Science News – Newsletter for December 31, 2010
Friday, December 31, 2010
A single database to identify all 1.3 mn plants
LONDON – Botanists from Britain and the US have created the most comprehensive list, identifying around 1.3 million known species of land plants with their alternative names.
The database created by researchers at Kew Gardens in Britain and the Missouri Botanical Garden in the US, identifies 1.25 million plant names. The list include 300,000 plants …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Agra sustains effort to pull city out of polythene menace
AGRA – When Agra’s municipal commissioner resolved to make the city polythene-free in October, few took him seriously. But just 40 days into the campaign, Vinay Shankar Pandey is garnering support from unsuspecting quarters – right from sweet-shop owners to vegetable vendors.
The sewage-stricken Yamuna river and the polythene-choked drains had become an eye-sore. But … Read : Agra sustains effort to pull city out of polythene menace.
New device to accelerate cleanup of nuclear-contaminated sites
WASHINGTON – Cleanup of sites with radioactive contamination is set to become faster, more accurate and less expensive, thanks to Oregon State University researchers who have invented a new type of radiation detection and measurement device.
A patent has been granted on this new type of radiation spectrometer, and the first production of devices will begin … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New device to accelerate cleanup of nuclear-contaminated sites.
Golden retriever could hold key to treating muscular dystrophy
LONDON – Ringo, a golden retriever, suffers from muscular dystrophy but appears to be immune to its debilitating effects – causing scientists to believe that he may be the key to treating the illness.
Seven years old, Ringo can still walk, jump and run like a youngster but if muscular dystrophy had taken its normal path, …. Original source : Golden retriever could hold key to treating muscular dystrophy.
New tool to predict killer syndrome in lung transplant patients
WASHINGTON – Scientists at University of Michigan have developed a new tool that could prevent a debilitating, fatal condition that causes scar tissue to build up in the lungs and chokes off the ability to breathe in patients undergoing lung transplant.
The new diagnostic tool to predict bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) will allow doctors to intervene …. Read the original article : here.
Earth’s ancient marine life could reveal what triggers mass extinctions
WASHINGTON – A new study has found that an influx of invasive species can hinder the natural evolution of new species and trigger mass extinction events.
Scientists at Ohio University studied the collapse of Earth’s marine life 378 to 375 million years ago and found that the planet’s current ecosystems, which are struggling with biodiversity loss, …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Earth’s ancient marine life could reveal what triggers mass extinctions.
Chandigarh sees wettest December in eight years
CHANDIGARH – This union territory witnessed its rainiest December of the last eight years as it received 58.1 mm rainfall – all from Wednesday night till Friday morning.
Earlier, Chandigarh had recorded 15.2 mm rainfall in December 2003. There was also moderate to heavy rainfall in most parts of Punjab and Haryana since Thursday …. Original source : Chandigarh sees wettest December in eight years.
New genetic variants linked to height identified
WASHINGTON – A new study has identified uncommon and previously unknown genetic variants that determine how tall a person will be.
The findings may also provide insight into the genetic architecture of other complex traits.
Although environmental variables can impact attained adult height, it is clear that height is primarily determined by specific alleles that an individual …. Original source : New genetic variants linked to height identified.
Brit experts complete A-Z botanical database of 1.25mn plants
LONDON – Botany experts from the UK and US have compiled the most comprehensive plant list to date – the team has completed database of every plant name on the planet – all 1.25 million of them.
Created by researchers at Kew Gardens and the Missouri Botanical Garden, the database identifies 1.25million plant names – 300,000 … Read more : Brit experts complete A-Z botanical database of 1.25mn plants.
China’s 2010 weather most extreme in a decade
BEIJING – China experienced the most severe weather in 2010, compared to the ones in the past decade, a weather official said.
The number of extremely high temperature days and extreme precipitation days that China experienced in 2010 were rarely seen in history, as was the intensity and area effected by this weather, Xinhua reported … Original article on : China’s 2010 weather most extreme in a decade.
Snow blocks Srinagar highway, all flights cancelled
SRINAGAR – Heavy snowfall and inclement weather Thursday cut off the Valley from the outside world as the Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed and all flights to and from Srinagar were cancelled.
“The Srinagar-Jammu highway has been closed because of a heavy snowfall in the Qazigund-Banihal sector of the highway. The district magistrate of Anantnag has …. Original source : Snow blocks Srinagar highway, all flights cancelled.
Temperature rises as clouds envelop Delhi
NEW DELHI – Delhi, which began Thursday on a cold and dank note, saw the temperature rise during the day despite the absence of the sun as cold winds too remained absent from the capital. A dip in temperature is, however, forecast Friday.
“The chill was lower as cold winds were not blowing. The minimum …. Source article : Temperature rises as clouds envelop Delhi.
The big freeze: New Yorkers continue to battle two feet of snow
NEW YORK – Hundreds of people were trapped in freezing subway carriages for hours overnight after the snow took out power to their train, even as others in New York continued to battle with extreme conditions in the wake of a weekend snowstorm, media reports said Thursday.
A 74-year-old woman who suffered a stroke … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : The big freeze: New Yorkers continue to battle two feet of snow.
Delhi’s new civic centre has poor connectivity
NEW DELHI – The 28-storey brand new headquarters of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is virtually cut off from the rest of the world as it has poor mobile phone and internet connectivity, hampering the civic agency’s operations.
Situated on Vivekanand Marg, formerly Minto Road, the building was constructed at a cost of Rs.650 …. Source : Delhi’s new civic centre has poor connectivity.
Indian space agency highlights in 2010 (With Mixed bag for Indian space agency in 2010)
CHENNAI – Major milestones of the Indian Space Research Organisation in 2010:
January
Launching sounding rockets to study annular solar eclipse. Successful testing of worlds third largest solid propellant booster for GSLV Mark III.
March
Ice/water found on moon by Chandrayaan mission. Successful testing of advanced sounding rocket. Successful static testing of L110 liquid core …. Original source : Indian space agency highlights in 2010 (With Mixed bag for Indian space agency in 2010).
Indian space agency’s ex-chief to help analyse rocket crash
CHENNAI – Former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) G. Madhavan Nair will be guiding the various teams set up to study data and identify the cause of the Christmas Day failure of the agency’s rocket.
I will be guiding the various teams that are studying the flight data of the GSLV (geosynchronous satellite … Original source on Gaea Times at : Indian space agency’s ex-chief to help analyse rocket crash.
Rising deer population a headache for Delhi Zoo
NEW DELHI – Officials at the Delhi Zoo are racking their brains trying to find housing for its burgeoning deer population as they are running out of enclosures to accommodate them.
The Delhi zoo has 11 species and sub-species of antelopes and deer, of which three varieties — Black bucks, Sambar and Hog deer — …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Rising deer population a headache for Delhi Zoo.
Soon, ‘emotional’ satnavs that read your mind and know how you feel!
LONDON – Cambridge University researchers are working on computer systems that sense your mood and react accordingly.
Prof Peter Robinson, head of emotional robotics, believes one application could be navigational systems in cars that would be smart enough to …. Original article : Soon, ‘emotional’ satnavs that read your mind and know how you feel!.
Coming soon: Microsoft’s taxi-driver software to guide you through jams!
LONDON – Ever marvelled at a taxi-driver’s knowledge of a city’s short cuts? Well, you can now be happy, as soon you would be able to take advantage of that know-how in your own car.
Initial tests of a virtual cab driver have suggested that it could shave over 10 per cent off journey times through …. Original source : Coming soon: Microsoft’s taxi-driver software to guide you through jams!.
Scientists debunk celebs’ scientific claims
LONDON – Diets based on blood group, hologram bracelets to boost energy and magnets to help weight loss endorsed by various celebrities have been slammed by scientists.
Charity Sense About Science has reviewed comments made by stars, including singer Cheryl Cole, model Naomi Campbell and cagefighter Alex Reid, in an attempt to put the public straight … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists debunk celebs’ scientific claims.