Local health officials address swine flu

LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) - Memorial Health System of East Texas said they are partnering with the Angelina County and Cities Health District. Local health officials said there are no known cases of swine flu in East Texas, however WFAA in Dallas, an ABC station, reported three confirmed cases in Dallas County.   The Swine Flu is similar to any other type of flu in the past, but the difference is in some of the symptoms that have been reported.

"We have a plan, we'll respond as necessary," said Memorial Medical Center Safety Officer Ken Jobe.

With only three confirmed cases in Texas, focus has turned to precautionary measures.

"Any patients that are presenting to our emergency department that have any type of respiratory symptoms or flu-like symptoms we are going to go ahead and swab those patients.  Any positive screens will then be sent to Tyler to get a confirmation," said Memorial Medical Center Administrative Director of Clinical Operations, Norma Sanford.

Sanford said with the flu, symptoms include fever, coughing, cold, an aching body, fatigue, chills, and sore throat.   With Swine Flu, one may experience all of those characteristics plus nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.   If you have a combination of most of these symptoms, Sanford said you should seek medical treatment.

Sanford said it is scary for people because, "...it's different and the vaccines we've used in the past may not have any impact on this particular strain of the flu."

However, a few prevention methods could have some impact on this strain, such as covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, avoiding large groups where there is danger of contamination, and frequently washing your hands.

"We can isolate patients either by room or floor or wing to be able to take more patients.  We have the protective equipment to keep both our patients and visitors safe," said Jobe.

They said one may not experience any symptoms of the Swine Flu for 24 hours and then one could remain infectious for seven days after you have developed symptoms.   They said like any flu strain, death could occur if it goes untreated.  

It is important to note you are at a greater risk for Swine Flu, if you've recently made a trip to Mexico, if you have existing medical conditions.   Infants and the elderly are also at a greater risk.  

Click on the Big Red Box to read the City of Lufkin and Angelina County's news release which includes links to several websites for more information about the Swine Flu.

Swine flu: fears of pandemic rise as Mexico death toll reaches 80

Suspected cases reported in US and New Zealand as WHO says virus has 'pandemic potential'

A couple wearing masks kiss in Mexico City as a swine flu outbreak sweeps through the city. Photograph: Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images

The death toll from an outbreak of a human swine flu virus has risen to more than 80 in Mexico as new suspected cases have been reported as far apart as Auckland in New Zealand and New York in the United States.

The World Health Organisation said at least 81 people had died from severe pneumonia caused by the flu-like illness in Mexico. It said the virus has pandemic potential but it has stopped short of issuing a worldwide alert, while it gathers more information.

The New Zealand government announced today it was "likely" that ten students have who had recently returned from Mexico have contracted the virus.

Twenty-five students and teachers in New Zealand, some with flu-like symptoms, were quarantined and tested for swine flu after returning from a trip to Mexico. The group, from New Zealand's largest high school, returned to the northern city of Auckland yesterday on a flight from Los Angeles.

Eight students at a school in the Queens area of New York are "likely" to have contracted the virus, according to the New York Times.

Jo Tuckman reports from Mexico City Link to this audio

In London, tests showed that a member of cabin crew on a British Airways flight from Mexico City did not have swine flu. The man, who has not been named, was taken to hospital yesterday with "flu-like symptoms" after landing at Heathrow.

A hospital spokesman said: "I can confirm he does not have swine flu. All the tests have come back negative."

The UK Health Protection Agency said it was keeping a close eye on the situation involving human cases of swine influenza in case of any threat to people in this country.

An HPA spokesman said: "No cases of swine flu have been identified in the UK or anywhere in Europe."

Mexican authorities ordered the closure of schools in the capital and the states of Mexico and San Luis Potosi until 6 May. Soldiers and health workers patrolled airports and bus stations, looking for people showing symptoms, which include a fever of more than 100 degrees and coughing.

Twenty people are known to have died in Mexico so far out of a total of 1,324 reported cases, and 48 more deaths are thought to be attributable to the outbreak.

At least nine swine flu cases have been reported in California and Texas. The most recently reported California case, the seventh there, was a 35-year-old woman who was treated in hospital but recovered. The woman, whose illness began in early April, had no known contact with the other cases. At least two more cases have been confirmed in Kansas.

State health officials said yesterday they had confirmed swine flu in a married couple living in the central part of the state after the husband visited Mexico. They have not been hospitalised, and the state described their illnesses as mild. Dr Jason Eberhart-Phillips, Kansas's state health officer, said: "Fortunately, the man and woman understand the gravity of the situation and are very willing to isolate themselves."

The Mexican government yesterday authorised President Felipe Calderón to invoke powers allowing the country's health department to isolate patients and inspect homes, travellers and baggage. Mexico's health secretary, José Angel Córdova, said: "We are very, very concerned."

Yesterday, people in Mexico City were being ordered not to kiss or shake hands. Football matches went ahead without spectators, theatres, shops and museums were closed, staff were inside locked schools scrubbing classrooms with disinfectant, and health workers patrolled buses, ordering sickly looking people home.

Scientists have long feared that a new flu virus could launch a worldwide pandemic. Evolving when different flu viruses infect a pig, a person or a bird, mingling their genetic material, a hybrid could spread quickly because humans would have no natural defences.

The director general of the WHO said: "We are seeing a range of severity of the disease, from mild to severe, and of course death. The eight cases in the US have been mild in terms of severity and it is too premature to calculate the mortality rate of this disease."

Any doubts over the extent of the emergency were dispelled last night by the sight of soldiers handing out blue surgical masks to pedestrians and motorists along Mexico City's central boulevard, Paseo de la Reforma. With TV and radio calling on the population to seek medical advice for any flu-like symptoms, queues grew at clinics and hospitals across the city.

Calderón said his government learned only on Thursday night what kind of virus Mexico was facing after tests by specialist laboratories in Canada confirmed the outbreak as a type - labelled A/H1N1 - not previously seen in pigs or humans. Few of the cases appear to have had any contact with live pigs.

The WHO said the virus appeared to be able to spread from human to human and contained human virus, avian virus and pig viruses from North America, Europe and Asia.

Given how quickly flu can spread, there might be cases incubating around the world already, said Dr Michael Osterholm at the University of Minnesota: "Hundreds and thousands of travellers come in and out [of Mexico] every day."

It was unclear how much protection current vaccines might offer. A "seed stock" genetically matched to the new virus has already been created by the US Centres for Disease Control. If the US government decides vaccine production is necessary, it would be used by manufacturers to get started.

At Mexico City's international airport, passengers were questioned to try to prevent anyone with flu symptoms from boarding aircraft and spreading the disease. The Foreign Office issued a warning to UK travellers about the outbreak, but stopped short of recommending people did not visit Mexico. US health officials took a similar line, urging visitors to wash their hands frequently.

Kenny Britt bio

KENNY BRITT

Wide receiver, Rutgers

Height, weight: 6-3, 218.

Hometown: Bayonne, N.J.

• The good: Has great size and could immediately be a red zone threat. … Was second in the nation with an average of 114.2 yards per game and had 14 100-yard games in his college career. … Is strong and very physical and fights for the ball in traffic. … Is known for his ability to break tackles and get extra yards after catch. … Is regarded a good blocker in the run game.

• The bad: Is only 20 years old, so he's very young and has been labeled as immature and not very polished. … Was suspended for a game in 2008 because of behavioral issues. … Does not have elite speed but is fast enough (4.5) to separate.

• How he fits with Titans: Has a chance to come in and play early, considering the fact the team only has two veteran receivers — Justin Gage and Nate Washington. Receiver Lavelle Hawkins, a fourth-round pick last year, will probably have a hard time holding off Britt for a spot in three-receiver sets.

• What the Titans said: "He is strong and explosive and he is an out of frame catcher,'' Coach Jeff Fisher said. "He can adjust for a tall guy and he can catch the low balls. He can catch the balls that aren't perfectly thrown. He is just one of those guys that you can put the ball up and he'll make the play. He is a jump-ball guy in the back of the end zone.''

• What Britt said: "I'm a big, physical receiver, great hands. I want to come down there and give it my best and work hard and do what I've done all my life and come play football.''

• Fun facts: Nickname is "Big Body.''… Trained with former Bronco Rod Smith prior to the draft. ... Became a newborn Christian last year. … Bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times. … Wants to wear No. 88 with the Titans, the same number he wore in college.

Warehouse fire's bio-diesel spill

Warehouse fire's bio-diesel spill

About 65 firefighters are tackling a blaze in a warehouse building close to the port area of a Norfolk resort.

Crews were called to Swanstons Road in Great Yarmouth early on Sunday morning.

Group manager Peter Mitchell of Norfolk Fire and Rescue said they had to deal with a major fire as well as bio-diesel and inflammable chemical spills.

He said firefighters would remain until late morning, about eight hours after the outbreak of the blaze, damping down and monitoring the site.

"We are damping down but there are still firefighters in breathing apparatus working in office areas of one building and we are also cooling down a gas cylinder.

"All appliances are on site and will stay here until late morning.

"The flames had got into the whole building and through the roof but we were also hampered by bio-diesel and inflammable chemicals pouring out into Swanston's Road," he said.

Biotech Group Names Perdue ‘Governor of the Year’

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has been named the 2009 Governor of the Year by the organization that hosts the annual BIO International Convention, which will be held inAtlanta May 18-21.

"Gov. Perdue's support of biotechnology has been vital for our industry's success inGeorgia," Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Washington-based Biotechnology Industry Organization, said in a statement April 23.

Mr. Perdue was praised specifically for implementing the seed capital and facilities funds for the life sciences industry.

According to the statement, the Georgia Bioscience seed fund has been used to support 16 start-up companies over the past two years. The fund assists in the financing of new building and laboratory construction and related needs.

The statement also said that Mr. Perdue has been responsible for the allocation of from $30-40 million annually a year towards strengthening research in the life sciences and other advanced technologies at the state's universities.

Atlanta-based GeorgiaBio, a membership-based organization that promotes the interests and growth of the life sciences industry, issued a report also on April 23 that includes the first economic impact study of the life sciences industry in Georgia.

The study, titled "2009 Shaping Infinity," was produced in conjunction with the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business.

Its key finding, according to the statement, is that one out of every 68 jobs in Georgia owes its existence to the life sciences industry and university research.

The study says that Georgia's life science industry and research at the state's universities are responsible for 62,033 jobs, $17.3 billion in annual economic impact and $517 million in tax revenues for state and local governments.

The convention is to feature more than 170 sessions in 22 breakout tracks addressing issues such as health care pricing and access, capital formation and partnering strategies and climate change and biofuels. More than 2,000 exhibitors are expected.

To register for the convention, go to http://convention.bio.org/.

On eve of ’09 BIO, life sciences worth $16B

Georgia's life sciences sector is an economic engine, yet a lack of financing and experienced managers throttles its momentum, a new report says.

The life sciences industry — which includes a broad swath of industries including health care, agriculture and energy — had a $16 billion statewide economic impact and generated more than 62,000 jobs in 2007, according to the Georgia Life Sciences Industry Analysis 2009 released April 23.

The report, produced by The University of Georgia's Selig Center for Economic Growth in the Terry College of Business, was timed to coincide with the 2009 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) International Convention to be held in Atlanta May 18-21.

One out of every 68 jobs in Georgia owes its existence to either the life sciences industry or to life sciences research and development, the report found.

Life sciences "is an industry we think of as a growth industry ... maybe as a vehicle for future jobs," said economist Jeff Humphreys, a co-author of the study. "The bottom line is, there are a lot of jobs in this industry already."

Medical and diagnostic laboratories, surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing, and life sciences research and development drove life sciences job growth, the report noted. Pharmaceutical manufacturing also contributed to job growth, but at a slower pace.

The growing clout of Georgia's life sciences sector is underscored by Atlanta's hosting of the BIO International Con-vention, the largest biotechnology convention in the world, said Mike Cassidy, president of the Georgia Research Alliance.

"That they chose to come here says that we are showing up on the map," Cassidy said. "It certainly positions us to send a strong message about our intentions to grow the industry in the Atlanta region and Georgia."

Areas of weakness

Forty eight percent of survey respondents said access to capital is critical or very important. And, 44 percent said Georgia lacked in it.

While the majority of respondents considered the quality of life a strong point in Georgia, the availability of specialized managers was identified as a weakness.

The dearth of funding and experienced managers can be linked to a common issue — Georgia's lack of a track record of major life sciences successes, said Lee Herron, vice president of commercialization at the Georgia Research Alliance.

Georgia's relatively young life sciences industry has not produced blockbusters like Boston'sGenzyme Corp. or South San Francisco's Genentech Inc.

Recruiting experienced talent to Georgia is a challenge in the absence of a major life sciences cluster.

It's risky for a life sciences CEO to uproot his family and move to Georgia, Herron said, because if the job doesn't work out, the executive has few other employment options in the area.

Georgia's national reputation is more as a hub for life sciences research thanks to Emory University, Georgia Tech, The University of Georgia and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, than as a hotbed of commercial activity, Herron noted.

Georgia's life sciences firms tend to be small — with 39 percent of responding companies having fewer than 10 employees, the report noted.

Companies employing more than 50 account for 23 percent of surveyed companies.

Twenty seven of the 47 companies responding in 2008 said they planned to create a total of nearly 250 jobs, mostly in sales, marketing and office support.

That marks a shift from prior years, where life sciences companies primarily hired scientists and technolog

By the numbers

In 2007, Georgia's life sciences industry generated: 

• $16 billion in sales
• $6.2 billion in state GDP
• $3.6 billion in labor income
• $517 million in tax revenue for state and local government

Source: Georgia Life Sciences Industry Analysis 2009

Reach Karkaria at ukarkaria@bizjournals.com.

Business Bio: Woolery spins a good yarn

Business Bio: Woolery spins a good yarn

Published: Thursday, Apr. 23, 2009

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Business Bio is a feature in the Cabinet to let readers learn about new or expanding businesses in the area.



Name of the business: The Woolery Yarn Shop, Fine Yarns and Knitting Necessities.

Address: 604 Gibbons Highway (Route 101), Wilton. This is a new location and there will be a grand reopening event with door prizes and specials throughout the store on Saturday, April 25. Door prizes provided by Plymouth Yarns, Frog Tree, Royal Publications, Unicorn Books, Louet, KFI, Interweave Press, Green Mountain Spinnery, Rowan and Westminster Fibers.

Type of business: Yarns, needles, patterns and other supplies for knitting, crochet and needle felting; classes, too. 

Highlights of products and services: Personalized, friendly service, very good selection of yarns in many fibers and weights and an excellent selection of needles and books.

Owner/manager: Deb Degan.

Days/Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. (Summer hours will be Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.)

Web site: www.nhwoolery.com

Why did you start the business? "I had been working at Ben Franklin Crafts in Milford and running that yarn department. When Ben's closed, I knew there was a need for a yarn shop in the area and decided to open a shop. I am a lifelong knitter."

Is this a franchise? No.

How did you decide to open a business in this area? "I have lived in Wilton since 1979 and decided if I were going to have a business it should be where I live, not in some other town. That turned out to be a really good fit, because Wilton is the centerpoint between the Souhegan Valley and the Monadnock area. Also, we have two Waldorf schools in Wilton, Pine Hill and High Mowing, and the kids learn to knit, so that brings in some additional traffic."

Is your business geared toward a certain clientele? "I try to have something for everyone, but I would say I serve the average knitter – one who wants a good value and a quality product."

If you are opening a new business or expanding/moving an existing business in the area and want to participate in this feature, e-mail cabnews@ cabinet.com.

Rep actress' program bio makes plea for her native country

By Damien Jaques of the Journal Sentinel

Apr. 24, 2009 7:30 a.m.  

A theater critic reads hundreds of actor bios in programs every year, and the best are simple and informative. Do we really care that the actor is sending his/her love to Pookie (use email) or is thanking the director for this job?

Milwaukee Rep resident actor Lanise Antoine Shelley did something I have never before seen in her bio for the current Stiemke Theater production of  "I Just Stopped By to See the Man." She is asking the audience to become involved with Haiti, her native country, by including the website addresses of two Haitian charities. By going here you will learn about the orphanage where Lanise and her sister lived until they were adopted by an American woman when Lanise was 4.

The orphanage has moved and expanded since she left in 1985, and she returned last summer to paint a mural with the help of the children.

The other charity mentioned in the bio, Youthaiti, was founded and is run by Milwaukee nurse practitioner Gigi Pomerantz, and most of the organization's leadership is based here. Youthaitifocuses on the rural areas of Haiti. Its goal is to foster ecological and sustainable development by building composting toilets and promoting organic gardening.

Pomerantz explains that public sanitation is so poor in Haiti, 12% of the country's children under age 5 die from diarrhea. More than 80% of rural Haitians don't have access to sanitation systems. The composting toilets address that problem, and organic gardening is a natural result.

Kansas leaders fear potential lawsuit against moving bio-defense facilty to Manhattan will delay project

Kansas leaders fear potential lawsuit against moving bio-defense facilty to Manhattan will delay project

TOPEKA — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Wednesday that Texas' plans to sue the federal government over putting the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas could threaten national security.

"I am deeply concerned that legal action will only delay the NBAF mission, placing our national security and food supply at risk," Sebelius said.

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Her comments came after a Texas consortium of researchers gave notice of its intent to file a lawsuit, alleging that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security improperly picked Manhattan, Kan., over San Antonio for the location of the $450 million lab that will study deadly diseases that could pose a threat to the food supply and public health.

Sebelius said Kansas was selected out of six finalists in a fair process that was free of politics.

"Kansas presented a credible pathway to jump-start the NBAF's critical research mission and committed funding to do so," she said. "The Department of Homeland Security deserves commendation, not litigation, for their appropriately comprehensive, fair and unbiased selection process."

The Texas Biological and Agro-Defense Consortium has filed notice in federal court that it intends to sue.

In a news release, the group alleges that there were irregularities in Homeland Security's decision-making process, political influence and disregard for public safety.

Tom Thornton, president of the Kansas Bioscience Authority, said Kansas was selected for its leadership role in animal health research, a concentration of animal health companies, and state-of-the-art facilities already built on the Kansas State University campus.

In October, DHS rejected a bid by Texas to increase incentives to lure the lab. Texas officials had offered about $44 million in incentives, but Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he wanted to seek another $56 million from the Texas Legislature when it met in January.

But DHS said that proposal would have been past a deadline for sites to submit their incentive plans. Earlier in 2008, Kansas committed $105 million to lure NBAF. DHS picked Kansas in December as the preferred site.

Be the Buzz of BIO Winners Announced

Be the Buzz of BIO Winners Announced

Contest Allows Innovative Companies to Compete for Visibility at 2009 BIO International Convention

2009 BIO International Convention

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has announced the four winners of the Be the Buzz of BIO contest – a competition which companies entered in order to win free publicity for their company at the 2009 BIO International Convention by submitting an original video describing why their company and innovation should be the buzz of BIO. The global event for biotechnology will take place May 18-21, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

The six finalists in the competition included companies AMRI, Archimedes, BIOBIDE S.L., Impact Systems, Koronis Pharmaceuticals, and Zenda Technologies. All six finalists' videos were posted for voting by the general public, which ended on Friday, April 17. Voters could vote once for companies they viewed as most innovative technology, best quality of presentation, and strength of ideas.

From this list of finalists, the following winners were chosen from across the globe and the biotechnology industry:

BIOBIDE S.L., a company based out of Spain that focuses on automated High Throughput Screening (HTS) of potential new drugs. BIOBIDE has developed a fully automated platform to reproduce the manual process of screening in a 96-well plate format 'in vivo' with zebrafish embryos. View their submission.

"BIOBIDE is very happy to have been selected as one of the winners in the first annual Buzz of BIO contest. We really appreciate being selected as one of the companies considered to have the most impact in the world of biotechnology. And more even thinking on the meaning of this award: having the most Innovative Technology, the High Throughput Screening services offered based on the zebrafish animal model, for toxicity and efficacy assays," said Arantza Muriana, R+D Management Director, BIOBIDE S.L.

Impact Systems, a service provider based out of Delaware, utilizes a solution called Compliance in a Box (CiB). CiB dramatically simplifies the task of implementing a new enterprise content management system. View their submission.

"Impact Systems is thrilled to have been selected as a "Be the Buzz of BIO" winner and to have the opportunity to attend and present at the 2009 BIO International Convention. We commend BIO for creating such an innovative contest to generate excitement for the Community and the Convention," said Mangesh Honwad, CEO, Impact Systems.

Koronis Pharmaceuticals, also a BIO Member company, is a biotechnology company based out of Washington state, developing anti-viral therapeutics based on a novel mechanism, Viral Decay Acceleration (VDA). The Company's lead product candidate is KP-1461 for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). View their submission.

"We are delighted by BIO's recognition of Koronis' innovative approach for the treatment of HIV based on Viral Decay AccelerationTM, a novel mechanism of action that was recently revalidated in a third serial passage study," said Donald Elmer, interim Chief Executive Officer of Koronis Pharmaceuticals. "Koronis plans to resume clinical trials following the completion of on-going formulation work. We would like to thank BIO for this opportunity and look forward to providing an update at the BIO annual meeting."

Zenda Technologies, based out of Georgia, has developed a new technology that for the first time allows primary care physicians to quickly, easily, and objectively add a cognitive health assessment to your annual physical. View their submission.

Lawrence Catchpole, CEO of Zenda Technologies, said, "We are very appreciative of the recognition afforded in being a Buzz of BIO winner and feel that this is a great validation of our innovation in Cognitive Health Assessment technology. Zenda looks forward to bringing our product to market to fill this gap in overall preventative care, to the benefit of patients around the world."

As winners of the contest, the companies will receive complimentary registrations to attend Convention and the opportunity to present their company in the BIO Business Forum in front of industry leaders — showcasing the winners to potential partners. The contest winners join the list of more than 150 research and development companies presenting at BIO. To view a full list of presenting companies, please visit http://convention.bio.org/businessforum.

"We are thrilled with the over-all quality of the submissions we received for this campaign and would like to congratulate the winners," said Robbi Lycett, vice president of Conventions & Conferences at BIO. "This is a great opportunity for developing companies to meet up with potential investors at our Business Forum and start making the connections their businesses need to continue thriving."

"We are especially thrilled for Koronis Pharmaceuticals, a BIO member taking advantage of our emerging company member benefits such as networking opportunities, access to members' only committees, and significant discounts on BIO conferences," said Amy Finan, vice president, Corporate Development and Marketing at BIO.

The Be the Buzz of BIO contest is part of the new BIO Community website, designed to provide free resources to biotechnology leaders and professionals in order to help them overcome the challenges currently facing the biotech industry.

The BIO Community allows individuals to utilize a "create your own virtual BIO badge" application, access free podcasts, articles, connections to colleagues via myBIO, the BIO International Convention event planner, access to the BIO Convention Twitter channel and the ability to place their community badge on their own LinkedIn, Facebook or social media tools.

To take advantage of the free resources offered by BIO, please visit the new BIO Community at http://community.convention.bio.org/.

BIO tapped the resources of a digital marketing firm, www.r2integrated.com, for the community tools development.

The BIO International Convention helps to support BIO programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation. For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program and housing information, please visit http://convention.bio.org.

Agro-Bio Fibre Targets RM20 Mln In Sales

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 (Bernama) -- Fibreboards manufacturer Agro-Bio Fibre Sdn Bhd has target RM20 million in sales this year, by optimising production to increase output, said its chairman Datuk Seri Tai Hean Leng.

The company will allocate over RM3 million to add as well as upgrade more equipment, to achieve the 30 percent increase in output, he said.

"Beside producing medium density fibreboards (MDF), we want to produce more high density fibreboards through this investment," he told reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), here today.

To date, Agro-Bio Fibre has invested more than RM30 million over 10 years to produce the MDF.

According to Tai, the company plans to export its fibreboards made entirely from depleted oil palm fruit bunches, to the United States, Taiwan, the Middle East and Japan in future.

Witnessing the signing ceremony today was the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas.

-- BERNAMA

A New Hope For Bio-Fuels?

Scientists at the University of California in San Francisco have discovered a potentially revolutionary new way of creating gasoline without the use of food crops, and without the pesky necessity of spending millions of years buried beneath the earth.

Using a peculiar microbe discovered in a French garbage dump combined with the wonders of modern synthetic biology, a team of researchers has identified a chemical compound capable of converting carbon-based biomass into a gas that can be processed to produce gasoline.

The chemical conversion process is able to use a variety of inexpensive substrates, such as agricultural waste products like the leaves and stalks left over from corn and sugar cane harvesting. 

The end product is gasoline that the researchers claim is chemically identical to that derived from fossil-fuel sources in petroleum refineries around the world.

"You could fill your car up with it right now, so there's no difference in engine technology or anything like that," said Chris Voigt, chief researcher for the project.

Voigt believes that the U.S. could potentially turn to this new breed of bio-fuels as a security net in the event of unstable oil prices on the world market.

"Then, if the sugar price goes high and the oil price goes down, you could flip it and the consumer would not know any difference," he added – a possibility not available with ethanol. 

In recent years, opponents of the ethanol movement – the other bio-fuel – have levied the double-edged criticism that production of the corn-based fuel drives up global food prices and is not environmentally friendly, despite its green reputation. 

Both are criticisms that would be circumvented by the new fuel-production technology, since it utilizes essentially useless plant waste products that are typically discarded by farmers.

Voigt estimates that with advancements in the efficiency of the conversion process and use of genetically modified plants, gasoline could eventually be produced for as little as $1.65 a gallon from sugar cane bagasse.

He also believes that fuel derived from cellulosic materials such as poplar trees could be even cheaper to produce – at roughly $1.10 to $1.30 a gallon.  The problem however lies in creating a sustainable and profitable model for growing the necessary amount of trees, which require a substantially longer growth period before they can be harvested.

For years, scientists have tried and "failed miserably" to find an enzyme that could efficiently break down cellulose – the main component of plants' rigid cell walls – in hopes of creating cheap bio-fuels, said Voigt.

"So we started looking at organisms that can do that naturally," he explained.  "We then found this one that we realized was unique."

Voigt's team utilized a novel species of bacterium first discovered in a French garbage dump in the 1980's.  They then teamed the bacterium up with common yeast cells.  When the two are placed together on a plant-based substrate like switchgrass, the chemistry is amazing.

The bacterium first consumes the vegetation and produces the chemical acetate as a metabolic side-product.  The yeast then feeds on the acetate, which it in turn converts into methyl halides, a family of molecules traditionally used as agricultural fumigants.

The methyl halides are then released as a gas that scientists can easily collect and convert to gasoline.

According to Voigt, by simply substituting a different catalyst the methyl halides can also be converted into other useful chemicals, such as the ethylene used in plastic bags.

The group's results are sure to reinvigorate hopes for the future of truly green bio-fuels.

Voigt estimates that the first large-scale pilot production facility for methyl halide conversion could be ready for production in as little as three years.

Advanced Instruments Introduces 2020-BIO Multi-Sample Osmometer

Advanced Instruments Introduces 2020-BIO Multi-Sample Osmometer as First True Automation-Friendly Osmometer for the Biopharmaceutical Industry

NORWOOD, Mass. April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Instruments, Inc. today introduced the Advanced(R) 2020-BIO Multi-Sample Osmometer as the first true automation-friendly osmometer for the biopharmaceutical industry.

"The Advanced(R) 2020-BIO Multi-Sample Osmometer is specifically designed for -- and completely redefines -- automation capabilities for osmolality testing in the biopharmaceutical laboratory," said Kelly Peterson, Product Manager, Advanced Instruments (www.aicompanies.com). "The 2020-BIO system development is in response to emerging demand in the pharmaceutical industry to integrate osmolality testing within an automated platform environment."

"Based on an extension of the industry-proven Advanced 2020 Osmometer, the 2020-BIO includes a host of features which enable fast and simple integration of the system with liquid handling robotics and laboratory automation platforms," Peterson said.

The 2020-BIO has been successfully applied to automate osmolality testing in applications ranging from cell culture process development and optimization to biopharmaceutical manufacturing and process control - It can also be extended to pharmaceutical research and drug development applications including formulation development, product stability testing, and drug safety and metabolism testing.

Major features of the new 2020-BIO include:

• Freezing point technology -- The industry-preferred method for determining sample concentration
• Automation friendly system design allows easy access for liquid handling robotics
• Interoperability with a broad range of robotics and liquid handling equipment
• Flexible system configuration options provide continuous sampling capabilities for enhanced throughput
• Bidirectional data transfer utilizing the preferred OPC open connectivity protocol
• Remote system control via an industry-standard RS-232 interface for secure connectivity to a PC.
• Fast and simple integration -- the developer's kit includes a .DLL for osmometer controls, making automation development easy to achieve.
• Small 20 microliter sample sizes -- ideal for sample-limited applications or for sharing sample volume with other integrated systems.

"The bottom line is that the 2020-BIO is the only commercially available system that provides fast, accurate osmolality testing in an automation friendly package," Peterson said.

The Advanced(R) 2020-BIO Multi-Sample Osmometer from Advanced Instruments is available immediately for shipment in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit the Advanced Instruments website at www.aicompanies.com/2020-BIO, or call 1-800-225-4034 or 1-781-320-9000.

About Advanced Instruments, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Advanced Instruments, Inc. (www.aicompanies.com) is the world's largest supplier of freezing-point cryoscopes and osmometers used in dairy, clinical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology laboratories. The company is also a leading supplier of analytical instruments for the food and industrial microbiology markets. Based in Norwood, Massachusetts, USA, the privately held company also produces Fiske(R) Associates brand diagnostic instruments and operates Spiral Biotech, Inc., D&F Control Systems, Inc., Mart Microbiology, and Delta Instruments as wholly-owned subsidiaries. A worldwide network of direct sales people and independent distributors supports Advanced Instruments' products.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Kelly D. Peterson

Don't Fence Me In: Researchers Devise Bio-Boundary for African Wild Dogs

NORTHERN TULI GAME RESERVE, Botswana—The African wild dogs are about 80 feet (25 meters) away as Craig Jackson slips out of his Land Rover with a softball-size wad of tinfoil. He unwraps the dank sand—reeking of ammonia and other unidentified compounds—and plunks it on the ground. The sand was collected hundreds of kilometers away on the Okavango River Delta where two pack leaders, Yollo and Chinaca, had left their scent-laced urine. Over the past year, Jackson, a biologist, and his colleagues working on the Northern Tuli Wild Dog Project, have shown that strategically placed urine—called Bio-Boundaries—can help restrict the movements of these notorious fence-breakers in order to keep the endangered canines on protected land. "The fact that we've been able to contain these dogs is amazing," Jackson says.

Speckled with splotches of brown, black and tan, wild dogs are Africa's most persecuted predators. Their evolutionary lineage split off from wolves about two million years ago, but like those dogs they hunt in packs typically ranging from eight to 14 animals, dominated by an alpha male and female. Compared with lions, which successfully kill just 20 percent of the animals they stalk, wild dogs have a hunting success rate ranging from 40 to 80 percent. That's not always a good thing for an animal that must coexist with humans and their livestock.

"They have a bad reputation," he says, "People see them as savage killers that will devour all their goats." So, it's a constant battle to keep locals from trapping, poisoning or shooting them to death. Jackson says humans are responsible for up to 60 percent of wild dog deaths. Indeed, a rumor floating around a pub in nearby Alldays, South Africa, suggests that a single farmer shot and killed seven dogs earlier this month.

The dogs are further threatened by rabies, parvo and canine distemper viruses, which frequently break out in domestic dog populations in rural areas and spread to wild dogs that encounter them. In 1991, for instance, anoutbreak of distemper in a Malsai village in Kenya coincided with the disappearance of wild dogs from the neighboring Masai Mara National Reserve.

Once ranging throughout sub-Saharan Africa, wild dogs hunt at least one impala or other large animal per day, and individual packs maintain territories 200 and 400 square miles (500 and 1,000 square kilometers). They can only thrive in regions with low densities of lions, which are known to attack their canine competitors. They are now absent from 25 of the 39 countries they once inhabited, and their last stronghold is the Okavango in northern Botswana where some 700 to 800 dogs remain—about 20 percent of their total population and the largest number in a single geographic region.

Apart from Kruger National Park, South Africa's own fenced reserves are too small to support viable wild dog populations. Conservationists actively manage these isolated dog packs by moving males from one reserve to another to facilitate genetic mixing, but some canine bachelors break free of fences to make the dangerous journey through a patchwork of game reserves, cattle farms and agricultural areas in their quest for new mates.

The purpose of the Northern Tuli Wild Dog Project is to create a genetic corridor between the healthy Okavango Delta and South Africa's fenced populations. With low lion numbers and large herds of impala, the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, a 280 square mile (720 square kilometer) chunk of land nestled between Zimbabwe and South Africa on the Limpopo and Shashe rivers is also the perfect plot of land to support its own pack. Packs have historically passed through its boundaries, but have never taken up residency here. Jackson and his partners want to convince them to stay without fencing them in.

In 1996 J. Weldon "Tico" McNutt, director of the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust noticed that it took a pack of dogs six months to move into a territory in Okavango that was left empty after four packs there were wiped out by rabies. He speculated that long-lasting chemicals in their urine and feces discouraged the dogs from entering those former territories, but never had the opportunity to the put his theory to practice. After all, it would not make sense to disrupt the behavior of healthy dog populations, and smaller populations were all kept within fences.

Finally, in April 2008, after 18 dogs were moved by conservationists to Tuli from Marakele National Park in South Africa, McNutt had his chance and Jackson was tasked with maintaining the bio-boundary and monitoring the animals' movements with GPS-equipped dog collars. The researchers have flown more than 500 scent marks to Tuli over the last year, and the dogs appear to be staying within the bounds of the fenceless reserve.

Last June, after the dogs set up a den to give birth on the southern perimeter of the reserve, Jackson reinforced the boundary with five scent markers; three days later, the pooches had moved 18.5 miles (30 kilometers) to a more centrally located area, where they gave birth to their first litters.

In the fall McNutt's group opened a wild dog chemical ecology lab in Maun, Botswana, with $500,000 in funding from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, a major supporter of the project. The hope is that the team can identify and later synthesize the dog scent, which would be far more practical than collecting it in the field. One day, they may be able to use the method for other large predators and territorial species like the endangered black rhino.

As the sun sets at Tuli, Jackson watches the year-old pups romp at a water hole as the older dogs laze away in the grass. It's a full moon tonight and Jackson says they're saving their energy for a long trek—hopefully, one that stays within this safe haven.

'Etta' by Gerald Kolpan: Author invents a lively 'bio' of the woman

'Etta' by Gerald Kolpan: Author invents a lively 'bio' of the woman who partnered with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

History provided Gerald Kolpan a fascinating character for his first novel, Etta. Except for the fact that Etta Place was the beautiful, real-life companion of the notorious Sundance Kid, almost nothing was known about her. That allowed Kolpan to make up Etta's life story and to drop into it chance encounters with famous historical figures of the early 20th century.

His Etta meets photographers Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Steichen, as well as Eleanor Roosevelt, Leon Trotsky, Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, FDR and, much later, the blacklisted Texas humorist, John Henry Faulk.

Is it possible that Etta encountered 17-year-old Eleanor Roosevelt in New York City, and they became friends?

Well, maybe.

And granted the friendship, might Eleanor also have developed a crush on Etta?

Perhaps. But the novel is really the love story of Etta and the Sundance Kid, not Etta and Eleanor.

Kolpan, who was an Emmy-winning television reporter in Philadelphia, provides Etta with a rich history. He imagines her the privileged only daughter of a wealthy Philadelphia father who pours his money into gambling and liquor after his wife dies. He buys his debutante daughter Lorinda horses and teaches her to shoot and ride. When they have nothing left but debts, he kills himself. The criminals to whom he owes money vow vengeance against his daughter. Aided by the family attorney, she leaves town hurriedly and takes on a new identity. At that point Lorinda becomes Etta Place and begins a career as a Harvey Girl.

Kolpan gives interesting details about the lives of the Harvey Girls, the polite young women who wore special uniforms, lived in dormitories and served food at the hotels Fred Harvey established to serve railroad passengers going west.

Unforeseen events cause Etta to cut short her new career and wind up in jail. Rescued, she finds herself at a hideout with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. From that point on, her outlaw life takes shape as she joins her new friends in robbing trains.

Pursuit by members of Pinkerton Detective Agency and by the sadistic outlaw Kid Curry lead to Etta's immigration to South America with the Kid and Cassidy.

Kolpan has plenty of ideas for the girl whose history is such a blank slate. The author even goes so far as to give her an active social conscience and to turn the Sundance Kid into a socialist who cares deeply about the common man.

The form of Etta consists of old newspaper articles, diary entries, letters and simple narration, with many of the facts fabricated. It's mostly escapist reading, though you will pick up some real history, too. If you're going to the beach this spring, this might well be your book.

Anne Morris, a member of the National Book Critics Circle, lives in Austin.

E-mail books@dallasnews.com

Etta

Gerald Kolpan

(Ballantine Books, $25) Gerald Kolpan will discuss Etta 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Studio Movie Grill, 1170 North Central Expressway. A screening of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid will follow.

NEW DIANA ROSS BIO ALLEGES MOTOWN MISDEEDS

NEW DIANA ROSS BIO ALLEGES MOTOWN MISDEEDS: Unauthorized book claims she had 'in-house' romances in addition to Gordy.  

*A new unauthorized biography of Diana Ross claims she slept her way to the top of Motown – in addition to her relationship with founder Berry Gordy – in a quest to become the label's biggest star, reports the New York Post.

       "The Diana Ross few knew outside of the Motown colony was on a fast track to rise to the top from the first day she got to Motown; not incidentally, that was also the first day she knew who[m] she wanted to sleep with to keep up the momentum," writes Mark Ribowsky in his unauthorized biography, "The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success and Betrayal," out in July from Da Capo Press.       

       "That, of course, turned out to be Berry Gordy, but only after" some other in-house romances, the book says. "In no time, Ross would climb beyond [the Supremes] onto the A-list as a solo act, record six more Number 1 songs, and earn millions as well as top billing in two movies."        

       Ribowsky also says Ross was guilty of "quietly twisting the knife in the other Supremes" as she rose to the top, but "even as a pop diva of epic dimensions, [she] never shook her identity as a Supreme, and has, in a way, been forced to bow before it."       

       Mary Wilson, an original member of the group, and Cindy Birdsong, who replaced the late Florence Ballard, got their revenge when Ross tried to organize a 2000 Supremes reunion tour and offered them "a fraction" of the $15 million she'd get.      

       According to the book, "[They] backstabbed Ross . . . the pair refused to recede into her spotlight. Ross then tried to replace them with two nominal Supremes of the '70s, but Supremes fans were interested only in the original configuration of the group and the tour was called off."

Advertisement for Bids - Bio Science Lab Tech Building

The City of Worthington, Minnesota will receive bids for Parking Lot and Leasehold Improvements to the Bio Science Lab Tech Building subject to terms and conditions contained in Bidding Documents prepared by SEH. Bids will be on a single lump sum basis.

Owner will receive, by mail or personal delivery at address below, sealed bids from qualified bidders until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009, at which time they will be publicly opened in the Council Chambers of City Hall by a bid opening committee. The bids and the responsibility of the bidders will be considered publicly by the City Council at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009 in Council Chambers, 303 9th Street.

Enclose bids in sealed envelope, addressed to the City Clerk, City Hall, P. O. Box 279, 303 9th Street, Worthington, MN 56187-0279. Clearly mark envelope in lower right hand corner as follows:

BID ENCLOSED

PROJECT NAME: Parking Lot and Leasehold Improvements to the Bio Science Lab Tech Building

OWNER NAME: City of Worthington

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained for a fee of $40.00 from:

SEH, Inc.

401 East 8th Street, Suite 309

Sioux Falls, SD 57103

605.330.7000

605.330.7001 fax

The project manual will be 8.5 inches by 11 inches and all Drawings are provided at 11 inches by 17 inches. Bidding Documents may be seen at: the office of Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. located at: 225 9th Street, Worthington, MN and 401 East 8th Street, Sioux Falls, SD, and at the Worthington City Hall located at 303 9th Street, Worthington, MN 56187-0279.

Each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, cash, money order or bid bond for at least five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, made payable to the City of Worthington, which amount shall be forfeited as liquidated damages if the bidder, upon the letting of the contract to him, shall fail to enter into the contract so let.

The successful Bidder will be required to provide a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond, each equaling 100 percent of the contract amount.

Contractors may be requested to submit "Contractor's Qualification Statement".

The City Council reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive irregularities and informalities therein and further reserves the right to award the contract to the best interests of the City.

Dated this 13th day of April, 2009

Janice Oberloh, City Clerk

City of Worthington

Worthington, Minnesota

(April 20, 2009)

#8634

Bio-fuel power stations protest

Protest at bio-fuel power station

A group of protesters occupied a building in the centre of Bath in a demonstration against the building of bio-fuel power stations in London.

Six people from a group called Action Against Agrofuels spoke with green energy firm Blue-NG officials in Ralph Allen House in Railway Place.

Police who arrived at the premises were asked to leave by Blue-NG to allow the firm to talk to the group.

It has recently been given permission to build a generator in east London.

The plant will use combined heat and power (CHP) which is fuelled by sustainably grown crops.

Dean Rivers, one of the protesters, said: "Our intention is to force Blue-NG to look again at their position and we would like to stop the procedure of their business for today.

"They're building a whole new market for bio-fuels in combined heating power stations. They've got an application through in Beckton and they've got another one in Southall.

"They're picking these very under-privileged areas of London where there's going to be little protest and getting through power stations to be run on bio-fuels which we know are causing so much destruction globally, so we're really protesting against that."

The protesters left peacefully by 1530 BST.