Monthly Archives: July 2012

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. Retains New York Securities Law Firm

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NAPLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. (Pink Sheets:INTK), an emerging global leader in nanotechnology based energy saving and sustainable solutions announced today that the Company has engaged the law firm of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference, LLP (www.srff.com), 61 Broadway, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10006 (SRFF), to represent its interests as general securities counsel and in the filing of a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Stuart Burchill, CEO/CTO of Industrial Nanotech, Inc.,stated, "As the Company matures and our business strategies begin to produce the intended results, it is time to begin executing the next logical steps to maximize shareholder value. With the guidance and advice of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (SRFF), working closely with Andrea Cataneo, Partner, we believe we can streamline the process of becoming an SEC reporting entity and with their strong relationships with investment bankers, investor relations firms and related professional service entities, we are confident that the Company and the shareholders will benefit from their introductions."

Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (SRFF) is headquartered in New York and provides experienced, professional representation for all matters involving the securities industry, as well as general corporate and litigation matters. SRFF clients include private and public corporations (from start-ups to NYSE-listed companies), partnerships, broker-dealers, investment advisors, individual corporate investors, partnerships and other entities. SRFF regularly advises clients regarding corporate and commercial transactions, including public offerings, reverse mergers, private investments in public equity (PIPEs), registered direct offerings, private placements, as well as mergers and acquisitions. SRFF also advises institutional investors on transactions involving complex securities law considerations. SRFF is recognized nationally for innovation, entrepreneurship and legal excellence in public company representations. In addition, the firm provides guidance to Boards of Directors and corporate managers who now operate in an increasingly complex and changing landscape of securities rules, litigation risks, and regulatory oversight. For more information, visit http://www.srff.com.

About Industrial Nanotech Inc.

Industrial Nanotech Inc. is a global nanoscience solutions and research leader and member of the U.S. Green Building Council. The Company develops and commercializes new and innovative applications for sustainable nanotechnology which are sold worldwide. http://www.inanotk.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products, the ability to meet customer demand, the ability to manage growth, acquisitions of technology, equipment, or human resources, the effect of economic and business conditions, and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel. The Company is not obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

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Industrial Nanotech, Inc. Retains New York Securities Law Firm

For Pfizer, Boston’s medical labs a lure

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Pfizer Inc., the worlds largest pharmaceutical company, has a storied history of hunting for blockbuster drugs in its own labs. These days it is also hunting for collaborations with outside physician-scientists who could help it develop cures for diseases ranging from lung cancer to osteoporosis.

A natural habitat of this breed doctors who treat patients, teach at academic medical centers, and run government-funded research labs is Bostons Longwood Medical Area, home to Harvard Medical School and a cluster of its famous teaching hospitals. Thats where Pfizers new Centers for Therapeutic Innovation has established its worldwide headquarters.

The drug giant is betting it can bring more treatments to market by working with academic researchers in medical hubs like Boston. It also has set up satellite centers in New York, San Francisco, and La Jolla, Calif., outside San Diego, to strike alliances in those areas. Overall, Pfizer is committing up to $100 million to such collaborations over the next five years.

Were trying to change biomedical research globally, said Pfizers Jose-Carlos J.C. Gutierrez-Ramos in an interview from the companys perch on the top floor of a new glass-faced office tower at 3 Blackfan Circle. The old model is not efficient for us or for the academic medical centers, said Gutierrez-Ramos, who is Pfizers senior vice president and head of biotherapeutics research and development.

Other companies also are eager to share the costs and risks of developing new drugs with partners in the Boston area. Novartis AG, Sanofi SA, and Merck & Co. are among the global drug makers accelerating their partnering moves in the region.

Earlier this month Sanofi, which raised its profile by buying Cambridge-based biotech Genzyme Corp., entered into a diabetes research deal with Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Womens Hospital.

Boston is without a doubt number one for pharmas trying to cash in on the hope of a mother lode from academic drug research, said Kevin J. Gorman, managing partner at a Burlington life sciences consulting firm, Putnam Associates. Theyre placing bets on the roulette table. But its also a reflection that the internal efforts of the pharmas havent been terribly productive.

While each companys approach is different Novartis is codeveloping drugs with biotechs, while Sanofi is investing in life sciences start-ups Pfizers strategy may represent the most dramatic departure from its traditional research and development methods. The company signaled its intentions 17 months ago with the announcement it would move neuroscience and cardiovascular metabolic research operations to Cambridge from a sprawling campus in Groton, Conn.

Pfizers old business model involved either taking experimental treatments from the labs to the market by itself or buying companies that already had promising drug candidates. Both approaches were expensive generating fewer successes and alienating investors at a time when some of the companys best-selling products were losing their patent protection. That meant more competition from lower-cost generics.

Now, New York-based Pfizer is making fewer acquisitions and doing less early-stage research. Instead it is piggybacking more on the work of physician-scientists from other organizations. It is collaborating with Dr. Markus Frank at Harvard-affiliated Boston Childrens Hospital, for example, on a stem cell treatment for malignant melanoma. Pfizer also is partnering with Dr. David Salant at Boston Medical Center, a Boston University hospital, on a kidney disease therapy.

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For Pfizer, Boston’s medical labs a lure

Dr. Hugh Stephenson: Instrumental in developing four-year medical school at Mizzou

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Dr. Hugh Stephenson, who died Thursday (July 26, 2012), helped turn the School of Medicine at the University of Missouri at Columbia into a full, four-year institution.

During the 1950s, he successfully lobbied the Legislature to build a medical school to replace one that provided only two years of training. Students had to transfer to a four-year medical program to finish their degrees.

Dr. Stephenson was a popular professor and the first full-time surgery faculty member at the medical school. In 1958, he performed the university's first open-heart surgery.

The university also credits him for designing the "crash cart" the Mobile Cardiac Resuscitation Unit as well as being one of the first surgeons to implant an automatic cardiac defibrillator for shocking the heart after it goes into arrest.

Dr. Hugh Edward Stephenson Jr. died at his family's summer home in Rehoboth Beach, Del. He was 90 and also had a home in Columbia.

He had been treated for at least 10 years for complications of Parkinson's disease, a family friend said Monday.

Before Dr. Stephenson, university officials had been trying since the early 1930s to build a four-year medical school. There was never enough money during the Depression or World War II.

Dr. Stephenson was from a prominent family in Columbia, where his father was a dentist. He earned his undergraduate degree at Mizzou and studied for two years at the medical school.

Then, he was accepted at the Washington University School of Medicine, which had just three or four slots a year for third- and fourth-year students from Mizzou.

After graduating, Dr. Stephenson served as an Army radiologist in Italy. He was on the faculty at New York University Post Graduate Medical School and was chief surgical resident at Bellevue Hospital there.

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Dr. Hugh Stephenson: Instrumental in developing four-year medical school at Mizzou

Scottsdale Weight Loss Clinic Phoenix Integrative Medicine Now Offering Discounted Modified HCG Diet Program Including …

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 31, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Phoenix Integrative Medicine, the leading Scottsdale weight loss clinic, is now offering the Modified HCG Diet for a significantly reduced price of $149. The veteran weight loss doctor at the clinic, Dr. Andrea O'Connor, maintains over a 90% success rate with the HCG Diet Scottsdale program. A B-12 injection is included with the program as well.

The conventional HCG Scottsdale program only permits a person's diet to include 500 calories a day. With the modified HCG program though, individuals are allowed over 1000 daily calories with a larger variety of foods. Also, patients are able to participate in increased activity, whereas, the traditional HCG diet does not permit any exercise at all.

Along with incorporating a higher amount of calories in the diet, the modified program also includes a higher HCG dose, with the resulting weight loss seen being no different than the traditional program. The modified program is better tolerated by people than the initial restrictive program.

"The modified program we utilize works significantly better than the conventional, restrictive HCG diet. People have more energy, no headaches, and we have also seen it helping reduce chronic pain anecdotally. Our success rate exceeds 90% with the modified program," said Medical Director Dr. Andrea O'Connor.

Also included with the modified program are 2 follow up clinic visits along with a B12 injection, which helps with jump starting weight loss and boosting energy. The average weight loss seen with the modified HCG program exceeds 30 pounds, regardless of whether the HCG sublingual drops or injections are used. Dr. O'Connor uses both types of HCG.

People interested in the modified HCG program at this $149 special rate should call (480) 252-3799 for more information and scheduling. People may also schedule directly on the website.

This article was originally distributed on PRWeb. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/scottsdaleweightloss/hcgdietscottsdale/prweb9742690.htm

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Chemistry a factor for Reds on trade front

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CINCINNATI -- While the first-place Reds have been winning a lot lately and entered Monday tied with the Nationals for the best record in baseball, there's been a lot of trade rumors surrounding the club.

It's no secret that general manager Walt Jocketty has been trying to land upgrades at the leadoff spot and the bench, and he wouldn't mind improvements for the already strong pitching staff ahead of Tuesday's Trade Deadline.

Some players, including Ryan Ludwick, have recently talked about the team's chemistry being so good. Another player, Drew Stubbs -- who could be displaced if the potential leadoff acquisition is a center fielder -- also felt the current chemistry was strong and could be affected by a deal.

"Looking at what we've done so far this year, it's hard to argue with the success we've had," Stubbs said. "I don't think a move is necessary unless you're going to make a significant improvement to the team. ... I feel like so many people this time of year in a playoff race feel like you should make a move just to make a move. I don't think that's necessary for us, especially with the chemistry we have and the way everybody has been playing lately."

Reds manager Dusty Baker is kept in the loop about potential deals, but he doesn't have the last word, calling himself the "shop foreman." Baker hoped that if a trade was made before the 4 p.m. ET Deadline, that it didn't upset the balance in the clubhouse.

"That's why you're very careful," Baker said. "People don't understand about making deals or making trades is that you could end up getting rid of some guys that are an integral part of what you've got going on right now. Or bring in somebody that's not on the same page that we are, which could be a bad apple that ruins your basket. It takes a while."

CINCINNATI -- It was albeit a small step, but injured Reds first baseman Joey Votto's rehab from knee surgery went to the next level on Monday, when he began doing some baseball activity.

It wasn't much. Votto played catch and took some throws at first base. He had arthroscopic surgery July 17 to repair torn meniscus in his left knee. The 28-year-old cornerstone player has been doing rehab and running, but is not moving around at 100 percent yet.

"I feel like I'm making subtle improvements every day," Votto said. "If it was pain-free, I would be playing right now."

When exactly Votto might return remains murky as he and the Reds have not laid down an exact timetable. The club estimated after the operation that it would take three to four weeks to return. Votto is eligible for activation from the 15-day disabled list as soon as Tuesday. That clearly won't happen.

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Chemistry a factor for Reds on trade front

Illinois and Georgia Bio Organizations Join AdvaMed’s State Medical Technology Alliance

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CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO) and Georgia Bio have joined the Advanced Medical Technology Associations (AdvaMed) State Medical Technology Alliance (SMTA), bringing its total membership to 39 groups in 29 states.

The SMTA is a consortium of state-based trade associations that represent medical device manufacturers within their memberships. The Alliances mission is to collectively support the medical technology industry by fostering a collaborative environment through sharing of information, best practices and actively advocating for public policies that support medical innovation and job creation.

As the industry addresses significant policy challenges, AdvaMeds interactions and partnership with the state-based associations is increasingly important.

We are proud to join the ranks of other state-based industry representatives under AdvaMeds leadership and to work with Congress and the Obama administration, said David Miller, president and CEO of iBIO. Its important that government officials hear regularly from their home state business people.

The medtech industry is a strong contributor to the U.S. economy, responsible for creating more than two million high-paying jobs across the country.

Georgia has a strong medical device industry that has a significant impact on our state, said Charles Craig, president of Georgia Bio. We are excited about partnering with AdvaMed on state and federal issues concerning medical devices. As we deal with legislators in Congress, or in Atlanta, it is extremely important that we are speaking with a unified voice when telling our story. As a part of the SMTA, we will certainly do whatever we can to promote, preserve and enhance the industry in Georgia and nationally.

AdvaMeds President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl said he looks forward to working with the groups two newest members. We are pleased to welcome Georgia Bio and iBIO and look forward to working with them on important issues such as MDUFA implementation and the repeal of the medical device tax.

About iBIO

The Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO) champions biotechnology in Illinois and the surrounding Midwest region.Headquartered in Chicago, iBIOs mission is to strengthen the leadership position of Illinois and the Midwest as a globally recognized center of medical, agricultural and industrial biotechnology.With leaders from business, academia and government, iBIO promotes the development and retention of new companies as well as corporate expansions. iBIO advocates for sensible public policy at the local, state and federal levels. To learn more about iBIO and its programs, visit http://www.ibio.org.

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Illinois and Georgia Bio Organizations Join AdvaMed’s State Medical Technology Alliance

Amgen and Idenix Pharmaceuticals Showing Strong Growth — Biotech Industry Booming in 2012

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NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -07/30/12)- The Biotechnology Industry has been soaring in 2012 as companies -- both large and small -- have shown impressive growth. The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) and the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotech Index ETF (FBT) year-to-date are up 35 percent and 33 percent, respectively, outperforming the broader market by a wide margin. The Paragon Report examines investing opportunities in the Biotechnology Industry and provides equity research on Amgen, Inc. (AMGN) and Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IDIX).

Access to the full company reports can be found at:

http://www.ParagonReport.com/AMGN

http://www.ParagonReport.com/IDIX

Despite having to negotiate a more challenging regulation process, biotech companies have continued to show investors strong gains in 2012. The FDA Amendments Act of 2007 forced regulators to increase standards for approvals of new drugs, introducing mandatory risk evaluation and mitigation strategies. According to a Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology report from IMAP, several pharmaceutical firms have altered their drug portfolios from primary care driven blockbusters towards specialties such as oncology, immunology and inflammation, where the medical need is "so high that prices are more easily accepted by the regulators."

Paragon Report releases regular market updates on the Biotechnology Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at http://www.ParagonReport.com and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.

A leader in biotechnology since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe, effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. The company recently reported that total revenues for the second quarter increased 13 percent to $4,477 million. Shares of the company are up over 20 percent year-to-date.

Idenix Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of human viral diseases. Idenix's current focus is on the treatment of patients with HCV. The company recently reported that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for IDX719 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV).

The Paragon Report has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned publicly traded companies. Paragon Report is compensated by other third party organizations for advertising services. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at:

http://www.paragonreport.com/disclaimer

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Amgen and Idenix Pharmaceuticals Showing Strong Growth -- Biotech Industry Booming in 2012

Grey's Anatomy Ex Files

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With Eric Dane the latest cast member to depart, John Byrne looks back on previous Grey's Anatomy stars who - for one reason or another - are no longer part of the Seattle Grace furniture.

Although it hasn't seen as many cast changes as its medical mega-star predecessor ER, Grey's Anatomy lost yet another regular following last Friday's announcement that Eric Dane was quitting his role as Dr Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan ahead of the show's ninth season.

A lot of the departures have been clouded in controversy - here are the six key ones during the show's sensationally successful eight seasons:

Katherine Heigl (Izzie Stevens)

When she left After spending much of season six working elsewhere, things came to a head when Heigl reportedly failed to show up for Grey's Anatomy on March 11th, 2010. She had apparently come to an agreement with Shonda Rhimes to release her from her contract with immediate effect. Her character had left Seattle after surviving cancer.

Why she left Heigl said that her departure was not about advancing her film career - which was moving along very nicely at the time - but that she wanted to focus more on her family.

How she's doing In January 2012, Heigl stated in an interview that she has asked the producers of Grey's Anatomy if she could return to the show to wrap up Izzie's storyine: "I've told them I want to," she said. "I want to see that girl take some power back." In her personal life, she and husband, inger Josh Kelley, adopted a second child in April 2012.

TR Knight (George O'Malley)

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Grey's Anatomy Ex Files

Company seeks FDA approval for personal DNA test

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Genetic test maker 23andMe is asking the Food and Drug Administration to approve its personalized DNA test in a move that, if successful, could boost acceptance of technology that is viewed skeptically by leading scientists who question its usefulness.

23andMe is part of a fledgling industry that allows consumers to peek into their genetic code for details about their ancestry and future health. The company's saliva-based kits have attracted scrutiny for claiming to help users detect whether they are likely to develop illnesses like breast cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's.

The biology of how DNA variations actually lead to certain diseases is still poorly understood, and many geneticists say such tests are built on flimsy evidence.

For years, the Silicon Valley company has resisted government regulation, arguing that it simply provides consumers with information, not a medical service. But now company executives say they are seeking government approval - and the scientific credibility that comes with it.

"It's the next step for us to work with the FDA and actually say, `this is clinically relevant information and consumers should work with their physicians on what to do with it,' " said CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki, who is married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Google and Brin have invested millions in the privately held company, which is based in Mountain View, Calif.

Wojcicki says the shift in strategy reflects the growing scope of the company's test kit, which now measures the risks of developing more than 115 different diseases.

23andMe said Monday it submitted an initial batch of seven health-related tests to the FDA for review. The company plans to submit 100 additional tests in separate installments before the end of the year. Tests involving family history and nonmedical traits will not be reviewed, since they don't fall under FDA oversight.

Even some of the harshest critics of the genetic testing industry say 23andMe is taking the right approach.

Dr. James Evans of University of North Carolina said he considers much of the information reported by 23andMe, "relatively useless," and "in the realm of entertainment." He believes patients benefit more from pursuing a healthy lifestyle than parsing the potential risks of developing various diseases.

But as test makers begin analyzing larger portions of genetic code, there are rare cases when the findings may help doctors identify patients with a higher risk of treatable health problems, such as aneurysms or colon cancer.

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Company seeks FDA approval for personal DNA test

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Google-Backed 23andMe Asks FDA to Clear DNA Evaluation Service

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HANG LUNG 1H UNDERLYING PROFIT HK$2.5B; ANALYST EST. HK$2.4B

By Anna Edney - 2012-07-30T18:47:12Z

23andMe Inc., the Google Inc.-backed DNA analysis company co-founded by Anne Wojcicki, sought U.S. regulatory approval for a genetic testing service that may help people assess their risk for developing cancer and Alzheimers.

The submission with the Food and Drug Administration will cover seven tests, which 23andMe isnt specifying, Ashley Gould, the Mountain View, California-based companys chief legal officer, said today in a phone interview. The tests are part of a service that tells users whether they carry a disease, are at risk of a disease and would respond to a drug, she said.

The result that you get when you review a report, the FDA wants to ensure thats a valid result, Gould said.

Wojcicki, the wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, started 23andMe about six years ago, and her husband used the saliva kit to determine he had a gene that makes him susceptible to developing Parkinsons. The FDA decided in 2010 that services claiming to evaluate a customers risk of disease must be cleared by regulators if the companies sell directly to consumers.

23andMe is working proactively with the FDA to ensure the industry delivers high quality information that consumers can trust, Wojcicki said in a statement on the companys website.

Such types of genetic tests may become a $25 billion annual market in the U.S. within a decade, highlighting the need to identify which work best, UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), the largest publicly traded U.S. health insurer, has said. While UnitedHealth said such tests hold great promise, the insurer in a March report raised concern about accuracy and affordability.

23andMe said it submitted the FDA application today for the least stringent of two types of medical device reviews. The company plans to submit several more applications by the end of this year, Gould said.

DNA Genotek Inc. (OSUR), a company bought last year by OraSure Technologies Inc., makes the FDA-approved saliva kit. Gould said 23andMe is seeking approval of the process for analyzing and interpreting DNA results for patients.

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Google-Backed 23andMe Asks FDA to Clear DNA Evaluation Service

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Controversial criminal DNA collection law stays in place for now

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By Bill Mears, CNN Supreme Court Producer

updated 3:15 PM EDT, Mon July 30, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed a controversial state DNA testing law to remain in effect until the justices have time to consider the broader constitutional questions.

Maryland's DNA Collection Act permits police to collect genetic material from those who have been arrested, but not yet convicted.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued the three-page in-chambers opinion, putting a state court's ruling favoring a criminal defendant on hold.

"Collecting DNA from individuals arrested for violent felonies provides a valuable tool for investigating unsolved crimes and thereby helping to remove violent offenders from the general population," Roberts wrote. "Crimes for which DNA evidence is implicated tend to be serious, and serious crimes cause serious injuries. That Maryland may not employ a duly enacted statute to help prevent these injuries constitutes irreparable harm."

The chief justice said there is a "fair prospect" the Supreme Court would ultimately find in favor of the state on the search and seizure questions.

After more legal briefs are filed, the high court in coming weeks will decide whether to hear the case and issue a definitive, binding ruling. Oral arguments would likely not be held until early next year.

A 1994 federal law created a national database in which local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies can compare and share information on DNA matches from convicted felons, but courts have been at odds on just when such samples can be collected and the information distributed.

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Controversial criminal DNA collection law stays in place for now

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For now, Md. police can take DNA from charged criminals, Supreme Court says

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Police in Maryland can resume collecting DNA from suspects charged but not yet convicted in violent crimes, and the U.S. Supreme Court might be inclined to let them do so permanently.

U.S. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. issued an opinion Monday saying there is a fair prospect the court will overturn the Maryland Court of Appeals controversial Alonzo Jay King Jr. v State of Maryland decision, which prohibited DNA collection from suspects charged but not yet convicted in violent crimes and burglaries. And until the nations highest court can more thoroughly consider the issue, Roberts put the King decision on hold meaning police in Maryland can resume collecting DNA.

This stay will allow Maryland the uninterrupted use of this critical modern law enforcement tool that helps police and prosecutors solve some of Marylands most serious violent crimes, Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler said in a statement.

The Supreme Courts opinion is the latest development in an ongoing debate over whether and when it is legal to collect DNA from criminal suspects. Federal and state courts across the country have issued mixed opinions. The governors office says 26 states have legislation similar to Marylands.

It is precisely because of that debate that the Supreme Court intervened. In his opinion, Roberts wrote that the Maryland Court of Appeals decision conflicts with decisions by two other federal appellate courts, as well as a decision by Virginias Supreme Court. Roberts wrote that given the considered analysis of the courts on the other side of the split, there is a fair prospect that this Court will reverse the King decision.

Stephen Mercer, the chief attorney for the Maryland Office of the Public Defenders Forensics Division, said the opinion is merely a preliminary round in an ongoing legal fight.

We continue to believe the court, in the end, will vindicate the Fourth Amendment rights of Mr. King and all Marylanders in their right to genetic privacy, Mercer said.

The case centers on a Maryland law, which, starting in 2009, allowed police to collect DNA from suspects after they were charged with violent crimes or burglaries. Before then, police had been able to collect DNA only from convicted criminals.

Alonzo Jay King Jr. challenged the law after he was arrested in April 2009 on assault charges. Prosecutors used a DNA swab from that case to connect him to a 2003 rape. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the rape.

The Maryland Court of Appeals sent Kings case back to the circuit court and threw out the DNA evidence, saying investigators violated his Fourth Amendment rights in taking his genetic material and comparing it with old crime scene samples. The ruling was condemned by prosecutors and police chiefs, who said it would hamper detectives ability to solve cold cases and jeopardize the convictions of 34 robbers, burglars and rapists whose genetic samples were taken after they were charged in separate cases.

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For now, Md. police can take DNA from charged criminals, Supreme Court says

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Sri Lankan students win at International Olympiad 2012

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Sri Lankan students won Silver, Bronze and Merit Awards at the International Biology Olympiad 2012 concluded last week in Singapore.

The winning students at the International Olympiad 2012

Pramith Ruwanpathirana of Royal College, Colombo won a Silver Medal, Prasan Thurul Warnakula of Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa won a Bronze Medal and Janidu Gunarathna of Royal College, Colombo and Madhushani Rodrigo of Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo won Merit awards.

Over 230 pre-university Biology students and 205 Jury members from 59 countries participataed in this competition. Silver medalist Pramith Ruwanpathirana obtained the best results in the Bio Science stream based on the 2011 GCE (A/L) Examination results. Bronze medalist Prasan Thurul Warnakula is just preparing for the GCE (A/L) Examination next month. Other students intend to follow medical degree courses in Sri Lanka.

These students were selected out of 2300 students who participated in the Sri Lanka Biology Olympiad competition conducted by the Institute of Biology in collaboration with Sri Lankan Universities and the Education Ministry in September last year. Prof. Hiran Amarasekera and Prof H.G. Nandadasa from the Sri Jayawardenepura University and Prof M.J.S. Wijeratne from the Kelaniya University also participated at the International Biology Olympiad as Jury Members.

Some of the characteristics of the Science Olympiad as compared with those for sports are that these are held annually and intended for secondary schools students. The level of questions is above the standard for secondary school education in the world.

The theoretical/practical question papers are of five hours duration, each demanding persistence and determination, as well as discipline. Gold medals are awarded not only to the top achievers but to the top 10% of participants. The Olympiad also offers an opportunity for international exchange.

The Internatioal Biology Olympiad is an internationally conducted prestigious competition, in which bright students from contries all over the world compete for medals. The first intermational Olympiad was held in Eastern Europe in 1959 in Mathematics. The remaining disciplines quickly followed. Physics (1967), Chemistry (1968) and Informatics in 1989. Biology had its first Olympiad in 1990.

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Sri Lankan students win at International Olympiad 2012

Explore My World Travel Offers A Local Savvy Guide To London In Time For Olympics

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As millions of travelers descend on London in time for the Olympic Games, many will wait for the hype to die down before visiting London. Just in time for the Olympics, Explore My World Travel have launched a book on where the locals hang out, eat and shop.(PRWEB) July 30, 2012 As millions of travelers descend on London in time for the Olympic Games, many will wait for the hype to die down ...

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Explore My World Travel Offers A Local Savvy Guide To London In Time For Olympics

Don’t over tax tourism – WTTC tells EU Finance Ministers

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30 July 2012

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has written to all 27 Finance Ministers in the European Union urging them to recognise the important role of the industry in stimulating economic growth and jobs, while avoiding unproductive knee-jerk tax hikes at a time of austerity.

The letter, written by Dr Michael Frenzel, Chairman of the Executive Board, TUI AG and Chairman, WTTC and David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC, reminds Finance Ministers that Travel & Tourism is a key generator of employment across the European Union directly generating 10 million jobs across Europe, substantially more than the automotive manufacturing (3.2 million), mining (3.6 million) and financial services sectors (8.5 million).

'Given the labour intensity of Travel & Tourism, and as the above data shows, Travel & Tourism is one of the few economic sectors which can generate economic growth with jobs,' the letter says. "Travel & Tourism is seen as a 'cash cow', an 'easy source' for generating quick money through new or expanded taxation. However, the evidence suggests that taxing tourism does not reap benefits:

Simple measures can be taken to stimulate Travel & Tourism, increase visitor revenue and therefore jobs. For example, a recent study by WTTC and the World Tourism Organisation showed how improvements in visa policies in G20 countries could increase Travel & Tourism employment by an additional 5 million jobs over three years and generate an additional US$206 billion in tourism exports. This research was presented to the G20 world leaders by President Caldern at the G20 meeting at Los Cabos in June.

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the industry, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. In 2011 Travel & Tourism accounted for 255 million jobs globally. At US$6.3 trillion (9.1% of GDP) the sector is a key driver for investment and economic growth. For more than 20 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world's leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses. These Members bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, raising awareness of the importance of the industry as an economic generator of prosperity.

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Don’t over tax tourism – WTTC tells EU Finance Ministers

Psychics Universe, New Online Spirituality Network Shares Relationship Insights in “Learning to Listen to Love”

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Psychics Universe regularly discusses issues of personal wellbeing and spirituality. In this new discussion, they address the questions of “why matters of love come so much easier to some people than to others.”Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) July 30, 2012 PsychicsUniverse, a new online network, reveals relationship insights in “Learning to Listen to Love” and is addressing daily issues of ...

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Psychics Universe, New Online Spirituality Network Shares Relationship Insights in “Learning to Listen to Love”

Russian cargo craft finally docks with space station

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An unmanned Russian cargo ship parked itself at the International Space Station tonight (July 28), in a second attempt to test an updated space docking system, NASA says.

The robotic Russian Progress 47 spacecraft re-docked to the space station to test the new Kurs-NA docking system. The cargo ship safely approached the station and automatically attached itself to the Pirs docking compartment on the Russian segment of the massive orbiting laboratory at 9:01 p.m. ET (0101 GMT July 29). Russia intends to use the Kurs-NA docking system on future unmanned Progress spacecraft and manned Soyuz vehicles.

The Progress' safe docking followed a failed first attempt four days ago, on July 23, which was aborted after a technical glitch prevented the spacecraft from reaching the orbiting outpost. After that attempt, the Progress 47's onboard computers kept the craft a safe distance away from the station while Russian engineers analyzed the failure.

Today's successful maneuver was a key demonstration of the new Kurs-NA docking system, which is an updated version of the Kurs system that has been integrated into Russian spacecraft for years. Engineers made several upgrades to the newer version, including better electronics that are expected to use less power and improve safety.

As part of the test, the robotic Progress 47 spacecraft approached the station to within about 29 miles (46 kilometers). At this range, the Kurs-NA system was activated, and the cargo ship carefully attached itself to the space station. [Infographic: How Russia's Progress Spaceships Work]

The Progress 47 docking test occurred a day after a different unmanned cargo freighter arrived at the space station. The Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle-3, or HTV-3, was safely attached to the orbiting outpost Friday morning (July 27). The spacecraft is packed with fresh supplies, food and science experiments for the station.

Space news from NBCNews.com

Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Students create a high-altitude balloon experiment that's as notable for the way it fell as for the images and scientific data it captured during its rise.

The Progress 47 arrived at the space station in April to deliver clothing, food and other supplies to the astronauts living aboard the space lab. The cargo ship had been attached to the Pirs docking compartment since it first reached the station and completed its prime mission, but was purposefully undocked on July 22 to prepare for the Kurs-NA trial run.

After unloading all the cargo inside the Progress 47, the station crew re-loaded the spacecraft with trash and other unwanted items. Russia's disposable Progress vehicles are intentionally sent to burn up during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere at the end of their missions.

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Russian cargo craft finally docks with space station