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Ozone in the Zone

Ozone in the Zone

Nov 09 2008 | comment(s)

Two observations are remarkable today about ozone-hole measurements. Both have been in the books for a while. First, the peak of 2008 is larger than 2007's. Second, NOAA is getting ready for a new environmental satellite. I will also make a prediction for the next year.
If Alternative Fuels Do Poorly In Net Energy Terms, Get Rid Of The Net Energy Concept, Says Theory

If Alternative Fuels Do Poorly In Net Energy Terms, Get Rid Of The Net Energy Concept, Says Theory

Nov 09 2008 | comment(s)

"Net energy is a (mostly) irrelevant, misleading and dangerous metric," says Professor Bruce Dale, editor-in-chief of Biofuels, Bioresources and Biorefining (Biofpr) in the latest issue of the journal published today.

Net energy is a metric by which some scientists attempt to assess the sustainability and ability of alternative fuels to displace fossil fuel but recent debate in Biofpr shows that scientists are undecided on its merits as a tool.
Lapita-Voyage: Man Your Tiny Ancient Canoe For A 3,000 Mile Pacific Journey

Lapita-Voyage: Man Your Tiny Ancient Canoe For A 3,000 Mile Pacific Journey

Nov 09 2008 | comment(s)

Two Durham University scientists are playing a key part in a 3,000 mile trip following the migration route of ancient Pacific cultures.   Drs Keith Dobney and Greger Larson, both from the Department of Archaeology, are taking part in the voyage, which will be the first ever expedition to sail in two traditional Polynesian boats - ethnic double canoes - which attempts to re-trace the genuine migration route of the ancient Austronesians.
The Arctic's Surprising Chemical Cocktail

The Arctic's Surprising Chemical Cocktail

Nov 09 2008 | comment(s)

In the Arctic in spring, the snow cover gives off nitrogen oxides. This phenomenon, the extent of which had not been previously realized, is the source of one third of the nitrates present in the Arctic atmosphere, according to researchers from CNRS, the Université Joseph Fourier and the Université Pierre et Marie Curie[1]. They made a quantitative study of the origin and evolution of nitrogen compounds in the Arctic atmosphere, in order to understand their environmental impact on this region. These findings are published in the 31 October 2008 issue of the journal Science.
GenomPort - Exploring The Human Genome Google Maps Style

GenomPort - Exploring The Human Genome Google Maps Style

Nov 08 2008 | comment(s)

The Data Management Group (DAMA-UPC), led by Josep Lluís Larriba, has designed a system for searching for information in a network or graph that can complement Internet search engines and is of special interest to biomedicine, social networks, the Internet, fraud detection in different environments and advanced bibliographical searches.

Searching and querying large volumes of networked data using a new technology patented by the UPC is now a reality with DEX. The system offers high-speed processing, configurable data input using heterogenous sources, and management of networks with billions of nodes and connections from a desktop PC.
Why Are Correct Answers In Medical Research So Hard To Achieve?

Why Are Correct Answers In Medical Research So Hard To Achieve?

Nov 08 2008 | comment(s)

The truth is, few people know the first thing about clinical research. The public reads about a medical research project that announces unbelievable results for a miraculous drug and often jokes that it will later turn out just the opposite will be true.

And the public is often right.   For example, a 1994 headline in the San Francisco Chronicle announced “Hormones cut women’s risk of heart disease” but by 2001 that optimistic report was reversed as evidenced by a Washington Post article titled, “Hormones don’t protect women from heart disease.”
Optimizing Airlines - Ontology To The Rescue

Optimizing Airlines - Ontology To The Rescue

Nov 08 2008 | comment(s)

As airports become stretched to capacity and calls mount for new runways and terminals, a computer scientist in Greece has designed a system that could ensure as many seats as possible are filled on each flight and no one is left stranded at check-in.    If you're one of those people who has logged numerous free miles giving up your seat and getting a free ticket in return, that could be bad news.
Discovery - SrbA Gene Regulates Mold's Resistance To Drugs

Discovery - SrbA Gene Regulates Mold's Resistance To Drugs

Nov 08 2008 | comment(s)

Montana State University scientists concerned about lethal mold infections have found a gene that regulates the mold's resistance to drugs.

The gene, called srbA, allows molds to thrive during infections even when inflammation reduces its oxygen supply, said Robert Cramer, senior author of a paper published in the Nov. 7 issue of PLoS Pathogens. When the gene is removed, the mold becomes much more vulnerable to lack of oxygen and can no longer grow to cause disease.
Scientific Blogs

Scientific Blogs

Nov 08 2008 | comment(s)

Are you a science blogger and want to get the word out to a large audience? As a service so people can find other great writers we're setting up a special science blogs/scientific blogs section that will be a comprehensive list of writers we haven't discovered yet.

If you want to be included, please use the contact info at the bottom and when this goes live, yours will be included.
Science Blogs

Science Blogs

Nov 08 2008 | comment(s)

Are you a science blogger and want to get the word out to a large audience? As a service so people can find other great writers we're setting up a special science blogs/scientific blogs section that will be a comprehensive list of writers we haven't discovered yet. If you want to be included, please use the contact info at the bottom and when this goes live, yours will be included.
Speciation in Real-Time

Speciation in Real-Time

Nov 08 2008 | comment(s)

I had lunch today with Jim Anderson, a Professor in the Department of Cell and Systems Biology at the University of Toronto.  Jim asks questions about how genetic changes over time (evolution) leads to the generation of new species (speciation).  Jim's way of asking questions is by watching the generation of new species in the lab.

A little background:
Coffee Break Science Browsing

Coffee Break Science Browsing

Nov 07 2008 | comment(s)

What I would have been reading over coffee in the lab, if I actually drank coffee in the lab (and of course I scrupulously follow the university Environmental Health&Safety rules and never drink coffee in the lab):

At spiked, a review of Quantum: Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate About the Nature of Reality:

The Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann believes that ‘Bohr brainwashed a whole generation of physicists...
No Longer Are Live Cultures Enough, Probiotics Are All The Rage

No Longer Are Live Cultures Enough, Probiotics Are All The Rage

Nov 07 2008 | comment(s)

If you're a yogurt consumer like myself, you've probably noticed the aisle flooded with signs for probiotic yogurt, probiotic shots and even probiotic candy bars (hey, it's true!)  While staying away from these items for some time I thought I'd now try to figure out the reality behind these and put the hype to rest.

Apparently, probiotics have been used for centuries as natural components in health-promoting foods and upon transportation to the United States, they have sparked a huge growth in the yogurt industry for their claims of increased immune response as well as sufficient promotion toward digestive health.
Pine Bark May Reduce Jetlag, Says Study

Pine Bark May Reduce Jetlag, Says Study

Nov 07 2008 | comment(s)

I love to travel. Exploring new places, seeing new sights and eating new types of food are among the top greatest things. But traveling has some serious consequences. Not only do you have to deal with the circus that ensues when you try to get on the plane, and must sit on a plane for however many hours that it takes to get to your destination, but then you have to spend the next significant chunk of your

precious travel time adjusting to the time. What if you could skip the recuperation time and avoid your jet lag? According to a new study published in Minerva Cardioangiologica, you can by taking pine bark extract.

Eagle Test Systems Announces Stockholder Approval Of Merger Agreement

Eagle Test Systems Announces Stockholder Approval Of Merger Agreement

Nov 07 2008 | comment(s)

BUFFALO GROVE, Illinois, November 7 /PRNewswire/ --

Eagle Test Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGLT), a provider of automated test equipment solutions for high-performance analog, mixed-signal and radio frequency (RF) semiconductors, announced today that, at a special meeting of its stockholders, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Eagle Test adopted the previously announced merger agreement among Eagle Test, Teradyne, Inc. (Teradyne) and Turin Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Teradyne.

NRG Energy's David Crane To Speak At Second Platts Lecture

NRG Energy's David Crane To Speak At Second Platts Lecture

Nov 07 2008 | comment(s)

NEW YORK, November 7 /PRNewswire/ --

- NRG CEO to Advocate Transition to Low Carbon-Emitting Society;Joins Former U.S. Secretary of State Albright as a Featured Speaker

At the second annual Platts Lecture, Sense and Sustainability: What Strategies Will Really Work to Create a New Energy Future? NRG Energy President and CEO David Crane is expected to call on the energy industry to smooth its transition to a low-carbon economy. The lecture will be held December 3 at Deutsche Bank headquarters in New York City in conjunction with the 10th annual Platts Global Energy Awards.

Matterhorn Capital Co-Founder Jonathan Holley Sells Stake To Shareholders

Matterhorn Capital Co-Founder Jonathan Holley Sells Stake To Shareholders

Nov 07 2008 | comment(s)

ZURICH, Switzerland, November 7 /PRNewswire/ --

Matterhorn Capital Ltd, the US$300 million Swiss industrial and technology investment company, announced today that co-founder, Jonathan H. Holley, has sold his stake in the company to a group of existing shareholders. No transaction details were disclosed.

Mr. Holley had previously notified the Board of Directors of his intention to sell his stake upon his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Group-Tatweer Fund Management Company in the United Arab Emirates.

Atrial Fibrillation Found To Be Common In Patients With Atherothrombosis, Increases Risk Of Cardiovascular Death, Heart Attack And Stroke

Atrial Fibrillation Found To Be Common In Patients With Atherothrombosis, Increases Risk Of Cardiovascular Death, Heart Attack And Stroke

Nov 07 2008 | comment(s)

TOKYO, November 7 /PRNewswire/ --

- Large, International REACH Registry Also Shows Many Patients With Atrial Fibrillation are Undertreated With Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Therapies

A significant portion of patients with atherothrombosis also have atrial fibrillation (AF), greatly increasing their risk for cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke, according to new findings from the large, international REACH registry published today in the American Heart Journal.(1) The findings also showed that standard treatments including anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies are underused in AF patients.

Atmel's AVR XMEGA Wins EDN China Innovation Award

Atmel's AVR XMEGA Wins EDN China Innovation Award

Nov 07 2008 | comment(s)

SHENZHEN, China, November 7 /PRNewswire/ --

- Ultra low power AVR XMEGA - voted leading microprocessor

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), received a leading product accolade in the prestigious Electronic Design News (EDN) China Innovation Awards 2008.

InNexus Biotechnology Announces New EGFR Antibody DXL1218 Targeting Colorectal Cancer And Announces US$1.25 Million Private Placement

InNexus Biotechnology Announces New EGFR Antibody DXL1218 Targeting Colorectal Cancer And Announces US$1.25 Million Private Placement

Nov 07 2008 | comment(s)

BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada, November 7 /PRNewswire/ --

- Innovative Biotech Targets Another Large Well-Known Product and Continues Expansion of Antibody Therapeutics Pipeline -

InNexus Biotechnology Inc., (OTC Bulletin Board: IXSBF; TSX Venture: IXS; http://www.ixsbio.com), a drug development company commercializing the next generation of monoclonal antibodies based on its Dynamic Cross Linking (DXL(TM)) technology, announces the development of a new antibody product from its DXL(TM) platform technology, DXL1218 (EGFR), for the prospective treatment of colorectal cancer.