Advances in Molecular Diagnostics, Genetic Testing, and Personalized Medicine to Be Focus at CAP ’12 — THE …

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Annual Scientific Meeting of the College of American Pathologists Gives Special Attention to Lung Cancer

Newswise NORTHFIELD, ILL. New science in molecular diagnostics, personalized medicine, and genetic testing for cancer will be featured topics when more than 1,000 pathology leaders gather at the Manchester Grand Hyatt on September 9-12, 2012, for the annual scientific meeting of the College of American Pathologists (CAP). CAP 12THE Pathologists Meeting will highlight advances in anatomic and clinical pathology related to laboratory medicine with a special focus on pulmonary pathology, the diagnosis of lung disease.

Revolutions in the molecular understanding of cancer have changed the way pathologists diagnose this disease and guide treatment, said CAP President Stanley J. Robboy, MD, FCAP. Today, the most effective treatment options are based on appropriate testing, accurate diagnosis, and a team approach to patient care one that includes the pathologist. Weve created a curriculum at our annual meeting for pathologists to keep current on the new diagnostic procedures that can enhance patient care.

At CAP 12, expert pathologists from around the globe will lead educational seminars that provide practical tools, which pathologists can immediately incorporate into their practices. Hot topics include breakthroughs in the molecular testing of lung cancer, a disease that strikes more than 230,000 Americans each year. This special scientific session will offer perspectives from one of the nations leading pathology experts in the study of lung cancer, Marc Ladanyi, MD, FCAP, an attending pathologist on the Molecular Diagnostics Service in the Department of Pathology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York, and Kim Norris, a UCLA Lung SPORE patient advocate and president of the Lung Cancer Foundation of American. Additional hot topics include: o Next-Generation Sequencing for Inherited Disorders o Companion Diagnostics for Targeted Therapy Cancer o Treatment Implication of ER-Positive and HER2-Positive Breast CancerThe Critical Role of Pathologists o Molecular Classification of Multiple Myeloma Using Genomic Profiling

Abstract Program Showcases Junior CAP Members Original Research As part of the CAP 12 Abstract Program, five CAP physician residents will receive special recognition for outstanding original research. Editors from the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine evaluated the submissions. This years winning abstracts cover a range of topics, including major discrepancies between clinical and postmortem pediatric diagnoses, and a large multi-institutional study that sought to determine whether the 2-tier ovarian serous carcinoma grading system was useful in stratifying these carcinomas.

CAP Will Honor San Diego High School Students for Excellence in Science Additionally, the CAP is honoring six of the best and brightest high school science students in San Diego through its Path to the Future in Medicine program. As part of this program, the students are invited to display their winning projects at CAP 12. In addition, they will have the opportunity to tour the CAP 12 meeting and discuss possible careers in medicine and science, as well as general science issues, with leaders in pathology.

The students, who competed at the 2012 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair in March were judged for excellence in five areas: creativity, scientific thought, attention to detail, skill, and clarity.

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), celebrating 50 years as the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, is a medical society serving more than 18,000 physician members and the global laboratory community. It is the worlds largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is the worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College advocates accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care.

### Editors note: Please call Julie Monzo at 847-832-7538, or e-mail jmonzo@cap.org, for free media registration. Or visit our Web site at: http://www.cap.org/CAP12.

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Schools prepare for new nutrition guidelines

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HOLMEN, WI (WXOW)For school nutrition employees, the new school year brought a new set of nutrition guidelines they must follow when feeding children school lunches.

In preparation for the new school year, 325 school employees from 18 school districts gathered in Holmen to learn about the new guidelines for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.

They also picked upsome tips on how to make food taste good using less sodium, as required by federal laws, and more herbs.

Studies have shown children that are well nourished do better in school and have less behavioral problems, which is why there is such a big push for healthier lunches.

Over the next ten years, schools will have to change meal standards and gradually become healthier.

At school, the days of greasy old hamburger and french fries are over.

"You're going to see a lot of the same names but it will be a healthier version," Michael Gasper, Holmen School District Food Service Director said. "It won't be like going to McDonalds and getting a chicken nugget. It will be a baked chicken nugget with whole grain."

Students will see fewer foods high in carbohydrates and sodium and more fruits and vegetables.

"It will take time for students to get used to some of the foods they're going to see," Katie Wilson, Executive Director National Food Service Management Institute.

Wilson said helping children broaden their palate will be easier if parents change their habits at home too.

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Adia Nutrition, Inc. Expands Distribution to New York/New Jersey

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NEWPORT BEACH, CA--(Marketwire -08/21/12)- In keeping with our strategy of expanding distribution across the United States, Adia Nutrition (ADIA) is happy to announce that we have contracted a new multi-line distributor in Union City, NJ. Our new distribution partner, who just placed their initial stocking order, is an authorized Pepsi distributor who services hundreds of retail accounts in the NJ area just across the Hudson River from New York City. "This is what we hope to be the first of many distribution partnerships on the East Coast," says Wen Peng, Adia Nutrition CEO.

"Our distribution and sales efforts are being supported by an advertising campaign which includes TV media aimed to drive awareness and demand," says Peng.

For more information, please visit http://www.adianutrition.com.

About Adia Nutrition, Inc.Adia Nutrition, Inc. (ADIA) is a company specializing in shelf stable probiotics. Currently, Adia offers four flavors of probiotic powders and the Adia Slim weight loss product as well as two flavors of probiotic chews. Adia sells their products across the country in independent pharmacies, health food stores, fitness centers and grocery store chains. In states and countries where Adia does not yet have retail distribution partners you can find Adia online.

According to a market research report titled 'Probiotics Market,' published by Markets and Markets (www.marketsandmarkets.com), the global probiotics market is expected to be worth US$ 32.6 billion by 2014. Moreover, the global market is expected to record a CAGR of 12.6%.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "should," "intend," "estimate," and "projects," variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are risks that are detailed in the Company's filings, which are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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See Yeasayer Play Dubsteppy Slow Jam 'Longevity' on 'Fallon'

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There ain't nothin' wrong with a little wub and grind. Yeasayer's third album, Fragrant World, is out today on Secretly Canadian, and last night they returned to Late Night With Jimmy Fallon to perform "Longevity," a cyborg slow jam with rattling, post-dubstep sub-bass. The smoldering violin solo had to be piped in, but otherwise, the dancing, zoned-in band appeared to be taking their own carpe-diem/YOLO advice: "Live in the moment / Never count on longevity," Yeasayer singer Chris Keating repeats. Your mind might be telling you no, but your body, your body is telling you yes.

Read our Q&A: Yeasayer on Not Being the 'New Cool Band' Anymore

NEWSWIRE Daniel Johnston Song Makes Axe Ad A Little Less Stinky

NEWSWIRE Avril Lavigne and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger Are Engaged...

SPLITS & REUNIONS Juliana Hatfield Rejoins the Lemonheads for Psychedelic...

SPOTLIGHT Ariel Pink: In Praise of Guilty Genius

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New laboratory test assesses how DNA damage affects protein synthesis

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ScienceDaily (Aug. 21, 2012) Transcription is a cellular process by which genetic information from DNA is copied to messenger RNA for protein production. But anticancer drugs and environmental chemicals can sometimes interrupt this flow of genetic information by causing modifications in DNA.

Chemists at the University of California, Riverside have now developed a test in the lab to examine how such DNA modifications lead to aberrant transcription and ultimately a disruption in protein synthesis.

The chemists report that the method, called "competitive transcription and adduct bypass" or CTAB, can help explain how DNA damage arising from anticancer drugs and environmental chemicals leads to cancer development.

"Aberrant transcription induced by DNA modifications has been proposed as one of the principal inducers of cancer and many other human diseases," said Yinsheng Wang, a professor of chemistry, whose lab led the research. "CTAB can help us quantitatively determine how a DNA modification diminishes the rate and fidelity of transcription in cells. These are useful to know because they affect how accurately protein is synthesized. In other words, CTAB allows us to assess how DNA damage ultimately impedes protein synthesis, how it induces mutant proteins. "

Study results appeared online in Nature Chemical Biology on Aug. 19.

Wang explained that the CTAB method can be used also to examine various proteins involved in the repair of DNA. One of his research group's goals is to understand how DNA damage is repaired -- knowledge that could result in the development of new and more effective drugs for cancer treatment.

"This, however, will take more years of research," Wang cautioned.

His lab has a long-standing interest in understanding the biological and human health consequences of DNA damage. The current research was supported by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health.

Wang was joined in the research by UC Riverside's Changjun You (a postdoctoral scholar and the research paper's first author), Xiaoxia Dai, Bifeng Yuan, Jin Wang and Jianshuang Wang; Philip J. Brooks of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Md.; and Laura J. Niedernhofer of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Penn.

Next, the researchers plan to use CTAB to investigate how other types of DNA modifications compromise transcription and how they are repaired in human cells.

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DNA may solve 21-year-old murder case

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DNA evidence may help solve the murder of a young NSW nanny more than 20 years ago, with police collecting samples from more than 100 people across the state.

Penny Hill, 20, died from her injuries two weeks after she was found unconscious on the side of a country NSW road on July 8, 1991.

The young woman had just started working as a live-in nanny for former Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs drummer Col Baigent and his then wife, Barbara Baigent, at the Black Stump Motel in Coolah.

In July, a second inquest into her death failed to shed any light on how she died, and the case was referred back to homicide police.

Now, in a bid to 'follow every rabbit down a hole', police are taking DNA samples from anyone who was in the Coolah area, or had contact with Ms Hill in 1991.

Detective Sergeant Jason Darcy said every person required to give a sample has previously been questioned by police in connection with the murder.

'It's a basic process of elimination,' he told AAP on Wednesday.

'The DNA material we got ... we don't know where it fits into the investigation.'

Police will test the new DNA samples against evidence collected from the scene at the time of the murder, and additional evidence taken from the Black Stump Motel earlier this year.

Sergt Darcy said each of 100 people contacted about the samples were happy to co-operate with police.

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Harnessing technology to pinpoint foodborne disease

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Some of the UKs top public health officials have hailed DNA sequencing techniques, such as next generation sequencing, as one the most powerful laboratory tools to help tackle foodborne disease, such as E.coli and salmonella, and have underlined their commitment to use this technology in future.

Earlier this year, experts gathered at a workshop organised by the Food Standards Agency, the Health Protection Agency, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Advisory Committee on Microbiological Safety of Food, to discuss how advances in molecular biology could be used to pinpoint the source in major outbreaks of foodborne disease. The report of this workshop can be found below.

Andrew Wadge, Chief Scientist at the Food Standards Agency, said: The devastating effects of incidents such as the E.coli O104 outbreak in Germany, remind us of the need to embrace cutting-edge technology to help us transform the way we investigate incidents in the future.

We are fully committed to exploiting the potential of molecular biology tools, such as next generation sequencing, in our fight against foodborne disease. By using these techniques, outbreaks could be investigated more quickly and effectively than ever before. This could shape the way we respond to incidents in the future and, ultimately, save lives.

An estimated one million people a year in the UK suffer from foodborne illness, with 20,000 receiving hospital treatment and causing about 500 deaths. This costs the UK economy approximately 1.5 billion annually.

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Former JSU Biology Department Chair Dr. Frank Romano dies

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Former JSU Biology Department Chair Dr. Frank Romano dies

by Special to The News Jacksonville News

Dr. Frank Romano, retired chair of the Biology Department, passed away last night after an extended illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Dr. Romano joined the JSU faculty in 1989 and became department head in 2002. He retired in May 2012.

Throughout his career, his expertise, professionalism and rapport with his students and colleagues were unparalleled.

In addition to his lifes work in the classroom and his numerous presentations, workshops and publications, Dr. Romano conducted extensive research on the physiological ecology of limno-terrestrial, freshwater and marine invertebrates with emphasis on tardigrades and mollusks. In recent years, he worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations National Marine Fisheries Service on northern Gulf of Mexico deep-sea microscopic animal communities with emphasis on tardigrades. This led to the discovery of four new species of tardigrades.

Among his recent accolades was selection for the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) 2010 Meritorious Teaching Award. Earlier this month, Dr. Romano and a team of colleagues were awarded a Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) grant supporting studies of the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Dr. Romano received his Ph.D. in Physiological Ecology from Syracuse University, New York and was a member of Beta Beta Beta, the biology honor society. He held professional society memberships in the Alabama Academy of Science, the Association of Southeastern Biologists, the American Microscopial Society, the International Tardigrada Society, and the International Meiofauna Association. In addition to the ASB Meritorious Teaching Award, his honors included a Syracuse University Summer Fellowship (1977), selection to Men and Women in American Science (1984), Leadership Kennessaw State College (1987), Jacksonville State University College of Letters and Sciences Distinguished Teaching Award (1994), Service Award from the U.S. Forest Service for continuing activities with personnel from the Shoal Creek District of Talladega National Forest (2004), and nomination as The 2005 International Scientist of the Year.

Funeral arrangements will be shared as soon as they become available.

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Former JSU Biology Department Chair Dr. Frank Romano dies

Synthetic Biology Market is Expected to Reach USD 16.7 Billion Globally in 2018: Transparency Market Research

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ALBANY, New York, August 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research (http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com) "Synthetic Biology Market, Global Industry Analysis, Size, Growth, Share and Forecast, 2012 - 2018", global Synthetic biology market was worth USD 1,537.5 million in 2011. The market grew to a value of USD 2,120 million in 2012, and is expected to reach USD 16,745 million by 2018, growing at a CAGR of 41.1% from 2010 to 2018. In the overall global market, Europe holds the maximum market share, and is expected to maintain its lead position in terms of revenue till 2018.

Browse the full report athttp://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/synthetic-biology-market.html

The global Synthetic biology market is driven by factors such as increasing incidence of oceanic oil spills and other types of pollutions, potential substitute of genetic engineering, increasing demand for cross bred animals, dropping prices of DNA sequencing and DNA synthesis, increasing population is increasing the demand for GM (Genetically Modified) food, increasing demand for alternative energy resources like biofuels, and rising R&D investments in drug development.

Some of the opportunities in the synthetic biology market which would drive the revenue of the industry in the future include rising economies of Asia Pacific regions and the BRICS nations, and increasing investments of WHO and other NGOs in third world countries to fight epidemic diseases such as malaria. Europe holds the maximum market share in the synthetic biology market, owing to high demand of synthetic biology products like biofuels and increasing R&D activities in the field of synthetic biology. The Europe synthetic biology market was valued at USD 619.5 million in the year 2011, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 39.8% from 2012 to 2018, to reach USD 6,389.5 million by the year 2018.

The synthetic biology market can be segmented into 4 major categories: synthetic biology market by products, synthetic biology market by enabled product application, synthetic biology technology by enabling technology and synthetic biology by geography. The global synthetic biology market by enabling technology was valued at USD 183.84 million and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 44.7% from 2012 to 2018, to reach an estimated value of USD 1780.40 million by 2018.

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Synthetic Biology Market is Expected to Reach USD 16.7 Billion Globally in 2018: Transparency Market Research

Murad® Debuts Newest Product Innovation in Anti-Aging Acne Line: Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Murad, Inc. announced today the launch of the latest innovation in its Anti-Aging Acne line - Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator. This multi-tasking hydrator helps to maintain fresh, youthful skin by clearing and tightening pores for a refined complexion. Additionally, Murads Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator provides essential hydration to soothe and help heal breakouts with an age-balancing formula that boosts collagen to minimize signs of aging and leave skin plumper and smoother.

Acne is not just a problem for teens. Because acne can be triggered by a number of factors, such as hormones, stress and environment, more and more women are beginning to complain of acne as they get older, said Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA and founder of Murad, Inc. To help combat both aging and acne simultaneously, we formulate efficacious products that provide users with maximum benefits, while also recommending an Inclusive Health approach that combines topical care, internal care and a focus on a sense of self to optimize skin health.

Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator works to reduce existing breakouts and prevent new blemishes from forming, while repairing skins barrier and optimizing collagen levels to minimize the signs of aging. Formulated with Kombucha Collagen Defense to stimulate collagen production and inhibit its breakdown, Lentil Seed Extract and Witch Hazel to tighten pores and help control excess oil and Cinnamon Extract to restore skin surface by reducing inflammation and optimizing oil production, Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator is ideal for those who suffer from adult breakouts.

Regardless of skin type, pore size increases with age; this condition is exacerbated for those with acneic skin, said Jeff Murad, Vice President of Product Development. We created Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator to address this concern for our Anti-Aging Acne consumers whose skin type is already prone to larger pores.

As the latest product addition to Murads Anti-Aging Acne line, created to reduce acne and aging concerns simultaneously, Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator is the ideal complement to the entire family of products.

Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator ($49.50 for 1.7 FL. OZ.) is available on Murad.com, at the Murad Inclusive Health Spa and Murad Inclusive Health Medical Group beginning August 2012 and will be available in salons, spas and at Sephora and Ulta September 2012. For more information about Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator or any Anti-Aging Acne products, please visit Murad.com or call 1.800.33.MURAD.

About Murad, Inc.

Murad, Inc. was founded in 1989 by Howard Murad. M.D., one of the world's foremost authorities on health care and a pioneer of the clinical skincare movement. Dr. Murad is a practicing physician at the Murad Inclusive Health Medical Group in El Segundo, Calif. where he pioneered the Inclusive Health approach to optimal living. All Murad products and services are based on The Science of Cellular Water, Dr. Murad's unified theory of health and aging. Sold in 41 countries, Murad is the #1 selling clinical skincare brand at many locations including Sephora and Ulta. For more information go to Murad.com, Facebook.com/murad or @DrMurad on Twitter.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50383092&lang=en

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Murad® Debuts Newest Product Innovation in Anti-Aging Acne Line: Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator

Washington Twp. man focuses on world travel

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Kent Earnest, 65, of Washington Twp. is a veteran world traveler. He has visited all 50 states and seven continents.

Antarctica was my last continent, Earnest said. I spent six or seven days on the peninsula in February.

He has traveled about 37,000 miles in the last eight months. He recently returned from a 35-day drive to Alaska and also visited Hawaii last year.

Ive always enjoyed traveling, Earnest said. I started that when I was 18 or 19. I hitchhiked to the Holy Land in college and lived in Bethlehem a few weeks. I so enjoyed seeing different cultures and people that I wanted to add different places.

Earnest does not visit the same place twice, but said he would return to Costa Rica and British Columbia in a heartbeat.

Earnest has been married for nine years, and has five children and 11 grandchildren. He has traveled with his daughters to Africa, and is instilling a love of exploration in his grandchildren.

I made a promise to all of my grandkids that I would take them someplace in the world within reason that we could afford to go, he said.

Earnest is a self-described political junkie and will volunteer until the election. He is also a passionate supporter of University of Kansas basketball. He served in Vietnam as an Army Capt in field artillery in 1969.

The most amazing thing Ive seen is the Amazon River. It makes the Mississippi River look like a creek; it is voluminous and wide. Its just inspiring, Earnest said. Antarctica was a surprise. It was more pristine than I could imagine.

Earnest is planning his next trip to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. He wants to visit all the Spanish-speaking countries.

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Washington Twp. man focuses on world travel

Astronauts Finish Successful EVA Outside Of The Space Station

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August 21, 2012

Image Credit: NASA/Roscosmos

Lee Rannals for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Cosmonauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS) handled a spacewalk on Monday that took 5 hours and 51 minutes to complete, involving the moving of a telescoping space crane to a different module.

The cosmonauts moved the module in preparation of a Russian laboratory that will be docking with the International Space Station sometime next year.

After moving the crane, they sent off a small science satellite into orbit by using a handling tool to manually deploy the 20-pound spacecraft on a trajectory to the rear of the space station.

The last major objective of the spacewalk was to install five micrometeoroid shields on the Zvezda command module.

Mondays spacewalk was the ninth for Expedition 32 Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko. It was the 163rd spacewalk in support of station assembly and maintenance, according to NASA.

Another Expedition 32 spacewalk is scheduled for August 30, and it will be conducted by NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Flight Engineer Akihiko Hoshide.

During the next spacewalk, the two astronauts will use the U.S. extravehicular mobility unit spacesuits for the first time since July 2011. It will be a 6.5-hour mission designed to replace a faulty power relay unit on the stations truss, install power cables before the Russian laboratory module arrives next year, and replace a failing robotic arm camera.

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Astronauts Finish Successful EVA Outside Of The Space Station

Dinosaur Prints Found At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center [Video]

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The people at NASA spend most of their time thinking about the sky above them. Turns out, one of their most biggest discoveries could be sitting next to their feet. A set of dinosaur prints have been found atNASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

MSNBC reports that dino-hunterRay Stanford found the footprint on NASAs Maryland campus. The footprint belongs to a spiny dinosaur called a nodosaur and is about the size of a dinner plate.

Stanford said that the nodosaur was a tank-like beast that lived about 110 million years ago.

Stanford said:

Space scientists may walk along here, and theyre walking exactly where this big, bungling heavy-armored dinosaur walked, maybe 110 to 112-million years ago.

The amateur paleontologist believes that the nodosaur was running at the time since the heel didnt sink too far into the mud. Stanford also says that he has discovered several smaller footprints in the area.

According to Live Science, the dinosaur print discovered at NASA shouldnt be too surprising. After all, the area between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland is often referred to as dinosaur alley.

Heres a video of Ray Stanford talking about the dinosaur prints he found at NASA.

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Dinosaur Prints Found At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center [Video]

Apparent dinosaur track found at space flight center

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(CNN) -

Goddard Space Flight Center scientists trying to unlock secrets of the universe have had clues to the prehistoric past resting literally beneath their feet.

Dinosaur tracker Ray Stanford this summer discovered on the center's campus the apparent footprint of a nodosaur, a plant-eater that roamed suburban Washington, D.C., about 110 million years ago.

The track, almost 14 inches wide, is near a sidewalk at the Goddard complex in Greenbelt, Maryland, home to 7,000 employees engaged in astrophysics, heliophysics and planetary science.

"It is sheer poetry," Stanford told CNN on Tuesday. "It is because of the juxtaposition that evokes so much interest."

Stanford late last week gave NASA officials a firsthand look at the print, which was hiding in plain sight all these years.

"It's something that if you knew what you were looking for you would have seen," said Alan Binstock, in charge of cultural and archaeological matters at the facility. "That's what's so amazing."

A paleontologist will do a survey to confirm the find, Binstock said, and will help determine what areas on the fenced campus may need further protection.

"I said this is not the only one," Stanford said. "There has to be many here."

Officials are staying mum on the footprint's exact location.

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Rats spread out from landfill in Medicine Hat, Alta.

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The Canadian Press Published Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012 8:59PM EDT

MEDICINE HAT, Alberta -- An official for Medicine Hat in southeastern Alberta says the rat population found in the city's landfill appears to be spreading to cushier digs.

Bylaw superintendent Fred Crittenden says the rodents are now being discovered in residential areas.

All appear to be the same species as the more than 80 Norway rats that have been found in the dump since earlier this month.

Crittenden says there have been dozens of complaints.

"So far ... we've have about 31 or 32 potential sightings. We've been able to confirm about 13 of those so far," he said Tuesday.

"We've had confirmed sightings all over the city and we've actually got photos of them or we've picked them up."

Most of the pests, however, have been found in an area close to the South Saskatchewan River.

Crittenden said traps will be put up around the city.

"Our pest control company is setting up bait stations at various locations that we feel they are most likely to migrate to," he said. "Those are going to be checked on a regular basis to see what kind of activity we're having on them."

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Rats spread out from landfill in Medicine Hat, Alta.

Valley weighs A&M option on long sought medical school

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When the mayors of Harlingen and Edinburg received invites to a University of Texas event outlining a blueprint for the Rio Grande Valleys long sought medical school, both mayors had already scheduled a prior engagement on that topic later that same day.

Edinburg Mayor Richard Garcia and Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell were front and center at the University of Texas-Pan American on Friday when system Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa announced a blueprint that will graduate the first class of South Texas medical students by 2018.

Garcia and Boswell left UTs morning announcement to join other Valley mayors in weighing their options for a medical school behind closed doors, a meeting set up days before the hastily-scheduled UT news conference to unveil its own vision for a Valley medical school.

Garcia organized the meeting of mayors to determine common ground issues and affirm a shared commitment to a South Texas medical school that will likely take the combined support of Hidalgo and Cameron counties, he said.

But the meeting also exposed some Valley officials frustration with UTs slow pace to establish a full-fledged medical school here and a willingness to explore whats perceived as genuine interest from the Texas A&M system to establish its own Valley medical school.

Garcia said nothing came out of the mayors meeting attended by city, county and Doctors Hospital at Renaissance and Valley Baptist officials other than a goal to host similar discussions soon.

Theres already been an investment made here (with UT) and we want to move that forward, said Garcia, whose city would retain the medical schools research facilities under UTs proposal. But if something else comes up thats worth talking about, lets talk about it.

PLANTING A FLAG

The fight for a Valley medical school is part of an overall push between the UT and Texas A&M systems to increase their presence in one of the fastest growing regions of the state. Internal conflicts between Hidalgo and Cameron county officials remain about how the school should be funded and where its components would be located.

On Friday, Cigarroa announced a blueprint to graduate the first cohort of Valley medical students in 2018 by relying on medical school infrastructure already in place in the Valley and San Antonio. As UT pursues accreditation and funding for the Valleys medical school, students could enroll in an independent South Texas track, begin classes at UTs Health Science Center in San Antonio and complete their final two years and clerkships in the Valley.

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Pondexter, Pierson lead Liberty past Sky

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ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) -- Cappie Pondexter scored 25 points and Plenette Pierson added 21 as the New York Liberty beat the Chicago Sky 77-67 Tuesday night.

The Liberty (8-13) saw an 18-point second half lead trimmed to six early in the fourth quarter, then rebuilt a double-digit advantage and maintained it the rest of the way. New York pulled one-half game behind Chicago for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

''The team we were competing for the playoff spot is Chicago,'' Liberty coach John Whisenant said. ''So getting a win here was very important to us, trying to claw our way back into the playoff race.''

Sylvia Fowles scored 18 points, Shay Murphy had 16 and Epiphanny Prince added 10 for the Sky (8-12), who lost their seventh straight and 11th in 12.

Prince, playing in her third game since returning from a foot injury, was carried off the court with 4:51 to play after rolling her right ankle. She didn't return, but was seen standing courtside through the final minutes.

Fowles and Cash had six points apiece as Chicago led for all but the opening seconds on the way to a 21-16 after one quarter. Pierson paced New York with eight points.

Pondexter scored back-to-back buckets over a 21-second span late in the second quarter to give the Liberty their first lead since the opening minute. It was part of an 13-0 run that helped New York to a 40-32 halftime lead. Pondexter, who grew up in Chicago, had eight points in the period.

''Obviously it's important because you have a buildup of excitement from being home, but more importantly we needed this win to inch closer to the playoffs,'' she said.

The Liberty more than doubled the lead in the third quarter behind 12 points from Pondexter. New York led 61-43 with 1:23 remaining before Chicago pulled within 12 entering the final period.

''We have to put together longer stretches of defense,'' Sky coach Pokey Chatman said. ''You know what New York is going to bring. It starts with Cappie (Pondexter). She is the head of the snake and we didn't do a very good job of cutting that off. Plenette (Pierson) is back and healthy. They made plays.''

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Pondexter, Pierson lead Liberty past Sky

Liberty Media unit mobile phone lawsuit can proceed: judge

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(Reuters) - A unit of Liberty Media Corp can proceed with its lawsuit against Ericsson , Qualcomm Inc and Alcatel-Lucent SA that accuses the three manufacturers of conspiring to exclude Liberty's positioning technology from being adopted in 4G mobile phones, a judge decided on Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Robert Kelly in Philadelphia wrote that TruePosition Inc's allegations of an illegal ...

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Liberty Media unit mobile phone lawsuit can proceed: judge