North Korea blames U.S. for tension on peninsula

GENEVA (Reuters) - North Korea accused the United States on Wednesday of contributing to an "unpredictable" situation on the divided Korean peninsula and abusing its power in the U.N. Security Council to impose its "hostile policy" against Pyongyang.

North Korea is facing further United Nations sanctions for its underground nuclear test explosion two weeks ago, its biggest and most powerful to date which drew warnings from Washington and international condemnation.

In December it launched a long-range rocket in a move that critics said was designed to test technology for an intercontinental ballistic missile, leading to tighter U.N. sanctions being imposed last month.

"The U.S. is to blame for the situation on the Korean peninsula which is inching close to an unpredictable phase now," So Se Pyong, North Korea's ambassador in Geneva, told the U.N.-sponsored Conference on Disarmament.

A week ago, North Korea's delegation threatened South Korea with "final destruction" during a heated debate at the talks, the main U.N. disarmament negotiating forum.

U.S. ambassador Laura Kennedy did not respond to the verbal assault on Wednesday.

But South Korea's disarmament ambassador Kwon Haeryong took the floor to urge its isolated neighbor to "abandon its nuclear ambitions without delay and embark on the path to peace".

"North Korea's nuclear test is a challenge to the peace and security of the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia and beyond. There should be no mistake that the biggest victim will be none other than North Korea itself," Kwon said.

PANDORA'S BOX

So, a former ambassador to Iran, retorted: "I'd like to give you objective advice that it will be much better for South Korea to keep quiet, pay more attention to your own concerns of internal affairs and demonstrate at least a little patience instead of making troubles and opening Pandora's boxes".

North and South Korea are technically still at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

So said he wanted to draw attention to the "intensified U.S. hostile policy" toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea which has a right to launch satellites for peaceful purposes.

"The U.S. should no longer be allowed to seriously infringe upon the independent right of the DPRK to use space for peaceful purposes nor should it be allowed to abuse the U.N. Security Council as a tool for executing its hostile policy toward the DPRK," he declared.

The United States has launched the most military satellites and nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles in the world, he said, making it "the biggest threat to world peace".

North Korea's latest nuclear test, its third since 2006, had been a resolute step in self-defense, So said.

"The third nuclear test was carried out as part of the practical countermeasures for defending the country's sovereignty and security to cope with ruthless hostile behaviors of the U.S., which wantonly infringed upon the DPRK's legitimate right to satellite launch for peaceful purposes."

Ireland's foreign minister Eamon Gilmore said that North Korea, by defying U.N. resolutions, shunning its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and refusing to cooperate with the IAEA nuclear watchdog, "only isolates itself further from the international community".

In a speech at the forum, he called on North Korea to cease immediately nuclear testing and ballistic missile activities and re-engage in stalled six-party talks on denuclearization.

The talks involving the two Koreas, the United States, Japan and Russia are aimed at curbing Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Jon Hemming)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/north-korea-accuses-u-creating-tension-peninsula-115033077.html

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The Growing Desktop

We've seen some relatively sparse desktops in recent weeks, but this week's featured desktop, a Ubuntu system from reader technofhile, includes a wealth of useful information at the bottom of the screen, without getting in the way of the stylized and clean wallpaper.

Want the same look for your linux system? It doesn't have to be Ubuntu?here's what you'll need:

That's all you'll need. Technofhile does note: "You could mention in your post that since this xfce is used as a Desktop, Thunar (the File manager) mounts drives as /media/username/drive instead of /media/drive as in Nautilus (Ubuntu's File manager). Thus users may have to change path in the second conky file." Keep that in mind if you plan to use the configs yourself. If you run into problems though, you can always head over to the original thread in our #featured-desktop forum to ask your questions as well.

Do you have a good-looking, functional desktop that you want to see featured here? Submit it?along with where you got the wallpaper, skins, and geeklets?to us for review. We have two different ways you can share it with us:

Linux, Mac, Windows, all are welcome. Whatever you choose to use, include a description of how you made your desktop when you send it in. Without that, we can't tell others how to make it for themselves so they can be featured too!

Original Thread via #featured-desktop

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/Bpbj2xnouew/the-growing-desktop

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Video: Is Smith just short-term answer for Chiefs?

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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/50975699#50975699

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EU privacy regulators take aim at Google privacy policy

Claire Davenport , Reuters ? ? ? 13 hrs.

European data watchdogs said on Monday they plan to take action against Google by this summer for its privacy policy, which allows the search engine to pool user data from across all its services ranging from YouTube to Gmail.

The move is the latest in a skirmish between the Web giant and Europe's data protection regulators who view the privacy rules put in place in March by Google as "high risk," although have stopped short of declaring them illegal.

Regulators view the bundling of data on users as potentially constituting a high risk to individuals' privacy.

Google last year consolidated 60 privacy policies into one, combining data collected on individual users across its services, including YouTube, Gmail and social network Google+. Users cannot opt out.

In October, Europe's 27 data regulators gave Google four months to change its approach, listing 12 "practical recommendations" for it to bring its privacy policy into line.

On Monday the French privacy regulator, which last year led an initial inquiry into the tech giant's new policy, said it would set up a further inquiry because Google had not yet addressed their concerns.

"Google did not provide any precise and effective answers," the French regulator CNIL said.

"In this context, the EU data protection authorities are committed to act and continue their investigations. Therefore, they propose to set up a working group, led by the CNIL, in order to coordinate their reaction, which should take place before summer."

Google said it did respond to CNIL on Jan. 8 by listing steps already taken to address their concerns.

"We have engaged fully with CNIL throughout the process and will continue to do so," Al Verney, a spokesperson said.

He added that the privacy policy did respect European law.

The pooling of anonymous user data across Google services, is a big advantage when selling online ads.

Google and other large internet groups such as Facebook provide free services to consumers and earn money from selling ads that they say are more closely targeted than traditional TV or radio campaigns.

(Reporting by Claire Davenport; editing by Leila Abboud and Keiron Henderson)

Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/eu-privacy-regulators-take-aim-google-privacy-policy-1C8415363

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Teacher Appreciation Day | Manassas Sports & Recreation, Classes ...

Brickhouse Cardio Club of Manassas, 9654 Center Point Ln, Manassas, VA | Get?Directions??
FREE

Teachers are unsung heroes & heroines!? Teachers instruct. Teachers care.? Teachers inform.? Teachers also stand on the front line in the fight against childhood obesity.? That?s why we would like to give them a little something back this Presidents Day.? On Monday, February 18^th, ALL TEACHERS & PROF?S WILL BE WORKING OUT FOR FREE at BH Manassas!? Any Class ? All Day ? .? Just present your school ID at the front desk, and you will be admitted absolutely FREE!? So, whether you come to one class or stay for two, come relieve some stress on your day off with us.

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Class Schedule for Monday, February 18^th:

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Zumba? Gold @ 10:45am with Tara Lee

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Zumba? Toning @ 5:15pm with Kenni Powell

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Zumba? @ 6:30pm with Anaid Shaver-Mikesh

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Teacher Appreciation Day

February 18, 2013, 10:00 am?7:30 pm

Brickhouse Cardio Club of Manassas

9654 Center Point Ln, Manassas, VA

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Source: http://manassas.patch.com/events/teacher-appreciation-day-ff74149b

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Facebook hacked, social media company says

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Source: www.ibtimes.com --- Saturday, February 16, 2013
Facebook said on Friday that it been the target of a series of attacks by an unidentified hacker group, but it had found no evidence that user data was compromised. ...

Source: http://www.ibtimes.comhttp:0//www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/436021/20130217/facebook-hacked-social-media-company-says.htm

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President Obama: Making smart choices

In my State of the Union Address, I laid out ways Democrats and Republicans can work together to reignite the true engine of America?s economic growth ? a rising, thriving middle class.

We should ask ourselves three questions every day: How do we bring good jobs to America? How do we equip people with the skills those jobs require? And how do we make sure hard work leads to a decent living?

We can begin by making America a magnet for new jobs and manufacturing. After shedding jobs for more than 10 years, our manufacturers have added about 500,000 jobs over the past three. Now we need to accelerate this trend, by launching more manufacturing hubs that transform hard-hit regions of the country into global centers of high-tech jobs and manufacturing. We need to make our tax code more competitive, by ending tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, and rewarding companies that create jobs here at home. We need to invest in the research and technology that will allow us to harness more of our own energy and put more people back to work repairing our crumbling roads and bridges.

These steps will help entrepreneurs and small business owners expand and create new jobs. But we also need to provide every American with the skills and training they need to fill those jobs. We should start in the earliest years by offering high-quality preschool to every child in America, because we know kids in programs like these do better throughout their academic lives. We should redesign America?s high schools to better prepare our students with skills that employers are looking for right now. And because taxpayers can?t continue subsidizing the soaring cost of higher education, I?ve called on Congress to take affordability and value into account when determining which colleges receive certain types of federal aid.

We also need to reward hard work and determination with wages that allow working families to raise their children and get ahead by raising the minimum wage so that it?s a wage you can live on. And it?s time to harness the talents and ingenuity of hardworking immigrants by finally passing comprehensive immigration reform ? securing our borders, establishing a responsible path to earned citizenship, and attracting the highly-skilled entrepreneurs and engineers that will help create jobs and grow our economy.

And we can grow our economy while shrinking our deficits. We don?t have to choose between the two ? we just have to make smart choices. We have to set priorities.

Over the last few years, both parties have worked together to reduce the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion ? which puts us more than halfway towards the goal of $4 trillion in deficit reduction that economists say we need. Now we need to finish the job. But we shouldn?t do it by making harsh and arbitrary cuts that would jeopardize our military readiness, devastate priorities like education and energy, and cost jobs. That?s not how you grow the economy. We shouldn?t ask senior citizens and working families to pay down the rest of our deficit while the wealthiest are asked nothing more. That doesn?t grow our middle class.

We can?t just cut our way to prosperity. That?s why I?ve put forward a balanced approach to deficit reduction that makes responsible reforms to bring down the cost of healthcare for an aging generation ? the single biggest driver of our debt ? and save hundreds of billions of dollars by getting rid of tax loopholes and deductions for the well-off and well-connected. And we should finally pursue bipartisan, comprehensive tax reform that encourages job creation and helps bring down the deficit.

Finally, while all these steps are important, our first priority must be to protect our children and our communities from harm. Overwhelming majorities of Americans ? Americans who believe in the Second Amendment ? have come together around commonsense proposals like background checks that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on a gun. And these proposals deserve a vote in Congress.

Our work won?t be easy, and we won?t agree on everything. But America only moves forward when we do so together ? when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. That?s the American story. And that?s how we will write the next great chapter ? together.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/17/3237018/president-obama-making-smart-choices.html

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Future races canceled in wake of Pistorius charge

JOHANNESBURG (AP) ? Oscar Pistorius' agent has canceled all future track races so the double-amputee Olympian can focus on the murder charge against him, underscoring the possibility the disabled sports icon might never again run competitively on his famous carbon fiber blades.

Pistorius is defending himself against allegations he murdered his model girlfriend by shooting her several times in his upscale house on Valentine's Day morning.

Reeva Steenkamp died from gunshot wounds suffered inside Pistorius' home in the predawn hours of Thursday. Pistorius was arrested and charged with her murder the same day. His family denies he murdered her.

"I have decided that following these tragic events that we have no option but to cancel all future races that Oscar Pistorius had been contracted to compete in," agent Peet van Zyl said in a written statement late Sunday night.

A few hours earlier, Van Zyl had visited his athlete at a police station in the South African capital, Pretoria, where he is being held in custody in a red-bricked, one-story building with green metal fencing.

Pistorius has been there since Friday following the shocking developments at his villa in a gated community in Pretoria's eastern suburbs where Steenkamp was shot dead.

Her death and Pistorius' arrest stunned South Africans, who revered Pistorius for his humble nature and success at overcoming adversity to become an international star, despite having his lower legs amputated as a baby.

Pistorius still had "overwhelming support" from his fans, Van Zyl said as he left Brooklyn police station, but the agent steered away from a question from a reporter on what Pistorius' emotional state was now like following the death of his girlfriend and a possible realization that his entire career was in ruins.

Pistorius' sponsors ? including big-name brands Nike and eyewear manufacturer Oakley ? were also sticking by him, Van Zyl said. But that could depend on the outcome of a possibly lengthy murder trial.

"Regarding sponsors and partners, I can confirm that at this point in time, all parties are supportive and their contractual commitments are maintained," Van Zyl's In Site Athlete Management company said. "They have said they are happy to let the legal process takes its course before making any change in their position."

The Beaverton, Ore-based Nike Inc. and Foothill Ranch, Calif.-based Oakley Inc. did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Pistorius was quickly arrested and charged with murder Thursday, with prosecutors saying at his first court appearance a day later that they would pursue a more serious premeditated murder charge, which carries a life sentence.

Pistorius broke down and wept in the court, with his face in his hands. His family later denied he murdered Steenkamp and said the state's own evidence "strongly refutes" any possibility of a murder.

"I am not going to comment on anything except that (what) is related to his athletics career at this point in time," Van Zyl told reporters outside the police station after being asked how Pistorius was coping. "Obviously from a management side and also as a friend, it's a tragic circumstance and events that have unfolded and we can only give Oscar our support at this point in time."

Family members and his lawyers also visited Pistorius on Sunday, but declined comment both when they arrived and when they left the city center police station.

The family of Steenkamp, a model, law graduate and budding reality TV star, told The Associated Press that her body had been released by police after an autopsy and was back in their hometown of Port Elizabeth on South Africa's southern coast.

"Reeva is back home," the late model's brother, Adam Steenkamp, told the AP by phone. He had flown back from Britain, where he now lives, to be with the family.

They also said Steenkamp's funeral would be held Tuesday and would be a private ceremony for family at a local crematorium. Media would not be allowed in.

The main purpose for Van Zyl's visit to Brooklyn police station Sunday afternoon was to discuss Pistorius' running career, but "also to visit him as a friend and give him my moral support," the agent said. "On a personal level I wanted to offer my support to Oscar, who I have known and worked with for the last seven years and consider a friend and a great professional athlete."

Following the meeting, Van Zyl announced publicly that the five races that Pistorius had confirmed for in 2013 were canceled: two in Australia in March, exhibition races against fellow Paralympic champions Alan Oliveira of Brazil and Jonnie Peacock of Britain, and an appearance at the U.S. Drake Relays in Iowa.

Van Zyl's decision to cancel those races was first reported by the AP on Saturday. All others that were still in negotiation were also now called off, Van Zyl said on Sunday.

The high-profile rematch with Oliveira, who beat Pistorius in the 200 meters at the London Paralympics last year, was to be a straight line 200 race on Copacabana beach to promote the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics.

The runner's main goal for 2013 was to qualify for the worlds in Moscow in August, which is now almost certainly not going to happen.

Pistorius was the first amputee athlete to run at the world championships in 2011, then made history when he competed at last year's Olympics in London.

He and his coach have both said that they aimed to retire from track after the Rio Games, but one of the world's most famous athletes, who fought for years to be allowed to run against able-bodied competitors, is now facing the possibility he will never go to any major meet again.

___

Follow Gerald Imray at http://twitter.com/GeraldImrayAP

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/future-races-canceled-wake-pistorius-charge-050308282--oly.html

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Palestinians clash with Israeli troops near West Bank prison

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Source: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Feb-15/206608-palestinians-clash-with-israeli-troops-near-west-bank-prison.ashx

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India Takes Step to Pull Contract From Italian Helicopter Maker

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Source: www.nytimes.com --- Friday, February 15, 2013
The show-cause notice, a first move toward cancellation of the $740 million deal with Finmeccanica, comes during a bribery investigation that caused the Italian firm?s chief to resign. ...

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/16/business/global/india-takes-step-to-pull-contract-from-italian-helicopter-maker.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

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Using FROST to attack a Galaxy Nexus

Let us offer this warning up front, while this is possible, it is certainly not something that the average user necessarily needs to be worried about happening. To begin with, the phone that is the subject of the attack ideally needs to have an unlocked bootloader. And well, many in the Android world likely realize that unlocked bootloaders are not something that is commonly found. First though, we are getting ahead of ourselves. This involves a pair of researchers from Erlangen University in Germany, a Galaxy Nexus smartphone, a cold boot attack and a tool called FROST.

The back story here goes to when Google released Ice Cream Sandwich and included the encryption feature. The researchers note that this feature ?transparently scrambles user partitions? which in turn protects ?sensitive user information against targeted attacks that bypass screen locks.? They go on to say that ?once the power of a scrambled device is cut any chance other than bruteforce is lost to recover data.? Basically, they set out to prove that you can still get some information ? both from a device that has a locked bootloader and also from a device with an unlocked bootloader.

Enter FROST (Forensic Recovery of Scrambled Telephones) which when used in a cold boot attack, allowed them to gain the encryption keys from RAM. Here is where the locked bootloader comes into play. In order to break the encryption, the bootloader need to have been unlocked prior to the attack because the scrambled user partitions will be wiped during unlocking. The key to the research they have done, a cold boot attack allowed them access to some sensitive information ? despite the bootloader being locked. Some of the information they were able to retrieve included contact lists, visited web sites, and images.

Anyway, the short version of the process ? they placed a Galaxy Nexus inside a -15 degree Celsius freezer for 60 minutes (the cold temps are said to help preserve the memory for longer) and then booted the phone into fastboot mode and used the FROST recovery image along with a Linux computer. The end result and warning, the researchers have yet to publish their paper, however they have said this ?reveals a significant security gap that users should be aware of.? Plus, that it would be a useful tool for law enforcement. With that, those intersted will be able to find the report and additional research details on the FROST site.

[via Forbes]

Source: http://androidcommunity.com/using-frost-to-attack-a-galaxy-nexus-20130215/

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GPA may be contagious in high-school social networks

Feb. 13, 2013 ? High school students whose friends' average grade point average (GPA) is greater than their own have a tendency to increase their own GPA over the course of a year, according to research published February 13 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Hiroki Sayama from Binghamton University and his collaborators from Maine-Endwell High School in Endwell, New York, including four high school student researchers.

Previous studies have shown that a student's social network can influence obesity, emotional state and other cognitive traits and behavior. However, this is the first to examine how peer groups can influence academic progress over time. To assess this effect, the researchers first asked eleventh grade students to categorize their peers as best friends, friends, acquaintances, strangers or relatives. The researchers then mapped how students performed in school relative to their peer group, and correlated their social network with the change of their academic performance over time.

They found that students' whose friends were performing better academically were more likely to improve their own scores over time. The opposite effect was also seen: When their friends' GPA were lower, a given student's GPA was more likely to decrease as well.

The authors also found that the strongest link between a student's GPA change and that of their peers was likely to be with those they had ranked as friends, rather than best friends or acquaintances. They state, "While most educators already know the importance of social environment for a student's academic success, our study presents the first quantitative supporting evidence for such empirical knowledge."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Public Library of Science.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Deanna Blansky, Christina Kavanaugh, Cara Boothroyd, Brianna Benson, Julie Gallagher, John Endress, Hiroki Sayama. Spread of Academic Success in a High School Social Network. PLoS ONE, 2013; 8 (2): e55944 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055944

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_health/~3/zNfDhUMwZ40/130213173124.htm

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Klay Thompson On All-Star Weekend And The Best Part About Playing With Stephen Curry

Klay Thompson isn't a household name quite yet, but Golden State's second-year swingman is enjoying a very productive season on the heels of a solid, if not spectacular, rookie campaign. After celebrating his 23rd birthday last week, Thompson, along with teammate Harrison Barnes, will play in the Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star weekend in Houston.

He took a moment to talk with The Huffington Post about his growth as a player, about playing with Stephen Curry and what's next for the Warriors.

What are your impressions of Mark Jackson, and what does he bring to the table as a head coach?

I think he's a great coach. He is very inspirational. He played for so long, he really knows the game. He lets you go out there and play your game. He's a great leader and I love playing for Mark. If you can score and shoot, he really encourages you to shoot. It's been some of the most fun I've ever had playing basketball this year.

Given his success running pick-and-roll as an NBA point guard, how much do you rely on him for guidance in that aspect of your game?

He gives me suggestions. I work on it a lot with Coach [Darren] Erman. I think I can run pick-and-roll. I've been running it a little bit more. It's something I can still keep working on. If I can score without and with it, I think that would make me a lot more versatile. It's something I have to work on this summer. Steph's great at it, so I'm going to try and get on his level.

What does this Warriors team need moving forward to contend in the West?

We have to keep protecting home court. We had a tough road stretch, going 0-4. We can't have anymore nights off if we want to be a contender. We have ton of home games in March.

What's the balance for you personally, alongside Steph Curry, in terms of your playmaking and scoring and everything else that comes with your role?

Thompson says Jackson "lets you go out there and play your game."

I kind of just let the game come to me. I don't need the ball to dominate or be effective. I like to play off Steph and David Lee a lot. I can be a catch-and-shoot guy if I have to and come off screens, make a play, make a shot, find a teammate. I also think defensively my job is to make it tough for the opposition's best scorer, and I think I've been doing a better job of that this year.

What's the best part about playing with a lead guard like Steph Curry on a nightly basis?

He just spaces the floor so much. He's a great playmaker too, so when we're both on the court, we really stretch the floor. We both feed off each other. It's a ton of fun, you know, being able to get to the paint, kick it out. Anytime you see Steph wide open, it's pretty much automatic.

What's the next step for you?

I'd say just to improve every month. I feel like each month this year, I've progressed in some area of the game. I'm still young, I need to gain some strength, not just be a shooter, try and get to the free throw line more and try and play better defense. I think I'm just scratching the surface of what I can be. I'm only 107 games into my career.

Specifically about the offseason -- a lot of guys say they will work on one major element of their game. Did that apply to you last summer?

Probably my game off the bounce, you know. Just try to score with one or two bounces. Still need to work on it a lot more. Honestly, last summer, I really focused on defense when I was in Oakland. I think my defense has made major improvements; it's the number one priority.

Email me at jordan.schultz@huffingtonpost.com or ask me questions about anything sports-related at @Schultz_Report.

Related on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/klay-thompson_n_2672237.html

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Escaped prisoner described as 'a schizophrenic'

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) ? The Florida prisoner who stabbed a detective and escaped near Dallas while being transported to Nevada is "a schizophrenic" who vowed not to return to prison, according to authorities and a 911 call released Wednesday.

Alberto Morales, 42, escaped Monday after using a piece from his eyeglasses to stab Miami-Dade Detective Jaime Pardinas, one of two officers transferring the prisoner by car to Nevada. The escape happened while they were stopped in a Wal-Mart store parking lot in Grapevine, a community near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Grapevine police spokesman Robert Eberling said authorities continue to search near the airport and will do so until they believe they should look elsewhere. He said the search covers "any place anybody can hide," including yards and drainage ditches.

Eberling said inmates who knew Morales in prison have told investigators that he had vowed not to return.

"He's made it pretty clear that he's not going back to prison," Eberling said.

On a recording of a 911 call released Wednesday, Pardinas can be heard breathing heavily as he tells the operator that he's been stabbed. He described Morales' height, weight and appearance and then added, "He's a schizophrenic."

On another 911 call, a bystander told the operator: "There's a guy with a gun and somebody on the floor bleeding." The caller than clarified that "the guy with the gun is helping the guy that's bleeding."

Pardinas was accompanied by Miami-Dade Detective David Carrero during the transfer. They flew to Houston with Morales and then decided to drive the rest of the way after he became disruptive on the flight. They had stopped near the store while waiting for a third officer who was flying to the Dallas area to join them. Department policy requires three officers to be present for ground transfers of prisoners.

Pardinas, 54, remained hospitalized Wednesday after undergoing surgery for deep stab wounds to the neck, shoulder and back and a collapsed lung, said Miami-Dade police Sgt. Patricia Bimonte.

At a news conference outside the hospital in Dallas, Bimonte said Morales used a broken or sharpened piece from a pair of eyeglasses to stab Pardinas. The detective was in serious but stable condition Wednesday and it was unclear when he would be released, Bimonte said.

The sergeant warned the public that Morales has a history of crimes with a deadly weapon. "He has a horrible, horrible past," she said. "He's not going to hesitate to hurt somebody else."

Bimonte said she believed Morales was still in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and could not go far because he was wearing shackles, shorts and only one shoe.

"I can't believe that he's been able to get out of here," she said.

Eight to 10 Miami-Dade officers were expected to join Texas authorities and federal marshals in the manhunt, she said, and Morales could face charges of escape and attempted murder of a peace officer.

Bimonte said she could not address whether any security lapses might have been factors in the escape. Morales was able to escape even though he was shackled "appropriately," wearing handcuffs and a chain to prevent him from moving his arms, Eberling said.

Pardinas and Carrero were taking Morales to Nevada to serve a sentence of 30 years to life for a conviction of sexual assault with a weapon.

Police initially thought Morales might be in a vehicle stolen Tuesday morning at a motel near the airport, but Eberling said Wednesday that was not the case. He said the vehicle has been recovered in Dallas and is not believed to be connected to the incident.

___

Associated Press writer David Warren contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/escaped-prisoner-described-schizophrenic-204233626.html

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Bleacher Report - Best Gimmicks in NBA All-Star Dunk Contest History - Bleacher Report

Although the premise of this dunk sounds fairly simple (slapping a sticker onto the backboard while completing the dunk), the actual preparation and execution was anything but that.

First of all, it can't be easy to find a place that is willing to create a sticker of your face flashing a huge, cheesy smile (believe me, I've tried). I understand Dwight Howard is an NBA superstar, but still, being able to hunt one of these places down isn't exactly like locating a Pizza Hut.

Now on to the actual execution of the dunk. In my brief experience dunking on 7-foot rims, it's extremely difficult to complete the simplest of dunks. To have to focus on completing another task at the same time is completely mind-boggling.

For this particular slam, Howard was essentially multitasking, as he has to catch the ball from Jameer Nelson, slap the top of the glass to place his face-sticker and then jam the ball. Throw in the added showmanship at the end of Nelson measuring just how high Howard jumped, and you have the makings of a very creative and unique dunk.

Unfortunately, the judges low-balled Dwight on this one, giving it a pedestrian score of 42.

Don't worry?you'll see more from Mr. Howard coming up.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1527472-best-gimmicks-in-nba-all-star-dunk-contest-history

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Baltimore, MD 2013 Hyundai Elantra New Sedan Glen Burnie, MD Annapolis, MD Bob Bell Ford/ Hyundai/ Kia

• Color: Titanium Gray
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• Stock#: H13675
• Engine: 1.8L 4 cyls
• VIN: KMHDH4AE1DU745555
• Transmission: Automatic 6-Speed
• Odometer: 1 mi.
• Body Style: FWD Sedan (4 Door)

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Contact Us at (410) 766-3600

*The advertised price does not include sales tax, vehicle registration fees, finance charges, documentation charges, and any other fees required by law. We attempt to update this inventory on a regular basis. However, there can be lag time between the sale of a vehicle and the update of the inventory.

EPA mileage estimates are for newly manufactured vehicles only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Before purchasing this vehicle, it is your responsibility to address any and all differences between information on this website and the actual vehicle specifications and/or any warranties offered prior to the sale of this vehicle. Vehicle data on this website is compiled from publicly available sources believed by the publisher to be reliable. Vehicle data is subject to change without notice. The publisher assumes no responsibility for errors and/or omissions in this data the compilation of this data and makes no representations express or implied to any actual or prospective purchaser of the vehicle as to the condition of the vehicle, vehicle specifications, ownership, vehicle history, equipment/accessories, price or warranties. 2013 Hyundai Baltimore, MD 2013 Hyundai Glen Burnie, MD 2013 Hyundai Annapolis, MD

Source: http://bobbell.com/2013-Hyundai-Elantra-Baltimore-MD/vd/13510765

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Trouble in Sin City

1X1 PRIVATE RP BETWEEN warthog & toysoldier

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This topic is an Out Of Character part of the roleplay, ?Trouble in Sin City?. Anything posted here will also show up there.

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Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.
This is the auto-generated OOC topic for the roleplay "Trouble in Sin City"

You may edit this first post as you see fit.

toysolider

Member for 0 years

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Dang picture didn't show up in the profile, when you except it I'll change it :) also that gun that you made a r in my name, that's freaking awesome lol. I'm going to bed for the night but I'll be sure to get on soon tomorrow, can't wait to start :D

warthog

Member for 2 years

---

@warthog Alright he's approved!!

LOL glad you liked it!!! I'll finish up my character tonight and post as well! Though I probably won't be able to post again until tomorrow night, I work all day lol! but i'll look forward to reading your post night!

toysolider

Member for 0 years

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---

Post a reply

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Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET

It seems harder and harder to keep to a regular schedule these days, but we won't have to think of an excuse this week as we're back to our regular recording time this week for the Engadget HD podcast. So if you agree that it's good to be home -- and love HD, of course -- please tune in live at 5:30PM and be be a part of it. Start by reviewing the list of topics after the break, then participate in the live chat.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/PxV4KkR5A8k/

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Real Estate Investors Flock To Multi-Unit Homes - The Mortgage ...

Mortgage rates and markets change constantly. Stay 100% current by taking The Mortgage Reports by email each day. Click here to get free email alerts, or subscribe to the RSS feed in your browser.

Real estate investors made the most of Q4 2012.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), originations of multi-family and commercial mortgages increased nearly 50 percent during October, November and December 2012 as compared to the 3 months prior.

Low mortgage rates and a recovering U.S. housing market sparked a real estate investment frenzy which appears to have carried over into 2013.

Demand for home loans remains high across all loan and buyer types.

Click here for today's mortgage rates.

Multi-Unit Homes In High Demand

Multifamily and commercial mortgage originations surged between Q3 2012 and Q4 2012, climbing by close one-half. Furthermore, as compared to Q4 2011, as the housing market was renewing off its bottom, originations were up 50 percent as well.

Using investment in real estate as a proxy, then, this year's housing market looks decidedly stronger than last. Multi-family and commercial mortgage lending has climbed to its highest point in five years, and 2013 is expected to remain similarly strong.

It's notable, too, that multi-family homes accounted for a huge portion of the year-end gains.

With residential mortgage rates ending the year below 3.5% and rents rising more than 6% annually, real estate investors snapped up homes for purposes of building a portfolio.

According to real estate web company Trulia, several cities in which rents made large year-over-year gains include :

• Houston, Texas : 15.8% average rent increase for most recent 12 months
• Miami, Florida : 9.1%?average rent increase for most recent 12 months
• Boston, Massachusetts : 6.0% average rent increase for most recent 12 months

Rents in Oakland climbed 10.0% percent year-over-year.

Click here for today's mortgage rates.

Mortgage Applications Also Increasing

The MBA also recently released its weekly Mortgage Applications Survey which showed, for the week ending February 1, mortgage applications climbed 3.4 percent as compared to the week prior.

Despite persistently rising mortgage rates, refinance activity has remained high. Mortgage rates have climbed from a New Year's Day rate of 3.31 percent to today's average rate of 3.53 percent for borrowers willing to pay 0.8 discount points plus a full set of closing cost.

Mortgage rates for a zero-closing cost mortgage are slightly higher.

78% of last week's mortgage applications were for home refinances, comprised of?FHA Streamline Refinances,?VA Streamline Refinance, HARP loans, and rate-and-term refinancing, among others.

Purchase mortgage applications account for the remaining 22 percent of applications.

Click here for today's mortgage rates.

Renting An Owner-Occupied 3- or 4-Unit Home

Demand for multi-unit homes was supported by more than just experienced real estate investors -- everyday home buyers bought them, too. Sometimes, to live in one unit and to rent the remaining ones.

This real estate investment strategy is allowable via the FHA or via conventional financing means. You can buy a 2- unit, 3-unit or 4-unit home, live in one of the "For Rent" units, then find tenants for the others. It's a savvy way to offset monthly homeownership costs.

The FHA will allow for its standard 3.5% downpayment on a multi-unit home. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will require 20% downpayment for a 3- or 4-unit home. Ask your lender for how much home you'll qualify.

Click here for today's mortgage rates.

Source: http://themortgagereports.com/12444/real-estate-investors-flock-to-multi-unit-homes

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Ruth Johnson, Michigan Secretary Of State, Says State Ranks High In Election Performance Study

Barack Obama, Carla Windhorst

President Barack Obama calls to thank volunteers in Wisconsin, at campaign office call center the morning of the 2012 election, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Chicago. Carla Windhorst is seated next to the president. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Jabrylle McClendon, center, waits at the front of the line to vote with her nephew,Terrell Ford, 7, as a woman who only identified herself as Dolores, takes a seat next to them before their polling place opened on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Voters line up to cast ballots in the general election at Barrow County's Precinct 16 at Bethlehem Christian Academy, Tuesday morning, Nov. 6, 2012, in Bethlehem, Ga. (AP Photo/David Tulis)

Voters line up to cast ballots in the general election at Barrow County's Precinct 16 at Bethlehem Christian Academy, Tuesday morning, Nov. 6, 2012, in Bethlehem, Ga. (AP Photo/David Tulis)

Voters in Precinct 39 fill out their ballots while voting on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, at the First Church of the Open Bible in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Barack Obama

President Barack Obama calls out to people outside a campaign office in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, after a visit with volunteers on the morning of the 2012 election. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Barack Obama

President Barack Obama leaves a campaign office on the morning of the 2012 election, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Chicago, after visiting with volunteers. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A woman who identified herself as Dolores, left, looks for an election worker to help her with her voting machine while casting her ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Barack Obama

President Barack Obama calls Wisconsin volunteers as he visits a campaign office call center the morning of the 2012 election, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Voters cast their ballots in Delias beauty salon, which was turned into polling place, on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, on South Side of Chicago. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A brand new tattoo showing his choice of political party is seen on the right hand of Victor "The Snake Mann" Wolder as he votes on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Montana voter

A voter enters Springhill School to cast her Election Day ballot in Belgrade, Mont., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. Springhill School is a polling station for Montana's Precinct 17, a place where ranchers, affluent professionals and retirees alike live and work. (AP Photo/Janie Osborne)

David Polley, right, looks over his ballot while voting on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Barack Obama

President Barack Obama visits with people outside a campaign office the morning of the 2012 election, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

James Nash

James Nash prepares to hand out stickers to voters who cast their ballots at a polling place inside St. Leo's Catholic Church in Baltimore on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Food is set on a table by voting instructions at a polling place in a Mexican restaurant turned polling station, on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, on the South Side of Chicago. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A voter signs in to cast a ballot at the old Brown School on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in rural Wellsville, Kan. After a grinding presidential campaign President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, yield center stage to American voters Tuesday for an Election Day choice that will frame the contours of government and the nation for years to come. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Barack Obama

President Barack Obama waves to people as he leaves a campaign office the morning of the 2012 election, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Classical studies major Omar Dyette, from Racine, Wis., front right, mans a table outside the polls on the campus of Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. Dyette volunteered with the Ohio Public Interest Research Group to register college students prior to the 2012 election. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

A voter is handed an "I Voted" sticker after casting her ballot at the old Brown School Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in rural Wellsville, Kan. After a grinding presidential campaign President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, yield center stage to American voters Tuesday for an Election Day choice that will frame the contours of government and the nation for years to come. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

A line forms outside a polling place as people gather to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Las Vegas. After a grinding presidential campaign President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, yield center stage to American voters Tuesday for an Election Day choice that will frame the contours of government and the nation for years to come. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Steve Swanson, left, helps his father Ben Swanson, 91, right, as he fills out his ballot on Election Day 2012 at the St. Maximilian Kolbe Roman Catholic Parish in East Pembroke, N.Y., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. After a grinding presidential campaign President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, yield center stage to American voters Tuesday for an Election Day choice that will frame the contours of government and the nation for years to come. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

Voters wait in line to cast their ballots under a tent at a consolidated polling station for residents of the Rockaways on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Voters check in before casting their ballots under a tent at a consolidated polling station for residents of the Rockaways on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in the Queens borough of New York. Voting in a the U.S. presidential election was the latest challenge for the hundreds of thousands of people in the New York-New Jersey area still affected by Superstorm Sandy, as they struggled to get to non-damaged polling places to cast their ballots in one of the tightest elections in recent history. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Voters wait in line to cast their ballots under a tent at a consolidated polling station for residents of the Rockaways on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in the Queens borough of New York. Voting in a the U.S. presidential election was the latest challenge for the hundreds of thousands of people in the New York-New Jersey area still affected by Superstorm Sandy, as they struggled to get to non-damaged polling places to cast their ballots in one of the tightest elections in recent history. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Voters cast their ballots in a Mexican restaurant turned polling place, on election day on the South Side of Chicago Tuesday Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Voters cast their ballots in a Mexican restaurant turned polling station on Election Day on the South Side of Chicago, Tuesday Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Voters wait in a long line to cast their ballots at Far Rockaway High School on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in the Queens borough of New York. After a grinding presidential campaign, Americans are heading into polling places across the country.(AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Voters wait to cast a ballot at P.S. 33 in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in New York. Voting in a the U.S. presidential election was the latest challenge for the hundreds of thousands of people in the New York-New Jersey area still affected by Superstorm Sandy, as they struggled to get to non-damaged polling places to cast their ballots in one of the tightest elections in recent history. (AP Photo/ John Minchillo)

Voters wait for their chance to cast a ballot at P.S. 33 in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in New York. Voting in a the U.S. presidential election was the latest challenge for the hundreds of thousands of people in the New York-New Jersey area still affected by Superstorm Sandy, as they struggled to get to non-damaged polling places to cast their ballots in one of the tightest elections in recent history. (AP Photo/ John Minchillo)

Voters wait to cast a ballot at P.S. 29 in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in New York. After a grinding presidential campaign President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, yield center stage to American voters Tuesday for an Election Day choice that will frame the contours of government and the nation for years to come. (AP Photo/ John Minchillo)

Vernon Straw, Terry Petersen

Vernon Straw emerges from behind the curtain of a voting booth at the fire hall in Dunbar, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, to a waiting Terry Petersen, left. The village fire hall was too small to place cardboard voting stations, so election officials had to bring back the old style curtained voting booths. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Rocky Erickson

Rocky Erickson casts a ballot at a polling place on Election Day in Billings, Mont., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Barack Obama

President Barack Obama calls Wisconsin volunteers as he visits a campaign office call center the morning of the 2012 election, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

On this election day, as they do every day, people gather for breakfast in the Nutcracker Restaurant, a 1950's-style diner, in Pataskala, Ohio on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. From left are Ken Armentrout, Lewie Hoskinson and Jack Cruikshank. Hoskinson, center, is a retired city worker who his friends claim is the only President Barack Obama supporter in the town of 14,000. "I'm sure there are others, but I'm the only one who will admit it," he said, as his buddies laughed. His friends acknowledged that they weren't exactly thrilled with Mitt Romney as an alternative but said Obama hadn't done enough to get the economy moving. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating)

U.S. Citizens Head To The Polls To Vote In Presidential Election

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI, - NOVEMBER 6: U.S. citizens vote in the presidential election at Carleton Middle School November 6, 2012 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Recent polls show that U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney are in a tight race. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION DAY

Voters wait outside the Metropolitan AME Church polling station to cast their ballots in Washington, DC on November 6, 2012. Americans headed to the polls Tuesday after a burst of last-minute campaigning by President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in a nail-biting contest unlikely to heal a deeply polarized nation. AFP PHOTO/Mladen ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. Citizens Head To The Polls To Vote In Presidential Election

MANCHESTER, NH - NOVEMBER 6: Voters cast their ballots at the Bishop Leo O'Neil Youth Center on November 6, 2012 in Manchester, New Hampshire. The swing state of New Hampshire is recognised to be a hotly contested battleground that offers 4 electoral votes, as recent polls predict that the race between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney remains tight. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION DAY

An election official mounts signs outside the polling station at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC on November 6, 2012. Americans headed to the polls Tuesday after a burst of last-minute campaigning by President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in a nail-biting contest unlikely to heal a deeply polarized nation. AFP PHOTO/Mladen ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. Citizens Head To The Polls To Vote In Presidential Election

MANCHESTER, NH - NOVEMBER 6: Voters cast their ballots at the Bishop Leo O'Neil Youth Center on November 6, 2012 in Manchester, New Hampshire. The swing state of New Hampshire is recognised to be a hotly contested battleground that offers 4 electoral votes, as recent polls predict that the race between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney remains tight. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-VOTERS

Voters cast their ballots at the Stonewall Middle School November 6, 2012 in Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia. After a long and bitter White House campaign, Americans began casting their votes on Tuesday with polls showing President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney neck-and-neck in an election that will be decided in a handful of states. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. Citizens Head To The Polls To Vote In Presidential Election

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - NOVEMBER 6: Lines of voters wait to cast their ballots as the polls open on November 6, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The swing state of Florida is recognised to be a hotly contested battleground that offers 29 electoral votes, as recent polls predict that the race between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney remains tight. (Photo by Edward Linsmier/Getty Images)

U.S. Citizens Head To The Polls To Vote In Presidential Election

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - NOVEMBER 6: Lines of voters wait to cast their ballots as the polls open on November 6, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The swing state of Florida is recognised to be a hotly contested battleground that offers 29 electoral votes, as recent polls predict that the race between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney remains tight. (Photo by Edward Linsmier/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION

Voters wait outside the polling station to cast their ballots at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC on November 6, 2012. Americans headed to the polls Tuesday after a burst of last-minute campaigning by President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in a nail-biting contest unlikely to heal a deeply polarized nation. AFP PHOTO/Mladen ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION

Voters wait outside the polling station to cast their ballots at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC on November 6, 2012. Americans headed to the polls Tuesday after a burst of last-minute campaigning by President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in a nail-biting contest unlikely to heal a deeply polarized nation. AFP PHOTO/Mladen ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-VOTERS

Voters wait to vote at the Stonewall Middle School November 6, 2012 in Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia. After a long and bitter White House campaign, Americans began casting their votes on Tuesday with polls showing President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney neck-and-neck in an election that will be decided in a handful of states. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION

Voters wait inside the polling station to cast their ballots at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC on November 6, 2012. Americans headed to the polls Tuesday after a burst of last-minute campaigning by President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in a nail-biting contest unlikely to heal a deeply polarized nation. AFP PHOTO/Mladen ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. Citizens Head To The Polls To Vote In Presidential Election

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - NOVEMBER 6: Voters wait to cast their ballots on November 6, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The swing state of Florida is recognised to be a hotly contested battleground that offers 29 electoral votes, as recent polls predict that the race between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney remains tight. (Photo by Edward Linsmier/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION

People wait in line to vote at a polling station in a senior appartment complex in Chicago, Illinois in the US presidential election November 6, 2012 . The final national polls showed an effective tie, with either US President Barack Obama or Republican challenger Mitt Romney favored by a single point in most surveys, reflecting the polarized politics of a deeply divided nation. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-VOTERS

Voters cast their ballots at the Stonewall Middle School November 6, 2012 in Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia. After a long and bitter White House campaign, Americans began casting their votes on Tuesday with polls showing President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney neck-and-neck in an election that will be decided in a handful of states. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION DAY

Voters kiss while waiting outside the polling station to cast their ballots at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC on November 6, 2012. Americans headed to the polls Tuesday after a burst of last-minute campaigning by President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in a nail-biting contest unlikely to heal a deeply polarized nation. AFP PHOTO/Mladen ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/12/ruth-johnson-michigan-election-study_n_2670118.html

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Why birds develop their ultraviolet vision

Heiko Schmaljohann

This is a northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), a bird that weighs no more than 2 tablespoons of salt but can make roundtrips spanning 18,000 miles.

By Tanya Lewis
LiveScience

If optimists see the world through rose-colored lenses, some birds see it through ultraviolet ones. Avians have evolved ultraviolet vision quite a few times in history, a new study finds.

Birds depend on their color vision for selecting mates, hunting or foraging for food, and spotting predators. Until recently, ultraviolet vision was thought to have arisen as a one-time development in birds. But a new DNA analysis of 40 bird species, reported Monday in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology, shows the shift between violet (shorter wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum) and ultraviolet vision has occurred at least 14 times.

"Birds see color in a different way from humans," study co-author Anders ?deen, an animal ecologist at Uppsala University in Sweden, told LiveScience. Human eyes have three different color receptors, or cones, that are sensitive to light of different wavelengths and mix together to reveal all the colors we see. Birds, by contrast, have four cones, so "they see potentially more colors than humans do," ?deen said.

Birds themselves are split into two groups based on the color of light (wavelength) that their cones detect most acutely. Scientists define them as violet-sensitive or ultraviolet-sensitive, and the two groups don't overlap, according to ?deen. Birds of each group would see the same objects as different hues. [Vision Quiz: What Can Animals See?]

The specialization of color vision has its advantages. For instance, a bird with ultraviolet-sensitive vision might have spectacularly bright plumage in order to impress a female, but that same plumage might appear dull to predator birds that see only in the violet range.

Feathery findings
The study researchers sequenced the DNA?from the 40 species of birds, from the cockatiel to the whitebearded manakin. They extracted DNA from the bases of feather quills, blood, muscle or other tissue. From that DNA, the scientists reconstructed the proteins that make up the light-sensitive pigments in the birds' eyes. Differences in the DNA revealed which birds were sensitive to violet light versus ultraviolet.

"That change is very simple, apparently," ?deen said. "It just takes a single mutation" in the DNA sequence. While that change may seem insignificant, it can be compared to the difference humans see between red and green.

The researchers mapped the birds' evolutionary relationships using data from their study and others. The color mutation that made bird lineages with violet vision evolve to see in ultraviolet and vice versa occurred at 14 different times in their map, and probably even more among all birds, ?deen noted.

Why the bird lineages switched their color sensitivity ? essentially species of a certain branch on the family tree evolved to have the reverse type of vision ? is still something of a mystery. The ability to attract mates while still evading predators could be one reason. Ultraviolet light might also provide higher contrast that makes finding food easier. Other factors are environmental ? open spaces have more UV light than do forests, for example. Ultimately, the color sensitivity may be a result of other changes that affect the amount of ultraviolet light the birds' eyes receive.

It seems the evolution of color vision in birds is much less black and white than was once thought.

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Source: http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/11/16927200-how-birds-may-have-gotten-their-ultraviolet-vision?lite

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