Here's today's roundup of science, nature and environment news from the Bay Area and beyond.
Human stem cells restore hearing in gerbil studyNEW YORK (AP) â For the first time, scientists have improved hearing in deaf animals by using human embryonic stem cells, an encouraging step for someday treating people with certain hearing disorders. To make the gerbils deaf in one ear, scientists killed nerve cells that transmit information from the ear to the brain.
via Sfgate
New York OKs nation's first ban on supersized sugary drinksNEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City passed the first U.S. ban of oversized sugary drinks on Thursday in its latest controversial step to reduce obesity and its deadly complications in a nation that is fatter than ever.
via Reuters
NASA's Mars rover ready to drive, drive, drivePASADENA, California | Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:47pm EDT PASADENA, California (Reuters) - The Mars rover Curiosity was due to wrap up an exhaustive, weeks-long instrument check on Thursday, clearing the way for its first lengthy drive to determine whether the Red Planet has ever been hospitable to life, NASA officials said.
via Reuters
Body disposal technology widens green funeral choiceLONDON (Reuters) - Burnt, buried or frozen and turned to powder are some of the options for dealing with the remains of a loved one whose last wishes include lessening death's environmental impact. Our demise can have a big environmental impact.
via Reuters
Study: Sea otters' role in kelp forest health could aid in global warming prevention - San Jose Mercury NewsClick photo to enlarge SANTA CRUZ -- Monterey Bay's main mascot may turn out to be a secret agent in the fight against climate change. It has long been known that sea otters, nursed back from brink of extinction in the past several decades, provide huge benefits for the vitality of undersea kelp forests.
via Mercurynews