Directing A Driver's Gaze Results In Smoother Steering

A study recently published in ARVO's online Journal of Vision may inform the next generation of in-car driving assistance systems. New research finds that when drivers fix their gaze on specific targets placed strategically along a curve, their steering is smoother and more stable than it is in normal conditions.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 6:00 pm

Playing, And Even Watching, Sports Improves Brain Function

Being an athlete or merely a fan improves language skills when it comes to discussing their sport because parts of the brain usually involved in playing sports are instead used to understand sport language, new research shows.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 6:00 pm

'Autonomous' Helicopters Teach Themselves To Fly

Stanford computer scientists have developed an artificial intelligence system that enables robotic helicopters to teach themselves to fly difficult stunts by watching other helicopters. The result is an autonomous helicopter than can perform a complete airshow of complex tricks on its own. The airshow is an important demonstration of "apprenticeship learning," in which robots learn by observing an expert, rather than by having software engineers write instructions from scratch.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 6:00 pm

Battling Diabetes With Beta Cells

Scientists have replicated insulin-producing cells, providing new hope for diabetics. A new cure -- based on advances in cell therapy -- may be within reach.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 6:00 pm

Heavy Trucks: Safety Research Identifies Factors That Lead To Loss Of Control, Accidents

Research carried out in Sweden suggests that there are three critical manoeuvres that lead to loss of control of heavy trucks and subsequent accidents. Writing in the International Journal of Vehicle Safety, the researchers explain that negotiating a bend is the main cause of loss of control, closely followed by avoidance manoeuvres, and road-edge recovery.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 6:00 pm

First Direct Proof Of How Osteoarthritis Destroys Cartilage

A team of orthopaedic researchers has found definitive, genetic proof of how the most common form of arthritis destroys joint cartilage in nearly 21 million aging Americans, according to a study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. The findings serve as an important foundation for the design of new treatments for osteoarthritis, researchers said.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 6:00 pm

New Hope For Treating Common Form Of Inherited Neuromuscular Disease

Treatments that ramp up production of the tiny "motors" that power cells may have promise for treating one of the most common forms of inherited neuromuscular disease, according to a new report.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

Trends For Mega Cities Like Seoul

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a typical mega city: vast, pulsating, noisy and full of exhaust fumes. Researchers are developing new building concepts and IT solutions that will save energy, cut pollution and make living in the city a more pleasant experience.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

How Gastric Bypass Rapidly Reverses Diabetes Symptoms

A report offers new evidence to explain why those who undergo gastric bypass surgery often show greater control of their diabetes symptoms within days.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

Oldest Gecko Fossil Ever Found, Entombed In Amber

Scientists have discovered the oldest known fossil of a gecko, with body parts that are forever preserved in life-like form after 100 million years of being entombed in amber.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

Bush moving quickly to inspect hurricane damage (AP)

A wind bent highway sign shakes as a swamped SUV floats in the waters adjacent to Weems Island, La.,on Tuesday, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2008, as residents begin cleanup from Hurricane Gustav. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)AP - President Bush is keeping a hands-on profile in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, in contrast with his administration's poor response to Hurricane Katrina three years ago.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 8:02 am

Bush visits Louisiana as state claws back from storm

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - President George W. Bush heads to storm-battered Louisiana on Wednesday to survey damage from Hurricane Gustav as tens of thousands who fled New Orleans prepare to return to a "dark and hot" city struggling to restore power and maintain basic services.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 7:11 am

Virus is passed from parent to child in the DNA

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A virus that causes a universal childhood infection is often passed from parent to child at birth, not in the blood but in the DNA, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 7:09 am

Fish or fuel? Debate divides Norway's far north (AFP)

The harbor of the port of Henningsvaer on one of the northern Norwegian Lofoten islands. The sea around the string of islands is rich in fish, especially cod, and could well hold large petrol reserves while the land attracts many tourists. The islands are now at the center of a dispute between fishermen, environmentalists and petroleum groups.(AFP/File/Pierre-Henry Deshayes)AFP - The pristine Lofoten Islands off Norway's far north paint an idyllic image of tranquility, but beneath the surface is a roiling debate over the islands' resources, dividing fishermen, environmentalists and oil companies.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 5:42 am

Fight for survival

The curious behaviour of people facing oblivion
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 3 Sep 2008 | 5:33 am

Video: Groaning About Sex

Male fallow deer with the deepest voices have more mating success. They can groan once per second, or more after sex. Credit: Maurus Birrer, University of Nottingham
Source: Livescience.com | 3 Sep 2008 | 3:38 am

Study: Zen Meditation Really Does Clear the Mind (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - The seemingly nonsensical Zen practice of "thinking about not thinking" could help free the mind of distractions, new brain scans reveal.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 3 Sep 2008 | 3:31 am

Study: Zen Meditation Really Does Clear the Mind

The seemingly nonsensical Zen practice of "thinking about not thinking" could help free the mind of distractions, new brain scans reveal.
Source: Livescience.com | 3 Sep 2008 | 3:27 am

Wolves prefer fishing to hunting

Wolves in western Canada prefer to fish for salmon when it is in season rather than hunt deer or other wild game, researchers find.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 3 Sep 2008 | 12:36 am

Bush in low-key role at McCain convention (Reuters)

US President George Bush addresses the Republican National Convention via a live video feed from the White House on September 2.(AFP/Paul J. Richards)Reuters - President George W. Bush tried on Tuesday to rally support for John McCain as the Republican presidential nominee, even as their party's convention relegated the unpopular Bush to an eight-minute satellite message.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 2 Sep 2008 | 11:17 pm

Guy Watson of Riverford Farm explains the origins of his pioneering vegetable-box service

Guy Watson explains the origins of his pioneering vegetable-box service and shares a selection of favourite recipes
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 2 Sep 2008 | 11:08 pm

Psychology: Parental link found in attraction

Study shows the kinds of faces we find appealing as adults are set in childhood
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 2 Sep 2008 | 11:08 pm

Spacewatch

ISS forced into lower orbit to dodge piece of debris from defunct Russian spy satellite
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 2 Sep 2008 | 11:08 pm

Fertility clinics urged to cut number of multiple pregnancies

Proposals set out target to reduce multiple birth rates from 24% to 10% within three years
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 2 Sep 2008 | 11:07 pm

Environment: Solar plants in deserts could yield water and crops

Vast greenhouse installations using sea water could turn deserts into lush patches of vegetation
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 2 Sep 2008 | 11:07 pm

Study: Our Mates Look Like Mom and Dad

Men like women who resemble dear old mom, and women like men who look like dear old dad.
Source: Livescience.com | 2 Sep 2008 | 11:01 pm

UK army to consider alternatives to bearskin hats (AP)

A Grenadier Guard at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, one of the Queen's official residences, on this Thursday Oct. 6, 2005 photo.The British military says it will meet with animal rights activists over the royal guards' use of bearskin hats. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) opposes the use of bearskins to make the hats, aying that killing Canadian black bears to make the headgear is cruel. It has urged the British military to come up with an artificial alternative and the Ministry of Defense says it is open to using synthetic materials but has yet to find a high-quality, weather-resistant replacement for the fur. Five army regiments wear the 18-inch (45 centimeter) black hats during ceremonial duties at royal sites. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)AP - After meeting with animal rights activists, the British military said Tuesday that it will study alternative materials to replace the bearskin hats worn by the soldiers who guard Buckingham Palace.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 2 Sep 2008 | 10:50 pm

Museum 'cocoon' prepares to open

London's Natural History Museum unveils the interactive centre that will soon house 34 million plant and insect specimens.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 2 Sep 2008 | 10:25 pm

Robot Helicopter Teaches Itself How to Fly

It can even do challenging stunts, just by watching other helicopters perform the same maneuvers.
Source: Livescience.com | 2 Sep 2008 | 9:56 pm

Clones' offspring may be in food supply: FDA (Reuters)

Gloria, the first calf born to a cloned cow, Vitoria (L), is seen on a government farm outside Brasilia in this October 4, 2004 file photo. (Jamil Bittar/Files/Reuters)Reuters - Food and milk from the offspring of cloned animals may have entered the U.S. food supply, the U.S. government said on Tuesday, but it would be impossible to know because there is no difference between cloned and conventional products.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 2 Sep 2008 | 9:33 pm

Clones' offspring may be in food supply: FDA

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Food and milk from the offspring of cloned animals may have entered the U.S. food supply, the U.S. government said on Tuesday, but it would be impossible to know because there is no difference between cloned and conventional products.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 2 Sep 2008 | 9:32 pm

Helicopter Teaches Itself to Fly

Artificial intelligence system enables robotic helicopter to learn stunts by watching other helicopters. Credit: Stanford University
Source: Livescience.com | 2 Sep 2008 | 9:32 pm

Tropical quartet: 4 storms with more to come (AP)

A man rides his motorcycle in a flooded street in Santo Domingo, on September 2. Tropical storm Hanna left at least 19 dead in Haiti Tuesday as it turned its heavy winds and rains on the Bahamas and threatened to head toward the southeastern US coastline.(AFP/Erika Santelices)AP - The tropics seem to be going crazy what with the remnants of Gustav, the new threat from Hanna, a strengthening Ike and newcomer Josephine. Get used to it.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 2 Sep 2008 | 8:57 pm

Youth Suicides Continue to Rise in U.S.

One reason may be reluctance to prescribe antidepressants, study suggests
Source: Livescience.com | 2 Sep 2008 | 8:13 pm

Marriage problems? Husband's genes may be to blame

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The same gene that affects a rodent's ability to mate for life may affect human marriages, Swedish and U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 2 Sep 2008 | 6:21 pm

Dead For Years, Ferrets Finally Become Fathers

Black-footed ferrets at the Smithsonian's National Zoo have birthed two kits sired by males who died in 1999 and 2000.
Source: Livescience.com | 2 Sep 2008 | 6:09 pm

The highlight of the museum's £78m expansion

Due to open next year, the new structure promises to bring the collections, scientists and the public together
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 2 Sep 2008 | 4:59 pm

EU lawmakers open battle against sheep, goat tags

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - British and Irish lawmakers in the European Parliament launched a campaign on Tuesday against a rule that would make electronic tags for millions of sheep and goats across the EU compulsory from next year.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 2 Sep 2008 | 4:49 pm

Your Cheatin' Heart: It's Genetic

Is the urge to stray genetic? A new study of Swedish men suggests it may partly be so.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 2 Sep 2008 | 4:26 pm

'Bonding Gene' Could Help Men Stay Married

One form of DNA linked to marital bliss, the other to discord, study found
Source: Livescience.com | 2 Sep 2008 | 4:05 pm

Diary of a Dying Mom

I will nurture them for as long as I can, and then trust that the world will take over from there.
Source: Livescience.com | 2 Sep 2008 | 3:48 pm

Era of Scientific Secrecy Near End

The latest Internet advances are forcing a tortured openness throughout the halls of science.
Source: Livescience.com | 2 Sep 2008 | 3:30 pm

Seawater greenhouse project could turn deserts into fertile land for food and water

The planned project would use solar power to evaporate salt water, generating cool air and pure water thereby allowing food to be grown
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 2 Sep 2008 | 2:50 pm

Jamaican Lizards Work Out at Dusk and Dawn

To impress competitors, anole lizards start each day with a vigorous exercise routine.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 2 Sep 2008 | 2:26 pm

Animal rights groups might do better to campaign where there is significant suffering for questionable benefits

Opinion surveys over the last decade have shown consistently that most people can accept the use of animals in medical research, but this support is conditional. They want to know that animal research is done for serious medical purposes, that animals do not suffer unnecessarily, and that alternatives are fully considered. They are more concerned about monkeys than rodents; they want firm regulation. In short, support depends on why and how animal research is done
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 2 Sep 2008 | 1:59 pm

Comet-Chasing Spacecraft Pauses for Asteroid Flyby

The Rosetta spacecraft is on schedule for a close encounter with an asteroid.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 2 Sep 2008 | 1:26 pm

New Orleans Largely Spared by Gustav

After its first major test since the 2005 hurricane season, New Orleans is still standing.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 2 Sep 2008 | 11:26 am

Ultrasound to give feel to games

Virtual objects can be felt in mid-air thanks to a pioneering ultrasound approach developed by Japanese researchers .
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 2 Sep 2008 | 11:15 am

Real change

Environmentalism needs a dose of bold reform
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 2 Sep 2008 | 10:26 am

Beijing air measures 'must stay'

Beijing residents say they want measures aimed at cutting pollution during the Olympics to remain in place.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 2 Sep 2008 | 9:54 am

Commitment phobes can blame genes

A man's reluctance to marry may be down to a genetic 'flaw', say researchers.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 2 Sep 2008 | 9:33 am

High-tech election

Solar-powered faxes for landmark Angola poll
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 2 Sep 2008 | 8:44 am

Atlanta panda cub put in incubator for monitoring (AP)

AP - The only panda born at a U.S. zoo so far this year was placed in an incubator on Monday for closer monitoring by zookeepers after visitors flocked to watch mother and child on a live video feed at Zoo Atlanta.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 2 Sep 2008 | 7:39 am