Ban of e-waste export likely to worsen global environmental problem

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers have determined that a proposal under debate in the US Congress to ban the export of electronics waste would likely make a growing global environmental problem even worse.

The researchers call into question conventional thinking that trade …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ban of e-waste export likely to worsen global environmental problem.

Tanzania, Zambia propose one-off sales of their ivory stocks at UN conservation meeting

Tanzania, Zambia demand one-off ivory sales

DOHA, Qatar – Tanzania and Zambia are requesting a U.N. conservation meeting approve one-off sales of their ivory stocks, despite criticism from conservationists that they are not doing enough to crack down on poaching which has intensified in recent years.
A counter proposal presented Monday at the 175-nation Convention on International … Read more : Tanzania, Zambia propose one-off sales of their ivory stocks at UN conservation meeting.

Cancer genes switched off in humans

LONDON – For the first time, researchers have used short sequences of RNA that can effectively treat skin cancer in people by silencing specific genes behind tumour production.

Mark Davis from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena and his colleagues have used the technique, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cancer genes switched off in humans.

Two novel ways to kill TB discovered

LONDON – Scientists have discovered two novel ways of killing the bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB).

According to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, their findings could lead to a potent TB therapy that would also prevent resistant TB …. Source  : Two novel ways to kill TB discovered.

Gene linked to lung cancer in non-smokers identified

LONDON – Scientists have identified a gene that is specifically associated with lung cancer in people who have never smoked.

The research team, co-led by scientists at the Mayo Clinic campus in Minnesota, Harvard University, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and MD Anderson Cancer Center, found that about …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Gene linked to lung cancer in non-smokers identified.

‘Doublesex’ gene determines fruit fly gender

LONDON – ‘Doublesex’ (dsx) gene in fruit fly, not only determines the shape and structure of the male and female body, but also moulds the architecture of their brain and nervous system, resulting in sex-specific behaviours, according to a study from the Glasgow University and Oxford.

For … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Doublesex’ gene determines fruit fly gender.

Internet emerges as one of the biggest threats to endangered species

LONDON – Conservationists have warned that the Internet has emerged as one of the biggest threats to endangered species.

According to a report by BBC News, the findings were presented at the 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Doha.
Campaigners say it is easier than … Read more »»».

Indian web address used for hacking Bangladesh websites

DHAKA – The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Bangladesh says it has traced an Indian IP (Internet Protocol) address used for hacking 20 district portals, but acknowledges that the real identity of the hacker could be concealed.

The hacked sites were operated by the PMO and the incident is considered to be a serious security lapse. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indian web address used for hacking Bangladesh websites.

A hot day in store for Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhi is likely to witness a hot day Monday with the weather office predicting that the day temperature would hover around the 41 degrees Celsius mark.

The minimum temperature Monday settled at 22 degrees Celsius, six notches above average, an Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.
According to the met … Original source on Gaea Times at : A hot day in store for Delhi.

Australian coroner investigates deadly crocodile attack as 2 new encounters grab attention

Australia investigates deadly crocodile attack

DARWIN, Australia – An Australian coroner started an investigation Monday into the death of an 11-year-old girl who was killed by a crocodile last year, as two fresh attacks refocused public scrutiny on how to manage the animals.
The inquest will look into the death of Briony Goodsell, one of four people … Read : Australian coroner investigates deadly crocodile attack as 2 new encounters grab attention.

California Science Center near downtown LA takes $165 million, hands-on approach to ecosystems

Museum takes new look at air, water, land and life

LOS ANGELES – Watch maggots munch on liver. Stand in the path of a flash flood. Roam around a kelp forest.
Nearly 10 years in the making, the $165 million Ecosystems Experience opens Thursday with its one-of-a-kind view of the world at the California Science Center. And …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : California Science Center near downtown LA takes $165 million, hands-on approach to ecosystems.

Often at odds, enviros and Calif. growers agree that old farmland makes perfect solar site

Enviros, growers agree on farmland reuse for solar

LEMOORE, Calif. – Cash-strapped farmers in California’s agricultural heartland and environmentalists at odds over water rights and wildlife protections finally agree on something: that thousands of acres of cracked, salty farmland is the perfect site for a sprawling utility-scale solar farm.
The 47 square-miles of land proposed for the …. Source article  : Often at odds, enviros and Calif. growers agree that old farmland makes perfect solar site.

Major fire breaks out in Bangladesh’s Sunderbans

DHAKA – A major blaze has broken out in parts of Bangladesh’s southwestern Sundarbans, a World Heritage site, ravaging trees in the world’s largest mangrove forest, officials said Sunday.

Foresters, nearby villagers and fire-fighters have been trying to douse the flames which engulfed over 20,000 square metres inside the forest at Chandpai Range, 300 km southwest … Original article on : Major fire breaks out in Bangladesh’s Sunderbans.

Mercury crosses 40 degrees in five Orissa towns

BHUBANESWAR – Mercury crossed the 40 degrees Celsius mark in five Orissa towns Sunday, the weatherman said.

The district headquarters of Malkangiri, 618 km from here, which has been recording a high of more than 40 degrees Celsius for the last few days, recorded the maximum of 41.2 degrees Celsius Sunday.
Four other towns also …. Original article  : Mercury crosses 40 degrees in five Orissa towns.

Mercury soars above 40 degrees in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR – Mercury soared above 40 degrees Celsius Sunday in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur for the first time during the current season.

The temperature went past 40 degree Celsius in Raipur while state’s second most populous city Bilaspur recorded 40-plus temperature for the second consecutive day Sunday afternoon, the meterological centre officials here said.
The …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mercury soars above 40 degrees in Chhattisgarh.

Delhi records hottest March day in six years

NEW DELHI – At 39.2 degrees Celsius, Delhi Sunday recorded the hottest day of March in the past six years, an Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.

“The maximum temperature in the capital Sunday soared to 39.2 degrees Celsius, seven notches above the average. This is the hottest day reported in the month of March … Read : Delhi records hottest March day in six years.

Soon, spy in the sky to ‘follow a car’

LONDON – An American defence research agency is developing a radar system, which will monitor vehicular movement across a city using a few uncrewed aircraft.

Pentagon’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is creating the experimental vehicle tracking system, called Multipath Exploitation Radar (MER), reports New Scientist.
With the use of the new radar system, DARPA is …. Original source  : Soon, spy in the sky to ‘follow a car’.

Conservationists at UN wildlife meeting say Internet fueling trade in endangered species

Demise of coral, salamander show impact of Web

DOHA, Qatar – The Internet has emerged as one of the greatest threats to rare species, fueling the illegal wildlife trade and making it easier to buy everything from live baby lions to wine made from tiger bones, conservationists said Sunday.
The Web’s impact was made clear at the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Conservationists at UN wildlife meeting say Internet fueling trade in endangered species.

Heat wave sweeps Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – Heat wave swept parts of Orissa Saturday as temperature crossed 40 degrees Celsius, an official said.

The district headquarters of Malkangiri, 618 km from here, recorded a high of 41 degrees Celsius.
Several other places in Orissa also recorded high temperatures. Jharsuguda recorded 39.8 degrees, Sambalpur and Talcher 39.6 degrees each, Titilagarh 39.6 …. Source  : Heat wave sweeps Orissa.

X-37 Details

San Francisco (GaeaTimes.com) X-37 is a brand new mini robotic space shuttle that will be launched the next month. The spaceplane is named Boeing X-37 B Orbital Test Vehicle. The size of the space shuttle is about one fourth of the size of a standard space shuttle. It was initially intended to carry …. Read the original article  : here.