NASA Completes LADEE Mission with Planned Impact on Moon’s Surface – Video

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NASA Completes LADEE Mission with Planned Impact on Moon #39;s Surface
On April 17, 2014, between 9:30 p.m and 10:22 p.m. PDT, NASA #39;s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft successfully completed a planned de-orbit, bringing an end to...

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NASA Completes LADEE Mission with Planned Impact on Moon's Surface - Video

Message From The Designers – Buzzfeed 2014 Nasa Documentary 2013 Yahoo Proof Are Aliens Real or Not – Video

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Message From The Designers - Buzzfeed 2014 Nasa Documentary 2013 Yahoo Proof Are Aliens Real or Not
Follow Us on Facebook! http://bit.ly/AlienStatusQuo Website http://AlienStatusQuo.com Watch SIRIUS Now! http://bit.ly/SIRIUS-Movie ...

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Message From The Designers - Buzzfeed 2014 Nasa Documentary 2013 Yahoo Proof Are Aliens Real or Not - Video

NASA satellites show drought may take toll on Congo rainforest

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Washington, Apr 24 : A new analysis of NASA satellite data shows Africa's Congo rainforest, the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world, has undergone a large-scale decline in greenness over the past decade.

The study, led by Liming Zhou of University at Albany, State University of New York, shows between 2000 and 2012 the decline affected an increasing amount of forest area and intensified. The research, published Wednesday in Nature, is one of the most comprehensive observational studies to explore the effects of long-term drought on the Congo rainforest using several independent satellite sensors.

"It's important to understand these changes because most climate models predict tropical forests may be under stress due to increasing severe water shortages in a warmer and drier 21st century climate," Zhou said.

Scientists use the satellite-derived "greenness" of forest regions as one indicator of a forest's health. While this study looks specifically at the impact of a persistent drought in the Congo region since 2000, researchers say that a continued drying trend might alter the composition and structure of the Congo rainforest, affecting its biodiversity and carbon storage.

Previous research used satellite-based measurements of vegetation greenness to investigate changes in the Amazon rainforest, notably the effects of severe short-term droughts in 2005 and 2010. Until now, little attention has been paid to African rainforests, where ground measurements are even sparser than in the Amazon and where droughts are less severe but last longer.

To clarify the impact of long-term drought on the Congo rainforest, Zhou and colleagues set out to see whether they could detect a trend in a satellite measure of vegetation greenness called the Enhanced Vegetation Index. This measure is developed from data produced by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on NASA's Terra satellite. The scientists focused their analysis on intact, forested regions in the Congo basin during the months of April, May and June each year - the first of the area's two peak rainy and growing seasons each year.

The study found a gradually decreasing trend in Congo rainforest greenness, sometimes referred to as "browning," suggesting a slow adjustment to the long-term drying trend. This is in contrast to the more immediate response seen in the Amazon, such as large-scale tree mortality, brought about by more episodic drought events.

The browning of the forest canopy is consistent with observed decreases in the amount of water available to plants, whether that is in the form of rainfall, water stored in the ground, water in near-surface soils, or water within the vegetation.

These changes in available water were detected in part with NASA satellites including the NASA/JAXA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, NASA's Quick Scatterometer (QuikScat), and NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, a joint mission with the German Aerospace Center.

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NASA satellites show drought may take toll on Congo rainforest

Not your parents physics building

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The University of Minnesotas new $84.5 million Physics and Nanotechnology Building offers space for hundreds of students, faculty and visiting researchers, including this study area. (Staff photo: Bill Klotz)

Vibration testing may not sound like the most fascinating task in the world, but it provided some dramatic moments during construction of the University of Minnesotas new $84.5 million Physics and Nanotechnology Building.

The recently opened 144,000-square-foot building, at 115 Union St. S.E. on the U of Ms East Bank in Minneapolis, accommodates laboratories and clean rooms where people conduct critical research thats highly sensitive to vibration.

After the concrete was poured, the project team tested the building for shakes, rattles and rolls by having trucks drive by on the adjacent street. On the inside, vibration monitoring equipment rested on the concrete to measure the effects of the noise and traffic.

We all kind of held our breath, said Steve Campbell, director of the Minnesota Nano Center in the College of Science and Engineering.

We modeled it, built it and tested it to see if it actually met the requirements at the end, added Matt Stringfellow, a U of M senior project manager who worked on the building. That was a tense moment.

Fortunately for the project team, the building met the strict requirements, though it will be tested yet again when the Green Line light rail trains start running on nearby Washington Avenue in mid-June.

We will see if theres a negative impact or not, Stringfellow said. I think, because of the design and the modeling we have done, we are not really worried about it.

The project was completed last fall after more than two years of construction, and people have been working there since January.

On Wednesday, U of M officials showed off the building to the news media in advance of a public open house.

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Not your parents physics building

Answercast #153 — Upgrading XP, Moore’s Law, NTLDR, ISO, tracking texts and more… – Video

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Answercast #153 -- Upgrading XP, Moore #39;s Law, NTLDR, ISO, tracking texts and more...
The weekly podcast from Leo Notenboom of http://askleo.com. Answercast #153 transcript (with audio player): http://answercast.askleo.com/answercast-153-upgra...

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Collier 4th grader refuses to take Math FCAT

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NAPLES, Fla.- A fourth grade student at Naples Park Elementary School refused to take the Math FCAT today, part of a growing 'opt-out' movement.

Chase Moore says, "I was just afraid I might not pass or something and I really want to do good in school." At only 10-year-old, the fourth grader is taking a stand. "I didn't want to take the FCAT test because I wanted to show that kids that don't understand the FCAT that well can opt out and they don't have to take this test," he adds.

This comes after the Moore family did some research and realized they didn't like the way the test measured students. His aunt Katie Moore says, "this test is a money making machine. Plus, this test makes winners and losers out of kids. Ya know all the smart kids get to move on where all the kids with difficulty in English or other languages, they fail. The results of this test don't even come back until after the school year is over and the teachers can't even use it as a tool to guide the students to better learning."

Moore says she felt some push back from the school when she told administrators about the straight A student's decision not to take the test. "They also used intimidation stating that he may not be accepted to the gifted program based on this test in spite of the fact his teacher has recommended him to the gifted program."

The Moores are part of the growing 'opt-out' movement, as families across the nation and here in Southwest Florida say no to high stakes testing, and the constant pressure it creates.

Florida law does not allow students to simply opt-out of the test. Schools are required by law to administer it. So when teachers give Chase a make-up test tomorrow, he will break the seal but will not answer any questions or sign the test agreement. There is no state penalty for students who do not take the test.

WINK News reached out to the Collier County School District, which said, "the parent in this instance asked the school to invalidate their child's test. The school district, under Florida law, does not have the authority to invalidate a test at a parent's request." The district says the school principal told the Moores about this requirement.

The district also referenced this Florida law: FS 1008.22(3) addresses the issue of the Statewide, Standardized Assessment Program. This provision very clearly states the following: Participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all school districts and all students attending public schools In FS 1008.22(1), the purpose behind the program is clearly articulated including the assessment programs ability to provide data relative to whether a student is ready to be promoted to the next grade level or graduate from high school. The mandate is also repeated in FS 1008.22(4) in which it is provided that each public school shall participate in the statewide standardized assessment program.. The district must follow that requirement.

Chase says, "to kids it's like oh you're lucky you get to skip the FCAT but to adults it's a different thing."

His aunt says she's very proud of him, "Chase is doing this to be an example for the kids who don't have a voice for themselves."

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Collier 4th grader refuses to take Math FCAT

NIH scientist to receive Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

23-Apr-2014

Contact: Trish Reynolds reynoldsp2@mail.nih.gov NIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

John J. O'Shea, M.D., scientific director at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), has been named the 2014 recipient of the Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine, conferred by the Feinstein Institute's peer-reviewed, open-access journal Molecular Medicine. The award will be given on June 9 at the New York Academy of Sciences in Manhattan, followed by scientific presentations by Dr. O'Shea and other prominent researchers. NIAMS is part of the National Institutes of Health.

The award, which includes a $50,000 prize from Feinstein Institute board members Robin and Jack Ross, is bestowed upon an active investigator who has produced innovative, paradigm-shifting research that is worthy of significant and broad attention in the field of molecular medicine.

"John's scientific achievements in molecular immunology have been transformative. His work exemplifies the bridge between basic research and clinical practice. We are very proud of John and congratulate him on this honor," said NIAMS Director Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. O'Shea has been a physician and immunologist at NIH for 33 years. He has made fundamental discoveries related to the signaling of cytokines, molecules that are critical for the development and functioning of the immune system. His research also has focused on the molecular cause of primary immunodeficiencies, inherited conditions in which immune function is impaired, and the genetic basis of autoinflammatory disorders, conditions in which the body attacks its own tissues. He was awarded a U.S. patent for his work on Janus family kinase inhibitors as a new class of immunosuppressive drugs. Dr. O'Shea developed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, which generated one such compound that is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr. O'Shea graduated Phi Beta Kappa from St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y., and he received an M.D. from the University of Cincinnati. After completing his residency in internal medicine at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, he received subspecialty training in allergy and immunology at NIH. He was appointed chief of the NIAMS Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch in 2002, and became scientific director of the NIAMS Intramural Research Program in 2005. Dr. O'Shea has been the recipient of numerous awards and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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The mission of the NIAMS, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health, is to support research into the causes, treatment and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. For more information about the NIAMS, call the information clearinghouse at (301) 495-4484 or (877) 22-NIAMS (free call) or visit the NIAMS website at http://www.niams.nih.gov.

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NIH scientist to receive Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine

Novel therapeutic agent for Tamiflu-resistant pH1N1 influenza virus discovered

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

24-Apr-2014

Contact: Denis Kainov denis.kainov@fimm.fi 358-504-152-35460 University of Helsinki

In 2009 the influenza pH1N1 virus caused the first flu pandemic in the 21st century. The virus reached Finland in May 2009 and killed more than 50 people in the country. Since 2011 the pH1N1 virus infects Finns mainly during flu epidemics (winter/spring seasons).

Infections with influenza pH1N1 virus vary from asymptomatic to serious complicated illnesses. World Health Organization has recommended Tamiflu for treatment of patients with severe or progressive illness. The disadvantage of this drug is that it targets viral proteins which mutate quickly and the virus develops resistance to it.

The Medical Systems Virology group at FIMM, together with collaborators has recently sequenced genomes of 135 pH1N1 influenza strains isolated from Finnish patients in 2009-2013 and found one Tamiflu-resistant strain from the 2012-2013 epidemic season. The study was published in the Genome Announcements journal and is now available online.

This finding suggests that there could be more resistant strains in upcoming seasons. Therefore, there is a need for the development of new antiviral agents against pH1N1, says Dr. Triin Lakspere.

In another study published this week the group investigated influenza pH1N1 virus-host cell interaction in detail and found that certain host function could be temporally inhibited with small molecule MK2206 to block influenza infection in cell culture.

Importantly, the virus was unable to acquire resistance to host-directed MK2206 in contrast to virus-directed Tamiflu. This small molecule is in clinical trials against cancer and has high specificity and good pharmacological properties, which could warrant its further development as antiviral drug for treatment of pH1N1 virus infection, Dr. Oxana Denisova says.

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Novel therapeutic agent for Tamiflu-resistant pH1N1 influenza virus discovered

Use Social to Stay Visible and Stay Current

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Social media platforms change a lot. New tools and social networks pop up every day. These changes can sometimes overwhelm the casual user, but consider the danger of putting all your energy into a single network or tool. Instead of waiting for a moment of crisis, begin exploring new social media channelsnow.

If you invest all your time and energy mastering only one platform, what happens when traffic plummets, it becomes accessible only through paid membership or the service is acquired and goes away altogether? This does happen. As a result, you can lose your audience, community and friends. It's wise to proactively set aside some time experimenting with new social networks and social media tools. Youll want to assess the quality of the community, audience demographics and growth and whether your friends are migrating there.

Spread it around.A word of warning:if you only put your content on LinkedIn or another free platform that someone else owns, you cant control what the future holds. Nor are you reaching your full potential audience. This is what makes the world of social media and technology so exciting. You dont want to miss the next big wave. Plus, being an early adopter means there is less competition and it is easier to be perceived as a big fish in a small pond.

Show off your communication skills.If yourrsumstates thatyou're an excellent communicator, it's time to demonstrate this skill. Start bloggingabout things that interest you. Your topic doesnt absolutely have to relate to your ideal occupation. It could be about sports, cooking or other interests you are knowledgeable about. Your blog becomes a sample of your work. To help people see how great of a writer you are, share your blog posts on your Facebook page, as a LinkedIn profile update and Google+.

Visually highlight your talent.Graphic artists and photographers know they must have an online portfolio for their work. Do you have one too? One way to begin is by capturing online references to your work, such as awards, newsletter mentions or newspaper mentions. You can even immortalize the big day when you reach a milestone on your favorite social media platform. For instance, on the day yougain more than 500 connections on LinkedIn, on the dayyour group discussion becomes most popular or at the timeyour status update receives a humongous number of shares, snap a screenshot to document the occasion.

Take screenshots of your online mentions using Evernotes Skitch, or the tool on your computer or mobile device. You can embed the shots into your LinkedIn profile, write about the mention in a blog post, share on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+plus create a video montage using Animoto or a similar online video maker. These tools turn photos, clips and music into video easily, plus they're great for sharing.

YouTube is great for hosting video, but if you're shooting video from your phone and want to upload it quickly, then Vine and Instagram are two mobile apps that help make shooting and sharing faster and easier.

Talk about it.You dont need to rent a studio to create a show. There are free and low-cost tools that enable you to record video. All you need is a Google+ account to host a Google Hangout and invite your network. This is another way for you to show your "excellent communication skills."

If you arent comfortable in front of the camera, why not record a podcast and share your knowledge and expertise that way? Check out Spreaker or BlogTalkRadio both allow you to record and easily share links to your recording. If you're trying to prove you have strong presentation skills or verbal communication skills, this is one way to do so.

Consistent, quality and constant.There are some basic guidelines you want to keep in mind when embarking on any brand building action. The first is to be consistent. Use the same name and similar avatar across social networks. Dont forget to tag images you share with your name and appropriate key words, like your occupation, where the shared content originated from or other words that people would search for if they were looking for you. Hosting the original screen capture on your own site is alsoa good idea. It ensures websitetraffic comes to you, and once people find your home base you cancontrol the information your audience learns about you and your expertise. All these steps help search engines find your name.

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Use Social to Stay Visible and Stay Current

Find Best Family Medicine Tulsa | 918-943-3600 | Family Medicine in Tulsa – Video

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Find Best Family Medicine Tulsa | 918-943-3600 | Family Medicine in Tulsa
The best family medicine practice is found by clicking http://www.wellquestmedicaltulsa.com. WellQuest Medical is the best and can help you! All you need to do is call 918-943-3600.

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