Paleontology

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Vox Verax (Free subscription) | 4 hours ago

The Climate Race How global warming is already affecting us and the tough choices we have to make We are now decades, perhaps years, away from the greatest economic transformation human beings have ever seen. Society's response to climate change — whether active now or reactive later — will affect every aspect of life on Earth. But whether this is a terrific opportunity or a tragedy in...

Random Linkage 07/11/09

Earth and other unlikely worlds (Free subscription) | yesterday

Data from Kaguya's prime mission to the Moon has been released 'Yesterday, the Japanese space agency announced the public release of the data from the primary mission of the Kaguya (a.k.a. SELENE) lunar orbiter. The release covers the period from December 21, 2007 to October 31, 2008, and includes data from all of the science instruments (which excludes the HD camera, not a science instrument)....

Bogus E-mails 'From' FDIC Link Computer Users To Viruses, Says Computer Forensics Expert

Science Daily (Free subscription) | yesterday

Cyber criminals are using fake messages claiming to be from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to deliver a virus capable of stealing unsuspecting victims' bank passwords and other sensitive personal information, says a computer forensics specialist.

1930s Drug Slows Tumor Growth: Gonorrhea Medication Might Help Fight Cancer

Science Daily (Free subscription) | yesterday

Drugs sometimes have beneficial side effects. A glaucoma treatment causes luscious eyelashes. A blood pressure drug also aids those with a rare genetic disease. The newest surprise discovered by researchers is a gonorrhea medication that might help battle cancer.

• 1930s Drug Slows Tumor Growth - Red Orbit

The Skeleton: Size Matters; New Role For Master Patterning Genes In Defining Number Of Vertebrae In Spine

Science Daily (Free subscription) | yesterday

It has long been known that the identity of each vertebra is due to the activation of a class of genes called "Hox." Now, researchers in Portugal show that besides determining the identity of the vertebrae, Hox genes also have a say in how many are going to be formed at all.

Capturing Those In-between Moments: Timing Problem In Molecular Modeling Solved

Science Daily (Free subscription) | yesterday

A theoretical physicist has developed a method for calculating the motions and forces of thousands of atoms simultaneously over a wider range of time scales than previously possible. The method overcomes a longstanding timing gap in modeling nanometer-scale materials and many other physical, chemical and biological systems at atomic and molecular levels.

Things that don't happen

Angry Astronomer (Free subscription) | 06/11/2009

I hear quite frequently from Creationists that one of the reasons they know evolution can't happen is because no one has ever seen a new "species" in the making from evolution. Of course, this completely belies their ignorance on what a "species" is. They seem to think that to constitute a different species it has to be difference on the order of "cats and dogs" which,...

Scientists Reveal A New Mechanism That Increases Atherosclerosis In Mice

Science Daily (Free subscription) | 06/11/2009

A shot of espresso may rev you up in the morning, but the downside is that it may also ramp up levels of bad cholesterol due to its effects on a unique liver protein called PXR. New research now shows that when chronically activated, the protein rejiggers how cholesterol is broken down in and cleared from the liver, a disturbance that can lead to high levels of the waxy substance or worse, full-blown...

Can Biodiversity Persist In The Face Of Climate Change?

Science Daily (Free subscription) | 06/11/2009

Predictions made over the last decade about the impacts of climate change on biodiversity may be exaggerated, according to a paper published in the journal Science.

Raising 'Good' Cholesterol Levels May Benefit Clogged Arteries

Science Daily (Free subscription) | 06/11/2009

A drug that raises levels of 'good' cholesterol, when taken in addition to standard statin therapy to lower 'bad' cholesterol, can reduce the furring up of arteries in patients with established heart disease, a new study has shown.

• Drug with dual benefits for heart - Hindu

Archaeologists Uncover Prehistoric Landscape Beneath Oxford University, England

Science Daily (Free subscription) | 06/11/2009

Archaeologists excavating the former Radcliffe Infirmary site in Oxford have uncovered evidence of a prehistoric monumental landscape stretching across the gravel terrace between the Thames and Cherwell rivers.

Atlanta Floods Extremely Rare

Science Daily (Free subscription) | 06/11/2009

The epic flooding that hit the Atlanta area in September of 2009 was so extremely rare that, six weeks later this event has defied attempts to describe it. Scientists have reviewed the numbers and they are stunning.

• Atlanta Floods Extremely Rare - Docuticker

United States Using Less Water Than 35 Years Ago

Science Daily (Free subscription) | 06/11/2009

The United States is using less water than during the peak years of 1975 and 1980, according to water use estimates for 2005. Despite a 30 percent population increase during the past 25 years, overall water use has remained fairly stable according to a new report.

Changing Arctic Affecting Air, Ocean, And Everything In Between

Science Daily (Free subscription) | 06/11/2009

Despite the fact that summer 2009 had more sea ice than in 2007 or 2008, scientists are seeing drastic changes in the region from just five years ago and at rates faster than anticipated.

Prostate Biopsy Is Not Always Necessary, New Finding Suggests

Science Daily (Free subscription) | 06/11/2009

Researchers have discovered that some elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in men may be caused by a hormone normally occurring in the body, and are not necessarily a predictor of the need for a prostate biopsy.