Job listing stats – Cook Islands Jobs December 2013

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Merry Christmas from Cook Islands Jobs! This is just a wee message to say thank you to all of you who have utilised Cook Islands Jobs this year. Whether you're an employer who has listed a job, a jobseeker or just an avid follower of our site- this one's for you! We've only been up an running for 4 months but already we're seeing results!

We're averaging 70+ individual visitors each day to the site from all over the Cook Islands and further abroad. No role is too big or too small (we've advertised from part time wait staff to the CEO of Telecom Cook Islands!)

For those of you yet to advertise your roles on our site, we invite you to try it out and ensure your business is recruiting the best possible candidates for your roles. Our fees are low - $79 for 30 days of advertising, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For our successful jobseekers out there (and we know of a few of you already...Anthony!)- if you have found your job through us- please let us know as it's always great to hear of the successes of our site.

See below for more info on how the site is running, who is looking at your jobs and our exciting plans for 2014!

Job listing stats - Cook Islands Jobs December 2013

Jobseekers- who are they?

We've been so overwhelmed with the number of Jobseekers using the site (on average 70+ individual users per day!) that we've launched a new section of the website specifically for those looking for employment in the Cooks.

And to celebrate this new service- we're offering all 2013 school leavers a free advert over Summer to help get their foot in the door employment-wise.

2014 and beyond In 2014 we will be teaming up with some local businesses and educators to bring Jobseekers in the Cook Islands a range of services and courses from CV writing to interview techniques to help them get that dream job.

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Job listing stats - Cook Islands Jobs December 2013

The American Journal of Human Genetics – Cell

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Volume93,Issue 6:December5,2013

On the cover: John Borden Graham, M.D., President, American Society of Human Genetics, 1972. John Graham is remembered as a pioneer in the genetics of blood coagulation and genetics education. He was born in 1918 in Goldsboro and earned a bachelors degree from Davidson College in 1938. He began his medical training by studying the basic sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) and completed his M.D. at Cornell University in 1942. After a short pathology residency, he entered the US Army, where he served as a surgeon in the Pacific Theater. He returned to Chapel Hill in 1946 to join the Department of Pathology as an instructor. He remained at UNC-CH until his formal retirement in 1985. Graham continued to participate in departmental activities and attended departmental grand rounds until the day before his death in 2004. In 1954, Graham established the first formal course in medical genetics at UNC-CH. Grahams research focused on hematology and blood clotting initially through collaboration with Kenneth Brinkhous, who was characterizing canine hemophilia. Together, they demonstrated X-linkage and viability of homozygous females (Brinkhous and Graham [1950]. Science 111, 723724). He is credited with the characterization of clotting factor X and X-linked vitamin-D-resistant rickets. He remembered when the Society numbered 200 members in 1954 and that meetings were held during summer vacations on university campuses with families in tow. He contrasted those days with the very large Society meetings held at posh urban hotels in the mid-1980s (Graham [1985], Norma Berryhill Distinguished Lecture, https://secure.dev.unc.edu/MedFound/graham13-27.pdf). Although no recording of his presidential address from the 1972 annual meeting held in Philadelphia can be found, some of Grahams articles represent recorded presentations. Examples include his 1956 review of hemophilia drawn from a session at the 1955 ASHG annual meeting (Am. J. Hum. Genet. 8, 6379) and a 1959 discussion on vascular hemophilia, which includes references to Homers Odyssey (J. Med. Educ. 34, 385396). These allow the reader to enjoy Grahams garrulous and erudite style. This image of Graham was drawn by Peter James Field from a photograph provided by the University of North Carolina Department of Pathology and is used with permission.

Click here for a high-resolution version of the cover.

Each week, The American Journal of Human Genetics publishes papers online ahead of the print issue. Here are the latest:

All in the Family In the age of next-generation sequencing, linkage analysis might seem old fashioned, and perhaps even ill suited for the pursuit of variants that contribute to complex phenotypes. Indeed, many have turned to genome-wide association studies and exome-wide sequencing studies for such investigations. In this issue, Rosenthal et al. show that family studies can be adapted, and indeed strengthened, by the integration with 21st century technology and resources. Through a combination of linkage analysis and exome sequencing, the authors identified a SLC25A40 missense change that might contribute to high triglyceride levels. They then harnessed the power of the NHLBI Exome Sequencing Project to identify an association between SLC25A40 variants and high triglyceride levels.

Regulating lincRNA Expression Unlike that of protein-coding genes, the function of the majority of large intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) remains unknown. To gain further insight into the potential roles of lincRNAs, Popadin et al. used a genome-wide approach to characterize the cis expression quantitative trait loci (cis-eQTLs) and DNA-methylation patterns that contribute to lincRNA expression variability across fibroblasts, lymphoblastoid cell lines, and T cells derived from 195 European individuals. In general, lincRNA cis-eQTLs affected neighboring downstream protein-coding genes, suggesting that lincRNAs might also act as enhancers. Because lincRNAs are relatively young, it remains to be seen whether the variants that contribute to variable expression are under selection.

Functional Characterization of Breast-Cancer-Associated SNPs Variants near FGFR2 have been implicated in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, but it remains unclear how this locus contributes to disease progression. In this study, Meyer et al. used the iCOGS chip to fine map this region. They identified three independent risk signals and further prioritized the variants by using a variety of assays. ChIP assays demonstrated allele-specific binding of FOXA1 and E2F1. Because FOXA1 and ER are involved in conferring estrogen responsiveness, these results support the involvement of this locus in ER-positive breast cancer.

Ciliary Involvement in Morbid Obesity Substantial effort has been spent on identifying genes that are associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction. In this issue, Shalata and colleagues identified a homozygous nonsense mutation in CEP19 in a large, consanguineous family where affected individuals are morbidly obese and have an average body mass index of 48.7. Moreover, Cep19-knockout mice were nearly twice as heavy as their wild-type littermates, as well as hyperphagic, glucose intolerant, and insulin resistant in comparison to the wild-type mice. CEP19 localized to the centriole and basal body of primary cilia, suggesting the need for further explorations into the role of cilia in regulating metabolism.

Exploring T2D Exomes In recent years, the hunt for variants associated with common diseases has focused on uncovering common variants. More recently, however, spurred by the decreased cost of sequencing, investigators have begun to search for rare variants of large effect. In this issue, Lohmueller et al. explore the possibility that the underlying genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is driven by rare variants clustered in a small number of genes. Single-marker and gene-based association tests failed to reveal significant associations, suggesting that if rare variants do contribute to T2D risk, they will not be limited to a small number of genes.

A Polymorphism in IRF4 Affects Human Pigmentation through a Tyrosinase-Dependent MITF/TFAP2A Pathway In this study, Praetorius et al. demonstrate that a SNP associated with sun-exposure sensitivity lies within a melanocyte-specific enhancer of IRF4 transcription, thus identifying a noncoding polymorphism that affects a phenotype through modulation of a developmental gene regulatory network.

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The American Journal of Human Genetics - Cell

Senator Donnelly co-sponsors bill exempting volunteer fire departments from health care law – Video

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Senator Donnelly co-sponsors bill exempting volunteer fire departments from health care law
Senator Donnelly is co-sponsoring a bill called the Protect Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act. It will exempt volunteer fire departments fr...

By: WANE NewsChannel 15

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Senator Donnelly co-sponsors bill exempting volunteer fire departments from health care law - Video

Jon Karl to WH: Is Anybody Going to Buy Health Care Because Barack O’ Breezy Tells Them To? – Video

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Jon Karl to WH: Is Anybody Going to Buy Health Care Because Barack O #39; Breezy Tells Them To?
Jon Karl to WH: Is Anybody Going to Buy Health Care Because Barack O #39; Breezy Tells Them To? December 17, 2013 http://www.FreeBeacon.com.

By: Washington Free Beacon

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Jon Karl to WH: Is Anybody Going to Buy Health Care Because Barack O' Breezy Tells Them To? - Video

Health Care Analytics Expands as Business Intelligence Struggles

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The global market for health care analytics is predicted to expand at a compound annual growth rate of over 25 percent through 2020. While predictive and prescriptive analytics get a boost in the health industry, many other market sectors struggle to bring business intelligence (BI) back to importance. What is the secret for midsize IT professionals to get real value out of big data analysis?

Solid Support

Part of the reason for strong growth in the health analytics sector comes from the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, according to a December 19 iHealthBeat article, but that is only part of the story. Reporting on a recent MarketsandMarkets study, the article notes that while Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments are one factor in analytics adoption, the rise of health information exchanges and accountable care organizations are just as important. In other words, the health care industry is not only collecting data, but also making an effort to best use patient information.

Predictive and prescriptive analytics in both the United States and Asia will see a global boost spurred by increasing venture capital investments. The market should be worth $21 billion in 2020, up almost 500 percent from the current $4.4-billion valuation. What this means for midsize IT professionals is that the value of reliable analytics is getting noticed and funded. Too many companies, however, struggle with data; collection is easy, but analysis can be a challenge.

Start from the Top

A recent Forbes article talks about what companies actually need to make the most of data analytics, and it starts at the top. First, CEOs and other members of the C-suite need to be aware of how much a comprehensive analytics program will cost. In some cases, the price may be $1 million a year or higher. Perhaps more important is the need to fully commit; incomplete analytics yields incomplete results with little to no actionable value. Acquiring data is only 10 percent of this total cost, similar to the cost of developing appropriate data-sharing channels. The largest cost is in the middle: 80 percent of the price goes toward analysis. However, great analysis alone is not enough. Executives have a bad habit of ignoring the information they receive from IT professionals, choosing to go with their instincts instead.

One goal for IT professionals is to become analytics advocates who can articulate the need for BI dollars and deliver clear return on investment (ROI) plans that showcase how the money earmarked for data analysis will yield relevant and timely results. In addition, access is critical. As the Forbes article notes, one stumbling block to effective analytics is the lack of access to information at the different levels of an organization. To begin to trust data, C-suite executives need easy access and corresponding explanations from IT administrators; information analysis must be both seen and heard.

Health care analytics is on track for substantial growth as the demand for predictive and prescriptive solutions outstrips current BI solutions. Midsize companies also find themselves looking for better BI to compete in an evolving global market. To secure the necessary funding and support, IT professionals need full C-suite backing while executives need to understand the value of going all in.

This post was written as part of the IBM for Midsize Business program, which provides midsize businesses with the tools, expertise and solutions they need to become engines of a smarter planet. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

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Health Care Analytics Expands as Business Intelligence Struggles

Genetics – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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This article is about the general scientific term. For the scientific journal, see Genetics (journal).

Genetics (from Ancient Greek genetikos, "genitive" and that from genesis, "origin"),[1][2][3] a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms.[4][5]

Genetics is the process of trait inheritance from parents to offspring, including the molecular structure and function of genes, gene behavior in the context of a cell or organism (e.g. dominance and epigenetics), gene distribution, and variation and change in populations (such as through Genome-Wide Association Studies). Given that genes are universal to living organisms, genetics can be applied to the study of all living systems; including bacteria, plants, animals, and humans. The observation that living things inherit traits from their parents has been used since prehistoric times to improve crop plants and animals through selective breeding.[6] The modern science of genetics, seeking to understand this process, began with the work of Gregor Mendel in the mid-19th century.[7]

Mendel observed that organisms inherit traits by way of discrete 'units of inheritance.' This term, still used today, is a somewhat ambiguous definition of a gene. A more modern working definition of a gene is a portion (or sequence) of DNA that codes for a known cellular function. This portion of DNA is variable, it may be small or large, have a few subregions or many subregions. The word 'Gene' refers to portions of DNA that are required for a single cellular process or single function, more than the word refers to a single tangible item. A quick idiom that is often used (but not always true) is 'one gene, one protein' meaning a singular gene codes for a singular protein type in a cell. Another analogy is that a 'gene' is like a 'sentence' and 'nucleotides' are like 'letters'. A series of nucleotides can be put together without forming a gene (non-coding regions of DNA), like a string of letters can be put together without forming a sentence (babble). Nonetheless, all sentences must have letters, like all genes must have a nucleotides.

The sequence of nucleotides in a gene is read and translated by a cell to produce a chain of amino acids which in turn spontaneously fold into proteins. The order of amino acids in a protein corresponds to the order of nucleotides in the gene. This relationship between nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence is known as the genetic code. The amino acids in a protein determine how it folds into its unique three-dimensional shape; a structure that is ultimately responsible for the proteins function. Proteins carry out many of the functions needed for cells to live. A change to the DNA in a gene can change a protein's amino acid sequence, thereby changing its shape and function, rendering the protein ineffective or even malignant (see: sickle cell anemia). When a gene change occurs, it is referred to as a mutation.

Although genetics plays a large role in the appearance and behavior of organisms, it is a combination of genetics with the organisms' experiences (aka. environment) that determines the ultimate outcome. Genes may be activated or inactivated, which is determined by a cell's or organism's environment, intracellularly and/or extracellularly. For example, while genes play a role in determining an organism's size, the nutrition and health it experiences after inception also have a large effect.

Although the science of genetics began with the applied and theoretical work of Gregor Mendel in the mid-19th century, other theories of inheritance preceded Mendel. A popular theory during Mendel's time was the concept of blending inheritance: the idea that individuals inherit a smooth blend of traits from their parents.[8] Mendel's work provided examples where traits were definitely not blended after hybridization, showing that traits are produced by combinations of distinct genes rather than a continuous blend. Blending of traits in the progeny is now explained by the action of multiple genes with quantitative effects. Another theory that had some support at that time was the inheritance of acquired characteristics: the belief that individuals inherit traits strengthened by their parents. This theory (commonly associated with Jean-Baptiste Lamarck) is now known to be wrongthe experiences of individuals do not affect the genes they pass to their children,[9] although evidence in the field of epigenetics has revived some aspects of Lamarck's theory.[10] Other theories included the pangenesis of Charles Darwin (which had both acquired and inherited aspects) and Francis Galton's reformulation of pangenesis as both particulate and inherited.[11]

Modern genetics started with Gregor Johann Mendel, a German-Czech Augustinian monk and scientist who studied the nature of inheritance in plants. In his paper "Versuche ber Pflanzenhybriden" ("Experiments on Plant Hybridization"), presented in 1865 to the Naturforschender Verein (Society for Research in Nature) in Brnn, Mendel traced the inheritance patterns of certain traits in pea plants and described them mathematically.[12] Although this pattern of inheritance could only be observed for a few traits, Mendel's work suggested that heredity was particulate, not acquired, and that the inheritance patterns of many traits could be explained through simple rules and ratios.

The importance of Mendel's work did not gain wide understanding until the 1890s, after his death, when other scientists working on similar problems re-discovered his research. William Bateson, a proponent of Mendel's work, coined the word genetics in 1905.[13][14] (The adjective genetic, derived from the Greek word genesis, "origin", predates the noun and was first used in a biological sense in 1860.)[15] Bateson popularized the usage of the word genetics to describe the study of inheritance in his inaugural address to the Third International Conference on Plant Hybridization in London, England, in 1906.[16]

After the rediscovery of Mendel's work, scientists tried to determine which molecules in the cell were responsible for inheritance. In 1911, Thomas Hunt Morgan argued that genes are on chromosomes, based on observations of a sex-linked white eye mutation in fruit flies.[17] In 1913, his student Alfred Sturtevant used the phenomenon of genetic linkage to show that genes are arranged linearly on the chromosome.[18]

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Genetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Activist lauds GE-free city

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An American activist opposing genetic engineering has praised Nelson as the first part of New Zealand to declare itself free of genetically modified organisms.

Self-published author and speaker Jeffrey Smith gave a talk at the Free House pub this week emphasising the value in keeping genetically engineered products out of New Zealand. It was one of only two talks he gave nationwide.

"New Zealand is very well-poised to take advantage of the economics of going non-GM."

He said there was a growing sentiment in his homeland that genetically modified products should be avoided. He expected a consumer-driven "tipping point" to occur within the next 18 months, saying this would see products containing GM ingredients becoming a "commercial liability".

"At that point, the clean, green image of New Zealand will translate better into economic premiums."

Mr Smith said there was a particularly receptive market available for meat and dairy products which originated from animals that had not eaten GM feed. New Zealand farmers should phase out the use of GM feed and market their meat and dairy in the US, claiming the GE free products would command a premium.

In New Zealand, processed foods can contain GM ingredients but must be labelled accordingly. No GM crops are grown commercially and no GM fruit, vegetables or meat are sold, but meat and other products from animals that have been fed GM food are not required to be labelled.

Mr Smith claimed GE foods had been found to cause health problems, but said studies into this area had been suppressed.

He was not all praise for New Zealand, criticising the local processes in place for the approval of GE products. He said the process was "nowhere near" rigorous enough and did not protect the public, saying it was widely cited internationally as an example of "how regulations should not be conducted".

Based in Iowa, Mr Smith was hosted in New Zealand by non-profit organisation GE Free New Zealand. President Claire Bleakley said it would be enlightening for a local audience to gain insights on the international experience with genetic modification.

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Activist lauds GE-free city