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The Finest Mirrors Ever Made, And Their 10-Minute Mission

The Finest Mirrors Ever Made, And Their 10-Minute Mission

Jul 08 2012 | comment(s)

On July 11, NASA scientists will launch into space the highest resolution solar telescope ever to observe the solar corona, the million degree outer solar atmosphere.

But it will only last 10 minutes. 
Atomic Gardening - The Ultimate Frankenfoods

Atomic Gardening - The Ultimate Frankenfoods

Jul 07 2012 | comment(s)

If you are not a fan of transgenic (GMO) technologies, just wait until you hear about the freakish practices scientists and big seed companies are sneaking under the radar!  Now, scientists soak seeds or tissues in toxic chemicals or subject them to high fields of radiation to cause random damage and genetic changes.  Random damage to DNA causes unknown effects that produce new proteins, leading to new plant traits.  The new plant lines are untested for safety and not assessed for environmental impact.  They want to put these on your dinner table and feed them to children! 
Illuminated Cyanobacteria Shed Light On Biofuel Production

Illuminated Cyanobacteria Shed Light On Biofuel Production

Jul 06 2012 | comment(s)

Cyanobacteria are small organisms with huge importance. Ancient cyanobacteria created the oxygen atmosphere, and modern cyanobacteria produce a significant amount of the air we breathe. Now, these tiny organisms are helping us again by providing clues to improving biofuel production.

Because of their prolific photosynthesizing, cyanobacteria have great potential for solar-powered biofuel production. To tap into that potential, researchers from Queen Mary’s School of Biological and Chemical Sciences recently became the first to visualize and control the “biological electrical switch” that dictates how electrons flow through the bacterium.

The Tower Of Babel Inside Us All: Switching On Metalinguistic Awareness

The Tower Of Babel Inside Us All: Switching On Metalinguistic Awareness

Jul 06 2012 | comment(s)

In Basque, all you have to do is look at the verb to see whether the sentence has a direct object. Why not use that to learn the syntax of Spanish? If you already know how to form conditional sentences in Basque and in Spanish, why start from scratch to learn the same thing in English?

Basically, because languages are screwy. But they don't have to be. The DREAM group (Donostia Research group on Education And Multilingualism) is seeking to revolutionize language education using synergy: taking advantage of the features that languages share in order to educate truly multilingual students in schools. 
Craziest Higgs Stories

Craziest Higgs Stories

Jul 06 2012 | comment(s)

When I wrote about watching the Higgs discovery, I chided scientists on Twitter for over-reaching regarding what was being said and lauded science journalists for showing some moderation, but that does not mean all journalists could resist being silly.  And it doesn't mean all scientists were over-reaching.
China Trounces US In Yet Another Area: Childhood Diabetes

China Trounces US In Yet Another Area: Childhood Diabetes

Jul 06 2012 | comment(s)

The Chinese are determined to be number one in the world at everything - including things that are not very healthy.

China has experienced unprecedented economic growth in the past two decades and with that have come equally dramatic changes in the weight, diets and physical activity levels of its people. A new analysis used data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), the longest ongoing study of its kind in China. Between 1989 and 2011, the study followed more than 29,000 people in 300 communities throughout China, with surveys conducted in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2011. 
My Two Pieces On The Higgs

My Two Pieces On The Higgs

Jul 06 2012 | comment(s)

Yesterday the Italian newspaper "Il Manifesto" featured two pieces written by yours truly on the discovery of the Higgs boson. I was delighted to have a chance to write for that newspaper, which has an illustrious history and is totally independent (and on the verge of being shut down). By the way, I must thank Peter Woit who suggested the reporters of the newspaper to contact me for the piece.

The articles are in Italian, but I can make an effort at translating them for you here.
Eurartesim Anti-Malaria Drug Begins Roll Out

Eurartesim Anti-Malaria Drug Begins Roll Out

Jul 06 2012 | comment(s)

Eurartesim(R) - dihydroartemisinin piperaquine (DHA-PQP) - the first artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Eurartesim was developed collaboratively by Sigma Tau Group, Italy, and the not-for-profit research foundation Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). 

 Eurartesim is now ready for delivery to Cambodia, the first malaria endemic country to place an order for the newly approved treatment. Cambodia prioritized the use of DHA-PQP as a first line drug and was awaiting EMA approval to allow procurement of this product using international donor funds. 

Lupin Receives FDA Approval For Generic LYRICA(R)

Lupin Receives FDA Approval For Generic LYRICA(R)

Jul 06 2012 | comment(s)

Dark Matter Filaments Detected In Abell 222 And Abel 223 Supercluster

Dark Matter Filaments Detected In Abell 222 And Abel 223 Supercluster

Jul 05 2012 | comment(s)

Dark matter and dark energy is thought to account for up to 80% of the matter in the universe. Does it exist? Well, it has to, we just can't see it. So what is it? We better know what it isn't.