IPCC likely to backtrack on claim that global warming will destroy rainforests

LONDON – The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which is the world’s leading climate change group, is expected to backtrack over its claims about how rainforests would be devastated by rising temperatures, as one of its own scientists has said that the claim …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : IPCC likely to backtrack on claim that global warming will destroy rainforests.

Geo-neutrino anti-matter found by scientists for first time

LONDON – Reports indicate that scientists have detected anti-matter particles, known as geo-neutrinos, emitted during nuclear reactions within the Earth’s crust for the first time.

According to a report in the Times, the measurements, by a detector buried more than one kilometre beneath …. Original article  : Geo-neutrino anti-matter found by scientists for first time.

New evidence confirms presence of oceans on Earth 4 bln yrs ago

SYDNEY – A study of crystals found in Greenland has provided for new evidence of the theory that oceans covered the Earth four billion years ago.

According to a report by ABC Science, the Australian and Swedish researchers, led by geochronologist Dr Chris Kirkland, from the Western Australian Department of …. Original article  : New evidence confirms presence of oceans on Earth 4 bln yrs ago.

Nano antennas could pave way for quantum computing networks

LONDON – A team of scientists has developed a way to control the direction of light on the nanoscale, by developing miniaturized television aerials made from gold nanorods, which can pave the way for quantum computing networks in the future.

At the moment, quantum physicists use cumbersome apparatus to try to keep … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Nano antennas could pave way for quantum computing networks.

Delay in potty training harms environment, kids: Oz study

SYDNEY – An Australian study has found that parents who delay their children’s potty training until they are three or older could be doing them and environment serious harm.

According to the survey, children wore nappies for up to a year longer than earlier generations, with only about 50 …. Source article  : Delay in potty training harms environment, kids: Oz study.

Scientists reveal snake infrared detection

LONDON – In a new research, scientists have discovered the receptors that allow snakes to find prey in the dark.

Vipers, pythons and boas have holes on their faces called pit organs, which contain a membrane that can detect …. Source article  : Scientists reveal snake infrared detection.

Himalayan glacier meltdown: Pachauri says won’t resign over one mistake

NEW DELHI – The UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) chairman, Dr R K Pachauri, today said that he would not resign over what he called “one mistake” reported in the IPCC report.

Accepting that he and his team had erred in declaring a complete meltdown of the Himalayan glaciers by … Read more >>>.

Soon, crops with sustainable resistance to economically important diseases

WASHINGTON – An international team of scientists has made a breakthrough that provides for a new way to produce crops with sustainable resistance to economically important diseases.

Food insecurity is driving the search for ways to increase the amount of food … Original article on : Soon, crops with sustainable resistance to economically important diseases.

Olive Ridley turtles begin nesting at second Orissa beach

BHUBANESWAR – Thousands of Olive Ridley turtles crawled ashore from the Bay of Bengal Monday, after a month’s delay, at the Rushikulya beach in Orissa’s Ganjam district to lay their eggs, an official said.

Rushikulya beach, about 175 km from here, is one of the three mass nesting sites in the state. Turtle lovers and experts …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Lowering BP to normal levels doesn’t help diabetics

LONDON – Lowering blood pressure to normal levels does not reduce the combined risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease events in type 2 diabetes patients prone to such events, according to new results from the landmark Action to Control … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Lowering BP to normal levels doesn’t help diabetics.

Scientists crack opium poppy’s genetic code

LONDON – In a breakthrough discovery, researchers at the University of Calgary have found the unique genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine.

The advance has opened doors to alternate methods of producing these effective painkillers either by manufacturing them in a lab or … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Scientists crack opium poppy’s genetic code.

Better genetic test for autism

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that a genetic test that samples the entire genome, known as chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), has about three times the detection rate for genetic changes related to autism than standard tests.

Researchers from Children’s Hospital Boston and the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Spider silk could pave way for super-strong materials in future

LONDON – In a new research, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), found that spider silk employs a unique crystal structure that can convert an otherwise weak material into one with super strength, which could pave the way for stronger synthetic materials … Original source on Gaea Times at : Spider silk could pave way for super-strong materials in future.

Researchers say recent expedition proves there’s no need kill whales to study or manage them

Researchers back from Antarctic no-kill whale trip

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Whale researchers returned from Antarctic waters Monday after a six-week expedition that they said proved Japan’s annual kill of whales for scientific purposes is unnecessary.
During the voyage, Australian, French and New Zealand scientists used nonlethal techniques to study whales. It was a challenge to Japan’s … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Researchers say recent expedition proves there’s no need kill whales to study or manage them.

Psychopaths’ brains wired to seek rewards despite the consequences

LONDON – Psychopaths’ brains are apparently wired for a constant quest for a reward at any cost, according to new research from Vanderbilt University.

The research has uncovered the role of the brain’s reward system in psychopathy and opens a new area of study for understanding what drives these … Read more >>.

Peruvian cyclists take to road in buff

Lima, March 15 (IANS/EFE) Dozens of people wearing bathing suits, or nothing at all, rode bicycles through the streets of Lima to promote the use of non-motorised transportation as an alternative to the automobile as well as to defend the environment in Peru.

“People’s attention must be attracted to make them aware about the importance of … Read more »»».

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband visits China following months of rancor in ties

Britain’s Miliband visits China amid rancor
BEIJING – Britain’s foreign secretary will seek to smooth rancor with China over climate change talks and Beijing’s execution of a British drug smuggler thought to be mentally ill as the two sides meet this week for talks.
David Miliband is to visit a training base for … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband visits China following months of rancor in ties.

Jaguar undergoes dental surgery

Bogota, March 15 (IANS/EFE) Reina, a female jaguar who lives at the Santa Fe Zoo in the northwestern Colombian city of Medellin, underwent an operation on her canine teeth because they showed damage that was preventing her from eating properly.

The big cat underwent a procedure to treat and reconstruct the roots of her lower canines … Read more »»».

Pregnant women with gum disease more likely to give birth prematurely

LONDON – Pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to give birth prematurely than mothers-to-be with good oral health, according to a new US study.

The research by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania suggests that successful treatment for gum disease can cut the risk of pregnant women giving birth early, reports the BBC.
The study …. Source article  : Pregnant women with gum disease more likely to give birth prematurely.

Israel hopes to stop brain drain, lure scientists home with academic, financial initiative

Israel approves plan to stop brain drain
JERUSALEM – Israel’s government has approved a plan to lure the country’s top scientific minds back home after years of brain drain.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Sunday the plan includes incentives for scientists and new research facilities. It did not elaborate.
It said around $250 million … Original source on Gaea Times at : Israel hopes to stop brain drain, lure scientists home with academic, financial initiative.

Sulphur could contain signatures of life on Mars

LONDON – New evidence indicates that signs of life on Mars might be all over the Red Planet in the form of sulphur, and the next Mars lander should be able to detect the proof.

No mission to Mars has ever found complex carbon-based molecules, from which life as we know it is built.
But sulphur is …. Source article  : Sulphur could contain signatures of life on Mars.

Hurtling star could fire comets at Earth!

LONDON – New calculations have suggested that a hurtling star is on its path to enter our solar system in about 1.5 million years, scattering millions of comets into paths that cross Earth’s orbit.

According to a report in New Scientist, Vadim Bobylev of the Pulkovo Observatory in St Petersburg, Russia, modelled the paths of neighbouring …. Source  : Hurtling star could fire comets at Earth!.

Chemical that ‘protects’ hearts of muscular dystrophy patients discovered

WASHINGTON – University of Minnesota Medical School scientists have discovered a chemical that may, over the long term, protect the hearts of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients – a fatal and most common form of muscular dystrophy in children.

The chemical, which Medical School scientists have termed a “molecular band-aid,” seeks out tiny cuts in diseased heart … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Chemical that ‘protects’ hearts of muscular dystrophy patients discovered.

Toyota dismisses man’s account of runaway Prius, breaking silence on public relations headache

Toyota dismisses Calif. man’s runaway Prius report

SAN DIEGO – Toyota Motor Corp. was quiet last week when James Sikes told reporters how the gas pedal got stuck on his 2008 Prius, leading him on a wild ride on a Southern California freeway.
Now the Japanese automaker is talking at length about how its tests don’t support …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Demand for shark fin soup pushing some species to brink of extinction, says conservation group

Sharks threatened by Asian consumers, says group

DOHA, Qatar – Surging demand for shark fin soup among Asia’s booming middle classes is driving many species of these big fish to the brink of extinction, a marine conservation group said Tuesday.
Oceana, in a report released Tuesday at a U.N. endangered species meeting, found that up to 73 …. Read the original article  : Demand for shark fin soup pushing some species to brink of extinction, says conservation group.

Bugs on a person’s hand can act like fingerprints to nab criminals

LONDON – Scientists have said that by comparing the unique collection of bacteria found on a person’s hand to those recovered at a crime scene, microbes could act like fingerprints to nab the culprit.

Our fingers are home to a unique collection of bacteria that get left on surfaces we touch.
According to a report in New …. Source  : Bugs on a person’s hand can act like fingerprints to nab criminals.

Fertilizing oceans with iron could spark growth of toxic blooms

LONDON – Scientists have found that fertilizing the oceans with iron could spark the growth of toxic blooms, which comes in the way of the controversial idea of adding iron to the oceans to help suck up atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).

According to a report in Nature News, the finding, from a team led by ecologist …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Fertilizing oceans with iron could spark growth of toxic blooms.

Scientists find meat-eating amphibian that appeared 70 mln yrs before first dinos

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found the fossil of a 300-million-year-old meat-eating amphibian near a major airport in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which appeared about 70 million years before the first dinosaurs appeared.

Scientists named the amphibian as ‘Fedexia strieglei’ as a gesture of thanks … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Scientists find meat-eating amphibian that appeared 70 mln yrs before first dinos.

Flowering plants may be older than previously thought

WASHINGTON – A new analysis of the plant family tree has determined that flowering plants may be considerably older than previously thought.

Previous studies suggest that flowering plants, or angiosperms, first arose 140 to 190 million years ago.
Now, a new research pushes back the age of angiosperms … Read more : Flowering plants may be older than previously thought.

After a year of record deaths, more endangered cranes survive winter, but more obstacles ahead

More whooping cranes survive winter than expected

ARANSAS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Texas – It’s been a much better year for the endangered whooping crane than biologists had hoped.
Last year a record 23 cranes died in their south Texas wintering grounds, and wildlife managers expected many to die again this season. Only one died this winter, but …. Source  : After a year of record deaths, more endangered cranes survive winter, but more obstacles ahead.

Leonardo Da Vinci used painting ‘trick’ to change Mona Lisa’s expression

LONDON – Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile was created by Leonardo Da Vinci using a special painting technique, which tricked people into believing that the expression was changing, a new study claims.

Austrian neurologists suggest Da Vinci was proficient at a technique called “sfumato”, in which [..] Read the original article: here.

How status quo bias in the brain affects decisions

WASHINGTON – Examining the neural pathways involved in ’status quo bias’ in the human brain, researchers at University College London (UCL) have found that the more difficult the decision we face, the more likely we are … Read more : How status quo bias in the brain affects decisions.

First ‘modern’ humans may have appeared in Iberian Peninsula about 33,000 yrs ago

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that the first ‘modern’ human beings may have appeared in the Iberian Peninsula about 33,000 years ago.

The research was carried out by a group of archaeologists from the Centre for Prehistoric Archaeological Heritage Studies of the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) at …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : First ‘modern’ humans may have appeared in Iberian Peninsula about 33,000 yrs ago.

Babies are born to dance

WASHINGTON – Infants respond to the rhythm and tempo of music and find it more engaging than speech, boffins have found.

The finding suggests that babies may be born with a predisposition to move rhythmically … Read more >>>.

Emotional, psychological maturity not linked to spiritual development

WASHINGTON – A new study claims that a person can reach a high level of spiritual development without being emotionally and psychologically mature.

Prof. Mayseless, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Haifa …. Source article  : Emotional, psychological maturity not linked to spiritual development.

Most humans have a ‘hidden’ singer inside them

WASHINGTON – If you’re one of those who avoid karaoke, then there’s something you should know: A researcher has claimed that most people possess hidden singing talent.

According to Lawrence Rosenblum, professor of psychology at the University of California, “you likely sing better than [..] Read the original article: here.

Gene switch discovery may help humans regrow body parts

LONDON – Scientists have discovered a gene which they claim could help make regrowing amputated limbs, broken backs and even damaged brains a reality.

The gene p21, researchers claim, appears to block the healing power enjoyed by some creatures including amphibians but … Read more »».

Female sex chromosomes, not just hormones, help in regulation of BP

WASHINGTON – According to Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) scientists, something in female sex chromosomes appears to trigger a rise in blood pressure after the onset of menopause.

The finding challenges the current belief that sex hormones are largely responsible for regulating blood pressure.
Published …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Female sex chromosomes, not just hormones, help in regulation of BP.

Rush is on to save 3 sick Siberian tigers at Chinese zoo where 11 starved to death

3 tigers very ill at Chinese zoo where 11 starved

BEIJING – Zookeepers are scrambling to save three seriously ill Siberian tigers at a cash-strapped zoo in northeastern China where 11 of the big cats starved to death recently.
The three tigers were shedding fur, had lost their appetites and were listless, the official Xinhua News Agency … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Rush is on to save 3 sick Siberian tigers at Chinese zoo where 11 starved to death.

Michigan’s only known wild wolverine found dead; state officials suspect natural causes

Wolverine State loses only known wild wolverine

MINDEN, Mich. – The Wolverine State has lost its only known wild wolverine.
State officials said Monday hikers found the 28-pound female over the weekend outside Minden, about 90 miles north of Detroit.
Department of Natural Resources and Environment spokeswoman Mary Dettloff says natural causes are suspected.
Hunters first spotted the wolverine … Read more : Michigan’s only known wild wolverine found dead; state officials suspect natural causes.

Why nebulae around massive stars don’t disappear

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists, using computer simulations, has solved a 20-year-old riddle about why nebulae around massive stars don’t disappear.

Massive stars are dense enough to fuse hydrogen while they’re still gathering material from the gas cloud, so it was a mystery why their brilliant radiation does not heat the infalling gas and blow … Read : Why nebulae around massive stars don’t disappear.

Dominant female mongooses can bully relatives to self-abort their litters

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that the female banded mongooses torture pregnant relatives until these victims are often traumatized enough to self-abort their litters.

According to a report in Discovery News, the findings suggest that female bullying may frequently be tied to reproductive cycles and can benefit the aggressors if they take physical action.
Women …. Original article  : Dominant female mongooses can bully relatives to self-abort their litters.

Booster shot ‘improves TB resistance in previously vaccinated adults’

WASHINGTON – A booster shot has shown promise in improving tuberculosis (TB) resistance in previously vaccinated adults, according to new research in South Africa.

This study is the first to report results from testing an adenovirus-35-based vaccine in humans.
“The world urgently needs new, better vaccines against TB. It is important to test the safety of these … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Booster shot ‘improves TB resistance in previously vaccinated adults’.

Cellular defect that leads to cancer discovered

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco researchers have found that a key cellular defect that disturbs the production of proteins in human cells can lead to cancer susceptibility.

They also discovered that a new generation of inhibitory drugs offers promise in correcting this defect.
According to researchers, their finding has broad clinical implications …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cellular defect that leads to cancer discovered.

World’s fastest car’s lift problem fixed

LONDON – Reports indicate that engineers designing the Bloodhound SSC, which is the world’s fastest car, believe they now have a solution to keep the vehicle flat on the ground.

Bloodhound SSC is being built to smash the world land speed record by topping 1,000mph (1,610km/h).
Initial iterations of the car’s aerodynamic shape produced dangerous amounts of … Read more >>.

Ancient statues found in mortuary temple of Egyptian pharaoh

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that a team of archaeologists has unearthed two large red granite statues in southern Egypt at the mortuary temple of one of the most powerful pharaohs, who ruled nearly 3,400 years ago.

According to a report in Discovery News, a ministry statement said that the team discovered a 13-foot (4 meter) statue … Read more »».

Dinos may have choked on ozone after asteroid impact 65 mln yrs ago

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists have determined that after a giant asteroid slammed into Earth some 65 million years ago, the dinosaurs choked on ozone and were eventually killed off.

Ozone (O3) is a gas that is just three little oxygen atoms bounds together, which doesn’t make it a candidate for a potent mass … Read more >>.

Crystals of zinc oxide in water can lead to clean hydrogen fuel

LONDON – A team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US has made crystals of zinc oxide that, when immersed in water, absorb vibrations and develop areas of strong negative and positive charge, leading to clean hydrogen fuel.

According to a report in New Scientist, the changes rip apart nearby water molecules, releasing hydrogen and …. Source  : Crystals of zinc oxide in water can lead to clean hydrogen fuel.

UK Govt. adverts that ‘exaggerated’ Climate change banned

LONDON – Two government press adverts which used nursery rhymes to raise awareness of climate change have been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

According to the BBC, the advertisements went beyond mainstream scientific consensus in asserting that climate change would cause flooding and drought.
A total of 939 people complained to the ASA about … Read : UK Govt. adverts that ‘exaggerated’ Climate change banned.

Copenhagen climate summit undone by rich countries ‘arrogance’: Stern

LONDON – British economist and I G Patel Professor of Economics and Government, Chair of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics (LSE), Lord Nicholas Stern of Brentford has said that the “disappointing” outcome of December’s climate summit was largely down to “arrogance” on the part of … Read more »».

Earth and Venus might be involved in a long-distance relationship

WASHINGTON – New calculations by scientists have suggested that Venus and Earth might literally be involved in a long-distance relationship, with our planet speculated to be tugging on the core of Venus and exerting control over its spin.

Whenever Venus and Earth arrive at the closest point in their orbits, Venus always presents the same face … Read more »»».

Tourists putting dolphins at risk in Zanzibar

WASHINGTON – A study of bottlenose dolphins living off the coast of Zanzibar has found that the many tourist boats operating in the area are harassing the animals, preventing them from resting, feeding and nurturing their young.

The research, led by Dr Per Berggren of Newcastle University, also … Read : Tourists putting dolphins at risk in Zanzibar.

Ultra-powerful laser makes silicon pump liquid uphill with no added energy

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that researchers at the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics have used an ultra-powerful laser to make liquid flow vertically upward along a silicon surface, overcoming the pull of gravity, without pumps or other mechanical devices.

Professor Chunlei Guo and his assistant Anatoliy Vorobyev …. Read the original article  : here.

iPhones app that guides medics through heart attack treatment launched

LONDON – A mobile phone application that guides medics through treatment for heart attack victims has been launched.

Daniel Low, consultant anaesthetist at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, designed the iResus application for iPhones, which aims to reduce the risk of human error by prompting … Read this article on Gaea Times at : iPhones app that guides medics through heart attack treatment launched.

Jaws – 4 million BC!

WASHINGTON – If a new research is anything to go by, then the makers of the Jaws film franchise might have enough material for the next movie in the series, with scientists discovering evidence of how an extinct shark attacked its prey 4 million years ago.

By careful, forensic-style analysis of bite marks on an otherwise …. Original article  : Jaws – 4 million BC!.

Amputees could feel artificial limb if put in the virtual world

LONDON – Amputees with an artificial limb are more likely to feel their prosthetic limb if they are put in a virtual environment, according to researchers at University College London (UCL).

Anthony Steed, a computer scientist at UCL, studied how the rubber hand illusion Movie Camera works in virtual worlds.
In the standard illusion, a false hand …. Original article  : Amputees could feel artificial limb if put in the virtual world.

Like humans, gorillas too cajole bored pals to continue a game

LONDON – Gorillas, just like humans, have the tendency to keep bored friends into a game by cajoling or even by deliberately losing if need arises, a new study found.

The above tendency indicates that gorillas may have “theory of mind” – the capacity to attribute mental states to others, said Richard Byrne and Joanne Tanner … Read more >>.

Remains of 450-mln yr old rare armor-plated creature found in Canada

WASHINGTON – Scientists have unearthed the remains of a 450 million year old armor-plated creature, which is one of the world’s rarest fossils, in downtown Ottawa, Canada.

The ancient fossil preserves the complete skeleton of a plumulitid machaeridian, one of only 8 such specimens known.
Plumulitids were annelid worms – the group including earthworms, bristleworms and leeches, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Remains of 450-mln yr old rare armor-plated creature found in Canada.

Paper company’s need for wood highlights problems with tree-destroying US gypsy moths

Need for wood highlights US insect problems

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Months of heavy rains throughout the South are forcing International Paper Co. to look beyond its usual suppliers for wood for its central South Carolina mill and turn to places that are known to have tree-destroying gypsy moths.
The extensive steps federal regulators are requiring the company … Original source on Gaea Times at : Paper company’s need for wood highlights problems with tree-destroying US gypsy moths.

Supporters defend Mo. hog farm giant Premium Standard, tout company’s economic impact

Mo. hog giant gets community backing at hearing

TRENTON, Mo. – Uncertainty about the future of a key employer in northern Missouri brought more than 1,000 supporters of Premium Standard Farms to Trenton to rally behind the corporate hog giant.
Inside a packed gymnasium at North Central Missouri College on Tuesday night, dozens of people – many … Read more »»».

Use of prescribed burns to manage western forests may help US cut CO2 emissions

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that the use of prescribed burns to manage western forests may help the United States reduce its carbon footprint.

Results of the study found that such burns, often used by forest managers to reduce underbrush and protect bigger trees, release substantially less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than wildfires of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Use of prescribed burns to manage western forests may help US cut CO2 emissions.

Birds may have evolved head feathers as sensory device

LONDON – In a new research, scientists have suggested that birds may have evolved elaborate feathers first for touch sensing, with sexual selection coming later.

According to a report in New Scientist, the research was carried out by Ian Jones of Memorial University in St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, and Sampath Seneviratne, now at the University of [..] Read the original article: here.

Endangered orangutans being wiped out to make KitKat chocolates

LONDON – A new probe has claimed that endangered orangutans are being wiped out to make KitKat chocolates.

According to a report in The Sun, the palm oil ingredient in the KitKat chocolate is allegedly grown on Indonesian land cleared of rainforest where the rare apes live.
Greenpeace claims that the work is carried out by a …. Original article  : Endangered orangutans being wiped out to make KitKat chocolates.

US ambassador urges disputes with China be separated from cooperation on international issues

US ambassador urges China cooperation on Iran
BEIJING – Beijing needs to take seriously American concerns about the value of the Chinese currency, but bilateral disputes should not impede cooperation on global issues such as climate change and Iran’s nuclear program, the U.S. ambassador to Beijing said Thursday.
Washington and other trading partners are pressing … Original source on Gaea Times at : US ambassador urges disputes with China be separated from cooperation on international issues.

US-backed proposal to ban trade of polar bear skins voted down at UN meeting

Polar bear ban defeated at UN conservation meeting

DOHA, Qatar – A U.S.-backed proposal to ban the trade of polar bear skins and parts has been voted down at a U.N. wildlife trade meeting.
The Americans argued at the 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species that the sale of polar bears skins was compounding the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

All a terrorist needs is 50 dollars to bring down a plane

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that a terrorist needs just about 50 dollars to purchase a GPS jammer, an electronic device small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, which can conceivably bring down an airplane.

According to a report by Fox News, despite being illegal and potentially dangerous, GPS jammers are cheap and readily available online.
With …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : All a terrorist needs is 50 dollars to bring down a plane.

Scientists see first quantum effects in visible object

LONDON – In a new research, scientists have observed the first ever quantum superposition in an object visible to the naked eye.

According to a report in New Scientist, Aaron O’Connell and colleagues at the University of California, Santa Barbara, US, showed that a tiny resonating strip of metal – only 60 micrometres long, but big … Original article on : Scientists see first quantum effects in visible object.

“Hobbits” had million-year history on Indonesian island, suggests new evidence

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that newfound stone tools on the Indonesian island of Flores indicate that the evolutionary history of the “hobbits” in the region stretches back a million years, which is 200,000 years longer than previously thought.

The hobbit mystery was sparked by the 2004 discovery of bones on Flores that belonged …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : “Hobbits” had million-year history on Indonesian island, suggests new evidence.

‘Pregnant’ fish fathers abort babies of ugly mums

LONDON – A new research has found that pregnant male pipefish give birth to more young ones from attractive mates.

When it comes to mating, pipefish males always wait for bigger females to come along because ‘pregnant’ fathers kill off embryos conceived by an undesirable female to make room for the offspring of a potentially more … Read more >>.

Dogs likely originated in the Middle East, not Asia or Europe

WASHINGTON – A new genetic analysis by an international team of scientists has determined that dogs likely originated in the Middle East, not Asia or Europe.

“Dogs seem to share more genetic similarity with Middle Eastern gray wolves than with any other wolf population worldwide,” said Robert Wayne, UCLA professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
“Genome-wide analysis … Read more : Dogs likely originated in the Middle East, not Asia or Europe.

Bees see the world almost five times faster than humans

WASHINGTON – A new research from scientists at Queen Mary, University of London, has revealed that bees see the world almost five times faster than humans.

Dr Peter Skorupski and Prof Lars Chittka, who are both based at the university, said that this gives bumblebees the fastest colour vision of all animals, allowing them to easily …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bees see the world almost five times faster than humans.

26 per cent decline reported in species populations in high Arctic

WASHINGTON – A new assessment of the Arctic’s biodiversity has reported a 26 per cent decline in species populations in the high Arctic.

Populations of lemmings, caribou and red knot are some of the species that have experienced declines over the past 34 years, according to the first report from The Arctic Species Trend Index (ASTI), …. Source  : 26 per cent decline reported in species populations in high Arctic.

Monkeys pay more attention to females than males

LONDON – Monkeys learn better from female teachers than male ones, according to a new study.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, based its findings on wild vervet monkeys in South Africa and found that the animals were better able to learn a task when it was demonstrated by a … Read more >>>.

‘Loyal’ horses remember kind-hearted human buddies

WASHINGTON – A new research has found that horses remember people who treat them well and understand words better than earlier believed.

Carol Sankey, an ethologist at the University of Rennes, who led the research, insists that horses have “excellent memories,” and can recall their human friends even after being separated.
Moreover, they can even remember complex, … Read : ‘Loyal’ horses remember kind-hearted human buddies.

Why silk is so super strong

WASHINGTON – In a new research, scientists have untangled some of the most closely guarded secrets of silk and explained why it is so super strong.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT’s) Center for Materials Science and Engineering say the key to silk’s pound-for-pound toughness, which exceeds that of steel, is its beta-sheet crystals, … Read more : Why silk is so super strong.

Caring, active dads may have helped early humans to have more kids

WASHINGTON – Ever wondered why our early ancestors were able to have so many kids? Well, it was because most of them were apparently active fathers, claim researchers.

Northwestern University researcher Lee T. Gettler suggests in a new anthropological model of human evolution that the fathers among our earliest human ancestors may have helped jumpstart human …. Original source  : Caring, active dads may have helped early humans to have more kids.

Newly discovered Jupiter-sized exoplanet might become cosmic ‘Rosetta stone’

WASHINGTON – An international team of scientists has reported the discovery of a new planet the size of Jupiter that has a temperate climate, which might turn out to be the Rosetta stone in exoplanet research.

The planet, called CoRoT-9b, was discovered by using the CoRoT space telescope satellite.
The newly discovered planet orbits a star similar … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Newly discovered Jupiter-sized exoplanet might become cosmic ‘Rosetta stone’.

Facebook beats Google as US most-visited site

MELBOURNE – Facebook has become the most-visited site in the US after beating former titleholder Google.

The popular social networking page toppled the search giant after accounting for 7.07 per cent of all US web traffic compared to Google’s 7.03 per cent, web analysts Hitwise revealed.
“It’s definitely a big moment for Facebook, even though they beat … Read more >>>.

Authorities: Officer responding to report of runaway Prius in Calif. saw flashing brake lights

Authorities: Prius seen with flashing brake lights

EL CAJON, California – A California Highway Patrol report released Wednesday said an officer saw brake lights flashing after arriving to help slow a speeding Toyota Prius on a Southern California freeway.
The account in the report is consistent with details the driver and CHP officer gave reporters shortly after …. Read the original article  : here.

VP Joe Biden plans to visit NC-based lighting manufacturer Cree; firm rides efficiency boom

Biden to visit NC manufacturer of semiconductors
DURHAM, N.C. – Vice President Joe Biden plans to visit a North Carolina maker of light-producing semiconductor chips that the Obama administration is offering as an example of the potential for job growth in manufacturing energy-efficient products.
Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu were scheduled to visit the …. Original source  : VP Joe Biden plans to visit NC-based lighting manufacturer Cree; firm rides efficiency boom.

Coolers help zoo animals beat heat

BHUBANESWAR – Coolers and water sprinklers are being used at Orissa’s Nandankanan zoo to protect animals from heat as several towns recorded 35-38 degrees Celsius temperature.

“Coolers have been installed in the enclosures of Squirrel monkey and Orangutan as they are prone to heat wave attack,” zoo deputy director S.K. Mohapatra told IANS.
“All water tanks …. Source  : Coolers help zoo animals beat heat.

Scientists turns mosquito into ‘flying vaccinator’

WASHINGTON – A team of Japanese researchers has developed a mosquito that spreads vaccine instead of disease.

The new research, led by Associate Professor Shigeto Yoshida from the Jichi Medical University in Japan, has revealed that mosquito genetic engineering can turn the transmitter into a natural ‘flying vaccinator’, providing a new strategy for biological control over …. Source article  : Scientists turns mosquito into ‘flying vaccinator’.

India and China need to team up to deal with environmental problems

WASHINGTON – A Michigan State University (MSU) scientist and colleagues have said that China and India need to collaborate to slow global warming, deforestation, water shortages and other environmental issues.

“China and India are the two largest countries in terms of population,” said Jianguo Liu, MSU University Distinguished Professor of fisheries and wildlife who holds the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Saturn may have oxygen atmosphere, reveals Cassini’s latest snapshot

WASHINGTON – NASA’s Cassini orbiter’s latest snapshot of Saturn has revealed the rapidly rearranging rings of the planet, as well as colliding moonlets, and an oxygen atmosphere.

Scientists were surprised to find that the atmosphere around Saturn’s rings is largely made up of oxygen.
“Most people thought the ring atmosphere would be water molecules-H2O-and their breakdown products …. Read the original article  : Saturn may have oxygen atmosphere, reveals Cassini’s latest snapshot.

Brain receptor behind learning deficits post-puberty identified

WASHINGTON – A novel brain receptor, alpha4-beta-delta, has been labelled as the culprit behind learning deficits that come with puberty.

It is well known that the onset of puberty marks the end of the optimal period for learning language and certain spatial skills, such as computer/video game operation.
In the new study, Dr. Sheryl Smith, professor of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Brain receptor behind learning deficits post-puberty identified.

Songbirds offer insight into human speech production

WASHINGTON – Scientists say they’re using songbirds to gain insight into how the human brain functions, which may lead to a better understanding of complex vocal behaviour, human speech production and ultimately, speech disorders and related diseases.

Pennsylvania State University Assistant Professors Dezhe Jin and Alexay Kozhevnikov said they are studying how songbirds transmit impulses through …. Read the original article  : here.

Tiger kills animals in Sundarbans village

KOLKATA – A tiger sneaked into a village in the Sundarbans forests of West Bengal and killed several animals before it was tranquilized early Friday.

Forest department sources said the tiger entered Sudhangshupur village in South 24 Parganas district Thursday night and killed three cows, some fowls, a goat and a dog.
After villagers alerted the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tiger kills animals in Sundarbans village.

Day and night to be equally long Saturday

NEW DELHI – Sky gazers in the capital are looking forward to watch the spring equinox Saturday – when the sun shines directly overhead as viewed from the earth, making the night and day equally long.

According to scientists, equinox marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and the word ‘equinox’ is derived …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Day and night to be equally long Saturday.

Recognising sensual sounds is culture specific

WASHINGTON – When it comes to recognising positive emotions like sensual pleasure, relief and achievement, there exists a strong cultural divide, according to researchers at University College London’s psychology department.

The scientists studied a range of non-verbal emotional vocalizations, such as screams and laughs, in two very different cultural groups.
They compared the responses of Westerners to … Original article on : Recognising sensual sounds is culture specific.

NASA mission prepares for study of arctic glaciers

WASHINGTON – NASA’s Operation IceBridge mission, the largest airborne survey ever flown of Earth’s polar ice, is all set to kick off its second year of study of arctic glaciers when NASA aircraft arrive in Greenland on March 22.

The IceBridge mission allows scientists to track changes in the extent and thickness of polar ice, which … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NASA mission prepares for study of arctic glaciers.

Blocking protein may prevent smoke-induced lung damage

LONDON – A new research has found that blocking a certain protein can reduce or prevent cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation in mice.

Inflammation results in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and many other smoking-related ailments.
Cigarette smoke triggers the release of Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which is linked to growth, activation and survival of leukocytes directly …. Original article  : Blocking protein may prevent smoke-induced lung damage.

Velociraptor’s closest cousin discovered by scientists

LONDON – A team of scientists has discovered a new species of dinosaur that was closely related to the Velociraptor.

According to a report by BBC News, the researchers discovered the dinosaur’s exquisitely well-preserved skeleton in sediments dating from the Upper Cretaceous period in Inner Mongolia.
The fossilised skeleton was in almost perfect condition, with complete claws … Read more : Velociraptor’s closest cousin discovered by scientists.

How men produce 1,500 sperms in a second

WASHINGTON – A man produces 1,500 sperm in a single second and researchers have now found how males manage to accomplish this seminal feat.

For a long time, it is believed that stem cells in the testicles-also called germline stem cells-become sperm only through a simple, two-step process.
However, the researchers found that germline stem cells apparently …. Read the original article  : How men produce 1,500 sperms in a second.

Sperm of ants battle inside the queens

LONDON – Queens of ants and bees normally obtain a lifetime supply of sperm on a single day of sexual activity, and sperm competition is expected to occur in lineages where queens receive sperm from multiple males. Now, a new research has shown that it’s not the males that try to harm each other: it’s … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sperm of ants battle inside the queens.

Leafcutter ant queens shut down male-male sperm competition

WASHINGTON – Leafcutter ant queen that mates with many males can stop the battle between competing sperm in her reproductive tract, a new research has found.

Queens of ants and bees normally obtain a lifetime supply of sperm on a single day of sexual activity, and sperm competition is expected to occur in lineages where queens …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Leafcutter ant queens shut down male-male sperm competition.

Facebook refuses to install paedophile ‘panic button’

LONDON – Facebook has refused to install the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) centre ‘panic button’ on its page to report suspected paedophiles, but it has vowed to develop its existing system.

The social networking site has been pressured to start the ‘panic button’ on its pages, after Peter Chapman was convicted for the murder … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Facebook refuses to install paedophile ‘panic button’.

Newly discovered exoplanet may have water

WASHINGTON – Scientists have suggested that the newly discovered planet Corot-9b is temperate enough to allow the presence of liquid water.

Corot-9b was found on 16 May 2008 and orbits its star every 95.274 days, a little longer than Mercury takes to go round the Sun.
It is the first transiting planet to have both a longer … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Newly discovered exoplanet may have water.

36 wild animals killed in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR – Poachers killed 36 wild animals in Chhattisgarh in the past 24 months, a forest official said Friday.

Eleven wild animals were killed in 2008-09 and 25 till February this year, the official told IANS.
He said poachers had largely targeted leopards in Kanker and Dhamtari districts.
Meanwhile, police arrested two youths Friday morning … Read more »»».

Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak created in 3D

WASHINGTON – The magical cloak that featured in the Harry Potter series has become closer to reality, thanks to German scientists who’ve created a three-dimensional “invisibility cloak” that can hide objects by …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak created in 3D.

Japanese fish dealers welcome rejection of tuna trade ban, but urge that quotas be enforced

Japanese fish dealers welcome tuna ban rejection

TOKYO – Japanese fish dealers on Friday welcomed the rejection of a proposed trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna – a prized ingredient of sushi – while urging that existing quotas be more strictly enforced to protect the species from overfishing.
Thursday’s vote at a U.N. meeting in Doha, Qatar, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Japanese fish dealers welcome rejection of tuna trade ban, but urge that quotas be enforced.

Moon smash-up may have created new Jupiter ring

WASHINGTON – An image taken by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has indicated that Jupiter may have a new ring that was created by a smash between its moons.

According to a report in New Scientist, the possible ring appears as a faint streak near Jupiter’s moon Himalia in the image.
The telescopic camera aboard the Pluto-bound probe … Original source on Gaea Times at : Moon smash-up may have created new Jupiter ring.

IPCC has underestimated climate-change impacts, say scientists

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has determined that the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 4th assessment report underestimates the potential dangerous impacts that man-made climate change will have on society.

According to Charles H. Greene, Cornell professor of Earth and atmospheric science, “Even if all man-made greenhouse gas emissions were stopped …. Original article  : IPCC has underestimated climate-change impacts, say scientists.

Our tree-dwelling ancestors could also walk on two legs 3.6 mln yrs ago

WASHINGTON – Experiments by a team of anthropologists have shown that fossil footprints made 3.6 million years ago are the earliest direct evidence of early tree-dwelling hominids using the kind of efficient, upright posture and gait now seen in modern humans.

More than three million years ago, the ancestors of modern humans were still spending a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Our tree-dwelling ancestors could also walk on two legs 3.6 mln yrs ago.

Nano-based RFID tags may soon make long lines at store checkouts history

WASHINGTON – Those never-ending lines at store checkouts could soon be history, thanks to radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags printed through a new roll-to-roll process that could replace bar codes and make checking out of a store a snap.

Rice University researchers, in collaboration with a team led by Gyou-jin Cho at Sunchon National University in Korea, …. Source article  : Nano-based RFID tags may soon make long lines at store checkouts history.

Why we tend to be nice with strangers

WASHINGTON – People from large industrialized societies tend to be nice with strangers. Now, researchers have found why we are surprisingly fair and trusting with unfamiliar individuals.

This pro-social behaviour results from a change in social norms that allowed us to trust strangers, according to the new study.
The change is likely linked to a rise in … Read more : Why we tend to be nice with strangers.

Indian military experts develop grenade using world’s hottest chilli

WASHINGTON – Reports indicate that military experts in Assam, India, have developed a grenade made using the world’s hottest chilli, which is more than 1,000 times stronger than the average cooking spice.

According to a report in The Sun, the researchers have developed the new crowd control grenade packed with ground seeds from the bhut jolokia … Read more »».

There were 18,500 humans in the world 1.2 million years ago

WASHINGTON – A team of geneticists, with the help of the composition of just two human genomes, has computed the size of the human population 1.2 million years ago, from which everyone in the world is descended, as being 18,500 people.

According to a report in the New York Times, the estimate was made by a …. Original article  : There were 18,500 humans in the world 1.2 million years ago.

World’s oldest temple found in Turkey

WASHINGTON – A team of archaeologists has claimed that a temple being excavated in southeastern Turkey is 12,000 years old and is likely the oldest temple ever uncovered in the world.

According to a report by United Press International (UPI), the site was first identified in 1986 when a farmer tilling his field in Sanliurfa found …. Source article  : World’s oldest temple found in Turkey.

Moon may have bucketloads of water!

WASHINGTON – If reports are to be believed, the Moon may have bucketloads of water, with a NASA release indicating the amount of water ice detected in the north lunar pole as 600 million metric tons, stashed away in 40 craters.

This new announcement comes hot on the tail of a series of water discoveries on …. Original source  : Moon may have bucketloads of water!.

Stem cells used to rebuild 10-year-old Brit boy’s windpipe

LONDON – Great Ormond Street Hospital doctors have carried out a surgery to rebuild the windpipe of a 10-year-old British boy using stem cells developed within his body.

In an operation Monday lasting nearly nine hours, doctors at the centre implanted the boy, who has a rare condition called Long Segment Congenital Tracheal Stenosis, with a …. Source article  : Stem cells used to rebuild 10-year-old Brit boy’s windpipe.

Stiff skin syndrome causes found

WASHINGTON – In a study, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers have shed light on a rare inherited disorder called stiff skin syndrome.

By studying the genetics of the syndrome, boffins have learned more about scleroderma, a condition that leads to hardening of the skin as well as other debilitating and often life-threatening problems.
he findings, … Read : Stiff skin syndrome causes found.

Pretty girls increase risky behaviour in young men

MELBOURNE – Presence of a pretty woman can lead men to throw caution to the wind, says a new University of Queensland research.

To reach the conclusion, Professor Bill von Hippel and doctoral student Richard Ronay, from the university’s School of Psychology examined the links between physical risk-taking in young men and the presence of attractive …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pretty girls increase risky behaviour in young men.

Even pre-human ancestors cried while cutting onions

WASHINGTON – The body sensors that bring tears in your eyes when you’re cutting onions have been around for 500 million years, says a new study.

According to a report by Brandeis University scientists in Nature, whenever a person chokes on acrid cigarette smoke or feels like he/she is burning up from a mouthful of wasabi-laced …. Source  : Even pre-human ancestors cried while cutting onions.

In hot Kerala, captive elephants lose cool

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Captive elephants in Kerala are feeling the heat of temple festivals. Often working overtime, without sufficient food and water in this hot season, they are going berserk on a daily basis.

“In the past two weeks, several elephants have gone berserk. Elephants are overly stressed, especially in the months from March to May when … Read : In hot Kerala, captive elephants lose cool.

Arizona Game and Fish employee fired after internal probe into 2009 capture, death of jaguar

Arizona state employee fired over jaguar capture

PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department has fired an employee based on results of an internal investigation into the capture and death of what was the only known wild jaguar in the U.S.
Officials said Friday that 40-year-old Thornton W. Smith was a field biologist and had been …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Arizona Game and Fish employee fired after internal probe into 2009 capture, death of jaguar.

Advocates question number of deaths from wild-horse roundup in Nevada

Nevada wild-horse roundup death toll rises

RENO, Nev. – Activists in Nevada are questioning the rising death toll from a government roundup of wild horses from the range north of Reno.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman JoLynn Worley says 77 mustangs involved in the Calico Mountains Complex gather have died so far – 70 at a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Advocates question number of deaths from wild-horse roundup in Nevada.

New terrifying dino species discovered in China

LONDON – A British Phd student has discovered a terrifying new species of dinosaur in China, an eight-foot long creature with scythe-like claws.

Michael Pittman and an American colleague stumbled on the near-complete fossil skeleton of Linheraptor exquisitus during a field trip to Inner Mongolia and found that the creature is related to the Velociraptor, one …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New terrifying dino species discovered in China.

Gov’t Report: Agriculture Department lax in penalizing those who falsely market organics

Report: USDA lax in policing organics marketing

WASHINGTON – The Agriculture Department has failed to enforce penalties against some who falsely marketed foods as organic, according to an internal department investigation.
A report by the agency’s inspector general says the agency needs to step up enforcement of those who sell products under the “USDA Organic” label but … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gov’t Report: Agriculture Department lax in penalizing those who falsely market organics.

Mercury soars to 41.5 degrees in Orissa capital

BHUBANESWAR – The temperature soared to the season’s highest of 41.5 degrees Celsius in this Orissa capital Friday, an official said.

The maximum temperature at adjoining Cuttack town was 40.1 degrees Celsius, the official of the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre told IANS.
He said several other places in Orissa also recorded high temperatures. These include Chandbali 39.6 … Read more >>.

Cabinet clears project on restoring polluted sites

NEW DELHI – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Friday approved a proposal for a $75.39 million World Bank-assisted project to develop a national programme for the rehabilitation of polluted industrial sites.

“The objective of the project is to develop a national programme for the remediation and rehabilitation of polluted sites by taking up four … Read : Cabinet clears project on restoring polluted sites.

US-Russian deal on nukes could build momentum and trust on other key nuclear issues

US-Russia deal on nukes could build momentum
PARIS – Nearly a year after President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered negotiators to start work on a new treaty to reduce their nuclear arsenals, the two countries say they are finally close to completing a deal – taking a small but important step toward … Read more >>>.

Animal population grows in the Arctic

LONDON – The overall number of animals in the Arctic has increased over the past 40 years, says a new study.

The first analysis of a 40-year database of Arctic species, led by Louise McRae at the Zoological Society of London, has revealed that populations grew by about 16 percent since 1970, reports New Scientist.
The Arctic … Original article on : Animal population grows in the Arctic.

An extra hour of sleep ‘can boost pupils’ exam results’

LONDON – A comprehensive school in the UK is giving pupils an extra hour in bed in the hope that it will boost their concentration levels.

The usual 9am start at Monkseaton High School has been pushed back to 10am as part of an experiment.
The preliminary results of the experiment, overseen by three scientists including an …. Original source  : An extra hour of sleep ‘can boost pupils’ exam results’.

Robot that suffers from illnesses, bleeds being used for medical staff training

SYDNEY – A new robot that expresses pain and suffers from multiple health problems is being used for the training of medical staff.

The robot called ‘SimMan 3G’ can talk, cry and bleed apart from imitating symptoms ranging from anaphylaxis to cardiac arrest.
“SimMan 3G is a mannequin who can behave just like a real patient,” the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Robot that suffers from illnesses, bleeds being used for medical staff training.

Brit military boffins developing Star Trek-style force-field armour

LONDON – British military scientists are in the process of developing a space-age “force field” capable of protecting armoured vehicles and tanks by repelling incoming fire.

Using pulses of electrical energy to repel rockets, shrapnel and other ammunition, the new type of armour will provide protection to vehicles, reports The Telegraph.
According to scientists at the Defence …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New method uses patient’s own breast tissue to make boobs fuller

LONDON – Silicone implants may soon be a thing of the past, all thanks to a surgeon who has developed a revolutionary boob job.

In the three-hour op, costing from 8,000 pounds, Laurence Kirwan uses the patient’s own breast tissue to make boobs fuller.
By doing so, the surgery cuts out the risk of complications from the … Read more : New method uses patient’s own breast tissue to make boobs fuller.

Blame your genes for your jokes falling flat

LONDON – Being funny, apparently, is not something that can be learned. You’re either born with funny bones or not. That’s what a leading psychologist and humour researcher says.

Professor Richard Wiseman, who will take part in Edinburgh’s International Science Festival, that will talk about the psychology of comedy, said plenty of evidence showed that funny, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Greenland Vikings had ‘Celtic blood’, reveals DNA analysis

COPENHAGEN – An analysis of DNA from a Viking gravesite near a 1000 year-old church in southern Greenland shows that those buried there had strong Celtic bloodlines.

According to a report in The Copenhagen post, the analysis was performed by Danish researchers on bones from skeletons found during excavations in south Greenland.
It revealed that the settlers’ … Read more »»».

How bird skeletons can look so delicate and still be heavy

WASHINGTON – A scientist has explained how bird skeletons can look so delicate and still be heavy.

The scientist in question is modern bat researcher, Elizabeth Dumont of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
In her research, Dumont determined that bird bones are denser than mammal bones, which makes them heavy even though they are thin and sometimes … Original source on Gaea Times at : How bird skeletons can look so delicate and still be heavy.

Here’s the science behind quakes

WASHINGTON – In a new study, Northeastern earth and environmental sciences professor Jennifer Cole has discussed what causes earthquakes and how one natural disaster can lead to another.

As to what causes earthquakes, Cole says that they result from the movement of tectonic plates.
As tectonic plates slide past each other, energy builds up in the rocks …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Here’s the science behind quakes.

Sensors to detect engineered nanoparticles to gauge environmental impact

WASHINGTON – A chemist is developing sensors that would detect and identify engineered nanoparticles, a research work that will advance our understanding of the risks associated with the environmental release and transformation of these particles.

The chemist in question is Omowunmi Sadik, director of Binghamton University’s Center for Advanced Sensors and Environmental Systems.
“We need to think …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sensors to detect engineered nanoparticles to gauge environmental impact.

Superconducting materials can solve power loss problem in electricity towers

WASHINGTON – In a new research, it has been suggested that superconducting materials can solve the problem of the power lost due to electrical resistance in steel lattice towers.

Conventional aluminum or copper power lines have a certain amount of natural resistance to the flow of electricity, so some energy is lost as heat during transmission.
About …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Silver nanoparticles may lead to a host of innovative applications

WASHINGTON – A team of scientists has introduced a new method to deterministically and precisely position silver nanoparticles onto self-assembling DNA scaffolds, which could lead to a new generation of microelectronics, semiconductors, biological and chemical sensing devices.

In the new research, Hao Yan and Yan Liu, professors at the Biodesign Institute’s Center for Single Molecule Biophysics …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Santa Monica, Calif., sushi restaurant accused of serving illegal, endangered whale closes

SoCal restaurant accused of serving whale closes

LOS ANGELES – A Santa Monica sushi restaurant accused of serving illegal and endangered whale meat is closing its doors.
A statement posted on the restaurant’s Web site, thehump.biz, says it’s voluntarily closing its doors on Saturday. A sushi chef at the high-end restaurant allegedly was caught serving whale meat.
Typhoon … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Santa Monica, Calif., sushi restaurant accused of serving illegal, endangered whale closes.

Government to set up e-waste treatment facilities: Ramesh

NEW DELHI – Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh Saturday said the government will establish e-waste treatment facilities in the country.

“It is for the first time we are including e-waste recycling facilities as part of hazardous waste management programme for 140 highly contaminated sites in the country,” Ramesh told reporters here.
The Cabinet Committee … Read more »»».

New dinosaur species found in China

BEIJING – Paleontoligists in China Saturday claimed to have found the skeleton of a new species of carnivorous dinosaur that believed to have lived about 80 million years ago.

Experts have found an intact and complete skeleton fossil of a previously undiscovered dinosaur species in north China, the team’s leading scientist Xu Xing said.
The species … Read more >>.

Trapped Sundarbans tiger to be released Sunday

KOLKATA – A tiger from the Sundarbans biosphere reserve, which strayed into a village on the outskirts and was later tranquilised, would be released back into the forest Sunday, according to a top forest department official.

The big cat has been kept under medical observation. It was roaming in the jungles with a tigress when it … Original article on : Trapped Sundarbans tiger to be released Sunday.

One killed, six injured in bison attack

KOLKATA – One person was killed and six others injured in a bison attack in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district Saturday, police said.

“The incident took place near Birpara area at Alipurduar sub-division as a bison killed one and injured six others in a village,” Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) K.L Tamta told IANS.
… Read the original article on Gaea Times at : One killed, six injured in bison attack.

India-China agreement on glaciology in two weeks: Ramesh

NEW DELHI – Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh Saturday said an agreement with China for glaciological studies would be finalised in two weeks.

Noting that China was following India’s stand in climate change negotiation, Ramesh added: Shrinking glaciers is a big area of cooperation. When I went to China in September, we almost had an … Read : India-China agreement on glaciology in two weeks: Ramesh.

Haryana to plant 50 million trees in 2010-11

CHANDIGARH – Announcing the launch of its ‘Mission Green Haryana’, the state government Saturday said 5 crore (50 million) saplings would be planted across the state during 2010-11.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said plants would be made available in the nurseries of the forest department for plantation and free distribution to farmers, public and institutions [..] Read the original article: here.