Scientists have showed that lowering intake of the type of fat common in a Western diet helps prevent prostate cancer in mice, the first finding of its kind in a mouse model that closely mimics human cancer, researchers said. The study focused on fat from corn oil, which is made up primarily of omega-6 fatty acids, or the polyunsaturated fat commonly found in the Western diet. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 May 2008 | 12:00 am
Scientists are investigating the characteristics of various types of materials for their use in the generation and measurement of precise movements. When the arms of a robot move to pick up an egg or an electric lamp, the greatest precision possible is essential. To this end, advances in the science and technology of materials have provided the design and control of systems equipped with sensors and actuators built with new materials. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 May 2008 | 12:00 am
Smaller primates expend no more energy climbing than they do walking. This surprising discovery may explain the evolutionary edge that encouraged the tiny ancestors of modern humans, apes and monkeys to climb into the trees about 65 million years ago and stay there. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 May 2008 | 12:00 am
The newest analysis of trace gases trapped in Antarctic ice cores now provide a reasonable view of greenhouse gas concentrations as much as 800,000 years into the past, and are further confirming the link between greenhouse gas levels and global warming, scientists have reported in Nature. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 May 2008 | 12:00 am
Transplantation of muscle-derived stem cells may provide a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from urinary incontinence following a surgical procedure. Patients with incontinence resulting from iatrogenic sphincter damage may benefit from this therapy. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 May 2008 | 12:00 am
The Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus) is one of the world's smallest mammals. It is about four centimetres long and weighs merely two grams. Being a nocturnal animal, it hunts predominantly with its sense of touch. "As quick as a flash, the Etruscan shrew scans its prey and adapts, when necessary, its hunting strategy," explained one of the researchers. "Thus, no prey escapes." Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 May 2008 | 12:00 am
As Charles Darwin showed nearly 150 years ago, bird beaks are exquisitely adapted to the birds' feeding strategy. A team of mathematicians and engineers has now explained exactly how some shorebirds use their long, thin beaks to defy gravity and transport food into their mouths. Some species rely exclusively on a feeding mechanism that takes advantage of water's surface tension, and so are extremely vulnerable to oil spills. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 17 May 2008 | 6:00 pm
Losing weight may help resolve erectile dysfunction in obese men. Morbid obesity can cause sexual dysfunction independent of other common confounders, including diabetes, hypertension and smoking. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 17 May 2008 | 6:00 pm
By targeting a common virus, doctors may be able to extend the lives of patients diagnosed with the most prevalent and deadly type of brain tumor. A type of herpes virus called human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is found in up to 80 percent of Americans, though the virus normally produces very few clinical symptoms, is dormant, and usually undetectable in most people. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 17 May 2008 | 6:00 pm
Scientists have improved the efficiency of an important type of solar cell from 21.9 to 23.2 percent (a relative improvement of 6 per cent). The efficiency improvement is achieved by the use of an ultra-thin aluminum oxide layer at the front of the cell, and it brings a breakthrough in the use of solar energy a step closer. The costs of applying the thin layer of aluminum oxide are expected to be relatively low. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 17 May 2008 | 6:00 pm
Plans to tackle use of plastic bags are a diversion from the real environmental issues, a government adviser says. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 17 May 2008 | 1:46 am
Ben Goldacre: We would all do well to remember that elaborate runic rituals behind the scenes can have an enormous impact on what is heard Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 16 May 2008 | 11:04 pm
It is claimed tighter rules on pesticide use in Europe could lead to reduced yields and increases in food costs. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 16 May 2008 | 5:32 pm
Prof Richard Dawkins was unsuccessful in his bid for a letter by Albert Einstein that described religious beliefs as "childish superstitions", it emerged today Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 16 May 2008 | 3:55 pm
Small-scale biomass power plants can have bigger enviro-impacts than other renewables, a study says. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 16 May 2008 | 12:19 pm
A new study explains how the tiny ancestors of humans, apes and monkeys may have taken to the trees. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 16 May 2008 | 12:03 pm
