Biologists warn that genetically modified fish carrying the human growth hormone gene could turn Darwinian evolution upside down and lead to population decline. A single transgenic individual can cause a population to dwindle and eventually become extinct due to the rapid spread of the 'Trojan gene'.
Researchers found that the heart's fluctuations in beats are strongly correlated with sleep, showing a fractal pattern on both short and long timescales. This suggests a hitherto unsuspected role for sleep in regulating the heartbeat.
Gavin Miller's robotic snakes replicate slithering and sidewinding motions, paving the way for advanced robotics. The designs' potential applications extend beyond toys to include planetary exploration and handling diverse terrains.
Two companies, GeneWorks and AviGenics, are developing genetically engineered chickens to produce human growth factor and interferon for treating diseases. The birds can produce up to 100 milligrams or more of a drug in each egg, making the yields lucrative.
Researchers develop implants that amplify weak signals traveling along the spinal cord, potentially restoring coordinated movements in paralyzed individuals. Clinical trials are planned within two years to help people with spinal injuries stand and exercise their legs.
When a star swallows a planet, it can experience profound effects on its evolution, including changes in spin rate and emission of infrared radiation. The simulations show that large planets can survive for thousands of years before being vaporized by the heat, leaving behind tell-tale signs such as high lithium abundance.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed miniature robots that can bounce, climb stairs and explore buildings. The robots can gather information via radio links and be deployed in groups to provide diverse perspectives on a situation.
Scientists discovered that Prozac increases new neurons in rats' brains by 69% compared to controls. This finding may explain why people recover from depression with SSRIs. The study also suggests serotonin's role in treating other neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
Research suggests that some older adults have impaired decision-making skills, making them more vulnerable to fraudulent activities. A study found that a third of healthy individuals in their 60s performed poorly on a gambling task, similar to those with known brain damage.
Physicists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are developing a control system that switches off a cutting laser when it detects phosphorus, allowing for quick and efficient fossil cleaning. This technique could significantly reduce the time-consuming process of preparing fossils by hand, especially for delicate or soft bones.
A new study reveals that relying on computers for pilot support can actually decrease performance and increase errors. The researchers found that volunteers who used automated cues performed poorly, while those who relied solely on instrument readings achieved higher accuracy.
Researchers at Chromos Molecular Systems have successfully passed an artificial chromosome to their offspring, paving the way for practical germline gene therapy. The technology could enable genetic changes to be inherited without disrupting other genes, offering a safer alternative to current methods.
A new laser-based explosive detector can detect minuscule explosives emissions from landmines, offering an alternative to sniffer dogs. The detector uses an ultra-smooth cube of silica crystal with a single curved face and measures the 'ring-down time' of a laser pulse as it passes through the crystal.
Amateur astronomers reported brief changes on the Moon's surface, but their claims were never confirmed until now. A team of scientists has found evidence supporting these observations using satellite data from the Clementine mission.
The article explores the idea that time is an illusion, proposing a timeless universe where all configurations exist simultaneously. This concept is rooted in Einstein's general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics, suggesting an eternal, four-dimensional structure called Platonia.
Researchers found that Australopithecines used less energy while walking than modern humans, thanks to their shorter legs which took less energy to move. The analysis suggests that Lucy's anatomy was well-suited for her environment and not a hindrance.
Researchers have discovered that spraying milk on cucumbers can effectively kill powdery mildew, a major problem for organic farmers. The solution, which involves mixing one part cow's milk with nine parts water and spraying it on the plants twice a week, has been shown to be faster and more effective than chemical fungicides.
Children raised by single parents perform just as well in school as those from two-parent families, according to a large study. The key factor determining success is the mother's level of education and coping skills, not the absence of a father.
A robotic caterpillar, Moccasin II, has been developed to navigate through gas, water, and sewerage pipes in buildings damaged by earthquakes or explosions. The robot can successfully navigate multiple 90-degree bends and is equipped with lights, a video camera, and microphones to detect survivors.
A new device called the chaos mirror is invented to improve infrared networking technology in crowded offices. It uses a box enclosing seven highly reflective surfaces to split narrow incoming beams into a widely spread array of reflected beams, vastly increasing the chances of beam finding its target.
A leading forensic toxicologist suggests that cocaine abuse may be behind some deaths in custody, rather than police brutality. The expert's neurochemical test detects a unique brain signature associated with excited delirium (ED), which can cause sudden death due to cardiac arrest.
Astronomers believe that megaflares produced by tangled magnetic fields on a star and its planet might help identify distant Sun-like stars with planetary systems. This phenomenon could provide energy for the development of life on rocky planets, making it a promising area to search for extraterrestrial life.
A simple cooling system can significantly reduce fuel vapour formation in aircraft tanks, minimizing the risk of explosion. The Polarjet system cools fuel to -1°C or below, reducing hydrocarbon vapours and oxygen levels, making planes safer without expensive modifications.
Research suggests Tourette's syndrome is not a simple motor disorder, but rather a condition affecting the brain's circuits that control planning and decision making. The study found that individuals with Tourette's can anticipate and adjust to their tics, indicating intentional movement.
A gamma-ray burst may have melted primordial dust grains, seeding the formation of meteorites and rocky planets like Earth. The theory suggests that only one Sun-like star in a thousand would be close enough to form chondrules.
Winglee's design harnesses solar wind to accelerate spacecraft, potentially reaching speeds of over 100km/s. The sailcloth is a magnetic field that repels ions and charged particles, exerting a small but steady force on the spacecraft.
Researchers have discovered a prehistoric virus in Arctic ice that could potentially re-emerge as the climate warms. The ancient tomato mosaic tobamovirus was found in ice cores dating back 500 to 140,000 years, raising concerns about the possibility of new epidemics.
A new radiation detector based on optical fibers has been developed to detect illicit plutonium. The device is light, flexible, and can be used in various applications, including airport security and medical treatments for brain tumors.
A new DNA vaccine has been developed to protect North American salmon and trout farms from a major disease, with successful trials showing 90% reduction in mortality. The vaccine works by introducing DNA containing the gene for one of the viral proteins, which is then taken up by cells and produces the protein to prime the immune system.
Scientists are creating tiny 'motes' of 'smart dust' that can communicate with each other and sense their environment, paving the way for a range of applications including weather monitoring and espionage. The devices use optical transceivers to minimize power consumption and have already demonstrated monitoring capabilities over 21 ki...
A recent study found that mosquito fish preferentially eat tadpoles over mosquito larvae, leading to the decline of various frog and newt species. This ecological disaster may be linked to the widespread introduction of these fish as a form of biological control in the early 20th century.
Researchers have correctly predicted dyslexia in 8-year-olds from brain waves just hours after birth, suggesting earlier detection could reduce reading problems. The study suggests selective damage to nerves in the fetal brain may cause dyslexia and that early intervention could be beneficial.
A recent study found that the smell of old women's armpits can significantly improve a person's mood, while the scent of young people tends to have a depressing effect. The researchers suggest that hormones may play a role in this finding, with older people's odors signaling approachability.
Researchers found that iguanas recognize individuals through both visual and auditory cues, with head bobs indicating familiarity. The study demonstrated human recognition by a lizard for the first time in scientific research.
The US Navy has developed a new hot water suit with a layer of foam containing bits of wax inside tiny plastic beads to prevent heat loss in cold ocean depths. The wax absorbs warmth from the diver's body and melts, then freezes in icy waters, radiating latent heat back to the diver.
Guillermo Gonzalez argues that the Sun's exceptional characteristics made intelligent life emerge on Earth. The Sun is unusually massive and has a stable light output, making it an ideal place for life to thrive. This rules out over 95% of stars in the Galaxy as potential candidates.
A joint project between Nissan and MIT, the system uses computer and sensor data to monitor driving patterns and predict actions. With accuracy of 95%, it aims to build cars that adapt to individual drivers' needs.
A team of geologists and aid workers warn that the Sarez Lake in Tajikistan is a ticking time bomb, with a natural dam on the verge of breaching. If the dam fails, it could unleash a wall of water devastating hundreds of mountain villages and killing hundreds of thousands of people.
Researchers have revived a theoretical concept for faster-than-light travel by using a 'bubble' of warped space, which can be created with modest amounts of energy. The idea, inspired by Dr Who's Tardis, involves shrinking the departure point and expanding the destination, effectively transporting objects at faster-than-light speeds.
Scientists at Oak Ridge have invented an aluminum-based propellant allowing for varying speed control. This technology enables the use of rubber bullets with reduced lethality, avoiding fatal outcomes at close range.
A study by NASA's Johnson Space Center found that spaceflight increases the levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in astronauts' saliva samples. EBV can cause glandular fever and has been associated with Burkitt's lymphoma, a type of cancer common in Africa.
An intelligent microwave oven with a bar-code scanner can cook convenience foods accurately while detecting potential allergens. The system uses detailed bar codes containing information on cooking instructions, crucial for killing bacteria in cook-chill meals.
Researchers at VistaGen use ES cells to identify drugs that might harm the liver, which could lead to safer pharmaceuticals. The company's scientists have already detected toxins in mouse ES cells and plan to repeat the experiment with human cells.
The use of depleted uranium weapons by US and British forces in the Balkans threatens the health of soldiers on both sides, as well as civilians. The radioactive dust created by these weapons can cause cell damage, increase cancer risk, and pose a threat to kidneys.
Researchers have discovered naturally occurring enzymes that can detoxify porphyrins, building blocks of haemoglobin, in a potential breakthrough for treating variegate porphyria. This rare disorder was passed down through the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin Prince William of Gloucester.
A study found that patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had a reduction in sticky platelets, which can contribute to heart problems. The researchers suggest that improved mood is the key factor behind this effect.
Researchers John Abrahamson and Peter Coleman successfully created stable fireballs in a mini tornado using liquefied petroleum gas, challenging existing theories about ball lightning. The experiment may have industrial applications and shed new light on unexplained UFO sightings.
Kodak and Intel are teaming up to produce a device that lets normal stills cameras take digital pictures. The new technology uses microchips that can be built into film cameras, allowing images to be transferred to CD-ROM for permanent storage.
Deep-sea divers may benefit from bacterial supplements that reduce dissolved hydrogen in their blood, mitigating the risk of decompression sickness. Researchers have found that methane-producing microorganisms can help alleviate symptoms.
A new scanner, the T-Scan 2000, can detect tumors in breast tissue using a tiny electric current, allowing doctors to avoid biopsies. This device has the potential to reduce negative biopsies and increase early biopsy referrals for women with suspect lesions.