11-10-2012 21:41 During the vice presidential debate Thursday night in Danville, Ky., Rep. Paul Ryan rebuked Vice President Joe Biden for interrupting his argument that Democrats "got caught with their hands in the cookie jar, turning Medicare into a piggy bank for 'Obamacare.'"
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Ryan chides Biden for interrupting him on health care argument - Video
11-10-2012 22:50 Dr. Marc Siegel, Dr. Martha Boone weigh in
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12-10-2012 12:40 "The problem is that we've so completely surpressed the marketplace in healthcare that none of us ever sees a real price for anything," says economist John Goodman. Reason magazine's Matt Welch sat down with Goodman at FreedomFest 2012 to discuss solutions to healthcare discussed in Goodman's book, "Priceless: Curing the Healthcare Crisis." Held each July in Las Vegas, FreedomFest is attended by around 2000 limited-government enthusiasts and libertarians a year. ReasonTV spoke with over two dozen speakers and attendees and will be releasing interviews over the coming weeks. For an ever-growing playlist, go here now: About 4:11 minutes. Camera by Tracy Oppenheimer and Alex Manning; edited by Paul Detrick.
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Orange, California (PRWEB) October 12, 2012
Yale University Press releases a new book on health care exploring The Cost Disease.
William J. Baumol, a professor of economics and academic director of the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, New York University, and professor emeritus, Princeton University, has written a book delving into the question Why Computers Get Cheaper and Health Care Doesnt.
Its a topic that plagues consumers, as each year brings a new level in increase in the costs of health care, while things like the prices of computers are not rising, yet, nor are salaries or Medicare coverage.
Baumol, author of more than forty books and recipient of numerous awards, explains it like this: Its the Cost Disease.
And that once the public understands the parameters of this disease and how it effects the rising costs of the service sectors of the economy, then appropriate and effective responses can be made to the problem thats causing widespread alarm across the country.
HealthCompare, a nationally recognized health insurance comparison site, is aware of the ever-compounding increases that health care is placing on the population and wants consumers to be as educated as possible when making decisions that could affect their health care.
Knowing what a patients limits are when it comes to what doctors he is willing to see and which ones he is and knowing his medical history intently and the history of his family, and how much he is honestly able to afford, the patient can better make health care decisions that could help him find policies that are more suitable for his budget, without losing its effectiveness.
Its this kind of research and adjustment that will help health insurance consumers become more adaptable to the Cost Disease and Dr. Baumols ideals that service related industries require more and more people to manage and run the industry, in opposition to the idea that technology requires fewer people and less moving parts, so the costs can stay down.
Health Insurance shoppers are encouraged to visit HealthCompare.com to make comparisons that could help them in buying individual health insurance and lower their costs in an industry affected by the Cost Disease.
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HealthCompare Attempts to Help Health Insurance Consumers Counter the "Cost Disease"
Were looking for entrepreneurs with a healthy disregard for the impossible, said the managing partner of Google's
Bill Maris | Twitter
Google Ventures' Bill Maris a startup veteran, who founded and sold a web hosting company knows the challenges entrepreneurs face.
His challenge: Help the fund invest $200 million a year in startups. That works out to about one to two investments a week.
For Maris, who's also a neuroscientist, health care is a good place to look; seven of the 130 plus startups listed in its portfolio are focused on life sciences.
And clearly the Google Ventures team has an eye for talent. Shinya Yamanaka, who pioneered the intellectual property behind Google Ventures portfolio company iPerian (and now serves on the startups board), was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking stem cell research.
As part of CNBC's Healthy Week special report, we asked Maris to talk about the power of funding big ideas to change the practice of medicine. (See exclusive web video below.)
How are you changing the way venture Capitalism is done?
We've really taken a radically different approach to venture capital than has been seen before. We built a venture fund from the ground up, which is a pretty rare thing these days. And we hired a team of entrepreneurs and engineers and people who have built significant companies in the past and decided that we should focus our efforts on being hands on, helping them solve the kinds of problems that we faced as entrepreneurs just a few years ago.
We're measured by financial return, like all venture capitalists are, and probably should be. But we do have a larger goal, which is to invest in and support the most disruptive, interesting entrepreneurs in the world that are really looking to make a big change for the better in the way we live our lives.
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Health Care Needs More Entrepreneurs and Innovation: Google Ventures Head
Always Best Care shares an important report from Society of Certified Senior Advisors to provide information about the effects of health care reform legislation for seniors.
Roseville, CA (PRWEB) October 12, 2012
The new health care reform bill officially, the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" includes a variety of provisions that impact individuals, businesses, insurance companies, health care providers and the government. While some of the provisions have already taken place, many will be phased in over the next six years. It's important to understand the approaching provisions and what they mean for seniors. Areas that will be most affected may include taxes, adjustments in existing health care coverage, access to health care coverage, access to information and requirements of employers.
Seniors are the focus of major portions of the bill, including Medicare benefits, Medicare Part D drug coverage, and the Elder Justice Act. The Society of Certified Senior Advisors has assembled a white paper to provide factual and helpful information about the effects of health care reform legislation for seniors. Always Best Care is proud to share this important report.
Always Best Care is one of the nations leading providers of non-medical in-home care, assisted living placement services and skilled home health care. The company delivers its services through an international network of more than 200 independently owned and operated franchises and area representative offices. Always Best Care has assisted over 25,000 seniors, representing a wide range of illnesses and personal needs.
To download a free copy of this important report, please visit http://www.alwaysbestcare.info/HCR.pdf
To find the closest Always Best Care office, please visit http://www.AlwaysBestCare.com, and click on Locations in the top menu bar.
Contact Us Always Best Care 1-(855)-470-2273 Email Information
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Healogics, Inc., the nations largest provider of advanced wound care services, announced today the acquisition of Nautilus Health Care Group of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Healogics, and its affiliated companies, partner with hospitals to manage over 500 outpatient Wound Care Centers nationwide. Nautilus Health Care Group and its 30 physicians and nurse practitioners provide wound care services to patients throughout the care continuum, including outpatient Wound Care Centers, hospital inpatient programs and to residents of skilled nursing and long term care facilities. Nautilus is primarily focused in the state of Florida with additional operations in Indiana.
Jeffrey W. Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Healogics, announced the acquisition saying, This partnership accelerates our growth beyond our core hospital outpatient market. Expanding our footprint to other care venues brings us one step closer to our goal of advancing wound healing everywhere we can, for every patient who would benefit, by the best means available. Mr. Nelson goes on to say, We evaluated a number of companies for potential acquisition. Due to their commitment to clinical excellence and quality patient care, Nautilus was the obvious choice. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Healogics team.
In addition to expanding Healogics wound care expertise into the post-acute market, this acquisition will allow Healogics to further strengthen its outpatient Wound Care Centers through enhanced support from specially trained wound care physicians.
Christopher Morrison, MD, founder and CEO of Nautilus Health Care Group said, We are excited to become part of the Healogics network. As the recognized leader in the industry, Healogics will help us to better serve our current customers and expand our model beyond our current market. Together, we will continue to build awareness of the chronic wound epidemic that affects millions of people. Our combined teams will focus on clinical excellence and outstanding outcomes while finding new ways to reach more patients with chronic wounds.
An aging population, combined with the rise in diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, creates a $14 billion global wound care industry. The demand for specialized wound care services is rapidly growing, said Nelson. The current patient population is underserved by existing wound care programs. Less than 1 in 7 patients who have non-healing chronic wounds are treated in venues where they receive specialized wound care services.
About Healogics, Inc.
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Healogics is the nations largest provider of advanced wound care services. Healogics and its affiliated companies manage more than 500 Wound Care Centers in the nation and see nearly 200,000 patients per year through a connected network of centers, partner hospitals, academic medical centers, patients and families. Leveraging its scale and experience, Healogics utilizes an evidence-based systematic approach to chronic wound healing in treating an underserved and growing patient population. For more information, please visit http://www.healogics.com or to find a Wound Care Center near you, please call 1-800-373-HEAL (4325).
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BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Oct 12, 2012) - Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) has been presented with the 2012 Mayoral Prize for Innovations in Pulmonary Care from the city of Boston, MA. HCWH was honored for its work to foster healthier food and workplace environments in Boston area hospitals.The presentation was made on October 12 by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who was joined by Dr. Paula Johnson, chair of the board of the Boston Public Health Commission, to present awards to HCWH and two other recipients.Now in its third year, the award raises awareness about best practices for improving the delivery of primary care services in healthcare, community-based, and workplace settings.
"Some of Boston's greatest assets are our world-renowned health care institutions.Part of being a leader means highlighting the great work that goes on in our city as a model for others to see," Mayor Menino said."I'm constantly impressed by the innovative work that organizations of all sizes are able to accomplish, and this year's winners champion that spirit of ingenuity.These awards strive to show that prevention is primary care, whether it's in the doctor's office, the workplace, or the community."
Health Care Without Harm was honored for its Healthier Hospitals Initiative (HHI), that focuses in part on improving the food and beverage environment within hospitals, places that touch hundreds of thousands of lives in Boston every year.All major teaching hospitals in the city joined a Healthy Beverage Learning Network in 2010 that was co-led by Health Care Without Harm.Just two years later, all ten of these hospitals have made progress toward increasing consumption of healthier beverages by hospital staff, patients, and visitors.The initiative is now being scaled nationwide, as hundreds of hospitals and food service contractors have begun to view food production and distribution through the lens of preventative medicine by support sustainable agriculture in the communities that it serves.
"In order to reverse the epidemic of obesity and diabetes in America, we need the healthcare sector to lead by example and create healthy food environments for patients and employees," stated Gary Cohen, president of Health Care Without Harm."Additionally, health care has an important economic engine and can leverage its enormous purchasing power to support sustainable agriculture in the communities that it serves. We need to move beyond treating sick people and demonstrate the path to helping people stay healthy."
Along with two other NGOs and 11 major U.S. health care systems, HCWH established HHI to help speed the progress of the health care sector toward sustainability. HHI recently introduced a series of Challenges for hospitals to undertake, and provided guidance and measurement systems to achieve the challenges.One of those challenges is Healthier Food, which asks hospitals to engage in a variety of initiatives to develop sustainable, healthy food programs within their facilities. Since the Challenge program was launched in April of this year, 150 hospitals have signed up for the Healthier Food challenge.
Today's event, held at the historic Boston Public Library in Copley Square, featured Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services JudyAnn Bigby as keynote speaker.It was sponsored by the Boston University School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School's Center for Primary Care, and Harvard University School of Public Health.
Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of more than 500 organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care industry worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. More than 400 hospitals have signed the HCWH Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge, committing to the development of healthy and sustainable food service operations in their facilities. For more information on HCWH, see http://www.noharm.org.
Visit the HCWH Healthy Food in Health Care Program Enroll or find out more about the HHI Food Challenge Learn more about previous winners of the Mayoral Prize in Primary Care
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Boston Honors Health Care Without Harm With 2012 Mayoral Prize in Primary Care
THURSDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Health care is now the second most important issue in the presidential election, topped only by concerns about the economy, according to a study that analyzed 37 national opinion polls.
That's the highest health care has ranked as a presidential election issue since 1992, according to the researchers.
The study also found that voters who consider health care the top issue are more likely to side with President Barack Obama over challenger Mitt Romney on the Affordable Care Act and Medicare.
The analysis of survey data, conducted by 17 different organizations, revealed that 20 percent of respondents said health care/Medicare was the most important issue in their 2012 voting choice. The economy and jobs was first, at 51 percent.
Voters who said health care/Medicare was the most important issue were much more supportive of the Affordable Care Act than the general public. Forty-one percent of such voters said they were much less likely to vote for a candidate who would repeal all or part of the act, while 14 percent said they were much more likely to vote for such a candidate.
An average of current polls shows that about 44 percent of people support the act and 45 percent oppose it.
The study also found that 27 percent of people support and 66 percent oppose changing Medicare to provide seniors with a fixed amount of money they could use to buy either private health insurance or Medicare coverage.
Among voters who said health care/Medicare is the most important issue, 39 percent said they were much less likely to vote for a candidate who supported such a change in Medicare, and 11 percent said they were much more likely to vote for such a candidate.
The study was published online Oct. 10 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
"The economy dominates most voters' thinking in terms of their priorities for choosing a candidate," study co-author Robert Blendon, professor of health policy and political analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said in a school news release. "But in a close election, the two candidates' stands on health care issues could help swing the balance among some voters."
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HEIDELBERG, GERMANY and BUDAPEST, HUNGARY--(Marketwire - Oct 12, 2012) - Genetic Immunity ( OTCBB : PWRV ), a leader in immunotherapy technology product development, and DKFZ (German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany) signed a collaborative agreement to develop a DNA-based vaccine for the treatment of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection that causes cervical cancer and other cancers of the anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and oropharynx. Present HPV vaccines (Cervarix, Gardasil) have no therapeutic effect on HPV-related diseases, so they will not treat existing diseases or conditions caused by HPV.
The Division of Genome Modifications and Carcinogenesis led by Prof. Dr. Lutz Gissmann will initiate a preclinical research program to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the DKFZ's HPV-specific plasmid DNA using Genetic Immunity's nanomedicine formulation and Langerhans cell-targeting administration technologies. DKFZ is a world leading research center in tumor virology. Harald zur Hausen was awarded the Nobel Medicine Prize for his work on HPV-caused cancer of the cervix. Zur Hausen, former Scientific Director of the German Cancer Research Center, is recognized for finding that cervical cancer is caused by viral infections. His research made it possible to develop a vaccine against one of the most frequent cancers in women. Zur Hausen shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine with Franoise Barr-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier for discovering HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
"There is a huge unmet medical need for such cancer vaccine, because vaccines we have developed earlier do not provide protection against cancer when used for treatment of existing conditions caused by HPV. Our goal is to provide protection against cancer for patients after the onset of sexual activity, after they might be exposed to HPV," said Dr. Julianna Lisziewicz, CEO of Genetic Immunity.
Genetic Immunity has successfully tested in clinical trials DermaVir, a candidate immunotherapy for the cure of HIV. This new collaboration is using the clinically proven technology expanding the pipeline to another deadly viral disease that causes cancer. The partners will test whether HPV-specific memory T cells induced by Genetic Immunity's nanomedicine products could protect against cancer after infection has occurred.
"We found that Genetic Immunity technology is unique to target the vaccine DNA into the nucleus of the Langerhans cells. We believe that it will provide a breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy. We pioneered HPV prophylactic vaccines with new innovations and we would like to expand this tradition to therapeutic setting," said Dr. Prof. Gissmann of DKFZ.
Genetic Immunity is a wholly owned subsidiary of Power of the Dream Ventures, Inc. ( OTCBB : PWRV ).
About Genetic Immunity
Genetic Immunity, part of Power of the Dream Ventures, Inc. (PWRV), is a clinical stage technology company committed to discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing a new class of immunotherapeutic biologic drugs for the treatment of viral infections, cancer and allergies. Our Langerhans cell-targeting nanomedicines are exceptional in both safety and immune modulating activity boosting specific Th1-type central memory T cells. These are essential to eliminate infected cells or cancerous cells, and balance the immune reactivity in response to allergens.
In 1988 Drs. Lisziewicz and Lori founded Genetic Immunity in the US after they described the 1st patient whose immune system was boosted to control HIV after treatment interruption (Lisziewicz et al. New England Journal of Medicine 1999) that lead to the invention of DermaVir. The Company's innovative technology team directed by Dr. Lisziewicz, a champion of immune boosting therapies, is now headquartered in Budapest, Hungary. She has been invited into the Scientific Advisory Board of the HIV Cure Initiative led by Francoise Barre-Sinoussi Nobel Prize Laureate for her HIV research in 2009. For more information please visit http://www.geneticimmunity.com
About DKFZ
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DKFZ and Genetic Immunity Sign Collaboration Agreement to Develop HPV Therapeutic Vaccine
ScienceDaily (Oct. 11, 2012) Researchers at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System have identified a genetic signature that distinguishes patients with complicated sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that can be fatal, from patients with a more benign form of the disease. The gene signature could become the basis for a simple blood test.
Their findings are reported online in the journal PLOS ONE.
In sarcoidosis, tiny clumps of abnormal tissue form in organs of the body. These clusters of immune cells, called granulomas, cause inflammation. Sarcoidosis can occur in the lymph nodes, liver, eyes, skin or other tissues, but almost always also in the lungs. The cause of the disease is unknown. African Americans are at higher risk for the disease and for more severe cases.
"One of the perplexing aspects of this disease is that two thirds of the people who get sarcoidosis get better with only minimal therapy," says Dr. Joe G.N. "Skip" Garcia, vice president for health affairs at the University of Illinois and principle investigator on the study.
But one third of patients go on to develop complicated sarcoidosis -- neurologic sarcoidosis, cardiac sarcoidosis and progressive lung disease, Garcia said. Complicated sarcoidosis can leave patients with lung damage, and in a small percentage of cases the disease can be fatal.
The challenge, Garcia says, is that there is no difference in the clinical presentation between patients with simple sarcoidosis and those who will go on to develop more serious disease.
The researchers took blood from patients with simple and complicated sarcoidosis as well as patients without the disease to look for a pattern of gene expression unique to complicated sarcoidosis.
They were able to identify a distinct 20-gene pattern of gene expression that could reliably identify those most likely to progress to complicated sarcoidosis.
A 31-gene expression signature had been identified previously, but a smaller panel of genes makes the new test less expensive and more useful clinically, said Garcia.
"We are dedicated to looking for new insights as well as new therapies for sarcoidosis and hope to someday be able to identify people at risk for it ahead of time," Garcia said.
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New gene test flags risk of serious complications in sarcoidosis
Public release date: 12-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Megan Fellman fellman@northwestern.edu 847-491-3115 Northwestern University
Researchers from Johns Hopkins and Northwestern universities have discovered how to control the shape of nanoparticles that move DNA through the body and have shown that the shapes of these carriers may make a big difference in how well they work in treating cancer and other diseases.
This study, to be published in the Oct. 12 online edition of the journal Advanced Materials, is also noteworthy because this gene therapy technique does not use a virus to carry DNA into cells. Some gene therapy efforts that rely on viruses have posed health risks.
"These nanoparticles could become a safer and more effective delivery vehicle for gene therapy, targeting genetic diseases, cancer and other illnesses that can be treated with gene medicine," said Hai-Quan Mao, an associate professor of materials science and engineering in Johns Hopkins' Whiting School of Engineering.
Mao, co-corresponding author of the Advanced Materials article, has been developing nonviral nanoparticles for gene therapy for a decade. His approach involves compressing healthy snippets of DNA within protective polymer coatings. The particles are designed to deliver their genetic payload only after they have moved through the bloodstream and entered the target cells. Within the cells, the polymer degrades and releases DNA. Using this DNA as a template, the cells can produce functional proteins that combat disease.
A major advance in this work is that Mao and his colleagues reported that they were able to "tune" these particles in three shapes, resembling rods, worms and spheres, which mimic the shapes and sizes of viral particles. "We could observe these shapes in the lab, but we did not fully understand why they assumed these shapes and how to control the process well," Mao said. These questions were important because the DNA delivery system he envisions may require specific, uniform shapes.
To solve this problem, Mao sought help about three years ago from colleagues at Northwestern. While Mao works in a traditional wet lab, the Northwestern researchers are experts in conducting similar experiments with powerful computer models.
Erik Luijten, associate professor of materials science and engineering and of applied mathematics at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and co-corresponding author of the paper, led the computational analysis of the findings to determine why the nanoparticles formed into different shapes.
"Our computer simulations and theoretical model have provided a mechanistic understanding, identifying what is responsible for this shape change," Luijten said. "We now can predict precisely how to choose the nanoparticle components if one wants to obtain a certain shape."
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Scientists discover that shape matters in DNA nanoparticle therapy
ScienceDaily (Oct. 12, 2012) Researchers from Johns Hopkins and Northwestern universities have discovered how to control the shape of nanoparticles that move DNA through the body and have shown that the shapes of these carriers may make a big difference in how well they work in treating cancer and other diseases.
This study, published in the Oct. 12 online edition of Advanced Materials, is also noteworthy because this gene therapy technique does not use a virus to carry DNA into cells. Some gene therapy efforts that rely on viruses have posed health risks.
"These nanoparticles could become a safer and more effective delivery vehicle for gene therapy, targeting genetic diseases, cancer and other illnesses that can be treated with gene medicine," said Hai-Quan Mao, an associate professor of materials science and engineering in Johns Hopkins' Whiting School of Engineering.
Mao, co-corresponding author of the Advanced Materials article, has been developing nonviral nanoparticles for gene therapy for a decade. His approach involves compressing healthy snippets of DNA within protective polymer coatings. The particles are designed to deliver their genetic payload only after they have moved through the bloodstream and entered the target cells. Within the cells, the polymer degrades and releases DNA. Using this DNA as a template, the cells can produce functional proteins that combat disease.
A major advance in this work is that Mao and his colleagues reported that they were able to "tune" these particles in three shapes, resembling rods, worms and spheres, which mimic the shapes and sizes of viral particles. "We could observe these shapes in the lab, but we did not fully understand why they assumed these shapes and how to control the process well," Mao said. These questions were important because the DNA delivery system he envisions may require specific, uniform shapes.
To solve this problem, Mao sought help about three years ago from colleagues at Northwestern. While Mao works in a traditional wet lab, the Northwestern researchers are experts in conducting similar experiments with powerful computer models.
Erik Luijten, associate professor of materials science and engineering and of applied mathematics at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and co-corresponding author of the paper, led the computational analysis of the findings to determine why the nanoparticles formed into different shapes.
"Our computer simulations and theoretical model have provided a mechanistic understanding, identifying what is responsible for this shape change," Luijten said. "We now can predict precisely how to choose the nanoparticle components if one wants to obtain a certain shape."
The use of computer models allowed Luijten's team to mimic traditional lab experiments at a far faster pace. These molecular dynamic simulations were performed on Quest, Northwestern's high-performance computing system. The computations were so complex that some of them required 96 computer processors working simultaneously for one month.
In their paper, the researchers also wanted to show the importance of particle shapes in delivering gene therapy. Team members conducted animal tests, all using the same particle materials and the same DNA. The only difference was in the shape of the particles: rods, worms and spheres.
Read more:
ScienceDaily (Oct. 12, 2012) Researchers from Johns Hopkins and Northwestern universities have discovered how to control the shape of nanoparticles that move DNA through the body and have shown that the shapes of these carriers may make a big difference in how well they work in treating cancer and other diseases.
This study, to be published in the Oct. 12 online edition of the journal Advanced Materials, is also noteworthy because this gene therapy technique does not use a virus to carry DNA into cells. Some gene therapy efforts that rely on viruses have posed health risks.
"These nanoparticles could become a safer and more effective delivery vehicle for gene therapy, targeting genetic diseases, cancer and other illnesses that can be treated with gene medicine," said Hai-Quan Mao, an associate professor of materials science and engineering in Johns Hopkins' Whiting School of Engineering.
Mao, co-corresponding author of the Advanced Materials article, has been developing nonviral nanoparticles for gene therapy for a decade. His approach involves compressing healthy snippets of DNA within protective polymer coatings. The particles are designed to deliver their genetic payload only after they have moved through the bloodstream and entered the target cells. Within the cells, the polymer degrades and releases DNA. Using this DNA as a template, the cells can produce functional proteins that combat disease.
A major advance in this work is that Mao and his colleagues reported that they were able to "tune" these particles in three shapes, resembling rods, worms and spheres, which mimic the shapes and sizes of viral particles. "We could observe these shapes in the lab, but we did not fully understand why they assumed these shapes and how to control the process well," Mao said. These questions were important because the DNA delivery system he envisions may require specific, uniform shapes.
To solve this problem, Mao sought help about three years ago from colleagues at Northwestern. While Mao works in a traditional wet lab, the Northwestern researchers are experts in conducting similar experiments with powerful computer models.
Erik Luijten, associate professor of materials science and engineering and of applied mathematics at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and co-corresponding author of the paper, led the computational analysis of the findings to determine why the nanoparticles formed into different shapes.
"Our computer simulations and theoretical model have provided a mechanistic understanding, identifying what is responsible for this shape change," Luijten said. "We now can predict precisely how to choose the nanoparticle components if one wants to obtain a certain shape."
The use of computer models allowed Luijten's team to mimic traditional lab experiments at a far faster pace. These molecular dynamic simulations were performed on Quest, Northwestern's high-performance computing system. The computations were so complex that some of them required 96 computer processors working simultaneously for one month.
In their paper, the researchers also wanted to show the importance of particle shapes in delivering gene therapy. Team members conducted animal tests, all using the same particle materials and the same DNA. The only difference was in the shape of the particles: rods, worms and spheres.
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Say hello to the world's most visited destinationTimes Square in New York City. This single attraction hosts more visitors every year than Canadia has residents. This collection of shots from our friends at Oobject illustrate the Square's radical evolution over the past century from former NYT publishing house to giant, glitter ball-topped billboard.
Be sure to also take a tour of the New York Skyline, check out some New York Futurism, and these images of the Real New York City.
Visit link:
How NYC Transformed Times Square Into a Cultural Icon [Architecture]
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The Workplace Bullying Institute hosts a press conference on Monday Oct. 15, 10-11 am in the Zenger Room at the National Press Club, Washington, DC. The event commemorates WBI's 5th annual "Freedom From Workplace Bullies Week" Oct. 14-20.
Support for the movement to stop bullying in the American workplace and to enact state legislation to compel employer action will be expressed by a coalition of special guests:
Gary Namie, PhD, WBI Director will host the conference and include brief presentations from State Coordinators from Massachusetts, Virginia & West Virginia all working to enact WBI's anti-bullying Healthy Workplace Bill. HWB has been introduced in 21 states since 2003. Ending the conference will be two first-person accounts of bullying by Neil Dias and Susan Rae Baker.
Dr. Namie describes Freedom Week as "the chance to break through the shame and silence surrounding abuse at work. It is a week to be daring and bold."
WBI is the first and only U.S. organization dedicated to the eradication of workplace bullying that combines help for individuals, research, books, public education, training for professionals-unions-employers, legislative advocacy, and consulting solutions for organizations.
Contact: Gary Namie, O: 360.656.6630, Cell: 360.220.5158 namie@workplacebullying.org WBI: http://workplacebullying.org Freedom Week: http://workplacebullying.org/freedom-week HWB: http://healthyworkplacebill.org
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For immediate release October12, 2012
London, OntarioSusan Truppe, Member of Parliament for London North Centre and Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced today a Government of Canada investment that will help Cyborg Trading Systems grow and increase the global market presence of its trading technology.
"Our government is proud to support the efforts of southern Ontario companies that want to grow and compete in the global marketplace," said MPTruppe. "Investing in innovative companies like Cyborg Trading Systems will result in high-quality jobs in the region and put southern Ontario on the map as a leader in the world's information and communications technology industry."
London-based Cyborg Trading Systems develops trading technology for global financial firms. The technology uses computerized algorithms to automate the process of trading and managing the risk of financial instruments such as stocks, bonds and options.
Through FedDev Ontario's Prosperity Initiative, Cyborg Trading Systems will receive up to $381,500 to increase its resourcesboth technological and humanto help the company capitalize on existing market gaps, expand its operations, and bring its products to market globally. This is expected to create 16 new highly technical jobs in the region, more than doubling the company's current workforce.
"The FedDev Ontario investment will allow us to rapidly scale our global growth strategy by allowing us to accelerate our plans to hire top Canadian talent," said James McInnes, founder and CEO of Cyborg Trading Systems. "We have a unique opportunity to be a world leader in the financial technology industry and this investment will take us one step closer to this goal."
For more information on this project and the Prosperity Initiative, please refer to the backgrounder.
Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region's businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit http://www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
Follow us on Twitter @FedDevOntario
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Government of Canada Supports the Expansion of a London-Area Technology Company
A red tide bloom is visible in this aerial photo taken off Brohard Beach near the Venice Airport. The Venice Fishing Pier is on the left.
Staff report
SARASOTA COUNTY - An expansive red tide bloom has moved far enough south of Sarasota County to give beaches a respite from piles of dead fish.
Mote Marine Laboratory's Beach Conditions report indicated that almost all monitored beaches in the county are free of dead fish. Air quality is also good at all beaches.
The only beach where a few dead fish remained Thursday afternoon was Venice North Jetty. Mote monitors Manasota Key beach, Venice Beach, Venice North Jetty, Nokomis, Siesta and Lido.
Earlier in the week, thousands of dead fish killed by the toxic algae bloom washed ashore on Manasota Key, Venice beaches and Casey Key beaches. Siesta, Lido and Longboat keys were not affected.
SARASOTA COUNTY - An expansive red tide bloom has moved far enough south of Sarasota County to give beaches a respite from piles of dead fish.
Mote Marine Laboratory's Beach Conditions report indicated that almost all monitored beaches in the county are free of dead fish. Air quality is also good at all beaches.
The only beach where a few dead fish remained Thursday afternoon was Venice North Jetty. Mote monitors Manasota Key beach, Venice Beach, Venice North Jetty, Nokomis, Siesta and Lido.
Earlier in the week, thousands of dead fish killed by the toxic algae bloom washed ashore on Manasota Key, Venice beaches and Casey Key beaches. Siesta, Lido and Longboat keys were not affected.
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It has been a strange week for things washing up on beaches around the world.
On Sunday,a seal was rescued on a beach in Eastbourne, UK, on the coast of the English Channel. The East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) quickly responded when the animal was reported, and found it with two strange puncture marks and covered in blood.
"We are not sure this stage what has caused the injuries but it may be the rough weather or fighting with another seal." said Trevor Weeks, the founder of WRAS.
The seal was otherwise healthy, and after recovering at RSPCA Mallydams,it should be released back into the wild.
The same day, authorities in Cape Town, South Africa, shut down the beaches at the south end of the city aftera 40 ton southern right whale washed up on the beach. Several great white sharks were spotted feeding on the whale until it fully washed up on shore.
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"At this stage it is unclear whether the whale was alive when the great white sharks attacked it or whether it died as a result of illness," said disaster management spokesman WilfredSolomons-Johannes, according to South African newspaper The Star.
The beaches remained closed through Monday, but were re-opened after the whale carcass was removed on Tuesday.
In a similar story, but an ocean away, on Wednesday, reports came in of a 7-metre long humpback whale calf washed up on shore near Burns Beach, north of Perth, Western Australia. The presence of the whale attracted the attention of great white sharks, which swam in sometimes right under surfers to feed. Authorities left the beaches in the area open while plans were made to remove the carcass. No statements have been made as to the cause of the whale's death.
In the most bizarre of these events, a bit closer to home, a man walking on Pompano Beach, north of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesdaydiscovered something that seems more suited to a beach in Japan after Godzilla has fought one of his titanic kaiju foes. A giant eyeball.
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Bizarre eyeball on Florida beach the latest in a weird week of sea creatures washing ashore
Samual Evans punched Matthew Edmonds to the ground where he hit his head and became paralysed Evans receives less than three years in prison which judge conceded was 'pathetic' Mr Edmonds arrived in court in his wheelchair to hear the sentence
By Martin Robinson
PUBLISHED: 05:51 EST, 12 October 2012 | UPDATED: 10:37 EST, 12 October 2012
Paralysed for life: Engineer Matthew Edmonds arrived at court to see Samuel Evans sentenced for an attack that left him in a wheelchair
An aerospace engineer has been left paralysed from the neck down and is facing life in a wheelchair after he was punched in the street by drunken yob Samuel Evans.
Matthew Edmonds, 33, now only has some limited movement in his arms as a result of the attack, Gloucester Crown Court heard.
Thug Evans was already subject to a suspended jail term for a previous assault when he lashed out at Mr Edmonds, causing him to fall and hit his head on a concrete floor.
The result of the punch was devastating for Mr Edmonds, a bachelor who worked as an aerospace testing engineer, the court was told.
Mr Edmonds was helped into court in his wheelchair so he could see Evans, of no fixed address, sentenced to a total of 34 months in jail.
Evans, of Stroud, had admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Edmonds on March this year.
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Aerospace engineer, 33, left paralysed from the neck down after street attack by drunken thug