Smart clothes to power portable electronic devices

WASHINGTON – Engineers have created energy-scavenging nanofibres that could one day be woven into clothing and textiles.

The nanofibres can convert energy from mechanical stresses into electricity, and could one day be used to create clothing that can power small electronics, says a new study, conducted by University of California, Berkeley (UCB) researchers.
“This technology …. Original article  : Smart clothes to power portable electronic devices.

Soon, a chemical and biological “sniffer” with unprecedented sensitivity

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists is developing a chemical and biological sensor that approaches the theoretical limit, which means it would have unprecedented sensitivity.

The sensor is being developed by a team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Panos Datskos.
Researchers believe this new “sniffer” will achieve a detection level that approaches the theoretical limit, surpassing …. Read the original article  : Soon, a chemical and biological “sniffer” with unprecedented sensitivity.

Scientists turn light into electrical current using golden nanoscale system

WASHINGTON – Material scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have turned light into electrical current using a golden nanoscale system.

The system, an array of nano-sized molecules of gold, respond to electromagnetic waves by creating surface plasmons that induce and project electrical current across molecules, similar to that of photovoltaic solar cells.
The results may provide a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists turn light into electrical current using golden nanoscale system.

Plant buffers may limit spread of antibiotics in animal waste

WASHINGTON – A new research by scientists at the University of Missouri has suggested that buffer strips of grasses and other plants can limit spread of antibiotics in animal waste, by trapping and breaking down veterinary antibiotics in manure fertilizers.

Buffer strips have already demonstrated that they can be effective in protecting water quality, controlling erosion … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Plant buffers may limit spread of antibiotics in animal waste.

Why fewer stars are born today than in the early universe

WASHINGTON – University of Arizona (UA) astronomers have helped solve why fewer stars are born today than in the early universe, a mystery that has long puzzled scientists.

“We have known for more than a decade that in the early universe – three to five billion years after the Big Bang or nine to eleven billion … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Why fewer stars are born today than in the early universe.

Spy who fed information on Hitler’s secrets during World War II revealed

LONDON – Newly discovered intelligence documents have revealed that MI6 – the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) of the British Government – obtained vital secrets from a spy operating at the very heart of Hitler’s high command during the most crucial years of the Second World War.

According to a report in The Times, the secret agent, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Google’s ‘Buzz’ invades privacy

LONDON – It has emerged that Google’s messaging tool ‘Buzz’ has a serious privacy flaw, in which it could allow anyone to see who they have been emailing.

Google claims that Buzz allows users to “share updates, photos, videos, and more”, but users have discovered that unless privacy settings are changed, it publicly shares details of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Google’s ‘Buzz’ invades privacy.

Obama to announce loan guarantee for first nuclear power plant in US in nearly 3 decades

Obama nuke plant loan reflects new energy strategy
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration’s planned loan guarantee to build the first nuclear power plant in the United States in almost three decades is part of a broad shift in energy strategy to lessen dependence on foreign oil and reduce the use of other fossil fuels …. Original article  : Obama to announce loan guarantee for first nuclear power plant in US in nearly 3 decades.

Low levels of natural antibodies may trigger stroke

LONDON – Low levels of natural antibodies are likely to trigger a stroke, says a new study from Karolinska Institute (KI), Sweden.

Researchers hope to be able to develop a vaccine that can mobilise the bodys own defence against arteriosclerosis and stroke.
Arteriosclerosis is formed by the accumulation of plaque on the walls of blood … Original article on : Low levels of natural antibodies may trigger stroke.

Explorer finds evidence of ancient waterway linking Atlantic to Pacific

LONDON – An explorer claims to have found evidence of an ancient water route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which existed hundreds of years before the Panama Canal was conceived.

Hailed by some as the eighth wonder of the world, the Panama Canal is a water passage between the Atlantic and Pacific.
Now, according to a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rain expected in Punjab, Haryana next week

CHANDIGARH – Most parts of Punjab, Haryana and their shared capital Chandigarh registered a plunge in temperatures Saturday. Isolated spells of rainfall are expected in the region next week.

Chandigarh recorded a minimum temperature of 9.2 degrees Celsius, five degrees below average.
In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a low of 8.6 degrees, three degrees below normal. … Read more »»».

Industrialised nations’ CO2 cut plans ‘are pathetic’, says Indian Copenhagen negotiator

LONDON – One of India’s senior negotiators at the Copenhagen summit has said that industrialised nations have set “pathetic” targets to reduce carbon emissions.

According to BBC News, the Indian negotiator in question is Chandrashekhar Dasgupta.
One of the summit’s requirements was for countries to spell out by January 31, how they would cut emissions.
“But industrialised nations …. Original source  : Industrialised nations’ CO2 cut plans ‘are pathetic’, says Indian Copenhagen negotiator.

Tigers are more ancient than previously believed

LONDON – A genetic analysis has revealed that the tiger began evolving 3.2 million years ago, along with the snow leopard, which means it is more ancient and distinct than previously believed.

Despite the popularity and endangered status of tigers, much remains to be discovered about them, including how they evolved.
It has long been known that … Read : Tigers are more ancient than previously believed.

A hedge may have blocked onlookers from seeing secret rituals at Stonehenge

WASHINGTON – A new study has indicated that Stonehenge may have been surrounded by a hedge that blocked onlookers from seeing secret rituals.

According to National Geographic News, evidence for two encircling hedges-possibly thorn bushes-planted some 3,600 years ago, was uncovered during a survey of the site by English Heritage, the government agency responsible for maintaining …. Source  : A hedge may have blocked onlookers from seeing secret rituals at Stonehenge.

Scientists freeze water with heat

WASHINGTON – In what is a bizarre trick, scientists have come up with a way that can make water freeze solid as it’s heating up.

Popular belief contends that water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius).
Now, according to a report in Live Science, researcher Igor Lubomirsky at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, … Original article on : Scientists freeze water with heat.

Anti-whaling group says Japanese whalers injured by their own pepper spray, not rancid butter

Activists: Whalers hurt by their own pepper spray

ADELAIDE, Australia – Japanese whalers who complained of injuries from rancid butter thrown at them by an anti-whaling group were actually suffering from their own pepper spray attack, the protesters said Saturday.
Paul Watson, captain of the Sea Shepherd protest vessel Steve Irwin, said in a statement that video …. Original article  : Anti-whaling group says Japanese whalers injured by their own pepper spray, not rancid butter.

Humans use heel first footfall pattern because it’s efficient for walking

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists have determined that human beings use the seemingly inefficient heel first footfall pattern because it is efficient for walking.

The research was done by Nadja Schilling and Christoph Anders from the Jena University, Germany, along with Christopher Cunningham and David Carrier from the University of Utah, USA.
Most running mammals …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

An elephant can both walk and run while moving at high speed

WASHINGTON – Closer analysis of elephant footfall patterns by scientists has suggested that the large animals can appear as both walking and running when they are moving at high speeds.

At a first glance, fast-moving elephants look as if they are walking.
But closer analysis of elephant footfall patterns by John Hutchinson from the Royal Veterinary College, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : An elephant can both walk and run while moving at high speed.

Weekly Jerusalem protest becomes rallying cry for shrunken, isolated Israeli left

Isolated and battered, Israeli doves hold protest

JERUSALEM – Israel’s battered pro-peace camp is showing signs of life with a weekly Jerusalem protest by a motley collection of anarchists, intellectuals and radical rabbis, but they face a public increasingly hostile to their point of view.
Activists have gathered each Friday since November in the east Jerusalem neighborhood … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Weekly Jerusalem protest becomes rallying cry for shrunken, isolated Israeli left.

How the brain tells you if he or she is sexy

WASHINGTON – When judging who’s hot or not, brain regions associated with higher functions, such as understanding the intentions of others and self-awareness, light up, scans show.

The study implies that when someone casts meaningful looks at an attractive stranger it may be a sign of some of the most sophisticated thoughts a person can have.
In …. Original source  : How the brain tells you if he or she is sexy.

Like humans, bonobos too believe in sharing food

WASHINGTON – Just like humans, bonobos-a sister species of chimpanzees and, like chimps, our closest living relatives-too actively share their food with others, scientists have observed.

The finding has been published in the March 9th issue of Current Biology, a Cell Press publication.
“It has been suggested that only humans voluntarily share their food,” says lead study … Read more : Like humans, bonobos too believe in sharing food.

Can reversal of ageing help save our muscles?

WASHINGTON – We begin to lose muscle by the age of 40. By 80, up to a third of it may be gone. It’s an inevitable process of ageing called sarcopenia. But why does it happen and can it be stopped? A new study has provided some answers.

The study, conducted in mice with accelerated muscle … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Can reversal of ageing help save our muscles?.

Master gene allows breast cancer growth, invasion

WASHINGTON – Baylor College of Medicine researchers and collaborators have claimed that the master gene called SRC-3 (steroid receptor coactivator 3) not only enhances estrogen-dependent growth of cancer cells by activating and encouraging the transcription of a genetic message into a protein, it also sends a signal to the cell membrane to promote cell motility … Original article on : Master gene allows breast cancer growth, invasion.

Low natural antibody levels linked to stroke risk

WASHINGTON – The presence of a certain type of antibody in the immune system is associated with the chances of suffering a stroke, a new study from Karolinska Institutet shows.

The research group, which was led by Professor Johan Frostegard, hopes to be able to develop a vaccine that can mobilise the body’s own defence against … Read more : Low natural antibody levels linked to stroke risk.

Coming soon: Root beer-scented roses!

WASHINGTON – Scientists are genetically engineering roses so that the flowers can produce custom-made aromas.

According to scientists from Florida, who have identified genes in flowers that produce the various oils which give off aromas, root beer-scented roses would soon be available in the market, reports Discovery News.
“We are very excited about the idea of putting …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Coming soon: Root beer-scented roses!.

Civil society groups, media rally behind tiger activist

PANAJI – Civil society groups and the media in Goa have rallied behind noted wildlife activist and journalist Rajendra Kerkar who was recently branded ‘abettor’ by the Goa forest department in a tiger poaching incident in February last year.

A month after the tiger was poached, Kerkar had reported in a leading national English daily [..] Read the original article: here.

Sky to remain clear in Delhi

NEW DELHI – The sky is expected to remain clear in Delhi Saturday, the weatherman said a day after thundershowers with hailstones brought down the temperature in the national capital.

Though shallow fog and partly clouded sky was reported in the morning, sky would mainly remain clear in the day. There are no signs of rain, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sky to remain clear in Delhi.

Space station opens to Tranquility and its picture window

WASHINGTON – Astronauts Saturday opened the hatch to the space station’s newest room – the Italian-built Tranquility node that will eventually offer a six-sided picture window on space.

NASA television showed the space station and Endeavour shuttle astronauts moving around the opened hatch, through which they installed an airflow system and exercise equipment into the new … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Space station opens to Tranquility and its picture window.

Astronauts enter space station’s newest room, need flashlights to see and masks to breathe

Astronauts enter space station’s newest room

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Astronauts swung open the door to the International Space Station’s newest room Friday night, using flashlights to illuminate the shadowy chamber and wearing goggles and masks to keep themselves safe from any floating debris.
The two skippers were the first to enter Tranquility, Europe’s $380 million contribution.
Station …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Attention Vogue subscribers: that e-mail from Tina Fey in your inbox is for real

Vogue uses celebs to send e-mails to subscribers

NEW YORK – Vogue subscribers may have noticed an e-mail from Tina Fey in their inbox.
It wasn’t not spam!
Well, not really.
The fashion magazine sent out a note from the actress promoting her cover shoot for its March issue.
With a subject line that reads “My Vogue cover,” Fey used …. Original article  : Attention Vogue subscribers: that e-mail from Tina Fey in your inbox is for real.

NASA: Cracked tile, protruding ring on space shuttle too small to pose danger for re-entry

NASA: Space shuttle flaws too small to pose danger

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A cracked tile and protruding ring on shuttle Endeavour are too small to pose any danger during next week’s trip home from the International Space Station, NASA managers said Friday.
In fact, the space shuttle’s entire heat shield is solid for re-entry based on … Original source on Gaea Times at : NASA: Cracked tile, protruding ring on space shuttle too small to pose danger for re-entry.

AP source: Obama to announce loan guarantee for 1st nuclear plant in US in nearly 3 decades

AP source: Obama to announce nuke plant loan
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama next week will announce a loan guarantee to build the first nuclear power plant in the United States in almost three decades, an administration official said Friday.
The two new Southern Co. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : AP source: Obama to announce loan guarantee for 1st nuclear plant in US in nearly 3 decades.

UN taps British, Ethiopian PMs to hunt for new financing on climate change

UN taps prime ministers to seek new climate money

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. chief tapped the prime ministers of Britain and Ethiopia on Friday to lead the hunt for hundreds of billions of dollars that nations pledged to contribute this decade for dealing with climate change.
The announcement is an attempt to fulfill a key part [..] Read the original article: here.

Idaho and US sign deal giving landowners incentive to protect chicken-sized sage grouse

Idaho deal urges landowners to protect sage grouse

BOISE, Idaho – Federal wildlife officials are hailing an agreement between the U.S. and the state of Idaho as the first of its kind for a bird being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
The accord signed Friday gives landowners an incentive to protect the sage grouse. … Read more : Idaho and US sign deal giving landowners incentive to protect chicken-sized sage grouse.

Protest grows over Alaska Native corporation’s federal land deal in Tongass National Forest

Alaska Native corporation’s land deal draws ire

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The proposed payoff of a decades-old debt by the federal government to a private Alaska Native corporation has prompted growing criticism that it’s nothing more than a modern land grab.
Critics question why Sealaska Corp. and its more than 20,000 tribal member shareholders would be allowed to …. Read the original article  : Protest grows over Alaska Native corporation’s federal land deal in Tongass National Forest.

Hertz, Nissan reach deal to add electric cars to rental fleet in 2011

Hertz to include Nissan electric cars to fleet

PARK RIDGE, N.J. – Hertz will add Nissan’s electric vehicle to its lineup next year in the U.S. and Europe, the rental car company said Friday.
Hertz Corp., the world’s largest car rental agency, plans to use the Nissan Leaf, an all-electric vehicle with a rechargeable battery.
The Leaf can …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Task force set up for conservation of jumbos

NEW DELHI – The government Friday set up a task force headed by a Delhi University professor for effective conservation and management of elephants, both of the wild and captive tuskers.

“A task force on Project Elephant has been constituted. It will provide detailed recommendations to upgrade the project to bring about a more effective conservation …. Source  : Task force set up for conservation of jumbos.

Heavy winter showers, hailstones lash Delhi

NEW DELHI – Thundershowers with hailstones lashed the national capital Friday evening, bringing down the temperature. The Met Office said the winter showers are likely to continue till Saturday morning and the temperatures would dip.

The sudden heavy showers also affected road traffic, creating snarls in some places.
“The rains are likely to continue till tomorrow … Read more : Heavy winter showers, hailstones lash Delhi.

Rare white jackdaw spurned by Ukrainian flock, but 1 loyal companion sticks by her side

Rare white jackdaw in Ukraine spurned by flock

LUTSK, Ukraine – In a story that could have come straight out of Aesop’s Fables, a rare white jackdaw in eastern Ukraine has been spurned by its flock.
The albino bird, called Katya, was spotted by Lutsk resident Alexander Moiseyenko, who tosses her scraps of bread from his apartment … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Rare white jackdaw spurned by Ukrainian flock, but 1 loyal companion sticks by her side.

Policy makers should rethink renewable energy strategy, say scientists

WASHINGTON – Scientists at Queen’s University in Canada have suggested that policy makers should examine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions implications for energy infrastructure as fossil fuel sources must be rapidly replaced by …. Source article  : Policy makers should rethink renewable energy strategy, say scientists.

Scientists revamp genetic coding

LONDON – Scientists at the University of Cambridge have created a new way of using the genetic code, allowing proteins to be made with properties that have never been seen in the natural world.

According to Jason Chin and his colleagues from the university, the … Read more : Scientists revamp genetic coding.

Cognitive and motor delays linked to ‘flat head syndrome’ in infants

WASHINGTON – A new study has linked cognitive and motor delays to ‘flat head syndrome’ in young babies.

In the study, researchers found that infants averaging six months of age who exhibited positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) had lower scores than typical infants in observational …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cognitive and motor delays linked to ‘flat head syndrome’ in infants.

Tyrannosaurus Sex – an insight into dinosaur reproduction

WASHINGTON – The female Tyrannosaurus rex must move her tail to the side for sex – this is one of the new paleobiological findings highlighted in The Discovery Channel show ‘Tyrannosaurus Sex.’

The show, created by production firm … Read more >>.

IPCC scientist dismisses furor over Himalayan goof up

LONDON – The scientist behind the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report that falsely claimed the Himalayan glaciers could melt by 2035 has dismissed the furor over the errors as “a clamour without substance”.

According to a report in the Telegraph, the scientist in question is Martin … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : IPCC scientist dismisses furor over Himalayan goof up.

Scientists create revolutionary photographic technique

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has developed revolutionary way of capturing a high-resolution still image alongside very high-speed video.

The team, led by Dr Peter Kohl, was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the British Heart Foundation at the … Read more »».

Physicists construct quantum toy houses

WASHINGTON – A team of physicists from the University of Calgary (U of C) in Canada has manipulated a mysterious property of light to stack together a variety of quantum states of light, or two-storied quantum …. Source  : Physicists construct quantum toy houses.

Combined PCs beat second fastest supercomputer in mapping Milky Way

WASHINGTON – Legions of personal computers (PCs), engaged in a project to map the Milky Way, beat the world’s second fastest supercomputer in sheer performance.

At this very moment, tens of thousands of PCs worldwide are quietly working together to solve the largest and most basic mysteries of our galaxy.
Enthusiastic volunteers from Africa to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Combined PCs beat second fastest supercomputer in mapping Milky Way.

Now, capture speed and detail simultaneously

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a revolutionary way of capturing a high-resolution still image alongside very high-speed video.

By combining off-the-shelf technologies found in standard cameras and digital movie projectors, they have successfully created a tool that will transform many forms of detailed scientific imaging.
They could also provide access to high-speed video with high-resolution still …. Read the original article  : here.

Navodaya students lend mite for bio-conservation

BHOPAL – More than 20,000 students of Navodaya schools in Madhya Pradesh will lend their mite for conserving the varied bio-diversity of the state.

The children selected as ‘Jaiv Sanrakshan Doots’ (bio-conservation ambassadors) will make other kids aware of the region’s bio-diversity and motivate them to conserve it.
The campaign was started by Navodaya Vidyalaya, Ratibad …. Original source  : Navodaya students lend mite for bio-conservation.

How do we perceive the human brain?

LONDON – A scientist has charted how over the past four centuries humans have regarded the brain.

Sarah de Rijcke, who will receive her doctorate Thursday at the University of Groningen in Holland, studied numerous documents from all over Europe and the US such as illustrations, manuals, atlases, articles, lab reports, diary fragments, manuals of …. Original source  : How do we perceive the human brain?.

Computer simulations as good as direct observations

WASHINGTON – Students can learn some science concepts just as well from computer simulations as they do from direct observation, says a new research.

A study found that people who used computer simulations to learn about moon phases understood the concepts just as well – and in some cases better – than did those who learned … Original article on : Computer simulations as good as direct observations.

Nausea drug may help treat heart disease and stroke

LONDON – American scientists have identified new effects of drugs approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drugs, which can help shift cellular energy metabolism and may even come useful in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

The findings of the study team, led by Massachusetts … Read more >>.

Brit scientists identify gene clue to early dementia speed

LONDON – Cambridge scientists have discovered a gene, which may trigger a higher risk of a distressing early form of dementia.

The study has appeared in the journal Nature.ronto-temporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common type of dementia in people under 65 years of age and can … Read : Brit scientists identify gene clue to early dementia speed.

Diamond-based nanowire devices advance quantum science and technology

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists at Harvard University has taken another step towards making applications based on quantum science and technology possible, by creating diamond-based nanowire devices.

The research was led by Marko Loncar, Assistant Professor of Electrical … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Diamond-based nanowire devices advance quantum science and technology.

Carpet of silicon whiskers could make solar cells cheaper

LONDON – Reports indicate that a new solar-cell design based on a carpet of silicon rods could produce electricity at a fraction of the cost of conventional solar devices.

According to a report in Nature News, the …. Original source  : Carpet of silicon whiskers could make solar cells cheaper.

How does brain hear quietest sounds, notice head motions?

WASHINGTON – The phrase “perk up your ears” made more sense last year after scientists discovered how the quietest sounds are amplified in the inner ear before transmission to the brain.

When a sound is barely audible, extremely sensitive inner-ear ‘hair cells’ – neurons equipped with tiny, sensory hairs on their surface – pump up the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : How does brain hear quietest sounds, notice head motions?.

Global warming taking giant bites out of underbellies of Greenland’s glaciers

LONDON – In a new study, scientists have found out that water warmed by climate change is taking giant bites out of the underbellies of Greenland’s glaciers, with 75 per cent of the ice lost by the glaciers being melted by ocean warmth.

“There’s an entrenched view in the public community that glaciers only lose ice …. Source  : Global warming taking giant bites out of underbellies of Greenland’s glaciers.

One of the world’s oldest shipwrecks found off the coast of Devon

LONDON – An archaeological expedition has found one of the world’s oldest shipwrecks off the coast of Devon, UK, dating back to almost 3,000 years.

According to a report in the Telegraph, the wreck was found in just eight to ten metres of water in a bay near Salcombe, south Devon, by a team of amateur … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : One of the world’s oldest shipwrecks found off the coast of Devon.

Magnetic fields spell hope for improved wireless power supply

LONDON – Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have determined that using magnetic fields to induce a current in a distant device is the most promising approach for wireless power supply.

According to a report in new Scientist, the researchers tune the transmitter and receiver to magnetically resonate at the same frequency to maximize …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Magnetic fields spell hope for improved wireless power supply.

A boost in plants’ plumbing can make them grow faster

SYDNEY – In a new research, Australian scientists have discovered that flowering plants managed to speed up their growth and transform the planet thanks to a boost in their leaf plumbing, a finding that may be useful in developing faster-growing plants.

“The question of how angiosperms (flowering plants) became such a dominant group on Earth has … Original article on : A boost in plants’ plumbing can make them grow faster.

Google Buzz racing against time to fix biggest privacy breach in its history

MELBOURNE – Google’s Buzz is facing flak from critics over what they have dubbed as the biggest privacy breach in its history.

Google had introduced Buzz, which is similar to social networking sites like Facebook, to its email service Gmail, but in doing so it automatically made public its users’ most frequently talked-to contacts.
The tool is … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Google Buzz racing against time to fix biggest privacy breach in its history.

After frustrating mechanical problems, astronauts attach new observation deck to space station

Space station’s new lookout in final resting spot

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Astronauts successfully moved the International Space Station’s fancy new observation deck to its final resting place Monday after a long, frustrating night spent dealing with stuck bolts and wayward wiring.
But they will have to wait a few more days before gazing out the $27 …. Source article  : After frustrating mechanical problems, astronauts attach new observation deck to space station.

IPCC should investigate ‘warming bias’ in its report, says former climate chief

LONDON – The former chief of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that the climate body must investigate an apparent bias in its report that resulted in several exaggerations of the impact of global warming, including the fiasco on the estimated date for the melting of Himalayan glaciers.

According to a report in …. Original article  : IPCC should investigate ‘warming bias’ in its report, says former climate chief.

Herpes drug ‘can delay’ HIV progression

LONDON – A common treatment for herpes can also slow progression of the AIDS virus among co-infected patients, say US researchers.

Most people infected with HIV are also coincidentally infected with type 2 herpes simplex virus, or HSV2.
Reporting in The Lancet, scientists said that aciclovir does have a braking effect that is modest but could become … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Herpes drug ‘can delay’ HIV progression.

Switch that turns on cancer spread found

LONDON – Researchers have discovered a specific protein that switches on the process that releases cancer cells from the original tumor and allows the cells to spread and develop into new tumors in other parts of the body.

Boffins reported the finding of disabled-2 (Dab2) in Nature Cell Biology.
The process called epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferientiation (EMT) has been … Read more »»».

Software enriches real images on museum tour

LONDON – Researchers have developed a digital technology that enriches real images on a virtual tour through ancient buildings, creating a more vivid experience for the museum visitor.

This digital technology has been highlighted by a recent exhibition in the Allard Pierson Museum, Amsterdam, where visitors could saunter through historical sites.
A flat screen on …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Software enriches real images on museum tour.

Space station’s new observation deck goes for ride on robot arm; stuck bolts stalled effort

Space station’s new lookout goes for ride
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Jammed bolts and wayward wires made for a trying night at the International Space Station as astronauts struggled to relocate the station’s fancy new observation deck early Monday.

Astronauts used a giant robotic arm to move the $27 million domed lookout from one side of a … Original article on : Space station’s new observation deck goes for ride on robot arm; stuck bolts stalled effort.

Researchers design archaeological ‘time machine’

LONDON – Researchers have designed a new archaeological tool which could answer key questions in human evolution.

The new calibration curve, which extends back 50,000 years, is a major landmark in radiocarbon dating — the method used by archaeologists and geoscientists to establish the age of carbon-based materials. It could also help determine the effect of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Researchers design archaeological ‘time machine’.

Space station’s new observation deck going for ride on robot arm; Stuck bolts pose problem

Stuck bolts hinder space station deck maneuver

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Astronauts ran into trouble trying to move the International Space Station’s fancy new observation deck late Sunday, and the job was put on hold as Mission Control debated what to do.
Space station commander Jeffrey Williams was loosening a series of bolts to release the domed … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Space station’s new observation deck going for ride on robot arm; Stuck bolts pose problem.

Thunderstorm expected in cloudy Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH – Punjab, Haryana and their shared capital Chandigarh saw an overcast sky Monday. Weather officials forecast a thunderstorm later in the day.

“Due to the fast approaching western disturbances towards this part of the northern plains, there is a possibility of a thunderstorm in most parts of the region in the next 24 hours. Overcast … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Thunderstorm expected in cloudy Punjab, Haryana.

Delhi wakes up to grey Monday, rain likely

NEW DELHI – A grey sky greeted Delhiites Monday morning with weather officials predicting rain and thundershowers in some parts of the capital during the day.

“There is a western disturbance over north Pakistan and northeast Afghanistan because of which Delhi may see scattered rainfall in some areas,” an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) …. Source article  : Delhi wakes up to grey Monday, rain likely.

Space station’s new observation deck going for ride on robot arm; NASA solves clearance issue

Space station observation deck being relocated

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The International Space Station’s fancy new observation deck was booked for a late night ride.
Astronauts on the shuttle-station complex were going to use a giant robot arm to move the domed lookout from one side of the newly installed Tranquility room to the other. First they … Read more >>>.

28 whales euthanized after New Zealand stranding; strong winds, rough seas prevent rescue

28 whales euthanized after New Zealand stranding

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Twenty-eight pilot whales died or were euthanized by conservation workers after a mass stranding on a remote New Zealand beach, an official said Monday.
Department of Conservation workers found nine whales dead on Stewart Island’s West Ruggedy Beach on Sunday after they were alerted by a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 28 whales euthanized after New Zealand stranding; strong winds, rough seas prevent rescue.

Fishermen heading to Washington, demand changes to fishery law to save jobs, communities

Fishermen say federal law kills jobs
BOSTON – Fishermen from around the country are planning to pack the steps in front of the U.S. Capitol this month to demand changes to a federal fisheries law they say is killing jobs and eroding fishing communities.

Organizers of the “United We Fish” rally expect up to 3,000 people at … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Fishermen heading to Washington, demand changes to fishery law to save jobs, communities.

Online voyeurs flock to webcams linking site Chatroulette

LONDON – Chatroulette, a website that links strangers’ webcams, has been soaring in popularity over its potential as a haven for explicit material.

The addictive new page describes itself as a “brand new service for one-on-one text, webcam and microphone-based chat with people around the world” … Original article on : Online voyeurs flock to webcams linking site Chatroulette.

Assassin bugs stalk and lure their victim

LONDON – A new study by scientists in Australia has shown that assassin bugs stalk their victim on its home territory, or lure it away and eat it.

For the study, Anne Wignall at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, and colleagues … Original article on : Assassin bugs stalk and lure their victim.

Spacewalkers outfit new space station room

WASHINGTON – Two astronauts conducted a spacewalk outside the International Space Station Sunday to outfit the orbiting laboratory’s newest room, NASA said.

Nicholas Patrick and Bob Behnken, crew members of the visiting space shuttle Endeavour, connected outside cooling cables to the new Tranquility module. They also installed thermal covers on the Italian-made room and put in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Spacewalkers outfit new space station room.

Single-step technique spells hope for grapheme-based electronic devices

WASHINGTON – Scientists have come up with a simple one-step process that produces both n-type and p-type doping of large-area graphene surfaces could facilitate use of the promising material for future electronic devices.

By applying a commercially-available spin-on-glass (SOG) material to graphene and then exposing it to electron-beam radiation, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology …. Original source  : Single-step technique spells hope for grapheme-based electronic devices.

New molecule could pave way for flexible organic electronics

WASHINGTON – A team of chemists from the University of New Hampshire (UNH), US, has synthesized the first-ever stable derivative of nonacene, creating a compound that holds significant promise in the manufacture of flexible organic electronics such as large displays, solar cells and radio frequency identification tags.

The team was led by professor of organic chemistry … Read more : New molecule could pave way for flexible organic electronics.

Logging can make forests more flammable

SYDNEY – In a new research, scientists have determined that logging makes forests more flammable, by shifting the composition of moist forests to resemble drier, more fire prone ones.

According to ABC Science, the study, by Australian, Canadian and US researchers, claims that commercial logging of moist native forests creates conditions that increase the severity and …. Original source  : Logging can make forests more flammable.

NKorea’s Kim turns 68 amid claims chronically ill leader depends on rare, expensive remedies

Questions about health as NKorean leader turns 68

SEOUL, South Korea – North Koreans celebrated “peerlessly brilliant” leader Kim Jong Il’s 68th birthday Tuesday as questions persist abroad about his health and the future of the impoverished, nuclear-armed nation.
Depressed and chronically ill, Kim relies on rare, costly and sometimes outlawed remedies such as rhino’s horn and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NKorea’s Kim turns 68 amid claims chronically ill leader depends on rare, expensive remedies.

Solar collectors in Sahara may soon supply the whole world with electric power

WASHINGTON – Engineers from Germany are planning to erect solar collectors in the Sahara Desert, in what may be the biggest solar energy project ever that would be able to supply the whole world with electric power.

There is more than three-and-a-half-million square miles of space available in the Sahara Desert … Read more : Solar collectors in Sahara may soon supply the whole world with electric power.

Untied cows produce less milk than tied cattle

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists have found out that untied cattle in small herds produce less milk than cows tied to their stalls, but have a higher reproductive performance and suffer less teat injuries and metabolic diseases.

The researchers compared performance and health within … Read more »»».

Meteorite contains ‘organic molecular feast’, reveals analysis

LONDON – In a new research, scientists have confirmed that a meteorite that crashed into earth 40 years ago contains millions of different organic compounds.

The Murchison meteorite landed in a town of that name in Australia in 1969.
According to …. Original article  : Meteorite contains ‘organic molecular feast’, reveals analysis.

Fossilized coral reefs may reveal changes in sea levels over past 20,000 years

LONDON – An international team of scientists is going to study fossilized coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef, in order to understand how sea levels have changed over the past 20,000 years.

According to a report in BBC News, the team will spend 45 days at sea, gathering core samples from …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Climate expert admits loss of crucial weather data was ‘not acceptable’

LONDON – The climate expert at the centre of a media storm over the release of emails onto the Internet has admitted that he did not follow correct procedures over a key scientific paper, and as a result lost crucial weather data.

According …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Climate expert admits loss of crucial weather data was ‘not acceptable’.

Sweepers pollute pilgrim city demanding salary hike

BHUBANESWAR – Cleaning workers have deposited garbage on the main street of Orissa’s pilgrim city of Puri, protesting against the local civic authorities turning down their demand for a salary hike.

Heaps of garbage, comprising house waste and filth, littered the streets of the temple town, some 56 km from here. Experts say this may trigger … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sweepers pollute pilgrim city demanding salary hike.

A gene for Alzheimer’s sharpens young minds

LONDON – A genetic variant that raises risk of Alzheimer’s disease can improve the brain function of carriers when they are younger, researchers have found.

“From an evolutionary perspective it makes sense,” says Duke Han at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
Professor Han’s work examined epsilon 4, a variant of a particular gene known as apolipoprotein … Original source on Gaea Times at : A gene for Alzheimer’s sharpens young minds.

Rubbish to provide green fuel for planes by 2014

LONDON – British Airways (BA) is planning to establish Europe’s first green jet fuel plant that would turn rubbish into carbon-neutral aviation fuel by the year 2014.

According to a report in The Independent, British Airways would establish the plant, in collaboration with the US bioenergy company Solena.
When it is up and running in 2014, the … Read more >>>.

How male great bustards use Sun to woo the ladies

LONDON – Male great bustards point their white tail feathers to the position of the Sun as part of their courtship displays, suggests a study.

The Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology research found that the large birds lift and point their bottoms towards the Sun to display their white body feathers, thereby becoming more conspicuous and visible … Read : How male great bustards use Sun to woo the ladies.

New Trapster phone app alerts drivers against booze buses!

MELBOURNE – A new mobile phone technology is growing in popularity with its ability to alert drivers to the location of police radar traps, speed cameras and booze buses in Australia.

The application, called Trapster, was said to be compatible with any GPS-capable phone and allowed registered users to share the locations with others.
A Victoria Police …. Read the original article  : New Trapster phone app alerts drivers against booze buses!.

Simple, 30-min DNA test for life threatening diseases developed

LONDON – Scottish scientists have devised a novel 30 minute DNA test to diagnose the development of certain inherited diseases in a person.

The new technique developed at Edinburgh University will only require a drop of saliva to allow medics to identify variations in a patient’s genetic code.
Small changes in DNA can decide whether …. Source  : Simple, 30-min DNA test for life threatening diseases developed.

Sweepers pollute pilgrim city demanding wage hike

BHUBANESWAR – Cleaning workers have deposited garbage on the main street of Orissa’s pilgrim city of Puri, protesting against the local civic authorities having turned down their demand for a salary hike, official said Tuesday.

Heaps of garbage, comprising house waste and filth, littered the streets of the temple town, some 56 km from here. Experts … Read more : Sweepers pollute pilgrim city demanding wage hike.

Earliest signs of autism in babies after 6 months of birth

WASHINGTON – Nascent symptoms of autism such as a lack of shared eye contact, smiling and communicative babbling appear in babies after the first six months of their birth.

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder of deficits in social skills and communication, as well as in repetitive and restricted behaviours, with onset occurring prior to age … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Earliest signs of autism in babies after 6 months of birth.

Musharraf grateful to Facebook for collecting support

LONDON – Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf says he is grateful to the social networking site Facebook for “collectivising all the support” for him.

Speaking in CNN’s “Connect the World” programme, Musharraf said: “Let me say that analysing the outcome of the Facebook, I knew I had a lot of support, but this support was all … Read more >>.

Stem cell capsules may help mend broken bones

MELBOURNE – French and Australian scientists have come up with a new way of delivering stem cells that could one day lead to a single injection to mend broken or diseased bones and joints.

“It is growth factor and stem cells in an injectable format. This would be used wherever you would like to regenerate bone,” … Original article on : Stem cell capsules may help mend broken bones.

Discovery of stone tools at Crete pushes back seafaring by 130,000 years

WASHINGTON – Discoveries made during the last two summers on the Greek island of Crete have revealed stone tools dating back to 130,000 years, which is being considered strong evidence for the earliest known seafaring in the Mediterranean.

Crete has been an island for more than five million years, meaning that the toolmakers must have arrived … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Discovery of stone tools at Crete pushes back seafaring by 130,000 years.

Mobile subscriptions to reach 5bn this year, says UN agency

LONDON – A UN agency has revealed that the number of cell phone subscribers will go up to five billion this year with the growth of smartphones in developed nations and mobile services in poor nations.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) also said the number of mobile broadband subscriptions would exceed one billion this year after …. Source article  : Mobile subscriptions to reach 5bn this year, says UN agency.

‘Party drug’ ecstasy hurts users’ complex memories

MELBOURNE – Ecstasy takers face difficulties when it comes to performing difficult memory tasks, a new Australian research has found.

Led by Australian National University psychologists Dr John Brown, Dr Elinor McKone and Dr Jeff Ward, the study appears in the online ahead of print issue of Psychopharmacology.
To reach the conclusion, researchers studied three groups of …. Source article  : ‘Party drug’ ecstasy hurts users’ complex memories.

Cellular mechanism that protects against disease discovered

WASHINGTON – A new mechanism within human cells that constantly protects us against disease has been discovered by researchers at Oregon Health and Science University.

The work, which was directed by P. Michael Conn, Ph.D., a researcher at the OHSU Oregon National Primate Research Center, has been reported in the Feb. 15 issue of the … Read more >>.

Subatomic soup may explain why matter won over antimatter after Big Bang

LONDON – Physicists have measured the temperature inside the hottest fireball on Earth, a four-trillion-degree soup of melted protons and neutrons, which could help explain why matter won over antimatter after the Big Bang.

According to a report in Nature News, this soup of subatomic particles was created in collisions of gold nuclei at the Relativistic [..] Read the original article: here.

Religious iPhone apps answer prayers of devout gadget fans!

LONDON – Apple Inc has come up with a number of iPhone applications designed to answer prayers and other religious requirements.

The programs on the handset can read out Bible verses, point the way to Jerusalem and list festivals for all the major faiths.
Ship of Fools, the light-hearted religion website best known for its round up …. Read the original article  : Religious iPhone apps answer prayers of devout gadget fans!.

Heroic altruistic ants die alone to save colony

LONDON – It’s not just action movie heroes who face death alone to save their people. Scientists have found that ants act in a similarly altruistic fashion when stricken with disease.

They discovered that when ants of the species Temnothorax unifasciatus get sick, they abandon their nest, walking far away from their relatives to die alone.
They …. Source article  : Heroic altruistic ants die alone to save colony.

CryoSat to investigate Earth’s ice cover

PARIS – Reports indicate that the European Space Agency (ESA) is about to launch CryoSat on February 25, which would be the most sophisticated satellite ever to investigate the Earth’s ice fields and map ice thickness over water and land.

ESA’s ice mission satellite CryoSat will be placed into orbit 700 km above Earth by a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : CryoSat to investigate Earth’s ice cover.

Poverty linked to breast cancer gene damage

LONDON – Dundee University researchers have established a link between poverty and mutation of a gene, which may help explain why women from poor backgrounds are less likely to fight breast cancer.

In the British Journal of Cancer, the boffins reported finding that a woman’s postcode could be connected to the “health” of the P53 gene …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Poverty linked to breast cancer gene damage.

Protein that helps heart muscle contract identified

WASHINGTON – A protein called B1N1 that is necessary for the heart to contract has been discovered by researchers.

The finding, published in the Feb. 16 issue of the open access journal PLoS Biology, shed light not only on what makes a heart beat but also on heart failure, a disease where cardiac cells are no …. Read the original article  : Protein that helps heart muscle contract identified.

New weapon to fight malaria, disease-causing bacteria developed

WASHINGTON – University of Illinois researchers have discovered an unusual chemical reaction mechanism that allows malaria parasites and many disease-causing bacteria to survive.

The research team even knows how to exploit the chemical reaction mechanism, and have developed the first potent inhibitor of this chemical reaction.
The findings appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of …. Read the original article  : New weapon to fight malaria, disease-causing bacteria developed.

Botox may help reduce ‘eye-popping’ migraine headaches

WASHINGTON – Botulinum toxin type A (Botox), the drug that can temporarily erase wrinkles, may also help reduce frequency of migraine headaches that are described as crushing, vicelike or eye-popping, a preliminary study suggests.

The study has been published in the February issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Researchers conducting clinical trials on … Read more >>>.

Dusty mirrors on Moon obstruct tests of Einstein’s theory of relativity

LONDON – Scientists have said that as a result of moon dust covering a network of mirrors placed on the lunar surface, tests of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity are being obstructed.

Many of the best tests of relativity come from lunar ranging experiments.
Several times a month, teams of astronomers from three observatories blast the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dusty mirrors on Moon obstruct tests of Einstein’s theory of relativity.

Molecular pathway for organ tissue regeneration, repair discovered

WASHINGTON – A molecular pathway that works through the immune system to regenerate damaged kidney tissues and may lead to new therapies for repairing injury in a number of organs systems has been discovered by scientists.

The study, led by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Molecular pathway for organ tissue regeneration, repair discovered.

New system will recognise a voice among many

SYDNEY – An advanced system that will allow speech recognition in spaces filled with other voices, noise and echoes is being developed by an international team of researchers.

Roberto Togneri, professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA), said current systems turned a speaker’s words into text on a computer or mobile phone screen. It … Read more »»».

Found: Molecular route to regenerate organ tissue

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a molecular pathway that works through the immune system to regenerate damaged kidney tissues.

The breakthrough may lead to new therapies for repairing injury in a number of organs systems.
The findings come from collaborative research led by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Harvard …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Found: Molecular route to regenerate organ tissue.

Winds cause rescuers to suspend effort to save climber who fell into Mount St. Helens crater

Rescuers suspend search effort on Mount St. Helens

MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. – The rescue effort for a climber who fell into the crater at Mount St. Helens when a snow cornice collapsed was suspended Monday evening when high winds made footing unstable for search personnel, a sheriff’s spokesman said.
One rescuer reached the floor of the …. Source  : Winds cause rescuers to suspend effort to save climber who fell into Mount St. Helens crater.

Bone-anchored hearing aids help reduce deafness

WASHINGTON – Surgically implanted hearing aids, anchored to the skull bone, noticeably improves hearing among children with deafness in one ear, says a new report.

Single-sided deafness affects between 0.1 percent and 3 percent children, says the report.
The condition is often associated with poor performance in school, learning difficulties and behavioural problems, often attributed …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bone-anchored hearing aids help reduce deafness.

Mercury rises in Delhi, showers expected

NEW DELHI – With the sun shining over the national capital, the mercury recorded a rise Tuesday. But the weatherman has forecast light rain in the evening.

The minimum temperature settled at 10.7 degrees Celsius, a notch above average for this time of the year.
“There is a possibility of thunder and light …. Original source  : Mercury rises in Delhi, showers expected.

Astronauts move old space station docking port on eve of 3rd and final spacewalk of mission

Astronauts move old space station docking port

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Astronauts did some rearranging at the International Space Station for the second night in a row Monday, moving an old docking adapter into a new position.
A pair of spacemen used the station’s hefty robot arm to remove the 10-year-old adapter from the space station and … Original source on Gaea Times at : Astronauts move old space station docking port on eve of 3rd and final spacewalk of mission.

Whaling protester in custody on Japanese hunting vessel after secret boarding

Whaling protester in custody on Japanese boat

ADELAIDE, Australia – An anti-whaling activist from New Zealand was in custody on a Japanese vessel and will likely be taken to Japan to face charges after secretly boarding the ship as part of a protest, officials said Tuesday.
Diplomats in New Zealand and Tokyo have been meeting to discuss …. Original source  : Whaling protester in custody on Japanese hunting vessel after secret boarding.

CA utility spends $6.5M on ballot initiative critics say would hamper public power movement

Public power backers cry foul over utility effort

SAN FRANCISCO – Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is funding a June ballot initiative that would amend California’s constitution to make it much harder for cities and counties to offer residents another choice for buying their power.
The investor-owned utility, which has about 15 million customers in northern and [..] Read the original article: here.

Saudi oil adviser says kingdom preparing for peak in oil demand by diversifying economic base

Saudi Arabia preparing for oil demand to peak

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – A top Saudi energy official expressed serious concern Monday that world oil demand could peak in the next decade and said his country was preparing for that eventuality by diversifying its economic base.
Mohammed al-Sabban, lead climate talks negotiator, said the country with the world’s … Read more >>>.

Ocean research organisation to get research vessel soon

PANAJI – The Sindhu Sankalp, a research vessel acquired by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will be handed over to the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) within a few weeks, its chief said.

“After obtaining the clearances, the ship will undertake trial research cruises during the next few months,” NIO director S.R. Shetye …. Original source  : Ocean research organisation to get research vessel soon.

Earth’s earliest animals could flex their muscles

SYDNEY – A team of paleontologists has found fossils in Canada that show the earliest evidence of animal locomotion, which suggests that they must have had muscles.

According to a report in ABC Science, the team, from the University of Oxford and Memorial University of Newfoundland, found fossilised trails left by Ediacarans, an enigmatic assemblage of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Clay figures found in Ghana hints at existence of pre-Islam society

LONDON – Reports indicate that archaeologists have unearthed dozens of clay figures in Ghana, shedding light on a sophisticated society which existed before the arrival of Islam.

According to BBC News, experts from the University of Ghana found 80 sculptures believed to be between 800 and 1,400 years old.
They believe that the figures, depicting animal and …. Source  : Clay figures found in Ghana hints at existence of pre-Islam society.

Silicon-coated nanonets could pave way for longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries

WASHINGTON – A team of Boston College chemists has developed a tiny scaffold-like titanium structure of nanonets coated with silicon particles, which they say could pave the way for faster, lighter and longer-lasting Lithium-ion batteries.

The web-like Nanonets were developed in the lab of Boston College Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dunwei Wang.
They offer a unique structural [..] Read the original article: here.

Americans like conservation, but few practice it

WASHINGTON – The results of a national survey by researchers at Yale and George Mason universities has revealed that most Americans like the idea of conservation, but few practice it in their everyday lives.

A majority of Americans say that it is “very important” or “somewhat important” to turn off unneeded lights (92 percent), to lower … Original source on Gaea Times at : Americans like conservation, but few practice it.

Diamond is a nanowire’s best friend!

WASHINGTON – A team of engineers and applied physicists has sculpted a novel nanowire from diamond crystal and shown that the wire can act as a source of single photons.

To create their diamond nanowire device, the researchers from Harvard University, the Technical University of Munich and Texas A and M, took advantage of the same … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Diamond is a nanowire’s best friend!.

Nanotech catalyst may green chemical manufacturing

TORONTO – A new nanotech catalyst developed by chemists offers industry an opportunity to reduce the use of expensive and toxic heavy metals.

Although chemists have long been aware of the ecological impact of traditional chemical catalysts and do attempt to reuse their materials, it is generally difficult to separate the catalysing chemicals from the …. Original source  : Nanotech catalyst may green chemical manufacturing.

New artificial foot recycles energy for easy walking

WASHINGTON – An artificial foot that recycles energy otherwise wasted in between steps could make it easier for amputees to walk, its developers say.

“For amputees, what they experience when they’re trying to walk normally is what I would experience if I were carrying an extra 30 pounds,” said Art Kuo, professor in biomedical and … Read : New artificial foot recycles energy for easy walking.

USB ‘fingerprints’ can help detect data theft

LONDON – Scientists are making an effort to use ‘USB fingerprints’ to identify ‘pod slurping’ data thieves.

Theft of valuable data through USB ports is a growing problem. Pod slurpers can steal an individual document by copying it onto a USB stick. Hackers can also copy a large number of documents via document-scavenging tools like USB … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : USB ‘fingerprints’ can help detect data theft.

Low altitude at Vancouver Olympics means fewer records in speed skating

WASHINGTON – Experts have determined that the altitude of the venue of a sports extravaganza, like the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, can have a significant impact on performance of the contestants, making it difficult for athletes to make new records in events like speed skating.

Researchers say that for winter sports athletes, the altitude of the …. Read the original article  : Low altitude at Vancouver Olympics means fewer records in speed skating.

Genetic clues to counter malaria drug resistance

LONDON – An international group of researchers has used genomics to decode the blueprint of Plasmodium falciparum – a strain of malaria most resistant to drugs that causes the most deaths around the world.

According to researchers, the discovery could lead to advanced pharmaceuticals to fight the disease and prevent drug resistance.
“Combating malaria resistance is nothing … Read more »»».

AP Top News at 3:04 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 3:04 a.m. EST
Afghan official: Taliban using human shields
MARJAH, Afghanistan – Taliban fighters are increasingly using civilians as human shields in the assault on the southern town of Marjah, an Afghan official said Wednesday as military squads resumed painstaking house-to-house searches in the Taliban stronghold. About 15,000 NATO and Afghan troops are … Read more »».

AP Top News at 3:00 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 3:00 a.m. EST
Bayh the latest exit as moderates leave Congress
WASHINGTON – The moderate middle is disappearing from Congress. Evan Bayh is just the latest senator to forgo a re-election bid, joining a growing line of pragmatic, find-a-way politicians who are abandoning Washington. Still here: ever-more-polarized colleagues locked in gridlock – exactly … Original source on Gaea Times at : AP Top News at 3:00 a.m. EST.

Second-hand smoke in bars, restaurants extremely hazardous

WASHINGTON – Concentrations of second-hand tobacco smoke, inhaled in smoking rooms of restaurants and bars, are exceptionally high and hazardous to health, says a new finding.

The study by the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Centre (OTRC) shows the average particulate level measured in restaurant smoking rooms was beyond the hazardous extreme, based on levels established by the …. Original article  : Second-hand smoke in bars, restaurants extremely hazardous.

AP Top News at 2:45 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 2:45 a.m. EST
Bayh the latest exit as moderates leave Congress
WASHINGTON – The moderate middle is disappearing from Congress. Evan Bayh is just the latest senator to forgo a re-election bid, joining a growing line of pragmatic, find-a-way politicians who are abandoning Washington. Still here: ever-more-polarized colleagues locked in gridlock – exactly … Read : AP Top News at 2:45 a.m. EST.

Facebook to launch ‘Zero’ version for mobile phones

LONDON – Facebook has announced the creation of its new site “Zero”, a low-bandwidth and text-only version for mobile phone users.

The world’s biggest social network revealed details about the new site at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
The company said the site, which “omits data intensive applications like photos”, would be launched soon, The BBC …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Facebook to launch ‘Zero’ version for mobile phones.

Silicon wire arrays enable development of highly absorbing and flexible solar cells

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has used arrays of long, thin silicon wires embedded in a polymer substrate created a new type of flexible solar cell that enhances the absorption of sunlight and efficiently converts its photons into electrons.

The solar cell does all this using only a … Read : Silicon wire arrays enable development of highly absorbing and flexible solar cells.

Flower power may cut resistance to breast cancer drug tamoxifen

WASHINGTON – Researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center claim tamoxifen, the world’s most prescribed breast cancer agent, along with a compound found in the flowering plant feverfew may prevent initial or future resistance to the drug.

The experts reported the finding online Feb. 12 in FASEB.
“A solution to tamoxifen resistance is sorely needed, and if … Read more >>.

Ultraviolet pigment gives butterflies ability to identify own species

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists have found that butterflies that have a duplicate gene allowing them to see ultraviolet colors also have UV-yellow pigment on their wings, which enables them to identify their own species.

The finding, by biologists at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), holds true in at least nine Heliconius species.
The … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ultraviolet pigment gives butterflies ability to identify own species.

How do newborns learn two languages?

TORONTO – It may not be obvious, but hearing two languages regularly during pregnancy puts infants on the road to bilingualism by birth.

Infants born to bilingual mothers (who spoke both languages regularly during pregnancy) exhibit different language preferences than infants born to mothers speaking only one language.
Psychologists Krista Byers-Heinlein and Janet F. Werker … Read more »».

AP Top News at 2:07 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 2:07 a.m. EST
Bayh the latest exit as moderates leave Congress
WASHINGTON – The moderate middle is disappearing from Congress. Evan Bayh is just the latest senator to forgo a re-election bid, joining a growing line of pragmatic, find-a-way politicians who are abandoning Washington. Still here: ever-more-polarized colleagues locked in gridlock – exactly …. Original article  : AP Top News at 2:07 a.m. EST.

Biomarkers in saliva for early-stage pancreatic cancer detection found

WASHINGTON – A team of researchers has found biomarkers in saliva for early-stage detection of pancreatic cancer.

In the new study, the multidisciplinary group of investigators from the UCLA School of Dentistry, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the UCLA School of Public Health and UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center demonstrated the usefulness of … Read more >>>.

Now, text while you drive sans the use of your hands

WASHINGTON – A hands-free alternative to cell phone texting while driving has been developed by Clemson University researchers.

“If you can’t keep people from doing it, make it safer,” said Juan Gilbert, professor and chairman of the human-centered computing division of Clemson’s School of Computing.
Gilbert’s team developed application VoiceTEXT, that allows drivers to speak text messages …. Original source  : Now, text while you drive sans the use of your hands.

Astronomers come closer to understanding source of cosmic rays

WASHINGTON – New images from NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope are helping astronomers take a step closer to understanding the source of cosmic rays, which are some of the universe’s most energetic particles.

Cosmic rays consist mainly of protons that move through space at nearly the speed of light.
In their journey across the galaxy, the particles …. Original article  : Astronomers come closer to understanding source of cosmic rays.

Reading to kids crucial in developing familiarity with English

TORONTO – Poring over the adventures of the Bernstain Bears or exploring the worlds of Hans Christian Andersen with a child has always been a great parent-child bonding exercise.

But, according to George Georgiou, University of Alberta (U-A) professor in educational psychology, it is instrumental for English-speaking children if they are to acquire the language [..] Read the original article: here.

Chandigarh to launch project to popularise CFLs

CHANDIGARH – The administration here will soon launch a Bachat Lamp Yojana (Save Lamp Plan, BLY) to reduce domestic energy consumption, an official said Wednesday.

Under BLY, incandescent bulbs in Chandigarh homes will be replaced by Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) at a price similar to that of the bulbs.
“Domestic consumers will get good quality [..] Read the original article: here.

Garbage continues to pile up in pilgrim city Puri

BHUBANESWAR – Heaps of garbage continued to pile up in the main street of Orissa’s pilgrim city Puri as the indefinite strike by cleaning workers entered the third day Wednesday.

Instead of cleaning, the workers have been depositing garbage on the streets of the temple town, some 56 km from here. Despite repeated attempts by the … Read more >>.

Maldives to phase out polluting chemicals 20 years early

MAL – The Maldives has pledged to phase out by 2020 a group of chemicals which thin out the earth’s ozone layer and warm the atmosphere, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The phase-out will be 20 years ahead of what all countries have to do under an international protocol.

Hailing the decision to phase …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Maldives to phase out polluting chemicals 20 years early.

AP Top News at 1:28 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 1:28 a.m. EST
Bayh the latest exit as moderates leave Congress
WASHINGTON – The moderate middle is disappearing from Congress. Evan Bayh is just the latest senator to forgo a re-election bid, joining a growing line of pragmatic, find-a-way politicians who are abandoning Washington. Still here: ever-more-polarized colleagues locked in gridlock – exactly …. Source  : AP Top News at 1:28 a.m. EST.

AP Top News at 1:26 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 1:26 a.m. EST
Bayh the latest exit as moderates leave Congress
WASHINGTON – The moderate middle is disappearing from Congress. Evan Bayh is just the latest senator to forgo a re-election bid, joining a growing line of pragmatic, find-a-way politicians who are abandoning Washington. Still here: ever-more-polarized colleagues locked in gridlock – exactly …. Original article  : AP Top News at 1:26 a.m. EST.

AP Top News at 1:21 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 1:21 a.m. EST
Bayh the latest exit as moderates leave Congress
WASHINGTON – The moderate middle is disappearing from Congress. Evan Bayh is just the latest senator to forgo a re-election bid, joining a growing line of pragmatic, find-a-way politicians who are abandoning Washington. Still here: ever-more-polarized colleagues locked in gridlock – exactly … Read more : AP Top News at 1:21 a.m. EST.

Astronauts take in stunning views of Earth as shutters open at space station’s new lookout

Astronauts unveil phenomenal new window on world

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In a highly anticipated grand finale to their mission, astronauts opened the shutters on the International Space Station’s new observation deck Wednesday and were humbled by “absolutely spectacular” views of Earth from inside the elaborate atrium of windows.
The $27 million lookout opened each of its …. Original source  : Astronauts take in stunning views of Earth as shutters open at space station’s new lookout.

Soon, scorpion venom-based painkillers

WASHINGTON – Scorpion venom could be used as an alternative to dangerous and addictive painkillers like morphine, an expert has claimed.

Prof. Michael Gurevitz, a Tel Aviv University researcher, is investigating new ways for developing a novel painkiller based on natural compounds found in the venom of scorpions.
He said that these compounds have gone through millions … Original source on Gaea Times at : Soon, scorpion venom-based painkillers.

King Tut didn’t die of malaria, say experts

LONDON – Experts have challenged a research team’s findings on the Egyptian boy-king Tutankhamun that he had died because of malaria.

Just a few days back, a research team had claimed to have solved the mystery surrounding the death of King Tut.
Imaging results in their report indicated that Tutankhamun had osteonecrosis of two metatarsal bones in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : King Tut didn’t die of malaria, say experts.

Toyota begins fix on other hybrid models, apologizes for recalls in Japan newspapers

Toyota apologizes, begins fix on other hybrids

TOKYO – Toyota took full-page ads in major Japanese newspapers Wednesday to apologize for massive recalls, and began fixing braking glitches for two problem hybrid models, as pressure continued to build on the automaker to come clean on defects.
Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda is scheduled to give an … Original article on : Toyota begins fix on other hybrid models, apologizes for recalls in Japan newspapers.

Scorpion venom could replace morphine as painkiller

LONDON – Scorpion venom is notoriously poisonous but it can potentially replace dangerous and addictive painkillers like morphine, says a new study.

Michael Gurevitz, professor, Tel Aviv University’s (TAU) Department of Plant Sciences, is investigating new ways for developing a novel painkiller based on natural compounds found in scorpion venom.
These compounds have gone through … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Scorpion venom could replace morphine as painkiller.

Insomnia ‘can shrink your brain’

WASHINGTON – Individuals battling insomnia are losing out on more than just sleep – they may be missing brain matter.

With the help of brain imaging, researchers have linked chronic insomnia to lower gray matter density in areas that regulate the brain’s ability to make decisions and to rest, reports Discovery News.
“The findings predict that chronic …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Insomnia ‘can shrink your brain’.

Turmeric – a new way to spice up your weight loss routine

WASHINGTON – Curcumin, a bioactive component in Indian spice turmeric, can prove effective if added in weight loss routine, a new study suggests.

The compound can stall the spread of fat-tissue by inhibiting new blood vessel growth, called angiogenesis, which is necessary to build fat tissue, according to results from a new animal model study by …. Read the original article  : Turmeric – a new way to spice up your weight loss routine.

AP Top News at 12:28 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 12:28 a.m. EST
Bayh the latest exit as moderates leave Congress
WASHINGTON – The moderate middle is disappearing from Congress. Evan Bayh is just the latest senator to forgo a re-election bid, joining a growing line of pragmatic, find-a-way politicians who are abandoning Washington. Still here: ever-more-polarized colleagues locked in gridlock – exactly … Original article on : AP Top News at 12:28 a.m. EST.

Overfishing threatens key species in Mexico: Greenpeace

Mexico City, Feb 17 (IANS/EFE) The species of fish and shellfish most consumed in Mexico “are at risk” due to overfishing, according to international NGO Greenpeace.

Red snapper, shrimp, sardines, sharks, rays, tuna and groupers from the Gulf of Mexico, salmon from the Atlantic and grey mullet are all on a Red List prepared by the …. Source article  : Overfishing threatens key species in Mexico: Greenpeace.

AP Top News at 12:08 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 12:08 a.m. EST
Bayh the latest exit as moderates leave Congress
WASHINGTON – The moderate middle is disappearing from Congress. Evan Bayh is just the latest senator to forgo a re-election bid, joining a growing line of pragmatic, find-a-way politicians who are abandoning Washington. Still here: ever-more-polarized colleagues locked in gridlock – exactly …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : AP Top News at 12:08 a.m. EST.

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.

Diatoms key to evolution of whales

SYDNEY – A new study by scientists has determined that a type of algae called diatoms have been key to the evolution of the diversity of whales.

According to a report by ABC Science, the research was carried out by Felix Marx …. Original source  : Diatoms key to evolution of whales.

Smart football ’sOccket’ to charge batteries in developing countries

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a smart football called ’sOccket’, which captures and stores energy during normal game play to be used to later charge batteries and LEDs (light emitting diodes) in developing countries.

Co-creator Jessica Lin told Discovery News that the … Read more >>>.

PleaseRobMe website reveals risks of posting personal details online

LONDON – A website called PleaseRobMe has been launched to underscore the risk posed by posting personal details on the Internet.he site claims to reveal the location of empty homes based on what people post online.

The Dutch developers said that the site was created to prove … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : PleaseRobMe website reveals risks of posting personal details online.

Huge spiders and anti-freeze fish discovered in depths of Antarctic’s seas

EDINBURGH – The Census of Antarctic Marine Life has revealed the variety of bizarre creatures lurking in the depths of the Antarctic seas, including spiders the size of dinner plates and fish with anti-freeze to cope with the cold, among 6,000 other species.

According … Original source on Gaea Times at : Huge spiders and anti-freeze fish discovered in depths of Antarctic’s seas.

NASA’s Stardust adjusts time for encounter with comet

WASHINGTON – NASA’s Stardust spacecraft has successfully performed a maneuver to adjust the time of its planned encounter with comet Tempel 1 by eight hours and 20 minutes.

The Stardust spacecraft is expected to flyby comet Tempel 1 next year.
The delay maximizes the probability of the spacecraft capturing high-resolution images of the desired surface features of … Read more : NASA’s Stardust adjusts time for encounter with comet.

Dolphin clue to human cervical cancer treatment

WASHINGTON – Dolphins may be the ideal model for the study of cervical cancer in people, say University of Florida aquatic animal health experts.

“We discovered that dolphins get multiple infections of apillomaviruses, which are known to be linked with cervical cancer in women,” said Hendrik Nollens, a marine mammal biologist and clinical assistant professor at … Read more >>>.

Seven species of rare Indian wild cats caught on film

LONDON – Reports indicate that one of the world’s highest number of wild cat species has been recorded on film in India’s Eastern Himalayan rainforest.

According to BBC News, seven species of wild cats were photographed by remote cameras equipped with motion sensors in a remote area of rainforest in northeast India.
The study was conducted by …. Source article  : Seven species of rare Indian wild cats caught on film.

SUV-sized fish swam the Jurassic waters 170 million years ago

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified 170 million year old fossils as belonging to SUV-sized filter-feeding fishes that emerged during the Jurassic Period, and lived until the extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs and numerous other species.

Although the now-extinct fishes, called pachycormiforms, were not closely related to whales, their demise left an ecological niche void that …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Drake wants to create off-world listening post to listen for alien messages

LONDON – Frank Drake, the founder of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), has proposed sending a spacecraft to planets orbiting distant stars to overhear alien communications, which would be too faint for telescopes on Earth to detect.

According to a report in New Scientist, Drake wants to take the search for aliens about 82 billion …. Read the original article  : Drake wants to create off-world listening post to listen for alien messages.

Ramesh inaugurates Kerala’s second tiger reserve

PALAKKAD – Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh Friday declared open the country’s 38th tiger reserve and Kerala’s second. It would be known as the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1973 in a 285-sq-km protected area in Chittur taluk of Palakkad district.
To this area, another 358.662 sq km of forests … Read more »».

Astronauts close hatches, say goodbye as shuttle Endeavour preps to undock from space station

Endeavour astronauts say goodbye to space station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The crews of the linked space shuttle and space station embraced and said farewell Friday as they prepared for Endeavour to begin its two-day trip home after “a mission of Olympic proportions.”
There were hugs and handshakes all around as the six Endeavour astronauts floated one …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Orange peels and newspapers may lead to cheaper and cleaner fuel

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has developed a groundbreaking way to way to produce cheap and clean fuel from waste products such as orange peels and newspapers, to power the world’s vehicles.

The team was lead by University of Central Florida professor Henry Daniell.
His approach is greener and less expensive than the current methods available …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Scientists unveil system for regulating anesthesia via computer

WASHINGTON – Researchers have created a technique for automatically controlling anaesthesia during surgical operations.

The new system detects the hypnotic state of the patient at all times and supplies the most appropriate dose of anaesthetic.
“This is an efficient control technique which regulates anaesthesia in operating theatres by computer, with the aim of adapting the dose of …. Source article  : Scientists unveil system for regulating anesthesia via computer.

Listening to Sun may improve forecasts of solar flares

SYDNEY – Scientists have come up with a new method that analyses sound waves generated by the Sun, which would help scientists forecast solar flares and promises to be twice as accurate as current models.

Solar flares can trigger disruptions and errors in GPS signals and other equipment receiving radio waves that bounce off or travel … Read : Listening to Sun may improve forecasts of solar flares.

Residents, Human Society fight to clean huge Calif. chicken egg farm’s putrid waste lagoon

Residents fight to clean up Calif. chicken waste

FRENCH CAMP, Calif. – At the end of a remote road lined by houses, children play in yards just a short distance from a stagnant, 16.5-acre lagoon filled with the waste sludge of a factory egg farm.
Flies hover over the pond as chicken urine and feces get pumped … Read more : Residents, Human Society fight to clean huge Calif. chicken egg farm’s putrid waste lagoon.

Marine sponges may help fight cancer

WASHINGTON – The natural compound sceptrin, which is found in marine sponges, reduces cancer cell motility (movement) and has very low toxicity, researchers have found.

Investigators at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham, formerly Burnham Institute for Medical Research) led by Kristiina Vuori, M.D., Ph.D., made the discovery.
Metastasis is one of the deadliest aspects of cancer, so … Read more »».

Novel algorithm improves video game quality

WASHINGTON – A new algorithm to improve computer graphics for video games has been unveiled by researchers.

In a paper by Morgan McGuire, assistant professor of computer science at Williams College, and co-author Dr. David Luebke of NVIDIA, the researchers have explained that they have developed a new method for computerizing lighting and light sources that …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Marathon gene’ makes picking racehorses a safer bet

WASHINGTON – Picking racehorses may now be a safer bet, thanks to a new research, which has resulted in the identification of a ’speed gene’ in thoroughbreds.

According to researchers, the gene would enable thoroughbred owners to sort would-be sprinters from plodders.
Equinome, a horse genome sequencing company based in Ireland, has developed a new test …. Original source  : ‘Marathon gene’ makes picking racehorses a safer bet.

Untreated poor vision in elderly tied to Alzheimer’s risk

WASHINGTON – Lack of adequate vision coverage of older adults may put them at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease – the most common form of dementia, according to a University of Michigan Health System study.

The study, which used Medicare data, showed that those with poor vision who visited an ophthalmologist at least once for an …. Original article  : Untreated poor vision in elderly tied to Alzheimer’s risk.

How seeds from Moringa tree can be used for water purification

WASHINGTON – A new study by scientists has described how extracts from seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree can be used for water purification.

Researchers from Uppsala University, Sweden, in co-operation with The University of Botswana, carried out the study.
Flocculation of particulate impurities is a common first stage in purification of water.
This often uses addition of … Read more »».

Scientists come a step closer to unlocking secrets of photosynthesis

WASHINGTON – An international team of scientists has taken a significant step closer to unlocking the secrets of photosynthesis, and possibly to cleaner fuels.

Plants and algae, as well as cyanobacteria, use photosynthesis to produce oxygen and “fuels,” the latter being oxidizable …. Original article  : Scientists come a step closer to unlocking secrets of photosynthesis.

Philippines triples its rice yield in last 50 years

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that in the last fifty years, the Philippines has more than tripled its rice yield, while the world average rice yield has increased only about 2.3 times.

Despite being criticized as a poor rice producer because of … Read more >>.

Dust storms from Arctic may affect climate and health in the Americas and Europe

WASHINGTON – New evidence has emerged which indicates that dust storms in the arctic, possibly caused by receding glaciers, may be making similar deposits in northern Europe and North America, thus affecting the health of the people in the countries there.

Joseph …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Dust storms from Arctic may affect climate and health in the Americas and Europe.

Scientists develop easier way to predict snowfall

WASHINGTON – Scientists from the University of Utah, US, have developed an easier way for meteorologists to predict snowfall amounts and density.

Based on a study of 457 winter storms during eight years at 9,644 feet in the Wasatch Range at Utah’s …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists develop easier way to predict snowfall.

iPhone’s ‘wobbling breasts’ app sparks row

LONDON – Apple has decided to pull the plug on its application called Wobble iBoobs after receiving “numerous complaints” from customers.

The application that let users to watch breasts bounce was said to have earned more than 150,000 pounds.
Developer ChilliFresh said Apple originally deemed it suitable for distribution … Read : iPhone’s ‘wobbling breasts’ app sparks row.

Space shuttle Endeavour set to return to Earth on Feb 21

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that Space shuttle Endeavour and its six-member crew are expected to return to Earth on Sunday, February 21, after a 14-day mission.

NASA managers will evaluate weather conditions at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida before permitting Endeavour to land.
If Endeavour lands on Feb 21 in …. Source  : Space shuttle Endeavour set to return to Earth on Feb 21.

Dinosaurs were also marine creatures, not just land dwellers

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found evidence of dinosaurs that spent much of their time in water, which shows that the prehistoric beasts were not in fact restricted to land as had been previously thought.

Romain Amiot at the University of Lyon in France and a team … Read more »»».

Dramatic rise in genetic information about diseases

SYDNEY – Scientists have dramatically expanded the volume of genetic information about complex human diseases and their potential treatment.

A team of researchers from Childrens Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research (CCIA), University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Penn State University, sequenced the genomes of indigenous Africans and found them to be among the worlds …. Source  : Dramatic rise in genetic information about diseases.

Indian-origin Kiwi scientist aiming to regrow human organs

WELLINGTON – A breakthrough research by an Indian-origin Kiwi scientist may soon enable humans to regrow parts of their body in the same way some amphibians do.

Vishal Bhasin, a former Wellingtonian, has spent the past six years in Sydney researching tissue regeneration, reports Stuff.co.nz.
He said. “I’ve already managed to turn [skin] cells into fat cells …. Original source  : Indian-origin Kiwi scientist aiming to regrow human organs.

New technique shakes brain cancer cells to death

WASHINGTON – Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago Medical Center have created a technique to combat brain cancer using tiny, nano-sized discs that shake the tumor cells to death – literally.

The method, however, is only in the early stages of development, the boffins stressed.
The new technique …. Original source  : New technique shakes brain cancer cells to death.

Fungal fumes prove deadly for destructive pests

WASHINGTON – A cocktail of compounds emitted by the beneficial fungus Muscodor albus may offer a biological way to fumigate certain crops and rid them of destructive pests.

That is what Agricultural Research Service (ARS) studies suggest, in which scientists pitted Muscodor against potato tuber moths, apple coddling moths and Tilletia fungi that cause bunt …. Source  : Fungal fumes prove deadly for destructive pests.

Giant ‘atom smasher’ to be switched on again next week

LONDON – Scientists at the laboratory that operates the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have said that the giant atom smasher will be switched on again next week.

The particle accelerator was shut down for the Christmas period shortly after setting the record for the highest particle energies ever attained.
According to BBC News, over the coming months, …. Original article  : Giant ‘atom smasher’ to be switched on again next week.

Scientists find mouse that eats like the dinosaurs

LONDON – Scientists have determined that the European woodmouse has a unique taste for ferns, a food once eaten by long-extinct dinosaurs.

According to a report by BBC News, the mouse regularly devours the spores of the endemic European fern Culcita macrocarpa, the only small mammal known to do so.
It is rare for modern vertebrates to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists find mouse that eats like the dinosaurs.

Critical enzyme in healthy heart function identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute have shown that the enzyme calcineurin is critical in controlling normal development and function of heart cells, and that loss of the protein leads to heart problems and death in genetically modified mice.

The study will be published in Feb. 26 …. Source article  : Critical enzyme in healthy heart function identified.

Women’s looks sway men, even in the virtual world

LONDON – Men judge women on the basis of their looks, even in the virtual world, a researcher has found.

Avatars and robots are increasingly appealing people these days, courtesy video games and blockbuster movies.
Now, Karl MacDorman of Indiana University in Indianapolis, Indiana, wanted to find out how people treated avatars when faced with an ethical … Read more >>>.

We are 93 percent predictable

LONDON – Whether you are a homebody or a frequent flier, your movements are predictable – theoretically speaking, according to a study of the traces left by 50,000 cellphone users.

“We are all in one way or another boring,” says Albert-L??szl?? Barab??si at the Center for Complex Network Research at Northeastern University in Boston, who co-wrote … Read more »».

Robot bird given extra powers to scare off pesky pigeons

EDINBURGH – A robotic bird has been rebooted with extra features that would enable it to scare off pesky pigeons.

Earlier, the robot, invented by John Donald, an entrepreneur with a science background, couldn’t fool some particularly wily pigeons.
Known as Robop, it has been sold around the world, but has failed to prove effective in some …. Original source  : Robot bird given extra powers to scare off pesky pigeons.

Endeavour undocks from International Space Station

LOS ANGELES – Space shuttle Endeavour has undocked from the International Space Station after successfully installing an additional observation deck at the research centre.

The six-member mission left the station Friday and will reach the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida Monday, NASA said in a press release.
As the vehicle parted with the ISS at 7.54 …. Source article  : Endeavour undocks from International Space Station.

Delhi continues to feel the chill

NEW DELHI – A bright morning greeted Delhiites Saturday but cool winds and temperatures below average ensured that the chill continued in the capital.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature recorded early Saturday was a notch below average at 9.7 degrees Celsius.
“The temperatures have been below average over the past few …. Source  : Delhi continues to feel the chill.

Thanks but no thanks: Most states pass on their share of $5B in stimulus cash for welfare jobs

$3.8B in stimulus funds for welfare jobs untouched

ATLANTA – Desperate though they are to fill gaps in their budgets, more than half the states in the country haven’t touched a $5 billion pot of federal stimulus funds meant to find work for welfare recipients.
Leaders in most states have hesitated to pony up the matching funds …. Source article  : Thanks but no thanks: Most states pass on their share of $5B in stimulus cash for welfare jobs.

Quick ‘egg timer’ reads women’s biological clock

MELBOURNE – Experts have come up with a simple, quick and inexpensive test that can measure a woman’s egg reserve.

The revolutionary test, dubbed the “egg timer”, was proven as the best-known indicator of fertility and is set to be routinely offered by IVF Australia.
The test, priced at 65 dollars, will tell women how many eggs …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Two resignations, many fallouts in climate geopolitics (Comment)

Two big-ticket resignations last week will have far-reaching effects on climate geopolitics. The decision by India’s top climate negotiator Shyam Saran to quit will make it easier for the US to push emerging economies to do more to combat climate change. So will the decision of UN climate panel chief Yvo de Boer to quit …. Read the original article  : Two resignations, many fallouts in climate geopolitics (Comment).

Scientists developing new generation of neuro-computer

WASHINGTON – Researchers of the Institute for Theoretical Science (IGI) at Graz University of Technology are hoping to design a new generation of neuro-computers based on the principles of calculation and learning mechanisms found in the brain, and at the same time gain new knowledge about the brain’s learning mechanisms.

They have been co-ordinating the European … Read more : Scientists developing new generation of neuro-computer.

Now, a machine that can smell if you have cancer

LONDON – British scientists have invented a machine which can “smell” cancer.
Brainchild of academics at Cranfield University in Bedfordshire, the Breathotron detects chemical changes in a patient’s breath, which doctors say could show they have a tumour and give an earlier diagnosis than is possible now, reports The Mirror.

Professor Hugh Barr, who is leading the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Now, a machine that can smell if you have cancer.

Prehistoric island ‘Jurassic Parkette’ ruled by dwarf dinosaurs found

LONDON – Paleontologists have discovered a prehistoric “lost world” which was ruled by miniature dinosaurs.

Sort of a pigmy Jurassic Park, the island was the hometown of dinos who were up to eight times smaller than some of their mainland cousins, reports The Telegraph.
Dwarf dinosaurs’ fossils were found in what is now modern day Romania, in …. Original source  : Prehistoric island ‘Jurassic Parkette’ ruled by dwarf dinosaurs found.

Honeybees headbutt hive mates to warn them of danger at food source

WASHINGTON – Honeybees warn their nest mates about dangers at a food source by headbutting, according to a new study.

According to a biologist at UC San Diego, honey bees warn their nest mates about dangers they encounter while feeding with a special signal that’s akin to a “stop” sign for bees.
The discovery, detailed in a …. Source  : Honeybees headbutt hive mates to warn them of danger at food source.

Nanotechnology may help turn fabrics, paper into lightweight batteries

WASHINGTON – An engineer has found a way to cheaply and efficiently manufacture lightweight paper batteries and supercapacitors, as well as stretchable, conductive textiles known as “eTextiles” – capable of storing energy while retaining the mechanical properties of ordinary paper or fabric.

Like batteries, supercapacitors store energy, but by electrostatic rather than chemical means.
Stanford engineer Yi …. Source  : Nanotechnology may help turn fabrics, paper into lightweight batteries.

Why audiences hate modern classical music

LONDON – Scientists have finally found an explanation for why many audiences find modern classical music so difficult to listen to.

They claim listeners’ brains struggle to find patterns they need to understand the compositions as music, reports The Telegraph.
New book, The Music Instinct, on how the human brain interprets music has revealed that listeners rely …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Why audiences hate modern classical music.

Discarded “boob tubes” could cause big pollution problems

WASHINGTON – Scientists warn that toxic glass from old-style television sets and computer monitors, popularly known as “boob tubes”, could end up polluting landfills if new uses for them are not found soon.

Technically speaking, a “boob tube” is a funnel-shaped device known as a cathode ray tube, which can be found inside an old TV.
Cathode … Read more »».

Warmer seas may rob corals and rainforests of protective clouds

LONDON – A new research has suggested that rising ocean temperatures may leave corals and rainforests without clouds for protection.

Five years ago, Graham Jones and his team at Southern Cross University in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, demonstrated that algae living in coral tissue produce a gas called dimethyl sulphide (DMS).
When released into the atmosphere, [..] Read the original article: here.

Robot to provide 3-D images of dangerous locations

WASHINGTON – Soldiers and first responders may soon have a better way to evaluate the interior of dangerous structures, thanks to a robot that provides 3-D images of risky locations.

The robot was developed as a joint project between Missouri University of Science and Technology and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
As part of the project, which began … Read : Robot to provide 3-D images of dangerous locations.

New method may lead top more energy efficient solar panels

WASHINGTON – A scientist has come up with a new method to reconfigure the way solar panels are connected, which could lead to solar arrays in the future that are more energy efficient and reliable.

According to Dr. Jonathan Kimball, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, the … Read : New method may lead top more energy efficient solar panels.

Scientists create new tool to understand how cancers grow

WASHINGTON – Scientists have developed a new tool that illuminates connections between stem cells and cancer.

Researchers have been successful in breaking apart human prostate tissue, extract the stem cells in the tissue, and alter those cells genetically so that they spur cancer.
Many tissues contain pools of stem cells that replenish the tissue when it’s damaged [..] Read the original article: here.

AP Top News at 12:49 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 12:49 a.m. EST
Ohno wins bronze in 1,000 short track speedskating
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trailing the South Koreans and a pair of Canadian brothers, Apolo Anton Ohno had to rally on the last lap to make history. With the gold and silver out of reach, Ohno scooted furiously past Charles and Francois … Original article on : AP Top News at 12:49 a.m. EST.

AP Top News at 12:42 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 12:42 a.m. EST
Ohno wins bronze in 1,000 short track speedskating
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trailing the South Koreans and a pair of Canadian brothers, Apolo Anton Ohno had to rally on the last lap to make history. With the gold and silver out of reach, Ohno scooted furiously past brothers Charles and … Original article on : AP Top News at 12:42 a.m. EST.

AP Top News at 12:35 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 12:35 a.m. EST
Ohno wins bronze in 1,000 short track speedskating
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trailing the South Koreans and a pair of Canadian brothers, Apolo Anton Ohno had to rally on the last lap to make history. With the gold and silver out of reach, Ohno scooted furiously past brothers Charles and … Read : AP Top News at 12:35 a.m. EST.

AP Top News at 12:21 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 12:21 a.m. EST
Ohno wins bronze in 1,000 short track speedskating
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trailing the South Koreans and a pair of Canadian brothers, Apolo Anton Ohno had to rally on the last lap to make history. With the gold and silver out of reach, Ohno scooted furiously past brothers Charles and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : AP Top News at 12:21 a.m. EST.

Government outlines Great Lakes fixup plan that cleans polluted sites, fights invasive species

Feds outline plan to nurse Great Lakes to health
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – The Obama administration has developed a five-year blueprint for rescuing the Great Lakes, a sprawling ecosystem plagued by toxic contamination, shrinking wildlife habitat and invasive species.
The plan envisions spending more than $2.2 billion for long-awaited repairs after …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Delhiites wake up to warm Sunday

NEW DELHI – A warm and sunny morning greeted people in the national capital Sunday.

The maximum temperature was 25.5 degrees Celsius, average for this time of the season while the minimum was recorded at 11.7 degrees Celsius, a notch above the average.
“Temperature will continue to rise in the coming days but the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Delhiites wake up to warm Sunday.

AP Top News at 11:07 p.m. EST

AP Top News at 11:07 p.m. EST
Fighting rages as Karzai urges restraint from NATO
MARJAH, Afghanistan – U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers advanced through poppy fields of Marjah on Saturday under withering gunfire from Taliban fighters shooting from mudbrick homes and compounds where families huddled in terror. President Hamid Karzai urged NATO to do more to …. Read the original article  : AP Top News at 11:07 p.m. EST.

Scientists hit by fallout from loss of public confidence in climate science

LONDON – A top US academic has claimed that the fallout from a loss of public confidence in climate science is affecting other fields of research.

American opinion polls point to a general deterioration in people’s faith in science, Dr Ralph Cicerone, president …. Original article  : Scientists hit by fallout from loss of public confidence in climate science.

Global warming both bane and boon for world’s poor

WASHINGTON – A new study by researchers at Stanford University, US, has determined that global warming may have an adverse impact on food prices and hunger in poor populations of the world, while others would be helped out of poverty because of it.

Researchers say that higher temperatures … Read more >>>.

7,000-year-old bricks discovered in China

NEW DELHI – Archaeologists have unearthed bricks dating back 5,000 to 7,000 years in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, adding between 1,000 to 2,000 years onto Chinese brick-making history.

“The five calcined bricks were unearthed from a site of the Yangshao Culture Period … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 7,000-year-old bricks discovered in China.

Diabetes drug ‘ups heart disease, death risk’

LONDON – US senators have linked a diabetes drug to heart disease and death.
They have claimed that the drug Avandia used by tens of thousands of Britons increases the risk of heart problems and could even lead to death, reports the Telegraph.he US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the medicines …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Most test tube babies kids are ‘healthy’

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found only a few medical differences between children born as a result of assisted reproduction and kids conceived in the traditional way.

More than three million children have been born worldwide as a result of assisted reproductive technologies since the birth of the first …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Most test tube babies kids are ‘healthy’.

High Vitamin D levels in middle-age cut down heart disease risk

LONDON – The middle-aged and the elderly with high vitamin D levels could cut down risks of developing heart disease or diabetes by 43 percent, says a new research.

A Warwick Medical School research team carried out a systematic review of studies examining vitamin D and cardiometabolic disorders.
Cardiometabolic disorders include cardiovascular disease, type … Read more »»».

US plastic bag fee forces question from ‘paper or plastic?’ to ‘pay or no bag?’

Plastic bags in US _ to pay or not to pay?

WASHINGTON – For decades the standard question at U.S. grocery store check-out counters has been “Paper or Plastic?” But since January, consumers in the U.S. capital have faced a different question: “Will you pay 5 cents for a bag?”
Europeans have long accepted the idea of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US plastic bag fee forces question from ‘paper or plastic?’ to ‘pay or no bag?’.

‘Cosmic candles’ result of colliding dead stars

SYDNEY – In a new research, scientists have found that supernova, which are ‘cosmic candles’ used to fix the distance of objects in the universe, are caused by the merger of two small dead stars called white dwarfs.

For some time, there have been two most likely scenarios for what is causing these most generic explosions … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Cosmic candles’ result of colliding dead stars.

Corals reef in danger of being wiped off the face of the Earth

WASHINGTON – If reports are anything to go by, then coral reefs are in danger of being wiped off the face of the Earth, all due to global warming.

Corals get most of their energy from microscopic algae that live in their tissue. These algae are colourful and are what gives corals their vivid hue.
When environmental …. Read the original article  : here.

Governments ‘underestimating’ scale of CO2 emissions

WASHINGTON – A new research has concluded that policymakers in Europe and US are markedly underestimating the changes needed to mitigate carbon dioxide (CO2) emission required to prevent dangerous climate change because they work in ’silos’.

Dr Sebastian Carney, from The University of Manchester, UK, discovered that the lack of communication between government departments, NGOs and …. Original article  : Governments ‘underestimating’ scale of CO2 emissions.

Ultra-fast tabletop X-ray laser may be used for high-resolution imaging

WASHINGTON – Recent breakthroughs by a team of scientists have paved the way on how to build a ultra-fast tabletop X-ray laser that could be used for super high-resolution imaging.

Both of these feats could lead to major breakthroughs in many fields including medicine, biology and nanotechnology development.
Research into the field is being carried out by …. Read the original article  : here.

Siesta makes you smarter

WASHINGTON – If you see a student dozing in the library or a co-worker catching 40 winks in her cubicle, don’t snigger. New research from the University of California, Berkeley (UC-B) shows that an hour’s nap can dramatically boost and restore brain power.

The findings suggest that a biphasic sleep (sleeping twice in a 24-hour …. Read the original article  : Siesta makes you smarter.

Midday napping can make you smarter

WASHINGTON – Taking a midday nap can dramatically boost brain’s learning capacity power, according to a new study.

The new research suggests that a biphasic sleep schedule not only refreshes the mind, but can also make you smarter.
On the other hand, the more hours we spend awake, the more sluggish our minds become, according to the … Read : Midday napping can make you smarter.

Sea levels wouldn’t rise by 82 cms by century end, say scientists

LONDON – The author of a study that claimed in 2009 that sea levels would rise by up to 82cm by the end of century, is now saying that the true estimate is still unknown, which seems like the fall out of the goof-up on the melting of the Himalayan glaciers.

The study, published in 2009 …. Original source  : Sea levels wouldn’t rise by 82 cms by century end, say scientists.

Soon, wearable solar cells to charge gadgets while on the move

LONDON – Charging gadgets while on the move may soon be possible, as scientists have developed a flexible solar cell that can be built into clothing.

Harry Atwater and his team at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena have made the bendy cell from an array of microwires encased in a clear flexible polymer.
It uses … Read more »».

Boiling shrimps may reduce shellfish allergens: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that boiling shrimp for 10 minutes may reduce allergenic properties of total shrimp extracts.

Researchers from Jimei University in Fujian China and the Agricultural Research Service in New Orleans, LA examined shrimp extracts from both raw and boiled shrimp, which were ground and then freeze-dried.
The research showed that boiling …. Read the original article  : Boiling shrimps may reduce shellfish allergens: Study.

Scientists sequence giant panda genome to shed new light into the bear’s diet

WASHINGTON – By successfully sequencing the panda genome for the first time, an international team of scientists has shed new light on some of the giant panda’s unusual biological traits, including its famously restricted diet.

Professor Mike Bruford, Cardiff School of Biosciences, worked on the study as part of an ongoing collaboration with the Chinese Academy … Read more »».

Monkeys more sensitive to damage to their habitat than previously thought

WASHINGTON – A new research has determined that monkey populations in threatened forests are far more sensitive to damage to their habitat than previously thought.

The research was conducted by Dr Andrew Marshall, from the Environment Department at the University of York and Director of Conservation at Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo, in collaboration with … Read more »».

Magnetic fields play important role in birth of massive stars

LONDON – In a new research, astronomers have used the MERLIN radio telescope network centered on the Jodrell Bank Observatory to show that magnetic fields play an important role during the birth of massive stars.

Magnetic fields are already known to strongly influence the formation of lower-mass stars like our Sun.
This new study reveals that the …. Original source  : Magnetic fields play important role in birth of massive stars.

Reed canary grass can provide excellent ‘green’ fuel

WASHINGTON – A long-term research has revealed that reed canary grass can be turned into an excellent ‘green’ fuel for biomass power stations and, on a smaller scale, boilers in buildings like schools.

The five-year research project was carried out by researchers from Teesside University’s Contaminated Land and Water Centre.
Reed canary grass, which is native to …. Source  : Reed canary grass can provide excellent ‘green’ fuel.

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.

Satellite-navigation signals under increasing threat from ‘jammers’

LONDON – Scientists have said that satellite-navigation signals is under increasing threat from ‘jammers’.

According to BBC News, while “jamming” sat-nav equipment with noise signals is on the rise, more sophisticated methods allow hackers to program what receivers display.
At risk are not only sat-nav users, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Satellite-navigation signals under increasing threat from ‘jammers’.

Nanowires to give computers “racetrack memory”

SYDNEY – A US researcher has determined that nanowires could be used to give “racetrack memory” to computers, namely, significantly boosting conventional RAM, resulting in computers that are ready the minute you turn them on, and don’t lose data when the power fails.

According …. Source article  : Nanowires to give computers “racetrack memory”.

Sharp decline in public’s belief in threat posed by climate change

LONDON – A new poll in Great Britain has revealed that there has been a sharp decline in the British public’s belief in the threat posed by climate change.

According to a report in The Guardian, over 1,000 people in Great Britain were questioned on their views on climate …. Read the original article  : Sharp decline in public’s belief in threat posed by climate change.

Bear injures over 10

BHUBANESWAR – A wild bear strayed into Dhanurjaypur village in Orissa’s Ganjam district Wednesday and injured over 10 people, police said.

The bear first attacked a woman plucking flowers. As the villagers hit the animal with sticks, it injured several of them, police said. Some of the injured are reportedly in serious condition.
[..] Read the original article: here.

Belief in a caring God antidote to depression

WASHINGTON – Belief in a caring God can act as an antidote to depression, says a new study.

Rush University Medical Centre (RUMC) researchers surveyed 136 adults diagnosed with major depression or bipolar depression at inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care facilities.
“In our study, the positive response to medication had little to do with the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Belief in a caring God antidote to depression.

Climate change science is “robust”, not a “house of cards”

EDINBURGH – The head of the UK government’s climate change committee has said that the science behind climate change is “robust”, and not a “house of cards” that has come tumbling down due to the Climategate scandal.

According to a report in the Scotsman, David Kennedy, chief executive of the Committee on Climate Change, said he … Read more >>>.

Soon, astronauts to orbit Earth in inflatable space stations

LONDON – Soon, astronauts may orbit the Earth in inflatable space stations, now that NASA has made them a priority.

According to a report in New Scientist, NASA announced a change in this direction on February 1.
Instead of the planned crewed missions to the moon, the agency intends to pour money into research and development of [..] Read the original article: here.

Now control your cellphone using magnet magic

LONDON – Researchers have developed a new technique that makes it possible to control a cellphone with moving a magnet around or near it.

Experts at Deutsche Telekom (DT) in Berlin, Germany, have come up with a software that tracks changes to the magnetic field around a cellphone to identify different gestures by a hand holding …. Source  : Now control your cellphone using magnet magic.

“Shell crusher” shark swam Cretaceous Kansas 90 mln yrs ago

WASHINGTON – A team of paleontologists has identified the remains of a gigantic, 88.7-million-year-old shark nicknamed the “shell crusher”, which could pulverize large, shelled animals with its 1,000 teeth, while swimming in the Cretaceous waters in Kansas and other parts of North America.

A handful of other fossils for the shark, Ptychodus mortoni, had been previously …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ecstasy ‘can cause memory lapse’

WASHINGTON – A new British study suggests that the regular consumption of recreational drugs like ecstasy can cause memory lapse.

This is the first study to have uncovered potential links between memory loss and cocaine.
Florentia Hadjiefthyvoulou, John Fisk, and Nikola Bridges from the University of Central Lancashire and Catharine Montgomery from Liverpool John Moores University wanted …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ecstasy ‘can cause memory lapse’.

New technology can help identify melanoma stage with more accuracy

WASHINGTON – Scientists have come up with an important tool in the fight against the most serious type of skin cancer.

Being aware of a patient’s melanoma stage is crucial when it comes to choosing the best course of treatment. When the cancer has progressed to the lymph nodes, a more aggressive treatment is needed. Examining …. Source  : New technology can help identify melanoma stage with more accuracy.

Farmers, advocates optimistic new USDA rules mean better enforcement of organic labeling rules

Organic advocates optimistic about new USDA rules

WASHINGTON – New federal rules that define what makes milk and meat organic have natural food advocates optimistic that the government is committed to ensuring the label means something.
U.S. consumers bought $24 billion worth of organic products in 2008. But for many, the purchases came with uncertainty about what … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Farmers, advocates optimistic new USDA rules mean better enforcement of organic labeling rules.

New dinosaur species discovered

WASHINGTON – A team of paleontologists in the US has discovered a new dinosaur species they’re calling Abydosaurus.

Abydosaurus belongs to the group of gigantic, long-necked, long-tailed, four-legged, plant-eating dinosaurs such as Brachiosaurus.
In a rare twist, they recovered four heads – two still fully intact – from a quarry in Dinosaur National Monument in eastern … Read more >>>.

Chimps intelligent enough to appreciate a full pint

LONDON – New research has shown that chimpanzees are intelligent enough to appreciate how big a pint of liquid is, or the volume of any other measure.

According to BBC News, the findings came from tests carried out by comparative psychologist Dr Michael Beran of Georgia State University, Atlanta, US, on three chimps, a 37-year-old female …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Chimps intelligent enough to appreciate a full pint.

How arsenic exposure triggers tumour growth

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered the mechanism by which the environmental toxin arsenic leads to adverse health effects, including bladder cancer.

“In a collaborative investigation we found that arsenic, at environmentally relevant levels, is capable of … Read : How arsenic exposure triggers tumour growth.

Design flaws may have doomed the “Big Bang Machine”

LONDON – A senior scientist who helped to build the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is claiming that the cause of the shutdown of the giant particle accelerator in 2008 was not a freak accident, but a crucial flaw in the machine’s design.

Running more than a year …. Source article  : Design flaws may have doomed the “Big Bang Machine”.

Mega quake also set off swarm of unusual tsunamis in Haiti

WASHINGTON – Scientists have determined that the devastating January 12 earthquake in Haiti also set off a swarm of unusual tsunamis, which killed three and destroyed several homes.

Though surveying damage and rescuing survivors was of utmost priority for several weeks, scientists are now starting to examine some of the side effects of the temblor, such …. Source article  : Mega quake also set off swarm of unusual tsunamis in Haiti.

Newly discovered plant-eating dino didn’t chew its food, but swallow it

WASHINGTON – A team of paleontologists has discovered a new plant-eating dinosaur that didn’t chew its food, but just grabbed it and swallowed it.

The new dinosaur, which the paleontologists are calling Abydosaurus, belongs to the group of gigantic, long-necked, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Brainy battle of the sexes finally ends: Women are smarter than men

LONDON – The battle of the sexes is finally over – and it’s bad news for the guys. According to the results of an unscientific experiment of a game of Trivial Pursuit, women are smarter than men.

Five months ago, makers of the game had organized … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Brainy battle of the sexes finally ends: Women are smarter than men.

Small dogs may have originated in the Middle East 12,000 yrs ago

WASHINGTON – A genetic study has found that small domestic dogs probably originated in the Middle East more than 12,000 years ago.

Researchers, writing in the open access journal BMC Biology, traced the evolutionary history of the IGF1 gene, finding that the version of … Read more »».

Leopard strays into Himachal capital

SHIMLA – Panic gripped this Himachal Pradesh capital Thursday when a leopard was spotted strolling in areas adjoining the Mall, an official said. The animal was later trapped by the wildlife wing.

After receiving information this (Thursday) morning that the leopard attacked a man, we reached the spot. After three hours of searching, we traced it …. Original source  : Leopard strays into Himachal capital.

Scientists find new clues as to why animals grow bigger in the cold

WASHINGTON – Scientists have across new clues that offers new insight to Bergmann’s rule that animals grow larger at high, cold latitudes than their counterparts closer to the equator.

The scientists, who found the solution to this 163-year-old puzzle, were from the …. Source  : Scientists find new clues as to why animals grow bigger in the cold.

Larger and more frequent fires could aid ecosystems

WASHINGTON – Scientists have said that there’s a good chance that forest fires in the Pacific Northwest will become larger and more frequent, which could actually aid ecosystems.

The future of fire in this region is difficult to predict, …. Read the original article  : Larger and more frequent fires could aid ecosystems.

Scientists discover genetic link between misery and death

WASHINGTON – UCLA researchers have found the genetic link between misery and death.
The new study has also discovered a specific genetic variation in some people that apparently disconnects that link, rendering them more biologically tough to face adversity.

Steven Cole, a member of the … Original article on : Scientists discover genetic link between misery and death.

How key hormone helps animals to recognize others by their smell

WASHINGTON – In a new study, scientists have pinpointed how a key hormone helps animals to recognize others by their smell.

The study, by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, has shown that the hormone vasopressin helps the brain differentiate between familiar and new scents.
The study … Read more »».

Scientists discover first female sex hormone in a plant

WASHINGTON – Scientists have reported the first discovery of the female sex hormone progesterone in a plant.

Until now, scientists thought that only animals could make progesterone.
A steroid hormone, secreted by the ovaries, progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy and maintains pregnancy.
A synthetic version, progestin, is …. Source article  : Scientists discover first female sex hormone in a plant.

Prozac, Celexa show promise for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

WASHINGTON – A new British study has found that fluoxetine and citalopram exhibit anti-inflammatory effects.

The study led by Sandra Sacre, Ph.D. from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) in the UK found that treatment with fluoxetine and citalopram, which are available under …. Original article  : Prozac, Celexa show promise for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Laser surgery technique finds second life in art restoration

WASHINGTON – A laser technique best known for its use to remove unwanted tattoos from the skin is finding a second life in preserving great sculptures, paintings and other works of art.

This was highlighted in a recent article in ACS’ monthly journal, Accounts of Chemical Research.
The technique, called laser ablation, involves removing … Read : Laser surgery technique finds second life in art restoration.

Heaviest chemical element 112 named “Copernicium”

BERLIN – Reports indicate that the heaviest recognized chemical element with the atomic number 112 has officially been named “Copernicium” and carries the chemical symbol “Cn”.

The element was discovered at the GSI …. Source article  : Heaviest chemical element 112 named “Copernicium”.

BSF to check rhino poaching in Kaziranga

KAZIRANGA – The Border Security Force (BSF) will be deployed at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam to check a spurt in incidents of rhino slaughtering by organised syndicates, officials said Thursday.

A wildlife department spokesman said the decision to deploy the BSF to assist forest guards at Kaziranga was taken at a high level meeting …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : BSF to check rhino poaching in Kaziranga.

Scientists trying to interpret baby’s bawling

WASHINGTON – Babies bawl aloud to reveal their emotions, but none of the parenting handbooks can tell whether they are feeling hunger or discomfort. To study this behaviour, Japanese engineers have now turned to an approach known as kansei engineering, which aims to “measure” feelings and emotions.

It was invented in the 1970s by Mitsuo …. Original source  : Scientists trying to interpret baby’s bawling.

US faces prospect of losing all out cyberwar

WASHINGTON – Computer-based network attacks are slowly bleeding US businesses of revenue and its market advantage. Even the government faces the prospect of losing in an all-out cyberwar, experts told US senators in a hearing.

“If the nation went to war today in a cyberwar, we would lose,” said Michael McConnell, executive vice president of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US faces prospect of losing all out cyberwar.

‘Monster croc’ feasted on humans 2 million years ago

LONDON – Scientists have identified the remains of a 7.5-metre man-eating crocodile in 1.8-million-year-old sediments in Olduvai gorge in Tanzania, an animal that would have been the largest predator ancient humans in the region … Read more »».

Coming soon: Emotion detector for babies

WASHINGTON – Parents-to-be can take a breather: It may soon be possible to translate infant cries, all thanks to Japanese scientists who have come up with a statistical computer program that can analyze a baby’s crying.

The details of the breakthrough have been …. Original article  : Coming soon: Emotion detector for babies.

Humans like sharing wealth – subconsciously

LONDON – Researchers from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, have become the first to gather images to prove that the human brain is a big believer in equality.

In their research, the team found that the reward centers in the human brain respond more strongly …. Original article  : Humans like sharing wealth – subconsciously.

Immunosuppressive drug may help fight Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that rapamycin, a drug that keeps the immune system from attacking transplanted organs, may help fight Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio found that rapamycin rescued learning … Read more >>.

Stem cell therapy may help restore sight in retinitis pigmentosa sufferers

WASHINGTON – Scientists have successfully used mouse embryonic stem cells to replace diseased retinal cells and restore sight in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa.

According to the research team led by Columbia University Medical Center, this strategy could potentially become a new treatment for retinitis pigmentosa, … Read more »».

Modified adult stem cells may help patients with spinal cord injury

WASHINGTON – Transplanting genetically modified adult stem cells into an injured spinal cord can help restore the electrical pathways associated with movement, a new study in rats has shown.

In spinal cord injury, demyelination, or the destruction of the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, occurs.
The myelin sheath, produced …. Original source  : Modified adult stem cells may help patients with spinal cord injury.

World’s temperature record to be re-analyzed

LONDON – Reports indicate that the whole of the world’s instrumental temperature record is to be re-analyzed in an attempt to remove doubts about the reality of global warming.

According to a report in The Independent, the new analysis, which would take into account millions of observations dating back more than … Original article on : World’s temperature record to be re-analyzed.

World’s first: Danish woman gives birth to two kids after ovarian transplant

WASHINGTON – A Danish woman has become the world’s first to give birth to two babies after receiving an ovarian transplant following successful cancer treatment.

Stinne Holm Bergholdt, from Odense, Denmark, had ovarian tissue removed and frozen during treatment, which was later restored following her recovery.
She then gave birth to a girl in February 2007 after … Original source on Gaea Times at : World’s first: Danish woman gives birth to two kids after ovarian transplant.

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.

Babies born to methadone mums develop eye defects: Study

LONDON – In a new study, medical experts found that babies born to mothers who had taken methadone during pregnancy developed a range of visual problems.

The research, carried out by doctors at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill and Princess Royal Maternity, found that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Babies born to methadone mums develop eye defects: Study.

Now, an iPhone app that keeps adultery secret!

LONDON – An iPhone application has been launched which promises to cut the risk in adultery by making text messages vanish without trace as soon as they have been read.

TigerText enables the sender to set a lifespan for the message. Once …. Original article  : Now, an iPhone app that keeps adultery secret!.

Brain power, innovation and teamwork helped humans rule the world

WASHINGTON – Our ancestors used brain power, innovation and teamwork to dominate the planet, scholars in the US discussing how the humans colonized the globe suggested.

Why humans rose to the top the world and eventually came to rule it has been a matter curiosity for scientists.
The study …. Original article  : Brain power, innovation and teamwork helped humans rule the world.

Robots to rescue injured soldiers in the future

LONDON – The US military is urging engineers to come up with designs for a robot that can rescue injured soldiers from the battlefield, with minimal or no help from outside.

A posting on the Pentagon’s small business technology transfer website says that retrieving casualties while under fire …. Read the original article  : Robots to rescue injured soldiers in the future.

Chile earthquake shows earth more active in past 15 years: Scientist

WASHINGTON – The 8.8-magnitude earthquake that shook Chile on Saturday was not outside the realm of normal, but the Earth has been more active over the past 15 years or so relative to a time period in the past, according to a scientist.

“Relative to the …. Read the original article  : Chile earthquake shows earth more active in past 15 years: Scientist.

Peacekeeping and counterinsurgency can learn from each other

WASHINGTON – A new study has indicated that despite the differences between peacekeeping and counterinsurgency, both these operations can actually learn from each other.

On the surface, peacekeeping and counterinsurgency have little in common: neutral, nonviolent end of war versus an inherently non-neutral, violent operation to win a war.
Yet the two are not so … Original article on : Peacekeeping and counterinsurgency can learn from each other.

Snow cover on gardens can benefit plants

WASHINGTON – A new research has determined that snow cover on gardens can actually be beneficial for plants.

The research was carried out by Karen Snetselaar, chair and professor of biology at Saint Joseph’s University …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Snow cover on gardens can benefit plants.

Northern climate stops spread of beautiful killer plant

WASHINGTON – Canadian scientists have found that the invasive spread of a beautiful killer plant known as the purple loosestrife can be stopped by the northern climate.

Purple loosestrife has been heading north since it was first introduced from Europe to the eastern seaboard …. Source article  : Northern climate stops spread of beautiful killer plant.

Seals tend to sleep as they sink in the sea

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists have found that seals can sleep as they are sinking in the sea.

When northern elephant seals migrate between their breeding and foraging grounds, they spend as long as eight months at a time at sea.
They’re almost always underwater, devoting only a few minutes [..] Read the original article: here.

Perfect insulator could eliminate heating bills

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Sandia National Laboratories, US, have created a perfect insulator, a material that reflects heat while absorbing none of it, which could eliminate heating bills.

“All the heat that hits … Read more >>>.

Pompeii to offer live excavation experience to visitors

WASHINGTON – Visitors to Pompeii will be able to experience a live dig next month in the ancient Roman town that was buried in Mount Vesuvius’ catastrophic eruption in 79 A.D.

According to a report in Discovery News, the site of the open-door excavation is the so-called House …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Clear, warm day ahead in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhiites were Sunday greeted by pleasant weather and a clear morning. Although it may get cloudy later in the day, the weather won’t play spoilsport for the opening of the World Cup hockey event in the evening, the weatherman assured.

“During the day there will be mainly clear sky. It may get partly …. Read the original article  : Clear, warm day ahead in Delhi.

Privacy will be protected under UIDs: Nandan Nilekani (IANS Interview)

NEW DELHI – Privacy will be protected under the Unique Identity (UID) project and personal data will not be accessible to everybody, insists Nandan Nilekani, chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority.

“We are also conscious of the privacy issue. In fact the UID database cannot be read by anybody. The only thing you can use it …. Source article  : Privacy will be protected under UIDs: Nandan Nilekani (IANS Interview).

Amen Hallelujah wins Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park

Amen Hallelujah wins at Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Amen Hallelujah took the lead from favored Bickersons entering the stretch to win the $150,000 Davona Dale by 6 1/4 lengths Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux and trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., Amen Hallelujah covered the mile over a fast track in 1:37.16. It … Read : Amen Hallelujah wins Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park.

International global warming panel to get independent review; details still to be worked out

Warming panel, under attack, seeks outside review

WASHINGTON – The Nobel Prize-winning international scientific panel studying global warming is seeking independent outside review for how it makes major reports.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says it’s seeking some kind of independent review because of recent criticism about its four 2007 reports.
Critics have found a few unsettling …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New graphene nanomesh could change the future of electronics

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has created a new graphene nanostructure called graphene nanomesh, which provides a new solution to the challenges of the element, and may eventually change the future of electronics.

Graphene, a one-atom-thick layer of a carbon lattice with a honeycomb structure, has … Read : New graphene nanomesh could change the future of electronics.

‘Lab-on-a-chip’ device may detect kidney failure and diabetes

WASHINGTON – Scientists in Australia have reported the first use of ordinary cotton thread and sewing needles to literally stitch together a ‘lab-on-a-chip’ device capable of detecting diseases such as kidney failure and diabetes.

The microfluidic analytical device, created by … Read : ‘Lab-on-a-chip’ device may detect kidney failure and diabetes.

Move over flat images, TV to assume 3D avatar

LONDON – Soccer fans watch with bated breath as a penalty striker carefully sets the ball right, just before the kick. Like a cannon ball, the leather sails over and past the heads of the spectators, who are completely awestruck.

These fans are not sitting in the stadium, but rather in front of a 3D …. Read the original article  : Move over flat images, TV to assume 3D avatar.

Ocean temperature patterns in tropics and subtropics will change rainfall patterns

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has found that that ocean temperature patterns in the tropics and subtropics will change in ways that will lead to significant changes in rainfall patterns.

The research was carried out by a team of scientists headed … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ocean temperature patterns in tropics and subtropics will change rainfall patterns.

Experts think up smarter honeypot traps to track malware

WASHINGTON – Honeypot traps designed to protect computers from Botnets, which are used to carry out fraudulent and criminal activity on the Internet, are now vulnerable to attack because of advances in Botnet malware, computer scientists say.

Botnets are armies of networked computers that have been compromised by malicious software.
In the 1990s and early … Read more : Experts think up smarter honeypot traps to track malware.