Science Briefing

Walking, cellphones a risky mix

Using a cellphone while driving is known to be risky. So perhaps it's not surprising to discover that talking on a cellphone while walking carries its own risks.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researchers directed 36 subjects, some using cellphones or iPods, to walk on a treadmill in an environment that simulated a busy street. The study, published in the journal Accident Analysis & Prevention, found that the cellphone talkers were much more distracted, crossed the street more slowly and didn't look around as much as the other subjects.

"Although it is unclear . . . whether this [cellphone-related] impairment can manifest in increased pedestrian-automobile accidents," the researchers wrote, "our data do suggest that there is at least a strong possibility that decision-making processes, such as those associated with identifying and acting on safe cross opportunities, are impaired."

Diverse species seen in deep seas

The permanent darkness of the ocean depths is home to a far greater range of animals, from luminous jellyfish to tube worms that live off oil seeping from the seabed, than previously thought, scientists said this week.

A total of 17,650 species of animals, including shrimps, corals, starfish and crabs, have been identified in the frigid, sunless waters down to about 3 miles.

"The diversity of life in the deep sea is much, much greater than we've believed," said Bob Carney of Louisiana State University, co-leader of a study of the ocean depths as part of a wider international Census of Marine Life.

Among the creatures were gelatinous creatures known as finned octopods, or "Dumbos," because they flap ear-like fins and resemble the cartoon flying elephant.

The Census of Marine Life is a 10-year project to be complete next October.

Algae threaten Klamath fish

Toxins from blue-green algae plaguing lakes and rivers around the West have been found in endangered fish in the Klamath Basin, adding another obstacle to restoring species that have forced farming irrigation shut-offs.

U.S. Geological Survey fish biologist Scott VanderKooi said Wednesday that the toxin had been found in the damaged livers of young shortnose and Lost River suckers in Upper Klamath Lake in Oregon.

The lake is the main irrigation reservoir for more than 1,000 farms in the upper Klamath Basin. A drought in 2001 forced irrigation cutbacks to keep enough water in the lake for the endangered fish.