Monthly Archives: April 2012

Food, nutrition to be focus of FSU commencement

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In a first for Framingham State University, this springs commencement will revolve around a central theme: food, hunger and nutrition.

It just seemed to come together and make sense, school spokesman Dan Magazu said of the commencement planning committees new approach to the May 20 graduate and undergraduate ceremonies. Its obviously a relevant topic a lot of food banks across the country are seeing more requests than ever.

Catherine DAmato, this years undergraduate commencement speaker, is president and CEO of one of them, the Greater Boston Food Bank. New Englands largest hunger relief organization, the food bank distributes more than 31 million pounds of food and grocery products every year.

Its really a pretty amazing organization, Magazu said.

DAmato has led the charitable business for the past 17 years. Prior to that, she headed up the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Im certain our students will be inspired by her story and her long-term dedication on behalf of the hungry, Framingham State President Timothy Flanagan said.

While Framingham State students infrequently work directly with the Boston-based food bank, many volunteer at the United Way of Tri-Countys new Pearl Street Cupboard & Cafe pantry, which gets many of its food stock and supplies from the organization.

Paul Mina, president of the United Way of Tri-County, is to receive one of two Citizen Laureate Awards that Framingham State will award at the commencement. The other will be given to Katie Millett, executive director of the Office for Nutrition, Health and Safety Programs within the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The school will also confer an honorary doctor of humane letters degree to Farm Aid, a Cambridge-based nonprofit that helps farmers stay on their land. The organizations executive director, Carolyn Mugar, will accept the degree at the ceremony.

Patricia Luoto, FSUs food and nutrition professor and director of the schools John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition, will serve as speaker at the graduate commencement.

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Food, nutrition to be focus of FSU commencement

Nutrition Counseling Deemed Critical for Weight Loss and Back Pain Relief

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FENTON, MO--(Marketwire -04/17/12)- Fenton chiropractor Dr. Margaret Freihaut, who owns and operates Fenton Family Chiropractic, reports there is a strong link between nutrition counseling for weight loss and reduced back pain. Freihaut designs nutritionally-based weight loss plans for many overweight patients. She explains that while some patients need to lose weight to fine-tune their overall wellness situation, she also helps patients struggling with severe obesity. She often recommends the hCG weight loss program for these patients. She says that the vast majority of patients who lose weight on her nutritional plans report improved health and pain relief for many of the conditions they previously suffered.

According to Dr. Freihaut, nutrition is critical for wellness and weight loss. "Combating obesity is one of the most critical health goals for doctors and patients today, and nutritional counseling and exercise counseling are central to that goal. We've known for a long time that being overweight exacerbates conditions like heart disease, diabetes, headaches, arthritis, back pain, and other illnesses, most of which are preventable." Dr. Freihaut provides personalized nutritional counseling along with chiropractic care to patients throughout Fenton, High Ridge, Valley Park, House Springs, Sunset Hills, Cedar Hill, and Arnold.

Dr. Freihaut cites a recent study by the Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York, which established a strong link between obesity and pain. While the exact mechanisms causing increased pain in obese people are still under investigation, the relationship between increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and pain were clear: People with BMIs from 30 to 34 reported 68 percent more pain than people with a normal BMI; people with BMIs from 35 to 39 reported 136 percent more pain; those struggling with a BMI over 40 complained of 245 percent more pain. Dr. Freihaut says that medical science shows that excess weight leads to poor posture, which pulls the musculoskeletal system out of alignment. This leads to pinched nerves, which can lead to more pain throughout the body.

According to Dr. Freihaut people lose weight better when they follow an individualized plan because not everybody responds well to the same type of nutritional program. She provides each patient a thorough exam first and then designs a plan specifically for them. She frequently recommends the hCG weight loss plan for severely obese patients because it takes weight off quickly through the use of low-dose pregnancy hormones and a low-calorie diet. Dr. Freihaut says the goal with all of her nutritional plans, including the hCG weight loss plan, is to help patients achieve a healthy weight and maintain it long term for optimal wellness.

Dr. Freihaut stresses how important it is to achieve a healthy weight: "Weight loss isn't just about looking good anymore; it's about staying alive and achieving a healthy quality of life that feels great."

Dr. Margaret Freihaut has been practicing in Fenton, MO since 1984 and has twice won the Doctor of the Year for Missouri Chiropractic Association Award. Her website is located at http://drfreihaut.com.

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Nutrition Counseling Deemed Critical for Weight Loss and Back Pain Relief

Pfizer Nears Sale of Infant Nutrition Unit

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Pfizer is nearing a deal to sell its infant nutrition business, with a winning buyer that could be picked as soon as next week, people briefed on the matter said Tuesday.

Nestl appears to be in the leading bidder for the business, these people said, cautioning that the sales process was ongoing and still could fall apart.

Should a deal be reached, it would be the latest move by Pfizer to reshuffle its business mix and focus on its core business of developing new medicines. Last spring, the company sold a division that makes capsule coatings for drugs to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for about $2.4 billion.

Pfizer announced last summer that it would explore a sale of the infant nutrition business, kicking off an auction that has drawn interest from a number of corporate buyers and private equity firms.

The unit, which reported about $2.1 billion in revenue last year, manufactures infant formula products around the world and is considered to be among Pfizer's faster-growing businesses.

While it trails Nestl in market share, the nutrition unit is big enough that a deal may still present some antitrust hurdles for the Swiss company. That may mean that Nestl may need to make some divestitures to win regulatory approval.

Among the other bidders for the business are Danone and Mead Johnson, the people briefed on the matter said.

Also last summer, Pfizer said that it was exploring strategic options for its animal health business, a larger unit that generated more than $4 billion in revenue last year. The drugmaker has picked three banks - JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley - to lead the stock sale of the division, the people briefed on that process said.

Representatives for Pfizer and Nestl were not immediately available for comment.

News of Pfizer's plans was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal online.

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Pathway Genomics Adds World-Renowned Obesity and Nutrition Experts to Scientific Advisory Board

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SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Pathway Genomics Corporation, a genetic testing laboratory specializing in nutrition and exercise response, inherited disease, prescription drug response and health condition risks, has established a world-leading scientific advisory board.

Among the board members are Arne Astrup, M.D., Ph.D., head of the department of human nutrition at the University of Copenhagen, Claude Bouchard, Ph.D., executive director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and Ken Fujioka, M.D., director of the Scripps Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center all known for their breakthrough discoveries in obesity research, nutrition and weight management clinical trials.

Collaborating with outside experts of this caliber is vital for Pathway to bring the latest scientific and technological advancements and methods in genomic and translational medicine to health care providers and their patients, said Michael Nova, M.D., Pathway Genomics chief medical officer. Pathways mission is to educate and empower people by providing actionable genetic information our scientific advisory board is an essential part of that effort.

Pathways scientific advisory board consists of 10 leaders in various fields including behavioral genetics, bioinformatics, biostatistics, endocrinology, human epigenetics, metabolism, nutrigenomics, nutrition, obesity and exercise genetics, oncology, and weight management. To view the companys full scientific advisory board, visit http://www.pathway.com/sab.

About Pathway Genomics

Pathway Genomics owns and operates an on-site genetic testing laboratory that is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), accredited in accordance with the U.S. Health and Human Services Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988, and licensed by the state of California. The company uses customized and scientifically validated technologies to generate personalized reports, which address a variety of medical issues, including an individuals carrier status for recessive genetic conditions, food metabolism and exercise response, prescription drug response, and propensity to develop certain diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. For more information about Pathway Genomics, visit http://www.pathway.com.

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Pfizer Said to Pick Nutrition Unit Buyer as Soon as Next Week

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By Jeffrey McCracken and Drew Armstrong - Wed Apr 18 09:53:52 GMT 2012

Pfizer said that no decisions have been made on the animal-health and infant-nutrition businesses.

Pfizer said that no decisions have been made on the animal-health and infant-nutrition businesses. Photographer: Munshi Ahmed/Bloomberg

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) may select a buyer for its infant-nutrition unit as soon as next week after receiving bids from Nestle SA (NESN) and Danone SA (BN), according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Nestle and Danone each submitted final offers of about $10 billion for the business, said the people, who declined to be identified because the discussions are private. Other consumer companies and private-equity firms are also involved in the auction because they may alleviate the antitrust risk for the bidders, one person said yesterday.

Danone and Nestle have been working on ways to overcome antitrust hurdles, people familiar with the matter said in February. At that time, Nestle was considering buying all of Pfizers infant-nutrition assets and then conducting an auction to sell what it cant keep because of regulatory concerns it would become too dominant in some markets, one person said. Danone was weighing a joint bid with Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. (MJN), the people said then.

This deal makes huge strategic sense for Nestle, Andrew Wood, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, wrote today in a note to clients. It is in the right categories and the right markets and with a reasonable price we would expect a fairly positive reaction from investors.

The companies talks with Pfizer could still break down and a deal may not be reached.

Danone has told outsiders it is unlikely to win the auction and Nestle may be the final bidder, said a person familiar with the matter. Pfizer has continued to speak to Danone and is trying to keep them in the process as bids are evaluated, the person said. A third bidder that was in the running is no longer in the auction, the person said.

Pfizer, based in New York, also is planning an initial public offering for its animal-health unit and has hired JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp. and Morgan Stanley to handle that sale, one person said. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier yesterday on Pfizers plans.

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Pfizer Said to Pick Nutrition Unit Buyer as Soon as Next Week

Intestinal flora of cockroaches and termites reflects these insects’ family relationships, and divergent diets

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Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany, have compared the microbial ecosystems in the intestines termites and cockroaches, with fascinating results. The research is published in the April Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

It may be hard for people outside of certain scientific domains to muster anything but disgust for termites and cockroaches. Cockroaches, after all, infest our homes, and termites eat them. But despite their different life strategiestermites feed exclusively on wood, while cockroaches are the epitome of omnivorythese two culturally stigmatized insects are closest relatives. The microbial denizens of the termite gut have been the objects of intense study by microbiologists, with the goal of greatly boosting the conversion efficiency of cellulosic materials to biofuels, but cockroaches intestinal inhabitants have gone ignored, despite suspicions that pathogens are among them.

We wanted to determine to what extent, despite striking differences in diet, the gut community of cockroaches resembles that of their closest relatives, the termites, says coauthor Claire L. Thompson. We found that termites and cockroaches contain many gut bacteria of the same families, which indicates that the evolutionary history of the host is an important factor determining the structure of the gut microbial community. However, we found also that the abundance of these different lineages differs fundamentally between termites and cockroaches, which we ascribe to their different diets. In fact, she says, the relative abundance of different bacterial groups in the cockroach gut more closely resembles that of other omnivores, such as humans and mice.

Our research suggests that the gut microbiota of termites and cockroaches reflects both their common evolutionary origin and their different feeding habits, says Thompson. Many bacterial lineages seem to have been associated with the cockroaches already when the termites split off more than 130 million years ago. Additionally, the researchers showed that the bacterial community of the cockroach intestine is much more complex than it appeared from previous cultivation-based studies, and disease causing microorganisms therein are actually quite rare.

In the paper, the researchers note that termites fall within the radiation of cockroaches, and that they should be considered merely a family of social cockroaches. But current taxonomy has yet to catch up with these relatively recent findings.

More information: C. Schauer, et al, 2012. The bacterial community in the gut of the cockroach Shelfordella lateralis reflects the close evolutionary relatedness of cockroaches and termites. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 78:2758-2767. doi:10.1128/AEM.07788-11

Provided by American Society for Microbiology

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Oregon State chooses microbiology researcher as new dean of College of Agricultural Sciences

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Dan Arp, a microbiology researcher and professor, is the new dean of Oregon State Universitys College of Agricultural Sciences.

Arp has headed OSUs Honors College program since 2008 and previously chaired the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at OSU. Hes among a handful of faculty members designated a distinguished professor and is affiliated with the Center for Genome Research and Bio-computing on campus. His expertise is in agricultural microorganisms, nitrification and the biology of bacteria and bio-remediation.

Arp replaces Sonny Ramaswamy, who in March was chosen by President Obama to lead the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

Oregon State Provost Sabah Randhawa said Arp will position the college as a transformative agriculture and natural resources enterprise.

The College of Agricultural Sciences includes 15 academic departments, an agricultural experiment station with 11 branch research stations around the state. More than 1,600 students are enrolled.

--Eric Mortenson

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Oregon State chooses microbiology researcher as new dean of College of Agricultural Sciences

Hot new manufacturing tool: A temperature-controlled microbe

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Public release date: 17-Apr-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jim Sliwa jsliwa@asmusa.org 202-942-9297 American Society for Microbiology

Many manufacturing processes rely on microorganisms to perform tricky chemical transformations or make substances from simple starting materials. The authors of a study appearing in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, on April 17 have found a way to control a heat-loving microbe with a temperature switch: it makes a product at low temperatures but not at high temperatures. The innovation could make it easier to use microorganisms as miniature factories for the production of needed materials like biofuels.

This is the first time a targeted modification of a hyperthermophile (heat-loving microorganism) has been accomplished, say the authors, providing a new perspective on engineering microorganisms for bioproduct and biofuel formation.

Originally isolated from hot marine sediments, the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus grows best at temperatures around 100C (212F). P. furiosus is an archaeon, single-celled organisms that bear a resemblance to bacteria, but they excel at carrying out many processes that bacteria cannot accomplish. Like other hyperthermophiles, P. furiosus' enzymes are stable at the high temperatures that facilitate many industrial processes, making it a well-used tool in biotechnology and manufacturing. But not all products can be made at high heat. Some enzymes will only work at lower temperatures.

In the study in mBio, the authors inserted a gene from another organism into P. furiosus and coaxed it to use that gene to make a new product by simply lowering the temperature. The donor organism, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, prefers to grow at a relatively cool 78C, so the protein product of its gene, lactate dehydrogenase, is most stable at that comparatively low temperature.

The authors of the study inserted the lactate dehyrogenase gene into a strategic spot, right next to a cold shock promoter that "turns on" the genes around it when P. furiosus is out in the cold at 72C. This essentially gives scientists a switch for controlling lactate production: put the organism at 72C to turn on lactate production, restore it to 100C to turn it off, thus preventing the need for chemical inducers. What's more, since P. furiosus is mostly shut down at these lower temperatures, making the new product doesn't interfere with its metabolism, or vice-versa.

The lead author on the study, Michael Adams of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Georgia, explains that this is the key benefit of this system: although P. furiosus now makes the enzyme that carries out the process, at these lower temperatures the organism's other metabolic processes don't get in the way.

"The hyperthermophile is essentially the bioreactor that contains the foreign enzymes," says Adams. P. furiosus just supplies cofactors and a cytoplasmic environment for the highly active foreign enzymes, according to Adams. This makes for a cleaner, more controllable reaction.

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Senior grows his talent in microbiology

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MICHIGAN CITY Teachers often refer to a light bulb moment when students finally understand the lesson. Two science teachers at Michigan City High School had their own light bulb moments, courtesy of senior Matthew Bietry who has taken his studies of microbiology to new levels.

Bietry, a three-year participant on the Science Olympiad team, developed an interest in microbiology in his sophomore year. Spurred by success at his first Science Olympiad competition, Bietry unleashed his passion delving into college-level textbooks to become an expert in his field. The result was several gold medals to add to his achievements, as well as the unwavering admiration of his teacher Andrew Jasicki and Science Olympiad coach Bob Gray.

I first met Matt when he came to my classroom to convince me to take a risk and allow him to take my class, Jasicki recalled. He wanted to enter an advanced biology course but his chemistry grade didnt fulfill the requirement. He assured me that he could do all of the work in my course so I said okay. He didnt disappoint me.

Bietry recalled the same story, and offers his own praise of his teacher, whom he calls a role model. He spent a lot of time out of his busy schedule to teach me things about microbiology, Bietry said.

Bietry said working in the lab for the Science Olympiad is what hooked his passion for microbiology. During that first year, he rode the microbiology competition on the coat tails of a more experienced member, part of the team that won a gold medal that year.

I felt guilty about that, Bietry said.

To compensate, he began reading all he could about microbiology, visiting college courses, buying college text books and searching for knowledge. He compiled a thick notebook of handwritten notes chronicling his research. This handwritten research volume is being left behind at MCHS when Bietry graduates for the Science Olympiad team his legacy to an activity that he says changed his life.

Gray watched Bietrys metamorphosis that began with his first Science Olympiad competition. One medal that first year of competition was the spark, but Bietrys own drive for knowledge was the fuel that propelled Bietry to continue collecting medals in both his junior and senior year. He even placed eighth in the state. And that one gold medal has turned into three golds and one bronze overall.

To be truthful, I didnt recognize his ability until after his success at the first Olympiad, Jasicki said. After that, I just became his assistant in the lab. He asked for materials and I would supply them. If he had a question, I would try to supply the answer he needed. I have never seen a student so interested in bacteriology. Matt really did a lot of research outside of school. What he liked most about my class is that it had a laboratory where he could work on his techniques.

Gray also faced a barrage of questions from Bietry, who served as Science Olympiad team captain in his junior and senior years. He asks questions just about non-stop, Gray said. These are good questions, not designed to waste time.

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County Commissioners Approve Firefighters Contract

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Posted: Apr. 17, 2012 | 5:33 p.m.

The Clark County Commission on Tuesday ratified a three-year contract agreement with firefighters that county officials say will save taxpayers about $60 million over 25 years.

The deal, which runs from July 1 to June 30, 2015, eliminates longevity pay for new hires, where county staff expects to reap most of the savings, and freezes cost-of-living adjustments for the first two years with the option of allowing either party to renegotiate the third year.

Last week, union members approved the agreement, the third consecutive accord in 18 months to include major financial concessions.

Commissioners praised county staff and the union for reaching an agreement and used the discussion to publicly support firefighters caught in the cross hairs because of a few accused of abusing sick leave and overtime.

"It's time for people to recognize that our fire department does a darn good job; these are good men and women," Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said. "You should never discriminate or paint everyone with a broad brush. I'm hoping to get past the spitting on people and derogatory comments made to our firefighters."

Commissioner Tom Collins invited people to visit a firehouse.

"Go out on a call and watch them save a life, put a bloodied body back together from a car wreck or get somebody's heart beating again," Collins said. "Not just anybody knows how to do that, and that's worth something."

County officials have said they spend about $25 million a year on overall longevity pay, originally used to attract employees and reward them annually for their years of service after eight years.

Longevity pay made up about 8 percent of firefighter pay and 15 percent of battalion chief pay, according to the most recent employee compensation report.

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Galleries reflect artistic eyes of curators

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Two South Tampa galleries celebrate their longevity this month in different ways: One is hosting a celebratory exhibit of works by gallery artists; the other is opening a new location across Tampa Bay.

For both it's a celebration of vision, verve and pluck.

In 1987, Cathy Clayton opened the art gallery that bears her name at 4105 South MacDill Ave.

Armed with a degree in art education from the University of South Florida and experience she gained from working a few years at a gallery in Tampa, she was equipped to plunge into the challenging market of selling art.

"I actually ended up representing a lot of the professors who taught me, like George Pappas; or professors who were there at the school while I was there, like Bruce Marsh and Jeffrey Kronsnoble," she said.

Mark Feingold, who also has a degree in art education and 10 years experience in helping put up exhibits at the Tampa Museum of Art, joined Clayton in 1994. He helped promote the framing aspect of the business and rapidly moved into bigger jobs such as managing the gallery, curating exhibits and selecting artists.

"Cathy and I share the same sensibilities about artists and art so she has always included me in her work," Feingold said. "We usually agree on things."

One of the things they agree on is not to follow trends or fads.

"I think we have longevity because we've consistently represented not only professional and talented artists, but we also consistently represented a certain aesthetic," Clayton said. "We don't represent an artist that we wouldn't have in our own collection. We never sold art as an investment. We see art as an investment in beauty and in the culture of Florida and in helping these local artists to thrive and succeed."

A lot of the gallery artists have been with Clayton for 20 years some longer. That kind of long-term presence was something Feingold thought about while conceiving the current exhibit which celebrates the gallery's 25th anniversary.

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Barbara Quinn: Genetically modified food facts

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"What are your thoughts on genetically modified foods?" I asked a horticulturist friend.

"It's probably impossible to get an unbiased opinion from either side," he said. On the other hand, he reminded me, life is full of "genetic modifications." Any time a male and female come together to produce offspring either in plants, animals, or humans there is a mixing of genes in the process. And the new offspring are new and different hopefully with desirable traits from both parents.

Genetic manipulation in the plant world is not new, he said. What we call "heirloom" tomatoes were the new varieties a hundred years ago. Growers of food continually mix genetic material to come up with hardier, more tasteful and often more nutritious varieties.

Made me think of my Uncle Cab from Arizona. He was a pharmacist by profession and a farmer by hobby. He had a small orchard where he practiced grafting one species of fruit tree to another. I remember seeing a grapefruit growing on his orange tree that I thought was pretty nifty.

Critics argue that we shouldn't artificially insert genes where they shouldn't be inserted ... that genetic engineering is "an imprecise process" prone to mistakes.

Au contraire, according to Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D, UC Berkeley Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (www.ucbiotech.org). In classical plant breeding, she explains, when and where a gene is "expressed" is not controlled

Another concern is that, unlike Uncle Cab's orange/grapefruit tree, biotechnology allows for genes from entirely different species to produce ... who knows what?

In many cases this can be good, however. Insulin medication, for example, is genetically engineered. Prior to 1980, this hormone the key to life for people with type 1 diabetes had to be extracted from the pancreas of cows and pigs. Today, through a process called "recombinant DNA technology," the genetic code (DNA) to make pure human insulin is introduced into organisms that are then able to manufacture this vital medicine in unlimited amounts.

And while one side argues that plants produced by selectively manipulating genetic material can cause health concerns, others argue that genetically modified foods are a humanitarian step to care for our world.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children around the world, affecting an estimated 250million preschool children. Genetically modified rice that is high in beta carotene (a nutrient that converts to vitamin A in the body) is one way to supplement this nutrient in the diets of children who get much of their nourishment from this one staple food.

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Beyond silicon capitalism to the individual as integrated genetic circuit

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By John Stanton

"After the industries of death brought about by the gas chambers and concentration camps, the industries of life now offer the possibility of a genetically modified human race, calling into question humans born of blood and sperm and therefore the wild, the natural part of humanity. The "naturals" would become the new savages with augmented people leading a new humanity shaped less by political totalitarianism than bioengineering. And now we have entered the question of hyper racism. The deadly consequences of the great ecological fear are extremely disturbing. We are at risk of seeing not military dissuasion established between powers, but civil dissuasion between people.

What would be behind this civil dissuasion? The third bomb, which in truth has not yet exploded, already carries a name: the genetic bomb. It is the mutation of the human species by genetic engineering: the production of a human being with a smaller ecological footprint, consuming less air water and energy; the installation of a genetically modified organism to adapt to new environmental conditions, a new human being with a smaller ecological footprint because it uses less proteins water and oxygen, a creature made compatible with an Earth of dwindling resources..."

"The communism of effects is the privatization of communism. Communism has not disappeared from history; it has been privatized, creating a community of synchronized emotions. Something happened with progress and its propaganda to make us constantly preoccupied with progress and perpetually occupied by it. We are now in a situation of occupation in both the temporal and martial meanings of the word: we are under the pressure of permanent occupation. This occupation places us under surveillance, watching us, revealing us and it is increasingly present, increasingly accepted as a fate, a destiny. Promoting progress means that we are always behind: on the high speed Internet, on our Facebook profile, on our email inbox. There are always updates to be made: we are the objects of daily masochism and under constant tension."

The excerpts above are taken from the book The Administration of Fear. Inside is an interview with Paul Virilio conducted by Bertrand Richard. The book is part of the Semiotext(e) Intervention series and is distributed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The book is at once intellectually stimulating and terribly frightening. Virilio's revelations appeal: he has diagnosed the human condition in the early part of the 21st Century with pointed accuracy and may have predicted its end during some century to come. The title Administration of Fear does not nearly capture the wide range of topics ecological, social and political covered in the 93 page learning experience.

His revelatory statements inspire a belief that it is time to move the focus, the critique past capitalism, particularly capitalism accelerated by the agent silicon. The speed of life-economic, political, and social-and the subsequent compression of time and distance is the reality of the day. Money/capital flows and accumulates. Who or what gets that money is decided by algorithms deep within the world of electronic finance. A human may be encountered in such transactions but only briefly. So, who or what is in front of and behind the electronic facade? The answer is everyone and no one.

There are no critiques of silicon capitalism that have not already been written. The "isms" should focus on silicon individualism and collectivism going forward. How can humanity avoid becoming an integrated genetic circuit or node? How can humanity avoid Virilio's genetically engineered human?

It seems pointless now to rage against silicon based capitalism, at once perfidious and effective. Over the centuries, it has proven that it knows no ideology and, in fact, as Marcuse said, "It has delivered the goods.". It is flexible enough to fit any form of politics/governance. Silicon capitalism comes in all flavors: communist, terrorist, democratic, socialist, totalitarian, Judeo-Christian, or Muslim. Perhaps silicon capitalism has been so reviled because its practice reveals human beings as predators one moment and cooperative gathers at another: it reveals innate human duplicity, looking in the mirror is painful. Or maybe its ability to absorb the most radical philosophies and ideas that humans can muster disturbs; yesterday's radical song is today's car commercial. Everyone relents, there is no space to hide anymore.

Silicon capitalism's most triumphant product was the Internet and World Wide Web, and the computing and telecommunications devices that attach humans to humans, and humans to the Net/Web. In doing this, it has created non-reflective plug and play individuals and collectives around the globe. This dynamic threatens to erase being, thought, mind and self as proactive agents that filter incoming stimulation to reactive integrated genetic circuits prompted for time-restricted reflexive action. Virilio is rides exactly the right train of thought in stating that humanity's survival may depend on the creation of genetically designed human beings built to last in a world of empty concrete spaces, depleted resources and recurring ecological disasters. He makes perfect sense. Privatized communism dominates.

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Not by DNA alone: How the epigenetics revolution is fostering new medicines

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Public release date: 18-Apr-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Michael Bernstein m_bernstein@acs.org 202-872-6042 American Chemical Society

Scientific insights that expand on the teachings of Mendel, Watson and Crick, and underpinnings of the Human Genome Project are moving drug companies along the path to development of new medicines based on deeper insights into how factors other than the genetic code influence health and disease. That's the topic of the cover story in the current edition of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society.

The article, by C&EN Senior Editor Lisa M. Jarvis, focuses on the quiet revolution in epigenetics that has been sweeping through biology, chemistry and other scientific fields for the last several years. It explains how scientists initially believed that cracking the genetic code, achieved a decade ago, would lay out a straight path for inventing new medicines: Identify the genetic mutation behind a disease and then find a drug that overcomes it. But scientists now know that another layer of biochemical controls, an epigenetics layer, influences how and when genes work in health and disease without changing DNA itself. Early epigenetics research already produced four drugs currently approved to treat blood cancer. But these treatments lack selectivity, limiting their effectiveness.

Now, Jarvis explains, companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Epizyme and Constellation Pharmaceuticals are moving ahead to develop the next generation of epigenetic drugs, particularly for cancer. Armed with a better understanding of how specific epigenetic enzymes are implicated in disease, they are designing compounds to block the activity of those enzymes. The article describes GSK's announcement earlier this month of an epigenetic inhibitor it has developed that might fight lymphoma. "Although no one will know the value of the new epigenetic compounds until they are tested in humans, scientists are confident that the field is moving forward with the right balance of caution and enthusiasm," Jarvis concludes.

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Not by DNA alone: How the epigenetics revolution is fostering new medicines

Dyrdek Enterprises acquires DNA Distribution

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Updated: April 18, 2012, 4:51 PM ET

Dyrdek Enterprises Incorporated -- the business arm of pro skater, entertainer, and entrepreneur Rob Dyrdek -- announced Tuesday that it had acquired DNA Distribution from Burton after year-long discussions. DNA includes skateboarding brands Alien Workshop, Habitat and Reflex.

DNA is a foremost supplier of skateboard decks, wheels, trucks, hardware, grip tape, and other accesories. Based out of Dayton, Ohio, Chris Carter and Mike Hill started DNA in 1990, with Alien Workshop as its original label. Dyrdek's ties to Alien Workshop in particular stretch to both the company's early days and his as a young pro skater in the early 90s. "It's hard to put into words what an amazing opportunity this is for me," Dyrdek said in a prepared statement. "I am extremely proud to now own the company that first sponsored me 20 years ago."

In the same release, Burton founder and CEO Jake Burton said, "It's been an honor to call DNA part of the Burton family for the past four years." And while Burton COO Mike Rees acknowledged in January that the company was in talks with Dyrdek about transferring DNA, the motivations behind the transaction -- and which party initiated it -- remain unclear.

Dyrdek established Drydek Enterprises in 1999, and in 2010 launched Street League Skateboarding, whose next season begins in May. His portfolio also contains connections to DC Shoes, Monster, IVI Vision, and the Rob Dyrdek Foundation, founded in 2003, to assist communities with the design, development, construction, and promotion of skateparks.

Dyrdek, the president of his namesake company, has seen his profile extend far beyond the realm of skateboarding in part due to his MTV television shows "Rob & Big," "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory," and "Ridiculousness."

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Police collect DNA from middle-schoolers in murder investigation

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Detectives have taken DNA samples from several Sacramento middle-school students in connection with the murder investigation into the death of a 13-year-old girl who was found stabbed, strangled and beaten to death at a park.

Jessica Funk-Haslam was found in the dugout of a baseball field at Rosemont Park on March 5. Investigators saythe girl had argued with her mother and lefthome the night before. She boarded a nearby light-rail train,transferred to a bus and got off near the park.

Police have released surveillance video from a neighbor near the park showing a suspicious man running away from the park along Rosemont Drive toward Mayhew Road about the time Jessica was killed. It showed him ducking down a side street when a car approached.

But last week the investigation took a turn when Sacramento County detectives showed up at Albert Einstein Middle School where Jessica had attended to talk to three or four students and to take DNA cheek swabs from them.

This is the first indication that there may be a possible DNA link to the case, Fox 40 Sacramento reported.

"My child's in a room with two detectives being questioned and grilled and I'm sure he was quite frightened, which is very upsetting," said Michaela Brown, the mother of one of the students who was questioned.

Authorities said they do not need parental consent to obtain a DNA swab.

"Regardless of whether the individual is an adult or a juvenile, they are capable of giving consent. We don't require the consent of a parent if we're doing it with someone of a younger age," said Deputy Jason Ramos of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

If detectives had wanted to draw blood from the middle-schoolers, then a parent would have to be present and because of the 4th Amendment. Detectives would also need a warrant.

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Police collect DNA from middle-schoolers in murder investigation

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Study reveals 'extraordinary' DNA

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17 April 2012 Last updated at 08:10 ET

The DNA of people living in Scotland has "extraordinary" and "unexpected" diversity, according to a new study.

The Scotland's DNA project, led by Edinburgh University's Dr Jim Wilson, has tested almost 1,000 Scots in the last four months to determine the genetic roots of people in the country.

The project discovered four new male lineages, which account for one in 10 Scottish men.

It also found that actor Tom Conti is related to Napoleon Bonaparte.

Scotland's DNA was set up by Dr Wilson along with historian Alistair Moffat, the current rector of St Andrews University.

Using new technology, scientists were able to pinpoint a participant's DNA marker, from which they tracked the person's history and lineage.

Conti and Napoleon both share the M34 marker, which is Saracen in origin.

The project found that Scotland has almost 100 different groups of male ancestry from across Europe and further afield.

More than 150 different types of female DNA from Europe, Asia and Africa were discovered.

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Cops Take School Kids' DNA in Murder Case

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Apr 18, 2012 9:29pm

(Image Credit: ABC)

Samples of DNA were collected without parental consent from students at a Sacramento, Calif.,middle school in connection with the murder of an 8th grade student who was found stabbed, strangled and beaten to death near the dugout of a local park.

The Sacramento Sheriffs Department, which has been spearheading the investigation into the murder of Jessica Funk-Haslam, 13, said parental consent was not required in the DNA collection and interview of minors, several of whom were taken out of class during the day last week at Albert Einstein Middle School.

These are interviews, not interrogations, Sheriffs Deputy Jason Ramos told ABCNews.com. They are all consensual. Once its done, there is a mechanism in place for school administrators to notify parents.

Ramos said the DNA collection was done at the time of the interview so efforts didnt have to be duplicated. Ramos cautioned that the collection did not necessarily mean authorities had a DNA profile of the suspect.

Over the past few weeks, police have sifted through a number of leads and alibis but have been unable to name a suspect in Jessicas murder.

The teens body was found at Rosemont Community Park on the morning of March 6. Jessica was reportedly arguing with her mother the night before and voluntarily left her home and boarded local transportation to a local park.

There is nothing under California law that prohibits DNA collection of consenting minors, said John Myers, a professor at the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento.

I think the answer is, kids can consent, and if they consented and it was knowing and intelligent, [law enforcement] can do the search, he told the Sacramento Bee.

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DNA Brands and Charles Morgan Securities Sign Agreement

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BOCA RATON, Fla., April 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DNA Brands, Inc. (OTCBB:DNAX.OB - News) today announced that it has entered into an agreement that appointed Charles Morgan Securities, Inc., as its Investment Banker. Under the terms of the Agreement, Charles Morgan has agreed to assist in an initial equity capital raise of $1.5 million at $0.30 per share. A second capital raise of $2.5 is anticipated in the future at a price to be determined. The funds will be used by DNA to increase inventory and implement an aggressive marketing and advertising campaign.

"We are so very pleased to have found a group like Charles Morgan Securities, who not only shares in our vision but is also willing to roll up their sleeves to provide support on so many levels," said DNA's CEO Darren Marks. "Having successful and experienced investment bankers behind us, like Paul Taboada, Charles Morgan's CEO, will allow DNA's management to direct all of its efforts building sales and growing the brand. Specifically, we plan to greatly increase points of distribution (PODS) throughout Florida where we have demonstrated increasingly strong sales and demand for the brand. In addition, this Agreement will allow us to complete the build out of regional markets like California, Wisconsin, Texas and New York. Our goal is to have national distribution by 2014," concluded Marks.

Paul Taboada, CEO of Charles Morgan Securities, Inc., said, "I am excited about working with DNA Brands and their management team. I believe together with the proper funding we can develop a regional brand that has the potential to grow nationally. I have been reviewing the business plan as well as the roll out plan for other states and believe the management team is one that will deliver for all shareholders involved. I am looking into more avenues of distribution as well as other retailers that will carry the brand and am pleased with the response so far. I believe that this company will grow and it's growth will be illustrated in the company's financials as we grow revenues and penetrate new markets. We have signed a long term investment banking deal with DNA BRANDS and I look optimistically toward the future to build this brand and distribute the product into new markets."

About DNA Brands, Inc.

DNA BRANDS, make DNA Energy Drink(R), the award-winning, best-tasting energy drink at the 2010 World Beverage Competition, and DNA Shred Stix(TM). DNA Energy Drink(R) is a proprietary blend of quality ingredients in four flavors Citrus, Lemon Lime, Sugar Free Citrus and CRANRAZBERRY. DNA is a proud sponsor of many action sport teams consisting of top athletes from Motorcross, Surf, Wakeboard and Skateboard has received tremendous TV and media coverage.

Independent retailers throughout the state sell the DNA Brand products as well as national retailers including Walgreens, Race Trac and Circle K. Distribution is primarily through Grass Roots Beverage the Company's wholly owned subsidiary and select Miller and Anheuser-Bush distributors in select markets.

True to its actions sports roots, DNA BRANDS, INC., has earned national recognition through its sponsorship of the DNA Energy Drink/Jeff Ward Racing team where it competes on a world-class level in Supercross and Motocross, reaching millions of fans. DNA Energy Drink(R) can also be found in other action sports such as Surfing, BMX, Wakeboarding and Skateboarding and its athletes are recognized stars in their own right.

For more information about DNA Energy Drink, its athletes and sponsorships, please visit http://www.dnabrandsusa.com or contact:

Darren M. Marks, President (954) 970 3826 darren@dnaenergydrink.com

The DNA Beverage Corp. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7258

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Science, Social Media, #SciComm and Sunny San Diego

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Your Hip Hop Maven of Science is bustin a move this weekend and headed to San Diego, California. I received an invite to attend the 2012 Experimental Biology Conference. Experimental Biology is one of the largest life sciences professional conferences 14,000 attendees. Its a convocation of several scientific societies under the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). I am honored to be speaking at a Science Communication Symposium sponsored by the American Physiological Society (APS), and sharing the dais with the most amazing superstars in online science outreach, EVAH!

I am beyond excited about this. Plus, it gives me a very new arena to network with others FASEB Biologists. Im a biologist and do experiments, but for whatever reason, my science societies arent members of the Experimental Biology sect. FASEB membership includes science societies that focus on applied biology in the health biomedical related research arenas. All of my science societies are part of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) yeah, I know the names certainly dont help clear things up. But AIBS societies are more of the basic biology societies covering alot of the taxonomy, natural history, agriculture, and natural resources fields. I can see how they are different. However, in the last year, Ive become acquainted with FASEB and some of its member organizations. And I have to say this much, FASEB offers an incredible amount of support (financial and otherwise) to students and junior professionals. FASEB has an undeniable committement to diversity and inclusion in STEM and higher education. FASEB sponsors a number of minority access programs such as the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) and has a very strong presence at the SACNAS and ABRCMS annual meetings. Thanks to Alberto Roca of Minority Postdoc.org for introducing me to these amazing organizations and facilitating my attendance to each.

In fact, Ill be presenting a version of this talk at APS: Blogging, Tweeting, & Writing: How an Online Presence can Impact Science and Your Career. But since the goal of the panel is provide wisdom to thec rowd, I expect it be very interactive. And I know my co-panelists, itll sure to be as much fun as it is informative. In fact, theyve each made announcements. Jason Goldman Science and Social Media at Experimental Biology in San Diego Dr. Isis Sessions of Interest at#EB2012 PH Lane Packing for #EB2012 (which reminds me to pack some nice clothes for this trip).

Some folks have asked about live streaming. Im not sure about that, but you can follow the hashtag #apsComm and us on twitter @DNLee5, @DrIsis, @PHLane, @JGold85. Were speaking at 3 pm PST.

Some other #SciComm friends will be at #EB2012 the official hashtag of the meeting such as @SciCurious whose an official blogger for the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics,@hapsci, official meeting blogger for ASBMB, and @Comprendia who is co-hosting an event with ASBMB at the meeting. Cant wait to see all of these great people and many more.

Also check out: Experimental Biology @ExpBio and American Physiology Society Executive Director @ExecDirectorAPS

Although, there wont be many talks or posters in my specific field, I am a science nerd in general. I love learning new things. So I have no doubt Ill be engaged, plus Im a complete nut for Exhibit Hall Swag. However, I am looking forward to any presentations on physiology ad behavior and Ive got my eye out for anyone who does ANY kind of bio-behavior work with rodents. Ive got some experimental design work to do and I think I can get some new insight from researchers who see things a little differently than I do. So all in all, Im looking forward to the entire thing: the presenting, the presentations, the networking, the professional development (and the partying). Ha!

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Science, Social Media, #SciComm and Sunny San Diego