SCIENCE

Scientists Turning to Baby Brains to Make Computers Smarter

While the most advanced computers today can perform the most complicated tasks and calculations than average humans but computers still fall short in learning ability. However scientists are looking to remedy this by learning from "the greatest learning machines in the universe": human babies.

New Study Warns 1 in 3 Young Aussies to Acquire Diabetes

A new study released on Wednesday warned of the growing menace of diabetes among young Australians. The report by Diabetes Australia said one in three of young Aussies will likely acquire the chronic ailment, which has no known cure.
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Smart Fur Makes Robo-Pets More Realistic

Despite advances in robotics that produced such realistic robo-pets like Paro, the robo-seal, many robo-pets are still hindered because they don't look or act like real pets. However a team from the University of British Columbia is set to make robo-pets more realistic with a smart fur that can allow robo-pets to sense their owners' emotional state.

NASA: Asteroid 2012 DA14 Will Not Hit Earth Next Year

NASA's putting a lot of effort dispelling those pesky end-of-the-world scenarios. After assuring the public that the Earth isn't going to get sucked into a black hole or getting hit by a supernova blast, NASA is now downplaying speculation from doomsayers that asteroid 2012 DA14 won't obliterate the Earth next year.

Greenpeace Leads Campaign to Stop Australian Coal Export Boom

Greenpeace Australia plans to disrupt and delay coal export projects in the country in a campaign to stop the booming sector. The Australian reports that the funding proposal for the anti-coal campaign considers 2012 and 2013 the critical years.

Can Weight Lifting Make You 'Crazy'?

Does weight lifting have negative psychological effect? In a new study, more than 10 per cent of the participants showed symptoms of a psychological disorder that led them to think that their body is “too small” or “insufficiently muscular”.

iRobot’s Ava: Your New Multipurpose Robot

Robotics company iRobot has lofty goals for its Ava robot: the company plans to ship Ava to shopping malls and hospitals in the United States to help humans in everyday tasks.

Warp Drives: Slowing Down is a Planet Killer

Fans of science fiction will have one less technology to look forward to in the future. The ubiquitous warp drive made popular in such shows as Star Trek, could fry any planetary system it stops in.

Scientists Discover Why Marijuana Affects Memory

Medical professionals have always warned people about the negative effects of marijuana on memory but haven't been able to explain why until now. An international team of scientists believe they are closer to finding out why taking cannabis impairs short-term memory.

How Chemotherapy Becomes More Effective

Researchers from the University of Zurich have found a cellular brake that protects cancer cells from chemotherapy - and they demonstrate which medication can be used to render it inoperative.

Meteor Shower Amazes Skywatchers (Video)

People from around the world were surprised by a fireball that hit the sky at around 10:45 p.m. in Victoria and also in other places such as Frankston, Cairnlea, Dandenong, Anglesea and Tullamarine.

Innovation of the Week: Greening the Desert

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there are 1 billion hungry people in the world, most of who live in poor rural areas. As the world's population is set to hit 7 billion, policy-makers are struggling to find ways to nourish our planet's growing population.

Raising Aquaponic Seedlings For The Lazy

Ask most people why they got into Aquaponics and they'll tell you that its about "food security" or eating "healthy food" or to maintain an interest in an "unusual hobby" and these are all valid points but the real answer when you dig a little deeper is that most people are bone lazy when it comes to pottering around in the garden, digging up weeds and all that back breaking work shifting compost and mulching stuff around.

Federal Government Axes Solar Rebate Programme

The federal government of Australia announced on Tuesday night the sudden end to the $320-million solar hot water programme. The decision was part of the Gillard government's major revamp of its subsidy programmes.

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