HEIDELBERG, Germany, February 5 /PRNewswire/ --

During a lengthy interview with a reporter from a tabloid in Guben, Germany on Feb 4. 2008 anatomist, Dr. Gunther von Hagens explained his views on anatomy, the poor access to medical knowledge by lay people, and his own professional evolution from male nurse, to anesthesiologist, to Ivory Tower academic, to public scientist.

Dr. von Hagens believes that to differentiate between experts and laypersons points to an inherent bias that could lead to the colonizing of knowledge by the medical and scientific elite. Thus, he floated the idea that plastinates ought to be distributed to qualified individuals including laypersons. In a moment of scientific bravado on behalf of lay people, Dr. von Hagens claimed the enterprise as feasible and active, and went so far as to venture how such a plan would operate.

BOSTON, February 5 /PRNewswire/ --

A new study led by researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center has identified insulin resistance in the liver as a key factor in the cause of metabolic syndrome and its associated atherosclerosis, disorders that put tens of millions of Americans at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

The findings, published in the February issue of Cell Metabolism, provide not only an understanding of how metabolic syndrome occurs, but also pinpoint a target for treatment of the condition. This represents the work of Sudha Biddinger, M.D., Ph.D., and a team led by C. Ronald Kahn, M.D., Head of the Joslin Research Section on Obesity and Hormone Action and the Mary K. Iacocca Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

DALLAS, February 5 /PRNewswire/ --

- Large Equity Investment from Kuwait Announced Today

Just as oil is reaching the US$100 per barrel mark, Dallas-based Synfuels International, Inc. announced a transaction, which will make it practical to produce millions of barrels of new petroleum products and help reduce sources of global warming.

SANTA CLARA, California, February 5 /PRNewswire/ --

- Samsung Selects Marvell Processor for Accelerated Processing and Superior Multimedia Capabilities

WELLESLEY HILLS, Massachusetts, February 5 /PRNewswire/ --

Joseph F. Finn, Jr., CPA, the Assignee for the Benefit of Creditors of ActivBiotics, announced today that The Committee for Orphan Drug Products of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation for M40403 for the prevention of oral mucositis (OM) in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

The development of oral mucositis during radiation therapy of head and neck cancers is the major reason for poor compliance with and early discontinuation of radiation therapy by patients being treated for their condition.

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts, February 5 /PRNewswire/ --

- Companies team to simplify 3G home networking deployments

Airvana, Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRV), the company transforming the mobile experience, and Thomson (Euronext 18453; NYSE: TMS), a world leader in media and communications technologies, today announced that they entered into a global sourcing agreement for Airvana's Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) femtocell technology. As a result of the agreement, Thomson will use Airvana's femtocell products in conjunction with their own residential gateways.