Ebola Cured in Monkeys—Hope for Humans?
Monkeys infected with the deadly Ebola virus have been treated successfully, possibly bringing humans a step closer to a cure. According to a new study, a team of scientists used special gene-silencing drugs to selectively "knock out" viral proteins in Chinese rhesus macaques infected with a lethal dose of the Zaire Ebola virus. Zaire is the most virulent strain of Ebola—90 percent of infected people die during outbreaks. (National Geographic News 09 June 2010)

Most Infectious Malaria Strain Came From Chimps?
The most malignant known form of malaria may have jumped from chimpanzees to humans, according to a new study of one of the most deadly diseases in the world. Malaria, a mosquito-borne illness, can be caused in humans by one of four strains of the Plasmodium parasite. More than a million people die from malaria each year. P. falciparum is the most virulent of these strains and accounts for nearly 85 percent of all malaria infections. Researchers had thought that P. falciparum and P. reichenowi—the malaria strain found in chimpanzees—evolved independently from a common ancestor about five to seven million years ago. But the new study has found that the human strain is actually a mutated form of the chimp strain. (National Geographic News 03 August 2009)

Phoenician Blood Endures 3,000 Years, DNA Study Shows
Ancient maritime traders of the Mediterranean may have left behind a large genetic footprint in the region, where 1 in 17 men still harbors Phoenician DNA, according to a new study. The findings could fill a gap in the history of the Phoenician civilization, which originated two to three thousand years ago in the eastern Mediterranean—in what is now Lebanon and Syria—and included prominent traders, according to Chris Tyler-Smith, lead author and associate researcher at National Geographic Society's Genographic Project. (National Geographic News 30 October 2008)

Malaria Parasites Use "Cloaking Devices" to Trick Body
Malaria parasites use elaborate forms of deception, such as molecular mimicry, to fool the human immune system, new gene studies say. The discovery could lead to new vaccines for the disease, which kills millions and is rapidly becoming resistant to treatment. (National Geographic News 08 October 2008)

Alligator Blood May Lead to Powerful New Antibiotics
Alligators often engage in violent fights over territories and mates, and scientists have puzzled over why their wounds rarely get infected. Now researchers think the secret lies in the reptiles' blood. Chemists in Louisiana found that blood from the American alligator can successfully destroy 23 strains of bacteria, including strains known to be resistant to antibiotics. In addition, the blood was able to deplete and destroy a significant amount of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. (National Geographic News 07 April 2008)

After Near Extinction, Humans Split Into Isolated Bands
After nearly going extinct 150,000 years ago, humankind split into small groups—living in isolation for nearly a hundred thousand years before "reuniting" and migrating out of Africa, a new gene study says. At one point our species may have been down to as few as 2,000 individuals, probably due to climate change—a longstanding theory bolstered by the new findings. (National Geographic News 24 April 2008)

Crusades, Islam Expansion Traced in Lebanon DNA
A new study has found genetic traces of both the arrival of the Crusades and of the expansion of Islam in Lebanon. The findings not only confirm well-documented history but also present a rare genetic trail showing the movement of two major religions into Lebanon, scientists say. "Lebanon has always had a rich history of receiving different cultures," said the study's lead author, Pierre Zalloua, an associate professor at the Lebanese American University.
"This study tells us that some of them did not just conquer and leave behind castles. They left a subtle genetic connection as well." (National Geographic News 28 March 2008)

Mice Frozen 16 Years Ago "Resurrected" by Cloning
Using cells from dead mice frozen for 16 years, a team of Japanese geneticists has successfully created healthy clones of the dead animals. The breakthrough could pave the way for resurrecting extinct animals, such as the woolly mammoth, from frozen remains, experts say. (National Geographic News 03 November 2008)

HIV/AIDS Emerged as Early as 1880s
The AIDS pandemic in humans originated at least three decades earlier than previously thought, and it may have been triggered by rapid urbanization in west-central Africa during the early 20th century, according to an international team of researchers. (National Geographic News 03 October 2008)

Europeans Less Genetically Diverse Than Africans
European-American populations are less genetically diverse and have more potentially harmful genetic variations than African-American populations, according to an international team of researchers. The findings suggest that human migrations may have affected genetic diversity and that a population "bottleneck" may have been involved in the original settlement of Europe. Population bottlenecks happen when the size of a certain population shrinks over at least one generation. Over time, the smaller population results in a reduced genetic variation. (National Geographic News 20 February 2008)

Oldest Human TB Case Found in 500,000-Year-Old Fossil
Tuberculosis may have infected human ancestors much earlier than previously thought, according to scientists who have discovered traces of the disease in a hominin fossil about 500,000 years old. Researchers say the findings could provide a better understanding of the roles of climate, health, and evolution in ancient human migration. (National Geographic News 07 December 2007)

Why Pregnant Women Don't Tip Over
Wedge-shaped vertebrae in the lower back might be the key evolutionary adaptation that helps human females maintain a stable posture over the course of pregnancy. According to anthropologists, the human adaptation is unique among primates and may have arisen shortly after early humans started walking upright. (National Geographic News 12 December 2007)

Human Skin Cells Given Stem Cell Properties
Two teams of scientists have given human skin cells many of the properties of embryonic stem cells—a development that could ease political, ethical, and medical concerns over the highly controversial research topic. Like embryonic stem cells, the new cells—known as induced pluripotent cells—are capable of developing into most types of cells in the body. But the new lines can be created without the use of an embryo. Such cells could conceivably also be custom-made for any adult, sidestepping issues of cell rejection. (National Geographic News 20 November 2007)

"Brainbows" Illuminate the Mind's Wiring
Genetically engineered mice furnished with fluorescent proteins are providing the most detailed pictures yet of the brain's intricate circuitry. The innovation offers an intimate peek into the development and inner workings of the nervous system at the level of individual neurons, researchers say. (National Geographic News 31 October 2007)

AIDS Virus Traveled to Haiti, Then U.S., Study Says
HIV went directly from Africa to Haiti, then spread to the United States and much of the rest of the world beginning around 1969, suggests an international team of researchers. The findings settle a key debate on the history and transmission route of the deadly virus, the scientists say. (National Geographic News 29 October 2007)

Pest-Resistant Crops Better Than Insecticide Use, Analysis Says
A type of genetically modified (GM) crop that resists pests may be a better alternative to farming with insecticides, a new report says. These crops contain a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, a common bacterium found in soil. The gene helps the plants produce proteins that are toxic to certain insects. Some Bt crops are designed to only kill caterpillars, others to only kill beetles. The Bt crops did not seem to kill all the insects that come into contact with them, whereas insecticides do. (National Geographic News 07 June 2007)

"Stinky Whale" Mystery Stymies Scientists, Aboriginal Hunters
A rancid stench in the meat of some gray whales has made them inedible to Russian aboriginal hunters, according to a new report. Chemical contamination or disease may be causing the increasing phenomenon of so-called stinky whales, experts say. A similar stink is also being noticed in the meat of ringed and bearded seals, walruses, and cod, the report by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) adds. (National Geographic News 06 June 2007)

Blood Types Can Be Converted; May End Shortages
Blood types A, B, and AB can be efficiently converted to type O, which is safe to give to anyone, says an international team of researchers. The scientists identified bacterial proteins that can quickly convert one blood type to another by clipping away sugar molecules on red blood cells. The find may create a universally safe supply of blood and may help end shortages, since mismatched blood transfusions can quickly cause death. (National Geographic News 04 April 2007

Sex-Changing Chemicals Found in Potomac River
Ever since the discovery of gender-bending fish in the Potomac River, scientists have wondered what could be changing the sex of large numbers of fish in the waterway outside Washington, D.C. They may not have to wonder much longer. A recent U.S. government study has found large quantities of chemicals in the river and its tributaries—pollutants that are known to cause sex change in animals. These chemicals, from both residential and industrial sources, may be linked to the unnatural fish, says the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report, which was released late last month. (National Geographic News 22 January 2007)

Phantom-Limb Pain Eased With Virtual Reality
For amputees suffering from phantom pain, a computer-generated cure might soon be at hand. Virtual reality could hold the key to easing the often agonizing sensation of a missing limb that feels as if it is still there, experts say. "Four of the five patients who used our virtual reality system reported significant reduction in pain," said Steve Pettifer, a computer scientist at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. "If further tests prove this is a successful technology, it could be used in hospitals or by people in their homes." (National Geographic News 18 January 2007)

Polio Making Rapid Comeback, Poses Epidemic Risk, Scientists Say
Outbreaks of polio in India and Nigeria are rapidly spreading, and experts warn that new infections could turn into an epidemic of international scale. India's outbreak started in mid-2006 in Moradabad, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh near the border with Nepal. "The [outbreak] … has now spread throughout Uttar Pradesh state and into other nearby states," said Jay Wenger, project manager at the National Polio Surveillance Project, a joint effort between the UN and the Indian government. (National Geographic News 12 September 2006)

"Second Life," Other Virtual Worlds Reshaping Human Interaction
Every day millions of personal computer (PC) gamers plug into online worlds that slake all kinds of fantasies. Massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs)—such as World of Warcraft and Everquest—allow people to don online personalities, or avatars, and duke it out in make-believe environments. But virtual worlds aren't just for nerds anymore. (National Geographic News 17 October 2006)

Bird Flu Detected in Three People in Iowa, Study Finds
A duck hunter and two wildlife workers in Iowa have tested positive for a nonlethal form of avian flu, according to a team of U.S scientists. Their study is the first to suggest that bird flu can be transmitted to humans from wild birds. "We did not detect H5N1, the virus that has caused such a high death rate in the humans it has infected," said the study's lead author, James Gill, who is a disease specialist at the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory in Iowa City. Instead the researchers found that the infection was caused by the H11 virus, a strain commonly found in ducks, geese, and shorebirds, but not previously associated with human illness. (National Geographic News 31 July 2006)

Speed Limit Proposed to Reduce Whale Collisions
A newly proposed speed limit could help reduce collisions between endangered right whales and ships along the U.S. East Coast, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service recently announced. Conservationists welcomed the proposal, saying it would help protect one of the world's most threatened whale species. (National Geographic News 27 June 2006)

9,000-Year-Old Drilled Teeth Are Work of Stone Age Dentists
Human teeth excavated from an archaeological site in Pakistan show that dentistry was thriving as recently as 9,000 years ago. Researchers excavating a Stone Age graveyard found a total of 11 teeth that had been drilled, including one that had apparently undergone a complex procedure to hollow out a cavity deep inside the tooth. The discovery suggests a high level of technological sophistication, though the procedure, which involved drills tipped with shards of flint, could hardly have been a painless affair. (National Geographic News 05 April 2006)

Kidnapping Penguins May Be High on Hormone, Study Says
Raging hormones might help explain why female emperor penguins that have lost a baby sometimes kidnap the chick of another. This bizarre snatching behavior—seen briefly in the Oscar-winning movie March of the Penguins—has long puzzled scientists. (March of the Penguins was produced by National Geographic Features Films and Warner Independent Pictures.) "The kidnapping lasts for a few hours or a week at most," said Olivier Chastel, a biologist at the French National Center for Scientific Research in Villiers en Bois. (National Geographic News 18 April 2006)

Cloned Pigs Produce Healthy Pork?
Pigs have been genetically modified to make their meat as healthy as seafood, researchers report. But concerns over food safety and the U.S. federal approval process may prevent the tricked-up pork from appearing in supermarkets anytime soon. The premise of the work, published yesterday in the online journal Nature Biotechnology, is based on cloning pigs to genetically express higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of natural oil that is thought to fight heart disease and various immune disorders. The oils are typically found in fish. (National Geographic News 27 March 2006)

Ultrasonic Frogs Discovered in China Make "Silent" Calls
Noisy waterfalls and claps of thunder can drown out even the most vocal frog. But some persistent croakers in China have a clever fix: They switch to ultrasound. The feat, researchers say, makes the frogs the first amphibians to be placed alongside an exclusive group of mammals, such as whales and dolphins that have ultrasonic ability. (National Geographic News 16 March 2006)

Bald Eagle Fights Don't Mean Habitat Is Full, Experts Say
Recent violent territorial disputes among bald eagles in the Chesapeake Bay could be nature's way of controlling the birds' increasing numbers, experts suggest. But, they add, there is still enough habitat in the region for nesting, and despite media reports, the conflicts may not be a nationwide pattern. (National Geographic News 03 May 2006)

Orangutan's Fast Decline Directly Linked to Humans, Gene Study Says
Human activity is directly responsible for the rapid, large-scale decline of orangutan populations in parts of Asia, according to a new gene study. The findings represent the first time scientists have used genetic evidence to link human actions to fewer numbers of the endangered ape. (National Geographic News 01 February 2006)

Warming Arctic Sees Return of Blue Mussels After 1,000 Years
After a thousand years, blue mussels—helped along by warmer water temperatures—have returned to high-Arctic seas. Their comeback could have serious implications for Arctic ecosystems and may be a sign of climate change, according to scientists. "We are heading into uncharted waters in terms of future climate, and indicators, such as these mussels, are telling us clearly that we had better pay attention, because entire ecosystems are going to be disrupted," said Raymond Bradley, a climatologist at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. (National Geographic News 21 December 2005)

Stink or swim
TROUBLE is brewing in the water off the Chukotka Peninsula in the far east of Siberia. In the past few years, the aboriginal whalers of the eastern coastline who hunt grey whales for meat have reported that an increasing number of the creatures they catch smell so foul that even dogs won't eat them. The few people who have tried the meat suffered numb mouths, stomach ache and skin rashes. Whale meat may not be to everyone's taste, but it is lucky for the whales that the hunters spotted the problem. The reports have prompted an international effort to work out what is happening, not only to the whales but also to the ringed seals, bearded seals, walruses and the eggs of seabirds, which – according to the local people – are giving off a similar smell. There is no firm answer yet, but it is clear that all is not well in the ocean. NewScientist 10 May 2008 (Magazine issue)

Can fish factories make cheap drugs?
A HUMAN blood-clotting factor used to treat some people with haemophilia and accident victims suffering serious bleeding has been produced using genetically modified fish. There is still a long way to go before any product reaches the market, but if the fish project is a commercial success many other proteins might be made this way. "We have a list of 20 other human therapeutic proteins that could be produced via fish to treat lung disease, liver problems, even tumours," says Norman Maclean of the University of Southampton in the UK. NewScientist 11 September 2004 (Magazine issue 2464)

Synthetic drug offers malaria hope
Clinical trials of a synthetic malaria drug have begun in the UK. The newly developed drug, which has similar properties to the naturally occurring substance artemisinin, could replace expensive plant extracts. Its developers hope it will help counter the resurgence in drug-resistant forms of the disease. (NewScientist 18 August 2004)

First people on Mars will be shrink-wrapped
IF THE mission to Mars outlined by President Bush goes ahead in 2020, astronauts taking a walk on the planet are going to need specially designed spacesuits. Wearing one might feel a little like wearing an inflated blood-pressure cuff all over your body, if the prototype sleeve that New Scientist tried on is anything to go by. NewScientist 14 August 2004 (Magazine issue 2460)

Addicted rats signal hope for humans
Rats can emulate three key signs of addiction in humans, new research has shown. The findings provide the first-ever animal model showing a transition from drug usage to drug addiction, which could in future enable the development of new therapies. (NewScientist 12 August 2004)

Bush-meat trade breeds new HIV
THE HIV virus has jumped from primates to people on at least seven separate occasions in recent history, not twice as is commonly thought. And people in Cameroon are showing up with symptoms of HIV, but are testing negative for both the virus and its primate equivalent SIV, the virus from which HIV is thought to have evolved. That suggests that new strains of an HIV-like virus are circulating in wild animals and infecting people who eat them, sparking fears that such strains could fuel an already disastrous global HIV pandemic. NewScientist 07 August 2004 (Magazine issue 2459)

Brown dwarfs win star status
Brown dwarfs can form in the same way as stars, say astronomers conducting a search for the mysterious objects. The findings may settle a debate about whether brown dwarfs form like stars or are remnants of a violent ejection from a dense cloud of gas. (NewScientist 09 July 2004)

Releasing Nemo proves a disaster for native fish
In a worrying development this month, scientists at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary found a pair of orbicular batfish, a popular aquarium fish endemic to the Pacific Ocean. The fish were captured to stop them breeding and competing with local fish. The move follows increasing sightings of exotic species not native to the area, including popular aquarium fish such as orangespine unicorn fish, raccoon butterfly fish, several varieties of tang and angelfish, and the predatory lionfish. All come from the west Pacific, the northwest Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, yet they have been seen at 32 sites off Florida. NewScientist 03 July 2004 (Magazine issue 2454)

Algal Toxin Linked to Marine Mammal Deaths
When toxins from common microscopic algae build up in fish and seagrass, they can kill large numbers of dolphins and manatees, according to new research. The findings may help explain the recent deaths of these creatures in Florida waters, even when harmful algal blooms were no longer present. (Avasthi 2005 (608): 3 – sciencenow)

Deep Earth Diamonds Saw the Light
Diamonds that originated deep within Earth may have formed from the remains of fish or decayed matter on the ocean floor, according to a new study. The findings, say researchers, are the first evidence for an organic origin of deep diamonds and show that shallow material is being recycled through Earth's bowels. (Avasthi 2005 (624): 2 – sciencenow)

New Bill Seeks to Expand Fish Farming
WASHINGTON, D.C -- The Bush Administration submitted a bill to both houses of Congress today that, if passed, could expand fish farming beyond state waters up to about 320 kilometers offshore. Making the announcement at a press conference here, NOAA administrator Conrad Lautenbacher said the bill will provide for the first time the necessary authority to the Secretary of Commerce to issue permits for fish farms within the nation's exclusive economic zone. (Avasthi 2005 (607): 1 – sciencenow)

Oldest Europeans Were Swingers
Human fossil remains that were excavated more than 100 years ago from the Mladec caves in Moravia, Czech Republic, belong to the earliest Europeans, according to a new study. Scientists say the bones, now dated to nearly 31,000 years, could help elucidate the fate of Neanderthals and the emergence of modern humans. (Avasthi 2005 (518): 2 – sciencenow)

Homing Pigeons are Forgetful Too
If it makes you feel any better, humans aren't the only animals that forget things. Researchers have found that homing pigeons do the same. The new findings, they add, suggest an underlying continuity across the human and animal world in how the brain works. (Avasthi 2005 (510): 2 – sciencenow)

Is Acupuncture a Sham for Migraines?
When it comes to treating headaches, acupuncturists might as well stick their needles in at random, according to a new study, which finds that traditional acupuncture is no better than its sham counterpart at reducing migraines. Even so, either sort of needling was significantly more effective than no treatment at all. (Avasthi 2005 (503): 2 – sciencenow)

Holy Stromboli!
Being able to accurately guess how an erupting volcano will behave is a holy grail among volcanologists. Now, a team of researchers who tracked an eruption in Stromboli, Italy, say they are one step closer to that goal. (Avasthi 2005 (429): 1 – sciencenow)

Gene Therapy Slows Alzheimer's
In the first-ever gene therapy application of its kind in humans, researchers have successfully slowed cognitive decline in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Although the technique is unlikely to cure the disease, experts say it could be combined with other therapies to substantially slow the advance of Alzheimer's. (Avasthi 2005 (425): 1 – sciencenow)

Fish Mercury May Not Harm Older Adults
Aging baby boomers hooked on fish may have cause for cheer. Results from a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest that higher levels of mercury in the blood from fish consumption do not adversely affect an older person's behavior or learning abilities. (Avasthi 2005 (419): 1 – sciencenow)

Study Questions Efficacy of Popular Alzheimer's Treatments
Two widely used treatments for Alzheimer's disease may not be as effective as previously thought, say researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The findings, reported online today in the New England Journal of Medicine suggest that vitamin E does not slow a patient's slide from symptoms of memory loss to Alzheimer's, while benefits from the popular drug donepezil are limited to the first year of treatment. (Avasthi 2005 (413): 2 – sciencenow)

California Sets Boundaries for Marine Reserves
California yesterday announced the first boundary for a new system of marine protected areas (MPAs) along its central coast. At a meeting in Pasadena, stakeholders agreed on a region in state waters about 300-kilometers long – stretching from a point just north of Santa Cruz to a point just north of Santa Barbara – within which the parcels of sea would be partially closed to fishing. Eventually, many such regions – each dotted with no-take zones – would span the state's coast. (Avasthi 2005 (412): 3 – sciencenow)

California Tries to Connect Its Scattered Marine Reserves
The 1800-kilometer California coastline supports a spectacular diversity of marine life. So does a sea floor that plunges just offshore to nearly 2600 meters, with sea-grass beds and kelp forests giving way to submarine canyons and deep rock reefs. Add in seasonal winds and complex ocean currents that churn up nutrients for thousands of species from sharks and tuna to squid and rockfish, and the result is an incredibly rich ecosystem—and one of the most productive fisheries in the nation. Can the two coexist? Those working on a new state effort to create a network of
marine protected areas (MPAs) hope that the answer is yes. But it won't be easy. (Science Vol 308 22 April 2005)

Attack of the Killer Sea Lice
Parasitic sea lice that jump from fish farms to wild salmon may be a much greater problem than suspected, according to a new report likely to inflame an ongoing battle between conservationists and aquaculture proponents. The authors say the lice could damage ocean ecosystems by infecting other species such as herring and stickleback – a staple of many marine animals including whales and seabirds. (Avasthi 2005 (330): 4 – sciencenow)

Making Cells Magnetic
A new technique that creates tiny magnets in cells may enable MRI scans to visualize gene expression in living organisms. The technique may also one day help scientists visualize therapeutic gene delivery in humans. (Avasthi 2005 (322): 2 – sciencenow)

Climate's Point of No Return
The die may have been cast for climate change, according to two papers published in the 18 March issue of Science. Climate simulation models suggest that, regardless of human intervention, the oceans will keep fueling global warming, and sea levels will continue to rise over the next 100 years. These effects, however, are much less than expected from uncurbed greenhouse gas emissions. (Avasthi 2005 (317): 1 – sciencenow)

Winners Chosen in Intel Science Talent Search
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- A high school student who developed a new mechanism to detect neurotoxins has been awarded the top prize in this year's Intel Science Talent Search. David Lawrence Vigliarolo Bauer received a $100,000 scholarship for his project and was among nine other students also recognized for their work at a ceremony here last night. (Avasthi 2005 (316): 1 – sciencenow)

Malaria Prevalence Worse Than Thought
A new global map of malaria incidence suggests that 50% more people are suffering from the disease than previously thought. The new estimates, reported this week in Nature, imply a significantly higher price tag for beating the disease. (Avasthi 2005 (309): 5 – sciencenow)

Charles Townes Wins Templeton Prize
Physicist Charles Townes, a Nobel laureate who co-invented the laser, has been awarded this year's Templeton Prize. The $1.5 million prize was announced in New York on 9 March. Townes said he was "overwhelmed and very humbled" to receive the award. (Avasthi 2005 (309): 1 – sciencenow)

Atherosclerosis Gene Found
For the first time, scientists have identified a gene turned on by fatty food. Researchers say the gene, found in both mice and humans, conclusively links high-fat diets to heart disease. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone are diagnosed with hardening of the arteries. (Avasthi 2005 (308): 2 – sciencenow)

Licorice Whips Herpes
The compound that gives licorice its sweet taste could be key to treating several virulent diseases, such as herpes, say researchers. (Avasthi 2005 (301): 2 – sciencenow)

Breathing Life into Dead Bones
Gene therapy can bring dead bone back to life, researchers now say. The breakthrough could help thousands of individuals whose injuries or diseases necessitate bone transplants. (Avasthi 2005 (224): 1 – sciencenow)

Flawed Assumptions Threaten U.S. Fish Populations
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Faulty assumptions in U.S. fisheries management threaten the future supply of fish and the survival of several species, scientists announced at a symposium held here today at the annual AAAS meeting. (Avasthi 2005 (220): 1 – sciencenow)

When the Crops Tend the Farmer
Leaf-cutting ants are the farmers of the ant world. But unlike real farmers, the leaf-cutters raise only one crop: a strain of fungus particular to each colony. Now researchers have figured out why: different strains war with each other, forcing the ants to grow just one. (Avasthi 2005 (204): 4 – sciencenow)

Extinguished Earth
The world's forests would cover twice the area they do today had there been no forest fires, a new mathematical model predicts. The model also suggests that fire may have a greater role than climate change in shaping global ecosystems. The findings, researchers say, could help experts respond better to landscape fires and a changing climate. (Avasthi 2005 (128): 1 – sciencenow)

A Nose for Survival
The robber crab is the world's largest land-living arthropod, weighing up to 4 kilograms, and it steals anything it can carry away in its formidable pincers. That's not the only amazing thing about the crab, say biologists. The crab evolved the ability to smell on land, just like insects do. (Avasthi 2005 (126): 3 – sciencenow)

Too Much of a Good Thing
Plants are supposed to crave sunlight, but too much sunlight can create potentially deadly free radicals. Now researchers have identified a mechanism plants use to protect themselves. The discovery could aid the development of genetically modified crops that adapt to different light conditions. (Avasthi 2005 (121): 3 – sciencenow)

Tidal Wave of Alerts
Officials in Washington, D.C., and Port Louis, Mauritius, have announced plans to build one new tsunami warning system and expand another, capping weeks of scrambling by government scientists to bolster global tsunami defense since the South Asia disasters. (Avasthi 2005 (114): 3 – sciencenow)

A Tiny Robotic Hand: An ultra small grabbing gadget might someday become a new tool in microsurgery.
Early this winter in a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), laboratory, a mechanical hand less than one millimeter wide deftly plucked a single fish egg from a gooey underwater clutch, demonstrating a new technology that could one day make it into surgeons' tool kits. Technology Review 26 January 2007

CONTAINING TERROR: Electronic seals and tracking efforts boost cargo security
The cargo container—that ubiquitous truck-sized box that carries goods around the world—could be the ultimate poor man's missile. Each year more than 48 million loaded cargo containers move between the world's seaports. But of the six million that arrive in the U.S., only 5 percent have their contents visually inspected or x-rayed, opening the possibility that terrorists could use them to smuggle in nuclear material, explosives, or even themselves. Many of the world's ports are joining a U.S.-led effort to manually inspect containers considered high risk; but at the same time, a host of technologies are being readied to plug this security hole. Technology Review September 2003