On Saturday, the American Psychiatric Association finalized a 13-year process of revising the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, commonly known as the DSM, the most important book in the field of mental illness. The DSM attempts to designate and code all the ways our minds can go awry. It defines depression, anxiety, schizophrenia—as well as more than 300 other problems from obsessive-compulsive disorder to stuttering to fetishism. Insurance companies require DSM codes for reimbursement, and the National Institutes of Health require them for research grants. It’s no exaggeration to say that the new DSM—the fifth full edition, one that more than 1,500 mental-health experts help write—will change the world of mental health.
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Squirrels, Birds Teach Robots To Deceive
Deception is something that people do all the time -- and it plays an important role in military strategy. Now some researchers are trying to figure out how to get robots to do it, by looking at the behavior of squirrels and birds.
At Georgia Tech, a team led by Ronald Arkin, a professor at the School of Interactive Computing, studied the literature on squirrels hiding their caches of acorns. Squirrels will hide their food in a certain place, but when they see other squirrels trying to steal from them, they attempt to fool the thieves by running to a false location. |  |
Missing Pacific island riddle solved, researcher says
A New Zealand researcher Monday claimed to have solved the riddle of a mystery South Pacific island shown on Google Earth and world maps which does not exist, blaming a whaling ship from 1876.
The phantom landmass in the Coral Sea is shown as Sandy Island on Google Earth and Google maps and is supposedly midway between Australia and the French-governed New Caledonia. The Times Atlas of the World appears to identify it as Sable Island, but according to Australian scientists who went searching last month during a geological expedition it could not be found. |  |
European scientists: Venus may have active volcanoes
European scientists said on Monday they had found tantalising clues to back theories that Venus — Earth’s cursed sister — has active volcanoes.
Mapping of the desolate surface of Venus shows the second planet from the Sun to be studded with more than a thousand volcanoes. Many astrophysicists believe these have been dead for possibly millions of years, but others say that, like volcanoes on Earth, they may still burst into life, given signs of what could be recent lava flows. |  |
Room with a view of the apocalypse, sir? That's $1870 a night
THE AUSTRALIAN
THE end of the world is nigh - and that is excellent news for the small French village singled out in doomsday cults as the only place likely to survive the apocalypse.
With esoteric groups circulating a rumour that everyone will perish on December 21 unless they are on Pic de Bugarach, in the Pyrenees, locals can scarcely believe their good fortune.
They have spotted an opportunity to make money from New Agers who believe that extraterrestrials will emerge from the mountain top and rescue anyone who is there on the fateful day.
With esoteric groups circulating a rumour that everyone will perish on December 21 unless they are on Pic de Bugarach, in the Pyrenees, locals can scarcely believe their good fortune.
They have spotted an opportunity to make money from New Agers who believe that extraterrestrials will emerge from the mountain top and rescue anyone who is there on the fateful day.
UC team pursues hot idea: Solar-powered cold food storage
Spoilage of harvests on their way to market contributes to food shortages in India. A UC-industry partnership has produced an innovative solar chiller container and distribution plan to change that.
A new product is set to roll out in India. It's a food-storage device that uses solar panels to cool produce and preserve crops on their way to market, needed in India where 30 to 40 percent of the harvest is lost because of the lack of cold-chain facilities to store and transport food.
This sustainable fix in the form of the SolerCool container and a business plan to successfully launch the innovation is possible thanks to University of Cincinnati-industry partnerships.
A new product is set to roll out in India. It's a food-storage device that uses solar panels to cool produce and preserve crops on their way to market, needed in India where 30 to 40 percent of the harvest is lost because of the lack of cold-chain facilities to store and transport food.
This sustainable fix in the form of the SolerCool container and a business plan to successfully launch the innovation is possible thanks to University of Cincinnati-industry partnerships.
Team uses fractal geometry to build lighter structures
A team made up of members from several European countries has published a paper in Physical Review Letters describing a technique they've developed for using fractal geometry to build structures that maintain their strength despite weighing significantly less.
The researchers began their study by noting that many structures in the world already demonstrate some degree of fractal geometry. The Eifel Tower for example, they note was essentially built using a single type of metal rod that is replicated in different sizes throughout the tower to minimize weight. What's not been the case however, they add is a predefined way to implement fractal geometry into structures in general. To rectify that, they have come up with a process that allows for creating metal beams that take advantage of fractal properties.
The researchers began their study by noting that many structures in the world already demonstrate some degree of fractal geometry. The Eifel Tower for example, they note was essentially built using a single type of metal rod that is replicated in different sizes throughout the tower to minimize weight. What's not been the case however, they add is a predefined way to implement fractal geometry into structures in general. To rectify that, they have come up with a process that allows for creating metal beams that take advantage of fractal properties.
'Junk DNA' Drives Embryonic Development
An embryo is an amazing thing. From just one initial cell, an entire living, breathing body emerges, full of working cells and organs. It comes as no surprise that embryonic development is a very carefully orchestrated process -- everything has to fall into the right place at the right time. Developmental and cell biologists study this very thing, unraveling the molecular cues that determine how we become human.
"One of the first, and arguably most important, steps in development is the allocation of cells into three germ layers -- ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm -- that give rise to all tissues and organs in the body," explains Mark Mercola, Ph.D., professor and director of Sanford-Burnham's Muscle Development and Regeneration Program in the Sanford Children's Health Research Center. |  |
Smell: The secret of true love
Love, according to romantics, can have a dramatic effect on the senses: striking lovers blind, deaf or rendering them tongue-tied. But the simple answer to the question of whether any relationship is "the one" seems to be that your ideal man or woman gets up your nose. New research suggests a sense of smell is vital for a good long-term relationship.
In the new study, reported in the journal Biological Psychology, researchers looked for the first time at the effect of being born without a sense on smell on men and women's relationships.
In the new study, reported in the journal Biological Psychology, researchers looked for the first time at the effect of being born without a sense on smell on men and women's relationships.
Spider Silk Inspires Beautiful Music
Musical compositions based on the structure of silk could help engineers make stronger threads.
A multi-disciplinary research team from Boston University, Tufts University and MIT turned to musical composition in an attempt to find a way of fine-tuning biomaterials systematically instead of relying on trial and error.
“It’s not sufficient to consider the properties of the protein molecules alone,” said Markus Buehler of MIT’s Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics. “Rather, [one must] think about how they can combine to form a well-connected network at a larger scale.”
A multi-disciplinary research team from Boston University, Tufts University and MIT turned to musical composition in an attempt to find a way of fine-tuning biomaterials systematically instead of relying on trial and error.
“It’s not sufficient to consider the properties of the protein molecules alone,” said Markus Buehler of MIT’s Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics. “Rather, [one must] think about how they can combine to form a well-connected network at a larger scale.”
A Future Without War? It’s More Likely than You Think
There’s war in Afghanistan, a crisis in the Gaza Strip and percolating conflicts across sub-Saharan Africa. But for politicial scientists, that’s actually the good news.
The fact is, global conflicts have been on a downward trend for the last half-century. And now, a group of researchers in Norway says their data indicates that the future could be even more peaceful. In a paper soon to be published in International Studies Quarterly, Håvard Hegre, a professor of political science at the University of Oslo, claims that the number of ongoing conflicts will be halved by 2050 — with the greatest decrease coming in the Middle East. |  |
Pope joins tweeting masses with Pontifex handle
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Benedict XVI, the pope known for his hefty volumes of theology, is now trying brevity — spreading the faith through his own Twitter account.
He stressed that the papal tweets aren't to be considered infallible teachings, merely "pearls of wisdom" in the pope's own words.
The Vatican has been increasing its presence in social media, using YouTube channels and Facebook pages for special events and Twitter to engage believers and nonbelievers alike, particularly the young.
He stressed that the papal tweets aren't to be considered infallible teachings, merely "pearls of wisdom" in the pope's own words.
The Vatican has been increasing its presence in social media, using YouTube channels and Facebook pages for special events and Twitter to engage believers and nonbelievers alike, particularly the young.
Grave Robbers Seek Bones for Voodoo Rituals
Over 100 graves have been dug up in the West African country of Benin, looted by grave robbers seeking body parts for use in magic rituals.
Many Americans only think of witches and witchcraft around Halloween. But in many countries belief in witches is common, and black magic is considered part of everyday life. In Africa, witch doctors are consulted not only for healing diseases, but also for placing (or removing) magic curses or bringing luck -- much like many psychics and fortunetellers in America. |  |
Unicorn lair 'discovered' in North Korea
Normally, North Korea's official state news agency is the place to go for reports ranging from the reclusive totalitarian state's unparalleled scientific achievements to the limitless love which its inhabitants reserve for their successive leaders.
Yet in what appears to be a genuine world exclusive, the inimitable Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has now broken the incredible news that archaeologists in Pyongyang have discovered a unicorn's lair. |  |
Denver UFOs (Or Flying Insects) Still Have The Mile-High City Abuzz
For some reason, recent UFO reports over Denver still have legs, or antennae, depending on your point of view, belief or personal bias.
In early November, FOX TV affiliate, KDVR presented a series of videos, taken by an anonymous source, which purported to show UFOs buzzing around, maneuvering up and down, right and left at dazzling speeds -- all allegedly not visible to the naked eye, only by video after it was slowed down. |  |
Martian Life? Not. Learning From a False Alarm
OK folks, let’s take a deep, cleansing breath. In aaaand out. Good. Now that we’ve all calmed down, it’s time to discuss Mars — rationally. As you’ve surely heard, NASA is planning to present findings at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco on Monday about new discoveries made by the Mars Curiosity rover. And as you’ve surely heard too, the news could be really, really big.
“Undisclosed Finding By Mars Rover Fuels Intrigue”, reported the New York Times. “Will NASA soon announce discovery of Martian fossils by Curiosity Rover?” asked Examiner.com. ”A fossil? A monolith? Jimmy Hoffa? Mars rover finds … something,” offered Fox News. |  |
Have Neuroscientists Built a Dream-Control Device?
Have you ever tried to control your dreams?
Back in my college days I became obsessed with lucid dreaming -- having dreams in which I was aware I was dreaming and could shape my internal world with thought alone. After a few weeks of practice, I'd trained myself to ask, "Am I dreaming? How do I know?" whenever something in my environment seemed "off." One night I found myself chatting with Kurt Cobain in my living room. "Wait a minute," I said, "Kurt Cobain's been dead for years!" And suddenly I could fly through the roof and off into the sky. For the next few months I spent a few nights every week hurtling through space, defeating mobs of ninjas and sampling the affections of famous actresses. Sue me -- I was 18, and The Matrix was the coolest thing on Earth.
Back in my college days I became obsessed with lucid dreaming -- having dreams in which I was aware I was dreaming and could shape my internal world with thought alone. After a few weeks of practice, I'd trained myself to ask, "Am I dreaming? How do I know?" whenever something in my environment seemed "off." One night I found myself chatting with Kurt Cobain in my living room. "Wait a minute," I said, "Kurt Cobain's been dead for years!" And suddenly I could fly through the roof and off into the sky. For the next few months I spent a few nights every week hurtling through space, defeating mobs of ninjas and sampling the affections of famous actresses. Sue me -- I was 18, and The Matrix was the coolest thing on Earth.
Scientists pinpoint origin of intelligence
Scientists have discovered for the first time how humans - and other mammals - have evolved to have intelligence.
Researchers have identified the moment in history when the genes that enabled us to think and reason evolved.
This point 500 million years ago provided our ability to learn complex skills, analyse situations and have flexibility in the way in which we think.
The research also shows a direct link between the evolution of behaviour and the origins of brain diseases.
Researchers have identified the moment in history when the genes that enabled us to think and reason evolved.
This point 500 million years ago provided our ability to learn complex skills, analyse situations and have flexibility in the way in which we think.
The research also shows a direct link between the evolution of behaviour and the origins of brain diseases.
US court to decide if human genes can be patented
The Supreme Court announced Friday it will decide whether companies can patent human genes, a decision that could reshape medical research in the United States and the fight against diseases like breast and ovarian cancer.
The justices' decision will likely resolve an ongoing battle between scientists who believe that genes carrying the secrets of life should not be exploited for commercial gain and companies that argue that a patent is a reward for years of expensive research that moves science forward.
The justices' decision will likely resolve an ongoing battle between scientists who believe that genes carrying the secrets of life should not be exploited for commercial gain and companies that argue that a patent is a reward for years of expensive research that moves science forward.
'Father of the internet': Why we must fight for its freedom
The internet empowers each one of us to speak, create, learn and share. Today, more than two billion people are online — about a third of the planet.
The internet has become one of the motors of the 21st century economy, allowing all of us to reach a global audience at a click of a mouse and creating hundreds of thousands of businesses and millions of jobs. Today, this free and open net is under threat. Some 42 countries filter and censor content out of the 72 studied by the Open Net Initiative. This doesn't even count serial offenders such as North Korea and Cuba. Over the past two years, Freedom House says governments have enacted 19 new laws threatening online free expression. Related: Google Take Action Page |  |
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