Ectopic eyes function without connection to brain

Thursday, February 28, 2013

For the first time, scientists have shown that transplanted eyes located far outside the head in a vertebrate animal model can confer vision without a direct neural connection to the brain.

Biologists at Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences used a frog model to shed new light ? literally ? on one of the major questions in regenerative medicine, bioengineering, and sensory augmentation research.

"One of the big challenges is to understand how the brain and body adapt to large changes in organization," says Douglas J. Blackiston, Ph.D., first author of the paper "Ectopic Eyes Outside the Head in Xenopus Tadpoles Provide Sensory Data For Light-Mediated Learning," in the February 27 issue of the Journal of Experimental Biology. "Here, our research reveals the brain's remarkable ability, or plasticity, to process visual data coming from misplaced eyes, even when they are located far from the head."

Blackiston is a post-doctoral associate in the laboratory of co-author Michael Levin, Ph.D., professor of biology and director of the Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology at Tufts University.

Levin notes, "A primary goal in medicine is to one day be able to restore the function of damaged or missing sensory structures through the use of biological or artificial replacement components. There are many implications of this study, but the primary one from a medical standpoint is that we may not need to make specific connections to the brain when treating sensory disorders such as blindness."

In this experiment, the team surgically removed donor embryo eye primordia, marked with fluorescent proteins, and grafted them into the posterior region of recipient embryos. This induced the growth of ectopic eyes. The recipients' natural eyes were removed, leaving only the ectopic eyes.

Fluorescence microscopy revealed various innervation patterns but none of the animals developed nerves that connected the ectopic eyes to the brain or cranial region.

To determine if the ectopic eyes conveyed visual information, the team developed a computer-controlled visual training system in which quadrants of water were illuminated by either red or blue LED lights. The system could administer a mild electric shock to tadpoles swimming in a particular quadrant. A motion tracking system outfitted with a camera and a computer program allowed the scientists to monitor and record the tadpoles' motion and speed.

Eyes See Without Wiring to Brain

The team made exciting discoveries: Just over 19 percent of the animals with optic nerves that connected to the spine demonstrated learned responses to the lights. They swam away from the red light while the blue light stimulated natural movement.

Their response to the lights elicited during the experiments was no different from that of a control group of tadpoles with natural eyes intact. Furthermore, this response was not demonstrated by eyeless tadpoles or tadpoles that did not receive any electrical shock.

"This has never been shown before," says Levin. "No one would have guessed that eyes on the flank of a tadpole could see, especially when wired only to the spinal cord and not the brain."

The findings suggest a remarkable plasticity in the brain's ability to incorporate signals from various body regions into behavioral programs that had evolved with a specific and different body plan.

"Ectopic eyes performed visual function," says Blackiston. "The brain recognized visual data from eyes that impinged on the spinal cord. We still need to determine if this plasticity in vertebrate brains extends to different ectopic organs or organs appropriate in different species."

One of the most fascinating areas for future investigation, according to Blackiston and Levin, is the question of exactly how the brain recognizes that the electrical signals coming from tissue near the gut is to be interpreted as visual data.

In computer engineering, notes Levin, who majored in computer science and biology as a Tufts undergraduate, this problem is usually solved by a "header"?a piece of metadata attached to a packet of information that indicates its source and type. Whether electric signals from eyes impinging on the spinal cord carry such an identifier of their origin remains a hypothesis to be tested.

###

Tufts University: http://www.tufts.edu

Thanks to Tufts University for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127061/Ectopic_eyes_function_without_connection_to_brain

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Cops: 2 boys, grandmother found dead in vehicle

By Stephanie O'Connell, NBCConnecticut.com

Two young boys who were taken from their day care center Tuesday have been found dead in Preston, Conn.

Their grandmother, Debra Denison, who according to state police took the boys, was also found dead.

State police had received a call from civilians around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday reporting that a suspicious vehicle was parked near Lake of Isle in Preston.

More news from NBCConnecticut.com

It was reported that three injured people were inside the car, two which appeared to be children.

Troopers and EMS responded to the scene and located the vehicle, following an Amber Alert. One adult and two children were pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The state police were investigating.

The Amber Alert was issued for Ashton and Alton Perry who were last seen in North Stonington around 2:36 p.m.

Jeremy and Brenda Perry, parents of the two young boys, told NBC Connecticut that Denison had a gun and she had a mental illness.

Alton Perry turned 2 years old Tuesday and Ashton Perry was six months of age.

Anyone with information is asked contact Connecticut State Police Troop E at 860-848-6500.

Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/27/17112877-cops-two-boys-grandmother-found-dead-after-she-takes-them-from-day-care?lite

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Charity once tied to Armstrong says will survive

CHICAGO (AP) ? The president of a cancer charity founded by Lance Armstrong insists that the organization will persevere in the wake of the cyclist's admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs.

The Livestrong Foundation's president, Doug Ulman, was scheduled to deliver what the organization described as a "major 'State of the Foundation' speech" on Thursday in Chicago.

"Our success has never been based on one person," Ulman said in remarks prepared for the annual gathering of Livestrong charity leaders, grantees and others. "Will the Livestrong Foundation survive? Yes. Absolutely, yes. Hell, yes."

Armstrong stepped down as chairman of the charity in October, saying he didn't want his association to damage the foundation's ability to raise money and continue its advocacy programs on behalf of people with cancer.

Originally called the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the cyclist created the organization in Austin, Texas, a year after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his brain and lungs. Doctors gave him 50-50 odds of surviving.

Armstrong admitted during an interview with Oprah Winfrey this year that he used performance-enhancing drugs when he won seven straight Tour de France titles. He told Winfrey that leaving Livestrong was the most "humbling" experience after the revelations about his drug use broke.

"I wouldn't at all say forced out, told to leave," he told Winfrey about Livestrong. "I was aware of the pressure. But it hurt like hell.

"That was the lowest," Armstrong said. "The lowest."

Armstrong's personal fortune had sustained a big hit days earlier. One by one, his sponsors called to end their associations with him: Nike; Trek Bicycles; Giro, which manufactures cycling helmets and other accessories; Anheuser-Busch.

"That was a $75 million day," Armstrong said.

"That just went out of your life," Winfrey said.

"Gone," he replied.

___

Follow Michael Tarm at www.twitter.com/mtarm

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/charity-once-tied-armstrong-says-survive-135912093--spt.html

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Obama meets with congressional leaders on spending cuts Friday (reuters)

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Morzine: So Much More Than Just The Ski Slopes

Skiing in Morzine is a true delight for snow enthusiasts that travel to the Rhone-Alpes region in eastern France to take on the slopes. The true beauty of the resort is that when the sun goes down, the fun has merely begun! Visitors can simply slip off their ski boots and slide on their dancing shoes as delectable dining, exciting entertainment and amazing aprs-ski opportunities await. It can be a bit tricky to get around town so visitors should determine in which area they would like to be when selecting a chalet. Morzine does have an extensive network of bus routes, but it is recommended for those looking to ski and soak up some entertainment to stay in or near the centre of town.

Guide to Gastronomy

Chalet Philibert Restaurant: Recommended in the Michelin, Hubert and Pudlowski food guides, this restaurant serves a creative and refined menu utilising the best local ingredients. The ever-changing menu dazzles guests with delights such as scallops and saffron tempura, pork filet with Japanese wasabi and wild sea bass. The wood and stone dcor associated with the Savoie region is present throughout the restaurant creating an authentic experience, and the open log fire adds to the traditional and cosy ambiance.

Le Nabor Restaurant: This phenomenal restaurant specialises in lumberjacks soup, homemade quiche, vegetarian cooking and Foie Gras. It is without a doubt worth checking out if you are staying in a nearby chalet. Morzine has a variety of excellent restaurants, but Le Nabor truly emphasises rustic mountain cooking with food designed to keep you warm and cosy in winter and it comes highly recommended by locals and tourists alike.

Aprs-ski Activities

After returning from a day on the slopes, most skiers love nothing better than to venture out to the local bars near their chalet. Morzine has a great selection of venues to enjoy a beverage and perhaps exchange tales of the day over a drink or two. The area also has great nightclubs for those who have the stamina to party the night away and still get up to hit the pistes in the morning.

Some of the best places are The Tibetan Bar, Dixie Bar, Hotel Le Tremplin and Coup de Coeur.

Others include Le Rhodes. For individuals seeking a more relaxed aprs-ski experience, Le Rhodes is perfect. With comfortable sofas, well-priced beer and relaxing music, this bar typically draws in large crowds. Opera Nightclub is another popular venue. If you want to carry on partying into the early morning hours, Opera nightclub is the perfect place to do so, with a lively atmosphere, modern dcor and some of the worlds best DJs spinning the most current songs. Opera nightclub is situated on Bar Street, which is not far from any centrally located chalet. Morzine does have other nightclubs, but Opera is known as the place to see and be seen.

About the Author:
Liz Olkowicz is the Business Development Manager for Ski and Summer Morzine, a tour operator, based in Surrey, offering tailor-made ski holidays. If you're looking for a chalet, Morzine is the perfect location from which to explore the French Alps, so for a great-value Alpine holiday, call us.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/-Morzine--So-Much-More-Than-Just-The-Ski-Slopes-/4457251

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With Sequester Ahead, Are Defense ETFs in Trouble? - Zacks.com

The U.S. is home to the world?s largest aerospace and defense market and also has the world?s largest military budget. The industry is mainly dependent on U.S. government contracts which also imply that defense spending by the government largely decides the outlook for the industry, which isn?t good news given the latest talk of budget cuts (Defense ETF Investing 101).

Currently, U.S. defense spending is negatively impacted by the Budget Control Act of 2011. On Jan 1, 2013, the House partially averted the fiscal cliff and delayed spending cuts or sequestration by two months.

The two-month breather is finally coming to an end and the U.S. defense industry has little hope of averting the consequences. The sequester is expected to kick in on Mar 1, 2013 and could greatly impact the defense industry.

The sequestration cuts mandated by the Aug 2011 debt-limit deal includes a $500 billion cut in spending (over 10 years) on top of the $487 billion which has already being cut by the Obama administration from defense spending over the same time period (Any hope for Aerospace and Defense Industry ETFs in 2013?).

Although the immediate impact of the sequester was postponed for some time yet it looms large on the defense industry. Along with the Pentagon cut of $500 billion spread over 10 years, sequestration is also inclusive of domestic discretionary spending cut of the same amount.

Recently back President Obama made an effort to rescue the defense industry from the adverse effects of sequestration. His plan included an arrangement that would lead to both tax increases and spending cuts. If enforced it would have led to $21 billion less in defense spending cut for this fiscal year and roughly $250 billion less through fiscal 2022.

Impact of Sequester on U.S. Military

The sequester would result in the U.S. military having to cut its work force, and restrain training and maintenance of existing forces. Many big budget and high tech defense programs look to be on the chopping block as well, so the cuts could stretch across the military.

Impact of Sequester on Defense Companies

The cuts could also have an adverse effect on the companies within the defense industry. The bottom line of many companies will be negatively affected. Ultimately the prices of many defense stocks will tend to fall.

The fear of the spending cut can already be seen in defense manufacturing giant Lockheed Martin (LMT - Analyst Report). The company reported a decline in net profit for the fourth quarter of 2012. Lockheed Martin was compelled to slow the pace of its production and also lay off hundreds of employees when the U.S. government cut the number of F-35 jet fighters it plans to buy (Can The Defense ETFs Soar Despite Headwinds?).

It should be noted that though the sequestration will test the large defense contractors sourly, the smaller companies are the ones to be the worst hit. Smaller companies that frame the industry's supply chain would be severely impacted, as they are less diversified than many of their large cap counterparts.

Given this backdrop, investors may opt to avoid investing in ETFs that provide exposure to the U.S. defense companies. Below we have highlighted a few of the ETFs that track the U.S. defense companies and could be in for a wild ride ahead:

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index Fund (ITA)

With holdings of 33 stocks, ITA consists of manufacturers, assemblers and distributors of aircraft and aircraft parts in the aerospace as well as producers of components and equipment for the defense industry, such as military aircraft, radar equipment and weapons (Zacks #1 Ranked Aerospace & Defense ETF in Focus).

The fund puts about 53.96% of its focus on the top 10 firms. United Technologies, Boeing Co. and Precision Castparts make up more than 22% of the combined share in the basket.

From a sector perspective, aerospace has been the top priority of the fund representing 55% of the total assets, followed by defense with a 45% share. The product so far has managed assets of $81.5 million.

The fund trades in a small volume of roughly 3,400 shares per day, suggesting a wide bid/ask spread, increasing total costs beyond the expense ratio of 0.46% per year.

Power Shares Aerospace & Defense Portfolio (PPA)

PPA seeks to invest its $45.8 million asset base in 48 stocks, more than what ITA holds. Although the fund appears to be heavily invested in the top 10 holdings, the percentage holding in the top 10 is still less than ITA. The fund invests 51.9% of its assets in the top 10 holdings.

United Technologies Corp, Honeywell International Inc. and The Boeing Company occupy the top three positions in the fund (Try Value Investing with These Large Cap ETFs).

The fund charges an expense ratio of 66 basis points and has returned 7% to investors over a period of one year.

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR)

Launched in Sep 2011, the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF is the most recent addition in the aerospace & defense ETF world.

The fund seeks to invest its total asset base of $13.3 million in 34 stocks. However, the fund appears to be somewhat concentrated in the top 10 holdings as it invests 47.2% of its assets in the top 10 companies.

Among individual holdings, Textron Inc. (5.13%), Triumph Group Inc New (4.96%) and Transdigm Group Inc (4.85%) occupy the top 3 positions in the fund. Over a period of one year, the fund has delivered a return of 6% and charges investors 35 basis points in the form of fees for investment made in it, the lowest among the three ETFs in the space.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>

Source: http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/93601/with-sequester-ahead-are-defense-etfs-in-trouble

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Third Party Center develops much-needed information package ...

Insurance, Vision Therapy, and Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation, a new information package from the AOA Third Party Center, offers long-sought guidance on proper coding and billing for vision rehabilitative services, according to authors Harvey Richman, O.D., Jason Clopton, O.D., and Richard Soden, O.D.

?Vision therapy (VT) and neuro-rehabilitation today are often used to treat specific diagnosed ocular, visual and visual perceptual conditions. In some cases, vision therapy is the only available and effective treatment option for those conditions,? said Dr. Richman.

Increasingly, treatment may be covered under major medical or vision insurance plans.

However, many practitioners continue to have questions about the proper way to code VT and neuro-rehabilitation on insurance claims, Dr. Richman notes.

?Inability to properly report these services on claims could mean needless claim rejections and, ultimately, that patients do not receive the care they need,? Dr. Richman said.

The comprehensive new 58-page AOA vision therapy coding package provides an overview of the health care coding system and basic advice on the selection of billing codes, with detailed information on the selection of:

• Examination procedure codes
• Special testing codes
• Follow-up examination procedure codes, and
• Therapy codes.

Extensive information is provided on the documentation necessary to meet coding requirements, and, in particular, the documenting of sensorimotor exams in patient medical records.

A special section focuses on the types of health care providers who are authorized to submit 97000 therapeutic service codes.

The package also provides sample forms and letters to insurance carriers for preauthorization requests, responses to requests for additional information, and responses to denied claims.

Dr. Richman and his coauthors encourage practitioners to appropriately code services for all vision therapy and neuro-rehabilitation patients, even when insurance reimbursement will not sought, as mean of ensuring consistency in patient records and encouraging mastery of coding procedures.

AOA members can access the ?Insurance, Vision Therapy, and Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation? information online at http://newsfromaoa.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/insurance-vision-therapy-and-neuro-optometric-rehabilitationaoa-approved-1-31-2013-branded_v2.pdf.

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Source: http://newsfromaoa.org/2013/02/26/third-party-center-develops-much-needed-information-package-outlining-proper-vision-rehabilitation-coding/

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Scientists Trace Origin Of Destructive Russia Meteor

A circular hole in the ice of Chebarkul Lake, where the Chelyabinsk meteor reportedly struck on Feb. 15.

Uncredited/Associated Press

A circular hole in the ice of Chebarkul Lake, where the Chelyabinsk meteor reportedly struck on Feb. 15.

Uncredited/Associated Press

Scientists from Colombia believe they have pinpointed the origin of the giant meteor that smashed into a remote region of Russia earlier this month, injuring more than 1,000 people.

Using some of the dozens, if not hundreds, of videos that captured the once-in-a-century event, the scientists have calculated the Chelyabinsk meteor's trajectory, tracing it back to a group of Earth-crossing objects known as Apollo asteroids. Unlike objects in the Asteroid Belt, which orbit between Mars and Jupiter, Apollos sideswipe Earth's orbit, posing a risk of collision. According to the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center, more than 4,800 Apollo "close approachers" have been identified to date.

The BBC reports that the Colombian researchers used video of the fireball taken from camera phones, car-dashboard cameras and CCTV footage, including traffic cams that contained precise time stamps:

"Using the footage and the location of an impact into Lake Chebarkul, Jorge Zuluaga and Ignacio Ferrin, from the University of Antioquia in Medellin, were able to use simple trigonometry to calculate the height, speed and position of the rock as it fell to Earth.

"To reconstruct the meteor's original orbit around the sun, they used six different properties of its trajectory through Earth's atmosphere. Most of these are related to the point at which the meteor becomes bright enough to cast a noticeable shadow in the videos."

The team then plugged the data into astronomy software developed by the U.S. Naval Observatory.

Early estimates of the size of the Chelyabinsk meteor put it at about 10,000 tons, but NASA later estimated the object at between 7,000 and 10,000 tons. The energy released by the event was estimated at about 500 kilotons, or 30 times the power of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in World War II.

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/26/172948753/scientists-trace-origin-of-destructive-russian-meteor?ft=1&f=1007

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Pollution Might Shrink Your Penis, Say Otters

Otter dicks are shrinking thanks to pollution, and you should definitely freak out, because the trend might affect humans, too. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/U2g9_OIXa9o/pollution-might-shrink-your-penis-say-otters

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The Bird's Eye View Workspace

We rarely have the opportunity to look at our workspaces from above, but hopefully a glance from the top still shows a nicely organized and designed office. Lori and Ken put this comfortable little room together that easily passes the bird's eye view test.

Like with most well-designed home offices, you see mostly black, white, gray, and splashes of color here and there. Lori and Ken used bold red, green, and yellow in both the furniture and the art to provide a consistently attractive look. To see their entire home, hit up Apartment Therapy Tech for the tour.

If you have a workspace of your own to show off, add it to the Lifehacker Workspace Showcase. Be sure to include some details about your setup and why it works for you, and you just might see it featured on the front page of Lifehacker.

A Home Office Overhead | Apartment Therapy Tech

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/m4j9OD0GUK4/the-birds-eye-view-workspace

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UK's Clegg on defensive as sexual harassment claims batter party

LONDON (Reuters) - British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on Sunday denied covering up allegations of sexual misconduct by a former senior member of his Liberal Democrat party, already floundering in opinion polls.

Allegations of sexual impropriety by former party chief executive Chris Rennard threaten to engulf Clegg and further undermine the Lib Dems, the junior member of Britain's coalition government.

The latest furor comes at a bad time for the party, after the resignation of cabinet minister Chris Huhne this month who admitted he had asked his then wife to accept a penalty for a 2003 speeding offence he had committed.

A local election to replace Huhne is to be held on February 28.

Rennard, the mastermind behind the party's election strategy before quitting in 2009, was accused in a report by Britain's Channel 4 television channel on Thursday of inappropriately touching female party members and activists several years ago.

The report has since triggered a flurry of similar allegations in the British media.

Lawyers for Rennard, a member of parliament's upper house, said after the Channel 4 report that he was "deeply shocked by and strongly disputes" the allegations made against him.

Media reports have since then accused Clegg of knowing of the allegations long ago but not investigating them.

"I am angry and outraged at the suggestion that I would not have acted if these allegations had been put to me," Clegg said late on Sunday, rejecting suggestions of a "cover up".

He said was made aware of "indirect and non-specific concerns" about Rennard in 2008, and had acted on them, but there was a limit to how far the party could take the matter given sources of the concerns were indirect and anonymous.

The Lib Dems have announced two internal inquiries since more detail has come to light, one into how the party handled the allegations, and another into the allegations themselves. Clegg said they would reveal the truth of what happened.

"But in the meantime, I will not stand by and allow my party to be subject to a show trial of innuendo, half-truths and slurs," Clegg said.

Britain's opposition Labor party demanded an independent investigation.

"This series of allegations are too serious to allow the Liberal Democrats to investigate themselves," said Labor lawmaker Bridget Phillipson.

"Nick Clegg and other senior Liberal Democrat lawmakers and officials must come clean about what they knew and what action was taken about these serious allegations," she added.

(Reporting by Mohammed Abbas; Editing by Stephen Powell)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uks-clegg-defensive-sexual-harassment-claims-batter-party-205553704.html

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Kibua: We can stop slide to society of beggars - The Standard

Updated Monday, February 25 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3

In his 1958 bestseller, The Affluent Society, John Kenneth Galbraith, the American economics professor, satirist and (later) diplomat, painted a very vivid picture of his adopted country in which most people would be relatively rich or, in his more elegant term, affluent.

Prof Galbraith, a Canadian by birth, was one of a team of the so-called ?action intellectuals? who helped shape the major policies of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations of the 1960s. More than half a century later, Galbraith?s enlightened vision has more or less become the reality in the United States.

Is it possible for Kenya to visualise and build what could loosely be referred to as the ?OK Society? along the lines of Galbraith?s Affluent Society? What would such a society actually be like? Would it be affluent in the sense of Galbraith?s America or would every Kenyan citizen be equal, economically, to everybody else?

Apparently, none of the above.

According to Dr Nzioki Kibua, the former long-serving deputy governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) who is now running for governor of Machakos County, and is certainly one of our very own action intellectuals, the OK Society would be a society in which every Kenyan family received a legitimately earned income of at least Sh500 per day and had access to both clean running water and electricity within the home.

Such a family would also have to be in a position to take all its children to school all the way up to university; have ready access to appropriate health care and live in the peace and tranquility that would be both provided and guaranteed by our national and county governments.

This country would then cease to be a nation of beggars and handout-seekers and the endemic corruption that has embedded itself into both our politics and economics would be wiped out.

But what would we need to do to transform this country so fundamentally? According to Kibua, we need to do at least four things if this country is to be transformed into an OK Society within the next 30 years.

Money printing

First, we need to get our macro-economic policies and structures correct and build the national infrastructure around the pillars, which have been spelled out in Vision 2030, the national development blueprint.

Second, we need to empower our people economically, by providing the economic opportunities through which they can generate their own incomes without depending on handouts from their political or community leaders.

Third, we need to review and strengthen our public financial management systems and procedures, particularly with respect to revenue generation and collection, and to ensure that we spend our tax revenues in the most efficient and transparent manner.

Finally, we need a moral transformation that can enable us to generate the resolve to face corruption squarely and then move on to fight it with all the legal, administrative and moral weapons we can muster.

Source: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000078040&story_title=Columns:%20Kibua:%20We%20can%20stop%20slide%20to%20society%20of%20beggars

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Blogging for Business, Because It Works | Internet Billboards

Sharon McMillan is making great points about business blogs needing to have some personality in them:

When you?re selling online your prospective customers aren?t able to see you or sit down with you to determine your capabilities as a vendor or consultant.That?s why your blog is so important. Your blog represents your voice, your views and your product/service online.

via Blogging for Business

?

Content Curator Kelly McCausey

I'm Kelly McCausey and I love hosting the Solo Smarts podcast. Being a solopreneur, operating unique online businesses and helping others find their own success makes me one happy camper.

Source: http://www.internetbillboards.net/2013/02/blogging-for-business-because-it-works/

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Climate Change, Labor Capacity Losses Examined By Government Scientists

Yummy Pancake Breakfasts

It may be a bit harder to drown your pancakes in maple syrup in the future, <a href="http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/effects-global-warming-maple-syrup-production-20078.html" target="_hplink">studies suggest</a>. According to <a href="http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Nov10/SyrupClimate.html" target="_hplink">a 2010 Cornell University study</a>, "maple syrup production in the Northeast is expected to slightly decline by 2100, and the window for tapping trees will move earlier by about a month." Additionally, most maple syrup production south of Pennsylvania "will likely be lost by 2100 due to lack of freezing." <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/01/no-maple-syrup-2100" target="_hplink">Click here to watch one farmer's fight to save New Hampshire's sugar maples.</a>

Rudolph (And Donner And Blitzen)

Reindeer, also known as "caribou" in North America, could face a difficult future in a warmer climate. <a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/energy/slideshows/10-animals-threatened-by-global-warming" target="_hplink">According to U.S. News & World Report</a>, "Russell Graham, associate professor of geosciences and director of the Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum at Penn State University, says global warming will most harm the animals adapted to the coldest environments, primarily those accustomed to life in the Arctic." A 2008 study found that caribou in West Greenland are "now arriving after peak foraging time, fewer calves are being born and more calves are dying," <a href="http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/341435/title/Animals_on_the_Move" target="_hplink">reported ScienceNews</a>.

Spring Break, Wohoo!

As global temperatures rise this century, sea levels are also expected to increase. South Florida may be hit particularly hard. If greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, global sea levels <a href="http://globalwarming.markey.house.gov/impactzones/florida.html" target="_hplink">could rise over three feet</a> by 2100, with a six foot rise possible. The U.S. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming notes: <blockquote>This threatens to submerge Florida's coastal communities and economies since roughly 9 percent of the state is within 5 feet of the existing sea level. Rising sea level also threatens the beaches, wetlands, and mangrove forests that surround the state.</blockquote> University of Florida professor Jack Putz said in 2008, "People have a hard time accepting that this is happening here," <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/globalwarming/article435224.ece" target="_hplink">reported the <em>Tampa Bay Times</em></a>. Seeing dead palm trees and other impacts "brings a global problem right into our own back yard," he added. <a href="http://geology.com/sea-level-rise/florida.shtml" target="_hplink">Click here</a> to see a map showing what different levels of sea level rise would look like for Florida and other states.

Coffeehouse Snobs

Coffee lovers may want to get that caffeine fix before the treasured drink becomes a rare export. Starbucks raised the issue last year when the company's director of sustainability told <em>The Guardian</em> that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/16/starbucks-climate-change_n_1011222.html" target="_hplink">climate change is threatening the supply chain</a> for the Arabica coffee bean. Starbucks Sustainability Director <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/oct/13/starbucks-coffee-climate-change-threat?newsfeed=true" target="_hplink">Jim Hanna told the paper</a>, "What we are really seeing as a company as we look 10, 20, 30 years down the road - if conditions continue as they are - is a potentially significant risk to our supply chain, which is the Arabica coffee bean."

Cute Baby Polar Bear Videos

A November 2011 study found that polar bear litters are getting smaller as climate change causes sea ice decline. <a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2011/WWFPresitem19837.html" target="_hplink">According to World Wildlife Fund</a>, the study "found that if spring sea ice break-up occurs one month earlier than usual, 40-73 percent of pregnant females could fail to bring cubs to term." The National Snow and Ice Data Center found that in 2010, <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=49132&src=share" target="_hplink">Arctic sea ice</a> was at its lowest January level in 30 years. With decreased sea ice, polar bears may have greater trouble finding food sources. This could lead to cannibalism, which has already been observed by photographers. Environmental photojournalist Jenny Ross <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16081214" target="_hplink">told BBC News</a> in 2011, "There are increasing numbers of observations of it occurring, particularly on land where polar bears are trapped ashore, completely food-deprived for extended periods of time due to the loss of sea ice as a result of climate change."

'Friday Night Lights' & 'Varsity Blues'

As average temperatures rise over the course of this century, states in the Southern U.S. are expected to see a greater number of days with temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit each year. Hotter temperatures will mean that football players in the South will face a greater risk of hyperthermia, <a href="http://txchnologist.com/post/41213194156/heres-a-reason-to-care-about-climate-change-it-could" target="_hplink">explains GE's TXCHNOLOGIST blog</a>. <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/02/05/419061/will-global-warming-ruin-football-in-the-south/" target="_hplink">ThinkProgress suggests</a>, "Indeed, it is the conservative southern U.S., especially the South central and South east, who have led the way in blocking serious climate action, as it were, making yesterday's worst-case scenario into today's likely outcome."

Wine Tasting Parties

Winegrowers in France's Champagne region and scientists have already seen changes in the past 25 years, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/business/energy-environment/winemakers-rising-to-climate-challenge.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all" target="_hplink">reported <em>The New York Times</em></a> last year. They have "noted major changes in their vineyards, including an increased sugar content in the grapes from which they make their wine, with a consequent decrease in acidity, and a harvest time that regularly comes two weeks earlier than it once did." Last year, the <em>Telegraph</em> reported that Bordeaux, one of the world's most famous wine-producing regions, may be "<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/wine/8354820/Global-warming-threatens-wine-production-in-France.html" target="_hplink">unsuitable for wine-growing by 2050</a>." <a href="http://e360.yale.edu/feature/what_global_warming_may_mean_for_worlds_wine_industry/2478/" target="_hplink">Yale Environment 360 explains</a> that many European wines are tied to a specific geographical area, creating a problem for regions which may soon find themselves most suited to a new kind of grape. In the U.S., <a href="http://www.climatechangeandwine.com/noticia-detalle.php?id=421" target="_hplink">researchers at Stanford University found</a> that climate change could mean "50% less land suitable for cultivating premium wine grapes in high-value areas of Northern California." A 2006 study published in the <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em> found that "up to 81 percent" of "premium-wine-grape production area" could decline in the U.S. by the end of this century, <a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/04/climate-desk-wine-industry/" target="_hplink">reported Wired</a>. Without any adaptation measures, wine-grape production could disappear from "many areas" of the country. Wired notes, "By the law of supply and demand, that suggests the best wines of tomorrow will cost even more than the ridiculous amounts they fetch today."

Not Sneezing

Bad news for allergy sufferers -- climate change, and specifically warmer temperatures, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/31/seasonal-allergies-rising_n_913650.html" target="_hplink">may bring more pollen and ragweed</a>, according to a <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21259264" target="_hplink">2011 study</a> from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. Along with allergies, a changing climate may be tied to more infectious diseases. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/17/flu-pandemic-climate-pattern-la-nina_n_1211480.html" target="_hplink">According to one study</a>, climate change could affect wild bird migratory patterns, increasing the chances for human flu pandemics. Illnesses like <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/04/global-warming-lyme-disease-west-nile_n_1400692.html" target="_hplink">Lyme disease could also become more prominent</a>.

The Best Part Of July 4th

With droughts and wildfires hitting many parts of the U.S., municipalities from <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/03/colorado-wildfires-2012-f_n_1647571.html" target="_hplink">Colorado</a> to <a href="http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2012/07/03/climate-change-is-totally-ruining-your-4th-of-july" target="_hplink">Tennessee</a> canceled July 4th public fireworks displays or banned personal fireworks this year, citing the fire hazards they posed. In June, a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/climate-change-wildfires_n_1588741.html" target="_hplink">study published in the journal <em>Ecosphere</em></a> found that almost all of North America will see more wildfires by 2100, reported Reuters. The study's lead author, Max Moritz, said, "In the long run, we found what most fear - increasing fire activity across large areas of the planet."

Valentine's Day Cliches

With higher temperatures expected in northern latitudes in coming decades, the U.K. has begun a program to develop strawberries that will survive in higher temperatures with less water. Since chocolate also may be threatened, could sexy chocolate-covered strawberries, a Valentine's Day staple, be endangered? <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8603607/Climate-change-resistant-strawberries.html" target="_hplink">According to <em>The Telegraph</em></a>, Dr. David Simpson, a scientist with England's East Malling Research, said last year, "Consumer demand for fresh strawberries in the UK has been growing year on year since the early 1990s. The British growers have done a great job of increasing their productivity to satisfy this demand between April and October. The future will be challenging due to the impacts of climate change and the withdrawal of many pesticides but the breeding programme at EMR is using the latest scientific approaches to develop a range of varieties that will meet the needs of our growers for the future."

Sweet Snorkeling Pics

As humans increase atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, oceans absorb some of the CO2. The resulting drop in ocean pH, known as ocean acidification, has been called <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/ocean-acidification-reefs-climate-change_n_1658081.html" target="_hplink">climate change's "equally evil twin"</a> by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief Jane Lubchenco. Coral reefs, which are an invaluable part of marine ecosystems and tourism economies, are threatened by ocean warming and acidification. At the 2012 International Coral Reef Symposium in Cairns, Australia, 2,600 scientists signed a petition calling for international action to preserve global coral reefs, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18765584" target="_hplink">reported the BBC</a>. Noting that 25 to 30 percent of the world's reefs are already "severely degraded," <a href="http://www.icrs2012.com/Consensus_Statement.htm" target="_hplink">the statement asserts</a> that "climate-related stressors [represent] an unprecedented challenge for the future of coral reefs and to the services they provide to people." A <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/10/coral-triangle-reefs-threatened_n_1662620.html" target="_hplink">recent report from the World Resources Institute</a> found that the Coral Triangle, an important area from central Southeast Asia to the edge of the western Pacific with many reefs, is threatened at a rate far greater than the global average.

PB&Js

Thanks to a failing peanut crop due to last summer's scorching hot weather, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/peanut-butter-price-jump_n_1003732.html" target="_hplink">there was a shortage of peanuts in supply</a> at the end of 2011. If temperatures continue to rise, a jump in peanut butter prices is just the prelude to what could be in store for the beloved spread.

Gone Fishin'

According to a <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/ntrout.asp" target="_hplink">2002 study by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Defenders of Wildlife</a>, a warming planet does not bode well for species that thrive in cold streams. The study found that "global warming is likely to spur the disappearance of trout and salmon from as much as 18 to 38 percent of their current habitat by the year 2090." A 2011 study published in the <em>Proceedings of the National Academies of Science</em> produced "models [which] forecast significant declines in trout habitat across the interior western United States in the 21st century," <a href="http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/trout-fishing-in-a-climate-changed-america/" target="_hplink">reported <em>The New York Times</em></a>. The study claims, "The decline will have significant socioeconomic consequences as recreational trout fisheries are valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars in the United States alone."

Chocolate Cravings

<a href="http://www.ciat.cgiar.org/Newsroom/Documents/ghana_ivory_coast_climate_change_and_cocoa.pdf" target="_hplink">A report released by the International Center For Tropical Agriculture </a>warns chocolate could become a luxury item if farmers don't adapt to rising temperatures in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, where a majority of the world's cocoa is grown. The October 2011 report, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, "calls for increased research into heat and drought resistant crops, and to help transition cocoa farming to new regions that will be suitable for production in the future," <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2011/09/30/332951/chocolate-climate-change-cocoa-industry-study/" target="_hplink">reported ThinkProgress</a>.

NYC's Waterfront Real Estate

According to a 2012 report from New Jersey-based nonprofit <a href="http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/" target="_hplink">Climate Central</a>, thousands of New York City residents may be at risk for severe <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/15/rising-sea-levels-threate_n_1347333.html" target="_hplink">coastal flooding as a result of climate change</a>. <a href="http://slr.s3.amazonaws.com/factsheets/New_York.pdf" target="_hplink">Climate Central explains</a>, "the NY metro area hosts the nation's highest-density populations vulnerable to sea level rise." They argue, "the funnel shape of New York Harbor has the potential to magnify storm surges already supplemented by sea level rise, threatening widespread areas of New York City."

Winnie The Pooh's Key Plot Point

<a href="http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/Hone/Hone-03-30-2012.pdf" target="_hplink">According to the USDA, bee populations are dropping nationwide</a>. Wetter winters and rainy summers make it harder for bees to get out and about to collect, leaving them to starve or become malnourished and more prone to other diseases. This doesn't just mean a decline in honey. We rely on bees to pollinate crops. When bees disappear, many food crops could also die off.

The Non-.com Amazon

Along with <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/brazil-amazon-rainforest-deforestation-levels_n_1130554.html" target="_hplink">deforestation</a>, climate change also poses a serious threat to South America's Amazon rainforest. A 2009 study from the U.K. Met Office found that a global temperature rise of four degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels would cause 85 percent of the Amazon to die off in the next 100 years. Even a two degree Celsius rise would kill 20 to 40 percent of the rainforest, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/11/amazon-global-warming-trees" target="_hplink">reported the <em>Guardian</em></a>. In May, The Club of Rome think tank predicted a global average temperatures rise of "2 degrees Celsius by 2052 and a 2.8 degree rise by 2080," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/club-of-rome-climate-change_n_1499183.html" target="_hplink">reported Reuters</a>. Jorgen Randers, author of the club's report, said, "It is unlikely that governments will pass necessary regulation to force the markets to allocate more money into climate-friendly solutions, and (we) must not assume that markets will work for the benefit of humankind." He added, "We are emitting twice as much greenhouse gases every year as are absorbed by the world's forests and oceans. This overshoot will worsen and will peak in 2030."

Keg Stands

Famed for producing some of the world's best beer, <a href="http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080502/full/news.2008.799.html" target="_hplink">Germany could suffer from a drop in production due to climate change-induced water shortages</a>. Barley and hops can only be grown with water, and using cheaper alternatives like corn isn't possible in Germany because of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinheitsgebot" target="_hplink">strict regulations</a> about what you can make beer with. Research published earlier this year in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v2/n7/full/nclimate1491.html" target="_hplink"><em>Nature Climate Change</em></a> found that "unless farmers develop more heat-tolerant corn varieties or gradually move corn production from the United States into Canada, frequent heat waves will cause sharp price spikes," <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/23/business/climate-change-effect-seen-for-corn-prices.html" target="_hplink">reported <em>The New York Times</em></a>. Price spikes for U.S. corn could affect prices of <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/38/" target="_hplink">American macrobrews</a> made with an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjuncts" target="_hplink">adjunct ingredient like corn</a>.

Island Getaways

As global sea levels rise during the 21st century, low-lying island nations like the Maldives could see their very existence threatened. With a three to six foot sea level rise predicted by 2100, nations like the Maldives could become uninhabitable, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/05/25/25climatewire-island-nations-may-keep-some-sovereignty-if-63590.html" target="_hplink">explained <em>The New York Times</em></a>. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/mohamed-nasheed-maldives-climate-change-united-states_n_1652409.html" target="_hplink">Maldives' former president, Mohamed Nasheed</a>, has been a tireless campaigner for the urgent need for countries to take action against climate change, arguing "You can't pick and choose on science."

Ski Bums

Although seasonal fluctuations occur and El Nino/La Nina weather patterns affect snowfall, global temperature rise may impact conditions for skiers and boarders. "The long-term trend is less snow and earlier snowmelt. This means more frustration for snow sport enthusiasts and a negative impact on the snow sports industry," <a href="http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/tspencer/skiing_snow_blog_2312.html" target="_hplink">writes the Natural Resources Defense Council's Theo Spencer</a>. In May, a snow-less ski race was held in Aspen, Colorado to "highlight the effect climate change has on the outdoor recreation industry," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/06/aspen-ski-area-climate-change_n_1489390.html" target="_hplink">reported the Associated Press</a>.

Thanksgiving Dinner Food Comas

A 2010 paper in the journal <em>Food Research International</em> found that climate change may one day affect the cost and quality of traditional Thanksgiving dishes, <a href="http://news.discovery.com/earth/thanksgiving-climate-change.html" target="_hplink">reported Discovery News</a>. Future temperature rises could impact the quality of turkey meat. Additionally, foods like "pumpkins, sweet potatoes, potatoes, grains [and] green beans ... will be sensitive to water shortages should they arise," study author Neville Gregory told Discovery News. In fact, common Thanksgiving foods were <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/21/thanksgiving-dinner-battles-weather_n_1099899.html" target="_hplink">impacted by weather events in 2011</a>, with shortages and price spikes hitting over the holidays.

Water Out West

According to a 2011 U.S. Interior Department report, "annual flows in three prominent river basins - the Colorado, Rio Grande and San Joaquin - could decline by as much [as] 8 percent to 14 percent over the next four decades," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/26/western-us-water-supplies-climate-change_n_853882.html" target="_hplink">reported the Associated Press</a>. Expected changes in temperature and precipitation are likely to alter river flows "with increased flooding possible in the winter due to early snowmelt and water shortages in the summer due to reductions in spring and summer runoffs." Mike Connor, commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said, "Impacts to water are on the leading edge of global climate change." Earlier this year, the Bureau of Reclamation <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/us-reviews-ideas-for-boos_n_1418724.html" target="_hplink">asked the public to suggest ideas</a> for meeting future water demand around the Colorado River basin.

The Views On Your Alaska Vacation

Earlier this year, researchers from the U.S. Forest Service confirmed that climate warming is killing southeast Alaska's mighty yellow cedars. The study, published in the journal <em>Bioscience</em>, found that with decreasing snow cover, the trees' shallow roots are more vulnerable to freezing, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/18/climate-change-yellow-cedar_n_1286387.html" target="_hplink">reported AP</a>. Paul Schaberg, a U.S. Forest Service plant pathologist, said, "As time goes on and climates change even more, other species, other locations, are likely to experience similar kinds of progressions, so you might do well to understand this one so you can address those future things."

"Lady & The Tramp"-Like Scenes

Scientists at the British Met Office warn that Italy may soon be forced to<a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/climate-threat-to-italys-pasta/story-e6frg6so-1225797946930" target="_hplink"> import the basic ingredients to make pasta because climate change will make it impossible to grow durum wheat domestically</a>. The crop could almost disappear from the country later this century, scientists say.

Home Sweet Home (For Kiribatians)

Along with the Maldives and other island nations, Kiribati is also threatened by climate change. Earlier this year, the president's cabinet endorsed a plan to spend about $9.6 million for 6,000 acres on Fiji's main island, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/09/kiribati-global-warming-fiji_n_1334228.html" target="_hplink">reported AP</a>. President Anote Tong told AP, "We would hope not to put everyone on one piece of land, but if it became absolutely necessary, yes, we could do it." He added, "It wouldn't be for me, personally, but would apply more to a younger generation. For them, moving won't be a matter of choice. It's basically going to be a matter of survival."

Super Duper Fast Wi-Fi Connection

A 2011 report from the U.K.'s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs found that climate change could affect certain infrastructure, like wireless internet. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/09/climate-change-wi-fi-connections" target="_hplink">The <em>Guardian</em> reports</a>, "higher temperatures can reduce the range of wireless communications, rainstorms can impact the reliability of the signal, and drier summers and wetter winters may cause greater subsidence, damaging masts and underground cables," according to secretary of state for the environment. The <em>Guardian</em> notes, "The government acknowledges that the impact of climate change on telecommunications is not well understood, but the report raises a series of potential risks."

The Great Smoky Mountains' Smoke

The Great Smoky Mountains have the most annual rainfall in the southeastern U.S., which mostly falls as a light, misty rain, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/28/great-smoky-mountains-climate-change_n_1461482.html" target="_hplink">explains OurAmazingPlanet</a>. A study by a team from NASA's Precipitation Measurement Missions found that "light rainfall is the dominant form of precipitation in the region, accounting for 50 to 60 percent of a year's total, governing the regional water cycle." <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/28/great-smoky-mountains-climate-change_n_1461482.html" target="_hplink">OurAmazingPlanet</a> notes: <blockquote>The results suggest the area may be more susceptible to climate change than thought; as temperatures rise, more of the fine droplets from light rain will evaporate in the air and fail to reach the ground. Lower elevations will have to contend with not only higher temperatures, but less cloud cover.</blockquote>

California Beach Bums

Along the California coast, beach communities are finding that it may be impossible to stop coastal erosion as global sea levels rise. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/02/beach-communities-moving-inward_n_1565122.html" target="_hplink">According to AP</a>, David Revell, a senior coastal scientist at <a href="http://www.pwa-ltd.com/" target="_hplink">ESA PWA</a>, acknowledged the relentless power of the sea, saying, "I like to think of it as getting out of the way gracefully." A <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/west-coast-sea-level-rise_n_1619568.html" target="_hplink">report released in June by the Natural Resources Defense Council</a> found that West Coast ocean levels will rise several inches in the next few decades. Sea levels along the California coast are expected to be six inches higher by 2030 and three feet higher by the end of the century. Despite the risks, another recent NRDC study found that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/08/california-climate-change-study_n_1409312.html" target="_hplink">California is one of several states</a> with the best plans to deal with the effects of climate change.

Repeats Of The Titanic

2012 could be a record year for the extent of Arctic sea ice at its yearly summer minimum. Walt Meier, a research scientist at the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center, said that with recent satellite observations, "It definitely portends a low-ice year, whether it means it will go below 2007 (the record minimum in September), it is too early to tell," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/18/arctic-sea-ice-levels_n_1605441.html" target="_hplink">reported LiveScience</a>. As sea ice declines in the Arctic, countries are anticipating a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/16/arctic-climate-change-military-activity_n_1427565.html" target="_hplink">competition for control of shipping lanes and mineral extraction</a> in the region. In Antarctica, research from the United States' Palmer Station on the Antarctic Peninsula has found that "87 percent of the peninsula's land-bound glaciers are in retreat," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/12/environmental-threats-antarctica_n_1669023.html" target="_hplink">reported OurAmazingPlanet</a>. Decreasing sea ice levels were also addressed in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/shell-arctic-ready-hoax-greenpeace_n_1684222.html" target="_hplink">a recent spoof of Shell's plans to drill for oil in the Arctic this summer</a>.

Crazy Sugar Highs

Climate change has already impacted sugarcane production in Indonesia. In late 2011, the <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/09/sugar-association-blames-climate-change-production-drop.html http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/09/sugar-association-blames-climate-change-production-drop.html" target="_hplink">chairman of the Indonesian Sugarcane Farmers Association said</a>, "sugarcane production decreased by up to 30 percent in 2011 due to climate change that has occurred since 2009."

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Greenpeace Australia

Adam Wiesehan

GreenVamps-PaulinaEm

Michael Gesme

John Lingenfelder

ydzabelishensky

Belle Medina

Ashley

Nicastani American

Nicole Pardy

Anna Cleveland

Rick Bosman

Samiksha Sen ?

King Grasshopper

ydzabelishensky

ISF Humboldt n.CA

Gaby Monta?o

David Paterson

Maddie

Manda Bear

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/24/climate-change-labor-capacity-loss-_n_2754399.html

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Bid on a signed Johnny Manziel football, help a student with leukemia!

Van Jr. High School student Byron Jones found out in January that he had leukemia and had to leave school. Now he has to get regular costly chemotherapy, bone marrow and blood transfusions.

"I drive to Dallas every Thursday to get chemotherapy, and if I need blood or anything, I do that," he said.

Van Jr. High School has rallied behind Byron. The students started collecting donations, selling t-shirts and bracelets, and now they're having a silent auction, and they invite everyone to be a part!

?

If you are interested in bidding on an autographed Jonny Manziel football,? the? silent auction is occurring this week, Feb. 18-22.

The bidding will start at $2500.00 and the auction will end at 3:00pm, Friday, February 22, 2013.? You will need to email Paige Redmond your bid at redmondp@van.sprnet.org to place your bid.

An email to each bidder will go out daily at 3:00pm to give them an update on the highest bid and bidder. On the final day Paige will send an email out at 12:00pm stating who is currently in the lead and at what amount.?

In the event of a tie bid at the deadline on Friday, February 22, 2013, she will notify the parties involved with the tie to give them an opportunity to place one final bid.? If the winning bidder cannot follow through on the promise to pay, then the second place bidder will be notified.?

Cashier checks and money orders are the only forms of payment that can be accepted.?

The monies received will go directly to the family to help pay cover costs incurred from weekly medical treatments.

You can also donate in any amount to Byron at Texas Bank and Trust. Just go to any Texas Bank and Trust and donate to the Byron Jones fund.

There will be a blood drive for Byron at the Van Jr. High gymnasium on February 26 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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Tunisian president asks Islamist to form government

TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki on Friday asked Interior Minister Ali Larayedh, a hardliner from the main Islamist Ennahda party, to form a government within two weeks, his spokesman said.

Marzouki's spokesman told a news conference Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi had formally nominated Larayedh to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, who resigned on Tuesday.

Tunisia plunged into political crisis on February 6 when the assassination of secular opposition politician Chokri Belaid on February 6 ignited the biggest street protests since the overthrow of strongman Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali two years ago.

Ennahda's choice for prime minister raised hackles among opposition parties, some of whom accuse Larayedh's Interior Ministry of failing to curb Islamist violence, although he is credited for acting firmly against al Qaeda-linked militants.

"The decision deepens the crisis because Larayedh headed the ministry responsible for the killing of Belaid and violence that has spread throughout the country," said Zied Lakhdar, a leader in the Popular Front, in which Belaid was secretary-general.

The Interior Ministry and Ennahda have denied they had any hand in Belaid's killing, which they have condemned.

Mahmoud Baroudi, a leader of the secular Democratic Alliance opposition party, said Larayedh's appointment would aggravate tensions and increase anger in the streets.

"He was responsible for leniency with Islamist violence against human rights activists," he said, blaming Islamists for disrupting opposition meetings and assassinating Belaid.

No one has claimed responsibility for Belaid's killing.

JAILED UNDER BEN ALI

Ennahda is the biggest party in the National Constituent Assembly with 89 of its 217 seats. Marzouki's secular Congress for the Republic party (CPR), the second largest with 29 seats, has already said it will join a new Ennahda-led coalition.

Larayedh, 57, is viewed as part of Ennahda's hardline wing, which rejects any role for parties linked to the Ben Ali era.

A maritime engineer, Larayedh spent 15 years in jail under Ben Ali. He became interior minister when Jebali's government was formed in December 2011 after an election in October.

Jebali, who remains Ennahda's secretary-general, refused to head the next government after his own party rejected his plan for an apolitical technocrat cabinet to prepare for elections.

He was seen as a moderate overruled by Ghannouchi, who says the last election gave Ennahda a popular mandate to rule in a power-sharing deal with moderate secular parties.

"Larayedh is not a man of consensus," said Nejib Chebbi, leader of the secular Republican party. "He failed during his work as head of the Interior Ministry."

Tunisia, whose transition from autocracy has so far been far less violent than those in neighbouring Libya and Egypt, faces rifts between Islamists and their opponents that threaten the stability of its fledgling democracy and ailing economy.

Political uncertainty has put negotiations on a $1.78 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund on hold and prompted Standard and Poor's to lower its long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit rating on Tunisia on Tuesday.

While Ennahda and Marzouki's CPR together would wield a narrow majority in the assembly, Larayedh may seek additional partners. The leftist Ettakatol party, which joined Jebali's government, has not said if it will serve under Larayedh.

Hechmi Hamdi, leader of the moderate Islamist Popular Petition party, which holds seven assembly seats, said his group would stay in opposition, accusing Larayedh of responsibility for the death of two prisoners on hunger strike and the torture and ill-treatment of protesters in the restive Siliana region.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/tunisias-ennahda-names-interior-minister-larayedh-pm-115504001.html

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Research suggests malaria can be defeated without a globally led eradication program

Research suggests malaria can be defeated without a globally led eradication program

Friday, February 22, 2013

Malaria does not have to be eradicated globally for individual countries to succeed at maintaining elimination of the disease, according to research from the University of Florida's Emerging Pathogens Institute and department of geography, to be published in the journal Science Feb. 22.

Researchers Andrew Tatem and Christina Chiyaka found that those countries that have eliminated malaria have maintained their malaria-free states with remarkable stability, going against traditional theory. Between 1945 and 2010, 79 countries eliminated malaria and 75, or 95 percent, remained malaria-free, shrinking the geographic range of the disease, the researchers said.

For the 99 countries with endemic malaria today, the research by Tatem and his colleagues has important implications for tackling the problem. The elimination of malaria may be less costly to achieve and maintain than previously thought, Tatem said.

"Traditional theory suggests that we have to get rid of malaria completely, all across the world, all at around the same time, to keep new cases from being imported and starting outbreaks in elimination countries all over again," said Tatem, who conducted the research at UF and now is a professor at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. Chiyaka also has moved to the United Kingdom with her family.

The researchers found, however, that malaria elimination may be a 'sticky state,' meaning that once elimination is achieved, resurgence becomes a rare event.

"For instance, the United States imports 1,500 cases of malaria per year but has seen very few local outbreaks resulting from these, despite still having mosquitoes capable of spreading malaria," Tatem said. "The United States doesn't have active control measures in place, but does have a well-functioning detection system in place to take care of it."

Tatem said that many factors, working in combination, have likely contributed to the stability of malaria elimination seen in many countries. These include urbanization, which creates environments that are unfavorable for malaria-spreading mosquitoes; improvements in surveillance within health systems to ensure that imported cases are treated promptly and any local outbreaks are controlled early; and travel patterns, with travelers who bring in infections from elsewhere rarely ending up in rural areas where mosquito densities are highest, thus reducing the likelihood of onward spread.

Malaria has long been a global health issue. In 1955, the World Health Organization launched an eradication campaign that eliminated the disease in many temperate and subtropical regions but did not achieve worldwide eradication. The program was scrapped after less than two decades in favor of controlling malaria. However, WHO attributed about 660,000 deaths to the disease in 2010, mostly African children.

###

University of Florida: http://www.ufl.edu

Thanks to University of Florida for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126977/Research_suggests_malaria_can_be_defeated_without_a_globally_led_eradication_program

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Video: Romney resurfaces, will speak at CPAC

>>> mitt romney 's return to the political spotlight to speak at cpac next month caused a lot of buzz, especially among conservatives who want to know why. since word came down that there's been nothing from -- been nothing from romney about the goal and how it factors in to his next move. conservative radio talk show host steve dais not shy of criticized mitt romney lists reasons why the former candidate decided to quote break radio silence . steve joins us via skype. good to see you.

>> you, as well. how have you been?

>> great. seems like you're channelling david letterman . when's the inspiration? are you as baffled as other conservatives why mitt romney wants to return to cpac and the spotlight this way?

>> yeah. and there's a lot of possible reasons for why romney would want to return. none of them are good. unless it includes an apology but that its would be another romney flip flop because the last book is called "no apologies" and might be a romney flip flop we conservatives might welcome. there's no reason to bring him back. frankly, unless he's going to do a speech titled whatnot to do when running for president. maybe bob dole and george herbert walker bush have too much dignity to deliver. john mccain probably lost his voice this week and ford is dead so that leaves it to mitt romney .

>> i want to get to four of the things on the top ten list. romney finally figured out it was time to talk about benghazi. fellow republicans kept the story alive as it should. you're hitting romney on this one. you can't let it go.

>> no. my show airs at night around the country and we would do live mystery live theater on the presidential debates and sit here and watch questions of benghazi come up and romney never addressed it. he punts every single time and if that's going to be the case then i guess, you know, for we conservatives, why should we want him to win more than he does? very frustrating.

>> number three, jealous of the positive press karl rove is getting. i want to get to number two. you say romney wants to make the case why self-deporting amnesty is our sure-fire way of securing more of the hispanic vote. sounds like you're trying to get him to explain why the party is abandoned by the hispanic voters.

>> it's my personal favorite. he always puts the best number two, as well. it's romney 's attempt to take every side of every issue. back to the primary each year he attacked newt gingrich from the right on issues like amnesty and the self-deportation card and then right down the same audience in florida and the general election and then came out for amnesty and the president's amnesty plans so that is mitt romney in a nutshell taking every side to every issue. if you ask mitt romney where he is on the issues, the answer is, yes.

>> your number one reason you want to tell the audience?

>> it's probably the closest he's going to get to the white house . and sadly, for we conservatives, if you want to know what a romney administration would have looked like, you're probably looking at it right now.

>> very interesting list and surely we'll have you back on after mr. romney 's delivers the

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/newsnation/50909507/

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