Thursday, January 26, 2006

Internet serves as 'social glue'. Nearly half of online Americans turn to the internet to help make important life decisions, a survey has found. 11:34:40 PM    comment []

Dextrous mini-robots to aid ops. Scientists are developing tiny robots that can examine operations from inside the body. New Scientist magazine reports that several prototypes of the radio-controlled robots are being tested in animal models. They have been used to help perform gall bladder and prostate removal in pig experiments. The University of Nebraska team believe they could potentially revolutionise minimally invasive keyhole surgery. 11:33:17 PM    comment []

Monkey Police Provide Social Stability Of the 21 species of macaque monkeys, pigtailed macaques live in societies that fall somewhere between the despotic and egalitarian extremes. A dominant male and female run the show but conflict among other monkeys is common, if rarely extreme. Most such conflicts end with a third party intervening, usually in favor of one or the other opponent. But sometimes the most powerful monkeys literally stand between the two combatants and, occasionally without even threatening them, impartially resolve the conflict. It is this occasional policing that allows pigtailed macaque society to be more diverse instead of breaking down into warring cliques, according to new research. .... 12:47:54 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2006 John Giacobbe.