How dark chocolate may guard against brain injury from stroke

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- Researchers have discovered that a compound in dark chocolate may protect the brain after a stroke by increasing cellular signals already known to shield nerve cells from damage.

Production fish need a tranquil start to avoid malformation

ScienceDaily (2010-04-30) -- For production fish, a serene start to life raises their chances for normal development. This is the main conclusion of a major research project on malformations in cod and salmon. Scientist area working to expand the overall understanding of an issue of great concern within the aquaculture industry: malformation.

Fragmented forests result in more snakes, fewer birds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-04) -- Monitoring both prey and predator, researchers learned that rat snakes accounted for a high percentage of cases of nest predation. Because snakes spend so much more time on the edges of the forest, that's where bird nests should be most vulnerable, but the opposite was true. They go into the forest to feed, then return to the edges. This knowledge of habitat preferences of rat snakes is starting to explain why forest fragmentation usually results in increased nest predation for forest birds.

Kiss of death: Research targets lethal Chagas' disease spread by insect that bites lips

ScienceDaily (2010-04-29) -- It makes your skin crawl -- a bug that crawls onto your lips while you sleep, drawn by the exhaled carbon dioxide, numbs your skin, bites, then gorges on your blood. And if that's not insult enough, it promptly defecates on the wound -- and passes on the potentially deadly Chagas' disease.

Roller coasters linked to common ear injury, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-04-30) -- The high speeds of today's roller coasters bring a lot of thrills, but if you're not careful, the ride could also cause damage to your ears, say physicians. Their case study offers the first reported link between the force of acceleration in roller coasters and a common ear injury that can cause temporary hearing loss and ear pain.

Scientists uncover transfer of genetic material between blood-sucking insect and mammals

ScienceDaily (2010-04-30) -- Researchers have found the first solid evidence of horizontal DNA transfer, the movement of genetic material among non-mating species, between parasitic invertebrates and some of their vertebrate hosts.

NASA satellite imagery keeping eye on the Gulf oil spill

ScienceDaily (2010-04-30) -- NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites are helping keep tabs on the extent of the recent Gulf oil spill with satellite images from time to time.