- February 2008 in science
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2008 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December - →Events in science and technology
February 29 2008 (Friday)*The electronic nature of
DNA is revealed. This could lead to understanding howradiation damages DNA and how it can spontaneously repair by an electric charge being sent through the helix. [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/thuo-eso022808.php (EurekAlert)]
*The Judge involved in the Wikileaks lawsuit has reversed his decision to block Wikileaks domain name. [http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2927431720080301 (Reuters)]
*ADell presentation in March 2007 discussed how late changes toWindows Vista broke drivers and forced hardware vendors to "limp out with issues" when Vista launched. [http://www.nytimes.com/idg/IDG_002570DE00740E18002573FE006B7266.html?ref=technology (NYTimes)]February 28 2008 (Thursday)*A new
protein -friendly chip that is 10 times smaller than existing sensors promises to detect a variety of diseases from one drop ofurine orblood . [http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn13391-proteinfriendly-chip-offers-rapid-disease-testing.html (NewScientist)]February 27 2008 (Wednesday)*Large
carbon nanotube sheets have been produced by an American company, with more strength thanstainless steel and 1/30th of the density. The material can be folded and cut like paper. [http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080227/full/news.2008.629.html (Nature)]
*Microsoft has demonstrated itsWorldWide Telescope which is an extensive virtual telescope that allows uses added context and news stories on what they are viewing. [http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9881229-7.html?tag=nefd.top (CNet)]February 26 2008 (Tuesday)*
Yale University scientists have created "artificial cell-like particles" to boost theT cell activation and expansion 45-fold, important for fightingcancer and infectious diseases. [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/yu-ysc022508.php (EurekAlert)]
*University of Granada researchers have developed a newmicropore material that can absorb a variety of organicsolvent pollutants. [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/udg-coa022608.php (EurekAlert)]
*ThePlanetary Society announced a $25,000 winner of 37 low-cost proposals to trackasteroid 99942 Apophis , which has a 1 in 45,000 chance of impactingEarth in 2036. [http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn13381-asteroidtracking-proposal-wins-25000-prize.html (NewScientist)]February 25 2008 (Monday)*The
FCC conducts a public hearing onComcast 's blocking of BitTorrent applications during high traffic periods; becoming an extension of thenet neutrality debate and raising questions about ISP disclosure and the FCC's ability to act. [http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9878330-7.html?tag=nefd.lede (CNet)]
*A lawsuit allegingMicrosoft 's "Windows Vista Capable" marketing campaign was abait and switch tactic is grantedclass action status. [http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206900043 (InformationWeek.com)]
*MetaRAM created by ex-AMD employees allows computers to quadruple their memory capacity (RAM ) with minimal cost, lower power consumption and higher performance. [http://www.technewsworld.com/story/MetaRAM-Leapfrogs-Server-Memory-Limits-61823.html (TechNewsWorld)]February 23 2008 (Saturday)*Malicious websites are exploiting
Facebook andMySpace ActiveX plug-ins made byAurigma for image uploading. This enables hackers to upload programs and create placeholders for future uploads. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2008/02/hackers_exploiting_facebook_my.html?nav=rss_blog (WashingtonPost)]February 22 2008 (Friday)*Hacker group
Cult of the Dead Cow releases an open source automated vulnerability scanner using Google searching techniques to allow users and organizations to easily check the security of their web property. [http://www.crn.com/security/206801430 (CRN)]
*Researchers atPrinceton University show that ifDRAM is chilled with compressed air it retains data significantly longer when the system is shut down. The security keys used for data-encryption remain and if read then encrypted systems can be easily compromised. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/technology/22chip.html?em&ex=1203915600&en=13d01f43eefefaeb&ei=5087%0A (NYTimes)]February 21 2008 (Thursday)*Scientists precisely identify the cellular connections made when new memories are created. [http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/20320/ (TechnologyReview)]
*The first 10 teams are revealed forGoogle Lunar X Prize which awards $20-million to the first private company to land a rover on themoon . [http://www.news.com/Google-lunar-challenge-gets-under-way/2100-11397_3-6231576.html?tag=ne.fd.mnbc (CNet)]
*Microsoft launches a charm offensive to the open-source community; promising to not block non-commercial uses of its software patents. [http://www.news.com/Making-sense-of-Microsoft-and-open-source/2009-7344_3-6231520.html (CNet)]
*AMD makes itsAMD Performance Library freely available allowing developers to further optimize performance for their applications. [http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9875977-7.html?tag=newsmap (CNet)]February 20 2008 (Wednesday)*The
genetic pathway tooxidative stress , key toaging and many diseases, is discovered. [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/uow-gpc021508.php (EurekAlert)]
*Self-healingrubber is developed by theIndustrial Physics and Chemistry Higher Educational Institution inParis . [http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn13354 (NewScientist)]
*A new fiber-optic signal amplifier based onnanotechnology could replace bulky electronic versions that slow down the signal. [http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=4638.php (Nanowerk)]
*Themoon was eclipsed byEarth in the evening; resulting in an orange tinge. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080219/luncar_elipsetoday_080220/20080220?hub=CTVNewsAt11 (CTV)]
*TheFlorida Board of Education voted 4 to 3 to addevolution as part of the school curriculum, previously the curriculum specified "biological changes over time". This was accomplished after a last-minute amendment required the word "evolution" to be replaced by "scientific theory of evolution". [http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSN1929595320080219 (Reuters)] [http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/02/evolution-wins.html (Wired)]
*New species of giant sea creatures are found on theAntarctic ocean floor byAustralia 's marine science research vessel "Aurora Australis". [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220151306.htm (ScienceDaily)]February 19 2008 (Tuesday)*A
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center study details a newgene therapy approach that teaches theimmune system how to killbrain cancer and establishes long term immunity. It also appears to help the brain return to normal function with no significant side-effects. [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/cmc-gt021308.php (EurekAlert)]
*MIT researchers have revealed biodegradable surgical tape inspired byGecko s' feet. As it does not irritate the body it can replace surgical sutures/staples and be used to deliver drugs. [http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/20301/ (TechnologyReview)]
*Toshiba announces it will stop supportingHD DVD . This leavesSony 's Blu-ray as the only next generation video format. [http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2008_02/pr1903.htm (Toshiba)]
*Wikileaks domain was locked by is registrar after aCayman Islands bank operated by theJulius Baer Group sought to shut the site down as it contained documents alleging illegal activities. [http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/02/19/swiss-leaks.html (CBC)]
*A new tool by DVD Jon has been beta released calleddoubleTwist which simplifies the removal of controversialdigital rights management from media files. [http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9873241-7.html (CNet)]February 18 2008 (Monday)*
Space Shuttle Atlantis leaves theInternational Space Station ahead of a planned inoperative spy satellite demolition by the U.S. military.Russia andChina accuse the operation of being a weapon test. [http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=shuttle-leaves-station-ah (SciAm)]
*Leading video game creators begin theGame Developers Conference inSan Francisco to discuss the success and future of video gaming, including the mobile market and new brain interfaces. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7250228.stm (BBC)]February 15 2008 (Friday)*
University of Michigan have developed a 300terawatt laser , which is twice as powerful as the previous world record holder. This research will help cancer treatment research and at higher intensities may create matter or impactfusion research. [http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=6346 (UMich)]
*Asolar system similar to ours is discovered 5,000light-year s away by an international team of scientists usinggravitational microlensing . [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/science/space/15planets.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin (NYTimes)]February 14 2008 (Thursday)*
Virginia Bioinformatics Institute releases a detailed map of humanprotein s interacting with viral proteins. The interactions form a network that reveals possible key points for interventions againstinfectious disease s. [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/vt-rul020808.php (EurekAlert)]
*Japanese researchers demonstrate thatstem cell s created from adult cells using aretrovirus are not cancerous. [http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthday/080214/scientists-show-stem-cells-dont-cause-cancer.htm (USNews.com)]February 13 2008 (Wednesday)*For the first time a 3-D molecule is observed folding in real time. A piece of RNA is stretched out and then allowed to recoil. [http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=4504.php (NanoWerk)]
*Researchers atYale School of Medicine develop a blood test which detects early stageovarian cancer with 99 percent accuracy. [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212144500.htm (ScienceDaily)]
*Atransitional fossil inbat evolution may help resolve a longstanding debate, whetherecholocation or flight came first. The 52 million year old fossil has wing development while the ear lacks echolocation structures. [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080213121444.htm (ScienceDaily)]February 12 2008 (Tuesday)*The new
Columbus (ISS module) is activated successfully on theInternational Space Station . [http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts122/080212fd6/index2.html (SpaceFlightNow)]February 11 2008 (Monday)*Researchers at the
University of Delaware find a promising way to repair thegene defect that causesspinal muscular atrophy . [http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2008/feb/sma021108.html (UDel)]
*A study found that rats given artificial sweetener gained more weight than those on a sugar diet. Scientists speculate the body increases itsmetabolism anticipating calories that never come, then requires more food to make up the shortfall. [http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=artificial-sweetener-linked-weight-gain (SciAm)]February 8 2008 (Friday)*The first commercial vessel to use a
kite to help save fuel created bySkySails finished its maiden voyage. Estimates are that the ship saved 10-15% fuel while the kite was in use, which translates into $1,000 to $1,500 in fuel costs per day. [http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080208/full/news.2008.564.html (Nature)]
*San Diego scientists have successfully usedstem cell s to treat Type Idiabetes in mice. [http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19726424.500-stem-cell-transplant-cures-diabetic-mice.html (NewScientist)]February 7 2008 (Thursday)*
Space Shuttle Atlantis launched successfully (STS-122 ) on route to theInternational Space Station to install the $1.9 billion European science laboratory named "Columbus". [http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080207/atlantis-space-shuttle-launched-mission-accomplished.htm (IBTimes)]
*One2008 submarine cable disruption is explained by abandoned boat anchor, while four other cuts remain unexplained. Speculation of sabotage and conspiracy theories are surfacing. [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20080207-117457/Ships-anchor-cut-Gulf-Internet-cable----company (Inquirer)]
*A new knee device is demonstrated that can generate electricity efficiently from walking with minimal effort. The system acquires energy from deceleration similar to how hybrid-electric cars regain energy from regenerative braking. [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/02/07/tech-knee-energy.html?ref=rss (CBC)]
*New studies in the journal "Science" concludeBiofuel s are not beneficial toclimate change , as they require increased land use to grow crops and unintentionally increases the cost of food. [http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=biofuels-bad-for-people-and-climate (SciAm)]February 5 2008 (Tuesday)*Compound
PTC124 also proves effective againstcystic fibrosis . As PTC124 appears to suppress "nonsense mutation s" it may help in treating more than 2,400 genetic diseases. [http://www.physorg.com/news121438929.html (PhysOrg)]
*British scientists use a healthymitochondrion from a second woman to createhuman embryo s containingDNA from two women and one man. This may prevent conditions includingepilepsy ,diabetes andheart failure . [http://www.physorg.com/news121423722.html (PhysOrg)]February 4 2008 (Monday)*
India andEgypt experienceInternet disruption when a second middle-eastern submarine cable (SEA-ME-WE 4 ) was cut. This compounds congestion caused by aFiber-Optic Link Around the Globe break onJanuary 30 . [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7222536.stm (BBC)]
*French and Spanish researchers have identified 582 genes which is new evidence of recent evolution in humans, which allows survival in new habitats and protects against common diseases. [http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2008/204/2 (ScienceNow)]
*Intel creates the firstmicrochip , known as Tukwila, that contains more than two billiontransistor s. [http://www.physorg.com/news121350597.html (PhysOrg)]
*Researchers atMIT andTexas Instruments create a new chip design for portableelectronics which could be up to 10 times more energy-efficient. [http://www.physorg.com/news121340661.html (PhysOrg)]
*A doubling of storage capacity for phase-change memory is announced byIntel . This kind of memory combines the power efficiency offlash memory with the speed ofrandom-access memory . [http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/20148/?a=f (TechnologyReview)]February 3 2008 (Sunday)*A new technique for reading a single strand of
DNA andRNA which does not require chemical agents or detours has been developed by scientists at the "Institute for Analytical Sciences" (Dortmund ). [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080128113219.htm (ScienceDaily)]February 1 2008 (Friday)*Researchers at
Stanford University found in mice trials thatcarbon nanotube s leave the body as waste products; answering toxicity concerns that they may accumulate in vital organs. [http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2008/january30/tube-013008.html (Stanford)]References
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