A team of researchers from Texas and Colorado has identified a variety of factors that influence the likelihood of E. coli contamination of spinach on farms prior to harvest. Their research is published in the July 2013 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. "Microbial contamination of produce seems strongly influenced by the time since the last irrigation, the workers' personal hygiene and the field's use prior to planting of produce," says first author Sangshin Park of Texas A&M University, College Station. "These factors, together with the role ...

"Enhancing student engagement has been identified as the key to addressing problems of low achievement, high levels of student misbehavior, alienation, and high dropout rates." – Pitt professor Ming-Te Wang PITTSBURGH—A student who shows up on time for school and listens respectfully in class might appear fully engaged to outside observers, including teachers. But other measures of student engagement, including the student's emotional and cognitive involvement with the course material, may tell a different story—one that could help teachers recognize students who are ...

Bacterial DNA may integrate into the human genome more readily in tumors than in normal human tissue, according to a new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Institute for Genome Sciences. Researchers analyzed genomic sequencing data available from the Human Genome Project, the 1,000 Genomes Project and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). They considered the phenomenon of lateral gene transfer (LGT), the transmission of genetic material between organisms in the absence of sex. Scientists have already shown that bacteria can transfer DNA to the genome ...

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University biomedical engineers and genome researchers have developed a proof-of-principle approach using light to detect infections before patients show symptoms. The approach was demonstrated in human samples, and researchers are now developing the technique for placement on a chip, which could provide fast, simple and reliable information about a patient. A diagnostic device based on this chip also could be made portable. The researchers developed a silver-based nanoparticle that homes in on a specific molecular marker that spills into the bloodstream ...

No matter how we jump, roll, sit, or lie down, our brain manages to maintain a visual representation of the world that stays upright relative to the pull of gravity. But a new study of rider experiences on the Hong Kong Peak Tram, a popular tourist attraction, shows that specific features of the environment can dominate our perception of verticality, making skyscrapers appear to fall. The study is published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. The Hong Kong Peak Tram to Victoria Peak is a popular way to survey the Hong Kong ...

Memphis, Tenn. (June 20, 2013) – Inflammation in the kidney is a serious, common issue among adults and children in North America. Finding noninvasive ways to properly diagnose, monitor and treat the inflammation may be getting easier thanks to research by Robert J. Wyatt, MD, professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). Dr. Wyatt is co-author of a Medical Progress report titled, "IgA Nephropathy" in this week's edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. His co-author is Bruce A. Julian, MD, in the Department ...

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- As temperatures go up, bison get smaller. Joseph Craine, research assistant professor in the Division of Biology at Kansas State University, examined how climate change during the next 50 years will affect grazing animals such as bison and cattle in the Great Plains. The study, "Long-term climate sensitivity of grazer performance: a cross-site study," was recently published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal PLOS ONE. "Bison are one of our most important conservation animals and hold a unique role in grasslands in North America," Craine said. ...

NEW YORK (June 20, 2013) -- The 9/11 attacks on America appear to have caused about one million former smokers across the country to take up the habit again and maintain it, according to a Weill Cornell Medical College public health study. The analysis, published in the June 20 issue of the journal Contemporary Economic Policy, is the first to look at the net costs to society of terrorism-induced smoking in the United States after 9/11 and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. "This helps us better understand what the real costs of such disasters are in human and economic ...

This striking NASA Hubble Space Telescope image, which shows what looks like the profile of a celestial bird, belies the fact that close encounters between galaxies are a messy business. This interacting galaxy duo is collectively called Arp 142. The pair contains the disturbed, star-forming spiral galaxy NGC 2936, along with its elliptical companion, NGC 2937 at lower left. Once part of a flat, spiral disk, the orbits of the galaxy's stars have become scrambled due to gravitational tidal interactions with the other galaxy. This warps the galaxy's orderly spiral, and ...

Although modern Indian and Javan rhinos have a single horn on their noses, the extinct one-horned rhino Elasmotherium was a source of the unicorn legend because it had a two meter-long horn on its forehead and lived with prehistoric humans that drew its image on cave paintings. All other elasmotheres had a weak or strong nasal horn, whereas Elasmotherium lost its ancestral nasal horn and instead developed a long frontal horn. Dr. DENG Tao (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences) and his colleagues reported the first discovered ...

The autonomous flying of multiple UAVs in formation is an important research area in the aerospace field. Professor DUAN Haibin and his group members (LUO Qinan and YU Yaxiang) from the Science and Technology in Aircraft Control Laboratory, School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University set out to tackle this problem. Through 5 years of innovative research, they investigated the trophallactic mechanism behind social insects and developed a novel trophallaxis network control method for formation flight. They transferred the trophallaxis scenario ...

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Researchers at MIT have proposed a new system that combines ferroelectric materials — the kind often used for data storage — with graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon known for its exceptional electronic and mechanical properties. The resulting hybrid technology could eventually lead to computer and data-storage chips that pack more components in a given area and are faster and less power-hungry. The new system works by controlling waves called surface plasmons. These waves are oscillations of electrons confined at interfaces between materials; ...

IBBS, a leading provider of cloud-based voice and data services for mid-market broadband providers in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America, has completed interoperability testing and certified Grandstream's suite of GXP IP Telephones. IBBS's broadband and cable service provider customers selling hosted PBX/VoIP to residential and business end users can rapidly and affordably install Grandstream GXP SIP Telephones for an enhanced call experience. With more than 250 broadband and cable provider customers worldwide, IBBS offers integrated data, voice and technical ...

In the Country of the Blind is a novel of suspense, introducing Zach Brandis, former New York City attorney turned building superintendant. When a date's roommate is murdered, curiosity turns dangerous, and Zach has to keep one eye open IN THE COUNTRY OF THE BLIND. "Matthew Arkin's new novel . . . is a wonderful reinvention of the noir novel. Snappy dialogue. Sharp voice. A delight. It will make not just a great series of books, but a great series of movies. Or a great series (TV)!" David Black, author and screenwriter; winner of the Writers' Guild of America ...

San Francisco Salt Company (SFSC) have unveiled the latest additions to their selection of chef salts - Smoked Sea Salts. Their release this October comes just in time for the Thanksgiving season, a time when delicious, well-planned meals are on just about everyone's mind. "We're excited to add smoked sea salts to our chef salt division," says Lee Williamson, the founder of the San Francisco Salt Company. "The smokiness of the salt adds a tremendous rich flavor to just about any kind of cuisine. Smoked sea salt is much more versatile than one would think," ...

Morris Kaye & Sons Furs is pleased to announce they are holding their annual Unclaimed Fur Sale on June 24th through the 29th, starting promptly at 10 a.m. The sale takes place at 555 East Basse Road, Suite 104, in San Antonio. Every year, there are furs that were placed in storage that are not claimed by their owners and the storage fees are not renewed. This leaves elegant fur coats and other fur outerwear available at unbelievable prices. While someone may be losing their fur coat, customers of this sale will be gaining a new, quality fur to add to their own collection. ...

The opening reception will take place on July 13, 2013 at 7pm at Twin Oaks Gallery, located at 757 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos. David Bardin lives and creates his comic themed art in Huntington Beach, CA and has been sketching and drawing for most of his life. His unique take on ubiquitous superheroes has contributed to his monumental growth and online following. Regarding this art show Bardin stated "From the time I read my first comic I've been fascinated with the fearless, valiant, and at times even flawed heroes that populated those pages. These ...

This change reflects our developing goal to improve education technology, while facilitating optimal service for our customers. ProctorFree emphasizes our commitment to provide a credible reputation with a user-friendly system, convenient for online learning. We are excited to proceed forward in our growth. Be confident in ProctorFree as we provide confidence in education for you. About ProctorFree Identity Verification Simplified. ProctorFree is an identity verification and student authentication solution that deters cheating and academic fraud in online education. ...

Small Business Opportunities Magazine rated the gift basket industry as one of the top 20 businesses to operate out of the home. The gift basket market has become a billion dollar industry. Even though many people are cutting back on expenses, people still want to give gifts! Well, gift baskets are apparently very appreciated! At the same time, there seems to be a trend of women, particularly mothers, wanting or needing to work from home. Yet it can be difficult to come up with the funding to start a new small business. Enter Buy La Bella Baskets, (www.Buy.LaBellaBaskets.com) ...

Purogenics, a supplier of hypoallergenic products to the health food industry, recently added SoapBerry to their line of quality products. SoapBerry is a fragrance and dye free natural soap that can be used by people suffering from allergies. The idea behind Purogenics was first conceived when Israel Haroldsen (President & CEO) and a friend were discussing the challenges their friends and family with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and fragrance allergies faced. Israel resolved that he would find, create, and produce a product line that anyone with MCS could ...

The Inn at Honey Run, a luxury resort property in Ohio's Amish country, today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only the top-performing 10 percent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award. To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out ...

STAP studio announces the release of new imposition software Montax imposer. Montax imposer is a plug-in for Adobe Acrobat 6 or later (not Acrobat Reader). This plug-in simplifies printing of business cards, tickets, invitations, but also newspapers, magazines and books. It can be used for offset print, prepress, copyshop, and it is also useful for personal needs. The output of Montax imposer is PDF for any digital printer, imagesetter or CTP. Montax imposer places pages from PDF document on one sheet or more and provides to impose PDF very quickly by various ways. ...

Adina Jacobs and Ethan Nyholm, founders of STM Bags, have been named as a nominee in the Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year" Awards Australia. Adina and Ethan will join other outstanding entrepreneurs from across Australia competing for the prize of being named "2013 Australian Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year." The 2013 nominee field includes an elite group of 84 entrepreneurs from a diverse range of sectors including renewable energy, pet products, media and entertainment, biotech, construction and childcare. The only truly ...

Spoken4, a Richmond-based company providing pedicab rides in Carytown, the Fan District and Shockoe Bottom, launches tonight with a kickoff at Richmond dining landmark, The Tobacco Company Restaurant. Using custom-built bike taxis that can seat up to five people, the company introduces its service by running six days per week, ranging from 2 PM to 2 AM. The company takes reservations by phone, text or Twitter. Of course, it is a licensed bike taxi, which means you can also simply flag one down if you don't have a smartphone. "Our goal is to provide a fun, affordable ...

The Metro Health Hospital Foundation has approved more than $90,000 in grants to support programs and services provided by Metro Health. Nine grants ranging from $1,645 to $22,000 will support a wide variety of initiatives, through new equipment, education opportunities and technology. The grants include: • A $22,000 grant to purchase a CX-50 ultrasound unit for the interventional radiology lab that will allow physicians to view multiple images and vital signs on one monitor. • A grant to the Compassionate Care Fund in the amount of $14,000 to provide support ...