Blog – Page 558 – Shamskm: A site to exchange knowledge and solutions

Schweiz/EU: Nur der Weg ist das Problem

Während die grossen Schweizer Medien passen, zeigt sich «Die Zeit» mutig: das Verhältnis Schweiz/EU ist längst DAS Thema!

Peer Teuwsen, noch-verantwortlicher Redaktor für die Schweizer Ausgabe der deutschen Wochenzeitung «Die Zeit» und bald neuer Verantwortlicher für deren Hamburger Ausgabe, ist ein kluger Mann. Wenn Andere für ein Podiumsgespräch meist extreme Meinungsgegner engagieren, führt das zwar zum erwarteten unterhaltsamen Klamauk, im Resultat aber meist zu einem Schwarzweissbild mit dem Ziselierungsgrad des Freiburger Kantonswappens. Teuwsen dagegen lädt Leute ein, die ähnliche Ansichten haben. Das führt zu differenzierten Diskussionen. Der Teufel steckt bekanntlich im Detail. (more…)

Protein interplay in muscle tied to life span

Health, Science

Brown University biologists have uncovered a complicated chain of molecular events that leads from insulin to protein degradation in muscles and significantly diminished life span in fruit flies. The new study in PLoS Genetics, which may have broad implications across species, identifies the fly version of the mammalian protein activin as the central culprit in the process.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Fruit flies are notoriously short-lived but scientists interested in the biology of aging in all animals have begun to understand why some fruit flies live longer than others. They have documented a direct association between insulin and life span, for example, and have observed a tradeoff between prolific reproduction and longevity. A new study, which may have broad implications across species, ties those findings more closely together by tracing an insulin signaling cascade through to protein quality control in muscle tissue and shortened life span. (more…)

Mit dem Panda in die Ferien

Nature

WWF startet neue Abenteuer- und Wildnis-Camps für Kinder und Jugendliche

Berlin – Auf der Ostsee die Segel setzen oder durch die Berge Transsilvaniens streifen – das sind nur zwei von vielen Abenteuern, die Kinder und Jugendliche im kommenden Jahr mit dem neuen WWF-Ferienprogramm erleben können. Insgesamt 33 Reisen hält der WWF zum Kennenlernen von Natur und Wildnis bereit. „Wir wollen, dass die Kinder und Jugendlichen nicht nur einen unvergesslichen Urlaub haben, sondern dabei direkt in die Natur eintauchen“, sagt Anke Fröbel vom WWF Deutschland über das Ziel der Camps. Junge Umweltschützer und ihre Eltern können sich ab sofort unter www.young-panda.de/camps und www.wwf-jugend.de/camps über die Reisen informieren und direkt anmelden. (more…)

Seahorse Heads have a ‘No Wake Zone’ That’s Made for Catching Prey

Nature

AUSTIN, Texas — Seahorses are slow, docile creatures, but their heads are perfectly shaped to sneak up and quickly snatch prey, according to marine scientists from The University of Texas at Austin.

“A seahorse is one the slowest swimming fish that we know of, but it’s able to capture prey that swim at incredible speeds for their size,” said Brad Gemmell, research associate at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, which is part of the College of Natural Sciences. (more…)

The real killer behind cancer

Health

This story is short. Not much is known about metastasis.

And that’s the point. (more…)

Biogas power plants: Renewable energy-producers of the future

Environment

When Michigan State University’s Wolfgang Bauer travels past unused farmland in Michigan, he sees untapped energy resources and opportunities for tremendous economic development. (more…)

Researchers Integrate Single-Crystal BFO onto a Silicon Chip, Open Door to Smart Devices

Science

Researchers from North Carolina State University have for the first time integrated a material called bismuth ferrite (BFO) as a single crystal onto a silicon chip, opening the door to a new generation of multifunctional, smart devices.

BFO has both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties, meaning that it can be magnetized by running an electric current through the material. Potential applications for BFO include new magnetic memory devices, smart sensors and spintronics technologies. (more…)

Summary of results from the 3rd National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles

Health, Sex

Results published in The Lancet give the most detailed picture yet of the British population’s sex lives over the last 10 years, as part of the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) survey.

Led by UCL in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and NatCen Social Research, over 15,000 adults aged 16-74 participated in interviews between September 2010 and August 2012. (more…)