OTTO, NC--Research by USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) scientists shows that the impacts of recent outbreaks of southern pine beetle further degraded shortleaf pine-hardwood forest ecosystems in the southern Appalachian region. The authors suggest that cutting and burning these sites reduces heavy fuel loads, improves soil nutrient status, and opens the canopy for restoration of these shortleaf pine communities. In an article published in the June issue of journal Forest Ecology and Management, research ecologist Katherine Elliott and fellow scientists ...

Frontline Test Equipment, Inc. is pleased to announce simplified licensing for NetDecoder and Serialtest Async analyzers and will no longer charge for software updates on these products. From now on if customers own an RS-232 ComProbe II, RS-422/485 ComProbe or a CC-Link ComProbe they can install the software on any PC. The new changes for the NetDecoder and Serialtest Async software will go into effect on May 1st with the release of version 12.2.24.1. These changes mean that customers have increased freedom to use the software as they please. Customers will also benefit ...

A tiny filter could have a big impact around the world in the fight against tuberculosis. Using the traditional microscope-based diagnosis method as a starting point, a University of Florida lung disease specialist and colleagues in Brazil have devised a way to detect more cases of the bacterial infection. "We're hopeful that this more sensitive method, which is both simple and inexpensive, will improve diagnosis in patients," said lead researcher Kevin Fennelly, M.D., M.P.H., an associate professor in the UF College of Medicine's department of medicine and Southeastern ...

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- University of Florida researchers have described a new extinct giant turtle species from the same Colombian mine where they discovered Titanoboa – and one of the only animals the world's largest snake could not have eaten. Working with scientists from North Carolina State University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, researchers at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus name the species in a study published online today in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. The study's findings could be useful for understanding ...

PHILADELPHIA — Two studies led by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania and National Geographic's Genographic Project reveal new information about the migration patterns of the first humans to settle the Americas. The studies identify the historical relationships among various groups of Native American and First Nations peoples and present the first clear evidence of the genetic impact of the groups' cultural practices. For many of these populations, this is the first time their genetics have been analyzed on a population scale. One study, published in the American ...

Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. – There are always exceptions to a rule, even one that has prevailed for more than three decades, as demonstrated by a Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) study on RNA splicing, a cellular editing process. The rule-flaunting exception uncovered by the study concerns the way in which a newly produced RNA molecule is cut and pasted at precise locations called splice sites before being translated into protein. "The discovery of this exception could impact current ideas on how missteps in splicing triggered by mutations in the DNA sequence can lead ...

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Kansas State University researchers have come closer to solving an old challenge of producing graphene quantum dots of controlled shape and size at large densities, which could revolutionize electronics and optoelectronics. Vikas Berry, William H. Honstead professor of chemical engineering, has developed a novel process that uses a diamond knife to cleave graphite into graphite nanoblocks, which are precursors for graphene quantum dots. These nanoblocks are then exfoliated to produce ultrasmall sheets of carbon atoms of controlled shape and size. By ...

As usual, on the third week of each month, we offer tips for effective business writing. This month our advice is - be active! No, we're not suggesting you down tools and go for a run - though there might well be something to be said for that - we're talking about using the active voice rather than the passive in your business communications. The active voice, where the subject of the sentence performs the action, is generally preferable (we will examine some possible exceptions later) since it makes your writing more powerful and infuses it with energy. Compare: Donna ...

Boulder, Colo., USA – New Lithosphere articles posted online 16 May 2012 report on (1) seismic anisotropy measured beneath 14 broadband stations in southeastern India; (2) why geoscientists should persist in their efforts to reach and study such spectacular sub-sea geologic features as the Mariana Trench (recently explored by film director James Cameron) and how "land geologists" can help this effort by studying on-land equivalents like ophiolites; and (3) pressures and melting temperatures of sediments deeply buried in Earth's mantle. Seismic anisotropy beneath the ...

Bestselling authors of teen literature portray their more foul-mouthed characters as rich, attractive and popular, a new study finds. Brigham Young University professor Sarah Coyne analyzed the use of profanity in 40 books on an adolescent bestsellers list. On average, teen novels contain 38 instances of profanity between the covers. That translates to almost seven instances of profanity per hour spent reading. Coyne was intrigued not just by how much swearing happens in teen lit, but who was swearing: Those with higher social status, better looks and more money. "From ...

Boston, MA--It has been known for years that eating too many foods containing "bad" fats, such as saturated fats or trans fats, isn't healthy for your heart. However, according to new research from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), one "bad" fat—saturated fat—was found to be associated with worse overall cognitive function and memory in women over time. By contrast, a "good" fat—mono-unsaturated fat was associated with better overall cognitive function and memory. This study is published online by Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association ...

Chevy Chase, MD—The Endocrine Society's new scientific statement published online today represents the first comprehensive evaluation of both the basic and clinical evidence related to the non-skeletal effects of vitamin D. The statement addresses current research regarding the associations of vitamin D with immune function, hypertension, stroke, skin conditions and maternal/fetal health. Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the bloodstream and promotes healthy bone growth. Vitamin D deficiency is common throughout the world and ...

CLEVELAND — University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center and CardioKinetix Inc., a medical device company pioneering a catheter-based treatment for heart failure, today announced promising results for the first-of-its-kind catheter-based Parachute™ Ventricular Partitioning Device, a Percutaneous Ventricular Restoration Therapy (PVRT) technology for patients with ischemic heart failure. The two-year clinical results were presented today (May 18, 2012, 9 a.m.) during a Trials, Registries and Late Breaking Science Hot Line session at the 2012 EuroPCR Conference in Paris ...

The math is a very simple formula called "The Barrows Popularity Factor" and it actually lets you quantify the relationship between advertising and sales, according to Robert Barrows, author of a booklet called 'The Barrows Popularity Factor' and President of R.M. Barrows, Inc. Advertising and Public Relations in San Mateo, California. "Businesses of all kinds can use the math to help them increase their sales, increase their profit and decrease their risk," according to Barrows, "and they can use the math to help them fine-tune their entire ...

Artist Mike Weinmaster, of the design firm Green over Grey, gained inspiration from high altitude cloud formations to create the artwork of the main central Living Wall (also referred to as a Vertical Garden, Green Wall, Biowall or Plant Wall). For the upper walls, Weinmaster based his designs on famous Canadian paintings by The Group of Seven and Emily Carr. The colours, patterns and textures were not created using paint but instead by incorporating over 8000 individual living plants, representing 32 unique species. The verdant masterpiece will continually evolve on ...

The 16th annual "IPPY" Awards will be celebrated on June 4th in New York City on the eve of the annual Book Expo American convention. These awards are designed to bring increased recognition to book titles released by independent publishers. This year over 2,400 authors and publishers entered the contest. The American Challenge from MiraVista Press won the bronze medal in the Best Adult Non-Fiction eBook category. The American Challenge is an illustrated review of American history, civics, and culture. It is a unique collection of everything that makes America ...

Beginning May 16, 2012 eight iPhone 4 & 4S owners from the USA can get a chance to win a Callet iPhone Case simply by following and sharing Gamebowl's Picnic Raiders Facebook & Twitter official giveaway entry. This promo is open to iPhone 4 & 4S users and does not require any purchase or download to join. To win the Callet iPhone 4 or 4S Case, entrants may join either the Facebook or Twitter giveaway. To join the weekly Facebook giveaway, entrants must like Gamebowl's Official Facebook Fan Page (www.facebook.com/gamebowl) and share the official giveaway photo ...

Being a college student can open up a world of possibilities, but unfortunately it can also open young adults up to becoming victims of identity theft. Thousands of students have been affected by security breaches at colleges and universities that exposed their personally identifiable data on the Internet. Students have been advised to avail themselves of credit monitoring services for identity theft protection to prevent their personal data from being misused. There have been several incidents just in the first few months of 2012 in which universities have inadvertently ...

Rosa & Co. LLC today announced that Dr. Toufigh Gordi, Rosa & Co, will present a webinar "Mechanistic PK/PD Modeling in Pediatrics" on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 1:00 - 2:00 pm EDT as part of Rosa's ongoing monthly public webinar series. The purpose of the series, "Impact of Modeling & Simulation in Drug Development", is to foster the use of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) activities in biotechnology, pharmaceutics, and other life science industries. This series is geared to illustrate the advantages and applicability of M&S in product ...

Fava Tea Company won third place with its exclusive Fava's Summer Black Tea Blend in the Black Tea—Flavored category of the competition; receiving the designation of a tea with superior characteristics. Another Fava Tea Company Black Tea, Fava's SpecialTEA Blend (available at Carmella's Italian Bistro in Appleton and Watt's Tea Room in Milwaukee), also scored well in the competition receiving the 'very good' designation of a tea with superior characteristics, but didn't take a top spot. A special award will be presented to Fava Tea Company during the World Tea Expo in July. "We ...

Noble Manhattan has recently launched Ebooksforcoaches.com which gives coaches access to eBooks that help them become better at their craft. The website is an initiative of the owner and founder of Noble Manhattan and president of the International Institute of Coaching, Gerard O'Donovan who wanted to give coaches easy access to helpful coaching eBooks. In his quest to help coaches to become better and more successful wherever they may be, Gerard helped put together Ebooksforcoaches.com as a resource for coaches. Qualified coaches and student coaches alike can find ...

¨C GAO Fiber Optics (www.GAOFiberOptics.com) is offering its Alcatel compatible 1000base-T SFP transceiver which is a high performance hot pluggable copper SFP transceiver. It is compliant with SFP Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) specification and complies with the Gigabit Ethernet and 1000BASE-T standards as specified in IEEE Std. 802. 3. This Alcatel compatible 1000base-T SFP transceiver, model C012P101, is widely used in various applications including switch to switch interface, router to router interface, Gigabit Ethernet and high speed I/O for file severs. It provides ...

Southern Tier Dermatology & Aesthetics is once again looking forward to a fun day on the fairway as they announce their co-sponsorship of the eighth annual YMCA of Broome County Captain & Crew Golf Tournament. This year's tournament will take place on Friday, June 8 at the Traditions at the Glen golf course in Johnson City. The money raised will assist hundreds of members of the YMCA, from children to older adults, who otherwise could not afford a membership. Owners Colleen Crandell, D.O., F.A.A.D. and Curt Fenkl, D.O. say they are excited to be involved in ...

VDM Group, a leading Australian engineering and construction company that services the mining & resources, transport & civil infrastructure and urban development sectors, today announced it has appointed coal industry veterans Tony Robertson as Executive Manager - Engineering & Project Delivery and Greg Wickman as General Manager of Project Development. Based out of the Brisbane office these gentlemen will oversee expansion, growth and leadership of the VDM Group into the Mining and Resources sector in Eastern Australia. Tony Robertson brings over 25 years ...

LMI Technologies, a global industry leader in 3D laser measurement and control sensor technology, announced today the addition of Midwest Engineering & Automation to their growing network of authorized Gocator all-in-one 3D smart sensor distributors. Midwest Engineering & Automation will serve as the point of contact for manufacturers in Northeastern Ohio looking to automate their end-of-line manufacturing processes and improve quality control. Gocator laser line smart sensors are all-in-one solutions that make 3D measurement and control for factory automation ...