IT staff 'best-positioned to shelter from jobs storm'

Workers in the IT sector have emerged as the best positioned ?hard? skill candidates to weather what is set to be the stormiest period in the jobs market since the recession began.

Asked by the CIPD about their recruitment plans, hirers showed that IT staff topped the list of hard-skill occupations they require over both this current first quarter and the next five years.??????

A fifth of the hirers plan to create more IT jobs between now and 2017, with only Business Development and other soft-skills for Sales/Marketing roles likely to be ?hotter? over the period.

In terms of their shorter-term plans, 15% of the hirers said they would focus on the IT department, positioning techies to be the sixth most in-demand candidate (out of a total of 15 candidate-types).

Similar to the five-year outlook, IT candidates in the current quarter should only lose out in the demand stakes to their softer-skilled, non-technical counterparts, such as executives, secretaries, office managers and sales assistants.

But the hiring managers? positive intentions around IT staff are against a negative jobs outlook overall, as 60% do not see their outfit creating any new jobs before the quarter?s end, in March.

Moreover, the net employment balance (the difference between the responding hirers who plan to add jobs versus those who plan to cut them) is down to minus-8, from minus-3 in the autumn period.

This means that the private sector now expects to cut jobs at its fastest pace since spring 2009, said the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, which quizzes the 1,000 employers every quarter.

?Whereas [they] were in ?wait and see? mode three months ago, more private sector firms, particularly among private sector services firms, have decided to push the redundancy button in response to worsening economic news,? the CIPD said.

?This will exert yet more pressure on a jobs market that is buckling under the strains of contractions in economic growth and public sector employment.?

Although such macro market pressures threaten to impact on all job-seekers? prospects, British-born IT job candidates appear to be facing sector-specific, micro challenges too.

According to the reading of UK hiring managers, IT will clearly be the preferred area of the organisation to recruit migrant workers into this year, though already such non-EU candidates are more likely to occupy an IT role than any other regularly-filled role.

Source: http://www.contractoruk.com/news/0010426it_staff_best_positioned_shelter_jobs_storm.html

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Did Life's First Cells Evolve in Geothermal Pools?

News | Evolution

Based on some fundamental characteristics of cellular proteins, a team of scientists speculates that the last common ancestor of life on Earth got its start in the planet's natural hot tubs

By David Biello ?| February 15, 2012

HATCHERIES: A group of scientists proposes the pools formed form vented geothermal steam, pictured here, may have provided the perfect environment for life's early cells. Image: Courtesy of National Park Service

Earth started as a violent place, its surface churned by continuous volcanic eruptions and cloaked in an atmosphere that would have been poisonous to today's life-forms. Furthermore, the thin primeval atmosphere may have provided only scant protection from the young sun's harsh ultraviolet glare. Given these inhospitable conditions, scientists have long wondered: How did the first cells come to be nearly four billion years ago?

Conventional scientific wisdom holds that life arose in the sea. But a new study suggests that the first cells?or at least the ones that left descendants still extant?got their start in geothermal pools, like those seen at Yellowstone National Park and other geologic hot spots today. The argument rests on one indisputable observation?enzymes common to all archaea and bacteria are built from potassium, phosphorus or zinc, not sodium.

Some biologists suspect that the membranes of early life-forms were not yet the tight coverings that they are today, and would have instead let small molecules and ions flow in and out freely. If life arose in the salty sea, then the first cells and their living relatives might be expected to have enzymes built from abundant sodium?or at least tolerate more sodium internally. That modern archaea and bacteria instead possess internal fluid low in sodium, and enzymes built from other elements hints that they arose in an environment both rich in such elements as well as relatively sodium-free. "If the very first membranes were leaky for small molecules and ions, then the interior of the first cells should have been in equilibrium with their surroundings," explains biophysicist Armen Mulkidjanian of the University of Osnabr?ck in Germany, lead author of the paper presenting the hypothesis published online February 13 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "By reconstructing the inorganic chemistry of the cytoplasm, it might be possible to reconstruct the habitats where the first cells could dwell."

The team noted that most modern cells maintain a high ratio of potassium ions to sodium ions. "We looked all over the place for the conditions and processes that would lead to [potassium] enrichment," Mulkidjanian says. The only such places extant today are so-called "vapor-dominated" geothermal systems?locales where water, heated deep within Earth until it becomes steam, reaches the surface, cools and condenses back to elementally enriched liquid pools. Condensed geothermal steam in these pools can have ratios of potassium to sodium ions as high as 75 to 1, and are rich in the other elements of life that have been leached from rock by the hot water. Thus, Mulkidjanian and his colleagues argue that they may have been the "hatcheries" of the first cells.

The argument matches a perhaps prescient suggestion from Charles Darwin in an 1871 letter: "But if (and oh what a big if) we could conceive in some warm little pond with all sorts of ammonia and phosphoric salts, light, heat, electricity, etcetera present that a protein compound was chemically formed, ready to undergo still more complex changes." Nobel laureate and geneticist Jack Szostak of Harvard University has also argued that the first cells probably had leaky membranes and that early oceans were not a favorable environment for the origin of life.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=c3be6d18ab5ec966f0f1910e5c3180a3

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The proteins ensuring genome protection

Monday, February 13, 2012

Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have discovered the crucial role of two proteins in developing a cell 'anti-enzyme shield'. This protection system, which operates at the level of molecular 'caps' named telomeres, prevents cells from treating chromosome ends like accidental DNA breaks and 'repairing' them. Joining chromosome ends would, indeed, lead to tumor formation. This study, carried out by Cyril Ribeyre and led by David Shore, professor of molecular biology, is published in the revue Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.

Each of our cells contains two huge DNA strands, segmented into parts that are packaged within chromosomes. Each chromosome end, however, becomes vulnerable to specific enzymes that target accidental DNA breaks in need of repair. The cell is, indeed, equipped with a sensitive surveillance system that recognizes and corrects abnormalities occurring within our genome. This system includes patrolling proteins, molecules that set off an alarm, as well as damage-repairing enzymes.

In order to escape the cellular mechanisms that detect and repair damaged DNA, the ends of our chromosomes are covered by molecular 'caps' called telomeres. These complexes, formed of proteins and repetitive DNA, constitute an 'anti-enzyme shield' that protects chromosome ends. Inadvertent end joining would indeed lead to chromosome breakage and rearrangement during cell division, processes that are known to drive tumor formation.

Restraining the zeal of repair enzymes

Cyril Ribeyre and David Shore, from the Department of Molecular biology of the UNIGE, have discovered that Rif1 and Rif2, two related proteins that bind telomeres, deactivate the alarm of the DNA repair surveillance system. 'Telomeres interact with many molecules. We had identified several biochemical players, but we didn't know how they functioned', says Professor Shore, member of the National Center of Competence in Research Frontiers in Genetics. 'We have now established that Rif1 and Rif2 prevent the binding of specific proteins involved in setting off this alarm, which inhibits an enzymatic cascade at an early stage in the process'.

This local 'anti-enzyme shield' seems to extend to neighboring regions. 'Telomeres of adjacent chromosomes probably benefit from this protective system, in case they undergo severe damage', suggests Professor Shore.

These two related molecules had already been analyzed and part of their functions uncovered by the researcher's team. 'We knew that Rif1 and Rif2 were involved in regulating telomere length, which determines the life span of the cell. Both of them were also suspected to take part in the telomeric cap formation', details Cyril Ribeyre.

The multiple activities of Rif1 and Rif2 thus contribute to ensure the optimal functioning of telomeres with respect to their roles ?all essential- within the cell.

###

Universit? de Gen?ve: http://www.unige.ch

Thanks to University de Geneve for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/117544/The_proteins_ensuring_genome_protection

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Catholics lean slightly toward Romney (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) ? Despite a battle over birth-control policy between the White House and Roman Catholic leaders, U.S. Catholics' political views differ little from those of non-Catholic voters, according to Reuters/Ipsos poll results released on Monday.

About four in 10, or 37 percent, of Catholic voters approve of Democratic President Barack Obama's performance, and 48 percent disapprove, according to the online survey of registered voters conducted February 6-13.

The numbers are nearly identical for non-Catholic, with 37 percent approving and 50 percent disapproving, the online poll found.

Twenty-five percent of Catholic voters feel the country is headed in the right direction, and 61 percent believe it is not, the survey said, compared with 24 percent and 63 percent for non-Catholics.

Results for Catholics and non-Catholics also both show a statistical dead heat if Republican Mitt Romney were his party's nominee and the 2012 presidential election were held today, although Catholic voters favor Romney slightly over Obama.

The online poll found that 42 percent of non-Catholic registered voters would back Obama, versus 39 percent for Romney. Among Catholics, 42 percent would pick Obama, but the number was higher - 44 percent - for Romney.

"It certainly suggests that Catholics are a little more Romney-favorable than not," said Chris Jackson, research director for Ipsos Public Affairs.

Obama on Friday made health insurers responsible for providing free birth control to employees of religious groups. The move aimed to placate leaders of the Catholic church who oppose contraception and objected to the initial rule that church institutions be forced to provide such coverage.

The policy ended days of squabbling between the administration, church officials and Republicans in Congress over the rule, which had briefly seemed like it might become a campaign issue in the November presidential election.

Romney and other Republicans vying for the nomination to oppose Obama's re-election bid used the issue to contend that the White House was waging a war on religion.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 42 percent of Catholics disagreed with the idea that religious hospitals or health organizations should be required to provide birth control or contraceptives.

Thirty-three percent of non-Catholics disagreed.

Jackson said the result indicated that, given the issue's sensitivity, Obama had done well to come up with a solution well before the November 6 general election.

"Getting out with a win, or at least a draw, now is a good strategy before it becomes a bigger issue," he said. "His best chances for re-election have always been the economy and focusing on the improvement in the economy."

The precision of the Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval, a statistical measure used because the sample of likely voters is selected from pre-screened voter panels.

For the broader poll, non-Catholic registered voters had a credibility interval of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. The interval was plus or minus 5.2 percentage points for Catholic registered voters.

For the contraception questions asked between February 8 and 13, non-Catholic responses had a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points; Catholic responses had a credibility interval of 6.7 percentage points.

The broader survey interviewed 1,899 non-Catholic registered voters and 484 Catholic registered voters. The contraception questions were asked of 1,136 non-Catholics and 287 Catholics.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/religion/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120213/lf_nm_life/us_us_catholics_romney

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Hemorrhoid Miracle ? Additional Information | Pangea Image

Hemorrhoid Miracle
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My personal Honest Hemorrhoid Miracle Assessment

Today, Im not gonna start any wonderful detail around the whys as well as hows regarding me acquiring the particular H Miracle e book (seeing that its specific within previous threads), alternatively Im gonna put together a number of the pluses and minuses of your Hemorrhoid Miracle technique. I?m sure its vital that you be aware that, after you buy a e book such as H Miracle, youre not gonna get out of bed the subsequent morning totally free of haemorrhoids once and for all! You cannot find any miraculous medication or even miraculous solution that may achieve that for yourself, particularly with without trying on your side.

The professionals of your Hemorrhoid Miracle Method

My personal Hemorrhoid Miracle Assessment will commence using the positives of your technique. There are various authentic advantages to following sytem layed out in the H Miracle in contrast to only applying Non-prescription or even prescription medication (or perhaps in the process of painful and dear medical procedures). The initial one is the fact that system is fully, 100% organic. A lot more people nowadays are looking for treatments with regards to challenges, as well as will want to require medication together with possibilities unwanted side effects when they can prevent them. So, thats a major furthermore! Subsequently, the vast majority of advice as well as therapies as part of the Hemorrhoid Miracle are very affordable (many youll have formerly inside your kitchen). Finally, within following advice within the Hemorrhoid Miracle e book, youll actually grow to be healthy. The key reason why? Must be genuinely nutritious shape doesnt include haemorrhoids! Health and fitness is not only a good deficiency of ailment, its about how perfectly your entire body operates.

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The particular Drawbacks of your Hemorrhoid Miracle Method

Today this Hemorrhoid Miracle critique may go more than a number of the drawbacks of your technique. Again, I seek to possibly be fully genuine listed here. Today, the real disadvantage, I?m sure, is always that to seriously make positive changes to health and life, it is advisable to admit in which a number of your present behaviors could possibly be bringing about your condition. I?m sure a number of us want to credit our own challenges to an outer supplier, in our genetic makeup, or even to our own luck. Nevertheless, learn about in relation to overall health, mostly most people help make your own luck. You might currently possibly be eating meals in which dont help your health, you might not possibly be doing exercises more than enough. When you buy H Miracle, you may find out there you actually have to change the main things in your daily life in order for your haemorrhoids to step back for great.

Today, thats not much of a bad of your e book, however it?s an issue that could possibly be offputting for many people. Besides that, theres really not very much bad I could express about this. The particular Hemorrhoid Miracle e book solved the problem, and it aided this mom, as well as its aided numerous various other piles affected individuals.

If you?d like to read through a different Hemorrhoid Miracle critique or even not one but two, next check out the state run H Miracle web site listed here, as well as find out more on just what it are capable of doing for yourself.

Source: http://www.pangeaimage.com/hemorrhoid-miracle-additional-information/

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Experts Warn of Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea (HealthDay)

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea is an increasingly worrisome reality, and steps need to be taken to limit the risk that an untreatable strain of the sexually transmitted disease will spread, U.S. researchers warn.

"We're trying to stay a step ahead by putting these warnings and alerts out," said Dr. Gail Bolan, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's division of sexually transmitted diseases prevention.

Over 600,000 Americans contract gonorrhea every year, making it the nation's second-most common communicable disease. Minorities of all types -- whether in terms of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation -- are considered among the most vulnerable populations, according to background information in the new report.

Drug-resistant gonorrhea isn't a new phenomenon, Bolan and her colleagues said. During World War II, gonorrhea became resistant to the drug sulfanilamide. In the 1980s, resistance to the antibiotics penicillin and tetracycline appeared. More recently, fluoroquinolone resistance was observed in 2007.

The problem today, however, is that so-called third-generation cephalosporins (including orally administered cefixime and the injectable ceftriaxone) are the only remaining types of effective antibiotics recommended by the CDC, when taken alongside one of two other oral antibiotics (either azithromycin or doxycycline).

Writing in the Feb. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, the researchers warned that signs of resistance to even this line of defense have been observed.

"The point now," Bolan said, "is that we are down to the last class of antibiotics that we know -- that have been studied -- to be effective in the treatment of gonorrhea." If a strain of resistant gonorrhea were to take hold, "we have the potential of having no other antibiotics to turn to," she added.

Cephalosporin-resistant strains of the disease have been identified in Japan (2003 and 2009) and the United Kingdom (2010). Such drugs remain "highly effective" against most strains of gonorrhea seen in the United States, the study authors noted.

Still, the investigators said that patient vigilance and coordinated public health policies are needed if the United States is to stay a step ahead of cephalosporin-resistant strains.

Prevention is always key, Bolan said, noting that gonorrhea is preventable with the use of condoms.

But given that gonorrhea is often symptomless, "many patients who have this infection don't know they are infected. So for individuals, it's very important to go in for routine medicals," she added.

"And certainly if you've got symptoms, we're concerned that you . . . get evaluated quickly," she added. For women, symptoms can include vaginal discharge, a burning sensation during urination and pain during intercourse. For men, telltale signs include a clear penile discharge, burning on urination and pain during defection.

While screening methods are effective, they don't indicate resistance to antibiotics. So, Bolan said, patients and doctors have to work together to ensure that the recommended antibiotic treatment is doing the job, while monitoring for any sign of treatment failure.

The sexual partners (going back two months) of those diagnosed should also be treated. And because gonorrhea can be a potential sign of HIV infection, the researchers urge repeated HIV testing for those diagnosed with gonorrhea.

Commenting on the study, Dr. Thomas Quinn said that the specter of rising antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea is worrisome.

"It's a very common disease that is in the millions of cases if we're talking globally," said Quinn, senior investigator in the International HIV/STD section at the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

"If untreated or unsuccessfully treated, it usually is not life-threatening, but it does have severe complications in both sexes," he added. It's particularly dangerous for women "because of the risk for infertility."

According to the CDC, each year roughly 24,000 American women become infertile due to an untreated sexually transmitted infection.

"For men there can be extremely painful complications involving the scrotum, although not fertility," said Quinn, who is also a professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore.

"So this is a harbinger of bad times ahead unless we really take the proper steps to address it," he added. "We have a very common transmitted organism that is once again rearing its head by increasing frequency in the population and increasing resistance. And the public needs to know about this."

More information

For more on gonorrhea, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sexualhealth/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20120209/hl_hsn/expertswarnofantibioticresistantgonorrhea

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Video: Inside States' $25B Mortgage Settlement

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/46329455/

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