Author Archives: Guest Post

Like Humans, Amoebae Pack a Lunch Before They Travel

*Amoebae increase survival odds through rudimentary form of agriculture; finding has implications for human diseases*

Some amoebae do what many people do. Before they travel, they pack a lunch.

In results of a study reported in the journal Nature, evolutionary biologists Joan Strassmann and David Queller of Rice University show that long-studied social amoebae Dictyostellum discoideum (commonly known as slime molds) increase their odds of survival through a rudimentary form of agriculture. (more…)

Read More

Measuring Success: How Much Exercise is Needed During Pregnancy?

EAST LANSING, Mich. — As the medical community uncovers more evidence of the benefits of exercise during pregnancy, a Michigan State University researcher is looking to pinpoint the most reliable and valid ways to assess physical activity in pregnant women. (more…)

Read More

IBM Board Approves Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend

ARMONK, N.Y. – 25 Jan 2011: The IBM board of directors today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.65 per common share, payable March 10, 2011 to stockholders of record February 10, 2011. With the payment of the March 10 dividend, IBM will have paid consecutive quarterly dividends every year since 1916.  IBM also […]

Read More

Blocking Rogue Gene Could Stop the Spread of Most Cancers

*Scientists at the University of East Anglia have discovered a rogue gene which – if blocked by the right drugs – could stop cancer in its tracks.*

Published on January 24, 2011, by the journal Oncogene, the discovery is a breakthrough in our understanding of how cancer spreads. It is hoped the research will lead to new drugs that halt the critical late stage of the disease when cancer cells spread to other parts of the body. (more…)

Read More

Amazon Web Services Launches Amazon Simple Email Service

*Businesses can now simplify their bulk and transactional email communications with a cost-effective and easy-to-use email-sending service*

SEATTLE, Jan 25, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Amazon Web Services LLC (AWS), an Amazon.com company, today announced Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES), a highly scalable and cost-effective bulk and transactional email-sending service for businesses and developers. Amazon SES eliminates the complexity and expense of building an in-house email solution or licensing, installing, and operating a third-party email service. The service integrates with other AWS services, making it easy to send emails from applications being hosted on services such as Amazon EC2. With Amazon SES there is no long-term commitment, minimum spend or negotiation required – businesses can utilize a free usage tier, and after that, enjoy low fees for the number of emails sent plus data transfer. To get started using Amazon SES, visit https://aws.amazon.com. (more…)

Read More

Build it and They Will Come? Think Again

EAST LANSING, Mich. — When it comes to economic development in American cities, the trusted old theory “If you build it, they will come” may not work, a Michigan State University sociologist argues in a new study.

Conventional wisdom holds that job growth attracts people to urban areas.  (more…)

Read More

Fighting Words: Violent Political Rhetoric Fuels Violent Attitudes

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Political leaders regularly promise to “fight” for noble causes and “combat” pressing problems. They declare “war” on social problems, such as poverty, disease, drugs and terrorism.

This violent political rhetoric—whether politicians intend to or not—can enflame violent attitudes in many Americans, especially those predisposed to behave aggressively in daily life, according to new University of Michigan research involving three studies. (more…)

Read More