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Invasive Mussels Causing Massive Ecological Changes in Great Lakes

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The ongoing spread of non-native mussels in the Great Lakes has caused “massive, ecosystem-wide changes” throughout lakes Michigan and Huron, two of the planet’s largest freshwater lakes, according to a new University of Michigan-led study.

The blitzkrieg advance of two closely related species of mussels—the zebra and quagga—is stripping the lakes of their life-supporting algae, resulting in a remarkable ecological transformation and threatening the multibillion-dollar U.S. commercial and recreational Great Lakes fisheries. (more…)

University Academic Lifts Lid on Iphone Tracking

A University of Exeter researcher has revealed how he discovered Apple iPhones and iPads are tracking every movement of their owners and storing it in a file on the device.

Dr Alasdair Allan, a Senior Research Fellow in the Astrophysics department, came across the find while looking at programmes on the iPhone with security expert, Pete Warden. (more…)

Ten Things to Do Today for a Greener Tomorrow

It’s easy to take steps that help reduce energy consumption. And the benefits include saving money – something anyone can appreciate. Here are 10 tips on ways to cut energy use. (more…)

NASA Orbiter Reveals Big Changes in Mars’ Atmosphere

PASADENA, Calif. — NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has discovered the total amount of atmosphere on Mars changes dramatically as the tilt of the planet’s axis varies. This process can affect the stability of liquid water, if it exists on the Martian surface, and increase the frequency and severity of Martian dust storms.

Researchers using the orbiter’s ground-penetrating radar identified a large, buried deposit of frozen carbon dioxide, or dry ice, at the Red Planet’s south pole. The scientists suspect that much of this carbon dioxide enters the planet’s atmosphere and swells the atmosphere’s mass when Mars’ tilt increases. The findings are published in this week’s issue of the journal Science. (more…)

Television ‘Breakups’ Cause Some Viewers Distress, Lead to More Media Use

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Even temporary “breakups” can be distressing for some people – at least when it comes to their favorite television programs. (more…)

Evolution of Human ‘Super-Brain’ Tied To Development of Bipedalism, Tool-Making

Scientists seeking to understand the origin of the human mind may want to look to honeybees — not ancestral apes — for at least some of the answers, according to a University of Colorado Boulder archaeologist.

CU-Boulder Research Associate John Hoffecker said there is abundant fossil and archaeological evidence for the evolution of the human mind, including its unique power to create a potentially infinite variety of thoughts expressed in the form of sentences, art and technologies. He attributes the evolving power of the mind to the formation of what he calls the “super-brain,” or collective mind, an event that took place in Africa no later than 75,000 years ago. (more…)

In Europe, Apple iOS Ecosystem Twice the Size of Android When Accounting for Mobile Phones, Tablets and Other Connected Media Devices

*comScore Releases First European Data on Media Tablet Users from MobiLens Service*

London, UK, 21 April, 2011 – comScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world, today released the results of an EU5 (UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy) study of media tablet owners, based on data from the comScore MobiLens service. The report includes comScore’s first publicly available data showing demographics and other characteristics of users of connected media devices, such as the iPad, iPod Touch and devices running on Google’s Android software. Initial research indicates that Apple’s iOS platform, which resides on iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches, has a combined platform reach of 28.9 million users in the five European markets, outreaching the Android platform by 116 percent.

“comScore is excited to offer insights about the comprehensive mobile ecosystem, including connected media devices, such as the iPad,” said Jeremy Copp, comScore vice president of mobile in Europe. “This new data set is part of our MobiLens service and enables our clients to understand the detailed demographic and behavioural attributes of connected media device users. This of course has significant implications for the media and developer communities as they consider how best to reach their audience on all types of connected devices.” (more…)

Nokia and Microsoft Sign Definitive Agreement Ahead of Schedule

Key contributions to new global mobile ecosystem agreed and significant progress made on engineering of new products

ESPOO, Finland and REDMOND, Wash. – April 21, 2011 – Nokia and Microsoft today announced the signing of a definitive agreement on a partnership that will result in a new global mobile ecosystem, utilizing the very complementary assets of both companies. Completed ahead of schedule, the definitive agreement is consistent with the joint announcement made on February 11. (more…)