Biofeedback May Help Control Stress-Related Diseases

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(PRWEB) January 08, 2014

Biofeedback Currently, 74% of patients who visit their health care providers have undiagnosed medical conditions. Most of the symptoms are a culmination of stress, anxiety, and depression. Health care professionals choose to treat these patients ineffectively with medications instead of offering stress management options. These stress management techniques have proven to have an 82% success rate among students in a semester-long stress management program.

Many college students succumb to stress-related illnesses and several studies have been conducted, with positive results, to introduce stress management programs into their lives. The Biofeedback article,There Is Hope: Autogenic Biofeedback Training for the Treatment of Psoriasis, discusses the outcome of a 23-year-old test subject with stress-related psoriasis, who gave up medicinal treatments and instead used the self-healing method of biofeedback to control his disease.

Psoriasis causes red, flaky skin and is currently the most common autoimmune disease affecting approximately 2% of the US population. Many people afflicted with this disease use steroids, topical creams, special shampoos, and prescription medication. Unfortunately, the disease can only be suppressed, not cured; many people with psoriasis feel damaged and have a difficult time socially. Stress is often the trigger that makes ones psoriasis worse. In this study, James, a 23-year-old student suffering from the disease for five years, learns how to train his mind to not give into stress, feelings of anxiety, self-doubt, or even the need to physically touch his affected skin.

James was trained in stress management and biofeedback techniques including relaxation, stress reduction, and desensitization. He also learned how to increase his confidence by changing his body posture while sitting and standing. James was instructed to take his time, slow down, and even stop and refocus his energy when he felt the need to fall back into old habits. He admits that it was difficult, and at times he would have to stop focusing on the task in front of him to put all of his energy into regaining his composure, but that it was also worth it. After three weeks, James had clear skin, something he had not had in five years, and after four months his progress remained intact.

There are many diseases and ailments that require the use of medication for appropriate treatment, but when stress is a factor in any diagnosis, or when a diagnosis cannot be found, it is important for stress management to be offered as a viable option for patients to consider. It is obvious, shown through the case of James, that stress can play a huge factor in the health of an individual. And if managed properly, a happy and healthy life is attainable.

Full text of the article, There Is Hope: Autogenic Biofeedback Training for the Treatment of Psoriasis, Biofeedback, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2013, is available at http://www.aapb-biofeedback.com/doi/full/10.5298/1081-5937-41.4.01.

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About Biofeedback

Biofeedback is published four times per year and distributed by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback(AAPB). AAPBs mission is to advance the development, dissemination, and utilization of knowledge about applied psychophysiology and biofeedback to improve health and the quality of life through research, education, and practice. For more information about AAPB, see http://www.aapb.org.

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Biofeedback May Help Control Stress-Related Diseases

Coco Reef wins Caribbean’s Leading Hotel award

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Story Created: Jan 7, 2014 at 10:22 PM ECT

Story Updated: Jan 7, 2014 at 10:22 PM ECT

FOR the tenth year running, Coco Reef Resort & Spa has won the Caribbeans Leading Hotel category in the World Travel Awards (WTA). The hotel faced competition from 17 other properties in the region including the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis, Sandy Lane in Barbados and Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort which is in Antigua. The President and founder of the WTA, Graham Cooke, says, Coco Reef Resort & Spa has done it again! Taking the title of Caribbeans Leading Hotel for the tenth successive year, in a run of success dating back to 2004. Our voters know something special when they see it. It gives me particular pleasure to present this award to my close friend John Jefferis, owner of the resort. Not only has he worked closely with World Travel Awards over the past decade, but he is also one of the true pioneers in Caribbean tourism. We wish him every success for the future. The WTA celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and is described by the Wall Street Journal as the Oscars of the travel industry. It aims to celebrate those companies, organisations and brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence in product and service. The winners are chosen via online voting generated by a year-long communications campaign that encourages global participation. The votes come from qualified executives working within travel and tourism as well as the consumer travel buyer. Its tremendously rewarding to reach this milestone of ten straight wins for Coco Reef Tobago, says Jefferis. Although I continue to invest millions of dollars in the resort every year, our guests clearly indicate that our success is due to the dedication, professionalism and genuine friendliness of the wonderful management and staff. At the Coco Reef Resort in Tobago, they consistently exceed our guests expectations with regards to service and providing an unforgettable experience. Jefferis developed Coco Reef in Tobago 18 years ago. The property, which has 150 rooms and suites, is situated on its own private beach surrounded by 10 acres of beautifully manicured tropical gardens. Celebrity guests who have stayed at the hotel include Sylvester Stallone, Rod Stewart and Diana Ross.

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Vancouver theology building converts from spirituality to economics

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VANCOUVER -- One of the oldest and most elegant buildings on the University of B.C. campus will soon be switched from the study of spirituality to economics.

The stone-faced Vancouver School of Theology, built in 1927 as a seminary for Protestant clergy, has been sold to the university for $28 million, it was announced today. It will become the new home of UBC's school of economics.

VST has trained thousands of United, Anglican, Presbyterian and other clergy in the past 86 years. But principal Richard Topping says the building, with its stunning views of Bowen Island and Howe Sound, is too large and too costly for its 115 full- and part-time students.

Many Canadian Protestants will grieve the loss of the venerable building, said Topping, a Presbyterian theologian. "There's a certain amount of lament. And not for a moment would I want to conceal that."

The Christian graduate school will move this summer into a smaller, adjacent building on the north side of the UBC campus, called Somerville House. The school will retain its A-frame Chapel of Epiphany.

Proceeds from the sale of the recently renovated theological building, formally called Iona and informally referred to as "The Castle," will go to renovating Somerville House and moving into it, and to an endowment fund.

Asked about the symbolism of a Christian school of theology becoming a secular school of economics, Topping said, "There can be overlap. Economics, when it's properly done, is also a discipline devoted to human flourishing and the common good."

Vancouver School of Theology, which has a 999-year lease with the University of B.C., got into property redevelopment in a big way the past decade. To upgrade the Iona building and create operating funds, the school worked with real estate developers to build hundreds of rental units and luxury condominiums along Chancellor Boulevard in UBC's so-called Theological Neighbourhood, which includes two Catholic colleges and a Baptist institution.

But, given the 2008 economic downturn and with funding decreasing from main line Protestant denominations, Topping said revenue from the redevelopment has not been strong enough to maintain both the Iona building and school operations.

UBC plans to take possession in July of the 100,000-square-foot building at 6000 Iona Drive, which includes a chapel and library. UBC's Vancouver School of Economics will begin using the facility in September 2015.

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Vancouver theology building converts from spirituality to economics

Pastafarian town council member sworn in while wearing a colander on his head

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Jan. 7 (UPI) -- It wasnt his flashy suit or fresh haircut that people noticed when new Pomfret, N.Y. Town Council member Christopher Schaeffer was sworn in last week -- it was the colander he wore on his head.

Schaeffer was wearing the spaghetti strainer atop his dome because he is a minister with the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

"It's just a statement about religious freedom," he said. "It's a religion without any dogma."

According to its website, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster really started to take off in 2005.

"Our ideal is to scrutinize ideas and actions, but ignore general labels," the website says.

Members of the church are called Pastafarians.

"Most of us do not believe a religion -- Christianity, Islam, Pastafarianism -- requires literal belief in order to provide spiritual enlightenment," the website reads. "That is, we can be part of a community without becoming indoctrinated. There are many levels of belief."

Pastafarian or not, Schaeffer plans on making the citizens of Pomfret proud.

"Mostly, I'm just looking forward to making sure that the town is run smoothly and we meet the needs of all of our citizens," he said. "If anybody ever has any concerns or questions, I hope they contact me, because I want to make sure that everyone is represented."

The church called Schaeffers choice of headwear encouraging news.

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Pastafarian town council member sworn in while wearing a colander on his head

NASA gets White House backing to extend space station by 4 years

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WASHINGTON The world's most expensive science project the $100 billion-plus International Space Station is poised to get four more years in orbit.

According to documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, NASA plans to announce this week that it has White House approval to extend the station's operations by four years until 2024.

The decision follows years of pressure by top NASA officials, who consider the station a critical steppingstone to future exploration. But a four-year extension likely would cost NASA about $3 billion a year from 2021 to 2024. That's a major chunk of the agency's annual budget, which is now about $17 billion, and a longer mission could force NASA to make tough financial decisions in the future.

The administration's approval, however, doesn't guarantee that the station, which has been continuously occupied since 2000, will survive past its current end date of 2020. At some point, Congress must approve a NASA budget that includes an extension of the station's life. The plan also must get the support of whoever wins the White House in 2016 though the backing of President Barack Obama now might make it harder for the next administration to renege.

Still, the move is expected to reassure NASA's international partners, who have wondered how long the U.S. plans to commit to the station. NASA's announcement coincides with a visit to Washington this week by leaders of the world's space agencies.

"Arriving at this decision in a timely and coordinated fashion will, hopefully, prove beneficial to our international partners as they struggle with decisions on funding for their space programs," NASA Chief Charlie Bolden wrote in an email to NASA and administration officials that praised the decision.

The announcement also has the potential of sending a signal to China, NASA's latest cosmic competitor.

In 2003, China become just the third country to launch an astronaut into space, and Beijing reportedly is making plans to assemble its own space station next decade.

By keeping the space station operational, NASA can maintain its own symbol of technical advancement while limiting attempts by the Chinese to woo global partners for its own outpost.

The symbolism is especially important for NASA because of the agency's recent struggles with its human-exploration program.

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NASA gets White House backing to extend space station by 4 years

ORLANDO SENTINEL EXCLUSIVE NASA gets White House backing to extend space station

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WASHINGTON The world's most expensive science project the $100 billion-plus International Space Station is poised to get four more years in orbit.

According to documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, NASA plans to announce this week that it has White House approval to extend the station's operations by four years until 2024.

The decision follows years of pressure by top NASA officials, who consider the station a critical steppingstone to future exploration. But a four-year extension likely would cost NASA about $3 billion a year from 2021 to 2024. That's a major chunk of the agency's annual budget, which is now about $17 billion, and a longer mission could force NASA to make tough financial decisions in the future.

The administration's approval, however, doesn't guarantee that the station, which has been continuously occupied since 2000, will survive past its current end date of 2020. At some point, Congress must approve a NASA budget that includes an extension of the station's life. The plan also must get the support of whoever wins the White House in 2016 though the backing of President Barack Obama now might make it harder for the next administration to renege.

Still, the move is expected to reassure NASA's international partners, who have wondered how long the U.S. plans to commit to the station. NASA's announcement coincides with a visit to Washington this week by leaders of the world's space agencies.

"Arriving at this decision in a timely and coordinated fashion will, hopefully, prove beneficial to our international partners as they struggle with decisions on funding for their space programs," NASA Chief Charlie Bolden wrote in an email to NASA and administration officials that praised the decision.

The announcement also has the potential of sending a signal to China, NASA's latest cosmic competitor.

In 2003, China become just the third country to launch an astronaut into space, and Beijing reportedly is making plans to assemble its own space station next decade.

By keeping the space station operational, NASA can maintain its own symbol of technical advancement while limiting attempts by the Chinese to woo global partners for its own outpost.

The symbolism is especially important for NASA because of the agency's recent struggles with its human-exploration program.

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ORLANDO SENTINEL EXCLUSIVE NASA gets White House backing to extend space station

Trips for space geeks

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Are your kids fascinated by the miracle of flight? Whether they dream of piloting jets or rocketing into a galaxy far, far away, a circle tour of our dispersed fleet of retired space craft is a great place to foster their interest.

Here are six attractions where dreams can take flight.

John F. Kennedy Space Center

There is no place that tells NASAs story better than this launch site just outside of Orlando. The Kennedy Space Center has launched every NASA human space flight since 1968 and today remains an active, working space center.

Kids can explore numerous rockets from NASAs earliest missions, or gape in wonder at the Saturn V rocket used to put a man on the moon. The centers newest exhibit, the Space Shuttle Atlantis, includes the ship itself as well as interactive, multimedia exhibits that let you simulate a space walk, operate a 250-ton crane, land the space shuttle, and train like an astronaut.

National Air and Space Museum

The wildly popular National Air and Space Museum preserves the wondrous history of our fascination with flight and, like all Smithsonian museums, is always free to enter. Located on the National Mall in Washington DC, the place is a treasure trove of original historic aircrafts, from the 1903 Wright Flyer and Lindberghs Spirit of St. Louis to Chuck Yeagers Bell X-1, John Glenns Friendship 7 spacecraft, and the Apollo 11 command module.

Since the National Mall cant hold the entire collection, the museum also includes two massive hangars near Dulles International Airport where youll find a SR-71 Blackbird (worlds fastest airplane), a Concorde (fastest commercial airplane), and the Space Shuttle Discovery.

US Space & Rocket Center

This facility in Huntsville, Alabama, has played a part in the space race since the 1950s and was integral to the Apollo missions and space shuttle program. In addition to exploring 1,500 space exploration artifacts at the Marshall Space Flight Center, dont miss the fun series of simulators that let you experience what the G-force of a rocket launch feels like, fight centripetal force, fly an Apache helicopter, and more. If youre up for an extended stay, consider signing up your family or child for Space Camp.

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Trips for space geeks

Red Bank council promises cooperation

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By KEITH HEUMILLER

Staff Writer

Red Bank Councilwoman Cindy Burnham (far right) is sworn into office by state Sen. Jennifer Beck (second from right) at Borough Hall on Jan. 1 as Burnhams daughters (right to left) Emily, Samantha and Kate Thomas, who is not pictured look on. KEITH HEUMILLER/STAFF Despite a long history of disagreement between the Borough Council and its newest member, Red Bank officials say the governing body will continue to function as normal in 2014.

After being sworn into office during the boroughs reorganization meeting on Jan. 1, longtime activist and first-time Councilwoman Cindy Burnham said her past squabbles with her new colleagues will not be a factor going forward.

Ive known these people for 25 years, said Burnham, the first Republican to sit on the council since 2007. They are basically all fine people. We just disagree on certain things. We have different priorities, and I think thats why it was time to get somebody like myself on the council.

Mayor Pasquale Menna, a 26-year veteran of the council, cited a long history with Burnham, saying she had assisted in one of his first campaigns for public office.

She has been extraordinarily dedicated to a number of issues, he said. We look forward to working with her and carving out constructive solutions, ideas and a road map for a lot of our common issues that we all have.

Menna said he does not foresee any Herculean problems on the council this year, pointing to Red Banks history of bipartisanship as proof that differing opinions dont necessarily preclude effective leadership.

The overflow crowd gathered for the Jan. 1 meeting included two of Red Banks more prominent Republican alumni: Monmouth County Freeholder John Curley and state Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-11), who administered the oath of office to Burnham.

Other dignitaries included U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6), retired Superior Court Judge John DAmico and state Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-11). Addressing the crowd, Menna vowed to pursue a number of new projects and initiatives in 2013, including a joint effort with Count Basie Theatre personnel to establish a Mayors Arts Commission and promote public art projects throughout town.

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Red Bank council promises cooperation

Red Lightning, AJ’s mom and Tim Tebow share BCS spotlight

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There was plenty to talk about from the BCS National Championship, and thats without even getting into the thrilling back-and-forth conclusion to Florida States last-minute, 34-31 victory over Auburn at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

The flag for most unsportsmanlike conduct goes to the mother of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, Dee Dee, who took a charged Twitter shot at winning quarterback Jameis Winstons post-game interview.

Am I listening to English? she tweeted, before quickly deleting it.

She later returned to Twitter and wrote: Any1 that knows our family knows we r far from racist. My tweet was not in anyway meant that way. I sincerely apologize if it offended any1.

Katherine Webb, the model girlfriend of McCarron, favorited another insensitive tweet that read: Jameis Winston needs to learn sign language to communicate because listening to him attempt to speak English is just insulting.

Webb said it was a mistake.

The idea that I am a racist is absolutely stupid and it needs to stop. I was scrolling through my TL and that tweet was accidentally FAV, she tweeted, referring to her timeline.

Winston addressed the criticism Tuesday afternoon with a tweet of his own: For the people that criticize the way that I talk this is for yall. The Florida state Seminoles are national champions! That is all.

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While Webb, a brunette beauty, stole the nations attention during last years game, it was a redhead that turned heads on Monday night.

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Red Lightning, AJ’s mom and Tim Tebow share BCS spotlight

Red-Hot UConn Women Leave Houston Out In The Cold

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STORRS As the meteorologists have been saying the past few days, the world can be a cold place to work and play.

They are correct. And sometimes, even the air temperature can be unbearable.

The point is, Houston, in last place in the American Athletic Conference, came to Gampel Pavilion in need of a warm hug.

Their head coach, Todd Buchanan, left in the midst of his eighth season and he did it just before Christmas. Not the best way to build confidence for the future.

Instead, the Cougars felt the biting wind of the nation's No. 1 team during a 90-40 loss before a crowd of 6,257.

Houston (4-11, 0-4) has not won since Buchanan left. That's its cold reality. The Cougars were led by Alecia Smith (11 points).

"We have struggled to play well in the last few games to play really well," said Breanna Stewart, who led the Huskies with 24 points. "During yesterday's practice and this morning's shootaround the big key was fixing that."

The Huskies are as hot as the tropics. And they played like it again against a badly undermanned opponent.

UConn had 17 blocked shots, a program-high and two short of a tying a national record. And it now has won 22 straight dating to last year's NCAA Tournament.

"I have no idea how we do that [block shots]," Stefanie Dolson said, responsible for a career-high seven of them. "We're really big?"

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No winner as Bangkok heads for shutdown

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General Sources - Wednesday 8th January, 2014

BANGKOK, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday, with Singapore and Indonesia recovering from three sessions of falls while Malaysia marked its first gain in six sessions, as strong U.S. trade data bolstered sentiment across Asia. Thai shares bucked the trend as investors booked quick profits in shares such as Airports of Thailand amid domestic political ...

India Today - Wednesday 8th January, 2014

A Monday, December 30, 2013, photo released by the US Customs and Border Protection shows a woman found inside a suitcase in a smuggling attempt at the US-Mexico border. AP ...

The Nation - Wednesday 8th January, 2014

Two medial organisations Wednesday urged the People's Democratic Reform Committee to ensure safety of reporters and that their journalistic duty would not be blocked by protesters on ...

The Straits Times - Wednesday 8th January, 2014

Riot police officers stand behind tear gas canisters and rubber bullets during a demonstration for the media at the Royal Thai Police Sport Club in Bangkok, on Jan 7, 2014. Nearly 15,000 police and soldiers will be deployed in the Thai capital next week for the planned "shutdown" of Bangkok by demonstrators trying to overthrow the government, officials said on Wednesday. -- PHOTO: ...

Phuket Gazette - Wednesday 8th January, 2014

PHUKET: Phuket Police are considering discharging a police officer who shot dead a Soi Bangla bar worker on December 26. The 35-year-old Patong Police officer, Sgt Pongsakorn Treeyuth, was off duty and allegedly drunk when he held an 11mm handgun to the head of Sawitree Kaewin, 27 ...

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No winner as Bangkok heads for shutdown

Springville Red Devils roll past Payson boys basketball

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Basketball, like any sport, can hinge on emotion. Passion, determination and competitiveness can be key for any team to come out on top.

But when a player or coach loses control of their emotions, even for just a moment, it can be costly.

Payson saw that firsthand in the the first half of Tuesday night's game at Springville when some frustration resulted in a Lion technical foul. The Red Devils, who had also been fouled on the play, took advantage by hitting 3-of-4 free throws and draining a 3-pointer.

That six-point possession sparked a 13-3 Springville run that turned a close game in favor of the home team. The Red Devils never looked back, pulling away for the 73-59 win over Payson.

"We had a lot of energy tonight," said Springville head coach Chris Kitchen. "There were some lapses where we got complacent but overall I was pleased with our energy and our offensive execution. Offensively we looked as good as we have all year and thats because we were sharing the basketball."

Kitchen also said that its always important for a team to take advantage of its opportunities, like the stretch that turned the 21-21 contest into a 34-24 Springville lead.

When you have technical fouls, they can be game-changers, he explained. We didnt expect an easy game. I have a lot of respect for Payson head coach Dan Lunt and we knew they would be well-coached, so we expected a dogfight. But little mistakes like that can change the game.

While that run gave the Red Devils the lead, the Lions were still close enough to threaten early in the second half.

With the score 46-39, Springville scored seven straight points to extend the lead and Payson never got the deficit back to single-digits the rest of the way.

I felt like the first few minutes of the second half where we build the lead was the key stretch in the game, Kitchen said.

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Springville Red Devils roll past Payson boys basketball

China’s moon mission captivates scientists

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BEIJING When China landed its first lunar rover on the moon last month, many Americans reacted with a shrug. After all, the U.S. sent men to the moon more than 40 years ago, and the Soviets landed a rover there too.

But among lunar scientists, the Chang'e 3 mission has generated considerable interest. They say the lander and the rover, equipped with ground-penetrating radar, cameras, a telescope and spectroscopic instruments, could gather significant new information, especially relating to the chemical composition and depth of the lunar soil.

Such data, they say, could shed light on the history of the moon and, by extension, Earth. It could also help humans design equipment to mine the lunar surface for oxygen and other elements.

In addition, experts say, the Chinese mission is testing new equipment and technology that could be useful for future missions manned or unmanned not only to the moon but also to Mercury or Mars.

"The parts of the moon that have been explored are so minuscule," said Leroy Chiao, a former NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander. "It's like saying you sent probes to the Earth, you looked at small areas of California and New York and now you know everything there is to know. That's not the case."

Stephen Mackwell, director of the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, noted that the Chang'e 3 mission landed in an area the right eye of the "Man in the Moon" distinctly different from previous U.S. and Soviet landing sites.

In the years since Americans and Soviet crafts visited the lunar surface, he said, orbiters launched by Europe, Japan, the United States and others have gathered extensive data about the moon's structure and composition. Now, the Chinese rover may help validate and refine that data, giving detailed information about the concentrations of elements such as titanium, aluminum, iron, potassium and sodium.

Scientists are also watching closely to see how the lander and the Jade Rabbit rover survive the frigid lunar night, which lasts about two weeks. The lander and rover went into "hibernation mode" on Dec. 25 and 26, respectively, and will have to endure temperatures dipping perhaps as low as minus 292 degrees. The vehicles are supposed to endure two such long, cold nights during the course of the mission.

"This is very important for planning other missions, like one to Mercury, which could use a lander just like this one," said G. Jeffrey Taylor, a researcher at the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology. "Once you get down to minus 80 or 90, the electronics may not survive. They must be in containers with little radioactive heating units to keep things up to a certain temperature so they don't get damaged."

Chang'e 3 also carries an extreme ultraviolet camera, which is to be used to monitor Earth's plasmasphere, and a near-ultraviolet telescope to observe galaxies and stars. Proponents of a lunar telescope say the moon's thin atmosphere and slow rotation will allow for long, uninterrupted observations of a target.

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NASA wins White House approval to extend life of space station

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WASHINGTON The world's most expensive science project the $100-billion-plus International Space Station is poised to get four more years in orbit. According to documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, NASA plans to announce this week that it has White House approval to extend the station's operations through 2024.

The decision follows years of pressure by top NASA officials, who consider the station a crucial steppingstone to future exploration. But a four-year extension probably would cost NASA about $3 billion a year from 2021 to 2024. That's a major chunk of the agency's annual budget of about $17 billion, and a longer mission could force NASA to make tough financial decisions in the future.

The Obama administration's approval, however, doesn't guarantee that the station, which has been continuously occupied since 2000, will survive past its current end date of 2020. At some point, Congress must approve a NASA budget that includes an extension of the station's life. The plan also must get the support of whoever wins the White House in 2016, though the backing of President Obama now might make it harder for the next administration to say no.

Still, the move is expected to reassure NASA's international partners, which have wondered how long the U.S. plans to commit to the station. NASA's announcement will coincide with a visit to Washington this week by leaders of the world's space agencies.

"Arriving at this decision in a timely and coordinated fashion will, hopefully, prove beneficial to our international partners as they struggle with decisions on funding for their space programs," NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden wrote in an email to NASA and administration officials that praised the decision.

The announcement also has the potential of sending a signal to China, NASA's latest cosmic competitor.

In 2003, China became just the third country to launch an astronaut into space, and Beijing reportedly is making plans to assemble its own space station next decade.

By keeping the International Space Station operational, NASA can maintain its own symbol of technical advancement while limiting attempts by the Chinese to woo global partners for its outpost.

The symbolism is especially important for NASA because of the agency's recent struggles with its human exploration program.

After NASA retired the space shuttle in 2011, the U.S. lost the ability to ferry its astronauts to the station, which orbits about 220 miles above Earth. NASA is paying Russia about $1.7 billion through 2017 for the service.

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NASA wins White House approval to extend life of space station

Nasa spacecraft spots ‘potentially hazardous’ new asteroid

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The 2013 YP139 circles the sun in an elliptical orbit that is tilted to the plane of our solar system.

It is possible that its orbit will bring it as close as 300,000 miles from Earth, slightly more than the distance to the moon.

NEOWISE's role is to assist NASA's efforts to identify potentially hazardous near-Earth objects (NEOs).

The spacecraft will also help in characterising previously detected asteroids that may now be considered potential targets for future exploration missions.

During its primary mission, which was to scan the entire sky in infrared light, the spacecraft discovered more than 34,000 asteroids in 2010 and early 2011.

It was then placed into hibernation for 31 months after it had completed its primary mission.

Last year it was reactivated to search specifically for near Earth objects.

Some of the objects about which NEOWISE will be collecting data could become candidates for Nasa's asteroid initiative, which will be the first mission to identify, capture and relocate an asteroid for astronauts to explore.

Nasa hopes that it will help protect Earth and help achieve their goal of sending humans to an asteroid by 2025.

The observations made by NEOWISE will be sent to the clearing house for solar system bodies to determine the orbit of each asteroid and comet if the object is not known.

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Nasa spacecraft spots 'potentially hazardous' new asteroid

Congress Makes NASA Finish Useless $350 Million Structure

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Source: NASA via Bloomberg

The A-3 tower was designed to test a GenCorp Inc. engine for a rocket program canceled in 2010.

The A-3 tower was designed to test a GenCorp Inc. engine for a rocket program canceled in 2010. Close

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The A-3 tower was designed to test a GenCorp Inc. engine for a rocket program canceled in 2010.

NASA will complete a $350 million structure to test rocket engines at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi early this year. Then, it plans to mothball the 300-foot-high, steel-frame tower for the foreseeable future.

The reason: Congress ordered the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to finish building the facility even though the agency doesnt need it.

The tower was designed to test a GenCorp Inc. (GY) engine for a rocket program canceled in 2010. Its funding survived thanks to Mississippi Republican senators led by Roger Wicker, who crafted a provision requiring the agency to complete the work.

The test stand is an example of how U.S. lawmakers thwart efforts to cut costs and eliminate government waste, even as they criticize agencies for failing to do so. Attempts to close military bases, mail-processing plants and other NASA facilities also have been fought by congressional members whose districts benefit from the operations.

When it comes down to their pork, theyre always going to defend it, said Rand Simberg, a space policy scholar at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a Washington-based research group that supports less spending and fewer regulations. All that matters is maintaining jobs in the right states and districts.

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NASA spacecraft spots its first new asteroid

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Washington, Jan 8 : NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) spacecraft has spotted a never-before-seen asteroid -- its first such discovery since coming out of hibernation last year.

NEOWISE originally was called the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), which had made the most comprehensive survey to date of asteroids and comets. The spacecraft was shut down in 2011 after its primary mission was completed.

But in September 2013, it was reactivated, renamed and given a new mission, which is to assist NASA's efforts to identify the population of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects (NEOs). NEOWISE also can assist in characterizing previously detected asteroids that could be considered potential targets for future exploration missions.

NEOWISE's first discovery of its renewed mission came on Dec. 29 -- a near-Earth asteroid designated 2013 YP139. The mission's sophisticated software picked out the moving object against a background of stationary stars.

As NEOWISE circled Earth scanning the sky, it observed the asteroid several times over half a day before the object moved beyond its view.

Researchers at the University of Arizona used the Spacewatch telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory southwest of Tucson to confirm the discovery.

Peter Birtwhistle, an amateur astronomer at the Great Shefford Observatory in West Berkshire, England, also contributed follow-up observations. NASA expects 2013 YP139 will be the first of hundreds of asteroid discoveries for NEOWISE.

"We are delighted to get back to finding and characterizing asteroids and comets, especially those that come into Earth's neighborhood," said Amy Mainzer, the mission's principal investigator from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. "With our infrared sensors that detect heat, we can learn about their sizes and reflectiveness."

2013 YP139 is about 27 million miles (43 million kilometers) from Earth. Based on its infrared brightness, scientists estimate it to be roughly 0.4 miles (650 meters) in diameter and extremely dark, like a piece of coal.

The asteroid circles the sun in an elliptical orbit tilted to the plane of our solar system and is classified as potentially hazardous. It is possible for its orbit to bring it as close as 300,000 miles from Earth, a little more than the distance to the moon. However, it will not come that close within the next century.

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NASA spacecraft spots its first new asteroid

NASA Invites Children, Families to Learn about Global Precipitation Measurement Mission

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NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center in Greenbelt, Md., will host this month's Sunday Experiment on Jan. 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST. It's a free afternoon for elementary school-aged children and their families.

This month's Sunday Experiment explores how scientists will be able to measure rain and snow from space with the Global Precipitation Measurement satellite mission. Set to launch in February 2014, GPM will use revolutionary technology and a network of U.S. and international satellites to provide a global picture of rain and falling snow. GPM's expert scientists and engineers will describe how we will be able to measure rainstorms down to the individual drop from as far away as Washington, D.C., to New York City! These presentations will also explain how people all over the world will use this new data to inform about when to plant crops, when a hurricane may intensify, where it may flood or where diseases may be more likely to spread.

GPM is an international mission co-lead by NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Building upon the success of the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission, GPM will expand our understanding of where, when and how much it rains and snows and provide a global picture of rain every three hours. Come discover this exciting new mission, explore how the satellite works, watch a newly released Science on a Sphere film called "Water Falls," and use your hands and your brain to build your own rain gauge, develop your own satellite and make a landslide!

The Sunday Experiment-usually held the third Sunday of each month from September through May with some exceptions-spotlights Goddard's world-renowned science and engineering research and technological developments. Families leave inspired by the activities, wowed by the scientists and engineers and excited about Goddard's revolutionary research and technology. In addition to celebrating all things science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the Sunday Experiment celebrates major science missions that are managed by Goddard and set to launch in the near future.

For more information on Sunday Experiment, visit Goddard's Visitor Center events webpage:

http://visitorcenterevents.gsfc.nasa.gov/

For more information and directions to the NASA Goddard Visitor Center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/home/index.html

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/directions/index.html

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NASA Invites Children, Families to Learn about Global Precipitation Measurement Mission

New technology delivers vaccines without needles

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Since the 1950s, doctors have been using the same painful method of injecting vaccines into the muscle.

Roughly 50 percent of children dont get vaccinated due to the fear of needles and the difficulties associated with administering inhaled versions. This has led to the increase in the flu epidemic that is present in this country every year.

One problem with injectable vaccines, other than being painful, is the possibility for contamination and HIV. But the bigger issue is that live vaccines must be refrigerated. This is a huge concern for a lot of poor countries as refrigeration is not available.

New discoveries in nanotechnology have lead to the development of a dime-sized Nanopatch which can administer the flu vaccine painlessly.

How does this work? The patch has thousands of vaccine-coated micro-projections that penetrate the outer layers of the skin with a quick release -- often just seconds -- once they come in contact with moisture within the skin. These micro-projections, while able to transfer the medication into the skin, do not go deep enough to reach the pain receptors, and dont need to be refrigerated.

Is this available now? The technology is currently being tested only on mice, but the studies look promising with a 90 percent success rate. Once approved at the pre-clinical level, the Nanopatch will move to clinical trials on humans and if they keep up the 90 percent success rate, it will be available to the public within 5 years or less.

What does this mean for the future? This doesnt stop with just the flu vaccine. The use of the Nanopatch could open the door to other forms of treatment for conditions like insulin-dependent diabetes, inflammatory diseases that require steroid injections and malnutrition. Research is also being developed using nanotechnology for Tuberculosis and Malaria vaccines.

Experts say that the patch could one day take the place of injectable vaccines completely, which will change the way patients will be treated and how medication will be delivered to the human body and save money, and lives, down the road.

Dr. David B. Samadi is the Chairman of the Department of Urology and Chief of Robotic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. He is a board-certified urologist, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of urological disease, with a focus on robotic prostate cancer treatments. Dr. Samadi joined Fox News Channel in 2009 as a medical contributor. To learn more please visit his websites RoboticOncology.com and SMART-surgery.com. Find Dr. Samadi on Facebook.

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New technology delivers vaccines without needles

Nano-capsules show potential for more potent chemoprevention

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

8-Jan-2014

Contact: Judy Fortin judy.fortin@emory.edu 404-778-4580 Emory Health Sciences

Researchers at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University have discovered a more effective drug delivery system using nanotechnology that could one day significantly affect cancer prevention.

The study, published today in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, involved the use of microscopic amounts of the naturally occurring antioxidant, luteolin, that were encapsulated in a water-soluble polymer. When injected into mice the nano-luteolin inhibited growth of lung cancer and head and neck cancer cells.

"Our results suggest that nanoparticle delivery of naturally occurring dietary agents like luteolin has many advantages," says senior study author Dong Moon Shin, MD, professor of hematology and medical oncology at Emory University School of Medicine and associate director of academic development at Winship Cancer Institute. "By using a high concentration of luteolin in the blood, we were better able to inhibit the growth of cancer cells."

Luteolin is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. It is naturally found in green vegetables such as broccoli, celery and artichokes, however, Shin says large quantities would need to be consumed to be effective. By concentrating the compound into a nanoparticle and making it easy to dissolve in water, researchers conclude nano-luteolin has immense potential for future human studies of chemoprevention

Chemoprevention is currently used to help stop the recurrence of cancer in patients and reduce the risk of cancer in others.

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Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is Georgia's only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center and serves as the coordinating center for cancer research and care throughout Emory University. For over 75 years, Winship has served the citizens of Georgia and the Southeast by working tirelessly to prevent, treat and cure cancer.

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Nano-capsules show potential for more potent chemoprevention