Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

ScienceDaily: Top Science News

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• New African monkey species identified: Lesula found in one of Congo's last biologically unexplored forest blocks
• Himalayan glaciers retreating at accelerated rate in some regions: Consequences for water supply remain unclear
• Gut microbes help the body extract more calories from food
• Genetic test predicts risk for autism spectrum disorder
• Scientists discover how the brain ages
• Dark energy is real, say astronomers
• Are our bones well designed? Insects and crabs have a leg up on us

New African monkey species identified: Lesula found in one of Congo's last biologically unexplored forest blocks Posted: 12 Sep 2012 03:45 PM PDT Researchers have identified a new species of African monkey, locally known as the lesula. This is only the second new species of African monkey discovered in the last 28 years.

Himalayan glaciers retreating at accelerated rate in some regions: Consequences for water supply remain unclear Posted: 12 Sep 2012 09:58 AM PDT Glaciers in the eastern and central regions of the Himalayas appear to be retreating at accelerating rates, similar to those in other areas of the world.

Gut microbes help the body extract more calories from food Posted: 12 Sep 2012 09:51 AM PDT In a study using zebrafish, researchers reveal how microbes in the intestine aid the uptake of fats -- and suggest how diet may influence our bodies’ microbial communities.

Genetic test predicts risk for autism spectrum disorder Posted: 12 Sep 2012 06:38 AM PDT A team of Australian researchers has developed a genetic test that is able to predict the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Scientists discover how the brain ages Posted: 12 Sep 2012 05:50 AM PDT Researchers have revealed the mechanism by which neurons, the nerve cells in the brain and other parts of the body, age. The research opens up new avenues of understanding for conditions where the aging of neurons are known to be responsible, such as dementia and Parkinson's disease.

Dark energy is real, say astronomers Posted: 12 Sep 2012 05:47 AM PDT Dark energy, a mysterious substance thought to be speeding up the expansion of the Universe is really there, according to a team of astronomers. After a two-year study, scientists conclude that the likelihood of its existence stands at 99.996 per cent.

Are our bones well designed? Insects and crabs have a leg up on us Posted: 12 Sep 2012 05:44 AM PDT Researchers in Ireland have recently shown that the legs of grasshoppers and crabs have the ideal shape to resist bending and compression. If human leg bones were built the same way, they could be twice as strong.