The press release
archive.

Medicine14 Jun 2012

Youngest hip and thigh fracture patients heal just fine with single-leg casts

Challenging a longstanding practice of casting both legs in children with hip and thigh fractures, a new Johns Hopkins Children's Center study shows that such fractures heal just as well in single-leg casts, while giving children greater comfort and mobility. The findings of the study, which involved 52 Johns Hopkins patients ages 2 through 6, are published online June 13 in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. Casting both legs and hips has long been thought the only way to assure proper healing and pelvic immobilization in young children who wiggle around and are ...

Read the release

Technology14 Jun 2012

Auto Recyclers Stunned by Sale of Pinnacle Yard Management Software by Actual Systems to Only Competitor in Space

The owners of hundreds of auto salvage yards across the United States and partners in United Recyclers Group (URG) opened the business page a few days ago and nearly spit coffee all over their work pants. The source of their chagrin is the sale of Actual Systems, the sole owner of Pinnacle yard management software, to a company that already owns its only real competitor, Hollander. "Wow was all I could say when a friend e-mailed me news of the merger," said Ron Sturgeon, a 30-year veteran of the salvage industry who sold his yards to Ford in the 1990s and ...

Read the release

Science14 Jun 2012

Stanford researchers discover the African cichlid's noisy courtship ritual

African cichlids enjoy an alien, exotic courtship routine. A dominant male attracts choice females to his territory by dancing seductively. If the female is sufficiently impressed, she lays her eggs and immediately collects them in her mouth, where the male fertilizes them. And, in some species, every once in a while, a lower-ranking male will dart into the scene and try to fertilize a few eggs before the dominant male knows what's happened. At least that's what we thought was going on. But one day, while watching this nostalgic display in the lab, Stanford postdoctoral ...

Read the release

Medicine14 Jun 2012

Fruit flies reveal mechanism behind ALS-like disease

Studying how nerve cells send and receive messages, Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered new ways that genetic mutations can disrupt functions in neurons and lead to neurodegenerative disease, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In a report published April 26 in Neuron, the research team says it has discovered that a mutation responsible for a rare, hereditary motor neuron disease called hereditary motor neuropathy 7B (HMN7B) disrupts the link between molecular motors and the nerve cell tip where they reside. This mutation results in the production of ...

Read the release

Medicine14 Jun 2012

Researchers determine pathway for origin of most common form of brain and spinal cord tumor

Johns Hopkins researchers say they have discovered one of the most important cellular mechanisms driving the growth and progression of meningioma, the most common form of brain and spinal cord tumor. A report on the discovery, published in the journal Molecular Cancer Research, could lead the way to the discovery of better drugs to attack these crippling tumors, the scientists say. "We are one step closer to identifying genes that can be targeted for treatment," says study leader Gilson S. Baia, Ph.D., a faculty research associate in the Department of Neurosurgery at ...

Read the release

Science14 Jun 2012

National Dog Bite Prevention Week Highlights: Increased Payouts for Dog Bite Claims

In conjunction with National Dog Bite Prevention week, May 19-25, 2012, the Insurance Information Institute (III) released their most recent statistics on dog bite insurance claims. The 2011 data show that dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all paid homeowners' insurance liability claims. These claims totaled over $478 million dollars, a number that underscores the increasing costs of medical care for dog bite victims. According to III statistics, the average cost for a dog bite claim increased by 53.4% in recent years, with a 12.3% increase from 2010 ($26,166) ...

Read the release

Energy14 Jun 2012

'No-sleep energy bugs' drain smartphone batteries

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Researchers have proposed a method to automatically detect a new class of software glitches in smartphones called "no-sleep energy bugs," which can entirely drain batteries while the phones are not in use. "These energy bugs are a silent battery killer," said Y. Charlie Hu, a Purdue University professor of electrical and computer engineering. "A fully charged phone battery can be drained in as little as five hours." Because conserving battery power is critical for smartphones, the industry has adopted "an aggressive sleep policy," he said. "What ...

Read the release

Space14 Jun 2012

NASA's TRMM views forming tropical cyclone

System 94E and System 95E are low pressure areas located off the western coast of Mexico that are being watched by forecasters and by satellites. Each of them has the potential for development into a tropical cyclone, although System 95E has a greater chance. That low was recently spotted by NASA's TRMM satellite, which provided rainfall and cloud height data to forecasters. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that another tropical cyclone is probably forming from System 94E, located south of Guatemala and El Salvador. The TRMM satellite flew over on June 13, ...

Read the release

Science14 Jun 2012

LondonTown.com Supports PrideLondon 2012 with Discounted Hotel Rates Across the Capital

PrideLondon returns in a bigger and better form in 2012 as a two-week long festival takes over central London. WorldPride Festival runs from 23 June through to 8 July with the PrideLondon Parade taking place on 7 July. More than one million visitors are expected to enjoy the festivities in Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Soho, which are open to everyone, gay or straight, male or female. The parade itself is getting extended to make way for even more floats, costume groups and walking bands that will be more colourful, entertaining and lively than ever before. ...

Read the release

Medicine14 Jun 2012

Berkeley Lab scientists help define the healthy human microbiome

You're outnumbered. There are ten times as many microbial cells in you as there are your own cells. The human microbiome—as scientists call the communities of microorganisms that inhabit your skin, mouth, gut, and other parts of your body by the trillions—plays a fundamental role in keeping you healthy. These communities are also thought to cause disease when they're perturbed. But our microbiome's exact function, good and bad, is poorly understood. That could change. A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-organized consortium that includes scientists from the U.S. Department ...

Read the release

Science14 Jun 2012

OrangeHRM Launches OrangeAM - A Global Leave Management System

OrangeHRM Inc. a global leader in HRIS development for small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide, launched OrangeAM (Absence Management System) with improved and sophisticated leave management features. The success of the leave module led to the creation of this standalone service, OrangeAM. OrangeAM facilitates defining leave types, work weeks, company holidays, leave accruals, rules and policies that can be applied for all subsidiaries across the globe with rules specific to each country. "Absent management is a critical part of managing your human capital, ...

Read the release

Science14 Jun 2012

Marital problems in childhood affect teen adjustment

Marital discord is a significant social problem for children, sometimes leading to problems in health and well-being. A new longitudinal study finds that the impact of marital problems on children in their kindergarten years is long lasting and can lead to emotional problems that contribute to difficulties in adolescence. The study, by researchers at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Rochester, appears in the journal Child Development. "The results further highlight the possibility that there will be persistent negative effects of children's early experiences ...

Read the release

Science14 Jun 2012

Hollywood Meets China

A groundbreaking and historic opportunity is about to occur for members of the Hollywood community who will be granted access to China's state run film, television and radio industry. Black Card Circle's "Executive Leadership Exchange" in Shanghai is an intensive program in partnership with the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong (CELAP) and is coordinating a 5-day itinerary focused on the Chinese film and entertainment industry, taking place June 25th - 29th, 2012 in Shanghai. Relationships built at this exclusive event may open doors to many present ...

Read the release

Medicine14 Jun 2012

Childhood obesity found linked to math performance

Obesity among children has increased dramatically over the past 40 years and has been tied to many health problems. Now a new study has found that children's weight is associated with their math performance. The longitudinal study, published in the journal Child Development, was carried out by researchers at the University of Missouri, Columbia, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Vermont. "The findings illustrate the complexity of relations among children's weight status, social and emotional well-being, academics, and time." according ...

Read the release

Science14 Jun 2012

Child care subsidies boost quality of care for some but not all

The federally funded child care subsidy program is among the government's biggest investments in the early care and education of low-income children. A new study has found that subsidies have the potential to enhance the quality of child care low-income children receive, but parents who use the subsidies aren't necessarily accessing the highest quality of care available to them. The study, conducted at Georgetown University and Columbia University, appears in the journal Child Development. "Among all children who were eligible for child care subsidies, those who used ...

Read the release

Engineering14 Jun 2012

Civil War History Comes Alive as Morgan's Raid Again Rages Through Indiana

The blast of cannons and the piercing ring of reveille will punctuate the Midwest countryside this July, as dozens of soldiers reenact the famous Civil War Battle of Corydon, which originally took place July 9, 1863. The dramatic reenactment is slated for July 7-8, 2012. Events, such as reveille and an encampment are held at Hayswood Nature Reserve, just a short distance from the historic battlefield. For more information on Corydon and the Battle of Corydon visit www.thisisindiana.org. The original Battle of Corydon was sparked when 450 members of the Harrison County ...

Read the release

Medicine14 Jun 2012

Regenerated cells may restore vision after corneal dysfunction

Philadelphia, PA, June 14, 2012 – Regenerative medicine, or the use of specially grown tissues and cells to treat injuries and diseases, has been successful in treating disorders of a number of organs, including heart, pancreas, and cartilage. However, efforts to treat disorders of the corneal endothelium, a single cell layer on the inner surface of the cornea, with regenerative techniques have been less effective. Now, a group of scientists has developed a method that enhances the adhesion of injected corneal endothelial cells (CECs), allowing for successful corneal ...

Read the release

Science14 Jun 2012

The Total Family Dental Group Welcomes Torrance Dentist Dr. Remy Rogers Back to its Torrance Dental Practice

The Total Family Dental Group is delighted to welcome Dr. Remy Rogers back to its Torrance dental office, following her recent maternity leave, and congratulates her on the birth of a healthy baby girl. Torrance dentist Dr. Rogers is a general and cosmetic dentist who enjoys treating both adults and children. For her younger patients (up to 18 months of age) and their parents, she offers baby dental wellness checks. During this time she checks the infant's oral health, while educating parents on all aspects of their child's oral health care and any other topics relevant ...

Read the release

Medicine14 Jun 2012

Childhood virus infection linked to prolonged seizures with fever

New research shows that human herpesviruses (HHV)-6B and HHV-7, commonly know as roseola virus), account for one third of febrile status epilepticus (FSE) cases. Results of the FEBSTAT prospective study now available in Epilepsia, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), suggest that HHV-6B may be involved in the development of epilepsy and further research is urgently needed. FEBSTAT is a multi-center study of the consequences of FSE, designed to identify the factors that increase the risk of injury to the ...

Read the release

Science14 Jun 2012

Cougars are re-populating their historical range, new study confirms

American mountain lions, or cougars, are re-emerging in areas of the United States, reversing 100 years of decline. The evidence, published in The Journal of Wildlife Management, raises new conservation questions, such as how humans can live alongside the returning predators. "The cougar population declined dramatically from 1900, due to both hunting, and a lack of prey, leaving the remaining population isolated to the American west," said Michelle LaRue from the University of Minnesota. "Here we present the hard evidence that the western population has spread, with cougar ...

Read the release

Social Science14 Jun 2012

Interactive iBooks: the Next Generation of Learning and Training

This series of 9 interactive iBooks are great tools to suppport the blended and digital learning methods that schools are adopting. The interactive iBooks are available for the iPad and contain interactive elements, tutorials, educational resources, web 2.0 tools, lesson suggestions and tips for integrating blended learning into any learning management system or educational portal. Author: Ryan Macdonald is a trainer, online course developer and ePublisher. www.mmcid.com iBook Titles: 1. Itslearning Teacher Training 2. Blended Learning: Tricks and Tips ...

Read the release

Medicine14 Jun 2012

Childhood obesity linked to math performance, MU researcher says

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Childhood obesity has increased dramatically throughout the past 40 years and has been tied to many health problems. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has found that children's weight is associated with their math performance. "The findings illustrate the complex relationships among children's weight, social and emotional well-being, academics and time," said Sara Gable, associate professor in the MU Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, who led the study. Gable looked at more than 6,250 children from the Early Childhood Longitudinal ...

Read the release

Medicine14 Jun 2012

Elemental and magnetic imaging using X-rays and a microscope

A team of researchers has developed a new microscope that can image the elemental and magnetic properties of a wide range of energy-important materials that are used in devices such as solar cells and solid-state lighting. The imager is based on a technique known as X-ray excited luminescence microscopy (XELM). It was created by hitching a standard optical microscope to a synchrotron X-ray source. Synchrotrons produce X-rays and other forms of electromagnetic radiation by sending electrons on a curved path at nearly the speed of light. When the X-rays strike the material ...

Read the release

Environment14 Jun 2012

Flood Wood Care to Provide One Lucky Homeowner with a Deck Staining and a Backyard Party

With Flood wood care, staining a deck is always easy, but for one lucky homeowner there's only one step: enjoy! Flood wood care, a leading brand of specialty wood stains, is giving away the product and labor for a deck staining, as well as a backyard party. The giveaway is part of the Take-It-Easy Sweepstakes, and homeowners can enter online through July 15 at www.Flood.com. "The Take-It-Easy Sweepstakes emphasizes our commitment to helping homeowners enhance and enjoy their outdoor space," said Nathalie Lambert, brand manager for AkzoNobel's portfolio ...

Read the release

Technology14 Jun 2012

Relocating LEDs from silicon to copper enhances efficiency

Chinese researchers have succeeded in transferring gallium nitride (GaN) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) grown on a layer of silicon to a layer of copper. The new copper substrate enabled the GaN crystals to release some of the internal stresses generated when they originally formed. This relaxation helped minimize the so-called "quantum confined stark effect," a vexing problem for LEDs that reduces their efficiency. In comparison with LEDs on silicon substrates, the light output of LEDs on copper was enhanced by 122 percent. The relocation of the LEDs produced no obvious ...

Read the release