Science News – Monthly Newsletter March 2011

Frogs re-evolved ‘lost’ lower teeth after more than 200mn yrs

LONDON – New research suggests that frogs re-evolved ‘lost’ bottom teeth after more than 200 million years.

Tree-dwelling Gastrotheca guentheri are the only frogs with teeth on both their upper and lower jaw.

The reappearance of these lower teeth after such a long time fuels debate about whether complex traits are lost in evolution or if they …. Read the original article  : here.

UK Facebook users to get ‘bargain deals’ by sharing exact location

LONDON – British Facebook users can have access to shop discounts and restaurant “bargain deals” by just sharing their exact location through a new smartphone feature.

The Places Deals service is designed to log a member’s location and then find money-off deals in their local area, which can be shared with online friends.

“Friend deals” depend on … Read more >>>.

China seeks parental control over kids’ online gaming

BEIJING – In an effort to curb internet addiction, online game operators in China have been asked to provide parents with a tool to monitor their children while using internet.

A statement issued Monday by the ministry of culture and eight other central government departments said they have ordered the implementation of the Parents’ Guardian [..] Read the original article: here.

Newly deciphered ant genomes offer clues on ant social life, pest control

WASHINGTON – An international team of scientists has decoded the genome of a persistent household pest — the Argentine ant, an invasive species that is threatening native insects across the world.

The newly sequenced genomes of the Argentine ant …. Read the original article  : Newly deciphered ant genomes offer clues on ant social life, pest control.

UK teens using mobile phones to swap nude pics, access porn sites

LONDON – A study has found that teenagers in UK are using their mobile phones to swap revealing photographs of themselves and to also access porn sites.

Behind the bike sheds used to be the place where children were initiated into a slightly more grown-up …. Source article  : UK teens using mobile phones to swap nude pics, access porn sites.

Sark declared as world’s first dark sky island

WASHINGTON – The Channel Island of Sark has been declared as the world’s first dark sky island for the quality of its night sky.

Recognized by the International Dark-sky Association (IDA), Sark has no streetlights, paved roads or cars. Therefore, there’s no pollution as there is in cities.

The result … Read more >>>.

Newly discovered dino ‘may be father of Triceratops’

WASHINGTON – A newly discovered species of dinosaur appears to be related to the horned dinosaur species, Triceratops.

The new species, called Titanoceratops weighed nearly 15,000 pounds and a massive eight-foot-long skull. It lived …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Newly discovered dino ‘may be father of Triceratops’.

Leukaemia vaccine goes on clinical trial

LONDON – Scientists in Britain are set to begin the first human trials of a revolutionary cancer vaccine that could save thousands of lives a year.

The immune-boosting leukaemia jab will be tried out on volunteers who have either chronic or acute myeloid leukaemia – two forms of bone marrow and blood cancer.

If … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Leukaemia vaccine goes on clinical trial.

Girls who play video games behave better

WASHINGTON – Girls who play video games behave better, feel more connected to families and have stronger mental health.

Researchers from Brigham Young University focused on girls aged between 11 and 16 years who played video games with a parent.
“The surprising part about this for me is that girls don’t play video …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Snow Day Calculator Never Gone Wrong

TRENTON (GaeATimes.com)- When other children were absorbed with play stations, cartoons and hanging out with their friends, sixth grader David Sukhin, of New Jersey, was completely engrossed in creating a very handy tool, that would make him predict, whether to go to school the next day or not. Later naming it as the …. Original article  : Snow Day Calculator Never Gone Wrong.

Nearly a quarter of web traffic consists of pirated content: Study

WASHINGTON – The illegal downloading or uploading of copyrighted material such as movies, music and TV shows accounts for almost one-fourth of global web traffic, according to a new study.

It claimed that 23.8 percent of global Internet traffic consists of this illegal content, and that half of the illegal content is downloaded using the free … Read : Nearly a quarter of web traffic consists of pirated content: Study.

Brain scans ‘can predict smokers’ quitting success’

WASHINGTON – Brain scans will now predict accurately how successful a smoker will be in kicking the butt.

A new research from the University of Michigan has suggested that brain scans showing neural reactions could predict behaviour change well beyond people’s own assessment of how likely they are to succeed.

Emily Falk, director of U-M’s Communication Neuroscience …. Source article  : Brain scans ‘can predict smokers’ quitting success’.

How hearts adapt and recover from low oxygen

WASHINGTON – From the highest mountaintop comes a new study that sheds light on what happens to the hearts of people when exposed to low-levels of oxygen, such as those on Mount Everest or in the intensive care unit of a hospital.

In the study, researchers monitored subjects who spent time at the Mount Everest Base …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : How hearts adapt and recover from low oxygen.

Scientists grow arteries with most elastic protein reported

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have grown arteries that exhibit the elasticity of natural blood vessels at the highest levels reported.

The new development could overcome a major barrier to creating living-tissue replacements for damaged arteries.

The team used smooth muscle cells from adult baboons to produce the first arteries grown outside the body …. Read the original article  : Scientists grow arteries with most elastic protein reported.

Scientist working to grow meat in lab

WASHINGTON – A scientist at the Medical University of South Carolina has been working for the past 10 years to grow meat.

Vladimir Mironov, one of only a few scientists worldwide involved in bioengineering “cultured” meat, believes that the product could help solve future global food crises resulting from shrinking amounts of land available for growing … Original article on : Scientist working to grow meat in lab.

Head injury ‘can blight the chances of survival up to 13 years later’

WASHINGTON – A new research has shown that a head injury can blight the chances of survival up to 13 years after the event, especially among younger adults.

As part of the study, researchers tracked over 2,000 people, 757 of whom had sustained a head injury that required admission to one of five hospitals in Glasgow …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chimp mums ‘mourn their dead infants’

LONDON – Scientists have revealed for the first time that female chimpanzees mourn their dead infants.

According to researchers, chimpanzee mothers establish close physical relationships with their young, carrying them for up to two years and nursing them until they are six, reports the Telegraph.

But now scientists have filmed how one chimpanzee mother, whose 16-month-old infant … Original source on Gaea Times at : Chimp mums ‘mourn their dead infants’.

Moderate physical exercise in older adults shown to improve memory

WASHINGTON – A new study-conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, University of Illinois, Rice University, and Ohio State University-shows that one year of moderate physical exercise can increase the size of the brain’s hippocampus in older adults, leading to an improvement in spatial memory.

The project is considered the first study of its kind … Read more »»».

Dogs ‘can sniff out cancer in stool’

MELBOURNE – Japanese scientists claim that a Labrador can detect bowel cancer in breath and stool samples with remarkable accuracy.

The research team, led by Hideto Sonoda at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, says that the findings support hopes for an ‘electronic nose’ that could one day sniff a tumour at its earliest stages, reports ABC …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Dogs ‘can sniff out cancer in stool’.

Arctic Ocean water is ‘warmest it’s been for more than 2,000 years’

LONDON – A new study has found that the water flowing into the Arctic from the North Atlantic is at its warmest level for more than 2,000 years.

This could endanger polar bears, which need the ice in order to survive.

Scientists at the University of Colorado in Boulder examined tiny plankton-like organisms on the seabed of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Arctic Ocean water is ‘warmest it’s been for more than 2,000 years’.

New ‘henge-like’ monument unearthed at Stonehenge

WASHINGTON – Archaeologists have discovered a major ceremonial monument less than one km away from the iconic Stonehenge.

The team led by the University of Birmingham and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology, Austria, unearthed the prehistoric ‘henge-like’ late Neolithic monument, reports Physorg.com.

Professor Vince Gaffney, from Birmingham University, hailed the incredible discovery … Read : New ‘henge-like’ monument unearthed at Stonehenge.

Stilettoes ‘make your legs more toned’

LONDON – It looks like killer heels are not just a sexy accessory – they are a way of getting a fabulous set of pins.

According to a new research, stilettos give the legs a great workout, and make them more shapely and toned.

The study of women aged 18 to 33 revealed that walking in high …. Source  : Stilettoes ‘make your legs more toned’.

Last five blocks of Internet addresses to be shared

LONDON – The current pool of Internet addresses is running out with the last five blocks set to be distributed to regional agencies.

In the early hours of February 1, the organisation that oversees net addresses in the Asia Pacific region put in a request for more.

When these are handed over, the central pool of net …. Read the original article  : here.

HIV-infected teens ‘at high risk for pregnancy, complications’

WASHINGTON – Johns Hopkins scientists have revealed that teenage girls and young women infected with HIV get pregnant more often and suffer pregnancy complications more frequently than their HIV-negative peers.

The findings come from a multi-center study based on an analysis of records from 181 patients with HIV, ages 13 to 24, treated at four hospitals … Original article on : HIV-infected teens ‘at high risk for pregnancy, complications’.

‘Before-and-after’ tool to help surgeons avoid ‘cosmetic surgery surprises’

WASHINGTON – A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a three-dimensional ‘before and after’ tool for cosmetic surgeons avoid any unpleasant surprises post surgery.

Dr. Alex Bronstein tackled a very difficult mathematical problem in computer modelling called predicting “deformations” of non-rigid objects to build a tool that can generate an anatomically accurate after-surgery image.

“Our program is …. Read the original article  : ‘Before-and-after’ tool to help surgeons avoid ‘cosmetic surgery surprises’.

Soon, self-cleaning, wiper-free car windshields thanks to grapheme

WASHINGTON – Research from Vanderbilt University has found how graphene can be used to create windshields that shed water so effectively that they don’t need wipers.

James Dickerson and his colleagues have figured out how to create a freestanding film of graphene oxide and alter its surface roughness so that it either causes water to bead … Original source on Gaea Times at : Soon, self-cleaning, wiper-free car windshields thanks to grapheme.

New predictive tool to find where the Gulf spill oil has disappeared

WASHINGTON – A new predictive model based on engineering design tools has been developed by engineers at Louisiana State University and Louisiana State University to predict the environmental fate and impact of the oil and chemical dispersant.

The Deepwater Horizon spill was the first time chemical dispersants were directly added to the oil pouring out of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New predictive tool to find where the Gulf spill oil has disappeared.

Sleep selectively stores important memories

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that brain evaluates information during sleep and retain the ones they know could be useful in the future.

The study has shed light on how the brain decides what to keep and what to forget.

“Our results show that memory consolidation during sleep indeed involves a basic selection process that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sleep selectively stores important memories.

Shingles ‘more common than previously thought’

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that recurrences of shingles-condition that causes a specific type of skin rash and severe pain-is more common than doctors have suspected.

The study has challenged the long-held belief that patients are protected from a recurrence of the herpes zoster virus, which causes shingles, after one episode.

Rather the study has … Original article on : Shingles ‘more common than previously thought’.

Bilinguals find it easier to learn a third language: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study from the University of Haifa has revealed that bilinguals find it easier to learn a third language, as they gain a better aptitude for languages.

Prof. Salim Abu-Rabia and Ekaterina Sanitsky of the Department of Special Education, who conducted the study, set out to examine what benefits bilingualism might have in … Original article on : Bilinguals find it easier to learn a third language: Study.

Migraine surgery produces lasting good results

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that surgery to “deactivate” migraine headaches produces lasting good results, with nearly 90 percent of patients having at least partial relief at five years’ follow-up.

In about 30 percent of patients, migraine headaches were completely eliminated after surgery, according to the new study, led by Dr. Bahman Guyuron of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Coffee boosts women’s brainpower, but sends men into meltdown

LONDON – A new study by psychologists at Bristol University suggests that women should swap herbal teas for strong coffee if they want to get ahead of their male counterparts at work.

The study found drinking caffeinated coffee boosts a woman’s performance in stressful situations but has the opposite effect on men, reports the Telegraph.

They become …. Read the original article  : Coffee boosts women’s brainpower, but sends men into meltdown.

Now, hydrogen beads car-fuel that ‘can cut CO2 emissions by 30pc’

LONDON – Researchers at Cella Energy in Didcot, UK, are developing nanobeads of ammonia-borane hydride which when used as car fuel, can cut greenhouse emission by 30 percent.

Storing liquid hydrogen in cars is a problem because it requires low temperatures and very large tanks.

The hydrides being developed by the team are protected from oxygen in … Read : Now, hydrogen beads car-fuel that ‘can cut CO2 emissions by 30pc’.

Human placenta stem cells show therapeutic potential in stroke models

WASHINGTON – In a new study from the University of South Florida, researchers found that human placenta-derived stem cells showed chances of recovery in the laboratory mice with modelled stroke.

These cells proliferated and differentiated when they interacted with one kind of melatonin receptor, MT1.

“Along with increasing cell proliferation and survival rate, MT1 also enhanced the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Human placenta stem cells show therapeutic potential in stroke models.

First Mercury mission to reveal mysterious planet’s secrets

WASHINGTON – As NASA’s Messenger spacecraft readies itself for entering the orbit of Mercury on March 17, everyone is waiting with bated breaths to see what secrets it reveals about the planet.

Louise Prockter, deputy project scientist on the mission, talks about the challenges, the early successes of the mission and her own triumphant voyage over …. Original article  : First Mercury mission to reveal mysterious planet’s secrets.

Android overtakes Symbian as world’s most popular smartphone OS

LONDON – Nokia’s Symbian is no more the best smartphone operating system – it has been toppled over by Google’s Android.

According to figures released by analysts Canalys, during the last quarter of 2010 a total of 32.9million Android-equipped phones were sold globally -roughly seven times more than during the same time period in 2009 – …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Android overtakes Symbian as world’s most popular smartphone OS.

NASA’S NEOWISE finds previously unknown 20 comets, 33,000 asteroids

WASHINGTON – NASA has completed its mission of surveying the solar system and has discovered previously unknown objects, including 20 new comets and more than 33,000 asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The mission, called NEOWISE, also identified 134 near-Earth objects (NEOs) – the NEOs are asteroids and comets whose orbits come within …. Read the original article  : NASA’S NEOWISE finds previously unknown 20 comets, 33,000 asteroids.

Kids given swine flu vaccine ‘have an increased risk of sleep disorder’

LONDON – Finnish researchers have found that children given a swine flu vaccine have an increased risk of a sleep disorder.

According to a preliminary study by the National Narcolepsy Task Force, children aged 4 to 19 vaccinated with Pandemrix had nine times the risk of narcolepsy – a rare disorder that causes people to suddenly …. Read the original article  : here.

Facelift surgery ‘makes you look 12 years younger’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that patients who have undergone a facelift rate themselves as looking an average of 12 years younger after surgery.

According to the study by Eric Swanson, a plastic surgeon in private practice in Leawood, Kansas, the vast majority of patients undergoing facelift surgery are satisfied with their results after …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Facelift surgery ‘makes you look 12 years younger’.

India should conserve its wetlands, says BNHS director

MUMBAI – There is urgent need to conserve India’s wetlands, home to rare bird and mammal species, which are shrinking gradually due to the dumping of debris, siltation and encroachment, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) director Asad Rahmani said on World Wetlands Day Wednesday.

“On World Wetlands Day, we strongly emphasise on the need to …. Original article  : India should conserve its wetlands, says BNHS director.

‘Fishing net’ to collect space debris

LONDON – Japans space agency and a 100-year-old fishing net company have designed a huge net to collect space junk, a British report said.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Nitto Seimo Co plan to tackle once and for all the hazardous litter in orbit damaging space shuttles and satellites.
Last year, a US report …. Source  : ‘Fishing net’ to collect space debris.

Dragonfly’s stability in flight inspires micro wind turbine design

LONDON – Micro wind turbines that can withstand gale-force winds are being developed with the technology that allows a dragonfly to remain stable while in flight.

Micro wind turbines work very well in light winds, but when there is a storm they tend to spin faster, and that …. Original article  : Dragonfly’s stability in flight inspires micro wind turbine design.

Ready-to-use bioengineered veins expand off-the-shelf vessels options

LONDON – A new study might make it possible one day for surgeons to simply open the refrigerator when patient-ready bioengineered blood vessels might be needed.

To avoid complications in patients with coronary artery disease or peripheral arterial disease surgeons prefer to use vessels taken from a … Original article on : Ready-to-use bioengineered veins expand off-the-shelf vessels options.

Cosmos 250 times bigger than visible universe

LONDON – Just how big is the universe is a question that has baffled cosmologists for decades. But now scientists have reasons to believe that it is at least 250 times bigger than the visible universe.

Researchers at Oxford University and Imperial College, London, focused on measuring the curvature of the universe.
Should it be … Original source on Gaea Times at : Cosmos 250 times bigger than visible universe.

Too much of sunblock ‘causing a rise in Vit D deficiency in children’

LONDON – A new study has found that using too much of sunblock lotion is causing an increase in Vitamin D deficiencies in children.

“People have a stronger belief in the sun causing cancer than the benefits of getting vitamin D but we need to get a balance,” the Daily Express quoted Dr Colin Michie, a …. Source article  : Too much of sunblock ‘causing a rise in Vit D deficiency in children’.

Martian meteorites suggest collision with Red planet caused water flow

WASHINGTON – University of Leicester researchers are investigating rare fragments of Martian meteorites to reveal one of the ways water flowed near the surface of Mars.

Scientists at the University’s renowned Space Research Centre, in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, examined five meteorite samples – including the very first nakhlite, found a century ago.

Nakhlites are … Original article on : Martian meteorites suggest collision with Red planet caused water flow.

How light can be used for making smaller, faster, cheaper computer chips

LONDON – University of Maryland researchers have found how they can use visible light to make tiny integrated circuits.

The find could one day, have implications for making ever smaller, faster, and cheaper computer chips.

Integrated circuits are made using a technique called photolithography. However, fitting more and more circuits on each chip has meant making smaller …. Original source  : How light can be used for making smaller, faster, cheaper computer chips.

Malaria drug may help treat specific form of dementia

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that various drugs already on the market to treat malaria, angina pectoris or heart rhythm disturbances could also be used in treating a specific form of frontotemporal dementia.

Frontotemporal dementia is caused by the breakdown of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal region of the brain (fronto-temporal …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Malaria drug may help treat specific form of dementia.

Mother Nature’s new gift to prevent and treat bone diseases

WASHINGTON – A new discovery of a substance-obtained from a coral-reef inhabiting cyanobacterium-may pave way for new drugs to prevent and treat bone diseases.

By some estimates, more than half of today’s medications are in Largazole’s family, the ‘natural products.’ They come from trees, snails, scorpion venom, soil bacteria, other plants and animals; however, so far …. Original article  : Mother Nature’s new gift to prevent and treat bone diseases.

Lower back disease may be inherited: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has indicated that symptomatic lumbar disc disease, a condition caused by degeneration or herniation of the discs of the lower spine, may be inherited.

“The results of this study provide evidence based on a population of more than 2 million people, indicating that there likely is a genetic component in the …. Read the original article  : here.

1000 Genomes Project to reveal how genetics influence human health

LONDON – Scientists at Boston College are playing an integral role in the global effort to sequence 1000 genomes and move closer to understanding in fine detail how genetics influence human health and development.

The most comprehensive map to date of genomic structural variants has been assembled by analyzing 185 human genomes by Gabor Marth and [..] Read the original article: here.

Shed those extra kilos before pregnancy for a healthy baby

WASHINGTON – A mice study has found that if obese women shed some extra weight before pregnancy, it has health benefits for their offspring.

In the study, researchers with the Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research at the Health Science Center and the National Institute of Nutrition in Mexico City induced maternal obesity by feeding a … Read more »»».

Osteoporosis treatment gives patients an extra 5 years of life

WASHINGTON – Australian researchers have found that osteoporosis treatment-taking bisphosphonates-not only gives patients a better life but increases their lifespan by five years too.

Jacqueline Center and John Eisman, from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research, based their findings on data from the long running Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study.

Out of a total cohort of around 2,000, …. Original source  : Osteoporosis treatment gives patients an extra 5 years of life.

Now, give your brain an ‘electric thinking cap’ to solve complex issues

WASHINGTON – A University of Sydney study has found that it may be possible to stimulate the brain to see the world anew-an electric thinking cap.

Research by Richard Chi and Allan Snyder from the Centre for the Mind at the University of Sydney has found that participants who received electrical stimulation of the anterior temporal …. Read the original article  : Now, give your brain an ‘electric thinking cap’ to solve complex issues.

Bye-bye sniffer dogs! Now, trained mice to sniff out terrorists at airports!

LONDON – Israeli researchers have developed a new detector where trained teams of mice will sniff would-be bombers and drugs at airports.

Researchers say it is more accurate than using dogs, pat downs and x-ray machines, reports the Daily Mail.

It looks like a metal detector or full-body scanner, but one side of it houses three …. Original source  : Bye-bye sniffer dogs! Now, trained mice to sniff out terrorists at airports!.

Internet IP addresses will run out ‘in the next 24 hours’

LONDON – Growth of Internet-enabled phones like the iPhone and web use in Asia has seen a rapid depletion of IP addresses, which are going to run out in the next 24 hours.

Every device, which connects to the Internet, is assigned a “number” but with millions of web enabled phones now online they are … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Internet IP addresses will run out ‘in the next 24 hours’.

Internet will run out of IP addresses by Friday

LONDON – The internet will run out of numerical IP (Internet Protocol) addresses by Friday. But the web will not ground to a halt. A new system, Internet Protocol version 6 or IPv6, will replace version 4.

Every device connected to the net is assigned a number. But with millions of web enabled phones now … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Internet will run out of IP addresses by Friday.

Temperatures rise in Jammu and Kashmir, but cold stays

SRINAGAR – The minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir rose Thursday after weeks of harsh winter chill, but things may be different as the weatherman Thursday forecast rain and snow at isolated places in the Kashmir Valley.

“Rain and snow will occur at isolated places across the Kashmir Valley during the next 48 hours,” a … Read more : Temperatures rise in Jammu and Kashmir, but cold stays.

PM wants to end environmentally damaging behaviour

NEW DELHI – India must put in place regulatory environment policies that will prevent “potentially damaging behaviour” but not retore the “license permit raj”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday.

Addressing the inaugural of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit here, Manmohan Singh said that incentives must encourage economic decision makers to act in an environmentally … Original article on : PM wants to end environmentally damaging behaviour.

Alien find likelier after NASA finds evidence of over 1,200 more planets

LONDON – After NASA revealed that it has found evidence for over 1200 planets more, the chances of discovering alien life are a lot higher.

And according to some experts, 54 of them could be able to support life.

Kepler chief scientist William Borucki said 54 is “an enormous amount, an inconceivable amount,” reports the Daily Mail.

Using [..] Read the original article: here.

US teen’s ’solar death ray’ can melt anything from metal to concrete

SYDNEY – An aspiring teenage scientist in the US has created a solar death ray, out of thousands of mirrors, that can melt anything from metal to concrete.

Eric Jacqmain, 19, from Indiana, demonstrated the 90-dollar contraption in a YouTube clip and claims it offers the “power of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US teen’s ’solar death ray’ can melt anything from metal to concrete.

Amazon droughts alarm scientists

LONDON – The 2010 Amazon drought may have been even more devastating to the region’s rainforests than the unusual 2005 drought that was previously billed as a one-in-100 year event.

Analyses of rainfall across 5.3 million square km of Amazonia during the 2010 dry season shows that the drought was more widespread and severe than …. Read the original article  : Amazon droughts alarm scientists.

Expectations accelerate conscious perception: Study

WASHINGTON – Until now, neuroscientists assumed that the processes leading to conscious perception were rather rigid and that the timing did not vary.

However, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt have now demonstrated that the timing of this process, far from being rigid, is in fact variable.

When the brain possesses … Read : Expectations accelerate conscious perception: Study.

Drinking vegetable juice ‘can help people meet key dietary guidelines’

WASHINGTON – New studies have suggested that drinking V8 100 percent vegetable juice may be a simple way for people to increase their vegetable intake and may help them manage their weight.

A study, conducted by researchers at the University of California-Davis, found that adults who drank one, 8-ounce glass of vegetable juice each day, as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Drinking vegetable juice ‘can help people meet key dietary guidelines’.

Mechanism involved in breast cancer’s spread to bone uncovered

WASHINGTON – A team of Princeton University scientists has discovered a mechanism involved in breast cancer’s spread to bone, which may lead to a new treatment for the disease.

Cancer cells often travel throughout the body and cause new tumours in individuals with advanced breast cancer – a process called metastasis – commonly resulting in malignant …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mechanism involved in breast cancer’s spread to bone uncovered.

‘Googleganger’ is Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year

WELLINGTON – The term “googleganger”, which describes a person, who emerges among online search results for one’s own name, has been named as word of the year by the Macquarie Dictionary.

The term is a noun, meaning “a person with the same name as oneself, whose online references are mixed with one’s own among search results … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Googleganger’ is Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year.

Drug-abusers find it difficult to identify negative emotions

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the University of Granada have found that drug-abusers have difficulty in identifying negative emotions by their facial expression: wrath, disgust, fear and sadness.

Further, regular abuse of alcohol, cannabis and cocaine usually affects abusers’ fluency and decision-making. Consuming cannabis and cocaine negatively affects work memory and reasoning. Similarly, cocaine abuse is associated …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Drug-abusers find it difficult to identify negative emotions.

Boosting body’s immune system may hold key to HIV cure

WASHINGTON – Scientists in Australia have shown that boosting the immune system in mice can rid them of HIV-like infection.

The research team, led by Dr Marc Pellegrini from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, showed that a cell signaling hormone called interleukin-7 (IL-7) reinvigorates the immune response to chronic viral infection, allowing the host to …. Source  : Boosting body’s immune system may hold key to HIV cure.

NASA Discovers New Solar System

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- For all those who have been thinking so far, that Solar System is the only terrestrial body, where one can find similar planets like earth and Mars, would now be proved wrong. The Kepler Mission of NASA, has recently discovered the very first Earth-size planet candidates, and that too in …. Source article  : NASA Discovers New Solar System.

Sand dunes in Northern Mars actively changing

WASHINGTON – An investigation led by a Planetary Science Institute researcher has revealed that the avalanche faces of huge Martian sand dunes, long thought to be frozen in time on the distant planet, are being re-sculpted on a seasonal basis.

Candice Hansen, a senior scientist at PSI and lead author of a paper, said that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sand dunes in Northern Mars actively changing.

First stars in the universe weren’t as lonely as previously thought

WASHINGTON – Researchers from the Center of Astronomy at Heidelberg University, the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Garching, and The University of Texas at Austin have found that the first stars to form in the universe were not as lonely as previously believed.

The astrophysicists used state-of-the-art computer simulations to model the birth of …. Source article  : First stars in the universe weren’t as lonely as previously thought.

How Neolithic farmers and hunter-gatherers fought for space

WASHINGTON – A new research details a physical model, which can potentially explain how the spreading of Neolithic farmers was slowed down by the population density of hunter-gatherers.

Agricultural – or Neolithic – economics replaced the Mesolithic social model of hunter-gathering in the Near East about 10,000 years ago.

One of the most important socioeconomic changes in … Read more >>>.

Now, a confession app on iPhones, iPads approved by Catholic Church

WELLINGTON – A US company has come up with a confession app that claims to be the first of its kind to be approved by the Catholic Church.

Patrick Leinen, of the three-man team Little iApps, a company “with a Roman Catholic twist”, said his team had wanted to engage Catholics with new media in response [..] Read the original article: here.

Coming soon: ‘Smart Fence’ that recognizes threatening footsteps!

WASHINGTON – A new sensor system modelled after the human brain can help make security smarter by being able to distinguish between potential threats and normal disturbances.

The system, called ‘Smart Fence’, consists of small, low-powered devices that can be placed in the ground or attached to a fence, sending an alert wirelessly to a command … Read more : Coming soon: ‘Smart Fence’ that recognizes threatening footsteps!.

Chandigarh to host Rose Festival

CHANDIGARH – A three-day rose festival will be held at the Rose Garden here Feb 25-27, it was announced Friday.

The 39th edition of the festival will also see concerts, musical nights, comedy shows, ‘antakshri’, food streets and various competitions.
“Live performances by singers Hans Raj Hans, Priyani Vani and Mohit Chauhan and comedian Uday … Read : Chandigarh to host Rose Festival.

Rembrandt ‘mixed flour with paints’ for a thicker painting stroke

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that 17th-century Dutch artist Rembrandt used wheat starch in some of his paint to achieve a thicker stroke.

Experts at the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage in Brussels reveal new insights into the techniques that Rembrandt experimented with as he created his masterpieces.

“The most striking result is undoubtedly the …. Read the original article  : Rembrandt ‘mixed flour with paints’ for a thicker painting stroke.

100mn-yr-old ancestor of carnivorous insect fossil reveals evolution stasis

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Illinois have found a 100 million-year-old fossil of the ancestor of a carnivorous, cricket-like insect that still live today in southern Asia, northern Indochina and Africa.

The discovery from a limestone fossil bed in north-eastern Brazil shows that the creature has undergone minimal evolutionary change since the Early Cretaceous …. Original article  : 100mn-yr-old ancestor of carnivorous insect fossil reveals evolution stasis.

Google Earth reveals almost 2000 ancient archaeo sites in Saudi Arabia

LONDON – Google Earth has revealed 1977 potential archaeological sites, including 1082 “pendants” – ancient tear-drop shaped tombs made of stone, in Saudi Arabia.

“It’s not the easiest country to break into,” New Scientist quoted David Kennedy from the University of Western Australia, who found the sites.

He compared the images with structures that Kennedy has seen …. Source  : Google Earth reveals almost 2000 ancient archaeo sites in Saudi Arabia.

Parrots ‘tend to be left handed’

LONDON – Just like humans, parrots too choose to use one side of their body more than the other – with more of them left handed, or left footed, according to Australian researchers.

They found that virtually all the parrots they studied prefer to use either their left eye and left foot, or right eye and … Original article on : Parrots ‘tend to be left handed’.

Thanks to ‘Goldilocks effect’, dinos left footprints at the perfect time

LONDON – A new study has found that thanks to something called a ‘Goldilocks effect,’ dinosaurs left lasting footprints only when conditions were just right.

“By using computer modelling, we were able to recreate the conditions involved when a 30-tonne animal makes a track,” the BBC quoted palaeontologist Dr Peter Falkingham at the University of Manchester, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Thanks to ‘Goldilocks effect’, dinos left footprints at the perfect time.

HPV vaccine also works for boys: Study

LONDON – A new multi-center study led by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and UCSF has revealed that the vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV) can prevent 90 percent of genital warts in men when offered before exposure to the four HPV strains covered by the vaccine.

The four-year, international clinical trial, which also found a nearly …. Original article  : HPV vaccine also works for boys: Study.

7 new species of fish discovered

WASHINGTON – Using modern genetic analysis, combined with traditional examination of morphology, scientists at the Smithsonian Institution and the Ocean Science Foundation have discovered that what were once thought to be three species of blenny in the genus Starksia are actually 10 distinct species.

Starksia blennies, small (less than 2 inches) fish with elongated bodies, … Read more >>>.

Dating site uses pictures, names of 250,000 unsuspecting Facebook users

LONDON – A dating site has taken the personal information of 250,000 Facebook users and reproduced it without their knowledge.

The creators of Lovely-faces.com, Paolo Cirio and Alessandro Ludovic, use the names and photos of Facebook members and then give users the option to “arrange a date” with the unsuspecting volunteers.

It then leads the users …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Jumping genes may tell why people have varied looks, disease risks

WASHINGTON – A Johns Hopkins study has identified ‘jumping genes’ in humans that may one day explain why people have such varied physical traits and disease risks.

Using bioinformatics to compare the standard assembly of genetic elements, the team revealed 1,016 new insertions of RIPs, or retrotransposon insertion polymorphisms, thereby expanding the catalog of insertions that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Jumping genes may tell why people have varied looks, disease risks.

New iPhone app lets you spot skin cancer

LONDON – Your iPhone can be turned into a skin cancer detection gadget with the help of a new product available on the market known as Handyscope.

The remarkable new tool plugs into the Apple smartphone and using an app converts it into a dermatascope – which doctors use when looking for melanoma.

The device uses …. Original article  : New iPhone app lets you spot skin cancer.

Couples’ way of talking can predict relationship success

WASHINGTON – People who speak in similar styles are more compatible, according to a new study.

People tend to be attracted to, date, and marry other people who resemble themselves in terms of personality, values, and physical appearance. However, these features only skim the surface of what makes a relationship work. The ways that people talk … Read more »».

Unemployed people ’suffer from health problems more often’

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that compared to people in employment, men and women who are unemployed suffer more often and longer from both physical and emotional complaints.

The GEDA study (Gesundheit in Deutschland Aktuell, or Current Health in Germany) was carried out in 2008-2009 by the Robert Koch Institute.

The results showed that …. Source article  : Unemployed people ’suffer from health problems more often’.

Polygamous mice ‘have more fertile offspring’

WASHINGTON – A new study in mice has suggested that multiple partners may be the key to agile sperm that get the job done.

Researchers Renee Firman and Leigh Simmons at the University of Western Australia found that after only 12 generations, mice brought up in a polygamous mating group developed stronger and faster sperm and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Polygamous mice ‘have more fertile offspring’.

Why aliens never get in touch with us

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has said that no matter how much we try to contact extra terrestrial life, we may never get any response because we are going about it all wrong.

Humans began sending messages into space, starting in 1994 with transmission sent using the Arecibo radio telescope to a star cluster 25,000 … Read more : Why aliens never get in touch with us.

New study explains how brain knows what the nose smells

LONDON – We know that a scent picked up by nose receptors travels to the brain, but how the brain processes these smells has never been explained until now.

Stanford researchers used a new technique that makes it possible to map long-distance nerve connections in the brain.

The technique mapped for the first time the path that … Original source on Gaea Times at : New study explains how brain knows what the nose smells.

Kids who regularly text message ‘have better literacy skills’

LONDON – Scientists have claimed that children who are fluent at text messaging have better literacy skills than youngsters who do not use mobile phones.

Researchers discovered that rather than destroying their use of English, texting improves children’s ability to recognise rhymes and speech patterns.

The ten-year study, funded by the British Academy, examined the effect of … Read more : Kids who regularly text message ‘have better literacy skills’.

NASA to reveal first views of the entire Sun on super Sun-day

WASHINGTON – For the first time, NASA is all set to release of the first complete view of the Sun’s entire surface and atmosphere on at 11 a.m. EST on Sunday, Feb 6.

The views will enable significant advances in space weather forecasting for Earth, and improve planning for future robotic or crewed spacecraft missions throughout …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NASA to reveal first views of the entire Sun on super Sun-day.

‘World’s first astronomers’ Aborigines created a sundial 10,000yrs ago

LONDON – A new find from Australia has suggested that ancient Aboriginal tribes were the world’s first astronomers.

Scientists at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Canberra discovered a pile of old rocks laid out in a particular manner to map the progress of the sun – to create a primitive form of sundial.

“These …. Original source  : ‘World’s first astronomers’ Aborigines created a sundial 10,000yrs ago.

Scientists find gene critical in protection against some heart diseases

WASHINGTON – Researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have found a gene which is critical to heart function.

In mice that were predisposed to dilated cardiomyopathy, the team found that the gene was absent.

The big discovery came when the researchers were able to prevent the mice from developing the disease … Original article on : Scientists find gene critical in protection against some heart diseases.

Google receives a staggering 75,000 job applications in one week

LONDON – As Google launches a huge recruitment spree, the Internet giant received as many as 75,000 job applications in a week, it has emerged.

Previously, the company, based in Mountain View, California, held a record for the highest number of job applications when they hired a raft of new workers in May 2007.

But the latest …. Source  : Google receives a staggering 75,000 job applications in one week.

Social and emotional learning programs boost students’ skills

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that social and emotional learning programs improve students’ attitudes and behaviors, and in some cases, even boost academic performance.

Researchers at Loyola University Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago analysed more than 200 school-based social and emotional learning programs for the study.

In the first large-scale meta-analysis of … Read more >>>.

Stone-age era fertility artifact of ‘woman with spread legs’ found in Poland

WASHINGTON – A Stone-Age era artifact carved with multiple zigzags and what appears to be a woman with spread legs has been found in Poland.

The discovery suggests that fertility rituals may have been important to early Europeans.

Nearly 10,900 years old object, made out of a large elk antler and has been radiocarbon dated to, …. Read the original article  : Stone-age era fertility artifact of ‘woman with spread legs’ found in Poland.

Clear, bright morning in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhiites woke up to a bright and clear Saturday morning as the minimum temperature touched 11.1 degrees Celsius, three notches above average for this time of the season.

The morning was warm with clear skies. The sky is expected to be partly cloudy towards the evening, an official of the India Meteorological …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Clear, bright morning in Delhi.

Giffords’ husband resumes command of US space shuttle

WASHINGTON – The astronaut husband of a US congresswoman shot in Arizona last month has resumed his command of a space shuttle flight due to launch in April, the space agency NASA said Friday.

Astronaut Mark Kelly had been on leave since Jan 8, when his wife Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head by … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Giffords’ husband resumes command of US space shuttle.

Russia to unveil air defence system at Indian air show

Moscow, Feb 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Russian firm will disclose information about a new mobile short-range air defence system based on the Strelets launcher at the upcoming Aero India 2011 air show in Bangalore.

“The (Kolomna-based) Engineering Design Bureau will present for the first time details of a new ultra short-range air defence system based …. Source  : Russia to unveil air defence system at Indian air show.

Computers can intuit for people: Google chief

LONDON – In 50 years, computers will be able to intuit for people, Eric Schmidt, the chief of internet search engine giant Google, predicts.

“There will be a ubiquitous computational capability so amazing that people will assume that it is an assistant. It knows who you are, it knows what you do, it makes suggestions, … Read more »».

Bottle-feeding linked to tooth decay in infants

MELBOURNE -In wake of rising rates of severe tooth decay in infants as young as 12 months, a leading children’s hospital in Australia has urged parents to stop bottle-feeding their babies.

According to Children’s Hospital at Westmead, prolonged feeding with bottles of breast milk and … Original article on : Bottle-feeding linked to tooth decay in infants.

Wind blows 12 times faster than sound in biggest wind tunnel

LONDON – The world’s biggest wind tunnel can generate a windspeed that is 12 times that of sound.

Journalists were offered a glimpse of the 24-metre-girth steel tubes at the National Centre for Aeropsace Research (Onera), where propellers, weighing over a tonne each, power the huge gusts of wind.
Despite their size, the fans [..] Read the original article: here.

Here’s how you can make this Valentine’s Day greener

WASHINGTON – Valentine’s Day is filled with cards, sweets, flowers and gifts, but its celebrations can create unintentional environmental side effects.

However, that doesn’t have to be the case this time, say experts.

“It is possible to have a special, perhaps even more creative and memorable than usual, Valentine’s Day celebration while still being environmentally responsible,” said …. Original article  : Here’s how you can make this Valentine’s Day greener.

Plants ‘can cause a garden variety of pesky skin problems’

WASHINGTON – Dermatologists have come up with preventative tips for gardeners after seeing how common plants can leave their mark on the skin and cause a host of mild to even severe skin reactions.

Dermatologist Julian J. Trevino, MD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, discussed …. Source  : Plants ‘can cause a garden variety of pesky skin problems’.

Race to reach Antarctica’s buried Lake Vostok ‘nearly over’

WASHINGTON – Russian scientists are on the brink of revealing the secrets of Lake Vostok – they are left with only 20 meters (164 feet) away to hit their goal depth.

Vostok is a sub-glacial lake in Antarctica, hidden some 4,000m (13,000ft) beneath the ice sheet.

Russia’s Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute has been overseeing the …. Source  : Race to reach Antarctica’s buried Lake Vostok ‘nearly over’.

Giant ray gun to control unruly prisoners in US

WASHINGTON – A giant beam-emitting weapon that triggers a painful burning sensation but apparently causes no tissue damage is being tested here to break up fights between prison inmates.

Officials at the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department are currently testing the weapon.
According to Christian Science Monitor, officials plan to set up the beam-emitting machine, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hills overlooking Manali get snow again

SHIMLA – Hills overlooking Himachal Pradeshs picturesque tourist resort of Manali saw another spell of snowfall Sunday but the entire state has been experiencing unusually high temperatures.

“The minimum temperature in the state recorded Sunday was four to seven degrees above the average for this time of the year mainly due to partly cloudy skies,” … Read more : Hills overlooking Manali get snow again.

How does brain sniff out a predator?

WASHINGTON – Mice fear the scent of a predator — but how do their brains sniff out that a cat is nearby?

It’s a complex process that starts with the scent being picked up by specific receptors in their noses. But until now it wasn’t clear exactly how these scent signals proceeded from the nose … Original article on : How does brain sniff out a predator?.

Little ants impact environment in big way

LONDON – Little ants impact the environment in a big way, thanks to their role as ‘ecosystem engineers’ and predators, a British study has found.

A University of Exeter study found that ants have two distinct effects on environment. They move soil by building nests and they affect the level of nutrients in the soil … Original article on : Little ants impact environment in big way.

China displays 54 million-year-old rabbit skull

BEIJING – A rabbit skull, believed to be about 54 million years old, has been put on display at a museum here.

The fossil is part of a special exhibition at the Paleozoological Museum to mark the Chinese Lunar Rabbit Year, which is being celebrated across the country.
The miniature skull, which can be seen …. Original source  : China displays 54 million-year-old rabbit skull.

A strong community protects adolescents from risky health behavior

WASHINGTON – It is well known that growing up poor increases a person’s likelihood of health problems as an adult, but a new study shows that being raised in a tight-knit community can help offset this disadvantage of poverty.

The study, led by a Cornell University environmental psychologist, found that poor adolescents who live in communities …. Read the original article  : A strong community protects adolescents from risky health behavior.

Chernobyl birds ‘have 5 percent smaller brains’

LONDON – A team of researchers has discovered that birds living around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear accident have 5 percent smaller brains, an effect directly linked to lingering background radiation.

The finding is based on a study of 550 birds belonging to 48 different species living in the region, reports the BBC.

Brain size was … Read more »».

New contraceptive jab for men gets thumbs up

LONDON – Women may soon be liberated from the burden of family planning, thanks to a contraceptive jab for men, which has proved successful in preventing unplanned pregnancies after tests in Scotland.

With no pregnancies reported in the Scottish arm of the international study in the past year, Edinburgh University researchers hope it could become a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Leisure ‘as important as keeping cholesterol levels in check’

WASHINGTON – When was the last time you had time for yourself doing things you really enjoyed? This is something you probably may not even remember owing to the fast paced life.

However, US researchers have suggested that leisure may be the best medicine for many people – from refreshing the mind and psychological well being … Read more >>>.

Good cops better than bad cops at getting confessions: Study

WASHINGTON – Police officers who use a soft approach are more likely to get a confession from a criminal than those who are rough with the suspects, according to a new research.

To gain a better understanding of why and how criminals admit to their crimes, forensic psychologist Michel St-Yves and lead author Nadine Deslauriers-Varin, both …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Good cops better than bad cops at getting confessions: Study.

Now, ’self-destructing’ SMSs to spell end to late-night drunken rants

LONDON – For anyone who has ever sent a text message in a hurry and then regretted later, here’s some good news: A ’self-destructing’ text message system could spell the end for the leaked sex message, or the embarrassing late-night drunken rant.

The messaging system, TigerText Inc, makes sure that once a text has … Read more : Now, ’self-destructing’ SMSs to spell end to late-night drunken rants.

Tiger, tiger burning bright in Goa’s forests

PANAJI – English poet William Blake’s “tyger” might continue to burn bright if a spark lit by young poets and artists at a poetry camp in Goa – with the animal as its theme – catches on, even as the wilds are threatened by illegal mining.

More than two centuries after Blake immortalised India’s alpha …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Atopic dermatitis is a strong precursor to food allergies

WASHINGTON – Increasing evidence indicates that atopic dermatitis is a precursor to allergic diseases rather than a consequence. And now, dermatologists are advising parents of infants and young children affected by this common skin condition to be aware of the potential for future food allergies.

Atopic dermatitis, one of the most common forms of eczema in …. Original source  : Atopic dermatitis is a strong precursor to food allergies.

Facebook bug that allows personal data access, phishing repaired

WASHINGTON – A Facebook security threat that would allow anyone to access your personal data has been repaired by the company.

The vulnerability was discovered by Rui Wang and Zhou Li. It enabled malicious websites to impersonate legitimate websites, and then obtain the same data access permissions on Facebook that those legitimate websites had received.

The bug …. Original article  : Facebook bug that allows personal data access, phishing repaired.

Scientists create DNA engine that can be observed in real-time

LONDON – Scientists at Kyoto University and the University of Oxford have succeeded in creating a programable molecular transport system, the workings of which can be observed in real time.

The results could lead to the development of advanced drug delivery methods and molecular manufacturing systems.

The system relies on the self-assembly properties of DNA origami and … Original article on : Scientists create DNA engine that can be observed in real-time.

Could shark skin lead to possible cure for bacterial infections?

WASHINGTON – We think of sharks as the ultimate predators but if a material that prevents bacterial growth really works, we may soon owe them our lives.

Modern medicine has defeated a lot of bogeymen, but it still remains locked in a war to limit infections.

But soon dangerous bacteria MRSA, which are resistant to almost all …. Read the original article  : here.

Clay-armored bubbles show minerals played key role in origin of life

WASHINGTON – The discovery of inorganic, semipermeable clay vesicles has shed light on how minerals could have played a key role in the origins of life.

The study by a team of applied physicists at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Princeton, and Brandeis found that semipermeable vesicles are formed from inorganic clay stating … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Clay-armored bubbles show minerals played key role in origin of life.

Study shows weakened trade winds in Tropical Atlantic

LONDON – A new study has shown that trade winds in the tropical Atlantic have weakened and the pattern of ocean surface temperature has changed.

And as a result, the equatorial Amazon and the Guinea Coast are seeing more rainfall and the Sahel less.

The raw observations of winds over the ocean suggest that the winds have … Read more »».

29 genome regions linked to common form of inflammatory bowel disease

WASHINGTON – Researchers have linked 29 genome regions with ulcerative colitis – a common form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The new findings support the theory that an overactive immune response to the natural bacteria found in the gut could play a role in the condition.

“The outcomes and quality of life for patients with …. Original article  : 29 genome regions linked to common form of inflammatory bowel disease.

Rain, snowfall across Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR – There was widespread rain and snowfall across the Kashmir Valley Monday and the weatherman said more wet weather was in store for the region.

Heavy rain occurred in the plains of the Valley while the higher reaches saw snowfall. One to five feet of snowfall was recorded in Kargil town of Ladakh region … Read more : Rain, snowfall across Kashmir Valley.

NASA clicks first 3D image of the sun

LONDON – A NASA-led mission has provided the world’s first ever 3D image of the sun’s surface.

Two satellites orbiting the sun perfectly aligned on opposite sides for the first time and took images that created the most complete picture ever of its surface.
Scientists, including those from Britain’s Rutherford Appleton Lab in …. Original source  : NASA clicks first 3D image of the sun.

Like humans, gibbons have regional accents too

LONDON – A new study has found that just like humans, gibbons have regional accents too.

Gibbons, which along with the great apes are the closest relatives to humans, sing to communicate with each other, and use song to define territory and woo mates.

Scientists from the German Primate Center analysed more than 400 samples of crested …. Read the original article  : here.

Earth’s rotation, not human activity caused ‘methane level increase’

MELBOURNE – A new study has suggested that it’s not human activity but the Earth’s rotation patterns that caused an increase in methane levels 5000 years ago.

Dr Joy Singarayer of the University of Bristol, and colleagues, suggest changes in the Earth’s orbit and precession, not agriculture, played a major part.

The team used computer models, used …. Original source  : Earth’s rotation, not human activity caused ‘methane level increase’.

Study identifies key mechanisms in ‘untreatable blindness disease’

LONDON – A new study from researchers of the University of Kentucky has discovered a molecular mechanism implicated in geographic atrophy, the major cause of untreatable blindness in the industrialized world.

Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati and his team also elaborate on a disease-causing role for a large section of the human genome once regarded as non-coding “junk …. Original article  : Study identifies key mechanisms in ‘untreatable blindness disease’.

NASA releases first ever 360-degree image of the Sun

LONDON – NASA has released the first ever image that shows the entire sun in a 360-degree view.

The Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (Stereo) mission launched its two satellites in 2006 and they have gradually been drifting apart – one in front of the Earth in its orbit, the other lagging behind.

NASA said on …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NASA releases first ever 360-degree image of the Sun.

NASA’s Stereo satellites move either side of Sun

LONDON – NASA’s spacecraft have moved to either side of the Sun to capture the entire Sun in a 360-degree view.

The Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (Stereo) mission launched its two satellites in 2006 and they have gradually been drifting apart – one in front of the Earth in its orbit, the other lagging behind. …. Source  : NASA’s Stereo satellites move either side of Sun.

Growing nanolasers on silicon paves way for on-chip photonics

LONDON – Engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a way to grow nanolasers directly onto a silicon surface paving way to faster, more efficient microprocessors in the future.

The finding may also lead to powerful biochemical sensors that use optoelectronic chips.

“Our results impact a broad spectrum of scientific fields, including materials science, transistor … Read more >>>.

Young boys ‘face twice the risk of peanut allergy’

LONDON – A new study has found that young Brit boys from higher income homes face twice the risk of peanut allergy than those from poorer background.

It also found that boys were more likely to be diagnosed with the condition than girls.

The new findings by Edinburgh University researchers emerged from the 2005 health data of … Read more »»».

New stealth bomber can fly pilotless

LONDON – The new stealth plane X-47B is something straight out of a sci-fi flick. This superbreed is capable of flying undetected to pound targets thousands of miles away.

It marks a radical departure for unmanned aircraft, which required a ground-based human pilot to guide them on missions.
The X-47B can carry out …. Source  : New stealth bomber can fly pilotless.

‘Glowing nerves’ using fluorescent peptides to make surgeries easier

LONDON – Locating sensitive nerves during a surgery may now be possible as scientists have developed injectable fluorescent peptides that cause hard-to-see peripheral nerves to glow.

Nerve preservation is important in almost every kind of surgery, but it can be challenging, said Quyen T. Nguyen, study’s corresponding author.

“For example, if the nerves are invaded by a [..] Read the original article: here.

High testosterone exposure in womb ‘ups risk of autism’

MELBOURNE – A new study has found that high testosterone exposure in the womb increases the risk of autism in children.

Researchers at Fiona Stanley’s Telethon Institute for Child Health Research found that girls with autistic-like behaviours at age two had their first period about six months later than girls without the disorder’s symptoms.

The study looked …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Satnav’ device ‘could find cancer tumours in body in just one session’

LONDON – A ’satnav’ like radiotherapy device promises to help doctors treat patients with tumours almost anywhere in the body in a single session.

The Novalis Tx machine uses a targeting system to destroy cancerous cells and helps to protect surrounding healthy tissue. The devices will go into service at two other specialist NHS cancer centres …. Source article  : ‘Satnav’ device ‘could find cancer tumours in body in just one session’.

Overcast skies lead to mercury rising in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A cloud cover over the capital resulted in the mercury rising much above the average Monday morning, paving the way for a warm day, the met department said.

“Because of a cloud cover and southerly winds, the minimum temperature has risen considerably – seven degrees above the average – Monday. … Read more >>>.

Fossilized ancient rabbit skull on display in Beijing

BEIJING – A fossilized skull of an ancient rabbit believed to be about 54 million years old was put on display here for visitors to mark the Chinese lunar year of rabbit.

Visitors can view the miniature skull through a magnifying glass. The rabbit is part of a special exhibition at the Paleozoological Museum of …. Source article  : Fossilized ancient rabbit skull on display in Beijing.

Facebook founder obtains restraining order against Indian-origin ’stalker’

WASHINGTON – Mark Zuckerberg, founder of the social networking site Facebook, has obtained a restraining order against a man who he says has been stalking him.

The 26-year-old filed legal papers claiming Californian Pradeep Manukonda, 31, tried to ‘follow, surveil and contact Mr. Zuckerberg using language threatening his personal safety.’

According to the papers, Zuckerberg fears for … Read : Facebook founder obtains restraining order against Indian-origin ’stalker’.

Diarrhea-causing bacteria turned into antiviral gene therapy agent

WASHINGTON – New studies conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, could one day lead to anti-viral treatments that involve swallowing Salmonella bacteria, effectively using one bug to stop another.

The researchers have reprogrammed Salmonella, the same foodborne pathogen that can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, to safely transport virus-stopping enzymes into cells … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Diarrhea-causing bacteria turned into antiviral gene therapy agent.

Immune cells that act as ‘body’s border patrol’ identified

WASHINGTON – Researchers have identified an immune cell population that acts as the body’s border patrol with the outside world and limit the inner body’s exposure to allergens, pollutants, viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

David Artis of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and Gregory F. Sonnenberg of the Artis lab discovered that these lymphoid tissue [..] Read the original article: here.

Real-time ‘eco-driving’ can cut fuel consumption up to 6pc

WASHINGTON – Do you know how much fuel can be saved by avoiding stop-and-go traffic, closing your window and not using air conditioning? Well, a new study has all the answers for you.

A University of California, Riverside’s College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) research studied a field called eco-driving, which refers …. Original article  : Real-time ‘eco-driving’ can cut fuel consumption up to 6pc.

A billion SMSes sent in a single day in Beijing

BEIJING – About one billion text messages were sent in Beijing Wednesday on the eve of the Spring Festival. But, many who received the numerous messages were not amused, with one user saying: “There are so many! I felt touched at first, then just burdened to even have to read them”.

China’s major mobile phone …. Original article  : A billion SMSes sent in a single day in Beijing.

Chandigarh to get Garden of Springs

CHANDIGARH – Giving a boost to Chandigarh’s tourism infrastructure, the union tourism ministry has sanctioned a grant of over Rs.3.1 crore to set up a “Garden of Springs” here in Sector 53, a senior official said Tuesday.

Chandigarh, which was designed by legendary French architect Le Corbusier in 1950s, is famous across the world for … Read more »».

Cockroaches inspiration behind future robots

LONDON – Ask anyone who has ever tried to squash a skittering cockroach – they’re masters of quick and precise movement. And scientists are now trying to incorporate this feature in robots of the future.

Prof. Amir Ayali, zoologist at Tel Aviv University in Israel, says the study of cockroaches has already inspired advanced robotics. … Read more : Cockroaches inspiration behind future robots.

Eco-driving helps cut oil consumption

WASHINGTON – You can save fuel by avoiding stop-and-go traffic, closing your window, not using air-conditioning or coasting toward halts — basically what is coming up as eco-driving.

Research at the University of California Riverside’s College of Engineering Centre for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) can give you the answers.
The research field is …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Language makes humans smarter than chimps

WASHINGTON – With extensive systems of governance and global cooperative networks in place, we probably think we are expert co-operators when compared with other animals or even relative primates, such as chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys.

But how much of this cooperation depends on our ability to speak? Apparently more than we would believe, reports ABC News. … Read more : Language makes humans smarter than chimps.

Change in heart rate keeps bears healthy while hibernating: Study

WASHINGTON – It seems hibernating is much more complicated than one might think.

A new study has provided crucial insight into the mysteries of the hibernating heart of a bear.

It found that a complex series of changes occur in bears’ hearts as they hibernate. These changes guard against complications that could arise from greatly reduced activity.

A …. Source  : Change in heart rate keeps bears healthy while hibernating: Study.

Genes of the immune system linked to increased risk of mental illness

WASHINGTON – A thesis from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, has revealed that genes linked to the immune system can affect healthy people’s personality traits as well as the risk of developing mental illness and suicidal behaviour.

Inflammation is part of the immune system and is responsible for defending humans against infection as well as …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Genes of the immune system linked to increased risk of mental illness.

Psychotic illness ‘begins at younger age among those who use cannabis’

WASHINGTON – Cannabis use is linked to an earlier onset of psychotic illness, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies.

“There is little doubt about the existence of an association between substance use and psychotic illness. National mental health surveys have repeatedly found more substance use, especially cannabis use, among people with a diagnosis … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Psychotic illness ‘begins at younger age among those who use cannabis’.

New discovery could lead to novel medicines for rheumatoid arthritis

WASHINGTON – An enzyme that protects against inflammation and joint destruction has been identified by a team of researchers at the University of Gotenburg, Sweden.

Made when the researchers blocked production of the enzyme GGTase-I in transgenic mice, this unexpected discovery could lead to the identification of new mechanisms that control the development of inflammatory disorders, …. Original article  : New discovery could lead to novel medicines for rheumatoid arthritis.

Popular students more likely to bully peers

WASHINGTON – Popular students are more likely to torment their peers, says a new study.

Our findings underscore that attaining and maintaining a high social status likely involves some level of antagonistic behaviour, said Robert Faris, assistant professor of sociology at University of California-Davis, the study co-author.
The study also finds that students in the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Popular students more likely to bully peers.

Bt cotton in India ‘good for the field, bad for the farm’

WASHINGTON – A new study by a Washington University in St. Louis anthropologist has suggested that crop yields from Bt cotton may have been overemphasized, as modest rises in crop yields may come at the expense of sustainable farm management.

The study noted that most Indian farmers have become unable to properly assess the Bt cotton …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bt cotton in India ‘good for the field, bad for the farm’.

Cockroach ‘to fine-tune robots of the future’

WASHINGTON – Tel Aviv University researchers are using the maddening locomotive skills of cockroaches to improve robots of the future.

Amir Ayali of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Zoology said the study of cockroaches has already inspired advanced robotics. Robots have long been based on these six-legged houseguests, whose nervous system is relatively straightforward and easy …. Original source  : Cockroach ‘to fine-tune robots of the future’.

Sun exposure, vitamin D may lower multiple sclerosis risk

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that people who spend more time in the sun and those with higher vitamin D levels may be less likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS).

MS is a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord, usually with recurrent flare-ups of symptoms. It is often preceded by a first …. Original source  : Sun exposure, vitamin D may lower multiple sclerosis risk.

Women involved in leisure activities consume less alcohol

WASHINGTON – A thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, reveals that women who are satisfied with everyday life and are involved in leisure activities rarely have problems with alcohol.

Occupational therapist Christina Andersson, who wrote the thesis, has looked at how everyday life affects alcohol consumption as part of the wider Women and Alcohol in …. Source article  : Women involved in leisure activities consume less alcohol.

Acupuncture and exercise benefit women with PCOS

WASHINGTON – New research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has revealed that acupuncture and physical exercise improve hormone levels and menstrual bleeding pattern in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is a common disorder that affects up to 10 percent of all women of childbearing age.

Women with PCOS frequently have irregular ovulation and … Read more »».

Antipsychotics for schizophrenia linked to subtle loss in brain volume

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that patients with schizophrenia who take antipsychotic medications lose a small but measurable amount of brain tissue over time.

Progressive changes in brain volume observed in patients with schizophrenia have been thought to be an effect of the disease.

“However, recent animal studies indicate that antipsychotics, the mainstay of …. Source article  : Antipsychotics for schizophrenia linked to subtle loss in brain volume.

Bats shown to form human-like friendships

WASHINGTON – Human-like friendships exist among at least five different types of animals, says a new research.

Previous studies determined that elephants, dolphins, some carnivores and certain non-human primates, such as chimpanzees, have the ability-just as humans do – to maintain [..] Read the original article: here.

Car-size asteroid to pass close by Earth Wednesday

WASHINGTON – U.S. scientists have said that a car-size asteroid will pass near Earth Wednesday, the second space rock in five days to fly near – but pose no threat of hitting – our planet.

According to an alert from NASA’s Asteroid Watch program, the asteroid … Read : Car-size asteroid to pass close by Earth Wednesday.

Scientists ‘fingerprint’ chips to make them foolproof

LONDON – Counterfeiters are targeting chips and electronic components, causing losses running into billions of dollars besides putting people’s lives at risk in areas where safety is paramount — automobile and aircraft engineering.

Although anti-piracy technology provides a degree of protection, it no longer is an insurmountable obstacle for the counterfeiters.
However, researchers …. Read the original article  : Scientists ‘fingerprint’ chips to make them foolproof.

How to turn bacteria against themselves

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have explained a mechanism by which bacteria protect themselves from their own toxins.

Bacteria often attack with toxins designed to hijack or even kill host cells. But they also have ways to avoid self-destruction.

The new study described one of these protective mechanisms, potentially paving … Read : How to turn bacteria against themselves.

Short breaks from work can improve your focus: Study

WASHINGTON – While doing the same work for a prolonged period, we tend to lose our focus and our performance goes down.

Now, a new study has overturned a decades-old theory about the nature of attention and showed that even brief breaks could improve our focus on that task for a longer period.

“You start performing poorly …. Original article  : Short breaks from work can improve your focus: Study.

How using Facebook can lead to a roller coaster of emotions

WASHINGTON – Does Facebook makes you feel that everyone’s having fun except you? You may be just overestimating your friends’ happiness, suggests a new study.

A Stanford University research has suggested that when we misgauge our friends’ negative feelings, we feel worse about ourselves.

For the study, the researchers examined how college students evaluate their own …. Original article  : How using Facebook can lead to a roller coaster of emotions.

How the brain learns from mistakes

WASHINGTON – University of Basel scientists have identified a protein that plays a major role in forming the right kind of connections in the rapidly growing brain of newborn mammals.

The protein was found to help neuronal cells in the brain repair errors when they had connected to the wrong type of cell and it may …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Paper of old tomes unravels history of pollution

LONDON – Some history of pollution may be concealed between the lines of text preserved in old tomes and newspapers in libraries.

A scientist has found that a paper in such collections contains a record of atmospheric conditions at the time when the trees that went into making it were growing.
“Rather than …. Original source  : Paper of old tomes unravels history of pollution.

Being nice or being nasty is in a woman’s genes

LONDON – A Scottish research suggests that being nice or being nasty is in your genes – particularly if you’re a woman.

The study of almost 1,000 pairs of identical and non-identical twins, conducted by psychologist Gary Lewis and colleagues at Edinburgh University, has found that genetic factors appeared to affect how likely someone was to …. Read the original article  : Being nice or being nasty is in a woman’s genes.

Lymph node removal ‘not always needed in early-stage breast cancer’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that women with early-stage breast cancer may not need to have surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes in the armpit.

They discovered that certain women with breast cancer who had only their sentinel lymph node removed – the lymph node closest to the cancer – survived just as long as women … Original article on : Lymph node removal ‘not always needed in early-stage breast cancer’.

Facebook founder’s Indian-origin ’stalker”apologizes’

NEW YORK – Pradeep Manukonda, an Indian-origin man accused of stalking Mark Zuckerberg, has apologized to the Facebook founder.

Zuckerberg obtained a restraining order against 31-year-old Pradeep Manukonda, claiming he has been harassing and threatening him through the social networking site and in person.

A judge ordered Manukonda to stay at least 300 yards (274 meters) away … Read more : Facebook founder’s Indian-origin ’stalker’ ‘apologizes’.

Wolverines to vanish due to climate change?

WASHINGTON – A new research has concluded that the aggressive wolverine may not be powerful enough to survive climate change in the contiguous United States.

Wolverine habitat in the northwestern United States is likely to warm dramatically if society continues to emit large amounts of greenhouse gases, according to new computer model simulations carried out at … Read more »».

Heavy drinking in late adolescence linked to long-term alcohol problems

WASHINGTON – Reducing drinking during late adolescence is likely to be important for preventing long-term adverse consequences of drinking, as well as protecting against more immediate harms, says a new study.

The research was conducted by Jim McCambridge from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK, and colleagues.

Although there is an urgent need …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Heavy drinking in late adolescence linked to long-term alcohol problems.

Polar bear births could plummet due to climate change

WASHINGTON – Researchers have studied the reproductive ecology of polar bears in Hudson Bay and have linked declining litter sizes with loss of sea ice.

The University of Alberta researchers Peter Molnar, Andrew Derocher and Mark Lewis carried out the research.

They say that projected reductions in the number of newborn cubs is a significant threat to …. Source article  : Polar bear births could plummet due to climate change.

‘Thinking cap’ actually makes people ‘think outside the box’

MELBOURNE – It’s official – the ‘thinking cap’ developed by Australian researchers really makes people ‘think outside the box’.

Professor Allan Snyder and Richard Chi from Sydney University’s Centre of the Mind, said subjects wearing the cap were able to acquire new modes of thinking and were three times as likely to solve complex problems.

“We look … Read : ‘Thinking cap’ actually makes people ‘think outside the box’.

Eggs are lower in cholesterol than previously believed

WASHINGTON – Eggs are lower in cholesterol than previously thought, according to new nutrition data from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS)

The USDA-ARS recently reviewed the nutrient composition of standard large eggs, and results show the average amount of cholesterol in one large egg is 185 mg, 14 percent lower than … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Eggs are lower in cholesterol than previously believed.

Practice can make you a perfect liar!

LONDON – Like many other things in life, a person’s lying skills get better with practice, according to a new study, which suggested that repeated lying overcomes our tendency for truth, making subsequent lying easier-and possibly undetectable.

Neuroimaging studies have shown that that brains show more activity when people lie than when they are not, particularly … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Practice can make you a perfect liar!.

New ‘low cost’ rocket to lift astronauts set to soar by 2013

LONDON – Two of the world’s leading rocket companies-ATK from the US and Astrium from Europe-are collaborating to develop a new vehicle that may one day launch astronauts into orbit.

The space launcher dubbed Liberty would be based on the solid-fuelled boosters that help get the shuttle off the ground. However, the top half would use … Read more >>>.

Finding life on Mars could get easier with new tool

WASHINGTON – Finding Martian life may soon become easier with the creative adaptation of a common analytical tool that can be installed directly on the robotic arm of a space rover, suggests a new study.

A team of researchers has proposed adding a laser and an ion funnel to a widely used scientific instrument, the mass …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Finding life on Mars could get easier with new tool.

Charismatic leadership can be learned, measured: Study

WASHINGTON – Can a person’s charisma be measured and learned? Yes, says a University of Tennessee study.

Much has been written in business management textbooks and self-help guides about the role that personal charisma plays in leadership.

However, according to the new study co-authored by Kenneth Levine, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, until recently no one was …. Read the original article  : Charismatic leadership can be learned, measured: Study.

Robots may soon get their own Internet

LONDON – It seems robots are poised to have an equivalent of the Internet and Wikipedia, thanks to the efforts of some European scientists.

They are currently developing a project called RoboEarth, which will let robots exchange and store information what they discover about the world, reports the …. Original article  : Robots may soon get their own Internet.

Icelandic volcano ‘looks set to erupt dwarfing last year’s devastation’

LONDON – Geologists have warned that another volcano on Iceland looks set to blow, bringing far more chaos than last year’s eruption.

Researchers detected the high risk of a new eruption after observing an increased swarm of earthquakes around the … Read more >>.

World’s first programmable nanoprocessor developed

LONDON – Engineers and scientists have developed the world’s first programmable nanoprocessor.

The groundbreaking prototype computer system, developed in at Harvard University and the MITRE Corporation, represents a significant step forward in the complexity of computer circuits that can … Original article on : World’s first programmable nanoprocessor developed.

Skin cells used to develop heart defect ‘treatment’ in first-of-its-kind

LONDON – Using skin cells from young patients with a severe genetic heart defect, scientists have created beating heart cells that carry the same genetic mutation.

The newly created human heart cells – cardiomyocytes – allowed Stanford University School of Medicine researchers for the first time … Read : Skin cells used to develop heart defect ‘treatment’ in first-of-its-kind.

Full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors unveiled

LONDON – Scientists have for the first time laid bare the full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors, uncovering alterations that have never before been detected and offering a deep view of the genetic missteps that underlie the disease.

The work …. Read the original article  : Full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors unveiled.

Bats too bond for life with family, friends

LONDON – Just like humans, bats too nurture lifelong friendships, according to scientists.

These nocturnal flying creatures bond closely with family and friends, a five-year study of over 20,000 roosting observations in Germany has revealed.
Their social structure is as strongly bonded as that of pachyderms, dolphins and certain primates including chimpanzees, all of whom … Original source on Gaea Times at : Bats too bond for life with family, friends.

How omega-3 fatty acids keep blindness at bay

WASHINGTON – Previous research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids – commonly found in fish oil – can prevent retinopathy, a major form of blindness that affects people with diabetes and premature babies, in a mouse model of the disease.

Now a follow-up study, from the same research team at Children’s Hospital Boston, has revealed …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : How omega-3 fatty acids keep blindness at bay.

Now, you can spot who’s shedding crocodile tears and who’s not

WASHINGTON – The next time you shed crocodile tears, be careful – a new study has given behavioural clues to spot fabricated versus genuine displays of remorse.

Researchers have found that those who show a greater range of emotional expressions and swing from one emotion to another very quickly – a phenomenon referred to as emotional …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, you can spot who’s shedding crocodile tears and who’s not.

New hybrid drug, derived from turmeric, may benefit stroke victims

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have created a new molecule from curcumin, a chemical component of the golden-colored spice turmeric, and found that it affects mechanisms that protect and help regenerate brain cells after stroke.

The new curcumin-hybrid compound-CNB-001-does not attack clots but instead repairs stroke damage at the molecular level that feed … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New hybrid drug, derived from turmeric, may benefit stroke victims.

Nasal stem cells could tackle childhood hearing problems

WASHINGTON – Patients suffering from hearing problems, which began during infancy and childhood, could benefit from a transplant of stem cells from their nose, scientists in Australia have found.

The research has revealed that mucosa-derived stem cells can help preserve hearing function during the early-onset of sensorineural hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by the loss …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nasal stem cells could tackle childhood hearing problems.

People with memory problems ‘may be at higher risk for stroke’

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that people who have memory problems or other declines in their mental abilities may be at higher risk for stroke.

For the study, researchers gave tests to people age 45 and older who had never had a stroke, then contacted them twice a year by phone for up to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : People with memory problems ‘may be at higher risk for stroke’.

New device can predict asthma attacks

LONDON – Researchers have developed a new device that can tell if an asthma sufferer is close to having an attack hours in advance.

The handheld sensor could give patients vital time to take anti-inflammatory medicines and prevent a serious episode that may otherwise land them in hospital.

The Siemens device is the size of a mobile … Original article on : New device can predict asthma attacks.

Kashmir still shivers, Gulmarg coldest at minus 10

SRINAGAR – The north Kashmir ski resort of Gulmarg witnessed its coldest night of the season with a low of minus 10 degrees Celsius while the strategic Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained open for two-way traffic Thursday.

“The minimum temperature in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam hill station fell to minus 6.7 degrees, it was 1.4 degrees in …. Original source  : Kashmir still shivers, Gulmarg coldest at minus 10.

Extra testosterone reduces empathy levels: Study

WASHINGTON – Researchers from the Utrecht and Cambridge Universities have found that an administration of testosterone under the tongue in volunteers negatively affects a person’s ability to ‘mind read’, an indication of empathy.

Further, the effects of testosterone administration are predicted by a fetal marker of prenatal testosterone, the 2D:4D ratio.

The study has important …. Read the original article  : here.

Tart cherries could speed muscle recovery

WASHINGTON – A new research by scientists in the UK has found that tart cherries could help athletes reduce muscle damage to recover faster from a tough workout.

Researchers at the Sports and Exercise Science Research Center at London South Bank University in the UK gave 10 trained athletes 1 ounce of an antioxidant-packed tart …. Read the original article  : Tart cherries could speed muscle recovery.

Botox may not be effective in treating migraines

LONDON – Botox, the popular anti-wrinkle jab, is unlikely to offer much benefit in the treatment of chronic migraine, say experts.

The injection has been licensed in the UK and US as a preventative treatment for chronic cases.

However, a review of evidence by the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin said it could not “see a place” for … Read more >>>.

You can’t confess your sins via iPhone, Vatican tells Catholics

LONDON – The Vatican has emphatically stressed that Catholics cannot confess via iPhone and modern technology is not a substitute for being present when admitting sins to a priest.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi’s statement comes after the launch of a ‘confession application’ sanctioned by the US Catholic Church, reports the Telegraph.

“One cannot speak in any … Read : You can’t confess your sins via iPhone, Vatican tells Catholics.

Sex and aggression linked in the brain

LONDON – Scientists in US have found a link between aggressive behaviour and sexual arousal.

Violent behaviour in mice has been tracked to neurons within a part of the brain associated with sex.

Researchers discovered that sex and violence are intertwined in mice. A tiny patch of cells buried deep within a male’s brain determines whether it … Original article on : Sex and aggression linked in the brain.

Do-gooders are born, not made

LONDON – You can thank your genes more than your upbringing for being a do-gooder in real life.

Psychologists from Edinburgh University in Britain surveyed 958 pairs of twins, including 361 pairs of identical ones, to work out the effects of genes and upbringing, the journal Biology Letters reports.
They found that genes influenced a …. Read the original article  : Do-gooders are born, not made.

Feeling good about country linked to well being

WASHINGTON – The more satisfied people are with their country, the better they feel about their lives, especially people in low income groups or in relatively poor countries.

The study is based on a Gallup World Poll that reached about 1,000 people in each of 128 countries, obtaining a total of more than 130,000 [..] Read the original article: here.

Apple to launch smaller iPhone

SYDNEY – Apple is working on new versions of the iPhone that will be cheaper and smaller than the most recent ones, a media report said Friday.

The move is aimed at slowing the advance of competing handsets based on Google’s Android software, according to people who have been briefed on the plans.
… Original source on Gaea Times at : Apple to launch smaller iPhone.

New evolutionary research knocks down living ‘missing link’ theory

WASHINGTON – The living ‘missing link’ theory has been knocked down by a new study that suggests some species evolve from more sophisticated ancestors.

“Aristotle was the first to classify organisms – from the least to the most sophisticated. Darwin’s theory of evolution continued this idea, with the concept of a hierarchy of evolution. This way … Original article on : New evolutionary research knocks down living ‘missing link’ theory.

Study linking diet soda to stroke risk is seriously flawed: Experts

WASHINGTON – The study presented during a poster session at the International Stroke Conference claiming an association between diet soft drink consumption and increased risk of stroke and heart attack is critically flawed, according to the Calorie Control Council.

“The findings are so speculative and preliminary at this point that they should be considered with extreme …. Source  : Study linking diet soda to stroke risk is seriously flawed: Experts.

Common insecticide used in homes delay mental development in kids

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that a common insecticide used in homes is associated with delayed mental development of young children.

Pyrethroid insecticides are commonly used in many homes but its safety remained unclear, as they had never been evaluated for long-term neurotoxic effects after low-level exposure.

Now, scientists at the Columbia University’s Mailman …. Read the original article  : Common insecticide used in homes delay mental development in kids.

How the brain compresses visual info

WASHINGTON – A Johns Hopkins study has shed light on how the brain compresses visual information to understand it.

A team, led by neuroscientists Ed Connor and Kechen Zhang, found that cells in area ‘V4,’ a midlevel stage in the primate brain’s object vision pathway, are highly selective for image regions containing acute curvature.

Experiments by doctoral … Read : How the brain compresses visual info.

Defensive military alliances promote peace: Study

WASHINGTON – A Rice University study has suggested that countries that enter into defense pacts with other nations are less likely to be attacked and attack others.

The study, co-authored by Ashley Leeds of the Rice University and Jesse Johnson, a Rice graduate student in political science, analysed defense agreements from 1816 to 2001 that covered …. Read the original article  : Defensive military alliances promote peace: Study.

44-year-old mystery resolved: Fleas jump from toes, not knees

WASHINGTON – A 44-year-old mystery about how fleas are able to jump so high has now been resolved – they push off the ground from their toes, not from their knees as previously thought.

While Henry Bennet-Clark in 1967 discovered that fleas store the energy needed to catapult them into the air in a pad made …. Read the original article  : 44-year-old mystery resolved: Fleas jump from toes, not knees.

The book ‘no one can read’ dates back to 15th century

WASHINGTON – Researchers have cracked one of the puzzles surrounding what has been called ‘the world’s most mysterious manuscript’ – the Voynich manuscript, a book filled with drawings and writings nobody has been able to make sense of till date.

Using radiocarbon dating, a team led by Greg Hodgins in the University of Arizona’s Department of … Original article on : The book ‘no one can read’ dates back to 15th century.

Dating other couples may improve your romantic relationship

WASHINGTON – Want to put the spark back in your romantic relationship? Start dating other couples, suggests a new study.

Romantic relationships often start out as enjoyable or even exciting, but sometimes may become routine and boring. A Wayne State University study has revealed that dating couples who integrate other couples into their social lives are …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Dating other couples may improve your romantic relationship.

Regular exercise improves overweight kids’ math skills

WASHINGTON – Georgia Health Sciences University researchers have found that regular exercise improves the ability of overweight, previously inactive children to think, plan and even do math.

They hope the findings in 171 overweight 7- to 11-year-olds – all sedentary when the study started – gives educators the evidence they need to ensure that regular, vigorous …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Lucy’ walked on two feet with human ancestors 3.2 mn-yrs ago

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that ‘Lucy’ or Australopithecus afarensis, a species that lived more than three million years ago, walked on two feets just like Homo Sapiens.

The University of Missouri and Arizona State University study could change scientists’ views of human evolution.

Carol Ward, an MU researcher and William Kimbel and Donald …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Lucy’ walked on two feet with human ancestors 3.2 mn-yrs ago.

How to beat craving for chocolates

SYDNEY – Craving for chocolate and don’t know how to beat it? The first thing you need to do is learn to acknowledge and accept the yearning, suggests a new study.

“If you stop fighting and … accept something it loses its influence and power over your life,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted psychologist and CSIRO … Read this article on Gaea Times at : How to beat craving for chocolates.

Love really can last a lifetime

WASHINGTON – Ever wondered why some people cheat in relationships while others’ love remains intense even after years? Now, science tells you why.

A new study has found that when these intensely-in-love-people see pictures of their beloved, their brains respond in an area associated with deeply rewarding and motivating feelings-one of the same areas that lights … Original article on : Love really can last a lifetime.

DNA tests may also inadvertently reveal incest

LONDON – Baylor College of Medicine researchers using DNA microarrays to identify developmental disabilities or congenital anomalies in kids unexpectedly found that some have been conceived through incest.

This has raised social and legal issues that institutions and the scientific community must address.

“We have discussed these issues with legal and ethics experts at Baylor and Texas … Original article on : DNA tests may also inadvertently reveal incest.

Eyewitness accounts aren’t as reliable as previously thought

LONDON – Eyewitnesses likelihood of giving false information about any crime in subsequent retellings increases if they had described the offence to someone just after it occurred, according to a new study.

The finding attains significance as it suggests that eyewitness accounts of crimes can be untrustworthier than earlier believed.

“In a real-life situation, if you’re an … Read : Eyewitness accounts aren’t as reliable as previously thought.

Now, Facebook launches its own phone

LONDON – The once-rumoured Facebook phone is all set to launch in the UK market.

The website first created for Harvard students in 2004 eventually became a vast global community with 500 million members.

Now, a British mobile phone maker has collaborated with the social networking site to launch the first ‘Facebook phone’, reports the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, Facebook launches its own phone.

Looking at your body can reduce pain

WASHINGTON – Most people prefer to look away when they know something is going to hurt. However, a new research has suggested that watching during a painful procedure such as an injection can actually make it hurt less.

Simply looking at your body reduces pain, according the new study by scientists from UCL (University College London) … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Looking at your body can reduce pain.

Misty yet sunny morning in Delhi, slight chill remains

NEW DELHI – A misty yet sunny morning greeted Delhiites Friday, but the minimum temperature plummeted to 9.1 degrees Celsius – a notch below the average for the season.

“Mist and shallow fog in the morning will be followed by a sunny day. The day is expected to be warm,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) …. Read the original article  : Misty yet sunny morning in Delhi, slight chill remains.

Technology in human trials to spot cardiac disease, cancer, drug abuse

WASHINGTON – Rice University scientists have come up with a new microchip technology, which is expected to advance the art of diagnosis.

Cardiac disease is the focus of one of six ongoing major clinical trials of Rice’s programmable bio-nano-chips (PBNCs).

PBNCs combine microfluidics, nanotechnology, advanced optics and electronics to enable quick, painless diagnostic tests …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Technology in human trials to spot cardiac disease, cancer, drug abuse.

Microsponges from seaweed may help diagnose diseases quickly

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that microsponges derived from seaweed may help diagnose heart disease, cancers, HIV and other diseases quickly and at far lower cost than current clinical methods.

The microsponges are an essential component of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Microsponges from seaweed may help diagnose diseases quickly.

Kolkata police use Facebook to reach out to citizens

KOLKATA – Kolkata residents will no more have to spend time dialling the traffic police number to lodge complaints or present grievances. They can now log on to the social networking site Facebook and interact with the authorities.

“In order to communicate with the people, the Kolkata Traffic Police have created a Facebook … Read more »».

Dairy products aren’t necessarily bad for your health

WASHINGTON – A new study has challenged the long-held beliefs about the impact of saturated fatty acids (SFA) on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).xperts concluded that “single risk factors have limitations when considered on their own because the effects of diet on CVD risk are mediated by many pathways, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Severely obese women need to watch weight during pregnancy

WASHINGTON – Severely obese women who gain less than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy are likely to stay healthy, suggests a new study.

In contrast, obese and non-obese women who gained less weight in the second and third trimester had undesirable outcomes, …. Source article  : Severely obese women need to watch weight during pregnancy.

ADHD kids ‘2 to 3 times more prone to substance abuse problems’

WASHINGTON – According to a study by UCLA psychologists and colleagues at the University of South Carolina, children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two to three times more likely than children without the disorder to develop serious substance abuse problems in adolescence and adulthood.

“This …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ADHD kids ‘2 to 3 times more prone to substance abuse problems’.

Folic acid supplements contribute to breast cancer risk: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that the offspring of rats that took folic acid supplements before conception, during pregnancy and while breast-feeding have breast cancer rates twice as high as other rats.

They also had more tumours and developed them … Read more >>.

Outrage talk ‘bad on political left, but worse on right’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that outrage talk, although quite bad on the political left, is worse on the right side.

Tufts Assistant Professor of Sociology Sarah Sobieraj and Professor of Political Science Jeffrey Berry systematically …. Source article  : Outrage talk ‘bad on political left, but worse on right’.

Avalanche warning issued in upper Himachal

SHIMLA – The Himachal Pradesh government Saturday issued an advisory to the people living in Lahaul and Spiti district not to venture out in the next two days due to chances of avalanches.

The meteorological office in Shimla has forecast chances of more rain and snowfall over the weekend.
There are chances of more …. Source  : Avalanche warning issued in upper Himachal.

Stroke, cardio diseases take ‘enormous toll’ on Hollywood stars

WASHINGTON – A new study from University of California, Los Angeles, has revealed that stroke and cardiovascular diseases take an enormous toll on Hollywood actors.

“Since this is the … Read : Stroke, cardio diseases take ‘enormous toll’ on Hollywood stars.

Acute anemia ups risk of silent strokes in kids

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that severely anemic kids, especially those with sickle cell disease, are at a higher risk of having silent strokes.

One-quarter to one-third of children with sickle cell disease have evidence of silent strokes in their brains, said lead author … Read more »».

Gold nanoparticles may help detect tumor cells in blood

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Emory and Georgia Tech have found that tiny gold particles can help doctors detect tumor cells circulating in the blood of patients with head and neck cancer.

The gold particles, which are embedded with dyes allowing their detection by laser spectroscopy, could enhance this technique’s specificity by reducing the number of false … Read more : Gold nanoparticles may help detect tumor cells in blood.

Men like wet kisses while women want to keep them long!

WASHINGTON – Men like to push to make kisses sloppier, while women want to keep them long, suggest a new study.

Also, a kiss shared between a man and a woman seems more like a clash of spirits than a meeting of souls.

“Women tend to use kissing to create a bond with their partners, and to …. Source  : Men like wet kisses while women want to keep them long!.

Naturally occurring brain mechanism ups Parkinson’s understanding

WASHINGTON – A University of South Florida study has suggested that targeting the neuroinflammatory causes Parkinson’s disease with a brain chemical signal may lead to better understanding of the disease and pave way for better therapies.

Brain inflammation has been clearly shown in PD, and the brain’s microglia-small cells that regulate the chemical environment of neural … Original source on Gaea Times at : Naturally occurring brain mechanism ups Parkinson’s understanding.

A romantic partner who recovers well from conflict is good for you!

WASHINGTON – If your partner recovers well after a spat, you reap the benefits, suggests a study.

The University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development’s Institute of Child Development research looked at how people recover or come down after a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : A romantic partner who recovers well from conflict is good for you!.

Now, watch 3-D films on your cell phone!

WASHINGTON – Watching 3-D films on your cell phone would now be possible thanks to researchers who have combined the new mobile radio standard LTE-Advanced with a video coding technique.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institut, HHI in Berlin, Germany, have … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Now, watch 3-D films on your cell phone!.

Sheep are smart enough to make ‘executive decisions’

LONDON – Unlike previously thought, sheep are actually so smart that they make ‘executive decisions’, have long memories and can remember friends for two years.

University of Cambridge researchers have said that sheep can remember faces, be they other sheep or human, and can …. Original article  : Sheep are smart enough to make ‘executive decisions’.

Why sex in space could be a bad idea

WASHINGTON – Having sex and getting pregnant in the space is just not a good idea, thanks to serious radiation hazards, scientists have said.

According to three scientists, astronauts sent to colonize Mars would be well advised to avoid getting pregnant en route to the …. Original article  : Why sex in space could be a bad idea.

NASA spacecraft, comet set for Valentine’s Day rendezvous

WASHINGTON – In yet another incident of cosmic togetherness, NASA’s Stardust spacecraft would be redirected to pass within 200 kilometers of comet Tempel 1 on the Valentine’s Day.

In the heat of the moment, astronomers hope, Tempel 1 will be cajoled into yielding a few … Read more >>.

Cool morning in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Shallow fog gave way to a cool morning in the national capital Saturday with the minimum temperature settling two notches above average at 11.6 degrees Celsius.

“The morning witnessed shallow fog and the day ahead would see a partly cloudy sky. The maximum temperature would hover around 27 degrees Celsius,” an …. Original article  : Cool morning in Delhi.

Now, high-tech prosthetic arms that can be controlled with thoughts!

LONDON – Northwestern University scientists have developed high-tech prosthetic arms that can be controlled using thoughts instead of a motor.

After an amputation, the nerves in a stump remain healthy, at least for a while, and scientists are making use of this fact to create highly dexterous, thought-controlled …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Now, blood tests can detect Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms occur

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a new technology to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease from blood samples long before symptoms appear.

The new method uses synthetic molecules to seek out and identify disease-specific antibodies and could be a big help in diagnosing Parkinson’s disease and immune …. Original article  : Now, blood tests can detect Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms occur.

Researchers map how ice sheets shrank during Ice Age

LONDON – Researchers have mapped for the first time how the last British ice sheet shrank during the Ice Age.

The maps record the pattern and speed of shrinkage of the large ice sheet that covered the British Isles during the Ice Age, approximately 20,000 years ago.
Led by Chris Clark, a geographer at the …. Read the original article  : Researchers map how ice sheets shrank during Ice Age.

Mars-500 crew ‘lands’ on Red Planet during simulation

NEW DELHI – The crew of a simulated mission to Mars has landed on the ’surface’ of the Red Planet, as a part of the Mars-500 project.

“The simulated touchdown was successfully completed at noon Moscow time (1500 GMT),” said a spokesman for Russia’s Institute of Biomedical Problems, which is in charge of the joint project …. Original source  : Mars-500 crew ‘lands’ on Red Planet during simulation.

Flotilla of spacecraft to give accurate space weather forecasts

LONDON – Space scientists from the UK may soon send a flotilla of spacecraft into orbit around the sun to provide an early warning system for the huge solar explosions that can interfere with electronic equipment on Earth and even influence our planet’s weather.

The scientists are hoping to send the spacecrafts to provide round-the-clock three-dimensional … Original article on : Flotilla of spacecraft to give accurate space weather forecasts.

Male animals can ’smell’ whether a potential partner is a virgin or not

LONDON – Many males are able to ’smell’ whether a potential female partner is a virgin, and if not, how many times she has mated, according to a new study on animals.

Scientists at the University of Western Australia have been trying to discover how important smell may be to courting animals, reports the BBC.

They found …. Original source  : Male animals can ’smell’ whether a potential partner is a virgin or not.

Invasive plants can be good for eco-change

WASHINGTON – Contrary to prevailing belief, invasive plant species – introduced by humans – can also have positive ecological effects, new research has revealed.

Toms Carlo, assistant professor of Biology at Penn State University, and Jason Gleditsch, graduate student in Biology, studied how invasive fruiting plants affect ecosystems and how those effects can …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Electronic fetal heart rate monitoring lowers rate of infant mortality

WASHINGTON – The use of fetal heart rate monitors lowers the rate of infant mortality, according to a new study.

There have been a handful of small studies conducted in the past that looked at the effectiveness of fetal heart rate monitors, but none of them were large enough to be conclusive.

“There was some criticism within … Read more »»».

New research looks at getting stroke patients back on their feet

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that structured and progressive treadmill walking and exercise programs for strength and balance yield similar results for patients one year after having stroke.

The study found that post-stroke, 52 percent of people who participate in either a physical therapy program that includes a walking program using a body-weight supported …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New research looks at getting stroke patients back on their feet.

Free web-based ordering of home test kits for STIs proves effective with youth

WASHINGTON – A new Johns Hopkins research has found that screening teens and young adults for sexually transmitted infections may best be achieved by making free, confidential home-kit testing available over the Internet.

The team has described the success of the program started in Baltimore in 2004 that lets men and women in their 20s or … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Free web-based ordering of home test kits for STIs proves effective with youth.

Liking for sweetness might help alcoholics kick the habit

LONDON – Alcoholics who have a sweet tooth are more likely to kick the habit using a common drug treatment, according to a new study.

Naltrexone, a drug that blocks opioid receptors in the brain, is used primarily to treat alcohol dependence, but is effective only in around 78 percent of people, reports New Scientist. …. Read the original article  : Liking for sweetness might help alcoholics kick the habit.

Shane Warne ’slept with porn star while dating Elizabeth Hurley’

MELBOURNE – A porn star has claimed that Shane Warne had sex with her and sent her a series of lewd text messages at the same time his romance with Elizabeth Hurley grew.

According to the UK’s Sunday Mirror, the spin king sent Chloe Conrad, 26, a series of messages as his romance with Hurely blossomed.

“If …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Shane Warne ’slept with porn star while dating Elizabeth Hurley’.

Kids don’t mind sharing after working together

LONDON – Grown-ups have a sense of fair play, and now it seems that even young children do.

In a study, three-year-old kids shared with a peer the spoils after they worked together to earn a reward, even in situations where it would be easy for one child to keep all of them for … Read more »».

Rain, snow in Kashmir Valley, more expected

SRINAGAR – Kashmir Valley saw rain and snowfall for the second consecutive day Sunday and the weather office forecast more wet weather in the next two days.

“Rain and snow will lash many parts of the valley during the next two days as a Western disturbance is presently active over Jammu and Kashmir,” an official …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Clear skies, sunny day ahead in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A sunny and warm Sunday greeted Delhiites with the minimum temperature settling four notches above the average at 13.6 degrees Celsius.

“The skies would be clear in the morning. The day is expected to be warm and sunny, said an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
“The maximum temperature would hover … Read more »»».

Mars probe mission ‘reaches’ Red Planet

Moscow, Feb 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The crew of Mars-500 project, which aims to investigate how humans cope with psychological and physiological stress on a lengthy spaceflight, landed on the “surface” of the Red Planet Saturday.

The six-man multi-national crew has been sealed since June inside a mocked-up spaceship without sun or fresh water.
“The simulated …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Alcohol kills 2.5mn a year: WHO

NEW DELHI – A World Health Organization (WHO) report, profiling 193 countries on alcohol controls, has concluded that alcohol approximately kills 2.5 million people in a year.

The report also indicated that young people were especially vulnerable to its harms, reports English.news.cn.

“One third of deaths (from alcohol) are among young people,” said Shekhar Saxena, director of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Alcohol kills 2.5mn a year: WHO.

Oz scientists find 10,000-year-old stone carvings

WASHINGTON – Australian scientists have stumbled upon ancient stone carvings in an East Timorese cave dating back at least 10,000 years.

Though they had been looking for the fossilised remains of extinct giant rats, CSIRO’s Dr Ken Aplin accidentally saw the stylised face carvings in the limestone roof.

“One of our East Timorese colleagues was sitting up …. Source  : Oz scientists find 10,000-year-old stone carvings.

‘Brazilian blowout’ hair straightening process is a health hazard

BRISBANE – Using expensive keratin treatments to transform frizzy, untamed locks into glossy, straight hair may not be a safe option, scientists have indicated.

Late last year, stylists in the US state of Oregon complained of eye irritation, nosebleeds and breathing issues after repeatedly applying Brazilian Blowout, … Original article on : ‘Brazilian blowout’ hair straightening process is a health hazard.

Alcohol-free antibacterial mouth-rinse cuts incidence of preterm birth

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that use of non-alcohol antibacterial mouth-rinse containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) decreases the incidence of preterm birth (PTB).

“Preterm birth is the major cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide and still difficult to predict and prevent. …. Read the original article  : Alcohol-free antibacterial mouth-rinse cuts incidence of preterm birth.

India keen to promote alternative fuel technology

ALIGARH – India was taking serious steps to promote alternative technologies that used bio-fuels and solar and wind energy, a senior official said Saturday.

India also has plans to produce more bio-fuels and electric vehicles to save petrol for other vital needs, Sohail Akhtar, director in the ministry of new and renewable energy, said.
Presently … Read more >>.

Maps show how last British ice sheet shrunk during Ice Age

WASHINGTON – For the first time ever, a set of maps created by the University of Sheffield have shown how the last British ice sheet shrunk during the Ice Age.

Led by Professor Chris Clark from the University4s Department of Geography, a team of experts developed the maps to … Read more »»».

Study sheds light on RNA ‘on/off switches’

LONDON – A recent study has shed new light on a molecular switch that turns genes on or off in response to a cell’s energy needs.

Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute show these recently discovered RNA “riboswitches” are capable of more complex functions than originally thought.

In addition, because riboswitches so far have been found …. Source  : Study sheds light on RNA ‘on/off switches’.

Forget search engines, try the new ‘answer engines’

LONDON – Computer wizards have claimed that by using a ‘cutting-edge’ technology they have created a clever website that gives direct answers to direct questions.

According to creators, “trueknowledge.com” site is an Internet “answer engine” which breaks new ground by giving direct answers to questions.

Co-founder William Tunstall-Pedoe, who is based in Cambridge, said the website is …. Original article  : Forget search engines, try the new ‘answer engines’.

‘Anti-social’ attitude in boozy fish may explain alcoholism impact in humans

WASHINGTON – Even small amounts of alcohol at an early age can have a long-lasting impact on fish and humans alike, according to a new study.

It found that alcohol exposure makes fish anti-social, reports the Discovery News.

Robert Gerlai, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, and colleagues examined the neurological effects of …. Read the original article  : ‘Anti-social’ attitude in boozy fish may explain alcoholism impact in humans.

Japanese satellite Hinode spots 2 huge holes in Sun

WASHINGTON – A Japanese spacecraft has spotted two huge holes in the sun’s magnetic field – which are blasting solar material into space.

The images, taken by Japan’s sun-watching satellite Hinode on February 1, clearly show two large dark holes at the top and the bottom of the sun, reports the Discovery News.

Known as ‘coronal holes’, … Read more : Japanese satellite Hinode spots 2 huge holes in Sun.

Internet IP addresses not exhausted: ITU official

NEW DELHI – An ITU official has denied that Internet addresses running out worldwide.

Zhao Houlin, a senior official of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), said that the IP address stock is not declining and resources allocated to some regional internet registries are far from exhausted.

The in-use IP addresses still have potentials that can be tapped, … Read more : Internet IP addresses not exhausted: ITU official.

New addition to solar system may be bigger than Jupiter

LONDON – A new planet in our solar system’s outer reaches could be four times as large as Jupiter, the biggest planet in the system, scientists believe.

Its orbit would be thousands of times further from the Sun than the Earth’s – which explains its obscurity.
The data which could prove the existence of Tyche, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

600 mn-year-old plant fossils found in China

BEIJING – Paleontologists in China have unearthed thousands of pieces of plant fossils dating back to about 600 million years, officials said.

A spokesman with the government of Xiuning county in Anhui province said the fossils were from the Sinian period (825 million to 570 million years ago), Xinhua reported.
The plants lived in the …. Read the original article  : 600 mn-year-old plant fossils found in China.

A wind-powered car that covered 5,000 km in barely $16

SYDNEY – It’s a car that travelled a distance of 5,000 km in Australia at a cost of just $16. Wondering how? Well, it was powered by the wind.

The Wind Explorer, touted as the world’s first car that runs on wind-generated energy, arrived here Monday after travelling from Perth via Adelaide and Melbourne. It …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Eighth wonder of the world’ found under a New Zealand lake

WELLINGTON – New Zealand’s first tourist attraction, dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world” by international travellers in the late 19th century, has been rediscovered 125 years after it was buried by one of the biggest-ever volcanic eruptions.

New Zealand and US scientists said they found the Pink and White Terraces, 60 metres below Lake … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Eighth wonder of the world’ found under a New Zealand lake.

For rural homes, a lamp that’s also a stove!

BANGALORE – Is it a stove or a lamp? “It is actually both,” says engineer-inventor Anil Rajvanshi, developer of a dual purpose device that simultaneously solves the twin problem of cooking and lighting in rural homes that do not have electricity.

A lantern, which burns kerosene to produce bright light and also doubles up as … Read more >>.

Two genes key to wiring brain’s nerve cells

LONDON – Scientists have now been able to show that growing nerve cells realise when they’ve reached their target area in the brain — thanks to the interaction of two genes.

Each of the nerve cells — of which there are about 100 billion in the human brain — is programmed to connect … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Two genes key to wiring brain’s nerve cells.

Moon has deep core – similar to earth

WASHINGTON – The moon possesses an iron-rich core with a solid inner ball nearly 150 miles in radius, which is similar to that of the earth, according to a new study.

A team of NASA-led researchers applied new technology to seismic data from the Apollo mission and detected what many scientists have predicted: the moon …. Read the original article  : here.

In a galaxy far away, Indian-origin scientist finds her calling

CHICAGO – US-based Indian origin astrophysicist Sukanya Charkrabarti has found her calling 260,000 light years away in a galaxy that can barely, if at all, be seen. Galaxy X, at a distance which is modest on the cosmic scale, is where she is perfecting her theoretical skills.

Dealing with structures of the Milky Way that …. Read the original article  : here.

China issues warning on Valentine’s Day computer viruses

BEIJING – Technology experts in China have warned internet users to be alert against computer viruses based on the Valentine’s Day theme.

The China National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre issued a circular Monday warning computer users not to open spam mail with Valentine’s Day messages in the subject line.
Such mails may contain worms [..] Read the original article: here.

For some, music gives the same high as sex

LONDON – A new study from the McGill University has revealed that listening to music is just as pleasurable as food, drugs and sex.

Listening to music releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain important for more tangible pleasures associated with sex or great food.

The study found that dopamine release in response to music elicited …. Read the original article  : here.

Mummies’ toes may be world’s earliest prosthetic body parts

WASHINGTON – Scientists say they have found the world’s earliest prosthetic body parts.

According to the experts, who tested replicas on volunteers, two artificial big toes – one found attached to the foot of an ancient Egyptian mummy, may have been used as artificial body parts in earlier times.

University of Manchester researcher, Dr Jacky Finch, has … Read : Mummies’ toes may be world’s earliest prosthetic body parts.

Indian inventor claims to have made ‘flying car’

LONDON – An Indian inventor, A.K. Vishwanath, has claimed that he has made a flying car with the help of India’s first small car, Maruti.

Made out of a seemingly ordinary 800cc Maruti car, it has rotor blades affixed to the roof with extended wheelarches creating a “vacuum section”, and has been one of the star …. Original source  : Indian inventor claims to have made ‘flying car’.

Cloudy morning, rain likely in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhi saw a cloudy yet warm morning Monday and the weatherman said showers were likely later in the day.

“The skies have been overcast since morning and thundershowers are expected in some parts of the city,” an official of the India meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The minimum temperature was five notches above …. Original source  : Cloudy morning, rain likely in Delhi.

Research must focus on sustainability: Experts

AGARTALA – Very little money is spent on research on the sustainable use of natural resources compared to what is spent on studies for their exploitation, experts said here Sunday, adding that identification of research priorities is the key to long-term development.

Worldwide, about 6,000 times more expenditure is made on research …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Research must focus on sustainability: Experts.

Showers expected in Delhi Monday

NEW DELHI – Weather officials have forecast light showers in some parts of Delhi Monday.

“Delhi will experience a partly cloudy sky with the possibility of a thunderstorm in some areas,” an official at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Sunday.
According to him, Monday’s maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around …. Source  : Showers expected in Delhi Monday.

Scientists isolate molecule that helps produce proteins

WASHINGTON – Scientists have isolated a molecular assistant called Spy that helps bugs produce proteins for medical and industrial purposes.

Bacteria are widely used to manufacture proteins used in medicine and industry, but the bugs often bungle the job.
Many proteins fall apart and get cut up inside the bacteria before they can be …. Read the original article  : Scientists isolate molecule that helps produce proteins.

Radiation would nix sex in space: NASA

LONDON – Cosmic radiation hitting human bodies would nix sex in space, NASA scientists assert.

Researchers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Ames Research Centre found that without effective shielding, powerful proton particles would probably sterilise any female embryo conceived in deep space, the Journal of Cosmology reports.
They also concluded that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Radiation would nix sex in space: NASA.

A wireless radio that is twice as fast

WASHINGTON – Researchers, several of them of Indian origin, have developed the first wireless radio that can send and receive signals at the same time. This makes them twice as fast as existing technology.

“Textbooks say you can’t do it,” said Philip Levis, assistant professor of computer science and electrical engineering at Stanford University. “The … Read : A wireless radio that is twice as fast.

Hand movements may give clues to ADHD severity

WASHINGTON – Two studies have found markers for measuring the ability of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to control impulsive movements, which may reveal insights into the neurobiology of ADHD, inform prognosis and guide treatments.

“Despite its prevalence, there is a lack of understanding about the neurobiological basis of ADHD,” said Dr. Stewart Mostofsky, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Hand movements may give clues to ADHD severity.

Internet playing cupid for middle-aged people: Study

LONDON – A new study has revealed that middle-aged people are most likely to look for love online – dispelling the myth that Internet dating is primarily for the young.

The international poll of 12,000 couples between 18 and 70 years by the University of Oxford found that 36 percent people aged 40-69 who had [..] Read the original article: here.

Here’s why consumers pay for celebrity possessions

WASHINGTON – A new study has offered insights into why someone would pay 48,875 dollars for a tape measure that had belonged to Jackie Kennedy or 3,300 dollars for Bernie Madoff’s footstool.

The authors, George E. Newman (Yale University), Gil Diesendruck (Bar-Ilan University), and Paul Bloom (Yale University) delved into the concept of “contagion,” the belief … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Here’s why consumers pay for celebrity possessions.

Secondary task may ‘improve driver’s attention, stability on road’

WASHINGTON – New research by human factors/ergonomics researchers at the University of Kansas suggests that drivers who lose focus on the road because of boredom can actually increase their attention by engaging in a secondary task, particularly during the last leg of their journey.

In a driving simulator, 45 participants drove for 30 minutes while talking … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Secondary task may ‘improve driver’s attention, stability on road’.

IBM’s supercomputer to be pitted against humans in TV quiz

LONDON – IBM’s supercomputer Watson will compete against two humans in a TV quiz for the prize of a million dollars.

Jeopardy tests a player’s knowledge of trivia in a range of categories, from geography and politics to history and entertainment.

It is seen as the greatest challenge for Watson because of the show’s rapid-fire format and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : IBM’s supercomputer to be pitted against humans in TV quiz.

Soft, inward-folding car bonnet could save lives, cut head trauma ‘by 60 pc’

LONDON – Scientists at Cellbond in collaboration with Ruskin University in Cambridge have designed a ‘pedestrian friendly bonnet’ that folds inward on impact.

They claim it could save thousands of lives and reduce head trauma by 60 per cent for those hit by cars.

“During an impact the pedestrian exerts a dynamic force on the car bonnet. …. Read the original article  : Soft, inward-folding car bonnet could save lives, cut head trauma ‘by 60 pc’.

Obese women may be less likely to develop chronic eye disease

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that obesity may be associated with higher eye pressure and a decreased risk of open-angle glaucoma in women.

“Open-angle glaucoma is a chronic eye disease characterized by glaucomatous optic neuropathy and corresponding glaucomatous visual field loss,” the authors said.

Wishal D. Ramdas, of the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, …. Original source  : Obese women may be less likely to develop chronic eye disease.

New device to help confirm Kepler’s planetary candidates

WASHINGTON – The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) is part of an international collaboration building a new instrument called HARPS-North, which will complement Kepler by helping to confirm and characterize Kepler’s planetary candidates.

HARPS stands for High-Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher and is designed to detect the tiny radial-velocity signal induced by planets as small as …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Why budding guitarists have a fetish for rock hero instruments

WASHINGTON – Most guitarists have a desire to own an instrument just like the one their rock idol owns, or something similar to that – now a new study explains why.

“Like people from the Middle Ages who sought saints’ relics, modern consumers like the budding rock guitarist desire fetishes (objects perceived as magical and possessing … Original source on Gaea Times at : Why budding guitarists have a fetish for rock hero instruments.

Gene that controls immune system linked to preeclampsia

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that the placentas of women who suffer preeclampsia during pregnancy have an overabundance of a gene associated with the regulation of the body’s immune system.

The discovery by researchers at North Carolina State University may lead to improved screening and prenatal care for these patients and their babies.

Preeclampsia, a disorder is … Read more : Gene that controls immune system linked to preeclampsia.

Blood glucose levels indicator of retinopathy risk

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that individuals who have higher blood glucose levels and poorer control of those levels over time are more likely to develop eye-related complications 10 years later.

Pascale Massin, of Hopital Lariboisiere, Paris, and colleagues in the Data From an Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (DESIR) Study Group … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Blood glucose levels indicator of retinopathy risk.

Parasites’ struggle for ‘long-term survival’ makes malaria ‘deadly’

LONDON – Malaria is particularly deadly because the parasites that carry it battle other infections for survival, Edinburgh University scientists have claimed.

They found, when malaria parasites enter the bloodstream, they alter their plan of attack if they face competition from other strains of the infection.

However, it means they have less resources left to spread the … Read : Parasites’ struggle for ‘long-term survival’ makes malaria ‘deadly’.

X-rays reveal why van Gogh paintings are losing their shine

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered why some paintings of Vincent van Gogh and other artists of the late 19th century are losing their shine.

Using sophisticated X-rays, they have identified a complex chemical reaction responsible for the degradation of the works.

They found that the Dutch master’s decision to use yellow paint mixed with white is responsible … Read more »»».

Lavender oil shows potent anti-fungal effect

WASHINGTON – Scientists have suggested that lavender oil could be used to fight the increasing incidence of antifungal-resistant infections.

The essential oil shows a potent antifungal effect against strains of fungi responsible for common skin and nail infections.

Researchers from the University of Coimbra in Portugal distilled lavender oil from the Lavandula viridis L’Her shrub that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Lavender oil shows potent anti-fungal effect.

Cigarette smoking may increase risk of muscle-wasting disease

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that cigarette smoking may be associated with an increased risk of developing the muscle-wasting disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

To examine the association between cigarette smoking and ALS, Hao Wang, of the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, and colleagues analyzed data from five different long-term studies involving a total of … Read more >>>.

Hearing loss linked to development of dementia

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that older adults with hearing loss may be more likely to develop dementia, and their risk increases as hearing loss becomes more severe.

Frank R. Lin, of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, and colleagues studied 639 individuals age 36 to 90 without dementia. Participants initially underwent cognitive and hearing …. Read the original article  : Hearing loss linked to development of dementia.

Fiber intake linked to reduced risk of death

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that dietary fiber may be associated with a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious and respiratory diseases, as well as a reduced risk of death from any cause over a nine-year period.

Yikyung Park, Sc.D., of the National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Md., and colleagues analyzed data from …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

A helpful partner isn’t always helpful

WASHINGTON – A loving partner may or may not help you keep on track — say when you want to stick to your jogging or your studies.

According to a new study, sometimes, the support a significant other offers in pursuing goals can weaken the resolve to work towards those goals and cause procrastination … Read more >>>.

Rising seas to affect major US coastal cities by 2100

WASHINGTON – Rising sea levels could threaten an average nine percent of the land within 180 US coastal cities by 2100, a new study says.

The research, led by University of Arizona scientists, is the first analysis of the vulnerability of US coastal cities to rising sea levels.
The latest scientific projections indicate that by … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rising seas to affect major US coastal cities by 2100.

A helpful partner may not that helpful when it comes to achieving goals

WASHINGTON – If you think that a loving partner helps keep you on track when it comes to achieving goals, you could be wrong.

A new study has suggested that thinking about the support a significant other offers in pursuing goals can undermine the motivation to work toward those goals-and can increase procrastination before getting down … Read : A helpful partner may not that helpful when it comes to achieving goals.

Ecstasy use does not decrease mental ability: Study

WASHINGTON – In contrast to many prior studies, ecstasy users in a new study showed no signs of cognitive impairment attributable to drug use.

Lead author John Halpern of the McLean Hospital in Belmont, said, “Researchers have known for a long time that earlier studies of ecstasy use had problems that later studies should try to …. Read the original article  : Ecstasy use does not decrease mental ability: Study.

Scientists create device that remotely blasts improvised land mines

WASHINGTON – Scientists at EPFL in Switzerland have created a new device that enables the remote explosion of land mines using energy from their electromagnetic impulses.

This type of mine is often used by guerrillas or terrorist groups in conflict zones and can kill or mutilate hundreds of thousands of people every year, mainly civilians.

Felix Vega …. Original source  : Scientists create device that remotely blasts improvised land mines.

How video games can reveal a child’s core competencies

WASHINGTON – A researcher from Florida State University has presented an approach wherein a learning experience can be made more enjoyable by creating video games into which educational content and assessment tools have been surreptitiously added – and to incorporate such games into school curricula.

Valerie J. Shute believes that this would not only remain a … Read more »»».

Why problem drinking during adolescence is never ‘just a phase’

WASHINGTON – A new study of Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI) has found that problem drinking during adolescence is never just a phase.

Researchers used adolescent RAPI scores to examine diagnoses of alcohol dependence during young adulthood and found that more drinking-related problems experienced at age 18 were associated with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence at …. Original source  : Why problem drinking during adolescence is never ‘just a phase’.

Gene study uncovers clues to memory and learning

WASHINGTON – Scientists have explored the function of a single gene that governs how neurons form new connections.

The study has not only uncovered clues to memory and learning, but has also provided insights into a form of mental retardation.

Scientists at the Duke University Medical Centre explored the gene WRP’s functions in the brain cell … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gene study uncovers clues to memory and learning.

How diets high in fish oil fight Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found how diets high in Omega 3 oils and low in cholesterol fight Alzheimer’s.

Daniel Michaelson of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Neurobiology at the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences found that APOE-one of the five molecules that are known to affect or cause Alzheimer’s disease and created by the … Read more »»».

Halting emissions would still make earth warmer

WASHINGTON – If greenhouse gas emissions stopped now, the earth would still likely get warmer.

While governments debate about potential policies that might curb the emission of greenhouse gases, new research shows that the world is already committed to a warmer climate because of emissions that have occurred till now.
Temperatures would continue to escalate … Read more >>>.

What’s your computing style? Know from smartphone

WASHINGTON – The applications you add to your smartphone can define you as a specific “appitypes”, says a technology expert.

Trevor Pinch, professor of science and technology studies at the Cornell University in US, used survey data on applications usage from 5,000 smartphone users in 10 countries to create appitypes to help define user …. Original source  : What’s your computing style? Know from smartphone.

Peer support shows promise in the fight against depression

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that peer support offers promise as an effective, low-cost tool for fighting depression.

In the research, programs in which patients and volunteers share information were found to reduce depression symptoms better than traditional care alone and were about as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy.

The study performed by the VA …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Peer support shows promise in the fight against depression.

Poor sleep quality linked to greater disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that poor sleep quality is associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, greater pain severity, increased fatigue, and greater functional disability in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

The study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing suggests that addressing sleep problems via pharmacological or behavioral interventions may have a …. Read the original article  : Poor sleep quality linked to greater disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Turning mosquito bites into anti-malarial shots

WASHINGTON – Researchers could be turning the mosquito bite into a tool to wipe out the deadly disease malaria.

PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), established with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will be collaborating with Tulane University in the US to produce and test a novel vaccine that aims to inoculate … Read more >>>.

Heart’s response to early beat can predict cardiac death risk

WASHINGTON – A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that the manner in which the heart responds to an early beat is predictive of cardiac death, even in seemingly healthy people.

Doctors are in a constant search for better ways to identify patients at risk of cardiac death because … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Heart’s response to early beat can predict cardiac death risk.

Novo-G world’s fastest reconfigurable supercomputer

WASHINGTON – University of Florida’s supercomputer Novo-G is the world’s fastest reconfigurable supercomputer and outperforms the Chinese supercomputer touted as the world’s most powerful.

Novo-G is about the size of two home refrigerators and consumes less than 8,000 watts, unlike conventional supercomputers that can consume up to millions of watts of electrical power, generating massive … Read more »»».

More snowfall, rain in Himachal

SHIMLA – Snowfall in the higher reaches and intermittent rain in low and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh continued for the fourth day Wednesday, intensifying a cold wave.

Incessant rain across the state partially hampered the air traffic. “Flights from Delhi to Shimla and Dharamsala were as per schedule but could not be operational at …. Source  : More snowfall, rain in Himachal.

Now, access Facebook on your mobile phone at the touch of a button!

LONDON – Now, just press a button on your mobile phone and it will connect you to your Facebook account.

Mobile phone giant HTC has launched two handsets that will allow owners to access the social networking site at the touch of a button, reports the Daily Mail.

By pressing the ‘F’ logo, users will be able … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Now, access Facebook on your mobile phone at the touch of a button!.

Thick disc of older stars discovered in nearby Andromeda galaxy

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified for the first time a thick stellar disc in the Andromeda galaxy, the nearest large spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way.

According to an international team of astronomers, who conducted the study, the finding will lead to better understanding of the processes involved in the formation and evolution of large …. Original source  : Thick disc of older stars discovered in nearby Andromeda galaxy.

Taps run dry for third day in parts of Delhi

NEW DELHI – People in parts of the capital suffered from a water crunch for the third consecutive day Wednesday as supplies remained affected due to a high level of ammonia in the Yamuna waters.

The water supply was hit in north, north west, central and parts of west and south Delhi as two … Read : Taps run dry for third day in parts of Delhi.

Statins may help fight HIV

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that statins may slow down the progression of HIV infection.

In a recent multicenter clinical trial of atorvastatin, a type of cholesterol-lowering drug, the researchers found that although the drug did not inhibit plasma HIV RNA levels, it did inhibit expression of cellular markers of immune activation and inflammation in patients …. Read the original article  : Statins may help fight HIV.

1 in 5 homeless people with TB die within a year of their diagnosis: Toronto study

WASHINGTON – A new study in Toronto has found that one in five homeless people with tuberculosis die within a year of their diagnosis.

And that number remains unchanged over the last decade despite recommendations calling for greater improvements in prevention and control of tuberculosis in homeless shelters.

The 10-year study, led by St. Michael’s Hospital’s Kamran …. Read the original article  : here.

Water softeners ‘do not bring relief for kids with eczema’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have shown that installing a water softener for three months brings no additional relief for eczema sufferers.

The study involving 336 children aged between six months and 16 years old was carried out by The University of Nottingham.

Up to one fifth of all children of school age have eczema, along with about one … Read more >>>.

Kids as young as 5 can learn to use computer mouse

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that children as young as 5 years old can learn how to use a computer mouse.

While age is an important component in determining how well a child controls a mouse, the study also found that how frequently a child practices may be even more important.

“Learning how to use …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Two thirds of permafrost likely to melt by 2200

WASHINGTON – Two-thirds of permafrost is likely to melt by 2200, thanks to global warming which will loft vast quantities of carbon into the air.

“The carbon resides in permanently frozen ground that is beginning to thaw at high latitudes, will impact not only the climate but also strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions,” … Original source on Gaea Times at : Two thirds of permafrost likely to melt by 2200.

New alloy to boost energy conversion by 25 percent

WASHINGTON – Automobiles, and even large-scale power generating facilities may someday operate far more efficiently thanks to a new alloy that enables a 25 percent improvement in the ability of a key material to convert heat into electrical energy.

The alloy was developed by US Department of Energy’s Ames Lab.
“What happened here … Original article on : New alloy to boost energy conversion by 25 percent.

Babies can count from 18 months of age: Study

MELBOURNE – A new research has revealed that kids begin to learn to count earlier than previously thought.

For the study, Professor Virginia Slaughter of the University of Queensland, and colleagues from Japan and the United Kingdom, assessed how babies responded to videos of counting, and found a dramatic cognitive shift by the time they reached … Read : Babies can count from 18 months of age: Study.

‘Promiscuous’ chimps produce more sperm

LONDON – Scientists based in Japan have revealed that chimpanzees produce 200 times more sperm than gorillas, the world’s largest primates, and 14 times more than orangutans.

Promiscuous ape species have bigger testicles, and the new finding provides evidence that they also produce more sperm.

Earlier, scientists proposed that chimps have large testicles because several males mate [..] Read the original article: here.

Humans and dolphins ‘talk’ using primitive language in new study

LONDON – In a first, behavioural biologists were able to ‘talk’ with dolphins through a primitive form of language using sounds.

“Many studies communicate with dolphins, especially in captivity, using fish as a reward. But it’s rare to ask dolphins to communicate with us,” the Daily Mail quoted Dr Denise Herzing as telling Wired.com.

The experiment revolved …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Humans and dolphins ‘talk’ using primitive language in new study.

Twitter, Facebook leave people ‘more lonely’

LONDON – Social media leaves many people feeling lonely, alienated and dissatisfied with life, according to American author Sherry Turkle.

In her new book ‘Alone Together’, Prof Turkle from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) argues that despite the advent of social networking sites and text messaging our intimate relationship with technology has not translated into closer …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Twitter, Facebook leave people ‘more lonely’.

Being pessimistic may lower painkiller’s effectiveness: Study

LONDON – A patient’s attitude may affect how well his/ her pain medication works, according to a new study.

It found that being optimistic might boost their effectiveness in blocking pain, while being pessimistic may lower their effectiveness, reports the BBC.

The study also identified the brain regions that are associated with pain.

The researchers used [..] Read the original article: here.

Finding a way to extend tomato shelf life

WASHINGTON – Scientists at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working with colleagues at Purdue University to extend the shelf life of tomatoes.

The research also may lead to tomatoes that taste better and are more nutritious.

Tomatoes spend so much time on shelves and in refrigerators that an estimated 20 percent are lost to spoilage, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Finding a way to extend tomato shelf life.

‘Killer paper’ could improve food safety

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed and successfully tested a new food packaging material that has the ability to preserve food by fighting the bacteria that cause spoilage.

The ‘killer paper’ contains a coating of silver nanoparticles that kills E. coli and S. aureus, two causes of bacterial food poisoning, in just three hours.

This suggests its potential …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Killer paper’ could improve food safety.

Why some people find it difficult to wake up in the morning

LONDON – Scientists at Northwestern University have found a new mechanism in the core gears of the circadian clock.

They have discovered that the loss of a certain gene, dubbed “twenty-four,” messes up the rhythm of the common fruit fly’s sleep-wake cycle, making it harder for the flies to awaken.

The circadian clock drives, among other things, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Why some people find it difficult to wake up in the morning.

Why males have a higher incidence of autism than females

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that male and female sex hormones regulate expression of an important gene in neuronal cell culture through a mechanism that could explain not only higher levels of testosterone observed in some individuals with autism, but also why males have a higher incidence of autism than females.

The gene, RORA, encodes a … Original article on : Why males have a higher incidence of autism than females.

Japanese embassy in China launches micro blog

BEIJING – The Japanese embassy in Beijing has launched a micro blog that has attracted over 5,000 fans in just two days.

Japanese Ambassador Uichiro Niwa said the micro blog will give details about his schedule as well as activities related to Sino-Japanese ties.
“The general public is the important part of the bilateral relationship, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Japanese embassy in China launches micro blog.

Fresh snow freezes Shimla at 0.6 degrees

SHIMLA – The season’s third snowfall here in Himachal Pradesh froze the “Queen of Hills’, as Shimla was fondly called by the British, at a minimum of 0.6 degrees Celsius Thursday.

Shimla had recorded 4.8 cm of snow Wednesday evening and the minimum temperature was 2.4 degrees.
Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district, …. Original source  : Fresh snow freezes Shimla at 0.6 degrees.

Herschel reveals how much dark matter it takes to form new galaxy

WASHINGTON – The Herschel Space Observatory has measured how much dark matter is required in order to form a new galaxy.

“If you start with too little dark matter, then a developing galaxy would peter out. If you have too much, then gas doesn’t cool efficiently to form one large galaxy, and you end up with …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Facebook friends ‘can stress you out’

LONDON – The more Facebook ‘friends’ you have, the more likely you are to feel stressed out by the social networking site, according to a new study.

Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University have found a significant minority of users suffered “considerable Facebook-related anxiety”.

However, they only received very modest rewards.

More than one in 10 said Facebook made … Original source on Gaea Times at : Facebook friends ‘can stress you out’.

Greenhouse emissions led to increase in extreme rains, says study

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that high greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to increase in extreme rain events seen in North America over the second half of the 20th century.

Another study reported that human greenhouse gas emissions likely contributed to the floods that inundated England and Wales in the fall of 2000.

How does [..] Read the original article: here.

Indian defence scientists develop bio-toilets for soldiers

BANGALORE – Indian defence scientists have recruited a small army of bacteria and harnessed solar power to build bio-toilets for managing the human waste of soldiers stationed at glaciers and other low temperature areas.

“Human waste disposal in high altitude and low temperature areas is a burning problem,” a spokesman for the Defence Research and …. Original source  : Indian defence scientists develop bio-toilets for soldiers.

Asthma linked to bacterial communities in the airway

WASHINGTON – A new UCSF-led study has found that asthma may have a surprising relationship with the composition of the species of bacteria that inhabit bronchial airways.

This finding could suggest new treatment or even potential cures for the common inflammatory disease.

Using new detection methods, researchers learned that the diversity of microbes inside the respiratory tract … Read more : Asthma linked to bacterial communities in the airway.

BP oil spill’s psychological effects go beyond residents of impacted areas

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that the psychological effects of the BP oil spill, the largest recorded environmental disaster in human history, extend far beyond people living around the areas of the Gulf of Mexico that were directly impacted by the spill.

The researchers reported that even in areas that did not have oil … Original article on : BP oil spill’s psychological effects go beyond residents of impacted areas.

Preterm mums’ milk has less antioxidants

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that preterm mother’s milk contains lower concentrations of coenzyme Q10-an important antioxidant and a vital component of the electron transport chain.

Researchers at the University of Granada and at the University Hospital San Cecilio took a sample of 30 nursing mothers, of which 15 had completed their gestation and … Read more >>.

Exercise, helping others can be as effective as drugs to treat mental illnesses

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that lifestyle changes-such as getting more exercise, time in nature, or helping others-can be as effective as drugs or counseling to treat an array of mental illnesses.

Roger Walsh of the University of California, Irvine’s College of Medicine said that multiple mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, could … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Exercise, helping others can be as effective as drugs to treat mental illnesses.

New study reinforces belly fat, high-fat meals and heart disease link

WASHINGTON – A new UC Davis study has suggested that the effect of a high-fat meal on blood vessel walls varies among individuals depending on factors such as their waist size and triglyceride levels.

The new research reinforces the link between belly fat, inflammation and thickening of the arterial linings that can lead to heart disease …. Original article  : New study reinforces belly fat, high-fat meals and heart disease link.

Now, brain-powered machines to become more intelligent, user-friendly

|Cheryl Cole’s pictures used to promote Russian bride business, porn|Entertainment[London {LONDON - Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole is said to be furious after a Russian website used pictures of hers to promote their mail order bride business.

Cheryl, 27, has been featured as one of the many women seeking a husband on website RussianBrides.org, and in .... Source  : Gaea News Network.

Focus on how, not why, to increase physical activity

WASHINGTON - In a new study, University of Missouri researchers found that healthy adults who received interventions focused on behavior-changing strategies significantly increased their physical activity levels.

However, interventions based on cognitive approaches, which try to change knowledge and attitudes, did not improve physical activity.

“The focus needs to shift from increasing knowledge about the benefits of ... Read more »»».

Meet the man who cooks nitrogen-dipped burgers, ultrasonic French fries!

WASHINGTON - Nathan Myhrvold believes that cooking is not just an art, but a science too - meet the man who cooks nitrogen-dipped burgers and ultrasonic French fries.

Author of 2,400-page, 625-dollar self-published book, ‘Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking’, Myhrvold, a former technology chief for Microsoft, combines science and his culinary skills to ... Read : Meet the man who cooks nitrogen-dipped burgers, ultrasonic French fries!.

New green, cheap hydrogen cartridges to fuel laptops, phones

WASHINGTON - SiGNa Chemistry Inc. has created new hydrogen cartridges - a cheap, eco-friendly and portable solution to produce electric power for laptops and phones.

The source of these cartridges is called sodium silicide.

“In our lab, we were able to produce alkali metal silicides, which basically are made from sodium and silicon, which, in turn, are ... Read more >>.

Out of body experiences are just tricks of a confused mind, say experts

LONDON - A new study has revealed that out of body experiences are nothing but tricks of a confused mind.

The study was able to ‘fool’ the brains of volunteers into temporarily believing they occupied a 3D computer-generated character.

“Instead of it being a spiritual thing, it is the brain being confused,” the Daily Mail quoted .... Original source  : Out of body experiences are just tricks of a confused mind, say experts.

Statins may prevent diabetic-related blindness

WASHINGTON - Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that a statin drug that is often known by the brand-name Lipitor may help prevent blindness in people with diabetes.

In a study using diabetic rats, lead author Azza El-Remessy, assistant professor in the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, and her colleagues found that statins ... Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Statins may prevent diabetic-related blindness.

Higher levels of social activity cut the risk of developing disability in old age

WASHINGTON - Higher levels of social activity decrease the risk of developing disability in old age, according to a new study at Rush University Medical Center.

“Social activity has long been recognized as an essential component of healthy aging, but now we have strong evidence that it is also related to better everyday functioning and less ... Original source on Gaea Times at : Higher levels of social activity cut the risk of developing disability in old age.

Archaeologists solve tower of Jericho puzzle?

LONDON - Discovered by archaeologists in 1952, a 28-foot-high stone tower on the edge of the town of Jericho has puzzled scientists since. But now, a team of archaeologists have shed light on who built the structure and why.

Tel Jericho, located in modern day Jericho in the West Bank, is one of the .... Original article on Gaea Times at  : Archaeologists solve tower of Jericho puzzle?.

Emotional response could predict how your body responds to stress

WASHINGTON - A new research has suggested that your emotional response to challenging situations could predict how your body responds to stress.

“People who reported high levels of anger and anxiety after performing a laboratory-based stress task showed greater increases in a marker of inflammation, than those who remained relatively calm,” said Dr Judith Carroll, who ... Read more »».

Yale University scientists build world's first anti-laser

WASHINGTON - Yale University scientists have developed the world’s first anti-laser, in which incoming beams of light interfere with one another in such a way as to perfectly cancel each other out.

The discovery could pave the way for a number of novel technologies with applications in everything from optical computing to radiology.

Conventional lasers, which were .... Source article on Gaea Times at  : Yale University scientists build world’s first anti-laser.

Chronically ill kids '88pc more likely to suffer physical abuse'

WASHINGTON - A new study has found that children with chronic health conditions are 88 percent more likely to suffer physical abuse than healthy children.

They are also 154 percent more likely to suffer a combination of physical abuse and exposure to intimate partner violence than their healthy school friends.

Researchers from Karlstad University, Sweden, analysed 2,510 ... Original article on : Chronically ill kids ‘88pc more likely to suffer physical abuse’.

Sherlock Holmes book goes digital on iPhone, iPad

LONDON - Sherlock Holmes is back in the digital form, thanks to a French company, which has created a ‘Byook’ application for the iPhone and iPad, an ebook hybrid mixing text and effects.

‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band,’ one of the most-read Arthur Conan Doyle stories, has now been turned into an e-book that combines .... Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sherlock Holmes book goes digital on iPhone, iPad.

Male fertility is in the bones, shows mice study

WASHINGTON - A new study has discovered that the skeleton acts as a regulator of fertility in male mice through a hormone released by bone-osteocalcin.

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center, led by Gerard Karsenty, found their first clue to an answer in the reproductive success of their lab mice. Previously, the researchers had observed that .... Source  : Male fertility is in the bones, shows mice study.

What makes Justin Beiber sound so unique?

WASHINGTON - Artists like Justin Beiber and Usher owe their unique sounding voices to the large social circles of their ancestors, says a new study from the University of California, Los Angeles.

According to Kimberly Pollard, the size of an animal’s social group helps to determine the uniqueness of that individual’s voice.

“Group size definitely matters here. ... Read more »»».

Only 1 in 1900 met AHA's definition of ideal heart health: Study

WASHINGTON - A new study has revealed that only one in more than 1900 people met the American Heart Association (AHA) definition of ideal cardiovascular health.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers conducted the study.

Ideal cardiovascular health is the combination of seven factors: nonsmoking, a body mass index less than 25, goal-level physical activity and ... Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Only 1 in 1900 met AHA’s definition of ideal heart health: Study.

Study explores link between hypoxia and inflammation in athletes

LONDON - A new study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine has explored the link between lack of oxygen, called hypoxia, and the inflammation that can injure or kill some athletes who undergo surgery.

Lack of oxygen during a surgery can injure kidneys, lungs or heart muscles and this can lead to inflammation. However, .... Original article on Gaea Times at  : Study explores link between hypoxia and inflammation in athletes.

Genes linked to hereditary breast and ovary cancer identified

WASHINGTON - A thesis from University of Malaga has identified two genes linked to hereditary breast and ovary cancer.

Biologist Elena Beristain found that few of the mutations found in BRCA1 and BRCA2 could be clearly identified as pathological. The fact is that the mutations found were numerous; their variation even depending on the population.

Beristain has .... Original source  : Genes linked to hereditary breast and ovary cancer identified.

Women are better at forgiving than men: Study

WASHINGTON - Parents forgive more than children, while women are better at forgiving than men, according to a new study.

The study into the emotional differences between the sexes and generations in terms of forgiveness was conducted by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).

“This study has great application for teaching values, because it shows us .... Source article  : Women are better at forgiving than men: Study.

Deep brain stimulation 'can treat severe OCD'

WASHINGTON - Scientists have found that an electrical treatment which zaps away symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can help extreme sufferers unable to cope with everyday life.

By inserting a thin electrode deep into the brain, doctors can precisely deliver an electrical current to a cord of the brain’s wiring and soften the severity ... Read more >>.

Brain function linked to birth size in new study

WASHINGTON - Scientists in UK have found the first evidence linking brain function variations between the left and right sides of the brain to size at birth and the weight of the placenta.

The finding could shed new light on the causes of mental health problems in later life.

The research, conducted at the University of Southampton ... Original source on Gaea Times at : Brain function linked to birth size in new study.

Boys get greater rush, more energy from caffeine than girls

WASHINGTON - A new study has found that boys get a greater rush and more energy from caffeine than girls.

Results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response study of the response of youth also showed that boys felt that caffeine had a positive effect on their athletic performance. Girls didn’t report on this issue.

It is the first .... Original article on Gaea Times at  : Boys get greater rush, more energy from caffeine than girls.

Low levels of anti-aging hormone may be an indicator of kidney disease

WASHINGTON - UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that low levels of the anti-aging hormone Klotho may serve as an early warning sign of the presence of kidney disease and its deadly cardiovascular complications.

Using mice, investigators found that soft-tissue calcification, a common and serious side effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD), improves when Klotho .... Source article on Gaea Times at  : Low levels of anti-aging hormone may be an indicator of kidney disease.

Scheduled deliveries increase risks for mums, do not benefit newborns

WASHINGTON - A new study has suggested that inducing labor without a medical reason is linked with negative outcomes for mothers, including high rates of cesarean delivery, greater blood loss and longer stay in the hospital, and it has no benefit for the newborns too.

As the number of scheduled deliveries continues to climb, it is .... Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scheduled deliveries increase risks for mums, do not benefit newborns.

Powerful solar flare disrupts ground communications on Earth

WASHINGTON - An internationally known space weather expert has said that a powerful solar flare that has triggered one of the largest space weather storms in at least four years has disrupted some ground communications on Earth.

Classified as a Class X flare, the Feb. 15 event also spewed billions of tons of charged particles toward ... Read more »»».

What rat whiskers can tell us about the sense of touch

WASHINGTON - Scientists are studying how rats use their whiskers to sense the environment around them to convert the sense of touch with movement.

Rats, using their whiskers, can determine all of an object’s spatial properties, including size, shape, orientation and texture.

“The big question our laboratory is interested in is how do animals, including humans, actively ... Original article on : What rat whiskers can tell us about the sense of touch.

Scientists find proteins that reverse learning problems in Down's mice

LONDON - In a new study, scientists were able to reverse developmental problems in mice that had Down’s syndrome by injecting their mothers with two proteins while they were still in the womb.

However, the treatment would carry many risks for humans, so the team wondered whether the proteins might also help adult mice.

The mice had ... Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists find proteins that reverse learning problems in Down’s mice.

How couples recover after argument depends on their infant relationships

WASHINGTON - A University of Minnesota research has suggested that couples’ ability to bounce back from a fight may depend on what both partners were like as infants.

The researchers have been following a cohort of people since before they were born, in the mid-1970s. When the subjects were about 20 years old, they visited the .... Source article on Gaea Times at  : How couples recover after argument depends on their infant relationships.

Being multilingual sharpens the brain

WASHINGTON - According to researchers, being able to speak more than one language sharpens the brain.

The study indicates that bilingual speakers can outperform monolinguals in prioritising tasks and working on multiple projects at one time.

“We would probably refer to most of these cognitive advantages as multi-tasking. Bilinguals seem to be better at this type of .... Original article on Gaea Times at  : Being multilingual sharpens the brain.

190mn-yr-old bird-hipped dino fossils found in Antarctic mountains

WASHINGTON - Palaeontologists have discovered the fossil remains of fabrosaur, about 190 million years old in the Antarctic mountains.

William Hammer of Augustana College found the fossils belonging to ornithischian or bird-hipped dinosaur that he believes is related to the fabrosaur or heterodontosaur.

The remains came from a site on Mt. Kirkpatrick, in the Central Trans-Antarctic Mountains, .... Read the original article  : here.

Dogs' human-like social skills make them man's best friend

LONDON - A new study has found out that dogs possess certain human-like social skills that even chimpanzees, our closest relatives, do not, and maybe that’s why they are termed man’s best friend.

Researchers at the University of Porto, in Portugal, explained that dogs have a quality called ‘emotional contagion,’ which allows them to respond even ... Read this article on Gaea Times at : Dogs’ human-like social skills make them man’s best friend.

NASA sets launch date for space shuttle Discovery mission - Feb 24

WASHINGTON - NASA has announced the launch of space shuttle Discovery yet again - the shuttle will begin an 11-day mission to the International Space Station with a launch at 4:50 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 24, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Senior NASA and contractor managers said the shuttle and station’s equipment, support ... Read more »».

How lithium in ordinary tap water increases lifespan in humans

WASHINGTON - A new study has found that lithium, which is found in vegetables and drinking water, can increase life expectancy in humans.

Professor Dr. Michael Ristow’s team along with Japanese colleagues from universities in Oita and Hiroshima demonstrated the physiological function of lithium.

To test their theory, the scientists examined the impact of lithium in a ... Read this article on Gaea Times at : How lithium in ordinary tap water increases lifespan in humans.

Cold, misty morning in Delhi

NEW DELHI - It was a cold and misty morning in the capital Saturday with the minimum temperature settling at a notch below the normal at 10 degrees Celsius.

The weather office has forecast partly cloudy sky later during the day with the maximum temperature expected to settle around 24 degrees Celsius.
The humidity levels .... Source  : Cold, misty morning in Delhi.

NASA to launch shuttle Discovery Feb 24

WASHINGTON - The space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to begin its final flight to the International Space Station Feb 24. It will carry a human-like robot to the permanent station, NASA said.

The Discovery’s 11-day mission will start at 2050 GMT, the US space agency said Friday.
Discovery’s launch date was announced at the conclusion .... Original source  : NASA to launch shuttle Discovery Feb 24.

Energy drinks linked to psychotic episodes in people with mental illness

SYDNEY - An expert has warned that caffeinated energy drinks may trigger a psychotic episode in people with mental illness.

The warning was issued after a 27-year-old schizophrenic Maori man had two separate psychotic events a week apart following his intake of the drink ‘Demon Shot’.

Professor David Menkes said these events took place at a time ... Original source on Gaea Times at : Energy drinks linked to psychotic episodes in people with mental illness.

Health warning for kids over new 3D games console

LONDON - Experts have raised health concerns over the new 3D games console that creates 3D images without the need for glasses and goes on sale in Japan this week.

The Nintendo 3DS promises unique ‘eye-popping’ entertainment, but ends up giving nausea, sore eyes and dizzying headaches, reports the Independent.

Already it carries a list of health ... Read more >>>.

Kepler space telescope listens to 'music of the stars'

LONDON - The Kepler space telescope is significantly better at measuring the sizes and ages of stars - when it ‘listens’ to the sounds they make.

Bill Chaplin of the University of Birmingham told the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science that Kepler was an exquisite tool for what is called ... Read more : Kepler space telescope listens to ‘music of the stars’.

'Man boobs' much more common than previously thought: Study

SYDNEY - Man boobs are every man’s worst nightmare. And the condition that causes it may be occurring more frequently than previously thought, according to a new study.

Researchers from Andrology Australia and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute said that up to half of those afflicted by Klinefelter syndrome - a genetic condition caused by an ... Read : ‘Man boobs’ much more common than previously thought: Study.

Drinking a glass of wine daily 'helps ward off dementia'

LONDON - Scientists have found that a daily cocktail or glass of wine could help delay dementia.

Their research has shown that alcohol is an anti-inflammatory (inflammation promotes Alzheimer’s) and raises good HDL cholesterol, which helps ward off dementia.

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Centre in North Carolina found that older people who ... Read more »»».

Forget taking appointments, an online GP is just a click away

LONDON - In future, you may not need to take an appointment to see your doctor at the hospital. ritain’s first online GP service DrThom surgery in Central London is responding to hundreds of medical queries, which flood into their email inboxes daily, reports the Daily Mail.

It offers a remote diagnosis service for a .... Read the original article  : Forget taking appointments, an online GP is just a click away.

10 ways to keep your mind sharp revealed

WASHINGTON - If you don’t want your brain to lose its prowess as you age, better follow these tips.

Do something

Scientists are starting to think that regular aerobic exercise may be the single most important thing you can do for the long-term health of your brain. For mental fitness, aim for at least 30 minutes .... Source  : Gaea News Network.

Misty morning in Delhi, showers likely

NEW DELHI - A cold morning greeted Delhiites Sunday while a veil of mist covered parts of the city as the minimum temperature settled at 10.3 degrees Celsius, a notch below the average for the season. The weatherman forecast rain towards the evening.

“The sky was partly cloudy, and misty in the morning. The temperature ... Read this article on Gaea Times at : Misty morning in Delhi, showers likely.

What users should know about new internet protocols

BERLIN - Many web surfers don’t know it, but the introduction of new internet address standards might change the way they get online.

Since the supply of usable addresses governed by the IPv4 standard (internet protocol, version 4) has been exhausted, IPv6 has now been introduced. This will allow a previously impossible variety of addresses, .... Original article  : What users should know about new internet protocols.

New satellites to be able to predict earthquakes

LONDON - A team of British and Russian scientists have launched a project that could predict when and where earthquakes will occur, and thus save thousands of lives.

An agreement to work together on the project, that was signed in Moscow, says the TwinSat project involves the launch of two satellites - one is about .... Source article on Gaea Times at  : New satellites to be able to predict earthquakes.

Retire old monkeys, urges Anderson; animals fine, says AIIMS

NEW DELHI - With Hollywood celebrity Pamela Anderson taking up the cause of the ageing monkeys kept caged at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the premier health institute Saturday insisted the animals are kept in upgraded and humane conditions.

Firstly, we are yet to ascertain the .... Original article  : Retire old monkeys, urges Anderson; animals fine, says AIIMS.

Scientists enhance efficacy of TB vaccine

WASHINGTON - Researchers have improved the efficacy of the vaccine for tuberculosis.

The work was done by Nele Festjens and Nico Callewaert of VIB and Ghent University.

The new vaccine affords - as already proven in mice - better protection against the disease.

“Our vaccine is more effective because it is more quickly recognized by the immune .... Read the original article  : Scientists enhance efficacy of TB vaccine.

Infants raised in bilingual households can distinguish unfamiliar languages

WASHINGTON - A psychologist at the University of British Columbia has revealed that infants raised in households where Spanish and Catalan are spoken can discriminate between English and French just by watching people speak, even though they have never been exposed to these new languages before.

Janet Werker’s latest findings provide further evidence that exposure to ... Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Infants raised in bilingual households can distinguish unfamiliar languages.

8 in 10 web browsers vulnerable to hackers, criminals

LONDON - A research has found that as many as 8 in 10 web browsers are vulnerable to hackers and criminals because they are not kept up-to-date.

The vast majority of users are not following the basic precaution of installing patches for known security holes, making them a relatively easy prey for identity thieves and other ... Read : 8 in 10 web browsers vulnerable to hackers, criminals.

How misfolded protein spreads from cell to cell, potentially spreading disease

WASHINGTON - A new study has found that one misfolded protein may be all that’s necessary to corrupt other proteins, forming large aggregations linked to several incurable neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Stanford biology Professor Ron Kopito has shown that the mutant, misfolded protein responsible for Huntington’s disease can move from cell to ... Read more »»».

Why innocent suspects may confess to a crime

WASHINGTON - A new Iowa State University study has examined why innocent suspects may confess to a crime.

In two experiments simulating choices suspects face in police interrogations, undergraduate subjects altered their behavior to confess to illegal activities in order to relieve short-term distress (the proximal consequence) while discounting potential long-term (distal) consequences.

“The thing about these .... Original source  : Why innocent suspects may confess to a crime.

Multiple approaches needed to solve world's food problems

WASHINGTON - A Penn State biologist has said that researchers need to use all available resources in an integrated approach to put agriculture on a path to solve the world’s food problems while reducing pollution.

“Using resources more efficiently is what it will take to put agriculture on a path to feed the expected future population .... Source article on Gaea Times at  : Multiple approaches needed to solve world’s food problems.

Africa's SKA telescope to shed light on the'dark ages'

WASHINGTON - With significant scientific breakthroughs, Africa’s bid to build the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope - which will for the first time provide mankind with detailed pictures of the ‘dark ages’ 13.7 billion years back in time - is gaining momentum.

An important milestone was reached with the ‘detection of fringes’ in a joint very ... Original source on Gaea Times at : Africa’s SKA telescope to shed light on the’dark ages’.

Depression increases over time for addiction-prone women

WASHINGTON - A new study led by University of Michigan Health System researchers has found that unlike alcohol problems and antisocial behavior, depression doesn’t decline with age in addiction-prone women in their 30s and 40s - it continues to increase.

The longitudinal analysis examined the influences of the women’s histories, family life and neighborhood instability [..] Read the original article: here.

New device to detect lung pathogens causing pneumonia

LONDON – Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new sampling device that could prevent thousands of people worldwide from dying of pneumonia each year.

The new device called PneumoniaCheck is a solution to the problem of diagnosing pneumonia.

Pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs, kills about 2.4 million people each year. The problem … Read more »»».

Life in the Metro: A networking site to find love, pals

NEW DELHI – Here’s good news for Delhi Metro users. If you are bored of commuting alone and eager to find a match or make friends, there is a social networking site just for you.

The brainchild of 24-year-old management student Sameer Suri, the portal www.metromates.in is fast becoming popular among young Metro commuters.
…. Read the original article  : here.

Starless planets could be warm enough for human survival: Study

LONDON – It seems that starless planets may be able to harbour human life after all.

In what has offered new possiblies of life around the galaxy, it has emerged that water can remain in its liquid form even in a starless planet.

Regardless of the force of gravity among planets – that could cause the ejection …. Original article  : Starless planets could be warm enough for human survival: Study.

How you can cut the risk of being affected by dementia

WASHINGTON – With age, a person’s risk for dementia increases – now Swedish scientist Laura Fratiglioni has shown how everyone can minimize this risk.

Laura Fratiglioni’s research group at Karolinska Institutet has shown that the risk is partly determined by an individual genetic susceptibility, and that active involvement in mental, physical and social activities can delay …. Read the original article  : How you can cut the risk of being affected by dementia.

‘Skin-printing’ device could rebuild damaged, burnt skin

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine are working on a specialized skin “printing” system that could be used to rebuild damaged or burned skin.

The researchers were inspired by standard inkjet printers found in many home offices, reports the CNN.

“We started out by taking a typical desktop inkjet cartridge. Instead of … Read more >>>.

How it may be now possible to leave your body and enter another!

WASHINGTON – In a series of studies, a Swedish neuroscientist has found that the brain’s perception of its own body can alter remarkably.

Through the coordinated manipulation of the different senses, subjects can be made to feel that their body suddenly includes artificial objects or that they have departed their body entirely to enter another. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : How it may be now possible to leave your body and enter another!.

Fish ‘n’ chips taste better beside the seaside, say experts

LONDON – Psychologists have said that fish and chips taste much better when you eat them using your fingers and at the seaside.

It’s not just the touch, look, smell and taste of the fries but also the right “ambient sound,” like waves crashing on to the shore that can make all the difference.

“Given the association …. Source article  : Fish ‘n’ chips taste better beside the seaside, say experts.

Now, a smart way to control molecules for new breed of electronics

LONDON – An Arizona State University researcher has demonstrated a smart way of controlling electrical conductance of a single molecule, by exploiting its mechanical properties.

This may prove useful in designing of ultra-tiny electrical gadgets, created to perform myriad useful tasks, from biological and chemical sensing to improving telecommunications and computer memory.

Nongjian ‘NJ’ Tao, of the …. Source  : Now, a smart way to control molecules for new breed of electronics.

Mimicking photosynthesis key to inexpensive solar-powered jet fuel

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the Penn State University have said that making cheap hydrogen for automotive or jet fuel is possible by mimicking photosynthesis.

“We are focused on the hardest way to make fuel. We are creating an artificial system that mimics photosynthesis, but it will be practical only when it is as cheap as …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Quantum dots’ technology to make solar cells more efficient, cheaper

WASHINGTON – Stanford researchers have developed a new technology that would increase the efficiency of solar cells three-fold and could lead to cheaper, more efficient solar panels.

The researchers stated that by adding a single layer of organic molecules such efficiency could be attained.

These solar cells used tiny particles of semiconductors called ‘quantum dots.’ Quantum …. Read the original article  : ‘Quantum dots’ technology to make solar cells more efficient, cheaper.

Effective family planning in developing countries may limit population growth

WASHINGTON – Experts have said that an effective family planning in developing countries could control the population growth, projected to peak at more than 9 billion people by 2050.

A new research has suggested that prevention of unwanted births may actually be a larger factor for the decline in fertility rates in developing, low-income countries.

The advent …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Effective family planning in developing countries may limit population growth.

Finger-tapping to music could reveal how kids master speech

WASHINGTON – Researchers are one step closer to unlocking a medical mystery that has perplexed scientists for years – what causes people to stutter?ccording to University of Toronto speech-language pathologist Luc De Nil, finger-tapping beats could reveal such things as how children master one of the most complex tasks of all – speech.

“The rapid and …. Read the original article  : here.

Dispersing fungal spores over water kills malaria mosquito larvae

WASHINGTON – A new research presents a method of dispersing pathogenic fungi as a means of preventing the spread of malaria.

Malaria is spread by mosquitoes which breed in open water and spend much of their larval stage feeding on fungi and microorganisms at the water surface.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are over 200 …. Original source  : Dispersing fungal spores over water kills malaria mosquito larvae.

World population to hit 9bn in 2050 – true or false?

WASHINGTON – The United Nations has predicted that the Earth’s population will reach seven billion this year, and climb to nine billion by 2050, peak at 9.5 billion, stabilize temporarily, and then decline.

However, population experts have said that the actual population trajectory is highly uncertain.

What could happen depends on trends in fertility and mortality-and both …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : World population to hit 9bn in 2050 – true or false?.

Spent nuclear fuel ‘is anything but waste’, says expert

WASHINGTON – An expert has claimed that spent nuclear fuel, which includes some plutonium, often is inaccurately referred to as waste but it’s not.

The US’s inability to recycle spent nuclear fuel has put the superpower far behind other countries and represents a missed opportunity to enhance the nation’s energy security and influence other countries, he … Read more »».

Now, easy to wear, more accurate watch-like device to measure BP

WASHINGTON – The way patients’ blood pressure is measured is set to improve thanks to a new blood pressure measurement device.

The new approach, invented by scientists at the University of Leicester and in Singapore, has the potential to enable doctors to treat their patients more effectively because it gives a more accurate reading than the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Now, easy to wear, more accurate watch-like device to measure BP.

Shocking images reveal oil spill still stuck at the bottom of the Gulf

LONDON – A scientist has shown that oil from the BP spill still remains stuck on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

Samantha Joye, a professor at the University of Georgia, has video and slides that she says demonstrate the oil isn’t degrading as hoped and has decimated life on parts of the sea floor, … Original article on : Shocking images reveal oil spill still stuck at the bottom of the Gulf.

How climate change can affect our health within 30 years

WASHINGTON – Scientists have demonstrated how climate change could increase exposure and risk of human illness originating from ocean, coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems, with some studies projecting impacts to be felt within 30 years.

Using cutting-edge technologies to model future ocean and weather patterns, Stephanie Moore, with NOAA’s West Coast Center for Oceans and Human …. Source article  : How climate change can affect our health within 30 years.

Volcano erupts in the Philippines

MANILA – A volcano erupted Monday in central Philippines with ash reaching as high as two km, authorities said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) said a deafening noise was reported at 9.15 a.m.
Ash from the steam-triggered eruption hit as high as two km, Xinhua news agency quoted an official Renato Solidum … Read more : Volcano erupts in the Philippines.

Story repetition helps kids acquire new vocabulary

SYDNEY – Academics have indicated that children who demand the same story be read to them over and over again may be learning more than those who choose a different tale every time.

Research at the University of Sussex has found that repetition in reading storybooks is more likely to help a child acquire a new …. Read the original article  : here.

Booze will ‘kill 250K people in the UK over the next 20 yrs’

LONDON – Health experts have warned that alcohol consumption will kill up to 250,000 extra people in England and Wales over the next 20 years.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show there were 8,664 such deaths in the UK during 2009 – up from 6,884 in 2000.

But three leading experts have claimed that we … Original article on : Booze will ‘kill 250K people in the UK over the next 20 yrs’.

Climate change affecting safety of world’s food supplies: Study

WASHINGTON – A Michigan State University professor has said that climate change is already having an effect on the safety of the world’s food supplies and unless action is taken it’s only going to get worse.

“Accelerating climate change is inevitable with implications for animal products and crops,” said Ewen Todd, an MSU professor of advertising, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Climate change affecting safety of world’s food supplies: Study.

Skin cancer’s influence on quality of life ‘more substantial for women’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that women experience more health-related quality of life issues than men for up to 10 years following a diagnosis of the skin cancer melanoma.

“Although the prognosis is relatively good for about 80 percent of patients with melanoma, they remain at risk for disease progression and have an increased … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Skin cancer’s influence on quality of life ‘more substantial for women’.

Bone-anchored hearing aids ‘beneficial’ for hearing-impaired kids

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that bone-anchored hearing aids appear helpful in improving hearing and quality of life in children with hearing loss in one or both ears.

“Since its introduction more than 30 years ago, the bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) has become an established treatment option for auditory rehabilitation in patients with chronic … Read more : Bone-anchored hearing aids ‘beneficial’ for hearing-impaired kids.

Men in noisy jobs likelier to suffer hearing problems, heart diseases

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that being male and having a noisy job could increase the risk of hearing impairment and cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged adults.

“The severity of this condition has been shown to be associated with a poorer quality of life, communication difficulties, impaired activities of daily living, dementia, and cognitive dysfunction,” [..] Read the original article: here.

First harmful algal bloom species genome sequenced

WASHINGTON – A team of researchers including U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) scientists led by Igor Grigoriev has successfully completed and annotated the first genome sequence of a (harmful algal bloom) HAB species: Aureococcus anophagefferens.

Algae play key roles in the global carbon cycle, sometimes helping sequester significant amounts of carbon … Read : First harmful algal bloom species genome sequenced.

Seaweed may provide new drugs to fight malaria

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology say that a type of tropical seaweed may hold the key to producing the next generation of treatments for malaria.

A group of chemical compounds used by a species of tropical seaweed to ward off fungus attacks may have promising anti-malarial properties for humans.

The compounds are … Read more : Seaweed may provide new drugs to fight malaria.

High cholesterol, high BP in middle age linked to early memory problems

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that middle-age men and women who have cardiovascular issues, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, may not only be at risk for heart disease, but for an increased risk of developing early cognitive and memory problems as well.

For the study, 3,486 men and 1,341 women …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : High cholesterol, high BP in middle age linked to early memory problems.

Diseased heart valve replaced through small hole in the leg

WASHINGTON – Physicians in the US have implanted a new investigational heart valve in a patient through a small puncture hole in the leg.

Dale Wilber, 69-year-old retiree from Arkansas, had the new valve implanted in Houston on Feb. 16, 2011. The disease restricted blood flow from his heart to his vital organs. This can weaken … Original article on : Diseased heart valve replaced through small hole in the leg.

Life of crime begins at 3 for some kids, say scientists

LONDON – Scientists have claimed that the seeds of criminal and anti-social behaviour can be found in children as young as three.

Prof Adrian Raine, a British criminologist, argued that abnormal physical brain make-up could be a cause of criminality, as well as helping to predict it.

His studies have shown that psychopaths and criminals have …. Original article  : Life of crime begins at 3 for some kids, say scientists.

New Facebook app pings you when your unavailable friends split up!

LONDON – A new application on Facebook called the Breakup Notifier sends you an email when the love of your life who is in a relationship with someone else, breaks up.

The app, designed by Dan Loewenherz, allows users to sign up for emails informing them of when their friends’ relationship status changes and it’s punch … Read more >>>.

LHC could prove ‘God Particle’ theory within 2 yrs: Experts

LONDON – Large Hadron Collider scientists have said that the existence of the so-called “God Particle” Higgs Boson theory could be proved within two years or it probably does not exist.

The LHC was to shut down at the end of this year but since it has been running so well, the date has been pushed …. Source article  : LHC could prove ‘God Particle’ theory within 2 yrs: Experts.

Now, a car that can be controlled by driver’s thoughts!

LONDON – German engineers have created a car, the direction and speed of which can be overridden by the driver’s thoughts.

The practical implication could be cars for people with disabilities that prevent them driving regular cars.

The semi-autonomous Volkswagen Passat has been christened “MadeInGermany,” reports New Scientist.

It’s fully capable of driving itself or interfacing with other … Read more >>>.

Light fog disrupts flights in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A light blanket of fog in the capital Tuesday morning led to the diversion of a few flights headed to the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, officials said.

“About three flights, including two international, were diverted due to foggy conditions,” an airport official told IANS.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), …. Read the original article  : here.

Did Neanderthals use feathers to deck themselves up?

LONDON – A new study has found that Neanderthals may have used feathers as ornaments most likely in the same manner they used shells.

Archaeologists say they have found evidence that Neanderthals were using feathers as ornaments 44,000 years ago.

Marco Peresani at the University of Ferrara in Italy found 660 bird bones mixed in with Neanderthal [..] Read the original article: here.

Cleanliness campaign planned by research institute

NEW DELHI – Announcing the launch of a national campaign for cleanliness, a research institute, ImagIndia, Monday called for forming a committee to find a solution to the problem of garbage in metropolitan cities.

The Delhi-based institute said in a statement: Why is our parliament not taking leadership and comprehensive action …. Original article  : Cleanliness campaign planned by research institute.

Proper care, not type on antibiotic, key to healing kids’ skin wounds

WASHINGTON – A new study has indicated that when it comes to curing skin infected with the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), timely and proper wound cleaning and draining is more important than the choice of antibiotic.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center originally set out to compare the efficacy of two antibiotics commonly …. Read the original article  : Proper care, not type on antibiotic, key to healing kids’ skin wounds.

Scientists study isolated islands to test limits of human existence

WASHINGTON – Scientists are studying an isolated segment of islands in the Pacific Ring of Fire to test the limits upto which humans can survive in extreme conditions.

The Kuril Islands are an 810-mile archipelago that stretches from Japan to Russia and were formed by a collision of tectonic plates. It has been learned that thousands … Read more »»».

Now, measure universe 3 times farther using super-sharp radio ‘eye’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have managed to increase their ability to measure the cosmos three times farther thanks to the super-sharp radio ‘vision’ of astronomy’s most precise telescope.

This may have important implications for numerous areas of astrophysics, including determining the nature of Dark Energy, which constitutes 70 percent of the Universe.

The continent-wide Very Long Baseline Array … Original article on : Now, measure universe 3 times farther using super-sharp radio ‘eye’.

Increasing triglyceride level ‘linked to high risk of stroke’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that increasing levels of non-fasting triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in men and women.

However, higher cholesterol levels were associated with greater stroke risk in men only.

Medical evidence has suggested that elevated non-fasting triglycerides are markers of elevated levels of lipoprotein remnants, particles similar …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Increasing triglyceride level ‘linked to high risk of stroke’.

Is groundwater clean and safe to drink anymore?

WASHINGTON – A researcher has examined society’s efforts to reverse and stop groundwater pollution, and the effectiveness of bioremediation technologies.

The technologies use microbes to clean up organic contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons (oil, gasoline or diesel) or chemicals used in the electronics or transportation industries.

Until now, the real difficulty has been in proving that the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Is groundwater clean and safe to drink anymore?.

Himachal to get more rain, snow

SHIMLA – Cold conditions will aggravate in Himachal Pradesh with the weather office here Wednesday forecasting more rain and snowfall over the next four days.

“There are chances of rainfall and snowfall in the state till Feb 26 as western disturbances would be active again in the region,” Meteorological Office director Manmohan Singh told IANS.
… Original article on : Himachal to get more rain, snow.

For a better day at work, smile like you mean it

WASHINGTON – Want to keep yourself happy and productive at work? Smile like you mean it, suggests a new study.

The research, led by a Michigan State University business scholar, suggests that customer-service workers who fake smile throughout the day worsen their mood and withdraw from work, affecting productivity.

But workers who smile as a result [..] Read the original article: here.

Backache problem is as old as the Stone Age

LONDON – An archaeologist has found that backache is not a modern problem – even cavemen suffered from it.

A damaged spine found in northern Spain, with other fossil evidence, suggests that back problems have been with us for millions of years.

The spine came from a man aged about 45 who lived over half a million … Original source on Gaea Times at : Backache problem is as old as the Stone Age.

NZ earthquake ‘a warning to North America’

WASHINGTON – The terribly destructive New Zealand earthquake that killed dozens and caused heavy damage is a warning to cities up and down the West Coast of North America, according to a researcher.

Even though Tuesday’s 6.3-magnitude earthquake was weaker than last year’s event, it was much shallower, was situated directly under Christchurch, hit during the …. Read the original article  : NZ earthquake ‘a warning to North America’.

Simple spit and blood test could reveal if you’re on the point of burnout

WASHINGTON – A new research suggests that simple spit and blood tests can detect burnout before it happens.

Researchers Sonia Lupien and Robert-Paul Juster of the University of Montreal also found that if burnouts are ignored they might put distressed workers at a greater risk of physical and psychological problems.

“We hypothesized that healthy workers with chronic … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Simple spit and blood test could reveal if you’re on the point of burnout.

Nano-solution to keep water free of infections

WASHINGTON – A new nanotechnology is likely to make drinking water a lot more safer and keep infections at bay by filtering out deadly bugs at the source.

Both – water molecules and bugs – are so tiny that they are measured by the nanometre, which is 100,000 times thinner than a human hair.
But …. Source article  : Nano-solution to keep water free of infections.

T-Rex was wily, not fearsome predator

WASHINGTON – T-Rex was more of an opportunistic feeder as wily as a hyena, rather than the fearsome predator of popular and cinematic imagination.

Paleontologists John “Jack” Horner, curator from the Museum of the Rockies, and Mark B. Goodwin from the University of California-Berkeley, described T-Rex as an opportunistic predator, like the hyena in Africa …. Read the original article  : T-Rex was wily, not fearsome predator.

Lesbian moms reluctant to seek help when abused: Stud

WASHINGTON – Two professors of University of Illinois have said that that lesbian mothers experience intimate partner violence are often reluctant to seek help for fear of losing custody of their children.

“A lesbian mom’s abuse situation is unique in that she fears losing her kids to the biological father or the state instead of the …. Original article  : Lesbian moms reluctant to seek help when abused: Stud.

New technology could serve as a future cancer predisposition test

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a new technology that detects distinct genetic changes differentiating cancer patients from healthy individuals and could serve as a future cancer predisposition test.

The research team, led by scientists from the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech, which includes researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, has created … Read more >>.

Use of nitrates increases bone strength: study

WASHINGTON – In a new study, scientists found that use of nitroglycerin ointment among postmenopausal women for 2 years was associated with a modest increase in bone mineral density and decrease in bone resorption (loss).

Nitroglycerin is used medically as a vasodilator (a drug that causes dilation of blood vessels) to treat heart conditions, such …. Original source  : Use of nitrates increases bone strength: study.

Midlife crisis is more hype than truth: Experts

WASHINGTON – Experts have suggested that the idea of midlife crisis being common is nothing but a myth.

Psychologist Margie Lachman of Brandeis University in Massachusetts has said that crisis are usually spurred by some event that can happen at any age, such as a career setback, the death of a friend or relative, or an … Read : Midlife crisis is more hype than truth: Experts.

CIA reveals James Bond-like spy gadgets

WASHINGTON – Robotic catfish, cameras in makeup compacts and secret documents in cigarette packs-all these things may sound like they come from a James Bond flick. But the Central Intelligence Agency used all these gadgets in reality, it has been revealed.

The US spy organization launched a complete overhaul to its cia.gov website, including new pages …. Read the original article  : CIA reveals James Bond-like spy gadgets.

Compound used to control cholesterol may also kill breast cancer

WASHINGTON – A new University of Missouri study has found that a compound used to control cholesterol may also kill breast cancer cells.

Salman Hyder, the Zalk Endowed Professor in Tumor Angiogenesis and professor of biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, and his research team discovered that a … Read more >>.

New study finds how Kleopatra got its moons

WASHINGTON – A team of French and American astronomers has found how the asteroid Kleopatra gave birth to two moons probably spawned by the asteroid sometime in the past 100 million years.

The team also confirms earlier reports that the asteroid is shaped like a dog bone.

“Our observations of the orbits of the two satellites of …. Original source  : New study finds how Kleopatra got its moons.

Why men may remain monogamous despite temptation

WASHINGTON – Men naturally find ovulating women more attractive, but deliberately play down this attraction if they are in a committed relationship, a new study has found.

Researchers at Florida State University looked at how relationship status influenced men’s attraction to a woman throughout her menstrual cycle, reports Discovery News.

They found that although men rated a … Read more »».

T.rex was ‘more hyena than lion’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that Tyrannosaurus Rex was an opportunistic feeder, not a top predator.

Palaeontologists John “Jack” Horner from the Museum of the Rockies and Mark B. Goodwin from the University of California, Berkeley, say that a new census of all dinosaur skeletons unearthed over a large area of eastern Montana shows … Original article on : T.rex was ‘more hyena than lion’.

Now plastic turned into power conductor

SYDNEY – Plastics used in insulating power cables can be made to conduct electricity with the help of a thin metal film, opening the way to plastic electronics.

Applying this technique, University of New South Wales researchers can now make cheap, strong, flexible and conductive plastic films.
Ion beam techniques are widely used in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now plastic turned into power conductor.

Kashmir in for another spell of snow, rain

SRINAGAR – Kashmir Valley is in for another spell of inclement weather with rain and snow likely at many places. Heavy snow and landslides have been predicted in the higher reaches during the next seven days.

“A western disturbance has hit the Valley today (Wednesday) and under its influence, rain and snow will occur at … Read : Kashmir in for another spell of snow, rain.

Speaking more than 2 languages may be good for your memory

NEW DELHI – A new study has suggested that speaking more than two languages may lower the risk of developing memory problems.

According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the finding was based on analysis of 230 men and women with an average age of 73 who had spoken or currently spoke … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Speaking more than 2 languages may be good for your memory.

Scientists name new dino species ‘thunder thighs’

LONDON – Scientists have named a new dinosaur species ‘thunder-thighs’, thanks to its huge thigh muscles.

The team from University College London recovered fossils from a quarry in Utah, US, which are fragmentary but enough to indicate that the creature must have possessed extremely powerful legs.

The fossilised bones of two specimens – an adult and a … Original article on : Scientists name new dino species ‘thunder thighs’.

Metaphors can sway thinking on crime fighting

WASHINGTON – Imagine robberies are on the rise, homes are being broken into, and murder rates have nearly doubled. What should city officials do – hire more cops and lock thugs away in prisons?

Your answer and the reasoning behind it, can hinge on the metaphor being used to describe the problem, according to Stanford …. Source article  : Metaphors can sway thinking on crime fighting.

Researchers 1 step closer to solving mystery of famous bluestones of Stonehenge

LONDON – Researchers are one step closer to solving the puzzle of how the famous bluestones of the Stonehenge originated.

New findings from geologists at the National Museum museum in Cardiff believe they have identified the source of one of the rhyolite types.

One type of bluestone, the so-called spotted dolerite, was convincingly traced to the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Researchers 1 step closer to solving mystery of famous bluestones of Stonehenge.

Scientists make volunteers experience illusion of having 3 arms

WASHINGTON – In an astounding experiment, scientists at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have shown that it is possible to make healthy volunteers experience having three arms at the same time.

The participant is seated at the table having a realistic prosthetic arm placed next to their right arm. The subject then sees her two …. Source article  : Scientists make volunteers experience illusion of having 3 arms.

Children living on farms ‘less prone to asthma than others’

LONDON – A new study has confirmed that children living on farms are significantly less likely to develop asthma than others.

The study conducted by an international team of researchers including Dr. Markus Ege and Professor Erika von Mutius of Children’s Surgical Clinic in the Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital (Medical Center of the University … Read more >>>.

NASA delays Glory launch for 24 hours

WASHINGTON – NASA has postponed the launch of its Glory spacecraft due to technical problems.

The launch of the spacecraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is currently planned for no earlier than Friday, Feb. 25 at 5:09 a.m.

Engineers from NASA and Orbital Sciences Corp. continue to troubleshoot the technical issue that arose during … Read more »».

Humans stink worse than other animals

WASHINGTON – While we tend to think of other animals as smelling more unpleasantly than we do, a new study suggests that the truth may actually be the opposite.

Strong body odor from sweaty adult human skin is unique in the animal kingdom. Humans turn out to be particularly smelly because odors are released from nearly … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Humans stink worse than other animals.

68pc of beaches in New England, Mid-Atlantic region eroding: Study

WASHINGTON – A U.S. Geological Survey report has reported that an assessment of coastal change over the past 150 years has found 68 percent of beaches in the New England and Mid-Atlantic region are eroding.

Scientists studied more than 650 miles of the New England and Mid-Atlantic coasts and found the average rate of coastal change …. Source  : 68pc of beaches in New England, Mid-Atlantic region eroding: Study.

Most people with ‘locked in’ syndrome are happy: Survey

LONDON – A new survey has found that despite living life using only rudimentary speech or limited movements such as blinking or moving eyes, most people suffering from the ‘locked in’ syndrome are happy with their lives.

In the largest survey ever of the condition, 72 per cent communicated that they were happy with their lot.

“Many … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Most people with ‘locked in’ syndrome are happy: Survey.

Chemist claims oil droplets mimic early life

LONDON – A new study by a chemist claims that oil droplets mimic early life in the manner they that creep purposefully through their watery environment, metabolize fuel, sense their surroundings and replicate.

Martin Hanczyc at the University of Southern Denmark put oil droplets in a highly alkaline solution (pH 12) and fuelled them with a … Read more >>.

‘Walking cactus’ sheds light on the evolution of insects, spiders

LONDON – Fossils of an extinct creature, dubbed the ‘walking cactus’ – that lived around 500 million years ago, could be arthropods’ lost relative, according to a new Chinese study.

The Diania cactiformis fossil, discovered in southwestern China, sheds light on how arthropods – the group of more than a million invertebrate species that includes insects, …. Original article  : ‘Walking cactus’ sheds light on the evolution of insects, spiders.

World’s coral reefs ‘at risk due to overfishing, climate change’

LONDON – A major new assessment says that three-quarters of the world’s coral reefs are at risk due to overfishing, pollution, climate change and other factors.

Researchers say that the biggest threat is exploitative fishing, though most reefs will be feeling the impact of climate change within 20 years.

The report is compiled by a group … Read : World’s coral reefs ‘at risk due to overfishing, climate change’.

People with low self esteem more prejudiced

WASHINGTON – When people feel badly about themselves, they’re more likely to show bias against people who are different, research shows.

Says Jeffrey Sherman of the University of California-Davis: “When we feel bad about ourselves, we can denigrate other people, and that makes us feel better about ourselves.”
Sherman and his co-author … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : People with low self esteem more prejudiced.

Shimla wrapped up in white blanket again

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh’s capital Shimla and its nearby tourist spots Thursday woke up to a white sheet of snow, turning the hill stations more picturesque. The minimum temperature recorded here was 0.8 degree Celsius.

This was the season’s fourth snowfall that froze the “Queen of Hills”, as Shimla was fondly called by the British.
…. Original source  : Shimla wrapped up in white blanket again.

Glowing trees to replace street lights? Impractical, says Aussie scientist

MELBOURNE – An Australian scientist has said that a radical idea to replace street lamps with trees that glow in the dark may not be as practical as it sounds.

Yen-Hsun Su of the Research Centre for Applied Science in Taiwan last year floated the idea of injecting leaves with gold nanoparticles in a bid … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Glowing trees to replace street lights? Impractical, says Aussie scientist.

Low cost filter to provide safe water in a jiffy

TORONTO – A low cost filter would provide safe drinking water in a jiffy during emergencies or at a short notice.

Floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes often spread infections like gastroenteritis, giardiasis and even cholera because of a dearth of clean drinking water.
Researchers have taken a key step towards making a cheap, portable, … Read more : Low cost filter to provide safe water in a jiffy.

Electric cars ‘are as dirty as diesel cars’

LONDON – The amount of pollution generated by electric cars is similar to that of a frugal conventional diesel car, according to UK consumer watchdogs.

Experts at Which? said electric cars are a lot more expensive to buy, though they are generally cheaper to run as they plug in for their power from the domestic mains. …. Source  : Electric cars ‘are as dirty as diesel cars’.

Despite high popularity, Facebook pulls the plug on ‘Breakup Notifier’

NEW YORK – It seems the idea of ’stalking’ their crush on Facebook had appealed to millions but the company has shut down the application.

The social networking giant pulled the plug on the application that allowed users to select “friends” whose relationship status they wished to closely monitor – or stalk, depending on your definition.

The … Read : Despite high popularity, Facebook pulls the plug on ‘Breakup Notifier’.

NASA delays Glory launch

LOS ANGELES – NASA announced Wednesday that it has postponed the launch of its earth-orbiting Glory Mission spacecraft due to technical problems, Xinhua reported.

During the final 15 minutes before Wednesday’s scheduled launch at 5.09 a.m. from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, the vehicle interface control console, a ground interface with Orbital Sciences’ Taurus … Read more : NASA delays Glory launch.

75 percent of world’s coral reefs under threat: report

WASHINGTON – About 75 percent of the world’s coral reefs are threatened by overfishing, coastal development, pollution, rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, a report released Wednesday said.

Named “Reefs at Risk Revisited”, the report was released by the World Resources Institute (WRI) along with the Nature Conservancy, the WorldFish Center and a network … Read more »»».

Dubai Hospital to be permanent training venue of IAEA

Dubai, Feb 23 (IANS/WAM) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has planned to use Dubai Hospital as the permanent venue for various training programmes and workshops organised by it in the Middle East region.

Dubai Hospital CEO Abdul Razzaq al-Madani said that the recommendation came at the conclusion of a training programme organised by …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Protein that could be new target to reduce damage after heart attack identified

WASHINGTON – Researchers have identified a protein that plays a key role in debilitating changes that occur in the heart after a heart attack.

These changes, or ‘remodelling’ of the heart, often lead to fatal heart failure.

Researchers found that mice genetically altered to lack fibronectin-EDA (FN-EDA) had less heart damage after a heart attack.

The findings … Read more »».

Transgenic fungi may help fight malaria: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that a genetically engineered fungus carrying genes for a human anti-malarial antibody or a scorpion anti-malarial toxin could be a highly effective, specific and environmentally friendly tool for combating malaria.

University of Maryland-led team of scientists said that this general approach could be used for controlling other devastating insect … Original source on Gaea Times at : Transgenic fungi may help fight malaria: Study.

Serotonin may play role in autism

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that serotonin plays a vital role in autism spectrum disorders.

In labs at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, scientists are studying strains of mice that inherently mimic the repetitive and socially impaired behaviors present in autism spectrum disorders.

Georgianna Gould, research assistant professor of physiology in the Graduate …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Serotonin may play role in autism.

Language use can go on a roller-coaster ride during childhood

WASHINGTON – A North Carolina State University study has found that language use can go on a roller-coaster ride during childhood as kids adopt and abandon vernacular language patterns.

“We found that there is a ‘roller-coaster effect,’ featuring an ebb and flow in a child’s use of vernacular English over the course of his or her …. Read the original article  : Language use can go on a roller-coaster ride during childhood.

Gene may explain how leopards got its spots

WASHINGTON – How did the leopard get its spots? How did the zebra get its stripes?

The answer may be a gene, which scientists have found governs colour patterns in deer mice, the most widespread mammal in North America.

This gene, called Agouti, is found in all vertebrates and may establish colour pattern in a wide … Read more : Gene may explain how leopards got its spots.

Shuttle Discovery heads to International Space Station on its final mission

WASHINGTON – US space shuttle Discovery has lifted off for its final flight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to deliver a new module and critical supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).

The STS-133 mission is delivering the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM), a facility created from the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module named Leonardo. The module …. Original source  : Shuttle Discovery heads to International Space Station on its final mission.

People who meditate have a stronger mind-body connection than dancers

WASHINGTON – A new study suggests that professional ballet and modern dancers are not as emotionally in sync with their bodies as are people who regularly practice meditation.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, tracked how closely the emotions of seasoned meditators and professional dancers followed bodily changes such as breathing and heart rates.

They found …. Source article  : People who meditate have a stronger mind-body connection than dancers.

Scalp cooling cap may help patients undergoing chemotherapy keep hair

WASHINGTON – Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center will conduct a feasibility study to test the use of a scalp cooling device that breast cancer patients will wear while undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

This will be part of the first significant study of the medical device in the United States.

The FDA has given approval for an investigational …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scalp cooling cap may help patients undergoing chemotherapy keep hair.

Strong link found between victimization experiences, substance abuse

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have discovered a strong link between victimization experiences and substance abuse.

The correlation is especially prevalent among gays, lesbians and bisexuals-more so than in heterosexuals, said Tonda Hughes, professor and interim head of health systems science in the UIC College of Nursing. Hughes is lead author … Read more >>.

Looking at a pic of a loved one ‘cuts pain by 44pc’

LONDON – Scientists at Stanford University have discovered that pictures of loved ones have the power to dull pain.

Their study showed that an image of a romantic partner dulls activity in the pain-processing areas of the brain, to the same degree as paracetamol or narcotics such as cocaine.

As part of the research, the brains of …. Source  : Looking at a pic of a loved one ‘cuts pain by 44pc’.

Probiotic to treat ulcers identified

WASHINGTON – Spanish scientists have identified a strain of probiotic bacteria that may be useful in treating ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori.

“H. pylori is considered one of the major risk factors underlying the development of gastritis and gastric and duodenal ulcers,” according to the researchers.

“Currently, antibiotic-based treatment for H. pylori infection is neither sufficient …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

12000-yr-old cremated remains of child shed new light on Ice-Age culture

WASHINGTON – The remains of a three-yr-old child in a newly excavated archaeological site in Alaska may provide rare insights into the burial practices of Ice Age peoples.

Archaeologists said the remains found at the site are the oldest human remains found in Northern North America, as well as the second youngest Ice Age child on …. Original article  : 12000-yr-old cremated remains of child shed new light on Ice-Age culture.

Home urine test measures insulin production in diabetics

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a simple home urine test that can measure if patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are producing their own insulin.

The urine test, from Professor Andrew Hattersley’s Exeter-based team at the Peninsula Medical School, replaces multiple blood tests in hospital and can be sent by post as it is …. Read the original article  : Home urine test measures insulin production in diabetics.

Is sex addiction really a disease or just a convenient excuse?

WASHINGTON – As sex scandals become more rampant, experts struggle to understand – is the craving for sex really a disorder or simply a convenient excuse to wriggle out of trouble?

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is debating whether sex addiction should be added to its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Ever since Tiger Woods’ … Read : Is sex addiction really a disease or just a convenient excuse?.

Emotional distress does not stop fertility treatment from working: Study

LONDON – Stress and tension do not stop fertility treatment from working, according to a new study.

Many infertile women believe that emotional distress (for example stress and tension) is a factor in not getting pregnant naturally or lack of success with fertility treatment. This view is largely based on anecdotal evidence and fertility myths such … Original article on : Emotional distress does not stop fertility treatment from working: Study.

A dog may be man’s best friend but a cat is woman’s!

WASHINGTON – While dogs are considered ever-friendly ready to follow you all over the place, cats are thought of as haughty creatures – but that may not be true – according to a new study, which claims cats attach to humans, and particularly women, as social partners.

Researchers at Konrad Lorenz Research Station and the University …. Read the original article  : A dog may be man’s best friend but a cat is woman’s!.

Damaged hearts could one day repair themselves, suggests mice study

WASHINGTON – Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that the mammalian newborn heart can heal itself completely.

Researchers, working with mice, found that a portion of the heart removed during the first week after birth grew back wholly and correctly – as if nothing had happened.

“This is an important step in our search for …. Read the original article  : Damaged hearts could one day repair themselves, suggests mice study.

Low vitamin D levels associated with allergies in children

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased likelihood that children will develop allergies.

Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, which headed the study, reached the conclusion by studying more than 3,000 children.

They looked at the serum vitamin D levels in blood collected in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Low vitamin D levels associated with allergies in children.

Showers forecast in Delhi Friday evening

NEW DELHI – The Indian capital is likely to have some showers Friday night, the meteorological department has forecast.

The capital recorded a meagre 1.5 mm of rain Thursday night which interrupted the Cricket World Cup-2011 match between South Africa and West Indies at the Feroz Shah Kotla towards its fag end.
The weather office … Original article on : Showers forecast in Delhi Friday evening.

Now, an ‘illusion cloak’ that shows you what’s not there!

LONDON – There was the invisibility cloak and this time it’s an illusion cloak – a device that can change an object’s appearance.

The technology could ultimately be used to hide military aircraft.

Wei Xiang Jiang and Tie Jun Cui at Southeast University in Nanjing, China, have created a structure that alters the manner in which way … Read more »».

Punjab, Haryana have rains, mercury dips

CHANDIGARH – Various parts of Punjab, Haryana and their joint capital city Chandigarh received light to moderate rainfall Saturday morning, slightly dipping the temperature in this region.

The region also witnessed showers late Friday night. However, Met department officials have forecast clear weather and bright sun in the coming days.
“We had light to moderate …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Punjab, Haryana have rains, mercury dips.

Indonesian mud volcano ‘likely to continue erupting for another 26 yrs’

WASHINGTON – Researchers have estimated that the world’s largest mud volcano, which left 13,000 families homeless, is likely to continue erupting for another 26 years.

The volcano, in East Java, Indonesia, first erupted back in May 2006, and – at its peak – was spewing 180,000 cubic metres of mud a day, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Indonesian mud volcano ‘likely to continue erupting for another 26 yrs’.

New mobile phone app ’spots cancer with 100pc accuracy in an hour’

LONDON – Scientists have developed a new mobile phone application that spots cancer – and is more accurate than the techniques routinely used in hospitals.

The smartphone-based system is up to 100 per cent accurate at telling the difference between benign tumours and their malignant counterparts, reports the … Read : New mobile phone app ’spots cancer with 100pc accuracy in an hour’.

Our willingness to listen to music is a biological trait

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers have examined the biological basis of listening to music.

In the study of University of Helsinki and Sibelius-Academy, Helsinki, 31 Finnish families with 437 family members were examined. The participants of the study were …. Read the original article  : Our willingness to listen to music is a biological trait.

Here’s how 5,300-yr-old Otzi the Iceman looked

WASHINGTON – Based on 20 years of research, this is how Otzi the Iceman might have looked: brown eyed, furrow faced bearded, and tired.

Realized by two Dutch experts, Alfons and Adrie Kennis, the model was produced with the latest in forensic mapping technology that uses three-dimensional images of the mummy’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Here’s how 5,300-yr-old Otzi the Iceman looked.

Google revamps to keep ‘low-quality’ sites at bay

MELBOURNE – Google has made amendments in the way it ranks web pages as it has been struggling to combat websites that have been able to game its system.

The Internet giant has been under fire recently over the quality of its results.

Google said it changed its mathematical formula …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Google revamps to keep ‘low-quality’ sites at bay.

IAEA reports new intelligence on Iranian nuclear weapon

VIENNA – A solution for the Iranian nuclear standoff moved further into the distance Friday, as international nuclear inspectors reported on new information pointing to recent nuclear weapons work and on Tehran’s plans to start a new nuclear facility by summer.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) pointed out in its report that because of … Original article on : IAEA reports new intelligence on Iranian nuclear weapon.

Sunny morning in capital, rains expected

NEW DELHI – Heavy downpour throughout the night paved way for a chilly Saturday morning, but the clouds soon cleared to make way for the sun. The weatherman has predicted light showers later in the day.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded 10.3 mm of rainfall from Friday 8.30 a.m to Saturday … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sunny morning in capital, rains expected.

Fresh snowfall drapes Shimla in white

SHIMLA – Shimla, the resort destination of Himachal Pradesh, received the season’s fifth snowfall early Saturday, making the destination more picturesque.

While Shimla saw a light spell, nearby places like Kufri and Narkanda experienced moderate snowfall, according to a Met official. Manali also received moderate snow.
The snowfall froze the “Queen of Hills”, as Shimla …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Fresh snowfall drapes Shimla in white.

Warm day for Delhi, rain likely by night

NEW DELHI – It was a warm, sunny day for the capital Friday as the maximum temperature settled at 25.5 degrees Celsius, a notch below the average for the season.

The weatherman has predicted some light showers towards the night.
“Light rain is expected towards late night. However, the minimum and maximum temperature would be … Read more »»».

Cow’s first milk could boost athletic performance

LONDON – Scientists looking for ways to boost athletic performance have found cow’s first milk promising in the treatment of the ‘leaky gut syndrome’.

Bovine colostrum, early milk produced for a few days after delivery of a calf, is apparently rich in immunoglobulins, proteins involved in promoting the immune system and fighting germs.
… Read more : Cow’s first milk could boost athletic performance.

Study finds how we recall ‘irrelevant’ info

WASHINGTON – A new study has looked at how older and younger adults encode and recall distracting, or irrelevant, information.

The results can help scientists better understand memory and aging.

“Our world contains so much information; we don’t always know which is relevant and which …. Source article  : Study finds how we recall ‘irrelevant’ info.

‘Super skin’ that can sense a fly land

WASHINGTON – ‘Super skin’ so sensitive to touch that it can sense a fly land on it has been developed and could allow robots or other devices to perform functions beyond what human skin can do.

Stanford University researcher Zhenan Bao is also self-powering the ’super skin’ with polymer solar cells. Besides being flexible, … Original article on : ‘Super skin’ that can sense a fly land.

Scientists discover waves in giant magnetic holes on Sun

WASHINGTON – Scientists from the University of Sheffield and Queen’s University Belfast have discovered giant magnetic holes on the surface of the Sun.he team of researchers has found large, dark regions, which look like holes on the Sun’s surface, mark out areas where the magnetic field breaks through from the Sun’s interior and rises into … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Scientists discover waves in giant magnetic holes on Sun.

Dairy colostrum ‘may be the key to Olympic success’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that bovine colostrum can massively reduce gut permeability, otherwise known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’.

Their findings could have positive implications not just for athletes but also for sufferers of heatstroke.

Gut disorders induced by exercise are common in runners – the body’s response to increased permeability is to clear the gut contents, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Dairy colostrum ‘may be the key to Olympic success’.

Change in PSA level poor predictor of prostate cancer

WASHINGTON – Change in PSA levels over time, known as PSA velocity, is a poor predictor of prostate cancer and may lead to many unnecessary biopsies, according to researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Several groups, including the National Cancer Center Network and the American Urological Association, recommend that men with high PSA velocity get a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Change in PSA level poor predictor of prostate cancer.

Green growth should not result in slow growth: Economic Survey

NEW DELHI – The Economic Survey released Friday has called for careful planning and customised policies to ensure that green growth strategies do not result in slow growth.

The survey tabled by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherkee in both houses of parliament said it was a challenge to maintain proper balance between green policies and growth …. Read the original article  : Green growth should not result in slow growth: Economic Survey.

Scientists illuminate cell pathway key to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes

WASHINGTON – Scientists have shed new light on the problem of insulin resistance, and identified the key participants in a molecular pathway that holds therapeutic promise for reducing the severity of type 2 diabetes.

Their … Read : Scientists illuminate cell pathway key to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.

World’s first android marathon flagged off

LONDON – It has begun – the world’s first pint-sized robos have set off on the world’s first robot marathon.

The event got under way in Osaka, Japan, today with five competitors trying to better each other over the full distance course, [..] Read the original article: here.

‘Practice of mindfulness’ can help people deal with life’s difficulties

WASHINGTON – An expert has suggested that the key to dealing with some of the challenges life throws at us – including pain, suffering, illness, grief and loss – is to truly appreciate the positive aspects of life, and not simply focus on the negative.

It is important to acknowledge the setbacks, but equal attention and …. Original article  : ‘Practice of mindfulness’ can help people deal with life’s difficulties.

Hundreds of ascetics march to save Yamuna

MATHURA – Hundreds of sadhus (ascetics) and Lord Krishna devotees from Mathura have left for Allahabad to begin their long march to New Delhi against pollution in the Yamuna river.

The sadhus of Braj Mandal — Mathura, Vrindavan, Goverdhan and Barsana — will begin the march from Sangam in Allahabad to the national capital [..] Read the original article: here.

Teenage birds sing better in female’s presence

WASHINGTON – Teenage male songbirds seem to improve their performance in the presence of female birds, new research says.

The finding sheds light on how social cues could offer insights into the way humans learn speech and other motor skills, and opens the way for rehabilitating people with brain injuries.
Like humans, songbirds learn … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Teenage birds sing better in female’s presence.

Meet the man who cooks nitrogen-dipped burgers, ultrasonic French fries!

WASHINGTON – Nathan Myhrvold believes that cooking is not just an art, but a science too – meet the man who cooks nitrogen-dipped burgers and ultrasonic French fries.

Author of 2,400-page, 625-dollar self-published book, ‘Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking’, Myhrvold, a former technology chief for Microsoft, combines science and his culinary skills to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Meet the man who cooks nitrogen-dipped burgers, ultrasonic French fries!.

Shaped pulses could make opaque film see-through

London, Feb 27 (ANI): A non-invasive technique for targeting cancer cells may soon become a reality, thanks to researchers who have found a new way of providing crystal clear vision through an opaque layer.

Some opaque materials allow small amounts of light through if they are in a thin enough layer. But as light passes through …. Source article  : Shaped pulses could make opaque film see-through.

Now, an iPhone app to find parking spots!

WASHINGTON – The headache of finding a parking space in a busy city may soon be eliminated by a new app available for iPhone users.

This 1.99-dollar app, called Parker, was created by San Francisco-based company Streetline in an attempt to bring the concept of parking into the 21st century, reports ABC News.

Parker works with a … Read : Now, an iPhone app to find parking spots!.

Shaped pulses could make opaque film see-through

LONDON – A non-invasive technique for targeting cancer cells may soon become a reality, thanks to researchers who have found a new way of providing crystal clear vision through an opaque layer.

Some opaque materials allow small amounts of light through if they are in a thin enough layer. But as light passes through the layer …. Read the original article  : Shaped pulses could make opaque film see-through.

Plankton shed light on Earth’s ancient atmosphere

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that plankton play a large part in understanding the origin of Earth’s first breathable atmosphere.

In a study, Ohio State University researcher Matthew Saltzman and his colleagues show how plankton provided a critical link between the atmosphere and chemical isotopes stored in rocks 500 million years ago.

This work builds on the …. Original article  : Plankton shed light on Earth’s ancient atmosphere.

Web-based tool supports sustainable living choices

WASHINGTON – Those who want to live sustainably can now measure their impact on the environment. Scientists have created a Web-based tool that calculates an individual’s ‘nitrogen footprint.’

The device was developed by University of Virginia environmental scientist James N. Galloway; Allison Leach, a staff research assistant at U.Va.; and colleagues from the Netherlands and … Read more : Web-based tool supports sustainable living choices.

Tracking device can tell you where your kids are

LONDON – Would you like to have the security of being able to find your children whenever you want? Then read this.

A wristwatch with a built-in tracking device can tell you exactly where your kids are – and allow you to speak to them at the flick of a button.

Edinburgh-based former acting Lance Corporal Dean …. Original article  : Tracking device can tell you where your kids are.

Himachal to see more rain, snowfall

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh may see more rain and snowfall till Wednesday due to which the region’s cold wave will continue, an official said Sunday.

“Moderate snowfall and rain are likely to occur at many places until March 2,” a met department official said.
The higher reaches in Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Shimla, Kangra, Kullu … Read more >>>.

Infants, toddlers too suffer mental illness

WASHINGTON – A new research has shown that infants and toddlers can suffer serious mental health disorders, yet they are unlikely to receive treatment that could prevent lasting developmental problems.

One barrier to mental health care for young children is “the pervasive, but mistaken, impression that young children do not develop mental health problems and are … Original article on : Infants, toddlers too suffer mental illness.

Endurance exercise thwarts premature aging

WASHINGTON – A study by McMaster University researchers has found that endurance exercise may stop you looking and feeling old, it may even help you live longer.

“We have clearly shown that there is no substitute for the “real thing” of exercise when it comes to protection from aging,” said Mark Tarnopolsky, principal investigator of the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Endurance exercise thwarts premature aging.

Can clams help clean oil-filled waters?

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Southeastern Louisiana University are studying the lowly Rangia clam, common in the waters of Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas and other brackish bodies of water, to determine whether they can help in cleaning oil-polluted waters.

The research is an outgrowth of the work that Phillip Voegel, assistant professor of chemistry, and one of … Read more »».

Oz women warned not to put motherhood on ice

SYDNEY – An increasing number of women are choosing to freeze their eggs for social reasons in the hope they will be able to have a child when they are older.

Now, experts in Australia have slammed fertility clinics in the country for giving false hopes to women whose fertility is declining, reports the Sydney …. Read the original article  : Oz women warned not to put motherhood on ice.

A cup of tea can improve brain power

LONDON – A new study has suggested that drinking tea not only improves brain power, but also reduces tiredness and increases alertness, thereby improving the performance.

For the study, Dutch researchers looked at the effect of key chemicals found in tea on the mental performance of 44 young volunteers, reports the Daily Mail.

The effects of these … Read more >>.

Study could lead to new ways of curtailing reproduction in harmful insects

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that insects continue to influence each other on molecular, cellular and physiological levels-even after the partners go separate ways once mating is done.

Mariana Wolfner, Cornell professor of molecular biology and genetics, said that molecules transferred from male to female fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) during mating cause a variety …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Study could lead to new ways of curtailing reproduction in harmful insects.

Scientists discover a new way insulin-producing cells die

WASHINGTON – Scientists in Italy and Texas have discovered a previously unknown cause of the death of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, a core defect in diabetes.

They discovered that the cells can die because of a toxic imbalance of a molecule secreted by other pancreatic cells

“Our study shows that neighboring cells called alpha cells … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Scientists discover a new way insulin-producing cells die.

Viral infection unlikely to advance deadly lung disease

WASHINGTON – A study conducted by researchers from the U.S., Korea and Japan has found that acute viral infection is not a primary cause of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive, deadly disease resulting in thickening and scarring of the lungs.

Previous studies had suggested viral infection might cause exacerbation of IPF in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

How HIV reactivates after entering a dormant state

WASHINGTON – A new study, conducted by US researchers, enhances the current knowledge of how human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), which causes AIDS, controls the cell cycle of cells that it infects.

The new findings offer insights into how the virus reactivates after entering a dormant state, called latency.

“As we better understand the biological events …. Original source  : How HIV reactivates after entering a dormant state.

Space shuttle Discovery docks with ISS for final time

Moscow, Feb 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) “What took you guys so long?” the commander of the International Space Station (ISS) asked the crew of US space shuttle Discovery, after it successfully docked at the ISS for its 13th and final mission.

Discovery Commander Steve Lindsey performed the manoeuvre at 2.14 p.m., while the two spacecraft were …. Original article  : Space shuttle Discovery docks with ISS for final time.

Radio-guided op safe, simple way to remove cancerous nodules in lung

WASHINGTON – Italian researchers have suggested that using tiny spheres of radioactive liquid to guide surgeons as they remove potentially cancerous material in the lungs is safe and more effective than other techniques.

Luca Bertolaccini, Alberto Terzi and colleagues from Santa Croce e Carle Hospital in Cuneo, Italy, studied a technique known as radio-guided surgery in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Radio-guided op safe, simple way to remove cancerous nodules in lung.

Targeted cancer drug more effective after first-line treatment

WASHINGTON – New trials have shown that targeted cancer drug Erlotinib has comparable efficacy to chemotherapy, and is better tolerated, in hard-to-treat cases where a patient’s cancer has progressed quickly after treatment with first-line therapy.

The study included only those patients whose disease had progressed under first-line chemotherapy.

“These patients have an extremely poor prognosis and few … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Targeted cancer drug more effective after first-line treatment.

Scientist urges ‘to take risk of a global Katrina seriously’

LONDON – A Brit top scientist has urged that the risk of a devastating space storm wreaking havoc like a ‘global Katrina’ and costing the world trillions of pounds should be taken ’seriously’.

Sir John Beddington, the Government’s chief scientist, said that the Sun was waking up from a quiet period and was likely to throw …. Original article  : Scientist urges ‘to take risk of a global Katrina seriously’.

Potential link between immunity, schizophrenia revealed

WASHINGTON – A new study from UC Davis has indicated that the number of connections between nerve cells in the brain can be regulated by an immune system molecule.

The research has also revealed a potential link between immunity, infectious disease and conditions such as schizophrenia or autism.

Schizophrenia, autism and other disorders are associated with changes …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Potential link between immunity, schizophrenia revealed.

Parents split worse for kids’ happiness than not having money

LONDON – A study has suggested that having parents split up is worse for a child’s happiness than not having money.

The Understanding Society project found that not living with both natural parents adversely affected a child’s ‘life satisfaction’ more than the household’s material situation, reports the Daily Mail.

In fact, neither poverty nor wealth influences happiness, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Parents split worse for kids’ happiness than not having money.

Earth is worth 3K pounds trillon, claims scientist

LONDON – An astrophysicist, who created a formula to calculate the value of planet Earth, has claimed that Earth is worth three thousand trillion pounds.

Greg Laughlin came up with the figure by calculating the sum of the planet’s age, size, temperature, mass and other vital statistics-and Earth came out as the most expensive, reports the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bitter drinks make you more judgmental: Study

LONDON – A new study has claimed that people who take bitter drinks become more judgmental because bitter tastes alters moral compass.

Kendall Eskine at the City University of New York and colleagues studied 57 volunteers who were asked to rate how morally questionable a set of scenarios were on a scale of 1 to 100, … Original article on : Bitter drinks make you more judgmental: Study.

Earth’s value: 3,000 trillion pounds

LONDON – A scientist has thought up of a formula to calculate the worth of planet Earth and has valued it at 3,000 trillion pounds.

Astrophysicist Greg Laughlin came up with the figure by calculating the sum of the planet’s age, size, temperature, mass and other vital statistics — and Earth came out as …. Original article  : Earth’s value: 3,000 trillion pounds.

US hookers flocking to Facebook to advertise their services

NEW YORK – A sociologist in the US has revealed that the number of hookers advertising their services on social networking site Facebook is on the rise.

Columbia University sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh studied the habits of 290 sex workers in New York and found that 83 percent rely on Facebook to lure customers.

“I estimate that by … Read : US hookers flocking to Facebook to advertise their services.

Want to live longer? Study hard!

WASHINGTON – If you want to live longer, pay attention at school, study hard, and go to college, according to a new study.

Researchers at Brown University’s Department of Community Health has found a correlation between the years spent in education and lower lifetime blood pressure along with a decrease in other factors, which influence health … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Want to live longer? Study hard!.

It’s official! Men have lower attention spans than women

LONDON – Do you struggle to make your man give attention to what you say? Well, now even science says that men have lower attention spans than women.

Also, women are far more likely to learn from experience than men, who immediately assume they know everything, reveals a new Abertay University study.

The revelations came to light … Read this article on Gaea Times at : It’s official! Men have lower attention spans than women.

Time for winged guests to bid adieu to Kashmir

SRINAGAR – With a rise in mercury, flocks of pochards, mallards, shovellers and other winged visitors are gearing up to bid adieu to the famous Hokarsar bird reserve here and head back to their summer homes in Siberia, China and Japan.

Thousands of them had made Jammu and Kashmir their home in the harsh winter.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Time for winged guests to bid adieu to Kashmir.

Australia’s green car completes world tour in $400

SYDNEY – A two-seater renewable energy vehicle crossed the finish line of a global zero emissions race covering 16 countries and 30,000 km in 80 days in only $400.

The Google-sponsored car Team Trev arrived at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Sunday night.
Initially designed by University of South Australia (UniSA) and driven …. Read the original article  : here.

Sunny morning for Delhi

NEW DELHI – Sunny, clear skies greeted Delhiites Monday morning as the minimum temperature settled at 10.5 degrees Celsius, a notch below the average for the season.

“Early morning mist will be cleared by bright, sunny skies. It is expected to be a warm day,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.
“The maximum … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sunny morning for Delhi.

Delay in disbursing funds to poor countries disappointing: Ramesh

NEW DELHI – Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh Sunday termed the delay in disbursement of fast-start funding by developed countries to poor countries as the “biggest disappointment” and “betrayal of trust”, saying this could make the atmosphere at the Durban climate change talks later this year “clouded with doubt and suspicion”.

“It is highly regrettable … Read more »».

Bright, pleasant day in Delhi

NEW DELHI – It was a pleasant day in the capital Sunday as the winter sun shone brightly and the maximum temperature stayed three degrees below average.

The maximum temperature was 22.6 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal (average), while the minimum was 12.6 degrees Celsius, normal (average) for this time of the season, said …. Read the original article  : Bright, pleasant day in Delhi.

Pump that bacteria use to resist drugs described

LONDON – Scientists have identified and described two parts of the three-part system that pumps toxins from bacteria and allows them to resist antibiotics.

The paper, led by Edward Yu of Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory, describes the co-crystal structure of two parts of the three-part efflux pump that recognizes and removes heavy metal …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Iran to remove fuel from its first nuclear power plant

TEHRAN – Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said the fuel placed inside the reactor of the country’s first nuclear power plant will be temporarily removed to run a number of tests, a media report said.

Upon Russia’s request, the fuel will be removed from the reactor core of the Bushehr … Read : Iran to remove fuel from its first nuclear power plant.

Man behind China’s first atom bomb dies

BEIJING – Zhu Guangya, who contributed to the development of China’s first atom and hydrogen bombs, died Saturday. He was 87.

Zhu was a senior academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He also served as vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, … Read more : Man behind China’s first atom bomb dies.

Pleasant Saturday in Delhi, rain threat looms

NEW DELHI – It was a pleasant, sunny day in the capital Saturday, with the maximum temperature staying below average levels. However, the city may experience showers late Saturday and Sunday, the weather office said.

There are chances of rain towards the night, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Delhi recorded 10.3 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pleasant Saturday in Delhi, rain threat looms.