Latest science news in Mathematics & Economics
Designing Bug Perception Into Robots
Insects have provided the inspiration for a team of European researchers seeking to improve the functionality of robots and robotic tools. The research furthers the development of more intelligent robots,...
Productivity rises when companies are facing closure
In companies that are slated to be shut down, productivity increases during the phase-out period itself. read more
Apple agrees to settle iPod lawsuit
(AP) -- Apple Inc. has agreed to settle a pair of class-action lawsuits in Canada alleging it misled customers about the staying power of their iPods, the latest courtroom...
Facebook to let users carry profiles with them
(AP) -- Facebook Inc. is loosening its grip on millions of personal profiles to allow inhabitants of its popular Internet hangout to transplant the information and applications to other...
Hard Sell to Medicare Insurance Buyers Would Get Softer Under New Rules
The Bush administration proposed on Thursday to crack down on the aggressive marketing of private Medicare insurance plans.
Train quarantined in Canada after passenger dies
Canadian authorities quarantined a Via Rail passenger train traveling from Vancouver to Toronto after one person died and several fell seriously ill on Friday, officials said.
Texas may claim Amazon owes sales taxes
(AP) -- Texas officials may claim that Amazon.com owes millions in sales taxes on purchases that state residents made from the Internet retailer.
EBay's PayPal rule in Australia draws fire
(AP) -- EBay Inc. is exploring whether to require customers to use its online payment service PayPal, a move that has angered users and prompted antitrust scrutiny in Australia,...
Congo cholera campaign 'should start at lakesides'
Fighting initial outbreaks near lakes may help get cholera under control in the Democratic Republic of Congo, say scientists.
Rising food costs: Are they sabotaging nutrition?
With food prices rising, health experts fear it's just a matter of time before consumers' new food buying habits lead to health problems.
Gates: Microsoft shifts focus after Yahoo deal collapses
(AP) -- Microsoft Corp. will focus on growing its own advertising and Internet search business after it withdrew its takeover offer for Yahoo Inc., Chairman Bill Gates said Friday.
Federal judge in Montana rejects bid to delay wolf lawsuit
(AP) -- A federal judge in Montana has rejected a request by the government to delay a lawsuit seeking to place the gray wolf back on the endangered species...
Activision 4Q profit soars past expectations
(AP) -- Video game publisher Activision Inc.'s fiscal fourth quarter was exceptional, with sales of "Guitar Hero III" and "Call of Duty 4" pushing profit and revenue well above...
Biofuels backlash in US as food costs hit home
A biofuels backlash has erupted in major ethanol producer the United States, as lawmakers and experts debate the merits of converting food to fuel to support America's age-old love affair...
Orange County Grand Jury urges restaurant grading system
Report says most diners are left in the dark by the existing health inspection results and recommends copying L.A. County's letter-grade method. ...
Group Asks Government to End Use of Birth Control Patch
A consumer advocacy group petitioned the government Thursday to pull the birth-control patch off the market, calling it far riskier than the pill.
Kick the oil habit and make your own ethanol
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A new company hopes drivers will kick the oil habit by brewing ethanol at home that won't spike food prices.
Feature: High budget hopes
Australian scientists are hopeful that a change of government will improve the abysmally low budget dollars set aside for scientific research over recent years, reports Louise Pemble.
With Microsoft mum, analysts mull next moves for Live Search
(AP) -- Without the influx of Web traffic that Microsoft bet would quickly follow a Yahoo buyout, the software maker is facing a long slog if it wants to...
UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News
Robots may someday operate without doctors … ESA, NASA to share space achievement award … Method found to make tumors easier to kill … Caution urged for kids' anti-obesity drugs...
Sask. nurses vote to strike
Members of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses have voted 77 per cent in favour of strike action.
Military scientists prepare for Arctic surveillance study
Canadian defence scientists will be testing some surveillance technology in the high Arctic this year as part of a major study to help affirm Arctic sovereignty and security.
Facebook Adds New Security To Protect Kids
Facebook, the world's second-largest social networking Web site, is adding more than 40 new safeguards to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies, attorneys general from several states said.
Intel buys license for Sweden-wide WiMax network
(AP) -- Intel Corp. dove further into the cellular business on Thursday, becoming one of the winners in Sweden's auction of licenses for nationwide wireless broadband.
Cablevision plans wireless broadband network
(AP) -- Cable TV provider Cablevision Systems Corp. disclosed plans Thursday to offer high-speed wireless Internet service across its coverage area, which is principally on New York's Long Island.
AMD tightlipped on company's future
(AP) -- Grappling with major layoffs and a stock price that's been chopped nearly in half since last year, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. kept new details about its turnaround...
Amgen CEO tries to inject optimism into shareholder meeting
Kevin Sharer tells often-hostile investors that the company is off to a good start this year. ...
Lawmakers turn up the heat on ethanol in response to rising food prices
They blame subsidies for an overproduction of corn, which they say has hurt other crops. ...