September - 2007 Articles
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Neanderthals roamed as far as Siberia
30 September 2007
Bones found in a cave push the boundary of the Neanderthals' territory 2000 km further east than previously thought, according to a DNA study
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Unravelled: The mystery of why strings tangle
30 September 2007
Irritated by tangled headphone cords, a physicist discovers that length is the key to his problems
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US laws tightened to improve drug safety
30 September 2007
A new US law will require clinical trials to be registered, their results placed in a public database, and better monitoring for adverse events after drugs hit the market.
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Mars Society seeks to rescue crewed mission
29 September 2007
A charity hopes that the US House of Representatives provision to ban funding human expeditions to Mars can be overturned
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Digital critters shed light on human sleep
29 September 2007
Artificial organisms that learn to "sleep" when energy is scarce could make gadgets more energy efficient and even help to show why sleep evolved
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Carbon nanotube plucked by nano-tweezers
29 September 2007
The delicate feat will allow nanoscale objects to be manipulated in 3D, making nanoconstruction more precise and versatile
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Magnets could help spot bird flu in humans
29 September 2007
If H5N1 bird flu becomes transmissible between people it will be vital to spot it fast – and binding the virus to magnetic particles offers a simple solution
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Invading bullfrogs spread deadly fungus
29 September 2007
North American bullfrogs are rampaging across Europe, spreading a fungal disease that is devastating to local amphibians
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UK considers organ donation by default
29 September 2007
With the gap between donated organ supply and demand widening, the UK government is considering a system of presumed consent for donation
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Slaughtering animals is no way to stop disease
29 September 2007
It's time animal health experts embraced the idea that vaccination and monitoring is the best bet for stopping the spread of animal diseases in a globalised, warming world
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Gaia scientist endorses plan to halt climate change
29 September 2007
Could sinking millions of pipes into ocean save the planet from global warming, or will it just make matters worse?
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Review: Sex, Sleep, Eat, Drink, Dream by Jennifer Ackerman
29 September 2007
A fascinating story of the body's complex workings during a typical day, says Claire Ainsworth
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Review: Proust and the Squid by Maryanne Wolf
29 September 2007
Maryanne Wolf looks at how our brains manage to read, and wonders if reading is becoming an endangered habit
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Second Sight: Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
29 September 2007
This year marks the centenary of Pablo Picasso's masterpiece and the birth of cubism. Was the artist's creative breakthrough inspired by science?
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How postdocs can give their careers a boost
29 September 2007
Postdocs can climb up the academic tree faster if they learn the right tips and tricks, says Zoe Smeaton
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Feedback
29 September 2007
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Keep focused
29 September 2007
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Tasteful matters
29 September 2007
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Why police should show restraint with the Taser
29 September 2007
The Taser electro-shock weapon normally causes no long-term health damage, but that should not be taken as a green light for police to use it
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60 Seconds
29 September 2007
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Soundbites
29 September 2007
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Discussions over drug critic included company CEO
29 September 2007
Top GlaxoSmithKline executives knew of plans to put pressure on a diabetes researcher who raised safety concerns about the anti-diabetes drug Avandia
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What are gods good for?
29 September 2007
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Been there, got the atheist
29 September 2007
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War and human nature
29 September 2007
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Nervous free will
29 September 2007
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Close attention
29 September 2007
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Evolution's mistakes
29 September 2007
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Superconducting bus heralds quantum chip
29 September 2007
Factory lines that churn out quantum computers move a step closer with entangled qubits exchanging data on a chip
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Gizmo
29 September 2007
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Brain clue could provide anti-obesity drugs
29 September 2007
The brain's hypothalamus helps determine how much energy you store from the food you eat, raising the possibility of a new generation of anti-obesity drugs
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Comment: Unwitting accomplices in interrogation abuse
29 September 2007
However well-meaning, psychologists can do no good by participating in US interrogations, says Robert Adler
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Comment: Bluffing over anti-missile defence?
29 September 2007
US plans for an anti-missile system in Europe have sparked cold-war-style tensions – even though there's no evidence the technology works, says Angela Saini
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'Hobbit' wrist bones suggest a distinct species
29 September 2007
The tiny, human-like creature living in Indonesia just 18,000 years ago really was a distinct species, not just a malformed modern human
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This week 50 years ago
29 September 2007
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Mutant space bugs a threat to astronauts
29 September 2007
Bacteria taken on shuttle flights develop super-virulent mutations in space – the finding however provides useful genetic clues for further research
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The flawed frontier
29 September 2007
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Why boldly go?
29 September 2007
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'Self-aware' space rovers would be speedy explorers
29 September 2007
Giving a robot a virtual model of itself and its surroundings helps it navigate across difficult terrain
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The word: Radio-quiet reserve
29 September 2007
The growing number of radio, television and cellphone networks presents a challenge when it comes to choosing sites for the world's largest radio telescope
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For the record
29 September 2007
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Fraught font
29 September 2007
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Senior satellite
29 September 2007
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Huntington's symptoms
29 September 2007
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Free whom?
29 September 2007
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Diverse dominance
29 September 2007
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Recursive awareness
29 September 2007
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Aisle be darned
29 September 2007
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What are gods good for?
29 September 2007
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Space bias
29 September 2007
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In a typical universe...
29 September 2007
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Next-generation ion engine sets new thrust record
28 September 2007
A new type of ion engine has smashed the record for total thrust in a NASA test – it could one day propel spacecraft to the outer solar system
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'Green roofs' could cool warming cities
28 September 2007
Covering buildings with vegetation could slash air-con use, as well as countering the "urban heat island" effect, suggests a study of international cities
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Satellites capture evidence of Burma crackdown
28 September 2007
The country's secretive ruling junta, often criticised for its harsh Orwellian attitudes, is now itself being watched, and we can all be Big Brother
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Bird flu can infect babies in the womb
28 September 2007
The deadly H5N1 virus can pass from mother to fetus, reveals a study that also adds to the evidence on how the virus kills its victims
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Controversial drug DCA to get first human trials
28 September 2007
The promising anti-cancer treatment, which some sufferers use illegally in hope of a cure, will be tested on 50 people with brain tumours in Canada
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'Re-plumbing' the liver helps beat cancer
28 September 2007
Liver tumours can be zapped with huge doses of toxic chemotherapy drugs if blood flow is diverted away from the rest of the body
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Artificial brain falls for optical illusions
28 September 2007
AI software that misjudges colour in the same way as humans suggests that robots must inherit our flaws if they are to have our strengths
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Mysteries remain over Peru meteorite impact
28 September 2007
Geologists who visited the crater near Lake Titicaca publish the first report on the incident, but not everything can be explained
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'Shampooed' hair reveals mammoth DNA
27 September 2007
The genetic secrets of extinct species can be revealed from a few locks of specially treated hair, say researchers – the technique could be used to analyse old museum specimens
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Extragalactic radio burst puzzles astronomers
27 September 2007
An evaporating black hole is one suspect for what caused a fleeting but extremely powerful burst of radio waves from beyond the Milky Way
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Tether mishap 'slingshots' capsule into space
27 September 2007
Despite the accident, the mission still shows that space tethers can provide a cheap, safe way of returning payloads to Earth, say scientists
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Concerns raised over Taser safety
27 September 2007
As Taser begins to market its product to the general public, human studies are finally addressing the health effects of being "tased"
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Dawn spacecraft launches to study giant asteroids
27 September 2007
The mission will use an advanced ion engine to reach two titans of the asteroid belt – Vesta and Ceres
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Rival theory fights back against dark matter
27 September 2007
Proponents of the MOND theory say dark matter is not needed to explain gravitational anomalies
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Diving polar bear confirms Inuit observations
27 September 2007
A polar bear has been spotted swimming beneath the surface to catch fish – the first sighting by outsiders in 200 years
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Strenuous exercise can raise risk of miscarriage
27 September 2007
Pregnant women taking intensive exercise during early pregnancy are more likely to miscarry than those who don't exercise at all, research suggests
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Ocean pumps could counter global warming
26 September 2007
Gaia scientist James Lovelock endorses a plan to pipe nutrient-rich water to the surface to reduce atmospheric CO2 – but it might make matters worse
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Flirting makes up for antisocial tendencies
26 September 2007
How do antisocial men manage to attract women? It seems that a little smiling, eyebrow raising and nodding works wonders
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Superbugs: Scare in the community
26 September 2007
MRSA and other deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria are no longer confined to hospitals – the terrifying truth is, they are everywhere
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Weird worlds: Planets that defy convention
26 September 2007
From super huge to hellishly hot, there are some crazy planets coming to light outside the familiar confines of our solar system
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Interview: Clinical trials of life
26 September 2007
Mark Guntrum, who has cystic fibrosis, helps develop future treatments by volunteering for clinical trials. Here he discusses life at the sharp end of medical research
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The great escape: Ending period pain
26 September 2007
Menstruation causes monthly suffering for most women, but a variety of new treatments could offer the choice to opt out completely
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Quantum chip rides on superconducting bus
26 September 2007
Chips have been made that shuttle data between the components of a quantum computer – an essential step towards a mass-produced product
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Instant Expert: Careers
26 September 2007
The modern scientist can pick a career from a smorgasbord of disciplines. Start navigating the careers jungle with our beginner's guide
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Homesick crocodiles make epic return swim
26 September 2007
Like birds, saltwater crocodiles have an amazing ability to navigate back to their home territory, a satellite-tracking experiment confirms
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Take a fresh look at New Scientist Jobs
26 September 2007
Find your perfect role with New Scientist's improved online recruitment and careers advice service
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Stem cells may breathe new life into lung therapy
26 September 2007
Lung cells made from embryonic stem cells could on day find and repair damage in people with lung disease, suggests a study in mice
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Odd object blurs line between comets and asteroids
26 September 2007
An object seen repeatedly plunging close to the Sun is likely a comet masquerading as an asteroid, scientists say
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Earth's water brewed at home, not in space
25 September 2007
The oceans were brewed up right here on Earth – and were not delivered by asteroids and comets as commonly thought, a new study suggests
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Robot dogs race to be soldier's best friend
25 September 2007
Six US teams vie to create the most sophisticated "LittleDog" – a prototype robotic helper for military personnel
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Deep-voiced men father more children
25 September 2007
Among a population of hunter-gatherers, men with lower voices tend to have more offspring - the finding hints at why women perceive deep male voices as sexy
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Calls for vaccination against bluetongue disease
25 September 2007
The deadly animal disease can be stopped with a jab, but the key vaccine plant in the UK was shut down after an escape of foot and mouth virus
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DIY lab scanner made from standard CD drive
25 September 2007
With minor changes, a CD player can accurately analyse chemical samples – it might eventually provide cheap devices for poorer countries
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Frog deformities linked to farm pollution
25 September 2007
Fertiliser run-off may boost levels of a parasitic flatworm that causes frogs to grow extra limbs, say researchers
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Universal DNA database would make us all suspects
25 September 2007
Police DNA records with a sample from every citizen would cause an unjustified loss of personal liberty, autonomy and privacy, say experts
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'Sci-fi' model worlds aid planet classification
24 September 2007
Planets made entirely of carbon monoxide or iron could actually exist – and modelling them will help make sense of future planet discoveries
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HRT boosts women's sexual interest
24 September 2007
Hormone replacement therapy increases sexual thoughts in post-menopausal women, say researchers, possibly providing a way to treat lack of libido
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Space creates mutant 'superbugs'
24 September 2007
Bacteria flown on the space shuttle mutated in ways that made them nearly three times more deadly to mice, a new study finds
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Online biometrics flaw gives hackers a 'fake finger'
24 September 2007
A vulnerability in the most widely touted scheme for online biometrics might allow internet criminals to steal fingerprints and impersonate their victims
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Warp drive will kick up some serious radiation
24 September 2007
It's one thing to boldly go faster than light by manipulating space-time, but quite another to deal with the "exhaust"
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Declawing crabs may not be sustainable
24 September 2007
The practice of removing edible crabs' claws then throwing them back into the sea harms the creatures more than thought, according to new research
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Invention: Bio-briefcase
24 September 2007
This week's patent applications include a portable device that can detect airborne pathogens, wide-angled satellite surveillance that can still see the detail, and a device to protect troops from rocket grenade attack
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US set to violate its standards on CO2 emissions
24 September 2007
If nothing is done to limit global greenhouse-gas emissions, ocean acidification will reach "industrial waste" levels by 2050, say researchers
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Computer game shifts up a gear if kids act bored
24 September 2007
By analysing users' responses, a new program predicts how much fun a game is, and can change the play to keep excitement levels high
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US climate change programme is failing the people
23 September 2007
The US understands climate change only too well, it just hasn't bothered finding out how it might affect us, says research panel
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End of 'one shape fits all' cycle helmets
23 September 2007
Sports helmets are shaped to fit Caucasian heads, making them uncomfortable for some Asian wearers – now a 3D database of head shapes is improving their fit
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Moon's gentle surface could hide life's secrets
23 September 2007
Ancient terrestrial meteorites might still survive on the lunar surface, giving clues to the conditions that caused life to arise on Earth
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Wetter atmosphere points to global warming
22 September 2007
The discovery that greenhouse gas emissions have boosted the moisture content of the atmosphere adds to evidence that climate change is under way
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The world's top 10 most polluted places
22 September 2007
An environmental watchdog reveals that Russia, China and India are home to most of the world's worst-polluted areas
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Robotic ray swims rings around propeller craft
22 September 2007
The rubbery, acrobatic robot based on the manta ray could kick-start the next generation of autonomous underwater vehicles
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Astronauts and cosmonauts react differently to stress
22 September 2007
Russians and American crew on the International Space Station have different ways of showing the strain
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Did we choose to publish this?
22 September 2007
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E-jinks
22 September 2007
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Superluminal siblings
22 September 2007
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Review: An angelic riposte to the God Delusion by John Cornwell
22 September 2007
To have a meaningful debate about science and belief, the two sides need to agree on which version of religion they are attacking, says Amanda Gefter
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Review: The Immortalists by David M Friedman
22 September 2007
The aviator Charles Lindbergh and Nobel Prize-winning surgeon Alexis Carrel formed an unlikely friendship fueled by racism.
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Science essay competition winners 2007
22 September 2007
The winners of the Wellcome Trust and New Scientist Science Essay Competition 2007
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Histories: The accidental aeronaut
22 September 2007
In 1862, meteorologist James Glaisher risked life and limb taking a balloon to an altitude of 11,000 metres – all for pioneering reports on the weather
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The word: Deviant research
22 September 2007
Amateur inventors are solving practical problems in developing countries that the professionals never bother to tackle
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What Life?
22 September 2007
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Dream on
22 September 2007
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Landlubber
22 September 2007
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Testing drugs
22 September 2007
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Antarctic threatened too
22 September 2007
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Rebound reprised
22 September 2007
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Turn down the bass!
22 September 2007
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Beaver explosion
22 September 2007
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What are gods good for?
22 September 2007
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What are gods good for?
22 September 2007
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Feedback
22 September 2007
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The spring is sprung
22 September 2007
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Dark matter might be warm matter too
22 September 2007
A mathematical model of the way dark matter might behave when either "warm" or "cold" has implications for the universe's earliest stars
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Yeast cells engineered to 'remember' ancestral events
22 September 2007
A genetic "circuit" allows yeast cells to hold onto a memory for generations – the system could be used to flag up cells that have been exposed to a particular drug
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Human stem cells from adult cells move a step closer
22 September 2007
New ways of identifying and reproducing reprogrammed cells should make it easier to transfer techniques developed in mice to humans
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Comment: Information wants to be free
22 September 2007
Some companies are spreading misleading information about open-access publishing – they should be embracing change instead , says Jim Giles
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Sniffers' genes dictate if sweat smells sweet
22 September 2007
A component of human sweat and urine can smell sweet or foul depending on a single gene in the sniffer
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Soundbites
22 September 2007
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Gizmo
22 September 2007
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60 Seconds
22 September 2007
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Two salmon give birth to a healthy trout
22 September 2007
The feat was accomplished by grafting sex cells from one species to another – the technique could one day save rare species, say researchers
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Frozen images
22 September 2007
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How to get ahead in a cancer research career
22 September 2007
A selection of leading scientists explain how to make the most of your career in cancer research
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Water bomb
22 September 2007
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This week 50 years ago
22 September 2007
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Let's finish fixing the ozone layer
22 September 2007
The Montreal protocol is 20 this week, and the ozone layer it is designed to protect is all the healthier for it, but there is still much work to do
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North-West Passage clears of ice for the first time
22 September 2007
Climate change has emptied the North-West Passage of ice, opening up a potential ocean trade route between the Pacific and Atlantic
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Child deaths fall below 10 million for first time
22 September 2007
UNICEF attributes the drastic drop in infant mortality to antimalarial nets, vitamin A supplements, and other factors
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NASA resurrects cancelled black hole mission
21 September 2007
The NuSTAR mission, which was cancelled for budgetary reasons in 2006, will now launch in 2011 to study black holes
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'Starquake' reveals star's powerful magnetic field
21 September 2007
The crust of a neutron star split open due to a magnetic field 600 trillion times as strong as Earth's, a new study reports
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Last ozone-destroying chemicals to be phased out
21 September 2007
An imminent deal between the signatory countries of the Montreal Protocol could be as good for the climate as for ozone
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Old hard drives are a goldmine for data thieves
21 September 2007
Many individuals and companies are still failing to properly delete sensitive information from computer drives, an international study shows
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Parallel universes make quantum sense
21 September 2007
Key equations of quantum mechanics arise from the mathematics of parallel universes, supporting a theory of the 'multiverse'
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Climate change is killing US forests
21 September 2007
Pines in California's Sierra Nevada are dying off due to water stress – it could be a portent of the impact global warming will have on woodlands
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'Self-aware' space rovers would be speedy explorers
21 September 2007
Robots armed with a basic sense of self and insatiable curiosity could cover alien terrain faster than today's turtle-paced rovers
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Mother's blood holds genetic clues to fetal health
21 September 2007
The blood of pregnant women contains genetic fragments produced by the fetus – the finding offers hope for new non-invasive prenatal tests
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Expedition to drill ancient mega-lake gathers pace
21 September 2007
A recently discovered basin, which lies beneath the sands of conflict-riven Darfur, is hoped to contain water that could change the region's fortunes
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Radiation in the clear over dinosaur deaths
21 September 2007
Dinosaurs were no more prone to cancer than modern animals, undermining the idea that a blast of radiation caused their extinction
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Cholera outbreak in Iraq could be first of many
21 September 2007
The cholera outbreak sweeping northern Iraq was predicted by the WHO in 2003 – in the absence of improved sanitation it will not be the last
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Lava may have buried signs of Mars water
20 September 2007
Future robotic missions to the Red Planet may have a hard time uncovering evidence of past water, suggest new images
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'Hobbit' wrist bones suggest a distinct species
20 September 2007
The tiny, human-like creature that lived in Indonesia just 18,000 years ago was a distinct species, not a malformed modern human, say researchers
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Bumpy bones suggest Velociraptor had feathers
20 September 2007
The identification of tiny knobs on the limbs of the raptor provides proof that the species had feathers, researchers say – but what were they for?
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Tripedal robot swings itself into action
20 September 2007
The tall, three-legged robot's body flips upside-down with each step – exploiting gravity to save energy
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Chernobyl to be encased in steel
20 September 2007
The site of the world's worst nuclear disaster will soon be shrouded in a steel sarcophagus – it will replace the decaying concrete now in place
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World's endangered language 'hotspots' mapped
20 September 2007
The places where linguistic diversity is most under threat are revealed in surprising new map
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Wikipedia 2.0 – now with added trust
20 September 2007
The online encyclopedia is set to trial two systems aimed at boosting readers' confidence in its accuracy
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Nuclear weapons plant 'should be rebuilt'
20 September 2007
A New Scientist investigation reveals safety issues at the UK's atomic bomb factory – inspectors say the plant fails to meet modern standards
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'Cancer-resistant' people lend out their killer cells
20 September 2007
Immune cells that fight cancer will soon be transplanted from one patient into another to boost resistance to the disease
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Bat bugs turn transsexual to avoid stabbing penises
19 September 2007
Male bat bugs sport protective female genitalia, and females mimic the male's version of the female parts – it could be the most extreme case of transsexualism known
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Perfect units: Kissing the kilo goodbye
19 September 2007
Should we ditch the kilogram, ampere, kelvin and mole for "perfect" units based on fundamental constants and the properties of atoms?
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As good as new: Scarless healing
19 September 2007
Fetuses have the ability to heal with no or little scarring – with a little help, perhaps adults could too
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Interview: The halitosis guru
19 September 2007
The mouth is a veritable paradise for bacteria. Microbiologist Mel Rosenberg explains his passion for the flora and fauna of the oral cavity
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Mind tricks: Six ways to explore your brain
19 September 2007
New Scientist's guide to the simple techniques that will uncover the inner workings of your grey matter
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Did the big bang spawn trillions of black holes?
19 September 2007
'Primordial' black holes could explain a raft of mysterious phenomena – new observations may determine if any survive today
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HIV sequences cannot prove guilt
19 September 2007
HIV-infected Britons are increasingly asking for their viral sequences to prove who infected them, but doctors say the technique does not work
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Chemical clue sheds light on winter depression
19 September 2007
The brains of people with seasonal affective disorder may be too efficient at bundling away the neurotransmitter serotonin, a new study suggests
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'Pulp-based computing' makes normal paper smart
19 September 2007
Books that react when their pages are turned and boxes that sense the weight of their contents could be developed using the technology
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Caring grandmas explain evolutionary role of menopause
19 September 2007
The "change of life" is an ordeal to those experiencing a hot flash, but research suggests it is in a good evolutionary cause
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Forty-year-old telescope is still a galactic explorer
19 September 2007
The Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico has the world's largest dish – astronomers say it still offers unique capabilities, despite a funding threat
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A hundred apples a day keep the doctor away
19 September 2007
A flavonoid found in fruits, berries and tea may protect athletes and soldiers from post-training infection, suggests research
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Simple blood test spots early stage lung cancer
18 September 2007
A telltale protein accurately advertises the presence of lung cancer, even before it has spread within the body, suggests preliminary work
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Plants' lifespans follow the animal rule
18 September 2007
Small plant species reproduce quickly and die young, while bigger ones have a more leisurely life cycle, says new research
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Car companies avoid huge climate change payout
18 September 2007
A US lawsuit seeking to hold six auto makers responsible for the local impacts of climate change has been rejected by a federal judge
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'Smart roofs' can keep you cool and save energy
18 September 2007
Why use power-hungry air conditioning when a modified roof and attic space could absorb the Sun's heat and release it again at night?
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Sapphire 'quakes' hint at a law of fractures
18 September 2007
The way the Earth's crust cracks during an earthquake turns out to be similar to the microscopic changes in fracturing sapphire crystals
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Antimatter molecule could lead to ultra-powerful laser
18 September 2007
An exotic molecule could one day be harnessed to create a gamma-ray laser a million times more powerful than standard lasers
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Brain connections cause rethink over human memory
18 September 2007
Neurons aren't as interconnected as had been thought – our understanding of how the brain stores memories may have been wrong all along
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Shipping smoke plumes cool the atmosphere
17 September 2007
Cargo ships' "contrails" have a surprising but short-lived cooling effect – the results may alter predictions for future climate change
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Mechanical mole could seek out disaster survivors
17 September 2007
Thunderbirds becomes reality as researchers construct a digging robot that they say could rescue people buried in rubble
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Honeybees gang up to smother deadly hornets
17 September 2007
To protect their colonies, Cyprian honeybees swarm into a tight ball around a threatening hornet, seemingly killing the would-be predator by suffocation
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Invention: Truck-bomb trap
17 September 2007
This week's patent applications include an "elephant trap" for would-be truck bombers, a system that can control swarms of robots by getting them to share information, and a "breathalyser" that checks medicinal drug levels
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Milky Way keeps a light grip on speedy neighbours
17 September 2007
The Magellanic Clouds may be travelling too fast, at too great a distance, to be the old galactic companions they were thought to be
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Microsoft loses antitrust appeal
17 September 2007
The company's appeal against tough penalties for anti-competitive business practices has been quashed by the European courts
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Memorable way to pin your ears back
17 September 2007
Complications after conventional surgery to "pin back" prominent ears could be avoided using a shape-memory metal peg that can be quickly inserted under local anaesthetic
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Cosmic 'egg-beaters' may have left magnetic legacy
17 September 2007
Galactic-sized cosmic strings may have whipped up the magnetic fields that thread through the universe
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Starchy tubers gave our ancestors' brains a boost
16 September 2007
Our genomes contain tantalising evidence that a diet rich in starch fuelled the dramatic growth in the size of early modern humans' brains
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God: The new weapon against climate change
16 September 2007
Leaders from world religions gather in Greenland to show unity on the problem of global warming and to pray for the planet
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Water bombs could boost arsenal against bushfires
16 September 2007
A large-scale version of the children's prank would give any cargo plane the ability to combat wildfires
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NASA's Dark Energy Mission cleared for lift-off
15 September 2007
The space agency has selected the first of its Beyond Einstein missions to blast off in 2009 in the face of cutbacks
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'GPS shield' will mean faster tsunami alerts
15 September 2007
The warning system takes real-time measurements of vertical motion in the ocean floor to predict tsunamis – the extra time it provides could save lives
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Gamma-ray bursts spring cosmic surprise
15 September 2007
Gigantic explosions known as gamma-ray bursts were unexpectedly common in the early universe, shedding light on encounters between stars
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Nanolayers could hold key to invisibility cloak
15 September 2007
Super-thin layers of ordinary materials could solve the engineering challenges of building an invisibility device, say researchers
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Ground telescope produces Hubble-rivalling images
15 September 2007
Cancelling out the twinkling of starlight helps the 5-metre Hale telescope produce brilliantly clear pictures of the cosmos
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Spooks from space
15 September 2007
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Food stuffed
15 September 2007
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Articulated trucks could park themselves
15 September 2007
Parking a truck-and-trailer rig is no easy task, but motion-planning software can now do it for you
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Science friction
15 September 2007
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Soft landing
15 September 2007
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Bug, not beetle
15 September 2007
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Examine this symbol
15 September 2007
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Editorial: Not quite the end of the world
15 September 2007
The discovery of a planet that has survived its star's red giant phases triggers speculation about the fate of Earth
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Gizmo
15 September 2007
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Menopause may boost bone-dissolving cells
15 September 2007
Osteoporosis may be an autoimmune disease prompted by the body's white blood cells, suggests a study of menopausal mice
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Editorial: Ecosystem health is linked to human prosperity
15 September 2007
The loss of species and habitats can have dire economic consequences, but that message is not getting across
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For the record
15 September 2007
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Voices off
15 September 2007
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Drug side effects increasing at an alarming rate
15 September 2007
Reports of serious side effects from medicines almost tripled between 1998 and 2005, according to US regulators – the news prompts calls for closer monitoring
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Cellphones are an increasing danger in hospitals
15 September 2007
Medical equipment can be disabled or shut down if cellphones are used nearby, and the latest generations of phones are the worst of all
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60 Seconds
15 September 2007
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Atomic energy: Should India come in from the cold?
15 September 2007
The US is calling for India to be allowed back in the nuclear fold, but it has not signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty – what message would this send?
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Soundbites
15 September 2007
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Rebound rejoinder
15 September 2007
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Stuff that
15 September 2007
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Bike, not breakfast
15 September 2007
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Suspicious absence of siblings
15 September 2007
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Review: The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane
15 September 2007
Robert Macfarlane describes a physical and intellectual journey through the wilder reaches of Britain and Ireland
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Review: The Body Has a Mind of its Own by Sandra and Matthew Blakeslee
15 September 2007
Sandra and Matthew Blakeslee trace the maps in our brains responsible for everything from tool use to our sense of self
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Corn-fed goodness
15 September 2007
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Highly sprung
15 September 2007
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Chargers get slim
15 September 2007
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Down in one
15 September 2007
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Filthy lucre?
15 September 2007
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What goes around...
15 September 2007
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Flexi-laws framed
15 September 2007
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Population pressure
15 September 2007
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Comment: Falling on deaf ears
15 September 2007
People are suffering and dying in their thousands from medicine's side-effects – many complain, but is anyone listening, asks Mille Kieve
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Sick as a horse
15 September 2007
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Review: The Tiger that Isn't by Michael Blastland and Andrew Dilnot
15 September 2007
The media needs to understand what numbers are really telling them, says Mike Holderness
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The word: Lear's macaw
15 September 2007
When he wasn't writing limericks Edward Lear painted animals: a rare species of macaw he unwittingly discovered is now making a comeback
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Spooks from space
15 September 2007
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Feedback
15 September 2007
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Are dark matter and inflation one and the same?
14 September 2007
Two cosmic mysteries may be explained by a single particle – the inflaton
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Mathematical cosmos: Reality by numbers
14 September 2007
What is the universe really made of? Physicist Max Tegmark has an extreme take on the quest for a theory of everything
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Japanese spacecraft launches to study Moon's origin
14 September 2007
The Kaguya spacecraft blasts into space successfully – it will be the most advanced mission sent to the Moon in three decades
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HIV variant offers vaccine hope
14 September 2007
Vital genetic clues that might lead to an AIDS vaccine have been discovered by researchers studying a less virulent form of the virus
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Californians bite the bullet to save rare condor
14 September 2007
The US state has backed a bill to outlaw lead bullets – the main threat to the birds' survival – now only a veto by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger can prevent the measure from becoming law
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Biosecurity breach at bovine TB lab
14 September 2007
A lab run by the UK Institute for Animal Health – already implicated in recent outbreaks of foot and mouth – is undergoing safety reviews after staff were exposed to the pathogen
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Human-animal 'cybrids' may not be possible
14 September 2007
UK researchers now have permission to create embryos containing human and animal material, but there are huge practical hurdles to overcome
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'Kinky' bacteria motion could propel micromachines
14 September 2007
Mimicking the zig-zag motion of a primitive spiral-shaped bacterium could help tiny machines to move efficiently, suggests a new modelling study
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Honey is the bee's knees for staying young
14 September 2007
Rats fed a diet rich in honey were less anxious and had better memory than those raised on sucrose-rich or sugar-free diets, say researchers
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High-tech chewing gum could end sticky streets
14 September 2007
The water-attracting gum that is designed to wash easily off concrete could save city authorities millions in cleanup operations
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Google sponsors $30 million Moon landing prize
13 September 2007
The Google Lunar X Prize, the largest international prize in history, will reward teams that land and operate an uncrewed rover on the Moon
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Warm dark matter solves mystery of giant black holes
13 September 2007
If dark matter is made of fast, lightweight particles, it could account for the enormous mass of some black holes and the peculiar purity of some stars
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'Surrogate sex' could save vulnerable species
13 September 2007
Injecting sterile salmon with trout sex cells can produce healthy trout offspring, and may offer a way to boost endangered species
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Bizarre Saturn moon mottled like a Dalmatian
13 September 2007
Iapetus is shaped like a walnut and has one black half and one white half – now it seems it's even weirder
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Trio of Japanese spacecraft to study Moon's origin
13 September 2007
A craft carrying two 'baby' probes is set to launch on Friday – it will be the most advanced mission sent to the Moon in more than 30 years
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End great ape experiments, says European Parliament
13 September 2007
The declaration, which is not legally binding but must be taken into account when drafting legislation, also seeks an end to all primate experiments
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Ear-sensor could help athletes go for gold
13 September 2007
The compact device feeds back body motion to hone sports performance – it might one day also help people recovering from injury or surgery
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Innovate or watch rare species disappear
13 September 2007
Conservationists are trying a host of new strategies in a bid to avert a modern-day extinction crisis
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Quantum threat to our secret data
13 September 2007
Rudimentary quantum computers can now run the code-cracking Shor's algorithm, meaning banking and commerce data will soon be under threat
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Mars rover starts long-awaited drive into giant crater
12 September 2007
After three months of delays, the Mars rover Opportunity has made its first tentative dip into a deep crater called Victoria
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Planet survives close call with searing red giant
12 September 2007
A planet that was singed when its host star swelled into a red giant has lived to tell the tale – the Earth will probably not be so lucky
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Morgellons disease: The itch that won't be scratched
12 September 2007
When thousands of people say they have a skin disease that most doctors say doesn't even exist, who do you believe?
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Can 'fertilising' the ocean combat climate change?
12 September 2007
Harvesting CO2 from the atmosphere by dumping iron at sea: is it a real environmental fix or an eco-disaster in waiting?
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The baiji: So long and thanks for all the fish
12 September 2007
If the Yangtze river dolphin isn't extinct already, it soon will be. Mark Carwardine, who first went in search of the dolphin in 1988, tells the tale of its last days
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Interview: Wizard of deception
12 September 2007
Tell lies and the truth will be written on your face, says expressions guru Paul Ekman – what's more anybody can learn how to spot your deception
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Women may come into 'heat' like other mammals
12 September 2007
Oestrus may occur in women after all, explaining why they prefer partners with "good genes" in the most fertile phase of their cycle, say biologists
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No business like space business
12 September 2007
Suddenly, space is up for grabs and there is no shortage of private, wealthy rocketeers shooting for it
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Tilting poles explain Martian ice cover
12 September 2007
The Red Planet has had 40 cold periods over the last 5 million years, thanks to periodic fluctuations in the tilt of its axis
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Redesigned petrol engine promises green gains
12 September 2007
The prototype vehicle engine may improve future fuel efficiency by 25% and reduce emissions, say its developers
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Chimps pinch papayas to impress potential mates
12 September 2007
Wild male chimpanzees sometimes risk injury to steal "forbidden fruit" from farms and impress the females they desire as mates, say researchers
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Endangered species list is more bad news
12 September 2007
More species have probably become extinct, according to the latest "Red List" from the World Conservation Union – a rare parakeet is the only success story
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Chikungunya virus spreads to Europe
12 September 2007
The recent outbreak of the virulent infection in Italy is being spread by warm weather and unusually high numbers of mosquitoes
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Cancer drug hints at treatment for bipolar disorder
12 September 2007
The breast cancer drug tamoxifen seems to reduce the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder, offering hope for a new way to treat this mental illness
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Can string theory accommodate inflation?
11 September 2007
Squaring the two theories will be challenging at best, a new study suggests - and some say it might mean the death of both
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Web users could slash cost of putting video online
11 September 2007
Peer-to-peer networks may have to help distribute video to cut the huge and growing cost of delivering such content on the internet, say researchers
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Ebola outbreak confirmed in Congo
11 September 2007
The killer virus has been found in five people in a province where 120 have so far died, says the WHO – a team is to investigate
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Starving whales point to depleted oceans
11 September 2007
The Gray whale once numbered three to five times current levels, according to a genetic study – lack of food may be impeding the species' recovery
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Cutting doctors' hours has limited benefit for patients
11 September 2007
Making junior doctors work shorter working days does not necessarily improve patient care, according to two studies
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Rare birds may suffer from too many males
11 September 2007
Most bird species have more males than females, meaning vulnerable populations could be smaller than estimates that assume an equal sex ratio
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Did our galaxy's black hole eat its baby brother?
11 September 2007
The grisly act may have taken place 120 million years ago, suggests a new study of 'hypervelocity' stars ejected from the galactic centre
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Lung cancer screening ruled out
10 September 2007
Regular CT scanning offers little benefit for patients and could even harm them, say new US guidelines – some patients' groups disagree
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Norman Foster to design Libyan 'eco-region'
10 September 2007
A region of North African desert and forest is to be developed into the world's largest "sustainable area" by the famous architect's firm
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'Smart homes' could track your electrical noise
10 September 2007
The signature signal given off by appliances and lights as you navigate your home could allow a computer to trace your movements
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'Heretical' cosmologist does away with the big bang
10 September 2007
A controversial theory – the cosmological slingshot – explains the evolution of the universe without a big bang origin
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Engage the antimatter drive
10 September 2007
Fancy a trip to another solar system? You will need a pretty revolutionary kind of rocket to get there...
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Invention: Hydrofoil wakeboard
10 September 2007
This week's patent applications include a wakeboard that keeps your feet dry, ceramic TV screens, and a quick way to measure your metabolic rate
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Invisibility cloak turns you into ray of light
10 September 2007
True invisibility is probably an impossibility, but a device that bends microwaves might turn you into a beam of light instead, say researchers
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Political affiliation could be all in the brain
09 September 2007
Brain scans might one day predict voting patterns, suggest researchers that found differing brain activity between "liberals" and "conservatives"
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Fisheries observers face increasing harassment
09 September 2007
Assaults and attempted bribery of officials charged with ensuring fishing vessels do not exceed their legal catch have risen sharply
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Nuclear fusion project gets the green light
09 September 2007
Physicists have got the go-ahead to try to develop the process that powers the Sun to produce limitless, clean energy on Earth
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Computers learn to fly kites for renewable energy
08 September 2007
A neural network has been taught to fly kites with the expertise of human kite surfers – it could make wind-powered turbines more reliable
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Finally, a MAGIC test for string theory?
08 September 2007
The MAGIC gamma-ray telescope might have detected quantum gravity effects for the first time, providing a way of testing string theory
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New drugs could spell quick fix for depression
08 September 2007
A new class of drug reverses symptoms of depression in rats within days rather than months offering hope for human sufferers
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Height-controlling gene is identified
08 September 2007
A common mutation in a gene that regulates cell growth may make you taller by around 4 millimetres – multiple copies will add further to your height
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Overprotective brain may cause Alzheimer's
08 September 2007
Some of the symptoms of the disease could be triggered when the brain tries to protect its neurons from the effects of a toxic protein
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Report into massacre reveals Virginia Tech failings
08 September 2007
Numerous incidents should have alerted authorities to the threat posed by Cho Seung-Hui, says official report – he went on to kill 32 fellow students
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World's livestock breeds need protection
08 September 2007
Many varieties of farm animals are dying out, especially in Africa – replacement by high-yield Western breeds is to blame
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The lynx effect
08 September 2007
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Space exploration does not come cheap
08 September 2007
It may seem expensive in the short term, but exploring space might one day pay back handsomely
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Bandwidth could be a new online currency
08 September 2007
A peer-to-peer network makes users "earn" the right to download by uploading their own data first
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Gizmo
08 September 2007
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How to shine as a 21st-century chemist
08 September 2007
Chemistry has changed a lot in the past decade, so learn the new tips and tricks for career success
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What is it about space that inspires you?
08 September 2007
Richard Branson, Piers Sellers, Alan Stern, Patrick Moore, Mark Kelly, David Charbonneau and Carolyn Porco discuss their fascination with space
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This week 50 years ago
08 September 2007
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Soundbites
08 September 2007
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60 Seconds
08 September 2007
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Fisheries observers face increasing harassment
08 September 2007
Assaults and attempted bribery of officials charged with ensuring fishing vessels do not exceed their legal catch have risen sharply
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A bridge too far
08 September 2007
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TV viewing linked to attention problems in teens
08 September 2007
Television viewing in young children may cause symptoms of attention problems in adolescence, a long term study reveals
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Nuclear fusion project gets the green light
08 September 2007
Physicists have got the go-ahead to try to develop the process that powers the Sun to produce limitless, clean energy on Earth
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Space travel: The DIY rocketeer's guide
08 September 2007
How hard can it really be to launch yourself into space, asks Stephen Battersby
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Climate change drove humans out of Africa
08 September 2007
Major changes to the climate in the distant past may explain why we evolved to walk upright and migrated out of Africa
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Wound licking
08 September 2007
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Shapely pear
08 September 2007
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Finally, a MAGIC test for string theory?
08 September 2007
The MAGIC gamma-ray telescope might have detected quantum gravity effects for the first time, providing a way of testing string theory
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Computers learn to fly kites for renewable energy
08 September 2007
A neural network has been taught to fly kites with the expertise of human kite surfers – it could make wind-powered turbines more reliable
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Spooks from space
08 September 2007
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Pulling power
08 September 2007
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The first kiss can make or break a couple's relationship
08 September 2007
Relationships may be defined by personal information shared within the very first kiss
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Climate uncertainty
08 September 2007
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Do you think humanity has a place in space?
08 September 2007
Martin Rees, Frank Drake, Richard Branson, Brian Schmidt and Matt Mountain discuss whether we can and should head for the stars
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Histories: The perils of X-ray hair removal
08 September 2007
In 1920s' America, thousands of women suffered serious illness after a novel treatment at Albert Geyser's beauty clinics
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Stomach upset
08 September 2007
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50 years in space
08 September 2007
Next month the space age turns 50. On 4 October 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 into orbit and transformed the world forever. Here we trace the changes it inspired, opening a chapter in the history of civilisation whose story is only now starting to unfold
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Feedback
08 September 2007
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Burning bush
08 September 2007
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How much force is required to stop the world spinning?
08 September 2007
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Satellite gone
08 September 2007
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Cancer urgency
08 September 2007
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A bridge too far
08 September 2007
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Faulty pipe blamed for UK foot and mouth outbreak
07 September 2007
A government-run research facility was the source of the virus that crippled the UK's farming industry last month, say officials
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NASA criticised for stifling drunkenness reports
07 September 2007
Whistleblowers who anonymously reported that astronauts flew drunk were apparently too afraid to tell NASA during a follow-up investigation
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Education could help conserve creepy-crawlies
07 September 2007
A better public understanding of species that trigger phobias, such as spiders, bats and snakes, might help increase efforts to conserve them
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'Crowd quakes' could be predicted by CCTV analysis
07 September 2007
Software could be used to spot pressure waves in tightly-packed crowds before they are released in disastrous stampedes, researchers say
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Could Huntington's mutation make people healthier?
07 September 2007
The gene for the disease is increasing within the general population – a controversial new theory attempts to explain why
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Paralysing virus a suspect in disappearing bee mystery
06 September 2007
Droves of honeybees have been abandoning their hives in the US – now an imported virus has been linked to the bizarre behaviour
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'Muscular films' promise bodyparts and biomachines
06 September 2007
Sheets of polymer coated with living muscle could be used to test new drugs, repair damaged body parts, or even create crawling, swimming "machines"
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Saturn's dizzying spin hints at quick birth
06 September 2007
The Ringed Planet appears to spin 7 minutes faster than thought, suggesting it may have formed in the cosmic blink of an eye
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Cosmic 'baby bouncer' could tie astronauts to asteroids
06 September 2007
Manned visits to asteroids aren't as easy as they look in the movies, but a contraption that anchors astronauts might be the solution
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Thinking of words can guide your wheelchair
06 September 2007
A way of sensing nerve signals sent to the larynx can be used to guide motorised wheelchairs – the system might one day also help paralysed people speak again
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Low-cost personal DNA readings are on the way
06 September 2007
A limited scan of our genomes may soon be available for as little as $1000, but experts worry that the information will confuse some people
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Hubble telescope loses another gyroscope
06 September 2007
Another pointing gyro fails on the space telescope, but managers believe it can continue observing until a shuttle repairs it in 2008
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Tsunami threat hangs over Bay of Bengal
05 September 2007
The region could have a higher risk of an offshore earthquake than thought, which could unleash a potentially devastating tsunami in the densely populated area
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Instant Expert: Sputnik's Legacy
05 September 2007
The launch of the first satellite, Sputnik, on 4 October 1957 forever changed the world. New Scientist delves into the legacy of the pioneering spacecraft
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Interview: Bruce Parry, presenter of Tribe/Going Tribal
05 September 2007
What Parry does is far from formal anthropology, but do his programmes give us insights we just couldn't get otherwise?
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Dog-walking scares away the local wildlife
05 September 2007
Dogs frighten away birds, even when on leashes, supporting moves to ban them in national parks and other sensitive areas
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Why humans must leave Earth
05 September 2007
Our long-term survival may depend on humans colonising other planets – but time is running out, says J. Richard Gott III
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Top 10 influential space thinkers
05 September 2007
Long before Sputnik and Apollo, visionaries were looking ahead to space travel and what it might eventually achieve
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Daring space rescues
05 September 2007
Exploding oxygen tanks, meteor impacts and sudden loss of power – how backroom heroes overcame the perils of space
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Confessions of an astronaut
05 September 2007
Five-times NASA astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman relives his experiences of riding the shuttle into space
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Invisibility cloak turns you into ray of light
05 September 2007
A true invisibility cloak is probably impossible to make, but a device that bends microwaves might turn you into a beam of light instead, say researchers
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Cellphones could guide high-rise rescuers
05 September 2007
After a call from a cellphone, paramedics or police could be guided to within two floors of a tall building by comparing signals from dozens of masts
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Virtual reality will enhance real-world experiences
05 September 2007
Online environments aren't just about fantasy role-playing – one day they will provide useful back-up to day-to-day living, say experts
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How Sputnik changed the world
05 September 2007
We still can't take a vacation on the moon, so what was the point of the space race?
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Oceans not safe from acid rain
05 September 2007
Previously ignored industrial sources of nitric and sulphuric acid might be acidifying some coastal waters, according to a new model
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The battle for peace in space
05 September 2007
The world should act now to prevent space becoming the next junk heap or high-tech war zone, argues Laura Grego
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Discovered: The asteroid that killed off the dinosaurs
05 September 2007
The space rock that hit Earth 65 million years ago has been traced to a giant 'mother rock' that gave rise to a family of asteroids
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Satellites and space debris
05 September 2007
It all started with Sputnik 1, now there are over 850 satellites in operation around Earth, and a plethora of space junk to boot
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Alzheimer's tangles destroyed after gene therapy
05 September 2007
Cells engineered to produce an enzyme that dissolves Alzheimer's plaques worked when injected into mouse brains
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Antarctic pod makes way for green research
05 September 2007
The world's first zero-emissions Antarctic research station will be powered by wind and solar energy, and will recycle water supplies
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New Mexico spaceport design is 'out of this world'
05 September 2007
The world's first purpose-built private spaceport will rise out of the desert like something out of Star Wars
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Entire kidney removed through navel
05 September 2007
Surgeons have used keyhole surgery to remove a kidney through a hole in the navel for the first time
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Tasmanian tiger's weaker bite gave dingoes the edge
05 September 2007
The thylacine was not wiped out by humans on Australia's mainland – it just could not tackle prey as ably as dingoes, reveals a study of their skulls
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Precision nanoprinting could foil the forgers
05 September 2007
Positioning tiny particles with great accuracy could provide a way of making smaller electronic circuits, and might help detect counterfeit banknotes
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World's biggest digital camera to join asteroid search
04 September 2007
A camera boasting 1.4 billion pixels has been installed on a Pan-STARRS telescope – it will look for potentially dangerous space rocks
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Childhood TV viewing linked to teen attention problems
04 September 2007
Watching more than two hours of television a day is associated with attention problems in adolescence, finds a new study
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'Livestock meltdown' threatens developing world
04 September 2007
Hardy breeds of animals vital for food supplies are dying out in many countries, especially Africa, and being replaced by weaker Western breeds
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Warm ice could make implants more biocompatible
04 September 2007
A layer of 'nano-ice' that remains frozen at human body temperature in certain conditions could make medical implants less harmful to tissue
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First kiss can make or break a couple's relationship
04 September 2007
Relationships may be defined by personal information shared within the very first kiss, reveals a study of smooching students
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Antarctic seals carry virulent human disease
04 September 2007
The fur seal pups are carrying a nasty strain of the E. coli bacterium, adding to fears we are failing to protect this pristine environment
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Diabetes fears over corn syrup in soda
04 September 2007
Adding the high-fructose syrup to drinks makes them 10 times richer in compounds blamed for diabetic complications than drinks using cane sugar
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Human exodus from Africa helped by wetter weather
03 September 2007
Sediment cores from Lake Malawi reveal severe droughts that ended 70,000 years ago – around the same time early modern humans left the continent
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Cancer-seeking antibodies guide light-sensitive drugs
03 September 2007
Attaching a photodynamic cancer drug to a cancer-specific antibody fragment has increased the drug's potency and reduced its side effects
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Times Atlas to reflect 'environmental disasters'
03 September 2007
Human activities on the planet have forced more changes than usual for the latest edition of the renowned atlas, say its cartographers
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Invention: Green technology special
03 September 2007
This week's patent applications focus on environmentally friendly technologies: disintegrating polystyrene, faster bio-fuel production, energy-harvesting radio antennae, and bio-solar cells
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Nanomagnetic sponge restores filthy frescoes
03 September 2007
The material could be used to gently clean antique paintings and sculptures, with bar magnets used to non-destructively lift off the sponge after use
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Pitch perception skewed by modern tuning
03 September 2007
Could the use of A as the universal tuning frequency have made our ears less discerning of the notes immediately around it?
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Could type 2 diabetes be reversed using surgery?
03 September 2007
Gastric bypass surgery appears to make diabetes vanish – independently of weight loss
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Glowing protein could be smallest thermometer
02 September 2007
Green fluorescent protein flickers more slowly when hot than when cold, making it ideal as a thermometer inside cells and "lab-on-a-chip" devices
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Modern women are excellent gatherers
02 September 2007
Women can accurately remember the location of fruit and vegetables, a skill that would have been valuable in our distant past
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Market forces may halt whale hunting
02 September 2007
Falling demand for whale products and no access to Japan's market mean the controversial slaughter is no longer profitable, announces Iceland
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Mobile games consoles pose security threat
01 September 2007
Hand-held games consoles like Sony's PlayStation Portable can be hacked to snoop on internet traffic
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India's monsoons more variable than thought
01 September 2007
South Asia's vital monsoons failed for 15 to 30-year-long stretches between AD 600 and 1500, a study of cave stalagmites reveals
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Why superheroes always win
01 September 2007
An analysis of the social networks within the fictional universe of Marvel comics reveals superheroes are better connected than villains
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Fruit bats carry deadly Marburg virus
01 September 2007
Scientists in Gabon have tracked the Marburg virus down to a species of fruit bat that lives in caves – the first time it has been found outside humans or other primates
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Colour of custard
01 September 2007
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Save our cars
01 September 2007
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Leaf antlers
01 September 2007
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Editorial: Save the Arctic Ocean for wildlife and science
01 September 2007
Rather than drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic Ocean, we need a treaty to protect the new environment that is emerging from beneath the ice
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Plant depression
01 September 2007
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Climate scandal
01 September 2007
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Jupiter both protects and endangers us
01 September 2007
The huge planet shields us from some comets, but its gravity also attracts objects into the solar system
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Whale hunt may stop, announces Iceland
01 September 2007
Falling demand for whale products and no access to Japan's market means it is no longer profitable to hunt whales
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The biggest hole ever seen in the universe
01 September 2007
A newly discovered void is 40 times larger than the previous record holder and challenges theories of the universe's structure
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Feedback
01 September 2007
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The Word: Burble
01 September 2007
For a skydiver, air turbulence can be deadly
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What good is God?
01 September 2007
If humans are hardwired to be moral, what is the point of religion?
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Nervous free will
01 September 2007
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Cloning people
01 September 2007
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Disaster machines: Simulating nature's fury
01 September 2007
Take a tour of the biggest and baddest platforms for faking quakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and fire – all in the name of safety
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The long march of the penguins
01 September 2007
Penguins first waddled down to the sea just after the dinosaurs went extinct, the start of an amazing evolutionary journey
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Toxic cocktail
01 September 2007
Chemicals that are safe on their own can gang up when they meet in your body
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Review: The Most Dangerous Animal: Human nature and the origins of war
01 September 2007
A study of the history of war shows human nature can be both peaceful and violent. How we can avoid being manipulated into a murderous state?
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Review:
01 September 2007
Are the Archaea a new form of life? No matter how awe-inspiring they may be, biologist Lynn Margulis thinks not
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Interview: Second Life – under attack
01 September 2007
Attract too much attention in Second Life and you risk an attack by "griefers". We asked a griefer why, and one of his victims how it felt
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View from the Top: Meet Andrew Wadge, chief scientist of the UK's Food Standards Agency
01 September 2007
Keeping the UK's food fit to eat - and good for you - is one seriously tough job
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Review: About the Size of It, by Warwick Cairns
01 September 2007
A deliciously ironic brief history of traditional measurements
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Review: To Follow the Water, by Dallas Murphy
01 September 2007
This tale of ocean currents and the Gulf Stream has the salt-soaked readability of Dava Sobel's Longitude
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Ice sums
01 September 2007
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60 Seconds
01 September 2007
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Why superheroes always win
01 September 2007
An analysis of the social networks within the fictional universe of Marvel comics reveals superheroes are better connected than villains
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Virtual entrepreneurs and 'griefers' spoil the fantasy of online worlds
01 September 2007
They should be places where anything goes, but vandals and lawyers are spoiling the fun
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Gizmo
01 September 2007
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Blueprint drawn up for quantum RAM
01 September 2007
A new method for retrieving quantum information could make recall more reliable
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Mobile games consoles pose security threat
01 September 2007
Hand-held games consoles like Sony's PlayStation Portable can be hacked to snoop on internet traffic
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For the record
01 September 2007
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Sushi speared
01 September 2007
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Case for treatment
01 September 2007
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Farther lands
01 September 2007
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Quantum free will
01 September 2007
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Essay: What really makes us human?
01 September 2007
Just as the richness of human language relies on sentences that refer back to themselves, the ability to think in abstract ways seems to be a key feature of the human mind – and it could be what distinguishes us from other species
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India's monsoons more variable than thought
01 September 2007
South Asia's vital monsoons failed for 15 to 30-year-long stretches between AD 600 and 1500, a study of cave stalagmites reveals
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Social free will
01 September 2007
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Ringside view of change at Uranus
01 September 2007
New edge-on pictures of the planet's rings show that they have changed unexpectedly in the past 20 years
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Lessons of hurricane Katrina are being ignored
01 September 2007
Two years on. millions of people in the US are still in danger – not to mention billions more elsewhere
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Fruit bats carry deadly Marburg virus
01 September 2007
Scientists in Gabon have tracked the Marburg virus down to a species of fruit bat that lives in caves – the first time it has been found outside humans or other primates
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UK's nuclear accidents blamed on poor safety
01 September 2007
Documents obtained by New Scientist under freedom of information legislation reveal that two of the UK's worst nuclear weapons accidents could have been averted
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Soundbites
01 September 2007
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This week 50 years ago
01 September 2007
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An out-of-body experience – without the death bit
01 September 2007
Lab experiments show that people who claim to have left their bodies during surgery or accidents may be imagining the experience
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Nervous free will
01 September 2007
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Time after time...
01 September 2007
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A beef with driving
01 September 2007
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Comment: Cursing condoms
01 September 2007
Efforts to slow global warming will never work if conservatives of all kinds keep blocking women's access to contraception, says William Laurance
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Modern women are excellent gatherers
01 September 2007
Women can accurately remember the location of fruit and vegetables, a skill that would have been valuable in our distant past
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Glowing protein could be smallest thermometer
01 September 2007
Green fluorescent protein flickers more slowly when hot than when cold, making it ideal as a thermometer inside cells and "lab-on-a-chip" devices