Technology News for August 20, 2008

Americans concerned about local environmental issues, not global
Results from a recent survey have indicated that the US public, while aware of the deteriorating global environment, is concerned predominantly with local and national environmental issues. ANI

Hot rocks technology may provide a solution to climate change
Scientists have suggested that hot rocks technology, also known as geothermal, may provide a possible solution to climate change. ANI

Algae may become the biofuel of the future
A team of researchers from the University of Virginia in the US is trying to determine exactly how promising algae biofuel production can be by tweaking the inputs of carbon dioxide and organic matter to increase algae oil yields. ANI

Stone Age weapons factory found in Tanzania
Stone tools and artefacts found in a region in Tanzania, show that the Hehe - one of the ethnic groups in the region - used the site as a sort of Stone Age weapons factory. ANI

2,600-year-old clay seal uncovered intact in Jerusalem dig
A 2,600 year old clay seal impression, or bulla, bearing the name Gedaliah ben Pashur has recently been uncovered completely intact during archaeological excavations in Jerusalems ancient City of David, located just below the walls of the Old City near the Dung Gate. ANI

Wild dolphins can amazingly also tail-walk on water!
Scientists have been stunned to see a group of wild dolphins tail-walking on water in the south Australian coast, which has been seen only in trained dolphins till now. ANI

Wind-catching screens could slow dramatic glacier melt in Europe
A German geography professor has developed a controversial system of mountain wind-catching screens, which he claims, could slow or even halt the dramatic rate at which Europes glaciers are melting. ANI

Personalised maps to help tourists find their way more easily
A scientist has built a software that generates personalised maps showing only relevant information, and carefully chosen views of selected landmarks, which could help tourists find their way more easily. ANI

Researchers control behavior of quantum dots with lasers
Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Joint Quantum Institute (JQI), have reported a new way to fine-tune the light coming from quantum dots by manipulating them with pairs of lasers. ANI

Researchers isolate microorganisms that convert hydrocarbons to natural gas
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma in the US have been able to isolate a community of microorganisms that are capable of converting hydrocarbons into natural gas. ANI

Scientist produces most accurate and detailed topography maps of the solar system
A scientist has produced the most accurate and detailed topography maps of the solar system as yet. ANI

Robo-docs may be round the corner
Scientists in New Zealand are working on robots that can perform a host of doctors duties like measuring blood pressure, helping patients who fall over, carrying out ward rounds, and keeping older folk company. ANI

False memories can have long-term effects on behaviour
A new study has shown that people can easily create false memories of their past and such memories can have long-term effects on their behaviour. ANI

Indian origin scientist creates temp regulating film for micro-spacecraft
A scientist of Indian origin and his team have constructed a thermo-regulating technology, which could be applied on the surface of a micro-spacecraft like a skin, to control the temperature of the spaceship. ANI

Dopamine helps us stay awake even when we feel sleepy
Just one sleepless night can raise the amount of the chemical dopamine in the human brain, says a new imaging research, which explains why people stay awake despite the urge to sleep. ANI

Scientist-magician team probing brain mechanisms underlying attention, awareness
U.S. scientists have joined forces with world-famous magicians to discover the brain mechanisms that underlie attention and awareness. ANI

1,800 yr old Roman villa discovered in Britain as big as an Olympic swimming pool
A Roman Villa, dating back to 1,800 years, which as big as an Olympic swimming pool, has been discovered in Britain. ANI

Bigfoot discovery in US revealed to be a hoax!
The discovery of the body of the mythical Bigfoot in the US has been declared to be a fake by an independent investigator, who has determined that it is nothing but a Halloween costume. ANI

A mans aggression is written on his face
A mans aggression levels are written on his face, suggests a new study, which has found a link between bad temper and the shape of a males face. ANI

Polygamy is the secret of longevity!
Forget long walks and calorie-controlled diets, the sure shot way to live a longer life is: get a second wife. ANI

Shipwrecks on coral reefs may increase invasion of unwanted species
A US Geological Survey study has suggested that shipwrecks on coral reefs may increase invasion of unwanted species. ANI

Pollution in Greenland was higher 100 years ago than today
A new research has found that pollution in southern Greenland was higher 100 years ago than today. ANI

Greed, not laziness, to be blamed for obesity epidemic
Greed, not laziness, is to be blamed for the soaring obesity rates throughout the world, says a new research. ANI

Men find short, leggy women with big busts most attractive
Short women with long legs and large busts are the most sexually attractive to men, claim researchers at Brunel University. ANI