LONDON, August 27 /PRNewswire/ --

Following the successful acquisition of Drug Development Solutions ('DDS') in February, Chiltern, a leading contract research organization, announced today that it has fully integrated its two early Phase units into a single operation branded as Chiltern Early Phase.

Misinterpreted fragments of leg bones, teeth and brow ridges found in Palau appear to be an archaeologist's undoing, according to researchers at three institutions. They say that the so-called dwarfs of these Micronesian islands actually were modern, normal-sized hunters and gatherers.

Scientists from the University of Oregon, North Carolina State University and the Australian National University refute the conclusion of Lee R. Berger and colleagues that Hobbit-like little people once lived there.(1)

"One of his biggest mistakes was rushing to publish," said University of Oregon anthropologist Greg C. Nelson of Berger. "He did not take the time to understand the area in which he was working -- its entire history, not just the skeletal stuff," he said. "Any time you work anywhere, you have to understand this history. You just can't walk in and cowboy it, pull some stuff out and draw conclusions in the absence of understanding the bigger picture."

You may not know "Daredevil" if you are not a comic book guy - the Ben Affleck movie certainly didn't endear him to most of the public. Daredevil lost his sight in an accident but, shortly after that, found his remaining senses had been enhanced.

It was common sense, the radiation-boosting aspects notwithstanding, and previous research has confirmed that when vision is lost, a person's senses of touch and hearing become enhanced. But exactly how this happens has been unclear.

Now a long-term study from the Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) demonstrates that sudden and complete loss of vision leads to profound – but rapidly reversible -- changes in the visual cortex. These findings not only provide new insights into how the brain compensates for the loss of sight, but also suggest that the brain is more adaptable than originally thought.

SAN DIEGO and INDIANAPOLIS, August 27 /PRNewswire/ --

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMLN) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) in a conference call today provided context and additional information regarding the August 18, 2008 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) update to a prior alert for BYETTA(R) (exenatide) injection referencing pancreatitis. The companies were aware of the pancreatitis cases referenced in the alert, as well as others, and previously reported these cases to the FDA. The complete conference call replay will be available through Amylin's and Lilly's corporate websites after the call.

FRIMLEY, England, August 27 /PRNewswire/ --

- Guidance Secures Access to Ranibizumab for all Suitable Patients on the NHS

- NICE Confirms Final Details of Innovative Ranibizumab Reimbursement Scheme

- Novartis Prepares for Nationwide Roll-out of Scheme Across England and Wales

Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd (Novartis) today welcomed the Final National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Technology Appraisal Guidance for age-related macular degeneration.

WASHINGTON, August 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Crude oil prices "could" fall below US$100 per barrel over the next 18 months on slowing worldwide demand and an increase in oil production, Energy Information Administration (EIA) chief Guy Caruso said Tuesday.

Caruso made the comment to reporters at the Platts Energy Podium in Washington.

"I think [prices] could fall below US$100 a barrel on slowing global demand and rising production in the US, Brazil and Canada, and from OPEC states such as Saudi Arabia and Angola," Caruso said.

Scientific happenings, big and small, on this day in history…

But first, today’s quiz:
What event, which took place on this day in 1883, produced the most violent explosion known in human history? You probably know the answer; it’s just a matter of thinking about it for a moment. But just to be sure, you can check the answer at the end of the article.

And on to other historic happenings…

PEMBROKE, Bermuda, August 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd (NYSE: AWH) today announced the appointment of Patrick de Saint-Aignan to its Board of Directors. Mr. de Saint-Aignan has over 30 years experience in investment banking.

Allied World President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carmilani commented, "We welcome Patrick to our Board of Directors. He has tremendous experience in financial services and will bring a wealth of knowledge to both our Board and our company."

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, August 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Elekta recently announced that it has received CE Mark clearance to distribute Elekta Compact(TM), the latest addition to its line of treatment systems, offering clinicians an easy to implement, more affordable solution for radiation therapy. CE Mark clearance from the European Union certifies Elekta Compact has met health, safety and environmental requirements for consumer safety.

Elekta Compact was developed to address the demanding clinical requirements in emerging markets, which require a low energy system that can be dedicated to specialized cases. Its ultra-compact design also makes it more accessible to clinicians who want to provide their patients with optimal radiation therapy care.

DALLAS, Texas, August 26 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced that leading industry analyst firm Gartner, Inc. has positioned AT&T in the Leaders Quadrant of its Managed and Professional Network Service Providers, Worldwide (1) report.