Researchers at Emory University have found that a medication that inhibits inflammation may offer new hope for people with difficult-to-treat depression. The study was published Sept. 3 in the online version of Archives of General Psychiatry. "Inflammation is the body's natural response to infection or wounding, says Andrew H. Miller, MD, senior author for the study and professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. "However when prolonged or excessive, inflammation can damage many parts of the body, including the brain." Prior ...

Reconstructing the spread of killer diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) from person to person using DNA sequencing quickly identifies the origin and movement of pathogens. This approach is directly informing public health strategies to control infectious disease outbreaks, says a scientist speaking at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference at the University of Warwick. A team from the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control in Vancouver, Canada used whole-genome sequencing to analyse the bacterial DNA in samples from 36 of 41 infected individuals ...

A novel antimicrobial catheter that remains infection-free for up to twelve weeks could dramatically improve the lives of long-term catheter users. The scientists who have developed the new technology are presenting their work at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference at the University of Warwick. Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a catheter that can kill most urinary bacteria, including most strains of Proteus bacteria – the most common cause of catheter infections. Importantly the antimicrobial catheter retains its activity ...

While Australia has recently passed legislation to ban logos from cigarette packages and to make plain packaging mandatory, other countries are still considering whether or not to take similar measures. New research published in Biomed Central's open access journal BMC Public Health provides a report on the appeal of plain cigarette packs, compared to branded packs, among women in Brazil, and finds that plain packs reduce the appeal of their contents. Tobacco use is responsible for 5.4 million deaths every year across the world and is a leading cause of preventable death. ...

The way that the visual centers of men and women's brains works is different, finds new research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Biology of Sex Differences. Men have greater sensitivity to fine detail and rapidly moving stimuli, but women are better at discriminating between colors. In the brain there are high concentrations of male sex hormone (androgen) receptors throughout cerebral cortex, especially in the visual cortex which is responsible for processing images. Androgens are also responsible for controlling the development of neurons in the visual ...

Plastic optical fibres, laid on the underlay of a carpet, can bend when anyone treads on it and map, in real-time, their walking patterns. Tiny electronics at the edges act as sensors and relay signals to a computer. These signals can then be analysed to show the image of the footprint and identify gradual changes in walking behaviour or a sudden incident such as a fall or trip. They can also show a steady deterioration or change in walking habits, possibly predicting a dramatic episode such as a fall. As many as 30%-40% of community dwelling older people fall each ...

Ocean scientists have long known that juvenile coral reef fishes use coastal seagrass and mangrove habitats as nurseries, later moving as adults onto coral reefs. But the fishes' movements, and the connections between different tropical habitats, are much more complex than previously realized, according to a study published September 3 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The findings have important implications for management and protection of coral reefs and other marine environments. A number of studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between ...

Between 2000 and 2008, the proportion of HIV-infected patients in the U.S. receiving effective treatment known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) increased, and HIV-infected patients appeared to be less infectious and have healthier immune systems at death, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study was nested in the NA-ACCORD (North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design), which is the largest cohort of HIV-infected adults in North America. The findings are published in the September ...

A new study, by scientists from the Universities of York, Glasgow and Leeds, involving analysis of fossil and geological records going back 540 million years, suggests that biodiversity on Earth generally increases as the planet warms. But the research says that the increase in biodiversity depends on the evolution of new species over millions of years, and is normally accompanied by extinctions of existing species. The researchers suggest that present trends of increasing temperature are unlikely to boost global biodiversity in the short term because of the long timescales ...

Rochester, MN, September 4, 2012 – In a recent survey of palliative care medicine practitioners, nearly three quarters of the sample reported having been "humorously" accused of promoting death; for example, being called "Dr. Death." Most of the remarks came from fellow physicians and other health care professionals. At the same time, the survey found that a third of investigations into accusations of murder or euthanasia against physicians are instigated by fellow members of the health care team. A commentary in the September issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests ...

According to a study in the Sept. issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, overall non-invasive diagnostic imaging (NDI) costs to Medicare Part B dropped 21 percent from 2006 to 2010. The study reveals that medical imaging is not a driver of escalating Medicare costs. "This study confirms that medical imaging costs are down significantly in recent years and runs counter to misconceptions that imaging scans serve a primary role in rising medical costs. This study should provide lawmakers and regulators with more current information on which to base medical ...

According to a study in the Sept. issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, using a combination of the Internet and compact discs (CD) to transfer images during inter-hospital transfer is associated with much lower repeat imaging rates, suggesting that regional PACS networks may be useful for reducing cost and radiation exposure associated with trauma. The establishment of regional trauma systems where patients are transferred from non-tertiary emergency departments (EDs) to major trauma centers has been shown to improve survival. Transfer patients are ...

Philadelphia, PA, September 4, 2012 – Cardiac injury leads to significant structural changes in the heart, including enlargement, excess formation of fibrous growth tissue, and abnormalities of the coronary vasculature. While associated factors have been targeted for therapeutic intervention, the results have been conflicting. Most studies have investigated these changes after six days of injury. However, advanced stages of remodeling have already begun by day seven following injury. New research reveals that morphological changes in response to cardiac injury occur ...

(Washington, DC) – Languages are continually changing, not just words but also grammar. A recent study examines how such changes happen and what the changes can tell us about how speakers' grammars work. The study, "The course of actualization", to be published in the September 2012 issue of the scholarly journal Language, is authored by Hendrik De Smet of the University of Leuven /Research Foundation Flanders. A preprint version is available online at: http://lsadc.org/info/documents/2012/press-releases/de-smet.pdf Historical linguists, who document and study language ...

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) returns to Leonia, New Jersey to present its new program, Madama Butterfly and Friends, on Saturday, September 8, 2012, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free program at the Leonia Public Library, 227 Fort Lee Road. Verismo Opera's cast of stars will sing vignettes from past performances and excerpts from the company's upcoming production of Madama Butterfly on October 7, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey. Among the singers scheduled to perform ...

The Outer Banks ambassadors at OBX Outfitters are helping smartphone users keep the beach within their reach with the launch of the mobile website http://www.obxoutfitters.mobi. The compact, informative site features descriptions of the company's popular Made in the USA casual apparel and activewear, links to secure shopping, and information about the company and local OBX community organizations. "Our mobile website helps us put high-quality clothing designed and manufactured in the USA into the hands of people who want to celebrate the unique cultural, environmental, ...

To meet the demands of the growing agency, Attractivo is delighted to have selected two high achieving Honours design graduates to join the creative team. "We handpicked two extraordinary high achievers - both are highly qualified and passionate in creativity and strategy. We're thrilled to have Clayton and Tiia on board - they are a perfect fit to the team and our clients are already impressed with their multidisciplinary design skills and fresh ideas" says Grace Chau, Creative Director. Attractivo recently moved from its humble studio to a more extensive ...

The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley (LWVNV) in Bergen County, New Jersey will hold a discussion, "Democracy in the Balance. The Affects of Money on Elections and Its Impact on Democracy." The public is invited to attend this open meeting that will be held first on Tuesday, September 11 at 12:30 p.m. at the Leonia Public Library, 227 Fort Lee Road, in Leonia, New Jersey. The same program will be repeated that day at the Closter Public Library, located at 280 High Street, in Closter, New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Campaign Finance "Since ...

Streaming live on the Co-Creator Radio Network on Tuesday, September11, at 11 a.m. Pacific time/2 p.m. Eastern time, on her show "Why Shamanism Now?: A Practical Path to Authenticity," shaman and founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing Christina Pratt and her guest, C. Michael Smith, also known as Mikkal, ask: What can happen now? Pratt and Mikkal suggest that we can step into our power to create a Global Shift out of our current Global Crisis. To do this, we must engage in conscious practices to find our real power in our integrity and open heart. ...

Summit Legal Publishing is pleased to announce the release of "Hawaii Evidence Rules, Courtroom Quick Reference 2012". Containing the full text of the Hawaii Evidence Rules and the restyled and traditional Federal Rules of Evidence with the official commentary detailing the changes in the restyled rules, this volume is designed to serve as a highly portable and extremely accessible reference for the evidence rules. The new "restyled" Federal Rules of Evidence went into effect December 1, 2011. While the stated criteria for the amendments emphasizes ...

Congress enacted the No Child Left Behind Act, but what about adult students with disabilities who want to move forward in their educational pursuits? White Apple Institute, an Arizona-based humanitarian organization that provides resources and services to differently-abled students and teachers is working to expand its reach world-wide (via the internet) to provide support for teachers and adult-age students challenged with mental or physical disabilities, or at-risk issues, and Veterans with Disabilities Services include: assistance to enhance work performance ...

Rap Artist Dirty Dave is set to release his highly anticipated mixtape "The Carolina Plug" hosted by DJ Kub and DJ B-Lord, which includes his new single "Count Up" ft Yung Rome, on September 4, 2012 worldwide. In celebration of this milestone, Dirty Dollar Entertainment will be hosting mixtape release parties through his home state of South Carolina. This South Carolina Geechee native is no stranger to hard work and creating great music. Faced with the deaths of both his parents at an early age, he turned to music as a way to heal his heart and keep ...

Signalman Publishing is proud to announce the release in paperback and as an ebook for the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes & Noble nook and the Apple iBookstore of "Alaskan Dawn" by Richard Evans of Lafayette, Colorado. "Alaskan Dawn" is a novel set in the Russian Far East and the U.S. territory of Alaska at the beginning of America's entry into World War II in the Pacific. A young Russian teenager's father is a high-ranking Soviet communist official who is on a mission to meet with the U.S. government to obtain lend-lease supplies. During a Japanese ...

BlackFinn American Grille - St. Louis is pleased to announce that it has been chosen as the new broadcast home for the 590 the Fan KFNS weekly radio show "The SEC in The STL." Hosted by Howard Richards, the famed 1st Round Dallas Cowboys pick and former Missouri Tigers gridiron star and current color analyst for Mizzou Football on the Mizzou Radio Network, and KFNS President and On-Air host, David Greene, the show will bring all things SEC football to St. Louis for the very first time. Howard Richards states "This is a very exciting time for St. Louis ...

Don McCauley of the Free Publicity Focus Group and Danielle Hampson of eBroadcastMedia.com, founders of Book Marketing, announced today The Authors Show radio and TV weekly broadcast schedule. Book Marketing, branded as 'The Authors Marketing Powerhouse', allows authors and publishers the opportunity to upload photos, bios, book covers, video and book videos. The site also offers discussion forums, segmented special interest groups and allows for event listings. Each author can develop a personalized page. In addition the site allows for integration with Facebook and ...