The ability of forests to sequester carbon from the atmosphere depends on nutrients available in the forest soils, shows new research from an international team of researchers including the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). The study showed that forests growing in fertile soils with ample nutrients are able to sequester about 30% of the carbon that they take up during photosynthesis. In contrast, forests growing in nutrient-poor soils may retain only 6% of that carbon. The rest is returned to the atmosphere as respiration. "This paper produces ...

Using DESY's bright research light sources, scientists have opened a new door to better solar cells, novel superconductors and smaller hard-drives. The research reported in the scientific journal Nature Communications this week enhances the understanding of the interface of two materials, where completely new properties can arise. With their work, the team of Prof. Andrivo Rusydi from the National University of Singapore and Prof. Michael Rübhausen from the Hamburg Center for Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL) have solved a long standing mystery in the physics of condensed ...

This news release is available in German. Miniaturized optical frequency comb sources allow for transmission of data streams of several terabits per second over hundreds of kilometers – this has now been demonstrated by researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Swiss École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in a experiment presented in the journal Nature Photonics. The results may contribute to accelerating data transmission in large computing centers and worldwide communication networks. (DOI: 10.1038/NPHOTON.2014.57.) The amount of ...

April 2014, Perth, Australia. Drug discovery company Proteomics International has completed an important milestone towards the development of a companion diagnostic (CDx) test with the validation of several of its protein biomarkers. The research team authenticated the panel of biomarkers after taking 508 highly curated disease and control samples. Seven biomarkers were validated at high stringency using the company's proprietary mass spectrometry approach. The mass spectrometry data was then cross-validated using immunoassays in collaboration with the KTH Royal Institute ...

The substance ivermectin has been used for more than thirty years all over the world to combat parasites like roundworms, lice and mites in humans, livestock and pets. The active ingredient belongs to the chemical group of avermectins, which generally disrupt cell transport and thus attack pests. When ivermectin is excreted in the faeces of treated animals, at overly high doses it also harms dung-degrading beneficial insects like dung beetles and dung flies. This impairs the functioning of the ecosystem. In extreme cases the dung is not decomposed and the pasture is destroyed. Sensitivity ...

Scientists at The University of Nottingham have published research in the leading academic journal Science that challenges a long held belief about the way certain species of vertebrates evolved. Dr Matt Loose and Dr Andrew Johnson who are experts in genetics and cell development in the School of Life Sciences carried out the research, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). It suggests that genes evolve more rapidly in species containing germ plasm. The results came about as they put to the test a novel theory that early developmental events dramatically alter ...

A team of scientists, led by Assistant Professor Andrivo Rusydi from the Department of Physics at the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Faculty of Science, has successfully developed a technique to study the interface between materials, shedding light on the new properties that arise when two materials are put together. With a better understanding of how materials interface, scientists can tweak the properties of different materials more easily, and this opens doors to the development of better solar cells, novel superconductors and smaller hard drives. The ...

Consider the marvel of the embryo. It begins as a glob of identical cells that change shape and function as they multiply to become the cells of our lungs, muscles, nerves and all the other specialized tissues of the body. Now, in a feat of reverse tissue engineering, Stanford researchers have begun to unravel the complex genetic coding that allows embryonic cells to proliferate and transform into all of the specialized cells that perform a myriad of different biological tasks. A team of interdisciplinary researchers took lung cells from the embryos of mice, choosing ...

In 1980 and 1981 NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 space probes passed for the first time over the planet Saturn, located 1,500 million km from the Sun. Among their numerous discoveries they observed a strange, hexagon-shaped structure in the planet's uppermost clouds surrounding its north pole. The hexagon remained virtually static, without moving, vis-à-vis the planet's overall rotation that was not accurately known. What is more, the images captured by the Voyager probes found that the clouds were moving rapidly inside the hexagon in an enclosed jet stream and were being dragged ...

(NEW YORK, NY, April 14, 2014) – When it comes to the cost and quality of hospital care, nurse tenure and teamwork matters. Patients get the best care when they are treated in units that are staffed by nurses who have extensive experience in their current job, according to a study from researchers at Columbia University School of Nursing and Columbia Business School. The study was published in the current issue of the American Economics Journal: Applied Economics. The review of more than 900,000 patient admissions over four years at hospitals in the Veterans Administration ...

Contrary to treatment guidelines for high-risk bladder cancer, chemotherapy before or after surgery is not commonly used in routine clinical practice. The findings are published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. Clinical trials have shown that survival is improved in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are given chemotherapy before surgery. There is less evidence about whether chemotherapy after surgery also improves survival. To investigate the use of peri-operative chemotherapy in this disease, Christopher Booth, ...

Award-winning style maven Faatemah has signed on as lead hairstylist for designer Emma Berg's "I Am Everything" benefit fashion event, Tuesday, April 22 at the Ritz Theater. Combining the worlds of fashion and philanthropy, the event will feature Berg's Spring/Summer 2014 collection of prom dresses inspired by 10 senior high school students selected from five Boys & Girls Clubs across the Twin Cities. The young women will walk the runway in the dresses designed exclusively for them. Faatemah will provide hair styling services and direction, bringing her retro glam ...

Kneika Robbins is a gifted motivational writer that enjoys the art of writing and sharing her poetry with the world. Kneika has been writing for 23 years. Kneika is now a motivational poetry columnist for Sibella Poetry Magazine and involved with the program "Poet a Day" at Johnson County Library. Kneika will also discuss her first novel titled "Serious Thoughts" with Jeanette Michelle. Kneika Robbins is a wife and mother who are an Educator, Assessor and Mentor when she is not writing. Kneika earned her Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and Associates ...

Boys Town California board member Adam Miller, today announced that he will host the second annual "Uncork for Hope" charity wine tasting. The event will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014 from 2-5 p.m. at the Center Club in Costa Mesa, Calif. All of the proceeds of the event will go to Boys Town California. The title sponsors for this year's wine tasting event are First Team Estates and Christie's International Real Estate. As a special bonus, guests can opt to participate in a special wine seminar conducted by Margaux Pierog Kugelman, Advanced Sommelier of Treasury Wine ...

Like bartenders who treat their regular customers to free drinks, brands are rewarding fans in the era of social media using a powerful mix of social listening and marketing automation. Dunkin' Donuts franchisee First Cup, LLC uses HipLogiq's patented social media marketing application, SocialCompass, to tap into Twitter's word-of-mouth marketing and grow its customer base in Phoenix, Ariz. The franchisee's recent "Free Medium Hot or Iced Coffee Campaign" achieved a 120 percent conversion rate in a little over seven months and connected with more than 2,000 coffee lovers, ...

iPoint (Information Point Technologies), a local network, web design and SEO company, observes Earth Day 2014 with the inaugural Flowers for Towers computer recycling event April 22-25. Between 20 and 50 million metric tons of e-waste is discarded worldwide every year. Do our planet a small favor and keep it out of the landfill, and out of the hands of those that don't adhere to safe recycling standards. Drop off your old machine and plant some beautiful flowers. iPoint has partnered with Tyler Systems and Fort Collins Nursery to provide local businesses with free, ...

Bigwig Races, a Colorado Springs-based promoter of 5K and 10K races, announced today that Petit Jean Meats will be the official ham provider of the 2014 Hams and Hamstrings 5K. Petit Jean Meats is a three-generation Arkansas family-owned business and has been selling hams since 1930. "People love to go to 5K races that offer quirky themes or prizes," said Curtis Claar, the event director for the race. "Something unique seems to make the event more fun and more memorable." "Our ham certainly isn't quirky, but we hope to get a lot of attention by offering it as prizes ...

Prescott Support Company is an established transportation company that provides air transport for over-sized, high-value, and time-sensitive items. Now, they are looking to add to their workforce. Specifically, they are looking to add in a new dispatcher to the team because of the increased demand for their services. Are you an experienced dispatcher that is looking for a reliable job with a company you can be proud to work for? Then you may be the perfect fit. The qualifications that Prescott is looking for include: A current certification as an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher ...

RememberPills.com is putting its health-improving story in front of the public with a new campaign on IndieGoGo. To help consumers who need assistance remembering to take medications or supplements regularly and on time, RememberPills.com offers a low-cost web-cell-based service that reminds subscribers when to take each pill. With many baby boomers and their parents now taking multiple medications and supplements for chronic conditions, this service, which will send reminder emails and/or text messages to phones, can be a significant aid that increases the accuracy of ...

Although medical research and innovation is obviously an integral element of enhancing the quality and duration of life for individuals all around the world, there are moments where our pursuit of knowledge yields sobering results. A recent study released by the Womens' Health Organisation states that cancer rates worldwide will grow by roughly eight-million cases per year over the next two decades, a startling revelation that further emphasises the importance of continued research into this dangerous malady. According to the most recent World Cancer Report, the most ...

Kazawest Services Inc. is pleased to announce its appointment as the exclusive property management services firm for a residential building in the rapidly developing Metrotown area of Burnaby (http://www.burnaby.ca), British Columbia. The multi-family building clean, well-maintained and affordable rental apartments located close to the Metropolis Shopping Centre, Kingsway restaurants, and Royal Oak SkyTrain. With excellence in service and quality, Kazawest (http://www.kazawest.com) sets the highest standards for property management. Across the Metro Vancouver area, Kazawest ...

While making an independent film is mostly a very rewarding experience, things can also become very stressful and overwhelming along the way, particularly when it comes time for final delivery. With festival deadlines looming, tight budgets, and the daunting task of navigating through what the post-process entails, filmmakers often times are not sure where to begin. The first step is to find a reputable post-production facility that specializes in the needs of the indie filmmaker. It's important to find a facility that will take the time to listen and work with you every ...

The Bahama House Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida announces their annual Easter celebration for registered guests staying at the hotel from April 19th through April 20th. Guests will enjoy a massive Easter egg hunt with over 400 eggs. Each child participating will receive a sand pail to keep and collect their eggs. One lucky child will find the grand prize hidden in a golden egg. Registered guests will also enjoy Bahama Houses' annual Jelly Bean Jar contest for a chance to win a 3-day/2-night stay at the Bahama House for a future date. "We look forward to celebrating ...

Dr. Broadway has been asked to host a Sientra preceptor program in order to train other plastic surgeons in the techniques of implanting Sientra shaped implants. The lecture will be at the office of Dr. David Broadway and the actual training and surgery will be at our Renewal Surgery Center in Lone Tree, CO on April 17 and 18th. Thursday includes dinner with Dr. Broadway and Jeff Lewis, Executive Director of Sales for Sientra. There will also be a discussion about patient selection, measuring and marking, choosing the implant, surgical technique, and changes to the consult ...

The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) is holding their 2014 Meet the Consultants event in Dallas, Texas. Golden Shovel Agency will have a good presence with both Aaron Brossoit, Chief Operationing Officer, and John Marshall, Vice President of Sales, attending this year. SEDC has planned a strong event. The event starts on Monday the 14th with a Young Professionals Networking Event and ends on the 16th. Tuesday and Wednesday will be filled with numerous different Consultants Panels. Some of these panels will target call centers, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, ...