CANBERRA (Reuters) - Scientists in Australia hope a giant cardboard image of a kangaroo, photographed from space on Tuesday, will help them better understand how the earth reflects sunlight and give them new clues about global warming.
A materials scientist has deciphered the structure of a new class of materials that can store relatively large quantities of hydrogen. The new analysis may point to a practical hydrogen storage material for automobile fuel cells and similar applications. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
A new model simulation of Atlantic hurricane activity for the last two decades of this century projects fewer hurricanes overall, but a slight increase in intensity for hurricanes that do occur. Hurricanes are also projected to have more intense rainfall, on average, in the future. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
The "21 for 21" ritual, where 21st birthday revelers attempt to down 21 alcoholic drinks, is highly prevalent among college students, according to new research. In the largest study of its kind, researchers have determined that many college students drink to excess on their 21st birthdays and potentially jeopardize their health. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
An herb used in traditional medicine by Middle Eastern countries may help fight pancreatic cancer. Researchers have found that thymoquinone, an extract of nigella sativa seed oil, blocked pancreatic cancer cell growth and killed cells by enhancing programmed cell death. The findings suggest that thymoquinone could eventually have use as a preventative in those who have had surgery and chemotherapy or who are at risk of developing cancer. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
A sophisticated new surgical technology holds promise for future painless and scarless surgery with shorter recovery times than laparoscopic surgery. New research supports the safety and efficacy of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) using new tools and robotic applications. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
Researchers report for the first time that bacteria use a sense of touch in deciding where to form biofilms. Those colonies of microbes grow on medical implants and other devices and play a key role in the multi-billion-dollar-per-year problem of antibiotic resistant infections. The finding could lead to safer implant materials for fighting biofilms, which are linked to thousands of deaths each year, the scientists say. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
Legislation to widen the scope of embryo research cleared its first Commons hurdle as moves to stop 'hybrid' human-animal embryos were defeated Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 20 May 2008 | 9:53 am
It has long been known that prolonged exposure to the suns harmful UV rays can lead to Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. An unanswered question, however, is why some people are more likely to develop melanoma than others. Despite years of research and clinical development, melanoma incidences continue to rise around the world. According to the National Cancer Institute, the percentage of people in the United States who develop melanoma each year has more than doubled in the past 30 years. Researchers have now identified a region on chromosome 20 (20q11.22) that influences a person's risk of developing melanoma. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 9:00 am
An improved artificial cornea, which could restore the vision of more than 10 million people worldwide who are blind due to diseased corneas, finally is moving toward reality, scientists in California conclude in a new analysis of research on the topic. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 9:00 am
Tumors escape destruction by immune cells by turning off their tumor killing functions. A team of scientists have now found a way to retrain the impotent cells into potent tumor destroyers. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 9:00 am
Breaking up the dosage of fertilizer into three phases of application enhances the quality of wheat and limits its negative effects on the environment. Wheat yields have increased over the decades, more concretely during the second half of the XX century when grain production per unit area doubled. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 20 May 2008 | 9:00 am
The EU is to announce plans to reform its hugely expensive rural payments system, the Common Agricultural Policy. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 20 May 2008 | 8:24 am
A fragment of DNA from the extinct Tasmanian tiger is put into a mouse to study how the genetic material works. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 20 May 2008 | 8:11 am
Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are not producing 'green' enough consoles, says Greenpeace. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 20 May 2008 | 7:01 am
SYDNEY (Reuters) - For the first time DNA from an extinct species, Australia's marsupial Tasmanian Tiger, has been used to induce a functional response in a living organism, a mouse embryo, Australian and American scientists said on Tuesday.
Response: Medical conditions such as Parkinson's can be treated by ethical sources of stem cells, says Alison Davis Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 19 May 2008 | 11:04 pm
Britain's largest power station launches project to reduce emissions, replacing 10% of the coal it uses Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 19 May 2008 | 11:04 pm
MPs back some of the most controversial parts of the government's human fertilisation and embryology bill Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 19 May 2008 | 11:03 pm
Letter: Professor David Field's clinical audit of neonatal survival rates from 16 hospitals in the Trent health region is neither 'landmark' nor does it illuminate the abortion-limit debate Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 19 May 2008 | 11:03 pm
MPs must decide whether the embryo bill should make it impossible for lesbians and single women to have children through IVF, reports Aida Edemariam Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 19 May 2008 | 11:02 pm
MPs consider reforms to the UK's embryology laws, including the creation of hybrid embryos. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 19 May 2008 | 9:57 pm
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's parliament voted on Monday to allow the creation of human-animal embryos which some scientists say are vital to research cures for diseases but critics argue pervert the course of nature.
Iceland's whale hunt is set to begin, with environmental groups warning of damage to the country's reputation. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 19 May 2008 | 9:42 pm
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - NASA cleared the space shuttle Discovery on Monday for launch on May 31 to deliver the centerpiece of Japan's space program, a massive laboratory named Kibo, to the International Space Station.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said ethanol is not having a "major" impact on food prices, and downplayed calls by lawmakers and industry groups to make changes to programs that promote increased use of biofuels.
Climate change is "amplifying" the threats facing the world's bird species, a key study concludes. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 19 May 2008 | 4:43 pm
Vulcan, the world's most powerful laser, heats matter to a truly sweltering 10 million Celsius. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 19 May 2008 | 1:35 pm
