Monthly Archives: September 2012

Ownership proposal for Nga Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands

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A proposal to transfer ownership of the Nga Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands to iwi will be consulted on with the public and tangata whenu, says New Plymouth District Council.

At yesterday's (Tuesday) meeting, the Council noted the Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS) wishes to transfer ownership of the islands from NPDC and Taranaki Regional Council to Te Atiawa and Taranaki iwi as part of the Crowns treaty settlement.

If the proposal went ahead, the islands would remain part of the Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area (SLIMPA) and continue to be administered by the Department of Conservation. In practice, nothing would change for the general public.

Mayor Harry Duynhoven says the proposal is worth discussing with the wider public.

"The transfer of ownership would acknowledge the great historical and cultural importance of the islands to Te Atiawa and Taranaki while continuing the established conservation work and public access," says the Mayor.

NPDC and TRC will work together on the consultation. Once public submissions have been heard, a final report will go back to both councils for consideration.

In the past Te Atiawa and Taranaki occupied Nga Motu (the islands), and the islands and the adjacent mainland were often the scene of battles. The strategic potential of the islands made them a defensive bastion on several occasions when northern iwi invaded.

Several archaeological sites and two urupa have been identified on the islands and associated reefs.

Captain Cook renamed Nga Motu as the Sugar Loaf Islands in 1770 as they reminded him of how sugar was stored in heaps or loaves in Europe.

When the SLIMPA was established in 1991, Moturoa Island, Motumahanga (Saddleback Island), Waikaranga (Seal Rocks) and Whareumu (Lion Rock), along with the seabed, foreshore and water, became sanctuary areas under the Conservation Act 1987.

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Ownership proposal for Nga Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands

Greek islands not for sale, red tape must go: minister

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ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece needs to cut bureaucracy and push through languishing investment projects, not sell its islands to attract funds crucial for its struggling economy to return to growth, a Deputy Development Minister told Reuters on Wednesday. Seven major investment projects, ranging from tourism to energy and worth half a billion euros in total, have been stuck for months awaiting ...

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Greek islands not for sale, red tape must go: minister

HCSC To Expand Medicare Product Offerings

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CHICAGO, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC), have filed applications and have received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans to Medicare beneficiaries in Illinois, New Mexico and Texas, effective January 1, 2013. HCSC has received approval to offer MAPD HMO plans in Illinois and New Mexico, while HISC has been approved to offer MAPD PPO plans in Texas.

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans allow individuals to combine health and prescription drug coverage under one single plan. These plans offer comprehensive medical benefits to help Medicare-eligible individuals save money while providing greater choice and flexibility to access health care options that meet their changing needs.

"For more than 75 years we have offered security and peace of mind to customers by developing products and services that meet their diverse and changing needs," said Jeff Tikkanen, president, retail markets, HCSC. "This is a tremendous opportunity to continue to offer seamless MAPD plans to Medicare-eligible individuals in select counties of Illinois, New Mexico and Texas."

The annual open enrollment period starts October 15, 2012 and ends December 7, 2012. Enrollment in a MAPD plan is not automatic, and eligible beneficiaries must enroll to receive benefits. MAPDplans, generally,offer beneficiaries their choice of physicians through an HMO or PPOnetwork, low monthly plan premiums, low co-payments for doctor visits,annual routine physicals, coverage for most annual screenings and emergency coverage throughout in the United States.

"We listened to Medicare-eligible individuals in our communities and using our experience and expertise designed health benefits to give them more options that fit their health needs," said Scott Sarran, MD, Chief Medical Officer HCSC. "Providing these individuals with more choice in their health care options is important and benefits them by providing greater flexibility."

About Health Care Service CorporationHealth Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall, with more than 13 million members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, please visit http://www.HCSC.com, visit our Facebook page or follow us at http://www.twitter.com/HCSC.

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HCSC To Expand Medicare Product Offerings

Krames StayWell Releases new Patient-Focused Health IT Solution Driven by 3M Terminology Content

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YARDLEY, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Krames StayWell, the nations leading health care communication and engagement company, has released a new service designed to ensure health care organizations can fulfill the patient and family engagement pillars of meaningful use. With the release of its new Infobutton solution, Krames StayWell is making it easier for a healthcare organization to use their certified EHR to identify patient education resources (a current Stage 1 requirement) and provide those resources to the patient through that EHR (a Stage 2 requirement removes the if appropriate wording) utilizing the Infobutton Standard (a Stage 2 EHR Certification Criterion). Additionally, the Krames StayWell Infobutton Solution via a patient portal will help an organization to make the suggested patient education information available within 36 hours after a discharge for viewing, downloading, or transmitting (another Stage 2 requirement).

The Infobutton solution uses the 3M Healthcare Data Dictionary (3M HDD) from 3M Health Information Systems to encode and cross-reference Krames StayWells award-winning patient education content with clinical terminologies such as SNOMED, LOINC, and RxNORM, and major code sets including ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS. The 3M HDD is a controlled medical vocabulary server that translates and integrates data from diverse systems into a common language. It maps medical terms to give data context and meaning, and is used to standardize data to make it interoperable and computable.

The Infobutton Standard has been around for a while, explained Stephanie Manning, Vice President, Digital Content for Krames StayWell. What weve done by working with 3M is made it possible for healthcare organizations to leverage a wide range of code sets and any health IT system to trigger our content. Now healthcare facilities can capitalize on their IT investment to intelligently deliver Krames StayWells patient education content which has been proven to engage patients, drive behavior change, and deliver better outcomes while improving patient satisfaction and quality of care.

Dr. Lee Min Lau, Chief Medical Informaticist for 3M Health Information Systems noted, The 3M Healthcare Data Dictionary (HDD) provides Krames StayWell the ability to organize its patient education content to leverage standard terminologies. Were excited to work with Krames StayWell to make its patient education content easily accessible and understandable across different health information systems.

For more information about Krames StayWell content integration services, visit their website at http://www.kramesstaywell.com/krames-staywell-content-licensing or call 800-920-0870.

About Krames StayWell

Krames StayWell is the largest provider of patient education, consumer health information, and population health management communications in the country. Combining extensive technology and content assets with vast consumer insights and a strategic approach, Krames StayWell is uniquely qualified to engage consumers across the entire spectrum of their health care experience. Our best-in-class health communication solutions integrate print, interactive, and mobile formats at multiple touch points to attract and retain consumers, improve health outcomes, and lower costs. We deliver measurable results for hospitals, health care professionals, health plans, employers, retail pharmacies, government agencies, and association clients with world-class design, commitment to health literacy principles, and a focus on custom development. For more information, please visit http://www.kramesstaywell.com.

About 3M Health Information Systems

Best known for market-leading coding solutions and ICD-10 expertise, 3M Health Information Systems also delivers innovative software and consulting services that raise the bar for clinical documentation improvement, computer-assisted coding, mobile physician applications, and document management. With a robust healthcare data dictionary and terminology services to support the expansion and accuracy of EHRs and 28 years of healthcare experience, 3M Health Information Systems is the go-to partner for organizations worldwide that want to improve quality and financial performance. For more information, visit http://www.3Mhis.com/meaningfuldata/.

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Krames StayWell Releases new Patient-Focused Health IT Solution Driven by 3M Terminology Content

Genetic test predicts risk for Autism

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Professor Stan Skafidas, Director, Centre for Neural Engineering, University of Melbourne

A team of Australian researchers, led by The University of Melbourne has developed a genetic test that is able to predict the risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD.

Lead researcher Stan Skafidas, Director of the Centre for Neural Engineering and Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Melbourne, said the test could be used to assess the risk for developing the disorder.

This test could assist in the early detection of the condition in babies and children and help in the early management of those who become diagnosed, he said.

It would be particularly relevant for families who have a history of Autism or related conditions such as Aspergers Syndrome, he said.

Autism affects around one in 150 births and is characterised by abnormal social interaction, impaired communication and repetitive behaviours.

The test correctly predicted ASD with more than 70 per cent accuracy in people of central European descent. Ongoing validation tests are continuing including the development of accurate testing for other ethnic groups.

Clinical neuropsychologist, Dr Renee Testa from the University of Melbourne and Monash University, said the test would allow clinicians to provide early interventions that may reduce behavioural and cognitive difficulties that children and adults with ASD experience.

Early identification of risk means we can provide interventions to improve overall functioning for those affected, including families, she said.

A genetic cause has been long sought with many genes implicated in the condition, but no single gene has been adequate for determining risk.

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Genetic test predicts risk for Autism

Freedom Energy Logistics in Business NH's "Top 10 to Watch"

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Freedom Energy Logistics (FEL) has been named one of Business NH’s Top 10 companies To Watch in its September issue. Specializing in high-end energy management, FEL helps New England’s large, medium and small-scale users control their electricity and natural gas costs through its expertise in the competitive power marketplace.Manchester, NH (PRWEB) September 18, 2012 Freedom Energy Logistics ...

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Freedom Energy Logistics in Business NH's "Top 10 to Watch"

Freedom Aero Service Inc. Announces New Repair Process for AS350 Series Helicopters

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Lincoln, CA (September, 2012) Freedom Aero Service, Inc. is proud to announce their new repair process FRS-11 for repair of ignition exciter boxes HE900 and HE901, Turbomeca PN's 9550176020 for model HE901 and 9550164470 for model HE900. Freedom received FAA approval and is pleased to add this service to the HE402F, Turbomeca PN 9560119620 repair process FRS-5 already in place. These ignition exciters are used in the AS350 series helicopters and are typically considered disposable with high replacement costs. Freedoms repair service can save as much as 75% of this replacement cost. For more information contact Scott Durham at 916-434-5194 or email scottd@freedomaeroservice.com.

Founded in July 2008, Freedom Aero Service specializes in the repair and overhaul of aircraft components, specifically electrical and electronic accessories and instruments. They also offer sales of these aviation products to civil and government organizations. The companys MRO business is focused on business jets and helicopters. For additional information, please visit their website at http://www.freedomaeroservice.com

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Freedom Aero Service Inc. Announces New Repair Process for AS350 Series Helicopters

Northrop's Redondo Beach-based Aerospace Systems sector to cut 600 jobs

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Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Aerospace Systems sector, based in Redondo Beach, will cut nearly 600 jobs as the military contractor prepares for a tightening federal budget next year.

The cuts will result from voluntary buyouts that employees applied for after Northrop announced this opportunity in July, the company said in a statement.

Most of the employees involved in the buyouts will have their last day of work on Sept. 27, although some will remain until Dec. 24, Northrop spokesman Thomas Henson said in an interview.

"Because of defense budget uncertainties and pressures on current and projected business, we must adjust our budgets by the end of this year to be prepared to meet the challenges of what shapes up as a demanding 2013," Northrop's statement said.

The company said the staff reduction is needed to allow it to "compete in a very cost-conscious marketplace."

The cuts are not related a specific program, but rather will be across the sector in "all functional organizations - administrative and technical," the company said.

Aerospace Systems employs about 21,000 people, mostly in Southern California. Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach have 6,500 employees, who work on satellite programs.

El Segundo, where Northrop builds the aft and center fuselage for the F/A-18 Super Hornet, has about 4,000 workers.

Northrop also employs 3,500 Aerospace Systems employees in the Antelope Valley from Palmdale to

Northrop employs about 800 people in Carson who are not connected to Aerospace Systems.

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Northrop's Redondo Beach-based Aerospace Systems sector to cut 600 jobs

Ball Aerospace Ships First James Webb Space Telescope Mirrors to NASA

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BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. began the process of shipping the finished NASA James Webb Space Telescope mirrors to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., on Friday, September 14, 2012.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120813/LA56181)

Ball Aerospace, under contract to Northrop Grumman, is responsible for the Webb's optical technology and lightweight mirror system. Two of the 18 beryllium primary mirror segments that comprise NASA's sophisticated Webb Telescope were shipped from Boulder in custom containers designed specifically for the multiple trips the mirrors made through eight U.S. states while completing their manufacturing. The remaining 16 mirrors will make their way from Boulder to Goddard over the next 12 months as they await telescope integration in 2015. The Webb is on track for an October 2018 liftoff.

"Ball and its subcontractors have spent eight years tackling the rigorous requirements associated with JWST's optical design," said David L. Taylor, president and CEO of Ball Aerospace."We are very proud to have answered the challenge posed by James Webb and look forward to this ground-breaking NASA science mission."

The Webb Telescope will be the first civilian space-based observatory to use an actively controlled, segmented mirror architecture. Each of the 18 hexagonal-shaped mirror assemblies that make up the 21.3-foot (6.5 m) primary mirror measures more than 1.3 meters across, and weighs approximately 40 kilograms, or 88 pounds, after light-weighting.

The Webb telescope is critical for future infrared observations. The Webb will be the premier observatory of the next decade. It will study every phase in the history of our universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang, to the formation of stellar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth, to the evolution of our own Solar System.

The custom shipping containers for the mirrors are designed to maintain a consistent environment during travel between facilities. Each container is hermetically sealed to handle atmospheric pressure changes when the mirrors are shipped from high elevations like Boulder to other locations at or near sea level such as Greenbelt, Maryland.

In addition to the Webb Telescope, Ball Aerospace has played a significant role in astrophysics and planetary missions including Kepler, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, the Spitzer Space Telescope, the Infrared Astronomical Satellite, the Cosmic Background Explorer, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the upcoming Sentinel Mission.

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions for national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit http://www.ballaerospace.com.

Ball Corporation (BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2011 sales of more than $8.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.

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Ball Aerospace Ships First James Webb Space Telescope Mirrors to NASA

Global Aerospace and Defense Market 2011-2015

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NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Global Aerospace and Defense Market 2011-2015

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0968304/Global-Aerospace-and-Defense-Market-2011-2015.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Aerospace_and_Defense

TechNavio's analysts forecast the Global Aerospace and Defense market to grow at a CAGR of 2.48 percent over the period 2011-2015. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the increasing share of defense budget. The Global Aerospace and Defense market has also been witnessing increasing order backlog. However, complex regulatory requirements could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.

TechNavio's report, the Global Aerospace and Defense Market 2011-2015, has been prepared based on an in-depth analysis of the market with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the US, and the Europe and Rest of the World regions; it also covers the Global Aerospace and Defense market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

Key vendors dominating this market space include The Boeing Co., European Aeronautic Defence, and Space Co., General Dynamics Corp., and Lockheed Martin Corp.

Other vendors mentioned in the report: GE Aviation, Thales Group, Rolls-Royce plc, Safran Group, L-3 Communications Holdings Inc., Honeywell Aerospace, Textron Inc., Science Applications International Corp., Bombardier Inc., Goodrich Corp., and Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Key questions answered in this report:

What will the market size be in 2015 and at what rate will it grow?

What key trends is this market subject to?

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Global Aerospace and Defense Market 2011-2015

Assessment of HPV DNA Alone Insufficient to Identify HPV-Driven Head and Neck Cancers

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ScienceDaily (Sep. 18, 2012) Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA positivity alone, particularly when assessed using polymerase chain reaction methods, is a poor biomarker for HPV-driven head and neck cancers, according to two studies published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. These studies identified alternative potential markers including viral load, viral gene expression and the evaluation of HPV DNA in combination with certain HPV assays.

Prior research has established that HPV is a cause of some head and neck cancers, including oropharyngeal cancer, and that patients with HPV-associated disease tend to have a better clinical outcome. Consequently, the proper assessment of the clinical status of individual tumors has become a goal of clinicians treating this disease because HPV at the tumor site does not indicate causal involvement in the cancer.

In the first study, Dana Holzinger, Ph.D., of the division of genome modifications and carcinogenesis at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, Germany, and colleagues analyzed the potential of direct and indirect HPV markers to identify patients with HPV-driven tumors.

They analyzed 199 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma specimens for HPV DNA, viral load, RNA expression patterns seen in cervical carcinomas and the p16 protein, which is associated with tumor suppression.

Results indicated that the cervical cancer RNA expression pattern and viral load were associated with the lowest risk for death from oropharyngeal cancer. In contrast, a weaker association was found for samples that were HPV DNA-positive or that expressed the p16 protein.

"We showed that high viral load and a cancer-specific pattern of viral gene expression are most suited to identify patients with HPV-driven tumors among patients with oropharyngeal cancer," Holzinger said. "Viral expression pattern is a completely new marker in this field and viral load has hardly been analyzed before."

In a second study, researchers evaluated several biomarkers individually and in combination for overall survival among head and neck cancers including polymerase chain reaction-based and serological HPV DNA testing, and p16 immunohistochemistry.

They found that the expression of two oncoproteins, E6 and E7, was associated with improved survival in oropharyngeal disease. In addition, HPV DNA positivity or p16 expression combined with E6 and E7 expression were also associated with enhanced survival. However, neither HPV DNA positivity nor expression of p16 alone yielded a similar result.

"Assessment of HPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction methods as a biomarker in individual head and neck cancers is a poor predictor of outcome and is also poorly associated with antibody response indicative of exposure and/or infection by HPV," said study author Karl T. Kelsey, M.D., professor in the department of epidemiology and the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at Brown University in Providence, R.I. "We may not be diagnosing these tumors as accurately and precisely as we need to for adjusting treatments."

The next step in this research is further validating the findings of these two studies using head-to-head comparisons and developing assays for direct clinical application of the markers.

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Assessment of HPV DNA Alone Insufficient to Identify HPV-Driven Head and Neck Cancers

Posted in DNA

Adia Nutrition, Inc. Adds Mother's Market & Kitchen and Their 50,000 Weekly Customers to Their Roster

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NEWPORT BEACH, CA--(Marketwire - Sep 18, 2012) - Adia Nutrition ( PINKSHEETS : ADIA ) is pleased to announce that they are now selling their "On-the-Go" probiotics at one of Southern California's most venerable natural and organic chains, Mother's Market & Kitchen. "Mother's has gained an incredible reputation in the area for having top quality local and organic produce, as well as the county's largest selection of supplements -- all at a great value! We are expecting strong sales at Mother's as their shoppers are very well educated about the numerous health benefits of probiotics," says Adia Nutrition CEO Wen Peng.

"Adia Nutrition has made a big commitment to natural foods retailers. For us to be on the shelves at Mother's Market & Kitchen is another nice feather in our cap. Many of the people within our company and many of our loyal customers shop at Mother's Market and count on them to carry only the finest products," says company co-founder April Nugent.

About Adia Nutrition, Inc. About Adia Nutrition, Inc. ( PINKSHEETS : ADIA ) is a company specializing in shelf stable probiotics. Currently, Adia offers four flavors of probiotic powders and the Adia Slim weight loss product as well as two flavors of probiotic chews. Adia sells their products across the country in independent pharmacies, health food stores, fitness centers and grocery store chains. In states and countries where Adia does not yet have retail distribution partners you can find Adia online. According to a market research report titled 'Probiotics Market', published by Markets and Markets (www.marketsandmarkets.com), the global probiotics market is expected to be worth US$ 32.6 billion by 2014. Moreover, the global market is expected to record a CAGR of 12.6%. http://adianutrition.com/

Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "should," "intend," "estimate," and "projects," variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are risks that are detailed in the Company's filings, which are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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Adia Nutrition, Inc. Adds Mother's Market & Kitchen and Their 50,000 Weekly Customers to Their Roster

Schiff Nutrition International, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2013 First Quarter Results

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SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Schiff Nutrition International, Inc., (SHF), announced results for the fiscal 2013 first quarter ended August 31, 2012.

We are pleased to report another strong quarter for Schiff Nutrition, stated Tarang Amin, president and chief executive officer. Net sales increased 46% and Adjusted EBITDA increased 81% versus year ago, reflecting progress executing our growth strategy to build leading brands in four key conditions. Our brand building, innovation, and customer initiatives continue to drive MegaRed in heart health, Move Free in joint care, Airborne in immune support, and Digestive Advantage in probiotics. Gross margin improvement was driven by branded growth and strong operational execution including lean manufacturing and sourcing initiatives. Given our first quarter performance and expectations for the balance of the year, we are taking up our fiscal 2013 guidance.

Fiscal 2013 First Quarter Results

Company Outlook

The company is raising fiscal 2013 guidance as follows:

Fiscal Year 2013 Guidance

As of July 31, 2012

As of September 18, 2012

$36.0 to $38.0

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Schiff Nutrition International, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2013 First Quarter Results

In Rochester, betting on a non-traditional school

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by Elizabeth Baier, Minnesota Public Radio

September 18, 2012

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ROCHESTER, Minn. Zakaria Mahamed wants to go to college and become a pediatrician, training he hopes will someday land him at the Mayo Clinic.

"When I see my family doctor, it makes me feel like I could be there one day," he said. "I could help these kids, I could find new cures for diseases, I can make a difference in my community."

But first, Mahamed has to make it through high school. The 11th grader thinks his chances of doing so are much better at the STEM Academy in Rochester, a charter school that aims to prepare immigrant and minority students for fields such as microbiology, nursing and engineering.

Inside the STEM Academy, teenage girls wear colorful hijabs on their heads and groups of boys speak Somali as they make their way to science, engineering and math classes. Nearly all of the 60 students are Somali-American.

Some are betting the school, in its second year, will help students who struggle in traditional schools find careers to build successful futures.

Mahamed is among them. Born in Rochester to Somali parents, he finished ninth grade at one of Rochester's traditional high schools before transferring to the math and science-focused school.

"When you're in a regular big school that doesn't have a small environment, everything is like you don't have enough time to talk and you'll never meet anybody," he said. "But here, you'll talk to everybody, you know everybody, everyone knows you, you know them."

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Rapist caught by DNA test jailed

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18 September 2012 Last updated at 09:26 ET

A double rapist caught by chance years later through a DNA sample has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Peter Hendry, 41, from Springburn in Glasgow, attacked the two women, who were working as prostitutes, in Rutherglen in 2004 and 2007.

He avoided capture until a former partner accused him of domestic abuse in 2011. DNA samples were taken which matched with both attacks.

Hendry, who denied the charges, was found guilty on a unanimous verdict.

Solicitor advocate Murray Macara QC, who represented the fork-lift truck driver, told the court that his client had "constantly and consistently maintained that he did not rape these two women".

Both women had told how Hendry picked them up and drove them to a deserted industrial estate.

A 33-year-old woman told the trial that he took her there in September 2004, pinned her down and raped her, before leaving her "like a bit of trash".

The woman reported the incident to police, but Hendry remained at large.

He carried out a similar attack on a 29-year-old woman in July 2007.

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Rapist caught by DNA test jailed

Posted in DNA

Proposal would expand DNA collection to more than just convicted felons

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Anyone arrested for a felony offense and all adults convicted of misdemeanor crimes would be required to provide a DNA sample to law enforcement under a proposal from the state Department of Justice.

Adults arrested for certain misdemeanor crimes such as fourth-degree sexual assault and prostitution also would need to provide DNA samples, which would be entered into a national database used to match DNA evidence collected at crime scenes to suspects.

Currently, state law allows DNA to be collected only from adults and juveniles convicted of felonies, with about 12,000 samples obtained each year.

Brian O'Keefe, administrator for the DOJ's Division of Law Enforcement Services, said the expected addition of about 68,000 DNA samples a year at least initially under the proposed expansion would help law enforcement solve more cases more quickly and get criminals off the street.

The number of new samples would eventually drop, he said, because DNA profiles of those reoffending would not have to be added to the system.

But Chris Ahmuty of the ACLU of Wisconsin said, "It seems like they've gone for the nuclear option when it comes to DNA on arrest."

Casting such a wide net raises concerns about cost, management and privacy and "turns the presumption of innocence on its head," Ahmuty said. He added that the DOJ proposal is more encompassing and costly than previous legislative proposals.

O'Keefe said the proposed expansion of DNA collection would begin in October 2014 and cost about $7 million in its first two years.

To cover those costs including the addition of 26 full-time positions DOJ is asking that everyone convicted of a felony be required to pay a $250 surcharge and that everyone convicted of a misdemeanor pay a $150 surcharge.

Currently, a DNA surcharge for people convicted of felonies is often waived by a judge.

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Proposal would expand DNA collection to more than just convicted felons

Posted in DNA

FBI eager to embrace mobile 'Rapid DNA' testing

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It's been the FBI's dream for years -- to do near-instant DNA analysis using mobile equipment in the field -- and now "Rapid DNA" gear is finally here.

The idea is that you simply drop into the system a cotton swab with a person's saliva, for example, and the "Rapid DNA" machine spits out the type of DNA data that's needed to pin down identity. Now that such equipment exists, the FBI is pushing to get it into the hands of law enforcement agencies as soon as possible. [Also see: "FBI building system that blows away fingerprinting"]

"DNA has emerged as the gold standard in forensics analysis," Steven Martinez, executive assistant director of the science and technology branch at the FBI, said in his keynote address to attendees of the Biometric Consortium Conference in Tampa on Tuesday.

RELATED: Biometrics scares people

Though the genetic information contained in an individual's DNA, which is in all human cells, has been used since the late 1980s to solve crime cases, analysis of DNA has remained frustratingly slow because DNA had to be sent to special labs to be analyzed. New "Rapid DNA" devices are now ready to be evaluated and the FBI has received two basic types.

One is called the RapidHIT, which is made by IntegenX, a Pleasanton, Calif.-based company whose CEO Stevan Jovanovich was in the exhibit hall to explain how the Rapid DNA device can spit out an individual's DNA data within 90 minutes.

Another company, NetBio, is also believed to have delivered its Rapid DNA-type equipment to the FBI, Jovanovich says, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is expected to play an important role in helping certify systems and processes for how these boxes will be used by the FBI and local police stations to collect DNA data on suspects.

Jovanovich notes that the networked IntegenX RapidHIT box, which is based on a hardened version of Windows and measures about 27-by-24-by-16 inches, costs about $245,000. RapidHIT boxes are already in use with intelligence agencies, says Jovanovich, who adds he's not at liberty to say which ones or what they're doing with them.

The FBI, which is believed to have upwards of 10 million DNA records on individuals already stored in databases, anticipates a significant expansion of DNA collection by means of Rapid DNA equipment.

The FBI has been known for pioneering a massive collection of fingerprint images and an online matching system that can be accessed remotely to help local law enforcement, as well as the Department of Defense and other law-enforcement agencies, nail down the identities of criminals and terrorists. Today, Dr. Alice Isenberg, chief of the biometrics analysis section at the FBI laboratory, explained in her presentation how the FBI hopes to expand the national DNA database used to investigate crime for DNA matches online as well.

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FBI eager to embrace mobile 'Rapid DNA' testing

Posted in DNA