Bacteria in household dust may help or hinder childhood asthma

Bacterial populations found in household dust may determine whether or not a child living in that home develops asthma, according to new research.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 3:00 pm

Patients gain limb movement years after stroke with help of robotic aids

A clinical study has found that stroke patients can regain limb movement long after an injury through intensive therapy with specially trained personnel and newly created robotic aids.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 3:00 pm

Volcanic eruption in Iceland unlikely to have global effects

The eruption of an Icelandic volcano that sent a huge plume of ash into the atmosphere and caused sweeping disruptions of air traffic over Great Britain and Scandinavia today will likely dissipate in the next several days, according to an atmospheric scientist.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 3:00 pm

Have black holes been turning up the volume on the cosmic radio background?

Astronomers investigating why the cosmic background radiation is much brighter at radio wavelengths than expected have identified a potential culprit: fast spinning black holes early in the galaxy formation process.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 3:00 pm

Implications of 'intelligent design' for human behavior

Although evolutionists and creationists strongly disagree about the role that intelligent design plays in the origins of bodies and brains, they curiously agree about the role that intelligent design plays in the origins of human inventiveness. However, both camps would do well to focus less on perceived foresight and purpose and more on the actual origins of behavior, according to one expert.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 3:00 pm

Gene that regulates hair growth identified

Activation of the gene Lhx2 leads to increased hair growth. The findings partly refute earlier research results in the field.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 3:00 pm

Uncovering early stages of Alzheimer's disease

A major Australian study has provided new insights into the loss of structure in regions of the brain and its potential association with Alzheimer's disease.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 9:00 am

Lost light from the Moon may be sent astray by dusty reflectors

Light bounced off reflectors on the Moon is fainter than expected and mysteriously dims even more whenever the moon is full. Astronomers think dust is a likely culprit.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 9:00 am

Iceland volcano could continue erupting for more than a month, researcher says

The airspace over much of northern Europe remains shut and the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, is stranded in New York City because of the threat from a volcanic ash plume being belched out of Iceland. How long will the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano continue and what other kinds of activity can we expect? A volcanologist in Norway who has worked extensively in Iceland says a month-long eruption would not be out of the question. But the eruption could also continue for a year or more, he says.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 9:00 am

Cellular channel may open doors to skin conditions, hair growth

Skin and hair follicles are constantly renewed in the body, maintained by specialized stem cells. New research identifies a small cellular channel that regulates skin and hair growth and that could be targeted with small-molecule drugs, potentially treating variety of skin conditions, as well as thinning hair or unwanted hair growth.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 9:00 am

BC-US--Weatherpage-Weather (AP)

AP - A cold front will linger Sunday over the Southeast and extend westward into the Southern Plains. This front bears the threat of continuing precipitation in Oklahoma and eastern Texas, where flooding concerns will continue.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 3:15 am

Major economies to delve into climate impasse (AFP)

A man makes his way along a dried up river bed to fetch water from a small remaining pool in Xinping, southwest China's Yunnan province. Representatives from the world's leading economies were to meet here Sunday to see if they can find common ground on climate change, as wide gaps divide the United States, China and other key nations(AFP/File)AFP - Representatives from the world's leading economies were to meet here Sunday to see if they can find common ground on climate change, as wide gaps divide the United States, China and other key nations.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 18 Apr 2010 | 1:34 am

Hydrogen still in the eco-car race (AP)

in hhis picture taken March 23, 2010 laboratory assistant Miriam Grueneberg showsa model of a 250fold enlargement of a hydrogen storage device using a glass capillary structure in Berlin, Germany. Hydrogen, it turns out, was never completely out of the race as green energy's answer to the petroleum-driven car . Now Israeli scientists and entrepreneurs claim to have brought hydrogen energy a step closer by putting it in much smaller, lighter containers. Rather than using metal or composite cylinders of compressed gas that look like bulky scuba gear, hydrogen is packed into glass filaments which, once out of the lab, will be only slightly thicker than a human hair. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)AP - Hydrogen, one of Earth's most abundant elements, once was seen as green energy's answer to the petroleum-driven car: easy to produce, available everywhere and nonpolluting when burned.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 10:23 pm

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Human Brain

The human brain is big but shrinking. The brain of teens is not fully formed. And brains are wrinkly and use loads of energy.
Source: Livescience.com | 17 Apr 2010 | 8:09 pm

Icelandic volcano eases but eruptions continue

REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - An Icelandic volcano that is spewing ash into the air and wreaking havoc on flights across Europe appeared to be easing up on Saturday but could continue to erupt for days or even months to come, officials said.

Source: Reuters: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 6:55 pm

Ecuador threatens to take over foreign oil firms (Reuters)

Reuters - Ecuador will move to take over the operations of foreign oil companies in the country unless they sign new contracts agreeing to increased state control over the sector, President Rafael Correa said on Saturday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 5:18 pm

A glance at flight disruptions due to volcanic ash (AP)

This aerial image shows the crater at the summit of the volcano in southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull glacier Saturday April 17, 2010. A lingering volcanic ash plume forced extended no-fly restrictions over much of Europe Saturday, as Icelandic scientists warned that volcanic activity had increased and showed no sign of abating — a portent of more travel chaos to come. Although the ash plume has grown, a northerly wind was expected to allow enough visibility for scientists to fly over the volcano Saturday. (AP Photo/Jon Gustafsson /Helicopter.is) ** ICELAND OUT **AP - Here is a glance of the flight disruptions and airspace closures across Europe and beyond, caused by a lingering volcanic ash plume drifting from Iceland.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 4:55 pm

Iceland Volcano's Ash Cloud No Threat to Space Shuttle Landing (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - The ash cloud belched by an erupting volcano in Iceland may have disrupted air traffic over much of Europe, but it poses no threat to NASA's planned Monday landing of space shuttle Discovery, agency officials said.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 3:02 pm

Saudis to build nuclear, renewable energy centre (AFP)

Oil giant Saudi Arabia gave its strongest signal yet that it wants to develop atomic power by announcing a new centre for nuclear and alternative energy technologies. Former commerce minister Hashem bin Abdullah Yamani, pictured in 2008, was named to head the King Abdullah City for Nuclear and Renewable Energies, to be built in Riyadh, said an announcement on the official SPA news agency.(AFP/File/Hassan Ammar)AFP - Oil giant Saudi Arabia on Saturday gave its strongest signal yet that it wants to develop atomic power by announcing a new centre for nuclear and alternative energy technologies.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 2:26 pm

Comedian Stephen Colbert Heading to NASA's Houston Space Base

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cStephen Saves the Space Programwww.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorFox News Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert is stepping up his interest in NASA, with a day-long visit planed next month at the Johnson Space ...
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 17 Apr 2010 | 11:43 am

Discovery leaves space station; next stop is Earth (AP)

In this image provided by NASA the Space shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station is seen with the ammonia tank assembly and the cargo carrier module stowed in it's payload bay as they pass over Europe early Friday morning April 16, 2010. Discovery is due to depart the space station Saturday. Landing in Florida is scheduled for Monday morning. (AP Photo/NASA)AP - Discovery and its crew left the International Space Station on Saturday and aimed for a homecoming in two days to wrap up one of the last missions of NASA's storied shuttle program.



Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 10:06 am

New Intel Sensor Could Cut Electricity Bill

Intel unveiled new personal energy management system with a single sensor that could reduce household electricity use by one-third.
Source: Livescience.com | 17 Apr 2010 | 9:10 am

New Intel Sensor Could Cut Electricity Bill (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - A new sensor and personal energy management panel made by Intel could help combat global warming by cutting electricity use by one-third.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 8:15 am

Shuttle leaves space station for Monday landing

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Space shuttle Discovery left the International Space Station on Saturday, wrapping up a 10-day stay to deliver supplies and spare parts before NASA retires its shuttle fleet later this year.

Source: Reuters: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 7:57 am

Team monitors volcanic ash plume

A Gloucestershire-based atmospheric research team monitors the volcanic ash cloud which halts UK flights for a fourth day.
Source: BBC News | Science & Environment | UK Edition | 17 Apr 2010 | 7:55 am

Extreme Octopus Close-Up

Every now and then, curious human divers push Octopi a little too far...and get their cameras stolen.
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 17 Apr 2010 | 7:51 am

Shuttle Discovery Undocks From Space Station (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - HOUSTON - Space shuttle Discovery undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) Saturday morning, 10 days after arriving to deliver more than seven tons of supplies and equipment to the orbiting laboratory.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 17 Apr 2010 | 7:30 am

Mechanism of cobra hood revealed

Scientists uncover the mechanism behind the menacing "hood display" used by cobras.
Source: BBC News | Science & Environment | UK Edition | 17 Apr 2010 | 5:03 am

Piece of Midwestern Meteor Found

A peanut-sized, encrusted rock may be a fragment of a meteor that lit up Midwestern skies on Wednesday night.
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 17 Apr 2010 | 4:14 am