December 2008 in science

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December 31, 2008 (Wednesday)

• The first high definition imprints (CymaGlyphs) of the sounds dolphins make are taken. There is growing evidence dolphins can scan an object and then send that ultrasonic image to other dolphins; making their language picture based. (AlphaGalileo)

December 30, 2008 (Tuesday)

• Religion may have evolved because it helps followers have more self-control. The trait is important for achieving long-term goals, avoiding substance abuse and increased longevity. (Physorg)
• Exercise has been shown to improve memory by allowing glucose to be quickly absorbed by muscles. This improves the function of the dentate gyrus, a part of the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and memory. (SciAm)

December 29, 2008 (Monday)

• Inorganic phosphates– found in a variety of processed foods– may speed growth of lung cancer tumors. (HeathNewsTrack)

December 27, 2008 (Saturday)

• A leap second will be added to 2008 to synchronize Earth's rotation with the time. (NYTimes)
• The Molecule of the Year 2008 is the anti- SAG 421-433 catalytic IgA as announced by Isidro A. T. Savillo, President of ISMCBBPR (International Society for Molecular and Cell Biology and Biotechnology Protocols and Researches). (ScientistSolutions) (IFCB)(UTH)

December 26, 2008 (Friday)

• Verizon wins a $33.15 million judgment against cybersquatter OnlineNIC. (Register)

December 24, 2008 (Wednesday)

• A PEW study shows the internet has overtaken newspapers as a news source. (CNet)
• For the first time notebook sales surpass desktop computers. (eWeek)

December 23, 2008 (Tuesday)

• Lack of sleep linked to calcium deposits and a higher chance of heart disease. (NYTimes)
• Artificial human bone marrow is created in a test tube. This will permit faster testing of new drugs. (EurekAlert)

December 22, 2008 (Monday)

• A new protein sequencing method would sequence an unknown antibody in under 36 hours, far faster than standard methods that take weeks or months. (ScienceDaily)
• Glasses developed by Joshua Silver allow people in developing countries to adjust the thickness of the lenses to their prescription. The goal is to improve the sight of 1 billion people and to design the glasses to cost $1. (Guardian)
• A new way to protect teeth from cavities has been found by using silica nanoparticles. (ScienceDaily)
• The last large U.S. supplier of VHS tapes sends out its final shipment. (LATimes)

December 21, 2008 (Sunday)

• The enzyme horseradish peroxidase along with hydrogen peroxide has been found to biodegrade carbon nanotubes. (Pitt)

December 19, 2008 (Friday)

• A new early cancer detection using magnetoresistance could be significantly more sensitive than standard tests. (TechReview)

December 18, 2008 (Thursday)

• Foresight Institute Feynman Prize winners announced. (ComputerWorld)
• Proteins have been identified that regulate neuron growth. (PhysOrg)
• Higher density biofuel has been made possible by creating long-chain alcohols with genetically modified Escherichia coli. It is also less corrosive and easier to process. (PhysOrg)

December 16, 2008 (Tuesday)

• Researchers have found that by manipulation stem cell electrical signals they can suppress or increase growth. They hope to use this to precisely control organ growth for transplantation. (NewScientist)
• Quantum memory stored in gas has been made to last 7.2 microseconds, two orders of magnitude longer than previously, sufficiently long to transmit over 1000 km. (NewScientist)

December 15, 2008 (Monday)

• The first Airborne Laser was successfully tested on the ground integrated with its aircraft. (NewScientist)
• Carbon nanotubes with structural defects built-in could make ideal circuits. (NewScientist)

December 12, 2008 (Friday)

• The first commercial self-healing coatings are possibly months away, enabling robust protection of equipment and structures in harsh conditions. (TechReview)
• The Moon will appear 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter. Its orbit brings it 30,000 km closer to Earth every 15 years. This time it has coincided with a full moon. (CBC)

December 11, 2008 (Thursday)

• IBM creates graphene transistors able to clock 26 GHz. (arxivblog)

December 10, 2008 (Thursday)

• Google releases its 2008 zeitgeist list. (CTV)

December 9, 2008 (Tuesday)

• The mouse celebrates its 40th anniversary. (BBC)
• Research shows there could be no end in sight for Moore's Law. The fast pace of growing computing power could be sustained for many years to come thanks to new research from the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL) that is applying advanced techniques to magnetic semiconductors. (PhysOrg)

December 8, 2008 (Monday)

• The article Virgin Killer on Wikipedia has been blocked in the United Kingdom by the Internet Watch Foundation because the album cover depicts a naked child. It remains viewable on other U.K. websites and sparks a debate on internet censorship and free speech. (BBC)
• Broadcom releases the BCM4329 wireless chip that combines 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and FM. This will allow portable devices to efficiently receive and send large files. (InformationWeek)

December 7, 2008 (Saturday)

• Intel says it has made further progress in developing a silicon-based avalanche photodetector. If done cost effectively it would greatly increase the speed and efficiency of processor communication. (eWeek)

December 4, 2008 (Thursday)

• Mars Science Laboratory is delayed 2 years to 2011 because of slower than expected progress on resolving issue. (BBC)

December 3, 2008 (Wednesday)

• University of Geneva researchers create the first superconducting FET transistor. This could spur the creation of much faster and more efficient microchips. (NewScientist)

December 2, 2008 (Tuesday)

• Engineering piezoelectrics to a size of 21 nanometers can significantly increase the power it generates. This could make cell phones powered by voice vibrations possible. (ScienceDaily)