Thursday, February 18, 2010

Science News – Newsletter for February 18, 2010

Thursday, February 18, 2010


No clear evidence that zinc supplements cut middle ear infections risk
LONDON – Consumption of zinc supplements may not necessarily cut down risk of middle ear infections or otitis media among children, a new study claims.

Katherine Abba, with the International Health Group of the Liverpool School of Tropical …. Original article  : No clear evidence that zinc supplements cut middle ear infections risk.

New sugar-based polymer to help compost plastic items at home
WASHINGTON – Scientists are developing a new sugar-based polymer that would make it possible to compost food packaging and other disposable plastic items at home, along with organic waste.

The degradable polymer is made from sugars … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New sugar-based polymer to help compost plastic items at home.

Millennia-old claims of systematic infant sacrifice in ancient Carthage debunked
WASHINGTON – A new study by University of Pittsburgh researchers has debunked the millennia-old conjecture that the ancient empire of Carthage regularly sacrificed its youngest citizens.

An examination of the remains of Carthaginian children revealed that most infants perished prenatally or … Read more »»».

Distinguishing ‘driver’ from ‘passenger’ mutations in cancer genome
WASHINGTON – A new research looking into cancer genome mutations has demonstrated how scientists can distinguish between the ‘driver’ mutations that drive cells towards cancer from the ‘passenger’ mutations that are a by-product of cancer cell development.

The study also found that at least one … Original source on Gaea Times at : Distinguishing ‘driver’ from ‘passenger’ mutations in cancer genome.

Consumers perceive non-profits as incompetent: Study
WASHINGTON – Consumers perceive non-profit organisations as being warm, but not particularly competent, says a new study.

Conversely, it found that people generally view profit-based companies as competent, but devoid of warmth, which puts people off.
“Across three experiments, we found that consumers hold stereotypes, or blanket impressions about non-profit and for-profit organisations,” write authors … Read more »»».

Scientists sequence genome of three species of parasitoid wasps
WASHINGTON – An international consortium of scientists has sequenced the genome of three species of parasitoid wasps of the genus Nasonia.

Parasitoid wasps are four times smaller than the common fruit fly. They lay …. Read the original article  : Scientists sequence genome of three species of parasitoid wasps.

Jets streaming from black holes have more complex shape than earlier believed
WASHINGTON – A new study has indicated that jets of particles streaming from black holes in far-away galaxies operate differently and have a more complex shape than earlier believed.

The research was led by scientists at the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, jointly located at …. Original source  : Jets streaming from black holes have more complex shape than earlier believed.

Origin of key cosmic explosions revealed
WASHINGTON – New findings from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory have shown that mergers of two dense stellar remnants are the likely cause of many of the supernovae that have been used to measure the accelerated expansion of the universe.

These supernovae, called Type 1a, serve as cosmic mile markers to measure … Original source on Gaea Times at : Origin of key cosmic explosions revealed.

Astronauts open seven eyelids on International Space Station
PARIS – Reports indicate that astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have opened the shutters on the seven Cupola windows on February 17, providing them with the first view of Earth from their new observation deck.

The Cupola is an observation and control tower with six …. Source  : Astronauts open seven eyelids on International Space Station.

Now a cancer detecting kit on the anvil
WASHINGTON – What if it were possible to buy a kit off the shelf for instant and accurate diagnosis of cancer, similar to a pregnancy test?

A Missouri University (MU) researcher is developing an acoustic resonant sensor (ARS), tinier than a human hair that could test bodily fluids for a variety of diseases, including breast …. Source article  : Now a cancer detecting kit on the anvil.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s DNA could pave way for medical cures
MELBOURNE – Four Kalahari Desert bushmen and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, from the ethnic Bantu group of southern Africa, have helped discover the first indigenous DNA sequence.

Dr Vanessa Hayes of the University of New South Wales was studying HIV in Africa, when she noted that the southern African population was not included in the genetic data … Original article on : Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s DNA could pave way for medical cures.

Physicists make it hotter than ever before
WASHINGTON – A team of physicists has created the hottest temperature ever recorded in the universe — 3.98 trillion degrees Celsius.

Two University of Colorado at Boulder (UC-B) physicists are part of a collaborative team working with the Brookhaven National Lab that accomplished the feat.
The team used Brookhaven’s giant atom smasher, the Relativistic Heavy …. Original source  : Physicists make it hotter than ever before.

Emotions influence our shopping preferences
WASHINGTON – Emotions tend to influence our preferences in buying goods, says a new study.

Researchers found that different positive emotions had drastically different effects on the outcome of a sale.
Vladas Griskevicius, of Minnesota University; and Michelle N. Shiota and Stephen M. Nowlis, of Arizona State University showed that product preferences varied depending on …. Source article  : Emotions influence our shopping preferences.

‘Anti-terror buggy’ unveiled at Indian Defence Expo
LONDON – Reports indicate that a mini armoured car, designed for use in confined spaces such as airports and hotels targeted in terror attacks, has gone on display at the 2010 Defence Expo – an Indian arms fair.

According to a report by BBC News, the battery operated, two million rupeeAnti-Terrorist Assault Cart (Atac) is said … Read more »»».

Revolutionary miniature ultrasound device for pain relief
WASHINGTON – A biomedical engineering graduate student at Cornell University has created a miniature ultrasound device that could one day introduce a whole new level of home therapy for arthritis, injury and other painful ailments.

George K. Lewis’ sleek blue-and-white device slips into a pocket and sends ultrasound waves deep into muscles via a coin-sized polystyrene …. Source article  : Revolutionary miniature ultrasound device for pain relief.

Permafrost might completely disappear in near future
WASHINGTON – A new research has revealed that the southern limit of permanently frozen ground, or permafrost, is now 130 kilometers further north than it was 50 years ago in the James Bay region in the US, a finding that indicates permafrost in the region might completely disappear in the near future.

The researchers measured the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Permafrost might completely disappear in near future.

Chhattisgarh village panics as jumbos run amok
RAIPUR – Residents of a village in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh are panic stricken after a herd of wild elephants demolished eight houses and have been camping there ever since.

“A group of wild elephants sneaked into Junwani village Monday night and brought down eight houses creating panic among some 150 villagers,” local forest official … Read more »».

Missing primitive stars outside Milky Way uncovered
MUNICH – New observations using ESO’s (European Southern Observatory’s) Very Large Telescope have uncovered the missing primitive stars outside the Milky Way galaxy.

“We have, in effect, found a flaw in the forensic methods used until now,” says Else Starkenburg, lead author of the paper reporting the study.
“Our improved approach allows us to uncover the primitive … Read : Missing primitive stars outside Milky Way uncovered.

Maine wind power industry feels push back from residents concerned about noise, blocked views

Maine residents push back against wind power farms

AUGUSTA, Maine – As wind power expands in Maine, the industry is feeling a gust of push back from those who worry about the turbines’ noise and impact on scenery and about whether too many towers are going up too fast.
“The wind industry has had a decade head …. Source article  : Maine wind power industry feels push back from residents concerned about noise, blocked views.

Chubby birds can reach breeding grounds faster than thin ones
BERLIN – In a new research, scientists have determined that chubby migratory birds can reach their breeding grounds faster by taking shorter breaks.

The research was carried out by a scientist from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen, Germany, and a team of Italian colleagues.
They measured the duration of the stopovers made by garden … Read more : Chubby birds can reach breeding grounds faster than thin ones.

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