Sensitivity to reward loss is an indicator of animal emotion and welfare, say scientists at Bristol University Veterinary School.

Rats housed in standard conditions show a stronger response to the loss of an expected food reward than those housed in enriched conditions, perhaps indicating a more negative emotional state, according to the new research by published in this week's issue of Royal Society Biology Letters.

The researchers have developed a new approach to the measurement of animal emotional states based on findings from human psychology that emotions affect information processing. In general, people are more sensitive to reward losses than gains, but depressed people are particularly sensitive to losses. The researchers wanted to know whether animals' sensitivity to reward loss might also be related to their emotional state.

Discovered nearly 20 years ago, carbon nanotubes have been described as the wonder material of the 21st Century. Light as plastic and stronger that steel, they are being developed for use in new drugs, energy-efficient batteries and futuristic electronics. A major study published today suggests some forms of carbon nanotubes, the poster children for the “nanotechnology revolution”, could be as harmful as asbestos if inhaled in sufficient quantities.

The study used established methods to see if specific types of nanotubes have the potential to cause mesothelioma — a cancer of the lung lining that can take 30-40 years to appear following exposure. The results show that long, thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes that look like asbestos fibers, behave like asbestos fibers.

Since their discovery, questions have been raised about whether some of these nanoscale materials may cause harm and undermine a nascent market for all types of carbon nanotubes, including multi- and single-walled carbon nanotubes. Leading forecasting firms say sales of all nanotubes could reach $2 billion annually within the next four to seven years, according to an article in the U.S. publication Chemical & Engineering News.

DUBLIN, Ireland, May 20 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

Irish company, Aqua-Nu Filtration Systems Ltd., is set to unveil its powerful new drinking water micro-filter to the market - promising a permanent solution to the environmental problem of plastic bottle waste. The PURITYCAPSULE(TM) micro-filter offers consumers the opportunity to drink water from virtually any source with complete confidence in its quality - eliminating the need for continually purchasing plastic bottles of water.

SAN JOSE, California, May 20 /PRNewswire/ --

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMCI), a leader in application-optimized, high performance server solutions, today announced that its latest SuperBlade(TM) earned the top honor from CRN Test Center over IBM and Dell in a head-to-head analysis. Supermicro SuperBlade(TM) systems feature 93%* power supply efficiency and deliver unprecedented performance-per-watt when combined with Supermicro thermal and design technologies.

CALGARY, Canada, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) ("Oncolytics") today announced that it has been granted U.S. Patent 7,374,752 entitled "Reovirus for the Treatment of Cellular Proliferative Disorders." The claims cover pharmaceutical compositions which comprise various recombinant reoviruses.

"This patent provides the Company with additional patent protection for reovirus compositions in the United States," said Mary Ann Dillahunty, Vice President of Intellectual Property for Oncolytics.

About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

LUTON, England, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- Would-be Plumbers are Being Offered a Revolutionary New Way to Train, on a Blended Learning Course From Train4Trade Skills That Uses Games Technology to Create a Virtual Reality House, in Which the Plumbing Students can Practice Their Skills at no Risk to Themselves or to the Public

The graphics and games technology used in today's most advanced computer games is being used by trade skills training specialist, Train4Trade Skills, to train plumbers as part of a 'blended learning' process that combines PC study with practical workshops and written theory.

SAN MATEO, California, May 20 /PRNewswire/ --

- Decreases Hardware Footprint by More Than 97% While Significantly Increasing Performance

Bizanga, the global company behind the most scalable and full-featured email and message processing platform, today announced that Endurance International Group, a leading provider of shared Web site hosting and other online services, has deployed the Bizanga Intelligent Message Processor (IMP) platform to manage and secure their email and messaging needs.

FREMONT, California, May 20 /PRNewswire/ --

Corsair(R) http://www.corsair.com, a worldwide leader in high performance computer and flash memory products, announced today that Corsair Labs has set the world record for the highest achieved DDR3 frequency.

AVON, Ohio, May 20 /PRNewswire/ --

- Avaya's Former SVP of Global Alliances and Channel Development to help Jenne expand into SMB and enterprise global markets

Jenne Distributors, a leading value-added supplier of communication products and solutions to the global telecom industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of David P. Johnson as president and chief executive officer. Johnson joined Jenne on May 19, 2008, when Rose Jenne, current CEO, assumed the role of chairman.

SAN JOSE, California, May 20 /PRNewswire/ --

- DatacenterBlade(TM) and OfficeBlade(TM) Recognized for Best Performance/Watt and Best Power Efficiency

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMCI), a leader in application-optimized, high performance server solutions, today announced that its latest SuperBlade(TM) solutions won the Best Green Data Center Solution award at BladeSystems Insight 2008 over such notables as HP, IBM, Dell and Sun. Supermicro DatacenterBlade(TM) and OfficeBlade(TM) systems feature 93%* power supply efficiency and deliver unprecedented performance-per-watt when combined with Supermicro thermal and design technologies.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080520/CLTU006 )