Slashdot: ScienceNews for nerds, stuff that mattersScientists Create Synthesized DNA Bases- June 27, 2008 Iddo Genuth writes to tell us that researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego have created two artificial DNA bases in an effort to "expand biology's potential." "In the future, chemist Floyd Romesberg envisions manipulating the genetic code of bacteria in order to assemble better drugs or even man-made proteins. Until now, the bases only work in bacteria, so human augmentation is currently not possible. Another option is to use alpha and beta to help construct nanomachines to...http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/321483055/article.pl US Halts Applications For Solar Energy Projects- June 27, 2008 Dekortage writes "The US Bureau of Land Management, overwhelmed by applications for large-scale solar energy plants, has declared a two-year freeze on applications for new projects until it completes an extensive environmental impact study. The study will produce 'a single set of environmental criteria to weigh future solar proposals, which will ultimately speed the application process.' The freeze means that current applications will continue to be processed — plants producing enough...http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/321407783/article.pl "Wisdom of Crowds" Works For Individuals Too- June 27, 2008 ideonexus writes "Take a crowd of people and have them guess how many jelly beans are in a jar, and the average of their answers will be remarkably accurate. Now researchers have found the same goes for asking one person to guess about the same thing several times. Accuracy improved when the individual was given longer periods of time between guesses." The anonymous author of the Economist piece, not quoting the researchers, says the finding bolsters the "generate and test" model of creative...http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/321347195/article.pl Tiny Satellite Set To Hunt Asteroids- June 27, 2008 coondoggie writes "Canadian scientists are developing a 143-lb microsatellite to detect and track near-earth asteroids and comets, as well as satellites and space junk. The suitcase-sized Near Earth Object Surveillance Satellite includes a 6-inch diameter telescope, smaller than most amateur astronomers' scopes, that by being located 435 miles above the Earth's atmosphere will be able to detect moving asteroids delivering as few as 50 photons of light in a 100-second exposure. The NEOSSat will..http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/321328395/article.pl Drug Reverses Retardation In Mice- June 27, 2008 snydeq writes "Rapamycin, a medication doctors prescribe to transplant patients to prevent organ rejection, has been used to reverse learning disorders and mild retardation associated with TSC (tuberous sclerosis complex) in mice. Because the condition is linked to autism, scientists believe the drug may be used to treat learning disabilities and short-term memory deficits in all kinds of autism as well. The scientists chose rapamycin after they realized the drug regulates one of the same...http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/321300009/article.pl |