CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- It seems like a no-brainer: Remanufacturing products rather than making new ones from scratch — widely done with everything from retread tires to refilled inkjet cartridges to remanufactured engines — should save a lot of energy, right? Not so fast, says a new study by researchers at MIT. In some cases, the conventional wisdom is indeed correct. But out of 25 case studies on products in eight categories done by a team led by Professor of Mechanical Engineering Timothy Gutowski, there were just as many cases where remanufacturing actually cost more ...

The Discover Digital Group (DDG), a unique consultancy that focuses on identifying opportunities for business, is providing Fortune 500 corporations with a way to identify new e-revenue opportunities. These include the navigation of digital product development and to cultivate new audiences for existing products through social media, digital acquisition and loyalty optimization. DDG Founder Justin Tobin and DDG help companies acclimate and rise to the challenges presented by rapid business transformations, especially in e-commerce technologies. Their team of diverse ...

A University of Oklahoma environmental science graduate student will travel to Ethiopia in June to test materials she has been investigating as possible solutions to fluorosis—a widespread problem in the Rift Valley, where high levels of fluoride in the drinking water result in dental and skeletal disease. Laura Brunson, graduate student in the OU College of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, works with researchers in the OU Water Center on global water challenges, specifically fluorosis. Left untreated, fluorosis causes darkening of the teeth and bone deformities. ...

It seems like everyone wants to be happier and the pursuit of happiness is one of the foundations of American life. But even happiness can have a dark side, according to the authors of a new review article published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. They say that happiness shouldn't be thought of as a universally good thing, and outline four ways in which this is the case. Indeed, not all types and degrees of happiness are equally good, and even pursuing happiness can make people feel worse. People who want ...

ATS 2011, DENVER – According to a new study conducted by researchers in Connecticut, the Wii Fit™ offers patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) an effective workout – and one that, because it is enjoyable, patients are more likely to use. "Our study showed that COPD patients exercised at a relatively high percent of their maximum during three to five minutes of specified Wii Fit™exercises, indicating the Wii™ Fit may be a reasonable home-based exercise regimen for COPD patients," said Jeffrey Albores, MD, Internal Medicine Resident, University of ...

Eric Knight, one of America's leading inventors and entrepreneurs, has announced the publication of his "The New Race To Space" book -- www.TheNewRaceToSpace.com -- and, simultaneously, the launch of a multifaceted online platform for fans to interact with him: www.EricKnight.com. "'The New Race To Space' book is another touch point in a life-long passion for rocketry and aerospace," said Knight. "It's essentially my diary of the multi-year quest to build and launch the first civilian rocket into space -- a true team effort that was successful ...

A new test for prostate cancer that measures levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) as well as six specific antibodies found in the blood of men with the disease was more sensitive and more specific than the conventional PSA test used today, according to a study by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. The test, called the A+PSA assay, also reduced the rate of false-positives, tests that indicate the presence of cancer when no disease is actually present, said Gang Zeng, an associate professor of urology, a Jonsson Cancer Center researcher and ...

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT, N.Y.—How could a colorblind animal know how to change its skin color to blend into its surroundings? And what will the animal's predator "see," looking at its prey before and after it hides? These provocative questions are addressed in article published today by a collaborative team from the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Mass., and the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. The article, "Hyperspectral imaging of cuttlefish camouflage indicates good color match in the eyes of fish predators," appears in Proceedings ...

Efficiency is a problem with today's solar panels; they only collect about 20 percent of available light. Now, a University of Missouri engineer has developed a flexible solar sheet that captures more than 90 percent of available light, and he plans to make prototypes available to consumers within the next five years. Patrick Pinhero, an associate professor in the MU Chemical Engineering Department, says energy generated using traditional photovoltaic (PV) methods of solar collection is inefficient and neglects much of the available solar electromagnetic (sunlight) spectrum. ...

A new tool is available to select for soybean rust resistance in breeding populations, said Glen Hartman, University of Illinois professor of crop sciences and USDA-ARS scientist. Hartman and his team of researchers successfully used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) assays to assess fungal DNA in soybean leaf tissue to quantify the level of resistance in individual plants with resistance to soybean rust. "This is not a new technique," Hartman said. "But it is a new tool for use in soybean rust resistance breeding, which has typically used phenotyping or ...

OAK BROOK, Ill. – A simple blood test may help prevent a serious complication associated with a contrast agent commonly used in MRI exams, according to a study published in the July issue of Radiology. Within the past five years, use of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) has been linked to the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a rare disorder mainly affecting patients with severe kidney disease. But since 2008, restrictive GBCA administration guidelines implemented by Massachusetts General Hospital have proven effective in preventing NSF. "It ...

New research shows that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Borrelia burgdorferi DNA—the spirochetal bacteria transmitted by deer ticks—in joint fluid may confirm the diagnosis of Lyme arthritis, but is not a reliable indicator for active joint infection in patients whose arthritis persists after antibiotic therapy. Findings of this study are published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Lyme disease is caused by the B. burgdorferi bacteria, which is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, ...

Nitrogen pollution in our coastal ecosystems, the result of widespread use of synthetic agricultural fertilizers and of human sewage, leads to decreased water transparency, the loss of desirable fish species, and the emergence of toxic phytoplankton species—such as the algae behind the renowned "red tides" that kill fish. The effects are particularly pronounced in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. A study published in the journal Global Change Biology finds that while fertilizer has been the dominant source of nitrogen pollution in Caribbean coastal ecosystems for ...

From Friday 13 May, Santander, the 'Home of UK Mortgages' is launching a new three year fixed Homebuyer product at 85 per cent LTV, at 5.49 per cent with NO fee ''ideal for those homeowners looking to buy. The new product also comes with Santander's Homebuyer Solution which offers the added benefits of a free basic mortgage valuation and GBP250 cash-back on completion. In addition, Santander is also reducing rates on a selection of its two year fixed products: - Rate reduced by 0.10 per cent on two-year fix at 80 per cent LTV for homebuyers, now 4.19 per cent with ...

E-Book Systems, creator of the patented Digital Flip(R) e-publishing technology, announces Prevention First has adopted its 3-D page-flipping FlipViewer(R) Xpress viewer format for its Forum online magazines. Founded in 1980, Prevention First is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to preventing teen alcohol and other drug use, and the many related issues that result from that abuse. They reach millions of teens, parents, educators and others in Illinois. "We were looking for a cost-effective way to produce our publications and eliminate high print and mail costs ...

During the 2011 edition of the Cannes Film Festival and Marche du Film at a karaoke bar "alternative dinner party", Petra Theman, CEO of FAVEX, i.e. Finnish Film & Audiovisual Export, is launching Filmland.fi (http://www.filmland.fi): "The Finnish audiovisual industry is blooming and new creative talent has given us everything from angry birds to space Nazis, rare Santa Clauses for export and lots of stories and characters in between. Also filming in Finland is easy and hassle free. Now Filmland.fi is bringing you all the info you need to be up-to-date, ...

ArtistScope launches the most secure web site protection system for copy protecting web pages, data and all embedded media without data leakage and other exploits enabled by modern web browsers. The ArtistScope Site Protection System, ASPS, provides the most secure copy protection for web pages and is the only solution recommended where the prevention of copy and unauthorized redistribution is mission critical. Protect images, html, source code, Flash, movies, PDF, database records and other web content without data leakage and other exploits enabled by modern web browsers. ...

Hound Comics, Inc. CEO William 'Brimstone' Kucmierowski announced that Barnes & Noble Bookstores increased the distribution of the flagship brand Brimstone and the Borderhounds. Headlining their regular distribution, Brimstone and the Borderhounds will be featured in over seven hundred Barnes & Noble retail locations across the nation. As of this coming July, the enlargement of the distribution will be coupled with special promotional placement at all Barnes & Noble stores. Brimstone announced that with this massive increase of distribution comes a major ...

On the Hawaiian island of Kauai the daytime skies are sunny and bright and the nights are filled with stars. ResorTime.com is offering some of their best bargains of the season in this tropical paradise. ResorTime.com (www.resortime.com), among the leaders in luxury timeshare nightly rentals in the country, has open accommodations in Princeville and Lihue, Kauai, two of Hawaii's most popular spots. "Anytime of the year, a trip is Hawaii is an exciting prospect," according to Sherri Weeks, General Manager of ResorTime.com. "Right now, a getaway to Kauai ...

BikeaPack.com has invented a folding bicycle. Unlike any other bicycle, the bicycle WHEELS actually fold! Bicycles are great for riders and for the planet, but there are problems if you want to travel with your bicycle. Storing or public transport prevent you from easily using the bike. The size and weight makes public transport especially difficult. All folding bikes are too tiny or too big. The main problem is that large wheels prevent storage in a small package. The only solution is to fold the wheels. Jay Lashlee, the inventor at BikeaPack.com solved the problem ...

iPiccy.com today announced a free public beta of the completely Web-based photo editing and sharing application to give users everywhere the ability to quickly and easily edit, enhance, share and print all of their photos from any Internet browser. iPiccy's innovative, Web-based approach lets consumers avoid the problems associated with traditional, retail photo-editing software. Now consumers can avoid the expensive price, thick manuals, upgrade hassles, platform compatibility issues, and lack of Web integration that comes with a boxed product. iPiccy provides new, ...

Authors can protect popular file types to ensure that documents are only viewable on licensed computers. With basic computer skills, anyone can use DocProtect on HTML projects, image collections, video and audio files, PDFs and Excel spreadsheets. DocProtect works independently or together with the QuickLicense protection and licensing system. DocProtect 2.0 can apply a computer unique password to generate a Protected Document with a few button clicks. The vendor can provide each customer computer with a unique password upon first launch to ensure that only licensed ...

Lissa Lauria, New York born, LA based recording artist has released her new music video created from her single "Famous." In only one week of the launch, the video has exploded on YouTube with tens of thousands of views in only a few short days. Lissa was intent on providing a new sound while showcasing her abilities not just in singing but also in her unique style of dancing and tapping. When asked why this project was so important to her, Lissa states, "This video is important because I want people to see who I am as an artist. Everything I do is different: ...

Stuffed Bell Peppers website and site owner Sharon Hunter are pleased to announce the launch of a web page devoted to the enjoyment and preparation of stuffed peppers. Bell peppers are found in the cuisine of most of the world's peoples. They can be part of a gourmet meal or a quick yet hearty family snack. According to Hunter, "Looking up brand new recipes and trying out new things will actually bring everyone in the kitchen together and will allow them to enjoy cooking and food a whole lot more." He continues, "When I first began the task of assembling ...

Graphic Images, a CT tattoo studio, has just completed the launch of ConnecticutTattoosPiercing.com. The new site will act as a portfolio website where visitors can see examples of piercings and tattoos. Graphic Images, which offers tattoos and piercings, was formed in 2008 by David Hennessy. Hennessy hired a group of renowned artists that have worked worldwide in order to produce outstanding tattoos. The studio specializes in all forms of tattoo art--from bold colors, portraits and realistic pieces. Graphic Images allows customers to pick from a wide range of pre-rendered ...