By DAVID TEMPLETON, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

OmniTouch, a wearable projection system developed by researchers at Microsoft Research and Carnegie Mellon University, enables users to turn pads of paper, walls or even their own hands, arms and legs into graphical, interactive surfaces.

Of the drugs already on the market that can stop osteoporosis, only one can also regrow some lost bone mass.

But now the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is testing a new treatment with the promise of stopping bone loss while improving bone density in post-menopausal women.

Drugs such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid that control production of stomach acid and treat heartburn, reflux, peptic ulcers and related conditions are some of the most popular medications on the market.

But long-term use of these drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors, can have unexpected consequences, a new study shows.

Those with type 1 diabetes historically faced a shortened life expectancy. But those diagnosed since 1965 can expect a near normal lifespan,.a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health study concludes.

A Cornell University study is drawing criticism from the Marcellus Shale industry by concluding that methane produced from shale gas has as large or even larger "greenhouse gas footprint" than coal.

The lowly fruit fly, or at least its nervous system, has inspired a better way to organize and operate computer networks, especially wireless sensor networks.

PITTSBURGH - A controversial question about whether a monkey-like fossil nicknamed Ida represents a link to humans continues to generate serious debate:

Does the complete primate fossil Darwinius masillae represent a "missing link" of early primates leading to great apes and humans? Or is Ida nothing more than an ancient lemur whose line represents a fossil footnote?

The co-owner of a large California nursery hires 1,000 workers each season to trim and sort strawberry plants for shipment to berry producers.

Obesity -- even a few extra pounds -- already is a known cause of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Now there's evidence that excess weight shrinks the brains of elderly people, making them potentially more vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease, dementia and cognitive decline.

The Atlantic Ocean has experienced the highest level of hurricane activity since the medieval era, circa 1000 A.D., when cyclone activity might have been even more intense.