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Bacteria are widely known for their amazing ability to withstand conditions that could kill an average person over a short period of time. Among these microorganisms, the strongest and toughest is Deinococcus radiodurans. It is able to endure very high temperatures, it can survive scorching drought conditions or the ... |
20 October 2009
08:47 GMT |
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According to a new research paper released by the European Space Agency (ESA), the ozone depletion in our atmosphere is leveling off, a direct consequence of the banning of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) with the Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987. A fine example of how nations can come to work together when faced with a c... |
22 September 2009
04:53 GMT |
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A new scientific study, conducted by a NASA researcher, reveals the fact that microbes able to withstand the harsh conditions of the Earth's most challenging climates are no match for Martian habitats. In simulations conducted in the laboratory, where conditions on the surface of the Red Planet were mimicked to ... |
5 June 2009
03:03 GMT |
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Photochromic materials are a class of substances that can usually change colors when they are exposed to the direct influence of certain wavelengths of light. They can most commonly be found in the lenses of sunglasses, or even in spectacles that change their color from transparent to black or brown when exposed to i... |
28 April 2009
19:01 GMT |
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Some of the sun-worshipers out there believe that the use of sunscreens immediately guarantees protection against the most harmful rays. An investigation carried out by the Environmental Working Group showed recently that up to 80 percent of sunscreen lotions available on the market provide little or no protection at... |
8 July 2008
09:32 GMT |
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Ultraviolet light is known to be harmful for most organisms if it is in excess, but some creatures are turned on by it; we could literally say they do not reach orgasm in its absence. People and mammals in general can't detect ultraviolet light, but for a bizarre type of spiders it is essential for mating, as re... |
6 May 2008
04:30 GMT |
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In the vivid debate on whether coffee is good or bad for our health, here comes a new study coffee supporters can always use as a pro argument: in the case of mice, caffeine works like a "sun screen", protecting their skin against the harmful ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and ultimately against skin cancer. In the s... |
21 April 2008
14:06 GMT |
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Soon, we could make barbecue during nighttime, as the pigs of the future seem to be fluorescent. The protein named aequorin, from the luminescent jellyfish Aequorea victoria and many other marine organisms, produces a blue glow in the presence of Ca2+ ions, due to a chemical reaction, that's why it has been used... |
11 January 2008
03:19 GMT |
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In nature, only fireflies and marine creatures (like jellyfish, abyssal squids and fish, and others) are fluorescent, but now, after researchers managed to obtain fluorescent pigs, rabbits, butterflies and tank fish, based on genes from these creatures, now we have fluorescent cats, too. This was achieved by a South ... |
13 December 2007
03:17 GMT |
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Sun rays can heal and destroy; they can be the kiss of life or death, depending on the way we use them or how much time we spend being exposed to them. Sunlight is known to kill microbes, strengthen the immune and cardiovascular system, improve mood, insomnia and liver functioning, to help the synthesis of vitamin D... |
4 December 2007
14:06 GMT |
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Besides turning you skinny, vegetables can also save your skin. A new research shows that a broccoli ingredient lowers sunburn damage induced by UV light. UV radiation breaks down our DNA and this can provoke cancer. Humans have natural mechanisms for repairing damaged DNA, but UV induced damage can sometimes be too ... |
24 October 2007
05:41 GMT |
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This is not good for life on Earth. The hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica has dropped by 30 % in size in 2007 if we compare it to 2006, as revealed by new data sent by the European Space Agency's Envisat satellite. 0.3 % of the ozone layer mass is lost annually, but fluctuations in its thickness occur thro... |
4 October 2007
03:22 GMT |
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Among the multitude of studies revealing the good and the bad effects of caffeine, here comes a Rutgers study showing that coffee and exercising are the secret of a healthy skin. Regular exercise is regarded as a healthy lifestyle for many people, but coffee consume is not. However, apparently the combination could p... |
1 August 2007
14:16 GMT |
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Do you think it's possible to shine a red laser through a glass window and to get a blue one on the other side? Normally not, but at high intensities light energy tends to combine and redistribute, meaning that red light can really turn into blue light.To do this, two scientists at the California Institute of T... |
7 June 2007
09:37 GMT |
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No, this is not that kind of pen that detects wireless signals coming from a spy camera. This one can save your driver license! The Alcohol Breath&UB Warning Tester is a small UFO-cigar-like object that spares you the trouble of going over the list of drinks you had during your night out. So, when you exit the club, ... |
5 April 2007
07:14 GMT |
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