Types Of Genes Necessary For Brain Development Discovered

Researchers have successfully completed a full-genome RNAi screen in neurons, showing what types of genes are necessary for brain development.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 6:00 pm

Some Plants Can Adapt To Widespread Climate Change

While many plant species move to a new location or go extinct as a result of climate change, grasslands clinging to a steep, rocky dale-side in Northern England seem to defy the odds and adapt to long-term changes in temperature and rainfall, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The 13-year experiment involved subjecting 30 small grassland plots to microclimate manipulation.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 6:00 pm

Young Women's Breast Cancers Have More Aggressive Genes, Worse Prognosis

Young women's breast cancers tend to be more aggressive and less responsive to treatment than the cancers that arise in older women, and researchers may have discovered part of the reason why: young women's breast cancers share unique genomic traits that the cancers in older women do not exhibit.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 6:00 pm

Male Cyclists Risk Sexual Problems If They Don't Choose The Right Bike

Cycling may seem like a healthy and environmentally friendly pastime, but men who choose the wrong bike could be heading for a range of sexual and health problems, including erection difficulties. And as the Tour de France gets into gear, there's also stark warnings for professional cyclists.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 6:00 pm

Novel Ways To Boost Vaccination Or Natural Defenses

Our bodies rely on the production of potent, or 'high affinity,' antibodies to fight infection. The process is very complex, yet scientists have discovered that it hinges on a single molecule, a growth factor, without which it cannot function.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 6:00 pm

Do We Think That Machines Can Think?

When our PC goes on strike again we tend to curse it as if it was a human. The question is why and under what circumstances do we attribute human-like properties to machines and how are such processes manifest on a cortical level.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 6:00 pm

Fossil Feathers Preserve Evidence Of Color, Say Scientists

The traces of organic material found in fossil feathers are remnants of pigments that once gave birds their color, according to Yale scientists whose paper in Biology Letters opens up the potential to depict the original coloration of fossilized birds and their ancestors, the dinosaurs.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

New Ovarian Stimulation Technique Offers More Cancer Patients The Chance To Preserve Their Fertility

Researchers have shown for the first time that it is possible to stimulate a woman's ovaries to produce eggs for collection during the final phase of the menstrual cycle. The finding offers the chance for more women who have been diagnosed with cancer to restore their fertility following chemotherapy or radiotherapy -- cancer treatments that can seriously damage the ovaries, often permanently.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

Boosting Survival Of Insulin-cell Transplants For Type 1 Diabetes

Researchers in Japan are reporting a discovery that could improve the effectiveness and expand the use of transplants of insulin-producing cells to treat diabetes. Insulin-dependent, or Type 1, diabetes affects about 800,000 people in the United States.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

Cocktail Therapy For Alzheimer's Disease? Works for Gerbils

A dietary cocktail that includes a type of omega-3 fatty acid can improve memory and learning in gerbils, according to a new study that points to a possible beverage-based treatment for Alzheimer's and other brain diseases.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

Seniors Having More Sex Than Ever

Study finds big jump in number of those over 70 who are 'doing it'
Source: Livescience.com | 9 Jul 2008 | 1:22 pm

Cargill rolling out natural, no-calorie sweetener

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Agribusiness giant Cargill Inc is starting to roll out Truvia, its natural, no-calorie sweetener on Wednesday, and expects the product to be on grocery shelves across the U.S. sometime this fall.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 1:11 pm

Top Democrat may back new offshore drilling: report (Reuters)

An offshore oil platform is seen in the Gulf of Mexico in a file photo. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)Reuters - A top U.S. Democratic senator said in a newspaper interview published Wednesday that he would consider supporting opening up new areas for offshore oil and gas drilling.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 1:07 pm

Neanderthal, Human Ancestor Could Chat

A 500,000-year-old skull suggests a human and Neanderthal ancestor likely had language.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 9 Jul 2008 | 1:02 pm

Nano Mirrors Could Improve NASA's Next X-Ray Telescope

Nano mirrors can bend x-rays in NASA's next generation space telescope.
Source: Livescience.com | 9 Jul 2008 | 11:00 am

Summit ends with climate 'vision'

G8 leaders meeting in Japan proclaim a "shared vision" on greenhouse gases, but fail to get poor nations to agree to cuts.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Jul 2008 | 10:58 am

How Jungle Rot Could Power the Future (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - Editor's Note: Each Wednesday LiveScience examines the viability of emerging energy technologies - the power of the future.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 10:55 am

How Jungle Rot Could Power the Future

The genetics of "jungle rot" may hold the key to more economical biofuel in the near future.
Source: Livescience.com | 9 Jul 2008 | 10:53 am

Hydrogen refuel station unveiled

UK firm offers greener way to drive and a home-brewed refuel station to keep the hybrid car going.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Jul 2008 | 9:52 am

Attack in DR Congo's gorilla park

Two are killed in an attack on a vehicle carrying gorilla conservationists in DR Congo's Virunga National Park.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Jul 2008 | 9:23 am

Hurricane Bertha could strengthen in coming days (AP)

This image provided by NASA shows Hurricane Bertha taken by the Aqua satellite at 4 p.m. EDT Tuesday July 7, 2008. Forecasters say Hurricane Bertha has weakened to a Category 1 storm. As of 11 p.m. EDT Tuesday, the center of the storm was about 580 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and about 840 miles southeast of Bermuda. Maximum sustained winds decreased to 80 mph with some higher gusting. The storm is expected to continue weakening over the next couple of days. Bertha is expected to continue heading toward Bermuda. It's unknown if or when the hurricane will make landfall. (AP Photo/NASA)AP - Forecasters say Hurricane Bertha could become slightly stronger in the next couple of days as it heads toward Bermuda.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 8:47 am

Location, location

Would you share your whereabouts with your mobile?
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Jul 2008 | 8:28 am

Milwaukee museum unveils woolly mammoth skeleton (AP)

Milwaukee Public Museum exhibit artist Craig Yanek , right behind the skeleton, looks on as officials put the final tusk in place on the Hebior woolly mammoth, Tuesday, July 8, 2008 in Milwaukee. Its skeleton was excavated in southeastern Wisconsin in 1994, and is considered the most intact specimen ever found in North America. (AP Photo/Dinesh Ramde)AP - A 14,500-year-old woolly mammoth skeleton dug up in 1994 has been unveiled at the Milwaukee Public Museum, giving locals a glimpse of perhaps the most intact specimen discovered in North America.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 8:17 am

Being too fat 'can damage sperm'

Obese men have poorer quality sperm, perhaps because too much fat around their testicles causes them to heat up, scientists have suggested.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Jul 2008 | 7:36 am

Funding secured for observatory

Committed funds secure the future of Jodrell Bank, one of the world's leading radio astronomy centres.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Jul 2008 | 7:23 am

Developing economies don't back G-8 climate goal (AP)

Leaders of the Group of Eight nations pose for a photo with eight leaders of the emerging economies at the Windsor Hotel Toya in Toyako, Hokkaido on the last day of their three-day summit Wednesday July 9, 2008 in Japan. The leaders are from left to right: IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka, IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, French President President Nicolas Sarkozy, Brazil's President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, South African President Thabo Mbeki, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, US President George W. Bush, Chinese President Hu Juntao, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, EU President Jose Manuel Barroso, World Bank President Robert Zoellick, OECD Secretary-General Jose Angel Gurria Trevino. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, POOL)AP - A joint gathering of major developed and developing nations on Wednesday agreed that climate change was "one of the great global challenges of our time" and pledged to back a United Nations effort to conclude new climate pact by 2009. The major economies said they supported longterm and midterm goals for greenhouse-gas reductions, but endorsed no targets.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 5:39 am

US, Czech Republic sign defense agreement (AP)

Czech Republic's Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek (L) and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrive for a briefing in Prague July 8, 2008. (David W Cerny/Reuters)AP - The United States and leaders of the Czech Republic agreed Tuesday to place a radar system in this former Soviet satellite that would warn of long-range missiles coming to Europe from the Middle East.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Jul 2008 | 2:07 am

Superfast Muscles Power Songbird Singing

Some songbirds can contract their vocal chords with the fastest muscle movements yet described.
Source: Livescience.com | 9 Jul 2008 | 1:47 am

Vanishing act

Could stress drive Cambodian dolphin to extinction?
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Jul 2008 | 12:10 am

Fossil feathers reveal their hues

Scientists show they are able to interpret the colour patterns seen in 100 million-year-old fossil feathers.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 8 Jul 2008 | 11:20 pm

Wolverine advocates give notice of intent to sue (AP)

This undated photo shows a wolverine in Glacier National Park, Mont., taken by biologist Jeff Copeland. The federal government's refusal to protect wolverines under the Endangered Species Act will be challenged in a lawsuit if the decision is not reversed within 60 days, a coalition of nine groups said Tuesday, July 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Glalcier National Park, Jeff Copeland, via The Missoulian)AP - Nine environmental groups said Tuesday they plan to sue the federal government if wolverines aren't granted protection under the Endangered Species Act within 60 days.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 11:15 pm

Nitrogen excess

Humans are using too much and nature is suffering
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 8 Jul 2008 | 11:12 pm

Heart disease: US doctors back statins for 8-year-olds

Experts in UK, treating small numbers of high risk children, say wider use of drugs should be discussed
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Jul 2008 | 11:03 pm

New quality test for embryos boosts chance of pregnancy, say fertility doctors

Test trials helps doctors select healthiest embryos and show method boosts chances of embryos implanting
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Jul 2008 | 11:03 pm

The question: What is the European monsoon?

Leo Hickman: Well, it's not a monsoon. Not in the conventional sense, anyway
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Jul 2008 | 11:02 pm

Fringe autism treatment could get federal study (AP)

Eight-year-old Charlie Blakey, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, says a prayer before eating dinner with his family at their home on Oak Park, Ill., on April 23, 2008. Charlie's mother Christina, has been using an alternative treatment, chelation, along with a variety of other therapies to treat her son. A proposed federal study of chelation in autistic children has been put on hold because of safety concerns. Chelation helps the body excrete heavy metals and is approved to treat lead poisoning in children. Charlie eats a special diet, swallows chelation pills and has had 40 sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. All have been helpful, according to his mom. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP - Pressured by desperate parents, government researchers are pushing to test an unproven treatment on autistic children, a move some scientists see as an unethical experiment in voodoo medicine.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 10:32 pm

Feather Fossils Could Yield Dinosaur Colors (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - Artists may now be able to paint dinosaurs and ancient birds and mammals in their true colors, thanks to the discovery of pigment residues in fossilized feathers. In recent years, paleontologists have found fossil feathers in about 50 rock formations pegged to dates ranging from the Jurassic period (from about 200 million to 150 million years ago) to the late Tertiary (from 65 million to about 2 million years ago). These feathers are preserved as residues of carbon that were previously thought to be traces of feather-degrading bacteria. ...
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 10:21 pm

Feather Fossils Could Yield Dinosaur Colors

Traces of pigments found in feather fossils from ancient birds.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Jul 2008 | 10:15 pm

Magnitude 6.2 quake rattles southern Peru

AREQUIPA, Peru (Reuters) - A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook southern Peru early on Tuesday, killing at least one person in the Andean country's second-largest city, Arequipa, and damaging scores of homes.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 9:42 pm

Hurricane Bertha weakens in Atlantic

MIAMI (Reuters) - Hurricane Bertha weakened rapidly as it headed in the direction of Bermuda on Tuesday, just a day after suddenly burgeoning into the first major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic storm season, forecasters said.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 9:24 pm

Cheney Wanted Cuts In Climate Testimony

Vice President Dick Cheney's office pushed for major deletions in congressional testimony on the public health consequences of climate change, fearing the presentation by a leading health official might make it harder to avoid regulating greenhouse gases,
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Jul 2008 | 9:00 pm

Most Popular Baby Names Change Dramatically

When Sunday Rose Kidman Urban was born this week, news of her distinctive name created only a small stir.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Jul 2008 | 8:30 pm

College-Educated Fare Better When Cancer Strikes

They've gained most from recent advances in treatment, survival, study finds
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Jul 2008 | 8:12 pm

Staff Blog: New York City's Waterfalls

A look at a cool art installation and a new way to musically collaborate.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 8 Jul 2008 | 6:38 pm

Space Shuttle's Swan Song Set for 2010

NASA plans the final space shuttle flight for May, 2010.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 8 Jul 2008 | 5:21 pm

Frozen embryo babies just as healthy: researchers

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Babies born from frozen embryos weigh more, have no greater risk of birth defects and are as healthy or healthier than those conceived using fresh ones, Danish researchers said on Tuesday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 5:00 pm

New test can help spot best embryos: researchers

BARCELONA (Reuters) - The same infrared technology that measures fat content in milk can more accurately predict which embryos have the best chance of resulting in a pregnancy, fertility experts said on Tuesday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 5:00 pm

Ian Sample: My biological clock isn't loud enough

Ian Sample: Even though I'm aware that my fertility is declining, I still don't want to have children with someone substantially younger
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Jul 2008 | 5:00 pm

Laser Could Detect Alzheimer's Early

A laser that shines into a person's brain is being tested to detect Alzheimer's.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 8 Jul 2008 | 4:31 pm

G8 urged to do more for climate

Five of the biggest emerging economies urge the G8 to do more to combat climate change.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 8 Jul 2008 | 4:10 pm

Report: U.S. Coral Reefs In Severe Decline

Almost half of U.S. coral reefs threatened by pollution, rising temperatures, overfishing.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Jul 2008 | 3:25 pm

FDA OKs Invitrogen genetic test for breast cancer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved Invitrogen Corp's genetic test for determining whether patients with breast cancer are good candidates for treatment with the drug Herceptin.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 3:07 pm

Live Longer: The One Anti-Aging Trick That Works

Anti-aging researchers have figured out how to add about 5 years to the human lifespan.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Jul 2008 | 2:59 pm

Gels to protect women from HIV may help men more

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Gels aimed at helping women protect themselves from the AIDS virus may end up helping men as much or more, researchers predicted on Monday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 2:59 pm

New vaccine sneaks into body, then self-destructs

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new type of vaccine that sneaks into the body and then self-destructs -- all without needles -- may offer a new way to protect against a range of diseases, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Jul 2008 | 2:14 pm

Grasslands Hold Up to Climate Change

When subjected to artificial warming, grasslands seem largely unaffected, shows research.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 8 Jul 2008 | 2:03 pm

Extreme Rain Grows Mountains

The more it rains on some mountains the faster they grow, say geologists.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 8 Jul 2008 | 1:18 pm