The Sciences
Science Friction: An X-Ray Machine Energized by Adhesive Tape
Researchers take an image of a finger using film and some tape
Stories by Susannah F. Locke
Biology
The Worm Grunter Gets the Worm [Slide Show]
Both moles and humans scare up earthworms through vibrations
Health
Meet my genome: 10 people release their DNA on the Web
Ten people today allowed their genetic maps to be publicly displayed on the Web in the name of research. The effort is part of Harvard Medical School's Personal Genome Project (PGP), which aims to create a large public database of human DNA to aid researchers in their quest to find the causes and cures for genetic maladies.
The first 10 volunteers, dubbed the PGP-10, include project director and Harvard Medical School geneticist George Church; Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker; technology writer Esther Dyson; Duke University science editor Misha Angrist; Keith Batchelder, CEO of Genomic Healthcare Strategies in Charlestown, Mass.; Rosalynn Gill, founder of personalized health company Sciona in Aurora, Colo.; John Halamka, technology dean at Harvard Medical School; Stanley Lapidus, chairman and CEO of Helicos BioSciences Corp...
Space
Space Expectations [Slide Show]
Wernher von Braun sketches the future of spaceflight
Health
Having brain surgery? Bring a banjo to the operating room
Lots of surgeons listen to music in the operating room. And it may even help some patients. At least that’s what New York Times reporter Daniel Wakin concluded from what must have been a very rigorous review of the medical literature two years ago...
Tech
New adhesive is stickier than gecko feet and doesn't lose its grip
Researchers say they have developed an adhesive that can stick stronger than the toes of geckos. The little lizard can dash up walls and hang from the ceiling by a single toe, thanks to microscopic hairs on the soles of its feet that latch onto nooks and crannies on surfaces...
Mind
A Switch to Turn Off Autism?
Researchers have found a way to slow overactive brain cells that may be triggering neurological disorders
Sustainability
Major U.S. recycler vows not to ship e-waste abroad
Just days after congressional investigators slammed companies for shipping e-waste overseas (and the feds for failing to crack down on them), a major U.S.
Sustainability
Why do leaves fall from trees in fall--and can they keep hanging on?
Researchers say that they have pinpointed chemical signals that cause leaves, flowers, and fruit to fall from plants – and that, if blocked, might allow them to hang on forever.
Stock Options: Fishing for the Catch of the Day--And the Future
Running fisheries like a stock market may help halt species collapse from overfishing
The Sciences
Seedy but Speedy: Fungus Spews Spores at 55 Mph
Finding could lead to new fungi-killer chemicals
Evolution
Was the Dinosaurs' Long Reign on Earth a Fluke?
Dinosaurs stomped all over the planet for millions of years. Now some researchers think it was more a matter of luck than vigor
Sustainability
Explosive news: Mount Vesuvius may be less dangerous than predicted
New research indicates that Mount Vesuvius' magma chamber is slowly traveling upwards, suggesting that the volcano may not be as hazardous as previously believed.
Health
Study: Once-a-week diabetes drug works better than twice-daily injection
A new once-a-week diabetes treatment may soon provide relief for millions of people with Type 2 diabetes (the variety of the disease associated with obesity that can be prevented with proper diet and exercise)...
Sustainability
Gustav and Hanna bring friends: More major hurricanes predicted for September
New Orleans may have dodged the full force of Hurricane Gustav, but scientists say the worst may be yet to come. Forecasters this week warned that September will bring more furious tempests that promise to continue last month's turmoil...
Tech
Google debuts a hot new browser
In a bid to expand its Internet dominance, Google today released a trial version of its new web browser, dubbed Chrome, for Windows. (A Mac user? You're out of luck for now, but Google says it's working on a version for you.)
The Google team says it accidentally alerted the public to the project yesterday by unwittingly at first – and then deliberately -- releasing a 38-page comic book detailing the software's capabilities...
A Novel Chemical Target
A drug for schizophrenia tweaks the brain's levels of glutamate
