During the late Pleistocene, a remarkably diverse assemblage of large-bodied mammals inhabited the "mammoth steppe," a cold and dry yet productive environment that extended from western Europe through northern Asia and across the Bering land bridge to the Yukon. Of the large predators--wolves, bears, and big cats--only the wolves and bears were able to maintain their ranges well after the end of the last ice age. A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, suggests that dietary flexibility may have been an important factor giving wolves ...

From powerful computers to super-sensitive medical and environmental detectors that are faster, smaller and use less energy — yes, we want them, but how do we get them? In research that is helping to lay the groundwork for the electronics of the future, University of Delaware scientists have confirmed the presence of a magnetic field generated by electrons which scientists had theorized existed, but that had never been proven until now. The finding, which is reported in the journal Nature Communications, expands the potential for harnessing the "spin" or magnetic properties ...

ANN ARBOR---An international team of physicists has found the first direct evidence of pear shaped nuclei in exotic atoms. The findings could advance the search for a new fundamental force in nature that could explain why the Big Bang created more matter than antimatter---a pivotal imbalance in the history of everything. "If equal amounts of matter and antimatter were created at the Big Bang, everything would have annihilated, and there would be no galaxies, stars, planets or people," said Tim Chupp, a University of Michigan professor of physics and biomedical engineering ...

WASHINGTON- A George Washington University biologist and a team of researchers have created the first large-scale evolutionary family tree for every snake and lizard around the globe. The findings were recently published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology. Alex Pyron, the Robert F. Griggs Assistant Professor of Biology in GW's Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, along with researchers from the City University of New York and Arizona State University, detail the cataloguing of 4,161 species of snakes and lizards, or squamates. "Squamates include all lizards ...

Social media has revolutionized the way in which people and businesses interact, and it is taking on a growing role in the health care industry. A new UCLA study looking at the use of social media among plastic surgeons found that roughly half of these specialists use social media tools. Plastic surgeons have been leaders among medical specialists in the development of interactive websites to promote their practices and educate patients, said the study's principal investigator and senior author, Dr. Reza Jarrahy, an associate clinical professor of plastic and reconstructive ...

Since polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are produced through industrial processes or activities, it is assumed that people living in industrial cities will have higher concentrations of these toxic chemicals in their blood than people in rural communities. Researchers at the University of Iowa say this isn't the case. In a paper published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, scientists report that mothers and children in East Chicago, Ind., and Columbus Junction, Iowa, had only subtle differences in their PCB blood levels. This analytical paper is the first ...

New research reveals that Solanaceae—a flowering plant family with some species producing foods that are edible sources of nicotine—may provide a protective effect against Parkinson's disease. The study appearing today in Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society, suggests that eating foods that contain even a small amount of nicotine, such as peppers and tomatoes, may reduce risk of developing Parkinson's. Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder caused by a loss of brain cells that produce dopamine. Symptoms ...

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- "Eternal flames" fueled by hydrocarbon gas could shine a light on the presence of natural gas in underground rock layers and conditions that let it seep to the surface, according to research by geologists at the Department of Geological Sciences and the Indiana Geological Survey at Indiana University Bloomington. A little-known but spectacular flame in Erie County, N.Y., is the focus of an article in the journal Marine and Petroleum Geology, co-authored by Agnieszka Drobniak, research scientist with the Indiana Geological Survey, and Arndt Schimmelmann, ...

ANN ARBOR—Yukiko Yamashita of the University of Michigan's Life Sciences Institute is one of 27 biomedical researchers named today as Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators. HHMI provides flexible support on renewable five-year appointments to allow scientists to move their research in creative new directions. This year, 1,155 applicants applied to be investigators. Those selected represent 19 institutions from across the United States. Yamashita joins five other current U-M faculty members—including one from LSI—on the list of HHMI investigators. A central question ...

Exempt property in a Texas bankruptcy Article provided by Lee Norton Bain, Attorney at Law Visit us at http://www.leebainlaw.com/ Many people believe that if they file for bankruptcy protection, they will be required to give up all of their possessions; however, that is generally not the case. Bankruptcy protection is designed to assist those with financial issues and give them a new beginning without having to stress over insurmountable debt. Accordingly, individuals who have been contemplating filing for bankruptcy protection should continue to do so, keeping ...

Married to single: Tips for a smooth transition after divorce in Texas Article provided by Hortick & White, PLLC Visit us at http://www.jsw-law.com/ Divorce is a difficult process. With nearly 50 percent of married couples ending their relationship in divorce, many couples find themselves navigating through this complicated emotional and financial separation. Legal and financial experts have noticed some common mistakes made by divorcing couples. Being aware of these common missteps can help you avoid making them yourself and increase your odds of a smooth ...

When can a Pennsylvania parent seek to modify a custody order? Article provided by Law Offices of Maribeth Blessing LLC Visit us at http://www.mbfamilylaw.com As children grow up their needs often change. A child custody arrangement that worked for a toddler may need adjustment as the child starts attending school. One of the parents may have an employment opportunity and seek to relocate, which would require a different custody schedule. Parents who agree on child custody changes can often do so informally. However, absent temporary minor alterations to an existing ...

Government Crackdown on Health Care Fraud Yields Record Recoveries Article provided by Nathans & Biddle, LLP Visit us at http://www.nathanslaw.com The rising cost of health care has caused everyone to look at their spending, including the U.S. Government. Eliminating health care fraud has become a top priority. To accomplish this government agencies and law enforcement have been pouring their resources into identifying and prosecuting medical and dental professionals, suppliers, agencies, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies who have defrauded the government. Last ...

Brain injury concerns in the workplace Article provided by The Law Offices of Gary M. Kazin Visit us at http://www.kazinlaw.com While on the job, especially in a dangerous profession, workers have to tackle their occupations with caution. Even the most cautious worker, however, can be subjected to an injury. One of the most troubling injuries that could occur on the job is a brain injury. The dangers of a brain injury Every brain injury is different and it is extremely difficult for professionals to generalize as to what the outcome of a specific brain injury ...

Michigan woman imprisoned for income tax evasion Article provided by Law Offices of Angelique M. Neal, PLC Visit us at http://www.nealtaxlaw.com According to a press release posted March 26, 2013 on the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan's website, a Michigan woman was sentenced to one year in prison for tax evasion and ordered to pay nearly $1,000,000 in restitution. The woman, who owns and operates five movie theaters in Michigan, had earlier plead guilty to felony income tax evasion relating to corporate and personal income taxes. ...

How substance addiction is factored into the SSDI disability equation Article provided by Law Offices of Judith S. Leland, APLC Visit us at http://www.disabilitylawfirm.com The Social Security Administration recently clarified its policy on the impact of "drug addiction and alcoholism," or DAA, when the agency analyzes whether an applicant for Social Security Disability Insurance (or Supplemental Security Income) is disabled from working and qualifies for benefits. In March 2013, the new Social Security Ruling, or SSR, took effect, detailing how SSA ...

Negative effects of divorce on children may be overstated Article provided by Law Offices of Dischell, Bartle & Dooley, PC Visit us at http://www.dischellbartle.com At any given time, thousands of children across the U.S. are going through the confusing and often painful process of watching their parents go through a divorce. While various studies claim that children whose parents have divorced may be more inclined to smoke, drop out of school or get divorced themselves, more studies show that relatively low numbers of children suffer serious, long-term ill ...

One approach to immigration reform, and who can immigrate Article provided by Eric M. Bernal & Associates, LLC Visit us at http://www.ericmbernallaw.com Recently, Senator Marco Rubio's plan to reform immigration in the United States made headlines after an outline of it was published in The Wall Street Journal. Senator Rubio's plan came after President Obama stated in his State of the Union Address that there needed to be nation-wide immigration reform and called on Congress to act. Senator Rubio proposed that the U.S. should expand the number of visas given ...

A number of recent federal employment law cases pertain to Colorado Article provided by Bryan E. Kuhn, Counselor at Law, P.C. Visit us at http://www.bryankuhnlaw.com Employment law is critical for both workers and employers. If you're an employee, you need to know your legal rights, and want to be treated with the fairness you deserve in workplace decisions. If you're an employer, it's important to stay in full compliance with the law, and defeat any potentially costly lawsuits that do not have merit. Employment law is constantly evolving, and the past several ...

Federal employment law case out of Colorado good for employees Article provided by Bryan E. Kuhn, Counselor at Law, P.C. Visit us at http://www.bryankuhnlaw.com Doing the right thing is not always easy. Yet, it should never cost you your job. There are many employment laws that protect you from wrongful termination and other unfair treatment at the workplace. For example, you may not be discriminated against because of your race, age or gender. You also may not be retaliated against for reporting wrongful discrimination and certain other illegal conduct. In ...

Chapter 7 debtors keep their exempt property Article provided by The Rollins Law Firm Visit us at http://www.therollinsfirm.com In life, there are a number of occurrences that can lead to financial downfall -- loss of a job, a medical emergency, even the inability to keep up with the rising cost of living. When faced with a financial crisis, many individuals begin to look for a way out. Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection has proven to be a viable option for many who have faced this situation in Mississippi and throughout the United States. Approximately ...

Abuse in nursing homes and assisted living facilities is not uncommon Article provided by The Law Offices of Goldfine & Bowles Visit us at http://www.goldfineandbowles.com/ Choosing a place for an elderly loved one is one of the most daunting decisions one can make. There are many great nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the United States. However, there are also some accused of committing terrible acts of elder abuse and neglect. An example of abuse and neglect in an assisted living facility A recent story in The Seattle Times detailed ...

Facebook leader joins in push for immigration reform Article provided by Petty & Stewart, PLLC Visit us at http://www.roypetty.com Executives throughout the tech industry are encouraging legislative leaders to consider immigration reform. One of the latest proponents, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame, recently announced a new organization composed of various entrepreneurial leaders throughout Silicon Valley who will push for changes to the current immigration system. The group is pushing for both immigration reform and increased science and math education ...

Special visas available for young immigrants Article provided by Petty & Stewart, PLLC Visit us at http://www.roypetty.com The rate of foreign children entering the United States alone is on the rise. One cause of this increase is likely the violent drug culture currently booming in Central America. Children are fleeing gangs and drug cartels and fear what would happen if they were returned to their home countries. Children are also entering the United States to live with loved ones already in the country. Regardless of the reason for coming to the U.S., ...

Police seek expansion of Connecticut workers' compensation benefits Article provided by Sousa & Stone, LLC Visit us at http://www.sousastonelaw.com New legislation is set to be considered by the Connecticut Senate that would expand the workers' compensation benefits available to first responders for mental illness they experience after responding to a traumatic event. In the wake of the tragic Newtown shootings, some are finding the state's current workers' compensation system is not fully equipped to handle these situations and the care that is often required ...