Scientists study rise in centenarians SANDY SPRING, Md., Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Britain sees explosion in swan population LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Conservationists in Britain are reporting an exponential increase in the population of swans, which are currently under protection by the Royal Charter.

Scientists want MRI to read minds CHICAGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Plans in the works for huge manmade reef SAN DIEGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Urban populations to tip scales LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Scientists say humankind will be a predominately urban species in 25 years, with roughly 60 percent living in towns or cities, a report out of Britain says.

Fetal Down syndrome screening advised LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Britain to raise smoking age from 16 to 18 LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Spanish woman is world's oldest mom BARCELONA, Spain, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Happy New Year for astronauts MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Judge refuses to delay wild horse roundup LAS VEGAS, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Las Vegas has ruled that the roundup of wild horses and burros in Nevada's Spring Mountains can proceed.

Some bat numbers up in Britain LONDON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Shoe fit important in exercise program COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Anyone listing getting in shape as a 2007 goal should start with a properly fitted pair of shoes, health experts at Texas A&M University said.

LASIK, LASEK results about equal CHICAGO, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Patients seeking vision correction surgery had good results from both LASIK and LASEK procedures, a study by the University of Illinois at Chicago showed.

Adults living with children eat more IOWA CITY, Iowa, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Space telescope seeks Earth-sized planets PARIS, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Clinician smokes to protest work stoppage CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A cancer specialist in New Zealand is doing what he admits is stupid -- a smoking protest -- to focus on patient suffering during a radiographers' strike.

Ice shelf breaks off in Canadian Arctic OTTAWA, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A huge ice shelf 500 miles from the North Pole broke up, leaving a large floating island of ice in the Canadian Arctic, scientists said.

Study: Small bugs point to global warming COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

ISS crew stows items brought by Discovery HOUSTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- International Space Station residents spent the week processing more than two tons of materials left by the space shuttle Discovery, U.S. officials said.

UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News , Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Study: Chores reduce breast cancer risk ... Tsunami-warning buoys launched in Pacific ... Study aims to ease natural disaster impact ... Article: Create nanotech safety measures ... News from United Press International.

Article: Create nanotech safety measures WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Tsunami-warning buoys launched in Pacific WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Bungee backpack could prevent injuries ROME, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Study: Chores reduce breast cancer risk LONDON, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

National eye scan database grows GALVESTON, Texas, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Foundation retrains rescued orangutans NUNAWADING, Australia, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

New telescope looks below polar ice COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

New ink makes tattoos less permanent BOSTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Researchers' technique IDs bacteria fast WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Study aims to ease natural disaster impact OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Dust from Chad sustains Amazon rain forest BRASILIA, Brazil, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Czech Republic joins European space group PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

ICU teamwork can reduce infection rates RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Medical professionals working as a team can reduce rates of bloodstream infection dramatically, two Virginia Commonwealth University physicians said.

Agency ban targets lead in kids' jewelry WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

USC liver transplant death rate a mystery LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Human brain has a thing for faces NASHVILLE, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Research at Tennessee's Vanderbilt University has found that the human brain easily remembers faces over other images and won't initially distinguish beauty.

Polar bears may be a threatened species WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- By the end of 2007 Polar bears may be listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, because their habitat is disappearing.

Nepalese doctors call off national strike KATHMANDU, Nepal, Dec. 28 (UPI) --

Study: Few gay teens tell doctors LOS ANGELES, Dec. 28 (UPI) --

British soldiers reach South Pole LONDON, Dec. 28 (UPI) --

New York dialysis care named worst ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 28 (UPI) --

Indian state eyes family planning program BHOPAL, India, Dec. 28 (UPI) --

Heartburn drugs may increase fracture risk PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A study by Pennsylvania researchers has shown that elderly people who take heartburn drugs are more likely to fracture their hips.

UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News , Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Polar bear may be listed as 'endangered' ... Hand transplant patient wiggles fingers ... Study shows jet lag may be harmful ... Brain exercise gives mind a workout ... Banner year for cybercrime ... News from United Press International.

Feed birds your Christmas leftovers LONDON, Dec. 27 (UPI) --

Whooping cranes make a strong comeback AUSTWELL, Texas, Dec. 27 (UPI) --

Hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Russia VORONEZH, Russia, Dec. 27 (UPI) --

Polar bear may be listed as 'endangered' WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (UPI) --

Brain exercise gives mind a workout NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) --

Study shows jet lag may be harmful CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Dec. 26 (UPI) --