A team of scientists has produced an innovative new study of the environmental impact of major urban ecosystems, published in the April issue of the journal Ecological Applications. The team includes Joseph P. McFadden and Jennifer Y. King, both of UC Santa Barbara's Department of Geography. They analyzed environmental data gleaned from the "Twin Cities Household Ecosystem Project," a study of 3,100 households in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., and surrounding areas. The article is the first major paper to come out of the project. The data analysis yielded ...

Molton Brown has announced the launch of two new products to its bath, body and fragrance collection. The two products, Vitalising vitamin AB+C body hydrating gel and Vitalising vitamin AB+C eau fraiche are a welcome addition to the brands original AB+C bath foam and shower gel. Vitalising vitamin AB+C is a highly successful bath and shower product for Molton Brown. To further capitalise on its much loved fragrance and engage the existing dedicated AB+C ambassadors, Molton Brown has chosen to complete the product family, which is anticipated to become a unisex favourite. ...

Debenhams, the department store, has revealed that women are choosing flesh-coloured lingerie over extravagant sets when it comes to updating their lingerie wardrobe this spring with sales of nude shape wear up 99% in the past four weeks according to Debenhams research.   Debenhams has seen a consistent rise in sales of flesh coloured lingerie available to match any skin tone, from fair to dark, since the onset of spring.   Detailed, patterned lingerie is being saved for special occasions such as Valentine's Day and Christmas, as women are opting to buy nude everyday ...

LOS ANGELES (April 28, 2011) – Scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have discovered how a molecular receptor on the surface of white blood cells identifies when invading fungi have established direct contact with the cell surface and pose an infectious threat. The receptor called Dectin-1, studied in the laboratory of David Underhill, PhD, an associate professor in Cedars-Sinai's Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute, detects fungi and instructs white blood cells whether to expend the energy needed to devour the invading pathogens. The findings ...

JUPITER, FL, April 28, 2011 – Working with a group of national and international researchers, scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have developed a new genetic model of premature aging disorders that could shed light on these rare conditions in humans and provide a novel platform for large-scale screening of compounds to combat these and other age-related diseases. In the new study, which was published this month in the open-access publication PLoS ONE, the scientists found a way to use zebrafish (Danio rerio) to model two rare human genetic ...

3D models, produced by combining a patient's CT scans and 3D printing technology are proving useful in neurosurgical planning. 3D printing technology is a fast and affordable way to build 3D models for neurosurgical planning. Radiologists are able to transform ultra high-resolution CT patient images into 3D solid models using a 3D color printer commonly used in architecture, engineering and construction. An advantage of 3-D models is that they identify defects that 2-D images do not, which helps radiologists view a clearer impression of the image. With increasing ...

Prudential has announced that two in five people are planning their retirement for 2011, even though many have received no advice or have relied solely on non-professional advice. Two in every five people planning to retire in 2011 will do so having relied on non-professional advice as their main financial information source in the run up to retirement. Prudential's Class of 2011 research studied the financial plans of this year's retirees and found that 43 per cent have received no professional advice or relied on the internet or the media for most of their pension ...

[EMBARGOED FOR APRIL 29, 2011] The U.S. measles vaccination program has been successful in eliminating endemic measles in the United States; yet this success has provided challenges that require ongoing vigilance for the rapid identification and response to measles cases in health care settings. In 2008, the largest reported health care-associated measles outbreak in the United States since 1989 occurred in Tucson, Arizona, costing approximately $800,000 in response and containment efforts. In a report published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases and available online, ...

Proton radiography imaging used prior to and during proton treatments for pediatric cancer patients provides for more accurate treatment delivery and a lower dose of radiation compared to standard diagnostic X-rays and cone beam CT, according to a study presented today at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. The symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The amount of radiation a pediatric cancer patient receives is a top concern for physicians, as children's ...

Injecting a tissue spacer in the prostate-rectal inter-space is an effective way to reduce the rectal dose for prostate cancer patients receiving radiation therapy, according to research presented April 30, 2011, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. This symposium is sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Even though prostate cancer is cured in over 90 percent of patients, reducing side effects from treatment complications remains a top concern. Damaging the rectum ...

Topman is proud to announce it is producing four exclusive designs of sunglasses to help raise much needed funds and increase awareness for the Teenage Caner Trust and the charity's Rock Your Shades day on Friday 6th May. Simon Davies, CEO at Teenage Cancer Trust said: "At Teenage Cancer Trust we are thrilled to be working with Topman to raise awareness and vital funds for young people with cancer. Topman have come on board as supporters for the next three years, the difference they can make will be huge." Each style has been designed with the input of ...

A pelvic MRI scan with IV contrast and rectal balloon is highly effective in identifying local recurrence even at low PSA values in prostate cancer patients with a rising or persistently elevated PSA after prostatectomy, according to a study presented April 29, 2011, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. The symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston evaluated 389 postprostatectomy patients treated between ...

An annual mammogram is sufficient follow-up after breast conserving therapy (BCT) for breast cancer patients, according to a study presented today, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. This symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). In this study, researchers wanted to determine the clinical relevance and utility of an interval mammogram (IM) after BCT. BCT is when a patient is treated with a lumpectomy and radiation rather than a mastectomy for early-stage ...

Molton Brown is pleased to announce the launch of a limited edition hand wash and hand lotion. New for spring 2011, Molton Brown's limited edition pettigree dew hand duo has been inspired by the walled secret gardens of London, offering the ultimate escapism through its fragrance. The latest addition to Molton Brown's collection, pettigree dew hand wash and hand lotion contains calming and nourishing qualities designed to rescue dry and overworked hands. This very British floral fragrance is infused with lentisque oil to give a burst of freshness, and English pettigree, ...

Combining computerized tomography (CT) with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) images results in significantly more defined tumor outlines and potentially different treatment options in head and neck cancer patients compared to using CT alone, according to research presented today, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. This symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). CT is the standard method for determining tumor delineation before ...

Without sufficient investments in upstream oil field activities utilizing new and advanced technologies, Mexico faces the prospect of becoming a net oil importer in 10 years, according to new research by Rice University's James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy and Oxford University. The stakes of the current political stalemate over oil are quite high, the study concluded. Were Pemex, Mexico's national oil company, able to fully develop its oil in line with international standards and technology, Mexican citizens could earn $1,055 per capita per year by 2020, versus ...

Declining rates of hospitalization have discouraged primary care doctors from seeing their patients in the hospital and encouraged the growing use of "hospitalists," a new physician specialty focused on the care of hospitalized patients. Further developments in the field mean that frequently hospitalized patients also may need a specialist focused on their care, according to an expert on hospital care at the University of Chicago. The model defining the role of hospitalists, who practice only in hospitals, was first identified in a 1996 article in the New England Journal ...

Fasthosts Internet Ltd, a leading web hosting and Internet services provider, has announced a brand new range of ADSL packages specifically designed for business needs.  The Fasthosts Broadband range is now faster and more feature-packed, with a 24Mb entry-level package.  A new fibre optic package offers up to 40Mb downloads, over 7 times faster than the UK average, enabling businesses to increase productivity and fully benefit from hosted services and cloud computing.   The Fasthosts Business Broadband range now comprises: the entry-level ADSL Lite (with 20GB monthly ...

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Digging in the ground to plant trees may be an excellent gateway to further involvement in politics and civic affairs, concludes a new University of Maryland study, based on work with New York City environmental volunteers. "The more a person is involved in environmental stewardship, the more s/he engages with other types of civic and political activities," says the report, "Digging Together", which the researchers released to coincide with Arbor Day. The study finds that participants in the MillionTreesNYC project are significantly more active civically ...

Voyages Jules Verne, the specialist tour operator, has launched the latest edition of its popular Classic Resorts & Weekends brochure. The brochure features a choice of 32 itineraries across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, and clients can choose from classic city breaks and cultural forays or simply book a relaxing resort stay with the option to add on some sightseeing trips once they get there. The new brochure, which covers departures from April 2011 to April 2012, encompasses perennial Voyages Jules Verne favourites - such as Venice from the Water, ...

Patient safety is a hot topic in the U.S., Australia and Europe. Large resources are set aside for research projects that will make life safer for patients. In Norway, the research field is still new – but researchers from Stavanger are in the forefront. "Until about five years ago the Norwegian health care system had a low focus on safety and risk management compared with other high-risk sectors", says Professor Karina Aase at the University of Stavanger. Together with her colleagues, she has concluded that there is an under-reporting of adverse events in Norwegian ...

Stealth Energy Inc. (the "Company") is pleased to report that well 7-1 Dexter, in Musselshell County, which was previously drilled and reported on 20 Dec. 2010, has been scheduled for completion on 4 May 2011. The Company has experienced some frustration with obtaining a traditional 'frac' due to the current intense demand for this process. Management has decided to use "Radial Drilling Technology" ("RDT") to potentially put the well into production. RDT is a relatively new completion technology which provides increased exposure to natural ...

The benefit and harm of positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with head and neck tumours, applied alone or in combination with computed tomography (CT), cannot currently be reliably assessed. This is the result of a final report published by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). The Institute was commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) to assess the advantages and disadvantages of this diagnostic method. However, as the authors of the report explain, suitable studies for this purpose are lacking. Tobacco and alcohol ...

A planet that we thought we knew turns out to be rather different than first suspected. Our revised view comes from new data released today by an international team of astronomers. They made their observations of the planet "55 Cancri e" based on calculations by Harvard graduate student Rebekah Dawson (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), who worked with Daniel Fabrycky (now at the University of California, Santa Cruz) to predict when the planet crosses in front of its star as seen from Earth. Such transits give crucial information about a planet's size and orbit. The ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Patricia Schnitzer, associate professor in the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, says that most unintentional child injury deaths of young children result from inadequate supervision or failure to protect children from harm. Although injuries to children may be unintentional, they can be prevented and should not be considered accidents. "Persistent references to tragic, freak, and horrible accidents indicate there is still important work needed to frame unintentional injuries as preventable," Schnitzer said. "Understanding and addressing social norms about ...