Muscles usually contract when a neurotransmitter molecule is released from nerve cells onto muscle cells. But University of Utah scientists discovered that bare subatomic protons can act like larger, more complex neurotransmitters, making gut muscles contract in tiny round worms so the worms can poop.

“There are relatively few molecules that serve as neurotransmitters to trigger electrical changes in cells. Protons are the only new members of this group in nearly 20 years,” says biology Professor Erik Jorgensen, scientific director of the Brain Institute at the University of Utah and senior author of the study in the Jan.

You've read plenty of articles recently about visual invisibility but acoustic invisibility was considered beyond the reach of science.

Now Duke University engineers say a three-dimensional sound cloak is possible, at least in theory, by making sound waves travel distortion-free around an acousic veil the way microwaves do for a visual one.

"We've devised a recipe for an acoustic material that would essentially open up a hole in space and make something inside that hole disappear from sound waves," said Steven Cummer, Jeffrey N. Vinik Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke's Pratt School of Engineering.

LOMBARD, Illinois, January 9 /PRNewswire/ --

SunGard (http://www.sungard.com) today announced that its Asset Arena Investment Accounting solution has been named the most innovative fund administration and accounting solution by Financial-i in the magazine's second annual "Leaders in Innovation" awards.

Financial-i selected winners in conjunction with leading industry analyst firms and consultants, basing selections on product innovation over the past twelve months, cost-effectiveness of solution deployment, ease of implementation, efficiency enhancements and the ability to solve specific business problems.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina, January 9 /PRNewswire/ --

Quintiles Transnational Corp. today announced the appointment of Kelly McKee, M.D., as Executive Director of Operations for the company's Public Health and Government Services unit. McKee brings tremendous experience and expertise in infectious diseases and vaccine product development. He will report to Oren Cohen, M.D., Quintiles' Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, and Head of the Public Health and Government Services unit.

BRISTOL, England, January 9 /PRNewswire/ --

- Sandlot Games' Cake-Baking Sequel to Award-Winning PC Game Due Out This Summer

Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, and Sandlot Games, a leading developer and publisher of casual and family-friendly games, today announced Cake Mania(R) 2 for the Nintendo DS(TM). Developed by Digital Embryo, Cake Mania 2 is the follow-up to the award-winning Cake Mania game that originally debuted on PC and has achieved more than 50 million downloads worldwide and sold over 280,000 units worldwide on the DS.

MOSCOW, January 9 /PRNewswire/ --

Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces that its Mecheltrans OOO transportation subsidiary has won the open tender held by Russian Railways OJSC (RZhD OAO) for the sale of the Port Temryuk production complex.

As previously announced in September 2007, Mechel OAO acquired 100% of the shares of Temryuk-Sotra seaport located on the Taman shore of the Sea of Azov. This is one of the most promising ports for small tonnage river-sea type vessels in Southern Russia due to its geographical location.

LONDON, January 9 /PRNewswire/ --

- Siperian MDM Hub to Support the Bank's New Enterprise Architecture Initiative

Siperian, Inc. - the developers of a leading master data management (MDM) platform and Glitnir, a mid-market global corporate and investment bank with retail and commercial banking services - today announced that Glitnir has selected Siperian MDM Hub to create an integrated, unified view of customers, products and relationships. This merger will enable Siperian's master data management platform to be used across lines of business and front and back office systems and consolidate Glitnir's business applications, data warehouses and master data management into a single, enterprise architecture.

YOQNEAM, Israel and SAN RAMON, California, January 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned plastic surgeons and dermatologists from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas will present their latest findings from clinical experience with UltraShape during the 10th annual IMCAS meeting held in Paris, France from January 9th - 12th, 2008.

UltraShape is the clinically proven non-invasive solution for fat reduction and body contouring using "non-thermal" selective focused ultrasound technology. Seven leading physicians specializing in the field of aesthetic medicine will present clinical results on the effectiveness of UltraShape's Contour I in reducing fat thickness and improving body contours.

LONDON, January 9 /PRNewswire/ -- New research showing that anti-psychotic drugs are not an effective treatment for aggression in patients with learning disabilities(1), has further underlined concerns about over-prescribing for mental health. A Healthcare Commission report last year found that up to one in three mental health patients were over-prescribed to, and recently American research has suggested that stimulant medication such as Ritalin are not viable long-term treatment solutions(2).

SHEFFIELD, England, January 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Disenco Energy plc (TSX:DIS) today announces the appointment of Autocraft Industries UK as the volume engine manufacturer for its unique home energy producing and carbon footprint cutting appliance, HomePowerPlant. The appointment follows months of discussions with potential business partners with Autocraft, a subsidiary of Aftermarket Technology Corp. (NASDAQ: ATAC), being chosen because of its outstanding manufacturing facilities, expertise and engine-building track record for such customers as Aston Martin, Ford Motor Company and General Motors.