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Scientific Red Cards - French Students Launch Online Registry Of Fraudulent Science Papers

Scientific Red Cards - French Students Launch Online Registry Of Fraudulent Science Papers

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

A group of French research students is launching an online register to flag up scientific papers that have been tainted by fraud and other types of scientific misconduct.

Claire Ribrault, a PhD student in neurobiology at Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris, unveiled the Scientific Red Cards project last month at a workshop on research integrity sponsored by the European Science Foundation (ESF). The idea is to identify papers that have been shown to be fraudulent but are still in circulation.
Noblesse Oblige In 2008 - Are Power And Compassion Mutually Exclusive?

Noblesse Oblige In 2008 - Are Power And Compassion Mutually Exclusive?

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

If you're a Spider-Man reader, you are certainly aware of “noblesse oblige” - the idea that with great power comes great responsibilities.   And you may believe that if you had great power you would use it compassionately - but it's unlikely you think anyone else wielding great power will act in a compassionate way.

The term was created because it is often perceived that increased power makes people - that is, other, less noble people - less likely to use compassion.   Psychologist Gerben A. van Kleef (University of Amsterdam) and his colleagues from University of California, Berkeley, examined how power influences emotional reactions to the suffering of others.
The Neuropsychological Connection To Selflessness (And Religion)

The Neuropsychological Connection To Selflessness (And Religion)

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

All spiritual experiences are based in the brain. That statement is truer than ever before, according to a University of Missouri neuropsychologist. An MU study has data to support a neuropsychological model that proposes spiritual experiences associated with selflessness are related to decreased activity in the right parietal lobe of the brain. The study is one of the first to use individuals with traumatic brain injury to determine this connection. Researchers say the implication of this connection means people in many disciplines, including peace studies, health care or religion can learn different ways to attain selflessness, to experience transcendence, and to help themselves and others.
Major Breakthrough Announced With ICrete's Patented 100-Year Durable Concrete Mixes For All Infrastructure Including Road Systems, Bridges, Ports And Dams

Major Breakthrough Announced With ICrete's Patented 100-Year Durable Concrete Mixes For All Infrastructure Including Road Systems, Bridges, Ports And Dams

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

LOS ANGELES, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

* Governments and the private sector can now build public infrastructure with 100-year durability, at lower cost and with up to a 40 percent reduction in a project's carbon footprint.

* Developed in North America, iCrete Global 100 mixes are immediately available in the Gulf region where work is already underway on the world's tallest 'superscraper' buildings and green megacities in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

* iCrete creates the first truly global concrete, an infrastructure solution that dramatically reduces costs and can meet all building code standards anywhere in the world, featuring the highest strengths achievable.

Magnetic Crystals Are A 'Bacterial Compass', Say Researchers

Magnetic Crystals Are A 'Bacterial Compass', Say Researchers

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

Scientists from Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh say they have shown that tiny crystals found inside bacteria provide a magnetic compass to help them navigate through sediment to find the best food and it provides fresh clues to explain biomagnetism – a phenomenon in which some birds, insects and marine life navigate using the magnetic field that encompasses the Earth.

Researchers say their study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, focuses on magnetotactic bacteria, which contain chains of magnetic crystals, called magnetosomes. They exist all over the globe, living in lake and pond sediments and in ocean coastal regions. 
GSSC Sues Nautilus Security For Patent Infringement

GSSC Sues Nautilus Security For Patent Infringement

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

LAKE WORTH, Florida, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

Graphic Security Systems Corporation (GSSC) in the USA has filed suit against Nautilus Security of the UK over security technology sold in the Brand Protection and Document Security market. GSSC alleges that Nautilus is marketing products that infringe GSSC's intellectual property.

The suit was filed late Tuesday, December 16th in Greenville, South Carolina federal court.

GSSC has provided its patented security technology to government-authorized security printing firms and major corporations for more than twenty-five years.

In 1997, GSSC first introduced one of its digital encoding technologies on US postage stamps with its licensee, the United States Postal Service.

AVG 8.0 Protects Against Dangerous Internet Explorer Vulnerability

AVG 8.0 Protects Against Dangerous Internet Explorer Vulnerability

Dec 17 2008 | comment(s)

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- AVG's LinkScanner Technology Keeps Users Safe as Microsoft Determines How and When to Fix Flaw

Security software from AVG effectively blocks attempts by cyber criminals seeking to capitalize on the recently discovered vulnerability in Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser. The vulnerability enables unauthorized third parties to take control of users' PCs by tricking them into visiting poisoned web pages.

Ivory Towers are the New Smoke Stacks of Economic Development

Ivory Towers are the New Smoke Stacks of Economic Development

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)


Ivory towers are replacing smoke stacks in Alabama and all over the US.

This can be a good thing, but there is a core problem:

Until relatively recently, most universities and the cities surrounding them went about their business without taking full stock of what each meant to the other. Many local and state government leaders, notes Temple University political scientist Carolyn Adams, "don't see these institutions as having an economic development function much beyond employment and land development." For their part, hospitals and academic institutions aren't accustomed to thinking of themselves as de facto economic bigwigs or pondering the responsibilities that go along with that status; for many, the prevailing attitude toward the communities that host them has essentially been, "You should just thank your lucky stars we're here."
2008's Top 10 Coolest Science Gadgets (So, Gifts For The Holidays You Didn't Even Know Existed)

2008's Top 10 Coolest Science Gadgets (So, Gifts For The Holidays You Didn't Even Know Existed)

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

Today you wake up and realize that Christmas is fast approaching, a little more than a week away, and you haven't done ANY shopping for gifts. Now that you realize that Christmas looming in your very near future, you are tempted to get the usual bath spa set for mom and golf tie for dad, but here are some helpful suggestions for some gifts that are convenient, eco-friendly and just plain cool. Just follow these simple steps to complete your successful shopping venture and avoid the stress of last minute shopping at the stores.

Step 1: Don't Panic
Step 2: Take deep breaths
Step 3: Get on the internet
Economist Says Job Loss From Collapse Of Automakers Would Be Less Than Media Reports - Yayyyy!

Economist Says Job Loss From Collapse Of Automakers Would Be Less Than Media Reports - Yayyyy!

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

If you're comfortably entrenched at the University of Maryland and not worried about a mortgage like Michigan autoworkers, you can understand why it's important that there will be debate about the actual numbers of jobs at risk.    A new projection by the University of Maryland's Inforum economic research unit says peak job losses from automobile bankruptcies would be half of the 3 million commonly stated in the media. 

And if the University of Maryland is wrong, oh well, no one will lose their job.  

The three million job-loss figure comes from two separate studies, which are technically correct  but based on implausible assumptions, says University of Maryland economist Jeffrey Werling, Inforum executive director.
Oil Refineries Receives Two Announcements From Its 50%-Held Subsidiary Carmel Olefins

Oil Refineries Receives Two Announcements From Its 50%-Held Subsidiary Carmel Olefins

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

HAIFA, Israel, December 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Oil Refineries Ltd. (TASE: ORL.TA) (the Company or ORL), Israel's largest oil refiner, announced today that it has received the following two announcements from Carmel Olefins Ltd. (CAOL, a 50%-held private company in which ORL has entered into an agreement to purchase the balance its shares as outlined in the Press Release of June 25, 2008).

1. The announcement of Midroog Ltd. regarding the downgrading of CAOL's debenture credit rating (Series A) from Aa2 with a Negative Outlook to A1 with a Stable Outlook, together with the main reasons for the rating.

Milan Sales Office Supports Rising Demand For Patton Equipment In Southern Europe

Milan Sales Office Supports Rising Demand For Patton Equipment In Southern Europe

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland and BERN, Switzerland, December 16 /PRNewswire/ --

- Patton establishes Milan operations center in response to escalating requirements from regional carriers and enterprises for reliable and cost-effective datacom, telecom, and VoIP equipment

Patton -- the leader in business-class network access, connectivity, and VoIP equipment -- together with Patton-Inalp Networks AG -- creator of SmartNode(TM) industry-leading VoIP technology -- has inaugurated a regional sales office in Milan, Italy.

Court Upholds Fine Against Megafon For Illegal Operations In Georgia

Court Upholds Fine Against Megafon For Illegal Operations In Georgia

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

WASHINGTON, December 16 /PRNewswire/ --

The Tbilisi City Court has rejected a legal motion brought by the Russian mobile telephone carrier Megafon seeking the dismissal of a fine imposed on the company by regulatory authorities for illegal unlicensed operations in South Ossetia and other areas of Georgia's sovereign territory. The court's decision is the latest in a series of judgments confirming Megafon's activities in Georgia, which regulators say dates back to 2005.

Xceleron Names Michael Butler As President CEO

Xceleron Names Michael Butler As President CEO

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland and YORK, England, December 16 /PRNewswire/ --

- Butler Brings Strong Leadership, Vision and Experience to Company

Xceleron, the global leader in predictive clinical research to enable smarter, safer drug development, announced today Michael Butler, Ph.D., has been named President and CEO after an extensive global candidate search. Dr. Butler brings to Xceleron a balance of sales, operations and management know-how, including significant experience in expanding science-driven businesses.

Fujirebio Diagnostics And Roche Diagnostics Sign Agreement For New Ovarian Cancer Test

Fujirebio Diagnostics And Roche Diagnostics Sign Agreement For New Ovarian Cancer Test

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

MALVERN, Pennsylvania and BASEL, Switzerland, December 16 /PRNewswire/ --

- Fujirebio Diagnostics' HE4 Test will be Available Through Roche Diagnostics' Automated Immunoassay Analyzers

Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. and Roche Diagnostics announced today a worldwide license and supply agreement for the HE4 ovarian cancer test. Under the agreement, Roche will develop an assay kit utilizing Fujirebio Diagnostics' HE4 test on its automated immunoassay analyzers.

/C O R R E C T I O N -- Unite The Union/

/C O R R E C T I O N -- Unite The Union/

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

LONDON, December 16 /PRNewswire/ -- In the news release, MPs Demonstrate Their Support for Pleural Plaques Victims issued on 16 Dec 2008 14:32 GMT, by Unite the Union over PR Newswire, we are advised by a representative of the company that the location of the Photocall mentioned in the 2nd subheader should be New Palace Yard rather than Old Palace Yard as originally issued inadvertently. Complete, corrected release follows:

- Photocall: 1pm, Wednesday 17 December, 2008

- New Palace Yard, House of Commons, Westminster, SW1A 0AA

MPs Demonstrate Their Support For Pleural Plaques Victims

MPs Demonstrate Their Support For Pleural Plaques Victims

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

LONDON, December 16 /PRNewswire/ --

- Photocall: 1pm, Wednesday 17 December, 2008

- Old Palace Yard, House of Commons, Westminster, SW1A 0AA

MPs will gather for a photo-op as an Early Day Motion calling for the damaging 2007 Lords ruling ending the right to compensation is laid before the Commons, signalling the growing concern among MPs that the Ministry of Justice has yet to make clear what steps it will take to provide support for thousands of UK workers scarred by pleural plaques. The EDM has already been endorsed by 87 MPs.

VUANCE Receives Notification Of Non-Compliance With NASDAQ's Continued Listing Requirements

VUANCE Receives Notification Of Non-Compliance With NASDAQ's Continued Listing Requirements

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

FRANKLIN, Wisconsin, December 16 /PRNewswire/ --

VUANCE, Ltd. (Nasdaq: VUNC), a leading provider of innovative Radio Frequency Verification Solutions, including active RFID, electronic access control, credentialing, accountability and incident response management, today announced that it was notified by the Nasdaq Stock Exchange on December 11, 2008 that the Company does not comply with the continued listing requirements of Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(3), which requires the Company to have a minimum of US$2.5 million in stockholders' equity, or US$35 million in market value of listed securities, or US$500,000 of net income from continuing operations for the most recently completed fiscal year or two of the three most recently completed fiscal years.

Unite Condemns Alstrom's Decision To Allow Subcontractors To Not Use UK Workers At New Power Station In Kent

Unite Condemns Alstrom's Decision To Allow Subcontractors To Not Use UK Workers At New Power Station In Kent

Dec 16 2008 | comment(s)

LONDON, December 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Unite the UK's largest union is outraged at the decision by French multinational Alsthom to allow its sub-contractors not to use local or UK based labour during the construction of a new power station in Kent.

Alsthom has been contracted by Eon to build a gas-fired power station near Grain in Kent. Unite sought assurances that Alsthom would provide a level playing field for UK workers during the process for sub-contracting by including a clause in the tendering process, that any sub contractor would endeavour to use UK or local labour. Alsthom refused and then appointed Polish construction company, Remak.