In Optimizing The University - Why We Need a New Educational Model for a New Century I discussed some of the issues facing post-secondary science education.

In particular, that piece focused on how changing student demographics, modern faculty responsibilities and the new knowledge gained from advanced assessment techniques showed us that we need to fix fundamental aspects of science education if students are to receive the high quality education that is becoming increasingly important to individual and societal success.

Regular readers know that I have long predicted the current price of oil and that we are now moving through Peak Oil These subjects were included in my “Forecast for 2008”

To quote from that January 9, 2008 column:

“In 2008, gas will, for a period of time reach $4 on the national level. A year ago I predicted that oil would rise above $80. Three months ago I predicted that the price would rise to $100 and that the trading range for oil will be $80 – 125 a barrel for the next year…but there could be several situations that could drive the price above $125.”

GLASGOW, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Cogentium Corporation Ltd, leading provider of contact centre strategic planning solutions, has released the White Paper: 'Transforming Contact Centre Planning using Simulation'.

Now more than ever, organisations need to streamline their processes and deliver a high standard of customer service. Contact centres are recognising the power and accuracy of simulation solutions to support them in meeting these objectives, particularly over more traditional call centre planning techniques.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, July 28 /PRNewswire/ --

Concentric Medical, Inc., the global leader in devices for clot removal in ischemic stroke patients, today announced the U.S. launch of its "V" series of Merci Retrievers. These new Retrievers, available in multiple configurations and sizes to match patient anatomy, join Concentric Medical's existing Merci Retrievers already on the market, and provide physicians with additional options for restoring blood flow in patients who have suffered ischemic strokes.

HATBORO, Pennsylvania, July 28 /PRNewswire/ --

LONDON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Ever turned up in a city needing to check that email from your customer or just needed a change of scene from your desk but didn't know where your nearest and best WiFi hotspot was? Orange Business Services offers access to more than 10,000 wireless hotspots around the country and has developed an online tool to identify the top one hundred best places to wire-free work near you wherever you happen to be.

Penn State researchers have used computed tomography (CT) technology to virtually glue newly-discovered skull fragments of a rare extinct lemur back into its partial skull, which was discovered over a century ago. Alan Walker, Evan Pugh Professor of Anthropology and Biology at Penn State, and Research Associate in Anthropology Timothy Ryan, led the research.

The different fragments of this lemur's skull are separated by thousands of miles, with the partial skull in Vienna and the pieces of frontal bone in the United States. The result of the digital manipulation is a nearly complete skull of Hadropithecus stenognathus, which is one of only two known skulls for this species.

LONDON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- In a video interview, Pearson CEO Marjorie Scardino reports on a strong start to the year with sales up 14% and operating profit up 38%. She says the momentum within the business remains strong despite the tough economic conditions and outlines why the business should continue to witness good growth in coming years.

Robin Freestone, CFO, re-iterates guidance given at the full year and points to the successful raising of US$900m in spite of the credit crunch and the uncertainty in the US capital markets.

In addition to these interviews there will be a live presentation to analysts at 09:00 BST.

LONDON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ --

- Ticketmaster's AccessManager(R) now Installed in Apollo Victoria Theatre, London, Dominion Theatre, London; Edinburgh Playhouse and Palace Theatre, Manchester

Ticketmaster, the world's leading live entertainment ticketing and marketing company, has launched its access control system, AccessManager(R), in four of Live Nation's leading theatres - Apollo Victoria Theatre, London, Dominion Theatre, London; Edinburgh Playhouse and Palace Theatre, Manchester.