Science and Technology updates, research findings and scientific reports for October 16, 2008

Giant lens could help keep moon dust at bay
NASA scientists have found the key to keep harmful moon dust at bay- a little sunshine. ANI

Female lab mice less prone to anxiety than males
When it comes to anxiety, female lab mice can respond quite differently than males, finds a new study from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, something which could have important implications in the field of scientific research. ANI

New detector may improve detection of dark matter in Universe
A team of researchers in Canada have made a bold stride in the struggle to detect dark matter, by documenting the discovery of a significant difference between the acoustic signals induced by neutrons and alpha particles in a detector based on superheated liquids. ANI

Former prisoners at a greater mortality risk than general population
People who have served a jail term may be at a greater mortality risk than the general population, according to a new study. ANI

Smoking linked to cognitive decline
Studying a population of 1,964 men and women in the Netherlands, a team of researchers has found that people who smoke are more likely to be poorer than those who do not in terms of global cognitive function, speed, and flexibility at middle age. ANI

Rare Roman tombstone goes on show in Lancaster museum
A rare tombstone that shows a Roman soldier with the severed head of a barbarian, has gone on permanent display at a museum in Lancaster, UK. ANI

Muscle-building steroid use linked to increased violence in young adult males
American researchers have found in a study that young male adults who use anabolic-androgenic steroids are more likely to show violent behaviors, such as shooting or stabbing someone. ANI

Climate change can grind down plate tectonics
New evidence has emerged that, given enough time, climate change can even alter the course of plate tectonics, by grinding them down. ANI

New robot overshadows the worlds Strongest one
Michigan-based Fanuc Robotics claims to have developed a robot stronger than the KUKA Titan, which has been regarded as the worlds strongest to date. ANI

Night-shining clouds bounce radar because of metal lining
A scientist has claimed that night-shining clouds bounce radar because they are coated with a thin layer of metals. ANI

Dwarf planets body parts litter outer solar system
It has been found that the body parts of the dwarf planet Haumea keep turning up in new places throughout the Kuiper belt, a ring of icy bodies beyond Neptune. aumea, previously known as 2003 EL61, was discovered in 2005. The oblong object is nearly as long as Pluto and is covered by almost pure water ice. ANI

Detective work solves origin mystery of 3 bln-yr-old molten rock
A new technique using X-rays has enabled scientists to play detective and solve the debate about the origins of a 3 billion-year-old molten rock fragment. ANI

Sensitive laser instrument could aid search for life on Mars
A sensitive laser instrument developed at the U.S. Department of Energys Idaho National Laboratory (INL) could help mission scientists choose Martian surface samples with the most promise for yielding signs of life. ANI

Scientists propose the creation of a new type of seed bank
A group of U.S. scientists have proposed setting up a different kind of seed bank, which would gather wild species at intervals in the future, effectively capturing evolution in action. ANI

Hybrid doves commit adultery to find a mate
While hybrids of many species are often infertile or dysfunctional, the hybrids of doves are actually bastards when it comes to defend their territory- a necessity for further reproduction. ANI

Why grief is natures way of keeping couples together
They say that long distances often help revive romance in a relationship, as lovers cant stand the stress of being parted. Now, the notion has been backed by a scientific study, which suggests that grief is natures way of keeping couples together. ANI

Ghostly glow reveals galaxy clusters in collision
A team of scientists, including astronomers from the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), have detected long wavelength ghostly radio emission from a colliding, massive galaxy cluster which, surprisingly, is not detected at the shorter wavelengths typically seen in these objects. ANI

Self-assembling computers come closer to reality
In a breakthrough study, European physicists have developed a unique computer circuit that can build itself - a development that can lead to self-assembling computers. ANI

Mind power can revive paralysed limbs
Experimenting with monkeys, scientists have shown that the primates could successfully move paralysed limbs via brain implant with mobile electrodes. ANI

Emotions play crucial role in decision-making
A new study from Columbia University has revealed that emotions play a crucial role while negotiating offers. ANI

Rare Polar Martian impact craters revealed
Scientists have used the HiRise (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera onboard NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to reveal rare Polar Martian impact craters. ANI

Autistic people make more rational decisions
A new study has found that people with autism-related disorders are less likely to make irrational decisions, and are less influenced by gut instincts. ANI

A walk in the park improves concentration in kids with ADHD
Researchers at the University of Illinois have suggested that a dose of nature may help improve concentration in kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ANI

Global warming threatens Australias iconic kangaroos
A new study has found that an increase in average temperature of only two degrees Celsius could have a devastating effect on populations of Australias iconic kangaroos. ANI

X-ray camera aboard Chandrayaan-1 to probe the moon
The Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, which is Indias first mission to the moon, will carry a sophisticated X-ray camera on board, when it is launched into space on October 22nd. ANI

Food addictive can boost plastics self-healing property
Researchers from University of Illinois have discovered that adding a dash of food addictive to damaged polymers can help restore them to full strength. ANI

Gold, silver nanostars may revolutionise disease diagnosis
Using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), scientists have now demonstrated that gold and silver nanostars are more effective than commonly used nanorods and nanospheres for chemical and biological sensing and imaging. ANI

Einsteins theory of relativity passes crucial test
Albert Einsteins theory of relativity has survived a neutrino test, which was conducted by physicists trying to disprove the premise. ANI

Fossil represents evolutionary transition from fish to land animals
A new research has provided the first detailed look at the internal head skeleton of Tiktaalik roseae, the 375-million-year-old fossil animal that represents an important intermediate step in the evolutionary transition from fish to animals that walked on land. ANI

First tunable noiseless amplifier may revolutionise quantum computing
American researchers have developed the first tunable noiseless amplifier, which can boost the speed and precision of quantum computing and communications systems. ANI

Indian origin astronomer probes violently variable black holes
An astronomer of Indian origin and his team have used the VLT (Very Large Telescope) and Rossi XTE satellite to probe violently variable black holes, providing insights into the colossal energy that flows at their hearts. ANI