Science News – Newsletter for November 16, 2010

Now, ‘vacuum cleaner’ that sucks up oil slicks

LONDON – It works just like any other vacuum cleaner, but instead of dust, this device sucks up oil.

Engineering students at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, have developed a device dubbed Mose that uses a combination of rotating brushes and suction to remove oil from the shore.

The vacuum cleaner-like device sprays …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, ‘vacuum cleaner’ that sucks up oil slicks.

Soon, computers that work 100K times faster than current hard disks

WASHINGTON – The day is probably not far when we would see computers equipped with shock-proof memory that work 100,000 times faster and consume less power than current hard disks.

Every time a computer boots up, 2-3 minutes are lost while information is transferred from the hard disk into RAM (random access memory) – the global … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Soon, computers that work 100K times faster than current hard disks.

Why kids tire more quickly than adults when out for a walk

WASHINGTON – Ever wondered why children get tired quickly than adults when walking? Well, scientists had long recognized that smaller people use more energy per kilogram body mass than larger individuals when walking. But now, a new study has discovered the reason behind it.

Peter Weyand from Southern Methodist University and his team have discovered the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Why kids tire more quickly than adults when out for a walk.

Facebook’s new messaging service promises ‘death of email’

LONDON – Mark Zuckerberg, founder of social networking giant Facebook, has said that email would fade out, just like the letter did, as it is slow and informal.

The 26-year-old made the claim as he launched the Facebook’s new messaging service, which integrates all web and text-based communications and works instantaneously.

The service, perceived as a direct [..] Read the original article: here.

Star-Trek-style ’space-time invisibility cloak’ comes a step closer

WASHINGTON – A person moving from one place to another without being detected may sound more like sc-fi, but metamaterials can make this possible.

Developed by the researchers from Imperial College London, metamaterials can be artificially engineered to distort light or sound waves.

With conventional materials, light typically travels along a straight line, but with metamaterials, scientists … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Star-Trek-style ’space-time invisibility cloak’ comes a step closer.

Red, pink pills are preferred over others: Mumbai scientists

WASHINGTON – Indeed, red and pink are sought after colours, but in medicines too? Yes, that’s right. University of Bombay researchers have found medicines in red and pink colour are preferred over tablets in other colours.

Researchers have found that the colour, shape, taste and even name of a tablet or pill can have an effect … Original article on : Red, pink pills are preferred over others: Mumbai scientists.

Now, vending machine that suggests drinks based on your age, gender!

LONDON – Want to get a drink that goes well with your age and gender? Well, you can do it now as Japanese scientists have developed a new vending machine that uses facial recognition to recommend drinks based on a customer’s age and gender.

The firm behind the high-tech canned drinks dispenser has seen sales …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Now, vending machine that suggests drinks based on your age, gender!.

Our body clocks determine how much fat we burn

WASHINGTON – A new study could explain why people burn fat more efficiently at certain times of day.

UC Irvine researchers have discovered that circadian rhythms – the internal body clock – regulate fat metabolism. The find could lead to new pharmaceuticals for obesity, diabetes and energy-related illnesses.

Paolo Sassone-Corsi and his team found that a protein … Read more »»».

Unmanned aircraft to look for life on Mars

WASHINGTON – A scientist has proposed the use of an unmanned aircraft to Mars to tap into an unknown area where orbiters would be too far to reach and rovers too short to detect.

Atmospheric scientist Joel Levine believes the aircraft might be able to find signs of life on the red planet.

The airplane, known as … Original article on : Unmanned aircraft to look for life on Mars.

Early wrinkles no sign of an early death

WASHINGTON – A new research has indicated that looking old does not necessarily point to poor health.

The research found that a person needed to look at least 10 years older than their actual age before assumptions about their health could be made.

“Few people are aware that when physicians describe their patients to other physicians, they … Read : Early wrinkles no sign of an early death.

Once-in-a-lifetime flu jab that fights off all strains to be available ‘within 5yrs’

LONDON – A flu jab that is given just once in a lifetime to fight off all strains of the disease is expected to available within five years.

Described as the “holy grail” of flu research, just one or two shots could provide lifelong protection, a conference held by the Royal Society, Britain’s most prestigious scientific …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Obese have a greater sense of smell for food: Study

LONDON – A new research has stated that overweight people have greater sense of smell for food.

Researchers from the University of Portsmouth said that their findings may explain why it’s difficult for some people to stay slim.

Experts already know that part of the brain that processes information about odour is also connected to the feeding …. Source  : Obese have a greater sense of smell for food: Study.

New species of squid discovered in southern Indian Ocean

LONDON – Scientists discovered a new species of squid during a research cruise in the southern Indian Ocean.

It was found during the analysis of 7,000 samples gathered during last year’s Seamounts cruise organized by the conservation group IUCN, reports the BBC.

The 70 cm-long species is part of the ‘chiroteuthid’ family with light- producing organs, which …. Read the original article  : New species of squid discovered in southern Indian Ocean.

Kids with autism have distinctive patterns of brain activity

WASHINGTON – Researchers have identified a distinct pattern of brain activity that may characterize the genetic vulnerability to developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The new brain-imaging study by Yale School of Medicine researchers could eventually lead to earlier and more accurate autism diagnosis.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by impaired social interaction and communication, … Original article on : Kids with autism have distinctive patterns of brain activity.

Now, a space tyre that won’t go flat!

LONDON – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) together with tyre maker Goodyear have developed a space tyre that will never puncture.

The new airless ‘Spring Tyre’ improves on the wire-mesh designs employed on the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) driven by astronauts on Apollo missions 15 to 17 (1971 and 1972), reports New Scientist.

Conventional pneumatic [..] Read the original article: here.

Women who smoke during pregnancy turn babies into future criminals

WASHINGTON – A new study has pointed out that mothers who smoke heavily during pregnancy are more likely to have kids who grow up to become repeat criminal offenders.

The findings held true even after other factors statistically associated with criminal behaviour – mental illness and deprivation – were ruled out, the study found.

Experts found … Read more : Women who smoke during pregnancy turn babies into future criminals.

Electric supercar set to complete 26,000 kms run for first time ever

WASHINGTON – A team of UK engineers are set to complete a journey of 26,000 kilometres in a battery-powered supercar across the Pan-American Highway.

The Racing Green Endurance team from Imperial College London, started from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska in July and, after travelling through 14 countries, are due to reach Ushuaia in Argentina today.

The 200 …. Source article  : Electric supercar set to complete 26,000 kms run for first time ever.

RNA-based drugs may prevent premature labour

WASHINGTON – Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered in a preclinical study that tiny molecules called microRNAs act together with hormones to control the onset of labour, raising the prospect that RNA-based drugs might be able to prevent premature labour.

Using pregnant mice as well as human uterine tissue, the researchers have uncovered a …. Read the original article  : RNA-based drugs may prevent premature labour.

Oz scientists turn chronic pain into ‘the colour blue’

MELBOURNE – Oz scientists have discovered a gene that plays a vital role in the brain’s processing of pain and was also implicated in the mysterious condition synaesthesia.

It offers the prospect of a new type of treatment that would numb pain by rerouting its signals and enables a sufferer to instead experience it as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oz scientists turn chronic pain into ‘the colour blue’.

Secondhand smoke exposure ‘ups hearing loss risk’

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that non-smokers who repeatedly breathe in others’ tobacco smoke are more likely to have some degree of hearing loss.

Researchers studied a total of 3307 adults aged between 20 and 69.

The degree of hearing loss in each ear was assessed by testing the ability to hear pure tones over … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Secondhand smoke exposure ‘ups hearing loss risk’.