Technology News for February 12, 2008

Researchers create self-cleaning wool, silk using nanotechnology
If you hate washing your woollens and silks, hate spending bucks on dry-cleaning, this might just be the news for you- self cleaning forms of wool and silk have been developed by researchers in Australia and China with the help of nanotechnology. ANI

Fatty acids helpful in treating dry eye syndrome
Researchers from Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) Cornea Service Director and Harvard Medical School have found that alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a fatty acid supplied by diet can significantly decrease dry eye syndrome (DES). ANI

Good-looking people seek good-looking partners
People with similar levels of physical attractiveness tend to date each other, and more attractive people appear to be more particular about the physical attractiveness of their suitors, according to a study. ANI

Now, a machine that can taste coffee
The coffee industry might just bid adieu to expert coffee tasters, for researchers have devised a new mechanical method to assess the flavour of the beverage. ANI

Learning disabilities linked to language problems later in life
A new study has found that learning disabilities are associated with language problems later in life. ANI

Insect assaults on plants may increase with warming globe
A research, based on new fossil records, has suggested that plant-eating insects might increase their assaults on the foliage because of warming temperatures round the globe. ANI

Scientists uncover oysters exotic sex lives
Researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, have discovered that oysters have exotic sex lives, with females and males producing thousands of types of eggs and sperm. ANI

Researchers find the root of the evolutionary emergence of vertebrates

Washington, Feb 12: Researchers have traced the root of the evolutionary emergence of vertebrates to micro RNA. ANI

Scientists identify key protein target for pneumonia treatment
A team of researchers at Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh have discovered a protein, known as interleukin 22 (IL-22) that may play a critical role in the development of new therapies to treat pneumonia in children. ANI

Complex fibroadenomas can be treated without surgery
A new study at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Centre in Jerusalem has found that women with complex fibroadenomas could effectively be treated with procedures similar to simple fibroadenomas rather than being treated with a surgical biopsy. ANI

Kicking the butt really does decrease acute coronary events
Quitting smoking can significantly decrease the number of acute coronary events such as heart attack in adults, says a new study. ANI

Exposure to farmed salmon causes decline in wild salmon populations
A new study has revealed that the wild salmon populations worldwide are slowly declining as they come into contact with farmed salmons. ANI

Foot of the continental slope off Alaska is farther out than previously assumed
New Arctic sea floor data has suggested that the foot of the continental slope off Alaska is more than 100 nautical miles farther from the U.S. coast than previously assumed. ANI

Researchers show leaky muscle cells lead to fatigue
Researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center have found a similarity between marathoners and heart failure patients - leaky muscle cells. ANI

Researchers identify potent anti-cancer compound from the sea
Researchers at the Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego have identified a potent new anti-cancer compound isolated from a toxic blue-green algae found in the South Pacific - somocystinamide A (ScA). ANI

Fake anti-malarial drugs investigation highlights threat to global health
An analysis conducted by teams from across the globe has highlighted both the growing threat posed by fake anti-malarial drugs and the complexities of tracking down those responsible for the trade. ANI

Researchers develop greener method of extracting titanium dioxide
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a simpler, cheaper and greener method of extracting a widely used mineral titanium dioxide (TiO2). ANI

Neanderthals might have been more mobile than once believed
The analysis of a 40,000-year-old tooth found in southern Greece by a Max Planck Institute team has suggested that Neanderthals were more mobile than once believed. ANI

Carbon capture strategy could lead to zero emission cars
Georgia Institute of Technology researchers have devised a way to capture, store and eventually recycle carbon from vehicles to prevent the pollutant from escaping into the atmosphere. ANI

Zebrafish study reveals hitherto unknown mechanism for cleft palate
University of Oregon scientists say that a genetic mutation in zebrafish has shed new light on the mechanism that leads to cleft palate - a common birth defect often seen in humans, which is characterised by a split in the top of the inside of the mouth that makes it difficult for one to speak. ANI

Now, copper connections for high-speed computing
Researchers have designed copper connections for high-speed signals between computer chips. ANI

Thin-film micro pharmacy for specific drug administration developed
Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have developed a new thin-film coating that can deliver drug doses in a controlled fashion to specific targets in the body after an implantation. ANI

Physicians uncertain of therapeutic approaches for heart failure patients
Researchers at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine have found that most physicians are uncertain about the approaches to care for heart failure patients. ANI

Antarcticas King Penguins could be driven to extinction by climate change
A long-term research by UN scientists has warned that Antarcticas King Penguins could be driven to extinction by climate change. ANI

Chinese fossil reveals smallest pterodactyl
Scientists have identified a tiny, toothless pterodactyl from a well-preserved Chinese fossil, which had a wingspan of about 250 millimetres, making it the smallest pterodactyl ever found. ANI

Study of Napoleons hair debunks poisoning claims
Italian researchers have debunked claims that Napoleon Bonaparte died of arsenic poisoning by examining the French emperors hair. ANI

Hostility plus depression increases heart disease risk
Researchers at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis have found that a combination of hostility and depression elevates the risk for heart disease. ANI

Gene therapy protocol activates immune system in patients with leukaemia
Researchers at the Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have developed a gene therapy protocol that has the potential to activate immune system in patients with leukaemia. ANI