CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A newly engineered yeast strain can simultaneously consume two types of sugar from plants to produce ethanol, researchers report. The sugars are glucose, a six-carbon sugar that is relatively easy to ferment; and xylose, a five-carbon sugar that has been much more difficult to utilize in ethanol production. The new strain, made by combining, optimizing and adding to earlier advances, reduces or eliminates several major inefficiencies associated with current biofuel production methods. The findings, from a collaborative led by researchers at the University ...

Just as raging hormones are part of the process of a child's maturation through the teen years to adulthood, juvenile hormones, a group of insect isoprenoids, play an important role as butterflies, fruit flies and mosquitoes transform their body structures as they molt from larva to pupa and then adults. Unlike humans, in insects the juvenile hormone inhibits development of adult characteristics until the insects reach a proper stage. Juvenile hormones also play a prominent role in regulating reproductive maturation in adult insects and synthetic juvenile hormone mimics ...

In a collaborative effort involving 74 researchers from 38 research institutes, scientists have produced the full genome of a wild strawberry plant. The research appeared today in Nature Genetics. Drs. Asaph Aharoni and Avital Adato of the Weizmann Institute's Plant Sciences Department were the sole Israeli scientists participating in the project, but they made a major contribution in mapping the genes and gene families responsible for the strawberry's flavor and aroma. The woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is closely related to garden-variety cultivated strawberry. ...

An expert working group of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) has released a new position paper which reviews the evidence of bone turnover markers (BTMs) in fracture risk prediction and monitoring of osteoporosis therapy. More importantly, it identifies research priorities and recommends that specific markers be used as reference analytes for BTMs in clinical and observational studies. BTMs have been extensively studied in relation to fracture risk assessment and have ...

It may come as a surprise to many that quails are able to distinguish one another, let alone that they form close relationships with other quails. Nevertheless, it has long been known that disruption of the birds' social environment causes them stress. A group within the UMR 6552 at the CNRS-Université de Rennes 1 in France has been studying the influence of adults on the behavioural development of their offspring. Together with scientists in Austria, they have now shown that changing the composition of groups of quails housed together causes the birds to behave more ...

Most galaxies in the universe, including our own Milky Way, harbor super-massive black holes varying in mass from about one million to about 10 billion times the size of our sun. To find them, astronomers look for the enormous amount of radiation emitted by gas which falls into such objects during the times that the black holes are "active," i.e., accreting matter. This gas "infall" into massive black holes is believed to be the means by which black holes grow. Now a team of astronomers from Tel Aviv University, including Prof. Hagai Hetzer and his research student Benny ...

PHILADELPHIA - A team from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Utrecht University has deciphered a key step in an evolutionarily old branch of the immune response. This system, called complement, comprises a network of proteins that "complement" the work of antibodies in destroying foreign invaders. It serves as a rapid defense mechanism in most species from primitive sponges to humans. In a study published in the December 24 issue of Science, the groups of John Lambris, PhD, the Dr. Ralph and Sally Weaver Professor of Research Medicine at Penn, and ...

ALBANY, Calif.—Synthesizing more than 10 years of cooperative research on the exotic invasive, quarantine sudden oak death pathogen, the USDA Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) recently published "Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum: A Summary of the Literature." This 181-page comprehensive report covers a wide range of topics, including a history of sudden oak death, identification and distribution of the disease, epidemiology and modeling, management and control, and economic and environmental impacts. Compiled by retired U.S. Forest Service ...

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) applauds Congressional reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act. Originally enacted in 2007, the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act underscored the nation's commitment to scientific research and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Among other provisions, the 2007 and 2010 bills establish broad directions and set maximum funding levels for some of the nation's key science agencies, including the ...

BOULDER--Clues to future climate may be found in the way that an ordinary drinking glass shatters. A study appearing this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that microscopic particles of dust, emitted into the atmosphere when dirt breaks apart, follow similar fragment patterns as broken glass and other brittle objects. The research, by National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) scientist Jasper Kok, suggests there are several times more dust particles in the atmosphere than previously believed, since shattered dirt appears to produce an ...

Snows are finally winding down in New England today, Dec. 27, as a powerful low pressure system brought blizzard conditions from northern New Jersey to Maine over Christmas weekend. The GOES-13 satellite captured an image of the low's center off the Massachusetts coast and saw the snowfall left behind. The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite called GOES-13 captured the visible image. GOES satellites are operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and NASA's GOES Project, located at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. creates ...

Irvine Family Health Center Spinal Decompression announced today that they have launched a new website at OCSpinalDecompression.com. The website provides information for sufferers of neck pain, lower back pain, degenerative disc disease, pinched sciatic nerve, bulging discs, herniated disc pain, and more. The website is designed to promote the physical therapy office located in Orange County, California. The website not only offers information related to many neck and back ailments, but it also discusses a new treatment called the DRX9000 Spinal Decompression unit. ...

i-Technosoft has been gradually rolling out hosted versions of Microsoft Business Software as part of its strategic move towards Cloud Computing. In June 2010, i-Technosoft rolled-out the cheapest SharePoint Foundation 2010 hosting plans with an offer at US $1.99. The recent launch of SharePoint 2010 Enterprise Shared Cloud will now enable businesses to publish their Microsoft Access Databases on SharePoint using Access Services, seamlessly migrating their entire data, forms, queries and reports with secured user access to the database making it accessible via a web browser ...

Aside from your stunning white dress and amazing hairstyle, there still seems to be one thing missing in your getup. So, what do you think will best complement your radiant look on that special day? A pearly, white, bright, beautifully aligned radiant smile. Getting an extreme smile makeover prior to your wedding is a great idea! Why not? All you have to do is get a flight to Cancun Mexico at least 3 weeks before your big day and spend a week in Cancun while you get porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns performed at Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry. Cancun Cosmetic dentistry ...

Screaming Flea Productions, Inc. and Stamp-It Productions, Inc. Enter agreement to produce Pilot Episode for http://www.JourneyofaLifetime.com "The proven Production capacity of an industry leader, Screaming Flea Productions, teamed with a visionary reality TV travel adventure show concept positions this to be a breakout show for 2012." Del Mar, California, 2010 - It is with great excitement that Stamp-It Productions, Inc. (http://www.JourneyofaLifetime.com), a Premier Young Adult Reality TV Travel Adventure Show, has entered into an Agreement with Screaming Flea ...

Paul Nelson, D.D.S. has a goal to leave every patient with a great big smile. Nelson, 'The Friendly Dentist', is the head dentist at PaulNelsonDental.com, where the main goal is to leave patients with optimal dental health. The practice, which performs family dentistry, also performs many popular dental procedures. Some of the other procedures performed by Paul Nelson Dental include: • Teeth Bleaching • Cosmetic Dentistry • Treatment for Bad Breath • Dental Implants • Dental Checkup Services • Emergency Dentist Services • And more Dr. Paul has been practicing ...

Forever Rod A Tribute to Rod Stewart and Friends debuts January 14th in Downtown Las Vegas. Some of Rod's friends include celebrity impersonator Lady Gaga, Cher and maybe even a Madonna. This tribute show is scheduled to perform Wednesday through Saturday in the Embassy Theatre located inside the Las Vegas Rocks Cafe in downtown Las Vegas. Downtown Las Vegas is rich with the history of Las Vegas. It holds many Las Vegas "firsts," including first hotel which was called Hotel Nevada in 1906, now called Golden Gate, the first telephone in1907, the first paved street in1925, ...

"I think the first person to live to 1,000 might be 60 already" Aubrey De Grey said in his now famous "60 minutes" interview. The Chief Science Officer of the SENS (Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence) Foundation is not alone in his thinking. Boomers now between the ages of 40 and 50 are entering middle age, one birthday cake at a time. A generation known for redefining living and breaking barriers, has its concerns shifting towards aging. Boomers are challenging pre-conceptions about aging and the aged on every level be it family, romance, lifestyle, health, ...

WHO: Queen Aishah, Comedienne, Actress, and Radio Personality and Blog Talk Radio Show Totally (In)Appropriate Host Natasha Rennie WHAT: The Funniest Episode of Totally (In)Appropriate with Queen Aishah as She Talks About Life In 2010 - "The End Of The Year Round Up" DATE: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 TIME: 9:00 PM (EST) CALL-IN NUMBER: 714.510.3742 LINK: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/inappropriate/2010/12/30/join-comedienne-queen-aishah-on-the-for-the-end-of-the-year-round-up----be-prepared-to-laugh FOR BOOKINGS, INTERVIEWS OR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ...

The festive cheer has gone to Sound and Vision's head, as they offer enormous Christmas discounts in their Christmas Sale. With all the festivities going on this December Sound and Vision have got caught up in the season of good will by offering their customers exclusive cost-cutting deals on the latest LCD televisions, LED HDTVs, plasma televisions and home cinema systems. Christmas is definitely the time for giving at Sound and Vision, as their new Christmas Sale gives their customers the chance to buy the latest televisions at affordable and reduced prices. During ...

As tax preparers head into the busy season, some are finding the playing field a very different place than last year. In a move to ensure all tax preparers are qualified to do their jobs, the government has enacted new laws governing the practice. Along with ceasing the production of debt indicators, which help preparers file for Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs), the IRS is now requiring all preparers to file for Preparers (or Practitioners) Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN). When preparers file for their PTIN they are required to pay a $64.25 fee, pass a competency ...

A Fort Worth entrepreneur offers his 14,000 square foot mansion as a wedding rental site and/or reception hall. Known as an industry leader in leasing office and event rental space in Tarrant County, RDS Real Estate is extending its reach from private business owners to the general public. "We've used this house for corporate banquets and retreats for years," says founder and CEO Ron Sturgeon, "there's no reason why we can't use it for weddings and receptions as well." Not only is it one of the most unique wedding locations in the area, but it's conveniently located ...

President Todd Rowe MD, MD(H) of the non-profit American Medical College of Homeopathy in Phoenix will ring The Closing Bell of NASDAQ December 29th. The ceremony recognizes the opening of the first homeopathic medical school and doctoral program in Phoenix, and increases awareness of the importance of homeopathic medicine. "This is a unique opportunity for the homeopathic community to come together and bring necessary attention to the homeopathic college and homeopathic medicine," said AMCH president, Dr. Todd Rowe. Homeopathic organizations and supporters are joining ...

People in the mood for some live music during a stay in Norfolk hotels may like to see I Am Kloot. The Mancunian trio are due to play the Norwich Arts Centre on Tuesday January 25th, when they will perform songs from their acclaimed recent album Sky at Night. Released in July this year, the record is the band's fifth studio LP and has received much critical praise, as well as a nomination for the 2010 Mercury Prize. In a review for the Guardian, critic Dave Simpson described it as a collection of "wonderfully introspective, downbeat yet somehow uplifting songs". He ...

Canadian hip-hop star Drake is due to visit Berlin on his European tour next month. One of the year's biggest stars in urban music, the 24-year-old Toronto native released his debut album Thank Me Later to critical acclaim and impressive sales figures in July. The European jaunt, which begins in Glasgow on January 5th, will be Drake's first headline tour of the continent. He appeared as a support act for Jay-Z's recent UK dates and is certainly no stranger to the big occasion, having performed at the Grammy Awards in January this year. People staying in Berlin ...