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Magnetic Yeast

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“In biology, magnetism is a unique and virtually orthogonal physical property.”

Only a few organisms can actively sense and utilize magnetic fields. Magnetotactic bacteria contain strings of iron-dense membrane-bound organelles filled with magnetic crystals called magnetosomes, which act like microscopic compasses. Bacteria that contain magnetosomes can detect the earth’s magnetic field, telling them which direction is up and helping them find oxygen closer to the surface of the water. Migratory animals can also navigate by following the earth’s magnetic field lines, but the mechanism by which they sense geomagnetic fields remains unclear.

All other organisms contain iron, but rarely enough to be noticeably magnetic. An amazing paper published today by Keiji Nishida and Pamela Silver in PLoS Biology demonstrates how by physiologically or genetically altering the iron content inside yeast, cells can become magnetized and attracted to magnets. Almost all cells, from bacteria to humans contain the protein ferritin, which sequesters iron inside the cell (preventing iron toxicity) and releases it as needed. Yeast don’t normally contain ferritin, typically collecting iron inside organelles called the vacuole instead. Deleting genes that help the vacuole pick up iron and genetically engineering yeast to produce ferritin can increase the amount of iron that yeast cells can take up, enough to noticeably increase their magnetism.

“The cell cultures were exposed to magnets and attraction was observed.”

When you add iron the media that yeast are growing in, even wild-type, unengineered cells are a little magnetic, this “basal magnetization” being caused by the iron accumulating in the vacuole. Using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), Nishida shows that the synergistic effect of deleting iron accumulation in the vacuole and expressing ferritin makes the cells 3 times more magnetic than wild-type yeast, able to be quickly attracted to magnets placed underneath the liquid culture (in cute patterns or not):

Next, they wanted to see if they could control the yeast magnetism not just by adding more iron, but by controlling genes involved in iron homeostasis or cellular redox state. Redox balance determines how many electrons are available in the cell, and when there are fewer electrons iron will be oxidized from Fe2+ to Fe3+ and precipitate out of solution into magnetic clusters. Out of 60 gene deletions screened for changes in magnetism, one gene in particular was found to be necessary for the magnetism observed in high iron media. TCO89 is a nonessential part of TORC1, a complex of many proteins involved in regulating cellular stress responses, including nutrient and redox stress. When TCO89 was deleted, the cells were not magnetic, and when it was expressed in multiple copies the cells were more strongly attracted to the magnet. Because of this genetic dose-dependence, magnetism can be induced in yeast by controlling the expression of TCO89 with gene regulatory machinery that can be activated by external conditions, such as the presence of nutrients or chemicals. This can be used as a unique biological input or output in synthetic biology, improve efforts for precipitation and bioremediation of dangerous metals, as well as impact our understanding of cellular iron and electron metabolism.

“The importance of redox state in magnetization offers insight into magnetotactic bacteria.”

Magnetotactic bacteria live exclusively in microaerobic environments, using their magnetic crystals to find the perfect oxygen concentration. Oxygen availability influences the cell’s redox state, hinting at a possible evolutionary connection between iron sequestration, redox mediation, and the evolution of bio-magnetism. Perhaps cells adapted to certain redox conditions created the ideal chemical environment for the formation of iron crystals, which evolved into magnetosomes.

Magnetism is fascinating, and the fact that biology can create magnets genetically through processes fundamental to the biochemistry of all cells can seem nothing short of magical. Check out the video with the authors below:

and the paper at PLoS Biology (open access): Nishida K and Silver PA. (2012) “Induction of Biogenic Magnetization and Redox Control by a Component of the Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 Signaling Pathway.” PLoS Biology, e1001269.

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Magnetic Yeast

USU professor wins research award

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Story Created: Feb 28, 2012 at 11:23 AM MST

Story Updated: Feb 28, 2012 at 11:36 AM MST

Lance Seefeldt, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at USU, said he became "addicted" to research as a graduate student at the University of California. Now, 25 years later, he has been named the recipient of USU's D. Wynne Thorne Career Research Award.

Named for the first vice president for research at USU, the D. Wynne Thorne Award is the highest honor awarded to faculty researchers.

"This is really a career-topper," said Mark McLellan, vice president for research and dean of the School of Graduate Studies. "This is to recognize the cumulative effort of a researcher that has really gone all out and really produced a very special effort and received national and international recognition — someone who has really knocked it out of the ballpark."

Seefeldt said the biggest feeling that comes from receiving the award is humility.

"It's very humbling to be selected, especially knowing the legacy of D. Wynne Thorne, as well as the people who have received the award in the past," he said. "It's humbling to be a part of them, especially knowing the quality of the science that goes on at USU. To be selected among my peers is an incredible honor."

Each year, every department on campus has the opportunity to nominate a faculty member for the award. After the nominations are completed, a board of faculty peers meets to select the winner, McLellan said. After someone has been selected, he or she must be approved by both McLellan and USU President Stan Albrecht.

"You're looking for someone who is really engaged, who has met the expectations of their job and then gone well beyond," McLellan said. "They are recognized by their peers for extraordinary contributions — making groundbreaking discoveries or very insightful interpretations of the science."

Seefeldt said his research focuses on ways to retrieve nitrogen from the air.

To read the rest of this story on the Utah Statesman website, click here.

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USU professor wins research award

Georgia Research Alliance Names First Eminent Scholar in Nanomedicine

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ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Younan Xia, Ph.D., an internationally recognized leader in the field of nanotechnology, recently joined the Georgia Institute of Technology as the first Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) Eminent Scholar in Nanomedicine.

Dr. Xia is the Brock Family Chair and GRA Eminent Scholar in Nanomedicine in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, with a joint appointment in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research focuses on nanocrystals -- a novel class of materials with features smaller than 100 nanometers -- as well as the development of innovative technologies enabled by nanocrystals. One nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter. These technologies span the fields of molecular imaging, early cancer diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, biomaterials, regenerative medicine and catalysis.

“The possible applications of nanotechnology in medicine have only begun to be explored,” said Michael Cassidy, president and CEO of the Georgia Research Alliance. “Dr. Xia’s expertise and collaborative vision will lead to vital new scientific discoveries that can be transformed into new tools to help people live healthier lives.”

Dr. Xia is an international leader in the synthesis of nanomaterials designed to improve the way we live. He has been ranked as one of the top 10 chemists in the world, as well as the second most cited scientist in the fields of nanomedicine and materials science.

“Dr. Xia is a world-renowned teacher and leader at the forefront of nanomedicine and materials science,” said Larry McIntire, the Wallace H. Coulter Chair of Biomedical Engineering. “His reputation and innovative research in these areas will clearly strengthen our expanding efforts in nanomedicine and biomaterials. We are honored to welcome him to the Department and to the Institute.”

Regents' Professor and Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry Charles Liotta said, “Dr. Xia is an outstanding addition to our faculty in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research in nanomedicine and biomaterials lies at the interface between chemistry and engineering and fits in so well with the interdisciplinary culture at Georgia Tech. Dr. Xia’s presence will clearly enhance our efforts in these critical research areas.”

Dr. Xia received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Harvard University (with Professor George M. Whitesides) in 1996, his M.S. in inorganic chemistry from University of Pennsylvania (with the late Professor Alan G. MacDiarmid, a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 2000) in 1993. He has received a number of prestigious awards, including AIMBE Fellow (2011), MRS Fellow (2009), NIH Director's Pioneer Award (2006), Leo Hendrik Baekeland Award (2005), Camille Dreyfus Teacher Scholar (2002), David and Lucile Packard Fellowship in Science and Engineering (2000), Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow (2000), NSF Early Career Development Award (2000) and the ACS Victor K. LaMer Award (1999).

About GRA

A model public-private partnership between Georgia universities, business and state government, the Georgia Research Alliance helps build Georgia’s technology-rich economy in three major ways: through attracting Eminent Scholars to Georgia’s research universities; through investing in sophisticated research tools; and through converting research into products, services and jobs that drive the economy. To learn more about GRA, visit http://www.gra.org.

About Georgia Tech

The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the world's premier research universities. Ranked seventh among U.S. News & World Report's top public universities, the Institute enrolls more than 20,000 students within its six colleges. Georgia Tech is the nation's leading producer of engineers as well as a leading producer of female and minority engineering Ph.D. graduates. Holding more than 780 patents and receiving approximately $570 million in sponsored awards, Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top universities in research expenditures. Visit www.gatech.edu for more information.

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Georgia Research Alliance Names First Eminent Scholar in Nanomedicine

See restored Curry murals at Wednesday Night @ the Lab

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Feb. 28, 2012

A remarkable University of Wisconsin-Madison research triumph and artful renderings depicting the importance of biochemistry are the subject of a rare occurrence of the popular Wednesday Night @ the Lab series.

Held for one night only — maybe, as there won't be another Wednesday night on a Leap Day until 2040 — on Feb. 29 and in Room 1125 of the remodeled Biochemistry Building, 420 Henry Mall, this edition of the long-running science speaker series will give the audience an early public view of restored murals painted in the 1940s by John Steuart Curry.

Lauren Kroiz, a UW-Madison art history professor, will talk about Curry's work as the first official artist-in-residence in the United States and the art he intended to enrich farmers' lives and encourage experimental agriculture. Curry's paintings in the Biochemistry Building were meticulously stabilized, cleaned and restored by conservators from the Midwest Art Conservation Center as the building was gutted and rebuilt.

David Nelson, biochemistry professor and lecturer in a course on historic research breakthroughs at UW-Madison, will discuss the discovery of vitamins by the likes of Stephen Babcock, E.B. Hart, Harry Steenbock, and E.V. McCollum (all depicted in Curry's murals) in UW-Madison's agricultural chemistry department.

Wednesday Night @ the Lab — which is sponsored by BioTrek, the Science Alliance, the Wisconsin Alumni Association and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute — is free and open to the public. There will be free parking in Lot 20, located nearby at 1390 University Ave.

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See restored Curry murals at Wednesday Night @ the Lab

MCAT changes require curriculum shift

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Beginning in 2015, Northwestern's nearly 300 annual medical school hopefuls will face a Medical College Admission Test that is broader in scope. The revamped test will consume a nearly seven-hour time frame and place more emphasis on areas beyond the natural sciences, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the organization in charge of conducting the test.

The changes mark the first major amendments to the test since 1991.

Currently, the exam's four sections cover physical sciences, verbal reasoning, writing and biological science. The 2015 version will add behavioral science and biochemistry content and sections on critical analysis and reasoning, and retain a biological science section.

Although the new exam will not debut until 2015, current undergraduates could soon see corresponding changes in their courseloads, said Russell Schaffer, senior communications manager for Kaplan Test Prep. The shift in focus will require students to begin planning for the MCAT by taking relevant courses and deciding on the medical track as early as freshman year.

"Current college students will feel the impact in their education now," Schaffer said.

Despite the more rigorous timeline the new test presents, Weinberg sophomore Laura Ledvora said she supports the MCAT revisions because they emphasize a more complete medical world view.

"Doctors need to be well-rounded and educated in areas other than the sciences so that they are educated about how society works and know how to connect with people," Ledvora said. "This knowledge is necessary to form a good physician-patient relationship."

Medical school admissions officers hope the changes will provide more holistic information regarding applicant qualifications. In 2011, medical schools were faced with a record 43,919 applicants, and the applicant pool has grown yearly for the past decade, according to the AAMC.

Officials at top medical schools have expressed divided opinions about the changes. Brenda Armstrong of the Duke University School of Medicine told U.S. News and World Report that she fears requiring students to decide on medicine sooner will exclude non-science majors interested in medical school. Others are encouraged by the reforms, believing they will better align the MCAT with medical admissions standards.

NU's Feinberg School of Medicine adminstrators were unavailable for comment Monday.

The changes were finalized Feb. 16 after three years of deliberation and decision-making by the AAMC. The changes come at a time when many medical schools are implementing extensive curriculum reform. The revised MCAT will likely be in place until 2030.

katiemclaughlin2015@u.northwestern.edu

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MCAT changes require curriculum shift

Training Grant Targets Behavioral and Social Factors Linked to Health

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Newswise — It is estimated that half of all deaths in the United States are linked to behavioral and social factors such as smoking, diet and physical inactivity. Despite these causal links, of the $2 trillion spent annually on health care in the U.S., only 5 percent of that is devoted to addressing behavioral and social risk factors.

The MU School of Medicine will enhance training in behavioral and social sciences with a new $500,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health. The awardwill help medical students learn how to provide culturally competent care, address public health issues and become lifelong learners who are committed to professional development.

“When I went to medical school, I was trained that my job as a physician was to understand my patient’s illness, determine a diagnosis and recommend a treatment,” said Linda Headrick, MD, senior associate dean for education and faculty development at MU’s medical school. “Now, my job doesn’t stop there. In order to be an effective physician, I need to understand all factors as determinants of health.”

The Institute of Medicine reviewed curricula at U.S. medical schools and developed recommendations for better training in behavioral and social sciences. While MU has implemented many of the recommendations, the new NIH grant will help students further interact with patients of different backgrounds and address social and behavioral factors that are linked to health outcomes.

For example, MU medical students are already exposed to clinical simulations that use bilingual actors who pretend to be patients. The actors simulate various health conditions, share cultural beliefs and sometimes communicate with students via an interpreter. The exercise builds communication skills so students can adapt better to patients with different languages and backgrounds. The new NIH grant will help MU’s medical school make similar learningopportunities available more often during the four years that medical students train to become physicians.

The NIH grant will also expand MU’s use of narrative-based learning. By writing about their experiences as physicians in training, medical students gain a better understanding of the needs of patients and families. Physicians also are encouraged to write about their interactions with patients, families and colleagues as a way to identify opportunities for improvement throughout their career.

“Narrative-based reflection encourages students to think critically about things that are important in their medical training experiences,” said Headrick, leader of the grant project at MU. “Helping students develop habits of reflection using writing allows them to process experiences in a healthy way. The students learn from those experiences, and it helps them develop into the highly competent and compassionate doctors they want to become.”

MU students currently record narratives during their first three years of medical school. MU’s medical school also created a unique Legacy Teachers Program to recognize that patients are among the best and most memorable teachers for physicians. Each year, MU medical students participate in the Legacy Teachers Program by submitting essays, artwork or poetry that describe how patients contributed to their lifelong development. Participating patients, patient’s families and students are recognized at an annual luncheon that attracts hundreds of supporters.

Indiana University School of Medicine is a collaborative partner in the new NIH grant project. Medical education leaders from both institutions will share expertise and training methods with each other. MU and Indiana University also have joined several other institutions in forming a nationwide consortium to improve behavioral and social science training in medicine.

“An exciting part of this effort is that the emphasis on behavior and social science aligns so well with the values of our school and the key characteristics of our graduates,” Headrick said. “We have an opportunity with this grant to strengthen learning processes, share best practices with our partners, and help our future physicians deliver effective patient-centered care.”


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Training Grant Targets Behavioral and Social Factors Linked to Health

Baxter Initiates Phase III Adult Stem Cell Clinical Trial for Chronic Cardiac Condition

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DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - News) announced today that it has initiated a phase III pivotal clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adult autologous (an individual’s own) CD34+ stem cells to increase exercise capacity in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI).

Chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI) is one of the most severe forms of coronary artery disease, causing significant long-term damage to the heart muscle and disability to the patient. It is often diagnosed based on symptoms of severe, refractory angina, which is severe chest discomfort that does not respond to conventional medical management or surgical interventions.

“The prospect of using a person’s own adult stem cells to restore and repair blood flow in CMI is a very exciting concept based on a biological regenerative approach,” said Norbert Riedel, Ph.D., Baxter’s chief science and innovation officer. “The goals of this phase III trial are aligned with Baxter’s overall mission to develop life-saving and life-sustaining therapies and it will help us determine if the therapy can make a meaningful difference for CMI patients.”

The trial will enroll approximately 450 patients across 50 clinical sites in the United States, who will be randomized to one of three arms: treatment with their own autologous CD34+ stem cells, treatment with placebo (control), or unblinded standard of care. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with CD34+ stem cells to improve the functional capacity of patients with CMI, as measured by a change in total exercise capacity at 12 months following treatment. Secondary objectives include reduced frequency of angina episodes at 12 months after treatment and the safety of targeted delivery of the cells.

After stem cell mobilization, apheresis (collecting the cells from the body) and cell processing, participants will receive CD34+ stem cells or placebo in a single treatment via 10 intramyocardial injections into targeted areas of the heart tissue. Efficacy will be measured by a change in total exercise capacity during the first year following treatment and safety data will be collected for two years. Stem cell processing will be conducted in GMP facilities in the United States by Progenitor Cell Therapy (PCT), a subsidiary of NeoStem, Inc. To learn more or enroll, visit http://www.renewstudy.com or http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

This trial is being initiated based on the phase II data, which indicated that injections of patients’ own CD34+ stem cells may improve exercise capacity and reduce reports of angina episodes in patients with chronic, severe refractory angina.

“The phase II trial provided evidence that this strategy, leveraging the body’s own natural repair mechanisms, can improve exercise capacity and reduce chest pain, the first time these endpoints have been achieved in a population of patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options,” said Douglas Losordo, MD, vice president of new therapeutic development at Baxter.

CD34+ cells, which are blood-forming stem cells derived from bone marrow, are comprised of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which develop into new blood vessels. Previous preclinical studies investigating these cells have shown an increase in capillary density and improved cardiac function in models of myocardial ischemia.

About Baxter

Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.

This release includes forward-looking statements concerning the use of adult autologous stem cells to treat CMI, including expectations with respect to the related phase III clinical trial. These statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: clinical results demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of the use of autologous stem cells to treat CMI; timely submission of regulatory filings; satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; the enrollment of a sufficient number of qualified participants in the phase III clinical trial; the successful provision of stem cell processing by PCT, a third party; and other risks identified in Baxter’s most recent filing on Form 10-K and other SEC filings, all of which are available on Baxter’s website. Baxter does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

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Nature: BrainStorm’s NurOwn™ Stem Cell Technology Offers Hope for Treating Huntington Disease

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NEW YORK & PETACH TIKVAH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (OTCBB: BCLI.OB - News), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies and therapeutics, announced today that the prestigious Nature Reviews Neurology, a Nature Publishing Group Journal, highlighted recently published preclinical research results indicating that stem cells, generated with Brainstorm’s NurOwn™ technology, provide hope for Huntington disease's patients.

In the preclinical studies conducted by leading scientists including Professors Melamed and Offen of Tel Aviv University and originally reported in Experimental Neurology, patients' bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells secreting neurotrophic factors (MSC-NTF) that were transplanted into an animal model of Huntington disease showed therapeutic benefits.

Addressing the role of these MSC-NTF cells in Huntington disease, Professor Daniel Offen explains, "the premise is that such cells can be transplanted safely into affected areas of the brain, and thereby serve as vehicles for delivering neurotrophic factors." Offen expressed his hope that this cell-based therapy may eventually progress to the clinic.

BrainStorm is currently conducting a Phase I/II Human Clinical Trial for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease at the Hadassah Medical center. Initial results have shown that Brainstorm’s NurOwn™ therapy is safe, does not show any significant treatment-related adverse events, and have also shown certain signs of beneficial clinical effects.

Follow this link for the Research Highlights page in Nature Reviews Neurology (starts Feb. 28th ): http://www.nature.com/nrneurol/journal/vaop/ncurrent/index.html

To read the Original Article entitled ‘Mesenchymal stem cells induced to secrete neurotrophic factors attenuate quinolinic acid toxicity: A potential therapy for Huntington's disease’ by Sadan et al. follow this link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014488612000295

About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a biotech company developing adult stem cell therapeutic products, derived from autologous (self) bone marrow cells, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Ltd., holds rights to develop and commercialize the technology through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Ramot (www.ramot.org) at Tel Aviv University Ltd., the technology transfer company of Tel-Aviv University. The technology is currently in a Phase I/II clinical trials for ALS in Israel.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute "forward-looking statements" and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, inter alia, regarding safety and efficacy in its human clinical trials and thereafter; the Company's ability to progress any product candidates in pre-clinical or clinical trials; the scope, rate and progress of its pre-clinical trials and other research and development activities; the scope, rate and progress of clinical trials we commence; clinical trial results; safety and efficacy of the product even if the data from pre-clinical or clinical trials is positive; uncertainties relating to clinical trials; risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of our proposed product candidates; dependence on the efforts of third parties; failure by us to secure and maintain relationships with collaborators; dependence on intellectual property; competition for clinical resources and patient enrollment from drug candidates in development by other companies with greater resources and visibility, and risks that we may lack the financial resources and access to capital to fund our operations. The potential risks and uncertainties include risks associated with BrainStorm's limited operating history, history of losses; minimal working capital, dependence on its license to Ramot's technology; ability to adequately protect its technology; dependence on key executives and on its scientific consultants; ability to obtain required regulatory approvals; and other factors detailed in BrainStorm's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q available at http://www.sec.gov. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.

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NASA Scientist Wins Free Space Trip on Rocket Plane

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PALO ALTO, Calif. — A NASA scientist has won a free flight to suborbital space, but he may not be able to claim the prize.

Thomas Goodwin, a physiology and bioengineering researcher at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, won a suborbital flight on XCOR Aerospace's Lynx vehicle, a $95,000 value. Goodwin's name was randomly selected here Monday (Feb. 27) at the 2012 Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference (NSRC-2012).

"I'm not sure I can accept this," Goodwin said, referencing his status as a government employee, which may prevent him from using the prize. "I'm very surprised."

If government regulations and red tape prohibit Goodwin from claiming the award, a backup is ready to step up; XCOR officials drew an alternate name just in case. Conference attendees who registered in advance were entered in the drawing.

XCOR's Lynx is a two-person space plane designed to take off and land on a conventional airport runway. In addition to flights with paying passengers, the rocket-powered vehicle is being designed to carry research experiments to suborbital space.

XCOR officials have said the Lynx could be in flight-test operations by the end of 2012. The company plans to charge $95,000 per seat when the space plane is up and running. XCOR also announced Monday that it recently secured $5 million in equity funding that will help fund its work on the Lynx.

Whoever eventually goes up in the space plane will be in for a real treat, XCOR officials said.

"Hang onto your hat, because it's going to be one amazing ride," said former NASA astronaut and space shuttle commander Rick Searfoss, XCOR's chief test pilot.

XCOR isn't the only company developing craft to take scientists, experiments and tourists up to suborbital space. Virgin Galactic, for example, is charging $200,000 for rides on its SpaceShipTwo vehicle, which seats six passengers, along with two pilots.

NSRC-2012, which runs through Wednesday (Feb. 29), brings scientists and educators together to talk about how commercial suborbital spacecraft can help advance research in atmospheric science, physics, planetary science, biology and physiology, among other fields, according to conference organizers.

The meeting is jointly hosted by NASA, the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, and the Colorado-based Southwest Research Institute.

You can follow SPACE.com senior writer Mike Wall on Twitter: @michaeldwall. Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.

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NASA Scientist Wins Free Space Trip on Rocket Plane

Fewer Women Need Repeat Breast Cancer Surgeries with New Service at University of Michigan

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Pathology evaluations done on-site cut operating time, reduced cost, study shows

Newswise — ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Nearly one in three women who have breast cancer surgery will need to return to the operating room for additional surgery after the tumor is evaluated by a pathologist.

A new service at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center cuts that number drastically by having pathologists on-site in the operating suite to assess tumors and lymph nodes immediately after they are removed. Meanwhile, the surgeon and patient remain in the operating room until the results are back, and any additional operating can be done immediately.

This cut the number of second surgeries needed by 64 percent, to one of every 10 women.

U-M began offering the service about two years ago at its East Ann Arbor Ambulatory Surgery Center, where the majority of outpatient breast cancer surgeries now occur. A study evaluating 271 patients treated eight months before and 278 treated eight months after this program began appears in the American Journal of Surgery.

“The frequent need for second surgeries among patients undergoing breast cancer surgery represents a tremendous burden for patients. Beyond the inconvenience and additional time away from work, additional surgeries can result in worse cosmetic outcomes and increased complication rates. Our experience shows that offering on-site pathology consultation has a substantial impact on quality of care,” says lead study author Michael S. Sabel, M.D., associate professor of surgery at the U-M Medical School.

Patients must return to the operating room for two primary reasons: to remove additional tissue when the cancer cells are too close to the margin of tissue removed; and in some cases, to remove additional lymph nodes if the initial sentinel lymph node biopsy tests positive for cancer.

Before the on-site pathology, 25 percent of patients needed a second operation to remove more tissue, compared to 11 percent after the service began. Among patients with cancerous lymph nodes, 93 percent of them avoided a second surgery with on-site pathology.

In addition to reducing second surgeries, the study found that assessing the margins in the OR allowed more women to conserve their breasts. The study authors suggest that women who have positive margins requiring additional surgery are more likely to choose mastectomy because they fear their cancer will return or that they’ll need a third operation.

Establishing on-site pathology requires a different technique for preserving and evaluating the cells, called frozen section analysis. After this is completed, U-M pathologists then process the tumors for standard testing using traditional methods. The study showed consistent results across both types of analysis.

On-site pathology using frozen tissue sections is offered at a handful of academic medical centers across the country.

“In large part, routine intraoperative analysis of lumpectomy margins is rare because of logistical issues, especially as breast surgery is more commonly performed at outpatient surgical centers,” Sabel says.

Obstacles include transporting the tissue samples, building a pathology facility, and staffing it appropriately at an offsite surgical center.

“Despite these obstacles, we found that not only is this beneficial for our patients, but it reduced the costs of caring for patients with breast cancer,” Sabel adds.

The study authors also considered new guidelines that suggest fewer women need to have their lymph nodes removed if the sentinel lymph node biopsy is positive. The authors factored in that reduction and still found that intraoperative analysis was highly cost-effective.

“Establishing an intraoperative pathology consultation service is feasible, highly efficient and extremely beneficial to patients, surgeons and reducing the costs of cancer care,” Sabel says.

Breast cancer statistics: 229,060 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 39,920 will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society

Additional U-M authors: Julie M. Jorns, M.D.; Angela Wu, M.D.; Jeffrey Myers, M.D.; Lisa A. Newman, M.D., M.P.H.; and Tara Breslin, M.D., M.S.

Funding: None

Disclosure: None

Reference: American Journal of Surgery, doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2011.07.016

Resources:
U-M Cancer AnswerLine, 800-865-1125
U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, http://www.mcancer.org
Clinical trials at U-M, http://www.UMClinicalStudies.org/cancer

About the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center:
The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center has more than 400 faculty members delivering compassionate care to today’s patients and researching ways to improve treatments for tomorrow’s patients. It’s our mission: the conquest of cancer through innovation and collaboration. The U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center is among the top-ranked national cancer programs for both research and patient care. It is one of 40 centers designated "comprehensive" by the National Cancer Institute and one of 21 institutions that make up the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which sets national guidelines for consistent, high-quality and cost-effective cancer care.

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Fewer Women Need Repeat Breast Cancer Surgeries with New Service at University of Michigan

AccelPath Completes Base-Level Portion of Its Workflow IT Technology

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GAITHERSBURG, MD and WESTWOOD, MA--(Marketwire -02/28/12)- AccelPath, LLC, ("AccelPath" or the "Company"), a wholly-owned and operating subsidiary of Technest Holdings, Inc. (OTC.BB: TCNH.OB - News), completes base-level portion of workflow information technology.

AccelPath is developing a suite of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant software tools to enable creation, submission, and reporting of pathology cases and to provide secure online access to reports. AccelPath works with pathologists, laboratory staff and clinical office managers to design and develop the toolset. This toolset significantly improves efficiency of workflow and utilization of bandwidth while complying with strict guidelines dictated by HIPAA patient confidentiality requirements.

"We are pleased that AccelPath is building a comprehensive, HIPAA-compliant solution to a long-awaited need for digital transmission and management of pathology reports," said Shekhar Wadekar, the Company's Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that we will continue to improve the system and attract additional pathologists, medical institutions and new customers as they become more comfortable with our advanced product offerings."

About AccelPath

AccelPath provides technology solutions that play a key role in delivering information required for diagnosis of diseases and other pathologic conditions with and through its associated institutional pathologists. The medical institutions, with whom the Company partners, prepare comprehensive diagnostic reports of a patient's condition and consult with referring physicians to help determine the most appropriate treatment. Such diagnostic reports enable the early detection of disease, allowing referring physicians to make informed and timely treatment decisions that improve their patients' health in a cost-effective manner. The Company seeks out referring physicians and histology laboratories in need of high-quality pathology interpretations and manages HIPAA-compliant digital case delivery and reporting while developing comprehensive solutions for managing medical information.

AccelPath is currently focused on the $14 billion anatomic pathology market in the US. The Company's business model builds upon the expertise of experienced pathologists to provide seamless, reliable and comprehensive pathology and special test offerings to referring physicians using conventional and digital technologies. The Company establishes longstanding relationships with the referring physicians as a result of focused delivery of its partner's diagnostic services, personalized responses and frequent consultations, and its proprietary flexible information technology, or IT, solutions that are customizable to the referring physicians' or laboratories as well as the pathologists' needs. Such diagnostic reports often enable the early detection of disease, allowing referring physicians to make informed and timely treatment decisions that improve their patients' health in a cost-effective manner. AccelPath's IT and communications platform enables it to efficiently and securely deliver diagnostic reports to referring physicians. In addition, AccelPath's IT platform enables close tracking and monitoring of medical statistics.

Technest focuses on the design, research, development and integration of three-dimensional imaging devices and systems primarily in the healthcare industries. The Company also develops solutions and intelligent surveillance devices and systems, as well as three-dimensional facial recognition systems for security and law enforcement agencies. Historically, the Company's largest customers have been the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense. The Company's solutions leverage several core proprietary technology platforms, including 3D imaging technologies.

Additional Company information may be found on the Internet at:

http://www.accelpath.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of the Company, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "believe," "project," "continue," "plan," "forecast," or other similar words, or the negative thereof, unless the context requires otherwise. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company's expected future performance and achievement of milestones. The results anticipated by any or all of these forward-looking statements may not occur. In addition, these statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect those results include, but are not limited to, the acceptance of our solutions in the marketplace, the efforts of our sales force, general economic conditions, and those described in the Company's reports on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K and proxy statements and information statements, which have been or will be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including without limitation under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on October 13, 2011. Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of the subject matter of this press release are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. The Company undertakes no obligation and expressly disclaim any obligation, to revise or publicly update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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HistoRx Achieves Dominant Intellectual Property Position in Standardization of Results from Digital Pathology …

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BRANFORD, Conn., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HistoRx, the leader in quantitative immunohistochemistry, has earned two additional patents covering AQUA technology and critical elements of digital microscopy standardization.  Combined with patents earned previously, these issuances by the US Patent & Trademark Office advance the Company's proprietary position in standardization of quantitative digital pathology to a dominant role in the industry. 

Challenges associated with the generation of reproducible digital microscopy images and image data at the appropriate stringency for quantitative analysis are addressed by these newly issued patents.  Digital pathology initially evolved to capture images of clinical samples interrogated through the microscope for telepathology, archival and research use.  Today, however, in the research and clinical settings, digital microscopy images support image analysis as well.  The image is the primary source of data used for the assessment of a variety of features of the clinical sample, from morphological characteristics to measurement of biomarker expression.  Robust quantitative data can only be achieved from analysis of reproducible images, generated from standardized digital microscopy instruments.  Digital pathology companies interested in making the leap from merely qualitative to truly quantitative analysis can ensure an effective transition to clinic-ready results through collaboration with HistoRx.

US Patent 8,121,794 "Systems and methods for automated analysis of cells and tissues," issued February 21, 2012, and is the third US patent protecting methods and now, microscopy systems, that localize and quantitate a biomarker in subcellular compartments in a tissue sample, the hallmark of AQUA technology.   US Patent 8,120,768, "Method and system for standardizing microscope instruments," also issued February 21, 2012, and is the third US patent protecting methods, software, and standardized microscopy systems that provide for the generation of reproducible digital microscopy images and image data at the appropriate stringency for quantitative analysis.

"Our patent position has evolved beyond AQUA technology to methods necessary for advancing digital microscopy images from images that are visually appealing to images that are suitable for quantitative analysis with the accuracy required for clinical results," commented Wendy Davis, VP of Intellectual Property and Portfolio Management at HistoRx.  "What can be measured can be managed.  It was through the use of AQUA technology that the need to standardize microscopy systems and the images they generate was revealed. Therefore the 8,120,768 patent is broadly applicable to digital microscopy bringing its utility from generating images to generating quantitative clinical diagnostic results."

AQUA technology is an automated, quantitative IHC testing method that enables measurement of protein biomarkers in tissue as an aid to a pathologist's diagnosis.  Such precise determination of first, the location within the tumor cell and second, the amount in each location is not possible with conventional testing methods, such as standard immunohistochemistry (IHC).  AQUA analysis is used in cancer research by more than twenty leading academic centers worldwide, is part of the clinical development plans for more than ten drug candidates from major pharma companies, and has been cited in more than 120 peer-reviewed publications.  AQUA technology is currently available on the ScanScope FL™ from Aperio and the Vectra™ 2 system from Caliper Life Sciences, a PerkinElmer company.

About HistoRx, Inc.

HistoRx, Inc. is the leader in quantitative immunohistochemistry and a leading developer of tissue-based diagnostic solutions to advance individualized patient care.  The company's products and services are based on proprietary analysis of tissue biomarkers using AQUA® technology.  HistoRx is commercializing a pipeline of proprietary diagnostic products targeting improved treatment decision-making and patient outcomes in cancer care.  For more information, please visit http://www.historx.com.

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HistoRx Achieves Dominant Intellectual Property Position in Standardization of Results from Digital Pathology ...

Pentagon’s Nutrition Effort Advances as UFood Grill Moves Closer to Opening First Military Location

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BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

As part of the Pentagon’s dramatic new efforts to improve the diet and fitness of its troops and the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign, the military’s choice for healthier alternative UFood Grill restaurants moved a step closer today to opening its first location on a military base.

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. (OTCBB:UFFC.OB - News) – a growing “better-for-you” fast food chain with healthier menu offerings, has been approved by the Army/Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) and is well positioned to support these initiatives. In January 2012, UFood announced they’d signed an agreement for global military base development of 26 UFood Grills with MBUF, LLC, a private investment group of military veterans. Three locations are now underway at the Aberdeen Proving Ground military base in Maryland, with the first of these three locations slated to open in March 2012.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Jonathan Woodson announced changes to the menus of 1,100 dining halls at military bases nationwide earlier this month. The move, which adjusts the Pentagon’s nutritional standards for the first time in 20 years, will bring more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and food choices that are lower in fat to 1.45 million troops a day at all 1,100 American military dining facilities in the coming months.

“Simply put, this is America's entire military once again stepping forward to lead by example," Mrs. Obama said about the Pentagon’s nutrition movement earlier this month. “A lack of fitness is not just a health issue, but a national security issue.”

“As we enter the military with our upcoming opening at Aberdeen Proving Ground, we will be at the forefront of healthier eating within the military," said UFood Chairman and CEO George Naddaff. “MBUF is comprised of a group of experienced veterans who understand that leading by example in the area of health and nutrition benefits the military and our country as a whole. We look forward to opening Aberdeen together as we map out further military base locations for UFood.”

“The military has had a great response to the UFood Grill concept,” said Francis L. Shea, managing partner, MBUF, LLC. “As a veteran myself, I know how important a balanced diet is to military fitness. By offering a healthy fast casual alternative to fast food, we believe that UFood will serve both the nutritional and the lifestyle needs of our military and their families, and their overall health.”

UFood Grill is committed to offering consumers food that tastes great, is lower in calories and fat and, wherever possible, serving meals that are antibiotic and hormone-free, gluten-free as well as natural, grass-fed beef and cage-free eggs. UFood boasts a wide-ranging menu that includes lean burgers, rice bowls, salads, wraps, paninis and smoothies. In addition to airport locations in Boston, Cleveland and Dallas, construction is underway at two locations in the Salt Lake City International Airport, which will open in April.

About UFood Restaurant Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Boston, Mass., UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. is a franchisor and operator of fast-casual food service restaurants. UFood Grill offers a healthy lifestyle alternative to consumers in the fast-casual restaurant space and is positioned to become a leading player in the “better-for-you” quick-serve restaurant category. Franchise innovator George Naddaff, who founded Boston Market and led the franchising of several companies, including Sylvan Learning Center and VR Business Brokers, leads the company. Mr. Naddaff also founded two of the first educational day care centers in the United States, Living and Learning Centers and Mulberry Child Care Centers, both of which were sold to KinderCare®. Mr. Naddaff has assembled a veteran management team at UFood Grill with a successful record in the franchise market. UFood is currently launching a growth plan to franchise nationwide. To learn more, visit http://www.ufoodgrill.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 involving known and unknown risks, delays, and uncertainties that may cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, delays, and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the uncertainty of future financial results, our reliance on our sole supplier, the limited diversification of our product offerings, additional financing requirements, development of new products, government approval processes, the impact of competitive products or pricing, technological changes, the effect of economic conditions and other uncertainties detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

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Brianna Ladapo Applauds Texas McDonald’s in Nutrition Transparency

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A McDonald's in Texas has installed an interactive kiosk allowing patrons to access previously difficult to find nutrition information about the restaurant's food. Brianna Ladapo and other advocates of healthy living applaud this effort and support a higher level of transparency concerning nutrition.

New York, NY (PRWEB) February 28, 2012

Nutrition has become a topic of focus for modern-day Americans, due in part to a better awareness of the value of healthy living. Despite the fact that some Americans are adopting more health-conscious lifestyles, fast food restaurants, like the highly successful McDonald's, continue to thrive. However, a recent move by a Texas McDonald's has improved nutrition transparency—something that Brianna Ladapo and other wellness experts applaud.

SelfServiceWorld.com reports that Jonathan Chan, the owner and operator of a McDonald's restaurant, has installed an interactive, touch-screen kiosk to allow patrons to access nutrition information. Located in Richardson, Texas, this McDonald's is the first to offer such a feature, which provides information about calories, carbohydrates, fat, protein, sodium, cholesterol, sugar, fiber, and more.

This innovative feature does more than simply inform customers of their nutrition intake. The kiosk allows patrons to put together balanced meals that target dietary needs. For example, individuals who are looking to reduce calories may be prompted to forgo a soda or skip a condiment. Brianna Ladapo and other dietary experts see this as a step in the right direction.

"Chan's pioneering decision to help bring transparency to the often murky—and historically deceptive—waters of fast food nutrition will revolutionize the industry by providing customers with an intuitive, interactive technology that will heighten their awareness about the foods they choose to consume," commented Brianna Ladapo. "I am encouraged to see this popular franchise helping to spearhead a much-needed paradigm shift toward healthier eating habits in the United States, and hope its efforts inspire other food establishments to embrace the same level of responsibility and spirit of public service."

The public's response to the kiosk has been equally positive. "At first, I was concerned about a negative response from customers; that the information may turn them away from ordering certain menu items," stated Chan. "But there hasn't been a negative effect at all. In fact, it's been 100 percent positive, and at times has served as an opportunity to start a conversation with our customers."

Brianna Ladapo hopes that other fast food franchise owners follow in Chan's footsteps, creating higher transparency surrounding fast food nutrition.    

ABOUT:

Brianna Ladapo is the Director of Communications at New York University School of Medicine. An advocate of healthy living and balanced nutrition, Brianna Ladapo is also a Nia instructor and supporter of the vegan lifestyle. A freelance writer, Brianna Ladapo has shared her experiences pertaining to health, wellness, and nutrition with others through highly-esteemed online publications, including Livestrong.com.

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PR Authority
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Santa Clara County tightening nutrition standards

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Nutrition standards are being tightened at Santa Clara County facilities.

The San Jose Mercury News (http://bit.ly/wo1yff ) calls them the most comprehensive healthy food and beverage policy in California.

County leaders are expected to approve the nutrition rules on Tuesday. If approved, the rules will take effect in July.

Pizza and burgers will still be on cafeteria menus. But, when possible, they'll be made with more healthful ingredients.

County vending machines are already required to contain 50% healthful items. But candy, potato chips or sugared sodas currently offered could be replaced with such things as trail mix, baked chips, water and iced tea.

The rules would apply to vending machines and meals at the county jailhouse, hospitals and other areas.

The new nutritional standards are part of the county's obesity-prevention efforts.

Information from: San Jose Mercury News, http://www.sjmercury.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Santa Clara County tightening nutrition standards

The MIND™ Vending Touch Screen Provides Nutrition Information and More

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CLEVELAND, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With several thousand installations, the MIND™ (Make Informed Nutritional Decisions) touch screen from Vendors Exchange International has provided nutrition information on vending machine products in hospitals, universities, and other health conscious locations BEFORE a selection has been made by the consumer. 

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-mind-vending-touch-screen-provides-nutrition-information-and-more-140138373.html

VE has now introduced an improved version of the Display Builder software (Version 2.0) that makes the MIND touch screen even easier to program and design for a fun and engaging interactive experience.  The software works with the website nutritionaldatabase.org where screen shots for vending products are stored on a secure database.  In addition, the software for the MIND touch screen can now show more than just nutrition information.  Vending operators can use it to improve the interactive experience with slide shows, advertising, promotions and public service announcements like tips for healthy eating. The flexibility of the MIND touch screen has improved to benefit the operator and the consumer.

The MIND touch screen has successfully provided nutrition information and interactive experiences on all types of vending machines and kiosks.  Featured in magazines, cable news outlets like CNN and on-line information sources like the Huffington Post, the MIND touch screen has been described as not only providing information but also "the coolest thing about this [vending] machine."[1]  Easy to install (either 5.7" or 7" screens available) and now to program, the MIND touch screen is a previous winner of the NAMA 2010 Innovation Award.  To find out more about the MIND touch screen, check the Vendors Exchange website (http://www.veii.com/new_technology/mind_nutrition_touch_screen), see our promotional video (http://youtu.be/CqiEeA4NYVE) or call Ryan Garson at 800.321.2311 extension 105.   

ABOUT

Vendors Exchange International, Inc. has been serving the vending industry since 1960.  The company provides quality new, reconditioned, and as-is can soda, snack, food and coffee machines; VE branded and OEM replacement parts; and electronics repair service, offering pick-up and delivery within a limited service area.  For additional information, contact Rick Solomon by phone 216.432.1800, fax 216.432.2786, or e-mail Rick.solomon@veii.com.  Details may also be obtained through the web at http://www.veii.com.

[1] Kimberly Procaccino, clinical nutrition director at Lehigh Valley Health Network, uppermacungie.patch.com, July 14, 2011

 

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Study: Consumers Ignore Nutrition Labels, Go For What's Tasty

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When Congress passed the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1993 (NLEA), the intent was to increase consumers' awareness of food. But a study conducted by three Duke University academics found that intent has not stopped neither companies from making unhealthy food nor Americans from eating such fare.

The researchers, whose report will be published in March, found the overall nutritional quality of brand name foods in supermarkets fell but became tastier. The paradoxical result came after many food companies made the decision to emphasize taste over nutrition, according to Prof. Christine Moorman, one of the three academics.

"The fact is that consumers actually don't care about nutrition as they care about taste," she said, adding the nutrition label did not overcome past consumer biases. "We find that there's a not a lot of use of the label itself, especially in categories where consumers have a lot of experience. Most people don't and even if they do see it, it's hard from them to switch (to another brand)."

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The problems range deeper though. Not only do consumers largely ignore nutrition labels, the overriding perception equates healthy foods with bland tastes, Moorman added.

"Since nutrition is perceived to be negatively correlated with taste, we believe many companies decided to reduce the nutritional value of their food products after the passage of the NLEA," she said. "Nutrition labels were generally not present before the NLEA, consumers would not be aware of these changes, only that the product competed well on taste."

The findings are actually an amalgam of two studies, one which compared food products that fell under NLEA and featured nutrition labels after 1993, and a second set which didn't. The second part of the study used Consumer Reports assessments to check for changes in nutrition and taste.

But the results of the study were not wholly dire. Nutrition labels did improve so-called "junk foods," which have become healthier since the passage of NLEA. Also, companies with smaller or fewer brands were more likely to improve the nutritional quality of their foods, the study found.

"This makes sense because companies may have hoped to grab the attention of health-conscious consumers while many of their large counterparts hesitated for fear of negative consumer reactions," Moorman said.

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Get the Real Deal on Your Meal During Nutrition Month 2012

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Dietitians of Canada busting food myths

TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - March is National Nutrition Month and dietitians across Canada are busy busting myths and misinformation about Canadians' food and nutrition. This year's theme encourages people to 'Get the Real Deal on Your Meal'.  Every day in March, Dietitians of Canada (DC) will discuss a different food myth and present the 'real deal' to DC website visitors. The campaign is based on real-life situations dietitians have experienced with clients, family and friends.

A client reads a tweet about the latest superfoods they should eat to be healthier A shopper searches the grocery store shelves for gluten-free foods because a friend told her that everyone should avoid gluten A diner takes the bun off their burger because they think cutting carbs will help them lose weight

"Nutrition information has never been more accessible than right now," said Janice Macdonald, Director, Communications, Dietitians of Canada. "Ironically, there's also more confusion and misinformation than ever before. We want to talk about the most popular myths - and more importantly - focus on the facts."

DC polled its members from coast to coast and selected the top 39 myths. Food and nutrition research was then collected to debunk each myth and arm dietitians with the evidence needed to talk to Canadians.

"We want Canadians to have accurate information so they can make informed choices about the food they eat," said Macdonald. "Dietitians are the reliable, year-round source for the most current thinking on food and nutrition." 

About Dietitians of Canada

Dietitians of Canada (DC) is the national professional association for dietitians, representing more than 6000 members at the local, provincial and national levels. DC is one of the largest organizations of dietetic professionals in the world and has led the Nutrition Month Campaign for 30 years.

About Nutrition Month Sponsors

DC acknowledges its partners who help to bring Nutrition Month messages to Canadians.  This year's Sponsors are: Official Sponsors - Dairy Farmers of Canada and Loblaw Companies Limited through its livelifewell™ program, and Participating Sponsors - General Mills Canada Corporation, Hellmann's and Lipton® Tea. For more information about Dietitians of Canada and Nutrition Month, visit http://www.dietitians.ca. 

Dietitians of Canada Nutrition Month 2012
Assess Your Diet With eaTracker
Find a Dietitian Near You
Nutrition Month 2012: Executive Summary

Image with caption: "March is Nutrition Month (CNW Group/Dietitians of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120228_C7127_PHOTO_EN_10478.jpg

Image with caption: "Get the real deal on your meal (CNW Group/Dietitians of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120228_C7127_PHOTO_EN_10415.jpg

PDF with caption: "Fact Sheet". PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/02/28/20120228_C7127_DOC_EN_10420.pdf

Video with caption: "Amanda explains the impact of sodium on health and how to decrease your intake.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120228_C7127_VIDEO_EN_10480.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120228_C7127_PHOTO_EN_10480.jpg&clientName=Dietitians%20of%20Canada&caption=Amanda%20explains%20the%20impact%20of%20sodium%20on%20health%20and%20how%20to%20decrease%20your%20intake%2E&title=DIETITIANS%20OF%20CANADA%20%2D%20Get%20the%20Real%20Deal%20on%20Your%20Meal%20During%20Nutrition%20Month%202012&headline=Get%20the%20Real%20Deal%20on%20Your%20Meal%20During%20Nutrition%20Month%202012

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Get the Real Deal on Your Meal During Nutrition Month 2012

Trend Micro Provides Longevity for Android in BETA

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BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (Mobile World Congress) -- Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704, #TrendMicro), a global cloud security leader and long-time innovator in mobile security, today announced the BETA availability of Trend Micro Longevity, the only app that leverages the cloud to warn users when an app that they have just downloaded consumes a great deal of battery power.  Trend Micro Longevity is available for Android smartphones and the beta is available on the Android Market.

The battery life of smartphones has become an important concern for many users since smartphones have become critical parts of people's everyday lives.  For the average smartphone user knowing which functions to switch off and how to do it is beyond them.  Designed for the everyday user and extremely simple to use, Trend Micro Longevity for Android is a solution that provides average users with basic tools on how to stretch or squeeze out more battery life out of their smartphone.  

This is the first Trend Micro app which integrates the recently unveiled Trend Micro Mobile App Reputation technology that analyzes the underlying code of apps and the websites that they connect to, as well as the behavior of apps. It can then correlate the information detected and identify malicious and resource-hogging mobile apps.  This service leverages Trend Micro's global cloud intelligence system that scans and rates more than 45-billion files, emails, websites and now mobile apps every day.

With a simple UI and the ability to optimize a device's functions and ability to identify and stop high power consuming apps and tasks, Longevity empowers the everyday user with:

Just-a-Phone mode - enables a user with limited technical know-how to turn off the majority of battery draining functions, and just enable the basic things that allow their device to perform as a phone.  It can extend the battery life of the phone by up to several hours. Fast Drain alert - warns users when their phone has started to consume battery faster than normal, so they can take immediate action. Power Hog App Alert - utilizes one-of-a-kind cloud intelligence to alert users when a new app they just downloaded consumes a great deal of battery power or negatively impacts the battery life of their smartphone.

"There are over 400,000 applications currently available on the Android Market, and anyone can develop and post an app.  Poorly coded apps or apps that extensively use battery draining functions such as the GPS can have a drastic impact on a device's battery, and users will not know about the problem until it is too late.   Longevity makes this easy and helps increase the likelihood that your phone will still be working at the end of the day," said Khoi Nguyen Head of Consumer Mobile Business Trend Micro. "And when people are stuck without a charger and all they want is to stay contactable, the Just-a-phone function makes it easy for anyone to turn their smartphone into just-a-phone, to squeeze every last bit of power out of the battery and ensure they can receive those all-important calls and messages."

Consumers can download and test the beta of Trend Micro Longevity at:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.trendmicro.mobileutilities.optimizer

About Trend Micro
Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cloud security leader, creates a world safe for exchanging digital information with its Internet content security and threat management solutions for businesses and consumers.  A pioneer in server security with over 20 years' experience, we deliver top-ranked client, server and cloud-based security that fits our customers' and partners' needs, stops new threats faster, and protects data in physical, virtualized and cloud environments. Powered by the industry-leading Trend Micro Smart Protection Network cloud computing security infrastructure, our products and services stop threats where they emerge – from the Internet. They are supported by 1,000+ threat intelligence experts around the globe. 

Additional information about Trend Micro Incorporated and its products and services are available at Trend Micro.com. This Trend Micro news release and other announcements are available at http://NewsRoom.TrendMicro.com and as part of an RSS feed at http://www.trendmicro.com/rss.  Or follow our news on Twitter at @TrendMicro.

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‘Scope for innovation in genetic medicine’

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There is a tremendous opportunity in genetic medicine for innovation and for new players to make significant contributions, because it is still experimental, noted biologist and Nobel Laureate Dr David Baltimore said yesterday.
“Today, it is mainly the province of biotechnology companies and universities, not big pharmaceutical companies,” he observed in a keynote presentation at the Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy 2012.
There are new genetic tools available – though they are still experimental - to treat diseases which involve adding, subtracting or modifying genes in the cells of the body.
“However, they are powerful tools and I am confident they will be an important part of the medicine of the future,” he said.
Speaking on ‘The hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) as a target for therapy against cancer and Aids,’ Dr Baltimore explained that HSCs are one of the few cell types routinely used for bone marrow transplant.
The HSCs are easily accessible, retroviruses can be used to carry genes into these stem cells, the genes are then expressed in all of cells that derive from the HSC and can correct inherited defects and bring genes that perform therapy under a programme called engineering immunity.
“Though the human immune system is a wondrous creation of evolution yet it is not without certain limitations. One, in particular, is its poor ability to stop the growth of cancer cells– another is its hosting of HIV.
“In the case of cancer, the machinery of immunity can attack cancers but it rarely attacks with the necessary power. For HIV, the ability of the virus to use the CD4 and CCR5 proteins as receptors means that CD4 cells are the major cell type in which the virus grows.
“We have been trying to supply genes to the immune system by gene transfer methods that would improve its ability to block cancer and block infection of CD4 cells by HIV.
“For cancer, we have focused on T cell receptor genes. For HIV, we have used a small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) targeted to CCR5. We have been quite successful in mice with both strategies and are now moving to humans.
“In both cases, our experiments with mice have focused on putting genes into HSCs as, once these cells are altered, they provide modified blood cells to the body for life.
“In our human cancer trials we first used peripheral T cells for modification with dramatic effect but it has been transient.
“We are now moving to stem cells. For the siRNA against CCR5, we plan to initiate trials within six months using autologous, gene-modified stem cells,” he added.
The ensuing panel discussion on ‘Opportunities and challenges for stem cell research,’ saw Prof Irving Weissman (Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine) cautioning against ‘phoney organisations engaged in stem cell therapy.’
Prof Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte (Salk Institute for Biological Studies, US) stated that stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood should be considered as one of the key cells for use in regenerative medicine.
The session also featured Dr Alan Trounson (California Institute of Regenerative Medicine), Prof Roger Pedersen (The Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, University of Cambridge), Dr Lawrence Corey (University of Washington) and with Dr Richard Klausner (managing partner of biotechnology venture capital firm The Column Group) as moderator.
Earlier, Ambassador Edward P Djerejian (founding director, James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, US) spoke about the collaboration with Qatar Foundation on stem cell research.

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‘Scope for innovation in genetic medicine’