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Archive: 02/14/2009

Biofuels boom could fuel rainforest destruction, researcher warns

Farmers across the tropics might raze forests to plant biofuel crops, according to new research by Holly Gibbs, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment.

Space & Earth / Environment

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (10) | comments 4

Internet emerges as social research tool

For the past two decades, the Internet has been used by many as an easy-to-use tool that enables the spread of information globally. Increasingly, the Web is moving beyond its use as an electronic "Yellow Pages" and online ...

Other Sciences / Other

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Tracking the digital traces of social networks

Why do we create and maintain social networks? Most people can immediately think of a few natural reasons -- we get something from the interaction, or the person is nearby and is close to us in proximity, age or gender.

Other Sciences / Social Sciences

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Surprising results: Virtual games players stick close to home

In the real world, tracking a person's social network -- which could include hundreds of contacts that serve different purposes -- is nearly impossible.

Other Sciences / Other

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 3

Exploring planets in distant space and deep interiors

In recent years researchers have found hundreds of new planets beyond our solar system, raising questions about the origins and properties of these exotic worlds—not to mention the possible presence of life. Speaking at a ...

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 4.2 / 5 (6) | comments 1

Molecules self-assemble to provide new therapeutic treatments

Researchers in the laboratory of Samuel I. Stupp at Northwestern University have an interesting approach for tackling some major health problems: gather raw materials and then let them self-assemble into structures that can ...

Nanotechnology / Bio & Medicine

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Environmental economist says invasive species is part of the price of doing business

When the sun rides low on the horizon and winter chills wrap us all in down and fleece, global trade brings blueberries from South America, oranges from Israel. But trade in exotic goods also comes with significant local ...

Space & Earth / Environment

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

New surgical option for wrist arthritis

Breaking a fall, such as a tumble on the sidewalk, with your hands and wrists is everyone's natural reflex. But, if you fall hard enough, you'll often fracture your radius bone, or even one of the smaller wrist bones and ...

Medicine & Health / Diseases

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Virtual studies answer real questions

"Are online games just for male teenagers?" About 80 percent of "Ever Quest II" players are male, but the hardcore players are women. And, almost all players are adults.

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 0

X-ray eyes bring us closer to early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

It is estimated that 4 million people world-wide are suffering from Parkinson's, a complex disease that varies greatly among affected individuals. Understanding the brain chemistry that leads to the onset ...

Medicine & Health / Diseases

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

US petroleum dependency factor of history

When the Drake Oil Well in Titusville, Pennsylvania began seeping crude oil 150 years ago, humanity allowed itself to become engulfed in the ecology of oil, according to a Penn State environmental historian. Now in the midst ...

Space & Earth / Environment

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 3

Decisive action needed as warming predictions worsen, says expert

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are rising more rapidly than expected, increasing the danger that without aggressive action to reduce emissions the climate system could cross a critical threshold by the end of the century, ...

Space & Earth / Environment

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (20) | comments 12

New data suggest 'jumping genes' play a significant role in gene regulatory networks

Research performed in the Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering (CBSE) at the University of California, Santa Cruz, suggests that mobile repetitive elements--also known as transposons or "jumping genes"--do indeed ...

Biology /

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Research suggests pollution-related asthma may start in the womb

Children born in areas with increased traffic-related pollution may be at greater risk of developing asthma due to genetic changes acquired in the womb, according to new research from the University of Cincinnati (UC) and ...

Medicine & Health / Research

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Artificial cells, simple model for complex structure

A simple, chemical materials model may lead to a better understanding of the structure and organization of the cell according to a Penn State researcher.

Chemistry /

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0