Routine Use Of MRI Scans To Evaluate Breast Cancer Challenged

A new study suggests women with newly-diagnosed breast cancer who receive an MRI after their diagnosis face delays in starting treatment and are more likely to receive a mastectomy. The study also shows that despite lack of evidence of their benefit, the routine use of MRI scans in women newly diagnosed increased significantly between 2004 and 2005, and again in 2006.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

Valley Networks On Mars Formed During Long Period Of Episodic Flooding

Ancient features on the surface of Mars called valley networks may well have been carved by recurrent floods during a long period when the martian climate may have been much like that of some arid or semiarid regions on Earth. An alternative theory that the valleys were carved by catastrophic flooding over a relatively short time is not supported by the new results.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

Fluctuations In Serotonin Transport May Explain Winter Blues

In the first study of its kind in the living human brain, scientists have discovered greater levels of serotonin transporter in the brain in winter than in summer. These findings have important implications for understanding seasonal mood change in healthy people, vulnerability to seasonal affective disorders and the relationship of light exposure to mood.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

Urbanization Reconfigures Surface Hydrology

What are the consequences of human-made tinkering with land cover and hydrology on surrounding native desert ecosystems and biodiversity? This question forms the backdrop for a case study published in the journal BioScience, which found that one of the most profound impacts of urbanization is the "reconfiguration of surface hydrology."
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

Putting The Squeeze On Nitrogen For High Energy Materials

Researchers from the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory report changes in the melting temperature of solid nitrogen at pressures up to 120 gigapascals and temperatures reaching 2,500° Kelvin. These results, plus observed changes in the structure of solid nitrogen at high pressures, could lead to new high energy nitrogen- or hydrogen-based fuels in the future. Hypothesized nitrogen polymers could form materials with higher energy content than any known non-nuclear material.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

Gene Therapy For Blindness Improves Vision, Safety Study Indicates

No significant adverse effects were reported during a safety trial testing gene therapy on three patients with a type of hereditary blindness called Leber congenital amaurosis type 2. In addition, the subjects said the vision in their treated eyes was slightly improved in dim lighting conditions.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 3:00 pm

Childbirth Was Already Difficult For Neanderthals

Neanderthals had a brain at birth of a similar size to that of modern-day babies. However, after birth, their brain grew more quickly than it does for Homo sapiens and became larger too. Nevertheless, the individual lifespan ran just as slowly as it does for modern human beings.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 12:00 pm

New Once-a-week Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes Developed

Researchers have reported that a new once-weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes could replace the more common twice-daily injection.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 12:00 pm

Early Phase Breast Cancer Study Suggests New Approach Can Re-sensitize Tumors

Women with hormone-receptor positive, metastatic breast cancer may take medications for years to help keep their cancer at bay, but when the tumor becomes resistant to anti-hormonal drugs, treatment with chemotherapy becomes the only option. But a new study may change this approach. Early data suggests a new treatment approach can "re-sensitize" the tumor, allowing anti-hormonal drugs to do their job once again.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 12:00 pm

Early Warning System For Cardiac Patients For Home Use

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Europe and early diagnosis is essential to save lives. Monitoring the heart's rhythm and electrical activity in real time using an electrocardiogram (ECG) provides vital information about abnormalities and gives clues to the nature of a problem.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 12:00 pm

Declaring love boosts sex appeal

Telling someone you fancy 'I really like you' could make him or her find you more attractive, research suggests.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Sep 2008 | 11:50 am

OPEC to cut real output by 500,000 bpd (AFP)

An oil worker looks at the Al-Rawdatain oil field, north of Kuwait City in 2005. Energy consultancy PFC Energy said that OPEC will agree to cut its real output by up to 500,000 barrels per day at its meeting while leaving its official production policy unchanged(AFP/File/Yasser al-Zayyat)AFP - OPEC will agree to cut its real output by up to 500,000 barrels per day at its meeting on Tuesday while leaving its official production policy unchanged, energy consultancy PFC Energy said, citing unnamed sources.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 11:50 am

Gossip Girl

Sue Nelson reports from the BA Science Festival in Liverpool
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Sep 2008 | 11:47 am

Some 140,000 Entergy customers still without power (Reuters)

Power crews gather to repair power lines in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav in Houma, Louisiana September 2, 2008. (Mark Wallheiser/Reuters)Reuters - More than 140,000 customers in Entergy Corp's service area in Louisiana remained without power Tuesday, more than a week after Hurricane Gustav hit the coast on September 1 and caused massive damage to the company's transmission system.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 11:36 am

Climate inaction 'costing lives'

Failure to curb climate change is violating the human rights of people in the poorest nations, says a UK-based aid charity.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Sep 2008 | 11:28 am

Poll: UK losing 60,000 scientists a year

As children get older, their attitudes to science become more negative, possibly dampened by uninspiring teaching
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 9 Sep 2008 | 11:22 am

Looking Back in Time: Solar Systems Under Construction (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - If astronomers could look back in time, one thing they'd love to see is our solar system as it formed, 4.6 billion years ago.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 11:01 am

Online dating new tool for zoos with rare species (AP)

John Davis, curator of mammals at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, poses with Oz, a baby Koala, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, in Columbia, S.C. The baby Koala is part of the nationwide computerized matchmaking studbook which will find him a mate when he is ready. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)AP - Attention, amorous guys: Killarney's an Australian cutie, but woo her with care.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 10:58 am

Looking Back in Time: Solar Systems Under Construction

By looking at sun-like stars in their infancy, researchers have spotted planet-formation under way.
Source: Livescience.com | 9 Sep 2008 | 10:55 am

Government urged to introduce 'omni-standards' for food

Expert calls for a comprehensive labelling system integrating all available information of the environmental, health and social impact of food
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 9 Sep 2008 | 9:06 am

Golden icon

Will a frog thought extinct come out of the cloud forest?
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Sep 2008 | 8:47 am

A new 3D simulator allows people to go on virtual underwater treasure hunts

A new 3D simulator will allow people to operate their own virtual submersibles and explore underwater archaeological sites.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Sep 2008 | 8:42 am

Hunting the Higgs

Professor Stephen Hawking on the Cern switch-on
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Sep 2008 | 6:01 am

Malaria researcher among Heinz Award winners (AP)

AP - A molecular biologist who is searching for a cure for malaria is among five people being named Heinz Award winners on Tuesday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 5:21 am

23andMe slashes price on personal genetics test (AP)

AP - A Google-backed startup that analyzes customers' genetic makeup to predict health risks and provide ancestry information has slashed the price on its personal DNA test, the company announced Tuesday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 4:13 am

Humans Have Astonishing Memories, Study Finds (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - If human memory were truly digital, it would have just received an upgrade from something like the capacity of a floppy disk to that of a flash drive. A new study found the brain can remember a lot more than previously believed.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 4:02 am

Fragile habitats

Stark warning about future of seahorses in Britain
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Sep 2008 | 3:40 am

Hubble shuttle flight faces higher space junk risk (AP)

Space shuttle Atlantis nears launch pad 39A in preparation for the upcoming STS-125 mission at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. Atlantis is scheduled to launch Oct. 8.(AP Photo/John Raoux)AP - Next month's shuttle flight to the Hubble Space Telescope faces an increased risk of a destructive hit by space junk because it will be in a higher, more littered orbit than usual, NASA said Monday. Managers at NASA's highest levels will need to sign off on the mission because of the increased risk.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 9 Sep 2008 | 1:12 am

Bletchley given £57,000 donation

Two global technology giants pledge substantial funds to help save Britain's computing heritage.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 9 Sep 2008 | 12:28 am

Foods 'should label up eco-costs'

Packaging could be embedded with computer chips linking phones to an online sustainable food guide, a conference hears.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:50 pm

Exercise 'blunts fat gene effect'

Vigorous physical activity could blunt the effects of a common gene linked to obesity, claim US researchers.
Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:26 pm

France: Woman, 59, is oldest mother of triplets

Controversial birth reignites debate over late pregnancy and so-called fertility tourism
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:09 pm

In pictures: Inside Star City

The Gagarin cosmonaut training centre in Star City, Russia. Pictures by Linda Nylind
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:09 pm

Scientists call for huge increase in gastric bypass surgery to tackle obesity crisis

Prejudice from some doctors is preventing many morbidly obese patients from receiving life-saving surgery
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:07 pm

Put-upon chimpanzees get by with help from their friends

Chimpanzees often kiss, cuddle and groom the victim of aggression – it relieves the stress
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:07 pm

Darian Leader on cognitive behavioural therapy

The government is promoting cognitive behavioural therapy as a cost-effective, no-nonsense remedy for our psychological ills. It's the triumph of a market-driven view of the human psyche, says Darian Leader
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:07 pm

Coming to your desktop: virtual submarine that will allow access to Europe's sunken wrecks

Project will provide record of archaeological sites on two locations with third planned
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:07 pm

Radiation scandal? Academics at Manchester University fear for safety

Manchester University staff worked in labs contaminated by radioactivity, a confidential report reveals. By Francis Beckett
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:06 pm

Editorial: LHC exposes competing visions of the purpose of science

Editorial: A model of international cooperation and goodwill, at a time when such things are needed more than ever
Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 8 Sep 2008 | 11:05 pm

Creature Survives Naked in Space

The water bears, known formally as tardigrades, are a type of brine shrimp.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Sep 2008 | 9:54 pm

Scientists hope for surprises in Big Bang experiment

GENEVA (Reuters) - Scientists involved in a historic "Big Bang" experiment to begin this week hope it will turn up many surprises about the universe and its origins -- but reject suggestions it will bring the end of the world.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Sep 2008 | 9:13 pm

Neanderthal Brains Grew Like Ours

A new study found that Neanderthal brains grew at much the same rate as modern human brains do.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Sep 2008 | 9:02 pm

Brains Wired Differently in Men vs. Women

Study of brain tissue shows men have more synapses packed into part of brain than women.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Sep 2008 | 9:02 pm

Humans Have Astonishing Memories, Study Finds

A new study found the brain can remember a lot more than previously believed.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Sep 2008 | 9:01 pm

Hubble crew faces higher risk of debris hit: NASA

HOUSTON (Reuters) - The shuttle crew being dispatched to work on the Hubble Space Telescope faces a higher-than-usual chance of disaster due to orbital debris, the shuttle program manager said on Monday.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Sep 2008 | 8:32 pm

Long Wet Periods Sculpted Ancient Mars

Valleys on Mars were carved over long periods by recurring floods.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Sep 2008 | 8:05 pm

Video - Kids Health Issues


Source: Livescience.com | 8 Sep 2008 | 7:53 pm

Pyrenees Glaciers Disappearing

Glaciers of Pyrenees mountains could disappear by 2050 from global warming.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Sep 2008 | 6:04 pm

Hubble Mission Faces Higher Risk of Space Debris Strike

Space junk around the Hubble Telescope will make a repair mission riskier than usual.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 8 Sep 2008 | 5:43 pm

Odd Gender Differences Found in Walking

A new result sheds light on subtle judgments the brain makes noticin motion.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Sep 2008 | 4:50 pm

Walk This Way

Researchers attached lights to people walking. The first one is a very feminine walk. The second one is gender-neutral. The third is a very masculine walk. Credit: Anna Brooks et al.
Source: Livescience.com | 8 Sep 2008 | 4:21 pm

Most Powerful Atom Smasher Coming Alive

The Large Hadron Collider will explore the Big Bang and the tiniest of particles.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 8 Sep 2008 | 4:00 pm

Lasers to Help Capture 'Movies' of Changing Universe

Using lasers, astronomers measure small changes in the universe.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 8 Sep 2008 | 1:43 pm

Melting Swiss Glacier Yields Neolithic Trove

High in the Swiss Alps, climate change is exposing a long-hidden past.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 8 Sep 2008 | 1:00 pm

Probe completes asteroid fly by

BERLIN (Reuters) - The European Space Agency obtained on Saturday the first images of an asteroid 360 million km (224 million miles) from earth, part of a space mission which scientists hope will help them understand the origins of the planets.


Source: Reuters: Science News | 8 Sep 2008 | 12:58 pm