Garbage bug may help lower the cost of biofuel

ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2012) ? One reason that biofuels are expensive to make is that the organisms used to ferment the biomass cannot make effective use of hemicellulose, the next most abundant cell wall component after cellulose. They convert only the glucose in the cellulose, thus using less than half of the available plant material.

"Here at the EBI and other places in the biofuel world, people are trying to engineer microbes that can use both," said University of Illinois microbiologist Isaac Cann. "Most of the time what they do is they take genes from different locations and try and stitch all of them together to create a pathway that will allow that microbe to use the other sugar."

Cann and Rod Mackie, also a U of I microbiologist, have been doing research at the Energy Biosciences Institute on an organism that they think could be used to solve this problem.

Mackie, a long-distance runner, found the microbe in the garbage dump of a canning plant while running in Hoopeston, Ill., in 1993. He noticed that the ground was literally bubbling with microbial activity and took samples. He and his son Kevin, who was in high school at the time, isolated microbes from the samples.

Among these was a bacterium that was later named Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus. "We found many exciting enzymes from this organism," said Cann, who joined the project when he came to Mackie's lab as a postdoctoral researcher.

Specifically, the bacterium contains all of the proteins and enzymes needed to break down xylan, which is the most common hemicellulose, and then to transport the fragments into the cell and metabolize them. All of the genes are located in a single cluster on the microbe's genome.

"So instead of taking a piece from here and from there and stitching them together, we can just take this part of the gene," Cann explained. "You can cut this and put it into another microbe."

On the surface of the cell, there is an enzyme that cuts the xylan into small pieces and a protein that binds to the pieces and brings them inside the cell. Enzymes within the cell metabolize the sugar.

The reason that this microbe, unlike most others used to make biofuels, is able to degrade xylan is that it has evolved an enzyme that allows it to remove the side chains, or decorations, that are part of xylan's structure. They hinder the degradation process by preventing complete accessibility of the enzymes to the sugar chain.

Once the side chains have been removed, another enzyme in the microbe breaks the sugar chain down into single sugars, or xylose. Other enzymes within the cell then metabolize the xylose.

Having the enzymes next to each other on the genome is convenient for scientists who are working on engineering microbes that can degrade both cellulose and hemicellulose. The cluster could be designed as a cassette and put into a microbe that normally degrades only cellulose.

Moreover, being next to each other allows them to work efficiently. "You have a set of enzymes that have co-evolved," Cann explained. "If they have co-evolved over millions of years, it means they have been fine-tuned to work together."

Another advantage of Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus is that it is a thermophilic bacterium, and its enzymes are resistant to temperatures as high as 70 degrees Celsius. Biofuel fermentation is usually done at 37 degrees Celsius, a temperature at which most microbes can survive. This means that the material in the fermentation vats is easily contaminated.

The next step for Cann and his collaborators is to develop techniques for transferring this gene cluster, which is quite large, into microbes.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Y. Han, V. Agarwal, D. Dodd, J. Kim, B. Bae, R. I. Mackie, S. K. Nair, I. K. O. Cann. Biochemical and Structural Insights into Xylan Utilization by the Thermophilic Bacterium Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2012; 287 (42): 34946 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M112.391532

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.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/XufLkVJ8MJQ/121129162149.htm

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Analysis: Obama, Congress edge closer to 'fiscal cliff'

"Absurd" -- that's the word one top Republican Hill aide used to describe the plan that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner presented to GOP leaders yesterday to avoid the fiscal cliff.

And an aide to House Speaker Boehner described the White House's offer as "completely unrealistic" and "a break with reality."

Meanwhile, a top Democratic insider complained to ABC's Jonathan Karl that "the Republicans have taken to screaming at us."

Sources familiar with the phone call Wednesday night between Speaker Boehner and President Obama -- which lasted 30 minutes -- told Karl it was as "unproductive" and "blunt." One source said the president did most of the taking, explaining why he will insist that tax rates go up.

Get more pure politics at ABCNews.com/Politics and a lighter take on the news at OTUSNews.com

"No substantive progress has been made over the last two weeks," said House Speaker John Boehner at a press conference yesterday. "It's time for the president and Congressional Democrats to tell the American people what spending cuts they're really willing to make."

With few signs of optimism in Washington and just 33 days before the end-of-the-year fiscal cliff deadline, President Obama is taking his show on the road.

ABC's Mary Bruce notes that the president is bypassing the wrangling between both sides and traveling to Hatfield, Pa. today where he will tour a toy manufacturing facility and speak to workers there.

According to the White House, "the President will continue making the case for action by visiting a business that depends on middle class consumers during the holiday season, and could be impacted if taxes go up on 98 percent of Americans at the end of the year."

FROM THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE: Boehner's office gives six reasons why the Obama administration's fiscal cliff offer won't fly:

"1) Twice the Taxes: It's absolutely true that the President ran on a tax plan of raising the top two rates. That's what Americans heard from him. That yields about $800 billion in new tax revenue. He just asked for twice that. 2) Not Even the Votes in His Own Party: The Senate was barely able to pass a bill with $800 billion in new tax revenue a few months ago (51 votes). There is no chance there are votes in the Senate for anything close to $1.6 trillion. 3) Unbalanced: The President also ran on a so-called balanced approach. Apparently his idea of balance is four times as much revenue as spending cuts. 4) No Net Spending Cuts: The spending cuts they are offering (which come later) are wiped out by all the new goodies he's also requesting. (stimulus, UI, payroll, housing, etc). 5) Debt Limit Pipe Dream: Permanently doing away with the debt limit? Come on. Guess what - the debt limit is actually very popular. Raising it to infinity is not. 6) We're Far From Opening Bids: Even as an "opening bid," this offer would be ludicrous. But we're way past that. We had about seven weeks to resolve this. Three of those weeks are gone, and this is what he comes with?"

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: White House spokesman Josh Earnest: "Right now, the only thing preventing us from reaching a deal that averts the fiscal cliff and avoids a tax hike on 98 percent of Americans is the refusal of Congressional Republicans to ask the very wealthiest individuals to pay higher tax rates. The President has already signed into law over $1 trillion in spending cuts and we remain willing to do tough things to compromise, and it's time for Republicans in Washington to join the chorus of other voices -- from the business community to middle class Americans across the country -- who support a balanced approach that asks more from the wealthiest Americans."

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-cliff-creeps-closer-143419644.html

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Adapting fish defenses to block human infections: Antimicrobial peptide of fish gills inspire clean surfaces

ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2012) ? An undergraduate research team analyzes peptides from fish gills to engineer antimicrobial surfaces for food preparation and medical devices.

Living in an environment teaming with bacteria and fungi, fish have evolved powerful defenses against waterborne pathogens, including antimicrobial peptides located in their gills. Undergraduate researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) are studying the biology and the mechanics of one of those peptides with the hope they can use that knowledge to create engineered surfaces that kill bacteria responsible for foodborne illnesses and hospital-acquired infections.

The research team, led by Terri Camesano, professor of chemical engineering, reports its latest findings in the paper "Creating Antibacterial Surfaces with the Peptide Chrysophsin-1," published online in October by the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

"Fish have a wonderful solution for blocking bacterial and fungal infections," Camesano said. "In this study, we are working to better understand the biochemical mechanics of that process."

As fish filter water through their gills to extract oxygen, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including Chrysosphin-1, trap and kill pathogens before they can invade the fish's bloodstream. Scientists in many laboratories around the world are actively exploring the potential use of these molecules to prevent human infections. In the current study, the WPI team attached AMPs to silicon and gold surfaces using two different approaches and measured the bound peptides' ability to kill the bacterial pathogen E. coli.

In the first method, the AMPs were absorbed directly onto gold and silicon crystals, forming a single layer of molecules with the AMPs lying flat on the surface. In the second method, the tips of the AMPs were attached to the surfaces with a glue-like substance so that the peptides rose vertically, like blades of grass extending up from the ground. Surfaces with both AMP configurations were cultured with E. coli cells. The results showed that when the AMPs were lying flat they killed 34 percent of the bacteria in the culture, but when they were standing up vertically they killed 82 percent.

"The hypothesis is that when peptides are attached vertically to the surfaces, they are better able to move and bend so they take on a shape that is more effective in binding to and disrupting the E.coli cells," Camesano said.

In addition to gathering data about the antibacterial efficacy of the attached AMPs, the WPI research team developed a technique for monitoring, in real time, the attachment of AMPs to surfaces. Using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), the team measured the quantity of AMPs that successfully attached to the surfaces in the horizontal and vertical orientations and the density of the AMP layers, along with other properties.

"This was a powerful process, to be able to essentially watch the binding process as it happened," Camesano said. "It is a technique that we will continue to apply in further studies."

Camesano said gold and silicon surfaces were selected for the current study because their chemical properties are well-suited for AMP binding. In ongoing work, Camesano's laboratory will continue to characterize the mechanics of AMP binding for optimal antimicrobial activity and test other materials, including titanium, stainless steel, and plastics, that would have greater utility in food preparation and healthcare.

"What is also notable about this study is that it is the work of undergraduates," Camesano said. "They've done excellent work here that will inform future graduate studies in our lab."

The WPI undergraduates who co-authored the AMP paper are Ivan Ivanov '12 (chemical engineering), Alec Morrison '12 (biochemistry), and Jesse Cobb '12 (chemical engineering). Co-author Catherine Fahey, a student at George Washington University, worked on the study during at a summer project at WPI. Their work was sponsored in large part by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Ivan E. Ivanov, Alec E. Morrison, Jesse E. Cobb, Catherine A. Fahey, Terri A. Camesano. Creating Antibacterial Surfaces with the Peptide Chrysophsin-1. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2012; 4 (11): 5891 DOI: 10.1021/am301530a

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/strange_science/~3/ITvzRKpKZoc/121129143502.htm

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Deadly cave may have inspired Hades myth

A giant cave that might have helped serve as the inspiration for the mythic ancient Greek underworld Hades once housed hundreds of people, potentially making it one of the oldest and most important prehistoric villages in Europe before it collapsed and killed everyone inside, researchers say.

The complex settlement seen in this cave suggests, along with other sites from about the same time, that early prehistoric Europe may have been more complex than previously thought.

The cave, located in southern Greece and discovered in 1958, is called Alepotrypa, which means "foxhole."

"The legend is that in a village nearby, a guy was hunting for foxes with his dog, and the dog went into the hole and the man went after the dog and discovered the cave," said researcher Michael Galaty, an archaeologist at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss. "The story's probably apocryphal ? depending on who you ask in the village, they all claim it was their grandfather who found the cave." [ See Photos of Alepotrypa Cave ]

A prehistoric cathedral
After its discovery, Greek officials originally saw the cave as a potential tourist attraction. However, when archaeologists realized the historical secrets it might hold, they led efforts to keep tourism from inadvertently destroying the site.

The main chamber of the cave is about 200 feet (60 meters) tall and up to about 330 feet (100 m) wide. Altogether, the cave is nearly 3,300 feet (1,000 m) long, large enough to have its own lake, in which famed explorer Jacques Cousteau once scuba-dived.

"If you've ever seen 'The Lord of the Rings,' this might make you recall the mines of Moria ? the cave is really that impressive," Galaty told LiveScience.

Excavations that have taken place at Alepotrypa since 1970 uncovered tools, pottery, obsidian and even silver and copper artifacts that date back to the Neolithic or New Stone Age, which in Greece began about 9,000 years ago.

"Alepotrypa existed right before the Bronze Age in Mycenaean Greece, so we're kind of seeing the beginnings of things that produced the age of heroes in Greece," Galaty said.

Cave dwellers apparently used the cavern not only as a shelter, but also as a cemetery and place of ritual.

"You have to imagine the place torchlit, filled with people lighting bonfires and burying the dead," Galaty said. "It was quite like a prehistoric cathedral, a pilgrimage site that attracted people from all over the region and perhaps from further afield."

Cave settlements
The cave apparently went through a series of occupations and abandonments.

"Alepotrypa was at a perfect place to intercept sea trade from Africa all the way to the eastern Mediterranean, being right at the southern tip of Greece," Galaty said.

Settlement at the cave abruptly ended when its entrance collapsed about 5,000 years ago, perhaps due to an earthquake, burying cave dwellers alive.

"It is and was an amazing place, the closest thing we have to a Neolithic Pompeii," Galaty said, referring to the ancient Roman town of Pompeii, which was buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted nearly 2,000 years ago. Ash entombed and preserved Pompeii, and excavations there have given archaeologists extraordinarily detailed views of life during that time. In much the same way, the final cave collapse left everything in place in Alepotrypa, with everything inside getting a pearly mineral coating over the years.

Intriguingly, people apparently performed burials in the cave while conducting rituals that involved burning huge amounts of dung and depositing large amounts of colored and finely painted pottery.

"The burial sites and rituals that took place really do give the cave an underworld feel. It's like Hades, complete with its own River Styx," Galaty added, referring to the river that in Greek myth served as the boundary between the mortal realm and the netherworld. [ Science Fact or Fantasy? 20 Imaginary Worlds ]

Alepotrypa archaeology
For about 40 years, excavations at Alepotrypa were largely the singlehanded work of Greek archaeologist Giorgos Papathanassopoulos. In the last three years, Papathanassopoulos has reached out to other archaeologists, who have helped uncover a wealth of new insights on the site.

For instance, surveys around the cave now show there was a settlement outside. Altogether, hundreds of people may have lived at the site in its heyday, making it one of the largest, most complex known Neolithic villages in Europe.

In addition, analysis by researcher Panagiotis Karkanas at the Ephoreia of Paleoanthropology and Speleology of Southern Greece in Athens and his colleagues is confirming that rituals were conducted there regularly.

Much remains unknown about the cave. For instance, "we don't know how much deeper deposits go. For all we know, we might have Neanderthals down there," Galaty said. "The next bay over, you have Neanderthal artifacts in caves, so it's hard to believe there wouldn't be such evidence in Alepotrypa. We just haven't dug deep enough to know."

Chemical analysis of the pottery can also shed light on its origins.

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"Giorgos Papathanassopoulos has always argued this pottery was not local to the site, but came from elsewhere ? that the cave was a kind of pilgrimage site where important people were buried, leading to the fanciful idea that this was the original entrance to Hades, that it was the source of the Greek fascination with the underworld," Galaty said.

Chemical analysis of the bones can yield similar insights. "Are people actually bringing bodies from distant locales to bury?" Galaty said.

This site, along with others in Europe, might help confirm that complex societies arose earlier than currently thought on the continent.

Papathanassopoulos, Karkanas and Galaty, along with Anastasia Papathanasiou, William Parkinson, Daniel Pullen and their colleagues, will detail this year's findings at the annual meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America on Jan. 6 in Seattle.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook? and Google+.

? 2012 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49999550/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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Every single Apple ad now unofficially available in an iTunes playlist

Apple has always produced amazing adverts that are often as cool as its products. Thankfully one loyal Apple follower has taken the time to create a YouTube playlist that he claims includes every single television ad that Apple has created. Apple has created a lot of great ads for its products, the playlist contains a massive 485 videos.

YES, EVERY APPLE TV ADS EVER BROADCASTED! There's a lot to discover in the Playlists - Go watch! Ads missing? Let me know.

Who could forget the classic iPod ads featuring dancing silhouettes and rhythmic music, the multitude of ads based on the Mac versus PC war. More recently Apple has focused on features like the iPhone?s ability to take panoramic photographs and of course the ability to access all corners of the screen on the iPhone 5?s larger screen with one hand. Of course not all of them have been great, the recent Genius ads were a bit of a fail but there are certainly many more great ads than bad.

You can see them all over at YouTube although we don?t know how long they will last as it is not an official Apple source. If you have some time to kill and love all things Apple, you can do a lot worse than sit back and enjoy some or all of these ads. If you watch any, make sure to let us know which ones you liked best.

Source: YouTube via TNW

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/GVpemGMUd2g/story01.htm

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New Android apps worth downloading: Skype and GTA Radio updates, Avengers Initiative

Skype received an update that makes it better for tablet users and stomps out a few bugs, and GTA Radio added more content from the beloved Grand Theft Auto video game series to bring you some hilarious radio shows and great music. Finally, Avengers Initiative will give you some stuff for The Hulk to smash.

Skype update (Free)

What?s it about? Internet phone service Skype lets users make voice and video calls across an Internet connection (mostly) for free.

What?s cool? The newly updated Skype revamped its interface specifically designed to make it easier to use on tablets. It also received a number of other improvements to increase audio quality, allow the merging of Microsoft and Skype accounts, and clean up various bugs. Beyond the update, Skype allows users to make calls to any other computer or Skype device for free, and you can use it to call phones, both domestically and internationally, for a relatively small fee.

Who?s it for? If you?re already a Skype user, you?ll want the Android app. If not, you might try it for a cheaper alternative to making standard calls.

What?s it like? Give Viber a shot for a voice-over-Internet alternative, and try IM+ for instant messaging capabilities.

What?s it about? GTA Radio brings music and audio from the radio stations found in the Grand Theft Auto video game series to your Android device, allowing you to listen to all the hilarious talk radio and licensed music from the games anytime.

What?s cool? Grand Theft Auto fans are likely aware that the radio stations available to players in stolen cars in the game are some of the series? best features. Developer Rockstar Games puts a ton of time into recording satirical and hilarious loops of radio shows and DJ commentary. Couple it with a series of great licensed soundtracks, and you have a very fun and funny set of things to listen to, aggregated in the GTA Radio app. The latest update to the app adds even more content, pushing some more stuff from Grand Theft Auto IV and making improvements to decrease buffer times.

Who?s it for? Grand Theft Auto fans, certainly, but anybody will find goofy stuff to love in GTA Radio?s content.

What?s it like? For more Internet radio, try Pandora and Spotify. They probably won?t be as funny, though.

What?s it about? With great graphics and lots of action, Avengers Initiative puts players in the role of The Incredible Hulk in a series of battles against the Avengers? enemies.

What?s cool? Taking a page from the iOS Infinity Blade series, Avengers Initiative is all about dueling huge bad guys with the Hulk?s enormous strength. You?ll take on enemies in one-on-one fights, in which you?ll need to block and dodge to get the upper hand before pummeling them with Hulk?s fists. The game carries awesome, console-quality graphics, and you?re able to customize Hulk and improve his abilities as you play through the game. Marvel also says the game will have episodic content updates coming in the future!

Who?s it for? Fans of The Avengers and The Hulk should check out Avengers Initiative, but the game?s strong action roots will appeal to most players as well.

What?s it like? Try Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty for another Avengers fix, and Dark Meadow for a game with similar mechanics.

Download the Appolicious Android app

Source: http://www.androidapps.com/tech/articles/12993-new-android-apps-worth-downloading-skype-and-gta-radio-updates-avengers-initiative

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Dessert With a Doc: Breast Cancer - The Latest in Diagnosis and ...

Monday, December 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room

This past October was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Due to adverse weather conditions, we had to postpone our discussion of what?s new in breast cancer treatment. Now that we have rescheduled, please join us for an informative lecture on the latest diagnosis and treatment methods for breast cancer. You will also get a look into the growing area of genetics and risk assessment. Program presented by Susan Alsamarai, MD in cooperation with MidState Medical Center. Please register online or by phone at (203)265-6754.

Source: http://www.wallingford.lioninc.org/?q=node/797

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sherriethomas0: violation hulda: cbc news: Eco-Innovation

The Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO) would like to invite you to share your views on the role of eco-innovation in the shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon Europe. We would like to consult representatives from academia, business, civil society and public administration by taking part in our questionnaire. Your insights will be used in the upcoming reports of the Observatory, including our final flagship annual publication. The survey has only three questions and is entirely anonymous.

Please follow this link to the questionnaire.

For more information on the Eco-Innovation Observatory, see www.eco-innovation.eu

-->

Source: http://seri.at/resource-use/2012/11/15/eco-innovation-observatory-launches-online-questionnaire/

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Source: http://violation-hulda.blogspot.com/2012/11/cbc-news-eco-innovation-observatory.html

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Source: http://sherriethomas0.blogspot.com/2012/11/violation-hulda-cbc-news-eco-innovation.html

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Source: http://multichannel-baroque.blogspot.com/2012/11/sherriethomas0-violation-hulda-cbc-news.html

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Samsung Galaxy Note II confirmed to reach Verizon stores tomorrow

Despite the fact that Verizon's version of the Samsung Galaxy Note II -- complete with its ugly logo-laden home button -- is already starting to ship out to pre-orderers, the carrier and manufacturer continued to keep quiet about their official launch plans. We've finally received word from a Samsung spokesperson that the 5.5-inch smartphone-tablet hybrid is destined to make its way into Big Red stores beginning tomorrow for $300 with a two-year contract. If you've been exercising a heap of patience in waiting for this gigantophone, you'd best free up some time on your calendar first thing tomorrow. We have the official statement waiting for you after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Note II confirmed to reach Verizon stores tomorrow

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung, Verizon

Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/7azGGVF-OAg/

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Congo rebels say will leave Goma if Kabila agrees to demands

With a $425 million Powerball jackpot now up for grabs, people are lining up across the country with dreams of money, money, money. ?[I] really want that Powerball,? Tony Hanson of Georgia said. In 2006, eight meatpacking workers ? called the ?Nebraska 8? ? struck...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/congo-rebels-leave-goma-kabila-agrees-demands-103934316.html

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Syrian planes bomb factory in north, many killed

BEIRUT (AP) ? Activists say Syrian warplanes have bombed an olive press factory in the country's north, killing and wounding dozens of people.

Two activist groups ? the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees ? say the factory is west of the city of Idlib.

The LCC says at least 20 people were killed and many others wounded in Tuesday's raid, while the Observatory says "tens were killed or wounded."

Both groups depend on a network of activists on the ground around the country.

President Bashar Assad's regime has been launching intense raids on rebels in recent months.

Syria's conflict started in March 2011 as an uprising against Assad's regime, but quickly morphed into a civil war that has since killed more than 40,000 people, according to activists.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-planes-bomb-factory-north-many-killed-094958076.html

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Recap: Frilly Knickers & Groin Tattoos

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/11/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-recap-frilly-knickers-and-g/

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Apple Mac mini (Late 2012)

The Apple Mac mini (Late 2012) may look the same?it is, after all identical to the Mac mini (Thunderbolt)?but it has been updated with Intel's latest Ivy Bridge processor, faster USB 3.0 ports, and given a performance boost with Apple's new Fusion drive. It's everything we loved about the Apple Mac mini (Thunderbolt) , just faster, making it an easy pick for Editors' Choice.

Design and Features
The Mac mini is just what you expect from an Apple product. The design is the very picture of minimalist refinement, a CNC-milled aluminum block housing a full desktop-worth of hardware. And, true to form for Apple, it looks exactly like the previous iteration, and very similar to the model before that?the last easily spotted change on the Mac mini was when Apple dropped the optical drive and added a Thunderbolt port.

Measuring 1.4 by 7.7 by 7.7 inches (HWD), the compact Mac mini is small enough to sit unobtrusively on your desk, next to your display and keyboard. The rounded corners and subtle curves will be familiar looking to anyone that's seen an Apple product in the last few years. Unlike other tiny desktops that set up vertically, like the Polywell Poly i1000A-3770T , the Mac mini sticks with the low horizontal design it has used for years. On the top is a glossy black Apple logo; on the bottom is a round black plastic hatch. It can be opened without any tools, giving you a limited view of the internals, only providing real access to a few specific components. RAM modules can be added and swapped, the fan removed for cleaning, though the rest of the components can be accessed, assuming you have the necessary tools and a lot of patience. In such a small, tightly packed package, there's not really room for upgrades.

Apple has beefed up several features in the new Mac mini. The USB ports have all been upgraded to USB 3.0, though the ports aren't labeled as such, nor do they have the blue port connectors to indicate as such. Joining the faster USB ports are the same port used before, with a Thunderbolt port (which doubles as a mini-DisplayPort), FireWire 800 connection, HDMI output, an SDXC card slot, and audio line in and line out connections. Gigabit Ethernet is joined by 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. It's a robust selection of features for such a small system; other compact desktops often drop features in the interest of saving space, such as the Shuttle X6100 , which omits Wi-Fi connectivity.

The processor has been upgraded to the latest Ivy Bridge technology, and our review unit was outfitted with a 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core processor and 4GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory. Last year's $799 mid-tier model had a Core i5 processor in it. There are also 8GB and 16GB configurations available (for an extra $100 and $300, respectively). Graphics processing got a bump with the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000, but this time around there is no configuration available with a discrete GPU. The Mac mini also equipped with Apple's new Fusion drive technology and the latest version of Mac OS X Mountain Lion.

Fusion Drive
The Mac mini's specifications tell us that our model is equipped with a 1.12TB Fusion Drive, but that's not even half of the story. Apple's Fusion Drive combines hard disk and flash storage?Apple's nomenclature for both solid-state drives and custom flash modules?but it's neither a hybrid drive, nor is it a traditional dual drive. Instead of there being two drive volumes to manage (which can be a nuisance for the tech savvy, and downright mystifying for others), the Mac mini presents the two drives as one volume. As far as managing your files and programs, that's all you need to know, because the Fusion Drive software does the rest.

Pull back the curtain a bit, and there's more going on. Every piece of data?be it program, media file, document, and even the operating system?is initially written to the 128GB of Flash storage to provide the faster performance offered by Flash media. As your data is used from day to day, however, the drive shifts the less frequently used data to the 1TB hard drive, which offers slower speed, but more storage capacity. The result is speedy SSD performance for the data you use most frequently, without the cramped storage you'd contend with on a pure SSD.

What makes this set up different from hybrid drives, however, is that the Flash storage is not acting as a cache, mirroring data from the drive. Also, the evaluation process is ongoing, continuously evaluating each piece of data as it is accessed by the user, shifting it back and forth to maximize performance. Once your Mac mini gets into a routine and is optimized, this setup can save wear and tear on the spinning hard drive, since oft-used programs and files will eventually reside on Flash storage. All of this work happens in the background, with data evaluated in real time, and shifted to and from the Flash storage during idle times so as not to slow down performance during data intensive actions. From the algorithmic evaluation of data use to the shifting of data, it all happens seamlessly in the background, and offers optimal performance without the need for constant tweaking.

Mac OS X and Software
Like the other members of the current Mac family, the Mac mini comes preinstalled with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8.2 on our review unit), along with programs from iLife 2011, like iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand. The programs themselves are top-rated, and Mountain Lion itself was picked as one of the best tech products of 2012. It also features all of the same gesture support seen in the MacBook Pro line-up, so you might consider getting an Apple Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad to take advantage of the intuitive controls.

In addition to the operating system and programs, Apple covers the Mac mini with a one-year warranty, and offers free tech support for the first 90 days after purchase. For extra protection and longer coverage, you can also purchase AppleCare ($149 per year).

Performance
With the new processing hardware, and the bump from dual-core Core i5 to quad-core Core i7, the Mac mini (Late 2012) more than doubled the processing performance over the previous iteration, scoring 5.95 points where the Mac mini (Thunderbolt) scored 2.69 points. It's necessarily a fair comparison, however, because the hardware is so different. Alternatively, the Polywell Poly i1000A-3770T, which has a 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-3770T processor, scored 6.30 points.

The Mac mini also made quick work of our current multimedia tests, finishing Handbrake (version 0.9.8) in 37 seconds, and Photoshop CS6 in 3 minutes 58 seconds. While the Polywell Poly i1000A-3770T has slightly faster raw performance, the Mac mini's Core i7 still offers enough processing power to continue to feel speedy even after a few years of use.

Though the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 is more than sufficient for most day-to-day tasks, it isn't enough to support high-end 3D gaming. When tested with Heaven at both medium and high settings, it failed to produce playable results, rendering 19 frames per second (fps) and 12 fps, respectively. The Intel HD Graphics 4000 are certainly enough to play games with lighter requirements, such as Torchlight or one of the World of Warcraft titles.

While this configuration may not be the most inexpensive member of the Mac family?the starting configuration sells for a more affordable $599?the Apple Mac mini (Late 2012) compact desktop offers top features and performance to spare. While the previous Editors' Choice Polywell Poly i1000A-3770T does boast a slightly beefier processor, it doesn't offer the highly polished refinement offered by Mac mini. The seamless 1.12TB Fusion Drive is superb, and the array of display outputs and connectivity options is far larger than most compact desktops can muster. Add in the beautiful design and industry-leading operating system, and the Mac mini is an easy pick for our Editors' Choice.

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS:

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the Apple Mac mini (Late 2012) with several other desktops side by side.

More desktops reviews:
??? Apple Mac mini (Late 2012)
??? Asus ET2300INTI-B022K
??? Lenovo H520s
??? Sony VAIO Tap 20 (SVJ20215CXW)
??? Lenovo ThinkCentre M92z
?? more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/cE5J-KG8Fsc/0,2817,2412365,00.asp

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Josh Hutcherson Splits Pants Filming Intimate 'Catching Fire' Scene

By Amy Wilkinson, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Josh Hutcherson
Photo: MTV News

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1697860/josh-hutcherson-catching-fire-splits-pants.jhtml

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Some Suggestions For Choosing The Best Basketball Shoes

Every sport is played with some type of specific equipment, but when it comes to basketball the shoes are the most important part of the gear worn. Every company that markets athletic equipment talks about how great their products are, but basketball is a sport where shoes really do make the player. The sport puts all kinds of stress on your feet that demand extra protection. Basketball shoes need to be chosen very carefully, and the following tips should help you do that very thing.

Some amateur basketball players, or parents who are looking for basketball shoes for their children often don't replace their shoes after lots of wear. As a rule, most people agree that you should replace your basketball shoes every month if you are a regular player. It's not uncommon for pro players to change their basketball shoes on a weekly basis. While this is of course an extreme case, you need to understand that even the best basketball shoe ever created is going to wear out at some point after regular use. Most people can't afford that option, of course, but if you wear your basketball shoes longer than you really should, you are making yourself more susceptible to foot and ankle problems.

When you choose basketball shoes, you should realize that the game demands a variety of movements from you, more so than almost any other sport. Aside from having to move quickly, you also have to be able to come to a full stop on a dime. It can be necessary to change course, pivot and jump, all requiring perfect balance. That's why your shoes have to provide you with cushioning, while also being lightweight enough that you don't lose speed. If you don't have the right shoes, you will be risking injury, or at best your motions will be awkward when you have to move or stop suddenly.

When choosing basketball shoes, you should try to find a pair that you like, but don't make style your first priority. Athletic shoes have become status symbols and everyone wants the latest 'hot' shoe, the one everyone's talking about and that has the biggest marketing budget. If you are serious about your game, however, you have to put comfort, support and durability first. The trendiest brand of basketball shoes may or may not be suitable for your feet. You should never base your choice on peer pressure and advertising. You should only choose the shoes that are comfortable and that allow you to move around the court quickly.

In general, you won't become a pro by choosing a certain shoe, but you will be more protected on the court. More than most sports, basketball demands footwear that can withstand a great deal of impact. Just remember these tips when you're out shopping for basketball shoes. You will know you've chosen your basketball shoe correctly when your feet feel good and when you are moving around the court like lightning.

There's no question that there are various things that will aid you to improve your skills in every sport, like basketball,soccer and volley ball, and probably the most significant of them is your vertical jump skill.

If you wish to increase your jump, then take a look at the websites listed below for a few recommendations.

About the Author:
Are you ready to uncover exactly how to improve your jump ability?

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Some-Suggestions-For-Choosing-The-Best-Basketball-Shoes/4285805

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Breast Cancer Screening: 10 Little Known Facts Every Women ...

Mammograms and Breast Cancer Screenings are an important parts of the methodology used in the prevention of this terrible disease. Breast Cancer Awareness is a vital topic today, and education is the key.

The Affordable Care Act requires Medicare and all new health insurance plans to fully cover screening mammograms without any out-of-pocket expense for patients, and this is a major benefit for African-American women, who die from Breast Cancer at a much higher rate than other women.

Below are 10 little known facts about Breast Cancer, facts every women should know.

1. The most common type of cancer acquired by women in America is Breast Cancer, followed closely by Lung Cancer. However, Lung Cancer is the number 1 cause of cancer deaths among women, with Breast Cancer second.

2. Breast Cancer is curable. Early detection is the key.

3. There are more than 3 million Breast Cancer survivors in the U.S. today, giving hope to all women currently seeking treatment.

4. This is not a strictly a women?s disease, men can get Breast Cancer as well. 1% of all Breast Cancer diagnoses? are attributed to men, and usually these men are 60 to 70 years of age.

5. Breast Cancer display?s no early symptoms. In the early stages, Breast Cancer may go un-noticed when the tumor is small and very treatable. Women should buddy up and do monthly breast examinations together. On the same day every month, without fail.

6. There are more cases of Breast Cancer diagnosed in the U.S than anywhere else in the world. This is said to be from our country?s social advancement, and the risk factors that go along with higher socioeconomic status.

7. Non-Hispanic white women have a higher incidence of Breast Cancer than African-American women, but African-American women die at a higher rate than Non-Hispanic white women. Poverty and a lack of health insurance are also associated with lower breast cancer survival rates for African-American women. Breast cancer patients from lower income areas often have lower survival rates than those from higher-income areas. So Obamacare may change all that.

8. Statistics show that the left breast is more prone to developing Breast Cancer than the right breast, and the reasons why are unclear to Scientists and Researchers as well.

9. Women over the age of 50 are at serious risk of developing Breast Cancer, and if every women over the age of 50 had a yearly mammogram, deaths from Breast Cancer for these women could decline by 25% or more. Currently under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and all new health insurance plans are required to fully cover screening mammograms without any out-of-pocket expense for patients. For help locating a free or low-cost screening mammogram in your area, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

10. Breast feeding your newborn has been shown to reduce the risk of developing Breast Cancer. The longer the period, the greater the benefits, so make a choice for breast feeding, it will also create a bond between you and your child.

Article by Jim Donahue

Source: http://guardianlv.com/2012/11/breast-cancer-screening-10-little-known-facts-every-women-should-know/

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At renovated Iraq shrine, Shiites mark a holy day

Shiite Muslim worshippers gather at the holy shrine of Imam Hussein to mark the Muslim festival of Ashoura, an important period of mourning for Shiites in Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday Nov. 24, 2012. The festival of Ashoura commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala, Iraq, in the year A.D. 680. (AP Photo / Khalid Mohammed)

Shiite Muslim worshippers gather at the holy shrine of Imam Hussein to mark the Muslim festival of Ashoura, an important period of mourning for Shiites in Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday Nov. 24, 2012. The festival of Ashoura commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala, Iraq, in the year A.D. 680. (AP Photo / Khalid Mohammed)

Pakistani Shiite Muslims touch a horse, to symbolize the horse that carried Imam Hussein during the battle of Karbala, to pay tribute during a Muharram procession in Islamabad, Pakistan on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. Muharram is a month of mourning in remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Shiite Muslim worshippers beat themselves inside the holy shrine of Imam Hussein to mark the Muslim festival of Ashoura, an important period of mourning for Shiites in Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday Nov. 24, 2012. The festival of Ashoura commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala, Iraq, in the year A.D. 680. (AP Photo / Khalid Mohammed)

Children re-enact the role of companions to Imam Hussein during the battle of Karbala, at the Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine during the festival of Ashoura in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. Ashoura marks the anniversary of the battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was killed. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

An Iranian woman covers her face symbolically, as she takes part in a mourning ceremony in the city of Khorramabad, southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, for Ashoura, marking the death anniversary of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Hussein, one of Shiite Islam's most beloved saints, was killed in a 7th century battle at Karbala, Iraq. The ceremony depicts a part of the legend of Imam Hussein's family after being detained by their enemies, and taking them to then capital of Islamic world, Damascus, through forty stations on the road. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

KARBALA, Iraq (AP) ? It is the most impassioned day of the year for Shiite Muslims ? Ashoura, when one of the faith's most revered figures, Imam Hussein, was martyred in battle. Hundreds of thousands of Shiites who flocked to his resplendent, gold-domed shrine to commemorate him Saturday found the site has radically changed.

The shrine of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is seeing its most extensive renovation since the 17th century. The construction is part of a push by Iraq's Shiite rulers to reinvigorate sacred shrines long neglected under former dictator Saddam Hussein, reflecting the community's steadily growing pride and power since the fall of their nemesis.

Now worshippers find the shrines' minarets coated in gold and ? in the most dramatic change ? the sweeping plaza surrounding the mosque has been covered over with a series of domes to provide shade from the hot sun in the desert city of Karbala.

Not everyone is happy with the changes. Five experts on the shrine, including three who advised on individual parts of the renovation, say the drama of the shrine has been lost.

The covering of the once-open plaza, they argue, ruined the visual experience. Pilgrims no longer can see the awe-striking view of the mosque as they pass through the sprawling, light-filled plaza, then into the dazzlingly colorful mosque, finally reaching their ultimate destination: Hussein's richly ornate tomb, they said.

"They sacrificed considerations of Islamic architecture to do it," said Haider Naji, one of the experts.

On Saturday, throngs of Shiites who came from across the country ? some marching for miles on foot in processions ? converged on the shrine, one of the holiest sites of the faith. Men cloaked in black beat giant drums, youths blew military-style bugles, and others carried platters of sweets to sustain energy, decorated with dyed pink and blue feathers.

Outside the shrine, the crowds held Ashoura's blood-soaked, emotional pageantry of grief. Men and boys dressed in white burial shrouds ? to show their willingness to die for Hussein ? whipped their backs with chains and cut their heads with knives, drenching themselves in blood to mourn his loss. Men and women wailed in mourning, breaking down into tears.

Others dressed as the historic figures from the 7th century battle ? Hussein, in green, and his enemies, in red, with turbans decked with feather plumes, leather battle vests and swords. A fountain of fake red blood bubbled before the shrine. A horse covered with a sheet stained red was led through the crowds, representing Hussein's white steed Zuljanah, which is said to have been riddled by arrows as it tried to shield its wounded master.

Ashoura marks the martyrdom of Hussein in a battle at Karbala in the deserts south of present-day Baghdad. The event is one of the defining moments in the split between the Sunni and Shiite sects of Islam.

Shiites believe Hussain's father Imam Ali was Muhammad's rightful successor and that was he unfairly passed over by the caliphs considered by Sunnis as the rightful line. Hussein led a revolt against the Damascus-based Sunni caliph, who sent an army that crushed Hussein's small band of fighters at Karbala.

In commemorations for Ashoura held by Shiites around the world Saturday, details of the battle are retold or recreated in passion plays that bring wails of sorrow and pity from the crowds.

The stories are deeply engrained in Shiites' consciousness. The agonizing thirst of Hussein's wife and children in the desert after the besieging enemy stopped their water supply. The heroic, doomed attempt to bring them water by Hussein's half-brother al-Abbas, who ? even after the enemy cut off his arms ? rode gripping the water-skin in his teeth until he died in a hail of arrows. The killing of Hussein's loyalists one by one until Hussein was alone, wounded and finally beheaded.

So strong are the passions that onlookers sometimes stone the actor playing Hussein's killer, Shimr. At a Baghdad shrine on Saturday, the play's "Shimr" broke character to weepingly ask the audience's forgiveness, pleading that someone had to take the role.

The day has often been a chance for Sunni militants to attack Shiites, whom they see as heretics. Iraq has seen repeated deadly bombings against Ashoura ceremonies in past years, though there were no immediate reports of violence this year. In Pakistan's tribal region on Saturday, a bomb blast struck an Ashoura procession, killing seven people, including three children.

The renovations at the shrine in Karbala are the latest evolution in what was once the austere, tree-marked grave of Hussein. Over the centuries, it became more ostentatious, culminating in the shrine built in the 17th century by artisans from the nearby Persian Safavid empire, according to Ghada Razouki, an expert in medieval Islamic architecture.

Under the shrine's gold-plated dome, Hussein's sarcophagus is drenched five tons of silver and 120 kilograms (260 pounds) of engraved gold. The mosque is etched inside and out with geometrical designs, verses from the Quran and the names of Muhammad's family in green, blue and yellow. Tiny mirrors reflecting light line the arched ceiling above the sarcophagus.

The current renovations, launched in 2005, aim to provide more room to crowds reaching some two million pilgrims, said Sheik Salah al-Haydari, head of the Shiite Muslim endowment, which has overall control of Iraq's Shiite shrines.

The plaza that surrounds the shrine has been covered over with the domed roof and will be expanded four-fold to 24,000 square meters (260,000 square feet) by 2013, said Mohammed Kadhem, who is leading the $50 million project. One extension of 6,000 square meters (65,000 square feet) has been completed.

The ancient wall surrounding the shrine has been replaced with multi-level buildings with extra prayer spaces, offices and a museum. The shrine's minarets were coated in gold.

Al-Haydari countered the criticisms, saying, "We are continuing the architectural style that is there, like a river continuing its path."

To recreate the dramatic open space around the shrine, urban planners reviving Karbala's old city will increase plaza space outside the site's gates, said Mohammed al-Assam of Dewan Architects.

Shiite officials are also renovating the shrine of al-Abbas next to Hussein's, that of Imam Ali in neighboring Najaf, and the shrine of his descendants in Baghdad.

The rush to improve the shrines became more determined after al-Qaeda militants in 2006 blew up the golden dome of a shrine in Samarra, north of Baghdad. The destruction of the al-Askari shrine ? now rebuilt ? underscored to Shiite officials the need to rebuild and glorify their shrines to demonstrate their growing power.

"Shiite areas are now in the hands of Shiites. What is happening is natural and it shows their control," said analyst Hadi Jalo.

In contrast to the architects, worshippers aid the changes to the once-neglected shrine should have been even grander.

"All these changes are but a little for the Imam Hussein," said Ahmad Ali, who just arrived in Karbala from Baghdad. "But thank God it's better than before: there's air conditioning, protection from the sun and rain," he said.

Speaking before walking from Baghdad to Karbala, Abdullah Ashraf, 25, said worrying about changes to the shrine misses the point.

"What makes the Hussein shrine alive is the memory of his story."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-11-24-ML-Iraq-Shiite-Shrine-/id-00023f04f08e4138a1176f75ef74fe34

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How cancer feeds on sugar (and other big reasons to avoid refined ...

(NaturalNews) Not only is sugar the primary source of excess calories in the United States, but the latest research also shows that cancer cells lap up high-fructose corn syrup, adding yet another reason to avoid it.

A couple of years ago, researchers from the University of California-Los Angeles found that pancreatic tumor cells use fructose to divide and reproduce, debunking earlier assumptions that all sugars were the same.

Tumor cells that were fed glucose and fructose used those sugars in two different ways, the research team said.

'Major significance for cancer patients'

Their findings, which were published in the journal Cancer Research, could help explain earlier studies that have linked ingestion of fructose with pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease.

"These findings show that cancer cells can readily metabolize fructose to increase proliferation," Dr. Anthony Heaney of UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center and colleagues wrote in 2010.

"They have major significance for cancer patients given dietary refined fructose consumption, and indicate that efforts to reduce refined fructose intake or inhibit fructose-mediated actions may disrupt cancer growth," he said.

Americans, much more than people in most other industrialized nations, consume an incredible amount of fructose, mainly high fructose corn syrup, which is a mix of fructose and glucose used largely in sodas, bread and a host of other processed foods.

Incredibly, there is still no consensus among politicians, industry experts and some healthcare specialists over whether high fructose corn syrup and other sugary ingredients increase the nation's collective belt line (though Natural News readers and most reasonable people who don't grow corn for a living already know the answer to that "debate"). That's likely why there hasn't been more public education about the consequences of consuming fructose-heavy, processed foods.

Tumor cells thrive on all sugars

That said, some groups know the truth and have tried to speak it loudly. The American Heart Association, for example, says too much sugar of any kind will not only bust your belt but increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

And a number of states, including New York and California, have considered levying a tax on sugary sodas to help pay for patients suffering from obesity-related diseases and who are covered under government health insurance programs. But these taxes have been successfully opposed, for the most part, with the help of millions of dollars in lobbying money from interest groups who say sugar is sugar.

Heaney's team found otherwise, Reuters reported. During trials, they grew pancreatic cancer cells and fed them both glucose and fructose.

The tumor cells thrived on both kinds of sugars but proliferated with fructose.

"Importantly, fructose and glucose metabolism are quite different," the team wrote.

"I think this paper has a lot of public health implications. Hopefully, at the federal level there will be some effort to step back on the amount of high fructose corn syrup in our diets," Heaney said in a statement.

Consumption of high fructose grew rapidly in the U.S. - by 1,000 percent - between 1970 and 1990, about the time the obesity epidemic began in earnest.

History of disease linked to sugary diets

High fructose corn syrup has also been linked to other medical conditions and diseases:

-- A diet high in corn syrup causes the body to produce excess uric acid, which worsens gout - a condition caused by high levels of uric acid - according to a study published in the March 2012 Journal of Nutrition.

-- Researchers at the Duke University in North Carolina said high fructose consumption can worsen non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by "depleting their store of critically important molecules called ATP, which provide liver cells (and other body cells) energy for important cellular processes, including metabolism," Science Daily reported.

-- A study published in the Journal of Nephrology found that ingestion of "dietary fructose" worsens kidney disease by inhibiting intestinal calcium absorption and inducing vitamin D deficiency.

Sources:

http://www.reuters.com

http://www.greenmedinfo.com

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502112705.htm

http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/21/2/261.long

Have comments on this article? Post them here:

?people have commented on this article.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/038071_cancer_sugar_sweets.html

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Madison Automotive Wants to Brighten Holidays for Car Owners ...

VOL. 127 | NO. 229 | Monday, November 26, 2012

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

?

By Andy Meek

Updated 12:02PM

Cars are indispensable necessities for many Memphians who don?t live close to their jobs. When they break down, the repairs often are costly and can force some tough choices to be made.

Many drivers are delaying those repairs. That?s according to Memphis-based AutoZone Inc., which says the average car on the road today is a little past the decade mark.

That?s one reason Madison Automotive, a Memphis-based car repair shop, will attempt to make Christmas extra special next month for a few hard-pressed car owners.

The business is reprising a holiday campaign it?s done for three years now. It involves giving back to the community by donating what amounts to thousands of dollars? worth of car repair service to help needy people, families or charities.

Madison Automotive is taking nominations through Dec. 14 of deserving recipients. The point of the nominating letters is simple. They?re supposed to explain why the nominee being written about should get the service.

Submissions will be whittled down to a select few. Napa Auto Parts is donating the parts needed for repairs that are made, and the shop itself is donating the labor and any other parts that don?t come from Napa.

Master technician Mike Meyers works on a cylinder head at Madison Automotive. The company will repair two vehicles for free over the holidays for the neediest, most deserving people. ?

(Photo: Lance Murphey)

Winners in the past have received repairs totaling as much as $25,000 in retail services.

Jeff Moore, who owns the Madison Automotive location at 440 Union Ave. and is the managing partner of a second location, said the business got 300 to 400 responses the first time the effort was done.

?And a group of employees, we sat around one weekend and went through the whole list and narrowed it down to two over a three- or four-day period,? he said. ?We brought those cars in and spent between $3,000 and $5,000 at the retail level on each car. We got them totally fixed up, ready to go through the city inspection process if they needed to be and made them reliable, dependable cars for people who may have lost jobs, had health issues or got screwed on a car by a car lot.?

Moore still recalls some of the stories of those drivers in need. One young woman was still in school and couldn?t afford to repair her car because of her school bills. Another had a sick child, which strained her resources. Still another had lost a job and then seen the car break down.

That person got a new job, but needed to get the car fixed to get to the new job.

?This is just a way for us to give back to the community a little bit after it?s supported us for the last 20-plus years,? Moore said.

Nominations can be mailed to either Madison Automotive location ? on Union Avenue or the location at 2457 Covington Pike.

The shop will announce the recipients of its effort Dec. 21. The vehicles will be repaired and returned to the owner shortly after the New Year.

?This?ll be the third time we?ve done it in the last five years,? Moore said.

Madison Automotive is a Napa AutoCare Center, which provides nationwide warranty on all repairs and works to provide the highest quality in automotive repair.

Examples of services provided at Madison ? a business that dates back to 1992 ? include oil and filter changes; 30,000-, 60,000- and 90,000-mile service; electrical repairs; tune-ups; air conditioner service, and more.

The shop is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

?I took over my original shop, which was originally at McLean and Madison next door to where Neil?s used to be before it burned,? Moore said. ?This past September we moved to a larger facility on Union Avenue, and we quadrupled our size.

?Five years ago Nov. 1 we opened a second shop on Covington Pike. My service manager at the time went in as a partner and opened that store. We?re basically a bumper-to-bumper repair facility for all mechanical and electronic and electrical systems on a car.?

The shop?s creed is ?Making your car care worry-free.?

?We?re just a locally owned and operated small business here in Memphis,? Moore said. ?And we do the best we can and try to treat the customers like we?d want to be treated if we walked into this business.?

Source: http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/nov/26/madison-automotive-wants-to-brighten-holidays-for-car-owners/

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Trial of Ukraine's sick Tymoshenko delayed again

KIEV (Reuters) - Jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko's trial for tax evasion was adjourned again on Friday until December 18 because the former prime minister, hospitalized for back trouble, could not attend.

Tymoshenko, the main political foe of President Viktor Yanukovich, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October last year on abuse-of-office charges. Her second trial, for alleged tax dodging and embezzlement, was originally meant to commence in April but has been repeatedly postponed.

The 51-year-old denies wrongdoing and says she is being persecuted by Yanukovich in revenge for her role in the 2004 "Orange Revolution" which derailed his first presidential bid.

Tymoshenko has been in a state hospital since May, receiving treatment for back pains. Her health was also harmed, her family says, by an 18-day hunger strike she called off on November 16.

Judge Kostyantyn Sadovsky postponed the trial again.

"The court rules it impossible to consider the case in the absence of the accused, Tymoshenko, and her defense counsel. An adjournment is ordered until December 18," Sadovsky said, according to Interfax news agency on Friday.

The abuse of office charge for which Tymoshenko was jailed stems from a gas deal she brokered with Russia in 2009 as prime minister. The new tax evasion and embezzlement charges relate to events in the 1990s when she ran a major gas trading company.

The European Union has supported Tymoshenko, calling her case an example of selective justice, and shelved agreements on free trade and political association with Ukraine.

(Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; editing by Jason Webb)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/trial-ukraines-sick-tymoshenko-delayed-again-134720986.html

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