Putting the squeeze on cells: By deforming cells, researchers can deliver RNA, proteins and nanoparticles for many applications

Jan. 23, 2013 ? Living cells are surrounded by a membrane that tightly regulates what gets in and out of the cell. This barrier is necessary for cells to control their internal environment, but it makes it more difficult for scientists to deliver large molecules such as nanoparticles for imaging, or proteins that can reprogram them into pluripotent stem cells.

Researchers from MIT have now found a safe and efficient way to get large molecules through the cell membrane, by squeezing the cells through a narrow constriction that opens up tiny, temporary holes in the membrane. Any large molecules floating outside the cell -- such as RNA, proteins or nanoparticles -- can slide through the membrane during this disruption.

Using this technique, the researchers were able to deliver reprogramming proteins and generate induced pluripotent stem cells with a success rate 10 to 100 times better than any existing method. They also used it to deliver nanoparticles, including carbon nanotubes and quantum dots, which can be used to image cells and monitor what's happening inside them.

"It's very useful to be able to get large molecules into cells. We thought it might be interesting if you could have a relatively simple system that could deliver many different compounds," says Klavs Jensen, the Warren K. Lewis Professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of materials science and engineering, and a senior author of a paper describing the new device in this week's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Robert Langer, the David H. Koch Institute Professor at MIT, is also a senior author of the paper. Lead authors are chemical engineering graduate student Armon Sharei, Koch Institute research scientist Janet Zoldan, and chemical engineering research associate Andrea Adamo.

A general approach

Biologists have previously developed several ways to get large molecules into cells, but all of them have drawbacks. DNA or RNA can be packaged into viruses, which are adept at entering cells, but that approach carries the risk that some of the viral DNA will get integrated into the host cell. This method is commonly used in lab experiments but has not been approved by the FDA for use in human patients.

Another way to sneak large molecules into a cell is to tag them with a short protein that can penetrate the cell membrane and drag the larger cargo along with it. Alternatively, DNA or proteins can be packaged into synthetic nanoparticles that can enter cells. However, these systems often need to be re-engineered depending on the type of cell and material being delivered. Also, with some nanoparticles much of the material ends up trapped in protective sacs called endosomes inside the cell, and there can be potential toxic side effects.

Electroporation, which involves giving cells a jolt of electricity that opens up the cell membrane, is a more general approach but can be damaging to both cells and the material being delivered.

The new MIT system appears to work for many cell types -- so far, the researchers have successfully tested it with more than a dozen types, including both human and mouse cells. It also works in cells taken directly from human patients, which are usually much more difficult to manipulate than human cell lines grown specifically for lab research.

The new device builds on previous work by Jensen and Langer's labs, in which they used microinjection to force large molecules into cells as they flowed through a microfluidic device. This wasn't as fast as the researchers would have liked, but during these studies, they discovered that when a cell is squeezed through a narrow tube, small holes open in the cell membrane, allowing nearby molecules to diffuse into the cell.

To take advantage of that, the researchers built rectangular microfluidic chips, about the size of a quarter, with 40 to 70 parallel channels. Cells are suspended in a solution with the material to be delivered and flowed through the channel at high speed -- about one meter per second. Halfway through the channel, the cells pass through a constriction about 30 to 80 percent smaller than the cells' diameter. The cells don't suffer any irreparable damage, and they maintain their normal functions after the treatment.

Special delivery

The research team is now further pursuing stem cell manipulation, which holds promise for treating a wide range of diseases. They have already shown that they can transform human fibroblast cells into pluripotent stem cells, and now plan to start working on delivering the proteins needed to differentiate stem cells into specialized tissues.

Another promising application is delivering quantum dots -- nanoparticles made of semiconducting metals that fluoresce. These dots hold promise for labeling individual proteins or other molecules inside cells, but scientists have had trouble getting them through the cell membrane without getting trapped in endosomes.

In a paper published in November, working with MIT graduate student Jungmin Lee and chemistry professor Moungi Bawendi, the researchers showed that they could get quantum dots inside human cells grown in the lab, without the particles becoming confined in endosomes or clumping together. They are now working on getting the dots to tag specific proteins inside the cells.

The researchers are also exploring the possibility of using the new system for vaccination. In theory, scientists could remove immune cells from a patient, run them through the microfluidic device and expose them to a viral protein, and then put them back in the patient. Once inside, the cells could provoke an immune response that would confer immunity against the target viral protein.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The original article was written by Anne Trafton.

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

---

Journal Reference:

1. A. Sharei, J. Zoldan, A. Adamo, W. Y. Sim, N. Cho, E. Jackson, S. Mao, S. Schneider, M.-J. Han, A. Lytton-Jean, P. A. Basto, S. Jhunjhunwala, J. Lee, D. A. Heller, J. W. Kang, G. C. Hartoularos, K.-S. Kim, D. G. Anderson, R. Langer, K. F. Jensen. A vector-free microfluidic platform for intracellular delivery. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2013; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1218705110

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/matter_energy/biochemistry/~3/sMbVCnJHjZ0/130123133717.htm

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China HSBC flash PMI hits two-year high in January

BEIJING (Reuters) - Growth in China's giant factory sector accelerated to a two-year high in January, a preliminary private survey showed, as manufacturers received more local and foreign orders in an encouraging sign for the country's economic rebound.

The HSBC flash purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 51.9 in January, the highest since January 2011 and above the 50-point level that shows accelerating growth in the sector from the previous month.

The PMI, the earliest preview of China's economic health in 2013, is the latest indication that the world's second-largest economy is steadily recovering from a near two-year cool-down.

"Despite the still tepid external demand, the domestic-driven restocking process is likely to add steam to China's ongoing recovery in the coming months," Qu Hongbin, chief China economist at HSBC, said on Thursday.

HSBC said the sub-indices for output, new orders and employment that account for three quarters of the flash PMI all improved in January to hover above 50.

The output index climbed to 22-month highs while the employment sub-index was at its highest since May 2011.

Demand for Chinese exports also improved slightly this month, the flash index showed, but it shed little light on whether the pick-up would last.

China's exports had a surprisingly strong spurt in December, contributing to the country's emergence from a protracted cool-down, though analysts worry the rebound would be short-lived on soft U.S. and European demand.

EXPORT ORDERS RECOVER

The new export orders sub-index rose to 50.1 in January, up from December's 49.2 that pointed to waning demand.

The sub-index was persistently weak in the past year, rising above the 50-point threshold for only three months in 2012 and at times contradicting China's official trade data.

HSBC's final PMI had showed China's new export orders cooling in December, at odds with government data that said exports zoomed to seven-month highs that month.

The jump in exports, alongside generous government investment in infrastructure, helped to pull China's economy out of its worst downturn in three years between October and December to grow 7.9 percent from a year earlier.

But the late spike in activity was not enough to prevent China from sinking into its slowest annual pace of economic expansion in 13 years in 2012, growing 7.8 percent.

Many analysts are cautiously optimistic about China's economic prospects this year and are betting on steady state investment to stabilize growth. Exports, however, are expected to remain a drag.

A Reuters poll this week showed analysts predict China's annual economic growth would rebound a shade to 8.1 percent this year.

But faster growth is also expected to fuel inflation.

While a majority of the 24 analysts polled by Reuters believed China would not change its monetary policy this year, a third of them thought the central bank could raise interest rates in the second half of 2013.

Thursday's flash PMI showed price pressures may be building. The input price sub-index was at its highest since September 2011, while the output price sub-index was steady after months of factory-gate deflation.

HSBC said its PMI survey is based on a poll of purchasing executives from over 420 manufacturing firms, and that the flash PMI is compiled from responses from 85 percent to 90 percent of that pool.

(Editing by Kim Coghill)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/china-hsbc-flash-pmi-hits-two-high-january-015438711--business.html

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Computer system and Tech Stocks Shifting Forward - Test Prep

Computer system and Tech Stocks Shifting Forward

Another working day, I had been listening to some commentary on CNBC fiscal information speaking about the future outlook and forward-looking projections from Cisco Methods. Generally speaking, the tech sector and also the analysts from Wall Avenue shelling out within the computer system and technology market used CiscoGlen H Franklin / Kayla L AndersonMethods as their bellwether. Even so, it seems to me moving ahead that Cisco may well not be very good the right baseline. Let me reveal.

Were you aware that if Apple desktops had been amongst the 30 Dow shares in 2009 which the Dow Jones industrial typical can be 2500 details bigger than it is ideal now these days in May perhaps of 2012? It is correct. And when we took Apple desktops given that the new bellwether for your pc and technologies sector it could have outperformed every one of the some others (merged) and actually taken absent quite a bit of their industry discuss, and profit potential too.Bernice S Watson / James M OrtizHence, I might not recommend exchanging Cisco Devices for Apple since the new baseline, but I'd advise having Cisco's performance and long term projections that has a grain of salt.

Upcoming, I'd wish to describe that the individual engineering sector is significantly diverse compared to the IT sector. Oracle, SAP, IBM, Cisco, and other people together with all those firms focusing on govt and navy contracts for cyber safety are within a fully unique realm. The smart cellphone, tablets, and personal tech markets are international, and unbelievably wide in character. Something I had normally mentioned, and I detected this in technological innovation information - is the fact that technological innovation has practically turn out to be synonymous with Apple. That kind of leaves absolutely everyone else out in the unique class.
Alyssa A McCown / Judith T Jones
Am I saying that Cisco is irrelevant? No, needless to say not, nevertheless getting their statements and meeting calls being an estimation and prospective development in the full tech sector is mindless in any respect. A lot of the federal government spending has got to do with selections built in Washington DC, lobbyists, and congressmen with pet tasks to modernize the federal govt with additional pcs opening just how on the potential eRepublic - governing administration to be a giant laptop or computer and website - hmm, that may be all right?

Firms and corporate costs on IT does have some bearing to the exclusive tech current market, Paul J Bird / Dolores S Stewartalthough not a great deal, as it is just one venue for companies like Apple. These Cisco meeting calls are often enlightening and very helpful, nevertheless they tend not to appear to be as important for projecting the long run in technological innovation stocks because they the moment had been. In fact, I really hope you will be sure to contemplate this all and imagine on it. If you'd like to focus on tech shares, go on and shoot me an e-mail.

Annie C Andrade / Erma D Mills

Source: http://d.hatena.ne.jp/TestPrep/20130116/1358319362

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ABC World News Now - Helicopter Crashes in London, 2 Dead ...

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Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup | Watts Up With That?

The Week That Was: 2013-01-05 (January 5, 2013) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project

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Quote of the Week: It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. -Robert A. Heinlein, science-fiction author (1907-1988)

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Number of the Week: A 10 percent certainty of 10,000,000 is equal to a 100 percent certainty of 1,000,000.

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THIS WEEK:

By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)

Annual 2012 Temperatures: According to Roy Spencer and John Christy, based on comprehensive satellite measurements, 2012 was the ninth warmest year since the satellite record began 34 years ago. It was the warmest year for the continental US (Alaska included). No doubt alarmists will proclaim that this is proof of human caused global warming. However, the US comprises less than 2% of the earth?s surface, hardly global. There are indications the NOAA will announce that 2012 was the warmest for the US since surface-air record keeping began about 1890. However, the statistical manipulation that has taken place in the historic record, particularly a later day calculated cooling of the 1930?s, makes the historic record somewhat questionable. Of course, none of this goes to cause. Please see link under Challenging the Orthodoxy.?

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Greenhouse Skeptics: On his web site, Roy Spencer posted a provocative essay on some misconceptions by those who reject the greenhouse theory, as compared with those who are skeptical of the claim that humans are causing unprecedented and dangerous global warming. Among the misconceptions Spencer discusses are: the greenhouse effect violates the second law of thermodynamics; energy input alone determines temperatures; and that the rate of infrared absorption in the atmosphere equals the rate of infrared emission.

On his web site, Lubos Molt fully agrees with Spencer and restates Spencer?s points somewhat differently. Molt also addresses some of the early criticism of Spencer?s post. Both are an excellent follow-up on Fred Singer?s provocative essay, ?Climate Deniers Are Giving Us Skeptics a Bad Name,? published in American Thinker on February 29, 2012.

As to the greenhouse effect violating the second law of thermodynamics, it is useful to recall Vincent Gray?s reminder that the laws of thermodynamics were articulated before the discovery of energy transfer by radiation, thus initially applied only to conduction and convection. The timing has resulted in a confusion lasting for generations. Please see links under Challenging Greenhouse Skeptics and http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/02/climate_deniers_are_giving_us_skeptics_a_bad_name.html

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IPCC AR5 WGI: New Zealander Vincent Gray has been an expert reviewer on all five of the Assessment Reports by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) is due out in 2013 ? 14. The second draft of the scientific section, called Working Group I (WGI), was posted on the internet by Alec Rawls. Subsequently, Vincent Gray provided SEPP with his comments on WGI. Gray?s general comments are in this TWTW and a summary of his specific comments will be in next week?s TWTW. Please see Article # 2.

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Bridging the Political Divide: Nature published a provocative essay by Daniel Sarewitz calling for scientists, regardless of political affiliation or ideology, to work together to prevent politicians, particularly conservative politicians, from attacking science. To Sarewitz, the US community must decide if it wishes to be an independent national asset or a special interest group supporting the Democratic Party.

In commenting on the essay, Roger Pielke Jr, points out that scientific institutions, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU), have taken political positions. Pielke further points out that the journal for AAAS, Science, has taken political positions as well. [One could also add that the journal of the AGU, EOS, published a highly misleading survey supposedly showing that scientists support the claim that human emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) are causing dangerous global warming.] Pielke buttresses his arguments by stating that scientific integrity appears to be an issue to the scientific community only when a Republican is president.

As Pielke states, ?our scientific institutions are far too important to be allowed to become pawns in the political battles of the day.? The issues go not only to the scientific community, but also to the funding authorities and their administrators. Many government funded studies contain lax scientific standards. For example, numerous studies are based on long term projections from climate models used by the IPCC. But the models have never been verified and validated, thus the results are purely speculative. In the past, members of SEPP have suggested to senior administrators of the National Science Foundation that a small portion of the climate science funding be allocated to global warming skeptics, but to no avail. Please see links under Seeking a Common Ground.

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Another ?Nature Trick?? A number of articles appeared reporting that the West Antarctic ice sheet shows one of the strongest warming trends on the globe. On Watts Up With That, David Middleton exposes the study in Nature on which these reports are based. According to Middleton, the data cover two separate time frames: 1957 to 1975 and 1980 to 2012. The first set show a moderately significant warming trend and the second set show an insignificant warming trend, with no warming after 1991. The researchers just stitch the data together to provide a long term warming trend. Please see links under Communicating Better to the Public ? Exaggerate, or be Vague?

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Lisa Jackson: The first recipient of the SEPP April Fools Award, a lump of coal named in her honor, Lisa Jackson announced she is leaving as administrator of the EPA after President Obama?s inauguration. The announcement came shortly after the Inspector General of the EPA announced that the office is investigating Ms. Jackson?s use of private email accounts to conduct government business ? some 7100 emails. EPA has agreed to begin releasing the emails after the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) successfully sued under the Freedom of Information Act. One can only speculate if the events are related.

Under Ms. Jackson, the EPA has greatly expanded the regulation of many industries, particularly the coal-fired electricity utility industry. Many of the EPA scientific claims, such as the toxic effect of mercury emissions from coal-fired plants, are highly questionable at best. TWTW considers the EPA?s ruling that greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, endangers public health and welfare is without scientific merit. At this time, it is not known who will replace Ms. Jackson and if that person would be an improvement or not. Please see Article # 3 and links under EPA and other Regulators on the March.

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Wind Subsidies: This week Congress passed a tax and spending bill to prevent the so called ?fiscal cliff.? The bill provided for increasing income tax rates to high income households, and extending certain tax benefits to selected groups such as the production tax credit for the wind industry. The extension is for projects that are started in 2013, even though they do not come on line. Past TWTWs have articulated at least five reasons why wind is inferior to traditional methods of generating electricity. The new bill demonstrates the hypocrisy that underlines many of Washington?s actions. Only households or corporations with high taxable income can take advantage of a tax credit. It is of no benefit for those who pay little or no income taxes. Many of those politicians who demanded high income groups be taxed more, were among the most strident in demanding tax credits for wind, which benefit high income groups. Please see link under Subsidies and Mandates Forever

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Changing Climate: Several controversial articles have appeared on climate change. One article suggested that rapid climate change, namely in precipitation, in Africa two million years ago triggered cognitive development in early humans. A second study suggested that changes in the El Ni?o Southern Oscillation (ENSO) resulted in the demise in an artistically advanced culture in Australia some 7,000 years ago. On her web site, Jo Nova has some striking examples of the aboriginal art.

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Number of the Week (Actually the Logic of the Week): A 10 percent certainty of 10,000,000 is equal to a 100 percent certainty of 1,000,000. Professor of Musicology Richard Parncutt of the University of Graz, in Austria, proposed on a University web site that global warming deniers (skeptics) be tried and subject to the death penalty. Normally, TWTW does not bother discussing such rants but there are two points that are illuminating: 1) his logic; and 2) how he, and others who use similar reasoning, would apply this reasoning to those who have promoted misguided policies that resulted in the preventable deaths of millions.

One, the professor states: ?If ten million people are going to die with a probability of 10%, that is like one million people dying with a probability of 100%.? Apply this logic to a 10% chance of receiving $10,000,000. Yet, similar logic underlies the EPA linear, no threshold model in determining health hazards ? if a massive dose is toxic to humans, than a tiny dose applied to many humans will be toxic to some.

Two, by the early 1950s British colonial doctors demonstrated that the indoor spraying of native dwellings with DDT about every six months was very effective in controlling malaria in the tropics. In 1972, EPA Administrator William Ruckelshaus banned the use of DDT on the scientifically unsupported claim that it may cause cancer in humans. By then, malaria was no longer a health issue in the US. Using this claim, certain US government agencies and environmental nongovernment organizations (NGOs) demanded the banning of all use of DDT in other countries, including indoor spraying, as a condition for receiving US governmental aid. In countries that did so, malaria rates soared, millions died, and hundreds of millions suffered from preventable malaria. Please see links under Below the Bottom Line.

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ARTICLES:

For the numbered articles below please see this week?s TWTW at: http://www.sepp.org. The articles are at the end of the pdf.

1. Climate Science vs Politics: The Road Ahead

By S. Fred Singer, American Thinker, Dec 27, 2012

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/12/climate_science_vs_politics_the_road_ahead.html

[SEPP Comment: Please note that the Supreme Court did not specifically require independent review, but EPA procedures do.]

2. Expert Review of IPCC Assessment Report (AR5WGI), Reviewer of All Five Reports

By Vincent Gray, New Zealand, Nov, 2012

http://www.sepp.org/science-editorials.cfm?whichcat=Report&whichsubcat=IPCC%20Assessment%20Report

3. The Jackson Damage

The economic harm the EPA chief wrought.

Editorial, WSJ, Dec 27, 2012

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324669104578205570067758176.html

4. Silicon Valley?s Green Energy Mistake

Political venture capital turns out to be a loser.

Editorial, WSJ, Dec 27, 2012

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323401904578159660625274422.html

[SEPP Comment: The Silicon Valley investors are realizing the folly of green energy while Washington promotes it.]

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NEWS YOU CAN USE:

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Challenging the Orthodoxy

Comments on US Atmospheric Temperatures

By Roy Spencer and John Christy, Roy Spencer?s Blog, Jan 3, 2012 [H/t Gordon Fulks]

http://www.drroyspencer.com/2013/01/uah-v5-5-global-temperature-update-for-december-2012-0-20-deg-c/

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Op-Ed: EPA?s carbon regs not based on sound science

By Joe D?Aleo, Washington Examiner, Dec 27, 2012

http://washingtonexaminer.com/op-ed-epas-carbon-regs-not-based-on-sound-science/article/2516956#.UONZom-X8Z4

Is Weather More Extreme In A Warmer World? The Answer is in the Ice

By Art Horn, Energy Tribune, Dec 26, 2012

http://www.energytribune.com/69116/is-weather-extreme-in-a-warmer-world

German Scientists Shoot Down Recent Claims Of ?Rapid Warming? In Antarctica ? Overall Continent Is Cooling!

By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Dec 28, 2012

Translated from Western Antarctica warms more quickly than thought ? however, hardly at all in the last 25 years

By Sebastian L?ning and Fritz Vahrenholt

http://notrickszone.com/2012/12/28/german-scientists-shoot-down-recent-claims-of-rapid-warming-in-western-antarctica-overall-continent-is-cooling/

Defending the Orthodoxy

US science: The Obama experiment

Nearly four years after US President Barack Obama pledged to put science in its rightful place, Nature asks if he kept his word.

By Jeff Tollefson, Nature, Sep 26, 20112

http://www.nature.com/news/us-science-the-obama-experiment-1.11481

Time to Confront Climate Change

Editorial, NYT, Dec 27, 2012

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/opinion/time-to-confront-climate-change.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=1&

Challenging Greenhouse Skeptics

Misunderstood Basic Concepts and the Greenhouse Effect

By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Jan 1, 2012

http://www.drroyspencer.com/2013/01/misunderstood-basic-concepts-and-the-greenhouse-effect/

Greenhouse effect doesn?t contradict any laws of physics

By Lubos Motl, Reference Frame, Jan 1, 2012

http://motls.blogspot.com/2013/01/greenhouse-effect-doesnt-contradict-any.html#more

Questioning the Orthodoxy

Global Climate Planning: Down But Not Out (Doha?s ?bitter defeat? does not mean it?s over)

By Craig Rucker, Master Resource, Dec 31, 2012

http://www.masterresource.org/2012/12/doha-defeat-but-not-over/#more-23472

Welcome to a Kyoto-free-world: Best use was to show how bad a nanny-state-unfree-market is.

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jan 1, 2013

http://joannenova.com.au/2013/01/welcome-to-a-kyoto-free-world-best-use-was-to-show-how-bad-a-nanny-state-unfree-market-is/#more-26237

This Is Called Cheating (Part 2)

By Donna Laframboise, NFC, Dec 22, 2012

http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2012/12/22/this-is-called-cheating-part-2/

Time for an Adult Approach to Climate Change

By Tom Harris, Caribarena Antigua, Dec 29, 2012

http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/opinions/opinion-pieces/102692-time-for-an

Questioning European Green

Poland and Czech Republic Ban German Green Energy

By Daniel Wetzel, Die Welt, via GWPF, Dec 29, 2012

http://www.thegwpf.org/poland-czech-republic-ban-germanys-green-energy/

Growing Criticism: Germany?s Transition To Renewable Energy Is Leading To All Pain And No Gain

By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Dec 31, 2012

http://notrickszone.com/2012/12/31/growing-criticism-germanys-transition-to-renewable-energy-is-leading-to-all-pain-and-no-gain/

Greenest Government Ever: ?Bribes? to Halt Wind Farm Opposition

By Jonathan Leake, Sunday Times, via GWPF, Dec 30, 2012

http://www.thegwpf.org/greenest-government-ever-bribes-halt-wind-farm-opposition/

[SEPP Comment: Everyone wins except those who use electricity.]

Questioning Green Elsewhere

Ottawa must get real on climate change

From trying to reduce CO2 emissions to throwing money away on wind and solar power, the federal government is on the wrong track

By Tom Harris, Vancouver Sun, Dec 26, 2012

http://www.canada.com/business/Opinion+Ottawa+must+real+climate+change/7745889/story.html

A Running Leap Off the Green Energy Cliff

By Keith Kohl, Energy & Capital, Jan 4, 2013 [H/t Cooler Heads]

http://www.energyandcapital.com/articles/running-leap-off-green-energy-cliff/2956

Problems in the Orthodoxy

Russia will not renew its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.

By Staff Writers, Voice of Russia, Dec 31, 2012 [H/t GWPF]

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_12_31/Russia-wont-renew-Kyoto-Protocol/

Kyoto climate change treaty sputters to a sorry end

Kyoto Protocol aimed for 5% cut in carbon emissions ? instead, we got a 58% increase

By Max Paris, CBC News, Dec 31, 2012

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/12/20/pol-kyoto-protocol-part-one-ends.html

As the Kyoto Protocol Dies, Remember Those Who Called It (Part II)

By Robert Bradley Jr., Master Resource, Dec 27, 2012

http://www.masterresource.org/2012/12/kyoto-quotes-ii/#more-23461

?This Agreement Will be Good for Enron Stock!!? (Enron?s Kyoto memo turns 15)

By Robert Bradley Jr, Master Resource, Dec 24, 2012

http://www.masterresource.org/2012/12/enron-kyoto-memo-15/#more-23360

Seeking a Common Ground

Science must be seen to bridge the political divide

Scientists in the United States are often perceived as a Democratic interest group. For science?s sake this has to change,

By Daniel Sarewitz, Nature, Jan 2, 2013

http://www.nature.com/news/science-must-be-seen-to-bridge-the-political-divide-1.12119

A New Year?s Resolution for Scientists

By Roger Pielke Jr, His Blog, Jan 2, 2013

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-new-years-resolution-for-scientists.html

There is of course nothing wrong with partisanship or with scientists participating in politics, they are after all citizens. However, our scientific institutions are far too important to be allowed to become pawns in the political battles of the day.

[SEPP Comment: See link immediately above.]

The Misunderstood Greenhouse effect.

By Geoff Brown, NCTCS, Jan 3, 2013

http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/the-mis-understood-greenhouse-effect.html

German/Austrian Academia Descends Into Madness ? A Reaction To Parncutt?s Death Penalty Calls For Science Critics

By P. Gosselin, Dec 27, 2012

http://notrickszone.com/2012/12/27/germanaustrian-academia-descends-into-madness-reaction-to-parncutts-death-penalty-calls-for-free-speechers/

Dire tones from the University of Graz: music professor calls for the death penalty for climate science dissenters

By Sebastian L?ning and Fritz Vahrenholt

Trans: P. Gosselin

Climate fast attack plan

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc, Feb 18, 2012

http://judithcurry.com/2012/02/18/climate-fast-attack-plan/

[SEPP Comment: Judith Curry?s choice of the most important climate story of the year.]

Link for other lists: http://judithcurry.com/2012/12/30/year-in-review/#more-10817

Communicating Better to the Public ? Exaggerate, or be Vague?

Antarctic warming courtesy of Mr. Fix-it

By David Middleton, WUWT, Dec 27, 2012

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/12/27/antarctic-warming-courtesy-of-mr-fix-it/

Link to Article: Central West Antarctica among the most rapidly warming regions on Earth

http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo1671.html

W. Antarctic warming among world?s fastest

By Staff Writers, Columbus, Ohio (UPI), Dec 24, 2012

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/W_Antarctic_warming_among_worlds_fastest_999.html

AR5 Chapter 11; Hiding the Decline (Part II)

By David Hoffer, WUWT, Dec 30, 2012

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/12/30/ar5-chapter-11-hiding-the-decline-part-ii/

Changing Weather

Updated: Normalized Hurricane Losses 1900-2012

By Roger Pielke Jr, His Blog, Dec 31, 2012

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2012/12/updated-normalized-hurricane-losses.html

What does the reinsurance market say about all this? Willis Re explains:

?most reinsurers are still within their annual catastrophe budgets for 2012 and not facing any capital impact? In the absence of Superstorm Sandy, reinsurers would have found it difficult to resist buyer pressure for further concessions. As such, Sandy?s impact has helped to stabilize market pricing on an overall basis and reinsurers have largely delivered to their clients in terms of capacity and continuity.?

In other words, thank goodness for Sandy.

The Political Superstorm that Devastated New York

By Paul Driessen, Townhall, Dec 29, 2012

http://townhall.com/columnists/pauldriessen/2012/12/29/the-political-superstorm-that-devastated-new-york-n1475682?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl

Jan. 1 snow cover set U.S. record

By Staff Writers,State College, Pa. (UPI) Jan 3, 2012

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Jan_1_snow_cover_set_US_record_999.html

[SEPP Comment: A ten year record.]

Changing Climate

Fluctuating Environment May Have Driven Human Evolution

By Staff Writers, Science Daily, Dec 24, 2012

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121226080906.htm

Link to study: Water, plants, and early human habitats in eastern Africa

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/12/20/1209405109

Evidence of ENSO mega-drought triggered collapse of prehistory Aboriginal society in northwest Australia

By McGowan, et al, Geophysical Research Letters, Nov 23, 2012

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2012GL053916/abstract

Two million years of climate change made us what we are

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jan 3, 2013

http://joannenova.com.au/2013/01/climate-change-made-us-human/#more-26249

Changing Sea Ice

The great Arctic cyclone of August 2012

By Ian Simmonds & Irina Rudeva, University of Melbourne, GRL, Dec 15, 2012 [H/t WUWT]

http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2012/2012GL054259.shtml

Record Arctic Storm Melted Sea Ice

By Just the Facts, WUWT, Dec 27, 2012

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/12/27/record-arctic-storm-melted-sea-ice/

Changing Earth

Trees worldwide a sip away from dehydration

Plumbing systems operate on a razor?s edge, leaving forests vulnerable

By Susan Milius, Science News, Dec 29, 2012 [H/t Clyde Spencer]

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/346630/description/Trees_worldwide_a_sip_away_from_dehydration

Link to letter in Nature: http://people.fas.harvard.edu/~eebutler//Homepage/Plants_and_Climate_files/Choat_etal_2012.pdf

[SEPP Comment: Not one word about increased atmospheric carbon dioxide increases the ability of plants to survive stress.]

NTU?s ground-breaking study warns of more great quakes in the Himalayas

By Staff Writers, Singapore (SPX) Jan 01, 2013

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/NTUs_ground_breaking_study_warns_of_more_great_quakes_in_the_Himalayas_999.html

Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC

For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org

Sea Surface Temperatures of the Southern Okinawa Trough

Reference: Wu, W., Tan, W., Zhou, L., Yang, H. and Xu, Y. 2012. Sea surface temperature variability in the southern Okinawa Trough during last 2700 years. Geophysical Research Letters 39: 10.1029/2012GL052749.

http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/dec/25dec2012a1.html

Cyanobacteria of the Subtropical North Atlantic Ocean

Reference: Lomas, M.W., Hopkinson, B.M., Losh, J.L., Ryan, D.E., Shi, D.L., Xu, Y. and Morel, F.M.M. 2012. Effect of ocean acidification on cyanobacteria in the subtropical North Atlantic. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 66: 211-222.

http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/dec/25dec2012a2.html

?ocean acidification [reduction of alkalinity] would likely result in a positive feedback on the growth and physiology of natural populations, resulting in a positive change in their role in ocean carbon and nitrogen cycles,? which is, of course, great news for the biosphere!

http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/dec/25dec2012a2.html

Just How Icy was the Little Ice Age?

Reference: Osborn, G., Menounos, B., Ryane, C., Riedel, J., Clague, J.J., Koch, J., Clark, D., Scott, K. and Davis, P.T. 2012. Latest Pleistocene and Holocene glacier fluctuations on Mount Baker Washington. Quaternary Science Reviews 49: 33-51.

http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/dec/26dec2012a2.html

Earth?s Land and Water Surfaces: Net Sources or Sinks for CO2?

Reference: Ballantyne, A.P., Alden, C.B., Miller, J.B., Tans, P.P. and White, J.W. 2012. Increase in observed net carbon dioxide uptake by land and oceans during the past 50 years. Nature 488: 70-72.

http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/dec/26dec2012a3.html

The Political Games Continue

Election over, administration unleashes new rules

By Matthew Daly, AP, Dec 13, 2012

http://news.yahoo.com/election-over-administration-unleashes-rules-081641511?finance.html

Litigation Issues

Will the Supreme Court Review EPA?s Greenhouse Gas Regulations?

By Marlo Lewis, Global warming.org, Jan 4, 2013

http://www.globalwarming.org/2013/01/04/will-the-supreme-court-review-epas-greenhouse-gas-regulations/

Subsidies and Mandates Forever

Wind PTC Extension Approved as Lawmakers Strike Fiscal Cliff Package Deal

By Staff Writers, Power News, Jan 3, 2013

http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/5284.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2591459&hq_l=5&hq_v=5e660500d0

EPA and other Regulators on the March

Did EPA Chief Lisa Jackson resign because emails she sent from a secret alias account will go public next month?

It was revealed in November that EPA Chief Lisa Jackson, 50, had sent thousands of emails tied to coal regulation from a secret alias account

The EPA chief announced on Thursday that she will resign after four years on the job for ?new challenges, time with my family and new opportunities to make a difference?

Chris Horner, of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said the scrutiny over the alias emails regarding the Obama administration?s alleged ?war on coal,? is clearly a factor behind Jackson?s decision to step down

Jackson?s resignation is effective following the President?s State of the Union address next month

By Damian Ghigliotty, Daily Mail, UK, Dec 27, 2012

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2253999/Did-EPA-Chief-Lisa-Jackson-resign-secret-emails-public-month.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

?

EPA Finalizes Standards for Industrial Boilers, Certain Incinerators

By Sonal Patel, Power News, Jan 3, 2013

http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/5281.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2591459&hq_l=6&hq_v=5e660500d0

Is The EPA?s Lisa Jackson Trying To Dodge A Federal Probe?

Editorial, IBD, Dec 27, 2012

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/122712-638555-lisa-jackson-resigns-while-inspector-general-investigates-emails.htm

Lisa Jackson leaving EPA and path of economic destruction

By Steve Goreham, Washington Times, Jan 2, 2012

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/climatism-watching-climate-science/2013/jan/2/lisa-jackson-leaving-epa-and-path-economic-destruc/

EPA?s illegal human experiments could break Nuremberg Code

Agency claims unfettered discretion in treatment of test subjects

By Steve Milloy, Washington Times, Dec 31, 2012

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/31/epas-illegal-human-experiments-could-break-nurembe/

Lisa Jackson?s Destructive Crusade

By Henry Payne, National Review, Dec 28, 2012 [H/t ICECAP]

http://www.nationalreview.com/planet-gore/336534/jacksons-destructive-crusade-henry-payne#

Energy Issues ? Non-US

The New Era of Oil Renaissance

By EconMatters, NASDAQ, Dec 30, 2012

http://www.nasdaq.com/article/the-new-era-of-oil-renaissance-cm202887#.UORLO3eQmbV

US, Canada, and Oz Prepare for the Asian Gas Wars

By Walter Russell Mead, Via Media, Dec 29, 2012 [H/t GWPF]

http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2012/12/29/us-canada-and-oz-prepare-for-the-asian-gas-wars/

Don?t Fall for the Shale Boom Hype ? Chris Martenson Interview

An interview by James Stafford for oilprice.com, London, UK (SPX) Dec 31, 2012

http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Dont_Fall_for_the_Shale_Boom_Hype_Chris_Martenson_Interview_999.html

Energy Issues ? US

Assessing Energy Policy

By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Jan 2, 2013

http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/assessing-energy-policy/

[SEPP Comment: The US energy policy is highly distorted by the fear that CO2 causes unprecedented and dangerous global warming.]

Trains carry more oil across U.S. amid boom

By Matthew Brown and Josh Funk, AP, Dec 30, 2012

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/12/30/trains-oil-boom-economy/1796505/

Oil and Natural Gas ? the Future or the Past?

Fracking and Elizabeth Barrett Browning

By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Dec 28, 2012

http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/fracking-and-elizabeth-barrett-browning/

New York State Health Department: Fracking is safe, but don?t tell anyone

By Staff Writers, ACSH, Jan 3, 2013

http://www.acsh.org/new-york-state-health-department-fracking-is-safe-but-dont-tell-anyone/

Link to NYT article: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/nyregion/hydrofracking-safe-says-ny-health-dept-analysis.xml

Saudis Sweat Bullets As Energy Revolution Changes the Rules

By Walter Russell Mead, Via Meadia, Dec 29, 2012 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2012/12/29/saudis-sweating-bullets-over-energy-revolution/

Exxon Mobil moves ahead with $14-billion Hebron oil field off Newfoundland

Jeffrey Jones, Reuters, Jan 4, 2013

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/01/04/exxon-mobil-moves-ahead-with-14-billion-hebron-oil-field-off-newfoundland/

Washington?s Control of Oil and Gas

Obama?s Energy Dilemma: Back Energy-Fueled Growth or Please Green Lobby

By Joel Kotkin, New Geography, Dec 7, 2012 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.newgeography.com/content/003293-obama-s-energy-dilemma-back-energy-fueled-growth-or-please-green-lobby

Don?t Kill The Economically Beneficial Shale-Gas Boom

By Robert J. Samuelson, IBD, Dec 24, 2012

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-viewpoint/122412-638223-shale-gas-fracking-most-important-energy-event-in-decades.htm

Even With Bipartisan Push, Is Keystone XL Still A Pipe Dream?

By Larry Bell, Forbes, Dec 30, 2012

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2012/12/30/even-with-bipartisan-push-is-keystone-xl-still-a-pipe-dream/

Keystone XL pipeline reroute avoids most ecological areas: Nebraska report

By Staff Writers, Reuters, Jan 4, 2013

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/01/04/keystone-xl-pipeline-reroute-avoids-most-ecological-areas-nebraska-report/

Return of King Coal?

Coal News

By Dennis Ambler, SPPI, Jan 1, 2013

http://sppiblog.org/news/8926#more-8926

In fact, the world will burn around 1.2 billion more tonnes of coal per year by 2017 compared to today ? equivalent to the current coal consumption of Russia and the United States combined.

Oil Spills, Gas Leaks & Consequences

Transocean to pay $1.4 billion in civil, criminal fines for 2010 Gulf spill

By Zack Colman, The Hill, Jan 3, 2013

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/275425-transocean-to-pay-14-billion-in-fines-for-2010-gulf-spill

Alternative, Green (?Clean?) Solar and Wind

Wind farms vs wildlife

The shocking environmental cost of renewable energy

By Clive Hambler, The Spectator, UK, Jan 5, 2013 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/8807761/wind-farms-vs-wildlife/

Wind Power?s Negative Externalities: Here Come the Lawsuits (Part II)

By Sherri Lange, Master Resource, Jan 3, 2013

http://www.masterresource.org/2013/01/wind-powers-negative-externalities-here-come-the-lawsuits-part-ii/

[SEPP Comment: Will wind farms become the new asbestos in providing incomes to lawyers?]

Alternative, Green (?Clean?) Vehicles

Fisker Failures May Prevent Delaware From Getting Its Money Back

By Paul Chesser, NIPC, Dec 28, 2012 [H/t Cooler Heads]

http://nlpc.org/stories/2012/12/27/fisker-failures-may-prevent-delaware-getting-its-money-back

Environmental Industry

The GM Reactionaries

By Henry Miller, Project Syndicate, Dec 31, 2012

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-economic?health?and-environmental-benefits-of-gm-crops-by-henry-i?miller-and-graham-brookes

[SEPP Comment: ?Pathological science? is on the rise.]

Gore Takes Big Oil Cash From Anti-Semitic Al Jazeera

Editorial, IBD, Jan 3, 2013

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/010313-639260-gore-helps-oil-financed-anti-semitic-platform.htm

Other Scientific News

Did the PBSG game the polar bear listing process?

By Susan Crockford, Polar Bear Science, Dec 26, 2012 [H/t GWPF]

http://polarbearscience.com/2012/12/26/did-the-pbsg-game-the-polar-bear-listing-process/

??for the sake of polar bear conservation, views that run counter to human induced climate change are extremely unhelpful.?

Other News that May Be of Interest

New York State Health Department: Fracking is safe, but don?t tell anyone

By Staff Writers, ACSH, Dec 17, 2012

http://www.acsh.org/vaccines-news-part-2-the-return-of-thimerosal/

[SEPP Comment: The dangers of misleading studies trumpeted by alarmists.]

###################################################

BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:

Death threats anyone? Austrian Prof: global warming deniers should be sentenced to death

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Dec 24, 2012

http://joannenova.com.au/2012/12/death-threats-anyone-austrian-prof-global-warming-deniers-should-be-sentenced-to-death/#more-26127

Parncutt Death Threat: Uni of Graz ?shocked?, Monckton gets it withdrawn with apology. John Cook says nothing.

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Dec 28, 2012

http://joannenova.com.au/2012/12/parncutt-death-threat-uni-of-graz-shocked-monckton-gets-it-withdrawn-with-apology-john-cook-says-nothing/#more-26183

2012: Global warming became reality

Record melting of Arctic Ocean ice. Record heat and droughts. New York under water. Believe climate change now?

By Seth Borenstein, AP, Dec 26, 2012

http://www.salon.com/2012/12/26/2012_global_warming_became_reality/

###################################################

Source: http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/01/07/weekly-climate-and-energy-news-roundup-75/

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McDonald's expands test flight for chicken wings

This undated product image provided by McDonald's shows the restaurant's new "Mighty Wings"offering on the store's menu. The world's biggest hamburger chain is set to expand its test of chicken wings to Chicago this week, after a successful run in Atlanta last year. (AP photo/McDonald's)

This undated product image provided by McDonald's shows the restaurant's new "Mighty Wings"offering on the store's menu. The world's biggest hamburger chain is set to expand its test of chicken wings to Chicago this week, after a successful run in Atlanta last year. (AP photo/McDonald's)

NEW YORK (AP) ? First there were McNuggets. Then there were Chicken McBites. Now McDonald's could be adding "Mighty Wings" to its chicken menu.

The world's biggest hamburger chain is set to expand its test of chicken wings to Chicago this week, after a successful run in Atlanta last year. The wings are being sold in servings of three, five or 10 pieces with prices starting at $3, according to Lynne Collier, an analyst with Sterne Agee.

A spokeswoman for McDonald's confirmed the test in Chicago would start this week at about 500 restaurants but said there weren't any plans yet to bring the wings to other cities. She noted that no new sauces were being offered with the wings and that the creamy ranch sauce would be the default dipping sauce.

Fast-food chains typically test items in select markets before taking them national. But for McDonald's, which has 14,000 U.S. locations, adding chicken wings to the permanent lineup could be tricky.

Prices for chicken wings have been climbing over the past year, reflecting an increase in the number of restaurants serving them, said David Harvey, an agriculture economist who specializes in poultry and eggs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In December, the cost of wings in the wholesale market in the Northeast was 26 percent higher than a year ago. Wings sold for $1.90 a pound that month, compared with $1.30 a pound for boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

And prices could continue to climb with demand remaining high, pressuring prices for wings across the industry.

Rather than becoming a permanent part of the menu, McDonald's could offer the dish for a limited time; the chain has said it plans to ramp up the frequency of such special offers as a way to give customers more variety. But whether it will offer "Mighty Wings" even on a limited-time basis will likely depend on McDonald's ability to get wings at reasonable prices, said Collier, the analyst with Sterne Agee.

There could be other challenges. Richard Adams, a former McDonald's franchisee who now runs a consulting firm for franchisees, said that menu items generally don't work unless they can be eaten easily in the car. He noted that the majority of McDonald's food is purchased at the drive-thru.

This isn't the first time McDonald's is offering wings, however. According to the National Chicken Council, McDonald's first introduced them in 1990 at some locations, prompting other fast-food chains to follow suit. A McDonald's representative wasn't able to immediately provide the history of "Mighty Wings."

The latest test comes amid intensifying competition for McDonald's, which for years had outperformed rivals such as Burger King and Wendy's with a steady stream of new menu items, such as snack wraps, fruit smoothies and specialty coffee drinks. But now Burger King and Wendy's are working to revamp their images and menus.

This past spring, Burger King launched its biggest ever menu expansion to include its own snack wraps, fruit smoothies and specialty coffee drinks. And last week, the Miami-based chain even introduced chicken nuggets that more closely resemble McNuggets, replacing the chicken tenders it previously sold.

In addition, McDonald's is facing competition from newer chains such as Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. and Panera Bread Co., which serve higher-quality food for slightly higher prices. In October, McDonald's said a key sales figure dropped for the first time in nearly a decade. The figure rebounded in November after the Oak Brook, Ill., company said it would return to emphasizing its Dollar Menu to lure price-conscious diners.

___

Follow Candice Choi at www.twitter.com/candicechoi

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2013-01-07-US-McDonald's-Chicken-Wings/id-105e110bd4ed4400975f80c516096eaa

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State of Palestine name change shows limitations

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) ? With U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state in his pocket, President Mahmoud Abbas wants official documents to carry a new emblem: "State of Palestine."

But scrapping the old "Palestinian Authority" logo is as far as Abbas is willing to go in provoking Israel. He is not rushing to change passports and ID cards Palestinians need to pass through Israeli crossings.

The very modesty of Abbas' move to change official stationery underscores his limited options so long as Israel remains in charge of territories the world says should one day make up that state.

"At the end of the day, the Palestinian Authority won't cause trouble for its people," Nour Odeh, a spokeswoman for Abbas' self-rule government, said of the need for caution.

Abbas won overwhelming U.N. General Assembly recognition for a state of Palestine in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in late November, a rare diplomatic victory over a sidelined Israel. The U.N. nod was important to the Palestinians because it affirmed the borders of their future state in lands Israel captured in 1967.

Recognition, however, has not transformed the day-to-day lives of Palestinians, and some argue that it made things worse. In apparent retaliation for the U.N. bid, Israel in December withheld its monthly $100 million transfer of tax rebates it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, further deepening the Abbas government's financial crisis.

Since the U.N. recognition, Abbas has maneuvered between avoiding confrontation with Israel and finding small ways to change the situation on the ground.

Last week, his government press office urged journalists to refer to a state of Palestine, instead of the Palestinian Authority, the autonomy government set up two decades ago as part of interim peace deals with Israel.

Palestinian diplomatic missions around the world have been told to use the new names, including those in countries that did not vote "yes" at the General Assembly, said Omar Awadallah, a Palestinian Foreign Ministry official.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev dismissed the name change as pointless but declined comment on whether Israel would retaliate in any way. "Instead of looking for gimmicks, Palestinians should negotiate with Israel to bring about the end of the conflict," he said. "That will lead to a situation of two states for two peoples."

Israel objected to Abbas' U.N. bid, accusing him of trying to bypass negotiations with Israel on the terms of statehood. Such talks have been frozen for more than four years because Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disagree on their parameters. Netanyahu says he is willing to cede land to a Palestinian state but will not withdraw to the 1967 lines or give up any part of east Jerusalem, the Palestinians' desired capital.

Abbas has said negotiations remain his preferred choice, and that U.N. recognition was meant to improve his leverage with a far more powerful Israel once talks resume.

Since the U.N. vote, Abbas has shied away from measures that could close the door to talks by upsetting Israel or the U.S., which also objected to his U.N. bid.

Abbas has not taken practical steps toward seeking membership for Palestine in U.N. agencies, something made possible by the November vote, and his security forces continue to coordinate with Israeli troops in tracking Islamic militants in the West Bank.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland expressed U.S. opposition to using the term "State of Palestine."

"You can't create a state by rhetoric and with labels and names," she told reporters. "You can only create a state, in this context, through bilateral negotiations." Nuland called Abbas' decision "provocative, without changing the condition for the Palestinian people."

She said the U.S. peace envoy for the Mideast, David Hale, was headed to the region and would meet the Palestinian leader on Tuesday.

Some countries, such as Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras, have adopted the new name. Others, like Norway, Sweden and Spain, stick to the Palestinian Authority term even though they supported U.N. recognition.

Analysts said Abbas holds out hope that President Barack Obama will get more involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in his second term and ? freed from the restraints of seeking re-election ? take a tougher stance toward Israel.

"He still hopes to resume peace talks in line with U.S. efforts," Palestinian analyst Hani al-Masri said of Abbas.

"Therefore, he is making these slight changes because people expect him to make changes after the U.N. recognition."

Still, the gap between the symbolic U.N. nod and the reality on the ground remains wide.

The Palestinian Authority administers some 38 percent of the West Bank, but Israel maintains overall control over the territory. Abbas has no say in east Jerusalem, annexed by Israel in 1967, or in Gaza, seized by his political rival, the Islamic militant group Hamas, in 2007.

The documents and stationery with the new emblem will be ready within two months, said Hassan Alawi, a deputy interior minister in the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli officials declined comment Monday on whether Israel would refuse to deal with documents bearing the "State of Palestine" logo. However, Alawi said his office was informed by Israeli officials after Abbas' decree that "they will not deal with any new form of passport or ID."

Saeb Erekat, a senior Abbas aide, said the new emblem will be used in correspondence with countries that have recognized a state of Palestine.

He suggested that there would be no change in passports or other documents Palestinians need for movement through Israeli crossings.

"As far as the Israelis are concerned, we are not going to overload the wagon of our people by putting state of Palestine on passports," he said. "They (Israelis) will not allow them to travel."

Palestinians must pass through Israeli-run crossings to leave the West Bank and also carry an ID card at all times or risk arrest if stopped at an Israeli military checkpoint inside the territory.

The name change has even less meaning for Palestinians in Hamas-ruled Gaza. Israel withdrew from the coastal strip in 2005 but continues to control access by air, sea and land, with the exception of one Gaza border crossing with Egypt.

"For me, it's just ink on paper," said Sharif Hamda, a 44-year-old pharmacist in Gaza City. "I wished they would save the money they will spend on this and use it for helping needy families."

___

Laub reported from Jericho, West Bank. Associated Press writers Ibrahim Barzak in Gaza City, Gaza Strip and Bradley Klapper in Washington contributed reporting.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/state-palestine-name-change-shows-limitations-200641448.html

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Swype Now Crowd-Sources Your Autocorrections

Swype, the sliding keyboard that dramatically speeds up typing on Android, just got a little more clever. As well as offering a more fluid typing experience, it now crowd-sources your autocorrections—which should (hopefully) make for fewer embarrassing mistakes. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/xthII3EdNoY/swype-now-crowd+sources-your-autocorrections

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Author Sightings : Howard Andrew Jones

Posted by admin on Monday, January 7, 2013 ? 2 Comments ?

On January 15th I?ll be driving to Terre Haute to talk to some ISU creative writing students about writing and the business thereof, and then, at 6:00, I?ll be signing copies of The Bones of the Old Ones at the Terre Haute Barnes and Noble. I suppose I could sign other items as well, if you really want. For instance, if you need a signed copy of Memory of Light, or always wanted a signature on your Land of the Lost costume, I?ll be happy to help out.

From January 18th to January 20th I?ll be at ConFusion up in sunny Dearborn Michigan. I attended ConFusion for the first time last year and it?s a great convention. The staff are personable and very well-organized. There?s a strong gaming track AND a strong writing track, and the panels are intimate. Also, there are a number of movers and shakers at ConFusion with whom it?s usually hard to rub elbows at larger cons.

You can find more details at the official ConFusion site, but for the record I highly recommend it. Try it out before everyone?s in on the secret and it gets TOO big!

Here?s my panel and reading schedule. I don?t have any information yet on who my fellow panelists will be, but I?m sharing a reading with Saladin Ahmed:

Saturday????????? 12:00:00 PM? Modern Fairy Tale

Saturday????????? 1:00:00 PM? Languages Of Fantasy And Science Fiction

Saturday????????? 5:00:00 PM? Mass Autograph Session

Saturday????????? 7:00:00 PM? Please Do The Research

Sunday????????? ? 10:00:00 AM? Religion In SF/F

Sunday?????????? 11:00:00 AM? Reading: Howard Andrew Jones & Saladin Ahmed

Speaking of Saladin, he?s got an interesting world-building article over at NPR you should go check out, and speaking of talented writers, you should go read John Fultz?s latest piece (for free) over at Black Gate!

Source: http://www.howardandrewjones.com/uncategorized/author-sightings

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Sandy prompts some elderly to seek assisted living

In this Dec. 17, 2012 photo, Marion Johnston, left, and her daughter Linda Monaco, sit in a lounge at the Bristal Assisted Living facility in Massapequa, N.Y. Johnston is among a number of elderly residents whose homes were damaged by Superstorm Sandy who opted to move to assisted living facilities rather than remain living on their own. (AP Photo/Frank Eltman)

In this Dec. 17, 2012 photo, Marion Johnston, left, and her daughter Linda Monaco, sit in a lounge at the Bristal Assisted Living facility in Massapequa, N.Y. Johnston is among a number of elderly residents whose homes were damaged by Superstorm Sandy who opted to move to assisted living facilities rather than remain living on their own. (AP Photo/Frank Eltman)

MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (AP) ? For the first time in her life, Marion Johnston says she feels old.

The petite 80-year-old retired school secretary who uses a walker is still adjusting as one of the newest residents at the Bristal Assisted Living retirement community. She moved in November after the howling winds and rising flood waters of Superstorm Sandy destroyed her Long Island waterfront condominium.

Johnston had often thought about moving, but Sandy revealed an uncomfortable truth: "I just can't be on my own."

Although New York and New Jersey health care officials say it's too soon to confirm a spike, some senior care operators say they've seen a surge in older people relocating to assisted-living or retirement communities after Sandy. Prolonged power outages, wrecked homes and flooded streets have helped convince even the most stubborn seniors that they may not be capable of living independently.

"Very often you need that little push over the cliff to make you realize," said Dr. Gisele Wolf-Klein, director of geriatric education at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. She is not surprised to hear facilities are experiencing increased demand. "When your home is leaking and flooding and you're sitting in the dark, you come to realize you no longer have the skills of survivorship."

Maryellen McKeon, senior vice president of operations for Ultimate Care New York, LLC, which runs eight Bristal facilities in the New York area, said the company's 5 percent vacancy vanished after the storm.

"We have the same thing after snowstorms or heat waves," McKeon said. "Someone may be isolated in a house and realize, 'My daughter was right,' and the reality of your vulnerability sinks in."

Wolf-Klein noted that the move to assisted living can be difficult.

"There's an acceptance that the independence you cherished for a long time is now coming to an end," she said. "There's an acceptance of aging and time marching on."

Johnston, a widow who raised three children with her late husband, had lived alone in an Amityville condo for the past 14 years. Amid dire storm warnings ahead of Sandy's arrival, Johnston's daughter took her mother to her home in nearby Lindenhurst. It was a prudent decision, since the condominium was destroyed by the storm surge, said the daughter, Linda Monaco.

"The canal came up and went through her entire house; water came in the back door and went out the front door," Monaco said. Johnston has not wanted to return to see the destruction. "I have a china cabinet with Waterford crystal," Johnston said, only to be corrected by her daughter: "You had a china cabinet; that's shot."

Although her own home was spared from flooding, Monaco said much of her community was not as fortunate. Several houses burned to the ground, and a neighborhood was without heat or electricity for two weeks. Monaco quickly realized she could not care for her mother, who was shivering under a mountain of blankets. Within days of Sandy's departure, Monaco said she was lucky to find a space for her mother at the Bristal facility in Massapequa, about two miles from Johnston's home.

Johnston still is adjusting to her new surroundings, where residents are monitored by staff and given three meals a day, plus a spectrum of activities from music appreciation seminars and Bingo to trips to Broadway shows.

"I have been an independent person," Johnston said. "This is the first time in my life that I felt old, and it's a little shocking. It is a tremendous emotional adjustment."

Anne Pinter, senior vice president of the national assisted-living company Atria, said her company's Northeast facilities saw an 18 percent increase in occupancy during October and November, compared with a year ago.

Patty Tucker, a spokeswoman for the Health Care Association of New Jersey ? a trade group representing assisted living facilities and nursing homes ? said there has been an increase in temporary admissions to assisted living facilities.

But she said it may be too soon to know if those seeking shelter while their homes are repaired will remain permanently. Pinter said her company typically sees about a 30 percent retention rate in those who initially move in temporarily and then opt for permanent residence.

Lorraine Miller lived in her ranch house in the Harbor Isle community of Island Park for 41 years until four feet of water came gushing in during the storm. Miller, who turned 84 on Dec. 24, used to work as a dental assistant for her late husband. He children had been prodding her for years to sell the house and move to assisted living. She finally relented after the storm.

"I really didn't want to go because I love my home," she said. But Sandy was the clincher that convinced her to move; she now lives at an Atria facility in Lynbrook. "I can't go back at this age and start buying furniture and appliances and all the rest. I'm better off here where I get three delicious meals a day and they come and clean up your apartment and make your bed. What could be better?"

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-01-07-Superstorm-Assisted%20Living/id-39cfb8f675dc4d348025cb4017c82c3b

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Police among 13 suspects slain in Philippine clash

ATIMONAN, Philippines (AP) ? At least three police personnel were among 13 suspected criminals who were gunned down in a shootout with Philippine security forces at a highway checkpoint, officials said Monday.

Gunmen riding in three black SUVs opened fire on more than 50 army and police troopers who flagged down the vehicles late Sunday in the coastal town of Atimonan in Quezon province, about 140 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of Manila.

Eleven suspects died on the spot, including a police colonel who was a regional commander and two other officers, said police spokesman Erwin Obal. Authorities were checking the identities of two other victims on suspicion they were either former or current members of the intelligence service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Obal said.

Two gunmen jumped out of one of the cars and fired from a roadside canal, said Lt. Col. Monico Abang, who led an army platoon in the clash. The rest stayed in two vehicles, which troops raked with gunfire on a sparsely populated stretch of the highway.

More gunmen fired from a third vehicle, which turned around and fled, Abang said. Authorities didn't say how many suspects were believed to have escaped.

Security personnel sometimes collude with criminal syndicates to rob banks or traffic narcotics in an underworld that often includes corrupt politicians. Abang said an initial investigation showed that the gunmen were likely members of a gun-for-hire group operating in provinces south of Manila.

"They rolled down their windows and started firing, so we had to retaliate," Abang said by cellphone from the scene of the clash. "They were clearly outnumbered and outgunned."

On the side of the security forces, a police colonel was shot in the hand and foot and taken to a hospital.

Abang said the army and police had set up the checkpoint after an informant told police that gunmen involved in illegal drugs, gambling and kidnapping for ransom would pass through Atimonan in mountainous Quezon, where communist guerrillas have a presence.

The latest violence followed two other deadly shootings that have revived calls for tighter gun control in the Philippines, where there are more than half a million unlicensed firearms, according to police estimates.

A man who reportedly was drunk and high on drugs killed eight people before being gunned down by police on Friday in Kawit town in Cavite province, 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Manila.

A 7-year-old girl died a day after being hit in the head by a stray bullet while watching fireworks with her family on New Year's Eve outside their home in Caloocan city, near Manila, despite a high-profile government campaign against powerful firecrackers and celebratory gunfire by Filipinos to welcome 2013.

Earlier Sunday, before the shootout, presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte told reporters that President Benigno Aquino III, a known gun enthusiast, would study gun-control proposals with other officials. Among the proposals is a call by anti-gun groups to ban the carrying of firearms by civilians outside their homes.

The proliferation of firearms has long fueled crime, political violence and Muslim and communist rebellions that have raged for decades in parts of the Philippines. Previous attempts by authorities to clamp down on unregistered weapons have yielded few results in a country where several politically powerful clans and families control private armed groups in provincial strongholds outside Manila.

___

Associated Press writers Jim Gomez and Teresa Cerojano in Manila contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/police-among-13-suspects-slain-philippine-clash-022232708.html

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Lenovo to release giant 27-inch 'coffee table PC'

An image provided by Lenoovo shows the IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC that they say is the first "interpersonal computer." It is a PC the size of a coffee table that works like a gigantic tablet and lets four people use it at once. (AP Photo/Lenovo)

An image provided by Lenoovo shows the IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC that they say is the first "interpersonal computer." It is a PC the size of a coffee table that works like a gigantic tablet and lets four people use it at once. (AP Photo/Lenovo)

LAS VEGAS (AP) ? Dismayed that family members are spread out over the house, each with a separate PC or tablet? Lenovo has something it believes will get them back together: a PC the size of a coffee table that works like a gigantic tablet and lets four people use it at once.

Lenovo Group Ltd., one of the world's largest PC makers, is calling the IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC the first "interpersonal computer" ? as opposed to a "personal computer."

At first glance, it looks like a regular all-in-one machine in the vein of the iMac: It's a 27-inch screen with the innards of a Windows 8 computer built into it, and it can stand up on a table.

But you can pick it up off the table, unhook the power cord and lay it flat for games of "Monopoly." It's big enough to fit four people around it, and the screen can respond to ten fingers touching it at the same time.

As a tablet, it's a monstrosity. The screen is the size of eight iPads stitched together, and it weighs 15 pounds. It's almost as homebound as a flat-panel TV.

The Table PC will include plastic "strikers" for "Air Hockey," and joysticks that attach to the screen for other games, including multiplayer shooter "Raiding Company."

Lenovo, a Chinese company that owns IBM Corp.'s former PC business, said the Table PC will go on sale this summer starting at $1,699. It's being unveiled this week at the International CES gadget show in Las Vegas.

Microsoft Corp. pioneered the idea of a table PC with the Surface, a PC with a 30-inch touch-sensitive screen released in 2008. It was designed for store displays and other commercial applications. The concept is now called PixelSense, as Microsoft started using the "Surface" name for an unrelated tablet computer last year.

More recently, Sony Corp. released the Tap 20, an all-in-one PC that can also be laid flat. But it's smaller than the Lenovo model, at 20 inches diagonally, and doesn't have as much table-oriented software as the Table PC.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2013-01-06-Gadget%20Show-Lenovo-Coffee-Table%20Tablet/id-f7aaa3015a5047afaa8b93fab19e9d27

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Volkswagen to push used car sales in Germany: paper

DEAR ABBY: I'm the youngest of three children and I'll be graduating from high school in the spring. My parents always seemed happy with each other. They were obviously in love, and they told my brothers and me they would never get divorced. Although they had arguments, they always made up, and it never seemed to be serious.For the last few months, my dad has been acting weird. He spends a lot of time talking to and texting "a friend" on the phone. The problem is, although the friend has a male name ("George") in his contacts, the person has a female voice. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/volkswagen-push-used-car-sales-germany-paper-124642469--finance.html

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Lenovo introduces Erazer X700 gaming desktop: dual graphics support for $1,499 and up

In addition to outing two new all-in-ones today, Lenovo is introducing the Erazer X700 gaming desktop. This $1,499-and-up setup is for big spenders, with dual graphics support -- up to two NVIDIA GeForce GTX660 chips or ATI CrossFireX, or up to dual AMD Radeon HD 8950 graphics -- and Onekey overclocking to increase processor speed by just clicking a button. The highest-end configuration will ship with a Core i7 Extreme processor, and users can add up to 4TB of storage thanks to hot-swap external drive bays. Of course, there's also an optical drive, and gamers can connect up to six monitors at once thanks to AMD Eyefinity technology. Finally, let's say a word or two about the design: the diamond-cut shape and blue accents look pretty dang sweet, if you ask us. Look for the X700 to drop in June.

Gallery: Lenovo Erazer X700 gaming desktop

Continue reading Lenovo introduces Erazer X700 gaming desktop: dual graphics support for $1,499 and up

Filed under: Gaming, Household, Lenovo

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