Technology news

Published on Saturday 24 May 2008 20:18

TIGER DNA REBORN

Scientists have injected the DNA of the Tasmanian tiger, hunted to extinction in the early 1900s, into a mouse embryo, the first time genetic material from an extinct species has been put into a living organism.

DNA from 100-year-old tiger specimens was injected into the genes of developing mouse embryos, which reacted similarly to equivalent genes in the extinct marsupial. The team from the University of Melbourne believe that the process could eventually allow scientists to view full genetic data from extinct creatures such as Neanderthals or mammoths.

MARS LANDING IS GO

A Thunderbirds-like spacecraft is preparing to land on the icy arctic plains of Mars, where there may be evidence of life. Phoenix will make the first powered descent to Mars since the Viking 2 mission in 1976, at 0053 on Monday.

Unlike previous landers it will not bounce down on a cluster of air bags. Instead, the American probe will slow its final descent by firing retro-rockets, like a craft from the Thunderbirds puppet show.

SPACE HOPPER

Scientists have built a jumping robot inspired by the grasshopper that can leap 27 times its body length. Swarms of the locust-like drones could one day be used to explore remote areas of Earth or other planets, say the researchers.

The device, which looks like the workings of a watch perched on two long feet, weighs just seven grams. But it can jump 1.4 metres – ten times further for its size and weight than any other robot.

FIBRES FEARS

Tiny fibres which are widely used because they are lightweight and strong may pose a similar health risk to asbestos, a new report has warned.

Nanotubes have been used to make lightweight sports equipment, tear-resistant clothing and stronger concrete but tests on mice suggest that their widespread use could lead to mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs, if the fibres are inhaled.

Scientists from Edinburgh, Manchester and the US carried out tests which introduced the fibres in the abdominal cavities of mice.

GELDOF WARNING

The UK is in danger of losing its entrepreneurial streak, pop star Bob Geldof warned today.

He said fear of failure was stifling entrepreneurs from coming up with new ideas and innovations that were desperately needed.

Speaking at the conference for National Endowment For Science Technology and the Arts, he said fresh thinking was needed to face the unforeseen challenges of the 21st century.