Monday, March 15, 2010

Science

Varroa mites are main culprit in death of Ontario bees: Guelph study

TORONTO — The varroa mite is emerging as the leading culprit in the death of honey-producing insects in Ontario, say researchers who were as busy as bees for three seasons gathering data from more than 400 colonies.

Researchers: Fewer shark attacks reported in the US in 2009; Fla. also saw sharp decline

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Good news for beachgoers: The number of shark attacks in the United States has declined, according to a University of Florida report released Monday.

DNA studies show a frail King Tut succumbed to malaria and a broken leg

CAIRO, Egypt — Egypt’s famed King Tutankhamun suffered from a cleft palate and club foot, likely forcing him to walk with a cane, and died from complications from a broken leg exacerbated by malaria, according to the most extensive study ever of his mummy.

Massive Chile earthquake may have shortened Earth’s day

NEW YORK — Earth’s days may have gotten a little bit shorter since the massive earthquake in Chile, but don’t feel bad if you haven’t noticed.
The difference would be only about one-millionth of a second.

Fossil reveals snake snacked on baby dinosaurs

TORONTO—Talk about a rude awakening!
Scientists have found fossil evidence that at least one species of baby dinosaur emerged from its egg—only to meet the open jaws of a huge primitive snake looking for a quick and easy snack.

Genetic analyzing tool helps trace superbug origins

Researchers have used a “revolutionary” genetic profiling tool to distinguish between closely-related strains of the potentially-deadly superbug MRSA—and even pinpoint when and where in the world the mutated bacteria first arose.
MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a strain of Staph bacteria that is not eradicated by the antibiotics commonly used to treat it.

People happiest on weekends: study

A psychology study that looked at people’s moods and their vitality on weekdays and the weekend has found that—no surprise—they generally were happier on weekends.
“Workers, even those with interesting, high-status jobs, really are happier on the weekend,” author Richard Ryan, a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, said in a release.

Earth-like planets on verge of discovery

Astronomers say they are on the verge of finding planets like Earth orbiting other stars—a key step in determining if we are alone in the universe.
A top NASA official and other leading scientists say that within four or five years, they should discover the first Earth-like planet where life could develop, or may have already.

Excited astronomers say they could find Earth-like planets in just a few years

WASHINGTON — Astronomers say they are on the verge of finding planets like Earth orbiting other stars, a key step in determining if we are alone in the universe.

Telescope finds two new mystery objects

WASHINGTON—NASA’s new planet-hunting telescope has found two mystery objects that are too hot to be planets but too small to be stars.
The Kepler Telescope, launched in March, discovered the two new heavenly bodies—each circling its own star.

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