Science news
Apr. 29th, 2008 10:49 amSuperheavy element found in nature - Scientists have discovered a natural occurance of a stable element with atomic number greater than 110, what is referred to as a superheavy element. Scientists have long theorized that some types of superheavy elements might be stable so should occur in nature. While analyzing the mass of particles in a pile of naturally-occuring thorium they encountered one with atomic number 122 and atomic weight of 292 that goes by the name of unbibium on the periodic table. The researchers plan to continue to search for other superheavy elements, this time using naturally-occuring uranium. Found by ![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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Human had brush with extinction 70,000 years ago - A genetic study indicates that drought more than 70,000 years ago may have reduced the human population in Africa to as few as 2,000 individuals, divided into small, isolated groups, before their numbers began to rise again in the Stone Age. Found on Slashdot.
Just say no to abstinence education - Studies conducted by medical associations in the US have concluded that abstinence-only sex education, strongly endorsed by the current US government, does not reduce the rate of teen pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease rate. In fact, some studies appear to show that these programs may be harmful by not providing teens with enough information to adequate assess the risks or how to take precautions to protect themselves.
Men to become extinct in 125,000 years - at least that is the belief of Bryan Sykes who teaches genetics at Oxford. He says the the Y-chromosome is deteriorating and will eventually disappear. Males are, in his words, "...genetically modified women..." because they are formed from the the basic female template a few weeks after conception. The Y-chromosome, however, cannot repair itself so flaws continue for generations, leading to reduced genetic fitness that shows up as reduced fertility, much like what is being observed today with a 20 percent decrease in sperm counts over the past 50 years. On the positive side, it is believed that the result would be the virtual elimination of war and a prison population 97 percent less than what we see today.
Make mine a small - Wired magazine suggests that caffeine is most effective in boosting cognitive performance when taken in small doses over the course of the day rather than in large doses. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, muting the effect of adenosine which is believed to be associated with mental fatigue. Small doses keep adenosine's affect at bay, unlike large doses that leave you feeling jittery.
d2leddy.Human had brush with extinction 70,000 years ago - A genetic study indicates that drought more than 70,000 years ago may have reduced the human population in Africa to as few as 2,000 individuals, divided into small, isolated groups, before their numbers began to rise again in the Stone Age. Found on Slashdot.
Just say no to abstinence education - Studies conducted by medical associations in the US have concluded that abstinence-only sex education, strongly endorsed by the current US government, does not reduce the rate of teen pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease rate. In fact, some studies appear to show that these programs may be harmful by not providing teens with enough information to adequate assess the risks or how to take precautions to protect themselves.
Men to become extinct in 125,000 years - at least that is the belief of Bryan Sykes who teaches genetics at Oxford. He says the the Y-chromosome is deteriorating and will eventually disappear. Males are, in his words, "...genetically modified women..." because they are formed from the the basic female template a few weeks after conception. The Y-chromosome, however, cannot repair itself so flaws continue for generations, leading to reduced genetic fitness that shows up as reduced fertility, much like what is being observed today with a 20 percent decrease in sperm counts over the past 50 years. On the positive side, it is believed that the result would be the virtual elimination of war and a prison population 97 percent less than what we see today.
Make mine a small - Wired magazine suggests that caffeine is most effective in boosting cognitive performance when taken in small doses over the course of the day rather than in large doses. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, muting the effect of adenosine which is believed to be associated with mental fatigue. Small doses keep adenosine's affect at bay, unlike large doses that leave you feeling jittery.