There is good news for diabetic
patients. They will no longer
need to inject insulin – thanks to
a treatment involving the use of
insulin-producing cells which
Harvard University scientists
discovered how to make.
The cure could, therefore, be
imminent as the scientists have
produced large volumes of
laboratory-grown pancreatic
cells required for one-off
transplantation in patients.
The breakthrough has been
hailed and compared to the
invention of antibiotics. It
involved identifying how to
efficiently turn both stem cell
types into beta cells.
The cells, millions of which were
manufactured, produced insulin,
responded to glucose, worked on
mice for many months and will
soon be used to treat humans.
The discovery is the result of 23
years of research by Harvard
Professor Doug Melton, whose
study of type 1 diabetes was
prompted by his son having the
condition as a six-month-old. His
daughter received the same
diagnoses.
The cells could be used to treat
all patients rather than each
person needing their own
genetically matched treatment.
The cells tested on mice were
placed in a porous capsule to
protect them from attacks by the
body’s immune system, while
allowing the insulin to diffuse
out.
This means the cells could be
produced on an industrial scale
and used on patients without
possible immune rejection,
while the capsule could be
replaced if it stopped working.
A report on the work is
published in the October 10
edition of the journal Cell.
Online reports quoted Prof
Melton as saying: “It was
gratifying to know that we could
do something that we always
thought was possible, but many
people felt it wouldn’t work. We
are now just one pre-clinical
step away from the finish line.”
Asked about his children’s
reaction he said: “I think like all
kids, they always assumed that if
I said I’d do this, I’d do it.”
Prof Melton said the stem cell-
derived beta cells are presently
undergoing trials in animal
models, including non-human
primates, where they are still
producing insulin after several
months,.
The team at Harvard used
embryonic stem cells to produce
human insulin-producing cells
equivalent in almost every way
to normally functioning cells.
The Telegraph quoted Professor
of Regenerative Medicine,
University College London Chris
Mason as saying the discovery
was “potentially a major medical
breakthrough”.
“If this scalable technology is
proven to work in both the clinic
and in the manufacturing
facility, the impact on the
treatment of diabetes will be a
medical game-changer on a par
with antibiotics and bacterial
infections,” he said.
Head of Institute of Integrative
Biology at the University of
Liverpool, Prof Anthony
Hollander, added: “This is very
exciting fundamental research
that solves a major roadblock in
the development of a stem cell
treatment for diabetes.
“The study provides a very
elegant and convincing method
for generating functional
insulin-producing cells in large
numbers.”
Prof Mark Dunne of Manchester
University said: “Overall this is
an important advance for the
field of diabetes and people with
Type 1 diabetes.”
Prof Elaine Fuchs of Rockefeller
University described the findings
as “one of the most important
advances to date in the stem cell
field”, adding: “For decades,
researchers have tried to
generate human pancreatic beta
cells that could be cultured and
passaged long term under
conditions where they produce
insulin.”
Type 1 diabetes is an
autoimmune condition that
causes the pancreas to stop
producing insulin – the
hormone that regulates blood
glucose levels.
If the amount of glucose in the
blood is too high it can seriously
damage the body’s organs over
time.
While diabetics can keep their
glucose levels under general
control by injecting insulin, that
does not provide the fine tuning
necessary to properly control
metabolism, which can lead to
devastating complications such
as blindness or loss of limbs.

doctorlaw: So women like doctors?well I didn't know. And what is the gossip about drs being flirts? People expect doctors to always be righteous but forgeting we have thesame blood and hormones flowing like other men. Shout out to all the doctors joor

1luv!

Its starts 11/11/13...just 2say "thank U.."

Hint:Use *559*4# to check

The 2013 Nobel Prize honors three scientists who have solved the mystery of how the cell organizes its transport system. Each cell is a factory that produces and exports molecules. For instance, insulin is manufactured and released into the blood and chemical signals called neurotransmitters are sent from one nerve cell to another. These molecules are transported around the cell in small packages called vesicles. The three Nobel Laureates have discovered the molecular principles that govern how this cargo is delivered to the right place at the right time in the cell.

Randy Schekman discovered a set of genes that were required for vesicle traffic. James Rothman unravelled protein machinery that allows vesicles to fuse with their targets to permit transfer of cargo. Thomas Südhof revealed how signals instruct vesicles to release their cargo with precision.

Through their discoveries, Rothman, Schekman and Südhof have revealed the exquisitely precise control system for the transport and delivery of cellular cargo. Disturbances in this system have deleterious effects and contribute to conditions such as neurological diseases, diabetes, and immunological disorders.

How cargo is transported in the cell

In a large and busy port, systems are required to ensure that the correct cargo is shipped to the correct destination at the right time. The cell, with its different compartments called organelles, faces a similar problem: cells produce molecules such as hormones, neurotransmitters, cytokines and enzymes that have to be delivered to other places inside the cell, or exported out of the cell, at exactly the right moment. Timing and location are everything. Miniature bubble-like vesicles, surrounded by membranes, shuttle the cargo between organelles or fuse with the outer membrane of the cell and release their cargo to the outside. This is of major importance, as it triggers nerve activation in the case of transmitter substances, or controls metabolism in the case of hormones. How do these vesicles know where and when to deliver their cargo?

Traffic congestion reveals genetic controllers

Randy Schekman was fascinated by how the cell organizes its transport system and in the 1970s decided to study its genetic basis by using yeast as a model system. In a genetic screen, he identified yeast cells with defective transport machinery, giving rise to a situation resembling a poorly planned public transport system. Vesicles piled up in certain parts of the cell. He found that the cause of this congestion was genetic and went on to identify the mutated genes. Schekman identified three classes of genes that control different facets of the cell´s transport system, thereby providing new insights into the tightly regulated machinery that mediates vesicle transport in the cell.

Docking with precision

James Rothman was also intrigued by the nature of the cell´s transport system. When studying vesicle transport in mammalian cells in the 1980s and 1990s, Rothman discovered that a protein complex enables vesicles to dock and fuse with their target membranes. In the fusion process, proteins on the vesicles and target membranes bind to each other like the two sides of a zipper. The fact that there are many such proteins and that they bind only in specific combinations ensures that cargo is delivered to a precise location. The same principle operates inside the cell and when a vesicle binds to the cell´s outer membrane to release its contents.

It turned out that some of the genes Schekman had discovered in yeast coded for proteins corresponding to those Rothman identified in mammals, revealing an ancient evolutionary origin of the transport system. Collectively, they mapped critical components of the cell´s transport machinery.

Timing is everything

Thomas Südhof was interested in how nerve cells communicate with one another in the brain. The signalling molecules, neurotransmitters, are released from vesicles that fuse with the outer membrane of nerve cells by using the machinery discovered by Rothman and Schekman. But these vesicles are only allowed to release their contents when the nerve cell signals to its neighbors. How is this release controlled in such a precise manner? Calcium ions were known to be involved in this process and in the 1990s, Südhof searched for calcium sensitive proteins in nerve cells. He identified molecular machinery that responds to an influx of calcium ions and directs neighbor proteins rapidly to bind vesicles to the outer membrane of the nerve cell. The zipper opens up and signal substances are released. Südhof´s discovery explained how temporal precision is achieved and how vesicles´ contents can be released on command.

Vesicle transport gives insight into disease processes

The three Nobel Laureates have discovered a fundamental process in cell physiology. These discoveries have had a major impact on our understanding of how cargo is delivered with timing and precision within and outside the cell. Vesicle transport and fusion operate, with the same general principles, in organisms as different as yeast and man. The system is critical for a variety of physiological processes in which vesicle fusion must be controlled, ranging from signalling in the brain to release of hormones and immune cytokines. Defective vesicle transport occurs in a variety of diseases including a number of neurological and immunological disorders, as well as in diabetes. Without this wonderfully precise organization, the cell would lapse into chaos.

James E. Rothman was born 1950 in Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA. He received his PhD from Harvard Medical School in 1976, was a postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and moved in 1978 to Stanford University in California, where he started his research on the vesicles of the cell. Rothman has also worked at Princeton University, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute and Columbia University. In 2008, he joined the faculty of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, where he is currently Professor and Chairman in the Department of Cell Biology.

Randy W. Schekman was born 1948 in St Paul, Minnesota, USA, studied at the University of California in Los Angeles and at Stanford University, where he obtained his PhD in 1974 under the supervision of Arthur Kornberg (Nobel Prize 1959) and in the same department that Rothman joined a few years later. In 1976, Schekman joined the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley, where he is currently Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell biology. Schekman is also an investigator of Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Thomas C. Südhof was born in 1955 in Göttingen, Germany. He studied at the Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen, where he received an MD in 1982 and a Doctorate in neurochemistry the same year. In 1983, he moved to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, USA, as a postdoctoral fellow with Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein (who shared the 1985 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine). Südhof became an investigator of Howard Hughes Medical Institute in 1991 and was appointed Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Stanford University in 2008.

Oct. 7, 2013 — The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has today decided to award The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman and Thomas C. Südhof for their discoveries of machinery regulating vesicle traffic, a major transport system in our cells.

One more set...those dat dnt flush after usin..Crazy!

The launch of BBM for iOS and Android appears to be imminent, as BlackBerry has accidentally published user guides for its forthcoming mobile messaging apps to its own website: here (iOS) and here (Android). The guides explain in detail how the apps function, how to get started, and their various feature sets.

For previous BBM users from BlackBerry, most of these details are familiar. The apps are designed to allow for real-time communication between contacts and groups, the guides explain, letting users share pictures and messages, including broadcast messages, multi-person chats, and group chats. Users will also be able to create BBM Groups, where they can plan events, track to-do’s, share photos, and chat with up to 30 people at a time, without the need to add everyone as BBM contacts.

BBM will work over both cellular and Wi-Fi, the latter option which is meant to help avoid data charges when traveling.

Each user can establish their own BBM profile, where they can choose a display picture, name, and status that their contacts will see, and they’ll also have a unique BBM PIN which they can access by tapping “Show Barcode.”

The apps will also include support for various emoticons and emoji, but because the guides don’t include screenshots, we’re not able to see a preview of what these or any of the features look like in more detail.

We already knew BBM was to arrive on iOS or Android globally this summer, as CEO Thorsten Heins announced the news at the BlackBerry Live conference in May. The company also began sending out beta invites earlier this month.

This is a major move for the struggling company, as BBM has for a long time been one of Blackberry, and the BB10′s, strongest features. At launch, Heins had said that only messaging and group features will be available, but promised that the rest of BBM will eventually make its way to the Android and iOS versions including screen sharing, BBM voice, and the newer BBM channels.

The question now for the company is whether it’s too little, too late. Today’s app stores have become saturated with a plethora of mobile messaging apps for users to choose from, including Skype, Whatsapp, KakaoTalk, Kik, Viber, WeChat, LINE, Facebook Messenger, Tango, Snapchat, MessageMe, Path, Voxer, Google Hangouts, and many others. Blackberry is banking on its brand recognition and history in the messaging space, but the large majority of its users have since moved on new smartphones and therefore, new mobile applications. Still, BBM may still hold a soft spot in some of these folks’ hearts, and at least some may be willing to give the apps another shot.

Alt links, in case Blackberry takes the guides down, are below. Although that’s probably not the case, as this “leak” could very well be a beg for publicity ahead of the apps’ official debut. (And it worked, sigh). Besides, who needs a manual for mobile messagers, anyway?
http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/22/blackberry-posts-user-guides-for-ios-android-versions-of-bbm-ahead-of-launch/

Pls,link 2watch d tape jare!

Hope some used chewing sticks..

Deppression!The man jst realises he's getting old fast..so terrifying![color=#990000][/color]

As promised back in December, Samsung has started to roll out the Android Jelly Bean update and a host of 'Premium Suite' features for owners of the original Galaxy Note.

The Korean manufacturer is gradually furnishing the 5.3-inch smartphone/tablet device with the update, with immediate availability depending on region and mobile network.

The update brings early phablet adopters the chance to parade the newest Android and Samsung-made features alongside those Johnny-come-lately Galaxy Note 2 owners.

Android 4.1 obviously brings the awesome Google Now app into play, while a host of Samsung Premium Suite features are also piggy-backing along for the ride.

Multi Window and Page Buddy

Original Galaxy Note owners will get the neat Multi Window functionality, which allows users to use two apps simultaneously (i.e. sending an email and watching a video) without switching screens.

It also brings Page Buddy, which launches a window featuring relevant apps when a user, for example, pops out the S-Pen or plugs in headphones.

There's also a customisable notifications panel and the Smart Rotation feature that also proved popular on the Galaxy Note 2.

It's little surprise that Samsung has furnished the device with the update. The Galaxy Note was insanely popular and proved a lot of people wrong with its stellar sales performance.

The update, when it hits your part of town, will be available to download over-the-air or using Samsung's Kies desktop software.

Read on Web

Techradar

Chris Smith Feb 18, 2013

First Samsung Galaxy Note gets Jelly Bean, now as hip as younger sibling

Thanks in advance!ZTE modem..IMEI-862648019287351.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 series looks even more likely to make an appearance soon as a boxed slate appears online.

We've previously heard rumours that Samsung is readying 7- and 10-inch variants of a new range of tablets to fall under the Galaxy Tab 3 name for an MWC 2013 launch.

Phone Arena has now been sent a couple of images which apparently show a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 chilling out in its box ready to hit stores.

Lifting the lid

As with a lot of leaked shots of unannounced products the quality of these snaps is not brilliant, and it's not possible to read the text on the lid of the box other than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 name and the start of the model number: GT-P.

Judging by the size of the icons on the display image on the front of the box we assume this is a photo of the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3, which will look to take on the Google Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Nook HD.

TechRadar will be out in force at MWC 2013 in Barcelona to bring you all the latest from the key manufacturers, including Samsung and any new tablets it may be planning to spring on us.

Read on Web

Techradar

John McCann Jan 28, 2013 Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 pops up boxed and ready to go[right][/right]

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Best mobile phone: Overview

What's the best mobile phone? Our verdict on the best smartphone/best phones -constantly updated

We've all got at least one mobile phone each, right? The trouble is, how do you decide which is the best one for you?

Well, this is where we make it easy. Because here we have our continually updated comparison of the top 20 best smartphones you can get in Australia.

The last update saw the Samsung Galaxy S3 take the top spot most people thought it deserved... but with the iPhone 5 now upon us, can the Korean brand hold off ANOTHER onslaught from the Cupertino powerhouse?

But we probably shouldn't forget the Apple iPhone 4S as a viable option, and the Nokia Lumia 900 suggests Windows Phone might have something to offer, so check out our list to discover the perfect phone for you.

If that still doesn't help, well, there's always our extensive mobile phone reviews pages as well - or check out our personally crafted smartphone buyer's guides:

By OS:

Best Android phone - which should you buy?

Best Windows Phone - which should you buy?

Best BlackBerry phone - which should you buy?

Here are our rankings for the best mobile phones around, currently available in Australia.

FutTv : uST651wdM1VK5

Number 20: Samsung Galaxy Note

20. Samsung Galaxy Note

Is it a phone? Is it a tablet? Samsung wants us to believe it's a whole new category of device - but let's be honest, it's essentially just a really big phone. Or a really small tablet - depending on how you like your gadgets.

Given the penchant for so many to browse rather than make calls on their pocket device, something with a huge 5.3-inch Super AMOLED screen with high-power internals (1.4GHz dual-core processor, no less) is always going to impress.

It's been outdated by the launch of the Galaxy Note 2, but as a bargain device, this is still a very desirable handset

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/sIXyBQ6I70N2F

Quick verdict

The Galaxy Note is only around 12 months old, yet already its been superseded. But with a dual-core processor and massive touchscreen, the original note offers consumers the chance at a bargain, with impresive specs and a great display coupled with a very affordable price.

Samsung Galaxy Note review

Number 19: BlackBerry Bold 9900

19. BlackBerry Bold 9900

RIM's been in the doldrums a little of late, but that hasn't stopped it doing what it does best: bringing out the industry's top messaging devices.

The Bold 9900 is the best BlackBerry ever created, with a solid chassis, easy-to-use keys, a superbly hi-res screen and touch capabilities too.

BB OS 7 might not be much of an upgrade, but it still just works on a phone with a QWERTY keyboard / smaller screen combo.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/6Fj6W5BqEV5df The internet is faster (although not market leading), the camera has been improved and NFC capabilities push the Bold 9900 into next generation territory.

However, the price is still too high, which is why we've been forced to give it such a shove down the rankings here.

Quick verdict

If you're a BlackBerry fan, this is the phone for you without doubt. Well, that is if you can afford the still oddly high price tag - it's only this that's stopping us ranking the Bold 9900 higher in our definitive guide.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 review

Number 18: Sony Xperia U

18. Sony Xperia U

If you're not caught up in today's obsession with enormous display sizes, the Sony Xperia U is a great choice of smartphone.

It has all the speed, power and features of the larger Android models that cost two or three times as much - your only compromise here is seeing it all through a smaller display.

The only noticeable weaknesses here are the phone's video performance, which is terrible despite the 720p claim, and the lack of onboard storage space.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/919OI93trSOil But this phone does everything else just as well as the high-end Android flagship handsets. And the battery will last longer, too.

Quick verdict

The Sony Xperia U will do everything you want, albeit not at the full speed you may want. However, the price is right and the form is good - plus the little blinking notification light in the transparent sector pleases us.

Sony Xperia U review

Number 17: Huawei Ascend G300

17. Huawei Ascend G300

When you initially pull the Huawei Ascend G300 out of its box, or out of your pocket, you'll be more than impressed at the quality given you only handed over 169 notes for the privilege.

A quirky skin atop Android 2.3 might not sound like much, and it's a little underpowered if truth be told, but for the price it serves the purpose of making the handset stand out a little in the Android cacophony.

The budget market is a difficult one to crack, and the G300 has managed to put in enough tech, including a 4-inch WVGA screen, 1GHz processor and slim design to compete with the Blackberry Curve 8520, the Samsung Galaxy Y and the HTC One V, all of which are more expensive.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/ni99m7cmnU5Ym Plus, with the forthcoming update to Ice Cream Sandwich, the G300 even manages to keep up with future devices.

Quick verdict

Not every phone needs to cost close to a thousand dollars to use, and for those that want the latest version of Android, a big screen for movies and the ability to buy another handset without breaking the bank, the Huawei Ascend G300 is a winner.

Huawei Ascend G300 review

Number 16: Motorola RAZR M

16. Motorola RAZR M

Despite being bought out by Google, Motorola has been a little slow turning from Smartphone minnow to powerhouse. The RAZR M is one of the best handsets the company has to offer, but it doesn't have enough to crack the top 15.

Exclusive to Telstra, and singing on the national carrier's 4G network, the RAZR M is a versatile handset. It's screen is relatively small for most modern Android handsets at just 4.3 inches, and lacks resolution at just 540 x 960.

But it makes up for this by being comfortable in the pocket, and having a user interface that's both simple and enjoyable to use.

Motorola's Smart Actions is also a welcome feature, automatically adjusting settings on the device based on certain user-set criteria.

Quick verdict

While we're waiting for a Google-owned Motorola to come out and wow us with their insider understanding of the Android operating system, we have handsets like the RAZR M to keep us going.

While it can't compete with the top tier phones like the iPhone 5 or the Galaxy S3, it does offer plenty of features at an attractive price.

Motorola RAZR M review

Number 15: Nokia Lumia 900

15. Nokia Lumia 900

Android could learn a thing from the nearly bloatware-free Windows Phone – the Nokia Lumia 900 brings a big screen and an excellent OS together.

We can't take our hands off the Lumia 900 – not since the iPhone was overhauled in 2010 have we enjoyed touching an inanimate object this much.

It's a shame the camera hardware doesn't live up to its software – there's so much more that can be done here.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/V1950aTsB67m7 It's not as exciting as it once was, as we have the fancy Nokia Lumia 920 on the market - plus that brings 4G and the next version of mobile software through Windows Phone 8, where the Lumia 900 will always be stuck on Windows Phone 7.8.

Quick verdict

The Nokia Lumia 900 certainly isn't an iPhone 4S or Samsung Galaxy S2 beater - but it's a solid Windows Phone device even if it has been outdated by the Lumia 920. If you're a fan of a simple interface with some quality add-ons, then you should definitely look at though, especially given the potential for a bargain price.

Nokia Lumia 900 review

Number 14: Samsung Galaxy Nexus

14. Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The first 'Google phone' to come without the search giant's branding, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is meant to be the device that preaches the power of Ice Cream Sandwich to the awe-struck Android masses - and now it's now been updated to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Of course, now we have the quad core power of the Google Nexus 4 to marvel over, complete with Android 4.2 (which is coming to the Galaxy Nexus soon) this is a phone that's not as interesting to us any more.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/eOd39Ttiohmr7 The screen still looks fantastic though as it's 4.65-inches with a resolution of 720 x 1280, giving a ppi of 316. It really is super sharp. We would have expected nothing less, with Samsung's mobile displays among the best out there, but it's cracking for internet and video.

Quick verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is mostly buoyed by the presence of Jelly Bean, but the high-quality screen, slim chassis and fast processing speeds make it a top device in our eyes. It's not worthy of the top spot as it lacks some of the power of the similar Samsung Galaxy S3 - but it's a darn sight cheaper these days.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus review

Number 13: iPhone 4S

13. iPhone 4S

When Apple announced this phone, it's testament to the power of the rumour mill that people were angry it wasn't called the iPhone 5, which is now a real device.

Predictably the iPhone 4S is no longer the iOS handset we recommend, but it's still a very worthy choice in the smartphone game thanks to some decent upgrades through iOS 6 (although the less said about Maps, the better...).

Siri voice recognition has shown itself to be slightly more than a novelty and has been upgraded to actually become useful with the new OS, and the screen technology is still top notch.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/3hKGBOfU3Sm2o We were hoping for a larger display (which we now have with the iPhone 5), and things such as a lack of Bluetooth transfer, no Flash integration with the internet browser and an uninspiring contacts app still grate - but they're no match for the sheer ease of use and general operation of Apple's OS if you're talking to one of the fans.

Quick verdict

OK, so it doesn't feel different in the pocket, and the updates don't seem to be that groundbreaking - but that doesn't matter for Apple, and the amazing camera, slick iOS 6 platform and superb display are still the things we look for.

It was one of the most expensive phones on the market but sadly hasn't dropped much in price (otherwise we would have kept it higher up the rankings) so think about whether you really want its high-end features, since the iPhone 4 is still a cheaper alternative.

iPhone 4S review

Number 12: Sony Xperia S

12. Sony Xperia S

We used to love the Xperia Arc S - but we're a fickle bunch, and now Ericsson has been cast aside, we're all over the new brand like a cat on a fresh set of curtains.

The Xperia S almost has too many positive points to list, with a new HD screen, 12MP camera and dual-core processor all combining to make one of the finest smartphones of 2012.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/nTvwTUjqv9D2e As you will gather from our review, the Sony Xperia S has both an amazing screen and a dual-core processor that never slows down - plus that 12MP camera is really one of the best out there.

Sony has also very kindly bundled lots of software with the Xperia S out of the box, which saves you having to dash to Google Play as soon as you turn on to grab vital apps.

Battery life is the only slight wobble (if you don't mind a plastic casing), but it will generally last a day under normal conditions, and that's a solid enough benchmark for us.

Quick verdict

There are still some niggles with the Xperia S but we think it says a lot that when deciding on the pros and cons for the device, we really struggled with the cons section.

This handset may not be the cheapest (although it still costs less than the likes of the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S2 when it launched) but we are really impressed with what Sony has done for its first solo foray.

That's now been improved with the announcement of the Sony Xperia TX, with faster innnards and a better screen - but that means the Xperia S will become a budget winner hopefully, so don't worry about the first Sony phone just yet.

Sony Xperia S review

Number 11: HTC One V

11. HTC One V

It may not have the specs to match the One X, but the One V has something much more appealing in its favour - an extremely attractive price point.

With the return of HTC's classic "chin" design, the One V delivers an impressive performance with its 5MP camera, 512MB RAM and 1GHz processor, coupled with its attractive 3.7-inch display.

HTC has taken 2010's cutting edge technology and used it to create an extremely nice budget handset. While that may not excite everybody, it certainly puts this handset in a nice place for winning users over to the Android operating system.

Quick verdict

It was never going to entice geeks to queue up overnight to get the first shipment, but the One V is a fantastic handset for the Android uninitiated, or simply those on a tight budget.

HTC One V review

Number 10: Samsung Galaxy S2

10. Samsung Galaxy S2

The king is dead - and the former number one phone in the world continues to slide down the rankings. That's not to take anything away from a cracking phone that is getting to a really low price these days, but it's nothing compared to its successor.

Make no mistake - this is still a great phone, thanks to the Ice Cream Sandwich update, and the design has moved from cool to iconic pretty quickly. However, we're still not sure when or even if the S2 will get an update to Jelly Bean, while those below it have all been confirmed (well, apart from the iPhone 5, obviously).

What we love about the Samsung Galaxy S II is the sheer amount of stuff that's packed in under the chassis - but more important is the way Samsung has used all that tech to create a phone that just works near-flawlessly.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/GMc029a48EWbs The dual-core 1.2GHz processor, the Super AMOLED plus screen and the excellent sonic performance of the media player all combine to make a real doozy of a mobile phone.

Recording in 1080p is a nice touch (given that it actually works most of the time) and the camera is more than enough to take great shots in a short space of time -although we suggest you check out the phones lower in this list for more powerful snappers.

In short, be it internet browsing, navigation, media, or social networking- the Samsung Galaxy S2 is still more than good enough for all those functions in one phone.

Quick verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S2 has sold many, many millions of units worldwide - and it's showing no sign of slowing down in the popularity stakes, so it stays in the top ten for now.

It's a cracking media mobile, still next generation in web browsing thanks to slick Flash integration, a very good replacement for a pocket camcorder and, goshdarnit, it makes calls pretty well too.

The Samsung Galaxy S II not only set a new bar for smartphones in 2011; it smashed the bar, recreated it in its own image and even managed to see off the competition of an Apple smartphone that doesn't drop signal all over the place - but now it's been usurped by a more powerful device.

Samsung Galaxy S2 review

Number 9: Sony Xperia TX

9. Sony Xperia TX

The Sony Xperia TX takes over from the Sony Xperia S as the Japanese company's new flagship device, but borrows the design found on the popular, but now aging Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Arc S.

It runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, with a 4.6-inch display boasting Sony's Bravia TV technology and on the back of the handset you'll find the 13MP camera – one of this phone's best features.

Sony has produced another impressive smartphone that offers the functionality and performance we're looking for in a top-level handset.

That being said, when compared with the earlier Sony Xperia S, or some of the other flagship Android handsets, the difference is negligible.

Quick verdict

The Sony Xperia TX is a very, very good phone. Everything about it is slick and well-executed and the performance is certainly what we expect from a $600 device.

However, the Xperia S was a very, very good phone. When a new model comes out, we look for it to improve upon the previous one and unfortunately, hand on heart; this doesn't improve on the last generation of smartphones as much as it should - so that's why it just pips the S, but doesn't challenge the leading pack in our top 20.

Sony Xperia TX review

Number 8: Nokia Lumia 920

8. Nokia Lumia 920

What's better than a top Windows Phone 7 handset? A Windows Phone 8 one, and we've got no qualms about telling you this is the best Windows Phone out there.

Simplicity is the key here, the Lumia 920 does the basics well, from contact integration and calling, to web browsing and messaging.

The 8MP camera on the back of the Lumia 920 is one of the best we've used and for anyone looking to get a top end cameraphone you need to seriously consider this Nokia.

The 4.5-inch display is also a good'un, crisp and clear it makes watching movies, surfing the web or Facebook stalking an enjoyable experience, thanks to the PureMotion HD technology on offer.

And you can even use it with gloves on... what more could you want? You're right: holograms. But they don't exist yet.

Quick verdict

The Nokia Lumia 920 is a worthy ambassador for Windows Phone 8 and if the Finnish firm continue to build and improve on this handset, it could well make a glorious return to the mobile market.

It's not got the clout to take on the likes of the Galaxy S3 just yet, but there's not doubt in our minds that the once-great brand is slowly getting closer to the summit.

Nokia Lumia 920 review

Number 7: HTC One S

7. HTC One S

There are few phones we play with where we think that we have the complete package and would happily give five stars. The HTC One S would have had five stars had it not been for the 16GB memory cap and non-HD screen.

The phone actually climbs a place in today's rankings, thanks to a promised upgrade to Jelly Bean and a continuing drop in price... plus the more we handle it, the more we realise this is the best-designed phone on the planet.

We'd have even settled for 32GB in the absence of an expansion card slot. If you're a music lover, you're much better off with the Samsung Galaxy S3.

Or check out the HTC One X if you're after a little bit more bang for your buck... although you'll need to spend more bucks to actually get the HD screen and quad-core processor in your pocket.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/EkibniFAVfGU2 But let's not get caught up with negativity here: if you're not bothered about a massive memory (which most people aren't), you probably can't do much better now. The HTC One S is a beautiful handset blessed with beautiful capabilities and is already available at very palatable price points.

Quick verdict

HTC could have launched the One S and not bothered with the One X in many ways - it's a beautiful handset blessed with a nice skin and the latest version of Android in the shape of Ice Cream Sandwich.

It's more of an evolution of the HTC Sensation range: slimmed down, nicer finish and far more feature-rich - and you will struggle to put it down once you've popped it in your hand.

HTC One S review

Number 6: HTC One XL

6. HTC One XL

Telstra went on the offensive for its 4G network last year, taking the superb HTC One X and launching a 4G version in the shape of the One XL.

Packed into an identical shell as the One X, the One XL traded HSPA connectivity for LTE, and swapped out the quad core processor for a dual core one

Even though the LTE connectivity was a blow to the phone's battery life, the handset is still one of the best on the market and a perfect showcase for the benefits of LTE

Mind you, if LTE isn't a necessary selling point, the One X is still a fantastic option. Alternatively, Samsung also released a 4G version of its award winning Galaxy S3, which combines LTE with a quad-core processor for even more power.

Quick verdict

With a recent upgrade to Jelly Bean, the One XL is a superb phone that showcases the benefits of Telstra's 4G network. It may not have the longest battery life, but with HTC Sense 4+ on board, and a stunning design, it's a great phone that has plenty to offer users.

HTC One XL review

Number 5: Samsung Galaxy Note 2

5. Samsung Galaxy Note 2

It hasn't even been a year since the original Samsung Galaxy Notelaunched. Many (including us, we admit) were not convinced. Who on earth would want something so big to make their calls and surf the internet, even with a glorified stylus? Cue awkward silence.

Millions of you, it would appear. The Galaxy Note sold by the bucketload, so how do you follow that up? With something better, of course - the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Faster, stronger, better looking, and more functional, the Galaxy Note 2 is better connected than ever, and thanks to that increased screen size (up to an eye-bulging 5.5-inches), now takes the crown in our eyes as the perfect media player.

Samsung has achieved something special here, because it has made the Galaxy Note 2 bigger than the original, but pulls it off so that you don't notice it too much and the fact that it launches running Android Jelly Beanand has such grunt with that quad-core processor makes this a class-leading phone.

YouTube : youtubeurlv=HRA9EsH9-Co

Quick verdict

As a phone, it's big, but once you get over that, if you can, it's great. As a PMP, it really does excel, and as a web communicator, it is almost second to none (though we can't fully get the taste of Flash absence out of our mouth).

Ultimately, there's no getting away from the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a niche device. But it does almost everything it sets out to do perfectly, with grace, class and maximum functionality. And if you're in the market for a larger smartphone or a small tablet, there really is no better device.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 review

Number 4: Google Nexus 4

4. Google Nexus 4

Google and LG have worked together to bring to market a fantastic offering. We showed it to two friends who are both Apple fans. The kind of people who shower in holy water if they're exposed to Android. Both of them were smitten.

The fact of the matter is that this is a handset with world class specs – yet it's at a price you'd expect to get a budget phone for. Sure, there are a few things that could have been done better, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

The Nexus 4 is beautifully designed with a stunning display and rocking the latest version of Android. It has more connectivity than a BT Telephone Exchange and even excels in the simple matter of making telephone calls.

We're not fans of the lower memory allowance, and it's not got the best screen on the market, and there will be a few that see Android 4.2 as too stripped-down to consider it a valid phone OS choice, more a platform for the big hitters to build on.

But that doesn't mean it's not a fantastic handset - it would have competed even without the stupidly low price tag.

Quick verdict

Make no mistake – this is the best Nexus handset so far by a long shot. We love it and can't recommend it highly enough. It is seriously a contender for our best smartphone of 2012, although it's fallen just short ahead of intense competition. If you're due a new phone, you should check the Google Nexus 4 out without delay.

Google Nexus 4 review

Number 3: iPhone 5

3. iPhone 5

Did you see this one coming? The iPhone 5 in at third place in our rankings? Some thought higher, some thought lower - it depends on your level of Apple bias.

Never has a company polarised opinion in the smartphone world like Apple - and with the iPhone 5, so many are quick to decry it while others know it to be the smartphone they've been waiting for.

And let's make no bones about it: this is a stunning phone, with a gorgeous two-tone finish, a superbly high-res screen that's been extended to four inches and an efficient yet powerful core.

FutTv : uST651wdM1VK5 The iOS 6 update is a good one, and while some feel it to be ageing slightly, many see it as doing exactly what they want... and given Apple has built its smartphone reputation on simplicity, this makes sense.

However, it's not all cookies and cream for Apple, as it's ditched the Google Maps app for something that's not as slick or well-stocked in its own Maps app.

Sure, you'll get turn by turn directions, but given some places are listed incorrectly or missing, combined with some of the laughable 3D modelling in the flyover mode, it's not Apple's finest hour.

Plus the iPhone 5 is very expensive... we're not sure how such sky high prices can be charged when equivalent smartphones are available on the market.

Quick verdict

Let's not beat around the bush here: the iPhone 5 is one of the best smartphones in the world thanks to a great package of technology, design and UI intuition.

iOS definitely needs an update, and we'll always hope for a price decrease soon... and if it wasn't for that and the Maps issue, the iPhone 5 might have been higher in our rankings.

iPhone 5 review

Number 2: HTC One X

2. HTC One X

The HTC One X is an odd handset - not in the design (lovely) or the features (top-end) - but that it's seen as a 'renaissance' phone for the firm, despite its success in such a short time.

The likes of the HTC Sensation and Salsa were seen as overly complicated, so HTC has taken things back to what it knows: making beautiful hardware fused with a top-end skin.

The polycarbonate shell is smooth and premium-feeling in the hand, and the large 4.7-inch HD screen might not be OLED but it's certainly crisp and clear - and we haven't even mentioned the quad-core processor beating at the heart of the One X.

null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/thsmrLR4WV5CF There's only one downside - well, two if you're a fan of expandable storage, since this 32GB-imbued monster doesn't have a microSD slot - and that's the battery. It's OK, but many will find it doesn't last the full day in many usage scenarios, and that's a problem.

However, thanks to being just that little bit improved again by recent updates, we deem this handset worthy to go above the iPhone 5 and the rest of the chasing pack.

Quick verdict

It's important not to judge the HTC One X on the battery life issue - make no mistake, this is a phone that is worthy of any pocket.

The design and software integration is enough to inspire lust in any phone buyer, and the range of included apps is superb - you won't regret owning a One X, especially if you're not a power user.

HTC One X review

Number 1: Samsung Galaxy S3

1. Samsung Galaxy S3

Make no mistake: the Samsung Galaxy S3 is the best smartphone on the market. It's got every kind of feature we could ask for and more, and raises the bar once again in terms of what consumers should be expecting in terms of battery life, processor speed and media management.

Would we recommend you buy one? Yes, without hesitation. If you're torn between this and an HTC One X, it's a very difficult one to call – the camera on the One X is slightly better and the overall feel of the Sense 4+ user interface will appeal. But in terms of pure usability and power, we really like what Samsung has put on the table.

And we're sure some of you are wondering how the Samsung Galaxy S3 bests the iPhone 5 - well, for starters, Google Maps works properly. And it's cheaper. And it has a bigger screen, which we think is winning.

That's not the only reason the Samsung Galaxy S3 is at the top of our best phone rankings. Smart Stay, Super AMOLED HD screen, up to 128GB storage, Music Hub, removable battery, blisteringly quick camera... we're getting tired listing all the great things it does.

The design isn't as impressive as when we first laid eyes on the S2, but to us that's the only big issue we can find - and that's enough to recommend the Galaxy S3 without question.

Quick verdict

If you waited feverishly for the Samsung Galaxy S3, you won't be disappointed. It's fast, it's sleek and it packs the latest technology that will get your pulse racing.

Samsung faced an almost impossible task in trying to create a worthy sequel to the Galaxy S2, but the Galaxy S3 should definitely be one of, if not the phone you should consider on your next trip to your local handset emporium.

Samsung Galaxy S3 review

Read on Web

Techradar

TechRadar Jan 18, 2013 Updated: 20 best mobile phones in the world today

Samsung has begun to address a flaw with its Exynos processor, which leaves devices like the flagship Galaxy S3 exposed to hackers.

The vulnerability first identified in mid-December, concerns devices running the company's custom Exynos 4 processor.

The flaw left the handset's physical memory (RAM) exposed and, potentially, allowed hackers to glean data or even send malware to the device.

Samsung promised a fix when the issue was uncovered by members of the XDA Developers forum and that fix has now rolled out to Galaxy S3 users in the UK.

However, the issue is thought to affect other Exynos-packing devices, including the Galaxy S2, the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2, and the Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Sudden death dies too

The firmware update, which can be downloaded over the air, is also thought to fix the so-called 'sudden death' issue which has caused some Galaxy S3 users to experience random bricking.

Those particular handsets have been shutting down and then refusing to switch back on again.

Although the update can't bring those handsets back from the dead, it may prevent others suffering a similar fate.

Read on Web

Techradar

Chris Smith Jan 5, 2013

Samsung rolls out fix for Galaxy S3 security flaw, sudden death issue

ciphoenix: its a first for the UK. Its been done before na. Two years now self

Was it successful?Science celebrates success not 'trial & error'!

Doctors at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) said Mark Cahill underwent the complex, eight hour-long procedure on December 27 when a donor hand became available.

They said a new technique was used which involved Mr Cahill, from Greetland, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, having his non-functioning right hand removed during the same operation as the donor hand was transplanted.

This procedure allowed very accurate restoration of nerve structures and is believed to be the first time this approach has been used, surgeons said.

Consultant plastic surgeon Professor Simon Kay, who led the surgical team, said: "This operation is the culmination of a great deal of planning and preparation over the last two years by a team including plastic surgery, transplant medicine and surgery, immunology, psychology, rehabilitation medicine, pharmacy and many other disciplines.

"The team was on standby from the end of November awaiting a suitable donor limb, and the call came just after Christmas.

"It was extremely challenging to be the...

Read More on SKY NEWS TOP STORIES

Read on Web

Sky News

Jan 4, 2013 Hand Transplant Completed In UK For First Time

If your Samsung Galaxy S3 has randomly died without warning fear not, as a firmware update is on its way to cure your poorly smartphone.

Before Christmas some Galaxy S3 owners reported that their shiny new handsets were dying after just a few months, with the 16GB model later singled out as the at risk version.

The issue appeared to be with the main circuit board, but Dutch site Tweakers believes new hardware isn't required with Samsung confirming it will release a firmware update to resolve the problem soon.

Limited impact

Instead of the main circuit board being faulty the cause of the issue is actually a bug in the firmware which is used to control the board.

Thankfully most Galaxy S3 owners won't need to worry about this, as it only effects a small number of handsets, but if you are one of the unlucky ones at least a fix is on its way.

We'll keep an eye on developments and let you know when the firmware update roll outs so you can breathe new life into your Galaxy S3.

The Italian Nobel prize-winning neurologist Rita Levi-Montalcini has died at the age of 103.
Miss Levi-Montalcini lived through anti-semitic discrimination under fascism to become one of Italy's top scientists and most respected figures.
She won acclaim for her work on cells, which furthered understanding of a range of conditions, including cancer.
In 1986 she shared the Nobel prize for medicine with biochemist Stanley Cohen for research carried out in the US.
Her niece, Piera Levi-Montalcini, told La Stampa newspaper that she had died peacefully "as if sleeping" after lunch.
Her aunt had continued to carry out several hours of research every day until her death, she said.
Rita Levi-Montalcini was born in 1909 to a wealthy Jewish family in the northern city of Turin, where she studied medicine.
But after she graduated in 1936 the fascist government banned Jews from academic and professional careers, and Miss Levi-Montalcini set up a makeshift laboratory in her bedroom, experimenting on chicken embryos.
"She worked in primitive conditions," Italian astrophysicist Margherita Hack told Italian TV. "She is really someone to be admired."
'Charismatic and tenacious'
Miss Levi-Montalcini's family lived underground in Florence after the Germans invaded Italy in 1943. She later worked as doctor for the allied forces that liberated the city, treating refugees.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
At 100, I have a mind that is superior - thanks to experience - than when I was 20”
Rita Levi-Montalcini, interviewed in 2009
From 1947 she was based for more than 20 years in the US, at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. There she discovered nerve growth factor, which regulates the growth of cells.
She later worked at the National Council of Scientific Research in Rome.
Her research was recognised to have advanced the understanding of conditions including tumours, malformations and senile dementia.
In 2001 she was nominated to the Italian upper house of parliament as a senator for life, an honour bestowed on some of Italy's most distinguished public figures.
She was an ambassador for the Rome-based UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, and founded the Levi-Montalcini Foundation, which carries out charity work in Africa.
Miss Levi-Montalcini never married, saying her life had been "enriched by excellent human relations, work and interests".
In a 2009 interview she said: "At 100, I have a mind that is superior - thanks to experience - than when I was 20."
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti praised Miss Levi-Montalcini's "charismatic and tenacious" character and her lifelong battle to "defend the battles in which she believed".

Good news for owners of the original Samsung Galaxy Note: The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update is coming your way soon.

Samsung announced the forthcoming software bump on its Galaxy Note microsite as part of a new Premium Suite upgrade.

The move to Android 4.1 will bring owners of the pioneering and surprisingly popular 5.3-inch phablet access to features like the Google Now personal assistant and Project butter.

However, the company is yet to reveal when the update will drop and, initially, it will only be available to unlocked devices.

Going Premium

Beyond Android Jelly Bean there's a host of new features, many of which featured on the Galaxy Note 2, are coming with Samsung's second Premium Suite update for the device.

Those additions are undoubtedly headlined by the neat Multi Window feature, which will allow two open apps to be running on the screen at the same time.

The Popup window multi-tasking feature for Notes, Video and Browser is also coming to the device, while handwriting will also be enabled within the email app.

Read on Web

Techradar

Chris Smith Dec 27, 2012 Original Samsung Galaxy Note to get Android Jelly Bean

A drug currently being used to treat ischemic strokes may prove to be a significant advance in the treatment of tuberculosis and ulcers. In a new research report appearing online in The FASEB Journal, a compound called ebselen effectively inhibits the thioredoxin reductase system in a wide variety of bacteria, including Helicobacter pylori which causes gastric ulcers and Mycobacterium tuberculosis which causes tuberculosis. Thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase proteins are essential for bacteria to make new DNA, and protect them against oxidative stress caused by the immune system. Targeting this system with ebselen, and others compounds like it, represents a new approach toward eradicating these bacteria.The new antibacterial principle provides better chances of surviving an infection," said Arne Holmgren, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Division of Biochemistry in the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. "Since ebselen is also an antioxidant, the present mechanism can be described as a 'two for the price of one' antioxidant action in inflammation, and specific targeting of multi-resistant bacterial complications and sepsis."

Building on previous observations where ebselen has shown antibacterial properties against some bacteria, Holmgren and colleagues hypothesized that the bacteria sensitive to ebselen relied solely on thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase for essential cellular processes. They investigated this by testing it on strains of E. coli with deletions in the genes for thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase and the glutaredoxin system. They found that strains with deletions in the genes coding for glutaredoxin system were much more sensitive than normal bacteria. Researchers further tested ebselen against Helicobacter pylori and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which both naturally lack the glutaredoxin system and are frequently resistant to many commonly used antibiotics, and found both to be sensitive to ebselen.

"As rapidly as these organisms evolve, we need new drugs sooner rather than later," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "The fact that these scientists have found a new target for killing some of the most resistant bacteria is great news, but the fact that we already have at least one drug which we could possibly use now

Windows 8 has been around for a few weeks now and has had a generally positive reception.

If you weren't one of the early adopters who rushed out to buy it on launch day, you might now be starting to think about an upgrade or considering buying a new PC with Windows 8 pre-installed.

But what about all of your programs and data? Does the thought of having to reinstall and transfer everything put you off making the switch?

Well fear not; migrating to Windows 8 needn't be as difficult as you think.

Read on and we'll take you through the various options that are available, whether you're upgrading an existing system or moving everything across to a new PC.

Windows 8 upgrades for existing systems

If you have a PC running Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista or Windows 7 then you should be able to upgrade.

To find out if you can, go to windows.microsoft.com and download the free Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. This will analyse your system and tell you whether it's suitable. If it is, then the Assistant will take you through the process of purchasing and installing the new OS.

As a first step in the process the Assistant looks at all your existing software and will check if it's compatible with Windows 8.

You'll be alerted to any possible problems before continuing.

What happens next varies a little depending on your old version of Windows.

On Windows 7 systems everything should be transferred intact so that you end up with a system that's ready to go as soon as the upgrade is complete.

If you're running XP or Vista, your files will be copied over but you'll need to reinstall all of your applications.

Make sure you have the necessary installation media and licence keys before you start.

On pre-SP3 XP or older systems, you can still install Windows 8 – if the hardware is up to it – in which case your documents, photos, etc, are saved to a Windows.old folder.

You can retrieve them from there once the upgrade is complete. This also applies on any system if you select the 'keep nothing' option during the upgrade; as long as you don't format the disk your files will still be saved in a Windows.old folder.

Using Windows Easy Transfer to move to Windows 8

If you've decided to make a fresh start and do a clean installation there will doubtless still be some files that you want to retain.

Fortunately, there are tools for earlier versions of Windows that can help you with this process.

On Windows 7 systems you can use Windows Easy Transfer, which is supplied as part of the OS to copy your data to an external drive or network location.

XP and Vista users can visit http:///dhSU1h to download an appropriate version of Windows Easy Transfer for their systems.

Once you've saved the data you want with Easy Transfer you can go ahead and install Windows 8.

When the installation is complete, open the Search charm and type 'transfer' to find Windows Easy Transfer on the Windows 8 system.

You can then connect the drive or network where you saved the data and import it to the new system.

The disadvantage of Easy Transfer is that it only handles files, so be sure you have copies of any software you need to reinstall after the upgrade; in particular you'll need the installers for any programs you've bought as downloads.

Transfer via backup

If you already have a backup program, then provided it's compatible with Windows 8 you can simply install it and restore your data from the latest backup copy.

It's a good idea to make a fresh backup to an external drive or DVDs before you start the upgrade, and verify that you can access the media before you proceed. There's nothing worse than finding your backup is unreadable.

Again, this is a good way of moving data, but you'll still need to reinstall programs.

Using disk-to-disk copy to move to Windows 8

If you've bought yourself a shiny new PC with Windows 8 pre-installed, then of course you'll want to move your files across from the old one.

You can use Windows Easy Transfer, or a backup as above, but if you're handy with a screwdriver then there's another way.

You can take the hard drive out of your old machine and connect it to the new one. External enclosures can be bought for a few pounds that allow you to plug the old hard drive in via a USB port.

You can then simply use Windows Explorer to drag the files you need across. Your programs will need to be reinstalled though.

A slightly different approach to this for people with a network is to use a NAS drive to save the data you want to keep so that it's accessible over the LAN. Whilst convenient, this method isn't really suitable for large volumes of material.

Using Laplink PCmover to move to Windows 8

For those who want a lazy man's approach and don't mind spending a bit of money, PCmover from www.laplink.com will cost you £27.95 for the Home edition, and allows you to transfer not only files, but also your applications between machines.

Spend a bit more (£39.99) on a boxed Ultimate version and they even throw in a cable so that you can connect two PCs via their Ethernet ports to do a direct transfer.

Whilst it's not a cheap option, PCmover is attractive for its ease of use, particularly if you want to migrate applications from XP or Vista systems.

You can choose exactly what you want to transfer, then simply let the machine get on with it.

The Ultimate edition has the added bonus of a SafeErase program so that you can wipe the personal data from your old PC before disposing of it.

Upgrading Windows or moving to a new PC is never something to be undertaken lightly. Select the right tools for the job, though, and it needn't be as daunting a task as you might think.

Tutorial: Windows 8 upgrade: how to migrate to Microsoft's new OS

Samsung has started pushing out the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update to the Galaxy Note 2.

It's only reached Poland so far, according to the table over at SamMobile, but is rolling out in phases. So keep hitting the update button and hopefully you should see it soon enough.

So what's new? Well there's a host of new features. You get new additions in Notification Toggles, you can customise the Notifications Panel, and the brightness slider in the Notifications Panel can be disabled.

Multi-View can be disabled as well, the browser is smoother than before, and the Status Bar is now black instead of grey. You can type on the keyboard just by dragging your finger across it (like Swype or Android 4.2 Jelly Bean), there's a new ink effect on the lockscreen, as well as a new Group Cast app.

So no world-changing features, admittedly, but they all count.

S3 leads the way

Samsung recently started rolling out the same update to the Galaxy S3 smartphone.

The Galaxy Note 2 is one of Samsung's flagship devices, along with the S3, so it obviously wants to keep both up to date. Neither have Android 4.2 Jelly Bean yet though, as found on the Nexus 4.

Via Omio

Techradar

Joe Svetlik Dec 12, 2012 Samsung Galaxy Note 2 upgraded to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean

Having HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, but it's still a lifelong illness that requires an expensive daily cocktail of drugs -- and it means tolerating those drugs' side effects and running the risk of resistance. Researchers at The Rockefeller University may have found something better: they've shown that a therapeutic approach harnessing proteins from the human immune system can suppress the virus in mice without the need for daily application and could one day be used in humans to treat the disease.
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Florian Klein and colleagues in Michel Nussenzweig's Laboratory of Molecular Immunology found that a combination of five different antibodies -- proteins the immune system uses to fight infection -- effectively suppressed HIV-1 replication and kept the virus at bay for a 60 day period after termination of therapy thanks to their longer half-life, while current antiretroviral drugs require daily intake.

These especially potent antibodies were only recently discovered, some of them by several of Klein's colleagues in the Nussenzweig laboratory. Called broadly-neutralizing antibodies, they were identified and cloned from HIV-infected patients whose immune systems showed an unusually high ability to neutralize HIV. In recent years the potent antibodies were found to prevent HIV from infecting non-human primates, demonstrating the possibility for a vaccine in humans. But they were thought to have little or no effect on established infections.

"Antibodies had been written off as a treatment for HIV/AIDS because previous studies showed only a limited effect on controlling the virus," says Klein. "But that was before these more potent antibodies were discovered. We wanted to readdress this question using these new tools."

HIV-1 is notorious for evading the immune system's attacks by constantly mutating, but the new antibodies are able to throw a wrench in that strategy. The key is in the combination. The antibodies target HIV-1's surface protein gp160, a large molecule that forms a spike that seeks out host cells and attaches to them. One antibody alone wasn't enough to quell the virus; neither was a mix of three. But five of them in unison proved too complicated for gp160 to mutate its way out of.

The researchers used "humanized" mice for the study, provided by Alexander Ploss in the Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, because normal mice don't have the right receptors to be infected with HIV-1.

"Although HIV-1 infection in humanized mice differs in many important aspects from infection in humans, the results are encouraging to investigate these antibodies in clinical trials," says Klein. "It also may be that a combination of antibodies and the already established antiretroviral therapy is more efficacious than either alone," says Klein.

"If this could be used as a treatment one day, it is conceivable that patients would only need to take traditional drugs until the virus is controlled, and then receive antibodies every two to three months to maintain that control. We're eager to explore if a benefit in HIV-1-treatment can be achieved in humans."

Samsung just unveiled its “Premium Suite Upgrade” for the Galaxy S III, as promised in a teaser last Friday.

The update includes the highly anticipated Multi-Window feature, which is already available on Galaxy Note devices and allows users to run two apps in separate windows at the same time. But that’s probably the most exciting thing about the changelog.

Below the video announcing the upgrade is a list of the latest features from Samsung:

Multimedia

Paper Artist: You can make a picture like a pop artist. Change the moods of your pictures whenever you want.

Camera, Low Light Shot: It’s always tough to take pictures in dark places. So the Galaxy S III with Premium Suite has a Low-Light-Shot function. Get your hands on one and check out the difference!

Camera, Best Face: The problem with group pictures? Somebody always, ALWAYS blinks. Well, Best Face is your solution to that. Best Face takes 5 consecutive pictures and lets you choose the best face for each person among those shots.

New Features And Better Accessibility

Easy Mode: For first-time smartphone users and/or those who are really really, well, lazy. This function helps you set up the most five frequently used widgets on the home screen, so you don’t have to be tired of looking everywhere to find those apps.

Sound Balance: You can adjust the balance of volume one each side of earphones.

Setup Wizard: After turning on your cell phone, you can see the accessibility menu right away on the screen.

Camera Easy Snap: With ‘talk back’ and ‘face detection’ on your settings menu, the Galaxy S III tells you how many faces it can detect on the camera preview.

Techcrunch Europe

Catherine Shu Dec 10, 2012

Samsung Unveils Its “Premium Suite Upgrade” For The Galaxy S III