In the News

Biologists hike to remote Pennsylvania streams to learn where trout live

The New York Times Thursday, September 01, 2011

The New York Times reports on fishery biologists who temporarily electro-shock trout in Pennsylvania streams to inventory the fish so the waterways can be protected.

Participants make rigorous treks, often to remote, mountainous areas, and electro-fish headwater streams to temporarily immobilize trout so they can be captured, counted and measured before they are released.

While about 3,650 streams are currently managed for wild trout, scores of new prospects are now on the agency’s radar. The goal, according to a commissioner of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Bill Worobec, is to ensure that they receive maximum protection before fish and their habitats are in danger of being destroyed.

“This project is extraordinarily proactive, which, in government, is rare,” said Mr. Worobec, who lives in north central Pennsylvania, a region that abounds both in trout and Marcellus shale. “We’re discovering we have substantially more wild trout waters than most people ever imagined and we don’t want to lose them through ignorance.”

Original source: The New York Times
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A first for Pittsburgh-area medical centers exchanging patients' digital health histories

InformationWeek Thursday, August 25, 2011

For the first time in the region, nine hospitals and health care systems in western Pennsylvania plan to share patient information with each other on a single electronic format known as ClinicalConnect, InformationWeek reports.

The plan is for each participating health system to embed the HIE into regular workflow. One way they accomplish that is by placing an icon on electronic health record (EHR) screens indicating that there is more information available on a specific patient. "Once a clinician has selected a patient's information, it's entirely appropriate to give them access to this additional information," (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Jacque) Dailey said.

Original source: InformationWeek
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Advanced electronics maker in Western PA hiring, building larger facilities

Leader Times Thursday, August 18, 2011

Western PA electronics maker Dynamic Manufacturing is growing rapidly and constructing a building that doubles its space, the Leader Times reports.

"We have outgrown the current manufacturing space due to our volume of business and the size and complexity of the mechanical assemblies we are manufacturing at Dynamic," said Ezra Mihalcin, general manager. "It is really an exceptional time for us, despite all the doom and gloom of the economy in the news today."

"We are pleased to have encouraging news for the greater Pittsburgh region, in that Dynamic has doubled its staff since 2008," he added. "As our business grows, we expect to add a variety of positions including design engineers, electronic technicians and assemblers."

Mihalcin said the company has added about 25 employees in the past year for a total of more than 50, of which many are from the local area.

Original source: Leader Times
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PNC unveils plans for latest green building, a 40-story skyscraper

Construction & Demolition Recycling Thursday, August 04, 2011

Construction & Demolition Recycling reports on the PNC Financial Services Group's plans to build an eco-friendly, 40-story, $400 million skyscraper in Pittsburgh.

The Tower at PNC Plaza will feature a double glass facade to enhance energy efficiency by reducing cooling costs and allowing natural airflow to the building. Using advanced sensors and metering, a state-of-the-art, high efficiency heating and cooling system will deliver conditioned air to specific zones of the building, as needed. The building will be oriented to take advantage of sunlight in workspaces, reducing the need for artificial light during the day. The design team is also currently exploring fuel cells, solar panels, geothermal systems and other alternative power generation sources that will significantly reduce carbon emissions. The building's green rooftops will collect rainwater and channel it for use in other parts of the structure, as well as reduce the heat gain associated with traditional rooftops.

Original source: Construction & Demolition Recycling
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City chickens: Pittsburgh shows off backyard coops

The Wall Street Journal Thursday, August 04, 2011

The Wall Street Journal visits Pittsburgh to learn about the growing number of city dwellers raising chickens in their backyards.

Coop tours are a sign that more city dwellers are becoming interested in urban farming and raising chickens, say city officials. Pittsburgh passed an ordinance requested by residents earlier this year that enables people to keep up to three chickens and two beehives on a 2,000-square-foot lot.

"There's a desire among residents to live more sustainably," said Joanna Doven, a spokeswoman for Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. But she said most residents wouldn't notice any change. "We don't see chicken coops overtaking any city lots any time soon."

Original source: The Wall Street Journal
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Pittsburgh-area company creates the vacuums that lead to innovation

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports on a family-run business that has developed a global presence by making sophisticated vacuum environments prized by scientists.

(Kurt J.) Lesker's company manufactures and distributes equipment that creates a vacuum -- chambers, hardware and pumps -- and assembles vacuum systems. The company manufactures parts in a shop attached to its headquarters, then assembles them in a former auto dealership about a mile away. The work is done in "clean" environments, where workers wear jackets, overalls and covers on their boots and hair.

Its products are important to scientists and researchers who must conduct experiments in a vacuum to determine the exact properties of materials and molecules. If a piece of dirt is in the air during an experiment, "it is like putting a boulder on Route 51. Nothing is going through that," Lesker said.

Original source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Scientist and professional taste-tester aims to make PA wines better

Erie Times-News Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Erie Times-News reports on Denise Gardner, a wine expert with the Penn State Cooperative Extension, and her assignment to raise the quality of the state's wines.

Gardner, who fills a Penn State Cooperative Extension job that's been vacant for three years, has been hired to work with the state's 180 licensed wineries to provide them with education, confidential advice and the benefit of a trained palate.

"My new job is using sensory science to help winemakers to identify defects in their wine," she said.

The simple job description is that she tastes wine and offers her opinions.

Original source: Erie Times-News
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Many scientists and investors stand behind Medrobotics' surgical robot

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports on the team behind Medrobotics, a startup that expects to market its surgical robot next year.

When Medrobotics introduces its product, it will enter a growing market for minimally invasive surgery -- with few competitors.

Proponents say minimally invasive surgery lessens the chance for surgical complications and allows patients to recover faster. Both of those factors can reduce costs, company officials said. Minimally invasive surgery enables surgeons to access organs through small holes, rather than large incisions that can more easily become infected.

The global market for minimally invasive devices and instruments is predicted to reach $23 billion in 2014, according to Wellesley, Mass.-based market research company BCC Research.

Original source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Robot-enabled panoramic photos document Battle of Gettysburg in new ways

Campus Technology Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The current issue GigaPan Magazine, published online by Carnegie Mellon University, features panoramic photos of Gettysburg battlefields and objects associated with the pivotal Civil War battle, Campus Technology reports.

The photos are generated with GigaPan technology, which consists of a robotic device that holds a digital camera and lens in place to take hundreds or thousands of images and software that allows the images to be compiled into a single panoramic shot. GigaPan, which stands for "gigapixel panoramas," comes in several models priced from $299 to $895.

The Gettysburg issue allows viewers to survey the Cemetery Hill and Cavalry East battlefields, browse through a gallery in the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA, and visit the restored graves of African-American soldiers in Columbia, PA, among other sites.

Original source: Campus Technology
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In Pittsburgh, Obama says new ideas and inventions will reinvigorate American manufacturing

Associated Press Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Associated Press reports on President Obama at Carnegie Mellon University last week to announce his $500 million Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, an effort at spurring innovation in robotics, advanced materials and security.

Speaking at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, a city that's taken hits from the decline of traditional manufacturing sectors like steel, Obama called for a joint effort by industry, universities and the federal government to help reposition the United States as a leader in cutting-edge manufacturing.

"We have not run out of stuff to make, we've just got to reinvigorate our manufacturing sector so that it leads the world the way it always has, from paper and steel and cars to new products we haven't even dreamed up yet," Obama said at Carnegie Mellon's National Robotics Engineering Center.

"That's how we're going to strengthen existing industries, that's how we're going spark new ones," he said. "That's how we're going to create jobs, grow the middle class and secure our economic leadership."

Original source: Associated Press
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Cross-state deal will combine Carpenter Technology and Latrobe Specialty Steel

Associated Press Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Associated Press reports that Reading-area specialty alloy maker Carpenter Technology will pay $388 million for Latrobe Specialty Steel, located east of Pittsburgh.

Latrobe makes and distributes high-performance materials for aerospace, defense, energy and other industries. The company was acquired by Hicks Equity Partners and The Watermill Group in December 2006.

Carpenter believes that the buyout will allow it to meet strong customer demand and also improve its position in segments like energy and aerospace.

Original source: Associated Press
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Pittsburgh region's employment picture expected to brighten faster than much of U.S.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Wednesday, June 22, 2011

By the early part of 2012, the Pittsburgh area is expected to see the same employment figures it experienced before the recession. That would make it one of the first parts of the U.S. to recover, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The report didn't say what kinds of jobs were lost, what types are likely to replace them or why Pittsburgh is faring better than other parts of the country. However, in an email, Tom Jackson, senior economist at IHS Global Insight, said:

"Many areas of Pennsylvania, including the Pittsburgh metro area, are benefiting from the Marcellus Shale drilling activity. That certainly is giving Pennsylvania a boost relative to the rest of the country in terms of employment and gross economic output."

The University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and other institutions have "helped in a number of ways," he added. "The universities themselves are big employers, especially when you include the medical centers. They are also producing a large number of graduates in areas of high employment demand, which can help to encourage employers to move to or expand existing operations in the region."

Original source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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Proposed legislation in Harrisburg would give tax credit for developing video games

Technically Philly Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Technically Philly reports on state Sen. Daylin Leach's proposal for a tax credit that would benefit Pennsylvania video-game makers.

Senator Leach�s office offered these details to Technically Philly in April:

"The tax incentives would work just like the film production tax credit. A company would apply to the Department of Revenue for a qualifying production expense (or group of expenses such as physical space or computers, music or employees) and after approval and incursion of the expense in producing a video game in PA they would be awarded a tax credit. This tax credit can be used by the company that incurred it or it can be transferred to someone else. This helps the small companies be able to use the credit if they maybe don't have the tax liability of a larger production company and therefore don't have the income to offset with a credit."

Original source: Technically Philly
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PNC's purchase of RBC unit shows its ambitious plans for growth

The Charlotte Observer Wednesday, June 22, 2011

PNC's agreement to buy the Royal Bank of Canada's U.S. retail segment reflects its goal of expanding its geographic footprint, The Charlotte Observer reports.

Meanwhile, PNC bulked up its Midwestern footprint by agreeing to snap up Cleveland-based National City Corp. at the height of the financial crisis. Now it's poised to enter four new Southeastern states, including the Carolinas, and more than double its branches in the key state of Florida.

In a conference call with analysts, PNC chief executive James Rohr stressed the bank's ability to improve customer satisfaction and revenue with its recent deals, including the 2005 purchase of Riggs National in Washington, D.C. "We have a proven track record," Rohr said.

Original source: The Charlotte Observer
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West of Pittsburgh, the Farm possesses rustic, upscale decor all its own

The New York Times Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The New York Times tours the Farm, a formerly dilapidated property outside of Pittsburgh that owners Esther and Brian Dormer have transformed into a uniquely designed rural retreat.

Her thought was to proceed impressionistically, asking questions and letting solutions evolve. Can you sit in this spot in the woods? What about this one? How do you make a path? A walking circle? Can the toolshed look better? Can it look like it belongs to the barn? Can I put party tents here? What about a bonfire? (Or �fire element,� in Ms. Dormer�s parlance.) Can trees go around it?

Meanwhile, (designer Lisa) Dagnal, who was raising three boys, and had always decorated her own home and her friends� homes, decided to have an open house to show off her work: lacquered tables, refinished case goods and pale upholstered pieces. Ms. Dormer was invited by a friend of a friend and was attracted to Ms. Dagnal�s style, which reminded her of her own.

Original source: The New York Times
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Pittsburgh : In the News