Science News – Newsletter for March 1, 2011

Team achieves record 1 trillion bits per second speed on single chip

WASHINGTON – A development team at at Infinera Corp. in Sunnyvale, Calif. Has achieved a record one trillion bits per second (1 Terabit/s) speed on a single integrated indium phosphide chip.

“Traditional transponder-based system architectures are inflexible and costly and time-consuming to upgrade,” said Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagarajan, research fellow at Infinera and a senior member of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Team achieves record 1 trillion bits per second speed on single chip.

In the blind, brain parts used for vision can help understand languages

WASHINGTON – A new study claims that in blind people, the parts of brain that are used for processing vision, are recruited for language processing.

The find by MIT neuroscientists shows that the visual cortex can dramatically change its function and disproves that language processing can only occur in highly specialized brain regions that are genetically …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : In the blind, brain parts used for vision can help understand languages.

Lottery winners remain unchanged after windfall

LONDON – We often hear about lottery winners who have squandered all their prize money, incurred debts and become lonely and unhappy. However, the bulk of winners claim to carry on living normally, according to a German study.

“It’s common for people to say that ‘they are who they are’ as an explanation for … Read more >>>.

Jumbos kill 116 in Chhattisgarh in five years

RAIPUR – As many as 116 people were killed by elephants in Chhattisgarh in the past five years and government paid Rs.1.40 crore (Rs.14 million) compensation to their families, state’s forest minister Vikram Usendi told the state assembly Tuesday.

Replying to Congress member Premsai Singh Tekam, the minister admitted that wild jumbo menace was on …. Original article  : Jumbos kill 116 in Chhattisgarh in five years.

Anti-tumor drug that also fights flu virus

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that a drug, called DMXAA, originally developed as anti-tumor agent, also enhances the ability of flu vaccines to ward off this deadly virus.

Their study suggests that DMXAA could assist flu vaccines by causing the body to produce its own antiviral proteins, called interferons, which interfere with the virus’s ability to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Anti-tumor drug that also fights flu virus.

Parts of brain can switch functions

WASHINGTON – Evidence is mounting that brain regions can take over functions they were not genetically destined to perform, says a new study.

When your brain registers the aroma of your morning coffee or the sound of a honking car, that input gets shuttled to the appropriate brain region for analysis. The coffee aroma goes …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Parts of brain can switch functions.

40-million-year-old mating mites reveal sex role reversal

WASHINGTON – New research from the University of Michigan and the Russian Academy of Sciences describes an extinct mite species in which the traditional sex roles were reversed.

The evidence comes, in part, from 40 million-year-old mating mites preserved in Baltic amber.

“In this species, it is the female who has partial or complete control of mating. …. Original article  : 40-million-year-old mating mites reveal sex role reversal.

Oz firms develop first beer that can be consumed in space

MELBOURNE – Two companies in Australia have developed a beer that can be safely consumed in space.

With space tourism preparing to take off as early as next year, Saber Astronautics Australia and the Four Pines Brewing Company came up with the thirst quenching beer.

Jaron Mitchell, the founder of Four Pines, said the creation of space …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mums, not dads, pass on Alzheimer’s risk: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that a person is more likely to inherit Alzheimer’s disease from his/her mother than his/her father.

In general, people who have first-degree relatives with Alzheimer’s disease are four to 10 times more likely to develop the disease than people with no family history of Alzheimer’s disease, according to researchers …. Original source  : Mums, not dads, pass on Alzheimer’s risk: Study.

Soon, nasal spray vaccine to fight Alzheimer’s, stroke

WASHINGTON – Tel Aviv University researchers are working on a nasally delivered vaccine that promises to protect against Alzheimer’s as well as stroke.

The new vaccine repairs vascular damage in the brain by using the body’s own immune system and, in addition to its prophylactic effect, it can work even when Alzheimer’s symptoms are already present.

“Using …. Original article  : Soon, nasal spray vaccine to fight Alzheimer’s, stroke.

Make important life decisions when you really have to pee

WASHINGTON – What should you do when you really have to pee? Take important life decisions, perhaps, suggests a new study.

The research has found that controlling your bladder makes you better at controlling yourself when making decisions about your future.

Sexual excitement, hunger, thirst-psychological scientists have found that activation of just one of these bodily desires … Original article on : Make important life decisions when you really have to pee.

Copying strategies best for your genes: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that blindly copying what your parents did – no matter how stupid it may seem – could be the best strategy for the long-term success of your genes.

The research by Universities of Exeter and Bristol has shown that apparently mindless survival strategies-such as the long-distance migration of many …. Original source  : Copying strategies best for your genes: Study.

Movement to save the Yamuna gains momentum

AGRA/GOKUL – A movement launched by the ascetics and Sri Krishna devotees of the Braj Mandal to save the Yamuna river from pollution is now gaining momentum.

Hundreds of ascetics and activists have reached Sangam (confluence) at Allahabad from where a long march to New Delhi is to start Wednesday.
Chief organisers Radha … Read more »»».

Gut bacteria can control functions of organs: Study

WASHINGTON – A new research has found that bacteria in the human gut may not just be helping digest food but also could be exerting some level of control over the metabolic functions of other organs, like the liver.

These findings offer new understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and their gut microbes and how …. Original source  : Gut bacteria can control functions of organs: Study.

No kids ‘the secret to marital bliss’

WELLINGTON – Want your marriage to work? Then don’t have kids, according to a major UK study.

The research has found the magic formula for happiness in a relationship – and it doesn’t include kids, reports Stuff.co.nz.

As part of the study, researchers at the Institute for Social and Economic Research asked both people in a couple … Read : No kids ‘the secret to marital bliss’.

Old bones being used in development of new treatments for modern back pain

WASHINGTON – Scientists are using the bones of people who died up to a hundred years ago for the development of new treatments for chronic back pain.

The work is bringing together the unusual combination of latest computer modelling techniques developed at the University of Leeds, and archaeology and anthropology expertise at the University of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Old bones being used in development of new treatments for modern back pain.

Meteorites ‘may have sparked life on Earth’

LONDON – A meteorite discovered in Antarctica could strengthen the argument that life on Earth might have been kick-started from space, claim scientists.

Chemical analysis of the meteorite shows it to be rich in the gas ammonia. It contains the element nitrogen, found in the proteins and DNA that form the basis of life, as we …. Source  : Meteorites ‘may have sparked life on Earth’.

Water demand will exceed supply by 40pc within 20 yrs, warn scientists

LONDON – Scientists have warned that water demand in many countries will outstrip supply by 40 per cent within 20 years due to the combined threat of climate change and population growth.

Experts said a new way of thinking about water is needed as looming shortages threaten communities, agriculture and industry, reports the Daily Mail.

In the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Human stem cells from fat tissue successfully fuse with rat heart cells and beat

WASHINGTON – Scientists have successfully fused human stem cells derived from subcutaneous adipose (fat) tissue with muscle cells from rat hearts.

And, not only did these cells ‘talk’ to form new muscle cells altogether, but they actually beat, said researchers.

“Recovery of regenerative cells located in the stromal vascular fraction of a patient’s own subcutaneous tissue is …. Read the original article  : Human stem cells from fat tissue successfully fuse with rat heart cells and beat.

Acupressure effective in helping to treat traumatic brain injury

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that an ancient form of complementary medicine may be effective in helping to treat people with mild traumatic brain injury.

The study involved a treatment known as acupressure in which one’s fingertips are used to stimulate particular points on a person’s body – points similar to those stimulated with …. Source  : Acupressure effective in helping to treat traumatic brain injury.