Alcohol Consumption Can Cause Too Much Cell Death, Fetal Abnormalities

The initial signs of fetal alcohol syndrome are slight but classic: facial malformations such as a flat and high upper lip, small eye openings and a short nose. Researchers want to know if those facial clues can help them figure out how much alcohol it takes during what point in development to cause these and other lifelong problems.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 27 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Fertilizer Technology Used Worldwide, But Few New Products Since 1970s

Most fertilizers used worldwide today were developed from 1950 to 1970 by the Tennessee Valley Authority based in Muscle Shoals. A $41 million investment in fertilizer research returned $57 billion to US agriculture. Public funding for fertilizer development has dropped dramatically since the TVA fertilizer program closed in the 1990s. Research is needed to develop a new generation of energy-efficient fertilizers to help alleviate the food crisis.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 27 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

'Perfect Pitch' In Humans Far More Prevalent Than Expected

Researchers at the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences have developed a unique test for perfect pitch, and have found that perfect pitch is apparently much more common in non-musicians than scientists had expected.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 27 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Potential Diabetes Treatment Selectively Kills Autoimmune Cells From Human Patients

In experiments using blood cells from human patients with diabetes and other autoimmune disorders, researchers have confirmed the mechanism behind a potential new therapy for type 1 diabetes. Scientists showed that blocking a metabolic pathway regulating the immune system specifically eliminated immune cells that react against a patient's own tissues.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 27 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Looking Beyond The Drug Receptor For Clues To Drug Effectiveness

Antipsychotic drugs that are widely used to treat schizophrenia and other problems may not work as scientists have assumed, according to findings from Duke University Medical Center researchers that could lead to changes in how these drugs are developed and prescribed.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 27 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Troubled Children Hurt Peers' Test Scores, Behavior

Troubled children hurt their classmates' math and reading scores and worsen their behavior, new research shows.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 27 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Scientists Identify New Drug Target Against Virulent Type Of Breast Cancer

Researchers have identified an enzyme called Brk as a target for future drugs to fight a virulent subset of cancers overexpressing a protein called ErbB2 -- also often called HER2 -- which drives tumor cells to proliferate unchecked. Brk, they report, helps these tumors become virulent and is also implicated in the process through which the tumors develop drug resistance to "targeted" therapies Herceptin and Lapatinib.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

Protein Structure Discovery Opens Door For Drugs To Fight Bird Flu, Other Influenza Epidemics

Researchers have reported a discovery that could help scientists develop drugs to fight the much-feared bird flu and other virulent strains of influenza. They have determined the three-dimensional structure of a site on an influenza A virus protein that binds to one of its human protein targets, thereby suppressing a person's natural defenses to the infection and paving the way for the virus to replicate efficiently.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

How Do Galaxies Grow? Massive Galaxies Caught In The Act Of Merging

Astronomers have caught multiple massive galaxies in the act of merging about 4 billion years ago. This discovery, made possible by combining the power of the best ground- and space-based telescopes, uniquely supports the favoured theory of how galaxies form.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

Low Cholesterol Associated With Cancer In Diabetics

Low levels of LDL cholesterol as well as high levels are associated with cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes, found a prospective cohort study published in CMAJ.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

Amazing Ultralight Solar Plane Flies For Days

The Zephyr solar plane has sailed to a record for sun-powered unmanned flight.
Source: Livescience.com | 26 Aug 2008 | 2:01 pm

Monkeys Reward Friends, Family

Capuchin monkeys show they almost always opt to share with friends and family.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 26 Aug 2008 | 1:55 pm

Hurricane Gustav takes aim at Haiti

MIAMI (Reuters) - Hurricane Gustav barreled toward vulnerable Haiti on Tuesday and appeared set to become a "major" storm later in the week as it neared the Gulf of Mexico where the United States produces a large amount of oil and gas.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 1:49 pm

MPs call for energy windfall tax

Gordon Brown faces pressure from Labour MPs for a windfall tax on energy firms who have recorded huge profits.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Aug 2008 | 1:41 pm

Face of empire

Gallery of statues depicting Roman rulers is unearthed
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Aug 2008 | 1:28 pm

Monkeys experience joy of giving, too, study finds

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Monkeys can experience the joy of giving in much the same way as humans do, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 1:15 pm

Animal Chatter More Varied Than Thought

Animals know how stand out amidst the din when 'talking' with peers.
Source: Livescience.com | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:55 pm

Cows Use Inner Compass to Point North-South

Cows seems to have an inner compass that orients them north-south.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:55 pm

Science Has No Place in Politics (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - Recently, the two men who want to be next president of the United States appeared in a televised two-hour forum on faith, hosted by megachurch minister Rick Warren.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:50 pm

Science Has No Place in Politics

Obama and McCain found time for various public forums. But when it came to science, the candidates were conspicuously silent.
Source: Livescience.com | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:48 pm

Strengthening Hurricane Gustav threatens Haiti (AFP)

A man runs through high water during Hurricane Dean in Cayes-Jacmel in southeastern Haiti in 2007. A strengthening Hurricane Gustav is expected to make landfall in Haiti, where a tropical storm battered the impoverished Caribbean nation less than two weeks ago.(AFP/File)AFP - A strengthening Hurricane Gustav was expected to make landfall Tuesday in Haiti, where a tropical storm battered the impoverished Caribbean nation less than two weeks ago.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:40 pm

Monkeys Reward Friends and Relatives

But monkeys aren't so generous with strangers.
Source: Livescience.com | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:35 pm

Neanderthals: not stupid, just different

Scientists challenge the theory that Homo sapiens was more intelligent
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:30 pm

Holy cow! Cattle possess magnetic compass: study (AFP)

Cows graze in Halingen, western Germany. European scientists who studied satellite images of cows and deer around the world have discovered that these animals tend to align themselves with Earth's north-south magnetic fields while they graze or rest.(AFP/DDP/File/Sascha Schuermann)AFP - European scientists who studied satellite images of cows and deer around the world have discovered that these animals tend to align themselves with Earth's north-south magnetic fields while they graze or rest.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:23 pm

Wind farms put pressure on bats

Wind turbines are a hazard to bats because changes in air pressure can cause fatal internal injuries, a study reveals.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:07 pm

Numbers game

It is time to re-think what creatures need our help
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Aug 2008 | 11:54 am

Forced landing

What happens when the cabin pressure drops?
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Aug 2008 | 11:53 am

Incense smoke may increase cancer risk

A study suggests that burning joss sticks raises the risk of certain mouth, throat and lung cancers
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 26 Aug 2008 | 11:08 am

Imperial Energy accepts ONGC's £1.4bln bid (AFP)

An Imerial Energy oil pumper works at the company's Snezhnoye field. British oil and gas explorer Imperial Energy has said that its management has agreed to a takeover from Indian energy giant ONGC worth 1.4 billion pounds.(AFP/Imperial Energy/File)AFP - British oil and gas explorer Imperial Energy said Tuesday that its management has agreed to a takeover from Indian energy giant ONGC worth 1.4 billion pounds.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 26 Aug 2008 | 10:56 am

Scientists See Moon as Research Outpost, Training Ground

A new corps of scientists and technologies are vital for future moon research.
Source: Livescience.com | 26 Aug 2008 | 10:45 am

Architects HOK win bid to design secure laboratory

Plans to build a controversial £500m high security medical research laboratory in the heart of London are now in full swing after the architects HOK won the bid to design it
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 26 Aug 2008 | 10:33 am

Green tech in 'Formula Zero' race

Six international teams competed this weekend in the first-ever hydrogen-powered motorsport race.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Aug 2008 | 10:25 am

Science Weekly: Flying saucers and Prince Charles

We missed it so much last week, we're devoting this show's entire format to the Newsjam
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 26 Aug 2008 | 9:29 am

Greased lightning!

Modified car crosses Europe fuelled on fat alone
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Aug 2008 | 8:56 am

Japanese study says loss of fat in whales may be result of climate change

Data from Japan's widely condemned scientific whaling programme suggests a loss of fat over the past 20 years may be due to climate change, but some claim the research is unethical
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 26 Aug 2008 | 8:52 am

Why We Are All Insane

Humans remain prone to acting mental because, in non-extreme forms, mental ‘illnesses’ can help ensure survival.
Source: Livescience.com | 26 Aug 2008 | 5:04 am

UK 'should end biofuel subsidies'

The government should spend biofuel subsidies on safeguarding rainforests and peatland instead, a think tank says.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Aug 2008 | 12:56 am

Pole trek needs last explorer

Descendants of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his team search for a final explorer to complete their South Pole trek.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 25 Aug 2008 | 11:46 pm

Poisoned artery

Deadly chemicals infiltrate France's Rhone river
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 25 Aug 2008 | 11:23 pm

Peta Bee on the use of precious metals in medicine

Gold injections can treat arthritis and silver coating fights hospital infections. Peta Bee reveals the surprisingly practical uses of precious metals in medicine
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 25 Aug 2008 | 11:05 pm

Science: Hopes grow for new diabetes treatment

Researchers find way to isolate and eradicate defective cells which prevent natural production of insulin
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 25 Aug 2008 | 11:04 pm

Test of charity shows monkeys are capable of empathy

Team teaches capuchin monkeys game involving food handouts where players adopt helpful strategy
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 25 Aug 2008 | 11:04 pm

Deer, cattle have true animal magnetism: study

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Grazing cattle and sleeping deer tend to align their bodies along the North-South axis of the Earth's magnetic field, European researchers said on Monday, giving new meaning to the phrase animal magnetism.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 25 Aug 2008 | 9:53 pm

Melting Glaciers Sculpted Mars Gullies

Glaciation and subsequent snow and ice melt likely carved out Martian gullies.
Source: Livescience.com | 25 Aug 2008 | 9:05 pm

Cows seem to know which way is north (AP)

In this April 17, 2008 file photo, cows are seen grazing on the farm near Rio, Wis. Do cows have a compass? Somehow, cattle seem to know how to find north and south, say researchers who studied satellite photos of thousands of cows around the world. Cattle that were grazing or resting tended to align their bodies in a north-south direction, a team of German and Czech researchers reports in Tuesday's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)AP - Talk about animal magnetism, cows seem to have a built-in compass. No bull: Somehow, cattle seem to know how to find north and south, say researchers who studied satellite photos of thousands of cows around the world.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 25 Aug 2008 | 9:02 pm

Bats Shut Traps When Flying in Groups

When flying in packs, bats may keep silent to avoid jamming each other's echo signals.
Source: Livescience.com | 25 Aug 2008 | 9:01 pm

Monkeys reward friends and relatives (AP)

A monkey peers through a fence in his enclosure at the Belgrade's zoo during a heatwave in Serbia's capital August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Ivan Milutinovic (SERBIA)AP - For capuchin monkeys, it seems, it's better to both give and receive, than just to receive. At least, that's what researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University in Atlanta have found.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 25 Aug 2008 | 9:01 pm

Mars' Architect-in-Chief? Water, Says Study

It's no coincidence that gullies on Mars resemble those in Antarctica, say scientists.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 25 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

Cows Have Strange Sixth Sense

Cows and deer tend to face in the magnetic north-south direction.
Source: Livescience.com | 25 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

Human exoskeleton suit helps paralyzed people walk

HAIFA, Israel (Reuters) - paralyzed for the past 20 years, former Israeli paratrooper Radi Kaiof now walks down the street with a dim mechanical hum.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 25 Aug 2008 | 7:57 pm

FDA wants Biogen, Elan drug warning revised (Reuters)

Reuters - Prescribing instructions for Biogen Idec and Elan Corp's drug Tysabri should be revised to note cases of a serious brain disorder in patients who were using it as their sole treatment for multiple sclerosis, U.S. health regulators said on Monday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 25 Aug 2008 | 7:44 pm

Distant Galaxy Cluster Confirms Dark Energy

A European X-ray telescope spots a massive cluster of galaxies in deep space.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 25 Aug 2008 | 7:41 pm

Feisty Puppy Scares Off 3 Bears In NJ Back Yard

A 15-pound cocker spaniel-poodle mix named Pawlee scared off a mother bear and her two cubs Sunday morning after they strayed into his owners' back yard.
Source: Livescience.com | 25 Aug 2008 | 6:59 pm

Tests clear way for "Big Bang" experiment

GENEVA (Reuters) - Tests have cleared the way for the start-up next month of an experiment to restage a mini-version underground of the "Big Bang" which created the universe 15 billion years ago, the project chief said on Monday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 25 Aug 2008 | 6:55 pm

Wind Turbines Kill Bats Without Impact

Wind turbines kill bats without striking them by causing a sudden drop in air pressure.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 25 Aug 2008 | 4:00 pm

The Human Tongue as Computer Control Pad

A new system could transform a disabled person's mouth into a virtual computer.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 25 Aug 2008 | 3:00 pm

Research aims to put tongues in control of devices (AP)

In this photo released by Georgia Tech Maysam Ghovanloo, a Georgia Tech assistant professor, points to a tiny magnet on graduate student Xueliang Huo's tongue Tuesday, June 9, 2008 in Atlanta. The device will turn Huo's tongue into a joystick that controls a wheelchair and the team hopes it could help the disabled gain more mobility. (AP Photo/Georgia Tech, Gary W. Meek)AP - The tireless tongue already controls taste and speech, helps kiss and swallow and fights germs. Now scientists hope to add one more ability to the mouthy muscle, and turn it into a computer control pad.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 25 Aug 2008 | 2:13 pm

Virus-Based Batteries: Tiny, Flexible, Cheap?

Viruses stamped onto silicon platforms could lead to a new wave of efficient batteries.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 25 Aug 2008 | 2:11 pm

Arctic Tundra Holds Global Warming Time Bomb

Estimates show the Arctic tundra holds tons of carbon that will be released with warming.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 25 Aug 2008 | 1:40 pm