A new analysis confirms what we already knew - the evolutionary relationships among animals are not simple and the traditional idea that animal evolution has followed a trajectory from simple to complex—from sponge to chordate—had met a dramatic exception in the metazoan tree of life.

But the new study suggests that the so-called "lower" metazoans (including Placozoa, corals, and jellyfish) evolved in parallel to "higher" animals (all other metazoans, from flatworms to chordates).  They say that means Placozoans—large amoeba-shaped, multi-cellular animals—have passed over sponges and other organisms as an animal that most closely mirrors the root of this tree of life.

RENTON, Washington, January 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Microscan, the technology leader for automatic identification in Life Sciences, today announces new products during the Lab Automation conference in Palm Springs, CA. The new solutions are based on machine vision, illumination, and auto ID technologies.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081208/AQM106LOGO)

RESTON, Virginia, January 26 /PRNewswire/ --

- Ekahau RTLS to Provide Wi-Fi-Based Enterprise Location Tracking Services in New HP ProCurve Networking vendor Alliance Program

In a move designed to help customers accurately and quickly track business assets and people, Ekahau Inc. today announced it has become a member of the newly launched HP ProCurve Open Network Ecosystem (ProCurve ONE) alliance program. Ekahau, a leading provider of Wi-Fi-based Real Time Location Systems (RTLS), will incorporate its RTLS solution for enterprise location as an interoperable enterprise-class application available on the new HP ProCurve ONE Services zl Module, a blade for the HP ProCurve Switch 5400zl and 8200zl series.

Stem cells are today’s panacea. They are greater than penicillin and vaccines combined, or so we hear. Research scientists have been touting the benefits and limitless medical possibilities of stem cells, and we have yet to see the real applications. After what seems like decades of waiting, embryonic stem cell research is finally ready for human testing. 

MALVERN, Pennsylvania, January 26 /PRNewswire/ --

- Article in Gynecologic Oncology Supports Use of Fujirebio Diagnostics' HE4 Test with CA125 for Risk Stratification of Women with Suspected Ovarian Cancer

A pivotal clinical trial published in the January 2009 issue of the journal Gynecologic Oncology demonstrated the utility of combining Fujirebio Diagnostics' HE4 and the CA125 test as an aid in estimating the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in premenopausal or postmenopausal women presenting with pelvic mass. The HE4 test, which is under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was reported to successfully stratify patients into high- and low-risk groups when combined with CA125.

FRANKFURT, Germany, January 26 /PRNewswire/ --

- Elsevier's New Web-Based Solution Combines Content From the Trusted CrossFire Databases in a Highly Intuitive and Easy to use Interface With New Features and Functionality

STOCKHOLM, January 26 /PRNewswire/ --

- International Firm Strengthens UK Market

Online advertising management firm Adtoma announced today the appointment of Ben Humphry to Managing Director of Adtoma UK Limited. In his new position, Ben will be leading operations in the UK and Ireland as well as expanding Adtoma's footprint in Europe's largest market.

PARIS, January 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben Verwaayen, CEO of Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Paul Tufano, Chief Financial Officer will present the fourth quarter and full year 2008 results on February 4, at 1:00 pm CET (12:00 pm GMT, 7:00 am EST). The press and analyst conference will be held in the company's headquarters, 54 rue La Boétie, Paris. Please confirm your attendance at press@alcatel lucent.com.

This conference will be available live at the following address: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/4q2008.

If you'd like to ask questions during the conference, dial-in instructions are listed below:

From the USA: 800-230-1085 From other countries: +1-612-234-9960

PRINCETON, New Jersey, January 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Mr Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for the Elimination of Leprosy and Japanese Government Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of People Affected by Leprosy, has called for an end to the common use of the word leper.

Speaking at the launch in London of the fourth Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination Against People Affected by Leprosy, held to coincide with World Leprosy Day, he said that the word carries the meaning of a pariah, or social outcast.

Mr Sasakawa said that people affected by leprosy have demanded that the term not be used.