Featured Articles

A New Life-Sized Wound Model - They Named Him 'George'

A New Life-Sized Wound Model - They Named Him 'George'

Apr 16 2008 | comment(s)

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.

Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis With AVONEX Enhances Quality Of Life - Study

Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis With AVONEX Enhances Quality Of Life - Study

Apr 16 2008 | comment(s)

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.

Higher Creatinine In Blacks With Kidney Disease Not Explained By Muscle Mass

Higher Creatinine In Blacks With Kidney Disease Not Explained By Muscle Mass

Apr 16 2008 | comment(s)

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.

Micro-Sensor And Micro-Refrigerator On A Micro-Chip

Micro-Sensor And Micro-Refrigerator On A Micro-Chip

Apr 16 2008 | comment(s)

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.

Aditya Birla Minacs Selects Verizon Business To Improve And Manage Global Communications

Aditya Birla Minacs Selects Verizon Business To Improve And Manage Global Communications

Apr 16 2008 | comment(s)

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.

GPS Industries Announces 2007 Financial And Operating Results.

GPS Industries Announces 2007 Financial And Operating Results.

Apr 16 2008 | comment(s)

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.

Stanley Fish, Wrong Again

Stanley Fish, Wrong Again

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

I have taken issue before (here and here) with the writings of Stanley Fish in the New York Times, and I’m about to do it again. Fish is a professor of law at Florida State University, and often writes reasonably on a variety of topics in the NYT, but there is a streak of deconstruction running through some of his columns, that brings him to espouse pretty questionable positions when it comes to science, religion or philosophy.
Genmab A/S - Company Announcement: Novel Insights Into HuMax-EGFr Mechanisms Of Action Published In PNAS

Genmab A/S - Company Announcement: Novel Insights Into HuMax-EGFr Mechanisms Of Action Published In PNAS

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

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.

We Need A Rockefeller Of Solar Power

We Need A Rockefeller Of Solar Power

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

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.

STALLERGENES: 2008 1st Quarter Sales Up 15%

STALLERGENES: 2008 1st Quarter Sales Up 15%

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

PARIS, April 15 /PRNewswire/ --

(EUR millions) 2008 2007 08/07 % sales % sales % change Southern Europe 37.93 77.4 33.32 78.3 14 Other EU countries 9.38 19.1 8.07 19.0 16 Other markets 1.68 3.5 1.16 2.7 45 SLIT 40.86 83.4 34.63 81.4 18 SCIT 6.25 12.8 6.17 14.5 1 Other products 1.88 3.8 1.75 4.1 7 Q1 sales 48.99 100.0 42.55 100.0 15

Sales growth and financial position

First quarter sales continued to grow at a solid pace in all of the Company's markets and were up 15% compared to the first quarter of 2007, in respect of which particularly strong 20% growth had already been reported. Underlying trends were confirmed: vibrant SLIT (up 18%) and stable SCIT.

Eagle Test Systems Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2008 Earnings Release Date And Conference Call

Eagle Test Systems Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2008 Earnings Release Date And Conference Call

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

BUFFALO GROVE, Illinois, April 15 /PRNewswire/ --

Eagle Test Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGLT) will release its second quarter fiscal year 2008 earnings results on Tuesday April 29, 2008, following the close of the financial markets. The company will hold a conference call on the same day at 5:00 p.m. Central time/6:00 p.m. Eastern time.

In addition to quarterly results, the conference call may include comments on developments during the quarter. Len Foxman, Chief Executive Officer and President, and Steve Hawrysz, Chief Financial Officer, will host the session.

Excalibur Celebrates PIramed Sale With 'Substantial Cash Return' To Investors

Excalibur Celebrates PIramed Sale With 'Substantial Cash Return' To Investors

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

GLASGOW, Scotland, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Excalibur, the new international investment house launched by Sir Christopher Evans, today (Tuesday) welcomed the sale of PIramed to Roche.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080415/301189 )

The sale of PIramed to Roche for $185 million means a 'very substantial cash return' to investors in Merlin III, the investment fund created by Sir Christopher five years ago.

Merlin Biosciences were co-founding investors in PIramed at the outset in 2003 with JP Morgan. Merlin, with the founders of the company, also selected the CEO, the management team, built the board of directors and continued to provide ongoing funding and strategic advice to the company.

Est li zhizn na marse

Est li zhizn na marse

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

Est li zhizn na marse?
Females Are Fickle - The Science Is In

Females Are Fickle - The Science Is In

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

Female fruit flies sometimes choose males who are aggresive, sometimes choose males who do not fight at all, and sometimes choose males for no reason science can explain, write a team of biologists, and the findings help explain the large variation in aggressiveness in most species, including humans.

So females are unpredictable, which means the fittest males don’t always get the girl. This explains why males don't evolve towards super-aggressiveness.

“If aggression makes you more likely to father children, all males should be selected to be very aggressive. Male fruit flies (like humans and other animals) show a lot of genetic variation in aggression, and we wanted to find out why,” explained study leader Brad Foley, a post-doctoral researcher at USC.

Microsoft Charts Its Road Map For Windows Embedded Business

Microsoft Charts Its Road Map For Windows Embedded Business

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

SAN JOSE, California, April 15 /PRNewswire/ --

- Company announces strategy for product renaming, outlines plan for new solutions in key device categories and unveils first developer certification.

Microsoft's Windows Embedded SPARK Your Imagination Programme Goes Live

Microsoft's Windows Embedded SPARK Your Imagination Programme Goes Live

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

SAN JOSE, California, April 15 /PRNewswire/ --

- New programme features developer tools, embedded operating systems, and board packages for hobbyist developers and academic community.

At the Embedded Systems Conference today, Microsoft Corp rolled out the full details about its SPARK Your Imagination community-focused programme, a joint agreement between Microsoft and select hardware vendors to bring a complete offering of hardware and software to nonprofessional developers through a simple and affordable engagement model. The programme offerings have an estimated retail value of US$1,300 and will be available immediately worldwide at prices ranging from US$250 to US$350.

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

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Collaborators Present Reovirus Research For Pediatric Sarcomas At AACR Annual Meeting

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Collaborators Present Reovirus Research For Pediatric Sarcomas At AACR Annual Meeting

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

CALGARY, Canada, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC) (NASDAQ: ONCY) announced that a poster presentation by Dr. Anders Kolb of the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research entitled "Radiation in Combination with Reolysin for Pediatric Sarcomas" was presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting. The meeting is being held in San Diego, California from April 12-16, 2008.

"The combination of REOLYSIN(R) with radiation is certainly favourable," said Dr. Kolb. "Statistically significant improvements in event-free survival are seen in mice treated with the combination when compared to either therapy alone."

Ghosts Of Galaxies Point To Cold Dark Matter

Ghosts Of Galaxies Point To Cold Dark Matter

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

Huge star streams in the outskirts of two nearby spiral galaxies have allowed astronomers to obtain a panoramic overview of ' galactic cannibalism' similar to that involving the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy in the vicinity of the Milky Way.

The detection of these immense stellar fossils confirms the predictions of the cold dark matter model of cosmology, which proposes that present-day grand design spiral galaxies were formed from the merging of less massive stellar systems.

The first of these debris structures surrounds the galaxy NGC 5907, located 40 million light-years from Earth and formed from the destruction of one of its dwarf satellite galaxies at least four billion years ago.

Luminary Micro's New Stellaris(R) Microcontrollers Are Industry's First Offering Of USB On-the-Go And Host Capability With The A

Luminary Micro's New Stellaris(R) Microcontrollers Are Industry's First Offering Of USB On-the-Go And Host Capability With The A

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

AUSTIN, Texas, April 15 /PRNewswire/ --

- Thirty New Award-winning Stellaris Family Members Add USB Connectivity, Superior Motion Control Performance, Smaller Package Options, and Green Application Energy Efficiency

Solar Wind Sail Nears Implementation

Solar Wind Sail Nears Implementation

Apr 15 2008 | comment(s)

The electric solar wind sail developed at the Finnish Meteorological Institute has moved rapidly from invention towards implementation. Electric sail propulsion might have a large impact on space research and moving in space in general.

The electric solar wind sail developed by Dr. Pekka Janhunen at the Finnish Meteorological Institute might revolutionise travelling in deep space. The electric sail is a Finnish invention which uses the solar wind as its thrust source and therefore needs no fuel or propellant. The solar wind is a continuous plasma stream emanating from the Sun. Changes in the properties of the solar wind cause auroral brightening and magnetic storms, among other things.