NASA-Sponsored ‘Disk Detective’ Lets Public Search for New Planetary Nurseries

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NASA is inviting the public to help astronomers discover embryonic planetary systems hidden among data from the agency's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission through a new website, DiskDetective.org.

Disk Detective is NASA's largest crowdsourcing project whose primary goal is to produce publishable scientific results. It exemplifies a new commitment to crowdsourcing and open data by the United States government.

"Through Disk Detective, volunteers will help the astronomical community discover new planetary nurseries that will become future targets for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope," said James Garvin, the chief scientist for NASA Goddard's Sciences and Exploration Directorate.

WISE was designed to survey the entire sky at infrared wavelengths. From a perch in Earth orbit, the spacecraft completed two scans of the entire sky between 2010 and 2011. It took detailed measurements on more than 745 million objects, representing the most comprehensive survey of the sky at mid-infrared wavelengths currently available.

Astronomers have used computers to search this haystack of data for planet-forming environments and narrowed the field to about a half-million sources that shine brightly in the infrared, indicating they may be "needles": dust-rich disks that are absorbing their star's light and reradiating it as heat.

"Planets form and grow within disks of gas, dust and icy grains that surround young stars, but many details about the process still elude us," said Marc Kuchner, an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "We need more examples of planet-forming habitats to better understand how planets grow and mature."

But galaxies, interstellar dust clouds, and asteroids also glow in the infrared, which stymies automated efforts to identify planetary habitats. There may be thousands of nascent solar systems in the WISE data, but the only way to know for sure is to inspect each source by eye, which poses a monumental challenge.

Public participation in scientific research is a type of crowdsourcing known as citizen science. It allows the public to make critical contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by collecting, analyzing and sharing a wide range of data. NASA uses citizen science to engage the public in problem-solving.

Kuchner recognized the spotting of planetary nurseries as a perfect opportunity for crowdsourcing. He arranged for NASA to team up with the Zooniverse, a collaboration of scientists, software developers and educators who collectively develop and manage citizen science projects on the Internet. The result of their combined effort is Disk Detective.

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NASA-Sponsored 'Disk Detective' Lets Public Search for New Planetary Nurseries

Nanotechnology – www.Nanotechnology.com

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Nanotechnology, or nanotech, is the study and design of machines on the molecular and atomic level. To be considered nanotechnology, these structures must be anywhere from 1 to 100 nanometers in size. A nanometer is equivalent to one-billionth of a regular meter, which means that these structures are extremely small.

Researcher K. Eric Drexler was the first person to popularize this technology in the early 1980s. Drexler was interested in building fully functioning robots, computers, and motors that were smaller than a cell. He spent much of the 80s defending his ideas against critics that thought this technology would never be possible.

Today, the word nanotechnology means something a bit different. Instead of building microscopic motors and computers, researchers are interested in building superior machines atom by atom. Nanotech means that each atom of a machine is a functioning structure on its own, but when combined with other structures, these atoms work together to fulfill a larger purpose.

The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative has large plans for nanotech. Mihail Roco, who is involved in this organization, explains the groups future plans by dividing their goals into four generations.

The first generation of nanotech is defined by passive structures that are created to carry out one specific task. Researchers are currently in this generation of the technology.The second generation will be defined by structures that can multitask. Researchers are currently entering this generation and hoping to further their abilities in the near future. The third generation will introduce systems composed of thousands of nanostructurers. The last generation will be defined by nanosystems designed on the molecular level. These systems will work like living human or animal cells.

As nanotech continues to develop, consumers will see it being used for several different purposes. This technology may be used in energy production, medicine, and electronics, as well as other commercial uses. Many believe that this technology will also be used militarily. Nanotechnology will make it possible to build more advanced weapons and surveillance devices. While these uses are not yet possible, many researchers believe that it is only a matter of time.

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Adept Armor Announces the Launch of Two New Products: Adept Armor (TM) Fabric Guard and Glass Guard

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Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 31, 2014

Adept Armor, a company that produces safe and effective solutions that help make products waterproof, has just announced the launch of two new products: Adept Armor (TM) Fabric Guard and Adept Armor (TM) Glass Guard.

From the day Adept Armor opened for business, they have strived to engineer some of the most amazing and innovative products that can help protect a variety of items. Over time, the company has earned a well-deserved reputation for creating solutions that do just that.

For example, for people who love to buy shoes, bags, hats, dresses, shirts and other clothes, Adept Armor Fabric Guard is an incredible product that is designed to keep fabrics stain-free and waterproof. Although a competitor of Adept Armor created a solution that can help give fabrics an anti-stick quality, it is for industrial use only and tends to cover material with an unattractive milky white coating. Thanks to the products SiO2 nanotechnology, the surface of fabrics that are treated with Fabric Guard will become anti-stick as well as hydrophobic, which means that it will repel both stains and water.

The Fabric Guard has TiO2 molecules for self-cleaning capabilities, preventing mildew and bacteria from growing, an article on the companys website noted, adding that it will also safeguard textile fabrics, keeping them intact against nearly every form of moisture damage.

The TiO2 nano-molecules also prevent UV damage to fabrics, which in turn, keeps the color vibrant as the day you bought it.

The new Adept Armor (TM) Glass Guard also features the same nanotechnology that is found in the Fabric Guard; once it is applied to glass, nothing will stick to the surface. From windshields that get fogged up easily to windows or glass display cases that are covered with fingerprints, Glass Guard will help to keep them oil, dirt and residue-free.

Another product that has been getting a lot of attention lately is the Adept Armor (TM) Circuit Guard; the 4-ounce spray bottle uses the same nanotechnology to help repel water and oil from electronic devices like phones, tablets and iPods.

Anybody who would like to learn more about Adept Armor and its newest products is welcome to visit the companys user-friendly website at any time; there, they can read about Fabric Guard, Glass Guard and more, and how these revolutionary products will help fabric and glass last longer while keeping them looking like new.

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Adept Armor Announces the Launch of Two New Products: Adept Armor (TM) Fabric Guard and Glass Guard

Popular small cars Alto, i10, Nano fail crash test: Global NCAP

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NEW DELHI: Some of the most popular small cars sold in India, including Maruti Alto 800, Tata Nano, Ford Figo, Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Polo, have failed crash tests showing high risk of life-threatening injuries in road accidents, according to Global NCAP.

As per the tests done by Global NCAP, an independent charity based in UK focused on consumer orientated vehicle safety initiatives, these cars received zero for adult protection ratings in a frontal impact at 64km/hr.

The combined sales of these five cars account for around 20 per cent of all the new cars sold in India last year, Global NCAP said.

As per Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, total car sales in India stood at 18,07,011 units in 2013.

Global NCAP Chairman Max Mosley said: "Poor structural integrity and the absence of airbags are putting the lives of Indian consumers at risk. They have a right to know how safe their vehicles are and to expect the same basic levels of safety as standard as customers in other part of the world."

India is now a major global market and production centre for small cars, so it's worrying to see levels of safety that are 20 years behind the five-star standards now common in Europe and North America, he added.

When contacted, spokespersons of the companies named said their products met Indian safety norms.

According to the findings, in Maruti Alto 800, Tata Nano and Hyundai i10, the vehicle structures proved inadequate and collapsed to varying degrees, resulting in high risks of life-threatening injuries to the occupants.

"The extent of the structural weaknesses in these models were such that fitting airbags would not be effective in reducing the risk of serious injury," it said.

Ford Figo and Volkswagen Polo had structures that remained stable - and, therefore, with airbags fitted, protection for the driver and front passenger would be much improved, it added.

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Popular small cars Alto, i10, Nano fail crash test: Global NCAP

Sotomayor Presides Over Moot Court Raising Privacy Questions

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Washington, DC - infoZine - Scripps Howard Foundation Wire - The question of whether the charge of conspiracy to traffic illegal firearms was based on an illegal search that violated the Fourth Amendment rights of Alden and his co-defendant Betty Eddy was argued Thursday by George Washington University Law School students during the annual Van Vleck Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition.

Hundreds of spectators filled Lisner Auditorium to watch four finalists go toe-to-toe in oral arguments before Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Chief Judge Robert Katzmann of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York and District Judge Lee Rosenthal of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston.

After the competition, Sotomayor praised the students and expressed her delight at being part of the event.

Alden and Eddy are made-up people, as was their court case. But it echoed cases that have made it to the Supreme Court and others that are on their way.

Although the moot court was a fairly precise simulation of a court proceeding, fast paced with unforgiving lines of questioning, there were moments that threatened the illusion.

The final two teams from an original 52 were afforded an opportunity real-world attorneys would never expect - the justices promised not to be mean.

Amanda Nagrotsky, 24, from D.C., a third-year law student and part-time law clerk, argued for Alden and Eddy. Trying to ease her nerves, she recalled the encounter the four competitors had with Sotomayor, Katzmann and Rosenthal shortly before the competition.

The seven stood together in a circle for about 15 minutes sharing stories about their lives. The judges urged the teams to enjoy the experience.

Its really intimidating, so for them to be so nice and friendly it was just a reminder that theyre people, they have emotions, theyre not robots, so everything is going to be fine, Nagrotsky said.

Kyle Singhal, 28, from D.C., a third-year law student and LSAT tutor, argued for the governments right to collect the aerial photographs and location data without a warrant.

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Sotomayor Presides Over Moot Court Raising Privacy Questions

Group: Adult jail no place for juveniles

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It was a cold January day in 2012 at house along Moores Mill Road in Bel Air. Then 16-year-old Robert Richardson decided he had enough.

While his father watched TV, lying with his back toward the teen, Richardson fired a shotgun into the back of his lone parent's head, killing him almost instantly.

Eileen Siple never thought she would ever find herself defending an admitted killer.

"He told me that sometimes, there is no other choice," she said. "You can take that however you want to take that. I know how I took that. I took that as he had no other way to be safe."

After all, Siple never knew the boy. Neither did a group of other Harford County mothers who would rally around Richardson almost immediately after his arrest.

For two years, every Saturday, Siple would visit the young man at the Harford County Detention Center learning a story of consistent physical and verbal abuse by his father.

Richardson was a battered child, his defense argued, and the murder he committed was self-defense.

Siple led the charge to tell his story and figuratively adopt the child.

There are pictures on her wall as if he is her own, a bedroom he is welcome to call his own when he gets out, and a wardrobe ready for what would have been his trial next month.

Something horrible happened in January 2012, and I'm not making excuses for him and I'm not saying this is OK. But, he needed help before then, and he needed help after then. And, he spent the last two years not getting help," Siple said.

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Protein serves as a natural boost for immune system fight against tumors

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

30-Jan-2014

Contact: Karen Kreeger karen.kreeger@uphs.upenn.edu 215-349-5658 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

PHILADELPHIA Substances called adjuvants that enhance the body's immune response are critical to getting the most out of vaccines. These boosters stimulate the regular production of antibodies -- caused by foreign substances in the body -- toxins, bacteria, foreign blood cells, and the cells of transplanted organs.

But, biologists think that vaccine adjuvants could be much better: The currently available licensed adjuvants are poor inducers of T helper cells and even worse at inciting killer T cells that clear viruses, as well as eradicate cancer cells.

The lab of David Weiner, PhD, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, identifies new adjuvants that can produce the desired T-cell response. "Different molecular adjuvants, such as cytokines, are being studied as a way to increase the efficacy of vaccines," explains Weiner. "The development of DNA-based vaccines with cytokine adjuvants has emerged as particularly promising for inducing antiviral and anti-tumor, cell-mediated immune responses."

Daniel Villarreal, a graduate student in the Weiner lab, and colleagues report in Cancer Research this week that the protein IL-33 boosts the immune system of a human papilloma virus animal model of cancer. IL-33 is a cytokine, a small protein that signals immune cells such as T cells to travel to a site of infection or injury.

Although still experimental, DNA vaccines are a conceptual leap forward over standard vaccines, as they are not live and never expose the person being vaccinated to a true pathogen or infectious agent. They are transient and do their job by fooling the host's immune system into believing there is an infectious agent invading their cells so that the host responds by producing protective levels of T cells, in particular CD8 killer T cells. DNA vaccines have been studied in animal models of viral, bacterial, and parasitic disease, as well as animal models of tumors. Due to major advances in their immune potency DNA vaccines are being studied in human clinical trials for treating cancer and infectious diseases.

The team showed that IL-33 can further enhance the response of memory T cells, the long-lived cells that can patrol and protect the body from infections and cancers, when given with a DNA vaccine compared to a vaccine without IL-33. What's more, IL-33 and the DNA vaccine augmented immunological responses in both CD4 helper T cells and CD8 killer T cells, with a large proportion of CD8 killer T cells demonstrating a further improvement in the ability of DNA vaccines to drive the immune system to kill tumor cells in animals.

"Our results support the further study and possible development of IL-33 as adjuvants in vaccinations against pathogens, including in the context of antitumor immunotherapy," says Weiner. Additional cancer and infectious diseases studies in diverse animal models are in progress.

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Protein serves as a natural boost for immune system fight against tumors

Mirror-image nucleic acids as molecular scissors in biotechnology and molecular medicine

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The biochemist Professor Volker A. Erdmann at Freie Universitt Berlin succeeded for the first time in creating mirror-image enzymes -- so-called Spiegelzymes -- out of nucleic acids. The Spiegelzymes can be used in living cells for the targeted cutting of natural nucleic acids.

In an article published in PLOS ONE, Erdmann and his co-authors delineate how engineered Spiegelzymes have great potential for cutting up individual nucleic acids responsible for human diseases, and thus "deactivating" them. According to Erdmann Spiegelzymes, also called molecular scissors, have the advantage that they do not trigger side reactions of the immune system and they are extremely stable.

In the experiments Erdmann and his team were able to show that with specially constructed Spiegelzymes the production of a green glowing protein could be inhibited in the cells. The Spiegelzymes cut the messenger RNA, the molecule responsible for the production of the protein. Following similar procedures, it should be possible to prevent the synthesis of any one of the approximately 21,000 proteins anchored in the human genome, says Erdmann.

Volker A. Erdmann thinks it is plausible that in the future it will be possible to intervene in the processes of a cell to selectively cut RNA molecules that regulate the synthesis of proteins and other nucleic acids. Since RNA molecules are responsible for ensuring that a stem cell develops into a skin cell or muscle cell, or even a tumor cell, the targeted use of Spiegelzymes shows promise for completely new applications in basic research, biotechnology, and molecular medicine.

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The above story is based on materials provided by Freie Universitaet Berlin. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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Process Explorer 16 adds full VirusTotal integration

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Windows Sysinternals has released Process Explorer 16, a major update which sees the popular system monitoring tool gain full VirusTotal integration.

If you spot a process which looks suspicious, you can now right-click it, and select "Check VirusTotal". Process Explorer then submits the file hash, displays the number of antivirus engines which detect it as a threat ("4/48"), and clicking that figure opens a browser window with the full report.

Better still, click Options > VirusTotal.com > Check VirusTotal.com and Process Explorer 16 will check the hashes of all processes (those running now, or launched later) and loaded DLLs with VirusTotal, displaying the results a few seconds later.

The use of hashes means that, by default, Process Explorer 16 can only highlight known threats. Click Options > Submit Unknown Files, though, and the program can upload mystery executables for further analysis. Of course this will also take much longer, and consume far more network bandwidth, so its probably best to leave this option off unless youre sure you need it.

There are some issues here. When we first enabled the "Check VirusTotal.com" setting, Process Explorer displayed a "The system cannot find the file specified" error for some processes, rather than its VirusTotal score. This is misleading; the real problem is that Process Explorer doesnt have the rights to access those processes, and launching the program as an administrator should allow it to check everything.

More seriously, we found Process Explorer 16 crashed several times, after it had been running for a few minutes. We dont understand why, so its possible theres some local cause, but keep that in mind if you also have problems. Try turning off VirusTotal checking, perhaps, and see if that helps.

Whether there is a bug here or not, VirusTotal integration is going to be a major plus for the program, as it helps even inexperienced users to quickly spot potential threats.Process Explorer 16 is available now.

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Process Explorer 16 adds full VirusTotal integration

Modern Compliance Solutions to Announce Inclusive Audit Advisory Services at the Healthcare Compliance Association …

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Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) January 31, 2014

Modern Compliance Solutions, Inc., developer of HIPAA One - a simple, automated and affordable web-based alternative to complex or expensive Risk Analysis and Compliance Assessments - will be attending the annual Healthcare Compliance Association Annual Conference in San Diego March 29 - April 2 and will be unveiling its latest, newest version of HIPAA One 2.1.

In addition, to help achieve peace of mind, audit-advisory services will be included in all HIPAA One subscriptions. Specifically, any client using HIPAA One who is asked to respond to a Meaningful Use audit, HIPAA audit or OCR audit can reach out for help in responding most appropriately for proving their HIPAA Security Risk Analysis compliance. Although there is no substitute for sound legal advise from an attorney, HIPAA One dramatically reduces the time taken to manage the entire process including generating required documentation for a HIPAA audit.

Steven Marco, President of Modern Compliance Solutions, states, "To date, we have helped our clients successfully respond to 3 audit investigations and 6 Meaningful Use audits using HIPAA One's documentation. HIPAA One can gather reporting documentation within three clicks of logging into http://login.hipaaone.com.. We guarantee compliance with Meaningful Use to protect CEHRT data requirements when using, and continually updating, HIPAA One."

New features of HIPAA One 2.1 include:

1.Automated inventory upload utility - reduces manual entry of ePHI servers and equipment 2."Evidential Matter of HIPAA Compliance" added in reporting documentation 3.3D post-assessment dashboards added: Remediation Activity and Current Risk Status 6.Nessus Vulnerability Scan menu-flags indicate scans pending & expected completion time 7.Added Risk Level to Remediation Plan 8.Reduced clicks and streamlined tab-handling (i.e. less clicks for more results) 9.Simplified interview questions and automated remediation solutions 10. Updates, as always, are automatically pushed to all HIPAA One subscribers

For more information about HIPAA One, visit http://www.hipaaone.com.

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Modern Compliance Solutions to Announce Inclusive Audit Advisory Services at the Healthcare Compliance Association ...