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SciTech

Extinction 100 times closer than expected: Scientists have discovered there’s a much greater chance of some endangered species becoming extinct than previously thought. The previous error has been attributed to flaws in mathematical models used to evaluate the threat.

Text tips help thumb down criminals: U.S. Police departments are using an anonymous text messaging service to get crime information from teenagers. They say the younger generation is more likely to use this method to report incidents than dial the usual Crime Stoppers hotline.

Another pint, my iron (bar)man!: After six months of intense training the world’s first robotic barman has started serving customers in a London bar. He’s mastered bottles and kegs and is certainly able to listen to any complaint about life with compassion and patience.

Watermelon – natural substitute for Viagra: Watermelons could soon force Viagra out of the market. Scientists from Texas A&M University claim the juicy fruit contains ingredients that can relax blood vessels and even increase libido, copying the effects of the famous drug which is used to treat erectile disfunction.

Space adventure becomes ‘affordable’: Space tourism for the masses is a step closer. A new US-Russian project, Space Adventures, has brought the costs down to earth, making it available to anyone with a spare $US 200,000.

Experts hail French cancer discovery: France’s National Centre for Scientific Research fellows has synthesised a molecule able to stop cancerous growth, and also block blood vessels, which may feed carcinoma. The discovery was revealed in the PloSOne magazine.

Baby mammoth will ‘live’ 500 years: Scientists say the body of a prehistoric mammoth, found in Russia, can be preserved for another 500 years. The frozen remains, weighing 50kg, were discovered in the Yamalo-Nenets region in the Urals May last year.

Russian radar to help save the Earth?: A U.S. congressman has suggested using a Russian radar together with American optical systems to monitor asteroid threats to Earth. The suggestion came during the discussion of a NASA funding bill approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Pentagon eyes hole-squeezing spy robots: U.S. robot producer iRobot has announced it is developing a soft flexible robot for the Department of Defense. The so-called Chemical Robots will be able to manoeuvre through openings smaller then their actual dimensions.

Internet’s gain from fuel crisis losses: Soaring oil prices are bad for the global economy - but good for business on the internet.

‘Virtual bumps’ put the brakes on speeding drivers: A pilot scheme in the U.S. is using 3D-images of speed bumps in a hi-tech bid to tackle speeding drivers. The ‘virtual bumps’, being used on the roads of Philadelphia, give the illusion of being real, reports the city’s KYW radio station.

Hats off to first woman in space: Forty-five years ago a girl from a small Russian village made history by becoming the first woman in space. Valentina Tereshkova paved the way for others to follow and is still revered as a Russian heroine.

Touch down! Discovery crew safely back on Earth: The crew of the space shuttle Discovery have successfully touched down on Earth after their mission to the International Space Station. Earlier a half-metre long metal clip fell from the shuttle but NASA approved the Commander Mark Kelly and co-pilot Kenneth Ham's landing.

Robots moved by brain power: A team of researchers in the Moscow region have come up with a 21st-century robot that makes remote-control technology look positively ancient because their machine is controlled by the power of thought.

Don’t worry - you’ll go to the Sun at night!: An old joke said the Soviet Union would launch a spacecraft to the Sun in response to America landing on the Moon. The pilot was meant to survive by going at night – when the Sun doesn’t shine. Well, now NASA is planning a mission to the star for real.

Chinese hackers aim for gold at Olympics: The U.S. is warning businessmen and politicians planning to attend the Beijing Olympics that their laptops and PDAs are likely to be targeted by Chinese hackers.

Apple snubs Russia in iPhone rollout: Apple has once again sidelined Russia, forcing mobile users onto the black market to get hold of the new iPhone 3G. Following months of wild speculation, Apple boss Steve Jobs formally announced details of the second edition of its coveted phone on Monday at a conference in San Francisco.

Can Dutch spin gold out of million dollar bike?: Dutch cycle makers hope their new $US 1 million bike will help cyclist Theo Bos win gold at the Beijing Olympics. Four years ago in Athens he narrowly missed the big prize.

Protein may help beat the booze: Alcohol abuse is a serious problem in many societies. The addiction is notoriously difficult to beat. And even people who've been through rehab are prone to a relapse. One drink can sometimes be enough to change a reformed alcoholic back into a heavy drinker. But a new study hints that an effective treatment may be on the way.

Revealed: how high-tech gadgets leak our identity: It is an article of faith now that we should avoid giving out our personal data to complete strangers. Yet many of the high-tech items that we carry with us every day may be doing just that - broadcasting our nationality, location and identity, writes The Sunday Times.

Freezing frogs to save them: Amphibians around the world are facing tough times - more than 3,000 species are endangered and many have disappeared over the past few decades. In Moscow, scientists are working on ways to preserve some of the rarest species of toads and frogs.

Russian scientist wins global energy prize: Three energy specialists from Russia and Canada have won the prestigious Global Energy Award for their work on developing a new ‘artificial’ oil.

Instant messaging boosts business: study: A recent study aims to disperse the wide-spread belief that instant messaging disrupts office work. It shows IM programmes do quite the opposite, making communication smoother and boosting efficiency.

Milky Way extension discovered: US astronomers have discovered a huge new section of the Milky Way. Situated on the far side of the galactic centre from Earth, it is a virtual twin of a region of stars known as a spiral arm.

Relief at last as shuttle docks with ISS: U.S. shuttle Discovery has successfully docked with the International Space Station. It's been carrying some vital cargo on board, including a segment of a Japanese research laboratory, Kibo, and parts to repair the ISS’s malfunctioning toilets.

Which Russian arms give U.S. generals sleepless nights?: Russian-made rocket launchers and unmanned spy planes pose the biggest threat to American troops in the short-term, according to a report by the U.S. Army. The assessment looked at affordable weaponry that could target U.S. soldiers in future conflicts, the Army Times reports.

'Pentagon wants insect-like nano-drones': The U.S. agency responsible for future weapons technology, DARPA, has ordered the creation of an insect-sized flying machine capable of carrying out surveillance. The news was revealed by the project contractor, AeroVironment, in a press-release.

Toilet repair brings relief to space crew: The crew of the International Space Station were forced to carry out emergency plumbing last week after their toilet went out of order. Fortunately, cosmonauts managed to fix the problem and can visit the little boy’s room again.

India takes first batch of Russian uranium: The first batch of Russian nuclear fuel has been delivered to India for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. The construction of the plant, which is a joint venture between Russia and India, is nearing completion.

NASA spacecraft reaches Mars: NASA's Phoenix spacecraft has completed a 10 month journey by successfully landing on Mars.

3D body scans to help airport security: A group of Russian scientists are working on a new way to identify people and objects through their physical characteristics. If successful, the biometric technology system could be widely used at airport security checks, in museums and by film studios.

Wildlife prey on humanity: Our civilisation is blamed for the extinction of many species on Earth, but it seems that sometimes wildlife gets a chance to strike back. Crows in Tokyo, cane toads in Australia and Burmese pythons in Florida are just some of the animals that cause huge problems due to human actions.

Patients get new hope from mystery diseases: A hospital for undiagnosed diseases will soon open in the U.S. city of Bethesda, the Nature News web site reports. The programme has been launched by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is meant both to help individual patients and to advance medical knowledge in general.

Skinny plasma screens bend the rules: The Japanese engineer who invented plasma TVs has come up with a new wafer-thin version. Tsutae Shinoda’s 125-inch screen is just 1mm thick and wraps around surfaces. At just 3.6 kg, it is a fraction of the weight of a normal plasma television.

Chinese nuclear facilities damaged by earthquake: Chinese officials insist that all nuclear plants situated in the earthquake ravaged province of Sichuan are safe, are operating normally and are properly guarded, states Chinese news agency Xinhua. At the same time, the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) said there are several nuclear plants whose purpose differs from electricity generation and which are located near the epicentre of the quake.

Russia leads in busting software piracy: Russia was the most successful country in nailing PC software piracy in 2007. According to a study by research firm IDC, conducted for the Business Software Alliance, an organisation promoting legal software distribution around the world, the country's piracy rate was reduced by 7%.

Russia seeks foothold in helicopter market: Russia's helicopter makers are signing major deals with foreign engine and avionics manufacturers in an effort to claw back their falling market share. Heli-Russia, the first ever dedicated helicopter show to take place in the country, has been the venue for a major deal.

Real-life Qs showcase latest gadgets in Moscow: From top-of-the-range helicopters and laptops that work underwater to the latest fire-fighting equipment – gadgets for aspiring James Bonds were on display at an international exhibition in Moscow.

Pentagon rushes to build cyber war arsenal: DARPA, the Pentagon’s agency that develops new technology for military use, is tasked with producing world-class cyber war capabilities. It’s America’s largest project since the agency was catching up with the Soviet space programme following the launch of sputnik in 1957.

Nuclear industry hails Russia-U.S. pact: A new pact with the United States has been hailed by the head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation, who says it opens huge possibilities for trade. The nuclear pact will allow commercial deals on civilian projects without the express consent of either government.