Monthly Archives: June 2012

Financial Planners Earning Trust of Military Families, First Command Reports

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FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

At a time when defense downsizing and career uncertainty is driving financial worries in Americas military families, men and women in uniform are putting their trust in financial planners.

Recent survey findings from the First Command Financial Behaviors Index reveal that 86 percent of middle-class military families (senior NCOs and commissioned officers in pay grades E-6 and above with household incomes of at least $50,000)who work with a financial planner say they trust their planner. Servicemembers say planners are earning that trust through the personalized care they are providing during this time of change.

Through personalized advice and knowledgeable service, financial planners are delivering a sense of security to military professionals in a challenging environment, said Scott Spiker, CEO of First Command. The professional advice and service offered by planners generates important economic and emotional support. The high degree of trust revealed in our survey results underscores the profound value that financial planners bring to the lives of servicemembers and their families.

Servicemembers who trust their own personal financial planner attribute that feeling to a variety of factors, including:

The Index reveals 37 percent of middle-class military families have a financial planner, and more servicemembers may soon join them. Among survey respondents without a financial planner one in five say they are likely to engage with one in 2012. Many servicemembers will likely turn to friends and family for help in the decision-making process; 45 percent of respondents who work with a financial planner based their hiring decision on a recommendation.

Consumers are looking to put their trust in a professional, someone who is willing to listen and is committed to providing honest guidance and patient advice, Spiker said. What they want is a financial coach who will help them in their pursuit of financial security and success.

About the First Command Financial Behaviors Index

Compiled by Sentient Decision Science, Inc., the First Command Financial Behaviors Index assesses trends among the American publics financial behaviors, attitudes and intentions through a monthly survey of approximately 530 U.S. consumers aged 25 to 70 with annual household incomes of at least $50,000. Results are reported quarterly. The margin of error is +/- 4.3 percent with a 95 percent level of confidence. http://www.firstcommand.com/research

About Sentient Decision Science, Inc.

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Financial Planners Earning Trust of Military Families, First Command Reports

Gmail vs. Yahoo Mail Users: Who Spends More on Electricity?

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ARLINGTON, Va., June 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yahoo Mail users will spend $110 more this year on electricity compared to Gmail users according to Opower, the global leader in energy information software for the utility industry. Based on the company's cutting-edge behavioral science and patent-pending data analytics, Opower found that, on average, Yahoo Mail users consume 939 kilowatt-hours (kWh) more than Gmail users, or about 11% more electricity per year -- a sizeable, statistically significant difference in usage.

By analyzing consumer energy information derived from their work with more than 70 utility companies -- including 8 of the 10 largest in the U.S. -- and containing data from 40 million homes, Opower looked at the correlation between email address and electricity usage across 2.8 million American households around the country. About 1.15 million of those households are Gmail or Yahoo users, and are spread out across 23 states and several distinct climate zones.

According to Opower, the reason Gmail users consume less energy than those with Yahoo Mail has to do with the users themselves. Opower's data indicates that Yahoo Mail households are more likely to live in larger residences and also use more electricity per square foot. In contrast, Gmail users tend to live in cities, where dwellings are often more compact and energy-efficient. In addition, Opower found that Gmail users are more likely to sign up for an in-depth analysis of their home energy usage.

While Yahoo Mail users cannot simply switch email accounts to reduce their energy consumption, they can adopt simple ways to cut back -- such as turning off computers at night, getting a programmable thermostat, or upgrading a heating system -- to make an impact on their utility bills. Opower's products, which include easy-to-understand, printed Home Energy Reports delivered with monthly utility bills, have helped consumers save more than $100 million to date.

"Making energy consumption relevant to consumers is something that Opower strives to do every day," said Opower President Alex Laskey. "We hope that by analyzing the data that we have on over 40 million homes and providing insights about how Americans are using electricity, we can make the topic interesting and inspire people to make changes in the way they consume energy."

The correlation between email address and electricity usage is the inaugural topic to appear in Opower's new corporate blog, "Outlier," which will provide unique insight into how Americans use energy.

Read the post: [http://bit.ly/Ll7uFP]

Opower's blog will include posts in three sections: Outlier; Opower Labs, featuring software development discussions from Opower's engineering team; and, Our Thinking, with posts describing company initiatives and culture.

Energy data, provided by utility partners, is at the core of Opower's platform: the data allows Opower to give families context on how their energy use compares to similar neighborhood homes and insights into what actions could help them save energy -- and save money. Opower works with over 70 utilities in the US and UK, actively sends information to over 10 million homes, and analyzes information from more than 40 million homes. Outlier will aggregate that energy data to develop insights about American energy consumption as a whole.

A Note on Methodology

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Gmail vs. Yahoo Mail Users: Who Spends More on Electricity?

Anatomy of Cain's perfect game

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Programming alert: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area will air special encore presentations of Matt Cain's historic perfect game tonight (June 14) at 7:30 p.m. and on Thursday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m.

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO How difficult, how elusive, how magically fated is a perfect game?

Consider this: Matt Cain struck out 14 batters on an unforgettable Wednesday night in China Basin. It matched Sandy Koufaxs iconic performance in 1965 as the most strikeouts in a perfect game in history.

And yet Cain needed so much support, so many breaks, so much luck -- and maybe even some angels breath.

Here is how it happened, inning by inning:

First inning: 11 pitches. Cain likes to establish his fastball early and it was clear he had plenty of late movement and cut -- and pinpoint control -- as he threw four of them to strike out Jordan Schafer. He went fastball-curve-fastball to strike out Jose Altuve. Jed Lowrie hit a foul pop.

Second inning: 12 pitches. Before it became edge-of-the-seat stuff., Cain faced his first three-ball count of the evening. Brett Wallace, a player in the Moneyball mold, fouled off a 3-1 fastball. Cain hadnt thrown either of his first two changeups in the strike zone, but Buster Posey called for one. Wallace swung through it.

Third inning: 17 pitches. Cain began to find a groove with his changeup and slider. Chris Snyder and pitcher J.A. Happ took called third strikes on fastballs that snapped back across the zone. Umpire Ted Barrett was giving him the black, as pitchers call it. Cain had gone through the lineup once. Even at this early juncture, he could sense he had it within himself to no-hit the Astros.

Fourth inning: 22 pitches Schafer worked Cain for a 10-pitch at-bat that included five two-strike fouls -- including one that came within a millimeter, as first baseman Brandon Belt saw it, of being a double down the line. Replays were inconclusive; Belt said it definitely hit in front of the bag and was hooking sharply. Umpire Mike Muchlinski called it foul and Cain, now operating with a four-run lead after two-run homers by Melky Cabrera and Belt, stayed aggressive. He only threw one ball among the 10 pitches to Schafer, who finally swung through a fastball. Little Altuve, all 5-foot-5 of him, didnt get any breaks on the zone. Barrett rang him up on a third strike above the letters.

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Anatomy of Cain's perfect game

GenMark Diagnostics Appoints Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D. to Board of Directors

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CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNMK), a provider of automated, multiplex molecular diagnostic testing systems, announced today that Dr. Stephen T. Worland has been appointed to GenMark's Board of Directors.

Stephen Worland has extensive experience in global technology, infectious disease and healthcare businesses and is currently President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., a start-up stage company focused on new treatments for cancer. Dr. Worland was President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company which discovered and developed treatments for Hepatitis C and cancer, from August 2007 until the companys acquisition by Roche in November 2011. Dr. Worland joined Anadys in 2001 and served in a number of executive roles prior to being named CEO, including President, Pharmaceuticals, and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Worland began his healthcare industry career in 1988 at Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and remained with the company through its successful commercialization of an HIV protease inhibitor and successive acquisitions by Warner-Lambert and Pfizer. During this period he held a number of positions, including Vice President, Antiviral Research and Director, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Dr. Worland was a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular Biology at Harvard University from 1985 to 1988. He received his B.S. with highest honors in Biological Chemistry from the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

"We are delighted to have Steve Worland join our Board. In addition to his extensive operational experience in the Pharmaceutical industry, both in small and large companies, Steves deep knowledge of molecular biology, specifically as it relates to infectious disease, cancer and related pharmacogenomics, will be invaluable as GenMark continues to build its own molecular diagnostics franchise in these areas. Steves skill set and experience complement an already strong Board that is focused on building a high value business in the global molecular diagnostics market, commented Christopher Gleeson, GenMark's Chairman.

ABOUT GENMARK

GenMark Diagnostics is a leading provider of automated, multiplex molecular diagnostic testing systems that detect and measure DNA and RNA targets to diagnose disease and optimize patient treatment. Utilizing GenMark's proprietary eSensor detection technology, GenMark's eSensor XT-8 system is designed to support a broad range of molecular diagnostic tests with a compact, easy-to-use workstation and self-contained, disposable test cartridges. GenMark currently markets three tests that are FDA cleared for IVD use: Cystic Fibrosis Genotyping Test, Warfarin Sensitivity Test, and Thrombophilia Risk Test. A Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP) has been submitted to the FDA for 510(k) clearance. A number of other tests, including HCV Genotyping and 2C19, versions of which are available for research use only, are in development for IVD use. For more information, visit http://www.genmarkdx.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding events, trends and business prospects, which may affect our future operating results and financial position. Such statements, including, but not limited to, those regarding continued growth in sales of our diagnostic tests, the expansion of our diagnostic test menu, the development and functionality of our products and the continued development of our technology, are all subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual performance, operating results and financial position to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to our history of operating losses, our ability to successfully commercialize our products, the need for further financing and our ability to access the necessary additional capital for our business, inherent risk and uncertainty in the protection intellectual property rights, ability to maintain gross margins, regulatory uncertainties regarding approval or clearance for our products, as well as other risks and uncertainties described under the "Risk Factors" in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made.

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GenMark Diagnostics Appoints Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D. to Board of Directors

Frances E. Jensen, MD, Named Chair of the Department of Neurology

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Newswise PHILADELPHIA Frances E. Jensen, MD, has been named Chair of the Department of Neurology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She comes to Penn Medicine from Boston, where she is currently Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and a senior neurologist at both Brigham and Womens Hospital and Childrens Hospital, Boston. Starting August 13, Jensen will become the 11th chair to lead Penns Department of Neurology, the oldest neurology department in the United States, founded by Dr. Horatio Wood in 1871.

I am confident that Dr. Jensen, with her range of research strengths, teaching skills, and clinical dedication, is the perfect person to lead the Department into the future and help to shape our many initiatives in neuroscience, said J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, dean of the Perelman School of Medicine and executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System. Dr. Jensen is a dedicated and inspiring teacher and mentor, and is highly regarded for her translational research and studies of the age-specific mechanisms of diseases of the brain across the lifespan.

Dr. Jensens research has focused on investigating pathophysiological mechanisms of epilepsy as well as secondary effects on synaptic plasticity. She has been exploring age-dependent differences in such mechanisms, with special attention to the interactions among brain development, excitotoxic brain injury, epilepsy, and cognition.

Most recently, supported by a five-year Directors Pioneer Award from the (NIH), Dr. Jensen has been investigating connections between epilepsy and autism, examining how seizures in early life alter neuronal networks in the developing brain to cause cognitive disorders such as learning deficits, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and autism. As she told Nature Medicine last year, We are finding connections between previously assumed unrelated disorders that we could never have imagined.

Dr. Jensen is the sponsor of an FDA-approved Investigational New Drug (IND) for a continuing multi-center clinical trial of a novel therapy for neonatal seizures, based on basic research in her laboratory.

After graduating cum laude from Smith College with an A.B. degree in neuropsychology, Dr. Jensen received her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. She took her residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital and was Chief Resident in neurology at The Harvard Longwood Neurology Training Program. Dr. Jensen was also a clinical fellow and an instructor in neurology at Harvard Medical School. She became an Assistant Professor of Neurology in 1992, Associate Professor in 1998, and Professor in 2007.

She serves as Director of Translational Neuroscience at Childrens Hospital and is a senior neurologist at both Brigham and Womens Hospital and Childrens Hospital. She is also active in education and mentoring programs related to translational medicine at the Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center.

Dr. Jensen is the author of more than 100 manuscripts. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a member of the editorial board of Annals of Neurology, and a reviewing editor for the Journal of Neuroscience. In addition to the Directors Pioneer Award, NIH has awarded her a Physician Scientist Award and a First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) Award. Dr. Jensen is a Council Member of the Society for Neuroscience and is currently serving as President of the American Epilepsy Society. She also served as Chair of the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting Committee and Council on Education and oversaw the successful process of accreditation by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). In 2008, she received the American Epilepsy Society Research Recognition Award for Basic Science. She has served on multiple review and council positions in private foundations and National Institutes of Health. Dr. Jensen has also been active in community service and media: she has been a visiting teacher at local schools and has been an expert commentator on such programs as The Today Show, 60 Minutes, National Public Radios Morning Edition, and Good Morning America.

# # #

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $4.3 billion enterprise.

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Frances E. Jensen, MD, Named Chair of the Department of Neurology

Officials wait for decision on need for permit for nano site

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Local officials hope to hear within the next two months whether they will be allowed to make key moves to ready a site being marketed to nanotechnology firms.

A major stumbling block has existed with plans to attract a nanochip fabrication plant to land at SUNYIT: A standoff with the federal Army Corps of Engineers.

Local officials want to make the site as ready as possible for a potential buyer and the many jobs that could be brought to the site.

But the Army Corps doesnt want the sites wetlands to be touched until a buyer is found.

Developers want a site that is shovel and permit ready, said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente. Thats a big piece that holds us up.

In December, Gov. Andrew Cuomo wrote a letter to President Barack Obama requesting that the Army Corps reconsider their policy.

Now, a separate branch of the federal agency is reviewing the situation. Mohawk Valley EDGE officials said they expect an answer within the next 30 to 60 days.

In September, Cuomo announced $4.4 billion in private investment in nanotechnology initiatives in New York state. That was in addition to the 2009 announcement that $45 million in state funds would be spent at SUNYIT to create a state of the art nanotechnology research and development compound.

The nanotechnology industry may be shifting to the use of differently sized chips and will need plants to fabricate those, EDGE President Steven DiMeo said.

With the industry shift to 450 mm technology, there are growing opportunities for new plants to be sited, and we are positioning Marcy Nanocenter at SUNYIT as that site, he said. Our goal is to reduce time to market for the next fab by performing some of the initial site preparation activities.

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STDs blocked by nano gel, study suggests

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Women someday could protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections by using a gel that uses nanoparticles to deliver drugs to the vaginal walls, a new study in mice suggests.

Researchers used the gel to deliver an anti-herpes drug to the mice and found that the technology tripled the level of protection that the drug normally provides against aherpes infection.

It's possible the gel's protection could be made to be long-lasting, so it could be applied hours before sexual intercourse, according to the study, which appears today (June 13) in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

If the gel is found fit for human use, the composition of the gel makes it likely that a woman could use it discreetly, without her partner noticing it, the researchers added.

To see just how much the nanoparticle delivery system improved a drug's effectiveness, the researchers purposefully chose an anti-herpes medication that was not particularly effective, and a strain of herpes virus that was remarkably infectious.

"We could protect animals fairly well, with a wimpy drug, against a strong herpes infection," said study researcher Justin Hanes, director of the Center for Nanomedicine at the John Hopkins School of Medicine.

The research has yet to be tried in people, and rodent studies often don't hold up in humans. Under ideal circumstances, clinical trials of the gel could be possible within a year or two, Hanes said.

The trick to developing the gel was making the particles small enough and slick enough to get through the mucus that coats the inside of the vagina. Hanes likened the problem to a bug trying to fly through a spider web.

"There could be a bug that's small enough to fit through a spider web, but that doesn't mean it will get through without getting stuck," he said. But with small, "non-sticky" nanoparticles, the drug was evenly applied across nearly 100 percent of the vaginal surface a feat given the vagina's complex, folding walls, Hanes said.

When they applied the anti-herpesdrug to mice, the researchers found that the drug's effectiveness in preventing herpes increased from 16 percent without the nanoparticles, to 53 percent with the nanoparticles.

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STDs blocked by nano gel, study suggests

Integrative Medicine: Myths about sun exposure

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Calling all sun worshippers! Before you head out to the beach or tanning salon this summer, here are five myths about sun exposure, busted for your edification:

Your skin gets a healthy flush from mild sun exposure. Actually, that flush is not so healthy! When UV rays reach your skin, they damage cells in the epidermis. In response, your immune system increases blood flow to the affected areas. The increased blood flow is what gives sunburn its characteristic redness and warmth to touch.

You should limit yourself to safe tans. There is no such thing as a "safe tan." The increase in skin pigment, called melanin, which causes the tan color change in your skin, is a sign of skin damage.

Tanning makes you look better. Frequent sunburns or hours spent tanning can result in a permanent darkening of the skin, dark spots and a leathery texture. Tanning may give you short-term benefits in appearance, but it leads to premature aging and wrinkling of the skin.

Your personal risk of getting skin cancer is relatively low. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States; most of these are considered caused by the sun.

Staying in the sun gives your body a health boost. Overexposure to UV radiation may suppress proper functioning of the body's immune system and the skin's natural defenses. This can lead to increased sensitivity to sunlight, decreased effects of immunizations and increased reactions to certain medications. This weakening of the immune system can also cause reactivation of the herpes virus and recurrent cold sores.

Having said that, all sun is not bad, and many people are finding that they are deficient in vitamin D due to an underexposure to the sun, as well as lack of adequate dietary intake of Vitamin D. We suggest taking 1,200 to 2,000 international units of Vitamin D daily, and limiting sun exposure to early morning or late afternoon, when sun rays are not at their peak. So wear your sunscreen and protective clothing, avoid peak sun hours, seek shade where possible and take your Vitamin D. You can still have a great summer!

Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Drs. Kay Judge and Maxine Barish-Wreden are medical directors of Sutter Downtown Integrative Medicine program. Have a question related to alternative medicine? Email adrenaline@sacbee.com.

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Integrative medicine holds the key to fighting obesity in children and adults

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A holistic, whole foods diet combined with integrative therapies yields better health and balanced weight control.

By Bryan Abramowitz, MD

American obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Over one-third of the population (35.7%) is obese, according to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and as this number continues to rise among both children and adults, so too will serious health risks and astronomical healthcare costs. Amidst a consumer-driven culture inundated with fast food, sugary drinks and fatty, salty snacks, fighting obesity in children and adults is certainly a challenge. But if patients and families approach the subject of balanced nutrition and safe weight loss from a holistic perspective, they will find that achieving better health is not only an accessible and affordable goal, but one that is also fascinating, delicious and empowering.

Recent obesity statistics have prompted a ripple effect across the country, prompting everything from a new HBO documentary entitled Weight of the Nation to a proposal by New York mayor Michael Bloomberg to ban super sized sugared beverage. Faced with the harsh reality of crippling health risks like heart disease, diabetes and cancer, not to mention the high cost of care for such conditions, many Americans are eager to try a healthier lifestyle. The trouble is, our current culture makes it very difficult for anyone and especially for children to find accessible, inexpensive and nutritionally balanced food on a daily basis. Fad diets and plastic surgery advertisements abound; but the only way to truly take control of your weight is to take responsibility for your own health and learn how to think about food and fitness in a holistic way that feeds not just the body, but the psyche and even the soul.

Holistic health yields total wellness

These days, all doctors are striving to educate patients on the importance of eating right and exercising regularly. But when it comes to losing weight and maintaining optimal health, theres more to it than that. At my San Diego integrative medical practice, we treat the whole individual not just the obvious symptoms. By providing a blend of conventional medical care and alternative wellness practices, we help patients take control of their own health and tailor a regimen that works for them.

A healthy and balanced diet is the centerpiece of wellness. But when it comes to overcoming obesity, the most successful patients integrate both dietary and lifestyle changes into their daily routine. When I see a patient who is overweight or seeking to improve their diet, I run the necessary tests to rule out disease and assess important risk factors. But I also work with the patient to recommend therapies to complement their goals. My colleagues include a host of skilled massage, chiropractic, yoga, acupuncture, meditation, nutrition and herbal remedy practitioners, all of whom consult with patients one-on-one to nurture a more holistic path to health. By sharing what we have learned over the years and combining a whole-foods based diet and regular exercise with the right therapies, we at San Diego Wellness MD are excited to empower change in each and every one of our patients. To learn more, contact us today: http://www.sdwellnessmd.com.

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A press program of good stories from the world's leading event in reproductive medicine

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Public release date: 14-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Christine Bauquis christine@eshre.eu 32-499-258-046 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

The annual meeting of ESHRE, the world's leading event in reproductive medicine, is only weeks away - and the press programme almost complete. Once again the meeting promises one of the best sources of news and features in fertility and reproductive medicine. This year's event will take place in Istanbul from 1st-4th July.

More than 8000 of the world's leading experts in reproduction are expected this year, and, from a total of more than 1700 abstracts of new research submitted, ten have been selected for the press programme.

The programme will comprise ten press releases (issued under embargo a few days in advance) and a news briefing on each of the three congress days. Here, investigators will describe their research and answer press questions on its scientific and public health implications.

Topics to be covered include:

The news briefings will take place at 10.30 am on Monday 2nd July and Tuesday 3rd July, and at 09.30 am on Wednesday 4th July. Each news briefing will cover three topics, with short presentations from investigators.

Press releases will be available on the ESHRE website once the embargoes have lifted, and otherwise issued a few days in advance under embargo. One press release suitably embargoed for Monday publications will also be issued.

ESHRE welcomes journalists to the meeting, and a serviced press room with support materials and wi-fi connection will be available. Registration is free to bona fide journalists on presentation of official press credentials.

ESHRE's media policy requires accreditation with a recognised press card or commissioning letter from an editor confirming the assignment. Before seeking registration, you should check ESHRE's media policy, which is accessible at http://tiny.cc/37cwfw

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A press program of good stories from the world's leading event in reproductive medicine

Quirky fruit fly gene could point way to new cancer drugs

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Public release date: 14-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jim Ritter jritter@lumc.edu 708-216-2445 Loyola University Health System

MAYWOOD, Il. -- Loyola University Chicago researchers are taking advantage of a quirk in the evolution of fruit fly genes to help develop new weapons against cancer.

A newly discovered fruit fly gene is a simplified counterpart of two complex human genes that play important roles in the development of cancer and some birth defects. As this fruit fly gene evolved, it split in two. This split has made it easier to study, and the resulting insights could prove useful in developing new cancer drugs.

"Evolution has given us a gift," said Andrew K. Dingwall, PhD, senior author of a paper that describes how his team identified and analyzed the split gene. Their findings are published in the June issue of the prestigious journal Development. Based on the importance of the findings, the paper was recently selected as an "Editor's Choice" in Science Signaling, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

When normal cells develop, they differentiate into particular types, such as bone cells or muscle cells, and reproduce in an orderly manner. The process is governed by genes and hormones that work in concert. Two of these genes are known as MLL2 and MLL3. Cancer cells, by contrast, undergo uncontrolled division and reproduction.

Since 2010, a growing number of cancers have been linked to mutations in the MLL2 and MLL3 genes. These cancers include non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer and a brain tumor called medulloblastoma. There also is evidence that MLL2 and MLL3 mutations are involved in breast and prostate cancers.

The MLL2 and MLL3 genes are similar to one another. Each has more than 15,000 building blocks called base pairs -- more than 10 times the number found in a typical gene. Because these genes are so large and complex, they are difficult to study.

In the fruit fly, the counterpart gene to MLL2 and MLL3 split into two genes named TRR and CMI. Each carried information critical for normal gene regulation, and they wound up on different chromosomes. The parsing of the MLL2/MLL3 genetic information into smaller genes in the fruit fly made study of the gene functions much easier; it allowed the researchers unprecedented opportunities to explore the role the human genes play in the development of cancers.

"This fruit fly gene gives us unique insight into the massive human MLL2 and MLL3 genes that are almost impossible to study because they are so large," Dingwall said.

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Production Chemistry Management Specialist

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Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies with subsidiaries that conduct business across the globe. The company's success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of approximately 62,000 employees who operate across the energy spectrum. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products and services; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; and develops and commercializes the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables. Chevron is based in San Ramon, California.

Chevron Energy Technology Company is accepting online applications for the position of Production Chemistry Management Specialist located in Houston, TX.

Overview:

This position will have responsibilities for monitoring, diagnosing and treating oilfield production problems, developing and optimizing chemical treatment programs, and working closely with operating assets and chemical service company personnel. This position will be based in Houston, Texas and will report to head of the Production Chemistry Team.

Responsibilities for this position may include but are not limited to:

Provides technical support for major capital projects by developing recommendations for fluid sampling, fluid and chemical analyses, and chemical treating and performance monitoring as part of the system design and development

Provides guidance to both capital projects and existing fields on the selection and qualification of production chemicals. This includes recommending appropriate test methodologies/protocols and providing oversight of chemical vendors' chemical selection process

Provides consultation to operating assets in diagnosing chemical related issues and providing reliable and cost-effective chemical solutions

Works with operating assets and chemical vendors to develop chemical management programs, and optimize chemical treatments and performance monitoring

Develops proposals for funding from operating assets/business units

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Production Chemistry Management Specialist

Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference press events

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Public release date: 14-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Joan Coyle J_coyle@acs.org 202-872-6229 American Chemical Society

WASHINGTON The American Chemical Society's (ACS') 16th annual Green Chemistry & Engineering (GC&E) Conference takes place June 18-20 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year's theme is Innovation, Jobs, Sustainability The Role of Green Chemistry.

Media registration for the GC&E Conference is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. Media registrants have access to the breakfasts, education sessions, keynote speakers, sponsors' luncheon, exhibition, press room and opening-night reception. For complete media registration guidelines, please contact ACS GCI at 202-872-6022 or Shefali Algoo at s_algoo@acs.org.

On-site registration: Media wishing to register on-site must present valid, current media credentials (e.g., official picture identification from the employing news organization, signed letter from assignment editor on company letterhead or a bylined article from the publication). Without proper, approved credentials, on-site media registration will be denied. Marketing and public relations executives, analysts, consultants, authors and researchers may not register as media.

Press briefings will be held in the Marriott's Jefferson Room. Media can also participate via live webcast, or they can view the archive later at the same site.

Tuesday, June 19, Morning Press Briefings: Innovation, Jobs, Sustainability The Role of Green Chemistry

Tuesday, June 19, Afternoon Press Briefings: Innovation, Jobs, Sustainability The Role of Green Chemistry

Wednesday, June 20, Afternoon Press Briefings: Innovation, Jobs, Sustainability The Role of Green Chemistry

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Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference press events

Sutro Licenses "Click Chemistry" from The Scripps Research Institute

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SAN FRANCISCO, June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Sutro Biopharma today announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with The Scripps Research Institute and will have access to "click chemistry," a modular synthetic approach that allows the assembly of new molecular entities by efficiently and reliably joining two molecular units together stably and irreversibly. The agreement with Scripps Research provides Sutro with a worldwide license to apply click chemistry for the synthesis of novel therapeutic protein candidates by utilizing Sutro's biochemical protein synthesis platform to incorporate one or more of the "click" components into a peptide or protein chain.

The click chemistry approach was developed by Nobel Laureate K. Barry Sharpless, Ph.D., the W.M. Keck professor of chemistry at The Scripps Research Institute, and describes synthetic chemistry tailored to generate substances. This is done by joining, or clicking, reactive molecular building blocks together selectively and covalently. Click chemistry allows the further design of different types of therapeutic agents, including antibody therapeutics, peptide therapeutics and various small molecules.

"Combined with Sutro's powerful platform, 'click chemistry' will further extend our capability to engineer customized therapeutics with pharmacologic properties that are optimized for each specific application," said Trevor Hallam, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Sutro. "The agreement will expand our armamentarium as we continue to develop novel protein therapeutics with our partners and advance our own pipeline of next-generation antibody drug conjugates."

The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About The Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. Over the past decades, Scripps Research has developed a lengthy track record of major contributions to science and health, including laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. The institute employs about 3,000 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists -- including three Nobel laureates -- work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards Ph.D. degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. For more information, see http://www.scripps.edu

About Sutro Biopharma

Sutro Biopharma, located in South San Francisco, is developing anew generation of antibody drug conjugate therapeutics and bifunctional antibody-based therapeutics for targeted cancer therapies. These therapeutics will significantly extend the clinical impact of current oncology therapeutic approaches and are beyond what can be envisioned with current (cell-based) expression technologies. Sutro's biochemical synthesis technology, which underpins these therapeutics, allowsthe rapid and systematic exploration of many protein drug variants to identify drug candidates. Our make-test cycle for hundreds of protein variants, including those incorporating non-natural amino acids, takes approximately two weeks.Once these product candidates are identified, production can be rapidly and predictably scaled up to commercial levels. In addition to developing its own drug pipeline, Sutro Biopharma is collaborating with select pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the discovery and development of novel protein therapeutics. For more information, visit http://www.sutrobio.com.

Media Contacts:

David Schull or Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D. Russo Partners (212) 845-4271 (212) 845-4292 (347) 591-8785 (mobile) david.schull@russopartnersllc.com martina.schwarzkopf@russopartnersllc.com

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Sutro Licenses "Click Chemistry" from The Scripps Research Institute

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council Member Karl Deisseroth, M.D., Ph.D., Elected to National …

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GREAT NECK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Karl Deisseroth, M.D., Ph.D., Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council Member, is among the 84 new members elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), a prestigious non-profit organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to advancing science and promoting its uses for the greater good.

The Academy acts as an official advisor to the federal government on issues related to science and technology. Election to NAS membership is one of the highest honors that can be accorded to a scientist and recognizes those who have made distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

Dr. Deisseroth, associate professor of bioengineering and psychiatry at Stanford University, invented optogenetics with the help of a NARSAD Young Investigator Grant. Optogenetics involves the use of light to rapidly open and close the membrane channels that make neurons fire and cease firing and allows for observation of the resulting behavior in animals. Thomas R. Insel, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health says about this new technology, understanding the circuitry underlying mental disorders is a daunting task but one that becomes more attainable with each new discovery about the complex circuits involved in behavior.Optogenetics has revolutionized systems neuroscience by providing precise control over circuitry in awake, behaving animals.

Herbert Pardes, M.D., founding and current president of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council, a volunteer group of 132 of the worlds leading mental health researchers (including two Nobel Prize winners), delighted at the news, saying: We are extremely proud of this recognition of Karl Deisseroths brilliant contributions and commitment to the field of brain and behavior research. Our Scientific Council is made up of the most extraordinary talent in the field, uniquely positioning it to steer continued advancements through its selection of NARSAD Grantees each year.

Dr. Deisseroth is the 12th Scientific Council Member to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences. He joins:

Huda Akil, Ph.D. Scientific Council Member Since 2002

Susan G. Amara, Ph.D. Scientific Council Member Since 2010

Fred H. Gage, Ph.D. Scientific Council Member Since 2009

Paul Greengard, Ph.D. Scientific Council Member Since 1992

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Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council Member Karl Deisseroth, M.D., Ph.D., Elected to National ...

Did Lance Try to Fly Under the Radar?

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Seven-time Tour de France champ and cancer activist Lance Armstrong is back in the news, but not for great physical feats.

This time, hes defending himself against doping charges that could strip him of the seven Tour de France titles that he won from 1999 to 2005.

While many of the allegations have been raised before, and were the subject of a federal investigation that concluded several months ago with no criminal charges, there is some surprising new evidence that Armstrong continued to dope during his "comeback" to professional cycling from 2009 to 2011.

PHOTOS: Lance Armstrong: Cycling Legend

It seems odd he would continue, said Thomas Brenna, professor of nutritional science at Cornell University and researcher into the use of steroids in sports.

Brenna says that even though Armstrong did not fail any doping tests, his biochemistry may have been suspicious enough to raise alarm bells by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency officials.

They are charging that he was flying under the radar, Brenna said. That indicates that they believe that based on the totality of the evidence that he has been systematically been doping and avoiding detection in same sense that the BALCO folks (the San Francisco Bay Area lab linked to doping violations by Giants slugger Barry Bonds and Olympic sprinter Marion Jones) were keeping track of when one could dope and take a test and pass it.

According to the allegations by USADA, Armstrong figured out a way to get a performance benefit from blood-boosting drugs without tripping the wire.

Yes, there are ways to fool the test if you know what you are doing, said Brenna. Im not going to say how.

The charges against Armstrong and five former team officials and team doctors were contained in a June 12 letter from USADA. The letters existence was first revealed by The Washington Post and has been published by the Wall Street Journal.

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Did Lance Try to Fly Under the Radar?

Tracking breast cancer cells on the move

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Public release date: 14-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Angela Hopp 240-283-6614 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Breast cancer cells frequently move from their primary site and invade bone, decreasing a patient's chance of survival. This process of metastasis is complex, and factors both within the breast cancer cells and within the new bone environment play a role. In next week's Journal of Biological Chemistry "Paper of the Week," Roger Gomis and colleagues at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine in Spain investigated how breast cancer cells migrate to bone.

In particular, they examined the role of NOG, a gene important to proper bone development. Previously, NOG was associated with bone metastasis in prostate cancer, but its specific role in breast cancer to bone metastasis remained unknown.

Gomis and colleagues showed that once breast cancer cells are on the move NOG enables them to specifically invade the bone and establish a tumor. It does this in two ways. First, NOG escalates bone degeneration by increasing the number of mature osteoclasts (bone cells that break down bone), essentially creating a spot in the bone for the metastatic breast cancer cells to take up residence. Second, NOG keeps the metastatic breast cancer cells in a stem-cell-like state, which enables them to propagate and form a new tumor in the bone environment.

Gomis explains that the reason NOG expression leads to an increased potential for breast cancer to bone metastasis is because it not only affects features inherent to aggressive cancer cells (such as the ability to establish a new tumor) but also influences properties of the bone environment (such as osteoclast degeneration of bone).

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From the article: "Identification of NOG as a specific breast cancer bone metastasis-supporting gene" by Maria Tarragona, Milica Pavlovic, Anna Arnal-Estap, Jelena Urosevic, Mnica Morales, Marc Guiu, Evarist Planet, Eva Gonzlez-Surez, Roger R. Gomis

Link to "Paper in Press": http://www.jbc.org/content/early/2012/04/30/jbc.M112.355834.full.pdf+html

Corresponding author: Roger R. Gomis, Oncology Programme, Institute for Research in Biomedicine in Barcelona, Spain; e-mail: roger.gomis@irbbarcelona.org

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UNC's Saskia Neher selected as 2012 Pew Scholar

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Newswise CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Saskia B. Neher, PhD, assistant professor in the department of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, was one of twenty-two of Americas most promising scientists to be named Pew Scholars in the Biomedical Sciences by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Neher is the eleventh such recipient for UNC since the program began in 1985 and she is one of 8 women among 22 awardees, overall, nationwide.

The 2012 Pew Scholars will join a select community that includes MacArthur Fellows, recipients of the Albert Lasker Medical Research Award and three Nobel Prize winners. The program encourages early-career scientists to advance research that leads to important medical breakthroughs and treatments.

Nehers research explores the molecular systems that help to activateand disablethe breakdown of fat. When we consume food rich in fat, molecules called lipases break down the fat so that it can be used as a source of fuel or be stored. In humans, defects in a lipase called LPL increase an individuals risk of cardiovascular disease. The activity of this molecule is regulated by a pair of proteins: one that activates LPL and another that switches it off when an animal fasts. Neher uncovered evidence that suggests how the activating protein functions.

Nehers work now will be to determine how the regulators of LPL interact, using sophisticated approaches in biochemistry, molecular biology and crystallography. Her research should provide insights into the regulation of an important process that could produce new targets for the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Pew is pleased to provide this countrys most ambitious and dedicated scientists with timely funding that enables them to explore novel areas of investigation early in their careers, at what may be the most inventive and creative period in their research, said Rebecca W. Rimel, president and CEO of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

The program has invested more than $125 million to fund over 500 scholars. Recipients receive $240,000 over four years to pursue their research without restriction. Applicants are nominated by an invited institution and demonstrate both excellence and innovation in their research. This year, 179 institutions were requested to nominate a candidate and 134 eligible nominations were received.

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UNC's Saskia Neher selected as 2012 Pew Scholar

Anatomy of Cain's perfect game

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BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO How difficult, how elusive, how magically fated is a perfect game?

Consider this: Matt Cain struck out 14 batters on an unforgettable Wednesday night in China Basin. It matched Sandy Koufaxs iconic performance in 1965 as the most strikeouts in a perfect game in history.

And yet Cain needed so much support, so many breaks, so much luck -- and maybe even some angels breath.

Here is how it happened, inning by inning:

First inning: 11 pitches. Cain likes to establish his fastball early and it was clear he had plenty of late movement and cut -- and pinpoint control -- as he threw four of them to strike out Jordan Schafer. He went fastball-curve-fastball to strike out Jose Altuve. Jed Lowrie hit a foul pop.

Second inning: 12 pitches. Before it became edge-of-the-seat stuff., Cain faced his first three-ball count of the evening. Brett Wallace, a player in the Moneyball mold, fouled off a 3-1 fastball. Cain hadnt thrown either of his first two changeups in the strike zone, but Buster Posey called for one. Wallace swung through it.

Third inning: 17 pitches. Cain began to find a groove with his changeup and slider. Chris Snyder and pitcher J.A. Happ took called third strikes on fastballs that snapped back across the zone. Umpire Ted Barrett was giving him the black, as pitchers call it. Cain had gone through the lineup once. Even at this early juncture, he could sense he had it within himself to no-hit the Astros.

Fourth inning: 22 pitches Schafer worked Cain for a 10-pitch at-bat that included five two-strike fouls -- including one that came within a millimeter, as first baseman Brandon Belt saw it, of being a double down the line. Replays were inconclusive; Belt said it definitely hit in front of the bag and was hooking sharply. Umpire Mike Muchlinski called it foul and Cain, now operating with a four-run lead after two-run homers by Melky Cabrera and Belt, stayed aggressive. He only threw one ball among the 10 pitches to Schafer, who finally swung through a fastball. Little Altuve, all 5-foot-5 of him, didnt get any breaks on the zone. Barrett rang him up on a third strike above the letters.

Fifth inning: 14 pitches Two more strikeouts. One ball in play, to second baseman Ryan Theriot. Moving along

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Anatomy of Cain's perfect game

Medicine in Practice, Inc. Announces Launch of TipTopTitles™ Website to Support Efficient Publication of Biomedical …

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Medicine in Practice, Inc. is excited to announce the launch of its first product - a website named TipTopTitles to support efficient conduct and publication of biomedical researchYardley, PA (PRWEB) June 14, 2012 Many biomedical researchers struggle to publish their research. Part of the problem is lack of time, but a significant contributor is lack of familiarity with what is an increasingly ...

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Medicine in Practice, Inc. Announces Launch of TipTopTitles™ Website to Support Efficient Publication of Biomedical ...