Red alert still up over La Mesa Dam

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By Riza T. Olchondra Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines Authorities monitoring La Mesa Dam in Quezon City remained on red alert status Tuesday morning even though the water level eased at the facility, according to Manila Water Co., which keeps close watch on the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa Dam Raw Water System.

As the La Mesa Dam water level reaches 88.30 meters, it automatically releases water when it reaches its overflow limit of 80.15 meters. The released water will add to the water level in the Tullahan River. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

From midnight to around 8 a.m., the water at La Mesa eased by 4 centimeters to 79.73 meters, Manila Water corporate communications chief Jeric T. Sevilla said in a text message.

For the alert to be downgraded to yellow, the water level of La Mesa should be below 79.60 meters, Sevilla said.

La Mesa Dam was also placed under red alert Monday.

LGUs (local government units) downstream of Tullahan (River) are still on alert, Sevilla said on Monday night.

Citing reports received by the water concessionaire as of 8 p.m., Sevilla said that compared to 4 p.m. levels, the water at La Mesa Dam was steady at 79.79 meters, Angat Dam increased by 1 centimeter to 189.19 meters, and Ipo Dam decreased by 11 cm. to 100.31 meters.

Still, given that rains have stopped, We expect that level (in Ipo) will gradually go down as well, Sevilla said.

The authorities get concerned when the water level at La Mesa Dam breaches 79.40 meters, Sevilla said.

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Red alert still up over La Mesa Dam

Kate Nash heads for Guildford's Boileroom

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KATE Nash has just returned to London from Los Angeles, where she has been writing and recording songs for her third album, and she cant stop talking about how much she loves the place.

It was amazing, we stayed in this old nunnery in this huge park. Its owned by an interior designer and antiques dealer so it was full of crazy taxidermy stuff and there were two huge guard dogs, she explained at about one hundred miles an hour.

It was inspirational to be able to create music and work in that big space and then muck around with my girlfriends in the evening and have parties and stuff.

The happy-go-lucky singer, who shot to fame in 2007 when her debut album Made Of Bricks went to number one, is embarking on a short intimate tour, during which she will give fans a sneak peak of songs from the new album.

The Faster Pussycat Run Run Tour stops at the Boileroom in Guildford on Friday, June 29, a venueNash admitted she had never played before, but which is a familiar place for her all-girl backing band, Emma Hughes (bass), Carmen Vandenberg (guitar) and Fern Ford (drums), who hail from the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM).

My manager went to ACM and she knew a lot people there. Before my tour last year, she suggested we looked there for a backing band. I saw and then interviewed a few musicians and I knew straight away the ones that I wanted, and they have been great and now theyre like my best friends, she beamed.

Although the new album will have Nashs recognisable quirky lyrics, the 24-year-old admitted it was quite a departure from her last album, My Best Friend Is You, and its predecessor.

Its a lot more angsty. Ive written everything on the bass. Its still about my feelings but its a bit more out there like a punch in the face, the musician explained. Musically it really comes from my gut.

And its not just her music that has had an overhaul, her image is also a lot more gritty than when she burst onto the pop scene, and she has also landed herself acting roles in two feature films.

My image has changed so I do look quite different. I think people recognised me before for my red hair, but thats gone now and Im browny/blonde, she said.

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Kate Nash heads for Guildford's Boileroom

Chesterville Plantation: Exploring the Colonial Landscape at NASA – Video

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19-06-2012 07:52 On 8 may 2012, Thane Harpole with the Fairfield Foundation gave a presentation on some archaeological work conducted at the Chesterville Plantation site. Chesterville was a colonial plantation originally owned by John Laydon and later by the Wythe family. George Wythe was one of the signers to the Declaration of Independence. Most of the plantation site is now property of NASA Langley Research Center. This project is part of the on-going work to preserve the history of the area. For more on Chesterville, and other research conducted there, see

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Chesterville Plantation: Exploring the Colonial Landscape at NASA - Video

Nasa project would help us : Gistda

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U-Taoao

CHULARAT SAENGPASSA THE NATION June 20, 2012 1:00 am

"We will understand weather conditions better and be able to make more accurate forecasts," said Chawalit Silapathong, director of Gistda's Geo-Informatics Centre.

The imaging quality provided by Thailand's Theos satellites would also improve, he said.

"By granting permission to Nasa, Thailand will also prove its commitment to climate research under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change," he pointed out.

Chawalit said a number of Thai researchers would participate in the project. They would come from respected organisations such as Gistda, Chulalongkorn University, the Meteorological Department, Silpakorn University, the Hydrographic Department and |the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation.

Nasa, the US National Aeronau-tics and Space Administration, has been planning to base its Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study (SEAC4RS) at U-Tapao.

If Thailand approves use of the airport the project will go ahead in August and September.

The operation aims to address key questions about the influence of Asian emissions on clouds, climate and air quality as well as fundamental capacity of satellites to observe the system.

Science observations will focus specifically on the role of the Asian monsoon circulation and convective redistribution in governing upper atmospheric composition and chemistry.

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Nasa project would help us : Gistda

NASA Selects Low Cost, High Science Earth Venture Space System

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WASHINGTON -- NASA has selected an ocean wind study proposal led by the University of Michigan from among 19 submitted to the agency's Announcement of Opportunity for small spaceflight investigations of the Earth system. The proposed mission will make accurate measurements of ocean surface winds throughout the life cycle of tropical storms and hurricanes, which could help lead to better weather forecasting.

The competitively-selected proposal, the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), is led by Principal Investigator Dr. Chris Ruf of the University of Michigan, and includes partnerships with the Southwest Research Institute of Texas, Surrey Satellite Technology of Colorado and NASA Ames Research Center.

It is the second award, and first award for space-based investigations, in the Earth Venture-class series of rapidly developed, cost-constrained projects for NASA's Earth Science Division. The award will be funded during the next five years for $151.7 million. The cost includes initial development, launch, deployment and data analysis.

The mission will use a constellation of small satellites that will be carried to orbit on a single launch vehicle. The CYGNSS data will enable scientists, for the first time, to probe key air-sea interaction processes that take place near the inner core of the storms, which are rapidly changing and play large roles in the genesis and intensification of hurricanes. The CYGNSS measurements also may provide information to the hurricane forecast community.

Once in orbit, CYGNSS's eight micro-satellite observatories will receive both direct and reflected signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. The direct signals pinpoint CYGNSS observatory positions, while the reflected signals respond to ocean surface roughness, from which wind speed is retrieved.

"The CYGNSS mission is both a scientific and a programmatic advance for NASA's Earth science and applications program," said John Grunsfeld, NASA's Science Mission Directorate associate administrator in Washington. "CYGNSS will provide vital science data on tropical cyclones, and the CYGNSS team will advance our ability to obtain high-quality Earth science data through smaller, more affordable space systems."

The Earth Venture missions are part of NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder program. The small, targeted science investigations complement NASA's larger research missions. In 2007, the National Research Council recommended NASA undertake these types of regularly solicited, quick-turnaround projects. The previous Earth Venture award was for five airborne investigations all of which are progressing well with initial data being collected. The first Announcement of Opportunity in the Earth Venture-Instruments series was issued earlier this year, and proposals are now under review.

The Earth Venture program is expected to continue with awards at regular intervals for investigations using cutting edge instrumentation carried on airborne platforms, on small space missions, or as secondary instruments or hosted payloads on larger platforms. NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., manages the Earth System Science Pathfinder program for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The missions in this program provide an innovative approach to address Earth science research with periodic windows of opportunity to accommodate new scientific priorities.

For more information about the Earth System Science Pathfinder program, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/MKvgJO

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/

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NASA Selects Low Cost, High Science Earth Venture Space System

NASA engineer, Michael Hagopian, named Senior Vice President of Engineering for Sigma Space Corporation

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Sigma Space Corporation announced today the appointment of Michael Hagopian, former NASA engineer, as Senior Vice President of Engineering. In his new position, Mr. Hagopian will supervise engineering for space projects across the Company. He will also work to better establish appropriate engineering standards and processes across the company's divisions. "Mike brings a wealth of spaceflight project experience to our organization in mission and technology development," said Marcos Sirota, president and CEO of Sigma Space.

"I'm excited to join Sigma Space Corporation, a company with a broad range of science and engineering expertise, and pioneering products. They have a well-earned reputation for deploying efficient teams that communicate well and deliver excellent products. The challenge will be to continue that model, and smartly apply corporate-wide experience and best practices, in an environment of rapid growth. I will work to ensure that these teams are supported by value-added management, and responsive to evolving customer needs," said Michael Hagopian.

Before joining Sigma Space Corporation, Mr. Hagopian served in various leadership roles, for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the agency. Most recently, he was the Chief Engineer of the Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate (AETD) at NASA GSFC. The AETD provides multidiscipline engineering expertise to GSFC's many missions to study Earth and space. Prior to that, he served as the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Chief Engineer at GSFC. Mr. Hagopian was a founding member of the NESC, established after the Columbia accident, and chartered to serve NASA as an Agency-wide technical resource focused on engineering excellence. "His experience in working across all the NASA centers in collaboration with external organizations will help Sigma Space extend its reach," added Sirota.

In addition to being a company leader, Mr. Hagopian will join Sigma's Board: Dr. Mary Cleave, Dr. Anthony Tether, General (retired) John Hall, Mr. Tom Bouchard, Dr. Phil DeCola, Dr. Marcos Sirota, and Mr. Joe Marzouk.

Sigma Space Corporation provides its customers with pioneering aerospace technology solutions, producing next-generation lidar, laser ranging, attitude determination, spectroscopy, and radiometry instrumentation for remote sensing and defense applications. Sigma Space also offers advanced science and engineering services to private and government clients, including NASA and DOD.

Contact: Sigma Space Corporation Simona Ciampi, +1-301-552-6047 simona.ciampi@sigmaspace.com

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NASA engineer, Michael Hagopian, named Senior Vice President of Engineering for Sigma Space Corporation

UIC Chemist Explores Nanotechnology in Search of Cheaper Solar Cells

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Newswise Luke Hanley is a big believer in harnessing solar energy to produce electricity. Doing it more efficiently is his goal.

"If you could make solar cells cheaper and more efficient, then you could think about putting them on a much wider variety of surfaces," said Hanley, professor and head of chemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"There's only a certain amount of energy that falls from the sun per square meter. You can't increase that amount of energy, but you can make it less expensive to capture it," he said.

Hanley received a $390,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to test methods of coating solar panel films using nanoparticles from a chemical group called metal chalcogenides. The inexpensive films could be wrapped over everything from vehicles to buildings to gain maximum sunshine exposure and produce electricity.

Chalcogenides are fairly abundant, relatively cheap, and don't contain toxic elements like cadmium or tellurium, which are often used in solar cells.

"Using less expensive, less toxic materials -- and using processes where you could coat inexpensively and not use much of the material -- could make these solar cells more viable," Hanley said.

Working with Igor Bolotin, research assistant professor of chemistry, and graduate students Mike Majeski and Doug Pleticha, Hanley developed a method for depositing metal chalcogenide nanoparticles by cluster beam deposition. The process uses a magnetically confined electrical discharge of argon gas ions to knock metal atoms into the gas phase and react with hydrogen sulfide or hydrogen selenide. The metal-sulfide or metal-selenide then condenses into nano-sized clusters that land on a surface to produce the film.

"If you can do everything from the gaseous deposition stage, you might make the process less expensive, Hanley said. You also may make a novel material that has a better efficiency."

Hanley and his coworkers will evaluate the electrical properties of these new films and study how they respond to light. He thinks that using different chemicals for nanoparticle-embedded solar films could create new products some two to three times more efficient than products now on the market, making solar energy more competitive.

But Hanley noted there are other factors to consider besides price.

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UIC Chemist Explores Nanotechnology in Search of Cheaper Solar Cells

International Nanomedicine Conference bound for Sydney: July 2-4, 2012

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Public release date: 19-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Myles Gough myles.gough@unsw.edu.au 61-029-385-1933 University of New South Wales

With advances in nanotechnology, the future of medicine is taking shape on the nano-scale and making possible healthcare solutions once confined to the realm of science fiction.

From microscopic robots that could soon be swimming around our bloodstream repairing cells and diagnosing diseases, to drugs with improved therapeutic properties that can selectively target affected regions of the body with cellular precision without damaging surrounding tissue.

The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine at the University of New South Wales is at the forefront of this exciting new discipline and will host the third International Nanomedicine Conference from 2 4 July in Sydney.

The conference will bring together world-leading academics and clinicians to highlight important research into targeted drug delivery systems, diagnostics and imaging, and regenerative medicine, all enabled by nanomedicine.

One nanometre is equivalent to one-billionth of a metre and is roughly 60,000 times thinner than a human hair, or the size of a single strand of DNA.

By exploiting the novel biological, chemical and physical properties of materials at this scale, researchers can build devices and systems that improve disease detection and develop more effective therapies.

The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine at UNSW, which crosses medicine, science and engineering, is investigating strategies to better diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Keynote speakers include:

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International Nanomedicine Conference bound for Sydney: July 2-4, 2012

Research and Markets: Government Initiative and High R&D Activities Drive the Nanotechnology Market in India

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8fdtv9/nanotechnology_mar) has announced the addition of the "Nanotechnology Market in India 2012" report to their offering.

Nanotechnology refers the applied part of nano science including the engineering to control, manipulate and structure the matter at an unimaginably small scale. Nanotechnology is still in a developing phase in India. With growing awareness and large amount of research and development dedicated towards Nanotechnology, the future seems bright for the same in the country. Possibilities with Nanotechnology applications are unlimited. Modification or alteration at the molecular level of an object can lead not only to superior quality, strength, and mobility but also invention of newer elements which could not be created earlier.

The report begins with Introduction' section covering overview of Nanotechnology which provides basic idea of the technology and brief details regarding the progress or advancement of the technology. The section also contains Nanotechnology value chain.

The Nanotechnology Overview' section elaborates global & domestic market state of Nanotechnology. It is accompanied by a plethora of qualitative and statistical information regarding the state of nanotech in major continents and countries including India, such as funding, specific focus areas and other related information. Also major Indian companies already utilizing Nanotech has been mentioned in the section along with major ongoing Nanotechnology research subjects. A lot of time and money is being invested to understand the basic and synthesized properties of various Nanomaterials for proper utilization in various fields and areas in the industries.

It is followed by Drivers & Challenges' section elaborating the major furtherance & impediments for Nanotechnology sector in India market in India. Both the drivers' and 'challenges' are equally stressed upon to provide clear idea regarding the probable obstacles and rewards in the line of business and help vendors take necessary measures. High costs of Nanomaterials followed by dearth of skilled manpower are the major challenges Nanotechnology sector faces in India. With the large number of investment coming in and academic courses being offered specific to Nanotech, the challenges can be overcome.

Companies Mentioned

- MP3S Nanotechnology

- Nanobio Chemicals India

- Reinste Nano Ventures

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Research and Markets: Government Initiative and High R&D Activities Drive the Nanotechnology Market in India

Microsoft Surface Keynote Address – In Living Color

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Did you miss Microsofts debut of its flashy new tablet, Surface? If you were on the east coast following the live-blogs, you could be forgiven for missing it since the conference nosed into dinner time. Or, maybe you missed it because you were out of the loop for the past four days, which was about all of the advance that Microsoft gave ahead of yesterdays event. At any rate, if you missed it, you missed it. Youll never see it now. Dems the breaks, kiddos.

Well, well, cant pull a fast one on you, can I? Yes, lament not, dear readers, for there were people yesterday with the presence of mind to capture the entire keynote address on video. The good people at The Verge, for example, were nice enough to upload the full address to YouTube to share with the rest of the world.

Before getting to the keynote address, though, its best to fit on the experience as it was meant to be worn so here again is the promo video that Microsoft released for Surface, complete with a pop-industrial soundtrack that oddly makes you smile when you imagine all those Microsoft execs listening to this while in their pre-conference team huddle.

And now that youre ready, behold the Microsoft Surface keynote address:

So whos excited? Whos a little underwhelmed? Feel free to chime in below with your comments.

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Microsoft Surface Keynote Address – In Living Color

How Can I Make My Parents More Tech-Savvy? [Video]

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Dear Lifehacker, My parents don't know much about computers. They're barely able to operate their DVR. I'm always the one they call for help. While I don't mind helping some of the time, I think it would be better if they learned a few skills of their own. How can I bring my parents into the technical age without frying their brains?

Sincerely, Child of the Technically Challenged

Dear CotTC, First off, it's great that you want to help your parents learn to help themselves, rather than do the work for them. That's often a harder route, but definitely a good one.

Your parents are never going to be you. You've probably figured that one out by now, but when you're making suggestions or helping them through a problem, it's easy to forget. You may love your custom XBMC home theater PC, but that's probably a bit much for your mom or dad. You may know what "make a new Finder window" or "open Windows Explorer" means, but they probably don't. Not only is it important to take a step back, but also know that they're probably never going to catch up with you. Although you may love technology, it's not as important to them and it's not going to be. So be sure you remember who you're dealing with. If they ask you for a recommendation for any kind of gadget, be sure to consider what works best for them rather than you. If they need help with a computer problem, help them with detailed steps. Talk it out like you're seeing it for the first time. You can't expect them to know all terms you've picked up over the years, even if they seem incredibly simple. You probably know this already, but when their tech needs arise it is important to remember. If you're very clear, and you explain things thoroughly, there's a better chance they'll pick it up and remember it next time around. That's better for both of you.

Whenever your parents have a technical issue, make a tutorial. (There's actually a site to help you do that called Teach Parents Tech.) You could even make a wiki or start a YouTube channel so they can easily refer back to every one you maketext, video, or otherwise. Video is generally your best bet, as most people will have an easier time learning visually, and it can actually be a lot easier for you to make. If you already have a great screencasting tool, chances are it uploads to YouTube or some other video sharing site. If not, you can always use Screencast-O-Matic or Jing for free.

When creating the screencast, it's best to plan it out a little bit in advance. This doesn't mean you need to spend a ton of time on it, but just take a minute to think about the steps you're going to cover in advance so your instructions are clear and succinct. For an example, just watch the video on your left. It's about a minute long, covers a simple task, and highlights important details that are easy to overlook because they're second-nature to tech-savvy people like yourself. It may seem redundant to mention what things look like when the they can be seen on screen, but doing so gives them prominence and provides additional clarity to your instructions.

Not every task is suited for video. You also may not be in a place where you can make a good video, or your parents are the type who prefer to read. Whatever the case may be, if you're writing out your instructions it is best to provide them in short steps. Here's what you want to avoid:

Those instructions are bad because they do a few things wrong. For starters, they're not specific enough for a novice to understand. Several important details are missed. Also, the second step combines two steps. Here are what the instructions should look like:

These instructions are good for novices because they describe the tasks visually and do not skip simple but important information. Regardless of how you provide your instructions, these are important things to keep in mind. These are just general tips, however, and you know your parents better than most. Consider their personal technical shortcomings and the sort of things they tend to miss when you're providing your instructions. While it might be a slow road ahead, teaching them instead of doing the job for them will take the burden of tech support off your back and make their lives easier, too. Good luck!

Love, Lifehacker

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How Can I Make My Parents More Tech-Savvy? [Video]

Auxogyn And Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey Partner To Advance in vitro fertilization Research

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MENLO PARK, Calif., June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Auxogyn, Inc., a company at the forefront of reproductive health innovation, today announced the commencement of a groundbreaking research study with Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey (RMANJ), an internationally-renowned fertility clinic that has pioneered and successfully implemented cutting-edge clinical advancements to more accurately detect healthy embryos for patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120605/SF18545LOGO)

"Auxogyn is committed to funding and conducting rigorous scientific research to continually improve outcomes for IVF patients," said Lissa Goldenstein, president and chief executive officer of Auxogyn. "We are pleased to partner with RMANJ and believe this study may expand our understanding of embryo development dramatically, potentially leading to further improvement in our ability to detect healthy embryos during assisted reproduction procedures."

Patients enrolled in the study will be those who have determined, after consultation with their physician, to undergo pre-implantation genetic diagnosis using Comprehensive Chromosome Screening (CCS), a new rapid-method 24-chromosome screening technique first implemented at RMANJ. During the study, all embryos will be monitored using the Eeva (Early Embryo Viability Assessment) Test, a non-invasive test developed by Auxogyn to record and quantitatively analyze embryo development against scientifically- and clinically-validated cell-division time periods.

"Our objectives at RMANJ are two-fold: to increase the healthy live birth rate for those undergoing assisted reproductive procedures, and to decrease the multiple embryo transfer rate, thereby reducing multiple pregnancies," commented Richard T. Scott, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.O.G., H.C.L.D., founding partner of RMANJ. "Through this collaborative research study with Auxogyn, we will explore new, previously unidentified factors that cause one euploid embryo to implant where another seemingly healthy embryo does not. These discoveries could directly impact clinical practice in the future, moving us closer to the ultimate goal of the IVF field one embryo, one healthy baby."

About Reproductive Medicine Associates ofNew Jersey

Reproductive Medicine Associates ofNew Jerseyhave pioneered and successfully implemented a cutting-edge technology, known as Comprehensive Chromosome Screening (CCS) to more accurately detect healthy embryos that will lead to successful pregnancies and ultimately healthy babies. Other centers have attempted similar testing methods, but RMANJ is the only fertility center in the world to have developed a system of unprecedented accuracy, fully validated through years of rigorous clinical research. RMANJ's Comprehensive Chromosome Screening offers advanced embryo selection with extreme accuracy by detecting and avoiding use of embryos with chromosomal abnormalities prior to transfer and pregnancy.

The fertility experts at RMANJ have among the highest IVF success rates in the country. Since 1999, they have helped bring more than 20,000 babies to loving families.In addition to serving as the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical School inNew Brunswick, NJ, the practice has six locations inNew Jersey. For more information please call RMANJ at 973-656-2089, or visitwww.rmanj.com.

About Auxogyn

Auxogyn, Inc. is focused on advancing the field of reproductive health through its uniquely-combined knowledge of early human developmental biology, advanced computer vision technology and best clinical practices. The company's first product, the Eeva Test, is designed to provide quantitative information regarding embryo development to assist IVF clinicians in optimizing the treatment path for their patients undergoing IVF procedures. Auxogyn is privately held and funded by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Merck Serono Ventures, SR One and TPG Biotech. For more information regarding Auxogyn please visit http://www.auxogyn.com.

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Auxogyn And Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey Partner To Advance in vitro fertilization Research

UMMS researcher Victor Ambros, Ph.D., named co-recipient of 2012 Janssen Award for Biomedical Research

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Public release date: 19-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jim Fessenden james.fessenden@umassmed.edu 508-856-2000 University of Massachusetts Medical School

WORCESTER, MA Longtime collaborators Victor R. Ambros, PhD, of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and Gary B. Ruvkun, PhD, of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, were awarded the 2012 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research today by Johnson & Johnson for their co-discovery of microRNA, tiny molecules that are now understood to play a powerful role in gene expression and regulation. The award was announced during an event at the Biotechnology Industry Organization International Convention in Boston.

The award was created by Johnson & Johnson to honor the legacy of one of the most passionate, creative and productive scientists of the 20th century, Dr. Paul Janssen (1926-2003). The legacy of Dr. Paul as he was known in the scientific community continues to inspire the company's commitment to developing innovative solutions for unmet medical needs. Dr. Paul's work led to breakthroughs in several fields, including pain management, psychiatry, infectious disease and gastroenterology. Four of the drugs discovered by Dr. Paul and his team remain on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines.

This is the second time in six years that a UMass Medical School scientist has been recognized by the Janssen Award selection committee. UMass Medical School professor Craig C. Mello won the inaugural Janssen Award in 2006.

"Victor is one of the great pioneers of microRNAi and an integral member of an exceptional community of RNA researchers here at UMass Medical School. Together, these faculty are advancing the world's understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms and furthering the field of biomedical sciences," said Chancellor Michael F. Collins, MD. "We are delighted to see Victor recognized with this remarkable award from his colleagues and fellow scientists."

"Victor's pioneering discovery of microRNA occurred at a time when the field was not mentally prepared to understand its full significance. We now know that microRNAs have key functions in a variety of human diseases, ranging from hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol) to cancer," said Terence R. Flotte, MD, executive deputy chancellor, provost, and dean of the School of Medicine.

Since the discovery of microRNAs in 1993, these regulatory molecules have been implicated in a wide range of both normal and pathological activities including embryonic development, blood-cell specialization, muscle function, heart disease and viral infections. Their discovery has opened new fields of research and has implications for the development of new therapeutic treatments and diagnostic tools.

Working independently, Dr. Ambros and Dr. Ruvkun led the groups that identified the first microRNA and the first microRNA target. Dr. Ambros' lab yielded the discovery of the first microRNA and Dr. Ruvkun's lab identified how that microRNA regulates its target messenger. Working together, they demonstrated that the microRNA inactivates its target through direct, base-pairing interactions. MicroRNAs have been linked to cancer and identified as regulators of numerous other developmental events in both plants and animals. As a result of this discovery, researchers are now exploring microRNAs for use in diagnosis and prognosis as well as potential therapies.

"We are honored to join the distinguished list of past awardees of the Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research," said Ambros, the Silverman Chair in Natural Sciences and professor in the Program in Molecular Medicine at UMass Medical School in Worcester, MA. "It is a testament to the wisdom of private and government patrons that fundamental research such as ours was supported over the years, and that it is paying off in new understanding of disease processesand possibly in cures for patients."

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UMMS researcher Victor Ambros, Ph.D., named co-recipient of 2012 Janssen Award for Biomedical Research