Latest science news in Mathematics & Economics
Blowing Smoke at a Ban
New York City’s indoor smoking ban has grown hazy inside some clubs.
Engineered tobacco plants have more potential as a biofuel
Researchers from the Biotechnology Foundation Laboratories at Thomas Jefferson University have identified a way to increase the oil in tobacco plant leaves, which may be the next step in using...
Cockroaches offer inspiration for running robots
The sight of a cockroach scurrying for cover may be nauseating, but the insect is also a biological and engineering marvel, and is providing researchers at Oregon State University with...
Study says tailored music therapy can ease tinnitus
LONDON (Reuters) - Individually designed music therapy may help reduce noise levels in people suffering from tinnitus, or ear ringing, German scientists said on Monday.
Video: Airline Scanner Debate
Experts say that full body imaging machines would have detected the airline explosives, but critics say it robs passengers of their privacy. Daniel Sieberg shows us the fine line between...
Google faces China lawsuit over book scanning
(AP) -- A Chinese novelist is suing Google Inc. for scanning her work into its online library.
Why Are Powerful People Hypocrites?
It's common for powerful public figures to use their status to lecture the rest of us about how we should live. But it's also no secret that the politicians, business...
Moving video to 'captcha' robot hackers
We see the popular "captcha" security mechanism often ― wavy letters websites ask us to type into a box. It's used by web pages and newsletter sign-up forms to prevent...
Chesapeake in NYC pipeline deal
OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Oklahoma's Chesapeake Energy Marketing announced it reached a deal with Spectra Energy Corp. to support a natural gas network for New York City...
Gazprom signs gas deal with Uzbekistan
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Russian energy giant Gazprom signed a contract to increase the volume of gas it purchases from Uzbekistan starting in 2010, the company said.
Tracking Virus Resistance Genes in Watermelon Made Easier
(PhysOrg.com) -- Finding watermelon genes that confer resistance to the devastating zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) has just been made easier, thanks to molecular markers developed by Agricultural Research Service...
Hearing assistance comes to the home (w/ Video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- European researchers have combined state-of-the-art technologies to help end the isolation suffered by the hearing impaired. End users are eager to get their hands on the suite of...
Iraq reviews oil well seizure
BAGHDAD, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Iraq established a special committee to find a way forward to settle disputes following the Iranian seizure of an oil well in Maysan province,...
California Science Center is sued for canceling a film promoting intelligent design
The American Freedom Alliance says the center bowed to pressure from the Smithsonian. The science center says a news release hadn't been submitted to the museum, violating the contract. ...
The Decade in Technology
Larry Magid: From AOL to iPhones, the Oughts Brought Massive Technology Changes
December Squid Review
Despite spending this holiday season at home, where the sun is shining, the grass is green, and the orange and palm trees sway, I've been metaphorically snowed under. Between wrestling...
Advertising: An Underground Campaign
Trying to fend off any limits to patient lawsuits, the trial lawyers’ association is aiming to reach lawmakers and their aides through ads at Union Station on Capitol Hill.
Smart Grid spending set to grow worldwide
BOULDER, Colo., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The days of the conventional electricity power grid are numbered and business opportunity, pragmatisim and the need to better monitor both use and...
U.S. students use Canadian tool on mislabelled food
Two American high school students have used unique Canadian DNA technology to identify numerous mislabelled food products in New York City markets.
Tiger Woods' Affairs Cost Billions in Stock Market
The market value lost to companies that had Tiger Woods as a sponsor is $12 billion.
Wild horse roundup to begin in Nevada amid protest
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The federal capture of about 2,500 wild horses from public and private lands in northern Nevada was to begin Monday amid protests...
Airport Security: Why It Failed
Expect more delays and more widespread use of a new full-body screening method in response to the recent airplane bombing attempt.
EBay: holiday cell phone shopping up threefold
(AP) -- More eBay shoppers have used cell phones to make purchases this holiday season than in past years. And it's not just to buy the hot toy du...
AT&T suspends online sales of iPhones in NYC
(AP) -- AT&T has stopped selling iPhones to New Yorkers from its Web site, for unclear reasons.
Ankara losing money on BTC
ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Turkish pipeline company BOTAS lost more than $200 million since the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline went into operation, reports said.
Mercury emissions rise in Illinois
CHICAGO, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants in Illinois increased 7 percent last year while declining 4 percent overall in the United States, officials say.
Stocks edge higher following retail sales data
NEW YORK (AP) -- Better holiday sales and rising commodities prices pushed stocks to new 2009 highs....
Most controversial science stories of 2009
The best science answers tough questions, and so some of the hardest-hitting discoveries often elicit controversy, ruffling the feathers of readers and sometimes even other scientists. ...