Voters across the country are entering the season of ballot measures. In Washington, this fall's nine statewide ballot measures include two competing liquor initiatives, a bond measure for school upgrades, and a much-debated push for the state's first income tax since the 1930s. Into this fray enters an online experiment created by the University of Washington in partnership with the Seattle civic nonprofit CityClub. The Living Voters Guide (www.livingvotersguide.org) aims to spark a civil and objective discussion among Washington voters by letting them work together ...

Clinical depression puts pregnant women at increased risk of delivering prematurely and of giving birth to below-normal weight infants, according to a report published Oct. 4 in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Being born too soon and weighing too little at birth can jeopardize the immediate survival and long-term health of babies. Preterm birth and low birth weight are leading causes worldwide of infant and early childhood mortality, respiratory distress, neurological and developmental impairment, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss and other disabilities. Depression ...

The frigid ice of Jupiter's moon Europa may be hiding more than a presumed ocean: it is likely the scene of some unexpectedly fast chemistry between water and sulfur dioxide at extremely cold temperatures. Although these molecules react easily as liquids—they are well-known ingredients of acid rain—Mark Loeffler and Reggie Hudson at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., now report that they react as ices with surprising speed and high yield at temperatures hundreds of degrees below freezing. Because the reaction occurs without the aid of radiation, it could ...

(Cincinnati, OH) – In a study published today in the Journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, an international team of researchers based in the U.S. and UK revealed that they were able to halt the potentially lethal, breath holding episodes associated with the neurological disease Rett syndrome. Rett syndrome is a disorder of the brain that affects around 1 in 10,000 young girls. On October 4, 1999, a groundbreaking study was published showing that the disease is caused by a spontaneous mutation in the gene methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). The gene ...

A deep, stationary trough of low pressure parked over the Ohio and Tennessee valleys west of the Appalachians drew a steady stream of tropical moisture, including the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole, up the East Coast. The results were heavy rain and flooding from Florida to the coastal Carolinas up into the Chesapeake Bay region and NASA's TRMM satellite captured rainfall from the event. Rain first broke out across the U.S. Southeast as a slow moving front approached from the northwest. The front then became stationary along the eastern seaboard, providing a focus ...

UVALDE – Texas AgriLife Research scientists have recently completed a two-year study on the impact of deficit irrigation and plant density on the growth, yield and quality of short-day onions. Deficit irrigation is a strategy in which water is applied to a crop during its drought-senstitive stages of development and is either applied sparingly or not at all during other growth stages, particularly if there is sufficient rainfall, reducing the overall amount of irrigation through the crop cycle. According to crop production experts, the strategy is particularly helpful ...

WASHINGTON, DC, October 4, 2010—As public concern heightens over current completion rates for students at America's community colleges, a University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher has systematically examined 25 years of rigorous research in search of explanations of success and remedies for dropouts. Sara Goldrick-Rab, Assistant Professor of Educational Policy Studies and of Sociology, points to key contributions made by institutional practices and to the important role that federal and state resources and policies play in shaping colleges' capacity to increase graduation ...

From Earth, the Sun looks like a calm, placid body that does little more than shine brightly while marching across the sky. Images from a bit closer, of course, show it's an unruly ball of hot gas that can expel long plumes out into space – but even this isn't the whole story. Surrounding the Sun is a roiling wind of electrons and protons that shows constant turbulence at every size scale: long streaming jets, smaller whirling eddies, and even microscopic movements as charged particles circle in miniature orbits. Through it all, great magnetic waves and electric currents ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Hindustani singing, a North Indian traditional style of singing, and classical singing, such as the music of Puccini, Mozart and Wagner, vary greatly in technique and sound. Now, speech-language pathology researchers at the University of Missouri are comparing the two styles in hopes of finding a treatment for laryngeal tremors, a vocal disorder associated with many neurological disorders that can result in severe communication difficulties. Sound is developed in the larynx, an organ located in the neck. A laryngeal or vocal tremor occurs when the larynx ...

USE OF NASAL CPAP MAY CAUSE CRANIOFACIAL CHANGES The use of a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) machine for more than 2 years may cause craniofacial changes in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Researchers from The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, analyzed baseline and follow-up radiographs from 46 Japanese patients with OSA who had used nCPAP for a minimum of 2 years. Changes in craniofacial structures were assessed. nCPAP use was associated with change in the craniofacial form by reducing maxillary and mandibular prominence ...

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Using advanced MRI and an artificial intelligence technique, researchers in Geneva, Switzerland, have identified a method that may help identify which individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will continue to decline, according to a study published online and in the December issue of Radiology. "We know that about half of all individuals with early-stage mild cognitive impairment will progress to Alzheimer's disease," said lead researcher Sven Haller, M.D, M.Sc., a radiologist at University Hospitals of Geneva. "But not knowing which patients ...

TV Stands ( http://www.tvstandsuk.co.uk ) UK have been supplying high quality TV Stands, TV Cabinets and TV Furniture online since 2003 and they are now proud to announce the addition of one of the top names in the industry to their current catalogue. BDI have been in the home theatre TV furniture business since 1984 when their CEO and designer Bill Becker had the vision of making great design available to the masses. Since then they have built up a great reputation for developing and manufacturing great designs that would actually be accessible and have become a force ...

Customize a Beautiful Accent to Your Home's Curb Appeal Items such as the clothing and shoes are very expressive in addition to their functionality. A home is functional just like clothing or shoes, and it is very expressive as well. A great way to accent your home with a truly personalized adornment, is with custom shutters. Custom shutters (http://www.estatemillwork.com/custom-shutters.html) are not only specified to your exact personal tastes, but can add a tremendous amount of depth and beauty to the curb appeal of your home. Everything from the style, pattern, ...

People Magazine names her one of "Nashville's Hottest New Country Stars", while Ebony recognizes her as "The Storyteller", and one who is "Breaking the Sound Barriers" in music! Whatever the case, all can agree that Miko Marks is an artist in sync with the times. On the frontlines of change, Ms. Marks is blazing an unprecedented trail and ushering in a new generation! Named "Best New Country Artist" by New Music Weekly, Miko's debut album, "Freeway Bound", also received honors as the "2007 Country Album of the Year", at The Independent Music Awards. Amongst the judges ...

OrangeHRM, Inc., a leader in the development of open-source human resources management (HRM) software, launched the new website for its hosted enterprise version OrangeHRM Live, a hosted version of its flagship product OrangeHRM. OrangeHRM Live was launched at the SHRM 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition at the San Diego Convention Center, California earlier this year. This new website will give detailed information on OrangeHRM Live while allowing HR people to sign up for a comprehensive HR management system in just a few minutes. The new website contains video tours, ...

GoodGirlPR proudly welcomes Pooka Pure & Simple to its growing roster. The African-American female owned bath and body care company creates handmade products made with natural oils, vitamins and minerals. Must have items include Whipped Cream, an all over body moisturizer and the Nectar Hair Oil & Treatment. GoodGirlPR will develop and implement strategies that will increase visibility and further connect the brand with its customer base. In an age where consumers are more mindful of product ingredients, Pooka Pure & Simple has etched a mark within in the beauty industry ...

Into the Night takes place in the modern day world, where vampires ( http://www.asapublishingcompany.com ) locked in a heated war with a group of humans known only as the Hunters. The two have been battling for over five hundred years, each striving to destroy the other. The Vampires ( http://www.asapublishingcompany.com ) are led by the most powerful and sadistic vampire of them all, Dracula. While the hunters are led by a council made up of nine hunter clans, worlds collide when a gruesome murder is committed and detective Karen Shaw and her partner Gabriel Pardo are ...

Lukas - the World's Smartest Horse (according to The World Records Academy, 2010) will be sharing his expertise via owner/trainer Karen Murdock at the forty-third International Certified Horsemanship Association Conference in Lake City, Florida, on October 22, 2010. Murdock is slated to give a presentation speech on Lukas' techniques followed by a liberty demonstration with four horse-handler pairs. According to Murdock: "So many people have been curious about Lukas' training that I'm very excited to be able to share him with other trainers, and hopefully influence ...

Signazon.com partook in a business renovation today for SharpLine, which helped a mid-century business office in San Bernardino, California, make a grand statement, outside and in. The new owners of the mid-century office wanted their business to have a more elegant modern feel, and the plain windows and retro furniture were going to have to go. With the help of Signazon, SharpLine was able to update their look with elegant frosted glass decals and etched glass window signs to accent the modern updates and luxurious exterior. Signazon designers and SharpLine owners worked ...

Secrets to Successful Parenting, a San Diego-based company setting the standard in the balancing love and discipline within the family, is offering four free introductory parenting seminars in the San Diego area. Arguing, scolding, yelling, time management, punishments, consequences, peer pressure, respect, communication and more issues will all be addressed by family coach Hilde Gross, who has been family coaching since 2002. Get parenting tips that can be used right away! The seminars will be held on the following dates and locations: Thursday, October 7, 2010 ...

Painter's Showcase is a new online e-commerce website delivering an online gallery experience tailored to artists and art lovers. Painter's Showcase is focused only on fine art. Designed and conceived by artist and e-commerce entrepreneur Victoria Kloch, http://www.PaintersShowcase.com fills a special niche in the expanding online art community. "I started offering my paintings through various e-commerce websites and noticed that fine art was being crowded by crafts and other collectables. My vision of a community for painters, illustrators and sculptors is realized ...

Sustainable1000's Green Radio Shows feature more than a dozen environmental, community-focused and corporations. These insightful conversations will cover local food, farmers, organic diets, green business development, sustainable agriculture, education, design, consulting, land use, conservation, construction, marketing, and much more. The true insights about sustainability come from exploring many subjects and see their intersections. Join these and other special guests for the most multi-faceted discussion on the radio. The week of October 1, 2010's interviews include: New ...

Excel Software today unveiled student editions of its flagship MacA&D and WinA&D tools for software design. With full-featured support of all major software design methods, college students can now experience the same tools used by professional software developers worldwide. For object-oriented design, the student can draw all 14 major diagram types specified by UML 2.2. For structured analysis and design, create multi-level data flow diagrams, process specifications, structure charts and state models. For database design, draw data models with SQL details, triggers ...

Damian Rae Winery today announced the availability of its latest hand-crafted premium wine, the Damian Rae 2008 Syrah from White Hawk vineyard (Santa Barbara County). "This first-rate wine has its origins in one of the world's premier Syrah vineyards," said John Tarabini, president. "The 2008 vintage promises to be as spectacular as last year's 93-point Damian Rae Syrah." Extraordinarily rich, the Damian Rae 2008 Syrah has flavor as bold as its deep red color, featuring concentrations of black currants, mocha, and pepper, with big lush tannins. The richness is balanced ...

KRAA Security has announced the launch of Social Media Security Assessment consulting to address the wide variety of threats facing corporate use of Social Media. KRAA Security (www.kraasecurity.com) is a leader in the network security assessments, HIPAA Security, PCI security reviews and managed security services for the retail, financial and healthcare industries, as well as supply chain services. The addition of Social Media Security Assessments to the firm's offerings provides another means with which they can serve their clients with state-of-the-art security analysis ...