Latest science news in Mathematics & Economics
Hands-free cell phone conversations add 5 m to drivers' braking distances
Research led by Psychology researchers at the University of Warwick reveals that cell phone conversations impair drivers' visual attention to such a degree that it can add over 5 metres...
Morning Rounds: Bottled Water Purchases, Retirement's Price and Medical Rules of Conscience
Health news from around the Web.
Persistent pollutant may promote obesity
Tributyltin, a ubiquitous pollutant that has a potent effect on gene activity, could be promoting obesity, according to an article in the December issue of BioScience. The chemical is used...
Clearwire to market WiMax under 'Clear' brand
(AP) -- Newly merged company Clearwire Corp. says it plans to sell its wireless broadband service under the brand name of "Clear."
Scientists Invent Machine That Sorts Pomegranate Seeds
A team of investigators from Valencia has developed a machine that separates automatically the seeds from the rind and pith of the pomegranate. The mechanism uses a computer vision system...
Science Weekly podcast: Technologies to help stop climate change, war and medicine, drug classifications, plus lizards doing push-ups
Writer and broadcaster Chris Goodall discusses his new book Ten Technologies To Save The Planet. We ask him whether Barack Obama will be the key. We also hear from Sir...
Mandates driving surge to the river for hydropower
HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) -- Many decades ago, cost-conscious Henry Ford turned to hydroelectric plants to power his car factories like the one by the Great Miami...
Random House Increases Slate Of E-Books
With e-book sales exploding in an otherwise sleepy market, Random House announced that it was making thousands of additional books available in digital form, including novels by John Updike and...
Fuel From Food? The Feast Is Over
Rising food prices have slowed the momentum of biofuels, prompting scientists to search for alternatives that won't tap the world's food crops.
NFL Thinks Beyond HD, Tinkers With 3-D
Next week the National Football League is broadcasting live in 3-D a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders to theaters in Los Angeles, New York, and...
Is Free Microsoft PC Security Dangerous?
Microsoft has dropped a bombshell on the PC security industry. Their $50-a-year Windows Live OneCare service will soon be free, but might Larry Magid worries about the implications for competition...
Lori Drew cyberbullying case raises profile of 'terms of service' agreements
Next time you install a piece of software or visit a new Web site, pour yourself a cup of coffee and really dig into that arcane document labeled something along...
Weighing the value of organic foods
Food produced without most conventional pesticides or fertilizers are perceived to be more healthful, but scientists have yet to offer proof. ...
Botanists puzzle over lack of acorns
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Botanists say they're puzzled about why oak trees from Virginia to Kansas and north to Nova Scotia failed to produce acorns this year.
Humble mouse turns 40 and loses its touch
The name was never meant to stick.
In Maryland, Focus on Poultry Industry Pollution
As officials seek new rules on how farmers can spread or store chicken manure, the industry is fighting back.
Europe Accuses Drug Makers of Padding Health Care Costs
The European Union accused drug companies of adding billions of dollars to health care costs by delaying or blocking the sale of less-expensive generic medicines.
2 gunmen kill each other in shootout at Toys R Us in Palm Desert
Police say the shooting was apparently sparked by a dispute between two couples who had 'previous hostility.' Other shoppers hide or flee in panic. ...
Amazon deforestation up almost 4.0 percent
Brazil's Amazon jungles, known as the lungs of the world, lost almost 12,000 square kilometres (4,800 sq. miles) in just 12 months, a rise of almost 4.0 percent, new figures...
Shoppers cautious with gadget buys on Black Friday
(AP) -- Consumer electronics have long been among the most popular holiday gifts, with fierce competition among shoppers for day-after-Thanksgiving deals on flat-screen TVs and laptop computers.
Cameco to halt uranium hexafluoride production at Ont. plant
Cameco Corp. said Friday it is temporarily suspending production of uranium hexafluoride at its Port Hope, Ont., plant, a move that will result in the layoff of fewer than 100...
Environmentalist turns to online campaign to protect B.C. forest
A veteran environmental campaigner is putting down her placard and turning on her computer to use social networks to reinvigorate an environmental campaign
Good Pre-school And Home-learning Boosts Academic Development
Attending a high quality pre-school followed by an academically effective primary school gives a significant boost to children’s development. These are the findings of a new study which shows that...
France-UK split over EU farm plan
France's vision for the future of EU agricultural policy is opposed by the UK, Sweden and Latvia.
ESF awards European Latsis Prize to Simon White for astrophysics achievement
The European Science Foundation (ESF) has awarded this year's European Latsis Prize to Professor Simon White, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, for his outstanding contribution to the...
The East Midlands' heathland needs you!
It used to be a haven for fly tippers and a dumping ground for burnt-out cars. Now Mansfield's Oak Tree Estate is home to one of the rarest habitats on...
EU claims pharma delaying tactics cost 3 billion euros
Commission report raps industry for stalling generic competition.
Carl Icahn raises his stake in Yahoo
(AP) -- In a move likely to fuel speculation over Yahoo Inc.'s search for a new chief executive, activist investor Carl Icahn has bought up close to 7 million...