University of Calgary Three Minute Thesis (3MT) 2014 – Stefan Hoerzer – Video

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University of Calgary Three Minute Thesis (3MT) 2014 - Stefan Hoerzer
2014 #UCalgary3MT Finalist Stefan Hoerzer from Kinesiology presented "Using artificial intelligence to identify group-specific movement patterns". http://ucalgary.ca/mygradskills/three-minute-thes...

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University of Calgary Three Minute Thesis (3MT) 2014 - Stefan Hoerzer - Video

Scientists add new letters to bacteria’s genetic ‘alphabet’

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For possibly billions of years, the DNA blueprints for life on Earth have been written with just four genetic "letters" -- A, T, G and C. On Wednesday, scientists announced that that they added two more.

In a paper published in the journal Nature, bio-engineers at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla said they had successfully inserted two synthetic molecules into the genome of an Escherichia coli bacterium, which survived and passed on the new genetic material.

In addition to the naturally occurring nucleotides adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine, which form the rungs of DNA's double-helix structure, the bacterium carried two more base-pair partners, which study authors have dubbed d5SICS and dNaM.

For more than a decade, scientists have been experimenting with so-called unnatural base pairs, or UBPs, saying they may hold the key to new antibiotics, future cancer drugs, improved vaccines, nanomaterials and other innovations.

Until now, however, those experiments have all been conducted in test tubes.

"These unnatural base pairs have worked beautifully in vitro, but the big challenge has been to get them working in the much more complex environment of a living cell," lead study author Denis Malyshev, a molecular and chemical biologist at Scripps, said in a prepared statement.

The new genetic material did not appear to be toxic to the bacteria, and it only remains in the organism's genome under specific lab conditions. In a natural environment, the molecules -- nucleoside triphosphates -- degrade and disappear in a day or two. Once they disappear, the bacterium reverts back to its natural base pair arrangement.

Still, experts said insertion of the synthetic materials into E. coli's genome was a milestone.

"This definitely is a significant achievement," said Ross Thyer, a synthetic biologist at the University of Texas at Austin, who was not involved in the research. "What I'm most excited about is how this will help us answer some bigger evolutionary questions: Why has life settled on a specific set of bases."

Malyshev and colleagues went about creating the semi-synthetic bacterium by genetically engineering a stretch of ring-like DNA known as a plasmid.

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Scientists add new letters to bacteria's genetic 'alphabet'

Scientists Add New Letters to Lifes Genetic Alphabet

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Scientists have created the first organism with synthetic DNA that can replicate in a cell, an achievement that promises to add new letters to the genetic code underlying life on earth.

In the natural world, just two chemical base pairs, known simply as A-T and C-G, constitute the building blocks of DNA in all life forms. Research published yesterday in the journal Nature describes the creation of a cell that contains a man-made base pair, dubbed d5SICS-dNAM.

By expanding the natural boundaries of what constitutes life, scientists hope they can one day create new proteins that can handle a variety of chores in the body, potentially leading to unique ways to attack disease. The approach is safe, the researchers said, because it includes a chemical additive that the cell needs to survive.

We created an organism that lives and stably harbors genetic information in its DNA, said Floyd Romesberg, a chemist at La Jolla, California-based Scripps Research Institute, whose laboratory created the new organism. Instead of two base pairs, it has a third.

All life on earth is based on the combination of four chemicals. Adenine bonds naturally with thymine to create the A-T section of the formula, while guanine and cytosine make up the C-G part. The joining of these base pairs in different combinations creates amino acids and proteins that power life.

Romesbergs work differs from other research in the field of genetic engineering in that it involves creation of components that are purely synthetic and integrated into the machinery of life in a cell, he said in a telephone interview.

Other scientists in the field, notably J. Craig Venter, work by constructing genetic material from natural building blocks, or natural components of DNA and proteins.

Starting in 2009, Romesberg and his laboratory created about 300 nucleotides with the newly constituted DNA before landing on ones they believed might be able to replicate in a cell. They then used a special chemical transporter to get the synthetic base pair into an E.coli cell, where it replicated without affecting cell growth. That suggests it wasnt recognized as atypical by the bodys natural DNA repair machinery, according to the paper.

Synthorx Inc., a San Diego-based biotechnology company, has exclusive rights to the synthetic biology from Scripps. The company plans to focus on developing the technology for use in vaccines, medicines and diagnostics, the company said yesterday in a statement.

The research, though promising for fields of medicine and drug development, will probably raise ethical and safety concerns, said Arthur Caplan, head of the division of bioethics at NYU Langone Medical School. He called the research promising.

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Scientists Add New Letters to Lifes Genetic Alphabet

Vermont governor to sign GMO labeling bill

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Vermont Governor Pat Shumlin intends to sign legislation requiring the labeling of foods that contain ingredients that are genetically modified (GMOs) or produced with genetic engineering. The governors office announced via Twitter that the signing will take place Thursday, May 8. Once the bill is signed, Vermont will become the first state to require mandatory GMO labeling.

The Vermont House approved the bill as amended by the Senate by a vote of 114-30 on April 24. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2016.

It is estimated that 80% of all food sold in the United States is at least partially produced from genetic engineering. The bill would require labeling on all such food sold at retail in Vermont, regardless of whether the food was manufactured in the state. Vermont lawmakers included a $1.5 million legal defense fund in the bill because they expect the law to face legal challenges after the signing.

While the bill exempts processing aids and milk from cows that have been fed GMO feed, many dairy products and other foods that incorporate milk would be affected unless they were made with organic ingredients.

New York GMO bill advances

The New York General Assemblys Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection advanced a bill on Tuesday that would require the labeling of GMOs. The committee voted 9-6 to approve AB 3525 and now will send the bill to the Committee on Codes. The bill is similar to Vermonts legislation as it would take effect without needing the surrounding states to pass labeling bills.

The New York legislation contains the same exemptions for processing aids and milk from cows that have been fed GMO feed or treated with GMO material. The bill must be approved by both the Assembly and the state Senate before the June 19 recess date and signed by the governor before it can become law.

The Food and Drug Administration, American Medical Association, World Health Organization, USDA and the National Academy of Sciences all have said that GMO ingredients are safe and there are no negative health effects associated with their use.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and many other trade organizations oppose individual state legislation on GMO labeling and fully supportThe Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2014introduced last month by Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC). This bill would preempt states from requiring mandatory labeling and establish a federal standard for voluntary labeling of food and beverage products made with GMOs.

IDFA is working with the Safe and Affordable Food Coalition, headed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, on issues related to GMO labeling.

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Vermont governor to sign GMO labeling bill

Behavioral Sciences – Chaminade University of Honolulu

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The Behavioral Sciences Program is a multidisciplinary major combining the perspectives of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology to look at human group behavior.

There are two tracks in the major:

We live in a complex multicultural world, so even if you are committed to another major you should still consider Behavioral Sciences for a minor, especially if you may be working in the Pacific-Asian region.

Catalog Description

Chaminade provides a living model of cross-cultural interaction. Students have numerous opportunities to participate in collaborative learning environments with students of different backgrounds. This university is a rich learning environment for this field of study.

As with all Chaminade degree programs, our faculty works closely with students, in a low student-to-faculty ratio. Teachers get to know each student as an individual, and can mentor and help students with their academic progress.

Students can participate in service learning projects, providing opportunities to learn about different cultures and groups, as well as gain life skills, work skills and people skills. The Shine Program is one such service-learning program, in which faculty and students tutor elder immigrants in order to learn the English and civic skills necessary for becoming citizens.

Faculty are involved in research projects such as the Shaanxi Province (China) Historic Preservation Project. For research opportunities, please consult with your faculty advisor.

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Behavioral Sciences - Chaminade University of Honolulu

NSA funds 'science of cybersecurity' research

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Cybersecurity

The National Security Agency is funding the creation of small laboratories -- "lablets" in NSA vernacular -- that will support research into the science of cybersecurity at four major universities.

For the past three years, NSA has been partnering with academia with the intent of creating a research community dedicated to the science of security and quantifying behaviors and characteristics of cyberattacks and threats.

According to the statement, lablet research will focus on five particularly difficult cybersecurity problem areas: scalability and composability, policy-governed secure collaboration, security metrics, resilient architectures, and understanding and accounting for human behavior.

NSA assigned three science-of-security grants to universities in 2012 to fund research through June 2014, NSA officials told FCW in an email message. The most recent funding is through contract awards to the University of Maryland, North Carolina State University, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Illinois to conduct research for one year with optional additional years.

Each of the universities received $1 million to $2.5 million for the first year, for a total of approximately $8.2 million, according to NSA. After the first year, the government has the right to exercise two one-year option periods to continue research at a particular lablet.

According to NSA's email message, all science-of-security research is unclassified, and results for each of the lablets will be published via the Science of Security Virtual Organization.

In an April 22 statement, NSA officials said they had approached almost 300 university departments with an opportunity to fund development of the lablets in partnership with private industry.

NC State is a hotbed for cybersecurity research and education. It is also the site of NSA's Laboratory for Analytic Sciences, and it introduced the first master's of science in analytics for big-data analysis.

NC State was one of the three universities that received a $2.5 million lablet grant in 2012. That lablet, housed in the university's Institute for Next Generation IT Systems, drew on computing research and analytics to adapt ideas ranging from fault-tolerant computing to the context of security, said Laurie Williams, a computer science professor at NC State and a co-principal investigator at the university's lablet.

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NSA funds 'science of cybersecurity' research

National coordination needed to advance convergent research

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

7-May-2014

Contact: Sara Frueh news@nas.edu 202-334-2138 National Academy of Sciences

WASHINGTON -- Convergent research which crosses disciplinary boundaries, integrating tools and knowledge from the life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and other fields -- could spur innovation and help tackle societal challenges, but greater national coordination is needed, says a new report from the National Research Council. Convergent science still faces hurdles and requires a culture shift for research institutions, which have traditionally organized research around separate disciplines.

Convergent science also relies on forming a web of partnerships to support boundary-crossing research and to translate advances into new products. The report identifies steps institutions and the nation can take to support these partnerships.

"Some of our most difficult real-world problems do not respect disciplinary boundaries, and convergent science, which brings together insights and approaches from many fields, can help us find solutions," said committee chair Joseph DeSimone, Chancellor's Eminent Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at NC State. "It is time for a systematic effort to highlight the value of convergence as an approach to R&D, and to address lingering challenges to its effective practice."

The report identifies areas where convergent approaches could accelerate innovation and help meet broad challenges, including creating new fuels and energy storage systems, meeting the world's need for secure food supplies in a changing climate, and developing new treatments for chronic illnesses.

Convergent research is already contributing to breakthroughs, the report notes. For example, convergence between the engineering and biotechnology worlds is bringing 3-D printing -- which enables custom objects to be built on demand within hours to medicine, allowing the construction of medical implants customized to individual patients. Researchers are now working to develop 3-D printers that use living cells to construct human tissues and organs for transplants. Doing so will require integrating knowledge from life sciences on how to sustain cells through the printing process, from materials science on scaffolding to support the cells, and from engineering to design and construct the printing devices. Bringing these advances to doctors and patients will require partnerships with industrial, clinical, and regulatory colleagues.

But barriers to convergent science remain, and institutions often have little guidance on how to establish effective programs. The report identifies strategies used by institutions to support convergence efforts, such as creating research institutes or programs around a common theme, problem, or scientific challenge; hiring faculty in transdisciplinary clusters; and embedding support for convergence in the promotion and tenure process. Convergence efforts can also be informed by economic, social, and behavioral science and humanities research on establishing interdisciplinary cultures, supporting team-based science, and revising STEM education and training.

To accelerate convergence, experts, funding agencies, foundations, and other partners should identify key problems whose solution requires convergence approaches, the report recommends. Research institutions, funding agencies, foundations, and other partners should address barriers to convergence as they arise, and they should expand mechanisms for funding convergence efforts. Seed funding to catalyze collaborations should be implemented or expanded. Leaders and practitioners who have fostered a convergence culture in their organizations and laboratories should develop partnerships with other institutions, helping to nurture their convergence efforts.

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National coordination needed to advance convergent research

St. Joes students shine at regional science fair

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St. Joes student Camilla David stands with her awards from the regional science fair. (Submitted photo)

The College of Science, Engineering and Technology, and Minnesota State University, Mankato Campus hosted the 63rd Regional Elementary Science Fair on Saturday, April 26. Over 900 project exhibits (grades 3-6) were housed in Myers Field House at MSU with 104 schools participating.

This year, there were many exciting changes with Dr. Shannon Fischer as the new director and Beth Rorvig, the science fair secretary/coordinator.

Exhibits were entered in the categories of: animal science, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, earth and planetary sciences, energy and transportation, engineering, environmental science, family consumer science, health science and human performance, microbiology, physical science, and plant sciences.

Ribbons were awarded in four tiers. The top tier was a purple ribbon. The next tiers were blue, red, and green. New this year was a Young Scientist Achievement Award, which was the top student for each grade level.

Four students from St. Joseph Catholic School in Waconia competed at the regional fair.

Camilla David won the 5th grade top honors at the fair and was awarded the Young Scientists Achievement Award. She won a purple ribbon for her project titled, An Apple a Day May NOT Keep the Doctor Away! She received an engraved trophy and a $100 gift card. Fischer commented that the 5th grade had the largest number of competitors so he wanted to acknowledge what an accomplishment that was for David, who is the daughter of Rachelle and Paul David of Waconia.

St. Joes students placed as follows:

Jakob Lenzmeier won a blue ribbon with a project titled, Catapults: Terror of the Medieval Ages. Lenzmeier also received a medal, certificate, and shirt as part of a special award from the United States Army.

Grant Good won a blue ribbon with a project titled, What brand of popcorn pops the best?

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St. Joes students shine at regional science fair

AntiAgingAge.com – American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine …

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Photoaging is the process of aging of the skin due primarily to regular and long-term exposure to ultra-violet radiation. The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have been implicated in modulating inflammatory processes associated with the skin, and supplementation with 3 g EPA+DHA for 6 months has been shown to reduce both UVB-erythemal sensitivity (i.e. sun induced skin reddening) [1], sunburn and sun induced itchy rash.[2] A recently published study in Journal of Dermatological Science [3] investigated the associations between daily omega-3 fat intake and the severity of skin photoaging...

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Exercise protects against heart disease in many ways. One important mechanism is by elevating HDL, a.k.a. the good cholesterol. It is well established that high levels of HDL-C are protective against cardiovascular disease and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has emphasized increasing HDL levels to help reduce CHD risk. However, not only HDL levels are important, but also HDL quality and function...

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Making positive lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet and exercising regularly, may prevent aging and possibly even reverse the aging process...

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AntiAgingAge.com - American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine ...

DietSixty Makes Consumers Smarter While Simplifying Weight Loss One Small Packet at a Time

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New York City, NY (PRWEB) May 08, 2014

While science and technology continue to marry changes in food and nutrition a new weight loss program out of New York City redefines what it means to be smart, stress free and on a diet. Shown to increase focus and brain health, DietSixty, launched by NYC Anti-Aging Clinic, multitasks as it demystifies weight loss while boosting brain power. Designed by a doctor, DietSixty uses American ginseng, the popular Garcinia Cambogia, green tea extract, various vitamins and minerals and the potent L-Carnitine to promote wellness in mind and body. Made with top quality, professional grade, clinically studied ingredients, the product is made exclusively in an FDA approved facility located in the United States. A low maintenance approach to weight loss, DietSixty is simply this - sixty packets, six supplements in each, for sixty days. Leaves even the foggiest of brains to ask, What could be simpler?

Dietsixty's Daily Weight Loss Support normally retails for $299, but for a limited time we are offing a 50% discount at our listing on Amazon.com. Click here for the 50% off offer.

Designed by Dr. Andrew S. Tepper, PhD, CNS, CDN the DietSixty nutritional program for weight loss is custom made to increase the fat burning process to optimal levels naturally. While helping to get glucose and insulin under control the supplements reduce food cravings and modulate Cortisol levels so stress eating is diminished. Additionally, the DietSixty weight loss supplements lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides and promote heart and liver health. By improving mental focus and energy the product enhances both short and long term memory while decreasing anxiety and chronic fatigue. DietSixty also increases lean muscles and supports Thyroid function as well.

Roman Veksler, president of NYC Anti-Aging Clinic said of the revolutionary weight loss supplement system, DietSixty is a game changer. Just by taking six supplements in one packet a day consumers can remedy low energy, obesity and immune deficiency conditions. Doing all we can to support our clients we offer a 60-day video exercise plan on our website as well.

About Diet Sixty:

DietSixty is a sixty-day natural weight loss program designed by Dr. Andrew S. Tepper, PhD, CNS, CDN. The product helps consumers lose weight, raise energy levels, increase metabolism and optimize brain health. Dr. Tepper is a Doctor of Nutrition & Health Science, a Certified Nutrition Specialist, and a Certified Dietitian Nutritionist educated at SUNY, New York University, and Sante Fe College of Natural Medicine.

For more information visit http://www.dietsixty.com. For information about Diet Sixtys parent company NYC Anti-Aging Clinic click on http://www.nycantiagingclinic.com.

Contact:

Roman Veksler President 888-725-6262 Info(at)NYCAntiAgingClinic(dot)com

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DietSixty Makes Consumers Smarter While Simplifying Weight Loss One Small Packet at a Time

Hey Moms: Give Yourself the Gift of Looking Younger

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Dr. Flor A. Mayoral, Miamis (Coral Gables) most respected dermatologist and skin consultant, has been providing clients with a comprehensive variety of dermatology services for over 20 years. She is known for her exceptional skills in treating and correcting skin conditions that include everything from rosacea and acne to precancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis or atypical moles. Engaging and knowledgeable, Dr. Mayoral is also known worldwide for her research and lectures regarding the latest in radio frequency devices designed to improve and restore skin that has been severely damaged by sun exposure or unsightly skin lesions. Dr. Mayoral originally began her academic career as a music theory major interested in playing the piano. However, her attraction to scientific subjects quickly overwhelmed her desire to study music. After taking a few classes in biology, Dr. Mayoral realized her fascination with science, specifically human biology, which took precedence over her attraction to music. Soon thereafter, Dr. Mayoral obtained her Bachelor's degree in Pharmacology at the University of Florida and later her Doctorate of Medicine. She interned at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida and completed her residency at the University of Miami, earning exceptional marks and the admiration of her colleagues.

Dr. Janelle Vega Mayoral is a board certified dermatologist and received her undergraduate degree from Haverford College in 2002, followed by an M.D. degree in Gainesville, FL from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 2006. She completed a post-doctoral training in Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, a Harvard medical school affiliate. She also did a year of clinical research at the University of Puerto Rico where she also fulfilled her first year of dermatology training. She concluded her dermatologic training at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she received an award for Excellence in Dermatologic Surgery. She is the author of several medical articles, and book chapters. She is originally from Miami, FL and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Her interests include medical dermatology, dermatologic surgery, as well as multiple cosmetic procedures including laser surgery, Botox and fillers.

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Hey Moms: Give Yourself the Gift of Looking Younger

Private Mars One Colony Project: 705 Astronaut Candidates Pass Latest Cut

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Several hundred would-be Mars colonists have just had their hopes and dreams dashed.

The Netherlands-based nonprofit Mars One, which aims to establish a Red Planet settlement beginning in 2025, announced Monday (May 5) that it had sliced its pool of potential colonists from 1,058 down to 705. The remaining astronaut candidates now advance to an interview round with Mars One's selection committee.

"Were incredibly excited to start the next phase of Round 2, where we begin to better understand our candidates who aspire to take such a daring trip," Mars One chief medical officer Norbert Kraft said in a statement. "They will have to show their knowledge, intelligence, adaptability and personality." [Images of Mars One's Red Planet Colony Project]

The Dutch nonprofit Mars One aims to land four colonists on the Red Planet in 2023. Do you want to be one of them?

The 353 people who didn't make it were eliminated for personal or medical reasons, Mars One representatives said. The 418 men and 287 women who survived this latest cut come from all over the world, with 313 hailing from the Americas, 187 from Europe, 136 from Asia, 41 from Africa and 28 from Oceania.

Mars One plans to launch its first crew of four Mars colonists in 2024, with touchdown on the Red Planet coming in 2025. Additional crews will blast off in two-year increments thereafter, gradually building up the off-world settlement. At the moment, there are no plans to bring these pioneers back to Earth.

The organization will mount several unmanned Mars missions in the next decade to demonstrate technologies and prepare for the arrival of people. For example, it aims to launch a robotic lander and orbiter in 2018, a scouting rover in 2020 and six cargo missions in 2022.

Mars One plans to pay for all this by organizing a global media event around the Mars colonization effort, from astronaut selection through the settlers' time on the Red Planet. It's already negotiating with media companies about showing Round 2 of the selection process on TV, representatives said.

"Once the television deal is finalized and the interviews begin, the stories of the 705 aspiring Martians will be shared with the world," Mars One said in a press release Monday.

More than 200,000 people applied to become Mars One astronauts. In December, the organization slashed this pool down to 1,058 candidates.

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Private Mars One Colony Project: 705 Astronaut Candidates Pass Latest Cut