moving the ball around, Allen said of Empey.

Howard plays the libero position and has really worked hard over the past seasons to become one of the key players on the team, Allen said.

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Chemistry helps volleyball team to hot start

Eastman Chemical Company Receives Energy Efficiency Awards for 19th Consecutive Year

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For Immediate Release

Kingsport, Tenn., April 30, 2012 - Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) was one of 19 American Chemistry Council (ACC) members honored today at the annual ACC Responsible Care Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C. for implementing energy-efficiency improvements in 2011. Eastman received eight of the 67 awards presented for outstanding projects, including one of the 16 Exceptional Merit awards. This marks the 19th consecutive year Eastman has earned energy efficiency awards from ACC.

"Eastman is honored to be recognized again by ACC for our efforts in achieving energy efficiencies in our operations," said Jim Rogers, Chairman and CEO. "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through improved energy efficiency is a key part of our vision of being a sustainable chemical company."

Combined, Eastman`s winning projects save over 737,000 MMBTUs and 337,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. That`s enough energy to power 16,000 homes and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from over 60,000 cars!

"These eight winning projects exhibit innovative examples of control strategy modifications, trials with new types of equipment, creative process redesign and operational changes," said Sharon Nolen, Corporate Energy Program Manager. "Each success confirms our commitment to saving energy and continuous improvement in energy management."

Eastman received an Exceptional Merit award for the restructure of its energy program to a corporate-wide program with broad participation and executive level support, and an emphasis on corporate initiatives, designated funding, ENERGY STAR resources, and employee awareness and engagement in energy conservation. The company was named a 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for its enhanced energy management program and commitment to continuous improvements in energy efficiency.

Seven of Eastman`s awards were for Significant Improvement in Manufacturing. Eastman`s Longview, Texas site received an award for the following project: Fuel reduction in cracking furnaces - To reduce fuel usage in cracking furnaces without affecting plant reliability or production, better control over excess air in the furnaces was implemented. Measures taken included extensive maintenance on the burners, installation of sample points for manual readings, repair of broken draft controls and elimination of tramp air. This project resulted in annual energy savings of 213,662 MMBTU and an annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 12,392 tons.

Eastman`s Kingsport, Tennessee site received awards for these projects: Energy minimization in acetic acid refining - To reduce energy consumption by a refining system that removes impurities from acetic acid, a two-phase effort involving control strategy modifications and heat integration was implemented. This resulted in annual energy savings of 40,900 MMBTU and an annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 4,300 tons.

Energy reduction through leak repair in compressed air piping network - A leak survey identified, tagged and quantified leaks from an extensive network of piping that provides compressed air to many manufacturing divisions. The amount of the leak was converted into energy used to compress the air lost to the leaks and the amount of coal burned to generate electricity to run the compressors. This project resulted in annual energy savings of 43,000 MMBTU and an annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 4515 tons.

Reactor heat recovery - A partial condenser was added to recover heat from the vapor leaving a reactor to preheat the liquid feed to the reactor, providing a significant improvement in energy efficiency as well as increased capacity. This project resulted in annual energy savings of 45,280 MMBTU and an annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 4754 tons.

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Eastman Chemical Company Receives Energy Efficiency Awards for 19th Consecutive Year

Explosive chemistry on display

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Local science educators will conduct fun chemistry tasks during public event

When it comes to chemistry, who doesnt like a some explosive, but safe fun?

Local K-12 science teachers and members of the Oregon State University chemistry department are organizing a Corvallis Chemistry Show event that features 20 demonstrations.

The events organizers are promising explosions, loud noises and a lot of fun.

Weve got a lot of cool experiments planned, said Cheldelin Middle School science teacher Michael Krasilovsky. It should be a fun and educational experience for everyone.

Its scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at LaSells Stewart Center on the OSU campus, 875 S.W. 26th Street.

The all-ages event is free, but donations are encouraged. All donations benefit the Corvallis School District science programs.

This our second time doing this, said Linus Pauling Middle School science teacher Matt Stephens. We are trying to do this every two years. Wed love to hold it on annual basis, but thats not possible.

While the Corvallis Chemistry Show is fairly new, Stephens has conducted smaller-scale demonstrations in his classes for years.

Weve traveled to science conventions where they hold similar events, said Stefni Stephens, Matts wife and a science teacher at Cheldelin. Chemical companies have come in and done experiments that are a lot of fun.

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Explosive chemistry on display

Chemistry strong on playoff-bound Roughnecks

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The Calgary Roughnecks, despite their far-flung roster, stay in touch.

Sprinkled throughout the country from as far away as Vancouver and Toronto players can get together only on weekends.

But, thanks to the digital age, they are never more than a click or two apart.

Weve got a (BlackBerry Messenger) group, weve got e-mail chains, were sending pictures back and forth, were constantly making jokes, were betting on hockey games and that makes a big difference in a league like this, Roughnecks captain Andrew McBride said after Saturdays practice at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Its not one of these things where you dont know lots about the other people on the team. Guys care about other guys lives. They know the girlfriends, the wives, the kids names. They know if theyve had a bad week. Thats pretty special.

Some teams dont have that they come in, talk about lacrosse, play lacrosse, then go their separate ways. But were a very tight cohesive group. Wed go through a wall for each other.

Their hottest e-topic these days? Being three wins from National Lacrosse League glory.

You dont want to think in those terms, but Id be lying if I said everyone hasnt thought about it, said McBride, whose crew finished the regular season with a circuit-best 12-4 record. This week we were reflecting that were literally 180 minutes away. We sent e-mails: What is 180 minutes in the big picture? Its not a lot of time. Were very cognizant that this is our opportunity, that this is our time.

The Roughnecks, though, are careful not to gawk much beyond the nearest challenge.

As the West Divisions top seeds, they host the fourth-place Edmonton Rush on Saturday.

Here its worth noting that the Calgarians dominated the northerners during the regular season. Active is a 10-game winning streak.

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Chemistry strong on playoff-bound Roughnecks