Religion or Spirituality Has Positive Impact on Romantic/Marital Relationships, Child Development, Research Shows

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Newswise WASHINGTON Adolescents who attend religious services with one or both of their parents are more likely to feel greater well-being while romantic partners who pray for their significant others experience greater relationship commitment, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

These were among the findings of studies published in two special sections of APAs Journal of Family Psychology looking at how spiritual beliefs or behaviors have appeared to strengthen generally happy marriages and how a persons religious and/or spiritual functioning may influence that of his or her family members.

These studies exemplify an emerging subfield called relational spirituality, which focuses on the ways that diverse couples and families can rely on specific spiritual beliefs and behaviors, for better or worse, to motivate them to create, maintain and transform their intimate relationships, according to Annette Mahoney, PhD, of Bowling Green State University, and Annamarie Cano, PhD, of Wayne State University, who edited special sections in the December and October issues of the journal. Hopefully, publishing these articles will spur more research on ways that religion and spirituality can help or harm couples and families relationships and encourage more interchange between family psychology and the psychology of religion and spirituality.

The December issue features five studies that offer novel insights into how religiosity or spiritualism affect childrens development and influence the importance of religion in their own lives.

The October section comprises four studies that focus on the ways that couples can draw on religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviors to transform their unions and help them cope with adversity. Each of the studies in the October special section moves beyond general measures of peoples involvement in organized religion or spirituality and investigates specific spiritual beliefs or behaviors that appear to influence marital adjustment and human development, according to APA President Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD, editor of the Journal of Family Psychology. All the studies present rigorous research into the roles that religion and spirituality can play in enhancing family well-being.

Articles in the December issue:

Religious Socialization in African-American Families: The Relative Influence of Parents, Grandparents, and Siblings by Ian A. Gutierrez, MA, University of Connecticut; Lucas J. Goodwin, MA, New York University; Katherine Kirkinis, MA, Teachers College, Columbia University; and Jacqueline S. Mattis, PhD, New York University. Looking at three generations, the researchers found that mothers have the most consistently positive influence on the religious lives of their children because they are socialized to transmit critical values, beliefs and practices across generations, and because they embrace norms of femininity that reinforce such roles. Additionally, grandparents especially grandmothers play a significant role in the religious socialization of grandchildren in African-American families, according to this research. Contact: Ian Gutierrez at ian.gutierrez@uconn.edu

Neighborhood Disorder, Spiritual Well-Being and Parenting Stress in African American Women by Dorian A. Lamis, PhD, and Christina K. Wilson, PhD, Emory University School of Medicine; Nicholas Tarantino, MA, Georgia State University; Jennifer E. Lansford, PhD, Duke University; and Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD, Emory University School of Medicine Low-income African-American women who were primary caregivers of children between 8 and 12 and lived in disorderly neighborhoods experienced lower levels of parenting stress if they exhibited existential and/or religious well-being, according to this study. Contact: Nadine Kaslow at nkaslow@emory.edu

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Religion or Spirituality Has Positive Impact on Romantic/Marital Relationships, Child Development, Research Shows

Blake Prize for religious art under threat

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End of an era: Warwick Thornton's Untitled 2013 is a finalist in this year's Blake Prize.

The end is nigh for one of Australia's top prizes for religious art. The Blake Prize will be awarded for the last time on Saturday if a sponsor cannot be found.

The chairman of the Blake Society, Rod Pattenden, said the organisation had been unable to find a major sponsor for the $25,000 prize, and it was likely the 63rdBlake Prize would be the last.

"Without a major sponsor the prize will have to close," Mr Pattenden said. "In approaching sponsors, many of them recognise that spirituality is a difficult, if not prickly, subject for consideration in Australia.

"Sponsors prefer their art to be popular and safe."

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Mr Pattenden said the Blake Prize was viewed as "too open-minded" by religious organisations and "too religious" by people with secular views.

The Blake Prize was first awarded in 1951 and was originally designed to find artworks to decorate churches.

Since 2000 it has shifted focus from traditional religion to exploring spirituality and has frequently been caught up in controversy.

In 2007, former prime minister John Howard and former Catholic archbishop of Sydney George Pell criticised entries that showed a statue of the Virgin Mary in a burqa and a hologram of Christ morphing with Osama bin Laden.

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Blake Prize for religious art under threat

Child abuse royal commission: Woman assaulted with double-barrelled shotgun at Satyananda Yoga Ashram, inquiry hears

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A woman has told an inquiry that she was sexually assaulted with a double-barrelled shotgun at a New South Wales Central Coast yoga ashram, and was not sure the man who did it would not pull the trigger.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is investigating allegations of sexual and physical abuse made against the former spiritual leader and director of the Satyananda Yoga Ashram in New South Wales, Swami Akhandananda Saraswati, in the 1970s and 80s.

The 57-year-old woman known as Shishy cared for children who were separated from their parents at the ashram where family relationships were broken down.

Shishy met Akhandananda when she was 16 and he was aged about 22. She was initiated at the age of 19 to a full swami and went to live at the Central Coast ashram, sleeping in the same quarters as Akhandananda.

The commission has heard that Akhandananda's behaviour towards her became increasingly threatening as the years passed, and he began cutting at her vagina with nail scissors and threatening her with a pocket knife.

He also used the pocket knife to cut out her moles, at times leaving deep wounds.

"He wouldn't allow me to get medical attention so I sewed those two [cuts] up with fishing wire," she said.

Shishy said she was "terrified" when Akhandananda sexually assaulted her with a double-barrelled shotgun, in the lead up to her fleeing the ashram in 1984.

"I felt like if I moved or did anything other than receive it that I wasn't 100 per cent sure that he wouldn't fully pull the trigger," she said.

Shishy has told the inquiry that she did not procure girls for sex at the yoga ashram but was present when two young girls were sexually assaulted.

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Child abuse royal commission: Woman assaulted with double-barrelled shotgun at Satyananda Yoga Ashram, inquiry hears

PASS presents: Shabaka Hutchings + The Brother Moves On – A Comet Is Coming – Video

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PASS presents: Shabaka Hutchings + The Brother Moves On - A Comet Is Coming
Stories About Music in Africa Throughout 2014 Chimurenga has been connecting with cutting-edge artists and music collectives from around the continent to prepare unique recordings for Pan...

By: chimurengamagazine

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PASS presents: Shabaka Hutchings + The Brother Moves On - A Comet Is Coming - Video

Even astronauts can't dodge the IRS

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Astronauts still have to file their taxes on April 15 every year -- even if they're floating in outer space.

HONG KONG (CNNMoney)

Yes, that's right. Astronauts are on the hook to file taxes by April 15, even if they're orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth on a long-term mission.

The IRS -- the much-feared enforcer of the U.S. tax code -- makes no exceptions. Experts say astronauts don't get special treatment, no matter how far away they are from the planet.

NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao -- commander of the tenth expedition to the International Space Station -- was in orbit when tax day rolled around in 2005. Chiao had no choice but to manage his taxes from space.

But how exactly did that happen?

"Get someone to help you out on the ground," Chiao said. The mission commander's sister is an accountant, and she was able to file papers on his behalf to extend his tax return deadline.

"He certainly had a good, valid reason [for the extension]," said his sister, Judy Chiao Smith.

Related: This job has the world's worst tax return

After eight months living on the International Space Station, Chiao returned to earth on April 24, 2005 -- just nine days after tax day -- and got busy working on his tax return.

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Even astronauts can't dodge the IRS

AFC Bournemouth: Arter slams Doherty over red-card challenge

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HARRY Arter slammed as idiotic the tackle that saw Wolves defender Matt Doherty sent off during Cherries incident-packed victory at Molineux on Saturday.

Doherty followed team-mate Rajiv van La Parra for an early bath after his two-footed lunge on Brett Pitman had seen the hosts reduced to nine men in the closing stages.

Dutch midfielder van La Parra had earlier been shown a straight red card by referee Mike Jones for his part in a clash of heads with Cherries defender Steve Cook.

And while Wolves manager Kenny Jackett later confirmed his club would appeal both dismissals, Cherries midfielder Arter said he felt it could be a futile exercise.

Arter, booked for a clumsy 31st-minute tackle on Kevin McDonald, said he had had a good view of both incidents and felt referee Jones had made the right calls.

Asked by the Daily Echo for his opinion on Dohertys challenge, Arter said: I thought it was idiotic. I dont want to call the boy an idiot but to see another professional go in like that on a fellow player was disgusting.

I go back to the Ryan Lowe tackle on Tommy Elphick (during Cherries 3-0 win at MK Dons in February 2013). I wouldnt say it was as extreme as that but the game was over and, in my opinion, he tried to hurt Brett.

Asked for his thoughts on van La Parras dismissal, Arter said: I watched it full-on and felt it was a red card. He didnt go in to hurt Cookie and was probably trying to protect his face with his elbow. The letter of the law is that if you hit someone with your elbow, unfortunately, it is a red card.

The referee is a good one and has refereed in the Premier League for the majority of his career.I felt he made the right decision and, if it had been me, I would have accepted that decision. He didnt mean to hurt him but he led with his elbow and that is a red card.

Arter added: Unless their respective appeals are successful, it is a shame both players will get three-match bans because the level of malice in the challenges were totally different. If there is anything that could be changed it is the length of bans because some tackles deserve longer than others.

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AFC Bournemouth: Arter slams Doherty over red-card challenge

Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney Make a Rare Red Carpet Appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors

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It's not often that Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney walk red carpets together.

But special occasions call for special exceptions, and Sunday's event fell in the latter category. When the couple of three years attended the 37th Annual Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C., the "G.U.Y. singer" turned heads wearing a floor-length white gown with a matching cape. The pop star, 28, added some of her signature sparkle via two rows of rhinestones, which were placed over her bleached brows.

Gaga performed "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" and later shared a photo with Kinney on Instagram. "We had such a wonderful time at the Kennedy Center. We both care so much about the arts staying alive and respected. Celebrating all the honorees was an honor for me to be a part of and watch," she wrote.

Other performers included Bruno Mars, Esperanza Spalding and Bruce Springsteen. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama presided over the star-studded concert event, which honored musicians Al Green and Sting,actor Tom Hanks, ballerina Patricia McBride and comedienne Lily Tomlin.

NEWS: Lady Gaga reveals she was raped as a teenager

In another Instagram caption, Gaga called "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" a "classic song about keeping faith as the times and people change. I loved singing with the band last night for STING, Trudie, The President and the First Lady. We brought some grit and fire to the stage, and I loved every second of it."

The outing was a sure sign that Gaga and Kinney's romance is getting more serious.

But are they ready for marriage? "Well, you know," Gaga demurred on SiriusXM's The Howard Stern Show Dec. 2. Asked about their rumored commitment ceremony, she said, "Uh, no. You heard a lot of things."

Gaga and Kinney, who met on the set of her 2011 "Yo and I" music video, have bonded over their shared love of art. "I can't really imagine being with anyone other than who I'm with right now," she said. "He's extremely creative. When it comes to his work, he can be quite introverted. He likes to just study and study and sit with his thoughts. We really connect in that way. We don't do the same thing."

NEWS: How Lady Gaga found love with Taylor Kinney

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Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney Make a Rare Red Carpet Appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors

The Microscopy Market Is Expected to Reach $5,756.0 Million by 2019 – New Report by MarketsandMarkets

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(PRWEB) December 08, 2014

Microscopy Market by Product [Optical (Fluorescence, Super Resolution), Confocal, Electron (Transmission), Scanning (AFM)], by Application (Semiconductor, Life Science, Nanotechnology), End User (Academic Institute, Industries) Global Forecast to 2019 provides a detailed overview of major drivers, restraints, challenges, opportunities, current market trends and strategies impacting the global market along with estimates and forecast of revenue.

Get Copy of this Report @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/world-microscopy-399.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

The global microscopy market is poised to reach $5,756.0 million by 2019 from $4,065.8 million in 2014, at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2014 to 2019.

Factors such as rising global focus on nanotechnology, favourable government and corporate funding, and technological advancements such as super resolution microscopy, high-throughput techniques, and digitization of microscopes are driving the microscopy market. However, the high cost of advanced microscopes; implementation of excise tax by the U.S. government; and the heavy custom duty on medical devices are hindering the growth of this market.

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The microscopy market is segmented on the basis of product, application, end user, and region. On the basis of type of product, the microscopy market is broadly segmented into optical microscopes, confocal microscopes, electron microscopes, and scanning probe microscopes. The optical microscopy segment is further divided into fluorescence microscopy (FM) and super-resolution microscopy. The fluorescence microscopy segment is divided into total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRF), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), fluorescence recovery after photo-bleaching (FRAP), and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). The super-resolution microscopy is sub-segmented into stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), structured illumination microscopy (SIM), stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED), coherent anti-strokes Raman scattering microscopy (CARS), photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM), and reversible saturable optical fluorescence transitions (RESOLFT). The confocal microscopy is segmented into multi-photon microscopy and confocal disk spinning microscopy. Electron microscopy is segmented into transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The scanning probe microscopy segment is further divided into scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). The optical microscopy segment accounted for the largest share39.5%of the global microscopy market in 2014.

The microscopy applications market is categorized into semiconductors, life sciences, nanotechnology, and material science. In this market, Nanotechnology is the fastest growing application. On the basis of end users, the microscopy market is classified into academic institutes, industries, and others (government research institutes and private laboratories). In this market, academic institutes are the major end users.

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On the basis of geography, the microscopy market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). RoW is further segmented into Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Rest of Latin America. In 2014, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the microscopy market, followed by Europe. Both markets are estimated to register single-digit growth rates over the next five years.

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The Microscopy Market Is Expected to Reach $5,756.0 Million by 2019 - New Report by MarketsandMarkets

Design 2.0: A New Moores Law

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Something I am calling Design 2.0 is bubbling up in the engineering community, injecting new energy into the profession. In many ways, it's the new Moore's Law.

Hackathons, accelerators, incubators, and crowdfunding sources are some of its key elements. Its motivation is to enable anyone with a good idea to make more innovation happen faster.

It has a sort of parallel universe in the Maker movement that's geared more for fun than for profit. Similar sets of tech-savvy geeks inhabit both worlds, dipping into a communal pool of tools such as open source software and low-cost boards -- Arduino, Raspberry Pi, flavor of the month.

At a time when corporate design methodologies are exhibiting an advanced sclerosis of documented best practices, Design 2.0 is the Nike of a new generation, saying, "Just do it."

For example, I know a veteran microprocessor designer who left Intel not long ago, complaining that it takes a decade to get from a good idea to a shipping SoC. By contrast, Thomas Sohmers, a high school dropout, aims to create a chip next year that will beat the pants off anything in GFlops/Watt. He was inspired in part by Andreas Olofsson, who shipped multiple versions of his Epiphany chips in less than five years on less than $5 million in funding.

The Web 2.0 crowd helped spawn Design 2.0. The first hackathon I ever attended was at a Facebook event, where I heard its motto, "Move fast and break things."

Hackathons make sense for folks such as Facebook and Google. They run vast server farms where you can plant a new software program and -- with some luck and considerable tweaking -- quickly wind up with a bumper crop of profitable web services.

Facebook applied this design philosophy to its data center hardware with its Open Compute Project, disrupting the staid markets for servers and switches. The GoogleX lab did the same for hardware projects from smartglasses to driverless cars.

We've written stories on all these things, but there's much more to be told. It's early days for Design 2.0. You have many still-evolving stories we need to hear.

I'm hoping to hear from the full spectrum of engineers, from twenty-somethings getting their first work experiences to veteran corporate R&D chiefs trying something new.

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Design 2.0: A New Moores Law