Featured Articles

A Shock For Rock - Head Banging Is Bad For Your Head (And Falling For This Is Bad For Your IQ)

A Shock For Rock - Head Banging Is Bad For Your Head (And Falling For This Is Bad For Your IQ)

Dec 18 2008 | comment(s)

It must be December.  Those cheeky pranksters at BMJ are at it again, this time releasing an authentic-looking study that says head banging is bad for your head.   Let's see how many media publications that basically print news releases without bothering to read them get suckered again (we mean you, BBC).

****

Head banging increases the risk of head and neck injury, but the effects may be lessened with reduced head and neck motion, head banging to lower tempo songs or to every second beat, and using protective equipment such as neck braces, finds a study in the Christmas issue published on bmj.com today.
6 Medical Myths Debunked For Christmas

6 Medical Myths Debunked For Christmas

Dec 18 2008 | comment(s)

In a study published in the Christmas 2008 issue of the British Medical Journal (and not one of their prank articles), Aaron Carroll, M.D., M.S., and Rachel Vreeman, M.D., M.S., of the Indiana University School of Medicine, explore the science behind six myths commonly associated with the holidays yet relevant year-round.

Phytochemicals Make Olive Oil Even More Awesome Than Previously Believed

Phytochemicals Make Olive Oil Even More Awesome Than Previously Believed

Dec 18 2008 | comment(s)

Good quality extra-virgin olive oil contains health-relevant chemicals, 'phytochemicals', that can trigger cancer cell death. New research published in the open access journal BMC Cancer sheds more light on the suspected association between olive oil-rich Mediterranean diets and reductions in breast cancer risk.
6 Researchers Take On Science Education

6 Researchers Take On Science Education

Dec 18 2008 | comment(s)

A greater commitment by science faculty to focus on science education could drive education reform at universities and K-12 schools, according to a new report by a team of five researchers from the California State University (CSU) system and one from Purdue University.

Appearing in today's issue of the journal Science, the report evaluates the role that science professors who specialize in science education play in improving how the sciences are taught.
Live Small, Live Better - And They Really Mean Live Small

Live Small, Live Better - And They Really Mean Live Small

Dec 18 2008 | comment(s)

As you can imagine, running a swanky science publication ends up getting me a lot of press releases.   People want to get the word out about what they are doing and I make no secret of the fact that I want to know what's going on because I don't have time to proactively go out and find the latest stuff.  So I like getting them, including the ones I want to make fun of.
Braskem Approves Green Polyethylene Project

Braskem Approves Green Polyethylene Project

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

SAO PAULO, Brazil, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

Braskem (BOVESPA: BRKM3, BRKM5, BRKM6; NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK), the leading company in the thermoplastic resins industry in Latin America and third-largest resin producer in the Americas, announces that its Board of Directors has approved the Green Polyethylene Project. This project, for which investment of R$500 million was approved, will produce ethylene and polyethylene from sugarcane ethanol, with operational startup scheduled for 2011 at the Southern Petrochemical Complex in Rio Grande do Sul state.

Redneck Astrophysicists Tackle Dark Energy

Redneck Astrophysicists Tackle Dark Energy

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

The astronomy/physics sector of the internets is all abuzz about Dark Energy.

It was originally thought that gravity would slow the expansion of the universe as huge astronomical bodies become attracted to each other and pull together like Sumo wrestlers trying to share a waterbed.  That has not happened.  Instead, the universe is expanding, and doing so at an increasing rate.  Dark Energy is the general repulsive force that is kicking gravity's butt and driving the expansion of the universe.
Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) Fuel Tank From TI Automotive Named 2009 PACE Award Finalist

Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) Fuel Tank From TI Automotive Named 2009 PACE Award Finalist

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

WARREN, Michigan, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

The Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) fuel tank from TI Automotive, the world's leading supplier of fluid-storage and delivery systems, has been selected as a 2009 PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers Contribution to Excellence) awards finalist for its revolutionary new design and production method.

The company's process technology and unique product architecture employed in the launch of the first BMW 3-Series PZEV plastic fuel tank represents a breakthrough in the transition from steel to plastic, according to Manouchehr Kambakhsh, vice president Global Advanced Engineering for TI Automotive.

EpiDerm's Skin Irritation Test Fully Validated In European Union

EpiDerm's Skin Irritation Test Fully Validated In European Union

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

ASHLAND, Massachusetts, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- Significant milestone met in development and validation of non-animal alternative test methods

MatTek Corporation today announced that the ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) endorsed the scientific validity of the Modified EpiDerm Skin Irritation Test (SIT) at its November meeting. ESAC concluded that the Modified EpiDerm SIT has sufficient accuracy and reliability for the prediction of skin irritating and non-irritating test substances.

Somebody should have told the Nobel Prize Committee

Somebody should have told the Nobel Prize Committee

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

Can science journalism get any more embarrassingly bad?

"Real-time gene monitoring developed" says a headline over at physorg.com. The piece starts off with an insane hook that makes no sense whatsoever:
With GeneVision, military commanders could compare gene expression in victorious and defeated troops. Retailers could track genes related to craving as shoppers moved about a store. "The Bachelor" would enjoy yet one more secret advantage over his love-struck dates.
The Power Of Communication: Psychology Of Words And Language Revealed

The Power Of Communication: Psychology Of Words And Language Revealed

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

Whoever said that the pen is mightier than the sword definitely knew what they were talking about. To humans, words are more than a means of communication, they can shape our beliefs, behaviors, feelings and ultimately our actions. Although swords can coerce us, and threaten, nothing is more powerful than a tool which can shape our opinions.

When it comes to language and communication, the rule is that it’s not what you say, but what people hear.  Words are one of the most powerful tools that we as humans possess; they can ignite revolutions or defuse tension. The problem is that words are underestimated as being central to thought and behavior processing as well as decision making.
Network Visibility Increases Application Performance With Shunra Software's VE Network Catcher

Network Visibility Increases Application Performance With Shunra Software's VE Network Catcher

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

PHILADELPHIA, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- Agent-less network monitor brings the most accurate real-world network environment into the test lab for the most flexible and secure network behavior recording.

Concateno Team With Merck To Bring Road-Side Drug Testing To India

Concateno Team With Merck To Bring Road-Side Drug Testing To India

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

LONDON, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- Concateno Solutions are First to be Licensed for On-site Drug Testing in Indian Market

Concateno plc, Europe's largest provider of drug and alcohol testing programmes, has today announced an exclusive arrangement with Merck Specialities Private Limited (Merck Specialities), the wholly-owned Indian subsidiary of Merck KGaA, to launch and market its Cozart products for on-site drug testing into the Indian market. This represents a first for India, which currently does not use road-side testing for drugs of abuse to enforce anti-drug driving legislation.

Vocalzone Fine Tunes Tom Jones' Vocal Cords

Vocalzone Fine Tunes Tom Jones' Vocal Cords

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

As a result of Sir Tom Jones citing his use of Vocalzone on Top Gear (14/12/2008) Kestrel, the (Poole based) makers of the Throat Pastille which is also known to be used Snoop Dogg, Madonna, Joss Stone and Robbie Williams, has been inundated with enquiries from literally thousands of aspiring singers that watch the program.

Sir Tom Jones was asked by Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear if he took anything to maintain his voice.

NTRadmin Helps Managed Service Provider Gain Competitive Edge With On Demand Network System Management From NTRglobal

NTRadmin Helps Managed Service Provider Gain Competitive Edge With On Demand Network System Management From NTRglobal

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

DALLAS and BARCELONA, Spain, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- Not Just Computers uses NTRadmin Bots to Boost Service Quality and Cut Costs by Virtually Monitoring and Repairing Customers' Computers and Servers

Utilizing NTRadmin, an on-demand network systems management solution with NTRadmin Bots, Not Just Computers, a managed service provider and technology consultant, remotely monitors its customers' computers, networks and servers, proactively identifying problems such as lack of disk space, lagging CPU speed and security issues such as outdated anti-virus software. If problems are spotted, Not Just Computers can fix problems remotely, anytime, anywhere, even with a Windows mobile device with NTRadmin.

Etoro Report: The Global Crisis Has Caused Hundreds Of Thousands Investors To Move Their Money Into Foreign Currency Trading

Etoro Report: The Global Crisis Has Caused Hundreds Of Thousands Investors To Move Their Money Into Foreign Currency Trading

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

TEL AVIV, Israel, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- The Etoro Campaign in the Wake of the Report: President Elect Obama Will Explain to the General Public how to Protect Their Money in Times of Turbulent Markets.

Experts from Etoro, which specializes in foreign currency trading, conducted a survey, the conclusion of which determines that from October to December 2008, investors from all over the world have abandoned Wall Street for foreign currency trading.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081006/322315 )

Olivia Judson on Information Bedlam

Olivia Judson on Information Bedlam

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

I can relate to Olivia Judson's experience with the digitization of science journals:

On the good side, instead of hauling dusty volumes off shelves and standing over the photocopier, I sit comfortably in my office, downloading papers from journal Web sites.

On the bad side, this has produced informational bedlam.

The journal articles arrive with file names like 456330a.pdf or sd-article121.pdf. Keeping track of what these are, what I have, where I’ve put them, which other papers are related to them — hopeless...
ICU Medical Inc. And Health Robotics Announce Compatibility Of CytoCare(TM) Robot And CLAVE(R) Needle-Free Connector To Enable Safer Hazardous Drug Handling

ICU Medical Inc. And Health Robotics Announce Compatibility Of CytoCare(TM) Robot And CLAVE(R) Needle-Free Connector To Enable Safer Hazardous Drug Handling

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

BOZEN and SUD TIROL, Italy, December 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Robotics and ICU Medical today announced the culmination of the development work both companies undertook to enable CytoCare(TM) customers to utilize the CLAVE(R) Needle-Free Connector around the world.

Based on customer demand, the companies entered into an agreement in mid-2008 to modify their respective products in order to enable the safe utilization of the CLAVE(R) Connector for the purpose of spiking IV Bags before their introduction into CytoCare(TM) for hazardous drug preparation and compounding. General availability of their combined compatible solutions is expected approximately in March 2009.

PopCap Delivers First FREE Level Pack For Peggle(TM) Nights

PopCap Delivers First FREE Level Pack For Peggle(TM) Nights

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

DUBLIN, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- Five New Themed Levels and Ten New Challenges - PopCap and Holiday Themed - Now Available for Download

PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual games, today announced the immediate availability of the first FREE level pack for Peggle(TM) Nights. Available exclusively at http://www.Popcap.co.uk, the Peggle Nights Holiday 2008 level pack features five all-new levels, with holiday themes or themes related to other PopCap(R) titles - or in some cases, both. The new levels can be played in the Quick Play or Duel modes of Peggle Nights, and there are also ten new challenges in Challenge Mode based on the new levels. Additional level packs will be forthcoming in 2009 and beyond.

Senetek PLC Announces 2008 Annual General Meeting Voting Results

Senetek PLC Announces 2008 Annual General Meeting Voting Results

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

NAPA, California, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

Senetek PLC (OTC Bulletin Board: SNKTY), a Life Sciences company engaged in the development of technologies that target the science of healthy aging, today announced that shareholders have approved all four resolutions that the Company had proposed at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on December 16, 2008.

We are pleased with the results of the voting and we thank our shareholders for their support, stated Frank J. Massino, Chairman CEO of Senetek. The Board and management of Senetek are looking forward to a productive and successful year in 2009.

About Senetek PLC