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Science and Tech stories
Nov. 3rd, 2008 12:03 pmA recent study says that fibromyalgia my be all in the head, specifically a "... global dysfunction of cerebral pain-processing." according to the study's lead author.
The benefits of dark chocolate: reduced risk of heart disease (but no more than 1/2 a bar per week) and resveratrol, a compound associated with the health benefits of red wine. The latter study was conduct by the Hershey's Centre for Health and Nutrition, which is amusing given the current public health advisory against purchasing Hershey's chocolates from Canadian stores around Toronto. Some products had been recalled in 2006 in response to positive tests of salmonella at the now-defunct Smiths Falls plant but were stolen from the recycling depot where they had been held for the past two years.
Yet more worries for pregnant women: a British study says that pregnant women who drink coffee, even no more than a cup each day, raise the risk of giving birth to an underweight baby.
Click here to see a picture of the Epsilon Eridani system where, last week, it was discovered that there were two asteroid belts and it's own version of the Kuiper belt, increasing the likelihood that planets also exist. The star, slightly smaller than ours and only 850 million years old so it is unlikely that intelligent life exists yet on any planet circling the star, given ours required almost 4 billion years to reach it's present state.
New Scientist reports that Australian researchers have found a possible genetic link to male-to-female transsexualism. Previously, Austrian researchers had discovered a potential genetic link to female-to-male transsexualism.
Yale researchers have put together the blueprints for an artificial cell, based on electrocyte cells found in electric eels, that could become a bio-battery for implants, allowing the devices to be powered by the host.
Also from back in September, British researchers have isolated nerve cells responsible for the feeling of pleasure associated with stroking. They also discovered that the optimal stroke is 5 cm/second with a pressure of 2 grams per square cm, and suggests it may be useful in helping to treat chronic pain.
Finally, though not a S&T article... Ontario is officially a have-not province so qualifies for transfer payments.
The benefits of dark chocolate: reduced risk of heart disease (but no more than 1/2 a bar per week) and resveratrol, a compound associated with the health benefits of red wine. The latter study was conduct by the Hershey's Centre for Health and Nutrition, which is amusing given the current public health advisory against purchasing Hershey's chocolates from Canadian stores around Toronto. Some products had been recalled in 2006 in response to positive tests of salmonella at the now-defunct Smiths Falls plant but were stolen from the recycling depot where they had been held for the past two years.
Yet more worries for pregnant women: a British study says that pregnant women who drink coffee, even no more than a cup each day, raise the risk of giving birth to an underweight baby.
Click here to see a picture of the Epsilon Eridani system where, last week, it was discovered that there were two asteroid belts and it's own version of the Kuiper belt, increasing the likelihood that planets also exist. The star, slightly smaller than ours and only 850 million years old so it is unlikely that intelligent life exists yet on any planet circling the star, given ours required almost 4 billion years to reach it's present state.
New Scientist reports that Australian researchers have found a possible genetic link to male-to-female transsexualism. Previously, Austrian researchers had discovered a potential genetic link to female-to-male transsexualism.
Yale researchers have put together the blueprints for an artificial cell, based on electrocyte cells found in electric eels, that could become a bio-battery for implants, allowing the devices to be powered by the host.
Also from back in September, British researchers have isolated nerve cells responsible for the feeling of pleasure associated with stroking. They also discovered that the optimal stroke is 5 cm/second with a pressure of 2 grams per square cm, and suggests it may be useful in helping to treat chronic pain.
Finally, though not a S&T article... Ontario is officially a have-not province so qualifies for transfer payments.