Tiny pores, or channels, embedded in cell membranes are critical to the healthy functioning of cells. Charged atoms, or ions, move through these channels to generate the electrical signals that allow cells to communicate with one another. New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis unveils some of the inner workings of certain channels involved in regulating electrical signals in nerve cells, relaxing muscle cells and "tuning" hair cells in the inner ear. In a report published April 22 in the advance online edition of the journal Nature, the ...

Antoine de Saint-Exupery was already a legend in his own lifetime. People are fascinated as much by his books, which have been translated into more than 50 languages, as by his adventurous life as a pilot. In 2012, the year of the Pilot's Watches, IWC Schaffhausen dedicates to this passionate humanist a chronograph that unites the aspirations of those pioneering days of aviation with modern watch technology. A 100 years ago, a young boy stood on the airfield of Amberieu-en-Bugey in south-eastern France, looking on in wonder as the aircraft took off and landed. In those ...

Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and University of California San Francisco have advanced scientists' ability to view a clear picture of a single cellular structure in motion. By identifying molecules using compressed sensing, this new method provides needed spatial resolution plus a faster temporal resolution than previously possible. Despite many achievements in the field of super-resolution microscopy in the past few years with spatial resolution advances, live-cell imaging has remained a challenge because of the need for high temporal resolution. ...

Hotel Navarra - Hospitality at its best! Epoque Hotels is proud to welcome a new member to its boutique hotels collection, Hotel Navarra in Brugge. In one of the most unique and beautiful cities in Europe, this is an exciting moment for Epoque Hotels. Hotel Navarra is listed as a historic monument from the 17th century, once standing as a mansion that even to this day has retained its original essence and charm. To make this feeling even more in the style of the Renaissance, the Hotel Navarra is located in the heart of Bruges - UNESCO World Heritage City �EUR" ...

'Service is our currency' asserts the tagline of UAE Exchange, the leading global remittance and foreign exchange brand. The brand has proved what it believes in, yet again, by winning the 'Best Service Performance Outlet Award' for 2011 under the Dubai Service Excellence Scheme (DSES), organised by Department of Economic Development and the Government of Dubai. H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, presented the award on 4th April, 2012 at Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai. "We are extremely happy with this achievement!" ...

One of the greatest mysterious in cellular biology has been given a new twist thanks to findings reported in Science. Researchers at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute show that prions, proteins that transmit heritable information without DNA or RNA, can contribute to drug resistance and cellular adaptation. Their discovery of a yeast prion with these properties demonstrates the active role of the prion conversion in cellular fitness adaptation, providing new insights into the potentially broader function of prions in living organisms. Since their discovery in the 1960s, ...

Perspective Magazine has joined a select group of industry leaders and businesses as a Sponsor for the Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS), scheduled for May 7-8, 2012 at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami in Miami, Florida. "We are pleased to have Perspective Magazine sign on as a Media Sponsor of CHRIS," stated Jim Burba, president of BHN and the producer/host of CHRIS. "It is an exciting time to be hosting CHRIS as the Caribbean is evidencing growth after the recent more difficult years. There may be no better time to get down to business ...

NEW ORLEANS – Research shows that many treatments can help prevent migraine in certain people, yet few people with migraine who are candidates for these preventive treatments actually use them, according to new guidelines issued by the American Academy of Neurology. The guidelines, which were co-developed with the American Headache Society, will be announced at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans and published in the April 24, 2012, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "Studies show that ...

We are surrounded by a constantly changing magnetic field, be it the Earth's or those emanating from devices, such as cell phones. Carlos Martino, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, is interested in understanding how these magnetic-field fluctuations change biochemical reactions inside us. Martino explains that the subject is controversial. "Our research shows that exposure to different types of magnetic fields affect biological response," he says. "More importantly, the exposure levels are well below the standard levels" approved by the World ...

No one wants to talk about shame. Isn't shame something that addicts talk about? Or counselors? That's good for them but most of us deal with more functional people who don't have shame...right? Brene Brown, research professor of shame and vulnerability at the University of Houston, disagrees. She says that shame is something everyone has. It's universal. And it has reached epidemic proportions. Brown is often tapped by Fortune 500 companies to enhance work performance and spur innovation. Personally, I never set out to study shame. It wasn't on my radar. The ...

A research team this week will present findings that they say may finally explain the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. "Cells have different mechanisms to remove toxic substances, such as ethanol, the chemical name for alcohol, that represent a potential risk to them," explains María de Lourdes Rodríguez-Fragoso, professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos in Mexico. "Unfortunately, sometimes these mechanisms produce other toxic substances, including some that are associated with the development of different ...

Studies by researchers at Dominican University of California show that breast cancer cells become increasingly aggressive the longer they are exposed to small concentrations of cadmium, a heavy metal commonly found in cosmetics, food, water and air particles. The study by Maggie Louie, associate professor of biochemistry, shows exposure to cadmium for prolonged periods of time can cause the progression of breast cancer to become more aggressive. Her findings will be presented Monday, April 23, at the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular ...

A team of Japanese researchers will reveal study results Monday at the Experimental Biology 2012 meeting that show how acupuncture therapy mitigates skeletal muscle loss and holds promise for those seeking improved mobility through muscle rejuvenation. "It is my hope that this study will demonstrate acupuncture's feasibility with regard to improving health among the elderly and medical patients. Our findings could identify acupuncture as the primary nonpharmacological treatment to prevent skeletal muscle atrophy in the future," says Akiko Onda, an acupuncturist and graduate ...

- In response to a demand from sales professionals throughout the country, new home sales authority Jeff Shore has announced the release of his best-selling book Tough Market New Home Sales in audio format. Revised and fully updated with relevant data, the audiobook contains the most important and innovative information on new sales. Specific training outcomes include mastering the Critical Twelve Seconds of an encounter, learning how to create urgency in your customers, and radically redefining the process of closing. "Given the number of requests I get from sales ...

A research team at Tulane University will report this week that the application of high levels of oxygen to a severed bone facilitates bone regrowth, study results that may one day hold promise for injured soldiers, diabetics and other accident victims. The results of the Department of Defense-funded study will be presented at 12:25 p.m. Monday April 23, at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting, held in conjunction with the Experimental Biology conference in San Diego. "One out of every 200 Americans is an amputee," emphasizes Mimi ...

Biology Major Adam Reese may have found the key to keep fat cells from forming. The University of Delaware junior believes he has identified the trigger that turns a stem cell into a fat cell. Located on the surface of cells, the trigger, a protein called endoglin, regulates what type of cell an existing stem cell will become. Working in the biological science department's laboratory of cellular signaling and dynamics with Assistant Professor Anja Nohe, Reese investigates ways to combat osteoporosis; his findings may also have implications for obesity. Reese ...

The National Posture Institute will be releasing an educational DVD titled Goniometer and Joint Range of Motion Testing, hosted by Ken Baldwin, as well as Certified Goniometry Specialist (CGS) program in April 2012. This will offer easy access to fitness/health professionals, trainers, business owners, as well as the general public, to get instructional education on how to analyze and assess an individual utilizing a goniometer as a measuring, evaluation, and assessment tool. Joint ROM testing is an important evaluation step before designing personalized exercises for ...

J Forrest Group recently signed a contract with Richmond American Homes to lead a companywide sales training and management program for Richmond American's new home sales professionals, sales coaches and executives. The Leadership Selling and Leadership Sales Coaching training program consists of a series of on-site seminars, a tailored online e-learning website, video lessons and discussion boards; weekly sales-force goals and motivational calls; accountability reports; and executive and management coaching. The training program commenced in early December. The entirety ...

Patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and shortness of breath found that opioids provided relief and improved their quality of life, states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). However, physicians are reluctant to prescribe opioids for this condition, meaning many people will not benefit from this treatment. The prevalence of COPD in Canada is increasing, and shortness of breath (dyspnea) is a major symptom that is difficult to treat and can result in fear, anxiety and a decreased quality of life. Although opioids are ...

Canadian provinces should adopt a patient charter of rights with independent enforcement as part of the move to patient-centred care, argues an analysis article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). A properly designed patient charter of rights can help patients resolve concerns and complaints easily and cost-effectively, through an independent ombudsman or commissioner. An effective patient charter contains clearly articulated patient rights — many of which are already provided in law but scattered in different places — such as patients' rights to access their ...

The Beland Music Festival is set to return for its second edition in Malta next month. Running from Saturday May 12th to Sunday May 20th in Zejtun, the event will consist of a series of free concerts taking place in the town's large market square. Highlights of this year's programme include a performance by Think Floyd - The Definitive Pink Floyd Experience, who are regarded as the UK's leading Pink Floyd tribute act. There will also be appearances by Maltese pop singers such as Claudia Faniello, Fabrizio Faniello and Christabelle, as well as the bands Purple Haze ...

Bedwetting in older children is common, but it can be distressing. An article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) outlines possible causes and evidence for current treatments. Bedwetting in children aged five years or older, also called nocturnal enuresis, is common, although more common in boys. An American study found a prevalence of bedwetting of 6.21% in boys compared with 2.51% in girls. There is also a strong genetic aspect to bedwetting, as a large British study found a significantly higher likelihood of bedwetting if a parent was a bedwetter. Three ...

The shortage of prescription generic drugs in Canada is not a recent event, dating back to the fall of 2010 or earlier, states a recent history of the shortage in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). Hematologist and medical historian Dr. Jacalyn Duffin first noticed the shortage of an old, reliable drug in November 2010. She and colleagues from the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre tried to find answers to this baffling shortage as well as to focus media and public attention on the issue. The Canadian Pharmacists Association 2010 survey indicated that most pharmacists ...

British singer-songwriter Ben Howard is set to play Le Trianon in Paris next month.   The 24-year-old performer is one of the UK folk music scene's biggest rising stars, having released his debut album Every Kingdom in September 2011. Howard's gig on Thursday May 24th will give people in the French capital a chance to hear expertly crafted songs from his LP such as Old Pine, The Wolves and Only Love. Raised in Devon, Howard has cited legendary songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Nick Drake and Van Morrison as his main influences. He is due to make a series of festival ...

SAN DIEGO, April 23, 2012 – A lot of people were skeptical when two young California-based researchers set out more than a decade ago to create a completely human-derived alternative to the synthetic blood vessels commonly used in dialysis patients. Since then, they've done that and more. "There were a lot of doubts in the field that you could make a blood vessel, which is something that needs to resist pressure constantly, 24-7, without any synthetic materials in it," explains Nicolas L'Heureux, a co-founder and the chief scientific officer of Cytograft Tissue Engineering ...