Flushing Nemo: Home aquarium species a potential threat to California waters

Well-intentioned children and aquarium hobbyists seeking to ?free? their pet fish down a toilet bowl or into a local waterway may inadvertently be contributing to the threat of invasive species downstream, according to a new report from the University of California, Davis.

In a report released today to the California Ocean Protection Council, lead author Susan Williams, an evolution and ecology professor with the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, found that more than 11 million non-native ornamental marine individuals ? such as tropical fish, seaweed and snails bound for aquariums ? representing at least 102 species are being imported annually through California?s ports of San Francisco and Los Angeles, primarily from Indonesia and the Philippines. And 13 of those species have been introduced to California marine waters ? presumably after being released from aquariums.

While that number is low, the report cautions that 69 percent of the introduced species established themselves successfully in California, signaling a potential threat to marine ecosystems. Some non-native, invasive species can rapidly spread and outcompete native species for food and habitat.

?Although relatively few aquarium species have been introduced compared to species in other pathways, such as ballast water, they are highly successful because they?re grown to be hardy and robust,? Williams said. ?They have to be tough to survive in the trade.?

The aquarium trade represents a $1 billion a year global industry and a popular home hobby, second only to photography, the report said. It has also introduced some of the world?s worst invasive species, such as the seaweed Caulerpa, the ?killer algae? that infected two lagoons in Southern California in 2000 and cost California more than $6 million to eradicate.

Another invader is the highly predatory lionfish, which regularly enters the state?s ports through the aquarium trade ? 20 lionfish were imported into San Francisco International Airport on a single day, the report said. Introduced to Florida in 1999, it spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean Sea and along the East Coast by 2010. Lionfish have not been reported in California waters, but the fish is able to withstand cooler temperatures. If released, a lionfish could establish itself as far north as San Francisco Bay and, even farther, as oceans continue to warm, the report said.

While the report highlighted lionfish and Caulerpa as species of special concern, it identified at least 34 species deemed able to tolerate California?s current marine climate.

The report is one of six that the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory coordinated for the state, each exploring a different vector, or pathway, through which invasive species can enter California ocean waters. The other pathways include aquaculture, live seafood, live bait, fishing vessels and recreation vessels. Williams said it makes sense to focus on invasive threats from the aquarium trade because they can be managed primarily through public education, with minimal regulatory action or expensive measures.

?Unlike some other vectors, we can easily prevent unwanted introductions from the aquarium trade,? she said. ?Aquarium hobbyists can follow some simple practices ? like ?Don?t dump your aquarium? ? to avoid releasing aquarium species into natural water where they can become an expensive and harmful pest.? Williams said that people who no longer want an aquarium species can contact the vendor from which the species came or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife? (formerly called California Department of Fish and Game) to learn how to dispose of or return it responsibly.

For the risk assessment, researchers analyzed state and federal agency databases of non-native species associated with ornamental aquariums, as well as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspection records for live animals imported into California ports, and state permit records for restricted species. The researchers also observed a routine, one-day inspection of live organisms arriving in air cargo at San Francisco International Airport for a snapshot view of the inspection process.

The scientists discovered several data limitations: Regulatory agencies do not track the ultimate destination of the aquarium species once they clear customs, so it is unknown how many species stay in California once they arrive.

Both Caulerpa and lionfish are also readily available for sale over the Internet, which presents a data gap for researchers and a regulatory challenge for agencies.

Further, regulatory authority for the trade is fragmented across state and federal agencies, and there is no central source of information on the species, regulations, permits or other relevant records.

?From the hobbyist or industry side, it is really hard to figure out the rules and regulations for holding live organisms in the state ? for importing, possessing and trading them,? said Williams. ?So one of our conclusions is that a more centralized information and permitting system would benefit the regulators, industry and hobbyists, and enable scientists to collect more information and better assess the risk.?

The study was funded by the California Ocean Protection Council and California Ocean Science Trust.

Source: http://oakdale.news10.net/news/environment/109387-flushing-nemo-home-aquarium-species-potential-threat-california-waters

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Even The Department Of Homeland Security Wants You To Disable Your Java

We've been concerned about the security of Java for a while now. There was that vulnerability that affected like a billion computers, and Apple went so far as to remove Java plugins from all OSX browsers. Now even the Department of Homeland Security is in on the act with a special message: "Yo, shut off that Java jazz". More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/dwv7LxYY2rA/even-the-department-of-homeland-security-wants-you-to-disable-your-java

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Who stole precious relics from church in Missouri town?

The relics were taken from several reliquaries at Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Nine relics were taken from the Catholic church
  • The church is named for Ste. Genevieve, patron saint of Paris
  • The town is known for its rich French-German history

(CNN) -- Small in size, the saints' relics provide a precious spiritual connection for parishioners at Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church.

Still, the church's pastor and police in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, a river town settled by French colonists in the mid-18th century, are mystified as to why someone would steal nine of them.

They hold little monetary value and would be difficult to sell without their paperwork.

"We are kind of at a loss," police Sgt. Steven Poole told CNN Saturday.

The theft occurred sometime between Christmas Eve and January 4, when the dollar-coin-sized containers holding the nine relics were found empty. Those containers are displayed in larger vessels, called reliquaries, that sit on two side altars.

For many worshipers, saints help them get closer to Jesus Christ, according to the Rev. Dennis Schmidt.

Schmidt said the thief or thieves may have thought the relics, along with any small amount of gold or other metal with them, might make the job worthwhile.

Schmidt said he doubts anyone took the items, which can include portions of a saint's body or pieces of garment, for religious reasons.

"If they had taken one ... I can see that, but to take nine of them, it doesn't seem practical," he said.

"This will probably be something that will turn up somewhere once they realize there's no real street value," Police Chief Eric Bennett told CNN St. Louis affiliate KSDK.

The church has about two dozen relics, one of which belonged to Ste. Genevieve and was placed around the neck of her statue inside the church, said Schmidt. The relic of the patron saint of Paris is now in a secure location.

The relics have been part of the Ste. Genevieve parish since the 1930s and 1940s, when the pastor at that time brought them back from several trips he made to Rome and elsewhere in Europe.

"Some people are really upset ... (asking) why somebody would do this," Schmidt said of the theft.

Searches of area pawnshops have yielded none of the relics, Poole said. "We are hoping we can get help from the community, by word of mouth or at the church or (someone who) saw something."

Because of its history and decor, the church is popular with tourists visiting the largely Catholic town, an hour south of St. Louis. The parish was founded by Jesuits who came from Quebec.

Community leaders tout Historic Ste. Genevieve's heritage, charm and historic homes, some of which were built with distinctive vertical log construction. German immigrants who followed the French founders built rock and brick homes popular with visitors.

The town of about 4,400 is on the west bank of the Mississippi River.

Schmidt said the church, which serves about 1,100 families, will build a database to get a better handle on records and paperwork surrounding the relics. Leaders also are considering ways to secure the relics by placing them under glass attached to walls.

For now, he and others are praying for the return of the historic and spiritual items.

While Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church has insurance, the theft of the relics is no ordinary matter.

"How do we put value on it?" Schmidt asked.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/12/us/missouri-stolen-relics/index.html?eref=rss_latest

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MD Anderson study finds lung cancer patients live longer if they use beta-blockers while receiving radiotherapy

NCI Cancer Center News

Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer survive longer if they are taking beta-blockers while receiving radiotherapy, according to a study of 722 patients published in the cancer journal Annals of Oncology. Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reviewed the progress and outcomes of patients who had received radiotherapy as their main or first line of treatment for cancer.

Click here to read full press release.?

###

Among the research institutions NCI funds across the United States, it currently designates 67 as Cancer Centers. Largely based in research universities, these facilities are home to many of the NCI-supported scientists who conduct a wide range of intense, laboratory research into cancer?s origins and development. The Cancer Centers Program also focuses on trans-disciplinary research, including population science and clinical research. The centers? research results are often at the forefront of studies in the cancer field.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ncinewsreleases/~3/2F2StZlyNrk/BetaBlockerLungCancer

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What Should I Put On My Pet Dogs ID Tag | News, Featured Ads ...

381970399 12ab803094 z What Should I Put On My Pet Dogs ID Tag

So you have brought your little bundle of joy home and he is settling in with the family nicely. You have got him his own little bowl, bed, lead & collar. The next most important task is to get him a Pet ID Tag. ?I have had him chipped? I hear you say in response to this. Well, the fact that your new pet is chipped doesn?t affect the legality of having an ID tag on your pet when out in public.The Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar or tag with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner on it. A telephone number is optional but advisable. Owners can be fined up to ? 5,000 if their dog does not wear an identification tag.

Once you have found your perfect Pet ID Tag you are faced with having to decide what information to out on the tag. Many places will offer 4 lines of text with up to 20 characters on each.

Name
This is where many dog owners differ. Some prefer to include the dogs name whereas some prefer to keep this private (some believe that giving the name of the dog can help thieves) and instead only include the family surname. Please bare in mind though The Control of Dogs Order 1992 quoted above.

Address
As mentioned above the very least you should have is your house number/name & postcode. This would be beneficial if your dog is likely to roam the local neighbourhood. People would be able to bring you dog straight back to you without involving any vets or extra costs. Please always remember to update your address should you move.

Phone Numbers
It is best to always include an up to date phone number on the tag so that anyone that finds your dog can contact you immediately. Also bear in mind how contactable you will be on that number. Do you work in an environment which means you can?t look at your phone during the day? If so, it may be best to include the number of someone else, a family member for example, who will be contactable throughout the day. A landline & a mobile number is also advisable but again, please remember to update any numbers.

Optional Extras
If there is the space, always include any information that you think is worthwhile for the safety & security of your pet. Does he need medication; is he deaf; does he have food allergies? Information such as this could prove vital in a situation where your pet is in the hands of strangers. You may also wish to include that fact that your pet is chipped.

Always remember that a Pet ID Tag is a way of communicating important information on your dogs? behalf. If he was found by a stranger, what would you want him to say to them? It is best to think of your pet ID tag as peace of mind in case somehow you and your pet become separated.
Pet ID Tags these days do not need to be a boring, plain engraved tag. Pet Tags can have cool, unique designs which make an ID tag a fashion accessory as well as a safety mechanism. You can choose from a military style camo design or a Union Jack Flag. We have medical ID tags, funny ID tags, patterned ID tags, cute ID tags & many more. Engraving is sooo ?20th century?, with printed tags offering much cooler & many more designs with the flexibility of having a large amount of custom text. These tags are 100% waterproof, made to last and so stylish.
Medical & Informative Tags for Dogs
It is a sad fact that some dogs will become ill and need medication. We all love our pets and want to protect them. If you should find yourself in the position of your dog being diagnosed with a medical condition you may wonder what you can do to help protect them. One way is to protect with the use of a Medical Pet Dog ID Tag. These tags will let strangers know that you pet has a condition. These tags are double sided so you can include extra information on the reverse or simply include your telephone number or even the vets telephone number. These tags can contain information such as; I?m Deaf, I?m Blind, Medication Needed, I Have Allergies, I Have A Heart Condition, I Have Diabetes, I Have Arthritis and many more.
These tags can also be used to inform people that you have a working dog. You may wish to politely let members of the public know that your dog is trained to do a certain job. This could help with unwanted attention or help people understand the relationship between you and your dog. Again, these tags are double sided so you can include extra information on the reverse. These tags can contain information such as; Guide Dog, Hearing Dog, Service Dog, Assistance Dog, In Training, Autism Dog, Seizure Alert Dog & many more.
Help keep you and your dog safe with a Medical Pet Dog ID Tag from Pack Shack Pet Tags.

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Interesting news:

Source: http://www.123classifieds.us/news/what-should-i-put-on-my-pet-dogs-id-tag/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-should-i-put-on-my-pet-dogs-id-tag

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Olympusat plans growth in South Florida ? slideshow

Cameraman Gustavo Flores with Tom Mohler, CEO of Olympusat.

Staff South Florida Business Journal

Olympusat plans to expand its business in South Florida, adding 100 employees to its West Palm Beach-based headquarters over the next 12 months.

The company specializes in providing independent television programmings networks, mostly faith-based or Spanish language. In Friday's print edition, Olympusat CEO Tom Mohler discusses the company's plans for future growth, especially in the Spanish-language market.

Click through the slideshow included with this post to see images of Olympusat's South Florida operations.

Source: http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_southflorida/~3/dTUIUz1OBsA/olympusat-slideshow.html

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Church Property Becomes Part of Davis College

After a year-long process, the Blessed Sacrament Church property in Johnson City is now officially a part of Davis College.

Representatives from the former Roman Catholic Church and Davis College met for a ceremonial deed exchange. The new addition will be called Chrisfield Campus-- it will feature a technology center, large chapel, ten classrooms, and two residential buildings.

"There's an emotion to all of that, and the celebration will come in the weeks and months to come because it's a great addition to our campus," said Davis College President Dr. Dino Pedrone.

The Davis College community is trying to raise two million dollars to complete the development of the new campus-- so far the school has raised half a million.

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Flu Hits U.S. Early and Hard

U.S. health officials announced early in December that this year?s influenza season had started early and they predicted it would hit hard. Unfortunately, as reports from around the country make clear, they were right. The flu began spreading on the East Coast by early November and soon worked its way west across the country. On January 9, New York City Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley asked residents with flu symptoms to call their primary doctor first before traveling to the city?s already crowded emergency rooms. Then Boston declared a public health emergency because physicians there were reporting a ten-fold increase in the number of flu cases, compared to last year?s much milder flu season. Public health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that the outbreak has not yet peaked and that anyone who was not yet vaccinated could still benefit from getting this season?s flu shot. Although it takes two weeks for a person to get the full benefits, the vaccine offers some degree of protection long before then. The flu vaccine is about 60 percent effective, but even people who come down with the flu after having been vaccinated are less likely to need to be hospitalized. This year?s vaccine is considered well-matched against the flu because it contains both the H3N2 strain that is predominant this year, as well as the H1N1 strain that has been circulating in smaller numbers. The last time the flu season started this early was in the winter of 2003-2004. Interestingly, the type of flu that predominated then as now was the H3N2 strain. Health officials estimate that this strain causes more severe illness because young people in particular have had less exposure to it. They also note that the flu hit before many people had a chance to get vaccinated. Other than vaccination, the best defense against catching the flu is to wash your hands regularly (or use a hand sanitizer), cover your cough and stay home if you get sick to avoid spreading the highly contagious virus to co-workers or people in hospitals and nursing homes. Follow Scientific American on Twitter @SciAm and @SciamBlogs. Visit ScientificAmerican.com for the latest in science, health and technology news.
? 2013 ScientificAmerican.com. All rights reserved.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/flu-hits-u-early-hard-185800033.html

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Marvel?s ?Guardians of the Galaxy? Shooting in London This Summer

Guardians of the Galaxy Script

Fans are waiting with bated breath to learn who?re playing the titular Guardians of the Galaxy ? whose ranks include Peter Quill/Star-Lord and Drax the Destroyer ? in director James Gunn?s Marvel comic book adaptation. The answer(s) are coming soon; though, of late, the actor shortlist seems to be growing, not narrowing.

In the meantime, Marvel Studio?s getting things in order for shooting?beginning this summer, shortly after the Russo brothers wrap production on Captain America: The Winter Soldier ? that being the other Marvel Cinematic Universe installment scheduled for 2014.

Guardians is a movie of interest for numerous reasons, not least of which being it?s the Phase Two entry that directly leads into Joss Whedon?s The Avengers 2 (with the official subtitle TBD) in May 2015. Similarly, it should properly introduce that sequel?s antagonist Thanos, following The Mad Titan?s fleeting appearance in the Avengers? mid-credits sequence.

Screen Daily is reporting that Guardians begins lensing at Shepperton Studios (of the Pinewood Group) in London sometime this summer. Director Alan Taylor shot portions of?Thor: The Dark World?on those sound stages, during production in the tail-end of last year; thus, keeping that Marvel sequel on schedule?for a November release, much like both The Winter Soldier and?Guardians?open twelve months after principal photography starts on the respective projects.

Gunn?s movie will require Green Lantern-levels of green screen material (and then some), to create its inter-galactic settings and characters. Thus, there shouldn?t be much in the way of on-location filming or leaked set photos for fans to inspect (like what happened on Avengers and the Thor sequel).

Guardians of the Galaxy Concept Art from Comic-Con 2012

Here is the (not) official Guardians synopsis:

['Guardians' is about] a U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants.

There are questions much bigger than casting decisions looming over Guardians, be it concerning what, exactly, is this ?twisted? take on the property that Gunn has up his sleeve; not to mention, whether or not the colorful alien characters focused on in the film will be as endearing to general audiences as Marvel heads are hoping. In that sense, Guardians is the most intriguing MCU installments since Thor, with regard to us finding how the fantastical property translates on the big screen (and still upholds its duties as an entry in a shared movie universe).

Iron Man 3?releases May 3rd, 2013,?Thor: The Dark World?on November 8th, 2013,?Captain America: The Winter Soldier?on April 4th, 2014,?Guardians of the Galaxy?on?August 1st, 2014,?The Avengers 2?on May 1st, 2015 and?Ant-Man?on November 6th, 2015.

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Source: Screen Daily

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Source: http://screenrant.com/marvel-guardians-galaxy-movie-production/

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