Blog Feed: Science Debate

According to a news report from BBC, India has become the top spam-spewing nation on the planet. This was measured by determining the amount of emails routed through computers in different countries. ScienceDebate Paid Ad Links:

SpaceX Dragon capsule, the private spaceship, launch delayed

Published on 2012-04-23 20:08:49

Dragon capsule the spaceship of SpaceX will not be launched as scheduled on April 30, 2012.

DriveLAB - An intelligent car to keep old people driving

Published on 2012-04-23 18:28:49

Imagine driving a car with eye trackers and biomonitors!

Proton movement in phosphoric acid gives clue to better fuel cell electrolyte

Published on 2012-04-22 20:32:10

A new study results on the movement of protons in phosphoric acid may improve the design of fuel cells.

What is Trisomy 18

Published on 2012-04-10 23:12:35

Trisomy 18 is a genetic disorder caused by a chromosomel defect. This is not due to inherent defect in any chromosome, rather the affected individuals have an additional copy of chromosome 18. Trisomy 18 is also called Edwards syndrome, named after John H. Edwards, who first described the syndrome in 1960. ScienceDebate Paid Ad Links:

Left ventriculogram, an invasive heart test, overused?

Published on 2012-04-07 16:11:29

According to a new study an invasive heart test called left ventriculogram used to measure ejection fraction and which is used routinely to measure heart function is being overused, especially among patients who recently underwent similar, more effective tests. The overuse of left ventriculogram is described by the author as "shockingly high." ScienceDebate Paid Ad Links:

Autism in Children an Epidemic? 78% increase in prevalence of autism in children in 6 years

Published on 2012-03-29 18:46:56

More than 1 percent, or 1 in every 88 children, is diagnosed with autism today, including 1 in 54 boys, according a new report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This is a 78% percent increase of autism in children

Face transplant at University of Maryland - The transplant included jaws, teeth and tongue

Published on 2012-03-28 20:05:18

In a remarkable 36-hour operation transplant surgeons at the University of Maryland performed the most extensive full face transplant.

PCSK9 monoclonal antibody REGN727- a new drug to lower LDL Cholesetrol?

Published on 2012-03-22 20:46:18

According to a new study, a monoclonal antibody to the protein PCSK9 can significantly reduce bad cholesterol.

NIH Budget 2013 - Sign the Petition to Increase the NIH Budget

Published on 2012-03-17 01:40:08

A petition to increase NIH budget to $33 billion dollars in 2012-2013 fiscal year is under way.

Vitamin D May Help Clear Amyloid Plaques Found in Alzheimer's - Mechanism Revealed

Published on 2012-03-06 18:50:42

Researchers have identified the intracellular mechanisms regulated by vitamin D3 that may help the body clear the brain of amyloid beta. Amyloid beta is the main component of plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid beta, also called Abeta, is a peptide of 36–43 amino acids long that is cleaved from the parent peptide, Amyloid precursor protein. read more

Building Blocks of Early Earth Survived Collision that Created Moon

Published on 2012-02-18 22:24:27

Unexpected new findings by a University of Maryland team of geochemists show that some portions of the Earth's mantle (the rocky layer between Earth's metallic core and crust) formed when the planet was much smaller than it is now, and that some of this early-formed mantle survived Earth's turbulent formation, including a collision with another planet-sized body that many scientists read more

Researchers Develop a Potential Low Cost Alternative to Platinum for Splitting Water

Published on 2012-02-09 22:51:03

A new technique holds promise for the creation of catalytic materials that can serve as effective low-cost alternatives to platinum for generating hydrogen gas from water that is acidic. The technique for creating a new molecule that structurally and chemically replicates the active part of the widely used industrial catalyst molybdenite has been developed by researchers with the U.S. read more

Children with autism have a different type of gut bacteria

Published on 2012-01-16 20:23:57

Gastrointestinal problems are common in children with autism and may be associated with compositional changes in intestinal bacteria. The underlying reason autism is often associated with gastrointestinal disturbances has been unknown. read more

3-D world in our brains - neuron-by-neuron maps of the regions of the mouse brain

Published on 2012-01-08 14:46:00

For the first time, the scientists have produced neuron-by-neuron maps of the regions of the mouse brain that process different kinds of visual information, laying the groundwork for decoding the circuitry of the brain using cutting-edge, genetic research techniques only possible in mice. read more

Ritalin Targets Prefrontal Cortex in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Patients

Published on 2012-01-05 19:10:07

The psychostimulant methylphenidate, known by the brand name Ritalin, is used as part of a treatment program to the control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Symptoms of ADHD starts before the age of seven years and affects about 3 to 5 percent of children world-wide. Millions of individuals diagnosed with ADHD are treated by Ritalin. read more

Ability to recognize another individuals' knowledge and beliefs not unique to humankind

Published on 2011-12-29 19:36:14

Many animals produce alarm calls to predators, and do this more often when kin or mates are present than other audience members. So far, however, there has been no evidence that they take the other group members' knowledge state into account. read more

Frogs Use Calls to Find Mates with Matching Chromosomes

Published on 2011-12-27 19:54:36

When it comes to love songs, female tree frogs are pretty picky. According to a new study from the University of Missouri, certain female tree frogs may be remarkably attuned to the songs of mates who share the same number of chromosomes as they do. The researchers found female frogs can hear chromosome difference in the calls of potential mates. read more

Why dinosaurs were larger than today's terrestrial mammals

Published on 2011-12-24 05:36:00

Why were some dinosaurs able to get so much larger than today's terrestrial mammals? It was hypothesized that large dinosaurs might have faced a lower risk of extinction under ecological changes than similar-sized mammals, because large dinosaurs had a higher potential reproductive output than similar-sized mammals (JC hypothesis). read more

Notre Dame researchers develop paint-on solar cells

Published on 2011-12-21 19:26:14

Imagine if the next coat of paint you put on the outside of your home generates electricity from light—electricity that can be used to power the appliances and equipment on the inside. A team of researchers at the University of Notre Dame have created an inexpensive "solar paint" that uses semiconducting nanoparticles to produce energy. read more

Multisensory integration: when correlation implies causation

Published on 2011-12-15 23:04:15

In order to get a better picture of our surroundings, the brain has to integrate information from different senses, but how does it know which signals to combine? New research has demonstrated that humans exploit the correlation between the temporal structures of signals to decide which of them to combine and which to keep segregated. read more

Human artificial chromosome-based vectors in gene therapy

Published on 2011-12-14 06:26:42

In a new research report scientists now describe a combination of direct gene-cloning technology with the human artificial chromosome- based vector for gene delivery. Gene delivery, one of the steps necessary for gene therapy, is the process of introducing foreign genes into host cells. read more

Sun and planets constructed differently, analysis from NASA mission suggests

Published on 2011-07-03 17:45:20

The sun and the solar system's rocky inner planets, including the Earth, may have formed differently than previously thought, according to UCLA scientists and colleagues analyzing samples returned by NASA's Genesis mission. read mor

Journal Impact Factors 2011 Release

Published on 2011-07-02 11:56:04

The 2010 impact factor for scientific journals is now released by Thomson Reuters, the guru of scientific publication metrics. All science journal editors have been waiting for the new impact factor and if you are a publishing scientist you might sta

Journal Impact Factors, the Yardstick for Publishers and Scientists - ‘Black Hat’ and ‘White Hat’ Methods

Published on 2011-06-30 22:16:59

Why do wet fingers wrinkle? Pruney fingers give better grip with rain treads!

Published on 2011-06-28 19:38:20

Did you ever wonder why fingers get wrinkled when they are dipped in water for a while? A new study tells us that wrinkled fingers could be an adaptation to strengthen grip in wet conditions. read more

Generic TLDs are coming- Look for .coke, .pepsi, .airline name spaces in domain name extensions

Published on 2011-06-26 07:46:57

If you see sucks.coke or sucks.pepsi, you can be sure that these websites are not anti-coke or anti-pepsi. Brand name domain extensions will be open for registration next year. Get ready to register your family name .smith or .zuckerberg! But i

Human Histamine H1 receptor protein crystal structure solved- breakthrough in allergy drug discovery?

Published on 2011-06-25 20:34:44

A paper in Nature reports that the three dimensional crystal structure of the human Histamine H1 receptor protein has been solved. Those who have allergies are familiar with the molecule histamine and know the importance of anti-histamines. read

350 million adults have diabetes: Study reveals global diabetes epidemic

Published on 2011-06-25 15:29:02

A new study published in Lancet shows that the number adults with diabetes in 2008 was more than double the number in 1980. According to the study the number of adults with diabetes reached 347 million in 2008, globally. read more

Sleep Switch: Induce Sleep By Remote Control And Consolidate Memory

Published on 2011-06-23 19:30:25

When did you sleep last night? How long did you sleep? Is it hard to wake up on Monday mornings? Instead of turning on an alarm clock, you may be able to turn on some cells, a sleep switch, in the brain to wake you up from that deep early mornin

Are energy drinks associated with binge drinking, alcohol-related social problems and misuse of prescription drugs among musicians?

Published on 2011-06-20 21:18:30

According to University of Buffalo researchers, frequent use of energy drinks is associated with binge drinking, alcohol-related social problems and misuse of prescription drugs among musicians. read more

Down Syndrome: A Gift Of God?

Published on 2011-06-17 18:13:19

"Every child is created special, with awesome purpose and amazing potential." Sarah Palin's ‘letter from God’ refers to Trig Palin's Down syndrome. Down syndrome is the most common single cause of human birth defec

Protecting medical implants from attack- A new system to jam unauthorized wireless signals

Published on 2011-06-14 16:55:10

A remotely controlled wireless medical implant can pose a danger if someone manipulates the wireless commununication between the implanted device and the remoter controller. read more

Inflammation promoting protein also helps blood clot formation- New clue to heart attack prevention?

Published on 2011-06-13 21:15:52

A new finding by the scientists at Scripps Research Institute may lead to better drugs for preventing heart attacks and other clot-related conditions such as stroke. The study identified a new protein in blood clots and established a new model o

Stress produces stem cells in the brain and absence of stress produces neurons-Experience Dictates Stem Cell Fate

Published on 2011-06-13 15:27:34

According to a new study peace of mind is key to the generation of new neurons and stress leads to the generation of more neuronal progenitor cells, the neural stem cells. read more

Artificial Leaf - a device that combines solar cell with catalyst to split water molecules and generate energy

Published on 2011-06-09 21:45:33

Artificial leaf, a an inexpensive and simple device to harness solar energy by splitting water molecules, has been accomplished by two separate teams of researchers at MIT. read more

UC Davis researchers say evolution cannot outpace climate change- a copepod study

Published on 2011-06-08 21:52:44

Can a copepod answer whether evolution can outpace climate change? Animals and plants may not be able to evolve their way out of the threat posed by climate change, according to a UC Davis study of a tiny seashore animal- a copepod. read more

Fossils from the Yukon reveal protective plates for microscopic organisms

Published on 2011-06-07 22:45:42

In summer 2007, two geologists armed with rock hammers and a shotgun hiked through the Yukon, looking for fossils. read more

Insulin Action In The Brain Can Lead To Obesity- How Fat-rich Food Makes You Fat

Published on 2011-06-06 19:24:22

Is insulin a culprit in fat-food making you fat? Apparently insulin is a culprit. A new study shows how the hormone insulin acts in the part of the brain known as the ventromedial hypothalamus and control your eating habit. Ventrome

New solar system formation models indicate that Jupiter's foray robbed Mars of mass

Published on 2011-06-05 21:43:16

A paper published in the journal Nature explains why Mars is only about half the size and one-tenth the mass of Earth. The paper provides the first cohesive explanation and, by doing so, reveals an unexpected twist in the early lives of Jupiter

Understanding Cancer Energetics-Johns Hopkins researchers solve mystery of Warburg effect

Published on 2011-06-03 18:28:45

A new paper published in the journal Cell reports how cancer cells control oxygen utilization. Cancer cells have been known to consume a lot of sugar to stay alive. In fact, where normal, noncancerous cells generate energy from using some sugar and a

Higgs Boson, the God Particle- to be, or not to be by 2012

Published on 2011-06-02 22:27:36

Physicists believe that before the end of 2012 they will be able determine whether the hypothetical 'god particle' is indeed real. The god particle, otherwise known as Higgs boson is a hypothetical elementary particle predicted to exist

Largest Biochemical Circuit Built Using Small Synthetic DNA Molecules- A DNA-based Device

Published on 2011-06-02 19:01:02

Caltech researchers say they have built the most complex biochemical circuit ever created from scratch. This biochemical circuit was made with DNA-based devices in a test tube that are analogous to the electronic transistors on a computer chip. read

Women were more social? Female hominins were more likely than males to get out of their groups.

Published on 2011-06-01 21:04:02

A new paper published in Nature suggests that female hominins were more likely than males to get out of their native groups, kind of socialization! This inference was based upon the finding that female hominins had smaller teeth and these small

Vanderbilt Engineers Develop A Simple Technique For Stamping Out Nanodevices

Published on 2011-05-31 20:31:51

Vanderbilt University scientists report the development of a simple technique for stamping out nanodevices. The technique was developed for stamping patterns invisible to the human eye on to special class of nanomaterials. The article was pub

Woolly mammoths mated with Columbian mammoths, a completely different and much larger species

Published on 2011-05-30 20:17:10

A new study suggests that woolly mammoth mated with a completely different and much larger species. This interesting DNA-based finding sheds new light on the complex evolutionary history of the woolly mammoth. read more

Selective Abortion of Female Fetuses in India- Some Questions on the Lancet Article

Published on 2011-05-30 17:04:11

A recent article in the reputed journal Lancet concluded that "selective abortion" of female fetuses, usually after a firstborn girl, has increased in India over the past few decades, and has contributed to a widening imbalance in the

Flu Infection Can Cause Asthma, Boston Researchers Answer 'Why?'

Published on 2011-05-29 12:37:09

The researchers found a previously unknown biological pathway explaining why influenza induces asthma attacks. When children with asthma get the flu, they often land in the hospital with breathing difficulties. This new finding reveals another potent

Adults Are Much Less Likely Than Children to Think Someone Should Be Punished

Published on 2011-05-28 07:06:52

Can your age influence your decisions? A new study says that people's moral responses to similar situations change as they age. The researchers used a combination of brain scanning, eye-tracking and behavioral measures to understand ho

Observing Birds for the Future of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Published on 2011-05-27 19:26:42

Birds routinely land on small surfaces, using wing morphing and flapping techniques. Researchers at UC San Diego are mimicking bird wing movement to find out how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be perched on odd surfaces, such as on a telephone p

Folic Acid Eating Mother Protects Children From Colon Cancer

Published on 2011-05-26 20:31:18

Colon cancer usually catches up with age; you are at a higher risk if older than 60. A new study conducted shows that mothers who eat folic acid during pregancy and breast feeding can protect offsprings from colon cancer. read more

A New Biomaterial That More Closely Mimics Human Tissue

Published on 2011-05-26 11:08:30

A new biomaterial that more closely mimics the properties of native human tissue has been designed for repairing damaged human tissue. It doesn’t wrinkle up when stretched. This invention from nanoengineers at the University of California, Sa

Researchers Recreate Brain Cell Networks With Unprecedented View of Activity Behind Memory Formation

Published on 2011-05-25 22:43:26

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have reproduced the brain’s complex electrical impulses onto models made of living brain cells that provide an unprecedented view of the neuron activity behind memory formation. read more

A Very Massive, Isolated Star In A Nearby Galaxy Discovered

Published on 2011-05-25 06:47:19

A new paper published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics reports the discovery of a very massive, isolated star in a galaxy near our Milky Way. read more

NASA Concludes Attempts To Contact Mars Rover Spirit- An End Of A Story

Published on 2011-05-24 19:37:31

According to NASA, it is ending attempts to regain contact with the long-lived Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, which last communicated on March 22, 2010. read more

MIT Researchers Succeed In Spinning New Materials In A Diode Thread

Published on 2011-05-23 19:29:51

Researchers at MIT have succeeded in making a fine thread that functions as a diode, a device at the heart of modern electronics. This new technique could enable creation of a variety of fiber-based electronic and photonic devices. read more

Human Astrocytes Cultivated From Stem Cells In Lab Dish by U of Wisconsin Researchers

Published on 2011-05-22 20:15:23

A group of researchers led by University of Wisconsin-Madison stem cell researcher Su-Chun Zhang reports it has been able to direct embryonic and induced human stem cells to become astrocytes in the lab dish. Astrocyte is the most common cell in the

Paraplegic Man Can Stand and Move Legs Voluntarily- Caltech Research, a Ray of Hope

Published on 2011-05-19 21:54:28

Sustained electrical stimulation of the spinal cord neurons and locomotor training sessions for over 26 months enabled a paraplegic man to achieve full weight-bearing standing with assistance and achieve control of some leg movements. This

The Science of Gut Feeling: Gut Bacteria Influence Brain Chemistry and Behavior

Published on 2011-05-18 20:24:40

Gut feeling has been used to describe visceral emotional reaction to something, not something thoughtful. Now researchers at McMaster University have scientific evidence to demonstrate that bacteria residing in the gut influence brain chemistry

Eating Increases with Video Game Playing in Teens- A Cause for Teen Obesity?

Published on 2011-05-17 20:27:07

A new study shows that playing video game increases food intake in teens and suggests that this could be one reason for increasing obesity incidence seen in the teens. read more

Plastic Products Used by Children Leach Toxic Substances

Published on 2011-05-16 21:16:43

Five out of 13 plastic products intended for children leach toxic substances, and a third of all products tested also released toxic substances. A study conducted by scientists at the University of Gothenburg reveals this disturbing news. read

Solar Panels With 95 Percent Efficiency Made by U of Missouri Researcher

Published on 2011-05-16 21:08:06

Currently available solar panels only collect about 20 percent of available light. Energy conversion efficiency is a major problem facing solar energy applications. Now, a University of Missouri engineer has developed a flexible solar sheet tha

Music, Age and Hearing-Music training reduce impact of age-related hearing loss

Published on 2011-05-15 18:08:10

A number of studies suggest that musical training gives students learning advantages in the classroom. A recent study by a group of researchers at the Northwestern University finds that musical training can reduce the impact of age-related hearing lo

The Diabetes Paradox: The Disease Of Civilization, The Misfortune Due To Comfort

Published on 2011-05-13 19:02:14

One hundred years of research and the ultimate synthesis of recombinant insulin have not done any good to the incidence of diabetes. Paradoxically, the occurrence of diabetes in different parts of the world is growing with ferocity. read more

Landing Jet Struck by Lightning at Heathrow- Awesome Picture

Published on 2011-05-12 13:10:59

An awesome example of nature’s power on a stormy night in London. As the Airbus A380 flight came into Heathrow, a jagged bolt of lightning smashed into the roof, right above the pilots’ heads. read more

US$800 Billion in Economic Benefits from Human Genome Project Questioned

Published on 2011-05-12 07:07:54

According to an article in Nature the high-profile claim that the Human Genome Project and associated research generated almost US$800 billion in economic benefits has been questioned by economists. read more

Football Helmet Ratings for Reducing Concussion Risk- New Virginia Tech Study

Published on 2011-05-11 21:39:24

For the first time researchers have provided the public with comparative test results on football helmets. Today Virginia Tech released the results of a new rating system of adult football helmets that is designed to reduce the risk of concussions. r

Pep Rally for Young Scientists? Intel ISEF International Science Fair Begins

Published on 2011-05-08 10:14:08

We don’t conduct pep rallies for students going to science or math team competitions. May be it is time to consider one! 1500 cream of the crop of high school students from around the world will compete at the Intel ISEF i

Why Bats Do Not Like To Fly In Rain? An Energy Conundrum

Published on 2011-05-03 23:05:47

A new study finds answer to the question, why bats do not like to fly in rain? The study published in Biology letters and featured in Science magazine found that wet bats need twice as much energy to fly as compared to bats that are dry. read m

Diet soda and risk of stroke- new study results

Published on 2011-04-26 23:33:21

According to a new study, those who drank diet solda every day had a 61% risk of stroke over those who drank other types of soda. read more

The Ear To The Aliens Plugged. Alien Life Search Funding Cut.

Published on 2011-04-25 20:21:40

The Allen Telescope Array (ATA) observatory in California has gone to hibernation due to shortage of funds. ATA is a joint project of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) program and the Radio Astronomy Laboratory at the Universi

Mitoscriptome In Biomedicine- Mitochondrial Genomics In Health and Disease

Published on 2011-04-22 21:10:28

Mitochondria are the fuel power plants of animal cells. The number of mitochondria in a cell varies from tissue to tissue. Some cells have only few mitochondria while the cells that need lots of energy to function may have thousands of mit

Americans Weighing Higher And Higher-Obesity, The Menace

Published on 2011-04-19 22:28:54

Over the past several decades, the adult population in the United States has undergone a dramatic shift toward heavier body weight, says one of the congressional budget office (CBO) reports. read more

Siblings play key role in child development-University of Queensland

Published on 2011-04-19 18:54:20

Children with autism have difficulties in social interaction. The good news is that siblings may be able to help autistic children. University of Queensland researchers are exploring the influence siblings may have on the social behaviour of au

Drug-Resistant Bacteria In Meat And Poultry From Grocery Stores in US- TGen Study

Published on 2011-04-15 19:23:27

It is scary to find drug-resistant bacteria in the grocery store meat. But, that is exactly what was found in a recent study drug-resitant bacteria in meat and poultry. read more

Are Creative People Eccentric? Not All Eccentric Must Be Creative, Or Atleast Don't Act Eccentric To Look Creative!- Reddit Hot

Published on 2011-04-14 20:14:20

According to a new article in Scientific American, highly creative people often seem weirder than the rest of us. The article was titled "The Unleashed Mind: Why Creative People Are Eccentric." The article got posted on reddit and attr

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