Mediaboss Marketing

NEW YORK, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Online social gaming has become a major moneymaker and is going to continue to grow, though the rate of growth is slowing considerably, according to a new national consumer study by Frank N. Magid Associates conducted in late March of 2012.

The research, conducted as part of the Magid Media Futures 2012 study, found social network gaming user growth has slowed in the United States. About two in five (38%) social network users, up slightly from 36% in '11, say they regularly play games on social networks. Social network gaming has decreased among its primary demographic, females age 12-44, with less than 43% of users age 12-17 (down from 54% in 2011) and about 36% of users 25-44 (down from 40% in 2011) reporting playing on a weekly basis.

However, there have been substantial increases in older age groups playing social games online, including males age 45-54 (up 15% from 2011) and 55-64 (up 9% from 2011), and females 45-54 (up 9% from 2011) and 55-64 (up 10% from 2011).

The Magid study also reports that consumers playing social network games say they will decrease the amount of money they spend on such games over the next 12 months. The average social network gamer who spends money on these games indicates that they are spending $51 vs. $78 last year on average. This year 34% of gamers say they are planning to spend less on social games in the next year vs. 22% who say they will spend more.

Consumers who play games on video game consoles indicate they expect to increase their spending on console games. One area expected to see an increase in spending in particular is Downloadable Content (DLC) for gaming consoles. A third of console gamers (33%) say they have bought DLC in the past with the average DLC consumer currently spending about $50 per year. Spending is expected to grow in the next year to 45% of gamers. This percentage includes those individuals who have not bought DLC in the past but plan on buying in the near future.

In order to buy DLC a gamer needs to have a console that is connected to the Internet. More than two-thirds of Xbox and PlayStation gamers in the U.S. go online multiple times a week using their console. Non-gaming activities now account for about a third of all time spent online on a connected console among those gamers. According to console gamers, online access is driving more spending and playing on their console. Online play has shown no signs of slowing; in fact online console player penetration is likely to grow by 10% or more next year as more console players are connecting for the first time.

Additionally, consumers clearly want cross-platform connectivity, with more than half of Xbox and PS3 owners wanting access to their game networks via their mobile phones.

About Frank N. Magid Associates

Frank N. Magid Associates, Inc. is a leading research-based consulting firm that helps its clients become more profitable by solving problems and helping them take advantage of opportunities. We are unique because for 55 years we have carefully studied human behavior and how communication affects it. We possess an uncanny understanding of what and how marketing and communication will motivate people to behave in certain ways. We leverage this keen understanding of consumers, our practical operational expertise and network of industry leaders to help clients across industries successfully develop and market products and services. Frank N. Magid Associates serves its' clients through corporate offices in Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco and Marion, Iowa.

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Magid National Study Finds Social Networking Gaming Growth is Slowing

ScienceDaily (May 9, 2012) Four years after they discovered the viral roots of a rare skin cancer, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) and the School of Medicine have now identified a molecule activated by this virus that, in animal studies, could be targeted to selectively kill the tumor cells. The treatment will soon be tested in patients.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a skin cancer that is more common among seniors and those with weakened immune systems, could not be readily diagnosed at one time, and it still has a very poor prognosis, said Patrick S. Moore, M.D., M.P.H., and Yuan Chang, M.D., both of the Cancer Virology Program at UPCI and senior authors of a study that appears online May 9 in Science Translational Medicine.

"This research effort shows the speed at which genomics can identify molecular causes for cancer and then point the way toward a rational and targeted treatment," Dr. Moore noted. "Since the inception of the 1971 U.S. National Cancer Act, researchers have strived to discover the underlying problems that trigger tumor development."

In 2008, the team first described the new Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) in Merkel cell carcinoma. Within a year, they showed it was responsible for tumor development in most cases of the disease. At least four out of five healthy adults world-wide are infected with MCV, which usually doesn't cause any symptoms.

"The virus remains in the skin cells, and in most cases, no damage is done," Dr. Chang said. "But when mutations occur to this virus, it can cause cancer. Most of the 1,500 new MCC cases per year in the U.S. are caused by MCV infection."

In quick succession, the team devised tests to identify virus-induced MCC, and began unraveling the biochemical pathways that encourage tumor formation. In their latest project, they "knocked out" a key viral protein called T antigen and found that MCV directly elevates a cellular protein called survivin.

Survivin prevents cells from dying and supports cell division, the researchers said. They found that a drug called YM155, which turns off the survivin gene again, was an extremely potent killer of MCC cells in test tubes and was able to suppress the growth of human tumors that had been established in experimental mice. In comparison, 1,360 other drugs -- including most of the common chemotherapy drugs -- were screened and failed to both kill MCC cells and prevent tumor growth at levels commonly achieved in patients. One of these drugs was able to kill tumor cells in culture dishes, but made no impact on the MCC tumors in mice. It remains a promising candidate drug since it may have better activity in people and is readily available.

A multicenter clinical trial of YM155, a still-experimental anti-cancer drug that is made by Deerfield, Ill.-based Astellas, is expected to begin in the next six months to determine its effectiveness in MCC patients. The trial will be led locally by Pitt School of Medicine assistant professor Hussein Tawbi, M.D., Ph.D., and professor John Kirkwood, M.D., who also is co-leader of the UPCI Melanoma Program, through the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, a multicenter cooperative group supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health.

Typically, neither the cause of a cancer nor the target for a cancer drug is initially known, so most treatments have developed over decades through trial-and-error. Most therapies affect both healthy tissues and cancer cells, resulting in side effects that limit the drug dose that can safely be given. This study, in contrast, was a "rational" drug study where the underlying cellular defect caused by the virus was first discovered through genetic studies and then a drug targeting this process was tested.Survivin is needed during fetal development, but not in healthy adult cells, and YM155 was not toxic to the mice.

"Scientists can now quickly come up with answers to complex problems, like cancer, using human genetics," Dr. Moore noted. "In less than five years, we have gone from knowing very little about MCC to knowing its exact cause and are devising new, precisely targeted and less-toxic therapies."

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Genomics used to identify a molecular-based treatment for a viral skin cancer

09-05-2012 20:32 "Responsive Design" at the WordPress NYC Meetup, CBS Studio 19, NYC on Apr 17 2012. From mobile browsers to iPads and tablets, your users are visiting your website from a variety of devices. Is your website ready? Does it look awesome on an iPhone as well as a wide screen monitor? Well, it's time to get responsive! SPEAKERS: Sonja Leix - Jack Reichert - http PUNKCAST#2032 Webcast support: NYI

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WordPress - Responsive Design - Video

DGAP-Adhoc: Cytos Biotechnology Ltd. raises an additional CHF 3.2 million via Rights Offering

10.05.2012, 20:30:49

Cytos Biotechnology AG / Key word(s): Capital Increase

10.05.2012 20:30

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (THE 'UNITED STATES' OR 'U.S.'), CANADA, JAPAN OR AUSTRALIA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

MEDIA RELEASE - COMMUNIQUE AUX MEDIAS - MEDIENMITTEILUNG

Cytos Biotechnology Ltd. raises an additional CHF 3.2 million via Rights Offering

Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, May 10, 2012 - Cytos Biotechnology Ltd. (Cytos') announced today the results of the rights offering launched in April 2012. The shareholders were offered the opportunity to subscribe for 7 new registered shares at a subscription price of CHF 1.87 each for 15 existing registered shares. 63.9% of the subscriptions rights were exercised and, accordingly, 1'709'700 new registered shares will be issued to the shareholders.

The completion of the rights offering with the issuance of the shares subscribed by the existing shareholders is subject to the completion of the investor capital increase as approved by the shareholders of Cytos on April 20, 2012. Cytos expects that the share capital increase in the total nominal amount of CHF 1'665'137.50 corresponding to 16'651'375 new registered shares, will be registered in the commercial register on May 14, 2012 and that trading in these new registered shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange will commence on May 15, 2012.

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DGAP-Adhoc: Cytos Biotechnology Ltd. raises an additional CHF 3.2 million via Rights Offering

"The Bachelor"

"The Bachelor," ABC
Status: Likely to be renewed
Why: You really think we've seen the last rose handed out? Not in a million years. ABC has already tapped their next "Bachelorette," and we know they'll have their eyes peeled for a hot rejected man from that spinoff to be the next "Bachelor" ... that is if Tim Tebow says no.

"The Bachelorette," ABC
Status: Likely to be renewed
Why: "Bachelor" Brad's also-ran Emily Maynard is getting her turn as the rose giver for the seventh season of "The Bachelorette" this summer. As long as there are people willing to look for love on reality TV, this show will keep on trucking.

"Body of Proof," ABC
Status: On the bubble
Why: "Body of Proof" has been falling below its timeslot competitor, CBS's "Unforgettable." It still draws a decent audience, so it's hard to tell whether we'll be seeing more of this show, but things aren't looking good.

"Castle," ABC
Status: Likely to be renewed
Why: This show's ratings have definitely suffered without "Dancing With the Stars" airing beforehand, but it is a consistent performer. It's likely we'll see another season ordered.

"Charlie's Angels," ABC
Status: Canceled
Why: Not really a shock for anybody, but "Charlie's Angels" is cooked. Flimsy story, bad remake, questionable casting.

"Cougar Town," ABC
Status: Renewed -- for TBS!
Why: The Season 3 ratings weren't boosted much by holding this show until midseason, but ABC's wonky air schedule also didn't help ... which is why the news that TBS has picked up the show for a fourth season is huge. Cheers with your Big Carl!

"Dancing With the Stars," ABC
Status: Likely to be renewed
Why: "DWTS" may have lost its luster in the ratings, but if the cast for the upcoming 14th season can generate enough controversy, the viewers will come.

"Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23," ABC
Status: Too soon to tell
Why: ABC's new bleep-worthy comedy starring Krysten Ritter, Dreama Walker and James Van Der Beek is a funny one, but we won't know how it fares until it premieres (Wed., April 11, 9:30 p.m. EST).

"Desperate Housewives," ABC
Status: Canceled
Why: After countless deaths, murders, betrayals and natural disasters on Wisteria Lane over the show's eight seasons, the ladies of "Desperate Housewives" will say goodbye forever this May.

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'Family Guy' Renewed, 'American Dad' Renewed, No Word On 'The Cleveland Show'