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Friday, November 30, 2012

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News


Whirligig beetles inspire energy-efficient robots

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:39 PM PST

While many may have found the movements of whirligig beetles curious, scientists have puzzled over the apparatus behind their energy efficiency -- until now, thanks to a new study.

Scientists discover water ice on Mercury: Ice and organic material may have been carried to the planet by passing comets

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 12:13 PM PST

Mercury, the smallest and innermost planet in our solar system, revolves around the sun in a mere 88 days, making a tight orbit that keeps the planet incredibly toasty. Surface temperatures on Mercury can reach a blistering 800 degrees Fahrenheit -- hot enough to liquefy lead.

Adapting fish defenses to block human infections: Antimicrobial peptide of fish gills inspire clean surfaces

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 11:35 AM PST

Living in an environment teaming with bacteria and fungi, fish have evolved powerful defenses, including antimicrobial peptides located in their gills. Undergraduate researchers are studying the biology and mechanics of one of those peptides with the aim of creating engineered surfaces that can kill bacteria responsible for foodborne illnesses and hospital-acquired infections.

The beginning of everything: New paradigm shift for the infant universe

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 11:34 AM PST

A new paradigm for understanding the earliest eras in the history of the universe has been developed. The new paradigm shows, for the first time, that the large-scale structures we now see in the universe evolved from fundamental fluctuations in the essential quantum nature of "space-time," which existed even at the very beginning of the universe.

Nanobiotechnology: Versatile 3-D nanostructures using DNA 'bricks'

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 11:32 AM PST

Researchers have created more than 100 three-dimensional nanostructures using DNA building blocks that function like Lego bricks -- a major advance from the two-dimensional structures the same team built a few months ago.

Can life emerge on planets around cooling stars?

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 11:31 AM PST

New research hints that planets orbiting white and brown dwarfs, even in the habitable zone, face a "difficult path to habitability."

Mild vibrations may provide exercise-like benefits for obese

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 10:06 AM PST

If you're looking to get some of the benefits of exercise without doing the work, here's some good news. A new research report shows that low-intensity vibrations led to improvements in the immune function of obese mice. If the same effect can be found in people, this could have clinical benefits for obese people suffering from a wide range of immune problems related to obesity.

Insects beware: The sea anemone is coming

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 08:18 AM PST

Insects are becoming resistant to insecticides, presenting a growing need to develop novel ways of pest control. New research shows that the sea anemone's venom harbors toxins that could pose a new generation of environmentally friendly insecticides, which avoid insect resistance. These toxins disable ion channels that mediate pain and inflammation, and could also spur drug development aimed at pain, cardiac disorders, epilepsy and seizure disorders, and immunological diseases.

First-ever hyperspectral images of Earth's auroras: New camera provides tantalizing clues of new atmospheric phenomenon

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 08:18 AM PST

Hoping to expand our understanding of auroras and other fleeting atmospheric events, a team of space-weather researchers designed and built a new camera with unprecedented capabilities that can simultaneously image multiple spectral bands, in essence different wavelengths or colors, of light. The camera produced the first-ever hyperspectral images of auroras -- commonly referred to as "the Northern (or Southern) Lights"-- and may already have revealed a previously unknown atmospheric phenomenon.

Relative length of adults' fingers indicator of verbal aggression: Prenatal exposure to testosterone linked

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:37 AM PST

A new study links verbal aggression to prenatal testosterone exposure. Scientists used the 2D:4D measure to predict verbal aggression. This study is the first to use this method to examine prenatal testosterone exposure as a determinant of a communication trait.

Making music together connects brains

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:34 AM PST

Anyone who has ever played in an orchestra will be familiar with the phenomenon: the impulse for one's own actions does not seem to come from one's own mind alone, but rather seems to be controlled by the coordinated activity of the group. And indeed, interbrain networks do emerge when making music together – this has now been demonstrated. Scientists used electrodes to trace the brain waves of guitarists playing in duets. They also observed substantial differences in the musicians' brain activity, depending upon whether musicians were leading or following their companion.

Thought-controlled prosthesis changing lives of amputees

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:34 AM PST

The world's first implantable robotic arm controlled by thoughts is being developed. The first operations on patients will take place this winter.

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