‘Yoga’ polymer shifts shape with changing temperature

LONDON – A material commonly used in fuel cells can ‘remember’ up to three different shapes, and revert to each one at different temperatures, according to new research.

The new research unmasks the versatility of a new type of polymer, Nafion, reports New Scientist.
Tao Xie at General Motors in Warren, Michigan, twisted and stretched a Nafion …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Big box stores pose threat to people allergic to polyurethane

WASHINGTON – People allergic to polyurethane could face problems if they shop at a big box store because many of the products there contain that substance.

Products that contain polyurethane include memory foam mattresses and some pillows.
Allergic reactions to polyurethane can include itching eyes or skin, difficulty breathing, an irregular heartbeat and other symptoms.
It isn’t just … Read : Big box stores pose threat to people allergic to polyurethane.

Tomb of headless man adorned with jade found under Maya torture mural in Mexico

WASHINGTON – A team of archeologists has discovered the tomb of a headless man adorned with jade beneath an ancient Mexican chamber famously painted with scenes of torture.

Found under the Temple of Murals at the Maya site of … Read more : Tomb of headless man adorned with jade found under Maya torture mural in Mexico.

World’s largest meat-eating plant prefers to eat small animal poo

WASHINGTON – Botanists have discovered that the giant montane pitcher plant of Borneo, which is the largest meat-eating plant in the world, prefers to eat small animal poo.

According to a report by BBC News, the researchers found that the plant has a pitcher the exact same size as a tree shrew’s body.
But it is … Read : World’s largest meat-eating plant prefers to eat small animal poo.

Algae contributing to petroleum deposits from hundreds of millions of years

WASHINGTON – A new research has determined that a particular species of algae has been contributing to existing petroleum deposits from hundreds of millions of years.

The research was carried out by Dr. Timothy Devarenne, an AgriLife Research scientist with the Texas …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Algae contributing to petroleum deposits from hundreds of millions of years.

Analysis of blind scorpions in Mexico suggests adaptation to caves is reversible

WASHINGTON – A new phylogenetic analysis of blind scorpions that live in the stygian depths of caves in Mexico has suggested that adaptation to caves is reversible, which is evidence that specialized adaptations are not evolutionary dead ends.

The analysis revealed that scorpions currently living …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Analysis of blind scorpions in Mexico suggests adaptation to caves is reversible.

APNewsBreak: Probe raises questions about driver’s description of runaway Prius in Calif.

APNewsBreak: Probe questions runaway Prius story

SAN DIEGO – Investigators with Toyota and the federal government were unable to make a Toyota Prius speed out of control as its owner said it did on a California freeway, according to a memorandum obtained Saturday by The Associated Press. A congressional spokesman said the finding cast doubt on …. Source article  : APNewsBreak: Probe raises questions about driver’s description of runaway Prius in Calif..

Chinese premier says he was snubbed at Copenhagen climate summit, fires back at critics

China alleges diplomatic snub at Copenhagen summit

BEIJING – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said he was snubbed at last year’s Copenhagen climate change conference and fired back Sunday at critics who accuse China of arrogance.
China was blamed by some for undermining efforts to reach a binding agreement at the December conference and Wen was himself criticized …. Read the original article  : Chinese premier says he was snubbed at Copenhagen climate summit, fires back at critics.

Report: Probe opens questions about driver’s description of runaway Prius on Calif. freeway

Report: Probe questions driver’s account of Prius

SAN FRANCISCO – A newspaper is reporting that investigators probing a runaway Toyota Prius found its brakes didn’t show the wear expected when a driver exerts sustained pressure like the driver said he did during a dramatic incident on a San Diego highway.
The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Report: Probe opens questions about driver’s description of runaway Prius on Calif. freeway.

Former astronauts call US decision to cancel moon landing program disappointing

Former astronauts criticize US moon decision

LONDON – Two former astronauts say they are disappointed with the U.S. government’s decision to cancel NASA’s moon landing program.
Eugene Cernan, part of the 1972 Apollo 17 mission, said he’s disheartened he’s the last man to have walked on the moon and “I thought we’d (have) gone back long before … Original source on Gaea Times at : Former astronauts call US decision to cancel moon landing program disappointing.

Delegates gather in Qatar to save elephants, tuna

DOHA – Some 1,500 delegates representing 175 parties to a treaty designed to protect endangered species around the world on Saturday gathered in Qatar to discuss how best to protect wildlife.

Bluefin tuna, elephants, polar bears, and a wide variety of reptiles, insects, plants and corals would top the agenda of the two-week conference on the …. Source article  : Delegates gather in Qatar to save elephants, tuna.

Big-tent Democrats facing ever widening cracks in its base in difficult political environment

Divided party? It’s not just GOP, but also Dems
WASHINGTON – For all the evidence of a divided GOP, the Democratic Party has its own widening cracks that could make a potentially bleak election year even more dour.
In just the past two weeks, Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln became the latest …. Read the original article  : Big-tent Democrats facing ever widening cracks in its base in difficult political environment.

Bluefin tuna, overfished oceans top agenda of UN wildlife protection conference in Doha

Bluefin tuna tops CITES conference agenda in Doha

DOHA, Qatar – A contentious battle between Asia and the West over the fate of the Atlantic bluefin tuna prized by sushi lovers overshadowed a United Nations conference that opened Saturday in the Gulf state of Qatar.
The 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, was … Read more : Bluefin tuna, overfished oceans top agenda of UN wildlife protection conference in Doha.

Ticker toll: Heart attacks may have risen when the stock market was falling, study suggests

Hearts may swoon when stocks do, study suggests

ATLANTA – Stock market slides may hurt more than your savings. New research suggests they might prompt heart attacks.
Duke University researchers found a link between how a key stock index performed and how many heart attacks were treated at their North Carolina hospital shortly after the recession began [..] Read the original article: here.

Blufin tuna, overfished oceans top agenda of UN wildlife protection conference in Doha

Blufin tuna tops CITES conference agenda in Doha

DOHA, Qatar – The Atlantic bluefin tuna and other marine life in the world’s overfished oceans are the focus of a United Nations conference in the Gulf state of Qatar.
The 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, is discussing new proposals to regulate the shark …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Blufin tuna, overfished oceans top agenda of UN wildlife protection conference in Doha.

Chandra X-ray observing telescope celebrates 10th anniversary

WASHINGTON – The Chandra X-ray observing telescope is celebrating ten years of its launch, during which it has made a number of significant achievements.

NASA launched its Chandra X-ray observing telescope into orbit in 1999.
During that time, astronomers didn’t know much about the galactic winds made of wispy, multi-million-degree gas clouds …. Source article  : Chandra X-ray observing telescope celebrates 10th anniversary.

Molecule that can switch off cancer discovered

WASHINGTON – Scientists from the University of Colorado have found a ’switch’ that can turn off cancer.

They have discovered a molecule that actually triggers cell death, and they are convinced it can be developed into a treatment for cancer and other illnesses.
They found that the molecule called caspase, which was already well known for killing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Molecule that can switch off cancer discovered.

Arctic reindeer abandon use of internal clock to survive in extreme cold

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that Arctic reindeer have abandoned use of the internal clock that drives the daily biological rhythms in other organisms, in order to live under extreme conditions in the Arctic.

“Our findings imply that evolution has come up with a means … Read more »»».

Extra instruction at home can jump-start reading skills of children

WASHINGTON – Reading to young children at home can play a big role in developing their English language skills, a new study has found.

The research has appeared in Learning and Instruction.
Because letters in the English alphabet sound different for various words, it’s a harder …. Original source  : Extra instruction at home can jump-start reading skills of children.

New Alzheimer’s test to ensure early detection

WASHINGTON – A new test, developed at the University of Tennessee, is over 95 percent accurate in detecting cognitive abnormalities linked with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment.

Called computerized self-test (CST), it was designed to be both effective and relatively simple for … Read more »»».