Science & Technology - Jun 4, 2009 11:57 - 0 Comments
Fancy footwork points to Hobbit existence
STONY BROOK (US)—J.R.R. Tolkien may not have been so creative after all when he created Bilbo Baggins and the rest of the inhabitants of Middle-earth. New findings add weight to the argument that the so-called “Hobbit” represents a separate species and not a deformed modern human. (more…)
Society & Culture - Jun 3, 2009 16:34 - 0 Comments
Chilling with pals sends happy hormones soaring
U. MICHIGAN (US)—Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood? According to a University of Michigan study, feeling emotionally close to a friend increases levels of the hormone progesterone, helping to boost well-being and reduce anxiety and stress. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Jun 3, 2009 16:20 - 0 Comments
Supercomputer takes on super flu
A view of the drug buried in the binding pocket of the A/H1N1 neuraminidase protein, a mushroom-shaped projection on the surface of the influenza virus that plays a crucial role in the virus’ reproductive cycle.
Society & Culture - Jun 3, 2009 15:48 - 1 Comment
Free ancient treasures, no digging required
U. CHICAGO (US)—A wealth of material that documents the ancient Middle East has become available through a new, free online service at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jun 3, 2009 15:32 - 0 Comments
Dark, balmy Arctic home to ancient mammals
University of Colorado at Boulder researcher Jaelyn Eberle, left, searches for early mammal fossils in the high Arctic with Brendan Postnikoff of the University of Saskatchewan (blue parka) and Joe Kudlack, right, from Banks Island in the Northwest Territories. (Credit: University of Colorado)
Society & Culture - Jun 2, 2009 16:44 - 1 Comment
Inner life of Aztec’s conquered unearthed
The image of Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, is seen on this artifact.
Health & Medicine - Jun 2, 2009 15:46 - 0 Comments
Ditching one-size-fits-all prenatal approach
At UC Irvine Medical Center, Jennifer Bates undergoes an ultrasound 26 weeks into her pregnancy. Such exams will play a key role in UCI’s effort to establish new national standards for fetal growth. (Credit: Daniel A. Anderson)
Science & Technology - Jun 2, 2009 15:17 - 3 Comments
Asteroids hammering Earth a boon to early life?
Credit: NASA
Earth & Environment - May 28, 2009 22:23 - 4 Comments
Freeways: Twelve lanes of toxic pollution
Southern California’s crowded freeways provide ample opportunities for UC Irvine researchers to study the health effects of vehicle pollution. (Credit: Daniel A. Anderson)
Health & Medicine - May 28, 2009 22:01 - 2 Comments
Better (assisted) living through smart cameras
Yale researchers have developed a surveillance system that definitively recognizes falls and automatically calls for help. “It’s simple, it’s inexpensive, and it preserves the privacy and independence of the person being monitored,” says Yale’s Eugenio Culurciello.
Health & Medicine - May 28, 2009 21:22 - 0 Comments
Vaccines say goodbye needle, hello smoothie
The dendritic cell (green) engulfs the lactobacilli (small blue dots) which release the vaccine. The dendritic cells will induce the proliferation and the activation of T and B cells which will eliminate the infected cells.
Society & Culture - May 28, 2009 21:03 - 1 Comment
Tweeting your way through a crisis
TEXAS-AUSTIN (US)—Organizations involved in a crisis must get information out quickly, clearly, and directly to the public as well as to the media, otherwise audiences will seek information elsewhere, according to a study by a University of Texas at Austin researcher. (more…)
Health & Medicine - May 28, 2009 13:18 - 0 Comments
Tailored approach to fight pregnancy pounds
NORTHWESTERN (US)—Mounting evidence suggests excess weight in pregnancy has serious consequences for the long-term health of the unborn child and mother. A new program at Northwestern University offers a tailored approach to help obese pregnant women manage their weight and stay active. (more…)
Science & Technology - May 27, 2009 12:28 - 0 Comments
Nanocircuits built with ‘hairy’ DNA sheets
A schematic drawing of gold nanoparticles held together by tangled, hairlike strands of DNA. (Credit: Michael Campolongo/Luo Labs)
Society & Culture - May 27, 2009 11:46 - 0 Comments
Hostile paybacks for union activity
CORNELL (US)—Companies have been working harder in recent years—with increasingly punitive tactics—to thwart union activity, according to a new four-year study. (more…)
Science & Technology - May 27, 2009 10:46 - 0 Comments
Computer reveals math’s inner beauty
These five objects were created by graphic artist Luc Benard with the 3D-XplorMath program developed by Richard Palais of UC Irvine. “True beauty can be found in mathematics,” Palais says.
Health & Medicine - May 27, 2009 10:17 - 0 Comments
The skinny on why some battle the bulge
The Tulane University study aims to characterize the genetic relationships between race, gender, and obesity, according to Tina Thethi, assistant professor of endocrinology and principal investigator.
Earth & Environment - May 27, 2009 9:55 - 1 Comment
Tree-killing hurricanes worsen global warming?
TULANE (US)—A first-of-its-kind, long-term study of hurricane impact on U.S. trees shows storm damage can diminish a forest’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming. (more…)
