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Cute Science - White Rhino Baby Born Using Artificial Insemination And Frozen Sperm For The First Time

Cute Science - White Rhino Baby Born Using Artificial Insemination And Frozen Sperm For The First Time

Oct 25 2008 | comment(s)

A world-first: birth of a white rhino after artificial insemination with frozen sperm.

The rhino baby, a male, was born at 4:57am in the Budapest Zoo on the 22nd of October 2008. In June 2007, scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin artificially inseminated his mother, the rhino cow Lulu, with frozen bull semen. The rhino baby weighed 45 kilos. It is in good health and was accepted by his mom. The birth is “an important success for species conservation and preservation of biodiversity”, says Dr. Robert Hermes, one of the IZW-scientists performing the insemination.
Economics Professors Predict Barack Obama Will Win Presidential Election With 52 Percent Of The Vote

Economics Professors Predict Barack Obama Will Win Presidential Election With 52 Percent Of The Vote

Oct 25 2008 | comment(s)

Based on past elections and economic factors, two professors at the University of Oregon predict that Senator Barack Obama will win the presidential election by a 52 to 48 margin.

In the paper "A Disaggregate Approach to Economic Models of Voting in U.S. Presidential Elections: Forecasts of the 2008 Election," published in the Economics Bulletin, economic professors Stephen Haynes and Joe Stone's research shows that lowest-income states prefer McCain by 55.4 percent to 44.6 percent. Middle income states are almost evenly split between the two candidates and highest-income states prefer Obama by 53.3 percent to 46.65 percent.

Haynes and Stone note in their research that the 52 to 48 margin in favor of Obama falls within the four-point range of statistical error.
Who Would Benjamin Franklin Vote For In November?

Who Would Benjamin Franklin Vote For In November?

Oct 25 2008 | comment(s)

If Barack Obama is elected president on Nov. 4, and current polling suggests that is the case, he will come into office with something few presidents get and all envy: both houses of Congress controlled by his own party. With Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the helm in the House, and Majority Leader Harry Reid presiding over what may be a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, Obama, Pelosi and Reid will be able to fundamentally change the size, nature and scope of government.
My Internship At Scientific Blogging, Part I

My Internship At Scientific Blogging, Part I

Oct 25 2008 | comment(s)

What it's like to live and breathe Scientificblogging.
The Interview - Sometime in September

Graduate students are always looking for part time jobs to subsidize their livelihood. So, when I scaled back my course schedule from four classes to two, I started searching for some work on Craigslist.org.  Some science website was looking for interns, so I sent in my resume, never thinking I'd get a call back. What they'd want with an English major I have no idea---
Bloodsucker Myths & Movies: Vampires Throughout The Ages

Bloodsucker Myths & Movies: Vampires Throughout The Ages

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

When I was an undergraduate, I had to read Bram Stoker's Dracula for a class called, "Myths of the World." The novel is composed of first hand accounts, diary entries, letters and newspaper clippings to add validity to the story, so as you're reading it, you begin to think--it's real. There I was one night, in my San Francisco apartment, huddled in my bedroom with all the lights on reading:
When the Count saw my face, his eyes blazed with a sort of demonic fury, and he suddenly made a grab at my throat. I drew away, and his hand touched the string of beads which held the crucifix. It made an instant change in him, for the fury passed so quickly that I could hardly believe that it was ever there. - Bram Stoker's Dracula
Sex Education and Science Teaching

Sex Education and Science Teaching

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

I have been reading a blog entitled (wouldya believe it?)

Catholic bishops back sex education for primary school children.

Now it's not the blog itself, but a couple of the comments have set me a-thinking.  One says:
Sure Start will be made nationwide and ultimately the plans of Ed Balls
is that children are educated from the age of two in such places
because inequalities and values can be established before the age of 5.
Iskraemeco Ltd. Joins EMeter's IntegratedMDM(SM) Interoperability Program

Iskraemeco Ltd. Joins EMeter's IntegratedMDM(SM) Interoperability Program

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

SAN MATEO, California, October 24 /PRNewswire/ --

eMeter, a global leader in clean energy technology, has announced that leading Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) technology company, Iskraemeco Ltd, has agreed to participate in its IntegratedMDM program.

The resounding participation of leading AMI companies in eMeter's IntegratedMDM program highlights the value of close cooperation and future interoperability between an independent meter data management system (MDMS) and multiple AMI technologies, said Larsh Johnson, eMeter CTO. Utilities selecting a participating AMI technology can be assured that the technology will operate with eMeter's EnergyIP(TM) MDMS now and in the future.

Northrop Grumman Showcases State-of-the-Art Naval Capabilities At Euronaval 2008, Paris

Northrop Grumman Showcases State-of-the-Art Naval Capabilities At Euronaval 2008, Paris

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

LONDON, October 24 /PRNewswire/ --

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will display a wide array of its state-of-the-art ship and marine navigation system capabilities at the international naval defence exhibition, Euronaval in Paris, France.

Euronaval will be held at the Paris-Le-Bourget exhibition centre from 27 to 31 October 2008 and includes the maritime sector and those industrial activities associated with state actions at sea.

The Incredible Hulk - Totally Not Incredible

The Incredible Hulk - Totally Not Incredible

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

Last night, I watched "The Incredible Hulk," starring Ed Norton.  Although I had been disappointed in the 2003 film adaptation of "The Hulk,"  starring Eric Bana, I thought a Hulk movie would be good research for me, as I'm working an article called, "Hollywood's Top 10 Sexiest Male Scientists."

What after all, could be more sexy than a gigantic, green, angry scientist? Ed Norton as Bruce Banner? I could dig it.

So, I settled into my green couch, certain that this film adaptation would redeem The Hulk in my eyes.

I was wrong. In fact, I would be hard pressed to decide which of the two Hulk movies was better or worse. They are equally awful. Godawful.

There was no plot.
No chemistry between Ed Norton and Liv Tyler.
Naspers Honored By ACQ Magazine With The Deal Of The Year Award - Interview With Christian Unger

Naspers Honored By ACQ Magazine With The Deal Of The Year Award - Interview With Christian Unger

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

ZUG, Switzerland, October 24 /PRNewswire/ --

- Indication: The Complete Article From ACQ Finance Magazine can be Downloaded Free of Charge Under: http://www.presseportal.ch/de/pm/100015343

The British trade journal ACQ Finance Magazine has singled out the acquisition of the e-commerce player Tradus plc by the South African print and online media corporation Naspers (JSE: NPN) as the Deal of the Year.

Flint To Release Third Quarter Results On November 6, 2008

Flint To Release Third Quarter Results On November 6, 2008

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

CALGARY, October 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Flint Energy Services Ltd. (Flint) confirmed the company will release its third quarter interim financial results on Thursday November 6th, 2008 after markets close. A conference call with management is scheduled for Friday November 7th, 2008 at 11:00 am Eastern Time (9:00 am Mountain Time).

Participants may join the live conference call by dialing: Toronto area: 416-644-3418; All other areas: 800-733-9303 Replay Audience Dial-in Number Codes: Access Number: 416-640-1917 Passcode 21285287 followed by the pound sign Access Number: 877-289-8525 Passcode 21285287 followed by the pound sign

Number Crunching And Evidence-Based Medicine

Number Crunching And Evidence-Based Medicine

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

Newt Gingrich, John Kerry, and someone named Billy Beane (I have no clue who he is) argue that medicine is not yet sufficiently data driven.:

In the past decade, baseball has experienced a data-driven information revolution. Numbers-crunchers now routinely use statistics to put better teams on the field for less money. Our overpriced, underperforming health care system needs a similar revolution...

Remarkably, a doctor today can get more data on the starting third baseman on his fantasy baseball team than on the effectiveness of life-and-death medical procedures. Studies have shown that most health care is not based on clinical studies of what works best and what does not — be it a test, treatment, drug or technology. Instead, most care is based on informed opinion, personal observation or tradition.


Merck Serono Submits Application For GONAL-f(R) In Japan For Ovulation Induction In Infertile Women

Merck Serono Submits Application For GONAL-f(R) In Japan For Ovulation Induction In Infertile Women

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

GENEVA, October 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced that it has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for a new indication of GONAL-f(R) / GONALEF(R) (follitropin alfa for injection) for ovulation induction in infertile women. The sNDA submission is supported by a Phase III single-blinded controlled study conducted in Japanese women with no or irregular ovulation (anovulation or oligoovulation), including Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which demonstrated the efficacy and safety of GONAL-f(R).

Sound advice on applying to grad school

Sound advice on applying to grad school

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

From Cosmic Variance:

It’s usually not a good idea to have one of your parents call the department on your behalf.


I'm surprised this even needs to be said.
CPC Of America Announces Agreement With BC Tech For Manufacture Of MedClose(TM) Vascular Closure System

CPC Of America Announces Agreement With BC Tech For Manufacture Of MedClose(TM) Vascular Closure System

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

SARASOTA, Florida, October 24 /PRNewswire/ --

CPC of America, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CPCF), a company focused on developing therapeutic devices for use in endovascular procedures, announced today that it has entered into a manufacturing agreement with BC Tech. According to the agreement, BC Tech will manufacture the MedClose(TM) vascular closure system (VCS), a Class II extravascular puncture-closure device that may be used with a biological sealant for worldwide commercial application in diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures. The Company aims to fill a global market need for a safe, reliable closure system that reduces time to hemostasis and allows for faster patient ambulation and, when necessary, wound re-access.

GenOdyssee Receives Broad Product Applications Protection In EU For Founding Natural Evolution Technology

GenOdyssee Receives Broad Product Applications Protection In EU For Founding Natural Evolution Technology

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

PARIS, October 24 /PRNewswire/ --

- GenOdyssee Has Received Notice of Allowance of European Patent Application Covering Its Core Natural Evolution Technology Invented in 2002, and Received Broad Product Applications Protection Rights to All Cytokine Families

GenOdyssee (GO), a biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of improved 'next generation' human protein therapeutics, announced today that it has received notice of allowance from the European Patent Office of its Patent Application no.3 785 733.1 (PCT/EP03/13965) covering its core founding drug discovery technology process entitled Method For Providing Natural Therapeutic Agents With High Therapeutic Index for applications to all therapeutic cytokine families.

Creeping NHS Privatisation In North West Under Scrutiny

Creeping NHS Privatisation In North West Under Scrutiny

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

LONDON, October 24 /PRNewswire/ --

- Unite the Union has Crunch Meeting With Strategic Health Authority on 27 October

Creeping privatisation of the NHS - with knock-on adverse effects for patients - is on the march in the Greater Manchester area, Unite, the country's largest union, has warned.

Unite, along with other health unions, plan to meet NHS North West, the strategic health authority, at Gateway House in Manchester on Monday, 27 October to thrash out the implications of the continuing privatisation process in the region.

Unite is protesting at the latest private health scheme in Stretford, given permission by Trafford Council last month.

Economic principles are a pyramid scheme

Economic principles are a pyramid scheme

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

Deleted due to this websites censorship
Progress On Full Pension For Women Welcomed By Unite

Progress On Full Pension For Women Welcomed By Unite

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

LONDON, October 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Welcoming the announcement today from the government that more women and carers will be able to take action to ensure they receive the full state pension, Diana Holland, Assistant General Secretary of the TG section of Unite the union said:

For too long, too few women have been able to receive a full state pension. Caring responsibilities, part-time working and unequal and low pay have all resulted in further disadvantage on retirement.

The state pension is about solidarity between generations. Today's announcement recognises the vital contribution to our society made by so many women in previous generations and today. This is an important step on the road to dignity in retirement for all.

Novexel To Present Five Posters At The Joint Annual Interscience Conference On Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy And The Infectious Disease Society Of America (ICAAC/IDSA) Meeting

Novexel To Present Five Posters At The Joint Annual Interscience Conference On Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy And The Infectious Disease Society Of America (ICAAC/IDSA) Meeting

Oct 24 2008 | comment(s)

PARIS, October 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Novexel, a speciality pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel antibiotics designed to overcome the significant global problem of microbial resistance, announces that its pipeline will be the subject of five posters at the joint annual meeting of the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy and the Infectious Disease Society of America (48th annual ICAAC/IDSA 46th annual meeting), which takes place in Washington, DC, October 25-28, 2008.