Discovery

A single protein in the brain seems to exert significant influence over feelings of despair, according to a new study in mice. Previous work has suggested that genetic mutations can predispose people to certain psychological disorders, such as depression. Rodents engineered to have higher levels of the protein coped better with the frustrating challenges presented to [...]

In the US, a pocket-sized device that runs on two AA batteries and copies DNA as accurately as expensive lab equipment has been developed by researchers. It runs polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), to generate billions of identical copies of a DNA strand, in as little as 20 minutes. This is much faster than the machines [...]

Using DNA sequences determined from patient blood samples, a research found that by a small genetic mutation in the section of human DNA that codes for immune proteins appears able to reduce the amount of HIV in the body by an average of 90%. The finding points to new ways in which vaccines might one [...]

A man with tiny brain has shocked France. American Scientist reported, a man with an unusually tiny brain manages to live an entirely normal life despite his condition, which was caused by a fluid build-up in his skull. Scans of the 44-year-old man’s brain showed that a huge fluid-filled chamber called a ventricle took up [...]

Oxytocin was hailed as the “trust” hormone, then the “mind-reading” hormone. Now it seems oxytocin may also help people with social phobia to interact. The research on this hormone delivered by studying 70 people with general social phobia, held by Markus Heinrichs at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and colleagues. Usually, this social phobia is [...]

NewScientist America reported, carbon nanotubes also having a springy side beside known as the ultra-strong material. Before, it is known well of its capability that might one day form the cable of a “space elevator” capable of raising people into Earth orbit. The discovery shows that nanotubes keep bouncing back after being compressed repeatedly. This [...]

Intel has announced that it will support the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, reversing its long-standing opposition to the proposal. This OLPC project is made to put computers in the hands of poor children around the world. This goal comes by developing a personal computer that should be put into production in September at [...]

NewScientist America reported, a new study found that Uranus or Neptune do not have enough carbon to make diamonds, they say – but white dwarf stars do. The high pressure inside Uranus and Neptune could compress carbon into diamond, some scientists have proposed before. But a new study says that even if diamonds could form in [...]

One of the challenges in robot navigation is to enable machines to create maps of their surrounding environment, while working out their location at the same time – a challenge known as simultaneous localization. A robot controlled by a simulated rat brain has proved itself to be a remarkable mimic of rodent behaviour in series [...]

Electric ships offer a cleaner, faster and simpler alternative to diesel-powered craft. This has been studied by naval engineer. The study said, electric ships could be especially efficient if their propellers were powered by superconducting motors. The only trouble is, superconductors operate at temperatures close to absolute zero (-256°C) and the heat generated is difficult to [...]