The Genes Behind Fido's Facial Features

Thanks to human breeders, dogs exhibit an impressive variety of skull shapes. Studying the genes that determine these shapes could provide insight into human skull development and craniofacial disorders, scientists say.

In a new study, scientists detail the biological and historical origins of dog skull shapes, highlighting some of the genetic developments that gave rise to different breeds.

"Sometime during the Paleolithic," the researchers write in the February issue of the journal Genetics, "a remarkable transformation occurred. Small numbers of gray wolves adopted a new pack master ? humans." Over the years, dog fanciers and breeders have tinkered with those canines so much that more than 400 dog breeds exist today worldwide.

Much of the variation is in skull characteristics.?"Dogs can serve as a model for skull growth and shape determination, because the genetic conservation between dogs and humans makes it highly likely that craniofacial development is regulated similarly between both species," study co-author Jeffrey Schoenebeck of the National Institutes of Health said in a statement. [See The 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds]

From the "pushed-in" face of a bulldog to the elongated snout of the Afghan, dog craniums run the gamut. Skull shape genetics is complex, and multiple genes are often involved. Researchers have begun to pick apart the genes that are responsible for shapes that resemble human conditions like brachycephaly (a flattened head) and dolichocephaly (an elongated head). Researchers have also studied traits that fit neither description, such as the Chihuahua's?rounded skull or the bull terrier's downward angled muzzle. By comparing genetic variations among these skull shapes, the team can tease out which genes may be responsible for a flattened head, for instance.

While the researchers note wryly, "the dog model is young in human years," they say that understanding these genes and their interactions might help explain craniofacial defects in humans.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/genes-behind-fidos-facial-features-150935725.html

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Read Dayton's full state of the state speech (Star Tribune)

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New Android apps worth downloading: Sketch O Paint, Tango update, Epic Citadel

Sketch O Paint is a digital drawing app for touchscreens that?s focused on pen, ink, and line creations. An update for voice-over-Internet app Tango is up next, with Epic Games? beautiful tech demo Epic Citadel rounding out today?s new apps worth downloading.

What?s it about? Drawing app Sketch O Paint focuses on line drawings and black-and-white creations you can make with your mobile device?s touchscreen.

What?s cool? Sketch O Paint is a robust drawing app, providing a number of brushes and tools for creating your digital artwork, and is pressure-sensitive to accurately recreate a real drawing experience. Once you?ve completed your works, you can save them for later, export them from your device to your computer, and share them with others through email.

Who?s it for? Artists and parents who want to have their kids tap into their creativity should check out what Sketch O Paint.

What?s it like? Try also Adobe Photoshop Touch, and Sketchbook Pro for Tablets if you?ve got a bigger device.

Tango update (Free)

What?s it about? A voice-over-Internet app, Tango lets you make calls and send texts using your device?s Internet connection, rather than your cellular plan.

What?s cool? Tango gives you the ability to make calls to other users and send images, text messages, and videos. Better still, the app supports the ability to make free video calls to anyone else who has the Tango app, and you can even play games with your friends as you?re calling them. Tango?s latest update eliminates some program bugs, and the app now stores all the multimedia you?ve sent or received ? specifically, videos and images ? in a central gallery.

Who?s it for? If you like the idea of interacting with others in a more robust way than just calling them, try Tango.What?s it like? You can get some similar features from Skype and Viber.

What?s it about? Though it?s more of a tech demo than a game, Epic Games? Epic Citadel is a first-person exploration experience that lets you wander a stunning medieval town created with the company?s Unreal Engine 3.

What?s cool? If you?ve heard about the Infinity Blade titles on Apple?s iOS platform and you wanted to know what all the fuss is about ? well, keep waiting. But if you want a small taste of the mobile graphical delight in those games, give Epic Citadel a try. The demo allows you to move through a city from the Infinity Blade lore, and while you can?t do much else, it is an impressive piece of technology to see the Unreal Engine at work. Epic Citadel might give you some hope that the Infinity Blade series will make it to Android, but even if it doesn?t, you can still see a little bit of what the company can do.

Who?s it for? If you like seeing what kind of graphics your Android device is capable of delivering, download Epic Citadel.

What?s it like? Experience great graphics that actually have a game to go with them with Shadowgun and Dead Trigger.

Download the Appolicious Android app

Source: http://www.androidapps.com/tech/articles/13198-new-android-apps-worth-downloading-sketch-o-paint-tango-update-epic-citadel

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'Heavy price': State-run China paper warns N. Korea

Eugene Hoshiko / AP

Chinese workers set up decorations for the upcoming Chinese New Year in Dandong, China, on Tuesday. Dandong is located across the Yalu river from the North Korean town of Sinuiju.

By Ed Flanagan, Producer, NBC News

Published at 10:35 a.m. ET: BEIJING ? It remains unclear just when, if ever, North Korea will attempt its controversial third nuclear test, but there are growing signs that the reclusive nation's biggest political ally is growing weary of its behavior.

A strongly worded editorial in China's state-run Global Times newspaper?Wednesday?called on Beijing to get tough with Pyongyang if it conducts a nuclear test.

"If North Korea insists on a third nuclear test despite attempts to dissuade it, it must pay a heavy price," the paper said. It called on China to cut economic aid to the struggling country as punishment.

The editorial also restated a popular opinion held by many Chinese experts that friction between North Korea and its regional neighbors was opening China up to diplomatic attack from players such as the United States.

"Some believe the U.S., Japan and South Korea are attempting to foment discord between China and North Korea," the editorial warned. "Such a trap may be real, but China shouldn't be taken hostage by North Korea's extreme actions in order to avoid such a trap."

A propaganda video posted on YouTube by the North Korea government shows a missile launch and a city that appears to be New York, in flames. NBC's Brian Williams reports.

Addressing concerns that a harsh response to North Korea's nuclear test would cause Pyongyang to turn on its long-time ally, the paper argued that even if the reclusive nation was to turn completely on China and side with the U.S., there would be "no serious ramifications."

In the Global Times' view, China's increasing political and economic clout would negate such newfound hostility.

"China is never afraid of Pyongyang," the paper declared. "If Pyongyang gets tough with China, China should strike back hard, even at the cost of deteriorating bilateral relations."

Despite the tough talk, China's Foreign Ministry maintained its official position on North Korea, expressing concern about the situation and calling for more engagement between the embattled parties.

"China is extremely concerned by the way things are going," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. "We oppose any behavior which may exacerbate the situation and any acts which are not beneficial towards the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

"We call on all the relevant sides to remain calm and exercise restraint and earnestly work hard to maintain peace and stability in the Korean peninsula," she added.

The Global Times, a hard-line state-owned newspaper, has long taken a strong nationalist bent in its opinions, which while tacitly allowed by state censors, does not always reflect the official position of the government.

"Many people outside of China think that the Global Times is the official voice of the Chinese government," said Wang Junsheng, a North Korea researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Science. "But the paper is mostly commercial and doesn't represent the government's official point of view."

That isn't to say that the Global Times' editorials aren't representative of the views of many Chinese and Communist Party officials.

But such editorials help Beijing to gauge public opinion within China while also serving as an effective safety valve with which the Communist Party can ratchet up and ease nationalism when needed.

David Guttenfelder / AP

In this March 9, 2011 photo, a girl plays the piano inside the Changgwang Elementary School in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

Zhang Liangui, professor of international strategic research at the Party School of the China Communist Party Central Committee, believes that in this case, the editor accurately conveyed public opinion in China on the North Korea question.

"This article only represents a reporter's point of view, but I think he really expressed what many people in China are thinking must be done," Zhang said.

Like the editorial, Zhang argues that China should take a stand against the nuclear test and that China should take the additional step of enforcing sanctions on North Korea should the test go ahead.

"If North Korea performs this test, it is necessary for North Korea to pay a price," Zhang said. "North Korea is a small country and is very close to China, so the nuclear test will have an impact on China's security."

NBC News' Le Li contributed to this report.

Related:

North Korea propaganda video shows an American city in flames

Show of force: US, South Korea hold naval drills amid North's nuclear threats

North Korea's propaganda poets stay true to their muse despite world's laughter

Source: http://behindthewall.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/06/16867952-china-state-media-north-korea-would-pay-a-heavy-price-for-nuclear-test?lite

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PC Games vs Console Games: a never-ending challenge | The Blog ...

The game has always been a part of our culture for a very long time, we already have prehistoric men of their time devoted to the activity fun.
Whether you are a casual player and therefore not inclined to follow all thiols in output, and instead belongs to the category of hardcore gamers, who goes crazy for games like enjoys games like Call of Duty, Battlefield 3 or Halo, you know that players can be divided into two broad categories of membership linked to the type of gaming platforms, we talk about PC and Console.

These two systems have very different characteristics and many people are fighting to prove that their choice is the right one. In an attempt to provide information regarding the choice ta the two solutions, in this article we will compare the pros and cons of each.
Let?s start with the PC games. The first thing that we find is that the number of games developed for the personal computer market is huge. The number of players is impressive indeed are more than 4 million people who are constantly online on Steam, the program created by a company of video games, Valve, for the digital distribution of video games (ie buy a game on the Internet, buy only the game and not the ?box?).

A positive aspect of PC games is their low cost compared with those for the console. On average, a superior game is only 50$, while on consoles is around 60$. Not only are there a lot of games exclusively for PC but most of these exclusive cost around ? 15 and offer a quality you normally see only in securities with triple-A.

The PC games also have more value than the console counterpart. Thanks to the wide community of enthusiasts, most of the titles at once changes by the players themselves that add hours of new content. The change can affect anything from a greater number of weapons added a new story entirely to the original storyline in the game. Even the old games can come to shine with a ?coat of paint?, there are in fact players can create changes that improve the graphics of the game making it look more modern. The experience of PC gaming is revealed for many titles better and more exciting.

I?ve been experimenting Battlefield 3 on Xbox 360 and I must say that I feel the fun with my friends is fabulous but when I saw the edition for PC turn I was impressed to say the least, it?s really an amazing experience! In particular stood out instantly fast action and constant that is sometimes lacking in the console version.

There are thousands and thousands of great games at an acceptable cost. For example, it has recently been released Planetside 2 for PC. As the name implies, this is the result of the first release and has a quality graphics and storyboards really exciting but the biggest surprise is when you go to the store to buy it with only 13$ you can take it home!
With regard to the cost of PC gaming should be said that far exceeds that of a traditional console or a PC but be careful to reflect well on this particular. When you buy a pc game takes home a super powerful machine that you can use not only to play with the utmost satisfaction but you can also use it for any other purpose how to work with graphics programs, data processing, internet, etc ? then one pc I brought home two. If we are experts in hardware, you can also buy the components online and create a super powerful with 600$ or less!

Despite all these great features, many people prefer a console because it has a more familiar and easier to use than a personal computer. When you decide to buy and use a gaming computer you must have some foundation of knowledge about how a computer works, on the contrary, use a console does not require computer knowledge and there are no complex configurations to be set: it all comes down to a simple plug and play, you will not have to assemble the components of your computer and get confused with the myriad of wires and cables that run into the case. In addition, many families use their console not only for gaming. Thanks to powerful models such as the legendary PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 it was possible to take advantage of new applications dedicated to sport and movement practiced in the home, and a growing number of families using these platforms as a means of socializing and meeting place for all components. A further use of the console is the use to which it can do as a DVD player, as many people like to watch a movie on a TV 42-inch high-definition using just the console.

Undoubtedly the use of the console is very simple and accessible to people of all ages. The organization of content is performed automatically. While a computer is necessary to operate manulamente so that all the icons or folders to be in order to hold what you need, with a console everything is set up in sections set automatically. If it is true that there are infinitely many exclusive games for the PC, it is also true that there are many exclusive games console there this makes sure that PC gamers are tempted to buy a console.

As it turned out, it is not easy to choose whether to buy a gaming computer or a console. People who are experts in technology tend to move towards the computer as they know what they are doing and are able to solve any problem could occur. The other, less experienced, they choose without hesitation the console as it does not require any maintenance and running in minutes. But between the two systems which is best? Considering how in the long run, a computer can save money, this is without doubt the best choice. In fact you can save a lot more money with a computer game as the games are cheaper and there are also many titles completely free. But of course, this is just my idea because, as we have seen, the variables involved are many and each has its own requirements.

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Source: http://blog.1millionfreegames.com/bestonlinegamesarticles/pc-games-vs-console-games-a-never-ending-challenge/

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Oil rebounds to near $97 as European stocks rise

The price of oil rebounded to near $97 a barrel Monday, taking its cue from rising stock markets in Europe.

By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark oil for March delivery was up 72 cents to $96.89 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract dropped by $1.60 to finish at $96.17 a barrel on the Nymex on Monday.

Oil prices had risen steadily since they traded near $86 a barrel in mid-December on hopes for an improving global economy. But U.S. stock indexes had big declines Monday amid concerns about political stability in Italy and Spain.

However, data published Tuesday showing rising activity in the manufacturing and services sectors in the 17 European Union countries using the euro helped ease those concerns and turn around falling oil prices.

"The slide could continue in the short term if the correction on the financial markets proceeds, but we do not envisage prices receding for any great length of time," said a report from Commerzbank in Frankfurt. "The supply-side risks still prevailing, shrinking OPEC supplies and the brightening global economic outlook all suggest that such a retreat is unlikely."

A weaker dollar also contributed to the rising oil prices by making crude cheaper ? and a more appealing investment ? for traders using other currencies. On Tuesday the euro rose to $1.3540 from $1.3505 late Monday in New York.

Brent crude, the benchmark used to set prices for oil used by many U.S. refineries, was up 95 cents to $116.55 in London.

In other energy futures trading on the Nymex:

? Wholesale gasoline added 3.45 cents to $3.046 per gallon.

? Natural gas rose 3.7 cents to $3.352 per 1,000 cubic feet.

? Heating oil gained 3.2 cents to $3.186 a gallon.

___

Pamela Sampson in Bangkok contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/oil-rebounds-near-97-european-stocks-rise-134602345--finance.html

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Senate committee postpones vote on Hagel confirmation

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Armed Services committee will not vote this week on Chuck Hagel's confirmation as President Barack Obama's next secretary of defense, the panel's chairman said on Wednesday.

"The committee's vote on Senator Hagel's nomination has not been scheduled," Senator Carl Levin said in a statement. "I had hoped to hold a vote on the nomination this week, but the committee's review of the nomination is not yet complete."

He said he intended to schedule a vote as soon as possible.

Levin, a Democrat, said after Hagel's contentious confirmation hearing last week that he hoped the panel would vote during a meeting on Thursday.

But Republicans said they still wanted more information on issues including the former Republican senator's business dealings and past speeches, and would try to prevent a quick confirmation if they did not get it.

"I look for people to slow this train down, and let's get everything we need. And that's what I want to do," Senator James Inhofe, the committee's senior Republican, told reporters after a news conference on the defense budget.

Levin aides declined to elaborate on why the vote would not take place on Thursday as had been expected.

Hagel has provided some information on his personal finances, but said he could not provide all of what has been requested because it was confidential information from private organizations that he was not authorized to disclose.

Some Republicans have demanded the texts of speeches by Hagel, which Hagel said were not available because he spoke extemporaneously. Others have said they were awaiting results of a 2007 sexual harassment claim against a former member of Hagel's staff by another member of his staff, Foreign Policy reported.

There was no indication Hagel was involved in the incident.

Democrats have said the Republicans' objections were a last-ditch effort to convince Obama to withdraw Hagel's nomination, which is not likely.

Hagel, a former senator from Nebraska, faced a barrage of often heated questions about his record from fellow Republicans last week when he appeared before the Armed Services Committee, which must approve his nomination before it faces a vote in the full Senate.

(Editing by Jackie Frank)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/senate-committee-may-delay-vote-hagel-confirmation-214853882.html

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