Technology News for January 1, 2008

Green IT, XP reprieve and Linux among top 2008 IT forecasts
Technology freaks may get to read about green IT, an extension for Windows XP, greater Linux adoption, and more open mobile networks during 2008. ANI

One-fifth of Windows applications users dont install security patches
A Copenhagen-based vulnerability tracker has discovered that one in five applications installed on Windows PCs do not have security patches. ANI

Religious activities have bearing on mental health
A persons lifetime pattern of religious activities can affect his or her mental health, says a new study. ANI

Silence may cause normal people to hear phantom noises
A Brazilian study has shed more light on tinnitus, by finding that phantom noises, which are often misinterpreted as tinnitus, can be experienced by people with normal hearing in silent situations. ANI

Global production of solar cells went up by 50 percent in 2007
Scientists have said that the production of solar cells known as photovoltaics (PVs) jumped up to 3,800 megawatts worldwide, a total jump of 50 percent, in 2007. ANI

Simple mouth rinse may help spot head and neck cancer
Your morning gargle could be more than a breath freshener, for researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Centre have said that it can help spot head and neck cancer. ANI

2008 to be the year of potatoes, sanitation and frogs, among others
While most people would be unsure about what 2008 has for them in its kitty, there are certain developments relating to science and environment that they would definitely see this year. ANI

Ships are a major source of global warming pollutants
Scientists have said that ships are adding to global warming in a big way because they are a major source of pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and black carbon. ANI

Robots might be deployed on offshore oil drilling platforms in the future
Research on the effectiveness of robots being deployed on offshore oil drilling platforms has begun in a laboratory in Norway, with actual installation being planned for 2015. ANI

Restless legs syndrome doubles stroke, heart disease risk
People with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart disease compared to people without it, says a new study. ANI