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Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for June 28, 2010:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Researchers analyze the future of transistor-less magnonic logic circuits- New theory for magnetic stripes on Mars
- For platinum catalysts, smaller may be better
- Some males react to competition like bonobos, others like chimpanzees
- Study challenges long-held assumption about competition in disturbed ecosystems
- Large Hadron Collider gains pace: CERN
- Ebola and Marburg viruses may be much older than thought
- Shape-shifting sheets automatically fold into multiple shapes (w/ Video)
- Riding a bike couldn't be ... more complicated
- Using nanotechnology to improve a cancer treatment
- Get the Honda's new CR-Z hybrid for less than $20,000
- Mitochondrial genome analysis revises view of the initial peopling of North America
- US Supreme Court hands major victory to Big Tobacco
- Scientist says nuclear weapons may be best bet for saving Earth from asteroids
- A pacemaker for your brain
Space & Earth news
Manure provides higher returns than chemical fertilizers: study
No significant differences in corn yield were found between organic and chemical sources of nutrients, but a Texas AgriLife Research economist said manure generates higher economic returns than anhydrous ammonia.
No sex please, we're astronauts: NASA commander
There is no room for romance on board the cosy confines of the International Space Station, a NASA space shuttle commander said Monday when asked what would happen if astronauts had sex in space.
Image: Carbon dioxide on the rise
(PhysOrg.com) -- The SCIAMACHY sensor on ESA?s Envisat satellite has provided scientists with invaluable data on our planet, allowing them to map global air pollution and the distribution of greenhouse gases.
Scientists call on US to stem ecological impact of trade in coral reef wildlife
International law has failed to protect coral reefs and tropical fish from being decimated by a growing collectors market, but U.S. reforms can lead the way towards making the trade more responsible, ecologically sustainable and humane.
Academy authority on delta bulrush says 'his' plant could help ease oil spill crisis
A revered botanist at the Academy of Natural Sciences who first profiled and then named the delta bulrush says the plant has natural properties that could help reduce the impact of the Gulf oil spill on the Mississippi delta.
NASA Science Visualizer Creates Earth from Hundreds of Images (w/ Video)
The Earth floats delicately in space, sunlight illuminating the fluid mottling of white clouds suspended over its surface. The scene, the leading sequence in a recent NASA video about ship pollution and clouds, shows our planet from a perspective only a satellite or spacecraft could provide.
Study: Americans worried about the quality of Gulf seafood
Americans are almost universally aware of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and they are concerned about its potential impact on the safety of Gulf seafood, according to new data from a continuing survey conducted by the University of Minnesota.
Peru inventor 'whitewashes' peaks to slow glacier melt
In a remote corner of the Peruvian Andes, men in paint-daubed boilersuits diligently coat a mountain summit with whitewash in an experimental bid to recuperate the country's melting glaciers.
Tropical Storm Alex now in Gulf of Mexico, brought heavy rainfall to Belize, Yucatan
NASA's infrared satellite imagery captured high, cold, strong thunderstorms within Tropical Storm Alex over the past weekend and they are still creating heavy rainfall. Alex's center is now moving out into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and departing the Yucatan Peninsula. Alex is moving into warm waters and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the next day.
Celia and Darby are now both weakening tropical storms
The Eastern Pacific twins, Darby and Celia were once both major hurricanes and today are just barely hanging on to tropical storm status. Both are forecast to continue weakening over the next day or two.
Scientists' high hopes for explaining high elevation of Southern Africa
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at the University of Glasgow are embarking on a project to try to establish how and when southern Africa obtained its unusually high elevation - which might also explain a key event in human evolution.
NASA Satellite Adds Carbon Dioxide to its Repertoire
(PhysOrg.com) -- A NASA-led research team has expanded the growing global armada of remote sensing satellites capable of studying carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas driving changes in Earth's climate.
Got a fix for oil spill? It may be worth a prize
(AP) -- You might be able to get rich quick if you can fix the BP oil spill.
Obama lays out new US space policy
President Barack Obama on Monday laid out an overarching new US policy on outer space, calling for more international and private sector cooperation on exploration, climate change and orbiting debris.
Witness the birth of Africa's new ocean
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at the University of Leeds are predicting that within 10 million years Africa's Horn will fall away and a new ocean will form.
Landing on an asteroid: Not quite like in the movies
Millions of miles from Earth, two astronauts hover weightlessly next to a giant space rock, selecting pebbles for scientific research. The spaceship where they'll sleep floats just overhead. Beyond it, barely visible in the sky, is a glittering speck. It's Earth.
Rocky mounds and a plateau on Mars
(PhysOrg.com) -- When Mars Express set sail for the crater named after Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, it found a windblown plateau and mysterious rocky mounds nearby.
Whiter clouds could mean wetter land
One proposed emergency fix to halt global warming is to seed clouds over the ocean to make them more reflective, reducing the solar radiation absorbed by the Earth. But the scheme could also change global rainfall patterns, raising concerns of water shortages on land. A new study by the Carnegie Institution, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, suggests that altered atmospheric circulation under the scheme in fact could increase monsoonal rains and cause the continents to become wetter, not drier, on average.
Reseachers predict larger-than-average Gulf 'dead zone'; impact of oil spill unclear
University of Michigan aquatic ecologist Donald Scavia and his colleagues say this year's Gulf of Mexico "dead zone" is expected to be larger than average, continuing a decades-long trend that threatens the health of a $659 million fishery.
Scientist says nuclear weapons may be best bet for saving Earth from asteroids
(PhysOrg.com) -- If scientists detect an asteroid headed directly for Earth - one that was large enough to pose a serious threat to life on our planet - would it be wise to bring out nuclear weapons to prevent an impact? Over the past several years, scientists have expressed conflicting opinions on the use of nuclear weapons as a defense against asteroids. Part of the problem is that it's very difficult to know what asteroids are made of, and how they will respond to different types of nuclear explosives. But at the semiannual meeting of the American Astronomical Society held last month, physicist David Dearborn of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory argued that nuclear weapons could be the best strategy for avoiding an asteroid impact - especially for large asteroids and little warning time.
Students Record Spellbinding Video of Disintegrating Spacecraft (w/ Video)
Last year, high school science teacher Ron Dantowitz of Brookline, Mass., played a clever trick on three of his best students. He asked them to plan a hypothetical mission to fly onboard a NASA DC-8 aircraft and observe a spacecraft disintegrate as it came screaming into Earth's atmosphere. How would they record the event? What could they learn?
NASA Instrument Will Identify Clues to Martian Past
(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's Curiosity rover, coming together for a late 2011 launch to Mars, has a newly installed component: a key onboard X-ray instrument for helping the mission achieve its goals. Researchers will use Curiosity in an intriguing area of Mars to search for modern or ancient habitable environments, including any that may have also been favorable for preserving clues about life and environment.
New theory for magnetic stripes on Mars
(PhysOrg.com) -- A controversial new theory has been proposed to explain a series of stripes of permanently magnetized minerals containing iron in the Martian crust. The magnetized stripes, which have alternating orientations, have intrigued scientists since their discovery in 1997.
Technology news
3-D virtual-learning platforms
A 3D virtual world such as SecondLife, cannot in fact be considered a teaching platform, although it provides a good foundation for one. To do so, it must include some elements such as a training program, with a sequence of activities for students to acquire knowledge, as well as a methodology to evaluate previously defined learning results. "When all those elements exist, we can say that we have gone from an abstract 3D world to a learning platform", explained the Full Professor in Telematics Engineering, Carlos Delgado Kloos, who heads this UC3M (Spain) line of research.
Engineering textbook promotes social justice
Imagine you're an engineer charged with designing an SUV to sell in a third-world country. What sorts of questions might you consider before creating a prototype?
Divorce lawyers: Facebook tops in online evidence
(AP) -- Forgot to de-friend your wife on Facebook while posting vacation shots of your mistress? Her divorce lawyer will be thrilled.
EU, US to share banking data in terror probes
(AP) -- The European Union and U.S. signed a long-awaited deal Monday to share financial data in suspected terrorist cases, after the U.S. agreed to major concessions to allay European concerns over privacy.
Africa's biggest wind farm opens in Morocco
Morocco's King Mohammed VI inaugurated Monday a 250-million-euro (300 million dollar) wind farm near Tangiers, which an official source said was the biggest in Africa.
EU mobile roaming rates to fall as of July 1
Mobile roaming rates will fall again from July 1, with maximum call charges while abroad in the European Union dropping to 0.39 euros per minute before VAT.
Football lags other sports on technology
High profile sports like rugby, tennis, cricket and basketball have seamlessly embraced technology to aid referees and linesmen, so why doesn't football?
Technip hit with 338-million-dollar fine for Nigeria bribery
Global engineering firm Technip Monday agreed to pay a 338-million-dollar fine for scheming to bribe Nigeria officials, the US Justice Department announced.
Six-time champions win American Solar Challenge
(PhysOrg.com) -- Finishing more than two hours ahead of its nearest competitor, the University of Michigan Solar Car Team has won the American Solar Challenge for a third consecutive North American title.
AT&T says NYC wireless network upgrade complete
(AP) -- AT&T Inc. has completed a project to improve wireless service in New York City, where the proliferation of iPhones has caused dropped calls, slow downloads and other problems, the phone company said Monday.
Court rules against inventors in patent case
(AP) -- The Supreme Court on Monday refused to weigh in on whether software, online-shopping techniques and medical diagnostic tests can be patented, saying only that inventors' request for protection of a method of hedging weather-related risk in energy prices cannot be granted.
Tesla stock offering seeks to raise 244 million dollars
Tesla Motors, the money-losing US electric carmaker, is seeking to raise up to 244 million dollars as it becomes on Tuesday the first US automotive company to go public in more than 50 years.
T.25 City Car makes debut
Gordon Murray Design showed today for the first time its T.25 City Car at Oxford University as part of the Smith School's World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment validating a low-carbon approach to transportation. The T.25 represents a major breakthrough in city car design in the areas of weight, footprint, safety, usability and efficiency.
An Internet 100 times as fast: A new network design could boost capacity
(PhysOrg.com) -- The heart of the Internet is a network of high-capacity optical fibers that spans continents. But while optical signals transmit information much more efficiently than electrical signals, they?re harder to control. The routers that direct traffic on the Internet typically convert optical signals to electrical ones for processing, then convert them back for transmission, a process that consumes time and energy.
Apple sells more than 1.7M iPhones in 3 days
(AP) -- Apple Inc. said Monday that it sold more than 1.7 million units of its new iPhone model in the first three days, making it the most successful product launch in the company's history from the standpoint of sales.
Gov't plans to double available wireless spectrum
(AP) -- The Obama administration intends to nearly double the available amount of wireless communications spectrum over the next 10 years in an effort to keep up with the ever-growing demand for high-speed video and data transmission to cell phones, laptops and other mobile devices.
Startup mSpot lets you stream your music over Web
(AP) -- A music service launched Monday lets you listen to your collection of tunes from any computer or Android phone over the Internet.
Get the Honda's new CR-Z hybrid for less than $20,000
The super sporty Honda CR-Z hybrid, which will debut at Honda dealerships across the nation on Aug. 24, comes with a price tag less than $20,000. The two-door coupe comes with an MSRP of $19,200 plus a $750 destination and handling charge, bringing the starting price to just under $20,000.
Chrome unseats Safari as third most popular Internet browser
Google Chrome last week unseated Apple Safari for the first time as the third most used Internet browser in the United States, according to figures released Monday by StatCounter.
Shape-shifting sheets automatically fold into multiple shapes (w/ Video)
"More than meets the eye" may soon become more than just a tagline for a line of popular robotic toys. Researchers at Harvard and MIT have reshaped the landscape of programmable matter by devising self-folding sheets that rely on the ancient art of origami.
Medicine & Health news
Americans are treated, and overtreated, to death
(AP) -- The doctors finally let Rosaria Vandenberg go home. For the first time in months, she was able to touch her 2-year-old daughter who had been afraid of the tubes and machines in the hospital. The little girl climbed up onto her mother's bed, surrounded by family photos, toys and the comfort of home. They shared one last tender moment together before Vandenberg slipped back into unconsciousness.
Endometriosis has a significant effect on women's work productivity, first
The first worldwide study of the societal impact of endometriosis has found a significant loss of work productivity among those women who suffer from the condition, a researcher told the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology today (Monday). Dr. Kelechi Nnoaham, from the Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, UK, said that the results of this multi-centre study would help highlight the previously unrecognised plight of an estimated 176 million women around the world whose lives are affected by endometriosis.
Mass. General Hospital announces completion of Phase I diabetes trial
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Iacocca Foundation announce today the completion of the Phase I BCG clinical trial in type 1 diabetes, as well as the submission of all safety reports to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the MGH data safety monitoring boards. Plans for the Phase II clinical study, which will continue the investigation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination as a treatment for people with existing type 1 diabetes, are actively underway.
Tray bleaching may improve oral health of elderly, special-needs patients
A tooth-bleaching agent may improve the oral health of elderly and special-needs patients, say dentists at the Medical College of Georgia and Western University of Health Sciences.
Screening for transmissible disease in ART patients not necessary at each donation
European legislation that requires all couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART) to be screened for HIV and hepatitis at the time of every sperm or egg donation is unnecessary, expensive, and potentially distressing for patients, the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology heard today.
Weight and children with developmental coordination disorder
Children with developmental coordination disorder are at greater risk of being overweight or obese according to a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Death rates from type 1 diabetes steadily improving
Advances in treatment and care have reduced overall death rates from type 1 diabetes, with women and African-Americans having higher risks of mortality, according to a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health study being presented at the 70th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association.
Fewer than half of breast cancer patients adhere to hormonal therapy regimen, study finds
A new study of nearly 8,800 women with early-stage breast cancer found that fewer than half - approximately 49 percent - completed their full regimen of hormone therapy according to the prescribed schedule. Investigators found that younger women were particularly likely to discontinue treatment. The findings underscore the need to both better understand the reasons behind such treatment non-compliance and also develop interventions to reduce it.
Aggressive control of cardiac risk factors might not benefit all patients with diabetes
A mathematical model suggests that aggressively pursuing low blood pressure and cholesterol levels may not benefit, and could even harm, some patients with diabetes, according to a report in the June 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
Bursting bubbles with sound offers new treatments for cancer
A new way to deliver cancer drugs using gas bubbles and sound waves is to be developed at the University of Leeds. The project will enable highly toxic drugs to be delivered in small doses directly to tumours, where their toxicity can safely be put to good use. If successful, the technique could easily be adapted for other diseases.
Heavy women's miscarriage risk higher after IVF
(AP) -- Overweight women have a much higher risk of a miscarriage after having in-vitro fertilization compared with slim women, new research says.
New measurement of DNA could help identify most viable embryos for IVF
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists from the University of Warwick and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, are the first to directly measure a specific region of DNA in human embryos. The length of this region could be a quality marker for embryonic development.
Making 'virtopsies' a reality
A new research project at the University of Leicester is set to play a vital role in continuing research into viable alternatives to invasive autopsies, which many families find to be unpleasant.
Immune system important in fight against stomach cancer
Researchers have identified cells in the immune system that react to the stomach ulcer bacterium Helicobacter pylori, one of the risk factors for the development of stomach cancer. This discovery could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment as well as a better prognosis for patients with stomach cancer, reveals a thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Bees help to beat MRSA bugs
Bees could have a key role to play in urgently-needed new treatments to fight the virulent MRSA bug, according to research led at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.
'Copy-and-paste DNA' more common than previously thought
Researchers at the University of Leicester have demonstrated that movable sequences of DNA, which give rise to genetic variability and sometimes cause specific diseases, are far more common than previously thought.
Studies of women's attitudes to 'social egg freezing' find reasons differ with age
Women of different ages differ in their reasons for wishing to undergo egg freezing, show two studies presented to the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology today (Monday). A large number of female university students would be prepared to undertake egg freezing in an attempt to combine career success and motherhood, said Dr. Srilatha Gorthi, a research fellow at the Leeds Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Leeds, UK, adding that her team's research emphasised the importance of educating young women about their biological clocks in order that they could take informed decisions about future reproduction.
Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure
For people with hypertension, eating dark chocolate can significantly reduce blood pressure. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Medicine combined the results of 15 studies into the effects of flavanols, the compounds in chocolate which cause dilation of blood vessels, on blood pressure.
Underwater sponges and worms may hold key to cure for malaria
Healing powers for one of the world's deadliest diseases may lie within sponges, sea worms and other underwater creatures.
Alzheimer's imaging study identifies changes in brain's white matter
Scientists at the University of Kentucky's College of Medicine have identified changes in the brains of normal individuals at high risk for Alzheimer's disease that could prove important for early detection of the disease.
Agent Orange exposure linked to Graves' disease in Vietnam veterans, study finds
Vietnam War-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange appear to have significantly more Graves' disease, a thyroid disorder, than veterans with no exposure, a new study by endocrinologists at the University at Buffalo has shown.
More than a million parents with minor children are cancer survivors
In the first ever published estimate of the percentage and number of cancer survivors who live with their minor children, a team led by a Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center researcher found that millions of cancer survivors are parenting young children, highlighting a group of survivors with very special needs.
Experts urge reform of global drug policy
(AP) -- Policies that criminalize drug users fuel the spread of AIDS and should be reformed, experts preparing for an international conference said Monday.
Diabetes drug risks reported ahead of FDA hearing
(AP) -- A new study led by a federal drug safety expert ties the controversial diabetes drug Avandia to a higher risk of heart problems, strokes and deaths in older adults, and says it is more dangerous than a rival drug, Actos.
The image in the mirror and the number on the scale both count
Adolescent girls who think they are overweight, but are not, are at more risk for depression than girls who are overweight and know it, according to Penn State sociologists.
New therapy to overcome body dysmorphic disorder
A nose job to treat a mental health problem? Teeth whitening to overcome a severe anxiety disorder? These are just two procedures that people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have traditionally turned to in order to deal with body-related concerns. The excessive use of (and dissatisfaction with) cosmetic treatments, along with obsessive rituals and social isolation, is what scientists from the Fernand-Seguin Research Centre of Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, affiliated with the University of Montreal, are hoping to fight with a novel therapy to treat BDD.
Memory problems not the only predictor of later mild cognitive impairment
Mild cognitive impairment is often seen as a transition stage between the cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious problems of Alzheimer's disease. But what leads to mild cognitive impairment?
Toddler foods too sweet
Fifty three percent of food products specifically targeted to babies and toddlers in Canadian grocery stores have an excessive proportion—more than 20 per cent—of calories coming from sugar, according to a new study by University of Calgary professor Charlene Elliott.
Piglets open doors to study infant brain development
Events occurring during the development of an infant's brain can leave behind fingerprints. And researchers at the University of Illinois are interested in learning how these fingerprints can predict future behavioral problems such as cognitive deficits, anxiety disorders, depression, and even autism. New U of I research shows that the baby pig may provide some answers.
Study finds health insurance inequities for same-sex couples
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers found that men and women in same-sex relationships in California are far less likely than their married heterosexual counterparts to get employer-sponsored dependent health insurance.
End-of-life care in teaching hospital is generally of good quality
Patients admitted to a teaching hospital for an end-of-life illness generally receive high-quality medical care, but there is a need for better communication about family expectations and for timely efforts to keep patients comfortable, according to a new study.
Nitrate in beetroot juice lowers blood pressure
The nitrate content of beetroot juice is the underlying cause of its blood pressure lowering benefits, research from Queen Mary University of London reveals today.
Bicycling, brisk walking help women control weight
Premenopausal women who make even small increases in the amount of time they spend bicycling or walking briskly every day decrease their risk of gaining weight, according to a new study by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH).
Report examines whether statins prevent death in high-risk individuals without heart disease
A meta-analysis of previously published studies finds no evidence that statins are associated with a reduced risk of death among individuals at risk for but with no history of cardiovascular disease, according to a report in the June 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
Get moving: Cancer survivors urged to exercise
(AP) -- Cancer survivors, better work up a sweat. New guidelines are urging survivors to exercise more, even - hard as it may sound - those who haven't yet finished their treatment.
Internet dependence and gambling addiction are not linked
A study of university students found no overlap between those reporting excessive Internet use and those with problem gambling. However, both addictive behaviors are associated with psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness, according to a provocative Rapid Communication in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
Molecular biology provides clues to health benefits of olive oil
Health conscious consumers have long known that virgin olive oil is a good choice when it comes to preparing meals and dipping breads. Now, a team of researchers, including one with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), has found that phenolic components in olive oil actually modify genes that are involved in the inflammatory response.
Low Risk of Traumatic Brain Injury from Roller Coaster Rides, Researcher Says
With July 4th around the bend, if you've ever feared a head injury from a roller coaster ride, it's time to stop worrying and enjoy your local amusement parks. Although a significant body of scientific research has long contended that the physics behind gravitational force isn't enough to cause problems, misconceptions have abounded anyway, said Bryan Pfister, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of biomedical engineering at NJIT.
New formula gives first accurate peak heart rate for women
Women who measure their peak heart rates for exercise will need to do some new math as will physicians giving stress tests to patients.
9 in 10 docs blame lawsuit fears for overtesting
(AP) -- Ninety percent of physicians surveyed said doctors overtest and overtreat to protect themselves from malpractice lawsuits.
Cholesterol drugs for the healthy still debatable
(AP) -- Should healthy people with low cholesterol take a pill to lower their cholesterol even more in hopes of preventing heart problems? The question is dividing heart doctors and confusing patients.
Language Helps People Solve Spatial Problems: Study
(PhysOrg.com) -- Language appears to be key in helping humans figure out the physical world. By testing people who use an emerging sign language in Nicaragua, Wellesley College Assistant Professor of Psychology Jennie Pyers and her colleagues found that people who have more complex language skills are also better at finding hidden objects. The findings were published in the June 21 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
'Artificial pancreas' for diabetes is testing well
Scientists are getting closer to offering an "artificial pancreas" to children and adults with type 1 diabetes that will help better control the swings of blood glucose that come with the disease.
Memories are made of this: New study uncovers key to how we learn and remember
(PhysOrg.com) -- New research led by the University of Leicester and published in a prestigious international scientific journal has revealed for the first time the mechanism by which memories are formed.
Researchers identify 12 new genes linked to diabetes
(PhysOrg.com) -- An international consortium of scientists has identified 12 new genes associated with type 2 diabetes, in the largest study of the genetics of the condition to date.
Researchers discover how insulin-producing cells increase during pregnancy
Researchers funded by JDRF have discovered that the hormone, serotonin, may be involved in the increase of insulin-producing beta cells during pregnancy. The findings reveal one of the mechanisms underlying beta cell expansion during pregnancy, and are the latest advances underscoring the potential for regeneration as a key component of a possible cure for type 1 diabetes.
Reading the look of love
How fast you can judge whether a person of the opposite sex is looking at you depends on how masculine or feminine they look, according to a new study. The researchers speculate that there may be an evolutionary advantage to quickly noticing when a hottie is looking at you.
Virus 'explorers' probe inner workings of the brain (w/ Video)
Imagine an exceedingly complex circuit board. Wires often split -- seemingly at random -- and connect in strange and unexpected ways.
US Supreme Court hands major victory to Big Tobacco
The US Supreme Court gave a substantial victory to major tobacco firms Monday, rebuffing an appeal that would have allowed the government to pocket 280 billion dollars of their profits.
A pacemaker for your brain
By stimulating certain areas of the brain, scientists can alleviate the effects of disorders such as depression or Parkinson's disease. That's the good news. But because controlling that stimulation currently lacks precision, over-stimulation is a serious concern — losing some of its therapeutic benefits for the patient over time.
Biology news
Is this the perfect prawn?
(PhysOrg.com) -- After 10 years of careful breeding and research, scientists have developed what could be the world's most perfect prawn.
Borneo's crocodiles 'no longer endangered'
Wildlife officials in Malaysian Borneo are pushing to have its saltwater crocodiles removed from a list of endangered animals, saying the reptile's numbers have strongly recovered in recent years.
Going out on a (redwood tree) limb
How tall can a tree grow? Does sunlight or water limit the size and photosynthetic capacity of a leaf? Could constraints on leaf growth really determine the height of a tree? These are all questions that Alana Oldham of Humboldt State University, CA, was eager to answer as she and her colleagues dangled from an ancient redwood tree well over a football field's length in height above the ground.
Study finds better way to battle mosquitoes
Protecting ourselves from backyard mosquito bites may come down to leaving the vacuuming for later, a study from York University shows.
Illinois pumpkin fields face cunning opponent
Wet conditions have Illinois pumpkin growers on the alert for signs of Phytophthora blight in their fields. This disease nearly destroyed the pumpkin industry in 1999, causing up to 100 percent crop losses in parts of the state. While it's not a new disease to this industry, it is the most devastating and it's already showing up in Illinois.
Introducing Robofish: Leading the crowd in studying group dynamics
UK scientists have created the first convincing robotic fish that shoals will accept as one of their own. The innovation opens up new possibilities for studying fish behaviour and group dynamics, which provides useful information to support freshwater and marine environmental management, to predict fish migration routes and assess the likely impact of human intervention on fish populations.
Gene leads to longer shelf life for tomatoes, possibly other fruits
A Purdue University researcher has found a sort of fountain of youth for tomatoes that extends their shelf life by about a week.
'Velcro' effect in Guianese ants
In Guiana, symbiosis between Azteca ants and the Cecropia tree (or trumpet tree) is frequent. However, a surprising discovery has been made: one species of ant (Azteca andreae) uses the "Velcro" principle to cling on firmly to the leaves of Cecropia and thus capture very large prey.
Scientists reveal dolphins' diplomatic social behaviour
Scientists from the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) on the island of Sardinia off the coast of Italy have published the most complete repertoire ever of sounds made by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The study shows how the mammals use whistles and burst-pulsed sounds to communicate and maintain their position in their community's social hierarchy. The research results appear in the book Dolphins: Anatomy, Behaviour and Threats by Nova Science Publishers.
What Makes Us Human? Studies of Chimp and Human DNA May Tell Us
In constructing an evolutionary tree of life, scientists have granted themselves and the rest of us humans a genus, Homo, all to ourselves. But there's no getting around the fact that we're in the same family with chimpanzees and other primates.
Japanese gourmet mushroom found in Sweden
In Japan, the hon-shimeji mushroom is a delicacy costing up to $1000 a kilo. Now a student at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has discovered that this tasty fungus also grows wild in Sweden.
Mitochondrial genome analysis revises view of the initial peopling of North America
The initial peopling of North America from Asia occurred approximately 15,000-18,000 years ago, however estimations of the genetic diversity of the first settlers have remained inaccurate. In a report published online today in Genome Research, researchers have found that the diversity of the first Americans has been significantly underestimated, underscoring the importance of comprehensive sampling for accurate analysis of human migrations.
Ebola and Marburg viruses may be much older than thought
(PhysOrg.com) -- New research on the DNA of wallabies, rodents, a number of mammals and bats has found it is likely the ancestors of the Ebola and lesser-known Marburg viruses were in existence tens of millions of years ago, which is much earlier than previously thought.
Study challenges long-held assumption about competition in disturbed ecosystems
Hurricanes, wildfires and influxes of pollutants create disturbances that can put ecological systems under extreme stress. Ecologists had believed that at times like these, competition between species becomes less important as all struggle to survive.
Some males react to competition like bonobos, others like chimpanzees
The average man experiences hormone changes similar to the passive bonobo prior to competition, but a "status-striving" man undergoes changes that mirror those found in a chimpanzee, say researchers from Duke and Harvard universities.
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