Reuters: Science News

Pigs at risk from people as new flu spreads

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:31:55 -0400

LONDON (Reuters) - There is a growing risk that pigs will catch the new H1N1 flu strain -- commonly known as swine flu -- from humans, German researchers said on Thursday.

NASA poised for third shuttle launch try Saturday

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:00:41 -0400

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Countdown clocks resumed ticking at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday in preparation for NASA's third attempt to launch space shuttle Endeavour on a construction mission to the International Space Station.

Low-calorie diet slows aging in monkeys

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:32:15 -0400

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A 20-year study of monkeys shows that a reduced-calorie diet pays off in less disease and longer life, U.S. researchers said on Thursday, a finding that could apply to humans.

U.S. government to pay for flu vaccine campaign

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:39:28 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government will pay for any vaccination program against the H1N1 swine flu, and may encourage schools to help vaccinate children, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Thursday.

Transplant drug helps mice live longer

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:55:33 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An antibiotic pill originally developed to help prevent rejection in organ transplant patients helps mice live longer and might offer a route to fighting age-related disease in people, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.

Drug helps monkeys, rabbits survive anthrax

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:49:26 -0400

CHICAGO (Reuters) - An experimental antibody treatment helped rabbits and monkeys survive a deadly dose of anthrax bacteria and proved safe in humans, too, researchers at Human Genome Sciences said on Wednesday.

Armadillo-like crocodile roamed Brazil: researchers

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:56:39 -0400

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Fossils found in Brazil are from a crocodile resembling a large armadillo that was a predator in the area around modern-day Sao Paulo state 90 million years ago, researchers said on Tuesday.

U.S. stem cell research rules ease some restrictions

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:54:45 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government released new rules on Monday governing federally funded research on human embryonic stem cells, loosening some ethical requirements that scientists said could have cost them a decade of work.

New monkey discovered in Brazilian Amazon

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:50:08 -0400

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Researchers have discovered a new sub-species of monkey in a remote part of the Amazon rain forest, a U.S.-based wildlife conservation group said on Tuesday.

Reefs could perish by end of century, experts warn

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:04:17 -0400

LONDON (Reuters) - Increasingly acidic oceans and warming water temperatures due to carbon dioxide emissions could kill off the world's ocean reefs by the end of this century, scientists warned on Monday.