Nature nurtures creativity after four days of hiking

Nature nurtures creativity after four days of hiking: Backpackers scored 50 percent better on a creativity test after spending four days in nature disconnected from electronic devices, according to a new study by psychologists.

New factor that could limit life of hybrid and electric car batteries revealed

New factor that could limit life of hybrid and electric car batteries revealed: A new study of the batteries commonly used in hybrid and electric-only cars has revealed an unexpected factor that could limit the performance of batteries currently on the road.

Dead guts spill history of extinct microbes: Fecal samples from archeological sites reveal evolution of human gut microbes

Dead guts spill history of extinct microbes: Fecal samples from archeological sites reveal evolution of human gut microbes: Extinct microbes in fecal samples from archaeological sites across the world resemble those found in present-day rural African communities more than they resemble the microbes found in the gut of cosmopolitan US adults, according to new research.

Ability to sit and rise from the floor is closely correlated with all-cause mortality risk

Ability to sit and rise from the floor is closely correlated with all-cause mortality risk: A simple screening test of musculo-skeletal fitness has proved remarkably predictive of all-cause mortality in a study of more than 2000 middle-aged and older men and women.

Earth Avoids Collisions With Pair of Asteroids

Earth Avoids Collisions With Pair of Asteroids: Hugh Pickens writes writes "Science Recorder reports that according to NASA a pair of asteroids — one just over three mile wide — passed Earth Tuesday and early Wednesday avoiding a potentially cataclysmic impact with our home planet. 2012 XE5, estimated at between 50-165 feet across, was discovered just days earlier, missing our planet by only 139,500 miles or slightly more than half the distance to the moon. 4179 Toutatis, just over three miles wide, put on an amazing show for astronomers early Wednesday missing Earth by 18 lunar lengths, while allowing scientists to observe the massive asteroid in detail. Asteroid Toutatis is well known to astronomers. It passes by Earth's orbit every four years and astronomers say its unique orbit means it is unlikely to impact Earth for at least 600 years. It is one of the largest known potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), and its orbit is inclined less than half-a-degree from Earth's. 'We already know that Toutatis will not hit Earth for hundreds of years,' says Lance Benner of NASA's Near Earth Object Program. 'These new observations will allow us to predict the asteroid's trajectory even farther into the future.' Toutatis would inflict devastating damage if it slammed into Earth, perhaps extinguishing human civilization. The asteroid thought to have killed off the dinosaurs 65 million years ago was about 6 miles wide, researchers say.The fact that 2012 XE5 was discovered only a few days before the encounter prompted Minnesota Public Radio to poll its listeners with the following question: If an asteroid were to strike Earth within an hour, would you want to know?"

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Dual-Layer Motorcycle Helmet Is the Next Great Brain Bucket

Dual-Layer Motorcycle Helmet Is the Next Great Brain Bucket: After decades of the same foam-and-plastic construction, California's 6D Helmets has made a dual-layer brain bucket that prevents concussions from low-speed impacts.

Want your baby to learn? Research shows sitting up helps

Want your baby to learn? Research shows sitting up helps: New research shows that something as simple as the body position of babies while they learn plays a critical role in their cognitive development.

Netflix Ranks ISP Speeds

Netflix Ranks ISP Speeds: Carnth writes "Netflix will start releasing monthly ISP speed reports for the U.S. Google Fiber ranks at the top. They say, 'Broadly, cable shows better than DSL. AT&T U-verse, which is a hybrid fiber-DSL service, shows quite poorly compared to Verizon Fios, which is pure fiber. Charter moved down two positions since October. Verizon mobile has 40% higher performance than AT&T mobile.' Hopefully this will give consumers a better overall picture on how their ISP performs compared to others."

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Brain Cells Made From Urine

Brain Cells Made From Urine: Press2ToContinue writes "Scientists have found a relatively straightforward way to persuade the cells discarded in human urine to turn into valuable neurons. The technique, described online in a study in Nature Methods this week (abstract), does not involve embryonic stem cells. These come with serious drawbacks when transplanted, such as the risk of developing tumors. Instead, the method uses ordinary cells present in urine, and transforms them into neural progenitor cells — the precursors of brain cells. Researchers routinely reprogram cultured skin and blood cells into induced pluripotent stem cells, which can go on to form any cell in the body. But urine is a much more accessible source."

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