Technology News for August 21, 2008

DNA forensics may prevent elephant poaching
A new study has determined that extracting elephant DNA from confiscated ivory could be an important tool to help wildlife investigations stop elephant poaching at its source. ANI

Medium-sized black holes are rare, and might exist only in small and large form
A new study has determined that medium-sized black holes are quite rare, and they might exist only in small and large form. ANI

New method enables conversion of biofuels into hydrogen more efficiently
Scientists have found a way to convert ethanol and other biofuels into hydrogen very efficiently, by using a new catalyst that makes hydrogen from ethanol with 90 percent yield, at a workable temperature, and using inexpensive ingredients. ANI

Trees kill odors and other emissions from poultry farms
Scientists have suggested that planting just three rows of trees around poultry farms can cut nuisance emissions of dust, ammonia, and odors from poultry houses. ANI

DNA tests confirm Bolivian river dolphin to be new species
Scientists have announced that the newly discovered Bolivian river dolphin is a separate species from the Amazon River dolphin, based on DNA tests. ANI

Animal nerve cells evolved from marine sponges
Researchers at the University of Queensland have traced the origins of one of the most important steps in animal evolution - the development of nerves. ANI

Archaeologists may have discovered the capital of Dacia Malvensis in Romania
Archaeologists digging near the town of Cioroiu Nou, in Dolj country in southern Romania, have come across a Roman fort that might have been the capital of the province of Dacia Malvensis. ANI

Fossilized insect auctioned on eBay is new species
A scientist who bought a fossilized insect on the web auction site eBay for 20 pounds has discovered that it belongs to a previously unknown species of aphid. ANI

Cradle of Berlin reveals city to be 45 years older than previously thought
A find, which is being touted as the cradle of Berlin - one of the oldest graveyards of the city that contains 2,300 skeletons, has uncovered evidence that the German capital is 45 years older than previously thought. ANI

How rheumatoid arthritis causes bone loss
Researchers from University of Rochester Medical Centre have identified key details of how rheumatoid arthritis (RA) destroys bone. ANI

Brits use 58 bathtubs full of water every day!
A new report has suggested that the average person in the UK uses the equivalent of about 58 bathtubs full of water every day. ANI

Dogs too can differentiate between whats right and wrong
Dogs are becoming smarter and are even learning morals, through spending time with humans, claim a group of researchers, who found that canines have a sense of right and wrong. ANI

Scientists create material that is quantum halfway house between magnet and semiconductor
An international group of scientists has created a new material that is neither a magnet nor an ordinary semiconductor, by combining the semiconductor silicon and the ferromagnet iron with a small amount of manganese. ANI

Missing snail found in Britain after 110 years
One of Britains most recently discovered species - a type of Italian snail, has been found in the country after a gap of 110 years. ANI

Coming soon, lemon-flavoured melons and strawberry tasting bananas!
Care for a strawberry-flavoured banana? Well, the day is not very far when youll be able to savour one, courtesy the efforts of a research team, including an Indian-origin scientist, at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. ANI

Fast quantum computers come a step closer to reality
A team of researchers in the U.S. has come up with the fastest quantum computer bit, which exploits the main advantage of the qubit over the conventional bit. ANI

Our tongues can savour six, not five tastes
Besides sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and savory, human tongue might be able to taste calcium too. ANI

Oetzi the Iceman dressed like a herdsman
A new study has shown that a famous Neolithic Iceman, Oetzi, whose mummified remains were discovered in an Alpine glacier in 1991, dressed like a herdsman - in clothes made from sheep and cattle hair. ANI

Elephants are whizkids at basic maths
Elephants can sum small numbers with almost 90 per cent accuracy, says a researcher. ANI

High-precision nano-positioners can revolutionise computer hard drives efficiency
A Purdue University researcher has invented a tiny device called a monolithic comb drive, which may be used as a high-precision nano-positioner for such uses as biological sensors and computer hard drives. ANI