Top science news submitted by users http://www.factilla.com When the human body encounters a virus or bacterium, it tailors the genes that code for antibodies to specific viruses The genetic manipulation can allow for multiple genes to be modified simultaneously to make an 'evolutionary leap' necessary to defend against infection As the planet warms, researchers warn that infectious diseases may be one of the primary threats to human survival as mosquitos and parasites move outward from isolated areas http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=29 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=29 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:23:34 CST New, high-precision measurements show the galaxy is rotating at a speed of 600,000 mph, roughly 100,000 mph faster than than previously thought The increase in speed also increases the galaxy's mass by 50% The increased mass increases the liklihood of a collision with nearby galaxies http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=28 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=28 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:16:44 CST Results from a Dutch study indicate that administering oral antibiotics cut the number of deaths by 3.5% The findings suggest that advantages of using antibiotics as a preventive measure outweigh the risks of developing antibiotic resistance http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=27 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=27 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:39:36 CST The first robot (Spirit) landed January 3, 2004 and was followed by a second (Opportunity) three weeks later Initial hopes were that the robots would work for at least three months, but their resiliancy in the harsh Martian climate has suprised NASA project managers On a combined basis, the rovers have traveled more than 20 km and transmitted over 36 gigabytes of data including 250,000 images http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=26 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=26 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:35:24 CST A study published in Sleep indicates that Canadian insomniacs spend $275 million on alcohol to help sleep versus $84 million on sleep meds and sleep health consultation Experts say alcohol actually exacerbates insomnia symptoms, causing people to wake up in the middle of the night Long term drinking can lead to the supression of deep sleep, causing people to feel tired more often http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=25 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=25 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:12:32 CST A sampling of coral from the Great Barrier Reef shows that reef colony growth has slowed by 13% since 1990 A paper published in Science suggest the most probably cause is climate change driven by the increased presence of greenhouse gases Roughly 25% of excess CO2 is absorbed by the world's oceans and reacts to form carbonic acid. The rising acid level harms coral and other sea creatures http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=24 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=24 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:08:07 CST A new sodium-sulfur battery system can store enough electricity to power 500 average homes for seven hours The batteries are designed to store wind-generated electricity at night and then output the following day The technology is currently too expensive to be economically viable, but further testing could justify the expense http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=23 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=23 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:23:08 CST A Princeton study published in Nature Photonics utilized a quantum cascade laser, which is 1/10th the size of a human hair Researchers noted that the quantum cascade laser emitted a second laser beam with unique properties when activated The research could lead to smaller, more efficient and sensitive laser devices for medical diagnostic, security and air quality monitoring http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=22 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=22 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:17:24 CST A study reported in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology indicates facial expressions are not learned from watching others but possibly passed down from evolution Researchers analyzed 4,800 photographs of both blind and sighted judo athletes and determined facial expressions were shown or controlled in the same way Human emotion expression could be linked to primate behavior such as a 'bare teeth display' common in primates used to communicate relaxed intent to others. http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=21 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=21 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:52:03 CST Analysis of satellite data shows that Earth's atmosphere expands and contracts in response to short-term changes in the solar wind Scientists analyzed 2005 data from a German satellite and concluded that a short term atmospheric cycle matched variations in the solar wind striking Earth's atmosphere The findings could help scientists better steer existing satellites away from orbiting space junk http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=20 http://www.factilla.com/event_summary.php?event_id=20 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:37:19 CST