UK says soldier deaths' court ruling will hit combat missions

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - The British government warned on Wednesday that future combat operations could become more difficult after a court ruled that families of three soldiers killed in Iraq could sue the military for failing to protect troops on active duty.

Britain's Supreme Court upheld the claim of relatives that the Human Rights Act applied to troops serving in battle abroad, and rejected the Ministry of Defence's argument that it was protected by a doctrine of combat immunity.

Under the doctrine, the government cannot be held responsible for actions or omissions that cause death or injury during combat.

The ruling delighted and surprised the families involved, but Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said that worrying about soldiers' human rights could have a serious impact on future military missions.

"I am very concerned at the wider implications of this judgment, which could ultimately make it more difficult for our troops to carry out operations and potentially throws open a wide range of military decisions to the uncertainty of litigation," Hammond said in a statement.

"It can't be right that troops on operations have to put the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights) ahead of what is operationally vital to protect our national security."

Britain's top court, which overturned a decision by the Court of Appeal last year, ruled troops did remain under British jurisdiction when deployed on active service abroad and so were covered by the Human Rights Act.

It means families of soldiers killed can now take their cases to trial to seek damages from the MoD for negligence.

The claims related to the deaths of two British soldiers killed by improvised explosive devices while travelling in the heavily criticized, lightly armored Snatch Land Rover vehicles, and another who died in a "friendly fire" incident.

"It has been a long hard battle to get to this decision today and we now finally have permission to proceed and prove the MoD were at fault," said Susan Smith, whose son Private Philip Hewett was killed when his Snatch Land Rover was struck by an explosion in July 2005.

"They can no longer treat soldiers as sub-human with no rights."

Relatives of some British soldiers killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan have blamed inadequate equipment for unnecessary deaths. Snatch Land Rovers have been particularly singled out, with critics arguing they gave too little or no protection from roadside bombs.

"Snatch Land Rovers were known to be inadequate for many years before the Iraq conflict. They were known to be unsafe and were becoming increasingly so as the insurgency grew and were nicknamed 'mobile coffins'," said the families' lawyer Jocelyn Cockburn.

"There seems to have been no intent to act upon the clear evidence regarding the safety of these vehicles."

(Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uk-says-soldier-deaths-court-ruling-hit-combat-123741874.html

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Snoopy returning to Macy?s Thanksgiving Parade

Rian Castillo / cc-licensed http://flic.kr/p/7eyJWW

Snoopy and Woodstock will once again fly high at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Staff New York Business Journal

After Snoopy?s absence from the Macy?s Thanksgiving Parade last year disappointed fans, Macy?s Inc. said it is bringing back the famous beagle this year.

On Nov. 28, the newest Snoopy balloon will take flight along with his pal Woodstock for the 87th Annual Macy?s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Charles M. Schulz classic comic character will soar in his 37^th Macy?s Parade, cementing Snoopy?s long-standing record for most appearances and most balloon versions, seven in total since the 1960s.

?As the many millions of Macy?s Parade fans know, Snoopy and the Macy?s Thanksgiving Day Parade are synonymous and this seventh iteration of this magnificent beagle and his rascally friend Woodstock will carve an indelible image in the sky as he has ever since the late 1960s,? Amy Kule, executive producer of the Macy?s Thanksgiving Day Parade, said in a statement.

?When the holiday season arrives, fans around the world immediately think of Peanuts,? added Leigh Anne Brodsky, managing director of Peanuts Worldwide LLC and Iconix Entertainment. ?The classic television specials are treasures for fans of all ages, and of course Thanksgiving would not be the same without Snoopy in the Macy?s Parade.?

The new balloon was designed by the artists of Macy?s Parade Studio in collaboration with the Peanuts team.

Snoopy debuted in the 1968 Macy?s Parade and over the years, has taken on a variety of roles from an astronaut in the early ?70s to an ice skater. From 1999 to 2001 he was Millennium Snoopy, and in his last appearance in 2011, he was the the Flying Ace.

Macy?s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air nationwide on NBC Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones. The parade attracts more than 50 million television viewers and more than 3.5 million spectators who line up along two-mile route in New York City each year.

The Peanuts characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80 percent by New York-based Iconix Brand Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) and 20 percent by members of the Schulz family.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vertical_61/~3/uGP6_9Gfu2o/snoopy-returning-to-macys.html

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Men's Wearhouse ousts founder, pitchman Zimmer

NEW YORK (AP) ? Apparently, Men's Wearhouse Inc. doesn't like the way its founder looks anymore.

In a terse release issued Wednesday, Men's Wearhouse said it has fired the face of the company and its executive chairman, George Zimmer, who appeared in many of its TV commercials with the slogan "You're going to like the way you look. I guarantee it."

In a statement issued to CNBC, Zimmer said that over the past several months he and the company's board disagreed about the company's direction and that the board "inappropriately has chosen to silence my concerns," by firing him.

Men's Wearhouse gave no reason for the abrupt firing of Zimmer, who built Men's Wearhouse from one small Texas store using a cigar box as a cash register to one of the North America's largest specialty men's clothiers with 1,143 locations.

The AP could not immediately reach Zimmer for comment.

The timing of the announcement was odd ?it happened the morning the company's annual shareholder meeting had been set to take place. The company delayed the meeting but didn't give a new date.

The company said the purpose of postponing the annual meeting is to re-nominate the existing board of directors without Zimmer. It said the board expects to discuss with Zimmer the extent, if any, and terms of "his ongoing relationship" with the company.

The news shocked analysts and corporate governance experts, who tried to speculate what happened.

"This is very rare to fire a founder. Founders are generally entrenched in the company," said Eleanor Bloxham, CEO of The Value Alliance, a board advisory firm.

Zimmer, who handed over his CEO title to Douglas Ewert in 2011, was the company's personable, down-to-earth face, his slogan almost a cultural touchstone.

As of early afternoon, the company's website still prominently spotlighted Zimmer, calling him "The Man Behind The Brand" and linking to YouTube videos of "the man in action."

The abrupt departure comes a week after Men's Wearhouse reported that its fiscal first-quarter profit increased 23 percent, helped by stronger profit margins and an earlier prom season.

In 1971, fresh out of college, Zimmer made his first foray into the clothing industry, working in Hong Kong for six months as a salesman for his father's coat manufacturing business, according to the company website.

In 1973, he and his college roommate opened the first Men's Wearhouse store, which sold $10 slacks and $25 polyester sport coats, in Houston. His personal car was a van with the company logo on the side and clothing racks in the back.

The company aired its first TV commercial in the 1970s when commercials for clothing were rare. Zimmer starred in his first commercial in 1986, with the line "I guarantee it."

Men's Wearhouse kept expanding, focusing on large markets where business was sluggish to take advantage of lower real estate costs. It also expanded beyond sports coats and trousers to casual sportswear in the 1980s and then went into the tuxedo rental business in 2000.

Zimmer owned 1.8 million shares of Men's Wearhouse as of the company's May 9 proxy filing, a 3.5 percent stake in the company.

Shares of Men's Wearhouse fell nearly 2 percent, or 65 cents, to $36.82 in early afternoon trading. The stock has traded between $25.97 and $38.59 in the past 52 weeks, and ended Tuesday up about 20 percent since the start of the year.

The company, based in Fremont, Calif., also runs the Moores and K&G retail chains. It also sells uniform and work wear in the U.S. and U.K.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mens-wearhouse-ousts-founder-pitchman-zimmer-150555607.html

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Lytro finally enables camera's WiFi chip, introduces iOS companion app as well

Though Lytro early adopters might not know it, every one of those little light field cameras actually has a WiFi chip embedded inside, lying dormant until the company decides to flip the switch. Well, that time has finally come in the form of a firmware update, and wouldn't you know it, it coincides nicely with the release of a new iOS app as well. Dubbed Lytro Mobile, the app connects with the device over WiFi (naturally), letting you view its contents on your favorite iOS device. Simply select the Camera feature in the app, and it'll prompt you to swipe the Lytro's menu drawer until you see the WiFi logo as shown in the picture above. Tap it, follow the on-screen instructions, and voilà, you're now able to upload your images directly to Lytro.com either over a cellular or WiFi connection, no USB plug required.

Like the Lytro desktop app, the mobile version lets you refocus a picture and change its center of perspective via Perspective Shift. You can also add captions and geotagging data, and share your living pictures via Facebook, Twitter, email or SMS. Along with letting you see what's on your camera itself, the app also gives you access to a mobile version of the Lytro website. You can check your profile, view the most popular and most recently uploaded pictures and "like" any photo that strikes your fancy. Interestingly, the app also lets you create an animated GIF out of a living picture -- simply select either "refocus" or "perspective shift" on any of your Lytro shots to have one of those two animations added to your camera roll (we've included an example GIF after the break). Last but not least, the Lytro Mobile app has a series of tips for Lytro owners to learn more about their camera. To learn more about the app, check out the screenshots, video and release after the break. Or you can just head to the App Store link to download it right now.

Filed under: Cameras

Comments

Source: Lytro Mobile (App Store)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/19/lytro-mobile/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

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By Ron Burgundy's Mustache! It's A New 'Anchorman' Poster

A new poster for "Anchorman: The Legend Continues" debuted online today, ahead of a brand new trailer, which will drop tomorrow. Also, watch Ron Howard read fan tweets as the "Arrested Development" narrator in today's Dailies! » Latino Review's El Mayimbe is making his feature film debut. Check out his indiegogo page to see perks [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2013/06/18/by-ron-burgundys-mustache-its-a-new-anchorman-poster/

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Above & Beyond Reveal Why They Went Acoustic

Trance producers/Djs talk to MTV News about their three acoustic shows in London.
By Sam Hendrick

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1709231/above-beyond-acoustic-album.jhtml

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Rett Syndrome protein surrenders some of its secrets

June 17, 2013 ? Discovery of a mutant gene responsible for a disease is a milestone, but for most conditions, it may be only a first step towards a treatment or cure. Understanding Rett Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, is further complicated by the fact that the implicated gene controls a suite of other genes. Two papers, published in today's Nature Neuroscience and Nature, reveal key steps in how mutations in the gene for methyl CpG-binding protein (MECP2) cause the condition. The Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) funded this work with generous support from partners Rett Syndrome Research Trust UK and Rett Syndrome Research & Treatment Foundation.

Rett Syndrome is a single-gene neurological disorder that affects girls. Development slows during the first year of life, then regresses, as toddlers lose speech, mobility, and hand use. Many girls have seizures, orthopedic and severe digestive problems, as well as breathing and other autonomic impairments. Most live into adulthood and require total, round-the-clock care. Rett Syndrome affects about 1 in 10,000 girls born each year.

The papers result from a collaboration between the labs of Adrian Bird, Ph.D., Buchanan Professor of Genetics at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology at the University of Edinburgh, and Michael Greenberg, Ph.D., Department Chair and Nathan Marsh Pusey Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School.

The Bird and Greenberg labs have been working together since 2011 as members of the MECP2 Consortium along with Gail Mandel, a Howard Hughes Investigator at Oregon Health and Sciences University. The Consortium, launched by RSRT with a $1 million lead gift by RSRT Trustee Tony Schoener and his wife Kathy, fosters novel alliances among leading scientists to interrogate the molecules at the root of the syndrome.

Professor Bird discovered the MeCP2 protein in 1992. In 2007, he showed that affected brain cells in a mouse model of Rett Syndrome can regain function, even in late stages of the disease, suggesting that the disorder is curable. Despite this unexpected breakthrough the function of the Rett protein remains elusive.

In search of the function, the Bird lab set out to identify the key domains of the protein. Mutations found in individuals suffering from Rett led them to their answer. By focusing only on "missense" mutations, which alter a single amino acid, the researchers were able to hone in on two key domains where the mutations aggregated. The first was the well-known methyl binding domain (MBD) which is the site where MeCP2 binds to methylated DNA, thereby modulating the expression of downstream genes. The second key domain is where MeCP2 binds to a molecule called NCoR/SMRT, a large multi-protein machine that shuts down genes. The Bird lab coined this domain the NCoR/SMRT Interaction Domain (NID).

"Further proof of the importance of the MBD and the NID came from mining the genomes of 6503 healthy people. The result was the exact mirror image of the situation seen in Rett. All along the MECP2 gene normal people have non-disease causing alterations, known as polymorphisms. However, no alterations of any kind could be found in the MBD and the NID, indicating that these domains are prized real estate that cannot be tampered with," said Matthew Lyst, postdoctoral researcher and lead author on the Nature Neuroscience paper.

The most frequent Rett mutation in the NID is at amino acid # 306. When the researchers recapitulated the mutation in mice, the animals suffered symptoms similar to girls with Rett. At fault: loss of the interaction between the MeCP2 and NCoR/SMRT proteins and further evidence of the importance of the NID.

"We knew that MeCP2 binds to the genome at methylated sites, but nothing more than that. We now know that its function depends on the ability to bring NCoR/SMRT co-repressors to the DNA," Prof. Bird summed up.

The Nature paper continues the story through another amino acid location, 308, which is very near the 306 mutation in the human version of the gene. Sensory input leads to the addition of a phosphate group at the 308 site and this alters the ability of the MeCP2 protein to interact with the NCoR/SMRT co-repressor, thereby affecting the expression of downstream proteins. The Greenberg lab created mice with a mutation at 308 that are unable to attach a phosphate group. As a result, genes that MeCP2 normally controls are mis-regulated.

"The MeCP2 308 mice have reduced brain weight, motor system abnormalities, and lower seizure thresholds that correspond to the deceleration of head growth, motor system impairments and seizure disorders found in Rett. This suggests that the modification of 308 is critical for the normal function of MeCP2 and its disruption might contribute to Rett," said Daniel Ebert, postdoctoral researcher and lead author on the Nature paper.

Whether the phosphates are added to MeCP2 depends on activity of the neuron. The Greenberg lab has found that in early life, sensory input leads to modification of MeCP2 at multiple sites, including 308. These changes appear to be critical for proper brain development, and their absence in Rett Syndrome may begin to explain what goes wrong in the brains of girls with this devastating disorder.

Each step deciphered in the genetic choreography behind Rett Syndrome is a step towards treatment. "To design an effective small molecule therapy, one needs to understand the underlying mechanisms of how MeCP2 functions and how mutations in MeCP2 lead to disease. Both papers published today make significant progress by providing compelling evidence for dysregulation of the MeCP2-NCoR interaction underlying key aspects of Rett Syndrome," said Prof. Greenberg.

What still isn't known is which genes the co-repressors target. And that will be the next leap in traveling the road from a mutant gene to a little girl who wrings her hands, has seizures and can't talk or walk. Discovering the other molecular events might reveal intersecting or redundant genetic pathways that drug developers can tweak in the search for treatments.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/ohn4IuWHhU8/130617122506.htm

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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rival is Iran's new president

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sees his rival Hasan Rowhani elected as president of Iran. Is the political career of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over?

By Ali Akbar Dareini and Brian Murphy,?Associated Press / June 15, 2013

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaks during an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Tehran, Iran, Sunday.

Vahid Salemi/AP

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Just weeks after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's election victory in 2005, Iran's top nuclear negotiator Hasan Rowhani stepped down from the post after quarrelsome meetings with the new president.

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The decision cemented Rowhani's reputation as a moderate who rejected Ahmadinejad's combative approach in world affairs in favor of the more nuanced philosophy of Ahmadinejad's leading political foe, former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Rafsanjani was rejected by Iran's election guardians from Friday's presidential ballot. But for many reformists and liberals in Iran, the 64-year-old Rowhani is somewhat of a mirror image of the elder Rafsanjani by reflecting his outlook that Iran can maintain its nuclear program and ease tensions with the West at the same time.

Rowhani won a resounding first-round victory on Saturday.

"Rafsanjani was really the only choice to re-energize reformists," said Rasool Nafisi, an Iranian affairs analyst at Strayer University in Virginia. "Rowhani only got their support because he is seen as Rafsanjani's man and a vote for Rowhani was a vote for Rafsanjani."

This deep connection between the two men could give a Rowhani presidency a dual nature: Rowhani as the public face and Rafsanjani behind the scenes as its powerful godfather and protector.

Although all key policies such the nuclear program are directed by the ruling clerics, the alliance with Rafsanjani may give Rowhani more latitude to put his stamp on Iran's negotiation tactics with world powers after four rounds of talks since last year have failed to make any significant headway.

At campaign rallies, Rowhani has pledged to seek "constructive interaction with the world" that includes efforts to ease Western concerns about Iran's program and lift punishing international sanctions that have pummeled the economy. The West and its allies fear Iran could be moving toward development of a nuclear weapon. Iranian officials, including Rowhani, insist that the country only seeks nuclear reactors for energy and medical applications.

"We won't let the past eight years be continued," Rowhani told a cheering crowd last week in a clear reference to Ahmadinejad's back-to-back terms. "They brought sanctions for the country. Yet, they are proud of it. I'll pursue a policy of reconciliation and peace. We will also reconcile with the world."

Rowhani ? the only cleric in the six-candidate presidential field ? started religious studies at a teenager. He soon established himself as an outspoken opponent of the Western-backed shah, traveling frequently for anti-monarchy speeches and sermons that caught the attention of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the eventual leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/Yr80ms_oVvE/Mahmoud-Ahmadinejad-rival-is-Iran-s-new-president

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Glasnost on the Potomac under Obama? Not quite (The Arizona Republic)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

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Bulgaria media mogul elected security chief

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) ? The Bulgarian parliament's quick appointment of a legislator and media mogul to head the country's security service sparked massive protests Friday and prompted the president to demand the decision be immediately reversed.

Delyan Peevski, 33, was endorsed by legislators from the ruling left-leaning bloc in a 116-87 vote with one abstention. Peevski was the only one nominated for the post and the vote was not preceded by the usual debate.

President Rosen Plevneliev urged parliament to "immediately" retract its decision, saying it would have "long-term negative consequences for Bulgaria." He also called a meeting of the national security council next week to discuss Peevski's appointment.

Peevski and his mother, Irena Krasteva, control a network of national newspapers and television channels. Those who oppose his appointment believe his roles as spy chief and a media mogul would collide.

Several thousand people, organized through social media, rallied in front of government headquarters Friday to demand that the decision be revoked, shouting "Mafia!" and "Resignation!" The protesters accused the government of having ties with the oligarchy and demanded that early elections be called immediately.

"The election of Delyan Peevski at the helm of the state security agency is an arrogant sign that the mafia has taken over the state," the conservative DSB party said in a statement.

In 2007, Peevski was fired as a deputy minister of emergency situations in a corruption scandal. He was eventually cleared after an investigation established no wrongdoing, however, and was reinstated in the post.

The current government, backed by the Socialists and a smaller ethnic Turkish party, was formed after the May 12 election. Together the two groups have 120 seats in the 240-member parliament, which makes it difficult for them to push through reforms of the country's ailing economy.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bulgaria-media-mogul-elected-security-chief-174116337.html

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10 absolute worst pay-per-view posters ever

All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. ? 2013 WWE, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This website is based in the United States. By submitting personal information to this website you consent to your information being maintained in the U.S., subject to applicable U.S. laws. U.S. law may be different than the law of your home country. WrestleMania XXIX (NY/NJ) logo TM & ? 2013 WWE. All Rights Reserved. The Empire State Building design is a registered trademark and used with permission by ESBC.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/10-worst-ppv-posters

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A look at Google's Internet-beaming balloons

Google is experimenting with balloons that beam the Internet from the sky.

WHAT? The helium-filled balloons are made from a thin polyethylene film and are 15 meters (49 feet) in diameter when fully inflated.

WHERE? They float in the stratosphere about 20 kilometers (12 miles) above the Earth.

HOW? The balloons would sail on the stratosphere's winds in a continuous circuit around the globe. The balloons come equipped with flight computers, and Google would control the balloons' altitude from the ground, keeping them moving along a desired channel by using different winds at different heights.

A BREAKTHROUGH? Google says past attempts to control balloons have involved tethering them or using expensive motors to keep them in place. They say simply sailing with the winds was one of the company's breakthrough ideas.

THE ADVANTAGE? Google says the balloons have the potential to provide Internet access far more cheaply, quickly and widely than traditional underground fiber cables. One downside is that computer users on the ground would need to install a receiver to get the signal.

THE REACH? The transmitter on each balloon would beam down the Internet to an area about 1,250 square kilometers (780 square miles) ? twice the size of New York City.

THE CHALLENGE? Managing the flight of just one balloon in our complex and ever-changing atmosphere is a huge challenge. Trying to harmonize an entire fleet of thousands of them will be mind-boggling.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2013-06-15-Google%20Internet%20Balloon-Glance/id-a34faaf2b31e4bc0aa15ae77df433c4e

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Secrets of biological soil crusts uncovered

June 14, 2013 ? They lie dormant for years, but at the first sign of favorable conditions they awaken. This sounds like the tagline for a science fiction movie, but it describes the amazing life-cycles of microbial organisms that form the biological soil crusts (BSCs) of Earth's deserts. Now a research team with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has reported a unique molecular-level analysis of a BSC cyanobacterium responding to the wetting and drying of its environment. The results hold implications for land management, improved climate change models, and a better understanding of carbon cycling in soil microbial communities and how changes in global temperatures impact Earth's deserts.

"We found a way to measure from start to finish in real unaltered samples the molecular events behind the response of cyanobacterium to wetting and drying in a desert BSC," says Aindrila Mukhopadhyay, a biologist with Berkeley Lab's Physical Biosciences Division. "Not only did we get a good view of the genetic machinery that wakes the microbes up, but we also got a good sense of what constitutes a healthy BSC."

Mukhopadhyay and Trent Northen, a chemist with Berkeley Lab's Life Sciences Division, are the corresponding authors of a paper describing this research in the journal of the International Society for Microbial Ecology. The paper is titled "Dynamic cyanobacterial response to hydration and dehydration in a desert biological soil crust."

Arid and semi-arid deserts make up about 40-percent of Earth's total land mass. Much of the undisturbed soil crust in these deserts is a living mantle of microbes and their by-products, with the predominant inhabitants being cyanobacteria, microorganisms that use photosynthesis for energy. To survive dry spells that can go on for years, BSC microorganisms must enter a dormant state but they must also be poised for rapid resuscitation to utilize short periods of precipitation. For a better understanding of how the microbes are able to do this, the Berkeley Lab research team studied the cyanobacterium Microcoleus vaginatus.

"M. vaginatus is the early BSC colonizer, an ecosystem pioneer that fixes carbon and binds the soil together allowing the community to develop while preventing wind erosion," says Northen. "It is globally distributed in regions where water is scarce, including not only hot deserts but the arctic as well."

Working with the research group of Ferran Garcia-Pichel at Arizona State University, the Berkeley Lab team collected pie-sized samples of soil crust from the cold desert area near Moab, Utah. These samples were subjected to in situ wetting and drying over a period of six days, including two diel (day/night) cycles. The wetting simulated conditions that would be brought about by the passage of a rain front. During the study, the researchers performed whole-genome transcriptional analysis and precise biochemical measurements.

"Simulated weather conditions and sampling in a temporal manner over the six day experimental period allowed us to track key transcriptional and metabolic responses as they occurred," says Mukhopadhyay. "We found that within three minutes after wetting began, metabolic processes in the dormant microbial cells came alive. Within one hour, photosynthesis began, accompanied by carbon dioxide up-take. During this time we saw specific genes get turned on/off and specific gene expressions be elevated or depressed."

The rain episode lasted three days. Although rare, such conditions do occur in the desert and enabled the researchers to differentiate between wetting-up and drying-down responses from diel cycle responses. They discovered that when dehydration of the soil resumed, the mechanisms triggered by wetting were mirrored in the reverse direction, suggesting that the M. vaginatus microbes were preparing themselves to re-enter desiccation-induced dormancy.

"These BSC microbes are highly attuned to their environment and they respond very quickly to changes," Mukhopadhyay says. "Their responses, however, are highly sensitive to physical disturbances and alterations in temperature."

In their paper, the Berkeley Lab researchers say that a better understanding of how environmental factors influence the growth and metabolism of M. vaginatus and other BSC microbes should improve our ability to predict the impacts of climate or land-use change on BSC systems. This knowledge should also help in the development of management strategies for restoring BSCs following large-scale disturbances.

"BSC systems represent the world's largest biofilms, and the demise of such systems could release carbon, and probably more importantly, dust into the atmosphere, changing the albedo of snow-packs," says Northen. "Restoring or protecting BSCs through changes in land-use could help pull carbon out of the atmosphere and reduce dust."

A better understanding of BSCs could also deepen our understanding of the carbon cycle, which could improve the accuracy of climate models, as Mukhopadhyay explains.

"In most climate models there is little or no accounting for the carbon fixed by soil microbes," she says. "BSC cyanobacteria are the photosynthetic organism for deserts and understanding their role in the carbon-cycle will help fill in current climate model gaps. This should help improve the accuracy of these models."

The Berkeley Lab team would like to expand their efforts to examine other BSC systems around the world. Among other issues, they would like to identify the signaling mechanisms that inform dormant BSC microbes that moisture is present or that the temperature is changing and it is time to respond.

"BSCs are sentinels for marking the health or decline of the world's deserts, one of Earth's major ecosystems," Mukhopadhyay says. "It is vital that we understand them."

Co-authoring the paper "Dynamic cyanobacterial response to hydration and dehydration in a desert biological soil crust" were Lara Rajeev, Ulisses Nunes da Rocha, Niels Klitgord, Eric Luning, Julian Fortney, Seth Axen, Patrick Shih, Nicholas Bouskill, Benjamin Bowen, Cheryl Kerfeld, Ferran Garcia-Pichel and Eoin Brodie.

This research was funded through Berkeley Lab's Laboratory Directed Research and Development program.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/zGaRzU1RaaM/130614125642.htm

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Visualized: SpaceX Dragon capsule at E3

There's plenty to look at around the E3 show floor this year, but few if any of the shiny new products have actually been to space. Pretty sad, if you ask us. Thankfully, SpaceX was on hand, showing off one of its Dragon capsules in the parking lot of the Los Angeles Convention Center. The unit that was on display was the first to reach the ISS, bringing along some sundries for the crew, but nothing particularly vital -- after all, it was a sort of test run.

All went well, and the unit landed in the Pacific Ocean, within five kilometers of the company's calculations. Not too shabby. Of course, the thing burnt to a crisp in the process, with a marshmallow-like blackening of its edges (which is pretty evident in the gallery below). We couldn't get too close, sadly, due to the protective ropes bearing a "Don't Pet the Dragon" sign. After all, we don't want any showgoers turning into the Fantastic Four.

Gallery: Visualized: SpaceX Dragon capsule at E3

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/12/space-x-e3/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

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AMD wins race to 5GHz CPU clock speed, in which it was the sole participant

AMD has refreshed its lineup of eight-core FX chips in what sounds like some straightforward overclocking of last year's products. The FX-9590 claims a clock speed of 5GHz in turbo mode, making it the "world's first commercially available 5GHz CPU processor," while the FX-9370 lags slightly behind at 4.7GHz, as compared to the 4.2GHz top speed of the current FX-8350. Both new CPUs are based on the familiar Piledriver core, which has a reputation for being relatively cheap and easily overclockable (honestly, the 5GHz barrier was obliterated long ago), but far behind an Intel Core i5 in terms of all-around computing. This is especially true since the launch of Haswell, which largely avoided clock speed increases in favor of architectural tweaks that didn't compromise efficiency. Maingear plans to pick up the 5GHz part for use in a gaming system coming this summer, but there's no word yet on pricing or even general availability for DIY upgraders. Now, we're just speculating, but with AMD increasingly focused on APUs, it's possible that today's chips will represent the FX's lap of glory.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, AMD

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/QNqcU8OdW80/

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Yeezus Will Crush J. Cole, Mac Miller On June 18, Mac Predicts

'Outselling the competition? Nah, I do not care at all,' Mac Miller tells 'RapFix Live.'
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1708943/kanye-west-mac-miller-album-prediction.jhtml

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By Iain Blair LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Forty-three years ago Black Sabbath released its debut self-titled album, a collection of songs inspired by occult themes and powered by heavy-metal guitar riffs. Now, three of the original band members - singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler - and drummer Brad Wilk, of Rage Against the Machine, are releasing a new album, "13," and planning to tour the world to promote it. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/nd-oil-group-hosting-seminar-180304770.html

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Ian Bain Dies; Scottish Writer Was 59

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/06/ian-bain-dies-scottish-writer-was-59/

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Angry Birds-Maker Rovio Picks Up A New COO In Nokia Veteran Teemu Suila

Rovio is continuing to cycle in new executive level management with Nokia veteran Teemu Suila taking over as chief operating officer after former COO Harri Koponen stepped down after about two years in the role. Koponen is moving on to do business development for the main investment company behind Rovio, presumably controlled by chairman Kaj Hed, who is the father of CEO Mikael Hed and owns and 70 percent of the company. Koponen isn’t the only longtime senior exec at Rovio to move on in recent months. They also recently brought on a new executive vice president of games in Digital Chocolate’s Jami Laes after Petri J?rvilehto also moved on. J?rvilehto is taking time off. Another Rovio SVP of brand marketing, Ville Heijari, also recently went to gaming monetization network Playhaven. I’ve reached out to Rovio to get more background on the moves. The new COO Suila used to oversee startup activities and corporate strategy at Nokia after working for the Finnish handset maker for almost 20 years ago. That experience working on relationships with startups could help Rovio as it has been quietly scouting for studios to acquire for game development talent. Koponen held the role for about two years as the company scaled up to make $195 million in revenue in the past year and roughly 650 employees throughout Helsinki, Tokyo, Shanghai, Los Angeles and Seoul. Revenue doubled-year-over-year into 2012 with $71 million in net income as the company focused on a heavy merchandising strategy. Games revenue was about 55 percent of the company’s overall in-take last year, but Rovio has been making extra strides in doing more licensing deals with soft drinks and amusement parks. They also recently added Mika Ihamuotila, the CEO of Marimekko, a globally-known design company, to the board.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/K5xSMHzwwEI/

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