Balance Problems? Step Into The IShoe

Your grandmother might have little in common with an astronaut, but both could benefit from a new device an MIT graduate student is designing to test balancing ability.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

Virtual Toothache Helps Student Dentists

Masha, a middle-aged avatar from Second Life, is an integral part of a new research project to teach and give students practice time to communicate with mock patients. Not only do findings from the study have potential to revolutionize dental education but also to change the way national testing is done for patient-side communication skills.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

Olympic Games: Air Quality Forecasts For China

With less than a month remaining before the Beijing Olympics, Chinese officials have introduced a series of measures to improve air quality for the Games. A new tool has been installed in the capital city to allow the Chinese to monitor the effectiveness of these efforts.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

Toxic Chemicals Found In Common Scented Laundry Products, Air Fresheners

A study of top-selling laundry products and air fresheners found the products emitted dozens of different chemicals. All six products tested gave off at least one chemical regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, but none of those chemicals was listed on the product labels.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

Licking Your Wounds: Scientists Isolate Compound In Human Saliva That Speeds Wound Healing

A report by scientists from the Netherlands identifies a compound in human saliva that greatly speeds wound healing. This research may offer hope to people suffering from chronic wounds related to diabetes and other disorders, as well as traumatic injuries and burns. In addition, because the compounds can be mass produced, they have the potential to become as common as antibiotic creams and rubbing alcohol.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

Over-the-counter Anesthetic Gel Puts The Squeeze On Mammogram Pain

The simple application of a pain-relieving gel may reduce the breast discomfort some women experience during mammography exams. For a mammography exam, a radiologic technologist positions the patient's breast on a platform in a mammography unit. The breast is then gradually compressed with a paddle. The patient may feel pressure and occasionally some discomfort or pain. Fear of this discomfort leads many women to avoid mammograms altogether.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 3:00 pm

Flooding feared along U.S.-Mexico border from Dolly (Reuters)

Workers chat while boarding up a hotel at Bagdad beach, some 38 km (23.6 miles) from the border city of Matamoros July 22, 2008. (Tomas Bravo/Reuters)Reuters - After Hurricane Dolly unleashed a fury of damaging winds and wicked rain on the U.S.-Mexico coastline and diminished to a tropical storm, widespread flooding along the populous Rio Grande Valley became the top concern on Thursday.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 12:48 pm

'Nanosculpture' Could Enable New Types Of Heat Pumps And Energy Converters

Researchers have discovered a new technique for growing single-crystal nanorods and controlling their shape using biomolecules. The research could enable the development of smaller, more powerful heat pumps and devices that harvest electricity from heat.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 12:00 pm

Astronomers See Disks Surrounding Black Holes, Strengthened Evidence For Current Explanation Of Quasars

For the first time, researchers have found a way to view the accretion disks surrounding black holes and verify that their true electromagnetic spectra match what astronomers have long predicted they would be. A black hole and its bright accretion disk have been thought to form a quasar, the powerful light source at the center of some distant galaxies. Using a polarizing filter, astronomers isolated the light emitted by the accretion disk from that produced by other matter in the vicinity of the black hole.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 12:00 pm

Exercise Could Be The Heart's Fountain Of Youth

Older people who did endurance exercise training for about a year ended up with metabolically much younger hearts. The researchers also showed that by one metabolic measure, women benefited more than men from the training.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 12:00 pm

Early Exposure To Tobacco Smoke Causes Asthma And Allergy

Babies exposed to cigarette smoke before birth or during the first months afterwards run a greater risk of developing asthma and allergy. It is a well known fact that babies are harmed by tobacco smoke in numerous ways, but it has always been difficult to separate the effects of the mother smoking during pregnancy and passive smoking after birth.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 12:00 pm

Scientists recover complete dinosaur skeleton (AP)

The fossilised bones of a juvenile tarbosaurus, which is believed to have lived in the Cretaceous Period, 70 million years ago, is shown still embedded in the rock in which it was discovered in this undated handout photo distributed by the Hayashibara Museum of Natural Science in Okayama, western Japan July 23, 2008. A team of Japanese and Mongolian researchers discovered the nearly perfectly-preserved fossil of a young dinosaur in the Gobi desert in 2006 and unveiled it in Japan on Wednesday. REUTERS/Hayashibara Museum of Natural Science/Handout (JAPAN). FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.AP - Japanese and Mongolian scientists have successfully recovered the complete skeleton of a 70-million-year-old young dinosaur, a nature museum announced Thursday.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 11:36 am

N.M. cavers chart unique `snowy' river of crystals (AP)

Caver John McLean talks about the many questions scientists have about the Snowy River formation while on an expedition in Fort Stanton Cave, N.M., on July 3, 2008. New Mexico's two U.S. senators have proposed legislation to designate the cave and Snowy River as a national conservation area. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)AP - Hundreds of feet beneath Earth's surface, a few seasoned cave explorers venture where no human has set foot. Their headlamps illuminate mud-covered walls, gypsum crystals and mineral deposits.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 11:16 am

Unique Habitat Found Inside Earth

Researchers discovered unique microbes deep beneath the Earth's surface.
Source: Livescience.com | 24 Jul 2008 | 10:50 am

Safety of cloned animal products uncertain: EU agency (Reuters)

Gloria, the first calf born to a cloned cow Vitoria (L), is seen on a government farm outside of Brasilia, October 4, 2004. (Jamil Bittar/Reuters)Reuters - The European Union's top food safety agency said on Thursday cloned animal products may not be safe and further study was needed.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 10:48 am

Safety of cloned animal products uncertain: EU agency

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's top food safety agency said on Thursday cloned animal products may not be safe and further study was needed.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 10:48 am

Bletchley Park a 'national disgrace' say top scientists

The historic site of Britain's crucial code-breaking programme during the second world war is so shabby it has become a "national disgrace", scientists warned today
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 24 Jul 2008 | 10:41 am

Arctic 'has 90bn barrels of oil'

The Arctic holds some 90bn barrels of oil, equal to Russia's known reserves, according to US government data.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 24 Jul 2008 | 10:18 am

Western governors offer greenhouse emissions plan (AP)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, right, shakes hands with Orange Cove Mayor Victor Lopez, during a water rally held at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, July 23, 2008. More than 500 farm workers and their families rallied to call for the Legislature to approve a measure to place of a $9.3 billion water bond measure on the November ballot to build reservoirs, encourage conservation and restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)AP - Seven Western states are joining four Canadian provinces to propose a plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions through use of a "cap and trade" system.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 8:38 am

Arctic 'holds 90bln barrels of oil, mostly offshore' (AFP)

The town Novy Urengoi just below the arctic circle. Within the Arctic circle there are 90 billion barrels of oil and vast quantities of natural gas waiting to be tapped, most of it offshore, the government-run US Geological Survey has said.(AFP/File/Natalia Kolesnikova)AFP - Within the Arctic circle there are 90 billion barrels of oil and vast quantities of natural gas waiting to be tapped, most of it offshore, the government-run US Geological Survey said.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 24 Jul 2008 | 8:27 am

British pioneers

Bletchley's role in the computer revolution
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 24 Jul 2008 | 12:59 am

'Neglect' of codebreakers' HQ

UK computer scientists sign a letter criticising the ongoing neglect of Bletchley Park - home of the wartime codebreakers.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 24 Jul 2008 | 12:48 am

Renewables mandate 'undermined'

Green groups accuse the UK government of trying to sabotage Europe’s rules on renewable energy.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:39 pm

117 cats, raccoon, and rabbit found at Omaha home (AP)

AP - Humane society workers have found 117 cats, a raccoon and a rabbit in a north Omaha house. The discovery came Wednesday after Council Bluffs, Iowa, police caught the 54-year-old woman who lives at the house reportedly stealing cat food. Officials say she smelled like cat urine.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:26 pm

FCC nearing approval of satellite radio deal (AP)

AP - The proposed merger of the Sirius and XM satellite radio companies appeared close to final approval Wednesday, with the sole undecided member of the Federal Communications Commission poised to support the deal if the companies settle past rules violations.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:17 pm

Soy foods 'reduce sperm numbers'

A regular diet of even modest amounts of food containing soy may halve sperm concentrations, scientists suggest.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:07 pm

Rose Shapiro on how to spot quacks

Rose Shapiro on the industry that recommends detoxes and hydration diets
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:06 pm

Letters: Volcanic row over climate change film rumbles on

Letters: The sad fact is that Ofcom has failed in its duty by avoiding whenever possible answering our charges
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:06 pm

Norman Quinnell

Obituary: Prodigious surveyor of archaeological sites for Ordnance Survey
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:05 pm

Breastfed babies more receptive to tastes

Different foods in mother's diet cause subtle shifts in the flavour of breast milk tests show
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:05 pm

Soya-based foods may harm male fertility

Harvard study finds that chemical that mimics female sex hormone is linked to lower sperm counts
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:05 pm

Secrets from the grave

They might look like a heap of bones but each one of these skeletons - all hundreds of years old and on show in a new exhibition - has a poignant tale to tell
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:04 pm

Will computers ever use DNA instead of silicon chips?

There is no easy way to wire up DNA to the other parts of a regular computer
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:04 pm

Why You Will Eat Less in the Future (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - With food and fuel costs soaring and the financial costs of global warming becoming reality, a new cure-all prescription has emerged: The average American should eat less.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 23 Jul 2008 | 9:32 pm

Why You Will Eat Less in the Future

With food and fuel costs soaring and the financial costs of global warming becoming reality, a new cure-all suggestion has emerged.
Source: Livescience.com | 23 Jul 2008 | 9:19 pm

How Smart Homes Could Power the Future

A third of energy consumption is in the home. Many opportunities exist to make houses more efficient, as a new European initiative plans to show with several demo homes.
Source: Livescience.com | 23 Jul 2008 | 7:57 pm

Simple Procedure Improves Male Fertility

Correcting varicose veins in scrotum boosts sperm count, motility, study finds
Source: Livescience.com | 23 Jul 2008 | 7:14 pm

Online Banking: Widespread Security Flaws Revealed

More than 75 percent of bank Web sites have a design flaw that cyber thieves like.
Source: Livescience.com | 23 Jul 2008 | 7:09 pm

World's Smallest Camera Plane Shows Off in Public

Billed as the world's smallest camera-equipped aircraft, the DelFly Micro ornithopter flew in public for the first time on July 23.
Source: Livescience.com | 23 Jul 2008 | 7:00 pm

Lost in Space? Not With Lunar GPS

A lunar navigation system is in the works to help future explorers keep their bearings.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 23 Jul 2008 | 5:25 pm

Blog: Pinwheel Galaxy's Ring of Fire

Looking for life in the universe? Here's one place you can skip.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 23 Jul 2008 | 5:25 pm

Engineered beauty: Microsoft Photography Competition 2008

Winners and a selection of runners-up in this year's engineering photography competition at the University of Cambridge
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 23 Jul 2008 | 5:06 pm

Dinosaurs Diversified Over Time, Not Suddenly

Dinosaurs had already evolved into many different species before the Cretaceous.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 23 Jul 2008 | 4:39 pm

From Garbage to Gas Tank: Trash as Biofuel

Can you run a car on trash? Yes, and within two years, say biofuel companies.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 23 Jul 2008 | 4:39 pm

Caribbean Assassin Decimates Local Fish

A life spent swimming in the Caribbean sounds ideal. But good luck convincing the resident fish. Already confronted by overfishing, coral bleaching, and increasing amounts of sediment, nitrates, and acid, they have one more enemy to add to this list: lion
Source: Livescience.com | 23 Jul 2008 | 4:35 pm

The Real Dangers of Dolly: Rain and Floods

Hurricane Dolly brings threat of torrential rains, flash floods and storm surge.
Source: Livescience.com | 23 Jul 2008 | 4:28 pm

U.S. Takes Global Lead in Wind Energy Production

For the first time the United States has surpassed Germany as the world's largest generator of wind energy.
Source: Livescience.com | 23 Jul 2008 | 4:04 pm

Baby bottle chemical levels safe, EU agency says

MILAN (Reuters) - The amount of a controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) found in baby bottles is tiny and cannot harm human health, the European Union's top food safety body said on Wednesday reacting to recent health concerns.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 23 Jul 2008 | 4:02 pm

Germans find Olympic course where Nero raced chariot

ATHENS (Reuters) - German archaeologists using radar technology believe they may have discovered the ancient horse racing track at Olympia where Roman Emperor Nero bribed his way to Olympic laurels.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 23 Jul 2008 | 3:56 pm

"Greenhouse" bees spread disease to wild bees

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Disease spread to wild bees from commercially bred bees used for pollination in agriculture greenhouses may be playing a role in the mysterious decline in North American bee populations, researchers said on Tuesday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 23 Jul 2008 | 3:02 pm

Ultrasonic Frogs Tune Their Ears to Different Frequencies

The Odorrana tormota frog opens and closes tubes in its ears when listening and calling at night. In this movie, the researchers shined a light under the frog's jaw to illuminate the inside of the mouth. The small circles of light on the side of the frog'
Source: Livescience.com | 23 Jul 2008 | 2:21 pm

Shrimp-Like Fossil Confirms Antarctica Was Warmer

A fossil found in Antarctica's dry valley shows the continent was once much warmer.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 23 Jul 2008 | 1:45 pm

Dolphin call tells calf who's mum

Bottlenose dolphins whistle more to their newborns, perhaps to stop theft by other females, researchers say.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 23 Jul 2008 | 1:10 pm

Gulf Dead Zone Grows Bigger Than Ever

An oxygen-depleted dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is hundreds of miles wide.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 23 Jul 2008 | 1:08 pm

In search of the lowest of the low in the Arctic food web

Newsnight's Susan Watts joins a team of scientists travelling to the Arctic to carry out crucial climate research.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:44 am

Fossils date Dry Valleys' origin

Tiny fossils time the climate shift which gave rise to Antarctica's Dry Valleys, a landscape akin to Mars.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 23 Jul 2008 | 11:19 am