Sick female deer mice devote their energy to producing healthier offspring. Deer mice offspring of infected mothers were bigger, meaning they are more likely to survive and reproduce. This finding was unexpected because most mammals tend to focus on their own survival when they are threatened with sickness or infection. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
A new study provides a baseline distribution of blood parasites and strains in spotted owls, suggesting a more fragile immune health than previously understood for the already threatened Northern and California spotted owls. The study is the first to show a spotted owl infected with an avian malaria parasite. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
Researchers have uncovered definitive evidence that a small but potent subset of immune system B cells is able to regulate inflammation. Using a new set of scientific tools to identify and count these cells, the team showed that these B cells can block contact hypersensitivity, the type of skin reactions that many people have when they brush against poison ivy. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
Carbon nanotubes, described as the reigning celebrity of the advanced materials world, are all the rage. Recently researchers used them to make the "blackest black" -- the darkest known material, reflecting only 0.045 percent of all light shined on it. Carbon nanotubes are long thin cylinders composed entirely of carbon atoms. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
Seafloor bacteria are more abundant and diverse than previously thought, appearing to "eat" the planet's oceanic crust, according to a new study in Nature. The findings pose intriguing questions about ocean chemistry and the co-evolution of Earth and life, such as 'where do these bacteria find their energy?' Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
Using a breakthrough technology, researchers led by a Weill Cornell Medical College scientist have pinpointed the hormone estrogen as a key player in about half of all prostate cancers. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 3:00 pm
Researchers have formulated a theory that, allows scientists to better understand and predict the properties of both conventional and nonconventional lasers, according to a recent article in Science. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
The first large-scale analysis of proteins in the brains of monkeys addicted to cocaine reveals new information on how long-term cocaine use changes the amount and activity of various proteins affecting brain function. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
Researchers have uncovered a completely unexpected way that the brain repairs nerve damage, wherein cells known as astrocytes deliver a protective protein to nearby neurons. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
An abrupt release of methane about 635 million years ago from ice sheets caused a dramatic shift in climate, triggering a series of events that effectively ended the last "snowball" ice age. Methane clathrate destabilization acted as a runaway feedback to increased warming, and was the tipping point that ended the last snowball Earth. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Hidden cameras have captured rare footage of critically endangered Javan rhinos in the jungles of Indonesia, which will help understand the animal's behavior patterns, the wildlife conservation group WWF said on Thursday.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - China's devastated Sichuan region can expect to be rocked by aftershocks for weeks and months, possibly years, but the power of the aftershocks, one destroyed some 420,000 houses, will gradually diminish, say seismologists.
An apparent cooling period in the mid-20th Century was due to different measurement methods, scientists say. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 29 May 2008 | 8:47 am
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand plans to ban commercial fishing near its coast and set up marine reserves to protect the rare Hector's dolphins, a government minister said on Thursday
Loss of forests and other natural systems could halve living standards for the world's poor, a major report will conclude. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 29 May 2008 | 5:02 am
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Using only its brainpower, a monkey can direct a robotic arm to pluck a marshmallow from a skewer and stuff it into its mouth, researchers said on Wednesday.
ILULISSAT, Greenland (Reuters) - Five Arctic coastal nations agreed on Wednesday to let the U.N. rule on conflicting territorial claims on the region's seabed, which may hold up to one fourth of the world's undiscovered hydrocarbon reserves.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian scientists unveiled on Thursday the fossilized remains of the oldest vertebrate mother ever discovered, a 375-million-year-old placoderm fish with embryo and umbilical cord attached.
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's Supreme Court started voting on Wednesday on whether to uphold legislation that allows research on embryonic stem cells in the world's largest Roman Catholic country.
Plan to generate 50% of revenue in United States as defence technology group looks for acquisitions Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 28 May 2008 | 11:16 pm
Leader: After two and a half years of building works, the institution is about to have a relaunch Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 28 May 2008 | 11:16 pm
Many scientists now believe the Earth can be altered to tackle global warming. But are these geoengineers being overly optimistic? Danny Bradbury investigates Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 28 May 2008 | 11:12 pm
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - As the countdown for Saturday's launch of space shuttle Discovery began on Wednesday, a key part for the International Space Station -- a new pump for the toilet -- was en route from Russia, NASA officials said.
Parasites ensure the spread of malaria by being able to produce more sons than daughters. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 28 May 2008 | 9:27 pm
LONDON (Reuters) - Malaria parasites fine-tune the number of male and female offspring they produce to maximize the odds of infecting another host, a finding that could help fight the deadly disease, British researchers said on Wednesday.
Gordon Brown raises the prospect of new nuclear power sites as he says the UK needs to "be more ambitious". Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 28 May 2008 | 7:12 pm
LONDON (Reuters) - A new imaging technique that relies on naturally occurring baking soda in the body could help pinpoint cancer earlier and quickly gauge if drugs to kill tumors are working, British researchers said on Wednesday.
The oldest-known example of a mother giving birth to live young has been unveiled by scientists. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 28 May 2008 | 6:42 pm
Monkeys have been trained to control a robotic arm and feed themselves using only the power of their thoughts Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 28 May 2008 | 5:09 pm
Monkeys are taught to control robotic limbs using only their thoughts, Nature journal reports. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 28 May 2008 | 5:04 pm
A company which claimed to offer a cure for dyslexia has closed its UK offices leaving parents unsure whether their children's treatment will be completed Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 28 May 2008 | 4:22 pm
A world expert on primates, Dr Jane Goodall, urges Europe to find alternatives to experiments on animals. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 28 May 2008 | 1:21 pm
A 101.27 carat diamond the size of a squash ball, has been sold at auction in Hong Kong for more than $6m (£3m). Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 28 May 2008 | 12:34 pm
The oil giant has admitted that its support for lobby groups that question the science of climate change may have hindered action to tackle global warming Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 28 May 2008 | 11:17 am
Conservationists in Cumbria set 1,000 traps along the Scottish border to stem the spread of grey squirrels. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 28 May 2008 | 8:20 am
