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. ...

Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation (OEDC) has partnered with Golden Shovel Agency and its online Web solution, Economic Gateway, to embrace and promote economic development in the Ottumwa/Wapello County area of Iowa. The new site can be viewed at http://www.ottumwadevelopment.org The OEDC was formed in 1963 and has worked closely with the city, county and state leaders to make Ottumwa more attractive to businesses for 49 years. A nonprofit corporation that supports and promotes responsible economic development, OEDC's board and staff are comprised of a diverse ...

Zen Rabbit, a customer loyalty gifting company, announces the creation of a gratitude program to help real estate agents say thank you to their clients. Zen Rabbit specializes in helping business professionals build strong relationships with clients, thereby increasing customer retention and referral business. The company now offers a system for busy real estate agents to consistently say thank you to customers and provides done-for-you implementation. Many successful residential real estate professionals representing Re/Max, Keller Williams, Long & Foster, ...

JK Design, a leading creative services agency with locations in New York and New Jersey, has hired Justin Bilik as director of business development for its Manhattan office. Justin brings over a decade of experience to his new role at the agency, where he is focused on cultivating long-term business relationships with potential clients throughout the New York City area. He has a history of sales and marketing excellence across a wide range of industries, including education, health information technology, and cloud-based technology services. Justin has built a solid ...

H. Ross Ford, president and CEO of TCN Worldwide, is proud to announce View The Space as one of this year's strategic partners and a sponsor of the TCN Worldwide 2012 Fall Conference to be held in Las Vegas this October. Headquartered in New York City, with satellite offices in San Francisco and Newport Beach, View The Space is recognized as a preeminent provider of Internet-based property tours and overall leasing software. "We wanted to create a platform that delivered you results, not just a listing; a place where real estate professionals can go to make decisions, ...

Long Island Snow Removal Company, Longo's Landscaping announces that they will be plowing and removing snow for clients in the upcoming 2012 season. As the beauty of summer fades, replaced with the crisp and cool fall months, we all know that winter hides gently behind falls breeze. With it will come a typical Long Island winter? Snow, heavy winds and a deep freeze. However, Longo's of Long Island, the Long Island Landscapers now a popular Long Island Company, will not be hibernating. Rather, they will turn to those aspects of their business that allow them to operate ...

Unique Gifts and Decor, an online retailer of unique gifts and home decor products, released its second annual list of some famous people who have not purchased anything from it. This year's list contains everyone from last year's list (who obviously did not get the hint) as well as several new clueless people. As with last year, the list includes politicians, scholars, entertainers, sports figures, business luminaries and people who are famous for no discernible reason A spokesman for the company stated: "We have commissioned a study to find out why famous ...