Infinity was invented to account for the possibility that in a never-ending universe, anything can happen. Life on other Earth-like planets, for example, is possible in an infinite universe, but not probable, according to a scientist from the University of East Anglia.

The mathematical model produced by Prof Andrew Watson suggests that the odds of finding new life on other Earth-like planets are low because of the time it has taken for beings such as humans to evolve and the remaining life span of the Earth. Structurally complex and intelligent life evolved late on Earth and this process might be governed by a small number of very difficult evolutionary steps.

Prof Watson, from the School of Environmental Sciences, takes this idea further by looking at the probability of each of these critical steps occurring in relation to the life span of the Earth, giving an improved mathematical model for the evolution of intelligent life.

According to the Tissue Viability Team at the University of Hertfordshire School of Nursing and Midwifery, around 200,000 peoople in the UK will have a chronic wound, like a pressure ulcer, at any given time. In addition to the pain and suffering caused by these non-healing wounds, the financial costs of their management are high for both the government and the patient.

Non-healing wounds frequently result in extended hospital stays and increased risk of complications such as infections.

To address the greater training requirements for chronic wounds, Julie Vuolo, a lecturer at the School, joined with Tina Moore, a third year Model Design student, to develop a three-dimensional model complete with a pressure ulcer; a surgical incision which can be removed to reveal a large abdominal wound and a removable fungating tumor.

They named him George.

Results from a one-year prospective, observational study conducted to determine the impact of beginning treatment with AVONEX on MS patients’ overall quality of life (QoL) were announced today. The data showed that patients receiving treatment with AVONEX experienced statistically significant improvements in QoL, as measured by the EuroQol questionnaire (EQ-5D), compared to baseline. In addition, the study demonstrated the negative impact of disability progression (as measured by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS)) on employment status and QoL. These data were presented today as a poster presentation at the 60th American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

Why do black patients with advanced kidney disease have higher levels of creatinine, a standard indicator of kidney function, than whites? Contrary to what doctors have thought, the difference may not necessarily reflect differences in muscle mass related to younger age or differences in body composition, reports a study in the July 2008 issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

Led by Dr Joy Hsu of University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, the researchers measured serum creatinine concentrations and estimated body composition in more than 3,000 dialysis patients. Doctors measure creatinine to estimate how well a patient's kidneys are functioning—a higher creatinine level is generally a sign of lower kidney function. Creatinine levels were compared for black patients versus those of other racial/ethnic groups.

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have combined a cryogenic sensor and a microrefrigerator on a single microchip.

They combined a transition-edge sensor (TES)(1), a superconducting thin film that identifies X-ray signatures far more precisely than any other device, with a solid-state refrigerator based on a sandwich of a normal metal, an insulator and a superconductor.

The combo chip, a square about a quarter inch on a side, achieved the first cooling of a fully functional detector (or any useful device) with a microrefrigerator. The paper also reports the greatest temperature reduction in a separate object by microrefrigerators: a temperature drop of 110 millikelvins (mK), or about a tenth of a degree Celsius.

MUMBAI, India, April 16 /PRNewswire/ --

- Verizon Private IP Enhances Network Management and Improves Cost Efficiencies

Aditya Birla Minacs, a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, has selected Verizon Business to upgrade its global communications network to enhance management capabilities and achieve greater cost efficiencies. The company has implemented a fully managed Verizon Private IP solution to link its Indian headquarters with operations in Canada, Germany, Hungary, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 16 /PRNewswire/ --

GPS Industries, Inc. (GPSI) (OTC Bulletin Board: GPSN), the only provider of Wi-Fi powered, advertising enhanced GPS systems for golf facilities, resorts and residential communities, today announced its audited Financial and Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2007 and its restated quarters ending March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2007.

Inclusive of its restated quarters, revenues for 2007 increased to US$7.3 million or 11% over 2006 revenues of US$6.6 million. Net operating loss for 2007 was US$11.6 million as compared to US$5.4 million in 2006. Excluding the one time non cash gain on derivative liabilities in 2006, the operating loss improved by US$1.7 million from 2006.

COPENHAGEN, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary: Genmab has announced that HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor signaling by locking epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) molecules into a very compact, inactive conformation. The flexibility of the EGFr is central to its role in signaling, and binding of HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) results in effective inhibition of cancer cell growth.

Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced today new insights showing that HuMax-EGFr(TM) (zalutumumab) locks epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) molecules into a very compact, inactive conformation. The flexibility of the EGFr is central to its role in signaling, and binding of HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) results in effective inhibition of cancer cell growth.

There are many on-going themes in the large discussion of global warming and replacing fossil fuels with renewable, clean energy. One of the dominant ones is that alternative fuels such as solar are much more expensive than fossil fuels. This argument is often put forth by those entrenched in the status quo of the fossil fuel industry. The general argument is that our entire economic world will take a hit if we use solar as it is so much more expensive that oil.

There was a recent news story here at ScientificBlogging saying that it will take another ten years for solar energy to be price-competitive with fossil fuels.