Technology News for February 21, 2008

$500,000 prize to make security checks quicker, simpler
An airport security firm has announced a prize of 500,000 dollars for developing a technique that will make airport security checks quicker and simpler. ANI

New compounds with potential anti-depressant activity discovered
A researcher of the University of Navarra has discovered new compounds with the potential for anti-depressant activity. ANI

Television shows may promote racial discrimination
Viewers can be influenced by exposure to racial bias in the media, even without realizing it, says a new study. ANI

ESAs telescope discovers high-energy X-rays coming from massive star
Integral, ESAs (European Space Agency) powerful gamma-ray space telescope has made the first unmistakable discovery of high-energy X-rays coming from a rare massive star at Eta Carinae, which is at our cosmic doorstep. ANI

Software crackers gain motivation from tough challenges
Software crackers-people who specialise in the illegal activity of modifying copyright software to remove protection-are motivated by the challenge of cracking software, according to a new study. ANI

Scientists identify mechanism that triggers blood vessels growth
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ave discovered a new mechanism that triggers the growth of blood essels - after the circulation of oxygen and nutrients to body arts is turned off in mice. ANI

Gene linked to Lou Gehrigs disease may also cause common dementia
Researchers at Washington University chool of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a gene linked to nherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrigs isease, may also play a role in dementia. ANI

Receptor that causes dry form of AMD identified
Researchers at Sainte-Justine Hospital nd the Universite de Montreal have identified the deficient eceptor that causes the dry form of age-related macular egeneration, or AMD, a blinding eye disease that affects illions of people. ANI

Clean water can be obtained through nanotechnology
Scientists have said that it would be possible to obtain clean water through the process of nanotechnology. ANI

Global warming causes massive ice loss in Greenland
A new NASA study has confirmed that the surface temperature of Greenlands massive ice sheet has been rising, stoked by warming air temperatures, and fueling loss of the islands ice at the surface and throughout the mass beneath. ANI

Worlds first wooden car that is faster than a Prosche
Students at North Carolina State University have unveiled a wooden sports car, which can run faster than a Porsche or a Lamborghini, as part of their graduate project. ANI

Beavers can help mitigate the effects of drought
A new study has suggested that beavers can help mitigate the effects of drought and therefore should not be pushed away from wetlands for industrial and residential development. ANI

Scientists produce largest and most detailed worldwide study of human genetic variation
Scientists have produced the largest and most detailed worldwide study of human genetic variation, which would offer new insights into early migrations out of Africa and across the globe. ANI

Zigzagging, not straight line more efficient while trekking
While traversing steep hillsides, trekking on a straight line might seem like the shortest route, but its the zigzag course that provides the most efficient and fastest way for humans to go up or down hilly terrains, according to a new study. ANI

Short naps boost memory
A 5-minute short nap not only refreshes the brain but also boosts memory, says a new study. ANI

Scientists unravel atomic structure of protein that inhibits HIV
Researchers at University of Minnesota have made a breakthrough by determining the structure of APOBEC3G - a protein that inhibits the AIDS virus, HIV. ANI

Ancient human skull in China may shed light on our evolutionary history
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient human skull in China, dating back to 80,000 to 100,000 years, which may shed light on a shadowy chapter of evolutionary history. ANI

Scientists create rubber that mends itself when broken
Scientists have created a type of rubber that can fuse itself back together after being snapped in two. ANI

Women better than men at remembering things
Women are better than men at memorising things in certain respects, according to a new study. ANI

Cutting down salt intake may lower soft drink consumption in kids
A new study at St. Georges University of London, England has found that by reducing the salt intake of children, it may be possible to lower their consumption of soft drink, thus reducing the risk of obesity, elevated blood pressure, as well as heart attack and stroke later-in-life. ANI

Fat free milk may ease hypertension in women
A new research has found that woman who drink more fat free milk and have higher intakes of calcium and vitamin D from foods, have lower incidence of developing hypertension or high blood pressure. ANI

Scientists replicate water release from interior of Mars
Scientists from the United States and the Netherlands have conducted experiments that replicate formations on Mars, indicating incidents of rapid release of water from the planets interior. ANI

Working alone may be the key to better productivity
Working alone might be the key to better performance at work, says a new study that showed that colleagues could slow down your productivity, even if their work has nothing to do with yours. ANI

The elusive G spot does exist, says Italian researcher
After years of bedroom exploration and debate, a row about the location of the fabled G spot- the route to female sexual satisfaction - might be finally over, for an Italian scientist believes that he has found it. ANI