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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Police: Holmes bought 'Dark Knight' ticket 12 days earlier

Bill Robles / Reuters

James Holmes, in a courtroom sketch, appearing Monday for the start of a preliminary hearing on the Aurora, Colo., massacre. The hearing continues Tuesday.

By Tracy Connor, NBC News

Accused theater gunman James Holmes bought his ticket to "The Dark Knight Rises" 12 days before the mass shooting, according to testimony at a preliminary hearing in?the Aurora multiplex massacre, which continues Tuesday.

Holmes purchased the ticket to the July 20 midnight screening of the Batman flick on July 8 -- apparently online -- an investigator said. Surveillance video from the Century 16 theater?showed the grad-school dropout scanning the ticket twice before he entered Theater 9.

Police say Holmes propped open the exit door, left and came back with the weapons he used to rake the audience with gunfire, killing 12 and wounding 58.

During the first day of the hearing, which will determine if there is enough evidence to put Holmes on trial, officers took the stand and testified, with tears in their eyes, about the carnage they found after the attack and their desperate efforts to save victims.

"I didn't want anyone else to die," Officer Justin Grizzle said of the four trips he made to the hospital, which left his patrol car awash in blood.

Officers also testified about Holmes' bizarre demeanor when they grabbed him next to a car in the theater parking lot.

?He seemed very detached from it all,? Officer Jason Oviatt of the Aurora, Colo., Police Department said.?

?Very, very relaxed.?

Holmes, a former neuroscience doctoral student, seemed no more anxious Monday as he listened to testimony that had spectators -- many of them victims' relatives -- weeping.

'Robot': Victims' families eye theater massacre suspect

Some of them were disturbed, even angered, by his lack of reaction to the chilling details of his alleged slaughter.

?I don't feel anything toward him,? said Sam Soudani, whose 23-year-old daughter Farrah is still recovering from bullets that tore through several organs.

?It's hard to explain. I mean, part of me wanted to rip his head off and part of me just couldn't care less for him."

KUSA's Anastasiya Bolton and Blair Shiff contributed to this report.

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Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/08/16414072-police-james-holmes-bought-dark-knight-ticket-12-days-in-advance?lite

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Hands-on with the Archos Gamepad, an Android gaming tablet with tactile buttons

The Archos Gamepad went up for sale in Europe back in October, but the 7-inch Android gaming tablet (with built-in physical controls, no less) is just arriving in North America this month. That's a full year after the US launch of Sony's dedicated gaming handheld, the PlayStation Vita, and the same quarter when Wikipad's expected to launch. To put it lightly, the Archos GamePad has some pretty stiff competition, both in the dedicated gaming handheld market and in the Android gaming tablet market. It's certainly got the internals to stand up to the competition -- Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean running on a dual-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz and a quad-core Mali 400 MP GPU, 8GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD card slot, up to 64GB). You can even output video to your HDMI-enabled TV via mini HDMI out, should that 7-inch screen not be enough real estate for you. The twist with the Gamepad is an application Archos built for its gaming device which maps any game with virtual buttons to the physical buttons on the Gamepad. And while those buttons feel a bit on the cheap side, it's certainly a better experience than virtualized buttons.

Of course, you'd have to be into playing Android games exclusively, and not mind that the full library of Android games won't necessarily work with the GamePad's built in controls (including juggernauts like Angry Birds); Archos says it'll work with "over a thousand" titles, and a rep today updated that number with "over 6,500 titles." Issues aside with swipe-based games, we were excited to get our first hands-on with yet another high-profile Android gaming tablet featuring physical controls. Thankfully, unlike its competition, the Gamepad is delightfully light -- a great selling point when the alternatives are significantly less comfy for long-term gaming. We'll have a more in-depth look at the Gamepad in the coming weeks as it arrives at retail in North America for $169.99.

Gallery: Archos Gamepad (hands-on @ CES 2013)

Continue reading Hands-on with the Archos Gamepad, an Android gaming tablet with tactile buttons

Filed under: Gaming, Tablets, Mobile

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/d9ylY_CpdT8/

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Friday, January 4, 2013

Dopamine-receptor gene variant linked to human longevity

Friday, January 4, 2013

A variant of a gene associated with active personality traits in humans seems to also be involved with living a longer life, UC Irvine and other researchers have found.

This derivative of a dopamine-receptor gene ? called the DRD4 7R allele ? appears in significantly higher rates in people more than 90 years old and is linked to lifespan increases in mouse studies.

Robert Moyzis, professor of biological chemistry at UC Irvine, and Dr. Nora Volkow, a psychiatrist who conducts research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and also directs the National Institute on Drug Abuse, led a research effort that included data from the UC Irvine-led 90+ Study in Laguna Woods, Calif. Results appear online in The Journal of Neuroscience.

The variant gene is part of the dopamine system, which facilitates the transmission of signals among neurons and plays a major role in the brain network responsible for attention and reward-driven learning. The DRD4 7R allele blunts dopamine signaling, which enhances individuals' reactivity to their environment.

People who carry this variant gene, Moyzis said, seem to be more motivated to pursue social, intellectual and physical activities. The variant is also linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and addictive and risky behaviors.

"While the genetic variant may not directly influence longevity," Moyzis said, "it is associated with personality traits that have been shown to be important for living a longer, healthier life. It's been well documented that the more you're involved with social and physical activities, the more likely you'll live longer. It could be as simple as that."

Numerous studies ? including a number from the 90+ Study ? have confirmed that being active is important for successful aging, and it may deter the advancement of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.

Prior molecular evolutionary research led by Moyzis and Chuansheng Chen, UC Irvine professor of psychology & social behavior, indicated that this "longevity allele" was selected for during the nomadic out-of-Africa human exodus more than 30,000 years ago.

In the new study, the UC Irvine team analyzed genetic samples from 310 participants in the 90+ Study. This "oldest-old" population had a 66 percent increase in individuals carrying the variant relative to a control group of 2,902 people between the ages of 7 and 45. The presence of the variant also was strongly correlated with higher levels of physical activity.

Next, Volkow, neuroscientist Panayotis Thanos and their colleagues at the Brookhaven National Laboratory found that mice without the variant had a 7 percent to 9.7 percent decrease in lifespan compared with those possessing the gene, even when raised in an enriched environment.

While it's evident that the variant can contribute to longevity, Moyzis said further studies must take place to identify any immediate clinical benefits from the research. "However, it is clear that individuals with this gene variant are already more likely to be responding to the well-known medical adage to get more physical activity," he added.

###

University of California - Irvine: http://www.uci.edu

Thanks to University of California - Irvine for this article.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126137/Dopamine_receptor_gene_variant_linked_to_human_longevity

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Record number of women sworn into new U.S. Congress

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If the new U.S. Congress that convened on Thursday turns out to be less confrontational, more willing to reach reasoned, bipartisan compromise, less ... well ... on steroids, there could be a reason.

A record number of women were sworn in as members of the 113th Congress as a result of elections last November 6.

The 80 women members of the House of Representatives are joining a total of 20 female senators - a record crop for both chambers, which have been dominated by men - white men - from the time the first U.S. Congress was seated in 1789.

The 100 women of the 113th U.S. Congress - out of 535 members - will be thrown into a pressure cooker with huge fights already brewing over reducing federal budget deficits, imposing new controls on gun ownership and reforming badly outdated immigration laws and the tax code.

Last month, in the midst of a bitter budget and tax battle known as the "fiscal cliff," two female senators told ABC News that if women were in charge, things would have been fixed much more easily.

"I think if we (women) were in charge of the Senate and of the administration, we would have a budget deal by now," said Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine. "With all deference to our male colleagues, women's styles tend to be more collaborative," she said.

Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill agreed. "By nature we are less confrontational and more collaborative," the Missouri lawmaker said. "Not only do we want to work in a bipartisan way, we do it."

MEN STILL MORE INFLUENTIAL

This record number of women in the new Congress will get a chance to have their impact. But for the most part, the men will still be in control. Almost all of the top leadership positions in the House and Senate are held by men, as are most committee heads.

The most famous female member of Congress is Nancy Pelosi, the only woman to ever hold the job of House Speaker. The California Democrat served in that top job from 2007-2010 before losing it in a Republican takeover of the House in 2011.

Interestingly, she is often described as having ruled the House with an iron-fist.

Pelosi is being joined by some women with colorful backgrounds.

One of the new members of the House is Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, an ex-Obama administration official and the first member of the U.S. Congress born in Thailand. But she is better known as an Iraq war hero, having lost both of her legs and suffering other wounds.

Another Tammy made history as well on Thursday as Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, became the first openly gay member of the U.S. Senate and the first female senator from her home state.

For the record: Women serving in Congress are much more likely to be Democrats than Republicans.

Of the 20 female senators - three more than last year - 17 are Democrats. Only Collins, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire are Republicans.

In the House, 61 of the female members are Democrats, up from 53 the previous Congress, while 19 are Republicans, down from 24 last year.

(Editing by Alistair Bell and Vicki Allen)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/record-number-women-sworn-congress-185507902.html

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No. 1 Duke tops Davidson 67-50 to remain unbeaten

Duke's Mason Plumlee (5) is fouled as he drives between Davidson's De'Mon Brooks, left, and JP Kuhlman, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Duke's Mason Plumlee, left, and Davidson's Jake Cohen, right, wrestle for control of a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) ? Ryan Kelly scored 18 points to help No. 1 Duke remain unbeaten with a 67-50 victory over Davidson on Wednesday night.

Quinn Cook scored 15 points and Mason Plumlee scored eight of his 10 in the second half for the Blue Devils (13-0), who are one of only four undefeated teams remaining in Division I.

The game was tied 29-all at halftime before Duke opened the second half with a 12-0 run. The Blue Devils, who led by as many as 19 in the second half, heated up from 3-point range after the break, going 3 for 4 in the early minutes of the period.

Jake Cohen led Davidson (7-6) with 19 points and eight rebounds despite battling through early foul trouble, and De'Mon Brooks added eight points and 12 rebounds in the Wildcats' 24th straight loss to Duke.

This was the final tuneup for both teams before opening conference play Saturday night. Duke hosts Wake Forest, while Davidson hosts UNC-Greensboro.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-01-02-T25-Duke-Davidson/id-a6e2c26bd11f43838de7cb8e973049d0

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First meteorite linked to Martian crust

Jan. 3, 2013 ? After extensive analyses by a team of scientists led by Carl Agee at the University of New Mexico, researchers have identified a new class of Martian meteorite that likely originated from Mars's crust. It is also the only meteoritic sample dated to 2.1 billion years ago, the early era of the most recent geologic epoch on Mars, an epoch called the Amazonian. The meteorite was found to contain an order of magnitude more water than any other Martian meteorite.

Researchers from the Carnegie Institution (Andrew Steele, Marilyn Fogel, Roxane Bowden, and Mihaela Glamoclija) studied carbon in the meteorite and have shown that organic carbon (macromolecular) similar to that seen in other Martian meteorites is also found in this meteorite.

The research is published in the January 3, 2013, issue of Science Express.

The unique meteorite, dubbed Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034, has some similarities to, but is very different from other Martian meteorites known as SNC (for three members of the group: Shergotty, Nakhla, and Chassigny). SNC meteorites currently number 110. And so far they are the only meteoritic samples from Mars that scientists have been able to study. However, their point of origin on the Red Planet is not known. In fact, recent data from lander and orbiter missions suggest that they are a mismatch for the Martian crust.

As co-author Andrew Steele, who led the carbon analysis at the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory explained: "The texture of the NWA meteorite is not like any of the SNC meteorites. It is made of cemented fragments of basalt, rock that forms from rapidly cooled lava, dominated with feldspar and pyroxene, most likely from volcanic activity. This composition is common for lunar samples, but not from other Martian meteorites. This unusual meteorite's chemistry suggests it came from the Martian crust. It is the first link thus far of any meteorite to the crust. Our carbon analysis also showed the presence of macromolecular organic carbon in feldspar grains associated with iron oxides, hinting that perhaps there is a different non-biological process at work than that explaining the presence of macromolecular carbon in other Martian meteorites."

Lead author Agee, of the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico, remarked: "The basaltic rock in this meteorite is consistent with the crust or upper mantle of Mars based on findings from recent Martian rovers and orbiters. Our analysis of the oxygen isotopes shows that NWA 7034 is not like any other meteorites or planetary samples. The chemistry is consistent with a surface origin and an interaction with the Martian atmosphere. The abundance of water, some 6000 parts per million, suggests that the meteorite interacted with the Martian surface some 2.1 billion years ago."

"Perhaps most exciting, is that the high water content could mean there was an interaction of the rocks with surface water either from volcanic magma, or from fluids from impacting comets during that time," said Steele. "It is the richest Martian meteorite geochemically and further analyses are bound to unleash more surprises."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Carnegie Institution.

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

Journal Reference:

Carl B. Agee, Nicole V. Wilson, Francis M. McCubbin, Karen Ziegler, Victor J. Polyak, Zachary D. Sharp, Yemane Asmerom, Morgan H. Nunn, Robina Shaheen, Mark H. Thiemens, Andrew Steele, Marilyn L. Fogel, Roxane Bowden, Mihaela Glamoclija, Zhisheng Zhang, and Stephen M. Elardo. Unique Meteorite from Early Amazonian Mars: Water-Rich Basaltic Breccia Northwest Africa 7034. Science, Jan 3, 2013 DOI: 10.1126/science.1228858

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/top_news/top_technology/~3/eeOZKJa8URQ/130103143201.htm

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Dynamic passives and the 'exonerative past'

A look at the language of responsibility in Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

By Ruth Walker / January 3, 2013

There's always more to know about verbs. Or, I should say: "We can always learn more about verbs."

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As I continue dipping into Constance Hale's new book on the power of verbs, "Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch," touched on here last week, I'm reminded that "there is" can be a wimpy way to start a sentence.

So can the use of the passive voice, and Ms. Hale rightly inveighs against its overuse. But before she gets too deep into the weeds of "voice," in a grammatical sense, she introduces other important distinctions.

The metaphor she chooses is bread. The first distinction she draws is between dynamic and static verbs. Dynamic verbs ? action verbs ? are of the crunchy, hearty, whole-grain variety. Static verbs ? to be in all its forms; other linking verbs (appear, become, seem); and auxiliary and causative verbs ("Don't make me yell") ? are the white bread. White bread can be pretty bland, even a lovely baguette. But a baguette makes a great support medium for raspberry jam. And so even bland white-bread verbs have their purpose: to hold delicious nouns, adjectives, and adverbs in interesting sentences.

Good writing balances these two broad types of verbs, and doesn't hesitate to use the passive voice when it's called for ? as when it's important to keep the focus on the subject of the sentence, even when it's not the doer of the action: "Long-sought murder suspect finally arrested."

The passive voice that right-thinking people everywhere love to hate is the I'm-apologizing-but-not-really language that is too often part of political discourse.

"Serious mistakes were made," Ronald Reagan acknowledged in his 1987 State of the Union message, referring to missteps during the Iran-contra affair. Demonstrating that weasel language is bipartisan, Bill Clinton used the "mistakes were made" formula after it was found that the White House had brought the nation's top banking regulator into a meeting with the president and top Democratic Party fundraisers.

Alberto Gonzales, George W. Bush's attorney general, told a 2007 press conference, "I acknowledge that mistakes were made," in an affair involving the politicization of United States attorney positions in the Justice Department. (He should at least get some credit for the "I acknowledge" part, a first-person singular active verb.)

Back in 1991, political analyst William Schneider called this the "exonerative past."

Political speech doesn't have to be like this. And it doesn't even have to avoid the passive voice.

To make her case that passive voice constructions can be dynamic, Hale draws on Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: "Part of the address's enduring eloquence rests with its verbs. Lincoln reaches back into the past, reaches out to his audience in the present, and reaches forward with both hope and resolve. His passive constructions (we are engaged, a nation so conceived and so dedicated, and we are met) must have given his nineteenth-century listeners a sense of agency. They sweep his modern-day readers up in our own history. His active constructions take responsibility, but they also share it (in a way that cannot even imagine formulations like 'mistakes were made')."

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/wndeNqwJW4o/Dynamic-passives-and-the-exonerative-past

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