Looking for something to replace that lackluster 8-Track, cassette, or CD player that came with your car? Instead of using some goofy adapter or FM transmitter, why not replace the entire unit with a SamsungGalaxy S III?
That was the train of thought for Steve, aka youtube user philstuffs. He had an old JVC head unit that just wasn't cutting it. So instead of spend the money on a stand-alone head unit for his vehicle, he used his trusty SGS3. He modified a standard car charger so the phone charges when the car is on and he hooked up the audio-out from his phone to the amplifier in his trunk. Simple and effective.
Before you get on his case for the phone not being centered, he knows this. He states in his youtube video description that he still needs to come up with a "prettier facia" and is even thinking about using fiberglass.
What I want to know is: How does he take the phone with him when he leaves the vehicle? From the looks of it, that facia he cooked up is removable, and he can unhook his SGS3 and be on his way. Not the most practical solution. Maybe his final design will be more practical and user friendly.
Would you replace your entire head unit with your smartphone? How do you listen to music from your phone in your car? Let us know in the comments. Video after the break.
The virus's evolving virulence is being tracked via samples taken from dead crows and blue jays
By Amy Maxmen
West Nile virus appears to be killing more blue jays this year than in the past.Image: flickr/phe?nix
By Amy Maxmen of Nature magazine
Texas is bearing the brunt of an outbreak of West Nile virus that is on track to be the worst the United States has ever experienced. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 46 people in the state have died from the virus this season, and 526 have been affected by the neurological aspects of the disease that can lead to paralysis. That is 40% of the burden faced by the country.
For officials at the Mosquito Control Division of the Harris County Public Health Service in Houston, dead crows and blue jays provided an early warning of the outbreak ? and could help in understanding the virulence of the virus.
?A red flag was the number of birds dying of West Nile in June,? says Rudy Bueno, the division's director. Hundreds of birds died from the virus soon after it arrived in the United States in 1999, but since 2005, Harris county officials have detected the virus almost exclusively in living birds which they netted, tested and then released back into the wild. Bueno notes that the blue jays, which originally died with West Nile virus in their blood, appeared to have grown immune.
But the trend ended this year. Harris county reported that it had found the virus in 16 dead birds last week alone, more than those found in the entire year for each of the past three years. ?Even the blue jays are dying, so something has changed,? Bueno says. ?We know that numbers fluctuate, but this year took everybody by surprise.?
The Mosquito Control Division presides mainly over Houston, but also tracks the virus in birds and mosquitoes found elsewhere in Texas. It began to collect and test mosquitoes and birds annually for St Louis encephalitis in 1965, but after West Nile arrived in Texas in 2002, it began to monitor both viruses.
West Nile virus thrives in several species of bird, and mosquitoes transmit it from them to humans through blood meals. Because West Nile virus monitoring programs run by the CDC have shrunk owing to budget cuts over the past few years, centers such as the one in Harris county have become invaluable to virologists trying to understand why outbreaks occur.
Background check
Virologists blame this year?s resurgence partly on a mild winter, which may have helped the virus to persist through the season, followed by a scorching summer, which could have sped up replication. But Bueno and others wonder whether the number of deaths has risen because the virus has evolved into a more virulent form. To examine the possibility, Bueno sends infected birds to researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston, who extract tissue from the birds' brains in order to grow the virus in cell culture. They store virus samples in a reference bank sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health, called the Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses Reference Collection, at the UTMB. Using the collection, researchers can determine how the virus has changed over time. For instance, certain mutations that arose since West Nile arrived in the US allowed some forms of the virus to pass more quickly from host to host.
Some of the samples go to Alan Barrett, a virologist at the UTMB, who sequences the viruses to detect changes. Barrett has not completed his analysis on samples from 2012, but says that ?we are definitely seeing evolution of the virus?.
Whether the evolution has any role in the latest outbreak remains unclear, however. And birds haven't been good indicators throughout the country. In California, which has seen 92 people infected with West Nile virus this year, birds seem to be surviving better than before, says William Reisen, an entomologist at the Center for Vectorborne Diseases at the University of California, Davis. ?Scrub jays, crows and magpies are carrying the same amount of virus as in previous years,? he says, ?but a higher proportion of them appear to be surviving.?
?There is probably a mixture of factors behind this year?s outbreak and proving which ones matter is not as straightforward as it sounds,? Barrett says. ?People may tell you their opinions and make claims,? he adds, ?but even though we have a tremendous amount of information on West Nile stockpiled, we still don?t really understand why it causes more or less disease year to year.?
This article is reproduced with permission from the magazine Nature. The article was first published on September 12, 2012.
Eleanor Brown falls while crossing a flooded street in Las Vegas Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Intense thunderstorms drenched parts of the Southwest on Tuesday, delaying flights and stranding motorists in the Las Vegas area and flooding two mobile home parks in Southern California. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, John Locher) LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; LAS VEGAS SUN OUT
Eleanor Brown falls while crossing a flooded street in Las Vegas Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Intense thunderstorms drenched parts of the Southwest on Tuesday, delaying flights and stranding motorists in the Las Vegas area and flooding two mobile home parks in Southern California. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, John Locher) LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; LAS VEGAS SUN OUT
Taylor Bradley walks across a flooded street behind the Flamingo hotel and casino in Las Vegas Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Intense thunderstorms drenched parts of the Southwest on Tuesday, delaying flights and stranding motorists in the Las Vegas area and flooding two mobile home parks in Southern California. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, John Locher) LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; LAS VEGAS SUN OUT
University of Nevada, Las Vegas students walk through a flooded parking lot on the campus in Las Vegas Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Intense thunderstorms drenched parts of the Southwest on Tuesday, delaying flights and stranding motorists in the Las Vegas area and flooding two mobile home parks in Southern California. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, John Locher) LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; LAS VEGAS SUN OUT
University of Nevada, Las Vegas students Ryan Klorman, left, and Markus Adams, relax on inflatable pool toys in floodwater in a parking lot at UNLV in Las Vegas Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Intense thunderstorms drenched parts of the Southwest on Tuesday, delaying flights and stranding motorists in the Las Vegas area and flooding two mobile home parks in Southern California. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, John Locher)
This aerial photo shows a flooded neighborhood in Santa Clara, Utah on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. The dike along a retention pond broke open after heavy morning rains, sending a deluge of water into downtown, said City Manager Edward Dickie. More than 30 homes and businesses were evacuated as a precaution, he said. No injuries had been reported. (AP Photo/The Deseret News, Scott G Winterton) SALT LAKE TRIBUNE OUT; PROVO DAILY HERALD OUT; MAGS OUT
SEATTLE (AP) ? Heavy rains and flooding in the Southwest? A near-record dry streak in Seattle?
The seemingly counterintuitive weather is not necessarily unusual for this time of year, but it's striking when compared with the usual opinions about the regions ? overcast and rainy in the Northwest and sunny skies in the Southwest. But late summer is typically the sunniest, driest part of the year in Washington and Oregon, while the Southwest monsoon season stretches into September.
In the Pacific Northwest, high temperatures and bone-dry terrain have made for dangerous fire conditions, particularly in Washington state. More than 1,600 firefighters labored Wednesday on seven large fire complexes in Eastern Washington that were fanned by high winds earlier this week.
Meanwhile, intense summer thunderstorms that struck parts of the Southwest this week flooded homes and streets in the Las Vegas area, inundated mobile home parks in Southern California, stranded some Navajo Nation residents in Arizona, and broke a dike in southern Utah, leading to evacuations.
The conditions may be leaving residents reeling, but they're par for the course this time of year, experts say.
Arizona, for example, has seen much flooding in recent months, with normally dry washes rushing like rivers in parts of the state. Some residents might have the impression that this summer has been extremely wet because of the frequency of rain that they can see from their homes, said J.J. Broston, a science and operations officer for the National Weather Service in Tucson.
But rain falls more diffusely across a region ? and this year has been wet but not record-breaking, he said.
"For the most part, people are looking at rainfall from their own individual perspectives, and if it rains at their homes, they think it has been a wet monsoon (season)," Broston said. "From the Weather Service's perspective, we are looking at a larger area."
Rainfall levels in Arizona so far in the monsoon season that runs from June 15 through Sept. 30 have generally been just above average.
Metro Phoenix and surrounding areas have seen 2.35 inches this season, up from the average of 1.4 inches but nowhere near the record of 9.56 in 1984, according to the National Weather Service.
In southern Arizona, the Tucson International Airport has recorded 5.97 inches of rain this season. That's a half-inch above the average so far in the season, but pales in comparison to the record of 13.84 inches in 1964.
Other southern Arizona cities, however, have seen 2 to 3 inches above their rainfall averages.
In the Las Vegas area, heavy rains this week delayed flights and prompted helicopter rescues of some stranded motorists.
Crews on Wednesday planned to resume their search for a landscape worker who was possibly swept away during a downpour at an area golf course. Police said the man was last seen Tuesday afternoon; photos showed the backhoe he was using almost completely submerged in floodwaters.
More than 1.75 inches of rain was reported in downtown Las Vegas after Tuesday's showers. That puts the region on pace to exceed the 4.5 inches of rain it normally gets in a year.
In Southern California, a thunderstorm settled for six to eight hours over Mecca and Thermal, two towns 150 miles southeast of Los Angeles near the location of the annual Coachella Music Festival. The storm dropped more than the average annual rainfall on parts of the Coachella Valley in one night alone, flooding two mobile home parks.
Meanwhile, drought-striken New Mexico anxiously awaited the leftovers from the storms that drenched other Western cities.
Meteorologists said an upper-level system moving in from the west was expected to collide with a cold front moving down through the heart of New Mexico.
"This is kind of a unique setup in that we've got monsoon moisture in place for these storms to work with," said David Craft, a Weather Service forecaster in Albuquerque. "We are expecting the potential for anywhere from half an inch to an inch and a half of rain across much of northern New Mexico and central New Mexico."
The rain isn't expected to fall all at once, so forecasters have opted not to call for any flood warnings.
It was a different picture in the Northwest, where fire officials said it could be several weeks before any significant rain or snow dampens the numerous wildfires burning in Washington state.
"While we know we will get a season-ending event in the foreseeable future, it still looks like it's a little ways down the road," fire spokeswoman Connie Mehmel said.
In Seattle, a rain shower Sunday night dropped the first measurable moisture since July 23 at Sea-Tac Airport, ending a 48-day dry stretch ? the second longest on record.
Mehmel said firefighters are stretched thin by the number of large fires in the state, but they're putting their best efforts into blazes that could threaten people and property.
Some residents just west of Wenatchee were allowed to return home Wednesday, but about 125 homes were still evacuated by a fire that had grown to more than 1,000 acres. Residents of dozens of other homes were told to be ready to flee if the fire grows.
Near Grand Coulee Dam, three homes and nine outbuildings were confirmed lost to two fires that have burned a combined 92,000 acres ? or 143 square miles. That fire was 20 percent contained Wednesday.
Meteorologist Brent Bower said August and the first half of September are the driest part of the year for the Pacific Northwest.
This year, though, it's a bit drier than usual.
"If you're looking for good summer weather, and if that's defined by dry and sunny, August and September is what you're looking for."
He said wet systems are staying away from Seattle, but he expects rain to come back as September progresses. But for now, the sun will keep shining over often soggy Seattle.
"There really is no rain in the forecast," he said.
___
Billeaud reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Manuel Valdes in Seattle and Susan Montoya in Albuquerque, N.M., contributed to this report.
cheap electricity in Queensland - How to Acquire Cheap Electricity in Queensland by Ramon Allen Send Feedback to Ramon Allen Request Reprint |
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Different countries around the world are experiencing economic crisis. This results to prices in different fields from telephone, food, services, electricity, and water to increase dramatically. If you are smart, then you need to address this issue with great care. You need to make critical planning and thinking if you want to keep your lifestyle as it is. With regard to this, there are things that you can do to save money in energy bills. One thing that you need to do is to find products and services available around your residence. You can start by trading your old appliances for a better energy saving device. You might also want to make use of an energy filtration device called the Savaplug which helps to cut down electrical bills by making refrigerators run smoothly and effectively. You might even consider making use of a solar powered charging device for your phones. This might cost a lot but purchasing these helpful devices now can help you save money in the long run. If you have done anything and everything to lessen your energy consumption but it still doesn't seem to have an effect, then maybe the problem isn't with you or how you use your electricity. You need to check your energy supplier if they are experiencing system malfunction that could be the cause of your bills getting so high. If not, then you need to find a better provider unless you want to keep on paying for those preposterously high bills. Acquire cheap electricity in Queensland by finding the right provider.
There are numerous providers in the area that you can go to. Don't get too excited in signing up with the first provider you encounter. Some companies would lure you into signing up with them by showing you all the incentives but none of the drawbacks. You need to be keen when choosing your supplier if you don't want to experience the same fate as before. Before you make a decision, you need to do some research on the company you want to sign up with. It's better to be safe than sorry so make sure that you pick the right one.
In order to get cheaper electricity in Queensland, one thing that you need to do is to find products and services that can help lower down your expenses. Find power saving devices for your house. It might seem costly at first but it can certainly help you save tons of cash in the long run. Choosing the right provider can also help.
The author writes for http://electricitywizard.com.au/ which provides information regarding cheap electricity in Queensland.
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Ramon Allen
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Single gene cause of insulin sensitivity may offer insight for treating diabetesPublic release date: 12-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: University of Oxford press office press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk 44-186-528-0530 University of Oxford
The first single gene cause of increased sensitivity to the hormone insulin has been discovered by a team of Oxford University researchers.
The opposite condition insulin resistance is a common feature of type 2 diabetes, so finding this cause of insulin sensitivity could offer new opportunities for pursuing novel treatments for diabetes.
Although mutations in the PTEN gene cause a rare condition with increased risk of cancer, the biological pathways the gene is involved in could offer promising targets for new drugs.
The Oxford University researchers, along with colleagues at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, and the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, UK, report their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
'Insulin resistance is a major feature of type 2 diabetes,' says Dr Anna Gloyn of the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Oxford, who led the work. 'The insulin-producing cells in the pancreas may be working hard and pumping out lots of insulin, but the body's cells no longer respond.
'Finding a genetic cause of the opposite insulin sensitivity gives us a new window on the biological processes involved. Such understanding could be important in developing new drugs that restore insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.'
The PTEN gene encodes for an enzyme that is part of the insulin signalling pathway in the body. It is known to have a role in controlling the body's metabolism, and to play a part in cell growth. The Oxford team was interested in learning more about this dual role.
There is an inherited genetic condition called Cowden syndrome caused by faults in the PTEN gene. It is very rare and is thought to affect perhaps one in 200,000 people, with around 300 people with the condition in the UK. PTEN's role in cell growth sees people with Cowden syndrome develop many benign polyps in their skin, mouth and bowel, and have a higher risk than the general population of developing breast cancer, thyroid cancer and womb cancer.
'PTEN is a gene that is heavily involved in processes for both cell growth and metabolism,' says first author Dr Aparna Pal of the University of Oxford. 'Given PTEN's dual role, we were interested in understanding the metabolic profile of people with Cowden syndrome. It was possible that mutations in PTEN could improve metabolism.'
The team carried out glucose tolerance tests with 15 people with Cowden syndrome and 15 matched controls. Those with Cowden syndrome had significantly higher insulin sensitivity. In collaboration with their colleagues at the Babraham Institute, the team showed that this was caused by increased activity in the insulin signalling pathway.
The researchers also noticed that the body mass index of those with Cowden syndrome appeared greater than the controls. They carried out a comparison with a much larger control group of over 2,000 individuals from the Oxford Biobank, a data and tissue resource for research established by Professor Fredrik Karpe.
This confirmed that those with Cowden syndrome had higher levels of obesity as a group than the controls. The extra body weight appeared to be caused by extra fat, and there were no differences in where the fat was stored compared to controls.
'This was a surprise. Normally insulin sensitivity goes with being lean,' says Professor Karpe.
Dr Gloyn concludes: 'We now know that mutations that inactivate the PTEN gene result in increased cancer risk and obesity, but also increase insulin sensitivity which is very likely to protect against type 2 diabetes.
'The study shows how intimately the biological pathways governing cell growth and metabolism are linked. We need to thoroughly understand these pathways to identify which genes to target in the development of new drugs.'
She adds: 'While there are promising research avenues to pursue here, in the meantime the best way to avoid diabetes remains exercising more and eating less.'
###
Notes to Editors
* Approximately 2.9 million people are affected by diabetes in the UK, and there may be around a further 850,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes. Left untreated, diabetes can cause many different health problems including heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and blindness. Even a mildly raised glucose level can have damaging effects in the long-term.
Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of the disease. In the UK, about 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to control the level of glucose in the blood, and when the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced effectively. It is this second feature of type 2 diabetes that tends to be known as 'insulin resistance'. Insulin resistance is often connected with obesity.
* The paper 'PTEN mutations cause constitutive insulin sensitivity and obesity in humans' is to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine with an embargo of 22:00 UK time / 17:00 US Eastern time on Wednesday 12 September 2012.
* For almost 100 years the Medical Research Council has improved the health of people in the UK and around the world by supporting the highest quality science. The MRC invests in world-class scientists. It has produced 29 Nobel Prize winners and sustains a flourishing environment for internationally recognised research. The MRC focuses on making an impact and provides the financial muscle and scientific expertise behind medical breakthroughs, including one of the first antibiotics penicillin, the structure of DNA and the lethal link between smoking and cancer. Today MRC funded scientists tackle research into the major health challenges of the 21st century. www.mrc.ac.uk
* The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust's breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests. www.wellcome.ac.uk
* The NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre is funded by the National Institute for Health Research, and is a partnership between the Oxford University Hospitals Trust and the University of Oxford. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), and conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients.
* The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government's strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit the NIHR website (www.nihr.ac.uk). The views expressed in this news release are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
* The Babraham Institute, which receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), undertakes international quality life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. The institute received 22.4M investment from BBSRC in 2010-11. The Institute's research provides greater understanding of the biological events that underlie the normal functions of cells and the implication of failure or abnormalities in these processes. Research focuses on signalling and genome regulation, particularly the interplay between the two and how epigenetic signals can influence important physiological adaptations during the lifespan of an organism. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and healthier ageing. www.babraham.ac.uk
* The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by Government, and with an annual budget of around 445M, we support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk
For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/institutes
* The Oxford Biobank is a resource for medical research into common diseases like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, with detailed data on over 5,000 healthy men and women aged 30 and living in Oxfordshire. All participants have undergone a detailed examination at a screening visit, donated DNA and given informed consent.
http://www.oxfordbiobank.org.uk/
* Oxford University's Medical Sciences Division is one of the largest biomedical research centres in Europe, with over 2,500 people involved in research and more than 2,800 students. The University is rated the best in the world for medicine, and it is home to the UK's top-ranked medical school.
From the genetic and molecular basis of disease to the latest advances in neuroscience, Oxford is at the forefront of medical research. It has one of the largest clinical trial portfolios in the UK and great expertise in taking discoveries from the lab into the clinic. Partnerships with the local NHS Trusts enable patients to benefit from close links between medical research and healthcare delivery.
A great strength of Oxford medicine is its long-standing network of clinical research units in Asia and Africa, enabling world-leading research on the most pressing global health challenges such as malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS and flu. Oxford is also renowned for its large-scale studies which examine the role of factors such as smoking, alcohol and diet on cancer, heart disease and other conditions.
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Single gene cause of insulin sensitivity may offer insight for treating diabetesPublic release date: 12-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: University of Oxford press office press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk 44-186-528-0530 University of Oxford
The first single gene cause of increased sensitivity to the hormone insulin has been discovered by a team of Oxford University researchers.
The opposite condition insulin resistance is a common feature of type 2 diabetes, so finding this cause of insulin sensitivity could offer new opportunities for pursuing novel treatments for diabetes.
Although mutations in the PTEN gene cause a rare condition with increased risk of cancer, the biological pathways the gene is involved in could offer promising targets for new drugs.
The Oxford University researchers, along with colleagues at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, and the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, UK, report their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
'Insulin resistance is a major feature of type 2 diabetes,' says Dr Anna Gloyn of the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Oxford, who led the work. 'The insulin-producing cells in the pancreas may be working hard and pumping out lots of insulin, but the body's cells no longer respond.
'Finding a genetic cause of the opposite insulin sensitivity gives us a new window on the biological processes involved. Such understanding could be important in developing new drugs that restore insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.'
The PTEN gene encodes for an enzyme that is part of the insulin signalling pathway in the body. It is known to have a role in controlling the body's metabolism, and to play a part in cell growth. The Oxford team was interested in learning more about this dual role.
There is an inherited genetic condition called Cowden syndrome caused by faults in the PTEN gene. It is very rare and is thought to affect perhaps one in 200,000 people, with around 300 people with the condition in the UK. PTEN's role in cell growth sees people with Cowden syndrome develop many benign polyps in their skin, mouth and bowel, and have a higher risk than the general population of developing breast cancer, thyroid cancer and womb cancer.
'PTEN is a gene that is heavily involved in processes for both cell growth and metabolism,' says first author Dr Aparna Pal of the University of Oxford. 'Given PTEN's dual role, we were interested in understanding the metabolic profile of people with Cowden syndrome. It was possible that mutations in PTEN could improve metabolism.'
The team carried out glucose tolerance tests with 15 people with Cowden syndrome and 15 matched controls. Those with Cowden syndrome had significantly higher insulin sensitivity. In collaboration with their colleagues at the Babraham Institute, the team showed that this was caused by increased activity in the insulin signalling pathway.
The researchers also noticed that the body mass index of those with Cowden syndrome appeared greater than the controls. They carried out a comparison with a much larger control group of over 2,000 individuals from the Oxford Biobank, a data and tissue resource for research established by Professor Fredrik Karpe.
This confirmed that those with Cowden syndrome had higher levels of obesity as a group than the controls. The extra body weight appeared to be caused by extra fat, and there were no differences in where the fat was stored compared to controls.
'This was a surprise. Normally insulin sensitivity goes with being lean,' says Professor Karpe.
Dr Gloyn concludes: 'We now know that mutations that inactivate the PTEN gene result in increased cancer risk and obesity, but also increase insulin sensitivity which is very likely to protect against type 2 diabetes.
'The study shows how intimately the biological pathways governing cell growth and metabolism are linked. We need to thoroughly understand these pathways to identify which genes to target in the development of new drugs.'
She adds: 'While there are promising research avenues to pursue here, in the meantime the best way to avoid diabetes remains exercising more and eating less.'
###
Notes to Editors
* Approximately 2.9 million people are affected by diabetes in the UK, and there may be around a further 850,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes. Left untreated, diabetes can cause many different health problems including heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and blindness. Even a mildly raised glucose level can have damaging effects in the long-term.
Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of the disease. In the UK, about 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to control the level of glucose in the blood, and when the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced effectively. It is this second feature of type 2 diabetes that tends to be known as 'insulin resistance'. Insulin resistance is often connected with obesity.
* The paper 'PTEN mutations cause constitutive insulin sensitivity and obesity in humans' is to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine with an embargo of 22:00 UK time / 17:00 US Eastern time on Wednesday 12 September 2012.
* For almost 100 years the Medical Research Council has improved the health of people in the UK and around the world by supporting the highest quality science. The MRC invests in world-class scientists. It has produced 29 Nobel Prize winners and sustains a flourishing environment for internationally recognised research. The MRC focuses on making an impact and provides the financial muscle and scientific expertise behind medical breakthroughs, including one of the first antibiotics penicillin, the structure of DNA and the lethal link between smoking and cancer. Today MRC funded scientists tackle research into the major health challenges of the 21st century. www.mrc.ac.uk
* The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust's breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests. www.wellcome.ac.uk
* The NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre is funded by the National Institute for Health Research, and is a partnership between the Oxford University Hospitals Trust and the University of Oxford. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), and conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients.
* The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government's strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit the NIHR website (www.nihr.ac.uk). The views expressed in this news release are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
* The Babraham Institute, which receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), undertakes international quality life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. The institute received 22.4M investment from BBSRC in 2010-11. The Institute's research provides greater understanding of the biological events that underlie the normal functions of cells and the implication of failure or abnormalities in these processes. Research focuses on signalling and genome regulation, particularly the interplay between the two and how epigenetic signals can influence important physiological adaptations during the lifespan of an organism. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and healthier ageing. www.babraham.ac.uk
* The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by Government, and with an annual budget of around 445M, we support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk
For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/institutes
* The Oxford Biobank is a resource for medical research into common diseases like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, with detailed data on over 5,000 healthy men and women aged 30 and living in Oxfordshire. All participants have undergone a detailed examination at a screening visit, donated DNA and given informed consent.
http://www.oxfordbiobank.org.uk/
* Oxford University's Medical Sciences Division is one of the largest biomedical research centres in Europe, with over 2,500 people involved in research and more than 2,800 students. The University is rated the best in the world for medicine, and it is home to the UK's top-ranked medical school.
From the genetic and molecular basis of disease to the latest advances in neuroscience, Oxford is at the forefront of medical research. It has one of the largest clinical trial portfolios in the UK and great expertise in taking discoveries from the lab into the clinic. Partnerships with the local NHS Trusts enable patients to benefit from close links between medical research and healthcare delivery.
A great strength of Oxford medicine is its long-standing network of clinical research units in Asia and Africa, enabling world-leading research on the most pressing global health challenges such as malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS and flu. Oxford is also renowned for its large-scale studies which examine the role of factors such as smoking, alcohol and diet on cancer, heart disease and other conditions.
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WASHINGTON (AP) ? The nation is bidding farewell to Neil Armstrong, the first man to take a giant leap on to the moon.
The powerful of Washington, the pioneers of space, and the everyday public crowded into the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday for a public interfaith memorial for the very private astronaut. Armstrong, who died last month at age 82, walked on the moon in July 1969.
Apollo 11 crewmates Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins and Mercury astronaut John Glenn were at the church, which includes a moon rock embedded in its stained glass windows.
Singer Diana Krall was scheduled to sing "Fly Me To The Moon." The service also included excerpts from a speech 50 years ago by John F. Kennedy about why America was sending astronauts to the moon.
Parents of babies with sickle cell trait are less likely to receive genetic counseling, study saysPublic release date: 11-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Mary F. Masson mfmasson@umich.edu 734-764-2220 University of Michigan Health System
Physicians report parents of infants who are cystic fibrosis carriers are more likely to receive genetic counseling
Ann Arbor, Mich. Parents of newborns with the sickle cell anemia trait were less likely to receive genetic counseling than parents whose babies are cystic fibrosis carriers, a new study from the University of Michigan shows.
University of Michigan researchers found that 20 percent of physicians reported their patients with newborns carrying the sickle cell trait did not get any genetic counseling. In contrast, parents of babies who were cystic fibrosis carriers received more counseling overall (92 percent vs. 80 percent).
The research was published online in the August issue of the Journal of Genetic Counseling.
"Sickle cell anemia is much more common in African Americans and cystic fibrosis is more common in non-Hispanic Whites," says Kathryn L. Moseley, assistant professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.
"Being a sickle cell carrier conveys some increased health risks, including sudden death and increased risk of severe dehydration in certain environments, but a cystic fibrosis carrier has no additional health risks," says Moseley, M.D., M.P.H. who was lead author on the study and is an investigator in U-M's Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit.
"Logically, then, one would think that parents of newborns with sickle cell trait would receive genetic counseling at least as much if not more than parents of newborn carriers of cystic fibrosis. Our study shows the opposite."
Moseley says this is believed to be the first study to ask primary care physicians about their office practices in this area. National guidelines recommend genetic counseling for parents of newborns with either the sickle cell trait or carriers of cystic fibrosis.
Between 2000 and 2009, seven student athletes with the sickle cell trait died suddenly. Those deaths led the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association to issue guidelines that recommend sickle cell testing for all athletes and modification to conditioning programs for athletes with sickle cell anemia.
"Even though most children with the sickle cell trait remain healthy, all are at risk for complications under specific conditions. Parents should be aware of the potential risks and genetic counseling could provide that information," says Moseley.
This health disparity needs further investigation, Moseley says.
"Are physicians aware of the risks to individuals with the sickle cell trait, or are they minimizing them? Better methods are needed to inform the parents and physicians about the rare, but real risks to individuals with sickle cell anemia," she says.
###
Journal reference: 10.1007/s10897-012-9537-3
Funding: University of Michigan Ethics in Public Life Program
Additional authors: Of the University of Michigan: Samya Z. Nasr, Jane L. Schuette, Andrew D. Campbell.
About the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital: Since 1903, the University of Michigan has led the way in providing comprehensive, specialized health care for children. From leading-edge heart surgery that's performed in the womb to complete emergency care that's there when you need it, families from all over come to the U-M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital for our pediatric expertise.
For more information, go to www.mottchildren.org
For more information about the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, go to: http://www.chear.org/
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Parents of babies with sickle cell trait are less likely to receive genetic counseling, study saysPublic release date: 11-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Mary F. Masson mfmasson@umich.edu 734-764-2220 University of Michigan Health System
Physicians report parents of infants who are cystic fibrosis carriers are more likely to receive genetic counseling
Ann Arbor, Mich. Parents of newborns with the sickle cell anemia trait were less likely to receive genetic counseling than parents whose babies are cystic fibrosis carriers, a new study from the University of Michigan shows.
University of Michigan researchers found that 20 percent of physicians reported their patients with newborns carrying the sickle cell trait did not get any genetic counseling. In contrast, parents of babies who were cystic fibrosis carriers received more counseling overall (92 percent vs. 80 percent).
The research was published online in the August issue of the Journal of Genetic Counseling.
"Sickle cell anemia is much more common in African Americans and cystic fibrosis is more common in non-Hispanic Whites," says Kathryn L. Moseley, assistant professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.
"Being a sickle cell carrier conveys some increased health risks, including sudden death and increased risk of severe dehydration in certain environments, but a cystic fibrosis carrier has no additional health risks," says Moseley, M.D., M.P.H. who was lead author on the study and is an investigator in U-M's Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit.
"Logically, then, one would think that parents of newborns with sickle cell trait would receive genetic counseling at least as much if not more than parents of newborn carriers of cystic fibrosis. Our study shows the opposite."
Moseley says this is believed to be the first study to ask primary care physicians about their office practices in this area. National guidelines recommend genetic counseling for parents of newborns with either the sickle cell trait or carriers of cystic fibrosis.
Between 2000 and 2009, seven student athletes with the sickle cell trait died suddenly. Those deaths led the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association to issue guidelines that recommend sickle cell testing for all athletes and modification to conditioning programs for athletes with sickle cell anemia.
"Even though most children with the sickle cell trait remain healthy, all are at risk for complications under specific conditions. Parents should be aware of the potential risks and genetic counseling could provide that information," says Moseley.
This health disparity needs further investigation, Moseley says.
"Are physicians aware of the risks to individuals with the sickle cell trait, or are they minimizing them? Better methods are needed to inform the parents and physicians about the rare, but real risks to individuals with sickle cell anemia," she says.
###
Journal reference: 10.1007/s10897-012-9537-3
Funding: University of Michigan Ethics in Public Life Program
Additional authors: Of the University of Michigan: Samya Z. Nasr, Jane L. Schuette, Andrew D. Campbell.
About the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital: Since 1903, the University of Michigan has led the way in providing comprehensive, specialized health care for children. From leading-edge heart surgery that's performed in the womb to complete emergency care that's there when you need it, families from all over come to the U-M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital for our pediatric expertise.
For more information, go to www.mottchildren.org
For more information about the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, go to: http://www.chear.org/
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Affiliate marketing can be a profitable marketing strategy. Webmasters have used affiliate programs to make good money for many years. As the internet has grown, more and more information on this style of marketing has become available. These tips might be useful, no matter how experienced you are with affiliate marketing.
When you are beginning an affiliate marketing business, focus on quality not size. Your changes of success will be greater because you will be learning a lot of things that you need to know. Then you will have some knowledge when you try to tackle more competitive niches.
You should only use affiliates that bring you profits; if they don?t, replace them. Be sure to review your affiliate?s performance on a regular basis. By severing ties with affiliates who perform poorly, you are allowing yourself more room for high-quality partners.
Try to promote your affiliate product by placing advertisements in multiple locations. Many customers find products on the Internet. Other people would rather see printed material such as a brochure. Others might still need a percentage off coupon. You will acquire more customers if you take a broad approach to marketing.
Affiliate Programs
Market your business online more effectively by using affiliate marketing programs. There are other online advertising methods like contextual networks and banner advertising but affiliate programs will consistently generate more visitors to your site. There are three things you should think about with affiliate programs: payment, popularity, and simplicity.
If you want to get paid quickly, you should select an affiliate company that offers you different payment options. Some affiliate marketing companies only pay you when you have reached a particular quota while others may pay you immediately via online transfers.
Use paid advertising and marketing to generate the most returns. Buy ads that target specific keywords in order to improve your sales and push more traffic to your website. This increases the chances of getting the most value out of your traffic, these visitors have already shown to have an interest in the types of products you are selling.
It is advisable for affiliate partners to use text functionality in order to gain greater commissions. Such communication is novel, but many affiliate marketers are already presenting their customers with special offers and new information through this channel.
You will get the most income out of your affiliate programs by paying advertisers like Google Ads. If you purchase ads related to your keywords, you can increase the amount of potential buyers.
Sales Conversion Ratio
For maximum results in your affiliate marketing venture, select an affiliate program through a business with a healthy sales conversion ratio. One good benchmark is to look for a sales conversion ratio of at least 1%.
Whenever you build affiliate links, you should consider accessories as well. Get a water bottle that includes a strap so it can tag along with you easily.
Proving that you are a legitimate affiliate marketer takes some strategic finesse. Links should be subtle. If marketed effectively, customers will think you are just ?affiliated? with what you are promoting.
Generally, people will usually unsubscribe, and you are going to need to find other customers. To get new clients, send them your best emails in order to have a good impression.
Once you have a proven success rate, it may be time to ask the program for a raise. If you have made yourself valuable to the program through the amount of sales you are generating, they will want to do anything in their power to keep you.
Sometimes not being satisfied is not as bad as it seems. You should never settle, you should always try for the best and the greatest things in life. Use all available methods?like blogging?to create sites that could possibly help to increase your profits. Most importantly, never give up on your online business venture.
Affiliate Marketing
Sometimes when you are beginning with affiliate marketing, in order to make money, you need to spend some money. Look around at ways to spend some of your affiliate marketing profits for advertising and promotion. Google, Yahoo and Facebook are some of the popular sites you can advertise with and see results, if you do it the right way.
Try using pop-under ads as opposed to pop-up advertising. Many web browsers block pop-up ads by default, and most have options to block them. Many of your visitors will never see them. Research shows that viewers respond better to pop-under ads, which means you have a better chance of gaining their business.
In order to be successful in affiliate marketing, you must believe in the product, and believing in it means being a satisfied user of the particular product as well. Placing reviews and articles about the product online is a great way to let people know how useful you find the product to be. Discussing your personal experience with the products in forums can help attract potential customers. Remember to affix a link to your main website or affiliate network landing page before you submit reviews.
Affiliate Marketing
There is more money in the world of affiliate marketing than you think. In order to get the most out of affiliate marketing, it is crucial to educate yourself about how it works
Tags: affiliate marketing business, affiliate programs, sales conversion ratio
LOS ANGELES (AP) ? A jury on Monday awarded casino mogul Steve Wynn $20 million in his slander case against "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis, who claimed the creator of some of Las Vegas' most upscale resorts threatened to kill him over a gambling debt.
Witnesses disputed Francis' claims during a four-day trial, including Grammy winning record producer Quincy Jones, who Francis said told him about Wynn's threats and showed him a stack of emails that contained them.
Wynn vehemently denied that.
In siding with Wynn, the jury determined that there was clear and convincing evidence that Francis slandered the casino mogul and knew his allegations were false when he made them.
Neither Wynn nor Francis was present in court when the verdict was read Monday morning.
Wynn's attorney on Friday had asked the panel to award the billionaire $12 million plus punitive damages to send a message that false statements that travel far in the Internet age will not be tolerated.
The CEO of Wynn resorts and designer of signature Las Vegas casinos such as The Mirage, Bellagio, Wynn and Encore, attended the trial.
Francis, who testified, has built a business empire based on videos of young women flashing their breasts for video cameras.
When Chris Carpenter underwent surgery in mid-July to alleviate symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, it was assumed that he would miss the rest of the season. However, it?s now realistic that he could play a critical role for the Cardinals down the stretch.
Carpenter threw around 70 pitches in a simulated game this afternoon in San Diego after which he told FOX Sports Midwest that he feels ?absolutely? ready to make a start. While he?s chomping at the bit to get back out there, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that he?s scheduled to throw another simulated game on Saturday where he?ll get stretched out to 90 pitches.
Carpenter is ramping things up at a convenient time for the Cardinals, as Jake Westbrook suffered an oblique strain Saturday and is expected to miss at least one start. Lance Lynn will return from the bullpen to start Thursday against the Dodgers, but Carpenter should be an option after that.
Carpenter, 37, hasn?t thrown a pitch in the majors this season after logging 273 innings between the regular season and playoffs last year.
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Public release date: 12-Sep-2012
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