High levels of a protein associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation in the brain correlate with aspects of memory decline in otherwise cognitively normal older adults, according to a study led by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco. The study is being reported in a poster session at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. Inflammation is part of the body's natural immune response to tissue damage. However, chronic inflammation is associated with many diseases. In the brain, it is thought to play a role ...

Ever since the devastating earthquake, tsunamis, and the subsequent nuclear crisis that have rocked Japan--not to mention the waves of discontent and revolution currently sweeping through the Middle East like a scirocco off the desert--speculation over the affects of these events upon global economics and trade has moved well beyond the strategic command centers of hedge funds and Forex exchanges to include the most volatile and potentially profitable trading platforms employed by today's active investors and traders. Questions about the value of the Yen, the price ...

It takes two unique types of mirrors working together to see farther back in time and space than ever before, and engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have just received one of each type. Primary and Secondary Mirror Engineering Design Units (EDUs) have recently arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. from Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in Redondo Beach, Calif. and are undergoing examination and testing. When used on the James Webb Space Telescope those two types of mirrors will allow scientists to make those observations. "The Primary ...

Mike Mayer, President of MedReturn, LLC will provide testimony on the topic of prescription drug take back programs before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. The hearing entitled, "Warning: The Growing Danger of Prescription Drug Diversion," is scheduled for April 14 at 8:00 a.m. in Room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The MedReturn Drug Disposal Unit provides a safe, secure, sustainable and environmentally friendly way to help law enforcement agencies and communities collect unwanted or expired ...

In a breakthrough that may aid treatment of learning impairments, strokes, tinnitus and chronic pain, UT Dallas researchers have found that brain nerve stimulation accelerates learning in laboratory tests. Another major finding of the study, published in the April 14 issue of Neuron, involves the positive changes detected after stimulation and learning were complete. Researchers monitoring brain activity in rats found that brain responses eventually returned to their pre-stimulation state, but the animals could still perform the learned task. These findings have allowed ...

For the first time, scientists at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network have shown in a clinical trial that the Toronto XVIVO System can safely and effectively treat, re-assess and improve the function of high-risk donor lungs so that they can be successfully transplanted into patients. The use of this technique could significantly expand the donor organ pool and improve outcomes after transplantation. In their pioneering work, a team of researchers led by Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Senior Scientist at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University Health ...

The Mountain Winery selected Hopelessly Romantic Media Productions (HRMP) as its publisher. Best known for publishing Hopelessly Romantic Magazine and The Classic Male Magazine, HRMP also handles custom magazine publishing for any size business. They also offer custom wedding magazines for couples who want to share their thoughts and photos with their guests as the perfect "Thank You" card. HRMP also produces video commercials for web and broadcast. When a paid magazine advertiser spends at least $500 on an ad, HRMP will create ad space for a local charity in that advertiser's ...

ANN ARBOR, Mich.---The ongoing spread of non-native mussels in the Great Lakes has caused "massive, ecosystem-wide changes" throughout lakes Michigan and Huron, two of the planet's largest freshwater lakes, according to a new University of Michigan-led study. The blitzkrieg advance of two closely related species of mussels---the zebra and quagga---is stripping the lakes of their life-supporting algae, resulting in a remarkable ecological transformation and threatening the multibillion-dollar U.S. commercial and recreational Great Lakes fisheries. Previous studies have ...

DALLAS – April 14, 2011 – A natural hormone known to inhibit aging can also protect kidneys against renal fibrosis, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have demonstrated. Scientists led by Dr. Makoto Kuro-o, associate professor of pathology, showed in mice that the anti-aging hormone Klotho suppressed both renal fibrosis – a common complication of chronic kidney disease – and the spread of cancer. The findings are available online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. More than 26 million people in the U.S. are affected by chronic kidney disease. Researchers ...

Cincinnati, OH, April 14, 2011 -- The number of couples struggling with infertility is on the rise, and these couples often use assisted reproductive technologies, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), to get pregnant. Although IVF can be successful, it can also increase the risk of multiple pregnancies (i.e., twins or triplets), which are often caused by transferring more than one embryo. Twins and triplets are likely to be born prematurely, and, as a result, many have medical complications. A new study soon to be published in The Journal of Pediatrics finds a major decrease ...

New York, NY, April 14, 2011—If implemented successfully, accountable care organizations (ACOs) have the ability to achieve better care, better population health, and lower costs, according to a new report released today by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System. Implementing ACOs effectively will be vital to their success and, to that end, the Commission report also includes 10 recommendations for effective implementation, focusing on the design, payment and functioning of ACOs. An accompanying Commonwealth Fund perspective contains an analysis ...

This press release is available in French. Montreal, April 13, 2011 – The use of cognitive-behavioural therapy to treat tics in Tourette syndrome may be as effective as and even superior to medication in certain cases. According to a new study published in a special edition of the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy by researchers from the Fernand-Seguin Research Centre of the Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital affiliated with Université de Montréal, it was observed that therapy has an effect not only on tics, behaviour and thoughts, but also on brain activity. "This ...

DETROIT — The Keeywaytinook tribe in northern Ontario, Canada, couldn't afford a high school, and its youth, some as young as 13 years old, had no option but to live in unfamiliar communities to attend school. But this option sparked a culture shock among some students that impeded their ability to learn and was even fatal in some cases. To address the issue, the tribe developed an online high school to provide its youth with distance learning that actually kept them closer to home. Michael Barbour, Ph.D., assistant professor of instructional technology at Wayne State ...

Michaels, North America's largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, celebrates mom's special day with a week-long series of in-store Mother's Day gift-making events and a Mother's Day contest on its Facebook page. The contest starts Friday, April 15. Fans can upload a photo to the Mother's Day contest tab on Michaels' Facebook page and embellish it with tools in the Facebook application. Fans can then encourage family and friends to visit the page gallery and vote on their photo project. The photo with the most votes by 11:59am EDT on May 7 will win the grand prize ...

Lukas, the World's Smartest Horse (according to the World Records Academy) and Guinness World Record Holder, has been nominated for a star on the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame! According to Karen Murdock, Lukas' owner/trainer, Lukas' category is Performance (apparently there wasn't one for best smile). Lukas would be the first horse selected and would join dogs Lassie and Rin Tin Tin, if chosen. Trivia question: But what about Trigger? (see answer below) Nominee's Qualifications: Lukas has appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, HLN, and Inside Edition, as well as in ...

Your Natural Baby Fair, a FREE event for all your fertility, pregnancy, birth, and baby care needs, will be held at The NTC Promenade at Liberty Station in San Diego, California. This is an all-day event with education and fun on April 30th 2011 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. There will be two stages and two classrooms filled with educational presentations by local experts, demonstrations, and classes from yoga to baby sign language and more. In addition there will be a room full of vendors and shopping, kids' entertainment, and FREE goodie bags for the first 200 to arrive! Bring ...

Today, Jetsfan.com announced details about their "Jetsfan.com Favorite 50" which will feature the top 50 players of the 2011 NFL draft that match the New York Jets' positional needs. Each prospect's scouting report evaluates his collegiate production, natural athletic ability, and personal intangibles. Off-field concerns and the prospect's ability to transition from college to the NFL, and fit into the Jets' schemes, are also discussed. Since 2004, Jetsfan.com has successfully identified early round selections such as Kyle Wilson, Vladimir DuCasse, Mark Sanchez, Dustin ...

PowerCardio, developed by Croyez (pronounced as "Krwah-Yay") Studio, Asia's largest Power Plate studio, combines the effect of both cardiovascular and strength exercise to deliver better and faster results with the use Power Plate . Cardiovascular exercise has been long touted for its benefits in strengthening the heart, burning unwanted fats and toning the body. Coupled with strength and resistance training, PowerCardio will help to gain muscle mass as well, making it suitable for the metropolitan man. Power Plate 's vibrations that transmit waves of energy throughout ...

Everyone is looking into the best window treatments to add to their windows. This is especially true if you are redesigning or redecorating your home or office. You definitely want a new look and adding the right window treatment is the answer for your needs. Blinds4Home, a leading provider of customized window treatments, is offering very low prices for some of the most popular window blinds, vertical blinds, window shades, roller shades and solar shades. These window blinds are stylish and functional that it can emphasize the ambiance of any room as well as provide ...

Helping Individuals Succeed (H.I.S.) Agency has partnered with The Culinary Studio in Southfield, MI to host their second Sugar-licious Bakeoff on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Girls between the ages of 13 to 18 are invited to come out and put their culinary skills to the test and compete for the $40 grand prize. The contest will take place from 9am-1pm and will be immediately followed by a bake sale from 1pm-2pm. All contestants will sell their delicious goods along with desserts donated by local restaurants. All entries and dessert donations from local restaurants will be ...

Los Angeles based Latina designers Maria Leguizamon and Claudine Jakubowicz have been selected by Kickstarter, the largest digital funding platform for creative projects, to launch a fundraising campaign for their newest venture, Sugarpepper Panties. Inspired by the love for the flare and flavors of South America, Venezuela born Jakubowicz and Colombia born Leguizamon, sought to create an underwear line committed to helping women feel empowered, confident and sexy through versatile style, seamless comfort and unsurpassed quality. With each creation woven with spandex ...

Park City . . . are you ready to train with the pros? Back for another year, HSBCAMPS, (America's fastest growing youth basketball program) has announced its return to Park City High School (July 18-21, 2011), bringing kids of all ages and abilities face-to-face with the pros. HSBCAMPS Park City Day Camp and Morning Clinic, will offer boys and girls in the elementary, middle, and high school grades (K-12th), a unique chance to train one-on-one with NBA players and other select pros. Backed by a "Quality over Quantity" mentality, HSBCAMPS comprehensive curriculum offers ...

Gifted vocalist and songwriter Marti Dorner is a singer's singer. Having sung background vocals for legendary artists like Larnelle Harris, Ron Kenoly, Thurlow Spurr, Babbie Mason, Sandi Patty, and The Gaither Vocal Band, Marti has paid her dues in Christian music. Now the soprano has launched her solo career with the debut of her self-titled project, "Marti". A mix of Contemporary Christian and Contemporary Gospel music, the 11-track CD showcases the talented vocalist in collection of powerful worship ballads and upbeat, moving praise songs. The artist officially released ...

MyBinding.com, a division of Information Management Services, LCC, announces that they're ready to start shipping the new Fastback 20 binding machine from Powis Parker MyBinding.com, one of the country's leading Internet retailers of document finishing machines and supplies, has announced that they're now selling the all new Fastback 20 tape binding machine from Powis Parker. The machine is a step up from Powis Parker's Fastback 15 in many ways, said Jeff McRitchie, Vice-President of Marketing for MyBinding.com. "We're extremely excited to be selling the Fastback ...

Vinos Finos y Picadas, a South American wine cafe, has opened its doors in Lafayette Village Shopping Center—located on the corner of Falls of Neuse Road and Honeycutt Road in Raleigh. The cafe opened its doors in January under the proprietorship of Patrick West. West has spent almost half his life in North Carolina, starting with undergraduate school. West's love of wine began when a coworker invited him to a dinner party featuring an "Argentine BBQ", with grass-feed, Argentine beef short ribs, chorizos, and Vasio (similar to skirt steak)—all served with a wonderful ...