science news 18 and Under: When to Worry if a Child Has Too Few Words Every pediatrician knows the frustration of trying to quantify the speech and language skills of a screaming toddler.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Q & A: Low LDL Levels Can my LDL, my “bad” cholesterol, get too low?   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Observatory: Figuring Out How Toads Endure All That Hopping The animal’s forelimb muscle somehow knows to activate about 90 milliseconds before landing, researchers discovered.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Observatory: Some Insects Are Picky About What Wind to Ride Scientists find that some moths chose high-speed tailwinds and adjusted their own flight heading if necessary to compensate for drift.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Observatory: A Complicated History for the Humble Turkey Did the turkey stocks in the American Southwest come from Mexico, or were they domesticated on their own?   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Vital Signs: Hazards: A Warning on Mixing Herbs and Medicine A study found that products including St. John’s wort, ginger and garlic could be dangerous for people taking common medicines.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Vital Signs: Risks: Study Looks at Serotonin and SIDS Deaths Researchers are a step closer to understanding why babies who appear to be perfectly healthy may die suddenly.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Vital Signs: Perceptions: Doctors, Patients and a Clash of Priorities High blood pressure is often a top priority for doctors, but pain and depression may be more pressing to their patients.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Global Update: H.I.V. and Herpes: Treating Herpes Doesn’t Reduce Chance That AIDS Virus Will Spread, Study Finds The herpes drug acyclovir lowered H.I.V. levels in the blood but did not make a person less likely to spread the AIDS virus, researchers said.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Both Parents’ Ages Linked to Autism Risk A study of almost five million births in California found that the chance of having autistic children increased with older parents.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Update: Recovery Matches a Marathon Operation After a surgeon removed a huge cancerous tumor from his abdomen, Robert Collison, 59, spent eight weeks in the hospital with infections and other complications.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Cases: A Walking Magnet for Odd, Minor Ills Sue Eisenfeld, a 38-year-old afflicted with maladies like carotidynia and mucocele, has given herself the title Queen of Minor Ailments No One Has Ever Heard Of.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 In Haiti, Practicing Medicine From Afar A video hookup between a patient on the scene and a doctor far away can save lives.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Ally for the Poor in an Unlikely Corner Through his work in poor countries, Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, has positioned his company as the leader among drug makers in advancing world health issues.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 A Conversation With Samuel Wang: A Neuroscientist Studying the Structure of Dog Brains In his Princeton laboratory, Samuel Wang uses dog M.R.I.’s to research the relationship between brain structure and behavior.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 News Analysis: For Human Spaceflight, Can Measured Beat Bold? The Obama administration is trying to keep humans flying in space, but will its measured proposals succeed?   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Findings: Will You Be E-Mailing This Column? It’s Awesome A University of Pennsylvania study found that readers of news in print and online had more exalted tastes than might be expected.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Thirty Knots, With the Wind at Your Wings The sailboats competing in the America’s Cup are the fastest ever built but about as delicate as a house of cards.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 U.S. Officials Plan $78.5 Million Effort to Keep Dangerous Carp Out of Great Lakes Addressing a threat that has grown increasingly tense throughout the Midwest as genetic material from the fish was found in Lake Michigan.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 Skeptics Find Fault With U.N. Climate Panel Rajendra K. Pachauri and the U.N. panel he leads face accusations of scientific sloppiness and conflicts of interest.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-09 [news] Using satellites and biology to understand Southern Ocean physics Theory and observations of a combined Ekman and geostrophic trajectory in the chlorophyll distribution downstream of South Georgia Due to its remoteness from the continents, plant growth in the Southern Ocean is limited by iron supply, which arrives as dust or from continental margins. Certain sub-Antarctic islands, namely South Georgia, Crozet and Kerguelen Islands, release iron into the ocean...   antarctica.ac.uk   2010-02-08 [news] Polar View in the Antarctic The British Antarctic Survey's research ship RRS James Clark Ross makes regular use of Polar ViewAs the Antarctic field season continues with the usual mix of exciting research programmes new enhancements to the online satellite image system that improves ship safety and efficiency are launched. The Polar View sea ice service, coordinated by the British Antarctic Survey, has greatly improved ...   antarctica.ac.uk   2010-02-08 [news] First open meeting for EC-funded sea-level rise project Antarctic sea iceThe open first meeting of the EC Framework 7-funded research programme ice2sea takes place in Krakow, Poland on the 17th & 18th March.  A five-year project, involving scientists from 24 institutions across Europe, ice2sea features studies of key glacial processes in Greenland and Antarctica, improved interpretation of satellite information about current changes to ic...   antarctica.ac.uk   2010-02-08 [news] Medals for British Antarctic Survey staff The Polar Medal was awarded to three members of staff in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List. Congratulations go to Geophysicist Rob Larter, Chief Pilot Alan Meredith and former Personnel Officer Richard Hanson.Captain John Harper, Master of RRS Ernest Shackleton, has been awarded the Merchant Navy Medal “For services to polar exploration, especially ice navigation and pilotage...   antarctica.ac.uk   2010-02-08 New federal climate change agency proposed The Obama administration on Monday proposed a new agency to study and report on the changing climate.   rssfeeds.usatoday.com   2010-02-08 Space shuttle blasts off on last night flight Space shuttle Endeavour is rocketing toward the space station on one of the shuttle program's last scheduled missions.   rssfeeds.usatoday.com   2010-02-08 Search for 'Jetsons family' to test home The New South Wales Government is calling for volunteers to live rent free for a year in a so-called smart home in Sydney.   abc.net.au   2010-02-08

science news Porn website owner jailed for 13 years A man who operated a pornographic website in China has been sentenced to 13 years in jail and fined 100,000 yuan ($16,800), state media said, amid an ongoing campaign to crack down on online sexual content.   abc.net.au   2010-02-08 Antarctic snow linked to WA dry Scientists have discovered a link between the ongoing drought in the south western corner of Australia and increased snowfall in parts of Antarctica.   abc.net.au   2010-02-08 Science plan designed to inspire Australians are being encouraged to take a greater interest in research and discovery.   abc.net.au   2010-02-08 New species discovered West Australian scientists have discovered a new species of native fish.   abc.net.au   2010-02-08 Ancient dinosaur had stripes, researchers say WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some dinosaurs had russet-colored feathers, and one jazzy specimen had a Mohawk crest and stripes, researchers say in the first reports to confidently assign colors to dinosaurs....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 Explorers' century-old whisky found in Antarctic WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- This Scotch has been on the rocks for a century....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 US-born pandas reach new home in China CHENGDU, China (AP) -- Two American-born pandas arrived in their new China home Friday, bringing a welcome dose of cuddly to the countries' currently strained relations....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 Russian cargo ship arrives at space station MOSCOW (AP) -- A Russian cargo ship has sucessfully docked at the International Space Station, delivering supplies for its crew of five....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 Feds: Status of pika will still need watching SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The American pika isn't heading for the endangered species list, but federal scientists said there's no question it bears watching as the West warms in the coming decades....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 Whalers, activists clash again off Antarctica SYDNEY (AP) -- Anti-whaling ship the Bob Barker and a Japanese harpoon boat collided in icy Antarctic waters in the second major clash this year in increasingly aggressive confrontations between conservationists and the whaling fleet....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 Even if you're careful, drugs can end up in water PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- The federal government advises throwing most unused or expired medications into the trash instead of down the drain, but they can end up in the water anyway, a study from Maine suggests....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 India successfully tests nuclear-capable missile NEW DELHI (AP) -- India again successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable missile Sunday that can hit targets across much of Asia and the Middle East, a defense ministry press release said....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 New federal climate change agency forming WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration on Monday proposed a new agency to study and report on the changing climate....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 Space shuttle blasts off on last night flight CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Endeavour and six astronauts rocketed into orbit Monday on what's likely the last nighttime launch for the shuttle program, hauling a new room and observation deck for the International Space Station....   hosted.ap.org   2010-02-08 Video: Dinosaurs on the loose in Oxford Street Tanya Gold visits the new dinosaur exhibition on the UK's busiest shopping streetHildegunn SoldalTanya Gold   guardian.co.uk   2010-02-08 Albert Crewe obituary Physicist who took the first pictures of individual atomsAlbert Crewe, who has died aged 82, was one of the world's most influential physicists, whose work included the development of a revolutionary electron microscope that could take photographs and later moving footage of individual atoms. This led to significant advances in the biomedical, pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries, benefiting aeroplanes, cars, medical equipment, clothing, steel, ­aluminium and computers.Crewe had the brainwave that led to the development of the microscope in 1964 while in an aeroplane. The scanning transmission electron micro-scope, known as STEM, works by focusing electron rather than light beams for magnification – electron beams are much shorter than light waves, which means they can be used to see much tinier objects. Crewe came up with a method of transmitting electrons with very similar wavelengths, which made it possible to focus the electron beam on a single object.Born in Bradford, Crewe was an average student, from a poor working-class family, but managed to win a scholarship to the University of Liverpool, from which he graduated in 1951 with a PhD in physics. He had met Doreen Blunsdon on a farm in Cornwall on a break from his university work in 1946, and they married in 1949.After graduating, he taught at the university in 1952, and scored a world first by extracting a continuous beam of bullet protons from a particle accelerator. He went to the University of Chicago in 1955 as a research associate, but left to join Argonne national laboratory in 1958; he became director in 1961. He supervised the design and construction of the zero gradient synchrotron, which became the world's leading weak-focusing proton accelerator. Having devised STEM, Crewe left Argonne in 1967, and, in 1971, became dean of the physical sciences division at Chicago. In 1970, Crewe made history by using STEM to obtain images of individual atoms, thus providing new insight into atomic interaction and material formation.The core technology used inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is the electron source, known as a cathode. This is used to form a fine beam of electrons with the aid of a combination of electrostatic and magnetic lenses. This finely focused beam of electrons is then used to bombard the sample object that requires magnification to view the details of its surface topography.Until the 1960s, the best available resolution for an image with the aid of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) was a few parts of a nanometre. The more widely used SEM instrument could only resolve a few nanometres with a beam of electrons accelerated to 30,000 volts. Neither could image the detailed structure of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), now routinely produced in laboratories worldwide. Without the SEM, imaging in the nanoscale would remain impossible.The challenge to achieve these levels of resolution needed a paradigm shift in electron source technology. The same focused beam diameter produced by the conventional hairpin – the only available source until 1960 – would produce at least 100 to 10,000 times fewer electrons than what is now the norm. The new source, referred to as field electron emitter, was successfully introduced by Crewe after Robert Gomer, a colleague and expert in field electron and ion emission at Chicago, convinced him to use it. Crewe developed a new structure around the emitter suitable to this class of electron sources, and chose a design by Butler that is still in use.Crewe pushed the frontiers of electron microscopy to new dimensions that would remain unattainable without the use of field electron emitters. Two new developments in this context are worth mentioning: a high-resolution desktop SEM with a much reduced footprint to conventional instruments, which utilises a field emission source to generate its electron beam. The same source of electrons is also being used by the Nobel laureate Ahmed Zewail, of Caltech in the US, in his work on fourth-dimension electron microscopy, which has enabled atoms to be recorded darting around in real time.Among numerous awards, Crewe won the Duddell medal from the Institute of Physics and received honorary degrees from the Universities of Liverpool and Missouri, Columbia.He is survived by Doreen, their three daughters and son, and 10 grandchildren.• Albert Victor Crewe, physicist, born 18 February 1927; died 18 November 2009Physicsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds   guardian.co.uk   2010-02-08 First DNA link to human ageing found Discovery of gene sequence could aid drug design for age-related illnessesScientists have isolated a gene sequence that appears to determine how fast our bodies age, the first time a link between DNA and human lifespan has been found.The discovery could have a profound impact on public health and raises the best hope yet for drugs that prevent the biological wear and tear behind common age-related conditions such as heart disease and certain cancers.The work is expected to pave the way for screening programmes to spot people who are likely to age fast and be more susceptible to heart problems and other conditions early in life. People who test positive for the gene variant in their 20s could be put on cholesterol-lowering statin drugs and encouraged to exercise, eat healthily and avoid smoking.The breakthrough is unlikely to lead to drugs that dramatically extend lifespan, but doctors say it may help prolong the lives of patients whose genes make them susceptible to dying young.The research gives the kind of insight into the biology of ageing that has not emerged from work on other strategies that claim to extend lifespan, such as consuming vast quantities of antioxidants or pursuing a severely calorie-restricted diet."This may help us identify patients who are at a greater risk of developing common age-related diseases so we can focus more attention on them," said Professor Nilesh Samani, a cardiologist at the University of Leicester, who led the research.The research highlights the difference between chronological age and biological age, the latter of which is determined by our genetic makeup and lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking. Two people of the same age can have biological ages that differ by more than 10 years.A team led by Samani and Professor Tim Spector at King's College, London found a common sequence of DNA was strongly linked to a person's biological age. In a study of nearly 3,000 people, around 38% inherited one copy of the gene variant and were biologically three to four years older than those who did not carry the sequence.A minority of 7% inherited two copies of the DNA sequence and were on average six to seven biological years older. The majority of the population, 55%, do not carry any copies of the variant.The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, was prompted by the huge variability in the age at which people develop medical problems that are often considered diseases of the elderly."I see patients in their 80s with high blood pressure who have healthy coronary arteries and I see people in their 40s who don't seem to have any risk factors yet have advanced heart disease," Samani said. "We think this kind of variability must have something to do with premature ageing."Most of the cells in our bodies contain long molecules of DNA called chromosomes that have protective caps at either end called telomeres. Every time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten, like plastic tips fraying on a shoelace. When the telomeres become very short, the cell starts to malfunction and show signs of ageing.From blood samples, Samani and Spector found a particular gene sequence was more common in people who had unusually short telomeres for their age. The section of DNA was found on chromosome three, next to a gene called TERC, which makes an enzyme that repairs telomeres when they shorten.People who carry one or two copies of the genetic sequence probably make less of the enzyme, called telomerase, when they are growing in the womb. This means they are born with shorter telomeres, and so are prone to ageing more quickly."The effect may be built in at a very early stage in life. If you're born with shorter telomeres, there's evidence you will be prone to heart disease and other age-related diseases," Samani said.Scientists are unlikely to reverse the ageing process by boosting telomerase in people's bodies. Telomerase is almost completely deactivated after birth, but is switched back on in cancer cells so they can divide endlessly without dying. "Introducing telomerase might protect you from heart disease, but if you turn it on willy nilly you could cause cancer instead," Samani said.AgeingGeneticsHealthUniversity of LeicesterKing's College LondonIan Sampleguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds   guardian.co.uk   2010-02-08 Twitpic of the Golden Gate Bridge One astronaut is using Twitter to send some extraordinary pictures of Earth from on board the international space stationOnce you've performed your systems check, goofed around with a ball of floating water and ­tried to go to the loo with some gravity-free dignity, what else is there to do when you're orbiting the earth in the international space station? Soichi Noguchi, a Japanese aeronautical engineer who has been in orbit since December, is entertaining his 50,000 followers with Twitpics sent from space. He's tweeted (@Astro_Soichi) some extraordinary snaps, including this one of the Golden Gate Bridge. He also describes life on board the space ­station: "De-gassing of the portable water bags complete. Now, on to the treadmill!"International Space StationSpaceTwitterSpace technologyLeo Hickmanguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds   guardian.co.uk   2010-02-08 Drinking beer could prevent weak bones A new study claims that certain types of beer are a rich source of dietary silicon, and can help prevent osteoporosisBeer is a rich source of a nutrient that can help prevent weak bones – but it depends what type you drink, claim researchers at University of California, Davis, today.As one of the nation's favourite tipples, beer is a rich source of dietary silicon, which can help cut the chance of developing diseases like osteoporosis, they conclude.However, not all beers are the same, with those containing malted barley and hops having higher silicon content than beers made from wheat.Some light lagers made from grains like corn have the lowest levels of silicon while beers made from hops seem to come out on top, according to the study. The research, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, examined 100 commercial beers and their production methods.The experts said beer was a major source of dietary silicon – roughly half of the silicon in beer can be readily absorbed by the body.Charles Bamforth, lead author of the study, said: "Beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops are richest in silicon."Wheat contains less silicon than barley because it is the husk of the barley that is rich in this element."While most of the silicon remains in the husk during brewing, significant quantities of silicon nonetheless are extracted into wort and much of this survives into beer."Dr Claire Bowring, from the National Osteoporosis Society, said: "These findings mirror results from previous studies which concluded that moderate alcohol consumption could be beneficial to bones."However, while the National Osteoporosis Society welcomes measures to improve bone health we do not recommend anyone increases their alcohol consumption on the basis of these studies."While low quantities of alcohol may appear to have bone density benefits, higher intakes have been show to decrease bone strength, with an alcohol intake of more than two units per day actually increasing the risk of breaking a bone."There are also many other health concerns linked with alcohol which cannot be ignored."Catherine Collins, a dietician at St George's Healthcare NHS Trust in London, said there was no recommended daily amount of silicon people should be consuming.She said it was hard to prove deficiency in silicon because so little was needed."Sources of silicon do include beer – either alcohol-containing or alcohol-free – and it's also added as an anti-caking agent to powders such as baking powder."It is found in different amounts in water, so contributes to beer's total silica content."Silica may well contribute to bone health but in a minor way."It is not really significant compared with nutrients that we know are essential for bone health and are potentially deficient in the UK diet – such as calcium and vitamin D."OsteoporosisHealthAlcoholUnited StatesNutritionMedical researchFood & drinkHealth & wellbeingguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds   guardian.co.uk   2010-02-08 Science Weekly: The future of human spaceflight President Obama's latest budget proposals mean Nasa doesn't have enough money to go back to the moon. Kevin Fong from University College London discusses what this means for manned space travel. In the newsjam we look at how doctors communicated with a man in a vegetative state, how protesters survived a homeopathy overdose, reaction times in gunfights, and why running is good for the brain. Following a ruling from the General Medical Council against Dr Andrew Wakefield, the Lancet has retracted his paper on links between the MMR jab and autism. But is this really the end of the controversy? The Observer's science and technology editor Robin McKie and Guardian science correspondent Ian Sample were on hand in the studio to share their wisdom. Post your comments below.Join our Facebook group. Listen back through our archive.Follow the podcast on our Science Weekly Twitter feed and receive updates on all breaking science news stories from Guardian Science.Subscribe free via iTunes to ensure every episode gets delivered. (Here is the non-iTunes URL feed).Alok JhaAndy DuckworthRobin McKieIan SampleKevin Fong   guardian.co.uk   2010-02-08 Fur seal colony leaves Galapagos A group of fur seals have moved from the Galapagos Islands to the warming waters of northern Peru, experts say.   news.bbc.co.uk   2010-02-08 Rock Groups Treating numbers concretely - think rocks, for instance - can make calculations less baffling.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-08 Shuttle Blasts Off for Space Station It was the second attempt to launch the Endeavour, 24 hours after Sunday’s attempt was scrubbed because of clouds over the launching pad.   feeds.nytimes.com   2010-02-08