‘Science’ Archives
Scientists discover gene causing migraine
A new study has linked a gene on chromosome 8 to persistent migraine headaches and suggests that having that particular variation of a gene could actually raise the risk of getting the disease. The study is among the first to identify a genetic variant associated with the common types of migraines, including those with and without aura, the [...]
The smell of freshly-cut grass is actually a plant distress call
The lovely scent of cut grass is the reek of plant anguish: When attacked, plants release airborne chemical compounds. Now scientists say plants can use these compounds almost like language, notifying nearby creatures who can "rescue" them from insect attacks. A group of German scientists studying a wild tobacco plant noticed that the compounds [...]
Herpes virus infecting green sea turtles off the coast of South Texas
There is some concern with what veterinarians at the Padre Island National Seashore have been seeing recently with the sea turtle population there. Off the coast of Texas, approximately 10 green sea turtles have been diagnosed with a condition called fibropapilloma. Many researchers believe fibropapilloma is caused by a alphaherpesvirus. [...]
Biosynthetic corneas restore vision in humans
A new study from researchers in Canada and Sweden has shown that biosynthetic corneas can help regenerate and repair damaged eye tissue and improve vision in humans. The results, from an early phase clinical trial with 10 patients, are published in the August 25th, 2010 issue of Science Translational Medicine. "This study is important because [...]
Federally funded stem cell research blocked by federal judge
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Obama administration Monday from using federal dollars to fund expanded human embryonic stem cell research, saying the research involves the destruction of embryos. The ruling comes after the National Institutes of Health last year issued new guidelines permitting federal funding for research on certain [...]
Archaeologists hail unique find in Albania
APOLLONIA: Archaeologists unearthed a Roman bust from the 2nd century AD hailed as the most important archaeological find of the last 50 years in Albania, experts said Friday. “It is an exceptional discovery, the most important in the last 50 years in Albania because the bust is still intact,” French professor Jean-Luc Lamboley, who led [...]
U.S. researchers say major earthquake might happen soon in SE California
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A major earthquake could happen soon in Southern California, researchers from University of California, Irvine and Arizona State University have said in a report to be published in the Sept. 1 issue of Geology. Earthquakes have rocked the powerful San Andreas fault that splits California far more often than [...]
Head-On Crash Spotted Between Solar Wind and Earth’s Magnetic Field
A spacecraft designed to scan the edge of the solar system has turned its gaze back toward Earth, taking an unprecedented look at the solar wind's head-on collision with the planet's magnetic field. NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer, known as IBEX, has recorded the first-ever look of the solar wind - the million-miles-per-hour stream of [...]
Perseid meteor shower to grace night sky
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Stargazers who cast their eyes skyward Thursday should enjoy two-for-one celestial treats. A heavenly threesome will appear after dusk, when a trio of planets glides above a fragile crescent moon. Later, the fabled Perseid meteor shower will adorn the night with up to 50 shooting stars an hour. "This is [...]
Stephen Hawking fears the extinction of humans
LONDON — Mankind's only chance of long-term survival lies in colonising space, as humans drain Earth of resources and face a terrifying array of new threats, warned British scientist Stephen Hawking on Monday. "The human race shouldn't have all its eggs in one basket, or on one planet," the renowned astrophysicist told the website Big [...]
