Author Archives: Guest Post

UMD Finding May Hold Key to Gaia Theory of Earth as Living Organism

Discovery ultimately could lead to better climate understanding and prediction

COLLEGE PARK, Md. Is Earth really a sort of giant living organism as the Gaia hypothesis predicts? A new discovery made at the University of Maryland may provide a key to answering this question. This key of sulfur could allow scientists to unlock heretofore hidden interactions between ocean organisms, atmosphere, and land — interactions that might provide evidence supporting this famous theory. (more…)

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Biosensor Illuminates Compounds to Aid Fight Against TB

EAST LANSING, Mich. — For his work on developing new treatments for tuberculosis, a Michigan State University researcher has been named a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Robert Abramovitch of MSU’s Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is using a synthetic biosensor that glows green in response to conditions that mimic human tuberculosis infection. He will screen for compounds that target chronic TB infection and may help shorten therapy or treat multidrug-resistant TB, which does not respond well to existing antibiotics. (more…)

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Energy in Action

For two molecules on blind date, new method predicts potential for attraction or repulsion

Krzysztof Szalewicz, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Delaware, and Rafal Podeszwa of the University of Silesia Institute of Chemistry in Poland have developed and validated a more accurate method for predicting the interaction energy of large molecules, such as biomolecules used to develop new drugs.

The research is reported as a communication in the April 27 issue of the Journal of Chemical Physics, which is the most highly cited journal in atomic, molecular and chemical physics according to Thomson Reuters. The journal is published by the American Institute of Physics. Despite appearing at the end of April, the paper was on the list of the 20 most-read articles in JCP for that month. (more…)

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Brand Advertisers Go Digital in Brazil as Online Display Ad Market Soars to 190 Billion Impressions in Q1 2012

17 National Brand Advertisers Delivered More than 1 Billion Impressions in the Quarter

comScore Presents Complimentary Webinar on the State of Online Advertising in Brazil

São Paulo, May 15, 2012 – comScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world, today released the latest insights on the display advertising market in Brazil from its comScore Ad Metrix service, which showed that 190.5 billion display ads were delivered to Brazil’s Internet population during the first quarter of 2012. Dafiti.com.br and Netshoes.com.br ranked as the top display advertisers in March 2012 with each delivering upwards of 2 billion impressions. (more…)

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New Biomarker Test Predicts Arthritis at Much Earlier Stage, MU Researchers Say

Early detection system would allow better treatment options

COLUMBIA, Mo. ­— More than 27 million adults currently suffer from osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis. In the past, doctors have been unable to diagnose patients with arthritis until they begin to show symptoms, which include joint pain and stiffness. (more…)

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First Satellite Tag Study for Manta Rays Reveals Habits And Hidden Journeys of Ocean Giants

Using the latest satellite tracking technology, conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the University of Exeter and the Government of Mexico have completed a ground-breaking study on a mysterious ocean giant: the manta ray.

The research team has produced the first published study on the use of satellite telemetry to track the open-ocean journeys of the world’s largest ray, which can grow up to 25 feet in width.

Researchers say the manta ray—listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)—has become increasingly threatened by fishing and accidental capture and now needs more protection. (more…)

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