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Abbott, Biocon arm to develop nutrition products

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

Abbott, Biocon arm to develop nutrition products BS Reporter / Bangalore May 04, 2012, 00:39 IST

US drug maker Abbott Laboratories on Thursday announced plans to establish its first nutrition research and development centre in the country in collaboration with Syngene, a contract research subsidiary of Biocon.

The Abbott Nutrition R&D Centre in India will focus on the development of nutrition products and enable the expansion of Abbotts nutrition product portfolio.

The centre will focus on the development of nutrition products for maternal and child nutrition and diabetes care. Preventing undernutrition has emerged as a critical health challenge in India.

An estimated 50 per cent of Indians (570 million people) have adequate calorie intake, but are not consuming a sufficient level of essential nutrients. India also has the worlds largest diabetes population (51 million people). Among the products being developed for India are meal complements for diabetics and pre-diabetics. In addition, the centre will address local taste and texture preferences with new flavours and formulations.

India is a priority market for investment, growth and innovation, said Robert H Miller, divisional vice-president, global R&D and scientific affairs for Abbott Nutrition. Our strategic collaboration with Syngene will accelerate the design, development and delivery of science-based, nutrition products in India, for India.

Health care in India has reached a tipping point, as patients seek quality care and products at affordable prices, said Rehan Khan, managing director, Abbott Nutrition India. We have consistently invested in India, and this centre will allow us to leverage local expertise and insights to develop the products we need to successfully expand our portfolio here.

The nutrition market in India is relatively new and growing steadily. In addition to the undernutrition and diabetes issues facing India, a rapidly expanding middle class and aging population are driving demand for high-quality, affordable nutrition products.

With malnutrition and common chronic diseases at their highest in this region, Abbott and Syngene have a common vision and commitment to support the development of a healthier India, said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder, chairman and managing director, Biocon Group.

The combined market insights and nutrition science expertise of our two organisations will enable us to address these immediate needs by developing critically important, innovative yet affordable nutrition products for the Indian population, she added.

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Abbott, Biocon arm to develop nutrition products

Lois M. Collins: Poor need nutrition, not cheap food

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

I learned the economics of nutrition back in college, several decades ago. I never had a financial cushion that would let me relax much.

I did find one place, though, where I could exercise more control over expenses: Food. In lean times and weren't they all, back then I could stretch my pennies 'til they screamed by eating very inexpensive packaged foods like dry-noodle soups. That was the mainstay of my diet.

I was not usually hungry. You can fill your stomach pretty cheaply if you're not picky about what you consume or obsessed by whether it's actually providing adequate nourishment. But if you are what you eat, I was on my way to being a malnourished mess. Not underweight, mind you, just malnourished.

Recently, I've been reading articles that give me a flashback to those days of considerable dietary challenge.

This week, my colleague Eric Schulzke tied together the triplet challenges of nutrition when one is on a fixed income: obesity, hunger and malnutrition. Some of the most affordable foods are, from a nutrition standpoint, iffy. They pack calories and can silence the growl of a hungry stomach. But they don't build strong bodies or meet dietary requirements. They don't feed brains and bones and tissue. And they can pack on pounds in a most unhealthy fashion.

Comments on his story, as often happens, turned into a debate about who's worthy to receive help and who is just scamming the system by getting food stamps. I don't think that debate about the "worthy poor" was the point, which really centered on the fact that not all foods are equally valuable and when you're poor, like so many people who are elderly or disabled or children with no power to make the big food decisions, the tendency is to gravitate to inexpensive foods. Plus, they can taste pretty good without offering much.

In the mid-'90s, I was covering the Utah Legislature when in subcommittee a legislator carped loudly that he saw someone buying a particular brand-name cereal with food stamps. It's an expensive cereal, he said. We should make a list of acceptable items. They shouldn't be using taxpayer money on costly cereals.

I would argue that what matters should be nutritional value. Some of the most nutritious foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats, are relatively expensive compared to some of the cheaper, prepackaged and preservative-laden fare. Some of the cheapest cereals he so wanted to see food stamp recipients choose are packed with sugar and offer very little in the way of nutrition. Force feeding impoverished children junk calories doesn't improve their health or minds or even alleviate their hunger for very long.

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Lois M. Collins: Poor need nutrition, not cheap food

Nutrition Challenges When You're Older or Sick

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

10 strategies for overcoming loss of appetite.

Like many things in life as we get older, eating can be a challenge.

The sense of taste, like the other senses, diminishes as we age. Appetite and taste can also be affected by medications. In addition, dental problems can make it difficult or painful to chew food.

8 Common Surgery Complications

Nobody looks forward to surgery. Who, after all, wants to go under the knife? But there is more to be concerned about than being cut open. All surgical procedures come with a risk of complications. They range from energy-sapping fatigue to potentially fatal blood clots. Here are eight of the most common.

Read the 8 Common Surgery Complications article > >

Loss of appetite can make it difficult to get adequate nutrition, especially when youre sick or not feeling well. What can you do to be sure youre getting the nutrients you need?

No single strategy works for everyone, says Kathleen Niedert, RD, director of clinical nutrition and dining services for Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls, Iowa, who counsels many seniors on how to deal with loss of appetite. But for almost everyone, there are ways to eat an adequate diet even when youre ailing and dont feel like eating. Here are 10 strategies that experts recommend.

If youre having trouble eating enough to get the calories you need each day, dont worry about the fine points of nutrition advice. Eat anything and everything that appeals to you. Love chocolate milk? Help yourself. Ice cream? Serve up a bowl.

If youre experiencing a loss of appetite, the most important thing is to eat foods that supply basic energy to the body, says Niedert. Most dietitians now say people in institutions like nursing homes should be encouraged to eat whatever they like, since many have a problem with appetite.

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Nutrition Challenges When You're Older or Sick

Nutrition and Aging: 7 Signs of Inadequate Nutrition

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

Getting adequate nutrition may be trickier for older adults. Because seniors tend to be less active than younger people, they need fewer calories. Yet research shows that older people may need more of certain key nutrients, such as B vitamins and calcium.

Unfortunately, nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition can persist for a long time before they show up in physical signs or symptoms. Still, there are a few indicators you -- and your doctor -- can be alert to.

Is This Normal Aging or Not?

Those first strands of gray hair are a sign of the inevitable. Were getting older and our bodies are changing. We may grow a little rounder around the waistline, or wake in the night, or feel a little stiffer in the morning. Yet while we adapt to new realities, we shouldnt discount every symptom as just further evidence of aging. How do you know when to ignore your bodys lapses or when to seek medical advice? Whats normal aging, and whats not? Aging, in and of itself, is a subtle, quiet process,...

Read the Is This Normal Aging or Not? article > >

Fatigue is a common side effect of iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia, or low red blood cell levels. Anemia can also show up as abnormal pallor. But remember: Other conditions can cause excessive fatigue, as well, including serious illnesses like heart disease, depression, or thyroid disease.

Its wise to alert your doctor if you feel abnormally weak or tired. Your doctor may prescribe supplements if you have anemia.

Hair, which is made up mostly of protein, serves as a useful diagnostic marker for nutritional deficiencies.

When an older persons hair looks like a fright wig -- brittle, dry, sparse -- its often a sign that their diet is inadequate, says Kathleen Niedert, RD, director of clinical nutrition and dining services for Western Home Communities in Iowa and a leading advisor to the American Dietetic Association.

Brittle hair can signal a deficit of essential fatty acids, protein, iron and other nutrients. Some hair loss is usual with age, of course. But if hair begins to fall out at an unusual rate, nutrient deficiencies may be the cause. Once your doctor identifies the deficiencies, you can treat them with nutrient-rich foods and supplements.

Microbiology junior Cate Lynn chosen for trip to Africa

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

Microbiology junior Cate Lynn chosen for trip to Africa

An OU student recently won the opportunity to take a trip to Africa and learn how to affect change.

Chegg, an online textbook rental company, and the ONE campaign chose Cate Lynn, microbiology junior, as one of eight students to travel to Zambia and South Africa this July at no cost.

From close to 5,000 applicants, Chegg and ONE selected Lynn because of her passion and interest in learning about the issues surrounding these countries, said Heather Porter, Chegg director of philanthropy.

Porter said Lynn was chosen in one round of the competition to attend a summit with the organization. Lynn came to the conference with limited knowledge of ONE, but gained knowledge and confidence after the first day.

Cate stood out as if she were an expert, Porter said. She had such a passion, very clear articulation and effort.

Winners were selected based on essay and video submissions and interaction at the summit, Porter said.

Lynn will travel to Africa with students from all over the nation on the trip from July 15 through July 25.

The students will meet with African students, visit health facilities and meet with community leaders to discuss poverty issues, according to a press release.

While on the trip, students will share their experiences on the ONE campaigns blog.

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Microbiology junior Cate Lynn chosen for trip to Africa

Green Tea and Longevity

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

For those readers that seek to be proactive with care of their bodies and minds; new studies abound.

The general consumer wants to have options for themselves. I am often asked by readers what my opinions are regarding the consumption of green teas. I refer to the knowledge that I have gained over the years and unraveling the myriad of studies and tests.

First, there are at least six different green teas. Each of these green teas are grown differently, use different varietal tea plants and are harvested and processed differently. All green tea still originates from the camellia senensis bush/plant. Here is the short list of Japanese green teas: Gyokuro, Sencha, Genmaicha, Houjicha and Matcha.

Gyokuro translated means Jade Dew and is considered the finest of the Japanese green teas by many. Gyokuro is part of the first flush of tea harvest in spring. Gyokuro is painstakingly handpicked. The early leaf buds are picked. It is considered naturally sweet.

Sencha means decocted tea. It is also a steamed harvest, but is picked in the second flush. Sencha tastes somewhat grassy and bittersweet.

Genmicha is a tea that is also combined with brown rice. It is considered by many to be aromatic and Bold.

Houjicha is tea that is roasted and has a nutty flavor. Matcha tea is ground into powder and this green tea is fully dissolvable into the water.

In other words, one fully ingests more actual tea. (there are no residual leaves) Matcha contains vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene.

Each of these teas are low in caffeine, and very high in naturally occurring chemicals that are helpful in boosting the immune system. Those are facts. Now to unravel the actual studies, many have been done and many will continue to be done. Some testing is done by the medical field, some are done by scientists and some are done by companies that sell ice tea/tea.

Each of the studies can be slanted toward what the study may be geared to. If one reads a study and huge medicinal claims are being made or if it is too unbelievable to be true; it is.

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Green Tea and Longevity

Eating for Longevity

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

Foods to keep your heart, brain, and bones healthy.

Is there such a thing as a longevity diet? Increasingly, studies suggest the answer is yes.

Around the world, certain groups of people enjoy exceptionally long lives. Consider the lucky people of Okinawa: These Pacific Islanders have an average life expectancy of more than 81 years, compared to 78 in the United States and a worldwide average of just 67. Closer to home, members of the Seventh Day Adventists, who typically eat vegetarian diets, outlive their neighbors by four to seven years on average.

Stuck in the Middle with You

If youre caring for an elderly parent -- or parents -- and your own children at the same time, youre probably overwhelmed, overworked, overscheduled, and exhausted. Youre also part of a growing cultural phenomenonknown asthe sandwich generation. As todays parents have children later in life, it often means that their childrearing and other family responsibilities collide head-on with the growing needs of aging parents. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP),...

Read the Stuck in the Middle with You article > >

The residents of the San Blas islands, meanwhile, off the coast of Panama, very rarely suffer from high blood pressure and heart disease. Indeed, research shows that their rate of heart disease is only nine per 100,000 people, compared to 83 per 100,000 among nearby mainland Panamanians.

What makes these groups so fortunate? A growing body of findings suggests that diet is one of the important contributors to longevity and a healthy life. WebMD examined the research and talked to the experts. Heres whats on the menu of people who enjoy long and healthy lives.

Most of us know to go easy on saturated fat, the kind found in meat and high-fat dairy products. Saturated fats have been shown to raise blood cholesterol levels into the danger zone. Just as important is what you should be eating. For heart health and longevity, you should eat:

Plenty of fruits and vegetables: Plant-based foods are abundant in fiber and many vitamins and minerals. Packed with nutrients, theyre also relatively low in calories. Studies consistently show that diets plentiful in fruits and vegetables help people maintain a healthy weight and protect against cardiovascular disease.

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Eating for Longevity

No DNA found from Jennifer Hudson family murder suspect

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

People News

May 4, 2012, 4:02 GMT

DNA of Jennifer Hudson family murder suspect absent

The DNA of the man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's family was not found on the offending weapon.

Illinois State Police forensic scientist Pauline Gordon said she tested the gun and found an inadequate measure of DNA belonging to a man.

She also stated that it excluded main suspect William Balfour.

However, Pauline added that reasons for the DNA not being present would include if the killer wiped the weapon clean or wore gloves, a Chicago court heard.

The SUV vehicle which Jennifer's perished brother Jason owned and which her nephew, Julian King, was found dead in was also tested.

She told the court she took swabs from door handles, the rearview mirror, gear shift and other areas someone might have touched.

Her colleague Robert Berk testified that he found gunshot residue on the ceiling above the rear seat of Jason's car and on a steering wheel cover in Balfour's vehicle.

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No DNA found from Jennifer Hudson family murder suspect

DNA sampling case develops

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

Maryland officials have set the stage for an appeal to the Supreme Court to revive their legal right to collect DNA samples from individuals who have been arrested, but not yet convicted of a crime if the stateshighest court cannot be persuaded to reconsider its partial ban on that procedure. The issue has divided lower federal and state courts, and the case of King v. Maryland would appear to pose the issue in a simple and direct way a rape conviction would fall, and getting a guilty verdictat a new trial could be in considerable doubt.

The ruling last month by the Maryland Court of Appeals, the states supreme court, is here. The state attorney generals motion to reconsider, indicating plans to go on to the Supreme Court if necessary, can be read here. State Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler asked the state court at least to put its ruling on hold until after it could be tested in the Supreme Court.

Marylands DNA sampling law was originally passed in 1994, but was extended in 2008 to require sampling of those arrested and not yet convicted. The federal government and 25 of the 50 states have similar laws, and disputes over their constitutionality have arisen across the country. The Supreme Court on March 19 refused to hear a case involving a challenge to a DNA sample taken from a Pennsylvania man (Mitchell v. United States, docket 11-7603), but the sample was not used in that case to identify the individual as the perpetrator of a different crime.

Among the constitutional issues that have arisen over such DNA sampling laws, these are some of the most significant:

** What level of privacy do arrested individuals have, compared to those actually found guilty of crimes?

** How intrusive is a DNA sample, both in terms of the physical procedure of swabbing inside the mouth, and in terms of the amount of private information gathered by such a swab?

** Do constitutional limits on it apply both to the original swabbing, and also to the later interpretation of the personal markers found?

** For constitutional purposes, is using the DNA result to tie an individual to other crimes simply another form of identification, or is it a form of investigation of another crime? (In other words, cansuch a sample be used constitutionallyonly if it helps identify that arrested individualas the person the police want for that particular crime, or can it also be used validly to link that individual to other crimes, such as unsolved offenses (cold cases)?

** Is the constitutional equation different if a sampling law puts strict limits on what information from a sample may be used by prosecutors? (In other words, is there no constitutional problem if the sample reveals only what are called junk factors that really do not tell much about an individuals biological profile?)

** And, if such a sampling procedure is invalid in some particular factual situations, may it remain on the books for other situations? (In other words, shouldsuch a law be struck down as written that is, facially or only as applied to specific scenarios?)

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DNA sampling case develops

Jennifer Hudson family murder suspect DNA not on weapon, court hears

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

Rex Features / Erik Pendzich/Rex/Rex Features

Illinois State Police forensic scientist Pauline Gordon said she tested the gun and found an inadequate measure of DNA belonging to a man who was not a match for main suspect William Balfour, The AP reports.

However, Gordon also told the court in Chicago that that a DNA sample may not be present if the killer had wiped the weapon clean, or had worn gloves.

The SUV vehicle which Jennifer's brother Jason owned and which her nephew, Julian King, was found dead in was also tested by Gordon, who explained that she took swabs from door handles, the rearview mirror, gear shift and other areas of the car.

> Jennifer Hudson breaks down in tears in family murder trial

Gordon also tested other objects, but said that she found nothing matching the murder suspect's DNA.

Her colleague Robert Berk testified that he found gunshot residue on the ceiling above the rear seat of Jason Hudson's car, and on a steering wheel cover in Balfour's vehicle.

Berk added that the residue on the steering wheel cover correlated with someone firing a gun, before driving the car.

Balfour faces three counts of first-degree murder relating to Jennifer's mother Darnell Hudson Donerson, Jason and Julian in October 2008.

He is also accused of home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, residential burglary and possession of a stolen motor vehicle and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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Jennifer Hudson family murder suspect DNA not on weapon, court hears

A needle in a haystack: How does a broken DNA molecule get repaired?

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

ScienceDaily (May 3, 2012) Scientists from the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at Delft University of Technology have discovered a key element in the mechanism of DNA repair. When the DNA double helix breaks, the broken end goes searching for the similar sequence and uses that as a template for repair. Using a smart new dual-molecule technique, the Delft group has now found out how the DNA molecule is able to perform this search and recognition process in such an efficient way.

This week, the researchers report their findings in Molecular Cell.

A staggering problem

Sometimes, the DNA double helix gets broken: both strands are accidentally cut. This presents a vital problem because cells cannot cope with such damaged DNA. Genomic DNA instabilities such as these, are a known cause of cancer. The good news is that an intricate DNA repair system exists which is impressively error-proof and efficient. How does this work?

First, proteins form a filamentous structure on the broken DNA end. Second, this filament examines recently copied DNA or the second DNA chromosome (remember that we have two copies of each chromosome) in search of a DNA sequence that matches that of the broken end. Note that this is a daunting task: given that, for example, our human genome contains three billion base pairs, finding your few hundred base pairs of interest, is really like finding a needle in a haystack.

'Still this search process occurs within minutes and with great efficiency. How that is achieved, has been a mystery for decades. The new experiments from our group now resolve this by revealing the key step in the process, the molecular recognition step', says scientist Iwijn de Vlaminck, who was the postdoc that did the experiments in the group of prof. Cees Dekker at Delft.

Search operation

'In bacteria, the so-called RecA protein is responsible for conducting the search operation. In E. coli bacteria, a filament of RecA protein formed on DNA, searches and pairs a sequence within a second DNA molecule with remarkable speed and fidelity. To do so, individual molecules of RecA first come together to form a filamentous structure on the broken DNA. The filament then grabs DNA molecules in its vicinity and compares their sequence to the sequence of the broken DNA. When a sequence match is found, both molecules bind tightly to one another allowing repair to ensue', says De Vlaminck (since recently at Stanford University).

'We found that the filament's secondary DNA-binding site interacts with a single strand of the incoming double-stranded DNA during homology sampling. Recognition is achieved upon binding of both strands of the incoming DNA to each of two DNA-binding sites in the filament.'

The data indicate that the fidelity of the search process is governed by the distance between the DNA binding sites. The Delft experiments clarify what exactly happens in the sequence comparison of the two molecules, making clear why a 'wrong' sequence leads to quick dissociation of the molecules while a 'correct' sequence makes a strong bond leading up to further repair. These are the two elements that lead to the impressive speed and high efficiency of the DNA repair process.

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A needle in a haystack: How does a broken DNA molecule get repaired?

KU senior wins top prize at Commonwealth of University Biologists meeting

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

Kutztown University, senior biology major, Jazzmyn McCoy, of Shamokin, won the top prize for her poster display in the cellular/molecular sub-division at the Commonwealth of University Biologists Annual Meeting, at Slippery Rock University, on April 14.

McCoy worked in close collaboration with Dr. Cristen Rosch, KU assistant professor of biological sciences on her display on the effects of embryonic exposure to catnip oil in comparison to standard household mosquito repellent which contains DEET. McCoys results suggested that catnip oil does not result in bird embryo mutations that are caused by DEET. Her poster was judged out of ten others from other commonwealth universities in that subdivision.

I think Jazzmyns poster was in a unique area and had strong results, so it was very impressive to the judges. Kutztown University biology assistant professor Dr. Daniel Aruscavage said.

For more information about the Commonwealth of University Biologists, please visit their website at http://academics.sru.edu/cpub/index.php?content=proceedings.

I think Jazzmyns poster was in a unique area and had strong results, so it was very impressive to the judges. Kutztown University biology assistant professor Dr. Daniel Aruscavage said.

For more information about the Commonwealth of University Biologists, please visit their website at http://academics.sru.edu/cpub/index.php?content=proceedings.

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KU senior wins top prize at Commonwealth of University Biologists meeting

Cell membrane is patterned like a patchwork quilt

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

The membrane of the yeast cell is divided into different domains (highlighted in colour), giving it the appearance of a molecular patchwork quilt. MPI f. Biochemistry/Wedlich-Sldner

(Phys.org) -- As the interface between the cell and its environment, the cell membrane, which consists of fats and proteins, fulfils a variety of vital functions. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried near Munich have performed the first comprehensive analysis of the molecular structure of this boundary layer, and revealed precisely how it is organised. In yeast cells, the entire membrane is made up of independent domains, each containing just one or a few protein types. If a protein is relocated to an inappropriate domain, it may even fail to function. The study shows that the membrane is a kind of patchwork quilt and should help scientists to gain a better understanding of basic cellular processes.

The cell membrane must process numerous signals from the environment and the cell interior in order to initiate apposite molecular responses to changing conditions. For example, if certain messenger substances bind to the membrane, this can trigger the growth or division of a cell. The cell membrane has long been the focus of scientific research. One aspect that has remained largely unexplained, however, is exactly how its various components organise themselves. According to an early model, the fats (lipids) and proteins anchored in the membrane are in constant flux and do not form fixed structures. That at least some are organised in bounded domains was only proven quite recently, and only for a small number of proteins.

Researchers working with Roland Wedlich-Sldner, a group leader at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, have now carried out the first comprehensive analysis of the molecular structure of the cell membrane. They used advanced imaging technologies for the purpose, enabling them to obtain much sharper images of the cell membrane and the marked proteins within them than were previously available. They discovered that domain formation in the cell membrane is not the exception, but the rule. Each protein in the cell membrane is located in distinct areas that adopt a patch- or network-like structure. The entire cell membrane thus consists of domains like a kind of molecular patchwork quilt.

Some areas contain more than one type of protein, says Roland Wedlich-Sldner. Even if these molecules fulfil entirely different functions, they generally have one thing in common: they are attached to a shared domain in the membrane by a similar or identical molecular anchor. In another experiment, the scientists succeeded in demonstrating the extent to which the protein function depends on this specific environment: they replaced the original anchor in some proteins with another molecular variant. The modified proteins then relocated to a foreign domain that matched the new anchor. However, they were no able longer to function correctly in their new surroundings.

How then do proteins find the appropriate domain and remain associated with it, despite being relatively mobile in the plane of the membrane? The researchers were able to show that the lipids in the cell membrane play a central role in this process. Different lipids prefer to accumulate around certain protein anchors. Therefore, areas arise that are particularly attractive to proteins with a similar type of anchor. This could explain how cell membranes self-organise another previously unanswered question in biology. The highly ordered structure of the cell membrane could help scientists to gain a better understanding of its many functions. One may assume that many processes only function efficiently thanks to the formation of domains in the cell membrane, says Wedlich-Sldner. It is possible that the cell exploits a principle that also applies in everyday life: a certain degree of order makes it much easier to get things done.

Provided by Max Planck Society (news : web)

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Cell membrane is patterned like a patchwork quilt

UAB researcher elected to prestigious National Academy of Sciences

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

For just the second time in history, a UAB faculty member has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences.

Louise Chow -- professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics, and a senior scientist in the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Comprehensive Cancer Center -- was one of 105 people picked this year for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Chow received her FedExed letter of invitation from the academy on Wednesday.

The National Academy of Sciences -- sometimes called the science hall of fame -- has only 2,582 members. No one else from an Alabama institution is listed in the academy's directory.

Chow, a citizen of Taiwan, was elected as one of 21 foreign associates this week, along with 84 new members who are U.S. citizens.

The only previous National Academy of Sciences member from UAB was Dr. Max Cooper, a physician and immunologist who was elected in 1988. Cooper was the first person from an Alabama institution ever chosen for that august scientific body. He left Birmingham in 2007 after 40 years at UAB, lured to Emory University in Atlanta with the help of funding and support from the Georgia Research Alliance.

Chow came to UAB in 1993 from the University of Rochester School of Medicine. For the past 25 years she has worked on the pathobiology of human papilloma viruses. These viruses can be sexually transmitted and some types of the papilloma viruses are associated with cervical, penile and laryngeal cancers.

Chow earned her Ph.D. in chemistry at the California Institute of Technology, and for years worked at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. As a talented electron microscopist, she helped discover mRNA splicing in the adenovirus.

Her collaborator in that work, Richard Roberts, won a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1993. In his Nobel banquet speech, Roberts gave tribute to his talented colleagues, particularly naming Chow and four other researchers.

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UAB researcher elected to prestigious National Academy of Sciences

Cdn Denis drops biochemistry for Octagon

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

THE CANADIAN PRESS

UFC bantamweight Nick Denis credits an episode of "Star Trek" for his career path. Not fighting, but biochemistry.

He started at the University of Ottawa as a math and physics student. But hooked on "Star Trek," he saw an episode where a disease hype-accelerated some on board the Enterprise and Dr. McCoy had to figure it out.

"After that episode, I was like 'Screw physics. I want to do biochemistry. It's cool,"' Denis said with a laugh.

"I based that decision purely on an episode of TV."

Denis went on to get a bachelor's and master's degrees in biochemistry, electing at the start of 2011 to focus on fighting rather than continue with his PhD studies.

On Saturday night, the Montreal-based fighter steps into the Octagon for a second time when he takes on Ronald Delorme in all-Canadian bantamweight battle on a televised UFC card in East Rutherford, N.J.

The main event at the IZOD Center features lightweights Jim Miller (21-3) and Nate Diaz (15-7).

Denis' diving into biochemistry illustrates his penchant for setting a goal and accomplishing it.

Denis got into MMA at 20, just looking for something different than lifting weights. He joined a gym and got to meet some fighters. "One thing led to another."

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Cdn Denis drops biochemistry for Octagon

Denis drops biochemistry for the octagon

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

THE CANADIAN PRESS

UFC bantamweight Nick Denis credits an episode of "Star Trek" for his career path. Not fighting, but biochemistry.

"After that episode, I was like 'Screw physics. I want to do biochemistry. It's cool,"' Denis said with a laugh.

"I based that decision purely on an episode of TV."

Denis went on to get a bachelor's and master's degrees in biochemistry, electing at the start of 2011 to focus on fighting rather than continue with his PhD studies.

The main event at the IZOD Center features lightweights Jim Miller (21-3) and Nate Diaz (15-7).

Denis' diving into biochemistry illustrates his penchant for setting a goal and accomplishing it.

Denis got into MMA at 20, just looking for something different than lifting weights. He joined a gym and got to meet some fighters. "One thing led to another."

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Denis drops biochemistry for the octagon

'Grey's Anatomy': Lexie Grey Finally Tells McSteamy That She Loves Him (VIDEO)

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Danzig

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Original post:
'Grey's Anatomy': Lexie Grey Finally Tells McSteamy That She Loves Him (VIDEO)

Grey's Anatomy Star Rescues Teen From Car Crash

Posted on May 5, 2012 by ev1

Dempsey successfully pulled the driver from the wreckage -- a 17-year-old named Weston Massett -- who tells TMZ, when he opened his eyes, the actor was looking right down at him. Massett asked, "Are you famous?" ... and Patrick coolly replied, "I'm a doctor."

We're told Patrick called Massett's mother and told her about the accident -- keeping her calm the entire time. Massett was then airlifted to a nearby hospital, and Patrick followed to make sure the kid was okay.

Miraculously, Massett suffered no serious injuries -- just a concussion and a "stretched" optic nerve. He's expected to make a full recovery.

There was also a passenger in the car, Dylan Miller, but thankfully we're told Miller suffered no injuries whatsoever. - See photos here.

TMZ submitted this story. Copyright TMZ - Excerpted here with permission.

antiMUSIC News featured on RockNews.info and Yahoo News

...end

'Grey's Anatomy' recap: 50 Shades of Grey's

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Danzig

Image credit: Eric McCandless/ABC

FAMILY FEUDJackson (left) and his mother, guest star Debbie Allen, faced off over her hook-up with chief Webber.

Had it not been for a mid-episode sex scene that ever-so-briefly turned my anxiety into white hot lust for Jackson Avery, I would have been a ball of nerves throughout the entire hour of last night's Grey's Anatomy, which found every resident having a meltdown moment during their medical board exams.

I attribute at least part of the nail-biting to the fact that, as your normal recapper Tanner mentioned last week, we knew one of the residents was heading for failure. But who? If I'm being honest, my guess changed about 20 times during the course of the episode. But, in the end, we learned it was April who had failed to make the grade. To examine why, let's rewind:

The episode began with the residents walking out of their boards with the weight of the world on their bony shoulders. Meredith bemoaned the "actual physical hell" that was their test, Cristina confessed that she went "way, way overboard" in the testing room, April ranted about trick questions, and Jackson claimed they were all about playing "mind games." (Now they know howwe feel watching Grey's Anatomy's season finales.) You can't always Carpe the Diem, voiceover Meredith said, which is really all you can say after you've had a crappy Diem. Though, I certainly never could have guessed just how crappy it went for all of them.

Flashback to six hours earlier: We first learned exactly how the much-touted boards work -- not that we cared all that much. But hidden among the yada-yada was the fact that a resident could flub one of three test sessions and still pass. This was good news for Alex, who was still racing against the clock to get there in time, arguing with the taxi driver to go faster in a traffic jam. It was all very '80s rom-com. (Did I mention I love '80s rom-coms? No? Well, the more you know.) Alex was far from the only person facing an obstacle, though. (More on those in a bit.) April, however, seemed to be on the right path -- she was inquisitive, careful, yet surprisingly authoritative when giving her answers. That was my first hint that something was likely going to go awry for her -- but I was hoping I was wrong. I wasn't.

NEXT: Avery vs. Avery

See original here:
'Grey's Anatomy' recap: 50 Shades of Grey's

Grey's Anatomy Redux: Which Failing Doctor's Future Is in Danger?

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Danzig

McYoda: We discovered the secret to Bailey's (Chandra Wilson) brilliant advice. Derek (Patrick Dempsey) finds himself as the go-to guy for all sort of problem, but mainly for Mark and Lexie. Bailey gives him sage advice: The trick of her trade is always a metaphor. That way, the doc in need can take advice without ever placing blame for the outcome. Genius. Miranda Bailey is an evil genius.

Best. Speech. Ever.:Finally! Lexie (Chyler Leigh) gives the most perfect "I love you" speech to Mark (Eric Dane). Actually it's more like word vomit. And it's perfect. And then it's ruined when Mark's girlfriend and aspiring baby mama shows up. The perfect moment foiled again. The only bright side was Mark's face during Lexie's confession. Clearly he was moved, and clearly this talk is not over.

Childhood's End: It's always sad and very dramatic when a friend or relative arrives at Seattle Grace. But it's never good news. We hate to say it, but the moment Arizona's friend set foot in the hospital, he had a black reaper shadow following him around the hallways. Remember Lexie's mom? Remember Henry (Scott Foley)? No good can come from this.

ONE-LINERS

"He just flew in from Tibet and he has cancer. The least I could do is pick him up from baggage claim." Arizona

"I want to punch your face." Meredith

"We're not going to kill your friend." Bailey

"My guy is a freaking fossil. Last time he was in the O.R. it was lit with candles." Cristina

"Don't be all cryptic and then just walk away." Mark

"So is having premarital sex with a really good friend in a men's room, but that just happened." April

Continued here:
Grey's Anatomy Redux: Which Failing Doctor's Future Is in Danger?

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