Saturday, March 31, 2012

Ambassador says US response to Syria 'very stern' (Providence Journal)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

kyla pratt justified season 3 custer scott walker restaurant week type 2 diabetes occupy congress

Top tips to become an article writer

?

It is not difficult to become an article writer. You can earn a good income via just working from home. This is an amazingly attractive career. The demand for articles shot up intensely in recent years. One of the great attractions about this career is that it facilitates the professionals to sit at home and work. There is absolutely no requirement to get stuck in office for a definite fixed period of time.

?

Becoming a successful unique article writer is much easier than you think! However, you need to know exactly what you have to do. If you are a novice, it is crucial to realize that there are two basic markets to look forward to start a career, namely; traditional print media (publishing media) and online writing.

?

Traditional Media

?

No. The print media is not dead. The World Wide Web has not overtaken it. You can still enjoy immense opportunity as an article writer. In fact, the print has evolved and persists to do so opening up exciting new opportunities for article writers who hold the ability within to write high quality articles.

?

Online Writing

?

This is the latest trend. The demand for online writing has shot up in the past few years. With the major search engines such as Google and many thousands of websites offering quality articles on a regular basis, a unique article writer have loads of opportunities to earn good money. Many have built a career writing online for various websites and you have full chances of earning well.

?

It is not difficult to get training on efficient article writing. You can also get article writer software initially to speed up the process and proficiency of article writing. This will definitely help you establish yourself as a writer. Make sure that you focus on becoming a unique article writer earn a lot of money.?

?

Subscribing yourself to a writer?s magazine will also help you hone your writing skills. You can also join a training school for the same.

joan crawford joan crawford john goodman kendall marshall whitney houston news sylvia plath whitney houston

Mid-life Britain opens doors for disease research

[ [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Afghan security forces and police killed three', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/H9BcJE', '[Related: Bales\' wife on his alleged shooting: \'He would not do that\']', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['looking for fireworks between the opposing camps', 16]], 'http://yhoo.it/GSvEsj', '[RELATED:\?It?s going to be a circus\?: Activists begin protests outside Supreme Court]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 8]], 'http://yhoo.it/GE6jSh', '[RELATED: Obama\?s health care law passed 2 years ago, but where are we now\?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Witnesses said the gunman pulled up on a black scooter', 7]], 'http://yhoo.it/GzwOIW', '[Related: New York police tighten security at Jewish sites]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['test Zimmerman for alcohol or drugs', 11]], 'http://yhoo.it/Gzn6VF', '[Related: White House says Trayvon Martin is local issue]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Trayvon Martin decked the Neighborhood', 7]], 'http://yhoo.it/GUovUP', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/2/61/261d2c36bccf0971c2734a4d4398aa5a.jpeg', '512', ' ', 'AP/David Goldman', ], [ [['Can you create commerce in order to regulate it', 9]], 'http://yhoo.it/GSgtu8', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/7/78/778e2416573870cd705774e92403447d.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP/Charles Dharapak', ], [ [['associated with such a small earthquake', 4]], 'http://yhoo.it/GTco9z', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/0/b4/0b493c1a47b6e3f97f8f48a2b251d7d4.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger', ], [ [['Fox News host Geraldo Rivera sparked outrage', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GKMVTk', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/2/7c/27c7367bc512d233ae1790b320a5e92c.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP Photo/John Minchillo', ], [ [['The charges signed against Bales include', 1]], 'http://yhoo.it/wZT5zV', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/7/a0/7a07c51b2aa0f39b1a23355046d13870.jpeg', '512', ' ', 'AP Photo/DVIDS\, Spc\. Ryan Hallock\, File', ], [ [['George Zimmerman, if I had a son', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thousands-protest-fla-teen-death-1332387124-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/03/22/d761a49f3fcc99080a0f6a70670053cd-jpg_150905.jpg', '500', ' ', 'AP Photo/John Minchillo', ], [ [['Mohamed Merah', 10], ['prosecutor Francois Molins', 5]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/four-dead-in-french-jewish-school-shooting-1332173151-slideshow', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120321/2012_03_21t151508z_425380421_gm1e83l1sqs01_rtrmadp_3_france_shootings_raid.jpg', '630', ' ', 'REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier', ], [ [['Shortly after he wrapped up his victory remarks', 2]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/4-straight-romney-wins-washington-gop-caucus-1330835515-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/3/e9/3e9b0082c3c3111dcc19e3527ae94cc7.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP Photo/Steven Senne', ], [ [['best understands the problems of average Americans', 2]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/4-straight-romney-wins-washington-gop-caucus-1330835515-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/3/e9/3e9b0082c3c3111dcc19e3527ae94cc7.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP Photo/Steven Senne', ], [ [['Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery', 7]], 'http://yhoo.it/GB2RVy', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/03/20/photo-1332257995646-4-0-jpg_171722.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AFP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

will kopelman casey anthony leann rimes dakota fanning casey anthony video diary joe johnson lamarcus aldridge

Fuel For The Vegan Athlete

Your vegan diet satisfies your conscience and your taste buds, but is it keeping up with your training?? Whether your workout routine includes interval runs on a?treadmill?or you take?local yoga classes, you can?t feel sluggish during or after them.? Below are a few tips to help you get the nutrition you need to perform at your best.

What You Need and How To Get It

The nutrients most often lacking in a vegan athlete?s diet are protein, calcium, vitamins B12 and D, zinc, and iron. ?If you are doing serious training, you will probably want to add protein in powder form to shakes or smoothies. Some of the best ones are hemp, pea, and rice. Hemp is especially good for athletes as it has anti-inflammatory properties and contains vitamin E, which helps to repair muscle fibers. Don?t forget about nut butters ? a few tablespoons of almond butter and an apple or banana make a powerful snack.

Calcium is found in mustard greens, kale, chard, dried figs, and sesame seeds. You can also find it in chlorella, a powder made from freshwater algae.

The simplest way to get the vitamins and zinc are through a supplement or through foods such as cereal or nondairy milk that have been fortified. Check your labels, however, if you?re depending on fortified foods to get these nutrients, because your daily dose may not be enough.

Legumes (beans, peas, and peanuts) are a good source of iron as well as protein. Other iron-rich foods include raisins and cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Citrus or berries combined with these increases the bio-availability of the iron. Cooking in a cast iron pan is another way to get extra iron into your diet.

Recipes for Recovery

These recipes are from Brendan Brazier, vegan triathlete and author. He recommends eating foods of a pudding or smoothie consistency post-workout so your body can repair tissue damage and rehydrate without diverting a lot of energy to the digestive system.

Chocolate Recovery Pudding

4 ounces medium-firm tofu (for protein, calcium)
1 ripe banana (for electrolytes)
1/2 ripe pear (for sugar)
1/2 tablespoon hemp oil (for essential fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6)
1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder (for flavor)
sprinkle sea salt (for sodium)

Blend all ingredients together.

Nutrient-Rich Shake

3 cups water (or 2 cups water and 1 1/2 cups ice)
1 banana (for electrolytes)
1/2 cup blueberries (for antioxidants)
1/2 pear (for sugar, fiber)
1 tablespoon hemp oil (for essential fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6)
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds (for omega 3, fiber)
2 tablespoons hemp protein (for complete protein)
1 teaspoon maca, powdered form (for sterols, alkaloids, glucosinolates)
1 teaspoon chlorella, powdered form (for vitamin b12, chlorophyll, nucleic acids)

Blend together. For variety, add a tablespoon of raw pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Raw carob powder is also a good addition.

While you?re focused on putting plant-based, wholesome food into your body, don?t forget the basic advice that applies to all athletes: hydrate and avoid sugary, highly processed ?energy? drinks and snacks. The real energy is in real food.

?

Image courtesy of Flickr

Sasha
About the author: Sasha View all posts by Sasha
Sasha Britton is a health and fitness buff with a love for beauty from the inside out and yoga and vegan living. She is a personal trainer and her favorite forms of exercise include kickboxing, regular boxing, swimming, yoga and running. Check out her personal blog Fit and Fierce.


Twitter -

moonrise kingdom coachella lineup joran van der sloot coachella 2012 lineup school delays critics choice awards 2012 honey badger

Friday, March 30, 2012

Homeowners Consumer Center Endorses ... - Utah Real Estate


(PRWEB) March 28, 2012

The Homeowners Consumer Center is the premier consumer advocacy organization in the United States, focused on protecting homeowners and the American dream of home ownership. The Homeowners Consumer Center is very focused on consumer protection and advocacy, so it is very rare that a group like this would actually endorse a mortgage lender; but in the case of American Interbanc, the Homeowners Consumer Center has endorsed this lender, and they are encouraging all Utah homeowners wishing to refinance or home buyers with excellent credit and verifiable income to use American Interbanc?s mortgage products. However, the group says, ?We believe American Interbanc?s mortgage, or home loan refinancing products offer the best mortgage interest rates, and the lowest possible fees available in Utah, but we need to emphasize their mortgage products are specifically designed for individuals with the best possible credit and verifiable income.? For more information about American Interbanc, homeowners or individuals can call them at 1-800-724-0004 or visit their web site at http://www.americaninterbanc.com

The Homeowners Consumer Center?s endorsement of American Interbanc is not just limited to the state of California. American Interbanc?s unsurpassed mortgage products are also available to individuals, or homeowners wishing to refinance, or purchase a home in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Washington. http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com

Saving the Deal: How to Avoid Financing Fiascoes and Other Real Estate Deal Killers


As a real estate professional, you probably realize that no matter how careful you are and no matter what lengths you go to, some deals just seem to ?go sour? at the last minute. But is it really just a matter of luck? Is there anything you can do to save yourself and your clients the pain and heartache-not to mention the cost-of a transaction falling through? Using real-life examples, Saving the Deal gives you everything you need to help you cut common-and even not-so-common-problems off at the pass. The book goes beyond the basics, teaching you how to spot ?deal-killing? factors before they spin out of control, including situations involving judgments and liens, mortgage issues, divorce problems, home inspections, contract difficulties, loan approvals, and many others. You?ll find out how to: solve, avoid, or handle tricky title complications ? prepare ?sour-proof? net sheets ? accurately evaluate a potential buyer through analysis of their preapproval letter ? spot problems involving dates and deadlines ? understand the impact that elements such as marital status and bankruptcy have on mortgage loan approval ? help your clients using FHA loans ? get a handle on Homeowner?s Associations ? operate in the tricky terrain of HUD homes and VA loans ? use preventative measures to better prepare a property and your seller for the reality of inspection day In a perfect world, real estate agents would work only with prospective home buyers who have preapproved financing, sellers who are fully aware of their property?s title status, and contracts with every detail neatly worked out in advance. But no matter what comes up in the real world, Saving the Deal gives you solid strategies that will help ensure you see each deal through to completion. Tracey Rumsey is a Mortgage and Real Estate Continuing Education instructor licensed with the Utah Division

Price: $
Sold by Barnes & Noble

Source: http://ut-real-estate.com/2012/03/29/homeowners-consumer-center-endorses-american-interbanc-for-its-best-mortgage-interest-rates-for-people-in-utah-with-great-credit-wishing-to-refinance-or-finance-a-home/

oscar nominations rough riders joy division dodd frank norco rand paul detained nbc news

Confirmed: LivingSocial Co-founder Eddie Frederick Steps Down From Leadership, Board

6a00e553b7e58b8834010536b4bf69970c-800wiStartupStats got wind of news this afternoon that LivingSocial Co-founder Eddie Frederick is stepping down from both his leadership position today, and from his role as a member of the company's board of directors. We've since been able to confirm the news by way of LivingSocial Director of Communications Brendan Lewis. Frederick co-founded the daily deal giant back in 2007 with CEO Tim O'Shaughnessy, CIO Val Aleksenko, and CTO Aaron Batalion. The four met while working for Revolution Health, and, after completing work on the consumer healthcare portal, they decided to leave to pursue their already-launched Facebook app, Virtual Bookshelf. The book solution, formerly known as Hungry Machine, was initially the company's flagship product, before it became the Groupon competitor we know today.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/95GpJ37eZjk/

while you were sleeping happy halloween happy halloween history of halloween eagles cowboys eagles cowboys trick or treat times

MSNBC, the Faux News Network (Powerlineblog)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories Stories, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/210481044?client_source=feed&format=rss

steelers browns albert pujols va tech dan gilbert david stern david stern julian beever

Bees 'self-medicate' when infected with some pathogens

Bees 'self-medicate' when infected with some pathogens [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 30-Mar-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Matt Shipman
matt_shipman@ncsu.edu
919-515-6386
North Carolina State University

Research from North Carolina State University shows that honey bees "self-medicate" when their colony is infected with a harmful fungus, bringing in increased amounts of antifungal plant resins to ward off the pathogen.

"The colony is willing to expend the energy and effort of its worker bees to collect these resins," says Dr. Michael Simone-Finstrom, a postdoctoral research scholar in NC State's Department of Entomology and lead author of a paper describing the research. "So, clearly this behavior has evolved because the benefit to the colony exceeds the cost."

Wild honey bees normally line their hives with propolis, a mixture of plant resins and wax that has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Domesticated honey bees also use propolis, to fill in cracks in their hives. However, researchers found that, when faced with a fungal threat, bees bring in significantly more propolis 45 percent more, on average. The bees also physically removed infected larvae that had been parasitized by the fungus and were being used to create fungal spores.

Researchers know propolis is an effective antifungal agent because they lined some hives with a propolis extract and found that the extract significantly reduced the rate of infection.

And apparently bees can sometimes distinguish harmful fungi from harmless ones, since colonies did not bring in increased amounts of propolis when infected with harmless fungal species. Instead, the colonies relied on physically removing the spores.

However, the self-medicating behavior does have limits. Honey bee colonies infected with pathogenic bacteria did not bring in significantly more propolis despite the fact that the propolis also has antibacterial properties. "There was a slight increase, but it was not statistically significant," Simone-Finstrom says. "That is something we plan to follow up on."

There may be a lesson here for domestic beekeepers. "Historically, U.S. beekeepers preferred colonies that used less of this resin, because it is sticky and can be difficult to work with," Simone-Finstrom says. "Now we know that this is a characteristic worth promoting, because it seems to offer the bees some natural defense."

###

The paper, "Increased resin collection after parasite challenge: a case of self-medication in honey bees?," was co-authored by Dr. Marla Spivak of the University of Minnesota and is available online from PLoS ONE. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation.



[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Bees 'self-medicate' when infected with some pathogens [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 30-Mar-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Matt Shipman
matt_shipman@ncsu.edu
919-515-6386
North Carolina State University

Research from North Carolina State University shows that honey bees "self-medicate" when their colony is infected with a harmful fungus, bringing in increased amounts of antifungal plant resins to ward off the pathogen.

"The colony is willing to expend the energy and effort of its worker bees to collect these resins," says Dr. Michael Simone-Finstrom, a postdoctoral research scholar in NC State's Department of Entomology and lead author of a paper describing the research. "So, clearly this behavior has evolved because the benefit to the colony exceeds the cost."

Wild honey bees normally line their hives with propolis, a mixture of plant resins and wax that has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Domesticated honey bees also use propolis, to fill in cracks in their hives. However, researchers found that, when faced with a fungal threat, bees bring in significantly more propolis 45 percent more, on average. The bees also physically removed infected larvae that had been parasitized by the fungus and were being used to create fungal spores.

Researchers know propolis is an effective antifungal agent because they lined some hives with a propolis extract and found that the extract significantly reduced the rate of infection.

And apparently bees can sometimes distinguish harmful fungi from harmless ones, since colonies did not bring in increased amounts of propolis when infected with harmless fungal species. Instead, the colonies relied on physically removing the spores.

However, the self-medicating behavior does have limits. Honey bee colonies infected with pathogenic bacteria did not bring in significantly more propolis despite the fact that the propolis also has antibacterial properties. "There was a slight increase, but it was not statistically significant," Simone-Finstrom says. "That is something we plan to follow up on."

There may be a lesson here for domestic beekeepers. "Historically, U.S. beekeepers preferred colonies that used less of this resin, because it is sticky and can be difficult to work with," Simone-Finstrom says. "Now we know that this is a characteristic worth promoting, because it seems to offer the bees some natural defense."

###

The paper, "Increased resin collection after parasite challenge: a case of self-medication in honey bees?," was co-authored by Dr. Marla Spivak of the University of Minnesota and is available online from PLoS ONE. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation.



[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/ncsu-bw033012.php

jon hamm kim kardashian law school rankings ncaa bracket predictions jeff foxworthy heather morris the bachelor finale march madness bracket

Whether Obama or Romney, next US leader faces severe foreign challenges

Whoever wins the US presidency ? be it likely GOP nominee Mitt Romney or President Obama ? faces an array of foreign-policy challenges that may be as daunting as those of the cold war.?For starters, they involve China, Russia, the Arab world, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan.

Whoever wins the US presidency in November faces an array of foreign-policy challenges that may be as daunting as those of the cold war.?While revitalizing the US economy may be the next president?s primary concern, uncertainties abroad will likely reshape global politics and redistribute power.

Skip to next paragraph

For starters, they will involve China, Russia, the Arab world, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan.

CHINA. Its spectacular economic growth has made it a serious challenger to US global leadership and a formidable factor in a potential shift of power from the West to the East. Its growing military force makes countries in Southeast Asia nervous. Its growing Navy patrols waters where US warships have been dominant.

As America?s banker, Beijing commands respect in Washington, but the US-China relationship is prickly, particularly when US officials deplore the way China hobbles its citizens? freedom and purloins US intellectual property.?Pending changes in China?s top political leadership make for uncertainty about that nation?s internal and international direction.

RUSSIA. By shady vote-rigging and the neutralizing of opposition candidates, Vladimir Putin is president again and talking tough about America. But the opposition of young Russians was vocal in the election, and change seems inevitable.

When Ronald Reagan was president, he engaged with Russian leaders even during the cold war. Whoever occupies the White House for the next four years must do the same, seeking common ground on Syria and Iranian nuclear weaponry.

THE ARAB WORLD. Upheaval in Arab lands may not lead to democracy as Americans understand it or want it. The American president must press the incoming governments for the essential tools of freedom: free elections, a free press, an independent judiciary. Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should be tried for crimes against humanity.

IRAN. President Obama must be anxious to head off any military action against the Tehran regime until after the US elections. Whoever emerges as president for the next four years will face a ticking clock as Iran races to produce either the means to produce a nuclear bomb, or the bomb itself. That president must successfully step up non-military pressure to neutralize the threat of an Iranian nuclear bomb.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/UUYrGEeMCc8/Whether-Obama-or-Romney-next-US-leader-faces-severe-foreign-challenges

lionfish lionfish conjoined twins justin bieber paternity justin bieber paternity kym johnson how old is justin bieber

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Nano star fruit could help diagnose cancer

Andrew Purcell, online producer

Image-1.jpg

Each nano star fruit is approximately 550 nanometres long (Image: Leo Vigderman and Eugene Zubarev, Rice University)

Star-fruit-shaped nanorods, grown in the lab from gold nanowires with pentagonal cross-sections, could dramatically improve chemical sensing techniques.

The research may help to improve sensing of organic molecules, including biomarkers for diseases such as cancer. "There are many cancers where the diagnostics depend on the lowest concentration of the biomarker that can be detected," says Eugene Zubarev of Rice University in Houston, Texas, who led the research.

The nanorods returned signals 25 times stronger than conventional smooth-surfaced nanorods when using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, a popular technique for detecting organic molecules. Raman spectroscopy determines the molecular structure of compounds by measuring the way they scatter monochromatic light, usually from a laser source.

The nano star fruit boost the signal by taking advantage of gold's ability to boost electromagnetic fields locally. "Fields will concentrate at specific defects, like the sharp edges of our nano star fruits, and that could help detect the presence of organic molecules at very low concentration," says Zubarev. "If we can modify the surface roughness such that biological molecules of interest will adsorb selectively on the surface of our rugged nanorods, then we can start looking at very low concentrations of DNA or cancer biomarkers."

Journal reference: Langmuir, DOI: 10.1021/la300218z


Subscribe to New Scientist Magazine

Source: http://feeds.newscientist.com/c/749/f/10897/s/1ddf623b/l/0L0Snewscientist0N0Cblogs0Cshortsharpscience0C20A120C0A30Clab0Egrown0Enanostarfruits0Edetec0Bhtml0DDCMP0FOTC0Erss0Gnsref0Fonline0Enews/story01.htm

total recall october baby lotto numbers sugarland lottery numbers 16 and pregnant ludwig mies van der rohe

Blog Archive ? Best SEO Consultant

CWS SEO Consultant Services is nothing but the process of improving ranking of a website on search engines like Google/alexa/Yahoo/MSN for terms relevant to the business in order to drive qualified and furnished traffic to the website resulting in leads, sales or simply awareness building and delivery of? right message to the right? targeted audience As part of presenting and managing strong online presence of the business we work with you on developing a SEO friendly and user friendly website. We leverage host of other sites including local search engines, classified bookmarking sites, different social networking sites and yellow pages site to establish a stronger web presence for your business at the same time allowing multiple entry points to your business website from our CWS SEO Consultant services.

A good strategic SEO Consultancy services presents comprehensive and professional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Services for your website. In different words, the main concept of internet marketing is to sell your products and services online using your website. CWS SEO Consultancy services provides step-wise strategies for internet marketing that will enhance and support your business overall marketing objectives. Whether you are an old company or a new company, our internet SEO experts as well as SEO Consultants are highly qualified & experienced to make internet marketing strategies according to your business needs and requirements. Our internet marketing services include:

Email marketing? solution
Link building & management
Reciprocal link building & exchange
Purchase Link
Link popularity building service
Website promotion services.

People seeking out SEO Company Mumbai contact SSS Technology as the company works with an aim of customers? satisfaction. With the years of experience and teams of experienced professionals, we get capable of meeting your Internet Marketing goals and SEO objectives within the possible time at best rates.

SSS Technology, an SEO company in mumbai, tailors SEO services keeping in mind requirements of individual customers. One can opt out from several SEO packages depending upon his/her requirements. It is recommended to contact us if you need a quote for SEO services.

CWS has been continuously emerging as a reputed search engine optimization company who has managed small SEO campaign to big corporate SEO campaign successfully across the globe. If want to grow your online business by improving your search engines ranking, we have various strategies for search engine optimization, search engine marketing as well as internet marketing. For more detail to expand your online business, CWS is perfect & ultimate SEO destination for you

Source: http://contentwebseo.com/blog/?p=92

tony stewart kurt busch kurt busch act of valor woody guthrie benson henderson 2012 dunk contest

USSATKA ? Blog Archive ? Travel Insurance: solutions to Frequently ...

People want to be safe once they travel. You may even believe that travel cover is definitely an unnecessary expense. Being classed as a senior citizen is one, and using a pre-existing condition is another travel insurance. There are a few explanations why a person might feel uneasy about trying to get travel insurance. Much more, you?d not understand what would happen to you or anything that you brought with once you begin to travel. There is obviously plenty of data around the internet for travellers regarding the importance of insurance. It?s a safety net for when you need it most; when you?re in a strange place and you have a lot of money invested inside your vacation. Instead of seeing travel insurance as an unwelcome expense, remember that that which you are spending money on will be the satisfaction which will allow you to relax and enjoy your holiday, without worrying how you will cope if something goes wrong.

There are a huge selection of holiday insurance providers and it might be wrong to visualize that all holiday insurance policies are the same. The British Embassy or Consulate goes as far as making calls and contacting relatives and friends on their behalf and advise around the transfer of funds, but that?s about the extent of their assistance. You never know when you are likely to fall ill or suffer a household bereavement. Incomplete documents may result within the delay or denial of your insurance application travel insurance providers. In some cases there may be a growth inside the premium to purchase travel insurance to pay for a pre-existing medical condition, however it is better to be honest and pay a bit greater than face having to cover hospital treatment abroad in the big event the worst should happen. Thankfully, so long while you are fully honest and up-front with your insurer about your medical conditions, you might be quite likely to be able to obtain a suitable plan without too much hassle. Many young travellers go abroad with friends, or on adventure holidays, or for Hen or Stag parties so are in particular risk. However, no matter what age the traveller the guidelines are the same. Tips for Applying Insurance.

One thing to take good care of immediately is that you get yourself an EHIC, or European Medical Health Insurance Card, in the big event you are planning on visiting Europe in your travels. Thankfully, so very long as you are fully honest and up-front along with your insurer about your medical conditions, you might be quite likely to become able to get a suitable plan without an excessive amount of hassle. If not, the identical insurers will likely be in a position to add these provisions to your existing medical insurance for just a little extra, and also you may be amazed at how little extra it will cost ? the potential cost towards the insurers just isn?t usually that high, after all, compared for their daily throughput travel insurance. Submit complete requirements. They check the policy document again and again to ensure that all planned activities are covered. Attempting to hide or ignore pre-existing medical conditions is simply not worth it.

Cancellation of your journey (for covered reasons). They check the policy document again and again to ensure that all planned activities are covered. The rates insurers charge can differ, so get several epilepsy holiday insurance quotes before you commit.

For further advice about travelling with epilepsy, contact one the many epilepsy charities such because the National Society for Epilepsy, who offer a helpline for epilepsy sufferers. However, it is still very important that you simply talk personally using a representative of the company to create certain that you might be covered. Repatriation by air ambulance.

There certainly are a wide variety of plans and policies available. It doesn?t need to be expensive either. However, it is still very important which you talk personally with a representative of the business to produce certain that you are covered. However, it is still very important which you talk personally using a representative of the company to make certain that you?re covered. It is important that you evaluate any coverage you may have and obtain the necessary travel cover to guarantee that any unforeseen medical expenses are covered.

Source: http://www.ussatka.org/2012/03/27/travel-insurance-solutions-to-frequently-asked-questions/

new edition austerity rihanna and chris brown back together pebble beach clive davis cause of whitney houston death keanu reeves

Toward a test strip for detecting TNT and other explosives in water

ScienceDaily (Mar. 28, 2012) ? Scientists have described development of a new explosives detector that can sense small amounts of TNT and other common explosives in liquids instantly with a sensitivity that rivals bomb-sniffing dogs, the current gold standard in protecting the public from terrorist bombs. They reported on the technology, suitable for incorporation into a TNT test strip, at the 243rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), being held in San Diego the week of March 26.

The sensor also has potential uses in detecting water pollution involving TNT, according to Yu Lei, Ph.D., and Ying Wang, who developed the sensor. Such contamination can occur from production, obsolete storage facilities and other sources. TNT contamination of drinking water carries a risk of serious health disorders.

Wang, a graduate student in Lei's laboratory at the University of Connecticut, said there has been a long-standing need for a fast, simple, accurate way to detect so-called "nitroaromatic compounds" in salt water, fresh water and other liquids. That family of compounds includes 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene -- TNT -- which is so widely used in construction, agriculture and military applications that it has become the standard for measuring explosive force, even for nuclear weapons.

"Law enforcement or homeland security officials concerned about the presence of TNT in a harbor at docks need an answer quickly so they can take steps to protect people and property," Wang pointed out. "That's not easy with traditional testing methods."

Those tests involve taking a sample of water and shipping it to a full-scale laboratory. The sample must be concentrated because water currents dilute the explosive, leaving only minute amounts in the sample. And water samples must be prepared in other ways before analysis with expensive laboratory instruments.

"Our new sensor promises to provide answers on-the-scene almost immediately," Wang added, noting that it is based on a color change that occurs when a sensing molecule in the device attaches to an explosive. Lei explained that the device can detect very small amounts of TNT, as well as larger amounts. The broad sensing range, high sensitivity and dual action make this new sensor unique among those that work on water-based samples, he noted.

So far, Lei and Wang have been able to detect concentrations of explosives, such as TNT, ranging from about 33 parts per trillion (equivalent to one drop in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools) to 225 parts per million.

Lei and Wang explained that the sensor is already easy to use, but they plan to make it even more user-friendly by incorporating it into a paper strip, similar to the test strips used to test for pregnancy. That way, an explosives expert or airport screener would simply dip the filter paper into a sample of ocean water or other liquid, and put that filter paper into a machine that would read the fluorescence and detect the presence of explosives in real time. The sensor also could be used to detect TNT that leaches into the environment, in streams or rivers near munitions testing sites and manufacturing facilities.

The scientists acknowledged funding from the National Science Foundation.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:


Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Chemical Society (ACS), via Newswise.

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


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

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/f6JzEsp5Qfw/120328154429.htm

sticks and stones top chef powerball winner powerball winner narwhals narwhals gmail app

High fuel prices may keep U.S. travelers closer to home

Tony Gutierrez / AP

A sign shows gas prices as a driver pulls in to a newly opened QuickTrip filling station March 26 in Dallas. High fuel prices are expected to curb Americans' vacation plans this summer.

By Elaine Porterfield , msnbc.com contributor

Whether traveling for business or pleasure this summer, rapidly escalating fuel costs ??gas is now above $4 a gallon at many West Coast locations ??will cause travelers around the nation to cut back on trips, according to a new survey by the nonprofit U.S. Travel Association.

The survey found that of vacationers who plan to travel by car this summer, 54 percent said an increase in gas prices would affect their summer leisure travel plans, while more than 25 percent of business travelers said higher gas prices would affect their summer business travel plans.

The survey questioned 2,500 people around the country, and had an error rate of plus or minus 2 percent.

Furthermore, higher airfares due to rising oil prices will impact leisure travelers more than business travelers, according to the survey. About 43 percent of leisure travelers who plan to fly said that an increase in airfare due to higher oil prices would affect their summer travel plans; 25 percent of business travelers said their plans would be affected.

Carroll Rheem, research director for PhoCusWright, a travel research and analysis company, isn?t surprised by the survey results. High fuel prices have emerged as a threat to several segments of travel, she said, including long road trips and travel requiring flights.?

?I think it?s definitely a potential damper to summer travel and the travel industry,? she said.? ?It?s a little bit frustrating to watch. We?ve been waiting for this recovery, and as soon as economic factors improve, the price of gas rises.?

Though it?s a bit hard to predict at this point, tourism destinations only accessible by plane, like Hawaii, may well feel the pinch as consumers decide to stay closer to home when faced with expensive tickets, Rheem said. ?Travelers who might have flown, they?ll be grounded,? she said. ?Especially families who are buying four tickets instead of two.?

On the other hand, national parks and camping destinations may well see a boost this summer as families look for more economical vacations, she said.

Live Poll

Are high airfares and rising gas prices impacting your summer travel plans?

  • 179904

    No, I've been planning this vacation for months!

    13%

  • 179905

    Yes, we might stay closer to home this summer.

    34%

  • 179906

    Who can afford a vacation?

    53%

VoteTotal Votes: 1945

Nancy White, a Washington, D.C.-based spokeswoman for AAA, said higher fuel prices will change some behavior on the part of travelers, but it?s hard to tell exactly how much.

?At this point, it?s still a bit difficult to pinpoint where gas prices will end up? by the summer, White said. ?From what we?ve seen from our travel counselors, the picture is more encouraging. We have 7,000 travel counselors at 1,000 branch offices, and we did a quick poll of them. They told us AAA members are not canceling trips. They are altering distances (driven), and perhaps number of destinations they go to. It?s still a kind of wait and see as to what the impact will eventually be.?

Their travel agents have noticed that consumers interested in purchasing airline tickets are closely watching fares but holding back on booking flights in anticipation that fares may come down, according to other AAA officials.

But don?t wait for any major airfare sales, Rheem cautioned. ?The airlines are very willing to cut back capacity rather than lower fares to ensure profits,? she said. ?They?d rather cancel a flight then run it half full. They just can?t afford to do that anymore.?

More on Overhead Bin

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

Source: http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/27/10890722-us-drivers-say-fuel-prices-will-keep-them-closer-to-home-this-summer

andrew lloyd webber obscura grok cirque du freak eric cantor eric cantor the beach

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Video: West Antarctic ice shelves tearing apart at the seams

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A new study examining nearly 40 years of satellite imagery has revealed that the floating ice shelves of a critical portion of West Antarctica are steadily losing their grip on adjacent bay walls, potentially amplifying an already accelerating loss of ice to the sea.

The most extensive record yet of the evolution of the floating ice shelves in the eastern Amundsen Sea Embayment in West Antarctica shows that their margins, where they grip onto rocky bay walls or slower ice masses, are fracturing and retreating inland. As that grip continues to loosen, these already-thinning ice shelves will be even less able to hold back grounded ice upstream, according to glaciologists at The University of Texas at Austin's Institute for Geophysics (UTIG).

Reporting in the Journal of Glaciology, the UTIG team found that the extent of ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea Embayment changed substantially between the beginning of the Landsat satellite record in 1972 and late 2011. These changes were especially rapid during the past decade. The affected ice shelves include the floating extensions of the rapidly thinning Thwaites and Pine Island Glaciers.

"Typically, the leading edge of an ice shelf moves forward steadily over time, retreating episodically when an iceberg calves off, but that is not what happened along the shear margins," says Joseph MacGregor, research scientist associate and lead author of the study. An iceberg is said to calve when it breaks off and floats out to sea.

"Anyone can examine this region in Google Earth and see a snapshot of the same satellite data we used, but only through examination of the whole satellite record is it possible to distinguish long-term change from cyclical calving," says MacGregor.

The shear margins that bound these ice shelves laterally are now heavily rifted, resembling a cracked mirror in satellite imagery until the detached icebergs finally drift out to the open sea. The calving front then retreats along these disintegrating margins. The pattern of marginal rifting and retreat is hypothesized to be a symptom, rather than a trigger, of the recent glacier acceleration in this region, but this pattern could generate additional acceleration.

"As a glacier goes afloat, becoming an ice shelf, its flow is resisted partly by the margins, which are the bay walls or the seams where two glaciers merge," explains Ginny Catania, assistant professor at UTIG and co-author of the study. "An accelerating glacier can tear away from its margins, creating rifts that negate the margins' resistance to ice flow and causing additional acceleration."

The UTIG team found that the largest relative glacier accelerations occurred within and upstream of the increasingly rifted margins.

The observed style of slow-but-steady disintegration along ice-shelf margins has been neglected in most computer models of this critical region of West Antarctica, partly because it involves fracture, but also because no comprehensive record of this pattern existed. The authors conclude that several rifts present in the ice shelves suggest that they are poised to shrink further.

###

University of Texas at Austin: http://www.utexas.edu

Thanks to University of Texas at Austin 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.

This press release has been viewed 71 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/118750/Video__West_Antarctic_ice_shelves_tearing_apart_at_the_seams

faroe islands faroe islands corso james arthur ray james arthur ray elisabeth shue avastin

Valuable Statistics for Recreation Sports | The Upside Blog

Have you ever wondered how dangerous recreational activities like bicyle riding, basketball, baseball, bowling and fishing can be? Thanks to a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you will not have to wonder anymore.

The NHTSA compiled statistics for some of the most common recreational activities. Bicyle riding was by far the most dangerous, as the NHTSA reported more than 600 fatalies and 51,000 injuries ?in the year of 2009 alone.

The sudy also compiled statistics from over 30 sports, including physical?activities such as football, wrestling, ice hockey and boxing. Below is some of the key data taken from the graph.

  • Wrestling, Boxing, Ice Hockey, Field Hockey and Track and Field?have over 50-percent of their injury incidents in the 15-24 age bracket.
  • Football has its highest injury rates in the 5-14 age bracket over the 2009 period, with 49-percent of its 489,676 injuries occuring in that demographic
  • Swimming had 225,493 reported injuries in 2009 alone, with 41.9 percent of incidents occuring in the 5-14 age bracket and 27.6 occurig in the 25-64 bracket.
  • Basketball was one of the most dangerous recreational sports in 2009, with 528,584 injuries being reported overall. Football was second with 489,676 injuries reported.
  • Gymnastics had the highest injury rate in the 5-14 age bracket, with 70-percent of their 28,743 injuries reported coming in those ages. Roller skating was second with 54-percent of injuries occuring in the 5-14 age bracket.
  • In the 25-64 age bracket, snowmobiling (66-percent), mountain biking (64-percent) and racquetball/squash/paddleball (61.9) had the most injury incidents.

You can check out the full study here. For more information, visit the Insurance Information Institute, or call Gunn Mowery at 1-800-840-1243. You can e-mail us your questions at info@gunnmowery.com

Like this:

Be the first to like this post.

Source: http://gunnmoweryinsurance.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/valuable-statistics-for-recreation-sports/

herman cain accuser herman cain accuser election day joe frazier where do i vote wheel of fortune today show

Jones Franzel: Everyone Should be Able to See 'Bully'

"I learned that we all are capable of being a bully, but more importantly we're all capable of changing that too." -- Iris SanGiovanni, teenage producer for Blunt Youth Radio on the making of her piece, "The Psychology of a Bully," part of "Bullied: Teen Stories from Generation PRX."

As the project director for Generation PRX, I don't usually advocate for particular causes. But I feel so strongly about the MPAA's decision to issue Lee Hirsch's new film Bully an "R" rating that I'm taking a stand.

Much has been written and voiced about the controversy surrounding this decision. Celebrities, members of congress and others have rallied around the cause, and a petition to overturn the ruling -- with over 445,000 signatures -- is circulating widely.

It seems painfully ironic that the population at the forefront of bullying -- teens and pre-teens -- would be the precise group banned from seeing a film that's core to their experience. But let's return to the real matter at hand: How to create a safer culture for teens and communities.

At Generation PRX, we know something about listening to teens, and wanted to add our voice.

This month, public radio stations in Seattle and Alaska to Washington DC and Georgia have been airing Bullied: Teen Stories about Generation PRX, which was presented by Public Radio Exchange (PRX) and produced by WNPR -- Connecticut Public Radio. The hour-long radio special was produced, reported and hosted by teenagers who have experienced bullying firsthand or have been bullies themselves.

In making "Bullied," several things struck me:

  1. There is something deeply wrong about the way we approach bullying when we don't listen first to the young people who live it.
  1. Adults and teens have widely divergent notions of what bullying is.
  1. If we truly want to impact change, we need to be willing to rethink what we've done to stop bullying in the past; it clearly isn't working.

I was able to attend a screening of Bully at the Harvard Graduate School of Education last month. I confess that I cried nearly the entire time -- for the brutality that kids suffered, for the parents who lost children, for the administrators without a clue. I came away with the strong conviction that many viewers share: People need to see this film. We are not doing enough to stop bullying.

With an "R" rating, the MPAA has essentially decreed that what young people do is not appropriate for young people to see. It is a decision that asks us to pretend young people aren't seeing bullying every day.

An "R" rating doesn't protect young people from profanity. But it also misses the mark on something bigger: If we want bullying to change, we have to listen to what young people are saying and be willing to witness these difficult stories. Only then can we, in the language of Bully, be "upstanders": people who take action in some way.

So many films that glorify violence receive PG-13 ratings. Bully does just the opposite; it humanizes the pain of bullying so that audiences feel its impact. And for this, unglossed portrait, it receives an "R."

I'll end with a quote from Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-Mich.) who told the Los Angeles Times, "The hypocrisy is that the very movies that contribute to violence can be seen by teenagers because they get a PG-13, and the one film that actually teaches them to respect others is given an R."

To sign the petition to overturn Bully's rating, visit Change.org

?

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jones-franzel/bully-rating_b_1379773.html

jetblue michelle malkin geraldo rivera supreme court health care total recall neighborhood watch jetblue captain

U.N. raises Syria death toll estimate to more than 9,000

[ [ [['Afghan security forces and police killed three', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/H9BcJE', '[Related: Bales\' wife on his alleged shooting: \'He would not do that\']', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['looking for fireworks between the opposing camps', 16]], 'http://yhoo.it/GSvEsj', '[RELATED:\?It?s going to be a circus\?: Activists begin protests outside Supreme Court]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 8]], 'http://yhoo.it/GE6jSh', '[RELATED: Obama\?s health care law passed 2 years ago, but where are we now\?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Witnesses said the gunman pulled up on a black scooter', 7]], 'http://yhoo.it/GzwOIW', '[Related: New York police tighten security at Jewish sites]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['test Zimmerman for alcohol or drugs', 11]], 'http://yhoo.it/Gzn6VF', '[Related: White House says Trayvon Martin is local issue]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 12]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/tea-party-activists-defy-rain-to-rip-obama-health-care-law-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/4/31/431f2f4f7ed388d5bc5557b0a76267fa.jpeg', '450', ' ', 'Reuters/Jonathan Ernst', ], [ [['associated with such a small earthquake', 4]], 'http://yhoo.it/GTco9z', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/0/b4/0b493c1a47b6e3f97f8f48a2b251d7d4.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger', ], [ [['Fox News host Geraldo Rivera sparked outrage', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GKMVTk', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/2/7c/27c7367bc512d233ae1790b320a5e92c.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP Photo/John Minchillo', ], [ [['The charges signed against Bales include', 1]], 'http://yhoo.it/wZT5zV', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/7/a0/7a07c51b2aa0f39b1a23355046d13870.jpeg', '512', ' ', 'AP Photo/DVIDS\, Spc\. Ryan Hallock\, File', ], [ [['George Zimmerman, if I had a son', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thousands-protest-fla-teen-death-1332387124-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/03/22/d761a49f3fcc99080a0f6a70670053cd-jpg_150905.jpg', '500', ' ', 'AP Photo/John Minchillo', ], [ [['Mohamed Merah', 10], ['prosecutor Francois Molins', 5]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/four-dead-in-french-jewish-school-shooting-1332173151-slideshow', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120321/2012_03_21t151508z_425380421_gm1e83l1sqs01_rtrmadp_3_france_shootings_raid.jpg', '630', ' ', 'REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier', ], [ [['Shortly after he wrapped up his victory remarks', 2]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/4-straight-romney-wins-washington-gop-caucus-1330835515-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/3/e9/3e9b0082c3c3111dcc19e3527ae94cc7.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP Photo/Steven Senne', ], [ [['best understands the problems of average Americans', 2]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/4-straight-romney-wins-washington-gop-caucus-1330835515-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/3/e9/3e9b0082c3c3111dcc19e3527ae94cc7.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP Photo/Steven Senne', ], [ [['Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery', 7]], 'http://yhoo.it/GB2RVy', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/03/20/photo-1332257995646-4-0-jpg_171722.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AFP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-n-raises-syria-death-toll-estimate-more-144255980.html

underwood buffalo wings superbowl kick off time 2012 new york giants hot wings recipe 7 layer dip recipe chris carter

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Wisconsin sonic booms: Is a 1.5-magnitude jiggle the whole story?

The US Geological Survey suggests a small quake under Clintonville, Wis., and associated micro-tremors, could be the source of the mysterious sonic booms. Not everyone buys that.

The mystery to what is keeping residents of Clintonville, Wis., awake at night is solved. Sort of.

Skip to next paragraph

The US Geological Survey reported Thursday that a 1.5-magnitude earthquake jiggled the area in northeast Wisconsin at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, which the agency said would be enough to set off the sounds described as underground fireworks or thunder by many of the city?s 4,500 residents.

Despite its low magnitude, it is not uncommon that earthquakes of its size are heard in addition to being felt, says USGS Geophysicist John Bellini in Golden, Colo. All earthquakes generate seismic energy that can move through the earth?s surface at thousands of miles per hour, creating a loud boom.

Mr. Bellini says the earthquake is responsible for a single boom that lasted one or two seconds, making it likely that the series of booms heard over several days in Clintonville were caused by a series of smaller earthquakes than the one recorded.

?We can assume that there were others that were smaller than this one,? he says.

Clintonville received international attention earlier this week when reports broke that many in the town were awoken by loud sonic booms coming from below the surface of the earth.

While the noises have subsided since they were first reported early Monday morning, many have continued each night through Thursday. Dozens of residents have complained that the sounds have triggered cracks in their walls and floors and are responsible for rattling dishes.

Public meetings were held Wednesday and Thursday to relay information to residents and take down their stories. The Clintonville city administrator, Lisa Kuss, said the earthquake explanation is not conclusive because ?in other places in the United States, a 1.5 earthquake would not be felt.?

On the other hand, Ms. Kuss added, one possibility that makes Clintonville an exception is that ?the type of rock that Wisconsin has transmits seismic energy very well.?

Steve Dutch, a geologist at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, agrees that it is ?certainly possible? that the underground noises are related to an earthquake, but says an earthquake of its magnitude would only produce noise ?equivalent to 10 pounds of high explosives.?

And because the sounds would take place at such a significant depth, Mr. Dutch adds, it is likely they ?would be muffled.?

?The fact that the people are hearing bangs and sharp noises at such high frequency suggests [the sounds] are really close to the surface,? he says.

One possibility he is proposing is that a dry winter is causing the earth?s underground water table to dry up, causing granite rocks to settle into the gaps, creating the loud noise.

On Thursday the city hired an engineering firm in Waukesha to study the earth?s surface at different points of the city. An online map hosted on the city?s website traces the locations of the emergency calls dating back to Monday. Dutch says he plans to plot the phone calls to create a map that may determine patterns in where and when the sounds took place.

Bellini of USGS says that, while it is uncommon for Wisconsin to get earthquakes, it is not unprecedented. The most powerful earthquake to hit the state was in 1947 when a 4.0-magnitude tremor affected over 3,000 square miles in the southwest region of the state.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/nqLnv9hzABg/Wisconsin-sonic-booms-Is-a-1.5-magnitude-jiggle-the-whole-story

cyclops cyclops zanesville google ice cream sandwich google ice cream sandwich android ice cream sandwich shia labeouf

Insight: Iraq war over? Not where Qaeda rules through fear

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - A spruced-up Baghdad is welcoming Arab leaders this week to declare that war is over and Iraq is open for business. To Um Qassim, carrying her shopping beside a rubbish-filled creek four hours drive from the capital, it is a cruel joke.

In her home city of Mosul, out of view of visiting dignitaries, al Qaeda still controls the streets and people like her still whisper about death.

"They killed my neighbor three days ago, and later they sent his family a message saying, 'We are sorry, your son was not targeted, he was killed by mistake,'" she said quietly to Reuters, trying to catch her breath as she hauled two heavy sacks of food home from the market.

Arriving in Mosul from Baghdad, you feel the sinister lurch of going back in time to 2006 or 2007, the days of sectarian slaughter when Iraq's militant gangs stalked the streets and killed tens of thousands of their countrymen.

The familiar signs, long-since vanished from Baghdad, are all still here: the towering concrete blast walls, the dirt obstacles piled in the centre of the roads to slow down racing attackers, the buildings wrecked by the impact of shells.

Razor wire is rampant like a weed, shrapnel crunches under foot and the garbage lies rotting in heaps, because war makes basic civic duties like cleaning the streets seem like lunacy.

This is not the Iraq that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government is touting now that U.S. troops have pulled out and oil billions are rolling in. Hundreds of millions have been spent smartening up the capital for this week's Arab League summit. New lines have been painted on the pavement and palms planted in the highway dividers.

Baghdad's ministers describe Iraq's crippling infrastructure problems as an opportunity to invest. Occasional explosions are dismissed as the last throes of isolated cells trying to show they are still relevant in a country where the overwhelming majority is committed to peace.

But during a visit of several days in Iraq's third largest city, security officials and residents of Mosul painted a picture far worse than commonly understood from Baghdad.

Far from being furtive and on the run, al Qaeda and its allies maintain a hold over economic and political life that shows little sign of loosening. Residents speak fearfully.

Um Qassim's family of nine are Shi'ites from the small Shabak minority, one of the many ethnic groups that share Iraq's most diverse city. They have had to abandon their home and move into two rooms across town.

"They have displaced all the Shabak from their houses to eastern Mosul. Whoever resists, they kill him or bomb his house," Um Qassim said.

As she began speaking to Reuters, her husband approached, clearly agitated: "Be careful, do not mention your real name," he said. "Keep in your mind that they can reach us anytime."

Shop owners say they are forced to pay protection money to the militants. Security officials say the fighters are raising millions of dollars per month here, which they use to fund bomb attacks across Iraq.

"They keep coming, every three months, to take $300 - $100 per month - always at the same time but not the same person," said a pharmacist, who spoke to Reuters only when his shop was empty and became silent whenever a customer entered.

"They are very organized and very polite. I cannot get rid of them. The pharmacist next door refused to pay. They planted a bomb inside his pharmacy and one of his workers lost his leg."

MAP OF WAR

Mosul is the unofficial capital of "the Islamic State of Iraq" or ISI, an al Qaeda-run fief whose influence stretches over a swathe of Iraq known as the peninsula - towns along the empty desert between the Tigris and Euphrates north of Baghdad.

The implications for Iraq's security at the national level have become clear in the months since the U.S. troops withdrew. Every three or four weeks since December, al Qaeda and the ISI have managed to stage a spectacular day of coordinated bombings across the country, each time detonating dozens of bombs, killing scores of people and wounding hundreds.

In the latest day of attacks, on March 20, more than 40 bombs were planted in 20 towns and cities across Iraq. The death toll compiled by Reuters was 52 with 250 people wounded, though the actual toll was probably higher. The damage to the official narrative of a country emerging from war was incalculable.

With civil war now emerging just across the frontier in Syria and tension between Mosul's Arabs and the neighboring autonomous Kurdish part of Iraq, instability here could become a regional issue that could spread beyond Iraq's borders.

While Iraq's Shi'ite armed groups have all announced they are laying down their weapons since the U.S. withdrawal, six major Sunni groups say they will keep fighting. Without a U.S. occupation to rail against, their rhetoric has become almost exclusively sectarian. They are fighting because they consider Shi'ites apostates who must be driven from power through force.

Like Baghdad was five years ago, Mosul is carved up into heavily fortified neighborhoods. There are "Green Zones" - protected districts open only to those who carry special security badges - and "the red zone" - everywhere else.

Government buildings and the homes of senior officials are inside the Green Zones, protected by concrete walls and heavily-manned checkpoints. Without control of the streets in the red zone, officials feel like prisoners in their own city.

"Security is totally missing in Mosul. I am a son of Mosul and cannot walk in the city. The security forces control just the main roads," said a senior security official, who declined to be named while giving an assessment that differs so strongly from the official line.

"I sleep here in a small room and cannot sleep in my own home in the Hidbaa neighborhood. When I want to leave this building I need more than eight armed vehicles to protect me."

From Mosul, the influence of the militants spreads to the Syrian border and through the Tigris provinces of Nineveh, Kirkuk, Salahuddin and Diyala, across the empty desert to the province of Anbar and the lush Euphrates valley on Baghdad's outskirts that U.S. forces used to call the triangle of death.

The desert between Iraq's two great rivers is dotted with rocky caves, and full of hills, sandy ditches and secret roads used by nomads and smugglers. Security forces say they lack the manpower to patrol it.

"Unfortunately many areas are not under the control of the security forces. Covering every kilometer is impossible," Mehdi al-Garraway, commander of federal police in Mosul, told Reuters.

"Between 2,000 and 2,500 square kilometers (about 750 to 1,000 square miles) might need to be covered by additional troops."

Because the area straddles several provinces, fighters exploit the lack of coordination among security forces. They can hide in bastions like Baaj northwest of Mosul, Qaiyara south of Mosul, Shirqat north of Tikrit and Hawija southwest of Kirkuk, and escape pursuit across provincial boundaries.

"This is a real problem that we are facing: permission is required for forces from Mosul to pursue someone into Salahuddeen or for forces in Salahuddeen to pursue someone in Kirkuk," Garraway said.

Police and troops from different regions, or even different units within a region, have little contact, making them vulnerable to infiltration or impersonation.

In a notorious incident this month, fighters disguised in uniforms and vehicles of a special police unit came out of the desert into the Euphrates town of Haditha and went from checkpoint to checkpoint, rounding up and shooting police. They killed 27, including two officers dragged out of their homes and executed in the street.

EVERYONE PAYS

Protection rackets are now the main source of funding for militants who spend millions on weapons, safe houses, vehicles and bribes to buy freedom for detained leaders. In Mosul alone, intelligence officials say the militants generate $6-7 million in monthly revenue from extortion.

Officials recite the list: shops, guest houses, neighborhood electricity generator operators, fuel tanker drivers, cement dealers, estate agents, telecoms firms - everybody pays. Even officials themselves pay.

"Protection money, by which I mean money paid by citizens to the armed groups ... jewelers, pharmacists, doctors, merchants, contractors, all of them are paying, and there is information suggesting that the directors of the government departments are paying too," said Zuhair al-Chalabi, head of a council set up by the central government to run reconstruction projects in Mosul.

"There is no one who avoids paying protection money. There is a threat, a killing - anyone does not pay, he won't stay alive for a day," Chalabi, said.

As one merchant who asked not to be identified put it: "I am paying the 'state' (the ISI) instead of paying taxes for the government. I pay those people to protect myself because the police cannot."

Officials say there are more than 600 pharmacies, 1,350 neighborhood generator operators, 42 car parks and countless food shops in Mosul, each of which has been paying $100-$200 per month for around two years.

"This money is spent not just in Mosul but across all the other Iraqi provinces," Garraway, said. "We believe the most recent operations carried out in Baghdad were planned here in southern Mosul."

Garraway said local police, federal police and army troops in Mosul were working hard to squeeze the financial resources of the ISI by shutting parking lots and currency exchange offices, monitoring the movements of fuel tanker drivers and encouraging shops, generator owners and pharmacists not to pay.

REGRET

There is little sign in Mosul of the sort of economic reconstruction projects the government is rolling out elsewhere. That plays into the hands of the militants' recruiters.

"Usually, they are attracting the unemployed youth who spends his time hanging around in the streets," said a senior Iraqi intelligence officer who supervises investigations of al Qaeda detainees. "They pay his rent, a month's salary and gifts after each operation he participates in."

Government jobs that are available are frequently with the security forces. Locals are afraid to take them.

"None of the men of Mosul dares to apply to join the security forces because he would be killed," said Mahmmoud al-Sabaawi, the leader of Sahwa, a government-backed militia, in the Mosul suburb of Qaiyara.

Many police in the area are Shi'ites from distant parts of the country, which alienates Sunni Arabs.

"Maliki keeps sending Shi'ite troops to Mosul to humiliate Sunnis. He knows that people here won't cooperate with them but even so, he keeps sending them," said Mostafa, a Sunni Arab standing at the entrance of one of the Green Zones, waiting for a relative to escort him inside.

Al Qaeda propaganda videos distributed throughout Mosul show the punishment for joining the security forces. In one video, distributed on CD, a federal policeman is beheaded on camera by a militant while another militant reads from the Koran.

Ali Raad Hassan, a married and father of three languishing in Mosul's Ghazlani jail for distributing al Qaeda videos, said he worked for the militants after despairing of ever finding a proper job despite a business degree from Mosul University.

"I have kids, diapers and milk, my monthly expenses exceed 300,000 dinars (around $250)," Hassan said, weeping. "I applied for many jobs. I applied to work in education, health, at the municipality. I never got an answer."

Of his work with al Qaeda, he said: "I swear to God that I regret it, but I could not leave the work. I wanted to leave it, but I could not."

(Additional reporting by Jamal al-Badrani; Editing by Peter Graff)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/insight-iraq-war-over-not-where-qaeda-rules-114501680.html

rihanna and chris brown affirmative action helicon zac efron and taylor swift real housewives of orange county bloom energy franklin graham