As electronics become smaller and smaller the need to understand nanoscale phenomena becomes greater and greater. Because materials exhibit different properties at the nanoscale than they do at larger scales, new techniques are required to understand and to exploit these new phenomena. A team of researchers led by Paul Weiss, UCLA's Fred Kavli Chair in NanoSystems Sciences, has developed a tool to study nanoscale interactions. Their device is a dual scanning tunneling and microwave-frequency probe that is capable of measuring the interactions between single molecules and ...

CLEVELAND – Coaching happens just about everywhere, and every day, with learning as the goal. Effective coaching can lead to smoothly functioning organizations, better productivity and potentially more profit. In classrooms, better student performance can occur. Doctors or nurses can connect more with patients. So, doing coaching right would seem to be a natural goal, and it has been a major topic of research at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management since 1990. For all the energy and money spent on coaching, there is little understanding ...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Researchers at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida have found a clue as to how some people develop a form of dementia that affects the brain areas associated with personality, behavior, and language. In the Nov. 17 online issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics, the scientists write that they discovered a link between two proteins — progranulin and sortilin — they say might open new avenues for the treatment of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), which occurs in the frontal lobe and temporal lobe of the brain. This form of dementia, which ...

Physicians caring for patients with sepsis may soon have a new safe and cost-effective treatment for this life-threatening illness. Research led by Dr. Karel Tyml and his colleagues at The University of Western Ontario and Lawson Health Research Institute have found that vitamin C can not only prevent the onset of sepsis, but can reverse the disease. Sepsis is caused by a bacterial infection that can begin anywhere in your body. Your immune system goes into overdrive, overwhelming normal processes in your blood. The result is that small blood clots form, blocking blood ...

KINGSTON, ON – Researchers at Queen's University have discovered the method for studying oxygen in large molecular systems. The findings will help in the study of proteins, DNA, RNA and other molecular structures. Biological molecules make up all living creatures on earth and contain four major elements – hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. But until now scientists were only able to use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to study three out of the four elements in the molecule puzzle because oxygen wavelengths were difficult to detect. "Oxygen signals were so weak, ...

DURHAM, N.C. -- Heart tissue and stem cells spring into action to begin repairing muscle damaged in a heart attack, and researchers at Duke University School of Medicine found that a protein naturally produced in the body may potentially play a role in accelerating heart muscle repair. Giving the right dose of this protein named secreted frizzled related protein 2 (sfrp2) in studies of rats helped to prevent heart failure and reduce collagen layering that can form thick scar tissue after a heart attack (also called MI, or myocardial infarction). Previously the same researchers ...

Every year about this time, on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that traditionally begins the holiday shopping season, early-morning consumers stand in long lines eager to purchase some sought after prize. From the outside, it looks as if these holiday shoppers can't wait to plunk down their cash, but University of Michigan Marketing Professor Scott Rick says consumers often behave differently than they would ideally like to behave. "Some consumers chronically spend more than they would like, and some consumers chronically spend less than they would like," he ...

The most widely adopted measure for assessing the state of the world's oceans and fisheries led to inaccurate conclusions in nearly half the ecosystems where it was applied. The new analysis was performed by an international team of fisheries scientists, and is reported in this week's issue of the journal Nature. "Applied to individual ecosystems it's like flipping a coin; half the time you get the right answer and half the time you get the wrong answer," said Trevor Branch, a University of Washington (UW) aquatic and fisheries scientist. "Monitoring all the fish ...

Approximately 13 million metric tons of rare earth elements (REE) exist within known deposits in the United States, according to the first-ever nationwide estimate of these elements by the U.S. Geological Survey. This estimate of domestic rare earth deposits is part of a larger report that includes a review of global sources for REE, information on known deposits that might provide domestic sources of REE in the future, and geologic information crucial for studies of the availability of REE to U.S. industry. The report describes significant deposits of REE in 14 states, ...

By tracking the fate of a group of immature cells that persist in the adult brain and spinal cord, Johns Hopkins researchers discovered in mice that these cells undergo dramatic changes in ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A study reported November 17 online in Neuron shows that these cells, called NG2+, grow and expand rapidly during early life, eventually morphing into mature nervous system cells called oligodendrocytes. These "oligos" help speed the transmission of electrical impulses by providing insulation around nerve cells. This insulation, known as myelin, ...

A better understanding of how we use acoustic cues to stress new information and put old information in the background may help computer programmers produce more realistic-sounding speech. Dr. Michael Wagner, a researcher in McGill's Department of Linguistics, has compared the way French- and English-speakers evaluate poetry, as a way of finding evidence for a systematic difference in how the two languages use these cues. "Voice synthesis has become quite impressive in terms of the pronunciation of individual words," Wagner explained. "But when a computer 'speaks,' whole ...

New York, NY, November 18, 2010—A new 11-country survey from The Commonwealth Fund finds that adults in the United States are far more likely than those in 10 other industrialized nations to go without health care because of costs, have trouble paying medical bills, encounter high medical bills even when insured, and have disputes with their insurers or discover insurance wouldn't pay as they expected. According to the report, the findings highlight the need for Affordable Care Act reforms that will ensure access to health care, protect people from medical debt, and simplify ...

Villeroy & Boch now offers its innovative SupraFix fastening system throughout the U.S. marketplace. SupraFix, a patent-pending system, sets new standards for wall-mounted WC installation by simplifying the process of attaching both the Water Closet (WC) and the WC seat. "SupraFix changes everything. Conventional fastening holes are no longer required so unsightly plastic covers are a thing of the past," said Constantin von Boch, national sales manager for the Villeroy & Boch brand. "In addition, a valuable feature of SupraFix is an uninterrupted design which makes ...

The growth of the green building market will drive adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, according to a new Market Report, Building Information Modeling is Contributing to Green Design and Construction, released by MCIPE Constructors & Professional Engineers. The report provides new insights on the convergence of two important construction industry trends: green building and BIM, known simply as "Green BIM." "Green building is already transforming design and construction in the United States, and BIM has the potential to increase innovation---and ...

SunPods will return to participate as alumni in the CleantTech National Awards Gala on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 - an event recognized as the "Academy Awards of Cleantech". A fully assembled, factory-built SunPods solar array will be featured outside of the event venue to showcase the technology that reduces installation of ground mount solar installations by up to 90 percent. The mission of the Cleantech Open is to find, fund, and foster the big ideas that address today's most urgent energy, environmental, and economic challenges. Following a valued placement in ...

Kick off your holiday season at Salon Oasis, while you and your friends enjoy glamorous fun with delicious appetizers from Blue Martini, drinks from Hpnotiq and music by Cat Shell. Come check out the latest in holiday fashion by Intrigue Couture, hair and make-up trend by Salon Oasis and enjoy the sounds of Cat Shell, singer/songwriter (catshellmusic.com). Prizes galore to be given away at the end of the evening, and the first 200 guests receive a free swag bag filled with glam goodies! At 8 pm head over to Blue Martini at Town Center Mall for the continuation of ...

Around 250 lots of fine clocks, estate jewelry and other small items that would make excellent holiday presents will be sold in an online-only auction slated to end Friday, Dec. 10, by Gordon S. Converse & Co. The auction is already online and all lots may be viewed at the website AuctionsatConverse.com, with a hyperlink to LiveAuctioneers.com. "If payment is received promptly there will be no trouble shipping in time for the holidays," said Gordon Converse of Gordon S. Converse & Co. "The jewelry includes many affordable precious and semi-precious mounted pins, pendants, ...

BrightStar Franchising, LLC, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides medical and non-medical homecare to private clients within their homes, as well as supplemental healthcare staff to corporate clients, announces the appointment of JD Sun as Executive Vice President of Franchise Development. Sun, who co-founded BrightStar with his wife, Shelly, and most recently played an integral role building sales in company-owned markets, launching franchise sales efforts and leading the company's rebranding efforts to drive franchisee performance, will now lead ...

Brooklyn Stone Boutique is turning Black Friday PINK, Hot Pink to be exact! Then we are going to celebrate NYC's first "Small Business Saturday", which is a nationwide initiative to motivate shoppers to patronize locally owned, independent businesses during Thanksgiving weekend. Brooklyn Stone Boutique's PINK Friday will consist of store wide sales, coupons, and free gifts! The Small Business Saturday celebration will offer customers door prizes, promotions, coupons and free gifts! Shop and celebrate with us in style. Support local businesses, enhance your wardrobe, ...

Boulder-based Metzger Associates and SCBG Advertising in Las Vegas have partnered to develop a national digital marketing program for AIMIS, the American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery. AIMIS, the nation's preeminent educator of minimally invasive surgical techniques, has tapped the two firms to implement a comprehensive national communications initiative that will include traditional PR, social media management (including podcasts, social media engagement, and other social media strategies), member website development, search engine marketing, search engine optimization, ...

Resort Maps, creator of more than 100 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced Craig Caldwell as the new owner of the Dennis-Harwich-Brewster Resort Maps franchise. The Harwich, Mass. resident took over the Dennis-Harwich-Brewster, MA Resort Map from Gerry Pelissier last month. Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at travel information and rest areas as well at advertiser locations. The Dennis-Harwich-Brewster map highlights local attractions and ...

CCRA Travel Solutions - a leading provider of business-related solutions for the travel professional - is pleased to report a 48% yr/yr increase in hotel room nights booked through the CCRATravel.com agent portal through August 2010. During the same period, GDS hotel reservations went up just over 26%, according to the August 2010 issue of The Pegasus View. CCRA attributes the increase in portal hotel bookings to the introduction of two new, travel agent programs that were made available to registered agents at the end of 2009: CCRA Cash Rewards and the popular 15% COMMISSION/ ...

Inlet Technologies, the leader in innovative solutions for digital media preparation, today announced it has been selected as company of the year in the category of small technology companies in the 2010 North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) 21 Awards. Winners were recognized at the annual awards gala on Wednesday, November 10th. The NCTA 21 Awards celebrate innovation and excellence in North Carolina. This annual showcase honors companies and individuals in 21 categories who represent the best and brightest in technology and business. Wednesday's award adds to ...

Think-a-lot Toys is proud to be a part of the Hyatt Resort's Toy Box, powered by TOY TIPS program, where guests of all ages can enjoy TOY TIPS tested toys from an extensive lending library. Think-a-lot Toys' StoryPlay Cards is one of the games included in this exclusive program. Each toy in the program undergoes stringent testing by Toy Tips Research Institute, an organization who provides independent reviews to ensure that each toy meets specific criteria including; level of activity, skill development and age appropriateness. StoryPlay Cards is a versatile deck ...

Wisconsinmade.com, an e-commerce gift store, is pleased to announce that Germanson Arts, LLC, of Waunakee, Wisconsin, has joined our artisan group. Wisconsinmade.com carefully selects only the finest-quality products made in Wisconsin and offers them for sale on the Internet. "We are delighted to present University of Wisconsin themed artwork from Germanson Arts to our shoppers this holiday season. Badger fans nation-wide will enjoy displaying Tom Germanson's household items," said Linda Remeschatis, owner of Wisconsinmade.com. About Germanson Arts, LLC: Customer ...