By deciphering the makeup of a bacterium found in the soil of a tropical rain forest, scientists may have a better understanding of how to more efficiently produce biofuels. The production of liquid fuels derived from plant biomass offers a promising technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. While sugars stored within the plant cell wall, known as lignocellulose, are plentiful enough to supply most energy needs on the planet, their extraction is difficult and requires chemical pretreatment followed by enzymatic digestion using ...

In the search for technology by which economically competitive biofuels can be produced from cellulosic biomass, the combination of sugar-fermenting microbes and ionic liquid solvents looks to be a winner save for one major problem: the ionic liquids used to make cellulosic biomass more digestible for microbes can also be toxic to them. A solution to this conundrum, however, may be in the offing. Researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), a multi-institutional partnership led by Berkeley Lab, have identified a tropical rainforest ...

There are many theories about why religion exists, most of them unproven. Now, in an article published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, psychologist Kevin Rounding of Queen's University, Ontario, offers a new idea, and some preliminary evidence to back it up. The primary purpose of religious belief is to enhance the basic cognitive process of self-control, says Rounding, which in turn promotes any number of valuable social behaviors. He ran four experiments in which he primed volunteers to think about religious matters. Those ...

MAYWOOD, Il. -- Following a stroke, factors as varied as blood sugar, body temperature and position in bed can affect patient outcomes, Loyola University Medical Center researchers report. In a review article in the journal MedLink Neurology, first author Murray Flaster, MD, PhD and colleagues summarize the latest research on caring for ischemic stroke patients. (Most strokes are ischemic, meaning they are caused by blood clots.) "The period immediately following an acute ischemic stroke is a time of significant risk," the Loyola neurologists write. "Meticulous attention ...

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is an effective, noninvasive method for monitoring patients who undergo endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms, according to a new study published in the journal Radiology. "Our findings support the addition of contrast-enhanced ultrasound as a complementary tool in the follow-up of these patients," said Rosa Gilabert, M.D., Ph.D., from the Hospital Clinic at the University of Barcelona in Spain. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis and legs ...

TeamSupport.com (http://www.TeamSupport.com) - the popular provider of web-based customer support and help desk software solutions - today announced the company has been recognized with a 2012 CRM Excellence Award by Customer Interaction Solutions. The magazine, published by integrated media company TMC, has been the premier journal for CRM, contact center and tele-services since 1982. TeamSupport, used by customer support and help desks worldwide, is easily configured and customized; the application is offered in several reasonably priced, upgradeable versions. TeamSupport ...

OAK BROOK, Ill. – A large, multicenter study found that the Breast Imaging and Reporting Data Systems (BI-RADS) terminology used by radiologists to classify breast imaging results is useful in predicting malignancy in breast lesions detected with MRI. Results of the study are published online in the journal Radiology. "BI-RADS was developed to standardize the lexicon of breast imaging reports and to help ensure patients receive proper follow-up," said Mary C. Mahoney, M.D, director of breast imaging at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Ohio. "The BI-RADS ...

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center have identified a new biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer, an often-fatal disease for which there is currently no reliable method for early detection or therapeutic intervention. The paper will be published May 15 in Cancer Research. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, or PDAC, is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death. Newly diagnosed patients have a median survival of less than one year, and a 5-year survival rate of only 3 to 5 percent. Therefore, ...

Money does strange things to people. Every day, many Florida citizens spend a few of their hard-earned dollars on lottery tickets hoping to win big. When jackpots rise, even more people play - sometimes chipping in with friends or co-workers with the hope of increasing the odds of winning. Lottery playing readers will be interested to hear that not long ago, a New Jersey jury gave $20 million to a group of co-workers who were part of a lottery pool gone sour when one member tried to hide the winning ticket. The case brought with it a significant result. No members ...

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Researchers found that administering a common chemotherapy drug before bone tumors took root actually fertilized the bone marrow, enabling cancer cells, once introduced, to seed and grow more easily. The findings provide valuable insight as to why some cancers metastasize to bone, and could eventually result in new metastasis-prevention drugs, said Laurie McCauley, professor in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and principal investigator on the study. The really good news is that researchers ...

Many people think medical malpractice consists mainly of sensational cases, like accidentally leaving medical instruments inside a surgery patient. The reality is that medical malpractice often takes a more mundane but equally dangerous form: illegible handwriting on drug prescriptions. For example, pharmacists often misread doctor's handwritten prescriptions and give patients the wrong dosage -- or even the wrong medication -- for their medical problems. A study of Canadian hospitals found that drug-related errors accounted for about a quarter of all preventable patient ...

AUGUSTA, Ga. – A DNA-covered submicroscopic bead used to deliver genes or drugs directly into cells to treat disease appears to have therapeutic value just by showing up, researchers report. Within a few hours of injecting empty-handed DNA nanoparticles, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers were surprised to see increased expression of an enzyme that calms the immune response. In an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis, the enhanced expression of indoleomine 2,3 dioxygenase, or IDO, significantly reduced the hallmark limb joint swelling and inflammation of ...

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites N-Atlanta Perimeter Mall Hotel offers convenient lodging to racers attending 5K events in metro Atlanta's Brookhaven, Buckhead, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs communities. Upcoming races include: - 2012 Brookhaven Bolt 5K, May 19 - The MAMA Bear 5K race and kids 1mile fun run (Buckhead), May 26 - Run Zulu 5K (Dunwoody), June 16 - Dash4Dad 5K run and 1 mile walk (Sandy Spring), June 16 "Home to many annual races, 5Ks and other runs are popular athletic events in Atlanta," explains Pamela Haney, the Perimeter hotel's ...

Evolis renews its range of desktop printers thanks to Primacy, a new card printer that is easy to operate, yet very flexible and extremely rapid. This ID card printer benefits from the latest encoding technologies and stands as the perfect choice to deliver sophisticated cards on-site. Primacy supports any requirement in card printing and encoding, in medium to large runs. It provides the flexibility to meet any customer requirements: ID cards, loyalty cards, health cards, transportation passes, payment cards... The most flexible and powerful ID card printer Primacy ...

Six finalists are nearing their destination - and their destiny - as they "Cruze to Vegas" for Billboard.com and Chevrolet's Battle of the Bands competition. They've started their road trip, and are closer to winning the gig of a lifetime: a live performance at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, televised on ABC, 8 p.m. ET, on Sunday, May 20. Each of the six bands has received keys to an all-new, 2012 Chevrolet Cruze for their road trips, which take them from their home base to Las Vegas. Cruze is Chevrolet's top-selling passenger car around the world, and has ...

Sleep easy this season in stylish nightwear from Next. From slippers to matching sets in spots, stripes, pastels and prints making up the on-trend collection, shop children's, men's and women's nightwear which can all be delivered the next day if ordered online before 9pm.* Ladies can mix it up with gorgeous coordinating sleepsets such as polka dot pyjamas with a choice of coloured tops and matching slippers. With the Jubilee celebrations just around the corner, fashion favourites include the tea party inspired 100% cotton pjs as well as the London bus print vest and ...

GbBIS, an industry leader in geography-based business information solutions, introduces GeoSpatializer.com, a web-based geocoding service for accurate and complete location information. Propriety methodology developed over 25 years delivers rooftop accuracy and advanced data attribution. GbBIS developed GeoSpatializer.com to address the broadest spectrum of user requirements. In addition to rooftop placement, location information includes political, census and postal geography, as well as census and neighborhood demographics. Custom geocoding solutions are available ...

Online Casino AU has published the results of the Australian Gambling Survey conducted by the University of Sydney and Southern Cross University which reveals fascinating statistics about the online gambling in Australia. The results of the online survey (which was available to everyone over the age of 18 who has wagered money online in Australia) include information on demographics, behaviour and technology. Head of http://www.onlinecasino-au.com, Richard Smith commented; "We feel it's important to publish research on the relatively new phenomenon that is online ...

True to its extraordinary reputation for innovation and creativity, Fatboy(R) USA, a leading trendsetter in lifestyle products, announced today the launch of the first introduction to their new dynamic lighting collection, Fatboy(R) Edison the Petit. Fatboy(R) Edison the Petit is made from a sleek lightweight Polyethylene material. The LED provides hours of illumination with three different lighting options. Staying true to their brand personality, from the name to the design, Fatboy(R) adds a playful twist by making the signature Fatboy red label the piece that they ...

McCusker and Company, a leading worldwide provider of extended warranty services for the consumer electronics industry, continues to power ahead its market share protecting smart phones and tablet devices with a new agreement with eSurranty. "eSurranty enables us to protect more consumers with smart phones and tablets against accidental loss, damage or system related problems," said McCusker and Company Chief Executive Officer Will L. McCusker. "They even make this important coverage much more affordable than the big telecommunications providers." eSurranty ...

After the launch of their recent TV Ad, PawnUp.com has made a decision to increase their customer service team to serve the needs of their customers quicker and more efficiently. Their short video is not only educating people about the revolutionary way of selling their valuables online or getting a collateralized loan for them, but it also improves the image of a "pawn shop" in general. It's only recently that a wider audience has started to get a better perception of the pawn industry. This is mainly due to certain reality shows that are popularizing pawn ...

Capital Processing Network today unveiled a new website designed for taxpayer identification (TIN) number validation for merchants who process credit cards. Starting January 1, 2013, new IRS regulations require TIN matching and validation, but many small businesses may not be in compliance with these rules. In creating a new website, Capital Processing Network is offering a no-cost resource that helps merchants understand the ins and outs of this requirement. The website is located at TinValidation.com, and gives insight into the many nuances of IRS Section 6050W. "Quite ...

Steel – the traditional industry for which the UK city of Sheffield is so well known – could help provide a green alternative for heating the city's homes and businesses, alongside other renewable energy sources. Experts from the University of Sheffield's Faculty of Engineering believe that the many steel plants located just outside the city centre could be connected to Sheffield's existing district heating network to provide an extra 20 MW of thermal energy, enough to heat around 2,000 homes. "It actually costs the steel plants to reduce the temperature of the flue ...

Dr Julian Hiscox and Dr John Barr of the University's Faculty of Biological Sciences are working with the Health Protection Agency Porton (HPA) to build a bank of molecular signatures that will help identify the severity of virus infection from characteristic changes seen in cells. Currently the team is barcoding different strains of influenza virus and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) - a virus associated with the onset of asthma in young children. "Diseases such as flu infect and hijack our cells, turning them into virus producing factories," says Dr Hiscox. ...

STANFORD, Calif. — Using tiny solar-panel-like cells surgically placed underneath the retina, scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have devised a system that may someday restore sight to people who have lost vision because of certain types of degenerative eye diseases. This device — a new type of retinal prosthesis — involves a specially designed pair of goggles, which are equipped with a miniature camera and a pocket PC that is designed to process the visual data stream. The resulting images would be displayed on a liquid crystal microdisplay embedded ...