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Not only Life magazine’s most famous photo but probably one of the world’s most famous puzzles is being challenged. Life magazine said after the photographer’s death in 1995 the identities of the two in the photo would remain officially a mystery. Some have claimed to be in the photo before but this time a crack CSI is as sure as she can be that Glenn McDuffie is the sailor in the picture. His story and the effort to determine the truth are both compelling. Maybe Life magazine prefers the mystery.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Man says he’s the sailor in famous photo
By JUAN A. LOZANO, AP
Aug 3, 2:59 PM ET
HOUSTON - Glenn McDuffie has claimed for years that he was the sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square in Life magazine’s iconic photograph of the day World War II ended.

If anyone just looked hard enough, he said, they would see that it was him in the shot.

Houston Police Department forensic artist Lois Gibson took up the challenge. And after what she called a detailed investigation, Gibson said she has concluded that McDuffie, 80, is the man in Alfred Eisenstaedt’s Aug. 14, 1945 image.

AdMedia Partners Advises Chandler Chicco in Acquisition by inVentiv Health

World’s largest independent healthcare specialist agency acquired by leading provider of commercialization services to global pharmaceutical and life sciences industries

NEW YORK, June 26 /PRNewswire/ — Chandler Chicco, a full-service, global healthcare public relations firm, announced its acquisition by inVentiv Health (NASDAQ: VTIV) , the leading provider of commercialization and complementary services to the global pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. AdMedia Partners (http://www.admediapartners.com/), a New York financial advisory firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions to the advertising and marketing services, media, and related interactive, online and information services businesses, represented Chandler Chicco in the acquisition.

“This transaction serves to show that public relations and public affairs are crucial components of healthcare communications to healthcare professionals, consumers and regulatory bodies,” says Phil Palazzo, a Managing Director at AdMedia Partners. “In 12 years Chandler Chicco has become the leader in healthcare communications, working on complex products and campaigns for many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.”

Earlier today, inVentiv Health, Inc. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Chandler Chicco Agency (CCA), the world’s largest privately-held healthcare public relations firm. CCA will operate within the inVentiv Communications division, which provides a full suite of integrated healthcare marketing and communications solutions.

Under the terms of the agreement, inVentiv will acquire CCA for $65 million in cash and stock, plus earn-out payments for exceeding specified financial targets. The transaction, which is subject to receipt of Hart-Scott-Rodino approval and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the third quarter. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to inVentiv’s earnings.

Chandler Chicco Agency is a full-service, global healthcare public relations firm. Founded in 1995 by healthcare public relations veterans Robert Chandler and Gianfranco Chicco, CCA provides clients with insight-driven communications strategies that — through innovative and powerful programs — build, enhance or protect brand value and further public affairs agendas. The company’s client roster includes many of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies including Allergan, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis. For CCA, 2007 has been a banner year winning multiple awards — two awards from PR Week, Midsize Agency of the Year and Agency of the Year, and two awards from the Holmes Report, Specialty Agency of the Year and Healthcare Agency of the Year.

“In today’s competitive marketplace, our pharmaceutical clients are increasingly turning to public relations to build awareness, credibility and loyalty for their products,” said Eran Broshy, Chairman and CEO of inVentiv Health. “Chandler Chicco Agency has established an unmatched reputation in the healthcare PR industry that is distinguished by solid long-term client relationships and an impressive history of growth. Adding CCA to our portfolio of services will significantly expand our PR offering, while also broadening our global capabilities.”

CCA principal and co-founder Robert Chandler said, “Our successes over the past 12 years have been unprecedented and the next 12 will be, too, because we’re putting into place a smart global growth strategy that will lead us to even greater achievement.”

“This partnership allows us to scale up globally at warp speed and with greater authority, while maintaining our culture of success,” added Gianfranco Chicco, co-founder and CCA principal. “It is an ideal partnership.”

Upon the close of the transaction, CCA will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of inVentiv Health and operate within the inVentiv Communications division. The CCA brand and all the other brands that are part of the Chandler Chicco Companies, including Biosector2, BrandTectonics, CCA Advertising, Determinus, Litmus and ‘nition will remain, and Robert Chandler and Gianfranco Chicco will continue to lead the business, reporting into William O’Donnell, President and COO of inVentiv Communications.

Conference Call Details

inVentiv will host a conference call today, June 26, 2007, at 5:30pm EDT to discuss its acquisition of Chandler Chicco Agency. Call in number: 800-358-8448 (Domestic) or 706-634-1367 (International) Live and Archived Webcast: http://www.inventivhealth.com/

A replay of the call will be available immediately following the call through July 3, 2007 at 800-642-1687. The conference ID number for the replay is 4413978.

About Chandler Chicco Agency

Chandler Chicco Agency is the world’s largest independent healthcare specialist public relations agency with offices in New York, London, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Paris. CCA offers strategic public relations and communications counsel to clients that include hospitals, NGOs, healthcare associations, coalitions and most of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. CCA is the flagship company for Chandler Chicco Companies; other brands under the Chandler Chicco Companies umbrella include Biosector2, BrandTectonics, CCA Advertising, Determinus, Litmus and ‘nition. For more information, visit http://www.ccapr.com/.

About inVentiv Health

inVentiv Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTIV) is the leading provider of commercialization and complementary services to the global pharmaceutical, life sciences and biotechnology industries. inVentiv delivers its customized clinical, sales, marketing and communications solutions through its three core business segments: inVentiv Clinical, inVentiv Communications and inVentiv Commercial. inVentiv Health currently works with over 200 unique pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences clients, including all top 20 global pharmaceutical companies. For more information, visit http://www.inventivhealth.com/.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks that may cause inVentiv Health’s performance to differ materially. Such risks include, without limitation: changes in trends in the pharmaceutical industry or in pharmaceutical outsourcing; our ability to compete successfully with other services in the market; our ability to maintain large client contracts or to enter into new contracts; uncertainties related to future incentive payments; and, our ability to operate successfully in new lines of business. Readers of this press release are referred to documents filed from time to time by inVentiv Health Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these and other factors.

About AdMedia Partners

AdMedia Partners is a leading boutique financial advisory firm that provides middle market mergers and acquisitions advisory services to advertising and marketing services, media and publishing, and related Internet businesses. Founded in 1990 and located in New York City, the firm has completed over 150 transactions worth over $5 billion since 1999.

Select recent Marketing Services and Internet Marketing transactions completed by AdMedia Partners include:

* Representing Medical Broadcasting Company, one of the largest independent interactive healthcare agencies, in its acquisition by Digitas Inc.

* Representing Ignite Health, a leading interactive healthcare marketing agency, in its acquisition by inVentiv Health.

* Representing Addison Whitney, a full service brand identity and consulting firm that specializes in creating unique brand solutions for global pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical companies, in its acquisition by inVentiv Health.

* Representing Public Strategies, a leading corporate communications firm, in its acquisition by WPP.

* Representing The Glover Park Group, a leading independent corporate communications and public affairs firm, in its sale to private equity firm Svoboda, Collins.

* Representing both New Media Strategies and Genex in their sales to Meredith.

* Representing CFM Direct, a leading direct marketing agency, in its acquisition by Merkle, a leading database marketing agency.

For more information, contact:

Phil Palazzo
Managing Director
ppalazzo@admediapartners.com

Greg Smith
Managing Director
gsmith@admediapartners.com

AdMedia Partners
444 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 759-1870

Website: http://www.admediapartners.com/
Website: http://www.inventivhealth.com/
Website: http://www.ccapr.com/

Thursday, June 14, 2007

OPIC ANNOUNCES GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE CAPPING EMISSIONS ON NEW PROJECTS, SHIFTING EMPHASIS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

Goal to reduce emissions by 20 percent in ten years;
agency to enhance project accounting and reporting

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) will work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in OPIC-supported projects by 20 percent in the next ten years and shift emphasis to renewable and energy-efficient projects, according to a new initiative announced today by OPIC President and CEO Robert Mosbacher, Jr.

To meet the portfolio reduction target of the OPIC Greenhouse Gas Initiative, OPIC is establishing an annual emissions cap for all new greenhouse gas emissions in OPIC supported projects to which the agency provides a commitment. The cap will be equivalent to the emissions from projects committed to by OPIC in fiscal year 2007, estimated to be between two and three million tons CO2eq (see below). If met, the goal will result in a reduction in emissions from 54.7 million tons of CO2eq in OPIC’s current portfolio of OPIC supported projects, to a cap of 44 million tons in 2016.

On a project basis, OPIC will work with the private sector to encourage U.S. investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvement projects through the application of market-based incentives. OPIC will consider emission reduction alternatives for all OPIC-supported projects, including opportunities to enhance energy and operational efficiency; and the application of new technologies for the capture, storage and recovery of greenhouse gases.

In the fourth part of the initiative, OPIC will enhance its accounting and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, and on renewable energy and energy efficiency in the OPIC annual environmental report. Instead of aggregate emission reporting, OPIC will report annual emissions of each significant OPIC-supported project’s greenhouse gas emissions in the active portfolio as well as the projected emissions for each project receiving an OPIC commitment.

“A key part of the U.S. government’s work in developing a multilateral approach to climate change is to support policies and projects that help developing countries to meet their energy needs in the most environmentally responsible manner,” Mosbacher said. “The OPIC GHG Initiative moves in this direction by directly addressing emissions. And in partnership with the private sector, we can support the projects and clean technology that will provide energy, spur growth while protecting the environment in developing countries.”

Carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) is a metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases based upon their global warming potential (GWP). The carbon dioxide equivalent for a gas is derived by multiplying the tons of the gas by the associated GWP. For example, the GWP for methane is 21 and for nitrous oxide 310. This means that the emissions of 1 million metric tons of methane and nitrous oxide respectively are equivalent to emissions of 21 and 310 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.

OPIC was established as an agency of the U.S. government in 1971. It helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets, complements the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers.

OPIC’s political risk insurance and financing help U.S. businesses of all sizes invest in more than 150 emerging markets and developing nations worldwide. Over the agency’s 35-year history, OPIC has supported $164 billion worth of investments that have helped developing countries to generate more than 732,000 host-country jobs and $13 billion in host-government revenues. OPIC projects have also generated $69 billion in U.S. exports and supported more than 264,000 American jobs.

This would be the second best science/tech story of the week. The stem cell story had to take first place due to the nature of the solutions it provides in terms of an ethics resolution and advancing the race for cures. But the MIT science story is just plain way cool. Like nobody is interested in loosing the wires. All in all a good week for science. And to the skeptics or cynics everyone knows neither problem is solved with these successes. But the answers are a bit closer after this week. Everyone should be able to feel good about that.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

MIT Team Powers Light Bulb Without Wires

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — In a perfect world, there’d be no wires. They clutter the view, get tangled behind desks and limit how far networks can reach. That’s why the telegraph gave way to the radio. Cell phones unstrung telecommunications. Wi-Fi liberated computer data….

Stem Cell Breakthrough Announced Amid Fierce Debate

By Michael Bowman
Washington
07 June 2007
Bowman report - Download 697k
Listen to Bowman report

Scientists in the United States say they have for the first time been able to create stem cells from the ordinary skin cells of mice, a breakthrough that could lead to new medical breakthroughs and eliminate a contentious ethical and political debate over the use of human embryos for such research. From Washington, VOA’s Michael Bowman has more on the breakthrough.

Scientists say stem cells offer the promise of cures to everything from cancer to spinal cord injuries. Stem cells are malleable and can be used to create virtually any kind of tissue. But there has been a fierce ethical debate over stem cell research, because until now, it was assumed the cells had to be harvested from human embryos, destroying them in the process.

But teams in the United States, using a process pioneered by a leading Japanese researcher, say they have now successfully transformed skin cells from mice into what are, in effect, embryonic stem cells.

Biologist Rudolf Jaenisch at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology led one of the teams.

“We can take any skin cell and treat it in a certain way,” he said. “And after two or three weeks we will have embryonic stem cells which are indistinguishable from normal embryonic stem cells which have been derived from embryos.”

Could the same be done with human skin cells? No one knows just yet, or whether embryonic stem cells created in such a fashion would be as useful in research as those harvested from living embryos. Scientists say further study will be required, and that definitive answers may not be forthcoming for some time.

In the meantime, the political and ethical debate over embryonic stem cells continues to rage in the United States. Jaenisch says he is well aware of the political furor surrounding embryonic stem cell research, and cautions against injecting his findings with regard to mice into the current debate.

“Many who are opposed to embryonic stem cell research will use this [breakthrough] and say, ‘Ha! We do not need it [to use embryos].’ This is the wrong conclusion,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. Congress there has been more contentious debate on legislation to allow more federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, legislation that President Bush has said he will veto.

Before Thursday’s vote to send the measure to the president’s desk, Indiana Republican Mike Pence stood in opposition.

“Congress is once again poised to pass legislation that authorizes the use of federal tax dollars to fund the destruction of human embryos for scientific research,” he said. “I believe that life begins at conception. It is morally wrong to create human life to destroy it.

California Democrat Lynn Woolsey has a different point of view, stressing the seemingly limitless potential of stem cells to improve human health.

“How can we tell a parent watching a child suffering from cancer that we are not going to do every single thing possible to save that child? How can we tell a teenager that there is a chance we could repair a damaged spinal chord, but we are not going to pursue it,” she asked.

President Bush has authorized federal funds for stem cell research involving a small number of stem cell lines from discarded embryos. U.S. researchers say those lines are badly contaminated and of little scientific value, and that the United States is falling behind other nations with few restrictions on such research.

(source: voanews.com)

There is no reason to get overly excited and there is equally no reason to despair. The caution on this great news is like any other discovery. There will be no solutions provided by this advance any time soon. The good news is this finding may end the ethical challenge about stem cell research much sooner than previously anticipated.

The short version is it is possible to convert something as basic as a skin cell into a stem cell with the same qualities as that of embryonic stem cells. That is, being able to generate any cells in the body. The current problem was only embryonic stem cells could do this and adult stem cells were already fixed and not nearly as useful for providing the desired medical solutions.

The conversion of ‘regular’ stem cells to those that can mimic the embryonic variety has only been done on mice. And the problem now is finding another way to make the conversion and do it for humans. The current method causes cancer in the mice. Not something that is desired in a medical solution. But this is good news and raises optimism that the holy grail of stem cell research may be on the horizon without the ethical problems.

Stanford Matthews
MoerWhat.com

Breakthrough may end stem cell debate

igh Dayton, Science Writer
June 07, 2007
INTERNATIONAL scientists have reported findings that promise to end the ethical row over stem cell research once and for all.

Separate teams of US and Japanese experts turned ordinary mouse tissue cells into fully functioning embryonic stems (ES) cells without the use of eggs or embryos, the most controversial aspect of ES cell research.

The findings - reported in the journals Nature and Cell Stem Cell - have been hailed as a genuine breakthrough.

“It’s just terrific. It allows us to really move forward,” said stem cell scientist Megan Munsie, director of scientific affairs and policy at the Australian Stem Cell Centre in Melbourne.

To Rep Jerry Weller , all we have to say is what are you talking about? You point to a study about your local area that describes the daily commute as one of the worst in the country. Somehow you connect this to a growing ‘biofuels’ industry that gives ‘hope’ to commuters. If you believe that the gridlock greatly increases fuel consumption, we would like to point out that consumers choices over the years on what they drive and how much they drive has much more to do with fuel consumption than gridlock. The city/highway mpg ratings have been suspect for years. But even if you trust them, perhaps a loss on that 30 minute drive is at most 25%.

Point is Jerry, the discretionary driving and a nation of SUV’s and other higher fuel consumption vehicles has much more to do with our energy problems than a half hour commute each work day. And your follow up connection to a 2005 energy bill that became law has little in it to cause excitement. Who are you trying to impress?

If you investigate further, you will find much to be concerned about in terms of alternative fuel choices. For instance, your praise of E85 ethanol or any other corn substitute we have seen consumes more energy to produce than the energy you get out of it. There is also concern about raising other costs by diverting more corn to fuel production. The list goes on and the only real benefit we see is to those involved in a new industry, not the consumer or anything related to energy independence.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Rising Biofuels Industry Gives Commuters Hope (Rep. Jerry Weller)

May 9th, 2007 There’s a new study found in the recent edition of U.S. News and World Report that shows Americans are spending more and more time on the road to get to work. People in Will County, Illinois, in my district, have among the longest commutes in the nation. All of this puts the issue of gas prices into sharper focus, because increasing travel times and increasing fuel costs are a bad combination –- for consumers’ pocketbooks, and for the environment.

But we’ve seen a ray of hope as a result of our 2005 energy bill.

Whether the press release below is an objective account on the topic of fuel eonomy is subject to debate. The amount of fuel a vehicle consumes is not the only factor affecting this nation’s consumption of petroleum. For example, if we can reduce all vehicles’s consumption by 20% and over time our miles logged increase by 20% then we have solved almost nothing. Does this legislation really address a significant component to the energy issue? Tell us what you think.

MoreWhat.com staff

the press release:

Senate Commerce Committee Approves Historic Fuel Economy Legislation for Cars, SUVs, Trucks

Bill would reduce oil dependence, enhance energy security

WASHINGTON, May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Energy Security
Leadership Council (ESLC), a project of Securing America’s Future Energy
(SAFE), expressed strong support for landmark fuel economy legislation
approved today by the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation of
the U.S. Senate. The bipartisan bill promises to achieve substantial
reductions in U.S. oil dependence by addressing consumption in the
transportation sector, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of total U.S.
oil demand.
The Ten-In-Ten Fuel Economy Act, which was reported out of the Commerce
Committee with support from a broad coalition of Republicans and Democrats,
would increase the fuel economy of all on-road vehicles.
“The Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act is a bold, bipartisan effort that will
greatly improve the national security of the United States by reducing our
oil dependence. The legislation deserves broad support.”
“The Energy Security Leadership Council commends Chairman Inouye, Vice
Chairman Stevens, Senator Dorgan, and Senator Snowe and other members of
the Committee who helped advance this important initiative to address a
profound economic and national security vulnerability. Senators Craig and
Feinstein also made major contributions to today’s victory,” remarked
General P.X. Kelley, USMC (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the US Marine Corps
and Co-Chair of the ESLC.
The bill incorporates four major provisions central to the ESLC’s
policy recommendations: presumptive and aggressive increases in vehicle
fuel economy; application of those required economy increases to all
on-road vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and medium and heavy trucks; an
attribute-based system that gives the National Highway Transportation
Safety Administration (NHTSA) the authority to group vehicles by
like-attributes and then apply different standards for like vehicles; and
“off ramps” to protect consumers and manufacturers by allowing NHTSA to
relax the mandated increases if such improvements are economically
infeasible or unsafe.
The ESLC is an intensive effort by a collection of prominent business
leaders and retired military officers to build support for a comprehensive
policy to reduce U.S. oil dependence. SAFE is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit
organization committed to reducing America’s dependence on oil and
improving U.S. energy security in order to bolster national security and
strengthen the economy.
Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President and CEO of FedEx and an ESLC
Co- Chair, commented, “The Energy Security Leadership Council was pleased
to work with the members of the Commerce Committee and deeply appreciates
their efforts. The Ten-In-Ten Fuel Economy Act reflects key principles
central to improving U.S. economic and national security.
“As individuals who have been grappling with the challenges that oil
dependence poses to American prosperity and security, the Energy Security
Leadership Council is pleased to support the Ten-In-Ten Fuel Economy Act.
We look forward to working with members of the Senate in the coming weeks
to improve this important legislation and address the critical need to
increase domestic oil supply.”

SOURCE Securing America’s Future Energy

Related links:
# http://www.secureenergy.org/

The following is a quote from a press release at Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s website:

“An enhanced federal investment in long-term basic research is crucial to future innovations and America’s overall competitiveness. Basic research serves as the building blocks of technological advancement, but because it doesn’t always directly lead to the creation of new products and services, private funding for basic research is not a priority. That is where the federal government must step in to ensure that basic research is adequately funded so that it continues to strengthen the foundation of innovation.

Speaker Pelosi, would you be so kind as to explain in more detail the relationship between publicly funded research, privately funded research, business and government? The reason for this request is simple to understand. If, as you stated, basic research is a low priority for private funding, why should it be subsidized by taxpayer funds? Is it because the private funding sources know they will get the successful research for free?

Is it possible that the burden of paying for technological innovation is almost exclusively shouldered by the public? When marketing new innovations, businesses like Big Pharma justify high prices as the immense cost of research. The public is forced to pay excessive prices on health care solutions. Taxpayer funding for research that is more likely to fail than succeed means the consumer may be cheated twice. Once by the government and later by the private sector when they get the research results and market another product. If much of this funding is funneled to universities and other public institutions, its main benefit may be providing income for researchers and not a benefit in the public interest.

The point is, Speaker Pelosi, that proclamations on wonderful ideas for spending taxpayer money should be supported by facts that allow the public to respond to your proposals objectively and not on hype.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Professor Stephen Hawking Experiences the Freedom of Weightlessness During Historic Zero-Gravity Flight Out of Kennedy Space Center

Flight Raises More Than $144,000 for Charitable Organizations Serving Children, the Disabled, and Science and Space; Momentous Flight Sponsored by Space Florida and The Sharper ImageCAPE CANAVERAL, FL — (MARKET WIRE) — April 26, 2007 — Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G®), and its sponsors, Space Florida and The Sharper Image, successfully flew world-renowned physicist, cosmologist, and best-selling author Professor Stephen Hawking into weightlessness today, performing eight parabolas, even though he only planned for one. It was the first time Professor Hawking, the world’s leading expert on gravity, had an opportunity to experience zero gravity. The ZERO-G Experience™ flight with Professor Hawking took off from the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Central Florida.

“It was amazing. The zero-g part was wonderful,” said Professor Stephen Hawking. “I could have gone on and on — space here I come!”

Hawking added, “I recommend the experience to everyone and I hope that many will follow me and experience weightlessness. There are a few people and organizations I would like to thank. First I’d like to thank Zero Gravity Corporation, The Shaper Image and Peter Diamandis for arranging this for me. Second, I’d like to thank Space Florida and the NASA Kennedy Space Center for being my host. The Space Shuttle Landing Facility is the first step to the moon and Mars. It is very special for me, to fly into weightlessness from here.”

(Click here for details)
Professor Stephen Hawking experiences the freedom of
weightlessness during historic zero-gravity flight out of Kennedy
Space Center, Cape Canaveral, FL, April 26, 2007.

“Professor Hawking’s expression said it all — the grins of sheer joy and excitement he displayed were unmistakable and no different than the giddiness and fun that all of our flyers experience,” said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, CEO and Co-Founder of ZERO-G. “For me personally, and for all of us at ZERO-G, it has been a complete honor and thrill to give Professor Hawking this opportunity to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams.”

Professor Hawking did not fly with his wheelchair; rather, he was placed flat on his back, on the specially padded floor in the center of the large open cabin at the start of each parabola. He then floated up into the center of the cabin. ZERO-G co-founders Dr. Peter H. Diamandis (pictured right), and astronaut Byron Lichtenberg were positioned alongside of Hawking as he floated weightless (pictured left) with the assistance of nurse practitioner Nicola O’Brien, then carefully guided him slowly back down to the floor during the return to normal gravity. The onboard flight’s crew and staff included four physicians, two of which are members of Hawking’s own medical team.

The Hawking flight was also organized as a benefit for several charitable organizations, namely Easter Seals (www.easterseals.com); the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation (www.starlight.org); the X PRIZE Foundation (www.xprize.org) and Augie’s Quest (www.augiesquest.org). ZERO-G donated two seats aboard the Hawking flight to each group, for them to then auction off. Altogether, the charities raised $144,000, which included $75,000 raised by the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation for the two tickets it auctioned on eBay. In addition to the flight itself, the donors and other passengers that participated also enjoyed a Space Florida-sponsored dinner and lecture by Professor Hawking at the JW Marriott in Orlando on Wednesday evening, April 25.

In preparation for the actual flight, Zero Gravity Corporation scheduled a training flight yesterday, Wednesday, April 25, 2007. The flight included Professor Hawking’s personal staff, medical team, a Hawking body-double and ZERO-G’s coaching team. Space Florida, the organization charged with promoting commercial space tourism in the state of Florida, served as the flight’s education sponsor and selected a Florida teacher and student to participate in this experience.

Ted Straight, an 8th grader at Stone Middle School in Melbourne, FL of similar height, weight and build as Professor Hawking, had the prestigious honor of serving as Hawking’s stand-in, or body-double, on yesterday’s training flight. Susan Harris, a teacher at Hill-Gustat Middle School in Highlands County, FL, participated in both the training flight and the flight with Professor Hawking, during which she served as a flight coach. Harris is recording and sharing her experience on the Hawking flight via a blog on the ZERO-G site — www.gozerog.com.

Said Steve Kohler, Executive Director of Space Florida, “We are proud to be a part of this unique event, as well as the sponsor of last night’s pre-flight dinner and lecture by Prof. Hawking. Florida has been the aerospace leader in the past and through our partnerships with innovative companies like ZERO-G, we will continue to be the global leader in space research, development, exploration and commerce.”

The Sharper Image, who co-sponsored this flight, recently announced that it will be selling ZERO-G flights commercially through its 187 retail locations nationwide. Individuals interested in purchasing seats can do so by visiting The Sharper Image stores or website, or by going to www.gozerog.com.

Prof. Hawking’s best-selling books, “A Brief History of Time” and “Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays,” examine the basic laws, history and future of the universe. Hawking is known for his contributions to the fields of cosmology and quantum gravity, especially in the context of black holes. He has also made public his interest in experiencing weightlessness, and the importance of space as the next frontier for human population.

The ZERO-G Experience consists of a brief training session for flyers (ZERO-G passengers) followed by a 90-minute flight aboard G-Force One, during which parabolic maneuvers are performed. The controlled ascent and descent of the plane allows flyers to experience gravity on Mars (1/3-gravity); the moon (1/6-gravity); and in zero-g space. Since launching its service to the general public in September 2004, the company has conducted more than 100 weightless flights and flown more than 2,500 passengers, including celebrities and personalities, corporate charters, science and math teachers, and individuals age 12 to 85.

G-Force One is a specially modified, 35-passenger Boeing 727-200, and The ZERO-G Experience™ is the only FAA-approved weightless flight experience available to the general public. The weightless flights are similar to those conducted by NASA for more than 40 years to train its astronauts. ZERO-G was recently granted FAA approval to fly individuals with disabilities. ZERO-G operates under the highest safety standards as set by the FAA (Part-121) with its partner Amerijet International. Aircraft operations take place under the same regulations set for commercial passenger airlines.

About ZERO-G

Zero Gravity Corporation (www.GoZeroG.com) is a privately held space entertainment and tourism company whose mission is to make the excitement and adventure of space accessible to the public. ZERO-G is based in Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada, and is the first and only FAA-approved provider of weightless flight to the general public, as well as the entertainment and film industries; corporate and incentive market; non-profit research and education sectors; and government. For more information about ZERO-G, please visit http://www.GoZeroG.com or call (800) ZERO-G-800.

This issue of Weekend Science and Tech focuses on a favorite target subject. This blog is not shy about voicing our collective disdain for Microsoft. And thanks to a press release from Sophos, we can offer a public service and pound on Bill Gates all at the same time. ( first pic supplied by Sophos, others supplied by us ) Read and weep if you use this MS product. ( or for that matter, any other MS product )

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Worm spreads via zero day Microsoft DNS vulnerability Hackers attack unpatched flaw in Microsoft code to penetrate business servers

Infected PCs become part of a zombie network

Sophos, a world leader in IT security and control, has warned businesses of a worm that is exploiting an unpatched zero day vulnerability in Microsoft’s software.

The W32/Delbot-AI worm (also known as Nirbot or Rinbot) is taking advantage of a vulnerability in the way Microsoft Windows DNS Server’s Remote Procedure Call (RPC) interface has been implemented. The hackers’ worm has been able to exploit the flaw by sending a crafted RPC packet to vulnerable PCs.

If the worm successfully infects a PC it allows hackers to gain access over the computer, giving them the ability to control what it does and steal information from the unsuspecting user.

“This flaw in Microsoft’s code has only been known about for a handful of days, and already there is a worm which is taking advantage of the problem in its attempt to infect as many PCs as possible. Time and time again hackers are forcing companies like Microsoft to scrabble around to develop, test and roll-out a software patch,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. “Businesses should ensure that their computers are properly configured, and protected with up-to-date anti-virus software, hardened firewalls and patches.”

The worm can also exploit a vulnerability present in Symantec’s anti-virus product line, which was patched a year ago.

Microsoft has published an advisory on its website giving guidance to companies who may be affected by the flaw in its software.

* Read the security advisory from Microsoft: “Vulnerability in RPC on Windows DNS Server Could Allow Remote Code Execution”

The news of the worm comes a week after Microsoft patched a series of other critical vulnerabilities in its software.

“The computer underground appear to be revelling in waiting until Microsoft has released its monthly batch of patches, before unleashing their latest attacks,” continued Cluley. “It’s not just businesses who are being affected by this, but Microsoft will not be enjoying having the security of their software brought into question again.”

Customers using Sophos anti-virus solutions have been automatically updated to protect against the W32/Delbot-AI worm, but are advised to consult Microsoft’s knowledgebase article for further information and roll out Microsoft’s patch when it becomes available.

Sophos suggests that every IT manager responsible for security should consider subscribing to vulnerability mailing lists such as that operated by Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/notify.mspx.

Sophos continues to recommend that all organizations protect their email with an integrated security solution to thwart malware, spyware, hackers and spam threats.

We Have to Crack Down on Employers to Solve Illegal Immigration (Rep. Brian Bilbray)

April 12th, 2007

We need to crackdown on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. That’s why we must have an employer verification system in place so employers can identify who is here legally and who is not.

You can click on the link below to finish reading the commentary of Senator Kennedy and then tell us what you notice about his statements. Senator Kennedy makes a lot of speeches, calls for selected remedies and generally delivers commentary as if his suit is on fire. Ignoring that and/or the rhetoric, we are wondering if you will react to this news item as we did.

MoreWhat.com staff

Kennedy commends MIT, decries ‘pseudo-science’

“Truth is taking a beating,” Sen. Edward Kennedy warned in a forceful attack on the science policy of the Bush administration in his delivery of the 2007 Karl Taylor Compton Lecture, held in the Stata Center’s Kirsch Auditorium on April 13.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Pet’s Garden Blog, Perri Nelson’s Website, Is It Just Me?, The Virtuous Republic, Helium, Shadowscope, Stuck On Stupid, The Amboy Times, , Pursuing Holiness, Pet’s Garden Blog, Rightlinx, third world county, Woman Honor Thyself, Stageleft, , stikNstein… has no mercy, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, Right Pundits, 123beta, Maggie’s Notebook, Adam’s Blog, basil’s blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, Cao’s Blog, Phastidio.net, The Pet Haven, , Conservative Cat, Jo’s Cafe, Conservative Thoughts, , Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Allie Is Wired, Faultline USA, Sujet- Celebrities, stikNstein… has no mercy, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Walls of the City, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Wendy Wright, described as the President of Concerned Women for America, makes an impassioned statement in support of her obvious opposition to current stem cell legislation. She refers to Senate Bill 5. Although her post title indicates a prediction that the measure will fail under the veto pen of President Bush she provides no evidence why that would happen.

So I’ll go out on a limb here. If the voting on S5 and the House version of the bill remain the same after a veto from President Bush, there is nearly enough to override the veto right now. The House bill had 218 co-sponsors before the vote. The vote passed 253 to 174. They probably only need 1 out of 5 no votes. The Senate bill won by a vote of 70 to 28 with two not voting. If the President threatened veto he’ll probably have to follow through if he plans to ever use another one. However, if they determine it is pointless, he may withdraw his veto threat for another fight.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Stem Cell Vote in Senate Won’t Survive Bush’s Veto

Thankfully, President Bush will veto this unethical bill. His position places human life above destructive politics and steers research to methods that actually help patients. Hopefully scientists and patient advocacy groups will realign with what is moral (that is, not destroying human beings for scientific gain), catch up to the amazing advances in therapies and get behind what is both ethical and effective.
Posted by Wendy Wright, President, Concerned Women for America

You may have seen this before. But it is worth the reminder. This is our pick for Weekend Science and Tech. It fits our criteria nicely as a practical and expected low priced solution that is comparitively simple for saving lives.

MoreWhat.com staff

Scanner spots deadly blood clots

By Fergus Walsh
BBC News, Medical correspondent

A hand-held scanner has been invented which can detect serious brain injuries.
The device, called an “infrascanner”, can spot blood clots on the surface of the brain known as haematomas, which can lead to death or disability if left untreated. It is being tested in India, but if successful it could have benefits for patients anywhere.

First Handheld Brain Hemotoma Detector

New handheld design saves lives.

InfraScanner/24-7PressRelease/ - PHILADELPHIA, PA, December 05, 2006 - Bresslergroup (http://www.bresslergroup.com) recently completed the design of the Infrascanner , handheld brain hemotoma detector. This non-invasive handheld imaging device uses near infrared (NIR) technology for the rapid detection of hematoma, or bleeding in the brain.

While CAT Scans (CT) are currently the diagnostic standard for hematomas, many head trauma patients do not quickly receive a CT scan due to availability issues. One of Bresslergroup’s largest contributions was helping InfraScan, Inc. (http://www.infrascanner.com) better understand their diverse user group. Through research, Bresslergroup determined a list of user needs by examining and role playing use scenarios in such differing environments as the scene of an accident, hospital emergency rooms / ICU units, and military applications. The Infrascanner addresses this unmet medical need for a simple, low-cost, accurate hematoma detection device for use in a variety of settings.