MAJORANA, the search for the most elusive neutrino of all

(Phys.org) -- In a cavern almost a mile underground in the Black Hills, an experiment called the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, 40 kilograms of pure germanium crystals enclosed in deep-freeze cryostat modules, will ...

Physics / General Physics

created May 17, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (9) | comments 17 | with audio podcast

ZTE scrambles to get at root of phone flaw

(Phys.org) -- Rattling phone security news surfaced this week for those owning ZTE Score M phones after an anonymous post to Pastebin.com reported a backdoor hole where others can gain control over a user& ...

Technology / Software

created May 18, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 1 | with audio podcast report

Scientists learn much about humans from birds' singing lessons

Why wasn't this intruder getting the message? The lord of the manor had warned him repeatedly to back off, with threatening gestures and loud admonitions. But the trespasser just sat there - singing.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created May 18, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Hitting snooze on the molecular clock: Rabies evolves slower in hibernating bats

The rate at which the rabies virus evolves in bats may depend heavily upon the ecological traits of its hosts, according to researchers at the University of Georgia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created May 18, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists illuminate the ancient history of circumarctic peoples

Two studies led by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania and National Geographic's Genographic Project reveal new information about the migration patterns of the first humans to settle the Americas. The studies identify ...

Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils

created May 17, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

A cell's first steps: Building a model to explain how cells grow

A collaboration between Lehigh University physicists and University of Miami biologists addresses an important fundamental question in basic cell biology: How do living cells figure out when and where to grow?

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created May 18, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Astronomer urges researchers everywhere to study Venus transit

(Phys.org) -- Jay Pasachoff, Director of Hopkins Observatory, Chair of the Astronomy Department at Williams College and Field Memorial Professor of Astronomy, has written a commentary piece published in the ...

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created May 17, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 3 | with audio podcast report

Plant enzyme's origins traced to non-enzyme ancestors

(Phys.org) -- As plants began to transition from aquatic habitats to dry land some 500 million years ago, their needs changed. Those primitive ancestors of modern plants were ill-equipped to survive in a dry, sunlight-blasted ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created May 13, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Solar-panel-like retinal prosthesis could better restore sight to blind

(Phys.org) -- Using tiny solar-panel-like cells surgically placed underneath the retina, scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have devised a system that may someday restore sight to people ...

Physics / Optics & Photonics

created May 13, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Diamond used to produce graphene quantum dots and nano-ribbons of controlled structure

Kansas State University researchers have come closer to solving an old challenge of producing graphene quantum dots of controlled shape and size at large densities, which could revolutionize electronics and optoelectronics.

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created May 17, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Cellular secrets of plant fatty acid production understood; discovery could boost bioeconomy

(Phys.org) -- Research groups from Iowa State University and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have uncovered the function of three plant proteins, a discovery that could help plant scientists boost ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created May 14, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

NASA survey counts potentially hazardous asteroids

(Phys.org) -- Observations from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have led to the best assessment yet of our solar system's population of potentially hazardous asteroids. The results reveal ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created May 17, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study shows religion is a potent force for cooperation, conflict

Across history and cultures, religion increases trust within groups but also may increase conflict with other groups, according to an article in a special issue of Science.

Other Sciences / Social Sciences

created May 17, 2012 | popularity 3.4 / 5 (9) | comments 119 | with audio podcast

Free live TV is coming to your smartphone and tablet

Would you like to watch live network TV on your smartphone or stream a movie? The answer is probably yes to both.

Technology / Telecom

created May 17, 2012 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Researchers reveal ancient giant turtle fossil

Picture a turtle the size of a Smart car, with a shell large enough to double as a kiddie pool. Paleontologists from North Carolina State University have found just such a specimen – the fossilized remains ...

Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils

created May 17, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 4 | with audio podcast