“Nanotechnology and synthetic biology: What does the American public ... - PhysOrg” plus 4 more |
- Nanotechnology and synthetic biology: What does the American public ... - PhysOrg
- Abboud appointed to biology panel - Iowa City Press-Citizen
- Media Advisory: International Conference on the Biology of Marine ... - Market Wire
- Studies examine how living conditions impact reproductive health - Science Centric
- Life Technologies Foundation Awards $1.7 Million in Grants to Advance ... - Phramalive.com
| Nanotechnology and synthetic biology: What does the American public ... - PhysOrg Posted: 29 Sep 2009 09:29 AM PDT Nanotechnology and synthetic biology: What does the American public think?September 29th, 2009Nanotechnology and synthetic biology continue to develop as two of the most exciting areas of scientific discovery, but research has shown that the public is almost completely unaware of the science and its applications. A groundbreaking poll of 1,001 American adults conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates and the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) found that 90 percent of Americans think the public should be better informed about the development of cutting-edge technologies. "Historically, government and industry have done a poor job of informing and engaging the public about scientific developments that could have transformative impacts on society," said David Rejeski, director of PEN. "The poll showed that better communication is needed and could be beneficial in securing the promise of our investments in science." The poll, which was conducted by the same firm that produces the well-known NBC News/Wall Street Journal polls, revealed that the proportion of adults who say they have heard a lot or some about synthetic biology more than doubled in the past year (from 9 percent to 22 percent). Awareness of nanotechnology (30 percent have heard a lot or some) increased slightly since last year, putting it back at the same level measured in 2006. "Public awareness of nanotechnology has barely moved in over four years of our project's polling, despite billions of dollars of investment in research and a growing number of nano-enabled products in the marketplace," said Andrew Maynard, chief science advisor for PEN. "Clearly, the message about this new and important technology is not reaching the public." The survey showed that the area of application is a decisive factor in shaping public attitudes towards synthetic biology. Over half the respondents supported research in synthetic biology aimed at the development of more efficient biofuels even after being informed of the potential risks and benefits of this application. However, poll respondents harbored concerns about potential risks associated with the development of synthetic biology. Two-thirds of the participants supported regulation of this emerging technology. "Regardless of their awareness of synthetic biology, or where they come down on the risk-benefit tradeoff, a strong majority of adults think this research should be regulated by the federal government," said Geoff Garin, president of Peter D. Hart Research Associates. More information: A report which summarizes the findings of the poll can be found at http://www.nanotechproject.org/news/archive/hart4/ Source: Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies |
| Abboud appointed to biology panel - Iowa City Press-Citizen Posted: 29 Sep 2009 06:16 AM PDT Francois Abboud, M.D., University of Iowa faculty member, has been appointed to the Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space: Animal and Human Biology Panel, which operates through the National Academies. The Space Studies Board and the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board organized the group to establish priorities and provide recommendations for life and physical sciences research in microgravity and partial gravity for the next decade and beyond. The congressionally mandated study may play a role in developing key exploration capabilities and revitalizing NASA research in biological and physical sciences. Abboud, professor of internal medicine and molecular physiology and biophysics, is director of the Cardiovascular Research Center and emeritus head of the UI Department of Internal Medicine. |
| Media Advisory: International Conference on the Biology of Marine ... - Market Wire Posted: 29 Sep 2009 08:53 AM PDT MONT-JOLI, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Sept. 29, 2009) - The media are invited to the 18th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, organized by the Society for Marine Mammalogy. It will be held from October 12 to 16, 2009 in Quebec City. This international conference brings together some 1500 researchers and students from around the world. It provides an opportunity to present recent findings, and to discuss approaches to improve conservation efforts for these large mammals that are also of significant interest to the public. The science presentations will touch on several themes including behaviour, physiology, genetics, distribution and abundance, as well as, communication and evolution. Several presentations will also look at contaminants, health concerns and the impacts of different human interactions. Scientists will also debate conservation measures and regulations that contribute to the protection of these ocean giants. Certain themes will also touch on marine mammals in the St. Lawrence and in northern Quebec: - The transfer of contaminants from one generation to the next and marine mammal health; - Underwater sound levels in the St. Lawrence and potential impacts on whales; - Impacts of climate change on the distribution and life history of marine mammals; - The potential impacts of the decline of certain groundfish stocks on the distribution of large whales. Five plenary presentations are also on the program. These presentations will focus on international issues such as the implications of climate change concerning food web changes and the challenges of carrying out research in huge territories such as oceans This conference is organized jointly by the Centre for Expertise for Marine Mammalogy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, based at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute, the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) and other Quebec marine mammal research organizations. For more information on the conference visit www.marinemammalscience.org, under Conference. Daily communiques and special bulletins will be added to the conference internet site (www.marinemammalscience.org)during the event. To receive this information by email, submit your request to Karina.Laberge@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. |
| Studies examine how living conditions impact reproductive health - Science Centric Posted: 29 Sep 2009 08:39 AM PDT When costs outweigh benefits, successful pregnancies are less likely to occur. Life is all about tradeoffs and recently published research by Virginia J. Vitzthum, a senior scientist at Indiana University's Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, and professor in the IU College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Anthropology, has shown that during periods of intense labour and low food intake, rates of early pregnancy loss can more than double. The findings, reported recently in the American Journal of Human Biology, are the first to show seasonality of early pregnancy loss in a non-industrialised population - in this case rural Bolivian women - and the first to demonstrate a relationship between economic activities and early pregnancy loss. Vitzthum's research challenges the past belief that nearly all early pregnancy losses are caused by genetic defects in the embryo. Genetic defects wouldn't change with the seasons, so Vitzthum's findings show that environmental factors must also play a major role in early pregnancy losses. 'This finding applies to U.S. moms just as much as Bolivians, and it applies to psychosocial resources just as much as food supply,' Vitzthum said. 'As well as healthy food, pregnant women also need good working conditions and adequate social support from family, friends and workplace to keep their risks of early pregnancy losses low.' Men are affected, too. In a second research paper, also published in the 'American Journal of Human Biology,' Vitzthum reports a similar relationship between reproductive fitness and external influences. 'This paper also concerns the effects of limited resources, this time on male physiology,' she said. 'In the worst part of the year, late winter, testosterone levels are suppressed. This is particularly interesting because it had been thought that males were much less sensitive, if at all, to environmental conditions because they don't need a lot of energy for a pregnancy. The effects of poor resources on males appear to be more subtle but can still be important for their own health and well being.' Vitzthum's work has long been at the crossroads of biology and culture, focusing on how human reproductive functioning has evolved in response to different environmental conditions. 'Until recently, it was assumed that women everywhere had similar reproductive biology,' she said. 'We now know that women vary tremendously, and these differences affect women's health.' One example is how high hormone levels increase the risk of breast cancer and other diseases. By studying the international patterns of hormone levels and how they relate to different environmental conditions, Vitzthum hopes to learn more about which women are at the greatest risks for these diseases. Doctors could then recommend extra monitoring or screening tests for those women. Source: Indiana University |
| Life Technologies Foundation Awards $1.7 Million in Grants to Advance ... - Phramalive.com Posted: 29 Sep 2009 06:16 AM PDT Seven non-profit organizations to receive grants for research and education efforts The Foundation will award the five grants to seven organizations, with work to be completed over the next 18 months. These awards will bring the total amount committed by the Foundation in 2009 to approximately $5 million. "Each of the organizations chosen for this round of grants has proposed a unique and interesting way to enhance the public's perception of what science contributes to all our lives," said Greg Lucier, Chairman and CEO of Life Technologies and a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors. "Whether it's through using Internet tools to communicate the basics of biology, or creating educational campaigns to inform more people about the importance of genomics, these programs will help increase scientific literacy and advance crucial scientific research." Grant recipients include:
The Life Technologies Foundation The Life Technologies Foundation™ is dedicated to advancing science education and key scientific discoveries that use the application of biology to address societal needs. In particular, the Foundation supports programs that accelerate the use of genomics to further healthcare, projects that advance medical education, and initiatives focused on providing biological solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges. By teaming with educators and researchers, the Foundation also strives to demystify the world of life science and empower today's children to become tomorrow's scientific leaders. Launched in 2008, the Life Technologies Foundation has committed approximately $6 million to causes that advance the understanding and applications of science. The Foundation is a non-profit arm of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE), a global biotechnology tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. For more information or to submit a grant proposal, please visit www.invitrogen.com/foundation.
Contact: Life Technologies Corporation
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