Technology News for July 15, 2008

China would be unable to fully fix its air quality problem in time for Olympics
A research by a University of Rhode Island (URI) atmospheric chemist has revealed that China would be unable to fully fix its air quality problem in time for Olympics. ANI

Icelandic volcanoes help scientists understand potential effects of eruptions
Scientists have mapped an elaborate maze of magma chambers that lie beneath Icelands volcanoes, which could one day help in better understanding of how earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in Iceland and elsewhere in the world. ANI

Feeling hungry can make you happy
Contrary to the complaints of many dieters, a new study has shown that being hungry may make you feel happy. ANI

Now, artificial whiskers that work just like animals hair to probe environment
US scientists at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign say that they have created artificial whiskers that work just like animals hair, which they use to probe their environment. ANI

Artificial DNA may power future computers
In what may be used to revolutionise gene therapy and other futuristic high-tech advances in the near future, Japanese scientists have created the worlds first DNA molecule made almost entirely of artificial parts.Masahiko Inouye of the University of Toyama reckons that this discovery may lead to improvements in gene therapy, futuristic nano-sized computers, and other high-tech advances. ANI

Cost-effective forest management practices can substantially reduce carbon emissions
A team of botanists has determined that cost-effective forest management practices can substantially reduce carbon emissions, thus mitigating the effects of global climate change. ANI

Soon, a robotic cook for your kitchen
Experts at the Technical University of Munich have developed a new robot, called B21, which can keep track of the contents of a kitchen, and can learn simple tasks. ANI

Archaeologists discover 1,600-yr-old horse racecourse in Greece
An archaeological team has discovered the site of the ancient hippodrome race course in Olympia in Greece, where the emperor Nero competed for Olympian laurels 1,600 years ago. ANI

Argentinean scientists make low-fat, low-sodium hamburger
Heres some good news for hamburger lovers who are forced stay away from their favourite food: Researchers in Argentina have come up with a low-fat, low-sodium hamburger. The only drawback however, is that it doesnt taste very good. ANI

Nintendos Wii sets sale record in UK with £738m
Computer game sales records in the UK have just been shattered thanks to the humongous demand for Nintendos Wii console. ANI

2008 may be most disastrous year ever in regards to global natural disasters
Natural disasters on a global scale are becoming more frequent, thanks to an onslaught of weather-related crises in the first half of this year, which might make 2008 the most disastrous year ever in regards to climatic catastrophes. ANI

Underwater telescope will search for neutrinos in deep space
An international team has finished building the ANTARES telescope, which will search for elusive particles called neutrinos from its base 2.5 kilometres under the Mediterranean Sea for a period of five years. ANI

A nervous disposition may be something people are born with
Trying to calm a person with a nervous disposition may be a waste of time, for a new research has found that some people are born with an anxious disposition. ANI

Preference for rare marine species may drive caviar sturgeon to extinction
Biologists in France have warned that irrational preferences for rare products are likely to drive the few remaining caviar sturgeon in the Caspian Sea to extinction. ANI

One of the largest objects in a distant solar body named Makemake
One of the largest objects in the Kuiper Belt, a ring of icy bodies beyond Neptune, has finally gotten a name: Makemake, after a god in the culture of Easter Island. ANI

Mission to Mars could bring back rocks and life between 2018 and 2033
An international team of scientists is planning a 4 billion pounds mission to bring back rocks - and possibly even life - from Mars, which might take place between 2018 and 2033. ANI

A good nights sleep may prevent false memory formation
Heres another reason why a good nights sleep is a must for everyone - it prevents the likelihood of forming false memories. ANI

African dust clouds could be polluting oceans in the Caribbean and US
Scientists have determined that tons of dust from Africas arid Sahara and Sahel regions could be polluting oceans in the Caribbean and southeastern US. ANI

Electronic chemicals will pave way for more energy-efficient lighting
New electronic chemicals developed by chemists could pave the way for the development of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) that promise more efficient energy savings and could render todays incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent bulbs obsolete. ANI

Marine worms jaws could help design cutting-edge new aerospace materials
A new research work by scientists of the jaws of the common marine worm could lead to the design of a new class of super-strong, lightweight materials for use as construction and repair materials for spacecraft, airplanes, and other applications. ANI

Like adults, babies too chunk information to boost memory
Like adults, kids as young as 14 months can recall things more easily by grouping objects together, says a new research conducted by the Johns Hopkins University scientists. ANI

Study provides methods for protecting leatherback turtles
A team of marine biologists have carried out the largest study to date on leatherback turtles, unveiling the turtles behavior, and in doing so, providing methods that could be used to protect them. ANI

Asteroid pair does a celestial jig while cruising past Earth
Astronomers have spotted a pair of asteroids cruising past our planet, which were closest to earth on July 14th, at about 1.4 million miles (2 million kilometers) away. ANI

Undersea volcanic rocks offer vast repository for globe-warming CO2
A group of scientists has used deep ocean-floor drilling and experiments to show that volcanic rocks off the West Coast and elsewhere might be used to securely imprison huge amounts of globe-warming carbon dioxide captured from power plants or other sources. ANI

Contaminated site in the US faces catastrophic nuclear leak
One of the most contaminated site in the US is facing a catastrophic nuclear leak, with more than 210 million litres of radioactive and chemical waste stored in 177 underground tanks at Hanford in Washington State at risk. ANI

Ancient birds used extraordinary extensions of their ribs to form large gliding surfaces
A new study of extinct reptiles has shown that these early flyers used extraordinary extensions of their ribs to form large gliding surfaces on the side of the body. ANI

Closing coal-burning power plant benefits cognitive development in kids
A new research at Columbia Center for Childrens Environmental Health (CCCEH) at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health has cited that by closing coal-fired power plants can positively influence childrens cognitive development and health. ANI

NASAs new sensor technology may improve aircraft efficiency in future
NASA is evaluating an advanced, fiber optic-based sensing technology that could aid development of active control of wing shape, which would allow it to take advantage of aerodynamics and improve overall aircraft efficiency. ANI