Archive | July, 2008

Viterbi Algorithm goes quantum

The Viterbi Algorithm, the elegant 41-year-old logical tool for rapidly eliminating dead end possibilities in data transmission, has a new application to go alongside its ubiquitous daily use in cell phone communications, bioinformatics, speech recognition and many other areas of information technology.

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U.S. Should Rethink 'War On Terrorism' Strategy to Deal with Resurgent Al Qaida

Current U.S. strategy against the terrorist group al Qaida has not been successful in significantly undermining the group’s capabilities, according to a new RAND Corporation study issued today.

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Researchers Identify Drugs that Enhance Exercise Endurance

Researchers have identified two drugs that mimic many of the physiological effects of exercise. The drugs increase the ability of cells to burn fat and are the first compounds that have been shown to enhance exercise endurance.

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Plant Parasite 'Wiretaps' Host

A parasitic plant that sucks water and nutrients from its plant host also taps into its communications traffic, a new report finds.

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Liver damage in hepatitis C patients could be treated with warfarin

The drug warfarin may help prevent liver failure in thousands of people with Hepatitis C, according to new research.

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Never Give in to the Enemy

I kept thinking of killing myself for 15 years or so, driving off the road, instigating fights, fingering my gun and imaging the relief I would feel if I just pulled the trigger. I could not do it myself, so I sought out people and situations that endangered my existence. How do I kill myself without me doing it?

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Cow power could generate electricity for millions

Converting livestock manure into a domestic renewable fuel source could generate enough electricity to meet up to three per cent of North America’s entire consumption needs and lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).

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Gummy bears that fight plaque

The tooth-protecting sugar substitute xylitol has been incorporated into gummy bears to produce a sweet snack that may prevent dental problems.

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New technique to compress light could open doors for optical communications

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have devised a way to squeeze light into tighter spaces than ever thought possible, potentially opening doors to new technology in the fields of optical communications, miniature lasers and optical computers.

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Drug takes the fun out of booze

An experimental drug that blocks the euphoric feelings associated with drinking may prevent alcoholics from relapsing.

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Miscanthus can meet U.S. biofuels goal using less land than corn or switchgrass

In the largest field trial of its kind in the United States, researchers have determined that the giant perennial grass Miscanthus x giganteus outperforms current biofuels sources – by a lot.

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Pre-eclampsia may be autoimmune disease

Biochemists say they are the first to provide pre-clinical evidence that pregnancy-induced high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia may be an autoimmune disease.

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Understanding prescription drug misuse in older adults

The marriage of geriatric medicine/gerontology and drug physiology is critical when determining if an adverse event has taken place; and how to treat and manage the patient thereafter. Furthermore, due to the complexity of some drug regimens, compliance may also be an area of concern for this cohort.

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Math shows how insects breathe underwater

Hundreds of insect species spend much of their time underwater, where food may be more plentiful. MIT mathematicians have now figured out exactly how those insects breathe underwater.

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Study identifies DNA changes in major depression, suicide

Autopsies usually point to a cause of death, but now a study of brain tissue collected during these procedures may explain an underlying cause of major depression and suicide, according to University of Western Ontario researcher.

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Obesity predisposition traced to the brain's reward system

The tendency toward obesity is directly related to the brain system that is involved in food reward and addictive behaviors, according to a new study.

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Health directors see global warming as looming health threat

A new study reveals that while a majority of U.S. health department directors believe their city or county will have serious public health problems as a result of climate change within the next 20 years, very few of them have planned or implemented activities to detect, prevent or adapt to these health threats.

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Mucous breakthrough in mice holds promise for cystic fibrosis

A London, Canada scientist studying cystic fibrosis (CF) has successfully corrected the defect which causes the overproduction of intestinal mucous in mice.

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Drinking in excess associated with increased risk for metabolic syndrome

Those who drink in excess of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines (i.e., men who usually drink more than two drinks per day or women who usually drink more than one drink per day) or those who binge drink are at increased risk for the metabolic syndrome.

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Patent Application for the Optimisation of a Chromatographic Separation Process

In applying for a patent for a highly-efficient chromatographic separation principle, Vogelbusch GmbH has confirmed its role as a leading force in the development of biotech process technologies. The process adapts the separation process known as “simulated moving bed” to the specific needs of pharmaceutical companies. A prototype was presented to an audience of experts for the first time at the PREP 2008 conference in San Jose, California, where it attracted a great deal of interest.

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