Recreating natural complex gene regulation

Public release date: 3-Feb-2013
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Contact: Richard Merritt
richard.merritt@duke.edu
919-660-8414
Duke University

DURHAM, N.C. By reproducing in the laboratory the complex interactions that cause human genes to turn on inside cells, Duke University bioengineers have created a system they believe can benefit gene therapy research and the burgeoning field of synthetic biology.

This new approach should help basic scientists as they tease out the effects of "turning on" or "turning off" many different genes, as well as clinicians seeking to develop new gene-based therapies for human disease.

"We know that human genes are not just turned on or off, but can be activated to any level over a wide range. Current engineered systems use one protein to control the levels of gene activation," said Charles Gersbach, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Duke's Pratt School of Engineering and member of Duke's Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy. "However, we know that natural human genes are regulated by interactions between dozens of proteins that lead to diverse outcomes within a living system.

"In contrast to typical genetics studies that dissect natural gene networks in a top-down fashion, we developed a bottom-up approach, which allows us to artificially simulate these natural complex interactions between many proteins that regulate a single gene," Gersbach said. "Additionally, this approach allowed us to turn on genes inside cells to levels that were not previously possible."

The results of the Duke experiments, which were conducted by Pablo Perez-Pinera, a senior research scientist in Gersbach's laboratory, were published on-line in the journal Nature Methods. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, The Hartwell Foundation, and the March of Dimes.

Human cells have about 20,000 genes which produce a multitude of proteins, many of which affect the actions of other genes. Being able to understand these interactions would greatly improve the ability of scientists in all areas of biomedical research. However because of the complexity of this natural system, synthetic biologists create simple gene networks to have precise control over each component. These scientists can use these networks for applications in biosensing, biocomputation, or regenerative medicine, or can use them as models to study the more complex natural systems.

"This new system can be a powerful new approach for probing the fundamental mechanisms of natural gene regulation that are currently poorly understood," Perez-Pinera said. "In this way, we can further the capacity of synthetic biology and biological programming in mammalian systems."

The latest discoveries were made possible by using a new technology for building synthetic proteins known as transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), which are artificial enzymes that can be engineered to "bind" to almost any gene sequences. Since these TALEs can be easily produced, the researchers were able to make many of them to control specific genes.

"All biological systems depend on gene regulation," Gersbach said. "The challenge facing bioengineering researchers is trying to synthetically recreate processes that occur in nature."

###

Other members of the team were Duke's David Ousterout, Jonathan Brunger, Alicia Farin, Katherine Glass, Farshid Guilak, Gregory Crawford, and Alexander Hartemink.

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 3-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Richard Merritt
richard.merritt@duke.edu
919-660-8414
Duke University

DURHAM, N.C. By reproducing in the laboratory the complex interactions that cause human genes to turn on inside cells, Duke University bioengineers have created a system they believe can benefit gene therapy research and the burgeoning field of synthetic biology.

This new approach should help basic scientists as they tease out the effects of "turning on" or "turning off" many different genes, as well as clinicians seeking to develop new gene-based therapies for human disease.

"We know that human genes are not just turned on or off, but can be activated to any level over a wide range. Current engineered systems use one protein to control the levels of gene activation," said Charles Gersbach, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Duke's Pratt School of Engineering and member of Duke's Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy. "However, we know that natural human genes are regulated by interactions between dozens of proteins that lead to diverse outcomes within a living system.

"In contrast to typical genetics studies that dissect natural gene networks in a top-down fashion, we developed a bottom-up approach, which allows us to artificially simulate these natural complex interactions between many proteins that regulate a single gene," Gersbach said. "Additionally, this approach allowed us to turn on genes inside cells to levels that were not previously possible."

The results of the Duke experiments, which were conducted by Pablo Perez-Pinera, a senior research scientist in Gersbach's laboratory, were published on-line in the journal Nature Methods. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, The Hartwell Foundation, and the March of Dimes.

Human cells have about 20,000 genes which produce a multitude of proteins, many of which affect the actions of other genes. Being able to understand these interactions would greatly improve the ability of scientists in all areas of biomedical research. However because of the complexity of this natural system, synthetic biologists create simple gene networks to have precise control over each component. These scientists can use these networks for applications in biosensing, biocomputation, or regenerative medicine, or can use them as models to study the more complex natural systems.

"This new system can be a powerful new approach for probing the fundamental mechanisms of natural gene regulation that are currently poorly understood," Perez-Pinera said. "In this way, we can further the capacity of synthetic biology and biological programming in mammalian systems."

The latest discoveries were made possible by using a new technology for building synthetic proteins known as transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), which are artificial enzymes that can be engineered to "bind" to almost any gene sequences. Since these TALEs can be easily produced, the researchers were able to make many of them to control specific genes.

"All biological systems depend on gene regulation," Gersbach said. "The challenge facing bioengineering researchers is trying to synthetically recreate processes that occur in nature."

###

Other members of the team were Duke's David Ousterout, Jonathan Brunger, Alicia Farin, Katherine Glass, Farshid Guilak, Gregory Crawford, and Alexander Hartemink.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-02/du-rnc020113.php

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Homeopathic Treatment of Allergies (Including Hay Fever) | Care2 ...

Allergies are caused by the body?s hypersensitivity to foreign substances such as pollen, animal dander, dust and food. Irritation of the mucous membranes along the upper respiratory system is common. Symptoms are sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, irritation of the roof of the mouth, a stuffy nose, congested sinus areas and a headache. Allergies are not simple to treat; they generally represent a chronic problem that is genetic, although they may skip one, two or three generations. Homeopathic remedies can help in the acute stages of allergies to help relieve the symptoms, but usually a more constitutional approach to help the underlying condition is necessary for permanent help.

Homeopaths believe there is an association between allergies, skin problems (such as eczema and hives) and asthma. It is best not to suppress the symptoms of the skin or mucous membranes since that can actually drive the process of irritation further into the system, creating such conditions as asthma or perhaps joint problems. It is always best to start with homeopathic remedies to see if the symptoms improve.

Allergies that occur in the wintertime are generally due to allergens such as dust from heating systems and molds that accumulate in basements, humidifiers, and furnaces. Allergies in the springtime are often due to tree pollen, and in late spring or early summer, grass pollens are usually the cause. Later in the summer, problems are often due to Ragweed, Goldenrod, and dust during the dry season. Molds, especially those from trees and leaves, are usually the allergen during early to late fall when the weather is damp.

Natural Treatments Can Help Allergies

Natural treatments that can help allergies include using eyeglasses or sunglasses to avoid getting pollens in the eyes and washing the eyes out with water after being outside and exposed to irritating pollens. Rinsing the nose with salt water can be helpful to wash out pollens. The use of a HEPA filter in the furnace can help take out mold, animal dander and dust in the air. Keeping dogs and cats out of the house while children are suffering from allergies is also very important. Keeping the basement dry can help mold from accumulating. Having hardwood floors and avoiding carpeting is helpful, especially when the person is allergic to dust. If the person has a sensitivity to feathers, pillows made from foam rather than down should be used.

Other helpful hints are avoiding cigarette smoke, car exhaust and alcohol, since they inflame bronchial tissues. Not storing newspapers and magazines and making sure that old rugs, carpets, stuffed animals and upholstered furniture are clean are also helpful. Houseplants can be a source for pollen and should be avoided in the homes of people who have allergies. Venting clothes dryers outside is important, as is removing damp clothes from the washer quickly so mold does not accumulate. Keeping windows closed during the summer and fall when the allergens are high in the air can be of help. Running a clean air conditioner in the summer months may also help take mold out of the air. A low-fat diet is recommended and avoiding foods that are mucus producing, such as dairy, yeast, and sweets, is important. If the person is allergic to a specific food, that food should also be avoided. Aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided in people who have allergies. Certain vitamins and herbs are known to help allergies. Consult herbal and nutritional references for further information.

Some Homeopathic Remedies Can Help With the Symptoms Caused by These Allergies:

Allium Cepa

The eyes burn, sting and swell and are sensitive to light. Tears are profuse but do not irritate the skin around the eyes (Euphrasia is the opposite with irritating eye discharge and non-irritating nasal discharge). An important characteristic is that the nose and eyes stream with great amounts of watery discharge. The person sneezes frequently. Acrid nasal discharge burns, making the nose and upper lip sore. Post-nasal drainage makes the throat raw. The person is extremely thirsty. A headache often accompanies the allergies and may be felt in the back of the head or in the forehead in the sinus area. Symptoms associated with Allium cepa seem to get better in the open air, especially when the air is cool. However, the cough that accompanies this illness may get worse when cool air is inhaled. Symptoms seem worse indoors or in a warm room.

Arsenicum Album

Asthma is often associated with this type of allergy. Mental agitation, anxiety, and restlessness occur. The eyes burn, and tears are hot and acrid, stinging the face and cheeks. Sneezing can be extreme. There may be a tickle in one spot inside the nose that is not relieved by sneezing. Heavy mucus drainage from the nose alternates with blockage of the nose. Nasal discharge is thin and burning and is not yellow or green, but watery. The upper lip is irritated and raw from the discharge. There is extreme thirst for warm drinks, which are sipped rather than gulped. Often, breathing is labored. The person is chilly and intensely intolerant of light. Warm applications to the face and nose, elevating the head, and wrapping up the body seem to help the symptoms. Sitting up is often the best position. Wet weather, weather changes and being by the ocean aggravate the symptoms. The allergies tend to get worse from midnight until 2:00 a.m.

Arsenicum Iodatum

The person has a constant desire to sneeze with irritation and tickling of the nose. Watery, irritating and excoriating discharge comes out the front of the nose and runs down the back of the throat. If the allergy continues for a long period of time, the thin discharge changes to a thick, yellow, hanging discharge that becomes a post-nasal drip, irritating the back of the throat. There is a feeling of blockage within the head and eustachian tubes. Often, the person has trouble hearing because of this fluid blockage. The person seems better outside in the open air. Sneezing aggravates the condition as does dry and cold weather, windy and foggy weather and tobacco smoke. Symptoms are also aggravated from exertion and being indoors.

Arum Triphyllum

Nasal discharge is extremely acrid and excoriating, producing raw sores on the front of the nose and upper lip. (Allergies associated with the Arsenicum iod remedy produce irritation but do not produce sores.) The nose can be obstructed, causing the person to breathe through the mouth. There is pain over the top part of the nose, with large scabs often forming on the right side. The person constantly picks at the nose and lips until they bleed. The lips, roof of the mouth, and palate are often sore or raw and burning; the lips are also chapped. The corners of the mouth can become raw, chapped and cracked. There is profuse saliva. The voice becomes hoarse, and gets worse from overuse and talking a lot. The face may feel chapped, as if a cold wind were blowing on it. Cold and wet winds, lying down, and the heat of a room aggravate the allergies.

Arundo

The roof of the mouth is extremely itchy, and the eyes and ear canals itch and burn. The nostrils itch annoyingly. Much sneezing and loss of smell are also common with these allergies.

Dulcamara

Dulcamara is especially suited for the person who lives or works in a damp, cold home or office. Symptoms can result from sitting on cold, damp ground or with sudden changes of temperature, especially from warm to cold. The nose stuffs up with a cold rain; otherwise, there is constant sneezing and a profuse, watery discharge from the eyes and nose. Eye discharges get worse in the open air. The person is thirsty for cold drinks. Diarrhea and joint pain can come on, especially in cold weather. Symptoms are often worse on hot days and cold nights (toward the end of summer and in early autumn). Symptoms are better with external warmth or by moving around.

Euphrasia

The eyes water constantly, causing itching and burning. Sometimes a sticky mucus on the eyes can be removed by winking or wiping them. Eye discharge is acrid, burning, and often thick (this is the opposite of Allium cepa). Nasal discharge is profuse and watery, but does not irritate the nose or upper lip (this is the opposite of Allium cepa). A frontal headache may accompany nasal discharge. Frequent sneezing that gets worse at night is common. However, if a cough is present, it is actually better at night and worse during the day. Allergies are worse in the sunlight and the wind. Staying in a dark room is helpful.

Gelsemium

There is violent sneezing and nasal discharge. The face is hot and the nose tingles and often has a burning discharge, especially in the morning. Thirstlessness accompanies the allergies, even though the mucous membranes are dry. Eyelids become so heavy that the person can hardly open them. Common symptoms also include a dull headache and slight fever. Legs may ache, and a chill may run up and down the spine. A peculiar symptom is profuse urination that accompanies a headache. Allergies are often worse in humid, foggy weather and can be aggravated by sudden emotions, bad news, and sudden surprises. Allergies tend to be worse in the summer and in the morning around 10:00 a.m.

Kali Iodatum

A profuse, watery, nasal discharge burns the nose and lip. The tip of the nose is often red. Frontal sinus pain is common. Pain in the sinuses and head may make the person anxious and irritable. When the sinuses are full, the nose is dry and does not have discharge. There is extreme thirst with violent sneezing. The person feels alternately cold and hot.

Natrum Muriaticum

A common symptom of this type of allergy is excessive, watery, nasal discharge (similar to the raw white of an egg). This thin discharge often lasts from one to three days, and then the nose may become stuffy, making breathing difficult. Sneezing is also common. The tongue has a frothy, bubbly coating, especially around the edges. Sometimes canker sores develop on the lips and the corners of the mouth. A salt craving is a particular symptom associated with this type of allergy. The mouth is dry, and the thirst seems unquenchable. The person often loses the senses of smell and taste. Sometimes, a hammering headache accompanies these allergies, which can be worse over the eyes. Allergies are worse in the morning from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and in the sun when it is warm outside. Symptoms improve in the open air and when bathing in cool water. Perspiration also seems to relieve the allergies. The person often feels better wearing tight clothes or a tight wrapping around the body or face.

Nux Vomica

Prolonged sneezing spells occur, especially when first awakening in the morning. Nasal discharge is runny during the day, but the nose is stuffed up at night and outdoors, and the stuffiness alternates between nostrils. There is itching all the way from the throat to the larynx and trachea. Itching is also felt in the eustachian tubes. Uncovering, noise, odor, and touch can sometimes initiate sneezing. The person is chilly and irritable and often stays up late at night with the bothersome allergies. The allergies can get worse after eating a meal, in the cool and open air, in drafts, and in the wind. The person feels better when the nose begins to run. Symptoms are better from rest and napping, warm drinks, and moist air.

Sabadilla

The most common symptom of this type of allergy is excessive sneezing with a runny nose. Prolonged sneezing attacks can cause nosebleeds and severe headaches. Severe frontal sinus pain is a common symptom. The person can be particularly sensitive to the smell of apples. The eyes have a watery discharge, and there is great itching in the nose. The roof of the mouth itches which is relieved by rubbing the tongue on it. This palate itching is less intense than seen with Arundo or Wyethia. The eyelids are hot, red, and burning; however, the tears do not redden the skin around the eyes. Sometimes the person has difficulty hearing due to eustachian tube blockage. The mouth is dry, yet the person is not thirsty. There is a general body chilliness and a sensitivity to cold air. Symptoms are often worse from the odor of strong foods such as garlic and onion and certain flowers. Allergies are relieved with warm food and drinks.

Sticta

The back of the nose has a feeling of fullness with a dryness of the nasal membranes. The person sneezes often and constantly needs to blow the nose, but there is no discharge. Dry scabs form, especially in the evening and at night. There is a feeling of floating in the air. Sometimes the neck is stiff. A dry, hacking cough comes on at night, which gets worse on inspiration. Allergies tend to get worse with sudden changes of temperature.

Wyethia

The back of the nose and roof of the mouth itch intensely (similar to the allergies associated with Arundo). The throat is dry and has a sensation of being swollen, causing difficulty with swallowing and clearing the throat of mucus (Arundo has fewer throat symptoms).

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Source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/homeopathic-treatment-of-allergies-including-hay-fever.html

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Upcoming IM Sports - Outdoor Recreation - Washington State ...

As January has flown by, so have the registration deadlines for Basketball and 4-on-4 Flag Football.? However, sign-ups will be available soon for 4-on-4 Volleyball as well as 9-on-9 Soccer.? Both these leagues will begin taking entries on February 11^th and go until February 27th.? Do not wait until the last minute to sign up, even though play begins March 3^rd, because these are two of our most popular leagues and they will both fill quickly.?

We are also offering a bunch of other sports and opportunities for you to sign up for. They include Tennis, Badminton and Battleship (our brand new league sport). Registration for these sports will open up in early March.

Meanwhile, for patrons who want to try out a new fitness classes here at the University Recreation Center, it is still possible to buy a punch card which will allow you to access any fitness class you choose.? These punch cards can be purchased at the service counter on the main floor in the SRC.? Do not be afraid to give it a try and experience something new.?

I know classes are getting busier and mid-terms will soon be coming up, but a quote I like to live by is ?You can feel sore tomorrow, or you can feel sorry tomorrow, you choose?.? It never hurts to grab a buddy or a friend to get up and get active.

Kory

IM Supervisor

Source: http://orc.wsu.edu/urecnews/post/2013/02/01/Upcoming-IM-Sports.aspx

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Biden raises possibility of direct U.S.-Iran talks

MUNICH (Reuters) - The United States is ready to hold direct talks with Iran if it is serious about negotiations, Vice President Joe Biden said on Saturday, backing bilateral contacts that many see as crucial to easing an international dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.

Speaking at a security conference in Munich, Biden said Iran - which says it is enriching uranium for peaceful energy only - now faced "the most robust sanctions in history" meant to ensure it does not use its program to develop nuclear weapons.

"But we have also made clear that Iran's leaders need not sentence their people to economic deprivation and international isolation," Biden said. "There is still time, there is still space for diplomacy backed by pressure to succeed. The ball is in the government of Iran's court."

To date, fitful talks on Iran's nuclear program have been between Tehran and the EU's top diplomat representing six world powers including Washington. But analysts have suggested that with his re-election behind him, President Barack Obama might have more leeway to take on direct negotiations with Iran.

That makes the year ahead critical for chances of overcoming a stand-off which, if left to fester further, could see Iran approach a nuclear weapons capability and possibly provoking military action by Israel that could inflame the Middle East.

Progress on Iran would also help ease regional tensions as the United States prepares to pull most combat troops out of Iran's neighbor Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Asked whether Washington might consider direct talks with Iran to smooth the process, Biden said, "When the Iranian leadership, Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei), is serious.

"We have made it clear at the outset that we would be prepared to meet bilaterally with the Iranian leadership, we would not make it a secret that we were doing that, we would let our partners know if that occasion presented itself.

"That offer stands, but it must be real and tangible and there has to be an agenda that they are prepared to speak to. We are not just prepared to do it for the exercise."

Negotiations with Iran have so far been overseen by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on behalf of France, Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the United States. But they have made scant headway, raising fears Iran is simply playing for time while it develops its nuclear know-how.

Ashton has asked Iran to hold a round of talks this month and on Friday called on Tehran to abandon plans to install and operate advanced centrifuges that would speed up its ability to enrich uranium - potentially making it easier for it to produce the highly enriched uranium needed for nuclear weapons.

Many believe no deal is possible without a U.S.-Iranian thaw, requiring direct talks addressing myriad sources of mutual mistrust and hostility lingering since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution and the hostage crisis at the U.S. embassy in Tehran.

Iran has avoided direct, public talks with the United States, though some suggest Tehran would eventually welcome an opportunity to end its international isolation.

"DECISIVE YEAR ON IRAN"

With Iran holding its own presidential elections in June, hopes of progress before then are limited.

The United States and its allies, however, do not have an indefinite amount of time to negotiate. Notwithstanding the current stalemate, Iran's nuclear program is advancing and an international consensus on sanctions may be hard to maintain.

Israel, which describes the prospect of Iran being able to weaponise enriched uranium as an existential threat, has made clear it would be ready to bomb the nuclear sites of its arch-enemy to prevent that outcome. The United States has also said it would not rule out the use of military force.

Speaking at the Munich conference, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that "2013 is the decisive year on Iran, especially for political reasons.

"We had elections in the United States and Israel, we will have elections in June in Iran; we see increasing capabilities especially with the issue of enrichment - let us be very frank, we did not have progress in the last 12 months, so it is obvious that we have to use this year.."

Russia, which has been impatient with decades of U.S. hostility to Tehran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution but backed U.N. Security Council sanctions since 2006, repeated on Saturday the need to find a diplomatic solution.

"Iran must know the overall game plan, it must see what is in it for it in this process. We need to convince Iran that this is not about regime change ... this mistrust must be overcome," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the conference.

That comment was echoed by Westerwelle.

"If we want to reach this goal, it would be wrong to discuss all these military options and possibilities. It is now important to focus our whole attention, all our effort for a diplomatic and political solution."

This would have to include a relief from sanctions as well as recognition of Iran's right to enrich uranium to the lower levels needed for civilian nuclear fuel, security analysts say.

(Additional reporting by Alexandra Hudson in Munich; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/biden-raises-possibility-direct-u-iran-talks-135607063.html

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Administrative Manager II (Tech Temp) - HigherEdJobs

Institution:	Georgia Institute of Technology
Location:	Atlanta, GA
Category:	Admin - Business and Financial Services Admin - Human Resources Admin - Secretary and Administrative Assistants
Posted:	01/31/2013
Type:	Full Time

Job:	Administrative Support
Primary Location:	Georgia-Atlanta
Organization:	Engineering, College of
Hiring Range:	52,900 - 60,000
Schedule:	Full-time

Description:

Job Purpose: Supervise and coordinate administrative services within a large campus unit. Areas of responsibility can include administrative affairs associated with human resources, purchasing, budgets and financial records and general clerical support within the unit. Responsible for setting employee goals, assessing employee performance, providing feedback, and making pay recommendations.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement unit administrative processes and procedures consistent with overall Institute administrative policy.
• Define and communicate administrative staff duties; monitor performance and provide feedback.
• Supervise the maintenance of unit financial records.
• Oversee unit human resources administration to include transaction processing, time reporting and records maintenance.
• Supervise and coordinate direct administrative support to unit management.
• Organize and supervise unit records management function.
• Coordinate unit purchasing activities including preparation of purchasing documents, ordering and maintaining supplies, etc.
• Schedule and make arrangements for meetings and other events.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Work Experience: Six to eight years job related experience.
• Certifications:
• Skills: This position requires supervisory and organization skills, knowledge of general office administrative processes and practices, records management and event planning. Use of office related computer applications is required.

Qualifications:

Impact & Influence:

This position interacts with the School Chair, School Associate Chair, faculty, staff, students, campus administrative personnel and general public on a consistent basis. This position will advise and counsel unit senior management, faculty, staff, students and other GT departments on administrative activities within CEE. This position supervises six (6) administrative professionals within Civil and Environmental Engineering. This position does have hire/fire input.

Additional tasks may include:

• Supervise all six(6) administrative professionals within CEE
• Provide direct administrative support to School Chair and School Associate Chair
• Define and communicate administrative support staff duties; monitor performance of administrative support staff within unit, and provide feedback as needed
• Develop and implement unit administrative processes and procedures consistent with overall Institute administrative policy
• Schedule and make arrangements for meetings and other unit events
• Coordinate unit purchasing activities including preparation of purchasing documents and ordering
• Serves as Liaison for CEE External Advisory Board
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Department Description:

Georgia Tech is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Consistent with its obligations under federal law, each company that is a federal contractor or subcontractor is committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women, minorities, disabled individuals, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and other eligible veterans.

Source: http://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=175715388

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The Assault-Weapons Ban Isn't Happening?Get Over It (Atlantic Politics Channel)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/281819002?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Game On: Heroes & Villains Lure in Casual Sports Fans

With the Super Bowl kicking off this Sunday, people are prepping for huge parties. Bags of chips and gallons of guacamole are flying off store shelves. Fans are sporting their favorite jerseys. And, as with any party, the more, the merrier.

So how can diehard sports fans add to their numbers by drawing in casual viewers? It may be as simple as sharing a sweet story about a favorite player, or a terrible tale about a rival that people love to hate, according to a new study from Oregon State University (OSU).

"Knowing something about the athletes that are competing gives people a reason to watch and a reason to root for or against someone," said Colleen Bee, an assistant professor of marketing at OSU.

This dynamic may help explain why stories such as the sibling rivalry matchup between the Harbaugh brothers who are coaching the opposing teams, or the controversy swirling around Manti Te'O's Internet dating hoax, sparked people's fascination. [The World's Greatest Hoaxes]

How casual fans got hooked

In order to understand some of the factors that affect the enjoyment and satisfaction of a sporting event for casual fans, Bee and her colleague recruited 133 college students to participate in a study in which they watched pre-recorded Olympic speed-skating races, an event that relatively few people watch. None of the participants were familiar with the athletes, who were identified only by country and false last names.

Before the race, a subject received one of two fictitious descriptions of one of the racers. In one, a heroic back story characterized the athlete as well-liked, polite, humble, free of performance-enhancing drugs and enthusiastic about working with sick children. In the other description, a villainous back story portrayed the athlete as an arrogant doper who was once arrested for disruptive behavior on an airplane.

Next, each study participant watched one of four race conditions, which pitted either a villain or hero against another "neutral" athlete, with the villain or hero winning and losing in the different scenarios.

The description of the neutral athlete listed only vital statistics, such as height and weight. The researchers measured the subjects' satisfaction of the race based on whether the hero or villain won or lost, as well as the participants' enjoyment of the experience.

Unsurprisingly, the students felt relief when the hero won or the villain lost, and disappointment in the reverse of both scenarios. However, having a hero or villain still made the race enjoyable to watch, regardless of the outcome.

Rooting for the hero

"It sheds some light on how a casual fan differs from a diehard fan," Vassilis Dalakas, an associate professor of marketing at California State University, San Marcos, said of the experiment. Even if a favored outcome does not happen, the initial feeling of disappointment disappears for casual fans, and they are still left with a satisfying experience.

Dalakas, who was not involved in the study, described people's appreciation of the hero/villain dynamic as pervasive beyond sports. It starts from a young age, with stories about Cinderella and her wicked stepsisters, and is seized upon by producers of competition-based reality shows such as "Survivor."

"American Idol" and Olympics broadcasts often feature touching segments that tell the back stories of competitors, but these shows are usually careful not to vilify competitors. In these cases, Dalakas says, consumers tend to create their own villains, which can be done through scandalous stories in gossip columns.

Bee's study is detailed in the latest quarterly issue of the Journal of Media Psychology, which came out at the end of 2012.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook& Google+.

Copyright 2013 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/game-heroes-villains-lure-casual-sports-fans-193718522.html

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