CORVALLIS, Ore. – Despite concerns that have been expressed about possible health risks from high intake of vitamin E, a new review concludes that biological mechanisms exist to routinely eliminate excess levels of the vitamin, and they make it almost impossible to take a harmful amount. No level of vitamin E in the diet or from any normal use of supplements should be a concern, according to an expert from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. The review was just published in the Journal of Lipid Research. "I believe that past studies which have alleged ...

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. – April 15, 2013 – A debate among scientists about the geologic formation of the supervolcano encompassing the region around Yellowstone National Park has taken a major step forward, thanks to new evidence provided by a team of international researchers led by University of Rhode Island Professor Christopher Kincaid. In a publication appearing in last week's edition of Nature Geoscience, the URI team demonstrated that both sides of the debate may be right. Using a state-of-the-art plate tectonic laboratory model, they showed that volcanism in the ...

Bioengineered rat kidneys developed by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators successfully produced urine both in a laboratory apparatus and after being transplanted into living animals. In their report, receiving advance online publication in Nature Medicine, the research team describes building functional replacement kidneys on the structure of donor organs from which living cells had been stripped, an approach previously used to create bioartificial hearts, lungs and livers. "What is unique about this approach is that the native organ's architecture is ...

A new 1000-year Antarctic Peninsula climate reconstruction shows that summer ice melting has intensified almost ten-fold, and mostly since the mid 20th Century. Summer ice melt affects the stability of Antarctic ice shelves and glaciers. The research, published this week in the journal Nature Geoscience, adds new knowledge to the international effort that is required to understand the causes of environmental change in Antarctica and to make more accurate projections about the direct and indirect contribution of Antarctica's ice shelves and glaciers to global sea level ...

Engineers at the University of California, San Diego have invented a "nanosponge" capable of safely removing a broad class of dangerous toxins from the bloodstream – including toxins produced by MRSA, E. coli, poisonous snakes and bees. These nanosponges, which thus far have been studied in mice, can neutralize "pore-forming toxins," which destroy cells by poking holes in their cell membranes. Unlike other anti-toxin platforms that need to be custom synthesized for individual toxin type, the nanosponges can absorb different pore-forming toxins regardless of their molecular ...

BOULDER – With coastal areas bracing for rising sea levels, new research indicates that cutting emissions of certain pollutants can greatly slow down sea level rise this century. The research team found that reductions in four pollutants that cycle comparatively quickly through the atmosphere could temporarily forestall the rate of sea level rise by roughly 25 to 50 percent. "To avoid potentially dangerous sea level rise, we could cut emissions of short-lived pollutants even if we cannot immediately cut carbon dioxide emissions," says Aixue Hu of the National Center ...

(New York, NY – April 14, 2013) – Through a collaborative genome-wide study on individuals, researchers have discovered 14 new genetic variations that are associated with heart rate. Since heart rate is a marker of cardiovascular health, these findings could provide a better understanding of genetic regulation of heart beat and is a first step towards identifying targets for new drugs to treat cardiovascular disease. The study, titled, "Identification of Heart Rate-Associated Loci and Their Effects on Cardiac Conduction and Rhythm Disorders," was published online this ...

In the last few decades, glaciers at the edge of the icy continent of Antarctica have been thinning, and research has shown the rate of thinning has accelerated and contributed significantly to sea level rise. New ice core research suggests that, while the changes are dramatic, they cannot be attributed with confidence to human-caused global warming, said Eric Steig, a University of Washington professor of Earth and space sciences. Previous work by Steig has shown that rapid thinning of Antarctic glaciers was accompanied by rapid warming and changes in atmospheric ...

CRISPR, a system of genes that bacteria use to defend themselves against viruses, has been found to be involved in helping some bacteria evade the mammalian immune system. The results are scheduled for publication Sunday, April 14 in Nature. CRISPR is itself a sort of immune system for bacteria. Its function was discovered by dairy industry researchers seeking to prevent phages, the viruses that infect bacteria, from ruining the cultures used to make cheese and yogurt. Bacteria incorporate small bits of DNA from phages into their CRISPR region and use that information ...

The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has identified mutations responsible for more than half of a subtype of childhood brain tumor that takes a high toll on patients. Researchers also found evidence the tumors are susceptible to drugs already in development. The study focused on a family of brain tumors known as low-grade gliomas (LGGs). These slow-growing cancers are found in about 700 children annually in the U.S., making them the most common childhood tumors of the brain and spinal cord. For patients whose ...

The extraordinary level of conservation of the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) mitochondrial genome has redefined our interpretation of evolution of the angiosperms (flowering plants), finds research in biomed Central's open access journal BMC Biology. This beautiful 'molecular fossil' has a remarkably slow mutation rate meaning that its mitochondrial genome has remained largely unchanged since the dinosaurs were roaming the earth. Evolutionary studies make used of mitochondrial (powerhouse) genomes to identify maternal lineages, for example the human mitochondrial ...

Researchers at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine have discovered a technique that directly converts skin cells to the type of brain cells destroyed in patients with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other so-called myelin disorders. This discovery appears today in the journal Nature Biotechnology. This breakthrough now enables "on demand" production of myelinating cells, which provide a vital sheath of insulation that protects neurons and enables the delivery of brain impulses to the rest of the body. In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy ...

A new chemical process can transform waste sulfur into a lightweight plastic that may improve batteries for electric cars, reports a University of Arizona-led team. The new plastic has other potential uses, including optical uses. The team has successfully used the new plastic to make lithium-sulfur batteries. "We've developed a new, simple and useful chemical process to convert sulfur into a useful plastic," lead researcher Jeffrey Pyun said. Next-generation lithium-sulfur, or Li-S, batteries will be better for electric and hybrid cars and for military uses because ...

It is unnecessary to scan trauma patients based on a non-focused standard trauma CT protocol, if the patient is transferred for care after already undergoing a focused CT examination based on the patient's history and physical examination, a new study shows. The study, conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center reviewed the records of 100 patients who were transferred from another facility. "The standard trauma CT protocol for all level 1 and 2 trauma patients transferred to our facility includes a CT examination of the head, cervical spine, thoracic spine, ...

Adding a photo of a face to x-ray images can reduce "wrong-patient" errors five-fold, a new study finds. "X-rays can look alike, and if one patient's images are confused with another before the radiologist sees them, it can be difficult for the radiologist to determine there is a mismatch," said Dr. Srini Tridandapani, of Emory University and an author of the study. As part of the study, ten radiologists interpreted 20 pairs of radiographic images with and without photographs. Two to four mismatched pairs were included in each set of 20 pairs of images. When photographs ...

High sugar levels in the body come at a cost to health. New research suggests that more sugar in the body could damage the elastic proteins that help us breathe and pump blood. The findings could have health implications for diabetics, who have high blood-glucose levels. Researchers at the University of Washington and Boston University have discovered that a certain type of protein found in organs that repeatedly stretch and retract – such as the heart and lungs – is the source for a favorable electrical property that could help build and support healthy connective tissues. ...

SAN DIEGO – (April 15, 2013) As efforts to create a strong and effective vaccine for the dreaded dengue virus continue to hit snags, a new study from researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology offers surprising evidence that suggests the need for a revamped approach to dengue vaccine design. The finding runs counter to current scientific understanding of the key cells that need to be induced to develop a successful dengue vaccine. La Jolla Institute scientist Alessandro Sette, Dr.Biol.Sci., and his team found that T cells, which are key disease-fighting ...

Long commute times and urban areas that leapfrog over open space make it harder for people to socialize, but cities that are decentralized are even worse, University of Utah researchers say in a study published online today in the Journal of Transport Geography. "We found that decentralization has 10 times the negative impact of fragmentation, and 20 times that of longer commute times," says Steven Farber, assistant professor of geography at the university. "For planners and policy makers concerned about making our cities more vibrant, it is clear that intensifying development ...

Polarion Software, creators of the world's fastest enterprise scale web-based Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solution, and Vector Software, the leading provider of dynamic software testing solutions for embedded systems, today announced a strategic partnership to develop solutions that improve software Verification and Validation in regulated environments. Vector Software solutions provide development organizations the most complete and cost-effective approach to managing the complexities of testing safety- and business-critical software. Vector Software's VectorCAST ...

Parents interested in learning more about Montessori education are invited to a free open house, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at the Montessori International School, 2401 E. Brown Road in Mesa. In addition to tours of the campusl and showcasing examples of the student's work, the school's AMI-certified Montessori instructors will explain the basics of Montessori education and why the curriculum has been so successful with children for more than 100 years. There will also be hands-on art and science activities for visiting children to enjoy. Montessori International ...

The DocSafe, a secure online storage solution for crucial documents, is pleased to introduce its Safes4Soldiers program for members of our armed forces and their families can receive a FREE lifetime membership for The DocSafe services as a thank you for protecting our freedoms. Active military members simply need to contact The DocSafe by May 31 receive their membership. When contacting The DocSafe, provide a copy of your DoD identification card (black out your DoD ID number) or email The DocSafe from your ".mil" account. "The DocSafe allows the participants ...

Self-published author S.P. Kaye has decided to leverage the popular crowdfunding website Kickstarter.com to raise awareness and collect pledges to promote her first book. "I released the book in January of this year, a sci-fi/fantasy novel titled Beyond This Life. It's the first book in the Through the Eyes of A Stranger series. It's been an amazing journey so far, but marketing electronic copies on the internet lacks that magical feeling I've always associated with books. So I thought it was time to take it on the road," says Kaye. How does she intend to promote ...

Mountain Park Civic Club will serve as this year's host for the 2nd annual Swing-A-Thon to be held on June 8, Saturday, from 12pm to 12am, for the purpose of raising $75,000 in order to purchase a brand new playground to replace the one that they had since 1985 which has been treated with chromate copper arsenic. Aside from the highlight activity which is swinging on Mountain Park's swing sets, Swing-A-Thon is an exclusive family-friendly event that also features craft and food vendors, kids' games, and other exciting activities that will surely be enjoyed by adults and ...

Joe "Joey" Lamielle has joined RE/MAX Alliance Group as a Realtor in the Sarasota office. A professional golfer for seven years, Lamielle has joined the Lee Brewer Team as a specialist in golf course properties and communities. A Sarasota resident for 24 years, Lamielle has a wealth of local knowledge and is currently working on obtaining his Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI) designation. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. He is a member of Suncoast Community Church and enjoys golfing, fishing, ...

Veronica Mars raised $2 million from fans in 11 hours and raised more than $5.7 million when the campaign ended on April 12, 2013. Rob Thomas put the campaign on KickStarter after failing to get interest from traditional investors. Veronica Mars may set crowdfunding records, but more than 1000 campaigns have raised over $100,000 on KickStarter and Indiegogo, with over 200 raising over $1million. While both KickStarter and Indiegogo provide a funding platform for people in the arts to promote their projects, technology companies have learned that they can bring their ...