Traditionally, couples who have a wedding anniversary coming up, plan to spend it together, alone. They go to dinner and dancing, or maybe take a romantic vacation. It?s a time to celebrate their marriage and that can only be a very personal thing. They exchange gifts with each other. Their family and friends wish the couple a happy anniversary or send them a card, but most anniversaries are not party occasions.
Some anniversaries, though, are treated as special occasions. The 1st or maybe the 5th, but particularly the 25th and up in five year increments. That?s when families and friends want to do something to honor the couple and plan parties to celebrate their commitment and tenacity in honoring their vows. These parties are usually gift giving occasions.
This article is about a new idea for gift giving that you may not have considered before. You may have considered it for a child?s party but not an adult party, especially older adults. Why not make a portion of your celebration a ?Treasure Hunt.? I can tell you that it works, because I?ve done it.
My brothers and sister and I had a 25th anniversary Treasure Hunt party for our parents. We weren?t sure what to get them and wanted them to have something they really wanted. We decided to give them a monetary gift. There were five of us so we all kicked in $200.00 each. We made a treasure chest out of cardboard and covered it in aluminum foil. We put the $1000.00 in twenties and fives in the treasure chest and made them find it with clues. Their anniversary is in the summer, so we had the party outside at a pavilion in a park. It was so unbelievably fun! We hid clues in trees with stuffed animals, had them do charades, and even hid one clue on one of their grandchildren (who didn?t know they had it) and they had to chase each one down and search them until they found it. Of course the grand finale was finding the treasure chest that we had hidden in the hollow bottom of a tree. They loved it, and we all still talk about it from time to time.
You may be thinking that a Treasure Hunt would be too difficult to set up. It?s a lot of work writing clues, hiding gifts, and having a plan that takes you from beginning to end smoothly. I can tell you from experience that it?s worth the time you spend to make your special event memorable.
All throughout history, people have been looking for ways to make their parties different by incorporating hunts to add an aspect of action. Easter egg hunts and scavenger hunts are just two successful examples of turning an occasion into something more appealing and adding a sense of anticipation for the final result.
A Treasure Hunt can be for any occasion, or no occasion at all. Maybe you have a teenager, spouse, or co-worker that is always leaving things where they don?t belong. You can hide anything, anytime, from anyone and make a point by making them find their things with clues. This is what memories are made of, and your friends and family will be talking about it for years to come. Make sure to videotape your party. You won?t regret it!
Author Bio: Nancy Kruse is the exciting new author of: Treasure Hunt-A Book of Clues for Parties. Are you looking for new ways to spice up your Birthday, Anniversary, or Christmas parties? A Wedding or Baby shower? Then this is the book for you! For more information, please visit: Treasure Hunt Clues to plan a party you won?t soon forget.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shakes hands with former President Bill Clinton, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shakes hands with former President Bill Clinton, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
NEW YORK (AP) ? Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney says the attack on the American consulate in Libya was an act of terrorism and says the United States must use foreign aid to bring about lasting change in such places.
In a speech Tuesday, Romney said foreign aid cannot sustain a developing country on a permanent basis and that U.S. policies should promote work, not reliance. The former Massachusetts governor also says aid should give people dignity and change attitudes toward the West.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Barack Obama's top spokesman each have said the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi was a terrorist attack. Obama himself has not used that language.
Romney spoke in New York at an annual global development conference sponsored by former President Bill Clinton.
Michelle Obama Aims to Connect with Middle Class at DNC
At the Democratic National Convention, First Lady Michelle Obama will argue that President Obama is the only one who understands the struggles of middle class Americans, reports Norah O'Donnell. Ranked 4.00 / 5 | 3 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (01:41) Submitted By: CBS Tags: Cbsepisode Michelle Obama Speech Middle Class Wife Husband Family Personal Speak Values Experience Barack Obama Life Brag Accomplishment Women Colleges Health Care Law Cbs2012 Cbsdem2012 CBS Evening News Categories: Entertainment
Not Your Mother's Meditation
Dharma Punx in New York City mixes the tradition of Buddhism with the ideology of punk rock. Dr. Jon LaPook talks with teacher Josh Korda about how the seemingly different connect with the help of meditation. Ranked 4.00 / 5 | 3 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (03:54) Submitted By: CBS Tags: Cbsepisode Dr. Jon Lapook Josh Korda Noah Levine Dharma Punx Buddhism Punk Rock Meditation Health/CBS Doc Dot Com Categories: Entertainment
GaiamTV - Dancing With the Divine with Dana Flynn
GaiamTV Connect with yourself in this steady, peaceful practice. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 3 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Dana Flynn Gaiam Originals Yoga Videos Yoga For Relaxation Yoga Workout Core Wellness Fitness Health Gaiam Personal Development Mental Health Inspire Inspiration Development Routine Categories: Entertainment Sports
GaiamTV - Balancing Flow with Kia Miller
GaiamTV Find your balance and connect with your breath. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 2 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Gaiam Originals Kia Miller Kundalini Yoga Yoga For Relaxation Yoga Workout Core Wellness Fitness Health Gaiam Personal Development Mental Health Inspire Inspiration Development Routine Categories: Entertainment Sports
Scoop (2006): Ettempt to Connect with Joe
The clip ettempt to connect with Joe from Scoop (2006) with Scarlett Johansson, Woody Allen Will you take out the blue light, please? 'Cause I'm getting a completely negative vibration from the blue. It's not right. There's a lady to see you, sir. Hey, Mandelbaum! From the school newspaper, right? No, Pransky. Listen, I have to talk to you about something very serious. When you put me inside that box... I smell a frivolous lawsuit here. You're getting headaches now or something? Dizzy spells? No. No. When you put me inside that Chinese box... Yeah, the dematerializer. ...a spirit materialized. Uh-huh... No, Mr. Splendini, I'm very serious about this. You can drop the Splendini. My name is Sidney Waterman. You know what I mean? I just go exotic to give the square haircuts a little charisma now and then. Look, the spirit appeared right next to me! At first I thought he was one of your stooges. I don't work with stooges, because you gotta pay them health benefits. But then he told me his name was Joe Strombel, a journalist from the land of the departed. I couldn't believe it. I'm a journalist, he's a journalist. Our vibes must have kind of meshed together and... He didn't say that, in so many words, but I'm putting two and two together here. Do me a favor, put 2 + 2 together someplace else, because I'm very, very busy. So, do you mind? Listen, I Googled him, okay? There is a Joe Strombel and he died three days ago. Uh-huh. Just put me back in the box. Now, I'm going to agitate the molecules, so let me know if anything happens, you know, just keep me posted. I'll be right here. The molecules are whirling. Mr. Strombel? Joe? It's Sondra Pransky here. I'm a journalist at Adair. I know you may have been aiming a little bit higher, Ranked 4.00 / 5 | 55 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (02:00) Submitted By: AnyClip Tags: Scoop (2006 Film) Ettempt To Connect With Joe Scarlett Johansson Woody Allen AnyClip Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - Franciscan Blessing: Receiving Grace
Wisdom of the World Featuring a blessing from the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Maximillian Mizzi, this WisdomFilm carries us to a deep inner place of inspiration and remembrance of our connection to the Divine. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 37 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - A Marvelous Power: Honoring You
Wisdom of the World Featuring the spoken wisdom of Bob Proctor, an acclaimed motivational speaker, this WisdomFilm offers a rare moment of intimacy, reminding us how our innermost thoughts can influence our lives. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 29 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - Walk On: a Revelation On the Mystery of Life
Wisdom of the World Featuring the spoken wisdom of spiritual advisor Jyoti, this WisdomFilm takes us on a journey through the eyes of innocence and appreciation. Experience this new form of ?innertainment? to reconnect, recharge, and remember who we truly are. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 26 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - Set Your Champion Free: Claiming Your Birthright
Wisdom of the World Featuring the spoken wisdom of motivational speaker, Lisa Nichols, this WisdomFilm catalyzes the unlimited potential of our inner champion and invites us to remember our greatness. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 19 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - We Are Not Alone: Awakening to Spirit
Wisdom of the World Featuring the spoken wisdom of Arun and Sunanda Gandhi, wisdom keepers who followed in the path of their peacemaking Grandfather, this WisdomFilm shares their reflections on life, death and enlightenment. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 17 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - Be Here Now: Awakening in the Moment
Wisdom of the World Featuring the spoken wisdom of spiritual pioneer Ram Dass in his first recording after a devastating stroke, this WisdomFilm offers an experience of living life more fully if we can accept this reality with greater equanimity and mindfulness. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 33 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - The Stillness Is You: Whispering the Mystery
Wisdom of the World Featuring the spoken wisdom of Deepak Chopra, one of today?s most acclaimed voices in personal development, this WisdomFilm provides experiences of profound beauty and reminds us that we reside in the ?silent space between our thoughts. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 32 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - Unconditional Love: Remembering What's Most Important
Wisdom of the World Featuring one of the most influential voices in the Death and Dying Movement, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross shares an intimate message of wisdom after a lifetime of being with individuals and families at the end of Life. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 17 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - The Welcoming: Coming Home
Wisdom of the World Featuring the spoken wisdom of Michael Stillwater, a pioneer in the field of healing through music, this WisdomFilm reminds us that we can only fully embrace our lives when we come to peace with the reality of our impermanence. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 24 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Wisdom of the World - The End of Suffering: Invoking Peacefulness
Wisdom of the World Featuring the spoken wisdom of Buddhist teacher Thich Nath Hanh, this WisdomFilm shares a vision of the world where compassion prevails, inviting us to relax, allowing the music and images to awaken the mind, open the heart and inspire the soul. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 20 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (00:00) Submitted By: hulu Tags: Buddhists Transcendentalism Buddhism Spiritual Relaxation Yoga Nature Wisdomfilm Healing Lifestyle And Fashion Wisdom Of The World Categories: Entertainment
Discover Indonesia
Also known as the Land of the Gods, Bali appeals through its sheer natural beauty of looming volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields that exude peace and serenity. Bali enchants with its dramatic dances and colourful ceremonies, its arts and crafts, to its luxurious beach resorts and exciting night life. For this exotic island has much to offer, from inspirational spirituality to fine dining and meeting experiences, from world class surfing and diving to exhilarating treks in the wild. And everywhere you will find intricately carved temples. Video brought to you by Travelindex Network and Travel & Tourism Foundation. Travelindex.com is the World's largest Travel Directory. We invite you to submit your tourism, travel or destination site for publication, its free, at http://www.Travelindex.com More travel and tourism information and travel videos at: http://www.Travelindex.com/id/ http://www.Travelindex.com http://www.Travelindex.tv http://www.BestDestination.com http://www.TourismFoundation.org and more... Ranked 4.26 / 5 | 387 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (06:07) Submitted By: Metacafe Affiliate U Tags: Indonesia Bali Jarkarta Travel Tourism Luxury Hotels Bookings Nature Eco Health Best Rates Free Holidays Index Directory Connect Direct Online Channel Go Resorts Services Amenities Retreat Rooms Villas Destinations Adventures Categories: Travel & Outdoors
Click here to watch the video (00:17) Submitted By: ConnectFitness Tags: Connect Fitness Gym Exercise Health Fitness Penrith Categories: Sports
Connect Fitness Penrith Virtual Tour
Take a Virtual tour of the Newest Gym Facility in Penrith - Connect Fitness! Ranked 3.00 / 5 | 168 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (09:10) Submitted By: ConnectFitness Tags: Connect Fitness Gym Health Penrith Kingswood Uws Categories: Sports
Help Connect Kids to Care.
Health insurance reform passed Congress, but health insurance doesn't equal health care. One in five children in the U.S. live in poverty and millions of children don't have access to regular check-ups and timely health care visits when sick. Through a new social media-driven campaign, the Children?s Health Fund (CHF) and Clorox are working to change this and connect kids to ongoing health care with the click of a mouse. To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/clorox/43532/ Ranked 3.02 / 5 | 173 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (01:31) Submitted By: MultiVu Tags: Clorox Kids Care Chf Health Insurance Healthcare MultiVu Children Check-ups Poverty 43532 Categories: Entertainment
Nature Organic Food Health Wellness D
http://eathealthy101.com 28 views | 0 comments
Click here to watch the video (01:42) Submitted By: funzo234 Tags: Connect Nature Organic Food Health Wellness Diet Categories: How To
ScienceDaily (Sep. 18, 2012) ? Would you like icy organics with that? Maybe not in your coffee, but researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., are creating concoctions of organics, or carbon-bearing molecules, on ice in the lab, then zapping them with lasers. Their goal: to better understand how life arose on Earth.
In a new study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, the research team provides the first direct look at the organic chemistry that takes place on icy particles in the frigid reaches of our solar system, and in the even chillier places between stars. Scientists think that the basic ingredients of life, including water and organics, began their journey to Earth on these lonesome ice particles. The ice and organics would have found their way into comets and asteroids, which then fell to Earth, delivering "prebiotic" ingredients that could have jump-started life.
The various steps needed to go from icy organics to slime molds are not clear, but the new findings help explain how the process works. The lab experiments show that organic material can begin the processing it needs to become prebiotic -- while still frozen in ice.
"The very basic steps needed for the evolution of life may have started in the coldest regions of our universe," said Murthy Gudipati, lead author of the new study at JPL. "We were surprised to see organic chemistry brewing up on ice, at these very cold temperatures in our lab."
The organics looked at in the study are called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs for short. These carbon-rich molecules can be found on Earth as combustion products: for example, in barbecue pits, candle soot and even streaming out of the tail pipe of your car. They have also been spotted throughout space in comets, asteroids and more distant objects. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected PAHs in the swirling planet-forming disks around stars, in the spaces between stars and in remote galaxies.
Murthy and his colleague Rui Yang of JPL used their lab setup to mimic the environment of icy PAH molecules in the quiet cold of space, at temperatures as low as 5 Kelvin (minus 450 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 268 degrees Celsius). First, they bombarded the particles with ultraviolet radiation similar to that from stars. Then, to determine the products of the chemical reaction, they used a type of laser system known as MALDI (for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption and Ionization), which involves zapping the ice with both infrared and ultraviolet lasers.
The results revealed that the PAHs had transformed: they had incorporated hydrogen atoms into their structure and lost their circular, aromatic bonds, becoming more complex organics. According to Gudipati, this is the type of change that would need to occur if the material were to eventually become amino acids and nucleotides -- bits and pieces of protein and DNA, respectively.
"PAHs are strong, stubborn molecules, so we were surprised to see them undergoing these chemical changes at such freezing-cold temperatures," said Gudipati.
Another bonus for the research is that it might explain the mystery of why PAHs have not yet been identified on ice grains in space. While the hardy organics are pervasive in the cosmos as gases and hot dust, researchers have remained puzzled that their signatures do not show up on ice. The new findings show that PAHs, once they stick to the ice surface, are chemically transformed into other complex organics, explaining why they might not be seen.
While the new results teach us that life's journey could have already begun in the very cold regions of the universe, another question remains: Did it arise elsewhere beyond our sun, too? Researchers don't know, but studies like this one help the ongoing search for life beyond Earth.
Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:
Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:
Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
Murthy S. Gudipati, Rui Yang. In-Situ Probing of Radiation-Induced Processing of Organics in Astrophysical Ice Analogs?novel Laser Desorption Laser Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectroscopic Studies. The Astrophysical Journal, 2012; 756 (1): L24 DOI: 10.1088/2041-8205/756/1/L24
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Our friends at VH1 Classic will be ringing in the Jewish New Year with a 24-hour marathon of all things Rush. "Rush Hashanah" kicks off this Sunday (Sept. 16) at 7:00PM EST, and ends Monday, (Sept. 17) at 7:30 PM at 7:30PM EST.
The channel will be screening the award-winning VH1 Rock Doc, Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, the epic concert film Rush: Time Machine, and Box Set: Rush, a one-hour video collection with interviews with lead singer Geddy Lee, there is no portion of Rush's legacy that will go unseen.
Watch 'Limelight (Live)' Video
For more information on "RUSH Hashanah" visit VH1Classic.com.
Rush tour dates:
Sep-15 Chicago, IL United Center Sep-18 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills Sep-20 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena Sep-22 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center Sep-24 Minneapolis, MN Target Center Sep-26 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre Sep-28 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre Sep-30 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place Oct-10 Bridgeport, CT Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard Oct-12 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center Oct-14 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre Oct-18 Montreal, QC Bell Centre Oct-20 Newark, NJ Prudential Center Oct-22 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center Oct-24 Boston, MA TD Garden Oct-26 Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center Oct-28 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena Oct-30 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena Nov-1 Atlanta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Nov-3 Tampa, FL 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre Nov-13 Seattle, WA KeyArena Nov-15 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion Nov-17 Anaheim, CA Honda Center Nov-19 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre Nov-23 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena Nov-25 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center Nov-28 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Nov-30 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center Dec-2 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Understanding the genes that determine human facial shape could one day provide valuable information about person's appearance using just their DNA.
The discovery of five genes involved in facial form could have applications in forensics, say the authors of a study.
Virtually nothing was known about the genes responsible for facial shape in humans.
The study of almost 10,000 individuals is published in Plos Genetics.
Lead author Manfred Kayser from the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, said: "These are exciting first results that mark the beginning of the genetic understanding of human facial morphology.
"Perhaps some time it will be possible to draw a phantom portrait of a person solely from his or her DNA left behind, which provides interesting applications such as in forensics."
The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of people's heads together with portrait photographs to map facial landmarks, from which facial distances were estimated.
They then conducted what is known as a genome-wide association study, which is designed to search for small genetic variations that occur more frequently in people with particular facial types.
Prof Kayser and his colleagues identified five candidate genes associated with different facial shapes - known as PRDM16, PAX3, TP63, C5orf50, and COL17A1.
These associations mean the likelihood of a certain face shape can be estimated, and a full DNA-to-portrait mapping still remains a distant prospect.
But together with recent findings that suggest DNA can also be used to predict hair and eye colour and a 2010 study in which age can be inferred from blood, forensics is set to add a suite of powerful new DNA-based tools to its arsenal.
FILE - In this Monday, April 11, 2011 file photo, U.S. envoy Chris Stevens, center, accompanied by British envoy Christopher Prentice, left, speaks to Council member for Misrata Dr. Suleiman Fortia, right, at the Tibesty Hotel where an African Union delegation was meeting with opposition leaders in Benghazi, Libya. Libyan officials say the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans have been killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi by protesters angry over a film that ridiculed Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The officials say Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed Tuesday night when he and a group of embassy employees went to the consulate to try to evacuate staff. The protesters were firing gunshots and rocket propelled grenades. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
FILE - In this Monday, April 11, 2011 file photo, U.S. envoy Chris Stevens, center, accompanied by British envoy Christopher Prentice, left, speaks to Council member for Misrata Dr. Suleiman Fortia, right, at the Tibesty Hotel where an African Union delegation was meeting with opposition leaders in Benghazi, Libya. Libyan officials say the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans have been killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi by protesters angry over a film that ridiculed Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The officials say Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed Tuesday night when he and a group of embassy employees went to the consulate to try to evacuate staff. The protesters were firing gunshots and rocket propelled grenades. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
FILE - In this Monday, April 11, 2011 file photo, U.S. envoy Chris Stevens stands in the lobby of the Tibesty Hotel where an African Union delegation was meeting with opposition leaders in Benghazi, Libya. Libyan officials say the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans have been killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi by protesters angry over a film that ridiculed Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The officials say Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed Tuesday night when he and a group of embassy employees went to the consulate to try to evacuate staff. The protesters were firing gunshots and rocket propelled grenades.(AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
FILE - In this Monday, April 11, 2011 file photo, U.S. envoy Chris Stevens speaks to local media at the Tibesty Hotel where an African Union delegation was meeting with opposition leaders in Benghazi, Libya. Libyan officials say the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans have been killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi by protesters angry over a film that ridiculed Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The officials say Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed Tuesday night when he and a group of embassy employees went to the consulate to try to evacuate staff. The protesters were firing gunshots and rocket propelled grenades.(AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
Protesters destroy an American flag pulled down from the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Egyptian protesters, largely ultra conservative Islamists, have climbed the walls of the U.S. embassy in Cairo, went into the courtyard and brought down the flag, replacing it with a black flag with Islamic inscription, in protest of a film deemed offensive of Islam. (AP Photo/Mohammed Abu Zaid)
Protesters destroy an American flag pulled down from the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Egyptian protesters, largely ultra conservative Islamists, have climbed the walls of the U.S. embassy in Cairo, went into the courtyard and brought down the flag, replacing it with a black flag with Islamic inscription, in protest of a film deemed offensive of Islam. (AP Photo/Mohammed Abu Zaid)
BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) ? A mob enraged by a film ridiculing Islam's prophet killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans in a fiery attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. President Barack Obama strongly condemned the violence, vowed Wednesday to bring the killers to justice and tightened security at diplomatic posts around the world.
The attack that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens ? the first U.S. diplomat to die in the line of duty since 1979 ? came on Tuesday's 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist strike and presented a new foreign policy crisis for the United States in a region trying to recover from months of upheaval.
Libya's interim president, Mohammed el-Megarif, apologized for what he called the "cowardly" assault on the consulate, which also killed several Libyan security guards in the eastern city. Just before the Benghazi violence, protests also flared in Egypt, where crowds angry over the film climbed the walls of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and tore down an American flag, which they replaced briefly with a black, Islamist flag.
The protests were touched off by an obscure movie made in the United States by a filmmaker who calls Islam a "cancer." Video excerpts posted on YouTube depict the Prophet Muhammad as a fraud, a womanizer and a madman in an overtly ridiculing way, showing him having sex and calling for massacres.
But the brazenness of the embassy assaults ? the first on U.S. diplomatic facilities in Libya and Egypt ? were signs of the lawlessness that has taken hold in the two countries after revolutions ousted their autocratic secular regimes and upended the tightly controlled police state. Islamists have emerged as powerful forces, and security forces have largely broken down.
In Libya, the volatility is further compounded by the wide availability of heavy weapons and the numerous armed militia factions that remain more powerful than security forces.
Stevens, 52, died as he and a group of embassy employees went to the consulate to try to evacuate staff when the mob of protesters, including gunmen armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade, attacked.
The crowd, which numbered several thousand strong, moved on the consulate Tuesday evening, firing in the air outside the compound. The consulate is a one-story villa located in a fenced garden in downtown Benghazi. A small contingent of Libyan security forces protecting the facility also fired in the air, trying to intimidate them, said Wanis el-Sharef, the deputy interior minister of Libya's eastern region.
But faced with the mob's superior size and firepower, the Libyan security withdrew, el-Sharef said. Gunmen stormed the building, looted its contents and torch it, he said.
By the end of the assault, much of the building was burned out and trashed. On Wednesday, Libyans wandered freely around the burned-out building, taking photos of rooms where furniture was covered in soot and overturned. Walls were scrawled with graffiti.
Details of how the Americans were killed were still being pieced together Wednesday. But according to al-Sharef's account, two distinct attacks took place.
Al-Sharef said Stevens and a consulate staffer who had stayed behind in the building were killed in the initial attack on the consulate.
The rest of the staff successfully evacuated to another building nearby, preparing to move to Benghazi Airport after daybreak to fly to the capital, Tripoli, he said.
Hours after the storming of the consulate, a separate group of gunmen attacked the other building, opening fire on the more than 30 Americans and Libyans inside. Two more Americans were killed and 32 wounded ? 14 Americans and 18 Libyans, he said.
There was no immediate confirmation of al-Sharef's account.
Dr. Ziad Abu Zeid, who treated Stevens, told The Associated Press that he died of asphyxiation, apparently from smoke. In a sign of the chaos during the attack, Stevens was brought by Libyans to the Benghazi Medical Center with no other Americans, and no one at the facility knew who he was, Abu Zeid said.
Stevens was practically dead when he arrived before 1 a.m. Wednesday, and "we tried to revive him for an hour and a half, but with no success," Abu Zeid said. The ambassador was bleeding in his stomach because of the asphyxiation but had no other injuries, he said.
The State Department identified one of the other Americans killed as Sean Smith, a foreign service information management officer. The identities of the others were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
"I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi," Obama said in Washington, adding the four Americans "exemplified America's commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe."
Obama ordered increased security to protect American diplomatic personnel around world.
"Make no mistake we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people," he said.
Obama added: "We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, but there is absolutely no justification for this type of senseless violence, none."
Stevens was a career diplomat who spoke Arabic and French and had already served two tours in Libya, including running the office in Benghazi during the revolt against Gadhafi. He was confirmed as ambassador to Libya by the Senate earlier this year.
Before Tuesday, five U.S. ambassadors had been killed in the line of duty, the last being Adolph Dubs in Afghanistan in 1979, according to the State Department.
El-Megarif offered his condolences to the U.S. and also vowed to bring the culprits to justice and maintain close relations with Washington.
"We extend our apology to America, the American people and the whole world," el-Megarif said.
In Benghazi, the bloodshed stunned many Libyans, especially since Stevens was popular among many factions and politicians, including Islamists, and seen as a supporter of their uprising last year against longtime dictator Moammar Gahdafi.
The leader of Ansar al-Shariah, an armed ultraconservative Islamist group, denied any involvement in the attack.
"We never approve of killing civilians, especially those who helped us (like Ambassador Stevens)," said Youssef Jihani. "We are well-educated and religious."
The violence raised worries that further protests could break out around the Muslim world as knowledge of the anti-Islam movie spread.
So far, the reaction was limited.
About 50 protesters burned American flags outside the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia's capital Wednesday but were kept away from the building by reinforced security. And in Gaza City, dozens of protesters carrying swords, axes and black flags chanted "Shame on everyone who insults the prophet." The rally was organized by supporters of a militant group aligned with the ruling Hamas movement.
In Cairo, some 200 Islamists staged a second day of protest outside the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday, but there was no repeat of the previous day's scaling the embassy walls.
"Obama we are all Osama," chanted some of the bearded ultraconservatives, alluding to the al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
Mahmoud Mohammed, a 25-year-old factory worker, demanded a U.S. apology for the offending film and the prosecution of those behind it. "They violated the honor of the prophet and his wives, and made him out to be sex crazed. This is nonsense," he said.
The uproar over the film also poses a new test for Egypt's new Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi, who has yet to personally condemn the riot outside the U.S. Embassy in Cairo or say anything about the offending film. Many of the protesters demanded he speak out against the movie.
His spokesman, Yasser Ali, condemned the film. While the government is responsible for the security of foreign diplomatic missions, he said, it guarantees the right of peaceful protests.
"However, the state will deal firmly with any irresponsible attempts to break the law," he said.
Egypt's top prosecutor, meanwhile, has placed the names of 10 Christian Egyptians living abroad on the list of arrest-on-arrival at the nation's airports. The 10 include two clerics and a well-known, U.S.-based Christian activist who is promoting the offending film.
If arrested, the 10 would be questioned on allegations of showing contempt to religion and could possibly be charged and tried.
Afghanistan's government sought to avert an outbreak of protests. President Hamid Karzai condemned the movie, which he describes as "inhuman and insulting." Authorities also temporarily shut down access to YouTube, the video-sharing site where excerpts of the movie were posted, said Aimal Marjan, general director of Information Technology at the Ministry of Communications.
The two-hour movie that sparked the protests, titled "Innocence of Muslims," came to attention in Egypt after its trailer was dubbed into Arabic and posted on YouTube.
A man identifying himself as Sam Bacile, a 56-year-old California real estate developer, said he wrote, produced and directed the movie.
He told the AP he was an Israeli Jew and an American citizen. But Israeli officials said they had not heard of Bacile and there was no record of him being a citizen. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to share personal information with the media.
Separately, the film was being promoted by an extreme anti-Muslim Egyptian Christian campaigner in the United States.
___
Michael reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Esam Mohamed in Tripoli, Matthew Lee in Washington, Joseph Federman in Jerusalem and Sarah El Deeb in Cairo contributed to this report.
For two decades a type of rail tanker that could tear open in the event of an accident has been used to haul hazardous liquids across the country.
By Jason Keyser,?Associated Press / September 12, 2012
A freight train is seen after an early morning derailment in Columbus, Ohio on July 11. Part of the freight train carrying ethanol derailed and caught fire, shooting flames skyward into the darkness and prompting the evacuation of a mile-wide area as firefighters and hazardous materials crews monitored the blaze.
Eamon Queeney/The Columbus Dispatch/AP/File
Enlarge
For two decades, one of the most commonly used types of rail tanker has been allowed to haul hazardous liquids from coast to coast even though transportation officials were aware of a dangerous design flaw that almost guarantees the car will tear open in an accident, potentially spilling cargo that could catch fire, explode or contaminate the environment.
Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of The Christian Science Monitor Weekly Digital Edition
The rail and chemical industries have committed to a safer design for new tankers but are pressing regulators not to require modifications to tens of thousands of existing cars, despite a spike in the number of accidents as more tankers are put into service to accommodate soaring demand for ethanol, the highly flammable corn-based fuel usually transported by rail.
Derailments have triggered chemical spills and massive blasts like one in July in Columbus, Ohio, that blew up with such intensity that one witness said it "looked like the sun exploded." Some communities with busy railways are beginning to regard the tankers as a serious threat to public safety.
"There's a law of averages that gives me great concern," said Jim Arie, fire chief in Barrington, a wealthy Chicago suburb where ethanol tankers snake through a bustling downtown. "Sometimes I don't sleep well at night."
He's not the only one. The town's mayor is trying to build a national coalition to push for safety reforms.
The tanker, known as the DOT-111, is a workhorse of the American rail fleet, with a soda-can shape that makes it one of the most easily recognizable cars on freight routes.
The tanker itself is not suspected of causing derailments, but the National Transportation Safety Board has noted several worrisome problems: Its steel shell is too thin to resist puncture in accidents. The ends are especially vulnerable to tears from couplers that can fly up after ripping off between cars. And unloading valves and other exposed fittings on the tops of tankers can also break during rollovers.
The flaws were noted as far back as a 1991 safety study.
An Associated Press analysis of 20 years' worth of federal rail accident data found that ethanol tankers have been breached in at least 40 serious accidents since 2000. In the previous decade, there were just two breaches.
The number of severe crashes is small considering the total mileage covered by the many tankers in service, and the rail industry's safety record on hazmat shipments is strong. More than 99 percent of hazmat rail shipments arrive safely at their destinations.
"Safety is the freight railroad industry's No. 1 priority," said Patricia Reilly, senior vice president of communications at the Association of American Railroads. She said freight railroads work with experts and federal regulators to develop "rigorous standards for hazmat tank cars."
Single gene cause of insulin sensitivity may offer insight for treating diabetesPublic release date: 12-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: University of Oxford press office press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk 44-186-528-0530 University of Oxford
The first single gene cause of increased sensitivity to the hormone insulin has been discovered by a team of Oxford University researchers.
The opposite condition insulin resistance is a common feature of type 2 diabetes, so finding this cause of insulin sensitivity could offer new opportunities for pursuing novel treatments for diabetes.
Although mutations in the PTEN gene cause a rare condition with increased risk of cancer, the biological pathways the gene is involved in could offer promising targets for new drugs.
The Oxford University researchers, along with colleagues at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, and the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, UK, report their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
'Insulin resistance is a major feature of type 2 diabetes,' says Dr Anna Gloyn of the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Oxford, who led the work. 'The insulin-producing cells in the pancreas may be working hard and pumping out lots of insulin, but the body's cells no longer respond.
'Finding a genetic cause of the opposite insulin sensitivity gives us a new window on the biological processes involved. Such understanding could be important in developing new drugs that restore insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.'
The PTEN gene encodes for an enzyme that is part of the insulin signalling pathway in the body. It is known to have a role in controlling the body's metabolism, and to play a part in cell growth. The Oxford team was interested in learning more about this dual role.
There is an inherited genetic condition called Cowden syndrome caused by faults in the PTEN gene. It is very rare and is thought to affect perhaps one in 200,000 people, with around 300 people with the condition in the UK. PTEN's role in cell growth sees people with Cowden syndrome develop many benign polyps in their skin, mouth and bowel, and have a higher risk than the general population of developing breast cancer, thyroid cancer and womb cancer.
'PTEN is a gene that is heavily involved in processes for both cell growth and metabolism,' says first author Dr Aparna Pal of the University of Oxford. 'Given PTEN's dual role, we were interested in understanding the metabolic profile of people with Cowden syndrome. It was possible that mutations in PTEN could improve metabolism.'
The team carried out glucose tolerance tests with 15 people with Cowden syndrome and 15 matched controls. Those with Cowden syndrome had significantly higher insulin sensitivity. In collaboration with their colleagues at the Babraham Institute, the team showed that this was caused by increased activity in the insulin signalling pathway.
The researchers also noticed that the body mass index of those with Cowden syndrome appeared greater than the controls. They carried out a comparison with a much larger control group of over 2,000 individuals from the Oxford Biobank, a data and tissue resource for research established by Professor Fredrik Karpe.
This confirmed that those with Cowden syndrome had higher levels of obesity as a group than the controls. The extra body weight appeared to be caused by extra fat, and there were no differences in where the fat was stored compared to controls.
'This was a surprise. Normally insulin sensitivity goes with being lean,' says Professor Karpe.
Dr Gloyn concludes: 'We now know that mutations that inactivate the PTEN gene result in increased cancer risk and obesity, but also increase insulin sensitivity which is very likely to protect against type 2 diabetes.
'The study shows how intimately the biological pathways governing cell growth and metabolism are linked. We need to thoroughly understand these pathways to identify which genes to target in the development of new drugs.'
She adds: 'While there are promising research avenues to pursue here, in the meantime the best way to avoid diabetes remains exercising more and eating less.'
###
Notes to Editors
* Approximately 2.9 million people are affected by diabetes in the UK, and there may be around a further 850,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes. Left untreated, diabetes can cause many different health problems including heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and blindness. Even a mildly raised glucose level can have damaging effects in the long-term.
Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of the disease. In the UK, about 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to control the level of glucose in the blood, and when the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced effectively. It is this second feature of type 2 diabetes that tends to be known as 'insulin resistance'. Insulin resistance is often connected with obesity.
* The paper 'PTEN mutations cause constitutive insulin sensitivity and obesity in humans' is to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine with an embargo of 22:00 UK time / 17:00 US Eastern time on Wednesday 12 September 2012.
* For almost 100 years the Medical Research Council has improved the health of people in the UK and around the world by supporting the highest quality science. The MRC invests in world-class scientists. It has produced 29 Nobel Prize winners and sustains a flourishing environment for internationally recognised research. The MRC focuses on making an impact and provides the financial muscle and scientific expertise behind medical breakthroughs, including one of the first antibiotics penicillin, the structure of DNA and the lethal link between smoking and cancer. Today MRC funded scientists tackle research into the major health challenges of the 21st century. www.mrc.ac.uk
* The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust's breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests. www.wellcome.ac.uk
* The NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre is funded by the National Institute for Health Research, and is a partnership between the Oxford University Hospitals Trust and the University of Oxford. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), and conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients.
* The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government's strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit the NIHR website (www.nihr.ac.uk). The views expressed in this news release are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
* The Babraham Institute, which receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), undertakes international quality life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. The institute received 22.4M investment from BBSRC in 2010-11. The Institute's research provides greater understanding of the biological events that underlie the normal functions of cells and the implication of failure or abnormalities in these processes. Research focuses on signalling and genome regulation, particularly the interplay between the two and how epigenetic signals can influence important physiological adaptations during the lifespan of an organism. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and healthier ageing. www.babraham.ac.uk
* The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by Government, and with an annual budget of around 445M, we support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk
For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/institutes
* The Oxford Biobank is a resource for medical research into common diseases like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, with detailed data on over 5,000 healthy men and women aged 30 and living in Oxfordshire. All participants have undergone a detailed examination at a screening visit, donated DNA and given informed consent.
http://www.oxfordbiobank.org.uk/
* Oxford University's Medical Sciences Division is one of the largest biomedical research centres in Europe, with over 2,500 people involved in research and more than 2,800 students. The University is rated the best in the world for medicine, and it is home to the UK's top-ranked medical school.
From the genetic and molecular basis of disease to the latest advances in neuroscience, Oxford is at the forefront of medical research. It has one of the largest clinical trial portfolios in the UK and great expertise in taking discoveries from the lab into the clinic. Partnerships with the local NHS Trusts enable patients to benefit from close links between medical research and healthcare delivery.
A great strength of Oxford medicine is its long-standing network of clinical research units in Asia and Africa, enabling world-leading research on the most pressing global health challenges such as malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS and flu. Oxford is also renowned for its large-scale studies which examine the role of factors such as smoking, alcohol and diet on cancer, heart disease and other conditions.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Single gene cause of insulin sensitivity may offer insight for treating diabetesPublic release date: 12-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: University of Oxford press office press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk 44-186-528-0530 University of Oxford
The first single gene cause of increased sensitivity to the hormone insulin has been discovered by a team of Oxford University researchers.
The opposite condition insulin resistance is a common feature of type 2 diabetes, so finding this cause of insulin sensitivity could offer new opportunities for pursuing novel treatments for diabetes.
Although mutations in the PTEN gene cause a rare condition with increased risk of cancer, the biological pathways the gene is involved in could offer promising targets for new drugs.
The Oxford University researchers, along with colleagues at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, and the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, UK, report their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
'Insulin resistance is a major feature of type 2 diabetes,' says Dr Anna Gloyn of the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Oxford, who led the work. 'The insulin-producing cells in the pancreas may be working hard and pumping out lots of insulin, but the body's cells no longer respond.
'Finding a genetic cause of the opposite insulin sensitivity gives us a new window on the biological processes involved. Such understanding could be important in developing new drugs that restore insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.'
The PTEN gene encodes for an enzyme that is part of the insulin signalling pathway in the body. It is known to have a role in controlling the body's metabolism, and to play a part in cell growth. The Oxford team was interested in learning more about this dual role.
There is an inherited genetic condition called Cowden syndrome caused by faults in the PTEN gene. It is very rare and is thought to affect perhaps one in 200,000 people, with around 300 people with the condition in the UK. PTEN's role in cell growth sees people with Cowden syndrome develop many benign polyps in their skin, mouth and bowel, and have a higher risk than the general population of developing breast cancer, thyroid cancer and womb cancer.
'PTEN is a gene that is heavily involved in processes for both cell growth and metabolism,' says first author Dr Aparna Pal of the University of Oxford. 'Given PTEN's dual role, we were interested in understanding the metabolic profile of people with Cowden syndrome. It was possible that mutations in PTEN could improve metabolism.'
The team carried out glucose tolerance tests with 15 people with Cowden syndrome and 15 matched controls. Those with Cowden syndrome had significantly higher insulin sensitivity. In collaboration with their colleagues at the Babraham Institute, the team showed that this was caused by increased activity in the insulin signalling pathway.
The researchers also noticed that the body mass index of those with Cowden syndrome appeared greater than the controls. They carried out a comparison with a much larger control group of over 2,000 individuals from the Oxford Biobank, a data and tissue resource for research established by Professor Fredrik Karpe.
This confirmed that those with Cowden syndrome had higher levels of obesity as a group than the controls. The extra body weight appeared to be caused by extra fat, and there were no differences in where the fat was stored compared to controls.
'This was a surprise. Normally insulin sensitivity goes with being lean,' says Professor Karpe.
Dr Gloyn concludes: 'We now know that mutations that inactivate the PTEN gene result in increased cancer risk and obesity, but also increase insulin sensitivity which is very likely to protect against type 2 diabetes.
'The study shows how intimately the biological pathways governing cell growth and metabolism are linked. We need to thoroughly understand these pathways to identify which genes to target in the development of new drugs.'
She adds: 'While there are promising research avenues to pursue here, in the meantime the best way to avoid diabetes remains exercising more and eating less.'
###
Notes to Editors
* Approximately 2.9 million people are affected by diabetes in the UK, and there may be around a further 850,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes. Left untreated, diabetes can cause many different health problems including heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and blindness. Even a mildly raised glucose level can have damaging effects in the long-term.
Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of the disease. In the UK, about 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to control the level of glucose in the blood, and when the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced effectively. It is this second feature of type 2 diabetes that tends to be known as 'insulin resistance'. Insulin resistance is often connected with obesity.
* The paper 'PTEN mutations cause constitutive insulin sensitivity and obesity in humans' is to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine with an embargo of 22:00 UK time / 17:00 US Eastern time on Wednesday 12 September 2012.
* For almost 100 years the Medical Research Council has improved the health of people in the UK and around the world by supporting the highest quality science. The MRC invests in world-class scientists. It has produced 29 Nobel Prize winners and sustains a flourishing environment for internationally recognised research. The MRC focuses on making an impact and provides the financial muscle and scientific expertise behind medical breakthroughs, including one of the first antibiotics penicillin, the structure of DNA and the lethal link between smoking and cancer. Today MRC funded scientists tackle research into the major health challenges of the 21st century. www.mrc.ac.uk
* The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust's breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests. www.wellcome.ac.uk
* The NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre is funded by the National Institute for Health Research, and is a partnership between the Oxford University Hospitals Trust and the University of Oxford. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), and conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients.
* The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government's strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit the NIHR website (www.nihr.ac.uk). The views expressed in this news release are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
* The Babraham Institute, which receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), undertakes international quality life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. The institute received 22.4M investment from BBSRC in 2010-11. The Institute's research provides greater understanding of the biological events that underlie the normal functions of cells and the implication of failure or abnormalities in these processes. Research focuses on signalling and genome regulation, particularly the interplay between the two and how epigenetic signals can influence important physiological adaptations during the lifespan of an organism. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and healthier ageing. www.babraham.ac.uk
* The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by Government, and with an annual budget of around 445M, we support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk
For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/institutes
* The Oxford Biobank is a resource for medical research into common diseases like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, with detailed data on over 5,000 healthy men and women aged 30 and living in Oxfordshire. All participants have undergone a detailed examination at a screening visit, donated DNA and given informed consent.
http://www.oxfordbiobank.org.uk/
* Oxford University's Medical Sciences Division is one of the largest biomedical research centres in Europe, with over 2,500 people involved in research and more than 2,800 students. The University is rated the best in the world for medicine, and it is home to the UK's top-ranked medical school.
From the genetic and molecular basis of disease to the latest advances in neuroscience, Oxford is at the forefront of medical research. It has one of the largest clinical trial portfolios in the UK and great expertise in taking discoveries from the lab into the clinic. Partnerships with the local NHS Trusts enable patients to benefit from close links between medical research and healthcare delivery.
A great strength of Oxford medicine is its long-standing network of clinical research units in Asia and Africa, enabling world-leading research on the most pressing global health challenges such as malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS and flu. Oxford is also renowned for its large-scale studies which examine the role of factors such as smoking, alcohol and diet on cancer, heart disease and other conditions.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
(Reuters) - The music industry won the latest round on Tuesday in its long-running legal battle against a woman accused of illegally downloading and sharing two dozen songs on the Kazaa peer-to-peer network.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minnesota, reinstated a $222,000 jury verdict against Jammie Thomas-Rasset, rejecting her arguments that the damages award was excessive and violated her due process rights under the U.S. Constitution.
The decision is the latest to address the music industry's ability to use the Copyright Act to pursue individuals who illegally download music from the Internet. The law allows copyright owners to recover damages between $750 and $150,000 per infringed work.
Thomas-Rasset, from Brainerd, Minnesota, was one of 18,000 individuals sued by the Recording Industry Association of America between 2003 and 2008 in a legal assault meant to discourage people from illegally downloading songs from sites like Kazaa.
The industry organization accused her of illegally downloading more than 1,700 files. After failing to reach a settlement, the association sued Thomas-Rasset in 2006 over 24 songs on behalf of six major record labels, including Sony BMG Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings Inc and Arista Records.
The case has followed a circuitous path. Thomas-Rasset lost her first trial in 2007 and was ordered to pay $222,000, only to have the court throw out the verdict because of a faulty jury instruction.
At her second trial, Thomas-Rasset testified that her ex-boyfriend or sons, then 8 and 10, were most likely responsible for downloading and distributing the songs. The jury awarded the record labels $1.92 million in damages. But the court lowered the damages to $54,000, calling the jury's award "shocking."
Instead of accepting the lowered amount, the record companies exercised their right to a new trial, and a third jury awarded the music industry $1.5 million in damages. The district court again ruled that the maximum amount allowed by due process was only $54,000. The recording companies appealed.
On Tuesday, a unanimous three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit reinstated the original $222,000 in damages that the first jury had awarded.
The $222,000 award was not "so severe and oppressive" as to violate the Constitution, Judge Steven Colloton wrote for the panel. Rather, the amount, equivalent to $9,250 per song, was at the lower end of the $750 to $150,000 range that Congress established.
Thomas-Rasset argued that if the labels had sued her over 1,000 songs, the damages would be clearly excessive at over $9 million. But the panel refused to extrapolate.
"If and when a jury returns a multi-million dollar award for noncommercial online copyright infringement, then there will be time enough to consider it," Colloton wrote.
Kiwi Camara, a lawyer for Thomas-Rasset, called the $222,000 damages award "punitive" and out-of-line with the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings. He said he would likely appeal the case to the high court.
The Recording Industry Association of America welcomed the court's decision. We "look forward to putting this case behind us," the organization said in a statement. The group has ended its lawsuit campaign, and now sends warning notices to users caught illegally downloading music.
In a separate case in 2011, the 1st Circuit reinstated a $675,000 judgment against Joel Tenenbaum, a former Boston University student, for 30 charges of illegal downloading. That ruling reversed a trial judge's decision to knock the award down to $67,500.
Tenenbaum appealed that case to the Supreme Court, arguing that the Copyright Act was never meant to be applied to individual consumers. But the Supreme Court declined to hear the case in May, allowing the 1st Circuit decision to stand.
The latest 8th Circuit case is Capitol Records Inc et al v. Thomas-Rasset, No. 11-2820.
(Reporting By Terry Baynes; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)
As rumored, Valve's bringing its digital distribution gaming portal to televisions today with Steam "Big Picture Mode." Kotaku confirms the news this morning that the TV-friendly version of Steam will launch "later today," alongside releasing a slurry of screenshots and impressions. Beyond what we already know about the service -- it's the full Steam we already know and love, albeit with controller-based input -- a variety of new details abound. A built-in web browser, for one, and a new form of text input for controllers which seems to massively trump the usualy QWERTY setup.
The entire store is apparently navigable via controller (though mouse and keyboard still work, if that's your kinda thing), and you can even prioritize games based on what's workable with a gamepad. Does this mean that the long-rumored "Steambox" is headed to living rooms soon? Not so fast, says Valve. "We really don't have a road map. And we think we're going to learn a tremendous amount through this first release."
![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](http://www.eurekalert.org/images/back2e.gif){kind=small}
Public release date: 12-Sep-2012
Share ] 
