Squirrels show softer side by adopting orphaned pups

TORONTO – The squirrels you often see fighting over scraps may not seem

altruistic, but they have a softer side too — seen occasionally when they adopt orphaned kin.
The study by Andrew McAdam, professor at Guelph University, along with researchers
from the University of Alberta and McGill University, revealed that red squirrels … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Squirrels show softer side by adopting orphaned pups.

Tropical storm Agatha pours over Guatemala and El Salvador

WASHINGTON – Tropical Storm Agatha – the first tropical storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, took an inland route, drenching El Salvador and Guatemala last weekend.

On May 30th, the heavy rains caused by the storms had left more than 100 people dead in Guatemala and El … Read more »».

A celestial menagerie on display in the Large Magellanic Cloud

WASHINGTON – In a spectacular new image from the Wide Field Imager (WFI) at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile, astronomers have discovered a celestial menagerie of vast globular clusters and the remains left by brilliant supernova explosions in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : A celestial menagerie on display in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

Losing temper could actually be good for you

WASHINGTON – Have you ever wondered what really goes on in the body and the brain when we get angry? Well, a research has provided an insight.

When we get angry, the heart rate, arterial tension and testosterone production … Read more >>>.

‘Little brown balls’ link malaria and algae to common ancestor

WASHINGTON – Inconspicuous “little brown balls” in the ocean have linked malaria and the algae responsible for toxic red tides to a common ancestor, according to a study by University of British Columbia researchers.

In the study, UBC Botany Prof. Patrick Keeling has described … Read more »»».

Lazy crows pitch in when hardworking birds become handicapped

LONDON – Scrounging crows start contributing to group efforts when hardworking birds become handicapped, according to a study.

Carrion crows (Corvus corone) form stable groups that share the responsibilities of breeding and caring for the young.

Dominant breeders rely on helpers to …. Read the original article  : Lazy crows pitch in when hardworking birds become handicapped.

Driving under stress dangerous

SYDNEY – Never drive while you are stressed. It can be distracting and dangerous, says a new study.

Ides Wong from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety studied 75 drivers aged 17-47 to investigate the negative impact anxiety had on drivers.
“Being anxious makes drivers unable to fully focus …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Driving under stress dangerous.

Age doesn’t dent one’s ability to make sound decisions

WASHINGTON – Just because your mom has turned 85, you shouldn’t assume you’ll have to take over her financial matters. She may be just as good or better than you at making quick, sound, money-making decisions, according to researchers at the Duke University Medical Centre (DUMC).

“It’s not age, it’s cognition that makes the difference in …. Read the original article  : Age doesn’t dent one’s ability to make sound decisions.

Crabs spy on competitors to detect female mates

MELBOURNE – Male fiddler crabs keep a check on other males waving their ‘love claw’ to detect the presence of a female, Australian researchers have found.

Male fiddler crabs have a large specialised claw that they use to fight and wave around to attract mates.

And thus, crabs spy on their competitors … Read more : Crabs spy on competitors to detect female mates.

Why lung cancer rates are increasing in non-smoking women

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found why lung cancer rates are increasing in women, particularly in non-smoking women.

Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center, led by Dr. Margie Clapper, worked in a mouse model of smoking-induced lung cancer.

They found that smoke triggers rapid changes in gene … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Why lung cancer rates are increasing in non-smoking women.

Jumping genes provide extensive “raw material” for evolution

WASHINGTON – Jumping genes provide extensive ‘raw material’ for evolution, an American study has shown.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that any two peoples’ genomes differ at roughly 285 sites out of the 1139 sites studied.

These results were found by … Read more : Jumping genes provide extensive “raw material” for evolution.

Rare carnivorous plant makes it to top 10 list of new species

WASHINGTON – A rare carnivorous plant has made it to the top 10 list of newly discovered species.

Every year the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University names the Top 10 new species described in the previous calendar year.

The list for 2009 was published May 23 to coincide with … Read : Rare carnivorous plant makes it to top 10 list of new species.

Readers recall native language while learning second one

WASHINGTON – Research suggests that Chinese-speaking adults reading English recall the sound of Chinese translations.

The study, conducted by Yan Jing Wu, PhD, and Guillaume Thierry, PhD, of Bangor University in the United Kingdom, suggests that people who learn a second language … Read more >>.

Nanotechnology set to make computers faster

WASHINGTON – Scientists are looking at the possibility of replacing silicon transistors in computers with carbon nanotubes.

Johannes Svensson from the Department of Physics at the University of Gothenburg has investigated the manufacture and use of carbon … Read more »»».

Scientists suggest solutions for poisonous well water crisis in South Asia

WASHINGTON – Over 100 million people in rural southern Asia drink water contaminated with unsafe levels of arsenic – sourced by well water.

These people face double the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inhibition of mental development of children, among …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Antarctica may have been formed by asteroid strike: Study

LONDON – According to a new study, a massive asteroid that hit the Timor Sea around 35 million years ago may have contributed to the formation of the Antarctic ice sheets.

Andrew Glikson, a specialist in the study of extraterrestrial impacts, from the Planetary Science … Original article on : Antarctica may have been formed by asteroid strike: Study.

‘Anti-grooming’ software that detects paedophiles on the net created

LONDON – Scientists have developed “anti-grooming” software, which can detect whether kids may be chatting with an adult posing as a child or a teenager on the Internet.

The program, which has been developed by Lancaster University, uses language analysis technique to detect fraudsters.

The key is that … Original article on : ‘Anti-grooming’ software that detects paedophiles on the net created.

Monsoon likely to hit Bihar soon

PATNA – Holding out relief to the people, particularly farmers, of drought-prone Bihar, the weather office said Wednesday that the much-awaited monsoon is likely to hit the state between June 11 and 15.

Meteorological department officials here said monsoon clouds would hit the state after June 10.
“Monsoon is set to enter the state before … Original article on : Monsoon likely to hit Bihar soon.

Synthetic peptide may repair, regenerate stroke-injured brain tissue

WASHINGTON – A synthetic version of a naturally occurring peptide may be able to create new blood vessels and repair damaged nerve cells in lab animals, according to researchers.

“This successful experiment holds promise for treating clot-induced strokes in humans,” says study lead author Daniel C. Morris, M.D., senior staff physician in the Department of Emergency …. Original article  : Synthetic peptide may repair, regenerate stroke-injured brain tissue.

Boffins offer quick fix for queues

WASHINGTON – Scientists in Taiwan may have found the answer to a long standing problem – queues – in the theatre, cafes or post offices.

Business management professor Pen-Yuan Liao of the National United University in Miaoli, Taiwan, has devised a scientific formula he refers to as the “balking index”, which is referred to by the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Boffins offer quick fix for queues.