Scientists have worked out how the seasonal flu virus has become resistant to the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu and why these drug-resistant strains have spread explosively in the past two years.
The H1N1 seasonal flu virus first became resistant to Tamiflu more than 10 years ago because of a single genetic mutation. But these strains were unable to spread because the same mutation that conferred resistance to Tamiflu also made the virus less infectious.
However, the researchers have discovered further genetic mutations that overcame this drawback to the drug-resistant strain. These mutations allowed the virus to spread explosively after the 2007-08 flu season so that by the following year, Tamiflu was next to useless against virtually all seasonal H1N1 flu viruses – although still effective against other flu viruses .
8 Scientists Share $3 Million in Prizes.
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Scientists competing to build humongous telescopes, elucidate the machinery by which brain cells signal each other and manipulate individual atoms and molecules into submicroscopic structures were among the winners of one of the richest prizes in science, the $1 million Kavli Prize, announced Thursday by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.
The prizes, one each in astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience, are awarded every other year. This year, eight scientists will share the money, $3 million in all, which comes from the Kavli Foundation, set up by Fred Kavli, a Norwegian-American physicist, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
The prizes, one each in astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience, are awarded every other year. This year, eight scientists will share the money, $3 million in all, which comes from the Kavli Foundation, set up by Fred Kavli, a Norwegian-American physicist, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Woman banker claims she was sacked for being too attractive.
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attractive,
wacky,
women
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Debrahlee Lorenzana, 33, alleges that she was ordered to stop wearing pencil skirts, fitted business suits, tight trousers and high heels because her appearance was too much for her colleagues at Citibank to bear.
She has filed a sex discrimination suit against the bank in New York and is seeking damages for loss of earnings and emotional distress.
"My entire life, I've been dealing with this. People say, 'Oh, you got a job because you look that way'," Miss Lorenzana said. "Are you saying that just because I look this way genetically, that this should be a curse for me?"
Miss Lorenzana was hired by Citibank in September 2008 as a $70,000 per year business banker, based in the Chrysler Building. After her interview – to which she wore a black Armani wrap dress and Christian Louboutin heels – she claims a colleague told her that the branch was "pretty much known for hiring pretty girls".
The future notebook Kno (large screen tablets) is here [VIDEO].
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education,
technology,
video
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A company called Kno, Inc. has announced its flagship product, simply dubbed the Kno. The device joins two 14-inch touchscreens joined with a hinge, and it specifically targets the education sector.
Based on Linux, the Kno also boasts support for Adobe Flash. Developers are encouraged to participate in building out a third-party App Store for the device.
George W. Bush Joins Facebook not twitter.
George W. Bush and/or staff have created a Facebook Page.
the third-person updates and marketing materials for former First Lady Laura Bush’s book are striking a less-than-personal note.
Still, fans of the page are effusive in their praise for the Bushes and have already built the page’s interaction count to an impressively high number. In around 15 hours, a total of two updates have spawned more than 2,900 reactions (that’s Likes and comments counted together), and the page has been Liked by more than 57,000 people.
Skype iPhone 3G App Downloaded 5 Million Times.
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mobile,
skype,
technology
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On Sunday, Skype 2.0 was launched for the iPhone 3G, bringing a long-sought feature to the table: making calls over 3G. By now, 5 million users have downloaded the application from the iTunes Store.
Unfortunately, the new feature came was accompanied by bad news after August 2010, Skype will start charging a monthly fee for the 3G calling feature on top of whatever fee you’re already paying your mobile operator for data transfer.
Skype promises the fee will be reasonable. “We’re not going to want to price ourselves out of the market. I can’t ignore the fact that consumers (currently) use us for free,” said Russ Shaw, Skype’s general manager for mobile.
Unfortunately, the new feature came was accompanied by bad news after August 2010, Skype will start charging a monthly fee for the 3G calling feature on top of whatever fee you’re already paying your mobile operator for data transfer.
Skype promises the fee will be reasonable. “We’re not going to want to price ourselves out of the market. I can’t ignore the fact that consumers (currently) use us for free,” said Russ Shaw, Skype’s general manager for mobile.
Facebook Privacy Now Has an Official Fan Page.
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facebook,
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privacy,
social network
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Facebook’s newly launches Facebook and Privacy Page.
The social networking site announced on its blog that it has created a page all about everyone’s favorite topic: Facebook privacy.
This page has been created because of severe backlash from the users and as well as media agencies. Time magazine even put privacy on its cover. Finally, Facebook launched new, simplified privacy settings in an attempt to make good.
Src: [blog.facebook]
The social networking site announced on its blog that it has created a page all about everyone’s favorite topic: Facebook privacy.
This page has been created because of severe backlash from the users and as well as media agencies. Time magazine even put privacy on its cover. Finally, Facebook launched new, simplified privacy settings in an attempt to make good.
Src: [blog.facebook]
Twitter Testing New “You Both Follow” Feature.
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internet,
new feature,
social network,
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twitter
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Twitter is testing a new feature that helps you figure out how you know — or if you want to follow — a given account.
If you catch a glimpse of this feature in the wild, you’ll see a slim strip of avatars on a user’s profile right above the grid of people that user follows. The headline above this reads, “You both follow.”
This new feature is a quick reference tool that shows deeper connections in the social media grid, and it’s a simple addition that makes Twitter seem less like a one-way communication tool and more like a robust, legitimate social network.
This new feature is a quick reference tool that shows deeper connections in the social media grid, and it’s a simple addition that makes Twitter seem less like a one-way communication tool and more like a robust, legitimate social network.
Chilli peppers can help you shed weight .
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health,
reasearch,
study
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Capsaicin, the stuff that gives chilli peppers their kick, may cause weight loss and fight fat build-up by triggering certain beneficial protein changes in the body, says a new study.
The study could potentially open up new treatments for obesity.
Mr Jong Won Yun, biotechnologist from Daegu University, Korea, and colleagues point out that obesity is a major public health threat worldwide, linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other health problems.
Lab studies have hinted that capsaicin may help fight obesity by decreasing calorie intake, shrinking fat tissue and lowering fat levels in the blood. Nobody, however, knows exactly how capsaicin might trigger such beneficial effects.
The study could potentially open up new treatments for obesity.
Mr Jong Won Yun, biotechnologist from Daegu University, Korea, and colleagues point out that obesity is a major public health threat worldwide, linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other health problems.
Lab studies have hinted that capsaicin may help fight obesity by decreasing calorie intake, shrinking fat tissue and lowering fat levels in the blood. Nobody, however, knows exactly how capsaicin might trigger such beneficial effects.
Yahoo tries new feature for the email which cost the users there privacy.
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privacy,
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yahoo
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Yahoo Inc. is hoping to turn on a new sharing option in its popular e-mail service without shocking users who prize their privacy.
That's why the Internet company is advising its 280 million e-mail account holders to review their privacy settings along with their incoming messages.
Yahoo posted the privacy reminder this week as it prepares to unveil new features that will share its e-mail users' online activities and interests with people listed in their address books unless they take steps to prevent the information from being broadcast. The new sharing tools will be appearing in people's e-mail accounts this month.
That's why the Internet company is advising its 280 million e-mail account holders to review their privacy settings along with their incoming messages.
Yahoo posted the privacy reminder this week as it prepares to unveil new features that will share its e-mail users' online activities and interests with people listed in their address books unless they take steps to prevent the information from being broadcast. The new sharing tools will be appearing in people's e-mail accounts this month.
Nokia unveils bicycle charger.
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environment,
gadgets,
mobile,
technology
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Nokia unveiled its first bicycle charger targeting consumers with limited access to electricity.
The charger kit consists of a charger, dynamo and a holder to secure the phone to the bike. Priced at about 15 euros (Rs 860), the kit will be available later this year, said a company spokesman.
When the kit is installed, the dynamo - a small electrical generator - uses the movement of the wheels to charge the handset through the standard 2mm charging jack used in most Nokia mobile phones.
Designed for tropical climates the Nokia bicycle charger is humidity and dust resistant.
Man punishes son for smoking, stitches up lips.
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crime,
wacky
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A man was arrested here on the charge of stitching up his teenage son's lips after he caught the boy smoking at Namchi in Sikkim.
"Netra Bahadur Darjee in Jorethang beat and sewed up his 12-year-old son's mouth on Wednesday night when he was caught smoking in his bedroom," SP South district, Manoj Tewari said.
A case has been registered against Darjee under Juvenile Justice Act (Care and Protection of Children), he said.
The boy, a student of class-V, was admitted to a hospital, the police said.
"Netra Bahadur Darjee in Jorethang beat and sewed up his 12-year-old son's mouth on Wednesday night when he was caught smoking in his bedroom," SP South district, Manoj Tewari said.
A case has been registered against Darjee under Juvenile Justice Act (Care and Protection of Children), he said.
The boy, a student of class-V, was admitted to a hospital, the police said.
Japanese firm wants to transform the Moon into a giant solar power plant.
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environment,
technology
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The Shimizu Corporation, a Japanese construction firm, has recently proposed a plan to harness solar energy on a larger scale than almost any previously proposed concept. Their ambitious plan involves building a belt of solar cells around the Moon’s 6,800-mile (11,000-kilometer) equator, converting the electricity to powerful microwaves and lasers to be beamed at Earth, and finally converting the beams back to electricity at terrestrial power stations. The Luna Ring concept, the company says, could meet the entire world's energy needs.
Google Chrome OS to Launch in Autumn.
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google,
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Google’s operating system Chrome OS, originally announced in July 2009, will debut this fall. There are still many unknowns about the OS, but we know that it will be a free operating system based on the Chrome browser, targeted at netbooks and designed to work with web applications.
“We are working on bringing the device later this fall,” Google’s Vice President of Product Management Sundar Pichai said at CompuTex. “It’s something which we are very excited by … We expect it to reach millions of users on day one,” he said.
“We are working on bringing the device later this fall,” Google’s Vice President of Product Management Sundar Pichai said at CompuTex. “It’s something which we are very excited by … We expect it to reach millions of users on day one,” he said.
Microsoft Responds to Google Dumping Windows: Our OS Is Secure.
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security
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After recent rumors that Google is internally abandoning Windows and switching to Linux because of security concerns, Microsoft fires back at critics, claiming it’s doing more than its competitors when it comes to security.
“When it comes to security, even hackers admit we’re doing a better job making our products more secure than anyone else. And it’s not just the hackers; third party influentials and industry leaders like Cisco tell us regularly that our focus and investment continues to surpass others,” Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc says in a blog post.
He also lists some facts to support his claim, citing several security improvements in Windows (Windows) 7, like Parental Controls, Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), BitLocker disc encryption and an enhanced Windows Firewall. Furthermore, Microsoft ships software and security updates “as soon as possible through Windows Update and Microsoft Update to keep our customers safe,” he says.
“When it comes to security, even hackers admit we’re doing a better job making our products more secure than anyone else. And it’s not just the hackers; third party influentials and industry leaders like Cisco tell us regularly that our focus and investment continues to surpass others,” Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc says in a blog post.
He also lists some facts to support his claim, citing several security improvements in Windows (Windows) 7, like Parental Controls, Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), BitLocker disc encryption and an enhanced Windows Firewall. Furthermore, Microsoft ships software and security updates “as soon as possible through Windows Update and Microsoft Update to keep our customers safe,” he says.
Google Now Lets You Create Custom Homepages.
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Now you can customize your background on Google.com.
You can now choose any photo or image from your hard drive or your Picasa Web Albums to enhance your search experience. A new link on the bottom left-hand corner of Google.com will soon appear for all users that will give them the ability to change their search background. The rollout begins with the U.S. over the next few days, with international users to follow.
The new feature immediately reminds us of Bing, Microsoft’s upstart search engine. Every day it has a different photo on its homepage, and it has proven to be a popular feature.
Src: [mashable]
You can now choose any photo or image from your hard drive or your Picasa Web Albums to enhance your search experience. A new link on the bottom left-hand corner of Google.com will soon appear for all users that will give them the ability to change their search background. The rollout begins with the U.S. over the next few days, with international users to follow.
The new feature immediately reminds us of Bing, Microsoft’s upstart search engine. Every day it has a different photo on its homepage, and it has proven to be a popular feature.
Src: [mashable]
Twitter gets its own 'swear jar'.
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social network,
technology,
twitter
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SwearJarr is a simple site with a simple purpose -- to clean up Twitter for a good cause. SwearJarr operates with a self-policing model, so Twitter users can check their own tweets for curse word violations by inputting their Twitter names.
The self-righteous Twitterers among us can also use the site to become an honorary member of the swear police and notify other Twitter users of their swearing violations.
The website suggests a scaled monetary donation per profanity, where the worst bad words cost more, although users can choose to donate any amount of their choosing. SwearJarr then splits the monthly proceeds between two charitable organizations; new charities are chosen at the beginning of each month.
Steve Jobs muses on all things Apple.
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apple,
steve jobs
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By Miguel Helft, NYT News Service,
For Steven P. Jobs, the chief executive of Apple, the timing of his public appearance at the D8 conference could not have been better. Last week, Apple surpassed Microsoft to become the world's most valuable technology company. A little more than a decade ago, Apple was struggling for its life, and many tech pundits were predicting its demise.
So Mr. Jobs's wide-ranging interview with conference hosts Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher began, appropriately, with a softball question: How did it feel to stand at the top of the technology heap.
"For those of us who have been in the industry a long it is surreal," Mr. Jobs said. "But it doesn't matter very much. It is not what's important. It is not why any of our customers buy our products. I think it is good for us to keep that in mind. But it is a little surreal."
Mr. Jobs then hit on all the news that has surrounded Apple recently -- the stolen iPhone prototype, the war over Flash with Adobe, the suicides at Chinese contract manufacturer Foxconn, AT&T's network problems, the rivalry with Google and more. He didn't make any news or announce any new products or partners, but he delivered some interesting tidbits. Perhaps most significantly, he said Apple has no plans to get rid of Google's search and maps services on the iPhone or iPad.
"We have some Google properties on our phone," Mr. Jobs said. "Just because we are competing with somebody doesn't mean you have to be rude."
For Steven P. Jobs, the chief executive of Apple, the timing of his public appearance at the D8 conference could not have been better. Last week, Apple surpassed Microsoft to become the world's most valuable technology company. A little more than a decade ago, Apple was struggling for its life, and many tech pundits were predicting its demise.
So Mr. Jobs's wide-ranging interview with conference hosts Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher began, appropriately, with a softball question: How did it feel to stand at the top of the technology heap.
"For those of us who have been in the industry a long it is surreal," Mr. Jobs said. "But it doesn't matter very much. It is not what's important. It is not why any of our customers buy our products. I think it is good for us to keep that in mind. But it is a little surreal."
Mr. Jobs then hit on all the news that has surrounded Apple recently -- the stolen iPhone prototype, the war over Flash with Adobe, the suicides at Chinese contract manufacturer Foxconn, AT&T's network problems, the rivalry with Google and more. He didn't make any news or announce any new products or partners, but he delivered some interesting tidbits. Perhaps most significantly, he said Apple has no plans to get rid of Google's search and maps services on the iPhone or iPad.
"We have some Google properties on our phone," Mr. Jobs said. "Just because we are competing with somebody doesn't mean you have to be rude."
$300 million worth museum to be built in the memory of Michael Jackson.
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entertainment,
micheal jackson,
museum
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A $300 million (£204 million) museum and arts centre dedicated to Michael Jackson could be built next year, according to his father Joe Jackson.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay said the project would create thousands of jobs and, when finished, was expected to bring at least 750,000 visitors a year to the city. He estimated it would generate $100 million (£68 million) to $150 million (£102.37) in income for the community each year.
"This project will be the magnet that will draw people from all over the world," Clay said.
The money to build the Jackson Family Museum and Hotel and the Michael Jackson Performing Arts and Cultural Center and Theatres will come from investors and donations, Clay said.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay said the project would create thousands of jobs and, when finished, was expected to bring at least 750,000 visitors a year to the city. He estimated it would generate $100 million (£68 million) to $150 million (£102.37) in income for the community each year.
"This project will be the magnet that will draw people from all over the world," Clay said.
The money to build the Jackson Family Museum and Hotel and the Michael Jackson Performing Arts and Cultural Center and Theatres will come from investors and donations, Clay said.
iPhone and blackberry to check corruption in mexico.
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corruption,
iphone,
technology,
wacky
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The new application created for iPhone and the iPod will soon be available to BlackBerry users.
It has a traffic-fine calculator, a map showing directions to parking lots where vehicles are impounded after their drivers violate traffic rules.
The anti-bribe programme costs 20 pesos (about $1.50) in the virtual Apple store, and in less than three months has had more than 11,000 downloads, the administrator of the Futuro Movil company, Daniel Martinez Landeros, said.
It has a traffic-fine calculator, a map showing directions to parking lots where vehicles are impounded after their drivers violate traffic rules.
The anti-bribe programme costs 20 pesos (about $1.50) in the virtual Apple store, and in less than three months has had more than 11,000 downloads, the administrator of the Futuro Movil company, Daniel Martinez Landeros, said.
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