http://www.physorg.com en-us PhysOrg Team The latest physics and technology news Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis working with diabetic mice have examined in unprecedented detail the immune cells long thought to be responsible for type 1 diabetes. http://www.physorg.com/news129551791.html Medicine & Health 2008-05-09T11:36:31-07:00 You know the planets of our solar system, each a unique world with its own distinctive appearance, size, and chemistry. Mars, with its bitter-cold, rusty red sands; Venus, a fiery world shrouded in thick clouds of sulfuric acid; sideways Uranus and its strange vertical rings. The variety is breathtaking. http://www.physorg.com/news129550467.html Space & Earth science 2008-05-09T11:14:27-07:00 Individual birds can adjust their behaviour to take climate change in their stride, according to a study by scientists from the University of Oxford. http://www.physorg.com/news129549621.html General Science 2008-05-09T11:00:21-07:00 NASA engineers Thursday successfully completed the first series of tests in the early development of the J-2X engine that will power the upper stages of the Ares I and Ares V rockets, key components of NASA's Constellation Program. Ares I will launch the Orion spacecraft that will take astronauts to the International Space Station and then to the moon by 2020. The Ares V will carry cargo and components into orbit for trips to the moon and later to Mars. http://www.physorg.com/news129549225.html Space & Earth science 2008-05-09T10:53:45-07:00 Conventional wisdom holds that the standardized tests some employers require of job applicants serve as a barrier to equal employment. But a pioneering study shows just the opposite: Screening increases employers' precision in matching applicants to jobs and can raise productivity for workers of all races--without hindering minority hiring. http://www.physorg.com/news129549060.html General Science 2008-05-09T10:51:00-07:00 A study integrating theories from criminology and psychology has provided an in-depth explanation for the link between self-control and why people get into crime. http://www.physorg.com/news129548925.html Medicine & Health 2008-05-09T10:48:45-07:00 The study and implementation of technology-enhanced professional learning has been fragmented. Now European researchers have linked such ‘islands` of knowledge into a thriving, collaborative community. http://www.physorg.com/news129548535.html Technology 2008-05-09T10:42:15-07:00 Religious practices and religions involving spiritual experiences are growing in popularity around the globe. Academics too are turning their study to the practices of these religions. The interest is in understanding shamanism, trance and spirit possession from different standpoints, including, vitally, from the point of view of those taking part and from different academic disciplines. http://www.physorg.com/news129548175.html General Science 2008-05-09T10:36:15-07:00 An international group of scientists has swapped their comfortable offices for one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet to carry out a challenging field campaign that is seen as the key to ensuring the data delivered by ESA's ice mission CryoSat will be as accurate as possible. http://www.physorg.com/news129548062.html Space & Earth science 2008-05-09T10:34:22-07:00 The Antennae Galaxies are among the closest known merging galaxies. The two galaxies, also known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039, began interacting a few hundred million years ago, creating one of the most impressive sights in the night sky. They are considered by scientists as the archetypal merging galaxy system and are used as a standard against which to validate theories about galaxy evolution. http://www.physorg.com/news129547235.html Space & Earth science 2008-05-09T10:20:35-07:00 In companies that are slated to be shut down, productivity increases during the phase-out period itself. When management is busy dealing with matters other than daily operations, employees shoulder a greater responsibility for their work­-and efficiency is enhanced. According to business economist Magnus Hansson at Örebro University in Sweden, this shows that it is possible to boost productivity considerably without investing. This is also an argument for longer phase-out periods, which would benefit both the employees and the company. http://www.physorg.com/news129547028.html General Science 2008-05-09T10:17:08-07:00 Robots with flies' eyes could take advantage of the insect`s vision system to better locate the edges and boundaries of objects. This ability could help robots perform a variety of tasks more quickly and accurately than if they were using traditional sensors. http://www.physorg.com/news129545593.html Technology 2008-05-09T09:53:13-07:00 As controversy swirls about proper clinical use of opioids and other potent pain medications, research reported at the American Pain Society annual meeting shows that, contrary to widespread beliefs, less than 3 percent of patients with no history of drug abuse who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain will show signs of possible drug abuse or dependence. http://www.physorg.com/news129545182.html Medicine & Health 2008-05-09T09:46:22-07:00 Canada's industry minister confirmed Friday he is blocking the sale of leading space firm MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates to a US defense contractor, saying it provided no net benefit to Canada. http://www.physorg.com/news129545102.html Space & Earth science 2008-05-09T09:45:02-07:00 Meteorologists may not always feel appreciated, but at the Beijing Olympics at least they will have their own contest. http://www.physorg.com/news129534648.html Space & Earth science 2008-05-09T06:50:48-07:00 (AP) -- Google Inc.'s top executives expressed hope Thursday that the Internet search leader will be able to form a potentially lucrative advertising partnership with Yahoo Inc. - a deal that would lower the odds of Microsoft Corp. renewing its attempts to buy Yahoo. http://www.physorg.com/news129531621.html Technology 2008-05-09T06:00:21-07:00 A biofuels backlash has erupted in major ethanol producer the United States, as lawmakers and experts debate the merits of converting food to fuel to support America's age-old love affair with the automobile. http://www.physorg.com/news129531564.html Technology 2008-05-09T05:59:24-07:00 The number of Chinese children confirmed dead from hand, foot and mouth disease has risen to 34 with nearly 25,000 people infected but the outbreak's spread may be slowing, state media said on Friday. http://www.physorg.com/news129531508.html Medicine & Health 2008-05-09T05:58:28-07:00 A new study by researchers at Rhode Island Hospital provides much-needed insight into the molecular mechanisms that cause arrythmia, or irregular heartbeat, and how it triggers sudden cardiac death, one of the nation`s leading killers. Their findings, published online in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, could pave the way for the development of new, genetically-targeted therapies to treat and prevent fatal arrythmias. http://www.physorg.com/news129531447.html Medicine & Health 2008-05-09T05:57:27-07:00 A new study shows how genes control levels of many blood proteins implicated in disease. The findings are the result of an international collaboration between scientists at the University of Exeter, the National Institute on Aging, and the Tuscany and Florence Health Agencies. Details, published May 9th in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics, determine how many of the key proteins within our blood are under genetic control, showing that diet and lifestyle are not the only factors influencing its makeup. http://www.physorg.com/news129531394.html Medicine & Health 2008-05-09T05:56:34-07:00