MY USTI.NET News: Top science, technical and computer stories

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All rights reserved.http://news.usti.net/Top science, technical and computer storiesen-usTue, 07 Oct 2008 04:33:09 GMT2880MY USTI.NET News12336http://news.usti.net/http://rss.usti.net/xml_news.gif Blood test for Down syndrome createdhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cs/Uus-downsyndrome.REod_IO7.htmlwed/cs/Uus-downsyndrome.REod_IO7.html1223353488Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:24:48 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cs/Uus-downsyndrome.REod_IO7.html"></a>CHEVY CHASE, Md., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have found -- in a small study of 18 women -- a prenatal blood test that accurately detected Down syndrome and two other chromosomal defects. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cs/Uus-downsyndrome.REod_IO7.html">Blood test for Down syndrome created</a> CHEVY CHASE, Md., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have found -- in a small study of 18 women -- a prenatal blood test that accurately detected Down syndrome and two other chromosomal defects. (UPI) Britain's obesity problem growinghttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ag/Ubritain-obesity.R6gH_IO6.htmlwed/ag/Ubritain-obesity.R6gH_IO6.html1223352888Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:14:48 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ag/Ubritain-obesity.R6gH_IO6.html"></a>LONDON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A study suggests Britain's obesity problem is significantly worse than people have been led to believe. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ag/Ubritain-obesity.R6gH_IO6.html">Britain's obesity problem growing</a> LONDON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A study suggests Britain's obesity problem is significantly worse than people have been led to believe. (UPI) Ozone reducing crop yieldshttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cs/Uus-ozone.R5Ir_IO6.htmlwed/cs/Uus-ozone.R5Ir_IO6.html1223352311Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:05:11 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cs/Uus-ozone.R5Ir_IO6.html"></a>LONDON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A British study suggests ozone is reducing the yield and nutritional value of agricultural crops across the world. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cs/Uus-ozone.R5Ir_IO6.html">Ozone reducing crop yields</a> LONDON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A British study suggests ozone is reducing the yield and nutritional value of agricultural crops across the world. (UPI) Patients may adjust allergy medicinehttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cb/Uthailand-hayfever.ReSw_IO6.htmlwed/cb/Uthailand-hayfever.ReSw_IO6.html1223344487Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:54:47 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cb/Uthailand-hayfever.ReSw_IO6.html"></a>HAT YAI, Thailand, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Thai researchers suggest patients on allergy medicine are better served when they adjust their dose to symptoms. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cb/Uthailand-hayfever.ReSw_IO6.html">Patients may adjust allergy medicine</a> HAT YAI, Thailand, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Thai researchers suggest patients on allergy medicine are better served when they adjust their dose to symptoms. (UPI) Company to offer $5,000 gene mappinghttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ag/Uus-dna.RSUk_IO6.htmlwed/ag/Uus-dna.RSUk_IO6.html1223342689Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:24:49 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ag/Uus-dna.RSUk_IO6.html"></a>MOUTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A California-based start-up company is laying out plans to offer human genome mapping for $5,000. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ag/Uus-dna.RSUk_IO6.html">Company to offer $5,000 gene mapping</a> MOUTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A California-based start-up company is laying out plans to offer human genome mapping for $5,000. (UPI) Man charged with industrial espionagehttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/be/Usweden-saab.RJOk_IO6.htmlwed/be/Usweden-saab.RJOk_IO6.html1223340887Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:54:47 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/be/Usweden-saab.RJOk_IO6.html"></a>STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Charges have been filed against an engineer who has been jailed since July in Sweden on suspicions of industrial espionage against Saab Microwave Systems. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/be/Usweden-saab.RJOk_IO6.html">Man charged with industrial espionage</a> STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Charges have been filed against an engineer who has been jailed since July in Sweden on suspicions of industrial espionage against Saab Microwave Systems. (UPI) Report: 1 in 4 mammals face extinctionhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/dc/Uspain-endangered.RVCD_IO6.htmlwed/dc/Uspain-endangered.RVCD_IO6.html1223338488Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:14:48 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/dc/Uspain-endangered.RVCD_IO6.html"></a>BARCELONA, Spain, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- One in four of the world's mammals are at risk of extinction, conservationists meeting in Spain direly warned Monday. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/dc/Uspain-endangered.RVCD_IO6.html">Report: 1 in 4 mammals face extinction</a> BARCELONA, Spain, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- One in four of the world's mammals are at risk of extinction, conservationists meeting in Spain direly warned Monday. (UPI) Net's eBay to reduce workforce 10 percenthttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/at/Uus-ebay.RrHQ_IO6.htmlwed/at/Uus-ebay.RrHQ_IO6.html1223337290Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:54:50 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/at/Uus-ebay.RrHQ_IO6.html"></a>SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Internet auction house eBay Inc. said Monday it would cut its staff by 10 percent, a move that would lay off about 1,000 full-time staff members. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/at/Uus-ebay.RrHQ_IO6.html">Net's eBay to reduce workforce 10 percent</a> SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Internet auction house eBay Inc. said Monday it would cut its staff by 10 percent, a move that would lay off about 1,000 full-time staff members. (UPI) New York: Laptop thefts on rise in schoolshttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/as/Uus-laptops.RSjw_IO6.htmlwed/as/Uus-laptops.RSjw_IO6.html1223332496Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:34:56 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/as/Uus-laptops.RSjw_IO6.html"></a>NEW YORK, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- More than 300 laptop computers have been stolen from elementary and high schools in New York City in just the last two months, said city police. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/as/Uus-laptops.RSjw_IO6.html">New York: Laptop thefts on rise in schools</a> NEW YORK, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- More than 300 laptop computers have been stolen from elementary and high schools in New York City in just the last two months, said city police. (UPI) Lorry Lokey gives $75 million to Sanfordhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bw/Uus-stanford.RAsG_IO6.htmlwed/bw/Uus-stanford.RAsG_IO6.html1223331288Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:14:48 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bw/Uus-stanford.RAsG_IO6.html"></a>PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Philanthropist Lorry I. Lokey, the founder of Business Wire, is giving $75 million to the Stanford University School of Medicine, the school said. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bw/Uus-stanford.RAsG_IO6.html">Lorry Lokey gives $75 million to Sanford</a> PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Philanthropist Lorry I. Lokey, the founder of Business Wire, is giving $75 million to the Stanford University School of Medicine, the school said. (UPI) New Jersey woman paddles to save oceanshttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/dt/Uus-canoe.RTm0_IO6.htmlwed/dt/Uus-canoe.RTm0_IO6.html1223328895Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:34:55 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/dt/Uus-canoe.RTm0_IO6.html"></a>MEDFORD LAKES, N.J., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A New Jersey woman who paddled 2,500 miles is to be honored by Monmouth University for her efforts to save threatened parts of the ocean. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/dt/Uus-canoe.RTm0_IO6.html">New Jersey woman paddles to save oceans</a> MEDFORD LAKES, N.J., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A New Jersey woman who paddled 2,500 miles is to be honored by Monmouth University for her efforts to save threatened parts of the ocean. (UPI) Rare Wisconsin bald eagle found deadhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ak/Uus-eagle.RI1g_IO6.htmlwed/ak/Uus-eagle.RI1g_IO6.html1223327689Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:14:49 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ak/Uus-eagle.RI1g_IO6.html"></a>MILWAUKEE, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A bald eagle identified as one of the first to nest in the Milwaukee area in more than 100 years has been found dead, officials said. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ak/Uus-eagle.RI1g_IO6.html">Rare Wisconsin bald eagle found dead</a> MILWAUKEE, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A bald eagle identified as one of the first to nest in the Milwaukee area in more than 100 years has been found dead, officials said. (UPI) CDC: Non-traditional pets pose health riskhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bv/Uus-cdckidspets.RiNO_IO6.htmlwed/bv/Uus-cdckidspets.RiNO_IO6.html1223327689Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:14:49 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bv/Uus-cdckidspets.RiNO_IO6.html"></a>ATLANTA, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Many have turned to non-traditional pets because they are considered easier to care for, but these animals can pose health risks, U.S. officials say. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bv/Uus-cdckidspets.RiNO_IO6.html">CDC: Non-traditional pets pose health risk</a> ATLANTA, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Many have turned to non-traditional pets because they are considered easier to care for, but these animals can pose health risks, U.S. officials say. (UPI) Wind farms don't pose danger to some birdshttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bf/Ubritain-windfarms.Re9U_IO6.htmlwed/bf/Ubritain-windfarms.Re9U_IO6.html1223325304Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:35:04 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bf/Ubritain-windfarms.Re9U_IO6.html"></a>NEWCASTLE, England, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- British researchers say they've determined wind farms pose less of a danger to farmland birds than was previously feared. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bf/Ubritain-windfarms.Re9U_IO6.html">Wind farms don't pose danger to some birds</a> NEWCASTLE, England, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- British researchers say they've determined wind farms pose less of a danger to farmland birds than was previously feared. (UPI) DNA might predict harmful algae bloomshttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/az/Uus-algae.RcU0_IO6.htmlwed/az/Uus-algae.RcU0_IO6.html1223324687Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:24:47 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/az/Uus-algae.RcU0_IO6.html"></a>STORRS, Conn., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. scientist says DNA tests could help predict and prevent harmful algae blooms around the globe, thereby reducing such blooms' economic impacts. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/az/Uus-algae.RcU0_IO6.html">DNA might predict harmful algae blooms</a> STORRS, Conn., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. scientist says DNA tests could help predict and prevent harmful algae blooms around the globe, thereby reducing such blooms' economic impacts. (UPI) Eli Lily to acquire ImClone Systems Inc.http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/dq/Uus-lily.ROHf_IO6.htmlwed/dq/Uus-lily.ROHf_IO6.html1223324089Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:14:49 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/dq/Uus-lily.ROHf_IO6.html"></a>INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Eli Lilly and Co. said Monday it had reached an agreement to purchase New York's ImClone Systems Inc., a leading cancer-drug company, for $6.5 billion. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/dq/Uus-lily.ROHf_IO6.html">Eli Lily to acquire ImClone Systems Inc.</a> INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Eli Lilly and Co. said Monday it had reached an agreement to purchase New York's ImClone Systems Inc., a leading cancer-drug company, for $6.5 billion. (UPI) Study: Insecticide decimates tadpoleshttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cx/Uus-malathion.R1Wh_IO6.htmlwed/cx/Uus-malathion.R1Wh_IO6.html1223324089Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:14:49 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cx/Uus-malathion.R1Wh_IO6.html"></a>PITTSBURGH, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggests the common insecticide malathion can decimate tadpole populations, killing them indirectly at doses too small to kill them directly. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cx/Uus-malathion.R1Wh_IO6.html">Study: Insecticide decimates tadpoles</a> PITTSBURGH, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggests the common insecticide malathion can decimate tadpole populations, killing them indirectly at doses too small to kill them directly. (UPI) Air pollution linked to appendicitis riskhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bz/Uus-appendicitisair.RRHH_IO6.htmlwed/bz/Uus-appendicitisair.RRHH_IO6.html1223322888Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:54:48 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bz/Uus-appendicitisair.RRHH_IO6.html"></a>ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Adult onset appendicitis is a common condition whose cause is unclear, but Canadian researchers have linked it to air pollution. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bz/Uus-appendicitisair.RRHH_IO6.html">Air pollution linked to appendicitis risk</a> ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Adult onset appendicitis is a common condition whose cause is unclear, but Canadian researchers have linked it to air pollution. (UPI) Cancer gene test takes psychological tollhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ck/Unetherlands-breastgenetesting.RtHF_IO6.htmlwed/ck/Unetherlands-breastgenetesting.RtHF_IO6.html1223322290Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:44:50 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ck/Unetherlands-breastgenetesting.RtHF_IO6.html"></a>LEIDEN, Netherlands, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Dutch researchers say genetic counselors are key to how women deal with the results of breast cancer gene tests. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ck/Unetherlands-breastgenetesting.RtHF_IO6.html">Cancer gene test takes psychological toll</a> LEIDEN, Netherlands, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Dutch researchers say genetic counselors are key to how women deal with the results of breast cancer gene tests. (UPI) Carbon monoxide blamed in houseboat deathshttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/de/Uus-houseboat.R4bM_IO6.htmlwed/de/Uus-houseboat.R4bM_IO6.html1223321695Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:34:55 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/de/Uus-houseboat.R4bM_IO6.html"></a>HAMBURG, Ill., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Illinois authorities say they suspect a carbon monoxide leak killed four people found aboard a houseboat anchored in the Mississippi River. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/de/Uus-houseboat.R4bM_IO6.html">Carbon monoxide blamed in houseboat deaths</a> HAMBURG, Ill., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Illinois authorities say they suspect a carbon monoxide leak killed four people found aboard a houseboat anchored in the Mississippi River. (UPI) Coating may mean sleeker planeshttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bm/Uus-antennae.RL05_IO6.htmlwed/bm/Uus-antennae.RL05_IO6.html1223321695Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:34:55 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bm/Uus-antennae.RL05_IO6.html"></a>MALIBU, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. defense contractor is developing a new type of surface coating that one day could mean sleeker aircraft, a researcher for the company says. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/bm/Uus-antennae.RL05_IO6.html">Coating may mean sleeker planes</a> MALIBU, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. defense contractor is developing a new type of surface coating that one day could mean sleeker aircraft, a researcher for the company says. (UPI) Low-frequency human brain signal studiedhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ad/Uus-brainsignal.R329_IO6.htmlwed/ad/Uus-brainsignal.R329_IO6.html1223321695Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:34:55 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ad/Uus-brainsignal.R329_IO6.html"></a>ST. LOUIS, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've taken one of the first "direct looks" at a human brain signal that never switches off and might support many cognitive functions. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ad/Uus-brainsignal.R329_IO6.html">Low-frequency human brain signal studied</a> ST. LOUIS, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've taken one of the first "direct looks" at a human brain signal that never switches off and might support many cognitive functions. (UPI) Female medical students less confidenthttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cp/Uus-medschool.RSoU_IO6.htmlwed/cp/Uus-medschool.RSoU_IO6.html1223319917Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:05:17 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cp/Uus-medschool.RSoU_IO6.html"></a>INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Despite performing equally to their male peers, female medical students consistently report decreased self-confidence, U.S. researchers said. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cp/Uus-medschool.RSoU_IO6.html">Female medical students less confident</a> INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Despite performing equally to their male peers, female medical students consistently report decreased self-confidence, U.S. researchers said. (UPI) Two Enceladus flybys scheduled this monthhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cs/Uus-nasa-cassini.Rs-L_IO6.htmlwed/cs/Uus-nasa-cassini.Rs-L_IO6.html1223317490Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:24:50 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cs/Uus-nasa-cassini.Rs-L_IO6.html"></a>WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency's Cassini spacecraft is to make two flyby's of Saturn's moon Enceladus this month, including the closest flyby yet of any Saturn moon. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/cs/Uus-nasa-cassini.Rs-L_IO6.html">Two Enceladus flybys scheduled this month</a> WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency's Cassini spacecraft is to make two flyby's of Saturn's moon Enceladus this month, including the closest flyby yet of any Saturn moon. (UPI) NASA: Ready to explore outer solar systemhttp://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ad/Uus-nasa-ibex.RLy3_IO6.htmlwed/ad/Uus-nasa-ibex.RLy3_IO6.html1223315088Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:44:48 GMT<a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ad/Uus-nasa-ibex.RLy3_IO6.html"></a>WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The first U.S. spacecraft designed to explore the extreme outer solar system is ready for launch. <a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/tw.top/2/wed/ad/Uus-nasa-ibex.RLy3_IO6.html">NASA: Ready to explore outer solar system</a> WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The first U.S. spacecraft designed to explore the extreme outer solar system is ready for launch. (UPI)