The Olympics officially launch today (July 27) in London, but it was a NASA mission from 12 years ago that first lifted off to space with 2012 Summer Games' memorabilia.
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Monthly Archives: July 2012
NASA space program clears milestone review
An artist rendering of the various configurations of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS). Credit: NASA
WASHINGTON, July 27 (UPI) -- NASA says the rocket system that will launch humans farther into space than ever before has reached a milestone by passing a major agency revue.
The Space Launch System Program completed a combined System Requirements Review and System Definition Review, which set requirements of the overall launch vehicle system, meaning SLS moves to its preliminary design phase, the agency reported.
The review set technical, performance, cost and schedule requirements to provide on-time development of the heavy-lift rocket.
The SLS is intended to launch NASA's Orion spacecraft and other payloads and provide the capability for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
This new heavy-lift launch vehicle will make it possible for explorers to reach beyond our current limits, to nearby asteroids, Mars and its moons and to destinations even farther across our solar system," said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters in Washington.
"The in-depth assessment confirmed the basic vehicle concepts of the SLS, allowing the team to move forward and start more detailed engineering design."
SLS reached the review milestone less than 10 months after the program's inception.
"This is a pivotal moment for this program and for NASA," SLS Program Manager Todd May said. "This has been a whirlwind experience from a design standpoint.
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NASA taps prisoners to build satellite parts
A new agreement with NASA will see San Quentin Prison inmates building satellite components.
In most cases, when a person is sentenced to prison, the goal is both to remove them from daily life, and teach the convict how to better serve society as a whole. Traditionally this meant stamping out license plates or painting the vehicles of the local police department, but thanks to an innovative new agreement with NASA prisoners at San Quentin State Prison will soon be making amends for their crimes by putting together tiny satellite components.
Known asPoly Picosatellite Orbital Deployers (henceforth PPODs), the devices are used to mount small cubesat satellites on launch vehicles. When correctly configured, the PPOD secures the tiny satellite in place through launch, then releases it into space at the appointed time. Despite its crucial purpose however, the PPOD is a relatively low-tech device. Its simple to build, but NASA needs tons of them and its not terribly cost effective to build an entire fabrication line just to churn out PPODs when we already have a perfectly viable workforce biding its time behind bars.
Thus, former University of Arizona professor Pete Worden hatched a plan to tap the largely unused prison population to build the devices. The goal, according to the scheme Worden outlined for NASA, is to both create a steady supply of PPODs as well as assist a few select inmates develop their machining skills to make them more employable in the aerospace industry upon release. In short, NASA gets new toys for cheap, San Quentin gets a couple million dollars, and a few dozen prisoners pick up a useful skill.
After a visit to San Quentin to determine if inmates had access to all the materials and information they would need to build the PPODs, NASA signed a two year Space Act agreement with the prison. Under the terms, NASA will provide cash and educational opportunities for prisoners, while the prison would ensure that its residents are meeting their PPOD quota and building the devices to meet rigorous NASA standards.
If any of you would-be astronauts are suddenly worried about a bitter convict purposely sabotaging your satellite launching mechanism, dont fret: According to Space.com these particular PPODs will not actually be shot into space. At best theyll be used for testing purposes, though it appears that NASA officials are waiting to see how well the inmates can construct the PPODs before deciding their fate. Worden claims that the PPODs created at San Quentin so far are top notch, though NASA remains unconvinced.
Regardless, that aforementioned two-year agreement is non-reimbursable, so no matter what NASA does with the devices, the prison and its inmates will see a nice infusion of cash, and, one hopes, an elementary fabrication background that might one day segue into a private sector aerospace job. Its far easier to avoid the temptation of criminal activity when youre earning $50,000+ annually working in a government-funded fabrication plant.
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Inmates build satellite parts for NASA
SANTA CLARA, Calif. The NASA Ames Research Center is known for establishing innovative partnerships and Pete Worden, the former Air Force general who serves as the centers director, is known as a maverick. Still, the latest joint venture to come to light has caught even some longtime NASA observers by surprise.
Under supervision from NASA Ames, inmates working in the machine shop at Californias San Quentin State Prison are building Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployers (PPODs), the standard mechanism used to mount tiny satellites called cubesats on a variety of launch vehicles and then, at the appropriate time, fling them into orbit.
"Only Pete Worden would do something like that," said Bob Twiggs, who was one of the inventors of the cubesat while he was a professor at Stanford University. "He is a real independent hero to me in blazing new trails rather that sticking close to the safe road," Twiggs, who now serves as a professor at Kentuckys Morehead State University, said by email.
Worden got the idea for the partnership with San Quentinwhile he was at a party, talking to the spouse of a NASA employee who happened to work as a guard on the prisons death row. When the guard mentioned the prisons critical need to establish innovative education and training programs, Worden, a former University of Arizona professor, said, "How about building small satellites?
A couple of weeks later, NASA Ames officials visited the prison and confirmed that inmates had access to the type of machine tools they would need to build PPODs. That led to a two-year, non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement that senior officials from NASA Ames and San Quentin signed in June 2011.
Space news from NBCNews.com
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Is the plan for the Curiosity rover's landing so crazy it just might work? Or just so crazy? Either way, it will change the course of Mars exploration.
As part of that agreement, NASA Ames officials developed the educational plan to train inmates to build the small satellite components. The partnership program is designed primarily to help "a few select inmates develop their machining skills to make them more employable in the aerospace industry upon release," Adriana Cardenas, NASA Ames associate director of engineering, said in an emailed response to questions. "The components will never fly in space," said Cardenas, who also serves as NASA Ames' liaison to San Quentin.
However, PPODs manufactured in San Quentins machine shop will be handed over to NASA Ames and "depending on the quality, we may consider the possibility that they could be used as test articles." Center officials have not yet made any plans to use the PPODs built at San Quentin for testing, she added.
Nevertheless, Worden said the hardware produced at San Quentin has been "top notch." In addition to providing training for the inmates, Worden said he has promised to help a couple of them find employment when they are released from prison.
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San Quentin Prison Inmates Build Tiny Satellite Parts for NASA
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The NASA Ames Research Center is known for establishing innovative partnerships and Pete Worden, the former Air Force general who serves as the Center’s director, is known as a maverick. Still, the latest joint venture to come to light has caught even some longtime NASA observers by surprise.
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San Quentin Prison Inmates Build Tiny Satellite Parts for NASA
Cleary: For Olympic rower, the law could wait
Ottawa Rowing Clubs Morgan Jarvis is an accidental Olympic athlete.
The Winnipeg-born Jarvis retired as a high-performance rower in 2005 to focus on his university education, which led to a BSc in biology, a masters in molecular medicine and his Juris Doctor law degree, all from Queens University.
After he shifted his academic career focus to law from medicine, he earned a summer job at the Ottawa law firm of Gowlings, but continued to maintain his early-morning, late-afternoon participation in rowing.
When Gowlings lawyer Frank Mulock learned about Jarviss talents as a rower bronze medallist in lightweight quad sculls at the 2005 world championships and a bronze winner in lightweight double sculls at the 2004 and 2005 world U23 championships he wondered why there was nothing on his resume about the Summer Olympics.
Jarvis replied that striving for such a monumental goal required a huge time and financial commitment, plus he didnt want to sacrifice losing an articling opportunity at Gowlings.
Mulock tried to get Jarvis to think about chasing the Olympic dream by putting rowing articles on his desk chair during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
On the water, Jarviss training and race results at a much lower level were productive, which allowed him to think he might have a chance to make the Olympic team.
He looked at his athletic career and said: Why not? Why not be the best you can be?
The support and encouragement Jarvis received at Gowlings brought him to a career crossroads. In 2010, he approached Gowlings and asked if he could delay his articling for two years until the fall of 2012. That would give him two years to train for the Games and then allow him start his articling.
Gowlings overwhelming approved of Jarviss Olympic journey.
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HEALTH: Chinese medicine's view on Diabetes
Hi everyone,
Last week I wrote about Diabetes from a Western medicine understanding, so this week the focus is on how Chinese medicine views the pattern of disharmony that is common with people who have Diabetes.
The condition has an effect on the triple burner.
These are known as the upper, middle and lower burners.
The triple burner can be defined as "from the diaphragm upwards is the upper burner, between the diaphragm and the umbilicus is the middle burner, below the umbilicus is the lower burner ... the upper burner includes heart, lungs pericardium, throat and head; the middle burner includes stomach, spleen and gall bladder; the lower burner includes liver, kidneys, intestines and bladder." (Maciocia, 1989, pg.119)
The upper burner type is known as heat in the lungs which is characterised by a strong thirst.
The middle burner is considered as heat in the spleen and stomach, which results in symptoms of intense hunger, and the lower burner is related to the kidney's inability to control the orifices, hence the increase volume and frequency of urination.
Chinese medicine views type 1 diabetes as "failure of spleen transformation is due to the spleen not being supported by the kidneys; in type 2 Diabetes it is due to direct damage to the spleen by diet or emotional factors"(Mclean & Lyttleton, 2010, pg. 159)
What does this all mean?
The spleen is an organ that not often talked about in western medicine; however it plays a very important role in understanding how Qi (energy) is produced in Chinese medicine.
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Poff, Tycoles like satellite med school idea
A stand-alone medical school for Brandon University may not be realistic, but the findings of the Brandon Medical Education Study to increase training of doctors in rural environments is encouraging, said Ross Tycoles, chairman of the Assiniboine Municipal Health Committee.
"Honestly, I think all along (a satellite medical school in Brandon) was their plan," Tycoles said. "Im disappointed that the stand-alone school didnt come through, but the fact is the satellite school will help and it will address the concerns rural communities have."
His view was shared by Brandon University president Deborah Poff, who called the study "a small step in the right direction."
"It doesnt surprise me that there would be no recommendation for an independent medical school," Poff said. "Given the context in Manitoba, I knew that was a long shot beyond belief and I had said that to a lot of people. The satellite school is a half step in that direction."
Poff said her disappointment with the report rests on a conservative implementation schedule of the findings, which includes more residencies in later years of the four-year medical school program and community campuses with teaching units geared towards practising medicine in rural areas.
The provincial government stated in a press release that six residencies were already planned for Brandon, Steinbach and the Boundary Trails Hospital between Morden and Winkler this year and the study called for more next year. A satellite campus of the University of Manitobas medical school in Brandon is listed as a possibility, if more students need to be accepted in the future.
"I think it will take a long while unless theres the political will within the implementation committee to move a little faster," Poff said.
"In every province where this has been happening, which is now the majority of provinces, its taken some political will and commitments. The recommendations are not bad, just extremely slow in terms of the time horizon."
Tycoles said the study recognized the "problem that has always been around" and dealt with those issues, but Dr. Derry Decter, a proponent for training doctors in rural communities, said the study doesnt go far enough, or fast enough to deal with the doctor shortages faced by rural and northern residents.
"There is a bit of a red herring in there," Decter said.
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DMU medical school dean loses his position
The dean of Des Moines Universitys medical school has been forced out of the position by the universitys president.
Dr. Kendall Reed was the medical-schools dean since 2003.
Dr. Angela Franklin became the universitys president last year. When asked today about word that Reed was out as dean, the universitys spokeswoman replied in an e-mail: Yes, President Franklin made that administrative change last week.
The spokeswoman said Reed remains a tenured professor in the medical school, which trains osteopathic physicians. She said Dr. David Plundo, who was already an associate dean, has been named acting dean. Franklin will conduct a search for a permanent replacement. The spokeswoman declined other comment on the situation.
Reed, who is a surgeon, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tags: Des Moines University, Dr. Angela Franklin, Dr. Kendall Reed
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UK medical school teaching on physical activity virtually 'non-existent'
Public release date: 27-Jul-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Stephanie Burns sburns@bmjgroup.com 44-020-738-36920 BMJ-British Medical Journal
[Physical activity education in the undergraduate curricula of all UK medical schools. Are tomorrow's doctors equipped to follow clinical guidelines? Online First doi 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091380]
UK medical school teaching on physical activity is "sparse or non-existent," finds research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine today.
This knowledge gap will leave tomorrow's doctors ill equipped to promote physical activity effectively to their patients and stem the rising tide of serious disease associated with lack of exercise, say the authors.
They base their findings on the results of a survey sent to the curriculum lead or director for medical studies for each of the UK's 31 medical schools.
This asked about the form and content of key aspects of education on the promotion of physical activity, in accordance with national guidelines, and the total amount of time given over to teaching the basic science and health benefits of physical activity across the undergraduate course.
The education leads were asked to name the specific teaching modules in which physical activity education appeared. And they were asked if the Chief Medical Officer's (CMO's) guidance on physical activitywhich spans all age groups, and which was published last Julyappeared anywhere in the curriculum.
The responses uncovered "some alarming findings, showing that there is widespread omission of basic teaching elements," say the authors.
All the medical schools responded. Only four (15.5%) included physical activity in each year of the undergraduate course. Five (16%) did not include any specific teaching on it in their undergraduate courses.
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UK medical school teaching on physical activity virtually 'non-existent'
Liberty Mutual Insurance is launching new ads during the Olympics
By Chris Reidy, Globe Staff
Liberty Mutual Insurance said it will debut new ads during the Olympics. The campaign is titled Humans, and it begins with a 60-second and a 30-second TV spot.
The creative for the campaign was developed by Hill Holliday of Boston, Liberty Mutuals advertising agency of record.
The TV spots feature vignettes that illustrate everyday moments when people show their imperfections - and when there is a need for responsibility and insurance, Boston-based Liberty Mutual said.
The 60-second spot opens with a voice-over saying: Humans. We mean well but we are imperfect creatures living in an imperfect world.
Vignettes span a wide range of mishaps that damage property, cars, or homes.
The spot closes with the voice-over saying: Thats the funny thing about humans. When things are at their worst, we are at our best.
Actor Paul Giamatti does the voice-over. The musical score is provided by the Human League and its hit song, Human.
Liberty Mutual Insurance is a diversified global insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the United States.
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Liberty Mutual Insurance is launching new ads during the Olympics
Liberty Mutual Insurance Capitalizes On London Games To Launch All-New Advertising Creative
BOSTON, July 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Mutual Insurance will debut all-new advertising creative during the Summer Games, introducing a new theme, "Humans." The campaign kicks off July 28 with two executions a 60-second and a 30-second spot. The spots feature entertaining vignettes that illustrate everyday moments when people show their imperfections and when there is a need for responsibility and insurance.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liberty-mutual-insurance-capitalizes-on-london-games-to-launch-all-new-advertising-creative-163917896.html
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110607/NE15669LOGO)
Working with NBC, Liberty Mutual Insurance secured time on its flagship TV and digital properties, including NBC, Bravo, CNBC, and NBC Sports Network, with a high percentage of placements during primetime broadcasts and a consistent presence throughout each day of the Games.
"The new campaign communicates Liberty Mutual's 'Responsibility' brand character in a way that is relevant to consumer and the role of insurance in their lives," said Jim MacPhee, senior vice president and Chief Marketing Officer, Liberty Mutual Personal Insurance. "In a highly competitive personal insurance marketplace it is important to promote our differentiating attributes, characterized by our empathy towards policyholders in times when they need us."
The 60-second spot opens with the V/O: "Humans. We mean well but we are imperfect creatures living in an imperfect world." Vignettes span a wide range of mishaps that damage property, cars or homes... and sometimes all three at the same time. The musical score is provided by The Human League and its hit song, "Human." The spot closes with the V/O: "That's the funny thing about humans. When things are at their worst, we are at our best."
The 30-second spot focuses on auto policies and Liberty Mutual products, exclusive Better Car Replacement and Accident Forgiveness. The narration opens: "Humans. Even when we cross our Ts and dot our Is, we still run into problems. Namely, other humans." Vehicles are damaged in many ways set against the musical backdrop of theme song from "The Odd Couple."
Each spot includes Liberty Mutual Insurance agents on the scene to help policy holders in their moment of greatest need, regardless of whether the damage was self-inflicted or avoidable. The tagline continues to be, "Responsibility. What's your policy?"
"Humans" includes the premiere of award-winning actor Paul Giamatti as celebrity voiceover talent. The campaign will run with several new executions throughout the year in high-profile sporting events, and continue Liberty Mutual Insurance's presence within strong cable properties such as HGTV, Food, TBS, USA, Discovery, History, ESPN, A&E and AMC.
"Paul's voice sets the perfect tone for the Humans campaign," said MacPhee. "He is an extremely talented actor who is relatable to everyone."
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Liberty Mutual Insurance Capitalizes On London Games To Launch All-New Advertising Creative
‘Islands & Tigers’ in the WOAI.com Garage
By Michael Botsford & Sami Yazdanyar
SAN ANTONIO - The members of Islands & Tigers may only be in their teenage years but theyre proving that age really aint nothing but a number. With some high-energy dance moves and musical diversity to the max, the band hopes to take over the San Antonio vintage dance/rock world by storm.
Coming from an artsy magnet high school in San Antonio, the band has a laundry list of talents they incorporate into their live show. Despite the Xs on their hands while performing, they never have a hard time surprising concertgoers.
For our live shows I bring my glockenspiel. I also play tambourine and keyboards. Ive been teaching myself how to play because its a hobby I like to do. It wasnt stressful, it was cool I get to do it in a band now. Now Im cooler than everybody, says Alexa Rivas.
Members Dane Rousay and Daniel Escalante have no trouble switching off from bass to drums to keep their set fresh. Each member is able to play different instruments, a talent thats helped set them apart from their peers.
Being a young band and booking shows is the last thing on their minds.
We are confident that once people hear us theyll want to book us. If you dont book us because were young, your loss, says lead man Bobby Rivas.
With tons of live shows at bars and parties under their belt, there is one appearance that the band wont be forgetting anytime soon.
The coolest show weve played so far was in a Barnes and Noble bathroom. It was an acoustic set. We huddled up and did some covers and a few of our songs. We built up this big crowd of people in the bathroom. When we finished playing they were all clapping, we didnt even know they were there because we were crowded into a little stall. On a toilet with a guitar, you cant beat it, says Rivas.
While the band is keeping the details of their new album under wraps until later this summer, they shared 2 songs with us in The Garage studio.
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Japan may send troops to disputed islands
Japan's defence minister on Friday warned Tokyo could send troops to a chain of East China Sea islands at the centre of a territorial row with China if the simmering dispute escalated.
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Cayman Islands proposes income tax on foreign workers
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (Reuters) - Known as a tax haven for the mega rich around the world, the Cayman Islands is proposing the unthinkable: a direct tax on expatriates to help fix the budget woes of the British territory. The proposal - called a "community enhancement fee" and unprecedented in the island's history - is effectively a 10 percent payroll tax on all foreign workers earning ...
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Group protests health care law at convention center – Video
26-07-2012 11:35 Before President Barack Obama's arrival at the Convention Center on Wednesday, dozens of protestors gathered outside.
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Gov’t Upping Fight Against Health Care Fraud – Video
26-07-2012 13:48 The Obama administration is upping the ante in the fight against health care fraud, joining forces with private insurers and state investigators on a scale not previously seen in an attempt to stanch tens of billions of dollars in losses. (July 26)
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Independence Blue Cross Debuts New "Changing the Game" Position, Creative Campaign
PHILADELPHIA, July 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today introduces a new brand position and advertising campaign that highlights the benefits of a better coordinated health care system that places members' health and wellness at the center of everything the company does. IBC is leading the transformation of health care in southeastern Pennsylvania by delivering access to high-quality patient care and lowering costs for consumers -- truly changing the game. The compelling new advertising campaign debuts July 27 during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic Games on NBC, and launches a new tagline, "Changing the game."
"As the region's number one health insurer, Independence Blue Cross is uniquely positioned to drive improvement in the quality of care. We have the vision, resources, and partnerships with leading hospitals, doctors, and specialists to reward quality of care over volume, and to move from a model that reacts to illness to one focused on preventing it," said Daniel J. Hilferty, IBC president and CEO. "This new campaign highlights our commitment to building a better health care system -- to 'changing the game.'"
The new ad campaign, which spans television, radio, print, digital, transit signage, and billboards, uses the human body as a metaphor for the power of perfect coordination. As the human body has many complicated moving parts that all work together seamlessly, the ads ask, "Wouldn't it be nice if our health care were this coordinated?"
The new tagline, "Changing the game," signals that at a time of remarkable transformation in health care in the United States, IBC is leading the way with changes that will ultimately deliver improved care.
IBC redesigned its 20-year old logo to reinforce the trusted Blue brand through a more contemporary, bold, yet friendly mark. The company's newly redesigned logo now consists of the word "Independence" followed by the iconic blue cross graphic.
"At Independence Blue Cross, we see a day when patients, physicians, nurses, and hospitals are all seamlessly connected through improved coordination, better access to information, and doctor-patient accountability, resulting in better quality care and lower costs. And we are the company that is making it happen," stated Hilferty.
The advertising campaign was developed by IBC's agency of record, Philadelphia-based Tierney. New York-based branding experts Siegel+Gale developed the redesigned brand logo.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.1 million people. For nearly 75 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit us at ibx.com. Fan us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter (@IBX).
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Independence Blue Cross Debuts New "Changing the Game" Position, Creative Campaign
A New Ad Campaign for Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest health care providers in the United States, is rolling out the latest installment of its advertising campaign, "Thrive," on Friday.
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Health-care Stocks: Coventry pops on earnings; Molina slips
Shares of Coventry Health Care jump while Molina slips on earnings news.
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