News
New blood test fights malaria infections
April 30, 2009Swedish scientists say they have demonstrated a rapid diagnostic malaria test can provide valuable support for healthcare in low- and mid-income countries.The procedure is based on a simple blood test and, the researchers say, helps ensure a greater number...
NASA spacecraft reveals a dynamic Mercury
April 30, 2009Data from a U.S. space agency probe flying over Mercury's surface suggest the planet has greater levels of activity that scientists suspected.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging...
Study IDs a strange plant-ant relationship
April 30, 2009A Harvard University biologist says there are many beneficial relationships between organisms but she has discovered a rather strange ant-plant arrangement.Harvard researcher Megan Frederickson said Myrmecophyte plants often provide home for several species...
Scientists find new autism gene variant
April 30, 2009A U.S. team of scientists says it has conducted the world's largest DNA scan for autism and identified a new gene variant for the disorder.UCLA scientists, in partnership with 30 research institutions across the nation, said the gene variant -- CDH10...
Lasers can detect melamine in baby formula
April 30, 2009A Purdue University scientist says she has found a way to detect trace amounts of melamine in infant formula using readily available equipment.Associate Professor Lisa Mauer said she used infrared lasers and light spectroscopy methods to detect melamine...
Comets: Key ingredients for life on Earth
April 30, 2009An Israeli scientist says comets might have provided the elements for the emergence of life on Earth.Tel Aviv University Professor Akiva Bar-Nun said he discovered comets were the source of missing ingredients needed for life in Earth's ancient primordial...
Researcher: Educational reform must change
April 30, 2009A University of Chicago researcher says any educational reform, no matter how effective it might seem, must change in order to last.Jeanne Century, director of science education at the university's Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education...
NASA to test new airborne radar systems
April 30, 2009The U.S. space agency says it plans a test of two new airborne radar systems that can help monitor climate change by imaging ice sheet movements.Scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Dryden...
Study: Social separation stops flu spread
April 30, 2009An Australian study shows flu interventions must be imposed quickly and must be maintained for a relatively long period if they are to be effective.University of Western Australia Professor George Milne and colleagues said staying at home, closing schools...
Bowl may offer Roman Britain clues
April 30, 2009A bowl thought to be 1,700 years old has been discovered in London and may hold clues to life in ancient Roman Britain, researchers say.Liz Goodman, archaeology conservator at the Museum of London, said the bowl called millefiori, which means one thousand...