Nurture affects Nature

Research at the University of Chicago Medical Center reveals that social isolation can increase tumor growth. That is, a negative social environment can alter gene expression.

The research is a step forward in chemoprevention and may have implications for chronic diseases like central obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, etc.

Studying Nature to Improve Anti-Virus Software

Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a much more aggressive form of anti-virus software which mimic's ants!

The new software, unlike traditional software, traverses computer networks looking for threats. When detected, an army of ants swarm the threat and draw human's attention. The concept, called “swarm intelligence,” will transform cyber security because it adapts readily to changing threats, just like ants do.

“Our idea is to deploy 3,000 different types of digital ants, each looking for evidence of a threat ... As they move about the network, they leave digital trails modeled after the scent trails ants in nature use to guide other ants. Each time a digital ant identifies some evidence, it is programmed to leave behind a stronger scent. Stronger scent trails attract more ants, producing the swarm that marks a potential computer infection.”

Not All Bad

A comet hitting Earth does more than bring death and destruction - at least that is what researchers at the SETI Institute are trying to prove. Comets could promote certain necessary chemical steps for the origin of life - particularly how comet collisions might have influenced biology's molecular chirality (handed-ness).

Most amino acids, the building blocks of life, exist in 'left-handed' and 'right-handed' forms. Life makes and uses only 'left-handed' amino acids. Comets could have not only helped form, but also bring a massive supply of amino acids to earth to begin the process of life. Comets also carry water with them.

Don't Spare the Rod, Ruin the Child

Research at the University of New Hampshire involving hundreds of American children suggests that spanking is inversely related IQ scores - i.e. the more a child was spanked the lower their IQ. Results held even after "accounting for parental education, income, cognitive stimulation by parents and other factors that could affect children's mental abilities."

Researchers noted the experience is traumatic, can adversely affect the brain and cause children to have more stressful responses in difficult situations - meaning their cognitive abilities are inhibited.

Man Hunter

Researchers have concluded that the extinct Haast's eagle was a predator and not a mere scavenger as previously thought.

Living in New Zealand's mountains, the largest eagle in history weighed ~40 pounds and had a 3m wingspan. The haast's eagle was capable of hunting large grounded birds and small humans. The findings reinforce Maori folk tales - the indigenous inhabitants of New Zealand - which tell of large birds swooping down and carrying away children.

See a reanimation of how a haast's eagle would attack a human.

Salt-Water as Fuel

In a search to cure cancer, engineer John Kanzius chanced upon what may be the single most important step to solving our energy needs - discovering how to use salt water as engine fuel.

Through the manipulation of radio waves, Kanzius was able to burn the oxygen and hydrogen from salt water, generating heat registering as high as 1,300C! Further research could help create an engine which uses one of the world's most abundant, and underutilized, materials.

See the video.

Tickling Rats

Researchers chanced upon rats playing and noticed what appeared to be laughter. Using a frequency converter, scientists were able to bring the noises to a level audible to human ears. To test if the noise really was laughter, the rats were tickled. Sure enough, the rats generated the same sounds as before when playing amongst themselves.

In addition, the rats began to enjoy the researchers company and follow the hand if it had tickled them.

See the video.