ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Adults across the U.S. rate not getting enough exercise as the top health concern for children in 2012, according to a new University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. In the poll's annual top 10 list, a nationwide sample of adults were asked to identify the top 10 biggest health concerns for kids in their communities. For the first time, not enough exercise was rated by most adults at the top of the list (39 percent). That was followed closely by childhood obesity (38 percent) and smoking and tobacco use ...

A trawl of the genome of the deadly bacterium Bacillus anthracis has revealed a clutch of targets for new drugs to combat an epidemic of anthrax or a biological weapons attack. The targets are all proteins that are found in the bacteria but not in humans and are involved in diverse bacterial processes such as metabolism, cell wall synthesis and bacterial persistence. The discovery of a range of targets might bode well for creating a drug cocktail that could preclude the emergence of drug resistance. Ravi Gutlapalli of the Department of Biotechnology, at Acharya Nagarjuna ...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Algae are high on the genetic engineering agenda as a potential source for biofuel, and they should be subjected to independent studies of any environmental risks that could be linked to cultivating algae for this purpose, two prominent researchers say. Writing in the August 2012 issue of the journal BioScience, the researchers argue that ecology experts should be among scientists given independent authority and adequate funding to explore any potential unintended consequences of this technological pursuit. A critical baseline concern is whether genetically ...

URBANA – In evaluating the bioactive compounds of Illinois blueberry and blackberry wines, University of Illinois scientists have found compounds that inhibit enzymes responsible for carbohydrate absorption and assimilation. And that could mean a tasty way to help people with diabetes decrease their blood sugar. "We're thinking about a dealcoholized fermented fruit beverage that would optimize the inhibition of the alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes and also make use of the wines' other healthful bioactive components," said Elvira de Mejia, a U of I professor ...

The Caribbean islands have been pushed east over the last 50 million years, driven by the movement of the Earth's viscous mantle against the more rooted South American continent, reveals new research by geophysicists from USC. The results, published today in Nature Geoscience, give us a better understanding of how continents resist the constant movement of the Earth's plates – and what effect the continental plates have on reshaping the surface of the Earth. "Studying the deep earth interior provides insights into how the Earth has evolved into its present form," said ...

Even though it sounds like science fiction, researchers are taking a second look at a controversial idea that uses futuristic ships to shoot salt water high into the sky over the oceans, creating clouds that reflect sunlight and thus counter global warming. University of Washington atmospheric physicist Rob Wood describes a possible way to run an experiment to test the concept on a small scale in a comprehensive paper published this month in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. The point of the paper -- which includes updates on the latest study ...

TORONTO, ON – Have you ever wondered why you can remember things from long ago as if they happened yesterday, yet sometimes can't recall what you ate for dinner last night? According to a new study led by psychologists at the University of Toronto, it's because how much something means to you actually influences how you see it as well as how vividly you can recall it later. "We've discovered that we see things that are emotionally arousing with greater clarity than those that are more mundane," says Rebecca Todd, a postdoctoral fellow in U of T's Department of Psychology ...

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 19, 2012 — In a discovery that defies the popular meaning of the word "wire," scientists have found that Mother Nature uses DNA as a wire to detect the constantly occurring genetic damage and mistakes that ― if left unrepaired ― can result in diseases like cancer and underpin the physical and mental decline of aging. That topic ― DNA wires and their potential use in identifying people at risk for certain diseases ― is the focus of a plenary talk here today during the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical ...

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 19, 2012 — Using information about the unique mating practices of the male malaria mosquito ― which, unlike any other insect, inserts a plug to seal its sperm inside the female ― scientists are zeroing in on a birth-control drug for Anopheles mosquitoes, deadly carriers of the disease that threatens 3 billion people, has infected more than 215 million and kills 655,000 annually. They reported today at the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society on development of an approach for screening substances that could ...

Stefan Matile opts for sincerity. For him, if organic chemistry is often fond of simplifying its functional systems, it is because it is mostly impossible for it to construct and manage molecular architectures as complex as those produced with tremendous efficiency in nature. "It's a fact", says the UNIGE professor and NCCR Chemical Biology member, "that we are far from being able to match the genius of nature." Where the complexity arises The specialist attributes the genetic code to this genius of nature. "It is rather simple because it is based on four foundations—adenine, ...

Research from the University of Southampton and the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton has found that an imbalance of nutrients in reef waters can increase the bleaching susceptibility of reef corals. Corals are made up of many polyps that jointly form a layer of living tissue covering the calcareous skeletons. They depend on single-celled algae called zooxanthellae, which live within the coral polyps. The coral animal and the associated zooxanthellae depend on each other for survival in a symbiotic relationship, where the coral supplies the algae with nutrients ...

Research into the genetic factors behind certain disease mechanisms, illness progression and response to new drugs is frequently carried out using tiny multi-cellular animals such as nematodes, fruit flies or zebra fish. Often, progress relies on the microscopic visual examination of many individual animals to detect mutants worthy of further study. Now, scientists have demonstrated an automated system that uses artificial intelligence and cutting-edge image processing to rapidly examine large numbers of individual Caenorhabditis elegans, a species of nematode widely ...

A team of researchers at RIKEN and the University of Tokyo has demonstrated a new material that promises to eliminate loss in electrical power transmission. The surprise is that their methodology for solving this classic energy problem is based upon the first realization of a highly exotic type of magnetic semiconductor first theorized less than a decade ago - a magnetic topological insulator. Development of energy saving technologies is one of the central pursuits of modern science. From advancing alternative energy resources like wind and solar power to improving the ...

European paper wasps (Polistes dominula) advertise the size of their poison glands to potential predators, finds a new study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Frontiers in Zoology. The brighter the colour, the larger the poison gland. Aposematism is used by many different animals to warn potential predators that they are poisonous. Usually this takes the form of distinctive colouration or patterns which predators quickly learn to avoid. Paper wasps have conspicuous yellow and black patterns covering their bodies and researchers from University of Granada ...

PETERSHAM, Mass. (August 19, 2012)---The authors of a Harvard study published today in Nature Climate Change gathered their data from an unlikely source—the trip accounts of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club. Over the past 19 years, the amateur naturalist group has logged species counts on nearly 20,000 expeditions throughout Massachusetts. Their records fill a crucial gap in the scientific record. Once analyzed, the data show a clear trend. According to Greg Breed, lead author on the study and a post-doctoral fellow at the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Mass., "Over the ...

(Santa Barbara, Calif.) — Computing prime factors may sound like an elementary math problem, but try it with a large number, say one that contains more than 600 digits, and the task becomes enormously challenging and impossibly time-consuming. Now, a group of researchers at UC Santa Barbara has designed and fabricated a quantum processor capable of factoring a composite number — in this case the number 15 — into its constituent prime factors, 3 and 5. Although modest compared to a 600-digit number, the achievement represents a milestone on the road map to building a ...

DENVER — A new study led by the University of Cincinnati examines stereotypes of immigrants from four global regions and measures opinions of the impact of immigration on U.S. society. The researchers say their findings provide the most solid evidence yet that perceptions of the characteristics of Latin American immigrants in particular are strongly linked to beliefs about the impact of immigration, especially on unemployment, schools, and crime. The research will be presented at the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association. The study was conducted ...

DENVER — Why do some colleges have persistently high levels of binge drinking? It may be because, at these schools, binge drinking is associated with high status and binge drinkers are happier with their college social experience than their non-binge drinking peers, suggests new research to be presented at the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association. "Binge drinking is a symbolic proxy for high status in college," said Carolyn L. Hsu, co-author of the study and an associate professor of sociology at Colgate University. "It's what the most powerful, ...

PHILADELPHIA (August 20, 2012) – New research from the Monell Center reveals that exposure to secondhand smoke decreases sensitivity to cough-eliciting respiratory irritants in otherwise healthy children and adolescents. The findings may help to explain why children of smokers are more likely to develop pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases and also are more likely to experiment with smoking during adolescence. "Cough protects our lungs from potentially damaging environmental threats, such as chemicals and dust. Living with a parent who smokes weakens this reflex, ...

JJ Schultz released his fourth studio album, Carolina, on Saturday August 11th. Following his albums Bustin' Outa Town, Something To Me, and Traveling Songs, Carolina features a stripped down Americana sound, communicating one man's struggle with love and manhood. With whiskey soaked lyrics, sparse guitars, and a heavenly Hammond B3, Schultz's Western Roots music weaves a lush, intricate mood. The album features a combination of Schultz's solo work as well as numbers with his full band. On the solo tracks, Schultz's relaxed and almost casual guitar picking is accompanied ...

August is a busy time of year as summer activities begin to wane and preparations for back to school begin. Remember to treasure this time with your children—especially with the middle child who tends to "get lost in the shuffle." As National Middle Child Day is celebrated in August, GiftWorksPlus recommends family picture frames to mark this event as well as other treasured moments that are here today and gone tomorrow. These custom wooden frames are engraved with names, dates, and personal messages at no additional cost. And, as always, these personalized ...

"Properties marketed by NAMG will receive world wide exposure when included in the Marknet Alliance National Real Estate Auction," said John Nicholls, president of the company. "These are excellent investment properties or primary residences. The bidding will be done in an online only format, so bid early and bid often and be the new owners of these homes. Bidding ends on August 31." "220 Buxton Street is a 3 bedroom, 770 sq. ft. income producing home on a .12 acre lot. The home's highlights include a fenced backyard, electric heat and vinyl ...

BenevolenceInc.com has named A. Andersen of Honolulu, HI the website's July Drawing Winner. Andersen has won a Seasource Detox Spa Foaming Sea Salt Scrub, valued at $37, and also 20% back on her next order. Andersen made a purchase during the month of July and was automatically entered in the BenevolenceInc.com's monthly drawing. The Seasource Detox Spa Foaming Sea Salt Scrub is described as a mild body buffer that lathers into a rich foam. The scrub is designed to gently exfoliate and cleanse toxins from the skin's surface. By doing this, the product increases microcirculation ...

Streaming live on the Co-Creator Radio Network on Tuesday, August 21, 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 welcomes guest Jeff Stockton as they ponder the question: Where are you in your own Sacred Story? Pratt and Stockton tell listeners that our stories can weave and hold us together or it can unravel you bearings in life and tear us from your true selves. Stories have power; they can heal and they can harm. ...

Internationally-renowned tenor, Joseph Spinella will be the headlining artist performing two shows at 5 pm and 7:30 pm at Bianca's Ristorante. This is the first live show following Spinella's recording session with the Macedonian Radio Symphony Orchestra in August. He was working in Macedonia recording for his next album, scheduled to be released in 2013. This new album includes Italian classics plus a few new songs written for his new project, 'Spinella Tenor of Illusions' combining classical music with magic illusions. A native of Sarasota, Florida, Spinella was awarded ...