In one of his songs Bob Dylan asks "How many years can a mountain exist before it is washed to the sea?", and thus poses an intriguing geological question for which an accurate answer is not easily provided. Mountain ranges are in a constant interplay between climatically controlled weathering processes on the one hand and the tectonic forces that cause folding and thrusting and thus thickening of the Earth's crust on the other hand. While erosion eventually erases any geological obstacles, tectonic forces are responsible for piling- and lifting-up rocks and thus for forming ...

Statins may be best known for their ability to reduce cholesterol, but a research report appearing in the May 2011 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology (http://www.jleukbio.org) shows that these same drugs could also play a crucial role in the reduction of lung damage resulting from severe abdominal sepsis and infection. "We hope that this study will not only provide new knowledge about the complicated pathophysiology behind abdominal sepsis, but also form the basis for more effective and specific treatment options for patients with severe infections," said Henrik ...

DURHAM, N.C. – Lichen, those drab, fuzzy growths found on rocks and trees, aren't as cuddly and charismatic as kangaroos or intriguing as opossums, but they could be a fungal equivalent, at least evolutionarily. A Duke research team has found that lichen that seem identical in all outward appearances and produce the same internal chemicals are in fact two different species, one living in North America and one in Australia. They're an example of "convergent evolution," in which two species evolve separately but end up looking very similar, like the Tasmanian wolf and the ...

Tampa, Fla. (May 2, 2011) – Brazilian researchers, reporting in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (20:3) (now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/ ), discovered difficulties in establishing a genetically diverse line of human embryonic stem cells (hES) to serve the therapeutic stem cell transplantation needs of the diverse ethnic and genetic Brazilian population. According to the study's corresponding author, Dr. Lygia V. Pereira of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, pluripotent human ...

For many practical applications involving lasers, it's important to be able to control the direction of the laser beams. Just ask Han Solo, or the captain of the Death Star. Researchers from North Carolina State University have come up with a very energy-efficient way of steering laser beams that is precise and relatively inexpensive. "In many cases, it is much easier to redirect a laser beam at a target than to steer the laser itself. We intended to develop a way to do this efficiently and without moving anything," says Dr. Michael Escuti, an associate professor of electrical ...

As graduation day approaches for high school and college students alike, parents must deal with the "empty nest syndrome" that accompanies a child leaving home. Empty Nest Syndrome has been recognized by the psychological community as feelings of depression, sadness, and/or grief experienced by parents and caregivers after children come of age and leave their childhood homes. Licensed family counselor and author Jay Fitter says the devastation to parents is very real, but can be dealt with by implementing a few proactive measures. In his book "Respect ...

April 29, 2011 -- Road warriors who travel for business two weeks or more a month have higher body mass index, higher rates of obesity and poorer self-rated health than those who travel less often, according to researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. The study, conducted by Andrew G. Rundle, DrPH and Catherine A. Richards, MPH, drew data from medical records of more than 13,000 employees in a corporate wellness program provided by EHE International. Nearly 80% of employees traveled at least one night a month and 1% traveled more than 20 ...

Tampa, FL (May 2, 2011) -- A protein associated with Alzheimer's disease clogs several motors of the cell transport machinery critical for normal cell division, leading to defective neurons that may contribute to the memory-robbing disease, University of South Florida researchers report. In a new study published online in the journal Cell Cycle, scientists at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute. the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and Indiana University also suggest that the protein beta amyloid (amyloid protein) may cause neurons in the brain to malfunction ...

Menlo Park, Calif. — Scientists have engineered a cheap, abundant alternative to the expensive platinum catalyst and coupled it with a light-absorbing electrode to make hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. The discovery is an important development in the worldwide effort to mimic the way plants make fuel from sunlight, a key step in creating a green energy economy. It was reported last week in Nature Materials by theorist Jens Nørskov of the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University and a team of colleagues led by Ib Chorkendorff ...

OptionsU Forex Trader (OUFX) announced the release of the next version of the popular Forex trading software: Forex Trader Pro 2.0. Designed to maximize trades and increase profits on every trade, Forex Trader Pro 2.0 is sure to be invaluable to both new and current Forex traders. To learn more, interested traders can reserve a seat for OUFX's free webinar on Thursday, May 5, 2011 by visiting http://forextraderpro.com/pr-fxtp2. Forex Trader Pro 2.0 includes exciting new benefits, including access to the C4 Currency Trend Tracker software, which tracks currency rates ...

During the development of an embryo, a large number of different, specialised cell-types arise from the fertilised egg. The genetic information is identical in all cells of an organism. Different properties of cells arise because the activity of genes is controlled and regulated by so called transcription factors. By switching genes on or off, the body makes muscle cells, bone cells, liver cells and many more. Scientists have been puzzling over the question whether the gene regulatory programs that control this development have been "invented" only once during evolution ...

When it comes to news, there are many different types of news available. There's fashion news, business news, consumer news, even technology related news. However, there's nothing like getting news from home. As such, each and every day millions of people scour the internet in search of local news and information. ARGYLEtv.com is a provider of internet tv channels from around the world, and is where thousands turn to in order to keep up to date with what is going on with their government, or to follow their favorite sports team. Utilizing the internet to obtain information ...

Pelican Brands and Gemtree Vineyards jointly announced today the formation of a long-term strategic partnership for the U.S. market. Gemtree Vineyards is owned and run by third generation grape growers, the Buttery family. The family is dedicated to producing iconic wines of the highest quality from their McLaren Vale vineyards, which since 2008 have been farmed 100% biodynamically. Gemtree is currently sold in 19 states across the US. In April 2011, Gemtree White Lees Shiraz won "Best of Show Red Wine" at the WSWA (Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America) annual ...

URBANA – Has a bone density scan placed you at risk for osteoporosis, leading your doctor to prescribe a widely advertised bone-building medication? Not so fast! A University of Illinois study finds that an effective first course of action is increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D or taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. "For many people, prescription bone-building medicines should be a last resort," said Karen Chapman-Novakofski, a U of I professor of nutrition and co-author of a literature review published in a recent issue of Nutrients. The study reported ...

ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours (http://www.experienceplus.com/) has been singled out both nationally and in its home state of Colorado for its commitment to business excellence, innovative tour itineraries and for its "great" tour guides. National Geographic Traveler Magazine's annual "50 Tours of a Lifetime" feature (http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/tours/europe-tours-2011/) appearing in the May/June 2011 issue showcases the company's Bicycling the Danube tour of Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.. This same issue will include a feature ...

Rembrandt Hotel, Bangkok would like to congratulate Khun Thawee Thanvithuyaphan, restaurant manager of da Vinci Italian Resraurant, for completing level 2 of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust's exam. Khun Thawee proudly represented the Rembrandt Hotel as one its most outstanding and committed associates. Forty representatives from hotels all over Thailand joined the training event and exam. The intensive training course took place from over the course of two days with over 20 hours of instruction and education. The course is aimed at broadening knowledge of wines ...

Increase in the demand of the wood today has highly created a good fortune in the craftsman industry. People who are related to this industry are using the modern techniques and ways to ensure the maximum out come. Increase in outcome and availability of modern technology to move the heavy logs out from the forest to different types of industries that utilize wood for different purposes such as paper industry or chip board factories has increased the demands of the raw wood to be transported quickly to them on demand. For this reason many well known companies are ...

AuraPortal (www.auraportal.com), a global provider of Business Process Management (BPM), has announced today that the consulting firm PFS Grupo has implemented new core business procurement processes for hospital supplies and services at GISPASA (Health Infrastructure Management of Principado de Asturias). The project's goal was to increase productivity, data quality and operational economy in the working procedures as well as the use and deployment of document management. The solution provides electronic signatures and digital filing for improved document organization ...

A member of the International Franchise Association and New England Franchise Association, Hackel spoke to Exciting Windows! franchisees on the topic of ''Reaching Higher Together''. Hackel discussed what Exciting Windows! could accomplish if everyone worked together and focused on the company's vision. "We've received more favorable feedback from Evan Hackel's 'Reaching Higher Together' presentation than any in our seven year conference history. His presentation added to the strength of Exciting Windows! and pride of our members to be part of this movement to ...

Castlegate Garage Door and Markomm have entered into an agreement where Markomm, an Internet Marketing Firm, will provide PPC services to Castlegate Garage Door. The multi layered campaign targeting other garage door installers, has already been launched in Denver. These campaigns will help Castlegate Garage Door gain a stronger presence on the search engines, and result in more dealers and a larger volume of sales. Castlegate Garage Door, a garage door manufacturer based in Denver, Colorado is looking to attract more garage door installers that will use Castlegate Garage ...

The Elite Team at W.J. Bradley is pleased to introduce our Standard 203(k) Rehabilitation Loan. This program enables borrowers to finance the purchase or refinance of a home, and the cost of its rehabilitation, through a single mortgage. The program requires a minimum of $5,000 for eligible improvements and there is no limit on the amount of repairs. The new Full 203(k) loan allows borrowers to make larger and structural improvements to their home. "Many times buyers find a house in the area they want, but the house itself is missing something," Mike Tompkins ...

When you think of a conference call, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a stuffy board room with a group of people in suits sitting around a table taking notes. Thanks to modern technology, that doesn't have to be the case any longer. OnConference prides themselves on their ability to deliver the best service in the most places around the globe, and one of their most recent additions it the island of Barbados. You now have the option of sitting on the beach of one of the Caribbean's leading tourist destinations and taking in the spectacular view while taking ...

TS Bank, one of the first financial institutions in the country to launch Kasasa , the revolutionary collection of banking accounts that truly takes an interest in account holders, today introduces the most innovative account on the market, Kasasa Tunes . Kasasa Tunes is a free checking account that rewards consumers with downloads from iTunes or Amazon.com every month. It is designed for those with a passion for music and media, who want to be rewarded with digital downloads, including music, books, movies and iPhone or iPad applications. "For those that want ...

In response to the devastation in Japan, with earthquakes, tsunamis, and a potential nuclear disaster hanging over everyone's heads, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys has called together some of his famous old friends to put together a benefit album to aid those affected by the terrible events that took place across the nation. Joining Jardine on the album are Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Bruce Johnston who are all original members of the Beach Boys and are eager to help out and do their part for the cause. For the first time ever, 'Don't Fight the Sea' and 'Friends' will ...

The Healy-Murphy Center today announced it has received a $1 million gift from Dr. George and Kym Rapier for the school's capital campaign. The funds from the Blake, Kymberly & George Rapier Charitable Trust will be used to renovate the main classroom building on the Healy-Murphy campus. To honor this generous gift the Center will name one of its renovated buildings the Kym and George Rapier Building. Located at the corner of Live Oak and Nolan, Healy-Murphy Center has been a beacon of hope in San Antonio for more than 120 years. Established in 1888 as St. Peter ...