A technique called microscopic X-ray computed tomography (microCT) is affording scientists the ability to visualize even the subtlest birth defects in prenatal and postnatal bats, mice, opossums and primates, which one day may lead to new understandings about human birth defects. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
Scientists have discovered a new climate pattern, the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation. This pattern explains, for the first time, changes in the water important in helping commercial fishermen understand fluctuations in the fish stock. They're also finding that as the Earth is warming, large fluctuations in these factors could help climatologists predict how oceans will respond in a warmer world. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
A common component of the contraceptive pill could improve the neurologic outcome for patients with severe head injuries, according to a new study. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as that caused by traffic accidents, falls and sporting injuries, is a major cause of death and disability. A number of 'neuroprotective' drugs have been shown to prevent nerve-cell death in animal models of traumatic brain injury, but these findings have not been translated into trials involving people with head injuries. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
For many adults over the age of 30, the former groupings of letters would seem incoherent, but for a newer generation of technologically-savvy young adults it can say a lot. Researchers found that instant messaging is a unique language form differing from Standard Written English. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
The electromagnetic fields produced by incubators alter newborns' heart rates, reveals a small study in the Fetal and Neonatal Edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood. It is not clear what the long term effects might be, but this could have implications for babies born prematurely, who may spend several weeks or months in incubators, say the authors. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
Diets high in fast food can be highly toxic to the liver and other internal organs, but that damage can be reversed, says one of the country's leading experts on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, who offers four steps to undo the effects of a 'super-size me' diet. It was probably enough to make many Americans lose their appetite: A recent study from Europe showed that eating too much fast food -- a diet high in fat and sugar -- could cause serious damage to your liver. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
Birds switch brain circuits during the transition from babbling to singing. This research suggests a new view of infant behavior. Source: LiveScience.com | 2 May 2008 | 2:02 pm
Jumping spiders use ultraviolet B rays to "talk" to potential mates, scientists report. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 2 May 2008 | 12:29 pm
Scientists rediscovered the highly distinctive greater dwarf cloud rat, last seen in 1896. Thought to be extinct, Carpomys melanuru has never before been discovered in its natural habitat. It has dense fur, black mask around large eyes, and a broad/blunt snout. It was found in the canopy of a large tree, on a branch covered with moss, orchids, and ferns. This gives hope for the conservation of one of the world's most diverse, threatened mammal fauna. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
The antidepressant Prozac may help to curb disease activity in the relapsing remitting form of multiple sclerosis, reveals preliminary research in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
The USGS recently collected new information to aid in resource and hazards assessments of Afghanistan. This survey presents valuable new information to policymakers, potential private investors, and the public in that the data will help identify fault lines and the potential location of undiscovered water, oil and gas, and non-fuel mineral resources in Afghanistan. Data was acquired from an airborne geophysical and photographic survey of the country. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
Low-dose antidepressant therapy can significantly improve the overall quality of life for adolescents suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. The study is the first of its kind to look at the effects of amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, in the pediatric IBS population. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Baby birds babble much like human infants do, and they have their own special brain circuits to do it, researchers reported on Thursday.
The killing of rare elephants in DR Congo may be linked to South Africa lifting its culling ban, a conservationist says. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 2 May 2008 | 11:30 am
How does a trombone work? Why do bigger drums sound deeper? Make a musical instrument and find out by changing the pitch of its sound Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
Mice can't fly - can they? Why not find out for yourself in fine style with this fun milk bottle launcher Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
This periscope is easy to make, and the perfect spying instrument. Next time you play hide-and-seek you'll be able to see over walls without being seen Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
This is a risky little number, but this trick will amaze your mates - as long as you get it eggs-actly right Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
This experiment shows that gas takes up more volume than solids - but it's a lot more fun than it sounds. It can be messy - so do it outside! Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
Magnets are used in lots of everyday items about the house. See what this electrical force is all about with just a few pennies, a magnet and a straw Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
Make a mug out of your friends with this amazing classic trick, and demonstrate how friction is all around us Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
It looks like we've used a bucket of glue to stick together these telephone books. We haven't - friction does the sticking for us Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
Some substances sometimes just can't make up their mind whether they're a liquid or a solid! See what we mean with this messy experiment Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
You can't walk through a wall, so you'd think that sound would travel through air more easily than through something solid. Not so! Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 1 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
HOUSTON (Reuters) - Delays in producing space shuttle fuel tanks, which were substantially redesigned after the 2003 Columbia disaster, will postpone NASA's final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope by a month or longer, officials at the U.S. space agency said on Thursday.
LONDON (Reuters) - An international research team has pinpointed a genetic mutation that can raise a healthy person's blood sugar to harmful levels, putting them at higher risk of serious problems like heart disease.
Nasa says the mission to service the Hubble telescope will occur in September at the earliest. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 1 May 2008 | 4:33 pm
