Technology News for May 24, 2008

Cleaner cages turn rats into cannibals
While cleaning ensures warding off health hazards for humans, frequent cleaning of cages in case of lab rats leads them towards cannibalising their own young ones, according to a new study. ANI

Plastic packages of enzymes upgrade human cells in lab
Swiss researchers have found that the insertion of tiny plastic packages of enzymes in human cells may help upgrade their metabolisms, without having to alter their genes. ANI

Sun-watching satellite observes solar eruption in unprecedented detail
A sun-watching satellite has observed a solar eruption in unprecedented detail, revealing new features that are predicted by computer models but difficult to see in practice. ANI

Gold nanoparticles may improve failed HIV drugs efficacy
Experiments with gold nanoparticles by researchers at North Carolina State University have shown that it may be possible to resurrect a failed HIV drug called TAK779, ruled out as a useful therapy in the early Nineties due to its severe side effects, using them. ANI

Indian-origin researcher suggests how to reduce computer fraud
An Indian-origin computer scientist at Southern Utah University in Cedar City recommends educating business managers about computer fraud so as to reduce its incidences. ANI

Vast cracks appear in Arctic ice cap
Research during an expedition by the Canadian military has found dramatic evidence of the break-up of the Arctic ice cap, in the form of vast cracks. ANI

Dark energy imaged in best detail yet
Scientists have imaged dark energy, one of the most mysterious matters in the universe, in best detail yet. ANI

African dust storms forecast may help predict hurricanes
A scientist has suggested that forecasting African dust storms might help in predicting severity of the hurricane season. ANI

Universe might be finite and relatively small, rather than infinitely large
A popular theory that says the universe is finite and relatively small, rather than infinitely large, has gained new ground after re-evaluation of previous data. ANI

Humans judge a dogs size by its growl
A doctoral student at the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK, has unveiled an acoustic property related to the length of the vocal tract that enables humans to tell the difference between a big and a small dog just by hearing their growls. ANI

Snake proteins could give insight into human metabolic function and physiology
Researchers at the University Of Colorado Denver School Of Medicine have suggested that new understanding about the adaptive evolution in snake proteins may give scientists an insight into human metabolic function and physiology. ANI

Bubbles in bread are what make your sandwich perfect!
Bread, cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, some veggies and ketchup - well, this must be the ideal recipe for a yummy sandwich for you, but according to a leading UK chemical engineer, the secret ingredient that would make a perfect sandwich is - bubbles.hile speaking at an Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) lecture, Professor Grant Campbell said that bubbles in bread are as important for making a good sandwich as its filling, due to the unique composition of wheat. ANI

New theory takes human migration into Island Southeast Asia back by 10,000 years
A new research, led by the University of Leeds, has discovered genetic evidence that overturns existing theories about human migration into Island Southeast Asia, taking the timeline back by nearly 10,000 years. ANI

Ancient Mexican crystal skulls in British, US museums may not be authentic
A British Museum skull that appears in Steven Spielbergs new film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and a larger white quartz skull from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC do not belong to ancient Mexico, according to new research. ANI

New explosive-detection gel may speed up security operations
A security systems company RedXDefense has developed a portable kit that can quickly reveal trace amounts of nitrogen-based explosives. ANI

Video games may improve pupils creativity, corporate decision-making
An Indian-origin media researcher at Penn State has found in a study that video games with the power to energize players and induce a positive mood, may help increase a persons creativity. ANI

Scientists announce top 10 new species described in 2007
Scientists have announced the top ten new species described in 2007, which include an extinct animal as well. ANI

NASA probe to face 7 minutes of terror during Mars touchdown on May 25
NASAs Phoenix Mars Lander, that is all set to land on the surface of the Red Planet on May 25, will face a harrowing seven minutes during touchdown, in which it would have to complete a challenging sequence of events to land safely. ANI