The rise of social media has allowed people to connect and re-connect with friends, colleagues and family from across the world. A new paper by University of Minnesota computer scientists in the College of Science and Engineering provides insights into how the analysis of our social networking interactions could discover things like the emergence or decline of leadership, changes in trust over time, and migration and mobility within particular communities online. The paper, "Computational Modeling of Spatio-temporal Social Networks: A Time-Aggregated Graph Approach," ...

LOS ANGELES (January 27, 2011) – A team of researchers led by Vicente Gilsanz, MD, PhD, director of Clinical Imaging at The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, determined that the onset of puberty was the primary influence on adult bone mineral density, or bone strength. Length of puberty did not affect bone density. Reduced bone mineral density leads to osteoporosis, resulting in bones becoming increasingly brittle and at risk for fracture. Osteoporosis is a significant public health issue with the cost of treatment in 2010 estimated at ...

(Santa Barbara, Calif.) –– The increased frequency of drought observed in Eastern Africa over the last 20 years is likely to continue as long as global temperatures continue to rise, according to UC Santa Barbara scientist Park Williams. The new research, published in Climate Dynamics, indicates that more drought poses increased risk to millions of people in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia, who currently face potential food shortages. "Forecasting precipitation variability from year to year is difficult, and research on the links between global change and precipitation ...

A little disorder goes a long way, especially when it comes to harnessing the sun's energy. Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) jumbled the atomic structure of the surface layer of titanium dioxide nanocrystals, creating a catalyst that is both long lasting and more efficient than all other materials in using the sun's energy to extract hydrogen from water. Their photocatalyst, which accelerates light-driven chemical reactions, is the first to combine durability and record-breaking efficiency, making it ...

Princeton University engineers have developed a new laser sensing technology that may allow soldiers to detect hidden bombs from a distance and scientists to better measure airborne environmental pollutants and greenhouse gasses. "We are able to send a laser pulse out and get another pulse back from the air itself," said Richard Miles, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton, the research group leader and co-author on the paper. "The returning beam interacts with the molecules in the air and carries their finger prints." The new technique differs ...

A key mechanism that appears to contribute to blood vessel damage in people with diabetes has been identified by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Blood vessel problems are a common diabetes complication. Many of the nearly 26 million Americans with the disease face the prospect of amputations, heart attack, stroke and vision loss because of damaged vessels. Reporting in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Washington University researchers say studies in mice show that the damage appears to involve two enzymes, fatty acid synthase ...

So you think global warming is a big problem? What could happen if a 25-million-ton chunk of rock slammed into Earth? When something similar happened 65 million years ago, the dinosaurs and other forms of life were wiped out. "A collision with an object of this size traveling at an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 mile per hour would be catastrophic," according to NASA researcher and New York City College of Technology (City Tech) Associate Professor of Physics Gregory L. Matloff. What does he recommend? "Either destroy the object or alter its trajectory." Dr. Matloff, whose ...

Despite penicillin and the dozens of antibiotics that followed it, streptococcus bacteria have remained a major threat to health throughout the world. The reason: the superb evolutionary skills of this pathogen to rapidly alter its genetic makeup. In a landmark paper published this week in Science, scientists from Rockefeller University and the Sanger Institute have used full genome sequencing to identify the precise steps in the molecular evolution of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Their research shows the changes the genome of this bacterium has undergone in time and during ...

Research from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine provides new clues for the compulsive behavior and cognitive defects associated with a rare childhood neurological disease called Lesch-Nyhan Disease (LND). Two pathways found to be defective in LND are known to be associated with other neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's and Parknson's diseases, suggesting common causes of cognitive and behavioral defects in these neurological disorders. The research is published on-line today in the PLoS ONE. "This study is important because it opens ...

INDIANAPOLIS – An antibiotic known for its immunosuppressive functions could also point the way to the development of new anti-cancer agents, researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have reported. The study determined that the compound, tautomycetin, targets an enzyme called SHP2, which plays an important role in cell activities such as proliferation and differentiation. Interestingly, SHP2 mutations are also known to cause several types of leukemia and solid tumors. The findings were reported in the Jan. 28, 2011, issue of the journal Chemistry and Biology. The ...

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Engineers have created a new type of "stereo vision" to use in studying ocean waves as they pound against the shore, providing a better way to understand and monitor this violent, ever-changing environment. The approach, which uses two video cameras to feed data into an advanced computer system, can observe large areas of ocean waves in real time and help explain what they are doing and why, scientists say. The system may be of particular value as climate change and rising sea levels pose additional challenges to vulnerable shorelines around the world, ...

HOUSTON - Practicing stress management techniques before prostate cancer surgery may help activate the body's immune response leading to quicker recovery, as well as aid in lowering mood disturbance, according to a new study by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The study is published in the February/March edition of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. It's the first to examine the effects pre-surgery stress management training has on immune outcomes in men with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate). ...

Ecology drives evolution. In today's issue of the journal Science, UC Davis expert Thomas Schoener describes growing evidence that the reverse is also true, and explores what that might mean to our understanding of how environmental change affects species and vice-versa. A classic example of ecology influencing evolution is seen in a Galápagos ground finch, Geospiza fortis. In this species, larger beaks dominated the population after dry years when large seeds were more abundant. After wet years, the direction of natural selection reversed, favoring smaller beaks that ...

ANN ARBOR, Mich.---A majority of African American men said they do not go to the doctor because visits are stressful and physicians don't give adequate information on how to make prescribed behavior or lifestyle changes, a new University of Michigan study shows. When they did go, the majority of the 105 men questioned said they disliked the tone physicians used with them. When those men did visit the doctor, they said it was because they were seeking test results or their family encouraged them to go. Men often said they knew they needed to lose weight, change eating ...

ANN ARBOR, Mich.---Some orthodontists may be exposing young patients to unnecessary radiation when they order 3-D X-ray imaging for simple orthodontic cases before considering traditional 2-D imaging, suggests a paper published by University of Michigan faculty. There is ongoing debate in the orthodontic community over if and when to use cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, said Dr. Sunil Kapila, lead author of the paper and chair of the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry at the U-M School of Dentistry. A ...

Crystal Pharmatech Co. Ltd has reached an agreement with BrightGene Bio-medical technology Co. Ltd to provide in-depth solid state research support including but not limited to: salt/polymorph screening, basic physicochemical characterization, process development support including crystallization optimization, chiral resolution, and particle size analysis. The agreement is in place for a period of one year with further agreements to be evaluated at a later date. "This agreement is the pioneer collaboration between a dedicated solid state research company in China and ...

Waiting Room Solutions (WRS) (www.waitingroomsolutions.com), a leading web-based EHR and PM provider, announced today that Michael Last Internal Medicine PC has chosen to implement the 2011 Waiting Room Solutions Web Based Internal Medicine Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Practice Management System (PM) V4.0. Michael Last Internal Medicine PC was founded in Westminster, CO in February 2010. Michael Last, MD is the sole practice physician, and he has over twelve years of clinical experience. Dr. Last sees patients both in-office and at hospitals such as the North Suburban ...

Rather than adopting a trial and error approach, whereby each parameter is examined on an individual basis and interactions between these parameters cannot be easily detected, in today's industry the statistical Design of Experiments (DoE) is generally applied. In order for the development based on the Design of Experiments (DoE) concept to be regarded as a success, it is essential that any experiments are performed within an accurately controlled framework under accurately maintained and reproducible conditions, thus enabling the target output variable (e.g. selectivity ...

Valentine's day is no better time to express love to your beloved. Bunch of roses, chocolates, champagne,etc are traditional gifts for lovers. Do you have any other idea about Valentine's day gift? How about making a unique movie, the movie only about you and your beloved. It can be labeled as funny one or nostalgia,just as you prefer. If you have JVC,Canon FS300,FS200 or Panasonic MOD SD camcorder on hand, now you can begin the recording job. Alternatively, find out the old clips to directly proceed its post-production. Supposed you are Mac users, there are couples of ...

Now is the time when many people start slipping with their New Year's resolutions. For a limited time, the iBelly Workout app is available free of charge. Users can literally use their iPhone or iPod touch to get stronger, flatter abs. The iBelly Workout app is the first-of-its-kind where people don't use their hands to control what's happening on the screen, but instead they use their stomach. The app makes working out fun and helps people strengthen those oblique muscles and trim down their love handles. With the Exercise & Workout program, users select how many reps ...

Neutral Blue has collaborated and executed an internet presence for four valued clients. Neutral Blue's dedication to client customization and value added features was instrumental in providing each client world class online solutions. Coker Homes, Inc. - http://www.cokerhomesinc.com Owner Rick Coker realized the opportunity a website could provide to his business. A builder of quality custom homes in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Benton, Arkansas, he needed a marketing advantage in a depressed industry. The website markets the wide range of the company's services ...

Launch Mobile by Innovate M, a New York-based digital media agency, makes it easy for any business, large or small, to create, execute, deploy and measure a complete mobile marketing campaign. From the creation of standout Mobile Web sites to the ability to drive traffic and take the order, Launch Mobile does it all. Launch Mobile provides the flexibility to create integrated mobile campaigns using everything from a text message call to action, sending coupons directly to customers when they are near retail locations or giving them the opportunity to purchase immediately ...

If you want to arrange your marriage as a simple, elegant function away form the hustle and bustle of the world, you can arrange a Savannah destination wedding. You can arrive at your destination, in a horse-drawn carriage and take your marriage vows in a historic square, outdoors and under the huge moss draped oaks, and in the presence of your hand picked friends and relatives. Savannah is rich in history with unparalleled charm and beauty. No wonder it is known as the "Hostess City of the South". If your guests need a place to stay, Savannah has many beautiful and ...

Educators, directors, producers and make-up artists alike will find Randy Daudlin's latest book Reel Characters—A Quick Reference for Creating Out of Kit Feature Quality Character Make-up a brilliant addition to the film and television industry. Reel Characters was written as a reference guide to help create dramatic character make-up. If budget and production value are a concern, this book will help to enhance them both. Author Randy Daudlin has been working in the film and television industry as a professional make-up artist for over 26 years, and has taught as ...

Miami Beach, Florida - Pan American Metals Of Miami launched it's Silver Bullion Division that is becoming the latest Phenom in the Silver Investment arena. Poised to be the one of the leading Bullion investment firms in the USA, PANOM guides investors with savvy investment strategies with more than average returns. "Our trading methodology blends together financial and technical analysis. Our technical traders are experts in the natural trends of bullion prices" says CEO Bill Hiones of Pan American Metals Of Miami. "We have the expertise needed to assist our clients. ...