Life-form thriving on arsenic was discovered on Earth

NASA-funded research discovered microorganisms on Earth (in Mono Lake, California), able to thrive and reproduce using the toxic chemical arsenic. According to NASA, this finding of an alternative biochemistry makeup will alter...

Growing frequency of floods in Europe and the world

The number of flooding events in Europe and the world has doubled since 2005 (when 50 severe events were reported). The figure increased in 2006 (67 floods), 2007 (73 floods), 2008 (77 floods) and 2009 (88 floods). However, 201...

Bees be no more, less food than before

Reducing numbers of bees and other pollinating insects reaches catastrophic levels with widespread crop failure due to lack of pollination of plants. Natural herbivores affected and go into decline but other insects also in det...

Social TV offers a new interactive viewing experience

People are combining their social networks with TV to comment on live events (such as Oscars, Olympics etc). Further research is ongoing into combining the active experience of social networks with the passive experience of TV ...

Eastern working practices influencing the Western world?

Working practices for manufacturers (such as ipods) in China are very poor and have led to a number of suicide attempts. If western practices are taken on board, then the demand for products may not be met and the Western world...

Growing efforts to assist SMEs to exploit R&D collaborative ...

Handbooks aimed directly at SMEs are available to assist SMEs to maximise the benefits of involvement of participating in collaborative R&D projects. SMEs could begin to take the lead in new innovative product and process devel...

Administration rather than results a priority

Organisations utilising public money for 'paperwork exercises' rather than R&D and results oriented research. More public money is wasted without a sufficient return on investment until projects become solely a paperwork exerci...

Lack of interest in science by young scholars

The relatively small number of scholars taking careers in science could lead to a shortage of researchers and severe knowledge gaps in the future that would take years to recover from as a whole generation has limited knowledge...

Implantable electronics leaving no trace

Implantable electronic devices can be used to deliver dugs, monitor biomarkers and stimulate nerves. Once their action is completed they dissolve. Although this could be pioneering for medical research, it is also open to abuse...

Synthetic Telepathy - thinking not so out loud...

Research is underway on synthetic telepathy to ultimately lead to a brain-brain communication system that would benefit soldiers on a battlefield aswell as stroke and paralysis sufferers. Communication would take on a completel...

Bendy Copper Nanowires akin to foldable iPad

Chemists have perfected a simple way to manufacture inexpensive copper nanowires in great quantities that are so small they are transparent. Applications could clearly be in thin-film solar cells, TVs, computers and other flexi...

Herbs (enhanced by Nanotechnology) used to fight cancer

Natural herbs enhanced with Nanotechnology are being used to combat and fight cancer. If successfully developed, this natural remedy would revolutionise global cancer treatment and prolong life. Such treatment is non-invasive a...

DNA Testing and Social Engineering on the rise

Technological advancements have seen that DNA can be accurately tested (for example to prove paternity). As this technology becomes more integrated into society, will people start to pick partners and friends by their DNA? Will...