<< back to most recent stories Bornavirus Genes Found in Human DNA Jan 8 2010 - ScienceNews Researchers have found molecular fossils of an RNA virus in human and other mammalian genomes, pushing back the emergence of RNA viruses millions of years. Golden Ratio Discovered in Quantum World Jan 8 2010 - ScienceDaily Researchers have for the first time observed a nanoscale symmetry hidden in solid state matter. Report Calls for Research on Nanoparticles in Food Jan 8 2010 - Reuters A global scarcity of scientific research on using nanotechnology in foods means food safety authorities are unable to properly regulate products that may be beneficial or harmful, a British science panel said on Friday. Physicists Beginning to See Data from the Large Hadron Collider Jan 7 2010 - ScienceDaily Physicists are starting to see real data from the Large Hadron Collider, the planet's biggest science experiment. Fossil Tracks Record Oldest Land-Walkers Jan 7 2010 - BBC News The oldest evidence of four-legged animals walking on land has been discovered in southeast Poland. Fighting Trend, China Is Luring Scientists Home Jan 7 2010 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Determined to reverse the drain of top talent that accompanied China's opening to the outside world over the past three decades, they are using their now ample financial resources—and a dollop of national pride—to entice scientists and scholars home. Fighting Trend, China Is Luring Scientists Home Jan 7 2010 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Determined to reverse the drain of top talent that accompanied China's opening to the outside world over the past three decades, they are using their now ample financial resources—and a dollop of national pride—to entice scientists and scholars home. Pi Calculated to Record Number of Digits Jan 6 2010 - BBC News A computer scientist claims to have computed the mathematical constant pi to nearly 2.7 trillion digits, some 123 billion more than the previous record. Growing New Body Parts: Master Mechanism for Regeneration? Jan 6 2010 - ScienceDaily Biologists long have marveled at the ability of some animals to re-grow lost body parts. Using zebrafish as a model, researchers have found that some of the same genes underlie the process in different types of tissues. Tombs to Lift Lid on Egypt's Ancient Middle Class Jan 6 2010 - Reuters Two 2,500-year-old tombs discovered at a necropolis near Cairo promise to reveal more about ancient Egypt's middle class, Egypt's chief archaeologist said on Tuesday. Scientists Discover Anti-HIV Molecule That May Prevent Infection Jan 5 2010 - Voice of America News Scientists have discovered a molecule that could block transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Arctic Ocean Awakening as Ice Melts Jan 5 2010 - Discovery Channel The sleepiest ocean on the planet is mixing more and supporting more summer life with the rapid loss of ice cover. Vitamin D May Boost Lymphoma Survival Jan 5 2010 - WebMD Healthy levels of vitamin D may help patients with a certain type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma live longer. Report: Evidence Lacking for Special Diets in Autism Jan 5 2010 - USA Today An expert panel says there's no rigorous evidence that digestive problems are more common in children with autism compared to other children, or that special diets work, contrary to claims by celebrities and vaccine naysayers. Exercise Makes Your Brain Brighter at Any Age Jan 5 2010 - MSNBC If you’re trying to motivate yourself to get moving in the new year, here’s some added inspiration: Mounting research shows that exercise isn’t just good for the body, it’s also good for the brain—and not just the brains of older folks. Kepler Telescope Finds 5 Lightweight Worlds Jan 4 2010 - MSNBC The list of known exoplanets in the galaxy just got bigger, thanks to the first observations of NASA's Kepler space telescope, which found five new lightweight worlds orbiting distant stars. 100 Years Ago: The Amazing Technology of 1910 Jan 4 2010 - Yahoo! News One full century ago, the new technologies that had people talking were considered groundbreaking. Electricity led the charge of developments that were changing the way people lived every day, with transportation and chemistry not far behind. Microorganisms Cited as Missing Factor in Climate Change Equation Jan 4 2010 - ScienceDaily Those seeking to understand and predict climate change can now use an additional tool to calculate carbon dioxide exchanges on land, according to a scientific journal article publishing this week. Brown Dwarf Pair Mystifies Astronomers Dec 23 2009 - ScienceDaily Two brown dwarf-sized objects orbiting a giant old star show that planets may assemble around stars more quickly and efficiently than anyone thought possible, according to an international team of astronomers. 'Good' Cholesterol Less Protective with Diabetes Dec 23 2009 - Reuters Diabetes may lower the heart-protective benefits of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, the so-called "good" cholesterol, but giving diabetics niacin, a drug that raises HDL levels, might restore the benefit, say researchers. At a Mine’s Bottom, Hints of Dark Matter Dec 18 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) An international team of physicists working in the bottom of an old iron mine in Minnesota said Thursday that they might have registered the first faint hints of a ghostly sea of subatomic particles known as dark matter long thought to permeate the cosmos. Human-Like Fossil Find Is Breakthrough of the Year Dec 18 2009 - BBC News The discovery of a fossilised skeleton that has become a "central character in the story of human evolution" has been named the science breakthrough of 2009. Scientists Discover Natural Flu-Fighting Proteins Dec 18 2009 - Reuters U.S. researchers have discovered antiviral proteins in cells that naturally fight off influenza infections, a finding that may lead to better ways to make vaccines and protect people against the flu. Marine Scientists Discover Deepest Undersea Erupting Volcano Dec 18 2009 - National Science Foundation Scientists have recorded the deepest erupting volcano yet discovered—West Mata Volcano—describing high-definition video of the undersea eruption as "spectacular." Gene Maps to Transform Scientists' Work on Cancer Dec 17 2009 - Reuters Scientists have indentified all the changes in cells of two deadly cancers to produce the first entire cancer gene maps and say the findings mark a "transforming moment" in their understanding of the disease. Life Expectancy in U.S. Hits New High Dec 17 2009 - HealthDay Average life expectancy in the United States has reached almost 78 years, a record high, federal health officials said Wednesday. Indigenous Peoples Own Carbon Credits, Group Says Dec 17 2009 - Voice of America News Legal opinion says Brazilian tribe has the right to benefits from climate change treaty. Kids' Swine Flu Shots Recalled; Not Strong Enough Dec 16 2009 - Yahoo! News Hundreds of thousands of swine flu shots for children have been recalled because tests indicate the vaccine doses lost some strength, government health officials said Tuesday. Childhood Brain Power Tied to Adult Heart Health Dec 16 2009 - Reuters People who had greater intellectual ability as children may have fewer heart disease risk factors in middle-age, a new study suggests. Malaria Slows in 1 in 3 Affected Countries Dec 16 2009 - Time Magazine Malaria cases appear to have been slashed by half in more than a third of countries battling the disease following a renewed push by the United Nations to eradicate it, according to the World Health Organization. Fighting Deforestation Could Imperil Some Ecosystems, Study Finds Dec 15 2009 - ScienceInsider Negotiators in Copenhagen are very near to finalizing a remarkable deal that will see the vast majority of tropical nations attempt to reduce deforestation by 25% over the next 5 years. But a new study argues that if safeguards are not put in place, agriculture could be displaced and intensified in regions with relatively low levels of carbon. Scientists Find Coconut-Carrying Octopus Dec 15 2009 - Time Magazine Australian scientists have discovered an octopus in Indonesia that collects coconut shells for shelter—unusually sophisticated behavior that the researchers believe is the first evidence of tool use in an invertebrate animal. NASA Craft to Photograph Entire Universe Dec 15 2009 - Voice of America News NASA has launched a new space telescope that will allow scientists to look at the universe closer than ever before. The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, known as WISE, will help them to discover, photograph, and research thousands of previously undetected stars, galaxies, and potentially threatening asteroids. Anti-Depressants Up Stroke Risk Dec 15 2009 - BBC News Postmenopausal women who take anti-depressants face a small—but statistically significant—increased risk of a stroke, research suggests. 26 Operations, 13 Kidneys in Largest Donor Chain Dec 14 2009 - MSNBC Twenty-six operations put healthy kidneys into 13 desperately ill people: Doctors in the nation's capital just performed a record-setting kidney swap, part of a pioneering effort to expand transplants to patients who too often never qualify. The Double Life of ATP in Humans Dec 14 2009 - Scientific American (requires registration) The molecule ATP, famous as an essential energy source inside cells, also carries critical messages between cells. That dual role is suggesting fresh ideas for fighting human diseases. U.K. Gets Own Space Agency At Last Dec 11 2009 - ScienceInsider The U.K. Science Minister announced that Britain would, finally, create its own space agency. It has long been argued that a single body managing the U.K. space effort would bring more coherence to research efforts and give the U.K. more clout in negotiations with international partners. Subsurface Gas Deposit Could Deflate Theory of How Earth's Atmosphere Formed Dec 11 2009 - Scientific American Krypton trapped in Earth's mantle appears not to have been captured from the Sun, as some models would predict. Bacteria Engineered to Turn Carbon Dioxide into Liquid Fuel Dec 11 2009 - ScienceDaily Researchers have genetically modified a cyanobacterium to consume carbon dioxide and produce the liquid fuel isobutanol, which holds great potential as a gasoline alternative. The Big Spill: Flood Could Have Filled Mediterranean in Less Than Two Years Dec 10 2009 - ScienceNews A cataclysmic flood could have filled the Mediterranean Sea like a bathtub in the space of less than two years. A new model suggests that at the flood's peak water poured from the Atlantic into the Mediterranean basin at a rate one thousand times the flow of the Amazon River. Will Fast-Tracking Green Tech Patent Applications Help Transform the Economy? Dec 9 2009 - ScienceInsider The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office plans to speed up reviews of applications from would-be inventors of various "green" technologies. Science Goes Back to Basics on AI Dec 9 2009 - BBC News The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has begun a project to re-think artificial intelligence research. The Mind Machine Project will return to the basics of AI research to re-examine what lies behind human intelligence. Petunias and Potatoes May Be Carnivorous Dec 9 2009 - MSNBC Petunias and potatoes may actually be carnivorous plants, scientists now suggest. Indeed, carnivorous behavior may be far more widespread in plants than commonly thought—if we take a closer look, botanists say. Super Cool Atom Thermometer: New, Reliable Ways of Measuring Extreme Low Temperatures Dec 8 2009 - ScienceDaily A team of physicists has devised a thermometer that can potentially measure temperatures as low as tens of trillionths of a degree above absolute zero. Scientists Say Paper Battery Could Be in the Works Dec 8 2009 - Reuters Ordinary paper could one day be used as a lightweight battery to power the devices that are now enabling the printed word to be eclipsed by e-mail, e-books and online news. Swine Flu Far Less Severe in Latest Calculations Dec 8 2009 - USA Today A team of researchers from the USA and Britain on Monday dramatically scaled back estimates of the severity of the swine flu epidemic. Millions in U.S. Drink Dirty Water, Records Show Dec 8 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) More than 20% of the nation's water treatment systems have violated key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act over the last five years, according to a New York Times analysis of federal data. Australian Research Shows Warmer Water Raises Aggression in Fish Dec 7 2009 - Voice of America News New research in Australia has shown that coral reef fish can undergo radical personality changes in warmer water, work that suggests climate change may make some marine species more aggressive. Pluto's Cloud Components Verified Dec 7 2009 - ScienceNews Clouds in Pluto’s atmosphere may be composed of tiny frozen spherules of nitrogen or carbon monoxide, rather than snowflake-like clumps of tiny particles as previous research had suggested, new analyses suggest. Study Provides New Evidence for Genetic Basis of Language Dec 4 2009 - Voice of America News A very small genetic difference between humans and chimpanzees may help explain why chimpanzees can't speak, but humans can. Program to Embed Anthropologists With Military Lacks Ethical Standards, Report Says Dec 4 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education The American Anthropological Association concludes that the Human Terrain System is not only a faulty concept but also a poorly managed program. New Power Plant Can Provide Electricity with Zero CO2 Emissions Dec 4 2009 - NewsTrack India A new type of natural-gas electric power plant proposed by MIT researchers could provide electricity with zero carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. U.S. Approves New Stem Cell Lines for Publicly Funded Research Dec 3 2009 - Healthday Thirteen stem cell lines have been added to the pool that scientists can use for taxpayer-funded research, and many more such lines will soon be made available, U.S. health officials announced Wednesday. Star Outweighed any Known in Milky Way Dec 3 2009 - ScienceNews Data suggest that the supernova dubbed SN 2007bi originally tipped the scales at more than 200 times the mass of the Sun. That would make it more massive than any known in the Milky Way, and it may suggest that astronomers have to revise their models of how extremely massive stars live and die. Climate Scientist Steps Down Dec 2 2009 - The Wall Street Journal The British scientist at the heart of a scandal over climate-change research temporarily stepped down Tuesday as director of a prominent research group amid an internal probe that follows the release of hacked emails involving him and other scientists. Experts: Man Controlled Robotic Hand with Thoughts Dec 2 2009 - Yahoo! News A group of European scientists say they have successfully connected a robotic hand to a man who had lost an arm, allowing him to feel sensations in the artificial hand and control it with his thoughts. Acidic Oceans May Be a Boon for Some Marine Dwellers Dec 2 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News Falling ocean pH might help some marine animals build stronger skeletons and shells. For Some Women, Trans Fats Could Be Deadly Dec 2 2009 - Reuters For women with heart disease, eating too many artery-clogging trans fats may increase their risk of dying suddenly from cardiac arrest, a new study suggests. Major Sea Level Rise Likely as Antarctic Ice Melts Dec 1 2009 - BBC News Sea levels are likely to rise by about 1.4 meters (4 feet 6 inches) globally by 2100 as polar ice melts, according to a major review of climate change in Antarctica. Splitting Time from Space—New Quantum Theory Topples Einstein's Spacetime Nov 24 2009 - Scientific American A solar eclipse confirmed gravitational lensing and Einstein's concept of spacetime. But a new quantum gravity theory now generating excitement separates time and space. Climate Is a Major Cause of Conflict in Africa Nov 24 2009 - BBC News Climate has been a major driver of armed conflict in Africa, research shows, and future warming is likely to increase the number of deaths from war. Congo's 'Mother Lode' of Gorillas Remains Vulnerable Nov 24 2009 - ScienceDaily A new study says that western lowland gorillas living in a large swamp in the Republic of Congo—part of the "mother lode" of more than 125,000 gorillas discovered last year—are becoming increasingly threatened by growing humans activity. Shared Supercomputing and Everyday Research Nov 23 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) A drop in the price of supercomputers and other advances are pulling down the high walls around computing-intensive research, possibly democratizing the field. Dirt Can Be Good for Children, Say Scientists Nov 23 2009 - BBC News Children should be allowed to get dirty, according to scientists who have found being too clean can impair the skin's ability to heal. Early Volcanoes Minted Nickel Nov 23 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News Those spare nickels in your pocket might not be there without the help of ancient volcanoes that blasted sulfur dioxide into the sky billions of years ago. The discovery solves a mystery that has dogged researchers for decades. Science Journalism Awards Announced Nov 20 2009 - National Science Foundation A television feature about growing diamonds in the lab, and a radio story that dramatizes some strange coincidences in a discussion of randomness and probability won recognition earlier this month in the 2009 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards. Mouse Study Points to Treatment for Down Syndrome Nov 19 2009 - Reuters Increasing the levels of a message-carrying chemical in the brain may help prevent some of the memory deficits in Down syndrome that hinder learning and make it hard for the brain to develop normally, according to researchers. The Quest to Stop the Brain Drain Nov 19 2009 - The Boston Globe Computer products are popular among older Americans searching for ways to stay mentally sharp. Researchers, however, have yet to determine whether these brain games deliver what they promise. Sun May Not Be a 'Goldilocks' Star Nov 19 2009 - ScienceNews The stars that are just right to support life might be dimmer and longer-lived than the Sun. Large Hadron Collider Repaired for Relaunch Nov 18 2009 - The Guardian Scientists have repaired the world's largest atom smasher and plan by this weekend to restart the machine. Could Jupiter Moon Harbor Fish-Size Life? Nov 18 2009 - National Geographic News In the oceans of a moon hundreds of millions of miles from the Sun, something fishy may be alive—right now. Scientists Discover Heart Disease in Ancient Egyptian Mummies Nov 18 2009 - Voice of America News An international team of scientists has discovered heart disease in ancient Egyptian mummies, dispelling the view that cardiovascular disease is an illness of modern humans. No Gattaca Here: Genetic Anti-Discrimination Law Goes Into Effect Nov 17 2009 - Discover The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prevents both employers and insurance companies from requiring genetic tests or from using your family's medical history against you. Surprising Discovery Explains Formation of New Memories Nov 17 2009 - U.S. News & World Report Short-term memory may depend in a surprising way on the ability of newly formed neurons to erase older connections. The report provides some of the first evidence in mice and rats that new neurons sprouted in the hippocampus cause the decay of short-term fear memories in that brain region, without an overall memory loss. Had Flu? You May Have H1N1 Protection Nov 17 2009 - Reuters People who have had repeated flu infections—or repeated flu vaccines—may have some protection against the new pandemic swine influenza, U.S. researchers said on Monday. China Joins Supercomputer Elite Nov 16 2009 - BBC News China has become one of a handful of nations to own one of the top five supercomputers in the world. The machine packs more than 70,000 chips and can compute 563 trillion calculations per second (teraflops). Psychologist Wins Million-Dollar Prize for Work on the Adolescent Brain Nov 16 2009 - ScienceInsider Temple University psychologist Laurence Steinberg has been awarded the first Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize. The new award, worth $1 million, comes from the Zurich-based Jacobs Foundation, founded by chocolate magnate Klaus Jacobs. It's designed to further "groundbreaking contributions to the improvement of the living conditions of young people." Global Health Alliance Targets Chronic Disease Wave Nov 16 2009 - Reuters An alliance of the world's top public health researchers set out plans on Monday to invest tens of millions of dollars in heart and lung disease studies in a battle against a global epidemic of chronic disease. NASA Finds 'Significant' Water on Moon Nov 13 2009 - CNN NASA said Friday it had discovered water on the moon, opening "a new chapter" that could allow for the development of a lunar space station. End of the Line for Spirit Rover? Nov 13 2009 - ScienceInsider The Mars rover that has been stuck in talcum-powder-like soil the past 6 months is in a bad way, its NASA team reported in a press conference. Record High Temperatures Far Outpace Record Lows Across U.S. Nov 13 2009 - Science Daily Spurred by a warming climate, daily record high temperatures occurred twice as often as record lows over the last decade across the continental United States, new research shows. Malaria’s Deadly Leap from Chimps to Humans Nov 13 2009 - The Boston Globe According to new research led by a University of Massachusetts at Amherst scientist, the parasite responsible for 85% of human malaria infections and nearly all of the deaths jumped from chimpanzees to humans in relatively recent times. Signature of Antimatter Detected in Lightning Nov 13 2009 - ScienceNews The Fermi telescope finds evidence that positrons, not just electrons, are in storms on Earth. U.S. Science Group Seeks Cooperation with Cuba Nov 12 2009 - Reuters A group led by the head of the United States' biggest science organization is in Cuba this week to discuss ways to rekindle scientific cooperation as U.S.-Cuba relations slowly improve under U.S. President Barack Obama. Mini Space Elevator Races for $900K Prize Nov 12 2009 - Voice of America News A team from Washington state has won $900,000 from NASA for building a miniature space elevator. The competition asked entrants to build a prototype of a machine that could one day shuttle people from the Earth's surface into outer space along a cable tethered to an orbiting satellite. New Type of Supernova Discovered Nov 12 2009 - National Geographic News An odd star explosion 160 million light-years away might be the first proof of a theoretical new class of supernova, astronomers suggest. Fighting Obesity May Take a Village Nov 12 2009 - The Wall Street Journal Exercise more. Avoid junk food. Such common-sense health advice has proved no match against the temptations of modern life, which have sent obesity rates around the world soaring. Scientists Want Debate on Animals with Human Genes Nov 10 2009 - Reuters A mouse that can speak? A monkey with Down's Syndrome? Dogs with human hands or feet? British scientists want to know if such experiments are acceptable, or if they go too far in the name of medical research. Koalas Could Face Extinction Nov 9 2009 - BBC News Australia's koalas could be wiped out within 30 years unless urgent action is taken to halt a decline in population, according to researchers. Tweak Gravity: What If There Is No Dark Matter? Nov 6 2009 - Scientific American Modifications to the theory of gravity could account for observational discrepancies, but not without introducing other complications. Sick of Swine Flu? Here Comes H3N2 Nov 6 2009 - ScienceInsider Although the world's attention is focused on the novel H1N1 virus causing the swine flu pandemic, H3N2, a seasonal strain of influenza, has popped up in many East Asian countries—and some variants in circulation may outfox the seasonal vaccine in use. Tiny Tech Sparks Cell Signal Find Nov 6 2009 - BBC News Tiny metal particles have been shown to cause changes to DNA across a cellular barrier—without having to cross it. Swine Flu Confirmed in Iowa Cat Nov 5 2009 - Time A 13-year-old Iowa cat has been infected with swine flu, veterinary and federal officials said Wednesday in what is believed to be the first case of the H1N1 virus in a feline in the United States. Midwest Quakes Are Aftershocks from 1800s Nov 5 2009 - MSNBC The small earthquakes that sporadically rattle the central United States may actually be aftershocks from a few extremely large quakes that occurred in the region almost 200 years ago, according to a new study. A Powerful Identity, a Vanishing Diagnosis Nov 5 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Experts want to remove an autism label from a diagnostic manual, but people with the disorder are divided. A Wish List of 10,000 Genomes Nov 5 2009 - ScienceInsider Heartened by a continuing rapid decline in the cost of genome sequencing, a group of genome and museum experts has launched an ambitious plan to decipher 10,000 vertebrate genomes. The Mountains That Froze the World Nov 4 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News The rise of the Appalachians plunged Earth into an ice age so severe that it drove nearly two-thirds of all living species extinct. That's the conclusion of a new study, which finds that the mountains' rocks absorbed enough greenhouse gas to freeze the planet. Messenger Spies Iron on Mercury Nov 4 2009 - BBC News Mercury is even more of an "iron planet" than scientists had previously supposed. Richer concentrations of iron and titanium have been seen on Mercury's surface by Nasa's Messenger probe. Claude Lévi-Strauss, French Anthropologist, Dies at 100 Nov 4 2009 - The Washington Post (requires free registration) Claude Lévi-Strauss, 100, one of the preeminent social anthropologists of the 20th century, died over the weekend in Paris. He was best-known for popularizing a social science theory known as "structuralism." Aspirin Only for Heart Patients Nov 3 2009 - BBC News The use of aspirin to ward off heart attacks and strokes in those who do not have obvious cardiovascular disease should be abandoned, researchers say. Home Flu Cures: Bad Medicine? Nov 3 2009 - The Wall Street Journal Heard the one about the raw onion? With concerns over the H1N1 flu rising and supplies of vaccine running scarce, it's no surprise that alternative remedies are circulating on the web. European Water Mission Lifts Off Nov 2 2009 - BBC News A European satellite is set to provide major new insights into how water is cycled around the Earth. Snows of Kilimanjaro Could Vanish in 20 Years: Study Nov 2 2009 - Yahoo! News The snows capping Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak, are shrinking rapidly and could vanish altogether in 20 years, most likely due to global warming, according to a new study. Want a Solution? Try Offering a Prize Nov 2 2009 - The Boston Globe Prize fever has breached the walls of government bureaucracy, and more federal agencies are using competitions as a strategy to spur innovation. The competitions leverage modest amounts of taxpayer money to attract inventors and investors to certain scientific and technological problems. World's Most Environmentally Sound Building Opens Nov 2 2009 - Voice of America News A French engineering firm has built what is being hailed as the world's most environmentally sound building, a structure that produces more energy than it consumes. 7.3 Billion Years Later, Einstein’s Theory Prevails Oct 30 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Astronomers said a contest between gamma rays of differing energies and wavelengths tested a proclamation by Einstein on the speed of light. 7 Ghoulish Archaeological Discoveries Oct 30 2009 - MSNBC From brains to preserved bodies, scientists have dug up some scary stuff. Frog Embryos 'Smell' Predators Oct 30 2009 - BBC News Frogs learn to recognize the smell of their enemies while they are still developing as embryos, say scientists. Russia Hopes Nuclear Ship Will Fly Humans to Mars Oct 29 2009 - Yahoo! News Russia should build a new nuclear-powered spaceship for prospective manned missions to Mars and other planets, the nation's space chief said Thursday. Scientists See Blast from Past—13 Billion Years Ago Oct 29 2009 - Reuters Astronomers have seen the furthest back in time ever, measuring light from a star that exploded 13 billion years ago, just after the dawn of the universe. Big Weight Gain For Kids on Psych Drugs Oct 28 2009 - Time Children on widely used psychiatric drugs can quickly gain an alarming amount of weight; many pack on nearly 20 pounds and become obese within just 11 weeks, a study found. Radiation from Medical Scans Soaring Oct 27 2009 - Healthday.com Americans' exposure to radiation from medical procedures has exploded over the past few decades, to six times the level of 1980, a new report shows. Mars May Have Caves, Scientists Say Oct 27 2009 - Los Angeles Times Images of ancient lava flows from the Arsia Mons volcano suggest an extensive system near the Red Planet's equator. Caves could one day aid space explorers. 'Coral Bank' Created to Preserve Threatened Reefs Oct 27 2009 - Discovery News An international meeting on climate change in Copenhagen has heard the prospects of saving the world's coral reefs now appear so bleak there are plans to freeze samples to preserve them for the future. Colossal 'Sea Monster' Unearthed Oct 27 2009 - BBC News The fossilized skull of a colossal "sea monster" has been unearthed along the UK's Jurassic Coast. The ferocious predator, which is called a pliosaur, terrorized the oceans 150 million years ago. Vitamin D Levels Lacking in Millions of U.S. Children Oct 26 2009 - Time Millions of American children may not be getting enough vitamin D, according to a new report out today. The sunshine vitamin is essential for helping kids build healthy bones and ward off rickets. 'Secret Life of Scientists': What Do They Do When Not in the Lab? Oct 26 2009 - USA Today A juggling climate scientist, a back-flipping engineer, "leech man," and a physics student who plays in the cult band Harry and the Potters star in a new web-only series that delves into the quirky secret lives of scientists and engineers. 'Sidewalk Astronomy' to Sweep the U.S. This Weekend Oct 23 2009 - Yahoo! News To celebrate "Galilean Nights," a project supported by the International Year of Astronomy 2009, public observing events will be held this upcoming weekend in over 50 countries. More than 75 events in the United States are planned. Gates Foundation Grants Support Unusual Research Oct 22 2009 - The Boston Globe The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced new grants of $100,000 each for 76 unconventional approaches to world problems. The five-year health research grants are designed to encourage scientists to pursue bold ideas that focus on ways to prevent and treat infectious diseases. NASA Rolls Out New Moon Rocket for Test Flight Oct 21 2009 - Reuters NASA on Tuesday carted a sleek, towering rocket out to the launch pad to test the vehicle planned to replace the retiring space shuttles and return U.S. astronauts to the Moon. "Bionic Eye" May Help Blind See Oct 21 2009 - ScienceDaily A new artificial retina, an array of electrodes implanted on the back of the eye, has been found to restore partial vision to totally blind people. Researchers Create an Electromagnetic "Black Hole" the Size of a Salad Plate Oct 21 2009 - Scientific American A collection of metamaterial rings efficiently absorbs microwave radiation the way black holes gobble up matter and light, and an optical-light analogue may not be far behind. Congress to Explore Geoengineering Next Month Oct 20 2009 - ScienceInsider The U.S. Congress will explore deliberate tinkering with the climate in its first-ever hearing on geoengineering early next month, ScienceInsider has learned. Congressional committees have shied away from focusing hearings on the controversial topic until now. Household Insecticides May Be Linked to Autoimmune Diseases Oct 19 2009 - Healthday.com New research suggests a link between women's exposure to household insecticides—including roach and mosquito killers—and the autoimmune disorders rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Scientists Find Trawl of 32 New Planets Oct 19 2009 - Reuters European astronomers announced they had found 32 new planets orbiting stars outside our solar system and believe their find means that 40% or more of Sun-like stars have such planets. Libertarian Gives Smithsonian Millions for Evolution Oct 15 2009 - ScienceInsider The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has announced a $30 million privately funded initiative on human evolution that will sponsor a permanent museum exhibit, educational programs, and research. The bulk of the money—$20.7 million—is going to the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins, scheduled to open in March 2010. Bill Gates Calls for New Green Revolution in Agriculture Oct 15 2009 - The Seattle Times More than 50 years ago, U.S. philanthropy funded the first "Green Revolution" to grow more food for the world. Now Bill Gates, the world's richest philanthropist, is backing a new green revolution, and telling the world it should be "greener than the first." 'Magnetricity' Observed and Measured for First Time Oct 15 2009 - ScienceDaily A magnetic charge can behave and interact just like an electric charge in some materials, according to new research led by the London Centre for Nanotechnology. Green Spaces Boost the Body and the Mind Oct 15 2009 - Healthday.com The closer you live to nature, the healthier you're likely to be. For instance, people who live within 1 kilometer of a park or wooded area experience less anxiety and depression, Dutch researchers report. Bizarre Galaxy Is Result of Pair of Spiral Galaxies Smashing Together Oct 14 2009 - ScienceDaily A recent NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image captures what appears to be one very bright and bizarre galaxy, but is actually the result of a pair of spiral galaxies that resemble our own Milky Way smashing together at breakneck speeds. Aging Heart Can Be Prevented, Say Scientists Oct 14 2009 - Reuters Scientists in Japan said they have uncovered evidence that shows it may be possible to delay or prevent heart failure in humans. Obama Honors Science Medalists, Present and Future Oct 8 2009 - ScienceInsider In a formal ceremony in the East Room of the White House, the president honored this year's winners of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology. A few hours later he stepped outside into the clean, crisp evening and, dressed more casually, invited some 200 middle school students to join him to look through a sea of telescopes assembled on the White House lawn. NASA Blasting Moon in Search of Water Oct 8 2009 - Discovery Channel NASA plans a surgical strike on the Moon on Friday, hoping to hit water. The operation, scheduled for 7:31 a.m. EDT, will unfold live on the Internet, as well as under the watchful eyes of dozens of amateur and professional astronomers and orbiting observatories. New Ring Detected Around Saturn Oct 7 2009 - BBC News A colossal dust ring is seen encircling Saturn, way beyond the ones astronomers have long known about. 3 Scientists Share Nobel Chemistry Prize for DNA Work Oct 7 2009 - Voice of America News Two Americans and one Israeli share this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work showing how the DNA code is translated into life itself. Communication Pioneers Win 2009 Physics Nobel Oct 6 2009 - Reuters A pioneer in fiber optics and two scientists who figured out how to turn light into electronic signals—work that paved the way for the internet age—were awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for physics on Tuesday. DNA Sequencing in a Holey New Way Oct 6 2009 - BBC News IBM researchers announce an effort to trap DNA molecules in tiny holes in an effort to decode their genetic instructions. Nobel Prize for Chromosome Find Oct 5 2009 - BBC News This year's Nobel prize for medicine goes to three US-based researchers who discovered how the body protects the chromosomes housing vital genetic code. U.S. Physical Science Headed for Modest Boost Oct 5 2009 - ScienceInsider The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a $33.5 billion spending bill for energy and water spending in fiscal year 2010, and Senate action could come soon. In the joint House-Senate spending bill, Department of Energy's Office of Science, which supports most U.S. physical science, was awarded a 2.7% boost. Time Telescope Could Boost Web Sep 30 2009 - BBC News Researchers have demonstrated a "time telescope" that could squeeze much more information into the data packets sent around the internet. Rather than focusing information-carrying light pulses in space, it focuses them in time. Renowned Conservationist Promotes Hope for a Better Planet Sep 30 2009 - Voice of America News Nearly 50 years after she began her work, Jane Goodall remains an energetic champion for the welfare of the world's wild animals. Appointed in 2002 by the United Nations as one of its messengers of peace, she travels the globe nearly 300 days a year, spreading her message of hope and positive change. Social Status as a Teen Predicts Health as an Adult Sep 29 2009 - Healthday.com New Swedish research suggests that social standing as a teenager has long-term health consequences. Giant Fish Verges on Extinction Sep 29 2009 - BBC News One of the world's largest freshwater fish is on the verge of going extinct. A three-year quest to find the giant Chinese paddlefish in the Yangtze river failed to sight or catch a single individual. China Finds Bird-Like Dinosaur with Four Wings Sep 28 2009 - Reuters Chinese researchers have unearthed the fossil of a bird-like dinosaur with four wings in northeastern China, which they suggest is a missing link in dinosaurs' evolution into birds. Global Increase in Atmospheric Methane Likely Caused by Unusual Arctic Warmth, Tropical Wetness Sep 28 2009 - ScienceDaily Unusually high temperatures in the Arctic and heavy rains in the tropics likely drove a global increase in atmospheric methane in 2007 and 2008 after a decade of near-zero growth, according to a new study. Australia Uranium Dust Concerns Sep 28 2009 - BBC News Environmentalists have raised concerns that another giant dust storm blowing its way across eastern Australia may contain radioactive particles. Superheavy Element 114 Confirmed: A Stepping Stone to the 'Island Of Stability' Sep 25 2009 - ScienceDaily Scientists have been able to confirm the production of the superheavy element 114, 10 years after a group in Russia first claimed to have made it. The search for 114 has long been a key part of the quest for nuclear science's hoped-for Island of Stability. Palau Pioneers Shark Sanctuary Sep 25 2009 - BBC News Palau is to create the world's first "shark sanctuary", banning all commercial shark fishing in its waters. With half of the world's oceanic sharks at risk of extinction, conservationists regard the move as "game-changing." Breakthrough Claimed in HIV Vaccine Trial Sep 24 2009 - BBC News An experimental HIV vaccine has for the first time cut infection rates, in a major trial in Thailand, researchers say. Missions Find Evidence of Water on the Moon Sep 24 2009 - Reuters Three separate missions examining the moon have found clear evidence of water there, apparently concentrated at the poles and possibly formed by the solar wind. Mutations Make Evolution Irreversible Sep 24 2009 - ScienceDaily University of Oregon research team has found that evolution can never go backward, because the paths to the genes once present in our ancestors are forever blocked. 3 Answers and 3 Questions on China and Climate Sep 23 2009 - ScienceInsider The biggest news coming out of the one-day UN General Assembly summit on climate change was President Hu Jintao's announcement that China will by 2020 seek to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by a "notable margin" relative to the 2005 level. New Drug Treatment Offers Hope in Skin Cancer Sep 23 2009 - MSNBC Scientists offered new hope in the fight against a difficult-to-treat skin cancer on Wednesday as an early-stage clinical trial showed an experimental drug dramatically shrank tumors. Intelligent Design's 8 Biggest Fails Sep 23 2009 - Discover The latest incarnation of creationism keeps trying—and failing—to take down Darwin. Building Research Competitiveness Sep 23 2009 - National Science Foundation Through $20 million, five-year awards, NSF investment in multi-institutional and interdisciplinary projects provides physical, human, and cyber infrastructure aimed at improving research competitiveness in six states. 'Fingerprints' Identify Cheetahs Sep 23 2009 - BBC News Conservationists have developed a new technique to identify cheetahs in the wild from just their paw prints. Should the U.S. Build Its Next Coal Plants Underground? Sep 22 2009 - ScienceInsider Might burning coal thousands of feet below the surface be the secret to making coal climate friendly? Surprising, Huge Peaks Discovered in Saturn's Rings Sep 22 2009 - Yahoo! News Stunning new views of Saturn from a NASA spacecraft have revealed odd formations in the planet's trademark rings, including ripples as tall as the Rocky Mountains. U.S. Scientists Net Giant Squid in Gulf of Mexico Sep 22 2009 - Reuters U.S. scientists in the Gulf of Mexico unexpectedly netted a 5.9-meter giant squid off the coast of Louisiana, the Interior Department said on Monday, showing how little is known about life in the deep waters of the Gulf. Millions at Risk as Deltas Sink Sep 21 2009 - BBC News Most of the world's major river deltas are sinking, increasing the flood risk faced by hundreds of millions of people, scientists report. Mixed Results of Swine Flu Vaccine in Kids Sep 21 2009 - ScienceInsider Early results from clinical trials suggest that healthy children under the age of 9 will likely need two doses of the swine flu vaccine, but those between 10 and 17 can get by with a single shot, U.S. health officials announced today. Paralyzed Rats Walk Again Sep 21 2009 - Healthday.com A three-pronged approach to treating spinal cord injuries allowed paralyzed rats to walk without receiving signals from the brain, scientists report. Panel Calls for $20 Billion "New Biology" Initiative Sep 18 2009 - ScienceInsider A group of senior scientists is calling for an ambitious new U.S. biology research initiative that would tackle broad challenges involving food, energy, the environment, and health. The advice comes from a panel convened over a year ago by the U.S. National Academies' National Research Council. President Honors Nation's Top Scientists and Innovators Sep 18 2009 - National Science Foundation President Obama named nine researchers as recipients of the National Medal of Science, and four inventors and one company as recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the highest honors bestowed by the United States government on scientists, engineers, and inventors. The recipients will receive their awards on October 7, at a White House ceremony. Fossil Find Challenges Theories on T. Rex Sep 18 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) The discovery of what amounts to a miniature prototype of Tyrannosaurus rex in China calls into question theories about the dinosaur's evolution. Solar Cycle Driven By More Than Sunspots Sep 18 2009 - ScienceDaily Challenging conventional wisdom, new research finds that the number of sunspots provides an incomplete measure of changes in the Sun's impact on Earth over the course of the 11-year solar cycle. Planck Telescope's First Glimpse Sep 17 2009 - BBC News The European telescope sent far from Earth to study the oldest light in the Universe has returned its first images. Mobile App Sees Science Go Global Sep 16 2009 - BBC News A mobile phone application will help professional and "citizen" scientists collect and analyze data from "in the field," anywhere in the world. Scientists Say "Super-Earth" Has Rocky Surface Sep 16 2009 - Reuters Detailed data about the smallest planet ever found outside our solar system suggest it is a rocky "super-Earth" world very like our own, European astronomers said on Wednesday. UW Student Discovers Precious Gemstone Sep 16 2009 - The Seattle Times A University of Washington student on an archaeological dig in Israel has unearthed the find of a lifetime—a gemstone engraved more than 2,000 years ago with a portrait of Alexander the Great. 2009 Lasker Awards Announced Sep 15 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News Five researchers will take home the 2009 Lasker Awards for basic and clinical medical research. Considered the most prestigious medical research awards in the United States, 76 past recipients have gone on to win a Nobel Prize. Unraveling the Chemistry of Titan's Hazy Atmosphere Sep 15 2009 - National Science Foundation An international team of scientists has announced the confirmation of a key chemical reaction that forms the molecule triacetylene in the ultra-cold atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan. Norman Borlaug, Plant Scientist Who Fought Famine, Dies at 95 Sep 14 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Norman E. Borlaug, the plant scientist who did more than anyone else in the 20th century to teach the world to feed itself and whose work was credited with saving hundreds of millions of lives, died Saturday night. He was 95 and lived in Dallas. How Photon Echoes Can Be Used to Create a Quantum Memory Device Sep 14 2009 - ScienceDaily A new way of storing and 'echoing' pulses of light has been discovered by a team from The Australian National University, allowing bursts of laser to work as a flexible optical memory and potentially assist in extending the range of quantum information systems. Nanotech Safety: Smaller Particles May Be Riskier Sep 14 2009 - Reuters In determining the safety of improbably small materials known as nanoparticles, special properties associated with some of the very smallest particles may be the key, say scientists. Ghostwriting Is Called Rife in Medical Journals Sep 11 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Six of the top medical journals published a significant number of articles in 2008 that were written by ghostwriters financed by drug companies, according to a study released Thursday by editors of The Journal of the American Medical Association. U.S. Scientists Levitate Mice to Study Low Gravity Sep 11 2009 - Reuters Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have succeeded in levitating mice, a feat that they say could lead to advances in treating bone loss for astronauts living for extended periods in low gravity environments. 50 Million Chemicals Now Identified Sep 9 2009 - U.S. News & World Report On Tuesday, the Chemical Abstracts Service—an American Chemical Society subsidiary—identified the 50 millionth compound known. Arylmethylidene heterocycle, the molecule that qualified for the momentous spot during the long holiday weekend, is a future candidate for reducing neuropathic pain. Scientists Unlock Secrets of Irish Potato Famine Gene Sep 9 2009 - Reuters Scientists have unlocked the genetic code of late blight—the plant pathogen that sparked the Irish potato famine of the 1840s and 1850s—and it is revealing clues about why it has been such a formidable foe. New Malaria Poses Human Threat Sep 9 2009 - BBC News An emerging new form of malaria poses a deadly threat to humans. It was thought the parasite Plasmodium knowlesi infected only monkeys. But it has recently been found to be widespread in humans in Malaysia, and the latest study confirms that it can kill if not treated quickly. Laser Cooling May Create "Exotic" States of Matter Sep 9 2009 - National Geographic News Laser beams are best known as weapons in science fiction and as heating and cutting tools in science fact. But a new study has flip-flopped conventional physics to show lasers in a whole new light. Moths as Good as Mice for Many Drug Tests: Study Sep 8 2009 - Reuters Moths, caterpillars, and fruit flies could soon take the place of millions of mice used every year by scientists testing drugs, researchers said Tuesday. Is There a Climate-Change Tipping Point? Sep 4 2009 - Time When a complex system, like the global climate, is about to experience a sudden, irrevocable change, there are early warning signs, according to a new paper in the journal Nature. AIDS Vaccine Possible with New Antibodies Sep 4 2009 - Discovery Channel News U.S. researchers have discovered two powerful new antibodies which could hold the key to achieving a viable AIDS vaccine, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science. Magnetic Monopoles Detected in a Real Magnet for the First Time Sep 4 2009 - ScienceDaily Researchers have for the first time observed magnetic monopoles and how they emerge in a real material. We're All Mutants, Say Scientists Sep 2 2009 - BBC News Each of us has at least 100 new mutations in our DNA, according to research published in the journal Current Biology. Specious Report of Bird and Swine Flu Co-Infection Sep 2 2009 - ScienceInsider An Egyptian news story that is starting to receive worldwide attention about a nightmare swine flu/bird flu co-infection is inaccurate, according to officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No Strain for Andromeda: Galaxy Is Cosmic Cannibal Sep 2 2009 - Yahoo! News Our nearest major galactic neighbor is a cosmic cannibal. And it's heading this way eventually. Royal Society Prods, Cautions on Fixing Climate Sep 1 2009 - ScienceInsider Today, Britain's Royal Society released a report, "Geoengineering the Climate," which urges the increased study of technologies that could counter global warming while cautioning that the side effects could be substantial and possibly prohibitive. No Such Thing as Ethnic Groups, Genetically Speaking, Researchers Say Sep 1 2009 - ScienceDaily New research suggests that ethnicity is a constructed social system maintaining genetic boundaries with other groups, rather than being the outcome of common genetic ancestry. First Trace of Color Found in Fossil Bird Feathers Sep 1 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) A team of scientists has discovered color-producing molecules that have survived for 47 million years in the fossil of a feather. By analyzing those molecules, the researchers have shown that they would have given a bird the kind of dark, iridescent sheen found on starlings and other living birds. A Breathalyzer for Cancer Sep 1 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News A team of researchers may have come up with a golden idea for diagnosing lung cancer. By coating tiny nuggets of gold with a thin layer of organic material, the researchers have developed an "electronic nose" that, with some additional work, could spot lung cancer instantly by analyzing someone's breath. Contact Lost, India Terminates First Moon Mission Aug 31 2009 - Reuters India terminated its first mission to the Moon Sunday, a spokesman for the national space agency said, a day after scientists lost all contact with an unmanned spacecraft orbiting the Moon. Sixty Percent of Adults Can't Digest Milk Aug 31 2009 - USA Today Being able to digest milk as an adult is an odd genetic adaptation. Somewhat less than 40% of people in the world retain the ability to digest lactose after childhood. The numbers are often given as close to 0% of Native Americans, 5% of Asians, 25% of African and Caribbean peoples, 50% of Mediterranean peoples, and 90% of northern Europeans. Some Buildings Not Living Up to Green Label Aug 31 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Builders covet a green certification, but many buildings do not save as much energy as their designs predicted. Single Molecule's Stunning Image Aug 28 2009 - BBC News The detailed chemical structure of a single molecule has been imaged for the first time, say researchers. The physical shape of single carbon nanotubes has been outlined before, using similar techniques—but the new method even shows up chemical bonds. Huge New Planet Orbits 'Wrong' Way Around Star Aug 28 2009 - ScienceDaily A team of scientists has found a new planet which orbits the wrong way around its host star. The planet, named WASP-17, and orbiting a star 1000 light years away, was found by the UK's WASP project in collaboration with Geneva Observatory. China, U.S. May Cooperate on World's Biggest Telescope Aug 28 2009 - Reuters Astronomers from China and the United States may cooperate on building the world's largest telescope aimed at providing deeper insight into the very early stages of the universe, Xinhua news agency reported on Friday. Powerful Ideas: Mutant Bacteria + Polyester = More Biofuel Aug 27 2009 - LiveScience.com Brewing a certain type of biofuel with a mutant bacteria and polyester could double the fuel's production, researchers have found. Butanol is a type of alcohol that is mainly used as a solvent, or in industrial processes that make other chemicals. But researchers think it has potential as a biofuel that could one day replace gasoline. Butanol would produce more energy than another type of alcohol alternative fuel, ethanol. Human Mutation Rate Revealed Aug 27 2009 - Nature Every time human DNA is passed from one generation to the next it accumulates 100–200 new mutations, according to a DNA-sequencing analysis of the Y chromosome. This number—the first direct measurement of the human mutation rate—is equivalent to one mutation in every 30 million base pairs, and matches previous estimates from species comparisons and rare disease screens. DNA Evidence Can Be Fabricated, Scientists Show Aug 18 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Scientists in Israel have demonstrated that it is possible to fabricate DNA evidence, undermining the credibility of what has been considered the gold standard of proof in criminal cases. First Discovery of Life's Building Block in Comet Aug 18 2009 - ScienceDaily NASA scientists have discovered glycine, a fundamental building block of life, in samples of comet Wild 2 returned by NASA's Stardust spacecraft. Study: Ibuprofen is Best for Kids with Broken Arms Aug 18 2009 - Yahoo! News Kids with a broken arm do better on a simple over-the-counter painkiller than on a more powerful prescription combination that includes a narcotic, a surprising study finds. NIH's New Chief Pledges to Lead Research Agency 'as a Scientist' Aug 18 2009 - USA Today Newly sworn-in National Institutes of Health chief Francis Collins, who founded an institute in May aimed at nurturing the coexistence of science and religion, announced Monday he had resigned from his foundation to focus on his research chief duties. IBM Uses DNA to Make Next-Gen Microchips Aug 17 2009 - Reuters International Business Machines Corp is looking to the building blocks of our bodies—DNA—to be the structure of next-generation microchips. Pandas Could be Extinct in 2-3 Generations: Report Aug 17 2009 - Yahoo! News China's giant panda could be extinct in just two to three generations as rapid economic development is infringing on its way of life, state media said on Monday, citing an expert at conservation group WWF. Two Scientists Win Medal of Freedom Aug 13 2009 - ScienceInsider President Barack Obama awarded the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom to 16 people on Wednesday, including two scientists—Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University and geneticist Janet Davison Rowley of the University of Chicago. Scientists: Australian Aboriginal Knowledge Could Curb Carbon Emissions Aug 13 2009 - Voice of America News As Australia's federal parliament prepares to vote this week on a sweeping carbon trading program, scientists say that aboriginal fire management practices could help reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Cancer Deaths Declining, Especially Among Young Aug 13 2009 - HealthDay Cancer death rates are declining, especially among younger people, new research shows. And while cancer is poised to become the number one killer in the United States, topping heart disease, that is because deaths from heart disease have decreased faster than for cancer. Are Germ-Killing Soaps Affecting Dolphin Development? Aug 12 2009 - Scientific American The antibacterial chemical Triclosan is accumulating in dolphins at concentrations known to disrupt the growth and development of other animals. It's the first time the chemical has been reported in a wild marine mammal—a worrisome finding because it shows it is building up in the ocean's food web. Multiple Sclerosis Successfully Reversed In Mice Aug 12 2009 - ScienceDaily A new experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) completely reverses the devastating autoimmune disorder in mice, and might work exactly the same way in humans, say researchers. Do Flu Drugs Help Children? Aug 11 2009 - ABC News Children should not routinely be treated with flu drugs like Tamiflu since there is no clear evidence they prevent complications and the medicines may do more harm than good, British researchers said on Monday. A Human Genome in Record Time Aug 11 2009 - ScienceInsider A new type of technology has sequenced a human genome in a month and for less than $50,000 worth of reagents, according to a report in Nature Biotechnology. But this step toward fast, cheap genomes doesn't spell the end for large sequencing centers. Extinction: Is It in the Genes? Aug 10 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News Sometimes it's just a case of being a member of the wrong family. Researchers analyzing evidence from 200 million years of fossil records have concluded that some lines of living organisms don't need a cataclysmic event to wipe them out. They just seem destined to go extinct. Vast Expanses of Arctic Ice Melt in Summer Heat Aug 10 2009 - Yahoo! News The Arctic Ocean has given up tens of thousands more square miles (square kilometers) of ice on Sunday in a relentless summer of melt, with scientists watching through satellite eyes for a possible record low polar ice cap. Orbital Gas Station Puts Moon, Mars in Reach Aug 10 2009 - Discovery Channel While debate swirls over whether the United States should stick with plans for a base on the moon or head straight to Mars, members of a presidential panel assessing options for NASA's future have another idea: orbital gas stations. Sahara Desert Greening Due to Climate Change? Aug 6 2009 - National Geographic News Rising temperatures could benefit millions of Africans in the driest parts of the continent. Scientists are now seeing signals that the Sahara desert and surrounding regions are greening due to increasing rainfall. If sustained, these rains could revitalize drought-ravaged regions, reclaiming them for farming communities. Watching TV: Even Worse for Kids Than You Think Aug 6 2009 - Time Researchers in the U.S. and Spain collaborated on the study of 111 children ages 3 to 8 and found that of all the forms of inactivity they examined, television-viewing was the worst. It was linked to significantly higher blood pressure in children. Eye Drops May Reverse Glaucoma Aug 6 2009 - BBC News A new type of medicated eye drop may be able to reverse symptoms of glaucoma, an Italian study has suggested. The study of rats and human patients found drops containing a nerve growth factor may stop these cells dying, and actually improve vision. Martian Methane Mystery Deepens Aug 5 2009 - BBC News Methane on Mars is produced and destroyed far faster than on Earth, according to analysis of recent data. The presence of methane on Mars is intriguing because its origin could either be life or geological activity, including volcanism. Mildly High Cholesterol at Midlife Linked to Alzheimer’s Aug 5 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Adults who had just slightly elevated blood cholesterol when they were in their early 40s were at greater risk of developing dementia decades later, compared with those whose cholesterol was at optimal levels, a new study has found. Malaria May Have Come from Chimps Aug 4 2009 - Reuters Malaria may have jumped to humans from chimpanzees much as AIDS did, U.S. researchers reported on Monday in a study they hope could help in developing a vaccine against the infection. Dog Domestication Likely Began in Africa Aug 4 2009 - Discovery Channel News Modern humans originated in Africa, and now it looks like man's best friend first emerged there too. An extensive genetic study on the ancestry of African village dogs points to a Eurasian—possibly North African—origin for the domestication of dogs. Brand New, Again Aug 4 2009 - Inside Higher Ed Rare books dating back to the 17th century will take on a familiar yet somewhat refreshed form when Cambridge University Press officially begins scanning and reprinting original copies from the university library, including works by Darwin, Shakespeare, and Charles Babbage. Scientists Halt Epilepsy in Mice Aug 4 2009 - BBC News Scientists have prevented epilepsy caused by a faulty gene from being passed down the generations in mice. The key gene, Atp1a3, regulates levels of chemicals such as sodium and potassium in brain cells. Computers Unlock More Secrets of the Mysterious Indus Valley Script Aug 4 2009 - ScienceDaily A statistical analysis reveals distinct patterns in ancient Indus symbols and creates a hypothetical model for the unknown language. Swinging Arms Save Energy Aug 4 2009 - Scientific American A new study shows that one reason we swing our arms while walking is probably because it makes ambulation a significantly more efficient operation, saving about 12% of the energy required to walk with the arms immobile. Expedition Sets Sail to the Great Plastic Vortex Aug 3 2009 - Time What's twice the size of Texas, floating in the Pacific in one spot between Hawaii and the mainland U.S., and is made up of nothing but plastic garbage? The great plastic vortex of the Pacific. Scientists Find New Strain of HIV Aug 3 2009 - BBC News Gorillas have been found, for the first time, to be a source of HIV. Previous research had shown the HIV-1 strain, the main source of human infections, with 33m cases worldwide, originated from a virus in chimpanzees. Guiding Light Around Corners With New Metamaterial Device Aug 3 2009 - ScienceDaily Using a composite metamaterial to deliver a complex set of instructions to a beam of light, physicists have created a device to guide electromagnetic waves around objects such as the corner of a building or the profile of the eastern seaboard. Studies: Millions of U.S. Kids Lacking Vitamin D Aug 3 2009 - MSNBC Millions of U.S. children have disturbingly low Vitamin D levels, possibly increasing their risk for bone problems, heart disease, diabetes and other ailments, according to two new studies that provide the first national assessment of the crucial nutrient in young Americans. Winds of Change on Saturn Jul 31 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News Does the wind on Saturn blow to the east or to the west? After centuries of observation, scientists can finally answer: Yes. Saturn's powerful jets move in both directions, researchers have discovered, a finding that hints at the mass of the planet's mysterious core. Breakdown In Planck's Law: Bringing Objects Close Together Can Boost Radiation Heat Transfer Jul 31 2009 - ScienceDaily A well-established physical law describes the transfer of heat between two objects, but some physicists have long predicted that the law should break down when the objects are very close together. For the first time, however, MIT researchers have achieved this feat, and determined that the heat transfer can be 1,000 times greater than the law predicts. Images Reveal "Lost" Roman City Jul 31 2009 - BBC News Aerial photographs have revealed the streetplan of a lost Roman city called Altinum, which some scholars regard as a forerunner of Venice. Details of the research have been published in the journal Science. Americans Spend $34 Billion a Year on Alternative Medicine Jul 31 2009 - USA Today While Americans may complain about the high cost of health care, they're still willing to shell out roughly $34 billion a year out-of-pocket on alternative therapies that aren't covered by insurance, a new study shows. Mosquitoes Deliver Malaria "Vaccine" Through Bites Jul 30 2009 - Yahoo! News In a daring experiment in Europe, scientists used mosquitoes as flying needles to deliver a "vaccine" of live malaria parasites through their bites. The results were astounding; everyone in the vaccine group acquired immunity to malaria. Creating Fat That Burns Calories Jul 30 2009 - U.S. News & World Report Researchers have whipped up a batch of calorie-burning brown fat cells, a feat that may ultimately lead to new ways to treat obesity and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, a paper published online July 29 in Nature reports. Not Retiring Comes With a Bonus: Better Health Jul 30 2009 - MSNBC Rather than retiring and relaxing into a life of leisure, increasing numbers of older Americans are remaining on the job or returning to the workforce. Scientists say that older adults who work are healthier as a whole, particularly if they like their jobs. FDA Says Mercury Dental Fillings Not Harmful Jul 29 2009 - Reuters The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday silver-colored dental fillings that contain mercury are safe for patients, reversing an earlier caution against their use in certain patients, including pregnant women and children. Longer Life for the Space Station Is Advised Jul 29 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Members of the government panel reviewing NASA's human spaceflight program said Tuesday that the life of the International Space Station should be extended past its planned demise in 2016. World's Biggest Cave Found in Vietnam Jul 29 2009 - National Geographic News A massive cave recently uncovered in a remote Vietnamese jungle is the largest single cave passage yet found, a new survey shows. At 80-by-80 meters in most places, the Son Doong cave beats out the previous world-record holder, Deer Cave in the Malaysian section of the island of Borneo. Organic Has No Health Benefits Jul 29 2009 - BBC News Organic food is no healthier than ordinary food, a large independent review has concluded. There is little difference in nutritional value and no evidence of any extra health benefits from eating organic produce, UK researchers found. Third Time at Bat, But No Cheer for Mammoth-Killing Hypothesis Jul 28 2009 - ScienceInsider Proponents of the idea that an impact wiped out the mammoths and roiled early North American human culture have struck out, at least by baseball's rules. Their third paper in a leading journal offering evidence of a devastating impact 12,900 years ago is, like its predecessors, failing to convince experts. Dairy for Children Extends Life Jul 28 2009 - BBC News Children who eat plenty of dairy foods such as milk and cheese can expect to live longer, a study suggests. Researchers found those who had had high dairy and calcium intakes as children had been protected against stroke and other causes of death. Freshwater Crabs Feel the Pinch Jul 28 2009 - BBC News Two thirds of all species of freshwater crab maybe at risk of going extinct, with one in six species particularly vulnerable, according to a new survey. Common, Safe Blue Food Dye May Treat Broken Spines Jul 28 2009 - Reuters A common and safe blue food dye might provide the best treatment available so far for spinal cord injuries, U.S. researchers reported on Monday. Scientists Worry Machines May Outsmart Man Jul 27 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Impressed and alarmed by advances in artificial intelligence, a group of computer scientists is debating whether there should be limits on research that might lead to loss of human control over computer-based systems that carry a growing share of society's workload, from waging war to chatting with customers on the phone. Hydrocarbons in the Deep Earth? Jul 27 2009 - ScienceDaily For the first time, scientists have found that ethane and heavier hydrocarbons can be synthesized under the pressure-temperature conditions of the upper mantle—the layer of Earth under the crust and on top of the core. Report: 85 Percent of World's Oyster Reefs Have Been Lost Jul 27 2009 - Voice of America News A recent study by environmental organizations found that nearly 85% of the oyster reefs worldwide have been lost. But beyond providing food around the world, oyster reefs play a key role in the oceans. Europe Eyes Africa for Solar Power Jul 24 2009 - Scientific American European government and industry have been eyeing tracts of sun-drenched, vacant land in North Africa and the Middle East for some time. And now, officials and business executives are beginning to sweat out the details that could see renewable power sprouting in the desert. Whole Mice Created from Skin Cells Jul 24 2009 - MSNBC Two teams of Chinese scientists have made a major advance in mice in the development of a new kind of stem cell that doesn't involve destroying embryos. WHO: Swine Flu Could Infect 2 Billion Jul 24 2009 - CBS News The World Health Organization's flu chief says the global H1N1 pandemic is still in its early stages and 2 billion infections over the course of the pandemic is "a reasonable ballpark to be looking at." Auroras in Northern and Southern Hemispheres Are Not Identical Jul 24 2009 - ScienceDaily Norwegian researchers have shown that the auroras in the Northern and the Southern hemispheres can be totally asymmetric. These findings contradict the commonly made assumption of aurora being mirror images of each other. Archaeologists Find Graveyard of Sunken Roman Ships Jul 24 2009 - Reuters A team of archaeologists using sonar technology to scan the seabed have discovered a "graveyard" of five pristine ancient Roman shipwrecks off the small Italian island of Ventotene. Radioactive Drug for Tests Is in Short Supply Jul 24 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) A global shortage of a radioactive drug crucial to tests for cardiac disease, cancer, and kidney function in children is emerging because two aging nuclear reactors that provide most of the world's supply are shut for repairs. Study Finds Chimps Die From Simian AIDS, Dispelling Widely Held Belief Jul 23 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) For the first time, scientists have shown that chimpanzees in the wild become sick and die from the simian version of AIDS. The finding upsets a widely held scientific belief that chimpanzees can get the virus that causes simian AIDS but without harm. China Delays Launch of First Space Telescope to 2012 Jul 23 2009 - Reuters China has delayed the launch of its first space telescope, designed to detect black holes, by two years to 2012 for cost reasons, the Xinhua news agency said on Thursday. Study Nails Secret of Child Sleep Jul 23 2009 - BBC News Researchers have confirmed what parents have long believed—running around in the day means your child may well fall asleep faster at night. Female Cats Are Right-Pawed, Males Are Lefties Jul 23 2009 - Discovery Channel News Female domestic cats tend to preferentially use their right front paw while male cats more often rely upon their left front paw, according to a new study that suggests the sex of a cat determines how its brain will be wired. Solar Eclipse on July 22 May Be Most Viewed Ever Jul 22 2009 - National Geographic News A total solar eclipse passing over some of Earth's most densely populated regions on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, may become the most viewed eclipse ever. Pacific Tsunami Threat Greater Than Expected Jul 22 2009 - National Science Foundation The potential for a huge Pacific Ocean tsunami on the West Coast of America may be greater than previously thought, according to a new study of geological evidence along the Gulf of Alaska coast. Hawaii Lands the Thirty Meter Telescope Jul 22 2009 - ScienceInsider The summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii, home to many telescopes big and small, will be the site for what would be the biggest of them all: the Thirty Meter Telescope, astronomers announced yesterday. Comet May Have Hit Jupiter Jul 21 2009 - MSNBC Astronomers say Jupiter has apparently been struck by an object, possibly a comet. Images taken early Monday by NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility show a dark scar in Jupiter's atmosphere near the south pole of the gas giant. Asia Set for Total Solar Eclipse Jul 21 2009 - BBC News Millions of people in Asia will see the longest total solar eclipse this century on Wednesday as swaths of India and China are plunged into darkness. Spain, Portugal Open Nanotechnology Research Center Jul 21 2009 - Reuters Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero hailed the opening of a joint scientific research center with Portugal as the dawning of a new age of discovery for the two countries. The Iberian nanotechnology research center is expected to attract the world's top minds in the field of submolecular research. Moon Landing Tapes Got Erased, NASA Admits Jul 17 2009 - Reuters The original recordings of the first humans landing on the Moon 40 years ago were erased and re-used, but newly restored copies of the original broadcast look even better, NASA officials said on Thursday. New Element Named "Copernicium" Jul 17 2009 - BBC News Discovered 13 years ago, and officially added to the periodic table just weeks ago, element 112 finally has a name. It will be called "copernicium", with the symbol Cp, in honor of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Nobelists Plead for More Money for Clean Energy Research Jul 17 2009 - ScienceInsider Thirty-four U.S. Nobel Laureates called on President Barack Obama to push for a steady funding mechanism in upcoming climate legislation to support clean energy research. Many billions of dollars are already flowing from stimulus funding, but in 1.5 years that will all be spent. The Brain Adapts in a Blink to Compensate for Missing Information Jul 16 2009 - Scientific American When part of a person's vision is disrupted, they start seeing the world differently within seconds. Researchers believe this may be proof that the brain reroutes crucial information rather than builds new pathways. Cave Record of Britain's Pioneers Jul 16 2009 - BBC News The Cheddar Gorge in Somerset was one of the first sites inhabited by humans when they returned to Britain toward the end of the last Ice Age. New radiocarbon dates on bones from Gough's Cave show people were living there some 14,700 years ago. Satellites Can Spot Tsunamis: Study Jul 16 2009 - Reuters Satellites can spot the leading edge of a tsunami, U.S. government researchers said on Wednesday in a study that might lead to better ways of detecting the giant waves and get people out of their way. Genomes Of Parasitic Flatworms Decoded Jul 16 2009 - ScienceDaily Two international research teams have determined the complete genetic sequences of two species of parasitic flatworms that cause schistosomiasis, a debilitating condition also known as snail fever. President Honors Outstanding Early-Career Scientists Jul 15 2009 - National Science Foundation President Obama named 100 beginning researchers as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on young professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. Six End Simulated Mars Mission Isolation Jul 15 2009 - Reuters Four Russians, a Frenchman, and a German ended a simulated 105-day space trip in Moscow on Tuesday designed to test their responses in the kind of isolated surroundings they would experience in a manned mission to Mars. Ancient Climate-Change Event Puzzles Scientists Jul 15 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News Scientists say they can't entirely blame the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide for a curious spike in Earth's temperature 55 million years ago. New research reveals that something else also seems to have warmed the planet during that time, though no one's quite sure what it was. Longest Insect Migration Revealed Jul 15 2009 - BBC News Every year, millions of dragonflies fly thousands of kilometers across the sea from southern India to Africa. So says a biologist in the Maldives, who claims to have discovered the longest migration of any insect. Giant Clawed Dinosaur Unearthed in Utah Desert Jul 15 2009 - Discovery Channel A multi-institutional team of scientists this week reports the discovery of a giant new dinosaur in Utah, Nothronychus graffami, which stood 13 feet tall and had nine-inch-long hand claws that looked like scythes. Rural Alabama Doctor Picked for Surgeon General Jul 14 2009 - MSNBC President Barack Obama nominated for surgeon general a rural family physician. Obama says Dr. Regina Benjamin is uniquely qualified to be America's doctor as his administration tries to revamp the health care system. "Repulsive" Side to Light Force Could Control Nanodevices Jul 14 2009 - ScienceDaily A team of Yale University researchers has discovered a "repulsive" light force that can be used to control components on silicon microchips, meaning future nanodevices could be controlled by light rather than electricity. Untouched Tomb of Aztec King on Verge of Discovery? Jul 14 2009 - National Geographic News After nearly 30 years in the field, archaeologist Leonardo López Luján may be on the verge of the discovery of a lifetime: the only known tomb of an Aztec king. Don't Blame Birds for 1918 Flu Jul 14 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News It has been long thought that the virus that caused the 1918 flu pandemic was an avian strain. But a new study disputes that hypothesis, arguing instead that genes of the 1918 virus had circulated in mammalian hosts, most likely pigs and humans, for several years before 1918. Autism Tied to Autoimmune Diseases in Immediate Family Jul 13 2009 - USA Today Danish researchers have found that many children with autism or related disorders also had a family history of autoimmune diseases. Did Galileo Spot Neptune Two Centuries Before Its “Discovery”? Jul 13 2009 - Discover Besides discovering four of Jupiter's moons, studying sunspots, observing the phases of Venus, and examining the rough mountains and craters of the moon, Galileo may also have identified the planet Neptune more than two centuries before its official discovery, one researcher is arguing. Potato Famine Disease Striking Home Gardens in U.S. Jul 13 2009 - Reuters Late blight, which caused the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s and 1850s, is killing potato and tomato plants in home gardens from Maine to Ohio and threatening commercial and organic farms, U.S. plant scientists said on Friday. Dogs Get Gestures as Well as Toddlers Jul 13 2009 - Discovery Channel News Dogs possess a two-year-old child's capacity to understand human pointing gestures, with dogs requiring next to zero learning time to figure out the visual communication, according to two recent studies. Survey Shows Gap Between Scientists and the Public Jul 10 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) When it comes to climate change, the teaching of evolution, and the state of the nation's research enterprise, there is a large gap between what scientists think and the views of ordinary Americans, a new survey has found. Language Predicts Dementia Risk Jul 10 2009 - BBC News People with superior language skills early in life may be less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease decades later, research suggests. Trapped Atom Makes for Supersensitive Probe and Quantum Link Jul 10 2009 - Scientific American Physicists suspend an ion in space to act as a minuscule stylus. Reduced Diet Thwarts Aging, Disease In Monkeys Jul 10 2009 - ScienceDaily The bottom-line message from a decades-long study of monkeys on a restricted diet is simple: Consuming fewer calories leads to a longer, healthier life. What Does a Drug That Extends Life in Mice Mean for Humans? Jul 9 2009 - Time A natural compound, used as an immunosuppressant in organ-transplant patients, has been found to extend life in mice, according to a study published Wednesday by the journal Nature. Endangered Species Get Iced in Museum DNA Repository Jul 9 2009 - Scientific American Genetic information from species on National Park Service land that are threatened with extinction will now be frozen and stored for future research at the American Museum of Natural History. Vaccine May Someday Thwart Ear Infections Jul 9 2009 - HealthDay.com U.S. researchers have developed a pain-free vaccination that might thwart ear infections in children. Spontaneous Assembly Jul 9 2009 - ScienceDaily Scientists take a new look at how proteins assemble and organize themselves into complex patterns. Panama Canal Project Opens a Tropical Window Jul 9 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) For scientists, the massive engineering project promises spectacular spinoffs, yanking back the cloak where many life forms got their start. U.S. Stem Cell Research Rules Ease Some Restrictions Jul 7 2009 - Reuters The U.S. government released new rules on Monday governing federally funded research on human embryonic stem cells, loosening some ethical requirements that scientists said could have cost them a decade of work. Community Genome Could Produce Biofuels Jul 7 2009 - Discovery News The genomes of 17 different ants, fungi, and bacteria that eat through hundreds of pounds of leaf matter a year could ultimately lead to new techniques for making biofuels. Aquatic Deer and Ancient Whales Jul 7 2009 - BBC News Two mouse-deer species in Asia have been discovered swimming underwater, providing further clues to the origin of whales. Caffeine May Fight Alzheimer's Memory Loss Jul 7 2009 - WebMD A new study shows caffeine reversed memory loss in mice bred to develop Alzheimer’s disease and reduced the level of beta-amyloid protein in the blood and brain. Australia Discovers 3 New Large Dinosaurs Jul 6 2009 - Reuters Fossils of three new species of dinosaurs have been discovered in Australia, including a meat-eater larger than Velociraptor from the Jurassic Park movies, suggesting Australia may have a more complex prehistoric past. Hong Kong Case Suggests Resistant Swine Flu May Be Spreading Jul 6 2009 - ScienceInsider A third case of oseltamivir-resistant swine flu, announced in Hong Kong, has flu experts worried that resistance to the drug is spreading. Unlike the previous two cases, the Hong Kong patient hadn’t taken oseltamivir herself, which suggests she picked up a resistant strain from someone else. Extinction Looms, Study Says Jul 6 2009 - The Boston Globe Governments are failing to stem a rapid decline in biodiversity that is now threatening extinction for almost half the world’s coral reef species, a third of amphibians, and a quarter of mammals, a leading environmental group warned last week. Where Tomorrow's Stars Will Be Born Jul 6 2009 - Yahoo! News Astronomers love their sky maps, and this latest is a doozie. It reveals thousands of previously undiscovered knots of cold cosmic dust, each a potential star waiting to be born. Master Stem Cell for Human Heart Identified Jul 2 2009 - HealthDay.com For the first time, researchers have identified a single "master" stem cell in humans that is capable of differentiating into all three major cell types that make up the human heart. Finally, an Average Black Hole Jul 2 2009 - ScienceNOW Daily News Heavyweight and lightweight black holes abound in the universe, but nobody has detected a middleweight—and some scientists argue they don't exist. Now, astronomers say they have found the first conclusive evidence for one of these elusive objects at the fringe of a distant galaxy. Competitions Encourage Innovators to Tackle Tough Challenges Jul 2 2009 - Voice of America News Nearly 300 movers and shakers from the world's corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors packed a United Nations meeting hall recently for the Incentive2Innovate Conference, which had been convened to explore cutting-edge ways to spur inventiveness through competition for prize money and other rewards. To Fix Health Care, Some Study Developing World Jul 2 2009 - The Wall Street Journal Cost-effective medical practices deployed in developing nations are delivering good results, prompting many in the U.S. to ask whether the same solutions can be done here. Amur Tigers on Genetic Brink Jul 2 2009 - BBC News The world's largest cat, the Amur tiger, is down to an effective wild population of fewer than 35 individuals, new research has found. Although up to 500 of the big cats actually survive in the wild, the effective population is a measure of their genetic diversity. Primate Ancestor May Be from Asia, not Africa Jul 1 2009 - MSNBC A new Myanmar fossil primate, Ganlea megacanina, suggests the common ancestor of humans, monkeys, and apes evolved from large-toothed primates in Asia and not Africa, according to new research. Mississippi River Delta to "Drown" by 2100? Jul 1 2009 - National Geographic News The Mississippi River Delta is drowning, according to new research that predicts the surrounding coastline will be inevitably reshaped in coming decades. WHO Says Tamiflu-Resistant H1N1 "Isolated Case" Jul 1 2009 - Reuters The first H1N1 infection found to be resistant to the antiviral drug Tamiflu represents an isolated case with no current implications for public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. Cancer Researcher at U. of Chicago Wins $500,000 Genetics Prize Jul 1 2009 - Chronicle of Higher Education Janet Davison Rowley has won this year's Gruber Prize in genetics for research that has "revolutionized how cancer is understood and treated," the Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation, which presents the prize, announced today. Intense Heat Killed the Universe's Would-Be Galaxies, Researchers Say Jul 1 2009 - ScienceDaily Millions of would-be galaxies failed to develop after being exposed to intense heat from the first stars and black holes formed in the early Universe, according to new research. Most Complete Earth Map Published Jun 30 2009 - BBC News The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has been published. The data, comprising 1.3 million images, come from a collaboration between the US space agency Nasa and the Japanese trade ministry; it covers 99% of the Earth's surface and will be free to download and use. End of a Space Odyssey Jun 30 2009 - ScienceNOW Daily News After almost 17 years in orbit, the scientific mission of the Ulysses spacecraft will end today. The satellite, originally designed for a 5-year study of the solar wind and interstellar dust from a unique orbit over the Sun's poles, has suffered a fatal defect in its attitude-control system. Peer Pressure Plays Major Role in Environmental Behavior Jun 30 2009 - National Science Foundation People are more likely to enroll in conservation programs if their neighbors do—a tendency that should be exploited when it comes to protecting the environment, according to results of a new study. Forgotten Evolutionist Rediscovered at Last Jun 29 2009 - MSNBC Two hundred years after Charles Darwin's birth, academics and amateur historians call attention to the contributions made by another evolutionist, Alfred Russel Wallace. Pope Says Tests "Seem to Conclude" Bones Are the Apostle Paul's Jun 29 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) The first scientific tests on what are believed to be the remains of the Apostle Paul, the Roman Catholic saint, "seem to conclude" that they belong to him, Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday. Benedict said scientists had conducted carbon dating tests on bone fragments found inside the sarcophagus and confirmed that they date from the first or second century. The "Rare" Disease That Isn't Jun 29 2009 - The Wall Street Journal Fibromuscular dysplasia is a disease largely unknown to the public and even a majority of doctors. Yet evidence suggests that the disease isn't rare at all it: It simply isn't looked for, so it's seldom diagnosed. Beekeeping the New "Green" Thing to Do Jun 29 2009 - Voice of America As bee populations decline around the world, beekeeping is becoming the environmentally "in" thing to do, even in urban settings. Cloud Clue in Space Blast Mystery Jun 26 2009 - BBC News There is new evidence in the debate regarding the 1908 Tunguska event that destroyed 80 million trees in Siberia. "Geyser" Moon Sprinkles Salt on Saturn's Rings Jun 26 2009 - National Geographic News The icy, geyser-like plumes spewing from Saturn's moon Enceladus are sprinkling the planet's famous rings with sodium salts, a new study says. The finding may mean that the moon, which is completely encrusted with ice, hides a liquid ocean deep beneath its surface. Bacteria Plan Ahead, Anticipating Future Events Jun 26 2009 - Discovery Channel Just as humans have learned to connect dark clouds with rain, so too have bacteria and yeast learned to use one event to predict the arrival of another. House Panel Cuts DOE Education Program Jun 26 2009 - ScienceInsider A House of Representatives spending panel rejected a comprehensive, $115 million education initiative that energy secretary Steven Chu has touted as essential for training a new cadre of scientists pursuing basic and applied research on clean energy. New Cancer Drug Shows Promise Jun 25 2009 - BBC News Researchers say a new type of cancer treatment has produced highly promising results in preliminary drug trials. Olaparib—a member of a new class of drug called PARP inhibitors—targets cancer cells, but leaves healthy cells relatively unscathed. Scientists Study Foes' Ways at Creation Museum Jun 25 2009 - The Boston Globe In Petersburg, Kentucky, more than six dozen paleontologists visited the Creation Museum on Wednesday to get a glimpse of the marketing tactics used by the other side of the evolution debate. Longer Life Linked to Specific Foods in Mediterranean Diet Jun 25 2009 - ScienceDaily Some food groups in the Mediterranean diet are more important than others in promoting health and longer life according to new research published on the British Medical Journal website. Being More Infantile May Have Led to Bigger Brains Jun 25 2009 - Scientific American Genetic evidence helps explain why humans are so radically different from chimpanzees, even though both species share most of the same genes and split apart only about six million years ago, a short time in evolutionary terms. Crews Begin Work on World's Deepest Underground Science Lab in Quest to Understand Dark Matter Jun 24 2009 - Los Angeles Times Far below the Black Hills of South Dakota, crews are building the world's deepest underground science lab at a depth equivalent to more than six Empire State buildings—a place uniquely suited to scientists' quest for mysterious particles known as dark matter. Evolution Faster When It's Warmer Jun 24 2009 - BBC News Climate could have a direct effect on the speed of "molecular evolution" in mammals, according to a new study. The results could help explain why the warm tropics are so species-rich. Researchers Say Increased Biofuel Production Could Harm Water Resources Jun 24 2009 - Voice of America News A new study by researchers at Rice University in Houston, Texas warns that expanded production of crops to produce biofuels could damage water resources. Science Takes to the Ice Jun 24 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Science is aiming to help ice skaters meet the sport's physical challenges without sacrificing their health. Big US Study Will Test Vitamin D, Fish Oil Jun 23 2009 - The Seattle Times Two of the most popular and promising dietary supplements—vitamin D and fish oil—will be tested in a large, government-sponsored study to see whether either nutrient can lower a healthy person's risk of getting cancer, heart disease, or having a stroke. Patients Often Not Told about Abnormal Test Results Jun 23 2009 - HealthDay People who visit their primary care physician for routine blood tests or screenings are often not informed of the results, a new study finds. Carbon Counter Debuts in N.Y.C. Jun 22 2009 - ScienceInsider A new attraction debuted outside Madison Square Garden recently: a 20-meter-tall billboard that flashes the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The current number is 3.6 trillion metric tons, and is rising by about 2 billion a month. Can Health Co-Ops Do the Job of a Public Plan? Jun 22 2009 - Time Despite no public debate on the issue and scant knowledge about how health cooperatives could be set up, such self-sustaining, member-based organizations are suddenly emerging as the consensus alternative to a public plan. World's First Controllable Molecular Gear at Nanoscale Created Jun 22 2009 - ScienceDaily Scientists have scored a breakthrough in nanotechnology by creating the world's first molecular gear of the size of 1.2 nanometers whose rotation can be deliberately controlled. Giant Dinosaurs Get Downsized Jun 22 2009 - Yahoo! News Some dinosaurs were the largest creatures ever to walk on land, including the classic long-necked, whip-tailed Diplodicus, but a new study suggests it and its many extinct brethren weighed as little as half as much as previously thought. Mission to Measure and Map the Moon Begins Jun 19 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) A new mission has been launched by NASA to measure and map the Moon. The mission supports NASA's effort to send astronauts back to the Moon by 2020 and is looking for suitable landing sites and resources. CDC Sees "Something Different" with New Flu Jun 19 2009 - Reuters The new strain of H1N1 flu is causing "something different" to happen in the U.S. this year—perhaps an extended year-round flu season that disproportionately hits young people, health officials said on Thursday. Ultrasmall Microbes Revived after 120,000 Years on Ice Jun 19 2009 - National Geographic News Ultrasmall microbes trapped in glacial ice for 120,000 years have been coaxed back to life, a new study says. While it's not the oldest bacteria to be resurrected, it's the first ancient "ultramicrobacteria" to be revived and characterized in detail. First Hard Evidence Found of a Lake on Mars Jun 18 2009 - Reuters A long, deep canyon and the remains of beaches are perhaps the clearest evidence yet of a standing lake on the surface of Mars—one that apparently contained water when the planet was supposed to have already dried up, scientists said on Wednesday. White House: Climate Change Damage Happening Now Jun 16 2009 - Associated Press Harmful effects from global warming are already here and worsening, warns the first climate report from Barack Obama's presidency in the strongest language on climate change ever to come out of the White House. New Glimpses of Life's Puzzling Origins Jun 16 2009 - New York Times (requires free registration) In the last few years four surprising advances have renewed confidence that a terrestrial explanation for life's origins will eventually emerge. One is a series of discoveries about the cell-like structures that could have formed naturally from fatty chemicals likely to have been present on the primitive Earth. This lead emerged from a long argument between three colleagues as to whether a genetic system or a cell membrane came first in the development of life. They eventually agreed that genetics and membranes had to have evolved together. Microbe Wakes Up After 120,000 Years Jun 15 2009 - LiveScience.com After more than 120,000 years trapped beneath a block of ice in Greenland, a tiny microbe has awoken. The long-lasting bacteria may hold clues to what life forms might exist on other planets. Warp-Speed Raindrops Jun 15 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News In the meteorological equivalent of breaking the light-speed barrier, new research shows that the smaller droplets in a rainstorm often surpass what appears to be the speed limit for rain. The findings should help scientists devise models that could lead to more accurate weather forecasts. Sea Gives Up Neanderthal Fossil Jun 15 2009 - BBC News Part of a Neanderthal man's skull has been dredged up from the North Sea, in the first confirmed find of its kind. Science, the Extravaganza Jun 12 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) The second annual World Science Festival, a five-day extravaganza of performances, debates, celebrations, and demonstrations, began with a star-studded gala tribute to the Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson in New York City on Wednesday night. Periodic Table to Get New, Heavy Element Jun 11 2009 - Discovery News Scientists around the world are celebrating the latest entry to the periodic table. Element 112 muscles in at 227 times the atomic weight of hydrogen, making it the heaviest addition to the periodic table. Typhoons Trigger Slow Earthquakes Jun 11 2009 - BBC News Typhoons trigger "imperceptible" earthquakes, and potentially reduce the number of more powerful ones, say researchers. Solar System on a Collision Course Jun 11 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News New supercomputer simulations predict that, in 3 billion to 4 billion years, there is a slight chance that Venus or Mars will slam into our planet thanks to the subtle gravitational interactions between Jupiter and Mercury. Genetic Difference Found in Wild vs. Tame Animals Jun 11 2009 - US News & World Report A study of nasty and nice lab rats has scientists on the verge of knowing the genes that separate wild animals like lions and wolves from their tame cousins, cats and dogs. Not So Windy: Research Suggests Winds Dying Down Jun 10 2009 - Yahoo! News The wind, a favorite power source of the green energy movement, seems to be dying down across the U.S. And the cause, ironically, may be global warming—the very problem wind power seeks to address. Australian Swine Flu Spike Could Force WHO Pandemic Declaration Jun 10 2009 - CNN A sharp increase in the number of reported cases of the H1N1 virus in Australia may prompt the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the first global pandemic in more than 40 years. Hummingbirds "Faster than Jets" Jun 10 2009 - BBC News Male hummingbirds, swooping in an effort to impress females, achieve speeds "faster than fighter jets," according to a study. HIV in South Africa Levels Off Jun 9 2009 - BBC News South Africa's HIV epidemic has levelled off at an infection rate of 10.9% for those aged two or older, according to a new study. Monster Jellyfish Jun 9 2009 - Discovery News Giant jellyfish are taking over parts of the world's oceans as overfishing and other human activities open windows of opportunity for them to prosper, say researchers. Efficient New Light Unfolds Like Paper Jun 8 2009 - Discovery News The next time your lamp needs a new light bulb, you might change the shade instead of the bulb. New research shows that cheap and thin organic light-emitting diodes can create white light as bright as any compact fluorescent bulb for nearly half the electricity as many compact fluorescent light bulbs. Cell Phones Allow Everyone to Be a Scientist Jun 8 2009 - Yahoo! News Equipped with high-tech GPS, cameras, and other sensing devices, cell phones can allow individuals to monitor their environment and their health. And they can even turn people into "citizen scientists" who contribute data to scientific research. Are Midwestern Earthquake Faults Shutting Down? Jun 8 2009 - Scientific American Midwesterners may have already seen the last of earthquakes in their region. New research suggests the crack in the Earth behind the Mississippi Valley events may actually be shutting down. If so, geoscientists will need to rethink how earthquakes work. Himalayas Warming Faster than Global Average Jun 5 2009 - India Times The Northwestern Himalayas have become 1.4 degrees Celsius warmer in the last 100 years, a far higher level of warming than the 0.5 to 1.1 degrees for the rest of the globe, Indian scientists have found. Chuckling Chimps Traced to Human Laughter Jun 5 2009 - CBS News Researchers made a variety of apes and some human babies laugh. After analyzing the sounds, they concluded that people and great apes inherited laughter from a shared ancestor that lived more than 10 million years ago. Obama to Support Science in the Islamic World Jun 5 2009 - ScienceInsider In his recent speech in Cairo, President Barack Obama indicated his intentions to support scientific initiatives in the Islamic world as part of his vision for promoting peaceful relations between the United States and countries with a Muslim majority. Do Particles Larger than Galaxies Fill the Universe? Jun 4 2009 - National Geographic News The oldest of the subatomic particles called neutrinos might each encompass a space larger than thousands of galaxies, new simulations suggest. FDA Approves First-Ever Dog Cancer Drug Jun 4 2009 - CBS News The FDA approved "Palladia," the first cancer drug for dogs. The drug maker, Pfizer said it caused 37% of mast cell tumors to disappear and had a positive effect in many dogs. Origin of Antarctic Ice Revealed Jun 4 2009 - BBC News The East Antarctic ice sheet was formed against an "Alpine" backdrop 14 million years ago, research suggests. NASA Plans Launch Invitations to Twittering Media Jun 3 2009 - Yahoo! News NASA, which has tiptoed into the new world of social media with Twittering astronauts and Facebooking rovers, is taking the next step with an invitation-only outreach to "the twedia" to cover a space shuttle launch. Oldest Pottery Found in China Jun 3 2009 - BBC News Examples of pottery found in a cave at Yuchanyan in China's Hunan province may be the oldest known to science. Sun Stealing Earth's Atmosphere Jun 2 2009 - National Geographic News Unlike, say, Mars's or Venus's, Earth's atmosphere was thought to be untouchable inside our protective magnetic field. But a new study says the Sun is slowly "stealing" our atmosphere—and at a greater rate than on Mars or Venus. Study: TV May Inhibit Babies' Language Development Jun 2 2009 - Time Recent studies show that TV-viewing tends to decrease babies' likelihood of learning new words, talking, playing and otherwise interacting with others. Depression Diagnoses Drop after FDA Warning Jun 2 2009 - MSNBC A persistent decline in the rate of Americans, especially children, newly diagnosed with depression followed the first federal warning on risks connected with antidepressant drugs, a study suggests. Public Asked to Help Monitor Life on Earth Jun 1 2009 - Reuters Scientists asked people around the world on Monday to help compile an Internet-based observatory of life on Earth as a guide to everything from the impact of climate change on wildlife to pests that can damage crops. World's Strongest Laser Unveiled at California Lab Jun 1 2009 - Yahoo! News The world's most powerful laser, created to help keep tabs on the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile while also studying the heavens, has been unveiled at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Planet Found Orbiting Same-Size Star Jun 1 2009 - National Geographic News A previously unproven tool in the planet-hunting arsenal has finally netted its quarry—and it's found an unusual cosmic duo—an extrasolar planet that's thought to be the same size as its parent star. Scientists Develop New Basis for H5N1 Vaccine: WHO May 28 2009 - Reuters Scientists have used bird flu virus samples from Egypt to develop a new basis for a vaccine against the toxic H5N1 strain that continues to circulate, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. Gene for Glowing Passed Along to Monkey Offspring May 28 2009 - Yahoo! News Scientists gave marmosets a gene that made their feet glow green, and one of the animals passed it along to its offspring—the first time that an added gene has been inherited by a monkey. It was a milestone, experts said, that should make it easier to produce animals with versions of human disease for medical research. A Skeleton 4,000 Years Old Bears Evidence of Leprosy May 27 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) The oldest known skeleton showing signs of leprosy has been found in India and may help solve the puzzle of where the disease originated. Giant Dinosaurs Held Heads High May 27 2009 - BBC News Huge sauropod dinosaurs could have held their heads much higher than many researchers believe, according to a study. Cancer Deaths Continue to Decline, Study Shows May 27 2009 - MSNBC The U.S. cancer death rate fell again in 2006, a new analysis shows, continuing a slow downward trend that experts attribute to declines in smoking, earlier detection and better treatment. Not So Bird-Brained After All: Rooks Make and Use Tools May 26 2009 - Discover Four rooks by the names of Cook, Connelly, Fry, and Monroe have upped estimates of birds' intelligence by mastering a series of challenges in which they had to use tools to get tasty worms. Space Rock Yields Carbon Bounty May 26 2009 - BBC News Formic acid, a molecule implicated in the origins of life, has been found at record levels on a meteorite that fell into a Canadian lake in 2000. An analysis showed four times more formic acid in the fragments than has been recorded on previous meteorites. Gene Gives Clues to Why Autism More Common in Boys May 21 2009 - HealthDay A new gene variant that may increase the risk of autism, particularly in boys, has been identified by U.S. researchers. Autism affects boys four times more often than girls. New Light Shed on Pulsar Puzzle May 21 2009 - BBC News Astronomers have shed light on the mysterious origins of the fastest spinning stars known to science—millisecond pulsars. These are the fastest spinning class of pulsars—dense cosmic bodies that emit radio waves along their magnetic poles. "Five Dimensional" Discs with a Storage Capacity 2,000 Times That of Current DVDs May 21 2009 - ScienceDaily Futuristic discs with a storage capacity 2,000 times that of current DVDs could be just around the corner, thanks to new research from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. Study Turns Back Clock on Origins of Life on Earth May 20 2009 - Reuters A heavy bombardment by asteroids the size of Ireland was not enough to wipe out life on Earth 3.9 billion years ago, researchers said today in a finding that turns back the clock of life by 500 million years. NIH's New Drug Pipeline for Neglected Diseases May 20 2009 - ScienceInsider The National Institutes of Health announced a $120 million, 5-year plan to set up a drug development service center at the agency. The focus will be on rare and neglected diseases. Research Reveals How Down Syndrome Shields Against Cancer May 20 2009 - HealthDay A pair of genes may explain why people with Down syndrome are largely spared from many types of cancer, researchers report. The same genetic mechanism could be a potent target for new anti-cancer therapies, said the scientists. "Whole Earth Telescope" Spies White Dwarf May 20 2009 - Discovery News A worldwide network of telescopes is spending time every night watching the odd death throes of a star very much like the Sun. Insight into Evolution of First Flowers May 19 2009 - ScienceDaily The sudden origin of flowering plants about 130 million years ago is a mystery that scientists have yet to solve. A new study is helping shed light on the mystery with information about what the first flowers looked like and how they evolved from nonflowering plants. World's Largest Colony of Endangered Turtles Found Off West Africa May 19 2009 - The Guardian The world's largest colony of leatherback sea turtles has been identified by scientists, raising hopes that the giant creature may not be as endangered as previously thought. Scientists Hail Stunning Fossil May 19 2009 - BBC News The beautifully preserved remains of a 47-million-year-old, lemur-like creature have been unveiled in the US. The fossil was launched amid great fanfare at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, by the city's mayor. Blue Whales Returning to Former Alaska Waters May 18 2009 - Yahoo! News Blue whales are returning to Alaska in search of food and could be re-establishing an old migration route several decades after they were nearly wiped out by commercial whalers, scientists say. Ancient Elite Island with Pyramid Found in Mexico May 18 2009 - National Geographic News An island for ancient elites has been found in central Mexico, archaeologists say. Among the ruins are a treasury and a small pyramid that may have been used for rituals. Children's Use of Psychiatric Drugs Begins to Decelerate May 18 2009 - The Wall Street Journal The growth in antipsychotic-drug prescriptions for children is slowing as state Medicaid agencies heighten their scrutiny of usage and doctors grow more wary of the powerful medications. Space Tomato Packs Nutritional Super-Punch May 18 2009 - Discovery News What started as a science experiment to grow plants in space has blossomed into a drought-resistent, nutritionally rich tomato—patent pending. The seeds were flown to the International Space Station in August 2007. Chewable Aspirin Is Best for the Heart May 18 2009 - WebMD Chewable aspirin is absorbed faster and is more effective than regular aspirin that is either swallowed whole or chewed and then swallowed, a new study shows. This "seemingly quite simple finding" could lead to improvements in the care of heart attack patients, researchers say. Common Virus May Cause High Blood Pressure: Study May 15 2009 - Reuters A common virus may be a major cause of high blood pressure, researchers said on Thursday in a finding that may bring new approach to treating a condition that affects an estimated 1 billion people worldwide. Human Noses too Cold for Bird Flu May 15 2009 - BBC News Bird flu may not have become the threat to humans that some predicted because our noses are too cold for the virus to thrive, UK researchers say. Chemist Shows How RNA Can Be the Starting Point for Life May 14 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) An English chemist has found the chemical milieu from which the first forms of life are thought to have emerged on earth some 3.8 billion years ago. Europe Launches Telescopes to Measure the Big Bang May 14 2009 - Time As NASA astronauts work to repair the aging Hubble, Europe launches a new generation of telescopes that could help scientists unravel the mysteries of the universe. Gorillas Are No Dummies, Zoo Study Shows May 14 2009 - National Geographic News Ongoing research at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago suggests that gorillas outperform chimpanzees when it comes to counting studies. Mars Rover Stopped in Its Tracks May 13 2009 - ScienceInsider The Spirit rover has bogged down on Mars, a development that could end its long-running mission of exploration. NASA announced that Spirit had dug its wheels deep into the fluffy remains of an ancient volcanic steam vent. Ironically, such salty, flour-like deposits are among Spirit's greatest discoveries in its 5 years of roaming Gusev Crater. "Biohackers" Discover Their Inner Frankenstein May 12 2009 - The Wall Street Journal Using mail-order DNA and iguana heaters, hobbyists brew new life forms. Known as "biohackers," some of them buy DNA online, then fiddle with it in hopes of curing diseases or finding new biofuels. But are they a threat to national security? Sun Entering Weakest Cycle Since 1928 May 12 2009 - U.S. News & World Report The Sun has entered its weakest cycle of magnetic activity since 1928, meaning fewer solar flares and coronal mass ejections, scientists predict. A panel of solar scientists reports that the cycle, which scientists believe began in December 2008, will peak in May 2013. Coal Supply May Be Vastly Overestimated May 12 2009 - Discovery News Forget peak oil—a series of new estimates of the world's coal supply suggests reserves may be vastly overestimated, and if the planet isn't running on a majority of alternative energies within the next few decades, we could be facing an unprecedented global energy crisis. Antioxidants Blunt Exercise Benefit, Study Shows May 12 2009 - HealthDay.com Exercise helps increase insulin sensitivity and ward off diabetes, but taking supplemental antioxidants such as vitamins C and E actually blunts that benefit, researchers report. Brain's Problem-Solving Function at Work when We Daydream May 12 2009 - ScienceDaily A new study finds that activity in numerous brain regions increases when our minds wander. It also finds that brain areas associated with complex problem-solving—previously thought to go dormant when we daydream—are in fact highly active during these episodes. U.S. Drops Research Into Fuel Cells for Cars May 8 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells will not be practical over the next 10 to 20 years, the energy secretary said Thursday, and the government will cut off funds for the vehicles' development. Austria to Quit CERN Particle Physics Laboratory May 8 2009 - Reuters Austria plans to pull out of the international particle physics laboratory CERN because its share of the high cost is eating up too much of the country's budget for international research. Whale Sharks Travel Vast Distances to Breed May 8 2009 - Discovery News Whale sharks live throughout the world's tropics—from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific to the Caribbean—but these giant fish are surprisingly low in genetic diversity, according to a new study. The finding suggests that even far-flung populations of whale sharks intermix and breed. Scientist Says Volcanic Eruption in Congo Imminent May 8 2009 - USA Today Scientists found evidence of intense volcanic activity—including tremors, pools of lava, and plumes of smoke—at two volcanoes near a major city in eastern Congo, and said some residents had fled for fear of an eruption. Trial Drugs "Reverse" Alzheimer's May 7 2009 - BBC News US scientists say they have successfully reversed the effects of Alzheimer's with experimental drugs. The drugs target and boost the function of a newly pinpointed gene involved in the brain's memory formation. Marine Scientists Return from Expedition to Erupting Undersea Volcano May 7 2009 - National Science Foundation Scientists who have just returned from an expedition to an erupting undersea volcano near the Island of Guam report that the volcano appears to be continuously active, has grown considerably in size during the past three years, and its activity supports a unique biological community thriving despite the eruptions. Scientists Find 200 New Frog Species in Madagascar May 7 2009 - Reuters Scientists have found more than 200 new species of frogs in Madagascar but a political crisis is hurting conservation of the Indian Ocean island's unique wildlife, a study shows. A Battle to Preserve a Visionary’s Bold Failure May 7 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) A fight is looming on Long Island over the ghostly remains of Nikola Tesla’s biggest and most audacious project. Lights Out for Dark Matter Claim? May 4 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News Recent satellite measurements fail to confirm the presence of dark matter in our galaxy. The observations don't disprove the existence of dark matter, but they put a damper on hopes that physicists had already begun to see it. First Pig Cases of H1N1—and Mixed Views on the Human Outbreak May 4 2009 - ScienceInsider The first pigs infected with the H1N1 influenza sweeping the globe have been found—but they're a long way from Mexico, the suspected origin of the virus. There’s also some optimism that the human outbreak of the virus is not as threatening as earlier feared. Thousands of Caves Closed to Protect Bats from Mysterious "White Nose Syndrome" May 4 2009 - Scientific American One month after the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service asked people to voluntarily stay out of caves in the Northeast to hopefully prevent the further spread of the deadly white-nose syndrome that has already killed 500,000 bats, the U.S. Forest Service has taken things a step further, closing thousands of caves in 20 states to human activity. Did Ancient Tsunami Hit New York City? May 4 2009 - CBS News The thought of a tsunami crashing into Manhattan sounds like a scene out of a sci-fi thriller, but some scientists believe a giant wave crashed into what is now New York City more than 2,000 years ago. Eden? Maybe. But Where’s the Apple Tree? May 1 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Locations for the Garden of Eden have been offered many times before, but seldom in the somewhat inhospitable borderland where Angola and Namibia meet. A new genetic survey of people in Africa, the largest of its kind, suggests, however, that the region in southwest Africa seems to be the origin of modern humans. Milky Way's X-ray Ridge: Resolving A Galactic Mystery May 1 2009 - ScienceDaily An extremely deep Chandra X–ray Observatory image of a region near the center of the Milky Way Galaxy has resolved a long-standing mystery about an X-ray glow along the plane of the our home galaxy. Fertilizers Reducing Diversity May 1 2009 - BBC News Scientists have identified why excessive fertilization of soils is resulting in a loss of plant diversity. Extra nutrients allow fast growing plants to dominate a habitat, blocking smaller species' access to vital sunlight, researchers have found. South Korean Experts Claim to Have Cloned Glowing Dogs Apr 29 2009 - Yahoo! News South Korean scientists say they have engineered four beagles that glow red using cloning techniques that could help develop cures for human diseases. Genes Have Key Role in Autism Apr 29 2009 - BBC News Scientists have produced the most compelling evidence to date that genetics play a key role in autism. They highlighted tiny genetic changes that appear to have a strong impact on the likelihood of developing autism and related conditions. New York City-Sized Ice Collapses off Antarctica Apr 29 2009 - Reuters An area of an Antarctic ice shelf almost the size of New York City has broken into icebergs this month after the collapse of an ice bridge widely blamed on global warming, a scientist said Tuesday. A Tiny Hominid With No Place on the Family Tree Apr 28 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Six years after their discovery, the extinct little people nicknamed hobbits who once occupied the Indonesian island of Flores remain mystifying anomalies in human evolution, out of place in time and geography, their ancestry unknown. Cosmic Blast Sets Distance Mark Apr 28 2009 - BBC News The cataclysmic explosion of a giant star early in the history of the Universe is the most distant single object ever detected by telescopes. The colossal blast was picked up first by Nasa's Swift space observatory. Other telescopes then confirmed the source to be more 13 billion light-years away. Is a Bad Economy Good for the Environment? Apr 28 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor A recession may be a cruel remedy for environmental degradation. But some experts say the earth welcomes the breathing room. Spider "Resurrections" Take Scientists by Surprise Apr 28 2009 - National Geographic News Like zombies, spiders in a lab twitched back to life hours after "drowning"—and the scientists were as surprised as anyone. The spiders, it seems, enter comas to survive for hours underwater, according to a new study. New Blow for Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Theory Apr 27 2009 - National Science Foundation The enduringly popular theory that the Chicxulub crater holds the clue to the demise of the dinosaurs, along with some 65% of all species 65 million years ago, is challenged in a paper to be published in the Journal of the Geological Society on April 27, 2009. Swine Flu Spreads, But Severity and Genetics Remain Murky Apr 27 2009 - ScienceInsider Although the spread of swine flu appears to be accelerating—and the virus is beginning to dominate global headlines—the World Health Organization stopped short of ratcheting up the pandemic alert level this weekend, although it may do so on Monday or Tuesday. Seal with "Arms" Discovered Apr 27 2009 - National Geographic News A newly discovered prehistoric seal with "arms" is the no-longer missing link between seals' land-based ancestors and the ocean-dwelling, flippered creatures we know, a new study says. Cache of Mummies Unearthed at Egypt's Lahun Pyramid Apr 27 2009 - Reuters Archaeologists have unearthed a cache of pharaonic-era mummies in brightly painted wooden coffins near Egypt's little-known Lahun pyramid, the site head said on Sunday. China Relocates Last Pandas from Quake-Hit Habitat Apr 27 2009 - Yahoo! News China has moved the last batch of pandas still living in a world-famous preserve badly damaged in last year's devastating earthquake to a nearby facility, state television reported Sunday. Obama to Address National Academy of Sciences Apr 24 2009 - ScienceInsider On Monday, President Barack Obama will give his first address on science and technology since taking office three months ago. The venue will be the annual meeting of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. In the Genes of a Hereford, the Essence of Cow Apr 24 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Scientists have achieved a major milestone in animal genetics: decoding the genome of the cow. The findings provide “tantalizing clues to explain ‘the essence of bovinity,’ ” according to an essay in the journal Science. Scientists Make Super-Strong Metallic Spider Silk Apr 24 2009 - Reuters Spider silk is already tougher and lighter than steel, and now scientists have made it three times stronger by adding small amounts of metal. The technique may be useful for manufacturing super-tough textiles and high-tech medical materials, including artificial bones and tendons. World First for Strange Molecule Apr 23 2009 - BBC News A molecule that until now existed only in theory has finally been made, reinforcing fundamental quantum theories developed by Nobel prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi. Known as a Rydberg molecule, it is formed through an elusive and extremely weak chemical bond between two atoms. Lisa Jackson: The New Head of the EPA Apr 23 2009 - Time Lisa Jackson's response to the threat of climate change will ultimately decide her legacy. On April 17, Jackson's EPA issued an endangerment finding on greenhouse gases that potentially opens the door for the EPA to directly regulate greenhouse gases, which would represent the most far-reaching action in the agency's history. Fossil Evidence of Missing Link in the Origin of Seals, Sea Lions, Walruses Found in Canadian Arctic Apr 23 2009 - ScienceDaily Researchers from the United States and Canada have found a fossil skeleton of a newly discovered carnivorous animal, Puijila darwini. New research suggests Puijila is a "missing link" in the evolution of the group that today includes seals, sea lions, and the walrus. Earth Day Facts: When It Is, How It Began, What to Do Apr 22 2009 - National Geographic News From not-so-humble beginnings in 1970, when 20 million participated across the U.S., Earth Day has grown into a global tradition, with a billion expected to take part in 2009. Find out when it is, how it started, how it's evolved, and what you can do. All Sugars Aren't the Same: Glucose Is Better, Study Says Apr 22 2009 - Time In the first detailed analysis comparing how our systems respond to glucose and fructose, researchers report that consuming too much fructose can actually put you at greater risk of developing heart disease and diabetes than ingesting similar amounts of glucose. Simulated Brain Closer to Thought Apr 22 2009 - BBC News A detailed simulation of a small region of a brain built molecule by molecule has been constructed and has recreated experimental results from real brains. The "Blue Brain" has been put in a virtual body, and observing it gives the first indications of the molecular and neural basis of thought and memory. Photography and Microscopes: New Technique that Scrambles Light May Lead to Sharper Images, Wider Views Apr 22 2009 - ScienceDaily A new imaging method developed by Princeton researchers could lead to lenses that show all parts of the scene at once in the same high detail. The new method could help build more powerful microscopes and other optical devices. Closer Look at Einstein's Brain Apr 21 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News The latest study of Einstein's brain concludes that certain parts of it were indeed very unusual and might explain how he was able to go where no physicist had gone before when he devised the theory of relativity and other groundbreaking insights. Lightest Exoplanet Is Discovered Apr 21 2009 - BBC News Astronomers have announced the discovery of the lightest planet ever detected outside our Solar System. Situated in the constellation Libra, it is only about twice as massive as the Earth, whereas most other exoplanets identified have been far bigger. Days to Stretch Longer with Climate Change Apr 21 2009 - Discovery Channel Climate change will make the day longer by the end of the century, according to a new study. Earth's atmosphere plays a large role in controlling how fast the planet rotates. As the seasons change, variations in high-level jets of wind shift, adding and subtracting about a millisecond to our day each year. Orion Hides Busy Star "Nursery" Apr 21 2009 - Reuters The constellation Orion hides a busy stellar nursery, crowded with young stars blasting jets of gas in all directions, astronomers report. Physical Science Czar Named Apr 20 2009 - ScienceInsider President Barack Obama just named former American Physical Society president and Princeton physicist William Brinkman to head the Office of Science at the the Department of Energy. He'll join power scientists Steven Chu and Steven Koonin behind the wheel at DOE, assuming Brinkman is confirmed by the Senate. Archaeologists Hunt for Cleopatra's Tomb Apr 20 2009 - Reuters High on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, buried deep under a temple to the goddess Isis, archaeologists believe the body of Queen Cleopatra may lie. The tomb of the Egyptian queen has never been found but archaeologists are discovering more evidence that Cleopatra's priests carried her body to the temple after her suicide. F.B.I. and States Vastly Expand DNA Databases Apr 20 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Law enforcement officials are vastly expanding their collection of DNA to include millions more people who have been arrested or detained but not yet convicted. The move is raising concerns about the privacy of people who are presumed innocent. All Octopuses Are Venomous, Study Says Apr 20 2009 - National Geographic News According to a new study, all octopuses, cuttlefish, and some squid are venomous. The finding helps explain a long-standing mystery as to how exactly octopuses hunt and kill, say researchers. Super-Strong Paint Kills Superbugs Apr 17 2009 - Web MD A team of South Dakota scientists has invented a new super-paint strong enough to kill superbugs that infect hospital patients and kill thousands of people annually, says a new report. Newly Discovered Iron-Breathing Species Have Lived in Cold Isolation for Millions of Years Apr 17 2009 - ScienceDaily A reservoir of briny liquid buried deep beneath an Antarctic glacier supports hardy microbes that have lived in isolation for millions of years, researchers report. West Africa Faces Megadroughts Apr 17 2009 - BBC News Severe droughts lasting centuries have happened often in West Africa's recent history, and another one is almost inevitable, researchers say. They say the droughts are going to happen again, and societies should begin planning for them. Iranian Scientists Clone Goat Apr 17 2009 - CBS News Iranian scientists have cloned a goat and plan future experiments they hope will lead to a treatment for stroke patients, the leader of the research said Wednesday. National Science Board Recommends Comprehensive, Coordinated Federal Strategy to Transform U.S. Energy Economy Apr 14 2009 - National Science Foundation The National Science Board today released for public review and comment a draft report, Building a Sustainable Energy Future, which calls on the nation to lead the fundamental transformation of the current energy economy from one that is dependent on fossil fuel to one that thrives on sustainable and clean energy. Famed Nature Editor Maddox Dies Apr 14 2009 - BBC News Sir John Maddox, whose two terms as editor of the premier science journal Nature brought the magazine to international fame, has died aged 83. Salmonella Vaccine Could Result from Space Studies Apr 14 2009 - Discovery Channel A series of experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station may soon lead to a vaccine against food poisoning from salmonella bacteria. Researchers have discovered that microgravity changes salmonella itself, providing insight into a new way to possibly control the bacteria on Earth. Want to Live Longer? Stop Worrying Apr 14 2009 - National Geographic News If you want to live to a hundred, you'd better lighten up. Children of centenarians—who usually inherit both longevity and personality traits from their parents—are on average more outgoing, agreeable, and less neurotic, according to a new study. High-Intensity Lasers Throw Scientists a Curve Apr 13 2009 - Scientific American Researchers at the University of Arizona in Tucson and the University of Central Florida in Orlando reported that they have found a way to bend a high-intensity pulsed laser beam, a breakthrough they are hoping will help them better understand how ultra-intense laser pulses travel through the air and find potential new uses for the technology. New Orangutan Population Found in Indonesia Apr 13 2009 - Yahoo! News Conservationists have discovered a new population of orangutans in a remote, mountainous corner of Indonesia—perhaps as many as 2,000—giving a rare boost to one of the world's most endangered great apes. Evidence That Mice Produce Egg Cells After Birth Apr 13 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Scientists in Shanghai have challenged the orthodox medical view that a woman is born with egg cells to last a lifetime and will never generate any new ones. Overthrow of this view could hold major implications for treatment of infertility. Prehistoric Bears Ate Everything and Anything, Just Like Modern Cousins Apr 13 2009 - ScienceDaily By comparing the craniodental morphology of modern bear species to that of two extinct species, researchers have discovered that the expired plantigrades were not so different from their current counterparts. The cave bear, regarded as the great herbivore of the carnivores, was actually more omnivorous than first thought. Double Whammy Malaria Drug Hope Apr 13 2009 - BBC News A new "double whammy" malaria drug that works on its own and reverses resistance to other drugs is being developed by researchers. The drug contains a chemical that prevents the malaria parasite getting rid of a toxic by-product of feeding on red blood cells. Oil Spill Surface Cleanup Ignores Fish Below Apr 10 2009 - Discovery Channel Birds are the most high-profile victims of oceanic oil spills, but fish suffer from these messy accidents, too. Even worse, a new study suggests, the chemicals commonly used to clean up oil spills make oil far more toxic to fish. Researcher Faked Data in Sleep Apnea Study Apr 10 2009 - The Wall Street Journal More news on the research-fabrication front. Robert Fogel, a former assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, fabricated and falsified data in a study of sleep apnea in severely obese patients, the Office of Research Integrity at HHS said. U.S. Making Little Progress on Food Safety Apr 10 2009 - Reuters Efforts to improve food safety in the United States have "plateaued," exposing the need for an overhaul of the nation's food safety system, government health officials said on Thursday. In Full Interview, John Holdren Eschews New Nukes, Hints at Space Flight Delays Apr 9 2009 - ScienceInsider Three weeks into his job as head of the White House Office of Science and Technology, presidential science adviser John Holdren has laid out clear positions on myriad issues facing the Obama Administration. Calorie-Burning Fat? Study Says You Have It Apr 9 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) For more than 30 years, scientists have been intrigued by brown fat, a cell that acts like a furnace, consuming calories and generating heat. It was generally believed that humans lose brown fat after infancy, though. That belief, three groups of researchers report, is wrong. Scientists Capture Volcano’s Lightning Apr 9 2009 - MSNBC For the first time, scientists have been able to "see" and trace lightning inside a plume of ash spewing from Alaska's actively erupting Mount Redoubt volcano. For Chimps, Candy Is Dandy but Steak Is Quicker Apr 9 2009 - Reuters Human females may get offended at dates who expect a little something extra after they buy a steak dinner, but for chimpanzees, the exchange may be a fair one, German researchers reported on Tuesday. Kids Who Lack Self-Control More Prone to Obesity Later Apr 8 2009 - Time In two papers published this week, scientists found that preschool-age children who had trouble with self-control and the ability to delay gratification gained more weight by the time they were preteens than those who were better at regulating their behavior. New Gas Storage Material: One Ounce Has Surface Area of 30 Football Fields Apr 8 2009 - ScienceDaily In a finding that may help speed the production of ultra-clean fuel cell vehicles powered by hydrogen, scientists in Michigan are reporting development of a sponge-like nanomaterial with a record-high surface area for holding gases. New Theory of Alzheimer’s: Brain’s Memory Center Is “Overworked” Apr 8 2009 - Discover Young adults with a genetic variant that increases their chance of developing Alzheimer's later in life also have increased activity in the section of their brain devoted to memory, a new study has found. Study: Sports Drinks May Be Bad for Teeth Apr 8 2009 - CNN Sports drinks can rehydrate you after a workout, but they also may wreak havoc on your teeth. Prolonged consumption of these types of beverages could lead to erosive tooth wear, according to a study presented at the International Association for Dental Research. Why Fever Helps Autism: A New Theory Apr 7 2009 - Time Putting forth an intriguing new theory, researchers suggest that damage to a fever-regulating part of the brain may trigger autism. Robotic Scientists Make First Discoveries Apr 6 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News In recent decades, robots have replaced millions of manual laborers; now they're moving in on scientists, too. A fully automated robotic laboratory can design its own molecular biology experiments and has even made its first discoveries, a multidisciplinary team reports. Ice Bridge Holding Antarctic Ice Shelf Cracks Up Apr 6 2009 - Reuters An ice bridge which had apparently held a vast Antarctic ice shelf in place during recorded history shattered on Saturday and could herald a wider collapse linked to global warming, a leading scientist said. Viruses Used to Grow "Greener" Batteries Apr 6 2009 - National Geographic News With the help of a common virus, scientists have built a battery that rivals the state-of-the-art rechargeable models now powering personal electronics and hybrid vehicles. The hope is to replace the costly, toxic electrodes currently used in lithium-ion batteries. UCLA Scientists Plan Counterprotest in Favor of Animal Testing Apr 2 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education A group of students and scientists at the University of California at Los Angeles will try to beat animals-rights protesters at their own game today by demonstrating in favor of using animals for research purposes, which they consider crucial to developing live-saving medical breakthroughs. Bill Gates, China Join Forces Against TB Apr 1 2009 - CBS News The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is teaming with the Chinese government in a $33 million project to test new ways to diagnose drug-resistant tuberculosis, as well as assess new treatments and better ways to track patients. How Infection May Spark Leukaemia Apr 1 2009 - BBC News Scientists have shown how common infections might trigger childhood leukaemia. They have identified a molecule, TGF, produced by the body in response to infection that stimulates development of the disease. Chicks Are Smart, Scientists Confirm Apr 1 2009 - Discovery Channel Baby chickens aren't just cute—they are also whizzes at math, according to a new study. The study presents the first known evidence that any non-human animal can perform consecutive addition and subtraction calculations on the same set. Stay Away From Pistachios, FDA Warns Mar 31 2009 - CBS News In another food scare sure to rattle consumers who watched the national salmonella outbreak in peanuts unfold, federal food officials are now warning people not to eat any food containing pistachios, which could carry contamination from the same bacteria. Genes Tell Butterflies to Head South Mar 31 2009 - Reuters Scientists have uncovered a group of 40 genes that appear to make North America's monarch butterflies fly thousands of miles south each autumn. It is the first time that researchers have honed in on the exact genes driving migratory behavior in any animal. Polypill Could Become a Reality Mar 31 2009 - BBC News A cheap five-in-one pill can guard against heart attacks and stroke, research suggests. A new trial in India shows such a pill has the desired effects and is safe and well-tolerated by those who take it. How to Grow a Better Tomato: The Case against Heirloom Tomatoes Mar 30 2009 - Scientific American The product of archaic breeding strategies, heirloom tomatoes are hardly diverse and are no more "natural" than grocery-store varieties. New studies promise to restore their lost, healthy genes. Optimal Running Speed Associated with Evolution of Early Human Hunting Strategies Mar 30 2009 - ScienceDaily A new study shows that the efficiency of human running varies with speed and that each individual has an optimal pace at which he or she can cover the greatest distance with the least effort. When It Comes to Intelligence, Size Matters Mar 27 2009 - Science Daily A new study has demonstrated a positive link between cognitive ability and cortical thickness in the brains of healthy 6 to 18 year olds. CDC: Most Adults Should Restrict Salt But Don't Mar 27 2009 - The Washington Post (requires free registration) Seven out of 10 Americans should restrict their salt consumption, but very few of them do, according to a new government study. U.S. Billionaire Roars into Space History Mar 26 2009 - Reuters U.S. billionaire Charles Simonyi roared into space aboard a Russian rocket on Thursday, making history as the first tourist to make the epic journey twice. Study: Range of Pharmaceuticals in Fish Across US Mar 26 2009 - Houston Chronicle Fish caught near wastewater treatment plants serving five major U.S. cities had residues of pharmaceuticals in them, including medicines used to treat high cholesterol, allergies, high blood pressure, bipolar disorder, and depression, researchers report. U.K. Bioscientists Lobby on Animal Experimentation Law Mar 26 2009 - ScienceInsider In the latest installment of what promises to be a long political drama, scientists and officials representing major U.K. biomedical organizations today released a joint declaration expressing concern that a proposed revamping of European regulations on the use of animals in research will cause more harm to science than good for animals. Tracked Asteroid Debris Collected Mar 26 2009 - BBC News Debris from an asteroid tracked as it fell to Earth has been recovered by scientists for the first time, says a report in the science journal Nature. Obama Quizzes Astronauts about Life in Space Mar 25 2009 - Reuters Astronauts aboard the International Space Station took a break from construction tasks on Tuesday to answer questions from schoolchildren and U.S. President Barack Obama about the rigors of space life. EPA Halts Mountaintop Mining Permits Mar 25 2009 - CBS News The Environmental Protection Agency is putting on hold hundreds of mountaintop coal-mining permits until it can evaluate the projects' impacts on streams and wetlands. Dog Tail-Chasing Linked to High Cholesterol Mar 25 2009 - Discovery Channel A team of veterinarians has found a surprising link between compulsive tail-chasing in dogs and high cholesterol, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Small Animal Practice. Oldest Sea Creatures Have Been Alive 4,000 Years Mar 25 2009 - U.S. News & World Report Deep-sea corals are the oldest living animals with a skeleton in the seas, claims new research that found a 4,265-year-old coral species off the coast of Hawaii. Cold Fusion Debate Heats Up Again Mar 24 2009 - BBC News The long-standing debate about cold fusion is receiving new impetus at the American Chemical Society's national meeting this week. In a bid to avoid the negative connotations of a largely discredited approach, research in the field now appears under the umbrella of "low-energy nuclear reactions," or LENR. Exxon Valdez Oil-Spill Recovery Still Is Work in Progress, 20 Years Later Mar 24 2009 - The Seattle Times Twenty years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, pockets of oil—an estimated 16,000 gallons—remain buried in small portions of the intertidal zone. And herring, a cornerstone species of Prince William Sound's ecosystem, is one of two species "not recovering." The herring population's failure to rebound has emerged as among the most perplexing ecological mysteries of the spill's legacy. Nanotube Tech Transforms CO2 Into Fuel Mar 24 2009 - Discovery Channel Powered by sunlight, titanium oxide nanotubes can turn carbon dioxide into methane, which can be harnessed as an energy source, say scientists at Pennsylvania State University. The nanotubes could dramatically reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and reduce our need for fossil fuels. Study: Lots of Red Meat Increases Mortality Risk Mar 24 2009 - Yahoo! News The largest study of its kind finds that older Americans who eat large amounts of red meat and processed meats face a greater risk of death from heart disease and cancer. The federal study of more than half a million men and women bolsters prior evidence of the health risks of diets laden with red meat like hamburger and processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, and cold cuts. "Corkscrew" Waves Seen on Sun—Keys to Solar Mystery? Mar 23 2009 - National Geographic News New pictures have revealed that mysterious "corkscrew" waves appear to be pushing heat from the Sun's surface to its outer atmosphere. The discovery could help solve the long-standing puzzle of how the Sun is able to heat its atmosphere to millions of degrees hotter than its surface, a new study says. Archives Shed Light on Darwin's Student Days Mar 23 2009 - Reuters Two hundred years after Charles Darwin's birth, academics have uncovered new details of his comfortable existence at the University of Cambridge before he embarked on the grueling five-year voyage that would transform science's view of the world. New Genes Linked to Sudden Heart Failure: Study Mar 23 2009 - Yahoo! News Scientists combing the human genome have discovered 10 common genetic mutations that boost the risk of sudden cardiac arrest by subtly disrupting the heart beat, two studies released Sunday reported. Bees and Ants Operate in Teams Mar 23 2009 - BBC News Bees and ants are true team players unlike other creatures who seek safety in numbers for selfish reasons, according to researchers. Ants and bees worked together as a single unit and were prepared to die for the greater good of the colony. Liquid Saltwater Is Likely Present on Mars, New Analysis Shows Mar 20 2009 - ScienceDaily Salty, liquid water has been detected on a leg of the Mars Phoenix Lander and therefore could be present at other locations on the planet, according to analysis by a group of mission scientists. This is the first time liquid water has been detected and photographed outside the Earth. Global Crisis to Strike by 2030 Mar 20 2009 - BBC News Growing world population will cause a "perfect storm" of food, energy, and water shortages by 2030, the UK government chief scientist has warned. Demand for food and energy will jump 50% by 2030 and for fresh water by 30%, as the population tops 8.3 billion, he told a conference in London. Bye Bye Birdie? One-Third of American Birds Are in Decline Mar 20 2009 - Discover American birds are in trouble, and those living in Hawaiian paradise are the worst off, according to a dire report issued by the U.S. Interior Department. The State of the Birds report says that one-third of bird species across the nation are endangered, threatened, or in serious decline due to habitat loss, polluted water, invasive species, and disease. How to Predict What You'll Like? Ask a Stranger Mar 20 2009 - Time To figure out whether you'll like the restaurant around the corner or that new guy in accounting or a vacation in Madrid, or just about anything else you've never personally experienced, try asking a stranger who has. That person is more likely to predict—more accurately than you—your future reaction, according to a new study published in the March 20 issue of Science. Is It a Gas, Fluid, Solid, or All of the Above? Mar 19 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News Five years ago, researchers saw the first evidence of a "supersolid," a bizarre state of matter in which crystals of ultracold helium could flow like a liquid without viscosity. Now, there is a new contender for the supersolidity claim. Physicists report evidence that a gas of rubidium atoms might form a supersolid. If the new observations hold up, they could usher in a new class of materials ideal for understanding the quantum behavior of matter. Undersea Volcano Explodes in S. Pacific Mar 19 2009 - Discovery News Scientists sailed Thursday to inspect an undersea volcano that has been erupting for days near Tonga—shooting smoke, steam, and ash thousands of feet into the sky above the South Pacific ocean. Authorities said the eruption does not pose any danger to islanders at this stage, and there have been no reports of fish or other animals being affected. Earth's Crust Melts Easier than Previously Thought Mar 19 2009 - ScienceDaily A recent study has found that the Earth's crust melts easier than previously thought. In the study, researchers measured how well rocks conduct heat at different temperatures and found that as rocks get hotter in the Earth's crust, they become better insulators and poorer conductors. Scientists Grow Diabetes Drug in Tobacco Plants Mar 19 2009 - Reuters Scientists have found a healthy use for tobacco after breeding genetically modified plants containing a medicine that could stop type 1 diabetes. The move marks the latest advance in the emerging field of molecular farming, which may offer a cheaper way of making biotech drugs and vaccines than traditional factory systems. Rare Reptile Hatchling Found in New Zealand Mar 19 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) A hatchling of a rare reptile with lineage dating back to the dinosaur age has been found in the wild on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in about 200 years, according to a wildlife official. The baby tuatara was discovered by staff during routine maintenance work at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in the capital, Wellington. Number of U.S. Births Breaks Record Mar 18 2009 - CBS News More babies were born in the United States in 2007 than any year in the nation's history, topping the peak during the baby boom 50 years earlier, federal researchers reported Wednesday. Feathers Tied to Origin of Dinosaurs Mar 18 2009 - MSNBC A new finding upends paleontological thinking about feathers, suggesting they might go back to the origin of all dinosaurs, more than 200 million years. Where Does Consciousness Come From? Mar 18 2009 - ScienceDaily A new paper suggests that four specific, separate processes combine as a "signature" of conscious activity. Sesame Allergies on the Rise in U.S. Mar 18 2009 - WebMD Sesame seed allergies are rapidly rising in the U.S., but most Americans never even consider sesame bagels, hummus, or other sesame-containing foods as the source of their or their kids' allergies, food allergy experts say. Big Melt Seen in Antarctic Past, and Maybe Future Mar 18 2009 - Yahoo! News The West Antarctic ice sheet collapsed periodically between 3 million and 5 million years ago, adding more than 16 feet to global sea level, according to the first examination of soil cores far below the surface of the Ross ice shelf. Also, new computer models suggest that warmer waters nearby attacked the ice from below, triggering those collapses. Discovery Nears Space Station as Debris Nears, Too Mar 16 2009 - Yahoo! News Seven astronauts raced to the international space station aboard space shuttle Discovery today, while NASA debated whether the orbiting outpost will need to move aside to dodge a piece of space junk. The shuttle launch Sunday followed five delays that caused Discovery's mission to be shortened by a day and canceled a planned spacewalk. French Physicist d'Espagnat Wins Prestigious Templeton Prize Mar 16 2009 - Reuters French physicist and philosopher Bernard d'Espagnat has won the 2009 Templeton Prize, billed as the world's largest annual award to an individual, for his work affirming the spiritual dimension of life. Award organizers said his work in quantum physics revealed a reality beyond science that spirituality and art could help to partly grasp. Ya Can't Make It Up: House Praises Pi Mar 13 2009 - Politico The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution Thursday to designate March 14 as Pi Day. Informal celebrations have been held around the country for at least 20 years, but Thursday’s 391-10 vote is the first time Congress has joined the party. Growing Pollution Leads to "Global Dimming" Mar 13 2009 - Reuters Visibility on clear days has declined in much of the world since the 1970s thanks to a rise in airborne pollutants, scientists said on Thursday. Self-Healing Coating Could Make Scratch-Proof Cars Mar 13 2009 - Discover Magazine Fixing a scratch on your car could soon be as easy as parking it in a sunny driveway for an hour. Researchers have invented a self-healing coating that mends scratches when exposed to ultraviolet light, and say the material could keep everything from cars to iPods looking shiny and new. Reports: Margaret Hamburg to Head FDA Mar 12 2009 - ScienceInsider The Obama Administration has chosen a new chief to head the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to media reports. She's Margaret Hamburg, 53, the New York City health commissioner in the 1990s and later an official at the Department of Health and Human Services, where she specialized in bioterrorism and planning a response to a potential flu epidemic. Low Vitamin D Hurts Teens' Hearts Mar 12 2009 - WebMD Low vitamin D levels greatly increase a teenager's risk of diabetes and heart disease, researchers find. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently suggested a daily intake of 400 IU. But some experts say children and teens need more than 1,000 IU of vitamin D every day. Engineers Find Way to Build a Better Battery Mar 12 2009 - Reuters U.S. engineers have found a way to make lithium batteries that are smaller, lighter, longer lasting, and capable of recharging in seconds. They believe the quick-charging batteries could open up new applications, including better batteries for electric cars. Fat Neck a Clue to Heart Risk Mar 12 2009 - BBC News Measuring the thickness of a person's neck may provide as many clues to their risk of developing heart problems as measuring their waist, a study says. A Medical Madoff: Anesthesiologist Faked Data in 21 Studies Mar 11 2009 - Scientific American A pioneering anesthesiologist has been implicated in a massive research fraud that has altered the way millions of patients are treated for pain during and after orthopedic surgeries. Now, the profession is in shambles after an investigation revealed that at least 21 of his papers were pure fiction, and that the pain drugs he touted in them may have slowed postoperative healing. Salt Might Be "Nature's Antidepressant" Mar 11 2009 - ScienceDaily Most people consume far too much salt, and a University of Iowa researcher has discovered one potential reason we crave it—it might put us in a better mood. DNA Evidence Proves that Romanov Prince and Princess Rest in Peace Mar 11 2009 - Discover Magazine DNA evidence has conclusively put to rest one of the legends spawned by the Russian revolution, proving once and for all that the entire Romanov family—Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and all of their five children—were killed by members of the Red Guard in 1918. Study: Belligerent Chimp Proves Animals Make Plans Mar 10 2009 - Yahoo! News A canny chimpanzee who calmly collected a stash of rocks and then hurled them at zoo visitors in fits of rage has confirmed that apes can plan ahead just like humans, according to a Swedish study. First Impressions Are All in the Brain Mar 10 2009 - WebMD Certain brain regions are geared to pick up cues about other people on a first impression—with just a little information and maybe a few preconceived notions, a new study shows. Snap judgments, it turns out, aren't arbitrary at all, but are informed by what we see and know of our opinions about what certain personality traits suggest, researchers report. Stem Cell "Scaffold" for Stroke Mar 10 2009 - BBC News Scientists have developed a tiny scaffold of stem cells to fill holes in the brain caused by stroke damage. So far tested in rats, the biodegradable balls loaded with stem cells were able to replace brain tissue in damaged areas within a week. Obama Reverses Bush-Era Stem Cell Policy Mar 9 2009 - MSNBC President Barack Obama has ended former President George W. Bush's limits on using federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research, sending a clear signal, according to advisers, that science—not political ideology—will guide his administration. Oily Fish Dementia Boosts Queried Mar 9 2009 - BBC News A UK study has cast doubt on claims that eating oily fish can protect against dementia in old age. Data from a trial of more than 800 older people initially showed that those who eat plenty of oily fish seem to have better cognitive function. But factors such as education and mood explained most of the link. Pluto Has "Upside Down" Atmosphere Mar 9 2009 - National Geographic News Pluto, the solar system's oddball, has an upside-down atmosphere compared with Earth. Temperatures rise, rather than drop, with altitude on the dwarf planet, a new study finds. How Much Would Nanotox Testing Cost? Mar 5 2009 - ScienceInsider Nanotech insiders continue to spar over whether there should be widespread toxicity testing of nanomaterials. Not surprisingly, companies churning out products with nanomaterials in them tend to argue that existing regulations and testing are adequate to ensure these materials are safe, while environmental groups tend to call it the other way. A Nightclub for Nerds Makes Science Cool in New York Mar 5 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor In Brooklyn, the Secret Science Club meets once a month, drawing lofty speakers and large numbers of young people, who yearn to discuss sci-tech issues in an informal setting. The Secret Science Club belongs to a burgeoning international community of "science cafes." Could an Ingredient in Ice Cream Prevent HIV Transmission? Mar 5 2009 - Discover A compound often used in cosmetics and foods like ice cream may soon find a loftier use. Researchers say a topical gel containing the compound has shown great promise in preventing HIV infection. Earth's Highest Microbial Ecosystem Found Mar 5 2009 - US News & World Report Gases rising from deep within the Earth are fueling the world's highest known microbial ecosystems, which are perched on the rim of a 19,850-foot-high Andean volcano along with a few patches of plants, researchers announced. Archaeologists Find Statues of Ancient Egypt King Mar 5 2009 - Reuters A team of Egyptian and European archaeologists have discovered two statues of King Amenhotep III, who ruled Egypt roughly 3,400 years ago, the Supreme Council for Antiquities said Thursday. A Better Way to Make Embryonic-Like Stem Cells Mar 4 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News Scientists in Canada and Scotland have developed a virus-free method for generating embryonic-like stem cells that does not involve destroying embryos. Scientists say the new approach to growing so-called induced pluripotent stem cells is an important step toward creating safe and reliable populations of cells for research and therapy. Tiny Moon Discovered Orbiting Saturn Mar 4 2009 - CNN International scientists have announced the discovery of a tiny moon orbiting Saturn. The speck of light, captured by cameras on board the Cassini spacecraft, was first observed on August 15. Chimpanzees Invent Brush-Tipped Tool Mar 4 2009 - Discovery News "New and improved" could describe a brush-tipped probe invented by wild chimpanzees in Africa that found it did a better job than previous versions of the tool at gathering termites for consumption, according to a new study. Overexposed: Imaging Tests Boost U.S. Radiation Dose Mar 4 2009 - Reuters Americans are exposed to seven times more radiation from diagnostic scans than in 1980, a report found on Tuesday as experts said doctors are overusing the tests for profit and raising health risks for patients. Huge Drop In Kids With High Lead Levels Mar 3 2009 - CBS News In a stunning improvement in children's health, far fewer kids have high lead levels than 20 years ago, new government research reports—a testament to aggressive efforts to get lead out of paint, water, and soil. Harmless Debris on Earth Is Devastating in Orbit Feb 27 2009 - The Wall Street Journal A spreading cloud of shrapnel from the collision of two satellites earlier this month is making wrecks for working spacecraft around Earth all but inevitable, analysts warn. Study: Old Drugs Might Give TB a 1-2 Punch Feb 27 2009 - Yahoo! News Scientists might have found a way to deal drug-resistant tuberculosis a one-two punch using two old, safe antibiotics—and studies in ill patients could begin later this year. Doodling May Help Memory Recall Feb 27 2009 - BBC News Doodling may look messy, but it could in fact be a sign of an alert mind, a study suggests. 2010 Science Budget ... Big But Sketchy Numbers Feb 26 2009 - ScienceInsider In a decidedly old-school style for the digitally minded Obama Administration, this morning the Government Printing Office released a booklet on the 2010 budget. Initial results, although sketchy, suggest more boosts for science in 2010, pending, of course, lawmakers' considerable input. Prints Are Evidence of Modern Foot in Prehumans Feb 26 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Footprints uncovered in Kenya show that as early as 1.5 million years ago an ancestral species, almost certainly Homo erectus, had already evolved the feet and walking gait of modern humans. Moral, Physical Disgust Hard-Wired Alike Feb 26 2009 - Discovery News Disgust over an unfair or immoral social situation is hard-wired into the human body as strongly as the reaction to a foul taste, according to research published today in the journal Science. Polar Year Hailed as a Success Feb 25 2009 - BBC News Scientists and policymakers marked the official end of the International Polar Year Wednesday at the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva. The 60-country, $1.2bn effort has seen knowledge about the poles—and their influence on the rest of the planet—increase hugely. How to Save New Brain Cells Feb 25 2009 - Scientific American Fresh neurons arise in the adult brain every day. New research suggests that the cells ultimately help with learning complex tasks—and the more they are challenged, the more they flourish. Study: Antarctic Glaciers Melting Swiftly Feb 25 2009 - CBS News Antarctic glaciers are melting faster than previously thought, which could lead to an unprecedented rise in sea levels, scientists said Wednesday. CO2 Monitoring Satellite Fails Feb 24 2009 - ScienceInsider A $280 million NASA satellite designed to monitor carbon-dioxide emissions failed early this morning. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory was a critical part of the space agency's effort to gather data on climate change, and the probe's failure is a major blow to Earth scientists eager to collect more accurate data on carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. GM Crop Genes Contaminate Mexican Corn Feb 24 2009 - Discovery News Genes from genetically engineered corn have been found in traditional crop strains in Mexico, according to a new study likely to reignite a bitter controversy over biotech maize. U.S.-Led, International Research Team Confirms Alps-Like Mountain Range Exists under East Antarctic Ice Sheet Feb 24 2009 - National Science Foundation An international team of scientists has not only verified the existence of a mountain range that is suspected to have caused the massive East Antarctic Ice Sheet to form but also has created a detailed picture of the rugged landscape buried under more than 4 kilometers of ice. Gene Could Allow Lab-Grown Teeth Feb 24 2009 - BBC News Scientists believe they have found a way to grow teeth in the laboratory, a discovery that could put an end to fillings and dentures. Antibodies Could Provide New Way to Fight Flu Feb 23 2009 - MSNBC Researchers have discovered human antibodies that neutralize not only H5N1 bird flu but other strains of influenza as well and say they hope to develop them into lifesaving treatments. Dark Energy to Erase Big Bang's Fading Signal Feb 23 2009 - Discovery News Even with the most sensitive detectors, future scientists will not be able to observe the leftover radiation from the Big Bang explosion, study the motion of distant galaxies to conclude that space is expanding, or even see distant objects. The force astronomers know as dark energy will stretch the universe beyond detection, with objects receding faster than the speed of light. Upgrade to Warning System on Tsunamis Is Going Slowly Feb 23 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) a tsunami in the Indian Ocean killed hundreds of thousands of people in 2004, the American government moved to improve the nation's tsunami warning systems. But some of the upgrades are temporary and have not been made to the highest standards. Real-World CSI's Need Upgrade, Report Says Feb 23 2009 - CBS News Crime labs nationwide must be overhauled to prevent the types of mistakes that put innocent people in prison and leave criminals out on the street, researchers have concluded. Open Access to Scientific Papers May Not Guarantee Wide Dissemination Feb 20 2009 - National Science Foundation New research challenges the assumption that having research published in open-access journals and other free sources leads to more exposure and citations. What a Mess! Experts Ponder Space Junk Problem Feb 20 2009 - Yahoo! News Think of it as a galactic garbage dump. With a recent satellite collision still fresh on minds, participants at a meeting in the Austrian capital this week are discussing ways to deal with space debris—junk that is clogging up the orbit around the Earth. Hope Over Peanut Allergy Cure' Feb 20 2009 - BBC News A group of children with peanut allergies have had their condition effectively cured, doctors believe. It is the first time a food allergy has been desensitised in such a way, although a longer-term follow up is now needed to confirm the findings. Earth's Cracks May Contribute to Global Warming Feb 20 2009 - Discovery.com News Whether devastating faults, dank caves or mud cracks on a drying desert plain, Earth's surface is riddled with fractures. Now a new study has found that the cracks exhale large quantities of gas, perhaps enough to affect global warming. Study: Kids with Eczema More Likely to Have ADHD Feb 19 2009 - CNN Children with eczema are more likely to also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than those without the skin problem, according to a study. Scientists Make Advances on "Nano" Electronics Feb 19 2009 - Reuters Two U.S. teams have developed new materials that may pave the way for ever smaller, faster, and more powerful electronics as current semiconductor technology begins to reach the limits of miniaturization. Hefty Health Spending in Stimulus Bill Feb 18 2009 - Web MD The economic stimulus bill signed by President Obama contains more than $140 billion in healthcare spending, designed mostly to ease the recession's effects on workers and also to boost long-held goals of improving the nation's health information infrastructure. Cache of Ice Age Fossils Found in L.A. Feb 18 2009 - USA Today Scientists are studying a huge cache of Ice Age fossil deposits recovered near the famous La Brea Tar Pits in the heart of the nation's second-largest city. An Earlier Debut for a Famous Algae Feb 18 2009 - ScienceNow Daily News New research shows that cells in green algae called Volvox may have learned to cooperate much earlier than thought, shifting the evolutionary time frame for this model organism back hundreds of millions of years—a somewhat controversial finding. Biofuel Rocket Engine Gets Test Run Feb 18 2009 - Discovery.com News The U.S. aerospace industry is officially onboard the biofuel bandwagon, with the test fire of a small rocket engine that burns commercially available biodiesel. Neanderthal Genome "First Draft" Unveiled Feb 17 2009 - National Geographic News A "first draft" of the Neanderthal genome announced last week adds to evidence that the extinct human species was lactose intolerant and could have shared some basic language capabilities with modern humans. Genetically Customized Cancer Treatments Feb 17 2009 - CBS News The days of one-size-fits-all cancer treatment are numbered: A rush of new research is pointing the way to tailor chemotherapy and other care to what's written in your tumor's genes. Kids' Cholesterol Study Reassuring, Doctors Say Feb 17 2009 - MSNBC Fewer than 1% of American teens are likely to need cholesterol drugs, says a new study that offers some reassuring news on the childhood obesity front. Building Green Houses for the Poor Feb 17 2009 - Time Magazine Green is not just for the wealthy. Nationwide, low-income green housing projects show that eco-friendly buildings save more money—and energy—for those who need it most. Race for "God Particle" Heats Up Feb 17 2009 - BBC News Europe's particle physics lab, Cern, is losing ground rapidly in the race to discover the elusive Higgs boson, or "God particle", its US rival claims. The particle, whose existence has been predicted by theoreticians, would help to explain why matter has mass. Valentine's Day Facts: Gifts, History, and Love Science Feb 14 2009 - National Geographic News Where did Valentine's Day come from? What does it cost? And why do we fall for it, year after year? Read on. Study: Babies Who Gesture Learn Words Sooner Feb 13 2009 - Time Magazine Researchers found that at 14 months of age, babies already show a wide range of "speaking" ability through gestures, and that those differences are correlated with their socioeconomic background and how frequently their parents use gestures to communicate. First Extinct-Animal Clone Created Feb 13 2009 - National Geographic News An extinct animal has been resurrected by cloning for the first time, although the clone died minutes after birth. Findings revealed in the journal Theriogenology describe the use of frozen skin in 2003 to clone a bucardo, or Pyrenean ibex, a subspecies of Spanish ibex that went extinct in 2000. Science Headed for Big Stimulus Boost Feb 12 2009 - ScienceInsider After years of flat budgets, U.S. scientists have been hoping for the federal government to boost their prospects in a rough economy. If a fact sheet released late yesterday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is accurate, the stimulus package that House and Senate leaders agreed upon yesterday will be manna from heaven. Russian and US Satellites Collide Feb 12 2009 - BBC News U.S. and Russian communications satellites have collided in space in what is thought to be the biggest incident of its kind to date. The U.S. commercial Iridium spacecraft hit a defunct Russian satellite at an altitude of about 800km over Siberia on Tuesday, according to Nasa. The impact produced a cloud of debris, which will be tracked into the future. Why Sleep Is Needed to Form Memories Feb 12 2009 - ScienceDaily If you ever argued with your mother when she told you to get some sleep after studying for an exam instead of pulling an all-nighter, you owe her an apology, because it turns out she's right. And now, scientists are beginning to understand why. Study: Multivitamins Boost Huge Disappointment Feb 10 2009 - Time Magazine The largest study ever of multivitamin use in older women found the pills did nothing to prevent common cancers or heart disease. The eight-year study in 161,808 postmenopausal women echoes recent disappointing vitamin studies in men. "Big Bang" Machine's Restart Delayed Again Feb 10 2009 - CBS News The Large Hadron Collider could be restarted at the end of September—a year after the world's largest particle accelerator was knocked off line by an electrical malfunction. The delay is the latest in a string of restart dates. CERN had originally expected to have the LHC back online at the beginning of April. Japan Scientists Identify Cancer-Suppressing Enzyme Feb 9 2009 - Reuters Scientists in Japan have identified an enzyme that appears to suppress breast cancer and they hope the finding will spur new therapies to control the second most common cancer in the world. 30 Mummies Found in Newly Discovered Tomb in Egypt Feb 9 2009 - Yahoo! News A storehouse of 30 Egyptians mummies has been unearthed inside a 2,600-year-old tomb, in a new round of excavations at the vast necropolis of Saqqara outside Cairo, archeologists said Monday. Drug From Milk of Genetically Engineered Goats Gets OK Feb 9 2009 - Discovery.com News The Food and Drug Administration made history Friday as it approved the first drug made with materials from genetically engineered animals, clearing the way for a new class of medical therapies. Iron on Its Route to the Sea-Floor: A New Path Feb 9 2009 - National Science Foundation Iron dust, the rarest nutrient for most marine life, can be washed down by rivers or blown out to sea or—a surprising new study finds—float up from the sea floor in the material spewed from hydrothermal vents. Antarctic Patents Strain Goals of Shared Science Feb 6 2009 - Reuters Fifty years into a treaty demanding all scientific findings on Antarctica be freely shared, governments are trying to end a dispute over a surge in company patents on life in the continent. Researchers Find Wolves In Dogs' Clothing Feb 6 2009 - CBS News Today's dogs are descendants of ancient wolves. Now, it turns out, at least some of today's wolves inherited traits from ancient dogs. House Passes Kids' Health Insurance Bill Feb 4 2009 - Yahoo! News The House overwhelmingly approved a bill extending health coverage to 4 million uninsured children, giving President Barack Obama a much-needed win on health care and taking a first step toward his promise of universal coverage. Heart Rate Predicts Women's Heart Risk Feb 4 2009 - WebMD A woman's resting pulse rate is a good predictor of her heart attack risk regardless of other risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, researchers say. Fossils Reveal Bus-Sized 2,500-Pound Snake Feb 4 2009 - Discovery News Fossils from northeastern Colombia reveal the biggest snake ever discovered: a behemoth that stretched 42 to 45 feet long, reaching more than 2,500 pounds. A New Space Prize Sign of the Times? Feb 3 2009 - ScienceInsider The Heinlein Prize Trust is offering a new $25,000 prize for scientists to design microgravity experiments to fly into space in the next two years. SpaceX, a commercial space company in California, also announced it will donate experimental payload space on its Dragon spacecraft on an upcoming flight. Are the Wrong Kids Taking Multivitamins? Feb 3 2009 - Time Magazine Results of a national survey of more than 10,000 children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 show that those who were most likely to take vitamin and mineral supplements were those who needed them least—in other words, youngsters in higher income families, who ate consistent and nutritious meals. On Titan: It's Raining Methane Feb 3 2009 - MSNBC It's been raining liquid methane on Titan. That's according to an analysis of just-released images revealing a possible new lake in the south polar region of Saturn's largest moon. A Leap for Teleporting, Between Ions Feet Apart Feb 3 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Scientists have achieved a milestone in communication: teleporting the quantum identity of one atom to another a few feet away. Coffee Drinkers Show Lower Dementia Risk Feb 3 2009 - Reuters In more good news for coffee lovers, a new study suggests that middle-aged adults who regularly drink a cup of java may have a lower risk of developing dementia later in life. Underground Particles Forecast Winter Storms Jan 30 2009 - Discovery.com News Without getting a weather report—or even stepping outside—scientists have found a way to predict when a winter storm is on its way. The tip-off? Tabulating the number of cosmic ray particles reaching detectors a half-mile underground. Child-Health Bill Advances Jan 30 2009 - The Wall Street Journal The Senate voted Thursday to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, one in a series of early steps Congress is taking on health care. These early efforts are serving as a warm-up of sorts for the broader debate coming over an overhaul to the health system. MS Stem-Cell Treatment "Success" Jan 30 2009 - BBC News Stem-cell transplants may control and even reverse multiple sclerosis symptoms if done early enough, a small study has suggested. Study Shows What Makes Locusts Swarm Jan 30 2009 - Reuters A brain chemical that lifts people out of depression can transform solitary grasshoppers into swarming desert locusts, a finding that could one day help prevent the devastating plagues, researchers say. Sky Show This Month: "Two-Tailed" Comet Nearing Earth Jan 29 2009 - National Geographic News A fresh new face has moved into our neighborhood, but once it swings by Earth next month, it may never come back. Comet Lulin is currently sailing through the inner solar system and is getting closer to our home planet, with its nearest approach expected in late February. Like a Guest That Won't Leave, BPA Lingers in the Human Body Jan 29 2009 - Scientific American A new study indicates that bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in plastic bottles and can linings that has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and liver failure, may linger in the body far longer than previously believed. New Insight Into How Bees See Could Improve Artificial Intelligence Systems Jan 26 2009 - ScienceDaily New research on bees could lead to improved artificial intelligence systems and computer programs for facial recognition. Warmer Climate Causing Huge Increase in Tree Mortality Across the West Jan 26 2009 - National Science Foundation Regional warming and drought stress are the "dominant contributors" to a rapid increase of tree mortality in old growth forests across the West during the past 50 years, a new report concludes, with the Pacific Northwest the hardest hit of all areas studied. Single Cell Can Store Memories Jan 26 2009 - BBC News Just one brain cell is capable of holding fleeting memories vital for our everyday life, according to US scientists. In "Geek Chic" and Obama, New Hope for Lifting Women in Science Jan 23 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) With the inauguration of an administration committed to Science as the grand elixir for the nation’s economic, environmental, and psycho-reputational woes, a number of scientists say that now is the time to tackle a chronic conundrum of their beloved enterprise: how to attract more women into the fold, and keep them once they are there. US Approves First Stem Cell Study for Spinal Injury Jan 23 2009 - ABC News A U.S. biotech company says it plans to start this summer the world's first study of a treatment based on human embryonic stem cells—a long-awaited project aimed at spinal cord injury. The FDA approves testing of treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells. Study Gets Inside the World's "Brown Cloud" Jan 23 2009 - Time Magazine A high-altitude mass of air pollution stretches from the Arabian peninsula to the western Pacific Ocean. A new report confirms that the mass is soot from human burning of wood, dung, and crop residue, as well as industrial processes and traffic pollution. Life Expectancy Up, Thanks to Cleaner Air Jan 22 2009 - WebMD Steps to curb air pollution in the U.S. are paying off, helping to dramatically increase average life spans, according to a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Is That Two Moons Around Saturn I See? Jan 22 2009 - Reuters Italian and British scientists want to exhume the body of 16th century astronomer Galileo for DNA tests to determine if his severe vision problems may have affected some of his findings. Women Cannot Control Their Hunger as Well as Men, Study Shows Jan 22 2009 - ScienceDaily A ground-breaking brain-imaging study at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory shows that men, but not women, are able to control their brain’s response to their own favorite foods. Dementia Rarer in Calm, Outgoing People Jan 21 2009 - WebMD Developing dementia may be almost half as likely in older adults who are calm and enjoy socializing as in their peers who are stressed and isolated, according to Swedish researchers. Girls Have the Edge in New Technologies, New Report Reveals Jan 21 2009 - ScienceDaily A new report, co-authored by a University of Hertfordshire academic, reveals that girls are more likely to have new technologies at home than boys and it is mothers rather than fathers who assist them. New Light on Mars Methane Mystery Jan 16 2009 - BBC News Scientists detect seasonal releases of methane gas on Mars and say either geological activity or life could be the cause. South Korean Experts Find Way to Remove Lead from Blood Jan 16 2009 - Reuters South Korean scientists may have found a way to remove dangerous heavy metals such as lead from blood by using specially designed magnetic receptors. One Major Flu Strain Resistant to Tamiflu Treatment Jan 16 2009 - The Seattle Times The major type of seasonal influenza has become resistant to Tamiflu, the mainstay antiviral for millions of Americans. Another strain of the flu virus has already developed resistance to a second class of antiviral drugs, leaving doctors with tough choices about how to treat flu patients. How to Lift Your Mood? Try Smiling Jan 16 2009 - Time Magazine Research suggests that the act of smiling is a hardwired trait and that the purpose of it may be not only to express joy but also to foster it from the outside in. Eye Study Shows How Deadly Form of Malaria Kills Jan 15 2009 - Reuters The human eye can help doctors understand how an acute form of malaria attacks the brain, researchers said on Wednesday, opening the way to new and better treatments for one of Africa's biggest killers. Virginia Company Recalls Peanut Butter Linked to Salmonella Outbreak Jan 14 2009 - The Wall Street Journal A Virginia company that makes peanut butter for institutional use is recalling peanut butter made at a Georgia plant after health officials linked it to a salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 425 people in 43 states and may have caused three deaths. As Humans Hunt, Their Prey Gets Smaller: Study Jan 13 2009 - Reuters Hunting and gathering has a profound impact on animals and plants, driving an evolutionary process that makes them become smaller and reproduce earlier, according to U.S. researchers. Obama and Science in Developing Countries Jan 13 2009 - ScienceInsider While some fear that the scientific and technical assistance programs to Africa and other developing regions may suffer as a result of the economic downturn, Harvard University's Calestous Juma, an expert on the topic, believes it may have the opposite impact. Wireless Microgrippers Grab Living Cells in "Biopsy" Tests Jan 13 2009 - ScienceDaily Researchers have invented dust-particle-size devices that can be used to grab and remove living cells from hard-to-reach places without the need for electrical wires or tubes. "Renegade" Stars Tearing Across Universe, Hubble Shows Jan 12 2009 - National Geographic News Ripples in cosmic gas that resemble speedboat wakes have revealed a new population of young, renegade stars barreling through the universe at more than 112,000 miles (180,250 kilometers) an hour. Once Humans Crossed the Bering Land Bridge to America, Where Did They Go? Jan 12 2009 - Discover Magazine When the first bands of early humans made their intrepid journey into the Americas, they found plenty of room to spread out, according to a new study. Researchers say one group moved down the Pacific coastline all the way to the tip of South America, and the other crossed into North America and settled near the Great Lakes. First Rule of the Ant Colony: No Hanky Panky Jan 12 2009 - Time Magazine Ants don't tolerate philandering—promiscuous ants are attacked and killed. Now, scientists have figured out exactly how the colony knows who's been up to no good. A Wolfe in Regulator's Clothing: Drug Industry Critic Joins the FDA Jan 9 2009 - The Wall Street Journal To the consternation of the drug industry, drug-safety crusader Sidney Wolfe has been appointed to a key FDA committee. The outsider is going inside, mirroring a larger shift in the Washington pendulum toward tougher company regulation. Body Repair Could Be Ramped Up Jan 9 2009 - BBC News A combination of drugs could trick the body into sending its repair mechanisms into overdrive, say scientists. The technique could be used to speed the healing of heart or bone damage, they claim. Autism Cases on the Rise Jan 9 2009 - WebMD A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis shows that the continuous increase in autism cases over the last decade—particularly the huge increase seen in California—is real, not just due to changes in diagnosis criteria or other "artifacts." Computer Puzzle May Ease Post-Traumatic Stress Jan 8 2009 - Reuters Playing Tetris, rated one of the greatest video games of all time, immediately after traumatic events appears to reduce flashbacks that plague sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a British study. Great Lakes Facing Wide Alien Species Invasion Jan 8 2009 - Discovery.com News Dozens of foreign species could spread across the Great Lakes in coming years despite policies designed to keep them out, causing significant environmental and economic damage, a federal report says. NASA Space Balloon Mission Tunes in to Cosmic Radio Mystery Jan 8 2009 - ScienceDaily Listening to the early universe just got harder. A team of NASA scientists announced the discovery of cosmic radio noise that booms six times louder than expected. Detailed analysis ruled out an origin from primordial stars or from known radio sources, including gas in the outermost halo of our own galaxy. The source of this cosmic radio background remains a mystery. And They Say Jobs for Journalists Are Scarce These Days Jan 7 2009 - ScienceInsider The Obama White House has reportedly signed up a nominee for surgeon general—CNN commentator and celebrity doc Sanjay Gupta, according to the Washington Post. Gupta, who has not commented on the report, served as a policy fellow in the Clinton White House nearly a decade ago. Biggest Known Landslide Found on Mars? Jan 7 2009 - National Geographic News A Texas-size asteroid that hit ancient Mars may have triggered a United States–size landslide—the largest known anywhere, according to scientists. The finding could help solve the origin mystery of Mars's Arabia Terra region, a vast, midlevel plateau between the planet's smooth northern lowlands and rugged southern highlands. Data Uncover Bigger Galaxy in Cosmos, and It’s Ours Jan 6 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration) It turns out that Andromeda, previously thought to be the biggest galaxy in this part of the universe, may not have bragging rights over the Milky Way after all. Astronomers said Monday that the Milky Way is more massive than earlier known. Pink Iguana Evaded Darwin Jan 6 2009 - MSNBC When Darwin explored the Galapagos Islands in the early 1800s, he, and countless scientists since, overlooked a hefty pink iguana. The iguana, which has black stripes and is believed to be extremely rare, was discovered on Isabela Island, which Darwin missed during his five-week stay at the archipelago. Walk to Ward Off Age-Related Weight Gain Jan 6 2009 - WebMD Walking as little as half an hour a day may keep the extra pounds from adding up as you get older. A new study suggests that the more you walk, the less likely you'll gain weight as you age. Have Americans Gone Nuts over Nut Allergies? Jan 5 2009 - Time Magazine Is evacuating a school bus full of children because of a lone peanut on the floor a smart precaution, or overkill? No one would disagree that children who suffer from life-threatening allergies need to be protected, but the growing trend of demonizing nuts only fuels anxiety, according to Harvard professor Nicholas Christakis. Mammoths Wiped Out by "Perfect Storm?" Jan 5 2009 - MSNBC A team of researchers believes that the hearty mammoths were much tougher than we give them credit for. They say that the extinction of the giant animals cannot be attributed to humans or climate change alone, but to a "perfect storm" of factors. Basalt Rock Wall Found in Ocean Near Taiwan Jan 5 2009 - Reuters A biodiversity researcher has found a huge basalt rock formation in the Taiwan Strait, resembling a city wall and rivaling similar monoliths on land. The 200 meter-long, 10 meter-high undersea wall, which looks like thousands of pillars packed together, is near the Pescadores archipelago. Four Years After Tsunami, Coral Reefs Recovering Jan 2 2009 - ScienceDaily A team of scientists from the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society has reported a rapid recovery of coral reefs in areas of Indonesia, following the tsunami that devastated coastal regions throughout the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004. Keep Off Dieting to Avoid Flu Jan 2 2009 - BBC News Dieting at this time of year could impair your body's ability to fight the flu virus, a study warns. U.S. researchers found mice who were put on a calorie-controlled diet found it harder to tackle the infection than those on a normal diet. Exploiting Nature to Cut Mosquitoes' Lives Short Jan 2 2009 - Yahoo! News Old mosquitoes usually spread disease, so Australian researchers figured out a way to make the pests die younger—naturally, not poisoned. A new report suggests an alternative to mass spraying of insecticides: Breeding mosquitoes to carry an insect parasite that causes earlier death. Researchers Unlock Secrets of 1918 Flu Pandemic Dec 30 2008 - Reuters Researchers have found out what made the 1918 flu pandemic so deadly—a group of three genes that lets the virus invade the lungs and cause pneumonia. Surgery Reverses Type 2 Diabetes in Teens Dec 30 2008 - WebMD A small new study shows Roux-en-Y gastric bypass weight loss surgery halted the use of medications for type 2 diabetes in 10 out of 11 obese adolescents treated with the procedure. The surgery also reduced their risk factors for heart disease. Gene Disease Recreated in Lab Dec 22 2008 - BBC News US researchers say they can now watch genetic diseases unfolding in the laboratory after finding a way to make large numbers of affected cells. A Greener Alternative to Plastics: Liquid Wood Dec 22 2008 - MSNBC Just in time for Christmas, German researchers are ramping up a manufacturing technique for making intricate Nativity figurines, toys, and even hi-fi speaker boxes from a renewable and surprisingly versatile source: liquid wood. Sources: John Holdren to be Nominated as Obama's Science Adviser Dec 19 2008 - ScienceInsider Strong indications are that President-elect Barack Obama has picked physicist John Holdren to be the president's science adviser. A top adviser to the Obama campaign and international expert on energy and climate, Holdren would bolster Obama's team in those areas. Next Generation Microscopy: No Stain, Big Gain Dec 19 2008 - National Science Foundation A newly developed label-free imaging technique called stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) will likely revolutionize biomedical imaging in research and diagnostic laboratories. The key to this new chemical imaging technique is the use of two lasers with different frequencies. Daddy Day Care: Dinosaur Fathers Guarded the Eggs Dec 19 2008 - Reuters Scientists who examined the fossilized remains of three types of medium-sized dinosaurs found with large clutches of eggs have concluded that the males rather than the females seem to have guarded the nests and brooded the eggs. Philippines Moves to Fight Pig Ebola Dec 19 2008 - The Wall Street Journal Global health authorities are preparing an emergency mission to the Philippines after U.S. scientists discovered a strain of the Ebola virus in dead pigs there that had previously only been found in monkeys. 5 Surprising Holiday Health Myths Dec 18 2008 - U.S. News & World Report Many supposed holiday hazards are as innocuous as a tepid mug of apple cider. A review article in the current issue of the British Medical Journal cites five fears that can officially be crossed off the holiday worry list. Vilsack: Some Hard Choices on Ethanol Dec 18 2008 - Time Magazine Viewpoint: Obama's choice for Agriculture Secretary has been a supporter of environmentally destructive biofuels. But he could see the light. New Deep-Sea Reefs Found with Sonar Dec 18 2008 - National Geographic News High-resolution sonar images taken in early December have identified three huge deep-sea coral reefs off the coast of Florida. At depths of nearly 400 meters, the recently discovered reefs are home to hundreds, if not thousands, of species, according to scientists. 67 Percent Say They Understand Their Pets Dec 18 2008 - CBS News Sixty-seven percent of pet owners surveyed say they understand their animals' barks, purrs, and other sounds. In a finding many parents of teenagers might envy, 62% percent of owners say that when they speak their pets get the message. Global Warming Impacts on U.S. Coming Sooner than Expected, Report Predicts Dec 18 2008 - ScienceDaily A new report provides new insights on the potential for abrupt climate change and the effects it could have on the United States, identifying key concerns that include faster-than-expected loss of sea ice, rising sea levels and a possibly permanent state of drought in the American southwest. Hole Found in Earth's Magnetic Field Dec 17 2008 - Time Magazine Recent satellite observations have revealed the largest breach yet seen in the magnetic field that protects Earth from most of the Sun's violent blasts, researchers reported Tuesday. The discovery was made last summer by Themis, a fleet of five small NASA satellites. Mysterious Dark Energy Demystified Dec 17 2008 - MSNBC The mysterious force now called dark energy has been expanding the universe at an increasing pace. New measurements of this accelerating expansion, which drives galaxies away from one another on large scales but so far shows no effects on small scales (such as within a galaxy), provide details about the nature of the unseen and unknown dark energy that is at work. Enceladus Has Spreading Surface Dec 16 2008 - BBC News A NASA probe has witnessed a moon of Saturn do something very unusual and Earth-like. Pictures of the icy satellite Enceladus suggest its surface splits and spreads apart—just like the ocean floor on our planet splits to create new crust. Water Currents Tapped as Renewable Energy Dec 15 2008 - MSNBC Currents can be powerful enough to tip canoes, damage docks, and even topple bridges. The force of all that moving water can also provide a clean, affordable, and unobtrusive source of renewable energy, says University of Michigan engineer Michael Bernitsas. The Yawn Explained: It Cools Your Brain Dec 15 2008 - Discovery.com News If your head is overheated, there's a good chance you'll yawn soon, according to a new study that found the primary purpose of yawning is to control brain temperature. The finding solves several mysteries about yawning, such as why it's most commonly done just before and after sleeping, why certain diseases lead to excessive yawning, and why breathing through the nose and cooling off the forehead often stop yawning. Elephants Live Much Longer in Wild Than Zoos Dec 12 2008 - Discovery.com News Zoo elephants don't live as long as those in the wild, according to a study sure to stir debate about keeping the giant animals on display. Animals in the wild or in natural working conditions had life spans twice that or more of their relatives in zoos. EU Leaders Reach New Climate Deal Dec 12 2008 - BBC News European Union leaders have reached a deal on a package of measures to fight global warming. The plan sets out how 27 member-countries will cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020, compared with 1990 levels. But critics said concessions made to some nations and sectors would lessen the package's long-term impact. Pompeii Family's Final Hours Reconstructed Dec 12 2008 - MSNBC Italian researchers have reconstructed the last hours in Pompeii of a dozen people who managed to survive Mount Vesuvius' devastating eruption for more than 19 hours. Study: Bone Drug Helps Chemo Fight Breast Cancer Dec 12 2008 - Yahoo! News New research adds fresh hope that a drug that strengthens bones might also fight breast cancer. Women who were given the drug, Zometa, as part of their initial treatment had greater tumor shrinkage and were less likely to need radical surgery, according to a preliminary study. About 1 in 9 US Kids Use Alternative Medicine Dec 11 2008 - Time Magazine More than one in nine children and teens use herbal supplements or some other form of alternative medicine, according to a new national survey. It's the first time children's use of such remedies, including acupuncture, meditation, and chiropractic care, has been measured. No Batteries Required Dec 11 2008 - U.S. News & World Report A dying battery on a cell phone or iPod is usually a simple inconvenience, but it can potentially ruin lives. Research now shows that high-tech devices will be able to power themselves in the future by converting pressure waves into energy. No recharge needed. Protecting Organ Recipients—From Donors Dec 11 2008 - The Wall Street Journal Donated blood, organs, and human tissue can be the gift of life. But they can also bring life-threatening risks. Now, the CDC is teaming up with a coalition of private blood banks, tissue banks, and organ-donation groups to develop a national "biovigilance" network. CO2 Found on "Hot Jupiter" Planet Dec 11 2008 - Reuters Carbon dioxide has been seen on a hot planet outside our solar system—another piece of evidence supporting the possibility that life could develop elsewhere, according to astronomers. Secret Ingredient for the Health of Tropical Rainforests Discovered Dec 10 2008 - ScienceDaily Scientists have found for the first time that tropical rainforests rely on the rare trace element molybdenum to capture the nitrogen fertilizer needed to support their wildly productive growth. Most of the nitrogen that supports the rapid, lush growth of rainforests comes from tiny bacteria that can turn nitrogen in the air into fertilizer in the soil. Vitamins Do Not Cut Cancer Risk Dec 10 2008 - BBC News Taking vitamin C or E does not reduce the risk of prostate cancers—or other forms of the disease, two large US studies suggest. Both trials were set up following some evidence that taking supplements might have a positive effect. Envy Is a Dog's Life, Study Finds Dec 9 2008 - Reuters Dogs can sniff out unfair situations and show a simple emotion similar to envy or jealousy, Austrian researchers reported on Monday. Dogs sulked and refused to "shake" paws if other dogs got treats for tricks and they did not. Researchers: Study Results Should Be Given to Participants Dec 9 2008 - USA Today When patients enroll in clinical trials, they do so with the knowledge that their own health might not benefit and could even be compromised. So the least researchers could do is reveal the results to them, a study concludes. Obesity's Tie to Childhood Earaches Dec 9 2008 - Scientific American Middle-ear infections—the most common illness in young children—afflict three out of every four kids before the age of three. Now research suggests that these bacterial infections cause more than just pain. They may lead to taste impairment, putting children at an increased risk of becoming obese. Half-Dose Flu Shots Work Best in Women Dec 9 2008 - WebMD Scientists have concludes that if there's another flu vaccine shortage, it might be a good idea to give half-dose vaccines to young adult women, and perhaps to young adult men, but not to older men and women. Malaria Vaccine Shows Promise in Tests Dec 8 2008 - MSNBC Researchers are reporting promising results for what may become the world's first malaria vaccine. In early tests, the experimental vaccine was more than 50% effective in preventing the deadly disease in infants and young children in Africa. Cold Sore Virus Linked to Alzheimer's Disease Dec 8 2008 - ScienceDaily The virus behind cold sores is a major cause of the insoluble protein plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease sufferers, University of Manchester researchers have revealed. Happiness Is Contagious Dec 5 2008 - WebMD New research suggests that happiness is influenced not only by the people you know, but by the people they know. The study showed that happiness spreads through social networks, sort of like a virus, meaning that your happiness could influence the happiness of someone you've never even met. Big Drop in Global Measles Cases Dec 5 2008 - BBC News The number of deaths across the world caused by measles has fallen by 74% in the past seven years. In 2007 the World Health Organization registered 197,000 measles deaths, compared to 750,000 in 2000. The WHO said two-thirds of the reduction took place in Africa, where the number of deaths dropped by 89%. Slender in the Grass Dec 5 2008 - Time Magazine A new study found that inner-city kids living in neighborhoods with more green space gained about 13% less weight over a two-year period than kids living amid more concrete and fewer trees. Such findings tell a powerful story. Climate Change, Drought to Strain Colorado River Dec 5 2008 - Yahoo! News Seven Western states will face more water shortages in the years ahead as climate change exacerbates the strains drought and a growing population have put on the Colorado River, scientists say. China to Send Scientists into Space Dec 4 2008 - MSNBC China's military-backed space program will send scientists on future manned missions as its demand for technical expertise rises, state media reported. Plans call for the program to begin setting up space laboratories after 2012. Brain Waves Shed Light on Autism Dec 3 2008 - Discovery News Unique brain wave patterns, spotted for the first time in autistic children, may help explain why they have so much trouble communicating. The results need to be confirmed in younger children, but researchers hope this technique could be used to help diagnose autism in children as young as age 1. That's earlier than usual and could mean behavior treatment much sooner. Study: Generic Heart Drugs Just as Good Dec 3 2008 - WebMD Brand-name drugs that treat heart disease aren't better than their FDA-approved generic versions, a new study shows. The researchers focused on clinical outcomes—including heart rate, blood pressure, illness, and death—and found no evidence that the brand-name drugs were superior to the generic drugs. Surveying the Brain for Origins of the Senior Moment Dec 3 2008 - The Wall Street Journal Researchers are finding that we are more easily distracted as we age, highlighting the conflict between the demands of modern multitasking and our waning powers of concentration. Possible Mechanism for Creating "Handedness" in Biological Molecules Dec 2 2008 - ScienceDaily The basic molecules that make up all living things have a predetermined chirality or "handedness," similar to the way people are right- or left-handed. The inception of chirality from the elementary building blocks of matter is one of the great mysteries of the origin of life. Now, scientists have discovered a way to induce this handedness in pre-biological molecules. 1 in 5 Young Adults Has Personality Disorder Dec 2 2008 - The Boston Globe Almost one in five young American adults has a personality disorder that interferes with everyday life, and even more abuse alcohol or drugs, researchers reported in the most extensive study of its kind. The study also found that fewer than 25% of college-aged Americans with mental problems get treatment. Sources of Saturn Moon's Supersonic Water Jets Revealed Dec 2 2008 - National Geographic News Jets of water vapor blasting out of Saturn's moon Enceladus at supersonic speeds are coming from vents each about the size of a professional sports stadium, a new study says. Researchers think the jets are formed when liquid water from pools not far beneath the icy moon's surface accelerates as vapor passes through a maze of nozzle-like channels before erupting into space. Media Bombardment Is Linked to Ill Effects During Childhood Dec 2 2008 - The Washington Post (requires free registration) In a detailed look at nearly 30 years of research on how television, music, movies, and other media affect the lives of children and adolescents, a new study found an array of negative health effects linked to greater use. Most Planets May Be Seeded with Life Dec 1 2008 - ScienceNow Daily News Astronomers have detected a building block of RNA floating within the hot, compact core of a massive star-forming region in the Milky Way. The molecule appears to have formed with all of the other stuff that makes up planets, suggesting that many other worlds are seeded with some of life's ingredients right from birth. Oldest Turtle Found: May Crack Shell-Evolution Mystery Dec 1 2008 - National Geographic News Fossils of the oldest-known turtles, unearthed in southwestern China, may help answer an evolutionary enigma—how did the turtle get its shell? Research on Mice Links Fast Food to Alzheimer's Dec 1 2008 - Reuters Mice fed junk food for nine months showed signs of developing the abnormal brain tangles strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to a Swedish researcher. First Inventory of Life at Poles Dec 1 2008 - BBC News The first comprehensive inventory of the sea and land animals living in a polar region has been carried out by British and German scientists. More than 1,200 species were counted, including five new to science. Thanksgiving Sky: Jupiter, Venus, Moon Together Nov 26 2008 - Time Magazine It's not just families that are getting together this Thanksgiving week. The three brightest objects in the night sky—Venus, Jupiter, and a crescent moon—will crowd around each other for an unusual group shot. Shipwreck May Hold Key to Turks and Caicos' Lineage Nov 26 2008 - Reuters A pair of glass-eyed idols led marine archaeologists to the wreck of a Spanish ship that once carried an illegal cargo of African slaves believed to be the ancestors of many of today's inhabitants of the British colony of Turks and Caicos. Ocean Growing More Acidic Faster Than Once Thought Nov 26 2008 - ScienceDaily University of Chicago scientists have documented that the ocean is growing more acidic faster than previously thought. FDA Tests Find Melamine Traces in Baby Formula Nov 26 2008 - The Wall Street Journal The Food and Drug Administration said it found "trace levels" of the industrial chemical melamine in one sample of U.S.-made infant formula and in a few samples of other products like nutritional and medical supplements made by U.S. manufacturers of infant formula. Amoebae Family Values Nov 26 2008 - ScienceNow Daily News Single-celled organisms stick with relatives to avoid being duped. Study: Breast Cancer May Regress on Own Nov 25 2008 - CBS News A significant portion of invasive breast cancers may regress on their own without treatment, a new study that is bound to provoke controversy suggests. Mega Wind Farms Could Steer Storms Nov 25 2008 - Discovery.com News Mega wind farms of the future could have a major impact on weather, clearing up cloudy skies and even steering storm systems, according to new research. 24-Hour Blood Pressure Test Better at Seeing Risks Nov 25 2008 - Reuters Blood pressure readings done in the doctor's office may have little value at predicting which patients who continue to have high blood pressure despite treatment will have a stroke, heart attack, or heart failure, according to Brazilian researchers. Regenerating a Mammoth for $10 Million Nov 20 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Scientists are talking for the first time about the old idea of resurrecting extinct species as if this staple of science fiction is a realistic possibility, saying that a living mammoth could perhaps be regenerated for as little as $10 million. The same technology could be applied to any other extinct species from which one can obtain hair, horn, hooves, fur, or feathers, and that went extinct within the last 60,000 years, the effective age limit for DNA. First Trachea Transplant from Stem Cells Nov 19 2008 - WebMD Doctors in Europe have performed the first trachea transplant that hinges on the patient's own stem cells. Experts say the results should be "highly regarded," but longer follow-up is needed before the procedure is tested in a clinical trial. Burger King Begins Limiting Sodium in "Kids Meals" Nov 19 2008 - Reuters Burger King Corp, the world's second-largest hamburger chain, on Wednesday said it will limit sodium in its "Kids Meals" and that it was the first fast-food restaurant chain to take that step. Discovery Questions Intelligence of Human Ancestor Nov 19 2008 - National Science Foundation A recently discovered female pelvis is changing minds about the head size of an ancient human ancestor, Homo erectus, and consequently revising notions about how smart they may have been. In Bias Test, Shades of Gray Nov 18 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Are there problems with the way researchers have been using split-second reactions on a computer test to diagnose an epidemic of racial bias? "Orphan" Genes Play an Important Role in Evolution Nov 18 2008 - ScienceDaily Every group of animals possesses a small proportion of genes which are extremely variable among closely related species or even unique. Such genes are referred to as "novel," "orphan," or "taxonomically restricted." Environmentalists Win Big EPA Ruling Nov 17 2008 - Time Magazine A new decision by the EPA's Environmental Appeal Board means America's new coal plants need to figure out how to get their emissions down—if they're going to go up. Obesity Programmed Before Birth Nov 17 2008 - BBC News Eating a high-fat diet in pregnancy may cause changes in the foetal brain that lead to over-eating and obesity early in life, research suggests. Smoking Rate Is Declining in U.S. Nov 14 2008 - WebMD The percentage of Americans who smoke cigarettes has fallen below 20% for the first time since at least the mid-1960s, according to a new report. The CDC says cigarette smoking prevalence has been dropping steadily among Americans 18 and older since it began keeping records in 1965, when 42.4% smoked. Exoplanets Finally Come into View Nov 14 2008 - BBC News The first pictures of planets outside our Solar System have been taken, two groups report in the journal Science. Visible and infrared images have been snapped of a planet orbiting a star 25 light-years away. The planet is believed to be the coolest, lowest-mass object ever seen outside our own solar neighbourhood. New Ice Age Predicted—But Averted by Global Warming? Nov 14 2008 - National Geographic News Deep ice sheets would cover much of the Northern Hemisphere thousands of years from now, if it weren't for us pesky humans, a new study says. Emissions of greenhouse gases, such as the carbon dioxide that comes from power plants and cars, are heating the atmosphere to such an extent that the next ice age, predicted to be the deepest in millions of years, may be postponed indefinitely. Malaria Vaccine Trial to Begin in Africa Nov 13 2008 - Time Magazine Researchers trying to create the world's first malaria vaccine are launching a massive medical trial as early as next month involving 16,000 children that could be the largest such trial ever conducted on children in Africa. Cassini Finds Mysterious New Aurora on Saturn Nov 13 2008 - ScienceDaily Saturn has its own unique brand of aurora that lights up the polar cap, unlike any other planetary aurora known in our solar system. This odd aurora revealed itself to one of the infrared instruments on NASA's Cassini spacecraft. Dirty SoCal Air Deadlier Than Car Crashes? Nov 13 2008 - CBS News Lowering air pollution in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley would save more lives annually than ending all motor vehicle fatalities in the two regions, according to a new study. So That's Why Chickens Have Combs Nov 12 2008 - ScienceNow Daily News A new report reveals that genes that encode key hair-building proteins are not just present in mammals; they're also present in reptiles and birds. These findings, the study's authors say, suggest a new scenario for the evolution of hair. E.O. Wilson Shifts His Position on Altruism in Nature Nov 10 2008 - The Boston Globe If natural selection dictates that the fittest survive, why do we see altruism in nature? For decades, evolutionist E.O. Wilson thought he knew. But recently, he changed his mind. Study: Vitamins Don't Thwart Heart Disease Nov 10 2008 - CBS News Vitamins C and E—pills taken by millions of Americans—do nothing to prevent heart disease in men, one of the largest and longest studies of these supplements has found. Vitamin E even appeared to raise the risk of bleeding strokes, a danger seen in at least one earlier study. Why a Speeding Shark is Like a Golf Ball Nov 10 2008 - ABC News Shortfin mako sharks can shoot through the ocean at up to 50 miles per hour (80 kilometres an hour). Now a trick that helps them to reach such speeds has been discovered—the sharks can raise their scales to create tiny wells across the surface of their skin, reducing drag like the dimples on a golf ball. Mystery Deepens Over Unseen Antarctic "Alps" Nov 10 2008 - National Geographic News The existence of a massive Antarctic mountain range buried under miles of ice has become an even deeper mystery, a new study says. The little-researched Gamburtsev Mountains seem to challenge geologic patterns seen in other mountain ranges on Earth. Scientists Decode Set of Cancer Genes Nov 6 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) For the first time, researchers have decoded all the genes of a person with cancer and found a set of mutations that might have caused the disease or aided its progression. The findings could lead to new therapies and would almost certainly help doctors make better choices among existing treatments. "Star Trek" Shield May Protect Astronauts Nov 6 2008 - National Geographic News A powerful magnetic shield may be able to deflect dangerous solar radiation from spacecraft traveling to the Moon and other planets, a new study says. Simulation Points to Dark Matter Nov 6 2008 - MSNBC A computer simulation showing the formation and evolution of a galaxy like the Milky Way points to where scientists should look to spot dark matter, researchers report. The findings may move researchers a step closer to unraveling the mystery of the substance that makes up most of the universe. "Junk" DNA Proves Functional Nov 5 2008 - ScienceDaily Scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore report that what was previously believed to be "junk" DNA is one of the important ingredients distinguishing humans from other species. Safety Fears over Nanocosmetics Nov 5 2008 - BBC News Cosmetics containing tiny "nano" particles are being used widely despite unresolved issues surrounding their safety, a consumer watchdog warns. It says that, at the moment, consumers cannot tell which products use nanomaterials as many fail to mention it. Study: Brain Speed Peaks at Age 40 Nov 5 2008 - CBS News Think achy joints are the main reason we slow down as we get older? Blame the brain, too: The part in charge of motion may start a gradual downhill slide at age 40. Daylight Saving Time History in the U.S. Nov 3 2008 - National Geographic News Daylight saving time in most of the United States ended this Sunday, November 2, at 2 a.m. local time—only the second year it's ending in November. Since its passage into law in 1918, the system has seen many changes, most recently with a supposedly energy-saving extension signed into law into in 2005. Two Lung Cancer Genes Identified Nov 3 2008 - MSNBC An international research team has identified two genetic variations that appear to increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer by up to 60%. In April the same researchers identified another gene that raised lung cancer risk and they said their latest finding was relevant for both smokers and non-smokers. Efficiency’s Mark: City Glitters a Little Less Nov 3 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Gone are the days when cheap electricity, primitive lighting technology, and landlords' desire to showcase their skyscrapers kept floor after floor of the city's highest towers glowing into the night. Now, rising energy costs, conservationism, stricter building codes, and sophisticatedlighting systems have conspired to slowly, often imperceptibly, transform Manhattan's venerable lightscape into one with a gentler glow. Mud Eruption Caused by Drilling Nov 3 2008 - BBC News Leading geologists from around the world decide that a mud volcano disaster in Indonesia was triggered by oil and gas exploration. Halloween Facts: Costumes, History, Urban Legends, More Oct 31 2008 - National Geographic News Get the facts on Halloween history, today's most popular costumes, record-breaking pumpkins, and more in National Geographic News's Halloween roundup. Ultrafast Lasers Show Snapshot of Electrons in Action Oct 31 2008 - ScienceDaily In the quest to slow down and ultimately understand chemistry at the level of atoms and electrons, scientists have found a new way to peer into a molecule that allows them to see how its electrons rearrange as the molecule changes shape. U.S. Diabetes Rate Doubles in Last Decade Oct 31 2008 - CBS News The nation's obesity epidemic is exacting a heavy toll: the rate of new diabetes cases nearly doubled in the United States in the past 10 years, the government said Thursday. Study Links Age of Blood in Transfusions to Infections Oct 29 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Patients receiving transfusions of blood stored 29 days or longer—well within American standards—are twice as likely to contract a hospital-acquired infection as those receiving newer blood, according to researchers. Rebels Seize Congo Gorilla Park; Hopes Dim for Apes Oct 29 2008 - National Geographic News Rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have overtaken the headquarters of a park that is home to most of the world's last mountain gorillas. The takeover forced more than 50 rangers from Virunga National Park to escape into the forest. The attack has diminished conservationists' hopes of monitoring the great apes. Scientific Advisers Criticize FDA's Exoneration of BPA Oct 29 2008 - The wall Street Journal The latest bombshell in the rolling controversy over the chemical bisphenol A comes from a panel of scientific experts convened by the FDA. In a report posted on the FDA's website, the experts conclude that "the Margins of Safety defined by FDA as 'adequate' are, in fact, inadequate." New Cell Division Mechanism Discovered Oct 29 2008 - ScienceDaily A novel cell division mechanism has been discovered in a microorganism that thrives in hot acid. The finding may also result in insights into key processes in human cells, and in a better unnderstanding of the main evolutionary lineages of life on Earth. "Full" Artificial Heart Implant Oct 28 2008 - BBC News Scientists say they have a working prototype of a fully artificial heart ready for implanting in humans. The device beats almost exactly like the real thing using electronic sensors to regulate heart rate and blood flow. "One-Stop" Embryo Test Unveiled Oct 27 2008 - BBC News A gene mapping test could tell parents-to-be if embryos are affected by almost any inherited disease, UK scientists have claimed. The team from London's Bridge Centre say the test could detect any of the 15,000 inherited diseases in weeks. Genetically Engineered Purple Tomato Could Fight Cancer Oct 27 2008 - Discover Magazine Using a gene from a snapdragon flower, researchers have created a purple tomato rich in antioxidants, and a new study has shown that cancer-prone mice that were fed the altered tomatoes had significantly longer lifespans than those that dined on regular tomatoes. The tomatoes' purple hue was a side effect of the type of antioxidants produced, called anthocyanins. Stephen Hawking to Retire from Prestigious Post Oct 24 2008 - Yahoo! News Cosmologist Stephen Hawking will retire from his prestigious post at Cambridge University next year, but intends to continue his exploration of time and space. Hawking, 66, is Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, a title once held by the great 18th century physicist Isaac Newton. The university said Friday that he would step down at the end of the academic year in September, but would continue working as Emeritus Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. Under Pressure: Jimmy Choo and Body Image in The Devil Wears Prada Oct 24 2008 - Jacob Clark Blickenstaff—NSTA WebNews Prof. Blickenstaff believes science is everywhere, and he finds manifestations of it in The Devil Wears Prada that science teachers may be able to use in their classrooms. 50% of Doctors Prescribe Placebos Oct 24 2008 - WebMD More than half of doctors offer fake prescriptions to make patients feel better—and that's OK, most doctors say. The findings come from a survey of 679 internists and rheumatologists. Doctors in these specialties often see patients with chronic illnesses or chronic pains that are difficult, if not impossible, to cure. Sometimes make such patients feel better. U.K. Approves Animal-Human Embryo Testing Oct 23 2008 - CBS News British plans to allow scientists to use hybrid animal-human embryos for stem cell research have won final approval from lawmakers in a sweeping overhaul of sensitive science laws. The House of Commons also clarified laws that allow the screening of embryos to produce babies with suitable bone marrow or other material for transplant to sick siblings. Britain's Oldest Toy Found Buried with Stonehenge Baby? Oct 23 2008 - National Geographic News A carved animal figurine found buried alongside a prehistoric baby at Stonehenge may represent Britain's earliest known toy, researchers say. The unique chalk relic of a hedgehog or pig, thought to be at least 2,000 years old, was unearthed in September near the stone monument on southern England's Salisbury Plain. Five Fallacies of Grief: Debunking Psychological Stages Oct 23 2008 - Scientific American Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. So annealed into pop culture are the five stages of grief—introduced in the 1960s that they are regularly referenced without explication. According to researchers, however, no study has ever established that stages of grief actually exist, and what are defined as such can’t be called stages. Guarded Optimism for Experimental MS Drug Oct 23 2008 - WebMD An experimental multiple sclerosis drug proved to be much more effective for the treatment of early MS than a widely used treatment in a study, but the efficacy may come at a price. Solar Refrigeration: A Hot Idea for Cooling Oct 22 2008 - Scientific American Fishermen in the village of Maruata, located on the Mexican Pacific coast 18 degrees north of the equator, have no electricity. But for the past 16 years they have been able to store their fish on ice: Seven ice makers, powered by nothing but the scorching sun, churn out a half ton of ice every day. Tiny Flightless, Feathered Dino Found in China Oct 22 2008 - Discovery.com News A tiny, egg-robbing dinosaur that lived more than 150 million years ago could help explain a key phase in the evolution of birds, scientists report. In unusual language for a high-brow journal, Chinese paleontologists admit the wee dino was, frankly, "bizarre." The beast was a distant relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex but was no bigger than a kitten. And it was covered in feathers but couldn't fly. China Needs More Coherent Food-Safety System: U.N. Oct 22 2008 - Reuters China, fighting a spreading tainted milk scandal, needs a more coherent food-safety system, with unified laws, one overarching watchdog, and faster sharing of information, the United Nations said on Wednesday. Why Women Get More Cavities Oct 22 2008 - ScienceNow Daily News The old wives’ tale that a woman loses one tooth for every child she delivers may, in fact, contain a grain of truth. A new study has found that women have had worse dental health than men ever since our ancestors became farmers about 10,000 years ago. India Joins Asia Space Race in First Moon Mission Oct 21 2008 - Reuters India will launch its first unmanned Moon mission on Wednesday, following in the footsteps of rivals China and Japan, as it tries to show off its scientific know-how and claim a bigger chunk of the global space business. Junk Food Causes a Third of Heart Attacks Oct 21 2008 - ABC News Diets heavy in fried foods, salty snacks, and meat account for about 35% of heart attacks globally, researchers report. The study of 52 countries showed that people who ate a "Western" diet based on meat, eggs, and junk food were more likely to have heart attacks, while those who ate more fruits and vegetables had a lower risk. "Buckypaper" Hype Could Soon Be Reality Oct 20 2008 - CBS News "Buckypaper" looks a lot like ordinary carbon paper, but don't be fooled by the flimsy appearance. It could revolutionize the way everything from airplanes to TVs are made. Buckypaper is 10 times lighter but potentially 500 times stronger than steel when sheets of it are stacked and pressed together to form a composite. Unlike conventional composite materials, though, it conducts electricity like copper or silicon and disperses heat like steel or brass. Cell Phone Making You Itch? Oct 20 2008 - WebMD Some cell phone users may get a skin rash in reaction to the nickel in their cell phones, a condition that the British Association of Dermatologists has dubbed "mobile phone dermatitis." The British Association of Dermatologists issued a news release recently to inform doctors to be aware of the allergic reaction. From Old Vials, New Hints on Origin of Life Oct 17 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Researchers who have taken a second look at a classic 1953 experiment say it points to volcanoes as perhaps a more likely environment for where life originated. Diabetes Aspirin Use Questioned Oct 17 2008 - BBC News Aspirin should not routinely be used to prevent heart attacks in people with diabetes, Scottish research suggests. The British Medical Journal reported that in 1,300 adults with no symptoms of heart disease the drug, which can cause stomach bleeds, had no benefit. But there are key high-risk groups who still need the drug, experts said. Scientists Bleak about AIDS Vaccine Prospects Oct 17 2008 - Time Magazine The global economic turmoil is likely to take its toll on AIDS research funding and add to the problems plaguing the search for a vaccine against the virus, scientists warned Tuesday. There is added concern that philanthropic organizations, like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who have become major players in health and development projects may cut back on funding. Mysterious Cyclones Seen at Both of Saturn's Poles Oct 17 2008 - National Geographic News Saturn boasts cyclones at each of its poles that dramatically outpower Earth-roving hurricanes, new images reveal. On Earth, powerful storms are driven by warm surface temperatures, which allow moist air from the oceans to rise and condense. Without large bodies of liquid water, Saturn's polar cyclones are likely fed by heat from thunderstorms deep in its ammonia-filled atmosphere, according to researchers. Out of Africa, Across a Wet Sahara Oct 16 2008 - ScienceNow Daily News Modern humans arose in sub-Saharan Africa as early as 200,000 years ago, but our species did not venture beyond Africa until at least 80,000 years later. Just why they took so long to travel north is not clear, but many researchers have suggested that the bone-dry Sahara Desert was a major barrier to migrations from the south. Yet a new study indicates that the Sahara was crossed by wide rivers during a wet period that began about 120,000 years ago, providing a hospitable corridor for humans on the move. Brain Training for Spinal Cord Injury Oct 16 2008 - WebMD Scientists at the University of Washington in Seattle report success in their first attempts to harness the brain to treat paralysis in people with spinal cord injuries. Their technique isn't ready for patients yet, but researchers say it may one day be used to help paralyzed people walk. Night-Shining Clouds May Have Metal Lining Oct 16 2008 - Discovery.com News It's not a silver lining that causes night-shining clouds to bounce radar, but that's close, claims plasma physicist Paul Bellan. He thinks the clouds, which sit on the edge of space, may be coated with a thin layer of metals. The ability to reflect radar is one of a handful of mysteries about noctilucent clouds, so named because of their luminescence in deep twilight. "Walking Fish" Reveals Fresh Evolutionary Insights Oct 16 2008 - Reuters An extraordinary fish that existed 375 million years ago had unique features in its head that helped pave the way for vertebrate animals to live on land. Scientists for the first time described features in the underside of the skull of Tiktaalik roseae, the so-called "walking fish" discovered in the Canadian Arctic in 2004. It is considered an important transitional animal in the evolution of fish into amphibians, the first land-dwelling vertebrates. Web Surfing Could Keep Dementia at Bay Oct 15 2008 - MSNBC For middle-aged and older adults, searching the internet could be a boost to the brain, a new study suggests. In recent years, several studies have showed a link between pursuing activities that keep the mind engaged, such as crossword puzzles and memory games, and a lowered risk of cognitive decline later in life. Bottled Water Impure Too, Study Finds Oct 15 2008 - CBS News Tests on leading brands of bottled water turned up a variety of contaminants often found in tap water, according to a study released Wednesday by an environmental advocacy group. The findings challenge the popular impression—and marketing pitch—that bottled water is purer than tap water, the researchers say. "Unbreakable" Encryption Unveiled Oct 9 2008 - BBC News Perfect secrecy has come a step closer with the launch of the world's first computer network protected by unbreakable quantum encryption at a scientific conference in Vienna. Quantum systems use the laws of quantum theory, which have been shown to be inherently unbreakable. Heavy Metal–Eating "Superworms" Unearthed in U.K Oct 9 2008 - National Geographic News Newly evolved "superworms" that feast on toxic waste could help cleanse polluted industrial land, a new study says. These hardcore heavy metal fans, unearthed at disused mining sites in England and Wales, devour lead, zinc, arsenic, and copper. Stem Cells from Testicles Show Promise Oct 9 2008 - CBS News Cells taken from men's testicles seem as versatile as the stem cells derived from embryos, researchers reported in what may be yet another new approach in a burgeoning scientific field. Study: Calcium No Help in Fat Loss Oct 9 2008 - WebMD Eating calcium-rich foods may do a body good, but calcium probably won't help you lose weight, new research shows. Investigators found no evidence that calcium supplementation influenced energy expenditure or fat-burning in overweight people whose regular diets were deficient in the mineral. Nobel Prize in Chemistry Goes to Three Scientists for Work on Fluorescent Protein Oct 8 2008 - Chronicle of Higher Education Three scientists at American universities have won the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering a fluorescent protein in a colorful jellyfish and developing it into a key tool for observing previously invisible processes such as the spread of cancer cells, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced. Cylindrical Solar Cells Give a Whole New Meaning to Sunroof Oct 8 2008 - Scientific American A California-based company hopes to capture the wasted sunlight falling on roofs by using large, flat arrays of cylindrical thin-film solar cells. This design not only seals out moisture but allows the glass to act as a sunlight concentrator, funneling photons onto the thin film. "Uncontacted" Tribes Fled Peru Logging, Arrows Suggest Oct 8 2008 - National Geographic Arrows and abandoned camps found in remote western Brazil are fresh evidence of isolated Amazon tribes fleeing Peru to escape the encroachment of illegal loggers, indigenous rights groups say. The tribes have been described as "uncontacted"—so remote that they may have had little or no substantive contact with the developed world. Three Win Nobel for Subatomic Physics Research Oct 7 2008 - Time Magazine Two Japanese citizens and a Japanese-born American won the 2008 Nobel Prize in physics for discoveries in the world of subatomic physics, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced Tuesday. One in Four Mammals Threatened with Extinction, Group Finds Oct 7 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) An “extinction crisis” is under way, with one in four mammals in danger of disappearing because of habitat loss, hunting, and climate change, a leading global conservation body warned Monday. Safer Prenatal Down's Syndrome Test Found in U.S. Oct 7 2008 - Reuters A prenatal blood test can be used to determine if an unborn baby has Down's syndrome without the small risk to the fetus posed by invasive testing methods such as amniocentesis, U.S. researchers said on Monday. Three Europeans Take Nobel Prize in Medicine Oct 6 2008 - CBS News Three European scientists shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for separate discoveries of viruses that cause AIDS and cervical cancer, breakthroughs that helped doctors fight the deadly diseases. "Chemical Equator" Divides Earth's Hemispheres Oct 6 2008 - National Geographic News A worldwide weather "barrier" that can block air pollution from traveling southward, has been discovered, a new study says. Called a "chemical equator," the 50-kilometer-wide boundary separates the Northern Hemisphere's dirty air from that of the less polluted Southern Hemisphere. Six Products, Six Carbon Footprints Oct 6 2008 - The Wall Street Journal First came organic. Then came fair trade. Now makers of everything from milk to jackets to cars are starting to tally up the carbon footprints of their products. Vitamin C and Chemotherapy: Bad Combo? Oct 2 2008 - WebMD Vitamin C supplements and chemotherapy aren't a good combination, says a team of New York researchers. Vitamin C reduced the effectiveness of many cancer drugs, they found in laboratory and animal studies. Dark Matter and Nanotech Nay Vie for Nobel Prizes Oct 2 2008 - Reuters A scientist who helped prove the existence of dark matter and a researcher who used the power of jellyfish to glow green in experiments may win Nobel prizes, according to Thomson Reuters. The analysis makes use of the way scientists credit one another for their work to find out who has done the most influential basic research in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine and economics. Black Rhinos Released into Wild Oct 2 2008 - BBC News For the first time in more than 25 years, captive-bred black rhinos have been released back into the wild. Experts have hailed it as a landmark step for African wildlife conservation. Falling Snow Seen on Mars Sep 30 2008 - Discovery.com News A robotic science probe on the surface of Mars beamed a laser into the sky and made a surprising discovery: It was snowing. The snowfall detected was taking place 2.5 miles above the planet's surface and vaporized before reaching the ground. Scientists Identify Narcolepsy Gene Sep 30 2008 - MSNBC Scientists in Japan have identified a gene variant that may be linked to narcolepsy—a condition marked by excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired vision, and muscle weakness. It occurs in 1 out of 2,500 individuals in the United States and Europe, but is at least 4 times more frequent in Japanese. Statins Prevent Artery Ageing Sep 29 2008 - BBC News Drugs given to heart patients to lower cholesterol may have an additional benefit—keeping their blood vessels feeling younger. While it has been known for some time that statins can lower cholesterol levels, this did not fully account for the benefits experienced by some patients, and evidence is growing that they can boost the function of the cells lining the heart arteries. Dark Energy: Is It Merely an Illusion? Sep 29 2008 - Science Daily Dark energy is at the heart of one of the greatest mysteries of modern physics, but it may be nothing more than an illusion, according physicists at Oxford University. They are proposing that it's possible that we simply live in a very special place in the universe—specifically, we're in a huge void where the density of matter is particularly low. Malaria Battle Given $3bn Boost Sep 26 2008 - BBC News World leaders and philanthropists have pledged nearly $3bn to fight malaria at a summit in New York. The meeting, at the UN, is looking at ways of meeting the Millennium Development Goals—targets on reducing global poverty by the year 2015. Donors hope the money will be enough to eradicate malaria by that time. Rocks May Be Oldest on Earth, Scientists Say Sep 26 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) A swath of bedrock in northern Quebec may be the oldest known piece of the Earth's crust. Researchers report that this rock is 4.28 billion years old and formed when the Earth was less than 300 million years old. Iran Sinking as Groundwater Resources Disappear Sep 26 2008 - National Geographic News Iran's insatiable demand for water, which is being drawn out of aquifers far faster than it can be replenished, is causing large chunks of farmland to sink and buildings to crack, according to a new study. Web Entrepreneur Wants NASA to Use His Rockets Sep 23 2008 - Discovery.com News A glitch-free launch of a new privately developed rocket could provide the United States a technical and political alternative to extending flights of the risky and expensive space shuttle or paying billions to the Russians for rides to orbit. Some Think Stumper Stonehenge May Have Been a Healing Ground Sep 23 2008 - The Wall Street Journal Stonehenge has puzzled generations of visitors. Was it a space observatory, a place for worshiping dead ancestors, a druid temple used for human sacrifice? A pair of English archaeologists have a bold new theory—that Britain's mysterious stone circle was a Bronze Age emergency room. Saturn's Rings May Be Older than Thought Sep 23 2008 - Reuters Saturn's rings may be more massive and older than previously thought, according to researchers. Findings to be presented at the European Planetary Science Congress in Germany bolster the possibility that the rings were formed billions of years ago. U.S. Vigilant over Tainted Chinese Milk Sep 22 2008 - CBS News Although no trace of infant formula from China has turned up in this country, U.S. authorities said they are taking added precautions to keep out tainted milk products. FDA spokeswoman Judy Leon said the agency has issued an alert warning consumers not to buy milk products from China on the internet. Plastic-Munching Bugs Turn Waste Bottles into Cash Sep 22 2008 - ABC News Newly discovered bacterial alchemists could help save billions of plastic bottles from landfills. The Pseudomonas strains can convert the low-grade PET plastic used in drinks bottles into a more valuable and biodegradable plastic called PHA. Permafrost May Not Thaw even During Global Warming Sep 22 2008 - The New York Time (requires free registration) One of the potential consequences of a warmer world, according to scientists, is the deep thawing of the permafrost. But a new study published in the journal Science suggests that the impact of warming on the permafrost may not be as bad as forecast. Supercollider Down Until Next Year? Sep 22 2008 - Time Magazine The unique qualities of the world's largest particle collider mean that the meltdown of a small electrical connection could mean putting off high-energy collisions of particles—the machine's ultimate objective—until 2009. Stressed Plants Release Aspirin-Like Chemical Sep 19 2008 - Reuters Plants stressed by drought or unseasonable temperatures squirt out an aspirin-like chemical, researchers reported in a finding that may some day help farmers watch for trouble. The chemical, methyl salicylate, may help plants resist the damage and may help them signal danger to one another. Your Body Holds Clue to Political Views Sep 19 2008 - WebMD Whether you've got Barack Obama posters in your yard or John McCain stickers on the back of your car, your strong beliefs may be linked to your physiology. A new study shows that one's physical reaction to threatening images may hold the key to strong opinions. Acetaminophen May Raise Asthma Risk in Kids Sep 19 2008 - MSNBC Infants who have been given the common pain reliever paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, may have a higher risk of developing asthma and eczema by the time they are 6 or 7, a large study covering children in 31 countries has found. GM Crops Make Good Neighbors Sep 19 2008 - ScienceNow Daily News Researchers have now found that genetically modified (GM) cotton that produces the natural pesticide casts a protective net over other kinds of crops in nearby fields—and not because introduced genes have spread beyond the cotton field. Cancellation of Controversial Autism Study Causes Both Relief and Outrage Sep 18 2008 - Discover Magazine A federal health agency has dropped plans for a controversial autism study, pleasing many scientists but disappointing some families with autistic children. The study would have tested a treatment called chelation. Rethinking the Wrinkling: Key Genes Cause Aging Sep 18 2008 - Scientific American Even after decades of research, aging largely remains a mystery. Now new research findings suggest there is a good reason for this impasse: scientists may have been thinking about the causes of aging all wrong. Instead of being the result of an accumulation of genetic and cellular damage, new evidence suggests that aging may occur when genetic programs for development go awry. No Plant CO2 Relief in Warm World Sep 18 2008 - BBC News Plants are unlikely to soak up more carbon dioxide from the air as the planet warms, research suggests. The conclusion parallels a real-world finding from Europe's 2003 heatwave, when the continent's plant life became a net producer, not absorber, of CO2. Feeling Cold? Maybe You're Lonely Sep 18 2008 - WebMD Social isolation makes people feel physically cold, according to University of Toronto psychologists. Moreover, they find that making people feel left out makes them more likely to choose hot soup or coffee over warm or room-temperature foods and beverages. Australia Issues First License to Clone Human Embryos Sep 17 2008 - ABC News The Australian government has issued its first license allowing scientists to create cloned human embryos to try and obtain embryonic stem cells. Presidential Candidates’ Positions on Science Issues Sep 16 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Both presidential candidates have now issued answers to a series of questions about science policy, Senator Barack Obama having done so in late August and Senator John McCain on Monday. Heart Fears over Common Chemical Sep 16 2008 - BBC News Higher levels of a chemical often found in plastic food and drink packaging are associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, a study has suggested. Rare Mass Tombs Discovered Near Machu Picchu Sep 16 2008 - National Geographic News Eighty skeletons and stockpiles of textiles found in caves near the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu may shed light on the role that the so-called lost city of the Inca played as a regional center of trade and power, scientists say. Doctors: Leg Pain May Signal Deadly Blood Clot Sep 16 2008 - Time Magazine Far too many Americans are dying of dangerous blood clots that can masquerade as simple leg pain, says a major new government effort to get both patients and their doctors to recognize the emergency in time. Microbial David vs. Alien Goliath Sep 12 2008 - Jacob Clark Blickenstaff—NSTA WebNews The 2005 Tom Cruise/Stephen Spielberg blockbuster War of the Worlds offers scenes that are certainly worth your attention. In addition to the oppportunities for life science teachers to discuss scale and microorganisms, Earth science and physics teachers have some interesting material to work with here. Why Dinosaurs Ruled: Just Plain Luck Sep 12 2008 - Yahoo! News Dinosaurs dominated Earth for more than 160 million years, evolving into a wild array of body types and sizes suited for many different ecological niches. Scientists previously thought that it was this evolutionary diversity that enabled the dinosaurs' reign, but a new study, detailed in the Sept. 11 issue of the journal Science, shows that it was really just a matter of luck. Accolades for Mediterranean Diet Sep 12 2008 - WebMD More accolades are being heaped on the Mediterranean diet. This time, researchers say the diet may actually help prevent certain chronic diseases. Study Helps Unlock Secrets of How the Brain Sees Sep 12 2008 - Reuters Scientists who tricked monkeys by swapping images of sailboats for teacups have figured out how the brain learns to recognize objects, a finding that could lead to robots that "see." Delayed Gratification, Intelligence Linked Sep 11 2008 - WebMD Delaying gratification can be hard, but studies show it is a sign of intelligence. Researchers concluded it has to do the anterior prefrontal cortex; this part of the brain helps people to manage complex problems and deal with simultaneous goals, leading to better self-control. Super-Green, Algae-Derived Jet Fuel Passes Tests with Flying Colors Sep 11 2008 - Discover Magazine A green technology company has created a jet fuel from algae and announced yesterday that the new product meets vigorous aviation standards. The company said it’s near to creating cost-competitive fuels. Women More Prone to Nightmares Sep 11 2008 - BBC News Women experience significantly more nightmares than men and have more emotional dreams, research suggests. "Big Bang" Experiment Passes Key Tests Sep 10 2008 - CBS News The world's largest particle collider passed its first major tests by firing two beams of protons in opposite directions around a 17-mile underground ring Wednesday in what scientists hope is the next great step to understanding the makeup of the universe. Pollution Hinders Heart Pacing Sep 10 2008 - BBC News Air pollution from traffic hinders the heart's ability to conduct electrical signals, a study has suggested. Fingers Crossed, Physicists Are Ready for Collider to Roll Sep 9 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) On Wednesday at 3:30 a.m. Eastern time, CERN scientists will try to send the first beam of protons around the 17-mile-long Large Hadron Collider, 300 feet underneath the Swiss-French border. The Fermilab, outside Chicago, will hold a "pajama party" for staff members and journalists to watch the events live from a remote control room. Supercontinent Pangaea Pushed, not Sucked, into Place Sep 9 2008 - National Geographic News Supercontinents can form when a huge plume of hot rock from deep inside Earth wells up between the continental plates, pushing them apart until all Earth's landmasses collide. This is the finding from a new study that suggests—contrary to accepted theory—that such a process formed the supercontinent Pangaea 300 million years ago. A Biological Clock for Dads Too Sep 9 2008 - Time Magazine Turns out women aren't the only ones with an expiration date on their fertility. An emerging body of research is showing that men, too, have a "biological clock." Vitamin May Prevent Memory Loss Sep 9 2008 - BBC News A vitamin found in meat, fish and milk may help stave off memory loss in old age, a study has suggested. Saturn Moons Sport Rings, Too Sep 8 2008 - Discovery.com News New findings from the Cassini science probe confirm ring arcs ahead and behind Saturn's small moons Anthe and Methone, a discovery that is giving physicists new insights into the sculpting prowess of gravity. Teenage Obesity Linked to Liver Disease Sep 8 2008 - CBS News In a new and disturbing twist on the obesity epidemic, some overweight teenagers have severe liver damage caused by too much body fat, and a handful have needed liver transplants. In Long-Awaited Maps of Cancer, the Breakthrough Is the Problem Sep 5 2008 - The Wall Street Journal Scientists now hope to fight cancer with the help of the same techniques that deciphered the human genome eight years ago: mapping it. The findings of papers that came out this week suggest that cancer's molecular machinery appears to be far more intricate than anyone imagined. Study Clears Measles Vaccine of Autism Link Sep 5 2008 - Reuters Scientists who tried to replicate a study that once tied a measles vaccine with autism said on Wednesday they could not find any link and hope their study will encourage parents to vaccinate their children to combat a rash of measles outbreaks. Fingering What Make Us Human Sep 5 2008 - ScienceNow Daily News What makes us so different from our primate relatives, when we share so many of the same genes? Scientists have found a tantalizing clue in a short sequence of DNA, which may have given us our human limbs and hands. A Fine-Tooth Comb to Measure the Accelerating Universe Sep 5 2008 - ScienceDaily Astronomical instruments needed to answer crucial questions, such as the search for Earth-like planets or the way the Universe expands, have come a step closer with the first demonstration at the telescope of a new calibration system for precise spectrographs. Sea Level Rise May Be Twice More Than Expected Sep 5 2008 - Discovery.com News Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison say the oceans could rise by as much as 1.3 meters by the end of the century, double the estimate of The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's worst projections of 68 centimeters by the year 2100. Such a rise would imperil coastal cities around the world. Scientists: More Hurricanes to Come Sep 4 2008 - Time Magazine Hurricane experts say all the weather ingredients, which normally fluctuate, are set on boil for the formation of storms. And it's going to stay that way for a while, they said. Ancient Amazon Cities Found; Were Vast Urban Network Sep 4 2008 - National Geographic Dozens of ancient, densely packed, towns, villages, and hamlets arranged in an organized pattern have been mapped in the Brazilian Amazon, anthropologists announced recently. Treadmill Rewires Brain after Stroke Sep 2 2008 - CBS News Treadmill exercise may improve stroke survivors' walking ability by rewiring parts of the brain, according to a new study. The study also shows treadmill exercise may be better than stretching, the traditional exercise prescribed after a stroke, both for walking and overall fitness. Rare Mammoth Skull Discovered Sep 2 2008 - BBC News The "extremely rare" fossilized skull of a steppe mammoth has been unearthed in southern France. The discovery in the Auvergne region could shed much needed light on the evolution of these mighty beasts. FDA to Allow Radiation of Spinach and Lettuce Aug 22 2008 - Reuters Health regulators have approved the use of ionizing radiation for fresh spinach and lettuce, saying the technique already approved for other foods can help control harmful bacteria and other pathogens. Increase in Cases of Measles Tied to Fears over Vaccine Aug 22 2008 - The Wall Street Journal Measles cases in the U.S. are at the highest level in more than a decade, with nearly half of those involving children whose parents rejected vaccination, according to health officials. Childhood Pets Linked to Snoring Aug 22 2008 - BBC News Growing up with a pet dog could increase your chances of being a snorer later in life, claims a Swedish study. This is not just a potential annoyance—heavy snoring has been linked to early death, heart disease, and stroke. They suggested allergic swelling could alter the shape of a person's airways for life. Drilling for Hot Rocks: Google Sinks Cash into Advanced Geothermal Technology Aug 21 2008 - Scientific American For $1 billion over the next 40 years, the U.S. could develop 100 gigawatts of electricity generation that emits no air pollution and pumps out power to the grid even more reliably than coal-fired power plants, according to scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now Google.org—the charitable wing of the search engine giant—has chipped in nearly $11 million for this renewable resource: so-called geothermal power, or tapping the Earth's heat to make electricity. Tongue's Sixth "Taste" Discovered—Calcium Aug 21 2008 - MSNBC The capability to taste calcium has now been discovered in mice. With these rodents and humans sharing many of the same genes, the new finding suggests that people might also have such a taste. Researchers Question Wide Use of HPV Vaccines Aug 21 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Two vaccines against cervical cancer are being widely used without sufficient evidence about whether they are worth their high cost or even whether they will effectively stop women from getting the disease, two articles in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine conclude. Black Holes Dodge Middle Ground Aug 21 2008 - BBC News For black holes, there appears to be very little room for mediocrity, astronomers have found. A study suggests they come in either small or large sizes, but medium-sized ones are very rare or non-existent. Arsenic Linked to Diabetes Aug 20 2008 - WebMD Exposure to arsenic, typically through drinking water, is linked to diabetes, according a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers studied 788 adults who had their urine tested for arsenic exposure; participants with type 2 diabetes had a 26% higher level of total arsenic in their urine than those without the disease. Stem Cells Could Boost Blood Transfusion Supplies Aug 20 2008 - Discovery.com News Scientists say they've found an efficient way to make red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells. The results suggest that embryonic stem cells could someday supply type O-negative "universal donor" red cells for transfusion, they wrote. Experts called the new work an advance, but cautioned that major questions had yet to be answered. Greenland Ice Core Reveals History of Pollution in the Arctic Aug 20 2008 - National Science Foundation A Greenland ice core reveals pollution in the Arctic region was higher 100 years ago. In fact, the research showed pollutants were two to five times higher at the beginning of the previous century than today. Continuous, monthly and annually averaged pollution records taken from the Greenland ice core dating from 1772-2003 produced the results. And although data showed heavy-metal pollution in the North Atlantic sector of the Arctic is substantially lower today than a century ago, researchers say there is still cause for concern. Wild Dolphins Tail-Walk on Water Aug 20 2008 - BBC News A wild dolphin is apparently teaching other members of her group to walk on their tails, a behavior usually seen only after training in captivity. The tail-walking group lives along the south Australian coast. One of them spent a short time after illness in a dolphinarium 20 years ago and may have picked up the trick there. Chew Gum for Colon Surgery Recovery Aug 19 2008 - WebMD Simply chewing gum after colon surgery can reduce recovery time and shorten hospital stays, a review of research shows. It could also save more than $100 million in health care spending annually, according to findings from one study. Wrinkle Removers, Backed by Science Aug 19 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration) Nostrums that promise to smooth wrinkled skin are a staple of snake-oil salesmen everywhere, but now there is strong evidence that certain kinds of treatment are effective. Over the past decade, researchers have been learning which treatments work, and why. Aboriginal Kids Can Count Without Numbers Aug 19 2008 - ScienceDaily Knowing the words for numbers is not necessary to be able to count, according to a new study of aboriginal children by University College London and the University of Melbourne. The study of the aboriginal children—from two communities that do not have words or gestures for numbers—found that they were able to copy and perform number-related tasks. Ancient Pagan Temple Found in Israel Aug 19 2008 - National Geographic News Ruins of a pagan temple from the second century A.D. have been unearthed in the heart of a Jewish capital that existed during Israel's Roman period. Newly Detected Air Pollutant Mimics Damaging Effects Of Cigarette Smoke Aug 18 2008 - ScienceDaily A previously unrecognized group of air pollutants could have effects remarkably similar to harmful substances found in tobacco smoke, scientists report. Inhaling those pollutants exposes the average person up to 300 times more free radicals daily than from smoking one cigarette. The discovery could help explain the long-standing medical mystery of why non-smokers develop tobacco-related diseases like lung cancer. New Minor Planet Helps Explain Comets Aug 18 2008 - Yahoo! News A newly discovered "minor planet" with an elongated orbit around the Sun may help explain the origin of comets, according to researchers. The object, known as 2006 SQ372, is starting the outward portion of a 22,500-year orbit that will take it 150 billion miles away from the Sun. Antibodies Still Protect 1918 Flu Survivors Aug 18 2008 - Reuters Antibodies from survivors of the 1918 flu pandemic, the worst in human memory, still protect against the highly deadly virus, according to researchers. The findings by a team of influenza and immune system experts suggest new and better ways to fight viruses—especially new pandemic strains that emerge and spread before a vaccine can be formulated. Stone Age Graveyard Shows Sahara Was Once Green Aug 15 2008 - Reuters A Stone Age graveyard on the shores of an ancient, dried-up lake in the Sahara is brimming with the skeletons of people, fish, and crocodiles who thrived when the African desert was briefly green, according to researchers. Coastal Dead Zones Are Growing Aug 15 2008 - Time Magazine Over the past two or three decades, scientists have noticed with growing alarm that vast stretches of coastal waters are turning into dead zones—patches of seabed so depleted of oxygen that few creatures, if any, can survive there. Overall, researchers found that the number of new dead zones has grown exponentially over the past four decades. Arsenic-Munching Bacteria Found Aug 15 2008 - BBC News In the warm, bubbling pools of Mono Lake in California, scientists have isolated a bacterium that fuels itself on arsenic. Russian Invasion of Georgia Imperils U.S. Access to Space Station Aug 14 2008 - Discover Magazine In a strange side effect of Russia’s invasion of Georgia this weekend, the U.S. may lose access to Russia’s Soyuz spacecrafts that were expected to ferry NASA astronauts to the International Space Station after the retirement of the space shuttle fleet in 2010. Florida Senator Bill Nelson says that because of Russia’s new aggression, the U.S. Congress may refuse to pass an exemption required to let NASA buy services from Russia. Robot with a Biological Brain Aug 14 2008 - ScienceDaily Researchers have developed a robot that is controlled by a biological brain formed from cultured neurons. This cutting-edge research is the first step to examine how memories manifest themselves in the brain, and how a brain stores specific pieces of data. Octopuses Don't Have Eight Legs Aug 14 2008 - Discovery.com How many legs does an octopus have? The answer should be easy. But not any more. New research suggests they are not really eight-legged denizens of the deep, as popularly assumed; instead they use their front limbs more like arms—and can even tackle a Rubik's Cube. Study: Runners Live Longer, Stay Healthier Aug 13 2008 - MSNBC A new study shows middle-aged members of a runner's club were half as likely to die over a 20-year period as people who did not run. Running reduced the risk not only of heart disease but also of cancer and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, researchers found. The study also showed that people cannot use the risk of injury as an excuse not to run—the runners had fewer injuries of all kinds, including to their knees. Experts Find "Scaredy-Cat" Gene Aug 13 2008 - BBC News Variations in a gene may help explain why horror movies shock some people and entertain others, say German scientists. People with one version of the COMT gene startled more dramatically to unpleasant images than others. The work suggests inborn differences make some prone to extreme anxiety and stress. Anxiety treatments could be tailored to fit these genes, the authors suggest. Half of U.S. Adults Lack 20/20 Vision Aug 13 2008 - ABC News About half of all American adults don't have the 20/20 vision physicians consider optimal because they are nearsighted, farsighted, or have an irregular corneal curve known as astigmatism, a large, new study reports. Invisibility Cloak One Step Closer, Scientists Say Aug 11 2008 - Reuters Scientists have created two new types of materials that can bend light the wrong way, creating the first step toward an invisibility cloaking device. One approach uses a type of fishnet of metal layers to reverse the direction of light, while another uses tiny silver wires, both at the nanoscale level. First Greek Mummy Once Led Privileged Life