A bulldozer hauls material from a LSM in Makin Islands, Kirabati during World War…HD Stock Footage – Video

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A bulldozer hauls material from a LSM in Makin Islands, Kirabati during World War...HD Stock Footage
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A bulldozer hauls material from a LSM in Makin Islands, Kirabati during World War...HD Stock Footage - Video

Japan Plans New Military Outposts near Disputed Islands

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An aerial view shows Yonaguni island, Okinawa prefecture in this picture taken by KyodoReuters file photo

Japan is reportedly planning to establish fresh military outposts in remote islands near the archipelago known in Japan as Senkaku, in order to bolster security in its territorial waters.

According to the Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun, nearly 350 troops are expected to be stationed on three different islands in the far southwest, near the disputed chain of islands. The string of land mass, often at the centre of spats between Tokyo and Beijing, is called Diaoyus in China.

Although there is already a minimum air force facility in the region, it does not have Japan's ground forces and the latest proposal is bound to infuriate China.

The two countries are frequently involved in maritime confrontations in the waters to assert their claims to the islands, which lie about 2,000kms from Tokyo and 200kms from Taiwan, which also claims rights to the chain.

The three sites identified for the new outposts are Amamioshima, Miyako island and Ishigaki island, all of which are located about 150 to 210kms from Senkakus, the daily reported, citing anonymous senior officials.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters: "At the moment, however, we have not decided on specific, concrete locations such as those reported."

Last month, Japan had come up with its first military expansion in the region in more than 40 years by beginning the construction of a radar station in Yonaguni.

Japan's Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said: "This is the first deployment since the US returned Okinawa in 1972 and calls for us to be more on guard are growing. I want to build an operation able to properly defend islands that are part of Japan's territory."

The radar facility will significantly increase Japan's surveillance capabilities in the region as Tokyo's monitoring could potentially expand up to mainland China to keep an eye on its ships and flights.

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Japan Plans New Military Outposts near Disputed Islands

Japan to establish island military posts- report

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This file aerial shot shows the disputed islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China in the East China Sea. AP FILE PHOTO

TOKYO Japan is to establish new military outposts on remote islands, a report said Monday, as Tokyo looks to bolster its defense amid a territorial dispute with China.

Up to 350 troops each could be stationed on three islands in the far southwest, close to the Senkakus, which Beijing claims as its own under the name Diaoyus, the mass-selling Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

With the exception of the main Okinawa island, Japans Ground Self-Defense Forces- its army- have no bases on the chain of islands that runs from the bottom of Kyushu to Taiwan. There are limited air force facilities in the area.

The lack of substantial military presence is a source of worry for some in Japan, who caution that it leaves Japan vulnerable to Chinas increasingly assertive stance.

Chinese ships have repeatedly moved into the Senkakus territorial waters, since Tokyo nationalised some of them in September 2012, to confront Japanese vessels.

The islands lie around 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) southwest of Tokyo and around 200 kilometres from the north of Taiwan.

While most of the bickering has been between coastguards from both sides, observers say military ships are loitering over the horizon, with some warning of the risk of a confrontation.

Beijing has spent heavily on its military in recent years in a bid to develop a blue water navy that can project force far out into the Pacific.

This means getting through what it calls the first island chain including Japans southwestern islands and the northern Philippines.

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Japan to establish island military posts- report

Genetic 'typo' corrector

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The CRISPR system enables researchers to make a small chain of custom-made molecules, called a guide RNA, and a Cas9 enzyme. The guide RNA is like the search function of a word processor, running along the length of the genome until it finds a match; then, the scissorslike Cas9 cuts the DNA. CRISPR can be used to delete, insert, or replace genes.

"We didn't used to think that we had the tools to correct mutation in humans," said Penn Medicine cardiologist Jonathan Epstein, who just began using the technique in his lab. "The advantage of CRISPR is that we can."

For instance, sickle-cell anemia is caused by a mutation in chromosome 11 that causes red blood cells to be crescent-shaped, sticky, and stiff. They end up stuck in the blood vessels, keeping enough oxygen from reaching the body. While the disease can be treated with bone marrow or stem cell transplants, most patients cannot find well-matched donors.

Here's where CRISPR can help. Biomedical engineer Gang Bao of the Georgia Institute of Technology aims to use the system to repair the DNA of a patient's own stem cells, so no outside donor would be needed. The stem cells would be extracted from the patient's bone marrow, their mutations replaced with normal DNA, and inserted back in. The hope is that the gene-corrected stem cells would then begin making normal red blood cells.

The treatment works in mice, and Bao foresees human trials within a few years.

Another way doctors could use CRISPR is to assist in regenerating tissue within damaged organs. Epstein ultimately wants to place embryonic stem cells that have developed into cardiac muscle cells back into the heart. But the main danger with this lies in accidentally injecting any non-cardiac cells. "If you put a cell into the heart meant to make a tooth or a hair, it might cause a tumor," said Epstein.

So instead of blindly inserting a group of cells hoping they are all cardiac muscle, he is using CRISPR to insert marker genes - such as a gene that includes a glowing, green fluorescent indicator - to be able to clear out every other non-heart cell in mouse models.

Earlier methods of performing genomic surgery had barriers of high costs and low flexibility that kept many researchers from adopting them.

"Then CRISPR started coming out, and since then it has absolutely exploded," said biologist Montserrat Anguera of Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine. "CRISPR seems to be the easiest and fastest way for labs to edit the genome."

She studies how embryonic stem cells develop into specialized cells within organs such as the liver or heart. Using CRISPR, she can delete regions of the stem cell genome to help decipher their function in human development.

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Worlds first date palm genetic map published

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Researchers at the Weill Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) have published the first genetic map of the date palm, according to a report. The genetic map shows the order in which the date palms chromosomes are placed and also which chromosome is responsible for reproduction. In theory, the information could one day allow growers to manipulate the development of seeds, creating more female fruit-bearing plants than male plants that do not produce dates, an important food source for much of the Middle East, the report said. Scientists from Saudi Arabia and China completed mapping the genome of the date-palm tree late last year. Scientists from Riyadhs King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Chinas Shenzhen-based BGI had been working on the project since 2008. The map has been produced by the genomics group under the direction of Joel Malek, assistant professor of Genetic Medicine at WCMC-Q, in collaboration with Karsten Suhre, professor of physiology and biophysics at WCMC-Q, and with the help of colleagues at the Ministry of Environments Biotechnology Center and the Department of Agricultural Affairs. The program, entitled Establishing World Leadership in Date Palm Research in Qatar, was funded by the National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) at the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), which provided $4.5 million to the research. Malek and his team produced a draft version of the date palm genome three years ago. It was this that paved the way for the more accurate map. To create the map, Malek and Suhre worked with the Ministry of the Environments Biotechnology Center and their Department of Agricultural Affairs. The ministry provided the researchers with 150 seeds from a single female tree, which were then propagated by Ameena Al-Malki at the Biotechnology Center. Leaves and DNA were taken from the seedlings once they were large enough for testing. A new process called genotyping-by-sequencing was then applied which sequenced portions of the genomes of all 150 seedlings. It allowed the researchers to look at the parent tree and ascertain how the DNA was passed to the offspring. Khaled Machaca, associate dean of research at WCMC-Q, said the research demonstrates the value of funding novel, regionally relevant, collaborative research between different organizations. The NPRP exceptional proposal (NPRP-EP) funding the date palm research was the first NPRP-EP awarded by QNRF, he said. It funds regionally relevant research that has a high likelihood of contributing toward Qatars knowledge-based economy vision. This funding is beginning to bear fruits by generating the first chromosome map for date palm through collaborative efforts of multiple institutions in Qatar.

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Worlds first date palm genetic map published

Global Futurist Jack Uldrich to Join Richard Clarke Speaking at the 2014 Utility Supply Management Association …

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Nashville, TN (PRWEB) May 19, 2014

On May 19, in Nashville, TN, global futurist Jack Uldrich will join Richard Clarke, former National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection and Counter-Terrorism, among others, as one of USMA's 2014 Educational Conference highlighted speakers.

The USMA is a multi-national association of individuals serving the electric, gas and water utilities. The role of the USMA is to understand the sophisticated workings of the supply chain to provide its customers (utilities, suppliers, manufacturers, etc.) with skills and tools to realize profit opportunities in the supply chain.

Hailed as the "Chief Unlearning Officer", Uldrich's talk will focus on the conference's mission of providing exposure to latest technology and upcoming trends, as well as learning how to embrace those trends and unlearning old habits in order to future-proof their businesses.

As a futurist, Uldrich says the future is "predictably unpredictable." So part of his tactic in his custom designed USMA presentation, is to ask them the question: How does a person prepare for such a paradoxical future? His answer lies in encouraging his audience to embrace other paradoxes such as learning to unlearn, thinking about the unthinkable, embracing failure as a key component of success, and acknowledging that an awareness of ones ignorance is a key component of wisdom. In addition, Uldrich will also share insights from his latest book, Foresight 20/20: A Futurist Explores Tomorrow's Trends Today." (Here are some of Uldrich's thoughts on the future of utilities.)

Uldrich has addressed hundreds of business groups around the world, including delivering customized keynote presentations to the Idaho Technology Council, Invensys, United Healthcare, Bausch and Lomb, Boston Scientific, Fiatech, Eaton, the European Association of International Educators, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the AMA, the Million Dollar Round Table and scores of other corporations, associations, and private organizations.

Parties interested in learning more about Jack Uldrich, his books, his daily blog or his speaking availability are encouraged to visit his School of Unlearning website. Media wishing to know more about either the event or interviewing Jack can contact Amy Tomczyk at (651) 343.0660.

Uldrich is a renowned global futurist, technology forecaster, best-selling author, editor of the monthly newsletter, The Exponential Executive, and host of the award-winning website, http://www.jumpthecurve.net.

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Global Futurist Jack Uldrich to Join Richard Clarke Speaking at the 2014 Utility Supply Management Association ...

ExoEconomics: How Inner Earth can mentor us to achieve economic freedom and money-less abundance – Video

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ExoEconomics: How Inner Earth can mentor us to achieve economic freedom and money-less abundance
ExoEconomics: How Inner Earth can mentor us to achieve economic freedom and money-less abundance VANCOUVER, BC -- In an impromptu, wide-ranging ExopoliticsTV conversation on economic and financial...

By: Alfred Lambremont Webre

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ExoEconomics: How Inner Earth can mentor us to achieve economic freedom and money-less abundance - Video

Freedom Party given political cold shoulder over immigration tactics

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Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders on the campaign trail ahead of the European elections in Amsterdam. Photograph: Robin Utrecht/EPA

IT was extraordinary timing by the Dutch government last Thursday when it revealed just one week from the European elections that the number of refugees arriving in the Netherlands has surged from about 1,000 a month in February and March to a current figure of 1,000 per week.

The result was an emergency debate in parliament on Friday, during which there was a brief moment of drama when Geert Wilderss right-wing Freedom Party attempted to table a motion of no confidence in junior minister for justice Fred Teeven, who had disclosed the figures on television.

Despite accusing the minister of incompetence, declaring an immigration disaster, and calling for a severing of links with the EU and abandonment of the Schengen Agreement, the Freedom Partys moment quickly passed. The motion attracted no support from the rest of the opposition.

Policy of isolation It was the perfect practical example of how the informal blanket ban by all the other political parties on co-operating with Mr Wilders a ban which has been in place since he led supporters in anti-Moroccan chanting last month can leave the Freedom Party looking ineffective and isolated.

Do you want more or fewer Moroccans in your city and in the Netherlands? Mr Wilders roared to the crowd at a rally after the local elections.

Minder, minder, minder (Fewer, fewer, fewer), they roared in reply.

Wilders leaned closer to the microphone and said: Then were going to organise it.

The country descended into uproar, with a surprising amount of the criticism coming from Wilderss own constituency.

The popular right-wing daily newspaper De Telegraf railed: Those who place themselves outside the constitution by consciously turning their political message into the sort of deeply menacing politics we saw off in the past will find themselves sidelined by society.

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Freedom Party given political cold shoulder over immigration tactics

Freedom Fest medallion hunt clues

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LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) -

The hunt is on for the Freedom Fest medallion. Freedom Fest is on Saturday, June 14 at UW-La Crosse's Veterans Memorial Stadium Complex.

Clue #1 (Monday, May 19th) Know your boundaries--lines to cross And if you go too far--you'll be at a loss Review the clues and decipher Be sneaky, like Catwoman--Michelle Pfeiffer

The person who finds the medallion should call the phone number on the back of it to claim their prize consisting of two VIP tickets to Freedom Fest 2014 featuring Huey Lewis and the News, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, and the Remainders. The winner will also receive two Meet & Greet passes.

Guidelines for the medallion hunt

The medallion is hidden within the City of La Crosse. It is not buried underground but may be obstructed from view. It is accessible 24 hours. People should obey all posted signs and laws at all times while hunting for the medallion.

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Freedom Fest medallion hunt clues

Climate change destroying Philippine beaches?

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MANILA - President Aquino on Monday sounded the alarm on possible loss of Philippine beaches due to the effects of climate change.

In a speech to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - ASEAN International Conference on Tourism and Climate Change, President Aquino pointed out that Philippine tourist destinations are at risk from the effects of climate change.

"It is true: We have some of the best beaches and dive spots in the world. Sadly, these areas are also the ones most vulnerable to climate risk-whether in the form of loss of biodiversity or coastal erosion. Our immediate response: To plan ahead and reduce the impact of the effects of climate change on our tourist destinations, amongst others," he said.

Aquino said the Philippine government has included climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as disaster risk reduction and management, among the major considerations for future development.

He said his administration plans to mainstream climate change adaptation with local, sectoral, and national plans "all of which will consequently guide the development of tourist destinations and tourism activities per locality."

"With the increasing risks of climate change, this is something we encourage other ASEAN-member countries, as well as countries around the world, to look into," he said.

Aquino pointed out that climate change may come at the cost of national development if unchecked.

"Ignoring this problem means that the increasingly frequent and intense storms will continue to make landfall in our countries; changes in temperatures will continue to decrease our water supply and threaten our food security; and island countries, such as those in the South Pacific, will continue to worry that, within the span of a few decades, their countries may be consumed by the rising water levels and, eventually, cease to exist."

He also used the occasion to tout the administration's achievements in tourism.

Last year, the Philippines welcomed 4.68 million international tourists or nearly ten percent higher than the previous year.

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Climate change destroying Philippine beaches?