Monthly Archives: June 2012

Supermicro® Launches FatTwin™ Architecture

Posted on by

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), a global leader in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology and green computing, launches the FatTwin, a high-capacity powerful new server platform based on Supermicro's highly successful Twin Architecture. This landmark product offers a new, flexible, high-density computing solution for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Big Data and HPC applications delivering the highest performance with the most energy efficient technologies and cooling designs available on the market.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120614/AQ24697-INFO)

"Energy consumption is one of the greatest challenges facing Data Centers as computing demands increase exponentially around the world," said Charles Liang, President and CEO of Supermicro. "Supermicro is addressing this growing challenge by developing new generation server technologies such as FatTwin which maximizes performance with support of up to 135W processors while eliminating costly air-conditioning and cooling methods. The innovation of FatTwin is in its high-density, airflow optimized design that integrates up to eight dual-processor nodes in a standard 4U rackmount server and operates at temperatures up to 47 degrees C. Our FatTwin platform will set new industry standards for performance and efficiency while offering lowered TCO and an accelerated return on investment."

Supermicro's patented Twin architecture revolutionizes server computing by integrating independent systems side-by-side in a single chassis, multiplying compute density while reducing solution costs through shared resources such as the chassis, fans, power supplies, cabling and rack mount hardware. This innovative architecture incorporates airflow optimized designs, air-shrouds and streamlined cabling which reduces fan speeds and power consumption resulting in improved power utilization and overall energy efficiency. The 4U FatTwin is the latest addition to the evolving Twin architecture line and is available in 8/4/2 DP node configurations with high-capacity storage (8 hot-swap 3.5" HDDs per 1U or 6 hot-swap 2.5" HDDs per 1/2U). FatTwin achieves the highest performance-per-watt/per-dollar with Supermicro's X9 DP (dual-processor) serverboards and redundant Platinum Level high-efficiency (95%+) digital switching power supplies. With free-air cooling designs and an extreme operational temperature range (0 degrees C - 47 degrees C) that does not require air conditioning, the FatTwin helps Data Centers achieve the best power usage effectiveness (PUE < 1.1).

FatTwin is available in 8 DP node (SYS-F617R2-R/F Series) and 4 DP node (SYS-F627R2/R3/G3-F/R Series) SKUs with versatile configurations featuring:

Additional 4U FatTwin configurations are scheduled for release in early Q3 2012 including a 2 node solution featuring massive storage and GPU capacity and a model with 4x full-width 1U nodes that feature increased airflow and high-density compute and storage capacity.

FatTwin delivers maximum performance, efficiency and versatility for scientific, research, engineering, and enterprise organizations requiring high-performance, scalable computing and storage solutions for mission-critical applications. The platform is optimized for process intensive database driven applications including Big Data and Hadoop analytics, gas and oil exploration, computational finance, search engines, design and modeling, simulation and many other applications.

For complete information on Supermicro's new high performance, high-efficiency FatTwin architecture, visit http://www.supermicro.com/FatTwin. For more information on Supermicro's comprehensive line of server, storage and complete integrated SuperRack solutions visit http://www.supermicro.com.

About Super Micro Computer, Inc.

Supermicro (SMCI), the leading innovator in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology is a premier provider of advanced server Building Block Solutions for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide. Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its "We Keep IT Green" initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market.

Read more:

Supermicro® Launches FatTwin™ Architecture

BrainStorm Receives 1.3 Million NIS Grant from Israel’s Office of the Chief Scientist

Posted on by

NEW YORK & PETACH TIKVAH, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (BCLI), a developer of adult stem cell therapeutics targeting Central Nervous System (CNS) neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Ltd. received the first installment of the 2012 grant from Israels Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) in the amount of approximately $350,000. The yearly grant for 2012 is $1,100,000 (~4.2 M NIS). The grant is awarded to BrainStorms Research and Development program towards the development of its leading and innovative NurOwn therapy for ALS using autologous adult stem cells.

We are thankful to the OCS for its continued support of our Research and Development program. The non-dilutive capital that we are receiving from the OCS will help move forward our NurOwn technology as a potential new treatment standard for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), said Dr. Adrian Harel BrainStorms newly promoted CEO.

BrainStorm is in Phase I/II human clinical trials in Israel with NurOwn, BrainStorms adult stem cell therapy in patients with ALS (often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease). The study is conducted at the Hadassah Medical Center and is headed by principal investigator Dimitrios Karussis, M.D., Ph.D., of the Hadassah Medical Center, together with a scientific team from BrainStorm headed by Prof. Eldad Melamed. The initial phase of the study is designed to assess the safety of NurOwn. As previously announced by Brainstorm (see our press release of March 29, 2012) the interim results for the first 12 patients are expected by July 2012.

The OCS grant will enable BrainStorm to continue its clinical program and accelerate its development of new CNS indications, said Chaim Lebovits, President of Brainstorm. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Adrian Harel on the occasion of his promotion by the Board of Directors as CEO of Brainstorm. Dr. Harel is successfully leading the company, together with the entire wonderful team at Brainstorm, to the next exciting phase of developing our NurOwn product to treat ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases," said Lebovits.

The OCS has supported BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Ltd. the Israeli Subsidiary since 2007, providing grants of a total of $1.75 million including this grant. The Company is required to pay royalties to the OCS, amounting to 3% - 5% of revenues derived from sales of the products funded with these grants, but only up to the amount equal to 100% of the grants received.

About the Office of the Chief Scientist

The Office of the Chief Scientist [OCS] in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor is charged with execution of government policy for support of industrial R&D. The goal of the OCS is to assist in the development of technology in Israel as a means of fostering economic growth, encouraging technological innovation and entrepreneurship, leveraging Israel's scientific potential, enhancing the knowledge base of industry in Israel, stimulating high value-added R&D and encouraging R&D collaboration both nationally and internationally.

About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a biotech company developing adult stem cell therapeutic products, derived from autologous (self) bone marrow cells, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Brainstorm, through its wholly owned subsidiary, holds rights to develop and commercialize the technology through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd., the technology transfer company of Tel-Aviv University. The technology is currently in a Phase I/II clinical trials for ALS.

Continued here:

BrainStorm Receives 1.3 Million NIS Grant from Israel’s Office of the Chief Scientist

Stem cells 'help' stroke patients

Posted on by

14 June 2012 Last updated at 07:25 ET By Eleanor Bradford BBC Scotland Health Correspondent

The first patients to take part in a clinical trial of a stem cell treatment for stroke have seen reductions in their disability, according to doctors.

Six patients in the west of Scotland had human stem cells inserted close to the damaged part of their brain.

After receiving the treatment, they saw improvements in the limb weakness they suffered as a result of their stroke.

Howeve, doctors have cautioned against reading too much into the early results of the clinical trial.

It is the world's first trial of a neural stem cell therapy for stroke.

Stroke is the third largest cause of death and the single largest cause of adult disability in the developed world.

The trial is being conducted at the Institute of Neurological Sciences at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, and is being led by Glasgow University neurologist Professor Keith Muir.

He said: "So far we've seen no evidence of any harmful effects. We're dealing with a group of people a long time after a stroke with significant disability and we don't really expect these patients to show any change over time.

"So it's interesting to see that in all the patients so far they have improved slightly over the course of their involvement in the study."

Read the original here:

Stem cells 'help' stroke patients

Stem cell stroke trial promising

Posted on by

14 June 2012 Last updated at 10:45 ET By Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News

Doctors in Scotland have said five stroke patients involved in an experimental stem cell treatment have shown signs of slight improvement.

They have stressed that it is too soon to tell whether the improvement is due to the therapy.

The medical team has talked about the first results of the treatment at a conference in Japan.

The procedure is controversial as brain cells from a foetus were originally used to create the stem cells.

A team, from Glasgow's Southern General Hospital, has been injecting the stem cells into the brains of stroke patients.

The trial began in November 2010. The participants are all men over the age of 60 who have been severely disabled by a stroke and have shown no sign of improvement for at least a year.

We hope to tease out over the next 18 months whether the improvement is due to the treatment

The doctors hope that the treatment will repair their damaged brain tissue and restore some of their movement and ability to speak.

The trail is at an early stage, and doctors are primarily looking to see that the treatment is safe. But they have found that five of the six patients treated so far have shown some slight signs of improvement.

More:

Stem cell stroke trial promising

Osiris Receives Second Approval for Life-Saving Stem Cell Drug; Prochymal Granted Marketing Consent by New Zealand

Posted on by

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (OSIR), announced today it has received consent from New Zealand to market its first-in-class stem cell therapy Prochymal (remestemcel-L), for the treatment of acute graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) in children. With this decision New Zealand joins Canada, which last month became the worlds first internationally recognized regulatory authority to grant approval to a stem cell drug. Prochymal is also the first therapy approved for GvHD - a devastating complication of bone marrow transplantation that kills up to 80 percent of children affected, many within just weeks of diagnosis.

"With each of our approvals it becomes clearer that the time for life-saving stem cell therapies in the practice of medicine has arrived, and we are humbled to have a leading role, said C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Osiris. I would like to thank the professionals at Medsafe for their thoughtful and expeditious review of this complex application. I would also like to thank the team at Osiris that continues to do an outstanding job of making Prochymal available to children around the world suffering from the devastating effects of GvHD."

Osiris submitted a New Medicine Application (NMA) to Medsafe(New Zealand's medical regulatory agency) in May of 2011, and was granted Priority Review in June of 2011. Priority review provides expedited review for new drugs which offer a significant clinical advantage over current treatment options. Prochymal was granted provisional consent under Section 23 of the Medicines Act 1981.

"The incidence of GvHD is likely to rise as the demographic profile of our transplant population evolves," said Hans Klingemann, M.D., Ph.D., a Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Bone Marrow & Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Program at Tufts University School of Medicine. "Effective strategies to manage the often lethal consequences of GvHD reduce the overall risk to transplantation and provide the transplant physician with better options when approaching their most difficult cases.

Clinical trials have shown that Prochymal is able to induce an objective, clinically meaningful response in 61-64 percent of children with GvHD that is otherwise refractory to treatment. Furthermore, treatment response with Prochymal resulted in a statistically significant improvement in survival.

As a mother who watched my son Christian suffer and die from the horrifying effects of GvHD, while waiting for the regulatory approvals necessary to allow him access to Prochymal, words cannot express how happy I am that significant progress is finally being made, said Sandy Barker, President and Co-founder of the Gold Rush Cure Foundation. We are proud to stand side-by-side with Osiris in this historic battle for our children around the world. Our motto is 'not one more child, not one more family' and when it comes to GvHD mortality, zero is the only acceptable number.

Prochymal is now approved in Canada and New Zealand, and is currently available in seven other countries including the United States under an Expanded Access Program (EAP). It is expected that Prochymal will be commercially available in New Zealand later this year.

About GvHD

GvHD represents a major unmet medical need with no approved treatment until Prochymal. GvHD is the leading cause of transplant related mortality, in which immune cells contained within the transplanted marrow recognize the recipient as foreign and mount an immunologic attack. Severe GvHD can cause blistering of the skin, intestinal hemorrhage and liver failure. Severe GvHD is extremely painful and fatal in up to 80 percent of cases. Currently, steroids are used as first-line therapy with a success rate of only 30-50 percent. When steroids fail, treatment options are limited to immunosuppressive agents used off-label with little benefit and significant toxicities.

Go here to see the original:

Osiris Receives Second Approval for Life-Saving Stem Cell Drug; Prochymal Granted Marketing Consent by New Zealand

International Stem Cell Corporation Scientists Create New Protein-Based Stem Cell Technology

Posted on by

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

International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) http://www.internationalstemcell.com announced that scientists in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology (LCT), have developed a technology to modify human stem cells by using engineered proteins, called "transducible transcription factors" or "TTFs." TTFs are designed to pass into stem cells and direct the stem cells to change into specific cell types that can be both therapeutically-useful and can be used as revenue-generating research products.

In contrast to more traditional cell therapy methods this technology does not require the use of viruses or chemicals, and has the potential to produce safe therapeutic cells from stem cells. In addition, the TTF proteins are naturally eliminated by the cells when no longer required, a characteristic that further improves safety. The Company intends that this technology, once perfected, will first be used to create revenue-generating research products for sale through Lifeline Cell Technologys international distribution channels to the academic, biotechnology and pharmaceutical markets for cellular proteins, including the quickly growing markets for the study of stem cell biology and drug testing.

According to Jeffrey Janus, Lifeline Cell Technologys CEO, These proteins can be sold into the market for cellular proteins which exceeds $700 million and represents an excellent opportunity for LCT to grow sales. Since the technology also has broad application in research and therapy, it should provide ISCO with future out-licensing opportunities to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

About International Stem Cell Corporation

International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs). hpSCs avoid ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com), and stem cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com). More information is available at http://www.internationalstemcell.com or follow us on Twitter @intlstemcell.

To receive ongoing corporate communications, please click on the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0

Forward-looking Statements

Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, the potential benefits of research programs and products, and other opportunities for the company and its subsidiaries, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates,") should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, application of capital resources among competing uses, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Originally posted here:

International Stem Cell Corporation Scientists Create New Protein-Based Stem Cell Technology

Spirituality is key for O’Hara grads

Posted on by

With a drum roll and turn of the tassel, Cardinal OHara High School launched 329 graduates into the world at commencement exercises recently at Villanova University.

I feel relieved. Its finally over, said Daniel Gouck, an elated member of the Class of 2012. Its a great school. I love the community.

Before the conferring of degrees, OHara Principal Marie Rogai commended her pupils for negotiating an unusual year with ups and downs, one that included a teachers strike at the outset.

As you anticipate life after high school, know that you have many opportunities to find your way to success, she said. Know, too, that your greatest success, your greatest accomplishment, will come at those times when you have to work through the struggle.

Find your struggle. Dont live your life avoiding challenges and dont be afraid to ask for help.

In addition to their diplomas, graduates were showered with 87 academic and community service awards. The schools president, William McCusker, praised the class for amassing nearly $15.5 million in scholarships.

Repeating a plea he made the night prior at a baccalaureate Mass held at the Cathedral Basilica of S.S. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, McCusker asked the class to continue their support of Catholic schools.

Catholic education needs and will continue to need active, generous graduates, he said.

Before entering the Pavilion to see his son Ryan receive his diploma, Jim Kelleher explained why it was important to send all four of his children to OHara.

We believe that getting them off on the right foot and having spirituality in their life was key for us, he said. Continued...

Read the original post:

Spirituality is key for O’Hara grads

Voluntary Peaceful Fast & Prayer By The Worldwide Followers Of His Holiness Paramahamsa Nithyananda

Posted on by

14 June Paramahamsa Nithyananda Arrested - Followers worldwide start a voluntary peaceful fast & prayer.Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 14, 2012 As per the local media IBNLive there has been a re-arrest of His Holiness Paramahamsa Nithyananda. In view of today’s re-arrest of His Holiness Paramahamsa Nithyananda, all his followers worldwide are undertaking a peaceful fast with prayer as a religious ...

Excerpt from:

Voluntary Peaceful Fast & Prayer By The Worldwide Followers Of His Holiness Paramahamsa Nithyananda

NASA chief visits Texas rocket factory, views SpaceX Dragon capsule after historic flight

Posted on by

MCGREGOR, Texas - Marred by just a few scorch marks from its re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere, the world's first commercial supply spacecraft to visit the International Space Station weathered its maiden voyage well, NASA and SpaceX officials said Wednesday.

More here:

NASA chief visits Texas rocket factory, views SpaceX Dragon capsule after historic flight

Stellar Photos From the International Space Station

Posted on by

These fantastic photos were taken by Flight Engineer Don Petit during the Expedition 31s current tenure aboard the International Space Station.

He explains who he capture such stunning images on his flickr account. You know, if you ever happen to be aboard the International Space Station and want to try it yourself:

My star trail images are made by taking a time exposure of about 10 to 15 minutes. However, with modern digital cameras, 30 seconds is about the longest exposure possible, due to electronic detector noise effectively snowing out the image. To achieve the longer exposures I do what many amateur astronomers do. I take multiple 30-second exposures, then stack them using imaging software, thus producing the longer exposure.

The yellow orange trails you see in these photos are actually the lights of cites on Earth. A green aurora can also be seen surrounding the Earth in some of these extended exposure shots. The bluish blips you see on the surface of the Earth are actually lightning strikes. Cool!

Go here to read the rest:

Stellar Photos From the International Space Station

Space Shuttle STS-49 Endeavour Intelsat VI Repair pt1-2 Post Flight Press 1992 NASA – Video

Posted on by

14-06-2012 09:25 more at "STS-49, the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Includes the dramatic capture, repair, and reboost of the INTELSAT VI satellite; as well as the ASEM experiment designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of certain EVA techniques for the future construction of a space station." Public domain film slightly cropped to remove uneven edges, with the aspect ratio corrected, and mild video noise reduction applied. The soundtrack was also processed with volume normalization, noise reduction, clipping reduction, and equalization (the resulting sound, though not perfect, is far less noisy than the original). Split with MKVmerge GUI (part of MKVToolNix), the same freeware (or Avidemux) can recombine the downloaded parts (in mp4 format): part 2: also see: "Houston, I Think We've Got a Satellite" STS-49 was the maiden flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The primary goal of its nine-day mission was to retrieve a Intelsat VI satellite (Intelsat 603, which failed to leave low earth orbit two years before), attach it to a new upper stage, and relaunch it to its intended geosynchronous orbit. After several attempts, the capture was completed with a three-person extra-vehicular activity, the first time that three people from the same spacecraft walked in space at the same time. It would also stand until STS-102 in 2001 as the longest EVA ever undertaken. Commander Daniel C. Brandenstein ...

Read the original here:

Space Shuttle STS-49 Endeavour Intelsat VI Repair pt1-2 Post Flight Press 1992 NASA - Video

Secret X-37B space plane may land Friday

Posted on by

The U.S. Air Force is standing ready for this week's much anticipated return to Earth of a robotic space plane that has spent more than a year in orbit on a secret mission.

Air Force officials say landing day for the unmanned X-37B space plane is imminent, and could occur on Friday. But weather conditions at its intended landing site at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, as well as other factors, will determine when the spacecraft will ultimately land.

"Team Vandenberg is prepared to safely receive the X-37B at a moment's notice," Air Force Lt. Austin Fallin told Space.com in an email this week. "Exact landing date and time depend on weather and technical considerations."

The X-37B spacecraft's landing window opened on Monday and runs through next Monday, with Friday being the next opportunity, Fallin said. The exact nature of the space plane's mission is classified, so aside from a brief May 30 statement announcing the upcoming landing in the mid-June timeframe, Air Force officials have remained mum on re-entry details. [ Photos: Air Force's 2nd Secret X-37B Mission ]

"More information will be released as it becomes available," Fallin said.

The X-37B space plane set to land this week is known as the Orbital Test Vehicle 2 (OTV-2) and looks much like a smaller version of NASA's reusable space shuttles. Unlike NASA's shuttles, the OTV-2 is completely unmanned and is powered by a solar panel that allows it to stay in orbit for months at a time.

Air Force officials have said the estimated mission length for its X-37B space planes (there are currently two) is about 270 days, but the OTV-2 mission has far outlasted that timeframe. The OTV-2 mission launched into orbit on March 5, 2011 and has racked up more than 460 days in orbit so far.

The Air Force's X-37B space planes are built by Boeing and originally began as a NASA test program that shifted into the U.S military's control in 2006, first to DARPA and then to the Air Force, due to funding issues. Each X-37B spacecraft is about 29 feet long (8.8 meters) 15 feet wide (4.5 m), and has a payload bay about the size of a pickup truck bed.

More space news from msnbc.com

Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: A double shot of solar particles is due to hit Earth's magnetic field on Saturday, but not to worry the most noticeable effect is likely to be heightened auroral displays.

Originally posted here:

Secret X-37B space plane may land Friday

Air Force's Secretive X-37B Space Plane May Land Friday

Posted on by

The U.S. Air Force is standing ready for this week's much anticipated return to Earth of a robotic space plane that has spent more than a year in orbit on a secret mission.

Air Force officials say landing day for the unmanned X-37B space plane is imminent, and could occur on Friday (June 15). But weather conditions at its intended landing site at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, as well as other factors, will determine when the spacecraft's will ultimately land.

"Team Vandenberg is prepared to safely receive the X-37B at a moment's notice," Air Force Lt. Austin Fallin told SPACE.com in an email this week. "Exact landing date and time depend on weather and technical considerations."

The X-37B spacecraft's landing window opened on June 11 and runs through June 18, with Friday being the next opportunity, Fallin said. The exact nature of the space plane's mission is classified, so aside from a brief May 30 statement announcing the upcoming landing in the mid-June timeframe, Air Force officials have remained mum on re-entry details. [Photos: Air Force's 2nd Secret X-37B Mission]

"More information will be released as it becomes available," Fallin said.

The X-37B space plane set to land this week is known as the Orbital Test Vehicle 2 (OTV-2) and looks much like a smaller version of NASA's reusable space shuttles. Unlike NASA's shuttles, the OTV-2 is completely unmanned and is powered by a solar panel that allows it to stay in orbit for months at a time.

Air Force officials have said the estimated mission length for its X-37B space planes (there are currently two) is about 270 days, but the OTV-2 mission has far outlasted that timeframe. The OTV-2 mission launched into orbit on March 5, 2011 and has racked up more than 460 days in orbit so far.

The Air Force's X-37B space planes are built by Boeing and originally began as a NASA test program that shifted into the U.S military's control in 2006, first to DARPA and then to the Air Force, due to funding issues. Each X-37B spacecraft is about 29 feet long (8.8 meters) 15 feet wide (4.5 m), and has a payload bay about the size of a pickup truck bed.

The spacecraft are launched into orbit atop unmanned Atlas 5 rockets and are designed to guide themselves back to Earth on autopilot by re-entering the atmosphere and landing on a runway at Vandenberg. The OTV-2 mission and its predecessor were launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

The first X-37B space plane, OTV-1, launched in 2010 and spent 225 days in space. This OTV-2 mission has more than doubled the duration of that debut flight. Air Force officials have said they intend to launch the OTV-1 vehicle on another test flight soon, possibly as soon as this fall.

See the rest here:

Air Force's Secretive X-37B Space Plane May Land Friday

First Flight Instrument Delivered for James Webb Space Telescope

Posted on by

The first of four instruments to fly aboard NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) has been delivered to NASA. The Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) will allow scientists to study cold and distant objects in greater detail than ever before.

MIRI arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. on May 29. It has been undergoing inspection before being integrated into Webb's science instrument payload known as the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM).

Assembled at and shipped from the Science and Technology Facilities Council's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the United Kingdom, MIRI was developed by a consortium of 10 European institutions and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., and delivered by the European Space Agency.

George Rieke, MIRI science team lead at the University of Arizona, Tucson, noted, "MIRI is the first Webb instrument to be delivered, the result of teamwork in the U.S. and internationally."

MIRI will observe light with wavelengths in the mid-infrared range of 5 microns to 28 microns, which is a longer wavelength than human eyes can detect. It is the only instrument of the four with this particular ability to observe the physical processes occurring in the cosmos.

"MIRI will enable Webb to distinguish the oldest galaxies from more evolved objects that have undergone several cycles of star birth and death," said Matt Greenhouse, ISIM project scientist at Goddard. "MIRI also will provide a unique window into the birth places of stars which are typically enshrouded by dust that shorter wavelength light cannot penetrate."

MIRI's sensitive detectors will allow it to observe light, cool stars in very distant galaxies; unveil newly forming stars within our Milky Way; find signatures of the formation of planets around stars other than our own; and take imagery and spectroscopy of planets, comets and the outermost bits of debris in our solar system. MIRI's images will enable scientists to study an object's shape and structure.

"MIRI will help us understand what's out there at the edge of what we can see," said Mike Ressler, the instrument's project scientist at JPL. "The shorter-wavelength instruments will discover the glow of the farthest known objects, but we need MIRI to help identify what they are -- supermassive black holes, newborn galaxies or something we've never seen before."

The most powerful space telescope ever built, Webb is the successor to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Webb's four instruments will reveal how the universe evolved from the Big Bang to the formation of our solar system. Webb is a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

To view two "Behind the Webb" videos about MIRI, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/LQUFC9 and http://go.nasa.gov/LQUPta

Read more:

First Flight Instrument Delivered for James Webb Space Telescope

Space launch: One small step for China, one giant opportunity for investors

Posted on by

As China prepares to launch its first manned space flight in four years, Chinese stock prices are going up.

For the Chinese government, this weekends space shot the countrys first manned space flight for nearly four years is a matter of national pride.

Beijing Bureau Chief

Peter Ford is The Christian Science Monitors Beijing Bureau Chief. He covers news and features throughout China and also makes reporting trips to Japan and the Korean peninsula.

For some canny Chinese stock pickers, however, it is a chance to make money.

The Shenzhou 9 mission, due to take off on Saturday, will send three taikonauts, one of them a woman, to dock for the first time with Chinas orbiting space lab. The maneuver will mark a major step toward Beijings goal of building its own space station.

Back on Earth, meanwhile, the flurry of publicity surrounding the launch has done wonders for the stock prices of Chinese state-owned firms in the space sector. One of them has seen the value of its shares jump 16 percent since the mission was announced Saturday.

The Chinese government and the companies it controls are generally tight-lipped about the space program, releasing information to the public only at high points such as rocket launches. Shares go up because they are stimulated by the news, says Li Qin, an aerospace analyst at China Investment Securities in Beijing.

At the same time, adds Mr. Li, launches are evidence of progress in Chinas space sector, which sparks market expectations of the sector, so speculative investors jump in.

The last time China launched a rocket in its space lab program, last year, space sector stocks bucked a falling market to rise by about 10 percent, Li recalls. They have risen by the same amount over the past four days, he says, led by Shaanxi Aerospace Power, a manufacturer of rocket parts, whose shares have leaped 16 percent.

Link:

Space launch: One small step for China, one giant opportunity for investors

Red Bull searching for the UK's best racing gamer

Posted on by

Red Bull searching for the UK's best racing gamer

13/06/2012

Red Bull Gridsters is on a quest to find the UK's best virtual racer when the competition comes to the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed (28 June - 1 July).

Gridsters is a new, unique competition format that aims to find who is the fastest, most versatile racing gamer across three different racing titles on two different platforms (Forza Motorsport 4 (XBOX 360), Gran Turismo 5 (PS3) and F1 2011 (PS3).

16 of the UK's best gaming talent will be taken from the comfort of their couches to the cauldron of the race track in the Red Bull Gridsters Dome to battle it out over two days of competition at the prestigious Festival of Speed.

The initial selection process involves logging onto redbull.co.uk/gridsters and submitting a video outlining gaming credentials along with submitting gamer tags from either the PSN or XBOX live network. Top spots on the Forza, GT and F1 2011 ranking boards, fastest laps achieved and prizes won in tournaments should be shouted about. 16 finalists will then be selected by a panel of industry experts to head to the Goodwood Festival of Speed to compete for some astonishing prizes, including a trip to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as well as the accolade of being crowned Red Bull Gridsters champion.

'Young Guns' is the theme for this year's Goodwood Festival and with youngest ever double Formula 1 World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, attending the gamers will be rubbing shoulders with the motor racing glitterati and looking to catch the eye of any team principals who may be overseeing procedures!

Speaking of the new collaboration at the event Festival of Speed founder Lord March said, "It is great that we have this exciting new gaming concept coming to Goodwood this year which ties in perfectly with the Young Guns theme of the Festival. I look forward to seeing some of the best virtual racers competing at the same Festival as some of the greatest racing drivers of all time"

To book your place on the starting grid for Goodwood head to redbull.co.uk/gridsters and tell them why you should be there.

Note:

See original here:

Red Bull searching for the UK's best racing gamer

Grilled tuna with grilled vegetables and chimichurri

Posted on by

To view our videos, you need to enable JavaScript. Learn how. install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now. Then come back here and refresh the page.

SERVES: 2

2 6-ounce tuna fillets 6 baby potatoes, boiled and cut in half after cooking 1 Vidalia onion, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into 1/8ths 1 medium zucchini cut lengthwise 1/4-inch thick olive oil and salt and pepper for seasoning above

For the chimichurri:

1/2 cup chopped parsley 2 Tbs chopped fresh oregano 1 large clove garlic, minced pinch red pepper flakes 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 Tbs red wine vinegar

1. Plan ahead and parboil a handful of small potatoes and cool and cut those in half lengthwise.

2. You can use a food processor to make the chimichurri or make a rough chopped version by using a mixing bowl to combine 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley with 2 Tbs chopped fresh oregano, 1 large minced clove of garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil and a scant 1/4 cup red wine vinegar and whisking it up.

3. Slice the vegetables season those and the tuna fillets with olive oil and salt and pepper and it's time to head out to the hot grill.

4. Cooking the tuna medium rare will only take 4-5 minutes to do for 1 1/2-inch thick fillets so you'll want to get the vegetables going a bit ahead of time......and then take those off of the grill when they're cooked through...........add the tuna and stay with it.....cooking both sides evenly.

5. When the tuna is cooked to your liking you can slice it in half crosswise if you like and serve it up with the grilled vegetables and the chimichurri sauce over the top of everything.

Originally posted here:

Grilled tuna with grilled vegetables and chimichurri