Select Page ::

Science Getaways: Dark skies | Bad Astronomy

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Danzig

I got an email recently from BABloggee Mark Sunderland, pointing out this photo to me. It shows the Toronto skyline with the Milky Way and thousands of stars blazing behind it.

I had to chuckle: the picture is obviously fake (and now the caption at Flickr says as much, though it didnt when I first saw it). Theres no way you could see the Milky Way from a city like Toronto. The city lights flood the air with illumination, lighting up the sky and drowning out faint stars. A long exposure photo of the sky over Toronto would make it worse; the sky would be washed out, with only a handful of stars visible. This is called light pollution, and its a serious problem for astronomers. Thats why we build our telescopes far from civilization centers.

To really see the stars, you have to get away from cities, to a place with few lights to to compete with the sky. Thats a big reason my wife and I chose the C Lazy U Ranch for our premier Science Getaways vacation. This is a dude ranch nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where the nearest large town is Estes Park, 50 km to the northwest, and even thats blocked by the mountains. The skies there are dark.

Science Getaways is a company my wife and I started to add science to otherwise non-sciencey vacations. For this first one we have a geologist, biologist, and me at the dude ranch. Every day there will be science talks followed by short and long field trips (to accommodate different physical abilities) where well check out the local nature, and at night there will be stargazing sessions. Im really exited about that last bit (duh). Its been a while since Ive used a scope under really clear, dark skies I have an 8" Celestron and just seeing Saturn (which well do) is cool enough but unlike that composite Toronto picture, the Milky Way over the mountains will be quite real, and quite spectacular. Well be looking at nebulae, clusters, and other objects, too, and there will be plenty visible just to the unaided eye. Ill have binoculars people can use as well, which to be honest is one of my favorite ways to soak up dark skies. Its amazing what you can see with a decent pair of binocs.

This Getaway is from September 16 20, 2012 just three months from now. We have about 20 spots left open, so if youre on the fence about this, nows the time to decide. The skies are calling.

- Science Getaways: T- 4 months - Science Getaways: Update - Science Getaways

Here is the original post:

Science Getaways: Dark skies | Bad Astronomy

AI System Automates Consumer Gripes

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Danzig

By Ben Rooney

From sister blog Tech Europe:

An artificial intelligence service that automatically resolves consumers disputes and can even engage in negotiations was displayed at Le Webin London on Wednesday.

Cognicor, a spinoff company from the Barcelona Institute of Artificial Intelligence, is aimed at businesses that get a huge volume of low-value complaints that need to be resolved.

Some companies receive tens, even hundreds of thousands of complaints a month, according to Cognicor Chief Executive Sindhu Joseph. At the moment, those complaints must be handled by hand, typically offshore, which is slow, expensive and unsatisfactory for both business and consumer.

A typical complaint might be someone has been on vacation and an airline company mislaid their bags for five days, Ms. Joseph said. The customer wants compensation for this.

Using Cognicor, complaints are submitted via a Web interface. The system checks the validity of the complaint the customer is who they say they are, they traveled on the flight they claim, etc. Having established the bona fides of the complainant, it then looks at a number of factors.

Sentiment analysis of the complaint can determine how severe the complaint is. It also looks for context, and it looks to see who is making the complaint and their social influence, Ms. Joseph said. If you take the example of the lost baggage, it makes a difference if you lose your bags going out on vacation, or coming back. That is what we mean by context.

By influence, Ms. Joseph means either the importance of the customer to the company, or their social influence. Measures for determining social influence are being deveoped but include Facebook and Twitter influence.

By using a corpus of existing complaints and resolutions provided by the company, the system can learn how to automate the process. For example, it could offer you cash back or a voucher to offset against another flight.

Here is the original post:

AI System Automates Consumer Gripes

Sikorsky Aerospace Services Wins Coveted 2012 Military MRO of the Year Award

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Danzig

SHELTON, Conn., June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviation Week's Overhaul & Maintenance Magazine has presented its prestigious 2012 MRO of the Year Award for military center of excellence to Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS). SAS, which received the award at the recent MRO Americas Conference & Exhibition in Dallas, Texas, is the worldwide aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080904/NETH086LOGO)

SAS was recognized for its Technical, Engineering, Logistics, and Services and Supplies (TELSS) partnership with the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) in Texas, which supports the U.S. Army's H-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter repair and overhaul program. The TELSS/CCAD partnership delivered back into service a record-breaking 48 newly refurbished BLACK HAWK helicopters in 2011.

"The BLACK HAWK upgrade program at CCAD represents tremendous cost savings to the U.S. government by updating older aircraft to the latest UH-60L configuration. Retiring these older BLACK HAWK helicopters would compel the government to replenish its fleet with new aircraft at a much higher cost per unit," said David Adler, SAS President. "The TELSS/CCAD partnership is committed to performing quality work that provides commercial best-practices that drive productivity and innovation and ultimately produce safer, more reliable BLACK HAWK helicopters. The benefit of increased aircraft readiness supports our government's ability to execute successful missions throughout the world."

"We are very proud of the recognition that this award bestows upon our CCAD team. Over the past 10 years, we have done tremendous work to increase the technical capability, share industry best practices, and streamline the depot," said George Mitchell, SAS Vice President of Military Customer Support, who accepted the award. "Our support of the Army's BLACK HAWK fleet continues to show our commitment to this battle-proven product."

Formed in 2003, the TELSS partnership between SAS and CCAD supports all facets of the U.S. Army's H-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter repair and overhaul program. The Army's BLACK HAWK UH-60A fleet is upgraded to the UH-60L model, which includes a new, more powerful transmission, engines, upgraded airframe and enhanced safety features. Since the formation of the partnership, several hundred Sikorsky Aircraft process improvement recommendations have been submitted to CCAD, resulting in a savings of $3.8 million. Implementation of these processes also has increased production by more than 300 percent with only a 30 percent increase in manpower.

"Our partnership with Sikorsky has allowed us to do many things that before were considered undoable," said Col. Christopher Carlile, Depot Commander. "It's in the best interest of our soldiers, and we look forward to maintaining a partnership that's a win-win as much as possible."

Through TELSS, Sikorsky provides the depot with technical, engineering, and logistical support services for BLACK HAWK and HH-60G PAVE HAWK helicopters. SAS is able to leverage Sikorsky's manufacturing efficiencies and extensive supply chain to provide material support for the aircraft and component overhaul. As a result of the partnership with Sikorsky, the depot is currently able to maintain a 93 percent fill rate on aircraft requirements. SAS provides a 30-person on-site team including embedded engineers who continually relay Sikorsky's best manufacturing practices to CCAD and provide engineering analysis for repair procedure changes that reduce overall material costs. Throughout the overhaul and repair process, SAS is able to interpret aircraft documentation, quickly solve any technical questions and keep production moving.

In recent years, partly in response to tightening Department of Defense budgets, Sikorsky has been exploring innovative ways for its customers to realize their mission readiness goals in a more cost-effective manner. Sikorsky has a stated enterprise-wide goal of reducing the operating costs of its platforms by 10 percent annually. In addition to CCAD, Sikorsky has received recognition for its Performance-Based Logistics Program in support of more than 500 in-service H-60 U.S. Navy SEAHAWK helicopters. That program won the Defense Logistics 2011 Award for Best PBL Implementation and was the largest contract ($1.4 billion) ever awarded by the Naval Systems Supply Command.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services, a Sikorsky company, provides comprehensive support to rotary- and fixed-wing operators around the world. It offers its military and commercial customers a full portfolio of support services, including material distribution, maintenance, overhaul & repair, aircraft modifications and life-cycle support. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.

Visit link:

Sikorsky Aerospace Services Wins Coveted 2012 Military MRO of the Year Award

TECT Aerospace, Inc. Hires Colin Strain as Vice President Sales and Marketing

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Danzig

WICHITA, Kan., June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --TECT Aerospace, Inc. announced the hiring of Colin Strain as vice president sales and marketing.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120621/CG28669)

Before joining TECT Aerospace, Colin was the vice president sales and marketing for seven years at GKN Aerospace, Engine Products where he was responsible for all global sales and marketing activities. Prior to GKN Aerospace, he worked at ThyssenKrupp as the director of sales and marketing.

"Colin Strain brings an in-depth knowledge of business development, sales, marketing and operations to TECT Aerospace," said Pete Knapper, president of TECT Aerospace. "Colin's experience and knowledge will provide leadership and direction for our sales team and enable TECT Aerospace to meet and exceed ambitious growth objectives."

Colin earned his undergraduate degree in management studies from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

Colin will relocate from Cincinnati to be based out of TECT Aerospace headquarters in Wichita.

About TECTTECT is a family of privately held, independently managed aerospace companies currently consisting of the TECT Aerospace and TECT Power business units. With more than 115 years of continuous operations, the TECT businesses have a unique blend of business processes, equipment, and proprietary manufacturing capabilities that have earned them leading positions in many of their product niches. TECT's philosophy of utilizing a fully integrated supply chain allows them to deliver precision components and assemblies to customers worldwide with unmatched quality and speed. To learn more, visit http://www.tectcorp.com.

Excerpt from:

TECT Aerospace, Inc. Hires Colin Strain as Vice President Sales and Marketing

Precision Aerospace Components Acquires FDMC

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Danzig

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Precision Aerospace Components, Inc., a growing provider of fasteners and components to the military and aerospace industries under its Freundlich Supply and Tiger-Tight companies, announced it has acquired the assets of Fastener Distribution and Marketing Company, (FDMC). FDMC is the parent company of Aero-Missile Components, (AMC) and Creative Assembly Systems, (CAS). AMC provides fasteners and other components to the military and aerospace industries; CAS provides fasteners, tooling and other products to the transportation, housing infrastructure and white goods markets.

In announcing the transaction, Andrew Prince, Precision Aerospace Components President and CEO, said, "This transaction complements all four operating companies by providing access to greater combined resources serving a broader addressed market. I am excited about bringing these two management teams together to further the Company's long term objectives."

Richard McVaugh, a respected fastener industry executive and the President of FDMC, who has overseen the growth of AMC and CAS will assume the role of President of each of the Precision Aerospace subsidiaries. Mr. McVaugh noted, "All customers of each of our companies will be better served as a result of this acquisition. We look forward to bringing increased service and offerings to both present and future customers."

With this acquisition Precision Aerospace Components, Inc. and its subsidiaries Aero-Missile Components, Inc. and Freundlich Supply Company, Inc. and Creative Assembly Systems, Inc., will have operations throughout the United States, will providea responsive and knowledgeable quality fastener solution to customer needs and provide the support to introduce the revolutionary Tiger-Tight locking washer the domestically fabricated lock washer that really holds without loosening and does not destroy the surface material to which it is holding.

In the upcoming 12 months, the combined companies anticipate producing over $33M in revenues and an operating profit (before any expenses associated with the acquisition and taxes) of over $3M.

More information online: http://www.precaeroinc.com/

-Logo 72dpi: http://send2press.com/mediaboom/12-0621-precision_72dpi.jpg

This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com

Precision Aerospace Components Acquires FDMC

Roundup from Microbiology Meeting

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

Some of the interesting stories researchers were discussing at this years American Society of Microbiology meeting in San Francisco.

Are air microbes alive?

Air contains a multitude of bacteria, up to 10,000 per cubic meter, which researchers have assumed exist in spore or dormant forms. To test this assumption, investigators from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, collected air from several locations from around the state and tried to increase the numbers of microbes using a spare liquid culture containing water and small amounts of salts, acids, and alcoholsconditions that mimic the compounds typically found in the air. The researchers then aerosolized successfully growing bacterial cultures using a reactor that they designed and built in-house, and recorded the amount of the carbon isotope 13 that was incorporated into the bacterial DNA a proxy for growth. Although the results showing some bacterial growth in aerosolized cultures are tentative, according to a press release, the investigators are hopeful that further research will provide another example of bacteria thriving in inhospitable conditions.

Bacterial virus fights coral disease

Coral reefs are plagued not only by bleaching events in which they dump their photosynthetic symbionts in response to stress, but also by bacterial disease that can spread rapidly through a colony. Researchers cant immunize coral against the bacteria because their immune systems are too rudimentary, and antibiotics cant be applied effectively in open water. Instead, researchers have investigated using a virus that specifically infects and kills the coral bacteria responsible for white-plague-like coral disease in the laboratory with success. A group from Tel Aviv University recently tried the approach in the Gulf of Aqaba, bordered by Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, and found that the virus successfully slowed disease progression and transmission to new corals. For untreated corals, on the other hand, the disease continued to spread throughout the coral tissue and to neighboring corals, killing 65 percent of tissue in 28 days. An added advantage of the approach, the researchers found, was that the virus would replicate as it killed disease-bacteria and spread to other bacterially-infected corals, but would diminish when the bacterial disease was under control, mitigating the possible spread of an introduced virus.

Cigarette smoke makes bacteria more virulent

Researchers from Columbia University in New York have found that cigarette smoke changes the properties of commensal bacteria, putting smokers at greater risk of their microbiome becoming dangerous. Staphylococcus aureus is part of our normal flora, but it can also cause disease. Exposure to smoke altered Staph physiology, increasing its ability to stick to human cells as well as inanimate objects; increasing its genetic mutations, which could lead to antibiotic-resistant strains; and enhancing its ability to grow as a biofilm. Chronic infections are often caused by bacteria that grow as biofilms, and researchers found that their observations were consistent with the increased incidence of difficult-to-treat infections with smoke exposure.

See more here:
Roundup from Microbiology Meeting

DNA used to identify deceased along Texas-Mexico border

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

ScienceDaily (June 21, 2012) In the small Texas town of Del Rio, about five miles from the Mexican border, lies Westlawn Cemetery, a place where the poor and lost are buried in unmarked graves, their identities unknown. A group of Baylor University professors and students hope to give those buried there a name and return them to their loved ones.

Dr. Lori Baker, associate professor of anthropology at Baylor, forensic science lecturer Jim Huggins, and 18 students exhumed remains at the cemetery and are performing DNA analysis to help identify the deceased.

After exhuming the graves, students worked in teams to analyze the remains and are in the process of performing a full anthropological analysis to determine age, sex, ancestry, and stature of the deceased, measuring and completing 3D scans of the bones at laboratories at Baylor and Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

During the field school in Del Rio, the team unearthed six deceased to be identified along with the remains of a baby. "I am hoping that we will be able to go back and see if the mother was also buried in the cemetery near the baby," Baker said.

The DNA analysis will be included in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and shared with officials in Del Rio and the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs with the goal of positive identification and repatriation of the remains to their families in Mexico. For Baker, the field school is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have an impact on others.

"No one else in the United States is doing this right now -- taking students on a field school to identify the undocumented population that have died while crossing the border. This is unique," said Baker. "This field school has allowed the students to learn with hands-on experience how to locate and recover human remains in a forensic context. They are learning how to analyze the remains in order to learn all that they can from the deceased and how to look for signs of antemortem and post-mortem trauma. There is no better learning experience that we can provide for them. The field school also provided an opportunity for the students to work in a humanitarian effort that has the potential to significantly affect others."

Although this is Huggins's first field school of this type, his almost 30-year career in law enforcement has allowed him to experience exhumations as part of forensic criminal investigations. He believes experience is the best teacher for the students. "This type of project provides real-world experience for students who aspire to become anthropologists and forensic scientists as well as those who desire to serve in a worthwhile project," Huggins said.

Baker, who was recently featured in a four-part series on the National Geographic Channel called "The Decrypters," has examined the remains of roughly 300 unidentified, undocumented immigrants that resulted in 70 direct identifications and subsequent repatriations as part of her Reuniting Families Program. She hopes to help families heal after the loss of their loved ones.

"The families are left without knowledge of what became of their loved ones. These deceased individuals are buried without names and as long as they are buried, there is no further action to find their identities," Baker said. "We will do all we can to give them names and to get them back to their families. We hope that the closure will bring peace to the families."

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Read the original:
DNA used to identify deceased along Texas-Mexico border

Notre Dame researcher's paper examines the biology of tumor-derived microvesicles

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

Public release date: 21-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Crislyn-D'Souza-Schorey cdsouzas@nd.edu 574-631-3735 University of Notre Dame

A new paper by Crislyn D'Souza-Schorey, professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame, discusses the biology of tumor-derived microvesicles and their clinical application as circulating biomarkers. Microvesicles are membrane-bound sacs released by tumor cells and can be detected in the body fluids of cancer patients.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the incidence of cancer will reach approximately 9 million deaths in 2015. The rising prevalence of the disease is a major factor that drives the growth of the oncology biomarkers market. Biomarkers can be defined as any biological, chemical or physical parameter that can be utilized as an indicator of physiological or disease status. Thus, biomarkers are useful in cancer screening and detection, drug design and also to boost the effectiveness of cancer care by allowing physicians to tailor therapies for individual patientsan approach known as personalized medicine.

The new paper discusses the potential of microvesicles to present a combination of disease and tissue-specific markers that would constitute a unique, specific and identifiable biosignature for individual cancers.

"As such, it would make their sampling over time a preferred method to monitor changes to the tumor in response to treatment, especially for tissues such as the ovary or pancreas, where repeated biopsies of these organs is impractical," D'Souza-Schorey said.

Profiling of microvesicles could form the basis of personalized, targeted cancer therapies, especially as more reliable and rapid profiling technologies become available.

"For example, certain markers like HER2/neu, in addition to being elevated in breast cancer, is also increased in a relatively smaller subset of other cancers such as ovarian cancer," D'Souza-Schorey said. "This latter group of patients would benefit from existing treatment strategies that target the HER2 receptor."

The approach could be advantageous over currently used approaches of profiling whole tissue or un-fractionated body fluid particularly if circulating microvesicles indeed concentrate molecular changes that occur in the tumor, as it would increase the sensitivity of detecting critical markers of cancer progression.

"One complicating factor, though, is the presence of shed vesicles from other non-tumor cell types also in direct contact with these body fluids," D'Souza-Schorey said. "Thus, equally significant is the development of strategies to selectively capture tumor-specific markers that separate from other shed vesicle populations."

Genome Canada Launches Competition to Strengthen Canada's Leadership in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -06/21/12)- Genome Canada with support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), today launched the 2012 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Competition. This research fund will help create the next generation of tools needed to deal with the massive amounts of data produced by modern genomic technologies and allow researchers to better understand the biology of living things.

Bioinformatics expands the use of genomics data through the research, development or application of computational tools and approaches. It enables better ways to acquire, store, organize, archive, analyze and visualize data.

"The Harper Government is supporting Canada's research leadership in genomics, an area that has the potential for significant social and economic benefits," said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology. "Through this investment, we are supporting the development of new tools and methods necessary to keep Canada at the leading edge of this fast-growing field."

Pierre Meulien, President and CEO, Genome Canada, said: "The genomics research community has an urgent need for efficient computational tools to collect and analyse data. Genome Canada has made it a priority to invest in this area so that key economic sectors from forestry to fisheries, agriculture to environment, energy to mining and human health have the ability to reap the full value of genomics research."

Computational biology helps make sense of genomics data through computational analysis, modelling, and prediction. New experimental, computational and theoretical tools in biology will lead to a much greater understanding of life in its molecular detail and maximize the impact of genomics research in health and life sciences, among other areas.

The competition involves $5 million from Genome Canada and $1.25 million from CIHR. Of this, $4 million will support large-scale projects by multi-disciplinary teams to develop robust, user-friendly tools needed by the genomics research community. As well, $2.25 million will support small-scale projects by individuals or groups to propose innovative ideas with the potential for significant impact. CIHR's funding preference will be in support of the smaller scale projects. The projects, in collaboration with Canada's six regional Genome Centres, are expected to secure an additional $4 million in co-funding for the large-scale applied projects.

Dr. Alain Beaudet, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, said: "CIHR is pleased to partner with Genome Canada on this important initiative, especially given the vast potential applications to research that could come out of new tools and methodologies in this essential field. The more effectively we can analyze and interpret genomic data, the greater our understanding of life at its most fundamental level."

Genome Canada is a catalyst for developing and applying genomic sciences that create economic wealth and social benefit for Canadians. We work in partnership to invest in and manage large-scale research and translate discoveries into commercial opportunities, new technologies, applications and solutions. We build bridges between government, academia and industry to forge a genomics-based public-private innovation focused on key life science sectors. For more information, visit http://www.genomecanada.ca.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada. http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

See more here:
Genome Canada Launches Competition to Strengthen Canada's Leadership in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

A new model to understand the supertasting phenomenon

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

Public release date: 21-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Angela Hopp ahopp@asbmb.org 240-283-6600 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Supertasting describes the ability to strongly detect food flavors such as bitter and sweet, and it can affect a person's food preferences. For example, supertasters are often averse to green vegetables because their bitter taste is amplified. Supertasters may also prefer foods lower in sugar and fat. Approximately one out of four people is a supertaster, and a supertaster's avoidance of sweet and fatty foods may have protective cardiovascular effects.

Christopher Nosrat and colleagues at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania have developed a new mouse model that may be useful to study supertasting. The team's work was reported in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Nosrat's group developed mice whose taste buds overexpress brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a growth factor for neurons and a protein that is important for the distribution of nerves to sensory organs, such as taste buds. These mice had larger taste buds, an increased number of taste cells per taste bud, and a greater supply of nerves in the taste buds compared with the control mice. These features suggest that the mice could be a model for supertasters, whose tongues have an increased number of fungiform taste buds (a specific kind of taste bud on the front and sides of the tongue that detects the five basic tastes).

"By generating the supertaster rodent model," Nosrat reports, "we are able to study the supertasting phenomenon in detail." Furthermore, brain-derived neurotrophic factor is important for proper development of the nervous system, Nosrat explains, and this mouse model can facilitate the development of therapies for nerve injuries in which taste signaling to the brain has been damaged.

###

From the article: "Targeted taste cell-specific overexpression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adult taste buds elevates phosphorylated TrkB protein levels in taste cells, increases taste bud size, and promotes gustatory innervation" by Irina V. Nosrat, Robert F. Margolskee, and Christopher A. Nosrat. See it online: http://www.jbc.org/content/287/20/16791.

Corresponding author: Christopher A. Nosrat, Center for Adult Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis; email: canosrat@gmail.com.

About the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Read the original post:
A new model to understand the supertasting phenomenon

Autism Speaks provides strategies to help a child with autism shows difficult behaviors

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

Public release date: 21-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jane E. Rubinstein jrubinstein@rubenstein.com 212-843-8287 Autism Speaks

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 21, 2012) Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, today released An Introduction to Behavioral Health Treatments, Applied Behavior Analysis and Toilet Training parent's guides. These latest tool kits, all developed as part of the work of the Autism Treatment Network through its participation as the HRSA-funded Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), are available for free download on Autism Speaks Tool Kits webpage.

Behavioral challenges are a common problem for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many children with ASD have challenges managing certain behaviors such as aggression or not following directions in addition to experiencing limitations in communication or social skills.

The experts of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) and the AIR-P have addressed how parents and families can help improve their child's behavior with The Introduction to Behavioral Health Treatment which provides an overview of in-home strategies as well as tips to teach and increase desirable behaviors and decrease behavior problems. This tool kit also provides an overview of professional behavioral treatments families can seek out from qualified professionals.

The accompanying Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) tool kit, also released today, is an informational guide designed to provide parents with a better understanding of ABA, how their child can benefit, and where and how they can find ABA services. The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association both state that evidence-based ABA is a "best practice" in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

Behavioral treatments for children with ASD require a high degree of repetition and reinforcement in both home and therapeutic settings. Parents are provided concrete tips on reinforcing positive behaviors, opportunities to recognize and reward appropriate behavior and guidance on implementing strategies such as time outs. These tool kits give parents proven strategies to manage the ABCs of their child's behavior, including what (A) antecedes or comes before the adverse behavior, (B) what the behavior is that you'd like to change, and (C) consequences of that behavior.

With supports from ATN/AIR-P experts, parents can become effective partners in helping their children to learn skills to replace problem behaviors, increase their positive behaviors and maintain them over time, and generalize or transfer positive behaviors from one situation to another as they improve their cognitive, academic, social and self-help skills

Toilet training can be challenging for any parent, however for many children with ASD, toileting skills can be further complicated by physical or medical difficulties associated with toileting. Children with ASD may lack the language skills to understand or communicate, may lack gross or fine motor skills required to facilitate toileting from undressing to navigating a toilet, and may not be aware of typical body cues to recognize when they need to use the toilet, among other possible issues. Toilet Training: A Parent's Guide, provides tools on how to best integrate routines, rewards and the use of visual schedules.

"If your child with ASD presents with challenging behaviors, or has difficulty acquiring new skills know that you are not alone," said Autism Speaks Vice President of Clinical Programs Clara Lajonchere, Ph.D. "The goal of these latest behavioral tool kits is to empower families with effective strategies to create more positive behaviors and increase a child's ability to better participate in their therapeutic programs and family life. Consistent behaviors can significantly improve quality of life for both the child with autism and their families and improve quality of life for everyone."

Read the rest here:
Autism Speaks provides strategies to help a child with autism shows difficult behaviors

ProtoKinetix Creates Subsidiaries for AAGP™ Applications to Maximize Shareholder Value

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

ProtoKinetix (PKTX) (www.protokinetix.com) announces the formation of a new structure that allows the Company the flexibility of financing through a subsidiary, partnering through a subsidiary or selling the subsidiary. These new entities will contain rights to clearly defined AAGP applications that can easily be segregated from the overall asset base.

Due to recent discussions and testing, the first subsidiary to be formed will be for the large (estimated to be $40 to $50-Billion annually worldwide and growing) monoclonal antibody production market. Those rights will have significant value in increasing the productivity of hybridoma cells which make monoclonal antibodies. In one test AAGP increased the production of antibodies by 300% and in another test by 500%.

AAGP bio assays (which can be viewed at our revised web site) show that AAGP has an important role in Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative Medicine is the process of replacing or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function and is becoming one of the largest growth industries in healthcare.

ProtoKinetix anticipates the requirement to establish several subsidiaries to maximize the financial returns for its shareholders.

About ProtoKinetix

ProtoKinetix, Inc. is a biotechnology company that has developed and patented a family of synthetic anti-aging glycopeptides (AAGP) for medicine and the biotechnology and cosmetic industries. PKTXs primary focus is on the therapeutic potential for AAGP in the treatment of Diabetes, inflammatory diseases, skin protection and anti-aging.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Some information included in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking. Such forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties that could affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, these results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ross L. Senior President and CEO

Visit link:
ProtoKinetix Creates Subsidiaries for AAGP™ Applications to Maximize Shareholder Value

Makucell Unveils Renewnt™, a Revolutionary, Science-driven Skin Care Brand

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Makucell, Inc., a pioneering regenerative biotechnology company dedicated to the development, manufacture and distribution of non-prescription products formulated to address the impact of aging and photo-damaged skin unveils the Renewnt (pronounced Re-new-int) brand, a revolutionary science-driven product line. Renewnts proprietary ingredient, Asymmtate, is a new approach to cellular aging, optimizing signals in the Wnt (pronounced wint) pathway to energize the skins stem cells, encouraging youthful cell behavior. The result is younger-looking skin which appears firmer and smoother. This molecular process is the key to our proprietary technology developed at USCs Keck School of Medicine and transferred to Makucells Renewnt skin care line.

We conducted standard industry safety tests, and the results were universally positive; Renewnt products were well tolerated with no adverse effects or safety issues. A combination of clinical trials and in vitro gene expression studies from treated biopsied skin continues to corroborate the aesthetic effects noted in the clinic.

The Makucell Science

The bodys signals govern skin stem cells, controlling the decision to remain dormant, divide or differentiate (become normal, active tissue cells). Signals flow in pathways and multiple paths converge into one the Wnt pathway. Makucells proprietary molecule Asymmtate encourages optimal signaling in the Wnt pathway. Optimal signaling stimulates the skin stem cells to begin the process leading to keratinocytes, fibroblasts and other dermal cells which produce collagen, elastic tissue and substances in the supporting skin matrix. This essential regenerative process is the key differentiator in Makucells Renewnt skin care products.

Michael Kahn, Ph.D. and his team of gifted research scientists at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California developed the revolutionary ingredient, Asymmtate, Makucells core technology. Dr. Mark V. Dahl, Makucell Chief Medical Officer and former President of the American Academy of Dermatology as well as Professor Emeritus at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, developed the formulations designed to target a specific skin type on a particular area of the body. Makucell has tested all the Renewnt products for safety and efficacy. The products:

Makucell is committed to supporting our claims with results from controlled, blinded studies, explains Dr. Dahl. We conducted standard industry safety tests, and the results were universally positive; Renewnt products were well tolerated with no adverse effects or safety issues. A combination of clinical trials and in vitro gene expression studies from treated biopsied skin continues to corroborate the aesthetic effects noted in the clinic.

Dr. Lawrence Rheins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Makucell, commented, Renewnt delivers extraordinary regenerative ability in a hydrating cream, providing an advanced anti-aging option. Asymmtate in Renewnt wakes-up the skins stem cells which have become sluggish with age, to begin rebuilding the underlying supporting skin matrix. As a result, skin looks plumper and has a rejuvenated, youthful appearance.

Makucells current Renewnt skin care product line includes:

Renewnt for Hydration, a day and night facial moisturizer for a more youthful-looking appearance.

Renewnt for Strength, for the dry, thinning skin on hands and forearms to seal in moisture, repair the signs of aging and restore the essential skin barrier.

More here:
Makucell Unveils Renewnt™, a Revolutionary, Science-driven Skin Care Brand

Anatomy of an Internal Link

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Danzig

Internal Linking to Promote Keyword Cluster explained the math of how strength passes internally between pages of a website and how it can be influenced with a focused and planned internal linking structure. The limitation of this approach is that it assumes that all internal links are created equal. This isnt the case.

Several factors influence the weight and relative importance of an internal link. For example the format of that link, its position on the page, its position relative to other links, etc. While the specific way that the engines weigh individual links is not known (and would likely change even if it was), there are principles you can be apply to understand how the weight is being carried through your site past simple mathematics.

The simplest (and arguably most effective) first step is to think like a visitor. In the desire for search engines to provide as relevant a result as possible, they work hard to emulate as best they can a visitor experience.

While the fine folks at Google (and Bing of course) can't visit every site on the web, they can create automated systems that do an excellent job at understanding how the web works, how elements are positioned on a page, and what those elements look and behave like. From this they can gather an understanding of how important a link is.

Let's look at the following basic diagram of a simple website (the dotted line indicates where the fold line is, everything above it is visible to the average user on first visiting the site):

The rule of thumb you can follow is this: the more visible the link is, the higher the weight it will pass. Let's look at each of the main link elements and grade them on a scale of 1 to 10:

I list the sidebar links first as I tend to use them as my baseline. Sidebars are often the spot for links you want people to be able to find easily enough but not important enough to make it to your main navigation. They are positioned above the fold, however there are usually many of them in a list, thus reducing their visibility. When I'm thinking about my weighting of links, I usually use the sidebar links as the baseline at 5 and grade the rest up-or-down from there.

This is the single most visible link area on a page. The majority of websites use the logo as a link to the homepage. The weight of this link will be high as Google knows that this link is extremely visible and highly clickable. As far as a link zone is concerned, the header is the 10 as far as potential weight passing is concerned.

These links are highly visible and engines know that these links tend to point to the key pages on a website. This is where you as a visitor look to find product or contact information, and the engines know that. Pages linked to in this area will be given a high relative weight. This zone is given a 9 out of 10 for weighting.

Continue reading here:
Anatomy of an Internal Link

The Anatomy of a Huge Trading Loss

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Danzig

How human biology can explain the behavior that drives banks to the brink of disaster

Jeff Hutchens / Getty Images

As the world's economy struggles to pull out of a recession, traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in the New York financial district on Wall Street on April 8, 2009 in New York City.

Coates' latest book is The Hour Between Dog and Wolf: Risk Taking, Gut Feelings and the Biology of Boom and Bust

Every so often we read of a star trader who has lost so much money that he has given back all the profits he made in the previous few years and shaken his bank to its foundations. How on earth does this happen? Were the risk managers at the bank mistaken all along about this traders skill?

Maybe. But recent research in physiology and neuroscience suggests an alternative explanation that the winning streak itself changed the trader. Human biology can today help explain the behavior that drives traders to acts of folly.At the heart of this research lies an important fact that is frequently overlooked: when we take risk, including financial risk, we do a lot more than think about it we prepare for it physically. Body and brain fuse as a single functioning unit.

(MORE:The $2 Billion Boo-Boo)

Consider what happens when an important piece of news flashes across the wire. At that very instant, across the trading floor, traders senses are placed on high alert, allowing them to hear the faintest noise, see the slightest movement. Breathing accelerates, and they feel the thump of a heart gearing up for action. Muscles tense, stomachs knot and an imperceptible sheen of sweat creeps across their skin, anticipatory cooling for the expected activity. We do not regard information as a computer does, dispassionately. We register it physically.

This fusion of body and brain normally endows us with the fast reactions and gut feelings we need to survive in a brutal world, and a brutal market. My colleagues at the University of Cambridge and Ihave conducted a series of experiments on a trading floor in London and found thatunder circumstances of extraordinary opportunity otherwise known as a winning streak our biology can overreact, and our risk taking become pathological. A model from animal behavior, called the winner effect, provides an intriguingly illustration of how this can happen. When males enter a fight or competition their testosterone surges which increases their hemoglobin and hence their bloods capacity to carry oxygen; and in the brain it increases confidence and appetite for risk. The winner emerges with even higher levels of testosterone and this heightens his chances of winning yet again, leading to a positive feedback loop. For athletes preparing to compete, traders buying risky assets, even politicians gearing up for an election, this is a moment of transformation,what the French in the Middle Ages called the hour between dog and wolf.

(MORE: Five Ways to Be Better at Risk-Taking)

The rest is here:
The Anatomy of a Huge Trading Loss

‘Master molecule’ may improve stem cell treatment of heart attacks

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

Public release date: 20-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Phil Sneiderman prs@jhu.edu 443-287-9960 Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that a single protein molecule may hold the key to turning cardiac stem cells into blood vessels or muscle tissue, a finding that may lead to better ways to treat heart attack patients.

Human heart tissue does not heal well after a heart attack, instead forming debilitating scars. For reasons not completely understood, however, stem cells can assist in this repair process by turning into the cells that make up healthy heart tissue, including heart muscle and blood vessels. Recently, doctors elsewhere have reported promising early results in the use of cardiac stem cells to curb the formation of unhealthy scar tissue after a heart attack. But the discovery of a "master molecule" that guides the destiny of these stem cells could result in even more effective treatments for heart patients, the Johns Hopkins researchers say.

In a study published in the June 5 online edition of the journal Science Signaling, the team reported that tinkering with a protein molecule called p190RhoGAP shaped the development of cardiac stem cells, prodding them to become the building blocks for either blood vessels or heart muscle. The team members said that by altering levels of this protein, they were able to affect the future of these stem cells.

"In biology, finding a central regulator like this is like finding a pot of gold," said Andre Levchenko, a biomedical engineering professor and member of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Cell Engineering, who supervised the research effort.

The lead author of the journal article, Kshitiz, a postdoctoral fellow who uses only his first name, said, "Our findings greatly enhance our understanding of stem cell biology and suggest innovative new ways to control the behavior of cardiac stem cells before and after they are transplanted into a patient. This discovery could significantly change the way stem cell therapy is administered in heart patients."

Earlier this year, a medical team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles reported initial success in reducing scar tissue in heart attack patients after harvesting some of the patient's own cardiac stem cells, growing more of these cells in a lab and transfusing them back into the patient.

Using the stem cells from the patient's own heart prevented the rejection problems that often occur when tissue is transplanted from another person.

Levchenko's team wanted to figure out what, at the molecular level, causes the stem cells to change into helpful heart tissue. If they could solve this mystery, the researchers hoped the cardiac stem cell technique used by the Los Angeles doctors could be altered to yield even better results.

Go here to read the rest:
'Master molecule' may improve stem cell treatment of heart attacks

LIFE Focuses on Stem Cell Research

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

Given the recent flurry of activities, it seems that Life Technologies Corporation (LIFE) is focused on strengthening its foothold in the field of stem cell research. The company recently signed a non-exclusive agreement with iPS Academia of Japan for its induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell patent portfolio. Based on this agreement, the company will be able to expand its portfolio for the iPS cell research community.

Besides, it is well placed to create iPS cells and differentiate them into various cell types to be used in drug discovery and pre-clinical research. The license also enables Life Technologies to provide creation, differentiation and screening services of iPS cell to scientists globally. We consider the agreement to be a significant achievement for the company in the field of stem cell research as iPS cells are gaining attention for use in the areas of drug discovery, disease research and other areas of biotechnology.

The agreement with iPS Academia of Japan comes on the heels of the partnership with Cellular Dynamics International, the world's largest producer of human cells derived from iPS cells. The partnership will aim at commercializing a set of three new products optimized to consistently develop and grow human iPS cells for both research and bioproduction.

These initiatives undertaken by Life Technologies should strengthen its Research Consumables segment. This segment includes molecular and cell biology reagents, endpoint PCR and other benchtop instruments and consumables. These products include RNAi, DNA synthesis, sample prep, transfection, cloning and protein expression profiling and protein analysis, cell culture media used in research, stem cells and related tools, cellular imaging products, antibodies and cell therapy related products. In the most recent quarter, this division recorded a 4% year-over-year increase in revenues to $420 million on the back of growth in cell culture workflow products, endpoint PCR products and molecular and cell biology consumables.

Life Technologies enjoys a strong position in the life sciences market, though management prefers to maintain a cautious but optimistic outlook for the remainder of the year. We are encouraged by the improvement in margins amidst the tight competitive scenario with the presence of players such as Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), Illumina (ILMN), among others.

We have a Neutral recommendation on Life Technologies. The stock retains a Zacks #3 Rank (hold) in the short term.

Read the Full Research Report on TMO

Read the Full Research Report on ILMN

Zacks Investment Research

DNA points to link in drug beating trial

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

The DNA of a man allegedly involved in a violent drug-related beating was found on a zap strap and a piece of electrical tape used to bind the victim, an expert testified at trial Monday in North Vancouver.

The victim's blood was also found on a picture frame inside another accused man's home, the expert said.

The DNA is among the physical evidence linking Robin Landrew Pryce, 42, of Surrey and Paul Joseph Defaveri, 50, of Squamish to a violent beating of Ronald Perry, 68, in a North Vancouver home almost three years ago.

Bryce and Defaveri are on trial for the attempted murder and aggravated assault of Perry before provincial court Judge Steven Merrick.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier in the trial, Perry - who was involved in the criminal underworld -described how he was attacked with hammer and had his eyes gouged out after he tried to blackmail people who ran a marijuana North Vancouver grow op. Perry described in horrific detail how he was violently beaten inside the bungalow in the 1600-block of Phillip Avenue by two men on Sept. 2, 2009.

A passerby found him early the next morning, with a bag over his head, bound with zap straps, wire and tape, inside his car, parked on Vancouver's Oxford Street.

In court, Perry identified Defaveri as one of the people he'd gone to speak to in the house on Sept. 2, 2009. Pryce, Defaveri, and Defaveri's wife Marney King were living in the rented house at the time.

One of Defaveri's fingerprints was found in blood on an interior door of the house, a police investigator testified.

On Monday, DNA expert May Clark from the RCMP's forensic lab in Edmonton identified that blood - and samples taken from several other places in the Phillip Avenue house - as matching Perry's.

Originally posted here:
DNA points to link in drug beating trial

UAH Named Nation’s Most ‘Crime-Rattled’ College, According to Website

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

Posted on: 1:36 pm, June 20, 2012, by David Wood, updated on: 06:23pm, June 20, 2012

The February 2010 biology department shootings helped put the University of Alabama in Huntsville on top of a national websites ranking of Americas 25 Most Crime-Rattled Colleges. The unofficial ranking, based on an analysis of crime reports, wasreleased Tuesday by the website The Daily Beast.

UAH spokesman Ray Garner called the ranking skewed in an interview with WHNT News 19 news partner, The Huntsville Times:

It is no secret that we had a tragic shooting incident on our campus in 2010, and that event heavily skewed this ranking, Garner said Tuesday. If you look at our overall crime statistics, you will find outside that isolated event that our university offers a safe environment for the thousands of students, faculty and staff that travel around our campus.

Huntsville S.W.A.T. team members rush to the UAH Shelby Center February 12, 2012

While taking a UAH campus tour Wednesday, parent of a prospective 2013 freshman Julie DiLiberty told WHNT News 19 she find the report ludicrous. DiLiberti says she has no qualms about safety in considering sending her son to study computer science at the university next year.

Looking around today, absolutely not, weve seen some police presence on campus just doing patrolsand we see the emergency call boxes and you certainly dont get a feeling of apprehension when youre on campus, DiLiberti said.

Incoming fall 2012 freshman Malaysia Denton said she agrees.

Its shocking, said Denton. I dont feel Huntsville is dangerous in the least compared to Birmingham or Mobile, places like that.

The website said it based its rankings on a system it designed to compare and rank per-capita crime in certain categories as reported by colleges to the U.S. Department of Education. The reporting period was 2008-2010, which included the period of a triple homicide committed during a biology faculty meeting on the UAH campus. A former assistant biology professor, Dr. Amy Bishop, faces trial in September 2012 on those charges.

Original post:
UAH Named Nation’s Most ‘Crime-Rattled’ College, According to Website

NJ Lt. Governor and BioNJ Honor NJ Student for Top Honors at International Biology Olympiad during BIO International …

Posted on June 21, 2012 by ev1

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

A New Jersey teen who as a high school senior earned top honors at the 2011 International Biology Olympiad was honored yesterday by New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and BioNJ President Debbie Hart at a special ceremony here during the worlds largest annual biotechnology conference.

Rebecca Shi, a 2011 graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, is the first U.S. female team member to take top honors in the world in individual scores at the long-running Olympiad, where 58 other nations sent teams to compete. Team USA 2011, comprised of Rebecca and three other high school seniors from around the U.S., also placed first in the team competition and collected four gold medals in practical assessments and theory.

Its such a great honor to be recognized by such accomplished professionals in the industry, Ms. Shi said in an interview last week from Purdue University, where she was helping high school seniors from around the country prepare for this years Olympiad.

Rebecca, who goes by Becky, was presented with a BioNJ Special Achievement Award by New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Guadagno and BioNJ President Debbie Hart at the New Jersey Pavilion during Biotechnology Industry Organizations International Convention in Boston.

Congratulations to Becky for her significant accomplishments at the Biology Olympiad, and the inspiration she provides our state and our nations future scholars and scientists through her hard work, educational achievement and dedication to helping others, said Lt. Governor Guadagno. It is the depth of quality and committed talent from our young scholars like Becky to a host of globally renowned bio scientists that make New Jersey the innovation state and ideal place to locate and grow biotech companies.

BioNJ President Debbie Hart offered her congratulations to Rebecca and said she takes particular pride that a state known for its biocluster also produced the worlds top high school senior in biology last year.

Its terrific to see one of our own students excelling in this exciting and still-emerging field, said Hart. Biotech offers so many people so much through promise of new medicines and other advances and its heartening to see such very bright young people like Becky coming up who will continue to move our industry forward.

The McClean Va.-based non-profit Center for Excellence in Education co-sponsors the U.S. Biology Olympiad (USABO) and Team USA with Purdue University. Nearly 10,500 students from across the U.S. registered for the highly competitive USABO.

The Center is proud of the success of Team USA 2011 to honor the United States with their outstanding academic performance Number One team in the world at the IBO, said Joann DiGennaro, the Centers president. Rebecca Shi received the Number One individual score in the world at the global competition and this is a remarkable achievement for U.S. academics.

Link:
NJ Lt. Governor and BioNJ Honor NJ Student for Top Honors at International Biology Olympiad during BIO International ...

Select Page ::