Saturday, 16 February 2013
'10,000 more GPs needed' for NHS to cope with increasing workload
Ten thousand more GPs needed for NHS to ensure patients are properly cared for out of hours, says head of Royal College of GPs..
'10,000 more GPs needed' for NHS to cope with increasing workload
Ten thousand more GPs needed for NHS to ensure patients are properly cared for out of hours, says head of Royal College of GPs..
Heterosexual couples challenge 'discriminatory' civil partnerships bar
LAWS restricting civil partnerships to gay couples discriminate against heterosexuals, four straight couples are to argue in a landmark challenge at the European Court of Human Rights.
Recent History and Geography of Virtual Water Trade
by Joel A. Carr, Paolo D’Odorico, Francesco Laio, Luca Ridolfi
The global trade of goods is associated with a virtual transfer of the water required for their production. The way changes in trade affect the virtual redistribution of freshwater resources has been recently documented through the analysis of the virtual water network. It is, however, unclear how these changes are contributed by different types of products and regions of the world. Here we show how the global patterns of virtual water transport are contributed by the trade of different commodity types, including plant, animal, luxury (e.g., coffee, tea, and alcohol), and other products. Major contributors to the virtual water network exhibit different trade patterns with regard to these commodity types. The net importers rely on the supply of virtual water from a small percentage of the global population. However, discrepancies exist among the different commodity networks. While the total virtual water flux through the network has increased between 1986 and 2010, the proportions associated with the four commodity groups have remained relatively stable. However, some of the major players have shown significant changes in the virtual water imports and exports associated with those commodity groups. For instance, China has switched from being a net exporter of virtual water associated with other products (non-edible plant and animal products typically used for manufacturing) to being the largest importer, accounting for 31% of the total water virtually transported with these products. Conversely, in the case of The United states of America, the commodity proportions have remained overall unchanged throughout the study period: the virtual water exports from The United States of America are dominated by plant products, whereas the imports are comprised mainly of animal and luxury products.
The global trade of goods is associated with a virtual transfer of the water required for their production. The way changes in trade affect the virtual redistribution of freshwater resources has been recently documented through the analysis of the virtual water network. It is, however, unclear how these changes are contributed by different types of products and regions of the world. Here we show how the global patterns of virtual water transport are contributed by the trade of different commodity types, including plant, animal, luxury (e.g., coffee, tea, and alcohol), and other products. Major contributors to the virtual water network exhibit different trade patterns with regard to these commodity types. The net importers rely on the supply of virtual water from a small percentage of the global population. However, discrepancies exist among the different commodity networks. While the total virtual water flux through the network has increased between 1986 and 2010, the proportions associated with the four commodity groups have remained relatively stable. However, some of the major players have shown significant changes in the virtual water imports and exports associated with those commodity groups. For instance, China has switched from being a net exporter of virtual water associated with other products (non-edible plant and animal products typically used for manufacturing) to being the largest importer, accounting for 31% of the total water virtually transported with these products. Conversely, in the case of The United states of America, the commodity proportions have remained overall unchanged throughout the study period: the virtual water exports from The United States of America are dominated by plant products, whereas the imports are comprised mainly of animal and luxury products.
Prisoner X sparks Israel liberties debate
Death of alleged spy raises questions over censorship and the quality of a judicial system and media that toed the state’s line on security
Japanese air purifiers are big in China
Sales of air purifiers made by Daikin, Panasonic and Sharp have shot up in China amid mounting concerns about air pollution over the past few months
German named new head of Vatican bank
Decision to appoint lawyer completes pontiff’s most important item of unfinished business before renouncing the papacy at the end of the month
Brussels vows to fight Tobin tax hurdles
European Commission unveils a blueprint to collect up to €35bn a year from 2014, catching trades executed anywhere from Singapore to São Paulo
Zurich Insurance annual earnings up 3%
Proceeds from a large sale of assets offset a further round of charges at its troublesome German unit and the fallout from superstorm Sandy
Gazprom rejects Kiev gas contract plea
Russian energy giant insists Ukraine must pay $7bn for unused gas, stoking fears of a repeat of a previous trade war that disrupted supplies to Europe
Nestlé: kit for kat
Investors reacted badly to results from the world’s biggest food company, but they should remember that it consistently delivers growth
Food business drives PepsiCo profits
Even as the group has been working to raise the profile of brands such as Pepsi soda it has been benefiting from its food business and healthier options
Food business drives PepsiCo profits
Even as the group has been working to raise the profile of brands such as Pepsi soda it has been benefiting from its food business and healthier options
After 130,000 in 2010, BMW Recalls Another 569,000 Vehicles
BMW announced February 16, that it would recall 569,000 vehicles -- 504,000 made in the U.S. and another 65,000 in Canada. But that's hardly the first time -- after all, in July 2010, I reported on fuel pump problems that led BMW to recall 130,000 vehicles three months later. Is BMW really the ultimate driving machine?
Tokenization And The Collapse Of The Credit Card Payment Model
Written by Matt Harris, a managing director at Bain Capital Ventures in New York. Matt, who specializes in financial services startups, has invested in Dwolla and Billtrust. Bain is not an investor in Braintree or Square. It’s been a fascinating couple of weeks in the token world. We have Monopoly’s decision to replace
Cryosat observes big Arctic ice loss
Europe's Cryosat spacecraft observes a deep reduction in the volume of sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean in autumn months.
Adobe Homes in Peru's Andes Tell Centuries-Old Toxic Tale
HUANCAVELICA, Peru – Sonia Salazar’s house, like most in her neighborhood, is built of adobe bricks made from mud that soaked up centuries of emissions from mercury smelters.
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5,000-year-old temple unearthed in Peru
Archaeologists in Peru have uncovered what they believe is a temple, estimated to be up to 5,000 years old, at the site of El Paraíso.
Giant Pandas at Risk from New Chinese Forestry Policies
China's efforts to conserve and grow its populations of endangered giant pandas ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) are at odds with its own changing forestry policies, which could damage or destroy up to 15 percent of the pandas' habitat, according to conservationists writing in the February 1 issue of Science .At the heart of the matter is a long-brewing reform of China's collective forest tenure system, which since the 1950s has put control of plantations and second-growth forests under local governments known as village collectives. As explained in a 2009 report from the World Forest Institute ( pdf ), the state owns all forests in China but villages can allocate the right to use small plots within collective forests to individuals and households, who harvest them for timber, firewood, food and medicine, all of which are vital to rural livelihoods. [More]
Too Much Salt Gets Bitter and Sour Involved
Too little salt makes for a bland meal. But too much is offensively briny. Now, scientists have discovered why too much tastes bad. The work is in journal Nature. [Yuki Oka et al., High salt recruits aversive taste pathways ]
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Synthetic Marijuana Harms Kidneys of 16 Users, CDC Reports
Synthetic marijuana, already known to cause a number of serious side effects in users, has now been found to cause kidney damage, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Proteins Behind Mad-Cow Disease Also Help Brain to Develop
Prions are best known as the infectious agents that cause ‘mad cow’ disease and the human versions of it, such as variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease. But the proteins also have at least one known useful function, in the cells that insulate nerves, and are suspected to have more. Now researchers have provided the first direct evidence that the proteins play an important role in neurons themselves.
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Tests by food giants find horse DNA
Catering giant Compass Group and Whitbread, one of Britain's largest hotel chains, have found horse DNA in products sold as beef, it emerges.
Polar Bears may need to be fed by humans
In a paper released this week, the world’s leading polar bear scientists say the time has come to consider drastic measures to save these iconic animals, including supplemental feeding by humans during ice-free periods and relocating more southerly populations to the High Arctic.
The day may soon come when some of the 19 polar bear populations in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and Russia will have to be fed by humans in order to keep them alive during an extended ice-free season or prevent them from roaming into northern communities. Some bears may have to be placed in temporary holding compounds until it is cold enough for them to go back onto the sea ice. In worst-case scenarios, polar bears from southern regions may have to be relocated to more northerly climes that have sufficient sea ice cover.
The day may soon come when some of the 19 polar bear populations in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and Russia will have to be fed by humans in order to keep them alive during an extended ice-free season or prevent them from roaming into northern communities. Some bears may have to be placed in temporary holding compounds until it is cold enough for them to go back onto the sea ice. In worst-case scenarios, polar bears from southern regions may have to be relocated to more northerly climes that have sufficient sea ice cover.
Nuclear-like meteor blast injures 1,000 in Russia
A meteor 15 meters across flared through the skies over Russia's Chelyabinsk region early Friday, triggering an atomic bomb-sized shock wave that injured nearly a thousand people, blew out windows and caused some Russians to fear the end of the world.
A system to vaporize dangerous asteroids
The Russia meteor explosion and asteroid flyby of Earth highlight the need to protect our planet from space rock hazards. By coincidence, a team of scientists has just unveiled plans for a system to vaporize in space asteroids that threaten Earth.
Pill to Gill: Antianxiety Drugs in Flushed into Water May Be Making Fishes Fearless
Antianxiety drugs may be making fishes more aggressive. New laboratory tests reveal that even extremely low concentrations of the calming drugs benzodiazepines--more commonly known as Valium, Xanax and others--cause fishes to become less timid and to feed faster, among other effects.
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Time to eat the ugly ones...
Last week, MEPs (members of the European Parliament) voted overwhelmingly to end the wasteful practice of fish "discards". While a victory for those concerned about the future of our fisheries, what to do with the fish currently thrown overboard remains unknown. But a food distribution system taking North America by storm, championing collaborative communities and sustainable fresh food, may be part of the answer – Community Supported Fisheries.
Serum Uric Acid Concentrations in Meat Eaters, Fish Eaters, Vegetarians and Vegans: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the EPIC-Oxford Cohort
by Julie A. Schmidt, Francesca L. Crowe, Paul N. Appleby, Timothy J. Key, Ruth C. Travis
Introduction
Circulating concentrations of uric acid may be affected by dietary components such as meat, fish and dairy products, but only a few studies have compared uric acid concentrations among individuals who exclude some or all of these foods from their diet. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in serum uric acid concentrations between meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans.
Subjects and Methods
A sample of 670 men and 1,023 women (424 meat eaters, 425 fish eaters, 422 vegetarians and 422 vegans, matched on age and sex) from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Oxford cohort were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Diet was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and serum concentrations of uric acid were measured. Mean concentrations of uric acid by diet group were calculated after adjusting for age, body mass index, calcium and alcohol intake.
Results
In both men and women, serum uric acid concentrations differed significantly by diet group (p<0.0001 and p = 0.01, respectively). The differences between diet groups were most pronounced in men; vegans had the highest concentration (340, 95% confidence interval 329–351 µmol/l), followed by meat eaters (315, 306–324 µmol/l), fish eaters (309, 300–318 µmol/l) and vegetarians (303, 294–312 µmol/l). In women, serum uric acid concentrations were slightly higher in vegans (241, 234–247 µmol/l) than in meat eaters (237, 231–242 µmol/l) and lower in vegetarians (230, 224–236 µmol/l) and fish eaters (227, 221–233 µmol/l).
Conclusion
Individuals consuming a vegan diet had the highest serum concentrations of uric acid compared to meat eaters, fish eaters and vegetarians, especially in men. Vegetarians and individuals who eat fish but not meat had the lowest concentrations of serum uric acid.
Introduction
Circulating concentrations of uric acid may be affected by dietary components such as meat, fish and dairy products, but only a few studies have compared uric acid concentrations among individuals who exclude some or all of these foods from their diet. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in serum uric acid concentrations between meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans.
Subjects and Methods
A sample of 670 men and 1,023 women (424 meat eaters, 425 fish eaters, 422 vegetarians and 422 vegans, matched on age and sex) from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Oxford cohort were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Diet was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and serum concentrations of uric acid were measured. Mean concentrations of uric acid by diet group were calculated after adjusting for age, body mass index, calcium and alcohol intake.
Results
In both men and women, serum uric acid concentrations differed significantly by diet group (p<0.0001 and p = 0.01, respectively). The differences between diet groups were most pronounced in men; vegans had the highest concentration (340, 95% confidence interval 329–351 µmol/l), followed by meat eaters (315, 306–324 µmol/l), fish eaters (309, 300–318 µmol/l) and vegetarians (303, 294–312 µmol/l). In women, serum uric acid concentrations were slightly higher in vegans (241, 234–247 µmol/l) than in meat eaters (237, 231–242 µmol/l) and lower in vegetarians (230, 224–236 µmol/l) and fish eaters (227, 221–233 µmol/l).
Conclusion
Individuals consuming a vegan diet had the highest serum concentrations of uric acid compared to meat eaters, fish eaters and vegetarians, especially in men. Vegetarians and individuals who eat fish but not meat had the lowest concentrations of serum uric acid.
Do More Hospital Beds Lead to Higher Hospitalization Rates? A Spatial Examination of Roemer’s Law
by Paul L. Delamater, Joseph P. Messina, Sue C. Grady, Vince WinklerPrins, Ashton M. Shortridge
Background
Roemer’s Law, a widely cited principle in health care policy, states that hospital beds that are built tend to be used. This simple but powerful expression has been invoked to justify Certificate of Need regulation of hospital beds in an effort to contain health care costs. Despite its influence, a surprisingly small body of empirical evidence supports its content. Furthermore, known geographic factors influencing health services use and the spatial structure of the relationship between hospital bed availability and hospitalization rates have not been sufficiently explored in past examinations of Roemer’s Law. We pose the question, “Accounting for space in health care access and use, is there an observable association between the availability of hospital beds and hospital utilization?”
Methods
We employ an ecological research design based upon the Anderson behavioral model of health care utilization. This conceptual model is implemented in an explicitly spatial context. The effect of hospital bed availability on the utilization of hospital services is evaluated, accounting for spatial structure and controlling for other known determinants of hospital utilization. The stability of this relationship is explored by testing across numerous geographic scales of analysis. The case study comprises an entire state system of hospitals and population, evaluating over one million inpatient admissions.
Results
We find compelling evidence that a positive, statistically significant relationship exists between hospital bed availability and inpatient hospitalization rates. Additionally, the observed relationship is invariant with changes in the geographic scale of analysis.
Conclusions
This study provides evidence for the effects of Roemer’s Law, thus suggesting that variations in hospitalization rates have origins in the availability of hospital beds. This relationship is found to be robust across geographic scales of analysis. These findings suggest continued regulation of hospital bed supply to assist in controlling hospital utilization is justified.
Background
Roemer’s Law, a widely cited principle in health care policy, states that hospital beds that are built tend to be used. This simple but powerful expression has been invoked to justify Certificate of Need regulation of hospital beds in an effort to contain health care costs. Despite its influence, a surprisingly small body of empirical evidence supports its content. Furthermore, known geographic factors influencing health services use and the spatial structure of the relationship between hospital bed availability and hospitalization rates have not been sufficiently explored in past examinations of Roemer’s Law. We pose the question, “Accounting for space in health care access and use, is there an observable association between the availability of hospital beds and hospital utilization?”
Methods
We employ an ecological research design based upon the Anderson behavioral model of health care utilization. This conceptual model is implemented in an explicitly spatial context. The effect of hospital bed availability on the utilization of hospital services is evaluated, accounting for spatial structure and controlling for other known determinants of hospital utilization. The stability of this relationship is explored by testing across numerous geographic scales of analysis. The case study comprises an entire state system of hospitals and population, evaluating over one million inpatient admissions.
Results
We find compelling evidence that a positive, statistically significant relationship exists between hospital bed availability and inpatient hospitalization rates. Additionally, the observed relationship is invariant with changes in the geographic scale of analysis.
Conclusions
This study provides evidence for the effects of Roemer’s Law, thus suggesting that variations in hospitalization rates have origins in the availability of hospital beds. This relationship is found to be robust across geographic scales of analysis. These findings suggest continued regulation of hospital bed supply to assist in controlling hospital utilization is justified.
The Decline of the Arctic
New research using combined records of ice measurements from NASA's Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat), the European Space Agency's CryoSat-2 satellite, airborne surveys and ocean-based sensors shows Arctic sea ice volume has declined 36 percent in the autumn and nine percent in the winter over the last decade. The work builds on previous studies using submarine and NASA satellite data, confirms computer model estimates that showed ice volume decreases over the last decade, and builds a foundation for a multiple decade record of sea ice volume changes.
Cold resistance runs in genes
Moscow (Voice of Russia) Feb 15, 2013
British researchers have found a cold resistance gene in the DNA of indigenous Siberian tribes, which helps them survive in the harsh local environment. A team of geneticists from Cambridge University took DNA samples from about 200 natives of Siberia. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of a cold-responsive gene that enhances freezing tolerance.
Remarkably, it controls metabolic .....
British researchers have found a cold resistance gene in the DNA of indigenous Siberian tribes, which helps them survive in the harsh local environment. A team of geneticists from Cambridge University took DNA samples from about 200 natives of Siberia. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of a cold-responsive gene that enhances freezing tolerance.
Remarkably, it controls metabolic .....
Kinetic Energy of Throughfall in Subtropical Forests of SE China – Effects of Tree Canopy Structure, Functional Traits, and Biodiversity
by Christian Geißler, Karin Nadrowski, Peter Kühn, Martin Baruffol, Helge Bruelheide, Bernhard Schmid, Thomas Scholten
Throughfall kinetic energy (TKE) plays an important role in soil erosion in forests. We studied TKE as a function of biodiversity, functional diversity as well as structural stand variables in a secondary subtropical broad-leaved forest in the Gutianshan National Nature Reserve (GNNR) in south-east China, a biodiversity hotspot in the northern hemisphere with more than 250 woody species present. Using a mixed model approach we could identify significant effects of all these variables on TKE: TKE increased with rarefied tree species richness and decreased with increasing proportion of needle-leaved species and increasing leaf area index (LAI). Furthermore, for average rainfall amounts TKE was decreasing with tree canopy height whereas for high rainfall amounts this was not the case. The spatial pattern of throughfall was stable across several rain events. The temporal variation of TKE decreased with rainfall intensity and increased with tree diversity. Our results show that more diverse forest stands over the season have to cope with higher cumulative raindrop energy than less diverse stands. However, the kinetic energy (KE) of one single raindrop is less predictable in diverse stands since the variability in KE is higher. This paper is the first to contribute to the understanding of the ecosystem function of soil erosion prevention in diverse subtropical forests.
Throughfall kinetic energy (TKE) plays an important role in soil erosion in forests. We studied TKE as a function of biodiversity, functional diversity as well as structural stand variables in a secondary subtropical broad-leaved forest in the Gutianshan National Nature Reserve (GNNR) in south-east China, a biodiversity hotspot in the northern hemisphere with more than 250 woody species present. Using a mixed model approach we could identify significant effects of all these variables on TKE: TKE increased with rarefied tree species richness and decreased with increasing proportion of needle-leaved species and increasing leaf area index (LAI). Furthermore, for average rainfall amounts TKE was decreasing with tree canopy height whereas for high rainfall amounts this was not the case. The spatial pattern of throughfall was stable across several rain events. The temporal variation of TKE decreased with rainfall intensity and increased with tree diversity. Our results show that more diverse forest stands over the season have to cope with higher cumulative raindrop energy than less diverse stands. However, the kinetic energy (KE) of one single raindrop is less predictable in diverse stands since the variability in KE is higher. This paper is the first to contribute to the understanding of the ecosystem function of soil erosion prevention in diverse subtropical forests.
In a rarity, a meteor hit and an asteroid near-miss on same day
BOSTON (Reuters) - An asteroid half the size of a football field passed closer to Earth than any other known object of its size on Friday, the same day an unrelated and much smaller space rock blazed over central Russia, creating shock waves that shattered windows and injured 1,200 people.
Month of Birth and Mortality in Sweden: A Nation-Wide Population-Based Cohort Study
by Peter Ueda, Anna-Karin Edstedt Bonamy, Fredrik Granath, Sven Cnattingius
Background
Month of birth – an indicator for a variety of prenatal and early postnatal exposures – has been associated with life expectancy in adulthood. On the northern hemisphere, people born in the autumn live longer than those born during the spring. Only one study has followed a population longitudinally and no study has investigated the relation between month of birth and mortality risk below 50 years.
Methods and results
In this nation-wide Swedish study, we included 6,194,745 subjects, using data from population-based health and administrative registries. The relation between month of birth (January – December) and mortality risk was assessed by fitting Cox proportional hazard regression models using attained age as the underlying time scale. Analyses were made for ages >30, >30 to 50, >50 to 80 and >80 years. Month of birth was a significant predictor of mortality in the age-spans >30, >50 to 80, and >80 years. In models adjusted for gender and education for ages >30 and >50 to 80 years, the lowest mortality was seen for people born in November and the highest mortality in those born in the spring/summer, peaking in May for mortality >30 years (25‰ excess hazard ratio compared to November, [95% confidence interval = 16–34 ]) and in April for mortality >50 to 80 years (42‰ excess hazard ratio compared to November, [95% confidence interval = 30–55]). In the ages >80 years the pattern was similar but the differences in mortality between birth months were smaller. For mortality within the age-span >30 to 50 years, results were inconclusive.
Conclusion
Month of birth is associated to risk of mortality in ages above 50 years in Sweden. Further studies should aim at clarifying the mechanisms behind this association.
Background
Month of birth – an indicator for a variety of prenatal and early postnatal exposures – has been associated with life expectancy in adulthood. On the northern hemisphere, people born in the autumn live longer than those born during the spring. Only one study has followed a population longitudinally and no study has investigated the relation between month of birth and mortality risk below 50 years.
Methods and results
In this nation-wide Swedish study, we included 6,194,745 subjects, using data from population-based health and administrative registries. The relation between month of birth (January – December) and mortality risk was assessed by fitting Cox proportional hazard regression models using attained age as the underlying time scale. Analyses were made for ages >30, >30 to 50, >50 to 80 and >80 years. Month of birth was a significant predictor of mortality in the age-spans >30, >50 to 80, and >80 years. In models adjusted for gender and education for ages >30 and >50 to 80 years, the lowest mortality was seen for people born in November and the highest mortality in those born in the spring/summer, peaking in May for mortality >30 years (25‰ excess hazard ratio compared to November, [95% confidence interval = 16–34 ]) and in April for mortality >50 to 80 years (42‰ excess hazard ratio compared to November, [95% confidence interval = 30–55]). In the ages >80 years the pattern was similar but the differences in mortality between birth months were smaller. For mortality within the age-span >30 to 50 years, results were inconclusive.
Conclusion
Month of birth is associated to risk of mortality in ages above 50 years in Sweden. Further studies should aim at clarifying the mechanisms behind this association.
An Exploration of the Serotonin System in Antisocial Boys with High Levels of Callous-Unemotional Traits
by Caroline Moul, Carol Dobson-Stone, John Brennan, David Hawes, Mark Dadds
Background
The serotonin system is thought to play a role in the aetiology of antisocial and aggressive behaviour in both adults and children however previous findings have been inconsistent. Recently, research has suggested that the function of the serotonin system may be specifically altered in a sub-set of antisocial populations – those with psychopathic (callous-unemotional) personality traits. We explored the relationships between callous-unemotional traits and functional polymorphisms of selected serotonin-system genes, and tested the association between callous-unemotional traits and serum serotonin levels independently of antisocial and aggressive behaviour.
Method
Participants were boys with antisocial behaviour problems aged 3–16 years referred to University of New South Wales Child Behaviour Research Clinics. Participants volunteered either a blood or saliva sample from which levels of serum serotonin (N = 66) and/or serotonin-system single nucleotide polymorphisms (N = 157) were assayed.
Results
Functional single nucleotide polymorphisms from the serotonin 1b receptor gene (HTR1B) and 2a receptor gene (HTR2A) were found to be associated with callous-unemotional traits. Serum serotonin level was a significant predictor of callous-unemotional traits; levels were significantly lower in boys with high callous-unemotional traits than in boys with low callous-unemotional traits.
Conclusion
Results provide support to the emerging literature that argues for a genetically-driven system-wide alteration in serotonin function in the aetiology of callous-unemotional traits. The findings should be interpreted as preliminary and future research that aims to replicate and further investigate these results is required.
Background
The serotonin system is thought to play a role in the aetiology of antisocial and aggressive behaviour in both adults and children however previous findings have been inconsistent. Recently, research has suggested that the function of the serotonin system may be specifically altered in a sub-set of antisocial populations – those with psychopathic (callous-unemotional) personality traits. We explored the relationships between callous-unemotional traits and functional polymorphisms of selected serotonin-system genes, and tested the association between callous-unemotional traits and serum serotonin levels independently of antisocial and aggressive behaviour.
Method
Participants were boys with antisocial behaviour problems aged 3–16 years referred to University of New South Wales Child Behaviour Research Clinics. Participants volunteered either a blood or saliva sample from which levels of serum serotonin (N = 66) and/or serotonin-system single nucleotide polymorphisms (N = 157) were assayed.
Results
Functional single nucleotide polymorphisms from the serotonin 1b receptor gene (HTR1B) and 2a receptor gene (HTR2A) were found to be associated with callous-unemotional traits. Serum serotonin level was a significant predictor of callous-unemotional traits; levels were significantly lower in boys with high callous-unemotional traits than in boys with low callous-unemotional traits.
Conclusion
Results provide support to the emerging literature that argues for a genetically-driven system-wide alteration in serotonin function in the aetiology of callous-unemotional traits. The findings should be interpreted as preliminary and future research that aims to replicate and further investigate these results is required.
Succession Influences Wild Bees in a Temperate Forest Landscape: The Value of Early Successional Stages in Naturally Regenerated and Planted Forests
by Hisatomo Taki, Isamu Okochi, Kimiko Okabe, Takenari Inoue, Hideaki Goto, Takeshi Matsumura, Shun'ichi Makino
In many temperate terrestrial forest ecosystems, both natural human disturbances drive the reestablishment of forests. Succession in plant communities, in addition to reforestation following the creation of open sites through harvesting or natural disturbances, can affect forest faunal assemblages. Wild bees perform an important ecosystem function in human-altered and natural or seminatural ecosystems, as they are essential pollinators for both crops and wild flowering plants. To maintain high abundance and species richness for pollination services, it is important to conserve and create seminatural and natural land cover with optimal successional stages for wild bees. We examined the effects of forest succession on wild bees. In particular, we evaluated the importance of early successional stages for bees, which has been suspected but not previously demonstrated. A range of successional stages, between 1 and 178 years old, were examined in naturally regenerated and planted forests. In total 4465 wild bee individuals, representing 113 species, were captured. Results for total bees, solitary bees, and cleptoparasitic bees in both naturally regenerated and planted conifer forests indicated a higher abundance and species richness in the early successional stages. However, higher abundance and species richness of social bees in naturally regenerated forest were observed as the successional stages progressed, whereas the abundance of social bees in conifer planted forest showed a concave-shaped relationship when plotted. The results suggest that early successional stages of both naturally regenerated and conifer planted forest maintain a high abundance and species richness of solitary bees and their cleptoparasitic bees, although social bees respond differently in the early successional stages. This may imply that, in some cases, active forest stand management policies, such as the clear-cutting of planted forests for timber production, would create early successional habitats, leading to significant positive effects for bees in general.
In many temperate terrestrial forest ecosystems, both natural human disturbances drive the reestablishment of forests. Succession in plant communities, in addition to reforestation following the creation of open sites through harvesting or natural disturbances, can affect forest faunal assemblages. Wild bees perform an important ecosystem function in human-altered and natural or seminatural ecosystems, as they are essential pollinators for both crops and wild flowering plants. To maintain high abundance and species richness for pollination services, it is important to conserve and create seminatural and natural land cover with optimal successional stages for wild bees. We examined the effects of forest succession on wild bees. In particular, we evaluated the importance of early successional stages for bees, which has been suspected but not previously demonstrated. A range of successional stages, between 1 and 178 years old, were examined in naturally regenerated and planted forests. In total 4465 wild bee individuals, representing 113 species, were captured. Results for total bees, solitary bees, and cleptoparasitic bees in both naturally regenerated and planted conifer forests indicated a higher abundance and species richness in the early successional stages. However, higher abundance and species richness of social bees in naturally regenerated forest were observed as the successional stages progressed, whereas the abundance of social bees in conifer planted forest showed a concave-shaped relationship when plotted. The results suggest that early successional stages of both naturally regenerated and conifer planted forest maintain a high abundance and species richness of solitary bees and their cleptoparasitic bees, although social bees respond differently in the early successional stages. This may imply that, in some cases, active forest stand management policies, such as the clear-cutting of planted forests for timber production, would create early successional habitats, leading to significant positive effects for bees in general.
Social Interactions through the Eyes of Macaques and Humans
by Richard McFarland, Hettie Roebuck, Yin Yan, Bonaventura Majolo, Wu Li, Kun Guo
Group-living primates frequently interact with each other to maintain social bonds as well as to compete for valuable resources. Observing such social interactions between group members provides individuals with essential information (e.g. on the fighting ability or altruistic attitude of group companions) to guide their social tactics and choice of social partners. This process requires individuals to selectively attend to the most informative content within a social scene. It is unclear how non-human primates allocate attention to social interactions in different contexts, and whether they share similar patterns of social attention to humans. Here we compared the gaze behaviour of rhesus macaques and humans when free-viewing the same set of naturalistic images. The images contained positive or negative social interactions between two conspecifics of different phylogenetic distance from the observer; i.e. affiliation or aggression exchanged by two humans, rhesus macaques, Barbary macaques, baboons or lions. Monkeys directed a variable amount of gaze at the two conspecific individuals in the images according to their roles in the interaction (i.e. giver or receiver of affiliation/aggression). Their gaze distribution to non-conspecific individuals was systematically varied according to the viewed species and the nature of interactions, suggesting a contribution of both prior experience and innate bias in guiding social attention. Furthermore, the monkeys’ gaze behavior was qualitatively similar to that of humans, especially when viewing negative interactions. Detailed analysis revealed that both species directed more gaze at the face than the body region when inspecting individuals, and attended more to the body region in negative than in positive social interactions. Our study suggests that monkeys and humans share a similar pattern of role-sensitive, species- and context-dependent social attention, implying a homologous cognitive mechanism of social attention between rhesus macaques and humans.
Group-living primates frequently interact with each other to maintain social bonds as well as to compete for valuable resources. Observing such social interactions between group members provides individuals with essential information (e.g. on the fighting ability or altruistic attitude of group companions) to guide their social tactics and choice of social partners. This process requires individuals to selectively attend to the most informative content within a social scene. It is unclear how non-human primates allocate attention to social interactions in different contexts, and whether they share similar patterns of social attention to humans. Here we compared the gaze behaviour of rhesus macaques and humans when free-viewing the same set of naturalistic images. The images contained positive or negative social interactions between two conspecifics of different phylogenetic distance from the observer; i.e. affiliation or aggression exchanged by two humans, rhesus macaques, Barbary macaques, baboons or lions. Monkeys directed a variable amount of gaze at the two conspecific individuals in the images according to their roles in the interaction (i.e. giver or receiver of affiliation/aggression). Their gaze distribution to non-conspecific individuals was systematically varied according to the viewed species and the nature of interactions, suggesting a contribution of both prior experience and innate bias in guiding social attention. Furthermore, the monkeys’ gaze behavior was qualitatively similar to that of humans, especially when viewing negative interactions. Detailed analysis revealed that both species directed more gaze at the face than the body region when inspecting individuals, and attended more to the body region in negative than in positive social interactions. Our study suggests that monkeys and humans share a similar pattern of role-sensitive, species- and context-dependent social attention, implying a homologous cognitive mechanism of social attention between rhesus macaques and humans.
Predicting Chemical Toxicity Effects Based on Chemical-Chemical Interactions
by Lei Chen, Jing Lu, Jian Zhang, Kai-Rui Feng, Ming-Yue Zheng, Yu-Dong Cai
Toxicity is a major contributor to high attrition rates of new chemical entities in drug discoveries. In this study, an order-classifier was built to predict a series of toxic effects based on data concerning chemical-chemical interactions under the assumption that interactive compounds are more likely to share similar toxicity profiles. According to their interaction confidence scores, the order from the most likely toxicity to the least was obtained for each compound. Ten test groups, each of them containing one training dataset and one test dataset, were constructed from a benchmark dataset consisting of 17,233 compounds. By a Jackknife test on each of these test groups, the 1st order prediction accuracies of the training dataset and the test dataset were all approximately 79.50%, substantially higher than the rate of 25.43% achieved by random guesses. Encouraged by the promising results, we expect that our method will become a useful tool in screening out drugs with high toxicity.
Toxicity is a major contributor to high attrition rates of new chemical entities in drug discoveries. In this study, an order-classifier was built to predict a series of toxic effects based on data concerning chemical-chemical interactions under the assumption that interactive compounds are more likely to share similar toxicity profiles. According to their interaction confidence scores, the order from the most likely toxicity to the least was obtained for each compound. Ten test groups, each of them containing one training dataset and one test dataset, were constructed from a benchmark dataset consisting of 17,233 compounds. By a Jackknife test on each of these test groups, the 1st order prediction accuracies of the training dataset and the test dataset were all approximately 79.50%, substantially higher than the rate of 25.43% achieved by random guesses. Encouraged by the promising results, we expect that our method will become a useful tool in screening out drugs with high toxicity.
Optimal Sleep Duration in the Subarctic with Respect to Obesity Risk Is 8–9 Hours
by May Trude Johnsen, Rolf Wynn, Trond Bratlid
Introduction
Sleep duration, chronotype and social jetlag have been associated with body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity. The optimal sleep duration regarding BMI has previously been found to be 7–8 hours, but these studies have not been carried out in the subarctic or have lacked some central variables. The aims of our study were to examine the associations between sleep variables and body composition for people living in the subarctic, taking a range of variables into consideration, including lifestyle variables, health variables and biological factors.
Methods
The cross sectional population Tromsø Study was conducted in northern Norway, above the Arctic Circle. 6413 persons aged 30–65 years completed questionnaires including self-reported sleep times, lifestyle and health. They also measured height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and biological factors (non-fasting serum level of cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose). The study period was from 1 October 2007 to 19 December 2008.
Results
The optimal sleep length regarding BMI and waist circumference was found to be 8–9 hours. Short sleepers (<6 h) had about 80% increased risk of being in the BMI≥25 kg/m2 group and male short sleepers had doubled risk of having waist circumference ≥102 cm compared to 8–9 hours sleepers. We found no impact of chronotype or social jetlag on BMI or abdominal obesity after controlling for health, lifestyle, and biological parameters.
Conclusions
In our subarctic population, the optimal sleep duration time regarding risk of overweight and abdominal obesity was 8–9 hours, which is one hour longer compared to findings from other studies. Short sleepers had 80% increased risk of being overweight, and men had a doubled risk of having abdominal obesity. We found no associations between chronotype or social jetlag and BMI or abdominal obesity, when we took a range of life-style, health and biological variables into consideration.
Introduction
Sleep duration, chronotype and social jetlag have been associated with body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity. The optimal sleep duration regarding BMI has previously been found to be 7–8 hours, but these studies have not been carried out in the subarctic or have lacked some central variables. The aims of our study were to examine the associations between sleep variables and body composition for people living in the subarctic, taking a range of variables into consideration, including lifestyle variables, health variables and biological factors.
Methods
The cross sectional population Tromsø Study was conducted in northern Norway, above the Arctic Circle. 6413 persons aged 30–65 years completed questionnaires including self-reported sleep times, lifestyle and health. They also measured height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and biological factors (non-fasting serum level of cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose). The study period was from 1 October 2007 to 19 December 2008.
Results
The optimal sleep length regarding BMI and waist circumference was found to be 8–9 hours. Short sleepers (<6 h) had about 80% increased risk of being in the BMI≥25 kg/m2 group and male short sleepers had doubled risk of having waist circumference ≥102 cm compared to 8–9 hours sleepers. We found no impact of chronotype or social jetlag on BMI or abdominal obesity after controlling for health, lifestyle, and biological parameters.
Conclusions
In our subarctic population, the optimal sleep duration time regarding risk of overweight and abdominal obesity was 8–9 hours, which is one hour longer compared to findings from other studies. Short sleepers had 80% increased risk of being overweight, and men had a doubled risk of having abdominal obesity. We found no associations between chronotype or social jetlag and BMI or abdominal obesity, when we took a range of life-style, health and biological variables into consideration.
Romania horse slaughterhouse says it has nothing to hide
Roma, Romania (AFP) Feb 14, 2013
Opening its doors to prove it has nothing to hide, a Romanian abattoir at the heart of a food scandal that has engulfed Europe insists it has never tried to pass horsemeat off as beef.
Located in a snow-covered field in the remote northeastern village of Roma where residents can still be seen using horse-drawn carts, the unassuming Doly-Com abattoir has found itself in the eye of the storm a ...
Opening its doors to prove it has nothing to hide, a Romanian abattoir at the heart of a food scandal that has engulfed Europe insists it has never tried to pass horsemeat off as beef.
Located in a snow-covered field in the remote northeastern village of Roma where residents can still be seen using horse-drawn carts, the unassuming Doly-Com abattoir has found itself in the eye of the storm a ...
Population Specific and Up to Date Cardiovascular Risk Charts Can Be Efficiently Obtained with Record Linkage of Routine and Observational Data
by David Faeh, Julia Braun, Kaspar Rufibach, Milo A. Puhan, Pedro Marques-Vidal, Matthias Bopp, Swiss National Cohort (SNC)
Background
Only few countries have cohorts enabling specific and up-to-date cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimation. Individual risk assessment based on study samples that differ too much from the target population could jeopardize the benefit of risk charts in general practice. Our aim was to provide up-to-date and valid CVD risk estimation for a Swiss population using a novel record linkage approach.
Methods
Anonymous record linkage was used to follow-up (for mortality, until 2008) 9,853 men and women aged 25–74 years who participated in the Swiss MONICA (MONItoring of trends and determinants in CVD) study of 1983–92. The linkage success was 97.8%, loss to follow-up 1990–2000 was 4.7%. Based on the ESC SCORE methodology (Weibull regression), we used age, sex, blood pressure, smoking, and cholesterol to generate three models. We compared the 1) original SCORE model with a 2) recalibrated and a 3) new model using the Brier score (BS) and cross-validation.
Results
Based on the cross-validated BS, the new model (BS = 14107×10−6) was somewhat more appropriate for risk estimation than the original (BS = 14190×10−6) and the recalibrated (BS = 14172×10−6) model. Particularly at younger age, derived absolute risks were consistently lower than those from the original and the recalibrated model which was mainly due to a smaller impact of total cholesterol.
Conclusion
Using record linkage of observational and routine data is an efficient procedure to obtain valid and up-to-date CVD risk estimates for a specific population.
Background
Only few countries have cohorts enabling specific and up-to-date cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimation. Individual risk assessment based on study samples that differ too much from the target population could jeopardize the benefit of risk charts in general practice. Our aim was to provide up-to-date and valid CVD risk estimation for a Swiss population using a novel record linkage approach.
Methods
Anonymous record linkage was used to follow-up (for mortality, until 2008) 9,853 men and women aged 25–74 years who participated in the Swiss MONICA (MONItoring of trends and determinants in CVD) study of 1983–92. The linkage success was 97.8%, loss to follow-up 1990–2000 was 4.7%. Based on the ESC SCORE methodology (Weibull regression), we used age, sex, blood pressure, smoking, and cholesterol to generate three models. We compared the 1) original SCORE model with a 2) recalibrated and a 3) new model using the Brier score (BS) and cross-validation.
Results
Based on the cross-validated BS, the new model (BS = 14107×10−6) was somewhat more appropriate for risk estimation than the original (BS = 14190×10−6) and the recalibrated (BS = 14172×10−6) model. Particularly at younger age, derived absolute risks were consistently lower than those from the original and the recalibrated model which was mainly due to a smaller impact of total cholesterol.
Conclusion
Using record linkage of observational and routine data is an efficient procedure to obtain valid and up-to-date CVD risk estimates for a specific population.
Friday, 15 February 2013
Russian Meteor Largest in Century
A meteor that exploded over Russia this morning was the largest recorded object to strike the Earth in more than a century, scientists say. Infrasound data collected by a network designed to watch for nuclear weapons testing suggests that today's blast released hundreds of kilotons of energy. That would make it far more powerful than the nuclear weapon tested by North Korea just days ago and the largest rock crashing on the planet since a meteor broke up over Siberia's Tunguska river in 1908.
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Smiling Chávez pictured in Cuban hospital
Venezuelan officials have shown the first photographs of the leader since he left for surgery, and say a breathing tube makes it hard for him to talk
Wealthy French eye Belgian tax perks
Inquiries about setting up foundations in Belgium soar as rich French citizens seek to protect family fortunes from France’s onerous taxes
Burger King boosts 3G after Heinz deal
The US fast food chain, which reported a 94% jump in fourth-quarter net income, cut costs and increased margins by moving to a franchisee-owned model
Zuckerberg Buys More Of His Own Company (As He Should)
It’s important for a CEO to have confidence in his company, no doubt, and that confidence can’t be communicated to employees or investors in mere analyst calls, news interviews or semi-scripted pep talks over smoothies in a conference room at the office. You’ve got to show that your skin is in the game, to use the old Warren Buffet phrase.
Chile's Pinera visits fire victims
Chilean Sebastian Pinera visits the city of Valparaiso, following one of the most destructive forest fires in decades, promising to re-house victims and rebuild the area.
U.S. charges former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. with fraud
WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Prosecutors filed criminal fraud and conspiracy charges on Friday against former Chicago congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the famed civil rights leader, accusing him and an unnamed co-conspirator of misusing $750,000 in campaign funds.
A 'Potent One-Two Punch' Has Wal-Mart Execs Freaking Out In Internal Emails (WMT)
Emails dug up by Bloomberg News have revealed that Wal-Mart is having a terrible start to the month.
Execs were freaking out.
One called it a "total disaster," and said that it was the worst start to a month that he'd seen in seven years at the retailer, according to the emails.
Two execs identified a pair of factors that are causing this to happen.
Finance and logistics VP Jerry Murray and U.S. replenishment SVP Cameron Geiger called out increased payroll taxes and delayed tax returns as the culprits.
Geiger called them "a potent one-two punch" in one of the leaked emails.
So, what's going on here?
- In 2012, shoppers had received nearly $20 billion more in tax refunds by this time of the year, according to Wal-Mart Global Customer Insights & Analytics division. Now, Wal-Mart expects returns to be delayed by three to four weeks.
- Back on December 31, a payroll tax break expired, and Americans started to pay 2 percent more in Social Security taxes. For someone making $40,000 a year, it's about $15 more a week. Or, for a family making $30,000, it's about a year of car insurance, according to Wal-Mart.
The Census Bureau reported that overall retail sales rose a seasonally-adjusted 0.1 percent during the month, which was in line with expectations.
But this doesn't paint the full picture.
January has always been considered a heavy "clearance" month. Retailers traditionally mark down a lot of their wares in order to get rid of winter merchandise left over from the Christmas rush.
For instance, look at this massive 75 percent off clearance day Wal-Mart had at the beginning of January.
It's a particularly appealing time to shop for those who don't have much left in their wallets.
"Consumers were shopping and hunting for those clearance items," Michael Niemira, chief economist at the ICSC, told the AP. "Despite the strong reading, January may be one of the highest points of the year."
And now, those two punches noted by Wal-Mart execs seem to be hitting in force, without the big clearances of old holiday merchandise to prop it up.
Which raises the question: If a mega-giant like Wal-Mart is struggling in the face of these external factors, what about its weaker competitors?
"It could mean that more retailers are researching and will put out major earnings warnings," said NBG Productions chief equities analyst Brian Sozzi. "There's no reason to be optimistic."
We'll get a lot more information on February 21 when Wal-Mart reports its Q4 earnings.
Ex-mayor: I gambled away $1 billion
Former San Diego Mayor Maureen O'Connor has admitted misappropriating millions from a charity foundation to fund a video poker habit in which she won $1 billion -- then lost it, and more -- over nine years.
Horse meat found in school meals
A Europe-wide scandal over horse meat in products labeled beef spread still further Friday, as UK authorities revealed the results of DNA testing on beef products and raided the premises of three more UK food firms.
Drought joins U.S. farmers in the field for spring planting
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. farmers will plant crops this spring under the shadow of a persistent drought that grips prime farmland from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, with grain supplies already tight from drought losses in 2012.
Heinz deal set to shake up US food sector
Analysts suggest 3G Capital’s history of imposing greater efficiency on companies it operates means rivals to Heinz will need to become leaner
Walmart memo details monthly sales ‘disaster’
The world’s largest retailer by sales is seen as a barometer of consumer sentiment and the news story sent share prices lower across the retail sector
No toxic effects from controversial food packet chemical, say experts
Bisphenol A is linked to diabetes and obesity but major study shows it is not the cause of health problems
A controversial industrial chemical used in food packaging and baby's bottles that has been linked to a range of human disorders including diabetes and obesity may be an innocent bystander rather than the cause of problems, according to experts.
Diseases associated with exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) could be more simply explained by an unhealthy diet of pre-packaged fast foods that come in plastic wrapping containing the chemical.
Evidence to support the idea comes from the results of a study that pooled the exposure to BPA of more than 30,000 people. This showed that the general population's exposure to the chemical was too low to have any toxic effects. BPA has been used to make hard plastics since the 60s but has caused alarm in recent years as it can leach into foods and drinks and has the – albeit weak – potential to mimic oestrogen if it ends up at high enough levels in the blood.
In 2012 the US Food and Drug Administration [] prevented the use of BPA in baby bottles.
Richard Sharpe, of the Medical Research Council's Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh, said a long list of studies had shown human exposure to BPA, measured in urine, is associated with a growing number of what he calls "western diseases" such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, liver dysfunction and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
In a statement ahead of a talk at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, Sharpe said exposure to BPA had also been associated with adverse reproductive changes, an increased risk of polycystic ovarian disease and reduced semen quality and blood testosterone levels. Though high levels of BPA have been found in people with these conditions, he said, no causal link has been found between the chemical and any disease.
Justin Teeguarden, a toxicologist at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington, presented a study at the AAAS meeting which showed that the amount of BPA present in the blood of the general population was at usually least 1,000 times lower than the levels that are known to cause toxicity in animals.
Teeguarden pooled the results of 150 studies of human exposure to BPA, collecting data from more than 30,000 people in 19 countries. BPA is known to bind to the same receptors in the body as oestrogen but it does so more weakly – to have any meaningful biological effects in humans, therefore, BPA concentrations need to be relatively high in the blood.
His study consistently found that levels of BPA in people were much lower than the levels required for significant effects. The analysis showed that BPA levels were often so low that it was below the ability of current toxicological methods to detect it, raising the possibility that most instances of high BPA dose might have been the result of contamination from tubes and plastics in hospitals.
Teeguarden said regulators around the world – including the European Food Safety Authority and a Japanese government technical panel – had already concluded that exposure to BPA was much lower than that which would be expected to cause bad effects. "My findings are consistent with their carefully thought out positions," he said.
Sharpe said no scientific studies had yet showed that BPA exposure caused disorders. "If this association was due to cause and effect, it would mean that bisphenol A was incredibly potent and toxic, and this does not agree with published studies," he wrote. "This possibility therefore seems illogical."
An alternative hypothesis, he said, was that there could be a different, causal element that is associated both with the human disorders and with exposure to bisphenol A.
"I will suggest that this … factor is diet, or more accurately a modern western diet, because we know that such a diet is associated with all of the disorders that are mentioned above. Moreover, we already know that 95% of human exposure to bisphenol A is dietary – it comes from foods and drinks that we ingest." If he is correct, Sharpe said, it would mean that the poor fast-food western diet would be the cause of the diseases and also, coincidentally, the increased levels of BPA in unhealthy people. "The latter is 'innocently' associated … as a result."
Sharpe said it would not be right to assume that his explanation was correct without further testing but said the attraction of his idea was that it fitted with the available facts, unlike the idea that BPA caused the disorders. "[That] fails because of our exceedingly low exposure levels."
Reported by guardian.co.uk
A controversial industrial chemical used in food packaging and baby's bottles that has been linked to a range of human disorders including diabetes and obesity may be an innocent bystander rather than the cause of problems, according to experts.
Diseases associated with exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) could be more simply explained by an unhealthy diet of pre-packaged fast foods that come in plastic wrapping containing the chemical.
Evidence to support the idea comes from the results of a study that pooled the exposure to BPA of more than 30,000 people. This showed that the general population's exposure to the chemical was too low to have any toxic effects. BPA has been used to make hard plastics since the 60s but has caused alarm in recent years as it can leach into foods and drinks and has the – albeit weak – potential to mimic oestrogen if it ends up at high enough levels in the blood.
In 2012 the US Food and Drug Administration [] prevented the use of BPA in baby bottles.
Richard Sharpe, of the Medical Research Council's Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh, said a long list of studies had shown human exposure to BPA, measured in urine, is associated with a growing number of what he calls "western diseases" such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, liver dysfunction and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
In a statement ahead of a talk at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, Sharpe said exposure to BPA had also been associated with adverse reproductive changes, an increased risk of polycystic ovarian disease and reduced semen quality and blood testosterone levels. Though high levels of BPA have been found in people with these conditions, he said, no causal link has been found between the chemical and any disease.
Justin Teeguarden, a toxicologist at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington, presented a study at the AAAS meeting which showed that the amount of BPA present in the blood of the general population was at usually least 1,000 times lower than the levels that are known to cause toxicity in animals.
Teeguarden pooled the results of 150 studies of human exposure to BPA, collecting data from more than 30,000 people in 19 countries. BPA is known to bind to the same receptors in the body as oestrogen but it does so more weakly – to have any meaningful biological effects in humans, therefore, BPA concentrations need to be relatively high in the blood.
His study consistently found that levels of BPA in people were much lower than the levels required for significant effects. The analysis showed that BPA levels were often so low that it was below the ability of current toxicological methods to detect it, raising the possibility that most instances of high BPA dose might have been the result of contamination from tubes and plastics in hospitals.
Teeguarden said regulators around the world – including the European Food Safety Authority and a Japanese government technical panel – had already concluded that exposure to BPA was much lower than that which would be expected to cause bad effects. "My findings are consistent with their carefully thought out positions," he said.
Sharpe said no scientific studies had yet showed that BPA exposure caused disorders. "If this association was due to cause and effect, it would mean that bisphenol A was incredibly potent and toxic, and this does not agree with published studies," he wrote. "This possibility therefore seems illogical."
An alternative hypothesis, he said, was that there could be a different, causal element that is associated both with the human disorders and with exposure to bisphenol A.
"I will suggest that this … factor is diet, or more accurately a modern western diet, because we know that such a diet is associated with all of the disorders that are mentioned above. Moreover, we already know that 95% of human exposure to bisphenol A is dietary – it comes from foods and drinks that we ingest." If he is correct, Sharpe said, it would mean that the poor fast-food western diet would be the cause of the diseases and also, coincidentally, the increased levels of BPA in unhealthy people. "The latter is 'innocently' associated … as a result."
Sharpe said it would not be right to assume that his explanation was correct without further testing but said the attraction of his idea was that it fitted with the available facts, unlike the idea that BPA caused the disorders. "[That] fails because of our exceedingly low exposure levels."
Reported by guardian.co.uk
Meteor shower prompts panic in central Russia
A meteor shower has rained down on central Russia, reportedly injuring dozens of people and causing widespread damage. Witnesses in the Ural region reported flashes and sharp explosions in the morning sky.
‘Himalayan viagra’ harvesters threaten forest resources
Unsustainable harvesting of caterpillar fungus or yarsagumba poses risks to conservation and livelihoods.
No conozco detalles de préstamo.- Lozoya
El director general de Pemex aseguró no conocer los detalles del préstamo de 500 mdp al sindicato, pues éste ocurrió en el sexenio anterior.
Justicia por propia mano
Cuando se dice y se repite que la sociedad civil tiene que ser una parte de la solución al tema de la violencia y la inseguridad, seguramente no se piensa en algo que estamos viendo brotar ante nuestros ojos: policías comunitarias y guardias civiles.Es el caso del Estado de México, en donde el Frente Popular Francisco Villa ha formado estos cuerpos civiles en Amatepec y Tlatlaya, entre otros puntos.También en poblados de Oaxaca, como Juchitán, en donde los habitantes se han armado con machetes y palos para crear su propia policía comunitaria indígena.Usos y costumbres, han dicho las autoridades de este estado.Lo mismo en Michoacán, en donde incluso en lugares como Paramuén y Salvador Escalante, la presidencia municipal ha sugerido que se capacite a estos guardias civiles para que sean parte formal de los cuerpos de seguridad.¿Cuál es la explicación al surgimiento de estas comunidades? En casi todos los casos la razón que dan los habitantes es que la inseguridad ha llegado a un punto insoportable. Extorsiones, violaciones, robos y despojos son el pan de cada día.Y en este escenario que pondría a Max Weber a interrogarse para qué tenemos autoridades gubernamentales si éstas no logran mantener el monopolio del uso de la fuerza, las policías municipales, lejos de defender a sus poblaciones, son quienes cometen o dejan que se cometan estos delitos.En Juchitán la policía comunitaria indígena ha puesto retén a la entrada del poblado para revisar quién entra y quién sale, por una parte, y por otra, para impedir que entren los policías, a quienes no les tienen confianza.La gente se encuentra desesperada y por ello consigue armas y decide procurar justicia por propia mano.¿Por qué esta desesperación los lleva a armarse en lugar de crear organizaciones de la sociedad civil, como las que vemos que se han formado en lugares como Ciudad Juárez (Todos Somos Juárez) o Tijuana (Tijuana Innovadora)?Supongo que un enorme factor tiene que ver con la educación y con el tamaño de la población. El tema es que El Programa Nacional para la Prevención Social de la Violencia y la Delincuencia que lanzó el gobierno federal esta semana a través de la Secretaría de Gobernación tendrá que tomar en cuenta estas comunidades y este fenómeno de las policías comunitarias.En Colombia este tipo de cuerpos de seguridad al margen del Estado siguen siendo un fuerte problema para el gobierno. Tan fuerte como en su momento llegaron a ser los cárteles del narcotráfico.Apostilla: en México somos muy buenos para criticar la segunda enmienda de EU, que permite a sus ciudadanos estar armados hasta los dientes de manera legal. No ponemos nuestras barbas a remojar a la hora de ver que todas estas guardias civiles también están armadas, con la salvedad de que en nuestro país está prohibido portarlas. @AnaPOrdorica
¡Ármate y mátalos!
La realidad nos rebasó: mexicanos empuñan rifles y asumen la justicia por propia mano, hartos de la delincuencia, cansados de la ausencia de estrategia anticrimen gubernamental. Llámense grupos de autodefensa o policía comunitaria, son el reflejo del fracaso de las autoridades para garantizar protección a sus ciudadanos. El control se perdió.El tiempo y los programas oficiales ya se agotaron. En Guerrero y en Oaxaca hay retenes ciudadanos —fusiles al hombro, capuchas sobre el rostro— que interrogan a civiles y cazan a ladrones, violadores y delincuentes. En la localidad de Atliaca ya se registró el primer ajusticiamiento popular. ¿Cuántos más faltan?En un extremo, los grupos civiles armados. En el otro, el discurso del gobierno, más movido por las circunstancias que por un proyecto a largo plazo. El 17 de diciembre pasado, Peña Nieto anunció seis líneas de acción en seguridad pública. Las presentó como solución a la alta inseguridad que vive el país… pero 55 días después se dieron cuenta de que no era por ahí, y presentaron otro programa: la prevención por encima de las acciones policiacas.De la mano de indefinición y titubeos en el combate contra la criminalidad, se presentan actitudes preocupantes: mientras el gobernador de Guerrero, Ángel Aguirre, se baja de su camioneta de lujo, felicita a los grupos de autodefensa y les otorga, así, el aval de su gobierno para hacer justicia por propia mano, Gobernación “logra” que la policía comunitaria entregue a detenidos a quienes pretendían someter a juicios sumarios. Medida de alto riesgo: sigan cazándolos, pero nos los entregan, ¿eh?El Presidente no habla en el discurso oficial de los grupos de autodefensa —se multiplican en zonas sin ley—, pero los alcaldes ya respaldan a los justicieros con capucha: el de Nopala, Oaxaca, Fredy Gil Pineda, hizo desfilar el lunes pasado a hombres armados y encapuchados, que instalaron un retén de revisión en el acceso al poblado, y comenzaron a patrullar.Y en la Costa Chica, la montaña y el centro guerrerenses, las policías comunitarias ya tienen hasta razón social: se llaman Coordinadora Regional de Autoridades Comunitarias (CRAC) y Unión de Pueblos y Organizaciones del Estado de Guerrero (UPOEG). Para lo que se ofrezca.El “ojo por ojo, diente por diente” mexicano ya traspasó fronteras.El semanario alemán Der Spiegel preguntó a Peña Nieto:–Habitantes de algunas regiones están formando milicias para protegerse de las mafias. ¿No indica eso que el gobierno ya ha perdido el control sobre el país?–La población en varias partes del país está tan frustrada que algunos recurren a hacerse justicia por su propia mano. Hemos incrementado la presencia del gobierno en estas áreas. El vigilantismo (sic) sólo promueve mayor violencia–, respondió Peña.Pero no desmintió que se haya perdido el control en esos, prácticamente, territorios autónomos.Si usted viaja por los caminos del sur, seguramente se encontrará con retenes de personas con fusil al hombro y encapuchadas. Más vale que se detenga y se identifique. De lo contrario, podría tener problemas.Sí: el control gubernamental en esos territorios ya se perdió. ARCHIVOS CONFIDENCIALESMÁS DE ROMERO DESCHAMPS. Desde mayo de 2012, en las páginas de Excélsior, el colega Ciro Di Costanzo citaba en su columna sabatina que “tan sólo en los primeros años de la administración, se le dieron al sindicato de Pemex más de mil millones de pesos”. Es Pemex y su generosidad financiera: presta al STPRM —es decir, a Carlos Romero Deschamps— 500 millones de pesos a pagar en diez años y sin intereses. (Rolando Herrera. Reforma. 14/II/2013). Y el periodista David Casco, del diario Tabasco Hoy, reporta sobre el automóvil Enzo Ferrari que en las calles de Miami conduce José Carlos Romero, hijo del intocable dirigente sindical (el precio actual de este superdeportivo, del cual sólo se hicieron 400 unidades, puede llegar hasta un millón 200 mil euros). Pemex es de los mexicanos… pero de apellido Romero Deschamps.KO A NAPITO. Se le acaba el tiempo a esa vergüenza nacional llamada Napoleón Gómez Urrutia: la Junta Federal de Conciliación y Arbitraje emitió un laudo mediante el cual lo obliga a devolver los 54 millones de dólares que sustrajo del fideicomiso del sindicato minero. Con este fallo, nada impide ya a los gobiernos de México y de Canadá reanudar las negociaciones para la extradición de Napito, quien se encuentra, desde marzo del 2006, refugiado en Vancouver. (Los detalles del caso y el mapa con la ruta del dinero, están en mi libro Abuso del poder en México. Capítulo Napito. (Editorial Santillana/Aguilar). . Twitter: @_martinmoreno
Currency wars come to Moscow as G20 spars over yen
MOSCOW (Reuters) - It may not be hand-to-hand combat, but "currency wars" came to Moscow on Friday as finance officials from the Group of 20 nations sparred over Japan's expansive policies that have driven down the value of the yen.
Spatial Distribution of Cerebral White Matter Lesions Predicts Progression to Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
by Marion Mortamais, Christelle Reynes, Adam M. Brickman, Frank A. Provenzano, Jordan Muraskin, Florence Portet, Claudine Berr, Jacques Touchon, Alain Bonafé, Emmanuelle le Bars, Jerome J. Maller, Chantal Meslin, Robert Sabatier, Karen Ritchie, Sylvaine Artero
Context
White matter lesions (WML) increase the risk of dementia. The relevance of WML location is less clear. We sought to determine whether a particular WML profile, based on the density and location of lesions, could be associated with an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia over the following 7 years.
Methods
In 426 healthy subjects from a cohort of community-dwelling people aged 65 years and over (ESPRIT Project), standardized cognitive and neurological evaluations were repeated after 2, 4 and 7 years. Patterns of WML were computed with a supervised data mining approach (decision trees) using the regional WML volumes (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital regions) and the total WML volume estimated at baseline. Cox proportional hazard models were then constructed to study the association between WML patterns and risk of MCI/dementia.
Results
Total WML volume and percentage of WML in the temporal region proved to be the best predictors of progression to MCI and dementia. Specifically, severe total WML load with a high proportion of lesions in the temporal region was significantly associated with the risk of developing MCI or dementia.
Conclusions
Above a certain threshold of damage, a pattern of WML clustering in the temporal region identifies individuals at increased risk of MCI or dementia. As this WML pattern is observed before the onset of clinical symptoms, it may facilitate the detection of patients at risk of MCI/dementia.
Context
White matter lesions (WML) increase the risk of dementia. The relevance of WML location is less clear. We sought to determine whether a particular WML profile, based on the density and location of lesions, could be associated with an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia over the following 7 years.
Methods
In 426 healthy subjects from a cohort of community-dwelling people aged 65 years and over (ESPRIT Project), standardized cognitive and neurological evaluations were repeated after 2, 4 and 7 years. Patterns of WML were computed with a supervised data mining approach (decision trees) using the regional WML volumes (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital regions) and the total WML volume estimated at baseline. Cox proportional hazard models were then constructed to study the association between WML patterns and risk of MCI/dementia.
Results
Total WML volume and percentage of WML in the temporal region proved to be the best predictors of progression to MCI and dementia. Specifically, severe total WML load with a high proportion of lesions in the temporal region was significantly associated with the risk of developing MCI or dementia.
Conclusions
Above a certain threshold of damage, a pattern of WML clustering in the temporal region identifies individuals at increased risk of MCI or dementia. As this WML pattern is observed before the onset of clinical symptoms, it may facilitate the detection of patients at risk of MCI/dementia.
Romania refuses to be fall guy for meat scandal
It seems clear that the horsemeat found illegally in frozen meals came from Romania. But Romania is insisting that the deception occurred elsewhere. In Romania, indications are that the labels all stated horsemeat.
Fifth-grade boys' plot to kill is thwarted
Two fifth-grade boys armed with a stolen semi-automatic gun, ammunition clip and knife plotted to kill a classmate in Washington state but were thwarted when another student informed a school employee, authorities said Thursday.
Costa Rican president says ready to act again to defend currency
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Costa Rica's president said on Thursday that she was ready to take more steps to prevent flows of foreign capital from driving the country's currency higher.
Post-Breeding Season Migrations of a Top Predator, the Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), from a Marine Protected Area in Alaska
by Jamie N. Womble, Scott M. Gende
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly being used as a conservation tool for highly mobile marine vertebrates and the focus is typically on protecting breeding areas where individuals are aggregated seasonally. Yet movements during the non-breeding season can overlap with threats that may be equally as important to population dynamics. Thus understanding habitat use and movements of species during the non-breeding periods is critical for conservation. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, is one of the largest marine mammal protected areas in the world and has the only enforceable protection measures for reducing disturbance to harbor seals in the United States. Yet harbor seals have declined by up to 11.5%/year from 1992 to 2009. We used satellite-linked transmitters that were attached to 37 female harbor seals to quantify the post-breeding season migrations of seals and the amount of time that seals spent inside vs. outside of the MPA of Glacier Bay. Harbor seals traveled extensively beyond the boundaries of the MPA of Glacier Bay during the post-breeding season, encompassing an area (25,325 km2) significantly larger than that used by seals during the breeding season (8,125 km2). These movements included the longest migration yet recorded for a harbor seal (3,411 km) and extended use (up to 23 days) of pelagic areas by some seals. Although the collective utilization distribution of harbor seals during the post-breeding season was quite expansive, there was a substantial degree of individual variability in the percentage of days that seals spent in the MPA. Nevertheless, harbor seals demonstrated a high degree of inter-annual site fidelity (93%) to Glacier Bay the following breeding season. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the threats that seals may interact with outside of the boundaries of the MPA of Glacier Bay for understanding population dynamics of seals in Glacier Bay.
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly being used as a conservation tool for highly mobile marine vertebrates and the focus is typically on protecting breeding areas where individuals are aggregated seasonally. Yet movements during the non-breeding season can overlap with threats that may be equally as important to population dynamics. Thus understanding habitat use and movements of species during the non-breeding periods is critical for conservation. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, is one of the largest marine mammal protected areas in the world and has the only enforceable protection measures for reducing disturbance to harbor seals in the United States. Yet harbor seals have declined by up to 11.5%/year from 1992 to 2009. We used satellite-linked transmitters that were attached to 37 female harbor seals to quantify the post-breeding season migrations of seals and the amount of time that seals spent inside vs. outside of the MPA of Glacier Bay. Harbor seals traveled extensively beyond the boundaries of the MPA of Glacier Bay during the post-breeding season, encompassing an area (25,325 km2) significantly larger than that used by seals during the breeding season (8,125 km2). These movements included the longest migration yet recorded for a harbor seal (3,411 km) and extended use (up to 23 days) of pelagic areas by some seals. Although the collective utilization distribution of harbor seals during the post-breeding season was quite expansive, there was a substantial degree of individual variability in the percentage of days that seals spent in the MPA. Nevertheless, harbor seals demonstrated a high degree of inter-annual site fidelity (93%) to Glacier Bay the following breeding season. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the threats that seals may interact with outside of the boundaries of the MPA of Glacier Bay for understanding population dynamics of seals in Glacier Bay.
Dissociating Memory Networks in Early Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration - A Combined Study of Hypometabolism and Atrophy
by Stefan Frisch, Juergen Dukart, Barbara Vogt, Annette Horstmann, Georg Becker, Arno Villringer, Henryk Barthel, Osama Sabri, Karsten Müller, Matthias L. Schroeter
Introduction
We aimed at dissociating the neural correlates of memory disorders in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).
Methods
We included patients with AD (n = 19, 11 female, mean age 61 years) and FTLD (n = 11, 5 female, mean age 61 years) in early stages of their diseases. Memory performance was assessed by means of verbal and visual memory subtests from the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-R), including forgetting rates. Brain glucose utilization was measured by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and brain atrophy by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) of T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Using a whole brain approach, correlations between test performance and imaging data were computed separately in each dementia group, including a group of control subjects (n = 13, 6 female, mean age 54 years) in both analyses. The three groups did not differ with respect to education and gender.
Results
Patients in both dementia groups generally performed worse than controls, but AD and FTLD patients did not differ from each other in any of the test parameters. However, memory performance was associated with different brain regions in the patient groups, with respect to both hypometabolism and atrophy: Whereas in AD patients test performance was mainly correlated with changes in the parieto-mesial cortex, performance in FTLD patients was correlated with changes in frontal cortical as well as subcortical regions. There were practically no overlapping regions associated with memory disorders in AD and FTLD as revealed by a conjunction analysis.
Conclusion
Memory test performance may not distinguish between both dementia syndromes. In clinical practice, this may lead to misdiagnosis of FTLD patients with poor memory performance. Nevertheless, memory problems are associated with almost completely different neural correlates in both dementia syndromes. Obviously, memory functions are carried out by distributed networks which break down in brain degeneration.
Introduction
We aimed at dissociating the neural correlates of memory disorders in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).
Methods
We included patients with AD (n = 19, 11 female, mean age 61 years) and FTLD (n = 11, 5 female, mean age 61 years) in early stages of their diseases. Memory performance was assessed by means of verbal and visual memory subtests from the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-R), including forgetting rates. Brain glucose utilization was measured by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and brain atrophy by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) of T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Using a whole brain approach, correlations between test performance and imaging data were computed separately in each dementia group, including a group of control subjects (n = 13, 6 female, mean age 54 years) in both analyses. The three groups did not differ with respect to education and gender.
Results
Patients in both dementia groups generally performed worse than controls, but AD and FTLD patients did not differ from each other in any of the test parameters. However, memory performance was associated with different brain regions in the patient groups, with respect to both hypometabolism and atrophy: Whereas in AD patients test performance was mainly correlated with changes in the parieto-mesial cortex, performance in FTLD patients was correlated with changes in frontal cortical as well as subcortical regions. There were practically no overlapping regions associated with memory disorders in AD and FTLD as revealed by a conjunction analysis.
Conclusion
Memory test performance may not distinguish between both dementia syndromes. In clinical practice, this may lead to misdiagnosis of FTLD patients with poor memory performance. Nevertheless, memory problems are associated with almost completely different neural correlates in both dementia syndromes. Obviously, memory functions are carried out by distributed networks which break down in brain degeneration.
World Briefing | Asia: China: 2 Tibetan Protesters Die
A Tibetan man died Wednesday after setting himself on fire to protest Chinese rule, bringing the total number of Tibetans who have carried out similar protests since 2009 to 101.
World Briefing | Europe: Russia: Violence in Dagestan
Russian security forces killed six rebels suspected of involvement in a suicide bombing on Thursday that left four police officers dead in the province of Dagestan, officials said.
Sube sueldo de funcionarios en Naucalpan
El Cabildo de Naucalpan avaló que sueldos de funcionarios aumentaran hasta un 70 por ciento, por lo que algunos recibirán $26 mil más mensualmente.
Ex-US mayor 'gambled millions'
An ex-mayor of San Diego agrees to repay millions of dollars she stole from her late husband's charity to fuel a gambling addiction, prosecutors say.
Einhorn raised Apple stake by nearly 50%
Greenlight was one of few hedge funds to increase stake in world’s most valuable company during fourth quarter, while others sold down their stakes
Service Cuts May Arise With Merger of Airlines
Some consumer advocates are warning that the merger of American Airlines and US Airways, if approved, could bring rising fees and fares as well as service cuts to smaller cities.
iOS 6.x hack allows personal data export, free calls
Find phone, press buttons in weird sequence, invade privacy, call anyone
Hackers can access iPhones running iOS 6.x without passcodes, and will then be able to access and export the address book, send emails and make phone calls.…
Hackers can access iPhones running iOS 6.x without passcodes, and will then be able to access and export the address book, send emails and make phone calls.…
Kiwi cops to buy 6,500 iPhones, 3,900 iPads
Smartphones and fondleslabs will do the work of 345 officers
New Zealand Police will acquire 6,500 smartphones and 3,900 fondleslabs to improve the force's efficiency.…
New Zealand Police will acquire 6,500 smartphones and 3,900 fondleslabs to improve the force's efficiency.…
Retailers criticised over horsemeat
Downing Street has criticised the apparent reluctance of retailers to comment publicly on the horsemeat crisis, as the first results of tests are due to be released.
Asteroid set for record near-miss
A space rock the size of an Olympic swimming pool will pass harmlessly within 28,000km of Earth on Friday - just a tenth the distance to the Moon.
EU experts plan horsemeat response
Food safety experts from across the EU are set to meet to draw up a testing regime in response to the widening crisis over mislabelled horsemeat.
Ordenan revelar documentos de Legión
Documentos relacionados con los Legionarios de Cristo podrían perder su condición confidencial y quedar a disposición para su libre consulta en EU.
Reptiles face risk of extinction
Almost a fifth of the world's reptile species are at risk of extinction, according to scientists.
Ministers accused of downplaying income in measure of child poverty
• Money is central factor, experts say in letter to Guardian
• Duncan Smith has argued other measures are significant
The government's desire to alter the official definition of child poverty risks deliberately downplaying the importance of money just as a series of government policies will reduce the incomes of poor families, a group of senior academics warn in a letter to the Guardian.
A consultation on how to measure child poverty more accurately that was launched last November, seeking input from charities and experts into "better measures of child poverty", comes to an end on Friday. The government believes that a wider definition of what constitutes poverty will give a better picture of what it means to "grow up experiencing deep disadvantage".
The letter, signed by some of the country's leading academics in this field, agrees that in addition to the current measures used to count the number of children living in poverty, it would be "helpful to track what is happening to the factors that lead to poverty and the barriers to children's life chances".
But they warn: "It does not make sense to combine all of these into a single measure. To do so would open up the government to the accusation that it aims to dilute the importance of income in monitoring the extent of 'poverty' at precisely the time that many of its policies will be reducing the real incomes of poor families."
Professor Jonathan Bradshaw, the lead consultant on the UK's contribution to Unicef's Child Well-Being report, said he believed that the government was "trying to move the goalposts" at a time when child poverty was increasing rapidly.
He described the consultation document as the worst paper setting down government policy direction he had ever read, questioned whether it was written by civil servants and said it read more like it had been "plagiarised from a right-wing thinktank tract".
He said civil servants had been working for the past 40 years on developing accurate poverty measures, but the document had ignored previous work by the department on the subject as well as ignoring work by academics in the field. The new approach would not work because it attempted to "combine all sorts of things that are the consequence of poverty or may be even be the causes of poverty, but are not a measure of child poverty".
Another signatory, Professor John Hills of the LSE, said there was widespread support for the idea of looking more broadly at what causes poverty, but warned against trying to compress social factors, such as whether a child's parents are divorced, unemployed or unwell, into the measure of a family's income.
The result would be confusing and would have the effect of masking rising numbers of people in poverty, he said. By "putting these apples and pears together in a way that downplays the actual resources that families on low incomes have got, the suspicion would be that that is happening because we expect those numbers may go in the wrong direction in the next few years," he said.
In a speech to launch the consultation, Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary, outlined his theory that other factors aside from money caused poverty, highlighting his concern about children growing up in "dysfunctional families".
He argued: "It cannot be right that experiences so vital to childhood, like seeing a parent go out to work or growing up in a stable family, are not reflected in our understanding of child poverty." He was critical of the Labour government's focus on "income as the significant cause and solution".
Responding to the letter, the DWP said: "Despite a staggering £150bn being poured into benefits and tax credits over the last decade, the previous government missed its own child poverty targets. It's disappointing that a handful of academics are backing the current approach to tackling child poverty, which has failed far too many children in this country."
Several children's charities expressed concern about the direction of government policy on Thursday. Enver Solomon of the National Children's Bureau said the government should "urgently review" its approach to child poverty and look at methods used successfully elsewhere in the world to tackle the problem.
• Duncan Smith has argued other measures are significant
The government's desire to alter the official definition of child poverty risks deliberately downplaying the importance of money just as a series of government policies will reduce the incomes of poor families, a group of senior academics warn in a letter to the Guardian.
A consultation on how to measure child poverty more accurately that was launched last November, seeking input from charities and experts into "better measures of child poverty", comes to an end on Friday. The government believes that a wider definition of what constitutes poverty will give a better picture of what it means to "grow up experiencing deep disadvantage".
The letter, signed by some of the country's leading academics in this field, agrees that in addition to the current measures used to count the number of children living in poverty, it would be "helpful to track what is happening to the factors that lead to poverty and the barriers to children's life chances".
But they warn: "It does not make sense to combine all of these into a single measure. To do so would open up the government to the accusation that it aims to dilute the importance of income in monitoring the extent of 'poverty' at precisely the time that many of its policies will be reducing the real incomes of poor families."
Professor Jonathan Bradshaw, the lead consultant on the UK's contribution to Unicef's Child Well-Being report, said he believed that the government was "trying to move the goalposts" at a time when child poverty was increasing rapidly.
He described the consultation document as the worst paper setting down government policy direction he had ever read, questioned whether it was written by civil servants and said it read more like it had been "plagiarised from a right-wing thinktank tract".
He said civil servants had been working for the past 40 years on developing accurate poverty measures, but the document had ignored previous work by the department on the subject as well as ignoring work by academics in the field. The new approach would not work because it attempted to "combine all sorts of things that are the consequence of poverty or may be even be the causes of poverty, but are not a measure of child poverty".
Another signatory, Professor John Hills of the LSE, said there was widespread support for the idea of looking more broadly at what causes poverty, but warned against trying to compress social factors, such as whether a child's parents are divorced, unemployed or unwell, into the measure of a family's income.
The result would be confusing and would have the effect of masking rising numbers of people in poverty, he said. By "putting these apples and pears together in a way that downplays the actual resources that families on low incomes have got, the suspicion would be that that is happening because we expect those numbers may go in the wrong direction in the next few years," he said.
In a speech to launch the consultation, Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary, outlined his theory that other factors aside from money caused poverty, highlighting his concern about children growing up in "dysfunctional families".
He argued: "It cannot be right that experiences so vital to childhood, like seeing a parent go out to work or growing up in a stable family, are not reflected in our understanding of child poverty." He was critical of the Labour government's focus on "income as the significant cause and solution".
Responding to the letter, the DWP said: "Despite a staggering £150bn being poured into benefits and tax credits over the last decade, the previous government missed its own child poverty targets. It's disappointing that a handful of academics are backing the current approach to tackling child poverty, which has failed far too many children in this country."
Several children's charities expressed concern about the direction of government policy on Thursday. Enver Solomon of the National Children's Bureau said the government should "urgently review" its approach to child poverty and look at methods used successfully elsewhere in the world to tackle the problem.
India Ink: The Air That Kills in India
Outdoor air pollution in India is the nation's fifth-largest killer, researchers say.
'Many hurt' in Russia meteor shower
Shockwaves caused by a meteor shower in central Russia injures at last 250 people, officials say, as brightly burning rocks are seen above the Ural region.
Ambitious trans-Atlantic trade deal in the works
The largest free trade area in the world: the US-EU project sounds gigantic. As with most major projects, however, the devil is in the details.
Interior ministers aim to end spread of crystal meth
German and Czech interior ministers are teaming up to combat spread of the drug crystal methamphetamine, which has been making its way over the Czech border and landing in the German states of Bavaria and Saxony.
Anti-depressants help lab chimps
A study shows that chimps formerly used in research labs can be treated with anti-depressants to help them overcome their trauma.
Can Humans Cause Earthquakes? - Instant Egghead
We're digging deeper into Earth's crust than we ever have before, pulling water up and pumping it down. As Scientific American editor David Biello explains, these are just a few of the many ways humans are triggering severe seismic activity.
Un-Natural Gas: Fracking Set to Shake Up German Campaign
Germans are wary of fracking, but that hasn't stopped Berlin from moving ahead to create legal guidelines for the controversial natural gas extraction method. The opposition is up in arms and the issue could dog Chancellor Merkel as she campaigns for re-election.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Detecting Genetic Isolation in Human Populations: A Study of European Language Minorities
by Marco Capocasa, Cinzia Battaggia, Paolo Anagnostou, Francesco Montinaro, Ilaria Boschi, Gianmarco Ferri, Milena Alù, Valentina Coia, Federica Crivellaro, Giovanni Destro Bisol
The identification of isolation signatures is fundamental to better understand the genetic structure of human populations and to test the relations between cultural factors and genetic variation. However, with current approaches, it is not possible to distinguish between the consequences of long-term isolation and the effects of reduced sample size, selection and differential gene flow. To overcome these limitations, we have integrated the analysis of classical genetic diversity measures with a Bayesian method to estimate gene flow and have carried out simulations based on the coalescent. Combining these approaches, we first tested whether the relatively short history of cultural and geographical isolation of four “linguistic islands” of the Eastern Alps (Lessinia, Sauris, Sappada and Timau) had left detectable signatures in their genetic structure. We then compared our findings to previous studies of European population isolates. Finally, we explored the importance of demographic and cultural factors in shaping genetic diversity among the groups under study. A combination of small initial effective size and continued genetic isolation from surrounding populations seems to provide a coherent explanation for the diversity observed among Sauris, Sappada and Timau, which was found to be substantially greater than in other groups of European isolated populations. Simulations of micro-evolutionary scenarios indicate that ethnicity might have been important in increasing genetic diversity among these culturally related and spatially close populations.
The identification of isolation signatures is fundamental to better understand the genetic structure of human populations and to test the relations between cultural factors and genetic variation. However, with current approaches, it is not possible to distinguish between the consequences of long-term isolation and the effects of reduced sample size, selection and differential gene flow. To overcome these limitations, we have integrated the analysis of classical genetic diversity measures with a Bayesian method to estimate gene flow and have carried out simulations based on the coalescent. Combining these approaches, we first tested whether the relatively short history of cultural and geographical isolation of four “linguistic islands” of the Eastern Alps (Lessinia, Sauris, Sappada and Timau) had left detectable signatures in their genetic structure. We then compared our findings to previous studies of European population isolates. Finally, we explored the importance of demographic and cultural factors in shaping genetic diversity among the groups under study. A combination of small initial effective size and continued genetic isolation from surrounding populations seems to provide a coherent explanation for the diversity observed among Sauris, Sappada and Timau, which was found to be substantially greater than in other groups of European isolated populations. Simulations of micro-evolutionary scenarios indicate that ethnicity might have been important in increasing genetic diversity among these culturally related and spatially close populations.
Electroacupuncture Acutely Improves Cerebral Blood Flow and Attenuates Moderate Ischemic Injury via an Endothelial Mechanism in Mice
by Ji Hyun Kim, Kyung Ha Choi, Young Jung Jang, Sun Sik Bae, Byung-Cheul Shin, Byung Tae Choi, Hwa Kyoung Shin
Electroacupuncture (EA) is a novel therapy based on traditional acupuncture combined with modern eletrotherapy that is currently being investigated as a treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Here, we studied whether acute EA stimulation improves tissue and functional outcome following experimentally induced cerebral ischemia in mice. We hypothesized that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-mediated perfusion augmentation was related to the beneficial effects of EA by interventions in acute ischemic injury. EA stimulation at Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14) increased cerebral perfusion in the cerebral cortex, which was suppressed in eNOS KO, but there was no mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) response. The increased perfusion elicited by EA were completely abolished by a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) blocker (atropine), but not a β-adrenergic receptor blocker (propranolol), an α-adrenergic receptor blocker (phentolamine), or a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) blocker (mecamylamine). In addition, EA increased acetylcholine (ACh) release and mAChR M3 expression in the cerebral cortex. Acute EA stimulation after occlusion significantly reduced infarct volume by 34.5% when compared to a control group of mice at 24 h after 60 min-middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) (moderate ischemic injury), but not 90-min MCAO (severe ischemic injury). Furthermore, the impact of EA on moderate ischemic injury was totally abolished in eNOS KO. Consistent with a smaller infarct size, acute EA stimulation led to prominent improvement of neurological function and vestibule-motor function. Our results suggest that acute EA stimulation after moderate focal cerebral ischemia, but not severe ischemia improves tissue and functional recovery and ACh/eNOS-mediated perfusion augmentation might be related to these beneficial effects of EA by interventions in acute ischemic injury.
Electroacupuncture (EA) is a novel therapy based on traditional acupuncture combined with modern eletrotherapy that is currently being investigated as a treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Here, we studied whether acute EA stimulation improves tissue and functional outcome following experimentally induced cerebral ischemia in mice. We hypothesized that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-mediated perfusion augmentation was related to the beneficial effects of EA by interventions in acute ischemic injury. EA stimulation at Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14) increased cerebral perfusion in the cerebral cortex, which was suppressed in eNOS KO, but there was no mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) response. The increased perfusion elicited by EA were completely abolished by a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) blocker (atropine), but not a β-adrenergic receptor blocker (propranolol), an α-adrenergic receptor blocker (phentolamine), or a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) blocker (mecamylamine). In addition, EA increased acetylcholine (ACh) release and mAChR M3 expression in the cerebral cortex. Acute EA stimulation after occlusion significantly reduced infarct volume by 34.5% when compared to a control group of mice at 24 h after 60 min-middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) (moderate ischemic injury), but not 90-min MCAO (severe ischemic injury). Furthermore, the impact of EA on moderate ischemic injury was totally abolished in eNOS KO. Consistent with a smaller infarct size, acute EA stimulation led to prominent improvement of neurological function and vestibule-motor function. Our results suggest that acute EA stimulation after moderate focal cerebral ischemia, but not severe ischemia improves tissue and functional recovery and ACh/eNOS-mediated perfusion augmentation might be related to these beneficial effects of EA by interventions in acute ischemic injury.
Tycoons Slim, Gates open Mexico agricultural research center
TEXCOCO (Reuters) - Carlos Slim and Bill Gates, the two richest men on the planet, inaugurated a new agricultural research center outside Mexico's capital, touting the millions they have donated to bolster global food security.
Israel publishes some details as Australian spy mystery deepens
JERUSALEM/CANBERRA (Reuters) - Israel broke its official silence on Wednesday over the reported suicide in jail of an Australian immigrant recruited to its spy service Mossad, giving limited details about a closely guarded case that has raised questions in Israel and Australia.
Group: Canadian police abused native women
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are failing to protect aboriginal women in northern regions from violence, according to a report from an international human rights group that also alleged abusive behavior by police officers themselves.
Why Both Sides Would Benefit From A US-EU Free Trade Agreement
As President Obama begins his second term, this is the right moment for the United States and the European Union to work together even more closely on a number of issues relevant to both their domestic and foreign policy agendas.
The most immediate way to boost our transatlantic relationship is to follow through on an EU-US free trade agreement.
We came an important step closer with President Obama announcing in his State of the Union address last night the launch of direct talks between us to reach that goal.
It was followed up by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso today giving a strong endorsement to these talks, saying "a future deal between the world's two most important economic powers will be a game-changer, giving a strong boost to our economies on both sides of the Atlantic."
Bringing down stubborn tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade and investment and aligning our regulatory frameworks while respecting our differences could do a great deal to promote growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
The transatlantic economic relationship is still by far the most important relationship in the world, accounting for about half of the world’s GDP and almost a third of global trade flows. The US and Europe remain each other’s most important markets.
By some estimates, an agreement eliminating tariffs and other barriers between us could increase annual economic growth by up to 1 percent on both sides of the Atlantic.
That means jobs, and as Mr. Obama pointed out in his speech last night, "trade that is free and fair across the Atlantic supports millions of good-paying American jobs."
We badly need a free trade pact as both the EU and US continue to fight our way back from the financial crisis and face increased competition from a host of emerging economies. Now is the right time to look across the Atlantic and see how we can help each other. This would undoubtedly be a recovery booster.
Working toward a trade pact also recognizes that a more intense EU-US partnership can enhance the capacity of Europe and the US to deal more effectively with other regions of the world.
Reaching an ambitious economic agreement between us would send a powerful message to the rest of the world about our leadership in shaping global economic governance in line with our values.
The battle to promote free and open democratic principles and practices, as Europe and the US interpret them, is far from over and the attraction of undemocratic formulas of governance is a reality in many parts of the world. A free trade agreement not only serves European and US interests, it serves the interests of the world – and promotes democratic values.
Negotiating an agreement will not be easy. But this is a significant opportunity, and both the European Union and the United States should now make every effort to seize it.
João Vale de Almeida is the European Union ambassador to the United States.
Sahara firms' bank accounts frozen
Bank accounts of two firms of Sahara, one of India's biggest business houses, are frozen for failing to refund money to millions of investors.
Jake McNiece, a Leader of WWII’s Filthy 13, Dies at 93
The Filthy 13 were famed during World War II as model soldiers, except for maybe the obeying orders part.
South Korea unveils missile it says can hit North's leaders
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea unveiled a cruise missile on Thursday that it said can hit the office of North Korea's leaders, trying to address concerns that it is technologically behind its unpredictable rival which this week conducted its third nuclear test.
New owl species is described
A new species of owl discovered in Lombok, Indonesia, has been formally described by scientists.
Higgs hunt halts as CERN prepares LHC upgrades
'Long shutdown 1' will enable collider to be turned up to 11
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) may have identified the Higgs Boson, but CERN knows the instrument can do better and today started the process of shutting down the massive machine, and the organisation's other particle accelerators, for a spot of maintenance.…
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) may have identified the Higgs Boson, but CERN knows the instrument can do better and today started the process of shutting down the massive machine, and the organisation's other particle accelerators, for a spot of maintenance.…
Heartache cure: Share your misery
An event to commemorate failed love draws a New York crowd. CNN's Richard Roth explains.
Minimum wage proposal divides Illinois
Plan to raise minimum wage ignites debate over whether move would drive out businesses and depress jobs growth or boost economic activity
China detects no raised radiation from North Korea nuclear test
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China has increased radiation monitoring in its northeast following North Korea's nuclear test this week and found no immediate abnormalities, the Environment Ministry said on Thursday.
Horsemeat scandal set to spur tougher EU food tests
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission has proposed increased DNA testing of meat products to assess the scale of a scandal involving horsemeat sold as beef that has shocked the public and raised concern over the continent's food supply chains.
Joel Ayala promete más beneficios a los burócratas
Al tomar posesión por seis años más frente al FSTSE, el líder sindical dijo que buscará la basificación de los trabajadores que laboran por honorarios en el gobierno
FDA Approves Second Generation MRI-Friendly Pacemaker System From Medtronic
Medtronic announced today that the FDA had approved its Advisa DR MRI SureScan, a next generation pacemaker system specifically designed and tested for use with MRI scanners. The system, which Medtronic said would be launched immediately, includes the Advisa MRI device and two CapSureFix MRI SureScan leads.
Labile soil organic matter promotes better corn performance
Washington DC (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
Organic matter is important for soil health and crop productivity. While an indicator of soil quality, a lot of organic matter is in extremely stable forms, and the nutrients in such forms are difficult for plants to use. The active, labile fraction, however, is a modest but important part of the organic matter.
"The labile fraction is small - usually less than 20 or even 10 percent, ....
Organic matter is important for soil health and crop productivity. While an indicator of soil quality, a lot of organic matter is in extremely stable forms, and the nutrients in such forms are difficult for plants to use. The active, labile fraction, however, is a modest but important part of the organic matter.
"The labile fraction is small - usually less than 20 or even 10 percent, ....
Being There: Scientists Enlist Inuit for Long-Term Observations of Arctic Wildlife [Slide Show]
During the summer in Qaanaaq, Greenland , an Inuit hunter paddling next to a resting narwhal observed a thin gauzelike layer coming off the narwhal's body and dissipating into the water. The event lasted only a few seconds, but Connecticut-based dentist Martin Nweeia, a Harvard University and Smithsonian Institution researcher who studies narwhal tusks as his passion, immediately saw the scientific significance of the hunter's observation.
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Australia's parliament recognizes indigenous peoples as first inhabitants
Australian lawmakers have passed a new law that recognizes its indigenous population as the continent's original inhabitants. Prime Minister Julia Gillard called on parliament to put the issue to a referendum vote.
UE quer testes de ADN aos produtos à base de vaca
A Comissão Europeia apelou hoje a todos os estados-membros da União Europeia (UE) que façam testes de ADN aos produtos à base de vaca, em resposta ao escândalo da carne de cavalo em refeições preparadas...
Nitrogen from pollution, natural sources causes growth of toxic algae
San Francisco CA (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
Nitrogen in ocean waters fuels the growth of two tiny but toxic phytoplankton species that are harmful to marine life and human health, warns a new study published in the Journal of Phycology.
Researchers from San Francisco State University found that nitrogen entering the ocean - whether through natural processes or pollution - boosts the growth and toxicity of a group of phytoplankton ...
Nitrogen in ocean waters fuels the growth of two tiny but toxic phytoplankton species that are harmful to marine life and human health, warns a new study published in the Journal of Phycology.
Researchers from San Francisco State University found that nitrogen entering the ocean - whether through natural processes or pollution - boosts the growth and toxicity of a group of phytoplankton ...
Plants cut the mustard for basic discoveries in metabolism
La Jolla CA (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
You might think you have nothing in common with mustard except hotdogs. Yet based on research in a plant from the mustard family, Salk scientists have discovered a possible explanation for how organisms, including humans, directly regulate chemical reactions that quickly adjust the growth of organs. These findings overturn conventional views of how different body parts coordinate their growth, ...
You might think you have nothing in common with mustard except hotdogs. Yet based on research in a plant from the mustard family, Salk scientists have discovered a possible explanation for how organisms, including humans, directly regulate chemical reactions that quickly adjust the growth of organs. These findings overturn conventional views of how different body parts coordinate their growth, ...
Lungs of the planet reveal their true sensitivity to global warming
Exeter UK (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
Tropical rainforests are often called the "lungs of the planet" because they generally draw in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. But the amount of carbon dioxide that rainforests absorb, or produce, varies hugely with year-to-year variations in the climate.
In a paper published online tby the journal Nature, a team of climate scientists from the University of Exeter, the Met Office
Tropical rainforests are often called the "lungs of the planet" because they generally draw in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. But the amount of carbon dioxide that rainforests absorb, or produce, varies hugely with year-to-year variations in the climate.
In a paper published online tby the journal Nature, a team of climate scientists from the University of Exeter, the Met Office
India joined with Asia 10 million years later than previously thought
Boston MA (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
The peaks of the Himalayas are a modern remnant of massive tectonic forces that fused India with Asia tens of millions of years ago. Previous estimates have suggested this collision occurred about 50 million years ago, as India, moving northward at a rapid pace, crushed up against Eurasia. The crumple zone between the two plates gave rise to the Himalayas, which today bear geologic traces of ....
The peaks of the Himalayas are a modern remnant of massive tectonic forces that fused India with Asia tens of millions of years ago. Previous estimates have suggested this collision occurred about 50 million years ago, as India, moving northward at a rapid pace, crushed up against Eurasia. The crumple zone between the two plates gave rise to the Himalayas, which today bear geologic traces of ....
Low-arsenic rice could have major health benefits
Amsterdam, Netherlands (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
Millions of people worldwide are regularly exposed to arsenic through drinking water and eating rice grown in soil and water containing high amounts of arsenic. Long-term exposure can lead to the development of different types of cancer as well as serious cardiovascular, neurological, and other health problems.
Scientists have now identified aromatic rice from Bangladesh that has far lower ...
Millions of people worldwide are regularly exposed to arsenic through drinking water and eating rice grown in soil and water containing high amounts of arsenic. Long-term exposure can lead to the development of different types of cancer as well as serious cardiovascular, neurological, and other health problems.
Scientists have now identified aromatic rice from Bangladesh that has far lower ...
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Tree die-off triggered by hotter temperatures
Washington DC (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
A team of scientists, led by researchers at Carnegie's Department of Global Ecology, has determined that the recent widespread die-off of Colorado trembling aspen trees is a direct result of decreased precipitation exacerbated by high summer temperatures. The die-off, triggered by the drought from 2000-2003, is estimated to have affected up to 17% of Colorado aspen forests. In 2002, the drought...
A team of scientists, led by researchers at Carnegie's Department of Global Ecology, has determined that the recent widespread die-off of Colorado trembling aspen trees is a direct result of decreased precipitation exacerbated by high summer temperatures. The die-off, triggered by the drought from 2000-2003, is estimated to have affected up to 17% of Colorado aspen forests. In 2002, the drought...
Stress change during the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake
Washington DC (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
The 11 March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake (Mw9.0) produced the largest slip ever recorded in an earthquake, over 50 meters. Such huge fault movement on the shallow portion of the megathrust boundary came as a surprise to seismologists because this portion of the subduction zone was not thought to be accumulating stress prior to the earthquake.
In a recently published study, scientists from ....
The 11 March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake (Mw9.0) produced the largest slip ever recorded in an earthquake, over 50 meters. Such huge fault movement on the shallow portion of the megathrust boundary came as a surprise to seismologists because this portion of the subduction zone was not thought to be accumulating stress prior to the earthquake.
In a recently published study, scientists from ....
Americans back climate change regulation, not taxes
Durham NC (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
Now that President Obama has put climate change back on the table in his second inaugural address, a new national poll finds growing public support for regulating greenhouse gas emissions and requiring utilities to switch to lower-carbon fuel sources.
The percentage of Americans who think climate change is occurring has rebounded, according to the Duke University national online survey, ....
Now that President Obama has put climate change back on the table in his second inaugural address, a new national poll finds growing public support for regulating greenhouse gas emissions and requiring utilities to switch to lower-carbon fuel sources.
The percentage of Americans who think climate change is occurring has rebounded, according to the Duke University national online survey, ....
Shimmering water reveals cold volcanic vent in Antarctic waters
Southampton UK (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
The location of an underwater volcanic vent, marked by a low-lying plume of shimmering water, has been revealed by scientists at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.
Writing in the journal PLOS ONE the researchers describe how the vent, discovered in a remote region of the Southern Ocean, differs from what we have come to recognise as "classic" hydrothermal vents. Using SHRIMP, ......
The location of an underwater volcanic vent, marked by a low-lying plume of shimmering water, has been revealed by scientists at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.
Writing in the journal PLOS ONE the researchers describe how the vent, discovered in a remote region of the Southern Ocean, differs from what we have come to recognise as "classic" hydrothermal vents. Using SHRIMP, ......
Sunlight stimulates release of carbon dioxide from permafrost
Ann Arbor MI (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
Ancient carbon trapped in Arctic permafrost is extremely sensitive to sunlight and, if exposed to the surface when long-frozen soils melt and collapse, can release climate-warming carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere much faster than previously thought.
University of Michigan ecologist and aquatic biogeochemist George Kling and his colleagues studied places in Arctic Alaska where permafrost ....
Ancient carbon trapped in Arctic permafrost is extremely sensitive to sunlight and, if exposed to the surface when long-frozen soils melt and collapse, can release climate-warming carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere much faster than previously thought.
University of Michigan ecologist and aquatic biogeochemist George Kling and his colleagues studied places in Arctic Alaska where permafrost ....
Chemistry trick kills climate controversy
Copenhagen, Denmark (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
Volcanoes are well known for cooling the climate. But just how much and when has been a bone of contention among historians, glaciologists and archeologists. Now a team of atmosphere chemists, from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the University of Copenhagen, has come up with a way to say for sure which historic episodes of global cooling were caused by volcanic eruptions.
The answer ....
Volcanoes are well known for cooling the climate. But just how much and when has been a bone of contention among historians, glaciologists and archeologists. Now a team of atmosphere chemists, from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the University of Copenhagen, has come up with a way to say for sure which historic episodes of global cooling were caused by volcanic eruptions.
The answer ....
Security risks of extreme weather and climate change
Boston MA (SPX) Feb 14, 2013
Increasingly frequent extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, severe storms, and heat waves have focused the attention of climate scientists on the connections between greenhouse warming and extreme weather.
Because of the potential threat to U.S. national security, a new study was conducted to explore the forces driving extreme weather events and their impacts over the next decade ..
Increasingly frequent extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, severe storms, and heat waves have focused the attention of climate scientists on the connections between greenhouse warming and extreme weather.
Because of the potential threat to U.S. national security, a new study was conducted to explore the forces driving extreme weather events and their impacts over the next decade ..
Apple perde o direito de usar a marca iPhone no Brasil
Gradiente passa a deter oficialmente a marca iPhone no Brasil. Decisão não impede a venda do produto da Apple por não ter caráter judicial.
Dresden protestors block neo-Nazis
Some 10,000 citizens have formed a cordon inside Dresden to prevent neo-Nazis from misusing an anniversary of the Allied bombing of the German city during World War II. A march by neo-Nazis was stopped by police.
Inauguran centro mundial de maíz y trigo
Autoridades federales, de Edomex y las fundaciones de Gates y Slim inauguraron un complejo del Centro de Mejoramiento del Maíz y Trigo.
Europol breaks up multi-million euro Internet fraud gang
The group, which worked across 30 countries over the past two years, paralyzed computers with a virus and left messages purporting to be from organizations like Europol and the police, saying users could only regain access to their machines if they paid a fine.
Dutch horsemeat trader convicted in 2012
Businessman found guilty of relabelling South American horsemeat as German beef for resale and sentenced to at least nine months in prison
Barack Obama calls for more redistribution of wealth to America's working poor
President Barack Obama on Wednesday night called for more redistribution of wealth to America's working poor, as part of an unapologetic plan to use government activism to revive the US economy in his second term.
Cardeal de Gana lidera apostas para suceder Papa Bento XVI
CIDADE DO VATICANO — O cardeal Peter Turkson, do Gana, aparece como mais provável sucessor do Papa Bento XVI, pelo menos de acordo com as previsões das casas de apostas do Reino Unido, que dão uma cotação de 9-4, ou seja, uma probabilidade de 25% entre os apostadores. A escolha de Turkson, de 64 anos - responsável pelo Departamento da Justiça e Paz e porta-voz do Vaticano para as questões sociais -, representaria um momento histórico de renovação da Igreja: seria a primeira vez na era moderna que o mundo católico teria como líder um homem de fora da Europa. Dezoito dos 119 cardeais que vão eleger o próximo Papa são originários do continente africano.
Em entrevista ao “Daily Telegraph” na terça-feira, Turkson disse que seu maior desafio, caso seja eleito, será manter uma doutrina católica ortodoxa “em um mundo com mudanças contínuas”. Conservador, em 2009, ele reafirmou a doutrina social católica sobre métodos anticoncepcionais, numa relação às declarações feitas pelo Papa Bento XVI de que os preservativos não eram uma solução para a crise de AIDS da África.
- Precisamos encontrar maneiras de lidar com os desafios da sociedade e da cultura. A Igreja precisa evangelizar e converter os que abraçaram estilos de vida alternativos, tendências ou questões de gênero. Nós não podemos falhar em nossa missão de fornecer orientação - afirmou ao “Daily Telegraph”.
O cardeal Francis Arinze da Nigéria, mencionado como uma possibilidade durante o processo de sucessão que culminou com a eleição de Bento XVI, é a outra aposta africana. Alguns acadêmicos citam a existência de três Papas africanos na história da Igreja Católica.
Turkson nasceu em Wassaw Nsuta, no oeste de Gana. Estudou no Seminário de Santa Teresa, na aldeia de Amisano e Pedu antes de se formar no Seminário de Anthony-on-Hudson em Nova York, como bacharel em teologia. Ele foi ordenado sacerdote pelo Arcebispo John Amissah, em 20 de Julho de 1975. Em outubro de 1992, Turkson foi nomeado arcebispo de Cape Coast pelo Papa João Paulo II. E tornou-se cardeal de São Libório em outubro de 2003. Ele é o primeiro cardeal ganês, e foi um dos que participaram do Conclave em 2005, que escolheu Bento XVI.
A pressão para a escolha de uma personalidade oriunda de um país em desenvolvimento é grande: é na África e na América Latina que se concentra 70% da população católica do mundo, e é aí que a Igreja Católica se encontra em expansão - em contraponto com a Europa, que há um século respondia por três quartos dos católicos do mundo e onde agora se encontram apenas 25% dos fiéis.
Após a renúncia de Bento XVI, o cardeal suíço Kurt Koch, chefe do departamento do Vaticano para a unidade dos cristãos, disse ao jornal “Tagesanzeiger”, em Zurique, que o futuro da Igreja não estava na Europa.
- Seria bom se houvesse candidatos da África ou América do Sul no próximo Conclave - declarou, referindo-se à eleição a portas fechadas na Capela Sistina.
Veja também
- As pessoas são livres de especular e fazer os seus próprios juízos. Quando andamos em busca de liderança, julgo que o melhor a fazer é orar para Deus, o líder e dono desta Igreja, para que ele nos ajude a encontrar a pessoa mais capaz neste particular momento da História - disse o cardeal ganês numa curta entrevista ao programa “Focus on Africa” da BBC.- Galeria Fiéis recebem Papa em 1º discurso após anúncio da renúncia
- Bento XVI celebra sua última missa pública como líder da Igreja Católica
- Dom Odilo: ‘Não devemos estar apegados a cargo’
- Bento XVI envia mensagens a brasileiros
- Corrupção e intrigas teriam derrotado o Papa Bento XVI
- Fiéis reagem com indiferença e desconfiança à abdicação do Papa
- Bento XVI foi ‘o Pontífice mais solitário’, avalia biógrafo alemão
- Cardeais brasileiros rejeitam favoritismos
- Arcebispo do Rio não deve se tornar cardeal antes do novo pontificado
- Renúncia de Bento XVI pode prejudicar Berlusconi
Em entrevista ao “Daily Telegraph” na terça-feira, Turkson disse que seu maior desafio, caso seja eleito, será manter uma doutrina católica ortodoxa “em um mundo com mudanças contínuas”. Conservador, em 2009, ele reafirmou a doutrina social católica sobre métodos anticoncepcionais, numa relação às declarações feitas pelo Papa Bento XVI de que os preservativos não eram uma solução para a crise de AIDS da África.
- Precisamos encontrar maneiras de lidar com os desafios da sociedade e da cultura. A Igreja precisa evangelizar e converter os que abraçaram estilos de vida alternativos, tendências ou questões de gênero. Nós não podemos falhar em nossa missão de fornecer orientação - afirmou ao “Daily Telegraph”.
O cardeal Francis Arinze da Nigéria, mencionado como uma possibilidade durante o processo de sucessão que culminou com a eleição de Bento XVI, é a outra aposta africana. Alguns acadêmicos citam a existência de três Papas africanos na história da Igreja Católica.
Turkson nasceu em Wassaw Nsuta, no oeste de Gana. Estudou no Seminário de Santa Teresa, na aldeia de Amisano e Pedu antes de se formar no Seminário de Anthony-on-Hudson em Nova York, como bacharel em teologia. Ele foi ordenado sacerdote pelo Arcebispo John Amissah, em 20 de Julho de 1975. Em outubro de 1992, Turkson foi nomeado arcebispo de Cape Coast pelo Papa João Paulo II. E tornou-se cardeal de São Libório em outubro de 2003. Ele é o primeiro cardeal ganês, e foi um dos que participaram do Conclave em 2005, que escolheu Bento XVI.
A pressão para a escolha de uma personalidade oriunda de um país em desenvolvimento é grande: é na África e na América Latina que se concentra 70% da população católica do mundo, e é aí que a Igreja Católica se encontra em expansão - em contraponto com a Europa, que há um século respondia por três quartos dos católicos do mundo e onde agora se encontram apenas 25% dos fiéis.
Após a renúncia de Bento XVI, o cardeal suíço Kurt Koch, chefe do departamento do Vaticano para a unidade dos cristãos, disse ao jornal “Tagesanzeiger”, em Zurique, que o futuro da Igreja não estava na Europa.
- Seria bom se houvesse candidatos da África ou América do Sul no próximo Conclave - declarou, referindo-se à eleição a portas fechadas na Capela Sistina.
Young homeless program extended another year
Homelessness is a growing problem in Stockholm. Now a project to help young homeless people in the city is being extended.The project is called Botorget in Swedish, roughly "Housing meeting place", and it’s being run by the city of Stockholm to help young homeless people find a place to live. It was supposed to come to an end several weeks ago, but has been extended now to the end of the year.
Children hurt after chairlift derails at Scottish ski resort
Five children and an adult taken to hospital after incident at Lecht Ski Centre near Tomintoul, Aberdeenshire
Five children and an adult have been taken to hospital after a chairlift derailed at the Lecht Ski Centre near Tomintoul in Scotland.
Three of the group were airlifted from the slope while the others were taken by ambulance. None was thought to be in a life-threatening condition.
The company which runs the ski resort has said it is "extremely upset" by the incident. In a statement published on its Facebook page, Lecht 2090 said it did not know what caused the malfunction at 3.25pm on Tuesday afternoon at Corgarff in Aberdeenshire.
An investigation was due to take place by the Health and Safety Executive and the chairlift, which is the only lift of its kind at the ski resort, is expected to remain closed.
The statement read: "Some of you might know there was an incident with the chairlift this afternoon (Tuesday) where six people were injured. We are extremely upset that these people have been injured but as yet we don't [know] the cause of the problem with the chair.
"The first response was to look after the injured. The rest of the skiers were then taken off the chairlift by the two Lecht teams within around one hour and 20 minutes.
"A major incident was called by the company to alert all the other emergency agents who reacted quickly. The chair will be out of action for a while but the rest of the lifts will be working as normal."
A spokeswoman for the Lecht centre said 36 other people who were stranded on the chairlift were rescued after the accident. She said: "All the casualties are in a stable condition, three were taken to hospital by helicopter and three by ambulance.
"Staff evacuated 36 people that were stuck on the other chairlifts and everyone was off the slope within an hour and 40 minutes.
"We don't know the reason for the accident. However the Health and Safety Executive and the Lecht will be investigating the cause."
A number of comments were left on the company's Facebook page by people who said they had been present at the time of the accident, and they praised the work of rescue teams and the emergency services during the incident.
A Grampian police spokesman said Braemar mountain rescue teams were mobilised to assist with the rescue of those stranded and units from Grampian fire and rescue service, the Scottish ambulance service and local doctors were also called to the scene.
"Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the incident," he said.
Five children and an adult have been taken to hospital after a chairlift derailed at the Lecht Ski Centre near Tomintoul in Scotland.
Three of the group were airlifted from the slope while the others were taken by ambulance. None was thought to be in a life-threatening condition.
The company which runs the ski resort has said it is "extremely upset" by the incident. In a statement published on its Facebook page, Lecht 2090 said it did not know what caused the malfunction at 3.25pm on Tuesday afternoon at Corgarff in Aberdeenshire.
An investigation was due to take place by the Health and Safety Executive and the chairlift, which is the only lift of its kind at the ski resort, is expected to remain closed.
The statement read: "Some of you might know there was an incident with the chairlift this afternoon (Tuesday) where six people were injured. We are extremely upset that these people have been injured but as yet we don't [know] the cause of the problem with the chair.
"The first response was to look after the injured. The rest of the skiers were then taken off the chairlift by the two Lecht teams within around one hour and 20 minutes.
"A major incident was called by the company to alert all the other emergency agents who reacted quickly. The chair will be out of action for a while but the rest of the lifts will be working as normal."
A spokeswoman for the Lecht centre said 36 other people who were stranded on the chairlift were rescued after the accident. She said: "All the casualties are in a stable condition, three were taken to hospital by helicopter and three by ambulance.
"Staff evacuated 36 people that were stuck on the other chairlifts and everyone was off the slope within an hour and 40 minutes.
"We don't know the reason for the accident. However the Health and Safety Executive and the Lecht will be investigating the cause."
A number of comments were left on the company's Facebook page by people who said they had been present at the time of the accident, and they praised the work of rescue teams and the emergency services during the incident.
A Grampian police spokesman said Braemar mountain rescue teams were mobilised to assist with the rescue of those stranded and units from Grampian fire and rescue service, the Scottish ambulance service and local doctors were also called to the scene.
"Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the incident," he said.
French driver trapped for an hour in speeding 125mph car with no brakes
Frank Lecerf finally came to a stop in a ditch in Belgium when his Renault Laguna ran out of petrol after 200km trip
When Frank Lecerf drove off to do his weekly supermarket shop in northern France, he was not expecting to embark on a high-speed car chase that would force him over the Belgian border and on to the national news bulletins.
Lecerf has filed a legal complaint after his Renault Laguna, which is adapted for disabled drivers, jammed at 200km/h (125mph) and the brakes failed, forcing him to continue careering along a vast stretch of French motorway and into Belgium. Police gave chase until he ran out of petrol and crashed into a ditch.
The 36 year old was on a dual carriageway on his way to a hypermarket when the car's speed first jammed at 60mph. Each time he tried to brake, the car accelerated, eventually reaching 125mph and sticking there.
While uncontrollably speeding through the fast lane as other cars swerved out of his way, he managed to call emergency services who immediately dispatched a platoon of police cars.
Realising Lecerf had no choice but to keep racing along until his petrol ran out, they escorted him at high speed across almost 125 miles of French motorway, past Calais and Dunkirk, and over the Belgian border.
Puzzled motorists gave way as the high-speed convoy approached. Three toll stations were warned to raise their barriers as Lecerf ploughed through. After about an hour, his petrol tank spluttered empty and he managed to swerve into a ditch in Alveringem in Belgium, about 125 miles from his home, in Pont-de-Metz, near the northern French city of Amiens.
"My life flashed before me," he told Le Courrier picard. "I just wanted it to stop." He was unhurt but had two epileptic seizures.
A Renault technician had been on the phone with police throughout the chase trying to help but couldn't come up with a solution.
Lecerf said that it wasn't the first time his speed dial had jammed but that Renault had looked at the car and assured him that it was fine.
His lawyer said he would file a legal complaint over "endangerment of a person's life".
Renault told France 2 TV that it would await the results of an investigation.
When Frank Lecerf drove off to do his weekly supermarket shop in northern France, he was not expecting to embark on a high-speed car chase that would force him over the Belgian border and on to the national news bulletins.
Lecerf has filed a legal complaint after his Renault Laguna, which is adapted for disabled drivers, jammed at 200km/h (125mph) and the brakes failed, forcing him to continue careering along a vast stretch of French motorway and into Belgium. Police gave chase until he ran out of petrol and crashed into a ditch.
The 36 year old was on a dual carriageway on his way to a hypermarket when the car's speed first jammed at 60mph. Each time he tried to brake, the car accelerated, eventually reaching 125mph and sticking there.
While uncontrollably speeding through the fast lane as other cars swerved out of his way, he managed to call emergency services who immediately dispatched a platoon of police cars.
Realising Lecerf had no choice but to keep racing along until his petrol ran out, they escorted him at high speed across almost 125 miles of French motorway, past Calais and Dunkirk, and over the Belgian border.
Puzzled motorists gave way as the high-speed convoy approached. Three toll stations were warned to raise their barriers as Lecerf ploughed through. After about an hour, his petrol tank spluttered empty and he managed to swerve into a ditch in Alveringem in Belgium, about 125 miles from his home, in Pont-de-Metz, near the northern French city of Amiens.
"My life flashed before me," he told Le Courrier picard. "I just wanted it to stop." He was unhurt but had two epileptic seizures.
A Renault technician had been on the phone with police throughout the chase trying to help but couldn't come up with a solution.
Lecerf said that it wasn't the first time his speed dial had jammed but that Renault had looked at the car and assured him that it was fine.
His lawyer said he would file a legal complaint over "endangerment of a person's life".
Renault told France 2 TV that it would await the results of an investigation.
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