Ancient DNA reveals caribou history linked to volcanic eruption

WASHINGTON – DNA recovered from ancient caribou bones reveals a possible link between several small unique caribou herds and a massive volcanic eruption that blanketed much of the Alaskan Yukon territory in a thick layer of ash 1,000 years ago.

Tyler … Read : Ancient DNA reveals caribou history linked to volcanic eruption.

Unravelling brain activity that drives impulsive behaviour in teens

WASHINGTON – A new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh suggests that internal and environmental factors trigger unique brain activity in teens that leads them to engage in impulsive, self-indulgent, or self-destructive behaviour.

According to lead researcher Bita Moghaddam, a professor …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New ovarian and breast cancer treatments

WASHINGTON – New medication, consisting of a blend of a protein inhibitor and traditional anticancer drugs, being developed to treat ovarian and breast cancer has been found to be effective, say researchers.

The finding has appeared in a new review for Faculty of 1000 Biology Reports.
Susan … Original source on Gaea Times at : New ovarian and breast cancer treatments.

Earthquake engineers release report on damage in Haiti

WASHINGTON – A team of earthquake engineers has released a report on the damage done in Haiti after the mega quake on January 12.

The five-person team sent to evaluate damage from the devastating magnitude-7 earthquake that struck Haiti found no …. Original source  : Earthquake engineers release report on damage in Haiti.

Scientists try to decipher “secret language” of elephants

LONDON – By using a microphone sensitive to low frequencies and a GPS tracking system, a team of researchers at San Diego Zoo has been studying what has been described as the “secret language” of elephants.

The elephant’s trumpeting call will be familiar to most people, but …. Original article  : Scientists try to decipher “secret language” of elephants.

Ice shelves attached to Antarctica are disappearing

WASHINGTON – Floating ice shelves attached to Antarctica are disappearing due to global warming, says a new study, adding that this is especially alarming because the shelves hold together the Antarctic ice sheet that covers nearly 98 percent of the continent.

As the ice shelves break off, it is easier for outlet glaciers and ice …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sunshine breaks through overcast sky in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH – An overcast sky and drizzle greeted Chandigarh and its surrounding areas Tuesday morning, but soon it was followed by bright sunshine.

Most parts of Haryana and some parts of Punjab also received mild rainfall during the early hours Tuesday.
“We had short spells of rain and drizzle in most parts of Haryana like … Read more : Sunshine breaks through overcast sky in Chandigarh.

Leopard injures several villagers in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – A leopard strayed out of a jungle and injured several villagers in Orissa’s Balasore district, a forest official said Tuesday.

The leopard had strayed out of the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
“The leopard had come out of the nearby sanctuary in search of food. When the villagers raised an alarm and started throwing stones at …. Original article  : Leopard injures several villagers in Orissa.

Beetle’s brilliant blue-green hue still preserved after 600,000 years

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found an iridescent blue-green beetle that looks like it did 600,000 years ago when it was alive, as its natural body colors have been preserved.

According to a report in Discovery News, the leaf beetle, Plateumaris sp., is one of just two such advanced age insect fossils that retain substantial original color … Read more : Beetle’s brilliant blue-green hue still preserved after 600,000 years.

Small earthquake rocks Assam

GUWAHATI – An earthquake measuring 4 on the Richter scale rocked Assam Tuesday, triggering panic among residents.

According to the Regional Seismological Centre in Meghalaya’s capital Shillong, the tremor was felt at 12.26 p.m in most parts of Assam. No casualties were reported in the first 90 minutes after the quake.
The epicentre was …. Read the original article  : Small earthquake rocks Assam.

Living in the trees may be the secret to longevity

LONDON – In a new research, scientists have determined that living in the trees may be the secret to longevity, at least in the evolutionary long run.

Evolutionary biologists have long predicted that natural selection should favour extending the lifespan of animals that live relatively safe lifestyles.
In fact, birds and bats, whose ability to fly helps …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Malicious software can invade smart phones, warns Indian American

WASHINGTON – Malicious software can now invade new generations of smart mobile phones, potentially with more serious consequences, says an Indian American computer scientist.

Smart phones are essentially becoming regular computers, said Vinod Ganapathy, assistant professor of computer science at the Rutgers University’ School of Arts and Sciences.
Ganapathy, who did his B.Tech. in Computer Science …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Malicious software can invade smart phones, warns Indian American.

UN says tougher targets needed to avert climate disaster

BALI ISLAND – Countries need to set tougher targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions if the world is to avert a climate-change catastrophe, according to a new UN report released Tuesday.

A study compiled by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that between 2020 and 2050, global emissions need to fall by between 48 and 72 … Read more >>>.

DNA evidence has enriched our understanding of human history on Earth

WASHINGTON – A collection of recent reviews has offered a timely update on how new genetic evidence, together with archaeological and linguistic evidence, has enriched our understanding of human history on earth.

“To understand what it is to be human, it is essential to understand the human past,” said Colin Renfrew of the University of Cambridge.
“Nearly …. Original source  : DNA evidence has enriched our understanding of human history on Earth.

An animal’s agility can be affected by the position of its eyes

WASHINGTON – A new research by scientists from the University of Liverpool, UK, has found that an animal’s agility can be affected by the position of its eyes.

The study sampled 51 species to compare the relationship between agility and vision between frontal eyed species to lateral-eyed mammals to establish if the positioning of the eyes …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : An animal’s agility can be affected by the position of its eyes.

Humidity affects influenza virus outbreaks

WASHINGTON – Dry winters are linked to seasonal outbreaks of influenza, suggests a new study.
The study, which has appeared in PLoS Biology, also discovered that the onset of outbreaks might be encouraged by unusually dry weather conditions, at least in temperate regions.

For a long time scientists have suspected a link between humidity and seasonal (epidemic) … Read more : Humidity affects influenza virus outbreaks.

‘Humanized’ mouse may offer liver disease treatments

WASHINGTON – Scientists have generated a mouse with an almost complete human liver.
The team, led by Salk Institute researchers, says this ‘humanized’ mouse is susceptible to human liver infections and responds to human drug treatments, providing a new way to test novel therapies for debilitating human liver diseases and other diseases with liver involvement such …. Original article  : ‘Humanized’ mouse may offer liver disease treatments.

Scientists identify tumour mechanism

WASHINGTON – A team of researchers has for the first time identified a key mechanism that makes certain cells become tumourous in the brain.

The resulting tumours occur most often spontaneously but can also occur in numbers as part of the inherited disease Neurofibromatosis type 2.
The tumours are caused by mutations affecting a protein called Merlin, …. Original article  : Scientists identify tumour mechanism.

Meet Linux’s Alex, the laptop for PC phobics!

LONDON – A new Linux based laptop called ‘Alex’ may be the right solution for people having trouble with their PCs.

With simplified e-mail, web browsing, image editing and office software, the new system apparently offers a nice change from the regular Windows and Mac operating systems.
“Alex is not designed as a super-computer,” BBC News quoted … Read more : Meet Linux’s Alex, the laptop for PC phobics!.

Non-invasive MRI effective for diagnosing testicular cancer

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an effective diagnostic tool for the evaluation and staging of testicular cancer and may improve patient care by sparing some men unnecessary surgery.

“Medical imaging plays an important role in the investigation of testicular masses,” said Athina C. Tsili, lead author of … Read more : Non-invasive MRI effective for diagnosing testicular cancer.