SCIENCE News, Jul 05, 2011

Plastic solar cells in 5-10 years, new step forward Mon,4 Jul 2011 08:16 AM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Plastic solar cells may be commercially available in five to 10 years, said a British scientist whose group announced on Monday a new understanding of how to produce the cheaper alternative to silicon solar panels. Full Story1

Investigators turn to final vault at Indian treasure temple Mon,4 Jul 2011 04:49 AM PDT Reuters - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India (Reuters) - Investigators plan to pry open the final vault hidden deep under a centuries-old Indian Hindu temple as police guarded round the clock the shrine where billions of dollars worth of treasure has been discovered. Full Story1

NASA bids farewell to "amazing" relic, the shuttle Fri,1 Jul 2011 11:10 AM PDT Reuters - MIAMI (Reuters) - When the United States embarked on its shuttle program decades ago, it set out to build a workhorse vehicle that would make space travel routine and beat the Soviets during the Cold War struggle for dominance in space. Full Story1

Government sues Apollo 14 astronaut over lunar camera Fri,1 Jul 2011 08:57 AM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. government has sued a former NASA astronaut to recover a camera used to explore the moon's surface during the 1971 Apollo 14 mission after seeing it slated for sale in a New York auction. Full Story1

Japan experts design superelastic alloy, may resist quakes Thu,30 Jun 2011 11:09 AM PDT Reuters - HONG KONG (Reuters) - Researchers in Japan have developed a superelastic alloy, which can spring back to its original form in extreme temperatures, they said in a report on Friday, adding that they hope it may be used in buildings to absorb shocks from earthquakes. Full Story1

Israel to restore section of Dead Sea shore Thu,30 Jun 2011 06:43 AM PDT Reuters - JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel wants to harvest salt from the bottom of the Dead Sea in hopes of protecting its southern shore, but a $2 billion price tag has pitted the government against one of the country's largest companies. Full Story1

E.coli seen spawning biofuel in five years Wed,29 Jun 2011 05:29 AM PDT Reuters - ASPEN, Colorado (Reuters) - The bacteria behind food poisoning worldwide, the mighty E.coli, could be turned into a commercially available biofuel in five years, a U.S. scientist told technology industry and government leaders on Tuesday. Full Story1

NASA clears last space shuttle for July 8 blast-off Tue,28 Jun 2011 03:23 PM PDT Reuters - CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - NASA managers cleared space shuttle Atlantis on Tuesday for a July 8 launch, approving it for a cargo run to the International Space Station and the final flight in the 30-year-old shuttle program. Full Story1

Near-Earth asteroid passes over Atlantic Ocean Tue,28 Jun 2011 07:51 AM PDT Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - An asteroid with an estimated girth as large as a garbage truck soared within 7,500 miles of the Earth on Monday as it passed harmlessly over the Atlantic Ocean, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Full Story1

Benefit of mammograms even greater than thought Mon,27 Jun 2011 10:35 PM PDT Reuters - CHICAGO (Reuters) - The longest-running breast cancer screening study ever conducted has shown that regular mammograms prevent deaths from breast cancer, and the number of lives saved increases over time, an international research team said on Tuesday. Full Story1

Gene machines may help save endangered Tasmanian devil Mon,27 Jun 2011 03:07 PM PDT Reuters - CHICAGO (Reuters) - Scientists are using high-tech gene sequencing machines in a desperate attempt to save the Tasmanian devil from an infectious cancer called devil facial tumor disease that is threatening to wipe out the species. Full Story1

Tiny camera reveals inside of ancient Mayan tomb Thu,23 Jun 2011 06:25 PM PDT Reuters - MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A tiny remote-controlled camera peered inside the tomb of a Mayan ruler that has been sealed for 1,500 years, revealing red frescoes, pottery and pieces of a funerary shroud made of jade and mother of pearl. Full Story1

Scientists look for surviving Eskimo curlew birds Thu,23 Jun 2011 03:34 PM PDT Reuters - ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Federal scientists are on the lookout for the Eskimo curlew, as they work to determine if the elusive shorebird last seen two decades ago still exists. Full Story1

New Mars rover arrives at Florida launch site Thu,23 Jun 2011 02:52 PM PDT Reuters - CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - NASA's $2.5 billion Mars Science Laboratory, a nuclear-powered, car-sized rover designed to assess the planet's suitability for life, reached the Kennedy Space Center for launch preparations, officials said on Thursday. Full Story1

Astronauts practice for NASA's last shuttle launch Thu,23 Jun 2011 01:39 PM PDT Reuters - CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Four U.S. astronauts in bright orange spacesuits climbed aboard their spaceship on Thursday to practice the launch of NASA's last space shuttle on a cargo run to the International Space Station. Full Story1

email: info@als-alexander.org or interalex2@gmail.com

HEALTH News, Jul 05, 2011

Environment, not just genetics, at play in autism Mon,4 Jul 2011 02:13 PM PDT Reuters - CHICAGO (Reuters) - Environmental factors may play a greater role in autism than previously thought, tipping the scale away from a strict focus on genetics, two studies released on Monday suggest. Full Story1

UK government asked to pay more for elderly care Mon,4 Jul 2011 01:37 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's cash-strapped government should spend more on caring for the elderly, according to proposals on Monday that would for the first time limit the amount anyone has to pay for help in old age. Full Story1

Burning coal indoors linked to birth defects Mon,4 Jul 2011 01:33 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Parents who inhale coal smoke at home may put their babies at increased risk of birth defects, Chinese researchers say. Full Story1

Evidence "increasingly against" phone cancer risk Mon,4 Jul 2011 01:32 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Despite a recent move to classify mobile phones as possibly carcinogenic, the scientific evidence increasingly points away from a link between their use and brain tumors, according to a new study. Full Story1

Too many women get HPV tests: study Mon,4 Jul 2011 01:28 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Doctors are testing women for human papillomavirus, or HPV, more often than guidelines recommend, suggests a new study. Full Story1

Pfizer's quit smoking drug raises heart risks: study Mon,4 Jul 2011 10:41 AM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Healthy, middle-aged smokers who take Pfizer's Chantix or Champix, one of the most popular quit-smoking drugs, have a higher risk of suffering heart attacks or other serious heart problems, a study found on Monday. Full Story1

GlaxoSmithKline to work with anti-doping agency Mon,4 Jul 2011 08:26 AM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Drug company GlaxoSmithKline has signed a deal with the World Anti-Doping Agency to help scientists develop early detection methods for drugs that have performance-enhancing potential in sport. Full Story1

Moms' diet not tied to kids' heart health: study Mon,4 Jul 2011 07:12 AM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study from West Africa suggests that supplementing pregnant women's diets with extra calories and protein doesn't protect their kids against risk factors for heart disease once they're teenagers. Full Story1

Special infant formula may not prevent allergies Sun,3 Jul 2011 11:45 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite pediatric guidelines endorsing "allergy-friendly" whey-based infant formulas, a new study finds the products don't ward off allergies in babies at high risk for sensitivities. Full Story1

Special infant formula may not prevent allergies Sun,3 Jul 2011 11:42 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite pediatric guidelines endorsing "allergy-friendly" whey-based infant formulas, a new study finds the products don't ward off allergies in babies at high risk for sensitivities. Full Story1

Evidence "increasingly against" phone cancer risk Sun,3 Jul 2011 11:33 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Despite a recent move to classify mobile phones as possibly carcinogenic, the scientific evidence increasingly points away from a link between their use and brain tumors, according to a new study on Saturday. Full Story1

Late talkers do fine as they grow up: study Sun,3 Jul 2011 11:32 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In good news to parents of late talkers, an Australian study shows a slow start on language is unlikely to have lingering effects on kids' mental health. Full Story1

Medicare proposes change in anemia drug usage Fri,1 Jul 2011 09:41 PM PDT Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Medicare federal health insurance program has proposed removing its requirement that kidney dialysis providers keep patient hemoglobin levels above a set minimum, which could lead to lower use of Epogen, the anemia drug sold by Amgen. Full Story1

Evidence "increasingly against" phone cancer risk Fri,1 Jul 2011 04:02 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Despite a recent move to classify mobile phones as possibly carcinogenic, the scientific evidence increasingly points away from a link between their use and brain tumors, according to a new study on Saturday. Full Story1

FDA chides Novartis on meningitis vaccine promotion Fri,1 Jul 2011 01:24 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Novartis AG falsely implied that its Menveo meningitis vaccine was approved in a manner consistent with guidelines from an influential U.S. advisory group, health regulators said in a letter to the Swiss drugmaker. Full Story1

email: info@als-alexander.org or interalex2@gmail.com

BUSINESS News, Jul 05, 2011

ECB to look at best Greek rating even in default: report Mon,4 Jul 2011 11:47 PM PDT Reuters - FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank will accept Greek government bonds as collateral until all rating agencies rate them as having defaulted, the Financial Times said on Tuesday, citing a financial sector source. Full Story1

Analysis: China tries to shine a light on "shadow" loans Mon,4 Jul 2011 11:36 PM PDT Reuters - BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese regulators are playing a game of hide and seek with the country's lenders, trying to uncover deals struck with the intention of evading official loan restrictions. Full Story1

Dollar gains on short covering; stocks dip Mon,4 Jul 2011 11:03 PM PDT Reuters - HONG KONG (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar rose from the day's lows on a broad bout of short covering on Tuesday while Asian stocks pulled back slightly from a one-month high as some investors took profits from their recent rally. Full Story1

Bombardier to cut jobs in Britain: source Mon,4 Jul 2011 08:54 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Canadian aircraft and train maker Bombardier is to cut jobs at its plant in Derby, central England, after losing out to German group Siemens in the battle for a big British government contract, a source told Reuters. Full Story1

Analysis: Natural resources face brunt of China stocks scandal Mon,4 Jul 2011 08:49 PM PDT Reuters - HONG KONG (Reuters) - The accounting troubles and short-seller attacks plaguing Chinese companies have spared few industries, though one sector appears to be a common target. Full Story1

GM's China car JV says H1 auto sales rise Mon,4 Jul 2011 07:42 PM PDT Reuters - BEIJING (Reuters) - General Motors' car venture in Shanghai said it sold 612,072 vehicles in the first half of the year, up 27.5 percent from a year earlier. Full Story1

Tokyo Stock Exchange proposes tender offer for OSE: report Mon,4 Jul 2011 05:43 PM PDT Reuters - TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo Stock Exchange has proposed a tender offer for Osaka Securities Exchange Co , Japan's Asahi newspaper reported on Tuesday, as the two bourses proceed in merger talks aimed at surviving a wave of industry consolidation. Full Story1

Hana says $4.3 billion KEB deal to be extended to December Mon,4 Jul 2011 05:19 PM PDT Reuters - SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's Hana Financial Group said on Tuesday its $4.3 billion deal to take over private equity fund Lone Star's controlling stake in Korea Exchange Bank would be extended for six months to December. Full Story1

Tokyo Stock Exchange proposing tender offer for OSE: report Mon,4 Jul 2011 04:38 PM PDT Reuters - TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo Stock Exchange has proposed a tender offer for Osaka Securities Exchange Co as the two bourses proceed in merger talks, Japan's Asahi newspaper reported on Tuesday. Full Story1

S&P warning adds default threat to Greece's bailout Mon,4 Jul 2011 03:45 PM PDT Reuters - ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece would likely be in default if it follows a debt rollover plan pushed by French banks, S&P warned on Monday, deepening the pain of a bailout that one European official said will cost Athens sovereignty and jobs. Full Story1

Greek banks could survive short-lived selective default: bankers Mon,4 Jul 2011 03:45 PM PDT Reuters - ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek banks would not be wrecked by a "selective default" on a proposed debt rollover if it was lifted quickly, Greek bankers told Reuters on Monday. Full Story1

Greece aims to halt recession, return to growth: ministry Mon,4 Jul 2011 03:45 PM PDT Reuters - ATHENS (Reuters) - The Greek government's next steps will seek to halt the economic downturn and help the economy return to growth, the country's finance minister said on Monday. Full Story1

Detroit automakers log strong sales in June Mon,4 Jul 2011 03:09 PM PDT Reuters - TORONTO (Reuters) - Detroit-based automakers reported higher Canadian sales last month, led by Ford Motor Co of Canada, which said on Monday that demand for fuel-efficient cars helped it record its best June in 22 years. Full Story1

TSX touches near 1-month high on Wall Street catch-up Mon,4 Jul 2011 02:56 PM PDT Reuters - TORONTO (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index rose for a fifth straight session to touch its highest point in nearly a month on Monday, playing catch-up with U.S. markets, which rallied on Friday when Canadian markets were closed. Full Story1

Jovian in talks to sell ETF stake to Korea's Mirae Mon,4 Jul 2011 02:41 PM PDT Reuters - TORONTO (Reuters) - Jovian Capital Corp is in talks to sell its 60 percent stake in exchange traded funds business BetaPro Management to South Korea's Mirae Asset Global Investments Co, Jovian said on Monday. Full Story1

email: info@als-alexander.org or interalex2@gmail.com