Researchers have discovered coral beds off the coast of Hawaii that are more than 4,200 years old, making them among the oldest living creatures on Earth.

The team was directed by Brendan Roark of Texas A&M's College of Geosciences and included colleagues from the University of California-Santa Cruz and Australian National University in Canberra.

Two different species of coral beds were documented using carbon dating methods, Roark says, with both being much older than previously believed. One species – Leiopathes – is now confirmed to be about 4,265 years old, while the other species, Gerardia, is believed to be about 2,742 years old.

The safety of early applications of synthetic biology may be adequately addressed by the existing regulatory framework for biotechnology, especially in contained laboratories and manufacturing facilities. But further advances in this emerging field are likely to create significant challenges for U.S. government oversight, according to a new report authored by Michael Rodemeyer of the University of Virginia. Synthetic biology promises major advances in areas such as biofuels, specialty chemicals, and agriculture and drug products. 

Weeds, trees or tomatoes; no matter the plant genome of interest, Yves Van de Peer and associate Bioinformaticians at the VIB-Ugent research institute repeatedly observe that the last genome duplication to have occurred in all extant plants happened at the same time—65 million years ago.  This is a rather peculiar date considering it coincides with earth's last mass extinction event.  With this factoid in mind, an inference can be made; duplicated chromosome mutants (polyploids) have a strong advantage during times of environmental hardship.

IRVINE, California, March 24 /PRNewswire/ --

Premium green automaker Fisker Automotive has appointed its first group of North American retailers to market and service its luxury plug-in hybrid vehicles, beginning with the US$87,900, 100mpg Karma sedan later this year. Thirty-two award-winning retailers have confirmed their intent to carry the Fisker marquee. The number puts the carmaker close to its goal of having 40 locations across the country by the end of June 2009.

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If you are one of the many millions that suffer from unexplained abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhea, you are not alone. According to the NIH, 1 in 5 Americans suffer from similar symptoms.

The cause? Physicians have placed all of the unexplained and irregular symptoms into the catch-all disorder irritable bowel syndrome.

MT. LAUREL, New Jersey, March 24 /PRNewswire/ --

- Former head of British Intelligence to provide strategic insight and direction for driving advanced security and surveillance solutions

TimeSight Systems(TM), the industry leader in Video Lifecycle Management (VLM), today announced that Sir Richard Dearlove has joined the TimeSight Strategic Advisory Board. With a distinguished career of over 40 years at Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (also known as MI6) that includes five years as the agency's head, Sir Richard brings his extensive knowledge and renowned background to TimeSight Systems as the company continues to grow and evolve worldwide.

LONDON, March 24 /PRNewswire/ --

- Combines Online Storage, Synchronisation, Online Apps and Mobile Access With Standards-Based FTP

Livedrive has today added support for FTP to its popular online storage service.

FTP is the industry standard way of transferring files. Allowing customers to upload, download and access their files via FTP means users can access their files from virtually any platform from anywhere. Andrew Michael, CEO, commented:

ANTONY, France, March 24 /PRNewswire/ --

- Strong Growth in Results Sales up 16%, net Profit up 17%

- Sound Financial Position

- Proposed Increase in Dividend

ANTONY, France, March 24 /PRNewswire/ --

The Board of Directors, meeting on 23 March 2009 under the chairmanship of Albert SAPORTA, approved the 2008 consolidated financial statements:

LONDON, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Counterfeit medicine is posing an increasing risk to the publics' health as the amount being sold online and through other sources grows internationally, according to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

In an effort to raise public awareness of fake medicine and its dangers, the RPSGB and MHRA have teamed up to produce new patient guidance, which will be issued to all pharmacies in Great Britain over the next two months.

Developed in conjunction with patient groups to ensure it is clear and easy to read, pharmacies will be asked to distribute the guidance to patients in their prescription bags.

ANTONY, France, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Stallergenes S.A. and Solvay Pharmaceuticals Marketing and Licensing AG (subsidiary of Solvay Group) announce the signing of an exclusive partnership agreement for the promotion and distribution of Stallergenes diagnostic and treatment products in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

With an estimated 20 million allergy sufferers and a strong demand on the part of the medical community for quality products, the Russian market represents a real opportunity for Stallergenes.