Technology News for December 8, 2008

Archaeologists discover 8,000-year-old piece of string
Marine archaeologists have discovered a piece of string made out of honeysuckle, nettles or wild clematis dating back to the Stone Age. ANI

Biomarker for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease identified
Researchers in Finland say they have identified the first potential biomarker that could be used in development of a sputum test for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that causes severe difficulty in breathing - most often in cigarette smokers. ANI

Rich nations should help poor countries fight climate change, says report
A new report has suggested that rich countries will have to help poorer nations develop alternatives to fossil fuels as well as cutting their own emissions if the world is to tackle climate change. ANI

Small spiders ten times better lovers than bigger counterparts
A new study of redback spiders has revealed that tiny males are ten times better lovers than bigger counterparts - because theyre quicker to mature and faster on their feet. ANI

New record for longer storage and retrieval of quantum information created
Taking a major step towards creation of quantum networks, physicists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have made a new record for the length of time that quantum information can be stored in and retrieved from an ensemble of very cold atoms. ANI

Nintendo signs deal with HarperCollins for Shakespeare, Dickens books
Japanese video games company Nintendo is signing a deal with publisher HarperCollins to make literary classics available to read on its DS portable games consoles. The deal has been made on the 100 Classic Book Collection, which ranges from Shakespeare and Dickens to Jane Austen and the Bront‰ sisters, priced at 20 pounds and will initially be available only in Britain.The technology allows readers to turn the pages by brushing a finger across the screen, doing away with books. ANI

Villainous Blackbeard may be innocent of one of the most notorious charges against him
A new research has found that Blackbeard, one of the most feared pirates in history, may be innocent of one of the most notorious charges against him, namely, sinking his ship to swindle his crew in 1718. ANI

Nintendo signs deal with HarperCollins for Shakespeare, Dickens books
Japanese video games company Nintendo is signing a deal with publisher HarperCollins to make literary classics available to read on its DS portable games consoles. The deal has been made on the 100 Classic Book Collection, which ranges from Shakespeare and Dickens to Jane Austen and the Brontė sisters, priced at 20 pounds and will initially be available only in Britain.The technology allows readers to turn the pages by brushing a finger across the screen, doing away with books. ANI

Villainous Blackbeard may be innocent of one of the most notorious charges against him
A new research has found that Blackbeard, one of the most feared pirates in history, may be innocent of one of the most notorious charges against him, namely, sinking his ship to swindle his crew in 1718. ANI

Russian authorities accused of covering Stalins dastardly deeds
A British historian has accused the Russian authorities of attempting to hide from the world the dastardly deeds that were done in Soviet Russia under Stalin. ANI

Potential new drug targets to control cholesterol levels identified
Scientists have identified potential new drug targets for managing cholesterol or triglyceride levels. ANI

New archaeological discoveries enrich Syrian heritage
Archaeologists have announced the discovery of one stretch of the previous wall of Raqqa Palace in Syria, a few days after finding other things that enrich the countrys heritage. ANI

Genetically modified crops reach 9 percent of global primary crop production
New estimates by Worldwatch Institute in the US have revealed that genetically modified (GM) crops have reached 9 percent of global primary crop production in 2007, bringing the total GM land area up to 114.3 million hectares. ANI

Divers begin search for 400-yr-old Spanish treasure off Isle of Mull
A new mission has been launched to recover the hoard of treasure believed to be on a Spanish galleon that sank in the waters surrounding the Isle of Mull 400 years ago. ANI

Biomarkers that could help detect fatal forms of malaria identified
In a breakthrough study, Canadian researchers have identified protein biomarkers that could facilitate easy diagnosis of two severe and debilitating forms of malaria. ANI

Climate change may have claimed first mammal extinction in form of Australian possum
A team of scientists has claimed that a white possum native to Queenslands Daintree forest in Australia has become the first mammal to become extinct due to man-made global warming. ANI

Frogs can learn the scent of danger before they hatch
A new research has revealed that frogs can learn the scent of danger before they hatch, which gives tadpoles a head start in evading predators. ANI

Melting ice may help in battle against global warming
Though melting Antarctic ice sheets have become potent symbols of global warming, they may actually turn out to help in the battle against climate change and soaring carbon emissions. ANI

Scientists urge UN to establish network to fight space rocks
A group of the worlds leading scientists has urged the United Nations (UN) to establish an international network to search the skies for asteroids on a collision course with Earth, so the world can get ready in advance to fight the space rocks. ccording to a report in the Guardian, the group, which includes the Royal Society president Lord Rees and environmentalist Crispin Tickell, said that the UN needed to act as a matter of urgency. ANI

Gene behind body clock linked to increased diabetes risk
An international team of researchers have identified a new gene involved in regulating a persons body clock which may be linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes. ANI

New evidence suggests Jesus Christ was born on June 17
An Australian astronomer has claimed to have solved the mystery of the Bethlehem star, that suggests Jesus Christ was born on June 17, not December 25, which if proven true might change the date when Christmas is celebrated in the world. ANI

Scientists predict culture war over nanotechnology
Instead of thinking that nanotechnology is safe, a group of scientists have revealed that people who are aware of the novel science become sharply polarised along cultural lines. ANI

Like humans, dogs too can be jealous
Its not just humans, dogs too can feel the unpleasant pang of jealously when they see their owners offering affection to other pooches, according to researchers. ANI