Success By Learning: Smallest Predator Recognizes Prey By Its Shape The Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus) is one of the world's smallest mammals. It is about four centimetres long and weighs merely two grams. Being a nocturnal animal, it hunts predominantly with its sense of touch. "As quick as a flash, the Etruscan shrew scans its prey and adapts, when necessary, its hunting strategy," explained one of the researchers. "Thus, no prey escapes." Publ.Date : Sat, 17 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT Incontinence Treatment: Muscle-derived Stem Cells Prove Effective In Reparing Sphincter Damage To Restore Continence Transplantation of muscle-derived stem cells may provide a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from urinary incontinence following a surgical procedure. Patients with incontinence resulting from iatrogenic sphincter damage may benefit from this therapy. Publ.Date : Sat, 17 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT Reducing Intake Of Dietary Fat Prevents Prostate Cancer In Mice Scientists have showed that lowering intake of the type of fat common in a Western diet helps prevent prostate cancer in mice, the first finding of its kind in a mouse model that closely mimics human cancer, researchers said. The study focused on fat from corn oil, which is made up primarily of omega-6 fatty acids, or the polyunsaturated fat commonly found in the Western diet. Publ.Date : Sat, 17 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT Prostate Cancer Increases The Risk Of Bone Fracture, Study Shows As unlikely as it sounds, scientists have shown that there is a link between prostate cancer and a higher risk of bone fracture. Men with prostate cancer face a 50% higher risk of fracture, which increases to nearly doubled risk if they are receiving treatment. Publ.Date : Fri, 16 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT Most Effective Initial Therapy For HIV-1 Infection Identified In the largest study of its kind to evaluate commonly used HIV drugs, researchers confirmed that one of the most frequently prescribed triple drug combinations for initial HIV infection is indeed the most effective at suppressing HIV. The study also found that a two-drug regimen performed comparably to the triple-drug regimens. Publ.Date : Fri, 16 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT
Iraqi Prime Minister Offers Cash for Weapons in Mosul
Nouri al-Maliki is personally overseeing a crackdown on insurgents in region in which more than 1,000 suspected militants have been detained Fri, 16 May 2008 22:58:25 +0200
US, China Cooperate on Disease Prevention in Quake Zone
Health and Human Services Secretary says Chinese are especially interested in hearing how US fought infectious diseases following Hurricane Katrina Fri, 16 May 2008 22:58:25 +0200
Pope Benedict XV Canonizes Joan of Arc as Saint Joan of Arc was a French military leader and heroine. Inspired and directed by religious visions, she organized the French resistance that forced the English to end their siege of Orléans in 1429 and secured the coronation of the dauphin, later Charles VII of France. Captured and sold to the English by the Burgundians, she was later tried for heresy and sorcery and was burned at the stake in Rouen. How old was she when she died?
Ban Ki-moon to send UN humanitarian chief to Myanmar
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he plans to send the United Nations highest-ranking aid official to Myanmar to boost efforts to tackle the crisis caused by Cyclone Nargis, which devastated the country at the beginning of the month. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EST
Security Council calls for plans to deploy UN peace force to Somalia to continue
The Security Council today called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to continue contingency plans to deploy a possible United Nations peacekeeping operation in strife-torn Somalia and to relocate its political office from neighbouring Kenya. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EST
World could face severe economic downturn, new UN report suggests
The deepening credit crisis in affluent countries triggered by the continuing housing slump, the declining value of the United States dollar, persisting global imbalances and soaring oil and commodity prices pose major threats to economic growth around the world, according to a report released today by United Nations economists. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EST
Unlawful killings continue at heavy rate in Afghanistan, UN rights expert says
Afghan police and military forces, Taliban insurgents and foreign troops must step up efforts to prevent more civilian casualties, an independent United Nations human rights expert said today, warning that Afghanistan still suffers from large numbers of avoidable killings. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EST
UN humanitarian officials in China reach out to offer help after quake
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in China is in contact with the countrys authorities to offer UN tools and services to help in the rescue and recovery efforts following Mondays deadly earthquake. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EST
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
( Release: May. 16, 2008 Rated: PG - for epic battle action and violence Avg. Score: 3.33/5 Details | Tickets | Trailers | Photos | Reviews
) —
The Pevensie children finally get to return to Narnia only to find out that over 1,300 years have passed in the magical land and everything and everyone they knew about it is dead and buried. The kingdom is now presided over by the despicable King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto) who rules with an iron fist. So, Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan (Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell) must return the displaced Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) back to Narnia's throne to bring peace to the world again. Thu, May 15 2008 03:52:48
Reprise
( Release: May. 16, 2008 Rated: R - for sexuality and language Avg. Score: 4.17/5 Details | Tickets | Trailers | Photos | Reviews
) —
Philip (Anders Danielsen Lie) and Erik (Espen Klouman-Hoiner) are best friends and aspiring authors. After sending their first novels to all the big publishing houses, only Philip finds success. After finding a minimum of success, though, Philip suffers a nervous breakdown and spends some time in a psychiatric institution. Erik, on the other hand, never gets published but also never gives up on his dream. Thu, May 15 2008 03:52:49
How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer
( Release: May. 16, 2008 Rated: R - for sexual content and some language Avg. Score: 3.75/5 Details | Tickets | Photos | Reviews
) —
Three generations of women in a Mexican-American family — grandmother, mother, daughter — each have their boring lives livened up one exciting summer. The aging Dona Genoveva (Lucy Gallardo) buys an old car and decides she wants to learn how to drive at the age of 70. Her gardener, Don Pedro (Jorge Cervera Jr.), provides the lessons, both in driving and in the art of love. Meanwhile, divorced, middle-aged Rosa (Elizabeth Pena) is hit on by a handsome video store owner (Steven Bauer), who just happens to be still married. Finally, teenage Blanca (America Ferrera) meets a suave boy (Leo Minaya) who may have gotten another girl pregnant. Thu, May 15 2008 03:52:49
Sangre de Mi Sangre
( Release: May. 16, 2008 Rated: Not Rated Avg. Score: 4.5/5 Details | Tickets | Trailers | Photos | Reviews
) —
All Pedro (Jorge Adrian Espindola), an illegal immigrant from Mexico, wants to do is journey to NYC to meet his father, Diego (Jesus Ochoa). However, while on his journey, Pedro has all of his belongings stolen by Juan (Armando Hernandez), who wants to get to NYC first to steal Diego's fortune. Pedro is aided on his trip by a street hustler (Paola Mendoza) and the pair race against time to get their first to stop Juan's evil plan. Thu, May 15 2008 03:52:49
There's a new No... Fri, 16 May 2008 18:09:53 +0200
Chaos engulfs Yahoo, Yang under fire
Jerry Yang may have beaten back a near-hostile takeover bid from rival Microsoft, but now he will have to face the music in the form of activist investor Carl Icahn, who today launched his own proxy bid for control of the company... Fri, 16 May 2008 18:09:53 +0200
Advertising opportunities are getting better on social networks, not worse, according to Google co-founder Sergey Brin... Fri, 16 May 2008 18:09:53 +0200
MySpace and Facebook are locked in a head-to-head battle for users and advertising dollars, but it seems both will bring in less advertising revenue this year than predicted... Fri, 16 May 2008 18:09:53 +0200
The Museum Of Modern
Art Introduces Technology Initiatives To Reach Broader Audiences
New York, April 22, 2008 /PRNewswire/ – Visitors to The Museum of
Modern Art are now able to use wireless technology within the Museum
to access MoMA's audio programs on their own handheld devices, including
Apple's iPod Touch and iPhone. MoMA's free WiFi is just one of several
technology-related projects the Museum is providing to give the
public more opportunities to learn about the world's largest and
most inclusive collection of modern and contemporary art.. www.moma.org
Discovery Descending
In high bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, a crane lowers space shuttle Discovery toward the external tank and solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launcher platform Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT
click
here for large version of this image
Quote Of
The Day
Hannah Arendt
"Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom." Fri, 16 May 2008 18:09:54 +0200
The Vampire Fish of the Amazon The candirú is a parasitic freshwater catfish typically found in the Amazon River. The translucent, eel-shaped "toothpick fish" is reputed to be the most feared fish in the river and earned this distinction because of its proclivity for attacking and entering the human body via any available orifice, especially the urethra. The creature has protruding spines which make it nearly impossible to remove from the body without surgical intervention. How does the fish locate its human host?
Fri, 16 May 2008 05:00:00 GMT
Senescence Biologically speaking, senescence is the process of deterioration that follows the development of an organism. In 1965, Leonard Hayflick discovered that normal diploid cells divide in cell culture about 50 times before entering a senescence phase during which they can replicate no more. Each cell division shortens the telomere of the cell's DNA, thus ticking back an "inner clock" for each subsequent copy of the cell. How does this mechanism protect the body from disease?
Thu, 15 May 2008 05:00:00 GMT
The Loveland Frog In 1955, a businessman reported seeing a frog-faced humanlike creature under a bridge in Loveland, Ohio. Nearly 20 years later, local police reportedly sighted the elusive creature, dubbed the Loveland Frog, and unsuccessfully attempted to shoot it. One of the officers allegedly described the creature as standing 3 to 4 feet tall, weighing between 50 to 75 pounds, having leathery skin, a frog- or lizard-like face, and, possibly, a tail. What are some explanations for these sightings?
US Lawmakers Examine Trucker Woes
House Committee looks at the impact of record high diesel prices on trucking industry Fri, 16 May 2008 22:58:26 +0200
Country Singer Eddy Arnold Dies at 89
At the height of his career, singer/songwriter known as the 'ambassador of Country music,' among top recording artists of all time, with record sales of more than 85 million Fri, 16 May 2008 22:58:26 +0200
South Korea Offers A Kinder, Gentler DMZ
Tense North-South border is marketed - to tourists - as a place of peace and natural beauty Fri, 16 May 2008 22:58:26 +0200
HAWAII'S NORTH SHORE SET ABLAZE WITH 16th ANNUAL FIREKNIFE
DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Laie,
Hawaii - May 13, 2008 /PRNewswire/—The Polynesian Cultural Center's
16th Annual World Fireknife Championships kicks off in a blaze of
glory this Wed., May 14 through Sat., May 17, 2008. A record 73
fireknife competitors ages 8 to 43 from as far as Japan, Samoa,
French Polynesia and Florida are set to battle head-to-head for
the supreme title of World Fireknife Champion in their respective
categories. The event is the second cultural event of PCC's 45th
anniversary year and is shaping up to be the most exciting with
more than 10,000 visitors expected this week. www.polynesia.com
Burma death toll jumps to 78,000
The official death toll for Burma's cyclone disaster jumps to nearly 78,000 with 56,000 missing, state TV says. Fri, 16 May 2008 17:40:30 GMT
'Five million' homeless in quake
Almost five million people have been left homeless by Monday's earthquake in China's Sichuan Province, officials say. Fri, 16 May 2008 14:21:50 GMT
Woman jailed for smuggling baby
A Nigerian woman is jailed for 26 months for bringing a child illegally into the UK so she could qualify for a council flat. Fri, 16 May 2008 15:21:24 GMT
Man United parade off after riots
Man United's parade after the Champions League final is postponed following violence in the city on Wednesday. Fri, 16 May 2008 17:45:11 GMT
British Airways profits soar 45%
British Airways reports a sharp jump in annual profits to £883m but its boss says he will not accept a bonus. Fri, 16 May 2008 16:17:44 GMT
Few survivors in destroyed town
Rescue teams are working to save earthquake survivors trapped in the rubble of destroyed Chinese towns Fri, 16 May 2008 18:08:40 GMT
Pc describes attack by fans
The Manchester police officer attacked by rampaging football fans said one fan tried to help him. Fri, 16 May 2008 10:55:58 GMT
Woman jailed for baby smuggle
A Nigerian woman has been jailed for 26 months for bringing a child illegally into the UK. Fri, 16 May 2008 17:29:29 GMT
BA makes profits of £883m
BA's annual profits are up to £883m and chief executive Willie Walsh has decided not to take a performance bonus. Fri, 16 May 2008 07:14:15 GMT
Zimbabwe run-off date named
The second-round run-off in Zimbabwe's presidential election will be held on 27 June, the government says. Fri, 16 May 2008 19:43:46 GMT
EU to rule on pesticide use
EU proposals expected next week could drastically restrict the number of pesticides available to farmers. Fri, 16 May 2008 18:03:14 GMT
Pipeline explosion in Nigeria
At least 100 people died after fuel from a ruptured pipeline caught fire and exploded in Nigeria. Fri, 16 May 2008 08:30:45 GMT
Joan of Arc was a French military leader and heroine. Inspired and directed by religious visions, she organized the French resistance that forced the English to end their siege of Orléans in 1429 and secured the coronation of the dauphin, later Charles VII of France. Captured and sold to the English by the Burgundians, she was later tried for heresy and sorcery and was burned at the stake in Rouen. How old was she when she died?
The candirú is a parasitic freshwater catfish typically found in the Amazon River. The translucent, eel-shaped "toothpick fish" is reputed to be the most feared fish in the river and earned this distinction because of its proclivity for attacking and entering the human body via any available orifice, especially the urethra. The creature has protruding spines which make it nearly impossible to remove from the body without surgical intervention. How does the fish locate its human host?
Biologically speaking, senescence is the process of deterioration that follows the development of an organism. In 1965, Leonard Hayflick discovered that normal diploid cells divide in cell culture about 50 times before entering a senescence phase during which they can replicate no more. Each cell division shortens the telomere of the cell's DNA, thus ticking back an "inner clock" for each subsequent copy of the cell. How does this mechanism protect the body from disease?
In 1955, a businessman reported seeing a frog-faced humanlike creature under a bridge in Loveland, Ohio. Nearly 20 years later, local police reportedly sighted the elusive creature, dubbed the Loveland Frog, and unsuccessfully attempted to shoot it. One of the officers allegedly described the creature as standing 3 to 4 feet tall, weighing between 50 to 75 pounds, having leathery skin, a frog- or lizard-like face, and, possibly, a tail. What are some explanations for these sightings?