Technology

The Details

Synopsis When a couple discovers an infestation of raccoons in their backyard, disagreements over how to handle the situation lead to a series of events. Starring: Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Laura Linney, Anna Friel *Source: Yahoo! Movies

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App Lets You Monitor Lung Health Using Only a Smartphone

People suffering from asthma or other chronic lung problems are typically only able to get a measure of their lung function at the doctor’s office a few times a year by blowing into a specialized piece of equipment. More frequent testing at home could detect problems earlier, potentially avoiding emergency room visits and hospitalization. (more…)

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Cracking the Oyster’s Code

International team of scientists finds adaptations to stress in oyster genome

When it comes to stress, oysters know how to deal. The tough-shelled mollusks can survive temperature fluctuations, toxic metals and exposure to air, and a new study of their genetic makeup is helping to explain how.

An international team of scientists, including the University of Delaware’s Patrick M. Gaffney, professor of marine biosciences, sequenced the genome of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, in a Nature paper published on Sept. 19. (more…)

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Should I Marry Him? If you’re having doubts, don’t ignore them, suggests UCLA psychology study

Doubt is not a pleasant mental state, but certainty is a ridiculous one.

—Voltaire

In the first scientific study to test whether doubts about getting married are more likely to lead to an unhappy marriage and divorce, UCLA psychologists report that when women have doubts before their wedding, their misgivings are often a warning sign of trouble if they go ahead with the marriage.

The UCLA study demonstrates that pre-wedding uncertainty, especially among women, predicts higher divorce rates and less marital satisfaction years later. (more…)

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Elderly People, Pillars of this Society

Parents are generally considered to be the pillar of the family, but are they? It is mostly said that parents come after God but where are such examples? Nowadays, parents are lying in old age homes and kids are enjoying their life with their partners in their homes. Is this correct? We cannot comment on what is right and what is wrong. We cannot pin point somebody’s thinking or decision. But yes, there are places where these unwanted parents can live their life happily and peacefully.

These are the organizations which provide place to elderly people to live and in return they get rent. They are the one who care for them; bestow them all the major items for living and an amazing atmosphere to live in. These old age homes are also known as “retirement homes” where these elderly people can live their second inning of life happily and peacefully with all the facilities of daily living, available with them. (more…)

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Mutation Breaks HIV’s Resistance to Drugs, Says MU Researcher

Doctors can improve treatment programs using this knowledge

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can contain dozens of different mutations, called polymorphisms. In a recent study an international team of researchers, including University of Missouri scientists, found that one of those mutations, called 172K, made certain forms of the virus more susceptible to treatment. Soon, doctors will be able to use this knowledge to improve the drug regimen they prescribe to HIV-infected individuals.

“The 172K polymorphism makes certain forms of HIV less resistant to drugs,” said Stefan Sarafianos, corresponding author of the study and a researcher at MU’s Bond Life Sciences Center. “172K doesn’t affect the virus’ normal activities. In some varieties of HIV that have developed resistance to drugs, when the 172K mutation is present, resistance to two classes of anti-HIV drugs is suppressed. We estimate up to 3 percent of HIV strains carry the 172K polymorphism.” (more…)

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New Study Analyzes Why People Are Resistant to Correcting Misinformation, Offers Solutions

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Childhood vaccines do not cause autism. President Obama was born in the United States. Global warming is confirmed by science. And yet, many people believe claims to the contrary.

In a study appearing in the current issue of Psychological Science in the Public Interest, researchers from the University of Michigan, University of Western Australia and University of Queensland examined factors that cause people to resist correcting misinformation.

Misinformation can originate from rumors but also fiction, government and politicians, and organizations, the researchers say. (more…)

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