A team of astrophysicists say they have solved a mystery that led some scientists to speculate that the distribution of certain gamma rays in our Milky Way galaxy was evidence for undetectable 'dark matter' making up much of the mass of the universe.

In two papers, the astrophysicists instead say that this distribution of gamma rays can be explained by the way "antimatter positrons" from the radioactive decay of elements, created by massive star explosions in the galaxy, propagate through the galaxy. Thus, they say, the observed distribution of gamma rays is not evidence for dark matter.

Johann Galle fans won't like reading this but professor David Jamieson, Head of the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne, says Galileo beat him to the punch in the discovery of Neptune - by 234 years.

If correct, the discovery would be the first new planet identified by humanity since deep antiquity.

Medical doctors often like to characterize themselves as scientists, and many others in the public are happy to join them in this.

I submit, however, that such a characterization is an error.

It is not a slur on the profession or its practitioners to say this, particularly once one understands that science is not the only, or only worthy, or even the most prominent form of reasoned inquiry that people can and do engage in. Furthermore, it is not a slur to say something that is simply true.

BOSTON, July 8 --

- Mike Coffey Confirmed as RISI’s Chief Executive Officer

RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry,
today announced that it has been fully acquired by United Business Media (UBM).
UBM previously owned 52% of RISI. As a result of this transaction, RISI is now
effectively owned and controlled 100% by UBM.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080521/NEW122LOGO )

RISI provides market data, pricing, news, forecasts, analysis and benchmarking
services on the global forest product industry. The company is also the leading
provider of marketing services in the sector through its events, magazines and
websites.

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REDMOND, Washington, July 8 --

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- Tami Reller to lead Windows Marketing and Finance.

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Microsoft Corp. today promoted Steven Sinofsky to president of the Windows
Division. Sinofsky, a 20-year Microsoft veteran, most recently led the Windows
and Windows Live Engineering Group, contributing to the Oct. 22 availability of
Windows 7.

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(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

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As president, Sinofsky assumes responsibility for the Windows business
including both the engineering and marketing functions for Windows, Windows Live
and Internet Explorer.

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MINNEAPOLIS, July 8 --

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- Ideal for 24/7 Video Surveillance and Other Mission-Critical Applications

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Multi-Tech Systems’ new 3G intelligent wireless router
(http://www.multitech.com/en_US/PRODUCTS/Families/MultiModemrCell/) instantly
makes existing or next generation devices communication-ready. The MultiModem(R)
rCell intelligent wireless router with HSDPA support is ideal for highly data
intensive, mission-critical applications such as real-time remote video
surveillance, downloading large files or shared Internet access over a
high-speed wireless connection.

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(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040505/MTSLOGO)

The NY Times recently criticized cancer funding policies as being too risk-averse.

The Director of the National Cancer Institute has responded, but his response helps prove the point that funding is too risk averse:

A gene called Chd1 has been identified in a Nature study as crucial for embryonic stem cell pluripotency - the ability to differentiate into any type of cell.  Chd1 seems to act by keeping the genetic material open and there poised to express any gene. Chd1 is also shown to be fundamental when reactivating differentiated tissue cells in order to create new stem cells.

The discovery has implications, not only for a better understanding of stem cells unique characteristics, but also for the process of obtaining them from tissue-specific cells avoiding all the problems associated with embryonic stem cells.

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PARIS, July 8 --

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- Version 7.2 of Campaign Commander(TM) Further Increases Delivery Quality and
Campaign Effectiveness

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Marketers will now be able to achieve greater delivery quality with their email
marketing campaigns at no extra cost thanks to the new Emailvision software
service.

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Version 7.2 of the on-demand email marketing solution Campaign Commander(TM)
will prevent users from wasting money on non-delivered messages by monitoring
deliverability issues as standard. Identifying and fixing potential blockage
problems prior to sending, the latest version now allows all users to ensure
their messages reach every recipient’s inbox.

Twitter, the newest social networking sensation, can generate sales leads for your business faster than other social network, even with a slashed budget, says David White, Founder and Chief Executive of Weboptimiser and he says he can tell you how your company can benefit from it when he presents his webinars in July.   He says Twitter is generating up to half the hits on his company’s website.