BOSTON -- June 4, 2012 -- Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have shown that while a type of "good" fat found in the body can be activated by cold temperatures, it is not able to be activated by the drug ephedrine. The finding, published in today's issue of PNAS USA Early Edition, may lead to drugs or other methods aimed at activating the good fat, known as brown fat. When activated, brown fat burns calories and can help in the battle against obesity. "We propose that agents that work similarly to cold in activating brown fat specifically can provide promising approaches ...

Analyzing medical records from thousands of patients, statisticians have devised a statistical model for predicting what other medical problems a patient might encounter. Like how Netflix recommends movies and TV shows or how Amazon.com suggests products to buy, the algorithm makes predictions based on what a patient has already experienced as well as the experiences of other patients showing a similar medical history. "This provides physicians with insights on what might be coming next for a patient, based on experiences of other patients. It also gives a predication ...

PASADENA, Calif.—A nuzzle of the neck, a stroke of the wrist, a brush of the knee—these caresses often signal a loving touch, but can also feel highly aversive, depending on who is delivering the touch, and to whom. Interested in how the brain makes connections between touch and emotion, neuroscientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have discovered that the association begins in the brain's primary somatosensory cortex, a region that, until now, was thought only to respond to basic touch, not to its emotional quality. The new finding is described ...

A three-drug treatment for the blood cancer multiple myeloma provided rapid, deep and potentially durable responses, researchers report today online in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology, and yesterday, Sunday, June 3, 2012, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, USA. The researchers, led by Andrzej J. Jakubowiak, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and director of the multiple myeloma program at the University of Chicago Medical Center, found that combining carfilzomib, a next generation proteasome inhibitor, ...

VIDEO: As a retrovirus matures, the two parts of its shell protein (red and blue or yellow and blue) dramatically rearrange themselves, twisting and moving away from each other. Click here for more information. Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, have for the first time uncovered the detailed structure of the shell that surrounds the genetic material of retroviruses, such as HIV, at a crucial and potentially vulnerable stage ...

VIDEO: A fruit fly embryo from when it was about two-and-a-half hours old until it walked away from the microscope as a larva, filmed by a new microscope developed at EMBL.... Click here for more information. "This video shows a fruit fly embryo from when it was about two-and-a-half hours old until it walked away from the microscope as a larva, 20 hours later," says Lars Hufnagel, from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany. "It shows all ...

Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, have conducted the first comprehensive census of human cells' export workers. In a study published online today in Nature Cell Biology, they found an unexpected variety of genes involved in transporting molecules to the cell membrane and beyond. Using a combination of genetics and sophisticated microscopy, Rainer Pepperkok and colleagues systematically silenced each of our 22 000 genes, and observed to what extent this affected the cell's ability to transport a protein. They found that ...

Among the founding fathers of the biotechnology industry, Roberto Crea, PhD., founder and CEO of CreAgri Inc., is internationally acknowledged for the role he played in the successful establishment and growth of Genentech, Inc.--as one of the first four scientific founders of the legendary biotech company—and for his pioneering role in the production of many rDNA protein drugs from bacteria. Among other innovations, Dr. Crea is the inventor of the synthetic DNA process that led to the discovery of the first recombinant human insulin, Humulin , and many other pharmaceutical ...

Researchers at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Barcelona (UB) have developed a multitarget molecule, ASS234, which according to the results of in vitro studies conducted, inhibits the aggregation of the ß-amyloid protein, involved in Alzheimer's disease. At the same time, ASS234 stimulates the cholinergic and monoaminergic transmission, key factors involved in the cognitive function. In addition, ASS234 is able to cross the blood–brain barrier with an elevated multipotent profile designed on basis ...

A new facade rendering has already been drafted and in addition to a new beautiful exterior, the landlord is welcoming and friendly. Jack Intrator, Retail & Restaurant Leasing Specialist, explains, "You have all the necessary components to bring in a new and fresh tenant mix to a center that was dated at best." A crucial ingredient to a new tenant mix is a landlord that is committed to creating an asset for the future, not just looking at the bottom line of that specific day. This means you have a landlord that is prepared to invest in his tenancy, providing ...

This press release is available in Spanish. VIDEO: Research at Carlos III University in Madrid is developing an algorithm, based on ants’ behavior when they are searching for food, which accelerates the search for relationships among elements that... Click here for more information. One of the main technical questions in the field of social networks, whose use is becoming more and ...

Nationally acclaimed cookbook author and food editor Susan Wyler, MPH, RD, LDN, has recently opened Triangle Nutritional Wellness as a complementary practice at Chapel Hill Doctors Integrative Health Center. A registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Wyler will work with the center to provide traditional and integrative medical nutrition therapy and dietary support to patients in the Triangle area. As one of its first unique services, she is working with the center to provide a Spring Wellness Package to help people ...

In celebration of the 2012 MTV Movie Awards sustainable film and television producer Debbie Durkin hosted the "Rockn Rolla" MTV Movie Awards Eco Lounge presented by Gibson Guitar to benefit Music Saves Lives . The interactive daytime event pampered guests with eco-luxury lifestyle brands and services at the breathtaking historic Pickford Mansion where the Oscar-winning Best Picture "The Artist" was filmed. Presenting sponsor Gibson Guitar featured live acoustic performances while promoting blood drives for the American Red Cross and Music Saves Lives. ...

It's raining cats and dogs and even the short run out to the car leaves your vision obscured by rain on your spectacles. There might soon be no need to reach for a cloth to wipe them off. If the surface of the lens resembled that of a lotus leaf, the drops would all fall off by themselves. The practicality of such self-cleaning surfaces is not limited to eyewear. Corrosion coatings would put up a better fight against rust without the tiny puddles of water that tend to collect on top of them. But exactly what characterizes surfaces that do the best job of cleaning themselves? ...

"On My Behalf" details the misadventures of a naïve Vietnamese girl pursuing her dream of becoming a successful writer. As she navigates through early adulthood, she finds that balancing between staying true to her dreams and settling for an unremarkable life challenges every fiber of her being. Helen Doan is a Vietnamese-American writer born in Kien Giang, Vietnam. She arrived in San Jose, California in 1986 where she grew up. Doan self-published a book of poetry in 2002 and has been writing feature-length screenplays for ten years, while keeping a journal ...

Simply-Bookkeeping Inc, a professional audit ready bookkeeping, financial management and tax firm based in Houston, TX proudly announces its immediate availability to entertainment artists, musicians, film and stage performers, and other industry professionals to assist them with their audit ready bookkeeping and business management needs. "The Entertainment businesses face unique bookkeeping challenges that many mainstream bookkeeping and financial management firms are unable or unwilling to meet. "At Simply-Bookkeeping we constantly strive to evolve our services ...

It is not very fun to ride a bicycle on a street plastered with cobblestones. At least the bike has a saddle seat filled with silicone. That lessens the shocks and bumps, and counteracts some of the annoying vibrations. In a professional's eyes, the material in the saddle is an "elastomer" – a material that is yielding and malleable, like a rubber band. Engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF in Darmstadt are now working on the next generation: They are designing components made of elastomers that actively respond to unwanted ...

Reno, Nevada attorney Lee T. Hotchkin has launched a new Website for his practice at 100 West Liberty Street, Suite 820 in Reno, Nevada. The Website, HotchkinLaw.com provides consumers with information about Mr. Hotchkin's experience as a trial lawyer with an emphasis as a Reno personal injury lawyer, Nevada criminal defense lawyer, Truckee family lawyer and Carson city civil law attorney. With up to date news and company information, the new web site acts as an invaluable tool for Nevada and California residents interested in finding a lawyer to match their needs. As ...

CHICAGO, June 4, 2012 – New data reveals that women treated with radiation to the chest for childhood cancer have a high risk of developing breast cancer similar to that of women with BRCA1/2 mutations. The study, led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center biostatistician Chaya Moskowitz, PhD, was presented today at the 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. "Previous studies have shown that women treated with radiation to the chest for childhood cancer have an increased risk for breast cancer, but ours is the first to demonstrate that their ...

Cells do more than just sit there, one next to the other – they constantly exchange information. It has been shown recently that they communicate via complex messages, wrapped in a small vesicle, and as if it was a letter in an envelope. These vesicles are called exosomes. Exosomes: small communication channels with a possible role in cancer Pre-clinical studies indicate that exosomes might contribute to tumor development, influencing tumor angiogenesis, immune escape and metastasis. As a result one is developing therapeutic anti-tumor strategies, targeting the formation ...

Dr. Peter Bray, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon is using a NEW technology to re-contour, sculpt and shape the backside, and augment the butt; BodyTite, is a Radio-Frequency Assisted Liposuction (RFAL) that's revolutionizing body contouring offering up to eight times the skin and connective tissue tightening of traditional liposuction. AS we age or lose a lot of weight our skin loses it's elasticity. For patients with skin laxity and/or stretch marks along with fat deposits using BodyTite will firm their body and decrease the risk of post-liposuction skin laxity. Compared ...

The yeast Dekkera bruxellensis plays an important role in the production of wine, as it can have either a positive or a negative impact on the taste. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden, among others, have analyzed the yeast's genome sequenced by the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, giving wine producers the possibility to take control of the flavour development of the wine. Yeasts are an important ingredient in the production of various types of food, for example wine, and they make a major contribution to the taste. One of these yeasts is Dekkera ...

Puchstein Promotions, long known as one of the premier antique show promoters in the country, is expanding its list of highly successful South Florida shows with the introduction of two new shows - the Vero Beach Antiques and Vintage Show! Don't miss either of these 2 exciting and innovative shows, August 17,18,19 and October 26,27,28 at the Indian River County Fairgrounds. The extremely popular Vero Beach Winter Antiques Extravaganza has consistently drawn huge crowds of avid antique shoppers and attracts high quality dealers from across the US and Canada. Now, Kay ...

Cleveland, June 4, 2012 – A Cleveland Clinic study has detected significant changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) brain activity patterns of patients receiving chemotherapy. The study may give scientific evidence of a condition commonly referred to as "chemobrain" – the fogginess that many patients experience while on chemotherapy. Patients with chemobrain often report short-term memory problems and difficulty concentrating. "The EEG study demonstrated a higher amplitude, or more brain activity in women, during chemotherapy that particularly went up after doing ...

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a technique to efficiently divide the bandwidth of the wireless spectrum in multi-hop wireless networks to improve operation and provide all users in the network with the best possible performance. "Our objective is to maximize throughput while ensuring that all users get similar 'quality of experience' from the wireless system, meaning that users get similar levels of satisfaction from the performance they experience from whatever applications they're running," says Parth Pathak, a Ph.D. student in computer ...