Scientists make first measurement of age of cometary material

WASHINGTON – New research on comet Wild 2 indicates that inner solar system material was transported to the comet-forming region at least 1.7 million years after the formation of the oldest solar system solids, which is the first constraint on the age of cometary material from a known comet.

Scientists … Original article on : Scientists make first measurement of age of cometary material.

Scientists measure impacts of changing climate on ocean biology

WASHINGTON – A three-year field program now underway is measuring carbon distributions and primary productivity in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean to help scientists worldwide determine the impacts of a changing climate on ocean biology … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Scientists measure impacts of changing climate on ocean biology.

Mysterious ring fort in Ireland may have held sports arena during Bronze Age

DUBLIN – New findings by a team of archaeologists has suggested that a mysterious ring fort in County Tipperary in Ireland may have held a sports arena during the Bronze Age.

According to a report in The Irish Times, the initial findings of the archaeologists suggest that the site may have been used … Read more : Mysterious ring fort in Ireland may have held sports arena during Bronze Age.

Childhood stress may lead to brain damage

WASHINGTON – Childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect can result in structural brain changes, a new study has shown.

Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers have shown that childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect, in particular when …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Novel inhaled drug found effective against H5N1 avian influenza virus

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found a novel compound highly effective against the pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus, including some drug-resistant strains.

The work by a University of Wisconsin-Madison virologist has been published in the Public Library of Science …. Source article  : Novel inhaled drug found effective against H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Mum’s sensitivity may help language growth in autistic kids

WASHINGTON – Maternal sensitivity may influence language development among children who go on to develop autism, say scientists.

According to researchers at the University of Miami, maternal responsiveness can predict language growth among children in the early stages of autism.
The study entitled, “A Pilot Study of Maternal Sensitivity in the Context of Emergent Autism,” is published …. Original article  : Mum’s sensitivity may help language growth in autistic kids.

Human brain encodes nouns and verbs in different regions

WASHINGTON – The brain that activates when a person learns a new noun is different from the part used when a verb is learnt, researchers have shown.

“Learning nouns activates the left fusiform gyrus, while learning verbs switches on other regions (the left inferior frontal gyrus and part of the left posterior medial temporal gyrus)”, Antoni …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Human brain encodes nouns and verbs in different regions.

Smallest bubbles in oceans detected

WASHINGTON – In a new research, a team of physicists has detected the smallest bubbles in the oceans that are as tiny as one thousandth of a millimeter.

According to a report in Discovery News, by both looking and listening for tiny bubbles in the ocean near Hawaii, researchers think they have pinned down the signatures … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Smallest bubbles in oceans detected.

Good mothering can make up for prenatal stress

WASHINGTON – Fetuses exposed to elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol – shown to be a harbinger for babies’ poor cognitive development – can escape this fate if their mothers provide them sensitive care during infancy and toddler-hood, says a new study.

The study has been published online in the journal Biological Psychiatry.
“Our results shape … Read more >>>.

Scientists find way to exploit the body’s own ability to fight heart attack

WASHINGTON – In a bid to find a way to better help patients protect themselves against harm from a heart attack, a group of scientists are taking their cues from cardiac patients.

The researchers based their work on: When faced with a heart attack, people who have had a previous one oftentimes fare better than patients …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists find way to exploit the body’s own ability to fight heart attack.

World’s most sensitive neutrino experiment may reveal why we exist

LONDON – Reports indicate that the world’s most sensitive neutrino experiment, which could shed some light on why we exist, has begin.

According to a report in New Scientist, in the “T2K” (Tokai-to-Kamioka) experiment, an intense beam of neutrinos is being generated in a particle accelerator near Tokai village north of Tokyo, and aimed at the … Read more >>.

NASA preparing satellite repair robots

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that the NASA that fixed the Hubble Space Telescope is now working to develop robotic satellite repair technology.

According to a report in Discovery News, the goal of the NASA project is to demonstrate to commercial firms the feasibility of refueling, repairing and servicing spacecraft in orbit.
There are more than 360 operational … Read more »»».

Clean energy cess on coal produced in India

NEW DELHI – Announcing the establishment of a National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) for funding research and innovative projects in clean technologies, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Friday proposed to levy clean energy cess on coal produced in India as also imported.

“There are many areas of the country where pollution levels have reached alarming proportions. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Clean energy cess on coal produced in India.

German chemical, pharmaceutical company Bayer says Q4 net income rose 44 percent

Bayer Q4 net income up 44 percent
FRANKFURT – German chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer AG said Friday its net income rose 44 percent in the fourth quarter to euro153 million ($208 million) as cost savings and a pickup in some business offset negative currency effects and charges for the integration of Schering.

The company, famous for …. Original article  : German chemical, pharmaceutical company Bayer says Q4 net income rose 44 percent.

Engineers develop new eco-friendly process to produce jet fuel

WASHINGTON – A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers has developed a highly efficient, environmentally friendly process that selectively converts gamma-valerolactone, a biomass derivative, into the chemical equivalent of jet fuel.

The team of researchers included …. Original article  : Engineers develop new eco-friendly process to produce jet fuel.

Species have to continue evolving to survive

WASHINGTON – A new study has proved that the ‘Red Queen Hypothesis’, which states that species were in a constant race for survival and have to continue to evolve new ways of defending themselves throughout time, is correct.

The theory, first put forward in the 1970s, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Species have to continue evolving to survive.

Indian-origin scientist’s energy “Bloom Box” is not revolutionary, say experts

WASHINGTON – Fuel cell experts have said that the “Bloom Box”, which is an as yet unbuilt in-home “power plant” designed by an Indian-origin scientist, is not revolutionary, nor is it the cheapest or most efficient fuel cell system available.

K.R. Sridhar from Silicon Valley’s Bloom Energy has developed the device.
Sridhar … Read more : Indian-origin scientist’s energy “Bloom Box” is not revolutionary, say experts.

Money doesn’t grow on trees: hard bargaining as Americans pay for war damage to Afghans

Afghans give US soldiers a run for their money

BADULA QULP, Afghanistan – The battalion commander pondered the question: How much is a tree worth?
Warrior one day, haggler the next. Lt. Col. Burton Shields was talking to an Afghan farmer who said the Americans had damaged five trees on his property in an operation against the …. Source article  : Money doesn’t grow on trees: hard bargaining as Americans pay for war damage to Afghans.

Plotting, treachery rife in ant royal families

LONDON – Social insects, ants in particular, are usually thought of as selfless entities willing to sacrifice everything for their comrades. However, research suggests that ant queens are also prepared to compromise the welfare of the entire colony in order to retain the throne.

A team from the University of Copenhagen, led by Luke Holman … Read more >>.

‘Devious’ ant queens compromise on colony’s welfare to retain throne

WASHINGTON – Previous studies have shown that ants are selfless entities as they sacrifice themselves for their comrades. However, a new study reveals that ant queens are prepared to compromise on the welfare of the entire colony in …. Read the original article  : ‘Devious’ ant queens compromise on colony’s welfare to retain throne.