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SpaceX capsule docks at space station, opens new era
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Astronauts aboard the International Space Station captured the SpaceX Dragon cargo ship and guided the privately owned craft into a docking berth on Friday, opening...
New telescope to be in S. Africa, Australia
Australia and South Africa will share hosting of a giant radio telescope made up of thousands of separate dishes
Yahoo scraps digital magazine designed for iPad
Yahoo has killed Livestand, a tablet magazine, just six months after its debut on the iPad.
Evidence of early Jews in Portugal found
SILVES, Portugal, May 25 (UPI) -- German researchers say the oldest archaeological evidence of a Jewish cultural presence on the Iberian Peninsula has been found at a Portuguese excavation...
It's in the Genes: Research Pinpoints How Plants Know When to Flower
Scientists believe they've pinpointed the last crucial piece of the 80-year-old puzzle of how plants "know" when to flower.
Cell’s transport pods look like a molecular version of robots from Transformers
Images of the cell's transport pods have revealed a molecular version of the robots from Transformers. Previously, scientists had been able to create and determine the structure of 'cages' formed...
Irritable bowel syndrome clearly linked to gut bacteria
An overgrowth of bacteria in the gut has been definitively linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the results of a new study which used cultures from the small intestine. This...
Copy of the genetic makeup travels in a protein suitcase
Researchers have caught on film, in real time, the process of messenger RNA leaving the cell nucleus.
Mars or Bust! Scientists Flood NASA With 400 Ideas to Explore Red Planet
NASA asked for help in reformulating its Mars exploration strategy. Boy did it get it.
Solar desalination system for arid land agriculture
A solar-powered system uses nanofiltration membranes to treat the local brackish water, resulting in high-quality desalinated irrigation water. The results indicate that irrigation with desalinated water yields higher productivity from...
Shareholders vote to take China's Alibaba unit private
Minority shareholders of Alibaba.com on Friday voted in favour of a proposal by its parent Alibaba Group Holding to take the Hong Kong-listed online trading unit private, the company said.
Woman nominated to head NRC
WASHINGTON, May 25 (UPI) -- President Obama has nominated a George Mason University professor to be chairwoman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the White House announced.
From stem cell to brain cell: New technique mimics the brain
A new technique that converts stem cells into brain cells has just been developed. The method is simpler, quicker and safer than previous research has shown and opens the doors...
Why you should smile at strangers
By Stephanie PappasLiveScienceCHICAGO — Next time you're out walking about, you may want to give passers-by a smile, or at least a nod.
Tongue Analysis Software Uses Ancient Chinese Medicine to Warn of Disease
For 5,000 years, the Chinese have used a system of medicine based on the flow and balance of positive and [...]
Typhoon Sanvu affecting Iwo To, then expected to fade over weekend
Infrared and visible imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite taken on May 25, 2012, showed an impressive Typhoon Sanvu already affecting the islands of Iwo To and Chichi Jima, Japan. The...
Cancer may require simpler genetic mutations than previously thought
Scientists have long known that cancer cells can proliferate by deleting both copies of the tumor suppressor genes that would otherwise kill them. Now research shows they can also grow...
NASA sees Hurricane Bud threaten western Mexico's coast
NASA satellites are providing rainfall, temperature, pressure, visible and infrared data to forecasters as Hurricane Bud is expected to make a quick landfall in western Mexico this weekend before turning...
New packaging to deter children from eating laundry capsules
Procter & Gamble says it will change the design of packaging for its miniature laundry detergent product to deter children from eating the brightly coloured packets that look like candy.
Sunshine & Sand: The Best Beaches of 2012 Revealed
The water at this year's top beach may be a little nippy for some.
At Clifton's Cafeteria, someone left a light on. For 77 years.
During renovations of the Broadway eatery, a neon lamp that was switched on during the Great Depression is found behind a partition. The owner estimates it's generated more than $17,000...
Scientists observe 'tragic experiment' of tsunami debris
Material swept across the Pacific after Japan's 2011 earthquake offers an opportunity to track items originating from a single point at a single time. Debris has begun washing up on...
Turning DNA into a hard drive
Stanford's Drew Endy and his lab figured out a way to turn DNA into a rewriteable data storage device that can operate within a cell.Silicon-based computers are fine for typing...
Game Is Designed to Help Doctors to Spot Drug Abuse
The video game draws on technology used to train F.B.I. agents and is meant to help doctors look for warning signs of patients likely to abuse prescription painkillers.
Miralax, a Drug for Adults, Is Popular as a Children’s Remedy
Parents are questioning the long-term effects of the often-used laxative, Miralax, which has become a staple in many American households since it was first introduced 13 years ago.
70% of women use contraceptives during their first sexual encounter, Spanish study suggests
Contraceptive use in Spain during the first sexual encounter is similar to other European countries. Contraceptive use shows positive correlation in women with a university education and negative correlation amongst...
Duncan Watts, Network Science Pioneer
Physicist-turned-sociologist Duncan Watts asks big questions about social networks.
15 Ways to Accelerate Your PC’s Slowest Component: You!
The slowest part of your PC laptop sits between the keyboard and the chair. Find out how to break the human bottleneck with 15 tips.
First Video Captured by Google Glasses Hits the Web
Google shows how its augmented reality glasses can capture video of life in motion.
A new invading sea crab reaches the Ebro Delta
Originally endemic to the Atlantic Coast of North America, over the past 30 years Dyspanopeus sayi has been involuntarily introduced in the UK, France, the Netherlands, the Black Sea and...
Is China poor? Key question at climate talks
The latest round of U.N. climate talks has failed to resolve how to share the burden of curbing man-made global warming, mainly because countries don't agree on who is rich...
Revolutionary chipset for high-speed wireless data transfer
Scientists have invented a revolutionary chipset for high-speed wireless data transfer, a new microchip that can transfer data the size of 80 MP3 song files (or 250 megabytes) wirelessly between...
Solar plane ends first leg of intercontinental bid
The Swiss sun-powered aircraft Solar Impulse landed safely in Madrid early Friday at the end of the first leg of its attempt at an intercontinental flight without using a drop...
Video: Getting the ketchup out faster
A new coating dubbed LiquiGlide, invented in a lab run by an MIT professor, makes it easier to use every last drop of viscous condiments. NBC’s Brian Williams reports. (Nightly News)
Dogs, booze and bling: Northern Ireland's medieval shopping mall
Excavations reveal a medieval luxury shopping mall
Two jailed over NZ ship disaster
Two officers of the container ship that ran aground off New Zealand causing its worst maritime spill are jailed for seven months.
Brazil forest law parts vetoed
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has vetoed some of the articles in the controversial forest code, which environmentalists say could speed up deforestation.
Plantwatch: The remarkable 'dent de lion' is becoming much more fierce
After nearly two months of torrential rains, the countryside is now as green as a billiard table, splashed with heaps of dazzling white hawthorn blossom. Trees are in full leaf and grasses...
German doctors apologize for Nazi-era crimes
Germany's medical association has adopted a declaration apologizing for sadistic experiments and other actions of doctors under the Nazis.
Gene therapy can correct forms of severe combined immunodeficiency, study suggests
Scientists found that loss of the ADA gene directly contributes to B cell tolerance problems and that these defects are mostly corrected after gene therapy.
Marked for destruction: Newly developed compound triggers cancer cell death
Scientists have developed a compound that enhance cell death in cancer cells.
Knowing genetic makeup may not significantly improve disease risk prediction
Researchers have found that detailed knowledge about your genetic makeup -- the interplay between genetic variants and other genetic variants, or between genetic variants and environmental risk factors -- may...
Record number of young scallops in Mid-Atlantic
Recent surveys reveal an unprecedented number of young scallops in two fishery management areas off the mid-Atlantic coast. The results bode well for the continued success of the commercial fishery.
Device may inject a variety of drugs without using needles
Getting a shot at the doctor’s office may become less painful in the not-too-distant future. MIT researchers have engineered a [...]
Image: Carpenter's Flight
50 years ago today, Scott Carpenter flew the second American manned orbital flight on May 24, 1962.
SpaceX Launch Success 'Like Winning Super Bowl,' Billionaire CEO Elon Musk Says
The Dragon capsule's liftoff brought SpaceX CEO Elon Musk relief and elation.
More Controversy Over $20 Million Texas Cancer Incubator
Questions raised about conflicts of interest, university oversight
Senate Committee Wants to Sink Military's Biofuels Program
Panel opposes new refinery and higher payments for alternative fuels
Is That A Dragon In Your Berth Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?
Is it cheaper to privatize deliveries? Sure is, that is why UPS and FedEx are doing well and the US Post Office is now advertising that companies should send more...
Water testing in Chicago goes high-tech
CHICAGO, May 25 (UPI) -- Chicago beach managers say a new high-tech system will give them real-time predictions of bacteria counts for Lake Michigan beaches.
Gas fracking boom in Michigan goes bust
DETROIT, May 25 (UPI) -- Concern over pollution and falling natural gas prices have slowed fracking-based drilling in Michigan, turning an expected boom into a bust, analysts say.
DNA study seeks origin of Appalachia's Melungeons
For years, varied and sometimes wild claims have been made about the origins of a group of dark-skinned Appalachian residents once known derisively as the Melungeons. Some speculated they were...
Corrected: Gevo starts up first new plant, shares jump
(Reuters) - Gevo Inc started production at a converted ethanol plant in Minnesota, bringing on line the world's first commercial-scale facility to make advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals. Shares rose...
Nnew genetic method developed to pinpoint individuals' geographic origin
Scientists have developed an innovative approach for the modeling of genetic variation in two- or three-dimensional space called spatial ancestry analysis (SPA). With SPA, researchers model the spatial distribution of...
Double-lung recipient dances on Ellen show
Organ donation advocate Hèlène Campbell of Ottawa made her second appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, but her first since undergoing a double-lung transplant.
As D-Day anniversary approaches, new geological insights
Two geology professors have discovered tiny bits of shrapnel and other microscopic remnants of the D-Day invasion in samples of sand collected on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. The scientists...
Positive words: The glue to social interaction
Scientists at ETH Zurich have studied the use of language, finding that words with a positive emotional content are more [...]
Earliest music instruments found
Researchers excavating a cave in Germany identify what they say are the oldest-known musical instruments in the world.
Cystic fibrosis breakthrough reveals why females fare worse than males
Researchers have discovered why females with cystic fibrosis do worse than males. The study is the first to show that the female hormone estrogen promotes the presence of a particular...
Tiny robots for less invasive surgery
Millions of Europeans undergo abdominal surgery each year to treat a range of different disorders, from cancer and heart disease to obesity. Researchers are now developing innovative micro-robotics and micro-system...
Letter: GM ambivalence
As the leader of the team invited to evaluate the public debate called GM Nation? in 2002-03 (Back to the battlefields, G2, 23 May), I would like to point out (yet again)...
An enterprising mind
This is one in a series of profiles showcasing some of Harvard’s stellar graduates. In the startup world, failure is often worn as a badge of honor. But it’s usually not the...
Memorial Day 2012: When It Started, and How It May Change
Find out who started the day of remembrance, and see why some groups want to change the date of this national holiday.
White House petitioned to make research free to access
White House petitioned to make research free to accessNature News , 25052012 doi: 10.1038/nature.2012.10723Zoë CorbynOther science agencies should follow NIH policy, say campaigners.
Jasper Johns, and a technique he loved
In the summer of 2010, Jennifer Roberts agreed to create an experimental course for Harvard College students around a piece in the Harvard Art Museums’ collection, and to explore the potential for a...
Shared system will combat cyberattacks
ATLANTA, May 24 (UPI) -- A new threat intelligence system will help corporate and government security officials share information to fight cyberattacks, U.S. researchers say.
'Personality genes' may help account for longevity
Researchers have found that personality traits like being extroverted, enjoying laughter and staying engaged may also be part of the longevity genes mix that allows some people to reach age...
5 Questions: Elaine LaLanne
Full disclosure alert! I practically worshiped Jack LaLanne, who invented the modern fitness industry. So, imagine how excited I was to get to speak with the woman who helped make...
ALERT: Congressional Briefing Planned on Reduction of Farmers Impact to Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Scientists and stakeholders to focus on economic and environmental considerations of nutrient management planning.
Grill Science: 5 Sizzling Tips for a Tasty Memorial Day
Some juicy science to make your grill-out fun and tasty.
Bonavista, N.L., animal was a wolf, tests confirm
Wolves have not been seen in Newfoundland since around 1930 and were believed to have been hunted to extinction on the island, but genetic tests have confirmed that an 82-pound...
ScienceShot: The Science of Collapsing Staples
Physics of staple mounds could explain pileups in the animal kingdom
Nervous system: Cellular boundary key to neuronal function
A molecule responsible for the proper formation of a key portion of the nervous system finds its way to the proper place not because it is actively recruited, but instead...
Cyber partners help you go the distance
A new study testing the benefits of a virtual exercise partner shows the presence of a moderately more capable cycling [...]
City's population is counted from space
LONDON, May 24 (UPI) -- The population of an entire city has been estimated from space to speed up medical and disaster relief efforts, British researchers say.
Shuttle replica heads for Houston
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 24 (UPI) -- A full-size replica space shuttle left NASA's Florida spaceport for its Texas space center early Thursday morning on an open air barge,...
Feeling strong emotions makes peoples’ brains ‘tick together’
Research team at Aalto University and Turku PET Centre has revealed how experiencing strong emotions synchronizes brain activity across individuals. [...]
Hologram-Style Avatars Ready to Greet Airport Travelers
Today's hologram-like virtual avatars stand ready to greet NYC airport travelers, but tomorrow's interactive versions may answer questions directly.
The Most Amazing Science Images of the Week, May 21-25, 2012
SkyDive Stuntman Gary Connery makes the highest non-protected--like, without a parachute--skydive ever, crashing 2,400 feet into a pile of boxes. Read more here. Getty Images Just like a great dish, this...
Nations 'wasting time' on climate
The latest round of UN climate talks is nearing its end, with observers saying little progress has been made against a "coalition of the unwilling".
Organizing for health care
This is one in a series of profiles showcasing some of Harvard’s stellar graduates. Pedrag Stojicic was studying medicine in his native Serbia in 2005, planning to become a surgeon, when a...
Living to 100: Personality & Good Genes May Be Key
Having a positive outlook maybe related to your genes, and the likelihood you'll make it to 100.
Philippines await Supreme Court decision on GM eggplant tests
Philippine Supreme Court to judge on 'cease and desist' request from opponents of field testing of GM eggplant variety.
Reality TV show gives Kenyan farms a makeover
Shamba Shape-Up, a Kenyan reality TV show, is helping farmers improve the condition and productivity of their farms.
Innovation 'must consider water, energy and land jointly'
Technological innovation needs to consider the interdependency of water, energy and land resources, says a European report.
Dispute Over Labeling of Genetically Modified Food
Concern over the possible health and environmental effects of such food has prompted a move for labeling it, but scientists, farmers and technology companies call the measures alarmist.
Journal Tips from the American Institute of Physics: May 24, 2012
1. A Nanoclutch for Nano-'bots; 2. Sound Increases the Efficiency of Boiling; 3. Slip-and-slide Power Generators; 4. Scientists Evaluate Different Antimicrobial Metals for Use in Water Filters.
Week in wildlife – in pictures
A napping panda, hungry serpent eagle and runaway humboldt penguin are among this week's pick of images from the natural world
Though Greens sometimes get their science wrong, they're better than most | Sunny Hundal
Some have threatened to quit the party for its stance on GM food, but scientists need to learn to engage with politicsOn a regular basis I see someone complaining they won't be...
Dragon on board
The first Dragon commercial space ferry was berthed at the International Space Station today. ESA astronaut André Kuipers and his crewmates welcomed the new cargo ship and will start unloading...
Mystery bird: Eurasian siskin, Carduelis spinus | @GrrlScientist
In Great Britain, this mystery bird is beginning to eat a food that is new to the species Eurasian siskin, Carduelis spinus (synonyms, Spinus notatus and Spinus spinus), Linnaeus, 1758, also known...
Harnessing Plant-Invading Fungi for Fuel
As gas prices rise around the world, researchers are seeking a potential solution from fungi
SAfrica stops short of being disappointed over SKA verdict
South Africa stopped short of expressing disappointment after it failed to win the bid to single-handily host the world's most powerful radio telescope.
Ageing eyes hinder biometric scans
Ageing eyes hinder biometric scansNature News , 25052012 doi: 10.1038/nature.2012.10722Duncan Graham-RoweResearch suggests that irises do not remain the same for life after all.
Driving toward the future
This is one in a series of profiles showcasing some of Harvard’s stellar graduates. Patrick Staropoli ’12 has a lot of drive. In four years at Harvard College, hard work and determination propelled...
Green Blog: On Our Radar: North Dakota's Oil Boom
Western North Dakota has had serious growing pains since it became an oil mecca.
Podcast: Vacuum Tubes, Fish Forensics, and the Benefits of Stress
An audio roundup of some of our favorite stories from this week
Do the Easter Island Heads Really Have Bodies?
Photos have been circulating that show bodies being unearthed beneath the famous Easter Island head statues. Are they real?
Star Trails Seen from the ISS in Swirls
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Don Pettit took photos of star trails, terrestrial lights, airglow and auroras while aboard the International Space Station.
No More 'Ouch': New Injector Painlessly Delivers Drugs
A new medical injector delivers drugs painlessly without needles through an opening just as wide as a mosquito's proboscis.