Latest and Breaking Business Science News

Satellite data reveal why migrating birds have a small window to spread bird flu
3 September 2010, 4:00 am
(Wiley-Blackwell) In 2005 an outbreak of the H5N1 "bird flu" virus in South East Asia led to widespread fear with predictions that the intercontinental migration of wild birds could lead to global pandemic. Such fears were never realized, and now research published in the British Ecological Society's Journal of Applied Ecology reveals why the global spread of bird flu by direct migration of wildfowl is unlikely, while also providing a new framework for quantifying the risk of avian-borne diseases.

Italy honors supervolcano fossil discovery; Capellini Medal to SMU’s James Quick
2 September 2010, 4:00 am
(Southern Methodist University) Italian geologists in September will award the Capellini Medal to Southern Methodist University scientist James E. Quick, recognizing discovery of an enormous 280 million-year-old fossil supervolcano in the Italian Alps. Its magmatic plumbing system is exposed to an unprecedented depth of 25 kilometers. The discovery has sparked worldwide scientific interest and a budding regional geotourism industry in northern Italy's Sesia Valley. Quick led scientists from the University of Trieste to make the discovery.

You say, 'bio-math,' I say, 'math-bio': Crossing science education divide
2 September 2010, 4:00 am
(American Society for Cell Biology) The old joke is a joke no more. In a special September issue of the ASCB's online journal, CBE-Life Sciences Education, the adage that biology is for science students who don't do math is laid to rest forever. "Bio-math" or "math-bio" is the future for students of both disciplines, say the contributors of seven essays and 17 research articles on new ways to integrate mathematical thinking into biology education and vice versa.

UCSF unveils model for implantable artificial kidney to replace dialysis
2 September 2010, 4:00 am
(University of California - San Francisco) UCSF researchers today unveiled a prototype model of the first implantable artificial kidney, in a development that one day could eliminate the need for dialysis.

University of Arizona-led group awarded $9.9 million to develop 'super rice'
2 September 2010, 4:00 am
(University of Arizona) Scientists seek to develop a rice strain that is better capable of withstanding drought and poorer soils and produces higher yields than current forms of domesticated rice.

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology reacts to stem-cell ruling
2 September 2010, 4:00 am
(American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology expressed its disapproval and disappointment this week in response to the Aug. 23 court ruling that temporarily bars federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research.

Study challenges value of oxygen therapy in end-of-life care
2 September 2010, 4:00 am
(Duke University Medical Center) Millions of patients with advanced disease in palliative care settings receive oxygen therapy to help them breathe more easily. But a new study from Duke University Medical Center says roughly half of them don't benefit from the intervention, and among those who do benefit, it doesn't make a bit of difference whether they get pure oxygen or just plain old room air -- both offer equal benefit.

Science's policy clout diminished, but oil risk looms large
2 September 2010, 4:00 am
(SAGE Publications UK) More people are likely to believe scientific studies claiming that oil drilling is riskier, not safer, than was previously thought, according to a new study of attitudes in California. What's more the findings, which appear in the journal Public Understanding of Science, published by SAGE, show that scientists' efforts to influence public opinion have a limited effect.

New climate change mitigation schemes could benefit elites rather than the rural poor
2 September 2010, 4:00 am
(Burness Communications) With governments across Latin America preparing to implement a new financial mechanism aimed at mitigating climate change by curbing carbon emissions from the destruction of tropical forests, experts gathering here today warned against a "one-size-fits-all" approach, calling instead for flexible, balanced solutions to the thorny dilemmas surrounding this new mechanism. Among the experts' chief worries is that the wealthy and powerful could capture many of the benefits, largely at the expense of rural communities, including indigenous groups.

Digital tech brings history of India to worldwide audience
2 September 2010, 4:00 am
(University of Houston) The rare book, "India Illustrated" is now digitally preserved and available online for students, historians and others around the world interested in the social, economic and political history of India.