Flaming-Orange Shellfish Reef Found in Scotland

A huge, colorful shellfish reef discovered off Scotland's west coast could be the largest of its kind in the world, according to the Scottish government.

Packing at least 100 million bright-orange shells into 4.5 square miles (7.5 square kilometers), the living reef consists of flame shells, a rare saltwater clam found near Scotland. Neon-orange tentacles emerge from between the clam's paired shells, waving gently in the current.

The flame shell reef is located in Loch Alsh, a sea inlet between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland. The overall population of flame shells in the inlet is likely to exceed 100 million and is the largest known flame shell reef anywhere in the United Kingdom, the Scottish government said in a statement.

"This important discovery may be the largest grouping of flame shells anywhere in the world," Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said in the statement. "And not only are flame shells beautiful to look at, these enigmatic shellfish form a reef that offers a safe and productive environment for many other species."

Flame shells (Limaria hians) build 'nests' by binding gravel and shells together with thin, wiry threads. The shellfish are around 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) in length and group together in such numbers that they cover the seabed with a felt-like organic reef of nest material several inches thick. Flame shell beds are found in only eight sites in Scottish waters.

"There were some records of flame shells in Loch Alsh, but scientists had no idea of the bed's true size," said Ben James, marine survey and monitoring manager at Scottish Natural Heritage.

Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh carried out the Loch Alsh survey on behalf of Marine Scotland.

"Too often, when we go out to check earlier records of a particular species or habitat, we find them damaged, struggling or even gone," said Dan Harries, a marine ecologist with the university's school of life sciences. "We are delighted that, in this instance, we found not just occasional patches, but a huge and thriving flame shell community extending right the way along the entrance narrows of Loch Alsh. This is a wonderful discovery for all concerned."

The Loch Alsh inlet was surveyed as part of a program to identify new Marine Protected Areas, which help defend marine habitat. The reef's discovery strengthens the case for proposing the inlet as a protected area, said Calum Duncan, Scotland program manager for the Marine Conservation Society.

Reach Becky Oskin at boskin@techmedianetwork.com. Follow her on Twitter @beckyoskin. Follow OurAmazingPlanet on Twitter?@OAPlanet. We're also on?Facebook?and Google+.

Copyright 2012 OurAmazingPlanet, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/flaming-orange-shellfish-reef-found-scotland-144605566.html

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Watson seeks approval of generic version of cancer drug Velcade

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The FBI is still searching for one of two convicted bank robbers who escaped last week from a high-rise jail in downtown Chicago by lowering themselves on a makeshift rope nearly 20 stories to the street. Kenneth Conley, 38, and his cellmate, Joseph Jose Banks, 37, escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center early on the morning of December 18. The pair apparently broke a window in the cell they shared, squeezed through the opening and lowered themselves to the street. They then hailed a cab to make their getaway. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/watson-seeks-approval-generic-version-cancer-drug-velcade-154734617--finance.html

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Attackers in India rape case to face murder charge

NEW DELHI (AP) ? Indian police charged six men with murder on Saturday, adding to accusations that they beat and gang-raped a woman on a New Delhi bus nearly two weeks ago in a case that shocked the country.

The murder charges were laid after the woman died earlier Saturday in a Singapore hospital where she has been flown for treatment.

New Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said the six face the death penalty if convicted, in case that has triggered protests across India for greater protection for women from sexual violence, and raised questions about lax attitudes by police toward sexual crimes.

The tragedy has forced India to confront the reality that sexually assaulted women are often blamed for the crime, forcing them to keep quiet and discouraging them from reporting it to authorities for fear of exposing their families to ridicule. Police often refuse to accept complaints from those who are courageous enough to report the rapes, and the rare prosecutions that reach courts drag on for years.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he was aware of the emotions the attack has stirred, adding it was up to all Indians to ensure that the young woman's death will not have been in vain.

The victim "passed away peacefully" early Saturday at Mount Elizabeth hospital in Singapore with her family and officials of the Indian Embassy by her side, Dr. Kevin Loh, the chief executive of the hospital, said in a statement.

After 10 days at a hospital in New Delhi, the Indian capital, the woman was brought Thursday to Mount Elizabeth, which specializes in multi-organ transplants. Loh said the woman had been in extremely critical condition since Thursday, and by late Friday her condition had taken a turn for the worse, with her vital signs deteriorating.

"Despite all efforts by a team of eight specialists in Mount Elizabeth hospital to keep her stable, her condition continued to deteriorate over these two days," Loh said.

The woman and a male friend, who have not been identified, were on a bus in New Delhi after watching a film on the evening of Dec. 16 when they were attacked by six men who raped her. The men beat the couple and inserted an iron rod into the woman's body, resulting in severe organ damage. Both were then stripped and thrown off the bus, according to police.

As news of the victim's death reached New Delhi, hundreds of policemen sealed off the high-security India Gate area, where the seat of India's government is located, in anticipation of more protests.

The area is home to the president's palace, the prime minister's office and key defense, external affairs and home ministries, and has been the scene of battles between protesters and police for days after the attack.

Police were allowing people to assemble at the Jantar Mantar and Ramlila grounds, the main areas allotted for protests in New Delhi, Bhagat said.

Mourners gathered at Jantar Mantar to express their grief and demand stronger protection for women and the death penalty for rape, which is now punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment. Women face daily harassment across India, ranging from catcalls on the streets, groping and touching in public transport to rape.

They put a wreath studded with white flowers on the road, lit a candle and sat around it in a silent tribute to the young woman. Members of a theatre group nearby played small tambourine and sang songs urging the society to wake up and end discrimination against women.

Dipali, a working woman who uses one name, said the rape victim deserved justice. "I hope it never happens again to any girl," she said.

Dozens of students of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi marched silently to the bus stop from where the rape victim and her friend had boarded the bus on Dec. 16. They carried placards reading "She is not with us but her story must awaken us."

Sonia Gandhi, the governing Congress party chief, assured the protesters in a statement that the rape victim's death "deepens our determination to battle the pervasive, the shameful social attitudes and mindset that allow men to rape and molest women and girls with such an impunity."

The protesters heckled Sheila Dikshit, the top elected leader of New Delhi state, when she came to express her sympathy with them and forced her to leave the protest venue. They blamed her for the deteriorating law and order situation in the Indian capital.

Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said the woman's death was a sobering reminder of the widespread sexual violence in India.

"The outrage now should lead to law reform that criminalizes all forms of sexual assault, strengthens mechanisms for implementation and accountability, so that the victims are not blamed and humiliated," Ganguly said.

Prime Minister Singh said he understood the angry reaction to the attack and that he hoped all Indians would work together to make appropriate changes.

"These are perfectly understandable reactions from a young India and an India that genuinely desires change," Singh said in a statement Saturday. "It would be a true homage to her memory if we are able to channel these emotions and energies into a constructive course of action."

Mamta Sharma, head of the state-run National Commission for Women, said the "time has come for strict laws" to stop violence against women. "The society has to change its mindset to end crimes against women," she said.

Indian attitudes toward rape are so entrenched that even politicians and opinion makers have often suggested that women should not go out at night or wear clothes that might be seen provocative.

Separately, authorities in Punjab state took action Thursday when an 18-year-old woman killed herself by drinking poison a month after she told police she was gang-raped.

State authorities suspended one police officer and fired two others on accusations they delayed investigating and taking action in the case. The three accused in the rape were arrested only on Thursday night, a month after the crime was reported.

"This is a very sensitive crime, I have taken it very seriously," said Paramjit Singh Gill, a top police officer in the city of Patiala.

The Press Trust of India reported that the woman was raped Nov. 13 and reported the attack to police Nov. 27. But police harassed the girl, asked her embarrassing questions and took no action against the accused, PTI reported, citing police sources.

___

Associated Press writers Heather Tan and Faris Mokhtar in Singapore and Ravi Nessman in New Delhi contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/attackers-india-rape-case-face-murder-charge-102033151.html

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Global Gaming deal on shares in Razon's Bloomberry Resorts ...

Billionaire Enrique Razon Jr.'s Bloomberry Resorts Corporation on Friday said that Global Gaming Philippines LLC has consummated the share purchase option on 921,184,056 ?Bloomberry shares at P1.67 apiece in a special block sale.

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Global Gaming bought the shares from Prime Metroline Holdings Inc. for a total consideration of $15 million, plus a 10 percent seller's cost of investment in a casino hotel. Both are parties to ?a participation agreement... on participation rights in new shares, tag-along and drag-along rights and co-investment rights...? Bloomberry corporate secretary Silverio Benny Tan disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

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Global Gaming holds the services management contract to Bloomberry?s $1.2-billion Solaire Manila casino hotel project in Pasay City.

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Bloomberry is one of four groups with a license to operate in the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation?s ?Entertainment City ? a Las Vegas-style gaming district. The others Andrew Tan?s Alliance Global, Kazuo Okada?s Tiger Resorts, and Henry Sy?s Belle Corp. ? VS, GMA News

Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/288054/economy/companies/global-gaming-deal-on-shares-in-razon-s-bloomberry-resorts-consummated

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Asus S46CA-XH51

Small business owners looking for an affordably priced ultrabook with some design oomph will find more than a few things to like about the Asus S46CA-XH51 ($779 list). It's a handsomely designed Windows 7-equipped ultrabook that comes equipped with a built-in DVD burner, USB 3.0 connectivity, and a full-size HDMI port. Unfortunately, its so-so performance ultimately dilutes its potency as a portable solution for small businesses.

Design and Features
The S46CA-XH51 is a fairly compact system whose chassis measures 1.2 by 13.7 by 9.6 inches (HWD). At 4.35 pounds, it's still easy to carry around even though it veers towards the heavier end of the ultrabook spectrum, outweighing both the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2.93 pounds) and the Toshiba Satellite U845-S406 (3.6 pounds).

At any rate, the S46CA-XH51 is unquestionably an attractively designed system. Its aluminum chassis sports a brushed two-tone finish, with an elegant grey palmrest that's complemented by the system's black lid. From a practical perspective, the aluminum construction makes for a durable system that can withstand its share of bumps and bruises when taken on the go.

The S46CA-XH51's raised tile keyboard is outfitted with black chiclet-style keys that create a nice visual contrast to the grey palmrest. The keyboard is surprisingly comfortable to type on since it manages to sidestep the shallow key travel that so often plagues systems with markedly thin profiles. With so much to like about the keyboard, then, its absence of a backlight comes as something of a disappointment since it's an easily avoidable shortcoming that mars an otherwise well-designed keyboard. Likewise, the S46CA-XH51's smooth and responsive touchpad provides a good amount of tactile feedback for two-finger scrolling and pinch-zooming, with left- and right- click buttons that don't exhibit any unappealing clackiness.

With a maximum resolution of 1,366 by 768, the S46CA-XH51's 14.1-inch LED display doesn't reach the soaring 1080P heights of the Lenovo X1 Carbon's display, but its glossy finish and bright colors nonetheless make it easy on the eyes. Bright colors and crisp text alike pop off the screen, and movies look great in 720P resolution. The latter point is especially relevant since the S46CA-XH51 manages to squeeze a DVD burner into its chassis despite its thin profile. This is a rarity in the ultrabook world ? none of the other systems in the S46CA-XH51's class sport such a feature - and even for users that have supposedly sworn off optical media, there's a certain sense of comfort one can derive from knowing that they'll never need to purchase an external drive (assuming, of course, they don't intend on using Blu-rays).

The S46CA-XH51's speakers are housed in a horizontal grille directly beneath the display, and Asus SonicMaster Lite software provides a software-driven boost to make the volume loud enough for a few folks in a small room. Testing these speakers out with "Silent Shout" by the Knife, I was pleased with how loud they belted out sound without sounding tinny, though the subdued levels of bass left something to be desired.

Typical of its ultrabook brethren, port selection on the S46CA-XH51 is a bit skimpy. Like the Toshiba U845-S406 and the Lenovo X1 Carbon, the S46CA-XH51 only features a single USB 3.0 port, which is located on the left side of the system beside an RJ45 port, a VGA port, and a full-size HDMI output. The latter is a good touch since it sidesteps the need to fuss with dongles and the like when connecting the S46CA-XH51 to a larger display. That said, though, the S46CA-XH51 doesn't feature Intel's Wireless Display technology, so be sure to have an HDMI cable ready. Meanwhile, the front side of the S46CA-XH51 features an SD card reader, and the right side houses the S46CA-XH51's tray-loading DVD burner, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, and a headphone/microphone combo jack.

The S46CA-XH51 packs a moderately spacious 500GB 5,400RPM HDD and a 24GB SSD, a one-two punch that delivers storage capacity without compromising quickness since the latter works in the background to help speed up functions like booting, loading frequently used apps, and waking the system from sleep. The 500GB drive comes preloaded with Windows 7 Professional as well as a decent amount of additional software of varying utility. Some of it is useful, like Adobe Reader 10, Microsoft Office 2010 Starter, and a CyberLink burning suite. Additionally, there's also some trialware (McAfee Anti-Virus), a hefty portion of proprietary software (Asus Media Suite, Asus Power4Gear, Asus Vibe 2.0) and, of course, unnecessary bloatware (Bing Bar, Windows Live Essentials). The S46CA-XH51 is covered by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

Performance
The S46CA-XH51 packs a dual-core 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-3317U processor, and coupled with 4GB RAM, it yielded average (and somewhat unremarkable) scores on our benchmark tests. Its PCMark 7 score of 2,628 points landed at the bottom of the pack, falling short of the Sony VAIO T13 (SVT13114GXS) (3,403 points) and coming nowhere near the Lenovo X1 Carbon (5,149 points) or the class-leading HP Envy Spectre XT 13-2050nr (5,425 points).

The S46CA-XH51 fared somewhat better on our multimedia tests, where it proved to be a system that, while better suited for multimedia consumption, nevertheless has the capacity for light media creation. It completed our Handbrake video-encoding test in 2 minutes 3 seconds, falling a mere two seconds behind the Sony VAIO T13 (2:01) and only six seconds short of both the Toshiba U845-S406 and the HP XT 13-2050nr (1:57 each). On the other hand, the S46CA-XH51's Cinebench R11.5 score of 2.36 points edged past the Lenovo X1 Carbon (2.25 points) and came within striking distance of both the Toshiba U845-S406 and HP XT 13-2050nr (2.41 points each). Although the 4 minutes 45 seconds it took the S46CA-XH51 to complete our Photoshop CS5 test was not nearly as brisk as the ThinkPad X1 Carbon (4:18), it nonetheless nipped at the heels of the Sony VAIO T13 (4:35) and the HP XT 13-2050nr (4:34).

Similarly, the S46CA-XH51 landed toward the bottom of the pack when it came to 3D rendering. Its 3DMark 06 scores (4,508 points at medium-detail settings and 1,024-by-768 resolution; 2,446 points at native resolution with 4x anti-aliasing) fell short of the Lenovo X1 Carbon (4,560 points and 3,376 points, respectively) and, to a greater extent, both the Toshiba U845-S406 (5,792 points and 3,278 points, respectively) and HP XT 13-2050nr (5,908 points and 3,256 points, respectively).

The S46CA-XH51 sports an integrated Intel HD 4000 GPU, so it came as no surprise that it, too, failed to crack the 30 frames per second (fps) playability barrier in visually demanding 3D games. Its performance in our Crysis benchmark test (18 fps with medium-quality settings) was on equal footing with that of the Lenovo X1 Carbon and the Sony VAIO T13 (18fps, each) and only slightly behind that of the HP XT 13-2050nr (21fps). Similarly, while the S46CA-XH51's performance in our Lost Planet 2 tests (15fps in medium quality, 5fps in high quality) outgunned the Lenovo X1 Carbon (13fps and 5fps, respectively) and was nearly identical with both the Sony VAIO T13 (16fps and 7fps, respectively) and HP XT 13-2050nr (20fps and 10fps, respectively), the distinctions are meaningless since none were able to deliver frame rates that would be considered playable.

The S46CA-XH51's removable 44Whr battery lasted 5 hours 7 minutes on our MobileMark 2007 battery test, which is longer than the Satellite U845-S406 (5:02), although this isn't an entirely reliable point of comparison since the latter's battery life was tested with a video rundown test. At any rate, the S46CA-XH51's battery life was roughly three hours shorter than those of its competitors, with the Sony VAIO T13 (7:09), Lenovo X1 Carbon (7:19), and HP XT 13-2050nr (7:32) each managing to cross the seven-hour mark. If you're a road warrior whose career entails data-crunching on the road, this means that you won't be able to last through an entire workday on a single charge, so if finding an available power outlet strikes you as an unfeasible or unpalatable endeavor, then the S46CA-XH51 may not be your ideal road companion.

There's plenty to like about the Asus S46CA-XH51, including its handsome design, built-in optical drive, and reasonable price. Alas, however, its so-so performance dilutes its potency as a sure-fire portable solution for small businesses. That's why the Lenovo X1 Carbon's higher price tag and status as our Editors' Choice for business ultrabooks both remain justified. If design and affordability outweigh performance on your list, though, it's worth looking into.

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS:

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the Asus S46CA-XH51 with several other laptops side by side.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/sKp-axpWDHQ/0,2817,2413603,00.asp

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Powerful Commercial Real Estate Tips That Make A ... - Maynas Eric

Purchasing real estate related to commercial purposes is a lot different from purchasing a home. Here you will find some effective ideas and tips to help you get started in your commercial real estate project.

If you are trying to choose between two good commercial properties, think big. The difficulty in securing financing doesn?t increase linearly with the size of the building you are buying. Generally, this is much like the principle of buying in bulk; the more units you buy, the lower the price per unit.

Think about the environment around your property. Should a problem with environmental waste ever occur, it is your obligation to properly clean your building and property. Are you considering purchasing a piece of real estate in an area prone to flooding? Think twice. Talk to an environmental assessment agency to learn more about the area where the property is located.

TIP! Engaging in a commercial transaction often takes more time, and is more difficult than simply buying a home. Keep in mind, though, that the complexity is required to ensure that your real estate investment gives you a high return.

One thing that can throw commercial investors for a loop are dramatic changes in interest rates over time. In today?s economic market, interest rates can vary greatly, which puts an investor at risk of losing a great deal of money. Keep this in mind when looking for property, and consider the long term options that you have.

You should always know how to get in touch with emergency maintenance. Be sure to find out who takes care of maintenance in the building and also who handles emergency repair situations. Keep the phone numbers in a convenient place, and know how long it will take them to respond if needed. Work with your landlord to create a contingency plan in the event that an unforeseen disaster occurs; this will allow you to avoid customer service or public relations nightmares.

TIP! Whether you are buying or selling, don?t shy away from negotiation. Make your voice heard and strive for fair market value pricing.

When considering a piece of property, you must pay close attention to the surrounding area. A business located in a well-to-do neighborhood might be more successful, since the potential customers will be able to spend more. Bargain-oriented goods and services will find a more receptive market in lower- to middle-class areas.

Secure appropriate financing before going forward. Commercial property loans and the establishments that finance them are not the same as the world of residential home finance. They are actually superior in a number of ways. Commercial loans general require a large down payment; however, most lenders will allow you to take an additional loan out to cover your down payment.

Before you buy commercial real estate, make sure you have a firm vision of your goal for the property. What are your plans? Do you want to lease or start you own business there? Have clear and specific goals before looking for commercial property. It will save a lot of time and effort with your narrowed-down results.

TIP! If you are viewing more than one property, you may wish to create a checklist for each site. Take initial personal responses, but don?t go further without the property owner knowing.

Before you can start using the property you?ve purchased, you might need to make some improvements. This may be simple changes such as painting or rearranging furniture. Many times, changes include reconfiguring the floor plan by moving walls. You should pre-negotiate the cost of these alterations with the landlord, and try to get them to contribute towards at least part of them.

Size is highly important when you are searching for space for your growing business. You should purchase commercial property which will accommodate expansion in your business, so that you don?t find yourself having to hunt for a larger space again in just a few years.

You should put an ad out for your commercial real estate when it is on sale, do it locally and out of town. It is a mistake to think that only people in the immediate area will have an interest in your property. There are a lot of private investors who like to buy properties that are not in their direct area if they are affordably priced.

TIP! Know your needs before you even start looking for a commercial real estate. List the qualities that concern you most in a property (e.

Look for a broker firm that is honest. Start by asking them about how their money is made. Their answer should be discussed openly. Don?t hire a broker if he can?t adequately explain how helping you with the transaction will benefit his firm. If you don?t understand how the company benefits from transactions, ask questions to clarify the issue.

There are many things to learn about the commercial real estate market. Be certain that you apply the advice from the preceding paragraphs to get fair deals that meet your needs and expectations of the property you deal with.

Source: http://www.maynaseric.com/powerful-commercial-real-estate-tips-that-make-a-difference-3

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12 Ways to Swim Without Water

While your New Year's resolution to get back in shape is commendable, there's gotta be a better way than on one of these ludicrous dry land swimming trainers. Our friends at Oobject have assembled a dozen of the most outlandish examples. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/aceMi4hg7gI/

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