Technology News for December 27, 2007

Umami may hold the key to breeding the perfect potato
Umami, a 100-year-old Japanese concept of flavour, might be the secret to help produce tastier potatoes, a new study has revealed. ANI

Mans best friend to turn saviour of endangered giant pandas in China
While a dog is said to be mans best friend, it may soon turn a saviour of endangered giant pandas also, says an expert. ANI

Indians 6th largest downloaders of endangered species ringtones
India ranks sixth on a list of 150 countries where people love to download cell phone ringtones of endangered species from the website of the Center for Biological Diversity. ANI

Now, an improved indoor compostor that converts food scraps into fertilizer
Scientists have created a new indoor compostor, which would convert food wastes into fertilizer for plants. ANI

Conservation of peatlands could reduce 10 percent of global greenhouse emissions
A new report has suggested that protecting peatland areas can be a cost-effective way to reduce as much as 10 percent of global greenhouse emissions. ANI

Discovery of archaeological site in Puerto Rico might shed light on early Caribbeans
Archeologists have discovered a major archaeological site in Puerto Rico dating back to 600 AD, that might help to reconstruct the life of the early Caribbean inhabitants. ANI

Sperm tail propellant process may power future nanorobots
Cornell University scientists have reached one step closer to copying the biological engine that powers a sperms tail, in order to use it in nano-sized devices. ANI

How sliced bread was born
It took a mastermind and whole lot of hard work to come up with the worlds first bread slicer, making it one of the greatest inventions in the culinary world. ANI

National Geographics top 10 dinosaur and fossil find stories of 2007
A news story about the excavation a mummified dinosaur in North Dakota remained the biggest hit among National Geographic News readers this year, reports the channels official website. ANI

City of Khorfakkan in Sharjah might have been important economic center, suggest excavations
Archeologists have discovered artifacts dating from the 13th to the 15th century during excavations in Sharjah, UAE, which suggest that the city of Khorfakkan had been an important economic centre at that time. ANI

Fast melting Arctic caused thousands of Walrus deaths through stampede
Thousands of young Pacific walruses were trampled to death by stampedes in the Arctic this past summer, due to the fast-melting sea ice. ANI

The top 10 Planet Earth 2007 science revelations
The fourth report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which labelled human activities the prime cause of global warming, has been named the topmost revelation of the year. ANI

Mechanism behind sex determination in fruit flies identified
Researchers at the Texas A and M University have identified the mechanism behind sex determination in fruit flies. ANI

Now, a device that converts toxic waste into electricity
Environmental engineers at Pennsylvania State University, US, are developing a device that would be able to clean toxic waste from mines and convert it into electricity. ANI

Clicking on holiday e-mails can give your computer to criminals: Expert
The next time you receive Web links in holiday-related e-mails, think twice before clicking on it, for researchers have warned that it is a risk that could put your identity or your computer in the hands of criminals. ANI

Astronomers detect visible light in exoplanets atmosphere for first time
Astronomers have for the first time detected and monitored the visible light that is scattered in the atmosphere of an exoplanet. ANI

Kids extreme tantrums may signal psychological illness
Kids who throw extended, hostile or frequent tantrums might be doing more than showing their childish attitude, for a new study has found that such kids might be exhibiting early signs of psychiatric disorder. ANI

Astronomers spot reverse whirlpool jet flow that aids in star growth
Astronomers have discovered fountain-like gas jets spiraling outwards from a young star in a reverse whirlpool order, which is believed to aid in the growth of stars. ANI