Science & Technology News
Newly discovered mature galaxy cluster, revised big bang theory?
Posted Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:01:00 GMT by Tamara CroesA recently discovered mature cluster of galaxies seems to be a rare phenomenon - or could the universe have developed differently from what is currently thought? Scientists working from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile have recently discovered the furthest mature cluster of galaxies away from us which we can still see. Filed under: Science - Technology.
Newly discovered mature galaxy cluster, revised big bang theory?
Can the leopard change its spots?
Posted Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:11:00 GMT by Michael EvansResearch at Harvard University has identified the gene that governs colour patterns in mice. Two of the great wonders of Nature are its diversity and its mystery. Why, for instance, do leopards have spots and why do zebras have stripes? Scientists at Harvard University have come a little closer to answering this age-old question.
Can the leopard change its spots?
Pity the poor worm; struggle for Phylum Annelida survival more complex than previously thought
Posted Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:04:00 GMT by Nicolette SmithThe immune system of the Nematode worm and how it can help us to manage dangerous infections. Not many people would confess to an admiration for the worm species, and yet a recent study backed by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has shown that worms are the ultimate gamblers; a type of worm known as a Nematode plays a high-risk game with disease resistance.
Pity the poor worm; struggle for Phylum Annelida survival more complex than previously thought
Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels Could Halve Amount of Water Plant's Release Into the Atmosphere
Posted Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:16:01 GMT by Nikki BruceA new report predicts worrying effects on the transpiration of plants. Enjoy basking in the cool shade of an old oak tree in the height of summer? Well, according to American and Dutch scientists it could soon be a less effective way of escaping the heat from the sun. A new study has found that as a result of rising carbon dioxide levels, plants are releasing less water into the atmosphere.
Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels Could Halve Amount of Water Plant's Release Into the Atmosphere
Essential oils from peppermint boosted with a splash of sage, rosemary and thyme
Posted Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:59:01 GMT by Martin LeggettSpraying peppermint with waste-waters from distilling aromatic herbs boosts their essential oil content, according to Mississippi State University researchers. Rather than just discharging waters left over from the processing of herbs, such as sage, rosemary and thyme, it is hoped they can now be used to give their herbal cousins a helping hand.
Essential oils from peppermint boosted with a splash of sage, rosemary and thyme
Solar flare cycle driven by rivers of plasma
Posted Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:34:00 GMT by Martin LeggettNew models of the huge streams of plasma on the surface of the Sun are raising understanding of the complex mechanisms at play. As the solar sunspot cycle picks up speed, and starts sending out new flares towards the Earth, understanding exactly what makes the Sun tick looks to be increasingly important for the stability communications and power systems, as well as of the climate.
Solar flare cycle driven by rivers of plasma
Florida, the sunshine state just got 10 million years older
Posted Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:21:00 GMT by Martin LeggettFlorida, the sunshine stats may not be as youthful as looks suggest. A new analysis of samples collected from water boreholes have pushed back the time, when Florida first emerged from the sea, to 45 million years ago. The study describes a familiar landscape of palm trees and islands, and provides useful information for those looking to keep water flowing for local residents.
Florida, the sunshine state just got 10 million years older
Buildings that repair and heat themselves
Posted Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:03:06 GMT by Martin LeggettA new approach to getting organic materials into tiny glass beads opens up a number of new possibilities for intelligent cement that can heal cracks, and regulate temperatures. This exciting development is described in a thesis presented to the University of the Basque Country, and raises the prospect of buildings lasting longer and requiring less energy to be heated and cooled.
Buildings that repair and heat themselves
Crop diversification may help protect farmers from climate change
Posted Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:06:00 GMT by Colin RickettsMonocultures might be the most efficient way to grow but they're also great for the nasties that destroy crops a new report finds. Now scientists have come up with a very good reason for farmers to grow a wider diversity and variety of crops to protect themselves from the changes likely to result from climate change.
Crop diversification may help protect farmers from climate change
A warming beer! Scientists look for biofuels in brew waste
Posted Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:23:02 GMT by Colin RickettsMicrobes in brewery waste already saves brewers millions by producing methane and now scientists want to put these miniature workers to work on other useful tasks. Cornell scientists have been working with Anheuser-Busch Inbev, which brews Budweiser, to see if microbes which currently produce methane as they break down brewery waste can be put to other uses.
A warming beer! Scientists look for biofuels in brew waste
Using less fertilizer aids corn for fuel
Posted Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:07:01 GMT by Martin LeggettProducing bioethanol from corn residues offers a potentially new twist on the food versus fuel debate. New research suggests that maximizing cellulose production from such residues requires less fertilizer - which also has environmental benefits. But how will that impact grain yields?
Using less fertilizer aids corn for fuel
Warming world could send plants downhill, not up
Posted Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:21:01 GMT by Laura GoodallA hotter climate could make some plants move downhill to seek water, suggests new research that challenges the assumption that plants would move uphill to reach cooler elevations. Scientists at the University of Montana, the University of California, Davis, and the University of Idaho are the first to find a widespread downward shift in Californian mountain plants.
Warming world could send plants downhill, not up
Will Facebook Go Green by Earth Day?
Posted Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:29:01 GMT by Lucy BrakeGreenpeace is putting pressure on Facebook to become a world leader in clean energy by this year's Earth Day. Earth Day is a global celebration of the Earth's natural environment and is a chance to promote and inspire awareness to taking better care of our precious resources.
Will Facebook Go Green by Earth Day?
Scavenger T.rex much more like a hyena than a lion
Posted Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:02:00 GMT by Louise MurrayAn epic Montana fossil bed census suggests Tyrannosaurus rex was more of an opportunistic scavenger like a hyena, than an apex predator like a lion. This is the largest study of its kind in the world and the first complete picture of an ancient ecosystem dominated by dinosaurs.
Scavenger T.rex much more like a hyena than a lion
'Thunderthighs' - a new species of dinosaur discovered
Posted Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:22:00 GMT by Louise MurrayA new species of dinosaur, Brontomerus, literally 'thunderthighs', has been found in a quarry in Utah, USA. Named for it's extremely large thigh muscles, the larger than elephant-sized beast may have used them to kick fight predators or rivals.
'Thunderthighs' - a new species of dinosaur discovered
Biodiesel produced from wastewater microalgae
Posted Sun, 20 Feb 2011 10:04:00 GMT by Lucy BrakeScientists have developed a way to extract a new kind of biodiesel from microalgae. They have worked out that once the microalgae have been through the treatment system and purified the wastewater then it can potentially be used to run construction vehicles, buses and farm equipment.
Biodiesel produced from wastewater microalgae
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How popular are these apparently so aggressive and pest-like praying mantids? They are great pest-controllers, have a huge variety of different species, from flower mantis to giant African tigers of the cabbage patch; they make marvellous, quite attentive pets and dont bother your mother because they die after their short adult span. Now we learn something new about a familiar animal. Those leaps they made as nymphs are actually carefully plotted, either to escape from their cannibalistic siblings, or to jump on tiny flies. The wonder of super-mantis never stops.
Where in the world can we discover new primates? The answer is only in tropical rainforests, but they will certainly be endangered species, like several of the titis and many, many others. We only have one solution to this tragic loss of life, species, habitat and ecosystems. Stop cutting down the last remnants of these once-great forests. It doesnt even make commercial sense, as this business is never going to be sustainable. Greed is the motive and its result has always been the same.
Where are we going, as climate begins to dominate the years news? With Ukraine and Syria big on bad behaviour, the concentration needs to shift to the millions threatened by other events. As Lennon (and not Lenin) said, war is over, except it seems to hang on like an unwanted spectre. Global problems should now begin to occupy our collective thoughts.
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Need to save money after the spending boom to end them all? Here are 2 sets of opinions on how to pull out the plugs at night at least.
When dolphins are 'rescued' in various countries, the car given seems to be ill-considered. We are simply looking at the success rate which is reported to be low, in most places. They could even end up in commercial aquarium shows, but they certainly rarely make it back to the sea.
What is killing bees? Chelsea has the answer here.
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Science & Technology Articles
Bees = humans, in false memory at least.
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Social Mobsters in the Kalahari
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