No man is an island, entire of itself, said poet John Donne. And no atom neither. Even in the middle of intergalactic space, atoms feel the electromagnetic field---also known as the cosmic microwave background---left over by the Big Bang. The cosmos is filled with interactions that remind atoms they are not alone. Stray electric fields, say from a nearby electronic device, will also slightly adjust the internal energy levels of atoms, a process called the Stark effect. Even the universal vacuum, presumably empty of any energy or particles, can very briefly muster virtual ...

URBANA – A detailed annotation of the genome of T.J. Tabasco, a pig from the University of Illinois South Farms, is the outcome of over 10 years of work by an international consortium. It is expected to speed progress in both biomedical and agricultural research. U of I Vice President for Research Lawrence Schook said that the College of ACES played a crucial role in getting the work started. Funding that came through ACES allowed Schook and others to put together the Swine Genome Sequencing Consortium, an alliance of university, industry, and government laboratories ...

To grasp and move microscopic objects, such as bacteria and the components of living cells, scientists can harness the power of concentrated light to manipulate them without ever physically touching them. Now, doctoral student Amr Saleh and Assistant Professor Jennifer Dionne, researchers at the Stanford School of Engineering, have designed an innovative light aperture that allows them to optically trap smaller objects than ever before – potentially just a few atoms in size. The process of optical trapping – or optical tweezing, as it is often known – involves sculpting ...

Paolo Riva of the University of Milano-Bicocca and colleagues wanted to examine whether there might be a causal relationship between activity in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (rVLPFC) – known to be involved in the regulation of physical pain and negative expressions of emotion – and experiences of social pain. Their findings are published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. The researchers recruited 79 university students to take part in a "mental visualization exercise." They used a constant-current regulator ...

Philadelphia, Pa. (December 4, 2012) – Can treatment with modern anti-HIV drugs help fight hunger for HIV-infected patients in Africa? Starting antiretroviral therapy for HIV reduces "food insecurity" among patients in Uganda, suggests a study published online by the journal AIDS, official journal of the International AIDS Society. AIDS is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part ofWolters Kluwer Health.. Treatment including antiretroviral therapy (ART) may lead to a "positive feedback loop" whereby improved functioning and productivity lead to increased ability ...

Philadelphia, Pa. (December 4, 2012) – Road networks and geographic factors affecting "spatial accessibility" have a major impact on the spread of HIV across sub-Saharan Africa, according to a study published online by the journal AIDS, official journal of the International AIDS Society. AIDS is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part ofWolters Kluwer Health. Using sophisticated mapping techniques and detailed databases, Dr Andrew J. Tatem of the University of Florida and colleagues have found "coherent spatial patterns in HIV-1 subtype distributions" across ...

A new study published in BJS has demonstrated for the first time that a simple breath analysis could be used for colorectal cancer screening. The study is part of the "Improving Outcomes in Gastrointestinal Cancer" supplement. Cancer tissue has different metabolism compared to normal healthy cells and produces some substances which can be detected in the breath of these patients. Analysis of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) linked to cancer is a new frontier in cancer screening. Led by Donato F. Altomare, MD, of the Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation ...

PISCATAWAY, NJ – People who like to smoke when they drink may be at greater risk of suffering a hangover the next morning, according to a study in the January 2013 issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. For anyone who has ever had too much to drink, that day-after combination of headache, nausea and fatigue may be a familiar feeling. But some drinkers appear hangover-resistant: about one-quarter of people who drink enough to spur a hangover in most of us don't actually develop one. No one is sure why that is. But the new study suggests that smoking could ...

Rates of reported neonaticide have more than halved following the implementation of a unique 'anonymous delivery' law in Austria, finds a new study published today (05 December) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Researchers, from the Medical University of Vienna, looked at the rates of reported neonaticide (where a child is killed within the first 24 hours of birth) in Austria prior to and after the implementation of the 'anonymous delivery' law which was introduced in 2001. The law allows women access to antenatal care and to give birth ...

New York, NY, December 5, 2012—Consumers saw nearly $1.5 billion in insurer rebates and overhead cost savings in 2011, due to the Affordable Care Act's medical loss ratio provision requiring health insurers to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on health care or quality improvement activities or pay a rebate to their customers, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. Consumers with individual policies saw substantially reduced premiums when insurers reduced both administrative costs and profits to meet the new standards. While insurers in the small- and large-group ...

WASHINGTON (Dec. 5, 2012)-- The National Geographic Society today announced the next phase of its Genographic Project — the multiyear global research initiative that uses DNA to map the history of human migration. Building on seven years of global data collection, Genographic shines new light on humanity's collective past, yielding tantalizing clues about humankind's journey across the planet over the past 60,000 years. "Our first phase drew participation from more than 500,000 participants from over 130 countries," said Project Director Spencer Wells, a population geneticist ...

Recently the Mediterranean diet has achieved lots of distinctions, from the inclusion by the UNESCO in the Olympus of the World heritage list to a long series of dedicated congresses and meetings held everywhere in the globe with the aim of promoting its healthy properties against the most threatening diseases such as cardiovascular disease and tumors. So the Mediterranean diet is an international star acclaimed by the scientific community as the best dietary paradigm. And yet this eating model seems to creak under the burden of the economic crisis scaring the food trolley ...

Does Fourth Amendment protect against warrantless DUI blood tests? The United States Supreme Court recently accepted a case that could affect the rights of those who are accused of driving under the influence. The issue at stake is can a police officer force a suspect to take a blood test against his or her will without a warrant? Specifically, the decision will decide whether the natural dissipation of alcohol in the bloodstream is a sufficient cause under the Fourth Amendment to draw blood without a warrant. The events in the case, Missouri v. McNeely, began when ...

Truck accidents: GPS and cellphones add to accident risk Many Connecticut motorists have come to rely on their smartphones and GPS systems to help find their way to unfamiliar destinations. But although these navigation tools have become nearly indispensable for a growing number of drivers, when used improperly they can also contribute to one of the greatest threats on Connecticut roads today: distracted driving. What is distracted driving? Distracted driving is a factor in roughly 20 percent of all traffic accidents nationwide, according to the National Highway ...

Study shows significant rise in gray divorces Arizona is a popular retirement destination and is known for its high number of retirees. Unfortunately, many of these retirees are part of the latest divorce trend, known as gray divorce. Gray divorces involve individuals over the age of 50. Divorce is a difficult process. One individual who recently went through a gray divorce stated that it was a trying process. Since divorce can be a challenging journey, it's important to have experienced counsel at your side. Study shows increasing gray divorce rates A recent ...

Maryland marijuana reform lowers penalties, but risks remain As many states throughout the U.S. have done recently, Maryland implemented a law this year that reduces the penalties for possession of small quantities of marijuana. Lawmakers hope the new policy will reduce strain on the court system and allow police to focus more of their resources on addressing violent crime and other serious offenses. Maryland's new marijuana possession law went into effect on October 1, 2012. Under the new law, the maximum penalty for possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana ...

Getting Mississippi Teens to Engage in Safe Driving Habits There is no question that young drivers are at a greater risk of car accidents because of their lack of experience. Throw in a cellphone while behind the wheel and the risk of accident, injury or death is magnified. Despite understanding the danger of distracted driving, though, a significant number of teenage drivers continue to use their phones while driving. According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports magazine, the majority of young drivers ages 16 to 21 know texting while driving is dangerous. ...

DUI Penalties for Underage Drivers in Connecticut According to data from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, teen deaths related to drunk driving have decreased in recent years, and tough teen driving laws dating to 2008 are cited as a major factor behind the decrease. Drivers under age 18 are subject to several restrictions when obtaining a driver's license in Connecticut, and the penalties for violating the rules start with an initial 48-hour license suspension and often include mandatory driver training classes. For teen drivers convicted of driving under ...

Burglary charges on college campuses in Western Michigan Colleges in western Michigan -- including Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University -- and across the country are now back in full swing. With the influx of students, the number of reported crimes has started to rise. Due to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Higher Education Opportunity Act, these schools are required to collect data regarding reported crimes on campus. According to the report compiled by Kalamazoo College in 2011, burglary ...

AMSCA boat rental Dubai offer luxurious cruising experience in Dubai suitable for all manner of client requirement and exceptions including fishing & water sport activities, parties, dinners, wedding receptions, birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations as well as cut-out corporate functions with capacity of up to 65 guests at any one time. We own a fleet of six up market yachts cruising the Dubai waterways and canals. Amsca boats is the UAE charter specialist, we provide crewed luxury yachts, meg¬¬¬a yachts, super yachts charter, sailing yachts and catamarans ...

Orange County based swimwear line American Honey Swimwear will debut it's collection in stores for the first time this Friday December 7th, 2012. The collection will debut with notably recognized high-end specialty swimwear retailer Molly Brown's Swimwear. Andrea Gomez, Chief Designer and C.E.O of American Honey Swimwear, along with her mother and partner, Maria Elena Gomez, sat down for an initial meeting with Molly Brown's in September. They discussed the retail distribution of her line at Molly Brown's retail locations in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and the Cosmopolitan ...

Leading the way as Australia's number one beauty franchise, Essential Beauty is introducing its fourteenth store in Western Australia at Ellenbrook's shopping complex. In twelve years, the company has expanded to fifty-seven stores Australia wide with plans for further development in the near future. Providing the most in-demand treatments including hygienic waxing, safe body piercing, natural looking spray-tanning, permanent hair reduction, microdermabrasion and semi-permanent make-up, the company has developed into a highly recognised brand. Strong demand has led ...

VIDA PR & Marketing Group has created a blended assessment to increase clients' revenue and brand, based on happy customers. Since 2004, VIDA has worked with clients in a variety of industries, from restaurant to government, to build, maintain and increase a customer base through marketing, PR, advertising and customer service. In that time, Dominique Anderson, the firm's Owner and President, and her team have designed the Customer Experience Audit, a custom six-point assessment to evaluate seven areas of a businesses' customer experience, including pre-visit connection, ...

Alternative artist Sanders Bohlke continues his artistic evolution with the digital release of his new full-length album Ghost Boy on the Communicating Vessels label. Ghost Boy will be available worldwide through iTunes, Amazon and other digital stores on December 4, with the CD and specially packaged vinyl release to follow in February 2013. The collection of eleven new songs, produced by Jeffrey Cain (Remy Zero), was recorded as a complete work - meant to be heard from start to finish - recalling what audiophiles miss about the "album age." On their ...

Debut author Dawn DeLavallade, M.D. announced a book launch event for her recently published work "She Makes More-Inside the Minds of Female Breadwinners". The event will take place on Friday, December 14 at Mad City Coffee in Columbia, MD from 5:30pm - 8:30pm. Dawn DeLavallade is a wife, a mother, and a physician that over the years recognized she is a part of an emerging trend...she is a female breadwinner. The information Dr. DeLavallade shares in her work stems from candid interviews with female breadwinners as they reveal hidden truths about their experiences ...