LISD releases STAAR results

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Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 4:00 am | Updated: 7:20 am, Tue Jun 26, 2012.

The Longview Independent School District students fared better than students across the state in English, reading and writing and matched their peers on biology during their first venture with the newly-implemented State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.

Monday, the district released results from the test.

While district eighth and ninth grade students did comparatively well in English and biology, LISD students lagged behind statewide passing rates for Algebra I and world geography.

All high school freshmen took the tests, as did eighth grade students who are taking ninth-grade level classes.

Rebecca Cooper, director of resources, planning and accountability for the district, said that the STAAR tests focus on fewer skills than the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills but expects students to have a more in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.

Texas is phasing out the TAKS and implementing STAAR.

The focus areas are clearer, fewer and deeper, Cooper said. These tests are more linked to college readiness than TAKS tests are.

For the five STAAR tests linked to typical freshman year classes, the overall passing percentages for Longview ISD were: English I reading, 72 percent; English I writing, 58 percent; Algebra I, 80 percent; biology, 87 percent; and world geography, 75 percent.

Statewide results showed ninth-grade passing rates ranged from 87 percent on the biology test to 55 percent on the English I writing test.

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LISD releases STAAR results

NSU Resources Inc Appoints Chief Technology Officer

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SAULT STE MARIE, Ontario, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- NSU Resources Inc (NOST) announced the full-time appointment of Dr. Robert Williams as Chief Technology Officer to oversee the commercial development and the commercial proving of the company's rare earth extraction process to target heavy rare earth elements, a group of rare earth elements for which cost-effective purification technologies are lacking.

Dr. Williams (49) is a chemist with a PhD in biochemistry with 22 years experience in the isolation of rare molecules in the industrial sector. He has authored and co-authored 1 patent and 10 papers. He has worked in various capacities in private and public companies, including Avance Pharma. Dr. Williams is a Nova Scotia native with substantive contacts in the mining and industrial sectors.

About NSU Resources Inc

NSU Resources, Inc. is a mineral exploration and carbon development company. Our mission is to become a vertically integrated provider of Rare Earth Elements. We are targeting growth from the acquisition of mineral and carbon rights worldwide.

Information: investors@nsuresources.com Phone 1-877-238-3173

Safe Harbour Statement

Sections of this press release contain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's best judgment based on factors currently known but involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to risks more fully described in the "Risk factors" section of the Company's Annual Report and other risks. Forward-looking information provided pursuant to the safe harbour established by recent securities legislation should be evaluated in the context of these factors.

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NSU Resources Inc Appoints Chief Technology Officer

Loyalty cards may 'nudge' better eating

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LONDON, June 25 (UPI) -- British government officials said they are considering a program of having supermarkets use customer loyalty card data to offer tailored advice on better diets.

David Halpern, the head of the Behavioral Insights Team, part of the prime minister's team known as the "nudge unit" -- which applies behavioral science insights to policy problems -- said supermarkets have more data than doctors have on their customers, and this information should be used for healthier eating, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The program involves shoppers who buy large amounts of snack food, alcohol or unhealthy products being identified and offered advice on healthier options or changes in their diet.

Richard Thaler, of Chicago, who is credited with developing the concept, met with David Cameron, prime minister, and other ministers this month, the Telegraph said.

Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, has said he would rule out government involvement in this type of program and other officials said they are wary of "big brother" accusations.

While it appeared to be understood that supermarkets would offer the "nudges," some in the retail trade said they feared customers might not appreciate the nudging, the Telegraph added.

Cameron had already advocated for homeowners and renters to compare their energy bills with those of their neighbors to evaluate whether they were using natural gas and electricity efficiently -- a program already implemented by some utilities in the United States.

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Loyalty cards may 'nudge' better eating

Eating placenta, an age-old practice in China

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06/27/2012

Shanghai After Wang Lan delivered, she brought home a baby girl and her placenta, which she plans to eat in a soup adopting an age-old practice in Chinese traditional medicine.

The health-giving qualities of placenta are currently creating a buzz in Western countries, where some believe it can help ward off postnatal depression, improve breast milk supply and boost energy levels.

But placentophagy the practice of eating ones placenta after birth is relatively common in China, where it is thought to have anti-aging properties, and dates back more than 2,000 years.

It is in the refrigerator now and I am waiting for my mother to come and cook it to eat. After cleaning, it can be stewed for soup, without that fishy smell, Wang said, adding she believed it would help her recover from delivery.

Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of a unified China, is said to have designated placenta as having health properties some 2,200 years ago, and during Chinas last dynasty, the dowager empress Cixi was said to have eaten it to stay young.

A classic medical text from the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) said placenta which lines the uterus and is key to the survival of the fetus was heavily nutritious and if taken for the longer term... longevity will be achieved.

Chinas state media says the practice of eating placenta has re-emerged over the past decade. One maternity hospital in the eastern city of Nanjing reported that about 10 percent of new parents took their placenta after childbirth.

Internet postings swap recipes on how to prepare placenta. One popular health Web site suggests soup, dumplings, meat balls or mixing it with other kinds of traditional Chinese medicine.

While trade in the organs has been banned since 2005, pills containing placentas ground into powder are legally available in Chinese pharmacies indicating unwanted placenta is somehow making its way to drug companies.

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Anatomy of a scam: One couple's losses and hard lessons

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RALEIGH, N.C. -- With their elderly parents seated across the octagonal oak table, Donna and Jim Parker were back in the kitchen they knew so well -- the hutch along one wall crammed with plates, bells and salt-and-pepper shakers picked up during family trips; at the table's corner, the spindly wooden high chair where a 7-year-old Jim had tearfully confessed to setting a neighbor's woods ablaze.

It was Christmastime, but this was no holiday gathering. Now, it was the parents who were in deep trouble, and this was an intervention.

For the past year, Charles and Miriam Parker, both 81, had been in the thrall of an international sweepstakes scam. The retired educators, with a half-dozen college degrees between them, had lost tens of thousands of dollars.

But money wasn't just leaving the Parker house. Strangely, large sums were now coming in, too.

Their four children were worried, but had been powerless to open their parents' eyes. Maybe, Donna thought, they'd listen to people with badges.

And so, joining them at the family table that late-December day in 2005 were Special Agent Joan Fleming of the FBI and David Evers, an investigator from the North Carolina attorney general's telemarketing fraud unit.

The home was littered with sweepstakes mailers and claim forms, the cupboards bare of just about everything but canned soup, bread and crackers. Charles Parker acknowledged that he'd lost a lot of money, but expressed confidence that

Evers and Fleming showed the couple a video of other elderly scam victims, then played a taped interview of a former con man describing how he operated. Charles was alarmed by what he was seeing and hearing, but his wife seemed to be barely paying attention.

With the couple's permission, Evers installed a mooch line on the kitchen phone so they could capture incoming calls. The Parkers pledged their cooperation.

After gathering up some of the mailings for evidence, the officers left, encouraged by what seemed a few hours well spent.

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Anatomy of a scam: One couple's losses and hard lessons

Bioheart’s Chief Science Officer Kristin Comella Presents at 10th Annual Meeting of International Society for Stem …

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SUNRISE, Fla., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioheart, Inc. (BHRT.OB) announced today that Kristin Comella, the company's Chief Science Officer presented at the 10th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) in Yokohama, Japan June 13 - 16, 2012. One of the world's premier stem cell research events, the ISSCR format includes international research and poster presentations from invited speakers, exceptional peer-to-peer learning and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Comella presented a poster on clinical applications of adipose or fat derived stem cells (ADSCs).

The ISSCR annual meeting serves as the largest forum for stem cell and regenerative medicine professionals from around the world. Through lectures, symposia, workshops, and events attendees experience innovative stem cell and regenerative medicine research, advances and what's on the horizon. The meeting features more than 1,000 abstracts, nearly 150 speakers and provides numerous networking and professional development opportunities and social events. For additional information, visit http://www.isscr.org.

Kristin Comella has over 14 years experience in corporate entities with expertise in regenerative medicine, training and education, research, product development and senior management including more than 10 years of cell culturing experience. She has made a significant contribution to Bioheart's product development, manufacturing and quality systems since she joined the company in September 2004.

About Bioheart, Inc.

Bioheart is committed to maintaining its leading position within the cardiovascular sector of the cell technology industry delivering cell therapies and biologics that help address congestive heart failure, lower limb ischemia, chronic heart ischemia, acute myocardial infarctions and other issues. Bioheart's goals are to cause damaged tissue to be regenerated, when possible, and to improve a patient's quality of life and reduce health care costs and hospitalizations.

Specific to biotechnology, Bioheart is focused on the discovery, development and, subject to regulatory approval, commercialization of autologous cell therapies for the treatment of chronic and acute heart damage and peripheral vascular disease. Its leading product, MyoCell, is a clinical muscle-derived cell therapy designed to populate regions of scar tissue within a patient's heart with new living cells for the purpose of improving cardiac function in chronic heart failure patients. For more information on Bioheart, visit http://www.bioheartinc.com, or visit us on Facebook: Bioheart and Twitter @BioheartInc.

Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical matters contained herein, statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "to," "plan," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "would," "estimate," or "continue" or the negative other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

The Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties described in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section entitled "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2012.

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Bioheart's Chief Science Officer Kristin Comella Presents at 10th Annual Meeting of International Society for Stem ...

Popeye’s right: spinach makes you stronger

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CARTOON character Popeye is right to down a can of spinach when he wants his biceps to bulge, according to a Swedish study showing why the leafy vegetable makes us stronger.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm said they had conducted a study showing how nitrate, found naturally in spinach and several other vegetables, tones up muscles.

For the study, to be published in the Journal of Physiology, the research team placed nitrate directly in the drinking water of a group of mice for one week and then dissected them and compared their muscle functions to that of a control group.

"The mice that had been on consistent nitrate had much stronger muscles," they said.

The nitrate used "was equivalent to a human's consumption of about 200 to 250 grams of spinach a day, so it's a very easily obtained amount", one of the researchers at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Andres Hernandez, said.

While no effect could be seen in the so-called slow-twitch muscles used for moderate exercise and endurance, the scientists saw a clear change in the fast-twitch muscles used for strength and more high-intensity exercises, Mr Hernandez said.

The tricky question was determining why this happened.

The researchers discovered that the nitrates had prompted an increase in two proteins, found naturally in the muscles, that are used for storing and releasing calcium, which is vital to making muscles contract.

The protein increase in turn led to higher quantities of calcium released in the muscles, Mr Hernandez said, noting: "If you have more calcium released, you have a stronger contraction."

In human terms, consuming nitrates from, for instance, spinach increases the muscle strength available for things like lifting weights or sprinting up a steep hill.

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Popeye's right: spinach makes you stronger

iWorx Introduces a High Performance, Single Channel Data Acquisition System with Analytical Software for Embedded OEM …

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DOVER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

iWorx, a developer of advanced physiology research tools, has introduced the IX-100BE Data Acquisition System with LabScribe2 Software that provides high resolution/low noise recording of biopotential signals for OEM applications. With one isolated input channel and a low voltage stimulator, the system is ideal for embedded biomedical and life science applications where only one biopotential recording channel is required.

The iWorx IX-100BE uses a 16-bit A/D converter to sample data over its full input range of 1V at speeds up to 200 kHz. The recorder also offers a wide selection of low pass and high pass filters and gains and is safe for human connection. The recorder incorporates a software programmable 16 bit, 5V stimulator (DAC). Parameters for the stimulator, such as pulse width, frequency and amplitude, may be changed on-the-fly. Standard protocols include Pulse, Train, and Step; protocols can be customized as well.

The iWorx IX-100BE recorder is controlled by LabScribe2 software, a powerful recording and analysis software package. LabScribe2 has an intuitive, user-friendly interface for setting up acquisition screens, calibrating signals and analyzing data. Up to 128 channels of data can be displayed simultaneously at sampling rates as high as 200,000 samples/second. A comprehensive set of analytical routines have been pre-configured making data analysis and interpretation quick and easy.

More information on iWorx IX-100BE Data Acquisition System can be found at http://www.iworx.com. Contact iWorx Systems, Inc., 62 Littleworth Road, Dover, NH 03820 (T) (800) 234-1757, (F) (603) 742-2455, billm@iworx.com.

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About iWorx iWorx advanced research solutions include high performance recording hardware, software, and components that accelerate metabolic, cardiovascular, neuromuscular and respiratory physiology research. In addition to data acquisition systems, iWorx offers a full selection of signal conditioners, stimulators, transducers, electrodes, cables, and general-purpose laboratory equipment and accessories.

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Barilla Center For Food And Nutrition Announces Appointment Of New Advisory Board Member

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BANNOCKBURN, Ill., June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition (BCFN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ellen Gustafson to its external Global Advisory Board. As a pioneer in social entrepreneurship and sustainable food systems, Gustafson is the Founder and Executive Director of the 30 Project, an organization connecting global hunger and obesity and crowd-sourcing long-term food system change.

(Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120625/NY29289-a)

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Gustafson is also the Co-Founder and a Board member of FEED Projects and the FEED Foundation, a company and non-profit that creates products that have helped provide more than 65 million school meals to children globally. Previously, Gustafson was a U.S. Spokesperson for the U.N. World Food Program.

"We are honored to welcome such an inspiring and accomplished individual to our Global Advisory Board" said Guido Barilla, President of the BCFN and Chairman of the Barilla Group. "Ellen's significant commitment to addressing global hunger and obesity will allow her to contribute an invaluable perspective as we continue to advance our goals at the BCFN."

Established in 2009, the BCFN is a think tank dedicated to exploring global issues related to food and nutrition from a multi-disciplinary perspective. In its first three years, the BCFN has investigated a broad range of topics through published articles, indices and white papers, educational webinars, and public forums, including its annual International Forum of Food and Nutrition that will be held on November 28-29, 2012 in Milan, Italy. Most recently, the Center published a new book with the Worldwatch Institute called Eating Planet 2012, to which Gustafson contributed a written interview about improving access to nutritious foods around the world.

The activities of the BCFN are guided by an Advisory Board composed of experts from diverse but complementary sectors from climate change to economics. The BCFN Advisory Board proposes the issues and contributes to the analyses under investigation by the Center. Gustafson joins the ranks of seven other distinguished Board Members who bring unique perspectives to the Center.

"I am thrilled to be working with the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition on our joint objective of improving the nutrition of the world," said Gustafson, the newly appointed BCFN advisor. "BCFN's multi-disciplinary approach and commitment to real, open and honest dialogue about the pressing global food issues we face will help put forth strong science and smart recommendations for improving the world's food systems."

For more information about the BCFN, the Advisory Board or Eating Planet, visit: http://www.barillacfn.com

About the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition: Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN) is a think tank founded in 2009 with the goal of analyzing major global issues connected with food and nutrition. For more information, visit: http://www.barillacfn.com/en

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COPAN Partners with INPECO to Offer Track System for Continuous Feeding of Specimens into …

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MURRIETA, Calif. - While attending the 112th American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, COPAN is announcing strategic partnership with INPECO for the connection of its track system FlexLab 3.6 for continuous feeding of standardized tube specimens to COPAN's WASP: Walk-Away Specimen Processor.

With over 500 systems placed worldwide, INPECO's track has been successfully implemented in the main specialties of the clinical laboratory everywhere. INPECO's vision of total lab automation fits perfectly with COPAN's vision for WASPLab, and with this partnership INPECO is looking forward to expanding its track system to the Microbiology lab to achieve full lab automation. Lab automation reduces human manipulation wherever possible to manage workload, avoid safety issues, as well as the risk of mistakes, assuring a full traceability of the biological sample. With this in mind, the ideal solution for the laboratory is to load all the tube specimens in specimen reception or accessioning area, and then use the specimen's barcode to determine which instrument the tubes are carried. In the case of WASP, the INPECO track will automatically manage tube specimens, from loading to storing and disposing. Specimens can be loaded onto the track system in two ways: specimens loaded in a hopper and automatically placed into buckets or specimens manually placed into the bucket holders prior to sending them to WASP.

"Standardization of microbiology specimens to tubes and automatic loading of such tube specimens via a conveyor track system sent from the point of reception limits the number of visits to the WASP to just loading and unloading plates. When used with WASPLab, the only visit to the WASP is to load fresh culture plates," says Norman Sharples, COPAN Diagnostics' Executive VP. "The addition of a track is particularly appealing to large laboratories, as it allows them to greatly improve efficiencies by streamlining specimen handling with less human manipulations and interventions," says Sharples. "The unique open platform of WASP allows this type of modularity, highlighting again that WASP is forward compatible and can converge with other technologies easily," concludes Sharples.

About COPAN Group

With a reputation for innovation in preanalytics, COPAN is the leading manufacturer of collection and transport systems in the world. COPAN offers a complete line of automation and a range of microbial sampling products used for traditional culture analysis and molecular diagnostic assays. For more information, visit http://www.copanusa.com

SOURCE COPAN Group

CONTACT: Gabriela Powers, Global Marketing Manager, 1-800-216-4016, Gabriela.powers@copanusa.net

Web Site: http://www.copanusa.com

Alloys used where metal must form hermetic seal with glass or ceramic (vacuum/power tubes, lamps); or where specific expansion must be met over a certain temperature range (hermetic sealing, optoelectronics, optical/laser benches, composite tooling).

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Sleep And Longevity: 5 Ways Sleep Keeps You Young

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By Shelby Freedman Harris, Psy.D. for YouBeauty.com

We know about the benefits of a good nights sleep -- better memory, attention, concentration and a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Sleep improves our mood; it makes us feel like we can do more in the day and gives us a better outlook on life. But in addition to helping us live productive lives, sleep is key to feeling and looking youthful. Here are five surefire ways.

1. You Look More Attractive To Others In a 2010 study published in the British Medical Journal, a group of Swedish investigators looked at whether sleep-deprived people were perceived as less healthy, less attractive and more tired than after a normal nights sleep. Twenty-three healthy adults were photographed after a normal nights sleep (about eight hours) and again after a night of sleep deprivation (31 hours of wakefulness!). The photos were presented to 65 untrained observers who rated them. Results indicated that sleep-deprived people appear less healthy, less attractive and more tired when compared to photographs taken after a full night's sleep.

More from YouBeauty.com: Sleep And Your Skin Tricks to Get a Good Night's Sleep QUIZ: Are You Getting Beauty Sleep?

The authors proposed that humans may be sensitive to sleep-related facial cues, and that these cues may affect your social life in big ways. For example, if someone is well-qualified for a job but hadnt slept well for a few nights, employers might perceive the candidate as being less healthy and more tired -- putting the candidate at risk of not getting hired.

What exactly is going on during those precious sleep-filled hours at night thats keeping us looking and feeling young? A lot.

2. You Stay Fitter As we wrote in Sleep More and Fit Into Your Skinny Jeans, sleep helps you manage your weight. Consistently getting less sleep than you actually need per night leads to slow and steady weight gain. This weight gain can impact how others view you (unhealthy, tired) and how you may view yourself (tired, unmotivated). If you sleep more, youll find it easier to lose weight and will even have more energy to exercise. It is also commonly accepted now that exercise helps us feel younger both physically and mentally.

3. Your Skin Glows Skin grows a lot in our sleep. We develop nearly 30 times more skin while asleep than when awake. Notice those dark circles and bags under your eyes after a poor nights sleep? The skin of a healthy sleeper is more elastic, supple and taut. The more you get a full nights sleep, the more youll have that youthful glow.

4. You're Quicker To Move, And Learn Our mind and bodies learn new things while we sleep. Studying the night before a big test and then getting a full nights sleep can solidify the material in your brain. Pulling an all-nighter without sleep can actually make it more difficult to learn new material. But more than just brain cells learn and grow throughout the night! Our muscles, ligaments and tissues all learn new routines to help us physically maneuver throughout the world --whether it is to help with balance, new dance moves or picking up a new sport.

5. You Boost Your "Youth" Hormones Finally, human growth hormone (HGH) has its highest production during slow-wave sleep. HGH is a key player in keeping us looking young even after weve finished growing. HGH is produced by the pituitary gland and is in high levels during childhood and adolescence. After weve grown, HGH levels drop off and stay at low, steady levels during adulthood. Deficiencies in HGH can lead to reduced muscle mass, slower metabolism, more belly fat and sagging skin. Sleep more, and youll likely increase your HGH levels.

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Sleep And Longevity: 5 Ways Sleep Keeps You Young

DNA given after rugby rape claim

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Steve Tew

South African police are waiting for the results of forensic tests before deciding whether to press rape charges against one player in the New Zealand Under 20 rugby team.

South African media initially reported four members of the team were accused of raping a 22-year-old woman in a room at the Southern Sun Hotel Newlands in Cape Town after the final on Friday evening (SA time).

Earlier in the evening, the team had lost 22-16 to South Africa in the Junior Rugby World Championship final.

"An allegation of rape is as serious as it comes", NZ Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew told Radio New Zealand today.

The team and management did not leave South Africa until they got permission from authorities and would continue to co-operate fully, he said.

He confirmed at least one player provided DNA samples for the investigation.

There were protocols for teams when they were on trips away, but breaches sometimes occurred, he said.

"But unfortunately, when you have that many young men away on tour some things happen that you'd prefer not to and now we're dealing with the consequences."

South African police officer Colonel Vish Naido told Radio New Zealand the woman told police she had been drinking and had little memory of what happened.

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DNA match results in arrest of Port St. Lucie man

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PORT ST. LUCIE

A DNA match stemming from blood left on curtains three years ago during a home burglary helped police arrest a local man in connection with the case, according to a detective and records obtained Monday.

Ruben Toussaint, now 21, was arrested earlier this month on charges including burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and grand theft stemming from the June 2009 incidents, saidPort St. Lucie policeDetective Christopher Fulcher.

At the time, a woman living in a home in the 5800 block of Northwest Hann Drive told police she had returned from visiting her sister and noticed her residence had been burglarized, a report states.

A sliding door was shattered and some electronics were reported stolen. Police noticed what appeared to be blood on a curtain and took portions for DNA testing.

Fulcher said that in March 2011 Toussaint was arrested in Port St. Lucie in connection with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting without violence. In November, Fulcher said, Toussaint was convicted of those charges.

"Once convicted, they took a DNA sample from him and placed it into this national database or databank," Fulcher said. "DNA from the curtain ... hit on that in the system."

Fulcher said Toussaint wasn't a suspect at the time of the 2009 burglary.

"We didn't even know who he was," Fulcher said.

Fulcher said Toussaint, who at the time lived near the burglarized home, denied being in the residence.

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Too Much Math Turns Biologists Off, Study Finds

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Don't be fooled by their PhDs -- biologists struggle with math too.

But University of Bristol researchers were surprised to find just how strong that aversion to equations is. In a study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they found that lots of math expressions in the main body of a research paper meant it was cited less by other scientists.

In fact, for each additional equation in a given paper, the number of times it was cited in other papers went down by 28 percent.

"The biologists I know don't like maths, but I only expected an effect of maybe five percent," co-author Andrew Higginson said in a telephone interview.

To gauge the dampening effect of math on biology papers, Higginson and his colleague Tim Fawcett measured equation density by counting the number of mathematical expressions in a research paper and dividing by the number of pages. They then looked at the number of times the paper was cited.

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Higginson says that in the U.K., the required math for undergraduate biology students will generally focus on statistics.

But "theoretical models aren't statistical, they're like calculus. And it's possible to to get a PhD without doing calculus," Higginson says.

While most biology research is empirical - relying on observation and experimentation - theoretical models, such as an equation modeling population changes in foxes and rabbits as the former preys on the latter, allow researchers to better interpret their observations and to test predictions.

To bridge the divide, Higginson and Fawcett think it's primarily important for biologists doing theoretical work to explain their models in a way that's easily understood by a wider audience.

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GW announces creation of Computational Biology Institute to conduct integrated research

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Public release date: 25-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Latarsha Gatlin lgatlin@gwu.edu 202-994-5631 George Washington University

Keith Crandall, a renowned biologist and population geneticist, has been named founding director of the George Washington University Computational Biology Institute. This newly created position will further strengthen GW's role as a leader in science and research in the region and nationally.

As director, Dr. Crandall will define the scientific vision of the Computational Biology Institute and direct the development and implementation of research plans and organizational structures, with the goal of hiring new faculty as well as integrating existing faculty and resources across the university. He will also serve as professor of biology.

"This is the beginning of a true interdisciplinary initiative at George Washington that I expect will positively impact virtually all colleges and schools," said Leo Chalupa, vice president of research at GW. "I believe that Dr. Crandall's recruitment as the founding director of the Computational Biology Institute will be the driving force towards more cross-campus research in many fields including computer science, evolutionary biology and personalized medicine." Personalized medicine is a medical model in healthcare that allows practitioners to tailor medical decisions to the individual patient using genetic or other information.

The George Washington University is one of the first universities to establish an institute dedicated to computational biology. The institute will focus on large-scale integrative bioinformatics and genomics. Informatics are used to answer important biological questions using massive amounts of data, including genetic and molecular data. Many disciplines are becoming more data-intensive, creating a need for the development of new computational tools and approaches that aid in the integration, interpretation and understanding of complex datasets.

To meet this challenge, the institute will foster creation of new positions in computational biology research, enhancing and synergizing disciplines at George Washington such as the biological, biophysical and biomedical sciences as well as computation disciplines such as computer science, math and statistics. The institute will also build upon existing partnerships with regional research centers of excellence, including Children's National Medical Center, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Janelia Farm, INOVA hospital system, Naval Research Laboratory, Virginia Tech-Arlington and the National Institutes Health intramural research program.

"I feel it a great honor to join the George Washington University faculty and direct the new Computational Biology Institute," said Dr. Crandall. "We have an amazing opportunity in this new genomics era to be world leaders in developing and implementing computational approaches to broad questions from biodiversity crisis issues to translational medicine. With the exceptional faculty and outstanding leadership at GW, the institute is sure to be a huge success."

Dr. Crandall comes to George Washington from Brigham Young University where he has served as a faculty member since 1996 and chair of the biology department since 2007. He is a recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan Young Investigator Award, the National Science Foundation Career Award, the National Institutes of Health James A. Shannon Director's Award and a Fulbright Scholar Award to Oxford University. He is past president of the Society of Systematic Biologists.

A recipient of more than $18 million in grant funds, Dr. Crandall brings to George Washington two grant awards. He is the lead investigator and one of 11 researchers from 10 institutions across the country working on a component of the ground-breaking "Open Tree of Life" project funded by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Crandall also is serving as part of a team of researchers studying the affects of the BP oil spill on coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.

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MARC travel award announced for the 2012 GSA Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology Meeting

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Public release date: 25-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Fran Yates fyates@faseb.org 301-634-7109 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

Bethesda, MD FASEB MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) Program has announced the travel award recipient for the 2012 Genetics Society of America (GSA) Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology Meeting in Princeton, NJ from July 31 August 5, 2012. These awards are meant to promote the entry of underrepresented minority students, postdoctorates and scientists into the mainstream of the basic science community and to encourage the participation of young scientists at the 2012 GSA Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology Meeting.

Awards are given to poster/platform presenters and faculty mentors paired with the students/trainees they mentor. This year MARC conferred 1 award totaling $1,850.

The FASEB MARC Program is funded by a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health. A primary goal of the MARC Program is to increase the number and competitiveness of underrepresented minorities engaged in biomedical and behavioral research.

The following has been selected to receive a FASEB MARC Travel Award for her poster/platform presentation:

Dr. Jennifer Gallagher, Stanford University

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FASEB is composed of 26 societies with more than 100,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. Celebrating 100 Years of Advancing the Life Sciences in 2012, FASEB is rededicating its efforts to advance health and well-being by promoting progress and education in biological and biomedical sciences through service to our member societies and collaborative advocacy.

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MARC travel award announced for the 2012 GSA Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology Meeting

Mannatech Presents Product Science at the 9th Annual International Society of Sports Nutrition Conference and Expo

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COPPELL, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Mannatech, Incorporated (NASDAQ: MTEX), the leading innovator and provider of naturally sourced supplements based on Real Food Technology solutions, recently presented product research at the 9th Annual International Society of Sports Nutrition Conference and Expo, which was held in Clearwater, Fla., on June 22-23, 2012.

The open-label human clinical trial showed that intake of Mannatech products resulted in statistically significant improvements in numerous self-reported measures of physical and mental health, quality of life, memory, and elbow and knee pain reduction.* The 15 retired football players who participated in the study took Mannatechs Ambrotose complex powder, Omega-3 with Vitamin D3, Ambrotose AO capsules, PhytoMatrix caplets and PLUS caplets.

The study was authored by Dr. Robert Sinnott, Dr. Rolando L. Maddela, Dr. Sejong Bae and Dr. Talitha Best. Dr. Sinnott is the CEO and Chief Science Officer at Mannatech, and Dr. Maddela is the Clinical Research Administration Manager at Mannatech. Dr. Bae is a Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of North Texas Health Science Centers School of Public Health in Fort Worth, Texas; Dr. Best is a Research Fellow in the Nutritional Physiology Research Center, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia.

The International Society of Sports Nutritions annual conference and expo brings together scientists, physicians and athletes interested in sharing the latest science evaluating nutritional and behavioral approaches to optimizing human health and performance. More information about the meeting can be found here: https://www.sportsnutritionsociety.org/CONBrochures/issn9thannualco.pdf

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This study was funded by Mannatech.

About Mannatech

Mannatech, Incorporated, develops high-quality health, weight and fitness, and skin care products that are based on the solid foundation of nutritional science and development standards. Mannatech is dedicated to its platform of Social Entrepreneurship based on the foundation of promoting, aiding and optimizing nutrition where it is needed most around the world. Mannatechs proprietary products are available through independent sales Associates around the globe including the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Estonia, Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Mexico and Namibia. For more information, visit Mannatech.com.

Please note: This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of phrases or terminology such as believe, intend or other similar words or the negative of such terminology. Similarly, descriptions of Mannatechs objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets contained herein are also considered forward-looking statements. Mannatech believes this release should be read in conjunction with all of its filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and cautions its readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to certain events, risks, uncertainties and other factors. Some of these factors include, among others, Mannatechs inability to attract and retain Associates and Members, increases in competition, litigation, regulatory changes and its planned growth into new international markets. Although Mannatech believes that the expectations, statements and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cautions readers to always consider all of the risk factors and any other cautionary statements carefully in evaluating each forward-looking statement in this release, as well as those set forth in its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other filings filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including its current reports on Form 8-K. All of the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release.

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Mannatech Presents Product Science at the 9th Annual International Society of Sports Nutrition Conference and Expo

Sexuality Expert Dr. Rich Blonna Releases New Sexual Self-Help Book; Will Speak at ACBS Conference

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HILLSBOROUGH, N.J., June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Rich Blonna, author, professor, life coach, and sex expert, will give two presentations on how to unleash the power of your sexual mind at the 10th World Conference of the Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science (ACBS) in Washington, D.C., to be held from July 22-25, 2012. His talks are adapted from his new book, Sex-ACT: Unleash the Power of Your Sexual Mind with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Blonna is the first practitioner to apply Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to improving one's sex life.

"Don't let the word 'therapy' in the title scare you. The presentations and book are for people like you who enjoy sex but feel something is missing. My work targets healthy folks who want to enhance their sex lives, deepen their relationships, and have more sexual fun," said Dr. Blonna, a full-time tenured university professor with over 25 years of experience teaching human sexuality, stress management and health counseling.

"Your most important sexual organ is not between your legs. It is between your ears with your thoughts, feelings, mental images, and self-talk - plus your values and goals about your personal sexuality and your relationships," said Dr. Blonna, a sex expert. "Bringing the right mind-set to your sexuality gives you the power to fantasize, play, create, and relate."

Blonna's presentations and book help you start to develop the right mind-set by answering such key questions such as:

The Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science (ACBS) is the professional society for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The 10th World Conference of ACBS will bring together therapists, counselors, coaches, and other practitioners from around the world who integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles and practices into their work with clients.

Dr. Blonna also will do a book signing, which offers sex tips for everyday people on Monday evening, July 23 from 8:30-9:30 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

His website is: http://www.drrichblonna.com

To see video tips on how to unleash the power of your sexual mind go to: Sex-ACT Podcast

About Dr. Rich Blonna

Dr. Rich Blonna is a Nationally Certified Coach (CPC), Counselor (NCC), Distance Counselor (DCC), and Health Education Specialist (CHES). He is the author of four textbooks, two trade paperbacks, and several journal articles.

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Sexuality Expert Dr. Rich Blonna Releases New Sexual Self-Help Book; Will Speak at ACBS Conference

OXIS Announces the International Launch of Online Sales for ErgoFlex(TM)

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OXIS International, Inc. (OXIS) (OXI.PA) today announced the international commercial launch of its proprietary, clinically proven, joint health product, ErgoFlex(TM) (www.ergoflexbest.com). A study published last month in the peer reviewed journal of Preventive Medicine clearly demonstrated ErgoFlex's ability to reduce pain, increase range of motion and significantly improve the quality of life from people who suffer from joint pain.

Unlike any other antioxidant available to consumers, our catalyst ingredient in ErgoFlex, EGT, is referred to as the "intelligent antioxidant" because it is the only antioxidant having a dedicated transport mechanism in the body to deliver it through the cell membrane and even into the mitochondria, the energy producing area of the cell. Additionally, when other powerful antioxidants are also present, the body preferentially utilizes ergothioneine.

OXIS holds the exclusive patent to manufacture EGT, which has received full GRAS (safety) approval. OXIS' marketing partner, engage:BDR, has been developing a comprehensive, full digital advertising campaign for a pipeline of OXIS' proprietary EGT(TM) dietary supplements and anti-aging personal care products.

"This is a major step forward in demonstrating the company's focus of delivering our proprietary EGT(TM) based products direct to consumers. Our partners at engage:BDR have an outstanding track record executing on direct-to-consumer product campaigns and ability to deliver our product message to a much-targeted audience that will make for a very successful launch. I am anticipating significant revenue ramp-up with ErgoFlex with additional products to follow soon," said David Saloff, Chairman and CEO of OXIS International.

"OXIS International's team has demonstrated tremendous expertise in product development, one such being the EGT product line which we're extremely excited to deliver to the market," said Ted Dhanik, president, engage:BDR.

About OXIS International, Inc.

OXIS International, Inc. develops technologies and products to research, diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of oxidative stress/inflammation associated with damage from free radical and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The company holds the rights to several therapeutic classes of compounds in the area of oxidative stress, including EGT(TM) (99% pure L-ergothioneine), known as the intelligent antioxidant.

About engage:BDR

engage:BDR provides advertisers cutting-edge marketing solutions, advanced technology and custom programming by integrating display, video and branded entertainment into a single network. Whether it's driving qualified traffic and leads or building awareness and engagement, engage:BDR is committed to providing innovative solutions to reach consumers and deliver the highest quality results to their partners. Headquartered in Los Angeles, engage:BDR attracts a list of top name partners and customers including Ask.com, Bose, CBS Interactive, eHarmony, Live Nation, Sony Pictures among others.

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OXIS Announces the International Launch of Online Sales for ErgoFlex(TM)

Vesagas: The cultural anatomy of RH bill

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Vesagas: The cultural anatomy of RH bill