NASA’s Chandra detects blackhole bonanza next door

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Washington, Jun 13:

Astronomers have discovered 26 new black holes in the Andromeda Galaxy, one of the nearest galaxies to the Milky Way, using data from NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory.

Using more than 150 Chandra observations, spread over 13 years, researchers identified 26 black hole candidates, the largest number to date, in a galaxy outside our own.

Many consider Andromeda (M31) to be a sister galaxy to the Milky Way. The two ultimately will collide, several billion years from now.

While we are excited to find so many black holes in Andromeda, we think its just the tip of the iceberg, said Robin Barnard of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) in Cambridge, and lead author of the study.

Most black holes wont have close companions and will be invisible to us, Barnard said.

The black hole candidates belong to the stellar mass category, meaning they formed in the death throes of very massive stars and typically have masses five to 10 times that of our Sun.

Astronomers can detect these otherwise invisible objects as material is pulled from a companion star and heated up to produce radiation before it disappears into the black hole.

The first step in identifying these black holes was to make sure they were stellar mass systems in the Andromeda Galaxy itself, rather than supermassive black holes at the hearts of more distant galaxies.

To do this, the researchers used a new technique that draws on information about the brightness and variability of the X-ray sources in the Chandra data. In short, the stellar mass systems change much more quickly than the supermassive black holes.

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NASA’s Chandra detects blackhole bonanza next door

NASA captures awe-inspiring image of sun and moon

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Recall Alert: Do you eat beef jerky? Recall Alert: Do you eat beef jerky?

Updated: Thursday, June 13 2013 5:11 AM EDT2013-06-13 09:11:19 GMT

Updated: Thursday, June 13 2013 2:48 PM EDT2013-06-13 18:48:00 GMT

Updated: Thursday, June 13 2013 2:35 PM EDT2013-06-13 18:35:00 GMT

Updated: Thursday, June 13 2013 2:23 PM EDT2013-06-13 18:23:00 GMT

Updated: Thursday, June 13 2013 1:48 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:48:33 GMT

Info Courtesy: NASA

Two or three times a year, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory observes the moon traveling across the sun, blocking its view.

While this obscures solar observations for a short while, it offers the chance for an interesting view of the shadow of the moon. The moon's crisp horizon can be seen up against the sun, because the moon does not have an atmosphere. (At other times of the year, when Earth blocks SDO's view, the Earth's horizon looks fuzzy due to its atmosphere.)

If one looks closely at such a crisp border, the features of the moon's topography are visible, as is the case in this image from Oct. 7, 2010. This recently inspired two NASA visualizers to overlay a 3-dimensional model of the moon based on data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, into the shadow of the SDO image.

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NASA captures awe-inspiring image of sun and moon

NASA Visitor Centers Launch New Passport for Space Tourists

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Earth-bound space tourists hitting the road this summer to tour NASA's historic launch pads and mission controls, as well as see the retired space shuttles on display, now have their own passport.

The "Passport to Explore Space" is now being offered by the official visitor centers for NASA's nationwide facilities and the museums that display the space agency's former orbiter fleet. Guests to the 14 locations in nine states can get the passports stamped with commemorative markers representing each of the centers, earning them offers and discounts in the process.

"Get ready to explore and experience NASA's universe of diverse visitor centers and the museums which house America's four space shuttles!" promotes VisitNASA.com, the website for the "Passport to Explore Space" program and NASA's tourist attractions. "Your mission is to visit all 14 visitor centers and space shuttle locations." [Where to SeeAmerica's Greatest Spaceships (Infographic)]

The program includes the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, where space shuttle Atlantis will open on display June 29; the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia where space shuttle Discovery is exhibited; the California Science Center in Los Angeles where shuttle Endeavour is housed; and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, which will reopen the pavilion showcasing the prototype orbiter Enterprise on July 10.

Other locations participating in the passport program include Space Center Houston, the visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center; the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the Alabama home to Space Camp and the visitor center for Marshall Space Flight Center; the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, which hosts Glenn Research Center's visitor center; and the INFINITY Science Center, which represents Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

Rounding out the list are the official visitor centers for Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland; NASA's Ames Research Center, Dryden Flight Research Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California; and the Wallops Flight Facility and Langley Research Center in Virginia, the latter at the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton.

The free eight-page passport booklet can be obtained by visiting the participating locations after registering for the program online. Visitors must be at least 18 years old to join.

Passport holders can receive discounts off of admission, attractions, food and souvenirs at some of the locations. For example, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers $5 off regular price admission and 10 percent off of merchandise and its "Lunch with an Astronaut" program.

Nearly four million people tour the NASA centers annually, according to VisitNASA.com.

"NASA visitor centers tell the story of America's amazing spirit and exciting history of space exploration to visitors from around the world," said Roger Bornstein, the director of marketing for Space Center Houston, in a statement. "Visitors will not only be enriched, but inspired with the scores of artifacts, family entertainment and exceptional educational programs."

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Research and Markets: Global Nanotechnology Drug Delivery Market Report 2013-2016: Market to Grow at a CAGR of 74 …

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/grcb6t/global) has announced the addition of the "Global Nanotechnology Drug Delivery Market 2012-2016" report to their offering.

IOTA NanoSolutions Ltd., Lena Nanoceutics Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Celgene Corp., and SkyePharma plc Dominate the Market

Global Nanotechnology Drug Delivery market to grow at a CAGR of 73.97 percent over the period 2012-2016. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the low R&D cost. The Global Nanotechnology Drug Delivery market has also been witnessing an increase in customer support services. However, the increasing safety concerns could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.

The other vendors mentioned in the report are Merck & Co. Inc., Pfizer Inc., AlphaRx Inc., Amgen Inc., Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc., Biophan Technologies Inc., Calando Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cephalon Inc., Cerulean Pharma Inc., Copernicus Therapeutics Inc., CritiTech Inc., CytImmune Sciences Inc., Elan Corp. plc, Debiotech SA, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Nano Interface Technology Inc., Spherics Inc., Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc., SoluBest Ltd., Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals Inc., PharmaNova Inc., Particle Sciences Inc., Novavax Inc., Nanotherapeutics Inc., NanoSight Ltd., NanoCarrier Co. Ltd., NanoBioMagnetics Inc., Nano Interface Technology Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Kuecept Ltd., and Izon Science Ltd.

Key questions answered in this report:

- What will the market size be in 2016 and what will the growth rate be?

- What are the key market trends?

- What is driving this market?

- What are the challenges to market growth?

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Research and Markets: Global Nanotechnology Drug Delivery Market Report 2013-2016: Market to Grow at a CAGR of 74 ...

Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine Builds New Laboratory in North Carolina

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San Diego-based genetic analysis company Sequenom Inc. announced that its subsidiary, the Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine, has built another laboratory in North Carolina.

The new lab, in Raleigh-Durham, is currently processing patient samples with Sequenoms MaterniT21 PLUS tests. It said it can process 100,000 tests per year, increasing the companys total capacity to 300,000 test samples per year.

The MaterniT21 prenatal test evaluates whether a fetus has Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy.

We are excited about the opening in North Carolina of our third U.S.-based laboratory location, Sequenom president and COO William Welch said in a statement. Our investment in establishing this new presence on the East Coast will allow us to better meet the needs of health care providers by providing critical additional capacity and geographic backup needed to address the rapidly growing adoption of our testing services.

SDBJ Staff Report

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Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine Builds New Laboratory in North Carolina

Benefits of health and wellness with alternative medicine-Dr. Holly Fourchalk (604) 764-5203 – Video

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Benefits of health and wellness with alternative medicine-Dr. Holly Fourchalk (604) 764-5203
Benefits of health and wellness with alternative medicine-Dr. Holly Fourchalk (604) 764-5203 http://www.ChoicesUnlimited.ca http://www.choicesunlimited.ca/st...

By: Dr. Holly Fourchalk

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Benefits of health and wellness with alternative medicine-Dr. Holly Fourchalk (604) 764-5203 - Video

Natural Healing with Alternative Medicine for Health and Wellness-Dr. Holly Fourchalk (604) 764-5203 – Video

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Natural Healing with Alternative Medicine for Health and Wellness-Dr. Holly Fourchalk (604) 764-5203
Natural Healing with Alternative Medicine for Health and Wellness-Dr. Holly Fourchalk (604) 764-5203 http://www.ChoicesUnlimited.ca http://www.choicesunlimit...

By: Dr. Holly Fourchalk

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Natural Healing with Alternative Medicine for Health and Wellness-Dr. Holly Fourchalk (604) 764-5203 - Video

University of Medicine and Dentistry students honored with Medal of Excellence

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Eight University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey graduates from 2012 to 2013 have been honored with the Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence. One of these graduates is Dr. Karim Yussef Helmy, a resident of Branchburg and an alumnus of Somerville High School.

More than four decades ago, Dr. Stanley Bergen became the founding President of UMDNJ, and his many contributions touched the lives of thousands of students, patients, faculty and staff. Dr. Bergens personal philosophythat dedication to compassionate care helps shape academic excellencebecame UMDNJs defining value. In his honor, the Board of Trustees annually recognizes one individual from each school whose activities inside and out of the classroom embrace Dr. Bergens vision to improve the health and quality of life of all of New Jerseys citizens.

Dr. Helmy, a 2013 graduate of New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) in Newark, was honored with the Bergen Medal of Excellence for his dedication to serving the medical school and the surrounding community. I am very honored and grateful to be the recipient of the Bergen Medal of Excellence, says Dr. Helmy. I have a deep appreciation for all of the support I have received from my family, friends, colleagues and teachers who have afforded me such exciting opportunities. It has been a privilege to work with and learn from such committed and talented people.

During his time at NJMS, Dr. Helmy has strived for academic excellence and achievement in his field. He participated in a summer fellowship program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and successfully applied for a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Training Fellowship. Following that research year, he was awarded additional Howard Hughes funding to continue research at Sloan-Kettering. He was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the National Honor Medical Society, in his junior year.

Dr. Helmy is also known for placing an emphasis on service to the community.

Throughout his time in medical school, Dr. Helmy became active in a number of service organizations at the school and in the community: He mentored elementary-age children through the Early Start Mentoring Program; organized the Student Doctor Day program for local youth interested in the health sciences; educated residents at a Newark halfway house about personal health maintenance; and served as an elected member of student council, a group leader for the peer advising program, a student interviewer for the admissions office, and a member of the preclinical curriculum committee, which evaluates the courses from the first two years of medical school. In recognition of his compassion, sensitivity and respect for others, he was elected to the NJMS Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

This month, Dr. Helmy will begin his residency in Internal Medicine at Columbia/New York Presbyterian Hospital. I enjoyed learning clinical medicine, and I discovered a passion for Internal Medicine. My intention is to continue onto fellowship in Oncology, he says. I hope to build a career as a physician and a scientist both treating patients with cancer and helping to develop the next generation of therapies.

This years Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence honorees are:

Karim Yussef Helmy, New Jersey Medical School Jessian Munoz, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Ivan G. Georgiev, New Jersey Dental School Catherine Madurski, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Chukwuemeka S. Nwigwe, School of Health Related Professions Laurie A. Huryk, School of Nursing Brittany Alexis Perry, School of Osteopathic Medicine Jermey Orlando Taylor, School of Public Health

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University of Medicine and Dentistry students honored with Medal of Excellence

Medicine is the flavour of the season

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At least 12 of the top 20 rankers in the State, who had applied for engineering admissions, have now decided to pursue medicine. The others, barring a few, are keen on mechanical engineering.

This is a dramatic shift from last year, when most top-scorers opted for computer science engineering or the popular ECE, aiming for jobs in the IT sector. This year, students say these courses have lost their sheen. With the economic slowdown affecting job prospects, many students have reconsidered their earlier decisions.

S. Abhinesh from Dindigul, who has centums in all four subjects, including biology said he spent a long time considering his options before choosing to pursue medicine at Madras Medical College. He was very confused. At one point, he wanted to go for aeronautics and then computer science, because his older brother did that. But with the IT sector not doing very well, he thought over it and decided medicine was a safer choice, said his father P. Sekar, a banker.

For Deepak Prakash Narayan of Madurai, also with a 200/200 cut-off, deciding to pursue medicine was not easy. The competition is tougher in medicine. While he is ranked sixth in the engineering rank list, he is ranked 159th in medicine. He has centums in physics, mathematics and chemistry, but not in biology, but he still wants to do medicine, said his uncle Vikram Narayanan.

T. Sudhahar from Tiruchi who scored 199.75, said medicine was always his first choice but he chose to fill up engineering forms too, because they were sold much before the results were declared.

I took computer science and biology to make sure I was eligible for both streams, said another topper Monika, who also said she wanted to pursue medicine. Only if she doesnt get into a good medical college will we consider engineering, her father said.

Secretary of Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions, V. Rhymend Uthariaraj, said every year at least 40 of the 100 toppers choose medicine. We can never say which stream is more sought after as trends change every year, he said.

This year, only 11 students have scored 200/ 200 while last year, there were 32 such students. The cut-off, officials said, could go down by 0.25 marks this year.

According to education consultant, Jayaprakash Gandhi, mechanical engineering, civil and electrical engineering will emerge as top favourites this year.

A parent, Giridharan, said he had convinced his son Sriram, who has a 200/200 score to choose mechanical engineering over ECE, even though Sriram was interested in the latter. Students dont really have any idea about the various branches. They want to do what their friends tell them to. If he pursues mechanical engineering, he can be employed in core companies which are doing well, Mr.Giridharan said.

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Medicine is the flavour of the season