Trendy Armor Geared For Fearful City Folk

Fear sells.

You buy anti-theft devices for your automobile because you'reafraid your car will be stolen. You buy a home alarm system becauseyou're afraid of being robbed or assaulted in your living room. Youbuy whistles and cans of pepper spray, maybe even a gun, becauseyou're afraid of being attacked on the street.

You buy these things, and still you live with a kernel of fearlodged in the back of your psyche - especially if you spend anyamount of time in areas of high danger. There's always a chanceyou'll be in the wrong place at the wrong time, that you or yourchild will be the next victim of random sniper fire or drive-byroulette.

Wouldn't it be …

Researchers at Chinese Academy of Science target angiogenesis.

"The Ag5 proteins are the most abundant and immunogenic proteins in the venom secretory ducts of stinging insects. An antigen 5-like protein (named tabRTS) composed of 221 amino acid residues was purified and characterized from the salivary glands of the horsefly, Tabanus yao (Diptera, Tabanidae)," scientists writing in the journal Toxicon report (see also Angiogenesis).

"Its cDNA was cloned from the cDNA library of the horsefly's salivary gland. TabRTS containing the SCP domain (Sc7 family of extracellular protein domain) was found in insect antigen 5 proteins. More interestingly, there is an Arg-Thr-Ser (RTS) disintegrin motif at the C-terminus of tabRTS. The RTS motif is …

REFUGEE CAMPS ATTACKED.(MAIN)

Byline: IBRAHIM HAZBOUN Associated Press

BALATA REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank -- The Israeli military attacked two West Bank refugee camps with helicopter gunships, tanks and paratroopers Thursday in a high-stakes attempt to break strongholds of Palestinian militants. An Israeli soldier and 12 Palestinians were killed -- pushing the Palestinian toll past 1,000 in 17 months of fighting.

It was the first time Israeli troops have stormed refugee camps in the current Mideast conflict.

A 13th Palestinian was shot dead near the southern edge of Jerusalem in heavy exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen in adjacent towns and villages. …

How Moving To Web-Based Solutions Can Pay Off.

Imagine implementing a technology solution at your credit union that's maintenance-free, platform- and core processor- independent, easy for both members and staff to use, and will always be fully supported throughout the industry.

What is it you ask? It is web-based technology, and it's saving credit unions across the country thousands and thousands of dollars in reduced labor. Credit unions nationwide are achieving remarkable results today with web-based solutions such as e-statements, archival/retrieval systems, online bill pay, e- notices, and others, which enhance efficiencies in their back office operations and, ultimately, provide better service to their memberships.

While working for the $300-million PACE Credit Union in Portland, Ore., IT Director Blair Ross experienced first hand the benefits of utilizing a web-based solution with a COLD (Computer Output to Laser Disk) and imaging system. Since implementing this innovative system nearly two years ago, PACE's maintenance and end-user headaches have been eliminated.

"We wanted a solution that was …

Iraq Shiite Pilgrims Celebrate Festival

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's Sunni Arab vice president renewed his call for Sunni-led insurgents to quickly join the Shiite prime minister's national reconciliation effort, while a Shiite festival that drew millions of pilgrims was held without bloodshed Saturday.

Attacks around Iraq killed at least 12 people, including two gunmen and two would-be bombers. Seven apparent victims of sectarian killings, their bodies all showing signs of torture, also were found dumped on city streets and in a river.

During a meeting with community leaders from a predominantly Sunni Arab district in Baghdad, Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi said it was not too late to stop spiraling sectarian …

Nation & world

Wis. town holds

annual 'Toilet Bowl'

HUSTISFORD, Wis. - It might lack the pomp and pageantry of theRose Bowl, but for some residents of this small community northwestof Milwaukee, their annual "Toilet Bowl" is the biggest game of theyear.

"This is the biggest thing in Hustisford," said Phil Nehls, oneof the event's founders. It was held Tuesday for the 43rd time.

Begun as a pickup game of tackle football among friends to workoff their New Year's hangovers, the event has grown into afundraiser for the local fire department.

Pa. couple has first

baby of year again

GETTYSBURG, Pa. - A central Pennsylvania couple have a newtradition for …

Findings from S.M. Stein et al in agriculture and forestry reported.

"Owned by individuals, families, corporations, and other private groups, private forests account for almost 60% of all forestland in the conterminous United States and provide critical habitat for wildlife, including over 3,700 at-risk plant and animal species. Extensive areas of private forest and other land covers have experienced increased housing development in recent years, with numerous implications for wildlife conservation," investigators in the United States report.

"Twenty-eight percent of all private forests are under corporate ownership and provide important wildlife habitat. In some areas of the country, large amounts of private forest under corporate ownership …