ReleaseWire Connect

Oil sands, shale gas, oil shale, and coalbed methane (CBM) are the primary unconventional oil and gas resources in the world today. These resources are called unconventional as they are extracted, processed, and refined in a manner that is different from the conventional. Typically, unconventional resources are difficult-to-extract, expensive to refine, and have more impact on the environment. Sustained high oil and gas prices until mid-2008 led to the development of these resources as governments across the world were concerned about dwindling energy supplies amid rising demand. Technological advancements further aided their development.

The analog switch off is planned for the next decade around the world, and the global TV market is going through a period of huge change. Digital TV in all of its forms – terrestrial, cable, satellite, IPTV – is booming. HDTV is becoming prevalent in mature markets, and technologies such as 3DTV and mobile TV are also set to take off.

In mature markets the importance of packaging design in contributing to brand communication and appeal (on-shelf, in-store) is increasing, due to a number of factors,

Beer is an alcoholic beverage made from brewing and fermentation of starched derived from malted barley and can be classified into three categories.

Infectious disease is not merely a problem of the past; despite significant breakthroughs achieved during the last century in the development of antibiotic, antiviral, and antiparasitic drugs and vaccines, the eradication or even control of many infectious diseases has not been accomplished. Of particular current concern are the problems of rapidly developing drug resistance, emerging disease, re-emerging disease, the threat of bioterrorism, and the speed of reaction to the appearance of virulent strains posing pandemic threats. Furthermore, the effective treatment of infectious diseases is dependent on accurate and rapid diagnosis, and this in itself can present significant challenges, especially in cases where the disease progression is poorly understood or has long asymptomatic latency (such as prion diseases).

The specialty chemicals operations of major US players remained relatively resilient during the downturn compared to their other business lines. The 2005-09 period also witnessed a considerable rise in consolidation activities among US companies. Some players are focused on backward integration of operations whilst others are aiming to offload non-core franchises. Consolidation is in part prompted by fluctuations in raw material prices and rising competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Imaging biomarkers, those quantified using imaging modalities including Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography, are attractive for a variety of reasons: the methods of measurement used are non-invasive, and can provide information that cannot be obtained in other ways including a drug’s pharmacology and side effect profile, interaction of a drug and its target, delivery of a drug to its target, and the drug’s pharmacokinetic profile. In the clinical setting, imaging biomarkers can be used as a screening, diagnostic or prognostic tool as well as for monitoring treatment response.

The funding landscape for small and mid-cap biomedical companies has changed enormously over the past two years, driven by recessive public markets and withdrawal of private equity financing. The cost of raising capital has increased, and investors have become very selective about the type of transactions they participate in. Most small biopharma ventures are struggling to raise funds and maintain enough working capital for their clinical endeavours. As with any negative development, there are greater opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

Food safety is and remains a top ten concern for food manufacturers and other food businesses. But a series of major food poisoning outbreaks and contamination incidents over the last three years have served to focus the attention of the media, consumer groups and enforcement authorities worldwide on the activities of the food industry as never before. This critical environment is set to become a key driver for food businesses to strengthen the measures they take to ensure the safety and traceability of their products. The pressure to introduce more robust systems and technologies is growing as the requirements of legislation and the demands of key customers continue to expand.

Latin America is experiencing wide scale demographic changes and unprecedented levels of urbanization. The region largely suffers from low per capita expenditure with many countries suffering wide scale poverty.