By using entire islands as experimental laboratories, biologists have performed one of the largest manipulations of natural selection ever conducted in a wild animal population. Their results show that competition among lizards is more important than predation by birds and snakes when it comes to survival of the fittest lizard.
Continue reading about Researchers use entire islands in the Bahamas to test survival of the fittest
Women age 70 years or older who received a single annual high dose of vitamin D had a higher rate of falls and fractures compared to women who received placebo, according to a study in the May 12 issue of JAMA.
On the laser’s 50th birthday, physicists assert that the discovery’s usefulness has far further to go, despite already underpinning some of the last half century’s most disruptive technologies (not least, the optical fibers which make today’s high speed internet possible). While we can now find lasers in every industry from manufacturing, retail and medicine to [...]
Continue reading about 50-year-old laser is only just getting started, physicists say
Researchers in Thailand have developed a rapid, high-throughput screening method for prevention and control of the blood disease thalassemia.
Continue reading about Rapid prenatal test for alpha-thalassemia
Understanding the key elements of biofuel combustion is an important step toward insightful selection of next-generation alternative fuels.
Continue reading about Biofuel chemistry more complex than petroleum, say researchers
For years, a widely held assumption was that women of childbearing age fell neatly into two camps: those trying to have children, and those not trying to have children. A new nationwide study suggests, however, that nearly a fourth of women consider themselves “OK either way” about getting pregnant — a wide swath of ambivalence [...]
Continue reading about Nationwide study: One in four women show ambivalence toward pregnancy
Physicists have developed a system for measuring the energy involved in adding electrons to semi-conductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots — a technology that may revolutionize computing and other areas of science.
Continue reading about Quantum move toward next generation computing
A new type of procedure for correcting short-sightedness could be safer than laser eye surgery, according to a new review. The study also shows that patients prefer the new procedure, despite there being little difference between the two in terms of improving vision.
Continue reading about Safer alternative to laser eye surgery?
A simple phone call from mom can calm frayed nerves by sparking the release of a powerful stress-quelling hormone, according to researchers.
Continue reading about For comfort, mom’s voice works as well as a hug
Inducing cellular immunity as a means to protect against influenza virus is the focus of researchers who have recently identified two important signaling components required by the immune system that might allow us to pre-position our own virus-fighting T cells to the lungs, the site of initial infection.
Continue reading about Directing immune traffic: Signposts to the lung