Incidental Haptic Sensations Influence Social Judgments and Decisions — Ackerman et al. 328 (5986): 1712 — Science

Touch is both the first sense to develop and a critical means of information acquisition and environmental manipulation. Physical touch experiences may create an ontological scaffold for the development of intrapersonal and interpersonal conceptual and metaphorical knowledge, as well as a springboard for the application of this knowledge. In six experiments, holding heavy or light Read more about Incidental Haptic Sensations Influence Social Judgments and Decisions — Ackerman et al. 328 (5986): 1712 — Science[…]

Electrical network frequency analysis

The UK Metropolitan Police has been recording the frequency variations on the National Grid every second and a half for the past five years. When examining recordings, scientists are able to match the variations in the recordings with the database and establish exactly when the recording was made. If there are multiple matches, the recording Read more about Electrical network frequency analysis[…]

We are GODS! Man made life!

What they did is email genetic code to a machine, which constructed DNA and implanted that in a virus cell, after removing the old DNA. The synthetic DNA then reproduced and it’s reproductions also carried the synthetic DNA. The reproduction is the ‘life’ bit. They’re calling it Cynthia. Scientists Create First Synthetic Cell – WSJ.com.

Animals That Live Without Oxygen discovered

Scientists have found the first multicellular animals that apparently live entirely without oxygen. The creatures reside deep in one of the harshest environments on earth: the Mediterranean Ocean's L'Atalante basin, which contains salt brine so dense that it doesn't mix with the oxygen-containing waters above. Previous samples taken from the water and sediments in the Read more about Animals That Live Without Oxygen discovered[…]

Chinese scientists use arsenic to kill blood cancers

Chinese doctors have used arsenic in the treatment of APL (leukemia) with cure rates of 90% since 1992 without the side-effects of chemo (hair loss, suppression of bone marrow function). A paper from Shanghai shows that it works by targetting specific proteins that feed the cancer. China scientists show how arsenic treats blood cancer | Read more about Chinese scientists use arsenic to kill blood cancers[…]

Seriously: multitasking is bad for you!

And we’ve known this since the 1890s. Experiments repeatedly show that multitasking basically makes you perform badly at any of the tasks you’re performing. Now, however, it turns out that not only do you do badly at the tasks, but it also destroys your capacity for reasoning. This article walks quickly through the history of Read more about Seriously: multitasking is bad for you![…]

Flexible, low weight solar cells

A team of US research scientists have made a startling breakthrough in solar-cell development, creating flexible wire-based cell substrates that use just one per cent of the silicon needed for brittle and comparatively heavy conventional cells. Solar cells made from this material would not only be less expensive than current photovoltaics, but due to their Read more about Flexible, low weight solar cells[…]

Climategate admitted – sort of

Professor Jones [NB  the guy who sent all the wierd emails that were uncovered revealing that data was spurious and that he’d hammer into the ground all global warming sceptic scientists] also conceded the possibility that the world was warmer in medieval times than now – suggesting global warming may not be a man-made phenomenon.And Read more about Climategate admitted – sort of[…]

Nanoscale: Robot Arm Places Atoms and Molecules With 100% Accuracy

The nanorobotic arm is built out of DNA origami: large strands of DNA gently encouraged to fold in precise ways by interaction with a few hundred short DNA strands. The products, around 100 nanometers in diameter, are eight times larger and three times more complex than what could be built with a simple crystalline DNA Read more about Nanoscale: Robot Arm Places Atoms and Molecules With 100% Accuracy[…]

Thought control: now with letters

Using ECoG (electrocorticography) and overlaying electrodes directly on the surface of the brain, scientists can record reactions when letters are flashed on a screen and then play back the letters when that thought pattern is brought up. It’s around 8 letters per minute, but it’s something. There’s also a piece where they translate thought patterns Read more about Thought control: now with letters[…]

Oh dear – More Climategate!

Analysts say Russian meteorological stations cover most of the country’s territory, and that the Hadley Center had used data submitted by only 25% of such stations in its reports. Over 40% of Russian territory was not included in global-temperature calculations for some other reasons, rather than the lack of meteorological stations and observations. The data Read more about Oh dear – More Climategate![…]

Pot makes you smart

A synthetic chemical similar to the active ingredient in marijuana makes new cells grow in rat brains. What is more, in rats this cell growth appears to be linked with reducing anxiety and depression. The results suggest that marijuana, or its derivatives, could actually be good for the brain. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8155

Evidence of life on Mars

The Allan Hills 84001 Meteorite which landed on earth has been examined and they’ve discovered that the tiny magnetite crystals it contains are chemically consistent with being formed in bacteria – they’re basically little fossils. They’re pretty sure the rock, which has floated around for around 16 million years, comes from Mars as it matches Read more about Evidence of life on Mars[…]

New theory of gravity works at quantum level

In this theory, time is split from space entirely. It’s a working model, but is still being refined as there are some flaws in it yet. It’s exciting because it does what Newton’s and Einstein’s theories can’t do, which is predict at the quantum graviton level. Splitting Time from Space—New Quantum Theory Topples Einstein’s Spacetime: Read more about New theory of gravity works at quantum level[…]

Cern LHC has started

After some teething problems and predicions about the world ending, it’s started and we’re still here: the first low power collisions have been made in two of the four sensor arrays, meaning more science is yet to come! BBC News – Cern’s Large Hadron Collider makes first collisions.

Dirty children have better immune systems

All these hygenic parents who continuously wash and disinfect their children and don’t like them to play in the dirt are doing their progeny a huge disservice. Common bacterial species, known as staphylococci, which can cause inflammation when under the skin, are “good bacteria” when on the surface, where they can reduce inflammation. By studying Read more about Dirty children have better immune systems[…]

Oops – global warming researchers hacked

And allthough the authenticity of the 1079 emails and 72 documents hasn’t been verified, it shows that the researchers have manipulated the data to fit their models, can’t explain the lack of global warming and have plans set up to destroy the credibility of any scientist doubting their stance. Michelle Malkin » The global warming Read more about Oops – global warming researchers hacked[…]