BOSTON – It's by now well established that obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes. But what exactly is it about extra body fat that leads to insulin resistance and blood glucose elevation, the hallmarks of diabetes? Over the past several years, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) endocrinologist Barbara Kahn, MD, has developed a large body of research suggesting that a molecule called retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) plays a key role in the process. Kahn's lab was the first to show that elevated levels of RBP4 – previously known only for its role as a ...

Although there is widespread consensus among the scientific community that the composition of generic drugs is identical to that of brand name drugs, this is not the case among the public. In a four-year study of over 3,000 opinions on Spanish web pages, researchers at the National University of Distance Education (UNED) of Spain have identified communication strategies aimed at creating risk perceptions about generic drugs, which may influence the low usage of these drugs. Generic drugs, which are copies of brand name drugs whose patent has expired, have exactly the ...

Researchers from the University of Surrey worked together with scientists from Philips to further develop the 'Source-Gated-Transistor' (SGT) - a simple circuit component invented jointly by the teams. Previously, they found that the component could be applied to many electronic designs of an analog nature, such as display screens. Through this current study, researchers have now shown that SGTs can also be applied to next-generation digital circuits. SGTs control the electric current as it enters a semiconductor, which decreases the odds of circuit malfunction, improves ...

Uncontrolled cell growth and division is a hallmark of cancer. Now a research project led by the University of Dundee has provided the most complete description to date of the gene activity which takes place as human cells divide. Researchers have managed to gather data which details the behaviour of protein molecules encoded by over 6000 genes in cancer cells, as they move through the cell cycle. The team has used advances in technology and data analysis to study how genes work over time in cancer cells, as opposed to capturing a `snapshot' of activity – a leap forward ...

The genetic disease ARVC leads to sudden cardiac death and is more common than it has been hitherto assumed. This is reported by an international team of researchers headed by Prof Dr Hendrik Milting from the Heart and Diabetes Center NRW in the "European Heart Journal". The molecular biologist working at the Ruhr-Universität's clinic in Bad Oeynhausen revealed that all families who are known to be affected by the disease share the same genetic origin. There must be other families in Europe who also carry the genetic mutation but who are not yet known. Mutation initially ...

A randomised placebo-controlled study by the University of Oxford suggests that higher levels of omega-3 DHA, the group of long-chain fatty acids found in algae and seafood, are associated with better sleep. The researchers explored whether 16 weeks of daily 600 mg supplements of algal sources would improve the sleep of 362 children. The children who took part in the study were not selected for sleep problems, but were all struggling readers at a mainstream primary school. At the outset, the parents filled in a child sleep questionnaire, which revealed that four in ten ...

This news release is available in French. Gallery owners, private collectors, conservators, museums and art dealers face many problems in protecting and evaluating their collections such as determining origin, authenticity and discovery of forgery, as well as conservation issues. Today these problems are more accurately addressed through the application of modern, non-destructive, "hi-tech" techniques. Dmitry Gavrilov, a PhD student in the Department of Physics at the University of Windsor (Windsor, Canada), along with Dr. Roman Gr. Maev, the Department of Physics ...

Though just two of Hirono's 5,418 residents lost their lives in Japan's mega-earthquake and tsunami, a new study shows that the survivors are struggling to keep their sanity. One year after the quake, Brigham Young University professor Niwako Yamawaki and scholars from Saga University evaluated the mental health of 241 Hirono citizens. More than half of the people evaluated experienced "clinically concerning" symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Two-thirds of the sample reported symptoms of depression. Those rates exceed levels seen in the aftermath of other ...

Al Brommeland found a true partner in his wife Florence. Through 57 years of marriage they've proved a formidable team, swinging and bowing at square dances, kicking up dust in their clogs, and now in their golden years, taking daily strolls side by side. When Al started experiencing irregular heart rhythm 12 years ago, the couple worked together to stay healthy. It hasn't been easy, both in terms of symptoms—emergency doctors stopped and restarted Al's heart eight times over the years—or finding answers to their questions about how to best manage his illness, recently ...

Have you ever wondered why your laptop or smartphone feels warm when you're using it? That heat is a byproduct of the microprocessors in your device using electric current to power computer processing functions — and it is actually wasted energy. Now, a team led by researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has made major improvements in computer processing using an emerging class of magnetic materials called "multiferroics," and these advances could make future devices far more energy-efficient than current technologies. ...

New Orleans, LA – A model of care developed by the Department of Psychiatry at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine to provide mental health services after the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill reduced both mental health and general medical symptoms. The novel approach embedded psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and telemedicine resources into primary care clinics in the most affected areas. This new model can be used in communities at risk for disasters and rural communities with limited mental health resources. The initiative is featured ...

This news release is available in German. The statistical evaluation of digital user data is of vital importance for analyzing trends. But it can also undermine the privacy. Computer scientists from Saarbrücken have now developed a novel cryptographic method that makes it possible to collect data and protect the privacy of the user at the same time. They present their approach for the first time at the computer expo CeBIT in Hannover at the Saarland University research booth (hall 9, booth E13). "Many website providers are able to collect data, but only a few manage ...

VERBAL and physical aggression towards health and social care staff is on the increase. The NHS has reported a rise of 5.8 per cent in reported assaults – up to 63,199 in 2012/13. Now a University of Huddersfield lecturer has called for a programme of research to establish the best methods for dealing with the problem. Various techniques known as "de-escalation" have evolved in order to calm threatening situations. But there is a lack of solid evidence to identify the most successful approaches, according to Dr Andrew Clifton, a former community psychiatric nurse who ...

A team of researchers from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) in Japan has identified unexpected dynamic properties of a type of light wave called evanescent waves. These surprising findings contrast sharply with previous knowledge about light and photons. The study carried out in the Quantum Condensed Matter Research Group (CEMS, RIKEN, Japan) led by Dr. Franco Nori is published today in the journal Nature Communications. Energy, momentum, and angular momentum are the main dynamic characteristics of physical objects. It is well known that light propagating ...

A theoretical study led by the University of Exeter has shed new light on the conditions that lead to the evolution of spite or altruism in structured populations. Understanding the way in which social behaviours such as altruism – when animals benefit others at their own expense – develop is a long-standing problem that has generated thousands of articles and heated debates. Dr Florence Débarre of Biosciences at the University of Exeter led a study, published today in Nature Communications, which presents a comprehensive framework that applies to a large class of population ...

Our DNA and its architecture are duplicated every time our cells divide. Histone proteins are key building blocks of this architecture and contain crucial information that regulates our genes. Danish researchers show how an enzyme controls reliable and high-speed delivery of histones to DNA copying hubs in our cells. This shuttling mechanism is crucial to maintain normal function of our genes and prevent disease. The results are published in the journal Nature Communications. Interdisciplinary research team finds cellular high-speed shuttle An interdisciplinary team ...

The Spectrum IFA Group are delighted to announce that Conor MacSherry has joined Paul Bristow and Chris Webb in the Madrid office. Conor has worked in Financial Services for 27 years covering all aspects of protection, mortgages, investment and retirement planning. Through many years of management roles covering sales, development, compliance and consultancy, Conor has always maintained his authorisation to deal with and look after his clients directly. As well as being a fully qualified Financial Adviser, Conor holds a B.A. Degree in Business Studies, a Diploma ...

Crowdbabble, a social media analytics company that helps businesses to improve their social media performance with powerful social media analytics and reporting, has launched a new Twitter Analytics reporting solution. "Twitter is one of the most critical social networks for brands who want to engage with customers online. Our users have requested our help to better measure not only their own Twitter performance, but also that of competitors," said Crowdbabble CEO, Abbas Alidina. "Our Twitter Analytics solution provides insights on everything from audience ...

America Semiconductor, LLC, a leading manufacturer of state-of-the-industry high-power semiconductors, today introduced the new series of standard-recovery, stud-mount rectifiers in DO8 and DO9 packages. Used to convert raw alternating current (AC) mains' electricity into direct current (DC) power, the robust devices are hermetically sealed to ensure reliable and consistent performance in humid and various harsh environment applications. Their quality construction and engineering ensures uniform and stable electrical performance while eliminating thermal fatigue. Products ...

As A Real Estate Professional improving your position in the real-estate market means offering something your competitors are not offering. Your clients needs assurance they are buying from a reputable agent who will only sells property that is Certified to be Mold Safe. Taylor Environmental has established a long term relationship of trust with the Real Estate community in the United States and now are offering this same Professional Services to their clients here in Kuala Lumpur. A clearance report will be yours to give to the new owner after inspection, testing ...

Have you been ever caught off guard with your nice and new show half-pad forgotten at home, urgently needing a substitute? Have you ever lacked time to wash your half-pad, with no clean one at hand when it's needed? Well, there is a great solution. You simply flip your BufferLUX Half-Pad and voilà - the cleaner underside becomes the top side! Designed by EquineLUX in 2013, the BufferLUX non-slip Half-Pad enjoys an ever-increasing popularity among both riders and saddle fitters ever since. White, Black, or Black & White BufferLUX non-slip Half-Pad can satisfy junior, ...

Lab Tests Plus, a direct to consumer health infor-mation service, today announced the launch of its website, LabTestsPlus.com. Lab-TestsPlus.com offers its users the ability to bypass a doctor's visit and have specialty lab tests sent directly to their home or office and includes an integrative medicine doc-tor's written interpretation of their test results. LabTestsPlus.com empowers individuals to take charge of their health by making spe-cialized testing available from labs like Great Plains, BioHealth and Doctor's Data; tests often not ordered by "mainstream ...

Capsized is an independent film that pays homage to movies like Buried, Moon and this year's Oscar winning film Gravity. Capsized evokes the style and approach of classic suspense thrillers by Alfred Hitchcock. Stephanie, a beautiful bride-to-be, basks in the excitement of trying on her wedding gown for the first time. Her joyous celebration is cut short when her best friend, Amanda, calls on her cell phone and alerts her of the live news coverage detailing a catastrophic accident off the coast. The Catalina Voyager, the very cruise liner that her fiance Alex works on, ...

Thirty six year-old paraplegic Tiffany DeVall is telling the world about the "Ageless Movement & Breath from Your Chair" program. It is helping her heal from a debilitating car accident that left her wheelchair bound. She is the new spokesperson for The Ageless Program in sharing the benefits of this DVD with spinal cord injury associations. DeVall wants to help other paraplegics and those with spinal cord injuries heal and gain greater mobility. See her inspirational video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt-LHQlCI6w Nick Montoya, yoga therapist and coach ...

Images Unlimited Publishing announces the upcoming release of Learning to Listen with Significant Others - A Conversational Approach by Bob Bohlken, Ph.D. Learning to Listen (category: Relationships/Education) will be released in trade paper (ISBN: 978-0-93043-23-2, 65 pages, $14.95) on March 10, 2014. Effective listening helps build a foundation for healthy relationships. In this book, Dr. Bohlken has taken this premise and expanded on ways to listen more effectively. By practicing critically effective listening skills, a foundation for healthy listening habits with ...