Researchers from the University of Hawaii ? Manoa (UHM) School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) developed species distribution models of the six dominant Hawaiian coral species around the main Hawaiian Islands including two species currently under consideration as threatened or endangered. They found the order of coral abundance (from highest to lowest) around the main Hawaiian Islands to be Porites lobata, Montipora patula, Pocillopora meandrina, Montipora capitata, Porites compressa, and Montipora flabellata.
Environmental factors (wave energy, shape of the seafloor, water clarity, depth, rugosity (roughness of the seafloor), geological island age, and organic sediment content) are known to influence Hawaiian reefs. However, this is the first study to systematically examine the influence of these factors on the distribution and abundance of coral species across the entire seascape of shallow reefs in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI).
"Average wave height and maximum wave height were the most influential variables explaining coral abundance in the Hawaiian Islands," reported Erik Franklin, lead author of the study and Assistant Research Professor at the UHM Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. "Our models also identified relationships between coral cover and island age, depth, sunlight, rugosity, slope, and aspect (direction a slope faces)."
In general, coral cover was predicted to be highest in primarily wave-sheltered coastlines and embayments. Reefs with highest cover were concentrated in Kaneohe Bay on Oahu; the wave-sheltered reefs of Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe; and the Kohala coast of Hawaii.
To construct the species distribution and abundance models, researchers integrated field surveys for corals (data provided by the US National Park Service and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) with environmental data of wave exposure (data provided by UHM Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering), benthic geomorphology, and sunlight from 2000 to 2009.
Regional-scale mapping of coral species from these models provide a framework for population modeling and marine spatial planning of Hawaiian coral reefs. The geographic characterization of coral reefs would benefit greatly from the improved coral distribution and abundance information generated from coral distribution models. Data from these models can be incorporated into marine conservation plans or used for threat assessments to reefs.
"For example," Franklin says, "our results were recently used in the management plan review process of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary as they considered the distribution and abundance of animals other than whales."
One advantage of this integrative, modeling approach is that researchers are able to consider a broader range of areas than field surveys alone and, therefore, can provide a truer picture of total abundance. "We were most surprised at the high relative abundance of Montipora patula which is currently under consideration for listing as a threatened or endangered species," reported Franklin. Montipora flabellata, the other coral species under consideration as a threatened or endangered species, was not as abundant as the other five species.
Franklin and colleagues are in the process of extending the modeling approach to include additional marine species in Hawaii such as reef fish and include additional environmental variables to try to improve the predictive capacity of the models. Ideally the results will continue to inform marine resource management in the Hawaiian Islands.
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E C Franklin, P L Jokiel, M J Donahue (2013). Predictive modeling of coral distribution and abundance in the Hawaiian Islands. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 481:121-132; doi: 10.3354/meps10252.
University of Hawaii ? SOEST:
Thanks to University of Hawaii ? SOEST for this article.
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FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2012 file photo,?Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) pauses during a media availability after an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md. Romo will miss at least three weeks of offseason workouts after a procedure to remove a cyst from his back.The team's website reported Tuesday, May 21, 2013 that Romo underwent the procedure last month and could return for the mandatory minicamp that starts June 11. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2012 file photo,?Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) pauses during a media availability after an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md. Romo will miss at least three weeks of offseason workouts after a procedure to remove a cyst from his back.The team's website reported Tuesday, May 21, 2013 that Romo underwent the procedure last month and could return for the mandatory minicamp that starts June 11. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
IRVING, Texas (AP) ? Tony Romo pointed here and there, showing receiver Dez Bryant the best way to use a block on the first day of offseason practice.
That's about what he can do for now.
The new $100 million quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys can't participate in workouts because of a procedure last month to remove a cyst on his back. So he had a chance Tuesday to show a little bit of what owner Jerry Jones made everyone believe would be an expanded role when he said Romo would be putting in "Peyton Manning-type time" to try to make Dallas a Super Bowl contender again.
Romo looked a lot like a coach, even though he's loathe to acknowledge that his presence is anything more than the natural progression of a quarterback getting ready for his seventh full season as the starter. And he certainly rejects the conclusion drawn by many after Jones' comments that his dedication has something to do with Dallas missing the playoffs three straight years and him having a 1-6 record in elimination games.
"I'm here. I'm always at the facility," said Romo, speaking publicly for the first time since signing a six-year, $108 million extension with more guaranteed money ($55 million) than Super Bowl winner Joe Flacco of Baltimore. "If you talk to any of the coaches or anybody I'm around, I've been a gym rat since I've been here."
The question of golf always comes up with Romo this time of year, and, well, he hasn't been playing as much because he's been recovering from what he said was a minor outpatient procedure for a cyst that was "kind of annoying" but not cancerous. The procedure was first reported by The Dallas Morning News.
The 33-year-old Romo will miss three weeks of practice but could participate in minicamp starting June 11. He will be ready for training camp in July.
"Nobody was real concerned about it," coach Jason Garrett said. "We felt like it was better to get it taken care of sooner rather than later. He was doing everything in our offseason program. He's back to doing a lot of that stuff right now as he's getting better."
Backup Kyle Orton will take most of the snaps in Romo's absence. He signed as a free agent last year but played in just one game, a blowout loss to Chicago. The Cowboys also have second-year player Nick Stephens and undrafted rookie Dalton Williams on the roster.
A healthy Romo, now the highest-paid player in franchise history, will be a huge factor for Garrett, who is unlikely to return if Dallas doesn't make the playoffs in 2013.
The last time Romo missed significant playing time, former coach Wade Phillips was fired and replaced by Garrett in the middle of a 6-10 season in 2010. Romo was out 10 games with a broken collarbone.
Romo played through a broken rib early in the 2011 season and stayed healthy last year. Both seasons ended with losses to NFC East rivals in finales with playoff berths on the line.
"We've always been very cautious this time of year with our players, making sure they're 100 percent healthy and get them back when they're ready to go," Garrett said. "There's going to be plenty of work once he comes back, a lot of training camp work prior to that first game."
The Cowboys and Romo could have done what the Ravens and Flacco did ? play out the final season of a contract and see how it goes. Baltimore had to pay plenty, giving Flacco $120.6 million over six years with $52 million guaranteed.
While the total value of Romo's deal is lower, he and the Cowboys were heavily criticized for a comparable deal with more guaranteed money despite Flacco having eight more playoff wins, in five straight trips to the postseason.
"We were 8-8 the last couple of years," Romo said. "That doesn't sit well with me. I don't think I'm an 8-8 quarterback. I don't think this organization is comfortable being 8-8. We're going to do everything we can as coaches, players and in this building to change that."
Romo's interpretation of his owner's line about Peyton Manning is that Denver's quarterback, a former Super Bowl winner with Indianapolis, has always had an unusually direct relationship with coaches.
It's not that Romo and Garrett haven't worked closely the six seasons they've been together. But Romo figures it's natural that he'll have more to say about the game plan rather than just waiting around Monday and Tuesday for it to show up.
"The older you get, you develop that a little bit as a quarterback," Romo said. "If you do some good things in the past that allow you to show, then you can have a little more of that. That's part of the growth that takes shape."
He was showing some of that during his idle time on the practice field.
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Online: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is reaching an age when many quarterbacks decline, but Brady believes that he?s a better passer right now than he ever has been before.
Brady told Peter King of Sports Illustrated that he?s been working on the mechanics of throwing with former Major League Baseball pitcher Tom House, and Brady believes that work has made him better at the most fundamental part of his job than he was at any other point in his career.
?Going into my 14th year, I have never had more confidence in how I am throwing the football,? Brady said. ?I?ve never felt better throwing the football.?
Brady sought out House, who has worked with other quarterbacks, after Brady?s close friend and mentor Tom Martinez died last year. Brady credits Martinez and House with making him the passer he is.
?I owe so much to Tom Martinez,? Brady said. ?He taught me so much about how to play the game and throw the football. He was so committed to me for so many years. I miss him every time I step on the field. I found Tom House, and really developed a rapport with him quickly. I?ve learned, and to me, the learning process is fun. The same way Tom Martinez was always there to watch and give me corrections, Tom House has told me why certain corrections need to be made.?
Brady believes he?s a better quarterback now than he was four months ago.
?When you?ve got to fit it into the tightest windows, mechanics are crucial,? Brady said. ?And to me, the offseason is crucial. If you make a throw within four feet, that?s not going to be good enough. You have to make the throw within four inches of your target. That?s good enough. And that?s why the mechanics you adjust and learn in the offseason are important. You?re going to keep them during the season. Tom House, pretty soon after the season, said basically, ?All right, Tommy. Get to work.? That?s the one thing that helps me move forward. There?s nothing we can do about losing the championship game to the Ravens. It sucks. You move on. But, with Tom, I think I?ve learned some things this offseason that are really going to help me.?
Brady will turn 36 in August, but he?s under contract with the Patriots through 2017, and he sounds like he?s expecting to play good football for at least five more years.
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Melissa McCarthy allegedly booted a female extra from the set of her directorial debut "Tammy" on Monday after catching the woman mistreating, and possibly even abusing, her child.
TMZ reports the unidentified woman reported to work on the Wilmington, N.C., set with a 4 to 5 year-old child in tow and struggled to control the child's behavior.
McCarthy's reps did not immediately respond to TheWrap's request for comment.
Witnesses said the young mother was frequently verbally reprimanding her disruptive child, but then went a step too far in McCarthy's eyes by strongly jerking the child up in the air by the wrist.
According to TMZ, McCarthy witnessed the incident and immediately ordered production assistants to remove the woman and child from set.
The "Heat" actress co-wrote and is co-directing "Tammy" with her husband, Ben Falcone. Will Ferrell and Adam McKay are producing under Gary Sanchez Productions.
McCarthy also stars as the titular character who loses her job and learns her husband is unfaithful, so she hits the road with her profane, hard-drinking grandmother.
A completely unknown guy in the world of math has made a breakthrough discovery that will help us understand numbers better. Basically, a guy who once struggled to find a job and had to work at Subway, is helping math geniuses understand the twin prime conjecture, one of math's oldest problems.
Now, Yitang Zhang, the mysterious man behind the discovery, isn't some chump on the side of the street. He earned a doctorate in 1992 from Purdue University and is now a lecturer at the University of New Hampshire but before his report was published, he was a complete unknown in mathematics. After he got his doctorate, he spent many years as an accountant and worked at Subway because he couldn't get a job in academia. Andrew Granville, a number theorist said:
?Basically, no one knows him... Now, suddenly, he has proved one of the great results in the history of number theory.?
What Zhang did is especially impressive because many number theorists thought the problem he's cracking was something no one was ever going to solve.
How did Zhang come out of nowhere? Simple. He just did his work and wrote it down. Zhang submitted a paper to a top journal, Annals of Mathematics, and when the editors ran through his paper, they discovered its genius calling it "first rank" and said that Zhang proved ?a landmark theorem in the distribution of prime numbers.? The Simons Foundation says Zhang's paper was written "with crystalline clarity and a total command of the topic?s current state of the art, it was evidently a serious piece of work." Some guy no one knew of three weeks ago just solved an unsolvable problem.
For more detail on what Zhang helped make a breakthrough in (it involves proving that there are infinitely many pairs of prime numbers with some finite gap, a sieve and a hair's breadth), read the whole fascinating report at Simons Foundation. [Simons Foundation via Kottke, Image Credit: Shutterstock/AntonioGravante]
Yahoo's board has agreed to buy Tumblr for $1.1 billion cash. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has acquired several social media sites, presumably to attract a younger audience.
The Yahoo board has approved a deal to pay $1.1 billion for the blogging site Tumblr, according to The Wall Street Journal's All Things D.
Yahoo will pay for the blogging site in cash, All Things D reported. Yahoo nor Tumblr released official statements.
Tumblr's media team did not respond to repeated requests for comment. In a statement to NBC News, a Yahoo spokeswoman said Yahoo would not comment on "rumors or speculation."
Yahoo no doubt has something up its sleeve, as the company invited CNBC to a press event on Monday afternoon where it would "share something special." It is unclear whether that is related to a deal with Tumblr.
Also unclear is whether Tumblr has accepted Yahoo's reported offer.
Talk of a deal began circulating Friday, after All Things D reported that the two companies had been in talks for several weeks.
(Read More:Yahoo Eyeing Tumblr for $1 Billion?)
Since Marissa Mayer became CEO at Yahoo, the company has acquired several companies that appeal to younger audiences, including Summly, Astrid and Jybe. Yahoo has also been rumored to be eyeing Hulu.
Observers say Mayer is making these deals to attract a younger audience.
(Read More: Yahoo Wonder Kid Eyes More Start-Ups After Summly Sale )
Practising in the field I do, I know only too well how everything can change in an instant.? An accident occurs on the journey to work and suddenly the day to day worries have fallen away to be replaced literally by matters of life and death.? When disaster does strike, at least we are fortunate in this country to have the NHS to pick up the pieces.? High quality emergency care allows many to survive even the most critical injuries.? ??
Just as we can be proud of the NHS, we have also been able to boast of the best justice system in the world.? However, while all of us expect to call on the NHS to some extent, few anticipate finding themselves in court.? We know that in these times of austerity some services will suffer.? It may be popular to attack a system that most think does not exist for their benefit.? Recent attacks on both the civil and criminal justice system threaten what we have.?
Reforms of the civil claims system have been backed by media reports focusing on whiplash claims.? Does it matter that driving down the cost of such claims will also impact on claims for catastrophic injury?? So often I have met someone who has been in the wrong place at the wrong time and thought it could be any one of us.? Sadly, because of funding cuts, services for those with brain injury are severely stretched.?A compensation claim can provide a decent quality of life for the injured person and his or her family that would not otherwise exist.? Maintaining a strong claims system is important for us all.
It may be less easy to see that we might ever have cause to rely on the criminal justice system.? Media portrayals suggest that money is being wasted on looking after the "criminal underclass" at the expense of victims.? We can see that we might victims of burglary for example but we know we will not become criminals.? Those who do so have surely made a choice to follow the wrong path.
Mark * was a young man who had chosen not to fall into a life of crime.?From a difficult background, his mother left him aged 14 when she met a new partner.? This might have been a catalyst for disaster.? Many of his friends were already beginning to get into trouble. Instead, Mark went to live with his grandmother Jackie, a remarkable woman who made sure he was on the right path.? Leaving school at 16, Mark got a job in the building trade.? This was the making of him.? He worked hard and was well liked.? Initially on the minimum wage, he demonstrated such potential and commitment that his boss promoted him above others older than him.? He rose to that challenge.? Charming and good-looking, he was settled with a girlfriend.?I wish that this story ended "and they lived happily ever after".
Instead, Mark was riding his moped to a building site when he was hit by a driver who just never saw him.? Mark suffered a severe brain injury.? His survival was touch and go but survive he did.? He made a very good recovery, so good in fact he was able to go back to work.?His boss was delighted to have him back.?Sadly, the Mark who went back to work was not the same.? His work had to be redone by others.? He became angry and conflicts arose ? a serious safety issue on a building site.? After several months, his boss had to let him go.?His relationship broke down.? Mark felt that he had lost everything.? The damage to his frontal lobe not only caused his problems but also meant his insight was poor.? His behaviour spiralled down and culminated in him being arrested for a serious assault.
By then, Mark had built a good relationship with the solicitor managing his personal injury claim.? He was able to recommend a criminal solicitor who he thought Mark would listen to.? Reports obtained in the civil claims were forwarded and discussion took place between the two solicitors.? Mark was advised to plead guilty.? He trusted his solicitor and followed the advice.?The effects of his brain injury were fully explored and proper mitigation was put forward.? In the meantime, we were able to use this incident to get Mark to see that he needed help and to accept case management and support.
Mark received a non-custodial sentence.? He accepted the support on offer and a package was built to ensure his days were structured so that he would not drift into further trouble.? There was a happy ending of sorts.? Mark may not have the life he once dreamed of but things could be so much worse.? Mark's compensation is now serving its proper purpose and restoring quality of life as far as possible while also helping to keep him out of further brushes with the law.?His arrest was a turning point.?Fortunately, through the work of both his personal injury and criminal lawyers he was given the chance to turn back onto the right path.
I am concerned that if the Government's latest proposals come into effect, the next Mark will not be given a choice of criminal solicitor.? He may be lucky and happen to be allocated a solicitor who understands the impact of brain injury but he may not.? Unlike in Mark's case, the personal injury solicitor will not be able to assist in identifying the best man or woman for the criminal case.? Mark needed careful handling and was at a vulnerable point.? If the opportunity to intervene positively had been lost I strongly suspect Mark might now be adding to the already worrying statistics about the incidence of prior traumatic brain injury in the prison population.
Think it could never happen to you?? Think again.? All the reports of Mark before the accident were of a charming, hard-working and committed young man.? His brain injury changed everything.?
Mark and others like him are part of the reason I have signed the petitions to save our criminal legal aid system.? Please consider doing the same.? You can find them here:
Study finds air pollution and noise pollution increase cardiovascular riskPublic release date: 20-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Nathaniel Dunford ndunford@thoracic.org American Thoracic Society
ATS 2013, PHILADELPHIA ? Both fine-particle air pollution and noise pollution may increase a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to German researchers who have conducted a large population study, in which both factors were considered simultaneously.
"Many studies have looked at air pollution, while others have looked at noise pollution," said study leader Barbara Hoffmann, MD, MPH, a professor of environmental epidemiology at the IUF Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Germany. "This study looked at both at the same time and found that each form of pollution was independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis."
The research will be presented at ATS 2013.
"This study is important because it says that both air pollution and noise pollution represent important health problems," said Dr. Philip Harber, a professor of public health at the University of Arizona who was not involved in the research. "In the past, some air pollution studies have been dismissed because critics said it was probably the noise pollution that caused the harm, and vice versa. Now we know that people who live near highways, for instance, are being harmed by air pollution and by noise pollution."
Using data from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, an ongoing population study from three neighboring cities in the Ruhr region of Germany, Dr. Hoffmann and her colleagues assessed the long-term exposure to fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter
The exposure to air pollutants was calculated using the EURopean Air Pollution Disperson, or EURAD, model. Exposure to traffic noise was calculated using European Union models of outdoor traffic noise levels. These levels were quantified as weighted 24-hour mean exposure (Lden) and nighttime exposure (Lnight).
To determine the association of the two variables with cardiovascular risk, the researchers looked at thoracic aortic calcification (TAC), a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis.
TAC was quantified using non-contrast enhanced electron beam computed tomography. Using multiple linear regression, the researchers controlled for other cardiovascular risk factors, including age, gender, education, unemployment, smoking status and history, exposure to second-hand smoke, physical activity, alcohol use and body mass index.
After controlling for these variables, the researchers found that fine-particle air pollution was associated with an increase in TAC burden by 19.9 % (95%CI 8.2; 32.8%) per 2.4g/m3. (To put that increase in perspective: in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency recently revised the overall limit downward from 15 to 12g/m 3).
The researchers also found that nighttime traffic noise pollution increased TAC burden by 8% (95% CI 0.8; 8.9%) per 5 dB. (An average living room would typically have a noise level of about 40 A-weighted decibels, or dB(A), an expression of the relative loudness of sounds as perceived by the human ear, while busy road traffic would generate about 70-80dB(A)). Mean exposure to traffic noise over 24 hours was not associated with increased TAC.
Among subgroups of participants, the researchers found even stronger associations. The interaction of PM2.5 and TAC was clearer among those younger than 65, participants with prevalent coronary artery disease and those taking statins. In contrast, the effect of Lnight was stronger in participants who were not obese, did not have coronary artery disease and did not take statins.
Although the cross-sectional design of this study limits the causal interpretation of the data, Dr. Hoffmann said, "both exposures seem to be important and both must be considered on a population level, rather than focusing on just one hazard."
She added that her research group plans to conduct a longitudinal analysis with repeated measures of TAC over time.
###
* Please note that numbers in this release may differ slightly from those in the abstract. Many of these investigations are ongoing; the release represents the most up-to-date data available at press time.
Abstract 40036
Searching For The Culprit: Is Urban Particulate Air Pollution Or Road Traffic Noise Responsible For The Association Of Traffic Proximity With Subclinical Atherosclerosis - Results From The Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study
Type: Scientific Abstract
Category: 06.01 - Air Pollution: Epidemiology and Mechanisms (EOH)
Authors: B. Hoffmann1, F. Hennig2, S. Moebus3, S. Mohlenkamp4, N. Dragano5, H. Jakobs6, R. Erbel4, K.-H. Jockel3, H. Kalsch4; 1IUF Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine - Dusseldorf/DE, 2IUF Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine - Dsseldorf/DE, 3University of Duisburg-Essen - Essen/DE, 4West-German Heart Center - Essen/DE, 5University of Duesseldorf - Duesseldorf/DE, 6Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research - Cologne/DE
Abstract Body
Rationale: Long-term particulate matter (PM) air pollution and high ambient noise levels are traffic-related environmental exposures, which often occur concurrently. Traffic proximity has been linked to subclinical atherosclerosis; however until now, no study has investigated, whether PM or road traffic noise is responsible for this association. We aimed to investigate the independent associations of PM and road traffic noise with thoracic aortic calcification (TAC), a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Methods: We used baseline data (2000-2003) from the German Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study, a population-based cohort of 4814 participants. We assessed long-term exposure to fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter Results: In 4238 included participants (mean age 60 years, 49.9% male), TAC score had a highly skewed distribution with a median Agatston-score of 20.04 (IQR: 143.31). PM2.5, and Lnight were independently associated with increasing TAC-burden (19.9% [95%CI 8.2; 32.8%] per 2.4g/m3 PM2.5, and 4.8% [95%CI 0.8; 8.9%] per 5 dB Lnight, respectively), while Lden was not associated with TAC. The effect of PM on TAC was not modified by high traffic noise exposure and vice versa. We observed an interaction of PM2.5 with several personal participant characteristics, displaying clearly stronger associations for younger participants (Conclusions: Long-term exposure to fine PM air pollution and night-time road traffic noise are independently associated with thoracic aortic calcification, a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis.
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?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Study finds air pollution and noise pollution increase cardiovascular riskPublic release date: 20-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Nathaniel Dunford ndunford@thoracic.org American Thoracic Society
ATS 2013, PHILADELPHIA ? Both fine-particle air pollution and noise pollution may increase a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to German researchers who have conducted a large population study, in which both factors were considered simultaneously.
"Many studies have looked at air pollution, while others have looked at noise pollution," said study leader Barbara Hoffmann, MD, MPH, a professor of environmental epidemiology at the IUF Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Germany. "This study looked at both at the same time and found that each form of pollution was independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis."
The research will be presented at ATS 2013.
"This study is important because it says that both air pollution and noise pollution represent important health problems," said Dr. Philip Harber, a professor of public health at the University of Arizona who was not involved in the research. "In the past, some air pollution studies have been dismissed because critics said it was probably the noise pollution that caused the harm, and vice versa. Now we know that people who live near highways, for instance, are being harmed by air pollution and by noise pollution."
Using data from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, an ongoing population study from three neighboring cities in the Ruhr region of Germany, Dr. Hoffmann and her colleagues assessed the long-term exposure to fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter
The exposure to air pollutants was calculated using the EURopean Air Pollution Disperson, or EURAD, model. Exposure to traffic noise was calculated using European Union models of outdoor traffic noise levels. These levels were quantified as weighted 24-hour mean exposure (Lden) and nighttime exposure (Lnight).
To determine the association of the two variables with cardiovascular risk, the researchers looked at thoracic aortic calcification (TAC), a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis.
TAC was quantified using non-contrast enhanced electron beam computed tomography. Using multiple linear regression, the researchers controlled for other cardiovascular risk factors, including age, gender, education, unemployment, smoking status and history, exposure to second-hand smoke, physical activity, alcohol use and body mass index.
After controlling for these variables, the researchers found that fine-particle air pollution was associated with an increase in TAC burden by 19.9 % (95%CI 8.2; 32.8%) per 2.4g/m3. (To put that increase in perspective: in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency recently revised the overall limit downward from 15 to 12g/m 3).
The researchers also found that nighttime traffic noise pollution increased TAC burden by 8% (95% CI 0.8; 8.9%) per 5 dB. (An average living room would typically have a noise level of about 40 A-weighted decibels, or dB(A), an expression of the relative loudness of sounds as perceived by the human ear, while busy road traffic would generate about 70-80dB(A)). Mean exposure to traffic noise over 24 hours was not associated with increased TAC.
Among subgroups of participants, the researchers found even stronger associations. The interaction of PM2.5 and TAC was clearer among those younger than 65, participants with prevalent coronary artery disease and those taking statins. In contrast, the effect of Lnight was stronger in participants who were not obese, did not have coronary artery disease and did not take statins.
Although the cross-sectional design of this study limits the causal interpretation of the data, Dr. Hoffmann said, "both exposures seem to be important and both must be considered on a population level, rather than focusing on just one hazard."
She added that her research group plans to conduct a longitudinal analysis with repeated measures of TAC over time.
###
* Please note that numbers in this release may differ slightly from those in the abstract. Many of these investigations are ongoing; the release represents the most up-to-date data available at press time.
Abstract 40036
Searching For The Culprit: Is Urban Particulate Air Pollution Or Road Traffic Noise Responsible For The Association Of Traffic Proximity With Subclinical Atherosclerosis - Results From The Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study
Type: Scientific Abstract
Category: 06.01 - Air Pollution: Epidemiology and Mechanisms (EOH)
Authors: B. Hoffmann1, F. Hennig2, S. Moebus3, S. Mohlenkamp4, N. Dragano5, H. Jakobs6, R. Erbel4, K.-H. Jockel3, H. Kalsch4; 1IUF Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine - Dusseldorf/DE, 2IUF Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine - Dsseldorf/DE, 3University of Duisburg-Essen - Essen/DE, 4West-German Heart Center - Essen/DE, 5University of Duesseldorf - Duesseldorf/DE, 6Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research - Cologne/DE
Abstract Body
Rationale: Long-term particulate matter (PM) air pollution and high ambient noise levels are traffic-related environmental exposures, which often occur concurrently. Traffic proximity has been linked to subclinical atherosclerosis; however until now, no study has investigated, whether PM or road traffic noise is responsible for this association. We aimed to investigate the independent associations of PM and road traffic noise with thoracic aortic calcification (TAC), a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Methods: We used baseline data (2000-2003) from the German Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study, a population-based cohort of 4814 participants. We assessed long-term exposure to fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter Results: In 4238 included participants (mean age 60 years, 49.9% male), TAC score had a highly skewed distribution with a median Agatston-score of 20.04 (IQR: 143.31). PM2.5, and Lnight were independently associated with increasing TAC-burden (19.9% [95%CI 8.2; 32.8%] per 2.4g/m3 PM2.5, and 4.8% [95%CI 0.8; 8.9%] per 5 dB Lnight, respectively), while Lden was not associated with TAC. The effect of PM on TAC was not modified by high traffic noise exposure and vice versa. We observed an interaction of PM2.5 with several personal participant characteristics, displaying clearly stronger associations for younger participants (Conclusions: Long-term exposure to fine PM air pollution and night-time road traffic noise are independently associated with thoracic aortic calcification, a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis.
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?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
AAA??May. 18, 2013?3:46 PM ET Suspect identified in fatal Hofstra home invasion By FRANK ELTMANBy FRANK ELTMAN, Associated Press??
In this photo copied from the 2010 Sleepy Hollow High School yearbook, high school student Andrea Rubello is shown. Police said Rubello, a junior at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., was shot and killed Friday, May 17, 2013, during a break-in near the college campus. (AP Photo/Sleepy Hollow High School)
In this photo copied from the 2010 Sleepy Hollow High School yearbook, high school student Andrea Rubello is shown. Police said Rubello, a junior at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., was shot and killed Friday, May 17, 2013, during a break-in near the college campus. (AP Photo/Sleepy Hollow High School)
The Tarrytown, N.Y., home of the family of Hofstra University student Andrea Rubello is seen on Friday, May 17, 2013. Police say Rubello was shot and killed Friday, May 17, 2013, during a break-in near the college campus in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jim Fitzgerald)
Hofstra University students gather near the house where another student and an armed intruder were killed during an overnight house break-in next to the campus, Friday, May 17, 2013, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
Officers continue working the scene at the house, left, where a Hofstra University student and an armed intruder were killed during an overnight break-in next to the campus, Friday, May 17, 2013, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
Officers guard the area leading to the white house, background, where a Hofstra University student and an armed intruder were killed during an overnight house break-in next to the campus, Friday, May 17, 2013, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) ? Police have identified the alleged home invader involved in the death of a New York college student early Friday morning.
Nassau County police on Saturday named 30-year-old Dalton Smith of Hempstead as the man who attempted to rob the off-campus home where Hofstra University junior Andrea Rebello was shot and killed.
Smith also died in what authorities have described as a police-involved shooting.
It still isn't clear who fired the fatal shots or how many rounds were fired in the 2:30 a.m. incident.
Police say Smith was on parole for robbery in the first degree and had an extensive criminal history that includes assault.
Authorities say a warrant for Dalton's arrest was issued last month for violating his parole.
In this photo copied from the 2010 Sleepy Hollow High School yearbook, high school student Andrea Rubello is shown. Police said Rubello, a junior at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., was shot and killed Friday, May 17, 2013, during a break-in near the college campus. (AP Photo/Sleepy Hollow High School)
In this photo copied from the 2010 Sleepy Hollow High School yearbook, high school student Andrea Rubello is shown. Police said Rubello, a junior at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., was shot and killed Friday, May 17, 2013, during a break-in near the college campus. (AP Photo/Sleepy Hollow High School)
The Tarrytown, N.Y., home of the family of Hofstra University student Andrea Rubello is seen on Friday, May 17, 2013. Police say Rubello was shot and killed Friday, May 17, 2013, during a break-in near the college campus in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jim Fitzgerald)
Hofstra University students gather near the house where another student and an armed intruder were killed during an overnight house break-in next to the campus, Friday, May 17, 2013, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
Officers continue working the scene at the house, left, where a Hofstra University student and an armed intruder were killed during an overnight break-in next to the campus, Friday, May 17, 2013, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
Officers guard the area leading to the white house, background, where a Hofstra University student and an armed intruder were killed during an overnight house break-in next to the campus, Friday, May 17, 2013, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) ? A Hofstra University student being held in a headlock at gunpoint by an intruder was accidently shot and killed by a police officer who had responded to the home invasion at an off-campus home, police said Saturday.
Junior public relations major Andrea Rebello was shot once in the head early Friday morning by an officer who opened fire after the masked intruder pointed a gun at the officer while holding the 21-year-old student, Nassau County homicide squad Lt. John Azzata said.
In a tense confrontation with the officer, gunman Dalton Smith "menaces our police officer, points his gun at the police officer," Azzata said. The officer opened fire, killing Smith and his hostage.
Azzata said the Nassau County police officer fired eight shots at Smith, who police described as having an "extensive" criminal background. Smith was hit seven times and died. Rebello was shot once in the head.
"He kept saying, 'I'm going to kill her,' and then he pointed the gun at the police officer," Azzata said.
A loaded 9 mm handgun with a serial number scratched off was found at the scene, police said.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale said he had traveled to Rebello's Tarrytown, N.Y., home to explain to Rebello's parents what happened.
"I felt obligated as a police commissioner and as a parent to inform them as soon as all the forensic results were completed," Dale said.
The veteran police officer, who was not identified, has about 12 years of experience on the Nassau County police force and previously spent several years as a New York City police officer, Dale said.
The officer is currently out on sick leave. He will be the focus of an internal police investigation once the criminal investigation is completed, which is standard police procedure in any officer-involved shooting, the commissioner said.
Earlier Saturday, police announced that Smith, 30, had been wanted on a parole violation related to a first-degree robbery conviction and had an arrest history dating back nearly 15 years.
The shooting came just days before the school's commencement ceremonies, which are scheduled to take place Sunday.
A university spokeswoman said students will be handed white ribbons to wear in memory of Rebello. The shooting, which took place just steps from campus, has cast a pall over the university community as it geared up for commencement on Sunday.
"Today is the last day of finals and this should be a happy day on campus; but it's not," Hofstra freshman Scott Aharoni of Great Neck, said Friday as he passed through the area rife with yellow crime-scene tape. "It's really sad."
Rebello was in the two-story home with her twin sister Jessica, a third woman and a man when Smith, wearing a ski mask, walked into the house through an open front door, Azzata said. Smith demanded valuables and was told they were upstairs, Azzata said.
Smith, apparently unsatisfied with the valuables upstairs, asked if any of the four had a bank account and could withdraw money, Azzata said. The intruder then allowed the unidentified woman to leave and collect money from an ATM, telling her she had only eight minutes to come back with cash before he killed one of her friends, Azzata said.
The woman left for the bank and called 911, according to Azzata.
Minutes later, two police officers arrived at the home and found Rebello's twin sister Jessica running out of the front door and the male guest hiding behind a couch on the first floor, Azzata said.
One of the officers entered the home and encountered Smith holding onto Rebello in a headlock, coming down the stairs, Azzata said. Smith pulled Rebello closer and started moving backward toward a rear door of the house, pointing the gun at her head before eventually threatening the officer, Azzata said.
Rebello's family declined comment Saturday.
The Rev. Osvaldo Franklin, who gave Rebello and her sister Jessica their first communions, on Saturday night told The Associated Press their mother, Nella, couldn't even speak to him earlier in the day.
"She was so devastated," said Franklin. "She's just crying. We have to pray for Andrea, to pray for Jessica because she needs help."
Franklin said a funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., and will be in Portuguese.
"The family's a very good family, they have very good values," he said. "I gave them first communion to Andrea and Jessica and they started to help me in the mass for many years. They are a very good, very devoted family."
LIMA (Reuters) - Proposed peace talks for Syria would not curb "terrorism" in the country and it is unrealistic to think they would succeed, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview published in an Argentine newspaper on Saturday.
Speaking in Syria with the newspaper Clarin, Assad said he was doubtful that mediation the United States and Russia have proposed could settle a deadly conflict that has convulsed the country for two years.
"There is confusion in the world between a political solution and terrorism. They think a political conference will halt terrorists in the country. That is unrealistic," he said in reference to insurgent groups seeking to unseat him.
Rebels demanding Assad's resignation have also voiced skepticism about the proposed peace talks.
Assad reiterated he would not resign and said peace talks would not make sense because the opposition was too fragmented to negotiate an agreement.
"No dialogue with terrorists," he said. Videotaped excerpts of the interview were posted on Clarin's website.
The Syrian conflict started with mainly peaceful demonstrations against Assad, but turned into a civil war in which the United Nations says tens of thousands of people have been killed.
Islamist militants have emerged as the most potent of the anti-Assad rebels.
On Friday, the outlook for talks appeared to hit snags.
The United States chided Russia for sending missiles to the Syrian government, while France made clear it would oppose any meeting if Assad's regional ally Iran were invited.
Russia's position is that Tehran should be part of any solution.
(Reporting by Maximiliano Rizzi; Editing by Terry Wade and Peter Cooney)
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17 May 2013Last updated at 11:41 ETBy Mark KinverEnvironment reporter, BBC News
A tree expert has said the biggest threat facing UK trees is likely to come from a disease currently unknown to science.
The warning came as a leading UK citizen science programme launched a tree health monitoring project.
Tree officers suggest urban trees, already under stress from city living, are among the most susceptible.
Last year's arrival of ash dieback threatens to change the nation's treescape forever, ecologists say.
"Firstly, it is important to say that is very difficult to prioritise what are the main threats," explained David Slawson, head of plant health public engagement at the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera).
"But I would always say the main threat is 'unknown'."
Dr Slawson added: "It may sound slightly alarming, but the likes of Phytophthora ramorum was not defined by science when it started causing problems.
Continue reading the main story
Symptoms of Chalara dieback
Diseased saplings typically display dead tops and side shoots.
Lesions often found at base of dead side shoots.
Lesions on branch or stem can cause wilting of foliage above.
Disease affects mature trees by killing off new growth.
"It could be an unknown disease that could be the next big thing and that is why putting generic measures in place that aim to protect against everything are so vital."
One of those measures is a formal scientific process called Pest Risk Analysis (PRA), he told BBC News.
"So there is a very well established international procedure on how you do assess the risk of an individual pest," he said.
As well as safeguards put in place by plant scientists within Fera and the Forestry Commission, Dr Slawson explained that the European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) was continually monitoring the movement of potential threats to Europe's flora.
EPPO also publishes Pest Alerts, which acts as an early warning system and often forms the basis for scientists to exchange data and research at the monthly meeting of the EU Plant Health Standing Committee.
Now, another dimension has been added to the array of monitoring methods - citizen scientists.
Fera is one of the partners in the Open Air Laboratories' (Opal) latest survey, which focuses on tree health.
Opal is was designed to get people outdoors and provide a chance to get involved in scientific research.
Its director, Dr Linda Davies, said: "Tree health is one of the most important surveys Opal has developed so far.
"Whilst learning about local trees and gathering lots of interesting information, local people can also contribute their findings to a national research programme investigating the condition of the nation's trees and the factors affecting them."
Bleak expectations
Scientists are expecting this summer to reveal that ash dieback will have extended it reach across the landscape.
The omens are not promising. This week saw the first confirmation of an outbreak of Chalara fraxinea disease in the wider environment in Wales.
"Once again, it brings into sharp focus the ongoing threat our trees and woods are facing and highlights the need for a stringent plan of action to protect them," said Austin Brady, head of conservation at the Woodland Trust.
"Ash dieback is just one of the many diseases and pests already in the country with many more just across the border in Europe."
Keen for early detection of new cases of ash dieback, the Forestry Commission has posted a video on its website to help people identify infected trees during the spring.
The Commission said the video was designed to help people spot tell-tale signs on ash trees, which are late coming into leaf compared with other species.
"We are particularly interested in suspected cases in counties where it has not been found so far," Dr John Morgan, head of the Commission's Plant Health Service.
He added that August and September were the best months to look for symptoms of dieback because by the autumn infected leaves could be confused with leaves that were naturally changing colour.
Although the temporary ban on ash imports remains in force, the government issued a statutory plant order in January that required people to notify officials if they planned to bringing ash, sweet chestnut and plane trees into England.
How ash dieback could threaten Britain's wildlife
Continue reading the main story
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) wants the government to go further and ban imports of the three tree species, all of which have been the victims of potentially devastating infections overseas.
The arrival of ash dieback in the UK was in February 2012 when a consignment from a nursery in the Netherlands was confirmed to be infected with the disease.
The HTA called for ash imports to be banned in 2009 after seeing the impact of the disease in Denmark.
Recently, the HTA said that sweet chestnut tree imports should also be banned as concern grew about the spread of a usually fatal blight (caused by the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica) through much of mainland Europe.
The UK had a close escape in late 2011 when the disease was identified at nine locations but the infected trees were destroyed before the fungus became established in the surrounding environment.
It had previously never been recorded in the UK on the species that the Romans are understood to have originally introduced to Britain.
In late 2011, the HTA also called for the introduction of a ban on plane tree imports.
A fungal disease, known as canker stain of plane trees and found in mainland Europe, has a history of leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
It was first recorded in the US during the 1930s and, in the space of a few decades, had wiped out most, if not all, London plane trees (Platanus ? acerifolia) - a popular street tree - in cities along the east coast, from New York state to Louisiana.
It is believed to have been brought to Europe via crating material, made from infected wood, used by the US military during World War II.
Watching and waiting
French researchers fear the highly infectious disease will wipe out all of the estimated 42,000 plane trees that line the banks of the nation's 240km (150-mile) Canal du Midi - a UN world heritage site - by the middle of the next decade.
Jake Tibbetts, chairman of the London Tree Officers Association, says the arrival of canker stain of plane trees in the UK would be deeply worrying.
He said: "When you talk about the heritage of trees and what we have gained from the planting done by the Victorians, my biggest concern is that as those big, landmark trees had to removed en mass, very quickly, we would suddenly be left with a very different urban landscape - one that would be very problematic to replant.
"When those trees were planted [in Victorian times], the soil was in better condition, pavements were not as impermeable as they are now.
"And there was not the same level of competition above and below ground that those trees now have," he told BBC News.
"London plane trees, a decade ago, were thought to be as tough as old boots, with no real pests or diseases to threaten them.
"They were considered fantastic trees to plant and would grow anywhere; now we are having to question whether London plane trees are suitable trees to plant for the future."
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) ? A remote Alaska volcano continues to erupt, spewing lava and ash clouds.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory said Thursday a continuous cloud of ash, steam and gas from Pavlof Volcano has been seen 20,000 feet above sea level. The cloud was moving to the southeast Thursday.
John Power, the U.S. Geological Survey scientist in charge at the observatory, estimates the lava fountain rose several hundred feet into the air.
Onsite seismic instruments are picking up constant tremors from the eruption at Pavlof, located about 625 miles southwest of Anchorage.
Residents of Cold Bay, 37 miles away, have reported seeing a glow from the summit.
Pavlof is among the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian arc, with nearly 40 known eruptions, according to the observatory.
Chris Yerga, engineering director of Android, speaks about Google Play Music at Google I/O 2013 in San Francisco, Wednesday, May 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Chris Yerga, engineering director of Android, speaks about Google Play Music at Google I/O 2013 in San Francisco, Wednesday, May 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
El director general de Google, Larry Page en una conferencia de prensa el 21 de mayo de 2012. El cofundador del sitio en internet reconoci? el 14 de mayo de 2013 que tiene un problema con sus cuerdas vocales que ocasionalmente le da problemas para hablar y respirar, pero asegur? que est? lo suficientemente bien para seguir al frente de la empresa de internet m?s influyente del mundo. (Foto AP/Seth Wenig)
Hugo Barra, vice president, Android Product Management at Google, holds a Samsung Galaxy S4 ?Google Edition? while speaking at Google I/O 2013 in San Francisco, Wednesday, May 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? Google Inc. unveiled a streaming music service called All Access that blends songs users have already uploaded to their online libraries with millions of other tracks. Google made it available in the U.S. Wednesday for $8 a month to early birds who sign up for service before June 30.
In addition to a 30-day free trial, the offer shaves $2 off the price of popular paid subscription plans from Spotify and Rhapsody. The service is an attempt by the world's dominant Internet company to carve itself a bigger piece of the digital music pie as more people listen to streaming music on mobile devices.
The announcement Wednesday at Google's annual developers conference in San Francisco kicks off a wave of developments as technology giants go beyond core music fans and look to entice more casual listeners.
Rival Apple Inc. is expected to debut a digital radio service later this year that will drive more people to its iTunes music store; Google-owned YouTube is also working on a paid subscription music plan with a deeper catalog of songs than it has now; and Sweden's Spotify is exploring a way to make a version of its paid streaming plan free with ads on mobile devices, according to a person in the music industry familiar with the matter.
The person was not authorized to speak publicly about the developments because the deals and features on the services have not been finalized.
Google is playing catch-up in the digital music space after launching its music store in November 2011. Apple's iTunes Store, which launched in 2003, is the leader in song downloads and Spotify claims about 6 million paying subscribers worldwide.
But Google's massive reach on mobile devices that use its Android operating system means it could narrow the gap quickly. Some 44 percent of active smartphones in the U.S., or about 53 million, are powered by the Android software, according to research firm eMarketer. Google said about 900 million Android devices have been activated worldwide.
All Access is expected to roll out soon in 12 other countries where Google currently sells music, including 10 European countries such as the U.K., France and Germany, as well as Australia and New Zealand. After the early-bird period, the monthly fee will go back up to the industry standard $10.
Google's All Access allows users to search for songs, albums or artists directly, or peruse 22 different genres. Google also offers up recommendations based on your listening behavior and your existing library of songs.
You can listen to any of millions of tracks right away, or switch to a "radio" format that creates a playlist of songs that you might like. Radio playlists can be adjusted on the fly by deleting or re-ordering upcoming songs. You can cache songs on the device for playback outside of cellphone or Wi-Fi service.
"This is radio without rules," said Chris Yerga, engineering director of Android. "This is as lean-back as you want or as interactive as you want."
By combining an all-you-can-listen-to plan with music sold from its Google Play store, the service covers any gaps. Some artists, like Taylor Swift, keep recent releases off of streaming services for several months in order to boost download sales. The combination also means people can listen to their own specialized music or bootleg recordings alongside the millions of tracks available from Google.
All three major recording labels ? Vivendi's Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group Corp. ? are part of the All Access service.
Listening to music streamed over cellphone networks has become extremely popular. According to research firm eMarketer, over 96 million Americans are expected to stream music on mobile devices at least once a week in 2013, up from 85 million a year ago. About 147 million Americans are expected to stream music on the go at least once a month this year.
There's no question that between mobile, social, big data and cloud computing, there's a major transformation going on with enterprise tech, all thanks to startups.
That means that many enterprise startups are raking in giant rounds of funding or getting ready to go public.
But as any startup founder will tell you, all venture capitalists are not created equal. And despite the rising popularity of enterprise tech these days, investors that specialize in enterprise are hard to find.
To come up with our list of we looked at factors like past success and experience, recommendations from founders, ranking on Forbes' 2013 Midas Touch list and the stature of the current startups they are backing. Many of these investors also back consumer tech, but they've all got game in enterprise.
Workers make final preparations at a beach ahead of the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
Workers make final preparations at a beach ahead of the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
CANNES, France (AP) ? The Cannes Film Festival is getting under way with a blockbuster day of Steven Spielberg and Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby."
The French Riviera extravaganza began on a rainy Wednesday, where the prestigious festival was to open with the 3-D adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel. Spielberg is serving as jury president of this year's Cannes, presiding over a particularly starry group including Nicole Kidman, Ang Lee and Christoph Waltz.
"Gatsby" is making its European premiere Wednesday night, nearly a week after opening in North America. Such timing is atypical for Cannes, but the glamorous, flashy film is otherwise perfectly in line with the glitzy festival. It also returns Leonardo DiCaprio to Cannes' famous red carpet.
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Public release date: 20-May-2013
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