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DNA test casts doubt on 1983 Miramar rape and murder case

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Laboratory testing has shown that a Broward man locked up since he was 15 for the rape and murder of a Miramar woman in 1983 is not the source of the DNA found on the victim's body.

Anthony Caravella, now 41, has spent 25 years, or more than half his life, in prison.

"This means Anthony is innocent, it exonerates him," said Diane Cuddihy, the Broward chief assistant public defender who reopened Caravella's case and has been working on it since 2001.

McCann said she needs to know more about how the private forensic lab that did the testing came up with results so at odds with findings from the Broward Sheriff's Office crime lab eight years ago.

"This is a scientific inquiry at this point," the prosecutor said.

The test, performed by a private lab in Richmond, Calif., eliminated Caravella as a potential source for the sperm found inside the Miramar victim's body 26 years ago.

The test yielded the DNA profile of an unidentified male that could be checked against genetic databases to see if there's a match with anyone on file.

In 2001, the sheriff's crime lab reported that testing of the evidence produced nothing that would either implicate or exonerate Caravella. Further, the technicians said, there was no semen found.

Broward Sheriff's Office spokesman Jim Leljedal said Wednesday that the agency's crime technicians will ask Forensic Science Associates, the California lab, to share their methods and results "so we can take another look at this."

Miramar police, who investigated the 1983 murder with help from the Sheriff's Office, also will review the case in light of the new information, spokeswoman Tania Rues said.

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DNA targets stomach worm

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DNA technologies are being aimed at the lowly stomach worm, the bane of sheep producers in high rainfall areas.

By the end of the year, a CSIRO teams aims to have a DNA-based test that will tell sheep producers the worm species they are dealing with, and the level of infestation, at 10 times the accuracy of current tests, with results delivered in a fraction of the time.

In time, CSIRO scientist Peter Hunt said, the test may be used for multiple functions - assessing liver fluke infestation, assessing drug resistance, assigning breeding values for worm resistance, and even for determining parentage and other breeding values that might otherwise be done in a separate test.

The pilot test to be made available at the end of 2012, through NSW Department of Primary Industry's Camden laboratories, is the culimination of about a decade's work by CSIRO and collaborating scientists.

Worm tests are conducted on faeces, a complex substance that is chock-full of DNA, including that of the animal that produced it.

Dr Hunt, who led the research, said considerable effort went into identifying sequences of DNA that provide a unique signature for each of the three species of interest - the black scour, barbers pole and small brown stomach worms.

An additional breakthrough arrived with the recent surge in molecular DNA technologies, which has allowed researchers to extract DNA from the faecal murk so that it can be assessed for the characteristic signature sequences of the parasites.

The technology will, at least initially, deliver much the same results as current worm egg count tests do, but with much greater accuracy, and a 48-hour turnaround time compared to the week currently needed.

But Dr Hunt said it is the additional possibilities that will make the technology revolutionary.

CSIRO scientist Jody McNally has been awarded a NSW DPI Young Scientists Science and Innovation award that will allow her to work on adding liver fluke to the DNA testing procedure.

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DNA targets stomach worm

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DNA murder scene match, jury told

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20 March 2012 Last updated at 17:59 ET

Blood found at a Pembrokeshire woman's home partially matched the DNA profile of the man accused of her murder, Swansea Crown Court has heard.

John William Mason, 55, is accused of beating to death Angelika Dries-Jenkins, 66, at Narberth last year.

The prosecution claims the possibility of partial DNA matches from blood and fibres found by the inquiry coming from other people were one in a billion.

Mr Mason denies murder and the case continues.

The court has previously been told that Ms Dries-Jenkins was savagely beaten to death with a blunt instrument by Mr Mason because he needed the money to pay for his wedding.

He is said to have withdrawn 1,000 from her bank accounts, having stolen her handbag and her Skoda Fabia car, leaving her dead or dying.

On Tuesday, forensic scientist Martin Whittaker gave in detail the results of DNA testing at Ms Dries-Jenkins' house, her car and on a jumper which the prosecution says Mr Mason discarded in a bin in Haverfordwest.

Mr Whittaker said he found limited DNA profiles on a number of objects in the house but in Ms Dries-Jenkins' car he found a full profile which matched the defendant on the car keys.

He said he also found a DNA profile of Mr Mason on the neck of the jumper found in a bin, along with blood from Ms Dries-Jenkins.

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DNA murder scene match, jury told

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OEB Students Take Sponsored Spring Break Trips

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Leatherback turtles slowly crawled along the Costa Rican shores to lay their eggs as Harvard students watched carefully nearby in the nighttime.

This year, three classes from the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Department offered all-expenses-paid spring break trips for its students.

Twenty-seven students traveled to Panama for trips offered by OEB 51: Biology and Evolution of Invertebrate Animals and OEB 190: Biology and Diversity of Birds, while 21 students in OEB 167: Herpetology studied amphibians and reptiles in Costa Rica.

This year marked OEB 51s seventh trip to Panamas tropical coasts. Students spent each day diving into the water to collect and photograph specimens before bringing them to the lab for further investigation.

OEB Associate Professor Cassandra Extavour, who led the trip with OEB Professor Gonzalo Giribet, said that she hopes the trip helped students understand invertebrates and the importance of anatomical study.

Theres no better way to understand biology than to get inside itwhether its seeing organisms in the wild or seeing the inside of a cell through high resolution microscopy, said Extavour. That visual and tactile element is very important in cementing the students learning.

Diversity that had been enumerated in course lectures came to life for OEB 51 students once they strapped on their snorkels.

The underwater topography was steep, and it was amazing to see the distribution and sheer diversity of the corals, sponges, starfish, sea urchins, squid, snails, jellyfish, [and] shrimp..., wrote Emily A. Burke 14 in an emailed statement. The list goes on, and...its hard to just pick out a few favorite [organisms] or isolate them from each other because everything is so intricately connected.

In Costa Rica, OEB Professors Jonathan B. Losos 84 and James Hanken assigned their OEB 167 students the task of becoming resident experts in specific reptile and amphibian species before the trip. Throughout the week, the students shared information about their organisms as they encountered them in the wild.

We get to see the habitats and microhabitats that [these organisms] are found in, hear them calling, [and] see them eating, said Hanken.

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OEB Students Take Sponsored Spring Break Trips

Shell donates $50,000 to Nicholls

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Published: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 10:16 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 10:16 p.m.

Oil industry giant Shell has donated $50,000 to Nicholls State Universitys biology department to strengthen a native-plants program.

The money will support the Louisiana Plant Initiative, which is spearheaded by the schools biology program and involves several universities throughout the state.

The initiative uses students, instructors and community volunteers to distribute native plants used to help bolster coastal Louisiana.

Allyse Ferrara, a biology professor who leads the project, said the Shell donation will allow flexibility. Grants typically come with strict spending guidelines.

If something breaks that we cant pay for with a grant, this will let us fix it, she said. It allows us to have the freedom to go do additional things that arent funded by our other grants.

Ferrara and her team grow plants that are native to coastal Louisiana and help keep the ecosystem balanced. Grasses, weeds and other plants not native to the area often have different growth cycles that dont support local animal life nearly as well as native species.

So far, the project has planted thousands of native grasses and mangrove trees in places like Grand Isle, Elmers Island, Leeville and the Fourchon area. Ferrara said the native plants will help spur growth of plants and animals, resist invasive species and anchor the soil against erosion.

The project also keeps a stock of plants inland in case floods, hurricanes or other events destroy swaths of plant life.

Lets say theres some sort of catastrophe, Ferrara said. This will let us move in quickly and replace the lost ground to prevent that damage from becoming permanent.

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Shell donates $50,000 to Nicholls

SPVM holds scientific seminar in Dipolog

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by Franklin P. Gomapon

DIPOLOG CITY The Andres Bonifacio College hosted the scientific seminar in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology held recently at the Arts, Graduate and Professional Schools (AGPS) building of the said school.

The said seminar was spearheaded by the Samahang Pisika ng Visayas at Mindanao (SPVM) and the College Extension Committee (CEC) of the College of Sciences and Mathematics (CSM), Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Iligan City.

Lectures in the field of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology were delivered by well-known researchers and professors from MSU-IIT.

For Physics, Dr. Reynaldo M. Vequizo, SPVM President and chairman of the Physics department, talked about Identifying Key Properties of Materials using Radiation: The Case of XRD and with Electron Beam while Dr. Arnold C. Alguno talked on the topic, Emerging Materials Science Trends: The MSU-IIT Experience.

Prof. Rosario L. Reserva also gave a lecture-demonstration on some physics apparatuses fabricated by the institutes physics department which are being used in mechanics experiments.

Dr. Ruth P. Serquia of the department of Mathematics, on the other hand, gave a lecture on computer simulation in Mathematics while Prof. Catherine R. Cano discussed sequential analysis and its applications.

Biologists Dr. Mark Anthony Torres and Dr. Cesar Demayo, chairman of the biological sciences department of MSU-IIT, talked on the trends in life science research and biology graduate programs, respectively.

The scientific seminar, participated by teachers from the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels, was organized to enhance the science and mathematics teaching capabilities of teachers and to facilitate deeper learning among students through research.

With the different graduate programs offered by MSU-IIT, particularly by the College of Sciences and Mathematics, the speakers invited the participants to apply and take up graduate studies at the said university as slots are still available under the scholarship program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

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Why getting healthy can seem worse than getting sick

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Public release date: 20-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Kevin Stacey kstacey@press.uchicago.edu 401-284-3878 University of Chicago Press Journals

A new article in The Quarterly Review of Biology helps explain why the immune system often makes us worse while trying to make us well.

The research offers a new perspective on a component of the immune system known as the acute-phase response, a series of systemic changes in blood protein levels, metabolic function, and physiology that sometimes occurs when bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens invade the body. This response puts healthy cells and tissue under serious stress, and is actually the cause of many of the symptoms we associate with being sick.

"The question is why would these harmful components evolve," asks Edmund LeGrand (University of Tennessee, Knoxville), who wrote the paper titled with Joe Alcock (University of New Mexico). The researchers contend that answer becomes clear when we view the acute-phase response in terms of what they call "immune brinksmanship."

The immune brinksmanship model "is the gamble that systemic stressors will harm the pathogens relatively more than the host," LeGrand said. The concept, he explains, is akin to what happens in international trade disputes. When one country places trade sanctions on another, both countries' economies take a hit, but the sanctioning country is betting that its opponent will be hurt more.

"One of our contributions here is to pull together the reasons why pathogens suffer more from systemic stress," LeGrand said.

The acute-phase response creates stress in several ways. It raises body temperature and causes loss of appetite and mild anemia. At the same time, certain vital nutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese are partially sequestered away from the bloodstream.

Some of these components are quite puzzling. Why reduce food intake just when one would expect more energy would be needed to mount a strong immune response? Zinc is essential for healthy immune function. Why pull it out of the bloodstream when the immune system is active? The benefits of a stressor like fever are fairly well known; heat has been shown to inhibit bacterial growth and cause infected cells to self-destruct. But what hasn't been clear is why pathogens should be more susceptible to this stress than the host.

LeGrand and Alcock offer some answers. For an infection to spread, pathogens need to multiply, whereas host cells can defer replication. Replication makes DNA and newly forming proteins much more susceptible to damage. It also requires energy and nutrientswhich helps explain the benefits of restricting food and sequestering nutrients.

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Why getting healthy can seem worse than getting sick

What was B.F. Skinner really like? A new study parses his traits

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Public release date: 20-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Lucy Hyde lhyde@psychologicalscience.org 202-293-9300 Association for Psychological Science

March 20th marks the birthday of famed behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner, who would have turned 108 today. Besides Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner was the most famous and perhaps the most influential psychologist of the 20th century. But his own "radical behaviorism"the idea that behavior is caused solely by environmental factors, never by thoughts or feelingsmade him a magnet of controversy, which grew even more intense with the publication of his best-known book, Beyond Freedom & Dignity.

"He was looked at as beyond the pale by a lot of other psychologists, including me," says Dean Keith Simonton, a psychologist at the University of California Davis, who was a graduate student at Harvard when Skinner taught there. Some even called Skinner a fascist for his radical views of human malleability. But, says Simonton, "people who knew him would also say, 'You really should talk to Skinner, because he's a much broader, more open person than you think.'"

Who was B.F. Skinner? University of Oslo psychologists Geir Overskeid and Cato Grnnerd, along with Simonton, used a variety of source material plus an instrument that scores people on five major personality factors, to describe him and compare him with other eminent scientists. The study, which appears in Perspectives in Psychological Science, a journal published by the Association for Psychological Science, reveals a complex manbut nothing like the monster his detractors called him.

To draw an objective picture of Skinner, the psychologists first combed through published sources both biographical and autobiographical, archival material, and sketches written by people who knew him. From these they culled 118 descriptive words and phrases, from "fanatic" to "afraid of the police." Five raters blind to the subject's identity categorized each descriptor under the Big Five traits that psychologists use to describe personalityOpenness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Extroversion, and Neuroticismand assigned to the descriptor a degree from -2 to +2. The authors chose the 81 descriptors on which four of the five raters agreed; there was almost complete agreement as to degree.

The results: Skinner was highly conscientiousscoring 1.8working tirelessly and meticulously toward ambitious goals. Indeed, he wrote that he aimed to remake the "entire field of psychology" and viewed relaxation as dangerous. And those Harvard students were right about Skinner's openness to experience. Besides being a psychologist, he painted, wrote a novel, played saxophone and piano, and enjoyed all kinds of music. He was also somewhat neurotic and extroverted: known as charming, funnyand a womanizer.

In many respects, Skinner's is the profile of an eminent scientistfor his drive and discipline, creative versatility, and also for his neuroticism, a trait shared by as many as 45% of leading scientists, according to one analysis. What the profile does not represent: an evil authoritarian. "This article makes Skinner more human," says Simontonnot just a "consolidation" of traits but also an array of nuanced detail. Though objective, it's not "a polarizing treatment. You don't have to love or hate him."

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To learn more about B.F. Skinner, you can also read this profile and interview recently featured in the APS Observer.

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What was B.F. Skinner really like? A new study parses his traits

Third Aesthetic Plastic Surgery / Anti Aging Medicine: The Next Generation Symposium Brings Industry Leading Courses …

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New York, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The third Aesthetic Plastic Surgery / Anti Aging Medicine: The Next Generation Symposium will be held on July 20-22, 2012 at the Conrad New York, a new luxury complex overlooking the Hudson River in lower Manhattan. This interactive, multidisciplinary conference brings together world-class faculty from around the globe who will share ground-breaking research and practical advancements in aesthetic surgery, cosmetic medicine and anti-aging therapy.

The Next Generation Symposium combines the best of continuing medical education, state-of-the-art information that is presented in a manner that encourages forward thinking among the core specialties of Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, Dermatology and Oculoplastic Surgery. Now in its third year, The Next Generation Symposium is distinguished for providing attendees a multitude of practical hands-on instruction, expert insights and pearls from world renowned experts in the field.

As Course Chairman Z. Paul Lorenc, M.D., F.A.C.S states, "We are focused on what is happening now, what is coming next and what the future will bring."

NEW for 2012:

The meeting encourages excellent interaction and discussion among the international core specialty faculty, fostering an atmosphere of different points of view, which creates a positive learning experience. "The Next Generation Symposium will continue to deliver both in the quality of the presentations and the scope of the program," states Executive Co-Chairman,Brian M. Kinney, M.D., F.A.C.S.

About Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Anti-Aging Medicine: The Next Generation An interdisciplinary approach to disseminating, teaching and promoting the most advanced information and developments in the fields of aesthetic plastic surgery and anti-aging medicine. In view of the rapid pace in development of new technology and techniques employed in these fields, collectively we feel that it is critical that new information is shared in an efficient, unbiased, forward looking manner with the focus of enhancing patient's safety and level of care.

For information about sponsorship opportunities and early bird registration, visit http://www.nextgenmtg.org

Like us on http://www.facebook.com/apssny and follow us on http://www.twitter.com/nextgenmtg for daily updates and additional workshops

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Third Aesthetic Plastic Surgery / Anti Aging Medicine: The Next Generation Symposium Brings Industry Leading Courses ...

Parents Television Council study: Anatomy of a trend

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In case you hadn't noticed, there are an awful lot of lady parts being discussed on broadcast TV these days. And they aren't the only ones exposed the male anatomy is explicitly mentioned on prime time as well, markedly more than even a few years ago.

So says a new study from the conservative watchdog group the Parents Television Council that tracks the number of times the words "vagina" and "penis" are spoken in dramas, comedies, TV movies and reality shows.

The research found that in just nine fall episodes of CBS' hit sitcom "2 Broke Girls," characters said the word "vagina" more times than anyone did on broadcast TV across all networks in an entire season a decade ago.

In fact, the anatomical term gets tossed around eight times more frequently on TV now than it did during the 2001-2002 season, which served as a benchmark. The word "penis" was used nearly four times as often in a recent season as it was in the relatively tame early 2000s.

With tallies for individual series, the study cites CBS' "2 Broke Girls" and "Two and a Half Men," NBC's "The Office" and "30 Rock," Fox's "American Dad" and "Family Guy," and ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" as those that invoke the words most frequently.

"It's a broader reflection of the progression of raunch," said Tim Winter, president of the PTC, which took up the study after TV critics and industry watchers noticed the trend. "So many shows and networks seem to think they need it to be funny or successful."

Although the mini-study wasn't timed to the current U.S. Supreme Court deliberations about broadcast standards, it may add fuel to the fire for those arguing against relaxing the existing rules about profanity, sex and nudity on TV.

The Supreme Court, which started debating the issue early this year, has regularly ruled in favor of free speech claims. But justices have spoken publicly about the need to retain Federal Communications Commission guidelines about what can be aired on NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox and the CW.

At the heart of the court case is "fleeting profanity" that was uttered during live awards shows on Fox and a partially visible bare bum shown on an ABC drama. There's no firm date on when the court will issue a judgment, but it's expected within the next month or two.

"Broadcast networks say they have to compete against cable and that's why they're pushing the envelope like this," Winter said. "They're forgetting that they're broadcast networks that use public airwaves and go out to every single person who has a TV."

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SanBio Announces Enrollment of First Cohort of Patients in Its Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Stroke

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SanBio Inc. today announced the successful enrollment of the first dose cohort of patients in its Phase 1/2a clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of a novel allogeneic stem cell therapy product, SB623, in patients suffering from chronic deficits resulting from previous stroke injuries. The first 6 patients, of a total of 18, have been successfully administered SB623. The trial is being conducted at Stanford University and the University of Pittsburgh. No safety concerns have been reported. For details regarding this clinical trial, please refer to http://www.strokeclinicaltrial.org.

SB623 is derived from adult bone marrow and has shown safety and efficacy in rodent models of chronic stroke. "This represents a major milestone in the human clinical testing of this important new approach for regenerative medicine", said Keita Mori, SanBio CEO. "We are pleased to learn that the initial dose level was well tolerated."

SB623 is being delivered to the damaged region of the brains of patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke. Product safety is the primary focus of the study but various measurements of efficacy are also being tested.

"The successful completion of the initial dose cohort is a major step in any first-in-human study", said Dr. Ernest Yankee, SanBio's Vice President of Development. "We are looking forward to initiating the next two dose cohorts and wrapping up the study. The safety findings thus far are very encouraging"

About SB623: SB623 is a proprietary cell therapy product consisting of cells derived from genetically engineered bone marrow stromal cells obtained from healthy adult donors. SB623 is administered adjacent to the area damaged by stroke and functions by producing proteins that aid the regenerative process.

About SanBio: SanBio is a privately held San Francisco Bay Area biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of new regenerative cell therapy products.

For more information: http://www.san-bio.com

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SanBio Announces Enrollment of First Cohort of Patients in Its Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Stroke

9/11 search and rescue dog receives stem cell therapy

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A special dog used to help people is getting some much-needed help of her own at a Virginia clinic, myFOXdc.com reported.

Red, a 12-year-old black Labrador, is one of the last surviving search and rescue dogs deployed during the 9/11 attacks.

Her handler, Heather Roche, told WTTG-TV that Red was recently certified when Sept. 11, 2001, occurred, and the devastating terror attacks were her first big mission.

Red's job was to find DNA evidence at The Pentagon's north parking lot with 26 other dogs, and according to Roche, she did a "fantastic job."

"I got her as a puppy ... You have to convince [her] everything that she does, whether it's climbing ladders or any kind of search, that it's her idea," Roche told WTTG-TV. "No matter what I've asked her to do, she's done it and she's done it flawlessly."

But in her old age Red developed crippling arthritis, and underwent stem cell regenerative therapy Monday to help ease her pain so she can get back out on the job.

Dr. John Herrity of Burke Animal Clinic in Burke, Va., told WTTG-TV, "Red has a back issue that, after a fall from a ladder has not really been right, and has been living in pain, so we're going to give those stem cells IV [intravenously] and then also inject them along the back to try to help Red's comfort."

"She's had a great career and has made a difference to a lot of families by bringing their loved ones home," Roche said.

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9/11 search and rescue dog receives stem cell therapy

A Chance to Ease the Pain Of a Rescue Hero of 9/11

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A special dog used to help people is getting some much-needed help of her own at a Virginia clinic.

Red, a 12-year-old black Labrador, is one of the last surviving search-and-rescue dogs deployed during the 9/11 attacks, Fox affiliate WTTG-TV reported.

Her handler, Heather Roche, told the station that Red was recently certified when the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, occurred, saying the search-and-rescue operation that followed was her first big mission.

Red's job was to find DNA evidence at the Pentagon's north parking lot with 26 other dogs, according to Roche, who said she did a "fantastic job."

"I got her as a puppy ... You have to convince [her] everything that she does, whether it's climbing ladders or any kind of search, that it's her idea," Roche told WTTG. "No matter what I've asked her to do, she's done it and she's done it flawlessly."

But in her old age, Red developed crippling arthritis and underwent stem cell regenerative therapy Monday to help ease her pain so she can get back out on the job.

Dr. John Herrity of Burke Animal Clinic in Burke, Va., told the station that "Red has a back issue that, after a fall from a ladder, has not really been right, and has been living in pain, so we're going to give those stem cells IV [intravenously] and then also inject them along the back to try to help Red's comfort."

"She's had a great career and has made a difference to a lot of families by bringing their loved ones home," Roche said.

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A Chance to Ease the Pain Of a Rescue Hero of 9/11

Cell-in-a-Box® Encapsulation Technology Creates Extensive Applications within the Stem Cell Arena

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SILVER SPRING, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX), an emerging biotechnology provider of cell and gene therapy solutions through its acquisition of the SG Austria assets, today discussed the value of encapsulation, freezing, storage, survivability and localization of human stem cells once implanted using the proprietary Cell-in-a-Box technology.

The encapsulation of human stem cells is enabled by the Cell-in-a-Box technology, which can then be frozen, stored and later implanted into target tissues. The benefits of encapsulation are several: first, the process allows for freezing of stem cells for long-term storage without appreciably affecting viability. Second, encapsulation protects the stem cells from stress factors caused by direct aeration and sheer forces associated with bioreactors. Third, Cell-in-a-Box encapsulated stem cells are held in place at the site of implantation, maximizing their potential efficacy as they have the potential to stimulate growth of surrounding new, healthy tissue. Finally, encapsulated cells may prevent any potential side effects associated with direct injection since they remain localized to the area of treatment when encapsulated.

Dr. Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Nuvilex, commented, For many years it was assumed stem cells existed only to replace cells that had died or were damaged. Recent studies suggest factors stem cells secrete provide signals to surrounding tissue that can stimulate regeneration. The potential therefore, is that if stem cells can be maintained at a particular site where damaged, removed or non-functional tissue was through some sort of holding mechanism, this may aid in a positive growth response in that tissue. In addition, the stem cells themselves have the potential to undergo development into the appropriate cell type at that location, potentially creating miniature organs. The Cell-in-a-Box technology is designed specifically for those purposes. Thus, encapsulated stem cells would be implanted and remain in place, ultimately being able to serve a broad number of medical applications entirely dependent on where in the body they are placed.

About Nuvilex

Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX) is an emerging international biotechnology provider of live clinically useful, therapeutically valuable, encapsulated cells, as well as services for encapsulating live cells for the research and medical communities. Through substantial effort, the aspects of our corporate activities alone and in concert with SG Austria continue to move toward agreement completion and ultimately a strong future together. Our companys ultimate clinical offerings will include cancer, diabetes and other treatments using the companys industry-leading cell and gene therapy expertise and cutting edge, live-cell encapsulation technology.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 involving risks and uncertainties, including product demand, market competition, and Nuvilexs ability to meet current or future plans which may cause actual results, events, and performances, expressed or implied, to vary and/or differ from those contemplated or predicted. Investors should study and understand all risks before making an investment decision. Readers are recommended not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Nuvilex is not obliged to publicly release revisions to any forward-looking statement, to reflect events or circumstances afterward, or to disclose unanticipated occurrences, except as required under applicable laws.

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Cell-in-a-Box® Encapsulation Technology Creates Extensive Applications within the Stem Cell Arena

Hero Dog Receives Stem Cell Therapy

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Stem Cell Therapy Helping Heroic Dogs Recover

News4's Darcy Spencer explains how a breakthrough treatment is helping search and rescue dogs like Red recover after years of working in disaster zones.

A breakthrough treatment is helping area search-and-rescue dogs that played key roles on Sept. 11, 2001, and during other disasters.

Red's first assignment as a search, rescue and recovery dog was at the Pentagon following the 9/11 attacks. Years of rescue work and a 12-foot fall from a ladder have taken a toll. Arthritis forced Red into retirement in July and turned her into a couch potato.

The 12-year-old black lab received a breakthrough stem cell treatment today that will ease her pain and give her more mobility.

Her veterinarian, Dr. John Herrity, of the Burke Animal Clinic, has done more than two dozen of the stem cell operations developed by Medivet America, which also donated the cost of the procedure.

The treatment won't bring Red back out of retirement, but it is expected to put spring back in her step within a couple of months.

Two other 9/11 search-and-rescued dogs have been treated with stem cell therapy and are back to their normal activities.

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Hero Dog Receives Stem Cell Therapy

iWorx Introduces High Performance Data Acquisition System with Analytical Software for OEM Applications

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DOVER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

iWorx, a developer of advanced physiology research tools, has introduced the IX-404E Data Acquisition System for OEM applications that require data recording and analysis. The cost-effective, high performance system features four single-ended analog inputs and a 16 bit analog-to-digital converter. The system is capable of sampling at up to 10 k/s/s per channel on each of its 4 channels and can be easily embedded into a variety of biomedical and analytical devices.

The IX-404E system is controlled by iWorx LabScribe2 Recording and Analysis Software which is included with the system. LabScribe2 software features an intuitive, user-friendly interface for setting up acquisition screens, calibrating signals and analyzing data. A comprehensive set of analytical routines have been preconfigured making data analysis and interpretation quick and easy. LabScribe2 software also includes a scripting function for creating custom analytical routines.

More information on iWorx IX-404E Data Acquisition System can be found at http://www.iworx.com. Contact iWorx Systems, Inc., 62 Littleworth Road, Dover, NH 03820 (T) (800) 234-1757, (F) (603) 742-2455, billm@iworx.com.

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About iWorx

iWorx advanced research solutions include high performance recording hardware, software, and components that accelerate metabolic, cardiovascular, neuromuscular and respiratory physiology research. In addition to data acquisition systems, iWorx offers a full selection of signal conditioners, stimulators, transducers, electrodes, cables, and general-purpose laboratory equipment and accessories.

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iWorx Introduces High Performance Data Acquisition System with Analytical Software for OEM Applications

'Get Your Plate in Shape' during National Nutrition Month

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Special to The T&D The Times and Democrat | Posted: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:00 am |

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging Americans to return to the basics of healthy eating during Marchs National Nutrition Month campaign, Get Your Plate in Shape.

This years theme focuses on the U.S. Department of Agricultures MyPlate, a simplified explanation of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, says Rebecca Fuller, clinical nutrition manager at the Regional Medical Center. Get Your Plate in Shape encourages a balanced diet, proper portion sizes and an active lifestyle.

Focusing on the new MyPlate can help our community make simple changes to their daily eating plans that will benefit them for a lifetime, Fuller said. They can do things like eating the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods and dairy each day start building your plate with fruits and vegetables. Choose bright, vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables, and make them half of your plate. Next add grains, preferably whole grains like brown rice, whole-wheat pasta and 100-percent wheat bread. Complete the remaining portion of your plate with lean proteins and add a low-fat source of dairy.

Launched in June 2011, USDAs MyPlate replaced MyPyramid as the governments primary food group symbol as an easy-to-understand visual cue to help consumers adopt healthy eating habits consistent with the Dietary Guidelines. Dividing the plate into four sections fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins, as well as a glass representing dairy products it shows consumers how they can incorporate the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines into every meal.

Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, National Nutrition Week became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. For more information about National Nutrition Month, visit eatright.org/nnm.

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'Get Your Plate in Shape' during National Nutrition Month

Nutrition pilot program to help serve students

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A school nutrition pilot program is expected to make serving low-income students in Kentucky school districts easier in the 2012-2013 school year.

Kentucky joins Alaska, Florida, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania in the demonstration phase of a program to use Medicaid data to determine elibility for school meal assistance. The project is under the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which manages the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.

When we applied for this pilot project, I think the USDA saw that Kentucky is a leader in this area, and that there was a need for this because we do have such a high level of students who are eligible for this, said Lisa Gross, Kentucky Department of Education spokesperson.

Currently, 56 percent of students in Kentuckys public school system qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, which puts Kentucky in the top ten in need, said Gross.

Calloway County has 57.13 percent of student on free and reduced-price meals, and 39 percent of students in the MISD qualify for free and reduced-price meals, according to school district data.

(Kentucky) has also been doing direct certification, which is what this program is, through programs like SNAP, which is the federal nutrition program, and K-TAP which is the state version of that program for low income families, so we have a pool of people we know will benefit from this, stated Gross.

The number of students served through free and reduced-price lunch is likely to increase slightly in districts. However, the greatest benefit is expected to be efficiency. Using Medicaid data will cut down on the amount of paperwork that school districts have to do, and that is something that excites Pat Lane, school nutrition programs director for Calloway County Schools.

Im very excited to learn that we will have access to the Medicaid data as an additional resource for the 2012-2013 school year. From our office computers, we will be able to verify a familys participation in Medicaid and then greatly expedite our process to offer free or reduced price meals to students, said Lane. It will also mean one less financial aid application for a family to complete, which should provide even greater privacy and security. The end result of this program will be fewer hungry kids, and thats awesome.

Mallory Cathey, MISD school nutrition director, called the pilot program wonderful.

Any way we, as a district, can qualify more students and get them fed nutritious meals at no cost to them is a win/win situation, she said.

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Nutrition pilot program to help serve students

Barclays Explains How Longer Life Expectancy Is Going To Transform The Financial Industry

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A new note out from Credit Suisse attempts to explain the social, economic, and market implications of longevity.

Their conclusion? That increasing life expectancy will not only require individuals to change their financial behavior to fit a more complex pattern and governments to make decisions with new concerns in mind, but that the investment world will be required to provide new financial products and invent new systems to cope with the fact that people just live longer.

A few major points from that report:

Financial professionals will see greater demand for relatively safe long-term securities that are easy to use. Longevity will also emerge as an asset class.

Annuity contracts will become more efficient for individuals unsure of how long they will live. However, the market for annuities remains small, based on difficulties in calculating the price of the contracts and lack of instruments to head against longevity risk.

Analysts should design better models to forecast longevity, given failings of models that have been used up to this point.

It will be important for governments to focus on "healthy life expectancy," a measure which implies fewer costs for the social system as well as individuals.

Government expenditures are going to increase dramatically due to age-related causes. Governments will also have to begin inter-temporal budgeting of natural resources and oil, and should mark this as a security concern.

Governments need to promote new or different securities for savers to use, perhaps even through the issuance of longevity bonds that protect holders against inflation and time. Initial attempts to construct such bonds have been unsuccessful, but more detailed study of how these financial instruments would work could increase this the attractiveness of this product.

Nonetheless, Credit Suisse analysts conclude that longevity is a net positive for the finance world:

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Barclays Explains How Longer Life Expectancy Is Going To Transform The Financial Industry

Meditation Fights Cancer and Promotes Longevity

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SONOMA COUNTY, Calif., March 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calmly meditating produces exciting, beneficial effects on your body. It can protect your DNA against cancer-promoting genetic developments and free you from everyday stresses and distractions. That's why meditation is one of the most powerful, but often neglected, tools for maintaining optimal health.

Physical Vitality

Most of us don't think of meditation as being important in maintaining physical vitality. We know that healthy diet, proper supplementation, regular exercise, and a positive social support system are important for our health on all levels -- physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual. However, despite these healthy habits, many of us still struggle with managing our stress levels. Science is proving over and over that chronic stress can be deadly, contributing to our most serious health conditions.

This direct mind-body connection is something that Eastern philosophies have taught for millennia, and recent research has supplied us with a revealing new technical perspective. Renowned medical doctor and mind-body expert, Dr. Isaac Eliaz says, "Clinical studies demonstrate that chronic stress may have a profound effect on our DNA by shortening our DNA telomeres. Telomere deterioration puts us at higher risk of developing cancer and other harmful conditions. The good news: There's an ancient and well-known mind-body practice which is now proving successful in physically repairing this telomere DNA damage, while restoring peace of mind at the same time. What is this practice? Simple meditation."

What Are Telomeres?

Our genes are located on twisted, double-stranded molecules of DNA called chromosomes. At the ends of the chromosomes are stretches of DNA called telomeres. These are essentially caps that protect our genetic data, allow for cells to divide properly and reflect how we age. Similar to the plastic covers on the ends of shoelaces, telomeres protect chromosomes from fraying due to aging, poor health and environmental influences. Telomeres are shortened every time the cells divide; and when they become too short, the cells are not able to divide properly. While researchers are already aware that telomeres shorten and deteriorate with aging, new studies demonstrate that chronic stress also contributes to their reduction. Further research shows that as telomeres shrink, cancer risk grows.

Meditation Protects Telomeres

"The inevitable wear and tear of your telomeres cannot be halted altogether, but it can certainly be delayed and even reversed through the activation of a key enzyme called telomerase. Telomerase protects the ends of telomeres from weakening and fraying," says Dr. Eliaz. So how do you reap the benefits of this super-charged enzyme? Studies show that psychological changes associated with regular meditation improve your ability to cope with stress and contribute to increased telomerase activity.

Simple Practice for Beginners

If you're not sure how to begin meditating, studies show that even just 10 minutes a day can provide significant mental, emotional and physical health benefits. Here's a simple technique to get you started: Simply sit quietly and focus your attention, as well as your breathing, on a particular object such as a small stone. As thoughts and emotions arise, simply acknowledge and release them, bringing your attention back to your breath. As your practice unfolds, you may find that there is more and more space between your internal monologues, allowing for a sense of openness and freedom from everyday stresses and distractions. This is where the meditation and healing process truly begins. Initially, you should notice tangible benefits like better mental focus, improved emotional balance, and increased energy.

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Meditation Fights Cancer and Promotes Longevity