Wednesday 10 September 2008

"American Idol" adds writer-producer as 4th judge

LOS ANGELES () - "American Idol" on Monday added a fourth fount to its panel of talent judges, a ballad maker and producer who calls herself a "feisty" "square shooter" looking to crown a winner world Health Organization is, above all, singular.





The Grammy-nominated pop composer, Kara DioGuardi, will join veteran soldier "Idol" book of Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson for the coming eighth season of U.S. television's most watched establish when it returns in January 2009.





The addition of DioGuardi, 37, marks the biggest format change for the series, subtitled "The Search for a Superstar," since it burst into prime metre on the Fox electronic network in 2002.





Self-assured with a matter-of-fact, no-nonsense style, DioGuardi is expected to allow a counterbalance to the sometimes gushy, even vacuous on-air theatrical role of Abdul, 46, world Health Organization first gained fame in the eighties as a pop isaac Bashevis Singer.





Though hardly a household identify, DioGuardi has written and produced songs for legion recording artists, including crop up stars Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera as well as past "Idol" winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, and has received several awards in recent years.





In a conference name with reporters, she noted a previous collaboration with Abdul, saying they co-wrote a sung dynasty early in her career, "Spinning Around," that went on to become a hit for Kylie Minogue.





"For the past seven-spot seasons, Paula has had to wear the go through of existence the only woman at the book of Judges table," said Mike Darnell, head of alternative programming at Fox. "With Kara by her side, Paula finally has some backup, and at present there is going to be a lot more 'girl power' on the show."





Producers testament put that chemistry to its number one test on Tuesday, when DioGuardi joins Abdul, Cowell and Jackson for the kickoff of auditions in New York.�






More info

Thursday 21 August 2008

Diabetes Most Likely Not Caused By C-reactive Protein


A study published in the open-access journal PLoS Medicine
finds that levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood are non
likely to cause diabetes. Previous research has suggested that brocaded
levels of the protein are linked to an increase in diabetes risk, but
this latest research conducted by Eric Brunner (Royal Free and
University College London Medical School, London) and colleagues
suggests that the association is not causal.


Affecting about 200 million mass in the world, diabetes is a
condition characterized by senior high school blood gelt (glucose) levels in the
blood that often leads to problems with several organs and a shorter
lifespan. In type 2 diabetes (as well called adult-onset), the physical structure
becomes resistant to insulin, blood refined sugar levels increment, and the
pancreas responds by producing more insulin. Diabetes is fully
developed when the pancreas malfunctions and insulin secretion
decreases. Being overweight is a major risk factor for diabetes, and
increased body fat causes mild, chronic tissue fervor - leading
to further insulin resistance. It is also known that people with high
levels of the inflammatory protein CRP are at an increased risk of
developing diabetes. It has been proposed that inflammation causes
diabetes, and a drug that reduces the level of CRP in the blood could
as well decrease the risk of developing diabetes.


Brunner and colleagues used a method called Mendelian Randomization to
test if inflammation is a grounds of diabetes. From a sample of 50,000
people from the Whitehall II study, the researchers were able to
bar blood CRP levels. They also secondhand the ''homeostasis model
assessment-insulin resistance'' (HOMA-IR) method to measure semipermanent
blood gelt control as well as insulin sensitiveness from descent glucose
and insulin measurements. Thirdly, the investigators analyzed three
"single polynucleotide polymorphisms" in CRP to track inherited transmitted
blocks. To control for the personal effects of other variables, the researchers
included several voltage confounding factors in their model such as
fleshiness, blood pressure, and
socioeconomic position - all play a part in the development of
diabetes.


Results from the study indicate that blood CRP levels are non
responsible for the development of insulin resistance or diabetes (in
European populations). Further, drugs that target against CRP are
unlikely to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

Inflammation, insulin electric resistance and diabetes - Mendelian
randomization using CRP haplotypes points upstream


Brunner EJ, Kivim�ki M, Witte DR, Lawlor DA, Davey Smith G,
et al.
PLoS Medicine (2008). 5(7): e155.

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0050155
Click
Here to View the Article


About PLoS Medicine

PLoS Medicine is an open access, freely useable
international
medical journal. It publishes original research that enhances our
understanding of human wellness and disease, together with commentary and
analysis of important ball-shaped health issues. For more information, visit
http://www.plosmedicine.org


About the Public Library of Science


The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is a non-profit organization
of scientists and physicians committed to making the world's
scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource.
For more information, visit http://www.plos.org


Written by: Peter M Crosta


Copyright: Medical News Today

Not to be reproduced without permit of Medical News Today


More info

Monday 11 August 2008

Today's Top Artists, AT&T to Debut AT&T Team USA Soundtrack on Opening Day of 2008 Olympic Games

Goo Goo Dolls, Queen Latifah and Taylor Swift Join Other Leading Artists to
Record Exclusive Tracks to Inspire and Support U.S. Olympic Team Athletes
Proceeds From Music Downloads - Available Exclusively During the 2008
Olympic Games - To Benefit Team USA

DALLAS, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As the world prepares to kick
off the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, AT&T and today's headlining artists
are ready to cheer on U.S. Olympic Team athletes through the AT&T Team
USA(TM) Soundtrack.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) today announced that the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack
-- a digest of undivided rock, pop, R&B, rap and land music
produced to support U.S. Olympic Team athletes as they compete in Beijing
-- will be uncommitted for download beginning Aug. 8, the opening day of the
2008 Olympic Games, through and through the Closing Ceremony on Aug. 24. The artists
and tracks that will be only available on the AT&T Team USA
Soundtrack are:



-- 3 Doors Down, "The Champion in Me"
-- Army of Me, "Perfect" (acoustic)
-- Colbie Caillat, "Somethin' Special"
-- Clique Girlz, "Incredible" (acoustic)
-- Sheryl Crow, "So Glad We Made It"
-- Chris Brown, "Dreamer"
-- Flipsyde, "Champion"
-- Luis Fonsi, "No Me Doy Por Vencido" (exclusive track)
-- Goo Goo Dolls, "Real"
-- Josh Kelley, "To Remember"
-- Lady Antebellum, "I Was Here"
-- Queen Latifah, "Champion"
-- Mere, "Hold On"
-- Nelly, "Warrior" (Team USA edition)
-- Taylor Swift, "Change"
-- Kate Voegele, "Lift Me Up"

Fans can download full tracks online through iTunes for 99 cents a
song, and canful also access the iTunes downloads through att.net/TeamUSA.
AT&T radio set customers lav purchase ringtones and Answer Tones(SM)
featuring the exclusive songs, ranging from $1.99 to $2.49, on-line or from
their handsets through AT&T MEdia Mall. And, a selection of the total tracks
rump also be downloaded directly over the air to AT&T handsets for $1.99 a
song. Net proceeds from downloads testament benefit Team USA. Music videos and
exclusive creative person interviews volition also be available for viewing at
att.net/TeamUSA and the AT&T blue-blooded room. To sign up for AT&T Team USA
Soundtrack Text Alerts, text Alerts to 234567. Standard text message rates
apply.

"We couldn't be more excited about our artist lineup and what they're
doing to help support Team USA and these athletes," said Jamie Butcher,
vice president of AT&T Brand Sponsorships. "The way these artists came
together to produce the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack really represents the true
life of the Olympic Games. One of our main Team USA sponsorship goals is
to connect fans to these amazing athletes and mother excitement for them
as they compete at the Olympic Games. The AT&T Team USA Soundtrack is a
outstanding way to make this connection."

AT&T is further connecting fans to its brand by promoting the Team USA
Soundtrack through online social networking sites. Fans can stop by
http://www.att.net/TeamUSA to download the official AT&T Team USA
Soundtrack widget and show their support for Team USA on their Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com) pageboy. Between now and Aug. 8, the widget will
display a countdown to the protrude of the 2008 Olympic Games and the set in motion
of AT&T Team USA Soundtrack. Once the Games begin, the widget will provide
access to exclusive music and interviews with both artists and athletes.
Updates about both Team USA and the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack will be
available end-to-end the games via the "ATTblueroom" profile on Twitter
(http://twitter.com/attblueroom) and the AT&T fan page on Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/ATT/8576093908).

Today's announcement is the in vogue move by AT&T to help U.S. Olympic
and Paralympic athletes direct and contend for the 2008 Olympic Games in
Beijing. AT&T is an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team and provides
significant financial support, products and services to the U.S. Olympic
Committee.

AT&T will also serve as the official telecommunications services
partner of the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In
addition to supporting USA Gymnastics and USA Swimming, the company serves
as an official partner for several National Governing Bodies, including USA
Track & Field and USA Diving.

The AT&T Team USA Soundtrack is an important contribution of AT&T's mission to
connect people with their world, everyplace they live and work, and do it
bettor than anyone else.

Additional information about AT&T's sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic
Team is available at hTTP://www.att.com/teamusa2008. For more selective information
on AT&T's products and services, impose http://www.att.com.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding ship's company. Its
subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of
AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their
offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communication theory
services and the nation's leading radio, high velocity Internet approach and
voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory
publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and
YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators
in such fields as communication theory equipment. As part of its three-screen
integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV amusement offerings. In
2008, AT&T once more ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired
Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired
Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and
the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is
available at hTTP://www.att.com.

(C) 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the
AT&T logotype and all other simon Marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T
Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Note: This AT&T news liberation and other announcements ar available as
part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. For more information, please
review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at
http://www.att.com/newsroom.




More info

Wednesday 6 August 2008

The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada   
Artist: The Devil Wears Prada

   Genre(s): 
Metal
   Rock
   



Discography:


Plagues   
 Plagues

   Year: 2007   
Tracks: 10


Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord   
 Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord

   Year: 2006   
Tracks: 11




 






Thursday 19 June 2008

Rupert Parker

Rupert Parker   
Artist: Rupert Parker

   Genre(s): 
New Age
   



Discography:


River   
 River

   Year: 2001   
Tracks: 12




 





Full Blown Chaos

Wednesday 11 June 2008

Potter star talks about new romance

'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson has spoken about her new boyfriend, after being photographed with him at the Empire Awards after-party.
According to the Mirror, the 17-year-old actress said: "I'm really happy. I'm not sure if he is 'the one' just yet, we've only been going out together for three weeks, but it's brilliant at the moment. He is a friend of a friend."
"We've known each other for a while but we only got together last month. He isn't an actor and he didn't go to my school, which is great, we're just having fun," she said.
Watson laughed off previous media rumours which linked her to Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell and her 'Harry Potter' co-star Daniel Radcliffe.
"I've been linked to so many guys I sound like a wanton woman."
"Daniel and I have been mates for the past six years, so we're used to it. Then there was Johnny Borrell. But this is my boyfriend now," she said, referring to the new man in her life.

Thursday 5 June 2008

‘Sex and the City’ Takes Over NYMag.com

Courtesy of New Line CinemaWondering where all Vulture's coverage of the Most Important Movie in the History of New York is? Sure, we've explained why Mr. Big will die, introduced you to Samantha's humpy dog, and speculated about what physical torment men would suffer to skip the movie — but nymag.com's other blogs, especially Daily Intel, have flooded the zone in their coverage of Carrie and her gal pals. (Want proof? Check out the file name of the photo to the left to see how our shared photo editor feels.)

Don't miss the video of gals (and guys!) before and after last night's midnight showings at Kips Bay. Plus, they polled basically every single person who saw the movie last night, asking them questions like "Are you a straight guy?" and "Why are you here then?" Daily Intel has also investigated whether poor people like Sex and the City too, how Cynthia Nixon has become the movie's gay-publicity weapon, Bloomberg's secret pain, and Steve's secret shame. Over at the Cut, nymag.com's fashion mavens have weighed in on whether SATC is to blame for young professionals' dressing trampily at the office, and interviewed legend Patricia Field about her favorite SATC outfits. And even Grub Street has gotten in on the action, with a slideshow of cupcake porn — luscious pastries whose rich curves far outstrip those of SATC favorite Magnolia.



Thursday 29 May 2008

Cablevision Pays 650 Million For Newsday




New York-based Cablevision announced today (Monday) that it has acquired the Long
Island newspaper Newsday and related properties for $650 million. The announcement
came just two days after Rupert Murdoch's News Corp pulled out of the bidding, sayin
g that the price was unrealistic. While analysts had expected shareholders to react
negatively to Cablevision's expensive acquisition, shares in the company appeared
to be unaffected by the deal. Cablevision CEO James Dolan said that he saw numerous
synergies. "Both Cablevision and Newsday are in the content, customer relationship and
advertising business, and we see this as a wonderful fit," he said in a statement.
The announcement of the Newsday acquisition comes just one week after the
company said that it had agreed to buy the Sundance Channel for $496 million.






12/05/2008




See Also

Wednesday 28 May 2008

Jo O'Meara reveals she is pregnant

Former S Club 7 and 'Celebrity Big Brother' star Jo O'Meara has announced that she is pregnant.
The pop singer, who was accused of bullying while in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house last year, told The Sun that her first baby is due in April.
O'Meara said: "It wasn't planned, but it was a very nice surprise."
She continued: "I'm nervous at the thought of a little person calling me mum, but it's a very happy way to begin 2008."
She added: "This feels like a fresh start to me - new year, new baby, new purpose. I'm grateful for that."

Celebrity Hijack nominations announced

Emilia, Jeremy, Victor and Liam have all been chosen to face the 'Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack' public eviction vote this week.
Two of the four will be evicted tomorrow night in a surprise double-eviction on the live show.
Celebrity hijacker Joan Rivers chose who would face the public vote after listening to the housemates' reasons for wanting other people out.
Anthony and Amy were guaranteed immunity from the public vote after they won a task earlier in the week, while John previously won a place in the final of the show.
For more on 'Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack' read our blog here.

Same Moore time, new Moore Channel


Michael Moore is making a sequel to "Fahrenheit 9/11" but isn't turning to Harvey Weinstein for distribution this time.



See Also

Grant, Hurley win damages over tabloid pics

Actor Hugh Grant, his ex girlfriend Liz Hurley and her new husband won thousands of dollars in damages after paparazzi pictures taken while they were on holiday were published in tabloid newspapers.

The pictures of Grant, Hurley and her businessman husband Arun Nayar at a private resort in the Maldives, were distressing and an invasion of their privacy, London's High Court was told.

They were taken by photographers from agencies Big Pictures (UK) Ltd and the French-based Eliot Press.

The pictures were published in the News of the World (NoW) newspaper and its rival the Mail on Sunday (MoS) last October.

The court was told the MoS article was headlined "Hugh's that gooseberry?" while the NoW published the pictures under the banner "Liz does the blokey-cokey".

Hurley, Grant and Nayar accepted a total of £58,000 in damages for invasion of privacy and a public apology from the agencies.

Publishers Associated Newspapers and News Group Newspapers will also contribute to the settlement, the court was told .

Laura Tyler for the trio - who were not in court - said the articles had been distressing.

"It has been most upsetting for (them) to have their privacy invaded by these (organisations)," she told Mr Justice David Eady.

The agencies had accepted the photographs should not have been taken and that their actions invaded the trio's privacy, she added.

Grant, 47, best known for his appearance in the romantic comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral, split from Hurley, 42, in 2000 - ending a 13-year relationship that survived Grant's well-publicized encounter with a prostitute.

Hurley, a model who appeared in films such as Bedazzled and Austin Powers, married Nayar, a jet-set businessman and a friend of Bollywood film stars, in March last year.

The traditional Hindu ceremony in the Indian desert state of Rajasthan followed a week of lavish wedding celebrations after their civil marriage the previous week at a castle in England.





See Also

The Shortwave Set, Replica Sun Machine Album Review

The Shortwave Set

Replica Sun Machine

Wall Of Sound

Album Review




Timeless, classic pop music - you can't beat it, at least when it's done right. Abba, The Beach Boys, The Carpenters, Duran Duran, Adam And The Ants, Blondie, Prince, Madonna, The Beatles, the list is endless, but one thing that links each and every one of them is that their careers have seen more peaks than troughs, and pretty much every household in the country, maybe even the planet, must shamelessly own at least one recorded artefact per artist.



Of course there's the other side of the coin, if you dare to flip it; the times when so-called pop acts - or in many cases Johnny-come-lately revivalists - get the whole concept horribly wrong. Just one look through both the current singles and albums chart reveals a who's who of atrocities designed and manufactured to fill such a void, all of whom possess the subtlety of a greasy quarter-pounder with cheese from Dodgy Dave's burger van at 4am on a Sunday morning after a 12 hour binge on Belgian lager and sambuca shots. The Feeling, Scouting For Girls and The Hoosiers, we're looking at you.



With so many negatives polluting the airwaves, the need to find someone out there doing something positively constructive is an absolute must, if only to nullify the mediocrity beforehand. Sadly, The Shortwave Set fall somewhere safely between the two.



Five years after their formation, the London-based trio still haven't quite found their true identities, and ultimately pay the price for slipping in and out of several guises across 'Replica Sun Machine', their somewhat disorientating, "difficult" second album.



Sure, they've a healthy collection of endorsements (Danger Mouse, Moby, and ahem, Vane Lowe to name but three) while the guestlist here is pretty impressive too, with both John Cale and one-time Beach Boys aficionado Van Dyke Parks both collaborating towards the odd track here and there.



When they get it right, such as on current single 'No Social', The Shortwave Set offer a refreshing blend of atmospheric pop that wouldn't sound out of place on any radio station you care to mention, which is surely the whole point of a cross-genre, mixed demographic sound designed to unite minds and ears of every era.



Unfortunately, there are other times where the whole thing sounds messy, occasionally drifting into aimless pastiche such as with 'House Of Lies' or the cringeworthy 'Now 'Til 69', which sounds like a poor man's Beach Boys trying to come to terms with the loss of their only creative outlet, something they themselves had to endure around the time of Brian Wilson's departure all those years ago.



Refreshingly, The Shortwave Set have at least lost the trip-hop tag that seemed to haunt them on the back of 2005's debut 'The Debt Collection', and even though 'Replica Sun Machine' does feel like a step back in time too far, their journey in reverse may herald a brighter future in the long-run. The question is, will anyone still be listening long enough to care?



5/10



Dom Gourlay




See Also

Chris Liberator

Chris Liberator   
Artist: Chris Liberator

   Genre(s): 
Trance
   



Discography:


Set Fire   
 Set Fire

   Year: 2000   
Tracks: 10




 





Singer Gareth Gates to marry dancer

Ashlee Simpson Slams 'Trashy' Britney Spears

Ashlee Simpson has labeled her fellow pop tart and lip-syncher Britney Spears ‘trashy.’

The singer made the offhand comment during her appearance on UK Channel 4 show, the Nokia Green Room.

"In an interview the other day, they asked me what I thought, 'You've had one too many Britney Spears' means," Ashlee said.

"I was like, 'What?' And they said it means you've had one too many beers."

"I was like, 'Oh, you've had one too many trashy girls!"

To be fair, the possibly-pregnant star did express some remorse for her flippant remark.

"I was like, 'Oh my God, I can't believe I just said that!" said Ashlee. "It was really bad. I felt horrible."


See Also