Is sleep learning possible? A new Weizmann Institute study appearing today in Nature Neuroscience has found that if certain odors are presented after tones during sleep, people will start sniffing when they hear the tones alone – even when no odor is present – both during sleep and, later, when awake. In other words, people can learn new information while they sleep, and this can unconsciously modify their waking behavior. Sleep-learning experiments are notoriously difficult to conduct. For one thing, one must be sure that the subjects are actually asleep and stay that ...

PASADENA, Calif.—A team led by scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have made the first-ever mechanical device that can measure the mass of individual molecules one at a time. This new technology, the researchers say, will eventually help doctors diagnose diseases, enable biologists to study viruses and probe the molecular machinery of cells, and even allow scientists to better measure nanoparticles and air pollution. The team includes researchers from the Kavli Nanoscience Institute at Caltech and Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux ...

KANSAS CITY, MO—Two opposing teams battle it out to regulate gene expression on the DNA playing field. One, the activators, keeps DNA open to enzymes that transcribe DNA into RNA. Their repressor opponents antagonize that effort by twisting DNA into an inaccessible coil around histone proteins, an amalgam called chromatin, effectively blocking access to DNA by enzymes that elongate an RNA strand. Both teams maneuver by chemically modifying histones—the activators by decorating histones with acetyl groups—let's call them green flags—causing them to loosen their grip on ...

Oxford University scientists have discovered a compound that greatly boosts the effect of vaccines against viruses like flu, HIV and herpes in mice. An 'adjuvant' is a substance added to a vaccine to enhance the immune response and offer better protection against infection. The Oxford University team, along with Swedish and US colleagues, have shown that a type of polymer called polyethyleneimine (PEI) is a potent adjuvant for test vaccines against HIV, flu and herpes when given in mice. The researchers were part-funded by the UK Medical Research Council and report ...

Harvard scientists have, for the first, time created a type of "cyborg" tissue by embedding a three-dimensional network of functional, bio-compatible nanoscale wires into engineered human tissues. As described in a paper published August 26 in Nature Materials, a multi-institutional research team led by Charles M. Lieber, the Mark Hyman, Jr. Professor of Chemistry at Harvard and Daniel Kohane, a Harvard Medical School professor in the Department of Anesthesia at Children's Hospital Boston developed a system for creating nanoscale "scaffolds" which could be seeded with ...

Vaccines and antibiotics may someday join caloric restriction or bariatric surgery as a way to regulate weight gain, according to a new study focused on the interactions between diet, the bacteria that live in the bowel, and the immune system. Bacteria in the intestine play a crucial role in digestion. They provide enzymes necessary for the uptake of many nutrients, synthesize certain vitamins and boost absorption of energy from food. Fifty years ago, farmers learned that by tweaking the microbial mix in their livestock with low-dose oral antibiotics, they could accelerate ...

WORCESTER, MA — A team of scientists, including faculty at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), have discovered a gene that influences survival time in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). The study, published today in Nature Medicine, describes how the loss of activity of a receptor called EphA4 substantially extends the lifespan of people with the disease. When coupled with a UMMS study published last month in Nature identifying a new ALS gene (profilin-1) that also works in conjunction with EphA4, these findings point ...

Boston, Mass.—A multi-institutional research team has developed a method for embedding networks of biocompatible nanoscale wires within engineered tissues. These networks—which mark the first time that electronics and tissue have been truly merged in 3D—allow direct tissue sensing and potentially stimulation, a potential boon for development of engineered tissues that incorporate capabilities for monitoring and stimulation, and of devices for screening new drugs. The researcher team—led by Daniel Kohane, MD, PhD, in the Department of Anesthesia at Boston Children's Hospital; ...

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 26, 2012 – Treatment with an agent that blocks the oxidation of an important component of the mitochondrial membrane prevented the secondary damage of severe traumatic brain injury and preserved function that would otherwise have been impaired, according to a research team from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Graduate School of Public Health and Department of Chemistry in a report published online today in Nature Neuroscience. Annually, an estimated 1.7 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to traffic accidents, ...

Vitamin B12 is essential to human health. However, some people have inherited conditions that leave them unable to process vitamin B12. As a result they are prone to serious health problems, including developmental delay, psychosis, stroke and dementia. An international research team recently discovered a new genetic disease related to vitamin B12 deficiency by identifying a gene that is vital to the transport of vitamin into the cells of the body. This discovery will help doctors better diagnose this rare genetic disorder and open the door to new treatments. The findings ...

Extra pounds—even within the overweight but not obese range—are linked to a higher risk of recurrence of the most common type of breast cancer despite optimal cancer treatment, according to a new study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study's results suggest that extra body fat causes hormonal changes and inflammation that may drive some cases of breast cancer to spread and recur despite treatment. Women who are obese when they are diagnosed with breast cancer have an increased risk of dying prematurely compared ...

A new study led by scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) found that a healthy intake of micronutrients is strongly associated with improved sperm DNA quality in older men. In younger men, however, a higher intake of micronutrients didn't improve their sperm DNA. In an analysis of 80 healthy male volunteers between 22 and 80 years of age, the scientists found that men older than 44 who consumed the most vitamin C had 20 percent less sperm DNA damage compared to men older than 44 who consumed the least vitamin ...

CHICAGO – The overall rate of death in patients hospitalized with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; a certain pattern on an electrocardiogram following a heart attack) decreased from 1995 to 2010 in France, with possible factors associated with this decline including an increase in the proportion of STEMI patients who were women younger than age 60, and an increase in the use of reperfusion therapy and recommended therapeutic measures following a heart attack, according to a study being published online by JAMA. The study is being released early to coincide ...

The New Harmony Soap Company is initiating a program to support the Mt. Vernon, Indiana Food Pantry by donating 5% of sales made online at http://www.newharmonysoap.com and in the outlet store located at 512 N. Main Street in New Harmony, Indiana. The program begins retroactively, starting July 1, 2012 and will continue through September 30, 2012. Donated funds will be used to purchase peanut butter and toilet paper, two staples the Pantry was forced to eliminate earlier this year due to budget limitations. The Mt. Vernon Food Pantry is located at 601 Canal Street, Hedges ...

American author Jared Romey published Speaking Chileno, a book about Chilean slang that explains more than 2,000 words and phrases in English. Speaking Chileno: A Guide to Spanish from Chile, became a bestseller in Chile when published in 2010 and now is available for the United States and European markets. The light-hearted book includes bilingual sections about local grammar, pronunciation and gestures, plus 29 illustrations. A collection of 13 useful tables denominated "Quick Vocabulary Guides" group common terms together with topics such as food, clothing, ...

Angel, married for a time to the violent, Michael Murphy, has recovered from the trauma of a bad marriage, rebuilt her life and taken definite steps to ensure that never happens again. She treats herself to a long-promised holiday in Greece, but immediately the past begins to catch up with her. First, she spots her ex-husband in Athens and then meets her old boss from New York, the man who introduced her to Michael. She also makes the acquaintance of an American, Josh Smith, who spins her one story after another. Can this guy really be trusted? Angel suddenly finds ...

Candleinfinity Features Top Name Brand Seda France Candles. Candleinfinity adds the Luxury Seda France Candles to Online Store. The Seda France scented 10 oz candles have an elegant, stylish packaging with their signature "no wrapping paper needed". The sophisticated fragrances are perfect for any room or office. The top selling fragrances are Japanese Quince, French Tulip, and Elegant Gardenia. Candleinfinity is an online retailer that is driven and dedicated to providing the best quality products and customer service. Candleinfinity is a company that implements ...

Gilead Sanders, a leading futurist and consulting firm specializing in helping companies, organizations and individuals take a quantum leap into the 21st century global marketplace has begun operations in South Florida. The firm is the latest venture of noted futurist, author and digital strategist Marvin Dejean. The company serves companies seeking to redesign and realign their existing business models to better thrive in a global marketplace. "The world has changed overnight. Businesses that are busy operating with the same mindset before this global recession ...

Since their recent addition to Nutty Steph's chocolate shop, three new truffle flavors: Marzipan Cherry, Coconut Cluster, and Strawberry & Cream grace the antique glass candy case there. The aesthetically pleasing look of the truffles appeals to customers, who recognize at first bite that these handcrafted truffles made with kitchen fresh, top quality ingredients, are no ordinary chocolates. Like all Nutty Steph products, the truffles are handmade and contain top of the line ingredients such as Ecuadorian chocolate with a high cacao content. They are crafted old ...

Wedding Cakes artist Michael learned his craft when he was 16 while growing up in New York working in several bakeries during school summer breaks. About a year later he attended a Culinary Arts School where he reinstated his love for baking and got the highest scores for is artistic skills in Wedding Cakes baking and decorations showing a particular attitude in completing tasks even when assigned at the last moment. No wonder today he has been establishing his reputation in Las Vegas as Michael the artist that can deliver Wedding Cakes at the last minute order! Michael ...

Lori Torline, President of Lori Leigh Designs , Inc. announced today that her fashion and jewelry accessory product atelier has appointed The Southern Link to handle retail sales activity in the key states of North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. "The Southern Link is one of the most experienced and most respected sales agencies in the retail gift industry", said Ms. Torline. "The lines they represent are among the strongest in the gift and fashion accessory categories and they are most adept at pioneering exciting ...

With the release of Illinois Evidence Rules, Courtroom Quick Reference, attorneys in Illinois have a new legal reference book that can be used in the courtroom, chambers, office or at home. This book contains the complete Illinois Rules of Evidence, effective January 1, 2012 (and current with all 2012 amendments), the Federal Rules of Evidence, effective December 1, 2011, and the Traditional Federal Rules of Evidence, effective through November 30, 2011. The Federal Rules of Evidence are the fourth set of federal rules to be restyled as part of what is known as "The ...

In the year that Florida school grades dropped because of stricter Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test standards, one local school stands out for achieving an "A" grade against all odds. Team Success A School of Excellence in Bradenton, a charter school serving about 300 elementary and middle school students from the poorest neighborhoods, has climbed from an "F" school to an "A" school in just two years, after a concerted effort by school administrators and teachers to raise student performance. "We set our minds to do it and ...

Sydney self-storage and relocation helpers Global Self Storage announce a groundbreaking, unique offering to all qualified movers enlisting their services. These movers are entitled to free usage of Global Self Storage vans and trailers to assist their next relocation. It's not often that exceptional, big time value is added to already exceptional service in today's economy, particularly value that is free of charge to the consumer, so Global Self Storage is confident that clients will appreciate this offering. Relocating is a difficult process that most citizens cannot ...

Red Level Networks, a premier IT-solutions provider, is hosting an educational Dell AppAssure and EqualLogic event on September 27 at the The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, MI. This complimentary event will provide an overview of AppAssure and EqualLogic's core components while featuring industry experts from Dell to answer questions. This Dell event will feature Jerry Rioux, Account Executive and Storage Specialist at Dell and Gary Phillips, Dell Enterprise Account Executive for AppAssure. Opening remarks will be from David King, founder and president of Red Level Networks. ...