NASA conducts Einstein-esque paradox twin experiment

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Einsteins theory of relativity means that the twin will return from space younger than his brother. However, as it is impossible to study the flow of time, in this experiment, NASA will instead be testing 10 research proposals to study the twins' genetics, biochemistry, vision, cognition.

We will be taking samples and making measurements of the twins before, during, and after the one-year mission.

For the first time, we'll be able two individuals who are genetically identical.

Each proposal is fascinating and could be a feature-length story of its own.

We already know that the human immune system changes in space. It's not as strong as it is on the ground.

In one of the experiments, Mark and Scott will be given identical flu vaccines, and we will study how their immune systems react.

Other tests will examine DNA ageing, the effects of space travel on vision, and the stomachs inner bacteria.

The experiment will be conducted in March 2015.

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NASA conducts Einstein-esque paradox twin experiment

Crimean crisis: economic sanctions unpopular in micro- and nanotechnology industry

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15.04.2014 - (idw) IVAM Fachverband fr Mikrotechnik

Economic sanctions against Russia in response to the Crimean conflict are rather unpopular among representatives of the micro- and nanotechnology industry in Germany. In a short survey, the IVAM Microtechnology Network asked selected industry experts the IVAM Executive Panel for their opinion. Two thirds of respondents say that economic sanctions are not an adequate response to the Crimean crisis. Sanctions would mainly hit the industry that has not been cause of the conflict, and will not help to solve the actual conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Politically motivated conflicts should be solved by political means.

In addition, some experts say, there is a danger that an embargo might play in the hand of the Russian Federation, trigger further unpopular activities and might even allow Putin to deny his own responsibility for the economic weakness of Russia, caused by his deficient policy, and blame Western nations instead.

Just little more than half (53 %) of the interviewed experts expect that sanctions would have a significant impact on the micro- and nanotechnology industry in Germany. They disagree with some economists assessments that sanctions would mainly affect the Russian economy and have no major impact on the German industry, export, and jobs.

Due to this broad interaction of the high-tech industries of both countries, imposing sanctions now would affect the business of the German micro- and nanotechnology industry even in the long term, 40 % of the interviewed experts say.

About the IVAM Executive Panel:

The IVAM Executive Panel is the trend indicator for the micro- and nanotechnology industry. The IVAM Microtechnology Network conducts brief periodic surveys among selected opinion leaders, executives in mostly small and medium-sized enterprises, and leading scientists. In early April 2014, 15 experts from Germany and Switzerland took part in the survey on the possible consequences of the Crimean crisis. Weitere Informationen:http://www.ivam.de/research/statistics/ivam_ep_apr_14?lang=en

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Crimean crisis: economic sanctions unpopular in micro- and nanotechnology industry

Researchers hope new tests will prevent enteric disease in pork industry

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6 hours ago by Lindsey Elliott

Pork products cost about 10 percent more than they did last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and economists expect the prices to continue rising because of diarrhea viruses currently devastating the pork industry.

That's why researchers at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Kansas State University have developed new tests they hope will mitigate the spread of these viruses.

"Enteric disease in pigs has turned into a huge, huge problem and we're developing all kinds of new tests to address the old problems but also to address the new diseases that are just destroying everything," said Dick Hesse, director of diagnostic virology at the lab and professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology.

Hesse says there are at least three viruses with similar symptoms affecting pigs, two of which have entered the United States for the first timeporcine epidemic diarrhea virus and delta coronavirus. Swine specialists and molecular diagnosticians at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have developed tests to detect which virus is infecting the pigs.

"If you know what they've been exposed to and how high the immunity is, you can make adjustments on how you treat the virus," Hesse said.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has already killed an estimated 6 million pigs. The Kansas State University laboratory is one of only four in the United States with the new tests to identify these diseases. The researchers hope the tests will stop the spread of these diseases before they become endemic.

"They're management tools," Hesse said. "With enough information, you can make informed decisions and minimize the impact of the disease."

Explore further: Veterinary scientists track the origin of a deadly emerging pig virus in the United States

If some day you are tested for the H1N1 virus without the painful prick of a needle, thank a pig -- and a team of Kansas State University researchers and their collaborators who are connecting animal and human health.

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Researchers hope new tests will prevent enteric disease in pork industry

Ask LH: What's The Best ISP Option For A Saucy Webcam Babe?

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Hi Lifehacker, I work from home as a webcam model, so I need a very reliable internet connection. I cant have any delay of any sort or I lose customers. My laptop is a bit old is there anything I can do to ensure the best connection? Thanks, Model Citzen

Webcam picture from Shutterstock

Dear MC,

Note to readers: yes, this is a real letter. Note to male readers: no, you cant have her number.

The first step is to run an internet speed test in your browser. A good, user-friendly option is the self-explanatory Ookla Speed Test which performs a scan to determine your connections download and upload speeds. You can then compare the results to the average speeds quoted by your internet service provider (just keep in mind that the advertised speeds are usually over generous).

If the test results are significantly lower, there could be a problem with your hardware. Reset your modem and router, swap over cables, compare your broadband speed with other computers in the house and adopt a process of elimination to see if there are any kinks in the connection. If you identify the culprit, replace it.

You mentioned that you cam on a laptop, which suggests you may be using a wireless connection. Dont do this. Wi-Fi can degrade your bandwidth in all sorts of ways which may result in frequent dropouts this is especially noticeable when streaming video. Instead of going wireless, establish a hard-wired connection directly to your router to maximise performance. Depending on your webcam setup, this may require buying an extra-long ethernet cable but the reliability gains will be worth it.

If youre a BitTorrent user, youre upload speeds could be taking a hit due to video files being seeded by other BitTorrent users. The simplest solution is to turn BitTorrent off whenever youre using your webcam. In fact, you should close any programs that assume an internet connection: having multiple apps updating themselves in the background is obviously a bad idea.

Also check if your specific ISP plan uses internet shaping which could explain seemingly random slowdowns. If this is the case, it might be time to start shopping for a new broadband plan.

Your ideal choice would be NBN, since in this context upload speed matters. Of course, this is only feasible if the NBN is being rolled out in your neck of the woods any time soon. You can check the NBN status in your area by paying a visit to NBN Cos rollout map simply type in your address to see whether services are available or in the process of being built.

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Ask LH: What's The Best ISP Option For A Saucy Webcam Babe?

Dr Stephan Baumgartner | Research comparing homeopathy with conventional medicine – Video

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Dr Stephan Baumgartner | Research comparing homeopathy with conventional medicine
Dr Stephan Baumgartner, University of Bern, Switzerland talks about why research into homeopathy is so important. Read the French study here: http://www.ncbi...

By: homeopathyresearch

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Dr Stephan Baumgartner | Research comparing homeopathy with conventional medicine - Video

Department of Medicine College of Medicine …

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Department of Medicine Chairs Message

All internists are at heart a strange mix of both detective and engineer. We are attracted to Internal Medicine in the first place because we are detectives, we want to solve problems, and the problems we want to solve are what makes people sick, because it hurts us when someone suffers, when someone presents with a complex of symptoms that causes them pain. We cannot help ourselves, when faced with someone who is hurting we cannot help but respond, to investigate. Why is this happening? we ask ourselves, late at night, laying bed, why? Driving into work early in the morning, while it is still dark, tell me you have not done this; of course you have, you are in Internists. This drives you, it makes you crazy, the not knowing, not able to understand why. This is the heart of an Internist.

But there is another part to your heart, if you are an Internist. This is the part that, when you finally understand the reason for the suffering, you want to attack it, you want to fix it. Once you understand the reason for the problem, you and I cannot rest until it is fixed. Read More...

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Department of Medicine College of Medicine ...

Strong Medicine Honors Medical Communitys Response To Marathon Bombing

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CBS Boston (con't)

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BOSTON (CBS) When two bombs exploded on Boylston Street last year, doctors and nurses rushed into action. A new exhibit is honoring their response. Strong Medicine is a digital archive of get well cards, photographs, reflections, and other media documenting the medical communitys response to the Boston Marathon bombings.

Dr. Scott Podolsky, director of the Center for the History of Medicine at the Countway Library, is overseeing the project. Its a space for reflection, a space for healing, Dr. Podolsky said.

A large part of the archive is a collection of audio interviews of medical personnel who played a role that day. Joan Ilacqua has conducted several of these interviews. Ive had some people in interviews say they feel guilty they didnt do enough, other people say they felt worried and scared and shut that completely off so they could do their job, Ilacqua said.

In his interview, Dr. Alasdair Conn, who was head of the Mass General Emergency Room, said he had never experienced anything like that before. I had never seen that many severely injured patients all at once, Dr. Alasdair Conn said.

Adrienne Wald, the director of nursing at UMass Boston, was overseeing 30 nursing students in the medical tent. I told them what a terrific time they were going to have, Wald said. That theres nothing like being at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Little did I know.

And Erin McDonough, the chief of communications at the Brigham, didnt see that her son had texted her four times, worried she was in danger. McDonough says, The fourth one was mom, please. Please, please just come home. Please Im scared.

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Strong Medicine Honors Medical Communitys Response To Marathon Bombing

New medical school planned in California

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COLTON -- A new private nonprofit medical school is planned that would give preference to area Hispanic students that would likely practice in the Inland Empire, officials said Monday.

The founding group for the California University of Science and Medicine (Cal-Med), to be based in Colton, is led by Dr. Dev GnanaDev, a longtime surgeon and former California Medical Association president.

GnanaDev is chief of surgery at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and was until recently its medical director.

As head of the CMA, GnanaDev made frequent trips to Washington during the formative period of the Affordable Care Act.

Although the Inland Empire has three medical schools, the region faced a shortage of 3,000 physicians before national healthcare reform became fully implemented this year.

Dr. G. Richard Olds, dean of the School of Medicine at UC Riverside, said the two-county region's doctor shortage will grow to 5,000 in 2021.

The medical school is being financed primarily though a $40 million donation from Prime Healthcare Foundation, which is founded by Dr. Prem Reddy, a cardiologist who is founder, chairman and president of Prime Healthcare Services, which operates 25 hospitals in six states.

In an interview, Reddy said he would make more funding available if it is needed for the launch.

The first class is expected to be 50 students in the fall of 2016, which would grow to 150 in a few years.

GnanaDev said that Cal Med would contain a research element and additional allied healthcare components such as schools for nursing, physician assistants and physical therapy.

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New medical school planned in California

Reddy commits $40 million to open nonprofit medical school

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COLTON A local group of doctors and community officials announced plans Monday to develop a privately-funded, nonprofit medical school in Colton.

Administrators of the future California University of Science and Medicine (Cal Med), College of Medicine, said in news conference that they intend to open to a class of 50 students by 2016. They are currently seeking accreditation from the Licensing Committee on Medical Education.

This is an exciting and much-needed opportunity for medical students in the Inland Empire and California, said Dr. Dev GnanaDev, Cal Meds founder, president and chief executive officer. Because of many factors, including the extremely limited medical school spots in our state and severe shortage of doctors, we believe this project will have a significant positive impact on the economy, education and health for many decades.

The university and the medical school are being financed primarily through a $40 million donation from Prime Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit, public charity founded by Dr. Prem Reddy, a longtime Victor Valley resident, cardiologist and philanthropist. Reddy said Monday that hes been committed since the 1980s to giving 50 percent of his income to his family charity, which is now valued in the hundreds of millions.

The commonly asked question is why are you doing this and what makes you do it? Reddy said.

He described his upbringing in a rural village in India where he attended and graduated from a high school that had no electricity.

Having grown up in a village and being the first person in entire generations of my family to ever have gone to a school, forget about elementary school, Reddy said, to have that kind of a background. ... I was fortunate enough to build a hospital from the ground up in Victorville, Desert Valley (Hospital).

Reddy will serve as the chairman of the board for Cal Med and is also the founder, chairman, president and CEO of Prime Healthcare Services. Through their subsidiaries, Prime Healthcare Services and the foundation own and operate 25 hospitals in six states across the country, including Desert Valley Hospital in Victorville and six nonprofit hospitals.

Hes always talked about opening a medical school, since we were little, said Sunitha Reddy, daughter of Prem Reddy, so I think now is the right time.

Prem Reddy said its a challenge to retain physicians in the High Desert and throughout the Inland Empire. Officials hope to mitigate that issue by establishing medical residency programs at Desert Valley Hospital, St. Bernardine Medical Center and Redlands Community Hospital.

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Reddy commits $40 million to open nonprofit medical school