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Capital Bank Reports 134% Growth in Deposits, 92% Growth in Loans & 99% Growth in Assets

July 24, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
Capital Bank (OTCBB:CBJC) today announced results of operations for the second
quarter of 2010 marked by continued strong growth in loans, deposits and assets.
Deposits expanded by almost $43 million or 134% from the same period last year
to $74.2 million, while loans swelled 92% to $62.9 million by quarter end.
Assets nearly doubled climbing 99% to $85.6 million, a $42.6 million increase.
While the Bank reported a net loss of $594,000, more than $370,000 of this is
attributable to non-cash charges for stock option expense and to maintain
prudent loan loss reserves required by the outstanding loan growth the bank has
experienced. Further, the Bank`s overall operating loss has improved 43% from
the same period last year and is solely attributable to planned initial
operating costs as no operational or loan losses were incurred.

J.M. “Mike” Justice Jr., President & Chief Executive Officer, stated “We are on
the cusp of operating profitability as evidenced by the significant decline in
our net operating loss. Our ongoing strong growth in loans, the bank`s primary
earning asset, has resulted in a 127% increase in interest income compared to
the same period last year. I continue to be very pleased with our strong growth
pattern and success in executing our business plan. While many banks continue to
struggle to eliminate problem loans from their balance sheet and mitigate
further deterioration in earnings, we have no such problems and the future looks
very bright for Capital Bank.” Mr. Justice stated further that “While loan,
deposit and asset growth continue to be very strong for our Bank, we have not
sacrificed quality simply for the sake of growth. Our Bank holds no foreclosed
property, does not have a single past due or non-performing loan and maintains
prudent loan loss reserves equal to 1.46% of outstanding loans at quarter`s end.
Total capital continues to be exceptionally strong with total estimated risk
based capital of over 15%, well in excess of the regulatory standard of 10% to
be considered well capitalized. Mr. Justice stated further, “The strong growth
of our quality balance sheet combined with our ongoing positive earnings trend,
strong capital base and growing market share have been noted by the capital
markets; we are very pleased with our stock that continues to out-perform our
peers in these still uncertain times.”

John R. McGill, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, stated, “We
are very pleased that our strong performance and exceptional balance sheet
growth was recently recognized with a 4 Star Rating of Excellence from the
nationally recognized independent bank rating firm of Bauer Financial. We are
confident that our commitment to and success in executing our business plan will
continue to be recognized by the capital markets and rating agencies, as well as
develop significant long term shareholder value.”

Dedicated to becoming recognized as the Premier Business and Professional Bank
of south Orange County, by providing innovative financial solutions tailored to
the needs of our customers, which exceed their expectations, producing superior
shareholder value that become solutions recognized for…”Banking Outside the
Box.”

For Additional Information visit our website at: www.mycapitalbank.com.

Stock Symbol: OTCBB:CBJC

Market Makers:

Steve Arrigo, Senior Vice President (949) 644-1890
Crowell Weedon & Company

David Perry, Assistant Vice President (415) 538-5746
Howe, Barnes, Hoeffer & Arnett

Bauer Financial:

http://www.bauerfinancial.com

Information contained herein may contain certain forward-looking statements that
are based on management`s current expectations regarding economic, legislative,
and regulatory issues that may impact the Bank`s earnings in future periods.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate
strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words “believe,”
“expect,” “intend,” “estimate” or words of similar meaning, or future or
conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may.” Factors
that could cause future results to vary materially from current management
expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions,
changes in interest rates, deposit flows, real estate values, and competition;
changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; changes in legislation
or regulation; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and
technological factors affecting the Bank`s operations, pricing, products and
services. The Bank undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of
any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.

CAPITAL BANK

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA -UNAUDITED

(All figures in thousands) as of:

Balance Sheet 6/30/10 6/30/09 Change %

Total Assets $ 86,635 $ 42,996 99 %

Gross Loans $ 62,908 $ 32,705 92 %

Total Deposits $ 74,159 $ 31,632 134 %

Total Shareholders` Equity $ 9,931 $ 11,049

Capital Bank
J.M. “Mike” Justice Jr , President & C.E.O.
949-489-4202
or
John R. McGill, Executive Vice President & C.O.O.
949-489-4203

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Asset Growth, balance sheet, business plan, business wire, Cash Charges, chief executive officer, cusp, deterioration, Foreclosed Property, Interest Income, loan growth, Loan Loss Reserves, Loan Losses, Mike Justice, mr justice, Operating Profitability, Problem Loans, San Juan Capistrano, second quarter, Stock Option Expense

Wrinkles, not skin cancer risk, scare indoor tanners

May 18, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Washington, May 18 (ANI): Young women were more likely to stay away from indoor tanning if they were warned that the practice could increase their risk of getting leathery, wrinkled skin, than being warned about risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, a study found.

The study found a 75 percent reduction in indoor tanning visits if girls were warned of skin deterioration and turning unattractive.

“They””re not worried about skin cancer, but they are worried about getting wrinkled and being unattractive,” said June Robinson, a professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and senior author of the study.

The study examined the best strategy to wean college-age women who are considered addicted or pathological tanners from tanning salons.

“The fear of looking horrible trumped everything else. It was the most persuasive intervention, regardless of why they were going to tan,” said Robinson.

The research showed warning them about the effects on their appearance caused a 35 percent drop in their indoor tanning visits, which were measured at intervals up to six months after the intervention.

Joel Hillhouse, lead author of the paper, noted that some women in the study eventually stopped tanning.

“It was a progressive kind of thing. At first the women said they tried sunless tanning as an alternative, but over time they gave up tanning altogether,” he said.

Between 25 to 40 percent of older adolescent girls visit tanning salons, according to the study””s authors.

The study included 435 college women, ages 18 to 22, who visited tanning salons.

Within this population, researchers focused on women who visited salons up to four times a week – more than what is needed to maintain a tan – and who tanned for psychological reasons, not just for a special event.

These tanners included one group who strongly disliked the natural colour of their skin, which was related to a psychological condition called body dysmorphia.

“They thought their skin was disgusting when it was pale,” said Hillhouse.

The other group, who said tanning made them feel happier and more relaxed, showed symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) on a diagnostic psychological test.

“They were self medicating their own depression,” said Robinson, noting that lying in a tanning bed produces internal opioids.

The women received a 25-page booklet, authored by Hillhouse, that discussed the effect of tanning on appearance and explained how ultraviolet rays destroy collagen in the skin.

The booklet also offered many alternatives to meet the women””s needs for tanning, such as taking an exercise class for socializing and relaxation or getting a spray-on tan or self-tanning cream application at a spa.

After reading the booklet, the women reported their attitudes and behaviours twice a week in diaries.

The study results surprised researchers.

“The hypothesis was because this was an appearance intervention, it would have less of an effect on the people tanning for mood problems. We found the opposite. The intervention worked just as well for people with seasonal affective disorder as for people who didn””t like their skin color. That means it””s a really good intervention for everyone,” said Hillhouse.

Robinson stressed it was also important to offer women alternatives to tanning salons.

The study has been published in Archives of Dermatology. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: adolescent girls, College Age Women, College Women, dermatology, deterioration, feinberg school of medicine, Hillhouse, Indoor Tanning, melanoma, Natural Colour, northwestern university feinberg school of medicine, Psychological Condition, Psychological Reasons, school of medicine, skin cancer, skin cancer risk, Tanning Salons, women ages, Wrinkled Skin, wrinkles

Cheese boosts seniors” immune systems

May 14, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Washington, May 14 (ANI): Cheese can help preserve and enhance the immune system of the elderly by acting as a carrier for probiotic bacteria, say scientists in Finland.

The research, published in FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology, reveals that daily consumption of probiotic cheese helps to tackle age-related changes in the immune system.

“The increase in the proportion of aged individuals in modern society makes finding innovative ways to thwart the deterioration of the immune system a priority,” said lead author Dr Fandi Ibrahim from the University of Turku in Finland. “The intake of probiotic bacteria has been reported to enhance the immune response through other products and now we have discovered that cheese can be a carrier of the same bacteria.”

Dr Ibrahim”s team believes that the daily intake of probiotic cheese can tackle the age-related deterioration of the immune system known as immunosenescene.

This deterioration means the body is unable to kill tumour cells and reduces the immune response to vaccinations and infections. Infectious diseases, chronic inflammation disorders and cancer are hallmarks of Immunosenescene.

To tackle immunosenescene the team targeted the gastrointestinal tract, which is the main entry for bacteria cells into the body through food and drink and is also the site where 70 percent of vital immunoglobulin cells are created.

The team asked volunteers aged between 72 and 103, all of which lived in the same care home, to eat one slice of either placebo or probiotic Gouda cheese with their breakfast for four weeks. Blood tests where then carried out to discover the effect of probiotic bacteria contained within the cheese on the immune system.

The results revealed a clear enhancement of natural and acquired immunity through the activation of NK blood cells and an increase in phagocytic activity.

“The aim of our study was to see if specific probiotic bacteria in cheese would have immune enhancing effects on healthy older individuals in a nursing home setting,” concluded Ibrahim. “We have demonstrated that the regular intake of probiotic cheese can help to boost the immune system and that including it in a regular diet may help to improve an elderly person”s immune response to external challenges.” (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: blood cells, blood tests, chronic inflammation, deterioration, Fandi, food and drink, gastrointestinal tract, Gouda Cheese, hallmarks, immune response, immune systems, immune-system, immunology, infectious diseases, Medical Microbiology, Probiotic Bacteria, tumour cells, University Of Turku, University Of Turku In Finland, vaccinations

Fitch sees Thai finances hit, concerned on local rating

April 13, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

BANGKOK, April 12 (Reuters) – Credit rating agency Fitch said on Monday it is “particularly concerned” about the local currency rating of Thailand clashes between security forces and protesters that saw 21 people killed at the weekend.

“We expect a deterioration in public finaces of Thailand, given the escalated political uncertainty, we are particularly concerned about the local currency sovereign rating of Thailand,” Vincent Ho, associate director of Fitch’s Asia Sovereign ratings, told Reuters by telephone from Hong Kong.

Fitch rates Thailand’s foreign currency debt as “BBB” with a stable outlook while the local currency is rated “A-minus” with a stable outlook.

(Reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan; Editing by David Chance)

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Qantas apologises for recent problems

April 10, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Qantas boss Alan Joyce has defended the airline’s safety record after a string of mechanical problems.

Seven Qantas planes have suffered equipment failures over the past two weeks including a cracked windscreen, brake issues and wing flap defects.

Mr Joyce says he is sorry about the delays but safety is not an issue for the airline.

“The issues that occurred over Easter we apologise for – the inconvenience that would cause to customers,” he said.

“But they don’t signal a deterioration in Qantas safety and maintenance records because the statistics clearly indicate that this happens to every airline in the world.”

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Minister urged to rethink police station closure

March 25, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The Lockhart Shire Council will today plead its case for the Yerong Creek police station to be reopened after its closure last week.

The officer from Yerong Creek has now been seconded permanently to The Rock.

The Member for Wagga Wagga, Daryl Maguire, says Police Minister Michael Daley should overturn the decision of the Police Force Southern Region Command.

Council officials and Mr Maguire will today meet the Wagga Wagga local area commander, Superintendent David Simmons, to discuss the closure.

The general manager of Lockhart Shire Council, Chris Gallagher, says he and other representatives will ask for the decision to be reversed.

“It’s one of those cases where you won’t know until you try. There is certainly a lot of community feelings that the police station is required in Yerong Street, it has been, Yerong Creek rather, it has been there for many, many years,” he said.

“The local community in that area does rely on having its own police station. Whether or not we can convince whoever needs to be convinced we’re not sure but we’re certainly going to do our best.”

The Police Association says while it agrees with the closure decision, neglect of police properties led to the Yerong Creek building’s deterioration to the point of it not being habitable.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: activism-and-lobbying, Chris Gallagher, closure, council officials, David Simmons, deterioration, feelings, led, local area, Local Community, Local Government, lockhart, Michael Daley, Mr Maguire, neglect, police, Police Association, police force, police minister, police station, states-and-territories, superintendent, Wagga Wagga, wagga-wagga-2650, yerong-creek-2642

Gallagher confident of striking gold

March 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Australia’s first female Winter Paralympic Games medallist Jessica Gallagher is not doubting her ability to contend for giant slalom gold in Vancouver on Wednesday.

Gallagher took out bronze in the visually impaired women’s skiing at Whistler on Monday morning (AEDT), Australia’s first medal of the Games.

She posted a time of 0:57.77 to finish third behind Austrian Sabine Gasteiger and Canada’s Viviane Forest.

The 24-year-old, whose birthday was yesterday, is eager to add to her medal swag with guide Eric Bickerton.

“We hope to take the momentum and confidence through to the next race,” she said.

“We never say never. Gold is within reach.

“We’ll definitely be going for gold in giant slalom on Tuesday, our final event.”

Gallagher has remarkably never competed at a Paralympic Games before this year.

She intended to participate in long jump and shot put in Beijing in 2008 but was disqualified when tests showed she was not sufficiently vision impaired.

Gallagher said the irony is not lost on her.

“It’s pretty ironic. One eye was eligible in Beijing but the other wasn’t,” she said.

“Unfortunately deterioration [of sight] is not a choice, it’s a guarantee. So hopefully now it will stop.

“In part it’s a relief [to medal], we’ve sacrificed a lot.

“Beijing was a big disappointment. To come back and win a medal, I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved.”

She said there is only one thing she would trade her Paralympics appearance for.

“If someone asked me would I prefer to compete as a Paralympian or have full sight, full sight would definitely be the thing I would want,” she said.

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CSIRO fights sinking interest in maths

March 15, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The CSIRO says it hopes to tackle the deterioration of mathematics in Australian education.

A report earlier in the week conducted by the Group of Eight universities found that maths had deteriorated to dangerous levels, with a 15 per cent drop in enrolments in Australian universities between 2001 and 2007.

But the CSIRO has announced several initiatives hoping to attract people to the professional level of mathematics including a graduate program.

The CSIRO’s Louise Ryan says the program hopes to develop the interest of students of mathematics.

“If we give them a chance to come and work with us at CSIRO and they get to see the kind of really exciting stuff that our mathematical staff are working on then that can really get them switched on and excited about pursuing higher education in mathematical sciences,” she said.

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PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti hurt in car mishap

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Doda (J and K), Sep.10 (ANI): Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti suffered minor facial injuries on Thursday when her car was involved in an accident.

The mishap occurred soon after she told a PDP workers’ convention that the spate of fatal road accidents in the Chenab valley region reflected the devastation, exploitation and neglect of the poorest of the poor in the state.

The PDP president said the huge loss of life caused by road accidents in Doda region could not be delinked from the fact that the condition of roads was the result of deterioration of geological and ecological conditions.

She also used the occasion to criticise the ruling National Conference-Congress coalition government in the state for not doing enough on power projects.

She urged the state government to focus on a return of control of natural resources to the state so that they are utilized for the betterment of our people.

She also touched on the subject of education, calling on the state government to take steps to usher in improvements in this sector. (ANI)

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Kashmir’s heritage garden all set to get a facelift

September 7, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Sep 7 (ANI): Kashmir’s heritage Emporium Garden is all set to get a facelift with the state government planning to spend rupees 15 million to restore the garden to its lost glory.

Located in Srinagar, the garden used to be under the British residency during the state’s erstwhile Dogra era, and the Britishers had planted many exquisite plants and flowers in this garden, which used to be a major tourist attraction before insurgency broke out in the valley.

Now once again, the authorities are working hard to beautify and renovate the garden.

“We have instructions to beautify the garden as fast as we can. And after a month you will see the garden in a new form. We have divided the work into three phases. Short term, where we can work immediately, mid term, where we can work on enhancing the garden all through the year and long term, that entails all the work that we can do in long term, to beautify the garden further and to present this garden to the people.

The people can come and witness for themselves how the garden has been restored to its lost glory,” said Ghulam Sarwar Naquash Director, Floriculture.

With the renovation work in full swing, residents hopes of seeing the garden restored to its lost glory are revived.

“Earlier lots of tourists used to come here, there used to be a fair as well but the deterioration in the situation in the valley also took toll on the garden as people stopped coming here. But now the work is being done to restore the garden and again we hope that once again the tourists will start coming here and fair will be held like it used to be in the earlier days,” said Shabir Ahmed, a resident.

The beautification plan focuses on the integrated development of the garden complex, with landscaping of the lawns, repair of the drainage system.

The authorities hope that the restoration of the Emporium Garden will help to develop the site as a hot spot for tourists. (ANI)

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New compound could be a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s disease

July 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, July 13 (ANI): A compound called NIC5-15 has been found to be a safe and effective treatment to stabilize cognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease patients, according to a study.

The two researchers in the study, Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti, and Dr. Hillel Grossman, have presented the Phase IIA preliminary clinical findings, and have said that NIC5-15′s potential to preserve cognitive performance will be further evaluated in a Phase IIB clinical trial.

Early evidence has suggested that NIC5-15 is a safe and tolerable natural compound that may reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia by preventing the formation of beta-amyloid plaque.

Beta-amyloid plaque is a waxy substance that accumulates between brain cells and impacts cognitive function.

“With Alzheimer’s disease affecting 5.2 million Americans, another 5 million with early-state disease, and nearly a half million new cases reported annually, treatments like NIC5-15 would make a significant difference in the lives of many Alzheimer’s patients. We are hopeful that the follow up clinical study will support this preliminary evidence,” said Pasinetti.

Grossman said: “There are no FDA-approved Alzheimer’s disease modifying drugs available today.”

He added: “Current drugs approved for use help maintain cognitive function, but only for a limited time. NIC5-15 is part of a new class of natural compound we found to have the potential of precluding the generation of _-amyloid and, eventually, attenuating cognitive deterioration in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease.”

The Phase IIA preliminary clinical findings of the study were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD) in Vienna. (ANI)

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‘India can sustain 8 to 9 per cent growth rate’

July 11, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

On Board special flight, July 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said India should be able to sustain with little bit difficulty growth rate of 8 to 9 per cent notwithstanding difficulties on the international front.

Addressing a press conference onboard after attending the G8-G5 summit at L’Aquila in Italy, Dr. Singh said, “India’s saving is 35 per cent with normal capital output 4:1. I am confident that India will come out of this crisis stronger, but it will be a difficult road to travel.”

“Our exports have suffered, capital flows from abroad have declined, and international bank lending to the developing countries have declined. Therefore, challenge for us is to sustain and revive the growth which we have built up in last five years notwithstanding the deterioration,” he added.

The Prime Minister further said: “All available indicators of 2009 points to weakening of US and European economies and therefore one can say that the global environment for development of the countries of third world has undergone on sharp deterioration.”

Earlier, Dr. Singh expressed confidence that the country can achieve eight to nine per cent growth rate in the coming two to three years and the government will be working to achieve it.

The Prime Minister emphasized that though the fiscal deficit is high, there is a need to rapidly expand economy, create jobs and resources for spending on flagship programmes on education, health, rural development and scope for expansion in infrastructure development. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)

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2000-year-old statue of Greek athlete sheds light on metal corrosion

July 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, July 9 (ANI): The restoration of a 2,000-year-old bronze sculpture of the famed ancient Greek athlete Apoxyomenos may help modern scientists understand how to prevent metal corrosion, discover the safest ways to permanently store nuclear waste, and understand other perplexing problems.

That’s the conclusion of a new study on the so-called “biomineralization” of Apoxyomenos.

Best known as “The Scraper,” the statue depicts an athlete scraping sweat and dust from his body with a small curved instrument.

Scientist Davorin Medakovic and his team point out that Apoxyomenos was discovered in 1998 on floor of the Adriatic Sea.

While the discovery was a bonanza for archaeologists and art historians, it also proved to be an unexpected boon to scientists trying to understand biomineralization.

Biomineralization is the process in which animals and plants use minerals from their surroundings and form shells and bone.

Apoxyomenos was encrusted with such deposits.

“As studies of long-term biofouled manmade structures are limited, the finding of an ancient sculpture immersed for two millennia in the sea provided a unique opportunity to probe the long-term impact of a specific artificial substrate on biomineralizng organisms and the effects of biocorrosion,” according to the researchers.y evaluating the mineral layers and fossilized organisms on the statue, the researchers were able to evaluate how underwater fouling organisms and communities interacted with the statue as well as how certain mineral deposits on the bronze sculpture slowed its deterioration. (ANI)

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Journalist who predicted Jacko’s death says greed killed him

June 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Melbourne, June 29 (ANI): It was greed that killed the King of Pop Michael Jackson, says a journalist, who predicted last December that the singer was in such poor health that he had six months to live.

According to the London Daily Mail, Ian Halperin spent five years inside the Jackson camp and saw the mental and physical deterioration suffered by the star.

When the reporter made his shocking prediction, Jackson’s people dismissed it as “a complete fabrication”.

However, six months and one day later, Halperin’s prediction turned out to be true.ccording to him, the workload of preparing for 50-concert schedule took their toll on the 50-year-old’s weak body.

“It was greed that killed Michael Jackson,” the Courier Mail quoted Halperin as saying.

“It was clear that he was in no condition to do a single concert, let alone 50.

“He could no longer sing, for a start. On some days he could barely talk. He could no longer dance.

“Disaster was looming in London and, in the opinion of his closest confidantes, he was feeling suicidal,” Halperin added. (ANI)

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Rise in CO2 levels 200 mln yrs ago led to sudden collapse in plant biodiversity

June 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, June 19 (ANI): In a new study, scientists have found that a rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels 200 million years ago led to a sudden ancient collapse in plant biodiversity.

The evidence for the collapse in the plant biodiversity was unearthed by scientists in the form of 200 million-year-old fossil leaves collected in East Greenland.

The researchers were surprised to find that a likely candidate responsible for the loss of plant life was a small rise in the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, which caused Earth’s temperature to rise.

Global warming has long been considered as the culprit for extinctions, but the surprise, according to this research, is that much less carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere may be needed to drive an ecosystem beyond its tipping point than previously thought.

Until this research, the pace of the extinctions was thought to have been gradual, taking place over millions of years.

It has been notoriously difficult to tease out details about the pace of extinction using fossils, scientists say, because fossils can provide only snap-shots or glimpses of organisms that once lived.

Using a technique developed by scientist Peter Wagner of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., the researchers were able to detect, for the first time, very early signs that these ancient ecosystems were already deteriorating, before plants started going extinct.

The method reveals early warning signs that an ecosystem is in trouble in terms of extinction risk.

“The differences in species abundances for the first 20 meters of the cliffs (in East Greenland) from which the fossils were collected are of the sort you expect,” said Wagner.

“But, the final 10 meters show dramatic loses of diversity that far exceed what we can attribute to sampling error: the ecosystems were supporting fewer and fewer species,” he added.

By the year 2100, it’s expected that the level of CO2 in the modern atmosphere may reach as high as two and a half times today’s level.

“This is of course a ‘worst case scenario,” said Jennifer McElwain of University College Dublin, the research paper’s lead author. “But it’s at exactly this level (900 parts per million) at which we detected the ancient biodiversity crash,” she added.

“We must take heed of the early warning signs of deterioration in modern ecosystems,” she said.

According to the scientists, the majority of modern ecosystems have not yet reached their tipping point in response to climate change, but many have already entered a period of prolonged ecological change. (ANI)

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Tension along India-Bangladesh border over barbed wire fencing

May 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Tripura, May 23 (ANI): Tension prevailed along the India-Bangladesh border on the outskirts of Akhwara region, in Tripura, over the construction of a barbed wire fencing by the Border Security Force (BSF).

The villagers are concerned as the newly constructed barbed wire fence will block free access to the graveyard, which would now fall on the other side of the fence.

The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), the border guard of Bangladesh, has raised objection to the move of BSF saying that the treaty signed between the two nations prohibits construction of the fence within 150 yards from the border pillar on both sides.

A mass protest against the BSF move and people demanded free access to their burial land.

The local councilor gave assurances to the villagers that their grievances would be addressed with utmost priority. “It (Graveyard) will not be covered by the fencing.

BSF will not erect fencing just in front of the graveyard. They will be able to use the graveyard freely,” said Ratan Das, local councilor.

Villegers complained that the BSF constructed the fence at night and did not consult them. They now allege that their life is under threat as the forces may fire at them.

Amina Khatun, a local protester said, “BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) as well as BSF had taken gun positions against each other. BSF instructed us to move away with our children as there may be firing at any moment. We are not against fencing but we want the access to burial ground.”

A meeting at company commander level on Akhaura border has been organized by BSF and BDR to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Tension prevails in the area and the villagers on both sides of the border are reported to be moving to safer places.(ANI)

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Elderly people’s appetite linked to mortality

May 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, May 13 (ANI): A new study has found a link between elderly people’s appetite and mortality rates.

The study by a Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researcher has demonstrated a link between the Daily Activity Energy Expenditure (DAEE– an accurate measurement of total physical activity), appetite and mortality among well functioning community-dwelling adults.

According to the study, information on an elderly patient’s eating habits may be important for health providers regarding risk for patient deterioration and mortality.

“These findings are important because they show how subjective appetite measurement can predict death, even when adjusting for health and many other variables,” said Dr. Danit Shahar, a researcher with BGU’s S. Daniel Abraham International Center for Health and Nutrition and Department of Epidemiology.

“Past studies failed to show an association with survival. It was thought that decreased appetite may be an indicator or a result to other health problems, and that malnutrition, rather than low appetite was associated with mortality,” Shahar added.

Shahar analyzed data from the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study to demonstrate that higher DAEE is strongly associated with increased appetite, resulting in lower risk of mortality in healthy older adults.

Using 298 older participants (ages 70-82 years) in the Health ABC study, researchers analyzed DAEE and dietary factors, including self-reported appetite, enjoyment of eating and intake assessed by the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI).

Participants who reported improved appetite were at lower risk for mortality. Similarly, participants who reported good appetite at baseline had a low risk for mortality.

The results remained significant taking into account health status, physical activity, demographic and nutritional indices. Follow up was nine years.

The study is published in the May issue of the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. (ANI)

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`I love my players like family,’ says Fergie

May 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 4 (ANI): Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has admitted he gets so close to his players he ends up loving them like family.

This, he adds, makes the eventual parting of the ways so painful.

As he prepared United for tomorrow’s showdown with Arsenal, Ferguson said: “I’m at a great club and the driving demand to always be at the top is a good for me.

“I love getting up in the morning. I like getting in to training early and watching the players train. I’ve never lost that. The leadership qualities needed at a club like Manchester United are high. You have to have respect from the players. The horrible part of football is you fall in love with your players. A time comes when you see a deterioration and you know you have to make the change. A lot of people can’t do it,” The Sun quoted him, as saying.
Ferguson admits he hates it when he has to unload players who have been with him for years.

He said: “They’re like your family, but you must make those changes.” (ANI)

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US incapable of protecting Australia anymore, says Rudd

May 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Sydney, May 2 (ANI): Acknowledging that the supremacy of the United States has begun to fade, Australia’s new defense plan prepares the country’s forces to be less reliant on America.

In a fundamental shift in defense plans, the Kevin Rudd Government has clearly stated that US primacy in the Asia-Pacific – the bedrock of the nation’s security since World War II – may be ending.

A 20-year defense blueprint predicts that the rise of new great powers such as China, is set to produce growing regional tensions and a “sudden deterioration” in Australia’s security.

The plan prepares for a multibillion-dollar build-up of naval and air forces to ensure that Australia can defend its northern and sea approaches.

The blueprint further says that a regional shake-up is under way, but US supremacy will not be blunted before 2030, and assesses the chances of an attack on Australia in the short term as “very remote”.

The white paper called, ‘Defending Australia In The Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030′, is the first since 2000 and outlines a range of security threats, including instability caused by the financial crisis, cyber warfare, failed states in the Pacific, Islamist terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and climate change.

“Australia must ensure it can protect itself amid an emerging range of great powers in the region – particularly China, India and Russia – which could lead to a “miscalculation” with disturbing consequences for Australia,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted the defense plan, as saying.

“That order is being transformed as economic changes start to bring about changes in the distribution of strategic power. Risks resulting from escalating strategic competition could emerge quite unpredictably,” it added

The Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, said the world faced “the beginning of the end” of the unquestioned dominance of Australia’s principal ally since the Cold War. (ANI)

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All Pak nuclear installations in safe hands: Zardari

April 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.27 (ANI): Responding to concerns of the United States and the international community over its nuclear arsenal, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said all nuclear installations in the country are safe.

“All Pakistani nuclear installations are under extra security. I want to assure the world that nuclear capabilities in Pakistan are in safe hands,” The News quoted Zardari, as saying.

Recently, Washington had expressed serious concern over the threat to ‘scattered’ nuclear installations in Pakistan.

Perturbed by the Taliban’s surge, US Secretary of States Hillary Clinton had said the deterioration of security in nuclear-armed Pakistan “posed a mortal threat to the security and safety of our country and the world.”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, had also expressed concern that Pakistan may implode with nuclear weapons in near future, and also “use” them.

“My biggest concern is that if Pakistan gets to a point where it implodes, you’ve got a country that could be an Islamist, theocratic country with nuclear weapons which could both use them and proliferate them. One of our goals is to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Admiral Mullen had said. (ANI)

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