Monthly Archives: September 2012

Contractor removing dead nutria from Mississippi beaches after Isaac

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WAVELAND, Miss. Crews are pitchforking dead nutria into front-end loaders on beaches in southern Mississippi.

The Sun Herald (http://bit.ly/PYmptw) reports that an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 of the semiaquatic, rat-like rodents and other dead animals washed up in Hancock County up after drowning in Hurricane Isaac's storm surge.

A federal contractor, U.S. Environmental Services, will dump the bodies in a landfill rated to take household garbage.

Hancock County Supervisor David Yarborough says county crews tried to deal with a similar problem after Hurricane Gustav and many workers got sick.

Neighboring Harrison County has fewer dead nutria. Officials say county crews removed nearly 16 tons of dead animals from its beaches Saturday and Sunday. Supervisor Kim Savant says they were still washing up Monday.

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Information from: The Sun Herald, http://www.sunherald.com

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Contractor removing dead nutria from Mississippi beaches after Isaac

Watch: Great White Sharks Spotted Near Popular Beaches

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Home > Video > U.S.

Ochocinco's Wife Discusses Star's Arrest, Head-Butt Charge

Monster Truck Crashes Into Crowd: Caught on Tape

Great White Sharks Spotted Near Popular Beaches

Iowa Air Show Crash Kills Texas Pilot: Caught on Tape

Hurricane Isaac Leaves Flood Threat on Gulf Coast

Fort Bliss Troops Talk Suicide Prevention

$52M Mystery Lottery Winners Come Forward

Whites Only at Louisiana Reunion After Party?

Isaac Heroes: Father-Son Rescue Team

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Watch: Great White Sharks Spotted Near Popular Beaches

UTC Aerospace Systems' legacy Hamilton Sundstrand business named in Aviation Week's 2012 Workforce Study as a company …

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --UTC Aerospace Systems' legacy Hamilton Sundstrand business was named in Aviation Week's 2012 Workforce Study as a "Company where Aerospace and Defense Professionals Want to work." UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (UTX).

Hamilton Sundstrand was selected in two of three categories of the corporate study - "Respect for the Individual" and "Learning/Professional Development." These categories, along with "Technological Challenge," are the three areas employees in the industry said are most important to them as they make career decisions. Hamilton Sundstrand was one of 34 organizations that participated in the corporate study.

"We are honored to receive this recognition by Aviation Week. Hamilton Sundstrand has historically worked very hard to provide a stimulating and rewarding environment for employees," said Doug Balsbough, vice president, Human Resources Aircraft Systems, UTC Aerospace Systems. Balsbough previously served as Hamilton Sundstrand's VP of Human Resources. "With the addition of more than 27,000 new employees following the integration of Goodrich and the expansion of our product and technology portfolio, our employees have greater opportunities for career development and interesting and fulfilling work."

Hamilton Sundstrand has also ranked highly in the three categories in past Aviation Week workforce studies.

The 2012 Workforce Study is produced by Aviation Week in collaboration with the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and provides a single source of reliable data that analyzes current A&D workforce issues, trends and opportunities.

Aviation Week is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week for analysis, marketing and intelligence. Customers include the world's leading manufacturers, suppliers, airlines, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this global market.

UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company that provides high-technology products and services to the aerospace and building industries.

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EV Group Unveils Its Next-Generation EVG150 Automated Resist Processing Platform For High-Volume Coating/Developing …

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TAIPEI, Taiwan, Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --EV Group (EVG), a leading supplier of wafer bonding and lithography equipment for the MEMS, nanotechnology and semiconductor markets, today unveiled its next-generation EVG150 automated resist processing system. The high-volume coater/developer has been completely redesigned to provide customers with a flexible, modular platform that integrates spin coating and developing with EVG's advanced, proprietary spray coating technology.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120904/SF67114)

"Close collaboration with our customers made it clear that the next logical step for our coater/developer technology was to create a universal approach for high-volume processing of devices with more complicated structures and topographies," stated Markus Wimplinger, EV Group's corporate technology development and IP director. "This latest incarnation of our EVG150 system addresses customers' production needs for back-end lithography, conformal coating and planarization all in one modular, fully automated platform. Leveraging EVG's 15 years of experience in resist coating and developing, and particularly our spray coating, the EVG150 is ideally suited for high-volume coater/developer applications needing increased uniformity and process flexibility."

Part of EVG's resist processing equipment family, which addresses all wafer sizes up to 300 mm, the EVG150 platform can accommodate wafers from 50 mm to 200 mm in diameter, and enables up to four wet process modules to be combined with two stacks of hot plates, chill plates and vapor prime modules. The system performs spin coating, developing, spray coating and lift off, and its modular structure helps minimize system downtime and improve serviceability. Throughput is optimized via EVG's latest Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Framework software platform and unmatched process control.

EVG currently has more than 100 customers implementing its proprietary OmniSpray technology, which is also integrated into the new EVG150 resist processing platform. EVG's OmniSpray technology specifically allows the conformal coating of high topography surfaces via its proprietary ultrasonic nozzle. Spray coating technology is ideally suited for ultra-thin, fragile or perforated wafers. Additionally, the implementation of OmniSpray coating can result in a greater-than-80-percent reduction in material consumption compared to traditional spin coating. Another available option for the EVG150 platform is EVG's NanoSpray technology, which is an enhanced, patented coating technique that can coat surfaces with vertical sidewall angles thus, for example, enabling conformal coating of through-silicon vias (TSVs) with polymer liners and photoresist.

The modular EVG150 automated resist processing platform is available immediately for demonstration and evaluation.

For media interested in learning more about EVG's technology solutions, please visit EV Group at booth #1076 at SEMICON Taiwan in Taipei, where the company will be exhibiting from September 5-7, 2012.

EV Group (EVG) is a leading supplier of equipment and process solutions for the manufacture of semiconductors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), compound semiconductors and power devices, and nanotechnology devices. Key products include wafer bonding, thin-wafer processing, lithography/nanoimprint lithography (NIL) and metrology equipment, as well as photoresist coaters, cleaners and inspection systems. Founded in 1980, EV Group services and supports an elaborate network of global customers and partners all over the world. More information about EVG is available at http://www.EVGroup.com.

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EV Group Unveils Its Next-Generation EVG150 Automated Resist Processing Platform For High-Volume Coating/Developing ...

Realizing the promise of RNA nanotechnology for new drug development

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ScienceDaily (Sep. 4, 2012) The use of RNA in nanotechnology applications is highly promising for many applications, including the development of new therapeutic compounds. Key technical challenges remain, though, and the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of RNA molecules in nanotechnology approaches are presented in a review article in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Peixuan Guo and colleagues, University of Kentucky, Lexington, highlight the ability of RNA to self-assemble into nanoparticles with diverse structures. In "Uniqueness, Advantages, Challenges, Solutions, and Perspectives in Therapeutics Applying RNA Nanotechnology," the authors provide a detailed description of the main challenges faced by the RNA therapeutics industry, including the chemical and thermodynamic instability of the molecules, potential safety and side effect issues, difficulties in delivery and specific targeting, and low yield and high production costs in manufacturing.

"The remarkable structural and enzymatic properties of RNA continue to astound us," says Executive Editor Fintan Steele, PhD, SomaLogic, Inc., Boulder, CO. "It is exciting to see those properties increasingly realized for the benefit of human health and welfare, as described by Dr. Guo and his colleagues."

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics is under the editorial leadership of Co-Editors-in-Chief Bruce A. Sullenger, PhD, Duke Translational Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, and C.A. Stein, MD, PhD, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA; and Executive Editor Fintan Steele, PhD, SomaLogic, Boulder, CO.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers, via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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New Study in CHEST Validates the Cheetah NICOM® 100% Non-Invasive Method for Addressing One of the Most Difficult …

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VANCOUVER, Wash., Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study led by Dr. Paul Marik, Professor and Division Chief of Pulmonary Critical Care at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA was published this week in CHEST, the journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. The study confirmed the high accuracy of using the non-invasive NICOM technology to assess fluid status, one of the most prevalent and frequent challenges in critical care and emergency medicine.

Intravenous (IV) fluid administration has long been a cornerstone of treating patients in shock. In fact, early, guided fluid administration has been shown to lead to dramatic improvements in outcomes and survival of various conditions including sepsis, major surgery and trauma. However, multiple studies have shown that only approximately 50% of critical care patients are responsive to additional fluid. That is, in about half of patients, increased fluid will significantly improve their cardiac function (as measured by stroke volume); whereas in the other half, it will not. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that both inadequate and excessive fluids are associated with poor outcomes. A method to determine volume responsiveness and dosing of fluid is important in the critical care setting; but historically many methods have been invasive, associated with catheter-line blood stream infections or bleeding, costly, and/or had unacceptable accuracy.

In this study, Dr. Marik and team confirmed the accuracy and effectiveness of Cheetah Medical's NICOM system, a 100% non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring system, to address the challenge of fluid management. Critical care patients suffering from sepsis, shock and other life-threatening conditions were monitored with the NICOM monitor and a passive leg raise (PLR) maneuver was performed. PLR induces a gravitational transfer of blood from the lower limbs towards the heart. If the NICOM monitor recorded a change in stroke volume index (SVI) of greater than 10%, the patient was considered fluid responsive. The results from the PLR with NICOM were then compared to results from an IV fluid bolus and carotid Doppler flow measurements. The PLR maneuver with NICOM monitoring had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 100% for predicting volume responsiveness.

The conclusion of the study is, "Monitoring the hemodynamic response to a PLR maneuver using the NICOM provides an accurate method of assessing volume responsiveness in critically ill patients."

"As critical care physicians we understand that determining a patient's fluid status is essential to our ability to provide safe and effective treatments to our patients. Fluid optimization is the cornerstone of medical management in many of our patients, most notably those suffering from sepsis, trauma, acute kidney injury and those recovering from major surgical interventions," said Dr. Jordan Bonomo, Director, Division of Critical Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. "This research further validates my experience in using NICOM monitoring, along with the PLR maneuver, in the management of critically ill patients."

"We are pleased with the study findings, which further validate our technology and complement previous studies that have come to similar conclusions," said Yoav Avidor, MD, CEO of Cheetah Medical. "We hope this study will encourage use of Cheetah's NICOM system in the management of critical care, emergency medicine and surgical patients. We believe that NICOM may enable hospitals to advance the quality of care for a large number of patients that are not benefiting from advanced hemodynamic monitoring and fluid optimization today."

About Cheetah Medical Cheetah Medical's NICOM Noninvasive Cardiac Output and Hemodynamic Monitoring System uses the company's proprietary BIOREACTANCE Technology to deliver continuous, accurate, noninvasive cardiac output (CO) and other vital hemodynamic monitoring parameters, useful for fluid management and drug titration. The system is FDA-cleared and CE Marked, and since its commercial launch in 2008 has been adopted by a growing number of clinicians worldwide. Cheetah Medical headquarters is located in Tel-Aviv, Israel and its United States headquarters is located in Vancouver, Washington. For more information, visit our website at http://www.cheetah-medical.com.

Reference: Marik PE, Levitov A, Young A, et al. The use of NICOM (Bioreactance) and Carotid Doppler to determine volume responsiveness and blood flow redistribution following passive leg raising in hemodynamically unstable patients. Chest. 2012. [Epub ahead of print]

Dr. Jordan Bonomo was not an investigator in this study and has no relevant financial interests to disclose.

For further information contact: Kristina Frey Cheetah Medical kristina@cheetah-medical.com 317-489-8922

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New Study in CHEST Validates the Cheetah NICOM® 100% Non-Invasive Method for Addressing One of the Most Difficult ...

'Picture of Dorian Gray' borrowed in 1934 is finally returned

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A rare book telling the story of a young man who sells his soul in a bargain whereby he stops ageing has been returned to a library after having been taken out in 1934.

The tome in question is a valuable first edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray, the novel written by noted 19th-century writer, wit and theatrical luvvie Oscar Wilde - the Stephen Fry of his time. In it a young man embarks on a life of debauchery after having his portrait painted, and for some reason or another the picture becomes old and raddled while the chap remains yummy and does not age.

Perhaps needless to say, the eponymous protagonist eventually comes to a bad end, but not before having lots of fun.

Possibly mysteriously, the first edition of the tale held by the Chicago Public Library was checked out in 1934 ... and never given back. However the Library is currently holding a "blue moon" late-fees amnesty, and this prompted the volume's long-delayed return.

It seems that the book was found by a Ms Harlean Hoffman Vision in her late mother's effects, but Ms Vision didn't dare return it as she had calculated that fines of more then $6,000 had built up. Thus she waited until the rare amnesty was declared (the Chicago library hasn't held one since the 1990s).

In fact, according to this Reuters report on the case, there's a cap of $10 on late fees, so the book could easily have been returned earlier. There's nothing in the story about Ms Vision's mother having lived an unusually long time without apparently ageing or anything.

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'Picture of Dorian Gray' borrowed in 1934 is finally returned

BIO Announces Preliminary Program for the 2012 BIO Convention in China

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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announces panel sessions for the 2nd annual BIO Convention in China to be held October 24-25, 2012 in Shanghai, China. The event will highlight the latest issues and trends related to doing business in China, including globalizing Traditional Chinese Medicines, trends in cancer research and presenting new models of R&D structures.

The program will feature biopharma executives from East and West sharing their insights and perspectives on issues critical for encouraging and supporting cross border deal-making," said Alan Eisenberg, Executive Vice President of Emerging Companies and Business Development.

Three cant miss panels include:

Other BIO China sessions include:

In addition to panel sessions, BIO China will host keynote sessions, company presentations, partnering meetings and networking opportunities.

Dr. Michael Rosenblatt, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer for Merck, will provide one of two keynote addresses on October 25th. Directly following Dr. Rosenblatts keynote, Peng Wang, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Simcere will deliver his remarks. Governor Jon Huntsman, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Governor of Utah, will provide the third keynote address. Additional keynote speakers will be announced at a later date.

BIO brings to China more than 15 years of experience in organizing international conferences for the biotech industry, including the BIO International Convention the global event for biotechnology. BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations.

For more information on the BIO Convention in China, please visit here.

About BIO

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BIO Announces Preliminary Program for the 2012 BIO Convention in China

Rensselaer Appoints Biotechnology, Administrative, and Education Leader Jonathan S. Dordick as Vice President for …

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Rensselaer Appoints Biotechnology, Administrative, and Education Leader Jonathan S. Dordick as Vice President for Research

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson Announces the Appointment of Dordick, Who Currently Leads the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies at the Institute

Newswise Troy, N.Y. Jonathan S. Dordick, the current director of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) and Howard P. Isermann Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been appointed vice president for research, effective today.

Dr. Dordick brings a wealth of research experience, academic administrative talent, pedagogical leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit to the position as we seek to raise the level and impact of our research programs through the next stages of The Rensselaer Plan, President Jackson said.

His leadership as director of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies is indicative of his ability as a researcher and administrator, Jackson added. Under his guidance since 2008, CBIS has matured significantly, both operationally and intellectually, serving as a model organization within the university community by providing a vibrant research program while maximizing the societal impact of Rensselaer's investment in infrastructure and people, and by developing a broad array of functional core facilities that serve the Rensselaer biotechnology faculty and related research community.

As the vice president for research at Rensselaer, Dordick will be responsible for advancing the research enterprise across the full range of academic disciplines and interdisciplinary activities. He will work closely with the president and provost in the development and implementation of policies and practices relating to all aspects of the universitys research mission.

As a leading researcher, Dordick has established a large, longstanding, and internationally recognized program, in which he has published 300 peer-reviewed papers and nearly 40 patents and patent applications. He has delivered over 200 invited lectures worldwide, including seminars at more than 70 universities.

In support of his research program, he has received nearly $30 million in research support, the vast majority from peer-reviewed federal sources. He is the principal investigator of Rensselaers National Institutes of Health Biotechnology Predoctoral Training Grant, which provides a bridge between education and research at the graduate level.

As an entrepreneur, Dordick has founded three companies providing products and services that impact industries as diverse as healthcare and energy, and has served on the scientific advisory boards of five others.

His knowledge of the needs of both industry and the university environment will serve the Institute well in identifying new research directions and in working collaboratively with faculty and industry colleagues, Jackson said.

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Rensselaer Appoints Biotechnology, Administrative, and Education Leader Jonathan S. Dordick as Vice President for ...

Press Conference Update: Companies to Display Visible Progress in Meeting Advanced Biofuels Goals

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Biotechnology Industry Organization:

A teleconference line has been established for reporters unable to attend in person. Dial-in: 800-277-3988.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the worlds largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling innovations transforming our world. Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO India International Conference September 12 13, 2012 Mumbai, India

Livestock Biotech Summit September 19 21, 2012 Kansas City, MO

BIO Investor Forum October 9-10, 2012 San Francisco, CA

Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy October 10 12, 2012 Vancouver, Canada

The BIO Convention in China October 24 25, 2012 Shanghai, China

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Press Conference Update: Companies to Display Visible Progress in Meeting Advanced Biofuels Goals

Research and Markets: Animal Biotechnology – Technologies, Markets and Companies – Updated 2012 Report

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/cgq6bx/animal_biotechnolo) has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech's new report "Animal Biotechnology - Technologies, Markets and Companies" to their offering.

This report describes and evaluates animal biotechnology and its application in veterinary medicine and pharmaceuticals as well as improvement in food production. Knowledge of animal genetics is important in the application of biotechnology to manage genetic disorders and improve animal breeding. Genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics are also being applied to animal biotechnology.

Transgenic technologies are used for improving milk production and the meat in farm animals as well as for creating models of human diseases. Transgenic animals are used for the production of proteins for human medical use. Biotechnology is applied to facilitate xenotransplantation from animals to humans. Genetic engineering is done in farm animals and nuclear transfer technology has become an important and preferred method for cloning animals. There is discussion of in vitro meat production by culture.

Biotechnology has potential applications in the management of several animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, avian flu and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The most important biotechnology-based products consist of vaccines, particularly genetically engineered or DNA vaccines. Gene therapy for diseases of pet animals is a fast developing area because many of the technologies used in clinical trials humans were developed in animals and many of the diseases of cats and dogs are similar to those in humans. RNA interference technology is now being applied for research in veterinary medicine

Molecular diagnosis is assuming an important place in veterinary practice. Polymerase chain reaction and its modifications are considered to be important. Fluorescent in situ hybridization and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are also widely used. Newer biochip-based technologies and biosensors are also finding their way in veterinary diagnostics.

Biotechnology products are approved by the Center for Veterinary Medicine of the FDA. Regulatory issues relevant to animal biotechnology are described.

Approximately 109 companies have been identified to be involved in animal biotechnology and are profiled in the report. These are a mix of animal healthcare companies and biotechnology companies. Top companies in this area are identified and ranked. Information is given about the research activities of 11 veterinary and livestock research institutes. Important 109 collaborations in this area are shown.

Share of biotechnology-based products and services in 2011 is analyzed and the market is projected to 2021.

The text is supplemented with 34 tables and 5 figures. Selected 250 references from the literature are appended.

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Research and Markets: Animal Biotechnology - Technologies, Markets and Companies - Updated 2012 Report

How To Run A Harvard Lab From The Battlefield

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As a former major in the Rhode Island National Guard, Kevin Kit Parker has been called into duty in Afghanistan three times in the last decade. Somehow, he also finds time to run a 20-member bioengineering lab at Harvard thats innovating itself onto the cutting edge of microfluidics, tissue engineering and biomechanics. "For the last 10 years its been more than science--Ive had to fight a war at the same time." So how does he manage it all?

Busily!

In December of 2010, Parker, currently a member of the United States Army Reserve and a professor of applied mathematics at the United States Military Academy at West Point, was in Japan at a conference preparing to present his theoretical model of cell building to a room full of scientists. As his host ambled through a lengthy introduction, his BlackBerry buzzed. "While they were introducing me to give this talk I got an email saying, 'Youre going to Afghanistan next month.'"

Parker's lab (together with a Caltech group across the country) recently made headlines when they built a cyborg robot out of sheets of silicone and slices of living, lab-grown muscle, that mimicked the swimming strokes of a living jellyfish. Also on slow boil at the Parker group is research on wound-healing bandages, cellular simulators to observe the effect of blast injuries on neurons, and strong, sturdy nano fabrics spun out by what looks like a cotton candy machine. Recently, Parker was part of a Wyss Institute research team that won a $37 million DARPA grant to build a 10-organ "human on a chip" which would mimic, on a reduced scale, the physiology of the human body. In between, Parker has led counterinsurgency maneuvers in Afghanistan and used some of what he learned in the field to help Massachusetts State Police combat organized gang crime.

It comes as no surprise that Parker grew up multitasking. As a child, I played sports, and I played army and had a lab in my garage, he says. I had a Sears chemistry set. I used to scoop up dead animals and dissect them. Majors in physics and engineering led to a PhD and post doc at Vanderbilt. Parker had just secured an appointment at Harvard when he was called into Afghanistan in 2002. He told Harvard to wait a year, went out into battle, then came back to pick up his post.

Parker's first focus as a young scientist at Harvard was cardiac cell biology and tissue engineering. But he found himself getting called on by his army colleagues to study trauma effects of war on the brain. In the beginning, Parker resisted. Finally a friend of mine got wounded, Parker says, which was when he relented. "Think about this. I have all these resources available. What kind of jerk am I that I only work on the things that I want to work on?" Parker decided to focus his work on what he knew best--creating tissue-engineered sections of tissue--not of the heart, as he did in his PhD days, but of the brain.

I told DARPA, 'Listen, to do brain injury research, if I start blowing up goats in Harvard yard, Im not going to last long.' To better understand brain injuries, his first goal was to recreate, on the benchtop, the impact an explosion would have on brain tissue. And so members of Parkers lab, young veterans among them, put their heads together and combined what they knew about explosives and tissue engineering.

In September 2010, while the project was still in its early stages, Parker testified to a Congressional committee on what science knew about traumatic brain injuries. The issue is a complex and understudied scientific problem because, Parker said, "It can require a knowledge of explosives, shock physics, cell and tissue mechanics, molecular biology, neurobiology, psychology, and neurodegenerative diseases. I am not an expert in any of these fields, but I know a few words from each and that might be about as good as it gets."

The result is what Parker calls a concussion on a chip--a scaled-down explosion applied to a lab-grown bit of brain tissue. We hit paydirt, he says of the two papers the group published in 2011. I think we had a really big breakthrough. Everyone was excited because it pointed to some drug targets some pathways that were interesting based on what we found an explosion might feel like to a neuron.

The composition of Parker's lab group reflects his enthusiasm for collaborative, interdisciplinary research. It relies on the wide-ranging skills of biologists, chemists, engineers, and even employed a dentist at one point. Weve got a lot of crazy cats in there, Parker says. In fact, that's his recipe to stay ahead: "The cutting edge of a field is often putting two fields together--things that don't belong." For example, his lab studies cells using an algorithm law enforcement agencies use to do qualitative analysis of fingerprints.

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How To Run A Harvard Lab From The Battlefield

HORIBA Medical Announces Success of Online Training for Haematology Analysers

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'Virtual' classrooms enhance staff training at Spire Healthcare

Northampton, UK - The implementation of HORIBA Medical UK's online training programme for its haematology analysers has proven to be a great success at Spire Pathology Services. HORIBA Medical's ABX Pentra 80 haematology analysers have played a major role in helping Spire Pathology Services to process the more than 1.8 million samples that are tested yearly in its 18 laboratories for hospitals within the Spire Healthcare Group (the second largest group of private hospitals across the UK), as well as external customers, including the independent and NHS sectors.

HORIBA Medical's ABX Pentra 80 haematology analysers fulfil all the requirements of Spire's busy pathology labs, however one of the biggest challenges lies in ensuring all appropriate personnel are fully trained and certified to use the analysers. Consequently, Spire adopted the HORIBA e-Learning Portal (HeLP) as a complement to its on-site and classroom-based learning. As a computer-based, online programme, this not only improves the accessibility of training for staff working shifts and on-call, but also facilitates a multi-disciplinary approach to blood analysis. As Spire's staff hold a diverse range of medical and laboratory expertise, the user-friendly, modular courses ensure that differing learning needs can be met.

The HeLP e-learning programme, written and designed in-house by HORIBA Medical team experts, was adapted for Spire's individual needs by working with Linda Joyce, Manager at Spire Pathology Services' Portsmouth Laboratory. "The ABX Pentra 80 haematology analysers tick all the boxes in terms of the blood analysis requirements of our pathology laboratories, but it is always a challenge to make sure that all our staff, from a range of specialities, are well-trained to use the analysers. The HeLP online training programme provides the ideal solution," said Linda Joyce. As an administrator of online learning at Spire Pathology Services, Linda Joyce is notified by email when personnel in the countrywide pathology laboratories have successfully completed the course, making it easy for her to keep up-to-date with who has received the training.

According to Linda Joyce, one of the key benefits of the e-learning programme was the flexibility to adapt it to the requirements of the pathology laboratories. "HORIBA Medical were very good at working with us to adapt the online tool to our needs. I worked personally with them to set up the package, where certain aspects were changed to tailor the learning programme to the requirements of our personnel. For example, one of the areas we needed more tuition on was for a statistical measurement of population means: the package was modified to include this."

HeLP fully supports a multi-disciplinary use of the HORIBA haematology analysers. For example, the online tool ensures that non-biomedical scientists (BMS) can be trained to the appropriate level necessary to use the blood analyser. "HORIBA Medical have even designed a haematology course for beginners to bring medical laboratory assistants and biochemists unfamiliar with blood work, up to speed," added Linda Joyce. "We also have a two-tiered learning programme for the analysers; Level 1 is for basic users such as non BMS staff and Level 2 is more advanced, for BMS staff. This means learning is adapted specifically to the users' needs."

Spire Pathology Services' professional service dictates that all personnel must hold certificates of competency in order to use the haematology analysers. Upon the successful completion of the e-learning courses, certificates are produced which carry a Continued Professional Development (CPD) code accredited from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences. "Ensuring that our entire team are working at a high level of competency is vital to us at Spire and thanks to HORIBA's online training programme this is now possible. The design of an e-learning course tailored specifically to our needs is a reflection of our continued excellent working relationship with HORIBA," commented Linda Joyce.

For more information please visit http://www.horiba.com/uk/medical

ABOUT HORIBA Medical - UK: http://www.horiba.com/uk/medical

Resulting from nearly 30 years of understanding and meeting its customers' exacting individual needs, the HORIBA Medical team holds a wealth of expertise in haematology, and increasingly in clinical chemistry. Consequently, HORIBA Medical has become a well-respected and renowned specialist in the design and manufacture of automated in vitro diagnostic systems for haematology and chemistry analysis.

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HORIBA Medical Announces Success of Online Training for Haematology Analysers

Frontline health staff’s job cut warning

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PATHOLOGY Queensland is preparing to shed staff as part of $25 million in budget cuts, and employees have been warned "being frontline offers no protection".

An email from Pathology Queensland's principal chief scientist for haematology, Dominic Burns, outlines government plans for the organisation to become "more efficient with less resources".

"There is a head count imperative as well as a budget imperative," he says in the email.

"The budget would be difficult to achieve without reducing staff."

The email, obtained by The Courier-Mail, says if a role is no longer required, human resources will work with affected employees on the possibility of placement in another position.

A video conference with staff is planned for later this week, when further details are expected to be revealed.

Mr Burns' email refers staff to Queensland Health's Employee Assistance Program, a free counselling service, given "there may be considerable stress and uncertainty for everyone".

He said it was possible some services may be devolved to the 17 hospital and health service districts.

Public health expert Mike Daube, professor of health policy at Curtin University in Western Australia, said yesterday that devolution of services to the districts could be "expensive or a recipe for disaster - possibly both".

"There is no way that 17 boards will have the expertise to address all the issues and problems they will face," Professor Daube said.

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Frontline health staff's job cut warning

Parents Failing To Make Informed Decision About Right Nutrition For Children

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September 04, 2012 18:08 PM

Parents Failing To Make Informed Decision About Right Nutrition For Children

By Wan Shahara Ahmad Ghazali

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- A child needs proper nutrition for a healthy and adequate development as well as strong physical growth.

A child's normal development and physical growth are crucial, particularly during infancy and up to the time he or she is around seven years old.

Hence, healthy nutrition is vital for a growing child and parents should ensure that they play an instrumental role in this aspect.

A recent study indicates that in the bid to ensure that their child gets all the essential nutrients, young mothers resort to using formula milk or growing up milk (GUM) for meeting the nutritional needs of their infants.

STUDY INDICATORS

The Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM), in collaboration with Abbott Nutrition, carried out a recent study, which included 300 mothers who have children below three years of age.

The study shows that several factors influence a young mothers' choice of GUM.

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Parents Failing To Make Informed Decision About Right Nutrition For Children

New long-term antimicrobial catheter developed

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Public release date: 3-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Laura Udakis l.udakis@sgm.ac.uk 44-079-908-26696 Society for General Microbiology

A novel antimicrobial catheter that remains infection-free for up to twelve weeks could dramatically improve the lives of long-term catheter users. The scientists who have developed the new technology are presenting their work at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference at the University of Warwick.

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a catheter that can kill most urinary bacteria, including most strains of Proteus bacteria the most common cause of catheter infections. Importantly the antimicrobial catheter retains its activity for between six to twelve weeks, making it suitable for long-term use, unlike existing commercial anti-infection catheters.

Urinary catheters are commonly used to manage incontinence in the elderly or individuals who have suffered long-term spinal cord injury. All catheters become infected after a couple of weeks and Proteus bacteria are responsible for up to 40% of these infections. The bacterium sticks to catheter surfaces and breaks down urea, causing the pH of urine to rise. This causes deposits of mineral crystals in the catheter which blocks it, preventing drainage. If unnoticed, catheter blockage can lead to kidney and bloodstream infections, which ultimately may result in potentially fatal septic shock.

This new antimicrobial catheter has significant advantages over existing solutions, explained Dr Roger Bayston who is leading the development. "Commercial 'anti-infection' catheters are active for only a few days and are not suitable for long-term use. There is an urgent need for an antimicrobial catheter that is suitable for long-term use. Our catheter uses patented technology that does not involve any coatings which extends its antimicrobial activity. The process involves introducing antimicrobial molecules into the catheter material after manufacture, so that they are evenly distributed throughout it, yet can move through the material to replenish those washed away from the surface."

There are 100 million catheter users worldwide whose lives can be severely disrupted by illness from repeat infections and side-effects from antibiotics. "The catheter technology has proven benefit in other medical settings and has the potential to be the solution to recurrent infections in long-term catheter users, which will improve quality of life of these individuals. In addition, reducing the need to frequently change catheters and treat infections would represent huge financial savings to the NHS," explained Dr Bayston.

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New long-term antimicrobial catheter developed

Monster And Viacom Introduce Monster DNA Headphones And A New Alliance To Support Music Culture

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NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Monster, the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance headphones and electronic accessories, and Viacom, home to the world's premier entertainment brands, today announced a global alliance for the launch of a new audio brand Monster DNA. With Monster's latest advancement in sound engineering, Monster DNA headphones bring music listeners a new sound that is as powerful and striking as the bold design of the headphone itself. More than a headphone, Monster DNA will look to serve today's music listener and music artists with a focus on music sharing, music community, and social awareness reaching the music entertainment community globally through an exclusive integrated campaign across Viacom music and entertainment brands worldwide including CMT, COMEDY CENTRAL, Logo, MTV, MTV2, mtvU, SPIKE, Tr3s, VH1 and VH1 Classic.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120904/NY67054 )

Rooted in the technology behind music, Monster has been dedicated to improving the music listening experience, from its development of high-performance audio cable for audiophiles, to professional recording and instrument cables for musicians. Recently, the company changed the way people think about what a headphone can sound like when it engineered the sound of the popular Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.

Said Noel Lee, The Head Monster: "We're excited about what we have accomplished with next generation sound with Monster DNA. It's the evolution of what a headphone can look and sound like. Sonically, they completely kick ass yet still have refined sound qualities that all music lovers can appreciate."

Viacom will provide a global platform for the Monster DNA headphones through its diverse entertainment brands, which continue to innovate, create culture and connect with young audiences at the intersection of music and entertainment. "Just like Viacom's brands, Monster DNA headphones are designed to reflect the creativity and confidence of young people," said Jeff Lucas, Head of Sales, Music and Entertainment for Viacom. "Through this partnership, we're plugging Monster in to the deep connection we have with our young audiences, and giving our fans a new way to experience sound and express originality."

Monster DNA is Next Generation EverythingDesigned with both the music and fashion consumer in mind, Monster took a very aggressive approach to evolve its audio signature, the technologies that make it possible, the not-square-or- round triangle speaker housing, and its fashion forward two-tone color design. Extensive design considerations included advanced ear cushion design and lightness for overall better ear comfort than similar on-ear headphones. "We tried to think of everything we could do to make Monster DNA better than anything out there for today's extensive music listener. We even included a nifty buddy jack to share what you're listening to, something we thought people might want to do but haven't thought about," added Lee.

Music Isn't the Only Thing That Matters Music is a very powerful platform, building on the message that music matters, Monster and Viacom want to ensure that Monster DNA helps advance important pro-social causes that resonate with young music fans. The unprecedented alliance will benefit from the global marketing power of Viacom's brands and connect to many of its pro-social campaigns, including the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, SPIKE's Hire a Vet and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

Monster DNA to Debut at 2012 MTV Video Music AwardsThe Monster DNA campaign will officially launch at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, airing live from Los Angeles on Thursday, September 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The new headphones will be integrated into several elements, and VMA performing and presenting music artists and celebrities will have the first-hand look and sound experience when they receive special chrome versions, a nod to MTV's moon man. Monster DNA will also be integrated into the 2012 MTV EMA, airing globally from Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday, November 11th.

Monster DNA in Stores Soon Monster DNA will be available in the U.S. in September and in Europe in October at the following retailers: Apple stores worldwide, Best Buy and its Global Subsidiaries (Future Shop) and HMV Europe. They will be offered in seven different versions, including On-Ear models in Black, White, Cobalt Blue and Perfect Teal for a suggested retail price of $199.95, as well as Black and White In-Ear versions (SRP:$99.95).

ABOUT MONSTER Monster was founded over 30 years ago by Head Monster Noel Lee, who was recently honored with the prestigious Plus X Award: Lifetime Achievement Award, as a company dedicated to creating products that enhance the sound quality of music. The company engineered the sound of the acclaimed Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, and has become the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance, sonically superior headphones, all of which feature the company's Pure Monster Sound. Monster is also the world's leading manufacturer of advanced connectivity solutions for high-performance home entertainment, audio, home cinema, computer and gaming as well as a leading innovator in the field of mobile accessories and professional audio. The company also provides high-performance AC power line conditioning and protection products for audio/video systems, as well as energy-saving power products. Monster continues to lead in innovation with over 300 U.S. and international patents and dozens pending, offering more than 4,000 products in over 134 countries worldwide.

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Monster And Viacom Introduce Monster DNA Headphones And A New Alliance To Support Music Culture

Posted in DNA

Jonathan DiVincenzo Joins Enzymatics as President and Chief Executive Officer

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BEVERLY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Enzymatics, Inc., a rapidly growing provider of molecular biology reagents, today announced the appointment of Jonathan DiVincenzo as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. DiVincenzo brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the role having previously served as Corporate Officer of Millipore Corporation andPresident of its Bioscience Division. Mr. DiVincenzo joins Enzymatics to continue the growth fueled by the immense scientific skill set, drive and ambition of the Companys workforce.

Jon is a visionary leader with a strong track record of building global businesses serving the life science industry," said Ian Ratcliffe, Chairman of Enzymatics Board of Directors. "His experience and capabilities in bringing new technologies to global markets make him uniquely qualified to lead Enzymatics through its next wave of growth."

Enzymatics co-founders Stephen Picone and Christopher Benoit commented, Enzymatics has evolved into a thriving business from a startup in 2007, growing to approximately 100 employees in just five years. We welcome Jon to the Enzymatics family, and with his extensive commercial and strategic experience, we will continue to build Enzymatics as the leading global supplier of high quality reagents and services to the rapidly expanding molecular genetics industry. Stephen Picone and Chris Benoit are remaining at the Company in active roles under the new titles, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, respectively.

Mr. DiVincenzo has held several key leadership positions during his 18-year tenure at Millipore Corporation (now Merck Millipore).As the President of the Companys Bioscience Division, Jon led 1200 employees and grew the division to over $600 million of revenues. Prior to that he served as Vice President of Global Sales and Service and as Vice President of Marketing and R&D. For several years, he also held senior marketing and product management positions within Millipores Lab Water business (which later became part of the Bioscience Division) in Paris. Before Millipore, Jon worked for Orion Research (now part of ThermoFisher Scientific) as Product Manager and Technical Support Engineer and for General Electric Corporation in thermodynamics engineering. Jon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston. He is a member of the Northeasterns College of Engineering Advisory Board and Board of Directors of the Analytical and Life Science Systems Association (ALSSA).

About Enzymatics

Enzymatics is a leading provider of molecular biology reagents and manufacturing services that delivers unrivaled quality, consistency, and value to the commercial genomic sciences community. The company manufactures in the USA under ISO 13485 certification, is focused on building long-term partnerships, and leverages internal and external innovation to commercialize breakthrough technologies. http://www.enzymatics.com

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Jonathan DiVincenzo Joins Enzymatics as President and Chief Executive Officer