BERLIN (Reuters) - A monkey which belonged to popstar Justin Bieber has become German national property after the singer failed to provide authorities with the documents needed to reclaim the pet seized by customs officials.
Bieber had until Friday to hand in the necessary paperwork which included health and species protection certificates after "Mally" his capuchin monkey was confiscated at Munich airport in March while the singer was on tour.
But Judith Brettmeister, spokeswoman for the shelter which has cared for Mally since then, said the 19-year-old Canadian singer had not been in touch or handed over any documents and would no longer be able to reclaim the animal.
"The monkey belongs to Germany now," she said, adding that Germany's Federal Office for Nature Conservation would now take the monkey away and place it in a group of monkeys, though she did not know where that would be.
"We hope that it will be as soon as possible because the monkey needs to be integrated soon - it is becoming really strange because it only knows people so it has not learned any proper social behavior," Brettmeister said, adding that the monkey was doing well otherwise.
(Reporting by Michelle Martin, editing by Paul Casciato)
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.
Information given on Friday by the website of the French weekly Le Point.fr revealed that the health condition of Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika is alarming.
Medical sources familiar with the situation affirmed to the French website that ?some of the president?s vital functions are very affected.?
The recent information about the health of Algeria?s leader contradicted the official version of the story that according to which the president was sent to the military hospital of Paris because of a minor suffering from Transient Ischemic Attack also known as TIA.
Bouteflika, 76, spent already three weeks of hospitalization in Paris on grounds of an inconsequential illness as the official story stated, but the Algerian public opinion demanded more transparency on the subject, especially after the media blackout since the Algerian president was transferred to Paris three weeks ago.
Observers questioned the veracity of the diagnosis given by the presidency of the Republic and the president?s personal medical supervisor, Professor Rachid Bougherbal, who said that the president will remain in France only for few days until his recovery.
Few days turned out to be three weeks and counting, which prompts many Algerians to believe that their president suffers from a serious illness, and not only a health complaint with no irreversible complications.
The media blackout around the subject led to numerous rumors about the death of Bouteflika which circulated throughout the social networks in recent days.
Bouteflika?s health conditions began since 2005 and gave rise to speculations about the future of Algeria and who?s going to be in charge after his potential departure.
New research identifies risks, interventions for children's GI healthPublic release date: 18-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Aimee Frank newsroom@gastro.org 301-941-2620 Digestive Disease Week
Studies presented at DDW 2013 span 'breathprints' and high-powered magnets
Orlando, FL (May 18, 2013) An increasing number of U.S. children are experiencing gastrointestinal issues that require interventions to resolve, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW).
In one study targeting obesity, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital found that obese children have a unique pattern of exhaled breath compared to their lean counterparts. The pattern showed differences in volatile organic compound levels that can be correlated to potential complications associated with obesity, such as diabetes and fatty liver disease.
"Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in the U.S., with 17 percent of children being obese and at risk for serious health complications," said Naim Alkhouri, MD, director of the Pediatric Preventive Cardiology and Metabolic Clinic at Cleveland Clinic's Children's Hospital. "A quick, non-invasive breath test that identifies specific risks could help clinicians identify effective interventions while also motivating families to take preventative action."
Funded by the Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute and the Ohio Third Frontier program, the study compared the volatile organic compounds in the breath of obese and lean children and found differences in the concentration of more than 50 compounds. The test identified the obese children with a 92 percent rate of accuracy. Dr. Alkhouri said that while more research is needed to validate the findings, the breath test could be an invaluable research tool.
"The findings promise to shed more light on the causes and complications of childhood obesity," he said. "Ultimately, this could have huge implications for early interventions for obesity-related complications that could be effectively targeted to combat risk as these children get older."
Study identifies high rate of surgical intervention for magnet ingestions
DDW is also featuring research in a very different area of pediatric risk: the ingestion of high-powered magnets.
What started as a concern posted by a few pediatric gastroenterologists on a community bulletin board became the first study to document the frequency of medical and surgical interventions for children and adolescents who swallow magnets, a common component of adult desk toys. Investigators found that more than 79 percent of magnet ingestion cases ultimately required surgical and/or endoscopic procedures. Only 21 percent of cases could be managed by observation alone or by observation and pumping of the stomach, or lavage.
"We seemed to be seeing more and more of these cases, some of which were very serious, even life-threatening," said R. Adam Noel, associate professor of pediatrics at Louisiana State University Children's Hospital. "Our research not only confirms our concern, but also shows that early intervention is particularly important with these magnet ingestions."
Funded by the department of pediatrics at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans, the study surveyed pediatric gastroenterologists around the country, tracking their medical and surgical interventions with patients who had swallowed neodymium magnets. These magnets are 10 to 20 times stronger than typical refrigerator magnets and are typically found in desk toys marketed to adults as stress relievers. If ingested, the magnets can become lodged in the digestive system and perforate the intestine. Severe damage can be fatal.
In 31 percent of cases, the study found, surgery was only needed to remove the magnets. But 43 percent of surgical cases required another major procedure, including fistula (abnormal connection between an organ, vessel or intestine and another structure) repair, and 15 percent needed a bowel resection.
The high surgical rate may be explained by the magnets' unique potential for harm. In cases involving other foreign objects, 85 percent of the time, those objects pass through a child's digestive track without complication. But the neodymium magnets, which are often swallowed in multiples, can pull together through the wall of the intestine.
"The findings send a strong message to clinicians and parents," said Dr. Noel. "Although they look harmless on an X-Ray, these magnets are powerful enough to cause serious damage to the digestive track in a short amount of time."
While children between the ages of 13 months and 6 years are at the highest risk for ingestion, older children's risk also appears to be increased as adolescents use the magnets for body jewelry and fake piercings. Analyzing the same data, a companion study found that 24 percent of children treated had ingested magnets as a result.
Last month, in response to the increasing reports of this hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and several retailers announced the voluntary recall of high-powered magnet sets.
###
Dr. Noel will present data from the study "Neodymium magnet adult desk toys are associated with increased medical and surgical intervention in children," abstract Sa1544, on Saturday, May 18, at 8 a.m. ET in Hall West A1 of the Orange County Convention Center.
Dr. Alkhouri will present data from the study "Breathprints of childhood obesity: changes in volatile organic compounds in obese children and adolescents compared to health controls," abstract 125, on Saturday, May 18, at 3 p.m. ET in Room 101B of the Orange County Convention Center.
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), DDW takes place May 18 to 21, 2013, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. The meeting showcases more than 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. More information can be found at http://www.ddw.org.
Follow us on Twitter @DDWMeeting; hashtag #DDW13. Become a fan of DDW on Facebook.
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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.
New research identifies risks, interventions for children's GI healthPublic release date: 18-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Aimee Frank newsroom@gastro.org 301-941-2620 Digestive Disease Week
Studies presented at DDW 2013 span 'breathprints' and high-powered magnets
Orlando, FL (May 18, 2013) An increasing number of U.S. children are experiencing gastrointestinal issues that require interventions to resolve, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW).
In one study targeting obesity, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital found that obese children have a unique pattern of exhaled breath compared to their lean counterparts. The pattern showed differences in volatile organic compound levels that can be correlated to potential complications associated with obesity, such as diabetes and fatty liver disease.
"Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in the U.S., with 17 percent of children being obese and at risk for serious health complications," said Naim Alkhouri, MD, director of the Pediatric Preventive Cardiology and Metabolic Clinic at Cleveland Clinic's Children's Hospital. "A quick, non-invasive breath test that identifies specific risks could help clinicians identify effective interventions while also motivating families to take preventative action."
Funded by the Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute and the Ohio Third Frontier program, the study compared the volatile organic compounds in the breath of obese and lean children and found differences in the concentration of more than 50 compounds. The test identified the obese children with a 92 percent rate of accuracy. Dr. Alkhouri said that while more research is needed to validate the findings, the breath test could be an invaluable research tool.
"The findings promise to shed more light on the causes and complications of childhood obesity," he said. "Ultimately, this could have huge implications for early interventions for obesity-related complications that could be effectively targeted to combat risk as these children get older."
Study identifies high rate of surgical intervention for magnet ingestions
DDW is also featuring research in a very different area of pediatric risk: the ingestion of high-powered magnets.
What started as a concern posted by a few pediatric gastroenterologists on a community bulletin board became the first study to document the frequency of medical and surgical interventions for children and adolescents who swallow magnets, a common component of adult desk toys. Investigators found that more than 79 percent of magnet ingestion cases ultimately required surgical and/or endoscopic procedures. Only 21 percent of cases could be managed by observation alone or by observation and pumping of the stomach, or lavage.
"We seemed to be seeing more and more of these cases, some of which were very serious, even life-threatening," said R. Adam Noel, associate professor of pediatrics at Louisiana State University Children's Hospital. "Our research not only confirms our concern, but also shows that early intervention is particularly important with these magnet ingestions."
Funded by the department of pediatrics at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans, the study surveyed pediatric gastroenterologists around the country, tracking their medical and surgical interventions with patients who had swallowed neodymium magnets. These magnets are 10 to 20 times stronger than typical refrigerator magnets and are typically found in desk toys marketed to adults as stress relievers. If ingested, the magnets can become lodged in the digestive system and perforate the intestine. Severe damage can be fatal.
In 31 percent of cases, the study found, surgery was only needed to remove the magnets. But 43 percent of surgical cases required another major procedure, including fistula (abnormal connection between an organ, vessel or intestine and another structure) repair, and 15 percent needed a bowel resection.
The high surgical rate may be explained by the magnets' unique potential for harm. In cases involving other foreign objects, 85 percent of the time, those objects pass through a child's digestive track without complication. But the neodymium magnets, which are often swallowed in multiples, can pull together through the wall of the intestine.
"The findings send a strong message to clinicians and parents," said Dr. Noel. "Although they look harmless on an X-Ray, these magnets are powerful enough to cause serious damage to the digestive track in a short amount of time."
While children between the ages of 13 months and 6 years are at the highest risk for ingestion, older children's risk also appears to be increased as adolescents use the magnets for body jewelry and fake piercings. Analyzing the same data, a companion study found that 24 percent of children treated had ingested magnets as a result.
Last month, in response to the increasing reports of this hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and several retailers announced the voluntary recall of high-powered magnet sets.
###
Dr. Noel will present data from the study "Neodymium magnet adult desk toys are associated with increased medical and surgical intervention in children," abstract Sa1544, on Saturday, May 18, at 8 a.m. ET in Hall West A1 of the Orange County Convention Center.
Dr. Alkhouri will present data from the study "Breathprints of childhood obesity: changes in volatile organic compounds in obese children and adolescents compared to health controls," abstract 125, on Saturday, May 18, at 3 p.m. ET in Room 101B of the Orange County Convention Center.
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), DDW takes place May 18 to 21, 2013, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. The meeting showcases more than 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. More information can be found at http://www.ddw.org.
Follow us on Twitter @DDWMeeting; hashtag #DDW13. Become a fan of DDW on Facebook.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
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.
LONDON (Reuters) - The website and Twitter feed of British newspaper the Financial Times were hacked on Friday, apparently by the "Syrian Electronic Army", a group of online activists who say they support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The group posted links on the newspaper's Twitter feed to a YouTube video, uploaded on Wednesday, which purports to show members of the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front Syrian rebel group executing blindfolded and kneeling members of the Syrian army.
The video could not be independently verified.
Hacking attacks on verified Twitter accounts of media organizations have triggered urgent calls for the micro-blogging website to increase account security, particularly for news outlets.
"Various FT blogs and social media accounts have been compromised by hackers and we are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible," a statement from the FT press office said. The paper is owned by Pearson Plc
Twitter was not immediately available for comment.
Stories on the FT's website had their headlines replaced by "Hacked By Syrian Electronic Army" and messages on its Twitter feed read: "Do you want to know the reality of the Syrian 'Rebels?'", followed by a link to the video.
The group has previously targeted the Twitter account of the BBC's weather service, and those of Human Rights Watch and French news service France 24.
In the most disruptive incident so far, someone took control of the Twitter feed of U.S. news agency the Associated Press last month and sent a false tweet about explosions at the White House that caused financial markets to plunge.
(Reporting by Mohammed Abbas, Kate Holton and Ben Berkowitz; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 vs. Dead or Alive 5 ? PlayStation 3?
Comparing the PlayStation 3 version of two fighting games is never an easy thing to do, especially when the games under discussion are Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Dead or Alive 5.
Both the games pack a strong punch in their unique way that one often finds oneself wondering why the two games are even being compared.
Irrespective of how unfair, rather pointless, it appears to put Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Dead or Alive on the table and try to figure out which one of them enjoys an upper hand over the other, the seemingly
never-ending debates on various online forums has created a need to get this thing sorted out once and for all.
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is every fighting game lover?s dream come true. While this may initially come off as an overstatement, you just need to look the different modes, size of character roster, presentation
and gameplay of the game to know why the latest title in the Tekken franchise by Namco Bandai Games is considered among the best, if not the best.
Dead or Alive 5 does not fall too far behind its counterpart either. With Team Ninja taking over the development of the game and injecting the pure awesome that one can only expect from the team behind the highly-acclaimed
Ninja Gaiden franchise into it, the product which eventually came out was just amazing.
The game has a brilliant presentation, with a beautiful cast of characters to choose from and an addictive gameplay. The development team has clearly spent a lot of time in designing the stages and adding some
not-so-unique but definitely refreshing elements to it. The simplistic gameplay of Dead or Alive makes it perfect for fighting-game newbies to pick up the controller and take on a pro.
Now that it has been established that both the games are nothing short of outstanding, the only question which remains to be answered is which of the two games is better.
For someone who has been a Tekken enthusiast since the days of PlayStation One, the comparison between the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Dead or Alive 5 would be absurd. The latest Tekken game has nearly gotten
rid of everything that kept it from being a perfect fighting game. The experience on offer is one that fans of the genre can truly enjoy without having to make faces and cursing the developers.
However, if a person stays objective, one would surely begin to notice the things that make Dead or Alive 5 slightly better than Tekken Tag Tournament 2.
Even though Team Ninja did not bother to expand the character roster in Dead or Alive 5 too much, they made up for it by brushing up the characters, adding a lot of detail to them, giving them personalities and
adding a huge list of moves to their arsenal. The characters in Tekken Tag Tournament 2 sometimes come off as rather shallow, except for a few one.
Another thing that makes Dead or Alive 5 a bit more appealing than Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is that Team Ninja has clearly taken the casual gamers into consideration while developing the gameplay. One does not
need to be a hardcore gamer to enjoy the experience. Namco Bandai Games, on the other hand, seem to have ignored the casual gamers and made the move lists, combos and overall gameplay of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 a bit complex.
Irrespective of the comparison drawn between the two games, it would not be an overstatement to say that both Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Dead or Alive 5 are two of the best fighting games on the PlayStation
3.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely of the writer?s and do not reflect bettor.com?s official editorial policy.
Not too long ago, Patton Oswalt riffed on his idea for a great plot for the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII film on Parks and Recreation. Now, it's got a whole bunch of..."digital effects" that turn it into the film we all deserve. It's alright JJ, we've got this one on lock. But thanks for throwing your hat in the ring! [iZacLess via Patton Oswalt]
By Amelia Mularz Disney character Merida from the movie "Brave" got a makeover this week, and loads of parents weren't having it. The animated heroine got all gussied up in preparation for her induction into the Disney Princess Collection (who knew such pomp and circumstance existed?). Disney released a rendering and it became evident that [...]
May 16, 2013 ? Depressed middle-aged women have almost double the risk of having a stroke, according to research published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.
In a 12-year Australian study of 10,547 women 47-52 years old, researchers found that depressed women had a 2.4 times increased risk of stroke compared to those who weren't depressed. Even after researchers eliminated several factors that increase stroke risks, depressed women were still 1.9 times more likely to have a stroke.
"When treating women, doctors need to recognize the serious nature of poor mental health and what effects it can have in the long term," said Caroline Jackson, Ph.D., study author and an epidemiologist in the School of Population Health at the University of Queensland in Australia. "Current guidelines for stroke prevention tend to overlook the potential role of depression."
This is the first large-scale study in which researchers examined the association between depression and stroke in younger middle-aged women. The closest comparison is with the U.S.-based Nurses' Health Study, which found a 30 percent higher risk of stroke among depressed women. However, the average participant's age in the Nurses' study was 14 years older.
Jackson and her colleagues analyzed survey results from the nationally representative Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Participants answered questions about their mental and physical health and other personal details every three years in 1998-2010.
About 24 percent of participants reported being depressed, based on their responses to a standardized depression scale and their recent use of anti-depressants. Self-reported responses and death records revealed 177 first-time strokes occurred during the study.
The researchers used statistical software and repeated measures at each survey point to analyze the relationship between being depressed and having a stroke.
To distinguish the independent effects of depression, they factored out various characteristics that can affect stroke risks, including: age; socioeconomic status; lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol and physical activity; and physiological conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, being overweight and diabetes.
Although the increased stroke risk associated with depression was large in the study, the absolute risk of stroke is still fairly low for this age group, Jackson said. About 2.1 percent of American women in their 40s and 50s suffer from stroke. In the study, only about 1.5 percent of all women had a stroke. That number increased to slightly more than 2 percent among women suffering from depression.
Similar results could be expected among American and European women, Jackson said.
"We may need more targeted approaches to prevent and treat depression among younger women, because it could have a much stronger impact on stroke for them now rather than later in life," she said.
It's still unclear why depression may be strongly linked to stroke in this age group. The body's inflammatory and immunological processes and their effects on our blood vessels may be part of the reasons, she said.
The study's co-author is Gita Mishra, Ph.D.The American Stroke Association encourages everyone to learn how to recognize a stroke and to act fast during a stroke emergency. When people recognize a stroke and act fast by calling 9-1-1, they have a greater chance of improving the outcome. Remember F.A.S.T. and the symptoms that come on suddenly:
The number of home-schoolers in Virginia has increased by more than 50 percent over the past decade, to more than 32,000 children. If they were a school district, it would be the ninth-largest in the state?with almost as many students as the Norfolk Public Schools
May 16, 2013; 6:00 AM ? by RVANews staff
By Allison Landry and Amber Shiflett | Capital News Service
Amy Wilson says she didn?t choose home schooling; her son did.
?My son chose home schooling when he was about 3. I didn?t realize that?s what was happening at the time. We tried having him go to preschool, and it was not a good fit for him,? said Wilson, the government affairs director for the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers. ?Once I started questioning preschool, I suddenly found myself in this land of home-schoolers.?
Across the United States, a growing number of parents like Wilson have chosen home schooling as an alternative to public schools. In Virginia, the number of home-schoolers has increased by more than 50 percent over the past decade, according to the Virginia Department of Education.
There are now more than 32,000 home-schoolers in Virginia. If they were a school district, it would be the ninth-largest in the state ? with almost as many students as the Norfolk Public Schools.
Why Families Choose Home Schooling
A variety of factors push parents to try home schooling. They include flexibility, concerns about the quality of public schools and the freedom to teach without boundaries.
Ann Zeise is a home-schooling expert and owner of A to Z Home?s Cool Homeschooling, a popular website that provides resources and guidance on the subject. Zeise said many factors influence the growth of home schooling, such as:
The perception of whether the public schools in a state are good or bad
The ease of complying with the state?s home-schooling laws
The availability of a support network for home-schooling parents and students
Home schooling gives parents the opportunity to choose the schedule, curriculum and teaching style that best suits the needs of the child and the family, according to Parrish Mort, president of the Organization for Virginia Homeschoolers (usually called VaHomeschoolers).
?It?s a great gift to really be able to fine-tune your child?s education to their learning styles,? Mort said. ?What home schooling gives you is the freedom that you just don?t have as much of when you choose school.?
Moreover, home schooling allowed Mort to accommodate her son?s specialized learning needs. ?It became a lifestyle for us, and we loved it,? Mort said.
Susannah Foster, a home educator for 10 years in Fairfax County, says her three children?ages 5, 11, and 15?have all benefited from home schooling.
?We?ve been able to move at each child?s individual pace, choose a curriculum best-suited to their individual learning styles and needs, and pursue their interests in a way that, I hope, allows them to enjoy education rather than dread it,? Foster said.
Christina Caffi is a former home educator in Fairfax County and office manager for a holistic family practice. She said home schooling helped bring her family together.
?We were able to enjoy more time with our child, getting to know her and to tailor her education to her needs and interests,? Caffi said. ?We were able to avoid the stress of the public school schedule and take advantage of the freedom of our schedule.?
Caffi said she began considering home schooling after observing the conditions at her daughter?s high school.
?When our first child entered high school, we were dismayed at the lack of discipline in her public high school,? Caffi said. ?Remembering our own experiences in high school just 20 years before, we had concerns for the negative peer pressure she was facing and for the erosion of the moral values that we had tried to instill in her.?
Home Schooling: Doing the Math
Nationwide, there are more than 2 million home-schoolers, according to the National Home Education Research Institute.
During the 1994-95 school year, Virginia had 9,623 home-schoolers (including children kept out of public schools for religious reasons). By 2001-02, the number hit 21,121; and by 2011-12, the most recent year available, it climbed to 32,064. They represent 2.5 percent of all school-age children in Virginia.
The school divisions with the most home-schoolers are Fairfax County (2,929), Loudoun County (2,119), Chesterfield County (1,954), Prince William County (1,345) and Virginia Beach (982). That?s not surprising, because those are highly populated areas, and the home-schoolers there represent a tiny fraction of the school-age population.
But in Floyd County, in Southwest Virginia, the 269 home-schoolers represent nearly 12 percent of all school-age children, according to data analysis by Capital News Service. In Surry County, in the Hampton Roads area, home-schoolers represent 11 percent of all school-age children.
In 25 school divisions in Virginia, more than 5 percent of all school-age children are home-schooled. They range from Fauquier County and the city of Staunton to Powhatan and Warren counties.
Virginia?s Home-School Rules
Virginia makes it easy to home-school. Parents don?t need a college degree or any special academic qualifications. All they must do is:
Notify the local district of their intent to home-school
Provide a general curriculum, which can be a correspondence course or distance learning program
Provide evidence of progress of the child?s academic progress each year
During the VaHomeschoolers Conference and Resource Fair in March in Glen Allen, Stephanie Elms, a member of the organization?s board, held an introductory session on the paperwork and legalities behind home schooling. Elms explained the different options under state law for evaluating a child?s progress.
?Home-schooled children,? she said, ?do not need to follow the Standards of Learning??Virginia?s standardized testing program that critics say is too rigid. Instead, she said, home-schoolers could take an alternative standardized test, such as the California Achievement Test, the Iowa Test, or the Stanford Achievement Test.
?For those kids where standardized testing is not a good reflection of their abilities, there is an option two,? Elms said. ?Under this option there are alternative methods for evaluation.? They include written documentation showing evidence of progress, a portfolio of student work, report cards or transcripts.
What about Socialization?
Foster said home schooling is not the best option for every parent, but she believes it is the best option for preserving her individual family values.
?Great teachers are a blessing, but even the greatest teacher can?t possibly care for the development of a child as much as a parent does,? Foster said. ?This is not a lifestyle that is appropriate for every family.?
One concern about home schooling is that children might not learn social skills from associating and working with students in a traditional school setting.
Missy Edwards, the former vice president of the Parent Teacher Association at Lanier Middle School in Fairfax, expressed that concern. She has three children, who have all attended public schools. Edwards said she has been actively involved in her children?s academic paths throughout high school.
Like many public school parents, Edwards believes home schooling cannot provide the type of benefits that public schools do.
?I don?t believe that home-schoolers can benefit from the social and academic capabilities of dealing with real-world issues,? Edwards said. She said public school ?has provided my kids with socialization skills that I wouldn?t be able to give them if I had them at home with me every day.?
While Edwards said that she could never be a home-school parent, VaHomeschoolers leaders Amy Wilson of Prince William County and Parrish Mort of Cumberland County said public schools have always been an option for their children.
?If they told me they wanted to go to public school, I would let them give it a try. So far, they both prefer home schooling,? Wilson said.
Mort agreed: ?Every year, we?d re-evaluate. It?s one child, one year at a time. If they chose to make a different choice, it was fine.?
As the number of home-schoolers has grown, so have the opportunities for home-schoolers to socialize with each other.
?With so many people home-schooling, it isn?t difficult to find a group of like-minded families with which to socialize,? Caffi said. ?There are many opportunities for fun or learning experiences with groups and service opportunities abound.?
Caffi pointed out another advantage of home schooling: Parents know whom their child is socializing with. ?That is a responsibility that is difficult to maintain in the away-from-home school setting.?
Watch enough Arrested Development?I mean, is there really such a thing as enough??and you become party to a long and intricate series of recurring jokes. Now, you can feast your eyes on an interactive visualization that lets you take a closer look at where the gags crop up.
Phew. Day one of Google I/O is far from over, but there's already been an onslaught of news. While our editors are running around the floor, why not catch up on any bits of the opening keynote you may have missed? There's now a Galaxy S 4 with vanilla Android Jelly Bean for $649, a $9.99 per-month music subscription service and a host of updates for Google+, Play, Maps and others. Join us past the break where we've got it all neatly categorized for your viewing pleasure.
KUNMING, China (AP) ? More than 2,000 people in southern China unfurled banners and shouted "Protest! Protest!" on Thursday to oppose plans for a petroleum refinery, in a large environmental rally that local authorities allowed to go forward in order to let the public vent frustration.
The gathering in downtown Kunming ? the second one in the city this month ? was largely peaceful, though there were minor scuffles with police. Witnesses said at least two people were briefly detained, though it was noteworthy that authorities ? apparently eager to appear open and inclusive ? made no effort to shut down the rally.
A city vice mayor, He Bo, even tried to meet with the demonstrators, but his attempts to explain the refinery project to the crowd were cut short by the cries of a protester.
Kunming officials said this week that the refinery planned by powerful state company PetroChina Co. will meet environment standards and is crucial for the local economy, but residents are worried about the air and water pollution that will result.
"We don't need speedy development. What we need is a healthy and peaceful country," Kunming resident Liu Yuncheng said. "I still haven't given birth to a baby. I want to be pregnant and I want a healthy baby."
But while police allowed the protest to proceed, censors scrubbed posts in China's social media that were critical of the project planned by the powerful state Petro China Co., and employees of state companies were asked to promise not to participate in any rally or talk about the project in public venues or online.
The scene in Kunming was in contrast to a planned protest against a petrochemical plant earlier this month in the city of Chengdu , where authorities thwarted the gathering by flooding the streets with police in a supposed earthquake drill, reflecting the balancing act of Chinese officials as they seek to promote economic growth while maintaining social stability.
Members of China's public, especially among the rising middle class, have become increasingly outspoken against environmentally risky factories, in reaction to a decade of development-at-all-costs policies that have polluted the country's air and waterways.
However, they have virtually no say on industrial projects, and have instead turned to organizing protests. Several of those turned violent last year, in some cases prompting local governments to scrap plans for factories.
In response to a May 4 protest by Kunming residents, local government officials and PetroChina held a series of public meetings and promised that operations at the 20 billion yuan ($3 billion) refinery would be environmentally clean. The facility is expected to produce up to 10 million tons of refined oil annually.
But officials also said the project's environmental evaluation report remains confidential, aggravating a public already upset with a lack of information about the project. Residents remain skeptical about any government claim that the project will be safe.
"We cherish blue skies and white clouds, as well as good air. If you want to build a refinery with 10 million tons of capacity here in the place where we live, we resolutely oppose it," said a Kunming resident who identified herself only by her surname, Liu. "We want a good life. We women want to be beautiful."
Kunming Mayor Li Wenrong was quoted in state media last week as saying the public's opinion would be taken into account in a democratic way in the approval process for another upcoming project ? plans to build factory that would produce p-xylene, a toxic chemical used in the production of polyester and other materials.
The refinery is connected to operations of the upcoming Myanmar-China pipeline, which originally was due to start pumping oil and gas at the end of this month after eight years of planning and construction.
China has invested heavily for access to resources from neighboring Myanmar and to establish a new, shorter route for the procurement of oil and gas, as an alternative to shipping routes.
Opposition to the pipeline has been strong on both sides of the border. Myanmar officials recently said its operations would be delayed.
ZURICH (AP) ? FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he will protest to Italian soccer authorities over a decision to only fine Roma the equivalent of $65,000 after their fans racially abused AC Milan players.
Play was stopped for almost two minutes during the second half of Sunday's game when visiting Roma supporters would not stop chanting at Milan players Mario Balotelli and Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Warnings issued over the stadium speaker system went unheeded, leading to a Serie A match being suspended due to racism for the first time.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has put renewed vigor into the fight against racism since Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng led his teammates off the pitch when he was racially abused during an exhibition game against an Italian fourth-tier side in January.
Blatter is unhappy that the latest case was so quickly wrapped up by Italian soccer officials, while branding "small fines for racist abuse unacceptable."
"What is surprising and is not understandable for me, is that the disciplinary committee of the Italian Football Federation has taken a decision, not even 24 hours after the event, by just imposing a fine," Blatter said Tuesday on FIFA's website. "They have not made any investigation of what happened. And just to give a pecuniary sanction is not valid, that is not acceptable. You will always find money.
"What is 50,000 euros for such an incident? I'm not happy and I will call the Italian Federation. That's not a way to deal with such matters."
The Boateng incident in January followed a spate of racial-abuse cases in England and prompted Blatter to establish a task force to propose stricter sanctions.
In plans being presented to the FIFA Congress later this month, teams face being thrown out of competitions or even relegated if their players, officials or fans are found guilty of any form of discrimination.
"In this resolution, there are foreseen sanctions ? and these sanctions must be applied all around the world," Blatter said. "That's why we need the congress's decision. That will bind together all the 209 associations.
"I'm looking forward to that and I do hope, that there we will be no other incidents until the 30 May, when we will deal with this matter in Mauritius ... I appeal to everybody for a little more discipline and respect."
UEFA, at its congress in London next week, will ask its 53 members to adopt a series of tougher racism sanctions.
UEFA wants a partial stadium closure to be imposed on clubs if there is racism in the stands ? rather than just a fine for a racist offense. If there are further incidents, UEFA is advocating clubs being forced to play matches behind closed doors.
A 10-game minimum ban for players found guilty of racist abuse is also being proposed.
The English Football Association is looking to push through its own plans for a five-game minimum ban for racist abuse at its own annual general meeting this week.
In England in recent years, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez received an eight-match ban for racially abusing an opponent and Chelsea captain John Terry was suspended for four matches.
WASHINGTON (AP) ? The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday approved President Barack Obama's nominee for U.S. ambassador to Libya, a post that has been vacant since insurgents attacked the diplomatic mission in Benghazi last September, killing Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
With little discussion, the panel on a voice vote approved Deborah Kay Jones, a career diplomat who has served in Kuwait, Argentina, Syria, Iraq and Turkey.
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., chairman of the committee, praised Jones and spoke of the imperative of filling the job amid increasing lawlessness in Libya. On Monday, a deadly car bomb exploded near a hospital in Benghazi and officials gave conflicting numbers on the death toll.
"There is simply no substitute for having a confirmed U.S. ambassador on the ground, reaching outside the wire to the Libyan people as they shape a safer, more productive and inclusive future," Menendez said.
At her confirmation hearing earlier this month, Jones promised to work to ensure sufficient security at U.S. facilities, saying the ambassador was the principle security officer and vowing to simply pick up the phone and call Washington if she felt security was lax.
If confirmed by the full Senate, Jones would take over an ambassadorship that has been vacant for nearly eight months.
The Obama administration's response to the attacks has been the subject of a long-running and bitter dispute with congressional Republicans. The GOP has accused the administration of trying to cover up details of the assault and its aftermath.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., ratcheted up the political criticism on Tuesday, saying the GOP was hyperventilating about the Benghazi attack.
"It's about smear politics and nothing else," Reid told reporters.
He highlighted the Republican budget cuts, including the $300 million from the Obama administration's request of $2.6 billion for diplomatic and embassy security last year.
"Again and again Republicans have blocked, opposed or reduced embassy security funding .... so again, where is the outrage on this. The real fact is Republicans are more concerned about giving President Obama a black eye and taking shots at Secretary (Hillary Rodham) Clinton than actually tracking down the people who performed these outrageous acts of terrorism."
Privately, Democrats have expressed frustration with the administration's recent handling of the issue as new details from emails on Friday showed that political considerations influenced the editing of talking points used by U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice five days after that attack.
By Iain Rogers MADRID (Reuters) - When Rafa Nadal returned to action in February after seven months out with a knee injury he never thought that just over three months later he would have another five titles in the bag, including two more Masters triumphs. The Spaniard, a former number one and the French Open champion, dropped to five in the world during his enforced absence before storming back to win in Sao Paulo, Acapulco, Indian Wells, Barcelona and now Madrid. ...
May 14, 2013 ? The results of a large-scale, analysis of BitTorrent file-sharing of computer games, focusing on using open methodologies are to be published in the International Journal of Advanced Media and Communication and bust some of the common myths about digital piracy.
The controversy about illegal file sharing over the Internet has been a focus of intense attention from industry and media alike for the past decade. Despite the massive financial interests involved, there is, however, only limited factual knowledge available backing claims from either side of the controversy.
Focusing on digital game piracy specifically, Anders Drachen of the Department of Communication and Psychology, at Aalborg University and the PLAIT Lab, Northeastern University and Robert Veitch of the Department of IT Management at Copenhagen Business School, in Frederiksberg, Denmark, report the results of a large-scale, analysis of BitTorrent file-sharing of computer games, focusing on using open methodologies. Their data covers a three month period during 2010 to 2011 and included information on 173 computer games.
The results present a nuanced picture of game piracy and presents evidence against some of the common myths in digital piracy. For example, the team found that it is not just hardcore "shooter" games that get pirated on BitTorrent. They also recorded piracy of games across the board, from children's and family games all the way to the major commercial titles. Furthermore, their results indicate that the actual number of illicit digital copies of computer games accessed on BitTorrent is not as high as those mentioned in reports from industry trade organizations, for instance.
During the period of monitoring BitTorrent, the research team found that about 12.6 million unique peers from over 250 countries/areas were sharing illicit copies of games, which included Fallout: New Vegas, Darksiders, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, NBA 2k11, TRON Evolution, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Starcraft 2, Star Wars the Force Unleashed 2, Two Worlds II, The Sims 3: Late Night. This represents a wide range of games vendors and games types encompassing simulations, sports and strategy as well as action games. They report that of the 173 digital games in the sample, the ten most popular games titles during the period analyzed drove more than 4 out of every 10 unique peers on BitTorrent and a mere 20 of the countries monitored were contributing to more than three-quarters of the total file-sharing activity.
For the most popular games, they add, there was an average of 536,727 unique peers sharing via Bit Torrent, and the geographical distribution of the unique peers paint a very diverse picture of where people who access illegally copied games on BitTorrent are positioned. For example, a number of countries stand out as having very large numbers of unique peers represented in the dataset, including Romania, Croatia, Ukraine, Greece, Poland, Italy, Armenia and Serbia. Portugal, Israel and Qatar also have more than 1% peers per Internet user. The results also point out that games receiving high critical acclaim tend to have higher numbers of unique peers than those which receive negative critique in media reviews.
While the games investigated covered all major hardware platforms, console games are much tougher to pirate than desktop computer games for the simple reason that one needs to modify the hardware of the console to use them. In contrast, to use an illicit copy of a PC game, one must commonly only modify the computer code itself. A recent turn towards cloud-based gaming could reduce the chances of games being copied illicitly still further but adoption relies on access to reliable broadband internet for gamers. Of course, better broadband also potentially means more efficient sharing of illegal copies of digital games.
The findings present a picture of peer-to-peer, P2P, distributions that confirms some existing assumptions about piracy while contradicting others. "First and foremost, P2P game piracy is extraordinarily prevalent and geographically distributed [at least it was during the period analyzed]. However, the numbers in our investigation suggest that previously reported magnitudes in game piracy are too high," Drachen adds. "It also appears that some common myths are wrong, e.g. that it is only shooters that get pirated, as we see a lot of activity for children's and family games on BitTorrent for the period we investigated."
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Public release date: 20-May-2013
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