Daily Archives: September 18, 2012

Economic freedom report: US continues slide, drops to 18th

Posted: September 18, 2012 at 10:19 pm

(Phys.org)The United States, long considered a champion of economic freedom, plunged to No. 18 in new rankings published in the 2012 Economic Freedom of the World, an annual report co-authored by Florida State University economics Professor James Gwartney.

The report is published by Canada's Fraser Institute in cooperation with institutes in 78 other nations and territories. The U.S. publisher is the Cato Institute. The 2012 report, released on Sept. 18, uses 42 different variables derived from sources such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to measure the degree to which the institutions and policies of 144 countries are consistent with economic freedom.

"The report indicates that the U.S. is on the wrong track," Gwartney said. "Freer economies grow more rapidly and achieve higher income levels. Now, for more than a decade, the United States has been expanding the size of government, increasing both debt and regulation, and using subsidies, grants, tax breaks and mandates to centrally plan large sectors of the economy. A system of crony capitalism has emerged. The declining economic freedom rating of the United States provides confirmation of this trend."

The cornerstones of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and security of private property, according to Gwartney, who has served as an author of the report since its inception in 1996. Gwartney's co-authors this year are Robert A. Lawson of Southern Methodist University and Joshua Hall of Beloit College.

To determine the rankings, the authors used an index that measures the degree to which countries rely on rule of law and markets rather than political decision-making to allocate resources. The current ratings and rankings are based on data through year-end 2010.

Hong Kong once again topped the rankings of the 144 countries, followed by Singapore, New Zealand and Switzerland. Australia and Canada were tied for fifth.

From 1980 to 2000, the U. S. ranking was third, behind only Hong Kong and Singapore. However, since 2000, the U.S. ranking has slid steadily downward to eighth in 2005, 10th in 2008, and now 18th in 2010. The economic freedom score of the United States now falls below Finland and Denmark, two European welfare states. The United States also trails Mauritius, Chile, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Estonia, Taiwan and Qatar.

The summary ratings of countries range from a low of approximately 3.0 to a high of near 9.0. The U.S. rating has fallen from 8.65 in 2000 to 7.70 in 2010. This approximate 1-point decline may not sound like much, but the report argues that a 1-point change in a country's rating is associated with between a 1- and a 1.5-percentage-point decline in long-term economic growth.

Historically, the per capita income of the United States has grown at an annual rate of a little more than 2 percent. A 1-percentage-point decline would mean future annual growth of per capita income in the 1 percent range, half the historic average, Gwartney said. The growth rate of per capita income in the United States averaged 2.3 percent in the 1980s and 2.2 percent during the 1990s, but it fell to an annual rate of only 0.7 percent from 2000 to 2010.

"This sluggish growth will be the new norm unless we move away from the policies that are undermining economic freedom," Gwartney said.

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Economic freedom report: US continues slide, drops to 18th

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Astronauts Return From Space Station, As An American Takes Command

Posted: at 9:11 pm

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The Soyuz capsule floats as it brings Commander Gennady Padalka of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba and Russian Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to a landing area near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. When it detached from the space station, the capsule was over Kenya.

Carla Cioffi/NASA

The capsule lands, after its braking engines ease its final meter of descent.

Carla Cioffi/NASA

The Soyuz TMA-04M capsule lands in a remote area near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, Monday. Padalka, Acaba and Revin returned from five months onboard the International Space Station, where they served as members of the Expedition 31 and 32 crews.

Carla Cioffi/NASA

U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams is now in command of the International Space Station, after receiving control of the facility this weekend. Three departing astronauts whose capsule left the station early Monday landed safely three and a half hours later.

For NPR's Newscast, Peter van Dyk filed this report from Moscow:

"The Soyuz capsule carrying American Joe Acaba and Russians Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin touched down in Kazakhstan as scheduled, almost four hours after leaving the space station. Before leaving, Padalka turned command of the orbiter over to Sunita Williams, making her just the second woman to lead an ISS expedition. She will celebrate her birthday on Wednesday with her two colleagues - a Japanese astronaut and Russian cosmonaut."

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NASA astronaut Sunita Williams completes first-ever space triathalon

Posted: at 9:11 pm

'I'm happy to be done,' Williams said from the International Space Station Sunday after she crossed the orbital finish line. 'It wasn't easy, and I'm sure everybody in California's very happy to be done too.'

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has completed the first triathlon in space, running, biking and "swimming" along with athletes in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon held in Southern California over the weekend.

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"I'm happy to be done," Williams said from the International Space Station Sunday (Sept. 16) after she crossed the orbital finish line. "It wasn't easy, and I'm sure everybody in California's very happy to be done too."

Sunita Williamsis the U.S. commander of the Expedition 33 crew aboard the space station, which is orbiting Earth about 240 miles (386 km) overhead. She used exercise equipment, including a stationary bike, treadmill and strength-training machine specially formulated for weightlessness, to simulate thetriathlon experience in space.

After "swimming" half a mile (0.8 km), biking 18 miles (29 km), and running 4 miles (6.4 km), Williams finished with a time of one hour, 48 minutes and 33 seconds, she reported. [Astronaut Runs Triathlon In Space | Video]

The space station has its own treadmill and stationary bike, which use harnesses and straps in place of gravity to keep astronauts from floating away. To simulate the swimming portion of the race, Williams used what's called the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) to do weightlifting and resistance exercises that approximate swimming in microgravity.

"It's critically important to understand human physiology and how to keep you strong on orbit," NASA's flight director in Mission Control said after Williams completed the triathlon, congratulating her on a race "well done."

Exercise is mandatory for all astronauts, because without it spaceflyers' muscles and bones would deteriorate in weightlessness.

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Rapist caught by DNA test jailed

Posted: at 9:10 pm

18 September 2012 Last updated at 09:26 ET

A double rapist caught by chance years later through a DNA sample has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Peter Hendry, 41, from Springburn in Glasgow, attacked the two women, who were working as prostitutes, in Rutherglen in 2004 and 2007.

He avoided capture until a former partner accused him of domestic abuse in 2011. DNA samples were taken which matched with both attacks.

Hendry, who denied the charges, was found guilty on a unanimous verdict.

Solicitor advocate Murray Macara QC, who represented the fork-lift truck driver, told the court that his client had "constantly and consistently maintained that he did not rape these two women".

Both women had told how Hendry picked them up and drove them to a deserted industrial estate.

A 33-year-old woman told the trial that he took her there in September 2004, pinned her down and raped her, before leaving her "like a bit of trash".

The woman reported the incident to police, but Hendry remained at large.

He carried out a similar attack on a 29-year-old woman in July 2007.

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Applied DNA Sciences, Textile Centre of Excellence Unveil Textiles Anti-Counterfeiting Platform

Posted: at 9:10 pm

STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire - Sep 17, 2012) - The Textile Center of Excellence at Huddersfield, United Kingdom (TCOE), and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. ( OTCBB : APDN ) (Twitter: @APDN), a provider of DNA-based anti-counterfeiting technology and product authentication solutions, announced today the roll out of a new platform for protecting textile brands, under the SigNature DNA brand. The services, which the two organizations call "revolutionary," aim to protect textiles from a wave of counterfeiting which has struck the industry.

The platform includes applications which protect a wide range of textile, apparel and accessory products, including impregnation and authentication of DNA-marked:

The platform will be unveiled at the world-famous Premire Vision Pluriel, opening at Paris Nord Villepinte Parc d'Expositions (exhibition center) at Booth #5C18, from September 19-21, 2012. At the show, APDN and TCOE will feature demonstrations, samples, and technical experts, all showing the "unique, uncopyable, and uncompromising" abilities of the technology in protecting brands from counterfeiting.

In a joint statement, the two organizations said that their technology "offers our industry a unique and powerful means to mark and authenticate original items marked with DNA."

The two organizations described SigNature DNA as "a leading anti-counterfeiting technology that can be incorporated at any point in the textile supply chain as a means to link a genuine product to its original source of manufacture." Botanical SigNature DNA markers are authenticated in a laboratory and help to provide forensic evidence that can be used in a court of law.

The Textile Centre of Excellence has partnered with some of the most prestigious mills in the United Kingdom, including Bower Roebuck, Dormeuil, Holland and Sherry, Taylor and Lodge, and John Foster. Collectively, these fabric designers and weavers supply fabric to many of the most famous designer lines of Europe and America. Its botanical SigNature DNA-based technology protects historic and high-value Yorkshire Wool. APDN has separately partnered with Supima, a promotional organization of American growers of American Pima cotton.

Bill Macbeth, Managing Director of the Textile Centre of Excellence, commented: "SigNature DNA technology offers textile and clothing manufacturers a fool-proof and affordable solution to the growing menace of product counterfeiting. We are ready and willing to help brand owners and manufacturers to boost their brand values and revenues by incorporating this unique protection into their products."

Said Dr. James A Hayward, President and CEO, Applied DNA Sciences: "We believe that the Textile Centre's new platform is a powerful demonstration of the versatility and effectiveness of our SigNature DNA product. We urge visitors to Premiere Vision to visit the TCOE booth and see for themselves how DNA marking and authentication can add great value to their product lines."

About The Textile Centre of Excellence, and the Huddersfield and District Textile Training Company

The Huddersfield and District Textile Training Company was established in 1976 to unite the local textile industry in a shared approach to professional, equitable and high-quality training. In 1999 the company established the Textile Centre of Excellence, a 2 million development located in Leeds Road Huddersfield, providing a wide range of 'state of the art' textile and clothing research and development, training and production facilities including:

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Applied DNA Sciences Contracts With Inventionland

Posted: at 9:10 pm

STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire - Sep 18, 2012) - Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. ( OTCBB : APDN ), (Twitter: @APDN), a provider of DNA-based anti-counterfeiting technology and product authentication solutions, announced today that it has entered into a Development Agreement with Inventionland Corporation.The two companies will collaborate on the development of innovative loss-prevention products, based upon APDN's botanical DNA-marking platform. Inventionland will participate in product development with APDN and take the resultant new products and applications to its customers.

The agreement between APDN and Inventionland follows closely the launch by APDN of smartDNA, a system designed to mark offenders and to prevent theft. The system has been deployed internationally to protect banks, retailers, jewelers and pharmacies. APDN also launched its digitalDNA platform this year that combines DNA-based security with secure-cloud technology, mobile computing and authentication on-the-fly.

Inventionland Corporation (www.Inventionland.com) is America's largest invention factory.Over 1,000 different retailers and on-line stores have sold its innovations.Inventionland builds 2,000-2,400 new product samples for corporations and retailers to review for their shelves each year.With some retailers facing large asset loss from their stores, Inventionland was asked to invent new products to help eliminate loss in a more innovative and effective manner.Inventionland's founder, George Davison, is an APDN stockholder.After Mr. Davison contacted APDN, both organizations began collaborating to offer a retailer solution that would help eliminate asset loss.

Mr. Davison, renowned for his novel approaches to product development, and himself the subject of a profile on the U.S. cable TV channel History (formerly The History Channel), stated: "I was a long-standing fan of Applied DNA Sciences' novel technology and enormous breadth of application, as well as Dr. Hayward's already-validated approach to managing biotechnology development.Inventionland is now pleased to be able to take this platform to our market-leading retailers."

Dr. Hayward commented: "Biotech companies can benefit from Inventionland's innovative approach and unmatchable speed-to-market. We are thrilled to partner with Inventionland on some very original and unique applications for DNA marking."

About Applied DNA Sciences

APDN is a provider of botanical-DNA based security and authentication solutions that can help protect products, brands and intellectual property of companies, governments and consumers from theft, counterfeiting, fraud and diversion. SigNature DNA and smartDNA, our principal anti-counterfeiting and product authentication solutions that essentially cannot be copied, provide a forensic chain of evidence and can be used to prosecute perpetrators.

The statements made by APDN may be forward-looking in nature.Forward-looking statements describe APDN's future plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of APDN. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to our short operating history, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, market competition and various other factors detailed from time to time in APDN's SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on December 8, 2011 and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.APDN undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

About Inventionland Inventionland (http://www.inventionland.com) is America's largest invention factory, Inventionland, turns out 2,000-2,400 new inventions each year. Employees at Inventionland work in 16 unique themed sets, such as a shipwrecked pirate ship, a faux cave, a giant robot and a castle complete with turrets and drawbridge. The inspiring setting includes three running waterfalls, life-like trees and butterflies and chirping birds. In the rear of Inventionland is a red carpet that leads to a state-of-the art audio, video, and animation studio complete with sound room and one of the largest green screens in the tri-state area. Metalworking, woodworking, molding, laser cutting, prototyping, circuit board construction, and more take place in a state-of-the-art product sample construction facility. Hundreds of new ideas come to life every month at Inventionland, where Davison's award-winning team sets an example of America's can-do spirit and ingenuity.

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Yale maps “uncharted” genome regions

Posted: at 9:10 pm

Non-coding regions of the human genome play a larger role in cell function than previously thought, scientists from Yale and other schools have shown.

Scientists from Yale and an international research consortium recently published the discovery of information identifying functional regions of the human genome.

Whereas the human genome, sequenced under the worldwide Human Genome Project in 2003, defines the overall structure of human DNA, the new project, titled Encode (ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements), investigated how many of the elements of DNA work to control activity within the body. The results of Encode, published in over two dozen scientific journals, annotated the human genome by identifying regions previously considered junk as essential for determining cell function. Knowledge gained by the project will help scientists better understand the role of genes in human development and disease, said Sherman Weissman, professor of genetics at the Yale School of Medicine and a member of the project.

The Yale division of Encode was led by Michael Snyder, former chairman of the Yale Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, and launched worldwide in 2003 with a grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute.

John Rinn GRD 04, an assistant professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard University who was not part of Encode, said that the Human Genome Project left scientists with enormous quantities of unanalyzed information. The purpose of Encode, he said, was to decode those uncharted territor[ies].

Like Magellan navigating the ocean, [Encode] set out to make maps of the genome, Rinn said.

Every cell contains the entire genome, but only reads certain parts for example, a liver cell reads only the section describing the liver, and disposes of the remainder of the genome, Rinn said.

Encode mapped the presence of certain regions containing noncoding RNA, which organizes and determines the activities of various cells by deciding which section of the genome is read for each cell. Scientists were surprised to discover that noncoding RNA exists in equal quantities as messenger RNA (mRNA) that plays a role in protein building.

Weissman said that the results will facilitate other genetic research.

If you want to study an unknown gene, now you can look at [Encode] and see what kind of proteins bind to the DNA near it, or the control sites of nearby DNA, Weissman said. It saves individual laboratories from doing studies on single genes.

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US Personalized Cancer Genome Sequencing Market

Posted: at 9:10 pm

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

US Personalized Cancer Genome Sequencing Market

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0968380/US-Personalized-Cancer-Genome-Sequencing-Market.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Genomics

The US personalized cancer Whole-Genome Sequencing market is primarily classified into targeted genome sequencing and Whole-Genome Sequencing. Our report entitled "US Personalized Cancer Genome Sequencing Market" takes into account the Whole-Genome Sequencing services, i.e. one of the most attractive sectors due to its inherent capability of high revenue generation and efficiency in terms of personalized treatment. The US, which is the frontrunner in the provision of such high-end service, is on the focus by market players because of favorable demographics and rising awareness among the industry participants.

In order to properly analyze the virtues and significance of the US personalized cancer Whole-Genome Sequencing market, our report has effectively studied the current and future status of cancer in the whole country as well as states. In view of the fact that cancer affects some age groups in a significant manner, we have also investigated the age wise statistics of the disease. To get proper insight into the market, an in-depth analysis into the high-income group population is provided so that players can have a clear picture about their potential customer base and market to be tapped.

An in-depth study of the regulatory environment governing the US personalized cancer Whole-Genome Sequencing market has also been provided. It has been found that regulations related to personalized cancer sequencing are primarily governed with the accreditation of the laboratories performing the sequencing services and analysis and also the usage of FDA approved tests for conducting these tests. Further we have also discussed the various constraints faced by the industry players with suitable suggestions for overcoming them.

The report analyzes the competitive landscape in the market through properly analyzing the business, services and activities of the companies. It also provides the competitive benchmarking taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of each player. Overall, the report is a complete source of knowledge and statistics for the clients who want to get an in-depth understanding of the market.

1. Analyst View

2. Research Methodology

3. Cancer Statistics by Demographics

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Research and Markets: Global Psoriasis Drug Pipeline Capsule – 2012 Update

Posted: at 9:10 pm

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/t8mv4n/global_psoriasis) has announced the addition of the "Global Psoriasis Drug Pipeline Capsule - 2012 Update" report to their offering.

Fore Pharma's latest report 'Global Psoriasis Drug Pipeline Capsule - 2012 Update' provides most up-to-date information on key Research and Development activities (R&D) in the global Psoriasis market. It covers active Psoriasis pipeline molecules in various stages of clinical trials, preclinical research, and drug discovery.

This report helps executives track competitors pipeline molecules. The information presented in this report can be used for identifying partners, evaluating opportunities, formulating business development strategies, executing in-licensing and out-licensing deals.

The report provides information on pipeline molecules by company and mechanism of action across the R&D stages. It also provides information on pipeline molecules developed in leading geographies (North America and Europe). Licensing activities are thoroughly captured in this report.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Psoriasis - Disease Overview

2. Psoriasis Pipeline Overview

3. Psoriasis Phase 3 Clinical Trial Pipeline Insights

4. Psoriasis Phase 2 Clinical Trial Pipeline Insights

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New gene offers hope for preventive medicine against fractures

Posted: at 9:10 pm

Public release date: 18-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Mattias Lorentzon, University of Gothenburg mattias.lorentzon@medic.gu.se 46-031-342-4929 University of Gothenburg

A big international study has identified a special gene that regulates bone density and bone strength. The gene can be used as a risk marker for fractures and opens up opportunities for preventive medicine against fractures. The study, led by the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, was published in the journal PLoS Genetics.

The international study, which involved more than 50 researchers from Europe, North America and Australia and was led by Associate Professor Mattias Lorentzon and Professor Claes Ohlsson at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, is based on extensive genetic analyses of the genetic material of 10,000 patients and experimental studies in mice.

Through the combined studies, researchers have succeeded in identifying a special gene, Wnt16, with a strong link to bone density and so-called cortical bone thickness, which is decisive to bone strength.

The genetic variation studied by the international research network could predict, for example, the risk of a forearm fracture in a large patient group of older women.

"In the experimental study, we could then establish that the gene had a crucial effect on the thickness and density of the femur. In mice without the Wnt16 gene, the strength of the femur was up to 61 per cent lower," according to Mattias Lorentzon at the Institute of Medicine, the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.

The discovery opens up opportunities to develop new medicines to prevent the most common fractures.

"Low cortical bone mass is a decisive factor in, for example, hip and forearm fractures. Unfortunately, the treatments currently used for brittleness of the bones have very little effect on the cortical bone mass," says Mattias Lorentzon.

"If we can learn to stimulate the signaling routes of the Wnt16 gene, we could strengthen the skeleton in these parts too, thereby preventing the most common and serious fractures. The discovery of Wnt16 and its regulation of cortical bone mass is therefore very important," according to Mattias Lorentzon.

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