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Saturday September 25, 2010
Let's Stick Together:
Oysters' Ability to Glue Together Revealed
by Simon Magus
Scientists have discovered the chemical components of the adhesive produced by oysters.
Understanding how oysters stick together to form complex reefs could help conservation efforts, yield environmentally friendly 'anti-fouling' agents to keep hulls clean, and even lead to wet-setting adhesives for use in medicine and construction.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 12:39 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Wednesday September 22, 2010
Neanderthal Order:
Neanderthals More Advanced Than Previously Thought
by Simon Magus
Scientists have long believed that Neanderthals developed 'modern' tools and ornaments solely through contact with Homo sapiens.
But new study shows these sturdy ancients could adapt, innovate, and evolve technology on their own.
The findings challenge a half-century of conventional wisdom maintaining that Neanderthals were thick-skulled, primitive 'cavemen'.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 01:54 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Sunday September 19, 2010
Leave The Light On:
Artifical Light Boosts Bird Reproduction
by Sir Thomas More
Scientists have shown that permanent night lighting alters the reproductive behaviour of birds.
In those habitats that are affected by artificial light, males started to sing earlier and females advanced the onset of breeding activities.
Moreover, males occupying territories with street lights had a higher number of extra-pair mates than males living in dark forests.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 08:06 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Saturday September 18, 2010
Looking Inward:
Brain Region Linked to Introspection
by Sir Thomas More
A specific region of the brain appears to be larger in individuals who tend towards introspection.
The volume of grey matter in the anterior prefrontal cortex of the brain, which lies right behind our eyes, is a strong indicator of a person's introspective ability.
Furthermore, the structure of white matter connected to this area is also linked to this process of introspection.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 11:03 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Saturday September 11, 2010
Through The Eye of a Needle:
Graphene Holds Key to Speedy DNA Sequencing
by Sir Thomas More
A new study at Harvard has shown that graphene, a sheet of carbon just one-atom thick, can act as an artificial membrane separating two liquid reservoirs.
By drilling a nanopore just a few nanometers wide in the graphene membrane, they demonstrated that a long DNA molecule could be pulled through the nanopore just as a thread is pulled through the eye of a needle.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 05:53 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Thursday September 09, 2010
This Will Not End Well:
Researchers Create Robots With Deceptive Traits
by John Connor
A robot deceives an enemy soldier by creating a false trail and hiding so that it will not be caught.
While this sounds like a scene from a science-fiction movie, it's actually the scenario from the first detailed examination of robot deception by scientists.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 03:42 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Thursday September 02, 2010
Alike It:
Our Immune Systems Are More Alike Than Previously Thought
by Simon Magus
When it comes to the mechanics of the human immune system, we are all more alike than previously thought, according to a new study.
This finding has significant implications for developing new ways to detect, diagnose and treat cancer and diseases of the immune system.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 09:21 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry