Technology News for January 9, 2008

When shorter waiting period increases stress
People generally find shorter waits better than longer ones. But, according to a new study, there are still times when a shorter waiting period leads to increased stress. ANI

Scientists detect lowest ever frequency radar echo from the moon
Scientists have detected the lowest ever frequency radar echo from the moon ever seen with earth-based receivers. ANI

Heres why the deep-blue Hope Diamond glows red like a fiery coal
An expert at the United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has unearthed the reason why the deep blue Hope Diamond exhibits a red glow for several seconds, and looks like a fiery coal, upon being bathed in ultraviolet light. ANI

Hot spot of mysterious ocean hum pinpointed in North Atlantic
Researchers have discovered an area in the North Atlantic Ocean where colliding waves can produce seismic vibrations, creating a hum that can be detected for thousands of kilometers. ANI

Growing human population endangering Caribbean coral reefs
A new study has suggested that coral reefs in the Caribbean have suffered significant changes due to the proximal effects of growing human population in the region. ANI

Carbon nanosheets may help create super-fast chips
Scientists at the University of Manchester say that atom-thick sheets of a carbon compound called graphene let electrons travel so freely that they may pave the way for a new generation of super-fast microelectronics. ANI

Combo of two nanotech approaches may provide more efficient solar cells
Combination of two nanotechnology procedures - one involving thin films of metal oxide nanoparticles doped with other elements, and the other employing quantum dots or nanosize crystals that strongly absorb visible light - may significantly enhance solar cells efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity, suggests an international team of researchers. ANI

Experimental drug shows promise for fighting obesity
The first clinical studies of an experimental drug, designed to fight obesity, have revealed that obese people who take it for 12 weeks even at very low doses, manage to lose weight. ANI

Astronomers discover ancestors of Milky Way-type galaxies
Astronomers have discovered galaxies in the distant universe that are ancestors of spiral galaxies like our own Milky Way. ANI

Mirror writings key to secret images hidden in Da Vincis artworks
The unique mirror writings of Leonardo Da Vinci could hold a key to the secret images concealed in the artists artworks, a new book has claimed. ANI

NASAs new servicing mission to make Hubble 90 times more powerful
NASA is all set to carry out a servicing mission for the Hubble Telescope in August 2008, which will make it 90 times more powerful than before. ANI

Oldest-ever short gamma ray burst dating back to 7.4 billion years detected
Astronomers have detected the traces of a cosmic explosion known as a short gamma-ray burst (GRB) from further back in time than ever before, specifically 7.4 billion years ago. ANI

Whetting appetite may lead to impulse shopping
The aroma of a mouth-watering dessert can make you splurge money on unnecessary purchases. ANI

Mysterious blue blobs in space are actually blue clusters of young stars
: New observations from the Hubble Telescope has revealed that the mysterious blue blobs in a structure called Arps Loop between the M81 and M82 galaxies, are actually blue clusters of young stars. ANI