Researchers from North Carolina State University believe they have solved a puzzle that has vexed science since plants first appeared on Earth. In a groundbreaking paper published online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers provide the first three-dimensional model of an enzyme that links a simple sugar, glucose, into long-chain cellulose, the basic building block within plant cell walls that gives plants structure. Cellulose is nature's most abundant renewable biomaterial and an important resource for production of biofuels that ...

AURORA, Colo. (April 15, 2013) – Researchers at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the University of Colorado School of Medicine have found that a single mechanism may underlie the damaging effect of cholesterol on the brain and on blood vessels. High levels of blood cholesterol increase the risk of both Alzheimer's disease and heart disease, but it has been unclear exactly how cholesterol damages the brain to promote Alzheimer's disease and blood vessels to promote atherosclerosis. Using insights gained from studying two much rarer disorders, Down Syndrome ...

Projections of rainfall changes from global warming have been very uncertain because scientists could not determine how two different mechanisms will impact rainfall. The two mechanisms turn out to complement each other and together shape the spatial distribution of seasonal rainfall in the tropics, according to the study of a group of Chinese and Hawaii scientists that is published in the April 14, 2013, online issue of Nature Geoscience. The one mechanism, called "wet-gets-wetter," predicts that rainfall should increase in regions that already have much rain, with a ...

Raising tobacco prices is one of the most effective means of reducing tobacco use, particularly among price-sensitive smokers such as young people and people with low incomes. But when the UK government has been raising cigarette taxes to increase prices and deter smoking, tobacco companies have been absorbing the tax increases on their ultra-low-price (ULP) brands to keep their prices low. As a result, real ULP cigarette prices have remained virtually unchanged since 2006 and their market share has doubled, suggesting that as cigarette taxes rise, many smokers downtrade ...

A new study published in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) journal, Arthritis Care & Research, reveals that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were on methotrexate (MTX), a drug commonly used to reduce inflammation caused by RA, had lower rates of induced abortions compared to women with RA who were not exposed to the medication. Findings indicate that women with RA exposed to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs may have increased abortion rates compared to unexposed women. Experts estimate that 1.3 million U.S. adults have RA—an inflammatory disease ...

Circumcision drastically alters the microbiome of the penis, changes that could explain why circumcision offers protection against HIV and other viral infections. In a study to be published on April 16 in mBio®, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, researchers studied the effects of adult male circumcision on the types of bacteria that live under the foreskin before and after circumcision. By one year post-procedure, the total bacterial load in that area had dropped significantly and the prevalence of anaerobic bacteria, which thrive ...

The use of social media by older people can offer valuable additional support in cases of sickness and diseases, new research from the University of Luxembourg has shown. In a new publication, Dr Anja Leist from the University's Research Unit INSIDE, concludes that possibilities for a systematic application in clinical practice seem promising. With the rise of user-friendly devices such as tablets and other web-enabled devices, older adults now engage in social media, such as online social networks, discussion boards, and online forums, more frequently. The evidence ...

Philadelphia, PA, April 16, 2013 – Studies have shown that about 10 percent of men infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an elevated resting energy expenditure (REE). Their bodies use more kilocalories for basic functions including circulation, body temperature, and breathing. Most studies have been conducted in men and those with solely women have had small sample sizes. A team of researchers has sought to rectify this with a matched, prospective, cross-sectional study. The results are featured in a new report published by the Journal of the Academy of ...

CHICAGO --- The cholera strain that transferred to Haiti in 2010 has multiple toxin gene mutations that may account for the severity of disease and is evolving to be more like an 1800s version of cholera, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study. The strain, "altered El Tor," which emerged around 2000, is known to be more virulent and to cause more severe diarrhea and dehydration than earlier strains that had been circulating since the 1960s. This study reports the altered El Tor strain has acquired two additional signature mutations during the past decade that may ...

Missouri study links drunk driving to "urgency" personality trait Article provided by Deputy & Mizell, L.L.C. Visit us at http://www.deputyandmizell.com/ Researchers at the University of Missouri have found a correlation between drunk driving and certain personality traits, which they believe may help explain why certain individuals drink and drive even though they disapprove of the idea while sober. The research could aid in the development of programs aimed at preventing drunk driving accidents in Missouri. Drinking triggers "urgency" ...

Supreme Court to determine constitutionality of DNA samples for arrestees Article provided by Tritico Rainey, PLLC Visit us at http://www.etlawfirm.com Is it a violation of your constitutional rights for law enforcement to take a sample of your DNA if you are arrested--but not convicted--for a serious offense? The United States Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case, Maryland v. King that will decide this issue, possibly significantly changing the state of criminal defense law. The decision may also affect the law as it stands in Texas. More than half ...

Mother of paralyzed Milwaukee boy advocates for laws banning distracted driving Article provided by Kmiec Law Offices Visit us at http://www.kmieclaw.com Two years ago in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a tragic incident changed the course of a five-year-old boy's life. The child was walking to a park when he was struck by a car. The woman driving the car was sending a text message while she was driving. The boy was dragged by the vehicle for practically 20 feet. As a result of the pedestrian accident, the young boy was paralyzed from the neck down. He is now seven years ...

Discovery may help those with spinal cord injuries regain hand function Article provided by Law Offices of Joshua Katz and Bozman-Moss & Watson Visit us at [url=http://www.sonomalegal.com]www.sonomalegal.com Researchers at Dalhousie University in Canada have discovered the neural circuit that controls the hand's ability to grasp objects. Though the discovery may not lead to a cure for paralysis, it may play a role in improving or restoring hand function in patients suffering from spinal cord injuries, brain injuries or some neurodegenerative diseases. According ...

Why you should include estate planning in your retirement plan Article provided by Weiner & McCulloch, PLLC Visit us at http://www.elderlawhousing.com Baby boomers, senior adults and people of all generations put off estate planning. It can be difficult and uncomfortable to plan for what is essentially one's own death. However, if you're preparing to retire and don't have an estate plan in place yet, now is the time to move this important task to the top of your "to do" list. Tax implications of retirement and estate planning There are several ...

California's no-fault divorce law and the divorce process Article provided by Richard A. Fleming Visit us at http://www.flemingfamilylaw.com A new scandalous celebrity affair seems to make its way to the headlines daily. One of the more recent celebrity infidelity headlines concerned LeAnn Rimes having an affair with a married man, Eddie Cibrian. Another affair that California residents are not likely to forget about any time soon is the affair that former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had with his house maid while he was married to Maria Shriver. The affair not ...

Injury hazards abound at many public playgrounds Article provided by Romanucci & Blandin, LLC Visit us at http://www.childsafetyillinois.com/ More than 200,000 children are treated in the emergency room each year after being injured on the playground, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly half of those injuries -- 45 percent -- are considered severe: fractures, concussions, dislocations, amputations and internal injuries. Even worse, about 15 children each year die as a result of playground injuries in the U.S. Slide risks ...

Study shows medical negligence remains a serious issue Article provided by Rome McGuigan, P.C. Visit us at http://www.rms-law.com Harm or injury caused by a doctor's or hospital's negligence often produces devastating, long-term consequences. A new report by the John Hopkins School of Medicine reveals that doctor mistakes and hospital errors remain high. Researchers at the school analyzed data spanning 20 years from the National Practitioner Data Bank. The NPDB is a federal database of medical malpractice claims. Claim information in the NPDB is generally considered ...

Man convicted of second degree murder of his son in DWI accident Article provided by Plumides Law Office PC Visit us at http://www.plumideslaw.com In September 2010, James Marslender was driving with his son on Highway 24 in Onslow County, North Carolina. It was raining and his truck spun out of control and crashed into a tree. His five year old son was killed. Police officers that were called to the scene testified that Marslender "smelled like beer." Marslender failed a number of field sobriety tests and was administered a blood test to determine his ...

Federal and state legislation may change property tax obligations in 2013 Article provided by Randall P. Whately, PLLC Visit us at http://www.propertytaxappeallawyer.com/ Federal deduction for local property taxes in jeopardy The mortgage interest deduction accounts for $90 billion in savings to taxpayers who deduct the interest on their homes. Taxpayers who itemize and deduct local property taxes collectively save approximately $20 billion every year. Every year, however, the U.S. Congress debates whether to eliminate these deductions in order to raise revenue. ...

Hurt at work? Learn more about Illinois workers' compensation benefits Article provided by Short & Smith PC Visit us at http://www.shortandsmith.com If you have been injured at work or acquired a disease or illness because of your work duties, you may be entitled to workers' compensation. In Illinois, workers' compensation benefits may be awarded to cover several types of work-related injuries and illnesses and the related expenses and losses. This article provides a brief overview of Illinois workers' compensation, and anyone who wishes to make a claim should ...

Protecting injured workers in California Article provided by Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP Attorneys at Law Visit us at http://www.hrollp.com California law requires all employers with one employee or more to carry workers' compensation insurance to take care of injured workers or the families of those workers killed on the job. Even out-of-state employers with an employee based in California are not exempt. And roofing companies without exception -- even those that employ only the owner -- are required to carry it. That's how seriously the state of California takes ...

Chapter 11 bankruptcy an option for individuals Article provided by Law Offices of Andrew H. Griffin III Visit us at http://www.andrewgriffinlawoffice.com Difficult economic times can result in even the most successful individuals experiencing money issues. Employers decide to reduce hours or salaries, and businesses struggle to meet sales and revenue projections. For people having difficulty making ends meet, it can be challenging to wait for the economy to rebound. Filing for bankruptcy is one way that individuals can rebuild their finances. Many are afraid to ...

Senator Franken seeks to add mental health services for prison population Article provided by Latz Law Office: Ronald S. Latz, P.A. Visit us at http://www.latzlaw.com Minnesota Senator Al Franken announced that he is sponsoring a bill to increase funding for mental health treatment in the nation's jails and prisons. The bill would renew existing federal funding for courts that divert mentally ill persons apprehended and accused in the criminal justice system into treatment. It would also add funding for the following: increased training of law enforcement officers ...

Commercial trucks present great risks to Louisiana drivers Article provided by Charbonnet Law Firm, LLC Visit us at http://www.charbonnetlawfirm.com/ Recently, a commercial vehicle crash on the Louisiana-Texas border caused the roads to be closed down for a serious amount of time while officials cleaned up the damage. According to 12newsnow.com, the truck was carrying an oversized load and went off to the right side of the road. The cargo and truck together weighed almost 200,000 pounds, and therefore a large crane had to be used for the cleanup process. The ...

Will Petrakis case spell the end of New York prenups? Article provided by Klein Varble & Associates Visit us at http://www.kvatoughlaw.com The Brooklyn Appellate Court recently affirmed a lower court decision tossing out a prenuptial agreement between a millionaire real estate mogul and his soon-to-be ex-wife. The court found that the agreement was both "fraudulently induced" and coerced because of the circumstances of the signing of the document, which included: -Presenting the agreement to the wife for the first time only four days before the wedding ...