Aging-related gene plays role in stem cell differentiation

WASHINGTON – Researchers from the Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and the Department of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University claim that a gene shown to play a role in the aging process appears to play a role in the regulation of the differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

In the study, published online in …. Original source  : Aging-related gene plays role in stem cell differentiation.

Global warming not the only cause behind Great Aletsch Glacier’s illness

LONDON – Man-made global warming may not be the only reason behind the receding of the Great Aletsch Glacier, which is the largest Alpine glacier, in Valais, Switzerland.

The glacier has receded by more than two kilometers during the twentieth century.

However, Matthias Huss, a glaciologist at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, claims that about … Read more >>>.

Boffins approaching universal treatment for all influenza strains

WASHINGTON – A novel component of the influenza virus has been discovered by researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine which may be the key to disabling the virus’s ability to replicate itself and to developing a universal anti-viral treatment.

The finding has been published June 1 online in Proceedings of the National Academy of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Life possible on Mars’

WASHINGTON – Researchers have discovered that methanogenic bacteria that produce methane at a spring in Canada could be similar to earlier or present springs on Mars – suggesting possibility of life sustenance.

Dr. Lyle Whyte, McGill University microbiologist, doubted the possibility of life in such a hypersaline subzero environment. But big bubbles of methane that come … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Life possible on Mars’.

Can otters ’sniff-out’ their prey underwater?

LONDON – Scientists may be close to solving the mystery – whether otters can really smell their prey underwater or not.

The mystery may be solved by a wildlife expert who conducted an experiment on camera for a BBC programme.

Now Charlie Hamilton James, a wildlife photographer who has watched otters for 20 years, believes he …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Can otters ’sniff-out’ their prey underwater?.

1,000-year-old revamped frescoes unveiled in China

NEW DELHI – A group of 1,000-year-old frescoes have been revamped by cultural experts in central China’s Hunan Province and nveiled to the public for the first time.

Kept at Yuelu Academy in the provincial capital Changsha, the revamped frescoes have the personified images of the 12 animals representing China’s birth signs, namely, rat, ox, tiger, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 1,000-year-old revamped frescoes unveiled in China.

Cockroaches know where to find the best food sources

LONDON – Ever wondered how cockroaches seem to know the best place to grab a meal?

New research at Queen Mary, University of London, suggests that just like humans the cockroaches share their local knowledge of the best food sources and follow ‘recommendations’ from others.
This work shows how groups of the insects seem to [..] Read the original article: here.

Rains in Punjab, Haryana push down temperature

CHANDIGARH – People of Punjab and Haryana finally got some respite from the sweltering heat Saturday as the minimum temperature fell below average in most areas after rains and thunderstorm.

Strong winds also felled trees and disrupted electricity supply.
Amritsar in Punjab recorded a minimum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius Saturday after 24.8 mm …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Rains in Punjab, Haryana push down temperature.

Researchers crack open secret of superbug’s resistance

TORONTO – Scientists have stumbled upon a central processing unit (CPU) of a superbug’s weaponry which will provide new options to fight back and disable the virulent bacteria.

A team from the McMaster University’s Institute for Infectious Disease Research has revealed that a small chemical, made by the superbug Staphylococcus aureus and its drug-resistant forms, determines …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Researchers crack open secret of superbug’s resistance.

Papyrus featuring Cleopatra’s handwriting goes on display

LONDON – Two fragments of papyrus, which feature the handwriting of Cleopatra, have gone on display.

The document has the Greek inscription, “make it happen” which refers to a tax break for a friend of her husband Mark Antony.

It is one of 150 artifacts in the exhibition, reports The Telegraph.

Some of the items in “Cleopatra …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rains in store for Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhiites can look forward to pleasant weather Saturday as met officials predicted partly cloudy skies, rain in some parts of the city and a dip in the maximum temperature.

“The sky will be partly cloudy. There is a possibility of rain in some parts,” said an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Goa’s underwater relics under threat: Marine scientists

PANAJI – A combination of scuba gear equipped treasure hunters and government apathy is gnawing away at Goa’s underwater heritage, according to scientists from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), a central marine research institute.

NIO scientists, who have discovered three centuries-old shipwrecks in the seas off Goa, have warned that amateur treasure seekers were …. Original source  : Goa’s underwater relics under threat: Marine scientists.

Briton becomes 1st woman to row solo across Pacific, receives warm welcome in Papua New Guinea

Briton is 1st woman to row solo across Pacific

SYDNEY – A British environmentalist has become the first woman to row alone across the Pacific Ocean, receiving a rock star welcome in Papua New Guinea after finishing a nearly 8,000-mile (13,000-kilometer) journey.
Thousands turned out to welcome Roz Savage, 42, as she rowed her 23-foot (7-meter) boat [..] Read the original article: here.

Clinton aide Kagan pursued liberal agenda with strong dose of legal, political practicality

Kagan pushed liberal policies with pragmatism
WASHINGTON – Newly released documents from her days as an aide to former President Bill Clinton portray Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan as a person of strong opinions and sometimes overtly liberal views, but above all a pragmatist who pursued …. Source article  : Clinton aide Kagan pursued liberal agenda with strong dose of legal, political practicality.

Feds settle lawsuit seeking Endangered Species Act protections for 7 penguin species

Feds settle lawsuit over protection for penguins

SAN FRANCISCO – Several species of penguins will get special protection after a federal judge in San Francisco approved a legal settlement involving the Endangered Species Act.
Under the agreement approved Thursday by U.S. District Judge Samuel Conti, the U.S. Department of the Interior Department will finalize protections for seven … Read : Feds settle lawsuit seeking Endangered Species Act protections for 7 penguin species.

PayPal millionaire’s test rocket reaches orbit on 1st try, draws praise from NASA, White House

Millionaire’s test rocket reaches orbit on 1st try
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A multimillionaire’s test rocket blasted off on its maiden voyage Friday and successfully reached orbit in a dry run for NASA’s push to go commercial.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket achieved Earth orbit nine minutes into the flight as planned, drawing praise from NASA, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : PayPal millionaire’s test rocket reaches orbit on 1st try, draws praise from NASA, White House.

Federal appeals court: Critical habitat for Mexican spotted owl in 4 Western states to stand

Mexican spotted owl habitat protection upheld

PHOENIX – An appeals court says a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to designate 8.6 million acres in four Western states as critical habitat for an endangered owl will stand.
Friday’s decision by a panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a 2008 ruling by a federal judge … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Federal appeals court: Critical habitat for Mexican spotted owl in 4 Western states to stand.

Grizzlies listed as threatened in Alberta even as bears rebound elsewhere

Alberta grizzlies listed as threatened
Grizzly bears have been listed as threatened in the Canadian province of Alberta, and a ban on hunting has been extended by officials who say the animals are suffering from habitat loss and low reproductive success.

While bears elsewhere in the Northern Rockies have been rebounding from near-extermination last century, fewer than … Read more »».

Alaska sues federal government to overturn listing of Cook Inlet beluga whales as endangered

Alaska sues to overturn beluga whale listing

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The state of Alaska sued Friday to overturn the listing of beluga whales in Cook Inlet, home to the Port of Anchorage, as an endangered species.
The lawsuit, filed in Washington, D.C., claims the federal government overreached and did not follow its own laws two years ago … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Alaska sues federal government to overturn listing of Cook Inlet beluga whales as endangered.

PayPal millionaire’s rocket blasts off on 1st test flight, headed to space on tryout for NASA

Millionaire’s rocket blasts off on 1st test flight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A multimillionaire’s test rocket blasted off on its maiden voyage Friday and successfully reached orbit in a dry run for NASA’s push to go commercial.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket achieved Earth orbit nine minutes into the flight as planned, drawing praise from NASA, …. Source article  : PayPal millionaire’s rocket blasts off on 1st test flight, headed to space on tryout for NASA.