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Gene doping detectable with a simple blood test

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:00:20 GMT

German scientists from Tübingen and Mainz have developed a blood test that can reliably detect gene doping even after 56 days.

Moussa B.H. Youdim wins the 2010 ECNP Lifetime Achievement Award

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:54:05 GMT

The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) is pleased to announce Moussa B. H. Youdim as the recipient of the 2010 ECNP Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his innovative and lasting contribution to the area of neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric drug development. The ECNP Lifetime Achievement Award is presented biennially and recognises significant and lasting impact on the field of neuropsychopharmacology. The award is accompanied by a prize of € 20,000.

More rail overcrowding coming down the track

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:49:27 GMT

Britain’s railways are facing more overcrowding, particularly in London, Manchester and Leeds, because the last Government failed to order most of the 1,300 extra carriages it pledged in 2008, according to research presented to the annual conference of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in London.

Calls to change the United Nations climate change framework heard at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) annual conference

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:44:01 GMT

The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)’s annual conference in London will hear today from two academics, both of whom are calling for changes to the ways in which the United Nations (UN) reports on climate change and manages its impact.

‘Green wall’ technology could double the plant diversity of the River Thames through London

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:41:22 GMT

Only half the number of plant species that could blossom along the walls of the River Thames finds a suitable place to grow, yet this could potentially double with the introduction of ‘green wall’ technology, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)’s international conference will be told tomorrow.

Thriving manufacturing industry in danger from skills shortage

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:35:18 GMT

British manufacturing is thriving, not declining, but is at risk of collapse due to a severe shortage of skills, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)’s annual international conference will hear today (Thursday 02 September 2010).

IFSN-Meeting 2010: Hirndoping, Ethik und Gesellschaft

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:17:15 GMT

14/09/2010, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Interdisziplinärer Forschungsschwerpunkt Neurowissenschaften (IFSN) der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz macht aktuelle ethische Debatte zum Thema seines nächsten Meetings

IFSN-Meeting 2010: "Cognitive Enhancement - Ethics and Society"

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:15:53 GMT

14/09/2010, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
The 2010 Meeting of the Mainz University Research Focus on Interdisciplinary Neurosciences will be held on "Cognitive Enhancement – Ethics and Society".

Unrealistic goals and standards make teachers stressed

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:02:27 GMT

Research from the University of Kent, in association with the Teacher Support Network, has found that teachers who want to be happier should not try to please everyone and should have a greater say in setting targets.

Leading Geology Research Group Scoops Irish University Innovation Award

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:59:01 GMT

The Fault Analysis Group, a leading research group within University College Dublin’s School of Geological Sciences, was today presented with the NovaUCD 2010 Innovation Award. The Group has secured €6 million in research funding and software jointly developed by the Group with a UK based company has become a global industry standard and generated €350,000 in royalties.

European Menopause and Andropause Society Publishes Four Position Statements about the Post-reproductive Health of Women

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:47:38 GMT

Statements, published in the journal Maturitas, cover the management of the menopause in the context of obesity, epilepsy, endometriosis and premature ovarian failure.

Software del CNR in “riuso” al Mibac

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:00:06 GMT

Firmato un protocollo d'intesa con cui il Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali potrà riutilizzare l’applicativo Oil, realizzato dal Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, per il supporto delle attività di assistenza al personale. Un esempio di collaborazione tra P.A., finalizzata al contenimento dei costi ed alla razionalizzazione delle attività informatiche

Gaur egungo gazteek teknologia berriekin duten harremana aztertu dute UPV/EHUko tesi batean

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:54:19 GMT

Lucia Merino soziologoak doktore-tesi bat aurkeztu du UPV/EHUn, Nativos digitales: una aproximación a la socialización tecnológica de los jóvenes (Sortzez digitalak: hurbilketa bat gazteen sozializazio teknologikora) izenburupean. Gaur egungo gazteak kultura digitala deritzon horren barruan jaio direla ulertuta, teknologia berriekin duten harremanean sakondu du Merinok, bai eta teknologia horien bitartez nola ikasten duten eta sozializatzen diren aztertu ere. Lan horren bidez, sortzez digitalak direlakoak etorkizunean ere ikertzen jarraitzeko jarraibideak ezarri nahi izan ditu egileak.

Una tesis de la UPV/EHU investiga la relación de los jóvenes de hoy con las nuevas tecnologías

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:53:36 GMT

La socióloga Lucía Merino ha presentado en la UPV/EHU una tesis doctoral titulada Nativos digitales: una aproximación a la socialización tecnológica de los jóvenes. Considerando que los jóvenes de hoy en día son nativos de la denominada cultura digital, Merino ha ahondado en la relación de éstos con las nuevas tecnologías, y en cómo aprenden y se socializan mediante ellas. Con este trabajo, su autora ha querido establecer pautas que sirvan como base para seguir estudiando en el futuro a los denominados nativos digitales.

University of the Basque Country PhD thesis researches relationship of youth today with the new technologies

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:52:43 GMT

Sociologist Ms Lucía Merino presented her PhD thesis entitled, Digital natives: a study of the technological socialisation of young people, at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Considering that young people nowadays are natives of the so-called digital culture, Ms Merino explored their relationship with the new technologies and how they learn and socialise through them. With this research, the author wished to set out guidelines as a basis to continue studying the so-called digital natives in the future.

How to manage and restore degraded forest in Eastern Africa?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:48:31 GMT

"Degraded Forest in Eastern Africa. Management and restoration"
Forest degradation as a result of lodging, shifting cultivation, agriculture and urban development is a major issue throughout the tropics. It leads to loss of soil fertility, water resources and biodiversity, as well as contributing to climate change. Efforts are therefore required tot try to minimize further degradation and restore tropical forests in a sustainable way.

Adding value to data: BioMed Central calls for greater researcher sharing

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:34:55 GMT

Publisher open data movement for increased transparency and access to raw research data BMC Research Notes has now shed further light on science’s “dark data”. The journal is commissioning a large, ongoing collection of educational articles which outline procedures for sharing data that enable the data to be readily re-used by others, which will provide researchers with best practice guidance for exposing their dark data to the light.

Natural disasters do not create peace

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:58:17 GMT

A devastating tsunami hit southern Asia in December 2004. After the tsunami, both politicians and journalists believed that the natural disaster could help to bring peace to Sri Lanka and the Aceh province of Indonesia. But did it?

Bochum’s researchers discover proton diode: Water is an active element in proteins

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:58:45 GMT

Biophysicists in Bochum have discovered a diode for protons: just like the electronic component determines the direction of flow of electric current, the “proton diode” ensures that protons can only pass through a cell membrane in one direction. Water molecules play an important role here as active components of the diode. The researchers led by Prof. Dr. Klaus Gerwert (Chair of Biophysics at the RUB) were able to observe this through a combination of molecular biology, X-ray crystallography, time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy and biomolecular simulations. They report in the current international online edition of the journal Angewandte Chemie.

Die Freie Universität Berlin beteiligt sich an der neuen Runde der Exzellenzinitiative

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:46:42 GMT

Die Freie Universität Berlin bewirbt sich auch in der neuen Runde der Exzellenzinitiative um Förderung. In einem mehrstufigen Verfahren hat die Universität insgesamt vier Cluster- und zwei Graduiertenschulinitiativen ausgewählt, die jetzt als Antragskizzen in die erste Phase des Rennens geschickt wurden. Diese neuen Projekte kommen vor allem aus den Sozial- und Naturwissenschaften sowie aus den Regionalwissenschaften. Für die bereits laufenden Exzellenzcluster und Graduiertenschulen sowie das Zukunftskonzept "Internationale Netzwerkuniversität" wird sich die Freie Universität im September 2011 angesichts ihrer sehr erfolgreichen Umsetzung um eine Weiterförderung bewerben.

Head start for migraine sufferers

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:41:45 GMT

Psychological migraine treatment gives sufferers a confidence boost in their ability to self-manage their symptoms For severe migraine sufferers, psychological treatments build on the benefits of drug therapy, according to a new study by Elizabeth Seng and Dr. Kenneth Holroyd from Ohio University in the US. Their comparison of the effects of various treatment combinations for severe migraine - drug therapy with or without behavioral management - shows that those patients receiving the behavioral management program alongside drug therapy are significantly more confident in their ability to use behavioral skills to effectively self-manage migraines.

Latest image of Hurricane Earl

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:28:52 GMT

Image of Hurricane Earl off the East coast of America captured by the AVHRR instrument onboard EUMETSAT's Metop-A polar-orbiting satellite (01/09/10 14:40 + 14.43 UTC).

Anémona-nocturna é a espécie mais “encontrada” no desafio da fauna marinha

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:25:29 GMT

Nem o facto de ser activa e de ter uma mobilidade ímpar a conseguiu esconder dos olhares bem atentos dos mergulhadores e voluntários do jogo que pôs todos à procura da fauna marinha. A Anémona-nocturna foi a espécie mais registada pelos participantes do “QPEIXE”.

Der Körber-Preis 2010 geht an Jiri Friml

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:16:58 GMT

Die Erkenntnisse des Molekularbiologen und Biochemikers gelten als Meilenstein in der biologischen Grundlagenforschung. Am Dienstag, 7. September, um 11.30 Uhr überreicht die Körber-Stiftung im Großen Festsaal des Hamburger Rathauses den mit 750.000 Euro dotierten Körber-Preis für die Europäische Wissenschaft 2010 an Jiri Friml. Hamburgs Erster Bürgermeister Christoph Ahlhaus wird die geladenen Gäste begrüßen. Den Preisträger und sein Forschungsprojekt präsentiert Ranga Yogeshwar.

The 2010 Körber Prize goes to Jiri Friml

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:14:51 GMT

The findings of the molecular biologist and biochemist are considered a milestone in basic biological research On Tuesday, 7 September at 11:30 a.m. in the Great Hall of Hamburg City Hall, the Körber Foundation will present the 2010 Körber European Science Award, which is endowed with 750,000 euros, to Jiri Friml. Hamburg's Mayor Christoph Ahlhaus will welcome the invited guests.

Recipe for water: just add starlight

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:11:25 GMT

ESA’s Herschel infrared space observatory has discovered that ultraviolet starlight is the key ingredient for making water in space. It is the only explanation for why a dying star is surrounded by a gigantic cloud of hot water vapour.

Gewerkschaften verbessern Arbeitsbedingungen und Wohlstand in der globalen Welt

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:08:49 GMT

Prof. Dr. Klaus Wälde von der Universität Mainz unterstreicht positive Rolle von Gewerkschaften beim Gesundheits- und Unfallschutz am Arbeitsplatz.

Human unconscious is transferred to virtual characters

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:56:01 GMT

Virtual characters can behave according to actions carried out unconsciously by humans. Researchers at the University of Barcelona have created a system which measures human physiological parameters, such as respiration or heart rate, and introduces them into computer designed characters in real time.

Cluster turns the invisible into the visible

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:43:48 GMT

Cluster has spent a decade revealing previously hidden interactions between the Sun and Earth. Its studies have uncovered secrets of aurora, solar storms, and given us insight into fundamental processes that occur across the Universe. And there is more work to do.

UK Innovation Strategist Claims Schools Leaving Too Many Children Behind

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:27:28 GMT

01/12/2010 — 03/12/2010, Berlin, Germany
Charles Leadbeater outlines vision of new learning strategies for a knowledge society at the Online Educa Berlin Conference.

Medicinal cannabis review highlights dilemmas facing healthcare professionals

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:22:44 GMT

Health professionals have a responsibility to respect and support patients who use cannabis for medicinal purposes, but must stay within the law and follow professional guidance at all times. UK researchers studied more than 50 published papers, together with professional and Government guidance documents, official reports and media coverage, from 1996 to 2009. Their findings highlight the legal, ethical and medical dilemmas faced by the healthcare profession when patients use cannabis for medical reasons.

Estrelas da Astronomia reúnem-se em Lisboa para a Semana da Astronomia Ciências Espaciais e o público é convidado a participar.

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:49:12 GMT

06/09/2010 — 10/09/2010, Lisboa, Portugal
É já no próximo dia 6 de Setembro que começa a Joint European and National Astronomy Meeting (JENAM 2010), uma das mais importantes reuniões científicas na área da astronomia na Europa, e que decorrerá durante uma semana, na Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.

Astronomy stars gather in Lisbon for the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:47:34 GMT

06/09/2010 — 10/09/2010, Lisbon, Portugal
The Joint European and National Astronomy Meeting (JENAM 2010), a major European astronomy meeting, starts next week, running for 6 to 10 September, at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon.

''Bohemian' graduates must relocate to break into creative industries

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:11:35 GMT

Graduates across the creative subjects including art and design, architecture and performing arts need to be prepared to relocate after graduation to have the best chance of getting a job in their sector, according to research presented to the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) international conference today.

Study reveals bedsit and hostel housing hotspots

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:04:35 GMT

Seaside towns of England experience some of the highest levels of unemployment and social problems including poverty, ill-health and crime, related in part to a high concentration of bedsits and hostel type accommodation, otherwise known as houses of multiple occupancy, or HMOs, according to research to be presented this week at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) annual international conference.

Street signs failing to lead way for older pedestrians

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:00:19 GMT

Research to be presented to the annual international conference of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) this week found that around half of older people find signs helpful for navigating their way around unfamiliar areas, particularly those who find following directions problematic. However, at the same time, signs were seen as limited use even in unfamiliar areas.

There is (still) too much aluminium in infant formulas

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:55:15 GMT

The aluminium content of a range of the most popular brands of infant formulas remains high, researchers at Keele University, UK have found.

Liverpool scene was at heart of the 60s British poetry revival

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:49:34 GMT

Poets from Liverpool have played a leading role in widening interest and involvement in poetry in Britain to a much larger and inclusive audience, driven in large part by the culture and changes taking place within the city itself since the 1960s, according to research presented at The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)'s international conference this week.

Lamb Castration and Meat Quality

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:23:30 GMT

Male lambs left entire grow significantly faster than castrates, while meat from entire male lambs has less fat, and thus represents better value for consumers.

EBk elkarlanean eta liskarrak saihestuz aritu behar du Txinaren loraldi ekonomikoaren aurrean, UPV/EHUn defendatutako tesi baten arabera

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:10:14 GMT

Txina ekonomikoki pagotxa ikustetik mehatxutzat hartzera igaro da Europar Batasuna, Andoni Maizak UPV/EHUn aurkeztu duen doktore-tesitik ondoriozta daitekeenez. 1978an Asiako herrialde horren loraldi ekonomikoa bultzatu duten erreformak hasi zirenetik, EBk hartu dituen politika publikoak aztertu eta baloratu ditu ekonomista horrek. Era berean, zenbait aurreikuspen eta etorkizunerako gomendio egin ditu. Políticas públicas de la Unión Europea ante el despertar económico del gigante chino (Politika publikoak Europar Batasunean erraldoi txinatarraren iratzartze ekonomikoaren aurrean) izenburua du bere lanak.

La UE debe actuar conjuntamente y evitar la confrontación ante el auge económico de China, concluye una tesis defendida en la UPV/EHU

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:08:32 GMT

La Unión Europea ha pasado de ver un filón económico en China a considerarla una amenaza, según se deduce de la tesis doctoral presentada por Andoni Maiza en la UPV/EHU. Este economista ha analizado y valorado las políticas públicas adoptadas por la UE desde que en 1978 se iniciaran en el gigante asiático las reformas que han impulsado su auge económico. Asimismo, ha planteado diversas previsiones y recomendaciones de cara al futuro. El trabajo se titula Políticas públicas de la Unión Europea ante el despertar económico del gigante chino.

EU should act together and avoid confrontation given the economic boom of China – concludes PhD thesis defended at University of the Basque Country

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:07:05 GMT

The European Union has gone from observing the economic expansion of China to considering it as a threat, according to the PhD thesis presented by Andoni Maiza at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). This economist analysed and evaluated public policies adopted by the EU since the 1978 reforms which sparked the economic boom in the Asian giant. He also makes forecasts and puts forward recommendations for the future. The work is entitled, Public policies of the European Union toward the economic awakening of the Chinese giant.

Waste not, want not: producing compost from waste

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:03:32 GMT

Municipal waste and manures will be increasingly used as a source of composting material and have the added potential benefit of suppressing plant diseases. Work at Teagasc Research Centre, Kinsealy, in collaboration with University College Dublin, has been looking at ways of producing consistently disease-suppressive composts.

Keeping Faith Schools must balance ethos with equality

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:38:01 GMT

Faith based schools are on the rise in the UK, apparently boosting educational standards. But are religious values at odds with legislation on equality? Research that appears today in the journal Education Management Administration and Leadership published by SAGE shows what happens when school values and those of the state diverge, with unfortunate consequences for gay students and staff.

Less waste with shelf-life indicator for food

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:28:20 GMT

Norwegian food retailers discard over 50,000 tonnes of food annually – much of it of perfectly good quality. New technology the TimeTemp company in cooperation with Norwegian research institutions could substantially reduce this wastefulness. TimeTemp has developed a new method of more precisely measuring the freshness of food items: a shelf-life indicator attached directly to the product. In addition to time, the company’s device also factors in the temperatures to which the item has been exposed.

La Galaxie à super-vent NGC 4666

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:25:25 GMT

La galaxie NGC 4666 occupe fièrement le centre de cette nouvelle image, prise en lumière visible avec la caméra WFI sur le télescope de 2,2 mètres MGP/ESO à l’Observatoire de La Silla au Chili. NGC 4666 est une remarquable galaxie avec une très vigoureuse formation d’étoiles et un super-vent peu commun de gaz éjecté. Elle a été observée précédemment en rayons X par le télescope spatial de l’ESA XMM-Newton et l’image présentée ici a été prise afin de permettre d’étudier plus en profondeur d’autres objets détectés lors des dernières observations en rayons X.

European collaborative research to develop lab-on-chip system for cheap and fast cancer diagnosis

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:59:16 GMT

Today, at the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC) in Buenos Aires (Argentina), imec and its project partners announce the launch of the European Seventh Framework Project MIRACLE. The MIRACLE project aims at developing an operational lab-on-chip for the isolation and detection of circulating and disseminated tumor cells (CTCs and DTCs) in blood. The new lab-on-chip is an essential step towards faster and cost-efficient diagnosis of cancer.

Free Webcast: Spatial Planning & Governance for Climate Change

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:57:26 GMT

08/09/2010, Online
>>Learn about role that spatial planning can play in climate change mitigation and adaptation >>Discover the different development strategies available for sustainable place-making >>Explore potential governance interventions in the development process

ESHRE bilingual ‘Basic training course for nurses and support personnel working in reproductive health’

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:54:56 GMT

07/10/2010 — 08/10/2010, Valencia, Spain
The ESHRE Paramedical Group invites you to this basic training course for nurses and support personnel working in reproductive health which will be held in Spanish with simultaneous translations in English. This course is intended for nurses and other personnel new to the field wanting to improve their basic knowledge of underlying causes and treatment and psychological aspects of infertility. The course also aims to provide a platform for nurses and other related personnel to network and exchange information across Europe.

National diary project requires HE teaching professionals

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:49:52 GMT

A project funded by the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme and led by the University of Kent’s Sally Fincher is asking teaching professionals involved in Higher Education to keep an anonymous diary on the 15th of every month for one year, starting 15 September 2010. Known as the Share Project Day Surveys, the aim of these diaries is to learn more about the lives, beliefs, conditions of work, important issues and habits of ‘the everyday academic’.